NATO Air Policing operations

U.S. Air Force News

  • AF officials announce Lance P. Sijan Award winners

    Air Force officials recently announced the winners of the 2011 Lance P. Sijan Air Force Leadership Award.The Lance P. Sijan Air Force Leadership Award recognizes Airmen who have demonstrated outstanding leadership abilities.The senior officer category winner is Maj. Laura Dejong, who is assigned to

  • Barksdale AFB mourns fallen EOD hero

    Airmen and families here gathered to mourn the loss of a 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance technician Jan. 20.Senior Airman Bryan Bell, 23, was killed in action Jan. 5 by an improvised explosive device while performing his duties for Delta Company, 466th Explosive Ordnance Disposal

  • AF names mission support squadron commanders

    More than 580 officers from various Air Force career fields have been selected for mission support, training and recruiting, and deputy maintenance group command, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced. Using squadron commander candidate lists released in November, wing hiring officials,

  • Sather Memorial finds rest at JB San Antonio

    A memorial honoring the U.S. Air Force's first combat casualty during Operation Iraqi Freedom was unveiled Jan. 20 at Medina Annex, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Staff Sgt. Scott D. Sather, a combat controller, was killed in Iraq on April 8, 2003. Pararescuemen, combat controllers and Pararescue

  • Silver Star awarded to combat controller

    The commander of Air Force Special Operations Command presented the Silver Star medal to a combat controller and more than 30 other medals to special tactics Airmen during a ceremony at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Jan. 18.Lt. Gen. Eric Fiel presented Tech. Sgt. Clint Campbell the Silver Star for his

  • MQ-9 performs emergency landing

    Officials with the 49th Wing announced a remotely piloted MQ-9 Reaper performed an emergency landing Jan. 23 at approximately 9:45 p.m. just south of the base.The aircraft is assigned to the 29th Attack Squadron, which is a remotely piloted aircraft flying training unit. The accident occurred at the

  • AF reservists support first rocket launch of year

    Air Force Reserve Combat-search-and-rescue Airmen from the 920th Rescue Wing, Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., supported the successful launch of a Delta IV rocket carrying the fourth Wideband Global SATCOM satellite at 7:38 p.m. EST from Space Launch Complex 37 here Jan. 19.Maintenance Airmen readied

  • Newest band member leads Ceremonial Brass on first American concert tour

    (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.)The newest member of the United States Air Force Band is leading the Ceremonial Brass as the conductor during their first American

  • Fitness NCO brings smiles to deployed Airmen

    This NCO is always there. If you're feeling down, she will comfort you. If you're eating by yourself, she will sit by you, and, if you're looking to improve your fitness, she'll whip your body into shape. She is ... the ultimate wingman.Meet Staff Sgt. Sokum Ouk, a 332nd Expeditionary Force Support

  • High-altitude fitness test rules reinstated

    Airmen undergoing their fitness tests at high-altitude bases can breathe easier during fitness testing thanks to the efforts of Air Force Academy leaders and the Human Performance Laboratory.Changes to the Air Force Fitness testing program in 2010 didn't include an altitude adjustment, as the

  • Brass quintet conducts clinic with Florida university students

    The U.S. Air Force Ceremonial Brass Quintet performed a clinic for 25 students from Palm Beach Atlantic University during a visit to the school Jan. 20 here.The clinic involved the members of the Brass Quintet playing five pieces for the students, answering questions, and then working with the

  • Tuskegee Airman laid to rest at Arlington

    Family members, friends and fellow service members gathered Jan. 20 here to honor the life and contributions of an original Tuskegee Airmen. Retired Lt. Col. Luke Weathers, 90, a member of the 302nd Fighter Squadron during World War II, received full military honors including an F-16 Fighting Falcon

  • SF Airman rises to physical training challenge

    (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.)Fitness is important to Senior Airman Steven Evans; not just because he is his unit's fitness program manager, but because he's seen

  • New AF camp renamed in honor of JTAC

    The 451st Air Expeditionary Wing's newly acquired Canada 9 compound will soon be renamed to honor a joint terminal attack controller who was posthumously awarded a Silver Star for his actions in January 2010.Recently approved by Kandahar Airfield officials, the compound was renamed Camp Bradley

