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  • Airmen integrate into Chilean CAOC for SALITRE

    Air Forces Southern Airmen are integrating themselves into a Chilean combined air operations center for SALITRE, a Chilean air force-led coalition exercise Oct. 17 to Nov. 2 in Antofagasta and Iquique, Chile. The effort can be challenging, considering France, Brazil, Chile, Argentina and the United

  • 15 units, 3 countries converge on Nellis for Red Flag

    Nearly 1,300 servicemembers, more than 80 aircraft and 15 units from three countries converged on Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., for the start of Red Flag 10-1 Oct. 19. American, Norwegian and Dutch airmen and soldiers comprise the allied team in the exercise. "The exercise is a great opportunity for

  • McChord C-17 lands at newly upgraded airstrip in Wyoming

    A C-17 Globemaster III from McChord Air Force Base, Wash., approached the 5,500-foot-long stretch of paved runway, landed, then rolled to a stop. That's not much space on which to land a heavily loaded, half-million pound cargo plane, but officials here say it's the perfect runway for C-17 pilots to

  • Weapons, tactics conference puts warfighters' needs in focus

    Nearly 1,200 Air Force warfighters are meeting here in late October to decide on what's needed to succeed in future battles and missions. This year's Air Guard and Reserve Weapons and Tactics Conference is the biggest ever, said Col. Jon Mott, the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command

  • Photo essay: 'Friendship drop' over Egypt

    A multi-national group of paratroopers conducted a "friendship jump"  near Cairo Oct. 15, 2009, during Exercise Bright Star. Bright Star is a joint international military airdrop exercise which strengthens and enhances the cohesiveness of each country's participating forces. This year's participants

  • Combat metals flight fabricates essential aircraft parts

    When maintainers here need new parts for their C-130 Hercules and C-17 Globemaster III aircraft, they can't just head down to the local parts store and pick one up. That's where the 386th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron's Combat Metals Flight comes in. The unit fabricates aircraft parts from

  • Airman helps Army get connected

    Shoot, move and communicate is a Soldiers motto on the battlefield, but without stable Internet connection, communication would not be possible. Staff Sgt. Jeremy Emond at Combat Outpost McClain does his part in aiding Soldiers communicate by providing Internet access. "Here I'm supporting the

  • Ali Base assumes 'advise and assist' as additional duty

    As the responsible drawdown of forces continues in Iraq, Airmen here have embraced the additional role of advising and assisting the local Iraqi army and citizens during the transition. The 407th Air Expeditionary Group, which operates, maintains and secures the largest airfield in Southern Iraq, is

  • U-2 exceeds 25,000th hour of flight

    U-2 aircraft No. 068-0337 was accepted by Air Force officials in 1968, and exceeded the 25,000th hour of flight Oct. 18, 2009, in a mission out of Southwest Asia. The plane, with a wingspan of 105 feet, is maintained by military members and civilian contractors of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing,

  • Charleston Airman honored for heroic actions

    A Charleston Air Force Base technical sergeant was honored Oct. 15 for his heroism and bravery while suffering from injuries sustained during a patrol on his seventh deployment to the Middle East. Tech. Sgt. Michael Williams, an explosives ordnance disposal technician with the 437th Civil Engineer

  • Brothers in arms march for cause

    Five states, 12 men, 13 batons, 24 pairs of boots, 600 pounds carried more than 800 miles all traveled for one cause: honoring special tactics Airmen who sacrificed their lives in combat. Special tactics Airmen from here and across the special operations forces community embarked on a 10-day

  • Special tactics Airmen complete 800-mile march

    After walking more than 800 miles through five states, 12 special tactics Airmen arrived here Oct. 16, officially completing a memorial march for their fallen comrades. The marchers, made up of several combat controllers and pararescuemen and one combat weatherman, split up into six two-man teams

  • CMSAF Roy visits Scott Airmen

    The 16th chief master sergeant of the Air Force visited Scott Air Force Base Oct. 15 and 16 to speak to the enlisted force here and to participate in a conference along with two former CMSAFs. Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy learned how Airmen at Scott AFB enable combat power and

