Helicopter retires after service in Vietnam, Iraq

MH-53 Pave Low helicopter tail number 68-10357 flew its final mission and last flight supporting special operations forces March 28 in Iraq after 38 years of service. The helicopter was the lead command and control helicopter for a mission to rescue approximately 50 American prisoners of war from

Chief receives Air Force Cross 40 years after mission

A retired chief master sergeant was awarded the Air Force Cross 40 years after the mission which earned him the Air Force's second-highest honor April 5 here. Nearly 300 members of Chief Master Sgt. Dennis Richardson's former unit attended the ceremony for the flight engineer with the 106th Rescue

Aggressor fleet paint scheme nears completion

After swapping out F-16 Fighting Falcons with the 8th Fighter Wing at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Airmen from the 354th Maintenance Squadron sheet metal shop wasted no time in painting the newly-received aircraft with a flanker color scheme which helps other pilots identify these aircraft as

Airman killed in support of combat operations

An Airman was killed April 9 supporting combat operations near Forward Operating Base Poliwoda, Iraq. The Airman was assigned to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing here. The name of the Airman is being withheld pending next-of-kin notification and release by the Department of Defense. Comment on this

'Campus Dining' to transform AF food services

Air Combat Command is leading the Air Force in a study that will change the way food service is delivered at Air Force installations. Services officials in ACC are traveling to various installations within the command to assess current food operations; the research may result in Air Force bases

Colorado's last Guard Vietnam MIA laid to rest

The remains of a Colorado Air National Guardsman who vanished during an observation flight 39 years ago over the jungles of South Vietnam were to rest April 3 at Arlington National Cemetery. Maj. Perry H. Jefferson, an intelligence officer with Colorado's 120th Tactical Fighter Squadron, went

Reserve officials activate space wing

Air Force Reserve Command officials stood up its first space wing, the 310th Space Wing, April 4 at Peterson Air Force Base. The 310th SW expanded from a group to a wing March 7 and was officially recognized at the ceremony attended by Gen. C. Robert "Bob" Kehler, the commander of Air Force Space

Air Force has new Web site for retirees

The Air Force has a new Web site just for its retiree community that is full of news and information, plus it is easy to access and navigate. The Air Force Retiree Services site is located at www.retirees.af.mil. This public Web site offers the retiree family in-depth information on the Survivor

DOD to phase out full Social Security numbers on IDs

As a means of combating identity theft, the Defense Department will issue identification cards without full Social Security numbers printed onto them, a senior official said here April 3. The Defense Department cares about protecting personal information as well as increasing database security, said

B-2s ready to fly despite safety pause

Although B-2 Spirit flying operations remain in temporary pause, the Airmen and aircraft are ready and capable to generate missions if necessary, according to Air Combat Command officials here and the 509th Bomb Wing commander at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. Since the first-ever B-2 crash Feb. 23 at

Mobile CASF training course now available worldwide

Sheppard Air Force Base medical training took another step toward the future with the certification of the Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility Mobile Training Course taught here."Certification means we can go anywhere now and teach the course," said Maj. Tammy St. Armand, an instructor

Arnold contributes to first supersonic flight using synthetic fuel

When a B-1B Lancer became the first Air Force aircraft to fly at supersonic speed using a 50/50 blend of synthetic and petroleum-based fuels March 19, the Arnold Engineering Development Center work force knew they played a significant role in supporting the flight. Since 2006, AEDC men and women

Temporary hospital finds permanent place in history

Airmen from the 332nd Expeditionary Medical Group and the 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron here worked together to preserve a piece of Balad Air Base, Logistics Support Area Anaconda and Operation Iraqi Freedom history. The emergency room from the old Balad AB Air Force Theater Hospital,

Officials urge caution on social networking Web sites

Your location on a friend network, a photo on Facebook, a prayer for a deployed family member on a military-based blog -- all posted on the World Wide Web with the intent to bring comfort to loved ones and news to friends. This information may seem harmless, but when put together these puzzle pieces

Airmen expand Air Force global reach with KC-10s

Providing 1 million gallons of jet fuel weekly, the KC-10 Extender and the Airmen of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing who support it give global reach to U.S. and coalition aircraft supporting operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. "The common theory on tankers is that we are a force

Former A-10 pilot, Cowboy speaks at Pentagon

Chad Hennings knows teamwork. Chad Hennings knows mentorship. Chad Hennings knows success. Chad Hennings also knows what it's like to fly an A-10 Thunderbolt II on a combat sortie, win three Super Bowls with the Dallas Cowboys and, most recently, speak with Airmen stationed at the Pentagon. Mr.

