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  • TRICARE official: Early flu shots key to prevention

    With flu season already under way, the top TRICARE military health plan official encourages the system's almost 9.7 million beneficiaries to get their flu shots as early as possible at a military medical facility or network provider, or at any participating pharmacy.Military hospitals and clinics

  • Air Force officials reinstate captain central selection board

    Promotion opportunities for active-duty line of the Air Force first lieutenants competing for promotion to captain is being adjusted to 95 percent, Air Force officials announced Oct. 13 here. Since the promotion opportunity to captain will now be less than 100 percent, the Air Force officials will

  • 2010 Air Force Climate Survey under way

    Total force Airmen and Department of Defense civilians have an opportunity to voice their concerns to Air Force leaders during the 2010 Air Force Climate Survey.The purpose of the survey is to assess the opinions and perceptions of Air Force active-duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian personnel on a

  • C-17s vital to aeromedical community in Pacific

    Each C-17 Globemaster III flight out of here in which tons of cargo are loaded, delivered and off loaded to a customer in some corner of the Pacific, deserves the crew's undivided attention to detail. However, when the cargo is a servicemember clinging to life, the crew's awareness can become even

  • Air Force wins back-to-back softball titles

    The Air Force men's softball team won its second consecutive Armed Forces Softball Championship title after out-slugging Army Sept. 23 at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla. ,19-10. The Air Force won its sixth gold medal in nine years and posted a 7-2 record throughout the five-day tournament. Air

  • ISR leader passes torch to new generation

    The morning of Sept. 30 saw 20 officers receive intelligence specialty badges upon graduating from the Air Force intelligence officer course here. There are multiple classes held each year, but the Sept. 30 graduation had a special twist: it was the first time the Air Force deputy chief of staff for

  • Services officials announce scholarship winners

    Officials overseeing the Air Force Services Club Membership Scholarship Program recently selected twenty-five individuals to receive $1,000 scholarships.Club members and their families were given the opportunity to submit a 500-word essay on "What does it mean to be part of the Air Force Family?" A

  • Expeditionary center takes UDM training on the road

    Officials are expanding the capability of the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center here for training unit deployment managers by deploying mobile training teams across the Air Force.These mobile training teams will consist of pairs of UDM instructors who will travel to major Air Force installations

  • Airmen enhance NATO partners' night vision capability

    Establishing and maintaining solid working relationships with partner nations is a major mission element in the special operations community. This sometimes takes the form of providing training opportunities in order to level the 'playing field' and ensure better interoperability and capability with

  • Scott Airmen teach Iraqi Forces life-saving techniques

    Airmen with the 375th Security Forces Squadron here, who are deployed to Joint Base Balad, Iraq, recently helped create a new training plan for Iraqi guards.Senior Airman Aaron Jennings, a unit trainer with the 532nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, is one of the security forces Airmen who

  • Airman heats up fitness challenge

    A 22nd Civil Engineer Squadron heating ventilation and cooling craftsman transformed his body, passed his fitness test and found the strength and motivation to maintain a healthy lifestyle, all within the span of two months. Staff Sgt. Christopher Jeffcoat, a nine-year Air Force veteran, scored 57

  • Afghan air force adds first honor guard to its ranks

    Afghan airmen from the Kandahar Air Wing posted colors for the first time with their own honor guard at the one year anniversary of the unit's activation Oct. 5 here.For the past year, Airmen of the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing Honor Guard have posted the colors for KAW ceremonies. The team recently

  • Canadian forces contribute to space mission

    When servicemembers here perform a mission, whether it is space surveillance or launching a payload into space, it is not solely an American effort, but rather a joint effort. One such example is the partnership here between Americans and Canadians. Stemming out of the North American Aerospace

  • RED HORSE meets NASCAR

    Members of the 820th RED HORSE Squadron met with team members from a NASCAR truck racing team as part of an orientation between the Red Horse Racing team and the RED HORSE squadron Sept. 24 here. The Red Horse Racing team currently races Toyota Tundras in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and

  • Air Force officials conducting personnel accountability exercise

    Officials are conducting an Air Force-wide exercise Oct. 6 through 8 to test the Air Force Personnel Accountability and Assessment System.An exercise execution order will identify the geographic area of interest in which all personnel assigned to, living in, TDY to or on leave in that area, must be

