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U.S. Air Force News

  • Commissary Agency officials honor best stores for recycling

    Helping the environment has become a habit for a number of stores in the Defense Commissary Agency. Agency officials formally acknowledged these commissaries for their excellence in recycling May 25 as part of DeCA's Solid Waste Management Awards.The awards were developed to recognize store

  • Reserve Airmen begin work on Boy Scout Jamboree site

    Reserve Airmen recently arrived here to begin work on a 10,600 acre National Scout Jamboree site as part of Joint Task Force Summit.More than 20 civil engineers from the 477th Civil Engineer Squadron at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, began clearing trees and installing silt fences on the

  • Sather Airmen take Iraqi security training to next level

    The Iraqi air force will be a step closer to providing personal security for high-ranking officials after completing advanced security forces training with 447th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron instructors later this week.The advanced course, which is a precursor to personal security detail

  • 'Today's Air Force' features a look around the service

    In this edition of "Today's Air Force," the Air Force Thunderbirds make history with the first Department of Defense aerial demonstration where participating aircraft are fueled by biofuel.  Plus, you'll get an update on conditions at Misawa Air Base, Japan, since the earthquake and tsunami hit that

  • New firing range 'shoots down' time, costs

    The newly refurbished combat arms firing range here is now loaded and ready.After the completion of a series of renovations to the base's old range, Airmen will no longer have to transfer from the 18th Security Force Squadron's classroom here to the Marine Corps range on Camp Hansen, saving the

  • French pilots, families integrate into base, community

    Two French air force pilots are currently calling Moody Air Force Base, Ga., home. Commandant Yann Malard and Capitaine Sebastian Alvarez are currently integrated with a fighter squadron and rescue squadron, respectively, as they become proficient on their particular airframes. "The units here and

  • Explosive ordnance disposal team trains Iraqi agencies to save lives

    Thousands of people have died from roadside bombs in Iraq. But even one death from these attacks is one too many, and an explosive ordnance disposal team from Contingency Operating Site Warrior is trying to prevent that number from getting any bigger.The 321st Expeditionary Operation Support

  • Secretary Donley congratulates new officers at Academy commencement

    The secretary of the Air Force spoke at the commencement address for the Air Force Academy's Class of 2011 at Falcon Stadium here May 25.Michael Donley congratulated the 1,021 graduates and challenged them to be lifelong learners, team players and doers after they have received their diplomas and

  • Commissary Agency officials announce Best Commissary Award winners

    Every day at each of the Defense Commissary Agency's 249 stores, employees do their best to deliver an efficient and effective benefit to the millions of customers authorized to receive it, according to DeCA officials. The finest of those endeavors were recognized May 24 as the top commissaries were

  • Tops in Blue set to kick off 'Rhythm Nation' tour

    Tops in Blue, the Air Force's expeditionary entertainment unit, kicks off their 2011 'Rhythm Nation' tour with a performance at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., May 25.Tops in Blue is a group of Airmen comprised of 35 vocalists, dancers, musicians and technicians who perform for deployed service

  • Laughlin amputee earns his wings

    Earning the coveted silver pilot wings is a long and difficult journey allowing only a small percentage of officers to earn the right to be called a pilot in the U.S. Air Force.By becoming the first amputee to graduate from pilot training, First Lt. Ryan McGuire earned his spot among the elite group

  • Moody AFB Airman dies during physical training

    An Airman assigned to the 23rd Maintenance Group here collapsed on the base's running trail during squadron physical training May 24. The Airman was transported to South Georgia Medical Center, Valdosta, Ga., where the Airman was later pronounced dead. The name of the deceased Airman is being

  • Gates: Defense cuts must be prioritized, strategic

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said he is determined that the department not fall victim to the mistakes of the past, "where the budget targets were met mostly by taking a percentage off the top of everything, the simplest and most politically expedient approach both inside the Pentagon and

