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  • Family, friends say goodbye to founding air commando

    Airmen gathered here Oct. 3 to render a final salute to retired Maj. Gen. John Alison as he was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. "We have lost a great American, a dear friend, and a committed and loving family man," Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz said during a eulogy at

  • CSARs rescue wounded Afghan soldiers during high-risk mission

    Rescuing injured coalition forces in Afghanistan is something the 83rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron at Bagram Airfield is accustomed to doing, but flying over 12,000-foot mountains and aerial refueling presented dynamic challenges during a mission Sept. 11. Airmen from the 83rd ERQS, known as the

  • Mullen: America can't lose its military edge

    America can ill afford to lose its military superiority, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen said Sept. 30, his last day as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.Speaking to the audience gathered at Virginia's Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall here to watch him transfer the chairmanship to Army Gen. Martin E.

  • DOD gives high priority to saving energy

    The Defense Department has made saving energy a priority in everything it does, the deputy undersecretary of defense for installations and environment said Sept. 29.Dorothy Robyn manages and oversees permanent military installations worldwide and manages installations programs that involve energy,

  • 21 STS combat controller awarded Silver Star

     When you are an Air Force combat controller in Afghanistan "just doing my job" can make for a very eventful day at the office.That is how Staff Sgt. C. Caleb Gilbreath described his actions in a running firefight against the Taliban in Konduz Province Oct. 30 to Nov. 6, 2008, earning him a Silver

  • Wyatt: Air Guard is affordable, operational, accessible

    The Air National Guard is the affordable, operational, fully accessible force the Air Force needs during uncertain economic times, the director of the Air National Guard Lt. Gen. Harry Wyatt said here."The Air Guard provides to the United States Air Force 34 percent of the combat capability on seven

  • Kandahar graduates basic flight medics

     Four medics recently graduated at the Kandahar Air Wing from the first Afghan air force Basic Flight Medic course, boosting the Afghan medical response capability. According to medical professionals, the goal of the 40-hour course was to combine ground and flight medical training to produce a

  • Laughlin sergeant creates formula, increases dust storm prediction accuracy

    The saying "leave it better than when you found it" is constantly used in the military with all the moving and relocating that is done.Staff Sgt. Thomas Jenkins, the 47th Operations Support Squadron Weather Flight NCO in charge of weather systems, did just that and more after a recent deployment to

  • Fairchild units conduct first KC-135 OSC exercise

    Earlier in 2011, a military aircraft went down in Afghanistan and the aircrew evaded through enemy terrain. A Fairchild KC-135 Stratotanker was nearby conducting operations and was the first to receive communications from the downed survivors. Once they positively authenticated the survivors, the

  • T-6 advisory mission ceases, Iraqi pilots teach their own

    "Iraqi air power starts here," are the words written above the doorway of the Iraqi air force's Squadron 203, a T-6A Texas II flight training squadron at Tikrit Air Base, Iraq. The words ring true, in part, because of the efforts of the U.S. Air Force's 52nd Expeditionary Flying Training Squadron,

  • Air Force Cross recipient: 3 minutes to change the world

    As the only qualified joint terminal attack controller in an operation Oct. 5, 2009, an Air Force Special Operations Command combat controller knew the ground situation would be dire if he died. As an armor-piercing round entered his left shoulder and wreaked havoc throughout his chest, he said his

  • Sheppard graduates first 9-level Aircraft Armament course

    The first class of nine-level Aircraft Armament Systems senior NCOs graduated here Sept. 23.The 15 master sergeants who attended the course averaged 14 years of service since they completed their seven-level upgrade training. The two-week course is designed to teach career maintainers how to become

  • HC-130J arrival brings promise of improved personnel recovery

    Air Combat Command officials received its first HC-130J Combat King II after Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz flew the aircraft here and officiated an arrival ceremony Sept. 24.The delivery of the new C-130 model from Georgia was significant for the personnel recovery mission, as the

  • Emergency management campaign helps Airmen 'Be Ready'

    The Air Force Emergency Management's Be Ready Awareness Campaign features a new website and products designed to raise awareness and promote readiness on military installations and within local communities.Emergency Management planners said they hope the messages will educate both military members

