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U.S. Air Force News

  • Blood platelet donations vital in deployed environment

    When a servicemember is critically injured in Iraq or Afghanistan and in need of a blood transfusion, it is the responsibility of technicians in the 932nd Blood Support Detachment here to ensure units of blood platelets are collected and shipped out to the caretakers tending to the wounded. Medical

  • New process available for selecting retirement option

    Officers and enlisted Airmen reaching 15 years of active-duty service will have new procedures in place beginning April 1 to accept enrollment in the Redux retirement plan. Airmen will receive an electronic notification of their eligibility for the High-3 Choice retirement plan that allows members

  • Defense secretary discusses Iraq, Afghanistan with deployed troops

    Servicemembers quizzed Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates about Afghanistan, the elections in Iraq and the Iran situation during a question-and-answer period March 11 here. Secretary Gates spoke to members of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, which has been deployed here since January 2002 in

  • Scott youth participate in international robot competition

    "Void turnLeftRotation (int pwr, int rotation)MotorEncoder[motorRight]=0MotorEncoder[motorLeft]=0While(abs(nMotorEncoder [motorRight] Or, in human terms, turn left. But Zippy isn't human, he's a robot, and behind Zippy stands a six-person team consisting of home-schooled high school students, four

  • Reserve Command repeats as top MAJCOM for maintenance excellence

    For the second year in a row, the Air Force Reserve Command was named the Gen. Wilbur L. Creech Maintenance Excellence Award winner.Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz hosted the 2009 award ceremony in the Pentagon March 11. Receiving the award was Col. T. Glenn Davis, former director of

  • McGuire Airmen return from deployment

    Officials from the 305th Air Mobility Wing here welcomed home Airmen from the 6th Airlift Squadron March 2 as they returned from supporting operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.Throughout their four-month deployment, the C-17 Globemaster III squadron Airmen executed more than 3,000 sorties,

  • American servicemembers help Afghans make strides

    Some Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul military members will soon prepare to travel back to their duty stations after assisting their Afghan partners with improvements in Zabul province communities.Over the course of 10 months, the collective staff completed more than 65 projects, totaling more

  • DOD officials identify more phases for Iraq medal

    Department of Defense officials announced March 10 that additional campaign stars are authorized for wear on the Iraq Campaign Medal.The campaign stars recognize a servicemember's participation in DOD-designated campaigns in Iraq. Airmen who have qualified for the ICM may display a bronze campaign

  • Manpower agency officials name annual award winners

    Air Force Manpower Agency officials recognized their 2009 top performers recently during an annual awards luncheon here.The awards recognized the top military members, civilians and teams throughout the Air Force Manpower Agency."The winners represent the best across the Air Force at helping

  • Policy to mandate head injury evaluations

    Defense Department officials said they expect to launch a new policy in the coming months that will make head-injury evaluations mandatory for all servicemembers who may have concussions. The current guidelines for treating servicemembers with such injuries allows for them to come forward on their

  • WASPs awarded Congressional Gold Medal

    The first female military pilots received the Congressional Gold Medal at a ceremony in the Capitol March 10. Almost 70 years ago, the Women Airforce Service Pilots were disbanded with little fanfare, but this ceremony was a way to make things right for the trailblazers, said Secretary of the Air

  • 'Legends of Aerospace' visit Airmen in Southwest Asia

    The first and last men to walk on the moon, the commander of Apollo 13, the last Air Force pilot "Ace" and the SR-71 chief test pilot, all "Legends of Aerospace,"  were the honored guests of the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing March 8 at an air base in Southwest Asia.Hundreds of servicemembers flocked

  • Cyber Control System launch under way

    Electronic Systems Center program managers are in Virginia the week of March 8 for a contract kick-off meeting on Increment One of the Cyber Control System, after awarding the critical $8.9 million contract to Electronic Data Systems, a Hewlett Packard company, two weeks ago.CCS Increment-1 will

  • Air Guard officials tweak recruiting Web site

    Considering today's explosive popularity of social media and online research it may come as no surprise that military recruiting Web sites are rushing to keep up with new technologies and trends.Air National Guard officials are riding that wave with more personal interactivity in their public

