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  • The club that keeps on giving

    For one Kadena Air Base organization, "service" is not just a buzz word. It's a mission, and the proof is in the numbers. The Kadena Officers' Spouses' Club, a non-profit organization with nearly 170 members, donated more than $180,000 for the welfare of American and Okinawan communities last year.

  • The contributions of America's Airmen

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne and Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. T. Michael Moseley have issued the following letter highlighting the contributions of America's Airmen:Airmen, This past Monday, the Secretary of Defense delivered an address at Maxwell AFB to the students of our

  • The 'daily flap' brings morale, leadership to Total Force team

    When reporting for the duty day, most maintainers go to their areas, prepare for their shift and begin the day's work. Yet the day begins a bit differently for some members in the 92nd Maintenance Squadron, where an Airman found a way to motivate, inspire and lead others with just a few words of

  • The Enduring Importance of Airpower

    In January 2013, the United States Air Force released a vision statement that focuses on “Airmen, Mission, and Innovation.”In addition to recognizing Airmen as the power behind the Air Force and acknowledging the importance of innovation toour story, the vision encourages Airmen to understand and

  • The enlisted Airmen perspective: Success in the MDO world

    The mission of the recently-formed Air Force Strategic Integration Group blends senior leader’s perspectives of The Force We Need, the Future of Multi-Domain Operations, and the Airmen We Need to implement lasting change across the service. These changes include direct and indirect improvements for

  • The evolution of the combat RPA

    In the 1980s, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency added modern-day technology to the decades old idea of using remotely piloted aircraft for reconnaissance purposes. As a result the Air Force immediately purchased a long-endurance RPA called the GNAT 750, resulting in the creation,

  • The faces behind the faces on the 'most wanted' deck

    The faces of Saddam Hussein's defeated regime on the now-famous "most wanted" card deck have become ever familiar with more than 1 million decks printed and sold.The faces of the cards' creators, however, were a mystery, until now, that is.Enter Army Staff Sgt. Shawn Mahoney, 31, and Sgt. Scott

  • The final stage in healing

    For some, the Warrior Games might be the first step toward healing, but for Air Force athlete Steven Malits the games are the last step in his long journey of recovery.

  • The flame game

    Air Force firefighters from the 374th Civil Engineer Squadron here extinguish flames that engulfed an aircraft after it "crashed" here during a combat readiness employment inspection. The firefighters practiced at their live-fire aircraft training facility on base. (Photo by Master Sgt. Val

  • The Flying First

    That young pilot, Capt. Benjamin Foulois, was in one of eight Curtis JN-3 “Jenny” biplanes participating in the search. The planes were powered with 90-horsepower engines that had a rough time just staying airborne, but they led a reconnaissance mission to kick off Gen. John J. Pershing’s punitive

  • The footprint of the Jolly Green Giant leaves its mark

    Tech. Sgt. Mathew Macella, the 56th Rescue Squadron pararescueman blue team NCO in charge, succinctly summed up the explanation for all the stickers of green feet found around Royal Air Force Lakenheath and what they mean for the 56th RQS. The origin of the green feet symbol came from Vietnam, when

  • The Force We Present: Future of AF operations

    As the Air Force highlights revitalizing squadrons and the need to improve readiness to contend with near peer adversaries, the Air Force deputy chief of staff of operations spoke to an audience about “The Force We Present” and the necessity for coming changes in military operations during the Air

  • The future of air and space operations in the Pacific

    Four retired Air Force senior leaders addressed Air Force Association Pacific Air and Space Symposium attendees during a panel, using their lessons learned to discuss the future of Air and Space operations in the Pacific.

  • The future of test: ACC establishes 'Black Flag'

    Established as the test counterpart to Red Flag, an event designed to train like we fight, Black Flag allows the Air Force to test like we fight. While Red Flag builds readiness, Black Flag builds capability.

  • The gift of a lifetime

    Twenty-two people die each day waiting for an organ transplant, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Currently, there are more than 119,000 men, women and children on the national waiting list; every 10 minutes another person is added, lengthening the list every year.

