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  • U.S. pursues better ballistic missile defenses

    While refining the systems that protect the homeland against long-range ballistic missile attacks, the United States is advancing technologies to counter the growing threat of short- and medium-range missiles launched by rogue states or terrorists, a top U.S. Northern Command officer told American

  • Air Force supports defense of Turkey

    Mobility Airmen are enabling their Army counterparts to meet a Secretary of Defense order to move two Patriot anti-missile batteries and hundreds of Soldiers to support Turkey, a U.S. ally.According to officials, Airmen worked around the clock to support a NATO request to deploy two Patriot

  • U.S., Canada think ahead to NORAD Next

    More than a half century since it was established to confront the Cold War threat, North American Aerospace Defense Command is at a new crossroads as officials in the United States and Canada determine the capabilities it will need to confront emerging challenges and threats in the decades

  • Reservists to get help with travel vouchers

    Air Force Reserve Command is adding resources and changing business practices to make travel voucher processing easier for reservists.Throughout FY13 the command will increase the number of Defense Travel System travel technicians to assist reservists with their travel vouchers, according to Michael

  • AF opens new nuclear training center

    Almost 10 years of joint effort and cooperation culminated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Nuclear Security Tactics Training Center in Guernsey, Wyo., Dec. 13.The $4.2 million facility boasts 14,500 square feet of functional space for training classrooms and cadre offices, and has been

  • AFTAC Airman wins Air Staff-level award

    An Airman assigned to the Air Force Technical Applications Center here was selected as the Air Force's Outstanding Scientific Applications Specialist-Technician of the Year Award for 2012.Senior Airman Jacob Caron, a systems control shift leader at AFTAC, learned of his selection when he opened his

  • Airmen and Soldier musicians play in unison

    Editor's Note: This is the first article in a series about the U.S. Air Forces Central Band, the only assigned Air Force Band to the Central Command Area of Responsibility. Based in Southwest Asia, the current band "Total Force" is comprised of deployed Airmen from the Band of the U.S. Air Force

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Airman shows skills as F-22 demo pilot

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)The serenity of a sleepy, morning sky broke as a dark form rose from the ground and blotted out the sun. An F-22 Raptor maneuvered through the dawn,

  • New training facility opens in Wyoming

    Almost ten years of joint effort and cooperation culminated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Nuclear Security Tactics Training Center in Guernsey, Wyo., in December.The $4.2 million facility boasts 14,500 square feet of functional space for training classrooms and cadre offices, and has been

  • Separate paths bring brothers together for Christmas

    Up until a few days ago, Staff Sgt. Derek Allen hadn't seen his brother, Army Cpl. Greg Allen, in a long time. However, an interesting twist of fate spurred their separate services to bring them together here for the Christmas holidays."Both of us being here in (Afghanistan) is the closest we have

  • Pararescue, security forces Airmen train as one

    The afternoon sky was still and silent just before a thunderous HH-60G Pave Hawk landed thrusting 100 mph winds. Out jumped three pararescuemen assessing possible threats in all directions as they headed to aid an injured member of a friendly force.The 38th Rescue Squadron and 823rd Base Defense

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: High school reunion ... above Afghanistan

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)In 2001, three students -- each in a different grade -- shared the halls and classrooms of DuBois Area High School in rural Pennsylvania.This month,

  • Space Fence program moves forward

    The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center here recently put out a request for proposal to move the Space Fence program forward.Space Fence will be a system of up to two land-based radars, the first site located at Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands, to track objects entering Earth's orbit.