  • Female World War II pilots lay wreath at Air Force Memorial

    More than 1,000 civilians and servicemembers watched as World War II Women Airforce Service Pilot corps remembered their sisters-in-arms during a wreath-laying ceremony March 9 at the Air Force Memorial here.Several WASPs, many clad in their World War II-era service uniform, placed roses next to the

  • Trip to war region heightens general's resolve

    The commander of the Air Force Materiel Command returned here recently from a trip to Southwest Asia to interact with Airmen who depend on his command for the supplies, parts and maintenance services they need to get their jobs done.General Donald J. Hoffman shared his message for the AFMC work

  • 2009 Air Force safety awards announced

    Officials at the Air Force Safety Center here have released the list of recipients of the Secretary of the Air Force, Chief of Staff and Chief of Safety Awards for 2009.  These awards, according to safety officials, exemplify the best of the Air Force safety teams and the hard work of the winners.

  • Women pilots of World War II inspired generations

    Under a clear blue sky, beneath the spires of the U.S. Air Force Memorial here, military aviators gathered March 9 here to pay homage to the achievements of the first women to fly military aircraft during World War II. The memorial service and wreath-laying ceremony, with a reception afterward, was

  • Latest issue of Airman magazine available

    In the latest issue of Airman magazine, the "Ghostwalkers," Airmen with a unique mission hone their skills for action outside the wire.Whether they are called to secure a captured airfield or provide force protection in a combat zone, these security forces warriors depend on each other. Intensive

  • Utah Air Guard mission in Chile changes from training to humanitarian

    Four members of the Utah Air National Guard's 151st Air Refueling Wing based here had a rude awakening Feb. 27 when the 15th floor of their hotel in Santiago, Chile, started to shake. Deployed to Chile to provide flying and maintenance support to the Chilean air force on their new KC-135 "E" model

  • 24 cadets receive Academy's first UAS-RPA wings

    Four junior and 20 sophomore U.S. Air Force Academy cadets received the first unmanned aerial systems-remotely piloted aircraft wings awarded in the school's 55-year history during a function at the Dean's Heritage House Feb. 25, here.  Lt. Gen. Mike Gould, the Academy superintendent and Brig. Gen.

  • Fledgling eagles learn to fly

    Twenty-four F-15E Strike Eagle pilots and weapon systems officers graduated the 333rd Fighter Squadron basic course during a ceremony March 6 at the Walnut Creek Country Club in Goldsboro, N.C. "The 'B-Course,' as it is affectionately known, is a nine-month program designed to mold novice pilots and

  • VA secretary seeks improved Agent Orange claims process

    Veterans Affairs officials announced March 9 an aggressive new initiative to solicit private-sector input on a proposed fast-track Veterans' claims process for service-connected presumptive illnesses due to Agent Orange exposure during the Vietnam War. "This will be a new way of doing business and a

  • Airmen to train Iraqi air force college students

    Airmen will teach the first Iraqi air force college pilot-training course beginning in March with Iraq's new T-6A trainer.The tandem-cockpit aircraft, that began arriving in Tikrit, Iraq, Dec. 16, is the platform Iraqi airmen will use to transform the college into a cornerstone of Iraqi air

  • All-Iraqi effort during nation's election

    The Iraqi air force flew an all-Iraqi effort in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance for the first time in Iraq this week in support of an Iraqi election.Kirkuk Regional Air Base's Iraqi air force Squadron 3 launched six of their aircraft on the morning of March 5, during a surge flight

  • Air Force mortuary staff ensures dignity, honor for fallen

    Under a deluge of rain, the 757 touched down here late at night, returning Army Staff Sgt. Michael David P. Cardenaz home. He had been killed just a few days before in an enemy attack in Afghanistan. With family and friends near, an Army carry team marched in slow, measured steps to the aircraft,

  • AAFES officials open first 'green' BX at Randolph

    Army and Air Force Exchange Service officials unveiled its first-ever environmentally friendly base exchange to shoppers when it opened the doors of the new Randolph Air Force Base Exchange March 5.The new Randolph Air Force Base BX is AAFES' first exchange built to the environmental standards set

  • Bagram Airmen respond to aircraft emergency

    Airmen assigned to the 455th Expeditionary Maintenance Group here were some of the first responders on the scene after an Airbus A300 crew performed an emergency landing March 1 here.The aircraft, contracted to DHL International, was carrying mail and cargo when an unsafe gear indicator alerted the