  • The gift's in the mail

    Tech. Sgt. Marivic Patton (left) and Staff Sgt. Marc Nickleberry distribute mail at the base post office here. During the holiday season, local postal officials expect to deliver nearly 4.2 million pounds of mail to base people. Patton and Nickleberry are both postal clerks with the base's 374th

  • The Great Power Competition at Wright-Patterson AFB

    At Wright-Patterson AFB, efforts to enhance energy resilience, efficiency, and security are critical to maintaining mission readiness and ensuring the installation can continue to support national defense objectives.

  • The heat is on ... Afghan style

    As alarms sound and flames roar from the burning building, they run in while others run out.For years and years, firemen have trained for the eventuality that one day, they may have to save an innocent victim from the intense heat of a raging inferno. In Afghanistan, military fire training is no

  • The human element of a humanitarian mission

    A.P. Tudor Jayasekera and his wife of 20 years, K. Rupawathi, stand in the ruins of what was once their home. All that remains are bricks, cement pieces and six pieces of wood from their roof, but they said they feel lucky.They were out of their home when a 20-foot tsunami crashed into their

  • The iceman 'teach-eth'

    Capt. Damian Schlussel instructs Senior Airman Chris Hucks on ice axe self-arrest techniques at the peak here Jan. 26. Schlussel is the officer in charge of the security forces training flight for the 31st Security Forces Squadron at Aviano Air Base, Italy. Hucks is a communications project

  • The Initial Perception

    There are many common sayings that go along with how important the first impression you leave on someone is. No matter the circumstances for someone’s behavior, on any particular day, there is no way to reverse that initial interaction, conversation, attitude, etc. For this reason, and many more,

  • The Iron Airman

    In the Air Force, fitness isn't just a stepping stone to success, it’s a requirement. While each Airman has their own idea of how to stay fit to fight, 1st Lt. Roman Tillman has picked a practice that he believes also sharpens his skills as an Airman and a leader.Tillman, a 5th Space Launch Squadron

  • The last goodbye

    Betty Lenzi, the mother of Maj. Gregory L. Stone, touches her son's casket before his burial at Arlington National Cemetery on April 17. Stone was the first Air Force casualty of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was assigned to the Idaho Air National Guard's 124th Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo by

  • The line is ready, FIRE!

    Staff Sgt. Matthew Buchan monitors the Airmen on the firing line for safety infractions and weapon malfunctions April 12 at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. Sergeant Buchan is a combat arms instructor for the 56th Security Forces Squadron. Airmen must be qualified in their primary weapon prior to

  • The long journey home

    Long rows of white marble headstones line the landscape of Arlington National Cemetery, each memorializing a fallen U.S. military member with a unique story of service to the nation. Nestled within Section 60 of the sprawling cemetery lies a marker for Air Force Maj. Troy Gilbert, an American

  • The making of a memorial

    It was his favorite holiday. He looked at his birthday in October as a count down to Christmas. So Army Sgt. Michael E. Yaschinski loved being with his family at that very special time of the year. “He never missed a Christmas, even when he was stationed in Italy -- except for 2003,” said his

  • The making of an air commando

    I had never heard the song before, but the melody was vaguely familiar: "Swamp rat, swamp rat, where do you hi-ide? "Come out in the open and I'll be your guy-ide." The raspy voice bounced off the tall pines in Kisatchie National Forest in central Louisiana: I'm a friendly guerilla who'll take you

  • The Million Veteran Program: VA's genomics game-changer launches nationwide

    An unprecedented Veterans Affairs research program that promises to advance the sophisticated science of genomics goes national May 5, according to the VA's top official. "It is my honor," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki, "to join with so many fellow veterans in keeping VA at the

  • The most fearsome weapon is evolving

    The first MC-130J Commando II to be converted into Air Force Special Operations Command's newest variant of the gunship, the AC-130J Ghostrider arrived at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Modifications to the airframe will be completed in 10 months and will be a milestone in the recapitalization of the

  • The multiple roles of the C-17 Globemaster III

    The C-17 III Globemaster here serves as the visual centerpiece of the United States' static display coral at the 2010 Farnborough International Air Show here.The eight crew members accompanying the newest cargo aircraft to the international event are from the 301st Airlift Squadron, a Air Force

