U.S., Australian team conducts evacuation in Antarctica

A combined U.S. and Australian team successfully evacuated an Australian civilian in Antarctica to a hospital in Hobart, Australia, Nov. 5. The seriously injured patient was part of an Australian Antarctic Division contingent conducting scientific research at Davis Station, Antarctica. He is

New Zealand aircrew assists U.S. Airmen during mission

A Royal New Zealand Air Force aircrew assisted Airmen from the U.S. Pacific Command's Joint Task Force Support Forces Antarctica by delivering a mission essential part Oct. 27 to a disabled aircraft at Pegasus White Ice Runway, Antarctica. An electronic engine controller and three Air Force aircraft

Programs promoted for people with disabilities

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and Air Force officials want to ensure every Airman is aware of the ongoing efforts to support people with disabilities. "The Air Force hopes to increase awareness, promote opportunities for employment candidates with disabilities and become

One of the top personnel officers 'Spreads the Word'

Air Force Personnel Center officials sent a team of experts here Oct. 8, launching a global "Spread the Word" campaign to educate Airmen about new and changing personnel and deployment programs. As part of the two-day Spread the Word visit, Maj. Gen. K.C. McClain, AFPC commander, visited with U.S.

Recruiters meet, exceed goals for ninth year in a row

Air Force recruiters met their active-duty enlisted recruiting goal for the ninth year in a row and met their chaplain and Officer Training School accession goals for fiscal year 2008. "I'm proud of our highly professional recruiting force, who continues to exemplify the Air Force core values of

Ceremony recognizes disabled employees' contributions

Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England praised the work and contributions provided by disabled Defense Department contract employees at a Pentagon award ceremony Oct. 9."I'm here to say thank you for your great, great work," Secretary England, the event's host, told a group of disabled employees

AF announces selection process for deputy support group commanders

Air Force Personnel Center officials recently released the selection process and eligibility requirements for officers interested in calendar year 2009 mission support group deputy commander positions. Following the Air Force chief of staff's force development construct, officers will be matched to

AFPC Spread the Word team launches global tour

The Air Force Personnel Center Commander, Maj. Gen. K.C. McClain, will kick off an Air Force-wide "Spread the Word" briefing tour at Oct. 7 and 8 at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. "AFPC is evolving to provide personnel services in new formats through new programs, and we want to communicate these

Deep Freeze Airman given Christchurch civic award

Fresh off the successful night-time landing of a C-17 Globemaster III on the cold Antarctica ice, a 12-year veteran of Operation Deep Freeze missions has become the first American to receive the Christchurch Civic Award. Lt. Col. Jim McGann, 304th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron commander, received

Executive order eases employment for military spouses

President Bush has signed an executive order that will make it easier for spouses of servicemembers to get federal jobs. The order authorizes noncompetitive hiring of spouses and should make the hiring process easier and faster for those in this category, said Patricia Bradshaw, deputy

JPAC teams serve on front lines of recoveries

Tech. Sgt. Valda Wilson is an Air Force photographer. But last month in a harvested wheat field in the village of Strass near Germany's Hurtgen Forest, she spent most of her days with her hands full of dirt. Sergeant Wilson is one of about 10 members of a Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command team who

Air Force officials honor 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year

Air Force officials here recognized the service's 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year at an awards dinner Sept. 15 during the Air Force Association's 24th Annual Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition here. The 2008 award recipients were drawn from 33 people representing major commands,

Reservists fly Operation Deep Freeze Springfly missions

Ten reservists from the 446th Airlift Wing deployed Sept. 4 to Christchurch, New Zealand in support of Operation Deep Freeze, 2008-2009 Springfly. Springfly is the ODF ramp up phase to prepare buildings and equipment, as well as pave the overland traverse to the South Pole, in preparation for the

C-17 crew lands after-dark landing in Antarctica

A C-17 Globemaster III aircrew from McChord Air Force Base, Wash., performed the first known after-dark landing in Antarctica using night vision goggles here Sept. 11. The McChord aircrew, consisting of active duty Airmen from the 62nd Airlift Wing and Reservists from the 446th Airlift Wing,