  • Missouri Air Guard C-130s, crews fly to Chile

    Two Missouri Air National Guard C-130 Hercules transport aircraft with 47 crewmembers are en route March 5, to aid earthquake-ravaged Chile. 139th Airlift Wing officials sent the two aircraft, crews and maintenance support personnel from Puerto Rico, where they had been supporting U.S. Southern

  • Air Combat Command leader visits Davis-Monthan Airmen

    The commander of Air Combat Command visited Davis-Monthan Air Force Base Feb. 23 and 24 to learn more about the base mission and thank the Airmen, civilians and family members for their service. With Davis-Monthan AFB's Airmen continuously deployed around the world, to include supporting relief

  • Incirlik members honor fallen defender

    Friends, handlers and fellow military working dogs gathered Feb. 25 at a memorial service for a 39th Security Forces Squadron military working dog who died Jan. 10 due to health complications.Nine-year-old Ronnie was a member of the 39th SFS for eight years, and has served the wing and its

  • U.S., Luxembourg partnership supports U.S. troop surge in Afghanistan

    As President Barack Obama's plan to plus up U.S. forces in Afghanistan goes into motion, members of the 86th Materiel Maintenance Squadron here are helping one of U.S. Air Force's in Europe's largest movement of war readiness materiel since Operation Desert Storm in 1991."The pure size of it alone

  • Lockheed to speed development of F-35

    Defense Department leaders and Lockheed Martin executives explained to international partners changes that have been made in the joint strike fighter program. Ashton B. Carter, the department's undersecretary for acquisition, technology and logistics, and Robert Stevens, the chief operating officer

  • U.S. Air Forces in Europe leader discusses future challenges

    The U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander recognized the contributions of 86th Airlift Wing Airmen to the U.S. military, as well as to all of Europe during his visit here March 2.Though a frequent customer of many of the services the wing provides due to his residency here, Gen. Roger A. Brady's visit

  • Exercise builds NATO partnerships at Ramstein

    The latest U.S. Air Forces in Europe Silver Flag Exercise offered Airmen from Italy to England to participate in a week long contingency operations training exercise Feb. 21 through 28, here. The exercise opened the door for international partners, allowing members of the Croatian army to observe

  • C-130 low-cost, low-altitude combat airdrops now operational

    A C-130 Hercules aircrew conducted a new method of airdrop that makes deliveries more accurate and flexible for resupply of small, mobile forces Feb. 6, in Afghanistan. The C-130 aircrew from Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, performed the first-ever low-cost, low-altitude combat airdrop to re-supply

  • 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' review seeks broadest input

    The Defense Department's review on the potential impact of repealing the ban on gays serving openly in the military will solicit input from troops of every service and rank -- as well as their families -- through surveys, focus groups and social media tools, the team heading up the review told

  • A1 annual award winners announced

    The deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel and services recently announced the 2009 award winners for the A1 community."The A1 community is ready, engaging and constantly leaning forward to support Airmen and taking care of their families," said Lt. Gen. Richard Newton. "While celebrating the

  • Bilateral training hones U.S., JASDF capabilities

    U.S. and Japanese military aircraft joined to practice defending Okinawa from simulated enemies during joint bilateral training here Feb. 22 through 26. The training involved a variety of aircraft flying simulated hostile scenarios aimed at training personnel for joint planning and execution of

  • Museum remembers 'Aztec Eagles'

    National Museum of the Air Force officials revealed a new exhibit Feb. 26 here dedicated to Mexican airmen who fought alongside U.S. forces in World War II.Members of the Mexican air force Escuadron 201, commonly referred to as the Aztec Eagles, are featured in the exhibit. "The Mexican Air Force,"

  • Air Force officials work on trimmed-down instrument landing system

    Officials from the 853rd Electronic Systems Group here are working to improve the transportability and deployability of instrument landing systems with an upcoming request for proposal for a deployable instrument landing system, or D-ILS.An instrument landing system is a precision-approach system

  • Airmen prepare BEAR base for troops in Afghanistan

    Holloman Air Force Base Airmen began the movement of approximately 150 truckloads of assets that will directly support joint and coalition forces in Afghanistan Feb. 24 here.Members of the 49th Materiel Maintenance Group, the Air Force's only Basic Expeditionary Airfield Resources base, have been

