Manta Airmen continue their counterdrug war

American forces flying from here to hunt down drug runners could soon have to pack up their whole operation and move elsewhere. That is because Ecuadorian President Raphael Correa wants American forces out of the Andean country. He vows not to renew a 1999 agreement with the United States that

Raptor maintenance training 'ramps' up at Sheppard

The world of F-22 Raptor maintenance is becoming as high-tech as the sophisticated fighter itself. Because of new equipment called Portable Maintenance Aids,  or PMAs, maintainers here have vastly improved capabilities over past procedures and the initial skills training will reflect this advanced

A-10 pilot awarded Distinguished Flying Cross

An Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot has received the Distinguished Flying Cross in a ceremony here July 27 for a nighttime rescue mission in Afghanistan in 2005.Maj. Keith Wolak, with the 74th Fighter Squadron here, received the honor for a combat search and rescue mission he coordinated July 2,

Airmen receive Sijan Air Force leadership award

The 2006 Lance P. Sijan Air Force Leadership Award was presented to four Airmen by Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. John D.W. Corley in a ceremony Aug. 1 at the Pentagon. The award, named for the first U.S. Air Force Academy graduate to receive the Medal of Honor, is given annually to

Airmen teach Afghan police forces tactics, training

Members of the Police Technical Advisory Team here have trained more than 200 Afghan national police and Afghan national auxiliary police since April to help improve the security of Afghanistan.Team members train 10 to 20 Afghan national police and Afghan national auxiliary police every week and

Predator crashes on base in Iraq

An MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle crashed at the end of the runway while landing at approximately 11 p.m. local time July 30 at Balad Air Base. The crash site is an unpopulated area and no collateral damage or injuries occurred. The aircraft is a medium-altitude long-endurance, remotely

Global Cyberspace Integration Center hot bench active

The Global Cyberspace Integration Center here houses an operations center that serves as a test bed or "hot bench" that assesses various software and information systems to detect potential problems before they are delivered to the field. A team guides innovation, experimentation and sustainment

Medical symposium strengthens ties in Kirkuk

U.S. Air Force and Army physicians welcomed their local Iraqi counterparts here July 22 for a gathering of medical knowledge and camaraderie in a region recently the focus of intense terror bombings. The medical symposium, a joint effort on the part of 506th Expeditionary Medical Squadron officials

Enlisted leaders gain from summit outcome

The Air Force's first Senior Enlisted Leader Summit culminated at the Gunter Annex July 27. More than 360 professional military education commandants, career field managers, chief master sergeants, and other key senior enlisted leaders from the Air Force active duty, Reserve and Air National Guard,

Wing answers call for help for missing divers

Airmen of the 920th Rescue Wing here answered the call for help in search of a missing diver off the coast of Port Canaveral, Fla., July 26, while earlier in the day rescue crews aided in the successful rescue of another diver. HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter crews from the Air Force Reserve Command's

37 Rodeo 2007 competition winners announced

Air Mobility Command's Rodeo 2007 officials announced the winners of 37 awards July 26 at McChord Air Force Base. Gen. Duncan J. McNabb, the AMC commander, presented the following awards to the winning teams at Rainier Ranch here. Best Operation Support Aircraft-VIP Special Air Mission: 89th Airlift

New Jersey F-16 accident report released

Air Force officials here July 26 determined that the cause of the forest fire on the Warren Grove Training Range in New Jersey May 15 was pilot error, committed when a F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot deployed countermeasure flares at an altitude that allowed the flares to land on the range while they

Balad F-16s destroy terrorist training camp

F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing here destroyed an al-Qaida training camp southwest of Baghdad July 21. In a coordinated attack, joint air terminal controllers on the ground cleared seven F-16s to drop 500-pound and 1,000-pound guided bombs on the terror complex near

AMC commander shares passion for Rodeo

The commander of Air Mobility Command shared his thoughts about the importance of Rodeo 2007, the international mobility air forces readiness competition held July 22 to 27 at McChord Air Force Base. Gen. Duncan J. McNabb and AMC sponsored the competition designed to improve technical abilities

