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U.S. Air Force News

  • 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

  • F-15 sale to Saudi Arabia part of broader effort

    The recently announced $29.4 billion sale of F-15SA fighter aircraft to Saudi Arabia is just one part of a broader U.S.-Saudi military sales and defense cooperation effort that's central to regional security, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said.U.S. officials announced an agreement Dec. 29

  • Defense bill affects pay, separation bonuses, more

    President Barack Obama signed the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act on Dec. 31, 2011, which increases active-duty and reserve pay by 1.6 percent and governs Defense Department activities, from procurement to military personnel policy.Several provisions in this year's act will potentially

  • SEAC talks service member issues

    The senior enlisted advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff talked about what it feels like to be the highest ranking enlisted person in the armed services as well as other topics pressing today's military during a visit here recently.During a multi-country USO holiday tour, Sgt. Maj.

  • Saudi Arabia to purchase 84 F-15SA, upgrade current F-15 fleet

    Air Force officials announced the next chapter in a partnership with the Royal Saudi Air Force as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia recently signed a $29.4 billion Foreign Military Sales Letter of Offer and Acceptance solidifying their plans to purchase 84 F-15SA fighter aircraft and upgrade their current

  • 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.

  • Santa helps deliver fuel to remote bases in Afghanistan

    Santa Claus paid a surprise visit to the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron here Dec. 23 to assist in an airdrop delivery to remote forward operating bases in Afghanistan."I just wanted to bring a little holiday cheer to the men and women of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing and help out with a

  • 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

  • Lockheed Martin rolls-out final F-22 Raptor

    The final F-22 Raptor to be built for the U.S. Air Force, tail number 4195, rolled off the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics assembly line during a ceremony Dec. 13 at the company's Marietta plant. The fighter jet is the last of 187 F-22s produced, marking a bittersweet moment for members of the F-22

  • Electronic flight bags could boost operational safety, effectiveness

    Improved safety, operational effectiveness and efficiency are just a few reasons Air Mobility Command officials are looking into using tablet devices such as electronic flight bags for aircrew members reference materials in the cockpit during in-flight emergencies."Moving from a paper-based to an

  • 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

  • AF instant messengers shutting down

    The Air Force will shut down the Air Force Instant Messenger and Friends and Family Instant Messenger services by Dec. 31. AFIM and FFIM are collaborative tools available on the Air Force Portal. AFIM is used by Air Force Portal users to chat with each other. FFIM is a subset of AFIM that allowed AF

  • Manpower, reserve affairs secretary: Airmen, family care is priority

    During his recent trip to Japan, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs Daniel Ginsberg visited here Dec. 1 and 2.Ginsberg toured facilities to see the services the Air Force provides to Airmen and their families."I'm responsible for helping oversee manpower and

  • Air Force expands FY12 officer voluntary force management measures

    Air Force leaders announced Dec. 6 the expansion of voluntary officer separation measures for fiscal 2012 as part of the service's ongoing force-management initiatives.The leaders implemented a tailored, multi-year program in 2010 to reduce the personnel numbers to meet the service's authorized

  • 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

  • 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

  • Sustainment skills key in Iraq, Afghanistan

    As the United States wraps up operations in Iraq and looks to scaling back its force in Afghanistan, a senior defense official emphasized the importance of ensuring that Iraq's and Afghanistan's national security forces have the maintenance and logistics capabilities they'll need.The U.S.

  • 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,

  • Commissaries to end magazine sales overseas

    Defense Commissary Agency officials have announced the end of magazine sales in their overseas stores beginning January 2012. This policy affects all commissaries in Europe, the Pacific (Japan, Okinawa, South Korea and Guam) and Puerto Rico.DeCA will continue to sell the Stars & Stripes newspaper

  • 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

  • Maintenance advisers certify first-ever AAF expediter

    Maintenance advisers recently certified the first Afghan air force flightline expediter at Kandahar Air Wing.A direct maintenance commander delegate on the flightline and an expediter is responsible for efficiently utilizing manning and resources to effectively execute the flight schedule agreed

