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  • Kandahar Air Wing achieves medical evacuation milestone

    A combined team of Afghan air force and coalition members conducted the first dedicated Mi-17 medical evacuation mission April 11 here. The team moved an Afghan National Army officer, who incurred a compound leg fracture, from Camp Bastion back to Kandahar.The planning for the inaugural mission

  • Security forces train Iraqi air force security forces

    Members of the 447th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron spent several weeks in March and April training 12 Iraqi security forces airmen from New Al Muthana Air Base on force protection techniques. Fourteen security forces members trained the Iraqis on procedures and techniques used every day by

  • First lady, Dr. Biden urge support of military families

    First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, the wife of Vice President Joe Biden, launched an "unprecedented" national initiative April 12 that calls on all sectors of society to join forces to support and honor service members and their families. Flanked by their husbands, the first and second

  • Cyber 1.1 kicks off National Space Symposium

    Air Force Space Command Airmen kicked off the weeklong National Space Symposium April 11 here with a day devoted entirely to cyber discussion, the second annual Cyber 1.1 event.Gen. William Shelton, the AFSPC commander, recognized the event as a chance to think about where the Air Force is going in

  • Changed South Korea duty tours aid readiness

    Normalizing U.S. military duty tours in South Korea will increase combat readiness and greatly reduce stress for service members and their families, the top U.S. military commander in the region told the Senate Armed Services Committee here April 12."A force multiplier, tour normalization keeps

  • Stavridis: National Guard State Partnership Program resources well-spent

    The National Guard's State Partnership Program is a good return on investment, the commander of U.S. European Command and Supreme Allied Commander in Europe said here last month.During testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee on March 29 on the topic of the Fiscal Year 2012 European

  • Army has new chief of staff

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates wanted an Army chief of staff willing to challenge the status quo, and he believes he has one in Gen. Martin E. Dempsey.General Dempsey succeeded Gen. George W. Casey Jr. as the Army chief of staff during a ceremony at Fort Myer, Va., April 11."Whatever challenges

  • Initial cyber INWT class graduates

    Sixteen Airmen graduated from the first Intermediate Network Warfare Training class here March 31.Members of the 39th Information Operations Squadron developed the nine-week course to serve as initial-qualification training for cyber defense operators. The Airmen created the course in six months,

  • North to south: U.S. defenders train Iraqi partners

    More than a dozen Iraqi air force security forces students took a step closer toward autonomous base security after graduating from a training course taught by Iraq Training and Advisory Mission-Air advisers April 7. The two-week course aimed to prepare the initial cadre of Iraqi airmen planning to

  • DOD officials detail closure effects, plans

    While still hoping to be spared a shutdown, Defense Department officials are making plans should the government close over the fiscal 2011 budget impasse, a senior Pentagon official said here April 8."We are a country of laws, and if we go through a government shutdown, we will follow the laws," the

  • Scott AFB to become 'one stop C-21 shop'

    The 458th Airlift Squadron here will become the Air Force's sole C-21 formal training unit within the next four months. The squadron will regain the C-21 training mission from the 45th Airlift Squadron at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss.The 45th AS will dissolve as a unit underneath Air Education &

  • Cadets conduct tribal engagement exercise

    Rolling into a simulated Afghan village April 2 at Fort Carson, Colo., Air Force Academy cadets arrived by Humvee to accomplish their mission of engaging the local population. Cadets enrolled in the Behavioral Sciences 460, Sociology of Violence and War class spent the first part of the semester

  • Deputy defense secretary releases shutdown guidance

    The Defense Department is hopeful that a government shutdown will be averted, but is releasing guidance to help plan for an orderly process if a shutdown becomes necessary, Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III said in a memo issued April 7."The president and the (Defense) Secretary (Robert

  • Air Force announces MC-12 basing decision

    The Department of the Air Force recently announced it will base the MC-12W Liberty aircraft here. The announcement comes following the completion of an environmental assessment that concluded with a finding of no significant impact, clearing the way for the final decision. The first MC-12W aircraft

