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  • AFA aerospace award nominees announced

    Air Force officials selected the following individuals and units as nominees to compete for the Air Force Association Aerospace Awards.The specific category and respective nominees are:Theodore Von Karman Award -- For the most outstanding contribution to national defense in the field of science and

  • Air Mobility Rodeo 2011 kicks off

    Air Mobility Rodeo 2011 kicked off here July 24. Airmen from around the world, including seven international teams, are participating in the biennial competition that focuses on mission readiness, featuring airdrops, aerial refueling and other events that showcase the skills of mobility crews. This

  • Cadets study art of cyber warfare

    Rising sophomores at the Air Force Academy might compile a "things I did this summer" list that looks a little something like this:Deployment exercise, check. Piloted an airplane, check. Trained by the Air Force to be computer hacker, check.That last one is not a joke. Thanks to a newly introduced

  • Colorado Springs community, Airmen replace Tuskegee Airman's stolen medal

    A personal tragedy for one of the documented original Tuskegee Airmen ended on a happy note July 22, courtesy of the Colorado Springs community, and Airmen from Peterson Air Force Base and the Air Force Academy.Former 2nd Lt. Franklin Macon received a bronze replica of the Tuskegee Airmen

  • Air Force, Navy team up for 21st Century fight

    Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Phil Breedlove discussed the Air Force's enduring capabilities, the Air-Sea Battle concept and the Long Range Strike family of systems at a Mitchell Institute for Air Power Studies event here July 20.Speaking to members of the Department of Defense, international

  • Air Force works to improve energy efficiency

    The vice chief of staff of the Air Force outlined service energy priorities during a keynote address at the 2011 Army-Air Force Energy Forum here July 20. "The Air Force has developed an energy plan which concentrates on three pillars," Gen. Phil Breedlove said. "We are reducing demand, increasing

  • TRANSCOM, AFMC commanders shed light on energy conservation, measurements

    Military senior leaders provided their perspective on operational energy and its associated metrics during the Army Air Force Energy Forum here July 20. Gen. Duncan McNabb and Gen. Donald Hoffman, the respective commanders of U.S. Transportation Command and Air Force Materiel Command, joined U.S.

  • DOD space program broadens industry, foreign partnerships

    The Defense Department is expanding partnerships with space-faring companies and nations to maintain the strategic advantage it gains in space, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for space policy said July 19.Speaking with reporters from the Defense Writers Group here, Ambassador Gregory L.

  • Air Force, Army team up to explore 'green' solutions

    Senior leaders from the Department of Defense, federal agencies, Air Force and Army discussed the strategic importance and way ahead for energy solutions during the Army-Air Force Energy Forum here July 19. The two-day event enables hundreds of attendees to get a clearer perspective from military

  • Top civil engineer visits PACAF Airmen

    The Air Force Civil Engineer visited civil engineers across Pacific Air Forces to discuss initiatives pertaining to their career fields.Recently, Maj. Gen. Timothy Byers, visited 374th Civil Engineer Squadron at Yokota Air Base and spoke to Airmen about their vital role in Operation Tomodachi,

  • Air Force Key Spouses of the Year honored at forum

    Some of the Air Force's outstanding 'Key Spouses' were honored during the service's Caring for People Forum here July 19.Suzie Schwartz, wife of Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz, and Paula Roy, wife of Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James A. Roy, accompanied Lt. Gen. Darrell

  • First lady plans 'Joining Forces' events

    First Lady Michelle Obama will take part in three events over the next several days to promote "Joining Forces," a national initiative that mobilizes all sectors of American society to support service members and their families. The first lady and Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden,

  • Cyber threat grows more destructive, Lynn says

    The cyber threat the United States faces is increasing in severity and is accessible to a wide range of enemies, Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III said in a television interview broadcast July 14."Most of what we see today is exploitation -- that's theft, stealing secrets, either

  • Air Guard partners exercise in Ukraine

    More than 140 members of the Air National Guard landed aircraft in Ukraine, preparing for a U.S. European Command-sponsored aerial military-to-military exchange event titled SAFE SKIES 2011.A rainbow unit of Air National Guard Airmen comprising members from Alabama, California, Iowa, Washington and