  • Air Force leaders collaborate on total force future

    Air Force senior leaders are looking at ways to balance the ratio of regular and Reserve Component Airmen to create the most effective and efficient combat capability in austere budget times. Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley is leading collaborative efforts between active, Reserve and Guard

  • SECAF addresses current, future challenges for Air Force

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley addressed approximately 300 Airmen, industry officials and Air Force Association members in a keynote speech at the AFA's Global Warfare Symposium in Los Angeles, Nov. 18.During his remarks, the secretary provided symposium attendees with an update on the

  • VCSAF: America is an air and space nation

    The Air Force vice chief of staff discussed many topics concerning the current and future state of America's airpower at the Air Force Association's Global Warfare Symposium Nov. 18 in Los Angeles. Airpower has made the United States a global power, Gen. Phil Breedlove told an audience of

  • Longest serving Airman calls it a career

    As the sun sets on the career of Maj. Gen. Alfred K. Flowers, he looks back with a sense of accomplishment. Flowers, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Budget, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and Comptroller, is set to retire from the Air Force on Jan. 1,

  • U.S., Canadian defense leaders call F-35 crucial

    Calling it crucial to the defense of North America, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Canadian Defense Minister Peter G. MacKay today emphasized that both nations are committed to developing the F-35 joint strike fighter.At a news conference here in conjunction with the Halifax International

  • 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

  • Commander cites 'positive impact' from Iraq mission

    Most of about 24,000 U.S. service members remaining in Iraq will be home "well before Christmas," the last U.S. division commander there said today.Army Maj. Gen. Bernard S. Champoux, commander of U.S. Division-Center and the Hawaii-based 25th Infantry Division, briefed Pentagon reporters via video

  • 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

  • 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

  • CSAF, AFCENT commander highlight partnership in 2011 Dubai Airshow

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and U.S. Air Forces Central Command Commander Lt. Gen. David Goldfein met with key United Arab Emirates leaders aboard the John C. Stennis (CVN-74) Navy carrier Nov. 13 in conjunction with the Dubai Airshow 2011 and the UAE's 40th Anniversary."The Dubai

  • U.S. assists with Turkish earthquake relief

    U.S. Air Forces in Europe sent a C-130J Super Hercules loaded with arctic relief supplies to south-eastern Turkey on Nov. 13 to aid victims of recent earthquakes there.The Van region of Turkey is coping with the aftereffects of two earthquakes: a magnitude 7.2 quake that occurred Oct. 23 and a

  • 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

  • DOD highlights U.S. military aircraft capabilities in 2011 Dubai Airshow

    AFCENT Airmen will lead the Department of Defense effort to showcase a variety of U.S. military aircraft at the 2011 Dubai Airshow from Nov. 13 to 17. The event demonstrates a shared commitment both to regional security and to developing the U.S. military's key relationships throughout Southwest

  • Air Force participates in joint homeland defense exercise

    A variety of military and federal organizations participated in a first-of-its-kind homeland defense event Nov. 7 as part of the Joint-Deployable Integrated Air and Missile Defense field training exercise conducted in Key West, Fla.According to Maj. Greg Lewis, the chief of command and control,

  • JB Balad wraps up operations

    What was once a bustling hub for U.S. operations in Iraq has now transitioned into a quiet and empty shell of its former self.In accordance with a 2008 security agreement between the U.S. and Iraq, Joint Base Balad was transitioned to the government of Iraq and the U.S. military presence has

  • Panetta urges tougher sanctions on Iran

    Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta called for tougher economic and diplomatic pressures on Iran Nov. 10 in light of a new International Atomic Energy Agency report on Iran's continued nuclear activities.The United States is in discussions with its allies about what additional sanctions to impose on

  • U.S. NORTHCOM activates Defense Coordinating Officer for Alaska

    At the request of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Northern Command activated the Defense Coordinating Officer and Defense Coordinating Element Nov. 9 in preparation for support to civil authorities in advance of a severe winter storm expected along the Alaskan west coast.DCOs and DCEs

  • 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

  • Multi-service office to advance air-sea battle concept

    The Department of Defense announced the creation of a new office to integrate air and naval combat capabilities in support of emerging national security requirements Nov. 9.In the 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review, former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates directed the Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps

