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  • Deployed wing becomes part of Air Force, Tuskegee Airmen legacy

    The 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing deactivated in a ceremony May 8 at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia.Maj. Gen. James Jones, the deputy commander of U. S. Air Forces Central, presided over the ceremony which brought a storied era of 332nd history to a close. Also in attendance were Matthew

  • Top enlisted AF leader visits Horn of Africa

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy visited Airmen assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa and other tenant commands here May 5 and 6.The primary purpose of the visit was to speak to the Airmen deployed here and gain insight into their health and well-being, officials

  • Military wives eligible for vocational scholarships

    Operation Homefront and the Women's Self Worth Foundation will offer the Saban Military Wife Educational Scholarship to wives of uniformed service members who attend certain vocational training programs in the medical field and meet eligibility requirements.Overall, 22 vocational training

  • Deployed aeromedical evac team adds critical role

    There is nothing typical about an aeromedical evacuation mission. Recently one crew of aeromedical technicians was notified prior to take-off that, aside from six patients, their aircraft, a C-17, would also be needed to transport three aircraft engines and two pallets of cargo. "That for us is the

  • Breedlove presents Purple Heart to wounded Airman

    Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Phil Breedlove presented the Purple Heart to Tech. Sgt. Jake Tieman at a base here May 7 for wounds received during operations in Afghanistan.Breedlove thanked Tieman, a member of the 577th Expeditionary Prime BEEF Squadron, for his service and sacrifice in front

  • ANG member receives Silver Star for actions in Afghanistan

    An NCO with the Washington Air National Guard was awarded the Silver Star medal in a ceremony May 6 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.Tech. Sgt. Tavis Delaney, a tactical air control party member with the 116th Air Support Operations Squadron, was awarded the medal for his actions during the Battle

  • Re-alignment project cuts costs, improves safety

    The 820th Red Horse Squadron plans to save the Air Force more than $500,000 dollars while improving training and safety, during the Ellsworth Road re-alignment project.The re-alignment of Ellsworth Road at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., started April 30, and is projected to be finished by mid-October.

  • Chiefs issue strategic direction to combat sexual assault

    Despite years of concerted effort, the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the commandant of the Coast Guard are dissatisfied with progress made in reducing sexual assault in the military, and have released strategic direction to increase the emphasis on combatting the crime.The chiefs released a "32-star"

  • Weather field to consider command candidates

    The weather career field development team and 2013 weather squadron command selection board will convene in July to select officers for the squadron command candidate list, and to vector weather officers for developmental opportunities, Air Force Personnel Center officials said.Candidates will be

  • Vigilant Eagle command selection board convenes in June

    The Space and Missile Vigilant Eagle operations squadron commander selection board will convene in June to select command candidates for projected 2013 vacancies, Air Force Personnel Center officials said. Statements of intent are due to the AFPC by May 18.Candidates will be matched to command

  • AFCENT band rocks for the troops in Afghanistan

    Being deployed can often feel like Groundhog Day. Each day is a repeat of the day before, and the only variable is whether or not they'll have bacon or turkey sausage at the dining facility in the morning.Members of the U.S. Air Forces Central Band Nightwing are currently on tour, playing for joint

  • Fallen honored at EOD memorial ceremony

    Hundreds of people paid homage to fallen explosive ordnance disposal technicians May 5 during the 43rd annual EOD Memorial Ceremony here.The names of five Soldiers, three Sailors, five Marines and five Airmen were added to the memorial wall in a solemn ceremony attended by family, friends and

  • Air Force captures 18 medals at Warrior Games

    The Air Force brought home a team-record 18 medals April 30 through May 5 during the 2012 Warrior Games here.Athletes representing the Air Force medaled in volleyball and wheelchair basketball for the first time, earning bronze medals in both as well as earning two silver medals and one gold medal

  • First refueling unit to reach 25,000 missions in single AOR

    Members of the 22nd Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron here reached a milestone of 25,000 air refueling missions May 4.During the past year, 22nd EARS sortie support has grown 23 percent, allowing them to quickly eclipse the 25,000th mission mark."Like their squadron mascot, the mule, the 22nd