  • Operation Joint Endeavor: Employers of guardsmen receive orientation

    Members of the Ohio Air National Guard's 180th Fighter Wing and the Ohio Army National Guard's Camp Perry Joint Training Center hosted a joint employer event May 21, sponsored by the Ohio Adjutant General, welcoming 20 employers of Ohio Air National Guard and Army National Guard service members.The

  • Advisers from 3 bases converge for evacuation training

    Air Force and Army medical advisers from bases throughout Iraq converged here to conduct aeromedical evacuation training with their Iraqi counterparts May 18 to 19.Medical advisers and helicopter pilots with the 171st General Support Aviation Battalion at Camp Taji, medics from Joint Base Balad's

  • Warrior games about more than medals

    The 2011 Warrior Games officially came to an end here May 21 following closing ceremonies.The Air Force team, consisting of 23 wounded Airmen, earned 12 medals at the event.But for the athletes, the games were not just about medals. The Warrior Games were an opportunity for the current and former

  • VA announces disaster assistance after tornado outbreaks

    Officials from the Department of Veterans Affairs announced May 17 that special disaster assistance may be available to veterans with VA-guaranteed home loans who have been affected by recent tornados. Veterans living in designated disaster areas may receive mortgage assistance through their loan

  • Hero Miles brings families to healing Warrior Games

    For wounded or injured servicemembers, family support is a vital lifeline during the initial and long-term recovery process that helps them find a new "normal" in their life.The Hero Miles program provides family members the commercial airline flights to the injured service member in the hospital or

  • First lady lauds 'A force of families'

    The nation's military is built and sustained on the strength of families, First Lady Michelle Obama told the U.S. Military Academy's Class of 2011 and their families at a banquet last night in West Point, N.Y., on May 20, the eve of graduation ceremonies. No matter where their careers take them,

  • Today's Air Force special report: Ranger school

    In a special edition of "Today's Air Force," you will get an inside look at Ranger School. It's the Army's premier leadership course, but it's open to all services. Next you'll take a look at the course and then follow an Airmen on his journey towards a Ranger tab. However, before Airmen attend

  • Secretary urges careful thought in spending reductions

    Finding $400 billion in additional defense spending reductions over the next 12 years will require careful thought that considers the risks the reductions create, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said here May 19.In a question-and-answer session with students at the U.S. Army Engineer School here,

  • 'Jersey' Jeanne takes home bronze

    Under a nearly cloudless sky and with a slight chill in the air, retired Staff Sgt. Jeanne Goldy-Sanitate took off down the hill at the U.S. Air Force Academy chasing a medal during the women's cycling race at the 2011 Warrior Games here May 20. Despite flipping her handcycle earlier in the week,

  • Education is key in fight against PTSD

    Stemming the incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, requires awareness, education and recognizing its symptoms, a senior military psychiatrist said.Navy Capt. Paul S. Hammer, director of the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury, spoke

  • Air Guard Airmen establish air hub for earthquake-relief exercise

    More than 40 members of a contingency response element from the Kentucky Air National Guard's 123rd Airlift Wing operated a key patient-movement hub here as part of National Level Exercise 2011.The exercise is designed to test the local, state and national response to a simulated earthquake along

  • Air Force makes splash in swim prelims

    Members of the Air Force team qualified in five swimming events during the 2011 Warrior Games preliminary competition here May 18.Matt Pirrello secured two spots in the finals for the Air Force team in the men's 50m long course freestyle single limb amputee and the 100m long course freestyle SLA.

