U.S. military showcased at Dubai Air Show

More than 325 American servicemembers participated in the 10th Dubai Air Show Nov. 11 through 15 here. Airmen, Sailors and Soldiers provided logistics, force protection and maintenance support to the various U.S. aircraft on display and performing aerial demonstrations. The Dubai Air Show is

Officials begin to clear F-15Es to full-mission status

Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft are now undergoing a safety inspection that will return them to flying status according to an order issued Nov. 11 by Gen. John Corley, the commander of Air Combat Command. Each of the 224 E-model aircraft require the completion of a 13-hour time-compliance

Pilots focus on air superiority, operations during Keen Sword

Honing their skills against enemy air threats over the skies of Japan, Misawa fighter pilots participate in a two-week long training exercise here. Exercise Keen Sword, which began Nov. 6, is a  joint and bilateral exercise simulating the defense of Japan using more than 60 military units from 24

44-year-old C-130 flies final combat mission, ends service

After 44 years of service and more than 29,500 flying hours, a C-130 Hercules flew its final combat mission Nov. 13 from Southwest Asia and will next be heading to the boneyard. Aircraft 63-7865 from the 86th Airlift Wing at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and currently assigned to the 386th Air

Wing's legacy continues

The 509th Bomb Wing makes its home here, and operates the Air Force's premier weapon system, the B-2 Spirit bomber. The mission of the wing is to bring the full spectrum of expeditionary global power of the B-2 for combat support capabilities to combatant commanders.  With the B-2, the wing can

UAV detachment stands up at Creech

A new detachment has been established at Creech Air Force Base, Nev., to manage MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle operational test and evaluation and force development evaluation for Air Combat Command. The Airmen assigned to Det. 4, a unit of the 53rd Test Management Group based

Air Force claims armed forces basketball title

The Air Force team swept away the competition to win the Armed Forces Basketball Tournament that concluded Nov. 13 here. The Air Force captured the gold for the second year in a row by going undefeated in the tournament. The defending champion Air Force team faced off against the Marine team during

Combat search and rescue training in Utah

Book offers lessons on fighting terrorism with airpower

Airpower is a valuable weapon in the fight against terrorism but only if it is applied with discrimination and care, according to a new study of the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah War published by Air University officials. Widespread criticism of Israel for relying on its air force to attack Hezbollah

Airmen, 'Great Patriots' celebrate Veterans Day

It isn't very often that Mark Pavlovich Polushenko, an 83-year-old retired infantry lieutenant colonel with the former Soviet Union Army, has occasion to put on his military service dress uniform. The opportunity came again Nov. 12 during a special Veterans Day event here. Colonel Polushenko was

Aviation pioneers attend Heritage to Horizons ceremony

Five members of the Women Airforce Service Pilots who served during World War II attended the Heritage to Horizons proclamation ceremony for Air Force Week Nevada during a city council meeting Nov. 7 at the Las Vegas City Hall. The ceremony was part of a weeklong Air Force's 60th Anniversary

Travis firefighters become four-time world champions

Under the lights of the original Las Vegas strip, firefighters from Travis Air Force Base, Calif., won a fourth consecutive Scott World Firefighter Combat Challenge here. In a time of 4 minutes, 37.89 seconds, the Travis team earned the right to keep their trophy another year. "It was amazing to win

Airmen in Afghanistan honor veterans with silent vigil

Airmen here honored veterans past and present with a 10-hour silent vigil Nov. 11. Following a formal wreath-laying ceremony, teams of two airmen -- a total of 80 in all -- stood at "parade rest" near the flagpole of Camp Cunningham here as a constant reminder of the significance of Veterans Day.