  • Innovative parts washer improves environment and health

    An environmentally-friendly parts washer here is getting attention for using oil-eating microbes, which means workers are no longer exposed to the solvents previously used. The system uses bioremediation to avoid the waste streams of liquid found in traditional parts cleaning systems. Bioremediation

  • Airmen make impact with first GBU-54 combat drop in Afghanistan

    Airmen from the 510th Fighter Squadron here employed a guided bomb unit-54 laser joint directed attack munition for the first time in the Afghan area of operations recently.The GBU-54 is the Air Force's newest 500-pound precision weapon, equipped with a special targeting system that uses a

  • Exercise aims to change game

    A training exercise held at Joint Base Lewis-McChord recently might change how Air Force and Army units conduct close air support.Pacific Strike 2010 demonstrated capabilities that could vastly improve close-air-support operations for deployed units as well as in garrison, said Army I Corps' Chief

  • Air Force defeats Navy 14-6 in ground battle

    In a game filled with flyovers, it was ground pounding that dominated as the Air Force Falcons sunk the Navy Midshipmen 14-6 Oct. 2 at Falcon Stadium here.The Falcons showed why they have the number one rushing offense in the country after racking up 292 yards on the ground. Their season average

  • Website is one-stop shop for deployment-related issues

    Airmen can access information about their upcoming deployment at the Air and Space Expeditionary Force Online website. The AEF Online website, located at https://aef.afpc.randolph.af.mil/, provides a single access point for all AEF-related issues to include reporting instructions, tempo banding,

  • Photo essay: Afghanistan unit shows capabilities

    Pararescuemen from the 33rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron participate with Airmen from the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing in a training mission here Sept. 24. The training mission provided a glimpse of what the 33rd ERQS brings to the fight and the capabilities it provides to combat commanders.View

  • NJ-based CRG assumes alert rotation for global mobility mission

    Airmen from the 621st Contingency Wing here will assume responsibility for a four-month rotation of Joint Task Force, Port-Opening alert Oct. 1.Approximately120 mobility Airmen assigned to the CRW's 817th Contingency Response Group will join 55 Soldiers from an Army Rapid Port Opening Element based

  • Airman dies in combat operations in Afghanistan

    An Air Force Special Operations Command combat controller died Sept. 29 while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.Senior Airman Mark A. Forester, 29, of Tuscaloosa, Ala., was killed while conducting combat operations with his special forces team in Uruzgan province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to

  • Global Strike command reaches full operational capability

    Officials declared Air Force Global Strike Command to be at full operational capability Sept. 30, on schedule, and less than 14 months after its initial activation as a command.To reach that milestone, the command accomplished more than 700 action items identified by the secretary and chief of staff

  • McConnell AFB officials host AFSO 21 event

    Officials here hosted their first Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century event Sept. 13 through 17 to further streamline and sustain the KC-135 Stratotanker fleet.The event, called the "KC-135 Points of Use Parts Enterprise Event," involved 16 different units Air Force-wide, and affects the

  • Programs help Airmen pick up the pace

    With the new Air Force physical training standards, many Airmen are looking for ways to gain a few extra points on their scores.When it comes to the 1.5-mile run portion of the test, units are setting challenges and Airmen are starting programs designed to motivate testers and help them shave

  • Medical staff celebrates advances in ECMO

    The year 2010 marks the 25th anniversary of the 59th Medical wing staff conducting extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation missions.ECMO is a machine that provides cardiac and respiratory support primarily to infants and children whose hearts and lungs are so severely diseased or damaged that they can

  • Balad first base to host resiliency training

    Deployments cause stress and stress, if not managed, can lead to consequences such as arguments, fights, mission failures and possibly suicide.Joint Base Balad is the first base in Southwest Asia to test the Flash Forward Resiliency Training Program, which is one of many programs that will be

  • Leaders praise mobility team for successful Afghanistan surge

    When President Barack Obama announced the surge of an additional 30,000 servicemembers to Afghanistan, mobility Airmen didn't waste a second getting the surge in motion.Within days, units designated to go to Afghanistan were notified and began preparations. Likewise, the DOD's mobility team, which

