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U.S. Air Force News

  • Australian airmen glimpse future at Red Flag-Alaska

    Men and women in flight suits of green passed through the halls in a hive of activity. The building was buzzing with the language and accents of different nationalities, all in preparation for the day's oncoming events here. As personnel filtered through the doors of the building and onto the

  • Finance team brings cash flow back to Iraq

    In August 2010, President Barack Obama announced the end of the combat mission in Iraq. In December 2011, images of the last U.S. service members leaving the country flooded the media. But they weren't the last to leave. A handful of U.S. service members, along with a strong U.S. and international

  • Eglin fire department named best in Air Force

    For the past four years, Eglin's Fire Department was the best large department in Air Force Materiel Command. Now, for the first time in the most seasoned fire fighters' memories, it's the best in Air Force.The fire department services a unique location. Broken into seven districts, eight fire

  • A day for Old Glory

    Today we celebrate Flag Day by showing its respect to the national emblem that was adopted 235 years ago. The American flag, sewn by Betsy Ross, has seen multiple iterations and designs throughout its history. However, the care and respect of the flag has remained constant and paramount.The handling

  • Air Force, Republic of Korea allies partner for potential CBRN attacks

    With the ever-present threat of North Korea so close, Pacific Air Forces and South Korean Airmen constantly train to respond to any potential attacks.A combined workshop June 7 and 8 gave the allies a chance to strengthen their partnership through demonstrations of the equipment each side uses

  • MIA bracelet connects Airmen across decades

    Twenty-two years ago, Air Force Academy cadet Amy Santmyer, now Lt. Col. Amy Young, decided she would wear an MIA bracelet honoring Lt. Col. Charles Walling, an F-4C Phantom pilot who was shot down Aug. 8, 1966, during a close air support mission in the Dong Nai province northeast of Saigon,

  • Luke AFB reduces energy, earns money

    The 56th Civil Engineer Squadron here will receive approximately $54,500 from an energy program by reducing the amount of electricity Luke Air Force Base uses from June 1 to Sept. 30. The Peak Solutions Program was created through a partnership between Comverge, an energy management solution

  • NOAA armed for 2012 hurricane season

    While most residents here are crossing their fingers and hoping hurricanes miss the area this year, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's chief of programs is "looking forward" to the 2012 storm season.That's not to say James McFadden is hoping for plenty of hurricanes, just that he

  • Air advisors prepare Colombian air force for Red Flag

    A broken aircraft and several delays at the airport didn't stop the 571st Mobility Support Advisory Squadron from arriving in Colombia on June 3 to begin its building partner capacity mission here.The squadron's air advisors are currently working with the Colombian air force to promote regional

  • Officials release investigation report on trainee's death

    The Air Force released a report of investigation June 7 into the death of an Air Force trainee, which occurred Oct. 19, 2011.The report cited Airman 1st Class Steven D. Williams' cause of death as cardiac dysrhythmia, or abnormal rhythm. Williams was in basic military training at Joint Base San

  • National, military leaders visit joint medical exercise

    The exercise portion of Shared Resilience 2012 ended here June 6 as the joint medical teams showcased their strengths to leaders of Bosnia-Herzegovina and the U.S. military.Some of the distinguished visitors included U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Scott J. Zobrist, the 31st Fighter Squadron commander at

  • DOD announces top environmental award recipients

    At a Pentagon ceremony today, Defense and Interior Department officials presented this year's Secretary of Defense Environmental Award to 10 teams and installations for excellence in advancing environmental initiatives.Among the installations recognized, the Air Force was represented by both the

  • EPA recognizes Hanscom office building for energy efficiency

    Hanscom Air Force Base's newest office building earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's ENERGY STAR certification May 31.The certifcate signifies that Building 1604 performs in the top 25 percent of similar facilities nationwide for energy efficiency and meets strict energy efficiency

  • Wolfenbarger receives fourth star, assumes leadership of AFMC

    Gen. Janet Wolfenbarger became the first female four-star general in the Air Force and assumed the top position of Air Force Materiel Command during ceremonies here June 5, 2012.Wolfenbarger took the reins of the major command responsible for the technology, acquisition, test and sustainment of the

