Veterinary mission morphs into lifesaving trek

With only seconds to react, U.S. military members made a daring rescue pulling a young African man out of a raging torrent April 14 in Dikhil, Djibouti. After a day of heavy rain, the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa team was assessing a river crossing site they planned to use the

Air combat ready at Red Flag-Alaska

Barksdale Airmen take care of B-52 business 7,000 miles away

The ground shakes and the flightline shudders as the eight engines of a B-52 Stratofortress beat gravity into submission lifting the giant bomber into the air. Each of the bomber's engines can produce more than 17,000 pounds of thrust along with a deafening roar, but for the Airmen assigned to the

'That others may live' Air Force hero remembered

April 11 was an important anniversary for all Airmen as it marked 41 years since Airman 1st Class William Pitsenbarger, pararescue crewmember, distinguished himself by extreme valor near Cam My, Republic of Vietnam. The slogan 'that others may live' is the foundation of everything Air Force

Scientific Advisory Board helps move ideas from concept to reality

When today's Airmen use one of the many cutting edge technology tools at their disposal, they can thank a small group of scientists and engineers for helping make it a reality. The Air Force Scientific Advisory Board continued their long tradition of helping the Air Force bring new ideas to reality

Air Force, Marine officials meet on critical warfighting issues

Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. T. Michael Moseley and Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James T. Conway, along with other senior leaders from both services met here April 10 to discuss issues of mutual interest regarding aviation. Labeled The Warfighter Talks, the forum provided dialogue on

Jimmy Doolittle: famed airpower pioneer

The man the "Doolittle Raiders" are named for may not be a household name today, but James H. "Jimmy" Doolittle was once one of the most famous celebrities in America, even before the raid, and remains one of the most remarkable figures of the 20th century. Born in Alameda, Calif., on Dec. 14, 1896,

AETC announces top Airmen

Air Education and Training Command officials announced its top Airmen of 2006. The winners were chosen from among 25 nominees identified by leadership at their home stations as the best professionals in their categories. "As the first command, we recruit, educate and train America's Airmen," said

Officials discuss executive agency for UAVs

Air Force officials invited Defense representatives to the Pentagon April 13 to discuss the Air Force's proposal to assume executive agent responsibilities for medium- and high-altitude unmanned aerial vehicles. The proposal was put forward March 5 in a memorandum to senior Defense officials from

New policy protects Air Force networks

A new Air Force policy on encrypting and digitally signing e-mails is now in effect to ensure security and reliability of information as the battle for cyberspace dominance continues. Officially called the Air Force Public Key Infrastructure Policy on Encrypting and Digitally Signing E-mails, it is

Chilton delivers priorities for future space capabilities

"Space has become so integrated in the fight, in the way we fight and indeed into our economy and in America," Gen. Kevin P. Chilton told an audience of more than 500 industry leaders, civilians and military members at the 23rd National Space Symposium here today. In his speech, General Chilton, the

Week in Photos features Airmen around the globe

-- The "Week In Photos" Web feature on Air Force Link provides visitors with photos that highlight Air Force missions around the world. Among this week's photos are: An Airman with the 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron's Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight at Balad Air Base, Iraq, safely

Luke team trains for combat at Red Flag-Alaska

Airmen from Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., are deployed to participate in Red Flag-Alaska, a multi-service, multi-platform coordinated, combat operations exercise at Eielson AFB. Thirteen instructor pilots, six operations support staff and more than 60 maintainers made the 2,600-mile trek to take part

Ordnance Airman awarded Bronze Star for Iraq duty

A "six-month adrenaline rush." That's how Master Sgt. Al Schneider described his deployment to Iraq. Assigned to Headquarters Pacific Air Forces Civil Engineer Directorate as the command explosive ordnance disposal superintendent, the Louisville, Ky., native left here last May for combat-skills

KC-10 Extenders keep jets on target

Staying in the fight is key to U.S. and coalition forces maintaining air superiority during combat missions.Helping ensure these pilots stay in the fight is the responsibility of the crews onboard refueling tankers like the KC-10 Extenders participating in the Red Flag-Alaska 07-1 exercise April 5