  • PECI Program funds can increase unit productivity

    In times when budget constraints and cutbacks are prevalent, Air Force members can improve unit productivity by using the Productivity Enhancing Capital Investment program. This program provides units with a resource for purchasing productivity-enhancing equipment, which results in savings that

  • Former NCO fights through PTSD

    Before a nine-month deployment to Camp Bucca, Iraq, an active-duty security forces member stationed at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., was on the fast track. He was promoted below-the-zone to senior airman and selected for staff sergeant on first attempt. Before he was medically retired due to

  • Physician earns AFA top award for health care

    A doctor here has been honored for making the most significant contribution to the continued good health of the men and women of the Air Force last year.Lt. Col. (Dr.) Christopher P. Paulson, from the 96th Medical Operations Squadron, was presented the Air Force Association's Paul W. Myers Award

  • AF civil engineers BEEF up Marine Corps mission

    Airmen and Marines worked together to build sun shades to improve the quality of life for a new F/A-18 Hornet squadron Sept. 23 and 24 at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan.The 777th Expeditionary Prime BEEF Squadron, also known as the Base Engineer Emergency Force, provided the skill set and received

  • Joint team restores precision airdrop capability

    Warfighters at forward operating bases have recently begun receiving supplies via a critical variant of the Joint Precision Airdrop System again, due to the combined efforts of an Air Force, Army and contract team.JPADS is a family of equipment consisting of parachutes, mission-planning systems,

  • South Dakota Air National Guard wing named top fighter unit

    The Airmen of the South Dakota Air National Guard's 114th Fighter Wing have once again distinguished themselves as the most outstanding Air National Guard fighter unit in the nation. They were selected as the 2010 recipient of the National Guard Bureau's Winston P. Wilson Trophy. The trophy is

  • Medical leaders cut ribbon on BAMC pediatric ward, ICU

    Air Force and Army medical leaders christened the new Brooke Army Medical Center pediatric ward and intensive care unit during a ribbon-cutting ceremony here Sept. 21. Staffed primarily by Air Force personnel, the majority of Wilford Hall Medical Center inpatient pediatric services moved to BAMC in

  • Airmen participate in Operation Market Garden anniversary

    Nineteen Airmen along with three C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron traveled to Holland Sept. 16 to 19 to participate in the reenactment of the largest airborne assault in history to date. More than 1,000 Dutch, German, British, Polish and American servicemembers

  • Airman inducted into Pentagon's Hall of Heroes

    Chief Master Sgt. Richard Etchberger was posthumously inducted into the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes in a ceremony Sept. 22 following presentation of the Medal of Honor during a White House ceremony the day before."Today, we bring honor to Chief Etchberger's memory and our nation's highest tribute to

  • Air Force officials select 2010 team excellence award winners

    Air Force officials recently selected five teams to receive 2010 Chief of Staff Team Excellence awards for finding creative ways to enhance mission capabilities, improve operational performance and create sustained results. The innovations and business solutions the competing Air Force teams

  • 36th LRS Airmen support Valiant Shield

    Airmen from the 36th Logistical Readiness Squadron stepped up their game during Valiant Shield 2010 by acting as master planners for all support, vehicle coordination and aircraft fueling needs.During Valiant Shield, an additional 1,300 personnel were here, and the 36th LRS Airmen ensured

  • German partnership enhances mission, saves JTACs money

    From energy conservation practices to Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century initiatives, Airmen are looking for more efficient ways of conducting business. One task that has Air Force leaders here thinking outside the box is continued support for joint terminal attack controller training

  • AETC: Fatality free Critical Days of Summer

    Air Education and Training Command officials announced the command ended its Critical Days of Summer campaign with no fatalities.This year was AETC's first fatality free Critical Days of Summer since 1960.The Air Force campaigns for safety every year from Memorial Day to Labor Day to encourage

  • New York National Guard members participate in South African air show

    More than 70 members of the New York Army and Air National Guard are participating in the Africa Aerospace and Defense Exposition 2010 from Sept. 21 through 25 in Cape Town, South Africa.The event is held at Air Force Base Ysterplaat and features aircraft from 35 countries and 135 manufacturers.The

