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  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Oct. 3

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Oct. 3. In Afghanistan Oct. 2, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, a B-1B Lancer and French M-2000 Mirages provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Gilan. The A-10s expended

  • Air Force launches Young Investigators Research Program

    Air Force Office of Scientific Research officials here announced Oct. 2 an award of approximately $6.3 million in grants to 21 scientists and engineers who submitted winning research proposals through the Air Force's new Young Investigator Research Program. The program is open to scientists and

  • Unit stands up at Vandenberg

    U.S. Strategic Command officials have split a single function into two in order to transform and enhance U.S. space capabilities. The Joint Functional Component Command for Space and Global Strike has been divided into JFCC for Space and JFCC for Global Strike and Integration. The split, initially

  • CENTAF releases airpower summaries for Sept. 30 to Oct. 2

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Sept. 30 through Oct. 2.Sept. 30In Afghanistan Sept. 29, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, a B-1 Lancer and Royal Air Force Harrier GR-7s provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists

  • Reserve personnel records continue going electronic

    Continuing the process of transferring personnel records to an electronic format, Air Force officials will begin scanning the Unit Personnel Record Group of active-duty Airmen in October. "There is only one copy of the UPRG kept at each unit," said Jo Hogue, chief of master personnel records at the

  • Koa Lightning sharpens B-52 aircrews' war fighting skills

    The B-52 aircrews of the 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, deployed from the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., are keeping their war fighting skills sharp as part of the United States' continuous bomber presence in the Pacific region. A highlight of the "Barons" first 30 days at Andersen

  • 55th Wing fulfills mission tasks from borrowed airfield

    Every day nearly 450 Airmen from the 55th Wing take the bus to work -- making an hour-long ride that takes them 50 miles away from Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. The wing moved airfield operations and support agencies to the Lincoln Air Park ramp in May to continue flying missions remotely while

  • Command, control squadron inactivates at Offutt AFB

    The 55th Mobile Command and Control Squadron here was officially inactivated Sept. 27 after 28 years of service. For nearly three decades the men and women of the 55th MCCS have kept a quiet vigil, preparing for the day when the fate of the nation might depend on their ability to provide a

  • PRT breaks ground on $3 million road project

    The Air Force-led Bagram Provincial Reconstruction team officially started a new road system Sept. 28 in the Kapisa province that will connect all districts and the provincial capitol. The contract is the first of its kind in Afghanistan and was awarded to Shams Construction Company of Kabul during

  • Reserve, Guard leaders speak at AFA convention

    Both the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard's top leaders spoke to attendees of the Air Force Association's Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition here Sept. 26. Lt. Gen. John A. Bradley, Air Force Reserve Command commander, and Lt. Gen. Craig R. McKinley, Air National Guard

  • 23rd 'Flying Tigers' to become host wing at Moody

    The "Flying Tigers" will be brought back from the past as the 347th Rescue Wing will be redesignated as the 23rd Wing during a ceremony here at 8:23 a.m. Sept. 29. Brig. Gen. Blair E. Hansen, vice commander of 9th Air Force at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., will preside over the redesignation ceremony

  • AFMC vice commander testifies on new personnel system

    The recent implementation of the National Security Personnel System Spiral 1.1, at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., was the focus as Lt. Gen. Terry Gabreski, Air Force Materiel Command vice commander, spoke before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Sept. 20.It was the

  • National Guard and Reserve mobilized as of Sept. 27

    This week, the Air Force announced an increase in the number of reservists on active duty in support of the partial mobilization. The Army, Navy and Marine Corps had a decrease. The Coast Guard number remained the same. The net collective result is 496 fewer reservists mobilized than last week. At

  • Japanese, U.S. Airmen share insights at tactics symposium

    Airmen from 5th Air Force here sponsored a tactics symposium Sept. 26 to 27, bringing together 30 representatives from the Japanese Air Self Defense Force and U.S. military components in Japan. A first of its kind, the event allowed captains and majors from operations-related specialties to discuss

