NATO Air Policing operations

U.S. Air Force News

  • Dept. of Energy lauds AF for conservation efforts

    The Air Force's innovative ideas and procedures for saving facility energy and aviation fuel have earned it recognition by the Department of Energy. Each year, the DOE presents a Federal Energy Management Program award to individuals and organizations within the federal government that significantly

  • Misawa F-16s resume flying

    The 35th Fighter Wing plans to resume flying operations July 26, 2012 following a five-day review of the wing's F-16s. Col. Al Wimmer, 35th Fighter Wing and Misawa Air Base installation vice commander, ordered a temporary suspension to flying operations after a Misawa-based F-16 developed a problem

  • AFRL scientist recognized by White House

    The White House announced Monday an Air Force Research Laboratory space vehicles directorate scientist has received a Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers. Each year, the Office of Science and Technology Policy within the Executive Office of the President presents the PECASE

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: From maintenance to medicine

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)Twenty-one Airmen from across the Air Force were selected for the 2013 Interservice Physician Assistant Program, with training scheduled to begin

  • U.S. commander in Japan: Alliance strong, with room to grow

    Air Force Lt. Gen. Sam Angelella spent much of his second day as commander of U.S. Forces Japan with one of his bosses: the Pentagon's second-highest official, Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter.Carter visited Japan last week as part of a 10-day Asia-Pacific tour that continues through

  • Colorado Reserve C-130s, crews continue aerial fire fighting

    Two Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System-equipped C-130 Hercules from the Air Force Reserve Command's 302nd Airlift Wing here, moved operations to Boise, Idaho, to continue to provide aerial fire fighting support to the U.S. Forest Service as fires continue to rage in the Rocky Mountain

  • Air Force officials welcome 21st surgeon general

    The Air Force welcomed its 21st surgeon general as Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Thomas W. Travis was sworn in by Chief of Staff Gen. Norton A. Schwartz on July 20 here.Travis has been the Air Force deputy surgeon general since Nov. 2010, and replaces Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Charles B. Green, who retired.At his ceremony,

  • Through Airmen's eyes: From paralegal to war fighter

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)One day he was helping someone with a power of attorney as a paralegal and the next day he helped protect unarmed colleagues from enemy fire in a war

  • Eglin maintenance NCO named Times Airman of the Year

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz presented the 2012 Military Times Airman of the Year award to a digital maintenance supervisor from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., here July 19. Master Sgt. Brandon Lambert, of the 728th Air Control Squadron, was nominated by a Veterans of Foreign Wars post

  • Korean War defining conflict for new Air Force

    While July 27th is one of the lesser-known days of remembrance for the U.S., for the Air Force, recognizing the signing of the Korean War armistice on this day in 1953 marked an era when the service came into its own.The 1950s heralded a decade of innovation, with inventions such as power steering,

  • DOD approves NATO medals for operations in Africa, Libya

    The Department of Defense announced July 24 that NATO medals for operations in Libya and Africa have been approved for acceptance and wear by eligible U.S. service members and DOD civilian personnel.The NATO Medal for NATO Operations and Activities in Africa is awarded for service in direct support

  • Air mobility tactics, electronic warfare experts analyze adversaries

    Approximately 50 combat operations experts met at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base here July 16-20 for a working group on air mobility tactics.Air Mobility Command's Air Mobility Tactics Analysis Team studied field-driven data collected on its adversaries to analyze and report on current air and

  • Senior enlisted advisor to CJCS visits Nellis

    The senior enlisted advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff visited Nellis Air Force Base, Creech AFB and the Nevada Test and Training Range to see and better understand Airmen and their capabilities."It's been a very, very good trip," said U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Bryan Battaglia.