  • The non-lethal force be with you

    Airman 1st Class Carla Martinez gets her game face on as she prepares to defend herself Jan. 24 during self-defense tactics training with batons at an air base in Southwest Asia. The self-defense training familiarizes Airmen with how to use non-lethal force to defend themselves. Airman Martinez is

  • The nose knows -- military working dogs complete security forces mission

    “Get 'em!” With one swift movement, military working dog Breston is off like a flash, covering the distance between his handler and his target in just a few fluid strides. The reward for his speed and agility is a nice juicy bite. Of course the juicy bite was just the “bite suit” but Breston, a

  • The nose knows: four-legged 'troops' sniff out explosives

    Two of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team's most valuable assets never talk about work, preferring to let the results speak for themselves. Even with their quiet demeanor, they have uncovered numerous weapons caches and explosives, and have become two of the most popular members of the unit. They are the

  • The 'ol plane and chain

    Aeronautical Systems Center Command Chief Master Sgt. Fest Miles (right) and his command staff teammates strain to pull a 60,000-pound fighter jet the farthest in 45 seconds during the U.S. Air Force Museum's 4th Annual Aircraft Pull. Approximately 600 base and community members took part in the

  • The OSD Logistics Fellows Program: A glimpse from inside

    Nearly 3 million men and women make up the Department of Defense; how few truly have opportunity for gaining insight and understanding of the origins of legislation, budget, policy, and oversight? The Office of the Secretary of Defense’s Logistics Fellowship provides selected logisticians the

  • The paint is flying

    A member of the Turkish air force security forces squadron here surrenders after being hit with a paintball. U.S. and Turkish security forces team up once a quarter for paintball training to practice combat tactics, fire-control measures and cover and concealment procedures. (Photo by Staff Sgt.

  • The Power of Airmen

    The effectiveness of Air Force airpower comes directly from thepower of Airmen. While it is natural to define the Air Force interms of its aircraft, missiles, or satellites, in reality, the Service’sunmatched capabilities exist only and precisely because of theimagination, innovation, and dedication

  • The Raven puts more eyes in the sky

    The little cousin of the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper is making a big splash here as the RQ-11B Raven program takes flight. The Raven is a small unmanned aerial vehicle used to conduct visual reconnaissance up to ten kilometers away, said Staff Sgt. Daniel Garcia of the Force Protection Aerial

  • The road to recovery; Airman defines true meaning of resilience

    “I can’t feel my legs, I can’t feel anything.”These were the words spoken by an Airman who would soon experience and overcome a road filled with pain, courage and resilience.Second Lt. Ryan Novack, the 36th Munitions Squadron flight leader, always wanted to race dirt bikes. After learning about a

  • The services align, sign new working group charter

    The first big step towards achieving commonality and interoperability of expeditionary basing equipment in the joint force was taken April 13 as the service logistics chiefs came together here to sign the Joint Expeditionary Basing Working Group charter. The lead JEBWG organizations are the Air

  • The silence of nuclear deterrence is deafening

    (Editor's Note: This story is part of "Through Airmen's Eyes." These stories and commentaries focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)As I complete what I like to call my "first lap" around 20th Air Force, it amazes me to see our Airmen executing what some would call a less

  • The sky's the limit: Sheppard AFB innovation goes from ground up

    Mixed reality used by the 80th Flying Training Wing is a flying environment in a controlled setting that enables students to learn and make mistakes with a safety net. It was created through the use of 360-degree cameras, skilled pilots and actual images from flights over north Texas and southern

  • The 'So What' factor puts Oct. 10 airpower summary in perspective

    The Combined Air and Space Operations Center's airpower summary provides a daily account of the integration and synchronization of airpower. But some folks may ask, "So what? What does this summary really mean?" The "So What" factor for Oct. 10's airpower summary is that five dozen coalition

  • The sound of Japan-U.S. relations: Joint Concert 2010

    Tech. Sgt. Rebecca Packard, a member of the U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia, performs with the Akishima Youth Brass Band Nov. 23, 2010, during a Japan-U.S. joint concert in Akishima, Japan. Officials with the North Kanto Defense Bureau hosted the concert to enhance bilateral relations among

  • The sun shines on Ironman

    Staff Sgt. Joshua Hull, the NCO in charge of the Minot Air Force Base Honor Guard here recently accepted the challenge to compete at the IRONMAN Sept. 21, in Lake Tahoe, California.

