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  • Kyrgyz, U.S. Women's Club shows similarities, creates friendships

    It seems no matter the location, get a bunch of women together and they can always find something about which to talk. That's the idea -- and the result -- in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, when female American service members deployed to the Transit Center at Manas to visit with Kyrgyz ladies during a weekly

  • Close air support protects coalition forces, kills 70 insurgents

    F-15E Strike Eagles from the 335th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 121st EFS dropped more than 9,000 pounds of munitions through severe weather on enemy forces trying to overrun a combat outpost in Paktika province, Afghanistan, Nov. 8. According to reports, up to

  • JB Balad wraps up operations

    What was once a bustling hub for U.S. operations in Iraq has now transitioned into a quiet and empty shell of its former self.In accordance with a 2008 security agreement between the U.S. and Iraq, Joint Base Balad was transitioned to the government of Iraq and the U.S. military presence has

  • Panetta dedicates new Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

    Defense Secretary Leon Panetta presided over the opening of what he called "a 21st-century place of miracles" here Nov. 10.Panetta cut the ribbon of the new Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. The hospital is the result of the merging of the now-closed Walter Reed Army Medical Center in

  • Universal Class program offers personal development opportunities

    You're never too old to stop learning, and Air Force libraries offer opportunities for self-improvement and personal development through the Universal Class program. Total force Airmen, families, civilians, retirees and other eligible library users may register for more than 500 online personal

  • Wounded warriors participate in sports minicamp

    A small group of Air Force wounded warriors attended an adaptive sports wounded warrior minicamp Nov. 3 to 6 at the Olympic Training Center and the U.S. Air Force Academy.During the minicamp, 15 veteran and new athletes practiced wheelchair basketball, strength and conditioning, sitting volleyball

  • New deployed leaders guide available

    The latest "Deployed Leaders Guide to the AEF" is now available on the Air and Space Expeditionary Force Online website, and a print copy can be ordered Nov. 15. The guide is a reference tool used by deployed leaders to help answer questions throughout deployments. "It is designed for NCOs and above

  • F-15E crews awarded Mackay Trophy

    Four Airmen were presented the Mackay Trophy by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and National Aeronautic Association Chairman Walter Boyne during a ceremony Nov. 7 here.Retired Lt. Col. Donald Cornwell, Lt. Col. Dylan Wells, Capt. Leigh Larkin and Capt. Nicholas Tsougas flew a combat

  • Elmendorf-Richardson civilian earns national award for work with families

    A civilian Department of Defense employee here recently received the Association of the U.S. Army's DOD Civilian of the Year for the Pacific Region award."She's the best of the best of the best," said Marvin Dickerson, an Army Community Service officer, said of Frederica Norman. "I've been working

  • Photo Essay: Airmen aid wounded Libyan fighters

    Members of the 86th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron Critical Care Air Transport Team at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, participate in a humanitarian mission Oct. 29, 2011, to aid wounded Libyan fighters. The U.S. military transported more than 30 Libyan fighters to medical facilities in Europe and the

  • Mildenhall combat controller earns Grateful Nation Award

    'First There,' a motto combat controllers bellow during their two-year training pipeline, and later affirm in blood, sweat and sacrifice on the most forward-deployed and dangerous battlefields as they pave the way for other forces to follow.As a member of the most highly trained special operations

  • Libya mission ends, Airmen come home

    Airmen from the 22nd Air Refueling Wing here are returning home from Operation Unified Protector with more than 3,000 sorties and 29,170 hours flown. In March 2011, United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973 established a no-fly zone and NATO forces conducted ground strikes in coordination with

  • Fallen pilot laid to rest after 43 years

    Since 1977 a marker in memory of Air Force Col. Gilbert S. Palmer Jr. sat upon a hill for the pilot who went missing in action Feb. 27, 1968. Now, more than 43 years later, Palmer's remains have been returned to his family for proper burial in Arlington with full military honors. More than 30

  • Afghan airmen begin law enforcement patrols

    Afghan air force security forces members initiated the first-ever law enforcement patrols on the AAF compound in Kandahar recently.Working with advisers from the 738th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group and with a goal of providing security on the AAF compound, the Afghan military police team began