Upgraded B-52 still on cutting edge

The B-52 Stratofortress is continually modified with new technology making the 50-year-old airframe one of the Air Force's most effective long-range heavy bombers. Modified B-52 aircraft with modern technology are capable of delivering a full range of joint-developed weapons and will continue to be

Coalition maintainers keep C-130 in the fight

Aircraft maintainers from the U.S. Air Force, Japanese Air Self-Defense Force and South Korean air forces teamed up during the Coalition Maintenance Exchange Program to keep deployed C-130 Hercules aircraft ready for combat recently at a Southwest Asian air base. The exchange program matched

Balad trauma doctors gather to hone skills

Approximately 20 deployed military doctors, U.S. civilian doctors and Iraqi doctors gathered at the Air Force Theater Hospital to share information about operations at their respective hospital facilities and discuss and how they could work to be more interoperable here March 24 and 25. The Joint

Air Force Web site can prevent air mishaps for civilian pilots

Air Combat Command officials here currently are reaching out to private civilian pilots by publicizing a Web site designed to prevent mid-air collisions with military aircraft. The Web site, called www.seeandavoid.org, allows users to locate their flight path and determine how they can avoid flying

Sather medics prepare for worst, provide their best

"Bag him!" "I need an X-ray in here!" "I've got an abnormal rhythm!" "Somebody get me some vitals!" This could be the sounds of the fast-paced tempo and organized chaos of any emergency room anywhere, but these voices are being heard in a combat zone, where major trauma care can be more complex by

2007 Visual Information Award winners announced

Contest officials for the Defense Department 2007 Visual Information Awards here recently recognized numerous Air Force photographers, videographers, journalists and graphic artists for excellence in their fields. Airmen earned 13 first place awards, nine second place awards and 11 third place

Pope officials remember fallen Airman

Pope Air Force Base members paid their respects to an NCO who died March 22 fighting the war on terrorism during a March 26 memorial ceremony at Hangar 4 here. Tech. Sgt. William H. Jefferson Jr., 34, from the 21st Special Tactics Squadron died from wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an

AFNORTH provides support to flood areas

The numbered air force responsible for ensuring the air defense of the continental U.S. has also been supporting civilian and military authorities working to provide relief from the recent floods in the U.S. Maj. Gen. Henry C. "Hank" Morrow, the 1st Air Force (Air Forces Northen) commander at

Determination, ingenuity prevail for Bagram Airmen

When Airmen of the 819th RED HORSE Squadron here were faced with a $400,000 challenge in March, they used ingenuity to save the Air Force hundreds of thousands of dollars.A  water-well drilling rig was shipped from Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., in September 2007, but a series of incidents prevented

Kirkuk Airmen commemorate 5-year OIF anniversary

Hundreds of Kirkuk Air Base Airmen commemorated the fifth year anniversary of Operation Iraqi Freedom by honoring the 42 Airmen who gave their lives supporting the war on terrorism March 20 here. The ceremony included a 21-gun salute, a flag-folding ceremony performed by the base honor guard, and

'Today's Air Force' features medical care downrange

This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights critical medical care at Balad Air Base, Iraq. With the capability to position troops and distribute supplies during combat, the Air Force has another critical mobility facet, the transporting of medical professionals. See Air Force medical

AF recruit drops 128 pounds to enlist

Will Sims will enter basic training March 24 as one of the Air Force's newest recruits. It is a significant milestone in a wild journey that began more than a year ago, when this young man set forth to overcome an obstacle that might keep others with less determination and resolve out of the

WWII vets fly on 'Spirit of Go For Broke'

