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  • Reserve officers hone leadership skills

    More than 60 Air Force Reserve officers from throughout the nation traveled here recently to hone their leadership skills during the Junior Officer Leadership Development course.Hosted by officials with the Air Force Reserve Command's 512th Airlift Wing, the four-day course featured three general

  • National Guard members never stop training for hurricane season

    Although most hurricanes occur between the months of June and October, being prepared to respond to the aftereffects of a hurricane is almost a year-round task for the members of the National Guard."We actually almost never stop (training),"said Maj. Gen. Bill Etter, the director of domestic

  • U.S. and Bulgarian airmen train together

    Airmen and F-15 Eagles from the 48th Fighter Wing are participating in an exercise with airmen from the Bulgarian air force here.Sentry Gold is designed to provide members of the U.S. and Bulgarian air force the opportunity to learn from each other and increase their respective NATO

  • AFGSC commander gets close-up look at deployed bomber operations

    The commander of Air Force Global Strike Command visited here to assess ongoing bomber operations and meet with deployed Airmen May 13 through 16.Although bombers have rotated through Andersen Air Force Base continuously since March 2004, B-2 Spirits and B-52 Stratofortresses have only been aligned

  • Guard security forces members protect exercise participants

    While more than 250 participants of Exercise Ardent Sentry '10 are here honing their skills to protect American citizens against threats from the air, Airmen from the Georgia Air National Guard's 165th Security Forces Squadron are protecting them on the ground. The unit is part of the 165th Airlift

  • Training command becomes energy-efficient force

    Officials released a new energy plan in December to serve as the framework for communicating Air Force energy goals to expand a culture shift where Airmen make energy a consideration in everything they do.The priorities now involve energy-focused considerations from initial design and acquisition

  • 755th Air Expeditionary Group members celebrate one year with JET Airmen

    The 755th Air Expeditionary Group marked the one year anniversary of the creation of four air expeditionary squadrons whose purpose is to provide joint expeditionary tasked and individual augmentee Airmen May 5 here.Airmen assigned to the 655th, 755th, 855th and 955th AES are deployed to more than

  • Program links troops with career resources

    As the United States' economic crisis lingers, returning veterans are finding it harder to translate the skills they have learned on the battlefields onto a resume, but some employers are working with the military to bridge the gap.Staff members with the Employer Partnership Office of the Armed

  • Air Force chief of staff visits School of Aerospace Medicine

    The Air Force's top uniformed officer toured the 711th Human Performance Wing's U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine at Brooks City-Base, Texas, May 13.During his visit, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz reflected on the 92-year history of the school and the unique training and

  • 86th AW supports AFAFRICA in Flintlock 10

    Flintlock 10 is a U.S. Africa Command-sponsored exercise conducted by the Special Operations Command Africa's Joint Special Operations Task Force - Trans Sahara that is scheduled to conclude May 23. Centered in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, the exercise focuses on military interoperability and

  • Iraqi training refresher course caters to prior servicemembers

    More than 1,025 prior Iraqi airmen are participating in a three-week Basic Military Training Top Off program at the Iraqi Air Force Training School here.The BMT Top Off course is a refresher course that reviews the preperation involved in basic military training, such as drill and dorm inspection,

  • AETC fields new management tool

    Air Education and Training Command officials will field new user-friendly software called the Task Management Tool, which is designed to support the task management process for AETC headquarters, Air University, 2nd Air Force, 19th Air Force and wing staff leadership beginning in September.The TMT

  • Ardent Sentry '10 scans the sky above Savannah

    More than 250 Airmen, Soldiers, and Coast Guardsmen in Georgia, along with 380 Sailors on a destroyer off the Georgia coast, have begun 24-hour operations as a major air defense exercise kicked off May 16, 2010 here. Ardent Sentry '10 is a major North American Aerospace Defense Command air defense

  • Air Force couple experiences dream wedding

    Cancer seemed as far away as a San Francisco seagull could fly as an Air Force captain danced his first dance with his new bride. Capt. Mike and Vanessa Hawkins married in a ceremony on the San Francisco waterfront May 14, and for a few weeks, they could push aside her stage IV Hodgkin's lymphoma