  • AF Reservists deliver humanitarian supplies to the Caribbean

    Reservists from the 315th Airlift Wing delivered more than 38,000 pounds of humanitarian aid to the island nations of St. Lucia and Haiti Dec. 15 and 16.The missions involved two C-17 Globemaster III aircraft delivering humanitarian aid, medical and school supplies, food and construction equipment

  • Airmen decrease response time with improved expeditionary medical team

    More than 60 medical Airmen from Andersen Air Force Base, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska and Yokota Air Base, Japan, joined trained on the new expeditionary medical support health response team here, Dec. 10-13. EMEDS is a team of expertly-trained medical professionals who utilize a mobile

  • PACAF Airmen share best practices with ROK space team

    Members of Pacific Air Forces' space forces met with visiting members of the Republic of Korea, Deputy Chief of Staff Planning team, to discuss space successes and challenges, Dec. 7, 2012.Maj. Gen. Kyeong-Doo Jeong, DCS for Planning Republic of Korea Air Force headquarters, led the group during the

  • Linebacker II Remembrance Ceremony

    The annual Linebacker II Remembrance Ceremony was held at the Arc Light Memorial Park here Dec. 14 to honor the heroes that made the ultimate sacrifice in support of Operation Linebacker II.Operation Linebacker II, also referred to as the "11-Day War," was conducted from Dec. 18, 1972 to Dec. 29,

  • Panetta signs order to deploy 400 U.S. personnel to Turkey

    Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta has signed an order that will deploy 400 U.S. personnel to Turkey to support the deployment that NATO agreed to recently of Patriot missile capability there, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said today.Panetta signed the agreement en route to Turkey as he

  • Lt. Gen. Clarke nominated as Director, Air National Guard

    Lt. Gen. Stanley E. Clarke III, commander of the Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Region - 1st Air Force, has been nominated by President Obama to be the next director of the Air National Guard.If confirmed by the Senate, Clarke will replace Lt. Gen. Harry "Bud" Wyatt III.,

  • Air Force launches 3rd X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle

    In the next installment to improve space capability and further develop an affordable, reusable space vehicle, the Air Force conducted its third X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle launch here on December 11, officials said.The launch comes on the heels of the successful flight of OTV-2, which made an

  • Transition GPS gives Airmen roadmap to success

    A new roadmap to help ease Airmen into civilian life is in full swing, providing assistance that will help those separating be as competitive in the civilian world as they are in the military, according to the assistant secretary of the Air Force for manpower and reserve affairs.Mr. Daniel B.

  • Q&A: AF chief information officer on Cyber Summit

    Air Force leaders held a Cyber Summit in November at Joint Base Andrews, Md., to discuss the Air Force's role in cyberspace and to ensure the mission needs of the Air Force and joint warfighter are being met going forward.More than 30 senior leaders, including the secretary and chief of staff of the

  • 'Today's Air Force' reviews rescue at sea, Thunderbird memorial restoration

    Air Force Television News released a new edition of Today's Air Force on Dec. 10.On this episode's "Straight from the Top," acting Undersecretary of the Air Force, Jamie Morin speaks about the importance of technological and organizational advances the Air Force has made in space. Next, viewers join

  • President nominates 20 Reserve officers for promotion

    President Barack Obama has nominated 20 officers for Reserve of the Air Force Appointment to major general and brigadier general. The nominations move to the Senate for confirmation. Nominated for promotion to major general are:Brig. Gen. William B. "Blaze" Binger, 10th Air Force commander, Naval

  • Japanese aircrew learn advanced airlift tactics in Missouri

    A sky blue military aircraft with red Japanese flag markings is an odd sight in the Midwest.Yet, Airmen at the Missouri Air National Guard training center here are used to such foreign sights.The Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center at the 139th Airlift Wing instructs service members from other

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Airman takes 'once-in-a-lifetime' journey

    Leave is something military members typically earn, with hard work, dedication and long hours. Those members usually use their precious time off to recharge their batteries and relax, not Airman 1st Class Jessica Tharp.Tharp, an aerospace propulsion journeyman assigned to the 18th Component

  • 'Sir, tell the TACP thanks'

    On 13 May 2010, an Airman First Class taught me some lessons I'll never forget. I think of Airman 1st Class Corey Hughes almost every week. His actions on that particular day in May remind me to focus on others first, that heroic leaders exist among us all the time, and doing the right thing takes

  • Airmen save AF more than a million dollars

    The 437th Aerial Port Squadron Load Planning Airmen answered the call when the Air Mobility Command Fuel Efficiency Office asked AMC aerial port squadrons to maximize fuel usage aboard C-17 Globemaster III's and other air frames using a new initiative called precession loading.Before the initiative