Team conducts emergency medical movement in Antarctica

Joint Task Force Support Forces Antarctica provided a two-person medical team and C-17 Globemaster III to conduct an emergency medical evacuation Sept. 10 for a 56-year-old male assigned to the National Science Foundation in Antarctica. The patient needed a cardiovascular evaluation and was deemed

Operation Deep Freeze 2008-2009 season begins

Operation Deep Freeze, the U.S. military's support of the U.S. Antarctic Program and the National Science Foundation, is scheduled to kick off the 2008-2009 season Sept. 4 as the first C-17 Globemaster III delivers passengers and cargo to McMurdo Station, Antarctica. The C-17, based out of McChord

Iraqis sign container contract with Joint Base Balad

An Iraqi businessman, a local tribal leader and the commander of Joint Contracting Command-Iraq/Afghanistan gathered here Aug. 21 for a ribbon-cutting ceremony of the latest contract for the Iraqi First program between Joint Base Balad and the Miran Co. Hashim Abd Al-Amir Mahdi of the Miran Co. won

Program gives vets advantage in owning a business

Military veterans interested in being owner-operator truck drivers now can achieve that goal quicker and less expensively, thanks to an agreement between the Department of Veterans Affairs and Schneider National, Inc. Officials from the VA and Schneider signed a memorandum of understanding July 1,

Engineer team plans Bagram's future

The combined talents of 21 servicemembers and civilians compose a facility engineer team, whose task is to prepare plans and specifications, provide inspections on construction, and offer expertise for the steady flow of projects designed to improve and expand Bagram Airfield. In addition to the

Senior NCO Academy class dedicates memorial

Time stood still at the Air Force Senior Non-commissioned Officer Academy July 23 as more than 400 people remembered one of the most definitive moments in recent American history. Airmen in Class 08-Delta unveiled four glass and steel panels on a clock tower in the courtyard of Maxwell-Gunter's

Chief receives newspaper's Airman of the Year award

When Staff Sgt. Christopher Slaydon awoke from his combat injuries three weeks after arriving at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, the command chief for the 12th Flying Training Wing at nearby Randolph Air Force Base was at his bedside."As soon as I awoke, Chief Master Sgt. Stephen Page

Air Force officials reach recruitment program goal

Air Force officials have reached the 2008 goal of hiring 25 people via the Workforce Recruitment Program for summer or permanent jobs. Coordinated by officials in the Office of Disability Employment Policy, the Department of Labor and the Department of Defense, the program is a recruitment and

Recycling contract turns trash into treasure

War is messy -- literally -- but U.S. forces, contractors and Iraqis found a way to turn the military's trash into Iraq's economic treasure. Albu-Hussan-based Almandhour United Company oversees waste-management operations here following a ribbon-cutting ceremony July 10 that commemorated the opening

AF introduces civilian acculturation, leadership program

Applications are now being accepted from Air Force civilian interns and Student Career Employment Program graduates for the Civilian Acculturation and Leadership Training program. This opportunity is a chief of staff initiative designed as an intensive leadership development program for civilians

Berlin Airlift vets return to Germany for anniversary

For 50 years, Dub Southers recalled the grueling hours he worked at an air base in northern Germany at the start of the Berlin Airlift, not the historical significance of what he helped achieve as a flight engineer and crew chief. He remembered well the stacks of coal being shipped in from local

How, when to begin filling a civilian vacancy

One way to cut down on the time needed to fill a civilian vacancy is to begin earlier, said Air Force Personnel Center officials here recently. "Supervisors can submit a request for personnel action at any time to their local civilian personnel office," said Cathy Smoak, a human resource specialist

Officials provide flood info for federal employees

Defense Department officials have issued information to assist federal employees and agencies affected by the recent flooding throughout the Midwest and Mississippi River Valley, military officials said. "Our Defense Department employees are a valued resource and an essential part of our total

Air Force history award winners announced

Air Force History and Museums Program officials annually recognize excellence in history programs, historical publications and heritage projects, and award commendable work by military and civilian personnel for outstanding performance or achievement, both as individuals or teams. Two Excellence in

VA secretary focuses on continuum of care

Five months after taking the helm of the nation's second-largest cabinet department, the secretary of veterans affairs laid out his priorities and talked of transitioning the organization to meet the needs of veterans today as well as those of the next generation. Veterans Affairs Secretary Dr.

