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U.S. Air Force News

  • Global Strike Challenge load competition kicks off at Minot

    Members of seven bomb wings competed in Air Force Global Strike Command's first-ever load competition April 13 and 14 here.The evaluation was based on hands-on skills and their knowledge of career fields."This brings us back to the old (Strategic Air Command) days and the Giant Sword competitions,"

  • Hurlburt officials remember, honor fallen Airmen

    More than 1,800 servicemembers, families and friends gathered to celebrate the lives of two fallen Airmen in a joint memorial service April 15 here.Maj. Randell Voas, an 8th Special Operations Squadron evaluator pilot, and Senior Master Sgt. James Lackey, an 8th SOS evaluator flight engineer, died

  • Remotely piloted aircraft sensor operators named Air Force Team of the Year

    Air Force officials and Air Force Association representatives have named Air Force remotely piloted aircraft sensor operators as the 2010 Team of the Year.Each year, AFA officials, working with major command-level command chief master sergeants and the Office of the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air

  • Air Combat Command leader visits mobility base

    The commander of Air Combat Command visited Airmen assigned to the 18th Air Support Operations Group March 31, here.Gen. William M. Fraser III discussed ACC's collaboration with Air Mobility Command officials, inquired about Airmen issues and expressed gratitude during the visit to the tenant

  • Airmen lend a hand to world leaders

    Fifty aerial porters from Air Mobility Command bases throughout the United States were tasked to augment porters supporting the Nuclear Security Summit April 12 through 13 in Washington, D.C.Aerial porters executed a normal operations load of 98 missions throughout the summit in addition to 58

  • Air Force officials name Flemming Award nominees

    Air Force officials have announced the nominees for the 61st Annual Arthur S. Flemming Award April 15. The award honors outstanding men and women in federal government each year who performed outstanding and meritorious work to encourage high standards of performance; enhance appreciation of our

  • Joint service drill competition held at Lincoln Memorial

    Members of the United States Air Force Honor Guard, along with ceremonial guard unit members from the four other services, performed before thousands of spectators during the 3rd Annual Joint Service Drill Team Exhibition April 10 on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Drill team members from the Air

  • Lynn details Defense Department's space strategy

    From the commander in chief in the White House to an Airman manning an observation tower on Afghanistan's border with Pakistan, space is the domain that ties them together.Space provides critical capabilities for the Defense Department and the organization must change its space strategy as the

  • Air Force officials reduce Palace Chase obligation

    Air Force officials here recently reduced the Reserve commitment for officers and enlisted members participating in Palace Chase temporarily as part of Air Force management measures to balance the force while meeting a congressionally mandated end strength. The three-to-one officer and two-for-one

  • Luke Airmen train for combat

    Twelve Airmen from various career fields began a three-week military combative training course taught by Marine Corps instructors April 1 here. The training is designed to teach Airmen skills used in combat, for self defense and work on physical training. Some of the training includes learning

  • Offutt community honors fallen Airman with road dedication

    Offutt community officials hosted a ceremony April 6 to dedicate and name a new road on base in honor of a fallen Airman. Lt. Col. Harrison "Harry" Tull served in the Air Force for 27 years, his career encompassing his time in World War II as a member of the famous Tuskegee Airmen, the Korean War

  • Cancer survivor to compete in Warrior Games

    It's been two years and three months since Senior Master Sgt. Michael Sanders overcame an aggressive form of cancer. Despite undergoing extensive treatment and recovery efforts, Sergeant Sanders has made sure to keep fitness a part of his lifestyle, achieving perfect scores on physical training

  • Elmendorf Airmen validate air-to-air gunnery capability

    Airmen from the 3rd Operations Group validated their air-to-air gunnery capability April 7 by performing their first live fire gunnery mission over a range in Alaska. The radar reflective target is launched by dragging it behind the plane until it lifts off the runway. Once the mission is over, the

  • Air Force officials announce annual comm-info awards

    The chief of Air Force Warfighting Integration and Chief Information Officer has announced the 2009 Air Force Gen. John P. Jumper Awards for Excellence in Warfighting Integration and the 2009 Air Force Communications and Information Awards. "The superb quality of the nominations we received confirm