  • Army drill sergeant pushes BMT flight

    When Army Staff Sgt. David Peters marched Air Force Basic Military Training Flight 258 past reviewing officials during a parade here April 8, it completed one half of a basic training instructor exchange between services.The drill sergeant-military training instructor exchange has given the Air

  • Two units redesignate to test, integrate air, space, cyber C2 domains

    To effectively test and integrate operational air, space and cyber command and control, or C2, domains, two units redesignated as test organizations here April 5.The 505th Operations Group and 505th Operations Squadron became the 505th Test and Evaluation Group and 505th Test Squadron. The units are

  • Officials discuss DOD's government shutdown plans

    Military personnel will report to duty as normal if the U.S. government shuts down midnight, April 8, Pentagon officials said April 7. The department has identified tasks that must continue if or when a government shutdown occurs, said Pentagon spokesman Marine Col. Dave Lapan. "Who is affected

  • Deputy SecDef's message to DOD workforce on potential government shutdown

    "The department remains hopeful that a government shutdown will be averted. The president has made it clear that he does not want a government shutdown, and the administration is working to find a solution with which all sides can agree. However, prudent management requires that we plan for an

  • Safety Investigation Board convenes for A-10 crash

    A Safety Investigation Board tasked with investigating the A-10 Thunderbolt II crash that occurred April 1 in a field outside Laufeld, Germany, a town north of Wittlich convened here April 5. The team, led by Col. Michael Winters, the 100th Air Refueling Wing vice commander and SIB president, will

  • Iraqi, American firefighters team up for joint exercise

    A dozen Iraqi Air Force and U.S.-contracted firefighters conducted a joint coordination exercise for a simulated C-130 Hercules crash here April 3. The exercise, led by the U.S. Air Force's base transition team, marked the initial steps in preparing Iraqi partners for increasing responsibilities as

  • T-38 arrives to supplement F-22 training

    Following a successful test run in March 2010 and approval by Air Combat Command officials, the first of several T-38 Talons from Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., arrived here April 1 for the beginning of the 1st Operations Group's T-38 Adversary Air Program.Col. Matt Molloy, the 1st Fighter Wing's

  • Air Force leaders discuss future of Airmen in joint operations across Iraq

    Air force leaders from the U.S., Iraq and other locations across Southwest Asia gathered on Victory Base Complex, Iraq, recently.During the conference, leaders reviewed the future manpower support of U.S. forces by joint expeditionary tasking and individual augmentee Airmen as Operation New Dawn

  • Symposium sets standards for efficient, total force training

    Air Force officials recently concluded the annual Environment, Safety and Occupational Health Training Symposium in Nashville, Tenn., where more than 1,200 active duty, Guard and Reserve Airmen met for intensive training. By gathering in a single venue, and maintaining a busy class schedule

  • Critical self-assessment puts Global Strike Command on the right path

    With the Air Force conducting operations on multiple fronts across the globe and facing shrinking resources, Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen are focusing on finding smarter ways to accomplish the mission."(The Analyses, Assessments and Lessons Learned Directorate) is the entity that is aimed

  • MC-130J rollout accelerates AFSOC recapitalization

    Air Force Special Operations Command officials welcomed the latest variant of the MC-130 at a rollout ceremony held at Lockheed Martin's Marietta, Ga., factory recently.The rollout accelerates AFSOC commander Lt. Gen. Donald C. Wurster's priority to recapitalize the fleet by acquiring MC-130J Combat

  • General discusses Reserve efficiencies, budget on Capitol Hill

    As Congress continues to debate and find ways to fund the fiscal 2011 budget, Reserve leaders were on Capitol Hill to testify and answer questions about the president's fiscal 2012 budget that was introduced in February.The House Armed Services Committee's subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land

  • Qatari air force officers visit Shaw

    Six Qatar Emiri air force officers visited here March 28 to tour the base and witness how the installation performs its various missions.The Qatar air force is undergoing a transition from operating out of an airport to operating at another base in their country that will host several different