Chief of Staff speaks on future of space operations

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley delivered a speech to a crowd of more than 400 at the 23rd National Space Symposium here April 11.The general's speech to a group of military, civilian and industry space professionals focused on the important part space plays in the defense of the

Latest Enlisted Perspective features taking care of wounded Airmen

The chief master sergeant of the Air Force released his latest perspective and it focuses on taking care of wounded Airmen. Chief Master Sgt. Rodney J. McKinley, the Air Force's top enlisted Airman, knows the importance of taking care of Airmen, especially those who have been wounded during the war

Airmen earn silver, bronze in wrestling championship

Two Air Force members came away with medals April 7, after a double-elimination wrestling tournament held at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The U.S. Open National Wrestling Championship, held in Las Vegas for the 17th time, is where America's best wrestlers compete for the national title,

School honors fallen Airman, former student

Members of Spangdhalem Air Base gathered April 5 to honor a fallen Operation Iraqi Freedom Airman who graduated from Bitburg High School. Maj. Troy Gilbert, a 1989 BHS graduate, was killed when his F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed Nov. 27 while on a mission providing combat support to both an Army

'Sew Much Comfort' founder visits patients in Germany

As wounded servicemembers were loaded onto stretchers in preparation for their medical evacuation mission to get underway, a special visitor provided pillows and blankets to make their journey a little more comfortable. One of the patients she attended to was a Soldier wearing a bulky metal halo

Award winners save Air Force $26.5 million

Six individuals who saved the Air Force $26.5 million were recognized April 5 at the Pentagon.  Four individuals won Air Force Productivity Excellence Awards and two won Air Force Exceptional Innovator Awards.Lt. Gen. Roger A. Brady, the Air Force deputy chief of staff for manpower and personnel,

Goodfellow students put predicting the future to the test in Lone Star

They're playing mind games at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas. A bunch of military instructors -- all steeped in years of military intelligence field work -- take a bunch of green students, put them in a room draped with maps, crowded with tables and humming with computer equipment, and squeeze

17th Training Wing preserves heritage

The end of the Cold War left the United States needing fewer forces. A smaller force required fewer bases to support it and, organizationally, fewer units to hold it. For the Air Force, as it set about eliminating excess bases through the Base Realignment and Closure process and excess wings through

Maintainers save man-hours with AFSO 21 changes

When aircraft maintainers think of inspections, their minds may be filled with thoughts of preparation and increased workload; however, 552nd Equipment Maintenance Squadron Maintenance Flight members here saw the E-3 Sentry Isochronal Inspection process as an opportunity for improvement. With Air

Ordnance disposal makes for no ordinary day

Airmen assigned to the 332nd Civil Engineer Squadron's Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight have a dangerous mission that keeps fellow coalition forces safe. It takes nerves of steel and a steady hand to do the work these Airmen do. After all, getting anywhere near an improvised explosive isn't

Red Flag-Alaska strengthens coalition forces

Red Flag-Alaska, a multi-service, multi-platform coordinated, combat operations exercise, kicked off April 5 with the ultimate goal of improving the operational capability of participating units and fostering stronger relations between U.S. and coalition forces. Red Flag-Alaska allows these units,

Airmen, Soldiers mentor Afghan medical instructors

A team of five highly-skilled Air Force and Army medics mentor Afghan National Army instructors at the Combat Medic School in Kabul. Their mission is to guide the ANA instructors into leading the Combat Medic Course, which was recently extended to eight weeks. As instructors, they serve as mentors

Airmen keep a step ahead of enemy

They don't talk much about what they do, at least to those outside the small, secure compound in Ops Town. But, they do listen to what others have to say -- mostly enemy ground forces. The 763rd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron maintains a constant presence in the Central Command area of

Air Force releases combat action medal criteria

Air Force officials at the Air Force Personnel Center released criteria this week for award of the new combat action medal, an award for Airmen who have been involved in direct fighting situations where they risked their lives in an enemy engagement. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley

Charter members reflect on Air Guard's first 60 years

Their membership gets older and smaller every day. Nearly 60 years have passed since they formed, but time has not removed distant memories of 1946 and 1947 after these veterans helped claim victory in World War II and flew as Air National Guardsmen. You may have met them on your drill weekends

Iraq PRTs to double in number by year's end

Plans are under way to double the number of provincial reconstruction teams now operating in Iraq by the end of the year, a senior U.S. official said April 9. "We will both double the number of PRTs and we will double the number of individuals who are working in the PRTs," said Rick Olson, chief of

Shaw selected for 'showcase' dormitory

Officials at the Air Force Engineering and Construction Division selected two military construction projects to showcase the Air Force's success in areas of energy and sustainable development. A 144-room, three-story dormitory at Shaw, to be started this fiscal year, is one of those projects. The

Services Airmen keep morale high in Iraq

Between aircraft sorties, mortar attacks and grueling long days for the residents of Balad AB and Logistical Support Area Anaconda, 20 Airmen of the Expeditionary Services Squadron are doing their part to keep them fit, entertained and ready for the fight. "We're here for everyone else's happiness

Joint STARS exceeds 23,000 flight hours

The 128th Expeditionary Airborne Command and Control Squadron, one of three operational Joint Surveillance Target Attacks Radar System squadrons, recently reached a milestone of 23,000 flight-hours by flying missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Beginning on Jan. 16, 2003, the JSTARS

B-17 aircrew remembered

Airmen from Hickam Air Force Base and the Hawaii Aviation Preservation Society held a memorial ceremony honoring 10 B-17E Flying Fortress crew members who lost their lives here 65 years ago. The Flying Fortress, returning from a routine combat patrol, crashed into the cliffs of Mt. Keahiakahoe near

Officials complete second phase of rescue officer selection

Combat rescue officer career field officials held phase two of their selection process March 26 to 30 at Fairchild. The purpose of phase two is to narrow the field of trainees invited into the CRO career field training pipeline. Phase two is a rigorous week of intense physical, mental and

New combat squadron stands up at Little Rock

The 41st Airlift Squadron became the newest unit of the 463rd Airlift Group at Little Rock Air Force Base in a ceremony April 6 as well as being named the first active-duty combat C-130J Hercules squadron in the Air Force. The 41st AS moved here from Pope AFB, N.C., due to the Base Realignment and

Competitors set for AMC Rodeo 2007

More than 55 U.S. and international teams are slated to participate in Air Mobility Command's Rodeo 2007 to be held July 22 through 28 at McChord Air Force Base, Wash. The competition focuses on readiness, and features airdrop, air refueling, and other events showcasing security forces, aerial port,

Senior leaders testify about Air Force space program

Three senior leaders provided testimony on national security space activities before the House Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee March 23. The Honorable Dr. Ronald M. Sega, under secretary of the Air Force, Dr. Donald Kerr, director of the National Reconnaissance Office, and Gen. Kevin P.

AFA Team of the Year features medical Airmen

They saved lives performing miracles in the sky, on the ground and outside "the wire" during missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. Senior Airman Robert Zuniga from the 82nd Medical Operations Squadron at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, helped save the lives of 120 people injured in car bombs and mortar

CSAF discusses construction projects in testimony

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley met with members of the House Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs March 29 to discuss the service's construction efforts. General Moseley said the Air Force is committed to improving base infrastructure

Band makes impact on deployed members

Approximately 200 U.S. servicemembers and coalition forces March 30 here were treated to the sounds of Max Impact -- an ensemble of the U.S. Air Force Band from Bolling Air Force Base from Washington, D.C. The traveling music group has been making its rounds in the deployed area of responsibility

Enlisted Perspective commemorates the 'first'

Commemorating the 40th anniversary of the appointment of the first chief master sergeant of the Air Force is the subject of the latest Enlisted Perspective by Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley. Chief McKinley said that as the first CMSAF, Paul Airey forged new paths for the

Red Flag-Alaska begins 2007 season

More than 1,300 military members from the United States, France and Australia are gathering in the Last Frontier to participate in Red Flag-Alaska 07-1 scheduled from April 5 to 21. Red Flag-Alaska, a series of Pacific Air Forces commander-directed field training exercises for U.S. forces, provides

