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  • F-22A Raptor flies first operational missions

    The F-22A Raptor showed another of its capabilities when it flew its first two operational sorties over the United States in support of Operation Noble Eagle Jan. 21 and 22. The Raptor mission came one week after the 27th Fighter Squadron -- the first unit to fly the jet -- converted to the Air

  • Vehicle management flight keeps Barksdale moving

    The responsibility for all government vehicles here falls to the 2nd Logistics Readiness Squadron’s vehicle management flight. That accountability includes buying 25 vehicles a year and managing 894 vehicles, with an annual repair budget of $1.6 million. Master Sgt. Michael Boyles, vehicle

  • Total force meets at Fort Dix for conference

    More than 20 senior officers from the air mobility total force met to improve practices during a director of mobility forces conference at the Air Mobility Warfare Center here Jan. 18 to 19. The conference was an opportunity for leaders in the mobility world to enhance practices in current

  • Security forces transformation to affect total force

    As the Air Force continues to adapt for the future, changes to the security forces career field will affect the total force. Brig. Gen. Robert Holmes, director of security forces and force protection, calls these transformations a “refocus” on how his people train and fight. “We’re not in the Cold

  • ROBE upgrade sets KC-135 on forefront of battle communications

    A KC-135 Stratotanker here was fitted with upgraded communications equipment recently which will revolutionize battle space and the way the United States and its allies fight wars. After 18 months on the drawing board, the Roll-On Beyond Line-of-Sight Enhancement Spiral 2 program, ROBE, has been

  • New C-17 Globemaster III honors President Reagan

    Former first lady Nancy Reagan today helped dedicate the Air Force’s newest C-17 Globemaster III to honor her late husband, former President Ronald Reagan. The Spirit of Ronald Reagan is assigned to Air Force Reserve Command’s 452nd Air Mobility Wing here. It is the first Reserve unit to fly its own

  • Langley celebrates Raptor's initial operational capability

    The 1st Fighter Wing held a ceremony here today to celebrate the F-22A Raptor's initial operational capability. The event comes after the 27th Fighter Squadron was officially declared IOC on Dec. 15 by Gen. Ronald E. Keys, commander of Air Combat Command. The IOC declaration proves the F-22A is

  • Improved armored vests reflect changing enemy tactics

    U.S. military members serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and other dangerous areas will soon receive revamped armored vests that provide more side protection, senior officials said here today. The vest changes are designed to prove effective in protecting servicemembers from shrapnel fragments, especially

  • SECAF celebrates welcome to the blue

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne was “welcomed into blue” during a ceremony here today. He was received by a hundreds of Airmen, the Air Force Honor Guard and Air Force Band. Gen. T. Michael Moseley, chief of staff of the Air Force, presided over the event and told everyone present it was

  • CENTAF commander visits deployed Airmen, Sailors on last trip to Afghanistan

    As part of his final trip to Afghanistan, the commander of U.S. Central Command Air Forces visited deployed Airmen and Sailors here Jan. 10 to 11. During a troop call, Lt. Gen. Walter E. Buchanan III addressed Airmen and Sailors who are deployed to Bagram as part of Air and Space Expeditionary Force

  • Air Force improving production with Smart Operations 21

    The Air Force used the best parts of several civilian efficiency programs to develop an Air Force-unique process-improvement program called "Smart Operations 21," Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne said. The program will take the Air Force forward in a journey of self-improvement, the

  • New Mexico Tech to build on Kirtland

    The Air Force conveyed more than eight acres of base land to the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology during a ceremony here Jan. 6. The agreement is designed to stimulate business efficiencies and technological advancement through the construction of new facilities. The land conveyance, a

  • Air power key to many 2005 successes

    More than 75,000 Airmen rotated in and out of the theater to 12 locations during 2005 and helped coalition forces take part in historic events and record-breaking accomplishments. From ensuring millions of people in Iraq and Afghanistan had the opportunity to vote, to providing humanitarian aid