  • Smaller carbon footprint means fewer risks, official says

    A hard push by the Defense Department and the military services to reduce dependence on fossil fuels will shrink risks on the battlefield along with the Pentagon's carbon footprint, a DOD official said yesterday.Oliver Fritz, the deputy director for policy in the Office of the Under Secretary of

  • OC-ALC receives DOD maintenance award

    The Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center received the 2011 Robert T. Mason Depot Maintenance Excellence Award at a presentation ceremony here Jan. 11.John B. Johns, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for maintenance at the Department of Defense, presented the award, which was given for Tinker

  • AETC Airmen share lessons, vision at 2012 Symposium

    Thousands of Airmen from across Air Education and Training Command attended the 2012 AETC Symposium here Jan. 12-13 to learn about world-leading capabilities and technologies for educating, training, recruiting and innovating.More than 120 vendor booths, 70 seminars and panels, and a number of

  • Physical fitness motivates, bonds Afghan and American women

    Over the last few years, physical fitness has become a focal point for Airmen readiness across the U.S. Air Force. Here, at the Afghan air force compound, nine female AAF members and one American advisor are also making it a point of emphasis in their military training and daily lives.What began as

  • 48th FW Airman honored by German government

    During a Jan. 16 ceremony here, the 48th Security Forces Squadron NCO in charge of vehicles was awared the highest tribute the Federal Republic of Germany can pay to individuals for services to the German nation.German Interior Minister Dr. Hans-Peter Friedrich presented the Order of Merit of the

  • Weapons system team earns William J. Perry Award

    Members of the Massive Ordnance Penetrator program team received the 16th annual William J. Perry Award in recognition of their contributions to precision strike systems during an awards ceremony hosted by the Precision Strike Association here Jan. 17.The program team, consisting of representatives

  • The heat is on ... Afghan style

    As alarms sound and flames roar from the burning building, they run in while others run out.For years and years, firemen have trained for the eventuality that one day, they may have to save an innocent victim from the intense heat of a raging inferno. In Afghanistan, military fire training is no

  • Supervisor resource center moves to AF Portal

    Information, education and training critical to civilian supervisors is available at such online resources as the Supervisory Resource Center, which has moved to the Air Force Portal, SRC developers announced today.Formerly located on the Air Force Knowledge Now platform as a community of practice

  • Civil engineers recognized at annual gala

    The Air Force's focus on engineering and environmental projects in 2011 will be highlighted during the 50th Annual Civil Engineer Awards dinner at the Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling Officers' Club Feb. 23 at 5 p.m. Military member award category winners will be able to wear the Air Force recognition

  • State Partnership Program emphasizes building relationships

    A small, but innovative, program demonstrates the U.S. military's "very agile and flexible" capabilities in working with partners, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said recently.Meeting with reporters Jan. 5 after the announcement of President Barack Obama's new strategic guidance for

  • F-15E reaches flying-hour milestone

    In the early hours of the day, the aircraft parking ramp here was alive with activity. Checklists were run, hatches checked, bombs loaded and missions briefed, as the crew chiefs, support units, and flyers of F-15E Strike Eagle #89-0487 achieved a milestone 10,000 flying hours Jan. 13. F-15E Strike

  • Tuskegee Airman honored during Ceremonial Brass concert

    A member of the Tuskegee Airmen was honored during a concert by the United States Air Force Band's Ceremonial Brass Jan. 14 at The First Academy Faith Hall here.Retired Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Richard R. Hall, Jr., a Winter Park native, was attending Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans

  • Andersen takes aim: '90 at 90'

    Maintaining peak combat readiness begins and ends with healthy, motivated and well-trained Airmen. To ensure no one is left behind, base leaders are seeking to implement a new program pushing service members to the pinnacle of physical fitness.The new initiative, called "90 at 90", was set in motion

  • New airframe adds strike capability to Afghan air force

    In the Afghanistan government's continued effort to independently battle counterinsurgency, a new tool will be added to their arsenal designed to allow versatility, reconnaissance and precision weapons placement to the growing Afghan air force.Announced Dec. 30, the U.S. Air Force has approved a

  • F.E. Warren mourns loss of Airman

    Members of F.E. Warren Air Force Base here were informed Jan. 5 that one of their own, an explosives ordnance disposal technician, was killed in action during his deployment to southern Afghanistan in support of International Security Assistance Force operations."We all mourn the loss of Tech. Sgt.

