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U.S. Air Force News

  • Air Force chief of safety visits Seymour Johnson

    The Air Force chief of safety made a visit here Jan. 20 to see Airmen's dedication to safety firsthand. As Air Force chief of safety, Maj. Gen. Frederick F. Roggero is responsible for all safety across the service, including aviation, weapon, ground, space and on- and off-duty safety.Though taking

  • Transit Center Airmen help save Peace Corps member

    Jan. 18 was a snowy day in Central Asia. Jamie Morris, a female Peace Corps volunteer assigned to a village in Kazakhstan, was traveling in a taxi with two other passengers when their vehicle was hit by a truck, killing the two others and leaving her with severe head injuries.Officials from the

  • AMC leader continues visits across command

    Gen. Raymond E. Johns, Jr., commander of Air Mobility Command, has made it his charge since taking the reins in November to meet the Airmen in his command. The general's most recent trip, Jan. 23 to 27, included stops at the 62nd Airlift Wing at McChord Air Force Base, Wash.; the 146th AW at Channel

  • Air Force Global Strike Command officials assume B-52, B-2 mission

    Air Force Global Strike Command officials here assumed responsibility for the Air Force's nuclear-capable bomber force Feb. 1. This action completes the step-by-step transfer of all Air Force long-range, nuclear-capable assets to the Air Force's newest major command. The nation's intercontinental

  • Airmen fly Predator in controlled airspace over Haiti

    An RQ-1 Predator took off Jan. 27 from Aeropuerto Rafael Hernandez outside Aguadilla, Puerto Rico marking the first time a Predator has been used to support a humanitarian operation. The remotely piloted aircraft mission also operated from an active civilian airport, taking turns on the runway with

  • Lt. Col. Lee Archer, Tuskegee Airman, passes

    Lt. Col. Lee Archer, a World War II fighter pilot with the Tuskegee Airmen, died Jan. 27 at the age of 90. He died of coronary complications at New York Hospital in New York City. Colonel Archer entered the Army in November 1941 and received training as a telegrapher and field network-communications

  • Long-serving Air Force civilian to retire

    One of the Air Force's longest-serving civilians will retire Jan. 29 after nearly 49 years in federal service.Nancy Beeson, currently the confidential assistant to Secretary of the Air Force Administrative Assistant Bill Davidson, began her career in civil service in 1961, having previously worked

  • Holloman visit by chief of staff highlights contributions of Airmen

    The top military leader of the Air Force visited here Jan. 27 to talk with Airmen about the state of the Air Force and to get a firsthand look at what Airmen here do on a day-to-day basis. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz visited mission and support facilities on the base and met with

  • Kentucky Airmen move supplies through Dominican Republic

    As relief supplies and support continue to pour into Haiti, members of the Kentucky Air National Guard's 123rd Contingency Operations Group has helped to ensure a steady flow of help into the areas that need it. Operating out of Barahona, Dominican Republic, the unit has set up an airfield to

  • Air Force coordination team joins Joint Task Force-Haiti

    The 12th Air Force Southern vice commander, and the 612th Air Operations Center deputy commander arrived in Haiti to act as lead members of the Air Component Coordination Element supporting Joint Task Force-Haiti Jan. 12 here. Brig. Gen. Darryl W. Burke, the 12th Air Force Southern vice commander,

  • General visits Incirlik Airmen

    The U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander visited Airmen here Jan. 25 through 26 and shared the standards he expects from all USAFE Airmen. During his two day visit, Gen. Roger A. Brady, toured various work centers, talked with Airmen and met the leader of the Turkish military here, Turkish air force

  • Air Force medics evacuating critically ill from Haiti

    A three-person medical team from the Wright-Patterson Medical Center here is providing aeromedical evacuation support to assist victims of the earthquake in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.The critical care air transport team, or CCATT, is staging from MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. with the 45th

