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  • 'Letter to Airmen' highlights Warrior Care month

    In his current Letter to Airmen, the secretary of the Air Force talks about November as the designated the month for Warrior Care, and how the Air Force will continue to place Airmen and their families as a top commitment. "Developing and caring for our Airmen and their families is a top priority.

  • General, NCO talk about warrior care on national TV

    The Air Force deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel and services at the Pentagon and an injured sergeant made an appearance on Fox News to speak about "Warrior Care Month" Nov. 10 here. Lt. Gen. Richard Y. Newton III and Tech. Sgt. Israel Del Toro appeared on television to tell the American

  • American servicemembers take reconstruction to new level

    American military members helped with about $8 million worth of construction projects in the Nangarhar Province in the last two years here to improve security and to help rebuild the region in Afghanistan. Almost $40 million worth of U.S. military-funded construction is ongoing in the province as

  • Strategic planners give glimpse of tomorrow's mobility force

    Air Mobility Command strategic planners gave an insider's view into the future of air mobility  at the 40th annual Airlift/Tanker Association Conference Nov. 10 here. The air mobility future contains airlifters able to takeoff and land on extremely short and unprepared airfields, aircraft

  • Randolph honors World War II veteran

    On the eve of Veterans Day, members of the Randolph Air Force Base community had the opportunity to thank and present the Purple Heart medal to a World War II veteran for wounds he sustained 63 years ago. Former Army Air Forces Cpl. Hilario L. Riojas of Karnes City, Texas, received his Purple Heart

  • First students graduate Raptor Basic Course

    Four student pilots at Tyndall AFB became the first graduates of the Air Force's F-22 Raptor Basic Course Nov. 1, setting another milestone in the fielding of the Air Force's most advanced fighter aircraft. These pilots are the first in the Air Force to have the F-22 as their first operational

  • Yellow Ribbon program focuses on reservists, families

    Air Force reservists in the 507th Air Refueling Wing at Tinker AFB, who return from long deployments, are finding the welcome mat waiting for them. A congressional directive in the 2007 Defense Appropriations Act mandated that Reserve components provide reservists and their families with additional

  • Navy pilots learning to fly Global Hawk

    In what could prove to be the first step toward creating a joint RQ-4 Unmanned Aircraft System training unit here, pilots of the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron are teaching a class of Navy pilots the Global Hawk system. The class, consisting of three active-duty P-3 Orion pilots and one civilian

  • Chairman cites history in Veterans Day message

    Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has issued a Veterans Day message to those who now serve or have served in the armed forces. Here is the text of the chairman's message: "When Armistice was declared on Nov. 11, 1918, effectively ending World War I, over sixty-five

  • New UAS program at Randolph simulates air battle space

    A first-of-its-kind combat familiarization program for pilots slated to fly unmanned aircraft systems soon will launch at the 563rd Flying Training Squadron here. The four-week-long Unmanned Aircraft Systems Fundamentals Course will begin Nov. 21. It is designed to give 10 newly-winged graduates of

  • 'Today's Air Force' features warrior care

    This edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights the month of November as Warrior Care month. The military has designated millions of dollars for wounded, ill and injured servicemembers with plans to establish a center for excellence that will specialize in research and development. And see how some

  • Airman helps make a difference in Afghanistan

    Since combat operations began in Afghanistan, Airmen have taken on new roles traditionally held by their Army counterparts. Staff Sgt. Don Elias, deployed from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is a prime example. The sergeant joined the Air Force in 1998 and has served two tours in Iraq. He

  • Warrior Care: Giving wounded what they need, deserve

    Navy Adm. Michael G. Mullen didn't like the way wounded Vietnam veterans were treated when he first entered the service in 1968, and he is working to ensure that America's wounded from Iraq and Afghanistan get the care and help they need and deserve. The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said

  • JCS chairman accentuates Warrior Care Month

    November 2008 is dedicated as Warrior Care Month by the Department of Defense. As we gather together, in the season of both thanks and giving, our nation pauses to recognize the sacrifices of today's service men and women in uniform, along with their families. Many families still face significant

