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  • Loftis remembered: 'Afghanistan lost its best friend'

    A funeral service was held here Monday for Lt. Col. John Darin Loftis, who died Feb. 25 from wounds received during an attack at the Interior Ministry, Kabul, Afghanistan.The solemn service was attended by approximately 250 of Loftis's family, friends and Airmen from across the Air Force. Among his

  • Maintainer plies his trade in Afghanistan

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories and commentaries focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)The anatomy of an aircraft system contains miles of wire, thousands of sensors, hundreds of dials, indicators and many switches.Like a

  • Panel aims to boost support to special-needs families

    Military families with special-needs members would benefit from better communication and education, members of an exceptional family member panel concluded yesterday."We're working some great programs up at the (office of the secretary of defense) level," said Charles E. Milam, the principal

  • Air Force invests in robust Spice testing

    The Air Force is currently conducting urinalysis testing for Spice chemicals through a civilian laboratory and will field an in-house urinalysis testing capability for Spice in mid-March.Spice is a name brand and also a generic term for a large family of chemically unrelated "synthetic cannabinoids"

  • Air Force leaders discuss modernization in budget hearing

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz outlined the service's modernization efforts during testimony to the House Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on Defense here March 6."Modernization is our most significant concern, especially as our

  • AF officials announce manpower force structure changes

    Air Force officials released force structure changes and resulting manpower impacts from the new DoD strategic guidance and fiscal 2013 President's Budget Mar. 6.The fiscal 2013 President's Budget adjusts Air Force military end strength to 501,000, with net reductions of 3,900 Active Duty, 5,100 Air

  • VCSAF discusses benefits, uniforms, F-35 while at Luke

    The Air Force's vice chief of staff addressed a packed house during an Airmen's Call here March 2.Gen. Phil Breedlove, who visited Luke AFB for two days, covered a variety of issues during the all-call, to include military benefits, the F-35 Lightning II, and uniform policy.Breedlove began by

  • Deployed Airmen earn cavalry gold spurs

    Three Airmen from the 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron displayed the true spirit of joint service partnership when they completed an Army tradition called a Spur Ride and successfully joined the Order of the Spur at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, February 21, 2012.The Order of the Spur is

  • AF expands drug testing to include abused prescription drugs

    The Air Force and other military services will expand their drug testing to include testing for commonly abused prescription drugs beginning May 1, 2012.On Jan. 31, 2012, the Secretary of Defense gave a 90-day advance notice of the drug testing expansion which aims to counter the nation's growing

  • Visionary receives namesake award for women's leadership

    The Air Force announced the creation of the Brig. Gen. Wilma Vaught Visionary Leadership Award to honor the accomplishments of female Airmen as a part of the 2012 Joint Women's Leadership Symposium here March 5. Lt. Gen. Janet Wolfenbarger, military deputy of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of

  • U.S./ROK forces show off air power

    Not even the sun had a chance to rise before Airmen here began their work during a combined combat generation exercise, March 2, between United States and Republic of Korea air forces."The purpose of the exercise today is to test the ability of our team to execute our combat mission at a moment's

  • ANG combat comm squadron redesignated civil engineering unit

    A combat communications squadron that began the Air National Guard's presence in the U.S. Virgin Islands more than 32 years ago has transformed itself once again during a ceremony March 3.The 285th Combat Communications Squadron, activated in 1980 to provide communications support to the U.S. Virgin

  • Former TACP funds 332nd AEW mission

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories and commentaries focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)After serving four years as a tactical air control party journeyman, a senior airman decided to trade in his stripes for a golden bar.

