HomeNews

NATO Air Policing operations

U.S. Air Force News

  • Secretary Gates cites Air Force's value in war on terrorism

    America's war on terrorism would grind to a halt without the contributions of the Air Force, said the Defense secretary June 9 at Langley Air Force Base. "Every day, amazing Airmen are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan," Secretary Robert M. Gates said. "Beyond that, you support all the services

  • Indiana's Air, Army Guard respond to regional flooding

    Members of the Indiana Air National Guard's 181st Intelligence Wing and the Army National Guard's 519th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion came to the aid of their communities as more than six inches of rain fell onto Indiana's Wabash Valley June 6 and 7.When the call for assistance came in, the

  • SECDEF praises Airmen, discusses leadership changes

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates reassured Airmen of their value and contributions, and presented a way ahead to ease wartime strain during a visit to Air Combat Command here June 9. In describing the Air Force's oft un-acknowledged efforts in the war on terrorism, he said he realized the costs of

  • Altitude in Peru presents challenges, won't stop mission

    The air is a bit thinin the mountainous region of Ayacucho, Peru, where Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine servicemembers are participating in New Horizons-Peru 2008, a humanitarian mission set on improving the quality of life of underprivileged Peruvians. The altitude in Huamanga is more than 9,000

  • Air Force announces Reserve F-22 squadron at Holloman

    Air Force Reserve Command officials announced June 6 that a second F-22 Raptor fighter squadron will be established at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. Reserve officials will relocate the 301st Fighter Squadron from Luke AFB, Ariz., to Holloman AFB and form a classic association with the active duty's

  • Afghan soldiers master driving Humvees

    Humvees will soon become the Afghan National Army's vehicle of choice on the battlefield, but not until every soldier is qualified to safely operate them. For this reason, Air Force Capt. Todd Klusek and Army Capt. William Snyder, combat service support senior mentors assigned to the Combined

  • Improvements target morale for troops in Afghanistan

    A genuine caring attitude drives the morale, welfare and recreation Airmen who continuously work to improve the MWR facilities and events for Airmen and Soldiers here. Assigned to the Laghman Provincial Reconstruction Team, two of the three MWR Airmen arrived in March to discover a facility

  • SECDEF makes Air Force leadership recommendations

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates today recommended to President Bush his nominations for the top civilian and military leadership positions in the Air Force. Secretary Gates recommended Michael Donley to serve as secretary of the Air Force and Gen. Norton Schwartz to serve as chief of staff. Mr.

  • SECDEF to speak to Airmen today

    The Pentagon Channel will broadcast a speech by Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates at 3:30 p.m. EST today. Secretary Gates will address nearly 400 members of Air Combat Command during the visit, his first of three stops at Air Force bases in the next two days. To watch Secretary Gates' presentation

  • Airmen help Iraqi air force become self-sustaining service

    High above the desert terrain, they fly in providing security to the people of Iraq. The airmen are vigilant, alert and ready to engage the enemy while patrolling the sky over Iraq. They are the new breed of Iraqi airmen. The Iraqi air force has evolved by leaps and bounds in recent years, and

  • Officials bring back missile badges, wings

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley announced the return of the missile badge with operations designator for intercontinental ballistic missile crews June 6. He also announced that the three ICBM wings of Air Force Space Command's 20th Air Force will return to the convention of being

  • Interagency task force targets 'violent actors'

    U.S. Central Command is part of an interagency task force for irregular warfare, a CentCom operations section initiative that recently stood up to track and target "violent and extreme actors" in the command's area of operations, said the general who is spearheading the effort. "Regionally, we look

  • Hanscom to play vital role in coalition demo

    Hanscom Air Force Base officials are setting up to serve as a major host site for the June 9 through 20 Coalition Warrior Interoperability Demonstration, an annual event sponsored by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and directed by U.S. Joint Forces Command.  The primary goal -- at Hanscom

  • Gate dedicated to Lakenheath hero

    A quiet reverence overtook Gate 2 here June 1 as members of the 48th Security Forces Squadron dedicated the new gate to a fallen member of Royal Air Force Lakenheath. Senior Airman Jason D. Nathan deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and was mortally wounded by an improvised

