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  • Team building drove president's choices, Gates says

    Building a team was the most important consideration as President Barack Obama made his choices for top national security positions, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said June 2.While he wouldn't give specifics about his advice to the president, Secretary Gates told reporters traveling with him to

  • Labor Department grants to provide veterans job training

    As part of an interagency effort to support America's veterans, the Labor Department announced $37 million in grants to provide job training for about 21,000 veterans, many of them homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis announced the grants June 1, awarded to

  • Officials announce Flemming Award winners

    Air Force officials selected the winners of the 62nd Annual Arthur S. Flemming Award.Dr. Timothy Bunning and Maj. Gabriel Hiley of the Air Force Materiel Command were named the winners in the basic science and managerial or legal achievement categories.The Flemming award annually recognizes

  • Training at MacDill provides skills to survive

    In the military, training can teach most things, but it can't teach the will to survive. That is something contained deep inside, said Staff Sgt. Patrick Ray, the NCO in charge of survival, evasion, resistance and escape training here.SERE training is essential for military members who fly, or

  • Air Force clubs offer Airmen road to education

    The road to higher education can be a little easier for members of Air Force clubs around the world, or their dependents, through the 2011 Club Membership Scholarship program, officials said."Twenty-five $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to club members or their families attending or accepted to

  • Airman presented International Affairs Excellence Award

    Air Force officials presented a major with the International Affairs Excellence Award for 2010 here May 31 after deeming him most effective in building, sustaining, expanding and guiding international relationships for the service.Air Force Secretary Michael Donley presented the award to Maj. Paul

  • Guard, Reserve employers earn top Defense Department honor

    Fifteen employers have been chosen to receive the 2011 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award in recognition of the support they provide to their employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve.Officials at Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a Defense Department agency,

  • DOD officials identify two Air Force casualties

    Department of Defense officials announced the deaths of two Airmen May 27 who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.The Airmen died May 26 in the Shorabak district of Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their unit with an improvised explosive

  • Competition integrates cyber capabilities, encourages new ideas

    Airmen from the 67th Network Warfare Wing took part in the first Cyber Nexus competition here May 17 to 19. The force-on-force event brought together operators from the Air Force's four cyber disciplines to compete as integrated teams. The four disciplines are network operations, defensive

  • Commissary Agency officials honor best stores for recycling

    Helping the environment has become a habit for a number of stores in the Defense Commissary Agency. Agency officials formally acknowledged these commissaries for their excellence in recycling May 25 as part of DeCA's Solid Waste Management Awards.The awards were developed to recognize store

  • Reserve Airmen begin work on Boy Scout Jamboree site

    Reserve Airmen recently arrived here to begin work on a 10,600 acre National Scout Jamboree site as part of Joint Task Force Summit.More than 20 civil engineers from the 477th Civil Engineer Squadron at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, began clearing trees and installing silt fences on the

  • Sather Airmen take Iraqi security training to next level

    The Iraqi air force will be a step closer to providing personal security for high-ranking officials after completing advanced security forces training with 447th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron instructors later this week.The advanced course, which is a precursor to personal security detail

  • New firing range 'shoots down' time, costs

    The newly refurbished combat arms firing range here is now loaded and ready.After the completion of a series of renovations to the base's old range, Airmen will no longer have to transfer from the 18th Security Force Squadron's classroom here to the Marine Corps range on Camp Hansen, saving the

  • The backbeat of the band

    Have you ever been to a concert? Have you ever sat in the audience before the band took the stage and marveled at the lights, stage and speakers that pepper the venue and wonder how it all came together? Long before the first note comes barreling through the sound system of a concert hall, hundreds

  • French pilots, families integrate into base, community

    Two French air force pilots are currently calling Moody Air Force Base, Ga., home. Commandant Yann Malard and Capitaine Sebastian Alvarez are currently integrated with a fighter squadron and rescue squadron, respectively, as they become proficient on their particular airframes. "The units here and

  • AFSO21 saves Kadena millions in parts, energy bills

    In the past, Airmen at the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration shop here have had to replace large, outdoor, energy-wasting chiller units for buildings' AC systems on military installations across the island nearly every three years.However, because of the tropical climate of