  • New computer chip cuts costs, adds efficiency to space systems

    Air Force Research Laboratory's Space Vehicles Directorate officials partnered with Xilinx, Inc. five years ago to design new field programmable gate arrays that would reduce costs, increase effectiveness of their satellite circuitry and withstand the damaging effects of radiation in the

  • RPAT responsibly moving equipment out of Iraq

    Airmen assigned to Redistribution Property Assistance Team here have been working alongside Soldiers, contractors and Department of the Army civilians to ensure equipment leaving Iraq gets to its proper location, and in a usable condition as U.S. forces continue to draw down forces in Iraq.First Lt.

  • Outstanding Airmen honored at dinner

    Air Force Association officials held a formal dinner honoring the 2010 Outstanding Airmen of the Year was held at the National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Md., Sept. 14 during the Air Force Association's Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition."This is a proud moment for our honorees," said

  • Maintainers keep Galaxies, Globemasters flying through Iraq

    Maintainers with the 521st Air Mobility Operations Group, Det. 5, have kept on their toes maintaining C-5 Galaxies and C-17 Globemaster IIIs passing through Iraq, ensuring they are in "tip-top" shape to keep servicemembers and cargo moving through safely. "We've got C-5s coming in here and we're

  • Officials seek nominees for AFA awards

    Air Force officials are soliciting nominations for both the 2011 Joan Orr Air Force Spouse of the Year and the 2011 Verne Orr awards.The Air Force Association sponsors both awards annually.The Joan Orr Spouse of the Year Award honors the significant contributions made by non-military spouses of Air

  • AMC commander relates importance of global reach to AFA attendees

    The commander of Air Mobility Command emphasized the national, joint and coalition importance of the support AMC provides to combat and humanitarian operations during the Air Force Association Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition at Oxon Hill, Md., Sept. 14.Gen. Raymond E. Johns Jr. said

  • Cursor on Target conference to feature hands-on challenge

    Officials from the Electronic Systems Center here are slated to the host the Cursor on Target Users' Conference Sept. 22 and 23.The conference will include several presentations, but a scenario-based, 'friendly competition' will dominate much of the event.Officials here are expecting as many as 200

  • Constitution commemoration falls in line with Air Force birthday

    "I ... solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic," are words from the enlistment oath that every Airman has sworn to one or more times.As the Air Force marks its 63rd year Sept. 18, the Department of Defense

  • DOD acquisition chief outlines plan to help warfighters, taxpayers

    The Defense Department's $400 billion-a-year system for buying goods and services is about to undergo major changes designed to save taxpayer money without affecting mission readiness, a senior Pentagon official says."We're asking you to do more without more," Ashton B. Carter, undersecretary of

  • Airman receives Bronze Star during AFA

    A tactical air control party member and one of the Air Force's 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year received a Bronze Star Medal with Valor during the Air Force Association Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition at National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Md., Sept. 14. Staff Sgt. Kenneth I. Walker III

  • Generals discuss strengthening nuclear enterprise at annual conference

    Five generals sat on the nuclear enterprise panel at the 2010 Air Force Association Conference and Technology Expo to answer questions from Airmen and civilians Sept. 13 here.Gen. Roger A. Brady, the U.S Air Forces in Europe commander; Maj. Gen. Donald Alston, the 20th Air Force commander; Maj. Gen.

  • ESC officials to begin testing 'Venture Catalyst' solutions

    Electronic Systems Center officials are preparing to conduct seven demonstrations, each designed to test a specific technology solution they might have known little or nothing about just months ago.The seven technology demos emerged from a 'Solutions Workshop' held here in late July, run in

  • Officials seek O'Malley Award nominees

    Air Force officials are seeking nominations for the 2011 General and Mrs. Jerome F. O'Malley Award. The O'Malley Award annually recognizes the wing commander and spouse team whose contributions to the nation, the Air Force and the local community best exemplify the highest ideals and positive

  • DOD report urges increase in guard's civilian technicians

    Department of Defense officials recently submitted a report to Congress recommending an increase in the current legal limits on the number of civilian technicians who provide support to National Guard members and their units.About 52,000 technicians are spread across the across the U.S., while about

  • Social starts week celebrating outstanding Airmen

    The Air Force's 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year attended a social here Sept. 11 to kick off a week of events planned to honor them.Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy and his wife, Paula, welcomed the Airmen and their guests to Airey House, their official residence named after the first

  • 2010 Air Force Association Air & Space Conference kicks off

    More than 1,000 attendees were on hand for the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Air Force Association Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition on Sept. 13 at the National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Md. During the ceremonies, Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen.