  • RAF Mildenhall, French air force continue relationships

    Airmen from the 100th Air Refueling Wing hosted 15 French air force personnel from Base Aérienne 125, Istres, France, here Jan. 4 and 5, to build and strengthen partnerships created during Operation Unified Protector.During OUP, BA 125 was home to the 351st Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron,

  • New F-35B joint strike fighters arrive at Eglin

    A resolution to be even more expeditionary will be met this year, now that Marines here received their first two F-35B Lightning II variants of DoD's fifth generation fighter Jan. 11.At the 33rd Fighter Wing, Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 is the home for the new aircraft where its

  • NY airport greets aircrew with impromptu welcome home

    LaGuardia Airport personnel received an unexpected arrival Dec. 27, when the 4th Special Operations Squadron aircrew radioed the airport requesting permission to land.The unexpected arrival of an AC-130U Spooky Gunship, which was on deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn since

  • Man's best wingman

    (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.)Steven and his buddy Geri are American Airmen serving in Iraq. Both are alpha males, both are relentless and determined to win at all

  • Master sergeant continues wife's dream

    (This commentary 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.)"She was my best friend for 27 years," said Master Sgt. Lee "Pepper" Spaulding, of the 24th Intelligence Squadron, 693rd

  • Seven Airmen, one mission, seven hours

    Seven Airmen from the 376th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron here replaced a standard deicer truck's heater canister and supporting hardware in seven hours Dec. 27, 2011, -- a task that is nearly impossible according to the manufacturer.When the standard deicer truck was brought into the

  • War yields lessons in preventing, treating eye injuries

    Ten years of conflict has given rise not only to the world's best body armor and state-of-the-art battlefield technologies, but also a new understanding about ways to prevent eye injuries and treat those who suffer from them.When the war in Afghanistan kicked off in 2002, ballistic goggles were hard

  • 727th EACS takes control of new mission

    The 727th Expeditionary Air Control Squadron changed missions Dec. 30 as it supported the end of Operation New Dawn and began supporting the air defense of the Arabian Gulf.The timing of the transition allowed for a full-circle moment for members of the 727th EACS, who are deployed from the 606th

  • AFMC officials kick off Year of Continuing Education

    Building on its Year of the Community College of the Air Force campaign in 2011, Air Force Materiel Command officials announced a plan Jan. 1. for the Year of Continuing Education.Gen. Donald Hoffman, the AFMC commander, introduced the initiative to Airmen via email Jan. 6. In it, the general

  • Air Force maintenance icon dies

    Retired Lt. Gen. Leo Marquez died Dec. 30 in Albuquerque, N.M., at age 79.Throughout his 33-year career, Marquez is credited with revolutionizing the maintenance and logistics career field."In my many encounters with General Leo Marquez, he always lived up to his reputation as being one of those

  • SecDef calls deployed Air Force NCO to ring in new year

    The NCO picked up the phone in his office at Kabul International Airport and on the other end was the Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta who called Jan. 1, 2012, to wish him a happy New Year.Air Force Tech. Sgt. Charles Heathman, a rotary wing maintenance adviser with the 438th Air Expeditionary

  • Bulgarian doctors observe aeromedical evacuation at Ramstein AB

    Four doctors from the Bulgarian Military Medical Academy visited here for a week-long aeromedical evacuation orientation. The familiarization event took the doctors on a tour of the 86th Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility where the primary function is safe transport and staging of patients

  • American300 Warrior Tour brings 'never quit' message to 24th Air Force, JBSA

    No one complained about the rain during 24th Air Force's war fit physical training here Dec. 19. Complaining was not an option when two amputees from American300 Warrior Tours led the way.Chad Crittenden, a CBS' Survivor contestant, and Mike Schultz, an ESPN's X Games adaptive gold medalist, didn't

  • CSAF thanks Wolf Pack for commitment to service during holidays

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz visited the Wolf Pack here Dec. 23-26 to meet with wing leaders, Airmen and Soldiers during the holiday season.The general's base visit came after a stop in Seoul, where he met with senior Republic of Korea and U.S. military leaders."The American

  • SecAF: International security is a team sport

    The Secretary of the Air Force stressed the importance of joint warfighting and building partnerships during his visit to the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Dec. 22-23.Airmen, Soldiers and Sailors briefed Michael Donley, the 22nd SecAF, about current and future operations as he toured the wing and

  • SecAF thanks Airmen during Lajes visit

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley visited Lajes Field Airmen Dec. 18-19 to thank them for their service and countless sacrifices this holiday season. "During the holidays, please know that all Americans are keeping you and your families in their thoughts and prayers," Secretary Donley said.

