Maintainers keeping F-16s soaring over India

Cleaned, inspected and fully maintained, 12 neatly aligned F-16 Fighting Falcons stand poised for their daily battle. Beside them, their adversary -- an assortment of Indian Air Force MiGs, Mirages and Su-30s -- are also ready for the day’s dissimilar air combat training. The jets are all taking

Bagram Airmen spread cheer, share smiles

Airmen fighting the global war on terrorism from nearby Bagram Air Base took time to spread cheer and share smiles with the people of a village here. As part of an adopt-a-village visit Nov. 3, Airmen distributed more than 1,200 pounds of winter clothes, blankets, school supplies and toys, said

Changes on horizon for PME

The Air Force professional military education process has developed grade-related education and education opportunities that support specific jobs for officers. "On the enlisted side, the Air Force has long had a continuity of PME programs that are associated with rank advancement, but you also have

Development division helping equip security forces

The 820th Security Forces Group here reorganized itself and now includes a division dedicated to testing and evaluating new equipment for Airmen deploying to Iraq. The new combat development division -- created in mid-October -- aims to supply the group with more effective gear, while also saving

Newest vets get VA medical care priority

Some 120,000 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans receiving Department of Veterans Affairs medical care are getting top priority at some of the world's best-quality medical treatment, the secretary of Veterans Affairs said. R. James Nicholson spoke to the American Forces Press Service and the Pentagon

Health program will help returning troops

Servicemembers returning from deployments will now participate in a post-deployment health reassessment program that all the services are instituting. Defense Department officials said the new program will assess the health -- both physical and mental -- of servicemembers from 90 to 120 days after

Special ops reservist helping rebuild Iraqi air force

During a deployment to Iraq, Brig. Gen. Frank Padilla led a team of Air Force and coalition partner experts to plan for and help to rebuild a more robust and effective Iraqi air force. The group’s mission is to help the Iraqis establish the very best air force possible with the resources they have

Eagles, Raptors team to deter ‘attack’

Every day, F-15 Eagle instructor pilots here teach dozens of student pilots how to fight and win in combat. But the instructors rarely get a chance to showcase their own warfighting skills. Fortunately, some 1st Fighter Squadron instructors got a chance to test their skills against the toughest and

U.S., Indian Airmen take next step in growing relationship

The U.S. and Indian air forces opened the next chapter in their growing relationship when exercise Cope India 2006 began here Nov. 7.About 250 Airmen from Pacific Air Forces join several hundred of their Indian counterparts for the two-week, dissimilar air combat training exercise in which simulated

Airmen start deployment training early

Members of air expeditionary forces nine and 10 here began preparing for their deployment by learning essential combat skills. The 88th Air Base Wing readiness section started the expeditionary combat skills training course last month to cover the 19 hours of training troops need before deploying.

French finish coalition flying mission

After three months of flying support and combat sorties, the French air force successfully fulfilled its mission here today. The French air force flew Operation Enduring Freedom began close air support, armed reconnaissance and convoy-escort missions in support of the parliamentary elections in

Operation Ruthless Raven: OSI cracks down on drug smugglers

The Air Force Office of Special Investigations is heading up Operation Ruthless Raven, a joint task force to combat drug smuggling. Ruthless Raven Task Force goals are to identify vulnerabilities in the Air Force transportation and mail systems and to leverage internal and external capabilities to

CFC opened new frontiers for NASA scientist

Terry Morris was about 4 years old when his parents pushed him out the front door into the snow-covered streets of Chicago. They didn't want him to come back. In that world, the Windy City's newest homeless child found towering drifts, more ash gray than white and more ice than snow, instead of the

Center redesign promises to improve production

Continuous process improvement is alive and well at the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center. For proof, look no further than the 76th Maintenance Wing's new F100 Business Unit being stood up as part of a landmark $500 million, 10-year process of transforming maintenance, repair and overhaul, or MRO,

Base fire department responds to unauthorized landing

Firefighters here responded to an unauthorized landing that took place Oct. 25 near the fire department’s truck maintenance area. The flyer was taken into custody, and when he responded to interrogators’ questions with unintelligible clicks and whistles, he was placed in a cage and given nothing but

