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  • Airmen demonstrate unmanned aircraft not merely 'drones'

    The door to the 62nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron features a drawing of an MQ-1 Predator armed with Hellfire missiles underscored with the words "We're not drones - we fire back." Often referred to by reporters as "drones," unmanned aircraft like the MQ-1 Predator and RQ-4 Global Hawk are

  • Airmen dedicate time, energy to flood preparations

    Emergency preparations began when Govs. John Hoeven, North Dakota, and Tim Pawlenty, Minnesota, declared a state of emergency in the Red River Valley recently after waters began rising at a record rate. Volunteers of all ages and backgrounds began working around the clock to mitigate flood damage

  • C-17 arrives in New Zealand

    A C-17 Globemaster III crew of 14 from the 517th Airlift Squadron at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, arrived here March 18 for the 2009 Whenuapai Air Show. This is the first time since 1981 that a U. S. asset is participating in the yearly event, which began March 21, said U. S. Navy Chief Warrant

  • Intel system gains warfighting role

    Whether fighting the flames of California wildfires or detecting floating threats off coasts, officials from the 950th Electronic System Group are using a key imagery collection system known as Eagle Vision to transition victories from homeland defense into capabilities for warfighters use around

  • Airmen simplify with AFSO 21

    Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century is enabling some Kadena Airmen to spend more time with family rather than extra hours on the job. The intent of AFSO 21 is to improve operations by simplifying processes, some of which may already be in place. Additionally, it aims to generate

  • Environmental symposium held in St. Louis

    More than 1,000 Airmen, Air Force civilians and personnel from other government agencies from all over the world gathered for the annual Environmental, Safety and Operational Health Symposium March 9 through 13 in St. Louis. Started in 1993, the symposium features more than 500 classes tailored to

  • Innovative brain therapies offer hope to injured troops

    Innovative therapies that have assisted previously comatose patients regain consciousness may be incorporated on a greater scale to treat troops diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries, a brain injury expert said here March 23. Dr. Philip A. DeFina, chief executive and scientific officer at the

  • Push-Pull to test real-world Air Force capabilities

    Push-Pull 2009 may sound like a new type of fitness regimen to some, but to about 150 regular Air Force retirees it will be a mobilization exercise of a different kind April 6 through 10 at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. The Push-Pull 2009 exercise is designed to exercise and evaluate mobilization

  • March 23 airpower summary: C-130s provide support

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 23, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles bombarded an anti-Afghan

  • Airmen train Iraqi maintainers

    Two maintenance Airmen took three Iraqi air force members from here to Camp Taji, Iraq, March 24 to help fix one of Iraq's C-130s In an attempt to help members of the Iraqi air force better cross utilize their resources and assets. Technical Sergeants Jim Grifasi and Bobby McKenzie, advisers with

  • March 22 airpower summary: A-10s hit targets

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 22, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15Es blew up a cave being used by

  • Total force keeps air mobility in the fight

    Airmen of the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve have sustained the hub for directing global airlift, air refueling and aeromedical evacuation operations since the onset of operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom here.The 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center manages a daily average of 900

  • Senior leaders speak out on diversity, equal opportunity

    Officials in the Air Force Equal Opportunity Office and the Strategic Diversity Integration Office joined forces to produce a video that demonstrates the commitment of senior Air Force leaders to diversity and equal opportunity programs. In the video titled "Diversity and Equal Opportunity in Our

  • Senior leaders meet for high-level 'Warfighter Talks'

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Air Force leadership hosted Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead and senior naval leaders for the Navy-Air Force Warfighter Talks March 18 at Bolling Air Force Base, D.C. About 35 flag and general officers from both services gathered for a

  • Air Force 'Switching Seats' with NASCAR campaign

    The Air Force, along with its contract advertising agency GSD&M Idea City, launches the multimedia marketing campaign "Switching Seats" March 23 in support of its NASCAR partnership. The campaign centers on the parallels between Air Force and NASCAR high-performance jobs, and focuses on No. 43

  • 'One Voice' coordinates Air Force positions on joint and interagency issues

    Air Force officials recently announced the establishment of a new Headquarters Air Force capability devoted to providing Air Force leaders with coordinated Air Force positions for use in communicating with non-Air Force entities. This new capability is called "One Voice." "Each day, members of the