  • Civilian pay raises to take effect

    The upcoming pay period for Defense Department civilian General Schedule employees will reflect a 2.1 percent across-the-board pay raise. It also includes a range of locality pays that bring the overall pay hikes between 2.83 and 5.62 percent, an Office of Personnel Management spokesman said. The

  • Aggressor squadron stands up at Nellis

    The Air Force will reactivate the 65th Aggressor Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Jan. 12. In a letter to Airmen, Gen. T. Michael Moseley, Air Force chief of staff, cited the history of the unit as “legendary” and said the aggressors will “directly contribute to the combat capability of our

  • Airmen participate in Rose Bowl events

    A B-1B Lancer kicked off the national college football title game Jan. 4 with a flyover of the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. Gen. Ronald Keys, commander of Air Combat Command and Lt. Gen. Michael Hamel, commander of the Space and Missile Systems Center here, represented the Air Force at several

  • President Bush thanks Pentagon troops for service

    President George Bush greeted a handful of Airmen today after wrapping up discussion with top Department of Defense leaders about the war in Iraq. Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines lined a hallway near the Pentagon office of Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld for the meeting. Staff Sgt.

  • Joint Chiefs examining differing combat tour lengths

    The Joint Chiefs of Staff continue examining how long servicemembers should serve in Iraq, but for now they are satisfied the tour lengths are about right, Marine Gen. Peter Pace said. General Pace, who was flying back after leading a weeklong United Service Organization trip to the U.S. Central

  • California Guard to get the Predator

    As part of ongoing Total Force initiatives, the Air Force, the National Guard Bureau and the Adjutant General of California announced today that the California Air National Guard’s 163rd Air Refueling Wing, March Air Reserve Base, Calif., will become the home for a new MQ-1 Predator Unmanned Aerial

  • Nomination season opening for top Guard, Reserve employer awards

    Guard and Reserve members may recommend their employers to be recognized for supporting their military service when the 2006 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Awards nomination season opens next week. The nomination season last from Jan. 9 to Feb. 28. During last year's open season,

  • General brought a band (but could have flown solo)

    Maybe it was Uncle Joe or Aunt Grace. Maybe it was just dad’s old Air Force buddy or mom’s best girlfriend. Everybody seems to have somebody who whizzes into their lives much too infrequently, makes them laugh, has them talking about anything in a matter of seconds, leaves too soon and always leaves

  • Top docs discuss future of military trauma medicine

    The Department of Defense Combat Trauma Surgical Committee held their annual meeting here and the future of military trauma medicine was high on the agenda. The committee coordinates sustainable combat trauma surgery training programs and recommends tri-service policy changes to improve combat

  • Academy honors distinguished graduates

    The Air Force Academy’s Association of Graduates announced the two recipients of its 2005 AOG Distinguished Graduate Award. Chosen were retired Gens. Hansford T. Johnson, Class of 1959, and Michael E. Ryan, Class of 1965. The award is given to academy graduates for a lifetime of service to the

  • Process speeds up IT acquisition

    The Secretary of the Air Force implemented Information Technology Lean reengineering improvements slated for the information technology acquisition process last month. The Electronic Systems Center's Operations Support Systems Wing will begin to use the process immediately, with the Air Force-wide

  • Pace thanks troops for supporting war on terror

    The U.S. military’s top-ranking officer visited U.S. and coalition troops in Southwest Asia to thank them for their contributions to the war on terror. Marine Gen. Peter Pace also treated the troops to a USO show and re-enlist three members during his Dec. 28 visit. General Pace kicked off a

  • Murray: Enlisted joint military education available

    Joint professional military education will become a reality for enlisted Airmen throughout their careers. A new Department of Defense policy requires joint learning objectives in all enlisted levels. While the officer corps is mandated by law to include joint education, this policy specifically

  • 2005: an Air Force year to remember

    It’s going to be hard to forget 2005, with the war on terrorism, tsunami response, hurricanes and floods. But light did find its way through the darkness. Most memorable are the Airmen who lent a helping hand to those in desperate need. This year also brought new technology, a continued presence at