  • Expanded recycling program better for environment, deployed troops

    An expanded recycling program at the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing offers deployed troops more opportunities to be better stewards of the earth, while also benefitting morale, welfare and recreation programs here. Officials awarded a new comprehensive contract Oct. 1 that expands the 380th AEW

  • Support squadron commander candidates named

    More than 1,000 officers from 10 support career fields are on the calendar year 2012 squadron commander candidate list, Air Force officials announced Nov 4. Functional developmental teams meet annually here to consider eligible officers for functional squadron command opportunities. Wing hiring

  • Air Force Reserve pilot the first to reach 1,000 F-22 flight hours

    An Air Force Reserve pilot made history here Nov. 4 when he flew his 1,000 flight hour in an F-22 Raptor.Lt. Col. David Piffarerio, the 302nd Fighter Squadron commander, became the first Air Force pilot to reach the historic milestone."This is a great milestone for the pilots, maintainers and

  • Air Force civilians, cadets receive HENAAC awards

    Four Air Force civilians and two cadets were recognized at the 23rd annual Hispanic Engineer National Achievement Awards Conference on Oct.7 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.HENAAC is an annual conference produced by Great Minds in STEM, a non-profit organization focusing on educational awareness programs

  • Langley SFS welcomes home deployed defenders

    Security forces members here moved their yellow ribbon magnets from Iraq to Virginia on the map in their squadron's heritage room to symbolize the homecoming of four more fellow defenders Nov. 2.The recently returned members of the 633rd Security Forces Squadron, who were deployed to Joint Base

  • Special tactics Airmen complete memorial march

    Fifteen Air Force Special Operations Command special tactics Airmen, along with two from Air Combat Command, embarked on a 10-day, 812-mile march to memorialize 17 fellow special tactics Airmen who died in combat.Marching from Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, to Hurlburt Field, Fla., these combat

  • 33rd RQS kicks off Pacific Thunder

    Members of the 33rd Rescue Squadron are teaming up with the 25th Fighter Squadron for Exercise Pacific Thunder 2011 Oct. 31 through Nov. 9 at Osan Air Base, Korea.Four HH-60G Pave Hawks from the 33rd Rescue Squadron here flew to Osan AB to participate in the exercise alongside A-10 Thunderbolt II's

  • JB McChord aircrew delivers aid to Turkish earthquake victims

    An aircrew from here delivered humanitarian relief supplies to eastern Turkey Nov. 1 to aid victims of a recent 7.2 magnitude earthquake.The five-member C-17 Globemaster III crew, assigned to the 10th Airlift Squadron, delivered a 75,000-pound load of tents to Erzurum Airport, Turkey."The men and

  • Off-the-shelf solutions speed new equipment to Reserve, Guard

    By using ideas from recently deployed Airmen and using off-the-shelf technology, the Reserve Component has developed new equipment that saved lives and led to highly successful combat operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.This streamlined process is speeding high-tech acquisitions and was briefed by

  • AFMC officials restructure to cut overhead, make command more efficient

    Air Force officials announced an Air Force Materiel Command-wide restructure Nov. 2 that is aimed at providing greater military capabilities, improving readiness and operating effectively in the current fiscal environment.AFMC officials will reduce the number of its centers from 12 to five. This

  • Air Force modernization takes B-2 to North Pole

    A B-2 Spirit flew from here to the North Pole and back Oct. 27 on a mission to test the aircraft's hardware and software upgrades, endurance and its performance at extremely high latitudes. The 18-plus hour mission consisted of developmental and operational test points to prove that the B-2's

  • Service chiefs: Sequestration damage could be irreversible

    Damage to the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps could be irreversible if the Budget Control Act's "sequestration" provision takes another $600 billion from the defense budget, the military service chiefs said today.Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, Chief of Naval Operations Adm.