  • KC-135 crew on point in Afghan skies

    From the window of her "office," Senior Airman Brittany Bahner breathes deeply and takes in the view of the brown, arid expanse near Kandahar Province, Afghanistan. She waits patiently, lying prone in the boom pod at the rear of the KC-135 Stratotanker, while communicating through her headset with

  • AF receives space award

    Space and Missile Systems Center Commander Lt. Gen. Ellen Pawlikowski accepted the donation of the Dr. Robert H. Goddard Memorial Trophy from Dr. Bradford Parkinson on behalf of SMC and the GPS Directorate at a special ceremony held at Los Angeles Air Force Base on Nov. 30.Dr. Parkinson and the "GPS

  • AF names PhD program participants

    Six Air Force company grade officers have been selected for the Chief of Staff's prestigious PhD program, Air Force Personnel Center officials said Nov. 4.Three captains have been named primary selectees and are expected to begin their education program this fall, said Master Sgt. Teresa Dixon,

  • Vandenberg continues 53 year holiday tradition

    While some families were busy with the normal holiday hustle and bustle that can come with the beginning of December, hundreds of Vandenberg Airmen were checking backpacks, schedules and presents to ensure local, underprivileged children were afforded a traditional holiday experience.The 53rd annual

  • Special Ops tryouts to test mettle for 'battlefield airmen' positions

    Since neutralizing Osama Bin Laden, America's special operations forces have remained in the spotlight as high-caliber leaders entrusted with operations vital to national security. As counter-terrorism operations continue throughout the globe, the Pentagon is currently busy defining irregular

  • Former Airman sentenced for distributing child pornography on the Web

    Brig. Gen. Kevin J. Jacobsen, Air Force Office of Special Investigations commander, announced today the sentencing of former Air Force member Craig Allen James, 24, of Laurel, Md., to six years in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for distributing child pornography. Additionally,

  • Secrets of universe revealed thanks to AF research complex

    Looking skyward, scientists worldwide now know the universe's size, composition, approximate age and rate of expansion, thanks in part to "essential" data derived from a time-sensitive test conducted at the Arnold Engineering Development Complex's (AEDC) Mark 1 Aerospace Space Chamber. On June 30,

  • NORAD provides website, apps to track Santa

    Children of all ages will be able to track Santa Claus on his annual journey, thanks to the North American Aerospace Defense Command.The "NORAD Tracks Santa" website at http://www.noradsanta.org is up and running. The site features a holiday countdown, games and daily activities, video messages from

  • Deployed father controls airspace over son in Afghanistan

    Maj. Christopher Gering worries like any other parent whose child deploys downrange. It can be gut wrenching knowing his child operates outside the wire, working to clear and dispose of improvised explosive devices.Since August, this proud parent has had an advantage most parents are not afforded

  • General Paul Selva takes command of Air Mobility Command

    Gen. Paul J. Selva became commander of Air Mobility Command in a change-of-command ceremony here today, as the legacy of leading global mobility operations was passed to him from Gen. Raymond E. Johns Jr.Selva comes to AMC from Headquarters Pacific Air Forces, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii,

  • SecAF declares 'Modernization can't wait'

    The Air Force's senior civilian addressed the importance of modernization and the challenges ahead for the Air Force at the 2012 Aerospace and Defense Investor Conference here Nov. 29."Among the most difficult challenges facing the Air Force is the need to modernize our aging aircraft inventory as

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Airman swears allegiance, attains dream

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)An 87th Logistics Readiness Squadron airman assigned here was full of nerves on the morning of Nov. 16, as he was about to become a U.S. citizen in a New

  • 'Space junk' growing issue for AF space operations

    Members of the 1st and 7th Space Operations Squadron took notice when an upper stage Russian rocket disintegrated in low earth orbit Oct. 16. The break up introduced an estimated 500 pieces of debris into an area where the U.S. operates a multitude of satellites, further congesting an already

