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  • Air Force presents top civic award to Indianapolis Colts

    The Indianapolis Colts earned the National Football League's Lombardi Trophy as the Super Bowl XLI champions last February in Miami. Now the team can add a prestigious Air Force award to its ever-expanding trophy case. Gen. William R. Looney III, commander of Air Education and Training Command,

  • Air Guard officials break ground for new readiness center

    Officials broke ground on a $52 million Air National Guard Readiness Center expansion here Nov. 19. When completed, the four-story complex will unite the existing ANGRC here with its Air Guard offices in Arlington, Va. Lt. Gen. Craig R. McKinley, Air National Guard director, said the expansion on

  • Logistics innovations impact warfighters

    The commander of Air Mobility Command thanked members of his organization in attendance Nov. 14 here at the national conference of the Logistics Officer Association, noting their initiatives are resulting in needed fuel and equipment being delivered to warfighters faster and more efficiently. "In

  • Americans text 'Thanks' to troops

    For those seeking a quick way to show appreciation for troops' serving far from home this holiday season, look no further than "Giving Thanks," a new initiative from the Defense Department's America Supports You program. America Supports You connects citizens and corporations with military personnel

  • Basketball: Surge lifts Air Force to 65-56 win over Denver

    A late rally propelled Air Force (1-2) to a 65-56 win over Denver University (0-2) in women's basketball action Nov. 16 at Clune Arena. Trailing by two, the Falcons closed out the final six minutes of the game with a 24-13 run to earn its first win of the season.The win snapped a seven-game losing

  • New IO course expands technology knowledge

    Recent studies indicate more than one billion people worldwide digest information through the Internet alone. The Air Force Doctrine Development and Education Center brought together 12 flag officers from across the defense department and governmental agencies Nov. 6 through 9 to learn how to

  • Gen. Hobbins honored with Order of the Sword

    With all the pomp and circumstance the U.S. Air Forces in Europe enlisted corps could muster, some 800 guests witnessed the induction of Gen. William T. Hobbins, USAFE commander, into the Order of the Sword here tonight. The Order of the Sword is the highest honor enlisted Airmen can bestow on an

  • EagleCash lands at Ali Base

    An Air Force EagleCash Card program team has been flying throughout the area of responsibility for the past six months implementing a time- and money-saving technology in southern Iraq. The three-person team, which included a member of the U.S. Department of the Treasury and two members from U.S.

  • Wingmen save fellow Airman's life at Kunsan

    When Pacific Air Forces officials sent out guidance for all the Pacific bases to have a Wingman Day, no one could have thought that during the day three wingmen would come to the aid of another Airman saving his life. At approximately 8:40 a.m. Nov. 13, as Kunsan Air Base members were gathering in

  • AFOSI commander: 'Can do' attitude makes agents stand out

    Constantly on the hunt, Air Force Office of Special Investigations agents listen carefully and watch for clues, gathering information that will help them zero in on the insurgents they seek. They're after the improvised explosive device directors, makers and planters, and cell leaders who are

  • Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment 2008 underway

    After many months of planning and preparation, the first quarter event for Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment 2008 kicked off Nov. 5 and will run through Nov 16. As the lead agency for JEFX, the Air Force Global Cyberspace Integration Center, or AF GCIC, will conduct the experiment with

  • Officials begin to clear F-15Es to full-mission status

    Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft are now undergoing a safety inspection that will return them to flying status according to an order issued Nov. 11 by Gen. John Corley, the commander of Air Combat Command. Each of the 224 E-model aircraft require the completion of a 13-hour time-compliance

  • AFRICOM helps partners confront stability challenges

    The U.S. military's unified command responsible for operations across Africa will help nations there confront poverty, disease, terrorism and other challenges that affect regional security and stability, U.S. officials said here Nov. 14.However, U.S. Africa Command-sponsored initiatives will

  • Personnel center to deployers: Don't leave without guide

    Most Air Force members being deployed to a foreign country have little knowledge of the culture they'll work in for the next four to 12 months. They don't know a Hijab from an Abaya or a Dishdasha from a Gutra. How many times a day can you say hello to someone in Kyrgystan? Why can't you eat with