  • Photo essay: Last aircraft departs 313th Air Expeditionary Wing

    A KC-10 Extender deployed to the 313th Air Expeditionary Wing at a non-disclosed base here departed Nov. 8 to return back to the U.S.Airmen serving in the 313th AEW came from myriad places but served as "one team."Those Airmen, and the planes they use for air refueling and airlift for Operation

  • Photo Essay: Airmen aid wounded Libyan fighters

    Members of the 86th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron Critical Care Air Transport Team at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, participate in a humanitarian mission Oct. 29, 2011, to aid wounded Libyan fighters. The U.S. military transported more than 30 Libyan fighters to medical facilities in Europe and the

  • Libya mission ends, Airmen come home

    Airmen from the 22nd Air Refueling Wing here are returning home from Operation Unified Protector with more than 3,000 sorties and 29,170 hours flown. In March 2011, United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973 established a no-fly zone and NATO forces conducted ground strikes in coordination with

  • Obama announces jobs initiatives for veterans

    President Barack Obama announced executive orders Nov. 7 to give tax credits to employers who hire post-9/11 veterans and wounded warriors, as well as enhanced career counseling and related services for veterans.The president, flanked by veterans association representatives in the White House Rose

  • Air Force Reserve pilot the first to reach 1,000 F-22 flight hours

    An Air Force Reserve pilot made history here Nov. 4 when he flew his 1,000 flight hour in an F-22 Raptor.Lt. Col. David Piffarerio, the 302nd Fighter Squadron commander, became the first Air Force pilot to reach the historic milestone."This is a great milestone for the pilots, maintainers and

  • AF lodging reservations go online

    Airmen and families now have an easier way to make lodging reservations for Air Force Inns worldwide.The Defense Lodging System now features online reservations and the capability for customers to leave online feedback about their stay at an Air Force lodging facility. Nearly 90 percent of all Air

  • 618th AOC supports effort delivering hope to Turkey

    Mobility Airmen of the 618th Air and Space Operations Center (Tanker Airlift Control Center) here led planning efforts for an Oct. 31 flight bringing humanitarian assistance to Turkey.In the wake of the Oct. 23 earthquake that left hundreds dead in the Western Asian nation, a C-17 Globemaster III

  • Defense officials urge nuclear deterrent funding

    The nation's security strategy is built on nuclear deterrence, and the systems and workforce that support nuclear capabilities must be sustained, senior Defense Department officials told Congress Nov. 2.James N. Miller, the principal deputy undersecretary of defense for policy, and Gen. C. Robert

  • 33rd RQS kicks off Pacific Thunder

    Members of the 33rd Rescue Squadron are teaming up with the 25th Fighter Squadron for Exercise Pacific Thunder 2011 Oct. 31 through Nov. 9 at Osan Air Base, Korea.Four HH-60G Pave Hawks from the 33rd Rescue Squadron here flew to Osan AB to participate in the exercise alongside A-10 Thunderbolt II's

  • JB McChord aircrew delivers aid to Turkish earthquake victims

    An aircrew from here delivered humanitarian relief supplies to eastern Turkey Nov. 1 to aid victims of a recent 7.2 magnitude earthquake.The five-member C-17 Globemaster III crew, assigned to the 10th Airlift Squadron, delivered a 75,000-pound load of tents to Erzurum Airport, Turkey."The men and

  • Afghanistan Pakistan Hands Airman trains future Afghan pilots

    As an Air Force aviator, Lt. Col. Daryl Sassaman had been to Afghanistan before; however, never did he imagine he would one day be living with the Afghans, working to hone their English language capabilities, while improving his Dari proficiency. Today, he is one of approximately 253 service

  • Off-the-shelf solutions speed new equipment to Reserve, Guard

    By using ideas from recently deployed Airmen and using off-the-shelf technology, the Reserve Component has developed new equipment that saved lives and led to highly successful combat operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.This streamlined process is speeding high-tech acquisitions and was briefed by