  • 'Air Force Spouse of the Year' named by Military Spouse magazine

    The wife of a California Air National Guard pilot and mother of three has been named the Air Force Spouse of the Year by Military Spouse Magazine and Armed Forces Insurance.Megan Glynn, the wife of Maj. Matt Glynn, who is assigned to the 146th Airlift Wing at Channel Islands ANG Station near Oxnard,

  • Riders 'revved up' for motorcycle safety day

    Service members, along with Department of Defense employees, retirees and civilians gathered for the Joint Base Andrews Motorcycle Safety Day here July 15.The event, which included a group ride through Maryland's Prince George's County, was designed to inform riders of all skill and experience

  • Airmen at Zaragosa Air Base support NASA's final shuttle launch

    Airmen from U.S. Air Forces in Europe provided support at the Transoceanic Abort Landing Site in Zaragoza, Spain, as NASA scientists concluded the shuttle program with the successful launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis July 8. The TAL serves as a safe haven, in the event something goes wrong during the

  • Hiring our heroes

    The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, William and Catherine, attended and spoke to more than 1,500 veterans and their spouses July 10, at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce hiring fair in Los Angeles. The job fair, called Hiring Our Heroes -- Los Angeles, was designed to connect veterans and military spouses

  • On vacation with TRICARE: Urgent or emergency care?

    Even the best-planned vacations can be disrupted with injury or sickness. While TRICARE follows beneficiaries when they travel, understanding when something constitutes an emergency room or urgent care visit can help the beneficiary save money and time, officials said.TRICARE defines an emergency as

  • Contingency response team stands down after last shuttle support alert

    An audience of millions watched the last launch of the space shuttle Atlantis from Kennedy Space Center, Fla., July 8. The nearly 650 mobility Airmen of the 621st Contingency Response Wing here, however, saw a different finale -- an end to years of waiting for a call they thankfully never received.

  • Officials announce Outstanding Airmen of the Year

    Air Force officials recently selected the service's top enlisted members, naming the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2011. An Air Force selection board at the Air Force Personnel Center considered 35 nominees who represented major commands, direct reporting units, field operating agencies and

  • Sensor network detects nuclear blasts worldwide

    At any time of the day or night, on any day of the year, if a nuclear device explodes anywhere on Earth, a Defense Department network established in 1947 will know about it.That was the year Army Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower directed the Army Air Corps to develop such a capability, and the U.S. Atomic

  • Joint exercise hones capabilities for real-world missions

    Soldiers and Airmen teamed up in a simulated deployed environment at Mackall Army Airfield approximately ten miles south of Pinehurst, N.C., in support of the Army's 82nd Airborne Division's joint operational access exercise from June 23 to 27. More than 100 Airmen from the 615th Contingency

  • Board Of Visitors to meet at the Air Force Academy

    The Air Force Academy's Board of Visitors is scheduled to meet at the Academy July 15 and 16. The purpose of the meeting is to review morale and discipline, social climate, curriculum, instruction, physical equipment, fiscal affairs, academic methods and other matters relating to the Academy.Members

  • Shindand Air Base triples in size

    By expanding to nearly three times its original size, Shindand Air Base recently became the second largest airfield throughout Afghanistan. Colonel Larry Bowers, the 838th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group commander, opened the new expansion area upon completion of construction of approximately eight

  • Airman receives General O'Malley Distinguished Space Leadership Award

    The General Jerome F. O'Malley Distinguished Space Leadership Award was awarded to an Air Force Space Command Airman during the sixth annual Space and Cyberspace Symposium June 15 in Keystone, Colo.Brig. Gen. David D. Thompson, the director of air, space and cyberspace operations for Air Force Space

  • Air Force chief scientist lauds AMC as a leader in energy initiatives

    The Air Force's chief scientist, Dr. Mark T. Maybury, visited Air Mobility Command here June 27 to 29 and lauded AMC's initiatives as he discussed the importance of energy efficiency. Maybury's visit included serving as the keynote speaker for the AMC "Future Aircraft Fuel Efficiency Industry Days"

