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U.S. Air Force News

  • March 30 airpower summary: A-10s support ground forces

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 30, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II performed shows of force in

  • Coalition maintainers keep C-130 in the fight

    Aircraft maintainers from the U.S. Air Force, Japanese Air Self-Defense Force and South Korean air forces teamed up during the Coalition Maintenance Exchange Program to keep deployed C-130 Hercules aircraft ready for combat recently at a Southwest Asian air base. The exchange program matched

  • Africa Command makes progress with African allies

    U.S. Africa Command is making progress in gaining acceptance in Africa, the command's deputy for civil-military affairs said in an interview here. "We're doing OK," Ambassador Mary Carlin Yates said in a tone that indicated she'd like to do much better. Ms. Yates is the No. 2 person in U.S. Africa

  • March 28 airpower summary: C-130s support coalition forces

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Mar. 28, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle performed shows of force

  • Phoenix Rally celebrates 60th Anniversary of Berlin Airlift

    Air mobility leaders gathered for the annual Phoenix Rally to acknowledge past and present accomplishments while celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift March 24 through 28 here. The theme of Phoenix Rally was "A legacy of global reach and hope," chosen to recognize the Air Mobility

  • March 27 airpower summary: A-10s destroy enemy targets

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 27, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs fired cannon rounds onto

  • The writings on the wall for a leaner Air National Guard

    Improvement. For Col. Billy Asbell it often starts with a dozen or more slightly anxious Air National Guard members seated in their conference room. They clutch cups of coffee or water and find some comfort in the familiar walls. Before long, those walls are hidden behind layers of yellow sticky

  • New warfighter education courseware released

    The commander of Air University has launched a major initiative aimed at enhancing the professional development of the Air Force warfighter. Lt. Gen. Stephen Lorenz recently released the first two courses of the Warfighter Developmental Education program. WDE is a Web-based educational program

  • March 25 airpower summary: KC-10s provide vital refueling support

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 25, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, French 2000 Mirages conducted shows of force over enemy

  • Wilford Hall opens new Air Force hyperbaric therapy facility

    The primary hyperbaric capability in the Air Force was relocated March 21 from Brooks City-Base, Texas, to the Wilford Hall Medical Center at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.Hyperbaric chambers are used to perform hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which supplies a surplus of oxygen to the tissues, helping

  • Hanscom unit preps new CAOC facility

    Members of the 652nd Electronic Systems Squadron here are preparing for the future home of the U.S. Air Force Central's Combined Air and Space Operations Center facility as construction continues in Southwest Asia. The Air and Space Operations Center Weapons System, officially referred to as the

  • Lightweight litter system initiative yields promising results

    As initiatives go, this one for the Air Force Expeditionary Center's Air Mobility Battlelab may "litter"-ally save lives. AMB set out to prove the feasibility of using a lightweight, man-portable litter system that can be hand-carried by aeromedical evacuation, or AE, teams and used on Air Mobility

  • Air Force officials launch new mentoring program

    Officials from the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center here and the U.S. Air Force Academy launched a new mentoring program when they signed a memorandum of agreement March 17 at the Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. The agreement enables AFOTEC members to mentor Academy cadets

  • Ramstein Airmen use AFSO 21 for performance reports

    Members of the 86th Airlift Wing recently found ways to reduce performance report processing time by more than 30 days using Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century process preparation. A team composed of 19 members from the 86th AW, the 435th Mission Support Squadron Military Personnel

  • March 23 airpower summary: F-16s keep vigilant

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 23, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped guided bomb unit-31s and

  • 'Today's Air Force' features medical care downrange

    This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights critical medical care at Balad Air Base, Iraq. With the capability to position troops and distribute supplies during combat, the Air Force has another critical mobility facet, the transporting of medical professionals. See Air Force medical

  • March 22 airpower summary:F-15s suppress enemy fire

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the Interntional Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 22, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles conducted a show of force

  • March 21 airpower summary: A-10s deter enemy activities

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 21, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, French 2000 Mirages performed shows of force in order to

  • WWII vets fly on 'Spirit of Go For Broke'