Secretary and chief of staff send Veterans Day message

Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley send this Veterans Day message to the Airmen of the United States Air Force: On Veteran's Day, our nation honors the great Americans who have stood ready to give life itself on behalf of freedom in

Cyber Airmen fight in America's newest battlefront

A key component in the world's most lethal air and space force is the ability to protect sensitive communication and computer systems from the bad guys. A group of highly trained Airmen here take that fight head on every day in the far-reaching realm of cyberspace. Senior Airman Jonathan Odum,

Vietnam wall speaks to both present and past

At a time when wounds and memories of a long and bitterly protested war were still open and raw, when veterans were treated as villains instead of heroes, an Army veteran by the name of Jan Scruggs conceived the idea of building a memorial to honor those who served in Vietnam. Facing more opposition

'Letter to Airmen' highlights leadership

In the latest Letter to Airmen, the secretary of the Air Force focuses on how Air Force people and the exchange of ideas are integral to the goals he laid out earlier this year. "Whether deploying in combat or executing day-to-day missions, Airmen must understand how each decision they make or task

Reaper drops first precision-guided bomb, protects forces

The MQ-9A Reaper demonstrated it's unique precision strike capability as a hunter-killer attack platform by dropping its first precision-guided bomb Nov. 7. "The beauty of the MQ-9 Reaper is that we're able to synchronize and integrate unmanned aerial attack platforms over the skies of Afghanistan,

Crew chief meets childhood hero at Hill

"Okay buddy, how do you read me?" That simple phrase may not mean a lot to the average person, but for Airman 1st Class Jeremy Meyers, hearing it from his hero was unforgettable. "It's such a small world. Not in my wildest dreams did I think I would be stationed with one of my heroes," Airman Meyers

Service-disabled veterans key to meeting military missions

Three Air Force winners were among 19 organizations and individuals honored at the first Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Awards Ceremony Nov. 5 at the Pentagon. The group of entrepreneurs and department acquisition officials earned praise from Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England

Warfighters gather to train for close-air-support operations

More than 200 warfighters from around the world gathered to combat a simulated enemy force comprised of insurgent groups, roadside bombs and hidden snipers Nov. 6 through 9 at the Avon Park Military Training Complex in central Florida. Atlantic Strike VI, a semi-annual training event sponsored by

Mobile readiness team supports Army in Iraq

Members of the 732nd Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron Mobile Readiness Team are deployed here "in-lieu-of" Army forces and support the American Soldiers by recovering government assets that have been damaged, misplaced or unaccounted for in Iraq. The team recently deployed to Camp

Space Command striving for improved field communications

Airmen of Air Force Space Command's Space Innovation and Development Center were on hand in Warren's AFB Quebec flight area recently, but they weren't looking to the area's Peacekeeper past; they were demonstrating the future. "We're here to continue demonstrations of the combat airborne network,"

Upgraded A-10s prove worth in Iraq

A new version of the A-10 Thunderbolt II has been flying over Iraq providing close-air support for the ground troops from Al Asad Air Base for nearly two months. As part of the Precision Engagement Upgrade Program, the Maryland Air National Guard's 175th Wing has been converting it's A-10s from A to

Mission continues during grounding of F-15s

Lt. Gen. Gary L. North, U.S. Central Command's Combined Forces Air Component commander is maintaining assigned F-15E Strike Eagles on ground alert and will accomplish all assigned missions with a variety of fighter, attack and bomber aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles, under his command and

Live-fly exercise trains Airmen for combat mission

More than 100 12th Air Force and Air Forces Southern Airmen will train the way they fight as they participate in Mesa Fury 2007, a large force exercise Nov. 5 to Nov. 9. Mesa Fury 2007, a joint forces exercise, is designed to allow Airmen and participating Department of Defense combat units an

World Firefighter Combat Challenge

Combat controllers honor fallen comrades

Valerie Chapman (left), widow of fallen combat controller and Air Force Cross recipient Tech. Sgt. John Chapman, and Doris Maitland, sister of Andre Guillet, listed as missing in action from the Vietnam War, lay wreaths in honor of all the fallen controllers during the Combat Control Association

B-2 arrives at Whiteman AFB

When 15-year John H. Belanger took his first flying lesson in Menominee, Mich., little did he realize he'd be making aviation history 27 years later by co-piloting the B-2 bomber during arrival ceremonies at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. Nor did this lieutenant colonel realize exactly what he was