  • Air traffic controllers prepare to pass torch to Iraqis

    As Operation New Dawn continues to progress, air traffic controllers here are working side-by-side with civilian controllers and Iraqi airmen to transition the airspace back to Iraqi officials.Senior Airman Matt Morrow, a 407th Air Expeditionary Group air traffic controller, helps with the

  • Civilian career development webcasts slated Sept. 27, 29 and 30

    Webcasts developed to help GS-7 through GS-11 civilian Airmen plan and manage their careers continue through the next five weeks, beginning with a Sept. 27 webcast at 8 a.m. Sessions have been earmarked for eligible civilians based on command. "This is our largest civilian Airman population," said

  • Reserve Command to realign several units

    Four flying wings, one flying group and seven smaller units in the Air Force Reserve Command will change their higher headquarters and chains of command by Oct. 1.These actions advance the command's efforts to provide operational capabilities and strategic depth across the full spectrum of military

  • Air Mobility Command's response saves lives

    In wars, natural disasters and humanitarian emergencies, the Air Mobility Command's real-time global response capability saves lives and brings people home, Gen. Raymond E. Johns Jr. said this week.Johns, who commands AMC based at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., spoke to reporters here at a Defense

  • DOD officials designate Minot AFB as non-concurrent travel location

    Minot Air Force Base, N.D., is now a non-concurrent travel location because of a continuing off-base housing shortage, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced. Minot AFB is still under the stop movement order established when heavy flooding occurred in June, so this designation gives Airmen

  • General cites SOUTHCOM regional challenges

    There have been several "good news" trends observed across the Caribbean and Central and South American regions over the past decade, yet narco-terrorism and corruption remain serious security concerns, U.S. Southern Command's chief said Sept. 21 here.Trade has increased in the region, while

  • CMSAF shares enlisted perspective

    The chief master sergeant of the Air Force discussed his enlisted perspective during the Air Force Association's 2011 Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition here, Sept. 21.Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy shared with the audience what he feels are some of the most pressing

  • USAFE commander highlights US, NATO partnership

    The commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe shared his views on the evolution of the partnership between U.S. and European Airmen during the Air Force Association's 2011 Air & Space Convention and Exposition here Sept. 20.Since World War I and the days of the Lafayette Escadrille, and even before,

  • Command chiefs address concerns, offer advice during AFA convention forum

    Issues affecting America's Airmen took center stage Sept. 19 during the Air Force Association's 2011 Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition's Command Chief Master Sergeants Forum here Sept. 19.The forum provided Airmen an opportunity to communicate directly with chiefs on hot-button topics

  • AFA recognizes 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year

    The 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2011 were recognized during a formal banquet hosted by the Air Force Association during its 2011 Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition, Sept. 19, at the National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Md. Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy emceed the

  • Air Force moving forward on more efficient energy

    The Air Force has taken a service-wide approach to create a robust, resilient and ready energy security posture, said the deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for energy at the Air Force Association's 2011 Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition here Sept. 20.Mission requirements

  • Obama proposes TRICARE changes

    Military retirees would pay an annual fee for TRICARE-for-Life health insurance and TRICARE pharmacy co-payments would be restructured under the deficit reduction plan President Barack Obama released Sept. 19."If we're going to meet our responsibilities, we have to do it together," Obama said during

  • 'Portraits in Courage' Vol. VI: Core values, real time

    Directing heat, jumping into raging waters, triaging under fire, powering relief efforts, or using a camera to alter outcomes; these are the actions taken by some of the 18 Airmen featured in the latest series of Portraits in Courage.Volume VI tells the stories of heroes and game changers; the

  • Man, woman found dead in Luke AFB post office

    A man and a woman were found dead Sept. 18 in the post office here.The man, identified as a Defense Department civilian employee who was authorized access to the facility, was found with his wife about 7 p.m."We want to emphasize that this was an isolated incident," said Capt. Carla Gleason, the

  • SECAF delivers address on state of the Air Force

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley addressed hundreds of Airmen, sister service members and industry leaders during the Air Force Association's 2011 Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition here, Sept. 19.Donley spoke about the state of the Air Force in regards to budget concerns,