  • VA budget request signals commitment to vets

    President Barack Obama's $132 billion 2012 budget request for the Veterans Affairs Department demonstrates that despite a tight fiscal environment, the U.S. officials stand by their commitment to men and women who have served in uniform, Deputy VA Secretary W. Scott Gould told American Forces Press

  • Airmen contribute to training, operational missions in Italy

    Eleven Airmen from here traveled to Italy aboard a C-17 Globemaster III recently to help three U.S. and Italian army and air force units fulfill airborne training. During their week-long stint, they executed 1,480 paratrooper jumps. "We do joint airborne air transportability training, a way for the

  • Japanese minister thanks U.S. service members

    Japanese Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa April boarded the USS Ronald Reagan to thank U.S. service members for their help since an earthquake and the tsunami it caused struck Japan on March 11.The work of U.S. service members and other Americans is a testament to the half century of tomodachi --

  • Fairchild AFB Airmen support Odyssey Dawn at different operating locations

    Airmen from the 92nd and 141st Air Refueling Wings have recently stood alert for missions supporting Japan, sent KC-135s forward to support Operation Odyssey Dawn, and continue to be the lead wing supporting the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan."And we're doing this from three different

  • Air Force debuts pilot enlisted developmental team

    The Air Force's top enlisted leader addressed the service's first pilot enlisted development team March 31 for senior noncommissioned officers in the nuclear weapons career field. Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy met with Air Force Personnel Center assignments representatives and EDT

  • NATO troops deliver supplies to Afghan refugee camp

    Several troops from NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan, in conjunction with members of Sozo International, a non-governmental organization, delivered supplies to a refugee camp here March 31 as part of a volunteer community relations program.The supplies included beans, rice, sugar, blankets, cooking

  • CMSAF highlights Airman resiliency during hearing

    The Air Force's top enlisted Airman testified before the House Subcommittee for Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies here March 30, about quality of life in the military.Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy, alongside his sister-service counterparts, spoke about

  • 8th ASOS hosts first joint coalition jump week

    Airmen from the 8th Air Support Operations Squadron hosted the U.S. Army 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team and Italian Army paratroopers during a joint coalition training exercise here March 21 through 25.More than 1,400 Italian and American soldiers came from the U.S. Army Garrison in Vicenza,

  • UPDATE: Spangdahlem A-10 crashes

    An Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II crashed about 3:57 p.m. local time April 1 north of the city of Wittlich, Germany. The aircraft was from Spangdahlem Air Base. At the time of the accident, it was on a routine local training mission. The pilot is at a local hospital and is reported to be in good

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

    In this edition of "Today's Air Force," Airmen continue to provide support for Operation Odyssey Dawn in the Middle East. Plus, you'll see how Airmen learn to survive a crash landing in stormy seas.  And, join Airmen as they venture off base for a little rest and relaxation.The 30-minute, weekly

  • Air Force officials present budget to appropriations committees

    Air Force leaders discussed the service's fiscal 2012 budget request and their concerns about operating under a continuing resolution with members of the Senate and House Appropriations Committees during hearings here March 30 and 31.In the March 30 hearing before the Senate Appropriations

  • Top enlisted leaders share views with Congress

    Improving housing and child care, giving better access to health care and education, and intervening earlier in high-risk behavior are areas the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps are focused on to maintain a high quality of life for service members and their families, the services' most-senior

  • U.S., Iraqi air force officials discuss T-6's future in Iraq

    Iraq air force officials took a step closer to self-sustainment after hosting their first T-6 Texan trainer aircraft program management review at New Al Muthana Air Base just days before a historic instructor pilot flight. The conference held March 17 brought together more than 30 representatives

  • Classes aim to spark interest in science, technology

    From robotics engineering to gaming technology, Defense Department school officials are hoping their new, cutting-edge courses will spark a lifelong passion for science and technology in their students.Under a new science, technology, engineering and math initiative, Department of Defense Education