  • Little Rock Air Force Base Community Council wins Abilene Trophy

    Little Rock Air Force Base members and their community council won the 2009 Abilene Trophy announced March 31 here. The Abilene Trophy is the Air Mobility Command's community support award and is presented annually to a civilian community for outstanding support to an AMC base. The winner is

  • Air Forces Africa officials take part in cultural training

    Air Forces Africa's personnel directorate staff has been working with Air Force Culture and Language Center members at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., in recent months to tailor a training program for people charged with building and maintaining relationships in Africa. AFCLC officials had the

  • Cadets take 1st, 3rd at international LOAC competitions

    Six U.S. Air Force Academy cadets ventured to Quebec, Canada, and San Remo, Italy, in March, during spring break to compete in Law of Armed Conflict competitions against international contestants. Cadet 1st Class Charlton Coats from Cadet Squadron 08 won the top individual honor out of 70

  • 2 Hurlburt Field Airmen die in CV-22 crash

    Department of Defense officials announced April 11 the deaths of two Airmen who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom when they died in a crash of a CV-22 Osprey April 8 near Kandahar, Afghanistan. Killed were: -- Maj. Randell D. Voas, 43, of Lakeville, Minn. -- Senior Master Sgt. James B.

  • Presidential award recognizes best installations

    Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates announced Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, as one of the five winners of the 2010 Commander in Chief's Annual Award for Installation Excellence April 9 here. The Commander in Chief's Annual Award for Installation Excellence recognizes the outstanding and

  • Wright-Patterson unit earns Dr. James G. Roche Sustainment Excellence Award

    Air Force and contract organizations teamed up to garner an Air Staff-level award recognizing the Air Force Materiel Command program office with the most improved aircraft maintenance and logistics readiness performance.Members of the 702nd Aeronautical Systems Group at Wright-Patterson Air Force

  • Balad medical team turns tragedy into triumph

    Sajad Hany Shaker Mahmud was involved in an improvised explosive device attack Jan. 24 in Iraq. He had just climbed into a vehicle for a short trip when an IED detonated. Sajad has no known enemies, disputes, business conflicts or political aspirations. He is only 6-years-old. Sajad is still

  • Air Force officials honor top Public Affairs communicators

    Air Force Public Affairs Agency officials here announced the results of the 2009 Air Force Media Contest in writing, photography and broadcasting April 7.Winners in writing and broadcast categories advance to represent the Air Force in the annual Department of Defense Thomas Jefferson Awards

  • MC-12 begins mission in southern Afghanistan

    Airmen from the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing here welcomed one of the newest members of the Air Force's intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance weapons systems to Kandahar Airfield March 29.The MC-12 Liberty aircraft is a manned special-mission turboprop aircraft designed for ISR and brings a

  • Cadet of the year receives honor from Air Force chief of staff

    An Air Force ROTC cadet at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology received the 2009 Air Force Cadet of the Year Award from the Air Force chief of staff during a ceremony at the Pentagon April 5.Sponsored by the Air Squadron of the United Kingdom, the cadet-of-the-year award goes to the

  • Airmen keep servicemembers healthy through preventative measures

    Every day thousands of Airmen, Sailors, Soldiers and contractors walk through the doors of Dining Facility Two here to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner. They can do this without worrying if the food they are consuming is safe to eat, because of the efforts of the 332nd Expeditionary Aerospace Medical

  • Airmen complete month-long training in Pacific region

    Airmen from the 19th Fighter Squadron from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, recently completed two back-to-back training exercises in Thailand and Hawaii. The squadron interacted with Thai and Singaporean air forces at Cope Tiger in Korat, Thailand, while also training here with the 199th Fighter

  • Cadets get a taste of Moody's mission, active-duty life

    Air Force ROTC cadets experienced active-duty life and the mission at Moody Air Force Base during a visit here March 23 and 24.For many cadets from the University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras Det. 755, this was the first time they were able to leave their home country and visit an Air Force