  • 'Blue' NCO temporarily goes 'green', wins Army NCO of quarter

    He's a spot of Air Force blue surrounded by Army green at a deployed location in Southwest Asia.Staff Sgt. James Springer, a Joint Expeditionary Tasking Airman in the 387th Expeditionary Support Squadron, decided to try on a bit of "green" when he competed against Army NCOs for a quarterly award in

  • CRWs join forces to span coasts, globe

    The Air Force's two contingency response wings will join forces in a ceremony May 29 at Travis Air Force Base, Calif.As part of the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center's restructuring plan announced by Air Mobility Command officials Nov. 2, 2011, the 615th Contingency Response Wing at Travis AFB

  • 10 Air Force teams compete for top dog honors

    The U.S. Air Force selected 10 of its best military working dog handler teams to compete in the 2012 Department of Defense Military Working Dog K-9 Trials here May 3-5.The Air Force makes up 10 of the 43 teams for the first DoD competition to be held in the past 10 years.The Air Force traditionally

  • Thousands treated, partnerships formed during Operation Pacific Angel-Laos

    Thirty American military members, along with partners from the Lao People's Democratic Republic and the U.S. Embassy, treated more than 3,650 patients, renovated five health clinics and schools, and shared medical and engineering expertise with each other during Operation Pacific Angel-Laos here,

  • Airmen attend 'survive and operate' university

    With JB McChord's operational readiness exercise just days away, the 627th Air Base Group provided Airmen an opportunity to practice their "Ability to Survive and Operate" skills April 30 through May 2, 2012.According to Tech. Sgt. Troyann Ernle, 627th Civil Engineer Squadron noncommissioned officer

  • Key leader in Air Force nuclear enterprise passes away

    A top Air Force senior advisor and leader involved in the integration of nuclear capabilities into Air Force, as well as joint and coalition, operations passed away May 3 following a lengthy illness.Charles R. "Ron" Henderson, the deputy assistant chief of staff for strategic deterrence and nuclear

  • F-16 crashes at Utah Test and Training Range

    An Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon, assigned to the 388th Fighter Wing, crashed at the Utah Test and Training Range at approximately 8:35 a.m. May 4.At the time of the accident, there was one person on board. The pilot successfully ejected and is being evaluated by medical personnel.Emergency

  • Two AF bases take top DOD honors for environmental work

    Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta announced the Defense Department's environmental awards for fiscal 2012 May 1 and Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., and Hill AFB, Utah, were among nine Department of Defense installations selected for top honors.Each year since 1962, the secretary of defense has

  • F-15E crashes in Southwest Asia

    An Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle crashed May 3 at 11:40 a.m. local time while conducting a routine training mission. Both crew members ejected safely. First responders have responded to the scene and more details will be released as they become available.Strike Eagles are dual-role fighters that

  • Air Force accepts final F-22 Raptor

    Senior Air Force officials attended a ceremony here May 2 commemorating the delivery of the final F-22 Raptor to the service.Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz was joined by Sen. Johnny Isakson of Georgia and other industry, Air Force and civilian leaders as they were welcomed to Dobbins

  • Assistant vice chief of staff retires after 34 years

    After serving in the Air Force for nearly 34 years, Lt. Gen. Richard "Dick" Newton III retired in a ceremony here April 27.Newton had served as the Air Force's assistant vice chief of staff since December 2010. With his retirement, Lt. Gen. Frank Gorenc is the new assistant vice chief of staff,

  • Obama thanks service members in Afghanistan

    During his surprise trip to Afghanistan today, President Barack Obama found some time -- between signing a strategic agreement with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and delivering a speech to be broadcast back to the United States - to speak with U.S. service members at Bagram Airfield.The commander in

  • Air Force takes 2nd, 3rd in men's cycling

    Wounded warriors from around the U.S. and British armed forces battled it out May 1 in the cycling portion of the 2012 Wounded Warrior Games here.In the first event of the week, the Air Force started off strong snagging the silver and bronze medals the in the men's recumbent cycling competition.