  • Air expeditionary units inactivate after last Airmen leave Iraq

    Four air expeditionary units that were the air and space components to U.S. Forces-Iraq inactivated during a flag-casing ceremony Dec. 18 here. The 467th Air Expeditionary Group, 368th Expeditionary Air Support Operations Group, 321st Air Expeditionary Wing and 9th Air and Space Expeditionary Task

  • Communications failures contributed to border incident

    United States forces acted in self-defense and responded with appropriate force after being fired upon during a Nov. 25-26 incident on Afghanistan's border with Pakistan, according to findings from a Defense Department investigation that was released Dec. 22.Twenty-four Pakistani soldiers were

  • SecAF visits Incirlik Air Base

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley visited with Airmen during a visit to Turkey Dec. 19-21 here.Donley toured multiple units throughout the base, to include the medical group, logistics readiness squadron, operations squadron, and the Incirlik Unit School. The secretary also dined with

  • Air Force officials release high year tenure details

    Air Force officials announced Dec. 19, high year of tenure limit changes for the grades of senior airman, staff sergeant and technical sergeant that go into effect in 2013. The changes are a part of additional force management programs that are ongoing to continue to size and shape the force to

  • New capability keeps deployers notified of changes

    Airmen getting ready to deploy have a new capability to help them prepare for their tasking. A recent change to the Air Force Reporting Instruction Tool now allows users to sign-up for instant email notifications when they occur.Prior to this change, members had to check the website often to ensure

  • Air Force prepares UDMs, IDOs for next deployment rotation

    Nearly 350 representatives responsible for preparing Airmen for deployments attended the latest Air and Space Expeditionary Force Execution Working Group in San Antonio on Dec. 7 and 8.The Air Force Personnel Center's AEF and Personnel Operations directorate facilitated the two-day working group

  • Air Guard unit provides testing ground for mask development

    Develop one aircrew mask that can be used on over 100 different air frames. That is the challenge for researchers assigned to the Joint Service Aircrew Mask-Fixed Wing Program.In early December, JSAM-FW researchers visited the 167th Airlift Wing, a West Virginia Air National Guard unit here, to

  • Panetta concludes Iraq mission noting service, sacrifice

    Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta joined Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey and other U.S. and Iraq leaders in honoring eight years of service and sacrifice as they commemorated the end of the U.S. military mission in Iraq."No words, no ceremony can provide full

  • Academy superintendent invited to join Order of the Sword

    Air Force Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Mike Gould was invited by the Academy's enlisted corps to join the Order of the Sword during a ceremony here Dec. 13.Chief Master Sgt. Todd Salzman brought the Academy's enlisted Airmen together under the guise of an enlisted call; he filled everyone in on

  • Holloman scientist receives Harold Brown Award

    A chief scientist from Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., received the 2011 Harold Brown Award on Dec. 12 for his role in significant advances in hypersonic missile research.Dr. Michael Hooser's work with the Holloman High Speed Test Track's artificial rain environment established benchmarks against

  • Air Force safety magazine gets new website

    Wingman, the Air Force's official quarterly safety magazine, has a new digital home. Readers can find the current and all future issues of Wingman at www.wingmanmagazine.af.mil. Due to a Department of Defense initiative for organizations to find greater efficiencies, Air Force Safety Center

  • Warrior Games competition plans return to Colorado Springs

    The annual Warrior Games, featuring wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans competing in several sporting events, will return here in 2012, U.S. Olympic Committee officials announced Dec. 6.The USOC-hosted games will take place April 30 to May 5. The Defense and Veterans Affairs