  • SecAF helps commemorate Navy Annex history

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley attended a ceremony Nov. 27 to commemorate the history of the Navy Annex building by Arlington National Cemetery and the Air Force Memorial, and mark the start of the demolition project.The 70 year-old annex building was originally built as a warehouse in

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Kadena Airman shines during Tops in Blue

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)As the premiere U.S. Air Force entertainment group, Tops in Blue, performs for service members stationed around the world, they bring music, dance and

  • AMC team wins top CSAF 'Team of Excellence' award

    The Air Mobility Command Electronic Flight Bag Team from Scott Air Force Base, Ill., won the 2012 Chief of Staff Team Excellence Award awarded by the Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III Nov. 28 at the Pentagon.Each year, since its inception in 1992, the Chief of Staff Team Excellence

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Airman returns 'home' to help recover MIAs

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)An officer stationed at Grand Forks Air Force Base traveled thousands of miles earlier this year to return to his birth country of Vietnam for the first

  • Every flight 'ultimate trip' for deployed aircrews

    A small group of people leave their office and pile into a vehicle.Twelve hours later, they've travelled more than 800 miles - roughly the distance from Seattle to San Francisco - stopped several times in the middle of nowhere, picked up a few passengers who speak very little English, overcome

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: 65 years later, WW II veteran returns to England

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)On a typical day from 1942 to 1945, the flightline on Royal Air Force Alconbury, England, would be full of activity as aircrews, maintainers and weapons

  • Multinational team of wingmen rescues downed pilot from Pacific Ocean

    On July 22, a U.S. Air Force pilot assigned to Misawa Air Base, Japan, had to eject from an F-16 Fighting Falcon over the turbulent and cold waters of the North Pacific. Over the next six hours, the pilot, JEST 73, focused on surviving in his small life raft - constantly using his helmet to bail

  • Morin talks space superiority at AFA conference

    Acting Under Secretary of the Air Force Dr. Jamie Morin addressed more than 320 Airmen, industry officials and Air Force Association members at AFA's Global Warfare Symposium in Los Angeles, Calif., Nov. 15.Morin opened the symposium with a discussion on space superiority as an enduring source of

  • SecAF addresses rebalance to the Pacific

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley spoke about the Air Force's role in the U.S. defense strategy to rebalance to the Asia-Pacific during the Air Force Association's Global Warfare Symposium in Los Angeles, Calif., Nov. 16. Donley closed the symposium, which gathered more than 320 Airmen,

  • Tyndall resumes F-22 flying operations

    The 325th Fighter Wing resumed normal flight operations as the Wing Commander, Col. David Graff, flew one of the first F-22 Raptor missions Nov. 19 approximately 7:45 a.m. A total of eight F-22 aircraft completed training missions in the morning and six others flew in the afternoon. The wing

  • U.S. Air Force Band and Honor Guard to perform at Macy's Thanksgiving Day

    The United States Air Force Band and Honor Guard will be traveling to New York City to perform a featured patriotic tribute, "This is My Country," in the 86th Annual Macy's Day Parade® on Thanksgiving Day 2012.Marching 200 strong, these premier ceremonial units from the 11th Operations Group will

  • Kadena Special Olympics allows kids to be heros

    Thousands of volunteers, supporters and special-needs athletes and artists from all over Japan, came to Kadena Air Base, Japan, Nov. 17 to participate in or support the 13th annual Kadena Special Olympics."This is an opportunity for the two communities to meet in joint service to the athletes and

  • Band ramps up engagement as command position returns to Japan

    As U.S. forces rebalance to the Pacific, one group of Air Force musicians looks to play its way to new levels of engagement throughout the world's largest region.After a five-year absence, the command position for the Air Force's Band of the Pacific has returned to Yokota Air Base, Japan -- and with

  • AFOSI helps those traveling abroad via AF Portal

    Air Force Office of Special Investigations has streamlined the foreign travel briefing program to better serve active-duty Air Force members and Department of the Air Force civilian employees before, during and after their trips abroad.Improvements have been made to the foreign travel pre-brief and