  • Motorcycle safety: Airman speaks from experience

    On a sunny and dry Saturday afternoon last August, an Airman was traveling 40 mph in northbound traffic on Highway 101 in California, when three lanes quickly merged into two lanes of congested traffic. Maj. Richard Apple, the 30th Logistics Readiness Squadron commander, was returning home after

  • Members participate in KC-135 egress exercise

    More than 60 members here volunteered to slide down a large, air-filled slide, or in this case, an emergency exit, June 28, during a KC-135 Stratotanker ground egress test supported by the 126th Air Refueling Wing. The AMC-directed test was used to determine the number of passengers one passenger

  • TRICARE Standard gives families more options

    TRICARE Standard is a great option for military families who want more freedom when it comes to selecting their medical providers.TRICARE Standard is a fee-for-service plan available worldwide to all eligible, non-active duty beneficiaries. They include:· Active duty family members· Family members

  • Air Force drug testing laboratory opens on Lackland

    Officials with the Headquarters Air Force Drug Testing Laboratory, or HQ AFDTL, opened the doors of their new facility here June 30.HQ AFDTL is the only forensic toxicology drug testing laboratory in the Air Force and one of only six such laboratories in the Department of Defense Drug Demand

  • Company grade officer PME undergoes transformation

    Air Force senior leaders recently approved a plan to transform professional military education for company grade officers. The two existing developmental education venues for lieutenants and captains will soon merge into a single in-residence opportunity for CGOs.The air and space basic course at

  • CONR supports final space shuttle launch

    Spectators looked on as Space Shuttle Atlantis roared to life for the final time, as the orbiter and crew launched into space from here July 8.Members of the Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Region, or Continental NORAD Region, and Air Forces Northern provided airspace

  • Ramstein 'grows' green visitor center

    Members of the 435th Construction and Training Squadron built a new "green" visitor control center here, which opened July 6 at the entrance of the west gate.The new facility houses many initiatives that put it in the running for a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification. The

  • 45th Space Wing supports successful final shuttle launch

    Members of the 45th Space Wing provided Eastern Range support for NASA's successful launch of the final flight of Space Shuttle Atlantis July 8and the final space shuttle flight in history. The shuttle launched at 11:29 p.m. (EDT) from Space Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center.A combined team

  • Lynn to step down as deputy defense secretary

    Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III will step down later this year to return to private life, Pentagon officials announced July 7.Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta asked Lynn to remain in office until a successor is nominated and confirmed, officials said, and that's expected to happen by

  • Active shooter! Are you prepared?

    "Active shooter" has become a common term in the Air Force since the Fort Hood tragedy, and unfortunately, a common term used throughout media to define such incidents as the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and the University of Texas massacres. Since 2009, Schriever Air Force

  • Reservists deliver aid to Haiti over holiday weekend

    Members of the Air Force Reserve's 315th Airlift Wing departed here July 1 aboard a C-17 Globemaster III on a humanitarian aid mission to Haiti. The aircraft delivered 20 pallets of humanitarian aid containing more than 50,000 pounds of rice as well as a 24,000-pound dump truck in support of ongoing

  • Air Force officials boost personnel support to warfighter

    The Air Force Personnel Center is partnering with Headquarters, Air Force Manpower, Personnel and Services and U.S. Air Forces Central to provide additional personnel support capabilities for deployed Airmen in AFCENT's area of responsibility.Vince Fonner, AFPC's air and space expeditionary force

  • Guard members have one-stop information shop

    Officials with the departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs have created a one-stop website for Guard members to access and administer their service benefits-related information in a secure manner, said the undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness.In a November 2010 memorandum to all

  • Air Force weather leaders meet to appraise career field

     Leaders from across the Air Force weather career field met up at Camp Blanding Joint Training Center here recently to discuss present operations and the future of the weather career field. "We need to make sure we're supporting the Airmen that are downrange and giving them the right training and

  • Panetta makes Fourth of July calls to deployed service members

    Six forward-deployed U.S. service members began their Fourth of July morning with telephone calls from Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta.Panetta, sworn in as the nation's 23rd secretary of defense July 1, reached out late Sunday evening to convey his thanks and support for their service, Assistant

