Trackers watch for dangerous 'space junk'

Roughly 15,000 miles above the Earth’s surface a communications satellite provides vital information to all branches of the U.S. military. It joins more than 9,000 other items in space that are tracked by the Ground-Based Electro-Optical Deep Space Surveillance System, known as GEODSS. There are

Guard, Reserve leaders testify before appropriations committee

In recent testimony before the Senate Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Defense, representatives of the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve updated senators on the status of the forces. The panel questioned Lt. Gen. John A. Bradley, chief of Air Force Reserve and commander of the Air

DOD working to improve total workforce

The Defense Department is seeking ways to foster sweeping changes in its civilian, Reserve and active forces, DOD's top personnel official said here April 25. Any changes would be aimed at making the department more agile and effective, said David S. C. Chu, undersecretary of defense for personnel

Wildlife monitors help protect endangered species

As night turns into dawn, a man's shadow rises on a rugged desert butte. His gaze slices through the morning light looking for his target. It is hard to hunt down the fastest land animal in North America, but he is good at stalking this elusive ghost of the Arizona desert. But, Erik Stenehjem is not

Senior mentors advise JEFX leaders

As Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment 2006 tests warfighting capabilities designed to fill capability gaps, three retired officers help senior leaders keep the experiment on track. Retired Lt. Gens. Joe Hurd, Mike Short and Chuck Heflebower are part of the Air Force chief of staff’s Operational

New civilian personnel system set to kick off April 30

The first phase of the new National Security Personnel System is ready to launch April 30. Spiral 1.1 includes 11,000 Defense Department civilian employees throughout the United States. "The most important message is that we are ready," said Mary Lacey, NSPS program executive officer. "Employees are

Combat balloon to improve communications

Warfighters who depend on ground communications for mission success will soon have improved technology, thanks to a system currently under examination here at the 2006 Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment. Combat Skysat uses balloons to take advantage of untapped airspace and improve line-of-sight

Exercise lets Airmen prepare for real thing

Surface-to-air “threats” are frequent at Red Flag-Alaska 06-2, as aircrews try to slip past simulated, enemy ground fire during the exercise that began here April 24. The challenge helps aircrews practice their warfighting skills over the Pacific-Alaska Range. There are Airmen from some 20 Air Force

Independent duty tech's role a versatile one

Although they have officially existed in the Air Force since the early 1950s, independent duty medical technicians can trace their roots to the days of the Roman Empire, who put the word medic into our vocabulary. Today, these IDMTs are often known as "Doc" to the Airmen they treat. Medical care has

Munitions distribution involves detailed accuracy

Not all of the Airmen assigned to the 23rd Maintenance Squadron’s munitions flight build bombs. “Having munitions issued to any customer, whether it is for the A-10 (Thunderbolt II) or C-130 (Hercules) aircraft, a special tactics troop or a cop, involves a significantly detailed process,” said

Experiment delivers battlespace awareness

The Combined Air and Space Operations Center, or CAOC, houses the systems that provide the U.S. and its allies with critical warfighting information. Air Force Materiel Command's Electronic Systems Center, at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., delivers and manages those systems inside the CAOC, thus

NCO awarded $10,000 for IDEA

A good idea led to a good reward for an Airman from the 5th Maintenance Squadron here. Tech. Sgt. James Mazurek was awarded $10,000 from the Air Force Innovative Development through Employee Awareness program April 13. He submitted an idea to insert a warning paragraph to the technical orders for

CENTCOM’s command chief postures Airmen for long haul

The command chief master sergeant of U.S. Central Command expressed the importance of deployed Airmen postured for a long war. Chief Master Sgt. Curt Brownhill said becoming a joint force, understanding the uniqueness of the enemy we’re fighting and working toward stability in CENTCOM’s area of

Airmen missing in action from WWII identified

The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office has announced that the remains of 11 U.S. Airmen, missing in action from World War II, have been identified and are being returned to their families for burial with full military honors. They are Capt. Thomas Paschal, El Monte, Calif.; 1st Lt.

