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  • Insurance alternative available for federal employees

    The Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program offers federal employees an option when purchasing long-term-care insurance. The insurance policy helps defray the cost of in-home, nursing home or assisted living facility care for people who cannot care for themselves due to chronic health conditions.

  • New wing brings Air Force dominance to cyberspace

    The Air Force consolidated the responsibilities of its network operations security centers under one wing here today, giving it the advantage over America's enemies and achieving tactical dominance on the newest battlefront -- cyberspace.That took place when the 67th Information Operations Wing was

  • Airmen go operational with new small-diameter munition

    Airmen from the 48th Munitions Squadron here have been trained on the handling procedures for the first small-diameter munition to enter the Air Force inventory. The Airmen are the first to handle the weapon in an operational environment. "This is the first time an Air Force fighter has carried the

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for July 7.In Afghanistan July 6, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and a B-1 Lancer provided close-air support for coalition forces taking small-arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire from Taliban extremists near Asadabad.

  • 'Lightning II' moniker given to Joint Strike Fighter

    The Air Force chief of staff announced Lightning II as the F-35 name during a Joint Strike Fighter Inauguration Ceremony today at the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. at Fort Worth, Texas. Gen. T. Michael Moseley made the final decision after an extensive nomination and review process, coordinated

  • Iceland radar mission comes to close

    Radar stations operated by Airmen from the 932nd Air Control Squadron at the four corners of Iceland are no longer active following a ceremony bringing the unit's mission to a close. After more than 54 years as Iceland's first line of defense, Air Force and host nation officials determined to

  • Detachment tracks space shuttle Discovery

    The 22nd Space Operations Squadron's Detachment 5 here is playing a pivotal role in the Discovery mission following its launch July 4 from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida -- one in which the shuttle does not launch if the detachment is not ready. "When the space shuttle launches and while it's

  • Firefighters respond to blaze

    Sixteen firefighters here responded to, controlled and eventually extinguished a large grass fire that threatened several locations on the Victory Base Complex outside Baghdad on July 3. "A trash burn got out of control and started the surrounding grassy area on fire," said Tech. Sgt. Michael Routh,

  • AFIT linked to past, future of America's space program

    The Air Force Institute of Technology, or AFIT, has long been involved with America's efforts in space. Its association began with the early test flights of the high-altitude research aircraft, the X-15, and has continued to NASA's "Return to Flight" Discovery space shuttle launch July 4.Col. Steve

  • More airborne cargo means fewer convoys

    A new way of moving cargo in theater is allowing Airmen here to process more raw tonnage of cargo than airlift wings in the states, while doing it with a fifth of the manning. The 96 Airmen assigned to the 332nd Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron's aerial port flight are the core of the

  • Future Air Force Medical Service specialists train at Wilford Hall

    For many college students, summers consist of packing away textbooks, migrating home and heading to a dull, low-paying job or internship. For several U.S. Air Force Academy and ROTC cadets, a normal day's work could mean observing trauma response in an emergency room, an F-16 Fighting Falcon

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for July 6.In Iraq July 5, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles provided close-air support to coalition troops in contact with anti-Iraqi forces near Salman Pak. Additionally, 13 Air Force, Navy, Australian and Royal Air Force

  • Bagram aircrews drop treats to Soldiers on fourth

    Aircrews from the 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron airdropped something special on the Fourth of July for Soldiers at some of the most remote forward operating bases throughout Afghanistan. The 230th birthday of the United States proved to be another hot, dusty day here, but thanks to the C-130

  • Five servicemembers show off their arms at Nationals game

    On a sweltering hot day in the nation's capitol, five members of the armed forces were given the chance to take part in a Major League Baseball tradition.Representatives from the Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard each threw out a ceremonial "first pitch" before the Washington

  • Airmen train to prepare for 'in-lieu-of' taskings

    More than 800 Airmen are attending Army ground combat skills training, preparing them for operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom deployments. The Airmen require the training because they will be assigned duties outside their normal Air Force specialties. In the near-term, these numbers are

  • AFN to end radio play-by-play sports

    Department of Defense officials announced July 5 that the American Forces Network, or AFN, will end broadcasting play-by-play sports on radio later this summer. The decision to discontinue live play-by-play sports on radio was based upon a series of DOD worldwide audience surveys of servicemembers

  • Air Force Marathon boasts new additions

    Officials announced that there will be a new team in town at the tenth anniversary Air Force Marathon. For the first time, a pace team will run with participants in the half-marathon, assisting participants who want to finish within a specific race time. "We are very excited to add a new pace team

