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  • 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,

  • Massachusetts Air Guard unit heads north for training

    Aircrews and maintainers from the Massachusetts Air National Guard's 104th Fighter Wing deployed here in early August for training.  It provided a different setting for the aircrews to train and allowed the maintenance Airmen to work in a deployed environment.View the slideshow.

  • Air Force Medical Service's first 'Sergeant Major' to be honored

    The late Chief Master Sgt. Raymond T. Smith once told a reporter: "The Vietnam conflict has brought the services closer together. We've got to keep it that way."When he made that remark in 1970, he was serving as the first enlisted senior NCO for the entire Air Force Medical Service. So new was his

  • Spokesman: Probe will determine Chinook crash facts

    An investigation will determine the facts surrounding the deaths of 30 U.S. service members and eight Afghan commandos when their CH-47 Chinook helicopter went down in Afghanistan's Wardak province Aug. 6, a Pentagon spokesman said.Marine Corps Col. Dave Lapan warned against jumping to conclusions

  • Wounded warriors, families deserve best care, Chiarelli says

    The military has made great strides in warrior care over the past decade of war, but much work remains to be done, particularly when dealing with the invisible wounds of war, the Army vice chief of staff said Aug. 8.Speaking at the Warrior Transition Command's Warrior Care and Transition Program

  • New airframe, squadron on Kandahar Airfield

    Members of the 451st Expeditionary Operations Group welcomed their newest unit, the 702nd Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, here at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, recently. The 702 EAS is a tactical transport squadron comprising Army and Air Force Guard members flying C-27J Spartans to provide

  • Sheppard innovates Web-based self-inspections

    Innovation in the checklist industry has found its way to the Sheppard Air Force Base Self-Inspection Program through the Management Internal Control Toolset. MICT is a web-based self-inspection software tool used to manage, track and close self-identified work center deficiencies. The days of

  • Joint training builds NATO partnership

    About 230 Sabers recently returned from Campia Turzii, Romania, where Romanian and U.S. Air Force Airmen conducted combined training and strengthened the partnership between the NATO countries.Spangdahlem Air Base officials sent operations, mission support, maintenance and logistics readiness

  • AF teens learn teamwork, leadership skills at camp

    More than 80 teens from Air Force installations world-wide learned about college life, teamwork and leadership skills during a week long summer camp here July 10-15. The Air Force Teen Leadership Camp was held at the University of Texas, San Antonio campus to expose the teens to personal development

  • Morocco receives first F-16s

    Morocco is the latest U.S. partner nation to receive the F-16 Fighting Falcon, a historic event marked by a ceremony here Aug. 4. The new Block 52 aircraft will supplement the Royal Moroccan Air Force's existing fleet of fighter aircraft and will contribute to the upgrade and modernization of the

  • 58th SOW pararescuemen save lost hiker

    A helicopter crew and pararescuemen assigned to Kirtland Air Force Base recovered a hiker Aug. 1 who had been lost in Colorado since July 30. The HH-60 Pave Hawk crew of four Airmen from Air Education and Training Command's 58th Special Operations Wing, and two pararescuemen from Detachment 1, 342nd

  • VA officials reach out to veterans to explain upcoming changes to GI Bill

    Department of Veterans Affairs officials are reaching out to inform veterans of recent changes made by Congress to the Post 9/11 GI Bill that take effect in 2011. "The Post 9/11 GI Bill is incredibly important because it reduces the financial burdens of higher education so that veterans have an

  • History, achievements of Tuskegee Airmen celebrated

    "I have a dream," said Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., "that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."Before King famously spoke those words from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1963, more

  • Polish, American sister wings celebrate 1-year anniversary

    The 86th Airlift Wing commander visited Poland's 3rd Airlift Wing here Aug. 3, marking the one-year anniversary of the "sister wing" relationship between the two units.The wings began working closely in 2008, when Polish air force officials first entertained the idea of vastly improving their

  • Cadet Wing accepts Class of 2015

    The Air Force Academy's Cadet Wing formally absorbed the Class of 2015 into its fold during the annual Acceptance Day Parade here Aug. 3.During the ceremony, basic cadets received copies of "Contrails" from their legacy class, the Class of 1975. They swore the Academy's Honor Oath before exchanging

