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U.S. Air Force News

  • Air Force officials emphasize individual fitness responsibility

    While Air Force commanders have the responsibility to maintain a unit fitness program, the new fitness Air Force instruction will better emphasize each Airman's responsibility to meet and maintain fitness standards, officials here said Nov. 13.Commanders and supervisors will continue to emphasize

  • Year of the Air Force Family T-shirt design competition under way

    Air Force Services Agency officials are promoting a T-shirt design competition on the recently launched myairforcelife.com, now through Dec. 20, as part of the Year of the Air Force Family."The site will feature programs and competitions that will roll out through the year," said Ms. Debbie Karnes,

  • Federal officials pledge support for hiring veterans

    Senior federal officials here Nov. 12 pledged their support of President Barack Obama's directive to increase the hiring of military veterans. President Obama signed the executive order Nov. 9 that calls on each federal agency to establish a veterans' employment program office designed to help

  • Services Agency officials launch MyAirForceLife.com

    Air Force Services Agency officials have launched a new Web site, MyAirForceLife.com, to help Airmen stay connected, informed and engaged in programs as part of the Year of the Air Force Family."The theme of our campaign is 'The Air Force is a great place to live, work and play,'" said Col. Sandra

  • Airmen fly C-5M into U.S. record books

    An attempted record-setting flight by a C-5M Galaxy that took place Sept. 13 is now in the official record books after being certified Oct. 30 by officials of the U.S. National Aeronautic Association.The Dover Air Force Base, Del., aircrew flying the C-5M, named The Spirit of Normandy, consisted of

  • Latest issue of Airman magazine available

    The latest issue of Airman, now available in print and online, highlights stories about caring for Airmen and their families. The list of feature stories in the November/December issue include:  An Immigrant's Tale The journey of a Sudanese "lost boy'" whose search for stability took him from the

  • Osan Airmen provide force, equipment sustainment

    Members of the Osan Air Base deployment readiness control center is the hub for Airmen, equipment and cargo that deploy in and out of the base during real-world events and exercises.Deployment readiness control center members work closely with each installation's duty officers to ensure day-to-day

  • Homeland Security unveils new job site for veterans

    The Department of Homeland Security has unveiled a new Web site designed to provide a one-stop location for veterans looking for jobs. The site, http://www.dhs.gov/veterans, also serves as a resource for veterans organizations to learn about the department's veteran outreach initiatives. "This new

  • American, British forces join for leadership development

    Airmen from Royal Air Forces Mildenhall and Lakenheath, England, joined their British Royal Air Force counterparts to build cross-service relations and military skills during Leadership, Ethos and Air Power Day at RAF Marham Nov. 9.The program provides 275 hours of activity focused on developing

  • First lady urges vets to join volunteer campaign

    First lady Michelle Obama urged all Americans, including military veterans, to put their skills to use in volunteer service to assist U.S. communities and citizens in need Nov. 11. "One of the greatest privileges that I have as first lady is the chance to meet with veterans and to meet with

  • Airmen decrease base threats with random antiterrorism measures

    All Airmen are responsible for protecting against terrorism, but the 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron Airmen here have it down to a science -- through random antiterrorism measures. The measures are designed to consistently change the look of an installation's force-protection plan, and

  • Policy opens federal job opportunities for qualifying military spouses

    A new executive policy has pushed open the door for qualifying military spouses to enter the federal workforce, enabling them to apply for more jobs advertised on USAJOBS.Executive Order 13473, which went into effect Sept. 11, 2009, identified three groups of qualifying spouses now eligible to apply

  • Executive order seeks more veterans in government

    President Barack Obama signed an executive order Nov. 9 aimed at hiring more veterans to work in the federal government. A governmentwide Council on Veterans' Employment will be chaired by Labor Secretary Hilda Solis and Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki. The order calls on each federal

  • C-130 arrival in Poland marks end, new beginning

    Ramstein Air Base Airmen delivered the base's last E-model C-130 Hercules Nov. 2 to Powidz Air Base, Poland, marking the end of 38 years of service to the U.S. Air Force but the newest addition to the Polish air force's blossoming fleet of strategic airlifters.C-130 tail No. 1299 touched down and as