F-16 accident report released

Air Force officials recently completed an investigation of the F-16C Fighting Falcon accident 20 miles northwest of Baghdad Nov. 27, which resulted in the death of the pilot, Maj. Troy Gilbert. The official cause of the accident was Major Gilbert's "channelized attention manifested by his desire to

Afghan President Karzai honors Air Force surgeon

The command surgeon for the Combined Security Transition Command, Col. Donald Thompson received the Ghazi Mir Bacha Khan High Medal recently. The award was presented by Afghan President Hamid Karzai in appreciation of outstanding military and civil services rendered by Colonel Thompson. Within the

Officers go to bomb-building how-to course

Munitions specialists for the 48th Fighter Wing put senior leaders through eight hours of training in a munitions accountability course. The one-day course is designed after an Air Force senior NCO munitions course at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., that takes senior NCOs through the steps of an

French help fuel Operation Enduring Freedom

In pursuing the war on terrorism, the United States fights side-by-side with its coalition partners. One of the fundamental missions here at the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing is the aerial refueling mission accomplished by the 22nd Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron in support of Operation Enduring

Airmen tackle increased operations tempo

Airmen from the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing continue to maintain increased operations, both in the air and on the ground, in support of ground forces in Afghanistan and Iraq. This week, bombers assigned to the 379th AEW saw an increase in combat sorties on the Combined Forces Air Component

Mountain Home earns DOD award

Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, was among the winners of the 2007 Commander in Chief's Annual Award for Installation Excellence announced by Secretary of Defense Gates March 30.Other winners included the U.S. Army Garrison, Camp Zama, Japan; Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine

Nondestructive testing keeps Bagram aircraft flying

They endure wide swings in temperature and dusty conditions, and they are constantly pushed to their limits. They are the F-15E Strike Eagles stationed here. But they are machines--expensive machines that require teams of experts to keep them in top running condition. One of those teams is the

Air Force has HART for its war wounded

As Airmen continue to serve on the front lines of Iraq and Afghanistan, the Air Force continues to serve its wounded warriors and their families, even after their combat duty. This service comes from the Palace HART program, or Helping Airmen Recover Together. "The Air Force will provide the same

GAO clears way to move forward on CSAR-X

The Government Accounting Office informed Air Force officials March 30 that all other protest issues surrounding the CSAR-X contract award have been denied. In a March 29 decision, the GAO denied all of the additional arguments raised by Sikorsky and Lockheed Martin Systems Integration, "finding

Leaders discuss Air Force priorities

Representatives from Air Force major commands discussed Air Force initiatives, systems and operational issues that tie into the top three Air Force priorities during a press conference March 26 here. Fighting and winning the war on terrorism, developing and caring for Airmen, and recapitalizing and

'Mod Squad' modernizes Moody's Pave Hawks

Installing a major modification on an aircraft usually means it has to leave the base and head to where the experts are, unless you can bring those experts to the aircraft. Some modifications are jobs for the "Mod Squad;" a four-man team of specialists whose mission is to plumb deep inside an

Congress honors Tuskegee Airmen

Before a U.S. aircraft broke the sound barrier, the Tuskegee Airmen overcame a daunting social hurdle: breaking the Air Force's color barrier. In the Capitol Rotunda March 29, President Bush and Congress awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to the Tuskegee Airmen, more than 60 years after the 332nd

Nellis officials host threat analysis working group

Officials from the 57th Information Aggressor Squadron hosted the first-ever Information Operations Threat Analysis Working Group at the Threat Training Facility at Nellis March 27 to 29. This event brought together experts from 31 U.S. intelligence, research and development, and operational

GPS-driven dropsondes improve airdrop accuracy

An emerging technology is making airdrops around the world more accurate. Called dropsondes, they not only improve aircrew capabilities, they also keep troops safe downrange. "A dropsonde is merely a meteorological device that we use to collect weather information from the altitude of the plane to

C-130 airdrops provide critical supplies to U.S. forces

Improved Container Delivery System bundles fall from the cargo compartments of C-130 Hercules aircraft on a frequent basis here. The ICDS airdrops support the ground forces on the front lines at forward operating bases throughout Afghanistan. "Some of the ground forces are in close combat," said

CSAF's Scope highlights warfighting ethos

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 is the Airmen's warfighting ethos. "At our core, we are disciplined, agile, combat-focused and expeditionary," General Moseley said.