  • 4th Corps Soldiers get lift from 386th AEW

    Pvt. 1st Class Michael Sirrine is on his first deployment but knows plenty about being in the desert. A native of Tuscon, Ariz., he noticed as soon as he arrived in Kuwait, "it's just like home, with less cactus." Before boarding an Air Force C-130 Hercules in early September for Balad, Iraq,

  • Sembach squadron maintains war reserves

    Airmen from the 435th Materiel Maintenance Squadron at Sembach Air Base, Germany, store, maintain, account and prepare an incredible amount of war reserve materiel needed to keep U.S. forces supplied. The materiel is stored at a massive central storage facility in Luxemburg, two collocated operating

  • New 'Port Dawgs' set up for success at Charleston AFB

    Members of the 437th Aerial Port Squadron here have found a unique way to get their Airmen trained smarter, faster and better -- it's called the Port Dawg University currently being taught at Charleston AFB. The Port Dawg University Program is "aerial port's way of streamlining everything to make

  • Dover AFB receives new maintenance trainer

    The Avionics Modernization Program, also known as AMP, is changing the way C-5 Galaxies are flown by streamlining the aircaft to emulate civilian aircraft.In addition to installing new communications and navigation panels, dials are being replaced with multi-function display units. These new AMP

  • Air Force Association conference under way

    The top Air Force leaders helped kick off the Air Force Association's annual Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition here with a ceremony honoring the association's history and contributions to the service, as well as remembering those currently serving in today's force. Secretary of the

  • Ramstein Airmen connect with Rwandan children

    Large smiles, chewing gum bubbles and high-fives were the scene Sept. 22 when Airmen from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, gave donated goods to orphans and school children here.The 787th Air Expeditionary Squadron, comprised of 20 Airmen from the 86th Airlift Wing, 86th Contingency Response Group, 86th

  • CENTAF releases airpower summaries for Sept. 23-25

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces have released the airpower summaries for Sept. 23 to 25.Sept. 23In Afghanistan Sept. 22, Navy F/A-18Fs conducted a strike against Taliban extremists near Lashkar Gah. The F/A-18Fs expended Guided Bomb Unit-12s on enemy targets. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and a B-1

  • Servicemembers shine during NFL game

    The National Football League's Houston Texans honored American servicemembers during its Salute to the Military at the game against the Washington Redskins at Reliant Stadium here Sept. 24. Starting with pregame activities and throughout the game, military members were spotlighted as part of the

  • Fans share thoughts about military

    Among the sea of hundreds of tailgaters at the military appreciation day match up between the Houston Texans and the Washington Redskins at Reliant Stadium Sept. 24, a few fans shared their thoughts on the military. The game was designated as the Houston Texan's Salute to the Military by team

  • Three Airmen awarded Bronze Star

    Three Airmen here were awarded the Bronze Star Medal recently in a ceremony at the base theater. The 20th Air Force commander, Maj. Gen. Thomas Deppe presented the awards to Senior Airman Charity Trueblood, Maj. Lawrence King and Capt. Jonathan Bennett for duties they performed while fighting the

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Sept. 22

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Sept. 22. In Afghanistan Sept. 21, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, an MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle, Navy F/A-18 Hornets and Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers provided close air support for Coalition troops in

  • Heroism earns Airman prestigious award

    An NCO from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., received the Keeper of the Flame Award Sept. 20 for his efforts in fighting the war on terrorism from the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.Tech. Sgt. Stephen Achey, a 682nd Air Support Operations Squadron senior fighter duty technician, received the award

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Sept. 21

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Sept. 21.In Afghanistan Sept. 20, an Air Force B-1 Lancer and U.S. Marine Corps AV-8Bs provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Asmar. The B-1 expended a Guided Bomb

  • Converted C-130s make flying, training, maintaining easier

    The C-130 Hercules getting upgraded avionics will give pilots better situational awareness, will be easier to schedule for missions and easier to maintain. The first of some 350 Air Force's C-130s to receive the avionics modernization program conversion -- which upgrades it with new digital displays

  • Power pros 'wire' Wake Island

    The damage assessment crews that deployed here from Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii eat a hot meal every night. They use laptop computers to compile data and generate reports, and sometimes, at the end of a particularly long day, they watch a DVD movie on a small television screen before going to bed.