  • B-2 accident report released

    Distorted data introduced by a B-2 Spirit's air data system skewed information entering the bomber's flight control computers ultimately causing the crash of the aircraft on takeoff at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Feb. 23, according to an Air Combat Command accident investigation report released

  • Resignation statement from the Air Force chief of staff

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley issued the following statement today:Recent events have highlighted a loss of focus on certain critical matters within the Air Force. As the Air Force's senior uniformed leader, I take full responsibility for events which have hurt the Air Force's

  • B-1B sniper pod aims to hit summer target

    Air Force officials say the B-1B Lancer sniper pod could be operational as early as this summer after accelerated testing cut the length of the sniper pod program from nine to three months. Air Force Materiel Command's Global Power Bomber Combined Test Force at Edwards Air Force Base, along with Air

  • Airman shows tenacity, extends twice to meet goals in Iraq

    An Air Force major will return to the U.S. from Iraq -- more than a year after he expected to be home.Maj. Jiro McCoy, the 770th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron Mi-17 (multi-role helicopter) commander of advisers, who voluntarily extended for more than 18 months on what was supposed to be a

  • Doctor receives Canadian award

    A member of the 59th Medical Wing has been awarded the Canadian Meritorious Service Medal for his life-saving contributions to Canadians and coalition soldiers while deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan. Col. (Dr.) Thomas Seay, the 59th Radiology Squadron commander, was assigned to the Combined

  • Captain leads Airmen up highest peak in North America

    When HH-60G Pave Hawk pilot Capt. Mark Uberuaga hits the fitness center's treadmill, he wears five-pound weights around his ankles and a 50-pound expedition pack on his back. His training is intense, but so is the task that lies ahead of him, to complete the  "Seven Summits Challenge," which is

  • Bolling, Reserve officials honor famous actor, Airman

    Actor James M. Stewart was a Hollywood legend who flew bomber missions with the Army Air Forces during World War II and rose to the rank of brigadier general in the Air Force Reserve. Officials from the 11th Wing from Bolling Air Force Base and Air Force Reserve Command members participated in a

  • AEF evolves for stressed career fields

    Air Force officials here will soon implement an amendment to the air and space expeditionary force deployment cycle that will better reflect the deployment-tempo of stressed career fields. Currently more than 45 percent of the 35,000 Airmen fighting in the war on terrorism are deployed out of their

  • Defense Nuclear Surety Inspection conducted at Minot

    A Defense Nuclear Surety Inspection was conducted at the 5th Bomb Wing, Minot Air Force Base, N.D., from May 16 to 26. Inspectors from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, the Department of Defense Inspector General, Air Force IG, Air Combat Command IG and Air Force Space Command IG evaluated the

  • Predator, Reaper unit becomes air expeditionary wing

    The 432nd Wing here that flies the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles was designated an air expeditionary wing by Air Combat Command officials in May. The wing will now have dual reporting responsibilities to 9th Air Force and U.S. Air Forces Central at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C.,

  • 'Today's Air Force' features Air Force transformation

    This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights how the Air Force continues transforming to meet the needs of the 21st Century. The transformation begins with Airmen taking advantage of professional education, training and networking opportunities.Also featured is a segment on how Airmen are

  • Kunsan Airmen exercise with RSAF

    Enhancing interoperability and allied war fighting lethality are just a few of the aims for Kunsan Air Base airmen currently mobilized to the Republic of Singapore. More than 22 F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots and maintainers from the 80th Fighter Squadron are wrapping up a 10-day air-to-air training

  • 2-time Oscar winner presents film at Air Force Week

    Military medicine and wounded warriors took center stage in the "Fighting for Life" documentary produced by Terry Sanders shown during Air Force Week in Philadelphia May 28 at the Levitt Auditorium of the University of the Arts here. Directed by two-time Academy Award winner Terry Sanders and

  • CE Airmen complete projects to benefit U.S., Iraqi army

    Airmen from Detachment 6 of the 732nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron recently returned here from forward deployed locations where they were instrumental in building infrastructures for coalition and joint forces in Iraq. One project was to build a joint combat outpost in the Diyala River

  • Aggressors give Blue Forces realistic training

    Every good novel needs an antagonist, every good movie needs a bad guy and every good air force exercise needs an aggressor, commonly known as the Red Forces. F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots from the 64th Aggressor Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., are screaming across Canada's open skies playing