  • F-22 fleet to resume flight operations

    The Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz have recently approved an implementation plan developed by Air Combat Command officials that will allow the F-22 Raptor to resume flight operations after a four-month stand down.The commander of Air Combat Command

  • Air Force team trains Afghans on EOD ops

    Over the past month, an Air Force explosive ordnance disposal team has been training members of an Afghan National Army EOD team on the most current methods to defeat improvised explosive devices.Members of the 466th Air Expeditionary Squadron EOD charlie flight will soon conclude a

  • AAF receives first fixed-wing trainers

    The first three aircraft slated as initial trainers for the Afghan air force undergraduate pilot training program arrived here Sept. 18, marking a milestone for the Afghan Flight School. Three Cessna 182 Turbos are the first of six to be used as initial flight-training aircraft, with six additional

  • Air Force Marathon sets attendance record for second year

    The 2011 U.S. Air Force Marathon broke a number of records this year -- first selling out earlier than ever in June and then by lining up 13,000 runners at the starting line on the grounds of Wright State University and the National Museum of the United States Air Force here.This previous record for

  • Air Combat Command welcomes new leader

    Air Combat Command welcomed a new commander in a ceremony Sept. 13 here.Gen. Gilmary Michael Hostage III assumed command of ACC from Gen. William M. Fraser III in front of hundreds of Airmen and others gathered at the 94th Fighter Squadron hangar.Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz, who

  • Security forces Airmen complete 9/11 ruck march

    After more than two months and 2,100 miles of marching, a flight of security forces Airmen completed the Security Forces 9/11 Ruck March to Remember here Sept. 11. The last leg of their march began at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum and ended at Battery Park, where 2,796 flags covered the

  • Combat controller buried, had 'heart of a lion'

    The last of three Airmen, who died in an Aug. 6 helicopter crash in Afghanistan, was buried at Los Angeles National Cemetery here Sept. 10.Staff Sgt. Andrew Harvell, an Air Force Special Operations Command combat controller, was one of 30 Americans killed in action when the CH-47 Chinook they were

  • Yokota Airmen 'connect' to help fellow Airman

    When an Airman here needed his room renovated to support a device that would monitor his heart, several squadrons came together to lend a helping hand.After experiencing a sudden cardiac arrest during a physical training exercise, Airman 1st Class Tan Nguyen, from the 374th Medical Operations

  • Air Force ROTC unit established at Yale

    The secretary of the Air Force and the president of Yale University signed an agreement here Sept. 12 establishing an Air Force ROTC detachment on the campus, which marks a renewed presence at Yale for the Air Force.Yale's commitment to service, intellectual excellence and diversity make it the

  • Reserve streamlining plans adjusts manpower in 3 states

    Air Force Reserve officials announced plans to streamline unit structures and adjust manpower in California, Georgia and Texas by fiscal 2012.The biggest changes will affect the Air Force Reserve's three numbered air forces: 4th Air Force, March Air Reserve Base, Calif.; 10th Air Force, Naval Air

  • Sather AB remembers 9/11

    More than 100 Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and civilians participated in a two-mile sunrise ruck march Sept. 11 here.The purpose of the event, which included a flag-folding ceremony, was to honor those who were killed on 9/11. The attacks were perpetrated by hijackers who intentionally crashed two

  • 5 basic trainees become US citizens

    Five trainees became U.S. citizens during a naturalization ceremony Aug. 25 here, making them the first to earn their citizenship during basic military training.A cooperative agreement between the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Army, Navy, and now the Air Force, created a faster

  • DTC provides comfort, eases transition for US service members

    The Ramstein Deployment Transition Center here recently opened its doors to service members from other branches of the U.S. military, 2,100 so far, allowing those teammates who are consistently in harm's way a method to ease into the transition of going home. Since July 2010, the DTC has been the

  • SECAF visits Airmen, coalition partners in Afghanistan

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley visited with coalition members here.During his visit, Donley addressed questions about retirement benefits, current manning levels and counterinsurgency operations. The secretary also spoke with Maj. Gen. Abdul Wahab Wardak, the Afghanistan air force

  • Last baby born at Wilford Hall, labor and delivery moves to BAMC

    Baby Laurel Perez made history on Aug. 28.She was the last baby born at Wilford Hall Medical Center and is now an important part of the 60-year history of labor and delivery here.The Hauth Birthing Center, located on the fifth floor of the nine-story hospital, closed Aug. 29 and will re-open at