  • 48th Fighter Wing jets receive high-tech overhaul

    When aircraft launch from the British Isles in September to support operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, they will be fitted with the most advanced avionics and carry the most accurate, lethal weapons in the Air Force inventory. The 48th Fighter Wing here has taken the Air Force lead in

  • Air Force stands up first network warfare wing

    Air Force officials will stand up the first network warfare wing here July 7 to better support the mission to "deliver sovereign options for the defense of the United States of America and its global interests -- to fly and fight in Air, Space and Cyberspace." The 67th Network Warfare Wing, formerly

  • 45th Space Wing supports shuttle launch

    The U.S. Air Force's 45th Space Wing provided Eastern Range support for NASA's launch of the space shuttle Discovery Tuesday. Discovery lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center at 2:38 p.m."Congratulations to the entire NASA, DOD and contractor launch team," said Brig. Gen. Susan Helms, 45th Space

  • Pacific Air Forces receives top safety honor

    Pacific Air Forces is the recipient of the Major General Benjamin D. Foulois Memorial Award in recognition for its flight safety program for the past year.The award was presented to the major command by members of the Order of Daedalians during a ceremony here July 1. To receive the annual flight

  • Air Force provides Army's weather support

    Many people do not realize the U.S. Army receives its weather support from the Air Force as part of an inter-service agreement when the two became separate services.Airmen from the 7th Weather Squadron, with headquarters at Heidelberg, Germany, have been providing that support since 1942.Supporting

  • Kirkuk control tower keeps watch day, night

    Organized chaos. Sounds like a contradiction, doesn't it?But that is exactly what the 506th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron air traffic control tower technicans keep their eyes on -- all day, every day. "It's something different every day," said Senior Airman Adam Guerrero, an air traffic

  • District dedicates hydropower plant, government center

    Governor Haji Bahlol and provincial leaders dedicated a new micro-hydropower station and governance facility at ceremonies in the Shutol District here June 28.The two projects, which have an important link, are provincial reconstruction team initiatives undertaken at the request of the governor. The

  • CENTAF releases combined airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released the airpower summary for July 1 to 2.July 2In Afghanistan July 1, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and B-1 Lancers provided close-air support for coalition forces taking small-arms fire from Taliban extremists near Gereshk. A B-1B expended a guided

  • Aversion to needles doesn't stop donor

    A staff sergeant who cannot volunteer at the Air Force Theater Hospital does so in another way. He donates blood platelets. Staff Sgt. Bret Depratu, 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, has donated 10 units of blood platelets since his arrival in May, despite his aversion to needles. "I

  • Basic training grads say 4th of July feels different now

    Last year Airman 1st Class Samantha Riddle spent Independence Day floating down a river and watching fireworks. The day meant nothing more than a chance to hang out with friends and to enjoy a day off from the daily grind of working in the medical field. Now, as a graduate of Air Force basic

  • Airmen at Ali Base hand perimeter defense mission to Army

    After more than three years of protecting Ali Base, the Airmen of the 407th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, known as the "Desert Hunters," turned over the perimeter defense mission to the Army's 528th Quartermaster Company on June 30.The ceremony culminated a month of training by the Desert

  • Joint forces team up for first sergeant training

    Senior NCOs from the U.S. Air Force and Japan Air Self Defense Force received additional-duty first sergeant training to learn important skills required to be a first sergeant. Two instructors traveled from the Air Force First Sergeant Academy at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., to teach the one-week

  • Author, activist speaks with Airmen

    Cloaked behind stories, imitations and comedy, a former Air Force technical sergeant, New York Times bestselling author and activist shared his message of doing what must be done to not only survive, but thrive.Dave Pelzer, author of a number of books, including "A Child Called 'It,'" volunteered

  • Veterans remember canines with care packages

    Staff Sgt. Erick Trusty is tired and dirty. Another day has come and gone that he survived. At least on this day an improvised explosive device -- one of the enemy's deadliest weapons of choice in Iraq -- didn't hit his team. And the raid he and others carried out on a house full of weapons and

  • Airman dies in non-combat related incident

    An Airman assigned to the 886th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron at Camp Bucca, Iraq, died today in a non-combat related incident.The name and home unit of the deceased Airman is being withheld pending next-of-kin notification.The incident is under investigation.  Additional information will