  • General explains changes to mortuary disposal process

    As soon as officials at the Air Force Port Mortuary in Dover, Del., realized cremated and incinerated service member remains were being disposed of in a landfill, they changed the process, Lt. Gen. Darrell D. Jones said Dec. 8.Jones, the Air Force's deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel and

  • Thunderbirds release 2012 show schedule

    The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds announced their 2012 show schedule Dec. 7. The team is set to perform more than 60 demonstrations in 33 locations, including two shows in Canada.The team, officially known as the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, will again kick-off their season by performing

  • USO honors service members' leadership

    Medal of Honor recipient Marine Sgt. Dakota Meyer, a Navy SEAL killed in Afghanistan in August, a Soldier and an Air Force search-and-rescue team member who repeatedly exposed themselves to enemy fire to save their wounded comrades, and a Coast Guardsman who led maritime security operations in the

  • Afghan, US forces combine for flightline security patrol

    History was made Dec. 3 at Kandahar Airfield when Afghan air force security forces partnered with their U.S Air Force counterparts for a flightline security patrol for the first time.Master Sgt. Terry Gilbert, the senior enlisted security forces adviser, said the patrol went well."The patrol was

  • Air Force pararescue exercise receives national accreditation

    The Angel Thunder exercise received Joint National Training Capability accreditation and certifications Nov. 30.Angel Thunder is an Air Combat Command-sponsored personnel recovery exercise held annually at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. Rescue units from all over the world send pararescueman

  • Air Force names prestigious Ph.D. program participants

    Two Air Force captains have been selected to participate in the Chief of Staff Prestigious Ph.D. Program, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced Nov 7.Captains Miriam Krieger, from the Air Combat Command, and Daniel Magruder, from Air Forces Central Command, will begin their program in the

  • Recovery care program assists wounded, ill or injured Airmen

    When an Airman becomes seriously wounded, ill or injured, the little things have a tendency to fall through the cracks as they focus on recovery and rehabilitation. These little things, like paying the bills for instance, have the potential to turn into major problems for Airmen and their families

  • Three Air Force members honored at annual disability awards ceremony

    Three Airmen were recognized Dec. 6 during the 31st Annual Department of Defense Disability Awards Ceremony at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Bethesda, Md.This annual event provides an overview of DOD disability policy and initiatives, recognizes DOD organizations for their efforts in the employment of

  • Premier air demonstration team seeks team members

    America's premier air demonstration team, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, is accepting applications for several positions, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced today.The 138-member unit exhibits Air Force professionalism and skill in support of recruiting and retention programs to

  • CAP marks 70th anniversary, honors World War II members

    Civil Air Patrol members observed the 70th anniversary of its founding with a ceremony Dec. 1 at its national headquarters here. During the ceremony, which celebrated the past, present and future of the official civilian auxiliary of the Air Force, CAP leaders presented Exceptional Service Awards to

  • Global Strike Command wins Creech Award for Maintenance Excellence

    Air Force Global Strike Command is the winner of the General Wilbur L. Creech Maintenance Excellence Award for 2011, Air Force officials announced last week. The Creech Award is named for Gen. Wilbur L. Creech, who received his commission and wings in 1949. He commanded at the wing and major command

  • Airman receives lifetime achievement award for alternative fuels

    A technical advisor at the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, was recently awarded a lifetime achievement award for his extensive work with alternative fuels.The Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative awarded William E. Harrison III the Visionary

  • Obama makes Thanksgiving phone call to JET Airman

    A Joint Expeditionary Tasking Airman at Forward Operating Base Mushan, Afghanistan, received a call from President Barack Obama on Thanksgiving Day.Senior Airman John Johnson heard, "Please hold for the president of the United States," and then heard the voice of his commander-in-chief."The

  • Airmen complete important GPS airdrop mission in Afghanistan

    Airmen from the 772nd Expeditionary Airlift Squadron successfully completed an airdrop mission to Combat Outpost Herrera in east Afghanistan, using GPS-guided bundles to deliver the supplies Nov. 27.The C-130 Hercules, operated by its crew from the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing at Kandahar Airfield,

  • 'Cool School' teaches arctic survival

    Surviving in the wilderness could be intimidating for some, but doing so during a brutal Alaskan winter could be downright scary. Detachment 1, 66th Training Squadron's Arctic Survival Training course, which began here recently, offers students a set of skills invaluable to enduring the subarctic