  • Local becomes interpreter during medical training exercise

    A 12-year-old girl from a small Nicaraguan community acted as an interpreter for the English-speaking medical team here during their medical readiness training exercise.Antonella Espinoza visited the Sébaco MEDRETE site with her mother to find relief from her allergies Aug. 8. During her treatment,

  • Brooks' last Air Force unit completes inactivation ceremony

    The Air Force ended nearly 95 years of service, research and training here Aug. 31, 2011, when the last unit inactivated in a ceremony. The commander of the Air Force Materiel Command and commander of the 311th Air Base Group at Brooks led the ceremony in front of more than 200 civic leaders,

  • South Pole airdrop delivers critical medical supplies in total darkness

    Airmen with the 304th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron here airdropped urgently needed medical supplies Sept. 1 at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station in Antarctica. The supplies will augment a South Pole medical team's treatment of an ailing civilian wintering there with the U.S. Antarctic

  • National Guard TACPs develop upgrade training program

    Airmen from the National Guard tactical air control party specialists have pooled their resources to implement a standardized training program to streamline upgrade training.Project 275, whose name is a throwback to the career field's old specialty code to remind Airmen of the need to get back to

  • Job initiatives focus on vets, family members

    President Barack Obama called on Congress Aug. 30 to move quickly on an initiative to offer tax credits to employers who hire unemployed veterans, including those with disabilities.Speaking at the American Legion National Convention in Minneapolis, the president emphasized the nation's

  • Air Force Iraq mission likely to increase before it ends

    As the American presence in Iraq draws down, the Air Force mission in the nation likely will increase, said Maj. Gen. Russell J. Handy.Handy, the commander of the 9th Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force and director of the Air Component Coordination Element in Iraq, discussed the Air Force

  • SECAF visits Andersen, talks AF way ahead

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley spoke on topics of national interest Aug. 29 at an Airmen's Call here. Donley toured the Pacific to reconnect with the region and thank Airmen serving in the Pacific area of responsibility.In introducing Donley, Brig. Gen. John Doucette, the 36th Wing

  • Air Force celebrates JSF arrival, rolls out nation's airpower future

    Air Force officials said the unveiling of the F-35A Lightning II joint strike fighter was a "historic occasion" during a rollout ceremony here Aug. 26.The F-35A, on display during the ceremony, was delivered here in July by Lt. Col. Eric Smith, the Air Force's first F-35 pilot."This is indeed a new

  • New efforts enhance Irene response

    Approximately 7,675 National Guard Airmen and Soldiers from 18 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico responded Aug. 28 to support Hurricane Irene relief efforts.According to Guard officials, three capabilities are enhancing the National Guard's contribution to the joint state and federal

  • JTAC shot, keeps calling in critical close air support

    American heroes have shone time and time again during the war in Afghanistan, earning accolades from their branches of service and even the president of the United States, but most recently a joint terminal attack controller from the 817th Expeditionary Air Support Operations Squadron proved it yet

  • Guard supports joint response, thousands deploy

    National Guard support to the joint response to Hurricane Irene was in full motion Aug. 27 as thousands of Soldiers and Airmen rolled out in multiple states to support civilian authorities.Guard officials at the National Guard Coordination Center here were tracking the storm and working with other

  • JB MDL prepares for Hurricane Irene

    Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst is actively preparing for Hurricane Irene, officials here said.The base entered Hurricane Condition III on Aug. 25, which is declared when the weather forecast predicts the arrival of 58 mph or greater winds within 48 hours."Hurricane Irene is expected to be a

  • Photo Essay: Basic Military Training -- where it all begins

    Military training instructors at Lackland Air Force Base, known as "The Gateway to the Air Force", conduct the Air Force's only enlisted recruit training program, ensuring orderly transition from civilian to military life. Recruits are trained and educated in the fundamental skills necessary to be

  • 20th EBS Airmen assume continuous bomber presence in Guam

    More than 300 Airmen assigned to the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., arrived here recently to replace the 96th EBS in support of U.S. Pacific Command's continuous bomber presence.The rotation of bomber aircraft is specifically designed to enhance regional security

