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  • Air Mobility key to outpost sustainability

    For service members assigned to small military outposts strategically placed throughout Afghanistan's most rugged landscape, air mobility is the key to mission success."We have outposts all over the place here," said Army Lt. Col. David Preston, a member of a support battalion for Task Force

  • Leaders call operational Reserve 'a new DOD efficiency'

    The new role and future direction of the Department of Defense's reserve components was the focus of the Reserve Officer Association gathering attended by more than 600 people at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel here Jan. 29 through Feb. 2.Senior DOD leaders here discussed how the Reserve programs

  • Rubber removal begins at Bagram Airfield

    Since Jan. 30, Airmen who work on the flightline here have seen a new vehicle crossing the runway. The vehicle, a TrackJet TJ-24, is a surface-treatment system with high-capacity vacuum suction capability. It looks like a water tanker with a vacuum attached to the front. Since its arrival, the

  • Center officials award Space Fence preliminary design contracts

    Electronic Systems Center officials have issued two competitive contract orders, each worth $107 million, for preliminary design of the Space Fence program. They awarded the contracts to Raytheon Corp.'s Integrated Defense Systems and Lockheed Martin Corporation's Mission Systems & Sensors Division.

  • AOC Weapon System moves toward single computing environment

    Electronic Systems Center officials recently put out a request for proposal to modernize the Air and Space Operations Center Weapon System."We're looking to have a single computing environment for the AOC Weapon System," said Lt. Col. John Barrette, AOC WS 10.2 program manager. "Right now, there are

  • Air Force fighters prep for Super Bowl XLV

    Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Region fighters will be busy well before Super Bowl Sunday preparing to protect the sky around Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.Exercise Amalgam Virgo 11-05A, a NORAD air defense exercise, was held Feb. 2 in the greater Arlington area to

  • Hickam C-17 drops a Navy boat over Pacific

    It was 'zero-dark-thirty' and only the blue line of runway lights met the joint Air Force and Navy crew under the wings of a C-17 Globemaster III.A 535th Airlift Squadron aircrew from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, and the U.S. Navy Special Warfare Unit One from Guam teamed up to drop a

  • C-17s deliver largest OEF fuel resupply

    Three C-17 Globemaster IIIs carrying 120 bundles dropped the largest resupply of fuel ever to a remote military outpost in Afghanistan.Throughout the span of two days, Jan. 29 through 30, Soldiers hustled to collect the pallets, store them and then prepare for the next C-17 pass."When these drops

  • New website promotes military info sharing

    Whether they're moving into a new contingency operation or upgrading operations for an existing one, U.S. forces have a new weapon at their disposal when setting up or reconfiguring their command-and-control architectures.Thanks to the new "C2 Central" website established by U.S. Joint Forces

  • Legends Panel links past, present communications Airmen

    Air Force Network Integration Center Airmen had a unique opportunity to meet with and ask questions of some of the organization's past commanders and members of the Communications and Information Hall of Fame during the AFNIC Legends Panel session here Jan 26.The panel was part of a two-day heritage

  • Kehler succeeds Chilton as commander of Strategic Command

    Air Force Gen. Kevin P. Chilton passed the flag of U.S. Strategic Command to Air Force Gen. C. Robert Kehler Jan. 28, giving the nation's nuclear deterrent mission a new commander.General Chilton, a pilot who served 10 years with NASA and flew three space shuttle missions, retired after 34 years of

  • CSAF calls for more collaboration amid budget pressures

    Intense budget pressure, made worse by the failure to pass the fiscal 2011 defense appropriations bill, requires increased joint and total force collaboration across the U.S. military, according to the Air Force chief of staff. Gen. Norton Schwartz made the comments during remarks at the Reserve

  • AFNORTH officials give Civil Air Patrol a technology boost

    When Air Forces Northern officials need an aircrew to fly a search and rescue mission, run counterdrug support or play the bad guy, they frequently call on the members of the Civil Air Patrol, who are always more than eager to lend a helping hand. In an effort to make the job easier and more

  • Airmen, Soldiers participate in medical evacuation training

    Approximately 40 Airmen from the 8th Medical Group participated in medical evacuation training here Jan. 19. The Airmen also trained with Army medics and pilots from the 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade at Camp Humphreys, South Korea.The 8th MDG Airmen, who were mainly flight surgeons, doctors, nurses

  • Gates: Congress must address 'crisis on my doorstep'

    The failure of Congress so far to pass the fiscal 2011 defense appropriations bill, which creates the possibility of funding the department under a year-long continuing resolution instead, is "the crisis on my doorstep," Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said in an interview Jan. 26.Failure to pass

  • Lynn: Defense budget plans strike 'right balance'

    The Defense Department's plans to cut $78 billion from its budget over five years, and find more than $100 billion in savings for reinvestment, was a collaborative effort and a reasonable balance between military needs and budget constraints, said Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III Jan.