  • Heritage of America Band bridges gap between military, community members

    The U.S. Air Force Heritage of America Band plays approximately 25 concerts a year in venues from Pennsylvania to South Carolina, playing a variety of jazz, classical and patriotic music to an audience of retirees, children and families alike.Their mission is to reach out to communities and tell the

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Cuban boy fulfills dream of becoming American Airman

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)Under a star-studded night in their native Cuba, a young boy and his stepbrother made a promise to each other. If they ever somehow made it to the United

  • 'Today's Air Force' reviews Hurricane Sandy relief operations

    Air Force Television News released a new edition of "Today's Air Force" on Nov. 13. On this episode's "Straight from the Top," President Barack Obama speaks about the ongoing recovery after Hurricane Sandy. Later, Staff Sgt. Shannon Ofiara shows viewers how Airman contributed to the Relief

  • New LED fixtures light the way

    For close to two years, almost half of the street lights and parking lot lights on Peterson AFB have been disabled in an effort to cut energy costs. This past summer, the lights started coming back on in anticipation of new light-emitting diode fixtures being purchased.According to Jim Jacobsen,

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Minot missileer fights for more

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)As a previous Global Strike Challenge competitor, Minot Air Force Base, N.D., missileer 1st Lt. Shawn Burnside is no stranger to facing challenges.

  • AFA names aerospace award winners

    Air Force Association officials named the 2012 National Aerospace and Specialty Award winners during the Annual Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition in Washington D.C. last month, said Air Force Personnel Center officials.The specific categories and winners are as follows:David C.

  • Top AF engineers help clear flood waters

    A team of nearly 50 Air Force civil engineers from duty locations across the country pulled together to form the 331st Air Expeditionary Group this week, to pump flood waters affecting New York coastal communities following Hurricane Sandy. The 331st AEG assembled here Saturday, Nov. 3, with

  • AF supports both Sandy relief and Afghanistan operations

    Mobility Airmen are playing key roles supporting humanitarian relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, while continuing to support U.S. operations around the world, including missions in Afghanistan.Since Hurricane Sandy struck the East Coast on Oct. 30, C-17 Globemaster IIIs, C-5 Galaxys, and

  • AF safety chief shares vision

    With two months in the seat as Air Force Chief of Safety, Maj. Gen. Margaret H. Woodward doesn't need a palm reader to glimpse the future."It is absolutely essential that safety is embraced as a core value in preserving combat capability," Woodward said.The Air Force's success in reducing mishaps

  • Air Force leaders issue Veterans Day message

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy send the following Veterans Day message to the Airmen of the U.S. Air Force:"Our Air Force's success is founded in the sacrifice of generations who served

  • First AF amputee pilot nominated for DOD disability award

    A Laughlin Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training graduate was one of two Airmen nominated for the 2012 Department of Defense Employee/Service Member with a Disability Award.Capt. Ryan McGuire, with Air Mobility Command, lost his leg in a boating accident on Lake Amistad in 2009 while in pilot

  • Falcons shot down in West Point, 41-21

    Turnovers made the difference in the Air Force's 41-21 loss to Army Nov. 3 at Michie Stadium in West Point, N.Y.The Falcons, unable to establish an offensive rhythm after two solid drives in the first quarter, gave up three interceptions and two fumbles that cost them 17 points against the

  • Nuclear treaty monitoring aircraft visits Patrick AFB

    Special equipment operators from the Air Force Technical Applications Center's Detachment 1 visited Oct. 25 and invited base personnel to tour the detachment's flying workhorse, the WC-135 Constant Phoenix.The detachment, which is located at Offutt AFB, Neb., is responsible for operating and

  • Every patient an important story to CASF staff

    As she sifted through the captain's baggage to make sure he didn't have anything he wasn't supposed to, the young medic came across his watch. The captain had been injured by an improvised explosive device where he lost three of his limbs. He had been unconscious the whole time he was at the Role 3

  • Former AFMC commander named TD White Award winner

    A former vice chief of staff and commander of Air Force Materiel Command received the Air Force Academy's Thomas D. White National Defense Award in a ceremony here Oct. 25.Retired Gen. Lester Lyles received the award for his involvement with the president's Intelligence Advisory Board and the