  • Air Force fitness program revisions begin July 1

    In less than two months, Airmen across the globe will begin testing against new fitness assessment standards. These standards were deemed necessary by senior Air Force leaders to ensure a fitter and healthier fighting force. Changes include bi-annual testing, minimum requirements within testing

  • U.S., Vietnam servicemembers continue humanitarian efforts

    U.S. and Vietnamese servicemembers continued their humanitarian efforts in villages surrounding Can Tho as part of Operation Pacific Angel 2010 scheduled through May 15 here. The U.S. and Vietnamese civil engineering teams supporting Pacific Angel 2010 have increased the maximum capacity of two

  • First American flies Mi-35 HIND in combat

    An Air Force major from the 438th Air Expeditionary Wing Combined Air Power Transition Force here is the first American Mi-35 HIND attack helicopter pilot to fly in combat. Maj. Caleb Nimmo, an Afghan National Army Air Corps pilot adviser, began flying in 2000. In the last ten years, he has flown

  • Joint Service Open House features MV-22 Osprey

    The MV-22 Osprey, one of the workhorse aircraft of the U.S. Marine Corps., was featured at the 2010 Joint Service Open House here May 15.The Osprey is a multi-mission, military, tiltrotor aircraft featuring both a vertical takeoff and landing, and short takeoff and landing capabilities. It

  • Real hero caps off experience for open house guests

    Oregon National Guardsman Staff Sgt. Matthew Zedwick knows what it's like to be a real American Soldier. He earned a Silver Star medal for risking his own life to save fellow Soldiers while deployed in Iraq in 2008 and is taking advantage of the Joint Service Open House here to share his experience

  • Warrior Games closing marks new beginning

    The 2010 Warrior Games may have ended May 14, but for the wounded warriors who competed here this week, their work is just beginning, officials hope."You've just completed a rigorous test of your physical and mental skills, your strength and endurance," Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint

  • Tuskegee Airmen trainer replica debuts at Andrews Air Show

    A member of the original Tuskegee Airmen unveiled a replica of the aircraft used to train the Air Force's first black pilots during WWII, at the Joint Service Open House here May 15.Retired Col. Charles McGee flew the BT-13 more than any other pilot during his training in 1943."It's hard to tell

  • Iraqi airmen closer to controlling Taji Tower

     Working with civilian contractors, Airmen here are preparing Iraqi airmen for the eventual transfer of air traffic control operations."We currently have 16 Iraqi Air Force students involved in training at this time," said Staff Sgt. Shannon Grice, 321st Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron air

  • Pacific Angel medical team relocates without missing a beat

    After providing three days of free medical care to more than 1,200 patients at Can Tho, Vietnam, the U.S. military medical team relocated their mission May 13 here as part of Operation Pacific Angel 2010. Medical teams from Vietnam and the U.S. began treating residents in Truong Thanh with free

  • Recruiting command chief retires after 30 years

    When Chief Master Sgt. Vance Clarke wakes each morning, he turns toward his wife and gently reaches over and touches her, a reminder as to why he continues to get out of bed each and every day at 4:30 a.m., dresses and heads to work.For the Air Force Recruiting Service command chief, his wife, Pam,

  • Air Force takes gold in pistol competition

    Staff Sgt. Marc Esposito, a combat controller from the 21st Special Tactics Squadron at Pope Air Force Base, N.C., brought home gold May 13 in the pistol-shooting competition at the inaugural Warrior Games here moments after earning bronze in the 20-kilometer upright bike competition."It's exactly

  • Airmen train with Romanian counterparts for the first time

    Airmen from Ramstein Air Base's 86th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, alongside members of the 37th Airlift Squadron and 435th Contingency Response Group trained with their Romanian counterparts the week of May 10 at Otopeni Airlift Base here.Operation Carpathian Summer 2010 was designed to

  • U.S., Vietnam building great relationships says U.S. Consul General

    The U. S. Counsul General from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, expressed his thanks to the U.S. and Vietnam for expanding their relationship through Operation Pacific Angel after touring the hosting facility here May 10.Consul General Kenneth J. Fairfax witnessed first-hand the combined effort of the

  • First career air liaison officers graduate TACP pipeline training

    For the first time since the Tactical Air Control Party career field began in 1977, five non-rated air liaison officers joined the ranks of battlefield Airmen across the Air Force after graduating from the basic Tactical Air Command and Control Apprentice Course April 27.Capt. Matthew Kealy, 1st Lt.