  • Fairchild rescue team saves man with broken hip

    Airmen from the 36th Rescue Flight here rescued a 65-year-old man Jan. 22 near Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho.Argyle Mydland was walking back to his house when he slipped on a patch of ice and broke his hip. He was able to use his arms to crawl back inside to call for help. Because of weather restrictions

  • System for military disaster relief takes shape

    A system is being created that is intended to strengthen the ability of service members to contribute to civilian-led disaster response in the Western Hemisphere, a Defense Department official said here Jan. 24.Paul Stockton, the assistant secretary of defense for homeland defense and Americas'

  • Airmen demonstrate capabilities during life-like exercise

    Airmen here recently participated in Beverly High 11-02, a local operational readiness exercise that used scenarios to gauge Airmen's ability to react and respond to different situations and base emergencies.In one scenario Jan. 19, firefighters, security-forces and flight-medicine professionals

  • 386th AEW transit keeps Marines moving

    Airmen from the 386th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron recently helped move the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit to a forward location in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.After being aboard the USS Kearsarge, USS Ponce and the USS Carter Hall of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready

  • Airmen, Soldiers join to put out fires at Ramstein AB

    Five Army firefighters from the Army Garrison Grafenwoehr, Germany joined some of their Air Force counterparts for joint training here Jan. 18.The Soldiers, assigned to the 18th Combat Support Sustainment Regiment's 23rd Ordnance Company, are working side-by-side with Airmen from with the 886th

  • Nuclear weapons center attains full operational capability

    The commander of the Air Force Materiel Command declared full operational capability for the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center during the change of command ceremony Jan. 20 here.Gen. Donald Hoffman, the AFMC commander, spoke about the center's growth and said the center was the "single bellybutton

  • F-15E flies with new radar system

    Officials took a step forward in the F-15E Strike Eagle's continuous technological evolution as the Air Force's most versatile combat aircraft here Jan. 18.Officials from the 46th Test Wing launched the fourth generation fighter for the first time with a new and improved radar system, the

  • KC-10 marks 20 years of deployment, nearly 30 years of operations

    Jan. 17th was a special day for the KC-10 Extender community. It marked the day KC-10s, aircrews and maintainers have been on continuous deployment for 20 years -- 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year -- to Southwest Asia in support of combat operations.Facts show the KC-10 will pass a

  • TRICARE officials improve online communication, access

    Additions to the TRICARE military health plan's website are giving beneficiaries easier access to their personal health data, more convenient appointment scheduling and better communication with their health care providers, the top TRICARE official reported.TRICARE Online, the military health

  • Commander says headquarters' job is to make wings successful

    Air Force Global Strike Command's new top leader addressed his headquarters staff Jan. 12, less than a week after taking command. His message: the headquarters is responsible for ensuring the success of its subordinate units.Lt. Gen. Jim Kowalski visited each of the command's installations Jan. 7

  • Photo essay: Static-line jumps over Guam

    Airmen from the 535th Airlift Squadron from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, flew training missions for the 36th Contingency Response Group's static-line proficiency training here Jan. 13.View the slideshow.

