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  • Arming point key to Afghan airpower dominance

    Officials at the Kandahar Air Wing reached a milestone May 15 when they opened an Afghan Mi-17 weapons arming point here.The officials said it's a key step towards delivering airpower dominance to both the 205th and 215th Afghan National Army Corps."Having the arming point allows the Afghan air

  • CONR officials provide support during shuttle launch

    Officials from the Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Region and Air Forces Northern provided airspace control and shuttle support during the launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour May 16 at Kennedy Space Center, Fla. CONR officials ensured airspace sovereignty by enforcing the

  • PACAF demo team certified to showcase F-16's aerial maneuvering might

    A crew from the 14th Fighter Squadron at Misawa Air Base, Japan, was certified as the Pacific Air Forces F-16 Fighting Falcon Demonstration Team May 16.Lt. Gen. Burton Field, the U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force commander, certified the crew. The crew includes one pilot, two narrators and a

  • Red Cross helps service members defy gravity

    American Red Cross volunteers and members of the 374th Medical Group gathered at the physical therapy clinic here May 11 for the dedication of an AlterG zero-gravity treadmill.The treadmill is designed to help patients recover in rehabilitation following injury or surgery of the hip, knee, ankle or

  • Gates: 'Perfect fusion' made bin Laden raid succeed

    The May 1 raid that killed al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden was "a perfect fusion of intelligence collection, intelligence analysis and military operations," Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said in an interview aired May 15 on the CBS program "60 Minutes."But the secretary acknowledged some anxious

  • Lynn: Cyberspace strategy to build coalition of nations

    White House officials released an international cyberstrategy here May 16 that will help to build a "coalition of nations (with a) mutual interest in securing cyberspace," Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III said.The event to launch the U.S. International Strategy for Cyberspace also

  • PACAF band invited to help with 'recovery through music'

    The U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia performed a concert in Nerima City, Japan, May 8 in support of people affected by the March 11 9.0-magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami.At the request of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Eastern Army Headquarters, Pacific Trends performed during

  • Exercise hones AFSOC's disaster response

    Responding to a simulated natural disaster, 16 special-tactics Airmen steered their parachutes toward the training range here May 11. Their primary mission: open the devastated country's airfield.Within minutes of jumping out of a 1st Special Operations Wing MC-130P Combat Shadow, the Airmen were

  • National Guard leaders talk fiscal constraints, cost-effective solutions

    As part of the total force, the National Guard has successfully transformed into an operational force, the top National Guard leader said here May 11.This transformation would be impossible without the investments made in the Guard and Reserve, said Air Force Gen. Craig McKinley, the chief of the

  • EPLOs supporting Mississippi River flood response effort

    The recent flooding along the Mississippi River has disrupted lives and commerce, and now the next threat is to several parishes in Louisiana. To help save lives and mitigate property damage, officials at the Air Forces Northern National Security Emergency Preparedness Directorate have deployed two

  • USTRANSCOM wins 2011 Government Organization Defense Architecture Award

    The Association for Enterprise Information recognized U.S. Transportation Command as the winner of its 2011 Government Organization Defense Architecture Award.The award highlights the command's USTRANSCOM Joint Deployment and Distribution Architecture - Enhanced as a model for policy and practice

  • Marines begin reintegration through Air Force Deployment Transition Center

    More than 100 Marines arrived by air here April 27 for a brief stay at the Air Force Deployment Transition Center.On their way home from Helmand Province in Afghanistan, the Marines of the 1st Explosives Ordnance Disposal Company, from Camp Pendleton, Calif., are the first members from another

  • Airmen ready Romanian airport for U.S. multi-modal shipments

    Members of the 621st Contingency Response Wing from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., arrived here May 9 to extend the airfield's capability to support "multi-modal operations" during a U.S. Transportation Command proof-of-principle evaluation.USTRANSCOM applies the term "multi-modal" to the

