NATO Air Policing operations

U.S. Air Force News

  • June 16 airpower summary: A-10s strike anti-Afghan forces

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations June 16, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs fired cannon rounds and

  • Renamed U.S. military base in Iraq reflects joint status

    The home of the Air Force's only wing in Iraq and the Army's logistical headquarters for supplies and shipments in the country has been renamed to reflect the dual nature of the base. Joint Base Balad is the new name for what used to be called Balad Air Base by the Air Force and Logistics Support

  • National Guardsmen in two states prepare for flooding

    More than 600 National Guardsmen in Illinois and Missouri will continue sandbagging operations along the Mississippi River June 16 in an effort to thwart the floodwaters that are subsiding in Iowa. The Illinois and Missouri rivers flow into the Mississippi north of St. Louis. Unlike 1993, flooding

  • 12 Airmen live among thousands of Iraqi Soldiers

    Twelve Airmen working together for the past nine months at the remote Iraqi Military Training Base of Kirkush, located in the Diyala Province just over 10 miles from the Iranian border, are hoping to work themselves out of a job.As the only Americans living among thousands of Iraqi Soldiers and

  • Guard units provide real-time video of flood damaged areas

    Flying at 8,000 feet above flood ravaged Wisconsin, members of the Wisconsin Air National Guard with assistance from Air Guard units from Arkansas and Mississippi provided emergency management officials with "eyes in the sky" to help with disaster relief efforts. Recent heavy rains have left

  • Ceremony honors 241 medical graduates

    Dr. Kenneth Torrington, dean of the San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium, honored 241 physicians and allied health care providers during the annual SAUSHEC awards and graduation ceremony June 6 in the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio auditorium. SAUSHEC

  • Trip was gesture of respect to Airmen, Gates says

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates' trip to Langley Air Force Base, Va., Peterson AFB, Colo., and Scott AFB, Ill., was a gesture of respect and confidence in Airmen following a rough week for the Air Force. On June 5, Secretary Gates asked for and received the resignations of Air Force Secretary

  • Medical team returns from Honduras mission

    A team of pediatricians, nutritionists and linguists from Wilford Hall and Brooke Army medical centers in San Antonio; Portsmouth Naval Medical Center, Va.; and South Dakota State University, S.D, recently returned from a 12-day expedition in Honduras. The San Antonio Military Pediatric Center team

  • SECDEF praises Airmen, discusses leadership changes

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates reassured Airmen of their value and contributions, and presented a way ahead to ease wartime strain during a visit to Air Combat Command here June 9. In describing the Air Force's oft un-acknowledged efforts in the war on terrorism, he said he realized the costs of

  • Pave Low pilot named Kolligian Award recipient

    An Air Force helicopter pilot was named the 2008 recipient of the service's top safety award June 9. Lt. Col. Eugene V. Becker from the 20th Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Fla., was presented the Koren Kolligian Jr. trophy during a ceremony at the Pentagon. Vice Chief of Staff

  • Air Force announces Reserve F-22 squadron at Holloman

    Air Force Reserve Command officials announced June 6 that a second F-22 Raptor fighter squadron will be established at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. Reserve officials will relocate the 301st Fighter Squadron from Luke AFB, Ariz., to Holloman AFB and form a classic association with the active duty's

  • Forum draws senior Air Force leaders

    Air Force senior leaders came together here for a quarterly Process Council meeting to discuss issues facing the service today and in the future. A highlight of the June 2-3 forum was the review of Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century initiatives designed to help provide substantive

  • Airmen help graduate Afghan's newest firefighters

    Eleven members of the Afghan National Army Air Corps recently became the first graduates of the Air Corps Firefighting School May 29 at Kabul. The graduates completed four months of class work, countless hands-on exercises extinguishing various types of fires and practicing lifesaving techniques

  • SECDEF makes Air Force leadership recommendations

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates today recommended to President Bush his nominations for the top civilian and military leadership positions in the Air Force. Secretary Gates recommended Michael Donley to serve as secretary of the Air Force and Gen. Norton Schwartz to serve as chief of staff. Mr.

