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  • Supply Airmen keep materials rolling in

    When people think of supply support, the first item that comes to mind may not be water.And yet, a weighty part of the supply Airmen’s job in the arid environment here is to process 15 pallets of the liquid each week. More than 25,000 bottles of water are used each week by 600-plus Airmen deployed

  • 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

  • Supply Airmen slim down the bits and bolts for New Dawn

    As the responsible drawdown of forces in Iraq continues, the Airmen of the 332nd Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron Material Management Flight here have gone back to basics and cut down excess assets at the base.The 35 people in supply now keep track of some 7,000 required line items, valued

  • Supply flight keeps parts moving at OEF base

    The 379th Air Expeditionary Wing is one of the largest units in the Persian Gulf region to support Operation Enduring Freedom. Its primary aircraft are KC-10 Extenders and KC-135 Stratotankers. The wing has delivered almost 300 million pounds of fuel to U.S. and coalition aircraft in the war on

  • Supply lines pumping, sorties rolling

    B-52 Stratofortresses keep rolling down the runway at a deployed location, carrying the fight and firepower to the Iraqi regime.As the operators and maintainers of the 457th Air Expeditionary Group keep the Buffs flying, having parts and equipment at the ready is critical."The relationship between

  • Supply, fuels teams compete during 'Roadeo'

    Thirty-six teams from around the Air Force gathered here to compete in this year's supply and fuels readiness competition, also known as "Roadeo." When it was all over, the team from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, earned bragging rights by accumulating the most points in the three-day competition.The

  • Support agencies ease deployed Airmen's return

    Family and friends welcomed the safe return Sept. 24 of several Airmen who were deployed in support of operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. After spending time with their families, the Airmen returned to the base the next morning to process through a "reintegration" line at Laughlin's

  • Support agencies help Airmen, families manage holiday stress

    The holiday season can bring joyful smiles and priceless moments with friends and family. But for some, it can bring a sense of worry, self-doubt, frustration and agony.Numerous agencies at Air Force bases provide programs and assistance to those who are experiencing the tougher side of life this

  • Support for wounded warriors reaches across America

    Americans watching news coverage of the war in Iraq are asking, “How can I show my support for our brave servicemembers?”To show their support, many have donated phone cards, frequent flier miles or sent letters and messages.A group of San Antonio area quilters are doing their part to support

  • Support from States plays big role in morale

    Support from people in the United States helps make serving in a hostile environment a bit easier for military troops deployed to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.Letters from school children, free phone cards, care packages from family and office mates and banners signed by hundreds

  • Support improves for families with special needs

    Officials are working to boost the resources and support the Defense Department's Exceptional Family Member Program provides to military families with special needs. "Most people are aware of EFMP as a mandatory enrollment program, but we're working to raise awareness of the family support we can

  • Support network available for families of deployed airmen

    For many years, families of active and reserve component airmen, along with Air Force civilian employees, have had to deal with the stresses associated with deployments and remote tours.However, families no longer have to endure these separations alone, according to Tech. Sgt. Rebecca Tester,

  • Support personnel, F-16s enhance partnership with Poland

    About 350 personnel are supporting 20 F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano Air Base, Italy, and the 138th Fighter Wing at Tulsa Air National Guard Base, Oklahoma, as part of bilateral flying training with the Polish Air Force.

  • Support squadron commander candidates named

    More than 1,000 officers from 10 support career fields are on the calendar year 2012 squadron commander candidate list, Air Force officials announced Nov 4. Functional developmental teams meet annually here to consider eligible officers for functional squadron command opportunities. Wing hiring

  • Supporting the fight, breaking records

    Air National Guardsmen from the 120th and 182nd Airlift Wings departed for home this week following a four-month deployment at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia.During their deployment, the Airmen were assigned to the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, where they successfully delivered cargo

  • Supporting those outside Balad

    The 732nd Expeditionary Mission Support Group Personnel Support for Contingency Operation team has a unique mission here -- to account for Airmen who fill Army and Marine billets. Although the majority of these In Lieu of Forces Airmen are geographically separated from Balad Air Base, they must be

  • Supporting those who support those in need

    Ever since word got out about the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that devastated the island nation of Haiti, Pope has been in a state of organized chaos. Both Air Force active duty and Reserve personnel have been working hand in hand with Army personnel from Fort Bragg, N.C., to ship Airmen, Soldiers and

  • Supporting warfighters from space

    Air Force Space Command Vice Commander Lt. Gen. John Hyten spoke at the 15th Annual Space and Missile Defense Conference here Aug. 14 and discussed how the American way of war has fundamentally changed thanks to space.He used historical examples to illustrate his point and contrasted those with

  • Supporting warfighters: Two workforces come together with one mission in mind

    Child care, golf, bowling, community center, lodging operations and outdoor recreation. These operations, and many more, are designed to support the morale, welfare and recreation of Airmen and their families and rely heavily on one thing to make them tick … nonappropriated fund, or NAF, employees.