Air Force Academy wins NSA Cyber Defense Exercise

The National Security Agency announced today that the Air Force Academy is the winner of the agency’s 6th Annual Cyber Defense Exercise. The exercise was conducted April 10 to 14 here, at the NSA’s Maryland headquarters and the nation’s other military service academies. During the exercise,

Reserve engineers build station for Saint Lucia police force

This tiny, 238-square-mile Caribbean island getaway has lush rain forests, sandy beaches bordering crystal clear water and pleasant weather. For six months this year, teams of Air Force Reserve civil engineers are spending their two-week tours on the isle in the Lesser Antilles Archipelago. They're

OPSEC expands focus, remains critical

"Do you think you'll deploy this year? How long will you be gone? What do you think you'll be doing? Where? Will you be going with a lot of people?"At this point in the conversation you should be wondering who is asking, why are they asking and who else might get their hands on the answers. Although

Virtual villains ruin accounts, credit ratings

Crooks made off with an estimated $5 billion from individuals whose identities were stolen last year. In what is becoming America's fastest growing type of robbery, identity theft involves a shrewd charade instead of a hold-up at gun point, and military members increasingly are becoming the targets

Military, families can get online mental health screening

Military members and families coping with the stress of overseas deployments and other potential health-threatening issues can log onto the Internet to get help, said a U.S. military psychologist. Servicemembers from all components and their families can obtain a mental health self-assessment or

Web saves civil engineer directorate time, money

Members of the 88th Air Base Wing civil engineer directorate have developed a way to save money and time by creating a system to submit project designs for technical and functional review through their Web site. This electronic process allows review agencies to make comments and post them on the Web

Officials announce 2006 Hennessy Trophy winners

Air Force Services Agency officials have announced the winners of the 2006 Hennessy Trophy awards. The Hennessy Trophy is an annual award presented to Air Force installations with the best food-service programs. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the single- and multiple-facility category

Logistics agency stands ready for domestic disasters

Following an unprecedented disaster relief effort in 2005, Defense Logistics Agency officials here say DLA is ready to provide support for domestic disasters, including the 2006 hurricane season, which begins June 1. A recently completed agency-wide review of DLA's response to domestic disasters in

New radio technology keeps troops in touch

Riding as part of a convoy escort team outside the wire, the Airman feels alone. Feeling nervous, he keys his radio mic to check in with his base -- and hears nothing but dead air. To ensure scenarios like this don’t occur, the Air Force is leading a joint implementation of a new “Radio over

Dover Airmen stabilize C-5 crash site

When the 436th Civil Engineer Squadron fire chief responded to an emergency notification here April 3, he wasn’t sure what to expect. “Anytime you see an aircraft not sitting on its wheels, it is worse than you expected,” said Senior Master Sgt. Dwight Davis.More than 20 firefighters arrived to find

Physical therapy program confers first doctoral degrees

Two Air Force officers received diplomas and were conferred doctoral degrees in physical therapy during a graduation ceremony here April 7.Capt. Linda Currier and 1st Lt. Elissa Ballas graduated along with 10 Army officers after 27 months of study in the highly ranked U.S. Army-Baylor University

Pilot in F-16 crash treated and released

The F-16 Fighting Falcon student pilot whose plane crashed April 11 was treated and released from a local medical center after safely ejecting from the aircraft. Capt. Jason Attaway, assigned to the 62nd Fighter Squadron, was on a two-ship student training mission heading toward an air-to-air

Missile defense site named after President Reagan

The missile defense site here took on a new name April 10. The Ronald W. Reagan Missile Defense Site honors the 40th president of the United States who was a champion of the need for missile defense.Attendees at the ceremony included former First Lady Nancy Reagan; Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon

BEST newsletter keeps civilians current

The Benefits and Entitlements Service Team newsletter is the best source of information about benefits affecting Air Force appropriated fund civilians, and Air Force Personnel Center officials are encouraging more people to subscribe. By subscribing to the BEST newsletter, civilians have immediate