  • Policy official notes cybersecurity challenges

    Putting cybersecurity in place poses significant challenges for the Defense Department, the government as a whole and for critical infrastructure, the principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for policy said May 12.James N. Miller said cybersecurity "is not a glass half full-glass half empty

  • Space shuttle pilot speaks at Air Force Academy

    The pilot for the STS-131 space shuttle mission and a 1991 Air Force Academy graduate came to the Academy May 7 to speak with Department of Astronautics faculty members and cadets majoring in the astronautics field during a dining-out at the Falcon Club."Col. Jim Dutton is exactly the kind of

  • Trauma research team works to improve battlefield injury outcomes

    As American military members and their coalition partners fight the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, medics from these same countries work in collaboration to treat their battlefield wounds in theater hospitals.Combat zone injuries have changed over the years, with improved body armor protecting vital

  • Former Air Force medic participates in Warrior Games

    As a former firefighter, emergency medical technician and Air Force aeromedical evacuation Airman, retired Staff Sgt. Ricky Tackett dedicated his life to taking care of others. As a member of the Air Force team participating in the inaugural Warrior Games, people, his teammates, continue to be his

  • Air Force takes bronze in wheelchair basketball

    The Air Force bested the Navy 13 - 10 to earn the bronze medal in wheelchair basketball May 12 at the inaugural Warrior Games here at the U.S. Olympics Training Center. After a sound loss to the Marine Corps in the first game of wheelchair basketball and a win against the Navy in game two May 11,

  • Afghan Air Interdiction Unit gets a boost

    Members of the Afghan Ministry of Interior's Air Interdiction Unit held a transition ceremony May 5 at an Afghan National Army Air Corps base in Kabul, Afghanistan, in support of the unit's notable accomplishments over the past 12 months. A few of the distinguished accomplishments include the

  • Pacific Angel participants see continued bilateral cooperation

    A U.S. and Vietnam servicemember-hosted medical clinic concluded three days of centralized free care to Vietnamese patients as part of Operation Pacific Angel 10-2 here May 12. Servicemembers at the Tan Thoi Village Elementary School had cared for more than 1,250 patients in the pediatric, family

  • Air Force volleyball team remains undefeated

    The Air Force sitting volleyball team took down two Army teams May 11 and May 12 to finish undefeated in pool play and advance to the semifinals at the Warrior Games here. With only a week and a day of formal practice, Nicki Marino, the volleyball head coach, said her team stuck to the basics, which

  • U.S., Vietnam talk infectious diseases during Pacific Angel 2010

    American military and Vietnamese health professionals conducted a forum about infectious disease prevention and control at the Can Tho Medical College during Operation Pacific Angel here May 11. The forum allowed the experts in the field to share information about basic life support, infectious

  • Grand Forks CGOA recognized as best in Air Force

    The Grand Forks Air Force Base Company Grade Officer Association was selected as the CGO Council of the Year, May 5, during the CGOA Professional Development Conference in San Francisco.The Grand Forks AFB CGOA competed against more than 70 other CGOA councils from around the Air Force to win the

  • Airmen help save lives by donating platelets

    Military members at Kandahar Airfield have a chance to help fellow servicemembers by donating blood platelets.The aphersis clinic at the Role 3 hospital uses a unique process to extract blood platelets from donors. Platelets are one of three basic components of human blood."Our mission is to collect

  • DOD officials to study compensation, incentives

    Defense Department officials May 11 announced the start of the congressionally mandated 11th Quadrennial Review of Military Compensation.The review's focus, officials said, will be on combat pay, compensation for reserve-component servicemembers, caregivers and survivors and pay incentives for

  • Despite illness Warrior Games Airman rolls on

    Former Staff Sgt. Jeanne Goldy-Sanitate used to be referred to as "our lady of perpetual motion." A broken back and Multiple Sclerosis may have slowed her down, but at 54 years old, she's still rolling. Ms. Goldy-Sanitate, known as Jersey Jeanne to her teammates, will be shooting, swimming and