  • Airmen arrive in Thailand for Cope Tiger 2010

    Airmen arrived in Thailand Feb. 26 to join servicemembers from Singapore and Thailand for the Cope Tiger 2010 field training exercise.This year's exercise will take place March 1 through 12 at Korat and Udon Thani Royal Thai Air Force bases in Thailand. Cope Tiger is an annual, multilateral aerial

  • Eglin optometrist keeps eye on goal

    An Eglin Air Force Base optometrist was recently named the Optometrist of the Year for The Armed Forces Optometric Society, Association of Military Surgeons and the Air Force.Lt. Col. Annette Williamson of the 96th Aerospace Medicine Squadron here also served as the lead optometry consultant for the

  • DOD social media policy balances Web 2.0 with security

    The new Department of Defense policy allowing access to social media from computers connected to the military's unclassified network balances the mission value of Web 2.0 tools and the need for security, a top defense official said. Since being hired as principal deputy assistant secretary of

  • Air Combat Command leader visits Holloman Airmen

    The commander of Air Combat Command visited here Feb. 22 to get an up-close look at the Holloman Air Force Base mission.Gen. William M. Fraser III, and his wife, Bev, visited base Airmen and answered their questions during a basewide all-call earlier that morning.General Fraser explained the main

  • Green businesses sprouting at closed former California Air Force bases

    It may be counterintuitive to think of Environmental Protection Agency Superfund sites as hotbeds of green technology. But as Air Force Real Property Agency representatives -- responsible for buying, selling and managing Air Force property worldwide -- continue cleaning, restoring and transferring

  • NCO receives NATO command's Junior Military Member of the Year Award

    An NCO assigned to NATO's strategic command was named the 2009 Junior Military Member of the Year. Staff Sgt. Sharica Jenkins-Hill, an Air Force knowledge operations manager for the Allied Command Transformation, provides administrative support to the futures, capabilities, research and technology

  • VA officials announce funding for polytrauma center in San Antonio

    Department of Veterans Affairs officials announced the award of two contracts totaling $41.5 million to create a polytrauma center for the care of the most severely injured veterans and to improve the existing wards at the Audie L. Murphy VA Medical Center in San Antonio."A top priority for VA is

  • Laughlin pilot helps launch Iraqi air force

    The former 47th Flying Training Wing inspector general and an instructor pilot here, returned from a deployment to Iraq four months early. Lt. Col. Chris Spigelmire, the 521st Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron commander, returned to Laughlin Air Force Base when the squadron de-activated four

  • Wing plays major role in supporting Unified Endeavor

    More than 100 members of the 505th Command and Control Wing here recently helped prepare Soldiers for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan by providing predeployment training for soldiers participating in exercises at various locations.The wing provided communications and network integration,

  • Controlling deployment stress is mission critical

    Members of the 732nd Combat Stress Control Det. at Ali Base suffer from a misnomer. The name implies they only treat mental health issues relating to combat. Perhaps simply stress control would more aptly describe their mission. Their mission is to help Airmen and Soldiers deal with the routine and

  • Schriever spouse wins short story contest

    A spouse of a Schriever Air Force Base officer won the Year of the Air Force Family "My Air Force Life" short story contest in the over 18 category Feb. 24 here.Erin Wetmore, wife of 1st Lt. Ross Wetmore of the 50th Operations Support Squadron, learned in a surprise announcement that she had won

  • Tanker solicitation seeks fair competition, best value

    The final request for proposals to solicit bids for a new aerial tanker was designed to promote fair, open competition that provides the best warfighting capability for the best value, Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III said Feb. 24 here. Meanwhile, the process will serve as a model for

  • Air Force two-star receives career achievement award at BEYA conference

    Maj. Gen. Larry Spencer received an award Feb. 20 at the annual Black Engineer of the Year Awards conference, an annual event to recognize and honor African-Americans in technical career fields.General Spencer, a career officer with 30 years of service in the Air Force, was honored with the Career

  • Air Force officials remain vigilant in PTSD treatment

    With a commitment to taking care of Airmen and their families, Air Force officials said they will maintain a focus on the prevention, mitigation and treatment of deployment-related post-traumatic stress disorder.Air Force officials use a three-pronged approach to promote psychological health and