DOD attacks rising pharmacy costs

In the first year since the Department of Defense began using the uniform formulary process to review and classify prescription drugs, $500 million has been saved.In addition, the Pharmacy Data Transaction Service, or PDTS, has avoided more than 171,000 potentially life-threatening drug interactions

'Virtual Commissary' expands product selection

The future is now at the Defense Commissary Agency. It’s not the “final frontier” by a long shot, but DeCA’s Virtual Commissary has been expanded to include 37 new item selections, including snack packs and special occasion baskets. This brings the total number of gift baskets on Virtual Commissary

DOD plans to boost access to military childcare

The availability of child-care services for military families will receive a boost from a multi-faceted approach by the Defense Department, a senior official said recently. "We project the (child-care) needs as greater than what we're offering at this point," said Jan Witte, director of DOD's office

'My Stuff' lets Airmen track requests

Airmen can now track the status of requests and correspondence sent to the Air Force Contact Center via the "My Stuff" tab on the Air Force Personnel Center public Web site.Airmen need a separate user identification and password to access My Stuff because the new software cannot be accessed at this

Air Force announces new call center locations

The proposed sites for the Air Force Financial Services Center and the Air Force Claims Service Center were announced by Air Force officials April 10.The preferred location for the AFFSC is Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., while the preferred location for the AFCSC will be in the Dayton, Ohio, area.

Vital Guardian tests Guard's critical capabilities

National Guard Counterdrug Program Airmen and Soldiers came to the nation’s capital to support Vital Guardian, the Guard’s first critical-capabilities exercise. The major training exercise, held last week, tested the Guard’s ability to respond to a devastating event, such as a terrorist attack with

Weather flight reads the clouds over Kyrgyzstan

According to local climatology, this area of Kyrgyzstan wasn’t supposed to see thunder and lightning until May. But when the satellite picture started growing big patches of red April 6, the 376th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron weather flight knew what it meant, said Staff Sgt. Robert

Brady: Air Force retention, recruitment remain strong

The Air Force is pleased overall with its recruitment and retention statistics, the Air Force deputy chief of staff for manpower and personnel said during testimony before the House Armed Services Committee April 6. “We have been very successful, but we can never take the recruitment of great people

Air Force improves Web site

To meet the needs of an ever-changing environment, starting April 10, Airmen can expect Air Force Link to have a slightly different look. Maintained at Headquarters Air Force News Agency here, the site will give visitors more control over the content they wish to view. New category links, found on

Widows help college students understand aging

The two ladies share lunch almost every Friday. They talk and eat, but mostly they laugh.At first glance, they seem very different. More than 50 years separate them in age. One is in the camouflage uniform of an Airman, the other uses a cane because of hip and knee surgeries. But these two have

Airmen train for air evac

Digging defensive fighting positions, driving with night-vision goggles and during chemical warfare training and hiking in to camp sound like Army training -- right? They are actually part of the annual training required for Pope’s 43rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron. “We are considered first

America Supports You site features videos for children

Proud military parents deployed in support of the war on terrorism are featured on the America Supports You Web site devoted to April's Month of the Military Child. Messages from nearly 50 servicemembers can be found on the link "Video Greetings from Troops to Their Military Kids" at

Tricare launches healthy choices for life programs

Take care of your body, and it will take care of you, say health experts. In today’s fast-paced world, they also say that is getting harder to do. Being overweight, using tobacco products and excessive drinking go against this adage and can cause serious health problems and possibly early death. 

Ionospheric forecasts improve warfighter communication efficiency

During specific times of the year over the Earth's equatorial region, turbulence in the ionosphere, known as scintillation, causes extended degradation for Department of Defense navigation and communication satellites.  But a sensor package installed at each of 14 locations worldwide has helped

AF Recruiting

Overseas returnee, CONUS mandatory movers' assignment listing available

The Enlisted Quarterly Assignment Listing for Airmen returning from overseas and continental United States mandatory movers from August through October will be available April 11. Airmen can work through their military personnel flight or their commander's support staff to update their preferences. 

