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  • Welcome home, daddy!

    Staff Sgt. Joe Neubaur holds his 4-year-old daughter, Katlyn, in the passenger terminal here after returning from a three-month deployment to Kandahar, Afghanistan, as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. Neubaur is assigned to Dover's 436th Aerial Port Squadron. (Photo by Alex Dorgan-Ross)

  • Well project brings water to Afghan villages

    The Nangarhar Provincial Reconstruction Team here completed an eight-well project that will bring much-needed water sources to six districts throughout the eastern Afghanistan province. The PRT-funded project, which combined several individual well projects into one, costs $30,000 and was

  • Wellness and Safety incorporates 0-0-1-3 principles

    This year the Air Force has included 0-0-1-3 in its Culture of Responsible Choices Campaign and Air Force Materiel Command officials has incorporated the principles of 0-0-1-3 into its Wellness and Safety Campaign initiatives. The concept behind 0-0-1-3 is to encourage responsible alcohol

  • Wellness for mission success

    Physical health is at the core of a person’s ability to complete their mission. If they are injured or sick, or exhausted, they might be able to show up and do work, but their effectiveness will be diminished.

  • Wellness for mission success – create balance

    Finding balance and fulfilling all of life’s demands can be difficult for anyone, but reserve Airmen have an extra layer they weave into their lives. This layer involves giving away one of their weekends every month, completing rigorous training and being prepared for the potential to have to drop

  • Wellness for mission success – find meaning

    Airmen do not have to serve. They do it because they find meaning in serving, whatever that meaning may be. Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Pat Thompson said that one way to find meaning is through spirituality. He also believes spirituality increases resilience because it gives people something to rely on and

  • Wellness for mission success – manage stress

    This is the second in a four-part series on how individual wellness contributes to mission success and why it’s beneficial for Reserve Citizen Airmen to preserve health, manage stress, create balance and find meaning.

  • Welsh cites heroes, talks modernization during Air Force Update

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III shared the spotlight with a cross-section of people he called his heroes during an emotional multimedia presentation at the Air Force Association’s Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition Sept. 15 in Washington D.C.

  • Welsh focuses on pride, people, respect during Academy visit

    Air Force Academy cadets get so fired-up about their chief of staff; they show up 15 minutes early and sit in the front row of Arnold Hall -- voluntarily.When Gen. Mark Welsh III comes to talk, "people want to sit up front," said one cadet, who, with a group of friends from Cadet Squadron 22, turned

  • Welsh honors two Airmen from AFMAO

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III recognized two team members from Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations during a recent speech at the annual Air Force Association Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition in Washington, D.C.Master Sgt. Antoinette Worthey and Senior Airman

  • Welsh 'humbled' to serve as Air Force chief of staff

    The Air Force chief of staff flag passed to the service's 20th chief in a ceremony here Aug. 10.Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, a 36-year Airman, stepped into the position, taking over for Gen. Norton Schwartz, who also retired from the Air Force during the ceremony."Mark is respected throughout the Air

  • Welsh meets with Wyoming's Total Force Airmen

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and his wife, Betty, visited with Airmen of 153rd Airlift Wing at the Wyoming Air National Guard Base here July 19.During an Airman's call, Welsh applauded the 153rd Airlift Wing's role in hosting the Air National Guard's first active-duty associate

  • Welsh named 2015 Great American Patriot Award recipient

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III has been named the 2015 Armed Forces Bowl’s Great American Patriot Award recipient. The award honors a candidate in recognition of their exemplary service to this nation.

  • Welsh nominated as next CSAF

    Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta announced May 10 that the president has nominated Gen. Mark A. Welsh III to be the next chief of staff of the Air Force, succeeding Gen. Norton Schwartz, who has served in the position since August 2008."I'm tremendously honored and deeply humbled by the nomination

  • Welsh presents AF update at AFA

    Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Mark A. Welsh III outlined Air Force operations from 2015, the service’s plan for 2016, and what is to come in the future at the Air Force Association’s Air Warfare Symposium Feb. 25.

  • Welsh shares AF priorities with AFA

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III gave his in-uniform presentation to members of the Air Force Association during the association’s breakfast at the Sheraton Hotel in Arlington, Virginia, May 26.