  • Reserve C-130 special mission units learn from each other

    Air Force Reserve aerial spray, aerial firefighting and hurricane hunting units gathered at the command's C-130 Special Missions conference learned that they share common issues, though they perform vastly different missions. That was the focus of the two-day conference that ended here Jan 13."This

  • Air Force chief of staff visits Thunder Lab

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz spent time with members of the Afghan air force and NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan members during his visit here Jan. 18.General Schwartz visited the Thunder Lab, an innovative English immersion project located on the base, where he was briefed by

  • Afghanistan airdrop levels set record in 2010

    Mobility Airmen supporting operations in Afghanistan airdropped 60.4 million pounds of cargo airdropped throughout the country, setting a record.In all, the 60.4 million pounds is nearly twice the previous record year of 2009, where just over 32.2 million pounds of cargo was airdropped, Air Forces

  • CSAF meets with Airmen during Bagram visit

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz visited the Airmen of the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing here Jan. 18 through 19 during a trip to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.The Air Force's 19th chief of staff also took time to present Purple Hearts to Capt. Gil Wyche and Senior

  • AFOSI Airman selected Language Professional of the Year

    An agent with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations was recently selected as the Air Force Language Professional of the Year. Special Agent Slava is being recognized by the LPOY program for his linguist work with Department of Defense missions overseas, where he advised senior DOD

  • Personnel recovery division stands up at ACC

    In December 2010, Air Combat Command's Personnel Recovery Division, designated A3J and headquartered at Langley Air Force Base, Va., officially stood up and was created to ensure that the Air Force is prepared for the challenge of rescuing Airmen from hostile deployed environments. The division is

  • McKinley: Relationships vital to National Guard domestic operations

    The National Guard's ability to respond to a domestic response depends largely on relationships established prior to an incident, the chief of the National Guard Bureau said Jan. 19 at the 2011 National Guard Bureau Domestic Operations Workshop here. "You establish these relationships in your

  • McChord crew chiefs 'get the job done'

    Maintainers here say no airlift wing can provide global airlift for America without ready and available aircraft. No aircraft can deliver global airlift without proper maintenance. The 62nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chiefs here ensure the 62nd Airlift Wing's C-17 Globemaster IIIs are safe,

  • Hickam aircrew maximizes training in Guam

    It took 23 passes over designated drops zones and a 12-hour tactical duty day of training to finish a single day of airdrop training in Guam.An aircrew from the 535th Airlift Squadron from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, dropped four training pallets, five container delivery system bundles,

  • Milestone for Afghan air force means better trained pilots

    The Afghan air force reached a new milestone with the opening of the pilot training program recently here. The first Afghan pilots began their eight-week instruction course early in January with a four-day academic schedule before beginning flight instruction on the Mi-17 Hip H. "We are helping the

  • IndyCar drivers take pit stop at Ramstein

    Former IndyCar racing rivals teamed up to visit service members here during a 10-day tour that will bring them through Europe and Southwest Asia to boost morale of service members serving overseas.Mario Andretti, Al Unser Jr. and Larry Foyt are a few who have visited service members here at the

  • Air Force officials automate active-duty assignment notifications

    Air Force officials are automating active-duty assignment notifications for Airmen in the ranks of lieutenant colonel and below beginning Jan. 21. Airmen will receive an e-mail notification about their new assignments and have seven days to acknowledge their assignments through the Virtual Military

  • CSAR Airmen airlift injured Soldier

    Timing is everything. As the rotors of an HH-60G Pave Hawk wound down from a recently completed training scenario, a real-world medical response was requested. The launch of a combat search and rescue team was perfectly timed for a Soldier needing medical attention on a secluded outpost.The crew was

  • Global Observer makes first hydrogen-powered flight

    The Global Observer unmanned aircraft system successfully completed its first flight powered by the aircraft's hydrogen-fueled propulsion system here Jan. 6.This milestone marks the beginning of high-altitude, long-endurance flight testing for the demonstration and operational utility phase of this

  • F-4 continues long-time service to Air Force with new mission

    The 82nd Aerial Target Squadron officials here are replacing the use of Lear jets for their banner tow missions with the F-4 Phantom, creating an air-to-air target that aircrews in training can safely evaluate, develop and test their weapons systems. "We developed the idea to use the F-4 for the

  • HAW, Ramstein AB Airmen team up for training

    Airmen from the Heavy Airlift Wing at Papa Air Base, Hungary, and Ramstein AB will participate in for aerial port training Jan. 10 through 13 near here and Grafonvier, Germany.The Airmen will conduct two personnel airdrop flights and two heavy equipment airdrops, which will mark the first time HAW

  • Airmen develop Iraqi documentation and media exploitation capacity

    Forty joint expeditionary tasking Airmen, along with other members of the Joint Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Tactical Documentation and Media Exploitation Team in Iraq, are helping Iraqi government officials to establish their own documentation and media exploitation mission. A

  • Holloman Airmen provide 5th generation fighter support

    Two T-38 Talons were delivered in December here with the help of NASA officials.NASA officials used an Aero Spacelines Super Guppy to deliver the first two of an eventual 15 T-38s that will be regenerated here and flown to operating locations at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., and Tyndall AFB, Fla.