  • Air Force program develops senior civilian leaders

    Civilian Strategic Leader Program officials are briefing Air Force career field functional leaders this month on details of the program aimed at developing the senior-leader civilian workforce."The Air Force has approximately 300 Senior Executive Service civilians today, and we need to ensure we are

  • Amalgam Virgo exercise prepares units for Super Bowl

    Fighter aircraft, at the direction of officials from Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Region, or CONR, will be busy well before Super Bowl Sunday preparing to protect Sun Life Stadium in Miami during game day.Exercise Amalgam Virgo 10-Miami will be held Jan. 28 in the

  • First lady's priority: Taking care of military families

    First lady Michelle Obama was the featured speaker at the Joint Armed Forces Officers' Wives Club's 32nd annual luncheon Jan. 26 at the Bolling Officers Club here.About 400 spouses from all branches of the military gathered to hear Mrs. Obama share her insights on military families, and announce a

  • 'Tricare University' offers benefit education

    If you are new to Tricare and eager to learn about your health care benefits or an old hand who wants to know the latest changes, Tricare University is the place to go.Tricare University offers free online courses 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year at www.tricare.mil/tricareu."The

  • Deadline approaches for 2010 scholarships

    The Feb. 17 deadline for students to apply for the 2010 Scholarships for Military Children Program is fast approaching. All students interested and eligible to apply are encouraged to gather their materials and submit their applications as soon as possible. One of the materials needed includes an

  • Call for warrior games coaches

    If you have ever wanted to follow the footsteps of legendary coaches like John Wooden or Ed Owen, staff members in the Air Force Services Agency Fitness Branch are looking for you.The Air Force team for the first Warrior Games needs coaches for shooting, swimming, archery, volleyball, cycling, track

  • Organization posthumously awards Medal for Valor to Airman

    An Air Force lieutenant was posthumously awarded the National Intelligence Medal for Valor for her efforts to teach Afghan military officials how to gather and interpret military intelligence Jan. 22 here.1st Lt. Roslyn L. Schulte died last May in Afghanistan when an improvised explosive device

  • Reaper exhibit opens at Air Force museum

    Air Force and industry officials joined National Museum of the U.S Air Force officials for the opening of the museum's new MQ-9 Reaper exhibit Jan. 25 here.As a medium-altitude, long-endurance remotely piloted aircraft, the Reaper locates and destroys time-critical and highly mobile targets and

  • First group of BMT graduates begin sensor operator technical school

    Fourteen Basic Sensor Operator Training students, eight of whom are the first to begin the course fresh from Basic Military Training, began their first day of academics Jan. 15 here.The class, which also includes six prior-service students, will undergo 168 hours of training during the next 21

  • Air Force Cyber numbered Air Force achieves initial operational capability

    The commander of Air Force Space Command certified 24th Air Force for its initial operational capability Jan. 22 here. This milestone designation means that 24th Air Force Airmen are capable of performing critical elements of their mission.As a part of reaching IOC, the 24th Air Force staff and its

  • U.S., Japan forces celebrate as alliance reaches half-century mark

    Fifty years ago U.S. and Japanese officials signed a security treaty that has outlasted 10 U.S. presidents and 22 Japan prime ministers, and things show no sign of slowing down yet.To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the alliance, approximately 200 Japanese and American servicemembers and

  • Taking care of caregivers

    Deployments are a way of life in today's Air Force. Accordingly, Air Force members plan ahead and anticipate all contingencies while they are deployed.One plan that is required by all Air Force members with families is a family care plan that reasonably covers all situations, short and long term.

  • AFMC's new command chief master sergeant is 'all-in'

    During 28 years as an Airman, Chief Master Sgt. Eric R. Jaren has learned that a successful career requires not only fulfilling your duties, but thinking outside the box as well. For those who do both, he said, opportunities arise. The latest opportunity for Chief Jaren came by way of Gen. Donald

  • POL flight starts what could be 'benchmark' process

    The 376th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron petroleum, oil and lubricants flight has just implemented a process for filtering fuel that Air Force leadership wants to make a "benchmark."This first in-the-area of responsibility pre-stage fuel filter system drew the attention of Maj. Gen.