  • Medical teams, volunteers help patients during weather-related delays

    Airmen from the  375th Aeromedical Staging Flight quickly assembled to receive 44 patients, 22 of them on litters, after an aeromedical flight originating in Germany had to divert Feb. 7, here, because of more than 20 inches of snow in Washington D.C.These 44 patients joined several others who were

  • Charleston families collect donations for Haitian children

    Airmen and families from Joint Base Charleston and surrounding communities in South Carolina collected dozens of stuffed animals, coloring books and crayons for Haitian children recovering in the expeditionary medical squadron in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. "This was a combined effort between Airmen and

  • U.S., Thailand, Singapore officials to begin Cope Tiger 2010

    Aviation and ground units from the U.S. Air Force, the Republic of Singapore air force, and the Royal Thai Air Force and Army, will participate in the Cope Tiger 2010 field training exercise March 1 through 12 in Thailand.Cope Tiger is an annual, multilateral, aerial force exercise conducted in the

  • Air Force leaders seek to balance current, future needs

    The Air Force's budget request for fiscal 2011 provides the right balance between supporting the war efforts and other current-day commitments while posturing for future challenges, the top Air Force civilian and military leaders told Congress Feb. 23 here. The $119.6 billion request is designed to

  • Air Force officials review Distributed Common Ground System

    Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing specialists began an operationally-focused review of the Sentinel weapon system, commonly known as the Air Force Distributed Common Ground System, or AF DCGS, Feb. 22 through 26 here. Sentinel Focus 10A is the second review for the DCGS,

  • Airmen rediscover RED HORSE legacy in Haiti

    Air Force engineers from the Kansas Air National Guard conducting a routine survey of the field adjacent to the airport in Port-au-Prince discovered a group of Airmen had been there before. While recently leveling the field, Airmen of the 190th Air Refueling Wing and 184th Intelligence Wing noticed

  • Military leaders regret civilian casualties

    Expressing deep regret over civilian casualties resulting from a NATO air strike Feb. 21, Pentagon civilian and military leaders said Feb. 22 they support the strategy that puts as much emphasis on protecting the Afghan population as capturing or killing insurgents. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates

  • 11 Airmen take worldwide talent search honors

    Air Force officials here selected the top 11 Air Force entertainers from 74 Airmen who gathered for the annual Air Force Worldwide Talent Search Jan. 17 through 25 at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.The Air Force's top talents were chosen after nine days of auditions, rehearsals and interviews, which

  • Andersen, Yokota Airmen train for disaster relief operations

    Members of the 36th Contingency Response Group here and aircrews from the 374th Operations Group at Yokota Air Base, Japan, participated in a mock deployment to rehearse time-critical actions for disaster relief operations Feb. 17-18 at Northwest Field.Airmen from the 36th CRG hosted two aircrews

  • 4 Airmen struck by lightning during training exercise at Eglin

    Four Airmen were injured by lightning during a field training exercise at approximately 8 a.m. Feb. 22 at a range on Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.One instructor and three students assigned to the 342nd Training Squadron, Det. 3 from Hurlburt Field were injured while conducting vehicle navigation

  • Video competition at MyAirForceLife.com

    What does MyAirForceLife.com have in common with YouTube, the world's most popular online video community?  Like YouTube, MyAirForceLife.com accepts video clips, allowing the global community to watch, share and vote on videos online.What's different is visitors to MyAirForceLife.com have an

  • Dutch partnership emphasizes innovations in training

    The commander of the Royal Netherlands air force visited the Air Education and Training Command headquarters Feb. 14 through 16 to learn more aboutremotely piloted aircraft, strategic airlift and space. "I think our footprint in AETC is rather big because of the number of people who train in the

  • Military officials ease thumb drive, flash media bans

    New guidelines from U.S. Strategic Command officials allow servicemembers to use "thumb drives" and other flash media to store computer data under specific circumstances. Strategic Command officials banned use of thumb drives and flash media in November 2008, after the use of the media infected a

  • Airmen train in Spain

    Airmen from the 555th Fighter Squadron and the 555th Aircraft Maintenance Unit here deployed to Zaragoza Air Base, Spain Jan. 22 through Feb. 12 to accomplish training exercises and work with members of the Spanish air force."The Spanish (airmen) are great hosts and we were able to conduct training