  • Hurricane hunters close out record season

    The "Hurricane Hunters" of Air Force Reserve Command's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron flew their last mission of the record 2005 Atlantic Hurricane Season in December. Squadron aircrews flew more than 145 missions into 25 storms and logged more than 1,500 flight hours. They did this while

  • Routine commander’s call … sort of

    Many bases have a commander’s call right before the holiday season to see everybody off safely and wish them a merry vacation. It was no different  here … except for how the information was delivered.The stage of the base theater looked like a late-night talk show, complete with a band, desk, couch,

  • Implementation of BRAC begins this year

    Now that the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure commission has approved, modified or disapproved the Office of the Secretary of Defense's recommendations for the 2005 round of base realignment and closure, the individual services must plan the implementation of those recommendations. The Air Force

  • DOD releases sexual harassment, assault reports

    The Department of Defense today released the results of two reports on sexual harassment and sexual assault in the military: the 2004 survey of the reserve components and the Academic Program Year 2005 assessment at the three military service academies. Reserve components: The survey of about 76,000

  • CAOC memorializes Airman’s sacrifice

    A New York Airman, who was killed when responding to the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks at the World Trade Center, was honored Dec. 22 when the Combined Air Operations Center entry control point was rededicated in his honor. After the closing of the old CAOC entry point Dec. 9, the rededication of the new

  • CENTAF releases daily airpower summary

    Coalition aircraft flew 34 close-air-support missions Dec. 22 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt terrorist activities. Air Force F-15 Eagles provided close air support to

  • CENTAF releases daily airpower summary report

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today's airpower summary. Coalition aircraft flew 54 close-air-support missions Dec. 21 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt

  • C-130J gets 4-star fly-in

    Little Rock’s two newest C-130J Hercules received a four-star welcome today from Gen. William R. Looney III, commander of Air Education and Training Command. The C-130Js flew in a two-ship formation helmed by General Looney and Brig. Gen. Kip Self, 314th Airlift Wing and Little Rock AFB commander.

  • Legal office helps Airmen stay prepared for deployment

    Combat readiness is key in the post-9/11 military environment. Since the terrorist attacks more than four years ago, thousands of Airmen have deployed to locations all over the world. Some have even deployed two or three times. A key component to ensure combat readiness is to make sure one’s legal

  • Air Force leaders foresee personnel cuts

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne said a proposal aimed at reducing the number of Air Force total-force personnel has been discussed. During a press conference Dec. 13, Secretary Wynne said the reduction would take affect across the total force -- active duty, Reserve, Guard and civilian

  • ARPC announces colonel promotions

    Officials announced today the fiscal 2006 Air Force Reserve Line and Non-Line Colonel Promotion Selection Board results that selected 287 officers for promotion. A selection board convened at ARPC here in October to determine those officers qualified to assume the next higher grade. Board members

  • Reservists act as ‘Santa’ for Veteran’s Home residents

    Santa visited the residents of the Minnesota Veterans Home in Minneapolis Dec. 13, but this time he came in the form of the Air Force Reserve. Reservists from the Minneapolis-based 934th Airlift Wing purchased presents for 71 of the home’s residents and donated 73 miscellaneous gifts through the

  • Moseley: Airmen engaged worldwide

    Since August 1990, when the first wing deployed for Operation Desert Shield, the Air Force has been engaged in solid combat, the Air Force chief of staff said. Gen. T. Michael Moseley took time recently to discuss Air Force issues and Airmen performing the mission. For 15 years, Airmen have been

  • Moseley discusses past, plans for future

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley brought up several points of Air Force history at a three-day Air National Guard senior leader conference here. He addressed generals, command chief master sergeants and adjutants general during the opening day of the conference as they prepared to

  • Air Force makes changes to BAH policy

    Beginning in January, the Air Force and the other military services will eliminate geographic rate protection for the basic allowance for housing. Over the last five years, geographic rate protection meant BAH rates around military communities could never drop, even when estimates for median housing

  • Airmen bring holidays to remote village

    For the 38th year, Airmen from Elmendorf Air Force Base have brought the holidays to a small village in northern Alaska. The tradition started in 1967 when, due to migration changes, Arctic Village hunters were unable to get the caribou that sustained them. That year, the 17th Tactical Airlift