After waiting for more than a year and a half from the christening of the seventh C-17 Globemaster III added to Hickam Air Force Base's fleet of eight, the men for whom it was named finally got their ride March 13 here. A group of 40 surviving veterans from the famed 442nd Regimental Combat Team and

Air Force to lead National Image Conference

The Department of Defense named the Air Force as the lead service for this year's National Image Conference to be held April 14 to 18 at the South Point Hotel in Las Vegas. The conference theme, "From Heritage to New Horizons," will provide guidance and leadership to take Hispanic youth and

Air Force officials work to resolve child-care issues

The shortage of qualified child-care providers is a major concern for Air Force families, and the Air Force is working to resolve it, the chief of Airman and Family Services at the Pentagon said. While the Air Force offers Airmen quality, affordable child care at on-base facilities throughout the

B-1B achieves first supersonic flight using synthetic fuel

A B-1B Lancer from the 9th Bomb Squadron here became the first Air Force aircraft to fly at supersonic speed using an alternate fuel March 19 in a flight over Texas and New Mexico. The fuel, a 50/50 blend of synthetic and petroleum gases, is being tested as part of an ongoing Air Force program to

Pilot inducted into women's aviation hall of fame

In the months since her last flight as the Thunderbirds No. 3 right wing pilot, Maj. Nicole Malachowski has had a hard time putting her accomplishment of being the first woman to fly on a U.S. military flight demonstration team into a proper perspective. At the San Diego Air & Space Museum March 14,

Medal of Honor recipients visit throughout AFCENT

Manas Air Base Airmen, Soldiers and transitory personnel got a firsthand glimpse into history this week. Three Medal of Honor recipients from the Vietnam War toured the base and spoke at several local engagements on their stop here before touring other locations in the U.S. Air Forces Central area

Airmen integral part of unmanned aerial system milestones

The Global Hawk unmanned aerial system recently reached its 10 year and 20,000 flight hour milestones. More than 15,000 of those hours and most of those years have been amassed in support of operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, providing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to

Military Channel films at Langley for upcoming episode

The Discovery Military Channel filmed an episode March 11 at Langley Air Force Base, Va. The episode, which is part of the series "Showdown: Air Combat," will focus on the F-22 Raptor and its capabilities. The 10-segment series will highlight different military aircraft, and is scheduled to premiere

CENTAF now AFCENT with redesignation

On January 1, 1983, United States Central Command Air Forces was activated as the air component of the United States Central Command. Twenty-five years later, in a ceremony here March 3, 2008, it took on a new name, United States Air Forces Central, and an enhanced way of employing forces in war.

Iraqi air force attains tenfold increase in sorties

Iraq's air force, with help from a U.S. transition team, attained a tenfold increase in its number of weekly sorties and doubled the size of its fleet over the past year, a military official said today. Maj. Gen. Robert R. Allardice, commander of the Coalition Air Force Transition Team, said the

Conference addresses air, ground synchronization issues

More than 100 coalition members met March 3 to 5 at Al-Faw Palace in Baghdad to discuss ways to better synchronize airpower with future ground operations across Iraq. Dubbed simply the Air Synchronization Conference, the meeting brought together ground operators and planners from the Army-led

C-130 aircrews, Army riggers reach airdrop record

February marked an airdrop record for the C-130 Hercules of the 774th Air Expeditionary Squadron, but not without the support of the Army's 11th Quartermaster Rigger Detachment and Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force riggers here. The joint team delivered approximately 1 million pounds of

'Today's Air Force' features security forces

This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights security forces and their responsibilities to ensure the safety of weapons, property and people from hostile forces. Deployed security forces Airmen not only spend time enforcing the law, but also mentoring their Southwest Asia counterparts in

Global support center officially stands up March 28

Less than a year after standing up, the Air Force Global Logistics Support Center (Provisional) will lose its "Provisional" designation during the unit's formal standup March 28 at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. Gen. Bruce Carlson, commander of Air Force Materiel Command, will officiate at the ceremony.