  • ISR operations: 'Eye in the sky'

    "Complete adaptation to environment means death. The essential point in all response is the desire to control environment." These words from the American philosopher and reformer John Dewey make the point that as conditions change, one must not simply adapt to them, but instead endeavor to control

  • March 21 airpower summary: F-15Es target anti-Afghan forces

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations March 21, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles and A-10 Thunderbolt

  • March 20 airpower summary: Tankers fuel the fight

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations March 20, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force MQ-1B Predator fired a Hellfire

  • Manas KC-135s revolutionize combat operations

    The 376th Air Expeditionary Wing's fleet of KC-135 Stratotankers here delivers more than fuel to the fight in Afghanistan these days as it is revolutionizing the way war is fought by serving as a data network relay high above the battlefield. At first glance, the cluster of cases mounted in the back

  • Sniper pod improves capabilities, lethality of B-1

    The B-1 Lancer, one of the most versatile aircraft in the Air Force arsenal, is now even more lethal. This lethality is not due to bigger bombs in its bomb bay, but to a small torpedo-shaped pod stuck to the plane's underbelly. Called the Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod, this device enables the B-1's

  • March 19 airpower summary: B-1B destroys enemy positions

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 19, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and F-15E Strike Eagles

  • Top doctor: Medical infrastructure affects readiness

    The more than 1,000 major facilities that make up the Defense Department's medical infrastructure are key strategic national assets, the department's top medical official told Congress March 18 here. Dr. S. Ward Casscells, the assistant Defense secretary for health affairs, told the House Armed

  • Deterrence still key to national security, general says

    Deterrence remains as central to America's national security as it was during the Cold War, U.S. Strategic Command's top officer told the Senate Armed Services Committee March 19. "Our unique global perspective has given us a good platform for advocating for the nation's needs for missile defense;

  • Crew navigates tanker out of trouble

    "Any aircraft, any station, this is Shell 73. Emergency. We've lost complete navigational capability. Request assistance." This was the mayday call from Capt. Matthew Jaeger as he and the crew of Shell 73, a KC-135 Stratotanker from Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan, flew somewhere over the border of

  • AF Raven B operators maintain 'eyes-on' for ground forces

    "There it is," said Staff Sgt. Jeff Tomkiewicz, 887th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, as he pointed at a little, buzzing white dot in the sky. As the Raven B operator approached the small strip of sand of Camp Bucca's Burge Field, the tiny Raven B unmanned aircraft system hovered above the

  • March 18 airpower summary: A-10 hits target

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 18, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II dropped guided bomb

  • Airmen reflect on 6th anniversary of Operation Iraqi Freedom

    Airmen in the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing here took a moment to reflect on previous deployments here and the progress that's been made since 2003 to mark the six-year anniversary of Operation Iraqi Freedom March 19. Some take note of the physical changes in the base, the hardened facilities and the

  • March 17 airpower summary: F-16s strike target

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 17, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Navy F/A-18F Super Hornets flew a show of force,

  • March 16 airpower summary: C-130s sustain operations

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 16, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles hit enemy positions near

  • March 15 airpower summary: F-15 destroys cache

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 15, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle destroyed a cache of

  • AF personnel leaders focus on Airmen, modernization

    As mission requirements continue to grow, Air Force personnel leaders said before the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee in Washington March 17 that the service will refine priorities to win today's fight and prepare for tomorrow's challenges. The Honorable Craig Duehring, assistant Secretary

  • U.S., Japan forces conduct bilateral training

    Japan Air Self Defense Force pilots are practicing defensive missions with U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors in bilateral fighter pilot training March 16 through 19 over Kadena Air Base.American Airmen regularly conduct joint, combined and bilateral training from the base to defend Japan to maintain peace

  • Airmen represent U.S. military at airshow 'down under'

    About 100 Airmen from across the Air Force recently flew "down under" to represent the U.S. military and demonstrate aircraft capabilities at the 2009 Australian International Airshow March 13 through 15 at Avalon Airport. Airmen from Air Combat Command, Air Mobility Command, Air Force Reserve