Commanders form distinguished list

A long list of distinguished commanders, including an Air Force chief of staff have led the 509th Bomb Wing in its mission. The wing traces its historical roots to a World War II ancestor, the 509 Composite Group. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John D. Ryan was commander of the group and wing three

Combat rescue officers ready for field

Nineteen men began their Sunday morning Oct. 21 with a three-mile run and 1,500-meter swim here. The intensive physical training test set the stage for six days of grueling workouts and evaluations -- so demanding, in fact, that by Friday only eight men were left. Those eight men are now combat

Nov. 4 airpower summary: Airdrop is key to resupply

Coalition ground forces are able to keep the enemy on the run in Afghanistan's mountainous terrain where roads are extremely limited or simply don't exist because aircrews are able to to get much needed supplies right where they need to be. For six days, from Oct. 25 to Nov. 1, Airmen achieved more

Thunderbirds receive first upgraded F-16

Hill Air Force Base officials rolled out the first of 11 configured F-16 Fighting Falcons for the Air Force Thunderbirds aerial demonstration team.During a ceremonial hand over Oct. 24, attended by incoming 2008-2009 Thunderbirds commander and lead pilot Lt. Col. Greg Thomas, and a full house of

Firefighters bring 'burning' passion to training mission

Fighting fires is a dangerous job, especially when working with insufficient equipment and inadequate training. But a pair of Air Force firefighters deployed to Kabul International Airport, Afghanistan, are hoping to change that. Master Sgts. Timothy Rickard, deployed from Anderson Air Force Base,

'Today's Air Force' features deployed Airmen

This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights an Airman whose split-second decision saved lives and earned him a medal. Also featured is an air traffic control tower simulator that can be programmed to create emergencies and air traffic scenarios. The 30-minute, weekly news show can be seen

Fallen OSI agents honored

A memorial service was held here Nov. 4 to honor the lives of three Air Force Office of Special Investigations agents who paid the ultimate sacrifice in defense of freedom. Airmen and Soldiers gathered to pay their respects and celebrate the lives of Master Sgt. Thomas A. Crowell, 36, of Neosho,

Air Force suspends some F-15 operations

The Air Force suspended non-mission critical F-15 flight operations on Nov. 3 following the crash of a Missouri Air National Guard F-15C aircraft Nov. 2. The cause of that accident is still under investigation, however, preliminary findings indicate that a possible structural failure of the aircraft

Nov. 2 airpower summary: Strike Eagles support combat operations

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 2, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle performed a show of force

Airmen, Soldiers help establish military academy

Nearly, 2,000 young hopefuls descended upon the Afghan National Military Academy recently, all vying for the chance to be accepted into the academy and possibly study in the United States and Great Britain. A group of U.S. Airmen and Soldiers are currently working at the academy helping process the

Global cyberspace center delivers 'Warfighter's Edge'

A two-year effort for the Air Force Global Cyberspace Integration Center and the U.S. Air Force Academy's Institute for Information Technology Applications culminated Oct. 31 when the Warfighter's Edge, or WEdge, was initially released to the field. WEdge, a base-level command and control tool

Enola Gay pilot, General Tibbets passes away

Retired Brig. Gen. Paul W. Tibbets Jr., the pilot of the first atomic bombing mission, died of natural causes Nov. 1 at the age of 92 in Columbus, Ohio.The general was the pilot of "the Enola Gay," the B-29 Superfortress which dropped the first atomic bomb, "Little Boy" on Hiroshima, Japan, on

Flight attendants provide world-class service

Presidents, generals and prime ministers count on the support from Airmen of the 89th Airlift Wing here who provide safe, comfortable and reliable transportation while keeping world leaders connected and protected on special air missions around the globe. Tech. Sgt. Pete Kana of the 1st Airlift

3rd Wing activates second F-22 squadron

The 3rd Wing at Elmendorf Air Force Base activated the 525th Fighter Squadron during a ceremony at the base Oct. 29. The second active-duty F-22 Raptor squadron took its place in wing history nearly three months after the aircraft officially landed on base. Lt. Col. Chuck Corcoran assumed command of

