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U.S. Air Force News

  • May 26 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations May 26, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.Air Operations in AfghanistanCombat-Air SupportChahar BaghCoalition operators

  • Physiologist recognized at national conference

    A physiologist here was honored at the annual Aerospace Medical Association conference held May 10 through 13 in Phoenix.Lt. Col. Lance Annicelli, the Aerospace and Operational Physiology Training Flight commander for the 359th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, was awarded the 2010 Life Sciences and

  • National Guard leaders observe Israel's nationwide exercise

    Sirens wailed across Israel and residents took shelter during a nationwide civil defense exercise carefully watched by a delegation of National Guard leaders May 26 here.The communication, collaboration and coordination National Level Exercise Turning Point 4 revealed between the Israeli Defense

  • Shaw Air Force Base civilian receives Gold Star award

    A Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., civilian was honored at the 2010 Small Business Association National Small Business Week event here May 25. Judith P. Croxton, the director of business operations, received the SBA Gold Star award on behalf of the 20th Contracting Squadron at Shaw AFB, which was

  • Lynn thanks Offutt Airmen for recon, intel support

    The deputy defense secretary visited with and thanked the men and women of the 55th Wing for their service in the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mission May 26 here.Airmen from the unit fly RC-135 reconnaissance jets and have provided ISR capabilities for all aspects of operations

  • 18th LRS recognized for community service

    Airmen from the 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron were honored by a Japanese non-profit organization May 22 for providing hundreds of hours of community service here.Five representatives of the 18th LRS were among several Air Force and Navy units and individuals recognized by the Good Conduct

  • Avionics shop works around the clock

    While many of us are heading to bed at the end of a long day, Airmen from the 437th Maintenance Squadron avionics flight are working around the clock in order to ensure vital repairs are made on parts necessary for C-17 Globemaster IIIs to conduct day-to-day operations.The avionics intermediate

  • Airman honored with AF International Affairs Excellence Award

    An Air Force master sergeant was recognized May 24 for his role in helping advance the capabilities of the newly-formed Afghan National Army Air Corps.Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley presented Master Sgt. Cameron Rogers with the Air Force International Affairs Excellence Award during a

  • "300 Lives in 30 Days" campaign raises $50k

    What started as a bike-a-thon to raise money for children's heart surgeries in Kyrgyzstan turned into a 30-day campaign culminating in the "Bike Your Heart Out" event here May 18 and 19. During the bike-a-thon, more than 81 Airmen from the Transit Center at Manas biked more than 3,400 miles.

  • Senior NCO makes difference in Afghans' lives

    A NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan senior NCO recently won the Air Force 2010 League of United Latin American Citizens "Excellence in Military Service Award" for service during his last deployment to Afghanistan.Senior Master Sgt. Limweshe Wright, a NTM-A's combined joint logistics office

  • C-27A adviser squadron now 100 percent manned

    A year of success stories continues for Airmen of the 538th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron, who are advising Afghan National Army Air Corps soldiers on the use of the C-27A Spartan. "We are now fully manned and will be able to continue toward our goal of building a professional air force for

  • Hiring surge to employ thousands

    With contractor-to-civilian conversions, new organizations standing up and overall increases in civilian positions, the Air Force civil service continues to grow as officials look to employ thousands of U.S. citizens.Air Force Personnel Center officials have filled more than 3,000 new positions

  • Guardian Challenge 2010 season a success

    Air Force Space Command officials announced the winners of Guardian Challenge 2010, the command-wide combat competition, during the awards ceremony May 21.The top awards and winners included: - The Schriever Trophy for Best Space Launch Wing: 45th Space Wing, Patrick Air Force Base, Fla. - The

  • Cadet candidates earn diplomas, Academy appointments

    One hundred ninety-nine members of the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School Class of 2010 said goodbye to 10 months of academic, military and physical training during commencement exercises May 18 in Arnold Hall here."It feels amazing," Cadet Candidate Michelle Ivey said of her graduation. "It

  • Air Force JTAC's support every aspect of combat missions

    Joint terminal attack controllers assigned to the 817th Expeditionary Air Support Operations Squadron were called into action when their unit came under attack during joint operations near the Afghanistan and Pakistan border May 12 through 15.The mission was a near-border operation to remove any