  • Fallen Airmen, Soldiers honored at Aviano

    Aviano Air Base officials held a memorial service Nov. 15 to honor the lives of four Airmen and two Soldiers who were killed when an Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter attached to the 1st Battalion, 214th Aviation Regiment here crashed Nov. 8. Friends and family members gathered to pay their respects

  • AF top JAG: 'Rule of law' critical for success in Iraq

    A fair justice system, which holds people accountable for their actions, is vital in stopping the violence in Iraq, said the Air Force's top judge advocate general recently during a tour of Southwest Asia. Maj. Gen. Jack L. Rives visited the men and women of the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing during a

  • New initiative offers education, training funds for military spouses

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates joined Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao Nov. 14 in supporting a new initiative to help military spouses get the education and other credentials needed to pursue careers in high-demand, high-growth occupations.Secretary Gates praised the new Military Spouse Career

  • Book offers lessons on fighting terrorism with airpower

    Airpower is a valuable weapon in the fight against terrorism but only if it is applied with discrimination and care, according to a new study of the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah War published by Air University officials. Widespread criticism of Israel for relying on its air force to attack Hezbollah

  • Tricare to make access to dental care easier overseas

    Presently, host nation dentists often require military families to make full payment up front, and then wait for reimbursement from United Concordia, the administrator of the Tricare Dental Program. Now, Tricare has modified their dental contract in an effort to eliminate the problem by seeking out

  • Aviation pioneers attend Heritage to Horizons ceremony

    Five members of the Women Airforce Service Pilots who served during World War II attended the Heritage to Horizons proclamation ceremony for Air Force Week Nevada during a city council meeting Nov. 7 at the Las Vegas City Hall. The ceremony was part of a weeklong Air Force's 60th Anniversary

  • Postured to help: 3rd Air Force ready

    Third Air Force officials have developed a new, quick-response humanitarian assistance capability to support the European theater, and Nov. 5, they launched a 36-hour Humanitarian Relief Operation 9-1-1 exercise to test it. The exercise scenario challenged the ability of Airmen at Ramstein to

  • DOD continues efforts to enroll marrow donors

    Every 15 minutes someone in the United States is diagnosed with a medical condition that requires treatment with bone marrow or a blood stem cell transplant. Every day more than 6,000 men, women and children around the world search the National Donor Program Registry for a life-saving donor.

  • Air Force officials identify victims in helicopter crash

    Four Airmen were killed and three were injured when a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter attached to the 1st Battalion, 214th Aviation Regiment, crashed at approximately noon Nov. 8, 22 miles southwest of Aviano, Italy. Staff Sgt. Robert D. Rogers, Staff Sgt. Mark A. Spence and Senior Airman

  • Reaper drops first precision-guided bomb, protects forces

    The MQ-9A Reaper demonstrated it's unique precision strike capability as a hunter-killer attack platform by dropping its first precision-guided bomb Nov. 7. "The beauty of the MQ-9 Reaper is that we're able to synchronize and integrate unmanned aerial attack platforms over the skies of Afghanistan,

  • 3rd Air Force commander, 24 Airmen visit Normandy

    Airmen from 3rd Air Force here relived history by retracing the footsteps of American Soldiers in Normandy who orchestrated one of the most epic battles in U.S. history -- the D-Day invasion. Lt. Gen. Robert D. Bishop Jr., the 3rd Air Force commander, and 24 Airmen from 3rd Air Force walked the

  • 2nd 'Portraits in Courage' features warrior Airmen

    Over trouble spots or on the ground, today's Airmen demonstrate their mettle in the face of danger -- that's the underlying message of the 2nd edition of the chief of staff's Portraits in Courage Gen. T. Michael Moseley said that the 13 Airmen chosen for this edition represent a small sampling of

  • Mission continues during grounding of F-15s

    Lt. Gen. Gary L. North, U.S. Central Command's Combined Forces Air Component commander is maintaining assigned F-15E Strike Eagles on ground alert and will accomplish all assigned missions with a variety of fighter, attack and bomber aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles, under his command and

  • Reserve refuelers train with Egyptian fliers

    March reservists are conducting two weeks of air-refueling missions here with fighter pilots from the Egyptian air force. "I think this is a great opportunity for the entire U.S. Air Force," said Lt. Col. Al Oliver, the mission director and a tanker refueling scheduler with 4th Air Force at

