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  • Snowball Express kicks off weekend festivities

    Orange County businessman Michael Kerr decided his part in the War on Terror was to give families of fallen military heroes one magical weekend, complete with a trip to Disneyland. Mr. Kerr is the founder of the Snowball Express, a Dec 15-18 event offered to the families of service members who died

  • Soaring into the blue

    GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala (AFPN) -- Tech. Sgt. Barry Snokhous checks an F-15 Eagle's fire warning system prior to its performance in a Guatemalan International Air Show 2005. Sergeant Snokhous is a member of the West Coast F-15 Demonstration Team, which participated in the airshow Oct. 26 as part of

  • Sobering facts about DUI

    Breaking the law does not often require an invitation for formal attire, but Airmen here charged with driving under the influence can expect just that. When charged with a DUI, Airmen here are requested to show up in their service dress uniform at the office of Col. Edmond Keith, 96th Air Base Wing

  • SOC shutdown marks end of era at Blue Cube

    With each flip of a switch, the room grew eerily quieter as the end of an era drew closer. The equipment room of the Satellite Operations Center-52 inside the Blue Cube here ceased operations recently, after 36 years of around-the-clock support to the space community. Members of 21st Space

  • Soccer player is top female Air Force athlete

    Competition and esprit de corps drive soccer player Kristy Kuhlman.Now it has driven her to the top. Kuhlman, a second lieutenant contract specialist with the Space and Missile Systems Center's satellite and launch control system program office here, has been named the Air Force's 2002 Female

  • Soccer: Air Force 1, UNLV 0, in men's soccer

    Senior Andy Nigro scored the only goal in the final game of his career Nov. 18 to lead the Air Force men's soccer team to a 1-0 victory over University of Nevada at Las Vegas at the Academy's Cadet Soccer Stadium in the season finale for both teams. Nigro, along with five other seniors, were honored

  • Soccer: Air Force downs Denver, 2-1

    Senior Andy Nigro and freshman Kyle Moses each posted a goal and an assist and senior Brian Guyette recorded a career-high 15 saves Oct. 13 to lead the Air Force men's soccer team to a 2-1 victory over Denver University at Pioneer Field.With the victory, Air Force snapped a six-game winless streak

  • Social media requires care, caution with political material

    While U.S. culture promotes opinions and debate, the Airmen should be reminded that, while on active duty -- and even for reservists who may be perceived as active military representatives, participating in politics on social media is exactly the same as it is in person: strictly prohibited.

  • Social media sites add dimension to sharing information

    A new Facebook fan page is giving the Air Force community an interactive platform for exchanging news, information and feedback about programs that affect their personal and professional lives. US Air Force Life and Career debuted earlier this year and has captured topics fresh on the minds of Air

  • Social media sites soon will be open on the Air Force Network

    Air Force officials are opening the Air Force network to allow access to Internet-based social-networking sites. Initial access will be available at five Pacific Air Forces bases March 30, and will begin opening sites Air Force-wide later in April.This change in policy is a result of the Department

  • Social media: Unwanted eyes may be watching Airmen, families

    Social media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter and Flickr can provide an instantaneous and highly entertaining feedback stream of your daily activities to friends and family. The latest videos of dogs running with fireworks in their mouths, kittens tumbling in the snow or Internet memes of celebrity

  • Social Security launches expedited veteran disability process

    Social Security claims from veterans with a Veterans Affairs Department disability compensation rating of 100 percent permanent and total have a new process that will treat their applications as high priority and issue expedited decisions.