  • Comm Airmen in 'high demand' in cyberworld

    Airmen assigned to the 1st Communication Maintenance Squadron are in high demand, providing specialized communication maintenance technicians that support cyberspace systems throughout U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command areas of responsibility.In 2012, the 1st CMXS spent more than 5,200

  • Military leaders reflect on fallen warriors

    Air Force leaders here expressed their sympathy for everyone affected by the movie theater shooting in Aurora, Colo., July 20. Among the victims were two Buckley Air Force Base members, Air Force Staff Sgt. Jesse Childress and Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class John Thomas Larimer. "This tragic event has

  • Total force C-130 operations building opens at Peterson

    With a snip of the ceremonial scissors, Air Force Reserve and active duty Airmen ushered in the opening of a new total force C-130 Hercules operations facility July 17 here.The new $5.6 million facility is the next milestone in the 302nd Airlift Wing's integration with the active duty 52nd Airlift

  • Two CSAR officers awarded Silver Star medals

    Two 19th Air Force combat search and rescue officers were presented the Silver Star medal at the 19th Air Force's inactivation ceremony here July 12. Gen. Edward A. Rice Jr., the commander of Air Education Training Command, presented the third-highest military decoration to Majs. Philip Bryant and

  • Florida sheriffs give 'fallen heroes' last ride home

    The Hillsborough County Sheriff's office, in Florida, in partnership with members of MacDill Air Force Base, conducted a fallen hero's dignified transfer here for the second day in a row July 18.Over the years, service members have given the ultimate sacrifice for their country, and, since 2009, the

  • Rock the vote, but beware of guidelines

    As political campaigns heat up across the U.S., Airmen, family members and Department of Defense civilians are encouraged to be a part of the political process.Being away from the U.S. can lead some to believe they are not able to vote in their respective state and federal elections. The federal

  • MAFFS request modified for four C-130s

    The U.S. Forest Service has modified its request for assistance for the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems-equipped C-130 Hercules. The new request, received late July 17, releases two of the six C-130s using MAFFS to assist with fires. The C-130s have been stationed at Hill Air Force Base,

  • AF, Navy integrate security at JTF-Horn of Africa

    Air Force and Navy personnel at Camp Lemonnier integrated their security forces into one cohesive unit July 1.The overall purpose of this integration was to enhance security efforts on camp. Before the integration, the two branches had separate areas of security responsibility, which presented a few

  • Air Force safety also applies to space

    When it comes to safety in the Air Force, much of the focus on mishap prevention goes into preventing and investigating slips, trips and falls. Ground safety applies to every member, regardless of their primary duty, and all can benefit from practicing prescribed safety methods in their everyday

  • Manpower, services agencies consolidate with personnel

    During a formal ceremony held here today, Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower, Personnel and Services Lt. Gen. Darrell D. Jones inactivated the Air Force Manpower and Air Force Services agencies, designating them as directorates of the Air Force Personnel Center.The ceremony, formal

  • Airmen relocate WWII tank

    One of the most feared and powerful tanks of its time is making its way to the United States courtesy of the 48th Logistics Readiness Squadron. The squadron is shipping a World War II-era German Tiger 1 tank  from Royal Air Force Alconbury, England, to the U.S. Army Armor and Cavalry Museum at Fort

  • SecAF visits Spangdahlem AB

    The Air Force's top civilian leader met 52nd Fighter Wing leaders and service members here July 13.Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley visited the base as part of a familiarization tour and to speak with Airmen about the unique capabilities Spangdahlem Air Base provides to the European theater

  • ANG TACPs hold first maritime exercise

    Tactical Air Control Party Members (TACP) and Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTAC) from the 274th Air Support Operations Squadron (ASOS) from Syracuse, New York participated in a first-of-its-kind Joint Maritime Operations exercise recently on Lake Ontario. The exercise was in conjunction with

  • AFOSI agent saves man from burning death

    For heroic efforts, an Air Force Office of Special Investigations Special Agent was recognized with the Air Force Command Civilian Award for Valor here, May 24.The award is given to those who go above and beyond their duties to help others. When Special Agent Bob Powers heard there was a fire in a

  • Little Rock gets electronic flight bags, saves paper, money

    Airmen at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., received 721 iPads to be used as electronic flight bags for C-130 Hercules aircrews July 2, as part of Air Mobility Command's effort to reduce paper waste and costs by replacing flight bags and loads of paperwork they hold with the electronic tablets.This