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Sept. 20

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Sept. 20. In Afghanistan Sept. 20, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolts, a B-1 Lancer and Navy F/A-18F Hornets provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Tarin Kowt. The A-10s

  • Program helps families deal with separation

    Studying her family's checkbook, military spouse Desiree Currie of Richmond, Va., faced a dilemma. Her husband had just left for Iraq with the Virginia Air National Guard, leaving behind a second job that paid for their daughter's dance classes. Without the extra money, there could be no

  • Air Force Band streaming music on line

    Chief Master Sgt. David Nokes worked 15 months to take an idea and, with the help of the U.S. Army, turned it into a viable product. The result is Air Force Bandstand, a 24-hour per day Internet streaming radio service that broadcasts music by the Air Force Band and also includes news from the Air

  • Bagram PRT awards $3 million contract

    A landmark road-construction contract that will link all districts in the Kapisa province of Afghanistan was awarded to a local contractor by the Bagram Provincial Reconstruction Team Sept. 18.When the road is complete, Kapisa province will be the only province in Afghanistan with roads connecting

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Sept. 19

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Sept. 19.In Afghanistan Sept. 18, an Air Force B-1 Lancer, along with Royal Air Force Harrier GR-7s and French Air Force M-2000s provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near

  • Firefighter hopes for quiet day on Air Force birthday

    Senior Airman Jurle Gaver hopes there are no emergencies to keep him from his cake, ice cream and punch on the Air Force's 59th birthday. The firefighter, like other Airmen around the world, will report to work to fight or support the ongoing war on terrorism. This war -- like all the ones before --

  • Sergeant and dog on patrol during Air Force birthday

    Staff Sgt. Keith Lippy and his dog, Beni, will be too busy on patrol to have time for cake, ice cream and punch on the Air Force's 59th birthday. The sergeant and his dog will be like Airmen around the world, they will report to work to fight or support the ongoing war on terrorism. This war -- like

  • Sergeant dispatching maintainers on Air Force birthday

    Master Sgt. Robert Potter is busing tracking maintenance teams on the Air Force's 59th birthday, not enjoying cake, ice cream and punch.Instead, like for the past 15 years, he and other Airmen around the world will report to work to fight or support the ongoing war on terrorism. This war -- like all

  • Eagles, Falcons face off in air exercise

    Eagles and Falcons, the Air Force's premier "birds of prey," are currently facing off here in a two-week air-to-air exercise called Sentry Aloha.F-15 Eagles from the Hawaii Air National Guard's 199th Fighter Squadron and F-16 Fighting Falcons from the Texas Air National Guard's 149th Fighter Wing

  • Time running out to 'perform your duty'

    "If you can sing, dance or play a musical instrument," said Tom Edwards, chief of Air Force Entertainment and Tops In Blue, "you should apply for the Worldwide Talent Contest. Time is running out." The Worldwide Talent Contest deadline for applications is Oct. 2. The actual competition will begin

  • Young Airman excels, learns at Wake Island

    Super Typhoon Ioke left Wake Island in shambles. The Category 5 storm raged through the atoll Aug. 31, demolishing buildings and tossing around anything that wasn't bolted down -- and many things that were. Assessing the damage includes some repair work, and it's a mission that calls for the most

  • CENTAF releases airpower summaries for Sept. 16-18

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summaries for Sept. 16 through 18.Sept. 16In Afghanistan Sept. 15, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and a B-1 Lancer provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Khowst. Marine Corps AV-8Bs