  • Welsh shares holiday message

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and his wife Betty; Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein and his wife Dawn; and the Air Staff wish all Airmen and their families a wonderful holiday season.

  • Welsh speaks at the Chaplain Corps Summit

    More than 200 chaplains and chaplain assistants gathered for the U.S. Air Force Chaplain Corps Summit in Alexandria, Virginia, April 12-14. The summit marked the first time in four years that Chaplain Corps Airmen have gathered to exchange ideas, develop solutions and plan the future for the corps.

  • Welsh talks 'leadership' with NCOs

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III shared his perspective on leadership during the 2012 Air Force Sergeants Association Convention and Professional Airmen's Conference here Aug. 15.Welsh spoke about what it takes to be a great leader and NCO, sharing insight and personal stories from

  • Welsh thanks Eglin AFB Airmen, families

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III visited Team Eglin Jan. 26-28 to thank Airmen and their families here for their service and sacrifice, and to discuss current challenges and opportunities facing the service.

  • Welsh visits Patrick AFB, focuses on people, pride

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III told Airman Keegan Atherton, "I would die for you and you would die for me too," during his closing remarks at an all call May 9 at Patrick Air Force Base, Florida, driving home his point about what makes the Air Force unique and different to him.

  • Welsh, Cody visit Hurlburt Field

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody visited thousands of Air Commandos Sept. 28-30.

  • Welsh, Cody visit Wright-Patterson

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody spoke about the importance of the work being accomplished by the people in the room and across Air Force Materiel Command in an all call at the Air Force Institute of Technology here June 8.

  • Welsh, Cody wrap-up trip to the Dakotas

    The Air Force’s top commissioned and noncommissioned military leaders met thousands of Airmen in the Dakotas this week, learning about their missions and lives and answering their questions. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody visited

  • Welsh, Cody: greatest strength is our Airmen

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody visited here Aug. 22 to 23 to discuss Air Force priorities and thank Airmen and families for their service and dedication.

  • Welsh: Air Force must get handle on pay, benefits

    The Air Force must control the growth of pay and benefits or the service will be hard pressed to perform its primary mission to fight and win America's wars, the service's top officer said here yesterday.

  • Welsh: Air Force performs vital national security missions

    The Air Force mission that calls for it to dominate the air, transport troops and materiel and provide communications and intelligence are all critical to American military success, but performing them is hard for the public to visualize because much of this goes on behind the scenes, Air Force

  • Welsh: Airmen should use common sense in approaching missions

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Cody told Airmen at the 28th Bomb Wing at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., Nov. 27 that they need to use common sense as they go about their duties.

  • Welsh: Sequestration will 'undermine' readiness

    Unprecedented budget factors have placed the nation's defense strategy in jeopardy, senior Department of Defense leaders told the Senate Armed Services Committee Feb. 12.During his opening remarks, the chief of staff of the Air Force stressed the severity of the current fiscal

  • Welsh: 'The only way to move forward is together'

    The active-duty Air Force, its Reserve and the Air National Guard must work together to move forward, the chief of staff of the Air Force said here last week."I have trouble seeing lines between components of services, because I believe on the air side we have an Air Force -- it has three

  • WEPTAC 2023: Solving enterprise-level challenges

    WEPTAC is Air Combat Command’s annual pinnacle of tactics and warfare with a charge to accelerate the modernization and development of solutions for the joint employment of forces across the range of Air Force core warfighting functions.

  • 'We're your family here'

    Retired U.S. Army Capt. Katie Blanchard estimates she has undergone nearly 200 surgeries since she was burned in a workplace violence incident three years ago.

  • West Nile Virus remains threat in U.S.