  • Expeditionary Center's 422nd JTS hosts airfield operations TTP conference

    Nearly 20 airfield operations and air traffic control subject-matter experts met with 422nd Joint Tactics Squadron members here recently during a planning conference to develop a product consolidating tactics, techniques and procedures for Airmen operating worldwide.According to some of the Airmen

  • Odierno: Services must partner to weather lean times

    Defense Department officials must expand joint service, interagency and allied partnerships during tight fiscal times, and avoid the pitfalls of "doing more with less," Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno said May 11. "We must avoid the trap of doing more with less, which is a recipe for creating a hollow

  • Lynn: U.S. must preserve its defense industrial base

    Competition, a global defense market and targeted research and development spending will be critical in preserving the nation's defense industrial base during the slowdown in Pentagon spending, Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III said here May 11.In keynote remarks at the Intrepid Sea, Air

  • Pentagon must handle spending slowdown responsibly, Lynn says

    Managing a slowdown in defense spending responsibly will take more than being more efficient, Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III said.As the keynote speaker May 11 for the Royal Bank of Canada Defense and Aerospace Conference here, Mr. Lynn told an audience at the Intrepid Sea, Air and

  • Undersecretary addresses fiscal challenges

    Undersecretary of the Air Force Erin Conaton spoke at the Air Force Association's Air Force Breakfast Program here May 11.Ms. Conaton discussed the state of the Air Force and how the service is approaching the challenging budgetary environment it faces today."We're currently balancing a range of

  • 'Hump' pilots mark 65th reunion

    During World War II, they flew C-47 Skytrains and B-24 Liberators, providing supplies to Chinese soldiers fighting the Japanese after the Burma Road was shut down. Their aircraft were often loaded with 10,000 pounds of gasoline, food, ammunition and bombs. And they did all this flying across the

  • Keesler AFB, Vandenberg AFB Airmen build missile maintenance trainer

    Airmen from the 81st Training Support Squadron Simware section here are partnering with Airmen from the 532nd Training Squadron at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., to build an ICBM maintenance virtual trainer.The importance of this training system can't be overstated as acquisition of the IMVT is

  • Air traffic controllers discuss road ahead in Iraq

    Ten Air Force and Army air traffic controllers advising their Iraqi counterparts at major installations around Iraq convened here April 28 to discuss airfield plans for the final months before U.S. troops leave Iraq under a Dec. 31, 2011, mandate. "(The meeting) was an excellent opportunity to see

  • Assistant secretary of defense talks nuclear deterrence, treaties

    The top defense official charged with defending the nation from nuclear, chemical and biological threats visited here May 9 to observe the Airmen responsible for maintaining and protecting America's nuclear deterrent.Andrew Weber, the assistant secretary of defense for nuclear, chemical and

  • Building a better tomorrow, one NCO at a time

    Airmen serving with the Iraq Training and Advisory Mission-Air and 447th Air Expeditionary Group are focused on building the foundation of the Iraqi air force. Equipment transfer and technical training are important, but a small group of NCOs are also teaching enlisted professional development as

  • Alabama National Guard making progress with tornado response

    Nearly two weeks after tornadoes that devastated much of the state April 27, the Alabama National Guard remains engaged responding to the disaster. This has been the largest Alabama National Guard domestic response in Alabama's history.Alabama National Guard officials called more than 2,900 Soldiers

  • Successfully launched satellite ushers in new era of overhead surveillance

    An Air Force team successfully launched the first Space Based Infrared System geosynchronous satellite aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V launch vehicle May 7.  The GEO-1 satellite will provide missile warning, missile defense, battlespace awareness and technical intelligence products to

  • 537th AS Airmen fly again after 40 years

    It's been more than 40 years since 537th Airlift Squadron pilots have taken flight. That hiatus came to an end in early May, soon after first the 537th AS was reactivated May 6. The squadron was deactivated in the early 1970s at Phu Cat Air Base, South Vietnam. At the time, it was the 537th Tactical

