Wing's mission provides NATO cornerstone

The mission of the 31st Fighter Wing located here is to conduct and support air operations in Europe's southern region and to maintain munitions for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and national authorities. The 31st FW maintains two F-16 fighter squadrons, the 555th and the 510th, capable of

After one year, Phoenix Warrior course soaring high

Airmen at the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center's 421st Combat Training Squadron have finished their first year of teaching the Phoenix Warrior Training Course, and all signs point to the fact it is helping prepare security forces for their wartime mission."Phoenix Warrior, from inception, has

Deployed gunners have eagle eyes with safer turret system

Security forces Airmen here are now training with a new high-technology weapons system currently being used during outside-the-wire patrols in Iraq. Instructors from the Army's Military Police School from Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., trained members of the 820th Security Forces Group in the effective use

5th Air Force celebrates 66 years

Members of 5th Air Force celebrated its 66th anniversary in a Sept. 21 ceremony at Yokota Air Base. Lt. Gen. Bruce A. Wright, the U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force commander, led the ceremony."Today, 5th Air Force directs its focus on a bilateral approach to maintaining a robust and integrated

Sept. 21 airpower summary: F-16s fill multiple combat roles

Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Sept. 21, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs used guided bomb unit-12s to engage

Transfer ceremony reunites Flying Tigers heritage

Two A-10 Thunderbolt IIs carried a piece of Flying Tigers heritage away from Peterson Sept. 21 as part of an effort by Air Force officials to reunite three pieces of a historic World War II legacy. During the transfer ceremony, 76th Space Control Squadron officials here gave the squadron's piece of

Sept. 20 airpower summary: C-130s sustain airlift operations

Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Sept. 20, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs engaged enemy forces in a tree line near

Bold Quest exercise wraps up

The last mission complete, U.S. Joint Forces Command officials now have the task of assessing all the data collected during the Coalition Combat Identification Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration, known as Bold Quest.The nine nation coalition operational exercise took place at Nellis Air Force

NORTHCOM commander shares joint, interagency experience

No service or nation can operate independently in (today's) global environment. Said the Northern Command's top official Sept. 20 during a visit to Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala."We've got to find ways to take advantage of our sister services and benefit from what other nations bring to the fight,"

Air Force officers have alternate path to joint qualification

The Air Force will adopt a more flexible process for officers to gain joint qualification beginning Oct. 1. Previously, only officers who were assigned to a joint-duty assignment could become joint qualified, but this criteria will change as a result of the National Defense Authorization Act of

Officials announce open registration to Air Force symposium

Air University officials here recently announced open registration to the 2007 Air Force Heritage to Horizons Women's Training Symposium scheduled for Oct. 31 to Nov. 2. The symposium at the Waterford Receptions in Springfield, Va., is open to women and men who have served or are serving in the U.S.

B-52s demonstrate global reach, power

Airmen of the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron here flew to the Pele Bombing Range in Hawaii to drop inert weapons as part of Exercise Koa Lightning Sept. 16 and 17. Different from previous Koa Lightning exercises, bomber aircrews dropped ordnance as they were talked into the targets by joint

Agency activates 2nd Weather Group

In streamlining the way the Air Force Weather Agency functions, the 2nd Weather Group activated Sept. 19 at the Bennie Davis Maintenance Facility here. The ceremony marked the culmination of an AFWA reorganization that began in May 2006 with the standup of the 1st Weather Group. The 2nd WXG is made

CENTCOM commander visits 380th AEW Airmen

The commander of U.S. Central Command visited Airmen from the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Sept. 17 at their forward deployed location in Southwest Asia.Adm. William J. Fallon was greeted by Brig. Gen. Lawrence Wells, 380th AEW commander; Col. Bruce VanSkiver, the 380th AEW vice commander; Chief

Airmen make AFSO 21 successful

The Air Force's top Smart Operations for the 21st century leader said Airmen and their ideas are critical to the success of the service's efforts to improve efficiency during a visit Sept. 17 here. "Individual Airmen are incredibly important to the success of AFSO 21," said Dr. Ronald Ritter,