  • Secretary Donley congratulates new officers at Academy commencement

    The secretary of the Air Force spoke at the commencement address for the Air Force Academy's Class of 2011 at Falcon Stadium here May 25.Michael Donley congratulated the 1,021 graduates and challenged them to be lifelong learners, team players and doers after they have received their diplomas and

  • Commissary Agency officials announce Best Commissary Award winners

    Every day at each of the Defense Commissary Agency's 249 stores, employees do their best to deliver an efficient and effective benefit to the millions of customers authorized to receive it, according to DeCA officials. The finest of those endeavors were recognized May 24 as the top commissaries were

  • 'Small but critical' unit moving to F.E. Warren

    The commander of Air Force Global Strike Command has announced plans to relocate the command's 24-person Missile Engineer Squadron from Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., to F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo. "The unit is small but critical, with unique deeply technical capabilities that can best be

  • Tops in Blue set to kick off 'Rhythm Nation' tour

    Tops in Blue, the Air Force's expeditionary entertainment unit, kicks off their 2011 'Rhythm Nation' tour with a performance at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., May 25.Tops in Blue is a group of Airmen comprised of 35 vocalists, dancers, musicians and technicians who perform for deployed service

  • Laughlin amputee earns his wings

    Earning the coveted silver pilot wings is a long and difficult journey allowing only a small percentage of officers to earn the right to be called a pilot in the U.S. Air Force.By becoming the first amputee to graduate from pilot training, First Lt. Ryan McGuire earned his spot among the elite group

  • Photo essay: Refueling the fight

    Airmen from the 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron participate in multiple air refueling missions here May 8, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.View the slideshow.

  • Gates: Defense cuts must be prioritized, strategic

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said he is determined that the department not fall victim to the mistakes of the past, "where the budget targets were met mostly by taking a percentage off the top of everything, the simplest and most politically expedient approach both inside the Pentagon and

  • Operation Joint Endeavor: Employers of guardsmen receive orientation

    Members of the Ohio Air National Guard's 180th Fighter Wing and the Ohio Army National Guard's Camp Perry Joint Training Center hosted a joint employer event May 21, sponsored by the Ohio Adjutant General, welcoming 20 employers of Ohio Air National Guard and Army National Guard service members.The

  • Advisers from 3 bases converge for evacuation training

    Air Force and Army medical advisers from bases throughout Iraq converged here to conduct aeromedical evacuation training with their Iraqi counterparts May 18 to 19.Medical advisers and helicopter pilots with the 171st General Support Aviation Battalion at Camp Taji, medics from Joint Base Balad's

  • Air Force doctor to appear on 'The Oprah Winfrey Show'

    Air Force Maj. (Dr.) Van Adamson never imagined he would appear on a national syndicated TV talk show, standing next to Hollywood's biggest celebrities as a result of a college scholarship he received 13 years ago. In her second-to-last episode on Tuesday, May 24, popular day-time talk show host

  • Officials seek nominations for 2011 GEICO Military Service Awards

    Air Force officials are accepting nominations for the 2011 Government Employees Insurance Company's Military Service Awards.The annual GEICO Military Service Awards recognize enlisted service members from all military service branches, active duty, Guard and Reserve, for their contributions to

  • Law enforcement members honored during Police Week

    Security forces members, the Air Force Office of Special Investigations and the South Korean air force honored two law enforcement Airmen by ceremonially retiring them and removing them from duty here May 19.The ceremony was part of National Police Week, which ran from May 15 to 21 and honored law

  • 7th Intel Squadron named best in Air Force

    The 7th Intelligence Squadron was named the Outstanding Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Unit of the Year for 2010 as part of the annual Air Force ISR awards program and the National Military Intelligence Association Maj. Gen. Jack E. Thomas awards program. The 7th IS selection was made

  • 'Golden hour' initiative pays off in Afghanistan

    Two years ago, Defense Secretary Robert Gates traveled throughout Afghanistan, promising deployed troops he would make sure they had everything they needed to accomplish their mission -- including more forward-deployed medical capabilities in the event they were wounded.The goal, Secretary Gates

  • Air Guard Airmen establish air hub for earthquake-relief exercise

    More than 40 members of a contingency response element from the Kentucky Air National Guard's 123rd Airlift Wing operated a key patient-movement hub here as part of National Level Exercise 2011.The exercise is designed to test the local, state and national response to a simulated earthquake along

