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  • Air Force accepts delivery of final MQ-1 Predator

    The Air Force accepted MQ-1 Predator tail number 268, the final MQ-1 manufactured for the service, in a ceremony March 3. Col. James Beissner, the chief of Air Combat Command's Irregular Warfare Division, accepted the aircraft on behalf of the Air Force."This event marks a milestone in Air Force

  • Some prior service officers eligible to retire early

    Air Force officials announced plans recently to allow some prior service officers the opportunity to retire earlier than expected.As a result of the Fiscal 2011 National Defense Authorization Act, eligible officers with prior enlisted service who have completed 20 years of total active federal

  • Red Flag cyber operations: Isn't Red Flag a flyer's exercise?

    As Airmen from Air Force Space Command participate Red Flag from Feb. 21 through March 11 at the Nevada Test and Training Range complex, Nev.Red Flag is a realistic, combat-training exercise involving the air forces of the U.S. and its allies in simulated air combat."Red Flag continues to adapt and

  • Air Force Academy's enlisted Airmen go 'back to basics'

    A group of the Air Force Academy's enlisted Airmen observed retreat in formation for the first time in the Academy's recent history March 3.Chief Master Sgt. Todd Salzman, the Academy's command chief master sergeant, organized the event to acknowledge Air Force heritage and enlisted

  • Contractor delivers first new E-8C Joint STARS production engine

    The U.S. Air Force E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System, or Joint STARS, achieved a significant objective March 3 as part of the ongoing System Design and Development Re-engining effort. A First Engine Delivery Ceremony was held at the Pratt & Whitney production facility in Middletown,

  • Airforce.com adviser conducts life-saving live chat

    Airforce.com's internet advisers, or "chatters", answer a variety of questions from the online public, but on rare occasions, they are asked to help save a life.Brad Shimp, an Air Force Recruiting Service chatter, acted quickly when he received a request recently from someone concerned about their

  • DOD improves troops' access to quality education

    Defense Department officials are taking extensive measures -- from education reviews to agency partnerships -- to ensure service members have access to quality education and learning opportunities in their off-duty hours, a Defense Department official said.Robert L. Gordon III, the deputy assistant

  • Photo essay: Exercise Cope North

    The U.S. Air Force and Japanese Air Self-Defense Force conduct exercise Cope North annually at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, to increase combat readiness and interoperability, concentrating on coordination and evaluation of air tactics, techniques and procedures.View the slideshow.

  • CSAF talks cooperation, efficiency at defense conference

    The Air Force and the private sector must focus their collective efforts to ensure America's defense needs are met in the face of declining purchasing power, according to the Air Force chief of staff.Gen. Norton Schwartz made the remarks during a speech to defense industry leaders, service members

  • Ellsworth B1s get new braking system

    It can generate more than 30,000 pounds of thrust and reach speeds greater than 900 MPH, but can it stop safely after reaching such speeds?Thanks to an ongoing brake modification of the B-1B Lancer, the aircraft has a new, more effective means of coming to a stop.The modification, which costs

  • TRANSCOM provides nation's greatest advantage, commander says

    The greatest advantage the U.S. has over any potential enemy is the ability to project and sustain forces anywhere in the world, the commander of U.S. Transportation Command said here today."No other nation can do what we do," said Air Force Gen. Duncan J. McNabb.A decade of war has meant TRANSCOM

  • Airmen harness radiation to search vehicles

    With a little bit of training and the power of gamma-rays, 447th Expeditionary Security Forces Airmen are developing their vehicle-search skills using the relocatable Vehicle and Cargo Inspection System.Eight Airmen were hand-selected to train on the VACIS, a gamma-ray imaging system made by Science

  • First MC-130J training program takes flight

    As the first MC-130J Combat Shadow II rolled off the Lockheed Martin factory line, a training flight class recently conducted sorties in preparation for transition to the new airframe.The Air Force Special Operations Training Center's first MC-130J training program flight class practiced air drops,

  • General Schwartz: Austerity, strategic challenges call for true total force

    Austerity and the strategic environment make communicating and collaborating as a total force paramount for the Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, the Air Force chief of staff said here Feb. 28.Efficiency and zero tolerance of fraud, waste and abuse are also critical priorities,