  • Academy Class of 2008 achieves long-awaited goal

    Cool temperatures with an overcast sky and a threat of rain made it no less bright for the U.S. Air Force Academy's Class of 2008 when 1,012 graduates tossed their hats following a speech delivered by their commander-in-chief at the Academy May 28. "I am so pleased to stand before the future leaders

  • AFOSI agent serves as grand marshall in National Memorial Day parade

    The 2008 National Memorial Day Parade kicked off right on time at the National Archives in Washington, D.C., with three Airmen as the parade grand marshalls aboard the lead float with actor Gary Sinise. Special Agent (Master Sgt.) Jac Christiansen, Air Force Office of Special Investigations,

  • Air Force, Army improve joint training

    Officials at the Army's National Training Center at Ft. Irwin, Calif., and the Air Force's Green Flag West at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., have been working hard to integrate service-level exercises to help improve joint training for units preparing to deploy to Iraq or Afghanistan. "We are the

  • Phillies recognize Air Force heroes, newest Airmen

    Take me out to the ball game. Take me out to experience the Air Force. The Philadelphia Phillies saluted the Air Force with festivities both on the field and around the ballpark as part of Air Force Week in Philadelphia ceremonies on Memorial Day here as the Phillies dismantled the Colorado Rockies

  • Air Force Week in Philadelphia kicks off with parade

    Airmen paraded down the streets of Bridesburg adorned with red, white and blue flags and banners May 26 to kick off not only Air Force Week in Philadelphia but also the city's annual Memorial Day parade Gen. Arthur J. Lichte, the commander of Air Mobility Command, led a contingent of Airmen and

  • CSAF honors World War I aviators

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley, along with several hundred American and French citizens, paid homage to a special group of World War I aviators May 24 at the Lafayette Escadrille memorial ceremony that took place outside of Paris. The Airmen of the Lafayette Escadrille were the

  • 455th AEW holds memorial vigil

    Airmen of the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing recognized two of its fallen comrades and honored many others who have given their lives, during a wreath-laying and silent vigil ceremony at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, May 26. "As Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines, we go forward, risk our lives,

  • San Antonio area Air Force, Army medical centers to merge

    Medical care for military families in the San Antonio area is changing. Not in what it offers, but where, officals said. Wilford Hall and Brooke Army Medical Centers are set to merge by 2011 as part of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission recommendations. Combined, the two medical

  • Airmen honor fallen veterans in Paris

    Inside eight lanes of swarming traffic on western end of the Champs-Elysees, hundreds of tourists and local Parisians silently watched Gen. Roger Brady, the U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander, join French and American hosts in laying a wreath of flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Framing

  • Navy, Air Force train together to showcase capabilities

    In an effort to enhance the Air Force's weapons delivery capabilities and the Navy's F-18 Hornets' intercept capabilities, the 96th Expeditionary Bomber Squadron here and the aircrew of Carrier Air Wing ELEVEN (CVW-11) of the USS Nimitz have been participating in joint training exercises off the

  • VA secretary focuses on continuum of care

    Five months after taking the helm of the nation's second-largest cabinet department, the secretary of veterans affairs laid out his priorities and talked of transitioning the organization to meet the needs of veterans today as well as those of the next generation. Veterans Affairs Secretary Dr.

  • Battlefield Airmen train on Hickam

    Joint terminal attack controllers, or JTACs, found a unique place to train for close-quarters battle:  in one of Hickam's base housing areas. JTACs are part of a tactical air control party team. These battlefield Airmen live and work with Army ground units, and their main function is to coordinate

  • Iraqi air force postured to break records

    Iraqi air force members are making their mark in history. The fledging air power has proven its effectiveness through the execution of combat missions in Basrah, Mosul and Sadr City, and the year-to-date tally marks for aircraft sorties broke 5,000 last week. The IQAF has roughly 100 pilots assigned

  • Officials plan events for Air Force Week in Philadelphia

    Air Force officials will spread "brotherly love" as airpower will be displayed for Air Force Week in Philadelphia May 26 through June 2. Activities in the Philadelphia metro region will begin on Memorial Day and culminate with an Air Exposition featuring the Air Force Demonstrations Squadron, the