  • Air Force general receives executive award

    The Air Force's chief information officer was recognized with a Government Computer News award during the 24th annual GCN Awards Gala in McLean, Va., Oct. 19.Lt. Gen. William Lord, the Air Force chief of warfighting integration and chief information officer, received the Defense

  • Airmen transport wounded Libyan fighters to U.S.

    Nearly two dozen wounded Libyan fighters were evacuated from Libya to here Oct. 29 aboard a C-17 Globemaster III. At the request of State Department officials, the Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta directed two missions supporting the humanitarian assistance effort in Libya. In the first mission,

  • MC-12 reaches major milestones in Afghanistan

    Airmen from the 4th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron here achieved three major milestones in the month of October supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.The squadron, which operates the MC-12 Liberty, surpassed 10,000 sorties flown, 50,000 flight hours and supported ground operations that led to

  • PLAYpass cards help foster resilience

    The PLAYpass card program is one way Air Force quality of life programs help build a resilient force.The cards, valued at more than $500, allow eligible members to participate in Air Force Services activities such as trips, sports and childcare at either a reduced cost or free of charge. Eligible

  • Airmen deliver aid to Turkish earthquake victims

     U.S. European Command officials sent two C-130J Super Hercules loaded with cots, blankets, sleeping bags and hygiene kits to north eastern Turkey, Oct. 29 to aid victims of a recent earthquake there.The C-130Js from the 86th Airlift Wing departed Ramstein Air Base, Germany, to deliver the supplies

  • Airmen help provide aeromedical evacuation Libyan freedom fighters

    A team of 18 Airmen is preparing to evacuate 26 seriously wounded Libyan fighters to Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston and four critical cases to Germany for immediate care. The team consists of eight Airmen from the 86th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron and 10 from 10th Air Force.Capt.

  • Air Force leadership speak about diversity

    Air Force senior leaders released a memorandum stressing the importance of diversity in today's force here Oct. 14.Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy signed the Declaration on Diversity, which

  • Air Force's top maintainers recognized

    Two Air Force aircraft maintainers were recognized by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz during a ceremony here Oct. 28 for their outstanding contributions to the Air Force mission.Capt. William Bernecker, who is assigned to the 48th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Royal Air Force

  • Air Force vice chief testifies on readiness

    The Air Force vice chief of staff provided the Air Force perspective on readiness in an age of austerity to the House Armed Services Committee's Subcommittee on Readiness here Oct. 27.Gen. Phil Breedlove joined his Army, Navy and Marine Corps counterparts in discussing the challenges expected as the

  • CSAF presents Air Force Cross, Silver Star in Hurlburt ceremony

    Two Air Force Special Operations Command combat controllers were presented military decorations here Oct. 27 by the Air Force chief of staff for exhibiting extraordinary heroism in combat. Staff Sgt. Robert Gutierrez Jr. was presented the Air Force Cross and Tech. Sgt. Ismael Villegas was presented

  • Second volume of Pioneers in Blue launches

    The second volume of Pioneers in Blue, a special project highlighting the contributions of 40 Air Force veterans from across generations, will launch in late October."Pioneers in Blue" is a Air Force Public Affairs Agency sponsored project that includes portrait-based displays, video interviews,

  • Navigator, logistics officer receive Cheney Award

    Two Airmen received the Cheney Award from Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley here Oct. 27 in recognition of their efforts to support Pakistan flood relief operations in 2010. Maj. John Foy, a C-130E/H Hercules navigator, and Capt. Patrick Markey, a logistics readiness officer; both assigned

  • Barksdale AFB Airmen honor Ploesti Raiders

    Airmen had the opportunity to mingle with nearly 30 World War II veterans here Oct. 17-21 during the 98th Bomb Group Reunion. Members of the 98th BG Veterans Association hosted the famed Ploesti Raiders to highlight the achievements of the bomb group during World War II for their day-time raids

  • 39th IOS honored with Cybersecurity Award

    Air Force Space Command's 39th Information Operations Squadron members were honored with a 2011 U.S. National Cybersecurity Innovation Award during a ceremony here Oct. 21. The award, presented by officials from the SANS Institute at the 2011 National Cybersecurity Conference, recognizes innovations