  • Charleston photojournalist featured on national magazine

    An aerial combat photojournalist with the 1st Combat Camera Squadron here will be featured on the cover of a national professional women's magazine. Staff Sgt. Stacy Pearsall's self-portrait flying in a helicopter over Iraq in 2003 was chosen for the cover of the October issue of Pink, which hits

  • Tigers give Falcons flight

    Like an experienced pit crew, the 332d Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aircraft maintenance unit -- the Tiger -- keeps the F-16 Fighting Falcons of the 332d Expeditionary Fighter Squadron in top form. The crew chiefs, back shops and support Airmen in the Tiger aircraft maintenance

  • Army vet recalls horrors of POW camp

    Dec. 23, 1944. "It was the saddest day of my life," said Guillermo Serrano. It was a numbingly cold night with Christmas Eve just hours away when young Army Private Serrano was captured and imprisoned by Germans during the early stages of World War II's Battle of the Bulge. The battle began Dec. 16,

  • Former POWs carry on American resolve

    Americans honored the nation's patriots Sept. 15 during National POW/MIA Recognition Day. They took part in ceremonies, parades and observances held across the country on military installations, ships at sea, veterans' facilities and the Pentagon. This day commemorated America's past patriots still

  • Reservists honored for rescue efforts

    More than 40 members of the 943rd Rescue Group here were honored Sept. 10 here for their service during rescue efforts following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.Members of the 305th and 306th Rescue Squadrons, 943rd Maintenance and other support units were honored by military leaders and public

  • Space unit to move from Cheyenne Mountain

    The Space Control Center, operated by the 1st Space Control Squadron, is transferring its operations from Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, Colo., to the Joint Space Operations Center at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.The move is part of an effort to enhance mission effectiveness and increase

  • AFIT Class of September 2006 graduates

    More than 40 scientists, engineers and management specialists are the latest recipients of graduate and doctoral degrees from the Air Force Institute of Technology.AFIT's Graduate School of Engineering and Management held its September 2006 graduation ceremony Sept. 14 in the Institute's Kenney

  • Denver-area units hold POW/MIA Recognition Day vigil

    To commemorate National POW/MIA Recognition Day, military and civilian employees gathered here Sept. 14 for a 24-hour vigil to remember people listed as prisoners of war or missing in action. The annual ceremony opened with volunteers from the Air Reserve Personnel Center, Defense Finance and

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Sept. 15

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Sept. 15.In Afghanistan yesterday, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Oruzgan. An Air Force B-1 Lancer provided close-air support for

  • DOD schools administrator named principal of year

    An administrator in a Defense Department school in Germany was named Sept. 11 as the 2007 National Principal of the Year for Middle Schools. Dr. Ellen Minette of Heidelberg Middle School received the award from the National Association of Secondary School Principals and the Metropolitan Life

  • Changes to acquisition processes reduce delivery time

    Changes in the Air Force's acquisition community have already resulted in quicker delivery of capability to the warfighter, according to the assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition. The Air Force acquisition community is changing the way it does business to deliver capability faster and

  • Spangdahlem F-16 crashes

    A 22nd Fighter Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed at 1 p.m. local time Sept. 14 near the town of Oberkail, about 10 miles north of this busy fighter base. The pilot ejected safely and is in good condition, said Staff Sgt. Tammie Moore, a spokesperson for the 52nd Fighter Wing. The aircraft was on

  • UAV catches anti-Iraqi forces mortar team

    Two men were detained and a small cache discovered after coalition forces observed, with the intelligence gathered from an unmanned aerial vehicle, six men fleeing the origin of an indirect fire attack on the civilians of Khan Bani Sa'ad, south of Baqubah Tuesday. After two mortar rounds impacted

  • Selective Early Retirement Board to convene Jan. 8

    In an effort to shape the force to support core and emerging missions, Air Force officials will convene a Selective Early Retirement Board Jan. 8 to balance the excess of officers in the colonel and lieutenant colonel ranks. The SERB will evaluate line of the Air Force and chaplain colonels and

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Sept. 13

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Sept. 13.In Afghanistan Sept. 12, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Kandahar. The aircraft expended Guided Bomb Unit-12s and cannon