No cases of ID theft involve pay system

No cases of computer scamming or identity theft involving the Defense Department's computerized pay services system have been reported, a Defense Finance and Accounting Service spokeswoman said April 4. "There has not been any identity theft and/or 'phishing' scams with the 'myPay' site," DFAS

C-5 crash doesn’t diminish historian’s view of aircraft

The C-5 Galaxy crash at Dover Air Force Base, Del., April 3 placed the aging aircraft in the spotlight once again. With no deaths reported, military officials are cleaning the crash site and are convening a board of officers to investigate the cause of the accident. But the crash does not tarnish

Air Force releases 2006 posture statement

The Air Force released its “posture statement” detailing the service’s missions and priorities over the next year. The 52-page document’s introduction asks Airmen to look from their heritage to the horizon, taking lessons from the past and adapting them for the future. It also opens with a letter

Doolittle Raid Web exclusive on Air Force Link

Just a few short months after a humiliating defeat at the hands of the Japanese at Pearl Harbor, a daring raid launched from the aircraft carrier Hornet changed the tone of the war. It set the U.S. and its allies on a course that would eventually lead to domination of the Pacific during World War

Web site lets reservists correct duty history 'live'

Air Force Reserve members worldwide can now correct or change their duty history via the virtual Personnel Center Guard and Reserve, a customer-service Web portal operated by the Air Reserve Personnel Center. Previously, Airmen had to visit their local military personnel flight or call several

ACC takes combat search, rescue assets under wing

Air Combat Command took administrative control of select Air Force combat search and rescue assets from Air Force Special Operations Command April 3 as part of a realignment announced in February. The transfer ensures the Air Force core competency of combat search and rescue, or CSAR, is directly

17 Airmen survive Dover C-5 crash

The 17 Airmen aboard the C-5 Galaxy that crashed near Dover Air Force Base, Del., today all survived, a 436th Airlift Wing spokesman said. However, there is still no official word on the condition of the survivors, wing spokesman 1st Lt. Jamal Beck said. “We’re still gathering information,” he said.

Air Force innovators unite at "Knowledge Area" website

Innovation communities within the Air Force now have an online forum to learn, collaborate and collect ideas relative to their daily needs. The new "Innovation and Technology Knowledge Management" site will be available April 15 via the Air Force Portal and is part of the "Air Force Knowledge Now"

Child development organization aids military children, families

Recognizing that children of servicemembers often face challenges that other children do not, the nonprofit child development organization "Zero To Three" launched a special project geared specifically toward military families. "Supporting military children is an essential element of supporting

New center provides single contact for mobility air forces

Air Mobility Command moved toward a supply process transformation March 29 when the Regional Supply Squadron here was re-designated as the Mobility Logistics Support Center. The center will provide mobility air forces with one stop for ordering, shipping and tracking supplies to troops worldwide.

Spring break all about 'service before self'

“Service Before Self,” one of the Air Force’s core values, is on the minds of 135 U.S. Air Force Academy cadets who are working during their alternative spring break in areas damaged by Hurricane Katrina. The project is part of the Cadet Service Learning program which centers on community

New civilian personnel system to mean slight pay hike for most

Most of the first 11,000 Defense Department civilian employees to convert to the new civilian personnel system in April will receive a pay increase, an official said today. About 85 percent of people will see an initial bump in pay when they are enrolled in the new National Security Personnel

Alaskan team thaws in Honduras

Imagine you’re a penguin, living happily in minus 40-degree temperatures. Suddenly you’re thrust into the tropical climate of a parrot, where anything below 80 degrees is considered cool. That shock to the system is essentially what happened to 17 Airmen from the 354th Civil Engineer Squadron at

DOD selects five AFMC bases for health, safety initiative

The Air Force isn't waiting for the Memorial Day weekend start of the "101 Critical Days of Summer" to emphasize health and safety to its work force. Nine Air Force bases are scheduled to participate in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Voluntary Protection Program this year. Five

Seminar brings hope, help to abused, neglected children

More than 16,000 cases of suspected child maltreatment are reported annually in the military, according to the Armed Forces Center for Child Protection Web site. The AFCCP is helping to protect children throughout the DOD through education and awareness training such as that held here at Wilford

