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  • SJAFB evacuates jets as Irene approaches

    As Hurricane Irene approaches, the 4th Fighter Wing and 916th Air Refueling Wing began evacuating approximately 60 F-15E Strike Eagles and eight KC-135R Stratotankers to Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Aug. 25.In addition to the aircraft sent to Barksdale, the base also sent approximately 350 aircrew

  • 9/11 responders tell their stories at media event

    A Texas Air National Guard pilot who flew an escort mission for Air Force One on Sept. 11, 2001, was at the Pentagon to tell his story to the media Aug. 23.Lt. Col. Rolando Aguilar, the RC-26 Metroliner program manager at the 147th Reconnaissance Wing in Houston, was one of several people who were

  • Family, friends say goodbye to a 'hero'

    An Air Force Special Operations Command pararescueman was laid to rest here Aug. 23.Tech. Sgt. Daniel Zerbe, 28, died Aug. 6 in the Wardak province of eastern Afghanistan when the Chinook helicopter in which he was traveling crashed. Zerbe was one of 25 U.S. Special Operations Command operators who

  • CMSAF visits Offutt, speaks about tough decisions on horizon

    During a visit here Aug. 18 and 19, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy met with the enlisted members of Air Combat Command's largest wing and Offutt's tenant units. Roy took time to dispel some rumors and explain to Air Force members what's on the horizon. Understandably, one of the

  • Air Force youth of the year recognized in Pentagon ceremony

    Fifty teens were honored at the 2011 Air Force Youth of the Year Award ceremony Aug. 3 in the Pentagon auditorium here.The annual ceremony, held in conjunction with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America Youth of the Year Program, recognizes Air Force youth for contributions to their installation youth

  • Air Force awarded for energy savings

    The Air Force was announced as the recipient of almost half of the U.S. Department of Energy Federal Energy Management Program's 2011 Federal Energy and Water Management Awards earned by Department of Defense entities, and a quarter of awards overall. The awards are scheduled to be presented during

  • Airman uses research, experience to contribute to fight

    Neil Armstrong was once quoted as saying, "Research is creating new knowledge." One Joint Expeditionary Tasking Airman in Southern Afghanistan understands that mentality very well.Col. Sean Collins, the senior researcher for the Joint Combat Casualty Research Team, has been working to improve

  • Officials train a resilient family, force

    Officials from Seymour Johnson Air Force base hosted a resiliency training session for Air Combat Command dependents Aug. 12 here."Spouses and teenagers deal with the deployment schedules and battle rhythm that our active-duty forces deal with each and every day," said Col. Patrick Doherty, the 4th

  • Resilience study can help DOD officials strengthen programs

    The military has a plethora of programs aimed at building resilience in service members and their families, but needs a better system in place to measure their success, a study has revealed.Commissioned by officials from the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain

  • U.S., South Korea forces to begin Ulchi Freedom Guardian exercise

    U.S. and South Korean troops will begin the 10-day Ulchi Freedom Guardian exercise Aug. 16, conducted annually by the Republic of Korea-United States Combined Forces Command to improve combat readiness.Tens of thousands of U.S. and South Korean troops are expected to mobilize in and around the South

  • Upcoming show to display military land, sea, ground robots

    More than 6,000 experts from 30 countries will be gathering here Aug. 16-19 for this year's largest robot and unmanned systems show.Hosted by the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, called AUVSI, Unmanned Systems North America 2011 will feature workshops, panels and

  • RQ-4 Block 30 Global Hawk reaches critical milestone

    The commander of Air Combat Command declared initial operational capability for the RQ-4 Block 30 Global Hawk Aug. 10.The Air Force successfully deployed the Block 30 RQ-4 Global Hawk in support of Operation ODYSSEY DAWN in Libya and Operation TOMODACHI in Japan, and the IOC declaration is another

