Long days, flexibility part of tanker crew's life

Air Force tankers refueled fighters over a stretch of the North Sea off England's East Anglia coast Tuesday in support of a joint NATO exercise. The scenario is nothing new for the two KC-135 Stratotanker crews that flew the mission from Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England. About 100 miles off the

Angel Thunder

Medical team transports newborn from Puerto Rico

Seth and Stephanie Parker held each other's hands and waited. As the plane touched down at 12:05 a.m. July 22 at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, they smiled at each other and looked at their son. Four-day-old Stuart lay across from his parents on a medical cart surrounded by doctors, nurses and

Gen. Moseley: New long-range bomber on horizon for 2018

A new bomber scheduled for operation as early as 2018 will enhance America's long-range strike capabilities, according to Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley in a recent Armed Services Committee speech. In a step to develop future long-range strike capabilities, Air Combat Command is

British pilot finishes Raptor training at Tyndall

The first British pilot to complete F-22 Raptor training graduated July 17 at Tyndall Air Force Base. Flight Lt. Dan Robinson, from the Royal Air Force, is assigned to Langley AFB, Va. He has completed two months of training with the 43rd Fighter Squadron as part of an exchange program. In return, a

Federal Voting Assistance Program kicks into high gear

The Federal Voting Assistance Program office is pulling out the stops to ensure all servicemembers and their families who wish to can vote. Polli Brunelli, the program's chief, said the program has learned from experience and has put in place a system to make it relatively painless for

Missouri Guard helps St. Louis area in recovery

Missouri National Guard citizen Soldiers and Airmen are being mobilized to support storm recovery efforts in the St. Louis area."The Missouri National Guard is proud to help the St. Louis area through this difficult time," said Maj. Gen. King Sidwell, the adjutant general for Missouri National

Academy professor sets swimming world record

An Air Force Academy professor set a world record in long-distance swimming July 23.Lt. Col. Tim Lawrence of the U.S. Air Force Academy's Department of Astronautical Engineering became the first American to swim the 14.8 nautical miles from Britain's Jersey Island to France. In the process, he

Incirlik pulls together as hundreds transit base

Airmen at the 728th Air Mobility Squadron passenger terminal are used to large crowds of people waiting to board an aircraft. They are used to endless piles of paperwork, luggage details and occasional irritable customers. Those are the things they are used to, but they live for events like those

Air Force officials announce 2007 force-shaping initiatives

Air Force officials announced today new force-shaping initiatives to be used to meet the required 2007 fiscal year end-strength numbers. The new initiatives are designed to bring the officer numbers down as the enlisted end-strength numbers are on target for 2007. Officials said more than 8,000

Exercise Green Lightning

Pit stops in 'hot' zone require quick off-loads

When people deployed to Afghanistan say a location is "hot," it could mean one of two things. Either it feels like the sun is closer than the moon, or the enemy is lurking about. Here, both meanings apply. For pilots, that equates to making quick pit stops here so they can get in and out of this

CENTAF releases airpower summary

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released the airpower summary for July 26.In Afghanistan July 25, an Air Force B-1 Lancer provided close-air support for coalition troops taking small arms fire from Taliban extremists near Musah Qal'eh. The B-1 expended guided bomb unit-31s and 38s on

Refueling mission

Departure efforts through Incirlik continue

More than 1,600 American citizens displaced from Lebanon continued to process through Incirlik Air Base today. The Americans boarded the USS Trenton in Beirut Sunday at 5:10 p.m., and headed for the port city of Mersin in Turkey. After arriving in Turkey, they traveled by bus to Incirlik. "Many of

AFSOC making a difference in war on terror

His people are making a difference in the war on terror, the leader of the Air Force's special operations troops told members of Congress on Capitol Hill. These Airmen are taking the fight to the enemy every night and in the spirit of their stealthy mission, it's a fight that goes unnoticed by the

Swedish Air Force travels to Alaska for exercise

In a journey that would span more than five days, seven Gripen fighters traveled from Sweden to Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, for the multinational exercise, Cooperative Cope Thunder.When they arrived at the Alaskan base, the Swedish pilots and 23 technicians from the ground crew had reached a

Airmen escort secretary of state to Lebanon

Security forces members battle HEAT

Airmen here are receiving specialized training designed to help them know what to do if their tactical vehicle was to rollover and increase survivability.The training, termed HEAT, encompasses instruction and the use of the Humvee egress assistance trainer. "This is a two-part training exercise,"

CENTAF releases airpower summary

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released the airpower summary for July 25. In Afghanistan July 24, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with enemy forces near Asadabad. The aircraft expended cannon rounds against enemy troop positions,