  • 'The Swoose' finds new home at Air Force museum

    The Swoose, the oldest surviving B-17 Flying Fortress and the only "D" model still in existence, was transferred from the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Shipment of this unique aircraft from Washington, D.C., is in progress and it is expected

  • The thunder rolls

    An A-10 Thunderbolt II assigned to the 104th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron banks to the right after takeoff from here March 20. Coalition forces in Afghanistan launched another offensive, dubbed Operation Valiant Strike, on March 20 aimed at villages and cave complexes east of Kandahar in the Sami

  • The U.S. Air Force Academy set to release new app for iTunes and Android

    The U.S. Air Force Academy is set to release a new app Wednesday for iTunes and Android. The app will be a free download and is a one-stop-shop for Academy news, photos and videos on Android- and iTunes-enabled devices.Some highlights of the app include links to up-to-the-minute Academy news and

  • The ultimate line dance

    C-17 Globemaster IIIs await orders to load and launch in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom at a forward-deployed location. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Isaac G.L. Freeman)

  • The unbroken bond: MWDs defend coalition, secure base borderline

    Military working dogs are among the unsung heroes of the military and play an important role from therapy dogs supporting service members and veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder to military working dogs supporting operations on and off the battlefield. In the Air Force, their

  • The uniform, the rank, the badge – the attitude

    The colonel leaned back in his seat, pausing for just a moment as he scanned his memory. “Not really,” he said, recounting if the Air Force had always been a goal. “It was kind of tradition in the family – to serve. It was something the family did. I figured I’d get in, do five years and then get

  • The unstoppable Airman

    Airman 1st Class Tanya Brown was a fulltime everything three years ago -- beautician, livestock farmer, college student, wife and mother to four children. Then, not being one to shy away from a challenge, the 35 year old decided to join the Air National Guard.

  • The USAFWC leads the way for new AFwerX initiative

    The Secretary of the Air Force and the United States Air Force Warfare Center Commander discuss an exciting new Air Force innovation initiative called AFWER. The program will be modeled after the successful Special Operations Command initiative known as SOFwerX, which allows anyone with a good idea

  • The value of $1

    Having insurance is always good and not spending a lot on the coverage is even better. So, getting $100,000 in traumatic injury life insurance coverage for $1 is great.The Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance Traumatic Injury Protection program rider provides for payment to service members who are

  • The weapons of warfare adapt with the age of Airmen

    Airmen are using off-the-shelf commercial gaming equipment on the battlefield, and according to one Airman operating at a base still littered with Soviet-era landmines, they're a great fit. When Senior Airman James Dobrynski, a St. Louis native, straps on his individual body armor, fire-resistant

  • The writings on the wall for a leaner Air National Guard

    Improvement. For Col. Billy Asbell it often starts with a dozen or more slightly anxious Air National Guard members seated in their conference room. They clutch cups of coffee or water and find some comfort in the familiar walls. Before long, those walls are hidden behind layers of yellow sticky

  • Theater distribution center equips Airmen

    Entering the 376th Expeditionary Theater Distribution Center's issue and return building correlates to walking into a wholesale outfitters store -- all the gear one needs to get through the mission. "The primary purpose of this ETDC is to outfit all battlefield Airmen going downrange to Afghanistan

  • Theater frequency management organizes airwaves

    Along with the thousands of planes filling the sky over Iraq are more than 5,000 different electronic frequencies used for critical communications between the systems and people who make those flights possible.With numbers like these, there are plenty of chances for something to become a problem.

  • Theater hospital wall preserves memory, sacrifice

    The 20-by 30-foot flag thousands of patients have passed under on their way to the Air Force Theater Hospital at Joint Base Balad often is photographed in military circles. But lesser known, though no less poignant, are the walls of the Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility's recreation room.