  • Air Force chief of staff announces 2011 'Vector'

    The Air Force's senior military officer released his vision for the future in the CSAF Vector 2011, which highlights the service's unique contributions to national security and also provides updates and the way ahead on the Air Force's priorities."A year ago I presented a vision for our Air Force,"

  • Airmen successfully medevac Antarctic worker

    Using night vision equipment and navigating around volcanic ash hazards, a C-17 Globemaster III and crew from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., alongside aeromedical evacuation and critical care air transport team Airmen, successfully evacuated an ailing Antarctic government contractor June 30. The

  • AEF conference prepares experts for upcoming deployment

    Air and Space Expeditionary Force and Personnel Operations representatives from the Air Force Personnel Center here held their latest execution conference June 15 and 16 to help prepare more than 300 unit deployment managers, installation deployment officers and functional experts for the upcoming

  • Chief Roy reflects on first two years in office, way ahead for Airmen

    Despite an increased operations tempo and fiscal challenges, Airmen continue to develop and remain an integral part of the joint and coalition team, the service's top enlisted Airman said here June 30 on his second anniversary in office.Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy discussed

  • Air Force continues on path toward sustainability

    On its journey toward sustainable installations, the Air Force recently released new rules for sustainable design and development.The policy, released by Air Force Civil Engineer Maj. Gen. Timothy Byers, further emphasizes the Air Force's continued focus on installation and environmental

  • ORS-1 satellite successfully launched from NASA Wallops Flight Facility

    An Air Force team successfully launched the first Operationally Responsive Space prototype satellite aboard a Minotaur I launch vehicle at 11:09 p.m. EDT June 29 from the NASA Wallops Flight Facility on Wallops Island, Va. ORS-1 deployed 12 minutes after launch. This marks a great achievement by the

  • Thunderbirds add Finland performance to storied history

    On both sides of every U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds F-16 Fighting Falcon, there's a colorful, square panel that displays the flags of all the countries in the world where the team has performed. The Thunderbirds had the privilege of adding a new flag to the panel June 18. For the first time in its

  • Coalition plans first building transition to Afghans

    Afghan National Security Forces at Camp Hero in Kandahar province are scheduled to be the first in Afghanistan to transition coalition-maintained buildings to complete Afghan control. On July 1, NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan's Infrastructure Training and Advisory Group will transition 17

  • Gates sends message thanking troops for service

    Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates has sent a message to every post, ship, base and installation thanking service members and their families for their service.In the message, which went out June 29, Secretary Gates said it has been "the greatest honor of my life to serve and to lead you for the

  • Air Force to enhance travel orders for deployment

    In an effort to improve customer support and expedite travel voucher payments, Air Force financial management leaders will mandate standardized use of the Defense Travel System for contingency, exercise and deployment travel, officials said here June 28. The change will be mostly transparent to the

  • First Moroccan F-16 pilots to complete training in Arizona

    In July, the Kingdom of Morocco, a strategic partner for U.S. forces in North Africa, will become the 25th country to own and operate F-16s. The pilots tapped to fly them are scheduled to finish training here in time to bring them home, July 30.Four Royal Moroccan Air Force officers, former F-5

  • Defense Department, services monitor Arctic melting

    With the number of geopolitical hotspots in the world today, the Arctic is not an area that comes quickly to mind for possible defense operations. But it is a place of great national security and strategic importance that the Defense Department and services are monitoring closely.In a report sent to

  • Tanker's first flight over top of the world marks new era in efficiency

    The U.S. Air Force has gone to the ends of the earth to support operations in Afghanistan.A KC-135 Stratotanker flew north until it started flying south June 21 an 22, cutting a new pathway over the Arctic Circle and the North Pole between Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., and the Transit Center at

  • Mystery artist identified

    The artist of nine paintings hanging in the technical support building lobby at Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, Colo., has been identified as Terrance Patterson, a life-long Colorado historian and artist. The nine paintings, which depict the evolution of air and space, will be adopted into the

