Combat metals

Disabilities don't stop marathoners

A paralyzing injury from a motorcycle crash at age 20 took away Andy Houghton's ability to use his legs, but he still finished his first marathon Sept. 20. Mr. Houghton from Hollywood, Fla., completed the 26.2 mile 12th annual Air Force Marathon piloting a sleek handcycle equipped with a derailleur

Officials fight binge drinking through 'That Guy' campaign

Now in its third year, a campaign managed by officials with the Military Health Systems and the Tricare military health plan continues the effort of Defense Department leaders to reduce excessive and binge drinking among 18 to 24 year olds serving in the armed forces. The "That Guy" campaign has two

Tinker officials adapt sniper pod for B-1Bs

The B-1B Lancer maintainers here adapted a video targeting pod normally employed on F-15 Eagles and F-16 Fighting Falcons to B-1Bs in response to an urgent request from U.S. Air Forces Central officials. The sniper pod enables aircrews to positively identify and engage enemy targets, significantly

Leaders pledge support to bring missing servicemembers home

On a small parade field at the steps of the Pentagon and across the river from the skyline of the nation's capital, top military and political leaders today pledged to continue looking for missing servicemembers no matter the cost. "Over the past 230-plus years, a promise has been made to the men

Policy changes benefit Airmen deploying for 365 days

Effective Oct. 1, Air Force officials here will implement policy changes to improve sourcing efficiency of 365-day deployments and ensure Airmen receive adequate notification prior to deployment. The new policy sets the deployment "accept or decline" option at three calendar days, streamlines the

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

Chiefs discuss issues at AFA symposium

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley and five command chief master sergeants from the major commands answered a variety questions during a Command Chief Master Sergeant Forum Sept. 16 at the 24th Annual Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition. A few of the topics covered

Servicemembers to follow long absentee voting tradition

A pen-and-ink drawing in the Oct. 29, 1864, issue of Harper's Weekly portrayed a long line of Pennsylvania Soldiers outside their A-framed tents, each awaiting his turn to vote in the 1864 presidential election. Artist William Waud's rendering captured the high interest in the high-stakes election

Louisiana Guard clears devastation in Cameron Parish

A military response team arrived here Sept. 15 to begin cleanup operations in the wake of Hurricane Ike. Members of the Louisiana Army National Guard's 528th Engineer Battalion, 921st Engineer Company, from Windsboro, La., arrived in Cameron Parish to begin the task of returning the area to a

Willow Grove unit completes last A-10 deployment

The Pennsylvania Air National Guard unit stationed at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove, Pa., will be transitioning to a joint interagency installation as a result of the Department of Defense's 2005 Base Realignment and Closure recommendations. With the new mission coming onboard,

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,

AF's top pastor discusses role of 'combat' chaplains

The Air Force's top chaplain said military chaplains are working hard in deployed environments to help ensure servicemembers have their constitutional right to worship God in their own way. Maj. Gen. Cecil Richardson, Air Force chief of chaplains, addressed attendees of the 2008 Air Force

Aerial spray team deploys to Louisiana

Ten reservists and an Air Force Reserve C-130 Hercules from here flew to Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Sept. 17 to begin aerial spray missions throughout that state in the wake of Hurricane Ike. Another three specially equipped C-130s will deploy to Barksdale AFB Sept. 18. The base in Shreveport,

ACC runners seek 'niki' at Air Force marathon

Your heart feels like it's beating in your throat. Your shirt is soaked, and as you come around that last turn on the track, you feel great as you conquer your annual 1.5 mile fit test run. Now picture doing that 17 more times. On Sept. 20, several members of Air Combat Command will be doing just

Guard unit makes final preparations for Predator flights

Members of the 163rd Reconnaissance Wing here are now ready to begin training the Airmen on the MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft system. March Air Reserve Base officials expect to fly its first "live" training sortie in January from the former George Air Force Base, now known as Southern California