  • Social starts week celebrating outstanding Airmen

    The Air Force's 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year attended a social here Sept. 11 to kick off a week of events planned to honor them.Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy and his wife, Paula, welcomed the Airmen and their guests to Airey House, their official residence named after the first

  • Social visit helps fight wars

    Sixteen general officers from 16 different countries joined Pacific Air Forces leaders June 17 in their premiere multinational large force employment exercise while building partnerships with senior airpower leaders from the global community.The hosts of this year's Red Flag-Alaska Executive

  • Society honors Airmen who escaped, evaded capture

    The commander of Air Mobility Command honored the Air Forces Escape and Evasion Society with a ceremony here May 4 as part of the group's 2007 reunion. Gen. Duncan J. McNabb paid tribute to AFEES, a non-profit organization of Airmen who were forced down behind enemy lines and avoided captivity, or

  • SOCOM spikes Air Force in sitting volleyball

    After a strong first game win, the Air Force was dispatched by the Special Operations Command in the preliminary sitting volleyball competition at the 2011 Warrior Games here May 17. The Air Force team started the three-game series with a battery of successive points, carving out an eight-point lead

  • SOCSOUTH moving to Homestead

    U.S. Special Operations Command officials announced that Special Operations Command, South will move from Roosevelt Roads Naval Base, Puerto Rico, to a new headquarters site at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla., within a year.Gen. Bryan D. Brown, USSOCOM commander, made the decision the week of Nov.

  • Softball: Airmen to represent Air Force in tournament

    Fifteen Airmen have been selected to represent the Air Force in the 2007 All-Armed Forces Women's Softball Championship Sept. 18 to 20 here.Twenty-six women from across the Air Force gathered here to compete for a spot on the Air Force team. At the end of the week-long camp, 15 women were chosen to

  • Software analyst becomes agricultural inventor

    Farming and a little laziness combined to earn a software analyst here a patent for a self-opening gate that operates with no electricity, batteries, solar panels or remote controls.Possibly revolutionizing life for cattle farmers, Dan Hix's gate, according to a patent search, is like no other. It

  • Software Development Forum to shape future of network capabilities

    The Air Force Network Integration Center will host its first Software Development Forum on Feb. 7 in Colorado Springs, Colo., as part of an effort to standardize requirements for applications on the Air Force Network.The event is the first in a series of planned forums to partner with industry in

  • Software helps Airmen track fitness progress

    The Air Force recently released a tool to help Airmen keep track of their fitness efforts. The Air Force Fitness Management System is available to all Airmen through the Air Force Portal. The system provides a history of their fitness scores and allows unit fitness managers to enter new scores.

  • Software helps put bombs on target

    Since March 19, warfighters have dropped 21,300 munitions in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Tens of thousands more have been dropped or launched during Operation Enduring Freedom and that many more stand ready if and when the call comes.To account for all the munitions the Air Force owns, ammunition

  • Software maintainers help warfighters achieve mission

    While the E-8 Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System, or Joint STARS, platform is celebrated for its ability to provide air commanders with real-time ground surveillance in support of attack operations, the surveillance giant couldn't complete its mission without the support from Airmen of

  • Software proves effective in avoiding aircraft crashes

    Leading-edge software technology 25 years in the making by specialists in numerous Defense Department agencies and NASA has demonstrated a continuous 98 percent effectiveness rate of eliminating aircraft crashes, a NASA test flight director said. The primary development of the software technology

  • Software streamlines travel process

    A new software program being tested by defense travel system officials will make arranging, paying and reimbursing official government travel a speedy, seamless and almost paperless process, according to officials.A software program, called the "Enhanced Jefferson," is transforming the way the

  • Software team finds new mission with C-5

    Now that the C-141 Starlifter has officially retired after 43 years of providing strategic global airlift, those who cared for it are left behind to find a new purpose. The 402nd Maintenance Group software support team is filling the void with a new workload -- the C-5 Galaxy. “It’s an engineer’s

  • Software update keeps B-52 at forefront of bomber fleet

    The B-52 Stratofortress will soon receive a software upgrade that will keep the aircraft at the forefront of the U.S. strategic bomber fleet.As new equipment and advanced weapons are added to the B-52 fleet, the B-52 Software Block (BSB) upgrades allow the aircraft to utilize the full potential of

  • Solar array saves Air Force energy, money

    A solar-energy array at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., is saving money for the Air Force and decreasing the service's reliance on fossil fuels. "The military, perhaps better than anyone, is bound and determined to be good stewards of the incredible natural resources we have in this country," said Col.