  • AFMC officials restructure to cut overhead, make command more efficient

    Air Force officials announced an Air Force Materiel Command-wide restructure Nov. 2 that is aimed at providing greater military capabilities, improving readiness and operating effectively in the current fiscal environment.AFMC officials will reduce the number of its centers from 12 to five. This

  • Air Force modernization takes B-2 to North Pole

    A B-2 Spirit flew from here to the North Pole and back Oct. 27 on a mission to test the aircraft's hardware and software upgrades, endurance and its performance at extremely high latitudes. The 18-plus hour mission consisted of developmental and operational test points to prove that the B-2's

  • Service chiefs: Sequestration damage could be irreversible

    Damage to the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps could be irreversible if the Budget Control Act's "sequestration" provision takes another $600 billion from the defense budget, the military service chiefs said today.Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, Chief of Naval Operations Adm.

  • Air Force announces civilian workforce restructuring

    Air Force officials announced several adjustments to the civilian workforce Nov. 2. In response to the secretary of defense's direction to stop civilian growth above fiscal year 2010 levels and the need to add 5,900 positions against the Air Force's top priorities, the Air Force eliminated

  • Air Force general receives executive award

    The Air Force's chief information officer was recognized with a Government Computer News award during the 24th annual GCN Awards Gala in McLean, Va., Oct. 19.Lt. Gen. William Lord, the Air Force chief of warfighting integration and chief information officer, received the Defense

  • Airmen transport wounded Libyan fighters to U.S.

    Nearly two dozen wounded Libyan fighters were evacuated from Libya to here Oct. 29 aboard a C-17 Globemaster III. At the request of State Department officials, the Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta directed two missions supporting the humanitarian assistance effort in Libya. In the first mission,

  • Online tools help Airmen manage their careers

    There are a host of online tools available to help Airmen manage and grow their careers. Significant career development tools include My Development Plan, the Airman Development Plan and the Career Path Tool."If you don't use the tools, you may miss a lot of opportunities for education, development

  • Air Force assists in historic final transfer of Iraq's airspace

     With the Air Force's assistance, Iraq now has full air traffic control responsibility for the country's airspace for the first time since 2003.The Air Force transferred management of the Baghdad and Joint Base Balad Airspace sector to the Iraq Civil Aviation Authority Oct. 1. With this historic

  • Airmen deliver aid to Turkish earthquake victims

     U.S. European Command officials sent two C-130J Super Hercules loaded with cots, blankets, sleeping bags and hygiene kits to north eastern Turkey, Oct. 29 to aid victims of a recent earthquake there.The C-130Js from the 86th Airlift Wing departed Ramstein Air Base, Germany, to deliver the supplies

  • Air Force leadership speak about diversity

    Air Force senior leaders released a memorandum stressing the importance of diversity in today's force here Oct. 14.Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy signed the Declaration on Diversity, which

  • Air Force BDU officially history

    There are two things you should not see Nov. 1 -- Halloween costumes and the Air Force Battle Dress Uniform.In 2006, the Airman Battle Uniform became authorized for wear and a date was set for final phase-out of the woodland camouflage-patterned BDU's.Previously announced to be effective Oct. 1 of

  • Air Force vice chief testifies on readiness

    The Air Force vice chief of staff provided the Air Force perspective on readiness in an age of austerity to the House Armed Services Committee's Subcommittee on Readiness here Oct. 27.Gen. Phil Breedlove joined his Army, Navy and Marine Corps counterparts in discussing the challenges expected as the

  • Air Force releases major, captain reduction-in-force board results

    Commanders Air Force-wide were notified Oct. 24 of the results of the Calendar Year 2011 Reduction-in-Force Board held at the Air Force Personnel Center here in September.The CY11 RIF board, which considered captains and majors in the Line of the Air Force competitive category, is part of the Air

  • Air Force employment focuses on individuals with disabilities

    Air Force hiring officials have placed increased emphasis on employing individuals with disabilities within its civilian workforce.October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and Air Force officials here are reaching out to Air Force leaders to educate them on the Air Force's

