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  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Airman overcomes tough past

    (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.)He stepped out his door and looked down the street. He saw homes with tires for walls and rust-covered steel roofs. For one Airman, this was

  • Same-sex spouses can get ID cards Sept. 3

    Same-sex spouses of Air Force military members, eligible civilian employees and military retirees may be enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System by their sponsors and get their dependent identification card beginning Sept. 3, Air Force Personnel Center officials said today.

  • California ANG deploys Predator to support firefighters

    With wildfires continuing to rage around Yosemite National Park, the California National Guard has deployed a remotely piloted aircraft that improves the incident commander’s ability to monitor conditions on the ground.

  • AF tuition assistance application window delayed for FY14

    Airmen applying for tuition assistance in fiscal 2014 will see several changes in both eligibility for and administration of the program.Due to these changes, the application window for classes beginning on or after Oct. 1 will not open until Sept. 9 to allow for system updates.

  • Help for hatchlings on the beach

    The 325th Civil Engineer Squadron Natural Resources monitors and protects the sea turtles that come to Tyndall AFB's beaches to nest. They also compile data for Florida's monitoring system on these nests including; where the nests are located, what species of turtles laid the nest and how many

  • National commission reviews AF ‘life-cycle’ manpower costs

    The "National Commission on the Structure of the Air Force" interviewed senior defense leaders past and present on Aug. 27, to review the "fully-burdened life-cycle manpower costs" of active duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Airmen.

  • Air Force showcases hot technologies on 'cool' roof

    A year of data collection is nearly complete on the integrated roof system on the base's security forces building at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas. The metal-over-metal retrofit integrates cool roofing, solar-power generation, solar thermal, above-sheathing ventilation and rainwater catchment

  • Aircraft deploy to California to aid firefighting effort

    The U.S. Forest Service, through the National Interagency Fire Center here, has ordered the three MAFFS aircraft operating at the Boise Air Tanker Base moved to McClellan Air Tanker base near Sacramento, Calif., to assist the wildland firefighting effort in the western United States.

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Langley NCO's road to recovery

    In 2002, 1.4 million people were arrested nationally for driving under the influence, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. Unfortunately, U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Randall Renaud was part of that statistic. On Oct. 2, 2002, six months after promotion to technical sergeant, he

  • ANG, Singapore fighters dogfight over Idaho skies

    F-16 Fighting Falcons returned to Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, recently, and could be seen screaming across the skies above base as red- and blue-force aircraft.Guardsmen from the 162nd Fighter Wing, Arizona Air National Guard, located at Tucson International Airport, are currently visiting

  • Curriculum policy changes mark start of new DODEA school year

    Department of Defense Education Activity students, parents and employees should expect quite a few changes in the upcoming school year, the DODEA director said in an Aug. 23 interview. Those changes will be both visible and behind the scenes, but they all are geared toward improving the quality of

  • Vigilant Eagle continues closer U.S.-Russian cooperation

    Vigilant Eagle 13 kicked off today, with scenarios that present the United States, Canada and Russia with a common enemy: terrorist hijackers, Joseph Bonnet, director of joint training and exercises for NORAD and U.S. Northern Command, said during a telephone interview with American Forces Press

  • Undergrad flying training applications due in November

    Eligible active duty officers interested in undergraduate flying training must apply by Nov. 29 to be considered by the UFT selection board, which convenes here Jan. 14, Air Force Personnel Center officials said.

  • Joint training helps readiness, saves dollars

    In an effort to save dollars and increase mission effectiveness, 41 students from across the Area of Responsibility, including enlisted, officers and chief warrant officers representing every service, attended two 10-day joint tactical data link courses in the Combined Air and Space Operations

  • Training system brings fight to F-16 pilots

    Groundbreaking advancements to F-16 Fighting Falcon warfare training here arrived during the week of Aug. 12 through 16 in the form of a Joint Deployable Electronic Warfare Range, or JDEWR.

  • Former astronaut, AF test pilot dies

    C. Gordon Fullerton, who compiled a distinguished career as a NASA astronaut, research pilot and Air Force test pilot spanning almost 50 years, died Aug. 21. He was 76.