  • AETC wins inaugural marathon major command trophy

    Air Education and Training Command, headquartered at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, is the Air Force's first recipient of the USAF Marathon MAJCOM Challenge Commander's Trophy. The announcement was made Nov. 2 at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., by Gen. Bruce Carlson,

  • Air Force officials to hold enhanced use lease industry forum

    At an industry forum to be held Nov. 8 in Dallas, Air Force officials will meet with representatives from private industry to publicize and solicit feedback on the service's enhanced use lease program. The Air Force Enhanced Use Lease Program Industry Forum will address the service's program that

  • Fallen OSI agents honored

    A memorial service was held here Nov. 4 to honor the lives of three Air Force Office of Special Investigations agents who paid the ultimate sacrifice in defense of freedom. Airmen and Soldiers gathered to pay their respects and celebrate the lives of Master Sgt. Thomas A. Crowell, 36, of Neosho,

  • Nov. 2 airpower summary: Strike Eagles support combat operations

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 2, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle performed a show of force

  • AF leaders meet at CORONA Fall

    Air Force senior leaders have just concluded the two-day CORONA Fall conference at the United States Air Force Academy. The goal of this CORONA summit was to ensure planning for tomorrow is not compromised by concentrating on today's fight. "Our current mission focus is waging and winning the long

  • Airmen, Soldiers help establish military academy

    Nearly, 2,000 young hopefuls descended upon the Afghan National Military Academy recently, all vying for the chance to be accepted into the academy and possibly study in the United States and Great Britain. A group of U.S. Airmen and Soldiers are currently working at the academy helping process the

  • Air Force falls to Brock University, 66-63, in exhibition men's basketball

    Rohan Steed's three-pointer with one-tenth of a second remaining lifted the Brock University (Canada) men's basketball team to a 66-63 victory over Air Force in an exhibition game at the academy's Clune Arena Oct. 31. Steed took a pass from Brad Rootes in the left corner after Rootes drove the lane

  • Officials select civilians for strategic leader program

    Air Force officials have selected 84 civilians for the Civilian Strategic Leader Program, formerly known as the GS-15 Leadership Development Program. "The CSLP is designed to help institutionalize the total force development," said Lt. Gen. Roger Brady, chief of manpower and personnel for the Air

  • Enola Gay pilot, General Tibbets passes away

    Retired Brig. Gen. Paul W. Tibbets Jr., the pilot of the first atomic bombing mission, died of natural causes Nov. 1 at the age of 92 in Columbus, Ohio.The general was the pilot of "the Enola Gay," the B-29 Superfortress which dropped the first atomic bomb, "Little Boy" on Hiroshima, Japan, on

  • Flight attendants provide world-class service

    Presidents, generals and prime ministers count on the support from Airmen of the 89th Airlift Wing here who provide safe, comfortable and reliable transportation while keeping world leaders connected and protected on special air missions around the globe. Tech. Sgt. Pete Kana of the 1st Airlift

  • 3rd Wing activates second F-22 squadron

    The 3rd Wing at Elmendorf Air Force Base activated the 525th Fighter Squadron during a ceremony at the base Oct. 29. The second active-duty F-22 Raptor squadron took its place in wing history nearly three months after the aircraft officially landed on base. Lt. Col. Chuck Corcoran assumed command of

  • CSAF presents Bronze Star to Royal Air Force exchange officer

    The United States Air Force and the Royal Air Force have worked together frequently during the last ninety years. The 18th Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley reinforced the close bond between USAF and RAF Airmen when he presented the Bronze Star Medal to RAF Wing Commander Red Thompson

  • Mobility commander highlights AMC wartime successes, challenges

    Air Mobility Command's Gen. Arthur Lichte underscored the command's wartime challenges, as he praised the accomplishments of mobility warriors, during the Airlift Tanker Association's 39th annual convention in Nashville, Tenn., Oct 25 to 28. General Lichte emphasized how the command's warfighting

  • Air Force women's symposium kicks off

    The Air Force Women's Heritage to Horizons Training Symposium kicked off here Oct. 31with about 600 Airmen from around the globe in attendance. For the next three days, attendees will sit in on various forums and discussions, ranging in topics from professional development to women in combat. Guest