  • June 7 airpower summary: A-10s hit enemy in Afghanistan

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations June 7, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs fired rockets, cannon rounds

  • Officials bring back missile badges, wings

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley announced the return of the missile badge with operations designator for intercontinental ballistic missile crews June 6. He also announced that the three ICBM wings of Air Force Space Command's 20th Air Force will return to the convention of being

  • Interagency task force targets 'violent actors'

    U.S. Central Command is part of an interagency task force for irregular warfare, a CentCom operations section initiative that recently stood up to track and target "violent and extreme actors" in the command's area of operations, said the general who is spearheading the effort. "Regionally, we look

  • June 5 airpower summary: A-10s strike enemy locations

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations June 5, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, a Royal Air Force GR-9 Harrier dropped Enhanced Paveway II

  • Top two Air Force leaders resign

    The Air Force's top civilian and uniformed leader tendered their resignations to Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates June 5. "Recent events convince me that it is now time for a new leader to take the stick and for me to move on," said Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne in a statement.

  • Resignation statement from the secretary of the Air Force

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne issued the following statement today:Since November 3, 2005, it has been my privilege to serve this country as the 21st secretary of the Air Force. I have relished the opportunity President Bush gave me to lead the strongest Air Force in the world during a

  • 'Iron Man's' wingman, Terrence Howard, talks Air Force

    Air Force and Department of Defense officials agreed to highlight Air Force capabilities and Airmen to a worldwide audience in the summer blockbuster "Iron Man," primarily because the story included character Lt. Col. James Rhodes, played by Oscar-nominated actor Terrence Howard. "The character of

  • Enlisted members give highest honor to AETC commander

    The commander of Air Education and Training Command received the highest honor the Air Force enlisted corps can bestow at a formal ceremony May 30 in San Antonio. Gen. William R. Looney III was formally presented the Order of the Sword on behalf of the men and women of AETC by the Air Force's top

  • Captain leads Airmen up highest peak in North America

    When HH-60G Pave Hawk pilot Capt. Mark Uberuaga hits the fitness center's treadmill, he wears five-pound weights around his ankles and a 50-pound expedition pack on his back. His training is intense, but so is the task that lies ahead of him, to complete the  "Seven Summits Challenge," which is

  • June 2 airpower summary: A-10 hits target

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations June 2, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles and Air Force A-10

  • Vice chief visits wounded warriors in Iraq

    The Air Force vice chief of staff traveled to the Air Force Theater Hospital at Balad Air Base May 29 to visit wounded warriors and accompany them on a flight back to Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Representing Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne and Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. T.

  • Bolling, Reserve officials honor famous actor, Airman

    Actor James M. Stewart was a Hollywood legend who flew bomber missions with the Army Air Forces during World War II and rose to the rank of brigadier general in the Air Force Reserve. Officials from the 11th Wing from Bolling Air Force Base and Air Force Reserve Command members participated in a

  • Two Army parachutists injured during air expo

    During the McGuire Air Force Base 2008 Air Expo, two parachutists with Fastrax, the 40-member U.S. Army Airborne parachute team, were injured upon landing on the drop zone. McGuire emergency medical teams responded quickly to provide treatment to the two jumpers. Both Soldiers were conscious after

  • Defense Nuclear Surety Inspection conducted at Minot

    A Defense Nuclear Surety Inspection was conducted at the 5th Bomb Wing, Minot Air Force Base, N.D., from May 16 to 26. Inspectors from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, the Department of Defense Inspector General, Air Force IG, Air Combat Command IG and Air Force Space Command IG evaluated the

  • AFRC commander presents goods to Afghan girl, village

    Representing a group of Americans who want to assist in the reconstruction and development of Afghanistan, the commander of the Air Force Reserve Command presented several boxes of donated items to a 10-year-old Afghan girl and her village here May 30. Lt. Gen. John Bradley, on behalf of his wife