Defense forum highlights need for scientists, engineers

Air Force and U.S. officials forecast a serious shortage of scientists and engineers. That assessment was made by Joe Sciabica, executive director of the Air Force Research Laboratory, during a Regional Defense Forum here May 6. About 370 business and government leaders attended the event to foster

B-52 simulators receive overhaul

With 19 years and more than 3,000 flying hours piloting the B-52 Stratofortress, Lt. Col. Tom Silvia is the right person to ensure the bomber' s simulator is realistic as overhauls are completed to bring it up to date.Realism was lacking previously in the simulators, the colonel said. The view of

Conference focuses on challenges facing acquisition workforce

Air Force and industry leaders gathered at Wright-Patterson AFB April 22-23 to chart a course to speed the development and delivery of a new crop of revolutionary weapon systems to joint warfighters. Nearly 500 government and industry professionals attended the Defense Acquisition University's

AFPC, AFMC temporarily collaborate to staff AFMC vacancies

Air Force Personnel Center and Air Force Materiel Command officials are partnering to reduce the number of Air Force civilian personnel actions currently in the system. Four AFMC bases temporarily will assume responsibility for all AFMC civilian fill actions. The large civilian centers at Hill,

Reserve, active-duty Airmen fly last Antarctica mission

A total force aircrew from McChord Air Force Base, Wash., made history April 17 during the last Operation Deep Freeze mission of the 2007-2008 season. With only eight days remaining before Antarctica becomes shrouded in 24-hour darkness during winter, Airmen from the 446th and 62nd Airlift Wings

Deep Freeze Airmen warm New Zealand community's heart

Five-year-old Benjamin Laury talked about elephants, storm troopers and how cool pilots are -- all in a single, convoluted sentence -- as he looked around a C-17 Globemaster III April 17 here. As part of a home-schooling group invited to check out the enormous airplane that just flew into their

'Army Wives' films on Charleston

Charleston Air Force Base officials hosted the first Department of Defense-supported filming of the Lifetime Television show "Army Wives" April 7 at the base exchange here.Charleston members have been working with the production company since the beginning of December on this event and since then,

Breakthrough comes in preventing Dengue fever

Dengue fever and the potentially fatal form of the disease, dengue hemorrhagic fever, are rated by the Department of Defense as number 3 of the top 40 disease threats to deployed military forces. According to a report from the Pan American Health Organization, an international public health agency,

Dyess AFB model of energy conservation

Dyess Air Force Base is going green. Take a tour of the base and it's easy to see how. In one building, water is pumped from a small pond, turned into ice and used to cool several dormitories; the landscaping is irrigated using effluent water purchased from the city of Abilene, Texas; and eight

Airmen train Iraqis to save lives

Nine Iraqi firefighters graduated the Basic Firefighter Skills Course here as Airmen of the 407th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Fire Department trained the newest graduates March 24 at Ali Base. The six-week course teaches students "the basics of fighting fires, search and rescue and lifesaving

'Today's Air Force' features medical care downrange

This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights critical medical care at Balad Air Base, Iraq. With the capability to position troops and distribute supplies during combat, the Air Force has another critical mobility facet, the transporting of medical professionals. See Air Force medical

The ABCs of filling an Air Force civilian job

Most civilian jobs in the Air Force begin with a request for personnel action, or RPA. They end with an entry on duty, or EOD, date. During the past 12 months, the entire process has taken an average of 136 days from the initial completion of the RPA to a person arriving for duty. Control of the

Joint effort key to success in Deep Freeze

Operation Deep Freeze recently concluded its 52nd season of air and vessel operations. The Joint Task Force Support Forces Antarctica ODF is a unique 13th Air Force-led joint and total force mission which has supported the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Antarctic Program since 1955. The

RED HORSE team improves flightline operations

Airmen assigned to the 1st Expeditionary RED HORSE Group are nearing the completion of installing a barrier arresting kit on the flightline at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan. "The BAK 12 is an emergency stopping system for tail-hook equipped aircraft when they have in-flight emergencies and they don't