  • Tactical airlift initiatives further Air Force's total force integration

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley announced four proposed initiatives Oct. 31 concerning C-130 Hercules tactical airlift, each of which furthers the service's vision for a seamless total force. The initiatives, which would impact communities in Tennessee, New York, Georgia and

  • Children of fallen troops honored at remembrance ceremonies

    Ten children of servicemembers killed during the war on terrorism were honored for their sacrifices on behalf of the nation at ceremonies here and in Iraq Oct. 29. At the Russell Senate Office Building last evening, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Navy Adm. Michael G. Mullen and Army Chief of

  • A-10 pilot awarded Mackay Trophy

    Capt. Scott Markle received the Clarence Mackay Trophy during a ceremony here Oct. 29 for his actions while deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom last year. Captain Markle, an A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot from the 81st Fighter Squadron, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, directly engaged a

  • Academy officials name 2007 Distinguished Graduates

    A four-time NBA championship winning coach and a former president of National Defense University were named the recipients of the Academy's 2007 Distinguished Graduate Award. The U.S. Air Force Academy and the Academy's Association of Graduates announced Oct. 30 that Gregg Popovich and retired Lt.

  • AF anniversary concert airs nationwide Nov. 2

    The mission of the U.S. Air Force Band often places its Airmen in the spotlight of large audiences. Starting in November, the band's concert in honor of the Air Force's 60th anniversary will play on public television from coast to coast. The band recently performed the concert at the The Music

  • Father pins Distinguished Flying Cross on son

    A pilot from the 510th Fighter Squadron was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross here Oct. 29 for his aerial combat support of friendly forces in the vicinity of An Najaf, Iraq, while supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. After returning from a local training mission over the Dolomite Mountains,

  • Industry, academic leaders pool brainpower to address IED threat

    The head of the Defense Department's counter-improvised explosive device effort challenged some of the best minds in industry, academia, the national laboratories and the military to come up with better ways to thwart these deadly weapons. Retired Army Gen. Montgomery C. Meigs, director of the Joint

  • Global Hawk, U-2 capture essential wildfires images

    Throughout the week Air Forces Northern tasked specialized aircraft to provide firefighting commanders and civil authorities with photos and video of Southern California wildfires. Among the aircraft were the RQ-4 Global Hawk Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and U-2 Dragon Lady from Beale Air Force Base,

  • AFMC helps return damaged B-1B to friendly environment

    When a $283-million aircraft that's a segment of America's long-range bomber force loses one of its four engines - over the skies of Afghanistan - Airmen kick their fix-it instincts into high gear. Thanks to a unified effort led by Air Force Materiel Command, a maintenance team repaired a damaged

  • Officials offer programs for domestic violence awareness

    While stress is not the sole cause, it can be a major contributor to domestic violence among Air Force members and their families, according to Air Force family advocacy experts. In 2006, there were 3,914 reports of domestic abuse involving Airmen as either the victim or offender. Of those, 50

  • Commander foresees Air Force mastery of cyberspace

    Information technology is a two-edged sword the Air Force must wield more expertly than the nation's enemies, said the commander of Air Force Materiel Command during an Oct. 25 speech at the InfoTech Conference in Dayton, Ohio. Gen. Bruce Carlson discussed today's fight against terrorism, including

  • Beale Airmen, ISR assets support California wildfires

    Members of the 9th Reconnaissance Wing are currently flying U-2 and Global Hawk surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft and collecting high-altitude imagery of the wildfires in Southern California in support of the U.S. Air Force Northern Command's mission there. A U-2 from Beale Air Force Base

  • Manas medics participate in professional exchange

    The Manas Air Base surgical team visited the Kyrgyz Republic national surgical center to donate training supplies and other usable items and see local doctors perform surgical cases Oct. 24. "We have excess supplies we gave them to use in training and some for their practices," said Maj. Karla

  • Air Force leaders testify on strategic, budget initiatives

    People, equipment and money were the main topics Oct. 24 when the secretary of the Air Force and the chief of staff testified before the House Armed Services Committee. Secretary Michael W. Wynne and Gen. T. Michael Moseley answered questions from the committee about warfighting resources required

  • Altus supports California firefighting

    A C-17 Globemaster III crew from the 97th Air Mobility Wing here mobilized Oct. 24 to airlift firefighting equipment and personnel to California in support of ongoing efforts to control the wildfires there. "We flew to San Antonio to pick up (Army) Maj. Gen. Thomas Matthews, commander of Operations

  • Space Command welcomes new leader

    "Space capabilities have shaped the American way of warfare in the 21st century, just like airpower did in the 20th," said Gen. C. Robert "Bob" Kehler as he assumed command of Air Force Space Command in a ceremony here Oct. 24 presided over by Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Duncan J. McNabb.

