NATO Air Policing operations

U.S. Air Force News

  • Air Forces Africa officials visit Botswana, emphasize partnership

    The 17th Air Force (Air Forces Africa) commander and his staff visited for a senior leader engagement March 9 here.This was the general's second visit to Gaborone since June 2009, when Botswana's relationship with AFAFRICA was firmly established. He met with Botswana Defence Force senior leaders to

  • Former chief of staff laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery

    The 10th chief of staff of the Air Force was laid to rest in a full-honors ceremony March 22 at Arlington National Cemetery, but his legacy lives with today's Airmen through his emphasis on developing camaraderie, pursuing history and recognizing excellence.Gen. Lew Allen Jr. passed away Jan. 4 in

  • Air Combat Command leader visits Mountain Home Airmen

    The commander of Air Combat Command visited the 366th Fighter Wing Airmen here March 7 and 8 to see them firsthand, thank them for their sacrifices and gain a better understanding of their mission, capabilities and challenges.Gen. William M. Fraser III's visit included a dinner with Idaho Gov. C. L.

  • USAFE officials visit command's newest wing

    Gen. Roger Brady, commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe, and Chief Master Sgt. Pamela Derrow, USAFE command chief master sergeant, visited the Airmen of the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing March 16 to see the unique blend of capabilities the unit brings to USAFE.The visit allowed General Brady and

  • Air Force officials open aviation art gallery in Pentagon

    The World War I Skyfighters of France teamed with modern-day American Airmen in Afghanistan in an art gallery exhibit in the Pentagon dedicated March 18 by Air Force senior leaders. The exhibit showcases the work of the first aviation artist and displays the latest addition to the Air Force Art

  • 505th Command and Control Wing welcomes new Royal Air Force exchange officer

    Royal Air Force Wing Commander Allan Goodison recently took the reins as 505th Training Group deputy commander of development, here. Wing Commander Goodison will work with the 505th TRG commander integrating command and control or C2, operations with joint and coalition forces.Group members develop

  • Air Force official transfers hangar to Iraqi air force

    Members of the Iraq Training and Advisory Mission-U.S. Air Force and the Iraqi air force stood shoulder to shoulder during a ceremony at Kirkuk Regional Air Base March 10 as Brig. Gen. Scott Hanson, 321st Air Expeditionary Wing commander, and Staff Lt. Gen. Anwer Amen, Iraqi air force commander,

  • Steering committee wraps up discussions

    Officials from 13 international air forces welcomed a new chairman after completing week-long discussions at the 59th Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Steering Committee March 12. The discussions, hosted by members of the 80th Flying Training Wing, covered the current syllabus, funding for the

  • Medical professionals save millions with common-sense concept

    Officials from the 86th Medical Special Operations Clinic have developed a way to maximize time spent by people traveling to Ramstein Air Base for a conference, saving the Department of Defense millions of dollars along the way.They use a simple yet, inspired concept called conference medicine most

  • TRANSCOM gives U.S. key advantage, commander says

    One of the U.S. military's greatest advantages over its adversaries is its ability to move an enormous amount of equipment and people quickly anywhere in the world, the commander of U.S. Transportation Command told the House Armed Services Committee March 17. Gen. Duncan J. McNabb said he was

  • Air Force officials to implement hand-held device changes

    Air Force officials will be implementing changes in March to services available for use on all Air Force-issued BlackBerry hand-held devices to bolster the security of the devices. These Department of Defense-directed changes will be overseen by security specialists in 24th Air Force, the

  • U.S. Cyber Command preparations under way, general says

    Preparations for the formal establishment of U.S. Cyber Command are under way, a senior military officer here reported to Congress March 16. The formal launch of the new organization is awaiting congressional approval of its commander, according to Gen. Kevin P. Chilton, the commander of U.S.