  • Pentagon hosts 'Air Force STEM 2020 Challenge' essay winners

    Eighteen "Air Force STEM 2020 Challenge" essay contest winners from Virginia, Maryland and District of Columbia schools were invited to the Pentagon on April 20 for a day of learning about innovation in the Department of Defense.The 317th Recruiting Squadron's Air Force STEM 2020 Challenge was an

  • AF boom operator finalist for military fatherhood award

    When they called his name -- his actual name, not the invective often spewed at new recruits -- Senior Airman Jonathan Jackson was sure the news was bad.Instructors aren't interested in feelings at basic military training. It's their job to shape Airmen for the fight, so to be called by his name and

  • Airmen honor fallen air advisors through ruck march

    Walking almost 90 miles, 36 Airmen completed the Air Advisor Memorial Ruck March from New York City to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., April 26-27.The march, which started at the One World Trade Center and ended at the Air Advisor Academy, was in remembrance of the deaths of nine U.S. air

  • Space operator, KC-135 crew team for 'science project'

    More and more people are realizing the game-changing force space capabilities provide in today's operations, as was the case more than 60 years ago when the air domain added a new dimension to land and sea operations. The power of that integration was recently seen first-hand by crews of the KC-135

  • Mobile app connects Airmen to their base

    Want to connect with friends and family? There's an app for that. Need to find the best restaurant around? There's an app for that. Want to see what movies are playing nearby? There's an app for that.Discovering what events your base is hosting on a particular day? Now there is an app for that,

  • AF captain lauded for innovative sexual assault awareness training

    An Air Force Captain was recognized at the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes April18 for her actions as sexual assault response coordinator while at the 8th Fighter Wing, Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea Feb. 16 through Dec. 31, 2011.Captain Terri Zuber, Air Mobility Command Headquarters officer

  • PRT Laghman closes, Afghan district ready to stand on own

    After nearly seven years of working with the local community in the Laghman Province of Afghanistan, Provincial Reconstruction Team Laghman is closing and officials are handing the reins over to the Afghan people in the district. PRT Laghman was activated in 2005, and its mission was to help build

  • Pacific Angel med team gets real-life trauma care education

    With a swing of the axe, Neng Yong Ya's life took a dramatic turn for the worse. The 30-year old Lao farmer was at work, April 24, trying to remove a tree stump from a field when a Vietnam-era unexploded ordnance blew up. The force of the blast threw him, and caused trauma to his chest and stomach.

  • Space Command TacSat 3 burns up in atmosphere

    Today marked the end of Air Force Space Command's Tactical Satellite 3 after it de-orbited into and burned up in the Earth's atmosphere. TacSat-3, which had exceeded its expected lifespan by 20 months, was originally designed and launched as a one-year experimental satellite May 19, 2009. Although

  • Airmen who exceed deployed time get added time off

    Airmen who serve in excess of the Secretary of Defense's established rotation goals are now eligible for additional time off, as written in the newly updated Post Deployment or Mobilization Respite Absence policy, officials said here April 25. Contained in Guidance Memorandum 4 to Air Force

  • AF Reserve, FBI train together during 'Patriot Sands'

    Five Reserve units and a federal agency teamed up April 26-29 in Florida for Patriot Sands, an airlift training exercise simulating deployed bare base conditions with limited support.Reservists with the 512th Airlift Control Flight, Dover Air Force Base, Del., 452nd ALCF, March Air Reserve Base,

  • Kandahar advisers empower Afghan maintainers

    In the difficult-to-traverse landscape of Afghanistan the MI-17 helicopter has proven to be a valuable asset to air operations in the war-ravaged country. The aircraft has proven itself in missions ranging from supplying distant outposts to providing overwatch for coalition forces.Operating in such

  • AFTN releases newest version of Today's Air Force

    Air Force Television News released a new edition of Today's Air Force on April 27. In the first segment, Airman 1st Class Mari Mosteller shows viewers how an unmanned aircraft played an important role in the rescue of two lost civilians. Also, Tech. Sgt. Roberto Velez heads to the Amazon to cover

  • Air Force Specialty Code changes take effect in May

    Various officer and enlisted Air Force Specialty Code changes will take effect in May, Air Force Personnel Center officials said.Updated Air Force officer and enlisted classification directories have been posted on the Air Force Personnel Services website (see link below). These updates include AFSC

  • Dental technicians aid ailing Afghan

    The mission readiness of Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines in the Afghan theater is a top priority to dental technicians from the 502nd Dental Company, Area Support, 1st Medical Brigade at Kandahar Air Wing, Afghanistan. The professionals are dedicated to keeping warriors fit for duty and they