  • Air Force leaders discuss priorities at summit

    Air Force leaders met here Oct. 23 to discuss the future beddown of weapons systems over the next several years, outlining a strategy to address the Air Force's most pressing need: recapitalization and modernization of its aging fleet. The discussion focused on maintaining, evolving and expanding

  • Leaders unveil new partnership for acquisition

    Air Force Materiel Command officials here and acquisition professionals at the Pentagon have recently formed a new partnership to overcome weapon-system acquisition challenges, according to senior Air Force leaders.Sue C. Payton, the assistant secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, and Gen.

  • Airmen support space shuttle launch

    Members of the 45th Space Wing here supported NASA's successful launch of Space Shuttle Discovery Oct. 23 from Space Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center on the 23rd mission to the International Space Station. The wing's support included providing weather forecasts, helping organize and train

  • Medics provide care in Honduran villages

    Airmen and Soldiers from the Joint Task Force-Bravo Medical Element provided care for residents of seven Honduran villages Oct. 19 and 20, with aid ranging from preventative medicine to dental procedures. Overall, this medical readiness training mission, or MEDRETE, educated 785 Hondurans on

  • Air Force assists in Darfur troop movement

    Airmen from the 786th Air Expeditionary Squadron, along with two C-17 Globemaster IIIs and aircrews from Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., provided airlift for 400 Rwandan soldiers Oct. 20 who are supporting the African Union peacekeeping mission in the Darfur region of Sudan. This is the seventh

  • Air Force releases B-52 munitions transfer investigation results

    A senior Air Force official released results of the command-directed investigation stemming from a weapons transfer incident that occurred Aug. 30 when cruise missiles were loaded onto a B-52 Stratofortress at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., and transported to Barksdale AFB, La. The Barksdale-assigned

  • Web tool lets Airmen build online career path

    An Air Force officer's career goals now get broader exposure and move more efficiently through routing thanks to last month's launch of the Airman Development Plan capability, developed by 554th Electronic Systems Group officials and available now through the Virtual Personnel Services Center.

  • German general strengthens partnership with U.S.

    During a 10-day visit to the U.S., the commander of the German air force training command said he wanted to strengthen the German-U.S. military partnership. Brig. Gen. Gerd Bischof visited German trainees stationed at several U.S. locations Oct. 7 to 16, and received tours and briefings that

  • DLA-Warner Robins activated Oct. 15

    The Defense Logistics Agency gained 240 employees Oct. 15 when DLA-Warner Robins stood up here. The "new" employees will provide supply, storage and distribution support to the maintenance activities for Warner Robins Air Logistics Center. DLA activated the new detachment of its aviation supply and

  • Total force Airmen participate in Chilean exercise

    Active duty, Reserve and National Guard Airmen from across the Southwest came together Oct 15 to 19 in Iquique, Chile, to participate in WILLKA, Chile's first exercise with their new F-16 Fighting Falcons, F-5 Freedom Fighters and the U.S. Air Force.Approximately 130 Airmen will train with their

  • Air Force clarifies post-deployment stand-down policy

    The Air Force post-deployment stand-down policy allows Airmen returning from deployments and lengthy temporary duty assignments time off work for recuperation and reconstitution upon their return, said the deputy chief of staff of personnel recently at the Pentagon. "Reconstitution involves all the

  • Tricare adds coverage for breast cancer MRI screenings

    Recognizing the importance of early detection, officials from the Tricare Management Activity recently changed its policy adding coverage for Magnetic Resonance Imaging screening for women at high risk of developing breast cancer. The American Cancer Society has clear guidelines defining high risk,

  • Air Force doctors train Pakistanis in battlefield surgery

    Air Force medical professionals are part of an ongoing defense mission to teach their international military counterparts the latest combat-related surgical techniques. A five-person team of Air Force doctors recently returned from Rawalpind, Pakistan, after teaching a five-day course to Pakistani