  • General Corley inducted into Order of the Sword

    Approximately 500 members from across Air Combat Command gathered in Omaha, Neb., Jan. 13 to induct retired Gen. John D. W. Corley into ACC's Order of the Sword.General Corley became the fifth person to receive the honor, which is the highest the enlisted corps can bestow upon an officer."To be

  • Air Force Medical Service officials work around challenges

    Servicemembers have a well-known knack for building modern facilities in remote locations to support operations.  In the wake of the devastating earthquake that rocked Haiti Jan. 12, the services have stepped up to use their deployable assets, especially hospitals, to help the victims.Col. Mark

  • Air Force officials extend deadline for warrior games applications

    Air Force officials are accepting applications until Feb. 15 for the inaugural Warrior Games in Colorado Springs, Colo.Wounded, ill and injured servicemembers will compete across all branches of the military in a joint effort between the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Olympic Committee.

  • AFNORTH Airmen assist with Haitian relief efforts

    Air operations experts at Air Forces Northern are assisting 12th Air Force and Air Forces Southern with humanitarian aid efforts following the Jan. 12 magnitude 7 earthquake that devastated Haiti.The 601st Air and Space Operations Center is supporting the 612th Combined Air and Space Operations

  • Petraeus: Limited airport hampers Haiti relief

    Limited runway space at the Port-au-Prince airport is hampering humanitarian relief operations in Haiti, the chief of U.S. Central Command said Jan. 20. "This is a single runway; there's not even a taxi-way," Army Gen. David H. Petraeus said. The magnitude 7 earthquake that struck Haiti Jan. 12

  • Tricare dives into social media to engage beneficiaries

    Tricare officials are taking the plunge into social media to uncover what issues matter most to their beneficiaries around the world. Social media channels and networks like Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Flickr continue to transform how healthcare information, and information in general, is

  • Air Force asset used to assess damage, needs

    After a devastating 7.0-magnitude earthquake rocked the capitol of Haiti, Port-au-Prince, last week leaving severe structural damage and an unknown death toll, the Air Force was tasked to provide imagery through the use of an observation aircraft.The OC-135B Open Skies, belonging to Air Combat

  • Total force team to aid earthquake victims

    Two C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft with 16 Airmen from Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station headed for Haiti Jan. 16.Manned by crews from the New York Air National Guard's 107th Airlift Wing and the Air Force Reserve's 914th Airlift Wing, the C-130s headed first to Pope Air Force Base, N.C., to upload

  • Haiti task force commander notes progress

    Humanitarian assistance efforts in Haiti are improving every day despite enormous challenges, the commander of Joint Task Force Haiti said. "Today, we had 180 flights go through the airport with zero delays," Army Lt. Gen. P.K. "Ken" Keen said Jan. 18 during a "DoDLive" bloggers roundtable. "That's

  • U.S. to open additional runway in Haiti

    As some 200 daily flights transit through the congested and sole functioning Haitian airport in the capital of Port-au-Prince, the U.S. military officials are going to open a second runway in the city of Jacmel within a day. The airfield will receive C-130 Hercules deliveries that initially will

  • Florida Guard establishes flight center for Haiti

    Florida Air National Guard 101st Air and Space Operations Group Airmen here are paving the way for air operations in the emergency response to Haiti. Florida guardsmen have been working to assist the Haitian government, Federal Aviation Administration, and U.S. Southern Command officials in

  • Travis AFB medics set to deploy to Haiti

    Fifty-eight medical staff assigned to the 60th Medical Group are set to provide medical and humanitarian relief to the earthquake ravaged nation of Haiti.Personnel from the David Grant USAF Medical Center are bringing a 10-bed, completely portable "hospital in a box" known as an expeditionary

  • Secretary, chief of staff: Airmen integral to overall relief efforts

    Since the startup of relief efforts following the earthquake in Haiti, active-duty, Air Guard and Reserve Airmen have been working around the clock to support aid missions to get people and supplies to the stricken island nation.Both the secretary of the Air Force and the Air Force chief of staff

  • Thunderbird returns to Nellis for final farewell

    A Thunderbird pilot killed in Southeast Asia and listed as missing in action for more than 40 years returned to the location of his last Air Force assignment Jan. 14 for a celebration of his life among a sea of family and peers."Today, we welcome Maj. Russell C. Goodman home," said Brig. Gen.