  • JTACs show off new capability during digital demo

    Joint terminal attack controllers with the 607th Air Support Operations Group here recently showed off new digital capabilities during a demonstration with members of the South Korea air force.The demonstration showcased advanced equipment the controllers use when transmitting digit data to aircraft

  • DeBerry elected to College Football Hall of Fame

    A former U.S. Air Force Academy football coach was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame, according to an announcement from the National Football Foundation Board of Directors on May 17. The foundation will honor Fisher DeBerry, along with the other inductees, at the National Football

  • Nominations open for Grateful Nation award

    Air Force officials are seeking nominations for the 2011 Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs Grateful Nation Award.This award recognizes one member from each of the military branches and U.S. Special Operations Command for superior performance and service in the war on terrorism.Nominees

  • Airmen begin Warrior Games at Olympic Training Complex

    Twenty-five Airmen joined nearly 200 other wounded warriors for the 2011 Warrior Games opening ceremony May 16 at the Olympic Training Complex here. The competition between all branches of service, including the Coast Guard, is in its second year and is open to service members who were injured while

  • McConnell's 349th ARS named best Air Force air refueling unit

    The 349th Air Refueling Squadron has been named the most outstanding air refueling squadron in the Air Force. This is the second time members of the 349th ARS have received the Gen. Carl A. Spaatz Trophy within three years. "I am extremely proud of the 349th ARS," said Col. Jamie Crowhurst, the 22nd

  • Defense Department officials honor top communicators

    The military's best writers, photographers and videographers were recognized for excellence in a ceremony May 13 at the Defense Information School here.Douglas B. Wilson, assistant secretary of defense for public affairs, recognized the award recipients for their achievements."Many of those being

  • 20th FW hands off alert mission to McEntire ANG

    The 20th Fighter Wing here turned over responsibility for the air sovereignty alert mission to the 169th Fighter Wing at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, S.C., recently.The 20th FW controlled the alert mission from Sept. 11, 2001 to Nov. 15, 2003 and again from Aug. 1, 2006 to May 9, 2011. The

  • Plans in place to spend $1 million IEA winnings at Spangdahlem AB

    More than 30 service members, U.S. and German national civilian employees, and family members from here received the Commander in Chief's Installation Excellence and Special Recognition Award May 2 through 6 in Washington.It was during this trip that Undersecretary of the Air Force Erin Conaton

  • 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

  • AGE technician earns $30k for innovation

    A 60th Aerospace Ground Equipment technician here was recently awarded $30,000 through the Innovative Development through Employee Awareness Program.Robert Rayborn submitted three items into the Zero-Overpricing Program, each idea earning him $10,000."The Zero-Overpricing Program allows the

  • 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

  • Cadet honored in Pentagon ceremony

    The newest name engraved on the Millennium Sword of Friendship in the Pentagon is that of a student at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., who was presented with the 2010 U.S. Air Force Cadet of the Year Award here May 12.During a ceremony hosted by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen.

  • 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

  • AFSPC commander welcomes AF Wounded Warriors, kicks off 2011 competition

    The U.S. Air Force Warrior Games team gathered for breakfast here May 8 to mark the beginning of a week of training before the kick-off of the 2011 Warrior Games.During the breakfast, Gen. William Shelton, the Air Force Space Command commander, passed on thanks and encouraging words to the 23

  • Air Force honors 2010 Sijan award winners

    For demonstrating outstanding leadership, four Airmen received the 2010 Lance P. Sijan USAF Leadership Award during a ceremony May 11 in the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes.Named in honor of the first U.S. Air Force Academy graduate to receive the Medal of Honor, the award annually recognizes officer and

  • Airmen graduate Air Assault Course with Soldiers

    Three Airmen graduated the Army Air Assault course here May 11, after 11 days of training. Five Airmen from the 647th Security Forces Squadron from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, and 309 Soldiers, many from the 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks, started the course, and only about

  • 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

  • EPA awards Aviano clinic second Energy Star

    Environmental Protection Agency officials recently awarded the 31st Medical Group a second Energy Star, making the Aviano Air Base clinic the "greenest" in the Air Force.To qualify for the Energy Star, a building must earn 75 or more points on the EPA's 100-point performance scale, indicating that