  • Airmen neutralize threat to Bagram Airfield

    Members of the 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, with assistance from Soldiers and Marines, repelled an early morning attack May 19 here.The attack began with indirect fire that caused no significant damage, said Lt. Col. James Lowe, the 455th ESFS commander.Indirect fire is the use of

  • Panel discusses post-traumatic stress

    As the frequency and length of military deployments increase, servicemembers and their families are faced with challenges associated with deployment and combat.Building resilience, facilitating recovery and supporting reintegration of returning servicemembers and veterans are important steps in

  • Undersecretary's visit underscores importance of nuclear mission

    The Air Force's newest senior leader visited the Air Force's newest major command May 20.Undersecretary of the Air Force Erin Conaton visited Air Force Global Strike Command to get a firsthand view of the command.Hosted by Lt. Gen. Frank Klotz, AFGSC commander, Ms. Conaton received briefings from

  • Air Guard engineers assist Navajo Nation

    Two Air National Guard civil engineering units began renovation and construction work May 16 here at St. Michaels Association for Special Education.Members of the Virginia Air Guard's 203rd Red Horse Squadron and the Colorado Air Guard's 240th Civil Engineer Flight are repairing buildings,

  • Safety campaign provides awareness to Airmen

    As part of the Air Force's Wingman Stand Down 2010, missions here will be halted May 21 as Airmen seek methods of preventing suicides and private motor vehicle accidents by strengthening wingmen relationships.These stand downs will be held around the Air Force in May. While on the cusp of the 101

  • Officials name SAIGE award winners

    Officials here announced the two Air Force winners of the 2010 Society of American Indian Government Employees Meritorious Service Award. The military and civilian winners are Lt. Col. Eric Brewington of the Air Force Special Operations Command at Hurlburt Field, Fla., and Elizabeth Adducchio from

  • 4th FW Strike Eagles assist shuttle launch

    Airmen from the 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., and the Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Region, or CONR, and Air Forces Northern Command provided crucial airspace control and manning support to the successful launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis May 14

  • Outstanding airfield operators announced

    The Air Force's top air traffic control and airfield management personnel for 2009 were announced at an awards dinner hosted by Maj. Gen. Marke Gibson, director of operations in the office of the deputy chief of staff for operations, plans and requirements.  The dinner concluded a three-day airfield

  • 33rd Rescue Squadron crew earns MacKay Trophy

    Four members of the 33rd Rescue Squadron here were named the 2009 MacKay Trophy winners.Capt. Robert Rosebrough, 1st Lt. Lucas Will, Master Sgt. Dustin Thomas and Staff Sgt. Tim Philpott, the crew of an HH-60G Pavehawk combat search and rescue helicopter "Pedro 16", have been recognized for their

  • National Guard and Reserve statistics as of May 18 released

    This week Army, Navy, and Marine Corps officials announced a decrease in activated reservists, while Air Force officials announced an increase. Coast Guard officials announced no change. The net collective result is 945 fewer reservists activated than last week.At any given time, services may

  • Official equates financial, military readiness

    Through outreach and a robust system of educating servicemembers, Defense Department officials are working to keep troops financially fit to fight and protected from predatory lenders, a Pentagon official said May 19 here. Since the downward turn of the credit market in recent years, Defense

  • Air Force directs immediate inspection of advanced combat helmets

    Air Force officials here directed an immediate service-wide inspection, recall and reporting of defective advanced combat helmets May 19. Logistics officials said evidence indicates some helmets were produced using unauthorized manufacturing practices, defective materials and improper quality

  • Newly deployed A-10 unit provides close air support

    More than 200 pilots, maintainers and crew chiefs of the 81st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and the 81st Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron arrived May 11 here to provide close air support throughout Afghanistan. They are taking over from the Airmen of the 184th Expeditionary Fighter

  • Bilateral training teaches enlisted leaders to care for Airmen

    Instructors from the Air Force First Sergeant Academy at Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, Ala., prepared 99 enlisted leaders from around Japan to better care for their airmen May 11 through 14 here.First Sergeant Academy instructors conduct 13 active duty first sergeant seminars every year. Each time