  • Program cuts sustain health care, maintain quality

    Defense Department officials have recommended a number of ways to cut costs in the military health system, while still providing high-quality care and protecting the wallets of active duty service members and their families, a senior defense official said Feb. 28."We're trying to create a balanced

  • First female CV-22 pilot completes training

    After nearly three years of flight training with the Air Force, she recently became the first qualified female pilot of the CV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft. It started with pictures of aircraft in her grandfather's home. Then it was on to starting lessons to earn her private pilot's license as a

  • AFNIC engineers assist in Global Hawk beddown

    When Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., officials needed to establish a more robust communications infrastructure to support a new tenant unit's Global Hawk remotely piloted aircraft mission, they knew just who to call."Pat Katzer is the best network engineer in the business ... we needed the best,"

  • Key Resolve exercise begins at Osan AB

    Service members from the U.S. and South Korea kicked off Exercise Key Resolve Feb. 28 here.Key Resolve is a combined exercise that involves more than 2,300 U.S. forces and nearly 10,000 South Korean forces and is geared towards maintaining the readiness of the Combined Forces Command staff and

  • CMSAF strengthens ties with Colombian partners

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy visited Colombian military sites here Feb. 1 to 4.He said the purpose of the visit was to reaffirm U.S. Southern Command officials' commitment to a strong nation-to-nation partnership and to explore professional military education exchange

  • First class graduates from aviation school at former George Air Force Base

    Forty-three student aircraft mechanics attending the Southern California Logistics Airport School of Aviation Technology, located at the former George Air Force Base, recently graduated with full certification in general aviation, powerplant and airframe maintenance. And their diplomas are paying

  • Air Force personnel services migration under way

    Air Force technicians migrated the first component of the Air Force Personnel Services website to the Defense Information Systems Agency's Enterprise Computing Center Feb. 23 to 27.This is the first phase in centralizing all total-force personnel services and creating a single access platform for

  • Vice CSAF emphasizes modeling, simulation integration during AFAMS visit

    Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Philip Breedlove emphasized the need to standardize live, virtual and constructive modeling and simulation across the Air Force and the joint team during a recent visit to the Air Force Agency for Modeling and Simulation here."We must build to a modeling and

  • Loadmasters hone skills during training, humanitarian mission

    When one C-17 Globemaster III left here Feb. 25, there were a few more loadmasters aboard than usual. A training mission was in the works, but the extra hands were put to use for a humanitarian mission that coincided with the training.The aircrew made stops at Langley Air Force Base, Va., MacDill

  • Frank Buckles, last known U.S. Doughboy, dies

    Frank Woodruff Buckles, who lied about his age to enlist in the Army in 1917 and became the last known U.S. veteran of World War I, died Feb. 27 at the age of 110. Burial with full military honors will be held at Arlington National Cemetery."We have lost a living link to an important era in our

  • Airmen demonstrate massive airdrop, teamwork in joint exercise

    Nine Little Rock Air Force Base C-130 Hercules and twice as many aircrews, along with maintainers and planners from the base, participated in Joint Operation Access Exercise Feb. 9 through 12 here and at Fort Bragg, N.C.JOAX is a two-week exercise to prepare Airmen and Soliers to respond to

  • CONR team supports successful shuttle launch

    Officials with the Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Region, or CONR, and Air Forces Northern provided crucial airspace control and manning support to the successful launch of Space Shuttle Discovery Feb. 24.CONR representatives ensured airspace sovereignty by enforcing the

  • Air Force leads the way as Green Power Partner

    The Air Force is one of the nation's top purchasers of green power, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Top 25 list of Green Power Partners released this month.The Air Force is being recognized for its purchase and on-site production of 243.9 million kilowatt-hours of green power

  • Space weather team readies for upcoming solar max

    Solar max may sound like the name of a super hero, but it's certainly no comic book or 3-D movie.Solar max is actually the name for the sun's most active period in the solar cycle, consistently producing solar emissions, solar flares and sun spots.For a little background on the sun's activities, the