Lajes Airmen tested on readiness capabilities

Airmen here perform one of today's most vital missions -- directly supporting servicemembers going to and from deployed locations fighting the war on terrorism around the world. Their readiness was put to the test in mid March during the base's Operation Readiness Inspection, which tests the mission

USAFE officials forge relations with Russian air force

Twenty years ago the idea of Russian and U.S. Air Force leaders flying together and exchanging ideas was almost implausible. That implausibility is now a reality -- one focused on cooperation and bilateral relations. Top Russian air force leaders visited U.S. Air Forces in Europe March 20 to 23 to

Whiteman Reserve unit teams up with Spangdahlem pilots

The Reserve's 442nd Fighter Wing is once again partnering with the 81st Fighter Squadron from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany.Twenty pilots from the 81st FS, part of the 52nd FW, started flying with the 442nd FW at Whiteman AFB in February and will continue through the beginning of May.  "It's a

Iraqi air force takes flight with help from U.S. Airmen

The Iraqi air force is taking off once again with the help of U.S. Air Force Airmen who serve with the Coalition Air Force Transition Team in Iraq. The U.S. Air Force's contribution to enabling the Iraqi air force to build and sustain itself is focused through the CAFTT, composed of four Air Force

Air Force officials seek UAV enterprise interdependence

Army Brig. Gen. Stephen Mundt, director of Army aviation in the office of the deputy chief of staff for operations, recently disparaged the Air Force chief of staff's efforts to optimize our nations intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities and enhance the joint, effective and

Air Force leaders gather for Four Star Conference

Air Force senior leaders gathered here March 23 for the Four Star Conference to discuss the service's top challenges, opportunities and priorities.Topics ranged across a diverse set of issues, from how the Air Force develops and sustains warfighting systems to how moving targets are attacked,

Stand-up of training group marks international homecoming

With an international audience standing watch, Col. Michael Cosby accepted the flag of command for the reactivated 363rd Training Group at an air base in the Persian Gulf region March 26. Though officially listed as an activation, officiating officer, Lt. Gen. Gary North, U.S. Central Command Air

AFSO 21 money-saving initiative increases capabilities

A cross-squadron team of Airmen from the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing have succeeded in another Air Force Smart Operations 21 initiative that will continue to increase combat capability for the wing, and save money which can be diverted into Air Force recapitalization priorities. An initiative was

Air Force plans to develop revolutionary engine

Air Force Research Laboratory engineers have outlined a five-year timeline for a new, adaptive engine that will enable pilots to switch from high speed combat maneuvers to long-range persistence mode as effortlessly as a bird in flight. AFRL's Propulsion Directorate recently issued a Broad Agency

Air Force Week ends with show of force

Air Force Week ended here March 25 when the second day of  "The Show of Force '07 - From Heritage to Horizons Air Show" culminated. Aerial demonstrations consisted of more than 17 performers each day of the two-day event, but before they got off the ground, Brig. Gen. Noel "Tom" Jones, commander of

Airmen sharpen self aid, buddy care skills

Self aid and buddy care is an Air Force requirement that begins in basic training. The class covers basic first aid and expands to more advanced life saving skills. Airmen also learn to use battlefield tools such as the combat action tourniquet, Israeli bandage, and quick clot -- tools that play a

A-10 modifications speed up to support warfighters

The Air Force will soon benefit from an A-10 Thunderbolt II milestone achieved here in March. Personnel from the 571st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron completed a precision engagement modification on an A-10 14 days ahead of schedule.The modification gives the A-10 precision weapons capability through