  • Cyber warriors: Cadets shine in NSA competition

    Air Force cadet cyber warriors swept the virtual floor with the competition in the 12th annual Cyber Defense Exercise here April 16-20.The Cyber Defense Exercise is a network security competition during which service academy cadets and Defense Department post-graduate students manage and defend

  • RAF exchange officer departs Air Force Academy

    The British are leaving. Only no one is happy to see them go.Royal Air Force Squadron Leader Martin Harris, the RAF exchange officer to the Air Force Academy, will depart in May for RAF Coningsby, England, where he will command the No. 17 Squadron. Harris is the last RAF officer that cadets will see

  • SAIGE award winners named

    An Air Force NCO and civilian were selected as the Air Force's 2012 Society of American Indian Government Employees Meritorious Service Award winners, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced April 27.Tech. Sgt. Dana J. Timpany, with Air Force Special Operations Command, and Gayle C.

  • SecAF visits Wolf Pack

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley visited the Wolf Pack here April 27 to talk to Airmen about their role in the region and get a firsthand glimpse at Kunsan's mission to defend the base, accept follow-on forces and take the fight north.During Donley's visit, he met with Airmen in the 8th

  • AF chief honored with Army's prestigious medical Order

    The command chief of the Medical Education and Training Campus here was inducted into the Army's esteemed Order of the Military Medical Merit here April 20.Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Kevin Lambing was inducted as an honorary member of the elite organization, which accepts members for their

  • VCSAF shares words of wisdom with AFDW leaders

    A small group of Air Force officers had the opportunity to hear words of wisdom directly from one of the Air Force's top senior leaders during a special visit here April 26. Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Phil Breedlove spoke at the Air Force District of Washington's Commander's Course to a

  • Airmen, Marines share training, culture

    Recently a few 451st Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron members enjoyed a cultural exchange of a somewhat different kind. It wasn't between Air Force service members and coalition forces, but an inter-service training exchange between the 451st EAMXS C-130J maintenance Airmen and the Marine

  • Air Force delivers precision resupply to the joint warfighter

    The 317th Airlift Group successfully completed a precision airdrop capability demonstration to a distinguished panel of visitors at Fort Hood, Texas, during the U.S. Transportation Command Component Commander's Conference on April 24.The mission objective was to display combat aerial resupply by way

  • Air Force strategy legend dies at age 96

    A retired Air Force general who was known as the father of "strategy to task," and was instrumental in the development and implementation of new weapon systems during the last half of the 20th Century passed away April 25, at the age of 96.Retired Lt. Gen. Glenn A. Kent spent more than three decades

  • SecAF discusses force structure, 35 FW contributions during Misawa visit

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley met with Airmen and toured several 35th Fighter Wing units April 23 during a trip to Misawa Air Base.During his visit, Donley held an Airman's Call where topics of discussion included the 35th FW's contributions to Misawa, the new Department of Defense

  • F-16s, MiGs engage over Bulgarian skies

    U.S. pilots from the 555th and 510th Fighter Squadrons based out of Aviano Air Base, Italy, have been given a rare opportunity to train and share experiences with Bulgarian air force MiG-21 and MiG-29 pilots during their deployment here in support of Thracian Star 2012.Since the start of the

  • Fallen Airman's family accepts medal for a hero

    Karen Hollon accepted the posthumous Airman's Medal on behalf of her husband Tech. Sgt. Steven A. Hollon during a ceremony, here April 23. The award presented by Air University Commander Lt. Gen. David Fadok was received for actions including voluntary risk of life under circumstances other than

  • Officials explain new sexual assault policies

    Senior Defense Department officials today said they hope more service members who are victims of sexual assault report the crimes as a result of a policy change Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta announced last week.Panetta issued guidance April 20 withholding "initial disposition authority" from any

  • PJ's rescue fallen ice climber in Denali National Park

    Two Air Force Reserve pararescuemen from the 920th Rescue Wing, Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., assisted in the rescue of a climber who fell more than 150 feet while climbing Moose's Tooth in Denali National Park April 21.The 11th Air Force Rescue Coordination Center received  the rescue call at 2:20

  • Air Force, Forest Service train for wildland fire season

    Residents in the remote mountainous areas near the Pike San Isabel National Forest received a spectacular view of the underbelly of low-flying Air Force Reserve C-130s equipped with the U.S. Forest Service Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System. In preparation for the upcoming 2012 wildland