  • Policy change to allow reservists to carry leave balance

    Air Force Reserve officials are working to change policy to allow reservists who earn days of leave to carry those days over from year to year.New laws and Department of Defense instructions permit reservists to carry over the leave days. However, policy and procedures have not caught up with the

  • Initiative could help improve ISR operators' processes

    The Electronic Systems Center Command and Control Constellation program recently held an operational demonstration in here to evaluate a new prototype capability to improve command and control of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance data.The prototyping initiative, called Deliberate and

  • Air Force consolidates three field operating agencies

    Three San Antonio-based field operating agencies officially consolidated with the June 1 initial operational capability announcement, Air Force officials said June 4. The Air Force Personnel Center, Air Force Services Agency and Air Force Manpower Agency, FOAs under the Air Force Deputy Chief of

  • 4th FW holds historic change of command

    Col. Jeannie Leavitt assumed command of the 4th Fighter Wing from Col. Patrick Doherty during a change-of-command ceremony at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., June 1. Maj. Gen. Lawrence Wells, the 9th Air Force commander, presided over the ceremony."With the departure of one leader, we welcome

  • Air Force undersecretary honored for exceptional service

     For her distinguished performance as undersecretary of the Air Force, Erin C. Conaton was presented the Air Force Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service during a ceremony May 30 here.Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley presented the decoration to Conaton, who assumed the office of the

  • Global medical practitioners work to seamlessly integrate

    Instructors from the U.S. Defense Institute for Medical Operations are exchanging ideas and techniques with medical practitioners from the different countries participating in Exercise Shared Resilience 2012 May 28 - June 8 here.The information flow is driven from a class titled "Critical Lifesaving

  • Multinational medical exercise readies forces to save time, lives

    A two-week joint medical exercise began with a kickoff ceremony here May 28.Exercise Shared Resilience 2012 is an annual U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff-sponsored exercise with a goal to strengthen interoperability; facilitate training in disaster management and crisis response; and validate the

  • Air Force announces OTS selection boards results

    A total of 283 men and women from across America have earned an opportunity to become Air Force leaders following their selection for an officer's commission, officials here announced May 29. Air Force Recruiting Service officials considered 960 applications as part of the Officer Training School

  • Development team to select chief nurses in June

    Lieutenant colonel and lieutenant colonel-select nurses interested in chief nurse opportunities must ensure their Airman Development Plan is up to date and statement of intent is submitted by the June 11 suspense, Air Force Personnel Center officials said.The nurse corps development team will

  • Air Force safety officials launch Critical Days of Summer website

    May 25th marks the first day of the Critical Days of Summer safety campaign. The summer is a welcome time of year marked by warmer weather and increased participation in outdoor activities. Unfortunately, it's historically the time of year when the Air Force experiences disproportionately more

  • DoD leaders target audit readiness at Town Hall

    In the Defense Department's congressionally mandated effort to become audit ready, DOD leaders yesterday told senior government executives the Pentagon must manage its books as tightly as it manages operational missions.In a recorded video message, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta addressed the

  • SecAF visits Eielson Airmen

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley met with senior leaders and Airmen here during a visit May 21 to 22. The secretary visited several locations on base, spoke to Airmen and met with local civic leaders. During an all call at the base theater, Donley said Airmen are the driving factor behind a

  • Navy, Air Force develop engine modification that may save billions

    The Navy and Air Force stand to save more than $2 billion after jointly developing an engine modification that will keep critically important aircraft flying for years.The two services and industry worked together to develop and field a modification to CFM International's CFM56-2 (F108) engine,

  • Panetta believes Dover punishment appropriate

    Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta believes the punishment of supervisors accused of retaliating against whistleblowers at the Port Mortuary at Dover Air Force Base was appropriate, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said today.Whistleblowers at the military mortuary in Delaware, which handles

  • Holloman squadron takes home AF's top logistics award

    The Airmen of the 49th Logistics Readiness Squadron at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., recently earned the Maj. Gen. Warren R. Carter Logistics Effectiveness Award, naming them the best Air Force logistics readiness squadron.First introduced in 1962 by the Order of the Daedalians, the award is