  • Airmen provide medical assistance in Colombia

    Fourteen Airmen from Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., and Lackland AFB, Texas, arrived at Hospital Toribo Maya, Colombia, Sept. 13 and opened the doors to the hundreds of people who had already gathered outside seeking medical assistance. The team, made up of members from the 55th Medical Group at

  • Tight fit for GM-3 will save $360K per flight

    Members of the 4th Space Operations Squadron here successfully loaded their Ground Mobile-3 vehicle onto a C-17 Globemaster III Sept. 10, proving a concept that will save the Air Force more than $360,000 each time the GM-3 deploys. In addition, C-17s are easier to procure and have a greater

  • Airmen pay tribute to fallen guardsman

    Thousands of people in uniform came together Sept. 11 in nearby Saratoga County to pay tribute to Master Sgt. Joseph Longobardo, a member of the 109th Security Forces Squadron here. Sergeant Longobardo was laid to rest after tragically dying while on duty with the New York State Police. As part of

  • Spangdahlem Airmen return home

    About 250 Spangdahlem Airmen returned home Sept. 9 to their families and friends after a deployment to Southwest Asia. "Since 9/11, a lot of Americans have been serving and sacrificing; these are the latest," said Col. Darryl Roberson, 52nd Fighter Wing commander. "The families and children here

  • Airmen deploy from Mountain Home AFB

    More than 160 Airmen from the 726th Air Control Squadron here deployed Sept. 10 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.Their mission is to monitor the airspace over a battlefield and provide military leaders with a clear and accurate picture of that area, allowing commanders to make informed,

  • Missouri Air National Guard gets sneak preview of B-2

    Missouri Air National Guard Airmen got a peek at a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber when it visited the 131st Fighter Wing here Sept. 9. Col. Greg Biscone, 509th Bomb Wing commander, piloted the B-2 from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., to St. Louis. It gave the Missouri Guardsmen an opportunity to see the

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Sept. 12

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Sept. 12. In Afghanistan Sept. 11, an Air Force B-1 Lancer conducted a precision strike against Taliban extremist fighting positions and a mortar position in the vicinity of Asadabad. The B-1 expended Guided Bomb

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Sept. 10-11

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Sept. 10.Sept. 10In Afghanistan Sept. 9, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, a B-1 Lancer, MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicles, Navy FA-18 Hornets and Royal Air Force Harrier GR-7s provided close-air support for

  • USAFE sets course with AFSO 21

    To best meet the challenges of the road ahead, the U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander assembled leaders throughout the command here to initiate USAFE-wide implementation of Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century. "We're going to determine where we're going in the future, and AFSO 21 will

  • Air Force team to provide medical care in Colombia

    An Air Force medical team made up of members from the 55th Medical Group at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., and the 59th Medical Wing at Lackland AFB, Texas, arrived here Sept. 10 to participate in a two-week medical readiness exercise. As part of this medical readiness training exercise, or MEDRETE,

  • Puerto Rico ANG C-130s in war zone for first time

    The Puerto Rico Air National Guard's 156th Airlift Wing deployed here Sept. 8 -- the first time in a war zone in the unit's C-130 Hercules.A few members of the uinit have been deployed to other regions of the world, such as to Bosnia, but they had never deployed as a unit to a war zone until

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Sept. 9

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Sept. 9. In Afghanistan Sept. 8, Navy FA-18 Hornets and Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists in the vicinity of Kandahar . The FA-18s expended

  • Missing major found

    Police in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, found Maj. Jill Metzger alive Sept. 8, four days after she disappeared during a shopping trip there. Bishkek police notified the U.S. embassy in the capital city at 3:15 p.m. EDT that they had found the officer. In Southwest Asia, U.S. Central Command Air Forces

  • Charleston C-17 squadron completes deployment

    The first full-squadron deployment of C-17 Globemaster III aircrews and leaders at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., came to a close Sept. 1.Lt. Col. Ricky Rupp assumed command of the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron from Lt. Col. Lenny Richoux, both from the 437th Airlift Wing at Charleston