Battlefield Airmen train for JTAC role at Pohakuloa Training Area

Tactical air control party members from the 25th Air Support Operations Squadron practiced and honed their skills calling in air strikes for B-2 Spirit stealth bombers during a week long training session as part of Exercise Koa Lightning. These battlefield Airmen serve as joint terminal attack

CSAF presents Bronze Star to Royal Air Force exchange officer

The United States Air Force and the Royal Air Force have worked together frequently during the last ninety years. The 18th Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley reinforced the close bond between USAF and RAF Airmen when he presented the Bronze Star Medal to RAF Wing Commander Red Thompson

Air Force women's symposium kicks off

The Air Force Women's Heritage to Horizons Training Symposium kicked off here Oct. 31with about 600 Airmen from around the globe in attendance. For the next three days, attendees will sit in on various forums and discussions, ranging in topics from professional development to women in combat. Guest

Ramstein Airmen join team in Iraq

Six takeoffs. Six landings. Twelve hours. All in a day's work for aircrew members of the 737th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron taking on the mission known as the "pain train." "It's called the pain train because there's just 30 minutes between each stop," said Capt. Robin Cadow, 737th EAS pilot. "At

Tactical airlift initiatives further Air Force's total force integration

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley announced four proposed initiatives Oct. 31 concerning C-130 Hercules tactical airlift, each of which furthers the service's vision for a seamless total force. The initiatives, which would impact communities in Tennessee, New York, Georgia and

Children of fallen troops honored at remembrance ceremonies

Ten children of servicemembers killed during the war on terrorism were honored for their sacrifices on behalf of the nation at ceremonies here and in Iraq Oct. 29. At the Russell Senate Office Building last evening, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Navy Adm. Michael G. Mullen and Army Chief of

A-10 pilot awarded Mackay Trophy

Capt. Scott Markle received the Clarence Mackay Trophy during a ceremony here Oct. 29 for his actions while deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom last year. Captain Markle, an A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot from the 81st Fighter Squadron, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, directly engaged a

Holiday greetings program producing more than 7,000 'Hi moms'

What began as a novel idea to give a handful of infantry soldiers in the Sinai a chance to say "hi" to family and friends back home during the holidays, has been transformed into a program that has thousands of servicemembers from around the globe appearing on TVs in virtually every state and

AF anniversary concert airs nationwide Nov. 2

The mission of the U.S. Air Force Band often places its Airmen in the spotlight of large audiences. Starting in November, the band's concert in honor of the Air Force's 60th anniversary will play on public television from coast to coast. The band recently performed the concert at the The Music

Father pins Distinguished Flying Cross on son

A pilot from the 510th Fighter Squadron was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross here Oct. 29 for his aerial combat support of friendly forces in the vicinity of An Najaf, Iraq, while supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. After returning from a local training mission over the Dolomite Mountains,

Industry, academic leaders pool brainpower to address IED threat

The head of the Defense Department's counter-improvised explosive device effort challenged some of the best minds in industry, academia, the national laboratories and the military to come up with better ways to thwart these deadly weapons. Retired Army Gen. Montgomery C. Meigs, director of the Joint

AFMC helps return damaged B-1B to friendly environment

When a $283-million aircraft that's a segment of America's long-range bomber force loses one of its four engines - over the skies of Afghanistan - Airmen kick their fix-it instincts into high gear. Thanks to a unified effort led by Air Force Materiel Command, a maintenance team repaired a damaged

New safety plan to hit Fairchild

A new side of safety will be seen here in the coming days, months and years as the Voluntary Protection Program makes its debut. Fairchild will be the third base in Air Mobility Command to implement the program. The VPP is a program that is "designed to recognize outstanding safety and health

Randolph Airmen pay respects to fallen Soldier

Hundreds of Airmen, Air Force civilians, and their family members lined both sides of the main street here Oct. 26 to pay their respects to a Soldier killed in Iraq. U.S. Army Spc. Vincent A. Madero, 22, died Oct .17 in Balad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated

Oct. 27 airpower summary: Reaper conducts first strike

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 27, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, the Air Force's newest unmanned aerial vehicle, the MQ-9