  • Theater leaders discuss different methods of war

    Representatives from all the geographic combatant commanders met here June 15 to discuss new ways of affecting change on an adversary involving less force than standard operations, and, in some cases, little or no force at all. U.S. Pacific Command’s Standing Joint Force Headquarters served as host

  • Theater security unit stands up at Manas

    Transit Center officials and the assistant secretary of the Air Force for manpower and Reserve affairs stood up the Theater Security Cooperation Division April 23 here as part of an ongoing effort to build and expand relationships with global partners.Daniel B. Ginsberg toured the transit center and

  • Their 'American Spirit' earns Salt Lake Bees baseball team Air Force award

    Before a sold-out crowd of more than 17,000 fans, the Salt Lake Bees Triple-A baseball team was presented the Air Force Recruiting Service's most prestigious award, the American Spirit Award, here Aug. 22. Col. Mark Ward, 372nd Recruiting Group commander, presented the award to Greg Miller, chief

  • Their continuing mission: Hurricane Hunters gather data for winter storms

    For members of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, also known as the Hurricane Hunters, the hurricane tasking is only one part of their overall data-gathering mission. Hurricane Hunters track winter storms off the East and West Coast of the United States and in the Gulf of Mexico. While the

  • Their legacy lives on at American cemetery in UK

    Service members from across the United Kingdom will make their way to the Madingley American Cemetery Memorial Service here May 28 to remember the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines who fell during World War II in defense of the U.K. U.S. Air Force Airmen will participate in the event with

  • There’s no quitting in the Air Force

    An Airman candidate stood up and said, “I quit.”Almost before he could finish speaking, three staff sergeants were in his face barking like trained attack dogs.“You can’t quit!” they yelled. “We decide who’s quitting, and you’re not quitting! Ain’t no such thing as quitting.”The confrontation took

  • There's always a better way

    The Airman had $600 left until payday, which was fine -- until her car broke down, and with it, a $1,000 repair bill.Two "friends" offered to help her out. The first offered an interest-free loan of $500. The second offered a $500 loan for a $75 fee, and said if the Airman could not pay the money

  • Thermal curtains offer protection to B-52 aircrews

    Engineers here are designing a product to protect B-52 Stratofortress aircrews from a nuclear attack's blinding light. Designed by members of the 540th Aircraft Sustainment Squadron's B-52 Communications Navigation and Weapons Flight, prototypes for the thermal curtains will be ready sometime in

  • Things are looking up at Arctic Air Base

    Recent missile threats to the United States have the military looking up to its northern most installation, Thule Air Base, Greenland. It’s there that the Air Force monitors the skies for missiles from its Arctic location strategically positioned at the halfway point between Washington, D.C. and

  • Things to know about voluntary dependent departure from Turkey

    On Sept. 2 Col. John Walker, the 39th Air Base Wing commander, announced the secretary of Defense's decision to authorize voluntary departure for family members of U.S. personnel in Adana, Turkey, to include Incirlik Air Base. Details of the voluntary departure are still evolving. Below is a list of

  • Think about family members if considering suicide

    Thirty years ago today, Dec. 29, my father forever changed my life, as well as the lives of his other family members. He took a shotgun and shot himself in the head. His death certificate reads, "Self-inflicted gunshot wound."I can't tell you how many times I've heard people joke about something

  • Think of safety first

    Keeping Airmen here safe is not a task taken lightly by the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing’s ground safety office. "Our job is to prevent the loss of life or damage to government equipment," said Tech. Sgt. Clyde Lathon, 332nd AEW ground safety manager. "We are the Air Force equivalent to the

  • Thinking ahead: Agility Prime kicks off

    The objective of this week’s event is to reinforce the Air Force’s commitment in partnering with industry, investors and the interagency to help ensure there is a robust domestic capability in the aerospace sector.

  • Thinking lean, a must for stronger, smaller Air Force

    The U.S. Air Forces in Europe vice commander, Maj. Gen. Marc Rogers, spent time with senior leaders at Incirlik Air Base to discuss the importance of Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century, or AFSO21. General Rogers began with a big picture explanation of the Air Force's strong focus on the

  • Third Air Force inactivates

    Headquarters 3rd Air Force inactivated today during a ceremony here as part of a larger U.S. Strategic Theater Transformation. Although 3rd Air Force was inactivated, the Air Force will leave a general officer in country. Maj. Gen. Paul Fletcher will remain at Royal Air Force Mildenhall as U.S.