  • Mobility aircraft, personnel poised to support Haiti relief operations

    Air Mobility Command forces are actively working to support relief operations in Haiti after a 7.0-magnitude earthquake devastated the Caribbean nation Jan. 12, AMC officials said here Jan. 13. President Barack Obama directed a swift, coordinated effort from the U.S., saying "the people of Haiti

  • Cyber is the focus

    Hundreds of DOD cyber warriors, commercial defense industry officials and military members from all five services gathered during the Defending America Cyberspace 2010 Symposium to hear the Air Force Space Command commander give remarks Jan. 12, here.Gen. C. Robert Kehler spoke to the many changes

  • Military preps for broader Haiti relief mission

    The aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson is headed toward earthquake-devastated Haiti and is scheduled to arrive tomorrow to provide airlift support for the disaster-response mission, the commander of U.S. Southern Command reported Jan. 13.Meanwhile, Gen. Douglas Fraser said, SOUTHCOM officials are

  • Air Force seeking athletes for warrior games

    The deadline for submitting applications to compete in the inaugural Warrior Games at Colorado Springs, Colo. is Jan. 15.Approximately 200 wounded active duty members and military veterans will compete in the Warrior Games May 10 to 14. Air Force officials are seeking approximately 25 wounded

  • Iraqi air force graduates 247 cadets

    More than 240 cadets graduated from the Iraqi air force officer course basic military training course Jan. 10, here.In the two-month course, the 247 graduates at Iraqi Military Academy-Rustamiyah were educated in professionalism, teamwork, management and the leadership skills required to be an

  • Cyberspace leaders hold career panel at Academy

    Senior officers with Air Force Space Command and 24th Air Force held a space and cyberspace career panel in the Academy's Fairchild Hall Jan. 11.The panel gave cadets in attendance a chance to ask the panelists questions about the future of space and cyberspace and how their future careers might fit

  • Officials urge collaboration in suicide prevention

    There are no clear-cut answers to suicide prevention, but through collaboration and team work from federal and private institutions, the nation can better address the challenge, Defense and Veterans Affairs department officials said today.In a joint Defense-VA conference, titled "Building Strong and

  • Gates will remain as secretary at least another year

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates will stay in office for at least another year, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell confirmed here Jan. 7. Secretary Gates met with President Barack Obama before Christmas and committed to another year on the job, Mr. Morrell said. Then-President George W. Bush

  • Joint basing at Charleston moves forward with activation of 628th ABW

    Eighteenth Air Force officials activated the 628th Air Base Wing during an assumption-of-command ceremony Jan. 8 at Charleston AFB.The activation of the 628th ABW is the latest step toward the stand up of Joint Base Charleston Jan. 31. The joint base stand up in late January will begin the next

  • Mobility commander visits Georgia, Florida wings

    The commander of Air Mobility Command visited the 165th Airlift Wing, the 6th Air Mobility Wing and the 927th Air Refueling Wing to continue his efforts to view the air mobility mission "through the eyes of the Airmen."Gen. Raymond E. Johns Jr., who took the seat as AMC commander in late November,

  • Wings of Blue cadets jump into Rose Bowl

    The U.S. Air Force Academy's Wings of Blue, the Air Force parachute demonstration team, jumped into the Rose Bowl as part of pregame activities during the Citi Bowl Championship Series National Championship Game, Jan. 7 in Pasadena, Calif.Wings of Blue members dropped into the stadium of 93,000

