Thracian Fall exercise kicks off in Bulgaria

Service members from the Air Force, Army, Navy and Bulgarian air force are participating in a two-week jump exercise here from Oct. 9 through 22.Operation Thracian Fall 2011 is part of a semi-annual, off-station training that gives U.S. and coalition jumpers and pilots an opportunity to hone their

AFSOC's first MC-130J Combat Shadow II arrives at Cannon AFB

Airmen assigned to the 27th Special Operations Wing held an aircraft acceptance ceremony Sept. 29 on the flightline here for the arrival of Air Force Special Operations Command's first MC-130J Combat Shadow II. Lt. Gen. Eric E. Fiel, the AFSOC commander, and Brig. Gen. Stephen Clark, the AFSOC

Falcons overcome late Navy comeback, beat Mids 35-34 in OT

Despite a 2-1 record, Air Force fans have despaired over some luckluster Falcon play this season. However, some of that was washed away as the Falcons defeated the Navy Midshipmen 35-34 Oct. 1 at Jack Stephens Field here.The Falcons were riding high into the second half, but it all almost came

Fairchild units conduct first KC-135 OSC exercise

Earlier in 2011, a military aircraft went down in Afghanistan and the aircrew evaded through enemy terrain. A Fairchild KC-135 Stratotanker was nearby conducting operations and was the first to receive communications from the downed survivors. Once they positively authenticated the survivors, the

C-130Js improve Bagram's airlift, airdrop capabilities

The 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron recently filled its ranks with C-130J Hercules aircraft and aircrews as two new units joined the squadron. Almost two dozen C-130Js and a full complement of aircrew and maintenance personnel, split between California Air National Guard's 146th Airlift Wing

Airmen missing in action from WWII identified

The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced Sept. 20 that the remains of nine servicemen, missing in action from World War II, have been identified and are being returned to their families for burial with full military honors.Army Air Forces 1st Lt. William J. Sarsfield of

Security forces Airmen complete 9/11 ruck march

After more than two months and 2,100 miles of marching, a flight of security forces Airmen completed the Security Forces 9/11 Ruck March to Remember here Sept. 11. The last leg of their march began at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum and ended at Battery Park, where 2,796 flags covered the

Combat controller buried, had 'heart of a lion'

The last of three Airmen, who died in an Aug. 6 helicopter crash in Afghanistan, was buried at Los Angeles National Cemetery here Sept. 10.Staff Sgt. Andrew Harvell, an Air Force Special Operations Command combat controller, was one of 30 Americans killed in action when the CH-47 Chinook they were

Sather AB remembers 9/11

More than 100 Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and civilians participated in a two-mile sunrise ruck march Sept. 11 here.The purpose of the event, which included a flag-folding ceremony, was to honor those who were killed on 9/11. The attacks were perpetrated by hijackers who intentionally crashed two

Survivor supports families in wake of 9/11

It's been a decade since American Airlines Flight 77 struck the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001, but Bonnie Carroll vividly recalls the aftermath.As a family support volunteer, she spent hours "listening and sharing" with families who were waiting to be notified about a missing loved one.Carroll, the

Air Force pilot missing from Vietnam War identified

Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office officials announced Sept. 6 that the remains of an Airman, missing in action from the Vietnam War, have been identified and returned to his family for burial with full military honors.Maj. Thomas E. Reitmann, of Red Wing, Minn., will be buried Sept.

Panetta to visit 9/11 attack sites

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta will spend Sept. 6 honoring those killed during the Sept. 11, terrorist attacks on the United States, as he travels to New York and Pennsylvania.The secretary will visit ground zero in lower Manhattan, where hijackers crashed American Airlines Flight 11 and United

Air Force Special Operations 'gentle giant' laid to rest

For the second week in a row, an Air Force Special Operations Command pararescueman was laid to rest here.Tech. Sgt. John Brown, with family roots in Arkansas and Florida, was buried here Aug. 30, one week after his teammate and friend Tech. Sgt. Daniel Zerbe. Both Brown and Zerbe were on a CH-47