  • Kandahar Airmen fly missions of mercy

    They are the "Angels of the Battlefield," medics dedicated to transporting wounded U.S. and coalition servicemembers, as well as locals to the medical care they need. "It's our job to take care of these wounded warriors," said Maj. Dawn Rice, a flight nurse and medical director assigned to the 451st

  • ESC team efforts bring new combined air, space operations center to life

    An Electronic Systems Center team from here worked in the past few weeks to bring to life a new, state-of-the-art combined air and space operations center in Southwest Asia for joint and coalition combat forces. "We're constantly striving to bring enhanced AOC capabilities to the warfighters, and

  • Airman renders combat first aid to Soldiers

    An Air Force medic applied combat first aid to Soldiers when their vehicle was attacked by an improvised explosive device in Kapisa Province, recently. Senior Airman Ashley Jackson, a medic deployed from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, with Kapisa Provincial Reconstruction Team was riding in a

  • Bomb technicians lead fight against IEDs

    Improvised explosive devices have forced a change in modern combat, and deadly weapons can come in the form of a five-gallon bucket, a package in the mail or a filled-in pothole in the middle of the road. Staff Sgt. Armondo Robles and Airman 1st Class Rileigh Woodward, members of a military "bomb

  • Secretary Shinseki pledges better support for veterans

    Veterans Affairs Department officials continue their efforts to provide the best support possible to the nation's military veterans, VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki told a House committee here Oct. 14. "We have been busy putting into place the foundation for our pursuit of the president's two goals

  • Airman comments about firefight

    "I won't forget them as long as I live."Those are the words of Capt. Gordon Olde, an F-15E Strike Eagle weapon system officer following a battle at a remote military base about 10 miles from Pakistan that erupted on the morning of Oct. 3 that highlighted the unbreakable bond between Airmen and

  • Veterans show true colors

    In a jam-packed room, retired Air Force Lt. Col. Dennis Linn stood explaining his artwork to curious viewers, and how his acrylic painting and raised sand/plaster sculpture earned him two gold medals and a spot in the 2009 National Veterans Creative Arts Festival in the San Antonio Municipal

  • Airmen train, advise, assist Iraqi helicopter pilots

    Air Force pilots from the 721st Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron here train, advise and assist Iraqi helicopter pilots around the clock, helping the Iraqis further develop their air force. Maj. Christopher Elam, an Mi-17 instructor pilot, and Maj. Jack Swinehart, a UH-1HP Huey military transition

  • Congress finishes work on authorization bill

    Congress has reached agreement on a $680.2 billion National Defense Authorization Bill for fiscal 2010. The bill authorizes a 3.4 percent military pay increase and full funding for the Defense Health Program, and it caps F-22 Raptor production at 187 aircraft. For civilian workers, it ends the

  • Craig Joint Theater Hospital team helps build Afghan nursing foundation

    Members of the Craig Joint Theater Hospital here recently began a mentorship program to help Afghan nursing. Malika Faqiri and Laila Farahi, two female Afghan National Army soldiers, attended a special two-week mentorship program here at the CJTH to work alongside U.S. doctors and nurses to hone

  • Hanscom officials kick off combat support system

    Logistics leaders here to discuss the initial setup of Release 1 of the Expeditionary Combat Support System during a town hall meeting in the Hanscom Air Force Base Conference Center Oct. 6. ECSS, a commercial off-the-shelf software program tailored for the Air Force to bring 240 separate

  • Air Force meets recruiting goals for tenth year in a row

    The Air Force met its active-duty enlisted recruiting goal for the 10th year in a row and met its chaplain and Officer Training School accession goals for fiscal year 2009. "The Air Force continues to attract the highest quality men and women to serve in this great Air Force," said Brig. Gen. A.J.