  • Air Force gains new mission

    The Air Force gained a new mission when the 1st Space Operations Squadron accepted satellite control authority of the Advanced Technology Risk Reduction satellite Jan. 31 here. Handed over from the Missile Denfense Agency, ATRR is the newest space-based space situational awareness platform to ensure

  • Photo essay: Airmen participate in exercise Cope North

    U.S. and Japanese airmen take part in exercise Cope North Feb. 21, 2011, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. The exercise helps joint forces increase combat readiness and interoperability, concentrating on coordination and evaluation of air tactics, techniques and procedures.View the slideshow.

  • Future initiatives discussed during fuel efficiency summit

    Air Mobility Command members set the course for cultural change during a fuel efficiency summit here Feb. 16 and 17 that included participation by representatives from 11 Air Force major commands. AMC leaders hosted the summit to share and collaborate on ideas and initiatives that will help promote

  • Historic firsts for AFNORTH sergeants lead to distinguished honors

    It had all the markings of a historic event with firsts on several fronts.  As well it should; it was a historic event.At a ceremony held Jan. 28, two Air Forces Northern technical sergeants were the first U.S. Airmen to graduate from the Canadian Intermediate Leadership Program at the Canadian

  • Fairchild Airmen climb ice-covered tower to retain communications

    Transmission systems radio Airmen with the 92nd Communications Squadron here left their heated offices to work on top of a snow-covered mountain where the average temperature is below zero.These Airmen journey to the Calispell Mountain Peak in Cusick, Wash., to de-ice a radio tower that provides

  • Air Force Network Integration Center officials launch IA education tools

    Air Force Network Integration Center officials recently introduced new information assurance education tools to help Airmen stay up to speed in the constantly evolving cyberspace environment. The initiatives, which include a robust community of practice, webinars and computer-based training, are

  • Online personnel services limited during migration

    Air Force customers will have limited access to online personnel information and applications from Feb. 23 to 27 while officials here migrate the Air Force Personnel Services website and knowledge management platform to the Defense Information Systems Agency's Enterprise Computing Center. During

  • Air Force has new weapon in fight against Spice

    Air Force officials began drug testing Airmen Feb. 22 to determine whether they are using Spice -- the street term for a range of designer synthetic-cannabinoid products. With the implementation of testing, officials intend to send a very clear message: use Spice, and you may lose your career, end

  • Officers visit Kuwait college, brief students

    Four officers visited Kuwait's Mubarak Al Abdullah Joint Command and Staff College to lecture to 92 students from 19 countries within the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf on various joint military topics. The school is similar to the Air Force's Air Command and Staff College and

  • Officials announce military service awards nominees

    Air Force officials recently announced its four nominees for the 2010 Government Employees Insurance Company Military Service Awards.The annual GEICO Military Service Awards recognize enlisted service members from all military service branches, active duty, National Guard and Reserve, for their

  • SecAF takes stock of progress, future challenges

    During remarks to the Air Force Association's 27th Annual Air Warfare Symposium and Technology Exposition here Feb. 18, the Air Force's senior ranking official reviewed the service' s priorities and underscored Air Force commitment to making the most of available resources in a challenging fiscal

  • TRICARE autism demonstration proving positive

    During the recent 2011 Military Health System Conference, Michael O'Bar, deputy director for TRICARE policy and operations, reported on the Department of Defense Enhanced Access to Autism Services Demonstration. "We have begun the process to determine how best to make the board-certified behavior

  • CMSAF discusses need for strengthened resiliency at symposium

    The Air Force's senior enlisted leader discussed the importance of resiliency and its impact to the service Feb. 17 here during the Air Force Association's Air Warfare Symposium and Technology Exposition.Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy spoke candidly about the repercussions of a

  • World War II hero receives medals after 65 years

    A safety NCO here helped a veteran receive recognition for his service during World War II.Tech. Sgt. Wayne Herold, a 22nd Air Refueling Wing ground safety technician, helped Gordon Ballagh, a 90-year-old veteran and prisoner of war during World War II receive four medals: the Prisoner of War Medal,