Summer jobs available at Air Force bases worldwide

Students and certain other eligible persons can gain marketable skills and earn money while enjoying their summer vacations with the Air Force Summer Hire Program, Air Force Personnel Center officials here said Feb. 19. Job vacancies will be posted on the USAJobs Web site and may be advertised

Afghans complete advanced medical training

Less than a month after a basic emergency medical technician training class graduated here, seven more Afghan men entered the medical career field after graduating from a nursing school program facilitated by the joint Air Force and Army Provincial Reconstruction Team here. The 12-month training

CMSAF testifies on quality of life

The chief master sergeant of the Air Force, along with the senior-ranking enlisted members from each branch of service, testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs about quality of life issues in the Air Force Feb. 7 at the Capitol. "Quality

Airmen participate in dedication ceremony at South Pole

Two Airmen attended the Jan. 12 Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station dedication ceremony, the culmination of the National Science Foundation's 12-year effort to construct a new station on Antarctica.Maj. Gen. Robert A. Knauff, the New York Air National Guard chief of staff and commander, and Col. Ron

Emergency airdrop rescues stranded ship

Teamwork, flexibility and airpower were used to deliver critical repair parts to a stranded British fishing vessel, the Argos Georgia, and its 25-person crew Jan. 4. The vessel had lost all main power and been frozen in the ice flow off the Ross Ice Shelf since Christmas Eve, New Zealand

C-17 polar airdrop capability successful

During the winter season at the South Pole, temperatures often dip as low as minus 100 F and can paralyze an aircraft's hydraulic systems, crystallize the fuel and solidify lubricants. However, freezing temperatures did not deter Joint Task Force-Support Forces Antarctica Operation Deep Freeze crews

'Today's Air Force' features security forces

This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights security forces, including a simulator that does more then just prepare Airmen for qualifying on the range.  The second segment features building and maintaining international relationships and the roles Airmen play as diplomats to other

Air Force receives 2 DOD disability awards

Defense officials here lauded an Air Force civilian and 15 everyday heroes for overcoming disabilities, as well as named the Air Force an outstanding organization for hiring people with disabilities Dec. 4 in Bethesda, Md. Among the award recipients was Ronald Greenfield, the chief of staff for the

Operation Deep Freeze main season underway

Active duty, Guard and Reserve Airmen from McChord Air Force Base, Wash., and the New York Air National Guard's 109th Airlift Wing, combined efforts to support the 13th Air Force-led Joint Task Force Support Forces Antarctica, Operation Deep Freeze. The main season, which opened Sept. 28, is the

'Today's Air Force' features emergency response

This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights the cooperation of military and civil authorities during an emergency response.  Also featured is Operation Deep Freeze, an annual mission to support the National Science Foundation in Antarctica. Finally, visit with a remarkable lady from

F-22 endures 3-week, cold-weather test at Eielson

An F-22 Raptor came here for three weeks in November to test the aircraft's braking system on ice in time for the first snow at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, home to several F-22s since August. "We were validating the F-22 braking system's stability and performance as well as evaluating

Airmen support Operation Deep Freeze

AFRL wins workforce development award

The Air Force Research Laboratory's director of personnel is excited about winning a highly coveted award, not just for her own organization, but because of what it says about the entire lab. "This is an AFRL award, an enterprise-wide effort, that says AFRL cares about its people," said Personnel

Defense, VA officials to coordinate on patient care

The departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs have partnered to put in place 10 federal recovery coordinators charged with managing the care of severely injured servicemembers and their families for as long as a lifetime. Officials from the two departments signed an agreement Oct. 31 outlining the

TF33 jet engine shop up and running at Tinker

The Air Force's lone TF33 Jet Engine Intermediate Maintenance shop here achieved full operational capability status in October. "This marks a shift of engine workload from field units to the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center, enabling the warfighter to focus more on expeditionary capabilities and

C-130s hit the ice

A pair of specially equipped C-130 Hercules aircraft, belonging to the New York Air National Guard's 109th Airlift Wing, left here headed for Antarctica Oct. 17. The team hit the ice at McMurdo Statio, Antarctica, one of the coldest, windiest, most inhospitable places on the globe, as part of

