HomeNews

NATO Air Policing operations

U.S. Air Force News

  • Business leaders learn about expeditionary missions

    Participants of the Defense Department's Joint Civilian Orientation Conference April 28 met some of the men and women of U.S. Central Command Air Forces who are deployed to this region. Brig. Gen. Charles Shugg told the group of 45 business and civic leaders, who were on a whirlwind tour of the

  • Aerial porters save lives by moving air cargo in Iraq

    Moving supplies, equipment and people from place to place in a convoy anywhere in Iraq is very risky business. Many hidden dangers such as improvised explosive devices, anti-Iraqi forces, and other such dangers can be on any road. Many lives that might have been lost in convoy attacks have been

  • Airmen continue humanitarian efforts in Djibouti

    Nearly 200 hundred Airmen deployed to Africa provide airlift support for humanitarian aid to the Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa mission. Providing peace and stability to the region is the main objective for the CJTF-HOA mission and the services try to accomplish this by winning the hearts

  • Air Force air evac crews adapt, train onboard mix of planes

    Taking care of patients on an aircraft is not an easy task. What if there are patient emergencies or problems with the aircraft itself? What if it's a plane the aeromedical crew is not familiar with? These questions, and more, were answered during an Air Force Reserve Aeromedical Evacuation Jamboree

  • Weather squadron covers 42 countries

    With 110 million square miles in its operational region, the 152 Airmen in the 17th Operational Weather Squadron here are responsible for the largest area of responsibility of all the operational weather squadrons in the Air Force. And with 42 countries in the area of responsibility, squadron

  • April 29 airpower summary: Maintainers keep planes flying

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan in the following operations April 29, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped guided bomb

  • Child becomes pilot for a day at Charleston

    A 3-year-old boy became the youngest honorary pilot for the 17th Airlift Squadron as unit Airmen held a Pilot for a Day program April 20 at Charleston Air Force Base. Zachary Moore was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at 18 months and is undergoing chemotherapy treatment at the Medical

  • C-17 unit brings 'bombs, beans, bullets' to the fight

     "Bringing the bombs, beans and bullets to the warfighter" is how Capt. Aaron Oelrich described the mission of the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron while on his way to fly an airlift mission into Iraq. And "bring it" they do, to the tune of about one million pounds of cargo daily. The 816th EAS,

  • April 28 airpower summary: A-10s support coalition forces

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan in the following operations April 28, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped guided bomb

  • April 27 airpower summary: C-130s support Iraqi operations

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan in the following operations April 27, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials. In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle dropped guided bomb

  • Air Force names 2006 Mission Support Award winners

    The winners of the 2006 Mission Support Awards were announced April 27. The results are: Personnel Gen. Robert J. Dixon Personnel Award: Maj. Kevin D. Heckle, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. Gen. Horace M. Wade Innovation Award: GS-12 Steven A. McCarver, Maxwell AFB-Gunter Annex, Ala. Gerrit D.

  • POL Airmen surpass one billion gallons

    Senior Airman David Beatty stood patiently on the artificially lighted parking ramp, waiting for more than 22,000 gallons of jet fuel to transfer from the hydrant outlet, through the steel pantograph piping and into the nearby KC-135 Stratotanker. Unbeknownst to the Airman from the 379th

  • Pacific Air Forces commander announces retirement

    Gen. Paul V. Hester, commander, Pacific Air Forces, announced his retirement April 27. His announcement coincides with the Department of Defense naming Lt. Gen. Carrol "Howie" Chandler as the next Pacific Air Forces commander. Gen. Chandler was also nominated for his fourth star. Gen. Hester assumed

  • New Horizons closes out with ceremony

    New Horizons - Nicaragua 2007, a $7.5 million humanitarian and training exercise, officially ended April 27 with a closing ceremony, but the strengthened friendship between the United States and Nicaragua has not. "We will cherish the friendships we've made here in Nicaragua," Lt. Col. Aaron Young,

  • New JKO Portal to offer joint online training

    A new system unveiled April 27 is designed to better prepare servicemembers to operate with other services, government agencies, foreign militaries and non-governmental organizations while reducing the time they spend away from home or their units for military classes. David S.C. Chu, undersecretary

  • A-10 provides top cover for troops in Iraq

    The catalysts behind one of the most kinetically advanced air forces in the world can be found at the 438th Air Expeditionary Group's maintenance and fighter squadrons. The Airmen assigned to these units employ their kinetic energy by flying the A-10 Thunderbolt II, an aircraft that provides