Old windshields new protection for Kirkuk tower guards

The 506th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron structures department team put their heads together to come up with a better way to protect the Airmen who guard the base. By placing 3-inch thick, 260-pound safety glass with a titanium frame in the windows of the newly designed guard towers, the

340th EARS keeps aircraft in fight 24/7

Despite the age of the KC-135 Stratotanker, one of the Air Force's top recapitalization priorities,  the role of the Airmen in the 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron to refuel coalition aircraft has proven critical to the U.S. Central Command mission. As enablers, the refuelers make every

Air Force legend Col. Chase Nielsen passes away

Retired Lt. Col. Chase J. Nielsen, one of the famed "Tokyo Doolittle Raiders" who helped boost American morale in the early days of World War II with a surprise air attack on Japan and spent a lifetime as an advocate for American airpower, died March 23 at his home in Brigham City, Utah. Born Jan.

NORAD, USNORTHCOM welcome new commander

Air Force Gen. Victor E. Renuart Jr. became the 20th commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command and the third commander of U.S. Northern Command in a change-of-command ceremony here March 23. Defending the homeland and providing defense support of civil authorities are top priorities for

In-lieu-of Airmen excel in Iraqi provincial reconstruction

More than ever before, Airmen are serving combat deployments traditionally filled by the Army and Marine Corps. Because of sister-service personnel shortages, Airmen are serving in-lieu-of, or ILO, the Soldiers and Marines who would normally execute these combat missions. In Iraq alone, nearly 1,700

Airmen visit Australian primary school

At a primary school about 15 kilometers from this year's Australian International Air Show, a group of Airmen introduced themselves and the U.S. Air Force to local students curious about the airplanes they had seen flying overhead the last few days.During the school visit March 22, the group also

SERE instructors attend Army combat lifesaver course

A handful of survival, evasion, resistance and escape instructors were given the opportunity to attend a combat lifesaver course March 19-21at the Army National Guard classroom here. The SERE instructors were invited to attend the course in return for previously giving members of the 396th Combat

Stepping up foreign language, cultural awareness for Airmen

Air Force officials are broadening their vision of the expeditionary Airman. Armed with a wide range of combat skills, serving multiple deployments in wartime theaters, this leaner, more agile Airman must now learn to navigate the global cultural landscape. "Our Air Force needs Airmen who can

AFSO21 team exchanges Lean practices with industry officials

Air Force officials, looking to industry Lean experts for best practices and lessons learned to apply to Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century, got a first-hand look at Lean in action during a recent three-day industry exchange here. The team of 30 Air Force leaders visited Boeing

Air Force fosters "warrior ethos" in all Airmen

Whether it's the recent changes to basic military training, continual preparation for deployments, engaging in combat or new and better uniforms, Air Force leaders are instilling a warrior mindset in Airmen. That warrior ethos -- the foundation of what it means to be an Airman -- traces its roots to

New GPS-guided airdrops aid aircrew accuracy

Mobility aircrews now have a new tool which uses Global Positioning System, or GPS, to help them deliver cargo more accurately and safely in deployed theaters of operation. The Joint Precision Airdrop System, or JPADS, allows airdrops to be conducted from higher altitudes with improved accuracy,

AFSO 21 officials offer 'Views You Can Use'

The Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century office created a new product to keep Airmen informed about AFSO 21. The new "Views You Can Use" is a monthly informational product AFSO 21 officials hope will spotlight useful AFSO21 concepts and successes stories. "Our job as America's Airmen is

CSAF's Scope highlights AOR trip

The CSAF's Scope focuses on current topics the general feels are of special importance to today's Airmen. Among Gen. T. Michael Moseley's top issues was his February trip to the Central Command area of responsibility. "All around the world our Airmen are engaged across the spectrum of conflict, from

Air power purchasing process continues to improve

Air Combat Command's award-winning acceptance team in Marietta, Ga., is setting the precedent on how the Air Force accepts airplanes. Working alongside the manufacturer, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, during production of the F-22A Raptor, ACC's Raptor Acceptance Team is a geographically