  • Despite stormy start, 'Katrina baby' thrives

    No, her name is not Katrina. Sage Madison Post's dramatic birth at Keesler Medical Center during a cesarean section by flashlight as Hurricane Katrina stormed ashore was an inspirational story in the tumultuous days after the storm. However, without the family's consent, federal regulations to

  • Course trains medics to save lives in the air

    Sweat runs into the student's eyes, blurring his vision as he strains to read the screen displaying his patient's vital signs. Loud engine noise disorients him and makes it hard to communicate with his two team members. It makes for a tense situation because a wrong move means the end of the line

  • Group mission inactivates at Keflavik, Iceland

    The 85th Group, a tenant unit at Naval Air Station, Keflavik, Iceland, marked 55 years of heritage and cooperation during an inactivation ceremony there June 28. "From fighters to helicopters, AWACS to tankers, NAS Keflavik has seen almost every aircraft in the U.S. Air Force inventory transitioned

  • Chief McKinley takes over top enlisted position

    The Air Force welcomed new Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley as he was passed the torch by Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray in a ceremony here today. Chief Murray retires after 29 years of service with the last four as the chief master sergeant of the Air

  • Wavelet researchers want to ease decision-making process

    An Air Force Research Laboratory team began a new study on wavelets to help information analysts better prioritize workload. Basically, a wavelet represents a snapshot of information at a given point in time. The research team's estimated $200,000, one-year-long project is titled: "A New Paradigm in

  • Kiosk offers one-stop customer service

    The new Joint Services OneStop Kiosk at the Pentagon may look like an ATM, but it offers much more. The kiosk, unveiled June 29 at the Pentagon Metro entrance, is a customer service initiative that provides users with online Web access to such programs as MyPay, the Air Force Portal, and virtual

  • Summer 2006 quarterly issue of Airman available

    Read about how airpower is helping fight the war on terrorism, see how a team of Airmen mentors is making a difference in Afghanistan, follow the daily routine of an Air Force recruiter in the Big Apple, and tag along as Airmen prepare for detainee operations in the area of responsibility. These

  • Stolen VA laptop turned in to FBI

    The stolen Department of Veterans Affairs laptop computer and hard drive containing the personal information of more than 26 million veterans were turned in to the FBI June 29, the Veterans Affairs secretary said before Congress today. Reports indicate the FBI has made a preliminary determination

  • Spouses, families of deployed Airmen go the distance

    Spouses and family members of Moody's deployed Airmen have an opportunity to go the distance through the "Inching Toward Iraq" program. The program is designed to help families cope with the stress of deployments, and it focuses on having families walk the distance it would take them to reunite with

  • Airmen test new Air Force flight suits, T-shirts

    A six-month wear test for the next generation flight suit and proposed T-shirt undergarment is being conducted by specialists in the 28th Test and Evaluation Squadron aircrew life support division here.The T-shirt, which is being tested in two versions made from wool or meta-aramid fibers (the same

  • Donated computers help Philippine youth get connected

    Airmen from the 35th Fighter Squadron and Aircraft Maintenance Unit, deployed to Singapore in support of Operation Commando Sling, took time out of their flying schedule to launch Philippine schools onto the information superhighway. Airmen conducted a donation drive and received computers and

  • Supply Airmen run mission lifeline at Ali Base

    Paperclips, toilet bowls, sulfuric acid and body armor all have something in common. They are all items that have arrived at Ali Base through the supply system for issue by logisticians. "We are here to provide supply support for the base and do whatever else we can to help fight the war on

  • Civil engineers rid Kunsan of austere living conditions

    Civil engineers here completed a construction project to update living accommodations typically used by servicemembers in support of air expeditionary force assignments.Thirty Southeast Asia huts, commonly referred to as SEA huts because of their popularity during the Vietnam War, were finished in

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released the airpower summary for June 30.In Afghanistan June 29, Air Force B-1B Lancers provided close-air support for coalition forces taking small-arms and mortar fire from Taliban extremists near Tarin Kowt. The aircraft expended guided bomb unit-31s and

  • Academy making strides in sexual assault prevention

    In 2003, the Air Force Academy faced negative attention from the press and drew the ire of parents and lawmakers alike because victims of sexual assault at the school who reported their cases were not given appropriate attention. The academy's commandant of cadets, Brig. Gen. Susan Y. Desjardins,

  • Air Force leaders send Independence Day message

    The following is an Independence Day message from Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley. "Happy Birthday, America! For 230 years, this nation and its people have represented freedom and democracy. We earned that reputation through courageous