  • 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: Senior Airman Gil Alicea is silhouetted while doing a phase dock inspection on an F-16 at Balad Air Base, Iraq. Airman Alicea is a crew

  • April 26 airpower summary: Transports keep cargo flowing

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan in the following operations April 26, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B1-B Lancer dropped a guided bomb

  • Artist honors Air Force medical field with 20-foot mural

    A mural, which pays tribute to the Air Force's medical readiness mission, from entering the military here at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, to an actual deployment, was unveiled in a ceremony held here at the 59th Medical Wing. "The mural is dedicated to every deploying Air Force medical member,

  • April 25 airpower summary: A-10s give commanders lethal options

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan in the following operations April 25, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, F-15E Strike Eagles released multiple guided bomb

  • Air Force's evasion experts teach pilots survival techniques

    Slathered in mud and dressed in Australian military camouflage, you might not recognize Senior Airman Jason Davis as the Pacific Air Forces Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape Specialist Airman for 2006. But that is his uniform of the day for the outdoor survival portion of the SERE training

  • Joint terminal air controllers return to Germany

    Joint terminal air controllers who were deployed throughout Iraq supporting the war on terrorism returned home to their friends and family here April 21. The JTACs were deployed with different Army units throughout Iraq and provided Army Soldiers with open communications to Air Force pilots while on

  • April 23 airpower summary: Royal Air Force providing airlift support

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan in the following operations April 23, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer provided a show of

  • Bulgarians learn deployment how-tos during Ramstein visit

    Strengthening U.S. Air Force ties with other air forces improves capabilities for the allies involved. This was illustrated when three Bulgarian air force officers, Col. Marin Natchev, Col. Evgeni Belkinov, and Lt. Col. Dimitar Ivanov, visited here to learn more about the deployment process. The

  • Air Force civilians win presidential rank awards

    Several Air Force civilians were presented the 2006 Presidential Rank Awards here in a ceremony held April 20 in the Women's Memorial in Arlington National Cemetery. The President of the United States annually awards distinguished and meritorious ranks to career members of the senior executive

  • Air and Space Operations Centers standardized

    A four-year effort for the Global Cyberspace Integration Center here culminated April 13 when Air Forces Southern Command officials signed documents officially accepting the newly installed Air and Space Operations Center Block 10.1 Weapon System at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. The AFSOUTH

  • Air Force announces 2006 Weather Awards

    Air Force officials have released the 2006 Air Force Weather Awards. Military recipients of individual or team awards are entitled to wear the Air Force Recognition Ribbon, and civilian recipients of individual and team awards are entitled to wear the Air Force Recognition Lapel Pin.The Air Force

  • Airmen provide 1st class postal service to thousands

    Servicemembers here enjoy some of the fastest, most reliable mail service in the history of armed conflict. And when it is time to return home, they can also lighten their load by mailing their gear instead of lugging it through the airlines. 'Combat Postal' Airmen with the 332nd Air Expeditionary

  • CENTAF leaders visit Airmen at nontraditional places

    The commander and command chief for U.S. Central Command Air Forces made a round-robin tour of locations April 20 in Southwest Asia where Airmen are performing duties never done before in places where you normally don't find Air Force members. Lt. Gen. Gary L. North and Command Chief Master Sgt.

  • 370th Group and squadron stand up

    The unit activation and assumption of command of the 370th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group and Squadron took place at New Al Muthana Air Base April 22. "This event symbolizes the commitment of the U.S. Air Force in rebuilding the Iraqi Air Force," said Brig. Gen. Robert Allardice, Coalition Air

  • Air operations vital to CJTF-HOA mission

    In the United States, airlines coordinate flights with the Federal Aviation Administration. In the Horn of Africa it's a little more complicated as flights cross several nations, all with different aviation rules. What does it take to get flights from point A to point B within the Combined Joint

  • April 20 airpower: Coalition partners achieve success

    Coalition airpower supported Coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations April 20, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs released cannon

  • Doolittle Raiders celebrate 65 years since historic mission

    Seven surviving members of the famed "Doolittle Raiders" met in San Antonio in mid April to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the unit's historic bombing mission over Japan April 18, 1942. The raid, which consisted of 16 B-25 Mitchell bombers taking off from the deck of an Navy aircraft carrier, was