  • AF rock band's new video focuses on special tactics Airmen

    Max Impact, the premier rock band of the United States Air Force, is thrilled to release a new video featuring their original song "Send Me." Produced with the assistance from Air Force Television, the video integrates footage of the amazing Airmen from Air Force Special Operations Command. A

  • Critical care transport team continues to save lives

    Since mid-January, the newly formed all-Air Force Critical Care Air Transport Team with the 651st Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron or EAES at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan has been saving lives, whether they're U.S. troops, local nationals, or coalition partners."A life is a life," said

  • COMUSAFE presents medal of distinction to German doctor

    Gen. Mark Welsh, U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander, presented the USAFE Medal of Distinction to a German doctor during an emotional ceremony at USAFE headquarters here March 2, 2012.Professor Dr. Kai Zacharowski was honored for his role in saving the lives of two USAFE Airmen who were critically

  • Air Force Museum offers virtual tour

    The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force Virtual Tour is now fully embedded with audio and video hotspots, and touch-screen devices, offering online visitors the opportunity to experience the entire museum.Located at www.nmusafvirtualtour.com, the final two areas to be embedded -- the Cold War

  • Multinational team upgrades Afghan base security

    A multinational joint team of U.S. and Italian airmen and soldiers partnered to execute a special equipment transfer from Shindand Air Base, Afghanistan, to the small forward operating base of Buji, Afghanistan, Feb. 6-8, 2012.Airmen from the 838th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group, Soldiers from

  • Service science chiefs discuss technology, budget gaps

    In talks yesterday with science chiefs from the Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine Corps, House Armed Services Committee members targeted technology advances, cyber security and gaps left by mandated cuts in the 2013 defense budget.The panel heard testimony from Dr. Steven H. Walker, the Air Force

  • Fifth generation fighters crucial to air superiority

    The Air Force is the world's most advanced air and space force and, with the integration of fifth generation aircraft, is gaining new tactical advantages that transcend beyond just stealth into areas such as enhanced maneuverability, multi-role capabilities and fused sensor and avionics systems that

  • CSAF highlights fiscal 2013 military construction efforts

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz discussed military construction projects contained in the service's fiscal 2013 budget request during a congressional hearing March 1 here. Schwartz joined Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) Robert Hale; Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond Odierno;

  • Former POW shares reintegration tips with reservists, families

    Having spent more than five years in prisoner-of-war camps during the Vietnam War, Lee Ellis knows how difficult it is to reconnect with family and friends after a long military separation. Ellis shared his experiences and tips for reintegration with about 450 Air Force reservists and their family

  • AFPC webcasts address civilian developmental education

    Air Force civilians interested in developmental education programs can sit in on a March webcast tailored to their grade and the opportunities available, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced.Webcasts will be conducted at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Central Standard Time on March 8 for GS-12 and

  • White House honors Iraq veterans during dinner

    President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama hosted a White House tribute to Iraq War veterans and their families last night to honor them for their service, sacrifice and commitment to the nation.Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, and Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta,

  • AFPC automates civilian education application submission process

    Civilians who apply for developmental education programs will do so through the Air Force Personnel Services website this year, rather than via email or fax, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced.Individuals interested in applying during the academic year 2013 civilian developmental

  • AF leaders: FY 13 budget maintains quality, ready force

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz met with members of the House Armed Services Committee here Feb. 28 to discuss key components of the service's fiscal 2013 budget request."The budget request represents the culmination of many hard decisions

  • Schwartz: Smaller Air Force will concentrate on key capabilities

    As the Air Force gets smaller in the years to come, it will have to emphasize the areas that will be the most relevant to defense, the Air Force chief of staff said here today.Gen. Norton A. Schwartz told the Defense Writers Group that as budgets drop, the Air Force must concentrate on four basic

  • TRANSCOM continues mission despite challenges, commander says

    U.S. Transportation Command continues to meet all of its obligations to military combatant commanders and warfighters despite increasingly tighter budgets and an access dispute with Pakistan, the organization's commander told a congressional panel here yesterday.Air Force Gen. William M. Fraser III

  • Ohio Airmen help F-16 go 'green'

    In a joint effort by Airmen from the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, and Airmen from the Ohio Air National Guard's 180th Fighter Wing, the F-16 Fight Falcon is currently undergoing a field service evaluation of biofuel.As the largest consumer of energy in the