  • CSAF discusses 'evolving force' with deployed Airmen

    The Air Force chief of staff visited Airmen from the 438th Air Expeditionary Wing and the International Security Assistance Force Joint Command April 23 at Kabul International Airport, Afghanistan, to talk about current Air Force issues.Gen. Norton Schwartz started his remarks with an exercise

  • Air Force officials clarify Bronze Star approval process

    Recent heightened interest in the Bronze Star Medal has led Air Force Central Command and Air Force Personnel Center leaders to further explain the criteria and approval process for its recipients.Col. Scott Arcuri, AFCENT director of manpower, personnel and services, said candidates can expect a

  • Two Kirtland AFB officers receive Distinguished Flying Cross

    Capt. Christopher Palmer, 512th Rescue Squadron, chief of standardization and evaluation, and Capt. Marcus Maris, 512 RQS, student flight commander, were presented the Distinguished Flying Cross by Col. James Cardoso, 58th Special Operations Wing commander, during a Warrior Call on April 20 at

  • American citizenship: One Airman's dream becomes reality

    A contracting specialist from the 92nd Contracting Squadron here fulfilled his dream of becoming an American Airman -- literally, March 27 when a Spokane, Wash., judge swore him in as a legal citizen."The most important thing about citizenship for me is that I can finally get a secret clearance to

  • Airmen partner with TSA for working-dog training

    Loud barks could be heard yards away as military and Transportation Security Administration dog handlers prepared their assigned K-9 for the weekly joint working dog training. Staff Sgt. Matthew Byrnes, 673d Security Forces Squadron military dog handler led the training for TSA personnel to

  • Kentucky Airman shares tactical knowledge in Bangladesh

    One U.S. Air Force Airman shared his knowledge of heavy equipment airdrop procedures with an audience of more than 20 Bangladesh air force airmen at Kurmitola Air Base, Bangladesh, April 22, 2012. Tech. Sgt. Joshua Selby, loadmaster, Kentucky Air National Guard, is one of more than 65 U.S. Air Force

  • Incirlik identified Airman killed in accident

    Airman First Class Floyd Glover, 21, died at approximately 1 p.m. April 22 following an on-base motor-vehicle incident at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey.Glover was transported from the scene to a local hospital where medical professionals pronounced him dead. Medical officials treated and released

  • Missing personnel records impact more than promotions

    When Senior Master Sgt. Randy Scanlan wasn't promoted to his current rank the first time his records met the board, he was a little confused. As a maintainer and an aerial gunner, he deployed often and received many decorations. When he was asked if he wanted to review his records before they met

  • Endangered species flourish at Travis AFB

    "This is a detective job," said Ray Hasey as he hunched over and examined a yellow Contra Costa goldfields flower.Hasey recently examined a patch of them that grew on the northwest side of the base where vacant homes were damaged in a 2008 fire and demolished in 2009. He took a closer look because

  • Andersen AFB welcomes 69th Exeditionary Bomb Squadron

    The 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron from Minot Air Force Base, N.D., has arrived to support U.S. Pacific Command's continuous bomber presence here.Since 2004, members of Andersen Air Force Base have played host to the CBP after Pacific Air Forces began routinely deploying B-1 Lancer, B-2 Spirit and

  • Air Mobility Command staff sergeant earns AF operational security award

    Managing a command-wide operations security program was just one area that led to a staff sergeant here earning the 2011 Air Force Operations Security NCO of the Year.Staff Sgt. Robert Perecko, is the information operations fused communication NCO in charge at the 618th Air and Space Operations

  • Science teacher flies with Thunderbirds

    An award winning Bossier City teacher got a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fly with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds during the 2012 Barksdale Air Force Base Defenders of Liberty Air Show Saturday.Elizabeth Vance, a science teacher at Cope Middle School, was offered the chance to fly with the

  • 11 nations share lessons learned at medical symposium

    Representatives of the military medical community from 11 Partnership for Peace and NATO countries met to discuss common problems and solutions within the career field here April 18 - 20.The three-day International Health Symposium addressed the topics of medical logistics, enlisted force

  • Damaged C-17 move truly a joint effort

    When a C-17 Globemaster III, recently landed and overran the runway due to inclement weather, the landing gear and other critical parts were damaged. Through months of planning and teamwork by the joint forces located on Forward Operating Base Shank, this 282,500-pound aircraft was moved with no