Air Force leaders issue Labor Day message

Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy send the following Labor Day message to the Airmen of the U.S. Air Force and their families:Labor Day is a distinctly American holiday, created by workers to pay

9/11 responders tell their stories at media event

A Texas Air National Guard pilot who flew an escort mission for Air Force One on Sept. 11, 2001, was at the Pentagon to tell his story to the media Aug. 23.Lt. Col. Rolando Aguilar, the RC-26 Metroliner program manager at the 147th Reconnaissance Wing in Houston, was one of several people who were

Family, friends say goodbye to a 'hero'

An Air Force Special Operations Command pararescueman was laid to rest here Aug. 23.Tech. Sgt. Daniel Zerbe, 28, died Aug. 6 in the Wardak province of eastern Afghanistan when the Chinook helicopter in which he was traveling crashed. Zerbe was one of 25 U.S. Special Operations Command operators who

Joint basing strengthens 673rd Security Forces Squadron

More than 10 months after the former Elmendorf Air Force Base and Fort Richardson merged to form Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson; the 673d Security Forces Squadron is running on all cylinders, officials here said.Capt. Melissa Hull, the 673rd Security Forces operations officer, said it was a

Motorcycle ride kicks off 9/11 memorial observances

One of the first of many tenth-anniversary commemorations of the 9/11 terror attacks will begin Aug. 18 as almost 2,500 motorcyclists launch the 11th America's 9/11 Ride that begins in Shanksville, Pa., and continues over the next three days to the Pentagon and World Trade Center crash sites.The

Photo Essay: U.S. Air Force well represented at Russian air show

The Moscow International Aviation and Space Salon, known as MAKS, is one of the premier events of its type in the world and Department of Defense participation demonstrates the U.S. commitment to international security, promotes international cooperation and contributes to U.S. foreign policy

Medical examiners identify deceased in Chinook crash

All 30 Americans killed in the Aug. 6 crash of a CH-47 Chinook helicopter in eastern Afghanistan have been identified, officials at the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System in Rockville, Md., said Aug. 12.Medical examiners also identified all eight Afghans killed in the incident, said Paul Stone, a

DOD releases names of Airmen killed in Afghanistan helicopter crash

Three Air Force Special Operations Command Airmen died Saturday morning when their aircraft, a coalition CH-47 Chinook, crashed in the Maiden Wardak Province in eastern Afghanistan. They were among 25 U.S. Special Operations Command operators who died in the crash, which also took the lives of five

ISAF airstrike kills insurgents who caused helicopter crash

Coalition forces used a precision airstrike to kill Taliban insurgents involved in the Aug. 6 downing of the helicopter carrying 30 U.S. service members and eight Afghans, the commander of U.S. and coalition forces in Afghanistan said Aug. 10. In a briefing from his headquarters in the Afghan

President, senior leaders pay tribute to fallen

President Barack Obama, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, and other senior leaders paid tribute to 30 fallen heroes here during a dignified transfer Aug. 9. The Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen were killed in action Saturday when the Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter went down in Afghanistan Aug. 6. Aboard

Army general to lead Chinook crash investigation

Army Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Colt will conduct the investigation of the crash of a CH-47 Chinook helicopter in Afghanistan that killed 38 U.S. and Afghan service members, U.S. Central Command officials announced Aug. 9.Colt, deputy commanding general of the 101st Airborne Division, will begin his duties

Obama, military leaders pay respects at Dover Air Force Base

President Barack Obama and military leaders paid their respects at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware Aug. 9 during the dignified transfer of remains of service members killed in an Aug. 6 helicopter crash in Afghanistan.Two Air Force C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft carried the remains to

Spokesman: Probe will determine Chinook crash facts

An investigation will determine the facts surrounding the deaths of 30 U.S. service members and eight Afghan commandos when their CH-47 Chinook helicopter went down in Afghanistan's Wardak province Aug. 6, a Pentagon spokesman said.Marine Corps Col. Dave Lapan warned against jumping to conclusions