  • Command and Control ... Total Flexibility

    Airmen employ the Air Force’s other four interdependent and enduring core missions through robust, adaptable, and survivable command and control systems. Using the specialized skills of over 53,000 command and control Airmen, the Air Force provides access to reliable communications and information

  • Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance

    Since the beginnings of armed conflict, superior knowledge has been one of the keys to effective combat power. For over 100 years, Airmen have exploited the vertical dimension to gain a decisive information advantage over our foes. The evolution of globally integrated ISR has fundamentally changed

  • Global Strike ... Any target, any time

    Global strike, a significant portion of America’s deterrence capability, means that the Nation can project military power more rapidly, more flexibly, and with a lighter footprint than other military options. With the expertise of over 26,000 Airmen, the Air Force’s nuclear and conventional

  • California National Guard battles wildfires

    Nearly a dozen aircraft and crews from the California Air and Army National Guard are battling wildfires across Northern California. Currently, nine California Army National Guard helicopters and two California Air National Guard air tankers are working in coordination with California's Department

  • DOD facilities gear up to issue ID cards to same-sex couples

    DOD facilities are gearing up to issue identification cards to same-sex spouses beginning Sept. 3, Pentagon officials said today. "All spousal and family benefits, including ID cards, will be made available no later than September 3, 2013," said Navy Lt. Cmdr. Nate Christensen. The Supreme Court

  • Bulgarian students complete Air Force PME

    The Paul H. Lankford EPME Centergraduated its first Bulgarian students in a ceremony attended by Tennessee National Guard senior leaders and international guests. Two Bulgarian air force members completed leadership education here through the Tennessee National Guard’s State Partnership Program.

  • New ASVAB pretest available for applicants

    Applicants who hope to join the Air Force can now take the Armed Services Aptitude Battery pretest from any computer with internet access thanks to a new program.

  • Recruiter’s post-tornado effort has lasting impact

    As the massive 1.3-mile-wide tornado approached Moore, Okla., May 20, Staff Sgt. Tim Smith took shelter along with his family, neighbors and dogs."I arrived home 10 minutes before the tornado hit my neighborhood," said Smith, an Enlisted Accessions recruiter in Norman, Okla. "My wife, my son and I

  • Maintaining aircraft integrity one coat at a time

    With a new state-of-the-art Corrosion Control Facility on Aviano, aircrafts are now serviced in-house for a quarter of the cost.Up until last year, all F-16 Fighting Falcons on Aviano were sent to either Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, or a Belgian based aerospace company for repainting, costing the

  • New tuition assistance process eliminates up-front fees

    Air Force Reserve Command officials will implement a new tuition assistance payment process Oct. 1 that will eliminate up-front fees reservists pay for classes by enabling tuition payments to go directly to a university or college.

  • Unique testing helps warfighter, saves lives

    When large transport or rotary-wing aircraft support a mission in a deployed location, there's always the threat of those wanting to harm to the lives and assets onboard. That includes risks from a range of shoulder-fired, vehicle-mounted and other infrared-guided missiles capable of following the

  • PTSD specialist simplifies stress science

    Tania Glenn, Doctor of Psychology and Licensed Clinical Social Worker, delivered a feelings-free, scientific analysis of the human body's physiological response to high-stress situations to help Air Commandos understand their biological processes downrange during a briefing at the Landing Zone at

  • Security forces Airmen -- ready to roll

    The 1st Special Operations Security Forces Squadron's bike patrol make their rounds almost daily through base housing and other designated areas, making their presence known with the goal of community policing and mobility in mind.