Air Force celebrates 60 years

A lineup of top military officials, musical entertainment and the chance to meet those who made early Air Force history drew representatives from each service to the Air Force's 60th anniversary celebration Sept. 18 in the Pentagon courtyard.Members of the Air Force entertainment organization Tops

Air Force leaders gather at memorial for anniversary

The Air Force's three top leaders laid a wreath at the Air Force Memorial Sept. 18 to commemorate the service's 60th anniversary. "The memorial gives (us) a home to honor the service and sacrifice of men and women of the Air Force and its predecessors, and so it is right that we lay this wreath here

Illinois town dedicates park to local war hero

A warrior of three American wars who exemplified Air Force core values before they were written received a hero's tribute at the dedication of the Kasler-Momence Veterans Park Sept. 15 here. More than 300 local residents, city and state representatives, and servicemembers came to honor retired Col.

Secretary, chief send Air Force birthday message

The following is a message from Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley on the Air Force's 60th birthday Sept. 18. "Sixty years ago today the Air Force became an independent service. Three days before becoming the first secretary of the Air

Air Force to commemorate 60 years of service

In honor of the Air Force's 60th anniversary, a number of official events are being held Sept. 18 in the nation's capital. The day's events will begin with a wreath-laying ceremony scheduled for 9 a.m. at the Air Force Memorial. Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne, Chief of Staff of the Air

C-17 Globemaster III celebrates 16 years of flight

At 16 years young, the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is the newest and most versatile aircraft in the mobility fleet. And, according to those who fly it, it is the best the Air Force has seen in its 60 years. "There's no doubt in my mind I fly the best transport aircraft ever," said Major Wayne

Wing boasts proud lineage

The 67th Network Warfare Wing and its predecessors have a long, distinguished service record. The mission of the wing is to execute Air Force network operations, defense, attack and exploitation to create integrated cyberspace effects for the Air Force Network Operations commander and combatant

Korean War aces enlighten multitudes about their exploits

After they dined with dignitaries, fielded questions from international media and signed hundreds of autographs, eight Korean War Aces are on the final leg of their visit here. After laying a wreath on the morning of Sept. 15 in a commemoration of Incheon landing operations, that evening they are

Doing space a different way

Space community representatives are gearing up to meet to discuss ways to think differently and conduct business differently to make operationally responsive space a success. The goal of ORS is to provide joint force commanders space and space-related capabilities on orbit, quickly to meet urgent

Chief of staff announces major total force integration steps

The Air Force's top officer announced the addition of Dannelly Field Air Guard Station, Ala., as well as other initiatives, to the service's evolving set of total force integration efforts at an event Sept. 13 at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley said the move is

Palace HART making a difference in the lives of Airmen

A vehicle operations journeyman by trade, Tech. Sgt. Corey Carter found running convoy security escort missions while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom to be an exciting change of pace. That was until an encounter with an improvised explosive device Sept. 5, 2004, near Balad, Iraq,

Latest 'Vector' highlights importance of discipline

The Air Force chief of staff released his latest vector for Airmen and it focuses on the importance of a disciplined force. "Commanders and supervisors at all levels must lead by personal example, ensure compliance by all, and reinforce the highest standards of the United States Air Force," Gen. T.

Airmen commemorate 60th anniversary through the mail

Airmen will have a unique opportunity to commemorate the Air Force's 60th anniversary Sept. 18 through Oct. 18. The Air Force and U.S. Postal Service have joined forces to offer a commemorative postmark that will be available for cancellation from Sept. 18 to Oct. 18 at 40 base post offices

South Dakota veterans may be eligible for bonuses

The state of South Dakota is paying a veterans' bonus of up to $500 to certain servicemembers based on monthly service during qualifying dates. Bonuses are available to servicemembers who: -- were legal residents of the state for at least six months immediately preceding entry into the armed forces.

