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  • Hill reservists say goodbye to last of F-16s

    The last of the 419th Fighter Wing's F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft left here June 28, signifying an end of an era and a beginning of another for the unit. The pilots and maintainers from the Air Force Reserve Command wing will now team up with Hill's active-duty 388th FW to carry out a joint flying

  • Air Force Week strikes a chord with America's heartland

    As Americans reflect on the nation's freedoms this Independence week, events throughout the St. Louis region are putting special emphasis on the Air Force. During the second day of weeklong events here celebrating Air Force Week St. Louis, a concert was held July 3 at Jefferson Barracks County Park

  • Latest Roll Call discusses ancillary training requirements

    This week's Roll Call discusses the decision by Air Force leaders to reduce the amount of ancillary training Airmen will perform each year. The numerous training briefings Airmen are required to attend annually will be combined into a new "block instruction" plan, which will be arranged to more

  • Airmen honor 30 years of AWACS

    The 552nd Air Control Wing here celebrated the 30th anniversary of the E-3 Sentry, also known as the Airborne Warning and Control System, or AWACS, June 29 through July 1, with 552nd commanders and Airmen, past and present, coming from around the globe to share their stories. "The AWACS heritage is

  • Materiel Command on track to deliver more F-22s

    With F-22 Raptor deliveries consistently on or ahead of schedule, Air Force officials received authorization from Congress to pursue multi-year agreements for Lots 7, 8 and 9, with the potential for cost savings in the hundreds of millions of dollars. The contracts with Lockheed Martin and Pratt &

  • Wing shield carries 65 years of history

    When the Army Air Forces approved the heraldic emblem of the 50th Pursuit Group (later renamed 50th Fighter Group) in 1942, no one could have foreseen the distinguished history that would unfold under that flag. The 50th FG shield had an opinicus -- a magic beast comprising the head of an eagle, the

  • Annual training requirements to be shortened to 90 minutes

    After examining how much time Airmen spend on annual ancillary training, Air Force leaders have decided that time should be allocated more efficiently. In effect as of Oct. 1, ancillary training requirements will be reduced to 90 minutes, as opposed to almost nine hours per Airman spread throughout

  • Three-time ace, former cadet commandant, buried at academy

    Retired Brig. Gen. Robin Olds was buried June 30 at the U.S. Air Force Academy cemetery after funeral services in the cadet Protestant chapel.  A 14-aircraft aerial review included four F-4 Phantoms flying a missing man formation.The legendary fighter pilot died June 14 from congestive heart

  • Air Force, Navy join forces for combat training

    More than 200 Airmen and 16 F-15 Eagles from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., completed two weeks of joint training operations with the Navy June 29 at Naval Air Station Key West. The Airmen from the 60th Fighter Squadron participated in the dissimilar air combat training, or DACT, exercise with Naval

  • Health officials visit returning troops

    Lt. Gen. James G. Roudebush, Air Force surgeon general, and Dr. S. Ward Casscells, assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, visited wounded troops returning from overseas to Andrews June 26. Dr. Casscells was given a brief tour of Malcolm Grow Medical Center's Aeromedical Staging Flight by

  • Wounded NCO's will to fly remains undaunted

    An Andrews Air Force Base Airman remains committed to the Air Force and his love of flying even after being shot down over Iraq and nearly losing an eye. Life was good for Tech Sgt. Christian MacKenzie for nearly 10 years as he served in his dream job as a special operations flight engineer aboard

  • Bush nominates Mullen, Cartwright to top military posts

    President Bush nominated Navy Adm. Michael Mullen to serve as the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Marine Corps Gen. James E. Cartwright as his vice chairman, June 28.Speaking in the White House Roosevelt Room, President Bush called the two men "experienced military officers who are

  • Former Falcon to join All-America Hall of Fame

    A 1993 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy will be inducted into the College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-America Hall of Fame at the 20th annual induction banquet July 1 in San Diego.Maj. Lance Pilch is the sixth academy graduate to be inducted into the Hall of Fame,

  • Kadena hosts Special Olympics

    More than 1,500 volunteers from different branches of the U.S. military and the local community helped with the 2007 Special Olympic Games June 24 held for the eighth year at Kadena Air Base. More than 900 athletes and 200 artists gathered for one of Japan's biggest events. The volunteers helped in