  • ACC aviator garners federal recognition

    Lt. Col. Shelly Black, the deputy chief of Headquarters Air Combat Command's Personnel Recovery Division, received the 2011 Federally Employed Women Military Meritorious Service Award July 18 at the 42nd National Training Program in Philadelphia, Penn., for her significant contributions in

  • DOD releases names of Airmen killed in Afghanistan helicopter crash

    Three Air Force Special Operations Command Airmen died Saturday morning when their aircraft, a coalition CH-47 Chinook, crashed in the Maiden Wardak Province in eastern Afghanistan. They were among 25 U.S. Special Operations Command operators who died in the crash, which also took the lives of five

  • 2011 Department of Defense Maintenance Awards Winners Announced

    Department of Defense officials announced the 2011 winners of the Secretary of Defense Maintenance Awards for depot and field-level units Aug. 10. These awards are presented annually to recognize outstanding achievements in weapon system and military equipment maintenance. The 2011 Robert T. Mason

  • McKinley: America must preserve Tuskegee Airmen's legacy

    As the accomplishments of the World War II-era Tuskegee Airmen fade into U.S. history, a grateful nation must work to keep their legacy alive, the chief of the National Guard Bureau said at the 40th annual Tuskegee Airmen convention."The reality of human behavior is that the further in time we get

  • Spokesman: Probe will determine Chinook crash facts

    An investigation will determine the facts surrounding the deaths of 30 U.S. service members and eight Afghan commandos when their CH-47 Chinook helicopter went down in Afghanistan's Wardak province Aug. 6, a Pentagon spokesman said.Marine Corps Col. Dave Lapan warned against jumping to conclusions

  • Wounded warriors, families deserve best care, Chiarelli says

    The military has made great strides in warrior care over the past decade of war, but much work remains to be done, particularly when dealing with the invisible wounds of war, the Army vice chief of staff said Aug. 8.Speaking at the Warrior Transition Command's Warrior Care and Transition Program

  • New airframe, squadron on Kandahar Airfield

    Members of the 451st Expeditionary Operations Group welcomed their newest unit, the 702nd Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, here at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, recently. The 702 EAS is a tactical transport squadron comprising Army and Air Force Guard members flying C-27J Spartans to provide

  • Rescue reservists support successful rocket launch

    Air Force Reservists from the 920th Rescue Wing here supported the successful United Launch Alliance Atlas V launch Aug. 6. The Atlas carried the Juno spacecraft for NASA.Juno launched from Space Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., and is tasked with investigating the

  • Iraq drawdown on track, USTRANSCOM official says

    From pens to Bradley fighting vehicles, 1.7 million pieces of military equipment have been moved out of Iraq so far, as the Dec. 31 deadline for U.S. forces to be out of Iraq approaches, a U.S. Transportation Command official said this week. "The mission is looking good," said Air Force Maj. John

  • Joint training builds NATO partnership

    About 230 Sabers recently returned from Campia Turzii, Romania, where Romanian and U.S. Air Force Airmen conducted combined training and strengthened the partnership between the NATO countries.Spangdahlem Air Base officials sent operations, mission support, maintenance and logistics readiness

  • Hurlburt Field preferred for MQ-1 remote split-operation unit

    Air Force officials announced Aug. 4 that Hurlburt Field, Fla., is the preferred alternative for the Air Force Reserve Command MQ-1 remote split-operations squadron. Hurlburt Field will receive a single MQ-1 RSO squadron consisting of 140 personnel and associated equipment. This action does not

  • 58th SOW pararescuemen save lost hiker

    A helicopter crew and pararescuemen assigned to Kirtland Air Force Base recovered a hiker Aug. 1 who had been lost in Colorado since July 30. The HH-60 Pave Hawk crew of four Airmen from Air Education and Training Command's 58th Special Operations Wing, and two pararescuemen from Detachment 1, 342nd

  • History, achievements of Tuskegee Airmen celebrated

    "I have a dream," said Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., "that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."Before King famously spoke those words from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1963, more