  • Eielson AFB Airmen join university for emergency management exercise

    First responders and plans and programs teams here joined staff members from the University of Alaska and local emergency management teams July 27-28 to conduct emergency management exercise at the UAF campus.The university's first large-scale exercise tested emergency responders the first day and

  • VA officials kick off National Caregiver Support Conference

    The 2011 National Caregiver Support Conference, which highlights Veterans Affairs' support of caregivers of all eras, will conclude here Aug. 4.The conference, which began Aug. 2, follows the implementation of landmark legislation by VA that provides a direct benefit for the first time to

  • CBRN Challenge 2011 showcases emergency response capabilities

    CBRN Challenge 2011 wrapped up July 22 with the team from McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., representing Air Mobility Command, taking top honors.Held at the Center for National Response, or CNR, in Gallagher, W.Va., 50 warriors, representing 10 major commands, gathered to showcase their capabilities

  • Secretary of the Air Force talks with Airmen while visiting Vance AFB

    "We're committed to ensuring that the United States continues to have the world's finest Air Force for generations to come," said Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley during his stop here July 27.Donley spent three hours at Vance AFB, accompanied by Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy

  • Panetta: DOD will help nation meet fiscal challenges

    Though defense spending must and will be part of the solution to the national financial struggle, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta told the Defense Department workforce in a message Aug. 3, budget reductions must take sound strategy and policy into account.President Barack Obama signed a bill Aug.

  • New commander takes reins of Air Forces Central Command

    Lt. Gen. David L. Goldfein took command of U.S. Air Forces Central Command from Lt. Gen. Gilmary Michael Hostage III during a change of command ceremony Aug. 3 in Southwest Asia. Gen. James N. Mattis, the commander of U.S. Central Command, presided.As the air component commander for U.S. Central

  • Combined exercise tests interoperability between coalition partners

    Firefighters from the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing completed a training scenario with the French and host nation firefighters here July 25 to test their interoperability. The exercise helped break through communication barriers and foster relations between the firefighters."The purpose for this

  • Program helps disabled vets become entrepreneurs

    Retired Army 1st Sgt. Renee Floyd wasn't about to let a disability stop her from realizing her dream of having her own business.Applying 21 years of experience as an Army mechanic, she launched BRF Mobile Lube Service in Phenix City, Ala., in 2009 and began traveling to people's homes and businesses

  • First Air Force F-35 pilot part of aviation history

    With the arrival of the joint strike fighter, the military continues setting the historic milestones for the worldwide aviation industry in preparing the first F-35 Lightning II pilots.Lt. Col. Eric Smith became a part of history himself recently as the first Airman to fly the new stealth fighter

  • McChord Airmen recognized for historic Antarctic mission

    The C-17 Globemaster III aircrew members of "Ice 68" from the 62nd and 446th Airlift Wings here were recognized by Gen. Raymond E. Johns Jr., the commander of Air Mobility Command, July 29 for their part in evacuating an ailing government contractor from McMurdo Station, Antarctica, June

  • Top award winners named for Air Mobility Rodeo 2011

    The Air Mobility Rodeo 2011 competition drew to a close here July 29 with the 97th Air Mobility Wing earning the "Best Air Mobility Wing" title during the awards presentation for the air mobility competition.In the closing ceremonies, the Rodeo commander addressed the thousands of people who had

  • Professional development key to Airmen's success

    In a culture where deployments are part of daily life and Airmen regularly perform duties above their rank, professional development is an important piece of cultivating the enlisted force to meet mission requirements, Air Force leaders said recently at the 2011 Air Force Sergeants Association

  • Mobile language class makes impression

    With their clipboards and homework packets in hand, students at the Defense Language Institute English Language Center boarded the bus and headed for the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin, Texas.However, this is no ordinary field trip. It is a mobile classroom, and the students are

  • SAFE SKIES 2011 closing ceremonies, mission complete

    SAFE SKIES 2011 came to a close here July 29 after twelve days of what officials said were successful flying training missions. Lt. Gen. Vasyl Nikiforov, the deputy commander of the Ukrainian air force, addressed the 130 Air National Guardsmen as they stood in formation on the ramp here. Across from