  • Air Force leaders issue joint Veterans Day message

    The Air Force's top leaders remind the entire Air Force family that this holiday has a meaning beyond a "day off" from work in a Veterans Day message. Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz issued the following message:Bound by common purpose and

  • Official cites benefits of deploying civilians

    A recent Facebook post by a U.S. Soldier heading home from Iraq highlights some of the nonmilitary roles American troops often assume in today's counterinsurgency wars. "My time in Iraq approaches its end," the junior enlisted Soldier wrote, listing military duties he performed on tour, followed by

  • Air Force officials to use commercial jet fuel to replace military spec fuel

    To reduce reliance on military specification products, simplify the fuel supply chain and save money, Air Force Petroleum Agency researchers will conduct demonstrations to use commercially available jet fuel instead of military standard JP-8 fuel. The demonstrations of Jet A fuel versus JP-8 fuel

  • Symposium draws top medical professionals

    The conference room was filled with doctors, nurses, scientists and top officials, all subject-matter experts in their respective medical fields. Some wore military uniforms, others business suits. Some were versed on the science of traumatic brain injuries. Others were veterans of combat hospital

  • VFW officials give troops free talk time on Veterans Day

    Deployed and hospitalized servicemembers are expected to make about 120,000 calls home this Veterans Day, and it won't cost them one thin dime. Officials from the Veterans of Foreign Wars organization are once again offering "Free Call Day" through its Operation Uplink program. USAA, which offers

  • Ramstein officials celebrate Air Force Family Week

    Ramstein Air Base officials held numerous events inviting active-duty, Guard and Reserve members as well as spouse and civilian employees to see firsthand some of the services available to them at the base's Airman and Family Readiness Center as part of Air Force Family Week Nov. 4 here. This year

  • 'Today's Air Force' features signing of Military Family Month proclamation

    In this edition of "Today's Air Force," medical evacuation specialists in Germany hit a major milestone, Airmen in Iraq take charge of security for Joint Base Balad, and a sick woman takes part in an art program designed to help cancer patients deal with their disease.Airmen staffing the Contingency

  • Chief of Staff addresses key mobility, Air Force issues at conference

    Gen. Norton Schwartz, the Air Force chief of staff, recently attended the 41st Airlift Tanker Association conference where he addressed a gathering of more than 4,000 active duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian Airmen. In his comments, General Schwartz emphasized the importance of every Airman and

  • Teamwork leads to record-setting engine test at Arnold

    Members of the J-2 test team here completed all of the customer's mission objectives and set a new record for the longest continuous engine test period while testing the F135-PW-100 engine, which were critical to the qualification of the engine for the new F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter. The

  • Air Force finishes safest flying year

    Fiscal 2009 was the safest flying year in the 62-year history of the Air Force.  There were only 17 Class A mishaps. The next best year was fiscal 2006 with 19 Class A mishaps. A Class A mishap is one where there is loss of life, an injury resulting in permanent total disability, the destruction of

  • Air Force officials accepting physician assistant applications

    Air Force officials here are taking applications from active-duty enlisted Airmen for Physician Assistant Phase I Training classes beginning December 2010, and April and August 2011. To be eligible for this program, applicants must: -- be on active duty in the grade of E-3 through E-8 with a minimum

  • NASA seeks student payloads for high-flying research balloon

    NASA is accepting applications from students at U.S. colleges and universities who want to send their experiments to the edge of space on a high-flying scientific balloon.The annual NASA project provides near space access for 12 undergraduate and graduate student experiments to be carried by a NASA

  • Simulator helps attack controllers train

    Coalition and joint terminal attack controllers used a simulator to hone their skills in calling in close-air support during U.S. Joint Forces Command's advanced-concept technology demonstration Bold Quest 2009, which concluded here and at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Nov. 5. The