  • Fielding success enables pilot-to-pilot link

    A team of former fighter pilots from the Electronic Systems Center here is continuing to make sure current fighter pilots -- both U.S. and Allied forces -- can operate the sophisticated communication network known as Link 16.Link 16 takes data from multiple platforms, including Airborne Warning and

  • Iraqi airmen fly record number of aircraft

    Iraqi air force pilots flew a record number of aircraft during the annual Iraqi Army Day Parade Jan. 6 at the International Zone here. Iraqi crews piloted 20 aircraft in 12 fly-overs and aerial demonstrations over a parade field filled with government officials from allied nations and Iraqi

  • Embassy applauds Airmen for founding Iraqi Women in Aviation chapter

    The U.S. Embassy Baghdad and U.S. Department of Transportation hosted a reception to honor and recognize the efforts of Horizon East Jan. 7 here.Horizon East, the Iraq chapter of the non-profit organization Women in Aviation, was started by female pilots deployed to Joint Base Balad, Iraq. The

  • Another GPS software upgrade completed

    As part of a larger ongoing effort by Air Force officials to improve and maintain the current GPS ground system, Air Force Space Command officials completed another sustainment software release for the GPS operational control segment ground system. Officials from the 2nd Space Operations Squadron at

  • Air Force officials lift rated requirement for air liaison officers

    Air Force officials announced here Jan. 7 the removal of the air liaison officer rated requirement, allowing any company grade officer, accession candidate or enlisted Airman the possibility of a career change.ALOs, once drawn strictly from fighter, bomber and air battle manager communities, now

  • Expeditionary center formally assumes command of five AMC units

    U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center officials assumed command of five Air Mobility Command organizations during a ceremony Jan 6 here. The AMC restructuring allows 18th Air Force officials to focus almost exclusively on worldwide mobility flying operations and gives the expeditionary center added

  • Radiologists see from the inside out

    When doctors need to look inside a patient, they call on a team of radiological professionals to reveal the answers that lie beneath.The eight-person 35th Surgical Operations Squadron diagnostic imaging team, commonly known as radiology, at Misawa Air Base performs an average of 500 image-gathering

  • Gates reveals budget efficiencies, reinvestment possibilities

    Defense Department officials have found $154 billion in budget efficiencies over the next five years and will be able to invest $70 billion of that saved money in more-deserving accounts, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said Jan. 6.The secretary announced the savings and reinvesting of the

  • With new phone system, seeing is hearing

    Thanks to the installation of a new, technologically-advanced device called the Z-150, deaf/hearing impaired employees here now can speak to, and see, one another over the phone. The Z-150 is a video phone system with a camera and monitor that allows communications to travel over the network,

  • Inter-American NCO Academy opens to U.S. NCOs

    Two Airmen are making history as the first Air Force NCOs to attend the Inter-American Air Forces Academy's Inter-American NCO Academy. In addition to earning NCO academy enlisted professional military education credit, Tech. Sgts. Leonardo Cepero Febres and George Nikolakakos are studying alongside

  • Passenger terminal becomes pet hotel for a night

    Often when people think of the Air Mobility Command Passenger Terminal here, they think of people coming and going, not a place for housing pets.But a "pet hotel" is exactly what the terminal became Dec. 30 when a snow storm in South Korea grounded a Yokota AB-bound Patriot Express, keeping the

  • Air Guard officials prepare for new medical mission

    Air National Guard members will begin flying a newly assigned critical care air transport team mission from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Jan. 10, the air surgeon said in an interview here Jan. 4.The CCATTs, which consist of a physician specializing in critical care, pulmonology, anesthesiology or

  • Air Force Space Command welcomes new commander

    Air Force Space Command members welcomed their new commander during a change of command ceremony here Jan. 5.Gen. William L. Shelton accepted command from Gen. Norton Schwartz, the chief of staff of the Air Force, in front of an audience of family members, community members and AFSPC members. In