  • AMC Total Force provides hope to Haiti

    One day after an earthquake devastated the island nation of Haiti Jan. 12, Air Mobility Command Airmen along with its total force partners began operations to support the crippled nation.Since Operation Unified Relief operations launched, more than 10,000 AMC active-duty, Air Force Reserve and Air

  • CSTARS trains Air Force trauma teams

    "I can't breathe."Maj. Tiffany Ingham looks down and assesses one of the two critical patients under her charge. One is conscious and communicating his respiratory distress and chest pain. The other is sedated and on a ventilator. The second patient has traumatic brain injury and burns, signature

  • Defense adds blog to military science dialogue

    Science has seized the popular imagination. There are magazines, popular books, Web sites, webcasts, blogs, documentary films and even television channels devoted to science and technology. The practical applications of science and technology also can be found in almost every aspect of military

  • Deployed Global Hawks surpass 30,000 combat flying hours, 1,500 sorties

    One of the largest unmanned aerial systems operating in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, the RQ-4 Global Hawk, surpassed 30,000 combat flying hours and 1,500 combat sorties Feb. 10 here.The Global Hawks are assigned to the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing from Beale Air Force Base,

  • JFCC-Space continues to support Haiti mission

    Members of the Joint Functional Component Command for Space here are continuing to support relief efforts in Haiti by providing space effects such as satellite communications and position timing and navigation services.At any given time, up to 200 personnel, including the JFCC-Space staff, Joint

  • Deployed Airmen honor Tuskegee great with nose art

    A member of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing created a nose art display on an RQ-4 Global Hawk recently in honor of Lt. Col. Lee Archer, a World War II fighter pilot with the Tuskegee Airmen.But it all started with Tech. Sgt. Jason Aucoin, 380th Air Expeditionary Wing ground safety manager at an air

  • Medics earn Air Force-level recognition

    Five medics deployed with the 386th Expeditionary Medical Group received exciting news recently of their selection for 2009 Air Force Medical Service awards.Maj. Susan von Eicken, deployed from Travis Air Force Base, Calif., was recognized individually as the Mental Health Nurse of the Year, while

  • Expeditionary Center Airmen host Yemen air force student

    Airmen from the Air Force Expeditionary Center here recently hosted a Yemen air force officer as part of the International Military Education and Training Program. The training is a component of Air Force officials' efforts to build the counterterrorism capacity of its international partners. Yemeni

  • Combat truckers fill mail call void in Southwest Asia

    The 586th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron's 70th Medium Truck Detachment Airmen took on the mission to ensure thousands of servicemembers received their mail Dec. 28, when a Department of Defense contract with a transport company was abruptly halted within Southwest Asia."This is an

  • Airmen mentor Afghans at regional hospital

    At the Kandahar Regional Military Hospital in Afghanistan, Afghan patients are situated in wards, the intensive care unit, the operating room or the emergency room. Afghan doctors and nurses stroll throughout the building reading charts, caring for patients and performing operations. Right next to

  • Multi-faceted effort keeps KC-10s on the move for deployed operations

    Two thousand, seven hundred and fixty six.. That's how many times in 2009 KC-10 Extender flight crews from the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron at an air base in Southwest Asia supported "troops in contact" in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.That number, according to Ralph

  • Combat controllers recognized for heroic actions

    A combat controller assigned to Hurlburt Field proved his combat skills during a recent deployment to Afghanistan.Tech. Sgt. Christopher Grove embodied the combat controller motto "First There," demonstrating the combat controller's commitment to undertaking the most dangerous missions behind enemy

  • Air Force officials award contract to keep French AWACS fleet current

    Officials from the Electronic Systems Center here achieved the next step toward upgrading France's fleet of airborne warning and control system aircraft with the recent award of a $324 million contract to the Boeing Company. "The modification that will be completed with this foreign military sale

  • Airmen, Soldiers continue delivering troops, aid to Haiti

    Airmen and Soldiers from Joint Base Langley-Eustis and Fort Lee, Va., continued support of Operation Unified Response, loading nearly 70 tons of gear and supplies and more than 70 Soldiers aboard two C-17 Globemaster IIIs Feb. 8 and 9.The 633rd Logistics Readiness Squadron team worked alongside