  • 'Total Force 21' paper offers new force mix, DOD savings

    Air Force Reserve officials recently announced new guidelines that may help combat planners better access reservists, make the Air Force more efficient and save money.Called "Total Force 21," this new approach refocuses planning efforts on how many reservists can be mobilized instead of traditional

  • 2011 Team of the Year visits Washington

    Air Force first sergeants were recognized recently during events honoring them as the Air Force and Air Force Association 2011 Team of the Year. Each year the chief master sergeant of the Air Force, along with the major command-level command chief master sergeants, selects a specific Air Force

  • AFCEE redefines the gateway to the Air Force

    Engineers at the Air Force Center for Engineering and the Environment are preparing to build an inprocessing and information center for Air Force recruits and their families here.The construction of the facility is significant to both the agency and the Air Force, due to its robust depiction of Air

  • AFOSI personnel pay tribute to their latest fallen hero

    Hundreds of military and civilian mourners packed Chapel One at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., May 9 to attend a memorial service honoring the latest Air Force Office of Special Investigations fallen hero. Master Sgt. Tara R. Brown, 33, of New York, died Apr. 27 of wounds sustained when an Afghan

  • 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

  • Airmen help make Iraq a little greener

    Members of the 321st Expeditionary Logistical Readiness Squadron Vehicle Maintenance Flight created a volunteer project called Operation Kirkuk Regional Air Base Cleanup at Contingency Operating Site Warrior, Iraq.On any given Sunday, the program allows anyone from any unit to spend a few hours

  • Bin Laden raid will help defeat al-Qaida, Obama says

    The death of Osama bin Laden and the unprecedented collection of intelligence material from the raid that killed the terrorist leader will help the U.S. deal a serious blow to al-Qaida, President Barack Obama said May 8 in a recent television interview.President Obama discussed the operation that

  • Afghans graduate from first Mi-17 "Train the trainer" course

    Seven Afghan Mi-17 instructors graduated from the first Mi-17 "Train the Trainer" upgrade course May 4 taught by AAF and U.S. Air Force instructors at the Afghanistan Premier Flight Training Center here."Afghan aircrew instructors are pivotal to growing independent combat flying forces, ultimately

  • 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

  • U.S. will defeat terrorists, Obama tells troops

    The skill and courage of countless American military and intelligence professionals are why Osama bin Laden can never threaten America again, President Barack Obama told a cheering group of 101st Airborne Soldiers May 6 at Fort Campbell, Ky.President Obama told them about meeting yesterday with

  • 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

  • Air Force members recognized for decades of public service

    With 50 years of service each, two Air Force public servants were among 39 men and women recognized in the Pentagon courtyard May 5 with the Spirit of Service award honoring those whose government careers have spanned 48 to 68 years.As part of Public Service Recognition Week, May 1 through 7, Sara

  • Remembering pilot slain in Afghanistan

    Quiet giant. Humble. Tremendously respected. Genuine. These were the repeated words that friends and family members here used to describe the instructor pilot who was among the nine Americans killed during the April 27 Kabul International Airport shooting. Lt. Col. Frank Bryant Jr. made the ultimate

  • One unit's PT boot camp gets results

    What started less than two years ago as an innovative way to stay in shape, has evolved into a physical fitness tool for Airmen at the headquarters of the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency here. The agency's physical training boot camp recently capped its three-phased

  • 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

  • Officials announce personnel annual award winners

    The deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel and services, or A1, recently announced the 2010 award winners for the A1 community.This year's winners are:Installation awards:Gen. Curtis E. LeMay Award, for best large-category force support squadron:1st Special Operations FSS, Air Force Special

  • 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

  • Report outlines progress in Afghanistan

    READY FOR REVIEWLast year's surge of U.S. and coalition forces into Afghanistan, with the simultaneous growth of Afghan forces, is leading to tangible progress for peace and prosperity in Afghanistan, according to a biannual Defense Department report recently released.The final component of 30,000

  • Five military installations receive top honors

    Teams from five military installations around the world received top awards today for excelling at their mission despite the demands of war and recent natural disasters.At a Pentagon ceremony, Ashton B. Carter, undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, lauded the