  • Forces combine to share disaster response techniques

    Military medics from Argentina, Uruguay and the United States came together to share medical disaster response techniques in November here.The information exchange was part of Operation Southern Partner, an in-depth subject matter exchange emphasizing partnership, cooperation and sharing of

  • Airmen hone contingency skills at Silver Flag

    A handful of Airmen scan their checklists to make sure their mobility bags and other essentials are in order, while others thumb through their Airman's Manuals to bone up on proper chemical warfare procedures. The Airmen are in a wooded 1,200 acre site at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., and this is

  • 2009 aviator continuation pay details released

    Air Force officials here released Nov. 4 the details for aviator continuation pay for this fiscal year. For active duty Airmen, the program gives various rated aviators -- namely some pilots, combat systems officers and air battle managers -- the opportunity to sign an active duty service commitment

  • Change puts more $ in injured servicemembers' pockets

    A military compensation policy change provides more money for servicemembers injured during service in the war on terrorism, a senior Defense Department official said Nov. 4 here. The Pay and Allowance Continuation program, known by the acronym PAC, is authorized by the 2008 National Defense

  • Warrior Care Month highlights high-quality treatment

    In a campaign to highlight the medical and personal care available to wounded servicemembers, Department of Defense officials have designated November as Warrior Care Month. "This is a great opportunity for the Air Force family to understand that our care for our wounded warriors and their families

  • Information center to ease transition to AF management

    Base residents seeking support services can receive assistance from an information center at the 332nd Expeditionary Mission Support Group here once a joint-service initiative, called Base Operating Support-Integration, takes effect Nov. 6.BOS-I is a changeover of base support functions that

  • Hurlburt Field maintainers receive DOD award

    Maintainers from Hurlburt Field, Fla., were named the winners of the Department of Defense Phoenix Award, the highest field-level maintenance award within DOD, Oct. 29 in Denver. Representatives from the 1st Special Operations Maintenance group were on hand at the award ceremony during the 2008 DOD

  • Petraeus assumes leadership of U.S. Central Command

    Army Gen. David H. Petraeus assumed leadership of the U.S. military command charged with helping to build peace in a tough and war-torn part of the world today. General Petraeus took the reins of CENTCOM from acting commander Army Lt. Gen. Martin Dempsey in a ceremony here. Defense Secretary Robert

  • Chilean, U.S. Air Forces share perimeter defense methods

    Force Protection Airmen and a Canadian officer participating in Operation Southern Partner demonstrated the Small Unmanned Aircraft System to the Chilean air force's anti-aircraft artillery regiment Oct 29. Operation Southern Partner is an all-new, in-depth subject matter exchange emphasizing

  • Air Force 'moving in right direction' on nuclear program, Gates says

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates pointed to broad initiatives within the Air Force he said are helping to return its nuclear mission to "the standards of excellence for which it was known throughout the entire Cold War." Speaking at the Carnegie Institute for International Peace Oct. 28, Secretary

  • Joint Base Balad Airmen remember fallen wingman

    A memorial service was held here Oct. 27 for a 332nd Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron NCO who was found dead in his housing unit Oct. 23 at Joint Base Balad.Airmen held a town hall meeting here that started with a roll call. A senior NCO with the 332nd EMXS called out names of Airmen in the phase

  • U.S. forces participate in Hong Kong exercise

    American, Hong Kong and Chinese forces joined together for the Search and Rescue Exercise 2008 in mid-October off the coast of Hong Kong.Search and rescue units from the Alaska Air National Guard's 210th and 212th Rescue Squadrons in Anchorage, Alaska, and the Coast Guard District 14 in Honolulu,

  • Center serves as hub for air mobility operations

    There is more to flying a mission than just hopping on the aircraft and cranking the engines. Air Mobility Command's 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center at Scott AFB is the nexus for the global air mission for the U.S. military. "We plan missions, resource the crews and the aircraft, task the

  • Airmen receive cavalry spurs for building new base

    For their efforts in building more than 25,000 square feet of housing and administrative offices for 1st Cavalry Division Soldiers of 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 29 Air Force Airmen received cavalry combat spurs, symbolic of cavalry service in a combat zone, from the