  • Medical team inspects remote health clinic

    Appearances can be deceiving. The Jegdalak Medical Health Center, standing alone atop a rock-strewn hill overlooking Jegdalak, looks nothing like a medical facility. The clinic, however, serves a remote region of more than 30,000 Afghans. Located approximately 100 miles east of Kabul, Afghanistan,

  • Air Force Week Philadelphia culminates with McGuire air expo

    Officials opened the gates here for an air expo to highlight the men, women and equipment of the Air Force May 31 and June 1 to culminate Air Force Week in Philadelphia. The weather hampered aerial demonstrations May 31, but base and New Jersey officials still held a wreath-laying ceremony to open

  • Doolittle Raiders return to Eglin

    Hundreds of people and seven Doolittle Raiders assembled to witness three B-25 Mitchell bombers perform a reenactment of the war heroes' historic training mission at Duke Field here, May 31.The reenactment was one of the last events of the Doolittle Raiders Homecoming celebration held May 28-31.

  • Cambodian cattle moo for Pacific Angel staff

    If asked, most people would guess that a humanitarian medical mission run by the U.S. Air Force is to give aid and assistance to people from third-world countries, or provide humanitarian relief to a place that has been hit by natural disaster or devastation. But one team on Operation Pacific Angel

  • Officials explain humanitarian operations during Air Force Week

    Senior mobility and medical Air Force officials met with the mayor of Philadelphia and other community leaders to explain how Airmen provide hope around the world through humanitarian operations May 29 at the National Liberty Museum here. Lt. Gen. Christopher A. Kelly, vice commander of Air Mobility

  • AMC stands up first overseas wing

    Air Mobility Command officials will stand up a new wing June 5 as part of its en route structure in the Pacific. The 515th Air Mobility Operations Wing at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, will be the first wing AMC officials have established overseas since the command's formation in 1992. Supporting

  • May 29 airpower summary: C-130s transport troops

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations May 29, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles conducted shows of force in

  • 2-time Oscar winner presents film at Air Force Week

    Military medicine and wounded warriors took center stage in the "Fighting for Life" documentary produced by Terry Sanders shown during Air Force Week in Philadelphia May 28 at the Levitt Auditorium of the University of the Arts here. Directed by two-time Academy Award winner Terry Sanders and

  • Visionary doctor helps hundreds of Iraqis

    A single doctor, a retired Air Force colonel, arrived here without much fanfare May 18 and left four days later. He left in his wake improved sight for many Iraqis and priceless training for Nasiriyah General Hospital physicians in Nasiriyah, Iraq. He traveled with a few bags and a 50-pound box

  • Vice chief, legendary pilot commemorate 60th anniversary of Berlin Airlift

    Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Duncan J. McNabb and legendary airlift pilot retired Col. Gail Halvorsen participated in a commemorative panel discussion of the Berlin Airlift May 27 in Berlin. The Air Force Association sponsored the panel to highlight the historic importance of the mission and

  • General addresses transportation needs during Air Force Week-Philadelphia

    The leader of U.S. Transportation Command addressed community leaders and hundreds of Airmen about the outlook of American military transportation May 27 at the University of Pennsylvania's Annenberg Center here. Gen. Norton A. Schwartz, USTRANSCOM commander at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., spoke at

  • Airmen trace roots of independence during Air Force Week in Philadelphia

    Airpower roared over the birthplace of American independence as Airmen on the ground and in the air showed local citizens what the Air Force is all about May 27 during festivities supporting Air Force Week in Philadelphia. Throughout the Independence National Historical Park here, Airmen talked with

  • Air Force, Army improve joint training

    Officials at the Army's National Training Center at Ft. Irwin, Calif., and the Air Force's Green Flag West at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., have been working hard to integrate service-level exercises to help improve joint training for units preparing to deploy to Iraq or Afghanistan. "We are the

  • Chief McKinley awards rank of honorary chief

    An "Airman among Airmen" was awarded the honorary rank and title of a chief master sergeant in the Air Force during a ceremony here May 23. Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley, joined by more than 450 senior enlisted leaders attending the Airmen's Heritage Banquet during the 2008