  • AMC Fuel Efficiency Office shows how 'efficiency promotes effectiveness'

    Officials with Air Mobility Command's Fuel Efficiency Office here are putting forth an initiative called precision loading. By refining the ability to maximize available space on mobility aircraft, fewer missions are required and fuel and resources are saved, and Air Force officials find another way

  • Wars, people, balancing risk top chairman's 2011 guidance

    The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff's guidance for 2011 charts the way forward in America's wars, in improving the health of the force and in balancing global risks.Navy Adm. Mike Mullen's 2011 guidance was released Jan. 15, relaying the admiral's priorities and strategic objectives for the

  • Security forces advisers provide advanced training for Iraqi airmen

    Airmen deployed in support of Operation New Dawn recently trained a small detail of Iraqi security forces airmen to teach several advanced techniques for one-on-one confrontations.Master Sgt. Grady Driver, a security forces adviser, is a member of the Iraqi Training and Advising Mission. He said

  • Royal Air Force aircrews to train at Offutt

    Whether it's performing strategic bombing missions in World War II, defending Europe during the Cold War, monitoring Iraqi no-fly zones, or battling the Taliban in Afghanistan, the U.S. Air Force and the U.K. Royal Air Force have been close allies for many years.Recently, this partnership was

  • General Klotz reflects on command, career

    Editor's Note: When he enlisted in the Air Force Reserve in 1968 to attend the Air Force Academy Prep School, Lt. Gen. Frank Klotz says he never imagined where his Air Force career would take him. Now, after more than 37 years of commissioned service, he took a few minutes to sit down and reflect on

  • Networthiness sets standards for DOD, AF networks

    The Air Force soon will have a relatively new term to add to its network operations lexicon: "Networthiness." Air Force Network Integration Center officials recently led efforts to develop the Department of Defense's networthiness concept, an operational assessment that goes well beyond information

  • Maintainers earn awards for sortie generation

    Two Airmen were honored for excellence in aircraft sortie generation during an award ceremony at the Pentagon Jan. 4.Maj. Scott Hall, an F-16 Fighting Falcon and E-8C Joint Stars requirements action officer for the National Guard Bureau here, and Senior Master Sgt. Anthony Smith, the 57th Aircraft

  • Nellis Airmen, joint partners prep Marines for Afghanistan

    U.S. Joint Forces Command joint fires experts joined Marine Corps Tactics and Operations Group and other joint enablers during a mission rehearsal exercise here to prepare Marine Corps Regimental Combat Team-8 for its upcoming deployment to Afghanistan.Exercise Spartan Resolve, led by MCTOG

  • Officials shape NAF employee careers

    Force support senior leaders sought ways to shape the careers of nonappropriated-fund employees during the first NAF development team meeting at the Air Force Personnel Center here Nov. 30 to Dec. 1, 2010. The development team reviewed, assessed and scored 143 records of NF-03 and above NAF

  • Mullen: Leaders key to nation's, military's future

    Because leaders at all levels are key to U.S. success, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a CNN interview broadcast Jan. 2, his main concern is ensuring military officials continue to develop and encourage great leaders for the country.Navy Adm. Mike Mullen told Fareed Zakaria on the

  • Wingmen: Airmen look after military working dogs

    Every day Airmen take care of each other, and the 52nd Security Forces Squadron's military working dog handlers have a furry wingman that requires a little extra care during the winter here."There are a few extra precautions we have to take during the winter months while working and training the

  • C-130J Super Hercules flies airdrop mission

    A U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules aircrew from the 772nd Expeditionary Airlift Squadron flies to a drop zone during an air drop mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom while flying over Afghanistan, Dec. 29, 2010.  C-130 aircrews ensure that troops on the ground have adequate supplies

  • Reservists load humanitarian aid bound for Nicaragua

    A C-17 Globemaster III from the Air Force Reserve Command's 315th Airlift Wing at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., landed here Dec. 30 to load humanitarian aid headed for Managua, Nicaragua.A fire truck along with nearly three and a half tons of medical supplies and firefighting equipment donated by

  • Air Force secretary lauds F.E. Warren Airmen during holiday visit

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley visited with Warren Airmen here Dec. 23 to recognize Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen who carry out the nuclear deterrence mission. "We have missile crews and Airmen standing alert over the holidays, and we want them to know their leaders appreciate