Former Joint Chiefs chairman remembers 9/11

Sept. 11 was a day of remembrance across the country as Americans reflected on the events that occurred that day in 2001. Gen. Richard B. Myers, the now-retired chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, traveled to Maxwell to speak at the Air Force Wargaming Institute. While here he shared his unique

Reserve rescue team pulls 17 from floodwaters

Air Force reservists assigned to the 331st Air Expeditionary Group, a inter-agency search and rescue unit based at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, rescued 17 people from Hurricane Ike flood waters Sept. 13 in a small Texas town.The reservists, deployed from the 920th Rescue Wing at Patrick Air Force

Air Force develops plan for filling unmanned aircraft system positions

Air Force leaders are taking a two-pronged approach to address the increasing need for pilots of unmanned aircraft systems in Afghanistan and Iraq, an Air Force official said recently. The first approach will use a small percentage of undergraduate pilot training graduates for the short term. The

General Schwartz kicks off AFA convention

The Air Force Association's 24th Annual Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition got underway here Sept. 15. In remarks to open the conference, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton A. Schwartz said service leaders will work to regain America's trust by improving its performance, citing work

Phoenix Raven training highlights capabilities of security forces Airmen

For Staff Sgt. Ian Martin, the figure 1709 is more than just a number, it's the beginning of a new life.The number means the staff sergeant, who is from the 121st Security Forces Squadron at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Ohio, is the 1,709th person to become a Raven. Air Force security

Ex-fighter pilot-led team trains flyers on data link network

A team of former fighter pilots and other experts are making sure F-15 and F-16 squadrons are fully prepared to use a sophisticated communication network critical to operational success across the globe. No U.S. fighter squadron can deploy to Iraq or Afghanistan without the critical data link

Helicopter aircrews rescue hurricane victims

Airmen from the 129th Rescue Wing took off from Kelly Field in San Antonio Sept. 13 and helped rescue stranded victims of Hurricane Ike near Galveston, Texas. California Air National Guard members of the 129th RQW here are deployed to San Antonio to conduct search and rescue support operations

Navy, Air Force, Army, Coast Guard join forces for Ike rescues

Navy helicopter rescue crews positioned here participated in a joint search and rescue effort Sept. 13 flying missions in response to Hurricane Ike's Sept. 12 landfall on the Gulf Coast. The Navy teams flew multiple sweeps over hard-hit areas of Louisiana and Texas looking for signs of people in

JTF-129 Airmen rescue civilians stranded in Galveston

California Air National Guardsmen from the 129th Rescue Wing here deployed to Kelly Field in San Antonio for Hurricane Ike search and rescue support operations rescued eight people Sept. 12 in Galveston, Texas. A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter on search and rescue patrol spotted unevacuated civilians

Summer research program benefits Academy cadets

When officials at the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center here and the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., launched a new and powerful mentoring program in March, it energized the center's involvement in the Academy's Cadet Summer Research Program. Six months later, seven

23rd Wing deploys rescue forces for Hurricane Ike response

As Hurricane Ike approached the Texas coast, the 23rd Wing began moving units on Sept. 11 to pre-stage for rapid rescue relief operations. The 23rd Wing is the only active-duty combat search and rescue wing in the Air Force. Units from the wing's two rescue groups, the 347th Rescue Group here and

Special tactics unit arrives in Houston to aid Ike relief

Members of the Oregon Air National Guard's 125th Special Tactics Squadron arrived at the Reliant Center in Houston Sept. 12 to assist with Hurricane Ike relief efforts. The team's primary focus is to provide command and control where needed and work with other federal agencies to establish

Guard members in states of Ike's path ready, willing, able

National Guard members in Texas and four other states are preparing for the worst as Hurricane Ike looms just off the Gulf Coast Sept. 12. Guard members in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas and Missouri have anticipated the problems associated with heavy rain and winds and will be ready to respond, said

Patrick Airmen ready to help Hurricane Ike victims

Airmen of the 920th Rescue Wing here flew two HH-60G Pave Hawks from Patrick Air Force Base to Gulfport, Miss., to preposition search and rescue aircraft to aid victims of Hurricane Ike Sept. 12. Airmen flew the two helicopters and two HC-130P/N Hercules long-range refueling aircraft will fly to