Air Force meets, exceeds recruiting goals for eighth year

The Air Force met its active-duty enlisted recruiting goal for the eighth year in a row and exceeded its chaplain and Officer Training School accession goals for fiscal 2007. "I'm proud of our highly professional recruiting force, who continue to exemplify the Air Force core values of integrity,

Teamwork, skepticism lead to early finish for project

The motivation to prove skeptics wrong and a strong foundation of teamwork set the stage for the recent completion of an important new ramp here. The $8.9 million construction project, started in 2005, created a 270,000 square-foot concrete ramp to replace the corrugated "steel beach" that had

Operation Deep Freeze main season underway

Air operations in support of the 52nd Operation Deep Freeze main season are underway.A C-17 Globemaster III from the 62nd Airlift Wing, at McChord Air Force Base, Wash., completed three missions this past week from Christchurch, New Zealand, kicking off the 2007 to 2008 season for the 13th Air

AFPC testing new external applicant recruitment tool

External applicants interested in working for the Air Force may have an easier road to travel because of a new recruitment tool, said Air Force Personnel Center officials at Randolph Air Force Base. The new tool is called USA Staffing, a human resources hiring tool that is integrated with the

McChord C-17 crew flies medevac mission out of Antarctica

Airmen of the 304th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron flew a C-17 Globemaster III on a medical evacuation mission to bring a patient requiring immediate medical attention Aug. 28 out of Antarctica. Twenty-four hours after completing their winter fly-in season for Operation Deep Freeze, 304th EAS Airmen

Winter flights to Antarctica wrap up

Airmen from McChord Air Force Base, Wash., completed the Operation Deep Freeze 2007-08 winter fly-in season when a final C-17 Globemaster III took off Aug. 25 from Pegasus White Ice Runway in Antarctica. Members of the 304th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron flew a total of 355 passengers and 119,953

Virtual warehouse for foreign military sales sets record

With one month still remaining in fiscal 2007, the Worldwide Warehouse Redistribution Services program is approaching the $16 million mark, shattering the previous record for annual sales. Managed by the Air Force Security Assistance Center here, Worldwide Warehouse Redistribution Services, or WWRS,

Neither snow nor deep freeze keep mail from Antarctica

Members of the Det. 4, Pacific Air Forces Air Postal Squadron here have been busy supporting Operation Deep Freeze 2007-08 winter flights to Antarctica beginning in late August after more than 150 days since the last shipment of mail to the ice station. The detachment members collected 14,000 pounds

Operation Deep Freeze 2007-08 begins

Operation Deep Freeze 2007-08 winter flights began Aug. 20 ending more than five months of isolation for the research station as the first C-17 Globemaster III delivered passengers and cargo to McMurdo Station, Antarctica. Landing 15 miles from McMurdo Station at Pegasus Runway, the C-17s will carry

Retired Airmen don uniforms once again to teach JROTC cadets

More than 1,900 Junior ROTC instructors, who teach at 869 school units throughout the world, finished their initial instructor training here last week. Jo Alice Talley, chief of JROTC instructor management at Air Force Officer Accession and Training Schools, said the newly hired instructors were

Joint team works to improve care in Nauru

Life is unique in the world's smallest island nation -- the tiny South Pacific island of Nauru. It sits just slightly south of the equator, so most of the day is uncommonly hot. Electricity flows in a given facility for no more than 12 hours a day; it comes on for about six hours at a time on the

Bird avoidance job going to the dogs

Officials  from the 459th Air Refueling Wing hired a new member to the wing staff.What makes this new employee different is the recent wing addition is a four-legged member who answers to the name Jackson. Nearly seven months old, Jackson is the only dog hired in the history of the 459th ARW. Owned

Airmen live, learn warrior ethos

Airmen going through basic training are focusing on living and learning what it means to be combat-ready. This education centers on Air Force warrior ethos -- strengthening an Airman's mind, body and spirit. "The warrior ethos has always been a part of an Airman's character, but some people may have

Edwards team stars in 'Iron Man' superhero movie

Edwards Air Force Base recently became a Hollywood set, as about 150 Airmen, about a dozen Marines and some of the Air Force's new aircraft shared the spotlight with Robert Downey Jr., Terrence Howard and Gwyneth Paltrow in filming Hollywood's next superhero blockbuster. Director Jon Favreau and his