  • Photo essay: RED HORSE on a drop zone mission

    RED HORSE Airmen perform jump missions and operate their own drop zones here May 12. The jumps were part of the 414th Combat Search and Rescue Squadron's training and certification of 3 RED HORSE Airmen as drop zone control officers, enabling the RED HORSE Airmen to perform jump missions and operate

  • Gates shares views on Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan

    During a question-and-answer session here May 19, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates gave U.S. Army Engineer School students his view of the situations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan.Though the current agreement between the U.S. and Iraq calls for all U.S. forces to be out of Iraq by the end of

  • JTACs show off new capability during digital demo

    Joint terminal attack controllers with the 607th Air Support Operations Group here recently showed off new digital capabilities during a demonstration with members of the South Korea air force.The demonstration showcased advanced equipment the controllers use when transmitting digit data to aircraft

  • National Guard supports final Endeavour flight

    Air National Guard members from Illinois, New York and Virginia were on hand for the final launch of NASA's space shuttle Endeavour here May 16. The Guard members provided front-line medical and emergency rescue support in the event of an incident.Col. Joe Maslar, the chief of aerospace medicine for

  • Gates budget review to 'force discussion' of risk analysis

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates announced May 18 the framework for a comprehensive review of military spending designed to put national security needs ahead of arbitrary budget cuts."We must reject the traditional approach of applying across-the-board cuts -- the simplest and most politically

  • Iraqi air force advance echelon team arrives

    The Iraqi air force is one step closer to taking ownership of Joint Base Balad. A trio of officers and 11 enlisted airmen arrived May 15 to in-process here.The group is part of the advance echelon team of 60 Iraqi airmen projected to arrive. "It's truly a significant day for the Iraqi air force,"

  • DOD makes progress in civilian hiring reform

    Until recently, applying for a civilian job at the Defense Department was an exercise in navigating through a byzantine federal hiring process and amassing thick application packets, with applicants sometimes waiting up to a year for any word on their applications.Pasquale M. Tamburrino Jr., the

  • Arming point key to Afghan airpower dominance

    Officials at the Kandahar Air Wing reached a milestone May 15 when they opened an Afghan Mi-17 weapons arming point here.The officials said it's a key step towards delivering airpower dominance to both the 205th and 215th Afghan National Army Corps."Having the arming point allows the Afghan air

  • Air Force earns gold, bronze track and field at Warrior Games

    The Air Force team earned first place in one event and third in two track events during the 2011 Warrior Games track and field competition May 17 here. Vanessa Warren, the Air Force track coach, said their team goal was to earn as many medals as they could, and the team made huge strides toward that

  • PACAF demo team certified to showcase F-16's aerial maneuvering might

    A crew from the 14th Fighter Squadron at Misawa Air Base, Japan, was certified as the Pacific Air Forces F-16 Fighting Falcon Demonstration Team May 16.Lt. Gen. Burton Field, the U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force commander, certified the crew. The crew includes one pilot, two narrators and a

  • Airmen begin Warrior Games at Olympic Training Complex

    Twenty-five Airmen joined nearly 200 other wounded warriors for the 2011 Warrior Games opening ceremony May 16 at the Olympic Training Complex here. The competition between all branches of service, including the Coast Guard, is in its second year and is open to service members who were injured while

  • Air Force wheelchair basketball team preps for competition

    This year's Air Force wheelchair basketball team underwent a workout May 12 at the Air Force Academy Prep School Gym, to not only improve skills needed to play intense basketball from a special sports wheelchair, but to get to know each other also. "The primary objective of this camp is to come

  • 50th anniversary of U.S.'s first human spaceflight celebrated

    People gathered here May 4 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first American in space.The event honored Alan B. Shepard Jr., who piloted the 15-minute, 23-second suborbital flight at 303 statute miles in the Freedom 7 spacecraft May 5, 1961.Mercury astronaut Scott Carpenter and members of the

  • Exercise hones AFSOC's disaster response

    Responding to a simulated natural disaster, 16 special-tactics Airmen steered their parachutes toward the training range here May 11. Their primary mission: open the devastated country's airfield.Within minutes of jumping out of a 1st Special Operations Wing MC-130P Combat Shadow, the Airmen were

  • Two Air Force officers inducted into U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame

    Two Air Force officers who served as astronauts with NASA were inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., May 14.Lt. Gen. Susan Helms, the 14th Air Force commander, and retired Col. Karol Bobko were inducted in a ceremony at KSC a little less than an hour after an