  • 'Today's Air Force' features deployment operations

    This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights explosive ordnance disposal Airmen and their efforts to demolish improvised explosive devices. Also featured is a segment on how Airmen find time, after a 12-hour shift, to volunteer their services while deployed -- a great gain for the host

  • Combat Hammer offers opportunity to evaluate precision-guided munitions

    In a "remote village" west of Salt Lake City, a 2,000-pound enhanced guided bomb unit-15 slips suddenly through an open window of a 30-foot building with immaculate precision. Zero fatalities result from this TV-guided infrared intrusion that occurred May 13. The village -- stacks of cargo

  • Military medical advancements benefit civilian health care

    Psychological health issues and traumatic brain injuries are primary areas of study in military medicine, said a senior Department of Defense medical official here recently. "What we are learning in studies will lead to some major breakthroughs in the world of medicine," said Dr. Michael E.

  • AFMC surgeon general: joint medical teams saving lives

    The Air Force offers one of the best medical services in the world, Brig. Gen. (Dr.) Richard A. Hersack said May 15 during his visit here. General Hersack, who became the Air Force Materiel Command surgeon general last fall, said he couldn't be more proud of the medical workers in the command and

  • Elmendorf NCO receives DOD honor

    Department of Defense officials recently recognized an Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, NCO for significant contributions to the sustainment, beddown and/or operational capability of AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles for the 3rd Wing here. Staff Sgt. Wayne Zuiderhof of the 3rd Equipment Maintenance

  • Airmen, Soldiers improve Afghan lives

    Airmen from around the world and Soldiers from Pennsylvania, Texas, North Carolina and Virginia arrived in Afghanistan in early March to improve the lives of the people of Nangarhar Province. After two months on the ground, the team has gotten its bearings and is working to build strong

  • New experimental equipment enhances Airmen capabilities

    It's not uncommon for tactical air control party Airmen, navigating through miles of rugged terrain, to carry nearly a hundred pounds of equipment in order to call in an air strike. In fact, it is their mission to advise Army commanders about that capability and use of airpower to enhance combat

  • Iraqi air force performs medical evacuation

    May 14 marked another significant event when members of the Iraqi air force flew its first medical evacuation mission since the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The crew consisted of an Iraqi pilot, flight medic and aerial gunner -- each with a U.S. military counterpart -- as they transported

  • Airmen airdrop messages to Iraqi citizens

    A nine-member 737th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron C-130 Hercules aircrew took off from a Southwest Asian air base and airdropped several hundred thousand leaflets to Iraqi citizens on the ground recently.  Dropping leaflets with information for the local citizens is aimed at improving interactions

  • SECAF discusses 'culture shift' toward continuous process improvement

    Speaking to more than 500 military members and civilians representing all services, as well as interagency and international partners, during the Department of Defense Continuous Process Improvement Symposium May 13, Secretary of the Air Force Michael Wynne emphasized Department of Defense officials

  • Area Processing Center consolidates mail, file sharing

    A new Area Processing Center that enables the Air Force to consolidate e-mail, Web, file-sharing and other information services for more than 160,000 active-duty Air Force, contractors, civilians and Air National Guardsmen into one location opened May 1 at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. This is a

  • New technology proves to be dynamite during JEFX 08

    F-22 Raptor pilots using an experimental version of a Tactical Targeting Network Technology, or TTNT,  were able to send and receive information such as command and control messaging, imagery, airspace updates and even free text messages using a cockpit touch-screen color display during the Air

  • Air Force hosts 36th annual National Image Conference

    Air Force officials recently hosted the National Image Conference in Las Vegas.  The theme was "From Heritage to New Horizons." National Image Inc. was founded in 1972 to address the needs of Hispanic employees in the federal government and later was expanded to increase its impact on employment,

  • 'Aggressive' training helps pilots outmaneuver enemy

    Members of the 18th Aggressor Squadron are playing an important role in Northern Edge 2008, an annual joint-training exercise currently taking place here. "We are the bad guys. We are the 'aggressors,'" said Tech. Sgt. Gary Pursley, an F-16 Fighting Falcon flightline expeditor for the 18th Aircraft