  • Thunderbirds ready for 57th season

    The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron "Thunderbirds" flew their acceptance show March 11 and were approved by Gen. William M. Fraser III, commander of Air Combat Command, to start their 2010 show season."The acceptance show is the culmination of the hard work and dedication by our entire

  • Medical evacuation conference set to enhance Afghan army capabilities

    Members of the Afghan National Army Air Corps met with their coalition partners during a medical evacuation conference March 6 here. The purpose of the conference was coordination between ANAAC and coalition medical evacuation units to streamline and improve processes, said Maj. Peter Gross, an

  • AETC Airmen lead way to efficient energy practices

    Improving Air Force energy efficiency depends on its Airmen and the sharing of their innovative ideas, said the service's acting senior energy official during her Headquarters Air Education and Training Command visit here March 2."They need to ensure they follow through with those ideas by

  • Pacific partners close Cope Tiger with ceremony

    U.S., Thai and Singaporean servicemembers marked the end of Cope Tiger 2010 with a closing ceremony March 12 here.Air Chief Marshal Itthaporn Subhawong, the Royal Thai Air Force commander in chief, served as the host and presided over the ceremony. He was joined by Gen. Gary North, the Pacific Air

  • Interpreters crucial to Iraqi training mission

    U.S. Airman serving in the Iraq training and advisory mission - Air Force must accomplish their objective to "Train, Advise, and Assist" but when the students speak a foreign language, how is it possible?One word: Interpreter."What we do here is not just interpretation for conversation," said Joe,

  • NSPS Web site adds features to track transition

    New features on the redesigned NSPS Web site give employees the opportunity to follow the progress as Air Force officials prepare to transition more than 44,000 current Air Force National Security Personnel System employees into non-NSPS personnel systems.To enhance transparency in operations, the

  • Airey House, Court dedicated to first chief master sergeant of the Air Force

    The first chief master sergeant of the Air Force was remembered and honored March 10 at a dedication here of the house and street where CMSAFs reside."(We are here to) honor our first chief master sergeant of the Air Force, Paul Airey," said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy, number 16 of

  • Soto Cano servicemembers provide 630 people medical care in Belize

    A 23-person team from Joint Task Force-Bravo deployed to Belize March 1 through 4 to provide medical care to more than 630 people in rural areas of the country. In partnership with the Belize ministry of health and defense force team, JTF-Bravo medical crews, based out of Price Barracks near Belize

  • Defense secretary discusses Iraq, Afghanistan with deployed troops

    Servicemembers quizzed Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates about Afghanistan, the elections in Iraq and the Iran situation during a question-and-answer period March 11 here. Secretary Gates spoke to members of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, which has been deployed here since January 2002 in

  • Reserve Command repeats as top MAJCOM for maintenance excellence

    For the second year in a row, the Air Force Reserve Command was named the Gen. Wilbur L. Creech Maintenance Excellence Award winner.Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz hosted the 2009 award ceremony in the Pentagon March 11. Receiving the award was Col. T. Glenn Davis, former director of

  • Multilateral team helps more than 1,500 Thai residents

    Military medical staff members from the United States, Singapore and Thailand assisted more than 1,500 patients during a medical civic assistance project held here March 1 through 12 as part of Cope Tiger 2010. Cope Tiger, held this year primarily at Korat and Udon Thani Royal Thai Air Force Bases

  • 'Legends of Aerospace' visit Airmen in Southwest Asia

    The first and last men to walk on the moon, the commander of Apollo 13, the last Air Force pilot "Ace" and the SR-71 chief test pilot, all "Legends of Aerospace,"  were the honored guests of the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing March 8 at an air base in Southwest Asia.Hundreds of servicemembers flocked

  • Female World War II pilots lay wreath at Air Force Memorial

    More than 1,000 civilians and servicemembers watched as World War II Women Airforce Service Pilot corps remembered their sisters-in-arms during a wreath-laying ceremony March 9 at the Air Force Memorial here.Several WASPs, many clad in their World War II-era service uniform, placed roses next to the

  • Trip to war region heightens general's resolve

    The commander of the Air Force Materiel Command returned here recently from a trip to Southwest Asia to interact with Airmen who depend on his command for the supplies, parts and maintenance services they need to get their jobs done.General Donald J. Hoffman shared his message for the AFMC work

  • Women pilots of World War II inspired generations

    Under a clear blue sky, beneath the spires of the U.S. Air Force Memorial here, military aviators gathered March 9 here to pay homage to the achievements of the first women to fly military aircraft during World War II. The memorial service and wreath-laying ceremony, with a reception afterward, was

  • 24 cadets receive Academy's first UAS-RPA wings

    Four junior and 20 sophomore U.S. Air Force Academy cadets received the first unmanned aerial systems-remotely piloted aircraft wings awarded in the school's 55-year history during a function at the Dean's Heritage House Feb. 25, here.  Lt. Gen. Mike Gould, the Academy superintendent and Brig. Gen.