  • C-17 marks 2 millionth flight hour during airdrop

    This month, the C-17 Globemaster III celebrated its two millionth flight hour. As a testament to the C-17 mission tempo, the aircraft passed its two millionth flight hour just four years after passing its first million-hour mark, and the first million hours took 16 years to reach. Although Air

  • Airmen from across the world participate in Silver Flag

    Airmen from around the world came together at the U.S. Air Forces in Europe training area recently for a weeklong contingency operations training exercise. During Silver Flag, Airmen from several different career specialties work together to learn how to build and sustain a base in a contingency

  • Iraqi air force officials open 3 new facilities

    Iraqi air force officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to open three new facilities, including a communications building, a communications equipment facility and a medical clinic Dec. 11 here. Tech. Sgt. Amy Everhard, a New Al-Muthana Air Base Transition Team member, was on hand to assist with

  • CMSAF visits Yokota Airmen

    The chief master sergeant of the Air Force kicked off his tour of Pacific Air Forces bases with a visit to Yokota Air Base, Dec. 27 to 28. Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy, along with his wife, Paula, visited Yokota AB Airmen to receive an overview of the 374th Airlift Wing's mission as

  • Airmen work side-by-side with Iraqi AAC members

    As part of efforts by U.S. officials in Iraq to continue strengthening a long-term partnership, Airmen assigned to the 721st Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron train, advise and assist members of the Iraqi Army Aviation Command with all helicopter operations here."The air advisers are applying

  • NATO program enhances multinational tactical operations

    This year, six pilots from the 480th Fighter Squadron here completed Allied Command Europe's Tactical Leadership Program at Albacete-Los Llanos Air Base, Spain, for the first time."This training is essential for fighter squadrons in Europe that have active participation roles with NATO," said Lt.

  • Air Force Safety Center recognized for young drivers program

    Members of the Air Force Safety Center's Ground Safety Division received the National Safety Council's Outstanding Effort in Training Young Adult Drivers award for "sincerity of heart" in keeping young adult drivers alive and safe behind the wheel of Air Force vehicles and their own personal

  • Runway repair team keeps airlift moving

    Senior Airman Jacob Cleer wrestles his 30-pound jackhammer into place and begins pounding the pavement on one of two landing strips at an air base here.Chunks of concrete fly into the air as the steel-tipped chisel digs into the tarmac, demolishing a patch of runway that had begun to crumble a few

  • New fuel system enhances Bagram's refueling capabilities

    Airmen from the 455th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron Fuel Management Flight used a new fuel delivery system Dec. 21 that will change the way large aircraft are refueled here. The $130 million type III constant pressure system, owned by the 101st Sustainment Brigade, consists of two 1.1

  • C-17 serves as a bridge, navigates unpredictable weather in Antarctica

    An Air Force Reserve C-17 Globemaster III from the 728th Airlift Squadron out of McChord Air Force Base, Wash., is supporting Operation Deep Freeze by serving as a bridge for cargo and personnel moving between Christchurch, New Zealand, and McMurdo Air Station, Antarctica. The C-17 and its aircrew

  • Veterans: Be aware of VA services during the holiday season

    The holidays are a traditional time of joy, laughter and sharing with family and friends. They are also a time of remembrance of past celebrations and anticipation of family gatherings. While the holiday season is often experienced as a season for celebration and giving thanks, for many, the

  • AF Nuclear Weapons Center improves tracking, monitoring of nuclear weapons

    Officials at the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center have created a worldwide logistics function to monitor activities within the nuclear enterprise, tracking the location and status of all Air Force nuclear weapons and related material.Brig. Gen. Everett Thomas, the AFNWC commander, cut the ribbon

  • Photo essay: Multinational wing delivers cargo

    Members from the Heavy Airlift Squadron here participate in a three-day mission spanning 7,000 miles covering the countries of Hungary, Poland, Afghanistan and Lithuania with more than 75,000 tons of cargo Dec 8. View the slideshow.