  • Military post offices in Iraq to close Nov. 17

    Because U.S. forces are coming home from Iraq by the end of the year, the U.S. Postal Service will stop accepting mail addressed to military post offices in Iraq starting Nov. 17, Defense Department officials said Oct. 26.Military post offices in Iraq also will stop processing mail Nov. 17, and

  • Chief of staff to select two captains for PhD program

    Two Air Force captains will begin Air Force sponsored strategic studies next fall at top tier academic institutions in pursuit of doctorate degrees, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced.The personnel center is accepting applications for the 2012 Chief of Staff of the Air Force Captains

  • President, first lady visit Langley AFB

    President Barack Obama made an official visit here Oct. 19 to speak to service members and invited guests to show his support for the American military, and address how he hopes to put more money in the pockets of working men and women. The visit was on the third day of Obama's American Jobs Act bus

  • Executive action creates jobs for veterans

    President Barack Obama is using executive action to create new jobs for veterans in support of the American Jobs Act, a senior White House official said Oct. 25 during a conference call."I think all Americans can agree that veterans shouldn't have to fight for a job once they've come home from the

  • Firefighters teach fire prevention to Honduran children

    Firefighters from the 612th Air Base Squadron provided fire safety training to more than 95 local kindergarten children here recently. The activities, as part  fire prevention week, included crawling through a simulator containing dry ice smoke, participating in a smoke detector class, touring

  • Nellis AFB F-15C crashes

    An F-15C Eagle aircraft crashed at approximately 4:45 p.m. Oct. 24 on federal lands northwest of Alamo, Nev.The pilot ejected from the aircraft and was transported to the Mike O'Callaghan Federal Hospital for medical examination, but was uninjured.There is no outstanding threat to the public at this

  • Panetta answers troops' questions in Japan

    Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta answered troops' questions about the impact of defense budget cuts on the U.S. military presence in Japan, time at home for soldiers between deployments and other topics during a town hall meeting here Oct. 24.Addressing some 200 troops gathered in the 459th Airlift

  • Schriever volunteers connect with veterans during VA standdown

    Robert Montgomery had given up trying to communicate with federal veterans agencies. Multiple calls and conversations, he said, transformed into a fruitless and frustrating endeavor. As he struggled to make ends meet during the past year, that connection became even more important. His solution

  • Nominations open for 2012 Outstanding Airmen of the Year Award

    Air Force officials are seeking nominations for the 2012 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year Award.There are three categories for award -- Airman, NCO and Senior NCO. Major commands and the Air Force District of Washington will each nominate three candidates, one per category, to the Air Force 12 OAY

  • Air Force arts, crafts program kicks off

    Artists, craftsmen and photographers from across the Air Force have greater options to display their work through the 2012 U.S. Air Force Arts and Crafts Gallery program, which kicked off Oct 1.The cultural art program, which recognizes and showcases works in an online gallery, encompasses a new

  • Special tactics Airmen march to honor fallen comrades

    A team of 18 special tactics Airmen have one objective in mind: honor the fallen.The team recently began an 812-mile march from Medina Annex, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas to Hurlburt Field, Fla., to commemorate 17 fallen comrades.As they marched out at 5 a.m, carrying 50-pound rucksacks and a

  • SecAF visits JB Charleston

    Members of Joint Base Charleston welcomed Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley during his visit to Joint Base Charleston, S.C., on Oct. 18.Donley was greeted by Col. Richard McComb, the 628th Air Base Wing commander, and Col. Erik Hansen, the 437th Airlift Wing commander, along with other

  • SecAF: Stay focused on readiness during challenging times

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley toured the base and spoke to more than 250 Airmen during an all call here Oct. 17-18.Donley, currently in his fourth year as secretary, said it had been more than 20 years since his last visit here. He complimented the strong community support enjoyed by the

  • Powering awareness saves money

    Each October, the Air Force focuses its energy on saving energy."Our theme for Energy Awareness Month this year is 'Power the Force - Fuel the Fight,'" said Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Norton Schwartz in an energy awareness message to the

