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  • Vendor payments go electronic

    The Air Force will be one step closer to its goal of seamless electronic commerce with the implementation of Wide Area Workflow, finance officials said.The program, a Department of Defense-developed initiative, simplifies the way military services pay vendors and contractors by eliminating the

  • Readiness center prepared for disasters

    With the 2003 hurricane season in full swing, Air Force Personnel Center officials remind airmen that the Personnel Readiness Center here can assist them when natural disasters strike. In the event airmen are evacuated or communications are impaired, the PRC acts as a central point of contact to

  • Re-enlistment bonuses adjusted

    Air Force officials recently revised re-enlistment bonuses, adding or increasing 40 career field zones and decreasing or removing 100, according to Air Force Personnel Center officials here.The revision to the selective re-enlistment bonus program includes additions of zones in two career fields

  • Ramstein continues Algerian relief

    More humanitarian relief supplies were in the sky June 5 as three C-130 Hercules aircraft flew from Ramstein to earthquake-stricken Algeria. This is the second humanitarian mission bringing eight pallets containing more than 6 tons of much-needed supplies to the people in the areas surrounding

  • Idea paves way for retirement

    One month from retirement, a 49th Civil Engineer Squadron airman received two $10,000 awards for his money-saving ideas.Master Sgt. Marshall Carroll, horizontal-construction superintendent, received the awards for buying a paving machine and an asphalt zipper. He submitted his ideas using the Air

  • U.S. forces moving in South Korea

    U.S. and South Korean officials have agreed to a plan to realign American forces stationed in "The Land of the Morning Calm."In meetings held June 4 and 5 in Seoul, according to a joint U.S.-South Korean statement, the operation will consist of two phases:Phase 1 -- U.S. forces at installations

  • Leaders hold town-hall meeting

    Battle lessons learned, professional military education and air and space expeditionary force issues headlined discussions between Air Force leaders and 300 military and civilian people here during a first Air Force Town Hall meeting June 5.Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche; Gen. John P.

  • Interaction helps 'calibrate' military culture

    Military interaction with the public it serves helps "calibrate" military culture, said the Air Force secretary in an interview here May 30.Dr. James G. Roche was here to serve as the capstone speaker during the 50th National Security Forum held May 26 to 30 at Air University. The annual symposium

  • Flights resume at Tuzla airport

    The first civilian flight into Tuzla International Airport here since late 2001 landed June 4. The French corporate flight was 15 minutes late, but it hardly seemed like a long delay, comparatively speaking. Air traffic in Tuzla has been restricted to military aircraft since the airport shut down

  • ANG is a family tradition

    For the McCann family of Minneapolis, serving in the Minnesota Air National Guard has become a family tradition, one that has been carried on for three generations.Jack McCann laid the groundwork by serving 30 years as a flight engineer, retiring as a chief master sergeant in 1983.Growing up with a

  • Student earns $128,000 for college

    An Osan American High School student here won a $128,000 scholarship for college and a guaranteed job with the Defense Intelligence Agency.Jason Pederson, an 18-year-old senior, applied for the scholarship at the prodding of his junior ROTC sergeant and will now receive an $18,000-a-year stipend.A

  • Osan officer helps maintain the alliance

    He speaks Chinese, Japanese and Korean with fluency and teaches northeast Asia international relations, U.S. military doctrine, English and North Korean politics to the future leaders of the South Korean air force.Maj. Brian S. Hobbs, is a U.S. Air Force exchange professor at the Korean air force

  • Nephew to honor WWII ace uncle

    By simply doing his job, an F-15 Eagle pilot here finally has the opportunity to honor his hero and uncle, World War II ace Maj. Richard "Dick" Bong. Maj. James Bong, of the 33rd Operations Group, will lead a four-ship flyover at the Richard I. Bong World War II Heritage Center museum in Superior,

  • U-2 pilot receiving Kolligian trophy

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper will present Maj. Jeffrey Olesen, a U-2 Dragon Lady pilot, with the 2002 Koren Kolligian Jr. Trophy during a June 13 ceremony at the Pentagon.Olesen, assistant director of operations for the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron here, will receive the award for