  • Commander discusses 'jewel in crown' of America's military

    The United States military is the best-manned, best-equipped and best-trained force in the world, but that doesn't mean a thing if it can't get to the fight, said the commander of U.S. Transportation Command. The 138,000 military and civilian men and women of the U.S. Transportation Command and its

  • Gen. Carlson stresses importance of information technology

    The commander of Air Force Materiel Command showcased the value of technological advances in supporting the warfighter through better integration and life-cycle planning Oct. 23 here. Gen. Bruce Carlson spoke to a crowd of several hundred people from the information technology and management

  • Guard, Reserve warfighters chart tactics course

    Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve officials prepared the roadmap for weapons and tactics needs for their near- and long-term during a conference Oct. 20 through 24 in Tucson.The annual Weapons and Tactic Conference began at the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., with opening remarks by Lt.

  • Nellis Airmen begin 'War on Waste'

    The "War on Waste", a new Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century initiative, began at Nellis AFB, following an Enterprise Value Stream Analysis held here Oct. 6 to 8. The Enterprise Value Stream Analysis, conducted by the 99th Air Base Wing Executive Council, aligned the wing commander's

  • Air Force officials to establish new nuclear major command

    The Air Force will stand up a new major command specifically to manage its nuclear assets, the service's top official announced Oct. 24. Air Force Secretary Michael B. Donley said the new command will fold into its ranks thousands of Airmen and all of the Air Force's domestic nuclear capabilities in

  • 'Today's Air Force' features Air Force secretary

    This edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights Michael Donley, the 22nd secretary of the Air Force.  Also featured is his visit to Southwest Asia where he discusses the mission and involvement in the war on terrorism. Another highlight is the training Airmen go through to prepare for every mission.

  • Mobility leaders focused on 'getting back to basics'

    About 80 air mobility leaders gathered for a three-day conference that focused on Air Mobility Command's priorities, roles and missions Oct. 22 through 24 here. The theme for this year's AMC Phoenix Rally was "Back to Basics: Executing Global Reach Fundamentals." Gen. Arthur J. Lichte, the AMC

  • F-35 completes air-start test at Edwards

    The prototype F-35 Joint Strike Fighter AA-1 completed an air-start test validating the aircraft's ability to shut down and restart its engine in flight Oct. 23 here. This ensures the aircraft, which is called the F-35 Lightning II for the Air Force, can regain power and fly safely in the event of

  • ACC team effort vital to nuclear evaluation mission

    A three-month process, planned a year in advance, involving hundreds of man-hours of detailed coordination with people at more than four Air Force bases funnels down to one aircraft, one missile, one sortie and the push of a button. The aircraft is a B-52 Stratofortress flown by an aircrew from the

  • Servicemembers help malnourished Afghan children

    Members of the Zabul Provincial Reconstruction Team medical staff used "strong food" to help hundreds of malnourished Afghan children back to health in October. The PRT members began a four-week regiment of their "strong food," known locally as Qavi Ghiza, to the Shajoy hospital two months

  • 2nd Air Force transformation driven by warfighter's needs

    Transformation is underway at 2nd Air Force here beginning with construction on a 2,000-square foot operations floor designed to support the new technical training operations center. The new center will serve as the operational command and control hub for technical training operations across 2nd Air

  • Arts festival gives wounded warriors therapeutic outlet

    Veterans of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan are among more than 120 disabled veterans from across the country attending the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival in October in Riverside, Calif. The week-long festival kicked off Oct. 20, bringing together medal winners in national creative

  • Chief of staff tours Bagram, addresses Airmen's questions

    The 19th Air Force chief of staff accompanied by the chief master sergeant of the Air Force made his first official trip to Bagram Airfield Oct. 21. Gen. Norton A. Schwartz toured the 455th Expeditionary Mission Support Group to learn more about the growing efforts to support the mission here, and

  • Agility, flexibility, teamwork: Key components of airpower

    Examine most successful business or sports teams, and you may find their foundation is based on flexibility, agility and teamwork. The success of airpower in Iraq and Afghanistan incorporates these three traits on a daily basis, through the interaction with coalition forces and U.S. sister services.