Top leaders testify on '09 budget

The Air Force's top two leaders testified before the House and Senate Committee on Appropriations subcommittees on Defense during hearings about the fiscal 2009 budget March 11 and 12. While the main topic of discussion among congressmen and senators remained the KC-45A contract award, Secretary of

C-130J tailor-made for mission over Afghanistan

A 746th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron C-130J Hercules aircrew operating out of Southwest Asia dropped leaflets over Afghanistan encouraging its citizens to reject violence and embrace their government as part of an integrated operation with NATO's International Security Assistance Force March 6.

Airpower's advantages unlocked via sound strategy, paper says

American leaders should worry less about which armed service is preeminent and more about their severe strategy deficit, according to a new research paper written by Dr. Colin S. Gray. No single service will dominate all future conflicts, writes Doctor Gray, a well-respected author of 22 books on

Space Command hall of fame inductee honored

The Navy rejected him for far-sighted vision he "might" develop later in life. So he graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point with a Bachelor of Science degree on D-Day, June 6, 1944. By 1946 he was selected to serve in the super secret Manhattan Engineer District -- the

First OTS hand-to-hand combat-trained class graduates

AF leaders focus on the future during CORONA South

"Securing the Future" was the central theme of this year's CORONA South, held at Bolling Air Force Base here. The discussion and debate among the Air Force's senior leaders focused on preparing the Air Force to meet tomorrow's challenges as well as the potential need to restructure the force to

Services tests 'pallet to palate' philosophy

From "pallet to palate" is the philosophy behind an 18th Services Squadron capability tested during the Pacific Air Forces Operational Readiness Inspection held March 9 to 15 here. Wherever Airmen deploy, the single pallet expeditionary kitchen, or SPEK, can go with them to provide support. "The

Airmen complete first Air Advisor Course

The first class of Airmen headed to Iraq and Afghanistan to train foreign military members on Airmanship graduated here March 7. A total of 59 Airmen completed the course, developed to prepare instructors to train Iraqi and Afghan airmen to re-establish their national air forces. The U.S. Air Force

Rwandan Defense Force air traffic controllers visit Ramstein

Ramstein Air Base officials recently hosted four air traffic controllers from the Rwandan Defense Force, giving them a first-hand look at how the U.S. Air Force takes care of business on the airfield. The Rwandans visited the 86th Operations Support Squadron Airfield Operations Flight and the 1st

Computer protection: Good IDEA

Buying software to protect your home computer ensures it is safe from Internet viruses and hackers. When Air Force officials buy intrusion detection software for the service's computers, they don't browse through the aisles of the local computer store.The Intrusion Detection Exploration Analysis

Balad Airmen rescue U.S. teachers in Iraq

Airmen from the 64th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron here were called out to rescue two American citizens lost on a hiking trip March 2. "We initially started hearing information about a possibility of American citizens getting lost during a hiking trip at around 4 a.m.," said Navy Lt. Evan Scaggs, a

Stealth fighter honored at Wright-Patterson

The Air Force-industry team responsible for providing program oversight to the F-117A Nighthawk stealth fighter aircraft said farewell during a ceremony March 11 here. More than 350 Airmen, base employees, industry partners and family members gathered for one last close-up look at the F-117, which

Cadets receive cold-weather training in Alaska

Cadets from both Eagle River and West High School Junior ROTC programs participated in an overnight stay at Otter Lake on Fort Richardson, Alaska, to gain cold weather survival training Feb. 29 to March 1. Arriving early Feb. 29, the cadets began marching the eight-mile trail to the lake, carrying

556th becomes newest UAS squadron

The 556th Test and Evaluation Squadron became the Air Force's first operational test squadron for unmanned aircraft systems during a ceremony March 5 here. The stand-up is concurrent with the inactivation of the 53rd Test and Evaluation Group Det. 4. The Airmen, employees and equipment of the

Airmen aid coalition ground forces one leaflet at a time

American Airman here and members of the Australian Defence Force recently teamed up to deliver critical information to Iraqi civilians in southern Iraq. Flying in a C-130 Hercules, Airmen from the 737th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, worked in conjunction with Australians from Overwatch Battle

Secretary Wynne salutes Airmen

In the latest Letter to Airmen, the secretary of the Air Force salutes all those who provide support to operations around the globe. "I am continually amazed at the Air Force's ability to project combat power to any spot in the world from non-deployed locations," Secretary of the Air Force Michael

Airpower brings unique capability to U.S., Korean exercise

Ensuring peace and stability throughout the region takes a solid relationship between Republic of Korea airmen and the U.S. Airmen here -- one cannot accomplish the mission without the other. This month, Airmen in Korea are testing this relationship through Exercises Key Resolve and Foal Eagle.