Hurlburt Airmen assist with freighter rescue

Airmen of the 1st Special Operations Wing here launched two CV-22 Ospreys, an MC-130P Combat Shadow and an MH-53 Pave Low helicopter Sept. 12 to prepare for a possible rescue of 22 people aboard the Cyprus-flagged freighter Antalina adrift in the Gulf of Mexico south of Louisiana caught in Hurricane

California Air National Guard assists Texas for Hurricane Ike

California Air National Guardsmen from the 129th Rescue Wing here, already deployed to Ellington Field in Houston for Hurricane Ike search and rescue support operations, relocated Sept. 11 to Kelly Field in San Antonio because of Hurricane Ike's projected path. Assigned to Joint Task Force 129, the

AMC aircraft, Airmen supporting Hurricane Ike evacuations

Mobility Airmen and their aircraft are again in full support of hurricane evacuation operations as Hurricane Ike approaches the Gulf Coast. This effort to support evacuation of patients and members of the general population comes on the heels of Air Mobility Command's support to Hurricane Gustav

Skills summit aims to streamline training for Airmen

The evolving war on terrorism has made Col. Jenny Pickett's personal mission of "keeping Airmen alive" more challenging these days. The commandant of the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Operations School, which trains Airmen for deployment, says inconsistencies in where and how troops gain war-fighting

Air Force officials release B-1B accident report

A brake-metering-valve failure caused a B-1B Lancer to collide with two aircraft rescue firefighting vehicles March 7 in Guam, according to an Air Combat Command accident investigation board released here Sept. 2. The board determined the aircraft began to roll forward after engine shutdown at

Operational "Integrity" - lessons from the AFSO 21 Frontlines

The U.S. Air Force faces intense operational demands and resource challenges that sit at the heart of the role that Air Force Smart Operations, or AFSO, plays in improving mission performance. We all understand the need to strengthen fighting capability, recapitalize, increase financial efficiency

Charleston Airmen welcome home warriors

More than 125 Airmen from the 14th Airlift Squadron returned to Charleston Air Force Base Sept. 3 after completing more than a 120-day deployment to Southwest Asia in support of operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. The 14th AS Airmen deployed as the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron to

General McNabb assumes command of USTRANSCOM

Gen. Duncan J. McNabb assumed command of U.S. Transportation Command here in a ceremony Sept. 5. Secretary of Defense Dr. Robert M. Gates presided at the ceremony in which General McNabb became the ninth USTRANSCOM commander. Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was the first

Labor Day weekend fatalities bring summer total to 115

Five servicemembers died in off-duty accidents during the Labor Day weekend, bringing to 115 the number killed this year during the "101 Critical Days of Summer." Labor Day marked the official end to the 101 Critical Days of Summer, the period between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day that

E-9 accident report released

Pilot error caused the May 1 crash of an E-9 Widget at the Tallahassee Regional Airport in Tallahassee, Fla., according to an Air Combat Command accident investigation board report released today. The aircraft's landing gear was not lowered for a touch-and-go maneuver during the routine training

Airmen, Soldiers train for provincial reconstruction team

Servicemembers from the Army and Air Force have come here to train and become the next Zabul Province Reconstruction Team in Afghanistan. Nearly 100 servicemembers representing the Air Force, Army, Army Reserves and Army National Guard, will combine with USAID, Department of State and the Department

Tinker officials set to host bomber summit

Catering to approximately 40 bomber fleet representatives, a bomber summit will be held here Sept. 11 and 12.  Topics will include the health of the aircraft, sustainability, capability upgrades and modernization efforts. Additionally, Air Combat Command officials will present a bomber roadmap

Tinker unit earns Shingo Prize

The B-1B Programmed Depot Maintenance team here is the recipient of the Shingo Bronze Medallion in the public sector category. The Shingo Prize is often referred to as the "Nobel Prize of manufacturing."It was established in 1988, and promotes Lean manufacturing concept awareness and recognizes