  • Open season set for 3 civilian benefit programs

    Air Force Personnel Center officials here have announced the open season for three civilian benefit programs lasting Nov. 9 through Dec. 14. The three programs are the Federal Employees Health Benefits program, or FEHB; the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program, or FEDVIP; and the

  • Nellis programs to have regional reach

    Two new programs here are focused on getting care and services to wounded or sick servicemembers and to military families during their loved ones' deployments.Once word gets out about their programs, the coordinators hope their reach goes beyond Nellis Air Force Base and neighboring Creech AFB, to

  • Countdown to Veterans Day begins with Library of Congress

    Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced the Department of Veterans Affairs is joining with the Library of Congress to offer "Veterans History Countdown" on the VA Web site featuring the oral histories of veterans from every state and U.S. territory. "VA has partnered with the

  • FalconLaunch 6 test fire ends with a 'bang'

    The FalconLaunch-6 rocket ended its test-firing in Jacks Valley, Colo., Nov. 4 with a bang. The cadet-built rocket exploded after firing for a fraction of a second as the FalconLaunch cadre watched from more than one-half mile away. Academy firefighters were on-site for the test-fire.Once the rocket

  • Officials release new selective re-enlistment bonus list

    Pentagon officials recently released the latest selective re-enlistment bonus list containing 91 Air Force specialties. The revised listing places a greater emphasis on retaining Airmen with 17 months to six years of service, said Tech. Sgt. Christopher Dowlearn, the NCO in charge of Air Force

  • ESPN 'College Gameday' to return to Academy Nov. 7

    ESPN's "College GameDay" crew will broadcast live from the U.S. Air Force Academy 8 to 10 a.m. Nov. 7 from the Terrazzo for the Air Force vs. Army football game. This will be "College GameDay's" third visit to the Academy, and a return home for one of the "College GameDay" anchors. ESPN "College

  • New cyberspace support career field stood up Nov. 1

    Air Force officials here converted more than 43,000 total force enlisted Airmen from former communications career fields to cyberspace support Nov. 1. The new Air Force specialty is made up of three former career fields: communications-electronics, 2EXXX; knowledge operations management, 3AXXX; and

  • Airmen escort Afghan governor during visit

    Airmen from the Zabul Provincial Reconstruction Team escorted and provided security for the Afghan provincial governor during a visit with local government and religious leaders at a compound here Oct. 25. The visit was part of an on-going effort by the governor to meet key leaders throughout the

  • Air Force family's 'Extreme Makeover' to air Nov. 8

    During this Year of the Air Force Family, one ultimate act of Airmen helping their own will get national attention Nov. 8 when ABC-TV's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" features an Air Force civilian and his new custom built house. "We are having lots of fun in the new house and life has been so

  • Defense Department officials aim to improve families' lives

    Military families make tremendous sacrifices in support of the nation and deserve recognition as well as the best programs and policies the Defense Department can deliver, a defense official said here Nov. 3. Tommy T. Thomas, the deputy undersecretary of defense for military community and family

  • Malian forces improve proficiency at English language lab

    Members of U.S. Air Forces Africa toured the Malian Air Force English Language Lab in Bamako that prepares officers for training in other nations as well as participation in United Nations peacekeeping missions.Before an international student can apply to attend a U.S. Air Force training program, he

  • Iraqi air force acquires advanced radar system

    Iraqi air force officials advanced their air defense monitoring capabilities after a ceremony marked the transfer of a digital air surveillance radar from American control to Iraqi control Oct. 26 here. "Today, another historical day added to our brothers and the Iraqi air force," said Iraqi air

  • VA secretary details plan to end homelessness for veterans

    The secretary of Veterans Affairs unveiled the department's comprehensive plan to end homelessness among Veterans Nov. 3 by marshalling the resources of government, business and the private sector. Secretary Eric K. Shinseki made his presentation during the "VA National Summit Ending Homelessness

  • Servicemembers earn national security awards

    The Air Force chief of staff and two Airmen were among the honorees at the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs awards dinner here Nov. 2. The event honored the 2009 JINSA Henry M. "Scoop" Jackson Distinguished Service Award and Grateful Nation Award winners. Created to recognize leaders