  • German, U.S. officials meet to discuss proposed new KMC Medical Center

    U.S. senior military leaders hosted German federal, state and local government representatives here Feb. 27 to talk about the proposed new Kaiserslautern Military Community Medical Center.The purpose of the meeting, according to officials, was to familiarize the German leaders with the current

  • USAFE team, senior NCO win national award

    The Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe Command Vehicles Branch and one of its senior NCOs recently proved the USAFE logistics program is among the best the U.S. has to offer by winning two Association of Equipment Management Professionals awards.The branch and Master Sgt. Jeremy Parks, the USAFE

  • Going 'where no African-American had gone before'

    She may never have traveled aboard an actual space shuttle, but in the 1960s Nichelle Nichols inspired a generation by boldly going where no African-American had gone before. With the debut of "Star Trek" in 1966, Nichols' role as Lt. Uhura not only broke racial barriers for African-American

  • Injury compensation team saves AF millions

    Last year the Air Force Personnel Center injury compensation team saved the Air Force $5.9 million in future dollars.The team accomplished this partly by identifying compensation process flaws, and partly through thorough assessment of injury compensation claims.According to Marty Watson, the chief

  • AETC commander: Air Force staying ahead of learning curve

    The commander of Air Education and Training Command spoke about the future of Air Force learning at the Air Force Association's 2012 Air Warfare Symposium here Feb. 23.Gen. Edward A. Rice Jr. addressed Airmen and defense industry professionals on the Air Force's need to continue to adapt how the Air

  • CMSAF Roy: Developing Airmen key to future success

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy emphasized the evolution of training Airmen before a crowd of approximately 400 Airmen, industry officials and Air Force Association members here Feb. 24.Roy, who spoke on the second day of the Air Force Association's 2012 Air Warfare Symposium and

  • Technology advances defense, protects F.E. Warren AFB Airmen

    Members of the 90th Missile Wing added another weapon to their arsenal to enhance their robust deterrence mission Feb. 17 here. The Remote Targeting Engagement System is made up of several parts, including six separate M-240 machine guns, controlled remotely from command consoles. The weapons are

  • SecAF: Air Force must continue to modernize

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley highlighted the service's need to continue future modernization plans during remarks to approximately 400 Airmen, industry officials and Air Force Association members Feb. 24 here.Donley spoke on the second day of the Air Force Association's 2012 Air Warfare

  • AF teens make an impact with Teen Movement initiative

    Air Force teen councils around the globe launched a new initiative to foster teen personal development and to create a positive impact on local Air Force communities.Teen Movement challenges installation teen councils to conduct four large-scale projects throughout the year supporting four pillars:

  • Collaborative effort in making force structure changes

    Air Force total force officials discussed the strategic planning efforts that resulted in making the 'hard choices' affecting future Air Force viability and force structure here Feb. 22. Driven by the 2011 Budget Control Act and new defense strategy, the Air Force needed to align the current force

  • Singapore air and trade show wraps up

    Approximately 69 Sailors, Airmen and Department of Defense personnel from across the Pacific represented U.S. military forces at the largest air show in Asia here Feb. 14-19.As one of the top three aerospace and defense exhibitions in the world, the biennial Singapore Airshow 2012 drew thousands of

  • Airborne Laser Test Bed bids adieu to Edwards AFB

    The aircraft known for turning science fiction into fact, more accurately recognized as the YAL-1A Airborne Laser Test Bed, took to the skies here for the last time during its final ferry flight to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., Feb. 14.The ALTB, which was a part of the Birk Flight Test

  • CSAF stresses importance of ready future force

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz emphasized the service's need for a strong total force ready for the future during remarks to Airmen and defense industry officials here Feb. 23.Schwartz was the first speaker at the Air Force Association's 2012 Air Warfare Symposium and Technology