    Most people remember Sept. 11, 2001, as the day terrorists attacked America. But for one family here, it marks the day their 2-year-old son died from West Nile Virus.Summer is here in full force, and people are thinking about the 101 Critical Days of Summer -- vehicle accidents, sports injuries,

  • West Point visit sparks illustrious 30-year AF career

    Describing her career as "inconceivable," there isn't much that Maj. Gen. Sharon K. G. Dunbar would want to change. "I've done more than I ever imagined," said the small-hometown-in-Illinois commander of the Air Force District of Washington, Joint Base Andrews, Md. "I've met incredible people

  • West Virginia Air Guard Operates Staging Area

    Airmen with the West Virginia Air National Guard's 167th Airlift Wing are working around the clock here in an effort to get critical, life-saving supplies to Haiti's earthquake victims.The air base was transformed yesterday into a staging area for more than 332,000 pounds of supplies bound for the

  • West Virginia ANG hosts inaugural air-to-air staff talks with Peru

    The workshop brought together key personnel from 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern), Military Assistance & Advisory Group (MAAG) – U.S. Embassy Lima, the Air Forces Southern liaison officer from Peru, Assistant Air Attaché to the Embassy of Peru in Washington, D.C., Peruvian Air Force Maj. Gen.

  • Western Air Defense Sector in Eastern Europe

    The Western Air Defense Sector provides a critical component to the U.S. homeland defense mission. Located at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., WADS members are responsible for coordinating all airborne alert aircraft in the western U.S. Its sister organization, EADS, is responsible for the Eastern

  • Western Air Defense Sector ops center opens

    With the snip of a fiber-optic ribbon, the Western Air Defense Sector opened its multi-million dollar operations center here Nov. 20. The opening culminated an 18-month effort that now stands WADS as a significant, technically advanced deterrent against asymmetrical threats over a significant

  • Western Hemisphere air chiefs work together at annual conference

    United-Allied -- this is the motto of the System of Cooperation Among the American Air Forces, an organization comprised of more than 20 air force leaders from across the Western Hemisphere, who met June 22-26 in Mexico City for a summit known as the Conference of American Air Chiefs.

  • Westover airlifts 26 tons of aid to Nicaragua

    A training mission doubled as a humanitarian relief effort for Reserve Airmen from the 439th Airlift Wing, Westover Air Reserve Base, Massachusetts, as 13 Airmen delivered 26 tons of cargo to Augusto Cesar Sandino International Airport, Nicaragua, June 10.

  • Westover bridges airlift effort to Southwest Asia

    Westover's Air Force Reserve Command assets again stand at the critical junction of an air bridge across the Atlantic.The base has become a hive of troops in desert camouflage, C-5 Galaxys filled with equipment and "controlled chaos" in the aerial port and passenger terminal operations hub.A long

  • Westover C-5s airlift more Chinooks for earthquake relief

    A third C-5 Galaxy aircrew from the 439th Airlift Wing here left Oct. 18 to deliver more help to earthquake-ravaged Pakistan. The giant cargo plane picked up two Army CH-47 Chinook helicopters at Fort Sill, Okla., and delivered them to Pakistan, after a stop in Spain. It was the 13th humanitarian

  • Westover named sole maintenance center for Reserve C-5s

    Air Force officials announced Dec. 13 that Westover ARB will become the new center for in-depth maintenance on all Air Force Reserve C-5 Galaxy aircraft. The Air Force will consolidate the eight existing C-5 isochronal inspection facilities into three in order to increase aircraft availability while

  • Wet celebration recognizes 100 years of military flight

    Aircraft history buffs descended on Fort Myer, Va., Saturday. So did Tropical Storm Hannah. Heavy rain throughout the day hurt attendance at the Centennial of Military Aviation celebration, which recognized the 100-year anniversary of a series of flights made by Orville Wright in September 1908 at

  • WGS-5 Launch Aboard a Delta IV Confirmed for May 8

    The launch of the U.S. Air Force's Wideband Global SATCOM mission on a United Launch Alliance Delta IV vehicle has been placed on the 45th Space Wing range schedule for May 8.The launch vehicle and spacecraft are both being processed in Florida.The investigation into the off-nominal performance on

  • What a big tail you have

    Tech Sgt Russ Gardner, a maintainer with the 36th Airlift Squadron, Yokota Air Base, Japan, inspects the tail of a C-130 Hercules here. The first wave of airmen arrived here Oct. 17 for Cope India, an exercise designed for U.S. and Indian air forces to exchange information on several aspects of

  • What AFSO 21 means

    Dr. Ronald C. Ritter, the special assistant for Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century, recently visited Pacific Air Forces headquarters to review AFSO 21 strategies in the command. "AFSO 21 is important to us all," Dr. Ritter said. "It is our initiative and a way to continue our long

  • What can you do about identity theft?