Elmendorf, coalition forces hone skills at Red Flag-Alaska

Airmen from Japan, Mongolia, Spain, Thailand, Turkey and the United States are at Elmendorf Air Force Base honing their warfighting skills as they participate in Red Flag-Alaska July 12 through 27.More than 80 aircraft and 1,500 servicemembers from the six countries are flying together in

Korean War pilot achieves aviation first

From the time military aviators engaged in aerial combat during World War I, their exploits produced innumerable "firsts" in aviation history. One such "first" occurred during the Korean War on Nov. 8, 1950. That's when a 25-year old, first lieutenant flying with the 16th Fighter-Interceptor

Exercise strengthens South Korean alliance

More than 250 Airmen and hundreds of other augmentees from the Marines, Army and Navy converged at Osan Air Base in July to participate in the 12th annual Reception, Staging, Onward-movement and Integration, or RSO&I, and Foal Eagle exercise. The exercise tests the military's ability to deploy

Security forces NCO earns Bronze Star with Valor

An NCO with the 366th Security Forces Squadron here was awarded a Bronze Star with Valor and the Army Commendation Medal here July 19 for his actions Aug. 8, 2006, in Qalat Province, Afghanistan. Nearly a year ago, Staff Sgt. Jason Kimberling was part of a three-person security forces convoy

International officers observe Red Flag-Alaska

Eighteen senior military leaders from nations across the globe converged in Alaska to see first-hand the training capabilities offered through Red Flag-Alaska exercises. This year's Executive Observer Program shows that many international militaries have interest in participating in the exercise

Air Force Marathon continues to add new race elements

In response to runners' requests, Air Force Marathon race officials here have adjusted awards categories for this year's half-marathon race so they are in five-year age increments, rather than 10.The change is part of a growing list of new elements for this year's Air Force 60th Anniversary event,

Planners keep Rodeo 2007 aircraft flying

On a gray Pacific Northwest morning in the middle of July, McChord Air Force Base resembled a European airfield at the height of the Berlin Airlift. While the operations tempo for McChord AFB has been high for the last several years, the influx of aircraft here for the 2007 Air Mobility Command

Largest Air Force contingent rides across Iowa

At dawn on July 21, 148 Air Force Cycling Team bicyclists kicked off a 477-mile bike ride across Iowa. Sponsored by the Des Moines Register newspaper, the Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa, or RAGBRAI, is the longest, largest and oldest ride in America with 10,000 riders from all over

Training leads to improved capabilities at Red Flag-Alaska

A combat, search and rescue team saved two aircrew members who were downed in hostile territory as part of a complex, multinational training scenario July 19 at Red Flag-Alaska, an air combat exercise over the Pacific Alaska Range Complex. Red Flag-Alaska includes sophisticated CSAR training to

Airmen prep battlefield dropping 120,000 leaflets

Airmen of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing dropped 120,000 leaflets over the Helmand Province in Afghanistan July 22 to help prevent civilian casualties while prepping the battlefield for future operations. The nine-member crew of the 746th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, all based out of Dyess Air

WWII vet awarded Distinguished Flying Cross

Retired Col. Vincent Fonke, who ended his 30-year career here, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross July 20 for actions he took during World War II while a bomber pilot assigned to the Army Air Corps 91st Bomb Group, 324th Squadron.The Distinguished Flying Cross is awarded for heroism or

Cultures come together at Rodeo 2007

On the outside, the United Arab Emirates' tent looks just like the 20 or so others dotting Rainier Ranch, the off-duty area for the 2007 Air Mobility Command Rodeo competition at McChord Air Force Base. But the similarities end when the front flap of the olive-green tent is opened. In a scene that

Task force provides training to El Salvadorian military

Joint Task Force-Bravo, a 26-member task force, traveled to San Salvador, El Salvador, July 16 to train soldiers deploying in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During the week-long training mission, El Salvadorian soldiers were instructed on driver, convoy and perimeter security; communications;