  • A-10s get digital makeover

    Air Force officials are making significant changes to A-10 Thunderbolt IIs as part of the "Precision Engagement" upgrade, which changes the aircraft designation from the A-10A to the A-10C. "It's the largest upgrade the A-10 has ever had by far," said Maj. Drew English, the program manager for A-10C

  • Predators reach quarter-million flight hours

    Airmen from the 11th Reconnaissance Squadron flew an MQ-1 Predator Unmanned Aerial Vehicle past the 250,000 flying hour milestone marking the historic milestone with a ceremony June 22 at Creech Air Force Base. "This historic achievement in the evolution of air and space power underlines the United

  • Chilton: 'We cannot afford to be surprised'

    "Today, we're at the high water mark when it comes to integrating space capabilities and combat effects for the warfighter," the commander of Air Force Space Command said. Gen. Kevin P. Chilton delivered these words during the Space Warfare Symposium sponsored by the Lance P. Sijan Chapter of the

  • 12th Air Force hosts Blue Flag

    More than 900 U.S. and coalition forces from around the globe began battling a new enemy June 18:  the fictitious "Califon," an aggressive nation bent on controlling the mineral fields located on the island of "Pacifica." The scenario is part of exercise Blue Flag 07-2, an operational-level exercise

  • Maintaining healthy relationships key to mission success

    Military life presents a wide range of stressors for total force Airmen and their families. Deployments, increased operations tempo and decreased manning can have negative effects in both the workplace and the home if Airmen do not know where to turn for help. As part of ongoing efforts to educate

  • 4 Hill Airmen receive Bronze Stars

    Four NCOs from the 775th Civil Engineer Squadron received Bronze Stars during a mid-June ceremony at Hill Air Force Base for their actions while deployed in support of the war on terrorism. The four explosive ordnance disposal Airmen are Staff Sergeants Evan Knight, Bradley Kline, Steven Overstreet

  • Couriers' missions deliver defense

    A two-person team secures a pallet of classified test equipment aboard a small military aircraft at Defense Courier Station Honolulu. Meanwhile, another two-person team leaves DCS San Diego via surface transportation, escorting classified material to a local customer. As these deliveries are being

  • Air Force athlete takes javelin title

    With a career-best matching toss, former Air Force standout Dana Pounds claimed a gold medal June 22 at the 2007 ATT USA Track and Field Outdoor Championships here. In addition, freshman Sara Neubauer picked up a third-place finish in the discus at the Finish Line USA Junior National Championships.

  • Latest 'Today's Air Force' now available

    This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights six Airmen receiving the new Air Force Combat Action Medal presented by the Air Force chief of staff during a recent ceremony in Arlington, Va. Also in this week's edition, take a view from an air traffic control tower in Baghdad, and experience

  • Airmen train Iraqis on fuel delivery

    Airmen from the 447th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron Fuels Flight are training Iraqis here to fuel up their own C-130 Hercules aircraft without dependence on the Air Force. The training plan is broken down into a "crawl, walk run" process, said Master Sgt. Scott Addington, 447th ELRS

  • Hanscom Airmen receive heroes' welcome

    Hundreds of base members, family and friends gathered at Memorial Park here June 22 to welcome home more than 60 Hanscom Air Force Base Airmen.The Heroes' Homecoming, held in conjunction with the base's annual Summer Bash event, formally welcomed home Airmen who have returned from their deployments

  • Newest 'Week in Photos' features Airmen around the globe

    The "Week In Photos" Web feature on Air Force Link provides visitors with photos that highlight Air Force missions around the world. Challenging himself, Staff Sgt. Matthew Zimmer pumps out as many push-ups as he can during the physical fitness portion of the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape

  • Education key to fight current, future air ops

    The U.S. Central Command air component commander said the Air Force has better-trained Airmen today fighting the war on terrorism, but also said all Airmen must continue to prepare for today's fight and tomorrow's wars. Lt. Gen. Gary North was here June 20-21 to address current senior leaders in the

  • Virginia Air Guard transitions to F-22 Raptor

    The Virginia Air National Guard's 192nd Fighter Wing has become the first Air National Guard unit in the country to fly the F-22 Raptor.  The transition from the F-16 Fighting Falcon to the F-22 took place June 20.More than 20 pilots in the wing are trained to fly the F-22 and a growing number of