  • Kandahar Air Wing fire department continues basic fire training

     Members of the Kandahar fire department, in conjunction with the 683rd Army Fire Department detachment continued basic three-level training on base with Afghan airmen here recently.Officials said the training curriculum is modeled after the National Fire Protection Association and there are three

  • Historic 'surge' exercises airlift crisis, contingency response

    A surge of C-5 Galaxies, slated to take place Oct. 17 - 21, will bring together 18 active-duty and 23 Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command crews and aircraft to fly cargo in support of combatant commanders across the globe. The assembly of the nation's largest military airlifters will

  • SVS officials launch redesigned AF sponsorship website

    The Air Force community has a combined purchasing power of $30 billion, and Air Force commercial sponsorship officials are revamping their efforts to spread the word to potential sponsors.Through the Air Force Commercial Sponsorship program, sponsoring businesses receive market exposure to total

  • Congress reviews future Reserve equipment upgrades

    As Congress works on the fiscal year 2012 budget and to reduce federal debt, Army and Air Force Reserve and National Guard leaders were on Capitol Hill here to testify and answer questions about their funding proposals Oct. 12.Chairman Roscoe Bartlett and Ranking Member Silvestre Reyes lead the

  • Security forces team trains Afghan air force counterparts

    Members of the 451st Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron Combat Arms Training and Maintenance team have partnered with members of the 443rd Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron here to train the Afghan air force on small arms proficiency at Kandahar Air Wing.The CATM Airmen held a training session

  • Whiteman military working dog receives 1st national award

    The Exercise Tiger Foundation honored a 509th Security Forces Squadron canine handler and his dog during the 13th Annual National Adopt A Servicemen & Women Awards Banquet and ceremony in Columbia, Mo., recently.Staff Sgt. Alex Holloway, and Filo, a 6-year-old military working dog, were presented

  • Denton Program, 437th APS support humanitarian missions

    There is currently 24,800 pounds of humanitarian aid stored at the 437th Aerial Port Squadron here waiting to be shipped to Colon, Honduras on Oct. 25. Twenty reverse osmosis water purification systems and two anesthesia machines are being sent to provide clean water and medical supplies to more

  • US, Afghan airmen perform 1st joint operational air-assault mission

    Members of the Kandahar Air Wing and U.S. Army Task Force Thunder conducted their first joint air-assault mission, "Operation Sand Hill Crane," together recently.Officials explained the goal of Sand Hill Crane was to insert specialized teams into strategic locations where reintegration leaflets

  • Captain wins national Women in Aerospace Achievement Award

    A program manager here has been named a co-winner of the national-level Women in Aerospace Achievement Award.Capt. Amanda Zuber, a Space-Based Infrared System field program manager assigned to the 45th Launch Support Squadron here, will receive her award in Nov. 1 in Washington D.C."This is a big

  • Changing habits can change the world

    Changing one minor habit can make a difference in the long run. Now imagine making a number of small changes in day-to-day activities, and you're sure to realize the savings can really add up. This is just one of the many messages behind Energy Awareness Month in October. "What the Energy Awareness

  • Airman earns $10,000 with a simple IDEA

    While performing a routine test procedure, a 90th Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons expediter's heart sunk when he heard a sound no maintainer ever wants to hear -- crunch. He had accidentally damaged an F-22 Raptor configurable rail launcher that mounts the fighter's AIM-9 Sidewinder heat-seeking

  • Wing commander, spouse honored at Pentagon

     Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz presented Brig. Gen. Mark Dillon and his wife Sara the General and Mrs. Jerome F. O'Malley award during a ceremony here Oct. 11. The Dillons were honored for their service at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, where the general serves as the 86th Airlift Wing

  • 2011 Air Force Innkeeper Award winners named

     Air Force Innkeeper evaluation team memers here recently announced the winners of the 2011 Air Force Innkeeper Awards. The large-base recipient is the Inn on Davis-Monthan at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., and the small-base recipient is the Eagle's Rest Inn at Dover AFB, Del."The objective