Missing World War II Army Air Forces soldiers identified

The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced Aug. 1 that remains of 12 U.S. servicemen, missing in action from World War II, had been identified and would be returned to their families for burial with full military honors. They are Army Air Forces 1st Lt. Jack E. Volz, 21,

Leaders offer condolences in wake of helicopter crash

Senior U.S. leaders extended condolences Aug. 6 to the families of American and Afghan forces lost in an International Security Assistance Force helicopter crash in eastern Afghanistan Aug. 6.Thirty ISAF service members, a civilian interpreter and seven Afghan commandos were killed when a coalition

Program helps disabled vets become entrepreneurs

Retired Army 1st Sgt. Renee Floyd wasn't about to let a disability stop her from realizing her dream of having her own business.Applying 21 years of experience as an Army mechanic, she launched BRF Mobile Lube Service in Phenix City, Ala., in 2009 and began traveling to people's homes and businesses

Columbus defenders bring 9/11 march across Mississippi River

Airmen from the 14th Security Forces Squadron here will take the Ruck March to Remember across the Mississippi River July 26 during their portion of the 2,181-mile trek.The Columbus Airmen began their 146-mile march July 24, taking part in the nationwide security forces event commemorating the 10th

French award National Defense Gold Medal to pararescue Airmen

Three 83rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron Airmen were awarded the French National Defense Gold Medal with bronze star during a ceremony at Forward Operating Base Morales-Frazier July 8.French Brig. Gen. Emmanuel Maurin, the Task Force La Fayette IV commander, presented Capt. John Mosier, an HH-60G

New joint training enables Airmen, Soldiers to respond to emergencies

Airmen from the fire department and Soldiers from a quick reaction force at the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing conducted a joint training exercise July 15 to learn how to work together effectively during an emergency situation.This is the first time the Army's QRF and the Air Force-operated fire

Airmen at Zaragosa Air Base support NASA's final shuttle launch

Airmen from U.S. Air Forces in Europe provided support at the Transoceanic Abort Landing Site in Zaragoza, Spain, as NASA scientists concluded the shuttle program with the successful launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis July 8. The TAL serves as a safe haven, in the event something goes wrong during the

Air Force pilot missing from Vietnam War identified

Officials with the Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced July 7 that the remains of an Air Force pilot, missing in action from the Vietnam War, have been identified and returned to his family for burial with full military honors.Maj. Richard G. Elzinga of Shedd, Ore., will be

Education program promotes relationships, partnerships

Walk into just about any U.S. professional military schoolhouse, and you're likely to see a surprising number of foreign officers and noncommissioned officers mixed among the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps students.They're a testament to the popularity of the International Military Education

DARPA officials seek to employ biology in manufacturing

In the latest effort to make the impossible probable, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency officials are looking for companies that can harness biology to speed up and lower the cost of producing new materials and devices.Alicia Jackson, a program manager in DARPA's Microsystems Technology

Nellis pilot in F-16C mishap identified

Air Force officials have identified the pilot involved in an aircraft mishap near Caliente, Nev., June 28 as Capt. Eric Ziegler, 30, an operational test and evaluation instructor pilot with the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron here.Brig. Gen. Terrence O'Shaughnessy, commander of the 57th Wing,

Nellis F-16 crash site found

Air Force officials here announced June 30 that search and rescue teams have found conclusive evidence the pilot of an F-16 Fighting Falcon, which crashed at approximately 5:30 p.m. June 28, did not survive. At the time of the accident, the single-seat F-16, based at Nellis Air Force Base, was

Airmen respond, help recover crashed Afghan Mi-17

Thirteen members of the 438th Air Expeditionary Wing responded to the crash site of an Afghan air force Mi-17 at Forward Operating Base Fiaz in Asadabad in Kunar province.Six members were on board the aircraft and received minor injuries when the Afghan air force helicopter went down during a

Nellis AFB F-16 crashes near Caliente, Nev.

An Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon from here crashed June 28 about 5:30 p.m. PDT near Caliente, Nev. The F-16 was participating in an air-to-air combat training mission.One person was on board. The individual's condition is unknown at this time.As soon as additional details become available, they

Dillons named 2011 O'Malley recipients

Air Force officials have announced their selection for the 2011 General and Mrs. Jerome F. O'Malley Award. Brig. Gen. Mark Dillon, the 86th Airlift Wing commander, and his wife Sara were selected as this year's winners.The annual award recognizes the wing commander and spouse team who have best

Joint Personnel Recovery Exercise prepares lifesavers from all branches for duty

A joint training exercise in the Grand Bara Desert June 16 demonstrated the ability of U.S. service members based at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, to quickly locate and recover personnel from downed aircraft or from other emergencies.Service members from each branch of the U.S. military worked together

Thousands admire U.S. aircraft at Paris Air Show

The world's longest-established aerospace event comes to a close June 26 after hundreds of thousands of people viewed the best of what aviation has to offer.The 49th International Paris Air Show, which began more than 100 years ago, opened June 20 with four trade-show days and three public days at

Aircraft stage from Kirtland to fight fires

Two C-130J Hercules equipped with Modular Airborne Firefighting Systems arrived here June 15, 2011, to conduct firefighting missions in support of wildfire suppression efforts in the Southwestern United States.The aircraft are from the 115th Air Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, commanded by Lt. Col.

Allied Strike 2011 kicks off in Germany

Allied Strike 2011, the largest joint terminal attack controller and close-air-support exercise in Europe, kicked off here this morning with an opening ceremony which included three airmen jumping out of a C-130J Super Hercules and a welcome address by the commander of the 4th Air Support Operations

New vehicle affects future of Air Force firefighting

Soon Air Force firefighters will have a new weapon in their arsenal. The P-34 Rapid Intervention Vehicle will be in production by late September 2011. The Air Force Civil Engineer Support Agency here has been the driving force behind this initiative."This will be the first firefighting vehicle in

Abandoned paintings make Air Force history

Nine paintings depicting the evolution of air and space, which are displayed in the Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station technical support building lobby, will be adopted into the Air Force Art Program this year. The paintings were rescued years ago after being abandoned inside a storage closet at

U.S. military, aircraft highlighted at international air show

U.S. military pride, strength and technology are on display at the 49th International Paris Air Show at the Le Bourget Airport here June 20 through 26. Held every two years, the Paris Air Show provides an opportunity for the U.S. to showcase the best the Department of Defense has to offer in people,

U.S. service members, Japanese mourn lives lost during World War II

Members here participated in a memorial ceremony June 11, in Shizuoka City, Japan. U.S. Airmen have been invited to take part in the event each year since 1972, bringing the U.S. and Japanese communities together to mourn a shared loss.The tragedy occurred June 20, 1945, when two B-29 Superfortress

Rescue community remembers fallen Airmen

Airmen from the 66th Rescue Squadron here held a remembrance ceremony June 9 for the crewmembers of an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter, call sign Pedro 66, who lost their lives in a crash a year ago on this date.Lt. Col. Daniel Jefferies, the 563rd Rescue Group deputy commander, presided over the

Edwards team tests new brake system for C-130

Members of the 418th Flight Test Squadron C-130 Hercules Wheel Brake System Improvement program here are testing the performance of carbon brakes and the new Mark IV Digital Antiskid Control Unit for the aircraft to replace the C-130's legacy brake system.Members of this test group said they know

Fallen tanker pilot to be honored in building dedication

Airmen from the 911th Air Refueling Squadron will honor a fallen tanker pilot June 26 here by dedicating a new auditorium in his name. The event comes exactly 43 years to the day that the late Maj. Robert Francis Woods was declared missing in action after his plane crashed over Vietnam, and four

'Jersey' Jeanne takes home bronze

Under a nearly cloudless sky and with a slight chill in the air, retired Staff Sgt. Jeanne Goldy-Sanitate took off down the hill at the U.S. Air Force Academy chasing a medal during the women's cycling race at the 2011 Warrior Games here May 20. Despite flipping her handcycle earlier in the week,