  • DFAS warns service members of scam emails

    Defense Finance and Accounting Service recently released a statement warning of email scams targeting military members, military retirees, and civilian employees.According to the statement, the most recent email scam indicates that individuals who are receiving disability compensation from the

  • AF officials plan for scheduled downtime to upgrade MilPDS

    The Air Force Personnel Operations Agency here is upgrading and transferring the Military Personnel Data System to the Defense Information Systems Agency's Defense Enterprise Computing Center later this year. During the scheduled 23-day upgrade project, MilPDS will not be available.Upgrades to

  • Retired general receives lifetime space achievement award

    The Air Force chief of staff presented a former vice chief of staff of the Air Force with the Gen. James E. Hill Lifetime Space Achievement Award at the 28th National Space Symposium here April 18.Gen. Norton Schwartz presented the award to Gen. Thomas S. Moorman Jr., who is known as a "visionary"

  • CSAF discusses national security space at symposium

    The Air Force chief of staff spoke to leaders from industry, academia and the government about the current state of national security space and the U.S. aerospace industrial base at the 28th National Space Symposium here April 19.In his remarks, Gen. Norton Schwartz also recognized the efforts and

  • Robotics offer greener aircraft paint stripping

    The assistant secretary of the Air Force for installations, environment and logistics got a close up look at a new, cutting-edge technology here April 4 that's expected to reduce pollution and the exposure of Airmen to hazardous compounds.Terry Yonkers' visit to the headquarters of Concurrent

  • Doolittle raid sparks nation during early days of WWII

    It was 1942 and the world was at war for the second time that century. American morale was as low as it had ever been and Japanese forces began an all-out assault on United States and Filipino troops on the Bataan Peninsula.It was also the year when a pilot, Lt. Col. James Doolittle, would lead a

  • AF to rely more on renewable energy -- 1 gigawatt by 2016

    The Air Force is on target to generate 1 gigawatt of renewable energy by 2016, and expects to have enough renewable energy to supply 25 percent of all installation electricity use by 2025, according to Air Force officials. The announcement supports the Department of Defense's plans to roll out new

  • AF leaders gather to address sexual assault prevention, response

    Air Force leaders from around the globe gathered at the 2012 Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Leader Summit here April 17 and 18 to learn about service-wide SAPR issues and programs.Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Phil Breedlove both spoke at

  • New SIPRNet smart card protects secure networks

    Barksdale Air Force Base is evaluating a new smart card, known as a hardware token, on the Secret Internet Protocol Router Network, or SIPRNet."As we learned through the events of Wiki Leaks, we had a blind spot in protecting our classified networks," said Robert S. Jack II, Air Force Global Strike

  • Career opportunities available for those up to the challenge

    Interesting career opportunities exist for enlisted Airmen who are ready for new challenges and have a desire to take their careers in a whole new direction.Airmen who want to stay in their career field but want to try something outside their comfort zone can apply for various joint, Department of

  • Lightning strikes twice for deployed AF weatherman

    There's an old saying that lightning doesn't strike twice in the same place, but it did for one U.S. Air Force Airman.Tech. Sgt. Gregory Spiker, joint meteorology and oceanography operations weather forecaster, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, was named the 2011 Air Force Weather

  • Discovery flies for last time, ends chapter in aerospace history

    After almost 27 years and 39 flights in Earth's orbit, the space shuttle Discovery arrived at Dulles Airport in Washington, D.C., April 17 on its way to its final resting place. The last moments in the air for Discovery began at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., mounted on top of a modified Boeing 747.

  • Air Force accepting nominations for chief of staff award

    Each year the Air Force chief of staff presents the Chief of Staff Team Excellence Award to teams that use a systematic approach to enhance mission capability, improve operational performance and create sustained results.Nominations for this year's award are due June 29. Major commands, headquarters

  • Airdrops could play key role in eventual Afghanistan transition

    During 2011, mobility Airmen airdropped more than 80 million pounds of cargo for troops deployed throughout austere locations in Afghanistan. In the future, the Air Force expects airdrops to continue as troops move out of Afghanistan in coming years.In March, Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen,