MySpace use comes with risks

The online site MySpace offering individuals free membership to create a personalized Web page can also serve as a vulnerability for Air Force people to post personal information that can cause problems or risk operational security.MySpace members can share personal photos and use it to catch up

Make-A-Wish

Vehicle maintenance

Panjshir PRT medics visit remote Afghan district

Patients walked as far as six miles and waited as long as eight hours for treatment by Air Force medics from the Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team who visited the Paryan District July 15 and 16.The Medical Civic Action Program, or MEDCAP, was coordinated at the invitation of Panjshir director

U.S., Bulgarian air traffic controllers perfect teamwork

Air Force controllers from the 48th Operations Support Squadron have the opportunity to work and build friendships with their Bulgarian counterparts here as part of Exercise Immediate Response 2006.Bulgaria is a new member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and this exercise gives the

Circled insignia, shoulder board change implementation dates announced

Following the Air Force chief of staff's vision of "lasting heritage - limitless horizons," the Air Force uniform board made minor changes to the enlisted uniform. These changes include returning to the U.S. insignia with circle for the service dress uniform and the deletion of the optional shoulder

McGuire AFB provides humanitarian assistance

Incirlik continues helping Americans leaving Lebanon

The new Incirlik Deployment Processing Center officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 30. Just a few weeks later, the facility is serving as a real-world reception center for 1,600 American citizens leaving Lebanon and seeking travel back to the United States. More than 500 Airmen

Mildenhall's tanker services in high demand

The KC-135 Stratotanker crews at this base in the sedate English countryside are refueling aircraft that are helping get Americans out of Lebanon. Transporting Americans from Lebanon is topping world headlines. But for the 100th Air Refueling Wing it is just its latest mission, wing commander Col.

'Check It' campaign to promote mission focus, stewardship

Everyone within the Defense Department makes an important contribution to the overall mission, so it's critical that every member -- military, civilian and contractor alike -- ensures he or she does his or her job right. That's the message behind "Check It," a new Defense Department campaign that

Americans arrive in Turkey from Lebanon

56th Rescue Squadron launches first flight from Lakenheath

The 56th Rescue Squadron launched its first flight out of RAF Lakenheath today at noon."We are very excited to get our local flying started," said Lt. Col. Thomas Greetan, 56th RQS commander. "It's a tribute to all the various groups and squadrons within the wing who have played a significant part

'New' patients make training more realistic

The use of advanced, more lifelike simulated patients at the aerospace medical service apprentice course is enhancing medical training for Airmen here attending technical school with the 882nd Training Group."The purpose of these patient simulators is to have the most advanced equipment that

Airmen work round the clock in humanitarian crisis

Four Airmen from the 352nd Special Operations Group are deployed here to help with the assisted departure of American citizens, which through July 23 totaled more than 7,000, from Beirut, Lebanon, to ports and airports in Cyprus. Having arrived in Cyprus early on July 18 from Royal Air Force

Americans fleeing Lebanon arrive at McGuire

As of today, U.S. efforts to assist in the departure of American citizens from the conflict in Lebanon have led to more than 1,200 displaced people processing through here. American citizens are traveling aboard C-17 Globemaster III aircraft from here as well as from Charleston Air Force Base, S.C.,

From sand to sky

Researchers conduct workshop on biologically inspired flight

Air Force Office of Scientific Research officials here recently completed a workshop entitled "Biologically Inspired Flight for Micro Air Vehicles" in Denver. Micro air vehicles, or MAVs, are part of a new breed of remotely controlled aircraft that are significantly smaller than currently available

Heading to America

Experience a key training tool at Security Forces Academy

A unit here is taking Airmen's combat experiences and merging them into the training they provide security forces bound for duty "outside the wire" in war zones. The 343rd Training Squadron has added combat experience to their Security Forces Academy to better prepare Airmen to provide air base

CENTAF release airpower summary

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released the airpower summary for July 24.In Afghanistan July 23, French Air Force M-2000s and Royal Air Force GR-7s provided close-air support for coalition troops ambushed and taking small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire from Taliban extremists near

CENTAF releases airpower summary for July 22 and 23

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released the airpower summary for July 22 and 23.July 23In Afghanistan July 22, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and a B-1 Lancer provided close-air support for coalition troops taking small-arms fire from Taliban extremists near Now Zad. The A-10s conducted

No matter the nationality, pilots speak same language

United States and European pilots may have language barriers but at the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training program, they all speak the same language -- aviation. In the 55-week ENJJPT program, approximately 250 American and European students earn their wings yearly. Of those graduating, about 65