  • U.S. Air Force medics train fledgling Afghan medical corps

    Airmen assigned to the 438th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron here are teaching Afghan soldiers at the Afghan National Army Air Corps Command Air Corps Medical Service Clinic the skills necessary to keep their soldiers on the battlefield. "The standards we are setting here are critical," said

  • Secretary Gates: Elections show Iraq's progress

    The Iraqi election process shows how far the country has come, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said March 7 here.Secretary Gates received reports on the Iraqi election from Army Gen. Ray Odierno, the U.S. commander in the country. General Odierno had expected a high number of high-profile attacks

  • AAFES officials open first 'green' BX at Randolph

    Army and Air Force Exchange Service officials unveiled its first-ever environmentally friendly base exchange to shoppers when it opened the doors of the new Randolph Air Force Base Exchange March 5.The new Randolph Air Force Base BX is AAFES' first exchange built to the environmental standards set

  • Air Force leaders outline plans before Senate committee

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz testified March 4 before the Senate Armed Services Committee to outline specifics about their $119.6 billion budget proposal for fiscal 2011."The last two decades of sustained operations have strained our

  • Missouri Air Guard C-130s, crews fly to Chile

    Two Missouri Air National Guard C-130 Hercules transport aircraft with 47 crewmembers are en route March 5, to aid earthquake-ravaged Chile. 139th Airlift Wing officials sent the two aircraft, crews and maintenance support personnel from Puerto Rico, where they had been supporting U.S. Southern

  • Air Combat Command leader visits Davis-Monthan Airmen

    The commander of Air Combat Command visited Davis-Monthan Air Force Base Feb. 23 and 24 to learn more about the base mission and thank the Airmen, civilians and family members for their service. With Davis-Monthan AFB's Airmen continuously deployed around the world, to include supporting relief

  • U.S., Luxembourg partnership supports U.S. troop surge in Afghanistan

    As President Barack Obama's plan to plus up U.S. forces in Afghanistan goes into motion, members of the 86th Materiel Maintenance Squadron here are helping one of U.S. Air Force's in Europe's largest movement of war readiness materiel since Operation Desert Storm in 1991."The pure size of it alone

  • U.S. Air Forces in Europe leader discusses future challenges

    The U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander recognized the contributions of 86th Airlift Wing Airmen to the U.S. military, as well as to all of Europe during his visit here March 2.Though a frequent customer of many of the services the wing provides due to his residency here, Gen. Roger A. Brady's visit

  • C-130 low-cost, low-altitude combat airdrops now operational

    A C-130 Hercules aircrew conducted a new method of airdrop that makes deliveries more accurate and flexible for resupply of small, mobile forces Feb. 6, in Afghanistan. The C-130 aircrew from Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, performed the first-ever low-cost, low-altitude combat airdrop to re-supply

  • U.S., Thai servicemembers conduct personnel airdrop training

    U.S. Airmen and Royal Thai Air Force members conducted personnel airdrop training from a C-17 Globemaster III as part of Cope Tiger 2010 here on March 3.More than 60 qualified jumpmasters completed three separate jumps near Bangkok, Thailand, as the first major activity of the Cope Tiger field

  • 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' review seeks broadest input

    The Defense Department's review on the potential impact of repealing the ban on gays serving openly in the military will solicit input from troops of every service and rank -- as well as their families -- through surveys, focus groups and social media tools, the team heading up the review told

  • A1 annual award winners announced

    The deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel and services recently announced the 2009 award winners for the A1 community."The A1 community is ready, engaging and constantly leaning forward to support Airmen and taking care of their families," said Lt. Gen. Richard Newton. "While celebrating the