Intelligence wing supports Gustav efforts

Even though Hurricane Gustav made landfall hundreds of miles away, Airmen from the 480th Intelligence Wing here are playing a critical support role. The same intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets that are used to support contingency operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, also play a

EPLOs move into place to support Gustav

As Hurricane Gustav approached the Gulf Coast, Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officers from all over the nation were brought in to help. EPLOs from as far away as Alaska moved into place in Louisiana, Texas and Alabama to coordinate military assets to support civil authorities. Lt. Col. Kelly

Reserve teams answer calls for help

More than 300 Gulf Coast patients were able to breathe a sigh of relief Sep. 1 thanks to Air Force Reserve aeromedical crews as Hurricane Gustav slammed into Terrebonne Bay, La., just west of New Orleans, at about 10:30 EST. Because more than 50 air evacuation flights had carried them to safety, the

EPLOs ready for emergency response role

Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officers nationwide stand ready to respond to national emergencies and events when requested. Air Force Reserve EPLOs are stationed in every state to coordinate military assets to support civil authorities in the event of a natural or man-made disaster or a national

'Today's Air Force' features global vigilance, reach, power

This edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights how the Air Force safeguards America by providing global vigilance, global reach and global power in the war on terrorism.Also highlighted is an essential type of training: Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape, or SERE training.  See how this

Moody Airmen prepare to provide Hurricane Gustav rescue support

During the Labor Day weekend, Airmen from the 23rd Wing have been keeping their eye on Hurricane Gustav, and an ear to the phone. "We've been alerted by the United States Northern Command to prepare for operations as part of the national response framework for Hurricane Gustav," said Col. Kenneth E.

McChord aircrew deploys for hurricane response efforts

Airmen here put the words "Any time, any place" into action in the early hours Aug. 30 as a C-17 Globemaster III headed to Travis Air Force Base, Calif., for Hurricane Gustav preparation efforts. Without knowing what or who they were picking up, Airmen from the 10th Airlift Squadron headed to

Air Force Materiel Command receives acquisition authority

Air Force Materiel Command officials here recently signed an acquisition authority agreement with Air Force acquisitions officials and now are authorized to pursue services acquisitions valued at up to $500 million. Under the agreement reached in August, AFMC received "Probationary Silver Delegation

Air Guard officials discuss top concerns at leadership summit

Safety, culture and the Air National Guard's future were among topics adjutants general, wing commanders, command chief master sergeants and others from around the nation discussed at a recent conference in Wisconsin. More than 500 Air National Guard senior leaders and safety experts met at the Volk

F-15 accident report released

Pilot error caused the Feb. 20 crash of two Eglin-based F-15C Eagles off the coast of Florida, according to an Air Combat Command accident investigation board report released Aug. 28. One pilot , 1st Lt. Ali Jivanjee, was killed in the mishap. The other pilot, Capt. Tucker Hamilton, ejected from his

Charleston Airmen deploy to support war on terrorism

More than 130 Charleston Air Force Base Airmen deployed from here Aug. 27 to a forward-deployed location in Southwest Asia to support operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Members of the 15th Airlift Squadron, 437th Operations Support Squadron and 437th Maintenance Group will fly and manage

Senior leaders meet to discuss, decide way ahead for force

Senior Air Force leaders gathered for a strategic summit Aug. 27 at Bolling Air Force Base to discuss the way ahead for the Air Force as a part of the August emphasis on strategic planning. "The summit allows us to identify issues that need senior leader review and decide on matters affecting the

Airmen employ laser joint direct attack munition in Iraq

Airmen employed a guided bomb unit-54 laser joint directed attack munition Aug. 12 against a moving enemy vehicle in the Diyala province to support a combined Iraqi army and U.S. Marine operation. The GBU-54 is the Air Force's newest 500-pound precision weapon, equipped with a special targeting