Airmen, Soldier nutrition specialists work, train together

Army nutrition specialists from the 396th Combat Support Hospital Army at Fort Vancouver, Wash., had the opportunity to join Airmen here this month to share food service tricks of the trade. The Soldiers from the 396th CSH specialize in medical patients' and Soldiers' diets. They worked at the Ross

Oldest GPS satellite being prepared for disposal

The oldest operational satellite in the GPS constellation has broadcast its signal for more than 16 years, during which time that signal's mission applications -- and the people who make sure the signal is available -- have changed dramatically. When Satellite Vehicle Number 15 launched Oct. 1,

Balad air traffic controllers maintain safer skies for Iraq

With 5,000 air operations per week within a five-nautical-mile radius from surface level to 3,000 feet, the airfield here is the busiest in the Department of Defense. In fact, the runways at Balad Air Base are part of the world's busiest combat operation. At this pace, the 22 Airmen assigned as air

Airmen train to help Iraqi air force rebuild

Air Force instructors at the Army's Camp Bullis are training Iraq-centric and basic warfighting skills to students from a host of different career fields. The focus of this training is to teach students a unique blend of training techniques so they can help the Iraqi air force rebuild their

Five Ramstein Airmen earn Army combat badge

Five Airmen from the 435th Vehicle Readiness Squadron at Ramstein Air Base, Germany received Army Combat Action Badges, for their deployment to Iraq last year in support of the Army. During their time in Iraq all five Airmen were actively engaged in combat. The vehicle operators were deployed to

Airman's Roll Call focuses on NCO conference

Addressing the concerns of Airmen by the Air Force's top leaders during an NCO conference with is the subject of this week's Airman's Roll Call. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley met with 50 NCOs at Bolling Air Force Base,

Airmen learn new perspectives from leadership

Air Force leaders invited more than 50 junior and senior NCOs to the nation's capital March 12 to 13 to discuss Air Force triumphs and challenges with senior leaders. Participants ranged from staff sergeants to chief master sergeants in a variety of career fields and from a variety of locations. The

AMC, 463rd Airlift Group welcome first C-130J

Gen. Duncan McNabb, Air Mobility Command commander, delivered the 463rd Airlift Group' s first combat-ready C-130J Hercules March 13. The aircraft will be used in combat operations around the world. "This is a big day for Little Rock and it is a big day for Air Mobility Command. I'm really excited

Emergency airdrop sustains combat ops in Afghanistan

When coalition ground forces fighting Taliban extremists in southern Afghanistan needed fuel in a hurry March 12, coalition air power answered the call, filling the 9,000-pound full airdrop order in less than eight hours. The 1st Battalion of the 508th Parachute Infantry Division was engaged in

First MQ-9 Reaper makes its home on Nevada flightline

The MQ-1 Predator Unmanned Aerial Vehicle's  younger, yet larger and stronger, brother, the MQ-9 Reaper arrived March 13 at its new home at Creech Air Force Base, Nev. The remotely piloted aircraft completed initial testing in California, then flew more than 250 miles in two hours to land here. The

General discusses options for growing USAFE mission

As the Air Force evolves to meet and defeat future challenges, the Airmen of U.S. Air Forces in Europe are also expanding their mission toward the future. During a visit to Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., Gen. William T. Hobbins discussed expanding operations in Africa and new NATO countries. "The

What's on the Chief's Scope?

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley launched a new Web feature March 14 to tell Airmen what is of special interest to him. Known as "The Chief's Scope," it is designed to briefly highlight current topics General Moseley feels are important to America's Airmen. "The issues on my scope

Virtual Flag exercise hosted at Pentagon

The Air Force's C4ISR Visualization Center at the Pentagon, along with the 705th Combat Training Squadron from Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., hosted a simulation exercise March 7 to help joint tactical air controllers experience the challenges of calling in air strikes to enemy targets

Air Guard crew flies mission to save Soldier's life

They flew at night and into the next day from Iraq nonstop to the United States. Fifteen hours and 10 time zones later, they handed over their precious cargo in Maryland: a Soldier who had been wounded in combat. Then, to the hum of jet engines, they packed their gear and returned to fly similar