  • CJCS: Happy birthday, U.S. Navy

    Adm. Michael Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, sends his wishes to the men and women of the U.S.Navy.On Oct. 13, 1775, the Continental Congress met in Philadelphia and passed legislation creating what would become the United States Navy. America celebrates this day every year,

  • General impressed with Airman, Soldier synergy at Fort Hood

    The commander of Air Combat Command visited Fort Hood in early October to visit the Airmen of the 3rd Air Support Operations Group here who provide tactical air support for Fort Hood's ground troops, including the 1st Cavalry Division, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment and the 4th Infantry Division, now

  • Interpreters key to Air Force efforts in Indonesia

    The Air Force humanitarian assistance rapid response team deployed here in response to the recent earthquakes in Indonesia has treated more than 600 patients since opening the mobile field hospital to local residents Oct. 7 here, and one hurdle to overcome was the language barrier. The HARRT mission

  • Counter IED team member donates school supplies to Afghan children

    An administrative sergeant with a counter improvised explosive device team here is making sure local children head to their new school with plenty of school supplies in hand. Tech. Sgt. Michelle Stokes, assigned to Forward Operating Base Shank, purchased colored pens, pencils, notebooks, markers and

  • Andersen Airmen keep HARRT beating

    Air Force medical professionals are providing care to victims of the recent earthquakes here, and behind them is another group of Airmen working behind the scenes to keep the operation running smoothly. The 36th Contingency Response Group from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, is providing operations

  • Lifesaving cadets receive Commendation medals

    Six U.S. Air Force Academy cadets here received Air Force Commendation medals during the noon meal Oct. 5 here for actions that saved the lives of a man in Salt Lake City Jan. 18 and three Panamanian citizens June 13. 2nd Lt. Christopher Tulk, Cadets 1st Class Benjamin Garoutte and Joshua Lapso, and

  • USO gala honors troops, sacrifices

    It was a tough act for Hollywood at the annual USO Gala here last night. The stars were out at the black-tie event held in a posh hotel in the popular Adams Morgan area. More than 800 actors, musicians, models, football stars and top politicians mingled during drinks and dinner. But it wasn't the

  • Afghanistan National Army Air Corps stands up new wing at Kandahar

    Afghan government officials and religious leaders, along with senior officers from both Afghan and coalition forces stood up the Afghanistan National Army Air Corps second wing here in a dedication ceremony Oct. 5. The wing, based at Kandahar, hosts rotary wing aircraft and supports multiple

  • Airmen provide intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance

    Leaders at every level need battlefield information, and because of Airmen with the 99th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron ... now they know. With their RQ-4 Global Hawk and U-2 aircraft, the Airmen excel at providing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance for everyone from combatant

  • Officials unveil Joint Base Andrews Naval Air Facility Washington

    Andrews Air Force Base was renamed as Joint Base Andrews Naval Air Facility Washington Oct. 1 during a ceremony here in Hangar 1. The Joint Team Andrews logo was also unveiled at the event, which took place against a backdrop of military hardware representing all aspects of the newly created team.

  • Special tactics Airmen honor fallen teammates

    Twelve Airmen began a memorial ruck sack march Oct. 6, to honor 12 fallen special tactics teammates killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. An estimated 824 miles later, the dozen warrior Airmen will arrive Oct. 16 at Hurlburt Field, Fla. In between, six two-man teams will relay through five states, 24

  • Kadena Airmen aid Indonesian recovery operations

    Members of the 353rd Special Operations Group from here are supporting humanitarian relief operations near Padang in western Indonesia after a 7.6 magnitude earthquake and a slightly smaller one struck Sept. 29 and Oct. 1. Members of the 320th Special Tactics Squadron and 17th Special Operations

  • Allen Army Airfield to save Air Force money, provide tactical training

    Air Force officials here opened Allen Army Airfield Sept. 29 to give Elmendorf Air Force Base C-17 Globemaster III aircrews a closer airstrip to practice assault landings and saving the military thousands of dollars.Before the opening of Allen Army Airfield, located about three miles north of Fort

  • ACC officials hold bomb wing transition summit

    Staff members from Air Combat Command and Air Force Global Strike Command along with representatives from Headquarters Air Force and U.S. Strategic Command met Sep. 30 to work on solutions for the smooth transition of ACC's three bomb wings with nuclear missions to AFGSC. On Feb. 1, 2010, control of

  • Air Force officials dedicate C-130 to Army's 82nd Airborne in Afghanistan

    Air Force officials here dedicated a C-130 Hercules to the Soldiers of the Army's 82nd Airborne Division stationed in Afghanistan Oct. 5 at Bagram Airfield. The transport was originally dedicated at Pope Air Force Base, N.C., Oct. 25, 2008, to Fort Bragg's entire 82nd Airborne Division based in