  • Second volume of Pioneers in Blue launches

    The second volume of Pioneers in Blue, a special project highlighting the contributions of 40 Air Force veterans from across generations, will launch in late October."Pioneers in Blue" is a Air Force Public Affairs Agency sponsored project that includes portrait-based displays, video interviews,

  • Navigator, logistics officer receive Cheney Award

    Two Airmen received the Cheney Award from Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley here Oct. 27 in recognition of their efforts to support Pakistan flood relief operations in 2010. Maj. John Foy, a C-130E/H Hercules navigator, and Capt. Patrick Markey, a logistics readiness officer; both assigned

  • Panetta addresses bilateral audience at Yokota AB

    Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta addressed about 200 U.S. and Japanese service members here Oct. 24. During his speech, Panetta thanked those who are serving and touched on many issues facing the military as well as its future endeavors throughout the world. "The strength of America lies in the

  • Panetta answers troops' questions in Japan

    Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta answered troops' questions about the impact of defense budget cuts on the U.S. military presence in Japan, time at home for soldiers between deployments and other topics during a town hall meeting here Oct. 24.Addressing some 200 troops gathered in the 459th Airlift

  • New airlift routes provide new possibilities

    Planners here teamed with planners from the U.S. Transportation Command and the aircrew of a C-5M Super Galaxy Sept. 25 and 26 to open a new nonstop route from the U.S. to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan.The aircrew members and aircraft originated from the 436th Airlift Wing at Dover Air Force Base,

  • SecAF visits JB Charleston

    Members of Joint Base Charleston welcomed Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley during his visit to Joint Base Charleston, S.C., on Oct. 18.Donley was greeted by Col. Richard McComb, the 628th Air Base Wing commander, and Col. Erik Hansen, the 437th Airlift Wing commander, along with other

  • SecAF: Stay focused on readiness during challenging times

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley toured the base and spoke to more than 250 Airmen during an all call here Oct. 17-18.Donley, currently in his fourth year as secretary, said it had been more than 20 years since his last visit here. He complimented the strong community support enjoyed by the

  • Andersen AFB preps for Operation Christmas Drop 2011

    Airmen here are shifting into high gear in preparation for the 60th iteration of the Air Force's longest-running, humanitarian-airlift mission -- Operation Christmas Drop. Since 1951, Operation Christmas Drop has been spreading the holiday spirit in the form of needed supplies to residents in some

  • Powering awareness saves money

    Each October, the Air Force focuses its energy on saving energy."Our theme for Energy Awareness Month this year is 'Power the Force - Fuel the Fight,'" said Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Norton Schwartz in an energy awareness message to the

  • Dempsey: New energy technologies already helping DOD

    Saving energy saves lives, and new technologies championed by Defense Department officials already are making a difference at the Pentagon and on the battlefield, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said here Oct. 18.Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey spoke at an energy security event held at the

  • Historic 'surge' exercises airlift crisis, contingency response

    A surge of C-5 Galaxies, slated to take place Oct. 17 - 21, will bring together 18 active-duty and 23 Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command crews and aircraft to fly cargo in support of combatant commanders across the globe. The assembly of the nation's largest military airlifters will

  • SVS officials launch redesigned AF sponsorship website

    The Air Force community has a combined purchasing power of $30 billion, and Air Force commercial sponsorship officials are revamping their efforts to spread the word to potential sponsors.Through the Air Force Commercial Sponsorship program, sponsoring businesses receive market exposure to total

  • Thracian Fall exercise kicks off in Bulgaria

    Service members from the Air Force, Army, Navy and Bulgarian air force are participating in a two-week jump exercise here from Oct. 9 through 22.Operation Thracian Fall 2011 is part of a semi-annual, off-station training that gives U.S. and coalition jumpers and pilots an opportunity to hone their

  • Congress reviews future Reserve equipment upgrades

    As Congress works on the fiscal year 2012 budget and to reduce federal debt, Army and Air Force Reserve and National Guard leaders were on Capitol Hill here to testify and answer questions about their funding proposals Oct. 12.Chairman Roscoe Bartlett and Ranking Member Silvestre Reyes lead the