  • Guardian Challenge awards announced

    Guardian Challenge, the Air Force's premier space and missile competition, reached its zenith after dinner the evening of May 9 as competitors anxiously awaited the results of the contest. Riding a wave of enthusiastic chanting, Gen. C. Robert Kehler, the commander of Air Force Space Command, took

  • First wave of ROTC field training gets underway

    More than 360 ROTC cadets, mostly upcoming juniors from 144 colleges nationwide, kicked off the first wave of summer field training May 8 at Maxwell Air Force Base. In the next three months, Air Force ROTC officials forecast more than 2,300 cadets will participate in the annual training that serves

  • Airmen, Soldiers hone skills of Afghanistan National Police

    A Parwan Police Mentoring Team traveled to Dandar, a small village in the Parwan province of Afghanistan, May 8 to instruct  members of the Afghanistan National Police on hand-to-hand combat, community policing, coordination-cell training and criminal investigation. The PMT is a highly-efficient

  • Alaska ANG KC-135s provide 'edge' anytime, anywhere

    Between eight and 12 KC-135 Stratotankers from Eielson Air Force Base depart each day, providing fuel to as many as 18 aircraft in one mission for Northern Edge 2008.The missions, flown by the Alaska Air National Guard's 168th Air Refueling Wing, deliver the fuel aircraft need to remain engaged in

  • AF Marathon officials spread word about upcoming event

    Officials from the U.S. Air Force Marathon office made a stop at the Pentagon May 6 and 7 to increase awareness for the Sept. 20 event held at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. This is the twelfth year for the annual marathon, and officials hope to make it the biggest year yet. "Our

  • New wings to secure A-10 longevity

    New wings are the answer to Air Force concerns on the aging A-10 Thunderbolt II, an airframe flying since 1975. Air Force officials awarded a contract to Boeing last year requiring 242 new A-10 wings constructed and delivered to depots for installment on the thin-skinned airframes by 2011. Not all

  • Generals address Minot Airmen

    Two Air Force generals spoke to more than 1,000 5th Bomb Wing Airman May 2 here to remind them of their mission's importance to the nation and to motivate them for an upcoming Defense Nuclear Surety Inspection. Gen. Kevin P. Chilton, the commander of U.S. Strategic Command, and Gen. John D.W.

  • U.S., British Reaper operations combined in Afghanistan

    Since taking flight for the first time here in October 2007, Reapers have flown more than 320 missions and 2,400 combat hours throughout Afghanistan, providing close-air support and precision engagement. The unit contributing to this effort is the 42nd Expeditionary Attack Squadron, a combined unit

  • New Joint Staff team evaluates wounded warrior programs

    A joint team formed by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is looking at the broad range of care and support services for wounded warriors to find any gaps and tap into best practices to share across the force. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen stood up the Joint Staff Wounded Warrior Integration Team in

  • Medal of Honor recipient receives diploma

    Don't let the education office fool you; there are some people out there who have become commissioned officers without having their bachelor's degrees. Retired Col. Bernard Francis Fisher, a Medal of Honor recipient, received his diploma in fine arts from the University of Utah during a

  • Air National Guard unit earns 'Star' rating

    Occupational Health and Safety Administration officials announced April 30 the Air National Guard's 148th Fighter Wing earned the prestigious Voluntary Protection Program Star status. The 148th FW from Duluth is the first unit in the Air Force to earn the VPP Star rating, which demonstrates a

  • Air Force's only UAV wing marks one year in the fight

    Lt. Gen. Norman Seip, the 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) commander, congratulated Airmen at Creech Air Force Base May 6 as the 432nd Wing marked its first year as the Air Force's only MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle wing. "The 432nd Wing has grown exponentially over the

  • JTF-Bravo troops presented Honduran medals of merit

    Three Joint Task Force-Bravo personnel received the Honduran Medal of Merit May 5 for the work they've done in partnership with Honduras during the past year. The Honduran chief of defense, Gen. de Division Romeo Orlando Vasquez Velasquez, presented Army Lt. Col. Gregory Jicha, Army Forces

  • Today Show features Malmstrom Airmen, mission

    Normally, seeing Airmen scramble around an intercontinental ballistic missile wing might make you think it's time to run for cover. This time, however, the wing's hustle centered on being featured live on a national news program. NBC's Al Roker and the Today Show broadcast live from the 341st Space