Academy band wows crowd with help from old friend

The U.S. Air Force Academy Band's Falconaires performed a concert for the Texas Band Members Association convention here at the Lila Cockrell Theatre with the assistance of a living legend. Sammy Nestico, known in music circles for his long career as a military musician and his success in the music

Misawa F-16 unit flying high at Cooperative Cope Thunder

Pilots and support staff from Misawa Air Base, Japan, are taking advantage of realistic air combat training here during Cooperative Cope Thunder, Pacific Air Forces' largest joint and bilateral air combat exercise. The 13th Fighter Squadron brought about 40 pilots and support Airmen and 12 F-16

RAM squad exercises ability to rescue coalition forces

Firefighting tends to be a strenuous and dangerous job, requiring its practitioners to place themselves in harm's way to save lives and property.A team of 20 Air National Guard firefighters at Ali Base have volunteered to take that responsibility a step further by working on the Rescue Air Mobility

Guard, Reserve medics gear up at Patriot '06

More than 2,200 Airmen and Soldiers are gathering in Wisconsin at Ft. McCoy and Volk Field Combat Readiness Training Center as part of Patriot '06, an Air National Guard-led exercise held July 15 to 28.Servicemembers are also participating at Jefferson Barracks Air National Guard Station, Mo."The

Supplies bound for Cyprus

Care and comfort at Incirlik

Army & Air Force Exchange turns 111 July 25

The Army & Air Force Exchange Service marks its 111th birthday July 25, celebrating its mission to provide quality goods and services at competitively low prices and generate earnings to support morale, welfare and recreation programs. On July 25, 1895, the War Department issued General Order No. 46

Innovative computer chip has enhanced storage capability

A chemical alloy, used in everyday electronic items such as rewritable CDs and DVDs, serves as the source of a new computer chip. Researchers hope that this alloy will demonstrate non-volatile memory, or information storage retention without a power source, in the radiation-hardened space

Medical squadron takes on AFSO 21 challenge

The 71st Medical Support Squadron's radiology section wasted little time following the Air Force Smart Operations 21 announcement to roll out a smarter, less expensive way of conducting their business. The X-ray department recently switched to a photo archiving and communications system, or PACS.

Ramstein passenger services aids displaced U.S. citizens

Shortly after 2 a.m. today, the senior 435th Air Base Wing representative at the base passenger terminal surveyed the scene before him -- more than 200 Americans displaced from Lebanon were stretched across seats, the floor and cots as they awaited transportation back to the United States.Then he

Patriot Village helping Americans displaced from Lebanon

Incirlik Air Base has proven to be up to the challenge of building a temporary home for displaced American citizens fleeing a bombed Lebanon. "It's been a 48-hour around-the-clock process of preparing this area for the (American citizens leaving Lebanon)," said Christopher Skully, 39th Services

USAFE Airmen integral in helping Americans departing Lebanon

Smiles, handshakes and hugs were exchanged as 130 Americans and family members of American citizens transited through Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, today and July 21. The authorized departees from Lebanon disembarked a C-17 Globemaster III for a few hours at each of the

Reservists offered Tricare Reserve Select

Tricare Reserve Select, the premium-based health coverage plan for eligible Selected Reserve and participating Individual Ready Reserve members, has been enhanced by offering three tiers of coverage.Tier 1 certification started June 1 and is primarily for reservists who have served in support of a

Assisting Americans

AETC takes ownership of CV-22 Osprey

It's now official. The CV-22 Osprey, which has been incrementally delivered here since March, is now an Air Education and Training Command asset. The owner has been Air Force Special Operations Command, but after the recently completed operational utility evaluation and final transfer and acceptance

C-17s deliver supplies to aid Americans leaving Lebanon

C-17 Globemaster III crews of the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron added another mission to their resume earlier this week -- providing humanitarian civil assistance to the American citizens fleeing Lebanon.The 816th EAS, based in Southwest Asia, is flying humanitarian supplies such as water and

Photos, documentation help in disaster recovery

Taking photos of knick-knacks and furniture may not seem like a fun way to spend a weekend, but it could save Airmen and families thousands of dollars in the event of a major disaster, said an Air Force Legal Operations Agency official here. Whether loss is from fire, theft or natural disaster,

Air Force names SERE specialist award winners

The Air Force announced the 2005 Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Specialists of the year. The 2005 award winners are: SERE Specialist Senior NCO of the Year, Tier 1: Master Sgt. John Mizelle, 607th Combat Operations Squadron, Osan Air Base, South Korea. SERE Specialist Senior NCO of the

