Bold Quest improves coalition combat identification

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

Gen. McNabb inducted into AMC Order of the Sword

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

Bagram Airmen celebrate Air Force's 60th birthday

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

Revisiting the country of a forgotten war

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

Summer safety campaign sees near-record

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

Air Force Marathon sets registration record

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

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

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

Letter to Airmen addresses responsibility

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

Program takes safety, occupational health to next level

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

Congressional delegation observes enemy fire from C-130

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

Space experts meet to address warfighter needs

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

Eagle Flag tests combat support skills

2 Elmendorf Airmen receive Purple Hearts

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

New global logistics unit to be headquartered at Scott

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

Coalition forces compete at Ali Base

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

Cannon unit to become 27th Special Operations Wing

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

C-5 to be showcased at Air Force Marathon

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

CSAF's Scope highlights SERE training, AMU reorganization

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

Air Force Week art exhibit opening set for Sept. 13

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

Annual unit award winners announced

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

Summit tracks warfare center consolidation

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

A-10 Thunderbolt II gets technological 'thumbs up'

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

Dover honors women's contribution to force

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

Airmen gather at Air Force Sergeant Association Conference

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

Barksdale Airmen recreate history

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

General Moseley OKs irregular warfare doctrine

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

Air Force fighter squadron celebrates 90th year

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

Marathon signals growing partnership between base, university

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

Investigation finds engine failure caused Predator crash

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

Air Force Reserve to form F-15E associate detachment

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

Air Force Reserve to form A-10 associate units

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

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

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

Air Force convenes AFSO 21 summit

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

Maine Air Guard peddles Air Force Week from town to town

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

Stratofortresses test operational skills in Koa Lightning

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

Chief of chaplains visits 379th AEW

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

Space exec course reaches out to allies, Pentagon

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

Programs help Airmen, families prepare for deployment

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

U.S. military women reach out to Djiboutian women

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

CSAF's Scope highlights force structure changes

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

Hickam Airmen conduct 4-ship airdrop training

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

Automated test helps maintainers solve F-15 problems

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

Professor swims into record book ... again

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

Cargo flight keeps warfighters moving

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

Crew chief awarded Purple Heart after 39-year wait

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

Airmen go hand-to-hand with Afghan National Police

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

Upgraded armored vehicles aid Moody's war training

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

Command celebrates Air Force's 60th Anniversary

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

Women's contributions to Air Force honored

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

SERE training to be required for all Airmen

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

Balad's medics move into new facility

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

Leaders consider returning maintainers to flying squadrons

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

Humble hero visits RAF Lakenheath

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

Ops center commands sky during Exercise Valiant Shield

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

Modeling, simulation expert receives lifetime achievement award

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

Airman's fight-back bravery earns him Bronze Star

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

Blood center supports U.S., coalition warfighters

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

NCO's training proves worth for accident victims

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

Predator soars to record numbers of sorties

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

Air Force signs multiyear contract for F-22

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

To Stem the Tide - A Korean War Perspective

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

Services, mission support merger complete at test bases

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

Info sharing allows realistic coalition training

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

Airmen, drug runners play game of cat and mouse

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

379th Air Expeditionary Wing Airman dies

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

B-1 crews excel at shows of presence

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

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