    Identity theft is an increasingly common occurrence. Two studies concluded that there were 7 million victims between June 2002 and 2003. The Federal Trade Commission number is closer to 10 million but also includes credit card takeover. According to the FTC, identity theft is the most common form of

  • What do you mean, 'Back to basics'?

    Last September, in his first speech as the Air Force Chief of Staff, Gen. Mark A. Welsh III advocated a back-to-basics approach for the Air Force. He noted that the missions of the Air Force have not changed over time, but rather, the terms by which we identify the missions have changed.

  • What is ACC?

    For anyone who's ever wondered what "ACC" stands for, here's a chance to take a look inside Air Combat Command and get a glimpse of the mission, people and airpower. Find out where they are, what they do and who they are. Air Combat Command, with headquarters at Langley Air Force Base, Va., is a

  • What it takes to be a boom operator

    Boom operators on an Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker have the ability to pump thousands of pounds of fuel to any capable aircraft, thousands of feet above the ground, flying at 200 knots, all while only 47 feet from colliding into each other. However, before any of this is possible, they had to go

  • What to know before piloting a drone

    As unmanned aerial systems, also called drones, become more popular, the Federal Aviation Administration and local bases have established policy on how and when to operate drones.

  • What’s in a name?

    The Space Warfare Center here became the Space Innovation and Development Center in a formal ceremony March 8. The name has changed, but the organization’s mission remains the same, the commander said. “One of the things I want people to understand is that there’s no change in our mission,” Col.

  • Whatever you do this summer, stay safe

    Each year, the Air Force stresses the importance of zero mishaps during the 101 Critical Days of Summer through PowerPoint slides, commander’s calls and safety briefings. For the most part, Airmen do their part to put safety at the forefront. But what about those safety issues that tend to fall

  • What's in a name?

    When researching what to call their children, parents often turn to a book of popular names. Or, they may select one they have heard simply because they like it.The process is not so simple when naming a military aerospace vehicle. For the Air Force and its sister services, the process begins

  • What's on the Chief's Scope?

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley launched a new Web feature March 14 to tell Airmen what is of special interest to him. Known as "The Chief's Scope," it is designed to briefly highlight current topics General Moseley feels are important to America's Airmen. "The issues on my scope

  • What's up, doc?

    Capt. (Dr.) James Garman performs a checkup on an Afghan boy during a Medical Civil Assistance Program visit to the village of Deh Baha Ali on Dec. 3. American military doctors are providing free medical and dental care to some of the local villages in Afghanistan. Garman is currently deployed to

  • 'Wheel' saves lives in Afghanistan

    Days after deploying here, Tech. Sgt. Stephen Thackery saw first-hand the cost of the Taliban's war on the Afghan people, and responded as he was trained, by saving lives. The Hamilton, Va., native was on alert when the call came in to the 33rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron. A suicide bombing had

  • Wheelchair athletes participate in national veteran's competition

    William Ethridge won't stand up to greet people, he won't give up his seat for a lady and if someone drops something in front of him, he won't help pick it up. But he doesn't do these things because he's rude or indifferent; he just physically isn't able to. Mr. Ethridge is paralyzed from the waist

  • Wheelchair rugby makes debut for Warrior CARE Month

    Fifty-pound wheeled chariots made of steel, aluminum and over-sized wheels were the modes of battle Nov. 16 as teams of joint-service wounded, ill and injured kicked off a demonstration of wheelchair rugby.

  • Wheels up: Hill shop improves F-35 tire change process

    For years, the wheel shop at Hill Air Force Base has disassembled, inspected, repaired, built, and delivered reliable tires and wheels for F-16 Fighting Falcons. That reliability and 24-hour turnaround service will remain intact as the base's operational mission transitions to the F-35A Lightning

  • When all else fails, egress prevails

    The piercing sound of the terrain alert fills the cockpit. The engine has taken enemy fire, and despite the pilot’s attempts to regain control of the jet, it is on a downward spiral. At this stage, there is only one thing left to do. While the scenario may not be common here, the possibility of it

  • When calamities arise, AFPC stands ready to reply

    When natural disasters, emergencies or crisis situations overwhelm an Air Force base's communications capabilities, members of the Air Force Personnel Center here provide Airmen and their families instant toll-free accountability. Once activated, AFPC Operation Center-Personnel Readiness Cell