  • Hero honored at new William A. Jones III Building

    Joint Base Andrews unveiled a new display in the recently-opened William A. Jones III Building on July 28, both of which honor the life and service of Medal of Honor recipient Col. William A. Jones III. The display dedication, presided over by Maj. Gen. Darren McDew, the Air Force District of

  • CBRN Challenge 2011 showcases emergency response capabilities

    CBRN Challenge 2011 wrapped up July 22 with the team from McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., representing Air Mobility Command, taking top honors.Held at the Center for National Response, or CNR, in Gallagher, W.Va., 50 warriors, representing 10 major commands, gathered to showcase their capabilities

  • Senior leaders talk big picture with SMART scholars

    Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation program scholars have unique opportunities to leave a lasting legacy in the U.S. defense community, Air Force senior leaders said during the SMART scholar summer orientation, which took place July 11-14 in Washington, D.C.Nearly 300 SMART program

  • New commander takes reins of Air Forces Central Command

    Lt. Gen. David L. Goldfein took command of U.S. Air Forces Central Command from Lt. Gen. Gilmary Michael Hostage III during a change of command ceremony Aug. 3 in Southwest Asia. Gen. James N. Mattis, the commander of U.S. Central Command, presided.As the air component commander for U.S. Central

  • Mullen stresses lessons of jointness

    The men and women gathered in the apse of the Al-Faw Palace here spoke volumes of what the U.S. military has become.Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Defense Department civilians gathered to hear and to ask questions of America's highest-ranking military officer. Their service together in the

  • McChord Airmen recognized for historic Antarctic mission

    The C-17 Globemaster III aircrew members of "Ice 68" from the 62nd and 446th Airlift Wings here were recognized by Gen. Raymond E. Johns Jr., the commander of Air Mobility Command, July 29 for their part in evacuating an ailing government contractor from McMurdo Station, Antarctica, June

  • Top award winners named for Air Mobility Rodeo 2011

    The Air Mobility Rodeo 2011 competition drew to a close here July 29 with the 97th Air Mobility Wing earning the "Best Air Mobility Wing" title during the awards presentation for the air mobility competition.In the closing ceremonies, the Rodeo commander addressed the thousands of people who had

  • Professional development key to Airmen's success

    In a culture where deployments are part of daily life and Airmen regularly perform duties above their rank, professional development is an important piece of cultivating the enlisted force to meet mission requirements, Air Force leaders said recently at the 2011 Air Force Sergeants Association

  • Air Force leaders laud AFSA, Airmen at gala

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz capped the 2011 Air Force Sergeants Association Professional Airmen's Conference with remarks at an awards banquet here July 27.Donley congratulated AFSA on its 50 years of dedicated service to enlisted

  • Enduring cultural change underpins Global Strike Command mission

    Air Force Global Strike Command's top leader discussed the command's relevance and the need for cultural restoration at the Air Force First Sergeants Association Annual Professional Airmen's Conference in San Antonio July 26. Lt. Gen. Jim Kowalski, the AFGSC commander, discussed the central role of

  • Air Force vice chief testifies on force readiness

    The Air Force vice chief of staff provided a total force readiness update to the House Armed Services Committee's Subcommittee on Readiness here July 26."I'm pleased to report that America's Air Force continues to provide the nation with unmatched global vigilance, reach and power as a part of this

  • Airmen participate in exercise Talisman Sabre in Australia

    Airmen from the 36th Contingency Response Group here and the Royal Australian Air Force participated in Talisman Sabre 2011 recently at Williamson Airfield, Australia, to test their combined combat capabilities.Talisman Sabre 2011 is an exercise designed to train U.S. and Australian forces to plan

  • Columbus defenders bring 9/11 march across Mississippi River

    Airmen from the 14th Security Forces Squadron here will take the Ruck March to Remember across the Mississippi River July 26 during their portion of the 2,181-mile trek.The Columbus Airmen began their 146-mile march July 24, taking part in the nationwide security forces event commemorating the 10th