  • Fan installation to reduce energy use

    The installation of 121 fans in 29 buildings across base is expected to reduce energy use and cost of heating systems operation during colder months.The project, which has a maximum cost of approximately $86,000, is estimated to have a payback time of slightly more than 8 months and save the base

  • Reconstruction team delivers school supplies to Afghan soldiers

    Airmen and Soldiers from the Zabul Provincial Reconstruction Team delivered school supplies to an Afghanistan National Army compound here Oct. 27. The delivery of supplies is part of an ongoing project to help educate the young soldiers, many of whom have nothing more than an elementary school level

  • Defense officials receive first H1N1 vaccine shipments

    Defense Department officials have started receiving H1N1 vaccines and will begin distributing doses in the coming weeks. The Health and Human Services Department is distributing the vaccines, manufactured by four producers, to the department. Because rates of production vary among the manufacturers,

  • VA secretary to outline plans to end veteran homelessness

    Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki is expected to unveil a five-year plan to end homelessness among veterans as he, other VA officials and community outreach specialists come together for the Homeless Veteran Summit here beginning Nov. 3. Secretary Shinseki's team has made homelessness a

  • Air Force officials seek UAS volunteers, announces policy change

    Air Force officials here are seeking combat systems officers for unmanned aircraft systems pilot duty, and interested commissioned Airmen have until Nov. 20 to volunteer for the training. CSOs within the grade of lieutenant through major are eligible, and applicants must also have between two to 13

  • DOD officials: Military will have enough H1N1 vaccine

    As shipments of some 3.7 million doses of H1N1 vaccine ordered by the Defense Department continue to arrive from the manufacturer, more than enough will be available for all military personnel and their beneficiaries, military medical experts said here Oct. 30. Navy Cmdr. Danny Shiau, in the

  • Air Guard readies for C-27J fleet

    For the first time, Air National Guard aircrews will be the sole operators of a new aircraft straight off the assembly line. The C-27J Spartan, the latest propeller-driven airlifter, is an "extremely rugged" aircraft, designed for austere environments, said Air Force officials. It is about half the

  • BEAST gets rave reviews a year after opening

    Air Force officials here had high expectations for the Basic Expeditionary Airman Skills Training course that opened in December 2008, which coincided with the expansion of Basic Military Training to 8.5 weeks. "I think the BEAST is running exceptionally well," said Col. Shane Courville, the 737th

  • Photo essay: USAFE Band tours Poland

    The 41-piece U.S. Air Forces in Europe Band toured Poland, and performed six concerts in various cities.  The band is touring the country to support the international relations program sponsored by USAFE Commander Gen. Roger Brady in partnership with the U.S. State Department.View the slideshow.

  • Nurse commissioning program seeks enlisted applicants

    Officials at the Air Force Personnel Center here will conduct the annual Nurse Enlisted Commissioning Program board May 11-13 to select candidates for fall 2010 start dates. The program offers active-duty enlisted personnel the opportunity to earn a bachelor's degree in a high-need academic major.

  • Colorado, Jordan lead the way as Guard builds worldwide partners

    The roar of jets and flash of live fire in the desert east of this thriving capital city are the loudest and brightest signs of a flourishing National Guard State Partnership Program. "I have been very favorably impressed with how the military-to-military relationships between Colorado and Jordan

  • 'Total Fitness' seeks unit, troop effectiveness

    Being fit to fight in today's military means more than simply being physically fit, and through the concept of "total fitness," Defense Department officials hope to build on what many say already is the most resilient force in U.S. military history. Total fitness strikes a balance between strong

  • Improved protection for household goods

    Relocating can be one of the most stressful events in a person's life. With approximately 500,000 household goods shipments every year, the military is the largest moving population in the United States. Officials with the Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command are committed to making

  • New perspective improves VA programs

    A new perspective has enabled leaders at the Department of Veterans Affairs to improve the level and accessibility of care provided to servicemembers, the department's assistant secretary for public and intergovernmental affairs said here Oct. 27. "I bring with me to VA a really different, new