Center delivers interoperability between combat, mobility air forces

The Global Cyberspace Integration Center here soon will begin fielding Theater Battle Management Core System Service Pack 7, a critical system upgrade and important milestone to completing seamless interoperability with Air Mobility Command's new flagship unit and force level Global Decision Support

Combat search and rescue at Red Flag-Alaska

Pilot crusades for safer skies

One man's personal mission to help improve flight safety is making headway through the aviation community. Lt. Col. Ned Linch, 12th Air Force chief of flight safety, is an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot with more than 4,000 hours in the cockpit of the F-16, experimental aircraft and airliners. He is

Enlisted leaders hit the road to set example

They stretched, did push-ups, sit-ups, formed up, then literally hit the road to make examples of themselves. Nearly 400 senior enlisted leaders at the first Senior Enlisted Leader Summit, including instructors and students at the Air Force First Sergeants Academy, exercised and ran one-and one-half

English a common denominator at Red Flag-Alaska

Speaking in English is the common denominator for all players at Red Flag-Alaska, but for those whose native tongue is not English, this proves to be a challenge. Non-English speaking pilots quickly become task-saturated as they process a large amount of information in a different language. More

First Senior Enlisted Leader Summit to convene

The Air Force's senior enlisted leader convenes the first Senior Enlisted Leader Summit at Gunter Annex here July 22 to 27. This year, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley expanded the list of invitees to include professional military education commandants, career field managers

International teams build relationships at AMC Rodeo

A record-breaking international presence here marks this year's Air Mobility Command Rodeo, under way now through July 27. The last of nine international teams touched down here July 17, with observers from 25 additional countries arriving by the end of the week.In total, 296 international guests

Imagery and Web cast for Rodeo '07 available on Web

During Air Mobility Command's Rodeo 2007, going on now through July 27, digital photos along with photo credits are available at the Rodeo image Web site.  To see to see all the available images, type keyword "Rodeo". The images taken by members of the Air Force Combat Camera team cover aerial and

Air tactics evolve to achieve effects for war on terrorism

Achieving airpower objectives more effectively is what more than 200 of the most proficient expeditionary Airmen gathered recently to discuss at the quarterly Weapons and Tactics Conference in Bahrain in July. The Weapons and Tactics Conference is a venue for Air Force weapons officers along with

New service coat to better represent Airmen set for testing

Air Force officials are now set to begin fit and wear tests of the new service coat to better establish a dress uniform that fits the "warrior ethos" Airmen have today. It's important for the uniform to represent the roles and accomplishments of Airmen, said Brig. Gen. Floyd L. Carpenter, the Airmen

Tankers keep aircraft in the fight at Red Flag-Alaska

Tankers are patrolling the Last Frontier ready to provide in-flight refueling to aircraft in need to keep fighter aircraft participating in Red Flag-Alaska focused on fighting. Red Flag-Alaska is a multinational exercise from July 12 through 27 that provides realistic combat training in a safe and

Save money if you register now for the Air Force Marathon

Attention all marathoners and half-marathoners: If you've put off early registration for the 11th annual U.S. Air Force Marathon, Sept. 15, your time for procrastinating is running out.If you haven't logged onto www.usafmarathon.com and registered for your race by the time the clock strikes midnight

Exercise Angel Thunder trains combat search, rescue

About 200 Davis-Monthan Airmen from the 563rd Rescue Group, the 943rd Rescue Group, the 355th Operations Group and the 55th Electronic Combat Group, along with the 12th Air Force Plans Shop and Personnel Recovery Coordination Center, are participating in Exercise Angel Thunder July 9 to 20 here. The

Air Force Cyber Command online for future operations

The Air Force's soon-to-be newest major command, Air Force Cyber Command, is still on track, or rather still online. Air Force Cyber Command is creating a foundation now for the combat Airmen of today and tomorrow, said Lt. Gen. Robert J. Elder Jr., commander of 8th Air Force here and the joint