Air Force wheelchair basketball team preps for competition

This year's Air Force wheelchair basketball team underwent a workout May 12 at the Air Force Academy Prep School Gym, to not only improve skills needed to play intense basketball from a special sports wheelchair, but to get to know each other also. "The primary objective of this camp is to come

Exercise preserves U.S., Bulgarian partnership

Airmen from Ramstein Air Base's 86th Airlift Wing and 435th Air Ground Operations Wing, as well as U.S. Army jumpmasters teamed with Bulgarian armed forces to conduct Exercise Thracian Spring 2011 April 26 to May 6 here. The bilateral training exercise brought U.S. and Bulgarian military forces

Survivors call bin Laden's death 'Bittersweet'

When Wendy Duffman first heard that Osama bin Laden, al-Qaida's leader and the mastermind behind 9/11, was dead, she said she felt a sense of elation, and then relief.Her brother, Air Force Tech. Sgt. Scott Eric Duffman, died four years ago in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan. And as an American

Goodfellow AFB firefighters respond to wildfire

As dense smoke from a nearby fire engulfed the base April 15, crews and assets from here and the Louis F. Garland Fire Academy joined forces with hundreds of other firefighters to battle the fire.Persistent drought, high winds and temperatures have complicated attempts to battle the fire, which was

Prisoner of War Medal finally presented to family of Kentucky Air Guard pilot

The family of a late Kentucky Air National Guard pilot was presented with his Prisoner of War Medal in a ceremony here April 16.Merlin R. "Bob" Kehrer was a first lieutenant in the United States Army Air Corps who flew combat missions over Europe during World War II. His P-51 Mustang aircraft was

Research examines blast impact on human brain

There's little debate about the risk of a brain injury when a service member gets a blow to the head, whether from an enemy round or from crashing against a wall or being inside a vehicle during an explosion.But some of the foremost academic researchers from around the world, working in cooperation

Safety Investigation Board convenes for A-10 crash

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

Iraqi, American firefighters team up for joint exercise

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

Photo essay: C-130J maintenance in support of Odyssey Dawn

Members of the 86th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron perform maintenance on a C-130J Super Hercules here March 25, after its return from a mission in support of Odyssey Dawn.View the slideshow.

UPDATE: Spangdahlem A-10 crashes

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

UAV crashes at Edwards AFB

A Global Observer unmanned aircraft crashed at approximately 2:30 a.m., April 1, near the southwest corner of Rogers Dry Lakebed. There were no injuries or damage to property on the ground.Global Observer is a Joint Capability Technology Demonstration program.The cause of the crash is under

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

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

VA officials work to break disability claims backlog

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

Altus C-17s take training to Fort Sill

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

Task force commander provides Libya update

The two-man crew of a U.S. fighter jet that crashed in Libya is safe, while the coalition has established a no-fly zone and grounded Moammar Gadhafi's forces, the commander of Joint Task Force Odyssey Dawn said March 22.Two Airmen ejected from their F-15E Strike Eagle warplane late March 21 after

NATO, USAFE officials host international flight surgeons

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

Carpathian Spring kicks off in Romania

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

Air Force, families, Kuwaiti ambassador remember Gulf War sacrifices

 Families of service members who lost their lives in the Gulf War gathered together Mar. 13 here  to pay tribute to their loved ones as part of a 20th anniversary remembrance ceremony held at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall.The commemoration honored those who gave their lives liberating the State of

U.S., Canadian officials rescue aircraft crash survivor

The Airmen of the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center here coordinated with Canadian forces for a cross-border search and rescue mission March 7. Staff Sgt. Jose Grimes, an AFRCC SAR duty officer, received a call from the Canadian RCC in Trenton, Canada, alerting him to a missing Canadian aircraft.