  • Chain of successes leads to Reaper operations

    The new MQ-9 Reaper has flown daily missions over Afghanistan since late September.The 658th Aeronautical Systems Squadron, in the 303rd Aeronautical Systems Wing, comprises the team of program managers, functional supporters, testers and logisticians who were behind the team effort of getting the

  • Geospatial system development team honored

    A team that developed a system that allows users at North American Aerospace Command and U.S. Northern Command to quickly and easily access detailed geospatial data has been selected to receive the 2007 United States Geospatial Foundation's achievement award in the military category. The four

  • Air mobility leaders rally for combat success

    Nearly 130 air mobility leaders gathered here Oct. 10 to 12 for Phoenix Rally -- a three-day, focused look at Air Mobility Command's priorities, roles and missions. "The global reach delivered by air mobility forces truly is America's bridge to combat success," said Gen. Arthur J. Lichte, the AMC

  • Latest doctrine signed on foreign internal defense

    The latest revision to Air Force Doctrine Document 2-3.1, Foreign Internal Defense, has been approved by Maj. Gen. Allen G. Peck, Air Force Doctrine Development and Education Center commander.Although Air Force officials can perform foreign internal defense, or FID, across the range of military

  • Awards shine spotlight on Air Force's best, brightest

    The efforts of the best and the brightest scientists, technicians and engineers were honored at the Air Force Scientist & Engineer and Science & Technology Awards ceremony that took place here Oct. 4.Among the award winners was 2nd Lt. Robert Bethancourt, recognized for his outstanding contributions

  • Researchers fine-tune F-35 pilot-aircraft speech system

    When the first F-35 Lightning II rolls out in 2008, communications between pilot and aircraft will enter a new era thanks in part to testing and analysis conducted at the Air Force Research Laboratory's Human Effectiveness Directorate. The F-35 will be the first U.S. fighter aircraft with a speech

  • Air Force officials release new annual training plan details

    Air Force leaders have released the details about the new annual training requirements program for the Total Force. As of Oct. 15, all Airmen will use the new "block instruction" plan that combines nine ancillary training courses into three 30-minute blocks of training, saving more than 6 million

  • First Mach flight propels Yeager, Air Force into history

    It was just another test mission for Capt. Chuck Yeager. Captain Yeager arrived at Muroc Air Force Base, Calif., the morning of Oct. 14, 1947, for what would be his ninth powered flight piloting the Bell X-1. Each of the previous flights demonstrated incremental speed increases as the aircraft

  • Famed Flying Tiger ace dies

    Famed Flying Tigers ace and Texas Air National Guardsman Brig. Gen. David Lee "Tex'' Hill, died Oct. 11 of congestive heart failure at his home here. He was 92. The general is scheduled for burial at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. General Hill flew with Gen. Claire Chennault as a member of the

  • Recruiting quality Airmen remains top priority

    Despite an increasingly challenging recruiting environment, the Air Force reached its 2007 enlisted recruiting goals by 100 percent, bringing in 27,801 new Airmen during the past fiscal year. "The Air Force maintains high standards for recruits in (regard to) aptitude, medical (condition) and

  • CENTAF commander meets with Airmen in Afghanistan

    The commander of U.S. Central Command Air Forces visited with 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Airmen here and at Kandahar Airfield Oct. 8. Lt. Gen. Gary North also used the visit to Afghanistan to view the newest addition to the Air Force's close-air-support inventory -- the MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial

  • The 'So What' factor puts Oct. 10 airpower summary in perspective

    The Combined Air and Space Operations Center's airpower summary provides a daily account of the integration and synchronization of airpower. But some folks may ask, "So what? What does this summary really mean?" The "So What" factor for Oct. 10's airpower summary is that five dozen coalition

  • Reaper UAV now flying in Afghanistan

    The Air Force announced Oct. 11 that the MQ-9 Reaper, the service's new hunter-killer unmanned aerial vehicle, is now flying operational missions in Afghanistan. The Reaper has completed 12 missions since its inaugural flight there Sept. 25, averaging about one sortie per day. Capable of striking

  • Patent no longer pending for cadet

    A cadet's father brought an industrial air filter design problem to his son's attention to pass the time during a holiday break. "I had a general idea of a solution but just could not make it work," said David Nicholas, father of Cadet 2nd Class James Nicholas. "I brought the problem home to Jay,