Airmen continue fight on Southern California wildfires

Four specially equipped Modular Airborne Firefighting System C-130 Hercules aircraft joined the massive firefighting effort in Southern California Oct. 23 and continue to fly missions as weakening winds allowed an aerial assault on the state's destructive wildfires. Since Oct. 24, the Air National

Wildfire command post stands up at March

The U.S. Army North Command set up an operational command post Oct. 24 here to provide command and control for all Department of Defense forces who are scheduled to arrive in the area to combat the southern California wildfires that have devastated the state. March Air Reserve Base has been

Beale Airmen, ISR assets support California wildfires

Members of the 9th Reconnaissance Wing are currently flying U-2 and Global Hawk surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft and collecting high-altitude imagery of the wildfires in Southern California in support of the U.S. Air Force Northern Command's mission there. A U-2 from Beale Air Force Base

CV-22 Osprey flies first search and recovery mission

A CV-22 Osprey assigned to the 58th Special Operations Wing here participated in the aircraft's first search and recovery mission, responding to the fatal crash of a medical aircraft in the mountains of southern Colorado. Airport officials lost contact with the Arizona-based Beechcraft King airplane

Airmen, Marines team up for Djibouti humanitarian mission

Smiles and laughter filled the air as Airmen and Marines provided live entertainment, toys and water to the residents of Nagad village Oct. 23 in Djibouti. Nagad was the site of a Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa civil affairs engagement, teaming Airmen of the U.S. Central Air Forces'

Air Force leaders testify on strategic, budget initiatives

People, equipment and money were the main topics Oct. 24 when the secretary of the Air Force and the chief of staff testified before the House Armed Services Committee. Secretary Michael W. Wynne and Gen. T. Michael Moseley answered questions from the committee about warfighting resources required

Space Command welcomes new leader

"Space capabilities have shaped the American way of warfare in the 21st century, just like airpower did in the 20th," said Gen. C. Robert "Bob" Kehler as he assumed command of Air Force Space Command in a ceremony here Oct. 24 presided over by Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Duncan J. McNabb.

Kabul Airman brings gifts, smiles to local children

Thanks to the efforts of an Airman deployed to Kabul International Airport and supporters back in the United States, 47 local youth soccer players are now a little better equipped.Master Sgt. William Whitt, a fuels mentor with the Air Corps Advisors Group here, worked with his wife, Lea-Ellen Whitt,

Airmen help Afghans stand up flight medicine clinic

Like many Airmen around the world, Maj. Mical Kupke's day starts with a brief meeting to plan out the day's events. But that's where the similarity ends. The flight surgeon and her team's day involves mentoring members of the Afghan national army air corps in the field of flight medicine and

Air Force leaders discuss priorities at summit

Air Force leaders met here Oct. 23 to discuss the future beddown of weapons systems over the next several years, outlining a strategy to address the Air Force's most pressing need: recapitalization and modernization of its aging fleet. The discussion focused on maintaining, evolving and expanding

Wargame explores Air Force options for 2030

While exercising the strategic proverb of a legendary 16th Century samurai warrior, 130 military strategists and planners gathered here Oct. 14 through 19 to explore future Air Force constructs based on technologies and concepts of the year 2030. Miyamoto Musashi stressed the importance of making

Military personnel, assets help to battle California fires

Military personnel and assets are helping out in the most serious outbreak of wildfires in California in years. California National Guard and California-based active duty personnel are providing some of the muscle needed to contain the fires, which have driven more than 300,000 people from their

Air Force releases B-52 munitions transfer investigation results

A senior Air Force official released results of the command-directed investigation stemming from a weapons transfer incident that occurred Aug. 30 when cruise missiles were loaded onto a B-52 Stratofortress at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., and transported to Barksdale AFB, La. The Barksdale-assigned

Chief McKinley visits Robins, discusses Air Force priorities

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley traveled to Robins Air Force Base Oct. 11 and spoke with Airmen throughout the base. Chief McKinley met with several base units and told enlisted Airmen that the Air Force has a vision and that includes helping Airmen be better prepared to win