  • F-22A Raptor goes operational

    The F-22A Raptor -- Air Force’s most advanced weapon system -- is ready for combat, Air Force officials announced here today. In reaching initial operational capability, the Raptor is certified ready for operational use. The first combat-ready Raptors are flying with the 27th Fighter Squadron of the

  • CENTAF releases daily airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today's airpower summary report.Coalition aircraft flew 60 close-air-support missions Dec. 14 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and

  • Air Force leaders discuss current issues

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley met with the media at the Pentagon to discuss a wide range of topics and issues. The leaders provided updates on aircraft and the new Air Force mission statement at the Dec. 13 meeting. F-22A Raptor The

  • Radar transfer improves air operations

    Flying into and out of Kabul and Bagram Air Base became safer because of the transfer of a radar to Kabul from Karshi-Khanabad AB in Uzbekistan, Afghanistan. U.S. Central Command Air Forces leaders chose to move the radar to Kabul when operations at “K-2” ended. “This site will give us better radar

  • Leaving the Air Force? Consider civilian government employment

    For those facing force shaping boards and contemplating the possibility of separating from the Air Force, employment options can seem overwhelming. However, the members of civilian personnel offices are ready to help military members transition to government civilian employment. People may apply for

  • Wynne: Instill Airmen with opportunity for change

    The secretary of the Air Force said the service will embark on an effort to improve itself by using private sector developed process optimization tools to become more efficient. Two optimization tools are Lean and Six Sigma. Corporations like Toyota and General Electric have used them to catapult

  • Civil engineers announce award winners

    The Air Force and three civilian professional associations announced their 2005 Air Force civil engineer award winners Dec. 12. The awards are sponsored by the Society of American Military Engineers, the National Society of Professional Engineers, the Northeast chapter of the American Association of

  • Conference paves way for efficient Air Force

    The Air Force is looking to civilian companies to find ways to streamline itself, eliminate waste and save money in the process. Civilian companies like General Electric and Toyota have been successfully using process improvement programs to cut waste and increase efficiency. Now the Air Force plans

  • Guardsmen meet to discuss 2020 vision

    Senior Air National Guard leaders met for a three-day conference here to discuss the future and their role in the Air Force. Scores of generals, command chief master sergeants and adjutant generals attended the Dec. 12 event opening. They will spend the duration of the conference discussing a global

  • Skill pairing helps develop future leaders

    Force development teams now have a new tool -- skill pairing -- to help them better shape future leaders. Skill pairing is a method of combining developmental expertise across functions to meet Air Force sustainment requirements. Airmen gain this expertise through education and training

  • Air Force returns to Wood Brothers for 2006 Nextel Cup Series

    The Air Force's participation in NASCAR's Nextel Cup Series continues in 2006 as an associate advertiser with the Wood Brothers/JTG Racing No. 21 car. The 2006 race season marks the sixth year the Air Force has been racing with the Wood Brothers racing team. NASCAR veteran Ken Schrader replaces

  • Airman gets 17 years confinement

    A general court-martial sentenced an NCO to 17 years confinement after finding him guilty of rape, sodomy and striking a child. A military judge also sentenced Tech. Sgt. Larry Pauly to a dishonorable discharge and reduction to airman basic. Sergeant Pauly, of the 3rd Maintenance Operations

  • Lab keeps fuel, oxygen flowing

    Some laboratory workers here provide a quality analysis of all fuels and gases used in the region. They also analyze fuel when a mishap or possible contamination occurs.In a war zone, both these functions are important missions. “The majority of the samples we receive are products that have been

  • Air attachés end conference on regional issues

    The Latin American Air Attaché conference that brought together Airmen serving in 21 countries to discuss concerns including the global war on terrorism ended here today. 12th Air Force hosted the event, which started Dec. 5, for Bruce Lemkin, the deputy undersecretary of the Air Force for