Japanese forces arrive for Red Flag-Alaska

Airmen from the Land of the Rising Sun arrived in the Land of the Midnight Sun July 11 in preparation for the Red Flag-Alaska air combat training exercise. After a seven-hour flight across the Pacific Ocean, six Japanese F-15s from Hyakuri Air Base near Tokyo and a U.S. KC-10 Extender carrying 21

Excercise tests Reserve C-130 unit's re-supply capabilities

Airmen in the Air Force Reserve Command's 911th Airlift Wing here conducted Exercise Bold Effort July 14 to hone their transport and re-supply skills vital during a time of war.The exercise began when eight C-130s departed the airfield here and headed for Rickenbacker International Airport

Air Force F-16 crashes in Iraq

An Air Force F-16 deployed to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing crashed on base during takeoff at 4:55 p.m. July 15. The pilot of the single-seat aircraft ejected safely and was transported to the Air Force Theater Hospital for evaluation. The aircraft was flying on a combat mission in support of

Missile deactivation begins at Malmstrom

The first Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile was removed from a launch facility near Brady, Mont., July 12 as a result of the order to begin missile deactivation activities here.The 341st Space Wing received formal direction June 29 from Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley

Air Force chief of staff initiates MQ-1 Predator plus-up

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley is accelerating delivery of the Defense Department's December 2009 goal of 21 daily MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle combat air patrols, or CAPs, by one year.At the chief of staff's request, Air Force officials coordinated deployment actions with

Airmen support Afghan presidential mission

A Phoenix Raven security team with the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia provided security for a C-17 Globemaster III and its crew July 11during an Afghan presidential support mission at a remote airstrip here. Staff Sgt. Mike Kincaid and Airman 1st Class Joseph Celata made up the

Air Guard opens new combat training runway

It's a 3,500-foot-long stretch of cement with a few hundred feet added on, just in case. That's not much space on which to safely land a heavily loaded, half-million pound cargo plane, but officials here say it's the perfect runway for Mississippi Air National Guard pilots to train on. Mississippi

Defense Logistics Agency helps keep A-10s flying

Defense Logistics Agency members and the Defense Supply Center Richmond responded to a fast suspense request from Air Force officials for critical A-10 Thunderbolt II wing fittings to help keep the planes operational. The A-10's mission is to attack armored vehicles and tanks, as well as to provide

Airmen hold munitions exercise at Kunsan

Airmen from across the Air Force are participating in the annual Combat Ammunition Production Exercise July 10 through 13 here. CAPEX is a three-day non-rated exercise that provides Pacific Air Forces and Air Combat Command units with training in mass-munitions assembly in support of aircraft sortie

Kadena prepares for typhoon

Kadena Air Base members are bracing for Typhoon Man-Yi as its current path will pass over Okinawa, base weather officials said. With the advance notification, base units have started typhoon preparation for Okinawa's first typhoon this year. Right now it should hit the island sometime the morning of

Flag officers train for theater-level combat leadership

Eighteen Air Force, Navy, Marine and international general officers attended Air University's Combined Forces Air Component Commanders course offered by the College of Aerospace Doctrine, Research and Education recently. The purpose of the course is to prepare flag officers for theater-level combat

Fairchild Airmen train for Rodeo 2007

Airmen who will represent Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., at the bi-annual Air Mobility Command Rodeo 2007 teamed up with their counterparts from McChord AFB, Wash., for four days of training recently at the Grant County International Airport here. This year's "Rodeo," the name given to the major

Red Flag-Alaska tests air-combat skills

Airmen lead multinational effort for Iraqi bombing victims

Airmen from the 506th Air Expeditionary Group here coordinated and carried out a multinational effort to receive and airlift 21 injured Iraqi civilians for treatment in Turkey July 8. The civilians, ethnic Iraqi Turkmen, were victims of the July 7 market bombing in Tuz Khurmato, Iraq, which

Air Force recognized for awarding veterans contracts

The Department of Veterans Affairs recognized 23 Air Force bases for achievement under the Champions of Veteran Enterprise program during a conference June 27 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. The 3rd Annual National Veteran Small Business Conference and Expo honored installations with the Federal