7th Fighter Squadron vet receives medals

Sixty years after serving in the Army Air Corps, a 7th Fighter Squadron pilot received a Distinguished Flying Cross and an Air Medal. First Lieutenant James Costley, a P-38 pilot in World Word II, received the last of his military decorations in front of three generations of his family, friends and

Military postal agency offers advice for holiday mail

"Pack it well" and "mail it early" are two tips a military postal official offered today for holiday mail being sent to servicemembers overseas. The Defense Department announced recommended holiday mail dates Oct. 31. The first deadline occurs Nov. 12 for parcel post items headed overseas to APO and

Afghanistan’s busiest runway undergoes repairs as mission continues

Age, weather and more than 3,000 operations every week take their toll on the busiest runway in Afghanistan. Without a continual effort to repair the runway here, the mission would virtually come to a halt. A nine-man spall-repair team from the 455th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron spends more

Training teaches medics how to 'operate' in hostile areas

A Tyndall Airman quickly took a position in the dirt and aimed his M-16 rifle as a group of suspicious-looking men carrying AK-47 assault rifles hid behind a bush.However, the men left without incident and the Airman avoided a potentially deadly firefight. This may sound like a dangerous

Airmen bring airpower to Central American air shows

Approximately 150 Airmen and 14 Air Force aircraft brought airpower to Central America Oct. 23 to 30 to participate in two international air shows, as part of U.S. Southern Command’s cooperation efforts with Guatemala and El Salvador. Under the direction of U.S. Southern Command Air Forces

Joint Fires Center of Excellence begins training

The Joint Fires Center of Excellence opened its doors Oct. 17 as the U.S. military’s only Europe-based joint firepower education center. The U.S. Air Forces in Europe-inspired initiative is designed to enhance close air support operations by providing a convenient training environment for

DoD web page supports President's plans against pandemic flu

The Defense Department's deployment health officials have posted a Web page as part of President Bush's strategy to combat the possibility of a flu pandemic. Officials said the page includes frequently asked questions, information geared to servicemembers and links to other resources. The president

Air Force authorizes Berlin Airlift streamers

Nearly 60 years after the operation, Air Force units involved in the Berlin Airlift are now authorized a new streamer to add to their unit guidons. “A question was raised to Dick Anderegg (the Air Force historian) a couple months ago if the Berlin Airlift was a campaign, and if so, do we have a

UAVs hunt ponderosa pine parasites

Researchers in the Academy’s Department of Biology here are developing a low-cost solution to detect infected trees using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. There are more than 9,884 acres of woodland forest on the academy, dominated by ponderosa pine trees. Several years of severe drought thinned the forest

Airmen learn Army skills

A new battle cry has been heard around the ranges and barracks here. Instead of the all too familiar ‘HOOAH,’ a strange and new guttural chant is catching on -- ‘AIRRP!’ The men and women who use the new phrase, which means ‘air power,’ are taking part in a joint effort which teaches Army skills to

'Open the air base' unit returns from successful desert trial

Say you need to move troops to a war zone in some isolated region or relief supplies to a devastated area, and you need to do it in a hurry. Who do you call? The men and women of the 816th Contingency Response Group have a simple answer: "Call us." From Hurricanes Katrina and Rita to the recent

Air Force introduces new helicopter for pilot training

The Air Force will rollout the TH-1H helicopter at the home of pilot instructor training and Headquarters Air Education and Training Command on Nov. 5 in conjunction with the base's 75th anniversary and 2005 air show. The TH-1H, the latest version of the UH-1H Huey, has undergone an extensive

Airman completes mission with pride, satisfaction

As he completes his tour of duty at this small, forward-deployed desert air base, Master Sgt. James Royuela looks back with satisfaction and pride knowing his hard work directly contributed to the overall success of coalition forces fighting the global war on terror. Sergeant Royuela, a 1988