  • Air Force Assistance Fund changes lives

    When hard times come, Airmen should not hesitate to ask for help. One Lajes Field Airmen was in need so he turned to the Air Force Aid Society. Senior Airmen Matthew Reindl works in the 65th Air Base Wing Finance Office by day, and is a husband and father of three by night. "Since we've been here at

  • Wing's shield preserves long heritage

    The 17th Training Wing shield symbolizes the long heritage of the unit's lineage. The emblem was originally approved for the 17th Pursuit Group on Jan. 19, 1934. In 1993, the Goodfellow Technical Training Wing at San Angelo, Texas, was replaced with the 17th Training Wing to carry the lineage. The

  • Officials make changes to overseas extension incentive list

    Air Force officials added an enlisted specialty code and removed two others from the Overseas Tour Extension Incentive Program eligibility list for Airmen serving at long tour locations. Airmen in the communication-computer systems control career field and 46 other Air Force speciality codes with a

  • Red Flag-Alaska ends on positive note

    The year's first Red Flag-Alaska ended April 20 after two weeks of intense, air-combat training over Alaska's mountain ranges. Training in a multi-service, multi-platform, combat operations exercise involving coalition forces was an opportunity that cannot be underemphasized, said Lt. Col. Eddie

  • Battlefield technology key to Atlantic Strike V

    As the convoy travels down the dusty path, the lead Humvee's Joint Terminal Attack Controller zeroes in on a potential target 1,500 meters in front of him. He sends the coordinates to the waiting aircraft above. "Target is verified JTAC, expending munitions." The aircraft releases its munitions

  • April 18 airpower: C-130s provide heavy airlift support

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations April 18, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, a U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer provided a show of

  • PACAF leads way in Air Force's anthrax vaccine push

    Pacific Air Forces' implementation of the Anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program is off to a good start. Since the program was ordered to resume under the direction of the deputy secretary of defense in October, PACAF has immunized more than 94 percent of its Airmen who have been designated for

  • A-10s return to Bagram

    Increased firepower is in the making for U.S. and coalition forces in Afghanistan. A-10 Thunderbolt IIs from the 354th Fighter Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., arrived April 17 to bring increased versatility to the capabilities of the aircraft stationed here. This is the second

  • Atlantic Strike V begins in Avon Park

    More than 400 joint servicemembers began participating in Atlantic Strike V, a U.S. Central Command Air Forces pre-deployment training event April 14 at the Avon Park Air Ground Training Complex in Avon Park, Fla. The semi-annual training through April 20 and prepares joint air and ground forces for

  • German policemen invaluable asset at Ramstein

    The German Civilian Security Police, also known as ZPs, are an invaluable asset in making sure things run smoothly here. With the high deployment rate of their military counterparts, the ZPs have stepped up to make sure there are no gaps in safeguarding security.They are fully integrated into the

  • DOD's top enlisted leader visits Okinawa

    The Department of Defense's top enlisted leader visited Okinawa April 11 to 13 to see firsthand the role the U.S. military plays on Okinawa to include the missions at Kadena Air Base. Army Command Sgt. Maj. William Gainey, the senior enlisted advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, met

  • April 17 airpower summary: Maintainers work wonders

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations April 17, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped guided bomb

  • Unit scrambles to guide troubled aircraft to safe landing

    Airmen of the Air Force Reserve Command's 916th Air Refueling Wing here scrambled to launch an early morning mission April 17 to rendezvous with and help safely land an Air Force aircraft that lost critical instrumentation. The NCK-135 aircrew from Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., called an in-flight

  • Eielson pilots get aggressive during Red Flag-Alaska

    Eielson Air Force Base F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots took to the sky as aggressors for the first time in Red Flag-Alaska history during the exercise that runs April 5 through 21. Flying with the 64th Aggressor Squadron from Nellis AFB, Nev., Eielson AFB pilots began the transition of a permanent F-16

  • Medics treat servicemembers throughout Southwest Asia

    Getting warriors back in the fight is a duty for the medical professionals in the 379th Expeditionary Medical Group in Southwest Asia. The 96 percent of wounded warriors returned to duty shows not only that they are good at what they do, but also that they provide critical support to the theaterwide

  • 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

  • April 15 airpower summary: Maintainers keep aircraft in tip-top shape

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan in the following operations April 15, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped a guided bomb

  • Agency certifies new instrument landing system

    A new instrument landing system, or ILS, aiding flight safety at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing was certified by Air Force Flight Standards Agency officials April 10, completing a collaborative project in the works since 2005. The ILS is a precision-approach system serving as the pilot's eyes when