  • ESC trifecta will enable autonomous Iraqi air defense

    Because a strong Iraqi air force capable of flying and fighting starts with a solid foundation of planning and control of forces, an Electronic Systems Center team has taken on three major projects of an ESC master plan to ensure the Iraqi air force is capable of providing its own air

  • Photo essay: Air Force Airmen participate in Thracian Spring 2011

    Members from the 435th Security Forces Squadron work in conjunction with Bulgarian air force paratroopers here April 29. Thracian Spring is a two-week, on-site training course designed to build partnerships between the Bulgarian and U.S. Air Force.View the slideshow.

  • Operational uncertainties require flexibility, Gates says

    The lesson Americans should take from recent military operations is that we cannot predict where or how U.S. forces will be engaged, and having flexible capabilities is the best defense for the nation, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said here May 6.Since the Vietnam War, U.S. leaders have a

  • U.S., Congolese military complete MEDLITE 11

    Airmen and Democratic Republic of the Congo service members finished a joint-medical exercise here May 5.The MEDLITE 11 exercise focused on aeromedical evacuation to improve the readiness of personnel. According to Lt. Col. June Oldman, the director of MEDLITE 11, the exercise focused on five key

  • Common interests, challenges discussed at African Air Chiefs Conference

    Shared interests and common challenges topped discussions between African air chiefs from 24 nations and their U.S. counterparts during the 2011 African Air Chiefs Conference April 26 through 28 here.The conference aims to foster communication and dialogue between regional and multilateral partner

  • Air Force firefighting operations conclude in Texas

    After performing 81 sorties and dropping 243,000 gallons of fire retardant over the wildfires that have been burning in South and West Texas, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve personnel and their Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System-equipped aircraft headed home May 6.Officials from the

  • Aeromedical evacuation saves lives in Afghanistan

    An aeromedical evacuation capacity unrivaled anywhere in the world is saving the lives of wounded warriors in Afghanistan, said the officer here who oversees the effort at the combat theater's busiest aeromedical evacuation point.Equipment and procedures are being improved continually to move

  • Tinker AFB Airmen complete first repairs on F117 engine

    Airmen from the 76th Propulsion Maintenance Group and Pratt & Whitney mechanics recently completed repairs on the first F117 engine of the newly-obtained workload. The Pratt & Whitney manufactured engine powers the C-17 Globemaster III."The significance is that this engine was the first ever

  • Reserve tanker crew first operational crew to refuel F-35

    What started out as a routine mission for Airmen from the Air Force Reserve Command's 916th Air Refueling Wing turned into an historic 'first in flight' moment recently.Flying a KC-135R Stratotanker, a flight crew and a maintenance crew from the wing's 911th Air Refueling Squadron thought they were

  • Chief of staff addresses issues, surveys tornado damage

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz visited here May 4 and 5 to meet with Airmen and see the damage caused by recent tornadoes.During an all-call meeting, General Schwartz discussed several issues, including recent force management actions by Air Force officials, the repeal of the law

  • Renovations enhance warfighter training

    Members of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Warrior Preparation Center here have performed renovations that are estimated to save the Air Force $250,000 and 12,000 man hours annually.The WPC is a training compound for U.S. and coalition forces, providing live, virtual and constructive environments seen

  • Civic leaders visit Air Force Expeditionary Center

    A group of U.S. citizens hand-picked to participate in a civic outreach program visited the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center here May 4 as part of the Defense Department's Joint Civilian Orientation Conference program.Approximately 50 citizens, ranging from town mayors to professional sports

  • Officials announce AF fuels management awards

    The 87th Air Base Wing at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., recently received the Air Force's 2010 American Petroleum Institute Gold Award.The other award winners were:Silver Award - 86th Air Wing at Ramstein Air Base, Germany Bronze Award - 49th Wing at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. Air