  • Air Force teams win acquisition awards

    Two Air Force teams received the 2003 David Packard Excellence in Acquisition Award during a ceremony June 4 at Fort Belvoir, Va.The Air Force winners of the Department of Defense’s most prestigious team award for acquisition excellence are the Joint Direct Attack Munition’s joint program office and

  • Two airmen honored for public service

    Two airmen were among 12 federal employees who were honored as recipients of the 2002 Arthur S. Flemming Awards in a ceremony June 5 at George Washington University, D.C.Flemming Awards honor people with three to 15 years of government experience for their extraordinary contributions in three

  • Cooperative Cope Thunder kicks off

    Pacific Air Force's premier simulated combat-airpower employment exercise kicked off June 5, bringing allied nations to two bases in Alaska for training.Cooperative Cope Thunder runs through June 20 with operations here and at Eielson Air Force Base.The exercise showcases multinational airlift

  • Crew chief circles Earth 104 times

    Tech. Sgt. Rodger Folkerts is the first person to reach the 5,000-hour mark in a C-17 Globemaster III.It has been an “amazing” journey, said the aircraft pneudraulics specialist and flying crew chief.Folkerts reached the 5,000-hour mark during a recent Operation Enduring Freedom mission, according

  • Rumsfeld clarifies civilian-workforce proposal

    Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld cleared up some misconceptions about the proposed Department of Defense civilian personnel system during testimony before the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee on June 4.Rumsfeld said that the current system is not flexible and agile enough to confront the

  • OIF aircrews donate to museum

    Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans started the OIF page in the Air Force Museum's history book here June 4 by donating items they used on combat missions.Aircrews presented the items during a ceremony at the museum. The items will be displayed to show one of many Air Force undertakings that are being

  • War and Peace -- a look at Operation Iraqi Freedom

    As Operation Iraqi Freedom transitioned from war- fighting to peacekeeping, the speed of the campaign came as a surprise to some deployed airmen, but was a welcome relief to all.At the 40th Air Expeditionary Wing, Chief Master Sgt. Daniel Mingo said his troops were braced for the long haul, but

  • Officials improve speed of Iraq mail

    Even in the era of e-mail, getting a letter from loved ones is important.The Military Postal Service Agency has received a number of complaints about the speed of mail deliveries to and from Iraq. Officials are aware of the problems and expect changes to ease some stumbling blocks.The main problem,

  • F-15E crashes, aircrew ejects safely

    An Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle crashed at approximately 4:50 p.m. June 4 near Newton Grove, N.C., about 35 miles southeast of Raleigh.The pilot and weapons system officer parachuted to safety and are reportedly in good condition. They are assigned to the 4th Fighter Wing here.A board of officers

  • Airman gets wounded brother-in-law home

    Capt. Mike Lentz has always taken pride in his work. As a special-assignment airlift-missions planner at Air Mobility Command's Tanker Airlift Control Center here, Lentz coordinates airlift for dignitaries such as the president, secretary of defense and other high-profile individuals.The importance

  • Drill team faces ‘tip of the spear’

    Standing shoulder to shoulder, the drill team members twirled, tossed and caught their 35-inch-long, 19-ounce sabers. Often coming perilously close to their teammates, the well-practiced team flawlessly executed the routines.The Sabre Drill Team, the only active-duty enlisted group of its kind in

  • Officials set promotion release dates

    The Air Force plans to release its list of new technical and master sergeant promotions June 26 (June 27 for those units across the international date line). The list of new staff sergeant promotions will be released Aug. 13 (Aug. 14 for those units across the international date line).The lists of

  • SSG will head technology council

    Standard Systems Group experts here will now develop Air Force-wide strategies for buying and managing information technology products as they assume their role as head of the new Air Force Information Technology Commodity Council. The council will stand up in mid-June.John Gilligan, Air Force

  • Air Force countersnipers go offensive

    Two Air Force security forces airmen deployed to Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, got what they called, “the chance of a lifetime,” June 1 when they embarked on a combat patrol in eastern Afghanistan with the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division. Senior Airmen Luke Allen and Rusty Youngblood, both 820th