  • April 14 airpower summary: C-130s provide backbone for success

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations April 14, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan yesterday, U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets dropped

  • 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

  • April 13 airpower summary: C-130s provide airlift support

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations April 13, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles received notice

  • Lacrosse: Falcons fall to 11th-ranked Notre Dame

    With limited scoring opportunities, the Air Force lacrosse team dropped a 16-4 contest to No. 11 Notre Dame Friday at Moose Krause Stadium here. The Falcons drop to 2-6 on the season, 1-1 in the Great Western Lacrosse League, while the Irish improve to 7-3, 2-0 in the league. The Irish led 1-0

  • Guard, Reserve leaders speak before Senate

    Military leaders from the National Guard and Reserve testified before members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Defense, April 11 on Capitol Hill to give a status on the forces and to bring focus on the services' budget. Lt. Gen. Craig R. McKinley, the director of the Air

  • Airmen, Soldiers jointly hone chemical response skills

    In today's Air Force. Airmen are warfighters focused on helping win the war on terrorism. Part of that focus involves working interdependently with other services in what is definitely a joint fight. As the Air Force continues to increase its footprint in the joint environment more and more Air

  • Airmen show 'can-do' spirit in joint force environment

    In the constantly changing environment of modern warfare, Airmen are constantly being tasked to do things and go places out of the ordinary. Long gone are the days when the Air Force was built around strategic bombing, isolated to the rear of the lines on comfortable bases. Today's Airmen often work

  • U.S. forces mentor Afghan Air Corps to 'stand on own'

    At the Kabul International Airport, a joint U.S. mentorship effort is enabling the Afghan National Air Corps to soar toward new heights. "We're helping them build a good process so they can have a healthy, sustaining air force," said Maj. Rudy Alejandro, a fixed wing unit mentor. The ANAC is

  • 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

  • April 8 airpower: B-1B bombs insurgents

    In Afghanistan April 7, an Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped guided bomb unit-38s on insurgents firing small arms and rocket propelled grenades at coalition forces near Asadabad. A joint terminal attack controller confirmed the weapons hit the target and ended the engagement. Air Force F-15E Strike

  • 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

  • Air National Guard crew flies its 1st C-5 to Djibouti

    The C-5 Galaxy's red-striped tail cut across the African sky April 10, flying a first for one Air National Guard unit. The West Virginia Air National Guard's 167th Airlift Wing, recently gaining the Galaxy, flew the massive airframe to Djibouti to deliver two CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters and

  • April 12 airpower: aerial porters keep cargo moving

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released this airpower summary April 12. In Afghanistan April 11, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped guided bomb unit-38s on two buildings from which insurgents were firing at coalition vehicles near Sangin. A joint terminal attack controller aligned with

  • Best Air Force journalism announced

    A panel of civilian journalists, teachers and public relations professionals have selected the best in Air Force print and broadcast journalism for the 51st annual Air Force Media Contest. Senior Airman Brian A. Stives, of the 366th Fighter Wing at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, is the Air

  • 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,

  • 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

  • Goodfellow hosts premier firefighter school

    It's burning. It's burning. The flames swell as the firefighters move into the mouth of the "dragon." In front of them -- a 500 degree wall of propane flames. The giant can's steel walls force the jets of fire to sweep over their heads and land behind them. At the nozzle is Airman 1st Class Cole

  • April 11 airpower: C-130s support forward deployed units

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released the airpower summary for April 11. In Afghanistan April 10, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles provided a show of force, releasing multiple flares, in support of a coalition convoy near Kalan. As the convoy arrived at an area that could have been used by

  • 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,

  • Air mobility keeps fast pace with war ops surges

    Squadrons across the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing have increased operations to enhance theater-wide support for the current surge of troops throughout Iraq and Afghanistan. One such example is the 8th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron, a 379th AEW tenant unit that links air mobility operations

  • Grissom doctors moonlight for NASA

    Two Reserve doctors from Grissom Air Reserve Base have front row seats for space shuttle takeoffs and landings to help astronauts in case of emergencies. Lt. Col. (Dr.) Scott Phillips or Maj. (Dr.) Greg Pinnell, both from the 434th Aerospace Medicine Squadron here, work for NASA as part of a

  • April 10 airpower: Airmen keep watch in the fight

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released the airpower summary for April 10.In Afghanistan April 9, an Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped guided bomb unit-38s on an insurgent position in an open area near Asadabad. The weapons directly hit the target according to a joint terminal attack