  • AETC Trains America's International Partners

    Air Education and Training Command's mission is to develop America's Airmen today ... for tomorrow, but the command's reach extends far beyond America's borders.AETC personnel is training the air forces of America's international partners, helping create a large-scale network of air force

  • AF seeks medical commissioning candidates

    Interested officers, enlisted members and cadets eligible for fiscal 2013 Biomedical Sciences Corps training and commissioning programs can learn more during a world-wide webcast slated for July 18, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced.Webcasts, slated for 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. central time,

  • CSAF's 'fini flight' a ride of remembrance

    When Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz climbed aboard the MC-130E Combat Talon I here July 12, for his last flight as an active duty officer, he immediately began to reminisce on his flying career with special operations and the C-130 Hercules community."This is more than a little

  • International partnership garners distinguished award

    One of the Air Force priorities is to partner with the joint and coalition team to win today's fight, and one Air Force leader is doing just that. The Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, Maj. Gen. James O. Poss, was honored with the John Curtis Sword

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Airman sees big picture during deployment

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)Even when deployments are "inside the wire," for many service members they can be "outside the comfort zone." For Senior Airman Justin Peattie, a

  • Service members: Let's talk trash

    With no one in sight, a trash truck pulls up to one of the many orange dumpsters throughout the base. As the driver and his crew dismount to empty the dumpster, so does a crew of four Airmen. However, before the dumpster can be emptied, these Airmen jump into it and begin a process of what some

  • Cost-cutting ideas sought through SAVE award

    Acting Under Secretary of the Air Force Dr. Jamie Morin sends the following message to the Airmen of the U.S. Air Force:The White House continues to challenge federal employees to identify areas where we can save scarce taxpayer dollars while improving the way the government works. President Obama

  • Chief's Perspective: Analog leadership in digital times

    The United States Air Force is the world's most advanced air, space and cyberspace force. Most of that can be attributed to you -- our outstanding Airmen -- but technology also plays a huge role. Advanced tools help us maintain an advantage over our adversaries. Technology has enabled our continuing

  • White House launches SAVE Award competition

    The White House's fourth annual Securing Americans Value and Efficiency Award competition launched July 10 as part of the Obama administration's ongoing effort to modernize government.The SAVE Award will run July 10-24.In 2009, the president established the SAVE Award to seek cost-cutting ideas

  • 'Today's Air Force' recaps Colorado wildfires, F-35 Lighting II

    Air Force Television News released a new edition of "Today's Air Force" on July 6.First, Staff Sgt. Brad Sisson takes a look back at the wildfires that tore through Colorado and threatened the Air Force Academy.Next, Airman Jimmy Moreland takes viewers to Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, to say

  • SecAF visits Heavy Airlift Wing in Hungary

    During his first visit to this small Hungarian base located roughly two hours from Budapest, Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley met with Heavy Airlift Wing (HAW) senior leaders, U.S. Airmen and Boeing contractors here July 11. The HAW is a multinational consortium that is designed to fulfill

  • MAFFS operations move west

    Military C-130s equipped with the U.S. Forest Service's Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems have moved staging operations from Cheyenne, Wyo. and Colorado Springs, Colo., to Boise, Idaho, and Salt Lake City.Four of the aircraft, from the 153rd and 302nd Airlift wings are operating from Boise Air

  • Chaplain assistant earns Air Force-wide award

    An Airman here received the Spirit of the Four Chaplains award, an annual Air Force-level award, during a ceremony here June 22.Chaplain (Col.) Gary S. Linsky, the Air Mobility Command chaplain, presented the award to Master Sgt. Esmeralda Aharon, the AMC House Chapel evaluations and staff support

  • AFGLSC now part of Air Force Sustainment Center

    The Air Force Global Logistics Support Center officially became part of the Air Force Sustainment Center during a ceremony here July 11.Gen. Janet Wolfenbarger, commander of Air Force Materiel Command, officiated the ceremony. The change is part of an AFMC construct that consolidates the command's

  • Doctor provides life-saving medical care despite broken leg

    A 34-year-old critical care pulmonologist assigned to the 99th Medical Operations Squadron here went from needing rescue to providing emergency medical attention to a California Highway Patrol officer July 5 near Big Bear Lake in the Shasta Trinity Forest.Maj. (Dr.) Jeremy Kilburn, 99th MDOS