  • CMSAF speaks to Eielson Airmen

    The chief master sergeant of the Air Force visited here Aug. 30 to Sept. 1, to present the Airmen here with new perspectives, praise and gratitude for serving their nation.Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy spoke about the challenging job ahead of today's Air Force, tomorrow's

  • CMSAF talks to Airmen: Joint efforts important

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy emphasized the importance of working together in joint environments during a visit here before traveling to Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska.While at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Roy spoke to the hundreds of Airmen and Soldiers who werein

  • CMSAF visits Hawaii, discusses AF-wide issues

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy recently visited Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and took some time to answer questions about Air Force-wide issues. The following is a transcript of his interview:1. You were the Senior enlisted leader and adviser at (Pacific Command) and 5th Air Force

  • Evasion, conduct after capture training facility opens at Lackland

    A one-of-a-kind facility, built specifically to accommodate all Air Force evasion and conduct after capture training, opened and training began Oct 3 here.The program is for Airmen who will operate in high-risk environments that may place them at increased risk of isolation.The new facility merges

  • Medical codes no longer prevent some deployments

    Air Force officials have approved expanding the deployment opportunities for Airmen who typically had limited opportunities to deploy in support of air and space expeditionary force operations.Last month, the 602nd Training Group Provisional at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., began accepting Airmen

  • Quick thinking earns Airman Distinguished Flying Cross

    An A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot was presented the Distinguished Flying Cross during a ceremony here Sept. 30.Maj. Ryan Hayde was presented the medal by Brig. Gen. Terrence O'Shaughnessy, the 57th Wing commander, for his actions during his recent deployment to Afghanistan."It's an honor to receive such

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

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

  • Air Force GPS program receives international award

    The Air Force Global Positioning System program was recognized Oct. 4 by officials at the International Astronautical Federation with a special award during the 62nd International Astronautical Congress in Cape Town, South Africa. The IAF, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, established

  • Misawa AB Airmen support Federal Energy Awareness Month Program

    Airmen here are participating in the annual Federal Energy Awareness month program that runs Oct. 1 through Oct 31.Each year, Federal Energy Management Program officials provide materials and ideas to promote energy-saving practices at federal facilities and produce a theme for the year. This year's

  • Cape Canaveral continues cleanup efforts

    Air Force officials have recently implemented changes to the force's environmental cleanup program to focus on cleaning up more sites more quickly.The environmental management team here is using cutting-edge technologies and accelerated cleanup procedures to implement some of those changes and

  • Cadets perform flood relief work in South Dakota

    Approximately 150 Air Force Academy cadets removed sandbags and cleared flood debris Sept. 29-Oct. 2 here.The cadets travelled to South Dakota to spend the weekend participating in a flood cleanup as part of the Academy's Cadet Service Learning program. The Cadet Wing performs approximately 40,000

  • Thule AB officials turn 15K tons of scrap metal into $1M

    Officials here were able to turn a 15,000 ton mound of scrap metal into more than $1 million and help clean the environment while they were at it.About 15 years ago, a problem literally began growing here with the demolition of buildings around the base. The scrap metal was gathered at an empty

  • Family, friends say goodbye to founding air commando

    Airmen gathered here Oct. 3 to render a final salute to retired Maj. Gen. John Alison as he was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. "We have lost a great American, a dear friend, and a committed and loving family man," Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz said during a eulogy at

  • Prime BEEF squadron combines Air Force, Army engineers

    In today's joint operating environment, service members from different military branches are routinely unified to complete a mission. The 467th Expeditionary Prime Base Engineer Emergency Force Squadron here combines Airmen and Soldiers to build facilities and structures needed throughout the entire

  • CSARs rescue wounded Afghan soldiers during high-risk mission

    Rescuing injured coalition forces in Afghanistan is something the 83rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron at Bagram Airfield is accustomed to doing, but flying over 12,000-foot mountains and aerial refueling presented dynamic challenges during a mission Sept. 11. Airmen from the 83rd ERQS, known as the

  • Awareness months highlight wellness

    As Suicide Awareness Month in September comes to a close, Domestic Violence Awareness Month follows in October.Awareness months are tools to educate and inform people about things going on that could affect them or someone they know. Suicide and Domestic Violence Awareness Months give agencies the