  • Congressmen review Reserve role, budget, mobilization

    As Congress debates ways to address the federal debt ceiling, reserve component military leaders were on Capitol Hill recently to testify and answer questions about retaining operational roles, changes to mobilization and future budget challenges.Led by chairman Joe Wilson, of S.C., and ranking

  • Officials say Joint Strike Fighter program is on track

    The Joint Strike Fighter Program Office deputy director expressed confidence in the progress of the JSF program at an Air Force Association breakfast program here July 27.The upgrades and acquisitions, particularly the completion of the new Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., training facility, helps to

  • Minot situation serious, stop movement order remains

    The situation remains serious in the Minot Air Force Base, N.D., area, and the stop movement order remains in place, Air Force officials announced July 29.Heavy spring flooding forced many to evacuate the city of Minot N.D., prompting the 5th Bomb Wing and 91st Missile Wing commanders to request a

  • Air Force leaders laud AFSA, Airmen at gala

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz capped the 2011 Air Force Sergeants Association Professional Airmen's Conference with remarks at an awards banquet here July 27.Donley congratulated AFSA on its 50 years of dedicated service to enlisted

  • Hiring vets makes positive investment, defense officials say

    Hiring military reservists and veterans is a positive investment for America, the deputy director of U.S. Army Reserve Command told federal hiring officials July 27.Reservists and veterans have a "vast resource of capabilities" that provides a distinct hiring pool for federal civilian jobs, Army

  • Special ops defenders on the road for 9/11 memorial march

    Ten years after the tragic events of 9/11, four 1st Special Operations Security Forces Squadron Airmen picked up their packs July 28 to participate in the Ruck March to Remember.Tech. Sgt. Daniel Dance, the NCO in charge of supply; Tech. Sgt. Chad Reemtsma, the NCO in charge of physical security;

  • Security forces Airmen continue "Ruck March to Remember"

    Security forces Airmen from the 14th Security Forces Squadron here completed 87 miles of their 146 mile "Ruck March to Remember" journey at Natchez, Miss., July 26. Security Forces Airmen from 23 squadrons began the 2, 181-mile march July 12 at the Security Forces Center at Lackland Air Force Base,

  • Air Force surgeon general lays out future of aeromedical evacuation

    The Air Force surgeon general addressed hundreds of medical professionals from around the world at the International Aeromedical Evacuation/En Route Care Conference at Joint Base Lewis-McChord recently.Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Charles Green was the keynote speaker on the second day of the first U.S.-led

  • Chief Roy: Air Force past, present, way ahead

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy communicated his vision of the Air Force's past, present and future to more than 600 attendees at a forum during the Air Force Sergeants Association's 50th Anniversary Professional Airmen's Conference event here July 25.The chief started the forum by

  • SAFE SKIES 2011 demonstrates true collaboration

    Airmen from the 144th Fighter Wing at Fresno Air National Guard Base, Calif., are partnered with Ukrainian and Polish airmen at Mirgorod Air Base, Ukraine, through the National Guard State Partnership Program. Through this program, they have developed a strong tie to this former soviet bloc-country

  • Airmen participate in exercise Talisman Sabre in Australia

    Airmen from the 36th Contingency Response Group here and the Royal Australian Air Force participated in Talisman Sabre 2011 recently at Williamson Airfield, Australia, to test their combined combat capabilities.Talisman Sabre 2011 is an exercise designed to train U.S. and Australian forces to plan

  • Pallet build up contest introduced at Air Mobility Rodeo 2011

    Twenty five Aerial port crews competed in the first Air Mobility Rodeo 2011 pallet build-up contest here July 26 to simulate the high-stress environment of a deployed location. The cargo for the pallet built in the competition was made up of various pre-determined items by event organizers. The

  • Pentagon streamlines approval for energy projects

    A Defense Department clearinghouse for renewable energy projects has approved 229 of 249 projects proposed in 35 states and Puerto Rico, Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III said recently."These projects represent 10 gigawatts of renewable energy generation capacity in wind energy alone,"

  • Airmen compete for Team Pakistan

    Chanting, "Team Pakistan," as they ascended the ramp to a KC-135R Stratotanker, four of the five-member Pakistan Air Mobility Rodeo 2011 aeromedical evacuation team were American Airman. Upon discovery that Pakistan only had one flight surgeon to compete in the aeromedical evacuation competition,