Officials announce Air Force safety awards for 2007

Air Force safety officials have announced the winners of the 2007 safety awards. A. Secretary of the Air Force Safety Award Category I: Air Mobility Command Category II: United States Air Force Academy B. Maj. Gen. Benjamin D. Foulois Memorial Award Air Mobility Command C. Col. Will L. Tubbs

Dyess Airmen help airborne operations return to Fort Hood

"Stand up! Hook up!" More than 20 personnel heard these words as they rushed to jump out of a C-130 Hercules on the first airborne operation conducted in more than 10 years for Fort Hood Soldiers.Airmen of the 317th Airlift Group from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, partnered with Fort Hood officials

Women prove they have the 'right stuff' to fly

Throughout history, women have made a lasting impression on the fabric of the United States. In colonial times, women helped their husbands defend their farms from Indian attacks. During the American Revolution, women such as Mary Hays McCauly (better known as Molly Pitcher) took care of their

AETC commanders meet, discuss way ahead

More than 100 Air Education and Training Command senior leaders gathered at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., to participate in the AETC commanders' and command chiefs' conference Feb. 25-29. The conference, held twice annually, provided an opportunity for Gen. William R. Looney III, AETC commander, and

Council conducts operational review of AFSO 21

Several top Air Force leaders convened the Air Force Process Council here March 3 for their quarterly operational review of the service's Smart Operations for the 21st century initiatives. Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne and Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. T. Michael Moseley

Officials announce 2007 Air Force Media Contest winners

A panel of civilian journalists, photographers, broadcasters, teachers and public relations professionals selected the best individuals and units in Air Force print, photo and broadcast journalism for the 52nd annual Air Force Media Contest. The media contest is sponsored annually by the Secretary

Teamwork puts F-15E back in the fight

Airmen here worked together, and with outside agencies, to turn an unforeseen setback around and quickly bring a combat asset back to the fight. In late-January, Staff Sgt. Chris Petty, a 335th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Unit electro-environmental specialist, was troubleshooting an issue

ESC officials make digital air support possible

Electronic Systems Center officials here are giving Air Force tactical air control party Airmen on the ground and in the fight every available advantage to help win the war on terrorism. Tactical air control party Airmen, known as TACPs, must be able to communicate precise coordinates to pilots

Keeping Sather safe requires joint team effort

Airmen, Soldiers and Ugandan contractors who make up the 447th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron here combine forces to patrol, protect and defend Sather Air Base every day.In addition to securing the base, 447th ESFS members patrol the area around Baghdad International Airport."While working

Replace aging aircraft or risk irrelevancy, general says

The commander of Air Force Materiel Command, which is responsible for delivering war-winning capabilities to the rest of the Air Force, said during a visit to Air University here that Air Force officials must develop and buy new aircraft or risk the service becoming irrelevant. The Air Force must be

Commander holds six 'ACCES '

Lt. Gen. Stephen G. Wood, the Air Forces Korea and Korea Air Component Command commander, has six  'ACCES' spread out over the Korean peninsula helping him to stack the deck in the Key Resolve Exercise.Known as the Air Component Coordination Elements, or ACCEs, the Air Reserve Component officers

Air Force Reserve establishes first space wing

 Air Force Reserve Command officials are expanding the critical role reservists play in space operations by establishing AFRC's first space wing at Schriever Air Force Base, Colo. Command officials will activate the 310th Space Wing March 7. The new organization is an expansion of the existing 310th

12th Air Force officials unfurl new flags during redesignation

Airmen from 12th Air Force here sheathed the guidons of several units and unfurled a new banner marking the command's transition from a traditional numbered Air Force to an Air Force component organization Feb. 29 here.Lt. Gen. Norman R. Seip, the commander of 12th Air Force and Air Forces Southern,