  • New Kandahar unit prepares for troop increase

    Kandahar Airfield officials activated the 772nd Expeditionary Airlift Squadron March 15 here as the NATO base prepares for the build-up of forces to support Operation Enduring Freedom.The newest airlift squadron in the Air Force will be flying the C-130J Hercules, and serve under the 451st Air

  • AFPC officials establish diversity council

    Air Force Personnel Center officials drafted a charter and established working groups for its diversity council, the center's most recent endeavor to advance diversity initiatives Feb. 26. One of the first of its kind in the Air Force and comprised of military and civilians, the council will serve

  • European Command commander discusses USAFE role

    Partnering with allies to strengthen capabilities and interoperability is the future of U.S. European Command, of which airpower is a major factor. Army Gen. John Craddock, U.S. European Command commander, visited Ramstein Air Base March 16 and spoke about the way ahead for the command, and how

  • Gen. Schwartz to Airmen: 'We are a family'

    The chief of staff of the Air Force had a message for Airmen during an Airmen's Call here March 11: "We are a family and everyone in this room counts. "This is a big-tent Air Force," Gen. Norton Schwartz said. "In our business, you don't measure your worth by your proximity to the fight," he said.

  • March 14 airpower summary: B-1Bs support ground troops

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 14, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs used 30 mm Avenger cannon

  • March 13 airpower summary: A-10s strike enemy positions

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 13, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, a coalition aircraft responded to a dawn attack against a

  • Multinational consortium celebrates milestone of first C-17

    Twelve nations simultaneously came a step closer to fulfilling their national strategic airlift requirements today as a single C-17 Globemaster III reached a key manufacturing milestone here. Officials associated with the first-of-its kind strategic airlift capability, or SAC, consortium of 10 NATO

  • AF Africa commander addresses continental challenges

    The commander of U.S. Air Forces Africa spoke about the increasingly focused role the U.S. is taking to bolster Africa's air capabilities during a March 9 visit to Air University here. "We must invest in the future of Africa," said Maj. Gen. Ronald R. "Ron" Ladnier Jr. The general's comments came on

  • Air Guard engineers prepare for involuntary deployment

    Air National Guard civil engineer squadrons comprising hundreds of construction and repair experts will involuntary deploy overseas in historic numbers and scope during the next two years, senior Air Guard officials said. The mobilizations involve nearly one-eighth of the Air Guard's civil engineer

  • March 12 airpower summary: F-15Es interrupt mortar attack

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 12, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, a Royal Air Force GR-9 Harrier destroyed an enemy truck

  • Battlespace command, control center protects region

    The Air Force's newest Battlespace, Command and Control Center officially opened during a ceremony here Feb. 26 adding new systems and upgraded capabilities for the 71st Expeditionary Air Control Squadron as well as becoming their permanent new home. The center allows persistent command and control

  • 'Letter to Airmen' discusses balanced approach

    In his current Letter to Airmen, the secretary of the Air Force highlights the need to create a balance across the Air Force."A balanced approach means prevailing in today's operations while investing in new capabilities, force structure, skills and technologies to meet tomorrow's needs," Secretary

  • March 11 airpower summary: B-1Bs disrupt enemy plans

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 11, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force MQ-9A Reaper struck an anti-Afghan gunman with

  • 'Perspective' recognizes women's contributions

    In the latest "Enlisted Perspective, the Air Force's top enlisted Airman reflects on the distinguished heritage of women in the Air Force. From the members who served in the Army Air Corps to Women in the Air Force, or WAF, to today's Airmen who perform with distinction across our great Air Force,

  • CSAF signs official charter for Expeditionary Center

    The official charter for the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center was signed by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz on March 3 giving the center its "mandate to operate." The charter outlines how the Air Force must provide expeditionary combat support, or ECS, capabilities to combatant

  • Guard members assist car accident victim

    Air National Guard members from the 129th Rescue Wing here displayed their lifesaving skills as they aided a car crash victim March 9 near Suisun, Calif. Two combat rescue officers and four 131st Rescue Squadron pararescuemen were traveling north on Highway 80 to survey a potential new parachute

  • Air Force, Navy pilots train together over Okinawa

    Air Force and Navy pilots are sharpening their aerial combat skills in simulated dogfights and strike missions from March 1 through 21 over Okinawa. Using the base as a power projection platform, F-15 Eagle pilots from the 67th Fighter Squadron and F-22 Raptor pilots from the deployed 27th