  • Officials seek Spirit of Hope Award nominees

    Air Force officials are soliciting nominations for the 2011 Spirit of Hope Award.The award recognizes a military member, civilian or an organization that epitomizes the values of Bob Hope: duty, honor, courage, loyalty, commitment, integrity and selfless dedication.Each major command, field

  • Space Command Inspector General: 24th Air Force ready for full operations

    The Headquarters Air Force Space Command Inspector General team concluded a four-day, full operational capability assessment of 24th Air Force units here today with a briefing to the commander stating that the numbered Air Force and its subordinate units are "ready" to be declared fully

  • Pakistan flood aid tops 5 million pounds

    U.S. military aircraft supporting Pakistan's flood relief efforts achieved a significant milestone Sept. 11, exceeding 5 million pounds of relief supplies delivered since U.S. military relief flight operations in Pakistan began Aug. 5.To date, U.S. military helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft have

  • Kadena's conservation efforts net federal award

    For the second consecutive year, civil engineers here have been awarded a federal energy and water management award for their aggressive conservation efforts on Okinawa.In 2009, the 718th Civil Engineer Squadron was honored for having one of the best 2008 energy efficiency and energy programs within

  • 613th AOC provides key communication link during Valiant Shield

    The 613th Air and Space Operations Center here will serve as the command and control hub for Air Force, Navy and Marine aircraft participating in exercise Valiant Shield 10, scheduled near Guam, Sept. 12 through 21. Valiant Shield is a joint field-training exercise focused on integrated training

  • New ISR group supports cyber operations

    The 659th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group was activated Sept. 8 during a ceremony here.The mission of the 659th ISR Group, commanded by Col. Peter Lambert, is to provide direct ISR support to the 24th Air Force, which contributes to U.S. Cyber Command's mission. Members of the

  • Air Force firefighters honored by DOD officials

    Airmen took home more than half of the trophies presented at this year's Department of Defense Fire and Emergency Services Awards ceremony Aug. 27 in Chicago. DOD nominees are submitted from the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard and Defense Logistics Agency consisting of more than 20,000

  • Valiant Shield exercise begins at Joint Region Marianas

    Air Force bombers, fighters, tankers and support aircraft from the Pacific theater are arriving and making preparations for Valiant Shield 2010. The U.S. Pacific Command exercise, which runs Sept. 12 through 21, and will be conducted near Guam."Valiant Shield 2010 exercises the military's ability to

  • Officials welcome new Air Force chief of safety

    In a Sept. 1 change-of-command ceremony here, Maj. Gen. Gregory A. Feest assumed command of the Air Force Safety Center from Maj. Gen. Frederick F. Roggero. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz presided over the change of command. In his comments, he highlighted AFSC's performance under the

  • Air Force officials increase deployment times

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz announced a change to the air and space expeditionary force rotational baseline from 120 to 179 days for most active component Airmen. According to Air Force officials, 71 percent of Airmen are already deploying outside the 120-day baseline. The revised

  • Airmen bestow highest enlisted honor

    Airmen from across U.S. Air Forces in Europe came together to induct USAFE Commander Gen. Roger A. Brady into the Order of the Sword during a ceremony here Sept. 8.As the 19th recipient of USAFE's Order of the Sword, General Brady was given the highest honor someone can receive from the Air Force's

  • B-1 carries record-setting missile load

    A Dyess Air Force Base B-1B Lancer carried a full load of 24 AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Stand-off Missiles on a flight over the Gulf of Mexico, Sept. 7 -- a first for the B-1 and AGM-158."The mission was a success," said Maj. Brian Owen, the chief of wing weapons and tactics. "Everything went as