  • Vice CSAF: Air Force must prepare for more complex, varied ops

    The Air Force is working to balance today's needs and tomorrow's challenges while operating under intense fiscal pressures, the service's vice chief of staff said here Feb. 17.During remarks at the Air Force Association's 2011 Air Warfare Symposium and Technology Exposition, Gen. Philip M. Breedlove

  • New deployable air traffic control system program taking shape

    Electronic Systems Center officials intend to call for proposals within the next few months for development and production of a new deployable air traffic control system. Referred to as the Deployable Radar Approach Control the system could be used at forward operating locations, however austere,

  • SecAF, CSAF provide FY12 budget details

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz provided details on the service's fiscal 2012 national defense authorization budget request during a House Armed Services Committee hearing here Feb. 17.Air Force officials are requesting $150 billion in the

  • Eagle Vision program garners key award for keen Earth observation

    An Electronic Systems Center program has been named the winner of a prestigious award presented by officials from NASA and the U.S. Department of the Interior.The agencies honored the Eagle Vision program with the 2010 William T. Pecora award during a Pentagon ceremony Feb. 15. Eagle Vision was

  • Results of command, control training study show roadmap ahead

    Standardizing command and control, or C2, training across air, space and cyber domains and consolidating training here were the main recommendations of a recent independent study completed for Air Combat Command.Results and proposed priorities of the study examining Air Force operational-level C2

  • U.S., Polish military enhance partnerships through training

    Airmen from Ramstein Air Base traveled to the 33rd Air Base in Powidz, Poland, Feb. 4 to 12 for a joint training mission with Polish military forces.More than 60 Airmen from the 86th Airlift Wing and 435th Air Ground Operations Wing participated in the week-long, off-site training aimed at sharing

  • 'Today's Air Force' features a look around the service

    In this edition of "Today's Air Force," meet a tech. sergeant who's teaching future officers at the Air Force Academy. Plus, it's Military Saves Week, and you'll get a few helpful hints on how to get your finances on track. And, Airmen in Japan get the PT session of a lifetime with the creator of

  • New fuel savings concept evaluated at JB McGuire

    As the Air Force's largest consumer of aviation fuel, Air Mobility Command officials are taking a leadership role in efforts to reduce fuel consumption across all mobility Air Force missions. Members of AMC's Test and Evaluation Squadron here recently completed an operational evaluation of a new

  • Fuel savings officials plan to broaden impact with AF-wide summit

    Members of the Air Force's Fuel Efficiency Office plan to host their first service-wide Aviation Operations Energy Steering Group summit here Feb. 16 and 17.Representatives from all Air Force major commands were invited to attend the summit. The event will be the first major meeting across the

  • DOD officials ask service members to kiss the spit goodbye

    When the Department of Defense weighs in on kissing and spitting, it's with good reason - two good reasons, in fact: love and health. Using smokeless tobacco - spit, dip, chew, snus, etc. - can pose a stinky, unsavory obstacle to sharing a kiss with a loved one, parent, child or sweetheart. It also

  • Missile agency seeks funds for defensive systems

    A ground-based system for homeland defense and interceptors for regional defense highlight the Missile Defense Agency's portion of the Defense Department's fiscal 2012 budget request.The agency requested more than $8.6 billion for fiscal 2012, compared to last year's requested $8.4 billion,

  • Iraqi airmen train on tool calibration system

    Iraqi airmen expanded their maintenance capabilities at New Al-Muthana Air Base, Iraq, after wrapping up a three-week U.S. Air Force training session on a new torque-wrench calibration system.Iraqi air force officials recently purchased the calibration system so maintainers here could become

  • Officials issue first report on homeless veterans

    For the first time, officials with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Housing and Urban Development published the most authoritative analysis of the extent and nature of homelessness among veterans. According to HUD and VA's assessment, nearly 76,000 veterans were homeless on a

  • Efficiencies, balance main focuses of FY12 budget

    Air Force officials said despite a reduction in the top line request, combat capabilities and balance will remain focal points in the Air Force's portion of the president's fiscal 2012 budget presented here Feb 14.The total Air Force budget request for FY12 is $166.3 billion, down from $170.8