    After waiting for more than a year and a half from the christening of the seventh C-17 Globemaster III added to Hickam Air Force Base's fleet of eight, the men for whom it was named finally got their ride March 13 here. A group of 40 surviving veterans from the famed 442nd Regimental Combat Team and

  • Experiment identifies timely solutions to warfighter

    Thanks to a strong effort from the Global Cyberspace Integration Center here, 11 Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment initiatives have been delivered to the warfighter during the past 12 months, and five more are projected to be fielded within the next four months. As the lead agency for JEFX, the

  • AMC commander reinforces need for new tanker

    While many are focused on the formal protest of the recent KC-45A contract award, the needs of the warfighter -- and the nation -- remain unchanged. The Air Force's nearly 50-year-old KC-135 Stratotanker must be replaced with a newer, more capable aircraft as soon as possible. "This is a matter of

  • March 20 airpower summary: KC-135s provide sortie support

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 20, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer, Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers and

  • March 19 airpower summary: F-16s bomb enemy targets

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 19, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles performed shows of force in

  • Little, but strong: Burned Iraqi child overcomes odds

    Editor's Note: The names of the Iraqi mother and son in this article have been changed, at the mother's request, to protect their identities from terrorists who would harm them if it was known that the pair received help from American servicemembers and the U.S. government. A photo of an adorable

  • USNORTHCOM hosts hurricane preparation conference

    Heavy snow may have been falling outside, but the men and women gathered inside a conference room here in mid-March had another kind of severe weather on their minds. "Hurricanes are predictable; we know they're going to come," said Army Maj. Gen. William Ingram, the adjutant general of North

  • March 18 airpower summary: B-1B deters enemies

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 18, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped a guided bomb unit-31

  • Researchers honored for work with self-healing plastics

    Air Force Office of Scientific Research-funded scientists have been awarded several recent honors for their breakthrough research in self-healing plastics. Professors Dr. Scott White and Dr. Nancy Sottos, from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, were recognized in January in the 2007

  • Military Channel films at Langley for upcoming episode

    The Discovery Military Channel filmed an episode March 11 at Langley Air Force Base, Va. The episode, which is part of the series "Showdown: Air Combat," will focus on the F-22 Raptor and its capabilities. The 10-segment series will highlight different military aircraft, and is scheduled to premiere

  • CENTAF now AFCENT with redesignation

    On January 1, 1983, United States Central Command Air Forces was activated as the air component of the United States Central Command. Twenty-five years later, in a ceremony here March 3, 2008, it took on a new name, United States Air Forces Central, and an enhanced way of employing forces in war.

  • Cape Canaveral Airmen launch Delta II rocket

    Air Force officials here successfully launched a United Launch Alliance Delta II booster carrying the sixth modernized NAVSTAR Global Positioning System satellite into space at 2:10 a.m. EDT March 15 from Space Launch Complex 17A here. The satellite will join the constellation of on-orbit satellites

  • Iraqi air force attains tenfold increase in sorties

    Iraq's air force, with help from a U.S. transition team, attained a tenfold increase in its number of weekly sorties and doubled the size of its fleet over the past year, a military official said today. Maj. Gen. Robert R. Allardice, commander of the Coalition Air Force Transition Team, said the

  • Conference addresses air, ground synchronization issues

    More than 100 coalition members met March 3 to 5 at Al-Faw Palace in Baghdad to discuss ways to better synchronize airpower with future ground operations across Iraq. Dubbed simply the Air Synchronization Conference, the meeting brought together ground operators and planners from the Army-led

  • C-130 aircrews, Army riggers reach airdrop record

    February marked an airdrop record for the C-130 Hercules of the 774th Air Expeditionary Squadron, but not without the support of the Army's 11th Quartermaster Rigger Detachment and Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force riggers here. The joint team delivered approximately 1 million pounds of

  • UAVs aid force protection efforts

    RQ-11 Raven unmanned aerial vehicles may be easily mistaken for an unorthodox version of a model airplane, but Airmen here use the UAV to secure the base and surrounding neighborhoods. Weighing in at less than 5 pounds, the Raven is operated from the ground via a remote control unit that can send