  • AF initiates voluntary limited loadmaster recall

    Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard loadmasters may be eligible to apply for a limited period recall to extended active duty, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced.The loadmaster career field is chronically undermanned, said Senior Master Sgt. Marvin Daugherty, AFPC accessions branch

  • Nellis Airman awarded Distinguished Flying Cross with valor

    Staff Sgt. Justin Tite, 88th Test and Evaluation Squadron aerial gunner, received the Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross with valor here, July 9.Maj. Gen. Bill Hyatt, U.S. Air Force Warfare Center commander, presented the decoration to Tite during a ceremony with friends, family and members of the

  • Sims aren't just for flying anymore

    Officials with the 337th Test and Evaluation Squadron here, through a cooperative program with the U.S. Air Force Academy, is developing a computer-based simulator program that will allow leaders to make more informed decisions regarding resource allocations.The program allows a user to input

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Vehicle operator recalls deployment

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories and commentaries focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)In December 2011, the U.S. withdrew its last service members from Iraq to end operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn. Senior Airman

  • Tyndall Airman earns Air Force-level award

    Senior Airman Kyle Larson, 325th Maintenance Squadron munitions systems journeyman, recently earned the 2011 AIM-9X "Cutting Edge" Air Force award."The Naval Air Systems Command Air-to-Air Missile Program Office (PMA-259) chose this year's winner from a group of Navy, Air Force and Marine

  • 603rd ACS strikes for final time at Aviano

    Another chapter of Air Force history came to a close July 3 at Aviano Air Base as the 603rd Air Control Squadron called "Primo," the unit call sign, for the last time before the unit is inactivated.The 603rd ACS, one of two Air Force theater air control systems in Europe, is being inactivated as

  • Arizona Airmen help Japanese rebuild air defenses

    While the island nation of Japan continues to rebuild in the wake of the March 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, its airmen look to reconstitute the country's air defenses - learning to fly the F-16 Fighting Falcon here with the Arizona Air National Guard. The disaster left the Japan Air

  • 'First shirt' recycles OCPs for Bagram Airmen

    Every U.S. Air Force first sergeant is responsible for making sure their Airmen's uniforms are in good order, but one first sergeant here has taken this charge a step further.Master Sgt. Nicholas Kollett, the first sergeant for the 455th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, developed and

  • AFFTC to be re-designated as Air Force Test Center

    The Air Force Flight Test Center will be re-designated as the Air Force Test Center during a ceremony here July 13. Gen. Janet Wolfenbarger, the commander of Air Force Materiel Command, will preside over the ceremony. During the ceremony, the 95th Air Base Wing will transition to the 412th Test

  • Reserve wing gears up for active-duty association

    The 442nd Fighter Wing is scheduled to begin integrating more than 100 active-duty Airmen by October.The total-force integration of active-duty Airmen into Reserve units is part of an initiative to improve efficiency and combat capability by leveraging Reserve experience and continuity. The 442nd FW

  • 31st FW celebrates historic operation

    Sixty years ago, the 31st Fighter Wing was a young wing in a young Air Force, and the technologies taken for granted today were in their infancy. Sixty years ago this week, the wing was directly involved in pioneering the use of aerial refueling to fly masses of fighter aircraft over the Pacific

  • Acting undersecretary of the Air Force appointed

    On July 3, President Barack Obama appointed Dr. Jamie Morin to serve as the acting undersecretary of the Air Force.He will serve in this capacity effective immediately and until such time as a new undersecretary is nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate.Morin said he welcomed the new

  • AOC hosts first online virtual tour

    The 601st Air and Space Operations Center here recently benchmarked a new program as students of Collinsville Middle School in Collinsville, Okla., got a first-hand look at the center's operations floor by way of a live virtual video tour over the Internet."The live video tour with Collinsville