  • Air Force military family of the year visits Washington

    Working together as a team is the advice the Air Force military family of the year has for coping with frequent deployments. "Know your resources, such as key spouses," said Master Sgt. Wayne Ojala, the superintendent of the Airman and Family Readiness Center at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. "And take

  • Airmen sought for unique, joint program

    Air Force officials are seeking Airmen for a three- to five-year period for a Defense Department program aimed at creating greater continuity, focus and persistent engagement across the battlefield in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Afghanistan Pakistan Hands program was established by Adm. Mike

  • Airmen aid Stop Hunger Now

    About 200 volunteers from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base and the surrounding communities gathered Oct. 24 at the MERCI Mission Center in Goldsboro, N.C., to help stop hunger for the people of Afghanistan and to keep them warm throughout the winter. The volunteers prepared more than 115,000 rice- and

  • USAFE Band plays six concerts in Poland

    Forty-one Air Force musicians from the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Band played six concerts Oct. 20 to 25 in Poland to celebrate and commemorate 90 years of Polish-American cooperation. The concert series supported the USAFE international outreach program. A lot of effort and planning went into moving

  • President signs Defense Authorization Act

    President Barack Obama signed the fiscal 2010 National Defense Authorization Act during a ceremony at the White House Oct. 28. President Obama hailed the act, which contains $680.2 billion in military budget authority, as transformational legislation that targets wasteful defense spending. The

  • Cope India dubbed a success

    U.S. and Indian air force officials are pleased with the positive results of all of the joint-training operations executed here during Cope India, Oct. 19 to 23. Cope India is a United States and India airlift exercise that provides training for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief

  • Act ends controversial personnel system

     With President Barack Obama's signature today on the 2010 National Defense Authorization Act, a controversial pay-for-performance personnel system is abolished. About 220,000 Defense Department employees who had come under the National Security Personnel System will transition back to the

  • Teamwork vital to promoting Air Force awareness

    The Air Force is all about teamwork. It's in recruiting brochures and Air Force commercials. No matter how big or small the mission, teamwork is a way of life. For Tech. Sgt. Rick Jones, NCO in charge of the Air Force NASCAR program, teamwork is vital in promoting Air Force awareness to millions of

  • Top spouse explains vital role of Key Spouse Program

    Suzie Schwartz, the wife of Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz, brought her unique perspective to the Maxwell AFB Key Spouse Forum, sharing personal stories, words of encouragement and helpful resources. The Key Spouse Program is an emphasis area for the Year of Air Force Family, which

  • 45th Space Wing Airmen support successful Ares I-X launch

    Airmen, Air Force civilians and contractors from the 45th Space Wing provided Eastern Range support for NASA's successful launch of the Ares I-X. The test rocket launched from Space Launch Complex 39B at the Kennedy Space Center at 11:30 a.m. (EDT) Oct. 28. Personnel from throughout the 45th Space

  • Kirkuk ceremony marks transfer of navigational aids to Iraqi air force

    A ceremony held at Kirkuk Air Base in Iraq Oct. 26 demonstrated the emerging independence of the Iraqi Air Force. The ceremony marked the official turnover of a suite of navigational aids provided by the Electronic Systems Center, headquartered here, through a first-of-its-kind foreign military

  • Band of the Pacific-Hawaii participates in Red Ribbon Week

    One Band of the Pacific-Hawaii NCO here led a drive to use music to help spread the drug-free message of Red Ribbon Week by performing in concerts for local elementary schools in late October. Having three school-age children of his own created a desire in Tech. Sgt. Richard Vasquez, a Band of the

  • Shinseki cites collaboration in mental health care

    Psychological war wounds are nothing new to servicemembers, but the support of the nation to care for their injuries, until recent years, was somewhat uncharted territory. The departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs are committed to advancing that care because it's the right thing to do as a