  • Solar array to 'dim' Luke's electric bill

    Members of the 56th Civil Engineer Squadron here are exploring ways to reduce the multi million dollar electric bill and go 'green' with plans to build one of the largest solar arrays in the Air Force by December 2011 at Luke Air Force Base.2nd Lt. Christopher Warshaw, the 56th CES energy projects

  • Solar energy helps power base

    Solar energy panels in use here are saving base officials money while protecting the environment. The photovoltaic array project became fully operational May 17.The goal of the project is to cut power costs, reduce energy consumption and comply with the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Base civil

  • Solar energy research could reduce energy needs

    Solar energy could be a powerful solution to the energy needs of the future for military and commercial entities. However, scientists point out the constant need for power, not just when the sun is shining. Funding support from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research is enabling a Massachusetts

  • Solar energy upgrade boosts efficiency

    The 99th Air Base Wing headquarters building here is adding solar panels in an effort to make the building more energy efficient.Nellis Air Force Base is in the process of starting and completing eight separate projects to make Nellis AFB, Creech AFB and the Nevada Test and Training Range more

  • Solar flare third largest recorded

    Air Force Weather Agency's space weather operations center officials said the Oct. 27 solar flare was the third largest event in recorded history. Also, they said the solar spot group is the largest recorded in the current solar cycle.Weather technicians in the center sent more than 300 warnings of

  • Solar power lights up Southwest Asia

    Air Force leaders are continually looking for means to do things leaner and cleaner, even in deployed locations.It probably goes unnoticed by most people here, but solar-powered light carts are paving the road to an environmentally friendlier future in Southwest Asia. These new light carts save the

  • Solar wall saves Air Force money

    Air Force officials installed their first solar wall here in November 2008, and have saved the base $15,000 in energy bills so far. Francis Sheridan, the Elmendorf Air Force Base resource efficiency manager, was responsible for brainstorming the idea to install solar walls on the west and east sides

  • Soldier conquers suicidal thoughts, urges others to get help

    Army Capt. Emily Stehr, a physical therapist with the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, is in the business of healing. But five months after returning from Iraq, she was struggling with her own internal wounds of war that had not healed. She decided to kill herself. What stopped Captain Stehr was not

  • Soldiers deploy to Lackland for quick-reaction exercise

    Best known for its one-of-a-kind role as the source of Air Force basic training, this base in the heart of Texas welcomed Soldiers for training of a more advanced sort -- defending high-value government facilities from terrorist attacks.A U.S. Northern Command quick reaction force, made up of more

  • Soldiers experience Air Force military education

    The Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy at Gunter Annex here has some new faces among its students: those of Army soldiers.The Army is back after pulling its students out of other service senior NCO academies in 1998 to teach them exclusively at the Army Senior NCO Academy in Fort

  • Soldiers leaving AF gates

    A mix of airmen, civilians, contractors and new technology will replace Army National Guard military policemen now posted at Air Force bases.The original agreement struck between the Air Force and the Army called for using the Guardsmen at base entry points for two years, enough time to find a

  • Soldiers team with combat aircrews to engage enemy

    Joint combat environments don't just exist on the ground, but also exist in the sky above Iraq. U.S. Army Soldiers serve as crewmembers on the E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System aircraft. An Army deputy mission crew commander and two enlisted personnel form a team of three soldiers

  • Soldiers win first Camp Bucca Raft Race

    Airmen, Soldiers and Sailors traded their military vehicles and weapons for homemade boats and paddles to take part in the first-ever Camp Bucca Raft Race. The Air Force-sponsored race, held Nov. 13 on a small pond here, matched the talents and ingenuity of 17 teams vying for the top prize and camp

  • Soldiers, Airman boost morale during ‘off time’