  • TACC leading effort for retrograde cargo from Afghanistan

    For airlift aircraft transiting and moving cargo to and from the Southwest Asia, planners at the 618th Air Operations Center are leading an effort to keep those aircraft full of cargo as they return from the deployed areas to the United States.The initiative, labeled retrograde, helps to efficiently

  • Global Strike Command earns 2011 maintenance excellence award

    The Air Force Chief of Staff presented the Gen. Wilbur L. Creech Maintenance Excellence Award for 2011 to Air Force Global Strike Command commander Lt. Gen. James Kowalski in a ceremony at the Pentagon April 16.The award is presented to the major command that demonstrates the most improved

  • From Vietnam to OEF: Pilot flies last mission of career

    Lt. Col. James Routt, a pilot deployed with the 71st Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, flew the last combat air mission of his 33-year military career over the skies of Afghanistan, April 12.During his career, Routt has witnessed several operations -- from Vietnam to Operation Enduring Freedom in

  • U.S., Maylasia air forces conclude exercise Cope Taufan 2012

    After completing more than 140 sorties and several hundred flying hours, the U.S. Air Force and Royal Malaysian Air Force concluded exercise Cope Taufan 2012 at the Royal Malaysian Air Force base here, April 13. The Pacific Air Forces-sponsored, live-flying exercise, that included F-15 Eagles from

  • Seymour Johnson AFB Airmen launch F-15Es to honor WWII victory

    Airmen from the 4th Fighter Wing honored their heritage by launching nearly 70 F-15E Strike Eagles in a Turkey Shoot training mission April 16 here. The Strike Eagles taxied one after the next down the base flightline before heading to bombing ranges across North Carolina to destroy more than 1,000

  • Barksdale Airmen test alternative jet fuel

    Airmen here assisted the Air Force's Alternative Fuels Certification Program staff in evaluating a new jet fuel blend known as alcohol-to-jet, March 26-30, 2012 here. Specialists from the Alternative Fuels Certification Division at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, and the TF34 Engine Program

  • F-35 training center begins formal training

    While celebrating each F-35 Lightning II arrival, the integrated joint strike fighter training team also recently opened the doors for the first Air Force certification courses on the logistical support behind the nation's newest weapons platform.The 33rd Fighter Wing has eight basic familiarization

  • Space Command officials eliminate flight suit, jackets

    Air Force Space Command officials announced April 13 that Airmen assigned to the command will cease wearing flight suits, the green flight jacket and the A-2 Leather Jacket by the end of the fiscal year.Directed by Gen. William L. Shelton, the AFSPC commander, the move is designed to standardize

  • 4th FW Airmen to launch aircraft to honor WWII history

    Members of the 4th Fighter Wing will pay homage to World War II history here April 16 by launching 70 F-15E Strike Eagles in a training mission to destroy more than 1,000 targets on bombing ranges across North Carolina.During World War II on April 16, 1945, the 4th Fighter Group destroyed

  • Air Force seeks Earth Day innovations

    In its 42nd year, Earth Day provides an international opportunity every April 22 to voice appreciation for the planet and unite for a sustainable future. Across the Air Force, installations are taking measures to enhance sustainability in support of the Earth Day theme "Conserve Today. Secure

  • 100 miles: One day, one cause

    How long does it take you to drive 100 miles in a day, or pedal a bike that distance? Would you even consider walking or running 100 miles in a day? What if it was to help a friend and his family?For Tech. Sgt. Wayne Jenderny, the 386th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron assistant chief of fire

  • AFA officials announce team of the year

    The Airborne Operations career field is the Air Force Association 2012 Team of the Year, Air Force officials announced April 13.Annually, AFA recognizes a specific enlisted career field (as well as Airmen in that specialty) that personifies professionalism, technical expertise and leadership.The

  • Overcoming sexual assault: A victim's candid story

    Living has always been a challenge for Senior Airman Jane Smith. Seemingly born into an uphill world, physically and emotionally tested at every step, spirituality had continually strengthened her and still propels her forward in life, she said.Smith was nearly driven to suicide after being sexually

  • Air Force officials release draft EIS for F-35 operational basing

    The Air Force has filed a draft environmental impact statement for the proposed operational basing of the F-35 Lightning II within the continental United States.The current active Air Force and Air National Guard alternatives under consideration are: Burlington Air Guard Station, Vt.; Hill Air Force