  • Knowing common hiring authorities critical in filling civilian positions

    As the Air Force continues to reform its hiring processes, hiring managers can make better, timelier decisions when they understand which hiring authorities they should use when recruiting new employees.Hiring appointment authorities provide managers with the legal means to hire employees via a new

  • Additional civilian employee self-service requests available online

    Air Force Personnel Center human resources officials have expanded a self-service initiative allowing civilians to request updates to their personnel records online.Employees can now request updates for résumés, name changes, veterans' preference for reduction in force, awards, education, training,

  • CASF team key players 'on the road' to recovery

    Saving lives in Afghanistan requires many different medical teams and varying levels of care throughout the area of responsibility.Patients injured or wounded from a forward operating base, combat outpost or an even more remote location, are brought to Kandahar Airfield by helicopter or fixed-wing

  • CSAF presents rescue pilots multiple medals in ceremony

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz presented two Distinguished Flying Cross medals with valor, each, to Col. Christopher Barnett and Maj. John Creel during a ceremony at the Pentagon May 18. Both officers received the medals for two separate battles in Afghanistan. On April 4, 2009,

  • Expanded Palace Chase applications due June 1

    Some active duty officers who are unable to separate because of an active duty service commitment may still be able to take advantage of the Expanded Palace Chase program, said Lt. Col. Tara White, Air Force Personnel Center retirements and separations chief."This isn't a new program," White said,

  • Active duty service commitment waiver request window closing soon

    Active duty Airmen who would like to retire or separate but have an active duty service commitment that prevents them from doing so may be eligible for a waiver, said Lt. Col. Tara White, Air Force Personnel Center retirements and separations chief."We announced this opportunity last December as one

  • Prior enlisted retirement restriction waiver requests due by June 1

    Prior enlisted officers with eight years of active duty commissioned time may be able to retire through the Air Force 10-8 Commission Waiver Program, which was originally announced last December, Air Force Personnel Center officials reminded Airmen today. "AFPC announced this program last December

  • Vietnam vet hears call of duty, heads to Afghanistan

    During a commander's call last year, Brig. Gen. Robert C. Nolan II, the Air Force Flight Test Center commander, asked Airmen who have been deployed to stand and be recognized for their service. He then asked those Airmen who have been deployed multiple times to raise their hands. Most of the Airmen

  • B-1 aircrews make history by employing laser JDAMS

    B-1 Lancer aircrews from here employed laser Joint Direct Attack Munitions against moving targets during a weapon system evaluation program exercise May 14 through 16.Aircrews from the 37th Bomb Squadron and 34th BS employed six GBU-54 laser JDAMs against targets on the Utah Test and Training Range

  • Fuels flight wins Air Force award

    The 86th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels management flight won the American Petroleum Institute trophy for best fuels flight in the Air Force for 2011. The "Black Knights" were selected over Sheppard AFB's 364th Training Squadron fuels flight and Kadena's 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels

  • EOD air commando receives fourth Bronze Star

    In high school, Ronnie "Bo" Brickey, a thrill-seeking rodeo bull rider from Oregon, was looking for a career that would quench his thirst for excitement.Brickey found his path when a neighbor's brother, an Air Force recruiter, urged him to look into explosive ordnance disposal.Since joining the Air

  • AF announces master sergeant selections May 17

    Technical sergeants eligible for promotion to master sergeant will learn May 17 if they were selected during the 12E7 promotion cycle, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced.Officials selected 5,464 of 19,809 eligible technical sergeants for promotion to master sergeant for a 27.58 percent

  • Four Airmen receive SecAF Leadership Award

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley presented four Airmen with the 2012 Secretary of the Air Force Leadership Award May 11 during a ceremony at the Air War College here. The award is the Air Force's most prestigious award for leadership in the professional military education environment."The

  • Some reservists billed for dental premiums

    About 3,500 Guard and Reserve Airmen on extended active duty will need to pay dental premiums directly to the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. rather than through payroll deduction, officials said.A glitch, which occurred May 1 when the TRICARE Dental Program changed providers from United Concordia