  • Air Force fiscal 2013 budget invests in critical space capabilities

    Investment in space programs was a priority in this year's Air Force budget, according to Undersecretary of the Air Force Erin Conaton.Air Force leaders sought to sustain and modernize the capabilities that enable the service to support the Department of Defense's new strategic guidance, Conaton

  • Industry leaders briefed on ISR future

    Lt. Gen. Larry James, Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, briefed industry leaders about the service's ISR future during the Aviation Week Defense Technology, Affordability and Requirement Conference here, Feb. 15. The Air Force provides distinctive

  • First black female fighter pilot follows childhood dream

    By the time she was in fourth grade, young Shawna Rochelle Kimbrell knew she wanted to be a fighter pilot.What the now-Air Force major didn't know, however, was that she would knock down a racial barrier by becoming the first black female in the career field.Kimbrell was born in Lafayette, Ind., on

  • Air Force works to update disability hiring records

    Disability hiring initiatives are ongoing as federal agencies work to meet the president's challenge to hire 100,000 people with disabilities over the next five years.The Air Force has a long history of supporting such initiatives, but official records may not illustrate that, Air Force Personnel

  • EMT 'rodeo' sharpens emergency response skills

    Being deployed overseas can sometimes be challenging for an emergency medical technician, especially since there could be situations that one wouldn't normally see on city streets in the U.S.This is why the 386th Expeditionary Medical Group developed the EMT Rodeo, which creates various challenges

  • Olympian becomes weather officer during World War II

    Archie Williams, 1936 Olympic Gold Medal winner was later Archie Williams, Air Force weather officer and pilot. With a need for thousands of weather officers in the expanding Army Air Forces in World War II, a Meteorology Aviation Cadet program trained more than 5,600 weather officers by the last

  • Air advisors, Honduran Air Force develop ATC curriculum

    The 571st Mobility Support Advisory Squadron and Honduran Air Force partnered together recently in developing an air traffic control technical curriculum for the Honduran Air Force air traffic controllers. The 571st MSAS air advisors, part of the 615th Contingency Response Wing based out of Travis

  • Laughlin Airman controls Air Force's busiest airfield

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories and commentaries focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)Like most other young boys, Staff Sgt. John Hammer dreamed of growing up and being a professional football star. Instead, the

  • Kyrgyz, American women discuss career, life goals during cultural exchange

    Kyrgyz and American citizens gathered for a Women's Club meeting Feb. 17, at Bayalinov Children's Library in Bishkek.The Women's Club is part of the U.S. Embassy-sponsored American Corner program. Every week, the group meets to discuss various topics including marriage, children, career goals and

  • Tuskegee Airman broke color barriers through civil disobedience

    Not only was Oliver Goodall an accomplished Tuskegee Airman, but the World War II B-25 pilot is said to have helped lead the rally cry during the Freeman Field Mutiny, a 1945 incident considered a first step toward the official desegregation of all U.S. forces worldwide in June 1949.Goodall was

  • CSAF visits JB Elmendorf Airmen

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and his wife Suzie visited Airmen here during a visit to Alaska Feb. 15 through 18. During the second day of his visit, the general, along with the 11th Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. Stephen Hoog and 673rd Air Base Wing Commander Col. Robert Evans, hosted

  • SecDef praises Global Strike Airmen

    The nation's top military advisor visited Barksdale Air Force Base, Feb. 17, getting a first-hand look at the Air Force's strategic deterrence capabilities.With more than 300 people in attendance, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta began his visit with a town-hall meeting, stressing the importance of

  • CSAF helps dedicate Alaska's first Fisher House

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz helped dedicate the new Alaska Fisher House in a ceremony here Feb. 17. The 56th Fisher House to be built, it is the only one of its kind in Alaska, and has already hosted a military family from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, whose newborn is in the

  • Nurse faced hurdles for military acceptance

    Retired Army Maj. Nancy C. Leftenant-Colon, the first black nurse in the Reserve or active-duty Army nurse corps, didn't expect it to be easy.As a Reservist, she knew upon joining the U.S. Army in 1945 that there would be hurdles, but her strength in the face of adversity created avenues for