  • MAF Airmen continue hurricane relief efforts

    America's Mobility Air Forces continued transporting equipment and personnel to East Coast staging areas in support of relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.The 618th Air and Space Operations Center (Tanker Airlift Control Center) at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., has scheduled additional

  • 62nd Port Dawgs do 'whatever it takes' to support hurricane relief efforts

    Airmen from the 62nd Aerial Port Squadron worked through the night Nov. 2, and well into the afternoon Nov. 3,  to process more than 20 vehicles and support equipment destined for the East Coast to support Hurricane Sandy relief efforts.The vehicles, sent from the Seattle City Light power company in

  • Rescue Task Force begins mission in New Jersey

    Members of the National Urban Search and Rescue Task Force traveled to Staten Island, N.Y., to conduct house-to-house searches, Nov 3, 2012. The Task Force includes state search and rescue task forces from Maryland, Virginia, and Texas, who specialize in disaster recovery, and emergency triage and

  • AFRL played major role in historic near-space jump

    For more than nine minutes Oct. 14, an international audience watched as Austrian daredevil Felix Baumgartner egressed from a capsule 128,000 feet above the earth and fell toward the planet reaching speeds of 834 miles per hour, to become the first person to break the sound barrier outside of a

  • Airmen 'lean forward' to support East Coast relief efforts

    In the wake of President Obama's call for the federal government to "lean forward" in response to the devastation left by Hurricane Sandy, Airmen from across the country are answering the call. Aircraft and crews from 12 active duty, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve bases across the nation

  • SecAF, community honor Keesler AFB

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley praised the robust partnership of the Air Force and its sister services at the Salute to the Military in Biloxi, Miss., Oct. 23.Donley addressed nearly 1,000 military members and community representatives at the 34th annual event sponsored by the Mississippi

  • Space ops unit takes over newest GPS satellite

    The 2nd Space Operations Squadron accepted satellite control authority of its third Global Positioning System Block IIF satellite during a ceremony here Oct. 26.Following its launch from Cape Canaveral, Fla., Oct. 4, acquirers from the Space and Missile Systems Center and operators from the 50th and

  • In wake of Sandy, mobility Airmen poised to 'answer the call'

    Across the nation, mobility Airmen are assessing the damage left by Hurricane Sandy at their own Air Force bases along the East Coast and beginning the process of recovery, while also standing ready to answer the call for support of relief efforts from civilian authorities. In the wake of the

  • Watching 'Sandy'

    As post-tropical cyclone Sandy continues to make its way across the northeastern U.S. and Canada, U.S. Air Force Defense Meteorological Satellite Program assets continue to provide valuable weather data to forecasters across the region so they can better predict the storm's pathway and

  • CSAF shares perspective during AETC Senior Leader Conference

    The Air Force's top general discussed topics such as telling the Air Force story and innovation during the Air Education and Training Command Senior Leader Conference here Oct. 18."Telling the Air Force story is a big deal to me," Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III during his speech to

  • Thule boilers save big in first year

    In 2011, five exhaust boilers were installed at Thule Air Base, Greenland, to decrease the amount of JP-8 fuel used for heating the base and ultimately, save money. Thule AB has five locomotive-style engines in its M-Plant that generate electricity for the base, said Randy Pieper, 21st Civil

  • Remains of two Airmen lost in 1969 identified, honored

     The remains of two Airmen who died when their F-4D Phantom II was shot over Laos in 1969 were returned and honored at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors Oct. 19.Col. Wendell Keller, of Fargo, N.D., and Capt. Virgil K. Meroney III, of Fayetteville, Ark., were killed when their

  • 'Green Flag' keeps Airmen, Soldiers mission ready

    "If the band played a piece first with the piccolo, then with the brass horn, then with the clarinet, and then with the trumpet, there would be a lot of noise, but no music," said Gen. George S. Patton during World War II. "To get harmony in the music, each instrument must support the others. To get