  • VCSAF: Balanced force structure imperative to Air Force readiness

    Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Phil Breedlove and his counterparts from the Army, Navy and Marine Corps testified May 10 before members of the Senate Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support about U.S. military readiness in light of recent budget cuts.In his opening statement, Breedlove

  • Military HIV/AIDS conference promotes awareness, prevention

    The 2012 International Military HIV/AIDS Conference concluded here today after four days of sharing insights into new ways to re-energize military HIV/AIDS prevention programs.Presentations by subject matter experts, interactive discussions and workshops were among the ways participants shared

  • Andersen emergency med techs operate at advanced level

    A new policy instated at Andersen Air Force Base will allow ambulances and emergency medical technicians to operate at an Advanced Life Support status."Before, when we received a call that required advanced life support, ambulance services would have to meet off base with Guam ALS and have their

  • AF husband earns Military Spouse of the Year award

    A husband who championed the progression of disability policy and the exceptional family member program received the 2012 Military Spouse of the Year Award here today.Jeremy Hilton, spouse of Air Force Lt. Col. Renae Hilton, an Air Force Office of Special Investigations agent on Joint Base Andrews,

  • AFDW commander inducted into Boys and Girls Club Alumni hall of fame

    Air Force District of Washington Commander Maj. Gen. Darren McDew was one of nine outstanding alumni inducted into the Boys and Girls Club of America Alumni Hall of Fame May 2 in San Diego, Calif.BGCA annually recognizes distinguished alumni during the organization's national conference to celebrate

  • Welsh nominated as next CSAF

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

  • Military spouse finds 'home away from home' outside family

    Members of our armed forces deploy for months at a time, putting themselves in harm's way far away from their families. Airmen, often along with their families, are given orders to a new place every few years because the Air Force needs their talents elsewhere. But what happens to the people they

  • Kandahar advisers empower Afghan maintainers

    In the difficult-to-traverse landscape of Afghanistan the MI-17 helicopter has proven to be a valuable asset to air operations in the war-ravaged country. The aircraft has proven itself in missions ranging from supplying distant outposts to providing overwatch for coalition forces.Operating in such

  • 'Care Beyond Duty' - The Air Force Wounded Warrior Program

    Since Oct. 1, Air Force Wounded Warrior Program nonmedical care managers have assisted Airmen with garnering more than $700,000 worth of benefits and entitlements. This is just one example of how the Air Force Wounded Warrior Program works with, and advocates for, wounded warriors and their

  • Officials emphasize commitment to Joint Strike Fighter

    Senior leaders from the Air Force and Navy affirmed yesterday that the F-35 joint strike fighter remains the centerpiece of the tactical aircraft program and will play a large part in the services' ongoing modernization plans.Navy Vice Adm. David J. Venlet, F-35 Lightning II program executive

  • Top enlisted AF leader visits Horn of Africa

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy visited Airmen assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa and other tenant commands here May 5 and 6.The primary purpose of the visit was to speak to the Airmen deployed here and gain insight into their health and well-being, officials

  • AF joins international battle against HIV, AIDS

    The armed forces for the defense of Mozambique, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Defense HIV/AIDS Prevention Program and U.S. Africa Command, is hosting the third International Military HIV/AIDS Conference from May 7 to 10. More than 445 military and civilian delegates from 77 nations

  • Fifth CMSAF delivers inspirational speech at Grand Forks AFB

    An Air Force legend helped recognize Grand Forks newest chief master sergeants during an April 27, 2012, ceremony at the base club.Retired Chief Master Sergeant Robert Gaylor, the fifth Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force from 1977 to 1979, served as the keynote speaker for the chief's

  • Chiefs issue strategic direction to combat sexual assault

    Despite years of concerted effort, the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the commandant of the Coast Guard are dissatisfied with progress made in reducing sexual assault in the military, and have released strategic direction to increase the emphasis on combatting the crime.The chiefs released a "32-star"

  • Weather field to consider command candidates

    The weather career field development team and 2013 weather squadron command selection board will convene in July to select officers for the squadron command candidate list, and to vector weather officers for developmental opportunities, Air Force Personnel Center officials said.Candidates will be