  • Nellis Airmen clean-up F-15 crash site

    Nellis Air Force Base Airmen worked alongside the Army National Guardsmen Aviation unit stationed in Stockton, Calif., to conduct recovery and clean-up efforts for the F-15C Eagle aircraft crash site in the Nevada Test and Training Range recently.The operation was the 820th RED HORSE Squadron

  • Coalition maintenance team welcomes Afghan air force maintainers

    In an effort to build stronger relationships, members of Task Force Thunder at Kandahar Air Wing hosted Afghan air force maintainers for a visit recently.During a maintenance facility tour, Afghan air force members saw firsthand the processes and equipment TF Thunder teams employ into their aviation

  • Falcons finish season 7-5, defeat CSU 45-21

    The U.S. Air Force Academy Falcons soared to a 45-21 victory on a cold Saturday night Nov. 26 against the Rams of Colorado State University here.The win brings the Falcons to 7-5-0 overall for the 2011 season and bowl eligible for the fifth consecutive year. This is also the first time in school

  • CSAF signs munitions realignment program action directive

     Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz signed the Program Action Directive Nov. 20 that details the transfer of munitions squadrons responsible for nuclear mission support from Air Force Materiel Command to Air Force Global Strike Command. The realignment has formally begun and will complete

  • CSAF visits Airmen in Iraq

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz visited Airmen here Nov. 17.During his trip, he met with Airmen at Sather Air Base and FOB Union III, both in Iraq, as well as with U.S. and Iraqi leaders. While at Sather AB, the general hosted an all call to discuss current Air Force issues and take

  • Thanksgiving at home away from home

    The streets were lined with hundreds of expatriates cheering, holding up welcome signs and even saluting as buses arrived. Based on the crowd's reaction it may have appeared the buses contained celebrities, but in fact, they carried hundreds of service members from various military installations

  • U.S., Swedish air forces conduct squadron exchange program

    Swedish Air Force and 48th Fighter Wing airmen participated in a week-long squadron exchange program here, which concluded Nov. 18. Swedish JAS-39 Gripen pilots went up against F-15C Eagle and F-15E Strike Eagle pilots in simulated combat scenarios to train with and learn from each other. The 493rd

  • CSAF: Despite budget challenges, Air Force will remain superb

    The Air Force's senior-ranking officer visited Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, Nov. 16-17 to meet with Airmen serving here.Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz met with fellow Airmen in their work centers and also discussed a variety of service-wide issues at an "all call." The general

  • Wings of Blue wins gold

    Nov. 3 was a good day to jump out of a perfectly good airplane, as the Air Force Wings of Blue parachute competition team can attest.The squad's four-person "Air Force Inception" team won first place in the four-person intermediate free-flying competition at the U.S. Parachute Association's National

  • Air Force civilian deployment opportunities expected to increase

    More than 800 Air Force civilians deployed to various overseas locations in 2010. Projections show that more than 900 will deploy in 2011 and by this time next year, Air Force Personnel Center officials anticipate as many as 1,000 Air Force civilians will be working side-by-side with uniformed

  • F-16s to strengthen Iraqi air defense, partnership with U.S.

    During a press conference Nov. 8  the commander of the Iraqi air force said Iraq's purchase of 18 F-16C Fighting Falcons, for their future air defense, will encourage and strengthen the strategic partnership between the U.S. and Iraq. In September, through the Foreign Military Sales program, the

  • Academy civilian rescues Colorado woman

    She can't leap tall buildings in a single bound, and she's not more powerful than a locomotive, but the administrative assistant for the Air Force Academy's Foreign Languages Department has the heart of a superhero.Leslie Johnson received a Command Civilian Award for Valor from Air Force Academy

  • Air Force refines force presentation, generation

    Air Force officials have been working for more than two years to develop a more consistent force presentation model for the Air Expeditionary Force deployment system.Future changes in how the Air Force presents its forces in the joint environment and generates forces to support combatant commanders

  • CSAF discusses budget, deployments in Southwest Asia

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz paid a visit to the Airmen of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing here Nov. 14. The general, who serves as the senior uniformed Air Force officer, met with the men and women of the 380th AEW during an all call to discuss current Air Force issues and take