  • Combined forces at leadership school benefit students

    Japanese and U.S. military forces have many training opportunities to interact and learn from each other, and that bilateral relationship is carrying over to the military education classroom. Walk into an Airman Leadership School class here and it resembles a coalition headquarters environment, with

  • Researchers aim to enhance air vehicle systems

    Air Force Office of Scientific Research officials here recently awarded the University of Washington and three partner universities a grant worth approximately $6 million over five years to study the design of air vehicles capable of collecting and storing solar and heat energies. The

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Sept. 8

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Sept. 8. In Afghanistan Sept. 7, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided close-air support to coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Kandahar. The A-10s conducted passes, expending cannon rounds and

  • First wave of Airmen deploy from Ellsworth

    The first wave of about 550 Ellsworth Airmen deployed to various locations throughout Southwest Asia to support ongoing operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.The majority of the Airmen, from operational and maintenance units, left earlier this week to join the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing and serve

  • Air Force Research Lab names 2006 fellows

    Air Force Research Laboratory officials are honoring seven scientists and engineers as new fellows during an annual awards banquet Sept. 19 at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. Designed to recognize and reward AFRL's most outstanding in-house scientists and engineers, the fellows

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary, space support requests for Sept. 7

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have announced the airpower summary and space support requests for Sept. 7.In Afghanistan Sept. 6, Air Force B-1 Lancers provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Asadabad. One aircraft expended a Guided Bomb

  • Air Force major still missing in Kyrgyzstan

    U.S. Air Force special investigators and Kyrgyz authorities are continuing search efforts to locate an Air Force officer missing since Sept. 5, officials said. Maj. Jill Metzger, personnel chief at the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing, was last seen by a group of her coworkers at the Zum shopping center

  • Small Diameter Bomb I delivered ahead of schedule

    The culmination of more than five years of extraordinary teamwork was realized when the GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bomb was successfully delivered to the warfighter ahead of schedule and under cost. "This achievement represents an unparalleled team victory for the combined Air Armament Center and

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Sept. 6

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Sept. 6. In Afghanistan Sept. 5, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, Navy FA-18 Hornets and Royal Air Force Harrier GR-7s provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Kandahar. The

  • Air Force Reserve tops recruiting goal again

    For the sixth year in a row, Air Force Reserve Command officials have exceeded the command's recruiting goal.AFRC Recruiting Service surpassed its goal for the 2006 recruiting year Aug. 31 when officials accessed its 8,001st recruit as the number of people signing up continues to climb. Col. Francis

  • CENTAF releases airpower summaries for Sept. 3-5

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summaries for Sept. 3 to 5.Sept. 3In Afghanistan Sept. 2, Air Force MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicles and HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters provided close-air support for search and recovery missions responding to the crash of a

  • First Spangdahlem jets return home from desert duty

    Six F-16 Fighting Falcons returned home to Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, on Labor Day after a two-and a half month deployment to Southwest Asia. The fighter jets, of the 23rd Fighter Squadron, spent their deployment providing close-air support to coalition forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, 52nd

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Sept. 2

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Sept. 2.In Afghanistan Sept. 1, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, a B-1B Lancer and Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists in the vicinity of Musah

  • Airmen take Red Flag plunge

    Parachutists from around the Air Force took a plunge Sept. 1 into local Lake Mead drop zone in support of Red Flag 06-2. U.S. Air Force C-130 and Singapore Air Force Ch-47 Chinook crews provided Red Flag airlift operations in support of the jumps. Nellis Airmen also supported the mission by

  • Air Force, Navy weather forecasters form one front

    Air Force weather forecasters from the 21st Operational Weather Squadron welcomed Navy weather forecasters into their unit here Aug. 31. With a Navy drawdown and reach-back initiatives, the number of maritime weather forecasters in Europe was reduced by more than half. "Based on the cuts in theater,