General Dougherty, former SAC commander, dies

Retired Gen. Russell E. Dougherty, former commander in chief of Strategic Air Command, died Sept. 7 at his home in Potomac Falls, Va.He also served as executive director of the Air Force Association, an independent nonprofit organization that promotes aerospace power, from 1980 to 1986. "The Air

American pilots of yesteryear visit Kunsan, rekindle Korean War memories

Men who soared across Korea's skies more than 54 years ago visited here Sept. 11 during a return trip to the Land of the Morning Calm. It is at this base where the past meets head on with the present. Today's Airmen continue the legacy set forth by these veterans of the Korean War. The Forgotten

Pilots of yesteryear interact with Airmen of today

Airmen can learn from past experiences, the Web and books, but on Sept. 10 Osan Air Base Airmen expanded their knowledge by learning from living legends.As if magically appearing from the pages of an Air Force history book, four Korean War veterans mingled with the young men and women stationed at

Eagle Cash card: Money spreads its wings

Deployed servicemembers in Southwest Asia can now access their funds 24 hours a day, seven days a week with a new, automated money management program called Eagle Cash. Co-sponsored by the Army and the Department of the Treasury, Eagle Cash is a financial management tool to support military members

Kunsan pilot receives Distinguished Flying Cross

An F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot assigned to the 35th Fighter Squadron here was recently awarded the Distinguish Flying Cross for his extraordinary achievement while flying in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Capt. David Anderson, a 35th FS flight commander, received the medal from Col. C.Q. Brown,

Bold Quest improves coalition combat identification

Officials from U.S. Joint Forces Command launched its premier Coalition Combat Identification Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration, known as Bold Quest, Sept. 10 to 24 at Nellis Air Force Base and the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif. The exercise has the monumental task of

Gen. McNabb inducted into AMC Order of the Sword

Air Mobility Command's eighth recipient of the Order of the Sword was presented to Gen. Duncan J. McNabb during a Sept. 6 ceremony here attended by more than 425 enlisted members from throughout the command. The crowd assembled in the Scott Club ballroom to honor their leader, who was singled out

Bagram Airmen celebrate Air Force's 60th birthday

Airmen celebrated the Air Force's 60th birthday at a dinner and celebration held Sept. 8 at Bagram Air Base. Festivities included a POW/MIA/Fallen Comrade Ceremony, several slide shows and videos focusing on the advancement of airpower since its inception, and a guest speaker, Maj. Gen. Kevin J.

Revisiting the country of a forgotten war

Time has changed Seoul. The first time retired Lt. Gen. Charles G. Cleveland saw this city, it was in ruins. "Fifty-four years ago, it looked like Berlin (Germany) after it was bombed. There was nothing left," said the former F-86 Sabre pilot who fought in the Korean War, fought between 1950 and

Summer safety campaign sees near-record

The Air Force wrapped up one of its most successful 101 Critical Days of Summer safety campaigns Sept. 3.Nineteen Airmen died in the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day, whereas in 2006, the Air Force's safest summer season, 17 Airmen died in the same period. These figures don't include

Air Force Marathon sets registration record

The Air Force Marathon has eclipsed last year's registration numbers and is on pace to attract 6,000 runners for the first time in its 11-year history. The marathon, set for Sept. 15 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, officially surpassed last year's total number of 5,027 runners, with 5,404

Moody Airmen use AFSO 21 to get it right the first time

Members of the 723rd Maintenance Squadron here are currently redesigning the incoming A-10 Thunderbolt II phase inspection operations with a top-to-bottom evaluation of its facilities in a rapid improvement event, or RIE. By redesigning the layout of the stations where Moody Air Force Base A-10Cs

Letter to Airmen addresses responsibility

In the latest Letter to Airmen, Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne discusses how Air Force people have the responsibility to maintain the trust of the nation in executing daily work. "Whether it is conducting a pre-flight walkaround, completing the many intricate systems checks on a

Program takes safety, occupational health to next level

In the last 17 years since operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, 82 Airmen have died in combat, and 1,370 Airmen have lost their lives in the same timeframe in off duty incidents-- in their homes, in their cars or during recreational activities. William C. "Bill" Anderson, assistant secretary

Congressional delegation observes enemy fire from C-130

Four congressional delegates observed live, enemy fire from a C-130 Hercules Aug. 30 that had just departed Baghdad International Airport enroute to Jordan. "They witnessed firsthand our Air Force's Airmen in combat," said Lt. Gen. Gary L. North, the U.S. Central Command Air Forces commander. On