  • Jan. 7 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Jan. 7, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.Air Operations in Afghanistan: Asadabad Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft

  • U.S. officials give base to Iraq's government

    U.S. Forces-Iraq gave control of Hawk Base back to the Government of Iraq and the Iraqi air force Jan. 1, as part of the U.S. drawdown and transfer of responsibility from U.S. forces to the Government of Iraq security forces.The transfer of Hawk Base, to include 31 facilities, four generators and

  • Provincial reconstruction team expands hospital for Afghans

    A cornerstone ceremony for a new, modern wing of the Zabul Provincial Hospital took place Dec. 26, in Qalat, Afghanistan.The International Security Assistance Forces Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul is partnering with local community leaders to complete this project. Contractors have

  • Wounded vets to participate in first warrior games

    Approximately 200 wounded active duty members and military veterans will compete in the inaugural Warrior Games May 10 to 14 in Colorado Springs, Colo., Defense Department officials announced Jan. 7. The U.S. Olympic Committee will host the games, and events will include shooting, swimming, archery,

  • New era begins for Joint Base Langley-Eustis

    Ninth Air Force officials activated the 633rd Air Base Wing during a change-of-command ceremony Jan. 7 here.The 633rd ABW officials assumed host unit duties from the 1st Fighter Wing officials, which served in that capacity since 1975. Maj. Gen. William L. Holland, the 9th Air Force commander,

  • American servicemembers bridge gap between Afghan provinces, relationships

    Afghan nationals and coalition forces gathered at the Arghandab District Center prior to an opening ceremony of a symbolic bridge Dec. 26, in the Zabul province.  Village elders from the surrounding area were dressed in their traditional garments and sat with their shoes lining the outer edge of the

  • Chief of staff dedicates Center for Families of the Fallen

    The Air Force chief of staff dedicated the new Center for Families of the Fallen at the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations Center here Jan. 6."For many of us, this dedication is a bittersweet event," said Gen. Norton Schwartz, the Air Force chief of staff. "This center is emblematic of our

  • Gen. Lew Allen dies

    Gen. Lew Allen Jr., the 10th chief of staff of the Air Force, passed away Jan. 4 in Potomac Falls, Va. Funeral arrangements have not yet been made but burial will be in Arlington Cemetery."General Allen was a visionary leader for our Air Force, a devoted husband and father, and a respected

  • General to receive Order of the Sword

    Retired Gen. John D. W. Corley, the former commander of Air Combat Command, is scheduled to be inducted into ACC's Order of the Sword Jan. 13 during a ceremony in Omaha, Neb. The Order of the Sword is the highest honor the enlisted corps can bestow on an individual and recognizes someone for

  • Military academy bowl victories shine light on armed forces

    The Air Force and Naval academy football teams triumphed in their respective bowl games Jan. 2, shining a spotlight on the servicemember-athletes comprising the rosters and the armed forces they represent.Military honors were replete here at the 5th annual Armed Forces Bowl, which pitted the

  • U.S. Forces-Iraq stands up in Baghdad

    A New Year's Day ceremony here marked another evolution of Operation Iraqi Freedom, as several major command groups merged into a single headquarters command, U.S. Forces-Iraq."This ceremony marks another significant transition here in Iraq," said Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander of U.S.

  • Lynn says fight against IEDs remains priority

    Defeating the terrorists' weapon of choice is and will remain a priority for the Defense Department, Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III said here Dec. 30.Mr. Lynn spoke during a Pentagon ceremony where Army Lt. Gen. Thomas Metz stepped down as director of the Joint Improvised Explosive

  • Ali firefighters prepare Iraqis for future

    Firefighters from the 407th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron are bringing the goal of independent Iraqi operations to reality at Camp Ur, Iraq.In December, Ali Base firefighters assisted their Iraqi counterparts toward self-sufficiency through numerous training sessions and skills tests.With

  • Air Force medics partner with Iraqi Ministry of Defense hospital

    Members of the Air Force Theater Hospital took the first step in partnering with members of Iraq's Ministry of Defense Hospital Dec. 22, to form the American-Iraqi Air Medical Evacuation and Medical Provider Training Course here. The first installment of training allowed the Iraqis to study burn

  • USAFE Airmen retool to enhance tradition of Building Partnerships

    The Airmen of U.S. Air Forces in Europe are charting new territory in tackling one of the Air Force's newest core functions: Building Partnerships.The lesson that international partnerships are essential to success in war and peace is not new. The Office of the Secretary of Defense directed U.S.