  • Phillies recognize Air Force heroes, newest Airmen

    Take me out to the ball game. Take me out to experience the Air Force. The Philadelphia Phillies saluted the Air Force with festivities both on the field and around the ballpark as part of Air Force Week in Philadelphia ceremonies on Memorial Day here as the Phillies dismantled the Colorado Rockies

  • Air Force Week in Philadelphia kicks off with parade

    Airmen paraded down the streets of Bridesburg adorned with red, white and blue flags and banners May 26 to kick off not only Air Force Week in Philadelphia but also the city's annual Memorial Day parade Gen. Arthur J. Lichte, the commander of Air Mobility Command, led a contingent of Airmen and

  • Deployed servicemembers honor fallen heroes

    One word was spoken, reflected upon, honored and emulated May 26: devotion. The servicemembers of the Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan gathered outdoors this morning to honor their fallen brothers and sisters who gave their lives in devotion to their country this Memorial Day.

  • CSAF honors World War I aviators

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley, along with several hundred American and French citizens, paid homage to a special group of World War I aviators May 24 at the Lafayette Escadrille memorial ceremony that took place outside of Paris. The Airmen of the Lafayette Escadrille were the

  • 455th AEW holds memorial vigil

    Airmen of the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing recognized two of its fallen comrades and honored many others who have given their lives, during a wreath-laying and silent vigil ceremony at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, May 26. "As Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines, we go forward, risk our lives,

  • 30 servicemembers become citizens

    Thirty military members from 14 countries took the oath of citizenship and officially became U.S. citizens in a ceremony at the Pritzker Military Library in Chicago May 23.  Brig. Gen. Darren McDew, director of public affairs, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, was the keynote speaker at the

  • CSAF addresses Air Force top enlisted leaders

    "We have to adapt to today's fight, but prepare for the fight of tomorrow," the Air Force chief of staff told more than 300 of the Air Force's top enlisted Airmen during the 2008 Senior Enlisted Leader Summit at Maxwell Air Force Base's Gunter Annex May 21. Gen. T. Michael Moseley spoke with chief

  • San Antonio area Air Force, Army medical centers to merge

    Medical care for military families in the San Antonio area is changing. Not in what it offers, but where, officals said. Wilford Hall and Brooke Army Medical Centers are set to merge by 2011 as part of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission recommendations. Combined, the two medical

  • Airmen honor fallen veterans in Paris

    Inside eight lanes of swarming traffic on western end of the Champs-Elysees, hundreds of tourists and local Parisians silently watched Gen. Roger Brady, the U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander, join French and American hosts in laying a wreath of flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Framing

  • Chairman of Joint Chiefs sends Memorial Day message

    "Let no ravages of time testify to the present or the coming generations that we, as a people, have forgotten the cost of a free and undivided republic." With that solemn promise, Army General John Logan signed the order in 1868 that established Memorial Day. We have honored his promise faithfully

  • Secretary encourages Airmen to be 'agents of change'

    Airmen must be capable of explaining what the total Air Force is doing and where it is going, said Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne during an Air Staff Call May 22 at the Pentagon. The Air Staff Call targeted action officer, senior noncommissioned officer and mid-grade civilian levels of

  • Air Force leaders send Memorial Day message

    In a joint Letter to Airmen, the Air Force secretary and chief of staff send their Memorial Day message to Airmen and their families worldwide. Air Force Secretary Michael W. Wynne and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley remind Airmen that May 26 is a day that Americans remember and pay

  • Military better prepared than ever for disaster relief

    The Defense Department and U.S. military are better prepared than ever to aid disaster-relief efforts, and have improved measures for tracking military families affected by catastrophe, a top Pentagon official here said May 21. Among other services, department entities are poised to assist with

  • Chief authorizations through 2011 to be downgraded

    A board recently completed a chief master sergeant grade review that will downgrade the number of authorizations in which the top one percent of the enlisted force will serve. Based on budgetary restraints over the next three years, chief master sergeant manning authorizations at most major commands

  • VA secretary focuses on continuum of care

    Five months after taking the helm of the nation's second-largest cabinet department, the secretary of veterans affairs laid out his priorities and talked of transitioning the organization to meet the needs of veterans today as well as those of the next generation. Veterans Affairs Secretary Dr.