  • AFCENT officials increase energy efficiency in deployed locations

    Initiatives to save energy are not just limited to bases in the United States. In deployed locations, saving energy is a top priority, as well."The air component makes up a large part of the overall (Department of Defense) energy consumption bill, so we must look at every opportunity to be smart

  • Air Force Targets Heat Plants for Energy Savings

    Engineers at the Air Force Civil Engineer Support Agency, Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., are on a mission to help save facility energy across the Air Force. One target is central heat plants, which have miles of distribution lines and are known to be inefficient according to Tom Adams, an AFCESA

  • Four decades of service come to a close for senior Air Force civilian

    It's the wonderful people that he's worked with that have made 43 years in the Air Force such a great experience, said William Davidson. Davidson, the administrative assistant to the secretary of the Air Force, will retire in a ceremony here Sept. 30. "They always say you'll know when to leave." He

  • 21 STS combat controller awarded Silver Star

     When you are an Air Force combat controller in Afghanistan "just doing my job" can make for a very eventful day at the office.That is how Staff Sgt. C. Caleb Gilbreath described his actions in a running firefight against the Taliban in Konduz Province Oct. 30 to Nov. 6, 2008, earning him a Silver

  • Wyatt: Air Guard is affordable, operational, accessible

    The Air National Guard is the affordable, operational, fully accessible force the Air Force needs during uncertain economic times, the director of the Air National Guard Lt. Gen. Harry Wyatt said here."The Air Guard provides to the United States Air Force 34 percent of the combat capability on seven

  • Kandahar graduates basic flight medics

     Four medics recently graduated at the Kandahar Air Wing from the first Afghan air force Basic Flight Medic course, boosting the Afghan medical response capability. According to medical professionals, the goal of the 40-hour course was to combine ground and flight medical training to produce a

  • Nominations open for civilian humanitarian award

    Air Force officials are seeking nominations for the 2011 Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher Distinguished Civilian Humanitarian Award.The Fisher Award is presented annually to an individual or organization outside the Department of Defense that has demonstrated exceptional patriotism, generosity and

  • Iraq makes first payment for 18 F-16s

    The Iraqi government has transferred its first payment for 18 F-16C Fighting Falcons, bringing Iraq closer to independently securing its airspace, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said Sept 27."These aircraft will help provide air sovereignty for Iraq to protect its own territory and deter or

  • Laughlin sergeant creates formula, increases dust storm prediction accuracy

    The saying "leave it better than when you found it" is constantly used in the military with all the moving and relocating that is done.Staff Sgt. Thomas Jenkins, the 47th Operations Support Squadron Weather Flight NCO in charge of weather systems, did just that and more after a recent deployment to

  • Fairchild units conduct first KC-135 OSC exercise

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

  • T-6 advisory mission ceases, Iraqi pilots teach their own

    "Iraqi air power starts here," are the words written above the doorway of the Iraqi air force's Squadron 203, a T-6A Texas II flight training squadron at Tikrit Air Base, Iraq. The words ring true, in part, because of the efforts of the U.S. Air Force's 52nd Expeditionary Flying Training Squadron,

  • Korean War Gallery now interactive on virtual tour

    The Korean War Gallery just went virtual at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.The gallery is now fully embedded with audio, video and interactive hotspots and touch-screen devices located throughout the gallery."The Korean War Gallery recalls the birth of the modern U.S. Air Force as a

  • Air Force Cross recipient: 3 minutes to change the world

    As the only qualified joint terminal attack controller in an operation Oct. 5, 2009, an Air Force Special Operations Command combat controller knew the ground situation would be dire if he died. As an armor-piercing round entered his left shoulder and wreaked havoc throughout his chest, he said his

  • Sheppard graduates first 9-level Aircraft Armament course

    The first class of nine-level Aircraft Armament Systems senior NCOs graduated here Sept. 23.The 15 master sergeants who attended the course averaged 14 years of service since they completed their seven-level upgrade training. The two-week course is designed to teach career maintainers how to become