  • Misawa Airmen deploy to South Korea

    The pilots and maintainers of the 14th Fighter Squadron and the 14th Aircraft Maintenance Unit here deployed to South Korea this week.Airmen of the 14th FS combined with 35th Maintenance Group members in an effort to maintain regional stability in the Asia-Pacific theater and promote stronger

  • Partnership with Air Guard, Reserve offers new options with C-130 training

    The secretary of the Air Force announced May 4 that officials will proceed with a plan to augment the C-130 Hercules training fleet with C-130s from Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve squadrons.Secretary Michael Donley said Air Force planners will "continue to analyze the allocation of

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

    In this edition of "Today's Air Force," an Airman receives national recognition after his heroic efforts in earthquake-ravaged Haiti. Plus, Airmen join with their Indonesian counterparts for a bi-lateral exercise. And, celebrating the Year of the Air Force Family, viewers can take a look at Air

  • Disabled vets, troops compete in first Warrior Games

    Let the games begin.With the lighting of the ceremonial Olympic cauldron by National Football League hall of famer and U.S. Naval Academy graduate Roger Staubach, the much-anticipated inaugural Warrior Games are under way.Some 200 disabled veterans from all five branches of military service marched

  • Olympic path marks troops' journeys to fulfilled dreams

    The ceremony began much as any typical military procession does; with troops called to formation."I need a four-man front. Give me a four-man front," yelled a platoon leader.The troops joked and shifted, jostling about and adjusting spacing."Everybody in this row right here, shift back one," the

  • Youngstown Airmen take part in oil spill cleanup

    Two C-130 Hercules aircraft and crews from here are spraying oil-dispersing agents as part of an effort to clean up the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.More than 40 reservists from the Air Force Reserve Command's 910th Airlift Wing are operating out of Stennis International Airport, Miss.

  • Warrior Games Airman attributes survival to active lifestyle

    Before a motorcycle accident in 2008, Staff Sgt. Richard Pollock II lived in the gym. He was a competitive body builder, a lean 235 pounds with only 10 percent body fat. In August 2008, Sergeant Pollock was on his way to work on his motorcycle when he collided with a car that ran through a stop

  • Officials warn of 'phishing' scams targeting troops

    U.S. Strategic Command officials are urging renewed vigilance against Internet-based identity theft after detecting a widespread "phishing" expedition against servicemembers.Phishing is a term used to describe deceiving people into divulging personal information such as passwords or account numbers

  • Fighter Squadron produces 205 sorties in three days

    Members of the 74th Fighter Squadron here recently produced a total of 205 sorties while conducting surge operations April 26 through 28.The squadron's main focus during the surge operations was to test their capability to produce as many sorties as possible within the three-day span and to simulate

  • AETC commander to retire

    Air Force officials announced May 10 that the commander of Air Education and Training Command will retire after 37 years of service.Gen. Stephen R. Lorenz spent the last two years providing combat-focused training to every Airman entering the Air Force while leading the "First Command." With an

  • Barksdale Airmen test ability during exercise

    Approximately 150 maintenance Airmen, 2nd Bomb Wing pilots and support members recently returned from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, where they participated in the 10-day Exercise Red Flag-Alaska.The exercise is designed to provide realistic and demanding air-combat training to flying unit members

  • Motorcycle champions rev up safe riding message

    Pentagon officials hosted their fourth annual motorcycle safety event May 8 here to rev up interest in learning the right way to ride.World-class riders including Keith Code, the director of the California Superbikes School, and Jeff Tilten, the co-producer of the safety film "Semper Ride," came out

  • Air Force senior execs honored with top awards

    Seventeen of the Air Force's top executive employees were recognized for career achievements during the annual Distinguished and Meritorious Presidential Rank Awards ceremony held April 30 in the auditorium of the Women's Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery.Secretary of the Air Force Michael

  • New Noncommissioned Officer Academy to open at Sheppard AFB

    Air Force officials announced plans May 7 to open an Air Force Noncommissioned Officer Academy at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas.The academy is scheduled to open its doors to technical sergeants in early 2011, with an initial expected graduation rate of about 1,300 annually. With the addition of