  • Reserve tankers among 42 aircraft participating in Sea Lion 11-05

    Air Force Reserve Command KC-135 Stratotankers were among the 42 aircraft that converged in the sky over North and South Carolina to support Operation Sea Lion 11-05, a phase two operational readiness exercise centered at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C.Stratotanker crews from the 916th Air Refueling Wing

  • 24th AF officials conduct first change of command

    Maj. Gen. Suzanne M. Vautrinot assumed command of 24th Air Forces during a change-of-command ceremony here April 29.General Vautrinot replaced Maj. Gen. Richard E. Webber, who retired after 36 years of service. General William L. Shelton, the Air Force Space Command commander, presided over the

  • Exercise preserves U.S., Bulgarian partnership

    Airmen from Ramstein Air Base's 86th Airlift Wing and 435th Air Ground Operations Wing, as well as U.S. Army jumpmasters teamed with Bulgarian armed forces to conduct Exercise Thracian Spring 2011 April 26 to May 6 here. The bilateral training exercise brought U.S. and Bulgarian military forces

  • Air Force announces fighter training mission preferred basing decision

    Air Force officials announced May 3 that Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, is the preferred location for consolidation of the Introduction Fighter Fundamentals training units.The Air Force conducts IFF training at five locations, producing 450 IFF graduates per year. Over the years, the Air Force IFF

  • Guard members respond to domestic weather-related disasters

    About 3,000 National Guard members were responding to weather-related domestic disasters in 11 states April 29, the majority in tornado-ravaged Alabama, while hundreds still tackled rising waters in North Dakota, the epicenter of flooding challenging seven states.In Alabama, Arkansas and

  • 36th AS helps map Japanese water currents

    In an effort to help track the movement of seawater along northeastern Honshu, members of the 36th Airlift Squadron, in coordination with the Japanese government, dropped seven Davis Drifter buoys off the coast of Japan April 29.The buoys will aid scientists from the U.S. Naval Oceanographic Office

  • Troops explore emerging energy solutions

    As officials work to shrink the military's operational energy footprint, experts in solar power, microgrids and "smart" generators recently took that technology to a crucial jury: the troops.Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines who deal hands-on with battlefield power converged here April 12

  • Travis civil engineers inspect, repair 17 generators for use in Japan

    Recently, the Air Force Civil Engineer Support Agency's Civil Engineer Maintenance Inspection Repair Team here was tasked to inspect and repair 17 generators, which will be used to help power Yokota and Misawa air bases in Japan.Due to the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan in March and caused

  • Obama declares 'Justice has been done'

    "Justice has been done," said President Barack Obama in announcing the death of Osama bin Laden in a U.S. military operation in Pakistan.An American counterintelligence and counterterrorism team killed bin Laden yesterday during a firefight near Islamabad, the president said during a short statement

  • U.S. kills bin Laden in intelligence-driven operation

    An intelligence-driven U.S. operation in Pakistan killed al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden yesterday, President Barack Obama announced in a nationally televised address from the White House late last night."Today, at my direction, the United States launched a targeted operation against that compound

  • Logistics Airmen play crucial dual-role before Kirkuk transition

    As U.S. military forces pack up their things and transition out of Iraq, Airmen from the 321st Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron have their hands full.With less than eight months remaining before the security agreement deadline, 321st Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron Airmen are

  • Photo essay: Surge week at Little Rock AFB

    Aircrew members participate in a surge week here April 14. The purpose of the surge week is to make up lost flying time by increasing the operations tempo.View the slideshow.