  • Leaders stress summer safety

    In a joint Letter to Airmen, the Air Force secretary and chief of staff emphasize the importance of safety during the days between Memorial Day to Labor Day, the 101 Critical Days of Summer. Air Force Secretary Michael W. Wynne and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley want Airmen to be

  • Wing maintenance, logistics to merge with operations

    On May 12, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley signed the Global Wing Structure Program Action Directive 08-01. PAD 08-01 directs the realignment of fighter, rescue and bomber aircraft maintenance units under flying squadrons. The Air Force will implement these changes between July 1

  • Malmstrom recognized with Canada's top military honor

    Canadian Forces and the Malmstrom Air Force Base members gathered here May 17 to recognize the actions of the base community in the wake of a fatal aircraft accident during an open house practice May 18, 2007. Canadian Forces Capt. Shawn McCaughey, a Snowbirds aerial demonstration team pilot, was

  • Top leaders unite for senior enlisted summit

    More than 350 of the Air Force's top enlisted leaders converged on Maxwell Air Force Base's Gunter Annex to participate in the 2008 Senior Enlisted Leader Summit May 18 to 23. Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley, along with hundreds of Air Force command chief master sergeants,

  • Promotion, developmental education releases combined

    Air Force officials here recently announced they will begin combining the public releases for officer promotions and developmental education announcements as part of an ongoing effort to streamline personnel processes. The new initiative will start later this year with the September 2008B lieutenant

  • Officials plan events for Air Force Week in Philadelphia

    Air Force officials will spread "brotherly love" as airpower will be displayed for Air Force Week in Philadelphia May 26 through June 2. Activities in the Philadelphia metro region will begin on Memorial Day and culminate with an Air Exposition featuring the Air Force Demonstrations Squadron, the

  • USAFE officials continue to build partnerships

    U.S. Air Forces in Europe officials joined representatives from seven countries in Bucharest, Romania, May 5 to 9 to participate in a Building Partnership Seminar.  The seminar was part of the Unified Engagement series, a transformation wargame designed to explore future joint warfighting concepts

  • Joint force employees share process improvement ideas

    More than 1,000 military and civilian defense department employees came together May 13 to 17 to compare process improvement notes during a four-day conference in Lansdowne, Va.During the 2008 Department of Defense Continuous Process Improvement Symposium, Airmen from around the world shared input

  • May 16 airpower summary: A-10s strike enemy

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations May 16, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, a Royal Air Force GR-9 Harrier dropped Enhanced Paveway II

  • AMC Airmen posturing to support China, Burma humanitarian relief

    Mobility Airmen are posturing for possible relief efforts for victims of China's earthquake, planners from the 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center here said May 16. While the 618th TACC has no defined requirements to provide military airlift assistance, at least one AMC aircrew is on alert to fly an

  • AFMC surgeon general: joint medical teams saving lives

    The Air Force offers one of the best medical services in the world, Brig. Gen. (Dr.) Richard A. Hersack said May 15 during his visit here. General Hersack, who became the Air Force Materiel Command surgeon general last fall, said he couldn't be more proud of the medical workers in the command and

  • Multinational exercise in Croatia wraps up

    Croatia hosted the closing ceremony for the 2008 Medical Training Exercise in Central and Eastern Europe, or MEDCEUR, here May 14. MEDCEUR is a Joint Chiefs of Staff regional, multilateral exercise sponsored by U.S. European Command. The exercise provides an opportunity for medical people to share

  • General discusses Burma relief posture, mobility issues

    "Every time a C-17 (Globemaster III) from McChord, or any of our other bases, lands anywhere around the world, it's a symbol of hope," said Gen. Arthur Lichte, commander of Air Mobility Command, during his visit here. "It may be in the middle of an earthquake, it may be in the middle of a tsunami,