  • Warrior Games team completes training, ready to compete

    Members of the Air Force team competing in the inaugural Warrior Games here completed their final week of training May 7. The 17 wounded, ill and injured Air Force team members will compete against Soldiers, Marines, Coast Guardsmen and Sailors May 10 through 14. The teams will compete in a variety

  • New Air Force Combat Systems Officer Course opens at Navy base

    Air Force aviator training took a step into the 21st century May 5, when the inaugural class of Combat Systems Officer students began training here with the 479th Flying Training Group.As they sat down in classes and began a new year-long training program, the CSO students became part of a

  • Air Force program learns from Airmen

    The Air Force Lessons Learned program gives Airmen the opportunity to share their combat experiences to help future service members, according to the director of Air Force Analyses, Assessments and Lessons Learned (A9). "Every Airman is valued and can initiate change across our Air Force by

  • President issues Military Spouse Appreciation Day proclamation

    President Barack Obama has issued a proclamation declaring May 7 as Military Spouse Appreciation Day.Here is the text of the president's proclamation:"When Americans answer the call to serve in our armed forces, a sacred trust is forged. Our men and women in uniform take on the duty of protecting us

  • Air Force's senior enlisted leader experiences pre-deployment training

    The chief master sergeant of the Air Force visited the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center here April 26 and 27 to gain first-hand knowledge of Air Force and Army expeditionary skills training. Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy visited the base for the second time in his current

  • Barksdale pilots support Pilot for a Day program

    Pilots with the 2nd Bomb Wing here brightened the lives of seriously ill children May 1 by supporting Naval Air Station Corpus Christi Texas' Pilot for a Day program.Members of the 20th Bomb Squadron here recently flew a training mission to NAS Corpus Christi, that allowed them to do several passes

  • Officials expand opportunities for small businesses

    President Obama signed two executive orders April 26 that focus additional resources on providing new opportunities for small businesses to compete for federal contracts. Noting that "more work can and should be done" to help ensure the federal government meets its small business contracting goals,

  • Warrior Games to include pentathlon ultimate challenge

    The inaugural Warrior Games competition May 10 through 14 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., will feature individual and team events and an ultimate champion multi-sport challenge for a Chairman's Cup trophy. During a "DOD Live" bloggers roundtable May 6, Robert E. Moore

  • Surgeon commends benefits of tech advances, joint efforts, AFSO 21

    Technological advances, joint efforts and a focus on Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century have led to great strides in military combat and peacetime healthcare, said Brig. Gen. (Dr.) Richard A. "Rick" Hersack, the command surgeon of the Air Force Materiel Command.In the technological

  • Air Force officials poised to take part in Pentagon Motorcycle Safety Event

    On May 7 and 8, Airmen here can participate in a joint motorcycle safety event in the Pentagon's parking lot. This event will feature riding exhibitions, freestyle shows, bike inspections and instruction opportunities to educate participants on the fundamentals of motorcycle safety. The primary goal

  • General sees opportunity, innovation at F-35 training wing

    The commander of Air Education and Training Command visited the 33rd Fighter Wing April 26 here.General Stephen R. Lorenz visited Eglin Air Force Base to observe how the wing staff is taking "the opportunity to shape the future," by training pilots and maintainers on the F-35 Lightning II."(The

  • Pentagon leaders recognize best installations

    Representatives from five military bases deemed the "best of the best" were awarded the highest award for excellence among installations at a Pentagon ceremony May 5 here. Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska; the Army's Fort Bragg in North Carolina; Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine

  • Student pilots reach course milestone: airborne refueling

    Nearly 18,000 feet above Southern Arizona's desert landscape, students in the A-10C Pilot Initial Qualification Course here completed their first air-to-air refueling mission during the week of April 26. Twelve pilots from the 358th Fighter Squadron and 13 from the 357th FS are enrolled in the

  • Servicemembers begin immersion training in Afghanistan

    The first class of U.S. military servicemembers and civilians in the new AfPak Hands program arrived here last week to continue training at the Counterinsurgency Training Academy Afghanistan.AfPak Hands is a new, "all-in" language and cultural immersion initiative developed last summer and stood up