Bagram PRT rebuilds Afghanistan one school at a time

The Air Force-led Bagram Provincial Reconstruction Team attended a ceremony March 26 marking the first day of class at a high school in Kapisa Province. The PRT also donated approximately 3,000 pine and fruit trees and boxes of school supplies. Both gestures were in support of the Afghan New Year

A-10 modifications speed up to support warfighters

The Air Force will soon benefit from an A-10 Thunderbolt II milestone achieved here in March. Personnel from the 571st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron completed a precision engagement modification on an A-10 14 days ahead of schedule.The modification gives the A-10 precision weapons capability through

AFIT offers distance learning degree program

The Air Force Institute of Technology recently achieved two milestones that will help the school move forward into the 21st century and serve the Air Force with greater responsiveness. This month, AFIT began offering its first distance learning graduate degree program. AFIT has been using DL

Operation Deep Freeze ends record-setting season

Ski-equipped LC-130 Hercules and C-17 Globemaster IIIs redeployed from Christchurch, New Zealand, wrapped up the 2006-2007 season of Operation Deep Freeze in late February. This unique joint and total force mission has supported the National Science Foundation and U.S. Antarctic Program since 1955

Air Force program reconnects Airmen to heritage

Air Force History Office officials are launching a new program to help unite Airmen, past and present, commemorate and preserve their shared heritage. During this year, in conjunction with the 60th anniversary of the Air Force, history office staff members are reaching out to those involved in

Fuel tests keep Misawa moving

The fuel military bases receive goes through a series of treatments before it is usable in machinery. It is the job of the Fuels Laboratory Airmen in logistics readiness squadrons to check the condition of all fuel before it's put to use. Most importantly, certain additives need to be present to

Fisher House offers help in times of crisis

Her kind eyes have seen a lot of joy and sorrow over the years, but Paula Lewis never tires of helping those in need. A self-professed collector of hugs, Ms. Lewis has been a staple of the Lackland Fisher House since it opened in 1994. She started her association as a volunteer, and after being

Deep Freeze members commemorate base's 50th anniversary

Members of Operation Deep Freeze participated in events to commemorate the base's 50th anniversary Jan. 20 at Scott Base on Ross Island in Antarctica. Antarctica New Zealand sponsored the event, which invited U.S. and New Zealand diplomats and political leaders. The National Science Foundation, as

Position coaching staff for Air Force football now complete

Air Force head football coach Troy Calhoun completed his position coaching staff Jan. 17 with the hiring of Clay Hendrix and the retention of Ron Burton. Hendrix will coach the offensive line while Burton will remain as the defensive line coach.Hendrix comes to Air Force after completing 19 seasons

Unfounded rumors circulating about assignments

Despite rumors floating around to the contrary, Air Force Personnel Center officials said there is no assignment freeze. The question of "Where's my next assignment?" has been common lately, said Master Sgt. Shannon Parker of the Military Personnel Flight here. "I think everyone is concerned because

U.S. icebreaking ship arrives in McMurdo

The Coast Guard became part of the Air Force-led Joint Task Force Support Forces Antarctica Jan. 1 with the arrival of the Cutter Polar Sea at McMurdo Station, Antarctica.Home ported in Seattle, the Polar Sea arrived after a month-long voyage including stops in Honolulu and Sydney, Australia. The

Antarctica joint task force medevacs two

Thirteenth Air Force's Joint Task Force-Support Forces Antarctica Operation Deep Freeze took on an emergency short notice mission late on Dec. 23 (Antarctica time) to medevac two patients: a 74-year-old female passenger from the Russian cruise ship Kapitan Klebnikov, and a seriously ill resident of

C-17 makes 1st-ever airdrop to Antarctica

Another airpower milestone was reached Dec. 20 with the completion of the first C-17 Globemaster III airdrop mission that delivered about 70,000 pounds of supplies to the South Pole.The airdrop's success is due to the combined effort of people from Joint Task Force-Support Forces Antarctica

New security base established in Laghman Province

On a scenic plateau above the Alishang River in northern Laghman Province laid the earthly remains of some 20 Afghan mujahedeen fighters who occupied this land and fought to the last man against the Soviet Army. This hallowed ground is once again the focal point in the battle against tyranny and