Guard, Reserve commission takes to the road for hearings

The Commission on the National Guard and Reserves, charged by Congress to recommend changes in the laws and policies governing its citizen Soldiers, met in San Antonio this week -- the first time the commission has met somewhere other than Washington, D.C.Six high-ranking members of the Guard and

Incirlik assists Americans fleeing Lebanon

The scene inside the processing center at 3:15 a.m. today looked like a deployment processing line. Except these weren't military members waiting to go downrange -- they were the first American citizens who departed Lebanon and were processing into Incirlik Air Base.Twenty-nine tired men, women and

Simulator to help prepare Elmendorf pilots for C-17s

In preparation for Elmendorf's first C-17 Globemaster III arriving in June 2007, members of the Program Integration Office here flew to Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., to pick up the base's newest simulator."The purpose of the simulator is to train Elmendorf pilots and loadmasters to fly the Air

CENTAF releases airpower summary

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released the airpower summary for July 21.In Afghanistan July 20, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and B-1 Lancers provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with anti-coalition forces near Lashkar Gah and Now Zad. A B-1 also provided close-air

Voting program helps Airmen exercise their rights

Airmen and their families serving around the world have the right to vote and the Air Force Voting Program's mission is to ensure they have the information and tools needed to exercise that privilege. As a part of the program, every Air Force installation has designated voting assistance officers

EPA recognizes Air Force for its 'green power' achievements

The U.S. Air Force is the nation's top purchaser of green power, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Top 25 list of green power purchasers in the partnership. The Air Force is also in the No. 1 slot on the nation's Top 10 Federal Government Green Power Partners. The Air Force is

Shaw hosts Operation Iron Thunder

More than 100 aircraft from the U.S. military and NATO forces participated here this week in Operation Iron Thunder. Hosted by the 77th Fighter Squadron, the exercise offered a chance for players to be exposed to missions nearly identical to those faced in combat. "Operation Iron Thunder is a large

Bagram PRT gives torched school second chance

Soldiers and Airmen from the Bagram Provincial Reconstruction Team traveled to Nyazi Geranshakh in the Parwan Province of Afghanistan on July 19 to replace eight tents at its local school that were burned down earlier this week by arsonists.Team members were equipped with replacement tents as well

Cooperative Cope Thunder 2006

USAFSIA receives federal accreditation

Officials from the U.S. Air Force Special Investigations Academy in Glynco, Ga., announced July 20 its accreditation by the Federal Law Enforcement Training Accreditation Board of Directors. The USAFSIA is the first Department of Defense law enforcement school to receive FLETA accreditation, said

Airmen have front-row seat for Discovery landing

While the 45th Space Wing had an active role in supporting the Space Shuttle Discovery's 5.3 million-mile mission, a select group of its Airmen had the opportunity to watch the shuttle's landing firsthand July 17. "Being asked to witness the landing was exciting," said Senior Airman Melissa Lucas,

Swedish Gripen fighters arrive at Eielson

The Swedish Air Force endured a long journey to participate in the Pacific Air Forces exercise Cooperative Cope Thunder for the first time. In a journey that would span more than five days, seven Gripen fighters left Sweden on July 13 for the multinational exercise. The first leg of their trip took

Cooperative Cope Thunder a massive multilateral air exercise

More than 800 U.S. forces and allies arrived here this week for Cooperative Cope Thunder 06-03, the Air Force's largest multilateral air combat exercise in the Pacific. Filling the role of lead wing is the 35th Fighter Wing from Misawa Air Base, Japan, with Col. Nelson Cabot commanding the 35th Air

Video game prepares Airmen, families for emergencies

True or False? Tornados always have a visible funnel extending to the ground. The answer to that question and more appear in the Air Force's newest training tool designed to prepare civilians, Airmen and their families for emergencies. The difference is this teaching instrument isn't a slideshow

Airmen continue Lebanon transport support

A general medical team from U.S. Air Forces Europe departed Ramstein Air Base, Germany, today to support Lebanon transportation operations. The team, comprised of more than a dozen medical professionals, was sent to fulfill a request by the U.S. Embassy in Nicosia, Cyprus. These Airmen, their

AFSOC commander discusses mission with Congress

"We're helping those who cannot stand on their own against tyranny," Lt. Gen. Michael W. Wooley told a roomful of people Tuesday on Capitol Hill. The general is the commander of Air Force Special Operations Command. He was in Washington to inform members of Congress, staffers, media representatives

Fired up

Isochronical inspection

Flight builds training replicas, saves money

Airmen at the 982nd Maintenance Squadron Trainer Development Flight here are creating replicas that not only meet the hands-on training needs of technical school students but also saves the Air Force money.Members of the flight are creating functional replicas that range in size as big as an