  • New vehicle affects future of Air Force firefighting

    Soon Air Force firefighters will have a new weapon in their arsenal. The P-34 Rapid Intervention Vehicle will be in production by late September 2011. The Air Force Civil Engineer Support Agency here has been the driving force behind this initiative."This will be the first firefighting vehicle in

  • 2011 AFA Outstanding Air Force Civilians of the Year announced

    Air Force officials have announced the winners of the 2011 Air Force Association Outstanding Air Force Civilian of the Year awards.Each year, the AFA recognizes four Air Force civilian employees for outstanding achievement in any career field. This year's recipients were:Civilian wage employee of

  • Abandoned paintings make Air Force history

    Nine paintings depicting the evolution of air and space, which are displayed in the Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station technical support building lobby, will be adopted into the Air Force Art Program this year. The paintings were rescued years ago after being abandoned inside a storage closet at

  • SMART scholars visit D.C. to learn about their new jobs

    Students ranging from undergraduates to PhD candidates will visit Joint Base Andrews, Md., in June, to learn more about their future with the Department of Defense.The students, as Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation program scholars, represent a $50 million investment in the DOD

  • U.S. military, aircraft highlighted at international air show

    U.S. military pride, strength and technology are on display at the 49th International Paris Air Show at the Le Bourget Airport here June 20 through 26. Held every two years, the Paris Air Show provides an opportunity for the U.S. to showcase the best the Department of Defense has to offer in people,

  • Military leaders discuss past, future ops at Air Boss Conference

    Leaders from around the world met here June 15 through 16 to discuss one important mission - strategic airpower in Korea."The Air Boss Conference is an annual conference that's hosted by the (Air Component Command commander)," said Col. James McGovern, the 607th Air and Space Operations Center

  • Online unit deployment manager course launches

    As part of the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center's continuing goal of leveraging technology to assist in training, members of the Expeditionary Center's Mobility Operations School celebrated the launch of the online unit deployment manager, or UDM, course this month.The eight-hour online course

  • Airmen pick up pieces before historic handover

    More than 35 Airmen and Soldiers volunteered to clean up the Victory Over America Palace at Camp Slayer June 5 through 7. The palace, which is one of 70-plus palaces Saddam Hussein built throughout the country, will soon be returned to the Iraqi government. The three-day cleanup effort was

  • TRICARE does not retire when you do

    When beneficiaries retire from active duty, they may have big plans for how they are going to spend their time. Along with choices about where to live and their next great adventure, they must make choices about their health care. Understanding these choices will help beneficiaries and their

  • Retiring chief honors father: Bronze Star Medal presented after 40 years

    Following 27 years of service, an Air Force Space Command chief master sergeant used the occasion of her retirement ceremony to take care of one last troop. The troop was the chief's father, who was finally presented the Bronze Star Medal he earned more than 40 years earlier.At her retirement

  • Donley congratulates grads, marks strategy school's 20th anniversary

    The graduation of the 20th class of the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies June 15 also marked the 20th anniversary of the school's founding, a fact highlighted in the commencement address by Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley.Secretary Donley said the ceremony honored not only this

  • Nellis to receive Air Force's first MTC flight simulator

    Delivery is underway for a first-of-a-kind flight simulator here, with completion and operational turnover set for October.The Air Force's first Mission Training Center simulator is being set up here as part of a $109.1 million contract with L-3 Link Simulation and Training.The F-16 MTC includes

  • 50th Space Wing completes GPS constellation expansion

    The 50th Space Wing successfully completed a two-phase GPS constellation expansion known as "Expandable 24" June 15. The expansion increased global GPS coverage and is now providing civil, military and commercial GPS users with a more robust signal and a higher probability of signal acquisition in

  • Pros, families ride in 2011 Air Force Cycling Classic

    Hot and humid weather didn't deter the more than 2,300 cycling enthusiasts from around the world and the approximate 600 on-lookers, who came out to cheer for teams and riders in the 2011 Air Force Cycling Classic held June 11 and 12, in Northern Virginia.The goal of the two-day event was to foster

  • Mullen calls veteran support initiative 'terrific beginning'

    The nation's top military officer spoke here June 14 at a press conference announcing the "Community Blueprint," a resource designed to help local leaders focus support to veterans and their families.Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and his wife, Deborah, both