Fisher DeBerry announces retirement as head coach at Air Force

Air Force head football coach Fisher DeBerry announced his retirement Friday, ending over a quarter-century at the Air Force Academy. DeBerry just completed his 23rd season as the head football coach and 27th overall at Air Force. DeBerry has guided the Falcons to 17 winning seasons since taking

Reconstruction team holds first vendor fair

More than 40 contractors from the Zabul Province attended the first vendor fair Nov. 26 held by the Qalat Provincial Reconstruction Team here in an effort to promote the availability of services and opportunities to both new and established contractors in the region. Hosted by PRT officials and the

Enlisted aides invaluable to general officers

It's a unique Air Force career field that has Airmen leaving their homes every morning only to start work at someone else's house. An enlisted aide assists a general officer with accomplishing their primary military and official duties. The position is a voluntary special assignment. "(The Air Force

Aircrews fly scientists, equipment to Antarctica

A McChord Air Force Base, Wash., jet touched down on a sheet of sea ice here Nov. 16 as part of Operation Deep Freeze. The C-17 Globemaster III, loaded with National Science Foundation staff members, supplies and equipment along with members of the 62nd and 446th Airlift Wings, landed on the ice

109th Airlift Wing commemorates first South Pole landing

An LC-130 Hercules from the New York Air National Guard's 109th Airlift Wing touched down at the South Pole on Oct. 30 to commemorate the first plane landing there 50 years ago. On Oct. 31, 1956, Navy Lt. Cmdr. Gus Shinn landed a ski-equipped R4D-5 (a Navy version of the DC-3) named "Que Sera Sera"

Nine career fields open to Air Force prior service members

Veterans interested in joining the Air Force or becoming an active-duty Airman once again may be eligible if they have served in one of nine career fields. During fiscal 2007, the Air Force Prior Service Enlistment Program is available to 40 veterans who have served in the following careers: --

Operation Deep Freeze LC-130 arrives at Hickam

A New York Air National Guard LC-130 Hercules arrived at Hickam Oct. 17 en route to McMurdo Station, Antarctica, to re-supply scientific research camps throughout Antarctica in support of Joint Task Force Support Forces Antarctica, Operation Deep Freeze. The LC-130 is a modified ski-equipped C-130

Ellsworth energy team saves money, earns award

A five-person Ellsworth AFB team saved the base $470,000 in total energy costs for fiscal 2005 and received a 2006 Federal Energy and Water Management Award Oct. 5 at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. This U.S. Department of Energy award recognizes the annual achievements in the category

Officials swear in new recruits during memorial dedication events

As the Air Force recognized its own history with the dedication of a new memorial here, dozens of young men and women also marked the beginning of their own history with the Air Force. As part of activities surrounding the dedication of the Air Force's new memorial, some 90 young men and women rose

Air Force meets recruiting goal for seventh straight year

The Air Force met its recruiting goal for the seventh year in a row, but still faces challenges, said officials Oct. 12.In fiscal 2006, the Air Force brought in 30,889 individuals, exceeding its target by 130 Airmen, said Brig. Gen. Suzanne M. Vautrinot, commander of Air Force Recruiting Service.

NATO takes lead for operations throughout Afghanistan

NATO took the lead for international military operations throughout Afghanistan Oct. 5, assuming authority from the coalition for 14 eastern provinces at a ceremony in the Afghan capital of Kabul. Regional Command East is the last of four regional NATO commands in its International Security

AFSO 21 tools enable Air Force to improve process

Using Air Force Smart Operations 21, Fairchild AFB members are on a journey of self-improvement as they work to save time and money."You can do more with less, if you have less waste in your process," said Bill Long, Fairchild AFB's AFSO 21 consultant. AFSO 21 is an Air Force unique

Air Force Reserve tops recruiting goal again

For the sixth year in a row, Air Force Reserve Command officials have exceeded the command's recruiting goal.AFRC Recruiting Service surpassed its goal for the 2006 recruiting year Aug. 31 when officials accessed its 8,001st recruit as the number of people signing up continues to climb. Col. Francis