  • Combat search, rescue highlighted in new commercial

    A commercial highlighting combat search and rescue, or CSAR, Airmen began airing Oct. 5 in television markets and select movie theaters across the country."CSAR" shows the teamwork involved to locate, communicate with and recover downed aircrews and isolated personnel. The commercial is the third in

  • Eglin wing transitions to become first F-35 training unit

    Members of the 33rd Fighter Wing here transitioned from an operational F-15 Eagle unit to the first F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter training unit during a ceremony Oct. 1 at Eglin Air Force Base. Col. David Hlatky assumed command of Air Education and Training Command's newest wing whose

  • Fuel efficiency among top priorities in AMC's energy conservation

    Imagine your frustration when the price of gas goes up 50 cents and it adds $12.50 to the cost of filling up your 25-gallon tank. Now imagine adding $25,575 to the cost of filling the tank of a C-5 Galaxy that holds 51,150 gallons. The Air Force is the Department of Defense's largest consumer of

  • Rare find focuses on Scottish-American history

    A Glasgow city councillor who did not want her summer break in session to go to waste uncovered a rare find. Dr. Nina Baker, a Glasgow city councillor for Ward 10, was indexing the old books in the city chambers' library when she happened upon a tattered ledger dating from 1943. The 6-inch thick

  • AMC simulator linking initiative making pilot training better

    Air Mobility Command is not only training its pilots, it's doing it better. The command is linking its aircraft training simulators through numerous bases to make a good flight crew an even better flight crew. This simulator linking initiative is part of an Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st

  • AMC officials blend Guard, Reserve, active-duty units

    Air Mobility Command officials here continued their total force integration efforts Oct. 1 with the stand up of three active associate units that now combine active-duty units and Airmen who accomplish the KC-135 Stratotanker air refueling mission with their Reserve and Guard counterparts. The three

  • Wounded warriors get heros' welcome at Andrews

    Minutes after the hulking C-17 Globemaster III rolled to a stop on the tarmac here Sept. 28, two oversized ambulances backed up to its rear loading ramp to receive its precious cargo: 23 wounded warriors and sick or injured servicemembers in need of advanced medical care. Most of the patients

  • First M-ATVs arrive in Afghanistan

    Two mine-resistant, ambush-protected all-terrain vehicles arrived at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, on Oct. 1, after being offloaded from a C-17 Globemaster III. The M-ATVs arrived less than a day after leaving Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., Sept. 30. The M-ATV's are the first of their kind in

  • Mobility Airmen continue to deliver for warfighters

    Mobility Airmen delivered 4.1 million pounds of goods were dropped to forward operating bases, combat outposts and other austere locations in support of ground forces in September continuing to feed, fuel and arm the fight.September marked the fourth consecutive month of an escalation of supplies

  • New protective vehicles head to Afghanistan

    The first parcel of an influx of vehicles designed to protect troops from deadly roadside bombs is expected to arrive overnight in Afghanistan, said a Defense Department spokesman Sept. 30 here. The expected delivery comes soon after department procurement officials awarded an order for more than

  • Joint force employs humanitarian effort in American Samoa

    Two C-17 Globemaster IIIs departed here Sept. 30 with approximately 100 military personnel to provide humanitarian assistance to the island of American Samoa. The island nation was struck Sept. 29 by an 8.3 magnitude earthquake generating 15-foot waves and destroying whole villages. At least 111

  • Predator passes 600,000 flight hours

    Airmen of the 432nd Air Expeditionary Wing here surpassed the 600,000 flight hour mark in the MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft system Sept. 4 here. The Predator fleet passed 250,000 hours in June 2007, after 12 years of flying, and it only took a year and eight months for the aircraft to fly an

  • Air Force teams earn gold medals at armed forces softball championships

    The Air Force men's and women's softball teams earned gold medals at the Armed Forces Slow-Pitch Softball Championships Sept. 25 at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla. The Air Force women's team went 6-3 during the tournament and won their third armed forces title in three years. During the men's