  • Hanscom unit applies 'gold standard' to contract

    When a joint team led by the Electronic Systems Center awarded the system development and demonstration contract for the Airborne and Maritime/Fixed Station Joint Tactical Radio System this spring, the move triggered not a single protest. "It's one way we can tell we listened, learned, understood

  • Air Force participates in pro cycling event

    The U.S. Air Force Cycling Classic sped off to a start with more than 300 amateur and professional cyclists against a backdrop of the Air Force Memorial and the Washington Monument May 4 here. This was the second year the Air Force hosted the event, formerly the Crystal City Classic, as part of

  • Study of Iraqi birds to help reduce aircraft mishaps

    One of the Air Force's greatest airpower adversaries doesn't wear the uniform of another country; it wears feathers. Both deadly and expensive, aircraft accidents and mishaps caused by collisions with birds have cost the service approximately $35 million each year since 1985, according to Air Force

  • Predator combat air patrols double in 1 year

    A significant milestone was reached more than two years ahead of schedule May 1 with the beginning of the 24th MQ-1 Predator combat air patrol in the war on terrorism. This combat air patrol doubles the 24/7/365 Predator capability of last year, and is two years ahead of the Department of Defense

  • Airmen set up communication lines for exercise in Croatia

    Members of the 1st Combat Communications Squadron based out of Ramstein Air Base, Germany, began arriving in late April into Croatia to prepare network and phone systems for participants of the Medical Training Exercise in Central and Eastern Europe 2008 here.The 1st CBCS Airmen linked the more than

  • Airmen, Soldiers honor fallen comrade

    Airmen and Soldiers from Bagram Air Base honored an Airman who paid the ultimate sacrifice for his country during a memorial ceremony May 1 here. Senior Airman Jonathan A.V. Yelner, a convoy driver assigned to the Kapisa and Parwan Provincial Reconstruction Team, died of wounds suffered when his

  • 'Today's Air Force' features exercises

    This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights Thracian Spring, an exercise that provides Aimen the opportunity to work more effectively with allies in the fight against terrorism.  Also featured is Red Flag Alaska, a training exercise designed to provide Air Force pilots training in a

  • Air Force pilot breaks own world aviation record

    An Air Force Reserve pilot deployed here broke his own world record for hours spent flying the F-16 Fighting Falcon when he surpassed the 6,000-hour milestone May 2. Lt. Col. Michael Brill, a pilot assigned to the 421st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, has been breaking world aviation records since

  • Engineers save Air Force millions with F100 engine test plan

    Collaboration between the F100 engine program office at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., and test personnel at the Arnold Engineering Development Center here along with engine manufacturer Pratt and Whitney has led to reduced test costs for component improvement verification testing at AEDC facilities.

  • SERE 100 training requirement for all Airmen

    All active-duty Airmen are now required to complete Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape Computer Based Training on the Advanced Distributed Learning System by June 30. Air Force officials said the training is to ensure Airmen are equipped for the challenges faced on the battlefield as they find

  • B-52 simulators receive overhaul

    With 19 years and more than 3,000 flying hours piloting the B-52 Stratofortress, Lt. Col. Tom Silvia is the right person to ensure the bomber' s simulator is realistic as overhauls are completed to bring it up to date.Realism was lacking previously in the simulators, the colonel said. The view of

  • Northern Edge '08 to kick off

    The largest military training exercise in Alaska, Northern Edge 2008, begins May 5 with about 5,000 U.S. active duty, national guard, and Reserve component Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines. Alaskan Command hosts the air-centric exercise, which will involve more than 120 Air Force, Army, Air

  • With troops' freedom to choose beneficiaries comes greater responsibility

    Starting in July, servicemembers can choose to whom a $100,000 death gratuity will be disbursed if they are killed in action. Currently, troops can assign half the posthumous payment to recipients of their preference, with the remainder paid according to a hierarchy determined by the Defense

  • Security clearance question on mental health changed

    Defense Department officials will change a question on the department's long-standing security clearance form referencing an applicant's mental health history because they believe it is needlessly preventing some people from seeking counseling. The Standard Form 86, Questionnaire for National

  • Dashboard takes on AFCENT's coordination battle

    Air Force communicators assigned to U.S. Air Force Central Command communications have taken on a monumental cyber battle and are showing signs of victory with the roll out of Commander's Dashboard recently. The CC's Dashboard is the knowledge management system created by USAFCENT communicators to