    The sound of a live, acoustic version of the Guns ’n’ Roses classic “Sweet Child O’ Mine” filtered through the base dining facility where Soldiers stationed here were gathered.The entertainment was not provided by a headliner on a United Service Organizations tour, but by servicemembers desiring to

  • Soldiers, Airmen care for Iraqi patients

    Only a few hours earlier, surgeons were working diligently to save his life and repair the damage a bullet caused when it entered his abdomen and ricocheted throughout his body. Now, the 11-year-old Iraqi boy sleeps peacefully with his favorite stuffed animal clutched in his hand. His father, next

  • Soldiers, Airmen train together for urban warfare

    Combat in urban environments, such as that recently conducted in Fallujah, Iraq, is becoming more commonplace, said defense officials. Providing protection to ground forces in such close quarters is a challenge for Soldiers and Airmen alike.During an exercise here, Soldiers from the 172nd Stryker

  • Solo mission

    Standing proudly in front of a B-25 Mitchell on display for a recent airshow in the central Texas town of Burnet, retired Lt. Col. Richard Cole slowly walked up to the antique bomber and clutched one of its propeller blades.

  • Solve problems like an Air Force pilot

    The Air Force is known for their innovation in air, space and cyberspace. When an Air Force pilot has to make decisions, he relies on a specific decision-making process that helps win wars and save lives. If you want to problem-solve like an Air Force pilot, follow these steps:1. Clarify and

  • Some AEF airmen will deploy longer

    Air Force officials have determined that some airmen in Air and Space Expeditionary Force Blue will remain deployed longer than the scheduled 120 days.Blue is the first of two transitional AEFs designed to bring the schedule back to a normal rotation. Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom

  • Some Air Force families eligible for free child-care

    Certain Air Force people returning from overseas deployments supporting Operation Enduring Freedom are eligible for free child-care.The Extended Duty Child-Care Program will provide the service for up to 16 hours per child under 12 years old. The child-care is available to active-duty, Reserve and

  • Some Airmen can carry over 'use or lose' leave

    Airmen who were recalled from or unable to take annual leave this past year for reasons such as support for contingency operations may be allowed to accumulate more than the normal 60 days after the fiscal year ends. Special leave accrual carry over also applies to Air Force Reserve and Air National

  • Some Airmen can carry over 'use or lose' leave

    Active-duty Airmen who were unable to take leave because they supported contingency operations may be allowed to accumulate more than the normal 60 days after the fiscal year ends.Those affected can retain up to 120 days of leave until Sept. 30, 2005, said Air Force Personnel Center officials here.

  • Some Airmen can carry over 'use or lose' leave

    Airmen who were recalled from or unable to take annual leave this past year for reasons such as support for contingency operations will be allowed to accumulate more than the normal 60 days after the fiscal year ends.Special leave accrual carry-over also applies to Air Force reservists and Air

  • Some Airmen, civilians authorized to wear NATO medals

    Some deployed Air Force military and civilian personnel are now authorized to wear one of four North Atlantic Treaty Organization medals. Those who served in a NATO unit for 30 continuous or accumulated days and were listed on a Combined Joint Statement of Requirements may be awarded either the NATO

  • Some civilian career updates just clicks away

    Air Force Personnel Center officials here recently introduced a new self-service application as part of its ongoing commitment to civilian force development. The Electronic Civilian Record Update, or ECRU, gives civilians preparing to meet a development team panel the ability to perform Web updates

  • Some civilians to see 'adjustment bill'

    Some employees enrolled in the long-term care insurance program may soon receive an adjustment bill for uncollectible premiums, Office of Personnel Management officials announced.Missed payments have occurred for various reasons, such as an employee entering into nonpay status; a paycheck with

  • Some 'doctors' still make house calls

    Have mat, will travel.That is the newly adopted creed of the 332nd Expeditionary Medical Group's three-person physical therapy team at a forward-deployed location in Southwest Asia. The 332nd EMDG is from the 10th Medical Group at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo.Realizing that many of the pilots