  • National Guard members never stop training for hurricane season

    Although most hurricanes occur between the months of June and October, being prepared to respond to the aftereffects of a hurricane is almost a year-round task for the members of the National Guard."We actually almost never stop (training),"said Maj. Gen. Bill Etter, the director of domestic

  • Electronic warfare officers showcase joint effort in Iraq

    As branches of the U.S. military continue to collocate at joint installations and combine resources, an increasing number of Airmen, Sailors, Soldiers and Marines also find themselves working together in the operational environment. A group of Air Force and Navy electronic warfare officers at Al

  • Kadena Airmen see mobility surge due to volcanic activity

    As a result of continued volcanic activity in Iceland, some Air Mobility Command aircraft are being re-routed through the Pacific on their way to support operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. As the keystone of the Pacific, Kadena Air Base is one of the bases providing en route support for C-5

  • U.S. and Bulgarian airmen train together

    Airmen and F-15 Eagles from the 48th Fighter Wing are participating in an exercise with airmen from the Bulgarian air force here.Sentry Gold is designed to provide members of the U.S. and Bulgarian air force the opportunity to learn from each other and increase their respective NATO

  • Guard security forces members protect exercise participants

    While more than 250 participants of Exercise Ardent Sentry '10 are here honing their skills to protect American citizens against threats from the air, Airmen from the Georgia Air National Guard's 165th Security Forces Squadron are protecting them on the ground. The unit is part of the 165th Airlift

  • Air Mobility Command commander visits Korea

    The commander of Air Mobility Command visited South Korea and the peninsula en-route to an AMC unit here May 16 through 18.Gen. Raymond E. Johns Jr.'s visit to the 731st Air Mobility Squadron was his first since he assumed command of AMC in November 2009.The mission of the 731st AMS Airmen increased

  • Airmen support German-American Special Olympics

    More than 1,600 volunteer and 800 athletes participated in the 27th annual German-American Special Olympics on the mobility police grounds here May 12.Nineteen American schools and 39 German schools for people with disabilities from within the State of Rhineland-Palatinate, as well as members of the

  • 755th Air Expeditionary Group members celebrate one year with JET Airmen

    The 755th Air Expeditionary Group marked the one year anniversary of the creation of four air expeditionary squadrons whose purpose is to provide joint expeditionary tasked and individual augmentee Airmen May 5 here.Airmen assigned to the 655th, 755th, 855th and 955th AES are deployed to more than

  • Program links troops with career resources

    As the United States' economic crisis lingers, returning veterans are finding it harder to translate the skills they have learned on the battlefields onto a resume, but some employers are working with the military to bridge the gap.Staff members with the Employer Partnership Office of the Armed

  • Ardent Sentry '10 scans the sky above Savannah

    More than 250 Airmen, Soldiers, and Coast Guardsmen in Georgia, along with 380 Sailors on a destroyer off the Georgia coast, have begun 24-hour operations as a major air defense exercise kicked off May 16, 2010 here. Ardent Sentry '10 is a major North American Aerospace Defense Command air defense

  • Warrior Games closing marks new beginning

    The 2010 Warrior Games may have ended May 14, but for the wounded warriors who competed here this week, their work is just beginning, officials hope."You've just completed a rigorous test of your physical and mental skills, your strength and endurance," Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint

  • Airmen train with Romanian counterparts for the first time

    Airmen from Ramstein Air Base's 86th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, alongside members of the 37th Airlift Squadron and 435th Contingency Response Group trained with their Romanian counterparts the week of May 10 at Otopeni Airlift Base here.Operation Carpathian Summer 2010 was designed to

  • ESC officials look to DOD 'Venture Catalyst' initiative

    Electronic Systems Center officials here are working with a special Defense Department unit to help tackle some tough command and control and information-related challenges.People in the Capabilities Integration Division, known best by its two-letter XR designation, are currently awaiting a list of

  • First career air liaison officers graduate TACP pipeline training

    For the first time since the Tactical Air Control Party career field began in 1977, five non-rated air liaison officers joined the ranks of battlefield Airmen across the Air Force after graduating from the basic Tactical Air Command and Control Apprentice Course April 27.Capt. Matthew Kealy, 1st Lt.