  • Rescue flight crews provide help from above

    On a moonless night, the glow from a red and green instrument panel illuminates the faces of the crew of Blade 79er, a UH-1N Huey flying a night-vector mission over the tree-covered mountains of northern Washington. Suddenly, the radio crackles."Rescue, Rescue, Rescue ... Phaser 1-2 calling in

  • Whiteman AFB achieves environmental milestone

    With a stroke of a pen, another chapter in Whiteman Air Force Base's Cold War history was brought to a close June 19 in Kansas City. Air Force, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Missouri Department of Natural Resources officials signed a Long-Term Stewardship Agreement for the Missouri

  • Maintenance crews prep fighters at Cope North

    Maintenance Airmen from Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., know how to pack a punch as they are deployed to Andersen AFB and currently participating in Exercise Cope North with Japan Air Self Defense Force members.The Cannon AFB Airmen load 2,000-pound bombs onto multimillion dollar aircraft as part of

  • 'Living legends' discuss Air Force of yesterday, today

    In keeping with the Air Force's 60th anniversary theme, "Heritage to Horizons," a panel of four war veterans gathered June 14 at the Pentagon Conference Center to discuss the challenges and triumphs of air power over the years. The theme of the discussion was, "The Jet Age: Korea, Vietnam, Cold

  • Air Intelligence Agency becomes Air Force ISR Agency

    The Air Intelligence Agency officially became the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Agency in a ceremony held June 15 here consolidating Air Force ISR functions to better serve the warfighter and the nation. The Air Force ISR Agency, commanded by Maj. Gen. John C. Koziol, was

  • Turner Classic Movies to air aviation films in July

    Leading up to the Air Force's 60th anniversary, Turner Classic Movies will broadcast aviation-themed films for 24-hours each Tuesday throughout July. To honor the Air Force's heritage, TCM has selected a variety of vintage Air Force related movies for broadcast, such as "Strategic Air Command" and

  • ACC commander to retire this fall

    Air Force officials announced June 20 that the commander of Air Combat Command will retire from the Air Force this fall. The president has nominated Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. John D. W. Corley to the Senate to succeed Gen. Ronald E. Keys as the ACC commander. General Keys assumed command of

  • Heritage to Horizons series highlights 50th Space Wing

    The latest Heritage to Horizons series presentation highlights an Air Force wing whose mission first called for mastery of the skies and has grown to master of space. Today, the 50th Space Wing at Schriever Air Force Base, Colo., is responsible for the operations and support of more than 170

  • Air Guard retires last F-16A in service

    The last operational F-16A Fighting Falcon flew its final mission here June 15, taking off from the Air National Guard base for indefinite storage at the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. The 162nd Fighter Wing, having flown the A and B models since

  • 'Guardian Angels' put to test at survival competition

    Two water survival instructors assigned here earned the Col. Bud Day trophy June 14 as winners of the 2007 SERE (survival, evasion, resistance and escape) Challenge -- a physically grueling and mentally exhausting competition among some of the Air Force's elite special operators. Staff Sgt. Michael

  • Barksdale bombers to fly in Koa Lightning

    Four B-52 Stratofortress aircraft and aircrew from the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron deployed here from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., are scheduled to fly to Hawaii and back this week to participate in the latest Koa Lightning exercise. The B-52s will fly more than 18 hours and 6,880 nautical

  • Expeditionary bands play for troops in Southwest Asia

    For Army Spc. Jose Feurtado, there were no thoughts of the combat wounds healing in his neck. There were no thoughts of the mortar attack in Baghdad that put them there two weeks before. There were no thoughts of his upcoming return to the combat zone from his convalescent leave at the 379th

  • Pilots' missions relocate for Spangdahlem's runway repair

    Spangdahlem Air Base's runway closed June 15 and is scheduled to remain closed for repairs until mid-July. Although the 52nd Fighter Wing will cease flying operations from Spangdahlem, the pilots and crews from the 22nd, 23rd and 81st Fighter Squadrons will deploy to other locations and continue to

  • CSAF's Scope focuses on new medal, training

    The CSAF's Scope focuses on current topics the Air Force chief of staff feels are of special importance to today's Airmen. This month, Gen. T. Michael Moseley's top issues include the Air Force's Combat Action Medal and ancillary training. "Since 9/11, we have seen a dramatic increase in the number

  • National Air and Space Museum family day wows visitors

    More than 17,000 people got an up close and personal look at several civilian and military aircraft during the "Reach for the Sky" family day at the National Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center here June 16. The event paid tribute to the Air Force's 60th Anniversary celebration, and featured a