  • Tinker Reservists to participate in Navy fleet exercise

    Four 507th Air Refueling Wing KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft and more than 135 Air Force Reservists will join forces with the U.S. Navy during July to support a U.S. Pacific Fleet exercise.The exercise, called RIMPAC (Rim of the Pacific), is a series of multinational maritime exercises scheduled to

  • ISR history office repeats as dual-award winner

    The Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency History Office staff recently captured its second straight Brig. Gen. Brian S. Gunderson Excellence in History Programs Award, in the forward operating agency/direct reporting unit category and its second consecutive Air Force

  • ANG announces C-130 crash victims

    Four Airmen died and two others were seriously injured when a Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System-equipped C-130 Hercules crashed July 1 while fighting a woodland fire in southwestern South Dakota.Dead are Lt. Col. Paul K. Mikeal, 42, of Mooresville, N.C.; Maj. Joseph M. McCormick, 36, of Belmont,

  • Nominees sought for Joan Orr Spouse Award

    Air Force officials are seeking nominations for the 2013 Joan Orr Air Force Spouse of the Year Award.The Air Force Association Joan Orr Spouse of the Year Award honors significant contributions made by non-military spouses of Air Force military members. The award period is Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2012.The

  • Officials seek nominations for aerospace awards

    Air Force officials are soliciting nominations for the 2013 Air Force Association Aerospace Awards for outstanding contributions to national defense in a variety of fields.These awards include:Theodore Von Karman Award - for contributions in the field of science and engineering relating to aerospace

  • Airman saves man's life -- twice

    When Airman 1st Class Patrick Shemwell walked outside after eating dinner near Kunsan Air Base on June 24, he saw a young Korean man lying on the ground and gasping for air.Shemwell shoved his way through the screaming bystanders and checked the man's pulse, but the man had stopped breathing. "When

  • Airman Ranger retires after 41 years

    Forty-one years, 167 temporary duty assignments, 22 base assignments, six deployments and three wars later, Col. George W. Hays, the director of Command, Control, Communications, and Computer Systems, Headquarters Alaskan Command, retired from active duty service July 1 as the longest-serving

  • AF deploys remaining MAFFS to fight fires

    Beginning Saturday, June 30, eight military C-130 aircraft, each equipped with the U.S. Forest Service's Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS) will be operating out of Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., to assist with firefighting efforts in the Rocky Mountain Region.Two MAFFS-equipped C-130s

  • More firefighting aircraft activated for Colorado effort

    Beginning June 30, eight military C-130 Hercules aircraft, each equipped with the U.S. Forest Service's Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System, will be operating out of Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., to assist with firefighting efforts in the Rocky Mountain region.Two MAFFS-equipped C-130s from the

  • AGE turns ground power into air power

    When a call comes in to the 380th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron Aerospace Ground Equipment flight, requesting a piece of equipment for an aircraft, the flight responds and delivers it.However, it isn't the call for AGE that prompts the flight into action - the delivery is actually the end

  • Despite fires, cadets arrive on time at Academy

    With fires still burning in the nearby Waldo Canyon and most of the base evacuated, about 1,000 new cadets of the class of 2016 in-processed on schedule June 28 at the U. S. Air Force Academy, Colo.To minimize the amount of cadets on base, Academy officials relocated about 550 cadets with about 200

  • Wildfire stops moves to Air Force Academy

    Air Force officials have temporarily halted permanent change of station moves and most temporary duty assignments to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., as Air Force members join the fight to extinguish the 29-square mile Waldo Canyon wildfire burning northwest of the

  • 2013 CDCs available online in September

    The Airman Advancement Division's online library, e-WAPS Online Reference Library Database, or e-WORLD, will soon have 2013 promotion cycle study reference material available.Airmen will be able to access the latest reference material by September. Past Career Development Courses are also available

  • CSAF honors flight training instructor with Kolligian Trophy

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz presented Capt. Frank Baumann, an instructor pilot from the 80th Flying Training Wing at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, one of the Air Force's most prestigious flight safety awards during a Pentagon ceremony here June 27. Baumann was named the 2011

  • Academy evacuates: Airmen must log in to accountability system

    Air Force officials have activated the Air Force Personnel Accountability and Assessment System to monitor the status and location of all Airmen and dependents assigned to and living in the vicinity of the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., Air Force Personnel Center officials said June

  • Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System crews eager to fight fire another day

     Members of the 731st Expeditionary Air Squadron arrived during the early morning hours of June 27 to prepare the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System-equipped C-130 Hercules for another day of aerial fire-fighting. MAFFS is a self-contained aerial firefighting system owned by the U.S. Forest

  • NORTHCOM continues fire suppression efforts

    Four Defense Department C-130 Hercules equipped with U.S. Forest Service Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems under the command and control of U.S. Northern Command are helping to put out fires in Colorado at the request of the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho.As of early this

  • Wildland fire fight presents operational, personal challenges

    The flightline here roared to life June 26 as the engines of four C-130 Hercules cranked up to begin day two of Modular Airborne Fire Fighting missions in Colorado. The scene was reminiscent of a NASCAR pit with aircraft landing and refueling quickly before taking flight. Tuesday began the first

  • Air Force teams work to tame Colorado wildfires

    An Air Force team from the active duty, Air National Guard, the Air Reserve and the Air Force Academy have mobilized to help fight the quickly spreading Waldo Canyon fire near Colorado Springs, Colo., that has burned more than 3,500 acres.The request for assistance from the National Interagency Fire

  • AF top engineers give tips on saving energy, money

    Summer is officially under way. While it means fun in the sun for Airmen and their families, it can be an expensive, wasteful time of year for the Air Force. Utility bills on installations often rise drastically as air conditioning units and sprinkler systems work to keep up. The Air Force spends

  • Robins NCO named AF top 'first shirt'

    Master Sgt. H. Mylo Gibson II, 51st Combat Communications Squadron, Robins Air Force Base, Ga., is this year's Air Force First Sergeant of the Year. Gibson has been serving in the Air Force for more than 20 years, and has been a first sergeant for the past two. "I became a first sergeant to take

  • 'New AFNIC' offers cyber advantage

    "Cyber Innovation. Mission Success." This is how the "New" Air Force Network Integration Center officials sum up what their organization provides to the Air Force and other mission partners.It's a phrase representing a new direction for a not-so-new organization. AFNIC, established from what was

  • Service members, families remember Khobar Towers

    Amid gusting winds and threatening rain clouds of Tropical Storm Debby, Airmen, Marines, Sailors and family members gathered to remember 19 warriors and 12 33rd Fighter Wing Nomads on the 16th anniversary of the Khobar Towers bombing June 25."I'm humbled to be a part of this ceremony," said Col.

  • Two RAF Fairford firefighters earn AF heroism award

    Two firefighters from the 420th Air Base Squadron were recently awarded the Robert A. McAllister Heroism Award.Firefighters Lynsey Pope and Robert McEvoy were recognized by the Air Force for performing an act of courage above and beyond the call of duty after encountering a car crash on an English

  • Air Force presence helps preserve progress in Iraq

    A group of Airmen assigned to the Office of Security Cooperation - Iraq help to preserve progress made in the country after almost a decade of war. The mission of OSC-I, in coordination with USCENTCOM and U.S. Mission-Iraq, is to conduct security cooperation activities to build partner capacity in

  • Air Force awards $960 million in small business IT contracts

    The Air Force is announcing the award of 12 contracts worth up to $960 million that will make it quicker and easier for the warfighter to obtain innovative information technology services and capabilities covering the full spectrum of operations and missions.The Air Force's Network Centric

  • Colorado reserve unit called in to fight wildland fires

    The Air Force Reserve Command's 302nd Airlift Wing here received word June 24 that it was tasked to provide Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System, or MAFFS, support to the ongoing Colorado wildland fires. The request for assistance from The National Interagency Fire Center to the Department of

  • Air Force Safety Automated System vital to tracking, preventing mishaps

    The Air Force Safety Center continues to develop and deploy enhancements to the Air Force Safety Automated System to provide accurate mishap information and timely risk mitigation data to all levels of command. AFSAS is a Web-enabled mishap reporting and analysis system that's accessible 24/7