  • Ground system adds more bandwidth to cluttered airspace

    The installation of a first-of-its-kind aeronautical telemetry ground system at the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School here is improving aircraft communication in airspace already jumbled by frequencies from cell phones and satellite television.  This technology expands communications capability

  • Trauma research team works to improve battlefield injury outcomes

    As American military members and their coalition partners fight the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, medics from these same countries work in collaboration to treat their battlefield wounds in theater hospitals.Combat zone injuries have changed over the years, with improved body armor protecting vital

  • Afghan Air Interdiction Unit gets a boost

    Members of the Afghan Ministry of Interior's Air Interdiction Unit held a transition ceremony May 5 at an Afghan National Army Air Corps base in Kabul, Afghanistan, in support of the unit's notable accomplishments over the past 12 months. A few of the distinguished accomplishments include the

  • Pacific Angel participants see continued bilateral cooperation

    A U.S. and Vietnam servicemember-hosted medical clinic concluded three days of centralized free care to Vietnamese patients as part of Operation Pacific Angel 10-2 here May 12. Servicemembers at the Tan Thoi Village Elementary School had cared for more than 1,250 patients in the pediatric, family

  • Deployment opportunities available for civilians

    Qualified Air Force civilians can broaden their career experience and bring valuable knowledge back to the workplace by volunteering for deployments in a variety of career fields, including civil engineering, contracting, intelligence, logistics management and security administration.As part of the

  • Grand Forks CGOA recognized as best in Air Force

    The Grand Forks Air Force Base Company Grade Officer Association was selected as the CGO Council of the Year, May 5, during the CGOA Professional Development Conference in San Francisco.The Grand Forks AFB CGOA competed against more than 70 other CGOA councils from around the Air Force to win the

  • Airmen help save lives by donating platelets

    Military members at Kandahar Airfield have a chance to help fellow servicemembers by donating blood platelets.The aphersis clinic at the Role 3 hospital uses a unique process to extract blood platelets from donors. Platelets are one of three basic components of human blood."Our mission is to collect

  • Photo essay: C-130 aircrew helps fight oil spill

    An aircrew prepares the release of oil dispersant while flying their specially equipped aerial spraying C-130 Hercules aircraft here May 7. The unit is from the Air Force Reserve Command's 910th Airlift Wing at Youngstown-Warren Air Reserve Station, Ohio.View the slideshow.

  • Misawa Airmen deploy to South Korea

    The pilots and maintainers of the 14th Fighter Squadron and the 14th Aircraft Maintenance Unit here deployed to South Korea this week.Airmen of the 14th FS combined with 35th Maintenance Group members in an effort to maintain regional stability in the Asia-Pacific theater and promote stronger

  • Partnership with Air Guard, Reserve offers new options with C-130 training

    The secretary of the Air Force announced May 4 that officials will proceed with a plan to augment the C-130 Hercules training fleet with C-130s from Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve squadrons.Secretary Michael Donley said Air Force planners will "continue to analyze the allocation of

  • Fighter Squadron produces 205 sorties in three days

    Members of the 74th Fighter Squadron here recently produced a total of 205 sorties while conducting surge operations April 26 through 28.The squadron's main focus during the surge operations was to test their capability to produce as many sorties as possible within the three-day span and to simulate

  • Barksdale Airmen test ability during exercise

    Approximately 150 maintenance Airmen, 2nd Bomb Wing pilots and support members recently returned from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, where they participated in the 10-day Exercise Red Flag-Alaska.The exercise is designed to provide realistic and demanding air-combat training to flying unit members

  • Air Force senior execs honored with top awards

    Seventeen of the Air Force's top executive employees were recognized for career achievements during the annual Distinguished and Meritorious Presidential Rank Awards ceremony held April 30 in the auditorium of the Women's Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery.Secretary of the Air Force Michael

  • Nominations open for 2010 GEICO awards

    Awards and decorations officials at the Air Force Personnel Center here are seeking nominations for the 2010 Government Employees Insurance Company's Military Service Awards. The annual GEICO Military Service Awards recognize enlisted servicemembers from all military service branches, active duty,