  • Chief of staff lauds evacuation teams

    The Air Force chief of staff said 19 Airmen here provided an “awesome” example of what Airmen do in wartime. Two critical care teams were just doing their job when they escorted 12 battlefield-wounded patients, six in critical condition, on a mission from Landstuhl Regional Medical Center Andrews

  • Front-line forecasting not average day on the job

    Slashing through Burmese jungles with Maj. Gen. Orde Wingate’s Chindits; hunkering down far above the DMZ in North Vietnam; infiltrating into Northern Iraq to ensure the success of a thousand-man airborne jump -- not the average day at the office for most weather forecasters. But those missions and

  • Air Force medics still supporting Pakistan relief

    As U.S. and international teams continue providing humanitarian and medical aid here, Air Force medics watch over responders, looking out for their health and ability to continue the mission. Shortly after humanitarian relief operations began in October, the 24th Air Expeditionary Group air

  • Joint enlisted PME becomes reality

    The enlisted force will now have the same opportunity as the officer corps to receive joint professional military education throughout their careers. "Senior leadership across the (defense) department and services know the backbone of the military is the enlisted corps, and they must be properly

  • TSP announces enrollment changes for 2006

    Effective in 2006, civilian and military employees are no longer subject to a percentage limit on the amount they may contribute to a regular Thrift Savings Plan account. They may contribute the full amount allowed by the Internal Revenue Service annual elective deferral limit, which is $15,000 for

  • Air Force announces field grade officer promotions

    Four hundred forty-seven lieutenant colonels, 34 majors and 64 captains were selected for promotion. The colonel line of the Air Force, judge advocate general, nurse corps and medical service corps calendar year 2005 central selection board considered 4,578 of these officers. Likewise, the

  • Wilford Hall testing new vascular viewer

    Airmen at the Wilford Hall Medical Center’s emergency department are helping evaluate a new light scope used to help locate patient’s veins and arteries. The vascular viewer uses an infrared lighting source to trans-illuminate tissue. So medical personnel can use it to better locate a patient’s

  • Little Rock gets fifth ‘J-Herc’

    Airmen fighting and training to fight the global war on terrorism have a new weapon -- a fifth C-130J Hercules. Lt. Gen. Dennis Larsen, Air Education and Training Command vice commander, delivered the new Hercules to the base’s Dec. 6 and added another first to his career. “This is the first C-130

  • Official debunks myths about military recruits

    Recruits entering today’s military are head and shoulders above their contemporaries, a top Pentagon official said. Myths that imply otherwise reflect the Vietnam-era -- not today’s -- military, Bill Carr, acting deputy undersecretary of defense for military personnel policy, said of today's

  • General Hobbins takes USAFE helm

    Gen. William T. Hobbins took command of United States Air Forces in Europe from Gen. Robert H. “Doc” Foglesong today at a ceremony here. General Hobbins begins his term just five years after he left the command as its director of aerospace operations. The general was the Air Force deputy chief of

  • Program promotes healthy lifestyles for children

    Kaitlyn Mayor prefers to hula-hoop while her brother, Tyler, skateboards to gain fitness points for a new Air Force Services Web-based program that promotes healthy lifestyles for children. The Florida siblings are among more than 5,300 Air Force youngsters between the ages of 9 and 18 to sign up

  • CENTAF releases air power summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today's airpower summary. Coalition aircraft flew 46 close-air support missions Dec. 5 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt

  • Moody rescue crews receive Mackay Trophy

    Two HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter aircrews received the Mackay Trophy from Gen. John D. W. Corley, the Air Force vice chief of staff, at a ceremony here Dec. 5. The 13 Airmen earned the award for rescuing five Soldiers whose helicopter crashed in a sandstorm near Kharbut, Iraq, in April 2004. The

  • Wilford Hall to evaluate Tourette syndrome program

    Wilford Hall Medical Center received a $3 million multi-site National Institutes of Health grant to evaluate a behavior therapy program to help control tics in adults who suffer Tourette syndrome. Tourette syndrome is a neurological disorder characterized by enduring motor and vocal tics. “A growing