  • Air Force male athlete of the year goes for gold

    The sound of thrashing epees and rubber soles squeaking against metal boards ring throughout the fencing gym at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. It is here that fencer Weston Kelsey practices twice a day, five days a week, in preparation for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

  • Historic flying units celebrate anniversary, continue making history

    In the spring of 1942 the United States filled battle-torn European skies with squadrons of airborne war machines. Among them, two transport squadrons began carrying troops and supplies into the Second World War, beginning a parallel history spanning seven decades and many military conflicts. As if

  • Airman faces charges in slaying of fellow service member

    Airman 1st Class James Thomas of the 703rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron here was indicted June 15 on 11 charges including murder, evidence-tampering and obstruction of justice.In a court filing June 19 in Anchorage, Alaska, an autopsy found Senior Airman Clinton Reeves, formerly of the 673rd

  • German air force brings Eurofighter, skills to Eielson AFB

    After a nearly 5,000-mile trip across the world, 150 members of the German air force recently arrived here with eight German Eurofighter Typhoons.It is the first time the German airframe has deployed overseas, according to German officials. In fact, it is the very first of the Eurofighter's

  • Carter urges Charleston service members to consider future

    Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter visited service members in the coastal low country of South Carolina on June 18, urging the Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen who serve the nation here to think about the future. Against the backdrop of a hulking C-17 Globemaster III transport jet, one of 54 on

  • 702nd Expeditionary Airlift Squadron deactivates at Kandahar Airfield

    A small group of Air Guardsmen were joined by senior leaders June 18 to celebrate the completion of their deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and to honor the deactivation of the 702nd Expeditionary Airlift Squadron here.The 702nd EAS was activated here July 31, 2011, and charged to

  • Nominations open for 64th Annual Arthur S. Flemming Award

    Air Force officials are accepting nominations for the 64th Annual Arthur S. Flemming Award.The award is sponsored by the George Washington University, in conjunction with the Arthur S. Flemming Awards Commission. It honors outstanding federal employees who have made significant and extraordinary

  • Kadena NCO fit for life

    "Mom! You know you're not supposed to eat that," 6-year-old Nadiya Young said after watching her mother open a bag of chips. "Can I just have a few chips then," asked Tech. Sgt. Ashaunettae Pollard-Young, a senior director technician for Kadena's 623rd Air Control Flight. "They look so good." As

  • Cold War U-2 pilot gets posthumous Silver Star

    More than 50 years after his U-2 aircraft was shot down over the former Soviet Union, Capt. Francis Gary Powers posthumously received one of the military's highest decorations during a ceremony here at the Pentagon June 15.Powers, who died in a helicopter crash in 1977, was awarded the Silver Star

  • Joint mobility team concludes support for major combat exercise

    A joint Air Force and Army team of 120 contingency response experts concluded support operations June 9, for Joint Operational Access Exercise 12-02 in North Carolina.JOAX was a two-week mobility and ground combat exercise to prepare Airmen and Soldiers to respond to worldwide crises and

  • Combat controller posthumously awarded Silver Star

    Senior Airman Mark Forester had an American flag wrapped around his chest plate inside his body armor when he was fatally wounded by an enemy sniper's fire Sept. 29, 2010.This simple act is a testament to how Forester lived his life, a life respected by all who knew him.Forester, a combat controller

  • Hanscom starts new energy competition

    A new energy competition is underway here called "How Low Can You Go?" The competition requires little effort but big results by focusing on energy consumption during the weekend. "We want people to place special focus on their pre-weekend shutdown measures," said Tom Schluckebier, the base civil

  • Utah reservists, Lajes Airmen train together

    Reservists from the 419th Logistics Readiness Squadron at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, arrived here June 9 as part of a cooperative effort with the 65th Air Base Wing.Members of the 419th LRS completed annual training during their temporary duty stay here, while members of the 65th LRS exercised their

  • 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

  • Airmen save drowning man

    "Help!" someone faintly calls out. You look out to the ocean and see a man's arms flailing about, half a mile into the surf, struggling to stay afloat as waves crash down on him. What would you do, knowing lifeguards are not close enough to save him?Three 4th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Airmen