  • Air Force's senior enlisted leader experiences pre-deployment training

    The chief master sergeant of the Air Force visited the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center here April 26 and 27 to gain first-hand knowledge of Air Force and Army expeditionary skills training. Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy visited the base for the second time in his current

  • Air Force officials support oil containment efforts

    At the request of U.S. Northern Command officials, and to assist the U.S. Coast Guard's efforts to contain the oil spill in the western Gulf of Mexico, Air Forces Northern officials are providing units to help disperse the spill and mitigate its impact as it makes its way toward the shoreline.Under

  • Barksdale pilots support Pilot for a Day program

    Pilots with the 2nd Bomb Wing here brightened the lives of seriously ill children May 1 by supporting Naval Air Station Corpus Christi Texas' Pilot for a Day program.Members of the 20th Bomb Squadron here recently flew a training mission to NAS Corpus Christi, that allowed them to do several passes

  • Warrior Games to include pentathlon ultimate challenge

    The inaugural Warrior Games competition May 10 through 14 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., will feature individual and team events and an ultimate champion multi-sport challenge for a Chairman's Cup trophy. During a "DOD Live" bloggers roundtable May 6, Robert E. Moore

  • General sees opportunity, innovation at F-35 training wing

    The commander of Air Education and Training Command visited the 33rd Fighter Wing April 26 here.General Stephen R. Lorenz visited Eglin Air Force Base to observe how the wing staff is taking "the opportunity to shape the future," by training pilots and maintainers on the F-35 Lightning II."(The

  • Pentagon leaders recognize best installations

    Representatives from five military bases deemed the "best of the best" were awarded the highest award for excellence among installations at a Pentagon ceremony May 5 here. Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska; the Army's Fort Bragg in North Carolina; Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine

  • 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' online inbox goes live

    A new online inbox that enables servicemembers and their families to comment anonymously about the impact of a possible repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law has gone live. The inbox will enable servicemembers and families to offer their thoughts about how a repeal of the law that prohibits gays

  • Air Force program recognized for excellence in government

    The Air Force's Logistics, Installations and Mission Support-Enterprise View, or LIMS-EV,  Logistics Transformation initiative was one of 20 finalists in the 2010 Excellence.Gov Awards, competing with other organizations from throughout the federal government.The American Council for Technology and

  • Student pilots reach course milestone: airborne refueling

    Nearly 18,000 feet above Southern Arizona's desert landscape, students in the A-10C Pilot Initial Qualification Course here completed their first air-to-air refueling mission during the week of April 26. Twelve pilots from the 358th Fighter Squadron and 13 from the 357th FS are enrolled in the

  • Servicemembers begin immersion training in Afghanistan

    The first class of U.S. military servicemembers and civilians in the new AfPak Hands program arrived here last week to continue training at the Counterinsurgency Training Academy Afghanistan.AfPak Hands is a new, "all-in" language and cultural immersion initiative developed last summer and stood up

  • Air Force announces JAG award winners

    The Air Force Judge Advocate General announced April 30 the 2009 Judge Advocate General Award winners. "I am proud of each of our award winners; they represent the best of the best," said Lt. Gen. Richard C. Harding, the judge advocate general. "They have demonstrated excellence, initiative,

  • U.S., Pakistan relations bolstered by F-16 training

    Eight Pakistani air force pilots, each experienced in the F-16 Fighting Falcon's A and B models, recently learned to fly the newer C- and D-model aircraft at the 162nd Fighter Wing, the international F-16 training unit, and were honored at a graduation ceremony May 4 here.Pakistan's air force

  • Chaplains discuss suicide prevention

    Air Combat Command chaplains gathered April 27 through 29 to discuss the problem of suicide during a Comprehensive Airman Fitness conference in Newport News, Va. During the conference, Dr. Thomas Joiner, the event's keynote speaker, shared his concern about the pandemic of suicide. "Worldwide, over

  • Airmen provide unique 'open-the-base' capability

    Transforming an abandoned airfield or an austere piece of land into a functional airfield in 12 hours might seem impossible to some, but it's just another day's work for the Airmen in Ramstein's 435th Air Mobility Squadron.For an airfield to be "functional," command and control, aerial port