  • Air Force announces JAG award winners

    The Air Force Judge Advocate General announced April 30 the 2009 Judge Advocate General Award winners. "I am proud of each of our award winners; they represent the best of the best," said Lt. Gen. Richard C. Harding, the judge advocate general. "They have demonstrated excellence, initiative,

  • Alpine pararescuemen train for mountain rescues

    Some people learn within the confines of a climate-controlled classroom; others learn sitting on top of glaciers more than 13,000 feet above sea level.Pararescuemen from the 56th Rescue Squadron here prepared for mountain operations, possibly in Afghanistan, by training within one of the world's

  • U.S., Pakistan relations bolstered by F-16 training

    Eight Pakistani air force pilots, each experienced in the F-16 Fighting Falcon's A and B models, recently learned to fly the newer C- and D-model aircraft at the 162nd Fighter Wing, the international F-16 training unit, and were honored at a graduation ceremony May 4 here.Pakistan's air force

  • Photo essay: Flight of a T-52A

    Academy cadets and leaders fly the newest aircraft addition for cadet flight training here April 15. View the slideshow.

  • Chief of staff to senior enlisted leaders: 'Maximize potential of Airmen'

    The Air Force's top uniformed officer told senior enlisted leaders from across the Air Force here May 4 that the case to maximize the potential and performance of every Airman has never been more compelling."Today, more than ever, tactical effects can have strategic consequences," said Air Force

  • Iraqi firefighters graduate Balad training course

    Local Iraqi firefighters recently completed a four-part training class with the Joint Base Balad fire department here.Seven Iraqi firefighters put their skills to the test as they suited up to battle an actual structural fire in the training field at the JB Balad fire station prior to graduating

  • Rescue center members assist with saving 330 lives in Tennessee

    After flash flooding May 1, Air Force Rescue Coordination Center officials here worked with the Navy, Coast Guard and local authorities to search for people trapped in buildings at a Navy installation in Millington, Tenn.A levee breach on a nearby river caused flooding of up to 5 feet in some areas

  • Triathlon kicks off fitness month, brings families together

    Members of the Kaiserslautern Military Community participated in the second annual FitFactor Triathlon May 2 here. Approximately 70 participants swam, biked and ran their way to the finish line where family, friends and spectators cheered them on. The event, held mainly for youth to get out and

  • Airmen provide unique 'open-the-base' capability

    Transforming an abandoned airfield or an austere piece of land into a functional airfield in 12 hours might seem impossible to some, but it's just another day's work for the Airmen in Ramstein's 435th Air Mobility Squadron.For an airfield to be "functional," command and control, aerial port

  • Airmen, Soldiers continue tradition of joint operations training

    Airmen from here and Soldiers from the Army's 82nd Airborne Division at nearby Fort Bragg joined forces April 26 to 29 to demonstrate to each other and master the capabilities their service can provide and help each branch achieve its objectives in a combat or humanitarian environment.This four-day

  • Balad team helps Iraqi women learn beekeeping trade

    The local buzz around Balad isn't just about a new agricultural development program, it's also literal.A beekeeper taught Iraqi women and families how to care for bees during a three-day class in Yethrib, a sub-district of Balad, to help spur economic independence and benefit local agriculture.In a

  • Ali Airmen and Iraqi soldiers team up to keep electricity flowing

    Three Airmen from the 407th Air Expeditionary Group Civil Engineer Squadron Power Production shop traveled to Camp Ur, Iraq, April 19 through 21, to train Iraqi army mechanics on proper procedures for preventative maintenance of four diesel generators providing electrical power to the base.At Camp

  • Airmen deploy to Hungary for bilateral training exercise

    Approximately 100 members of the Ohio Air National Guard's 178th Fighter Wing from Springfield, Ohio, arrived here April 22 through 27 in support of the Load Diffuser Exercise 2010.This is a joint exercise with the Hungarian Joint Force Command. The exercise aims to sharpen the combat capabilities

  • AF panel likens DOD acquisition to contact sport

    The Defense Department's journey to recapture acquisition excellence took a big step forward during two days of discussions and workforce training held at Sinclair Community College here April 20 and 21.That was the assessment made by several senior leaders at the DOD Acquisition Insight