  • March 16 airpower summary: A-10s destroy enemy targets

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 16, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II and a B-1B Lancer dropped

  • March 15 airpower summary: C-17s support, move warfighters

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 15, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle dropped a guided bomb

  • March 14 airpower summary: F-16s continue shows of force

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 14, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped guided bomb

  • March 13 airpower summary: C-130s give Herculean effort

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 13, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped a guided bomb

  • Joint basing plan takes shape

    Joint basing is a reality, it's happening in San Antonio, and it will effectively support the city's military communities here. That is the message from local military leaders as they move toward consolidating support operations at three San Antonio installations as mandated by the 2005 Base Closure

  • 'Hoop dreams' come true for Airman

    For the fourth year in a row a Reserve Command member has been tapped to play on the All Air Force basketball team. Capt. Kurtis Darden, the only reservist on the team, will play in the Armed Forces Basketball Tournament to be held March 23 to 28 at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. "This year I'm

  • Officials detail scope, units of AFCYBER command

    The work of building Air Force Cyber Command continues with officials releasing details of what the scope of the command will look like and how it will function in lieu of having a permanent base named for its headquarters location. "We are aggressively moving forward with plans for having initial

  • Top leaders testify on '09 budget

    The Air Force's top two leaders testified before the House and Senate Committee on Appropriations subcommittees on Defense during hearings about the fiscal 2009 budget March 11 and 12. While the main topic of discussion among congressmen and senators remained the KC-45A contract award, Secretary of

  • C-130J tailor-made for mission over Afghanistan

    A 746th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron C-130J Hercules aircrew operating out of Southwest Asia dropped leaflets over Afghanistan encouraging its citizens to reject violence and embrace their government as part of an integrated operation with NATO's International Security Assistance Force March 6.

  • Airpower's advantages unlocked via sound strategy, paper says

    American leaders should worry less about which armed service is preeminent and more about their severe strategy deficit, according to a new research paper written by Dr. Colin S. Gray. No single service will dominate all future conflicts, writes Doctor Gray, a well-respected author of 22 books on

  • Space Command hall of fame inductee honored

    The Navy rejected him for far-sighted vision he "might" develop later in life. So he graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point with a Bachelor of Science degree on D-Day, June 6, 1944. By 1946 he was selected to serve in the super secret Manhattan Engineer District -- the

  • Dutch air chief predicts continued cooperation

    His air force has a history of training pilots in the United States that dates back to 1941. It's a long relationship Lt. Gen. Hans de Jong would like to continue. General de Jong, commander of the Royal Netherlands Air Force, said he expects his country to not only maintain its aircrew training

  • AF leaders focus on the future during CORONA South

    "Securing the Future" was the central theme of this year's CORONA South, held at Bolling Air Force Base here. The discussion and debate among the Air Force's senior leaders focused on preparing the Air Force to meet tomorrow's challenges as well as the potential need to restructure the force to

  • RC-135 surpasses 50,000 flying-hour mark

    A 763rd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron RC-135 Rivet Joint surpassed the 50,000 flight-hour mark during a mission supporting Operation Enduring Freedom March 12. RC-135 Tail No. 132 boasts an impressive resume of tours over the years including Vietnam, operations Southern and Northern Watch to

  • Services tests 'pallet to palate' philosophy

    From "pallet to palate" is the philosophy behind an 18th Services Squadron capability tested during the Pacific Air Forces Operational Readiness Inspection held March 9 to 15 here. Wherever Airmen deploy, the single pallet expeditionary kitchen, or SPEK, can go with them to provide support. "The

  • Airmen complete first Air Advisor Course

    The first class of Airmen headed to Iraq and Afghanistan to train foreign military members on Airmanship graduated here March 7. A total of 59 Airmen completed the course, developed to prepare instructors to train Iraqi and Afghan airmen to re-establish their national air forces. The U.S. Air Force

  • Rwandan Defense Force air traffic controllers visit Ramstein

    Ramstein Air Base officials recently hosted four air traffic controllers from the Rwandan Defense Force, giving them a first-hand look at how the U.S. Air Force takes care of business on the airfield. The Rwandans visited the 86th Operations Support Squadron Airfield Operations Flight and the 1st