  • Comm Airmen prepare for major career field transformation

    Twenty communications Airmen stationed in Germany took part in a training exercise Sept. 18 to 24 at Aviano Air Base, Italy, in preparation for the largest transformation in the history of Air Force communications which is to be completed this October. When it's all said and done, more than 27,000

  • Thunderbirds take show down under

    The U.S. Air Force Aerial Demonstration Team, the Thunderbirds, took to the Australian sky Sept. 26 showcasing the power and precision that embodies Air Force Airmen worldwide. Flying wingtip-to-wingtip formations and in solo maneuvers, the Thunderbirds put on a show for a crowd of more than 70,000

  • C2ISR Symposium kicks off

    The Air Force Command and Control, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Symposium kicked off here Sept. 28 with a presentation by former Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper. He told the mixed industry and government gathering that, in an era of flat or declining defense budgets,

  • Air National Guard program cuts red tape for quick solutions

    An Air National Guard program designed to cut through bureaucracy has led to safety solutions for problems as vast and varied as avian flu, pilot fatigue and reducing the carbon footprint. Five years ago, some Guard members deployed to Iraq brainstormed to share tactical data in a new way using

  • Air Force officials release F-16 accident report

    A pilot's failure to recognize his altitude during night, low altitude high-angle strafing training caused the crash of an F-16 Fighting Falcon at the Utah Test and Training Range June 22, according to an Air Combat Command Accident Investigation Board report released Sept. 28 here. The pilot, Capt.

  • Reserve, retired rated officers given active-duty opportunity

    ­The secretary of the Air Force has initiated two voluntary recall to active duty programs and expanded the number of eligible Air Force specialties for an existing one to help minimize the service's critical shortage of rated officers. "The rapid expansion of unmanned aircraft systems as well as

  • UAS mission enters new chapter with graduation

    Ten pilots and nine sensor operators graduated Sept. 25 from initial qualification training at Creech Air Force Base, Nev., where they learned to operate the MQ-1 Predator. Among the graduates were eight pilot candidates from nonpilot career fields. The group was part of a Beta-test class to train

  • Airmen host multinational virtual training exercise

    More than 300 joint warfighters from 25 worldwide locations participated in a multinational virtual training exercise led by the 705th Combat Training Squadron at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., and demonstrated it to a joint/coalition audience at the Warfighter Capability Center in the Pentagon

  • Air Combat Command honors POWs/MIAs

    Bases throughout Air Combat Command honored prisoners of war and those missing in action during National POW/MIA Remembrance Day ceremonies held Sept. 18.   The observance is celebrated the third Friday of September.  In 1979, Congress passed resolutions for a national ceremony to honor America's

  • CMSAF visits Hurlburt Airmen

    Hundreds of Hurlburt Field Airmen gathered to meet and listen to the 16th chief master sergeant of the Air Force Sept. 22 here. Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy talked to Hurlburt Field Airmen about his priorities for America's Airmen, and toured the 1st Special Operations Wing, Air

  • 'Today's Air Force' features views from the top

    In this edition of "Today's Air Force," key leaders discuss the future of the air force and aerospace development, members of an all new enlisted career field talk about their job, and two brothers enjoy a virtual reunion.Several top Air Force officials were in the nation's capitol for the 2009 Air

  • CMSAF visits exercise participants on Navy ship

    The chief master sergeant of the Air Force toured USS Mesa Verde at sea in the Caribbean and met Airmen at the Air Force Command Center at Tocumen Airport in Panama City, Panama, during Fuerzas Aliadas Panamax 2009, a 12-day security training exercise involving 20 countries in the Panama region

  • Air Force officials release Predator accident report

    An MQ-1 Predator flying a mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom lost contact with its ground control station and presumably crashed in a forward operating area May 13, according to an Air Combat Command accident investigation board report released Sept. 22 here. The Predator, assigned to

  • Randolph Airmen expose at-risk students to today's Air Force

    More than 150 Fox Technical High School ninth and 10th-grade students from inner-city San Antonio visited Randolph Air Force Base Sept. 11 to learn about  positive Air Force career opportunities as part of the Giving Americans Motivational Education for the Real world program. GAMER is the

  • Heroes help dedicate Airman's Hall, pin newest battle streamers

    The secretaries of Defense and the Air Force joined the Air Force chief of staff, chief master sergeant of the Air Force, and distinguished guests from all services at a Pentagon dedication ceremony for the Airman's Hall in which the service attached six new streamers to the Air Force flag Sept.