  • Iraqi air force supports Mosul, other operations

    Members of the Iraqi air force integrated and synchronized with Iraqi special forces in an effort to dissolve the al-Qaida in Iraq influence since early May in Mosul, Iraq. In less than two weeks, the Iraqi air force members have moved more than 3 tons of cargo and 251 passengers into Mosul using

  • Officials to explore cyberspace mission at symposium

    Air Force officials invite military and civilian defense personnel, industry and business leaders, academics and others interested in the Air Force's cyberspace mission to attend its upcoming symposium to analyze and discuss the service's role in cyberspace. Aimed at engaging military, industry and

  • SECAF discusses 'culture shift' toward continuous process improvement

    Speaking to more than 500 military members and civilians representing all services, as well as interagency and international partners, during the Department of Defense Continuous Process Improvement Symposium May 13, Secretary of the Air Force Michael Wynne emphasized Department of Defense officials

  • Area Processing Center consolidates mail, file sharing

    A new Area Processing Center that enables the Air Force to consolidate e-mail, Web, file-sharing and other information services for more than 160,000 active-duty Air Force, contractors, civilians and Air National Guardsmen into one location opened May 1 at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. This is a

  • Bootcamp gives veterans an entrepreneurial edge

    Starting your own business can be a daunting venture even under the best of circumstances. But add to that the challenges of being a service-disabled veteran, and the experience can be overwhelming. That scenario troubled Mike Haynie, a former Air Force major. A few months after beginning his new

  • Judge advocate general announces award winners

    Maj. Gen. Jack L. Rives, the Air Force judge advocate general, has announced the 2007 Judge Advocate General Award winners. The award recipients will be formally recognized at an awards banquet during KEYSTONE 2008, the JAG Corps' leadership summit, to be held the first week of November in

  • NORAD, USNORTHCOM open integrated command center

    North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command unveiled their new integrated command center in a ceremony May 13 attended by dignitaries from both Canada and the U.S. The command center opening coincided with NORAD's 50-year anniversary of the partnership between Canada and the

  • May 12 airpower summary: C-130s continue support

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations May 12, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs fired cannon rounds and

  • Camp Eggers staff visit Afghan girls' school

    Nearly 70 members of Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan delivered backpacks, toys and school supplies to the Zabuli Education Center for Girls and Women May 8 outside of Kabul. American servicemembers from Camp Eggers visited the school as part of the volunteer community relations

  • May 11 airpower summary: C-130s provide heavy airlift

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations May 11, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped a guided bomb

  • Guardian Challenge competition kicks off with spirit

    Guardian Challenge, the only space warfighter competition in the Air Force, is 17 years old and going strong. The competition pits the best-of-the-best space warfighters against each other, determining the top space wing teams in the Air Force. About 500 participants, supporters and local

  • AF Marathon officials spread word about upcoming event

    Officials from the U.S. Air Force Marathon office made a stop at the Pentagon May 6 and 7 to increase awareness for the Sept. 20 event held at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. This is the twelfth year for the annual marathon, and officials hope to make it the biggest year yet. "Our

  • Generals address Minot Airmen

    Two Air Force generals spoke to more than 1,000 5th Bomb Wing Airman May 2 here to remind them of their mission's importance to the nation and to motivate them for an upcoming Defense Nuclear Surety Inspection. Gen. Kevin P. Chilton, the commander of U.S. Strategic Command, and Gen. John D.W.