  • Enlisted Airmen may be eligible for medical prep school

    Active-duty enlisted Airmen who qualify can now apply for a new pilot program designed to prepare them for medical school, but "intent to apply" emails must be submitted no later than Sept. 6, Air Force Personnel Center officials said Aug. 12. The Enlisted to Medical Degree Preparatory Program

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Linguist shoulders seven deployments in five years

    (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.)Seven deployments in five years is a feat not many Airmen can claim. Serving as a career enlisted aviator on the RC-135 Rivet Joint, Staff Sgt. Chris has

  • Innovative Airmen modify mobile A/C unit

    Performing in extreme temperatures is the norm for many deployed service members, and adjustments in operations tempos are necessary to complete the mission on time to accommodate heat stress conditions. Two innovative Airmen assigned to the 379th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron here

  • Vehicles on the road, iron in the air

    With more than 45 different airframes in the Air Force's inventory totaling more than 5,500 aircraft, each one relies expert teams and equipment to keep them ready to fly at a moment's notice. The maintainers on the ground, on the other hand, also rely on a variety of vehicles and ground equipment

  • Historic airpower database now online

    More than eight years in the making, a new database containing information from U.S. military and coalition aerial bombing campaigns over the last century is now publicly available online.

  • 45th Space Wing launches satellite

    The 45th Space Wing successfully launched a United Launch Alliance-built Delta IV rocket carrying the sixth Wideband Global Satcom (WGS) satellite at 8:29 p.m., Aug. 7 from Space Launch Complex 37B here.A combined team of military, government civilians and contractors from across the 45th SW

  • Early retirement application window closes Aug. 19

    Airmen interested in early retirement through the Temporary Early Retirement Authority Program must submit their application no later than Aug. 19, Air Force Personnel Center officials said.TERA, or the 15-year retirement program, is one of several force management programs the Air Force has

  • Military Spouse of the Year, committed to National Guard families

    The schedule of a military spouse is an arduous one. Appointments, dinners, and family time are vital to maintaining normalcy despite the strain of military life.Alicia Hinds Ward, the 2013 Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year, is another in the long line of military mothers and

  • Power of AF families

    Despite their distinguished status as the wives of Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody, Betty Welsh and Athena Cody casually fit in the circle of chatting coffee-drinking ladies like they've been here their entire life. Maybe it

  • 24/7 fitness center access coming to a base near you

    Getting fit to fight in the Air Force just became more convenient. As part of an Air Force Services Transformation Initiative test concept, Joint Base Andrews, Md., was one of six installations to implement unmanned hours at their fitness center, making it accessible 24/7.

  • Emerald Coast pays tribute to Air Force legend

    Nearly 1,000 service members, veterans and citizens from across the nation paid their respects to the life and legacy of a retired Air Force colonel during a funeral service Aug. 1 on Okaloosa Island, Fla.

  • Healing deployed wounded warriors

    The 379th Expeditionary Medical Group's Intra-Theater Care Program here was established in 2008 to ensure no service member is sent home from the U.S. Central Command's area of responsibility before having a chance to get back in the fight.

  • Department of Energy recognizes Air Force energy program

    It's the Oscars of the energy world and the Air Force has stolen the show again.Innovative ideas and procedures for saving facility energy and aviation fuel have earned the Air Force five Federal Energy Management Program awards in 2013, bringing the total to 21 winners in the last four years. A

  • AF upgrades official website

    The official website of the U.S. Air Force is taking a step forward in the information age Aug. 2 with a new look and greater functionality for today's Internet user. The latest version of Air Force Link boasts features that make it more accessible including mobile device and computer software

  • AF accepting applications for medical commissioning programs

    Eligible Airmen interested in Biomedical Sciences Corps careers can apply for academic opportunities in the physical therapy, clinical psychology and physician assistant fields. In addition, eligible Airmen can apply for direct accession into one of three other BSC fields, Air Force Personnel Center

  • AF looks to collaborate with public

    For the first time in its history, the U.S. Air Force is seeking input from the public to help solve three real-world, unclassified projects. Known as "The Air Force Collaboratory," the Air Force's newest STEM initiative goes live Thursday on www.airforce.com/collaboratory. The educational online

  • Waist measurement failures non-factor for most Airmen

    Recent comments on social media sites show there's a rumor among Airmen that the abdominal circumference component of the Fitness Assessment is where the largest majority of failures come from. This opinion is wrong.Since the Air Force has adopted the policy, which automatically fails Airmen with a