  • Deadline Feb. 22 for scholarship applications

    Applications for the 2011 Scholarships for Military Children program must arrive at a commissary by close of business Feb. 22. Eligible students must complete and deliver their application materials by that date. Scholarship applications are available in commissaries and online at

  • Air Force officials warn: 'Spice' harmful to health, career

    A recent spate of incidents involving service members abusing the herbal mixture "spice" has prompted uniformed service leaders to stress the ramifications of using the drug and other prohibited substances, officials said here Feb 11. Marketed and sold as incense, and closely resembling potpourri,

  • Air Force undersecretary lauds deployed Airmen, addresses force management

    Undersecretary of the Air Force Erin Conaton discussed the importance of regional partners, professionalism of Airmen and the service officials' ongoing efforts to maintain manning within congressionally authorized limits during a visit Feb. 8 through 9.Ms. Conaton's visit marked her first here as

  • Afghan C-27 maintenance cadre begins building towards the future

    The initial cadre of Afghan air force C-27 maintenance trainers recently began teaching a second group of C-27 maintainers Feb. 9 at the Afghan Air Force Base in Kabul. The development of Afghan C-27 maintenance instructors further propels the "year of the Afghan trainer" initiative being

  • AFSO21 event helps plan fuel conservation initiatives

    Members from the 100th Operations Group, the 100th Maintenance Group and the 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron recently used the Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century process to help design fuel conservation initiatives here.The goal of these initiatives is to help achieve the secretary

  • Officials certify first aircraft for biofuel usage

    The C-17 Globemaster III was recently certified for unlimited usage of hydroprocessed blended biofuels known as hydrotreated renewable jet fuels, officials said here Feb. 9. "This certification marks the Air Force's first platform to be fully certified using an HRJ blend," said Dr. Kevin Geiss, the

  • Officials announce enlisted supplemental promotions

    More than 200 Airmen have been selected for promotion to the next higher rank as part of the February enlisted supplemental promotion process. The enlisted supplemental promotion release announces those Airmen selected for promotion who tested outside of their required cycle due to an extended

  • New training simulator debuts at Schriever

    At first glance the Standard Space Trainer Integrated Training Center here appears to look like a normal operational control center. Large, high-definition monitors dominate the walls, while multiple computer workstations provide telemetry and other important data to would-be users. The desks,

  • DOD must train for 'degraded' environments, official says

    The military needs to do a better job of training to conduct operations in less-than-perfect conditions, the chairman of the Defense Science Board said here Feb. 9.Paul G. Kaminski said that given the cyber and space threat environment that exists today and likely will grow in the future, commanders

  • Dyess cantonment honors Airman

    Airmen and family members of Staff Sgt. Ray Rangel, a 7th Civil Engineer Squadron fire protection craftsman, gathered at the cantonment area here, for the unveiling of a sign renaming a piece of Dyess Air Force Base after the fallen hero Dec. 14.The cantonment area, used to host exercises and

  • Home-use programs provide software to Airmen

    Even after approximately eight hours of work per day, some Airmen are still compelled to bring their projects home. Because of this, Air Force officials have partnered with major software companies to provide Airmen with a variety of software products, such as anti-virus, middleware and desktop

  • Airmen vie for slots in Army Air Assault course

    The sound of 12 Airmen chanting "air assault, air assault, air assault" over and over with every left step as they marched double time through the woods was audible from a distance.They'd been on duty since 4:30 a.m., completed an Army physical training test, and were about to face "The Tough One,"

  • Edwards flight engineers perform first X-47B flight

    Testers from Northrop Grumman and the Navy successfully conducted the first flight of the X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstration aircraft here Feb. 4.The fighter-size unmanned aircraft took off and successfully flew for the 29 minutes planned for its first test flight. This event marks a

  • TRANSCOM provides America's greatest advantage, commander says

    The greatest advantage the U.S. has over any potential enemy is the ability to project and sustain forces anywhere in the world, the commander of U.S. Transportation Command said here Feb. 7."No other nation can do what we do," Gen. Duncan J. McNabb said at the Center for Strategic and International