  • 2011 Warrior Games shows spirit to Colorado Springs civic leaders

    Training for the 2011 Warrior Games has kicked off here with Air Force team members demonstrating their winning spirit in a warrior-civic leader volleyball match, with a catch.  The game is played less than four feet off the floor while sitting on a basketball court with a lowered net as team

  • Cadet honored in Pentagon ceremony

    The newest name engraved on the Millennium Sword of Friendship in the Pentagon is that of a student at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., who was presented with the 2010 U.S. Air Force Cadet of the Year Award here May 12.During a ceremony hosted by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen.

  • Travel website helps determine risks when planning events

    Returning from deployment, getting ready for marriage, a promotion and three-day weekends are just some of the occasions in which Airmen take the time to plan and schedule leave.Planning for a good time on leave is not only limited to the destination, however. The element of safety can be properly

  • Marines begin reintegration through Air Force Deployment Transition Center

    More than 100 Marines arrived by air here April 27 for a brief stay at the Air Force Deployment Transition Center.On their way home from Helmand Province in Afghanistan, the Marines of the 1st Explosives Ordnance Disposal Company, from Camp Pendleton, Calif., are the first members from another

  • Airmen ready Romanian airport for U.S. multi-modal shipments

    Members of the 621st Contingency Response Wing from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., arrived here May 9 to extend the airfield's capability to support "multi-modal operations" during a U.S. Transportation Command proof-of-principle evaluation.USTRANSCOM applies the term "multi-modal" to the

  • Expeditionary Center's 422nd JTS hosts airfield operations TTP conference

    Nearly 20 airfield operations and air traffic control subject-matter experts met with 422nd Joint Tactics Squadron members here recently during a planning conference to develop a product consolidating tactics, techniques and procedures for Airmen operating worldwide.According to some of the Airmen

  • AFSPC commander welcomes AF Wounded Warriors, kicks off 2011 competition

    The U.S. Air Force Warrior Games team gathered for breakfast here May 8 to mark the beginning of a week of training before the kick-off of the 2011 Warrior Games.During the breakfast, Gen. William Shelton, the Air Force Space Command commander, passed on thanks and encouraging words to the 23

  • AETC, 17th AF officials bring maintenance training to 7 partner nations

    Officers and NCOs from seven African nations began a three-week course here May 5 designed to provide fundamental maintenance and logistics management skills, thanks to a partnership between 17th Air Force (Air Forces Africa) and Air Education and Training Command.The Trans-Sahara Culture of

  • Odierno: Services must partner to weather lean times

    Defense Department officials must expand joint service, interagency and allied partnerships during tight fiscal times, and avoid the pitfalls of "doing more with less," Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno said May 11. "We must avoid the trap of doing more with less, which is a recipe for creating a hollow

  • 'Today's Air Force' features a look around the service

    In a special edition of "Today's Air Force," you will get an inside look at Ranger School. It's the Army's premier leadership course, but it's open to all services. Take a look at the course and then follow an Airman on his journey towards a Ranger tab. However, before Airmen attend Ranger School

  • Pentagon must handle spending slowdown responsibly, Lynn says

    Managing a slowdown in defense spending responsibly will take more than being more efficient, Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III said.As the keynote speaker May 11 for the Royal Bank of Canada Defense and Aerospace Conference here, Mr. Lynn told an audience at the Intrepid Sea, Air and

  • Undersecretary addresses fiscal challenges

    Undersecretary of the Air Force Erin Conaton spoke at the Air Force Association's Air Force Breakfast Program here May 11.Ms. Conaton discussed the state of the Air Force and how the service is approaching the challenging budgetary environment it faces today."We're currently balancing a range of

  • Airmen graduate Air Assault Course with Soldiers

    Three Airmen graduated the Army Air Assault course here May 11, after 11 days of training. Five Airmen from the 647th Security Forces Squadron from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, and 309 Soldiers, many from the 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks, started the course, and only about