  • Policy changes ease enlisting with families

    The Air Force announced changes to its accession policies on July 30 to make entering the Air Force easier for Airmen with families.The changes modified dependency and pregnancy policies for Airmen entering the Air Force, enabling Airmen with up to three children to enlist with a waiver and

  • Japanese kids get close-up look at American firefighters

    Two bright red fire trucks, American Airmen and children and an oversized fire dog stood by on a sunny and clear summer morning as buses made their way to the Kadena Air Base fire station headquarters where water arches and rainbows welcomed 49 sixth-graders and 11 escorts from a local Japanese

  • Air Force takes swift action against sexual assault

    It's not an overstatement to say that the past many years have been challenging for those in the military working to prevent sexual assault and sexual trauma. However, for those who've been victimized it has been much worse, and we should never forget that. The harm in this crime is not just

  • One of AF most decorated heroes passes away

    One of the most decorated Airmen in Air Force history, whose career spanned three wars and four decades, has passed away. Retired Col. George Everett "Bud" Day, an Air Force pilot, shot down during the Vietnam War and imprisoned in the infamous "Hanoi Hilton" along with Sen. John McCain, defiantly

  • Air Force names 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year

    Air Force officials announced the service's top enlisted members, naming the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2013.An Air Force selection board at the Air Force Personnel Center considered 36 nominees who represented major commands; direct reporting units, field operating agencies and

  • Maintenance unit's helicopter attains excellence twice in one day

    For the first time since 2005, an HH-60G Pave Hawk assigned to the 56th Expeditionary Helicopter Maintenance Unit here achieved a perfect maintenance inspection rating. Aircraft 89-6205, a 24-year old HH-60, achieved the coveted black-letter initial exceptional release, or ER, July 23. After the ER

  • Officers, enlisted members offered early retirement

    Technical and master sergeants, captains, majors and lieutenant colonels in certain Air Force specialties may apply to retire with fewer than 20 years of active service under the Temporary Early Retirement Authority, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced.Commonly referred to as the 15-year

  • AF to convene selective Lt Col, Col early retirement board

    The Air Force will convene a selective early retirement board Dec. 9 to consider eligible lieutenant colonels and colonels for retirement under the FY14 Force Management Program.SERB is one of several FM programs to be implemented in FY14 to help size and balance the force to meet authorized end

  • Kehler lauds capability, credibility of nuclear enterprise

    Sweeping improvements across the U.S. nuclear enterprise since a 2007 incident have increased the focus on the nuclear mission and raised the bar in terms of standards and performance, the commander of U.S. Strategic Command told reporters July 24."In general, I feel much more comfortable today with

  • Air Force takes swift action against sexual assault

    It's not an overstatement to say that the past many years have been challenging for those in the military working to prevent sexual assault and sexual trauma. However, for those who've been victimized it has been much worse, and we should never forget that. The harm in this crime is not just

  • No more redundant inspections: AF implements new inspection system

    The Air Force recently implemented a new inspection system, aimed at giving more power to wing commanders.With the signing of Program Action Directive 13-01, Air Force inspection system Implementation Tiger Team transitions from the planning phase to the execution phase. The program, which was beta

  • Thunderbirds egress specialist finds fulfillment in service

    Many Airmen discover their paths early in life. Some join the Air Force after graduating high school, and others wait a few years before making the decision to enlist. For one Airman assigned to the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, deciding to join the Air Force took 11 years.Staff Sgt.

  • Civil engineers build medical facility, save AF thousands

    Consistent with fluctuating operations in deployed locations, the ability to quickly and efficiently build structures to house new missions is crucial. The 1st Expeditionary Civil Engineer Group here has specialized teams of Airmen who support projects to fulfill construction requirements. "When a

  • Pilot program enhances Autism care, treatment

    A congressionally mandated pilot program set to launch July 25 will enhance an existing Defense Department program that provides care and treatment for military children with autism, a senior DOD official said.Dr. Jonathan Woodson, assistant secretary of defense for health affairs and director of

  • CMSAF speaks to Airmen at Minot AFB

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Cody heard directly from the enlisted force about issues important to them during two Airmen's calls here July 12. In discussing his vision for the Air Force, the chief said with the tough fiscal road ahead, the force is on the cusp of some dramatic changes