  • UAS volunteers sought for Air Force test program; deadline approaching

    Air Force officials are seeking up to 20 captains with four to six years of experience to volunteer for the unmanned aircraft systems beta test program. "This first run of the test-run program is open to captains who have no previous military pilot-training experience," said Col. Curt Sheldon,

  • Defense secretary honors two Air Force civilians

    Two Air Force civilians received Department of Defense Awards for their efforts in housing management and electrical engineering at a ceremony Oct. 21 in the Pentagon. Presenting the awards were Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates and Michael L. Rhodes, deputy director of administration and

  • E-9A crews survey gulf, track missiles

    Tyndall Air Force Base aircrews flying the twin-turbo-propped E-9A help ensure the Gulf of Mexico waters are clear of boats and aircraft for live-fire missile launches during Air Force exercises. The E-9A is used as an airborne surveillance/telemetry data relay aircraft and its aircrews evaluate the

  • Servicemembers provide dental training for Afghans

    Members of the Zabul Provincial Reconstruction Team united with U.S. Public Health Service officials to offer an emergency dental care certification course to Afghan dental professionals from the province in October. In Zabul, Afghanistan's poorest province, many people are forced to either provide

  • Gates vows continued commitment to wounded warrior care

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates assured participants in the first Wounded Warriors Family Summit here Oct. 20 he will "continue to press forward with a sense of urgency" to provide top-level care and support for wounded warriors in a way that lays groundwork for the next administration's leaders

  • AF officials, Ohio hospital to ready nurses for deployment

    University Hospital Cincinnati and the Air Force officials inaugurated a new program in October to provide newly graduated registered nurses the advanced clinical training and experience needed to become Air Force Nurse Corps officers and to prepare them for deployment. University Hospital is the

  • Group helps military families take flight

    While on patrol in northern Iraq last year, Army Spc. Kevin Hardin of Jupiter, Fla., was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade. He suffered injuries to his hands and arms. As a result, some of his fingers were amputated. Shrapnel penetrated his skull, leaving inoperable injuries. Twenty surgeries later,

  • Idaho Air Guard unit wins Hawgsmoke team award

    The Idaho Air National Guard's 190th Fighter Squadron was named the top team at Hawgsmoke 2008 in Salina, Kan., Oct. 17. An awards banquet capped off four days of competition among 14 A-10 Thunderbolt II squadrons from across the Air Force. The 190th, part of the 124th Wing, based at Boise

  • Defense Media Activity officially stands up

    The Defense Media Activity gives public affairs within the Defense Department a new structure to move forward as a consolidated and integrated team, Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England said during the organization's activation ceremony at the Pentagon Oct. 20. "This is where jointness really

  • Security forces employ tough, agile vehicle

    When the Airmen of the 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Group took sole responsibility for base defense here in October, they did so with one of the Defense Department's newest armored vehicles. The Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle, or MRAP, already is used by Air Force security forces,

  • 'Today's Air Force' features Airmen training Iraqi's military

    This edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights a challenging assignment of mentoring another country's airmen. See how American Airmen train Iraqi air force pilots to fly, fight and win. Also featured is a new combat vehicle: the high mobility engineer excavator. These new vehicles are built strong,

  • National Veterans Creative Arts Festival begins

    More than 120 veterans from across the country who are medal winners in national creative writing, music, dance, drama or visual arts competitions are preparing to attend the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival in Riverside, Calif., from Oct. 20 to 26. "Creative expression is an important

  • Officials outline challenges, needs at logistics conference

    About 1,200 logisticians gathered at the National Logistics Officer Association Conference Oct. 13 through 16 to learn Air Force priorities, urgent warfighter needs and sustainment initiatives that will affect their profession. Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition Sue Payton and Gen.