  • Civilian-personnel system ‘not cutting it’

    The civilian-personnel system in the Defense Department "is not cutting it," said Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld on June 3.Rumsfeld, who spoke at the National Press Club, said that the department is handcuffed by its reliance on an antiquated personnel system. He called today's

  • June issue of Airman available

    Learn about some of the famous firsts in military aviation, read about the continuing mission in Afghanistan and take a look at the “Warriors of the North” at Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D. These features and more highlight the June issue of Airman magazine, now available in print and online at

  • C-17 weapons instructor course set for July

    This summer, a very select group of C-17 instructor pilots will head back to school in an effort to earn their Globemaster III doctorate.Starting July 3, the four students will become the first class at the new five-and-a-half-month C-17 Weapons Instructor Course at McGuire Air Force Base, N.J.“The

  • Phoenix Readiness training ends

    Air Mobility Command’s Phoenix Readiness combat training has ended and will be replaced in October by the Air Force's expeditionary combat-support training program, Eagle Flag. The training cadre at the Air Mobility Warfare Center here are excited about Eagle Flag.“It's exciting for us to be

  • Air Force helps Iraqi dog immigrate

    A German shepherd of Iraqi descent arrived here May 30 aboard a C-17 Globemaster III after putting his life on the line to guard U.S. special forces.Fluffy, a dog from northern Iraq with visible scars, will retire at Fort Bragg, N.C., as an honorary military working dog.When Fluffy first joined Sgt.

  • Wife turned over to U.S. marshals

    An Air Force wife has been turned over to U.S. marshals and returned to the United States following the death of her husband.Latasha Lorraine Arnt was turned over to the custody of two U.S. marshals here June 1. She had been detained on base since May 27 in connection with the death of her husband,

  • AF simplifies travel-payment processing

    The Air Force has automated the process of filing travel-accrual payment requests for military travelers, making it available on the Virtual Military Personnel Flight Web page.“This should simplify the process not only for the traveler but also deployed and home-station financial services offices,”

  • Air Force workers awarded patent

    Two modeling and fabrication shop workers from the Air Force Research Laboratory’s information directorate here have been awarded a patent for developing an advanced aircraft ground power unit for Army Comanche helicopters.Michael Iselo, shop supervisor, and production controller Timothy Hurley

  • Reservists deliver earthquake relief

    Answering the need for help after a devastating earthquake, Air Force crews delivered more than seven and a half tons of relief supplies May 30 to the rattled city of Algiers, Algeria.A 6.8-magnitude earthquake shook the coastal capital city of more than 2.3 million at 7:44 p.m. May 21. More than

  • Artist inspired by America’s veterans

    Some see a leather jacket as something to wear, an airplane as a machine that flies and a motorcycle gas tank as a mere container.R.T. Foster looks at them and sees blank canvases.The illustrator, who marks 34 years of federal service in August, has made a name for himself as an artist painting

  • Lab techs ensure precision engagement

    Air Force precision munitions, used with great success during Operation Iraqi Freedom, could only achieve those results through expertly calibrated weapon systems, said the service’s metrology and calibration program manager at the Pentagon.That job, said Senior Master Sgt. Maurice Hubbard, is the

  • Reserve unit takes ‘active’ role at Ramstein

    An air and space expeditionary force rotation to Ramstein Air Base, Germany, turned into a mission to move people and pallets of cargo to numerous airfields around the world, including battle-damaged runways in Iraq.In January, more than 200 activated reservists and six C-130 Hercules aircraft from

  • Rumsfeld: Cut safety mishap rates in half

    Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld challenged the military services to cut the number of mishaps by 50 percent in the next two years.“World-class organizations do not tolerate preventable accidents,” Rumsfeld wrote in a May 19 memorandum to the heads of military departments and defense

  • Machinist full of money-saving ideas

    Findings ways for the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center to save money is turning into a lucrative sideline for one maintenance directorate machinist here.Timothy Case has earned two $10,000 awards from the IDEA program since December for submissions that amount to annual savings of more than