  • 15 acres of land made ecologically safer at Little Rock AFB

    Nearly 15 acres here that was previously used as a skeet range in the 1960s, is an ecologically safer place today because of a restoration project that called for excavating 36 million pounds of contaminated soil and replacing it with more than 3,000 trees and recycled soil and mulch.There was cause

  • Denton Program, 437th APS support humanitarian missions

    There is currently 24,800 pounds of humanitarian aid stored at the 437th Aerial Port Squadron here waiting to be shipped to Colon, Honduras on Oct. 25. Twenty reverse osmosis water purification systems and two anesthesia machines are being sent to provide clean water and medical supplies to more

  • US, Afghan airmen perform 1st joint operational air-assault mission

    Members of the Kandahar Air Wing and U.S. Army Task Force Thunder conducted their first joint air-assault mission, "Operation Sand Hill Crane," together recently.Officials explained the goal of Sand Hill Crane was to insert specialized teams into strategic locations where reintegration leaflets

  • New entrant certification strategy announced

    The U.S. Air Force, the National Reconnaissance Office, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration announced Oct. 14 their strategy for certifying commercial launch vehicles that could compete for future contracts for space launch missions to include Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle, or

  • Captain wins national Women in Aerospace Achievement Award

    A program manager here has been named a co-winner of the national-level Women in Aerospace Achievement Award.Capt. Amanda Zuber, a Space-Based Infrared System field program manager assigned to the 45th Launch Support Squadron here, will receive her award in Nov. 1 in Washington D.C."This is a big

  • Air Force leaders send birthday messages to Navy

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy salute the Navy on its 236th birthday Oct. 13. Secretary Donley wrote a letter to the secretary of the Navy stating:"Congratulations as you celebrate the 236th

  • Wing commander, spouse honored at Pentagon

     Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz presented Brig. Gen. Mark Dillon and his wife Sara the General and Mrs. Jerome F. O'Malley award during a ceremony here Oct. 11. The Dillons were honored for their service at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, where the general serves as the 86th Airlift Wing

  • ESC provides modern air traffic control system for Iraq

    Members of the Electronic Systems Center completed work in September that improves and upgrades Iraq's air traffic control system.The completion of this foreign military sales effort involved the delivery of two new air traffic control tower systems along with state-of-the-art radar and ATC-tower

  • CMSAF visits Hawaii, discusses AF-wide issues

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy recently visited Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and took some time to answer questions about Air Force-wide issues. The following is a transcript of his interview:1. You were the Senior enlisted leader and adviser at (Pacific Command) and 5th Air Force

  • AMC officials save energy in the office, on the road

    With an annual energy bill of more than $100 million, not including aircraft fuel, Air Mobility Command officials are exploring ways to save energy and the money spent on it. While the most obvious energy savings might come from the flying mission, AMC is working just as hard to save energy on the

  • Panetta visits military bases in Italy

    On his way home from a week-long trip to countries in the Middle East and NATO headquarters in Belgium, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta made stops Oct. 7 at two military bases in Italy to thank U.S. and NATO troops for their service.At the Naval Support Activity in Naples, headquarters of the 6th

  • AFSOC's first MC-130J Combat Shadow II arrives at Cannon AFB

    Airmen assigned to the 27th Special Operations Wing held an aircraft acceptance ceremony Sept. 29 on the flightline here for the arrival of Air Force Special Operations Command's first MC-130J Combat Shadow II. Lt. Gen. Eric E. Fiel, the AFSOC commander, and Brig. Gen. Stephen Clark, the AFSOC

  • Free AFCLC 'Intro to Culture' course offers CCAF credit

    Officials at the Air Force Culture and Language Center are now accepting applications for the fall session of the "Introduction to Culture" course. Enrollment began Oct. 6 and is limited to 750 students. Class begins Oct. 20 and continues through Jan. 24, 2012. ITC is an online, self-paced course

  • AFCENT commander unveils his priorities

    Lt. Gen. David Goldfein, the Air Forces Central Command commander, recently published his vision, priorities and a set of guiding principles in a personal letter to Airmen and civilians across the Central Command area of responsibility. "Over the past two decades, from Lt. Gen. (Charles) Horner to