Airmen enhance Army medical evacuation mission

Airmen of the 305th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron here have flown more than 300 medical evacuations for coalition forces and Afghan nationals since March as they carry out their mission of saving lives.Members of the 305th ERQS and their HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters are deployed to Kandahar Air Base

Ramstein members deliver aid to Georgia

Ramstein Air Base C-130 Hercules aircrews continue to fly to Tbilisi International Airport in Georgia to deliver crucial humanitarian supplies Aug. 26. Department of Defense officials were asked to support the mission with a joint U.S. military operation that launched with the delivery of pallets of

Reservists oversee Dover C-5 modernization program

Bought a C-5 lately? Chief Master Sgt. Donald Cunningham has. He technically hasn't purchased anything but "buying" C-5s is part of the 512th Acceptance Check Flight superintendant's job. It's the term the 512th ACF uses for the C-5 Galaxys they've inspected and accepted back into the Air Force

AFPC expertise raises manning for 31 critical skills career fields

Thirty-one critical skills career fields received a boost in manning recently when 1,888 volunteers were accepted for retraining. This number included 315 exception-to-policy Airmen who were contacted for the first time and approved by personnel experts at the Air Force Personnel Center here.

Iraq, Afghanistan airdrops reach all-time high

Resupplying U.S. and coalition forces on the ground is a critical logistical component of combat operations. Seven months into 2008, the Air Force has already supplied forces in Iraq and Afghanistan with more than 8.5 million pounds of goods. This surpasses the 2007 total and reaches an all-time

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

Airmen receive Sijan leadership award

The Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Duncan J. McNabb presented the Lance P. Sijan Air Force Leadership Award to four Airmen during a ceremony Aug. 20 at the Pentagon. The award, named after the first U.S. Air Force Academy graduate to receive the Medal of Honor, recognizes Airmen who

Reaper drops bomb on anti-Iraqi forces

An MQ-9 Reaper dropped a 500-pound bomb against an anti-Iraqi target Aug. 16 in one of the first weapons engagements for the unmanned aircraft system.The Reaper began flying combat sorties in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom July 18 and joined the MQ-1 Predator as another UAS patrolling the sky to

PRT proving ingenuity is all it takes to make a difference

In a country where the reality is that parents will have to bury one of their children before the age of 5, members of a coalition provincial reconstruction team at Zabul, Afghanistan, are working to reverse this staggering trend. After two Air Force medical professionals spent some time on the

Formal training sustains AF readiness, aids Airmen

Formal training managers at the Air Force Personnel Center here are committed to ensuring Airmen are provided adequate time to prepare for their formal training classes, and that every Airman who needs to attend has the opportunity. Empty seats due to 'no shows' have an impact on the entire Air

Zabul team combats malnutrition, unsafe water

Predator passes 400,000 flight hours

The MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft system surpassed 400,000 flight hours during a mission in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Aug. 18. Members of the 15th Reconnaissance Squadron, part of the 432nd Air Expeditionary Wing at Creech Air Force Base, Nev., flew the milestone mission in

Acting secretary addresses VFW

Acting Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley spoke before an audience of Veterans of Foreign Wars members Aug. 18 at their national convention here. He gave a snapshot of today's Air Force and its contributions to the war on terrorism. "Our veterans have answered their country's call to duty,

Air Guard Predator pilots increase combat air patrols

Although they are some of the busiest pilots in the U.S. military, Air National Guard pilots who are now flying unmanned aircraft from the ground said they still climb into the cockpit and get some flight time whenever they can. Lt. Col. Rick Gibney, operations group commander and MQ-1 Predator

Future Predator/Reaper formal training unit announced

Gen. John D.W. Corley, Air Combat Command commander, with concurrence from the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, announced today that Holloman AFB, N.M., is the preferred potential location for an additional unmanned aircraft system formal Training unit. This is the first step in a series of actions

Iraqi soldiers taught 'strength through truth' in PA course

Iraqi Special Operations Forces have learned the value of "strength through truth" through a public affairs and photojournalism course conducted in Baghdad, Iraq, recently. Ten ISOF soldiers who graduated the 15-day course can now effectively combat anti-Iraqi forces' misinformation campaigns. As