  • March 12 airpower summary: C-130s support coalition forces

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 12, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer, an F-15E Strike Eagle and an

  • Air Forces Central general visits deployed Airmen

    The general charged with ensuring the success of air mobility directly supporting the war on terrorism visited Airmen March 8 at a Southwest Asia air base. Brig. Gen. Thomas Haynes, the U.S. Air Forces Central director of mobility forces, visited various units throughout the 386th Air Expeditionary

  • March 11 airpower summary: F-15s bomb enemy combatants

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 11, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II dropped a guided bomb

  • U-2 squadron continues to fly high

    Airmen of the 99th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron here continue to add to the U-2's 51-year history by being the only U-2 squadron in the area of responsibility supporting operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Since its introduction in 1957, the U-2 and the Airmen who support it have

  • Stealth fighter honored at Wright-Patterson

    The Air Force-industry team responsible for providing program oversight to the F-117A Nighthawk stealth fighter aircraft said farewell during a ceremony March 11 here. More than 350 Airmen, base employees, industry partners and family members gathered for one last close-up look at the F-117, which

  • Multi-location, simultaneous sortie a success

    Four B-52 Stratofortress aircraft and 26 crew members assigned to the 96th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron made history at 10:15 a.m. local time March 6 as they simultaneously hit targets at four separate locations throughout the Pacific. Deployed to Andersen Air Force Base as part of U.S. Pacific

  • Biofuel research could result in alternative energy source

    Air Force-funded biofuel researchers are investigating ways to produce large quantities of hydrogen gas using photosynthetic microbes, commonly known as algae and cyanobacteria. In large quantities, the hydrogen gas could function as a renewable, cheap and clean energy source for future military

  • 556th becomes newest UAS squadron

    The 556th Test and Evaluation Squadron became the Air Force's first operational test squadron for unmanned aircraft systems during a ceremony March 5 here. The stand-up is concurrent with the inactivation of the 53rd Test and Evaluation Group Det. 4. The Airmen, employees and equipment of the

  • Airmen aid coalition ground forces one leaflet at a time

    American Airman here and members of the Australian Defence Force recently teamed up to deliver critical information to Iraqi civilians in southern Iraq. Flying in a C-130 Hercules, Airmen from the 737th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, worked in conjunction with Australians from Overwatch Battle

  • March 10 airpower summary: B-1Bs conduct show of force

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 10, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs fired cannon rounds onto

  • Secretary Wynne salutes Airmen

    In the latest Letter to Airmen, the secretary of the Air Force salutes all those who provide support to operations around the globe. "I am continually amazed at the Air Force's ability to project combat power to any spot in the world from non-deployed locations," Secretary of the Air Force Michael

  • Airpower brings unique capability to U.S., Korean exercise

    Ensuring peace and stability throughout the region takes a solid relationship between Republic of Korea airmen and the U.S. Airmen here -- one cannot accomplish the mission without the other. This month, Airmen in Korea are testing this relationship through Exercises Key Resolve and Foal Eagle.

  • Unit stands up to improve communications across, for Iraq

    Multi-National Force - Iraq officials here have recently established a new team of experts to help improve coordination of communications policy, services and infrastructure initiatives throughout Iraq. The Iraq Communications Coordination Element recently began operating under the direction of

  • Officials announce Air Force safety awards for 2007

    Air Force safety officials have announced the winners of the 2007 safety awards. A. Secretary of the Air Force Safety Award Category I: Air Mobility Command Category II: United States Air Force Academy B. Maj. Gen. Benjamin D. Foulois Memorial Award Air Mobility Command C. Col. Will L. Tubbs

  • March 9 airpower summary: C-17s deliver supplies to front

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 9, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs dropped a general-purpose

  • Dyess Airmen help airborne operations return to Fort Hood

    "Stand up! Hook up!" More than 20 personnel heard these words as they rushed to jump out of a C-130 Hercules on the first airborne operation conducted in more than 10 years for Fort Hood Soldiers.Airmen of the 317th Airlift Group from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, partnered with Fort Hood officials