  • Some extended guardsmen, reservists may get GI Bill boost

    Guardsmen and reservists whose active-duty time is extended past the normal 12-month call-up may be eligible for active-duty-level benefits of the Montgomery GI Bill under certain circumstances, said a senior Department of Veterans Affairs spokesman.Currently, people participating in the active-duty

  • Some gifts cannot be wrapped

    An Air Force Space Command headquarters Airman helped save his brother-in-law’s life here.Maj. Dave Holz, a plans and programs officer, gave a Christmas present that did not need wrapping. Rich Borsuk, Major Holz’s brother-in-law, was diagnosed with type-one diabetes 25 years ago as a 6-year-old

  • Some IDs may be invalid starting Aug. 15

    Individuals will no longer be able to access Air Force installations with a state-issued identification card or driver’s license from Minnesota, Missouri, Washington or American Samoa beginning Aug. 15.

  • Some Incirlik people return to United States

    The first of several flights contracted to bring more than 1,300 Air Force family members and nonmission-essential civilian employees from Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, arrived at Charleston International Airport, S.C., on March 21.Armed with teddy bears, cell phones and dog biscuits, more than 100

  • Some KC-135Es removed from flying schedule

    Gen. John W. Handy, commander of Air Mobility Command, has directed 29 KC-135E Stratotanker aircraft with identified engine strut problems be removed from the flying schedule while Air Force leaders evaluate a report from the Fleet Viability Board and recommendations of the Oklahoma City Air

  • Some lieutenant colonels can apply for TIG retirement waiver

    Lieutenant colonels with at least two years time in grade may be able to retire at their current grade through the Time in Grade Waiver Program, said Lt. Col. Tara White, Air Force Personnel Center retirements and separations chief. Air Force officials announced last December that the TIG Waiver

  • Some medically separated Airmen can have their disability ratings reviewed

    Airmen who were medically separated between Sept. 11, 2001 and Dec. 31, 2009, can have their disability ratings reviewed. Airmen medically separated with a combined disability rating of 20 percent or less and who received separation pay versus medical retirement may request a Physical Disability

  • Some NCOs may apply to reenter old career fields

     Air Force officials here are offering some active duty staff, technical and master sergeants the opportunity to reenter previously held career fields now in demand, provided they apply by Oct. 31. The Air Force initiated the fiscal 2008 NCO Limited Reclassification program due to unexpected

  • Some officer development applications due by May 31

    Officers considering 2012 advanced academic degree and experience broadening programs should get their applications started, since some applications are due as early as May 31, officials recently said.Bomber pilot, space and missile operations, intelligence, weather, logistics, program management,

  • Some personnel services become Web-only

    Starting March 15, Airmen will no longer have to stand in line to accomplish a personnel records review or several other common tasks.To make it easier for personnel customers, six different personnel services are now available only on the Web. Military personnel flight workers will point customers

  • Some prior service officers eligible to retire early

    Air Force officials announced plans recently to allow some prior service officers the opportunity to retire earlier than expected.As a result of the Fiscal 2011 National Defense Authorization Act, eligible officers with prior enlisted service who have completed 20 years of total active federal

  • Some reservists billed for dental premiums

    About 3,500 Guard and Reserve Airmen on extended active duty will need to pay dental premiums directly to the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. rather than through payroll deduction, officials said.A glitch, which occurred May 1 when the TRICARE Dental Program changed providers from United Concordia

  • Some reservists won't have to repay portion of GI Bill

    Some Air Force Reserve Airmen who are no longer able to participate due to Base Realignment and Closure or Program Budget Decision 720 actions, will not be required to repay a portion of their Montgomery GI Bill - Selected Reserve entitlement. Members in their initial six-year enlistment who are

  • Some retirees could get Medicare-surcharge refund

    A collaborative effort among officials at the Department of Defense, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and the Social Security Administration could prove beneficial to certain Medicare-eligible uniformed services beneficiaries.The Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 provides a chance for