  • Marine squadron stands up at Eglin

    The first-ever Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II joint strike fighter training squadron, the Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501, stood up April 2 here.The significance of the occasion was not just for the new F-35 unit, but also it marked the first time a Marine Corps squadron was embedded in

  • Exercise key to Hawaiian air support center upgrade

    The Hawaii Air Support Operations Center staff here achieved initial operational capability after proving its ability to deploy and perform its mission during Exercise Balikatan 2010 in March.The unit, under the under the 25th Air Support Operations Squadron based at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam,

  • Manas Airmen move troops into Afghanistan

    Airmen from the 376th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron here moved approximately 50,000 multinational, U.S. and coalition troops, and the petroleum, oil and lubricants flight Airmen issued 12,500,102 gallons of jet fuel in March. The previous record number of passengers processed in a month

  • Air Force, Army officials partner to improve interoperability

    Officials from the Army's I-Corps Air and Missile Defense Detachment moved into 5th Air Support Operations Squadron facilities here in late March and now Soldiers and Airmen will work side-by-side strengthening the joint teamwork that will be critical in combat.This is the first time a Corps-level

  • Multinational wing feeds Afghanistan surge

    The Heavy Airlift Wing, comprising 12 nations, recently moved 2.1 million pounds of equipment essential to surge operations supporting the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.The international wing has been part of the operation to move more than 6 million pounds of basic

  • March 30 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations March 30 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.Air Operations in AfghanistanClose-Air SupportAsadabadAir Force F-15E Strike

  • Chief of staff: Minot Airmen key to Air Force mission

    The Air Force chief of staff addressed more than 1,500 Airmen gathered here April 1 to discuss teamwork and excellence, key elements in mission accomplishment as well as in maintaining standards in the nuclear business.Gen. Norton Schwartz talked to Airmen from the 5th Bomb Wing and 91st Missile

  • Original song competition at MyAirForceLife.com

    More than 70 years ago, Capt. Robert MacArthur Crawford, an Airman with the Army Air Corps, won an original song competition with an entry that eventually became the official song for the U.S. Air Force. Captain Crawford wrote the lyrics and music to "Off We Go Into the Wild Blue Yonder."Starting

  • Guardsmen assist in Northeast states battling floods

    More than 1,500 National Guard members in three Northeast states are waging a war against rising flood waters after several days of rain combined with melting snow.Massachusetts officials have called up more than 900 Soldiers, including 116 Air Guardsmen, while Rhode Island and Connecticut officials

  • F.E. Warren members help fight brushfire in Wyoming

    F.E. Warren Air Force Base fire and emergency services members responded to a brushfire two miles southwest of the base after a mutual aid request by the Laramie County Fire District March 31.The fire began just before 1 a.m. and took two hours to contain through the combined efforts of the Warren

  • Airmen sustain increased airlift flow to Afghanistan

    Airmen at Camp Bastion in southern Afghanistan increased airfield operations recently in direct support of Marines during the U.S. troop increase called for by President Barack Obama to target the insurgency and secure key population centers.U.S. Transportation Command officials here requested 615th

  • USO officials announce Sesame Workshop tour dates

    The Sesame Street/USO Experience for Military Families, a free traveling USO show based on Sesame Workshop's award winning "Talk, Listen, Connect" initiative and produced in partnership with Vee, is back in the United States after an around-the-world tour. The show, which is exclusively for military

  • Pentagon officials may extend tanker bid deadline

    Defense Department officials here March 31 informed companies interested in bidding on the KC-X aerial refueling tanker contract that if the European Aeronautics Defense and Space Co. formally expresses an intention to compete, the bidding deadline would be extended 60 days, the Pentagon press

  • Eligible officers may apply for VSP April 1

    Air Force Personnel Center officials here begin accepting applications for voluntary separation pay April 1 from eligible officers.Officers in nine Air Force specialties across five year groups who are being considered to meet the 2010 Reduction in Force Board convening Sept. 20 are eligible to

  • TRANSCOM officials to receive 'unsung hero' recognition

    The U.S. military command responsible for moving troops and cargo around the world will receive recognition for its role as one of the Defense Department's unsung heroes, the Pentagon press secretary said March 30 here. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates is slated to travel to U.S. Transportation