  • Aerial porters receive advanced training

    Airmen in the Air Force air transportation career field, also known as "aerial porters," can advance their training and capabilities here through the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center's Aerial Port Operations Course. Held approximately 12 times a year at either Fort Dix or an away location such as

  • March 8 airpower summary: Shows of force deter enemy

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Mar. 8, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs dropped a general-purpose

  • March 7 airpower summary: A-10s provide close-air support

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Mar. 7, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II dropped a guided bomb

  • March-April Airman magazine now available

    One of the Air Force's top priorities is helping rebuild Iraq's shattered Air Force from the ground up. It's what Airmen are doing all over Iraq and in Afghanistan. "Giving Iraq new wings," is just one of the feature stories in the March-April 2008 issue of Airman, now available in print and online

  • Philadelphia, McGuire AFB to host Air Force Week

    The Air Force Chief of Staff, Gen. T. Michael Moseley, recently selected Philadelphia as one of three locations to host "Air Force Week" in 2008. Activities in the Philadelphia region will begin on Memorial Day, May 26, and culminate with an Air Exposition -- featuring the Air Force Thunderbirds

  • Council conducts operational review of AFSO 21

    Several top Air Force leaders convened the Air Force Process Council here March 3 for their quarterly operational review of the service's Smart Operations for the 21st century initiatives. Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne and Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. T. Michael Moseley

  • Academy, Singapore university team up for research

    Singapore's Nanyang Technological University may seem worlds away from the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. But thanks to a new cooperative research and development agreement, or CRADA, between Nanyang and the Academy, the world has gotten a lot smaller. The agreement, signed Feb. 28, by Dean of the

  • World's first astronautics department celebrates 50 years

    The world's oldest astronautics department celebrates its 50th anniversary on March 7. The academic department is home to the nation's only undergraduate satellite program, and is also busy designing rapid, responsive sounding rockets, and controlling the Air Force Academy's growing space fleet. "As

  • Charleston Airmen deliver 2,000th MRAP

    Charleston Air Force Base Airmen recently delivered the 2,000th mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicle, or MRAP, to warfighters overseas. As the only Air Force base with aircrews delivering MRAPs to deployed locations, members of the 437th Aerial Port Squadron met and exceeded Secretary of Defense

  • March 6 airpower summary: C-130s support coalition forces

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 6, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, in order to deter enemy activities an Air Force A-10

  • ESC officials make digital air support possible

    Electronic Systems Center officials here are giving Air Force tactical air control party Airmen on the ground and in the fight every available advantage to help win the war on terrorism. Tactical air control party Airmen, known as TACPs, must be able to communicate precise coordinates to pilots

  • March 5 airpower summary: Predator destroys enemy target

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 5, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force MQ-1 Predator dropped a hellfire missile in

  • Replace aging aircraft or risk irrelevancy, general says

    The commander of Air Force Materiel Command, which is responsible for delivering war-winning capabilities to the rest of the Air Force, said during a visit to Air University here that Air Force officials must develop and buy new aircraft or risk the service becoming irrelevant. The Air Force must be

  • Commander holds six 'ACCES '

    Lt. Gen. Stephen G. Wood, the Air Forces Korea and Korea Air Component Command commander, has six  'ACCES' spread out over the Korean peninsula helping him to stack the deck in the Key Resolve Exercise.Known as the Air Component Coordination Elements, or ACCEs, the Air Reserve Component officers

  • Airmen prepare to airlift flood clean-up kits to Ecuador

    Members of Kentucky's Air National Guard are scheduled to help flood-ravaged parts of Ecuador by transporting 162 clean-up kits in a C-130 Hercules March 6 from Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga., to Manta, Ecuador. The clean-up kits will be delivered to Ecuadorian disaster relief officials charged with

  • Global Hawk marks 10-year anniversary

    A Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle landed after an eight-hour mission Feb. 28 that marked 10 years since base officials witnessed its first flight at Edwards Air Force Base. On that first flight, the aircraft flew for one hour at an altitude of 32,000 feet, and today the Global Hawk has logged

  • March 4 airpower summary: C-17s help sustain operations

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 4, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped a guided bomb unit-38