CENTAF releases airpower summary

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for July 20.In Afghanistan July 19, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and a B-1 Lancer provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with anti-coalition forces near Qalat. The B-1 expended guided-bomb-unit 31s and

Cargo movement

Humanitarian mission in Bosnia

Extremists attempt to delay Afghan road progress

Extremists hijacked the driver of a tractor trailer here July 10 destroying $200,000 worth of heavy construction equipment earmarked for reconstruction projects throughout the Panjshir Valley.The driver was forced by several Taliban members to divert the truckload of equipment off the Herat-Kandahar

Vandenberg launches Minuteman III

An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile was launched from here today at 3:14 a.m. The launch was part of an operational test to determine the weapon system's reliability and accuracy. This launch also exercised U.S. Strategic Command's Airborne Launch Control System, which flies

Defense weather satellites provide environmental support

Officials from the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center here said they are on track to launch a third satellite in November that will join two others already in orbit essential in tracking global weather conditions and providing data for distribution to Department of Defense and civilian

C-17s aiding with efforts in Lebanon

A deployed C-17 Globemaster III unit here is providing support to the American citizens who have left Lebanon. Today, C-17s from the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron were tasked to transport supplies to Akrotiri, Cyprus, in preparation for the flow of people.Supplies include tents, Meals Ready

Engineers go beyond virtual reality to test systems

Some aircraft parts can be used to fight in air-to-air combat without ever having to take off a runway. By assembling the avionics "guts" of fighter jets into racks and consoles, engineers and technicians can recreate flight and aerial threats in one facility. The Air Force has that inexpensive

Two refuelers, one squadron can handle any situation

The only Air Force squadron that consists of both the KC-10 Extender and the KC-135 Stratotanker is supporting operations throughout Southwest Asia."We have one-third of the air refueling assets as far as the aircraft and the crews go, but we provide almost 50 percent of air refueling in the area of

On a mission

Columbus AFB earns state recycling award

The Mississippi Recycling Coalition has named Columbus Air Force Base as the Federal Government Recycler of the Year for the third consecutive year, acknowledging the base's continued excellence in promoting installation and community awareness for recycling initiatives and programs. "The Columbus

Airmen helping transport people from Lebanon

Three Air Force MH-53 Pave Low helicopters are part of the forces helping transport American citizens from Lebanon to Cyprus.The aircraft, from the 352nd Special Operations Group at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, are operating out of Akrotiri, Cyprus. They have been doing this for several

CENTAF releases air power summary

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for July 19. In Afghanistan July 18, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and a B-1 Lancer provided close-air support for coalition troops taking small arms fire near Musah Qal'eh. An A-10 expended guided bomb unit-12s on enemy

New commander takes Air Force Recruiting reins

Air Force Recruiting Service welcomed its new commander during a change of command ceremony here July 17. Brig. Gen. Suzanne Vautrinot took command from Brig. Gen. Robertus Remkes, who headed AFRS since February 2004. In her new role, General Vautrinot is the first female to lead Air Force

Combat Airmen keep convoy routes open

Fifty-eight Air Force engineers filling a shortage of Soldiers in Iraq have completed more than a dozen construction projects, often under fire, throughout a 10,000-square-mile zone for the Army's 1st Brigade Combat Team.After six months, the Airmen of the 732nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer

Pakistani Airmen personalize global thanks for support

Although there were about 300 military and civilian aircraft from around the world on display at the Royal International Air Tattoo held July 15 to 16 at Royal Air Force Fairford, England, none compared with the artful presentation of the Pakistan Air Force C-130. In addition to vivid scenes of

U.S. Airmen teach Iraqi volunteers to battle blazes

Iraqi Air Force maintenance people are putting down their wrenches and picking up fire hoses. They are under the experienced eyes of Kirkuk Air Base's 506th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters here.For firefighters of the Iraqi Air Force, walking into an inferno on an already warm day

Routine checkup

EC-130 tune-up

Rocket technology testing reaches 100-percent operation

America's only staged combustion liquid booster rocket engine now in development marked an important milestone July 12 at NASA's Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Miss. The engine reached steady-state 100-percent operation, demonstrating mainstage performance for the first time.The engine

Effectiveness of commercial air cargo augmentation under review

U.S. Central Command's Deployment and Distribution Operations Center, or CDDOC, has initiated a test to determine the cost and effectiveness of using commercial air cargo aircraft to augment military aircraft in delivering supplies to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. The purpose of this initiative,