  • Quality Assurance: Maintenance commander's 'eyes and ears'

    To ensure the safety of pilots and ground crews, aircraft maintainers are held to a high standard of proficiency and job knowledge in fulfilling their mission requirements.Their skills are monitored and inspected regularly by some of the career field's most knowledgeable maintainers."We cultivate a

  • Voluntary fiscal 2014 force management programs announced

    The Air Force will implement several officer and enlisted force management programs for fiscal 2014, officials said today.Force management programs enable the Air Force to both size and balance the force, with the goal of meeting mandated end strength numbers in the right career fields and at the

  • AF officials announce fiscal 2014 force management programs

    In ongoing efforts to size and shape the force to current and future requirements, Air Force officials announced the fiscal 2014 force management programs.The Air Force ended fiscal 2012 159 Airmen over end strength and anticipates ending fiscal 2013 at or marginally over end strength. The fiscal

  • KC-46 critical design review nearing completion

    The Air Force and Boeing successfully conducted the KC-46 critical design review, or CDR, from July 8-10 at the Boeing facility in Mukilteo, Wash. The KC-46 weapon system CDR was the culmination of nine months of component and sub-system design reviews, which blended the best practices of both the

  • STRATCOM commander discusses mission, future of Global Strike

    The commander of U.S. Strategic Command discussed the mission and future of Air Force Global Strike Command at an all-call here July 15."The skills that we have for the nuclear deterrence mission will be needed as far into the future as I can see," Gen. C. Robert Kehler said. "As long as we have

  • Holding Airmen accountable: Mandatory discharge for sexual assault

    The Air Force recently adopted two new measures to eliminate sexual assault from within the ranks, including requiring discharge for Airmen who commit sexual assault, and requiring the Air Force's most senior commanders to review actions taken on these cases. According to Capt. Allison DeVito, chief

  • First B-52 departs to depot for communications upgrade

    The first B-52H Stratofortress departed Barksdale Air Force Base, La., July 16 is enroute to the depot at Tinker AFB, Okla., for the Combat Network Communications Technology, or CONECT, upgrade.The CONECT upgrade will allow B-52 crews to receive and send real-time digital information such as updated

  • Unmanned drone crashes at Tyndall

    An unmanned QF-4 drone, assigned here to the 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group, crashed on the drone runway during take-off at 8:25 a.m., July 17, 2013. No personnel were injured during the incident.Base and local police officials have closed the highway near the crash site as a precautionary measure

  • Officials seek 2013 Sijan award nominations

    Nominations for the 2013 Lance P. Sijan U.S. Air Force Leadership Award will be accepted through Sept. 20, Air Force Personnel Center officials said.The Sijan award recognizes the accomplishments of officers and enlisted members who have demonstrated the highest quality of leadership in the

  • U.S.-Australia tracking system promotes logistics interoperability

    A new logistics tracking system between the United States and Australia will help to ensure faster, more coordinated responses to humanitarian crises and other contingencies while laying the foundation for closer cooperation across the Asia-Pacific region, the senior U.S. Pacific Command logistics

  • Joint team achieves historic trans-Atlantic medical mission

    A Brooke Army Medical Center team made medical history last week by completing the military's first trans-Atlantic movement of an adult on external lung support.A team of Army and Air Force doctors and nurses treated the patient with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, or ECMO, during a nonstop

  • Special duties require commander nomination

    The selection process for 10 special duty positions now requires unit commander nomination and hiring authority certification, Air Force Personnel Center officials said. The process change implemented this month affects staff sergeant, technical sergeant and master sergeant positions in special

  • 10 special duties become developmental opportunities

    Selection for 10 special duty fields is now a nominative rather than volunteer-based process, Air Force officials announced today. In the past, any qualified Airman who met eligibility criteria defined in the special duty catalog could apply for a special duty opportunity. However, as resources