  • Air Force officials announce criteria for basing of TACP/ALO training

    Air Force officials have released the criteria for basing tactical air control party and air liaison officer training.Recent and current operations have created an increase in demand for TACPs and ALOs to support Army units. The current TACP/ALO schoolhouse at Hurlburt Field, Fla., lacks adequate

  • 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

  • Air advisers' feedback to shape future deployment training

    Representatives from the air adviser course at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., were in Iraq recently to query course graduates on the effectiveness of the course. Their efforts are intended to help shape future education and training the Air Force provides to Airmen who will engage in

  • 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

  • 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

  • Cyberspace Airmen mourn wingman killed in Afghanistan

    Department of Defense  officials announced April 29 the death of Capt. Charles A. Ransom, a cyberspace Airman assigned to the 83rd Network Operations Squadron, at Langley Air Force Base, Va.He died April 27 at the Kabul International Airport in Afghanistan of wounds suffered from gunfire while

  • Mrs. Mullen spotlights family issues in new blog

    Building resilience and providing long-term support are keys to strengthening military families and better equipping them to weather the frequent, multiple deployments so prevalent in this decade of war, the wife of the nation's top military officer said."We've never asked a generation of families

  • Air Guard assists critical-care evacuations

    Minutes after takeoff here, Col. (Dr.) Charles Chappuis jumped to his feet aboard a C-17 Globemaster III to check on Army Spc. Adam Castagna, one of three critical patients under his care being transported to the U.S. for advanced medical care.Dr. Chappuis is the surgeon for a three-person Air

  • 33rd RQS wins third straight "Jolly Green Rescue Mission of the Year" award

    A split second after a two-man rescue team touched ground, the ear-shattering explosions of rocket-propelled grenades, or RPGs, rang out overhead. Capt. Koa Bailey and Master Sgt. Roger Sparks, a combat rescue officer and a pararescueman from the Alaska Air National Guard's 212th Rescue Squadron,

  • Pacific Air Forces honors Medal of Honor recipient

    Pacific Air Forces Airmen gathered in the Courtyard of Heroes April 29 here to honor the most recent Medal of Honor recipient.Chief Master Sgt. Richard Etchberger, who saved three of his fellow Airmen's lives before finally succumbing to enemy fire during a classified mission in Laos March 11, 1968,

  • 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

  • Academy military trainers receive mark of distinction

    As long as there's been an Air Force Academy, an elite group of NCOs has played a key role in the development of future leaders for the Air Force, and now those NCOs wear a formal mark of distinction.Academy Military Training NCOs, more commonly known as AMTs, were recently authorized to wear an

  • Counselor presented national drug/alcohol abuse prevention award

    An Airman assigned here received the Government Employees Insurance Company Military Service Award at a ceremony April 18 in Washington.Tech. Sgt. Jeannie Washington was selected as the Air Force recipient of the award, which recognized service members from each branch, as well as the guard and

  • 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

  • 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

  • Kadena AB Airmen awarded Japanese community service award

    Members of the 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron here have recently been named the winners of the Zenko Kai Award, an award given by Japanese government officials to any residents, military included, who have performed outstanding community service. The squadron members were honored for their good

  • Korean soldiers integrate into Bagram's base defense

    South Korean special forces soldiers will begin standing watch at various security towers around the airfield here starting May 1.The 30 South Korean soldiers are currently training with Airmen from the 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron in preparation for South Korean integration into the

  • 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

  • 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

  • Continuing to strengthen nuclear operations: Munitions squadrons to realign

    Air Force officials announced April 27 here plans to transfer munitions squadrons responsible for nuclear mission support from Air Force Materiel Command to Air Force Global Strike Command in the next 12 months.This is another step in continuing to strengthen the nuclear enterprise; under a previous

  • 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

  • Semifinalists selected for employer support awards

    Defense Department officials announced April 25 that 148 employers have been selected as semifinalists for the 2011 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award.The Freedom Award is DOD's highest recognition given to employers for exceptional support of their employees serving in the 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

  • Honor guard provides unique opportunity

    The hurried commotion of people chatting and finding their seats overwhelms the room. A group of five people stand in the background; not one Airman says a word and all stand tall and unwavering. These five Airmen are silent for a purpose. They are the color guard detail for the retirement ceremony