  • New first-aid products could save lives, officials say

    Two new first-aid products being sent into the combat theater could save more servicemembers' lives, medical officials said at a Pentagon news conference Oct. 15. Test results from the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command's Institute of Surgical Research, or ISR, showed Combat Gauze field

  • Historic homecoming for Tuskegee Airmen as site opens

    Hundreds of aviators, mechanics and support personnel who once worked at the Tuskegee Army Airfield and Moton Field, Ala., during the 1930s and '40s gathered here once again Oct. 10 when the National Park Service memorialized the efforts of the first black pilots, the famed Tuskegee Airmen, in the

  • Air Force secretary wraps up first visit to the AOR

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley visited with Airmen throughout the Air Forces Central Command area of operations Oct. 9 to 15 during his first trip to the combat zone since being confirmed Oct. 2 as the 22nd secretary of the Air Force. Secretary Donley visited with thousands of Airmen

  • EC-130 squadron surpasses 10,000 combat hours

    Members of the 41st Expeditionary Electronic Combat Squadron here surpassed 10,000 combat hours in the EC-130H Compass Call while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in September. The 41st EECS, deployed from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., flies the EC-130H. The Compass Call's primary

  • Secretary visits Airmen in Southwest Asia

    The secretary of the Air Force met and spoke to 450 Airmen during an Oct. 11 visit to an air base in Southwest Asia. Secretary Michael B. Donley toured the base and the U.S. Air Forces Central Combined Air and Space Operations Center, and told Airmen that the Air Force is very involved in the war on

  • 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

  • Band to team with music legends for TV special

    Air Force Band members from here will be in the national spotlight in a Veterans Day extravaganza when the symphony orchestra and Singing Sergeants join celebrities and recording artists Nov. 10 on public television.Band members collaborate with two-time Grammy winner Patti LaBelle, country western

  • Pilot missing in action from the Vietnam War is identified

    The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced Oct. 8 that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, missing in action from the Vietnam War, have been identified and will be returned to his family for burial with full military honors. He is Capt. Lorenza Conner, U.S. Air Force, from

  • Hawgsmoke to continue despite A-10 inspections

    "Hawgsmoke 2008," an A-10 Thunderbolt II bombing and gunnery competition scheduled Oct. 15 to 18 in Salina, Kan., will continue despite an Air Force directive to sideline some of the aircraft. Air Force officials issued a time-compliance technical order Oct. 3, requiring immediate inspection and

  • Former POWs now eligible for posthumous Purple Hearts

    A policy change to expand eligibility for the Purple Heart award to prisoners of war who died in captivity represents the right decision that recognizes their sacrifice, a senior defense official said. Pentagon officials announced the new policy Oct. 6 that will extend criteria for receiving Purple

  • Training instructors build tactical course for Iraqi airmen

    Military training instructors saw an unmet need in the Iraqi air force basic military training program and found a way to fill the need. For Staff Sgt. Matthew Coltrin and Tech. Sgt. Chris Ramsdell, MTIs deployed from the 322nd Training Squadron, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, no BMT course is

  • Air Force training facility underway at NAS Pensacola

    Officials at the Naval Facilities Engineering Command-Southeast, in partnership with representatives from Air Education and Training Command and a construction conglomerate known as NTF, L.L.C., broke ground Oct. 2 for a new training instruction facility at Naval Air Station Pensacola.NAVFAC

  • Threat Reduction Agency marks 10 years of operations

    It is an agency that seems tailor-made to combat the threats the United States faces today: nuclear proliferation, chemical weapons and the possibility of genetically modified diseases. But the Defense Threat Reduction Agency was formed when Americans still thought there was such a thing as a "peace

  • Officer volunteers sought to operate unmanned aircraft

    Air Force officers are being sought as volunteers to operate unmanned aircraft systems. Applications are due to the Air Force Personnel Center no later than Nov. 3. The first ten officers selected will start UAS operator training in January 2009, and another ten will begin training in April 2009.

  • Cannon Airmen train for special operations forces resupply

    What seems like routine training for 27th Special Operations Wing C-130W Hercules aircrews, loadmasters and logistics Airmen here in reality prepares them to execute missions downrange. "Special operations forces that are deployed rely on this type of air drop very much," said Staff Sgt. Jerimy

  • ACC maintainers expedite A-10 inspection actions

    Air Combat Command maintenance Airmen will begin an immediate inspection of all A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft with thin-skinned wings for cracking following a Time Compliance Technical Order issued to ACC A-10 units on Oct. 3. ACC officials are working closely with those in Air Force Materiel

  • Special Ops weathermen get new specialty code

    Air Force special operations weathermen now have a new specialty code they can call their own. Recruiters can enlist trainees directly into the 1W0X2 special operations weathermen career field since the new Air Force specialty code is now in the enlisted classification directory. Before this new