Food for thought: Dining facility continues to break records

Thirty-five tons of apples, oranges, bananas and plums, 1,600 gallons of milk, 16 tons of grilled chicken breasts and 39,040 candy bars. The list of food consumed here in one month goes on and on. “It’s an amazing operation,” said Lt. Col. Kevin Schields, 379th Expeditionary Services Squadron

Hypervelocity wind tunnel reaches 3,000-run milestone

The Arnold Engineering Development Center's Hypervelocity Wind Tunnel 9, located near Silver Spring, Md., recently completed its 3,000th test-run as the facility approaches 30 years of operation. The first test, ironically in support of an Air Force system, occurred in 1976 when the facility was

Targeting pods enhance battlefield awareness

An armed F-16 Fighting Falcon is “watching” the road below for the convoys rolling through a dangerous land. The concept of using fighter aircraft equipped with targeting pods to monitor the battlespace is known as non-traditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or NTISR. Air Force

Kingpins use blend of old, new technology to counter threats

In the sky over Iraq, technology developed in the 1940s helps fight a 21st century war. From their unique vantage point, the Kirkuk long-range radar surveillance site searches the sky. It’s almost as if the slow cyclonic pace hypnotizes everything in the airspace to spill their deep dark secrets --

McConnell employee donates marrow

An Air Force civilian employee traveled to Washington, D.C., on March 23 to give the gift of life to a 10-year-old boy with severe aplastic anemia, a condition where the bone marrow does not produce enough -- or any -- new cells to replenish the blood cells. James Speanburg donated 5.5 cups of

Academy satellite lost after launch

An Air Force Academy satellite was lost March 24 shortly after launch. The cadet-built FalconSAT-2 small satellite was the primary payload on the maiden flight of the SpaceX Falcon I rocket, launched from the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Test Site on Kwajalien Atoll in the Marshall Islands. “We

Smart Ops 21: Improving the Air Force one process at a time

“What have I improved today?” That’s a question Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne urged Airmen to ask themselves in his March 8 Letter to Airmen titled Air Force Smart Operations 21. Airmen in Air Force Space Command will soon drive improvements through the Smart Ops 21 program, which

Teamwork keeps Bosnia air base safe

Tuzla Air Base, Bosnia, has an airfield that has been maintained by the Air Force since the mid 90s. But because it was a pre-existing location, many issues of safety, that would be disallowed at a stateside or NATO base, must be covered in a waiver package under United States Air Forces in Europe

Alaska Air Guard rescues state trooper whose plane crashed

Members of the Alaska Air National Guard saved a state trooper March 22 after his personal Piper Cub aircraft crashed 90 miles north of Dillingham. The pilot, Justin Rodgers, is a trooper with the Dillingham post of the Alaska Bureau of Wildlife Enforcement. Officer Rodgers and his father, Charles,

Cheney gives Oath of Enlistment to servicemembers at Scott

Nine servicemembers and one enlistee had the privileged opportunity to raise their right hand and receive the Oath of Office from the vice president of the United States. During a recent visit to Scott Air Force Base, Ill., Vice President Richard Cheney assisted 375th Airlift Wing commander Col.

New Orleans A-10s arrive at Whiteman

This base continues to absorb people and planes from hurricane-ravaged Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base, La., accepting the second to last A-10 Thunderbolt II March 16. Falling in line with Base Realignment and Closure committee recommendations, the original plan had the naval base delivering

EPA says AF top green power purchaser in America

The Environmental Protection Agency lists the Air Force No. 1 as the largest purchaser of renewable energy in the United States and the third largest green power purchaser in the world. Last year, the Air Force purchased 1,066,397 megawatt hours of renewable energy. That’s enough energy to power

Minot Airman competes in Food Network Challenge

The smell and taste of cookies hot from the oven for many evokes happy memories of childhood. For one Airman here, his fresh-baked cookies landed him on national television. Senior Airman David Sutherland, a 741st Missile Squadron chef, was selected by the Food Network and competed March 20 in