  • Declassified document shows 'real' flying saucer

    The grainy film showed a round ship floating out of a hangar. Its silver, aluminum exterior glinted in the sun as it hovered a few feet off the ground. As it glided over a pool of water, it kicked debris into the air and the glass canopies of the two cockpits were showered with grass and gravel as

  • Airmen earn chance to appear on 'Jeopardy'

    Five Airmen made the 'active pool' for American quiz show "Jeopardy!" during iconic host Alex Trebek's visit to Aviano Air Base in October as part of a USO and Armed Forces Entertainment-sponsored tour to meet the troops.During the Oct. 9 visit, Trebek auditioned prospective contestants for the

  • Airmen deploy in support of downed Black Hawk

    Two joint inspectors from the 8th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron were tasked with an invaluable mission in - to forward deploy to a remote forward operating base in Afghanistan and help with the inspection and movement of a downed UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter.Tech. Sgt. Peter Feliciano Jr. and

  • Air Force releases RFP for next search and rescue helicopter

    The Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition announced today the posting of the Combat Rescue Helicopter (CRH) Request for Proposal (RFP) to the Federal Business Opportunities website, signaling the official launch of this high priority Air Force acquisition program. The

  • Air Force continues PII protection education

    The Air Force continues to train military members and Department of Defense and contract civilians alike to avoid releasing personally identifiable information about themselves or others.A letter from the secretary of defense defined PII as information that can be used to distinguish or trace an

  • Airman's sacrifice remembered around the world

    While deployed to Iraq, Airman 1st Class LeeBernard E. Chavis was killed by sniper fire as he tried to keep civilians away from a suspected bomb in the streets near Baghdad on Oct. 14, 2006.To remember Chavis and the Airman he was, Air Force members here and around the world commemorated the

  • Air Force aims to invigorate energy efficiency programs

    The deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for energy spoke to a group of industry and civic leaders, and a handful of international military partners, about the service's energy saving initiatives at the Air Force Association's monthly breakfast Oct. 17 in Crystal City, Va.Dr. Kevin T. Geiss

  • AF soccer team wins 2nd straight armed forces championship

    The All-Air Force Men's Soccer Team has done it again.The team triumphed in the 2012 Armed Forces Soccer Championship held at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Sept. 23 through Oct. 1. Air Force team members traveled from all over the world to train, compete and bring home the gold with a 2-1 victory over

  • F-35: Newest fighter much more than just 'stealthy plane'

    The engines roared overhead as an F-35A fell into formation. Although this is a basic maneuver for the test pilots, the possibilities for combat environments created by these elite aircraft working together are anything but mundane.The F-35, which features three variants to be used by the Air Force,

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Hero at 30,000 feet

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)A sergeant  here became an unlikely hero Sept. 9 during a flight from Atlanta to San Antonio. Master Sgt. Shannon McBee, an Air Force Life Cycle

  • Silver Star represents 44-year closure for KIA Airman's family

    "Promise me you're going to find out what happened to him."All Lillian Calfee wanted to know was the fate of her only son.On March 11, 1968, Lillian was told by her daughter-in-law, June Calfee, that her son, Master Sgt. James Calfee was missing in action. He was part of a secret mission in

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Living a dream, one note at a time

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)Staff Sgt. Abigail Foster sings in her car. She also used to live in it. The NCO assigned to the 92nd Maintenance Squadron, began her music career

  • Sound barrier pioneer celebrates 65 years

    Retired Brig. Gen. Chuck Yeager, the first person to fly faster than the speed of sound, celebrated the 65th anniversary of his ground breaking event with a re-enactment here Oct. 14.Yeager was serving as a test pilot and flying the experimental Bell X-1 named the, "Glamorous Glennis," Oct. 14,

  • Intel experts converge for 2012 GEOINT Symposium

    In addition to the exhibitions, GEOINT, which is in its ninth year, hosted several keynote speakers, panel discussions and breakout sessions by government, military and private sector leaders.Lt. Gen. Larry D. James, the Air Force's deputy chief of ISR, was a featured speaker on the Services