  • Eglin optometrist keeps eye on goal

    An Eglin Air Force Base optometrist was recently named the Optometrist of the Year for The Armed Forces Optometric Society, Association of Military Surgeons and the Air Force.Lt. Col. Annette Williamson of the 96th Aerospace Medicine Squadron here also served as the lead optometry consultant for the

  • Coalition forces team up for vehicle training

    Four Airmen from the 407th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron Vehicle Management Flight here spent four days training Iraqi army members on basic maintenance procedures in mid-February at Camp Ur, Iraq.Planning for the training mission began after Tech. Sgt. Scott Preston, a Logistics

  • Air Combat Command leader visits Holloman Airmen

    The commander of Air Combat Command visited here Feb. 22 to get an up-close look at the Holloman Air Force Base mission.Gen. William M. Fraser III, and his wife, Bev, visited base Airmen and answered their questions during a basewide all-call earlier that morning.General Fraser explained the main

  • Airmen help thousands in Philippines

    Operation Pacific Angel 10-1 officially ended Feb. 22 after seven days of civic assistance projects here that provided medical care to nearly 14,000 patients, veterinary care to more than 3,300 animals, and new classrooms for approximately 480 local children.Operation Pacific Angel is a joint and

  • Logistical support to Antarctic science efforts wraps up

    American servicemembers concluded the 2009-2010 Operation Deep Freeze season Feb. 24 after six months of logistical support to the U.S. Antarctic Program and National Science Foundation.The season began with a winter flying period that started Aug. 16, delivering advance teams and cargo to New

  • Thumb drives/flash media still prohibited on Air Force network

    The ban on flash media use in the Air Force is still in place, although U.S. Strategic Command officials at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., issued an order Feb. 12 allowing limited use of removable flash media devices under very specific circumstances and "according to service guidelines." Consistent

  • Space command general: 2009 'a successful, transitional year'

    The commander of Air Force Space Command highlighted the command's achievements in his Year in Review -- 2009 memorandum Feb. 10.Gen. C. Robert Kehler said in a year defined by mission shifts, the more than 46,000 people of Air Force Space Command chose to thrive, allowing joint forces to navigate

  • Laughlin pilot helps launch Iraqi air force

    The former 47th Flying Training Wing inspector general and an instructor pilot here, returned from a deployment to Iraq four months early. Lt. Col. Chris Spigelmire, the 521st Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron commander, returned to Laughlin Air Force Base when the squadron de-activated four

  • Military steps up battle against sexual assault

    Military officials are addressing the problem of sexual assault, but more needs to be done, officials acknowledged in testimony before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Feb. 24 here. Kaye Whitley, the chief of the Defense Department's sexual assault prevention and response office,

  • Haiti airport transitions, commercial flights begin

    American Airlines flight 377 landed at 9:21 a.m. at Toussaint L'Ouverture International Airport here Feb. 19 marking the return of commercial air service to the nation following the Jan. 12 earthquake that destroyed ports of entry into the country.Airmen have been working since their arrival Jan. 13

  • Tanker solicitation seeks fair competition, best value

    The final request for proposals to solicit bids for a new aerial tanker was designed to promote fair, open competition that provides the best warfighting capability for the best value, Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III said Feb. 24 here. Meanwhile, the process will serve as a model for

  • Japanese civic leaders get taste of Kadena mission

    More than 30 business and industry leaders from the Tokyo area visited Kadena Air Base Feb. 18 through 19 as part of a civic leader tour sponsored by the Japan-America Air Force Goodwill Association here.The group received a mission brief from Brig. Gen. Ken Wilsbach, the 18th Wing commander, and

  • Air Force two-star receives career achievement award at BEYA conference

    Maj. Gen. Larry Spencer received an award Feb. 20 at the annual Black Engineer of the Year Awards conference, an annual event to recognize and honor African-Americans in technical career fields.General Spencer, a career officer with 30 years of service in the Air Force, was honored with the Career

  • Air Force leaders seek to balance current, future needs

    The Air Force's budget request for fiscal 2011 provides the right balance between supporting the war efforts and other current-day commitments while posturing for future challenges, the top Air Force civilian and military leaders told Congress Feb. 23 here. The $119.6 billion request is designed to