GPS helps troops locate targets, one another

Members of the Joint Service System Management Office here provide global positioning systems-enabled technology in direct support of warfighters worldwide.Part of the 752nd Combat Sustainment Group, the JSSMO has representatives from all military branches. The unit maintains GPS receivers in the

Maintainers in Pacific gain top-down view of transformation

One of the top Air Force leaders involved in engineering a broad transformation in aircraft maintenance processes and organizational structures talked with senior leaders, wing commanders and maintainers throughout Pacific Air Forces March 3 here. "We're looking at the most fundamental

Coalition search, rescue teams locate missing helicopter

March 4 at approximately 11:56 a.m., coalition combat search and rescue teams located the wreckage of an Iraqi Mi-17 helicopter north of Lake Thar Thar. Recovery operations have been completed and there were no survivors. One coalition force member was among the eight personnel onboard. Identities

Peacekeeping mission continues for Airmen in Kosovo

More than a dozen Airmen currently deployed here are helping 1,400 American Soldiers maintain stability here despite the riots and assault on the U.S. embassy in protest to Kosovo's declaration of independence Feb. 17 in Belgrade, Serbia. Tech. Sgt. Scott Williams is one of four combat weathermen

Air Force JTACs train on leading edge technology

Approximately 20 Air Force joint terminal attack controllers from 16 different locations throughout the U.S. and other countries arrived here Feb. 23 to perform training with the mobile Air Support Operations Center Gateway in preparation for deployment. The JTACs will be at Shaw Air Force Base for

Legendary pilot visits Kadena

A surviving pilot of a legendary aviator group of determined black men at the forefront of historic social change during World War II spoke Feb. 25 at the Rocker NCO Club here. Retired Lt. Col. Charles Dryden was one of 992 Tuskegee Airmen who answered the call to serve his country when blacks were

Camp Eggers officials dedicate building to fallen Airman

Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and civilians dedicated the Gillespie House to honor a fallen Airman March 2 at Camp Eggers. Master Sgt. Randy Gillespie, an embedded training team senior mentor with the Afghan national army 207th Corps, died July 9, 2007, from fatal wounds sustained from small

Mother, daughter race together, 8,000 miles apart

Most people would never want to run a full marathon, but even fewer would think of running one in the desert with a dust storm looming. "Looks like I might have to run the whole 26 miles on a treadmill," 1st Lt. Jessica Lopez joked, two days before the Los Angeles Marathon. "Last time I ran in a

Air Force personnel chief addresses lawmakers

The Air Force deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel and services answered questions from members of the House and Senate Armed Services Committee subcommittees on personnel Feb. 27 and 28. Lt. Gen. Richard Y. Newton III joined sister service representatives, as well as Dr. David Chu, the

USCENTAF to become USAFCENT with redesignation

U.S. Central Command Air Forces will be renamed U.S. Air Forces Central in a March 3 ceremony at Shaw Air Force Base.The official date of the change is March 1 as and Lt. Gen. Gary L. North, the USAFCENT and 9th Air Force commander, will preside over the ceremony in Hangar 1,200 at 9:09 a.m

Injured, separated from the Air Force, but not forgotten

Training medical personnel as a member of the 59th Logistics and Readiness Squadron's Medical Readiness Training team was not the path that George Torres had planned to pursue when he trained as an Air Force Pararescueman. A broken back and compound fracture to his ankle, caused by a combat-related

Kunsan pilots improve capability with AIM-9X missile

Pilots, maintainers and ammunition Airmen at Kunsan Air Base have been introduced recently to a new generation weapon that changes air-to-air combat.The Air Intercept Missile-9X Sidewinder, developed by Raytheon engineers, is a fifth generation AIM-9 missile that is a substantial upgrade to the

Air Force leaders testify about 2009 budget request

The Air Force's top two leaders testified before the House Armed Services Committee about the service's budget request for fiscal 2009 Feb. 27 in Washington. Addressing topics from recapitalization to personnel end strength, Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne and Air Force Chief of Staff

C-130 crew receives award for averting crisis

A Pope Air Force Base C-130 Hercules crew was awarded Air Mobility Command's 2007 Field of Aeronautics and Astronautics Aviator Valor Award recently.The crew evaded surface-to-air rocket fire just five minutes into a flight out of Baghdad International Airport on the night of Aug. 30, 2007, while