  • Budget slows defense growth, comptroller says

    Cost savings reflected in the fiscal 2012 Defense Department budget do not represent a cut from current funding levels, but rather a slower rate of growth than has been seen in recent years, the Pentagon's comptroller and chief financial officer told a Senate committee here March 29.Defense

  • Realignments add to busy summer moving season

    With a busier-than-usual military moving season about to kick into high gear, officials are asking service members to book their moving dates early and keep flexibility in mind when doing so.The military moved more than 230,000 shipments last summer alone, and this year officials are expecting an

  • VA officials work to break disability claims backlog

    Former Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Tyrone Allen is part of a growing legion within the Veterans Affairs Department striving to make good on VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki's pledge to "break the back of the claims backlog."Allen understands firsthand the frustrations many veterans feel as they wait

  • Disabled vets discover 'miracle on mountain'

    Sheila James threw her arms up in joy, flashing a smile that stretched from ear to ear as she celebrated a personal victory during the 25th National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic here March 29.A motor vehicle rollover in 2009 turned the former senior airman's life upside-down, landing her

  • Clinton urges aid to Libya, pressure on Gadhafi

    The international community must work toward three goals in Libya, America's senior diplomat said March 29: delivering humanitarian assistance, pressuring and isolating Moammar Gadhafi's regime, and supporting Libyans' efforts for political change.Speaking in London, at the International Conference

  • Officers share cross-flow experiences, skills

    Cross-flowing into one career field from another isn't a new concept for Airmen. Most officers, at one time or another throughout their career, have served in a position or job outside of their original or primary Air Force Specialty Code. Take, for example, Lt. Col. Ginger Wallace, a former

  • Training for repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell ongoing for Airmen

    Air Force officials began training Airmen March 1 in anticipation of the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell with a goal of having all Airmen trained on or about June 30.Commanders throughout the Air Force will schedule commander's calls or other such events to ensure face-to-face training is available

  • Altus C-17s take training to Fort Sill

    Airmen are transforming the fort into a busy airfield with frequent evening arrivals and departures as C-17 Globemaster III aircrews from Altus Air Force Base, Okla., are training here.Maj. Michele Lobianco, the 97th Operations Support Squadron assistant director of operations, said the runway at

  • Total-force team supports Operation Tomodachi

    While supporting combat operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan, a total integrated force of active, Guard and Reserve Airmen are supporting humanitarian relief efforts in Japan following the earthquake and subsequent tsunami that ravaged parts of Japan March 11.Air Force officials are increasingly

  • AAF officials graduate first weapons safety NCO

    The Afghan air force recently saw an improvement in its safety program with the graduation of the first weapon safety airman in the entire force.AAF Sgt. Yosufzai Hamayattullah completed the two-month basic explosives hazards course on a AAF base here, establishing with him the foundation of a

  • Disabled veterans sports clinic opens in Colorado

    Deputy Veterans Affairs Secretary W. Scott Gould called on more than 350 disabled veterans March 27 to strive for new heights as they participate here this week in the 25th National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic.Speaking during opening ceremonies alongside Vice President Joe Biden and

  • Air Force offers additional undergraduate flying training board opportunity

    Air Force leaders expanded an opportunity for active duty junior and mid-grade officers to cross-flow into one of many rated AFSCs with the announcement of an additional undergraduate flying training board. The board is scheduled to be held in July at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. Greater

  • 2011 Environment, Safety, Occupational Health Symposium wraps up

    The 2011 Environmental, Safety and Occupational Health Symposium at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel here wrapped up after five days of training sessions.  The symposium ran from March 21 through 25.Airmen from all Air Force commands attended sessions on topics ranging from environmental chemistry to risk

  • Air National Guard supports coalition operations over Libya

    The Air National Guard is contributing to Operation Odyssey Dawn with Airmen from 11 air refueling wings supporting the international coalition enforcement of a United Nations authorized no-fly zone, National Guard officials said March 22 here.Aircraft and crews from Alaska, Arizona, Illinois, Iowa,