  • Vandenberg officials launch Minotaur I

    A Minotaur I rocket was launched from here Feb. 6. The rocket carried a national security payload for the National Reconnaissance Office.Col. Richard Boltz, the 30th Space Wing commander, was the launch decision authority."I am extremely proud of the large group of professionals that came together

  • Air Mobility key to outpost sustainability

    For service members assigned to small military outposts strategically placed throughout Afghanistan's most rugged landscape, air mobility is the key to mission success."We have outposts all over the place here," said Army Lt. Col. David Preston, a member of a support battalion for Task Force

  • Rubber removal begins at Bagram Airfield

    Since Jan. 30, Airmen who work on the flightline here have seen a new vehicle crossing the runway. The vehicle, a TrackJet TJ-24, is a surface-treatment system with high-capacity vacuum suction capability. It looks like a water tanker with a vacuum attached to the front. Since its arrival, the

  • Officials to conduct DOS rollback

    Air Force officials announced Feb. 2 plans to conduct an enlisted date of separation rollback as part of its ongoing measures to manage the force and maintain a quality enlisted corps.The DOS rollback affects enlisted members in the grades of senior master sergeant and below with fewer than 14 or

  • Center officials award Space Fence preliminary design contracts

    Electronic Systems Center officials have issued two competitive contract orders, each worth $107 million, for preliminary design of the Space Fence program. They awarded the contracts to Raytheon Corp.'s Integrated Defense Systems and Lockheed Martin Corporation's Mission Systems & Sensors Division.

  • AOC Weapon System moves toward single computing environment

    Electronic Systems Center officials recently put out a request for proposal to modernize the Air and Space Operations Center Weapon System."We're looking to have a single computing environment for the AOC Weapon System," said Lt. Col. John Barrette, AOC WS 10.2 program manager. "Right now, there are

  • Government officials unite to improve child, youth programs

    The government's new military family-support effort will have a resounding impact on resources and programs for military children and youth in the months and years ahead, a Defense Department official said."It is earth-shattering," said Barbara Thompson, the director of the Pentagon's office of

  • Chaplain assistant bolsters morale, mission focus from a unique perspective

    While the chapel staff here offers worship services and a seemingly endless supply of steaming hot coffee, there's one thing that sets it apart from all the rest. As the 447th Air Expeditionary Group's only chaplain assistant for the hundreds of service members here at Sather Air Base, Staff Sgt.

  • Air Force fighters prep for Super Bowl XLV

    Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Region fighters will be busy well before Super Bowl Sunday preparing to protect the sky around Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.Exercise Amalgam Virgo 11-05A, a NORAD air defense exercise, was held Feb. 2 in the greater Arlington area to

  • Hickam C-17 drops a Navy boat over Pacific

    It was 'zero-dark-thirty' and only the blue line of runway lights met the joint Air Force and Navy crew under the wings of a C-17 Globemaster III.A 535th Airlift Squadron aircrew from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, and the U.S. Navy Special Warfare Unit One from Guam teamed up to drop a

  • Air Force officials announce FY11 additional force management measures

    Air Force leaders announced involuntary force management programs Feb. 2 to reduce personnel as a supplement to the voluntary programs announced in December. These measures are part of the Air Force's multi-year Force Management Program aimed at shaping and sizing the force. With more Airmen

  • New website promotes military info sharing

    Whether they're moving into a new contingency operation or upgrading operations for an existing one, U.S. forces have a new weapon at their disposal when setting up or reconfiguring their command-and-control architectures.Thanks to the new "C2 Central" website established by U.S. Joint Forces

  • Legends Panel links past, present communications Airmen

    Air Force Network Integration Center Airmen had a unique opportunity to meet with and ask questions of some of the organization's past commanders and members of the Communications and Information Hall of Fame during the AFNIC Legends Panel session here Jan 26.The panel was part of a two-day heritage

  • Air National Guard fighter wing preps for alert missions at Tyndall

    U.S.-based alert pilots train to shoot down enemy aircraft over American soil. They run exercise scenarios on a constant basis, preparing for that call to scramble. But all the dry runs in the world can't prepare a pilot for that moment when a live missile is released from the jet. That's why