Combat communications answers the call

They can set up communications to anywhere in the world from anywhere in the world. They can take a strip of land and turn it into an airfield capable of carrying out military or relief missions, but for now, members of the elite 5th Combat Communications Group are at a former Soviet republic making

Chaplain provides insight to Islam

A chaplain here has received a national award recognizing his efforts to help warfighters better understand Islam. Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Thomas Azar, 347th Rescue Wing head chaplain, was named the 2004-2005 best military chaplain by the National Ministries, American Baptist Churches. “I was totally

Eagle Flag 06-1 finishes, but the learning goes on

Being prepared to deploy is the key to success of the Air Force’s expeditionary mission. This is where Eagle Flag comes in. The two-week exercise, held Oct. 18 to 28 here, tested Airmen on a multitude of expeditionary combat support skills. Participants for the exercise are chosen based on their

Air commandos learn martial arts from Marines

Beaten, bloodied and loving it. It’s the best way to describe the 20 battlefield Airmen who went toe-to-toe in hand-to-hand combat here, Oct. 17-28. Air commandos from Air Force Special Operations Command units around the world gathered at the 720th Special Tactics Group here to learn from three of

New tanker ramp opens, improves deployed operational safety and efficiency

It is a scene that plays often at air bases -- crew chiefs guiding aircraft onto the ramp.But this time the aircraft was taxiing onto a brand new tanker ramp, and the sound of its engines signaled a new era of safety and efficiency for air operations here. The Oct. 22 opening of the new ramp --

820th SFG field tests chemical warfare garments

The 820th Security Forces Group here began the first military field durability tests on new chemical warfare garments Oct. 24.  The 820th SFG, which provides force protection for expeditionary air forces, is putting the latest version of the chemical warfare suit to the test to assess its fit,

1st EMS troops build Joint Direct Attack Munitions for first deployment of Langley F/A-22s

When 1,000 pounds of steel and concrete fell a mile and smashed through the back of a truck, it ushered in a new era for the 1st Fighter Wing -- the return of air-to-ground combat. That mission ended in 1975 for the wing.Getting the Joint Direct Attack Munition ready for the mission was no easy

Predator’s success ups procurement and development

With the MQ-1 Predator logging significant hours in counterinsurgency operations and earning troop support, the Air Force wants to buy more of the aircraft and develop the next-generation variant. Predators worldwide are logging 4,000 hours a month in support of the war on terrorism and other

Troops look up to Compass Call

Operation Enduring Freedom has become as much about electrons as about bullets. Providing an umbrella of electronic protection over ground forces has become the role of EC-130H Compass Call aircraft here. But since November 2004, the 41st Expeditionary Electronic Combat Squadron has taken that role

Airmen help prepare Soldiers for Afghanistan duty

Airmen from around the Air Force helped prepare 10th Mountain Division Soldiers for their deployment to Afghanistan during exercise Unified Endeavor 06 here. The exercise, which ended Oct. 23, prepared members of the division’s headquarters and staff for their upcoming rotation to head Combined

New processor makes Strike Eagle more lethal

When F-15E Strike Eagles starts getting a new core processor next year, they will be more lethal and effective weapons in the war on terrorism and beyond. The Aeronautical Systems Center's F-15 Systems Group here is managing the development, test and acquisition of the advanced display core

Airmen, Sailors help Soldiers move containers of hope

Airmen and Sailors continue helping Soldiers here provide humanitarian assistance and support to the earthquake-affected people of Pakistan. When they’re not fixing aircraft helping fight the war on terrorism, Air Force EC-130 Hercules and Navy E-6B Intruder maintainers have been helping 82nd

Real estate agency announces award winner

The Air Force Real Property Agency has announced its 2005 Air Force Real Estate Award winners. Air Force-level winners are: -- Real estate specialist: Cheryl Cordray, 28th Civil Engineer Squadron, Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D. -- Senior real estate specialist: Lynn Holcomb, Air Force Space Command,

Kadena takes ‘pride’ in revamping F-15 fleet

Some of the F-15 Eagle fleet’s oldest jets are getting a second chance at life here, thanks to a $5.2 million upgrade program. During the next year, Kadena Eagles will receive a microscopic inspection called "Pride Dock" by Department of Defense contractors and Airmen from the 18th Maintenance