  • Keesler AFB, Vandenberg AFB Airmen build missile maintenance trainer

    Airmen from the 81st Training Support Squadron Simware section here are partnering with Airmen from the 532nd Training Squadron at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., to build an ICBM maintenance virtual trainer.The importance of this training system can't be overstated as acquisition of the IMVT is

  • Air traffic controllers discuss road ahead in Iraq

    Ten Air Force and Army air traffic controllers advising their Iraqi counterparts at major installations around Iraq convened here April 28 to discuss airfield plans for the final months before U.S. troops leave Iraq under a Dec. 31, 2011, mandate. "(The meeting) was an excellent opportunity to see

  • Krav Maga training gives Airmen the combat edge

    Recognizing the benefits of self-defense in an evolving Air Force mission, base officials here recently hosted a Krav Maga instructor course.Krav Maga, a fighting technique used internationally by law enforcement and military members, teaches users how to naturally react against an armed attacker.

  • 'Total Force 21' paper offers new force mix, DOD savings

    Air Force Reserve officials recently announced new guidelines that may help combat planners better access reservists, make the Air Force more efficient and save money.Called "Total Force 21," this new approach refocuses planning efforts on how many reservists can be mobilized instead of traditional

  • Photo essay: Chief Roy participates in Brave Defender training

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy received a hands-on tour of Air Force Materiel Command's "Brave Defender" training area May 6, 2011, at Eglin Air Force Base Fla.  Brave Defender is a three-week deployment training course for security forces Airmen. The training is hosted by the 96th

  • Airmen run to honor EOD fallen, injured

    Service members and coalition partners at an air base in Southwest Asia gathered May 7 for a 5K 'fun run' to celebrate the first national Explosive Ordnance Disposal Day. More than 220 participants gathered in physical training clothes, uniforms, tactical gear and body armor with members of the

  • AFIT education paves way to space

    How far can a higher education take you? About 220 nautical miles, straight up. That's at least true for retired Col. Steve Lindsey, an astronaut with NASA and graduate of the Air Force Institute of Technology.Colonel Lindsey's latest space flight, aboard the final mission of the space shuttle

  • First lady invites Guard, Reserve kids to fitness event

    Alongside about 80 children of National Guardsmen and reservists, first lady Michelle Obama showed off her dance moves and football-handling prowess yesterday during a "Let's Move" fitness and nutrition event for military families on the White House's South Lawn.The first lady invited the kids to

  • AFCEE redefines the gateway to the Air Force

    Engineers at the Air Force Center for Engineering and the Environment are preparing to build an inprocessing and information center for Air Force recruits and their families here.The construction of the facility is significant to both the agency and the Air Force, due to its robust depiction of Air

  • AFOSI personnel pay tribute to their latest fallen hero

    Hundreds of military and civilian mourners packed Chapel One at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., May 9 to attend a memorial service honoring the latest Air Force Office of Special Investigations fallen hero. Master Sgt. Tara R. Brown, 33, of New York, died Apr. 27 of wounds sustained when an Afghan

  • CMSAF experiences "Brave Defender" training

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy received a hands-on tour of Air Force Materiel Command's "Brave Defender" training area May 6 here.Brave Defender is a three-week deployment training course for security forces Airmen. The training is hosted by the 96th Ground Combat Training Squadron,

  • Building a better tomorrow, one NCO at a time

    Airmen serving with the Iraq Training and Advisory Mission-Air and 447th Air Expeditionary Group are focused on building the foundation of the Iraqi air force. Equipment transfer and technical training are important, but a small group of NCOs are also teaching enlisted professional development as

  • Alabama National Guard making progress with tornado response

    Nearly two weeks after tornadoes that devastated much of the state April 27, the Alabama National Guard remains engaged responding to the disaster. This has been the largest Alabama National Guard domestic response in Alabama's history.Alabama National Guard officials called more than 2,900 Soldiers