  • Supreme Allied Commander Europe visits USAFE forces

    The commander of U.S. European Command and Supreme Allied Commander in Europe met the commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe here to discuss USAFE's vital role in accomplishing the EUCOM mission Nov. 10 at Ramstein Air Base."The Airmen of USAFE are essential to providing deterrence from aggression

  • Supreme Court decisions affect service members, vets

    The U.S. Supreme Court has issued three decisions with military connections recently.In what may be the most contentious of the cases, the court ruled that members of a Westboro, Kan., church have the right to picket at funerals for service members killed in action.The court reversed a lower court

  • SUPT evolves, molds next generation of military aviators

    Pilot training is ever evolving around new aircraft, new equipment, new procedures and faster production. With this, the syllabus in Phase II of training has recently changed, helping build a new type of military aviator.

  • Surf the Internet, discover benefits

    Military beneficiaries can find the latest information at their fingertips at the Defense Commissary Agency's new and improved Web site.DeCA has retooled its Internet site to include fresh new graphics that change with each season and a new section that promotes health and wellness. The single

  • Surge capability examined as part of BRAC process

    Defense planners have looked at surge capability across the services and industrial processes as they have gone through the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure process.Defense Department officials said Congress specifically added the surge capability to the basic legislation authorizing the BRAC

  • Surgeon commends benefits of tech advances, joint efforts, AFSO 21

    Technological advances, joint efforts and a focus on Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century have led to great strides in military combat and peacetime healthcare, said Brig. Gen. (Dr.) Richard A. "Rick" Hersack, the command surgeon of the Air Force Materiel Command.In the technological

  • Surgeon general testifies on servicemembers’ health

    Pre- and post-deployment health care coupled with the in-theater deployment surveillance health program have resulted in the healthiest servicemembers in history, the Air Force surgeon general told a congressional panel March 18.Lt. Gen. (Dr.) George Peach Taylor Jr. told the House Armed Services

  • Surgeon wins Armed Forces Triathlon Championship

    If at first you don't succeed, then try, try again. For Capt. James Bales, a Wilford Hall Medical Center orthopedic surgeon, it was eight 'tris' before success: winning the Armed Forces Triathlon Championships.The Air Force captain traversed the Olympic-distance course at Naval Base Ventura County,

  • Surgeons return injured troops to action

    With precision-guided instrumentation and steady hands, a surgical team here is returning injured warfighters to the fight. Dr. (Maj.) Daniel Todd Rose, orthopedic surgeon, and Dr. (Maj.) Craig Kolasch, general surgeon, both with the 379th Expeditionary Medical Group, handle most of the minor

  • Surgeon's skills stay sharp helping base

    The doctor and nurses, shrouded in gowns, gloves and facemasks, lay stainless-steel scalpels and clamps neatly on the plastic-covered tray next to the patient.One of the nurses squeezes around the operating stretcher to adjust the overhead lamps while the doctor picks up his tools and prepares to

  • Surgical residency receives full joint training platform accreditation

    The 81st Medical Group at Keesler AFB, which boasts the largest Air Force surgical training residency program, has received full Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education accreditation as a joint training platform. The program was evaluated by the ACGME, the governing body for all United

  • Surprise inspection nets weapons, alcohol, merchandise

    Officials here found unauthorized firearms and alcohol, military uniforms and other merchandise during a surprise inspection of areas inhabited by third-country workers and American contractors.“The sweep was the first of its kind and, because of its success, has set the precedence for future

  • Survey addresses quality-of-life needs

    The 2010 Caring for People Survey gives total force Airmen, civilians, retirees and dependents an opportunity to voice their concerns on how the Air Force can better address their quality-of-life needs. With Airmen deploying in support of global contingency operations for two decades, developing and

  • Survey allows Airmen to speak frankly to leaders

    Would you like to tell your leaders what you think? You have that opportunity through the 2012 Air Force Climate Survey.The survey officially kicked off Monday, and soon all Airmen will receive email invitations with a personalized link to enable them to share their thoughts, said Nicole Gamez, Air