  • First Iraqi air force instructor pilot begins training students

    The first Iraqi air force instructor pilot to be certified since American forces ousted Saddam Hussein took a major step forward for the Iraqi air force March 19 here. Lt. Col. Hussein Hamid, Iraqi air force Squadron 203 commander, flew a training mission with an Iraqi student pilot in a T-6 Texan,

  • U.S., British forces test contingency operations during Desert Eagle 2011

    For 54 hours straight, more than 250 U.S. and British airmen worked in unison here March 14 through 16, against a series of simulated hostile threats.Through suicide bombers and insurgent attacks, members shared tactics, techniques and procedures to repel enemy forces.Though these simulated events

  • Air Force leaders issue sexual assault prevention, response message

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy issued the following message to the men and women of the United States Air Force:We must commit to eliminating sexual assault from our Air Force.Air Force leaders

  • AFCESA wins SAME's 2010 Public Agency Award

    The Society of American Military Engineers has recognized the Air Force Civil Engineer Support Agency and AFCESA's Master Sgt. Edward Quinn, for their outstanding service and contributions to the Society and the community. A member of the SAME Panama City Post since December 2002 and an integral

  • New Security+ certification course offered at Keesler AFB

    A new course to provide Security+ certification to cyberspace support Airmen prior to air expeditionary force deployments began March 21 here.The course is currently programmed to train 1,297 students annually in Keesler AFB's 336th Training Squadron.Last December, during a training advisory meeting

  • The value of $1

    Having insurance is always good and not spending a lot on the coverage is even better. So, getting $100,000 in traumatic injury life insurance coverage for $1 is great.The Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance Traumatic Injury Protection program rider provides for payment to service members who are

  • Carpathian Spring comes to a close

    After a week of training for more than 70 Airmen and Soldiers and their Romanian counterparts, Carpathian Spring officially came to a close March 18 in Romania.Members of the 37th Airlift Squadron, the 435th Contingency Response Group, the 86th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, the 86th Aeromedical

  • Medical group decontamination team freshens up skills

    The set-up outside of the 95th Medical Clinic here March 17 looked like a scene from a disaster movie. Medics dressed in plastic suits worked to decontaminate patients while acting as a barrier between the infected and the clean.Fortunately, the scene outside of the medical clinic was simulated. The

  • Tax laws benefit service members, families

    Service members and their families have a few tax advantages at their disposal, as well as a few extra days in which to complete their taxes this year, a Defense Department tax expert said.Due to Emancipation Day, a holiday recognized by the District of Columbia, government officials have pushed the

  • Air Force officials continue to consolidate personnel processes, actions

    Air Force personnel officials here will be assuming some personnel actions from Air Education and Training Command bases over the next four months to help reduce workloads on base military personnel sections.Master Sgt. Joseph Smith, the Air Force Personnel Center's sustainment superintendent, said

  • Romanian air force officers visit local Alabama Guard unit

    Five officers from the Romanian air force visited the Alabama National Guard's 187th Fighter Wing here recently. Over their five-day visit, the Romanian officers received a broad overview of F-16 Fighting Falcon operations and sustainment programs.Romanian air force leaders are considering plans to

  • Advisers aid weapons delivery to Iraqi partners

    Iraqi and U.S. weapons crews and pilots completed a $250,000 weapons-delivery mission from Sather Air Base, Iraq to here March 14.A half dozen Airmen assigned to the 721st Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron here accompanied their Iraqi army aviation command partners to accept delivery of nearly

  • U.S., Thai airmen donate supplies to school children

    Service members presented more than $1,300 in supplies to help students at a community outreach event here March 18, during Cope Tiger, a multilateral joint and combined field training exercise.The school staff welcomed U.S. and Royal Thai Air Force airmen with a donation ceremony to express their