  • Airmen patrol outside to protect inside

    For some Airmen, its keep your friends close and your enemies as far away from your base as possible. Every day, the 532nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron's force protection patrols travel outside of Joint Base Balad to provide a security presence that aims to deter anyone who would do harm

  • Students learn to survive in 'Tropics'

    More than 500 miles away from Fairchild Air Force Base and just miles from the Pacific coast lies a tropical rainforest in the Olympic National Forest. The moisture in the air permeates your clothes and gear, and as you trek through the rain and mud it's almost as if it seeps through the skin to the

  • Balad Airman creates wounded warrior program

    An Airman here helped develop the Balad Wounded Warrior Program, a program created to ease the transition of wounded servicemembers through the medical evacuation process.Senior Airman Raymond Jones, a plans and programming projects manager with the 332nd Expeditionary Communications Squadron,

  • VA, DOD officials host national mental health summit

    Officials with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense are hosting a first-of-its-kind national summit to address the mental health care needs of America's military personnel, families and veterans, harnessing the programs, resources and expertise of both departments to deal

  • 'Mini Herc' set to join Air Force fleet

    Air Force plans to include the C-27J Spartan, the latest propeller-driven airlifter planned for the Air Force inventory, are steadily progressing. In April, through Resource Management Decision 802, Defense Secretary Robert Gates moved the C-27J program and its related direct support mission from

  • Air Force future bright with adaptable, connected Airmen

    The U.S. Air Forces Central command chief has a good perspective on the lives of the Airmen serving in support of operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom after more than 21 months on the job. A younger generation of Airmen is adapting to an ever-changing operating environment, gaining

  • Chief of staff honors fallen Airmen in moving ceremony

    It was May 17, 1962, and NASA Astronaut Scott Carpenter was preparing for the Mercury program's second-ever orbital mission. Half way around the world, 13 Airmen were also preparing, getting situated to provide an emergency recovery site in Africa, only one of several such units positioned around

  • Defense Department officials take aim at drug abuse

    "Drug Free is the Key" for the Defense Department's Red Ribbon Week this year as it works to raise public awareness and mobilize communities to combat tobacco, alcohol and drug use among military personnel, civilians and families. The observation of Red Ribbon Week begins Oct. 23 and continues

  • Air Force officials revise civilian hiring policy

    Department of Defense civilian employees will now be referred to the hiring official along with current Air Force civilians for all permanent Air Force civilian positions. Former Air Force employees who were realigned under the Army or Navy because of Base Realignment and Closure or joint basing

  • Top enlisted Airman visits Ellsworth Airmen

    The 16th chief master sergeant of the Air Force visited Ellsworth Air Force Base Oct. 21 and 22 to tour the installation and speak with Ellsworth members about education, deployments, fitness and family support. "We are a nation at war," Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy said during an

  • Air Force awards $14M to 2010 Young Investigators Research Program

    The Air Force Office of Scientific Research announced it will award more than $14 million in grants to 38 scientists and engineers who submitted winning research proposals through the Air Force's Young Investigator Research Program. The YIP is open to scientists and engineers at research

  • Airmen spend day with Chilean children

    Members of the Air Forces Southern Cooperation Team-One began their nation building trip to Santiago, Chile, by taking children to an interactive museum for children here Oct. 13.Members of 12th Air Force and the Texas Air National Guard completed four days of subject matter exchanges in Santiago in

  • Obama signs veterans health care legislation

    President Barack Obama signed new legislation Oct. 22 that creates predictable funding for veterans' health care. The Veterans Healthcare Reform and Transparency Act fundamentally changes how Department of Veterans Affairs receives health care funding. The reform calls for appropriations a year in

  • Reconstruction team opens new girls' school in Afghanistan

    A crowd of Afghans and U.S. servicemembers celebrated the building of the new Bibi Khala Girls' School Oct. 19 in Qalat city, located in Afghanistan's Zabul province. Bibi Khala is the largest girls' school in Qalat, with approximately 1,500 students. The new building consists of eight classrooms