  • ESC trifecta will enable autonomous Iraqi air defense

    Because a strong Iraqi air force capable of flying and fighting starts with a solid foundation of planning and control of forces, an Electronic Systems Center team has taken on three major projects of an ESC master plan to ensure the Iraqi air force is capable of providing its own air

  • Afghans graduate from first Mi-17 "Train the trainer" course

    Seven Afghan Mi-17 instructors graduated from the first Mi-17 "Train the Trainer" upgrade course May 4 taught by AAF and U.S. Air Force instructors at the Afghanistan Premier Flight Training Center here."Afghan aircrew instructors are pivotal to growing independent combat flying forces, ultimately

  • Photo essay: Air Force Airmen participate in Thracian Spring 2011

    Members from the 435th Security Forces Squadron work in conjunction with Bulgarian air force paratroopers here April 29. Thracian Spring is a two-week, on-site training course designed to build partnerships between the Bulgarian and U.S. Air Force.View the slideshow.

  • U.S., Congolese military complete MEDLITE 11

    Airmen and Democratic Republic of the Congo service members finished a joint-medical exercise here May 5.The MEDLITE 11 exercise focused on aeromedical evacuation to improve the readiness of personnel. According to Lt. Col. June Oldman, the director of MEDLITE 11, the exercise focused on five key

  • Common interests, challenges discussed at African Air Chiefs Conference

    Shared interests and common challenges topped discussions between African air chiefs from 24 nations and their U.S. counterparts during the 2011 African Air Chiefs Conference April 26 through 28 here.The conference aims to foster communication and dialogue between regional and multilateral partner

  • U.S. will defeat terrorists, Obama tells troops

    The skill and courage of countless American military and intelligence professionals are why Osama bin Laden can never threaten America again, President Barack Obama told a cheering group of 101st Airborne Soldiers May 6 at Fort Campbell, Ky.President Obama told them about meeting yesterday with

  • Air Force firefighting operations conclude in Texas

    After performing 81 sorties and dropping 243,000 gallons of fire retardant over the wildfires that have been burning in South and West Texas, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve personnel and their Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System-equipped aircraft headed home May 6.Officials from the

  • Remembering pilot slain in Afghanistan

    Quiet giant. Humble. Tremendously respected. Genuine. These were the repeated words that friends and family members here used to describe the instructor pilot who was among the nine Americans killed during the April 27 Kabul International Airport shooting. Lt. Col. Frank Bryant Jr. made the ultimate

  • Air Force officials urge motorcycle safety

    As the summer brings warmer temperatures, Airmen should remain vigilant in taking safety precautions in all activities, and particularly on motorcycles, officials said here May 6. In a 2011 Year of Motorcycle Safety dual-signature memorandum to Airmen, the assistant secretary for installations,

  • One unit's PT boot camp gets results

    What started less than two years ago as an innovative way to stay in shape, has evolved into a physical fitness tool for Airmen at the headquarters of the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency here. The agency's physical training boot camp recently capped its three-phased

  • Reserve tanker crew first operational crew to refuel F-35

    What started out as a routine mission for Airmen from the Air Force Reserve Command's 916th Air Refueling Wing turned into an historic 'first in flight' moment recently.Flying a KC-135R Stratotanker, a flight crew and a maintenance crew from the wing's 911th Air Refueling Squadron thought they were

  • Officials announce personnel annual award winners

    The deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel and services, or A1, recently announced the 2010 award winners for the A1 community.This year's winners are:Installation awards:Gen. Curtis E. LeMay Award, for best large-category force support squadron:1st Special Operations FSS, Air Force Special

  • Renovations enhance warfighter training

    Members of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Warrior Preparation Center here have performed renovations that are estimated to save the Air Force $250,000 and 12,000 man hours annually.The WPC is a training compound for U.S. and coalition forces, providing live, virtual and constructive environments seen