  • 3rd AF commander discusses upcoming changes

    Lt. Gen. Frank Gorenc, 3rd Air Force commander, visited Spangdahlem Air Base Feb. 18 to receive a visual update on recent changes and innovations in operations at the 52nd Fighter Wing. General Gorenc offered insight into upcoming operational changes members of the base and local community could see

  • Command officials dedicated to bomber mission

    Air Force Global Strike Command's top officer emphasized his command's dedication to the bomber mission during the Air Force Association's Air Warfare Symposium and Technology Exposition Feb. 19 here. "Let me state right up front," said Lt. Gen. Frank Klotz, the AFGSC commander. "Global Strike

  • Culture, Language Center staff launches culture-general training

    Today's global environment calls for Airmen to have the knowledge, skills and attitudes with which to build partnerships and effectively communicate with international partners and potential adversaries, manpower and personnel officials said Feb. 22 here. Without the proper training and development

  • Military leaders regret civilian casualties

    Expressing deep regret over civilian casualties resulting from a NATO air strike Feb. 21, Pentagon civilian and military leaders said Feb. 22 they support the strategy that puts as much emphasis on protecting the Afghan population as capturing or killing insurgents. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates

  • Army missile range commander visits Holloman Airmen

    The commanding general of the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico visited here Feb. 12 to experience air-to-air fighter training and the remotely piloted aircraft training program firsthand.Army Gen. John Regan started his day pulling six G's (force of gravity) over White Sands Missile Range

  • Air Force logistics officials explain excess baggage policy

    Air Force logistics officials said Airmen need to be aware of the rules concerning excess baggage while deploying or on official travel since many civilian airlines charge fees for baggage."While airlines charge for a passenger's baggage and any additional baggage, Airmen are not subject to any

  • Former JAG officer to be retired

    Col. Michael D. Murphy, a former judge advocate who was disbarred and convicted by general court-martial, will be retired from the Air Force effective April 1. A commissioned officer is retired in the highest grade in which he served satisfactorily. He will be retired in the grade of first

  • Dutch partnership emphasizes innovations in training

    The commander of the Royal Netherlands air force visited the Air Education and Training Command headquarters Feb. 14 through 16 to learn more aboutremotely piloted aircraft, strategic airlift and space. "I think our footprint in AETC is rather big because of the number of people who train in the

  • Weeklong focus encourages saving for the future

    Officials at Airman & Family Readiness Centers around the Air Force are gearing up for the 2010 Military Saves Week and Military Youth Saves Week Feb. 21 through 28.During this week, A&FRC officials will promote financial readiness among Airmen and their families by encouraging them to effectively

  • Generals discuss Guard, Reserve, on call Air Force

    Two Air Force generals explained the importance of the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard to the on-call Air Force during the Air Force Association's Air Warfare Symposium and Technology Exposition Feb. 19 here. Lt. Gen. Harry M. Wyatt III, the director of the Air National Guard, and Lt. Gen.

  • Spring to mark start of personnel system transition

    Defense Department officials here are on track to transition the majority of its more than 220,000 civilian employees out of the National Security Personnel System by Sept. 30, more than a year ahead of deadline, the official heading up that transition said Feb. 18. The 2010 National Defense

  • Defense Department pauses spouse employment program

    Defense Department officials here have temporarily halted a popular employment assistance program for military spouses while it conducts a "top-to-bottom" review of its services, officials said Feb. 18. The My Spouse Career Advancement Account program, also known as MyCAA, offers military spouses

  • Chief of staff highlights importance of space to Air Force mission

    The Air Force's highest ranking uniformed officer spoke on the value of space and the emerging medium of cyberspace during the Air Warfare Symposium and Technology Exposition Feb. 18 in Orlando."Virtually all aspects of military operations are affected in some way by the capabilities provided from

  • Defense adds blog to military science dialogue

    Science has seized the popular imagination. There are magazines, popular books, Web sites, webcasts, blogs, documentary films and even television channels devoted to science and technology. The practical applications of science and technology also can be found in almost every aspect of military