Commander addresses Lakenheath Airmen about Frankfurt shooting

The commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe spoke to more than 200 Airmen from the 48th Security Forces Squadron here March 3. Gen. Mark A. Welsh III urged the Airmen to take care of each other in the wake of a shooting that claimed the lives of two Airmen and wounded two more. The shooting incident

Teams search for missing Americans in China

Cooperative efforts between the United States and China for accounting of Americans missing from the Korean War broadened last month with the arrival of a specially trained archeological team in Guangdong province.The group from the U.S. Joint Prisoners of War/Missing in Action Accounting Command

Airmen showcase mission in Australia

Visitors got an up-close look at Air Force aircraft and Airmen during the Avalon 2011 Australian International Airshow here March 4 to 6.Several Airmen participated in the event, one of the largest airshows in the world."Engagement with our allies, especially one as close as Australia, is key to our

Air Force conservation programs score widespread victories

The Air Force is trustee to more than eight million acres of land, water and air assets, and is home to more than 70 threatened and endangered species. Stewardship of these resources, in conjunction with sustainment of critical military mission activities, is a key priority for conservation programs

U.S. military aircraft bring displaced Egyptians home

Air Force C-130J Super Hercules aircraft from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, joined Marine Corps KC-130 aircraft March 5 in airlifting displaced Egyptian citizens here from Djerba, Tunisia. More than 300 passengers traveled on four flights. The aircraft and teams conducted the humanitarian shuttles in

Airmen deliver aid to Libyan evacuees

Airmen from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, delivered humanitarian aid March 4 to Libyan evacuees and foreign nationals, who have fled here due to recent political uprising in Libya.The Airmen, assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron, piloted two C-130J Super Hercules and received 2,000 wool blankets, 40

U.S., Polish military enhance partnerships through training

Airmen from Ramstein Air Base traveled to the 33rd Air Base in Powidz, Poland, Feb. 4 to 12 for a joint training mission with Polish military forces.More than 60 Airmen from the 86th Airlift Wing and 435th Air Ground Operations Wing participated in the week-long, off-site training aimed at sharing

CSAF helps Indian Air Force welcome C-130J

Rescue Airmen respond to helicopter crash

Air Force reservists from the 943rd Rescue Group here responded to a Department of Public Safety helicopter crash in a rugged valley northwest of Tucson Jan. 31.Around noon, 943rd RQG Airmen were conducting two rescue helicopter training missions in the local area when they heard radio chatter

Airmen, Soldiers join to put out fires at Ramstein AB

Five Army firefighters from the Army Garrison Grafenwoehr, Germany joined some of their Air Force counterparts for joint training here Jan. 18.The Soldiers, assigned to the 18th Combat Support Sustainment Regiment's 23rd Ordnance Company, are working side-by-side with Airmen from with the 886th

Alaska F-22 AIB on recess

Accident investigation board officials for the Alaska-based F-22 Raptor crash recessed, Jan. 14, per the direction of Gen. Gary North, the Pacific Air Forces commander. The board is set to resume when weather conditions allow further recovery operations of the crash site located near Cantwell,

Afghanistan airdrop levels set record in 2010

Mobility Airmen supporting operations in Afghanistan airdropped 60.4 million pounds of cargo airdropped throughout the country, setting a record.In all, the 60.4 million pounds is nearly twice the previous record year of 2009, where just over 32.2 million pounds of cargo was airdropped, Air Forces

McChord crew chiefs 'get the job done'

Maintainers here say no airlift wing can provide global airlift for America without ready and available aircraft. No aircraft can deliver global airlift without proper maintenance. The 62nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chiefs here ensure the 62nd Airlift Wing's C-17 Globemaster IIIs are safe,

C-130J Super Hercules flies airdrop mission

A U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules aircrew from the 772nd Expeditionary Airlift Squadron flies to a drop zone during an air drop mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom while flying over Afghanistan, Dec. 29, 2010.  C-130 aircrews ensure that troops on the ground have adequate supplies

Heart Link links hearts and minds of military spouses

The words "Heart Link" may evoke a mental image of animated cartoon hearts holding hands or perhaps the infamous paper heart chain that has become a staple around school rooms during Valentine's Day. Sometimes spouses may feel like that flimsy chain of paper hearts, vulnerable and alone. Heart Link