  • Some South Dakota veterans eligible for bonuses

    The state of South Dakota is paying a veterans' bonus of up to $500 to certain servicemembers.Bonuses are available for servicemembers who:-- were legal residents of the state for at least six months immediately preceding entry into the armed forces.-- are currently on active duty or were honorably

  • Some tax statements now online

    Tax statements are now posted on myPay for Army, Navy and Air Force Reserve, Department of Defense and Department of Energy civilian employees, military annuitants and military retirees.The W-2 and 1099 statements are available for these groups to view and print, allowing them to submit their tax

  • Some troops qualify for extended tax filing deadline

    Service members serving outside of the United States -- including those supporting operations in Libya and Japan -- will receive an automatic two-month tax filing extension this year, officials said. This extension is in addition to the nation's already extended deadline. Due to Emancipation Day, a

  • Some veterans see another VA travel increase

    Service-disabled and low-income veterans who are reimbursed for travel expenses while receiving care at Department of Veterans Affairs facilities will see an increase in their payments beginning Jan. 9. A recently passed law allows VA to cut the amount it must withhold from their mileage

  • Son continues family military legacy, works alongside father at Dobbins

    A new pilot here has a particularly special memory from Father’s Day last year. While he was attending C-130 pilot training at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, his father came to visit. His father is no stranger to Little Rock AFB, he also attended training there as a young aviator and was

  • Son flies in father's footsteps

    Some sons walk in their father's footsteps, while others fly in them. This was recently the case for Capt. Taylor Wight, an F-15E Strike Eagle pilot, flew a Weapons Systems Evaluation Program mission with his father, Col. Al Wimmer,an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot.

  • Son follows father's footsteps into firefighting

    As the chief master sergeant walked through the firefighter school here, he exchanged friendly smiles and greetings with students, instructors and other staff members who passed by.Standing at about 6 feet tall with his back straight and his head held high, the man displays an obvious pride in what

  • Son of deployed Airman helps start 2013 World Series

    When Lindsey Miller, wife of Capt. Garrett Miller, received a call from the Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., Airman and Family Readiness Center Oct. 22, little did she know she was about to answer a call from destiny.

  • 'Son Tay' Talon flies into history

    After more than 23,500 hours of flight and approximately 47 years in service, the MC-130E Combat Talon I known as the "Godfather" left the ground here for the last time June 22 for its ultimate mission.The aircraft with the tail number 64-0523 took off for its final resting place -- a special

  • Sons of Iraq represent future, freedom

    Iraq just moved closer toward freedom and independence -- 54 steps closer to be exact.Each step is represented by one of 54 elite Iraqi soldiers who have begun explosives ordnance disposal school, the first group to enter the school since the free elections in January. The soldiers will learn how to

  • Sortie changes green pilot blue

    An A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot deployed here with the 81st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron was required to fire at an enemy target on his first combat sortie Aug. 11.First Lt. Erik Axt deployed here Aug. 9 from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, less than two months after becoming combat-ready, said Lt.

  • Sortie support team delivers decisive air power

    The 386th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron Sortie Support Flight is made up of four flightline occupations, or Air Force specialty codes, that contribute to Operation Inherent Resolve. The team issues, maintains and inspects required repair tools and support equipment needed to deliver decisive

  • Sorties across the stratosphere

    The enemy should fear what it can’t see. At high altitudes toward the edge of space, the U-2S is invisible to the naked eye, transmitting critical intelligence to the warfighters below.

  • SOS 'blends' training model incorporating new technology

    Academic and military researchers are introducing and proposing new approaches on leadership and teamwork training at the Squadron Officer School at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. Officials with Air Education and Training Command, the sponsor organization, partnered with researchers at the University

  • SOS reduces course length, increases classes in FY 15

    To align with the chief of staff of the Air Force's vision to give more company grade officers the opportunity to attend Squadron Officer School, Squadron Officer College is changing the school's course term length from eight to five weeks starting in fiscal year 2015.