Training, communication key to success for A-10 pilots

When A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots throughout Southwest Asia respond to a ground commander or joint terminal attack controller's call for close-air-support, pilots on alert respond with the appropriate ordnance loaded to accomplish the mission. Putting those bullets and bombs on target doesn't just

Latest 'Today's Air Force' now available

This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights unmanned aerial vehicles, including the Air Force's latest unmanned vehicle and first hunter-killer UAV, the MQ-9 Reaper. More powerful than the MQ-1 Predator, the MQ-9 is designed to go after time-sensitive targets and can destroy or disable

Active-duty unit marks first year under Guard wing

Airmen of the 153rd Airlift Wing celebrated the first anniversary that marked the assimilation of active-duty Airmen into the Wyoming Air National Guard July 7 here. One year ago, active-duty Airmen reported to Cheyenne Regional Airport as the 30th Airlift Squadron stood up as Air Mobility Command's

Airmen take the fight to the terrorists

Airmen of the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing here provided air power support for Army, Marine and coalition ground troops as Operation Arrowhead Ripper took the fight to the terrorists throughout the Diyala Province in Iraq in late June and early July. The 332nd AEW's F-16 Fighting Falcons and A-10

Airman flies to Soldier's aid, earns valor award

An Airman attached to the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team was awarded the Army Commendation Medal with a "V" Device for Valor June 8 for his actions that led to the saving of a Soldier's life. Special Agent Travis Guthmiller, a member of Weapons Intelligence Team 10 of Task Force Troy was

Music venue sheds spotlight on Air Force

People were on their feet for the Air Force here July 6 during Air Force Week St. Louis as Tops in Blue 2007 performed a musical "fly-by" of the past 60 years. Drawing a crowd of nearly 1,500, outside the Saint Louis Science Center, the Air Force's own "expeditionary entertainers" danced and sang

Diverse trauma training saves lives

A hands-on medical trauma training course being conducted at a local university medical center here is using the experience of medical crews who have treated thousands upon thousands of wounded warriors to teach others. The Air Force Expeditionary Medical Skills Institute's Center for Sustainment of

Dover C-17 supports Air Force-Navy exercise

A Dover C-17 Globemaster III teamed up with Air Combat Command and Navy fighters in a joint Air Force-Navy training operation June 29 at Naval Air Station Key West, Fla. The large transport, which 436th Airlift Wing officials received June 21, teamed up with F-15 Eagles from Eglin Air Force Base,

Air Force General Estes Jr. passes away

The general who once led the command charged with re-supplying deployed U.S. forces passed away July 2 at his home in Bethesda, Md. From July 1964 until he retired in August 1969, retired Gen. Howell M. Estes Jr. was the commander of the Military Air Transport Service, later known as the Military

Controllers call in air strike to disrupt enemy

Situated in a dusty Army headquarters tent at this forward operating base south of Baghdad, a team of joint tactical air control party Airmen orchestrated the destruction of an explosives-laden roadway recently, stopping the flow of ordnance and weapons into Iraq's capital. By calling in the air

Expeditionary Wing celebrates Independence Day

Just a few miles off the Persian Gulf, the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing bustled with more than 8,000 servicemembers hard at work, but also taking the time to honor America's independence.For a moment, expeditionary Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and civilians felt like they were back home, where

DOD officials offer $1 million prize for wearable power innovations

A typical dismounted troop going out for a four-day mission carries as much as 40 pounds of batteries and rechargers in his pack. Defense Department officials want to reduce that load significantly, and they're dangling a $1 million carrot to entice people to help them do it. They launched their

Training mission results in real-life rescue

A series of coincidences and an alert helicopter crew from Air Force Reserve Command's 920th Rescue Wing here saved the life of a 66-year-old Florida man. Several miles off of the coast of Florida's Daytona Beach, Lt. Col. Paul Nevius and his crew were piloting an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter back to

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