  • American servicemembers, helicopters deploy to Haiti

    Joint Task Force-Bravo officials deployed 40 servicemembers, four UH-60 Blackhawks and equipment March 21 and 22 in support of Joint Task Force-Haiti's airlift operations in Haiti.Four C-17 Globemaster IIIs landed and were loaded during a three-day period to airlift more than 180,000 pounds of

  • Shaw dormitory earns national environmental award

    Shaw Air Force Base's newest Airmen's dormitory, building 421, has earned the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, Silver Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. The award was presented in a ceremony here March 16.The building earned the distinction for a number of

  • Rescue crews fly into hostile zones to save lives

    Men and women of the 41st Expeditionary Rescue Squadron here provide around-the-clock personnel recovery, commonly known as combat search and rescue, for American and coalition warfighters supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.But unlike past wars where aircraft were lost every week, the mission in

  • Elmendorf Airmen complete airdrop using 3-D weather technology

    Airmen from Elmendorf Air Force Base completed the first improved container delivery system drop using new 3-D weather technology March 19 over Tin City, Alaska.The new system allows for better drop precision, factors in the altitude, wind speed, wind direction, terrain and other circumstances that

  • New Reserve group stands up at Seymour Johnson

    To keep up with the increasing demand for F-15E Strike Eagle pilots and weapon systems officers, a new group is standing up here.The Air Force Reserve Command's 414th Fighter Group may have only a handful of assigned personnel now, but about 340 people will fall under the group, the 307th Fighter

  • Elmendorf Airmen complete million push-up challenge

    In about 3.5 months, 425 Elmendorf Air Force Base Airmen accumulated more than 1 million push-ups to reach a unit goal.In an effort to improve physical training scores and build camaraderie, 3rd Medical Group leaders posed the 100-day million push-up challenge and unit medics began logging their

  • Circus entertains, honors military families

    The military and the circus have a lot in common.  They both have people from around the nation and assets from around the world. Both are highly trained units that perform sometimes unimaginable feats and handle unspeakable logistical details in carrying out their mission. And, most importantly,

  • Airmen train Afghan C-27 loadmaster

    Airmen from the 538th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron and Afghan soldiers with the Afghanistan National Army Air Corps completed a successful check ride for the nation's first qualified C-27 Spartan loadmaster March 28 here.During an almost two-hour International Security Assistance Force

  • Shinseki urges disabled vets to conquer mountain, doubts

    Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki opened the 24th Annual National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic here March 28, encouraging participants to conquer the mountain and prove to themselves what they're able to achieve.Secretary Shinseki challenged more than 400 disabled veterans

  • Hawaii officials honor fallen war heroes

    The Hawaii State Senate and House of Representatives convened an afternoon joint session March 23 here to award the Hawaii Medal of Honor to recognize military servicemembers who have made "the ultimate sacrifice." Among the 28 servicemembers posthumously awarded the medal was 1st Lt. Roslyn

  • Bagram Airmen keep F-16s in the fight

    As their F-16 Fighting Falcon pulled into its parking spot on the airfield March 23, the maintainers from the 34th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Unit had something to be proud of: tail number 2119 had returned from its 30th code 1 sortie over Afghanistan.Lt. Col. Brad Lyons, 34th Expeditionary

  • Kirkuk Airmen use small aircraft with huge capabilities

    Airmen here use the RQ-11B Raven, a small unmanned aircraft equipped with cameras, sensors and communications tools, to give coalition warfighters an advantage of eyes in the sky.There are many different types of unmanned aircraft, ranging in size and capability, but Kirkuk Regional Air Base Airmen

  • Airmen help Afghans fly C-27 mission

    A joint aircrew of U.S. Airmen from the 538th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron and Afghan soldiers in the Afghanistan National Army Air Corps completed an operational C-27 Spartan mission here March 24.Taking off from Kabul International Airport, the four-man aircrew flew Southwest to Kandahar

  • Air Force officials continue plans to modernize GPS

    Through the years, the Global Positioning System has become one of the most widely-used Air Force applications.Today GPS is used in everything from farming and aviation to public safety, disaster relief and recreation, not to mention its military purpose of providing precision navigation and timing