  • Reserve Airmen fuel up NATO forces in Iceland exercise

    Air Force Reserve Airmen and KC-135 Stratotankers from the 459th Air Refueling Wing, Joint Base Andrews, Md., took part in Northern Viking 11, a biennial NATO air-space and maritime protection exercise here June 3-10, 2011.This year approximately 450 NATO military members from the U.S., Norway,

  • Investigation nabs 30 Air Force spice users

    In April,  the Air Force Office of Special Investigations Det. 114 here completed a two-month Spice-use investigation that resulted in the identification of 30 Airmen. The Airmen, who are assigned to six units within Air Force Materiel Command, Air Combat Command and Air Force Space Command, have

  • Teens soar at 11th-annual aviation camp

    Thirty-six teens from around the Air Force participated in the 11th-annual Teen Aviation Camp here June 4 through 8.All of the 16- and 17-year old campers come from Air Force families and have parents who are active duty, retirees, reservists, or members of the Air National Guard. Teens and their

  • VA officials work to provide post-9/11 family caregiver benefits

    A month after the Veterans Affairs Department began processing applications for primary family caregivers of eligible post-9/11 veterans, officials reported steady progress toward delivering the new services and benefits.VA  officials began processing applications for new services May 9, four days

  • 'Lt. Dan' flies high

    Even though he has been a strong military supporter and philanthropist, most remember Gary Sinise by his award-winning role as Lieutenant Dan Taylor from the 1994 film "Forrest Gump."Mr. Sinise visited here June 6 to 9 to document the capabilities of the U-2 Dragon Lady and meet with Airmen to boost

  • Reorganization enhances C2 testing, tactics, training

    The Air Force's preeminent wing for directing the service's operational command and control, or C2, testing, tactics development and training completed a reorganization effort June 10. The restructure will enhance Air Force, joint and coalition warfighter capabilities.Officials at the 505th Command

  • Balloon reconnaissance marks 150th anniversary

    The intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support critical to operations in Afghanistan got its start 150 years ago in June, when a balloonist showed then-President Abraham Lincoln how a gas-filled balloon could help the Union Army prevail in the Civil War.Thaddeus Lowe met with President

  • 'Today's Air Force' features a look around the service

    In this edition of "Today's Air Force," the Air Force Flight Test Center receives two new F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighters. And, with the completion of Space Shuttle Endeavour's final mission, you'll get an inside look at what it took to make it happen. Plus, the Airmen from Kunsan Air Base,

  • Policy changes consider troops, families, official says

    The Pentagon office for personnel and readiness and the programs it oversees will not be immune from Defense Department efficiency initiatives, but will keep troops and their families at the forefront in the consideration of changes, the office's top civilian leader said."I joined with an efficiency

  • Airlines officials revise policies for troops' checked baggage

    Military members traveling on orders on several major U.S. air carriers can check four, and in some cases, five bags without charge based on new policies the airlines instituted in recent days. Officials from Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines and Continental Airlines announced the

  • Relocated high school students graduate; first lady awards diplomas

    Nine high school seniors who relocated from Japan and were in danger of not being eligible to participate in their new school's commencement ceremony joined 27 seniors from Quantico Middle/High School on Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., for a special Department of Defense Education Activity

  • Officials seek input to modernize DOD schools

    Officials in charge of the Defense Department's school system for military children are seeking input from parents, students and teachers in creating a 21st century learning environment by 2016.Department of Defense Education Activity officials want people who use the schools to provide their ideas

  • Ellsworth Airmen providing support to FEMA

    Airmen from the 28th Bomb Wing here are providing support to the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the federal response to recent flooding in South Dakota and surrounding states.Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., is serving as a staging base for 21 FEMA tractor trailers of relief supplies,

  • U.S. transfers airspace to Iraq

    Officials at the Airspace Control Authority transferred airspace to Iraq Civil Aviation Authority officials June 1 in what is being called a milestone in Operation New Dawn.The ICAA took over the Ali sector of airspace from surface area to 24,000 feet, assuming control over all aircraft on final