Space experts meet to address warfighter needs

More than 70 senior leaders and experts from across the services, joint agencies and intelligence community came together Aug. 28 at Headquarters Air Force Space Command here to discuss the way ahead for operationally responsive space, or ORS. The objectives of the meeting were to clearly define

Eagle Flag tests combat support skills

2 Elmendorf Airmen receive Purple Hearts

Two 3rd Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle operators from Elmendorf Air Force Base were presented Purple Hearts during an Aug. 28 ceremony here. Staff Sgt. Larry Franklin and Airman 1st Class Benjamin Crain received the medals for injuries sustained while supporting operations Enduring Freedom and

New global logistics unit to be headquartered at Scott

Air Force Materiel Command officials announced Aug. 30 that the Global Logistics Support Center headquarters will be located at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. The Global Logistics Support Center, or GLSC, will stand up in fiscal 2008 and serve as the Air Force's supply chain manager. The decision to

Coalition forces compete at Ali Base

Members of the 407th Expeditionary Services Squadron hosted the first ever Coalition Games Aug. 20 through 26 at Ali Base and Camp Adder, Iraq. The week-long event gave American, Australian and Romanian forces friendly competitions in basketball, softball, soccer, volleyball, weightlifting,

Cannon unit to become 27th Special Operations Wing

Air Force officials here announced Aug. 30 the designation of a new Air Force Special Operations Command wing at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., as the 27th Special Operations Wing. The 27th designation, currently used as the 27th Fighter Wing at Cannon AFB, will change from fighter to special

C-5 to be showcased at Air Force Marathon

The official aircraft of the 11th annual Air Force Marathon is the C-5 Galaxy and marathon participants, spectators and volunteers will see the aircraft fly over the course of the race Sept. 15 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.A C-5 will fly over the base as the day will be filled with

CSAF's Scope highlights SERE training, AMU reorganization

The Chief of Staff of the Air Force's Scope focuses on current topics the Air Force chief of staff feels are of special importance to today's Airmen. Among Gen. T. Michael Moseley's top issues this month are revamping survival, evasion, resistance and escape training for Airmen and reorganizing

Air Force Week art exhibit opening set for Sept. 13

"Heritage to Horizons: Living History through Air Force Art" is one of the featured events of Air Force Week Honolulu set to take place Sept. 7 to 15.  Plans for the art exhibit in honor of the Air Force's 60th anniversary will showcase 50 paintings from the Pacific Air Forces' collection of about

Annual unit award winners announced

The Secretary of the Air Force Personnel Council recognized the following units as Air Force Organizational Excellence Award recipients during the period of 2006-2007. Headquarters, Air Combat Command, June 1, 2004 - May 31, 2006 Headquarters, Air Mobility Command, June 1, 2004 - May 31, 2006

Summit tracks warfare center consolidation

Senior Air Force leaders gathered at the Pentagon Aug. 23 for a U.S. Air Force Warfare Center Summit. The purpose of the summit was to track progress and consider new initiatives in the ongoing effort to forge a single warfare center within the Air Force. The vision is a simple but powerful one,

A-10 Thunderbolt II gets technological 'thumbs up'

The precision engagement modified A-10C Thunderbolt II received its Initial Operational Capability Aug. 21 during a ceremony here. The A-10C has received its most significant modifications in its 30-year history, said Lt. Col. Ralph Hansen, chief of A-10 requirements for Air Combat Command. The

Dover honors women's contribution to force

Dover Air Force Base members commemorated the 87 years since the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was passed and saluted all women here Aug. 24. Since Esther Blake enlisted July 8, 1948 on the first minute of the first hour of the first day regular Air Force duty was authorized for women,

Airmen gather at Air Force Sergeant Association Conference

The Air Force Sergeants Association met here for a week, starting Aug. 19, to discuss issues Airmen are facing in the Air Force. "This conference is an excellent opportunity for today's Airmen to meet with our knowledgeable and experienced veteran Airmen to discuss topics and issues important to the