  • Deployed air refueling unit helps fuel the Afghanistan surge

    On Dec. 1, 2009, President Barack Obama announced that an additional 30,000 troops would be sent to Afghanistan to help stabilize the country. Whether in support of airlift missions or combat operations, aircraft fuel delivered by members of the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron here is

  • Mobility Airmen support Pakistan flood relief

    Mobility Airmen have been involved in the Pakistan flood relief effort since floods began affecting the country in late July. Among the Airmen deployed to Pakistan are about 30 members from Air Mobility Command's 818th Contingency Response Group, 621st Contingency Response Wing, from Joint Base

  • Army, Air Guard officials prepare for flu season

    With the flu season approaching quickly, Army and Air National Guard officials have released guidance for their 2010-2011 vaccination campaigns, and will start shipping vaccinations to the U.S. for immediate distribution.Army Maj. Gunnar D. Kiersey, a medical readiness officer with the Army Guard

  • Vandenberg fire department best in DOD

    Edging past more than 500 fire departments, the fire department here was named the 2009 Department of Defense medium-unit fire department of the year at the annual DOD Fire and Emergency Services Award Banquet in Chicago Aug. 27.The DOD award for the medium-unit fire department of the year is a

  • Pope senior NCO wins interservice chess tourney

    A senior NCO assigned to Pope Air Force Base recently defeated top chess players from each service to take home the top prize during the 2010 Interservice Chess Championship. Master Sgt. Dan Ranario, of the 3rd Aerial Port Squadron, will join the U.S.-led team participating in the 2010 NATO Chess

  • Final F-15 departs Langley, 71st FS prepares to inactivate

    The last two operational F-15 Eagles left here Sept. 1 for Portland, Ore. The 71st Fighter Squadron is scheduled to be inactivated Sept. 30. The 71st FS, also referred to as the Ironmen, generated more than 4,000 sorties and logged more than 5,400 flight hours annually. "When the last wheels of the

  • Activation of space operations group feted at Tyndall

    Members of the 601st Air and Space Operations Center here held a ceremony Aug. 21 to commemorate the activation of the 101st Air and Space Operations Group.The 101st AOG, which is a Florida Air National Guard unit, provides the manning for the 601st AOC to fulfill their mission of defending the

  • DSP satellite now on display at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force

    A structural test vehicle from the Defense Support Program, which helped provide the Air Force with early warning of ballistic missile launches or above ground nuclear detonations, was recently donated to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force by Northrop Grumman. This 35-foot-long structural

  • Airmen train in Arctic Circle

    More than 200 Airmen from here arrived at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Aug. 20 and 21 to participate in an exercise with some of the Air Force's most advanced operational fighter squadrons.The 209 members of the 391st Fighter Squadron and aircraft maintenance unit will spend

  • Academy firefighters win DOD awards

    Two Air Force Academy firefighters received Department of Defense awards during the Defense Fire and Emergency Services Annual Awards Banquet in Chicago Aug. 27.Senior Airman Jessica Morehouse was named the 2009 DOD military firefighter of the year, and Deputy Fire Chief Ken Helgerson received the

  • Lakenheath unit assumes NATO mission

    The 493rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, deployed from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, assumed command of the NATO Baltic air policing mission Sept. 1 from the Polish air force at Lithuania Air Force Air Base.For the next four months, the squadron, comprising approximately 125 people, is

  • Compass Call squadron departs 386th AEW as a result of drawdown in Iraq

    The last EC-130H Compass Call assigned to the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing departed here Aug. 29 for deployment to another U.S. Central Command base, capping a 6.5 year tour of duty in which Compass Call crews flew some 23,300 combat hours in direct support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.The 43rd

  • Tricare Retired Reserve health coverage launches

    For the first time, members of the Retired Reserve who are not yet age 60, the so-called "gray area" retirees, can purchase Tricare health coverage for themselves and their eligible family members with the Sept. 1 launch of Tricare Retired Reserve. "This new program offers a health coverage

  • Airmen provide critical air battle management

    A team of 140 U.S. and coalition force Airmen make up the 71st Expeditionary Air Control Squadron here, providing command and control over the sky in Afghanistan and air defense of the Arabian Gulf. The 71st EACS, better known as "Pyramid Control," operates the 24-hour a day Battlespace Command and