  • Thunderbirds set to kick off 2011 European tour in Turkey

    The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds are practiced and ready to perform the first official demonstration of their 2011 European Tour. The team brought 78 of its nearly 120 Airmen on the six-week, transcontinental trip, arriving earlier this week at Cigli AB, just outside of the western coastal city of

  • Thunderbirds announce 2012 officer selections

    The commander of Air Combat Command, Gen. William M. Fraser III, has officially selected the officers who will be joining the United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, "Thunderbirds" for the 2012 demonstration season. Maj. Greg Moseley, a lieutenant colonel-select currently assigned to

  • Prime BEEF improves living conditions in Afghanistan

    Recently, a small team from the 577th Expeditionary Prime BEEF Squadron traveled to forward-operating bases to improve the quality of life for service members at combat outposts in Southeastern Afghanistan. Prime BEEF stands for Base Engineer Emergency Force, and these teams of laborers, made up of

  • U.S., Chinese leaders note progress on military ties

    U.S. and Chinese defense leaders said they are pleased with the progress the countries are making in re-establishing good military-to-military relations. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Chinese Defense Minister Gen. Liang Guanglie held bilateral talks during the Shangri-La Dialogue here June

  • Team building drove president's choices, Gates says

    Building a team was the most important consideration as President Barack Obama made his choices for top national security positions, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said June 2.While he wouldn't give specifics about his advice to the president, Secretary Gates told reporters traveling with him to

  • Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force visits Team Sheppard

    The Air Force's senior enlisted member got to step back in time to his days as a technical training student and instructor as he visited the Air Force's largest training base May 23 and 24 here."It is important to train the way we fight, and you are an example of that training," Chief Master Sgt. of

  • Air Force clubs offer Airmen road to education

    The road to higher education can be a little easier for members of Air Force clubs around the world, or their dependents, through the 2011 Club Membership Scholarship program, officials said."Twenty-five $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to club members or their families attending or accepted to

  • Space shuttle Endeavor lands for last time

    The space shuttle Endeavor touched down at the Kennedy Space Center June 1 at 2:35 a.m. EDT, ending the shuttle's 19-year flying career.The Endeavour crew completed four spacewalks and several maintenance upgrades on the International Space Station as part of the shuttle's final mission.Endeavour's

  • General Hostage to lead Air Combat Command

    The U.S. Senate confirmed the assignment of the newest commander of Air Combat Command. Lt. Gen. Gilmary M. Hostage III, whom the Senate also confirmed for appointment to the grade of general, will assume command of ACC at a later date.General Hostage currently serves as the commander of U.S. Air

  • Commissary Agency officials honor best stores for recycling

    Helping the environment has become a habit for a number of stores in the Defense Commissary Agency. Agency officials formally acknowledged these commissaries for their excellence in recycling May 25 as part of DeCA's Solid Waste Management Awards.The awards were developed to recognize store

  • Seven decades of flying come to a close

    More than 70 years of flying experience came to a close after one last flight in a Piper Saratoga aircraft May 20 in Valdosta, Ga.While retired Col. Clarence Parker has been a pilot for the majority of his life, the now 90-year-old has decided to hang up his wings and start a new chapter in his

  • Explosive ordnance disposal team trains Iraqi agencies to save lives

    Thousands of people have died from roadside bombs in Iraq. But even one death from these attacks is one too many, and an explosive ordnance disposal team from Contingency Operating Site Warrior is trying to prevent that number from getting any bigger.The 321st Expeditionary Operation Support

  • Secretary Donley congratulates new officers at Academy commencement

    The secretary of the Air Force spoke at the commencement address for the Air Force Academy's Class of 2011 at Falcon Stadium here May 25.Michael Donley congratulated the 1,021 graduates and challenged them to be lifelong learners, team players and doers after they have received their diplomas and

  • Tops in Blue set to kick off 'Rhythm Nation' tour

    Tops in Blue, the Air Force's expeditionary entertainment unit, kicks off their 2011 'Rhythm Nation' tour with a performance at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., May 25.Tops in Blue is a group of Airmen comprised of 35 vocalists, dancers, musicians and technicians who perform for deployed service