  • Being a reservist requires ‘juggling act’

    Recognizing that Air Force reservists must balance military obligations with family and civilian-employment requirements, the service’s senior reservist pledged to reduce unnecessary pressures.“I want to say ‘thank you’ to families and employers -- they make great sacrifices in order for Reserve

  • Iraqi forecasters back in business

    For the first time since 1980, members of Iraq’s meteorological organization are back in a Baghdad tower sending weather observations after going through training with Air Force weather forecasters. Airmen taught the Iraqis how to operate and maintain the new meteorological measuring set that was

  • War teaches major about Air Force

    Maj. Ken Sersun said he learned more about the Air Force mission during his first deployment as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom than at any point in his 16-year career.As chief of staff for the Air Support Operations Center at Camp Virginia, Kuwait, Sersun was one of nearly 150 airmen among 10,000

  • Work continues at Osan crash site

    Base workers labored throughout the night surveying debris from the F-16 Fighting Falcon that crashed near a gate at approximately 8 p.m. May 29. A pilot from the 36th Fighter Squadron was taking off on a training mission in the F-16 when the crash occurred. The aircraft was carrying inert bombs

  • Airman convicted in arson case

    Senior Airman Jeffrey Beagle has been sentenced to five years confinement, reduction to airman basic, total forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and a dishonorable discharge for destroying a $1.77 million vehicle maintenance building here March 16.Beagle was also convicted and sentenced for

  • Two convicted of financial crimes

    Two airmen have been convicted of various financial crimes during separate general courts-martial here.Master Sgt. Clarence Lott pleaded guilty to, and was convicted of, submitting a false official document, larceny of housing allowances in excess of $500 and obstruction of justice. The sergeant,

  • Quality-of-life survey results are in

    The results of the 2002 Chief of Staff Quality-of-Life Survey have been compiled and show an increase in satisfaction with the Air Force as a job and way of life, survey officials said.The survey, sent to more than 100,000 active-duty airmen and civilian employees in September, included questions

  • Japanese fighters join Alaskan exercise

    Fighters from the Japanese air self-defense force touched down on North American soil for the first time to take part in an exercise. Cooperative Cope Thunder, a Pacific Air Forces-sponsored air-combat training exercise, is set for June 5 to 20. “The Japanese involvement is very significant in the

  • Merger creates new health organization

    Two organizations here merged recently to form the Air Force Institute for Operational Health to enhance public health, improve disease surveillance and detection, and make sure America's warfighters are fit and healthy.The institute merges the Air Force Institute for Environment, Safety and

  • Academy graduates 45th class

    As parade caps flew and the Thunderbirds soared overhead, the Air Force Academy Class of 2003 added 974 names to the 45th list of academy alumni at graduation ceremonies here May 28.Guest speakers were Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper.The

  • Coalition crew helps injured K-9

    The 376th Air Expeditionary Wing showed its true coalition colors May 25 as a medical team composed of Army, Air Force and Korean people prepared to perform surgery on Clinton, a Danish military working dog.Clinton broke one of his upper canines May 22 while chewing on his cage.“I guess he was

  • Guardsmen open Baghdad facility

    The 379th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron has opened a 10-bed mobile medical staging facility near the military flightline at Baghdad International Airport. Facility workers there conduct joint service, coalition and civilian air evacuation missions.In the field, after self-aid and

  • Sentry crews finish mission, end era

    As the big white bird gracefully touched down on the windblown runway at a forward-deployed location May 28, the mission of the 363rd Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia completed a 13-year, continuous mission.The aircraft, an E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System deployed to the 363rd

  • F-16 crashes in South Korea

    An Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed here May 29 while taking off on a training mission. The pilot ejected safely and was treated at the base hospital. One Korean was injured on the ground. She is an Army and Air Force Exchange employee here.Yi, Chun Mu, 58, was driving home when debris from

  • Rumsfeld says Iraqi problems real but workable

    Iraq, with the help of the Coalition Provisional Authority, will work past its current problems, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said to the Council on Foreign Relations in New York May 27.Rumsfeld said Iraq's problems are real, but shouldn't be blown out of proportion. Every country making a