  • U.S. Southern Command opens new headquarters

    Officials from U.S. Southern Command opened their new $402 million headquarters here in an event that underscored the ongoing partnership between the U.S. and Latin America, and marked a new phase of the command's history in South Florida.This facility "demonstrates the commitment of the U.S. to our

  • USAFE vice commander discusses Air Force operations

    More than 100 business and military professionals gathered here recently to hear the U.S. Air Forces in Europe vice commander's perspective on Air Force operations and what it means as Air Force communications and information Airmen transition from a support role to an operational cyberspace

  • Intrepid Center provides new level of warfighter care

    When it officially opened its doors in June, the National Intrepid Center of Excellence at the National Naval Medical Center here set out to provide a new level of care for warfighters suffering traumatic brain injuries and psychological disorders.Six months later, as it continues to build staff to

  • 300 take part in virtual battle

    More than 300 joint warfighters converged in a virtual battlespace for a four-day exercise ending Dec. 16.Participants from 18 locations joined forces to defeat the simulated threat in Virtual Flag 11-1. The 705th Combat Training Squadron here executes four VFs each year. It's the largest Air Force

  • Operation Christmas Drop a team effort

    Airmen stationed in Japan and Guam are experiencing the joy of giving on an epic scale this holiday season. This year marks the 23rd year Airmen from Yokota AFB are participating in Operation Christmas Drop, an annual humanitarian mission hosted in conjunction with volunteers and personnel from

  • Officials award production contract for fourth advanced frequency satellite

    The Military Satellite Communications Systems Directorate announced Dec. 17 the award of a cost-plus-incentive-fee contract modification valued at approximately $1.4 billion to Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Sunnyvale, Calif., for production of the fourth Advanced Extremely High Frequency satellite.

  • Photo essay: Operation Christmas Drop

    Airmen from the 36th Wing at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, and the 36th Airlift Squadron at Yokota Air Base, Japan, come together each year during Operation Christmas Drop to drop thousands of pounds of donated supplies over various Micronesian Islands Dec. 14.View the slideshow.

  • 386th AEW members fly first airdrop missions in Afghanistan

    From providing humanitarian assistance in Pakistan to moving more than a half-million passengers throughout U.S. Central Command's area of responsibility this year, 386th Air Expeditionary Wing members can now add another accomplishment to their list -- performing airdrop missions in support of

  • New 'bird' finds home with 76th AS

    Members of the 76th Airlift Squadron here receieved a C-37A Dec. 7 to help increase the flying capabilities of the distinguished visitor mission.The new aircraft is the military version of the Gulfstream V ultra-long-range-business aircraft and is the first C-37A to be stationed here. The C-37A

  • Air Force emergency managers "walk the walk"

    A team of 481 Air Force emergency managers representing all the major commands, recently joined 2,000 of their colleagues at the 58th annual International Association of Emergency Managers conference in San Antonio.This year's IAEM conference theme was, "Talk the Talk, now Walk the Walk," and the

  • Officials complete GPS software upgrade ahead of schedule

    Officials with the 2nd Space Operations Squadron at Schriever AFB, Colo., have completed their sustainment software release for the GPS operational control segment ground system ahead of schedule. The software release, which was scheduled to be complete in early January 2011, was accomplished ahead

  • Brain tumor survivor cross-trains to aid recovery, improve health

    Tech. Sgt. Carmen Colon-Alemany knew what to expect going into her second brain surgery. She'd been on the operating table before when the doctors first found a mass on the left side of her brain, around her temple, and when an aneurysm that hadn't burst was removed.This second surgery, five years

  • New program connects wounded warriors with loved ones

    Members of the 455th Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility staff teamed up with Airmen from the 455th Expeditionary Communication Squadron to offer wounded warriors a way to communicate with loved ones as the wounded warriors make their journey home.The 455th ECS completed the installation of a

  • Directors: Air Guard, Army Guard are cost-effective forces

    We are trained to the same standards of the active duty Air Force, we are available and on call 365 days a year, and it doesn't cost the taxpayer a thing until the governor picks up the phone, the director of the Air National Guard said Dec. 8 at the Reserve Officer Association here."I think that's

  • Air Guard strengthens stance for homeland defense, civil support

    The 2010 Domestic Operations Equipment Requirements conference prompted Air National Guard officials to position themselves to provide an even stronger stance for homeland defense and civil support missions, the National Guard Bureau's director of plans and requirements said recently."This is how we