  • NATO, USAFE officials host international flight surgeons

    NATO Allied Air Component Command and U.S. Air Forces in Europe officials hosted more than 200 international military medical personnel here March 14 through 18 during the 2011 European Flight Surgeons Conference and NATO Research and Technology Organization Short Course.Flight surgeons, public

  • Bioenvironmental techs test for toxins near Tokyo

    Among the typical crews for disaster relief in mainland Japan is an atypical crew. Amid concerns for the environment, two Airman from the 18th Aerospace Medicine Squadron's Bioenvironmental Engineering Flight has responded to the disasters there. While other crews from here perform search-and-rescue

  • Lithuanian armed forces members observe Ramstein Silver Flag course

    Eight members of the Lithuanian armed forces traveled here to observe a Silver Flag training course here March 9 through 16.Silver Flag is a seven-day training exercise where Airmen practice their contingency skill sets, to include setting up and maintaining a bare base, conducting post-attack

  • Marine squadron's F-16 flights "a milestone" toward JSF

    Marine aviators of Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 completed four sorties this week in F-16 Fighting Falcons, beginning a familiarization process to ensure readiness and efficiency in the transition to the Department of Defense's fifth-generation fighter, the F-35B Lightning II."It's a

  • Annual Air Force symposium embraces critical training environment

    Air Force officials launched their annual Environmental, Safety and Occupational Health Training Symposium here March 21, hosting more than 1,800 participants and 120 exhibitors.Assistant Secretary of the Air Force Terry Yonkers, Air Force Civil Engineer Maj. Gen. Tim Byers and Brig. Gen. Dave Howe,

  • McCain: National Guard one reason homeland defense succeeds

    The reserve components, including the National Guard, are one reason we have succeeded in defending our nation and not had another attack on American soil since 9/11, Arizona Sen. John McCain said March 17.Senator McCain was here to receive the Reserve Forces Policy Board's 2011 Citizen Patriot

  • CMSAF Roy visits sunny Soto Cano Air Base

    It was 25 degrees at Joint Base Andrews, Md., when Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy boarded a plane and headed to Honduras where when he joined Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines at sunny Soto Cano Air Base Jan. 30 and 31.The visit was packed with tours and meet-and-greets, but the

  • Special ops Airmen deploy additional humanitarian support

    An additional 15 Airmen from the 353rd Special Operations Group departed here March 14 with support equipment and relief supplies on a MC-130H Combat Talon II to support humanitarian relief operations being staged out of Yokota Air Base, Japan. The Airmen are highly-trained medical, communication

  • T-38 completes 50 years of service

    Officials commemorated the T-38 Talon supersonic jet trainer's 50th service anniversary in a ceremony here March 17.The T-38 was first deployed in March 1961, and has served as a training vehicle for multiple generations of pilots and pilot instructors throughout its five decades of service.Col.

  • Air Force officials present budget to Senate

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz discussed the Air Force fiscal-2012 budget request and recent developments in Japan and Libya during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing here March 17. The Air Force's baseline budget request of $150

  • Air Force officials take space budget, acquisition strategy to Capitol Hill

    Air Force senior leaders testified about the service's fiscal 2012 budget and space capabilities investments before the House Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee here March 15. Under Secretary of the Air Force Erin Conaton; Gen. William Shelton, the Air Force Space Command commander;

  • Airmen at Misawa Air Base handle heavy airlift traffic

    Since the beginning of Operation Tomodachi, the aircraft ramps here have been a hive of activity, receiving and launching cargo planes full of relief supplies and aid workers.As of March 16, Airmen here have serviced aircraft including Air Force C-17 Globemaster IIIs, Boeing 767s and Navy C-2

  • McConnell AFB officials focus on suicide prevention

    As deployment rates continue to climb and operations tempo increases, Airmen must maintain their mental health, the Air Force's top enlisted Airman has said."We provide our Airmen the best equipment in the entire world, without a doubt, but ... the Airmen who operate it, ... the Airmen (who)

  • High-altitude chamber replaced by new mask for Iraqi air force

    A team of aerospace physiologists from several Air Force installations are here to help the Iraqi air force install and train with its newest piece of training equipment. The team held a demonstration March 14 to showcase how the device will assist in training, as well as save time and money in the