  • Guardsmen respond to Arkansas tornado damage

    More than 50 Airmen from the Arkansas Air National Guard 189th Airlift Wing Rapid Augmentation Team Charlie deployed to Vilonia, Ark., April 26 to help residents recover from tornado damage.RAT Charlie is one of three 50-person teams composed of drill-status guardsmen. It's a volunteer force wing

  • MEDLITE 11 benefits from experiences of Air National Guard members

    Air National Guard officials are bringing a critical depth of experience and demonstrating its ability to be a seamless player as part of total force during the MEDLITE 11 exercise here, the director of operations for MEDLITE 11 said April 26."MEDLITE is showing that we can execute our mission,

  • New unit adds outreach, education to contingency response mission

    A new air mobility unit activated April 19 in a ceremony here, marking the genesis of a new mission for the expeditionary air mobility specialists of the 621st Contingency Response Wing. By order of the secretary of the Air Force, members of the 818th Mobility Support Advisory Squadron will provide

  • Aerial porters unload cargo for all of Iraq

    When a runway closed in Turkey, officials scrambled to find another way to get supplies to U.S. forces in Iraq.The answer was quite simple; the Federal Aviation Administration-approved flightline at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, which is the only place in country where civilian U.S. flagged aircraft can

  • Exchanging aeromedical evacuation training across the continents

    With outside temperatures reaching above 95 degrees and temperatures inside the classroom feeling much warmer than that, the total force instructors of the Air Force active duty, National Guard and Reserve have started their course instruction portion of MEDLITE 11 to the more than 70 Congolese

  • Service members support Arctic Care in rural Alaska

    The Alaska National Guard is joining forces with active-duty and Reserve units across the nation to provide support for Operation Arctic Care April 15 through 30.Led this year by deployment support officials from the Army Reserve's 807th Medical Command, Arctic Care is an annual two-week mission

  • Air force leaders from Africa, U.S. meet in Ethiopia

    Air force leaders from more than 20 nations across Africa joined with U.S. Air Force leaders here April 26 to discuss aviation issues and develop partnerships across the continent.The 2011 African Air Chiefs Conference, which runs through April 28, is hosted by Air Forces Africa, also known as 17th

  • Air Force evacuation team carries wounded warriors home

    By many accounts, 20-year-old Army Spc. Dustin Morrison is a living miracle and a testament to the military medical system that's getting medical care to wounded warriors and moving them to progressively advanced levels of care faster than ever before.Specialist Morrison, an Iowa Army National

  • Japan Minister of Defense highlights bilateral capabilities at Yokota

    Japanese Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa visited here April 23 to observe the capabilities of the Japanese Central Readiness Force and the U.S. military's chemical biological incident response force.This was the first visit to Yokota Air Base by a Japan Defense Minister since the Ministry of

  • Vendors attend Industry Day for Manas Transit Center

    To learn how to do business with the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, 244 vendors attended Industry Day here April 22. The 376th Expeditionary Contracting Squadron holds Industry Day twice each year to inform businesspeople on the procedures required to qualify as a vendor with the center."We

  • Air Guard, Reserve continue to fight Texas wildfires

    As of April 25, the 302nd Air Expeditionary Group continues to battle the wildfires that are raging throughout areas of southern Texas. The 302nd AEG, comprising Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve units, has assisted with fire fighting efforts throughout the week. The group currently has six

  • Iraqi air force leaders thank U.S advisers, celebrate 80th anniversary

    U.S. Air Force and Iraqi officials opened a state-of-the-art air operations center here as the Iraqi air force celebrated its 80th anniversary April 21. The grand opening of a $9 million AOC at Hawk Base here kicked off a series of festivities celebrating the anniversary of the founding of Iraq's

  • Post-disaster energy conservation continues with program at Yokota

    Energy conservation measures here recently increased with the start of the No Heat, No Cool program that began April 18. Members of the 374th Civil Engineer Squadron began shutting off the heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems in facilities and residential housing buildings as part of a

  • Air Force officials announce helicopter acquisition strategy

    Air Force officials announced their strategy here April 25 to recapitalize the Air Force's helicopter fleet, which is critical to nuclear weapon security response, continuity of government, and combat search and rescue.The Air Force secretary and chief of staff have directed that the service proceed