  • AMC aims to increase casualty survivability in Afghanistan

    Air Mobility Command is working jointly with other U.S. military services to improve emergency care for service members critically injured in combat by employing newly-developed Tactical Critical Care Evacuation Teams, or TCCETs. These are three-member teams, each comprised of a highly-trained

  • Air Force refocuses pollution, waste efforts

    Air Force leaders recently refocused their pollution prevention and waste elimination efforts with a new policy aimed at gaining efficiencies.A policy memo co-signed April 27 by Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Philip Breedlove and Assistant Secretary for Installations, Environment and Logistics

  • Thousands treated, partnerships formed during Operation Pacific Angel-Laos

    Thirty American military members, along with partners from the Lao People's Democratic Republic and the U.S. Embassy, treated more than 3,650 patients, renovated five health clinics and schools, and shared medical and engineering expertise with each other during Operation Pacific Angel-Laos here,

  • Airmen attend 'survive and operate' university

    With JB McChord's operational readiness exercise just days away, the 627th Air Base Group provided Airmen an opportunity to practice their "Ability to Survive and Operate" skills April 30 through May 2, 2012.According to Tech. Sgt. Troyann Ernle, 627th Civil Engineer Squadron noncommissioned officer

  • Key leader in Air Force nuclear enterprise passes away

    A top Air Force senior advisor and leader involved in the integration of nuclear capabilities into Air Force, as well as joint and coalition, operations passed away May 3 following a lengthy illness.Charles R. "Ron" Henderson, the deputy assistant chief of staff for strategic deterrence and nuclear

  • Air Force leader talks about future of ISR

    Air Force leadership reinforced the critical nature and future of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions April 26 to a group of civic and industry leaders as well as media members attending the Air Force Association's monthly breakfast in Arlington, Va.The Air Force Association's

  • AFNORTH Airmen hone hurricane response skills

    Air Forces Northern Airmen are putting their hurricane preparedness skills to practice during exercise Ardent Sentry '12 May 2 through 9.The exercise is conducted by U.S. Northern Command and is focused on defense support of civil authorities. Designed to validate existing plans, policies, and

  • Two AF bases take top DOD honors for environmental work

    Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta announced the Defense Department's environmental awards for fiscal 2012 May 1 and Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., and Hill AFB, Utah, were among nine Department of Defense installations selected for top honors.Each year since 1962, the secretary of defense has

  • Top Air Force chaplain retires after 40-year career

    Air Force Chief of Chaplains Maj. Gen. Cecil R. Richardson concluded a nearly 41-year career with his retirement ceremony April 30 here.Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz recounted how retired Marine Gen. Anthony Zinni at U.S. Central Command once told him that "Richardson has the

  • Assistant vice chief of staff retires after 34 years

    After serving in the Air Force for nearly 34 years, Lt. Gen. Richard "Dick" Newton III retired in a ceremony here April 27.Newton had served as the Air Force's assistant vice chief of staff since December 2010. With his retirement, Lt. Gen. Frank Gorenc is the new assistant vice chief of staff,

  • 'Impossible' comeback for retired Airman

    The fire had gone out for the retired technical sergeant, but one television celebrity helped bring it back.After 21 years in the Air Force, Ken Lee followed his lifelong dream of opening a restaurant. Working with another retired Airman, he opened Mama Lee's Soul Food in San Antonio in 2007. It was

  • Programs exist to minimize RIF impact on employees

    As demonstrated by the announcement of a third round of Voluntary Separation Incentive Pay and Voluntary Early Retirement Authority beginning 1 May, the Air Force is committed to maximizing voluntary separation measures to the greatest extent possible. Despite this, some bases may find the need to

  • AF captain lauded for innovative sexual assault awareness training

    An Air Force Captain was recognized at the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes April18 for her actions as sexual assault response coordinator while at the 8th Fighter Wing, Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea Feb. 16 through Dec. 31, 2011.Captain Terri Zuber, Air Mobility Command Headquarters officer

  • Pacific Angel med team gets real-life trauma care education

    With a swing of the axe, Neng Yong Ya's life took a dramatic turn for the worse. The 30-year old Lao farmer was at work, April 24, trying to remove a tree stump from a field when a Vietnam-era unexploded ordnance blew up. The force of the blast threw him, and caused trauma to his chest and stomach.