  • Counselor cites 3 Cs of career success for spouses

    With frequent moves preventing them from moving up the career ladder in a single workplace, military spouses face unique career challenges, a military spouse career counselor told more than 150 spouses attending a recent Military Spouse Career Expo at Fort Belvoir, Va. Laureen DuPree, an Army

  • Highly modified C-130 ready for war on terrorism

    The beginning of an era for Robins Air Force Base and the warfighters of Air Force Special Operations Command was marked June 28 as the first-of-its-kind MC-130W was presented to Lt. Gen. Michael W. Wooley, AFSOC commander, in a ceremony here."A lot of work went into this aircraft," said Maj. Gen.

  • Fiscal '07 Air Guard promotions to lieutenant colonel, major announced

    The Air Reserve Personnel Center here announced today the results of the Fiscal 2007 Air National Guard Line and Nonline Lieutenant Colonel and Major Promotion Selection Boards. The board selected 588 officers for promotion from more than 759 considered. The results of the boards are as follows:

  • Air Force aids Army with medevac missions

    Last year, the Army asked the Air Force for help with its medevac operation. Called an in-lieu-of mission, the Air Force agreed to assist and tasked Master Sgt. Scott Curran to form the first team of Air Force enlisted aerospace evacuation technicians, or flight medics, as they like to call

  • Air Force proposes CSAR-X locations

    Plans for initiating environmental analyses for proposed locations of the combat search and rescue, or CSAR-X, aircraft, were announced by Air Force officials June 29.The locations are at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz.; Kulis Air National Guard Base or Elmendorf AFB, Alaska; Gabreski Airport,

  • Handout updated for overseas returnees

    Lieutenant colonels and below and senior master sergeants and below who are eligible to return from overseas assignments now have an updated guide to make informed decisions regarding their assignment options. The Overseas Counseling Handout, issued by military personnel flight or commander support

  • Air Force oversees popular name selections

    The popular name of the joint strike fighter F-35 aircraft will be released in early July, while the Air Force is currently proposing popular names for the MQ-9A unmanned aerial vehicle. Military vehicles are traditionally given such names that pay homage to the services' history or its mission, or

  • Blogs study may net credible information

    The Air Force Office of Scientific Research has begun funding a new research area that includes a study of blogs. Blog research may provide information analysts and warfighters with invaluable help in fighting the war on terrorism. Drs. Brian Ulicny, senior scientist, and Mieczyslaw Kokar,

  • AFOSR helping to solve 30-year-old dilemma

    A team of researchers supported by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research has made a breakthrough in electric oxygen iodine laser, or EOIL, research. The results were presented at the AFOSR Molecular Dynamics Program Review here in June. "We have been looking at a problem that has been bugging

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials announced the airpower summary for June 29.In Afghanistan June 28, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and B-1 Lancers and Royal Air Force Harrier GR-7s provided close-air support for a coalition forces convoy taking small-arms fire from Taliban extremists near

  • Academy grad named 2006 MWC male student-athlete

    U.S. Air Force Academy 2006 graduate Matt Karmondy was honored as the Mountain West Conference Male Student-Athlete of the Year. Established by the Mountain West Conference Joint Council in 1999, the award is the highest honor presented to a student-athlete by the league. The award is bestowed

  • Guardsmen provide quick response to plane crash

    Pararescuemen from the Alaska Air National Guard's 212th Rescue Squadron helped stabilize and transport the passenger of a single-engine plane that crashed near Resurrection Pass June 27.Alaska State Troopers requested the Alaska National Guard's assistance in responding to the crash around 8 p.m.

  • CMSAF says farewell to Airmen

    In his latest "Chief's View," Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray discusses his four-year tenure as the 14th top enlisted person and thanks Airmen for their contribution to the war on terrorism. "As I look toward retiring on June 30, I want to thank each of you for volunteering to

  • Air Force officials announce lieutenant colonel selections

    Air Force officials have announced the selection of 1,302 majors for promotion to lieutenant colonel. The board considered 6,866 line, chaplain and biomedical sciences corps officers.Effective March 3, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen T. Michael Moseley redesignated the judge advocate general

  • Academy Class of 2010 boasts record numbers of women, minority cadets

    The 1,352 members of the U.S. Air Force Academy's Class of 2010 arrived Tuesday, June 27, to in-process and begin basic cadet training here. Overall, the Academy received 9,255 applications for admission into the class, with more than 1,700 being offered appointments. As of June 26, 1,352 had