  • March 10 airpower summary: A-10s conduct shows of force

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 10, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force MQ-9A Reaper used Hellfire missiles to target a

  • Iraqi Vice Chief of Staff: Air component top priority

    The Iraqi joint forces vice chief of staff discussed his country's top military priorities during a visit to Air Education and Training Command March 4. Chief among those priorities are the establishment of credible, effective air and naval components, General Nasier Arkan Al-Abadi said. "The Iraqi

  • Engineers save nearly $300 million in engine repairs

    Engineers at the Air Force Research Laboratory Materials and Manufacturing Directorate here saved nearly $300 million by reducing the costs associated with aircraft jet engine maintenance.The Engine Rotor Life Extension program, called ERLE, demonstrated a life-cycle cost avoidance for engine rotor

  • March 8 airpower summary: F-15Es provide aerial overwatch

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 8, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles flying aerial overwatch near

  • AFMC focuses on nuclear sustainment, command priorities

    The commander of Air Force Materiel Command called for maximum focus on the command priorities during AFMC's semi-annual senior leaders conference March 5 and 6 at Robins Air Force Base.From a top priority of robust nuclear sustainment to increased warfighter support and resource conservation, Gen.

  • Training gives medics confidence prior to deployments

    It's utter chaos. A child injured by a roadside bomb is wheeled into surgery. A woman with facial burns is rushed in on a stretcher. A small boy with a severe leg injury hobbles into the room. Who do you treat first? Who can help? What medical supplies are on hand? These are the questions deployed

  • March 7 airpower summary: A-10s support ground forces

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 7, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs targeted enemy snipers

  • March 6 airpower summary: Strike Eagles protect convoys

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 6, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles destroyed several enemy

  • Joint team surveys 7 OEF, OIF bases in less than 30 days

    Airmen assigned to the 615th Contingency Response Wing here recently completed a nearly 30-day assessment mission in Afghanistan and Iraq. The 10 Airmen were part of a 13-member joint Air Force-Army team, which received their mission tasking from U.S. Transportation Command. The group, known as a

  • U.S., Afghan forces unite to open fuel depot

    The Afghan assistant defense minister and other senior Afghanistan national army officials inaugurated Afghanistan's most modern Class III fuels depot Feb. 28 at Khuja Rawash in Kabul. Afghan Lt. Gen. Jawhari, chief of acquisition, technology and logistics, led the ceremony that brought the ANA and

  • DTS expands, earns greater customer approval

    The Defense Travel System has expanded its reach and gained ground in customer satisfaction, the director of the Defense Travel Management Office told a congressional panel March 5. "In terms of improvements, the department has focused its efforts on expanding DTS usage, making DTS more user

  • Guard essential at home and abroad, says chief

    The National Guard is playing an essential role domestically and overseas, Gen. Craig McKinley said here March 6, challenging leaders to do more with the same amount of money. The chief of the National Guard Bureau spoke to about 700 leaders attending the National Guard's 2009 Domestic Operations

  • Job opportunities available for Airmen in recruiting

    The decision to increase the Air Force end strength from 316,000 to 330,000 at the end of 2008 forced Air Force Recruiting Service officials here to ramp up the number of recruiters across the nation, offering more Airmen a chance to enter a uniquely challenging career. "Recruiting offers a direct

  • Kadena Airmen deploy to Thailand for Exercise Cope Tiger

    About 170 Kadena Air Base Airmen are deploying with 12 F-15 Eagles to Thailand to participate in Exercise Cope Tiger 2009 from March 9 through 20. The F-15s from the 44th Fighter Squadron here will fly alongside their Thai air force counterparts as well as the Singaporean air force and other U.S.