  • Original cadre of C-130 Weapons Instructor Course discuss growth of training

    Five of the original cadre members of the U.S. Air Force Weapons School's initial C-130 Hercules Weapons Instructor Course came together Sept. 11 to attend the retirement of a fellow 29th Weapons Squadron comrade here. During their visit, Cols. Glen Downing, Kevin Jackson, Kirk Lear, Greg Otey and

  • Lakenheath aircrews train with Estonian forward air controllers

    Several F-15E Strike Eagles aircrews participated in a two-day NATO training event helping to train Estonian forward air controllers in calling in close-air support Sept. 14 and 15 near Tallinn, Estonia. The event, titled Baltic Region Training Event IV Alpha, gave the aircrews from the 494th

  • One-time enemies become brothers in Iraq

    The moon was full the night of Jan. 17, 1991, and then-Capt. Bill Iuliano, an F-111 bomber weapon systems officer, was in the air. It was the second night of Operation Desert Storm, a U.S.-led combat operation in opposition to Saddam Hussein's forces. "We were flying from Incirlik Air Force Base in

  • Air Force study uses virtual reality for PTSD

    A new virtual reality program to treat combat veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan experiencing post traumatic stress disorder is being used at Wilford Hall Medical Center here. Virtual reality exposure therapy is a computer-simulated virtual Iraq and virtual Afghanistan that allows Airmen

  • Holloman officials host joint-service aircraft for testing

    Army, Navy and Marine Corps officials recently conducted a multiplatform countermeasure effectiveness test at White Sands Missile Range, completing a total of 16 missions, with all aircraft hosted by Holloman Air Force Base. Holloman AFB was selected as the aircraft host because of its ability to

  • Pacific Air Forces commander focuses on future

    The commander of Pacific Air Forces spoke with national media members to outline his responsibilities during the 2009 Air Force Association Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition Sept. 16 at the National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Md. Gen. Gary North discussed his role as the Pacific Air Forces

  • Wilford Hall opens new PTSD Clinic

    Wilford Hall Medical Center has a new clinic to treat patients who suffer from post traumatic stress disorder. The PTSD Clinic offers evidence-based treatments and a virtual reality program to help Airmen returning from combat operations. PTSD is an anxiety disorder which can occur after a person

  • CMSAF holds open forum for Airmen at AFA

    The Air Force's top enlisted leader conducted an open forum at the 2009 Air Force Association Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition at the National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Md., Sept. 16. Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy discussed such current issues as training, compliance and

  • Air Force Association honors Doolittle Raiders, Tuskegee Airmen

    Several members of the Doolittle Raiders and original Tuskegee Airmen were honored with Lifetime Achievement Awards from Air Force Association officials Sept. 16 at the National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Md. During a special dinner at the 2009 Air Force Association Air & Space Conference and Technology

  • RED HORSE Airmen bring combat outpost into fight

    Before the arrival of the 809th Expeditionary Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron, the servicemembers here were living in a British compound lined with tents and relying solely on supplies brought in from convoys and air drops. Now, the vital role of the RED HORSE mission is

  • U.S. Air Force Band receives Gill Robb Wilson Award

    The United States Air Force Band was awarded the prestigious Gill Robb Wilson Award Sept. 14 at the Air Force Association Awards Ceremony in Washington, D.C. The Gill Robb Wilson Award is presented annually to an Air Force unit for outstanding contributions to national defense in the field of arts

  • Generals look to future challenges, opportunities

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz joined 13 other generals during a panel discussion Sept. 16 at the 2009 Air Force Association Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition held at the National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Md. "This is the group of leaders that strives every day to be worthy

  • Air Force engineer discusses building relationships in Afghanistan

    Although the formula for success in Afghanistan may be complex to some, it is commonly agreed that the war cannot be won by military might alone. According to Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the International Security Assistance Force commander, the current strategy used by coalition forces in the