  • U.S. Air Force pilot killed in Iraq identified

    The Department of Defense identified June 16 the Airman who was killed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.Maj. Kevin Sonnenberg was the pilot of the F-16 Fighting Falcon who crashed about 50 miles north of Baghdad shortly after takeoff June 14. Major Sonnenberg, assigned to the 112th Fighter

  • Expeditionary wing memorializes fallen Airman

    Co-workers and friends honored a fallen Reservist Airman's life and military service during a memorial ceremony here June 16. Lt. Col. Glade L. Felix, the 379th Expeditionary Medical Group physical therapist, died of apparent natural causes here June 11. Colonel Felix, 52, stationed at the 622nd

  • Red Flag-Alaska wraps up

    The second Red Flag-Alaska exercise of the year ended June 15 after two weeks of intense, air-combat training over Alaska's mountain ranges. "I think this was a great exercise," said Col. William Wignall, the Air Expeditionary Wing commander for the exercise. "The tactical problems presented by the

  • Legendary fighter pilot Robin Olds dies

    Legendary fighter pilot, retired Brig. Gen. Robin Olds, died June 14 from congestive heart failure one month short of his 85th birthday.General Olds, rated a triple ace for having shot down a total of 16 enemy aircraft during World War II and the Vietnam War, served his country in assignments to

  • Guard wing transitions to Langley

    The Virginia Air National Guard's 192nd Fighter Wing records its last F-16 Fighting Falcon training mission June 20. The wing, which has flown the F-16 since 1991 and is the nation's first ANG unit to fly the F-22 Raptor, will conduct associated operations with the 1st Fighter Wing here. More than

  • Uniform officials warn Airmen about knockoff ABUs

    Commercial manufacturers have begun to advertise sale of the new Airman Battle Uniform at various online Web sites. Air Force officials warn Airmen these uniforms are not the authorized items provided by the Air Force's official source, Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, and may not meet the

  • Army Air Force P-47 recovered in the Netherlands

    Though the Air Force is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, U.S. Air Forces in Europe is marking 65 years of service. One reason for this seemingly strange discrepancy was recently found deep in the muddy farmlands of the southwest Netherlands. Dutch workmen from the district water board

  • 'Golden Medic' integrates Army, Air Force medical teams

    Leaders of the joint Army and Air Force medical exercise here stressed the importance of the services working together. "Golden Medic 2007 is an extraordinary opportunity for all services - active, Guard and Reserve, in addition to our coalition partners," said Col. Mike Dankosky, Air Force Reserve

  • 'Golden Medic' aeromedical team ready to transport

    The 706th Provisional Wing stood up here June 10 at the Augusta Regional Airport in preparation for "Golden Medic 2007" June 12-19. Golden Medic, in its 13th year, is the Army Reserve's largest annual exercise. It integrates several armed services' medical components in response to wartime medical

  • Air Force, academia to partner in Air Force Marathon

    Leaders from the Air Force and Wright State University gathered at a press conference here June 13 to discuss their new Air Force Marathon partnership and other details of the September race. Standing on the flight line of the 445th Airlift Wing in front of a massive C-5 Galaxy -- the featured

  • Civil engineer Airmen paving way for Iraqi Army

    Members of the 407th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron are constructing a 44,000-square-foot concrete drill pad at Camp Mittica, Iraq. The pad will be used for training by the Iraqi Army. The Air Force was approached by the United Kingdom Brigade forward commander for assistance in standing up

  • Some Airmen, civilians authorized to wear NATO medals

    Some deployed Air Force military and civilian personnel are now authorized to wear one of four North Atlantic Treaty Organization medals. Those who served in a NATO unit for 30 continuous or accumulated days and were listed on a Combined Joint Statement of Requirements may be awarded either the NATO

  • Pilots get taste of combat during Red Flag-Alaska

    The exercise is Red Flag, but it is in Alaska this time, not Nevada. There are similarities -- both exercises focus on advanced tactical training for aircrew members against air and surface threats. Both employ an aggressor force in the air and from the ground. Both have similar training objectives

  • Precision airdrops deliver directly to battlefield

    Water, food and ammunition are only useful if they make it to the people who need them. Fortunately for battlefield Airmen, Soldiers and Marines in Iraq and Afghanistan these supplies are flown in using the Joint Precision Airdrop System. C-17 Globemaster IIIs at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing are