  • Survey helps turn things around

    Great deeds can be built on small gestures. And with a good plan, it is possible to turn a unit around on a dime.When Vicki Preacher came here in July 2001 to fill the top post in the environmental management directorate, she found problems with morale spilled onto the mission.“There was

  • Survey responses still needed as Nov. 26 deadline nears

    On Oct. 1, Air Force leaders opened the door for all Airmen to voice their concerns with the launching of the 2008 Air Force Climate Survey. Although that door is still open, it is slowly closing. The survey, which runs through Nov. 26, is designed to assess the opinions and perceptions of the Air

  • Survey seeks input in shaping civilian personnel system

    Civil service employees who soon will come under the new National Security Personnel System have an opportunity to help shape the program.The new National Security Personnel System Factor Survey gives general schedule employees the chance to register their views about several performance factors

  • Survey will assess Air Force community well-being

    Invitations to take the 2011 Air Force Community Assessment will be sent out Jan. 25. The assessment is designed to assist chaplains and people working in installation-level Airman and family readiness centers, family advocacy programs, health and wellness centers, mental health clinics and child

  • Survey will help servicemembers, families

    A survey designed to gauge the Air Force's success in building communities is set for distribution in early April.The 2003 Community Assessment Survey will be sent out servicewide, said the Air Force's director of family advocacy research and the project officer for the survey. He added that the

  • Survey will measure personnel services delivery

    Airmen can help make their personnel services delivery system better through survey feedback beginning Sept. 20.Air Force officials said they are transforming the way personnel services are delivered to make them more effective, efficient and timely. This PSD transformation uses technology to place

  • Survey will permit informed decisions, official says

    Survey responses on the possible repeal of the law that bans gays and lesbians from serving openly in the military will allow leaders to make informed decisions, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said July 10.The survey was designed to be a confidential conversation between a Defense Department

  • Survey: Servicemembers more realistic about retirement

    Servicemembers are more practical about their retirement needs than their civilian counterparts, according to a survey conducted by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA, Investor Education Foundation, in cooperation with the Employee Benefit Research Institute. The findings bode

  • Survival equipment: Taking fear out of flying

    Almost everyone has seen movie heroes parachuting out of planes and helicopters into dangers unknown. However, not many people think about how they are able to do that, or who ensures their parachutes are packed safely and carefully. Ten Airmen, assigned to the 100th Maintenance Squadron’s survival

  • Survival instructor keeps F-35 training afloat

    Within the 33rd Fighter Wing, innovation doesn't end at the flightline, but finds its way into a 12-foot swimming pool where new F-35 Lighting II pilots are now able to seamlessly complete their water survival training.

  • Surviving 'face-breaking' speed

    For some it's about competition, for others it's an adrenaline rush, but for Derek Hamby, bicycling is about passion. Hamby, an avid bicyclist and manpower and organization chief at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado, has been riding for close to 20 years. He takes trips with friends each year, just

  • Surviving sexual assault: One victim’s story

    When she woke up, everything in her life had changed. Her best friend no longer existed. At least his status as her best friend was now gone. That changed instantly and forever when she found him on top of her, assaulting her. The evening began as any other for Amanda -- not her real name. The

  • Surviving the altitude

    Many issues may arise when flying as aircrew, including hypoxia, which can be life-threatening if the proper procedures are not taken to correct it.

  • 'Surviving The Cut' episode to highlight dive school July 25

    Discover Channel's "Surviving The Cut" will air an episode that highlights the rigorous training at the Air Force Combat Dive School in Panama City, Fla., July 25 at 10 p.m. EDT.Members of the Air Force Combat Dive School train an array of special operations Airmen such as pararescuemen, combat

  • Surviving the Holocaust: Former Soldier, AF civilian tells his story

    Fear. In one word, Bob Behr used fear to describe how he and most of the Jewish community in Germany lived their lives from 1933 until the mid-1940s. In that time, Behr would suffer persecution, work in forced labor, be arrested and sent to the Theresienstadt “camp-ghetto” with his family, and

  • Surviving the storm: My journey to recovery

    Last fall, I felt like I was losing my foundation. Within a short time frame, my best friend got a new assignment to California, and my supervisor, who had become my biggest mentor, left for a deployment. Soon after, I found myself significantly struggling to find my place as a new Airman, and

  • Surviving the unthinkable

    Airmen sang Christmas carols as they cruised their armored truck through the thick gray fog of Iraq’s northern desert on that late November morning. It was the 2004 holiday season and the Airmen were in good spirits as they neared the end of their 30-day mission. They had helped guard Army convoys