  • Retired CMSAF travels world for bluesuiters

    Logging more temporary duty hours per year than many deployed airman, retired Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Robert Gaylor travels to the far corners of the world.Some people might call him crazy, but the fifth chief master sergeant of the Air Force said he has been to the ends of the world and

  • June issue of Citizen Airman available

    Thousands of mobilized reservists, along with hundreds of volunteers, performed critical roles supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Since the beginning of the effort to liberate the Iraqi people, Air Force Reserve Command airmen have been involved in a variety of areas, including aeromedical

  • Life support ensures pilot comfort, survival

    When a pilot must eject from his aircraft and parachute to the ground, he builds a fire, drinks water and signals for rescue using the survival kit provided by the life-support unit at home base.The life-support unit here ensures all aircrews receive the best life-support equipment for flights and

  • World War II Ironman's remains return home

    In the hallway of the 71st Fighter Squadron here hangs a large wooden board adorned with framed names of "Ironmen" pilots from World War II and Operation Desert Storm. One of those names is 1st Lt. Carl Hoenshell. Three Maltese crosses under his name indicate the number of enemy aircraft he shot

  • New installation titles reflect joint use

    This summer, nine Air Force Reserve Command installations will be re-designated joint bases or stations to reflect the multiservice use of the facilities.Lt. Gen. James E. Sherrard III, AFRC commander, initiated the change. At his suggestion, the civil engineer at AFRC headquarters here completed a

  • Air Force opens hospital in Iraq

    The "medical torch" passed from the Army to the Air Force at Tallil Air Base in southern Iraq with the grand opening of the Expeditionary Medical Support hospital. After nearly six years of development, EMEDS is the latest in expeditionary medical care. The Army's 86th Combat Support Hospital is

  • Space is ultimate high ground

    Space is the ultimate high ground and gives American forces a tremendous advantage on the battlefield, according to the Air Force’s director of space operations and integration at the Pentagon.“We must dominate space,” said Maj. Gen. Judd Blaisdell, “because it would be very difficult to conduct a

  • SECAF, CSAF approve Air University test

    The secretary and chief of staff of the Air Force have approved the testing of an initiative designed to improve interaction between officers and enlisted members in the professional military education environment at Air University. The plan calls for students attending the Air and Space Basic

  • Deployed airmen help Iraqi school

    Reaching out across miles of desert, a group of airmen helped Iraqi schoolchildren May 25 when it delivered the results of a “Win the Peace” program drive.Nine men and women representing the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing traveled Baghdad from their forward-deployed location to deliver more than

  • DOD announces details of tanker lease program

    The approval of the Air Force KC-767 tanker lease initiative was announced May 23 by Edward C. "Pete" Aldridge, under secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics.The agreement provides for leasing 100 KC-767 aircraft from the Boeing Co. for six years starting in 2006, at a cost of

  • Wolfowitz defends coalition's plans for Iraqi recovery

    Pundits criticizing the coalition Iraq reconstruction effort are demonstrating "an incomplete understanding" of pre-conflict in-country conditions and "an unreasonable expectation" of the progress level, Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz said to the Senate May 22. "Much of what I read on this

  • United Nations lift sanctions against Iraq

    The United Nations this morning lifted sanctions against Iraq following a 14-0 vote in the Security Council.The vote on U.N. Security Council Resolution 1483 lifts sanctions imposed on Saddam Hussein's regime following the Persian Gulf War. The resolution also gives the United States and the United

  • Split disbursement now mandatory for all military travelers

    All military travelers must now select the split disbursement option on their travel voucher claims to directly pay their government travel card expenses, according to finance officials.Split disbursement requires travelers to tally up their GTC expenses and authorize enough funds to be sent

  • Country music star shows appreciation for military

    One of country music’s biggest stars visited Colorado Springs to thank the troops with a free concert May 21.Tim McGraw and the Dance Hall Doctors played to more than 20,000 area military members at Pershing Field on Fort Carson.“The band and crew were completely enthused at the chance to come