  • Airmen receive first AF Combat Action Medals

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley awarded six Airmen the Air Force Combat Action Medal during a ceremony June 12 at the Air Force Memorial. These Airmen were the first in the Air Force to receive the new medal.Recipients of the award were Maj. Steven A. Raspet, Capt. Allison K. Black,

  • Academy announces 1st six athlete hall of famers

    The Air Force Academy has announced the inaugural class for induction into the Air Force Academy Athletic Hall of Fame. The six inductees -- Alonzo Babers, Bob Beckel, John Clune, Chad Hennings, Michelle Johnson and Brock Strom -- will be inducted Oct. 19 in Colorado Springs. The six inductees

  • Modernizing an old design a challenge for medal makers

    The designer of the Air Force Combat Action Medal said it was a challenge giving the medal a World War I feel but at the same time modernizing it. Graphic designer Susan Gamble used artwork from photos of Brig. Gen. William "Billy" Mitchell's aircraft to inspire the design of the medal, which was

  • Airmen train for worst-case scenarios at Red Flag

    When a pilot gets shot down in combat, it takes more than luck to bring him or her back home, which is why Red Flag-Alaska exercises prepare Airmen for any situation. "(These exercises are going to) give some of our aircraft commanders and the people who are flying an idea of what to expect if a

  • Changes in Air Force to ultimately benefit Airmen

    An Air Force-wide plan to reduce the number of Airmen while saving money for equipment upgrades will be difficult, but ultimately, beneficial, said Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley. During an enlisted call here June 6, Chief McKinley spoke with Airmen about the Air Force

  • Air Force band is expeditionary instrument of peace

    There was no waiting for the world to change one recent spring day in Afghanistan when Air Force Band members took matters into their own hands and united with a group of local elementary school students for an afternoon of friendship and music. Singing pop songs by artists such as John Mayer, who

  • Air Force Week California concludes with air show

    Amid tumble dives and barrel rolls, vintage aircraft and modern fighters, the California Capital Air Show concluded Air Force Week here June 9 and 10. The event, which took place at Mather Airport, the site of former Mather Air Force Base, drew more than 50,000 people and offered a variety of

  • Airman dies at Southwest Asia wing

    An Airman assigned to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing died June 11. The cause of death is being investigated. More details will be released as they become available. The name of the Airman is being withheld pending notification of next of kin. The 379th AEW is comprised of 8,000 Airmen from the

  • Newest 'Week in Photos' features Airmen around the globe

    The "Week In Photos" Web feature on Air Force Link provides visitors with photos that highlight Air Force missions around the world. At Kirkuk Air Base, Iraq, Staff Sgt. Anthony Chambers checks a solar-powered security system near the perimeter. Sergeant Chambers is deployed to the 506th

  • Award-winning combat videographer keys in on people

    Tech. Sgt. Gary Burdett's videography documents the up-close-and-personal actions of America's fighting forces around the world.Sergeant Burdett, a 16-year military veteran and a member of the 1st Combat Camera Squadron at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., is the Defense Department's Military

  • Combat photographer braves bullets to tell stories

    An award-winning Air Force photographer routinely braved bullets and bombs to tell the military's story through the lenses of his cameras to be named the Defense Department's Military Photographer of the Year for 2007. Combat photographer Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Lock also earned that honor in 2002 and

  • First Air Force Combat Action Medals to be presented

    The Air Force chief of staff is scheduled to present the first Air Force Combat Action Medals to six Airmen during an 8 a.m. ceremony June 12 at the Air Force Memorial in Arlington, Va. Gen. T. Michael Moseley will award the new medals to recognize Air Force members who were engaged in air or ground

  • Allies team up for joint exercise at Kunsan

    Members of the 8th Fighter Wing and the Republic of Korea air force have teamed up for a joint training exercise June 8 at Kunsan Air Base. Two South Korean F-16s from the 111th Fighter Squadron, two F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 35th Fighter Squadron, Airmen of the 35th Aircraft Maintenance Unit

  • Marines play along in Red Flag

    Marine Corps aircrews from the Yuma, Arizona-based 513th Marine Attack Squadron traded their desert landscape for Alaska's "last frontier" and found themselves players in a whole new game at this year's Red Flag-Alaska June 4. Joining fellow pilots from the U.S. and several allied nations, Marine