Cope Thunder 06-01 challenges end

The first winter Cope Thunder ended here Oct. 20 and aircrews found the weather was their main adversary. But the weather at this remote base -- which grounded many missions -- is exactly why exercise planners picked it to host Pacific Air Force’s premier combat airpower exercise, said Col. Bob

General Smith to head U.S. Joint Forces Command

Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld announced Oct. 20 that President George W. Bush nominated Lt. Gen. Lance L. Smith for appointment to the rank of general with assignment as commander, U.S. Joint Forces Command. General Smith is currently deputy commander of U.S. Central Command at MacDill Air

Combat Hammer

Depot's around-the-clock service better for warfighters

A new one-stop customer service center here is helping get aircraft replacement parts to “downrange” customers much faster. The Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center here established the center -- open around-the-clock -- to provide customers timely, accurate and “action-based” service. The center goes

Air Force meets 2005 enlisted, OTS recruiting goal

The Air Force exceeded its fiscal 2005 enlisted recruiting goal by sending 19,222 men and women to basic military training. And while the service had success recruiting for Officer Training School, it fell short in recruiting in some medical fields. "This was a challenging year for Air Force

Fisher House Distributes Airline Tickets

Wounded servicemembers and their families can get a free ticket home through "Operation Hero Miles."The Fisher House organization uses more than a million frequent flyer miles per week to distribute free round-trip airline tickets to war-wounded servicemembers -- as well as their family members --

'Makos' in sky help warriors on ground

The sky above Balad Air Base was thick with dust and sand when four F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots completed another mission in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.They were headed to their deployed home at Balad Oct. 17 when they were eventually diverted here.  Their mission started early that morning,

Cope Thunder medical team practices mobile medicine

Practicing mobile medicine and leaving a small footprint on a mission is just one the aspects of participating in Cope Thunder 06-01, said a flight surgeon here. Six-year veteran Maj. (Dr.) John Cotton, said he is enjoying his first temporary duty assignment as the Cope Thunder flight surgeon. He

Airmen score triple play on one trip

A C-130 Hercules aircrew picked up earthquake relief supplies in Bahrain and delivered them to Pakistan Oct. 15 -- but their mission did not end there. The crew then flew to Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan, where it picked up cargo to take to Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, to support Operation Enduring

First F/A-22 deployment is for training

The Raptors are leaving the nest for their first deployment. Nearly 170 Airmen left here Oct. 15 on a two-week deployment to Hill Air Force Base, Utah. This may sound like a run-of-the-mill temporary duty assignment. But for the Langley Airmen, it is far from a typical out-of-town operation. It is

Air Force continues Pakistan aid

The Air Force continues to provide humanitarian aid to Pakistan after it suffered a 7.6 magnitude earthquake Oct. 8. Air Force C-17 Globemaster IIIs, KC-10 Extenders and C-130 Hercules aircraft have transported more than 630,000 pounds of humanitarian relief, including food, tents, cots, medical

General McNabb takes command of AMC

Gen. Duncan J. McNabb took command of Air Mobility Command during a ceremony here Oct. 14. During the ceremony, the general discussed the importance of the command now and in the future. "It has been six years since I left here as commander of the (Tanker Airlift Control Center)," said General

VA finding jobs for Iraq, Afghanistan vets

For young men and women fighting the war on terrorism, coming home in good health is a major goal. But coming home to a good job also is a primary concern, Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary R. James Nicholson said during a news conference Oct. 13. He announced a VA jobs program for

Cope Thunder supply mission diverse

As aircraft lift from the flightline and roar into the low-lying clouds, two 353rd Combat Training Squadron supply liaisons are busy helping customers with the supply process. Tech. Sgt. Devandis Smith and Staff Sgt. Normajean Glossan know first-hand that its the behind-the-scene efforts that makes

Combat care

Moseley: We are moving towards interdependence with sister services

The Air Force’s future path requires more jointness and interdependence between the total force, sister services and coalition partners. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley spoke Oct. 11 about this vision for the future of the Air Force, but began with a vision of its recent past. The