  • AF Reserve, FBI train together during 'Patriot Sands'

    Five Reserve units and a federal agency teamed up April 26-29 in Florida for Patriot Sands, an airlift training exercise simulating deployed bare base conditions with limited support.Reservists with the 512th Airlift Control Flight, Dover Air Force Base, Del., 452nd ALCF, March Air Reserve Base,

  • Kandahar advisers empower Afghan maintainers

    In the difficult-to-traverse landscape of Afghanistan the MI-17 helicopter has proven to be a valuable asset to air operations in the war-ravaged country. The aircraft has proven itself in missions ranging from supplying distant outposts to providing overwatch for coalition forces.Operating in such

  • SAIGE award winners named

    An Air Force NCO and civilian were selected as the Air Force's 2012 Society of American Indian Government Employees Meritorious Service Award winners, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced April 27.Tech. Sgt. Dana J. Timpany, with Air Force Special Operations Command, and Gayle C.

  • VCSAF shares words of wisdom with AFDW leaders

    A small group of Air Force officers had the opportunity to hear words of wisdom directly from one of the Air Force's top senior leaders during a special visit here April 26. Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Phil Breedlove spoke at the Air Force District of Washington's Commander's Course to a

  • AF network techs support missions throughout East Africa

    Far from camp here, U.S. service members stationed in austere conditions in forward operating areas around Africa have regular access to communications, thanks to the Tactical Networking team of the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa's communications directorate. CJTF-HOA's TACNET allows

  • Air Force strategy legend dies at age 96

    A retired Air Force general who was known as the father of "strategy to task," and was instrumental in the development and implementation of new weapon systems during the last half of the 20th Century passed away April 25, at the age of 96.Retired Lt. Gen. Glenn A. Kent spent more than three decades

  • SecAF discusses force structure, 35 FW contributions during Misawa visit

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley met with Airmen and toured several 35th Fighter Wing units April 23 during a trip to Misawa Air Base.During his visit, Donley held an Airman's Call where topics of discussion included the 35th FW's contributions to Misawa, the new Department of Defense

  • Planning continues for new Airman Heritage Museum

    Efforts are underway to expand the Air Force's enlisted heritage museum here. The Lackland Gateway Heritage Foundation plans to modernize the USAF Airman Heritage Museum with a new facility to be located on what is becoming Lackland AFB's Heritage Campus. The site location, at the North end of the

  • Some lieutenant colonels can apply for TIG retirement waiver

    Lieutenant colonels with at least two years time in grade may be able to retire at their current grade through the Time in Grade Waiver Program, said Lt. Col. Tara White, Air Force Personnel Center retirements and separations chief. Air Force officials announced last December that the TIG Waiver

  • Free 'Cross Cultural Communication' course offers CCAF credit

    The Air Force Culture and Language Center, part of Air University's Spaatz Center, is now taking applications for the summer session of its "Introduction to Cross-Cultural Communication" course. The course, including all instructional material, is provided at no cost, and delivered via AU's

  • CSAF discusses 'evolving force' with deployed Airmen

    The Air Force chief of staff visited Airmen from the 438th Air Expeditionary Wing and the International Security Assistance Force Joint Command April 23 at Kabul International Airport, Afghanistan, to talk about current Air Force issues.Gen. Norton Schwartz started his remarks with an exercise

  • Academy cadets compete in global contest

    U.S. Air Force Academy cadets competed with more than 500 military academy and Reserve Officers Training Corps cadets from around the world for a contest of strength and skill April 20 - 21 during Sandhurst Competition 2012.The Sandhurst competition is an annual event held at the U.S. Military

  • Kentucky Airman shares tactical knowledge in Bangladesh

    One U.S. Air Force Airman shared his knowledge of heavy equipment airdrop procedures with an audience of more than 20 Bangladesh air force airmen at Kurmitola Air Base, Bangladesh, April 22, 2012. Tech. Sgt. Joshua Selby, loadmaster, Kentucky Air National Guard, is one of more than 65 U.S. Air Force