  • Saving servicemembers' lives one flight at a time

    Some might say doctors don't make house calls anymore, but that's exactly what the Airmen of the 455th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Flight at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, do on a daily basis. They bring the hospital to the wounded. A typical aeromedical evacuation, or AE, crew turns

  • Misawa squadrons swap out Iraqi mission

    Two F-16 Fighting Falcons flying thousands of feet in the air track a pair of vehicles full of known al-Qaida insurgents on the ground. The vehicles stop at a location free of collateral damage, and command officials make a decision. The F-16s drop precision-guided munitions and destroy the

  • Defense secretary, servicemembers reflect on D-Day heroism

    The defense secretary was among hundreds of people who walked above the windswept cliffs and paused among fog-shrouded headstones here June 6 to honor those who died during the D-Day invasion 63 years ago. Secretary Robert M. Gates took a private moment in the American Cemetery, reflecting on row

  • F-16 pilot receives Koren Kolligian Jr. Trophy

    Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. John D. W. Corley presented the Koren Kolligian Jr. Trophy, one of the service's top safety awards, to a fighter pilot during a ceremony June 5 in the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes.  Assisting in the presentation was Koren Kolligian, nephew of the trophy's

  • Tanker Task Force keeps Red Flag flying

    KC-135 Stratotankers, aircrews and maintainers are providing air refueling support to aircraft from Alaska's Eielson and Elmendorf Air Force Bases to ensure Red Flag-Alaska meets its training goals. More than 1,400 military members from the United States, Singapore and Australia are in Alaska to

  • 'Life skills' renamed 'mental health'

    All Air Force "life skills support centers" will be renamed "mental health clinics" effective immediately.After a poll of subject matter experts, first sergeants, command chief master sergeants and mental health patients, it was determined that the name "life skills" was confusing and did not

  • New Pentagon Channel show helps troops get 'Fit for Duty'

    Hosts of a new show coming to the Pentagon Channel want to make troops hurt, sweat and push them to their limits, but most of all the new show aims to ensure members of the U.S. military are "Fit for Duty." "Fitness is as much a part of the military as the uniform," said retired Master Sgt. Jim

  • Air operations center opens at Tyndall

    First Air Force celebrated the opening of the 601st Air and Space Operations Center here June 1 with a ceremony and tour of the 37,000-square-foot, $30 million combat center. First Air Force, which also serves under the North American Aerospace Defense Command as the continental U.S. NORAD Region,

  • Airmen, Sacramento team up for Air Force Week

    The second Air Force Week of 2007 kicks off June 4 as Airmen from Air Combat Command and Beale Air Force Base share the Air Force story with the community of Sacramento Calif.  Air Force Week is part of a proactive approach designed to increase public awareness of the Air Force's mission, heritage,

  • Joint forces combine for Red Flag-Alaska exercise

    More than 1,400 military members from the United States, Singapore and Australia have converged on Alaska to sharpen their collective warfighting edge in Red Flag-Alaska 07-2, which runs from May 31 to June 15. Red Flag-Alaska, a series of Pacific Air Forces commander-directed field training

  • Bird avoidance job going to the dogs

    Officials  from the 459th Air Refueling Wing hired a new member to the wing staff.What makes this new employee different is the recent wing addition is a four-legged member who answers to the name Jackson. Nearly seven months old, Jackson is the only dog hired in the history of the 459th ARW. Owned

  • 'Week in Photos' features Airmen around the globe

    The "Week In Photos" Web feature on Air Force Link provides visitors with photos that highlight Air Force missions around the world. Among this week's photos are: In Alaska, an A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot fires the aircraft's 30mm Gatling gun May 29 during Red Flag-Alaska 07-2 over the Pacific Alaska

  • Joint forces combine for Red Flag-Alaska exercise

    More than 1,400 military members from the United States, Singapore and Australia converged on Alaska May 31 to sharpen their collective warfighting edge in Red Flag-Alaska 07-2, which runs through June 15. Red Flag-Alaska, a series of Pacific Air Forces commander-directed field training exercises

  • Fallen Airmen memorialized at Hurlburt

    Members of the 720th Special Tactics Group dedicated a state-of-the-art training center and an adjacent roadway here May 30 in honor of four air commandos killed in the line of duty in recent operations. An Iraqi Air Force SL7 light aircraft crashed May 30, 2005, about 80 miles northeast of Baghdad,