  • Korean VIP goes for a ride

    The 8th Fighter Wing commander literally took Gunsan City's Korean National Police chief for a ride here March 4. Colonel J.D. Harris invited Kim Myung Jung to the base to familiarize him with the wing mission and the F-16 Fighting Falcon. Kunsan's Pilot for a Day program brings local civilians who

  • Players, spectator save life of fallen Airman

    Five minutes into an intramural basketball game, two base teams were locked in a battle for victory but then had to shift focus to battle to save a fallen player's life at 8:30 p.m. Feb. 18 here. A player fell head first to the floor at the Pope Fitness Center's basketball court, but two players

  • March 4 airpower summary: B-1B destroys drug production facilities

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 4, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer bomber used guided bomb unit-38s to

  • March 5 airpower summary: A-10s provide aerial security

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 5, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles engaged a cave that anti-Afghan

  • Prescription crosscheck program helps Tricare beneficiaries

    The Tricare military health plan is ensuring patient safety for its 9.2 million beneficiaries through a revolutionary drug utilization program, a senior Tricare official said last week. "We cover about 2.2 million prescription medication claims per week -- that's about 120 million prescriptions per

  • Guard aviators gear up for Afghanistan deployment

    Four New York Army National Guard aviators got a taste of high-altitude flying in Afghanistan on Feb. 25 without leaving the United States. The Afghan-bound members of Detachment 20, Operational Support Airlift, went through high-altitude training at an Air Force oxygen chamber here. The Soldiers

  • Symposium encourages Building Partnerships, ideas

    The LeMay Center for Doctrine Development and Education here invites select officers and civilian equivalents to take part in the Building Partnerships Symposium March 23 to 25 here. The event's primary focus is to promote discussion about relevant experiences and theories to be incorporated into

  • March 3 airpower summary: Predator keeps vigilant watch

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 3, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force MQ-1B Predator unmanned aerial vehicle used a

  • ESC uses new acquisition steps to advance critical program

    An Electronic Systems Center team has completed one of the Air Force's first Materiel Development Decisions using the new DOD Instruction 5000.02, Operation of the Defense Acquisition System, acquisition procedures approved in December. The team, composed of people in the 653rd Electronic Systems

  • AFSPC commander speaks on changing nature of warfare

    General C. Robert Kehler, the commander of Air Force Space Command, spoke at the Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando Feb. 24 about the future of conflict. "We're very excited about what is happening in our command," he said, referring to the decision to make Air Force Space Command the lead for (Air

  • JCS chairman stresses value of joint warfighting

    As military officials in Chile work toward building a joint force, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff shared insights from U.S. history and emphasized the importance of the joint process."The U.S. military is the best in the world" partly because leaders and servicemembers have embraced joint

  • Successful Deep Freeze season comes to an end

    Another season of Department of Defense support to the U.S. Antarctic Program and National Science Foundation activities in Antarctica came to an end Feb. 28. The 2008-2009 season of Operation Deep Freeze, the U.S. military's operational and logistical support of the NSF's scientific research

  • Airmen advise Afghans on Russian-made helicopters

    Kadena Air Base Airmen are contributing to the readiness of the Afghan national army air corps by serving as advisers to Afghan airmen at Kandahar Air Base, Afghanistan, who maintain the Russian-made MI-17 transport helicopter. Tech. Sgt. Dennis Flanagan, a helicopter crew chief, and Tech. Sgt.

  • Leaders address issues at AFA symposium

    The top Air Force leaders outlined today and tomorrow's challenges for the service Feb. 26 at the 25th Annual Air Force Association Air Warfare Symposium and Technology Exposition in Orlando, Fla. Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley and Gen. Norton Schwartz, chief of staff of the Air Force,

  • March 2 airpower summary: A-10s deter, disrupt enemy activities

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 2, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs dropped general purpose

  • Kadena Airmen volunteer time to Japanese children

    Fifteen Airmen from the 18th Wing here used their native English skills to connect with 60 children at a Japanese preschool Feb. 26 while temporarily deployed to the Japan Air Self Defense Force's Nyutabaru Air Base in Miyazaki Prefecture. The children, ages 3 to 6 years old, at Isshin preschool

  • Squadron continues tradition, honors fallen comrades

    Members from the 1st Special Operations Squadron took off Feb. 26 from Kadena Air Base, Japan, on a MC-130H Combat Talon II to honor fallen brethren that were lost 28 years ago.A 1st SOS MC-130E, call sign Stray 59, crashed during an exercise killing eight crewmembers and 15 passengers Feb. 26,

  • Airmen deliver 1 million pounds of supplies in 42 days

    Airmen of the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron dropped its 1 millionth pound of equipment from a C-17 Globemaster III Feb. 16 over Afghanistan just 42 days after arriving here Dec. 30. Unit members deployed from Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., completed the milestone mission supporting