  • Afghanistan troop level to eclipse Iraq by midyear

    This summer will mark the first time since 2003 that the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan will overshadow the American presence in Iraq, the top U.S. military officer told Congress March 24 here. Driving the eclipse is the 30,000-troop surge President Barack Obama announced for Afghanistan in

  • Robins officials welcome returning members from Haiti mission

    Six members of the 53rd Combat Communications Squadron deployable initial communications element team returned here March 16 from a six-week deployment to Haiti where the team supported Operation Unified Response.The team consisting of Capt. Joel Nelson, Tech. Sgt. Turvon Casey, Staff Sgts. Jon

  • Former chief of staff laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery

    The 10th chief of staff of the Air Force was laid to rest in a full-honors ceremony March 22 at Arlington National Cemetery, but his legacy lives with today's Airmen through his emphasis on developing camaraderie, pursuing history and recognizing excellence.Gen. Lew Allen Jr. passed away Jan. 4 in

  • Joint team leads Afghan crew chief academy

    A team of Airmen from the 440th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron and Soldiers from the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, Task Force Falcon, led the first class of Afghan National Army Air Corp soldiers through the Afghan National Security Forces Crew Chief Academy March 6 here.The joint team of

  • DOD, airline officials sign alternative fuels pact

    A new agreement between the Defense Logistics Agency's Defense Energy Support Center and the Air Transport Association of America will help to promote widespread commercialization of environmentally friendly aviation fuels with less reliance on fossil fuels. Representatives of the Defense Logistics

  • Air Force officials name 2009 public service award winners

    Air Force officials here recently announced the four Air Force winners and nominees for the 2009 Government Employees Insurance Company Public Service awards.Jeffery Hikes of Barksdale Air Force Base, La., James Ratliff of Scott AFB, Ill., Bill James of Lackland AFB, Texas, and Norman Morrisette of

  • Holloman Airmen train for worst in active shooter exercise

    Holloman Air Force Base members tested their preparedness during a simulated active gunman situation March 11 at the Domenici Fitness and Sports Center here.As 49th Security Forces Squadron patrolmen cleared the building in search of the suspects, a quick reaction force stood up and was en route to

  • Joint EOD training benefits 2 nations

    Kyrgyz army explosive ordnance disposal technicians visited the Transit Center at Manas March 15 through 19 for a subject matter information exchange with American EOD Airmen and Soldiers.The Airmen here regularly bring Kyrgyz soldiers to the installation and the EOD range to train together,

  • Airman's vigilance prevents aircraft mishap

    Airmen from the 455th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aborted an F-15E Strike Eagle mission minutes before takeoff March 12 here when a crew chief noticed an oddity with the flight controls of an aircraft.Staff Sgt. Justin Wilson, a 494th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew

  • Construction begins on new fuel pipeline at Southwest Asia base

    Construction on a new 2.7-mile pipeline to bolster ground refueling operations for the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing began March 17 at a non-disclosed base here.The $5.7 million project calls for the construction of an above-ground 8-inch carbon steel pipeline from the existing tanker truck offload

  • Civil engagement program helps prepare Iraq for future

    As U.S. officials prepare to draw down troops in Iraq, efforts are being made to ensure the effect on the country's infrastructure is minimal. Joint Base Balad's civil engagement program maximizes the base's resources and abilities and helps more than 800,000 Iraqis in the Salah ad Din Province. The

  • USAFE officials visit command's newest wing

    Gen. Roger Brady, commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe, and Chief Master Sgt. Pamela Derrow, USAFE command chief master sergeant, visited the Airmen of the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing March 16 to see the unique blend of capabilities the unit brings to USAFE.The visit allowed General Brady and

  • 'Today's Air Force' features taking care of Airmen

    In this edition of "Today's Air Force," the Air Force takes care of Airmen, while encouraging them to take care of themselves. Plus, with troops from more than 40 nations fighting alongside U.S. Airmen in Afghanistan, bilateral training is as important as ever. Find out how Airmen are teaming up