  • New IAAFA airfield facility consolidates aviation training

    Senior Air Force and Inter-American Air Forces Academy leaders, along with representatives from six Latin America partner nations, opened the new IAAFA Airfield Training Complex here in a ceremony Feb. 9.The new $19-million training complex combines all IAAFA aviation maintenance courses in one

  • Air Force boxers take 3 medals at Armed Forces Championships

    No more motivation is needed for Air Force boxing heavyweight Kent Brinson when it comes to preparing for the upcoming 2012 USA National Boxing Championships Feb. 27 through March 3 in his backyard of Fort Carson, Colo.Brinson, a senior airman stationed at Fort Carson, won the gold medal in his

  • Basic training campus nears completion

    The first of the new Air Force Basic Military Training housing campus projects are scheduled to be completed this summer, said U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials. Daniel Olivas, the resident engineer for the corps, which is the project administrator, said Airman Training Complex No. 1 and

  • President recommends $5.062 billion for AF Reserve in fiscal 2013

    Under the Fiscal 2013 President's Budget Request announced Feb. 13, Air Force Reserve Command is slated to receive an annual operating budget of $5.062 billion starting in October.The fiscal 2013 budget includes $1.885 billion for military personnel, $3.166 billion for operations and maintenance to

  • Senior enlisted leaders cite troops' top concerns

    The senior enlisted advisors for the four military services met on Capitol Hill Feb. 16 to discuss with lawmakers the top issues on service members' minds.It turns out that for many, it's the same as what's on lawmakers' minds: the budget."I was asked questions, beginning in April, all the way to

  • Deployed maintainers keep F-16s flying

    The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a compact, multi-role fighter aircraft. Highly maneuverable, F-16s have proven to be very effective in both air-to-air and air-to-surface combat. To keep these critical air-power assets mission ready, the technicians of the 455th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance

  • AFCENT band plays first-ever rock concert at Abu Dhabi university

    Emirati college kids love James Brown.Members of the U.S. Air Forces Central Band, Afterburner, discovered this firsthand Feb. 16 as they played at Zayed University here for almost 300 students on campus. The performance marked several firsts: the first rock band to visit the school, the first time

  • Mobile Web app makes personnel accountability easier

    Software developers have created a new mobile Web application that allows total force Airmen the ability to account for themselves and family members from their smartphone during a crisis or natural disaster.During a crisis, the Air Force uses the Air Force Personnel Accountability and Assessment

  • U.S., Canadian forces participate in airborne exercise

    U.S. and Canadian service members conducted Joint Operations Access Exercise 12-01 here Feb. 10-13.Airmen with the 93rd Air Ground Operations Wing joined forces with airborne units from the Army's 82nd Airborne Division and Canada's Company M, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Royal Canadian Regiment for the

  • Enrollment for free culture course ends Feb. 29

    Registration for the spring "Introduction to Culture" course, an online self-paced undergraduate course that helps enlisted Airmen improve their cross-cultural competence, ends Feb. 29. The course explores subjects such as elements of culture, family, gender, religion, belief systems, sports and

  • AF flight surgeon makes mark during historic space flight

    The American public remembers John Glenn for his solo orbit around Earth. They remember Neil Armstrong for his walk on the moon. But few remember how Col. (Dr.) Vance H. Marchbanks Jr., one of the first black flight surgeons in the Army and the first in the Air Force, made it possible for them and

  • Air Force club members win 'super' trip

    Four Air Force club members won a four-day trip to attend Super Bowl XLVI on Feb. 5 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.Winners were drawn from nearly 12,000 entries received from Air Force Clubs worldwide during the first 16 weeks of the annual Air Force Services Agency Football Frenzy promotion.