  • Airman welcomes first child via Web cam

    A 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Airman deployed at an air base in Southwest Asia witnessed the birth of his first child in the Oklahoma City area live via Web cam Feb. 19. Senior Airman Daniel Warila, a 380th Expeditionary Maintenance aerospace ground equipment mechanic, watched his son, Lucas Daniel

  • March 1 airpower summary: MQ-9 targets enemy with missiles

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 1, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs responded to a ground

  • Feb. 26 airpower summary: A-10s deter enemy forces

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Feb. 26, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan a coalition aircraft used a precision guided munition to

  • Feb. 27 airpower summary: B-1B destroys enemy narcotics facility

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Feb. 27, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer bomber used guided bomb unit-38s

  • Feb. 28 air power summary: F-15E destroys enemy weapons cache

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Feb. 28, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle destroyed an anti-Afghan

  • Multinational exercise to test interoperability in Caribbean

    An initiative aimed at boosting capacity among Central and South American security forces will get put to the test in early March when 18 countries come together for a national security exercise in the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic. The United States and England will join 16 Caribbean countries

  • President's budget proposal includes 2.9 percent pay raise for troops

    President Barack Obama's fiscal 2010 budget proposal includes a 2.9 percent pay increase for U.S. servicemembers. The figure is lower than pay raises requested the past two years, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said Feb. 26. But he noted that Congress has a precedent of increasing the amount

  • Charleston leads AMC in conserving energy

    According to recent reports from Air Mobility Command officials, Charleston AFB is currently leading the way for reduction in energy consumption in AMC. Mandated by federal Executive Order 13423, the Air Force and all federal agencies are required to reduce energy consumption annually by 3 percent

  • General lists Air Force safety priorities

    Although Maj. Gen. Frederick Roggero, Air Force Safety Center commander, has several priorities concerning safety in the Air Force, it is no surprise that ground safety has now quickly made it to the forefront of his priority list. During the last 10 years, on average, the Air Force has lost about

  • Missile defense capable, but needs more testing

    U.S. missile defense is prepared to defend against North Korean threats, but the system needs more testing before Pentagon officials can endorse its capabilities with "high confidence," the top Defense Department tester said. In three test scenarios, the missile defense system successfully destroyed

  • Airmen assist with 2009 ESPN Bassmaster Classic

    The 2009 ESPN Bassmaster Classic allowed several Barksdale Air Force Base Airmen to reel-in a piece of the action Feb. 20 through 22 here. Several bass enthusiasts and the Barksdale Hawgherders Bass Club participated in the classic, which brought 137,700 people to the Shreveport, La., area for what

  • Feb. 24 airpower summary: Predator targets anti-Afghan forces

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Feb. 24, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle engaged enemy forces with a

  • Feb. 25 airpower summary: F-15Es deter enemy forces

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Feb. 25, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, a Royal Air Force G-9 Harrier struck buildings in a compound

  • Chief McKinley 'schools' Senior NCO Academy instructors

    An early morning lesson in basketball from the chief master sergeant of the Air Force has become a tradition for instructors at the Senior NCO Academy here, and the Feb. 25 game was no different. The morning after each one of the school's graduations -- five times every year -- Chief Master Sgt. of

  • Aeromedical missions bring total force partners together

    Almost 56,000 Soldiers, Marines, Sailors since October 2001 have been aeromedically evacuated supporting expeditionary operations by the total force team of active-duty, Reserve and Guard Airmen. In the Air Mobility Command aeromedical evacuation community, every day entails a combination of total

  • Tiger team to improve command, control

    Command and Control, one of the keystones to modern warfare, is getting a boost thanks to an Air Combat Command-led tiger team. The team, comprising more than 20 senior leaders from across the Air Force, is responsible for stewardship of the Air Force theater air control system and brings different

  • U.S., Thai, Singapore forces to participate in Cope Tiger

    Aviation and ground units from the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps, the Royal Thai Air Force and army, and the Republic of Singapore air force are scheduled to participate in Exercise Cope Tiger 2009 March 9 through 20 in Thailand. Cope Tiger is an annual, multilateral aerial large-force