  • Ridge outlines how, why terror threat level was raised

    Federal law enforcement organizations -- and some state and local authorities -- ramped up vigilance when the Department of Homeland Security's color-coded national terror alert level was raised May 20 from "elevated," or yellow, to "high," or orange, the top domestic anti-terrorism official said

  • Dover's 'first airman' visits base

    As he flew over the area on approach to the dirt "runway," he saw the farmhouse that would double as his office.There were no dorms, no paved runway lined with C-5 Galaxies, and certainly no Super Port.The year was 1941, and that was the first view of what Dover Air Force Base had to offer Drexel

  • Now Showing: May 26 edition of Air Force Television News

    The end of an era in Turkey and Air Force ground support in the wake of the war against Iraq spotlight the latest edition of Air Force Television News. Senior Airman Israel Aviles reports on the end of Operation Northern Watch, a decade-old operation that enforced the northern no-fly zone over

  • Air boss conference discusses war plan

    Leaders from around the world came together here May 22 to discuss deterrence and change the war plan regarding the North Korean threat.The annual event provided an opportunity for coalition members, who would fight together if deterrence were to fail, to hear from the U.S. Forces Korea commander

  • Former CMSAFs offer advice

    Two key members of Air Force enlisted history and former chief master sergeants of the Air Force are visiting with U.S. Air Forces in Europe airmen. Retired Chief Master Sgts. of the Air Force Paul Airey, the first person to hold the title, and Sam Parish, the 8th CMSAF, are here as guest speakers

  • Hill prepares F-16s for Italian air force

    Italian defense officials accepted the first of 34 modified and refurbished F-16 Fighting Falcon A and B models from experts here May 16.Maj. Gen. Tommaso Ferro, air defense and defense cooperation attaché for the Italian air force, lead a delegation of military and diplomatic dignitaries in

  • Civil Air Patrol supports TOPOFF exercise

    May 12 to 16, Civil Air Patrol volunteers supported counterterrorism exercise TOPOFF 2 in Chicago and Seattle.The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Department of State, in cooperation with federal, state, local and Canadian partners, sponsored the five-day, full-scale exercise and

  • AFRC sets missed-training policy

    Air Force reservists, who have been mobilized, demobilized or who served on voluntary military personnel appropriation tours supporting a contingency since Oct. 1, will not be required to perform an annual tour between now and Sept. 30.Lt. Gen. James E. Sherrard III, commander of Air Force Reserve

  • National moment of silence set

    In honor of Americans who died in service to the nation, the White House Commission is encouraging U.S. citizens to participate in a 60-second moment of silence at 3 p.m. local time May 26, the national observance of Memorial Day. The National Moment of Remembrance Campaign is designed as an act of

  • University assists Air Force programmers

    Airmen are improving their programming skills with help from experts called in from Auburn University at Montgomery by Standard Systems Group officials here.Standard Systems Group manages information technology contracts and standard information system programs commonly used at all active and

  • Air Force punishes cross burners

    A cross-burning incident in Albuquerque, N.M., in March has resulted in discharges for three airmen from here. An investigation revealed three Air Force personnel actively participated in the burning of a wooden cross in the fenced-in backyard of one of the member’s apartment. While the

  • Deployed airman grows desert crop

    One look around this forward-deployed location shows most people there is nothing green to be had in the country.It is said that when airmen here return home, everything with color will be infinitely more brilliant. Grass will be much greener, and flowers will be far more colorful and

  • Team performs sacred act at mortuary

    Sixteen airmen with the 459th Services Flight here returned home after deploying to the Dover Air Force Base, Del., mortuary in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.For these airmen, returning home had a special meaning. While deployed, they made sure those who paid the ultimate price during the war

  • Air Force Reserve support continuing

    As Operation Iraqi Freedom shifts from combat to reconstruction, hundreds of mobilized Air Force reservists are returning home to family and civilian life. Thousands more, however, remain on active duty, and Air Force Reserve Command officials here say they have no clear picture as of May 21 as to