  • Servicemembers support El Salvador disaster relief exercise

    A forward-deployed team of more than 20 Joint Task Force-Bravo Airmen and Soldiers set up shop here May 4 to support a regional disaster relief exercise involving military and civilian agencies from throughout the Western Hemisphere. Designated Fuerzas Aliadas Humanitarias 2008, the U.S. Southern

  • Airmen fight to reduce flight delays for troops coming home

    Airmen of the 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center here recently have eliminated most flight delays resulting from the loss of commercially contracted airlift support to Air Mobility Command from ATA Airlines Inc., a member of a Federal Express team. "18th Air Force and AMC have pulled out all the

  • May 7 airpower summary: A-10s conduct show of force

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations May 7, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs dropped a guided bomb unit-12,

  • New Joint Staff team evaluates wounded warrior programs

    A joint team formed by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is looking at the broad range of care and support services for wounded warriors to find any gaps and tap into best practices to share across the force. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen stood up the Joint Staff Wounded Warrior Integration Team in

  • Air Force's only UAV wing marks one year in the fight

    Lt. Gen. Norman Seip, the 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) commander, congratulated Airmen at Creech Air Force Base May 6 as the 432nd Wing marked its first year as the Air Force's only MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle wing. "The 432nd Wing has grown exponentially over the

  • JTF-Bravo troops presented Honduran medals of merit

    Three Joint Task Force-Bravo personnel received the Honduran Medal of Merit May 5 for the work they've done in partnership with Honduras during the past year. The Honduran chief of defense, Gen. de Division Romeo Orlando Vasquez Velasquez, presented Army Lt. Col. Gregory Jicha, Army Forces

  • Accident investigation board convenes for fatal T-38 crash

    General William R. Looney III, commander of Air Education and Training Command, has convened an accident investigation board to investigate the T-38C Talon crash that killed two Airmen at Sheppard Air Force Base May 1. Col. Richard Haddad of 23rd Air Force, Hurlburt Field, Fla., will chair the

  • Air Force participates in pro cycling event

    The U.S. Air Force Cycling Classic sped off to a start with more than 300 amateur and professional cyclists against a backdrop of the Air Force Memorial and the Washington Monument May 4 here. This was the second year the Air Force hosted the event, formerly the Crystal City Classic, as part of

  • Air University transformation unifies all officer PME

    After several months of reformation planning, Air University Commander Lt. Gen. Stephen R. Lorenz activated the Spaatz Center for Officer Education April 29. The Spaatz Center is now the umbrella organization unifying the continuum of all Air Force officer professional military education, from the

  • Afghan air corps soars again

    Graduates completed the first orientation course for the Afghan National army air corps April 30  at the Kabul Air Corps Training Center here. The four-week inaugural course laid the foundation for the air corps soldiers as they began their careers in the ANAAC. "This is an exciting new age," said

  • First Virtual Uniform Board attracts Airmen response

    The first Air Force Virtual Uniform Board received about 800 uniform change requests via the IDEA Program Database System since its release in March. Airmen were able to submit uniform change requests via the IPDS between March 5 and April 14. The Uniform Enterprise Working Group -- acting as

  • Air Force pilot breaks own world aviation record

    An Air Force Reserve pilot deployed here broke his own world record for hours spent flying the F-16 Fighting Falcon when he surpassed the 6,000-hour milestone May 2. Lt. Col. Michael Brill, a pilot assigned to the 421st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, has been breaking world aviation records since

  • 19th Air Force orders safety stand-down day May 5

    The 19th Air Force commander has ordered a one day safety stand-down May 5 of all aircraft operations in his command. Maj. Gen. Irving L. Halter Jr., ordered the stand-down as an opportunity for all those associated with flying in the command to re-emphasize and re-focus on the importance of flying

  • May 1 airpower summary: F-16s destroy ground threats

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations May 1, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, a Royal Air Force GR-9 Harrier fired rockets and dropped

  • Security clearance question on mental health changed

    Defense Department officials will change a question on the department's long-standing security clearance form referencing an applicant's mental health history because they believe it is needlessly preventing some people from seeking counseling. The Standard Form 86, Questionnaire for National

  • Air Force officials suspend training flights of T-38C aircraft

    Air Education and Training Command officials suspended flights of T-38C Talon aircraft May 1 following a fatal crash at Sheppard AFB, Texas. The crash was the second in two weeks involving a T-38, following an April 23 accident in which two pilots were killed when their T-38 crashed at Columbus AFB,