Maintainers keep Cope Thunder going

Tucked away in an office on the far corner of the Thunder Dome, two men ensure Airmen and Sailors get Cope Thunder 06-1 missions off the ground -- on time and on target. Without the oversight of Col. Mark Fluke and Chief Master Sgt. Darrin Dwyer, exercise Cope Thunder would, theoretically, only be a

AFMC air logistics centers garner Shingo Prize

Industry leaders recognized Air Force Materiel Command's three air logistics centers for their practical implementation of Lean Transformation practices, ensuring America's warfighters success on the job. Lean is a methodology designed to create value, eliminate waste and allow an organization to

Thunderous combat

ETDC supplies gear downrange so deployed troops don’t have to

The 376th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron’s expeditionary theater distribution center here is leading the way in expeditionary mobility gear processing to make life easier for thousands of deploying Airmen. The center is part of an Air Force test where Airmen can deploy from their home

Fairchild Airmen test for Ranger School

Airmen assigned to the 22nd Training Squadron and select Airmen with the 66th Training Squadron here have taken on a rare challenge to push themselves beyond normal endurance for the chance to attend the Army’s elite training program -- Ranger School. And they only had a day to do it. The 12-hour

Cope Thunder exercise begins

Cope Thunder 06-1 participants are using the 62,000 square miles of airspace at this remote base to “fly, fight and win” during Pacific Air Force’s premier combat airpower exercise. The two-week exercise, which will run through Oct. 21, is the command’s largest air combat training exercise,

Reserve wing welcomes change to flying mission

The 445th Airlift Wing received its first of 11 C-5 Galaxy aircraft Oct. 3. Air Force Reserve Command wings do not change aircraft very often, and the 445th AW is no exception, having flown C-141 Starlifters since the wing’s activation Oct. 1, 1994. All that will soon be history. The C-141s are

A-10 phase dock keeps OEF frequent flyers flying

A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft here flew 500 sorties in September over Afghanistan supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Direct close-air support missions accounted for 380 of those sorties. Whether supporting ground troops in the war or conducting a training mission at their home station, A-10

Barksdale joins Bright Star 2005

Airmen here recently engaged in a unique international exercise -- Bright Star 2005. The Bright Star exercise takes place every two years in Egypt and includes coalition forces from the United States, Egypt and 12 other countries. Airmen faced several challenges during the exercise which ran Sept.

Air Warfare Center changes names to USAF Warfare Center

The Air Warfare Center here officially changed its name Oct. 1 to the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center. The new name more accurately reflects the center's expanding responsibility to integrate space and information operations with traditional air warfare, officials said. The expansion was previously

Web site expands services to help with PCS

The Air Force Move Web site "People First" has recently expanded its services. Besides the vast personal property links, travelers will now have access to a passenger directory to assist with locating the nearest transportation office. A ground transportation locator has been added to aid in finding

Intel officer assumes command of Air Intelligence Agency

A career intelligence officer assumed command Oct. 6 of the Air Force organization charged with providing information warfare capabilities to air component and joint force commanders around the world. Maj. Gen. John C. Koziol became the 28th commander of the Air Intelligence Agency and Joint

General Yeager speaks at Smithsonian

One of the most famous test pilots of all time, retired Brig. Gen. Charles E. “Chuck” Yeager, spoke to 500 aviation enthusiasts at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum on Oct. 4. It was the 25th time in the past 26 years General Yeager has held the lecture. Those in attendance watched a

Officials: Catastrophic events caused U-2 crash

A catastrophic, cascading sequence of events, beginning with the inflight failure of the power takeoff shaft, caused a U-2S surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft to crash June 22 in Southwest Asia, killing the pilot, according to Air Force investigators. The aircraft was returning to a

USAFE, Rwandan security forces protect airlift mission

A joint U.S. and Rwandan security forces team is keeping the people and aircraft supporting humanitarian operations here safe. Sixteen Airmen with the 786th Security Forces Squadron from Sembach Air Base, Germany, and six Airmen with the 435th SFS at Ramstein AB, Germany, are working with Rwandan