  • Pararescuemen train for space shuttle launch recovery

    Reservists from the 920th Rescue Wing here practiced techniques June 23 that may be used during a space shuttle launch recovery mission. The next shuttle launch is scheduled for July 1. Chief Master Sgt. Jeffrey Curl, Master Sgts. James Johnston, John Shiman, Alexander Abbey, and a new

  • Delta IV launch successful

    The first West Coast launch of Boeing's Delta IV evolved expendable launch vehicle was conducted here June 27. The rocket took off from Space Launch Complex-6 carrying a payload for the National Reconnaissance Office. The spacelift commander for this mission was Col. Jack Weinstein, 30th Space Wing

  • Fighter aircraft arrive for Combat Archer

    Twenty-eight fighter aircraft from Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho; Luke AFB, Ariz.; and Shaw AFB, S.C., are here participating in Combat Archer. Approximately 300 Airmen deployed with their aircraft and set up operations in the 83rd Fighter Weapons Squadron, an Air Combat Command tenant unit

  • Japanese military key member of coalition

    For the first time since its formation in 1954, members of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force are actively deployed to a combat zone. They are helping with humanitarian relief and reconstruction efforts in Iraq. "I feel the responsibility of this valuable work for the world and am proud to take part

  • Logistics sleuths solve mysteries of disappearing parts

    By finding aircraft parts that are missing, misrouted or stranded in transit, a multi-organizational team led by Air Force Materiel Command's warfighter sustainment division is returning more of the capability to warfighters when they need it. AFMC members helped recover parts worth $4.5 million in

  • AFSO 21 streamlines logistics processes

    Airmen with the 39th Logistics Readiness Squadron Material Management Flight are implementing a new way of thinking by streamlining their process of asset distribution at Incirlik and collocating people into one building. "We are wringing out the water and giving time back to our Airmen," said Capt.

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for June 28.In Iraq June 27, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons conducted a precision strike against an anti-Iraqi forces compound near Baghdad. The F-16s expended a guided bomb unit-38, destroying the compound. F-16s provided

  • Former astronaut takes command of Air Force Space Command

    Gen. Kevin P. Chilton assumed command of Air Force Space Command in a ceremony here June 26, presided over by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley. Current and former national defense leaders, active and retired senior officers, community leaders and active-duty servicemembers gathered

  • 18th ASOG Airman praised for selfless service

    A tactical air controller was recognized by the secretary of the Air Force with the presentation of a Silver Star in a ceremony June 26 for heroic duties while deployed to Southwest Asia in support of the war on terrorism. Tech. Sgt. Travis Crosby, a terminal attack control-qualified TACP assigned

  • Omaha Trophy winners announced

    The winners of the 2005 Omaha Trophy awards were announced by U.S. Strategic Command officials today.The results are as follows: -- Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Trophy: 90th Space Wing, F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo.-- Strategic Aircraft Operations Trophy: 5th Bomb Wing, Minot AFB, N.D.--

  • Whiteman Airmen respond to Missouri building collapse

    Fire and rescue specialists from here responded Monday to a statewide request for mutual aid after a building collapsed in Clinton, a town about 28 miles south of here. Nine people were rescued but one died in the incident."We were there to assist state and local officials spearheading the rescue

  • Mission success depends on refuelers

    The B-1 Lancers that drop bombs on targets cannot get to those targets without the support of the KC-135 Stratotankers and KC-10 Extenders that refuel them en route. The general premise of the missions seems simple: refuel the B-1s on the way to and from the area of responsibility. In reality,

  • Air Ops Center wraps up Valiant Shield

    After nearly 2,000 sorties, the Kenney Headquarters' Pacific Air Operations Center team, assembled to orchestrate air operations for Valiant Shield, concluded the exercise. "We had a very successful exercise," said Maj. Paul Hahn of the headquarter's Combat Operations Division. "This was a great

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for June 27.In Afghanistan June 26, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and Royal Air Force Harrier GR-7s provided close-air support to coalition forces taking small-arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire from Taliban extremists

  • Air Force, Army agree on plans for joint cargo aircraft

    With the signing of a memorandum of agreement June 20, the vice chiefs of staff of the Air Force and the Army have agreed on a way ahead for converging the service's independent acquisition programs for a joint cargo aircraft. Both the Air Force and the Army independently pursued options for a