  • 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

  • French award National Defense Gold Medal to pararescue Airmen

    Three 83rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron Airmen were awarded the French National Defense Gold Medal with bronze star during a ceremony at Forward Operating Base Morales-Frazier July 8.French Brig. Gen. Emmanuel Maurin, the Task Force La Fayette IV commander, presented Capt. John Mosier, an HH-60G

  • 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

  • RAF Fairford hosts Royal International Air Tattoo

    Celebrating the 40th anniversary of what is billed as the world's largest military air show, members here turned over the airfield to the Royal International Air Tattoo July 16 and 17.Hosted at Royal Air Force Fairford 21 times since 1985, the Royal International Air Tattoo featured more than 200

  • 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

  • Contingency response wing takes on Africa mission

    An Air Force wing that stood up here to open airfields anywhere in the world on short notice soon will take on a new mission, helping African militaries establish their own air mobility systems.The 621st Contingency Response Wing and the wing's sister unit at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., stand

  • New tool to help support deployed Airmen

    Air Force officials are testing a new capability to expedite the personnel assistance deployed total force Airmen receive from Personnel Support for Contingency Operations, or PERSCO, teams.PERSCO teams at deployed locations in U.S. Air Forces Central's area of responsibility will be phased in to

  • Shinseki: VA task force improves care of women vets

    The newly formed VA Task Force on Women Veterans will go a long way in addressing key benefits gaps to female veterans, according to Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki. While support for women veterans has improved, "it has not been enough," Shinseki said during the 2011

  • Air Mobility Rodeo 2011: McChord Field's 'combo' team ready to go

    The Air Mobility Rodeo 2011 begins here July 24, and the combined 62nd Airlift Wing and 627th Air Base Group team has been hard at work preparing for the event. "One of the things we might forget about during rodeo is that we are not only a host, but a competitor as well," said Col. R. Wyn Elder,

  • 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

  • Transit Center Airman raises the bar, pumps 5 million gallons of gas

    Many people establish goals they want to accomplish during their deployments as a way to help pass the time. Senior Airman Chantz Wyant, a fuels distribution operator, set a lofty goal for himself when he arrived at the Transit Center six months ago.  He wanted to pass more than 4 million gallons of

  • Mobility Airmen gather for international airdrop symposium

    Mobility Airmen from 26 countries are participating in the 2011 International Airdrop Symposium here July 19 to 21.The symposium features a gathering of people from throughout the world to exchange tactics, techniques and ideas on conducting airdrops, said Maj. Patrick Linson, the symposium

  • New Jersey base realizes joint benefits

    With two months left for Defense Department officials to comply with the 2005 base realignment and closure plan, a related initiative -- joint basing -- already is paying off through closer interservice collaboration and the promise of future cost savings, officials here reported.Joint Base

  • 'Surviving The Cut' episode to highlight dive school July 25

    Discover Channel's "Surviving The Cut" will air an episode that highlights the rigorous training at the Air Force Combat Dive School in Panama City, Fla., July 25 at 10 p.m. EDT.Members of the Air Force Combat Dive School train an array of special operations Airmen such as pararescuemen, combat

  • 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

  • Inaugural class of air mobility air advisors graduates

    Twenty Airmen assigned to two newly-activated Air Mobility Command advisory squadrons graduated from the inaugural Air Education and Training Command Air Advisor Basic Course for Africa and South America here June 17. Airmen from both the 818th Mobility Support Advisory Squadron, assigned to the

  • First F-35 arrives at Eglin

    The Department of Defense's first F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter touched down at its new home here July 14, marking a major milestone in the nation's military history. Upon arrival, the jet officially became part of the Air Force inventory. It now belongs to the JSF training unit, the 33rd