  • Survivor assistance program manager receives new A1 award

    He provided around-the-clock assistance to more than 200 families who suffered the loss of an active-duty member, mentored 25 Airmen seriously injured or wounded in action, and was appointed by the secretary of Defense to serve on the Independent Review Group at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

  • Survivor harnesses resilience to overcome invisible wounds

    Reality hit when then Airman First Class Brittany Johnson of the 49th Logistics Readiness Squadron left the hospital in September 2010 after a week-long stay for sexual and physical assault. “I didn’t feel like myself,” recalls Johnson, now a technical sergeant with the 36th Civil Engineering

  • Survivor remembers attack on Oahu

    Retired Chief Master Sgt. Ralph Barnett returned to Hickam for the 65th Anniversary of the attack on Oahu and to show his family where he was on that fateful Sunday morning. At the time of the attack he was a 24 year old assistant armament chief Buck Sgt. with the 23rd Bombardment Squadron stationed

  • Survivor shares story to combat troop suicides

    Kim Ruocco hung up the phone with her husband, relieved he had finally agreed to seek help for his increasingly severe bouts of depression.Still, she had a nagging feeling that something wasn't right. She decided to catch a red-eye flight from Massachusetts to California, where her husband's reserve

  • Survivor supports families in wake of 9/11

    It's been a decade since American Airlines Flight 77 struck the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001, but Bonnie Carroll vividly recalls the aftermath.As a family support volunteer, she spent hours "listening and sharing" with families who were waiting to be notified about a missing loved one.Carroll, the

  • Survivors call bin Laden's death 'Bittersweet'

    When Wendy Duffman first heard that Osama bin Laden, al-Qaida's leader and the mastermind behind 9/11, was dead, she said she felt a sense of elation, and then relief.Her brother, Air Force Tech. Sgt. Scott Eric Duffman, died four years ago in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan. And as an American

  • Survivors of Afghan helicopter crash airlifted to Germany

    Only hours after a helicopter crashed in Afghanistan, Airmen from an aeromedical evacuation control team in Southwest Asia got 11 of fourteen injured survivors onboard a C-17 Globemaster III bound for Germany."That really made a difference in saving lives" said Lt. Col. Lenora Cook, the evacuation

  • Survivors offer advice straight from the heart

    It began as a good day for Kim Manning. On March 29, 2004, her alarm clock’s snooze button, which usually works overtime, got the day off, while a warm shower and a hot cup of coffee propelled her out the door and off to work. Less than half an hour later her good day went bad, real bad.Just miles

  • Survivors will receive extra money

    Congress is making death and taxes a little bit less painful by giving extra money to families of deceased airmen.Families of almost 500 airmen who died on active duty since Sept. 10, 2001, are receiving an additional $6,000 beyond the death benefits they originally received. They will also be

  • Suspect arrested in sergeant’s murder

    Officials arrested a suspect in the murder of Master Sgt. Gloria Ponder on June 12. Sergeant Ponder was found dead in her on-base home June 8. She was assigned to Air Combat Command’s chapel at Langley Air Force Base, Va.The suspect was apprehended by security forces Airmen at the base exchange on

  • Suspect in base killings in custody

    An Airman here suspected of killing two people and injuring another in base housing July 5 is in pretrial confinement at a local jail.The suspect was apprehended here July 5 by Air Force Office of Special Investigations agents. Base officials said he has not yet been formally charged, and they did

  • Suspect shot following vehicle chase at Offutt AFB

    An individual was shot by a 55th Security Forces Squadron member at the Kenney Gate here June 4.Following a felony traffic stop, the suspect fled and illegally forced his way onto Offutt AFB with Bellevue Police Department and Sarpy County Sherriff's Department vehicles in pursuit. "We have no

  • Sustainability of installations, environment key to readiness

    The best way to ensure that today’s warfighters have what they need to fight and win in the post-Sept. 11 world is to sustain the viability of both military installations and their surrounding environments, a defense official said here April 12.That idea of sustainability -- of the military

  • Sustainable security needs risk-based approach

    Risk management must guide decisions on preventing, responding to and recovering from terrorist attacks, the new homeland security secretary said here March 16.Michael Chertoff spoke at George Washington University in his first major address since taking office Feb. 15.“A nation as vital and

  • Sustaining Global Supremacy

    Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson talks about adaptation and innovation in the Air Force throughout its history and how both play a key role in sustaining global supremacy. The speech was given Feb 28, 2019, at the Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando, Florida.

  • Sustaining stealth

    Beneath the sleek lines of the F-35A Lightning II, Airmen move with careful precision, sealing seams and smoothing surfaces to restore one of the aircraft’s most powerful features, its stealth.