  • Air Force, DOD pioneer passes away

    The first woman to serve as major general in the Air Force, and the Department of Defense, passed away Feb. 15. Retired Maj. Gen. Jeanne M. Holm is credited as the single driving force in achieving parity for military women and making them a viable part of the mainstream military.The Portland, Ore.,

  • Pacific Angel engineering projects underway in Laoag

    More than 40 Air Force and Armed Forces of the Philippines engineers are conducting operations at the Caaoacan and Apaya Elementary schools here Feb. 14, as part of Operation Pacific Angel 10-1 in Laoag, Philippines.The civil engineers from the United States expressed how excited they were to be in

  • Philippines receive medical care during Operation Pacific Angel

    Medical teams from the United States and the Philippines treated nearly 2,000 Philippine patients since Feb. 15 during Operation Pacific Angel, a humanitarian and civic assistance operation scheduled through Feb. 22 here. More than 50 U.S. military personnel are participating in Operation Pacific

  • Mobility general visits Airmen in Southwest Asia

    The Air Mobility Command vice commander visited Airmen at an air base in Southwest Asia as part of a visit through the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Feb. 10 and 11. Lt. Gen. Vern M. "Rusty" Findley II also toured air mobility assets at the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing including KC-10

  • Space professionals effectively employ space in counter-insurgency fight

    More than 40 space warfighters from the U.S. and deployed locations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Southwest Asia attended the Theater Space Conference Feb. 8 through 10 here,Space experts from all branches of service collaborated to improve and maintain current space capabilities, such as global

  • Tuskegee Airman laid to rest

    Lt. Col. Lee Archer, a World War II fighter pilot with the Tuskegee Airmen, was laid to rest in a ceremony held Feb. 12 at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. Active-duty members, retirees and their families gathered at Colonel Archer's final resting place to pay their respects. Among those in

  • Airmen mentor Afghans at regional hospital

    At the Kandahar Regional Military Hospital in Afghanistan, Afghan patients are situated in wards, the intensive care unit, the operating room or the emergency room. Afghan doctors and nurses stroll throughout the building reading charts, caring for patients and performing operations. Right next to

  • Airmen provide care, compassion to people of Haiti

    A cement truck rumbles by a group of uniformed Airmen, kicking up a cloud of dust. Unfazed, the group reaches into a waiting van and begins to walk a stretcher toward a group of light-brown tents. It's only 11:30 a.m., but the team has already done this exercise half a dozen times in the sweltering

  • Combat controllers recognized for heroic actions

    A combat controller assigned to Hurlburt Field proved his combat skills during a recent deployment to Afghanistan.Tech. Sgt. Christopher Grove embodied the combat controller motto "First There," demonstrating the combat controller's commitment to undertaking the most dangerous missions behind enemy

  • Generals visit Kyrgyz school

    Senior Air Force Materiel Command leaders handed out clothing, coats, gloves and hats to elementary school children Feb. 9, at the Grozd School in Grozd Village, Kyrgyzstan.Presenting the gifts to the children were Gen. Donald J. Hoffman, the AFMC commander and leaders throughout the command. Also

  • Atlas V launches solar observatory from Cape Canaveral

    Officials from the 45th Space Wing here launched a United Launch Alliance Atlas V Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle from Space Launch Complex 41 here at 10:23 a.m. EST Feb. 11.The rocket carried the Solar Dynamics Observatory, a NASA spacecraft, which will study the sun and its dynamic behavior. The

  • Army presents 'Iron Mike' to Air Mobility Command for Haiti airlift support

    Air Mobility Command Airmen worked hand-in-hand with Army Soldiers to provide much needed relief to since a 7.0 earthquake struck there Jan. 12.For doing so, Army Lt. Gen. Frank Helmick, the commander of the 18th Airborne Corps, recently presented an Iron Mike statuette to Gen. Raymond E. Johns Jr.,

  • New concept for annual AF Assistance Fund campaign announced

    Air Force officials are introducing a new concept this year for the annual Air Force Assistance Fund "Commitment to Caring" campaign, which provides Airmen the opportunity to contribute to four official Air Force charitable organizations.The campaign, now in its 37th year, will run during a

  • Gates: 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' repeal demands study