Barksdale Airmen recreate history

Several units from Barksdale Air Force Base added their mark to a significant page in history Aug. 24 when they recreated a historical flight. The 2nd Bomb Wing, 53rd Wing, U.S. Air Force Weapons School and the 917th Wing came together for the first time to fly a maritime intercept mission. The

General Moseley OKs irregular warfare doctrine

The Air Force's top officer has signed the doctrine document that establishes operational level doctrinal guidance for irregular warfare. Air Force Doctrine Document 2-3, Irregular Warfare, focuses on the operational and strategic aspects of IW and differences in the application of force from

Air Force fighter squadron celebrates 90th year

An F-22A Raptor demonstrated its air power during the wrap-up Aug. 20 of the 90th Fighter Squadron's 90th anniversary. Former and current members of the 90th FS gathered here Aug. 17 to 20 to recall the squadron's past and look forward to its future. "It is very humbling to be part of a squadron

Marathon signals growing partnership between base, university

The U.S. Air Force Marathon's 5K race has a new location and date for 2007. Signifying a new partnership between Wright-Patterson AFB and nearby Wright State University, this year's 5K race will take place on the university's campus Sept. 14, the day before the marathon, which will be held at the

Investigation finds engine failure caused Predator crash

Engine failure caused the crash of an MQ-1B Predator remotely piloted aircraft Jan. 17, at a forward location in Southwest Asia, according to an Accident Investigation Board report released by Air Combat Command today. The $4.16 million Predator, assigned to the 15th Reconnaissance Squadron at

Air Force Reserve to form F-15E associate detachment

As part of the Air Force's Total Force Integration, the Air Force Reserve is teaming up with Air Combat Command to establish an F-15E Strike Eagle associate unit in October. A detachment of eight instructor pilots, four instructor weapon systems officers and two administrative specialists will

Air Force Reserve to form A-10 associate units

As part of the Air Force's total force integration, Air Force Reserve Command officials are teaming up with Air Combat Command officials to establish two A-10 Thunderbolt II associate units in October. A classic associate group of about 215 reservists will support the active duty 23rd Wing at Moody

B-24 gunner receives Purple Heart for heroism in WW II

The scene in the rotunda of Randolph's Taj Mahal Aug. 21 probably seemed like too much hoopla to one former Army Air Corps staff sergeant. But all the TV cameras and reporters there to capture the moment, the remarks by an Air Force major general and the admiration shown by servicemembers and

Air Force convenes AFSO 21 summit

The secretary of the Air Force, chief of staff and the heads of all Air Force major commands gathered here Aug. 22 to increase the capability of the individual warfighter through Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century, commonly known as AFSO 21. AFSO 21 is a dedicated effort to maximize

Maine Air Guard peddles Air Force Week from town to town

After pedaling their bicycles along 170 miles of Maine roads, 18 Maine Air National Guard Cycle Team members, dressed in red, white and blue cycling outfits, coasted to the end of their three-day journey Aug. 20 in front of the local minor leage baseball stadium here. Their trek started in Bangor

Stratofortresses test operational skills in Koa Lightning

B-52 Stratofortresses and aircrews demonstrated the Air Force's global reach and global power by participating in the latest Koa Lightning exercise Aug. 21 through 23 from Andersen Air Force Base. Airmen of the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, deployed from Barksdale AFB, La., flew 18 hours

Chief of chaplains visits 379th AEW

The Air Force chief of chaplains recently visited the base on his tour of the combat theater to visit Airmen and chaplains, ensuring their spiritual needs are taken care of. Chaplain (Maj. Gen.) Charles C. Baldwin has three priorities in his role -- glorifying God, honoring Airmen and serving all,

Space exec course reaches out to allies, Pentagon

August is a month of firsts for the National Security Space Institute as the school opens its senior-level class to international students and takes the course on the road to Washington, D.C. Called SOC-E, the Aug. 2 Space Operations Executive-level Course included its first international students

Programs help Airmen, families prepare for deployment

As part of ongoing efforts to inform Airmen about ways to manage stress, Air Force officials here introduced a monthly campaign to highlight initiatives to help Airmen and their families cope with life's difficulties, and the initiative for August is deployment readiness.Air Force officials employ