  • HH-60Gs integrate with Army AH-64s for war missions

    Airmen and Soldiers here took integration one step further with rotary wing aviation operations in Afghanistan. While the Army AH-64 Apaches and Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawks have flown medical evacuation missions together for some time now in Afghanistan, on Sept. 25 they flew their first joint combat

  • Inspections ordered for A-10 Thunderbolt IIs

    Air Force officials have issued a time compliance technical order requiring immediate inspection and repair of wing cracks for a portion of the A-10 Thunderbolt II fleet. This action impacts approximately 130 A-10 aircraft with thin-skin wings installed during original manufacture and is being taken

  • Senate confirms Gen. Fraser as next vice chief of staff

    General William M. Fraser III, a command pilot, will be the Air Force's next vice chief of staff, based on a Senate confirmation vote, which occurred Oct. 2. Now the president must offer the official appointment to the general before he can assume his new position. General Fraser, who now serves as

  • Air Force medics support trauma mission for warriors

    A recent influx of trauma cases at Wilford Hall Medical Center here sheds light on the importance of the hospital's civilian trauma mission with the city of San Antonio, and the high caliber of training it provides for military doctors and medics here. During the month of September, Air Force

  • U.S. Northern Command gains dedicated response force

    For the first time in its existence, U.S. Northern Command is gaining a dedicated force to respond to potential chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and high-yield explosive (CBRNE) incidents in the homeland. "We are now building the first of three CBRNE Consequence Management Response

  • Defense contributions help NASA's 50-year legacy

    As the men and women of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration celebrate its 50th anniversary this week, Defense Department personnel also can take a bow for the key role they have played in lending technology and expertise to NASA's space exploration and research mission.NASA began

  • MH-53s fly final combat missions

    Aircrews flew the remaining six MH-53 Pave Low helicopters on their last combat missions in support of special operations forces Sept. 27 in Southwest Asia. The last mission, a SOF logistical resupply and passenger movement throughout central and southern Iraq, marks their last combat mission before

  • Registry tracks effects of embedded metal fragments

    A Defense Department registry is helping officials gather data to be sure the long-accepted practice of leaving embedded metal fragments in wounded warriors' bodies as long as vital organs aren't threatened is valid. Officials at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology created the Embedded Metal

  • Kadena Airmen aid injured mariners

    Kadena Air Base Airmen provided medical assistance to two injured mariners aboard a Panamanian freighter Sept. 27 750 nautical miles north of the island of Saipan in the Pacific Ocean. Pararescuemen and members of the 320th Special Tactics Squadron left around 2:30 p.m. aboard an MC-130 flown by the

  • Minot officer under investigation for taking classified device

    An officer was charged with the theft of a classified item, and an Article 32 investigation hearing began Sept. 30 at Minot Air Force Base, N.D. Capt. Paul A. Borowiecki, a missile combat crewmember with the 91st Missile Wing at Minot AFB, is accused of stealing a classified missile launch control

  • South Dakota veterans may be eligible for bonuses

    The state of South Dakota is paying a veterans' bonus of up to $500 to certain servicemembers based on monthly service during qualifying dates. Bonuses are available to servicemembers who: -- were legal residents of the state for at least six months immediately preceding entry into the armed forces.

  • 'Today's Air Force' features war-zone support

    This edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights what Air Force men and women are doing to support the war on terrorism in Southwest Asia. See how three hospitals, each run by representatives of a different country, come together to provide the utmost medical training to Afghan medical students. Also

  • Little Rock Air Force Base shifting focus

    Officials from the 19th Airlift Wing will accept operational control of Little Rock Air Force Base Oct. 1 from 314th AW officials to become the base's host wing here. The 19th AW is an Air Mobility Command wing and the 314th AW is an Air Education and Training Command wing.   With an AMC wing taking

  • Airmen train at Fort Bragg for 'outside the wire' deployment

    More than 175 Airmen from 55 different bases around the world are training here with an "outside the wire" mindset as they prepare for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan.The Airmen will be part of Provincial Reconstruction Teams on 270-day deployments to help rebuild the infrastructure and