  • Bagram Airmen partner with local Afghans for burial ceremony

    Recently there was a solemn burial outside a mosque in the town that borders Bagram Airfield. A small group of mourners and the local mullah were in attendance as prayers were said for the deceased. It was not an event of major significance except to those who attended and those who had a hand in

  • General Newton: People are priority No. 1

    "The Air Force is a great way of life and we are going to make it even better," said Lt. Gen. Richard Y. Newton III, deputy chief of staff for manpower and personnel at the 2009 Air Force Association Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition at the National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Md. General

  • CSAF addresses AFA convention

    Gen. Norton Schwartz, chief of staff of the Air Force, spoke Sept. 15 on his vision for the future, jointness, the Year of the Air Force Family and honored heroic sacrifices of Airmen. The general made his comments in a keynote address at the Air Force Association's Air & Space Conference and

  • Air Force officials recognize 12 Outstanding Airmen of Year

    The 2009 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year were recognized in a special ceremony during the 2009 Air Force Association Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition Sept. 14 at the National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Md. Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy hosted the evening's events that

  • CENTCOM bases hold fun runs

    Across the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, servicemembers were making a run for it.  More than 2,000 participants from four Southwest Asia bases took part in their separate half-marathons and 10Ks, aligning their runs to coincide with the Air Force's annual flagship marathon at

  • Osan air mobility squadron aids in helicopter swap out

    Airmen from the 731st Air Mobility Squadron and Soldiers from the 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade worked side by side on the Osan Air Base flightline Sept. 9 when a C-17 Globemaster III arrived with three new AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopters. They are the first of 24 new upgraded Block II helicopters

  • Deployed Ellsworth Airman dies in Afghanistan

    Staff Sgt. Bryan D. Berky of Melrose, Fla., died Sept. 12 near Bala Baluk, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained from enemy fire while engaged in combat operations. He was assigned to the 28th Civil Engineer Squadron here. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Sergeant Berky's family during this difficult

  • Reaper crashes in Afghanistan

    An Air Force MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aircraft crashed in Afghanistan Sept. 13 at approximately 5:30 a.m. Kabul time.   The aircraft was flying a combat mission when positive control of the aircraft was lost. When the aircraft remained on a course that would depart Afghanistan airspace, a U.S. Air Force

  • C-5M Super Galaxy unofficially sets 41 world records

    A Dover aircrew flying a C-5M Super Galaxy, named The Spirit of Normandy, unofficially set 41 world records in a single flight, taking off from the base before dawn Sept. 13. The results are pending certification by the National Aeronautic Association and should be finalized in about a month, said

  • DOD targets drug abuse during Red Ribbon Week

    "Drug free is the key" is the theme for Red Ribbon Week 2009 and is a reminder to TRICARE beneficiaries of the dangers of unhealthy lifestyle habits. Red Ribbon Week is the nation's oldest and largest drug prevention program, reaching millions of Americans during the last week of October every year.

  • Deployed Airmen honor 9/11 with Kyrgyz president

    Airmen of the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing were joined by the Kyrgyz president during a Sept. 11 ceremony to honor the memory of those who died in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks held at the Transit Center at Manas. Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev was the guest speaker for the 9/11 ceremony held in

  • Vehicle crashes drive off-duty summer fatalities

    Four servicemembers died in off-duty accidents Labor Day weekend, bringing to 95 the number killed during the summer season that kicked off Memorial Day weekend, safety officials reported. Two Soldiers, a Sailor and an Airman died in vehicle accidents during the Labor Day weekend, which marked the

  • Airmen teach moulage to medical students

    Approximately 50 students from Dr. Milenko Hadzic Medical School in Nis, Serbia, received moulage-application training from Airmen assigned to the 86th Medical Group at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Sept. 8 in preparation for a mass casualty and natural disaster exercise scheduled for Sept. 9-11. The

  • Iraqi students attend safety course

    For the first time, four Iraqi students were welcomed to the International Flight Safety Officer Course by Maj. Gen. Fred Roggero, the Air Force chief of safety and Air Force Safety Center commander. The attendance of these four officers marks Iraq as the 80th country to send representatives to the