  • Officials seek nominations for civilian awards

    Air Force officials are soliciting nominations for the 2011 Air Force Association Outstanding Air Force Civilian Employees of the Year Award.Each year, AFA officials recognize four Air Force civilian employees for outstanding achievement in four categories. Nominations will be evaluated on the

  • Airmen deploy to Pakistan to assist with flood relief

    Approximately 40 Airmen from the 621st Contingency Response Wing arrived in Pakistan Aug. 28 to support Pakistan's flood relief operations here. The Airmen will work at Pakistan Air Force Base Chaklala, Pakistan, in partnership with Pakistan government and military officials to support humanitarian

  • Air Force officials urge operations security vigilance

    Fraudsters continue to hijack accounts on social networking sites and spread malicious software, FBI officials said. One technique entices users to download an application or view a video that appears to be sent from users' "friends", giving the perception of being legitimate. Once the user responds

  • Eagles soar for last time at Hickam

    Pilots from the 199th Fighter Squadron, Hawaii Air National Guard, completed their last training mission with the F-15 Eagle from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii Aug 25.The HIANG is upgrading to the F-22 Raptor, a fifth generation fighter, and received their first two Raptors in July.The ANG

  • Reservists support Pakistan relief efforts

    Members of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing responded to Pakistan's call for assistance following the devastating floods that began July 29. Four C-130 Hercules crews, along with two aircraft from the 746th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron and eight members of the 908th Aircraft Maintenance Unit here

  • Space Logistics Group passes compliance inspection

    The Space Logistics Group, a subordinate unit of the Space and Missile Systems Center, received an overall grade of "in compliance with comments" on a compliance inspection conducted Aug. 16 through 23. This was the first time the group had undergone a CI.CIs are conducted to assess areas mandated

  • Ramstein Airmen train with sister wing in Poland

    Airmen from the 86th Airlift Wing and 435th Contingency Response Group at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, traveled to the 33rd Air Base here Aug. 13 through 19 for combined training with Polish military forces. Operation Screaming Eagle, the weeklong off-site training, aimed at sharing knowledge,

  • Air Force Research Lab conducts second successful robot refueler test

    The test of a robotic refueling system by researchers at the Air Force Research Laboratory's Materials and Manufacturing Directorate in late July 2010 marks the second successful test of technology that could dramatically change the way the U.S. military services its aircraft.The prototype device

  • Deployed aircrew brings relief to flood-torn Pakistan

    As Air Force operations in support of flood relief operations in Pakistan resumed, aircrew and support personnel from the 746th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia prepared to forward deploy to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, to ease the workload of the local

  • Airmen assist with Army ground movements in Iraq

    Tactical air control party teams assigned to the 4/2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team here help to keep their convoys safe by being a liaison to Airmen in aircraft flying above, when convoys are on the move.A TACP team consists of two Airmen: a joint terminal attack controller, and a radio operator,

  • Officials release MQ-1B accident report

    Pilot error caused the crash of an MQ-1B Predator at Southern California Logistics Airport during an April 20 training mission, according to an Air Combat Command Accident Investigation Board report released Aug. 20.The Predator was an Air National Guard aircraft from the 163rd Reconnaissance Wing

  • U.S. mission in Iraq officially changes Sept. 1

    A fundamental shift will take place at the end of the month in the mission of U.S. forces in Iraq, a Pentagon official said Aug. 19.The change in mission from Operation Iraqi Freedom to Operation New Dawn reflects the improvement in conditions in Iraq and officially will end the U.S. combat mission

  • Multinational exercise focuses on Panama Canal defense

    More than 2,000 participants from 18 countries are taking part in Panamax 2010, one of the world's largest multinational maritime training exercises, aimed at defense of the Panama Canal.Cosponsored by U.S. Southern Command and the Panamanian government, the 12-day exercise that kicked off Aug. 16

  • U.S. continues to rush relief to Pakistan

    As monsoon rains continue to fall on Pakistan, U.S. officials are sending aid as fast as the flood-stricken country can absorb it, a Defense Department official said here Aug. 18. U.N. officials estimate that some 20 million Pakistanis are affected, with about 1,500 dead, as the Indus River and its