  • AFSPC commander addresses maturing cyberspace domain

    The Air Force Space Command commander highlighted space and cyberspace superiority, acquisition strategies and industry partnerships, and the need for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education during a speech Feb. 7 in Colorado Springs, Colo.Gen. William Shelton kicked off the

  • Air Force, Navy officers help develop Afghan hospital project

    A groundbreaking ceremony kicked off the construction of a new hospital near Shindand Air Base, Afghanistan, Jan. 28.Calling it a major step forward for Afghans living near the base, officials said the $5 million commander's emergency response program is estimated to be completed in nine months.Air

  • CSAF visits RAF Lakenheath

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and his wife Suzie helped honor the 48th Fighter Wing's annual award winners and nominees during a ceremony here Feb. 11.Those recognized as the Liberty Wing's 2011 Annual Award winners were:- Maj. Andrew Garcia, Field Grade Officer of the Year- Capt.

  • Air Force kicks off ESOH Symposium

    The Air Force kicked off its 20th annual Environment, Safety and Occupational Health Symposium at the Colorado Convention Center here Feb. 13.The largest military training event of its kind features 525 course offerings for more than 1,200 attendees and runs through Feb. 17. Air Force senior leaders

  • Mildenhall Airmen honored during CSAF visit

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz helped honor Team Mildenhall's annual award winners during a banquet here Feb. 10.Those recognized as the Team Mildenhall 2011 Annual Award winners were:- Capt. Nathaniel Smith, Company Grade Officer of the Year- Senior Master Sgt. Emilio Hernandez,

  • OSI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service catch cyber criminal

    Criminals work their mischief where there is money to be gained, and in a world that relies heavily on the Internet, identity thieves are working overtime to find new and creative ways to steal.That was the case with Rene Quimby, who was able to get his virtual hands on the identities of more than

  • User-friendly USAF Song recordings ready for use

    New recordings of the U.S. Air Force Song are available for use in official military ceremonies at the Air Force Portal and www.music.af.mil.  The new recordings, one with vocals and one instrumental-only, respect the original character, lyrics and melody of the song, but are designed to promote

  • AF 2013 budget: Cuts while keeping agile, flexible, ready force

    The Air Force released its fiscal 2013 budget Feb. 13 and stressed the need for difficult budgetary cuts to meet the new defense strategy while maintaining the service's agility, flexibility and readiness.The Air Force is requesting $154.3 billion in the president's 2013 budget, a reduction of five

  • 35 Airmen selected for 2012 Tops in Blue tour

    Air Force Services Agency officials here recently announced the names of 35 Airmen selected for the 2012 Tops in Blue tour. In January, more than 80 Airmen competed as singers, dancers, musicians, magicians and technicians for Tops in Blue slots during the annual Air Force Worldwide Talent Search at

  • Troops, families to benefit from landmark settlement

    Service members and their families are among the Americans who will benefit from a "landmark" $25 billion foreclosure settlement between the government and banks, federal and state officials said today.The federal government and 49 state attorneys general reached the agreement with the nation's five

  • Air Force hosts collaborative Software Development Forum

    The Air Force Network Integration Center hosted the first Software Development Forum here Feb. 7.The forum brought together nearly 100 people from industry and the Air Force to discuss future software standards for integration onto the Air Force Network."We need to save time and money by

  • Aeromedical evac team aids freed hostages

    For Staff Sgt. Donald Ennis, a medical technician assigned to the 379th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, the day started routinely enough. He walked outside his room to video chat with his wife and two daughters on his computer. During the conversation, he glanced up from the screen

  • FTI continues to transform food delivery for Airmen

    The Air Force Food Transformation Initiative began at six pilot locations a little over a year ago, and the ground-breaking initiative continues to make progress in redefining how food is delivered to today's Airmen. In its first year, Airmen at the FTI pilot locations experienced revamped menu

  • First lady samples Food Transformation Initiative at Little Rock

    Michelle Obama visited the Hercules Dining Facility here Feb. 9 to survey the food transformation initiative program on base. The visit was part of a three-day tour by the first lady, commemorating the second anniversary of her "Let's Move!" program designed to combat childhood obesity.In addition