  • Early American combat aviators memorialized

    Underneath the decorative arch of a recently refurbished monument built in 1928, several hundred American and French citizens as well as military personnel, tourists, and dignitaries came to pay their respects to 38 all-volunteer American aviators -- known as the Lafayette Escadrille -- who flew

  • Airmen put C-130 back in the fight

    A C-130 Hercules team flying a mission over Afghanistan had problems with engine No. 2 and was forced to land at an abandoned air strip in May outside Shindand, Afghanistan, but they were not left alone for long. In less than 50 hours, maintenance repair teams from Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, and

  • Exercise brings Australian, U.S. forces together

    Australian and American forces came together at Hickam Air Force Base and executed part one of Exercise Talisman Saber 2007 the end of May. The two-part exercise, directed by the U.S. Pacific Command and executed every two years, is designed to maintain and strengthen the working relationship

  • Officials announce 2006 command post awards

    Air Force officials have announced the winners of the 2006 command post annual awards. They are: -- Unit-Level Command Post Airman of the Year: Senior Airman Jonathan V. Taylor, 573rd Global Support Squadron, Travis Air Force Base, Calif. -- Unit-Level Command Post NCO of the Year: Staff Sgt. Brett

  • Health study uses data from war on terrorism

    When a landmark Defense Department-sponsored health study was launched six years ago, one of its goals was to evaluate the impact of future deployments on long-term health. The investigators did not know how timely the project would be.Today, the Millennium Cohort Study has enrolled tens of

  • Balad Airmen honor fallen on Memorial Day

    About 300 Airmen here gathered May 28 to honor the servicemembers who made the ultimate sacrifice defending freedom. They also added a 33rd name to the Fallen Airman Memorial. The ceremony opened with the posting of the colors, the National Anthem and a chaplain invocation. For most people, Memorial

  • Changes on horizon for Air Force pilots

    The Air Force recently announced there are changes forthcoming in aircrew management. A new process called Transformational Aircrew Management Initiatives for the 21st Century, or TAMI-21, is intended to account for force structure changes that have caused imbalances in pilot inventory distribution

  • Airmen deliver strategic aid to Lebanese military

    C-17 Globemaster III crews of the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron delivered bullets to Beirut as part of a short notice ammunition re-supply tasking in support of the Lebanese military. The 816th EAS, a tenant unit of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing based out of Southwest Asia, was given the

  • National cemetery honors veterans past and present

    Here, the living communicate with the dead. Parents talk to sons and daughters now gone. Widows update spouses on the day's activities. Friends visit never quite as much as they should. Some bring flowers. All grieve. But more important, they remember. They remember those who gave their lives to the

  • C-17 employs 'screamer' in combat airdrop

    A C-17 Globemaster III deployed to Southwest Asia conducted the first C-17 combat airdrop May 24 using the Joint Precision Airdrop System with a screamer. Screamers are steerable GPS-guided container delivery system bundles. The mission was also unique because it conducted airdrops in two locations

  • Eglin Airmen return from deployment

    Family members gathered here May 24 to welcome home more than 175 members of the 728th Air Control Squadron from a deployment to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. They arrived by plane on the runway here and were carried by bus to their anxiously awaiting families. As the buses

  • Portrait preserves pilot's legacy

    Some see a handsome pilot gazing into the horizon. Others see a war hero, poised for combat. She sees her father, as strong and proud as she always remembered him. Although Carol Ready had seen the portrait on magazine covers, heritage posters and military advertisements throughout the years,

  • Total force unit controls sky over combat theater

    Seventy Airmen, Soldiers and guardsmen of the 71st Expeditionary Air Control Squadron operate the Control and Reporting Center here and watch the sky for theater ballistic missiles or other aerial threats every second of every day. Led by the Hawaii Air National Guard's 154th Air Control Squadron

  • Maintainers increase combat capability of B-1

    Airmen at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing proved just how crucial it is to be trained and work efficiently while responding to a "catastrophic" hydraulic system failure during a B-1 Lancer combat mission. The aircrew had to perform an emergency gear extension upon returning to base due to the

  • Finance officer wins DOD-level award

    An Air Force financial management officer here won the Best in Department of Defense award for Financial Management Initiative May 22. Lt. Col. Robert Bickel, the deputy director of the Air Force's new Financial Management Center of Expertise was named the individual contributor category winner by