U.S. military women reach out to Djiboutian women

U.S. military women attached to Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa visited the girls' orphanage Aug. 15 in Djibouti City. During the visit, the servicemembers taught the female students the "Alphabet Song," how to count to 10, how to say and spell certain words and how to introduce

CSAF's Scope highlights force structure changes

The CSAF's Scope focuses on current topics the Air Force chief of staff feels are of special importance to today's Airmen. Among Gen. T. Michael Moseley's top issues this month is the Air Force's force structure changes and "The High Ground." To facilitate effectively success of the future force

Hickam Airmen conduct 4-ship airdrop training

Four C-17 Globemaster III aircrews from the 535th Airlift squadron conducted multi-element airdrop training over the Kahuku training range Aug. 13 here allowing aircrew members to maintain currency while increasing proficiency and capability. Strategic airlift for the eight C-17s at Hickam AFB is in

Automated test helps maintainers solve F-15 problems

Maintainers from bases around the world are focusing their eyes on Robins Air Force Base, the 566th Combat Sustainment Squadron's test equipment office, and a new test set that officials developed as a solution to F-15 Eagle maintenance dilemmas. A new automated flight control system test set has

Professor swims into record book ... again

Lt. Col. Tim Lawrence takes to challenges like a fish to water. The long-distance swimmer extraordinaire swam the English Channel in 1999, was the first American to swim the 41 nautical miles around Britain's Jersey Island in 2002, was the first American to swim from the island of Vis to Split,

Cargo flight keeps warfighters moving

The Airmen with the 379th Logistics Readiness Squadron Cargo Movement Flight here serve as force multipliers by ensuring anything warfighters need gets to the proper place at the proper time. Members of the flight receive and ship supplies in and out of the base to and from anywhere in the world,

Crew chief awarded Purple Heart after 39-year wait

Wayne Sufficool vividly remembers what happened to him Feb. 19, 1968, when he was a crew chief on the RF-4C aircraft at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, South Vietnam. It was the day the flightline area he was working on was hit with more than 40 rounds of 122 mm mortar rounds. Now Mr. Sufficool has another

Airmen go hand-to-hand with Afghan National Police

Airmen from the Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team and Afghan National Police recently roughed each other up here with a little hand-to-hand combat, but all for the sake of training. Teaching pressure point control tactics to the Afghan police in the Anaba district helps increase the local

Upgraded armored vehicles aid Moody's war training

Warfighters preparing for combat deployments are now using the same highly armored combat vehicles during stateside training missions as they will use in theater. The 820th Security Forces Group recently received 18 Humvees outfitted with the safest and thickest armor modifications, known as Frag 5,

Command celebrates Air Force's 60th Anniversary

Airmen, family and friends from throughout the Kaiserslautern Military Community celebrated the 60th Anniversary of the United States Air Force here Aug. 11 with band performances, demonstrations and special guest speakers. "In addition to celebrating our historical anniversary, this year marks the

Women's contributions to Air Force honored

In conjunction with the Air Force's 60th anniversary celebration this year, the country's youngest military service is paying tribute to women's contributions to its rich history and heritage. "Heritage to Horizons: Earning Our Wings and Reaching the Stars" is the theme of the 2007 Air Force

SERE training to be required for all Airmen

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley met Aug. 10 at the Pentagon with several Air Force leaders to discuss the road ahead for survival, evasion, resistance and escape training. Air Force leaders plan to broaden the focus of SERE training for all Airmen due to the threat of isolation and

Balad's medics move into new facility

Approximately 150 base volunteers and 380 Airmen with the 332nd Expeditionary Medical Group moved patients and equipment as they closed the doors on the old Air Force Theater Hospital and opened the doors to their pre-engineered facility here Aug. 3. Starting at 4 a.m., Airmen in each tent tunnel

Leaders consider returning maintainers to flying squadrons

Air Force leaders are considering realigning aircraft maintenance units directly into flying squadrons. "It's important for Air Force units to be structured by mission and not by function," said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley. "Aircraft maintenance is an important element of a