  • DOD officials recognize Air Force for environmental accomplishments

    Each year, Department of Defense officials recognize military personnel, teams and installations for excellent stewardship of natural and cultural resources entrusted to their care. Conservation efforts across the Air Force over the past year were rewarded April 15, when the Air Force was announced

  • AFPC officials to stand up operating location at Robins

    As part of a continuing Air Force initiative to provide on-site civilian personnel recruitment support, Air Force Personnel Center officials will stand up an operating location at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., May 1. This is the fourth of five AFPC OLs to support commanders and missions at Air Force

  • Iraq withdrawal agreement still stands, Mullen says

    All American troops will be out of Iraq at the end of the year in accordance with the security agreement signed in 2008, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said here today."There are no plans, nor has there been any request from the Iraqi government, for any residual U.S. force presence here

  • Mullen: World community says Gadhafi must go

    NATO has come forward in a very positive way to enforce the no-fly zone over Libya and protect Libyan citizens from the Moammar Gadhafi regime, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen said here today.The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff also told service members serving with U.S. Division Center in Baghdad that

  • Gates: Obama OKs Predator strikes in Libya

    President Barack Obama has approved the use of U.S. armed predator strikes in Libya, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said April 22."The president has said that where we have some unique capabilities, he is willing to use those," Secretary Gates said. "In fact, he has approved the use of armed

  • Air Force on track with KC-46A program

    Air Force and Boeing Company officials met for the KC-46A program post-award conference recently to discuss program specifics, including a technical overview of the program. The discussions, which took place in Harbour Pointe, Wash., featured details of the in-line production process, draft

  • Satellite supports relief efforts in Japan

    The Wideband Global SATCOM system's unique dual-band and crossbanding capabilities are proving to be critical in the ongoing earthquake and tsunami relief efforts in Japan, officials said. Intended for use with military operations, WGS is now using its capability to communicate across the frequency

  • Air Force leader talks future of air, missile defense at ISAD 2020

    The Air Force's senior leader in U.S. Central Command met with other military leaders from around the globe during the International Symposium on Air Defense 2020 from April 17 to 19 at the Air Defense Forces Institute in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.Lt. Gen. Mike Hostage, the Combined Forces Air Component

  • Airmen provide vital link in Japan earthquake and tsunami relief

    From a windowless vault within the Pacific Air Forces headquarters building, Airmen from the 561st Network Operations Squadron, Det. 1, provided the network support required to allow more than 770 sorties to deliver aid workers and supplies to Japan, starting March 12. "I'm excited to be part of

  • Elmendorf Airmen deploy to Kadena, test capabilities

    A group of pilots and maintainers from the 525th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, deployed here earlier in 2011, along with their F-22 Raptors, to test their capabilities in a new environment, setting records in the process.During their stay here, they

  • Families return to Yokota

    Dependents returning from the voluntary authorized departures gathered for a ReStart briefing here April 21. The departures served as a precautionary measure to help ensure safety of U.S. citizens and also assisted and expedited Japanese recovery efforts by reducing the demand for food, water, fuel

  • DOD: U.S. continues support of NATO operations in Libya

    A U.S. military fighter jet destroyed two of Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi's surface-to-air missile sites near the Libyan capital of Tripoli April 18, continuing U.S. support of NATO operations there, officials reported.Since NATO took the lead of multilateral operations in Libya on April 1, U.S.