  • Proposal would save $3.2 billion in health care costs

    The Defense Department's proposal to reform the TRICARE health plan and the military health system would save at least $3.2 billion between 2012 and 2016, the Pentagon's chief financial officer told Congress yesterday. In testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee's personnel subcommittee,

  • Civic leaders visit Air Force Expeditionary Center

    A group of U.S. citizens hand-picked to participate in a civic outreach program visited the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center here May 4 as part of the Defense Department's Joint Civilian Orientation Conference program.Approximately 50 citizens, ranging from town mayors to professional sports

  • Officials announce AF fuels management awards

    The 87th Air Base Wing at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., recently received the Air Force's 2010 American Petroleum Institute Gold Award.The other award winners were:Silver Award - 86th Air Wing at Ramstein Air Base, Germany Bronze Award - 49th Wing at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. Air

  • Memorial honors fallen warriors

    Hundreds of military and civilian personnel packed a dimly-lit hangar April 30 to pay their final respects to eight Airmen and one retired Army civilian contractor killed April 27 when a gunman opened fire during a meeting with NATO trainers."We come together to mourn the loss of nine brave

  • Report outlines progress in Afghanistan

    READY FOR REVIEWLast year's surge of U.S. and coalition forces into Afghanistan, with the simultaneous growth of Afghan forces, is leading to tangible progress for peace and prosperity in Afghanistan, according to a biannual Defense Department report recently released.The final component of 30,000

  • Five military installations receive top honors

    Teams from five military installations around the world received top awards today for excelling at their mission despite the demands of war and recent natural disasters.At a Pentagon ceremony, Ashton B. Carter, undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, lauded the

  • Air Force officials announce criteria for basing of TACP/ALO training

    Air Force officials have released the criteria for basing tactical air control party and air liaison officer training.Recent and current operations have created an increase in demand for TACPs and ALOs to support Army units. The current TACP/ALO schoolhouse at Hurlburt Field, Fla., lacks adequate

  • Reserve tankers among 42 aircraft participating in Sea Lion 11-05

    Air Force Reserve Command KC-135 Stratotankers were among the 42 aircraft that converged in the sky over North and South Carolina to support Operation Sea Lion 11-05, a phase two operational readiness exercise centered at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C.Stratotanker crews from the 916th Air Refueling Wing

  • Iraqi air force primed for power

    More than 30 Iraqi service members graduated from an introductory power production course taught by U.S. service members here May 2.Through the course, the instructors taught the basics of running generators, enabling the Iraqi military to safely generate their own power. The students, who come from

  • Air advisers' feedback to shape future deployment training

    Representatives from the air adviser course at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., were in Iraq recently to query course graduates on the effectiveness of the course. Their efforts are intended to help shape future education and training the Air Force provides to Airmen who will engage in

  • Exercise preserves U.S., Bulgarian partnership

    Airmen from Ramstein Air Base's 86th Airlift Wing and 435th Air Ground Operations Wing, as well as U.S. Army jumpmasters teamed with Bulgarian armed forces to conduct Exercise Thracian Spring 2011 April 26 to May 6 here. The bilateral training exercise brought U.S. and Bulgarian military forces

  • Airmen assists Kabul girls' school

    Returning from Afghanistan for mid-tour leave April 14, Col. Bob Wicks was excited to share his experiences as the only Air Force O-6 to command one of six Regional Support Commands under the NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan.Although the mission and the military accomplishments he's seen in the

  • Airman saves seizing Soldier

    An Airman assigned to the 647th Civil Engineer Squadron here performed self aid and buddy care on a Soldier suffering from a seizure April 15."I was at a benefit concert for a Bible study I attend," said Senior Airman Jesse Cornell. "We were sitting there, listening to the guy play and sing, and all

  • Air Force announces fighter training mission preferred basing decision

    Air Force officials announced May 3 that Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, is the preferred location for consolidation of the Introduction Fighter Fundamentals training units.The Air Force conducts IFF training at five locations, producing 450 IFF graduates per year. Over the years, the Air Force IFF