  • New MC-12 unit activated at Kandahar Airfield

    Officials activated the Air Force's newest MC-12 Liberty squadron in a ceremony here May 1. The 361st Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron has been reactivated many times in the squadron's fairly unique history, said Col. John A. Cherrey, the commander of the 451st Expeditionary Operations Group

  • Airmen, Soldiers continue tradition of joint operations training

    Airmen from here and Soldiers from the Army's 82nd Airborne Division at nearby Fort Bragg joined forces April 26 to 29 to demonstrate to each other and master the capabilities their service can provide and help each branch achieve its objectives in a combat or humanitarian environment.This four-day

  • Yellow Ribbon event provides rest, eases redeployment

    Rest and relaxation mixed with reintegration seminars and veteran resources, coupled with plenty of chocolate was the theme for the 60-day Yellow Ribbon Event April 16 to 18 at Hershey Lodge in Hershey, Pa.Yellow Ribbon coordinators from the 514th Air Mobility Wing planned this event for more than

  • Airmen gain greater understanding of international medevac

    U.S. and German aeromedical evacuation units met to gain insight, share ideas and coordinate joint evacuation efforts April 24 through 26 at International Security Assistance Force Regional Command North's Camp Marmal, Afghanistan.Lt. Col. Michael Gainer, the 455th Expeditionary Aeromedical

  • State-of-the-art equipment bridges the gap

    Army Corps of Engineers members along with members of the 84th Engineer Support Company, 6th Engineer Battalion, tested a new bridging system April 28, 2010, at Fort Richardson, Alaska, to help the military travel across a wide variety of terrain quickly. Testing of the Lightweight Modular Causeway

  • Airmen deploy to Hungary for bilateral training exercise

    Approximately 100 members of the Ohio Air National Guard's 178th Fighter Wing from Springfield, Ohio, arrived here April 22 through 27 in support of the Load Diffuser Exercise 2010.This is a joint exercise with the Hungarian Joint Force Command. The exercise aims to sharpen the combat capabilities

  • Air Force senior leaders break ground for special Fisher House at Dover

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley, Gen. Norton Schwartz, Air Force Chief of Staff, and Ken Fisher, Fisher House Foundation chairman, participated in a special groundbreaking ceremony May 1 for a Fisher House on Dover Air Force Base, Del. Although this is the 53rd Fisher House to be built,

  • Air Force C-130s, Navy equipment dispatched to support oil slick response

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates has authorized two Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft to support the response to a massive oil slick that threatens wetlands and beaches along the Gulf Coast, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell confirmed April 30.In addition, Navy officials have dispatched 66,000

  • DOD acquisition leader shares his priorities

    More than 700 military, civilian and contractor acquisition professionals and defense industry partners discussed challenges they face during the Department of Defense Acquisition Insight Conference April 20 through 21 here.The Pentagon's top acquisition official, Dr. Ashton Carter, Undersecretary

  • Guard units ready as Gulf Coast braces for oil spill

    Officials in at least three states along the Gulf of Mexico are preparing for a potential call for thousands of National Guard members as government leaders ramp up a response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal sent letters to federal officials asking them to approve

  • Airmen, Soldiers join forces for exercise

    More than 140 Airmen and Soldiers worked together on a new concept during the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center's Eagle Flag exercise on Lakehurst April 12. Eagle Flag is the U.S. military's premiere exercise for validating logistics port-opening procedures in an expeditionary environment.The

  • Combat controllers contributions honored in ceremony

    The Air Force chief of staff presented 13 medals to 11 combat controllers during a ceremony here April 29. Gen. Norton Schwartz pinned three Silver Stars, five Bronze Stars with Valor, three Bronze Stars, and two Purple Hearts on Airmen from the 22nd Special Tactics Squadron for their actions during

  • Wingman Stand Down 2010 in May focuses on Airmen safety, well-being

    For a half day in May, Airmen will learn strategies to prevent suicides and private motor vehicle accidents as part of Wingman Stand Down 2010. The exact date for the stand down will be left to individual units to determine.In a jointly signed letter, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz

  • Boeing officials bring 787 to Eglin AFB for weather tests

    Officials at the McKinley Climatic Lab here are hosting Boeing's newest passenger aircraft, the 787 Dreamliner, for two weeks of cold and hot weather testing.The new plane arrived April 18 and was moved into the lab to begin its cold-weather testing with temperatures reaching minus 45 degrees. The

  • Air Guard rescue unit practices skills during exercise

    When the 212th Rescue Squadron Airmen of the Alaska Air National Guard arrived on-scene, the apartment complex was a jumble of broken concrete and unstable support beams. An aftershock from an 8.5 magnitude earthquake the day earlier had collapsed the structure; large slabs had crushed cars and some

  • Lynn discusses social media at Facebook headquarters

    You could call the Facebook headquarters the "un-Pentagon." The dress is casual, with far more T-shirts than sport coats, and many workers wear sandals instead of shoes.A skateboard was parked outside one office. An employee who spotted a group in business suits remarked, "If they're wearing ties,

  • Airmen train for firefighting mission

    Airmen from the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve are training with the Modular Airborne Firefighting System, or MAFFS, at the South Carolina Technology and Aviation Center here April 26 to 30.Air National Guard and Reserve aircrews fly MAFFS-equipped C-130 Hercules aircraft that can dispense

  • Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Movement Corridor study presses on

    Wildlife biologists and conservation agents from here along with researchers from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game are continuing a wildlife research effort in Anchorage, Alaska.In 2005 researchers initiated a joint installation study to document brown bear populations, habitat, food selection

  • Fisher House groundbreaking ceremony set May 1

    The groundbreaking ceremony for the Fisher House and Meditation Pavilion for the Families of the Fallen at the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations Center is scheduled for May 1here.AFMAO members will direct the Fisher House as it provides free on-base lodging for families who come here to witness

  • Air Force officials activate rescue squadron at Camp Bastion

    The 79th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron was officially activated during a ceremony April 22 at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan.Lt. Col. Mike Hinsch assumed command of the unit from Col. John Cherrey, 451st Expeditionary Operations Group commander, who officiated the ceremony. The search and rescue mission

  • Avatar project seeks to help military amputees

    In the movie "Avatar," Jake Sully, a former Marine who lost the use of both legs in combat, climbs into a vessel that magically restores his body when he assumes a new, 10-foot-tall avatar identity.A new project being funded through the Advanced Army Medical Technology Initiative promises to bring

  • Combat photographer to compete in Warrior Games

    Not once, but twice. Twice, in 2004 and 2007, a combat photographer who was assigned to the 1st Combat Camera Squadron, Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., was wounded in Iraq.It was her combat wounds in 2007 that caused retired Staff Sgt. Stacy Pearsall to give up her dream as a combat photographer

  • New Air Force cyberspace badge guidelines released

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton A. Schwartz has approved the new cyberspace badge and associated wear criteria.In his Apr. 21 memorandum, General Schwartz set forth guidelines and addressed standard eligibility requirements for officers working in the cyberspace domain. Eligibility criteria for

  • Exercise enhances training, partnerships for U.S., Bulgarian military

    Airmen, Soldiers and Sailors teamed with Bulgarian armed forces members to conduct Exercise Thracian Spring 2010 April 22 thorugh 28 here.Eighty-one Airmen from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, joined Soldiers from the 5th Quartermaster Company at Rhine Ordnance Barracks, Germany and Sailors from the

  • Deployed Airmen memorialize air mobility legend through mural

    Retired Master Sgt. Roy Hooe died April 18, 1973, but in a way he came back to life some 37 years later to the day in the form of art.Airmen deployed to the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing put the finishing touches on a mural April 18 highlighting Sergeant Hooe's legacy, in Roy's Flight Kitchen,

  • Air Guard civil engineers benefit from improvements

    Frequent mobilizations are still challenging the Air National Guard's civil engineers, but the planning, training and support for them has improved dramatically, Guard officials said April 26 here.About 400 Air Guard civil engineers joined with security forces Airmen at a conference here to discuss

  • Falcons' Garland signs with Denver Broncos

    Air Force senior defensive lineman Ben Garland has signed a professional contract with the Denver Broncos, according to an announcement April 26 from the National Football League team.Garland is required by Department of Defense policy to serve at least 24 months active duty before applying for an