Crash recovery team demonstrates innovation through unique lift operation

Airmen from the 51st Maintenance Squadron's Transient Alert Crash Recovery team performed a unique operation in response to a real-world situation Dec. 11, which proved valuable training for the entire shop. What started out earlier that week as a routine aircraft maintenance operation took an

Academy grad killed in plane crash

Air Force officials confirmed Dec. 23 the identity of an officer who died Dec. 22 as a result of a civilian aircraft accident near Colorado Springs Airport, Colo.First Lt. Martin Anthony Riggan, 25, of Little Rock, Ark. and his wife died after their Mooney's M20E aircraft crashed east of the runway.

DARPA goal for cybersecurity: change the game

Self-proclaimed "technogeeks" at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, after determining the nature of the cybersecurity threat, have devised programs to tackle the problem and, most importantly, surprise their adversaries, DARPA's deputy director said.Kaigham Gabriel spoke here at the Dec.

CV-22 accident investigation board results released

Air Force Special Operations Command officials released the results of their investigation into the CV-22 Osprey accident April 9, near Qalat, Afghanistan, that killed four people and injured 16 of the 20 onboard. The pilot, flight engineer, an Army Ranger, and a civilian contract employee were

National prevention month highlights dangers of drunken driving

As the end-of-year holidays approach, Airmen, like the rest of America, are busy planning, shopping and preparing for those few days when family and friends gather to relax and celebrate. Some may not care to think about tragedy at this time, but December is National Drunk and Drugged Driving

Reservist awarded the Airman's Medal for off-duty heroism

An Air Force reservist pulled injured and panicking passengers from a smoking airliner that crashed upon takeoff December 2008. For his heroic actions, the 10th Air Force commander presented this Airman with an Airman's Medal here Dec. 10.The military decoration is awarded for "heroism not involving

Wing retires C-130E, anticipates end of C-130E ops

Little Rock Air Force Base C-130E Hercules aircraft 62-1788 made its final flight Nov. 29, to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base's 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group, the aircraft retirement "bone yard" here. Built in 1962, the aircraft's history includes supporting major operations in

U.S. responds to Israeli request for help

Two C-130J Super Hercules aircraft assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, delivered 20 tons of fire retardant to Israel Dec. 4. The mission was part of a joint U.S. European Command and U.S. Air Forces in Europe effort to assist the Israeli government deal with what is

USAFE Airmen to assist Israel with wildfires

Aircrews and C-130J Super Hercules from here are standing by to fly 20 tons of fire retardant to to assist with wildfires Dec. 4 in the Carmel Forest of Israel. So far, the fires have killed 42 people and burned more than 7,000 acres of land. At least 15,000 residents have been evacuated.Follow the

Officials suspend F-22 crash recovery and restoration

After two weeks of intense effort, a joint Air Force and Army team has suspended recovery and restoration efforts for the F-22 Raptor that crashed Nov. 16 near Cantwell, Alaska. An Air Force team did recover the remains of the pilot, Capt. Jeff Haney. Safety experts are now examining the wreckage as

Missing F-22 pilot update

Air Force officials here announced that search and rescue teams have found conclusive evidence the pilot of the F-22 Raptor missing since the night of Nov. 16 did not survive the crash.Capt. Jeffrey Haney, assigned to the 3rd Wing's 525th Fighter Squadron, has been missing since the crash, however,

Alaska joint force officials continue search for F-22 Raptor pilot

Operations continue in the effort to find a missing F-22 Raptor pilot Nov. 18, approximately 100 miles north of Anchorage. The Alaska Air National Guard Rescue Coordination Center, the 3rd Wing and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson search and rescue teams continue to search the area for the F-22

Missing F-22 pilot identified

The pilot of the F-22 aircraft that crashed Tuesday night has been identified as Capt. Jeffrey Haney, assigned to the 525th Fighter Squadron. Capt. Haney's current status is missing.The aircraft lost contact with air traffic control at 7:40 p.m. Alaska time Tuesday, while on a nighttime training