  • End of an era for Edwards test flight civilian

    Bearing witness to over a half century of aerospace engineering and innovation is a testament to one's interest in flight test history. However, to actually participate in over 50 years of it is a testament to one's dedication and excellence in the field.After 55 years of work for the Air Force

  • Tuskegee Airman a success in both military and business

    A former Tuskegee Airman went on to have a career in the Air Force, as well as success in the business world.Lee A. Archer joined the Army in 1941 with high hopes of becoming a pilot, but was initially denied because of his race. When the Army's policy changed about a year later, Archer was accepted

  • New fuels course graduates first class

    A new fuels training course developed by 364th Training Squadron members here officially started Jan. 23 and graduated its first students Feb. 3.The Fuels Operational Readiness Capability Equipment Course is designed to teach fuels specialists about new equipment currently being in deployed

  • CMSAF discusses current Air Force issues

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy discussed top Air Force issues with more than 100 military members at Kabul International Airport, Afghanistan, Feb. 1.Roy spoke about budget issues, resiliency and future capabilities of the Air Force.The chief said he attempts to visit the advisers

  • CMSAF stresses Airman resilience

    A soft light from Senior Airman Sarah Mattausch's mobile phone glowed in the darkness of her room before dawn on a Saturday, waking her up much earlier than expected. As she read the incoming text, Mattausch realized that her friend, her wingman, was in trouble. Mattausch's actions over the next few

  • Tuskegee Airman goes on to become first Air Force African-American general

    A man who was shunned because of his race during his four years at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., back in the early 1930s would go on to become the first African-American general in the U.S. Air Force.Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. was born in 1912 to Benjamin O. Davis, Sr., an Army officer

  • Roy LaGrone immortalized Tuskegee Airmen through art

    "As soon as I got up there, I knew absolutely this is what I wanted to do," said Air Force pioneer Roy LaGrone of his journey from young passenger aboard a Ford Trimotor plane to original Tuskegee Airman pilot turned prolific artist.As one of many African Americans of his era fighting against the

  • Fiscal austerity requires leveraging 'total force'

    In wartime and peacetime, the total force construct is virtually seamless, with Guardsmen and Reserve service members who are indistinguishable from their active-component peers. Our recent air operations in Libya are but the latest example.The ability of our Guardsmen and Reservists to deploy on

  • SecDef visits AF wounded warrior care facility

    The Secretary of Defense visited Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Feb. 3, to show his appreciation for the dedicated and hard-working service members who ensure wounded warriors receive world-class care.Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta started his visit at the Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility

  • Air Force leaders chart service changes

    Making changes to the Air Force is "hard, but manageable," Air Force Secretary Michael B. Donley said here today.Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton A. Schwartz detailed force structure changes that will be made in the service over the next year. The men spoke during a Pentagon news

  • Air Force announces force structure overview for FY 13 and beyond

    Air Force officials announced proposed force structure changes which support the new DoD strategic guidance retiring 286 aircraft over the next five years, including 227 in fiscal year 13.According to Secretary of the Air Force, Michael Donley, the Air Force is shaping itself for future challenges

  • SecAF: AF will continue to be ready, agile and flexible

    In the face of a changing strategic environment and constrained budgets, the Air Force will maintain its agility, flexibility and readiness to engage a full range of contingencies and threats, according to Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley.Donley spoke to approximately 160 Airmen, industry

  • Voting tool gets thumbs up from DOD

    As this presidential election year unfolds, America's voting process will get plenty of attention.Thanks to two members of the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency headquarters, sorting through the how-tos of exercising this American right is at the fingertips of everyone

  • Air Force assessing performance feedback program

    Air Force officials are field testing a new performance feedback worksheet to assess how supervisors interact and provide feedback to their Airmen. The Airman Comprehensive Assessment worksheet is designed to increase supervisor awareness of activities affecting their Airmen and better facilitate