Offutt Airmen hold airshow for special needs families

Airmen here pulled out all the stops to make several hundred people smile a little more during the Aug. 15 Air Force Week in the Heartland Special Needs Airshow. Offutt Air Force Base Airmen brought community members who would have difficulties attending the official airshow schedule because of

Operation Air Force puts cadets in the air over Europe

The airlift mission prepping to depart here was nothing out-of-the-ordinary for the seasoned C-130 Hercules crew of six. It was another weekly training sortie putting cargo in a drop zone 150 miles away. For two U.S. Air Force Academy cadets invited to fly with the 37th Airlift Squadron as part of

AF Marathon offers more than 26.2 mile race

People can become a part of history by registering for the 12th annual United States Air Force Marathon. The event will take place Sept. 20 at here at Wright-Patterson AFB, near Dayton, Ohio. Races include the full marathon, including wheeled division; a half-marathon; and individual and four-member

NATO forces a step closer to obtaining C-17s

Three C-17 Globemaster IIIs are only three signatures away from finding a new home at Papa Air Base, Hungary. After years of planning, NATO members and partners are only a few signatures away from gaining access to the C-17s to share for their national requirements, to include NATO missions in

Air Force surgeon general returns to Heartland

The surgeon general of the Air Force and native Nebraskan returned to his home state during Air Force Week in the Heartland Aug. 13 in Omaha. Lt. Gen. (Dr.) James G. Roudebush, originally from Gering, Neb., retraced his roots and visited the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Medicine

WWII ammunition finds new life in war on terrorism

A team of Air Force weapons specialist turned to ammunition first introduced into service in 1942 to provide lower cost training ammo for the AC-130 Gunship's 40mm cannon. Gunship training with the 40mm Bofors cannon normally calls for high explosive incendiary ammunition produced in the 1970s and

General Schwartz to Airmen: Be proud

On his first day after being sworn in as the Air Force chief of staff, Gen. Norton Schwartz wasted no time in getting his message out to Airmen. "The key thing we need to do is achieve stability," General Schwartz said. "At the same time, we need to focus on those things that are most important,

General Schwartz in as 19th chief of staff

The Air Force's 19th chief of staff spoke of mending fences and earning trust in his speech after taking charge of the service during a ceremony here Aug. 12. "Without trust, we are nothing," Gen. Norton A. Schwartz said to the crowd of about 600 people on the base's ceremonial lawn. "Trust must be

Coalition exchange tours enhance vital partnership

Coalition air forces have proved instrumental in the continued success of airlift missions for Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. This was exemplified in July as the 386th Expeditionary Maintenance Group conducted C-130 Hercules aircraft exchange tours with the Japanese Air Self Defense Force's

Medical, temporary retirees now eligible for CRSC payments

Former Airmen receiving military retired pay who served less than 20 years may now be eligible to receive Air Force Combat-Related Special Compensation. CRSC is part of a legislative initiative designed to restore a veteran's military retirement pay that has been reduced by Veterans' Affairs

Sniper ATP-equipped B-1B has combat first

A Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod-equipped B-1B Lancer had its first weapon employment in combat here Aug. 4 successfully targeting enemy forces on the ground and dropping one guided bomb unit-38 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The Sniper ATP, a long-range precision targeting system,

Airman joins Soldiers in real-life 'CSI: Iraq'

The fight to bring security to the people of Iraq requires all branches of the military to work together, bringing Airmen and Soldiers side by side. Senior Airman Kathleen Gasque is one of many Airmen who fight alongside other servicemembers for the freedom of both the United States and Iraq. As a

$1 headset fix improves Predator mission

MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial system pilots here can now talk over a secure Internet phone line using their headsets thanks to one Airman's ingenuity and one dollar. Staff Sgt. Ray Stetler, the NCO in charge of base information and infrastructure for the 407th Expeditionary Communications Squadron