Humble hero visits RAF Lakenheath

"I don't have anything really profound to say," said Col. Leo Thorsness, retired Air Force fighter pilot and Medal of Honor recipient. The colonel, who visited RAF Lakenheath Aug. 7 to speak to Airmen about the importance of teamwork and families as part of a successful military, received the Medal

Ops center commands sky during Exercise Valiant Shield

Airmen, Sailors, Soldiers and Marines are working together in the 613th Air and Space Operations Center here and within the airspace around Guam to enhance joint combat skills and interoperability during Exercise Valiant Shield 2007 held Aug. 6 to 13. The week-long exercise tests the military's

Modeling, simulation expert receives lifetime achievement award

Dr. Jacqueline R. Henningsen received the Air Force Modeling and Simulation Moody Suter Lifetime Achievement Award during a ceremony at the Pentagon Aug. 9.  Dr. Henningsen is the director for studies and analyses, assessments and lessons learned.  Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne made

Airman's fight-back bravery earns him Bronze Star

Whenever Senior Airman Phillip King looks at his medal, he is reminded of Aug. 8, 2006. That was the day Airman King, through his brave actions, earned the Bronze Star Medal with Valor. Col. Bryan Gallagher, 95th Air Base Wing commander, presented the medal to him during a ceremony here July 30.

Blood center supports U.S., coalition warfighters

Airmen of the 379th Expeditionary Medical Group's blood transshipment center here have a tendency to make people's blood run cold -- literally. Blood transshipment center members are responsible for receiving blood from donors stateside, processing it, accounting for it, repacking it and shipping it

NCO's training proves worth for accident victims

An NCO attending a deployment training course at Fort Eustis, Va., became a hero recently when she used her self-aid and buddy care experience to tend to several people injured in an automobile accident. Staff Sgt. Brenda Johnson, the 8th Air Force manpower and personnel readiness NCO in charge

Predator soars to record numbers of sorties

When terrorists tried shooting mortar rounds at Balad Air Base in July, they didn't count on the tireless, unblinking eye of an MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle overhead, transmitting their every move to Airmen on the ground here. Airmen assigned to the 46th Expeditionary Reconnaissance

Air Force signs multiyear contract for F-22

Air Force officials here signed a production contract with Lockheed Martin Corp. to add 60 F-22 Raptors to the Air Force inventory by December 2011. The multiyear contract for the fifth-generation fighters will save the Air Force $411 million compared to a traditional annual procurement program of

To Stem the Tide - A Korean War Perspective

Warnings had sounded as early as March 10, 1950. The U. S. Korean Military Advisory Group had relayed a report through channels to Washington, D.C., that North Korea would likely cross the 38th Parallel and invade its neighbor to the south--possibly as early as June. But there were plenty of

Services, mission support merger complete at test bases

The merger of services and mission support squadrons at six Air Force bases is now complete. The new combined organizations, called "force support squadrons," are paying huge dividends through improved service to customers, better synergy between organizations and increased efficiency in processes

Info sharing allows realistic coalition training

Simulated air campaigns practiced during aircrew training scenarios gained an increased level of realism as members of the Distributed Mission Operations Center here implemented a complex, new electronic filter designed to bring more "reality" to virtual reality simulations. Exercise Northern

Airmen, drug runners play game of cat and mouse

Airmen play a constant game of cat and mouse with the drug runners they search for who try sneaking their cargo into the United States. Sometimes the Airmen win and sometimes they lose. But they always try to find ways to beat the odds using a combination of sophisticated E-3 Sentry and other

379th Air Expeditionary Wing Airman dies

An Airman assigned to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing died Aug. 5. The cause of the death is being investigated.More details will be released as they become available. The 379th AEW supports more than 8,000 Airmen from active duty, National Guard, Reserves and coalition forces and is responsible

B-1 crews excel at shows of presence

Airmen and B-1B Lancers from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, have taken the reins from the 34th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron here. Since arriving in July, the 9th EBS has logged about 25 missions, dropping bombs on enemies throughout Iraq and Afghanistan.To help ease the transition, the 9th EBS deployed