  • Operation Deep Freeze 2011-2012 begins

    Late winter flights, known as WINFLY, for Operation Deep Freeze 2011-2012 began August 20.Deep Freeze is a joint service, interagency activity that supports the National Science Foundation, which manages the U.S. Antarctic Program.Lt. Gen. Stanley T. Kresge, the commander of 13th Air Force, is

  • ACC Airmen prepare for Hurricane Irene

    National Hurricane Center officials issued a number of advisories for the East Coast Aug. 25 in preparation for Hurricane Irene.Airmen, civilian personnel and their families at Air Combat Command units and installations near the projected path of a hurricane should take steps to adequately prepare,

  • SJAFB evacuates jets as Irene approaches

    As Hurricane Irene approaches, the 4th Fighter Wing and 916th Air Refueling Wing began evacuating approximately 60 F-15E Strike Eagles and eight KC-135R Stratotankers to Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Aug. 25.In addition to the aircraft sent to Barksdale, the base also sent approximately 350 aircrew

  • Smart bases, electric vehicles key energy independence components

    The Air Force and other Department of Defense agencies are aggressively pursuing plug-in electric vehicles and vehicle-to-grid infrastructure technologies, DOD leaders told industry representatives at an Electric Vehicle Industry Day here Aug. 23."We are here to tell you three things," said Terry A.

  • Family, friends say goodbye to a 'hero'

    An Air Force Special Operations Command pararescueman was laid to rest here Aug. 23.Tech. Sgt. Daniel Zerbe, 28, died Aug. 6 in the Wardak province of eastern Afghanistan when the Chinook helicopter in which he was traveling crashed. Zerbe was one of 25 U.S. Special Operations Command operators who

  • MQ-9 sustains damage during landing

    A remotely piloted MQ-9 Reaper assigned to the 29th Attack Squadron sustained damage during landing here Aug. 24.The accident occurred at the end of a local training mission, officials said. The 29th AS is a remotely piloted aircraft flying training unit. No one was injured, and no private property

  • CMSAF visits Offutt, speaks about tough decisions on horizon

    During a visit here Aug. 18 and 19, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy met with the enlisted members of Air Combat Command's largest wing and Offutt's tenant units. Roy took time to dispel some rumors and explain to Air Force members what's on the horizon. Understandably, one of the

  • Seymour Johnson defenders begin 9/11 Ruck March to Remember

    Eight months ago, the 4th Security Forces Squadron commander and his training NCO sat down here and mapped out an idea to organize a ruck march from Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, to Ground Zero in New York in remembrance of defenders who were killed or injured in the 10 years since the terrorist

  • Pacific Air Rally starts in Sri Lanka

    More than 300 military members from the U.S. Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, Sri Lankan Air Force and Royal Malaysian Air Force gathered together for the start of Pacific Airlift Rally 2011 Aug. 22 here.PAR is a Pacific Air Force sponsored, biennial multilateral tactical military airlift

  • Air Force youth of the year recognized in Pentagon ceremony

    Fifty teens were honored at the 2011 Air Force Youth of the Year Award ceremony Aug. 3 in the Pentagon auditorium here.The annual ceremony, held in conjunction with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America Youth of the Year Program, recognizes Air Force youth for contributions to their installation youth

  • Base makes room for more rotary wing aircraft in Afghanistan

    Shindand Air Base, Afghanistan, increased its capacity recently when officials opened a new rotary wing apron with a goal of increasing capability to stage rotary wing aircraft.Approximately 112,000 meters in size, the apron has the ability to park 18 UH-60 Blackhawks, 14 CH-47 Chinooks and 10 AH-64

  • Air Force awarded for energy savings

    The Air Force was announced as the recipient of almost half of the U.S. Department of Energy Federal Energy Management Program's 2011 Federal Energy and Water Management Awards earned by Department of Defense entities, and a quarter of awards overall. The awards are scheduled to be presented during

  • Altus Captain embarks on 'Journey of Freedom' to honor fallen heroes

    An Air Force captain is planning to bike from Arlington National Cemetery, Va., for approximately 150 miles and then run another 100 miles to Ground Zero in New York City, N.Y., Sept. 10-11 without stopping to rest. Capt. Chris Pace, a 58th Airlift Squadron instructor pilot, is calling his athletic