  • Afghan women pilot candidates serve country, pursue history

    Four young Afghan lieutenants are making history by being the first female pilot candidates from their country to attend the Defense Language Institute's general English course."We should show the world that the women of Afghanistan are strong," said Lt. Sourya Saleh, an Afghan pilot candidate. "We

  • Airmen tackle Corporals Course

    Six Airmen diversified their leadership training by participating in the Marine Corps' Corporals Course, which was held here June 10-24. The Corporals Course was a two-week program consisting of classroom lecture, hands-on instruction at the small arms range and vigorous physical training around the

  • Special agents support the International Contract Corruption Task Force

    Air Force Office of Special Investigations agents are involved in many joint-military and law enforcement endeavors, a practice that is becoming more necessary as operational tempos increase around the world.One such joint endeavor is the International Contract Corruption Task Force, a group

  • 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

  • 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

  • Security forces members begin march to Ground Zero

    Members of the Joint Base San Antonio security forces community began the kickoff leg of a 2,181-mile ruck march here July 12. Participants from installations across the nation will continue the daily "Ruck March to Remember," which is scheduled to end Sept. 11 at Ground Zero in New York, on the

  • 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

  • Global Hawk postured for success

    With a solid record in combat and humanitarian missions, the RQ-4 Global Hawk program remains a critical component to national security and the Air Force will increase cost-saving efficiencies to ensure the unmanned aerial system's sustainment, officials said here July 12.Rigorous reviews over the

  • 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

  • Airmen prepare for a ruck march to remember

    Airmen in the 4th Security Forces Squadron here are gearing up to host participants of a 2,181-mile ruck march that begins at the Air Force Security Forces Center in San Antonio July 12 and ends at ground zero in New York Sept. 11 in recognition of the 10th anniversary of the 2001 terrorist

  • Army medics train troops at U.S. base in Iraq

    Combat medics assigned to Company C, 27th Brigade Support Battalion, conducted a combat lifesaver course July 4 through 8 for service members stationed at Contingency Operating Site Marez.During the five-day medical refresher course, the service members trained on how to treat a casualty until

  • 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

  • President calls for balanced defense spending cuts

    Though he is committed to cutting the Defense Department budget as part of the overall reduction in the federal deficit, U.S. security and strategic needs must drive the effort, President Barack Obama said July 6 in his first Twitter town hall meeting.Obama said he conducted the meeting to find out

  • Security forces members march to remember

    As a memorial to the 10th anniversary of 9/11, Air Force security forces members will participate in the Ruck March to Remember from July 12 to Sept. 11.Security forces members from 23 units will march 2,181 miles from the Air Force Security Forces Center in San Antonio to Ground Zero in New York

  • White House reverses policy on condolence letters

    President Barack Obama and Defense Department officials will send condolence letters to the families of service members who commit suicide in a war zone.The change is in keeping with administration efforts to remove the stigma of mental health treatment, an administration official said on

  • OREs: being successful from 'StartEX' to 'EndEX'

    An Airman is sitting behind his computer when an operational readiness exercise reminder pops up on his screen. "Another exercise," the Airman exclaims. "The last one was brutal. We were getting written up on everything. I wonder who plans these things and what do we have to do make them easier on

  • 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

  • JTACs guide air strikes, turn tide during major battle

    Airmen from the Washington Air National Guard directed multiple airstrikes May 25 helping a significantly outnumbered U.S. Army and Afghan National Security Force unit fight through an ambush and free a district center from insurgents.Joint terminal attack controllers from the 116th Air Support

  • 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

  • Air Force EWO graduates from Navy Growler training

    An electronic warfare officer became the first Air Force EWO to graduate from the 10-month-long Navy EA-18G Growler training at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash., June 28.Capt. Cole Davenport, who is with the 390th Electronic Combat Squadron, completed his first training sortie Sept. 7, 2010.