  • Missing personnel records impact more than promotions

    When Senior Master Sgt. Randy Scanlan wasn't promoted to his current rank the first time his records met the board, he was a little confused. As a maintainer and an aerial gunner, he deployed often and received many decorations. When he was asked if he wanted to review his records before they met

  • Airman tackles NFL dream

    At 6 foot, 6 inches tall and 305 pounds, 2nd Lt. Ben Garland looks more like a football player than a typical Air Force officer. That's because he's a defensive lineman contracted to play for the Denver Broncos and currently attending the team's conditioning and tryout camps which last through

  • ISR chief outlines future programs

    While visiting deployed Airmen April 15-18, Brig. Gen. John Horner addressed the future of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mission programs.As Air Force Director of ISR Capabilities, Horner spent a few days with Airmen of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing to view the work of the many

  • AF officials plan for scheduled downtime to upgrade MilPDS

    The Air Force Personnel Operations Agency here is upgrading and transferring the Military Personnel Data System to the Defense Information Systems Agency's Defense Enterprise Computing Center later this year. During the scheduled 23-day upgrade project, MilPDS will not be available.Upgrades to

  • Retired general receives lifetime space achievement award

    The Air Force chief of staff presented a former vice chief of staff of the Air Force with the Gen. James E. Hill Lifetime Space Achievement Award at the 28th National Space Symposium here April 18.Gen. Norton Schwartz presented the award to Gen. Thomas S. Moorman Jr., who is known as a "visionary"

  • CSAF discusses national security space at symposium

    The Air Force chief of staff spoke to leaders from industry, academia and the government about the current state of national security space and the U.S. aerospace industrial base at the 28th National Space Symposium here April 19.In his remarks, Gen. Norton Schwartz also recognized the efforts and

  • AF leaders gather to address sexual assault prevention, response

    Air Force leaders from around the globe gathered at the 2012 Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Leader Summit here April 17 and 18 to learn about service-wide SAPR issues and programs.Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Phil Breedlove both spoke at

  • New SIPRNet smart card protects secure networks

    Barksdale Air Force Base is evaluating a new smart card, known as a hardware token, on the Secret Internet Protocol Router Network, or SIPRNet."As we learned through the events of Wiki Leaks, we had a blind spot in protecting our classified networks," said Robert S. Jack II, Air Force Global Strike

  • Career opportunities available for those up to the challenge

    Interesting career opportunities exist for enlisted Airmen who are ready for new challenges and have a desire to take their careers in a whole new direction.Airmen who want to stay in their career field but want to try something outside their comfort zone can apply for various joint, Department of

  • New housing website prepares Airmen for moving

    With the summer moving season just around the corner thousands of Airmen and their families can now use a new housing website to help prepare for their move. The website,www.housing.af.mil, provides dormitory information for unaccompanied Airmen while detailing housing options and support services

  • Discovery flies for last time, ends chapter in aerospace history

    After almost 27 years and 39 flights in Earth's orbit, the space shuttle Discovery arrived at Dulles Airport in Washington, D.C., April 17 on its way to its final resting place. The last moments in the air for Discovery began at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., mounted on top of a modified Boeing 747.

  • Air Force accepting nominations for chief of staff award

    Each year the Air Force chief of staff presents the Chief of Staff Team Excellence Award to teams that use a systematic approach to enhance mission capability, improve operational performance and create sustained results.Nominations for this year's award are due June 29. Major commands, headquarters

  • Global Strike Command earns 2011 maintenance excellence award

    The Air Force Chief of Staff presented the Gen. Wilbur L. Creech Maintenance Excellence Award for 2011 to Air Force Global Strike Command commander Lt. Gen. James Kowalski in a ceremony at the Pentagon April 16.The award is presented to the major command that demonstrates the most improved

  • Earth Day calls for broader focus at all levels

    Each year when Earth Day rolls around, I make a commitment to pay greater attention to our natural environment, to shift focus from seemingly inconsequential daily activities to the greater task of preserving and improving our natural environment. But this way of thinking misses the mark.Earth Day