Joint team helps build Afghan air corps

As the Afghan national army air corps begins to spread its wings and take to the air, a group of U.S. servicemembers are by their side, mentoring and advising them every step of the way. Almost 100 Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines are working alongside their Afghan counterparts as part of the

Bagram Airmen directly support 72-hour battle

During the last week of September, crews of the 774th Expeditionary Air Squadron conducted one of the largest series of air drop operations in Afghanistan's history, getting nearly 150 tons of food, water and ammunition to coalition troops in the field. However, excitement at the accomplishment

Air Force armada all about the ammo

Not many people know the Air Force has a navy. Ask the typical Airman if he can name even one of the service's ships and he would most likely shrug and say, "Ship? We don't have ships. We fly airplanes." But the fact is the Air Force does have ships. Called the Afloat Pre-positioned Fleet, the

Total force Airmen participate in Chilean exercise

Active duty, Reserve and National Guard Airmen from across the Southwest came together Oct 15 to 19 in Iquique, Chile, to participate in WILLKA, Chile's first exercise with their new F-16 Fighting Falcons, F-5 Freedom Fighters and the U.S. Air Force.Approximately 130 Airmen will train with their

Coalition forces deter weapons smugglers, insurgents

Munitions dropped by Air Force pilots Oct. 15 destroyed a bridge northeast of Baghdad to disrupt weapons smugglers and insurgent movement. The Multi-National Force - Iraq operation was coordinated by the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. Operation Marne Anvil destroyed the land

Air Force doctors train Pakistanis in battlefield surgery

Air Force medical professionals are part of an ongoing defense mission to teach their international military counterparts the latest combat-related surgical techniques. A five-person team of Air Force doctors recently returned from Rawalpind, Pakistan, after teaching a five-day course to Pakistani

Oct. 15 airpower summary: F-15E Strike Eagles hit enemy positions

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 15, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle used flares in a show of

Airman survives 'million-dollar' wound

A combat cameraman for the 732nd Air Expeditionary Group received the Purple Heart and the Iraqi Campaign Medal from Brig. Gen. Burton M. Field, the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing commander, Oct. 14 at the Air Force Theater Hospital here. Airman 1st Class Michael Brady, who is deployed from Vandenberg

Air Force Week Atlanta wraps up

Air Force Week Atlanta wrapped up as Airmen participated in the Great Georgia Air Show for thousands of Peach State spectators Oct. 13 and 14 in Peachtree City. The air show culminated weeklong events in Georgia as state residents celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Air Force and got to see

AFMC helps develop hybrid truck technology

When it comes to heavy-duty, special purpose vehicles, some Americans may imagine a gas-guzzling engine and tons of unfriendly emissions taking their toll on the environment. But the Air Force's Advanced Power Technology Office, or APTO, here is working to change the stereotype and prove heavy-duty

Chain of successes leads to Reaper operations

The new MQ-9 Reaper has flown daily missions over Afghanistan since late September.The 658th Aeronautical Systems Squadron, in the 303rd Aeronautical Systems Wing, comprises the team of program managers, functional supporters, testers and logisticians who were behind the team effort of getting the

Air mobility leaders rally for combat success

Nearly 130 air mobility leaders gathered here Oct. 10 to 12 for Phoenix Rally -- a three-day, focused look at Air Mobility Command's priorities, roles and missions. "The global reach delivered by air mobility forces truly is America's bridge to combat success," said Gen. Arthur J. Lichte, the AMC

C-17 crews make record airdrop

Two C-17 Globemaster III crews marked an historic highpoint Oct. 11 as they completed one of the largest single airdrops in Afghanistan since Operation Enduring Freedom began. Airmen from the 817th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron from Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan, dropped 62 bundles of cargo, weighing

Latest doctrine signed on foreign internal defense

The latest revision to Air Force Doctrine Document 2-3.1, Foreign Internal Defense, has been approved by Maj. Gen. Allen G. Peck, Air Force Doctrine Development and Education Center commander.Although Air Force officials can perform foreign internal defense, or FID, across the range of military