'Phishing' scam targets Thrift Savings Plan participants

Participants, as well as some non-participants, in the Thrift Savings Plan are targets of a "phishing" scam, an official with the board administering the program said today. Tom Trabucco, director of external affairs for the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, said phishing is an "attempt to

New customer support centers make life simpler

New Air Force combat and mobility logistics support centers, opening in early April, will make ordering, tracking and shipping supplies to troops worldwide a simpler, more customer-friendly process, said officials here. The centers will open at Langley Air Force Base, Va., and Scott AFB, Ill. “The

AMC changes public Web as AF seeks standardization

Headquarters Air Mobility Command launched its new public Web site today, following an Air Force plan to consolidate all Web content and standardize the appearance of its public sites worldwide. The command joins Air Force Special Operations Command, Air Force Reserve Command, and Air Force Materiel

Electronic Systems Center team pushing 'smart' process, culture change

An Electronic Systems Center team is working to save time, money and tons of material, all while increasing security when America's most sensitive information is distributed. The Cryptologic Systems Group, located at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, is working to institute an electronic "key" process

Air sampling study benefits Airmen's health

The average human takes about 12 to 20 breaths each minute. Exactly what those breaths contain is now being monitored in a study. Airmen are participating in the U.S. Central Command Enhanced Particulate Matter Surveillance Initiative to determine the levels of total solid particulates in the

Responsive, affordable satellite enhances support to warfighter

In the battle environment, every second counts, and accelerated (within 10 minutes) information downloaded to the joint warfighter, to be demonstrated in the upcoming TacSat-3 mission, could result in victory, but more importantly, in lives saved. Planned to launch in summer 2007, the TacSat-3

Airfield managers keep runways ready

The 379th Expeditionary Operational Support Squadron is tasked with the demanding job of managing an entire airfield. An airfield manager’s job encompasses almost anything that deals with the airfield, said Tech. Sgt. Michael Adams, 379th EOSS airfield manager and reservist deployed from Dobbins Air

Family Matters introduces updated AF Crossroads Web site

The Air Force A1 office of family matters will soon unveil its updated Air Force Crossroads Web site for Airmen and families to gather facts about installations, military moves, education and more. Though the current site contains a lot of information, its many layers made the site difficult to

First Air Force dive course graduates 17 Airmen

This was the final test. An underwater compass and a buddy harnessed three feet from their bodies provide direction. A 25-pound breathing device strapped to their chests provides vital oxygen while underwater without making surface bubbles. A 50-pound rucksack and weapon weighted on their backs are

EOD Airmen reflect on six-month tour in Iraq

Improvised Explosive Devices’ prevalence in Iraq has placed increased demands on Air Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal specialists, and the members of the 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron EOD flight are on the leading edge of the effort to combat these IEDs. Explosive ordnance disposal

Joint rescue saves stranded scuba divers

Thanks to the combined efforts of Airmen from Kadena Air Base and local Japanese responders here, two scuba divers were rescued early Monday morning following a five-hour search and rescue operation. The two scuba divers -- a local Okinawan and a U.S. Marine -- were found clinging to the bottom of

New checklist helps expedite hiring process

The Air Force Personnel Center has created a Request for Personnel Action checklist to help managers during the hiring process. The RPA checklist is a valuable tool used to assist managers and hiring officials in managing their civilian positions in a more efficient and timely manner. It was

Commissaries take steps to stop counterfeit coupons

Be careful how you get your Internet coupons, say Defense Commissary Agency officials.They are alerting customers about a recent rise in the use of fraudulent Internet or home-printed coupons and steps the agency has taken to address the issue. “Counterfeit coupons are circulating on the Internet

Eglin team spearheads Honduras medical mission

A team of 23 medics from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is leading the way on a two-week, four-site medical readiness training exercise here. The MEDRETE is part of New Horizons 2006-Honduras, a joint training exercise between the U.S. military and Honduran government that ultimately strives to improve