  • Georgia Air Guard teams with Army unit in Afghanistan

    Georgia Air National Guardsmen assigned to the 165th Air Support Operations Squadron have teamed up with 48th Infantry Brigade Soldiers in eastern Afghanistan. The Airmen are assigned to several joint terminal attack controller units that will call in combat-air support for the 48th's fighters, said

  • Air Force senior leaders pay holiday visit to Global Strike Command Airmen

    The Air Force's top uniformed officer and top enlisted leader each visited Air Force Global Strike Command wings for Christmas, spending the holiday with Airmen charged with the nuclear strategic deterrence mission and global strike operations.Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz visited

  • Total Force Service Center observes holiday hours

    In observance of the upcoming holidays, the Total Force Service Center closes from 12 p.m. Dec. 24 to 12:01 a.m. Dec. 27 and midnight Dec. 31 to 12:01 a.m. Jan. 2. The TFSC is available for all general personnel inquires by calling (800) 525-0102. Hearing impaired employees who have access to TDD

  • Rocket-motor test supports NASA, DOD and commercial missions

    A high-visibility test on a second-stage developmental rocket motor set a new record in the Arnold Engineering Development Center's J-6 large-rocket motor-testing facility Dec. 9.Joe Migliaccio, the Aerospace Testing Alliance engineer who conducted the test, said the team fired an Alliant

  • Robins home to southeast's first-of-its-kind solar technology

    The Robins AFB community has consistently been a leader in testing alternative power technologies, but perhaps no other effort has been as visible to the general base populace then a recently installed solar panel.The gleaming panel, about the size of a drive-in movie screen, incorporates

  • Conference addresses unmanned aircraft systems use for 1st Air Force mission

    Conference attendees addressed issues related to unmanned aircraft systems' access into the national airspace system Dec. 9 through 11 here.The conference focused on ways Air Force officials can consolidate their efforts with other organizations to gain access into the national airspace system.The

  • American surgical team making a difference in southern Philippines

    Five Airmen are operating a fully-equipped trauma center, providing emergency care, basic medical care and educational services to hundreds of Filipino and U.S. troops on the southern island of Jolo, Philippines. The Air Force members are part of the forward surgical team assigned to Joint Special

  • Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff visits Afghanistan

    The United States' most senior military officer visited Airmen and other coalition forces here to learn more about counterinsurgency efforts in Dec. 16 Afghanistan's Kapisa province.Navy Adm. Michael Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, met with French Brig. Gen. Marcel Druart, the

  • Two brothers from Dayton taught the world to fly

    Aviation enthusiasts, Air Force officials and local government leaders gathered here Dec. 17 to remember how two brothers from Dayton, Ohio, changed the world.The brief ceremony, held adjacent to the Wright Brothers Memorial on base, recognized the 106th anniversary of the first powered flight at

  • Doctors perform groundbreaking surgery at Walter Reed

    Doctors from Walter Reed Army Medical Center here and the University of Miami collaborated to perform the first pancreas islet cell transplant Thanksgiving Day on an Airman whose pancreas was injured so severely in Afghanistan that it had to be removed.While serving with an Army unit in Afghanistan,

  • Korea command officials focus on quality of life

    Improving the quality of life for servicemembers and their families stationed in South Korea is a top priority, the commander of U.S. Forces Korea said. In a "DODLive" bloggers roundtable Dec. 15, Army Gen. Walter "Skip" Sharp said one of his main priorities is to maintain and improve facilities,