  • Americans, Germans ink Ramstein support agreement

    German and U.S. Air Forces in Europe leaders signed an agreement that continues the Ramstein support arrangement between the two nations. The agreement covers logistical and administrative support provided to the German support unit at Ramstein, including housing and work space. Lt. Gen. Horst

  • Health care providers need new national identifier

    To improve electronic transactions for health care, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services is now assigning a new provider identifier to standard transactions. The National Provider Identifier will be the single provider identifier, replacing those currently used for different systems and

  • Admiral Lippert: DLA changes will take team effort

    Defense Logistics Agency Director Vice Adm. Keith Lippert said the agency’s transformation will be take a team effort. The admiral spoke of the change and other topics to more than 600 people Nov. 29 at the annual North American Defense Logistics Conference here. “The transformation is not going to

  • Immersion turning out culturally savvy officers

    Traveling to a foreign country, speaking the native tongue and understanding the culture are dreams to some people. But thanks to an Air Force program, line officers have the opportunity to turn those dreams into reality. Language and Area Studies Immersion is a program designed to build a force of

  • Supplemental deployment health assessment starts in December

    Airmen returning from deployment now have two opportunities to let healthcare workers know of their mental and physical health status. Beginning in December, the Air Force will require all Airmen returning from deployments to complete a post-deployment health reassessment. The PDHRA needs to be

  • Symposium keys on space support

    The theme for this year’s Air Force Association National Symposium was “Space – Enabling the War Fighter.” With this in mind, Space and Missile Systems Center commander Lt. Gen. Michael Hamel and other Air Force leaders, and industry partners met in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Nov. 18 to discuss their

  • Americans open their hearts to servicemembers

    As the traditional gift-giving season gets under way, American people, corporations and service groups are showing their gratitude to American servicemembers, especially those who are deployed, in combat zones or wounded. "The outpouring from the public of goodwill, compassion and recognition for

  • Major convicted for cocaine use, possession

    An officer at the Air Force Institute of Technology pleaded guilty to possession and use of cocaine in a general court-martial Nov. 14 and 15. Maj. John R. Foresman was sentenced by a panel of officers to four months confinement, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and a dismissal. The charges

  • Second chance: Active-duty father donates kidney

    It’s evening, and the Pitman family is playing Candyland in their living room. Devin, 5, bounces from the sofa to the gameboard and pulls a card. “Ice cream!” the blue-eyed boy shouts, and moves his yellow pawn toward the end of the trail. “My turn,” his father says, leaning over the board to pull a

  • ORIs evolve with modern war fighting

    Airmen today can face deployment with increased confidence after practicing modified operational readiness inspection scenarios that reflect current wartime conditions. According to Air Combat Command's Inspector General Col. Tom Jones, with the expeditionary nature of today's Air Force, it is

  • Leaders visit Travis for AMC orientation

    A group of Air Mobility Command mission support group commanders and an AMC general visited Travis recently as a part of AMC’s Excellent Installation Orientation. The team toured five AMC bases, including Dover Air Force Base, Del.;  Andrews AFB,  Md.; Charleston AFB, S.C.;  McConnell AFB, Kan.; and

  • Mishap investigation training changes course

    Figuring out what causes an airplane to crash is no easy task. But many flight surgeons, aerospace physiologists and some psychologists will be part of an aircraft mishap investigation at some point in their careers. So the more they know about what to do, the better. To better prepare students for

  • NORAD: No ‘gaps and seams’ secures North America

    Identifying and eliminating “gaps and seams” within North American Aerospace Defense Command is key to preventing future terrorist attacks, the command’s director of operations said. “Since 9-11, the operational environment is much more complex,” said Canadian Maj. Gen. Brett Cairns, during a visit

  • PME boosts civilian leadership opportunities

    In the Air Force's current climate of shared leadership, civilians are being provided opportunities to fill positions that have historically been held by military officers. For goal-oriented civilians, there are many opportunities to attend professional military education courses to prepare for

  • AFIT honors 2005 distinguished alumni

    The Air Force Institute of Technology honored three 2005 Distinguished Alumni for their pioneering roles in science, engineering and education. The institute honored Dr. Anthony K. Hyder, retired Army Lt. Gen. Leo Pigaty and retired Col. Howard M. McCoy Nov. 18. “The title of ‘distinguished alumnus’