  • GEICO award nominees sought

    Air Force officials are accepting nominations for the 2013 Government Employees Insurance Company Military Service Awards.The annual awards recognize enlisted members from all military service branches, including active duty, Guard and Reserve, for their contributions to military and civilian

  • Innovation extends ORS-1's life, mission

    The Operationally Responsive Space-1 satellite launched June 29, 2011, and has been a star Air Force performer since its first day on orbit. Members of the 1st and 7th Space Operations Squadrons celebrated the spacecraft's second birthday recently. "This is a great time to recognize all of ORS-1's

  • Financial managers get certification program

    Air Force Financial Managers are joining forces with their sister services to create a more effective training and certification program. The new Department of Defense Financial Manager Certification Program will affect nearly 10,000 Air Force active duty officers, enlisted and civilian financial

  • AF Reserve MAFFS C-130s, crews back in Colorado

    Aircrews, maintainers and two Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System-equipped C-130 aircraft assigned to the Air Force Reserve Command's 302nd Airlift Wing returned  here July 7 after supporting aerial fire fighting operations for five days at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, Ariz. The 302nd AW MAFFS

  • Air Force officials release first enlisted LEAP selection board results

    The U.S. Air Force Culture and Language Center recently released the results of the first Language Enabled Airman Program selection board solely for enlisted Airmen. The selection of 199 applicants nearly triples the number of enlisted Airmen in the program.The program aims to sustain, enhance and

  • Hagel calls DOD education support a strategic priority

    The Defense Department's commitment to military families and to quality education for military children is a strategic imperative that leaders will maintain, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said in remarks July 9.During closing remarks at the Military Child Education Coalition's 15th National Training

  • AF firefighting aircraft repositioned

    The U.S. Forest Service, through the National Interagency Fire Center here, has directed the repositioning of military Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System aircraft from Colorado Springs, Colo., to Mesa, Ariz. "The weather and progress on the ground have helped us in the Four Corners region," said

  • Deployed controllers deliver hope

    When serving on a remote forward operating base in Afghanistan, service members rely on deliveries of ammunition, tools, food, water and other supplies. Many times these vital provisions are airdropped by 8th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron cargo jets. "Cargo is the life blood of downrange

  • AF leaders stand behind civilians during tough furlough times

    Acting Secretary of the Air Force Eric Fanning and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III send the following furlough message to the Airmen of the United States Air Force:As you all know, Department of Defense civilian furloughs begin this week. With few exceptions, our civilian Airmen face

  • AF chaplain, NASCAR team to help service members

    On April 27, 2012, Chaplain (Col.) Steven West went to Richmond International Raceway in Richmond, Va., to speak about ministry; he left with a plan to change the world. He left his office as the chaplain for the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to meet with Dell Hamilton, a partner of Hamilton

  • Joint STARS: Deployed maintainers saving lives

    U.S. and coalition ground forces deployed to the U.S. Central Command area of operations depend on many different airframes and assets to complete their day-to-day operations. That includes the E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System maintained by the 7th Expeditionary Aircraft

  • Training for joint, U.K. F-35 programs heat up

    The largest fleet of F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighters ramped up to 28 aircraft June 25, bringing in new capability for the F-35 Integrated Training Center as the team trains to provide combat operations capability in the years ahead.The U.S. Navy's Strike Fighter Squadron-101 received a

  • Maintaining the maintainers

    Maintainers fix and keep aircraft flying; we all know what they do. But, how are our maintainers able to solve complex technical problems and keep our more than 50 year old tanker fleet in the air?Ask any maintainer and they will probably tell you the Maintenance Qualification Training Program is

  • Voluntary retraining application window closes July 7

    Enlisted Airmen in overmanned career fields who want to retrain into an undermanned field have until July 7 to submit their application under Phase I of the fiscal 2014 Noncommissioned Officer Retraining Program, Air Force Personnel Center officials reminded Airmen.The two-phase program is used to

  • Forest Service directs MAFFS to Arizona

    Forest Service, through the National Interagency Fire Center here, has directed the repositioning of military Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System aircraft from Colorado Springs, Colo., to Mesa, Ariz."The weather and progress on the ground have helped us in the Four Corners region." said Col.