Pilot reaches 1,000 combat hours flown

A 332nd Expeditionary Operations Group F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot here will reach two career milestones in a matter of weeks. According to information extracted from the Aviation Resource Management and Military Personnel Data Systems, Lt. Col. Andy Uribe is the only current Air Force fighter pilot

Medal of Honor recipient visits Kunsan

There are few opportunities allowing Airmen to gain first-hand insights on the history and achievements of the Air Force, which have helped shaped the foundation of the organization, while at the same time, inspiring Airmen of all ranks. One of the military's most valued and respected achievements

How to build a bomb

"Some people think you open a box and there is a bomb, ready to be loaded on an aircraft," said Tech. Sgt. Erick Chrostowski, the 455th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron munitions production supervisor here. "There is more to it than that," he said. The initial steps of the process are identifying,

Medical group capitalizes on total force cohesion

Military servicemembers wounded in combat deserve the best health care available. When it comes to providing top-notch medical support, the 379th Expeditionary Medical Group relies on a total force team of medical experts to get the job done. "When soldiers suffer injuries that have a relatively

AF leaders discuss future challenges

Air Force major command commanders spoke to Airmen, Air Force Association members and other attendees about the challenges facing their organizations during the AFA's 24th annual Air Warfare Symposium and Technology Exposition held here Feb. 21and 22. Driving home the urgent need to recapitalize the

Top AF logistician visits deployed Airmen

The Air Force's top logistician visited five bases in Southwest Asia recently to meet with logistics readiness Airmen and get a better idea of how things were going in the area of responsibility."The reason I am here is to ensure the LRS troops are able to provide their unique capability," said Maj.

Rescue wing reservists deploy, receive 'National' sendoff

Reservists from the 920th Rescue Wing departed here Feb. 20 on the first-leg of a 14-month deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Before they left, they received a visit on the flightline by John Patterson, a pitcher for the Washington Nationals baseball team. The Nationals play their

$21 million software facility project underway at Robins AFB

Air Force officials held a groundbreaking ceremony here Feb. 19 for a 70,000 square-foot software support facility targeted for occupation by January 2010. The new, $21 million facility will be a two-story building designed to help Robins Air Force Base maintain its place as the Electronic Warfare

Elmendorf Airmen complete first F-22 deployment

Eight F-22 Raptors and 132 Airmen from Elmendorf Air Force Base completed the first deployment from Alaska as Reserve and active-duty Airmen combined for training Feb. 2 through 17 at Tyndall AFB, Fla.Members of the 3rd Wing and Air Force Reserve Command's 477th Fighter Group here combined for

Recruit loses 120 pounds to join Air Force

Growing up in Columbus, a young man admired Airmen from nearby Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, and he thought joining the Air Force was a logical conclusion since his father and other family members served in the military.But the problem for Daniel Kuertz was that he weighed 320 pounds. The

OTS begins new close-combat course

Today's Airmen don't simply drop bombs or watch combat from a distance; they are in the fight. From operations in Iraq and Afghanistan to the Horn of Africa, Airmen are consistently working outside the wire in support of their Army, Navy and Marine counterparts. This means Airmen need to know how to

ACC officials issue latest release from stand down for F-15s

Gen. John D.W. Corley, Air Combat Command commander, returned 149 grounded F-15s to flight Feb. 15 contingent upon the completion of customized inspections on each of the aircraft's longerons. This "stand-down release" order brings the total number of cleared A, B, C and D-model F-15 aircraft to

49 C-5s approved for modernization program

Air Mobility Command leaders welcomed the news that defense officials certified 49 of the Air Force's C-5 aircraft for upgrade in the Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program. The decision was made Feb. 14. Continuing the C-5 RERP allows the Air Force to modify aircraft with better, newer

Air Force C-5 Galaxy modernization program certified

Air Force officials announced today that officials in the office of the under secretary of Defense for acquisition, technology and logistics have certified the C-5 Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program for 49 additional aircraft. The C-5s approved include 47 C-5Bs used for inter-theater