  • Sustaining the mission through green innovation

    On April 22, the Air Force will join the nation in observing Earth Day. On this occasion, we take the opportunity to reflect on our daily commitment to excellence and leadership in protecting and preserving the environment and our natural resources. As we fly, fight, and win today and in the future,

  • Sustainment skills key in Iraq, Afghanistan

    As the United States wraps up operations in Iraq and looks to scaling back its force in Afghanistan, a senior defense official emphasized the importance of ensuring that Iraq's and Afghanistan's national security forces have the maintenance and logistics capabilities they'll need.The U.S.

  • SVS helps airmen stay fit, fed, entertained

    Adopting the slogan “Not without us,” airmen of the 506th Expeditionary Services Squadron routinely take on the daily challenge of keeping the people assigned here fed, fit and entertained. “You can’t sustain a long-term forward presence and world-class combat capability … without bringing services

  • SVS officials launch redesigned AF sponsorship website

    The Air Force community has a combined purchasing power of $30 billion, and Air Force commercial sponsorship officials are revamping their efforts to spread the word to potential sponsors.Through the Air Force Commercial Sponsorship program, sponsoring businesses receive market exposure to total

  • 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

  • Swedish airmen reflect on Raven training

    Two Swedish airmen working to build up a cooperative between their country and the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center's Phoenix Raven Training Course, recently reflected on attending the Raven instruction April 14 to May 1.Lieutenants Fredrile Gartborn and Fredrik Andersson, both Swedish air force

  • 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

  • Swedish pilots presented with US Air Medal

    Four Swedish air force pilots received U.S. Air Medals during a ceremony in Stockholm Nov. 28, recognizing their actions that took place over 31 years ago. Until last year the details of their mission remained classified.

  • Sweet lessons: 70th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift

    The end of World War II brought on a new, different conflict - a cold war. An immediate battleground became the divided country of Germany. The Allies divided the defeated Germany with the French, British and Americans taking the western half of the nation spreading the ideals of democracy, and the

  • Swift Strike controls the air

    Exercise Swift Strike aims to strengthen interoperability for American and Canadian air controllers and air battle managers.

  • Swimming & Diving: Air Force falls to BYU

    The Air Force men's and women's swimming and diving teams were swept in a Mountain West Conference dual Jan. 26 at the BYU swimming and diving complex. The men's team lost 138-105 while the women lost 153-74. Senior Chris Knaute led the way for the Falcons, winning the 500- and 1,000-yard freestyle

  • Swimming & Diving: Air Force knocks off defending league champs

    In one of the programs biggest victories, the Air Force men's swimming & diving team defeated two-time defending Mountain West Conference Champion UNLV, 175-125, in front of over 1,000 rowdy fans at the Cadet Natatorium. On the women's side, the Rebels defeated the Falcons 180-100. The Falcon men

  • Swimming & Diving: Air Force swept at Utah

    The Air Force men's and women's swimming and diving teams were swept by Utah here in a Mountain West Conference dual Jan. 27. The men's team lost 154-146 while the women lost 153-117. The Falcon men took first place in eight of the 16 events, but came up just short. Senior Chris Knaute took first

  • Swimming and diving: Falcons break 800 free relay record

    The Air Force men's s swimming and diving team sits in third place after the first day of competition Feb. 21 at the 2007 Mountain West Conference Swimming and Diving Championships. The Falcon women's team is in eighth place. The Brigham Young University men's and women's swimming and diving teams

  • Swimming and diving: Seniors defend titles

    Air Force seniors Chris Knaute and Paul Parmenter successfully defended their titles in the 500-yard freestyle and 200 individual medley events at the 2007 Mountain West Conference Swimming and Diving Championships Feb. 22 at the Oklahoma City Community College Pool. The Falcon men's team sits in

  • Swimming: Air Force falls to BYU

    The U.S. Air Force Academy men's and women's swimming and diving teams both dropped a contest to Brigham Young University Jan. 24 at the Cadet Natatorium in Colorado Springs, Colo. The men fell to the 23rd-ranked Cougars by a score of 147.5 to 93.5, while the women lost 155 to 82. The men drop to

  • Swimming: Cadet earns fourth conference weekly honor

    A U.S. Air Force Academy cadet was named Mountain West Conference co-men's Swimmer of the Week, announced Feb. 8 by the conference office. Senior Chris Knaute has earned this honor four times this 2006-07 season and eight times in his career.The final Mountain West Conference Swimmer and Diver of