  • Air Force C-130s, Navy equipment dispatched to support oil slick response

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates has authorized two Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft to support the response to a massive oil slick that threatens wetlands and beaches along the Gulf Coast, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell confirmed April 30.In addition, Navy officials have dispatched 66,000

  • DOD acquisition leader shares his priorities

    More than 700 military, civilian and contractor acquisition professionals and defense industry partners discussed challenges they face during the Department of Defense Acquisition Insight Conference April 20 through 21 here.The Pentagon's top acquisition official, Dr. Ashton Carter, Undersecretary

  • Kirkuk Airmen facilitate relationship building between Iraqi firefighters

    U.S. and Iraqi air force firefighters facilitated a maintenance education day in an effort to foster professional bonds April 12 at Kirkuk Regional Air Base, Iraq. 506th Air Expeditionary Group members and Iraq Training and Advisory Mission members assisted the Province of Kirkuk Fire Department and

  • Minot Airman killed in training incident

    A Minot Air Force Base Airman died April 29 in an accident during routine training here.Senior Airman Richard Gallelli, 22, from the 17th Munitions Squadron was struck in the head while at work and died of injuries soon after. "Our deepest condolences go out to the family and to the friends and

  • Joint F-35 electronic warfare squadron stands up

    The squadron serving as the sole Department of Defense provider of electronic warfare support for the F-35 joint strike fighter activated April 23 in a ceremony here. Surrounded by artifacts from the history of airpower in the Air Armament Museum, the 513th Electronic Warfare Squadron stood up as a

  • Air Force chaplains train South Korean air force counterparts

    Republic of Korea Air Force chaplain corps personnel from across the peninsula gathered at Osan recently for Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, or ASIST, facilitated by Air Force chaplains. The occasion marked the first time joint training had been conducted between chaplains of the

  • Photo essay: Security forces training

    Security forces Airmen participate in Brave Defender training exercises to learn about weapons and improvised explosive devices here April 22.View the slideshow.

  • Airmen, Soldiers join forces for exercise

    More than 140 Airmen and Soldiers worked together on a new concept during the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center's Eagle Flag exercise on Lakehurst April 12. Eagle Flag is the U.S. military's premiere exercise for validating logistics port-opening procedures in an expeditionary environment.The

  • Combat controllers contributions honored in ceremony

    The Air Force chief of staff presented 13 medals to 11 combat controllers during a ceremony here April 29. Gen. Norton Schwartz pinned three Silver Stars, five Bronze Stars with Valor, three Bronze Stars, and two Purple Hearts on Airmen from the 22nd Special Tactics Squadron for their actions during

  • Exercise in Indonesia comes to a close

    A joint exercise between Indonesian and U.S. Air Force members came to a close April 23 after one week of both countries participating in combined air drops and tactical maneuvers in support of Exercise Cope West 10.Cope West is a Pacific Air Forces-sponsored bilateral tactical airlift exercise

  • Wingman Stand Down 2010 in May focuses on Airmen safety, well-being

    For a half day in May, Airmen will learn strategies to prevent suicides and private motor vehicle accidents as part of Wingman Stand Down 2010. The exact date for the stand down will be left to individual units to determine.In a jointly signed letter, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz

  • Air Guard rescue unit practices skills during exercise

    When the 212th Rescue Squadron Airmen of the Alaska Air National Guard arrived on-scene, the apartment complex was a jumble of broken concrete and unstable support beams. An aftershock from an 8.5 magnitude earthquake the day earlier had collapsed the structure; large slabs had crushed cars and some

  • Dignitaries visit U.S., Bulgarian exercise

    The U.S. ambassador to Bulgaria and Bulgarian minister of defense visited Plovdiv Airport to witness the partnership building between U.S. and Bulgarian military forces April 27 during Operation Thracian Spring 2010 here. The bilateral training exercise brings U.S. and Bulgarian military forces

  • Airmen train for firefighting mission

    Airmen from the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve are training with the Modular Airborne Firefighting System, or MAFFS, at the South Carolina Technology and Aviation Center here April 26 to 30.Air National Guard and Reserve aircrews fly MAFFS-equipped C-130 Hercules aircraft that can dispense