  • Airman uses research, experience to contribute to fight

    Neil Armstrong was once quoted as saying, "Research is creating new knowledge." One Joint Expeditionary Tasking Airman in Southern Afghanistan understands that mentality very well.Col. Sean Collins, the senior researcher for the Joint Combat Casualty Research Team, has been working to improve

  • Joint basing strengthens 673rd Security Forces Squadron

    More than 10 months after the former Elmendorf Air Force Base and Fort Richardson merged to form Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson; the 673d Security Forces Squadron is running on all cylinders, officials here said.Capt. Melissa Hull, the 673rd Security Forces operations officer, said it was a

  • New commander, president takes over Air University

    The change of command ceremony Aug. 12 was unique for Air University, as Lt. Gen. David Fadok became the organization's first president and 29th commander."We produce the future and must never forget how important that mission is," Fadok said after assuming command from Lt. Gen. Allen Peck, who

  • Fairchild's 36th Rescue Flight rescues mountain biker in Idaho

    Airmen from Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., rescued a 52-year-old female mountain biker Aug. 17 near Thompson Pass, Idaho, after she flipped over her handlebars and injured her ribs and back.The victim, Paulette Kirby, was on a single-track mountain bike trail participating in the six-day Idaho

  • Exercise Eagle Flag focuses on joint task force-port opening

    The U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center launched its Eagle Flag Exercise Aug. 13, at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.The first week of the two-week exercise is designed to simulate unloading and the transportation of cargo received in a deployed environment. A joint task force-port opening, or

  • RED HORSE team rides in for Ulchi Freedom Guardian

    Ulchi Freedom Guardian 2011 augmentees from across the globe arrived here recently to find a tent city already set up by 254th RED HORSE members.Ulchi Freedom Guardian is an annual computer-assisted simulation command post exercise that focuses on training service members while exercising senior

  • Hawaii joint base trains for emergency preparedness

    Twenty-eight members of the emergency operations center here participated in incident management team training, including earthquake and flood drill scenarios, Aug. 9 to 12. This training, the first since the installation joint based, will ensure the IMT members know exactly what to do in case of

  • S. Korea, U.S. begin major exercise

    South Korea and U.S. servicemembers began another year of training in a familiar peninsula-wide exercise Aug. 16. U.S. forces and their South Korean allies first gathered here last week to ramp up for the multi-day, defense-oriented command post exercise Operation Ulchi Freedom Guardian. This is one

  • Yokota Airmen take to sky during Pacific Airlift Rally

    Seventy-eight members from the 36th Airlift Squadron here will test their humanitarian assistance and disaster relief abilities in the Pacific Airlift Rally held in Sri Lanka, Aug. 18 through 22. The Pacific Airlift Rally is designed to strengthen interoperability between nations in the Indonesian

  • Officials train a resilient family, force

    Officials from Seymour Johnson Air Force base hosted a resiliency training session for Air Combat Command dependents Aug. 12 here."Spouses and teenagers deal with the deployment schedules and battle rhythm that our active-duty forces deal with each and every day," said Col. Patrick Doherty, the 4th

  • Officials offer peek into officer promotion boards

    Air Force officials offered a peek into the officer promotion board process recently to explain how they are conducted. "The promotion system is clear-cut and extremely fair," said Col. Ramona Dolson, chief of the Air Force Selection Board Secretariat. "The Air Force has done a great job in making

  • VA paralympic program officials launch website for disabled veterans

    Department of Veterans Affairs officials have launched a Paralympic Program website as part of the VA's ongoing commitment to support the rehabilitation and recovery of disabled veterans through participation in adaptive sports. "Adaptive sports participation among disabled veterans has many proven

  • Program supports military families with special needs

    About a year ago, Maj. Nicholas Sabula received word of an upcoming assignment following his deployment in Afghanistan.He became concerned, however, when he learned that his new duty station and the local area didn't have adequate services for his son, who was diagnosed with autism in 2006. But