    The Defense Department's review of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law, which bans gays from serving openly in the military, will help to ensure readiness and unit cohesion remain intact if Congress repeals it, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said in an interview aired Feb. 9. Secretary Gates also

  • Air Force, Navy support functions begin merging into Joint Base Charleston

    Jan. 31 marked the beginning of the transitional period of initial operational capability for Joint Base Charleston officials, with the end-goal of full operational capability for the joint base by the end of fiscal 2010.Emphasis during the transitional period will be on executing a "blending" of

  • Injured Airman celebrates re-enlistment

    Almost five years and 120 surgeries after his vehicle passed over an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan that exploded, burning more than 80 percent of his body, Tech. Sgt. Israel Del Toro raised his right hand Feb. 8 and re-enlisted in the Air Force.Maj. Gen Anthony Przybyslawski, the vice

  • Demo teams receive 2010 certification

    Two teams of aerial demonstration pilots received their certification Feb. 4, from Gen. William Fraser III, the commander of the Air Combat Command, for the 2010 air show season. "Certification is a chance for us to fly the show profile in front of General Fraser," said Maj. Mike Maeder, the newest

  • Kirtland munitions squadron decertified

    The 898th Munitions Squadron at Kirtland Air Force Base was decertified Jan. 27, according to Air Force Materiel Command officials at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.Decertification means temporarily suspending maintenance activities in order to complete corrective actions and ensure operations comply

  • PACAF commander presents medallion to World War II nurse

    The Pacific Air Forces commander presented a medal to a member of the "Greatest Generation" during a ceremony here Feb. 5.Doris Avery accepted the Noncommissioned Officers' Association World War II Veterans Medallion for her service as a lieutenant in the Army Nurse Corps during World War II in the

  • Air Force secretary to headline symposium at Academy

    The 17th-annual National Character and Leadership Symposium will feature presentations by Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and other keynote and concurrent speakers who will gather here Feb. 17 through 19.U.S. Air Force Academy cadets, faculty, Academy alumni, government employees and other

  • Town hall meetings address joint basing process in San Antonio

    The Army garrison commander here hosted two town hall meetings to inform Fort Sam Houston garrison employees about the progress of Joint Base San Antonio Jan. 28. Joint basing, which includes Fort Sam Houston as well as Lackland and Randolph Air Force bases, was mandated by the 2005 Base Realignment

  • NORAD plans air patrols for Super Bowl

    Fighter jet crews from North American Aerospace Defense Command's Continental United States Region will be protecting the skies around Sun Life Stadium during Super Bowl XLIV Feb. 7, in Miami. Air Force fighter jets will be airborne while enforcing the Federal Aviation Administration's temporary

  • Online library invaluable in civilian hiring process

    An Air Force hiring surge in the coming year, combined with the termination of the National Security Personnel System, make it even more critical for supervisors to know where to go for guidance in the hiring process.The Air Force Standard Core Personnel Document Library provides hiring managers

  • General conducts mass enlistment with rocket backdrop

    Forty Air Force recruits were sworn into the Delayed Entry Program Feb. 4, at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.Brig. Gen. Edward L. "Ed" Bolton Jr., the 45th Space Wing commander, led the oath in front of a Delta IV rocket being readied for launch."Welcome to the Air Force," General Bolton said

  • Top Air Combat Command leader visits Tyndall Airmen

    The commander of Air Combat Command visited the men and women of 1st Air Force Jan. 28 through 29 at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. Gen. William M. Fraser III discussed homeland defense and humanitarian aid and expressed gratitude for Airmen's efforts during his commanders call.Aside from his

  • Air Force medical units merge in San Antonio

    All Air Force medical treatment facilities in San Antonio merged under the 59th Medical Wing here Feb. 1.The 12th Medical Group at Randolph Air Force Base became the 359th Medical Group, and the 37th Medical Group at Lackland AFB became the 559th Medical Group. The realignment unites the medical

  • Pentagon raises record $17 million for CFC campaign

    Leading all other U.S. federal agencies, the Defense Department Feb. 4, announced it collected $17.2 million in last year's annual federal fundraising campaign, a record-breaking sum of charitable donations to groups operating in Haiti and other areas where needs exist. The total is $3 million more