  • Officials announce Sijan Award winners

    Air Force officials announced the winners of the 2010 Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award.The Sijan Award annually recognizes four Airmen who demonstrate outstanding leadership abilities. Officer and enlisted honorees are chosen in senior and junior categories.Lt. Col. Tony Millican of Nellis Air Force

  • VA officials seek opinion of veterans and public and private experts

    Officials with the Department of Veterans Affairs are hosting a public forum in Scottsdale, Ariz., aimed at improving the fairness of payments for veterans who are service-connected for genitourinary, digestive, dental, infectious, immune disorder and nutritional deficiency diseases and injuries.

  • F-15E pilot selected to receive Jabara Award

    An F-15E Strike Eagle pilot and 2004 graduate of the Air Force Academy was selected Jan. 25 to receive the 2011 Col. James Jabara Award for Airmanship.Capt. Michael Polidor, a member of Air Force Global Strike Command, distinguished himself through heroic actions in an Operation Enduring Freedom

  • High-tempo training prepares maintainers for war

    Aircraft maintainers are working day and night during Red Flag 11-2, so pilots can fly the missions needed to prepare for aerial combat, but not only aircrew members benefit from the Red Flag experience.The high-tempo mission requirements of Red Flag provide maintainers an environment that

  • Officials to issue new camouflage uniforms to deployers

    Airmen deploying to Afghanistan in 2011 will see a new uniform issued to them as part of their deployment gear beginning in March. While Airmen have been faced with a slew of uniform changes in recent years, this new uniform is not a matter of image or heritage but instead has resulted from a joint

  • Collaboration is key to family support effort, official says

    Collaboration is at the heart of the government's new military family support directive and is the key to supporting service members and their families in the months and years ahead, a Defense Department official said Jan. 26."We clearly are trying to find in every agency in the government ways to

  • First U.S.-trained Afghan helicopter pilots begin Mi-17 qualification course

    The first two Afghan air force helicopter pilots to complete basic pilot training in the U.S. recently began the initial Mi-17 qualification course meant to convert them into Mi-17 helicopter pilots at the Afghan air force base in Kabul. A hybrid of Croatian and U.S. helicopter training syllabi, the

  • Lynn: Defense budget plans strike 'right balance'

    The Defense Department's plans to cut $78 billion from its budget over five years, and find more than $100 billion in savings for reinvestment, was a collaborative effort and a reasonable balance between military needs and budget constraints, said Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III Jan.

  • Program helps service retain RPA, rated pilots

    Air Force officials announced their plans Jan. 26 for the fiscal 2011 Aviator Continuation Pay program to help retain active-duty pilots and combat-systems officers who are trained as remotely piloted aircraft pilots.The ACP program allows some active-duty, rated aviators to qualify for a monetary

  • Iraqi Air Force College trains pilots and ground support officers

    For future pilots and ground support officers, the gateway to Iraqi air power opened Sept. 1, 2010, at the Iraqi Air Force College here.There are 143 cadet pilots studying courses in avionics and aviation theory, along with geography, history, and an extensive core curriculum in the English

  • System for military disaster relief takes shape

    A system is being created that is intended to strengthen the ability of service members to contribute to civilian-led disaster response in the Western Hemisphere, a Defense Department official said here Jan. 24.Paul Stockton, the assistant secretary of defense for homeland defense and Americas'

  • Rescue Airmen take on 'Titan' training

    An unused rocket-assembly building here is finding new life as a training facility to teach high-altitude, high-angle and confined-space rescue techniques. Air Force Reserve pararescuemen and combat rescue officers from the Air Force Reserve Command's 920th Rescue Wing here, joined their active-duty

  • Airmen demonstrate capabilities during life-like exercise

    Airmen here recently participated in Beverly High 11-02, a local operational readiness exercise that used scenarios to gauge Airmen's ability to react and respond to different situations and base emergencies.In one scenario Jan. 19, firefighters, security-forces and flight-medicine professionals