  • Servicemembers prepare for Afghan deployments

    Airmen, Sailors and Soldiers formed 12 Provincial Reconstruction Teams and are receiving training here as part of a 270-day rotation to Afghanistan in an effort to help rebuild the infrastructure and legitimize the Afghan government. Each PRT, consisting of a main body of Airmen or Sailors and an

  • Airman immerses into language for deployment

    An Airman deploying soon to Afghanistan as part of a Provincial Reconstruction Team will be able to use a hobby of his to help make his deployment easier for himself and his team. Senior Airman George Williams joined the Air Force almost four years ago in hopes of being a linguist specializing in

  • New organization changes how to get info, entertainment

    The Oct. 1 establishment of the Defense Media Activity will change the way Defense Department members get news, entertainment and information to servicemembers and their families. Servicemembers will not immediately notice a change: the Armed Forces Network will still broadcast football games and

  • New battle gear improves capabilities for combat Airmen

    Battlefield Airmen will soon receive a new equipment item that will improve their ability to execute their combat duties. The new airman battle system-ground is a tactical ensemble, or equipment item, for Airmen who perform their mission outside the wire in close coordination with ground forces. "It

  • Civilian leaders learn strength of U.S. airpower in Europe

    Civilian business and community leaders got firsthand and sometimes hands-on exposure Sept. 23 to U.S. Air Forces in Europe's multiple missions of supporting warfighters, building partnerships and strengthening its historic NATO ties. U.S. Air Forces, Europe, or USAFE, is as critical to U.S.

  • New Weather Agency facility sets gold standard

    The Air Force Weather Agency headquarters facility here recently became the first facility in the Air Force to earn a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design gold rating by the U.S. Green Building Council. The Lt. Gen. Thomas S. Moorman facility earned its gold rating in the Version 2.1 LEED

  • Brothers meet at 20,000 feet

    Family reunions are always special, but for two brothers stationed at different bases in Southwest Asia their meeting at 20,000 feet over a combat zone is even more memorable. During the encounter Sept. 10, Capt. Jason Moraes, a KC-10 Extender pilot for the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, refueled his

  • Air Force officials announce team excellence awards

    Air Force officials here recently announced the five teams selected for the 2008 Chief of Staff Team Excellence Awards. The awards recognize teams that used a systematic approach to enhance mission capability, improve operational performance, and create sustained results. Improvements made by the

  • Joint unmanned aircraft system mission crosses Atlantic

    An Air Combat Command RQ-4A Global Hawk unmanned aircraft system from the 9th Reconnaissance Wing at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., made a trans-Atlantic flight Sept. 20 with the assistance of Navy officials. The 19-hour flight from Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Md., to Southwest Asia had Air

  • Special Operations Command earns multiple AFA awards

    Air Force Special Operations Command officials here took home four awards during the Air Force Association's annual Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition held from Sept. 15 to 17 in Washington, D.C. Each year, AFA officials honor the outstanding achievements of men and women throughout

  • STRATCOM leader charts nuclear path for American military

    The U.S. Strategic Command commander here recently laid out his vision for the future of America's strategic deterrence mission and the importance of nuclear stewardship. Gen. Kevin P. Chilton also outlined the necessary measures to correct the accountability and day-to-day management issues with

  • 'Perspective' goes outside the wire

    In his latest "Enlisted Perspective," the Air Force's top enlisted Airman discusses how Airmen in conventional and uncoventional taskings all contribute to the fight against terrorism. "Our Airmen are warriors. We come from a proud heritage of warriors, and today we continue our combat tradition by

  • Airmen honor America's fallen

    Crouched in the shade of an elm tree between the Washington Monument and World War II Memorial here, a major used portable communications equipment Sept. 20 to direct three F-15 Eagle pilots to fly over a national tribute to honor America's fallen and their families. "It was inspirational and

  • Reserve C-130s begin aerial spraying in Louisiana

    An Air Force Reserve C-130 Hercules aircraft and 10 reservists from the 910th Airlift Wing are scheduled to begin aerial spray missions in Louisiana from here Sept 22. Barksdale AFB was chosen as the base of operations for the aircrews and maintenance personnel because of its proximity to the spray