  • Thais, Americans join forces for Exercise Teak Torch training

    About 130 Airmen from the 353rd Special Operations Group from Kadena Air Base, Japan, traveled to Udon Thani AB, to join forces with the Royal Thai air force for Exercise Teak Torch. "The joint combined exercise training events are designed to enhance U.S. military training and are conducted in many

  • Revamped Airman online now available

    Airman online has a new look -- and will feature Airmen at war. The magazine's new Web page went online May 1, along with the special May-June issue of the magazine dedicated to profiling some of America's Airmen at war. The Web page change brings the magazine in line with the rest of the Air

  • Synthetic fuel testing begins on fighter engine

    Engineers at Arnold Engineering Development Center began testing a Pratt & Whitney F100 engine April 29 in the J-1 simulated altitude jet engine test cell using a blend of alternative synthetic fuel.  The engine is the power plant for the F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon.Once testing and

  • Qualified Airmen can request Afghan, Iraq campaign medal stars

    A recent memorandum from the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense provides guidance on the wear of campaign stars on both the Afghanistan and Iraq campaign medals. The campaign stars recognize servicemembers for participating in designated campaign phases within the areas of responsibility for

  • AF officials select Airmen for AFIT graduate program

    Air Force officials recently selected six enlisted Airmen to continue their education through the Enlisted to Air Force Institute of Technology Graduate Degree Program. "My congratulations go out to these fine Airmen," said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley. "We had a number of

  • AFCENT command chief discusses wartime operations

    The command chief master sergeant of 9th Air Force and United States Air Forces Central closed out a tour through Southwest Asia April 25 with a visit  to the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing. The bulk of Chief Master Sgt. Scott Dearduff's visit here was spent meeting Airmen and seeing first-hand what

  • Moody Airmen rescue Cuban migrants found at sea

    Airmen from the 23rd Wing at Moody AFB performed a maritime rescue in the Gulf of Mexico April 25 that saved six lives. Moody Airmen responded by providing two HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters from the 41st Rescue Squadron, a 71st RQS HC-130P King and pararescue assets from the 38th RQS. The wing

  • B-1B performs as never envisioned after 20 years

    May 2 marks 20 years since the last B-1B Lancer was delivered to the Air Force, and today commanders consider it one of the most valuable aircraft in Iraq.Since 2003, the once-nuclear-weapon-carrying bomber has maintained a continuous presence in Southwest Asia after the Air Force modified it to

  • Air Force trains Coast Guard students in altitude chamber

    Coast Guard aircrew students completed altitude-chamber training taught by the 1st Fighter Wing Airmen here April 23.The base provides training for all Coast Guard members and the instructors tailor the class specifically to them, said Master Sgt. Rodney Morris, the 1st Aerospace Medical Squadron

  • Smithsonian puts UAVs on display

    Officials at the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum unveiled a new exhibit April 24 of military unmanned aerial vehicles representing each branch of service. Of the six UAVs on display, three artifacts came from the U.S. Air Force: - MQ-1L Predator A - RQ-3A Darkstar - X-45A

  • VA to call combat veterans with info on care, benefits

    Representatives of the Department of Veterans Affairs will begin contacting nearly 570,000 recent combat veterans May 1 to ensure they know about VA's medical services and other benefits. "We will reach out and touch every veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom to let them

  • CISM ends; U.S. takes gold

    The International Military Sports Council Basketball Championship came to a close April 22 in the Chaparral Fitness Center at Lackland AFB with the presentation of the gold, silver and bronze medals to the winning teams. The U.S Armed Forces team defeated Lithuania 84-74 in a dramatic comeback

  • Container management initiative saves money

    In an effort to not only improve the aesthetics of the installation but also save the Air Force hundreds of thousands of dollars, the 379th Expeditionary Maintenance Group and Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron's traffic management flight have joined forces to combat extraneous shipping

  • Air Force training records go digital

    Air Force officials are fielding two systems currently available through the Air Force Portal that make it easier to keep on-the-job training records up-to-date, saving time and money. Each Airman's Air Force Specialty Code will determine if their records will be maintained in one of these two