  • Air Force official transfers hangar to Iraqi air force

    Members of the Iraq Training and Advisory Mission-U.S. Air Force and the Iraqi air force stood shoulder to shoulder during a ceremony at Kirkuk Regional Air Base March 10 as Brig. Gen. Scott Hanson, 321st Air Expeditionary Wing commander, and Staff Lt. Gen. Anwer Amen, Iraqi air force commander,

  • Lajes officials take step toward solar power

    As part of the Air Force officials' renewable energy initiative, members of the 65th Civil Engineer Squadron have taken a step toward saving taxpayers money after installing and testing their first solar energy-producing panels in a military family housing unit Feb. 22 here. The panel unit costs

  • U.S., Philippine servicemembers visit school children

    Philippine and U.S. servicemembers joined together to provide much-needed clothing and other every day items to local school children March 15 here.The community relations project took place during Balikatan 2010, an annual bilateral exercise involving the Philippine military, Philippine civil

  • Leadership development participants back up book study with travel

    From Southbridge, Mass., to Seoul, South Korea, the 61 members of the 2010 Department of Defense Executive Leadership Development Program have been globetrotting to gain hands-on field experience geared toward sculpting their joint leadership skills. By exposing the participants to the various

  • Chief of chaplains announces corps' annual award winners

    The Air Force chief of chaplains recently announced the chaplain corps' 2009 annual awards. "All nominees are to be applauded for their amazing performance and exceptional dedication to duty," said Chaplain (Maj. Gen.) Cecil R. Richardson. "But the accomplishments of the winners exemplified first

  • Air Force leaders issue 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' message

    The three top Air Force leaders have issued a service-wide message explaining how Air Force people will support the Department of Defense working group evaluating "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" legislation.Air Force Secretary Michael Donley, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Chief Master

  • Joint STARS resumes re-engining program with two major contract actions

    The 751st Electronic Systems Group has successfully resumed the system design and development phase of the E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System re-engining program with the award of two large contract actions. The E-8C Joint STARS is an airborne battle management command and control

  • Precision airdrop training coming to Altus AFB

    A new training course will be soon implemented into the syllabus for all C-17 Globemaster III aircrew members attending technical training here.Air Force officials are relocating the improved container delivery system and joint precision airdrop system training to Altus Air Force Base in the coming

  • U.S., JASDF Airmen work side by side during ATR exercise

    Crewchiefs and fuels specialists worked side-by-side with their Japan Air Self Defense Force counterparts as a part of a cross-familiarization program during an aviation training relocation exercise March 8 through 12 at Tsuiki Air Base.   Staff Sgt. Curtis Roe and Airman 1st Class Curtis Watson,

  • Medical professionals save millions with common-sense concept

    Officials from the 86th Medical Special Operations Clinic have developed a way to maximize time spent by people traveling to Ramstein Air Base for a conference, saving the Department of Defense millions of dollars along the way.They use a simple yet, inspired concept called conference medicine most

  • Altus training operations begin to recover from ice storm

    Looking at Altus Air Force Base, the only signs of this year's ice storm are limbless trees that had to be trimmed down after the storm covered the base in a thick sheet of ice. However, members of the 97th Training Squadron are just now recovering from its lingering effects.The ice storm hit Altus

  • TRANSCOM gives U.S. key advantage, commander says

    One of the U.S. military's greatest advantages over its adversaries is its ability to move an enormous amount of equipment and people quickly anywhere in the world, the commander of U.S. Transportation Command told the House Armed Services Committee March 17. Gen. Duncan J. McNabb said he was

  • SOUTHCOM provides support to relief operations in Chile

    U.S. military officials are providing support to the ongoing relief efforts in Chile following the 8.8- magnitude earthquake that struck the country in late February. "U.S. military personnel have been working with local and international responders to provide relief to the hard-hit areas," said

  • Five Academy fencers qualify for NCAA fencing championships

    Five Air Force Academy fencers have qualified for the 2010 National Collegiate Men's and Women's Fencing Championships. The field of 144 competitors will compete at Harvard University on March 25 to 28. The last time the Falcons had five qualifiers was in 2007.Making his fourth trip is senior Peter