Camera action, 3-D program promote DOD safety

When the Secretary of Defense called for a 75 percent reduction in mishaps throughout the Department of Defense in May, two Air Force Materiel Command bases answered the call. Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., is serving as lead installation for the DOD Safety and Occupational Health Council, or DSOC,

Researchers fine-tune F-35 pilot-aircraft speech system

When the first F-35 Lightning II rolls out in 2008, communications between pilot and aircraft will enter a new era thanks in part to testing and analysis conducted at the Air Force Research Laboratory's Human Effectiveness Directorate. The F-35 will be the first U.S. fighter aircraft with a speech

Security forces Airmen receive cognitive function screening

Inbound members of Det. 3, 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, became the first "in-lieu-of" Airmen in the Air Force to be evaluated for cognitive functioning before their deployment to a combat environment. The purpose of the Automated Neuro-Psychological Assessment Metric 4 is to collect

Air Force officials release new annual training plan details

Air Force leaders have released the details about the new annual training requirements program for the Total Force. As of Oct. 15, all Airmen will use the new "block instruction" plan that combines nine ancillary training courses into three 30-minute blocks of training, saving more than 6 million

JTF-Bravo runs 388 miles in remembrance of POW/MIAs

Soldiers, Airmen and Sailors here completed a remembrance run Oct. 12 in honor of prisoners of war and those missing in action. Approximately 170 runners took part in the 24-hour ceremony held at the base track. Laps were completed with each runner carrying a baton and reflecting on the sacrifice of

First Mach flight propels Yeager, Air Force into history

It was just another test mission for Capt. Chuck Yeager. Captain Yeager arrived at Muroc Air Force Base, Calif., the morning of Oct. 14, 1947, for what would be his ninth powered flight piloting the Bell X-1. Each of the previous flights demonstrated incremental speed increases as the aircraft

Oct. 11 airpower summary: C-17s provide 'best option' for force resupply

The Combined Air and Space Operations Center's airpower summary provides a daily account of the integration and synchronization of airpower. But some folks may ask, "So what? What does this summary really mean?" The Oct. 11 airpower "So What" factor is about options. You're with a group of coalition

Hill fighter squadron excels with Total Force Integration mission

Being the Air Force's first Total Force Integration fighter association, gives the phrase "one team, one fight" a whole new meaning for Hill Air Force Base's 388th and 419th Fighter Wings. As of July this year, the wings entered Phase III of TFI. Now the 419th FW, a Reserve wing, no longer flies and

Reaper UAV now flying in Afghanistan

The Air Force announced Oct. 11 that the MQ-9 Reaper, the service's new hunter-killer unmanned aerial vehicle, is now flying operational missions in Afghanistan. The Reaper has completed 12 missions since its inaugural flight there Sept. 25, averaging about one sortie per day. Capable of striking

Combat search and rescue training

Raven B has landed in Southwest Asia

A small unmanned aerial vehicle is now being used to increase the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing's force protection capabilities. Maintained and operated by the 380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, the Raven B is the wing's sixth and smallest aircraft, weighing 4.2 pounds with a wing span of

Deployed unit turns fuel into freedom

Members of the 340th Aircraft Maintenance Unit here are supporting the war on terrorism with their fleet of more than 20 KC-135 Stratotankers. During the past four months, members of the 340th AMU supported more than 3,200 sorties, which provided 107 million pounds of fuel to more than 14,000

AF's first active associate unit deploying to Balad

The Air Force's first active associate unit is preparing to deploy here this month to support the war on terrorism.Activated in July 2006, the 30th Airlift Squadron is the first active duty Air Mobility Command squadron to operationally report to an Air National Guard unit, the 153rd Airlift Wing in

DCFACC talks airpower, Airmen

The mobility machine came to the forefront again just as recently as Airmen assigned to Air and Space Expeditionary Forces 7 and 8 rotated out of the theater and AEFs 9 and 10 came in. According to Maj. Gen. Maury Forsyth, deputy combined forces air component commander, the transition was seamless.