Cutting-edge communications essential in emergency response

Communication is like water, heat or air conditioning -- it is virtually invisible when the system is operating smoothly. No one notices it unless it stops. While most military communications technicians understand that attitude and generally stay out of the spotlight, the Incident Commanders,

Air Force posthumously awards Bronze Star

An Air Force chaplain’s assistant was posthumously recognized in a Brewer, Maine, ceremony Sept. 27 for his participation in a Korean War airlift that saved nearly 1,000 orphans. Staff Sgt. Merle Y. Strang played a key part in evacuating orphans from war-torn Seoul, South Korea, to the safer

Services Airmen ensure people get ‘comforts of home’

Airmen with the 147th Fighter Wing services flight at Ellington Field, Texas, are ensuring everyone supporting Hurricane Rita relief efforts have a hot meal to eat and a comfortable bed to sleep in.While some servicemembers deployed there from various parts of the country are sleeping and working in

Air Commandos build bonds with African country

A select team of combat aviation advisors from the 6th Special Operations Squadron here recently deployed to the edge of the Sahara desert to train with the fledgling Niger Air Force.Because the 6th SOS has been to Niger numerous times, the air commandos understand how to adapt to living and working

Noise research may open thousands more airports in nation

Commercial airlines may soon be able to land at 8,000 more U.S. airports because of research involving Air Force test pilots.If the research is applied, no longer will aircraft be restricted from landing at smaller airports because of the excessive noise aircraft make upon landing, according to

Captain one of 10 outstanding young Americans

A captain with the 116th Air Control Wing here is one of the 10 Outstanding Young Americans for 2005 chosen by the U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce.Capt. Paul Maykish received the award during the Jaycees’ 67th annual black-tie awards ceremony held at the Boston World Trade Center Sept. 17.The

C-141 approaches historical conclusion as last flight nears

Since its first flight Dec. 17, 1963, the C-141 Starlifter has enjoyed a prestigious history.The last chapter of that history will be written in October when the Air Force's last C-141 unit, the 445th Airlift Wing at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, starts replacing its Starlifters with the

Eglin fighters shine at Bright Star

The 33rd Fighter Wing here was the Air Force’s lone fighter unit in Egypt to participate in the joint-combined training exercise Bright Star 05/06.The exercise, which began Sept. 10 and ends Oct. 3, is U.S. Central Command’s largest coalition exercise. It tests theater engagement activity and boosts

C-141 flies last mission from combat zone

For the last time in its long career, a C-141 Starlifter aircraft will fly military patients out of a war zone Sept. 30.The flight from Iraq will end a five-day mission to the Middle East for the airlift plane from the 445th Airlift Wing here. The aircraft first started airlifting the sick and

Air Force national museum adds ‘Wild Weasel’ exhibit

An exhibit commemorating the accomplishments of the "Wild Weasels" during the Vietnam War was unveiled recently at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.The exhibit contains an F-105G "Thunderchief" aircraft; an SA-2 surface-to-air missile and launcher; items such as maps, flight gear, helmets,

Predators fly first four-ship sorties

The latest upgrade to the MQ-1 Predator, known as the Multi-Aircraft Control, or MAC system, entered operational testing with the first two-ship and four-ship Predator sorties being flown over a four-day period.Testers performed two-ship sorties Sept. 12 and 13 and progressed to four-ship sorties

All-female combat crew takes it in stride

A crew of six Airmen at a forward deployed location climbed aboard a C-130 Hercules together recently for the first time in their careers. But something distinguished this mission from others they had flown --it was the first time an all-female C-130 crew flew a combat mission. Capt. Carol

ACC commander praises role of Airmen

Endurance will be the key to winning the war on terrorism, and the Air Combat Command commander told Airmen here their long-term commitment is paying off.“This is a long-haul engagement we’re in, and we can’t falter now,” said Gen. Ronald E. Keys. “We’re making some real advances, but we can’t pack