  • Officials see decrease in activated reservists

    For the week beginning March 15, officials with the Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force announced a decrease in activated reservists, while Coast Guard officials announced an increase. The Army had no change. The net collective result is 51 fewer reservists activated than the previous week.At any given

  • ISR Wing members contribute to the fight

    Members of the 480th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing are assisting coalition forces with the expanding need for ISR data in Southwest Asia by processing, exploiting and disseminating information coming from remotely piloted aircraft.More than 4,100 Airmen, civilians and

  • 'Home of the Blue' campaign showcases privatized military family housing

    With an average of more than 500 new or renovated homes entering the privatized housing inventory each month, the Air Force goal of creating quality homes and thriving communities for Airmen and their families is well under way. Now officials at the Air Force Center for Engineering and the

  • Airmen train Iraqi EOD squad

    The eight Iraqi men drove up to the Ali Base main gate in two sparkling clean, white Ford F-350 trucks, replete with police badges emblazoned on the doors and light bars on the roofs . Waiting to meet them were three Airmen in a joint explosive ordanace disposal rapid response vehicle.The Iraqis

  • Thunderbirds ready for 57th season

    The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron "Thunderbirds" flew their acceptance show March 11 and were approved by Gen. William M. Fraser III, commander of Air Combat Command, to start their 2010 show season."The acceptance show is the culmination of the hard work and dedication by our entire

  • Medical evacuation conference set to enhance Afghan army capabilities

    Members of the Afghan National Army Air Corps met with their coalition partners during a medical evacuation conference March 6 here. The purpose of the conference was coordination between ANAAC and coalition medical evacuation units to streamline and improve processes, said Maj. Peter Gross, an

  • C-130E completes last combat mission

    After 47 years of service, a C-130E Hercules completed its last combat mission March 6 here. Upon reaching its total aircraft hours of more than 33,220, the Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. aircraft was retired."It's a very sad day when an aircraft retires," said Capt. Bradley Allen, the 777th

  • AETC Airmen lead way to efficient energy practices

    Improving Air Force energy efficiency depends on its Airmen and the sharing of their innovative ideas, said the service's acting senior energy official during her Headquarters Air Education and Training Command visit here March 2."They need to ensure they follow through with those ideas by

  • Air Force's new undersecretary sworn in

    The Senate confirmed the nomination of Erin C. Conaton to become the next undersecretary of the Air Force March 4 and she began her transition into the office after being sworn in March 15."This is a great day for the Air Force," said Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley. "Erin will be a

  • U.S. Airmen train with Thai, Singaporean counterparts during Cope Tiger

    As Cope Tiger 2010 flying operations entered their second week March 9, U.S., Royal Thai and Republic of Singapore air force teams met mission objectives each time they went up in the air, according to exercise officials here. Capt. Jeff Watts, an air battle manager deployed here from Kadena Air

  • Pacific partners close Cope Tiger with ceremony

    U.S., Thai and Singaporean servicemembers marked the end of Cope Tiger 2010 with a closing ceremony March 12 here.Air Chief Marshal Itthaporn Subhawong, the Royal Thai Air Force commander in chief, served as the host and presided over the ceremony. He was joined by Gen. Gary North, the Pacific Air

  • Maintainers remove 26-year-old engine

    The first KC-135R Stratotanker F108-100 engine delivered to the Air Force 26 years ago in the United States made its last flight March 1here.When KC1-35R tanker engines were originally purchased from CFM International, it marked the first time in history military officials bought a commercial engine

  • Air Force Reserve to get C-17s at Wright-Patt

    Air Force officials will begin next year replacing 10 C-5 Galaxy aircraft with eight C-17 Globemaster III aircraft at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.The secretary of the Air Force and the Air Force chief of staff approved the change March 12. The officials anticipate that the first four C-17s

  • Remotely piloted aircraft sensor operators named team of year

    Air Force and Air Force Association officials recently announced remotely piloted aircraft sensor operators as the 2010 Team of the Year.AFA officials named five enlisted Airmen in the RPA sensor operators' career field as individual 2010 Team of the Year award winners.Each year, AFA officials