  • Air Force officials announce 2009 military service award winners

    Air Force officials here recently announced the four Air Force nominees for the 2009 Government Employees Insurance Company Military Service awards.Master Sgt. Michael Lund of Ramstein Air Base, Germany; Senior Airman Curtis Billig of Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii; Master Sgt. Vincent Dewberry of

  • Medical teams render assistance after Afghanistan avalanches

    A series of avalanches struck a high pass in the Parwan Province of Afghanistan that have reportedly killed or injured hundreds of Afghan travelers.  The avalanches, which occurred Feb. 8 and 9th, cut off a major route between Kabul and northern Afghanistan. Afghan doctors and coalition members of

  • K-9 without a canine keeps working

    He eats. He sleeps. He plays and sometimes he works, but it's not really work. It's a dog's life.Arek is a military working dog who's seen it all and still lives to tear apart squeaky toys. And just like some military servicemembers, one of the only things he's really scared of is ... mice. "He

  • New concept for annual AF Assistance Fund campaign announced

    Air Force officials are introducing a new concept this year for the annual Air Force Assistance Fund "Commitment to Caring" campaign, which provides Airmen the opportunity to contribute to four official Air Force charitable organizations.The campaign, now in its 37th year, will run during a

  • Gates: 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' repeal demands study

    The Defense Department's review of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law, which bans gays from serving openly in the military, will help to ensure readiness and unit cohesion remain intact if Congress repeals it, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said in an interview aired Feb. 9. Secretary Gates also

  • Air Force, Navy support functions begin merging into Joint Base Charleston

    Jan. 31 marked the beginning of the transitional period of initial operational capability for Joint Base Charleston officials, with the end-goal of full operational capability for the joint base by the end of fiscal 2010.Emphasis during the transitional period will be on executing a "blending" of

  • Aircraft arrive at Andersen for Cope North 10-1 kickoff

    Twenty-one aircraft from more than a six military units throughout the Pacific region arrived here for Cope North 10-1, a two-week annual bilateral exercise between U.S. forces and the Japan Air Self Defense Force that began Feb. 7. This is the 11th time Cope North has been held here. U.S. and Japan

  • Nominations open for 2010 Sijan award

    Awards and decorations officials at the Air Force Personnel Center here are seeking nominations for the 2010 Lance P. Sijan United States Air Force Leadership Award.This award recognizes the accomplishments of officers and enlisted members who have demonstrated the highest quality of leadership in

  • Nominations open for civilian humanitarian award

    Awards and decorations officials at the Air Force Personnel Center here are seeking nominations for the 2010 Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher Distinguished Civilian Humanitarian Award.This award is presented annually to an individual or organization who has demonstrated exceptional patriotism,

  • Kirtland munitions squadron decertified

    The 898th Munitions Squadron at Kirtland Air Force Base was decertified Jan. 27, according to Air Force Materiel Command officials at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.Decertification means temporarily suspending maintenance activities in order to complete corrective actions and ensure operations comply

  • March C-17 crew completes mission to Haiti

    A March Air Reserve Base C-17 Globemaster III aircrew returned home Feb. 1 after flying a five-day humanitarian mission to Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The nine-member crew from the 729th Airlift Squadron took 171,400 pounds of cargo and 25 Army and Air Force servicemembers into Haiti and airlifted 263

  • UK officer joins Predator squadron through exchange program

    The first remotely piloted aircraft exchange officer stationed at the 556th Test and Evaluation Squadron at Creech Air Force Base, Nev., is not bothered by the 5,000 miles between the state of Nevada and her native England."It has been an opportunity that money can't buy," said Royal Air Force Sqn.

  • Canadian airmen support airborne warning, control in Southwest Asia

    To any other member of the 965th Expeditionary Airborne Air Control Squadron, the five Canadian airmen who work with them are a part of the team. And that's just the way they like it.Each day the five Canadians work together as part of a crew on an E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control system

  • Altus officials temporarily relocate aircrew training

    Altus Air Force Base officials temporarily ordered three KC-135 Stratotankers and three C-17 Globemaster IIIs along with 67 aircrew and maintenance members to Lackland AFB, Texas, Feb. 4 to resume limited aircrew training operations. Aircrew training at Altus AFB came to a halt when a severe ice