  • AF's first active associate unit deploying to Balad

    The Air Force's first active associate unit is preparing to deploy here this month to support the war on terrorism.Activated in July 2006, the 30th Airlift Squadron is the first active duty Air Mobility Command squadron to operationally report to an Air National Guard unit, the 153rd Airlift Wing in

  • DCFACC talks airpower, Airmen

    The mobility machine came to the forefront again just as recently as Airmen assigned to Air and Space Expeditionary Forces 7 and 8 rotated out of the theater and AEFs 9 and 10 came in. According to Maj. Gen. Maury Forsyth, deputy combined forces air component commander, the transition was seamless.

  • Interest in space wanes despite America's space dependency

    Too many Americans feel the "dark void" above them is of little consequence, but nothing is further from the truth warned one congressman during the Space Education Symposium held by Air University's National Space Studies Center in Montgomery, Ala., in September. In a video presentation at the

  • Air Force Week Atlanta kicks off

    Air Force Week Atlanta began with the reading of the proclamation order Oct. 8 at the Marietta Conference Center here, announcing the Oct. 8 through Oct. 14 dates amid a race car, motorcycle, fighter plane flyovers, a band, Airmen and citizens of the Peach State.Signed by Georgia Governor Sonny

  • Future of Air Force energy discussed at industry forum

    Air Force officials announced their intent to lease underutilized Air Force property and apply other tools to attract the support of private industry for energy projects at installations during an industry forum in September in Ontario, Calif.The Air Force Enhanced Use Lease Energy Industry Forum

  • Teamwork, skepticism lead to early finish for project

    The motivation to prove skeptics wrong and a strong foundation of teamwork set the stage for the recent completion of an important new ramp here. The $8.9 million construction project, started in 2005, created a 270,000 square-foot concrete ramp to replace the corrugated "steel beach" that had

  • Joint Chiefs officials meet with Afghan leaders

    Less than three months after the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff visited this small southern district, three additional members of the Washington-based Joint Staff stopped by for a meeting with the provincial governor here Oct. 7. Marine Lt. Gen. John Sattler, the Strategic Plans and Policy

  • Basic trainees begin to receive ABUs

    A huge step in the Air Force's transformation to the Airman battle uniform occurred Oct. 3 at the basic training equipment issue at Lackland Air Force Base. The trainees who entered the door at the uniform facility this week got a little something different in their duffel bags than the previous

  • Air Force Reserve stands up first F-22 Raptor unit

    Air Force Reserve officials activated the first F-22 Raptor unit, the 477th Fighter Group, in a ceremony here Oct. 2, giving the Reserve a valuable part of America's newest and most sophisticated weapons system. "This is a most wonderful day for the AFRC because we have officially stood up our first

  • Oct. 4 airpower summary: F-16s deter enemy activity

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 4, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II dropped a guided bomb

  • New chapter for Air Force Special Operations begins

    Cannon Air Force Base Airmen stood up the newly designated 27th Special Operations Wing during a unit redesignation and change-of-command ceremony Oct. 1 here, which began a new chapter for Air Force Special Operations Command. As the 27th Fighter Wing, an Air Combat Command asset, inactivated, the

  • General Corley takes command of ACC

    Gen. John D.W. Corley assumed the reins of Air Combat Command from Gen. Ronald E. Keys Oct. 2 in a ceremony here. "Today we transition Air Combat Command from one great American to another," said Gen. T. Michael Moseley, the Air Force chief of staff. "I'm proud to be able to hand over the watch to

  • Force Protection Battlelab inactivates

    In a reunion-like setting, current and past members of the Air Force's Force Protection Battlelab gathered at the Air Force Security Forces Center here Sept. 28 to mark the end of an era in force protection, the inactivation of the battlelab. This ceremony served as both personal and professional

  • Air Force Heritage Week wraps up in Columbus

    Approximately 250,000 spectators gathered at Rickenbacker International Airport Sept. 29 and 30 as the Columbus airport hosted the Gathering of Mustangs and Legends Air Show in conjunction with Air Force Heritage Week. Visitors saw aircraft ranging from vintage P-51 Mustangs to state-of-the-art F-22

  • Oct. 1 airpower summary: Predators on the prowl

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 1, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. An Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle dropped a guided bomb unit-38 on a