  • March 3 airpower summary: A-10s deter enemy activities

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 3, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force MQ-9A Reaper fired hellfire missiles in

  • Cyber warfare a major challenge, DOD official says

    Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England is the latest government official to express concern about the United States' cyberspace vulnerabilities. "Cyber warfare is already here," said Mr. England. "It's one of our major challenges." Describing the new battlefront, the deputy secretary said, "I think

  • Exercise Balikatan '08 tests ability to deliver

    Moving large amounts of equipment, personnel or humanitarian relief supplies can be a daunting task. But it's a task tactical and strategic airlifters like the C-130 Hercules and the C-17 Globemaster III are made for. That's why they were instrumental in Exercise Balikatan '08 held here. The joint

  • Test track takes levitation to new speeds

    While Holloman Air Force Base's High Speed Test Track is best known for its record breaking speed capabilities, it's also known for its innovation when it comes to new and improved technology. The 846th Test Squadron, home of the HHSTT, conducted their fifth magnetic

  • New tanker to bring increased capabilities to warfighter

    Air Force officials here announced Feb. 29 the selection of the Northrop Grumman Company to replace the aging KC-135 Stratotanker fleet. After months of reviewing and evaluating proposals from vendors, the source selection team chose Northrop Grumman to produce up to 179 of the new air refuelers.

  • March 2 airpower summary: Airmen keep mission rolling

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 2, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force Reaper MQ-9A dropped guided bomb unit-12s in

  • Mother, daughter race together, 8,000 miles apart

    Most people would never want to run a full marathon, but even fewer would think of running one in the desert with a dust storm looming. "Looks like I might have to run the whole 26 miles on a treadmill," 1st Lt. Jessica Lopez joked, two days before the Los Angeles Marathon. "Last time I ran in a

  • Air Force personnel chief addresses lawmakers

    The Air Force deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel and services answered questions from members of the House and Senate Armed Services Committee subcommittees on personnel Feb. 27 and 28. Lt. Gen. Richard Y. Newton III joined sister service representatives, as well as Dr. David Chu, the

  • March 1 airpower summary: B-1Bs destroy enemy targets

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 1, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped a guided bomb unit-31and

  • Feb. 29 airpower summary: F-15s perform show of force

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Feb. 29, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan , an Air Force B-1B Lancer and F-15E Strike Eagles dropped

  • AMC commander welcomes tanker announcement

    The commander of Air Mobility Command hailed today's aerial tanker source selection announcement as an important first step toward ensuring America maintains its global reach capability. Air Force officials announced today that Northrop Grumman Corporation was selected to build the new tanker,

  • Tanker contract award announced

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne and Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Duncan J. McNabb announced the selection of Northrop Grumman as the winner of the KC-X competition for development and procurement of up to 179 tanker aircraft for approximately $35 billion. The initial

  • USCENTAF to become USAFCENT with redesignation

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces will be renamed U.S. Air Forces Central in a March 3 ceremony at Shaw Air Force Base.The official date of the change is March 1 as and Lt. Gen. Gary L. North, the USAFCENT and 9th Air Force commander, will preside over the ceremony in Hangar 1,200 at 9:09 a.m

  • Kunsan pilots improve capability with AIM-9X missile

    Pilots, maintainers and ammunition Airmen at Kunsan Air Base have been introduced recently to a new generation weapon that changes air-to-air combat.The Air Intercept Missile-9X Sidewinder, developed by Raytheon engineers, is a fifth generation AIM-9 missile that is a substantial upgrade to the

  • 'Perspective' highlights healthy lifestyles

    In his latest "Enlisted Perspective," the Air Force's top enlisted Airman addressed the need for all Airmen to maintain a healthy lifestyle to meet mission challenges. "A healthy lifestyle not only boosts energy levels, endurance and reduces stress in every day duties, but also it can potentially

  • C-130 crew receives award for averting crisis

    A Pope Air Force Base C-130 Hercules crew was awarded Air Mobility Command's 2007 Field of Aeronautics and Astronautics Aviator Valor Award recently.The crew evaded surface-to-air rocket fire just five minutes into a flight out of Baghdad International Airport on the night of Aug. 30, 2007, while