  • Lawmakers, DOD take aim at payday loan sharks

    Interest is building on Capitol Hill in putting a nationwide cap on the interest rates lenders can charge servicemembers for loans, a measure the Defense Department is pushing to protect its force. A General Accountability Office study released last month offers insight into how payday-lending

  • Bagram C-130s drop high-tech cargo delivery system

    The same global positioning technology that helps fighter and bomber pilots deliver smart bombs with pinpoint accuracy now allows cargo bundles dropped from cargo planes to steer themselves to drop zones. A C-130 Hercules from the 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron here dropped supplies to a U.S.

  • Military helps wounded troops return to work

    Officials from the Defense Department and military services got together here Aug. 30 for the first "From Deployment to Employment" conference to discuss ways to better serve America's severely injured servicemembers. The day-long conference was a forum to exchange ideas about how to improve the

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Sept. 1

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Sept. 1.In Afghanistan Aug. 31, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicles, HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters and a RC-135 Rivet Joint aircraft provided close-air support for search and recovery

  • Reservists ready to fight wildfires in Pacific Northwest

    Air Force Reserve Command's only airborne fire fighting unit is back on the road and ready to fight fires again. Twenty-one members of the 302nd Airlift Wing boarded a C-130 Hercules Aug. 27 and headed for Klamath Falls, Ore. There they will stage Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System, or

  • CAP proves worth during Katrina relief

    When Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast a year ago, the nation went into immediate humanitarian mission mode. Along with the efforts of countless organizations came help from a 57,000-strong force often overlooked. While the debris settled and devastation became evident under clear skies, the

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Aug. 31

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Aug. 31.In Afghanistan Aug. 30, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Musah Qal'eh. The aircraft conducted passes, expending cannon

  • Airmen experience tip of expeditionary spear

    Most Airmen have experienced the expeditionary air and space force, but for about 170 Airmen serving in the military personnel exchange program, the term "expeditionary" takes on a whole new meaning. Officers and senior NCOs serving in the MPEP are assigned to nearly three dozen foreign air forces

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Aug. 30

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Aug. 30.In Afghanistan Aug. 29, an Air Force B-1 Lancer provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Qalat. The aircraft expended a Guided Bomb Unit-31 and GBU-38s on the

  • Chief McKinley addresses senior rater, stratification policy

    In his first "Enlisted Perspective," Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney McKinley discusses the new senior rater policy and use of stratification statements for enlisted performance reports. Stratification statements take into consideration the number or percentage of enlisted members in a

  • Katrina shapes rescue mission

    On Aug. 29, 2005, the third-strongest hurricane ever to hit U.S soil made landfall on the Louisiana and Mississippi border. Soon after, rescue crews from here were called on to perform search and rescue on a scale previously unseen. "The Katrina relief effort was a benchmark for Air Force rescue,"

  • CENTAF releases airpower summaries

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summaries for Aug. 28 and 29.Aug. 28In Afghanistan Aug. 27, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and a B-1 Lancer provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Kandahar. The B-1 expended a Guided

  • Rescue wing gears up for Tropical Storm Ernesto

    Air Force Reserve Command's rescue unit here is taking measures to prepare for Tropical Storm Ernesto as it heads toward central Florida. The 920th Rescue Wing will evacuate its aircraft to Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga., Aug. 29. Wing aircrews will fly their HH-60G Pavehawk helicopters and HC-130P/N

  • Keesler Medical Center rebounds from Katrina

    Keesler Medical Center, the second largest Air Force medical center, has made great strides in rebounding from the damage inflicted by Hurricane Katrina one year ago. The facility is rapidly returning to its pre-Katrina status, both from the standpoint of the physical plant and services. Full

  • Leadership development program assists GS-15 advancement

    A new leadership development program called GS-15 LD provides a total force development vision for Air Force civilians in the GS-15 grade, preparing them for senior roles in the Department of Defense. "We're working hard to prepare these people to successfully lead at the Senior Executive Service