  • Special-ops Airmen open strategic runways for relief operations

    Airmen and aircraft from the 353rd Special Operations Group assisted Japanese officials in opening two key runways to support relief operations in northern Japan March 16.Facilities and airfields at Matsushima Air Base and Sendai Airport were damaged by the 8.9-magnitude earthquake and resulting

  • NTM-A troops participate in reading program in Kabul school

    Several NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan members visited a local school March 15 here to read to school children as part of an outreach program."This program is good for the children," said Army Capt. David Zielinski, NTM-A Afghan media outreach branch chief. "It gives them the opportunity to

  • Cultural exchange strengthens U.S., Thailand, Singpore relations

    Airmen from the U.S., Thailand and Singapore participated in a cultural exchange event March 14, at Ang Huay Yang School in Korat, Thailand, as part of Cope Tiger 2011, a multilateral joint and combined field training exercise.Each year, exercise Cope Tiger's community outreach programs enable

  • Air advisory firefighters key to AAF future

    Afghan airmen are frequently seen piloting Afghan air force MI-17 helicopters throughout the Herat Province.However, at Shindand Air Base, they've discovered it takes more than pilots to keep their air force moving forward and are learning self-sustaining support skills.Deployed Airmen and their

  • Carpathian Spring kicks off in Romania

    More than 70 Airmen and Soldiers headed to Romania March 14, officially marking the kickoff of Carpathian Spring 2011. The weeklong annual exercise was designed to strengthen the partnership between the U.S. and Romanian air forces, while also enhancing their individual capabilities through training

  • Environment, safety, occupational health symposium set for March

    Approximately 1,200 Airmen are set to convene in Nashville, Tennessee, March 21 through 25 for 4 1/2 days of classroom training at the Air Force's 2011 Environment, Safety and Occupational Health Training Symposium. More than 525 class sessions and 175 technical sessions in the fields of safety,

  • VA launches new PSA on suicide prevention for veterans

    Department of Veterans Affairs officials are reaching out to veterans in crisis and their families in a new public service announcement to raise awareness about suicide prevention resources, such as the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). "As more veterans return from Iraq and

  • Joint training for joint operations

    A joint service and interagency exercise using both "live" and "virtual" forces concluded here recently.Emerald Warrior concentrates on integrated tactics and multi-service command and control, as well as leverages lessons from Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom to provide trained and

  • First flight a success for future Afghan flying crew chiefs

    Four Afghan airmen attached to the Kandahar Air Wing recently flew their first flights as part of the inaugural flying crew chiefs course here.The month-long course pairs U.S. flying crew chiefs and Afghan crew chief trainees and focuses on the operational capability of the MI-17 transport

  • General Schwartz: Taking care of families critical to mission

    The roles and responsibilities that Airman and family readiness professionals perform on a daily basis are critical to the Air Force's ability to help defend the country, the Air Force chief of staff said March 10 here.Gen. Norton Schwartz and his wife Suzie addressed more than 200 Air Force

  • Air transportation Airmen support Japan relief operations

    On March 11, an 8.9-magnitude earthquake struck Japan and a tsunami followed, creating widespread destruction throughout the country. Within a short time, U.S. service members were gearing up to support a response, and air transportation Airmen, also known as aerial porters, were no exception.Aerial

  • Land-based precision approach system program resumes

    The land-based Joint Precision Approach and Landing System is getting back on track after the deputy secretary of defense issued the Resource Management Directive-700 in January that restored full funding to the program.JPALS is a family of systems that will provide precision approach and landing

  • Airmen deploy to support relief operations

    Approximately 100 Airmen and three MC-130P Combat Shadows from the 353rd Special Operations Group deployed to Yokota Air Base March 12 to support humanitarian relief operations after an 8.9 magnitude earthquake hit the Pacific Ocean off the coast of northeastern Japan March 11. The Airmen are