Chief reviews son’s graduation

Of the 731 Airmen who graduated from basic military training here today, nothing unusual happened for 730 of them. But the day was special for one Airman, two chiefs and a mother. “There was no decision about him joining the Air Force, it was his decision alone,” said Chief Master Sgt. Jeff Bowes,

Medics, volunteers meet Iraqis' medical needs

Several times a week, medics from the 447th Expeditionary Medical Squadron take a break from their normal “hustle and bustle” work schedule at the clinic to help local Iraqis who feel under the weather. The medics head out close to the wire to see these patients at the Radhwaniya Medical Clinic

Heritage to horizons: Advice from former chiefs spans generations

There is one distinct common observation most former chief master sergeants of the Air Force have about today’s Airmen, and that’s the level of education and sophistication coming out of today’s society. “[When] you talk about our Airmen of today, you also have to talk about the young citizens of

Air Force releases list of senior master sergeant selectees

The promotion list for senior master sergeant was publicly released March 8. The Air Force selected 1,303 master sergeants for promotion to senior master sergeant. Complete information is available on the Air Force Personnel Center Web site, including cutoff scores, Air Force averages, averages by

Reserve doctor makes house call to developing nations

An Air Force doctor is helping thousands of people in developing countries as a results of a chance encounter with Texas reservists at Rhein-Main Air Base, Germany, eight years ago. Lt. Col. (Dr.) Josef Schmid was in the regular Air Force working in the Rhein-Main clinic when a team of reservists

Air Force Judge Advocate Corps streamlines operations

The Air Force's Judge Advocate General’s Corps has a plan to optimize their operations for the 21st century, and move out on Air Force Smart Operations 21. In a recent interview, Maj. Gen. Jack L. Rives, the Air Force's new judge advocate general, said the service's JAG Corps will begin transforming

U.S. Airmen provide Iraq’s new air force a place to call home

Iraq’s new air force flying operations have received much publicity recently. But a military must have a base to call home. A team of U.S. Airmen spent more than a year helping the Iraqi air force establish its “only” base with a support unit. About a year ago, the New Al Muthana Air Base was just a

International Affairs Specialist Program begins second round

The International Affairs Specialist, or IAS, Program is entering its second year of competitive selection. The program will be targeting 117 mid-career line officers for the designation. The program seeks to enhance expeditionary capability by developing regional and international expertise,

Weather squadron keep eyes on sky

Today’s Air Force is the most advanced fighting force the world has ever seen. Its aircraft can fly nationwide to deliver bombs that land within a few feet of the target. The capabilities to wage war during day or night are unparalleled. However, this lethal force is still at the mercy of an even

Daring and dedication: that others may live

Man figured out how to fly. Then he left it up to Air Force pararescue jumpers to figure out how to rescue him from the jungle, the ocean, the mountains and hostile territory when a plane crashes. The need for a highly trained rescue force was highlighted in 1943. In a rescue famous in pararescue

Remote weather system online again at Minot

Maintenance was recently completed on five Remote Automated Weather Stations, or RAWS, located at missile alert facilities throughout North Dakota. The maintenance, which began in fall 2005, was completed Feb. 17 and made the RAWS fully operational after a four-year hiatus. The RAWS have sensors

Internet chat leads to confinement, discharge

An Airman here was sentenced to three years confinement, reduction to airman basic and a dishonorable discharge in court-martial proceedings here Feb. 23. Staff Sgt. Brian Malone, a 3rd Operations Support Squadron weather forecaster, pleaded guilty to 21 specifications of violating two articles of

Iraqi Air Force takes giant step forward

A fully certified aircrew takes flight and a single air base opens its gates. To Iraqi Airmen training alongside U.S. Airmen these feats represent giant steps toward independence and national security. Since November, the Air Force has taken on the mission of standing up the Iraqi Air Force,

Spiral 3 underway for JEFX ’06

Spiral 3 of the Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment ‘06 kicked off March 2 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. JEFX is an Air Force chief of staff-sponsored, major command-executed series of experiments that combine live-fly, live-play ground and naval forces, simulation and technology insertions into a