  • Blue, silver AEFs get rotations back on track

    The Air Force is establishing two transitional air and space expeditionary forces, blue and silver, to put the deployment schedule back on track by March 2004 and to bring home deployed airmen as quickly as possible.“We envision these two 120-day rotations filling the requirements of combatant

  • Coalition progresses in Iraq, challenges remain on the path

    Each day the conditions in Iraq are improving and the life for the Iraqi population is starting to return to the "normal pre-war standard," said Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld.In his briefing to the Pentagon press, the secretary also said the department has no objection to officials from the

  • ‘101 critical days’ begin on Memorial Day

    If statistics hold true, 21 airmen will die this summer while “having fun.”The period between Memorial Day and Labor Day is a period of increased off-duty injuries caused by increased activity and risk taking, according to officials from the Air Force Safety Center at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.

  • New bearing system could cut costs

    Advances in bearing systems for engines powering target drones and cruise missiles could cut costs by 20 percent and increase fuel efficiency.Scientists and engineers in the Air Force Research Laboratory's Propulsion Directorate are testing a bearing using a compliant foil -- a thin, flexible sheet

  • KC-135 receiving communications relay ability

    The KC-135 Stratotanker will soon add a communications capability to its mission.The installation of Roll-on Beyond Line of Sight Enhancement equipment, will help the flow of information on KC-135s while the aircraft conduct their primary mission of air refueling.Used primarily as a "flying gas

  • Center fights for safer Afghan airspace

    Representatives from the Regional Air Movement Control Center arrived here May 16 to discuss airspace safety with aviation officials and civilian aircraft operators who fly over and within Afghanistan.The center has its headquarters at a forward-deployed air base in Southwest Asia. It is an Air

  • Predator proves worth in war against terrorism

    The Air Force officer is a transport plane pilot, but these days his aircraft flies "solo," and he doesn't leave the ground.Capt. Sam J. Vanzanten, is an earthbound controller of the Predator unmanned aerial vehicle. He's been in the Predator program for the past two years, the eight-year military

  • CMSAF sends Memorial Day message

    The following is a Memorial Day message from Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray:“America remembers. We remember the names and faces of fallen heroes of past and current wars, and we honor them by setting aside a day to memorialize their sacrifice. This sacred tradition binds us

  • Deployed airmen send love with music

    Leaving loved ones behind is one of the most difficult aspects of deployment, but now deployed airmen can send their love back home in a unique way.For several years, the U.S. Air Force Heritage of America Band here has produced compact discs for troops and their families. Now the band has expanded

  • Med tech follows dream of becoming doctor

    Reserve 2nd Lt. Cynthia Reed, formerly an active-duty senior airman, is pursuing her goal of becoming a primary-care doctor through the Air Force Health Professions Scholarship Program.Reed is attending the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, a satellite school of Midwestern University in

  • Speed of Iraq battle tested U.S. logistics efforts

    The speed of the battle in Iraq strained the logistics effort, but the service men and women were up to the task, said Army logistics officials in Iraq and the United States.Speaking via a teleconference call from Iraq, Brig. Gen. Jack C. Stultz Jr. said the unprecedented speed of the coalition

  • Leaders send Memorial Day message

    The following is a joint Memorial Day message from Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper:“As the flag soars gracefully to the top of the flagpole and then lowers solemnly to half-staff, the loss of great Americans who have fallen in our

  • Tornado damage expected to exceed $10 million

    Despite no reports of injuries or aircraft damage, a tornado inflicted millions of dollars worth of damage, base officials here said.“We are still assessing damages,” said Stephen Mallott, base civil engineer with the 72nd Air Base Wing. “But we expect the total damages will exceed $10 million.”

  • Bandwidth increasing for some bases

    The Department of Defense is planning to beef up Internet access at 92 military installations by the end of fiscal 2004 as part of the global information grid bandwidth expansion project.A little over a third of those installations will be Air Force bases, said John Gilligan, the service's chief

  • President presents trophy to academy team

    President Bush presented the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy to senior cadets of the Air Force Academy football team during a May 16 ceremony in the White House.The trophy is presented annually to the service academy football team that bests its academy rivals in collegiate football. The Air Force