  • Air Force updates doctrine documents

    The Air Force updated its two capstone doctrine documents.In October, the Air Force released Air Force Doctrine Document 1, Air Force Basic Doctrine, Organization, and Command. In early November, a revised AFDD 1-1, Leadership and Force Development, was approved and is expected to be available

  • Airman emulates 'Spirit of Hope'

    The Defense Department, the family of late actor and comedian Bob Hope, and the Wiegand Foundation honored six people with the Spirit of Hope Award for their selflessness and commitment to troops during a Pentagon ceremony Nov. 15.Tech. Sgt. Leray Smedley, from Beale Air Force Base, Calif., was the

  • Airmen screen Tuskegee Airmen documentary at Pentagon

    More than 150 Airmen came out to screen a documentary about the original Tuskegee Airmen during a red-carpet event here Nov. 10."Double Victory" was produced by George Lucas, of "Star Wars" fame, in support of his new feature film about the Tuskegee Airmen, "Red Tails." Secretary of the Air Force

  • Air Force leads Pentagon's 2011 Green Team Awards

    The Pentagon's Director of Facilities Bradley Provancha recognized two Air Force organizations today as recipients of the Pentagon's 2011 Green Team awards during an "America Recycles Day" ceremony here Nov 15. The Air Force Secretariat's Installations, Environment and Logistics offices, along with

  • 28th BW garners top bomb wing honors

    After proving to be the top bomb wing in the U.S. Air Force, the 28th Bomb Wing here will bring home the Stanley Cup of trophies in the bomber community -- the Fairchild Trophy.The announcement was made during the Global Strike Command's Global Strike Challenge competition award ceremony at

  • Kyrgyz, U.S. Women's Club shows similarities, creates friendships

    It seems no matter the location, get a bunch of women together and they can always find something about which to talk. That's the idea -- and the result -- in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, when female American service members deployed to the Transit Center at Manas to visit with Kyrgyz ladies during a weekly

  • SECAF to review disciplinary actions in AFMAO case

    Air Force Secretary Michael B. Donley reaffirmed a commitment to ensure that appropriate disciplinary action was taken in regard to the management and procedures at the Dover Air Force Base, Del., Mortuary. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta asked Secretary Donley on Nov. 10 to review the Air Force's

  • Panetta dedicates new Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

    Defense Secretary Leon Panetta presided over the opening of what he called "a 21st-century place of miracles" here Nov. 10.Panetta cut the ribbon of the new Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. The hospital is the result of the merging of the now-closed Walter Reed Army Medical Center in

  • Universal Class program offers personal development opportunities

    You're never too old to stop learning, and Air Force libraries offer opportunities for self-improvement and personal development through the Universal Class program. Total force Airmen, families, civilians, retirees and other eligible library users may register for more than 500 online personal

  • New deployed leaders guide available

    The latest "Deployed Leaders Guide to the AEF" is now available on the Air and Space Expeditionary Force Online website, and a print copy can be ordered Nov. 15. The guide is a reference tool used by deployed leaders to help answer questions throughout deployments. "It is designed for NCOs and above

  • F-15E crews awarded Mackay Trophy

    Four Airmen were presented the Mackay Trophy by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and National Aeronautic Association Chairman Walter Boyne during a ceremony Nov. 7 here.Retired Lt. Col. Donald Cornwell, Lt. Col. Dylan Wells, Capt. Leigh Larkin and Capt. Nicholas Tsougas flew a combat

  • Air Force investigates and improves mortuary operation

    Air Force officials have completed a year-long investigation of the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations at Dover Air Force Base, Del., the point of entry for U.S. service members who are killed or die overseas. The service implemented multiple corrective actions and took action regarding three

  • Elmendorf-Richardson civilian earns national award for work with families

    A civilian Department of Defense employee here recently received the Association of the U.S. Army's DOD Civilian of the Year for the Pacific Region award."She's the best of the best of the best," said Marvin Dickerson, an Army Community Service officer, said of Frederica Norman. "I've been working

  • Mildenhall combat controller earns Grateful Nation Award

    'First There,' a motto combat controllers bellow during their two-year training pipeline, and later affirm in blood, sweat and sacrifice on the most forward-deployed and dangerous battlefields as they pave the way for other forces to follow.As a member of the most highly trained special operations