  • 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

  • Senator visits Iraq, spends week on active duty

    A South Carolina senator toured Iraq for two days, and then put on an Air Force desert camouflage uniform for a week and worked as a judge advocate for the Multinational Forces, Iraq. Sen. Lindsey Graham, also a Reserve colonel, visited the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing April 9 after getting a

  • 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

  • April 9 airpower: Predator strikes insurgents

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released the following airpower summary April 9: In Afghanistan April 8, an Air Force MQ-1Predator fired a Hellfire missile at a vehicle with insurgents gathered around it. The airstrike was reported as a direct hit and multiple secondary explosions were

  • Legal Airmen train to support rule of law missions

    An unprecedented number of Airmen deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan from the Air Force judge advocate corps are taking on roles to support rule of law missions in those theaters of operation. Because of that effort, the JAG corps developed a new course focusing on Task Force 134 -- the task force

  • April 7 airpower summary: C-17s sustain operations

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the following airpower summary: In Afghanistan April 6, U.S. Air Force F-15 Strike Eagles provided a show of force to deter insurgent activity near Asadabad. A Joint Terminal Attack Controller reported that insurgents were planning to surround

  • 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

  • Academy parachute team sets world record

    The U.S. Air Force Academy's Wings of Blue Competition and Demonstration Parachute Team set another world record in a big way.The team set a collegiate world big-way record March 31 at Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field, Ariz., when 39 cadets linked in the air. The 39 cadets jumped from three

  • Guam B-52s evacuate to Fairchild in wake of typhoon

    Aircrews and six B-52 Stratofortress bombers from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, arrived here April 1 seeking refuge from Typhoon Kong-Rey, which ripped through the Western Pacific April 2. The B-52 is a long-range, heavy bomber that was stationed at Fairchild for nearly four decades. The aircraft

  • 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

  • April 6 airpower summary: B-1Bs aid ground forces

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the following airpower summary: In Afghanistan April 5, an Air Force B-1B Lancer provided two shows of force, releasing multiple flares, for coalition ground forces receiving small-arms fire near Oruzgan. A on-scene joint terminal attack

  • Civilian records can now reflect AF unit awards

    The Defense Civilian Personnel Data System can now reflect Air Force unit awards, according to Air Force Manpower and Personnel. Prior to March 30, civilian employees who received unit awards such as the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award and Air Force Chief

  • Airpower role essential in Africa

    With a mission covering roughly two-thirds the span of the United States, airpower is a critical part of the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, according to the Air Force's top officer in U.S. Central Command. During his recent visit to Camp Lemonier, Djibouti, Lt. Gen. Gary North, commander

  • Officials emphasize zero tolerance of sexual assault

    Sexual assault is a crime that is incompatible with military values and will not be tolerated within the Defense Department, the undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness said here April 3. David S.C. Chu kicked off the month-long DOD observance of sexual assault prevention during a

  • McGuire commander is 'hands-on' saving energy

    In January, the Department of Energy chose McGuire as one of the lead bases in the Air Force to be given an Energy Efficiency Expert Evaluation Audit; commonly referred to as the "E4" Audit. On the final day of the E4 visit, Michael Aimone, the Air Force assistant deputy chief of staff for

  • Coast Guardsmen thank Air Force ECMO team

    The men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard are in the business of saving other people's lives. It is not very often that someone has to save the life of one of their own. But, on July 22, 2006, Airmen from Wilford Hall Medical Center at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, came to the rescue of one Coast

  • Maintainers keep C-130s flying in Djibouti

    Maintainers deployed to the 71st Expeditionary Rescue Squadron at Camp Lemonier in Djibouti work long hours in the hot sun to make sure that HC-130P's are ready to go in a moment's notice for the search and rescue mission in the Horn of Africa. "We provide the maintenance to keep the C-130's in the

  • 'Team Lean' Challenge promotes weight loss, camaraderie

    Hoping to promote wellness and weight loss through camaraderie and enjoyable activities, Air Force Materiel Command officials are introducing a command-wide competition that relies on concerted efforts of people together supporting and motivating one another. Team Lean Challenge, or TLC, kicks off

  • April 3 airpower: recon aircraft provide vital intel

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for April 3. In Afghanistan, 35 close-air-support missions were flown in support of International Security Assistance Force and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and route patrols. Eight Air Force and Royal Air Force