  • Leaving a legacy of air power

    Milestones are being achieved and partnerships are being strengthened at Combat Operating Base Speicher here. Advising Iraqi forces is nothing new to the Iraq Training and Advising Mission component of the U.S. Air Force. Since the troop drawdown began early 2009, Iraqi forces have started to take

  • Nellis pilot in F-16C mishap identified

    Air Force officials have identified the pilot involved in an aircraft mishap near Caliente, Nev., June 28 as Capt. Eric Ziegler, 30, an operational test and evaluation instructor pilot with the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron here.Brig. Gen. Terrence O'Shaughnessy, commander of the 57th Wing,

  • 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

  • Gates ends historic term as defense secretary

    Robert M. Gates is the only man to thank two presidents for the privilege of serving as secretary of defense.At the Armed Forces Farewell Tribute June 30 on the Pentagon's parade field, Secretary Gates thanked President George W. Bush for nominating him for the job in 2006, and President Barack

  • Nellis F-16 crash site found

    Air Force officials here announced June 30 that search and rescue teams have found conclusive evidence the pilot of an F-16 Fighting Falcon, which crashed at approximately 5:30 p.m. June 28, did not survive. At the time of the accident, the single-seat F-16, based at Nellis Air Force Base, was

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

    In this edition of "Today's Air Force," U.S. and Italian forces team up in a realistic hostage exercise at Aviano Air Base, Italy. And, you'll meet one dirt bike rider who is sharing his passion of both the sport and safety. Plus, Yokota Airmen learn to defend themselves and others in hand-to-hand

  • 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

  • Northern Edge participants complete successful exercise

    After two weeks of learning to communicate and work in a joint environment, service members from every branch of service packed their bags and headed home at the conclusion of Exercise Northern Edge 2011.The U.S. Pacific Command joint exercise, held June 13-24, hosted active duty, Reserve and

  • Nellis AFB F-16 crashes near Caliente, Nev.

    An Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon from here crashed June 28 about 5:30 p.m. PDT near Caliente, Nev. The F-16 was participating in an air-to-air combat training mission.One person was on board. The individual's condition is unknown at this time.As soon as additional details become available, they

  • Allied Strike 2011 in full swing, capping months of planning

    The execution phase of Allied Strike 2011 is in full swing here, capping months of planning. The exercise has brought together nearly 350 people from the U.S. and 14 NATO partner nations for the largest close-air-support exercise in Europe. "The planning effort was massive," said Capt. Ruven

  • Continued testing of F-35 JSF sensors a success at Northern Edge 2011

    While participating in Northern Edge for the second time, F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter sensor capabilities were tested in Alaska's premier multi-operational environment June 13-24. Hosted by Alaskan Command, Northern Edge is a biennial U.S. Pacific Command exercise that prepares joint

  • Exercise readies U.S., international forces for cooperative efforts

    Anatolian Eagle, a multi-national, large-force employment exercise, was held here to provide a realistic, scenario-based training environment to test combined aerial combat skills June 13 through 24.In its 10th year, the exercise included participants from the Turkish, U.S., Saudi Arabian, Jordanian

  • Headquarters AFSOC passes guidon to new commander

    Lt. Gen. Eric E. Fiel assumed command of Air Force Special Operations Command at a ceremony here June 24, ushering in a new era at a time when the command has experienced intense growth. General Fiel replaced retiring Lt. Gen. Donald Wurster during the ceremony, presided by Air Force Chief of Staff

  • Allied Strike 2011 kicks off in Germany

    Allied Strike 2011, the largest joint terminal attack controller and close-air-support exercise in Europe, kicked off here this morning with an opening ceremony which included three airmen jumping out of a C-130J Super Hercules and a welcome address by the commander of the 4th Air Support Operations

  • Obama announces troop reductions, way forward in Afghanistan

    Thanks to the tremendous progress U.S., coalition and Afghan troops have made, the United States will draw down the number of troops in Afghanistan by 10,000 this year and 33,000 by the end of summer 2012, President Barack Obama said here June 22."The tide of war is receding," the president said