  • Joint Base Charleston holds air transport conference

    More than 140 people attended an Air Transportation Test Loading Activity conference Aug. 11 and 12 here. ATTLA is the Department of Defense agency responsible for approving airlift cargo before it can be transported by aircraft. Loadmasters, aerial porters and representatives from various agencies

  • U.S., South Korea forces to begin Ulchi Freedom Guardian exercise

    U.S. and South Korean troops will begin the 10-day Ulchi Freedom Guardian exercise Aug. 16, conducted annually by the Republic of Korea-United States Combined Forces Command to improve combat readiness.Tens of thousands of U.S. and South Korean troops are expected to mobilize in and around the South

  • Communications upgrades keep warfighters connected

    The Theater Deployable Communications Team at the Electronic Systems Center here is continuing to ensure warfighters have the key communications infrastructure they need while deployed."We are looking for capability modernization and to update the equipment modules that make up TDC as they get to

  • Upcoming show to display military land, sea, ground robots

    More than 6,000 experts from 30 countries will be gathering here Aug. 16-19 for this year's largest robot and unmanned systems show.Hosted by the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, called AUVSI, Unmanned Systems North America 2011 will feature workshops, panels and

  • Fairchild Airmen rescue SERE student

    A student attending the Survival Evasion Resistance Escape training course in the Colville National Forest, Wash., was rescued Aug. 10 after he went into anaphylactic shock following a bee sting.The student, 1st Lt. Andrew Metzger, was practicing evasion techniques when he was stung.Three Airmen

  • Smith Hall medical instruction facility dedicated during ceremony

    A new medical instructional facility honoring the United States Air Force's first Sergeant Major for the Air Force Medical Service was dedicated during a ceremony at the Medical Education and Training Campus (METC) at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, Aug.12.Smith Hall was named after the late Air Force

  • RQ-4 Block 30 Global Hawk reaches critical milestone

    The commander of Air Combat Command declared initial operational capability for the RQ-4 Block 30 Global Hawk Aug. 10.The Air Force successfully deployed the Block 30 RQ-4 Global Hawk in support of Operation ODYSSEY DAWN in Libya and Operation TOMODACHI in Japan, and the IOC declaration is another

  • Air Force continues emphasis on DADT repeal training

    Air Force leaders want to ensure all Airmen are prepared for the repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law Sept. 20.Airmen can access the DADT Repeal training through the Advanced Distributed Learning Service link on the Air Force Portal, said Col. Jeff White, Air Force Directorate of Force

  • Transition assistance vital for those separating Airmen

    With active-duty positions being eliminated through current force-management measures, it's important Airmen identified for separation use a vital tool -- the Air Force Transition Assistance Program -- to help ease themselves and their families into transition from military to civilian life.

  • NATO countries land successful jump week

    More than 200 paratroopers from six NATO countries participated in airborne jump operations during International Jump Week Aug. 8 through 11.Paratroopers from Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Denmark, the Netherlands and the U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps and Army jumped out of aircraft from Papa

  • ACC aviator garners federal recognition

    Lt. Col. Shelly Black, the deputy chief of Headquarters Air Combat Command's Personnel Recovery Division, received the 2011 Federally Employed Women Military Meritorious Service Award July 18 at the 42nd National Training Program in Philadelphia, Penn., for her significant contributions in

  • Partnered again--Russia and NORAD conduct Exercise Vigilant Eagle 2011

    Within minutes after takeoff, the first fighter aircraft are visible off the left wing and Exercise Vigilant Eagle 2011 is well underway. The Russian Federation Air Force and the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) conducted their second Vigilant Eagle cooperative exercise Aug 5-9,

  • Army, AF units take aim during joint training exercise

    Army and Air Force units teamed up for a joint training exercise at Jikdo Island Aug. 5, firing AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, rockets and 30mm munitions at the range. Jikdo is a range facility on two islands off the western coast of Korea, near Kunsan. For this training mission, weapon systems officers

  • Reservist reenlists after 19-year break, sworn in by son

    Nineteen years after separating from the active duty Air Force, Scott Long enlisted into the Reserves. Now he's Staff Sgt. Long, with the 476th Maintenance Squadron as a fuel systems craftsman.Sergeant Long's son, U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Brandon Long, 1-169 Aviation Support Battalion liaison officer,