ROVERs aid in search and rescue

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, local recovery authorities needed helping seeing what was happening on the ground. That is when Airmen brought in ROVER, the Air Force’s cutting edge combat technology to the table, to support combined rescue operations. The Remote Operations Video Enhanced Receiver

Lessons learned aid preparation for Hurricane Rita

With Airmen still working recovery efforts from Hurricane Katrina, the Air Force prepares for the second major hurricane to hit the Gulf Coast in just over three weeks.Lessons were learned from Hurricane Katrina, and the Air Force wasted no time in implementing them.Airlift aircraft and helicopters

U-2 provides Hurricane Rita imagery

A U-2 "Dragon Lady" here completed yet another surveillance and reconnaissance mission Sept. 22, but this mission was a first for the aircraft. It was the first time a U-2 aircraft was tasked to collect images of the Gulf Coast before a hurricane, Hurricane Rita, strikes land. The unique mission

Combat convoy course expands to driving 18-wheelers

The Basic Combat Convoy Course here now includes teaching Airmen to drive tractor-trailer supply trucks and gun trucks as convoy operations in Iraq have evolved into longer, more dangerous missions, course leaders said.All Airmen in the course also are now receiving combat lifesaver training during

Air Force streamlines regional supply system

In a significant reorganization of the Air Force supply system, two logistics support centers will soon replace and assume the responsibilities of five regional supply squadrons.Beginning in April 2006, the Mobility Air Forces Logistics Support Center here will begin handling supply back-shop

Airpower supports Afghan elections

Airpower was in full effect as aircraft and crews supported Afghanistan’s National Assembly elections Sept. 18 by deterring attacks on the ground.U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II and EC-130H Compass Call aircraft and U.S. Navy EA-6B Prowlers here have stepped up efforts to provide safe and secure

Peacekeeper missile mission ends during ceremony

The Peacekeeper intercontinental ballistic missile mission came to an end Sept. 19 during a ceremony here. Hundreds of Airmen and civilians, including Dr. Ronald M. Sega, undersecretary of the Air Force, were on hand to celebrate the Peacekeeper’s role in nuclear deterrence.“Today we celebrate 19

Air Staff officials expand warrior image

“We are a nation at war,” Gen. T. Michael Moseley wrote in a letter to all Airmen on Sept. 2, the day he was sworn in as Air Force chief of staff.As many Airmen are deployed on combat missions in places including Iraq and Afghanistan as well as humanitarian relief efforts in the Gulf Coast region,

Kirkuk unit controls Iraqi sky

The 727th Expeditionary Air Control Squadron Detachment 1 here provides instantaneous and continuous information superiority by providing commanders and pilots with a real-time view of northern Iraq’s airspace.The detachment’s Airmen give operators at nearby Balad Air Base a key airspace picture,

Base photographers document history for future generations

Photographers here are proving that a picture is truly worth a thousand words in fighting the war on terrorism. “Our images tell the military story to the American public, our children and their children, and beyond,” said Master Sgt. Maurice Hessel, base multimedia center manager and still

Moseley: Future of the Air Force

To determine the way ahead, one must understand the heritage and history of the Air Force, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley said during his keynote address on the future of the Air Force at the Air Force Association’s 2005 Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition here Sept.

Systems group adds technology to Katrina relief support

While tons of relief supplies are flowing into the Gulf Coast daily, the Operations and Sustainment Systems Group here is shoring up the vital flow of communications to the hurricane-stricken region.Hours after Hurricane Katrina made landfall, the group's team of communications, logistics,

Eglin wing picks ups missions from Louisiana ANG

As many of the bases Air Force-wide support Joint Task Force-Katrina, the 33rd Fighter Wing here is doing its part by scrambling to help the Louisiana Air National Guard.Just 36 hours after the wing’s 60th Fighter Squadron returned from a Hurricane Katrina evacuation Aug. 31, the squadron has been

Senior leaders address key issues at conference

Air Force senior leaders answered questions on topics ranging from the buildup of military power in China to the status of Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., during an open panel discussion here Sept. 13.Six Air Force major command commanders joined Gen. T. Michael Moseley, Air Force chief of staff, to