  • Team exchanges ideas with Chilean air force

    Members of 12th Air Force and the Texas Air National Guard completed four days of subject matter exchanges in Santiago, Chile, in late October with Chilean air force members on topics such as crisis management, media relations and air operations center processes and procedures. The exchange was a

  • International Officer School honors distinguished alumni

    Air Force officials here honored eight former international Air University students as they were added to the Air University Honor Roll Oct. 8 here. Each honoree is designated by a bronze plate engraved with the inductee's name, rank, country, position and AU schools attended, and the plates line

  • Association officials name military families of year

    Seven families, one from each of the uniformed services, have been selected as National Military Family Association's 2009 Military Families of the Year for the roles they play in their communities and the way they embrace the military lifestyle. "They're really all great," said Bailey Toombs, a

  • Air Force officials launch ADVENT technology demonstrator phase

    Air Force Research Laboratory officials here completed its assessment of the two adaptive versatile engine technology Phase I efforts and found both companies worthy of proceeding to Phase II. ADVENT is a flagship effort under the Versatile, Affordable Advanced Turbine Engines Program, or

  • Advanced Composite Cargo Aircraft gets X-plane designation

    Air Force officials have approved X-55A as the new designation for the Advanced Composite Cargo Aircraft. The X-55A is a technology demonstrator for the design and manufacturing of future aircraft using advanced composite materials. The X-55A is a modified Dornier 328J aircraft with the fuselage aft

  • Cooperation Team-One exchanges ideas with Chilean air force members

    Members of 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) and the Texas Air National Guard completed four days of subject matter exchanges in Santiago, Chile, with members of the Fuerza Aerea Chile, or FACh, on topics such as crisis management, media relations and Air Operations Center processes and

  • New PT rules will not take away from unit fitness

    Everyone in the Air Force is required to maintain fitness. In fact, in January 2010 the new physical fitness testing criteria will take effect, requiring Airmen to meet minimum requirements in each category or fail the test. Now, Air Force officials are restructuring the requirement for commanders

  • Veterans Affairs secretary announces new gravesite locator

    The secretary of Veterans Affairs announced Oct. 16 here that the Department of Veterans Affairs has made the gravesites of more than 6.7 million veterans easier to locate using handheld devices with Internet capability, such as "smart phones." "This innovative program continues VA's commitment to

  • VA officIals contacting veteran-students about new GI Bill

    Representatives of the Department of Veterans Affairs here will be telephoning veterans across the country to explain their education benefits under the new Post-911 GI Bill and ensure beneficiaries are able to receive payments due them. "The Post-9/11 GI Bill is one of our highest priorities," said

  • 'Today's Air Force' features basic military training

    This edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights the beginning of a great journey for Airmen: basic military training.  See what individuals go through to become the best in the Air Force, from arrival night to life in the dorm to overcoming obstacles and finally, emerging ready and fit to fight with

  • Vandenberg officials launch Atlas V rocket

    Vandenberg Air Force Base officials successfully launched a Atlas V rocket carrying a Defense Meteorological Satellite Program payload at 9:12 a.m. Oct. 18 from Space Launch Complex-3 here.This was the second Atlas V launch from Vandenberg AFB and the first Air Force payload to be lifted from

  • Acceptance crew ensures flight safety for Air Force

    Whenever Boeing officials roll a new C-17 Globemaster III off the plant in Long Beach, Calif., Tech. Sgt. Sidney De Leon and his team have to make sure it's ready for the Air Force to fly it. "The Air Force expects to receive a perfect product, and it is up to us to identify and correct any problems

  • ESC team efforts bring new combined air, space operations center to life

    An Electronic Systems Center team from here worked in the past few weeks to bring to life a new, state-of-the-art combined air and space operations center in Southwest Asia for joint and coalition combat forces. "We're constantly striving to bring enhanced AOC capabilities to the warfighters, and

  • Chairman's wife vows support for military families

    Deborah Mullen, wife of the nation's most senior military officer, had a message for military families while on the Sesame Street TV set here Oct. 14: servicemembers and their families have a wealth of support behind them."I just would like to assure people that there are folks who care, who are