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today’s airpower summary. Coalition aircraft flew 40 close-air support missions Nov. 21 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt

  • Rex the dog sporting gold canines

    Most dentists here have performed dozens, if not hundreds, of root canals in their career. But none have ever risked losing a limb for sticking their hand between the jaws of a patient. That is, until now. Enter Rex, a 5-year-old military working dog. The dog could have easily removed a few poking

  • Women Falcons down Northern Colorado, 67-60

    The Air Force women’s basketball team -- fighting off a second-half rally -- made six free throws in the final 40 seconds of their season opener to beat Northern Colorado, 67-60. The Falcons' Nov. 18 win was their first opening-day win in three years. The Falcons won the game on the foul line,

  • NSPS implementation date moves to Feb. 1

    The Department of Defense will delay implementing the new National Security Personnel System until Feb. 1, acting Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England said. Mr. England, and other defense and Office of Personnel Management officials, provided an update on the system matters to members of the

  • Building Iraqi air force is tough job

    Building a nation's air force from the runway up is never going to be easy, a fact one can see at first glance. Dig a layer deeper, and the issues increase dramatically. For the Coalition Air Force Transition Team -- a U.S. Central Command Air Forces think tank of 28 specialists assisting with the

  • Leaders say Cope India 'great success'

    Exercise Cope India ‘06 ends Nov. 20, but U.S. and Indian air force leaders have already said the training has been a resounding success. The exercise, which began Nov. 7, involves Indian Airmen and about 250 U.S. Airmen from Pacific Air Forces bases. “Such exercises not only help in promoting

  • Airmen, Sailors supporting Dubai air show

    Airmen and Sailors are here to support the Dubai Air Show -- the third largest in the world -- over the next week. About 300 Airmen and Sailors, and more than 20 different Air Force and Navy aircraft from bases in the Persian Gulf region, Europe and the United States, will support the air show from

  • Colonel’s bone marrow helps save baby girl’s life

    More than a decade ago, then-Capt. Marilyn Kott spent a few extra minutes at the end of a mobility processing line to learn about a program that matches Air Force volunteers with persons who need bone marrow transplants. Three assignments went by and her life went on as usual. Then one day this

  • Big bangs destroy 2,000 munitions

    Airmen from the 407th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal flight detonated 2,000 munitions, keeping them the out of the hands of insurgents. It took four detonations to destroy the weapons, which members of the Iraqi national guard had captured. After each big bang,

  • Tuskegee Airmen get Air Force update

    Members of the famed Tuskegee Airmen visited the Pentagon to learn about today's Air Force and visit with the secretary of defense. The Airmen visited Nov. 10. One pioneering Airman, retired Lt. Col. Howard Baugh, took time to reflect on the changes in the military since the day he joined in 1942.

  • Airmen defend against rabies menace

    Against the backdrop of a rising sun, a small group of Airmen make their way stealthily around the in search of the enemy. Their mission is safeguarding the Airmen, Soldiers and Department of Defense contractors assigned here from some dangerous intruders: stray animals. Team of pest management

  • Airman says manual, training saved his life

    When he went to sleep one night, Staff Sgt. Stephen Jones felt tingling in his fingers and toes and had a high fever and chills. Sergeant Jones remembered from reading his Airman’s Manual -- and from his pre-deployment self-aid and buddy care training -- that those signs were serious. He realized he

  • General Smith takes helm of joint forces, NATO transformation commands

    Gen. Lance L. Smith took command of NATO's Allied Command Transformation and U.S. Joint Forces Command during an assumption ceremony aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower at the Norfolk Naval Station here. General Smith assumed his duties Nov. 10. He thanked the personnel of both commands for their

  • Cadets designing, building unmanned aerial vehicles

    At the Sensor-based Intelligent Robotics Laboratory in the department of electrical and computer engineering here, cadets and faculty are designing and building more sophisticated autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles. These UAVs will able to communicate with each other and search, track and destroy