  • Budget cuts demand more DOD buying power

    As Defense Department officials seek additional cost cuts to support President Barack Obama's deficit-reduction efforts, weapons systems and other major procurement programs certainly will be on the table, but won't be enough to achieve the president's goals, the Pentagon's acquisitions chief said

  • C-130s continue support of fire fighting efforts in Texas, Mexico

    Under the command of U.S. Northern Command, six C-130 Hercules aircraft, equipped with U.S. Forest Service Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems, continue to support firefighting efforts in Texas and Mexico.Two of the C-130s, from the 302nd Airlift Wing at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., are

  • 4th SOPS closes the door on operations legacy

    In a ceremony held April 11, 4th Space Operations Squadron members decommissioned the Satellite Mission Control Subsystem, or SMCS, and the Air Force Command Post Terminal, closing the door on a legacy of operations."Today we turn the lights off on the command and control system that has been

  • Mullen: Leaders see need for partnership

    Leaders in both Pakistan and the U.S. recognize the importance of a strategic partnership with each other and will work through problems to ensure it remains strong, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said here today. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen acknowledged relations between the two countries hit

  • Dyess Airmen assist with Texas wildfires

    Members of the 7th Bomb Wing and 317th Airlift Group here are lending a helping hand in support of firefighting efforts throughout South Texas.From logistics to meals to maintenance, Airmen here will support four C-130 Hercules aircraft equipped with Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems and more

  • B-1B simulators go from 'Mario Brothers to Halo'

    The Air Force is currently upgrading four B-1B Lancer simulators here and at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas.The $18.4 million project, which is scheduled for completion in September, will fully update visual and sensor databases, as well as projectors and display screens, of the original system built

  • Yokota AB Airmen provide Afghan military with 'props'

    Airmen from here helped airmen in the Afghan National Army Air Corps get off the ground and take control of maintaining Afghan national security.The Yokota AB Airmen were tasked to package and ship 15 sets of propellers, three blades per set, to the ANAAC for their growing fleet of C-27A

  • AFPC officials deploy team to improve deployed personnel support

    Air Force Personnel Center officials here are deploying a team to Southwest Asia at the end of April to examine personnel services and support for deployed Air Force members.The six-person Total Force Service Center-Forward team will continue to conduct customer need assessments and provide direct

  • Gates will present president with cost-cutting options

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates is "a leader when it comes to fiscal responsibility" and will provide President Barack Obama with options, along with the pros and cons of each, to make additional defense cuts, the assistant secretary of defense for public affairs said yesterday.Secretary Gates

  • Yokota community comes together to aid Japan in rockin' way

    More than 700 people gathered at an outdoor stage here to enjoy music, friends and food during Tomodachistock 2011 April 16.Through this rock-filled benefit concert, the Yokota American Red Cross was able to raise $24,360 for the Japanese Red Cross earthquake and tsunami relief effort."(As

  • Air National Guard units respond to Texas wildfires

    Air National Guard officials in three states sent four specially equipped C-130 Hercules aircraft to Texas on April 18 to support civil authorities battling 32 wildfires.The C-130s, equipped with the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System, or MAFFS, were sent under the direction of the Joint Forces

  • Air Force Reserve C-130s support fight against Mexican wildland fires

    Two Air Force Reserve C-130 Hercules aircraft conducted three aerial firefighting missions from here April 16 in support of the ongoing efforts to contain the wildland fires the Mexican state of Coahuila.The aircrew dropped about 9,000 gallons of fire suppressant on the effected area, approximately

  • 50th Space Wing officials accept ground system upgrades

    Officials at the 50th Space Wing accepted two Global Positioning System ground system upgrades during a ceremony here April 14.The ceremony signified a group effort between wing, Air Force Space Command and the Space and Missile Systems Center officials and their continued commitment to improve and

  • Total force 'calico' wing supports world-wide operations

    Airmen serving in the 313th Air Expeditionary Wing at an air base here are from myriad places, but they are "one team."Those Airmen, and the planes they use for air refueling and airlift during Operation Unified Protector, are not only active duty, but also Air National Guard and Air Force

  • USTRANSCOM members move DOD personnel from Japan

    More than 7,500 Department of Defense personnel and family members, and 400 of their pets, were evacuated from Japan following natural disasters in March. The evacuation was made possible through the combined efforts of the U.S. Transportation Command, Air Mobility Command, Military Surface