  • When lightning strikes

    A rare summer storm brews over tent city at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. Nearly 1,400 airmen are deployed to Incirlik in support of Operation Northern Watch. (Photo by Senior Airman Jimmy Harper)

  • When pigs fly... with ospreys

    What do you get when you cross an osprey with a warthog? For a zoologist, the question may seem preposterous. In Air Force terms, instead of an odd looking winged-swine hybrid, the result is immense firepower and unparalleled close-air support capability for the rapid infiltration and exfiltration

  • When responding to surveys, check to ensure they're official

    Airmen around the world are asked to respond to many surveys, some of which are official and legitimate. Others, however, are not official and Airmen should not respond to them. According to Renee Tealer, Air Force Survey Office, Air Force Personnel Center, Airmen typically get three types of

  • When severe winter weather threatens U.S. the Hurricane Hunters are there

    The Hurricane Hunters of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron here, recently deployed a WC-130J Hercules out over the Atlantic Ocean to gather weather data for winter storms "Lola” and “Juno", which are projected to ravage the East Coast throughout the next few days with nearly three feet of

  • Where there is a will to vote, there is a way

    Floating around the Earth 230 miles up, NASA Astronaut Leroy Chiao is not too far from the polls to stand up and be counted on Election Day.From the International Space Station, Mr. Chiao will cast his vote in the Nov. 2 national election. Mr Chiao said he is passionate about his civic duty and

  • Where there's smoke, there's training

    Being caught in a burning building would be terrifying. It’s not an experience most people would welcome. And yet for some, it is. For two brave souls with the 506th Expeditionary Medical Services Squadron, the opportunity to don a full protective suit and go into the smoke simulation burn trainer

  • White Hawk soars, becomes Air Force warrior

    During the month of November we take time to recognize the contributions made by Native Americans to our nation's defense. Less than one percent of Airmen claim to be of Native American ancestry. Senior Airman Shiloh White Hawk, who is deployed here from the 1st Logistics Readiness Squadron, Langley

  • White House breakfast honors American Indian servicemembers

    President Bush took honored those to whom the newest Smithsonian Institution museum is dedicated Sept. 23.He praised the contributions of American Indians, both military and civilian, from Sacagawea's presence with Lewis and Clark to the Code Talkers of World War II."The National Museum of the

  • White House Fellows Class Includes Current, Former Officers

    Six current or former military officers have been appointed to the 2012-2013 class of White House Fellows, the President's Commission on White House Fellowships announced Sept. 4 here.Then-President Lyndon B. Johnson created the White House Fellows Program in 1964 to give promising American leaders

  • White House Fellows Program seeks applicants

    Air Force officials are encouraging Airmen to apply for the White House Fellows Program. Applicants must obtain written endorsement and authorization from their commanders.Founded in 1964, the program is one of America's most prestigious for leadership and public service, officials said. It

  • White House Fellowship Program seeks applicants

    Interested Airmen may apply for the White House Fellowship Program that provides first-hand experience in how the government operates. The application deadline is Jan. 15. Up to 19 people are selected annually to work full-time for one year as special assistants to senior executives in cabinet-level

  • White House honors Iraq veterans during dinner

    President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama hosted a White House tribute to Iraq War veterans and their families last night to honor them for their service, sacrifice and commitment to the nation.Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, and Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta,

  • White House launches SAVE Award competition

    The White House's fourth annual Securing Americans Value and Efficiency Award competition launched July 10 as part of the Obama administration's ongoing effort to modernize government.The SAVE Award will run July 10-24.In 2009, the president established the SAVE Award to seek cost-cutting ideas

  • White House official honors ANG unit with rare award

    One of President Barack Obama's top advisors praised the Kentucky Air National Guard for superior achievement March 18, calling the organization "second to none" during a ceremony honoring the 123rd Airlift Wing for winning a nearly unprecedented 15th Air Force Outstanding Unit Award.Also recognized

  • White House officials condemn North Korean attack

    White House officials condemned the North Korean artillery attack against the South Korean island of Yeonpyeong Nov. 23."The United States strongly condemns this attack and calls on North Korea to halt its belligerent action and to fully abide by the terms of the Armistice Agreement," according to a