  • Retired first sergeant leaves special legacy

    When Senior Master Sgt. Clayton French was honored at his Nov. 20 retirement ceremony, most of the guests in attendance learned the 81st Medical Operations Squadron first sergeant would leave a significant legacy to the service to which he devoted more than 28 years of his life.  Sergeant French had

  • Airmen perform operations with Kyrgyz surgeons

    Air Force surgeons at the Transit Center at Manas and Kyrgyz doctors worked together to performed surgical operations Dec. 11 in a local hospital here.The team of medical Airmen led by Col. (Dr.) Jerrold Flyer, 376the Expeditionary Medical Group commander, assisted with two separate operations,

  • Partnership between air forces in the making

    Officials from the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing hosted Afghan National Army Air Corps officials Dec. 19, here, to explain how an American combat wing operates day to day.Brig. Gen. Steven L. Kwast, the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing commander and other Airmen from operations, maintenance and mission

  • C-27J training operations center opens

    Air Force, Army and community officials celebrated the opening of a new cargo plane schoolhouse Dec. 9, here.The C-27J Joint Cargo Aircraft Schoolhouse will be used to train pilots of the C-27J, the new cargo plane used to reduce the need for ground convoys in dangerous areas.After  years of

  • AFGSC missile wings conduct limited inspections

    Each of Air Force Global Strike Command's three missile wings successfully passed a no-notice limited nuclear surety inspection Dec. 8, the first such inspections launched by the new command.Inspection teams of nine to 10 members, including observers from U.S. Strategic Command and oversight from

  • Secretary Gates to discuss progress, drawdown in Baghdad

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates arrived here Dec. 10 to meet with Iraqi and U.S. military leaders about continuing progress toward building Iraqi security forces and drawing down the U.S. force presence here to 50,000 by late August. The visit, Secretary Gates' first since July, comes as the

  • Chief master sergeant of the Air Force visits Joint Base Balad

    The Air Force's top enlisted Airman visited Joint Base Balad, Iraq Dec. 4, to talk to Airmen and survey the base's missions. Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy discussed deployed Airmen responsibilities and concerns during a morning Airmen's call.  There are about 200,000 Airmen

  • Building on Bold Quest, airborne network moves forward

    A team from the Electronic Systems Center here is now building on some encouraging airborne networking results achieved during Bold Quest 2009, the Joint Forces Command-led exercise conducted in November.Despite some issues that took the main test aircraft off line, officials from the 653rd

  • Defense officials visit Dover C-5M testing

    The senior adviser to the secretary of Defense on operational and live fire test and evaluation of DOD weapons systems flew on the C-5M Super Galaxy during a local air refueling qualification operational test and evaluation sortie Dec. 7 at Dover Air Force Base, Del.Dr. J. Michael Gilmore, the

  • Joint Chiefs chairman: Al-Qaida remains dangerous

    Al-Qaida remains a danger, and the area along the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan is the epicenter of global Islamic extremism, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said at the Foreign Press Center here Dec. 8. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen reiterated to foreign journalists that he fully concurs

  • DOD officials host disability awards ceremony, forum

    Defense Department officials highlighted the Pentagon's programs for people with disabilities Dec. 8 and recognized accomplishments of employees with disabilities. Clarence Johnson, acting deputy undersecretary of defense for plans, served as host for the department's disability awards ceremony and

  • Barksdale officials host Charter Chief golden anniversary

    Officials from the 2nd Bomb Wing here hosted a golden anniversary celebration to honor Air Force pioneers Dec. 1.Exactly 50 years ago on Dec. 1, 1959, 625 Airmen were promoted and pinned as the first-ever chief master sergeants. Called the Charter Chiefs, these Airmen secured their place in history

  • Task force finds improvement in sexual assault response

    Defense Department officials have made progress in improving their response to the needs of sexual assault victims, but they need to do more, a special task force has determined. The Defense Task Force on sexual assault in the military services has turned their report over to Defense Secretary