Raptor crews practice drive-through refueling

Now that the F-22 Raptor arrival ceremonies are over and the anticipation of the arrival has subsided, Airmen here are on an aggressive training schedule to prepare them for combat operations. As part of that training, members of the 49th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and 49th Logistics Readiness

PMEL Airmen deliver precision to warfighters

The door opens into a dimly-lit labyrinth of technology. The bright light from outside sears through, revealing the truth behind the Air Force's precision of wartime capabilities. Though they work from the shadows of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing mission, the 379th Expeditionary Maintenance

Weather Agency provides edge to warfighters

Today's warfighters are constantly looking for any combat advantage that they can gain on their enemies. One factor that can be the difference between a failed mission and a successful one is the weather. Bad weather can disable a Global Positioning System unit or cause low visibility for an

New training structure benefits Iraqi firefighters

Iraqi firefighters can now sharpen their abilities to operate effectively inside burning structures with the aid of a new training facility here. Seven Iraqi firefighters learned search and rescue tactics at the new facility July 30 alongside firefighters from the 506th Expeditionary Civil Engineer

French airmen train at Luke

Approximately 20 French air force aircrews, 60 maintainers and support personnel and four Rafale aircraft visited the base here to participate in an exercise July 28 to Aug. 8. The major coalition exercise here provided a unique opportunity for the French Rafale pilots and Luke's F-16 Fighting

Airmen to compete in Olympics

Four Airmen will discover how they measure up with the world as they compete at the 2008 Olympics beginning Aug. 8 in Beijing. Lt. Col. Dominic Grazioli, from Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, Capt. Kevin Eastler, from Buckley AFB, Colo. and Capts. Seth Kelsey, and Eli Bremer, from Colorado Springs,

Airmen transport helo crash survivors to hospital

California Air National Guardsmen from the 129th Rescue Wing here rescued two survivors of a civilian helicopter crash Aug. 5 near Junction City, Calif.  The Sikorsky S-61 firefighting helicopter that went down was assigned to the Buckhorn Fire in the Iron Complex.A Moffett-based HH-60G Pave Hawk

Developing Airmen and working mission ops never stop

Daylong senior noncommissioned officer induction events at the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Aug. 2 exemplified a commitment to professionally developing Airmen in the deployed environment. The induction events were held at no expense to mission operations, which continued, thanks to the efforts

Congressmen visit servicemembers in Manas

A congressional delegation consisting of five U.S. senators visited with Airmen from the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing and toured the base, Aug. 5, as a part of an eight-day trip to promote security, democracy and development in central Asia. Led by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada,

Sister service siblings serve side-by-side

They grew up with stories about his heroism and bravery as a 19-year-old Soldier. They knew of his sacrifice to leave his new bride and his dedication to serve his nation. They were told he suffered a great loss and was never the same after he watched his best friend die on D-Day. They admired his

Air Force veterans participate in national wheelchair games

The eyes of the man in the wheelchair narrow as he focuses on the opponent holding the ball. Delvin McMillan wants the ball and he is determined to get it at any cost. He reaches down and spins the battered metal wheels of his modified chair that looks like it came straight from the set of the

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

Physician recognized as "Hero of Emergency Medicine"

Officials with the American College of Emergency Physicians announced Aug. 1 they have recognized Maj. (Dr.) James Eadie, vice chair of emergency medicine, medical director and flight commander at Wilford Hall Medical Center here, as a "Hero of Emergency Medicine." The campaign, which is part of

Air Guardsmen train Air Force's airfield operators

Air National Guard officials here said recently that by using their knowledge and resources in airfield operations, they are successfully training the Air Force's next air base managers. In the Air Guard Airfield Operations Officer Training Program, Guardsmen train active-duty officers in airfield

Nellis pilot killed in F-15D crash identified

The pilot who died in an aircraft accident July 30 was Lt. Col. Thomas Bouley. The name was released in a July 31 press conference by Col. Russell Handy, 57th Wing commander. Colonel Bouley was the 65th Aggressor Squadron commander. Colonel Bouley was killed when the two-seater F-15D Eagle he was