Flight crews fight weather to continue medical mission in Nicaragua

Day two for the Soldiers and Airmen of Joint Task Force-Bravo working their first medical readiness mission to Nicaragua dawned bright and clear in Managua May 15. But 80 miles to the north, the skies told a much different story. For the aviators of the 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment, the

Airmen support Soldiers by putting bombs on targets

On a battlefield they plan, request and direct air strikes against enemy targets in close proximity to friendly forces, namely the army units on the frontlines who may need close-air support in the blink of an eye. "I get a lot of satisfaction knowing I am supporting my Army counterparts," said

Combat controller receives two Bronze Stars with valor

A combat controller, who is now charged with helping fill the special tactics ranks, was presented with two Bronze Stars with valor during a ceremony held recently at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Master Sgt. Ken Huhman, a special tactics recruiter in San Antonio, received the medals for his

Local high school students get inside look at Southwest Asian air base

Airmen from the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing hosted 75 high school students from the local America-Mideast Educational and Training Services language training center during their visit to the base May 16. Members of the 386th AEW along with Soldiers, Navy Seabees and Australian personnel from the

Guard bureau chief sees peacekeeping as likely National Guard mission

The National Guard can expect peacekeeping roles in Afghanistan and Iraq in the future, the chief of the National Guard Bureau said here last week. "I've challenged our staff with thinking through what happens after Iraq, what happens after Afghanistan," Gen. Craig R. McKinley told an audience at

Blood center is lifeline for servicemembers

Every year, thousands of units of blood and plasma are donated and sent into the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility to save the lives of servicemembers and civilians who sustain life threatening injuries. Thanks to the hard work of the four members of the 379th Expeditionary Medical Group

Panjshir PRT medics improve medical sanitation

As soon as the Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team arrived in the Panjshir Valley in November 2008, they noticed a need for a more sanitary way of disposing of contaminated needles. "We saw that they were using cardboard boxes and buckets for [sharps] disposal. We also observed needles laying

Freedom Conference Center NCOs boost morale

Air Force supervisors make it their mission to provide leadership to their subordinate Airmen as well as boost unit morale whenever possible. One pair of NCOs here takes boosting morale one step further serving as the focal point for the entire base. 379th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron, Tech.

'Air Force Knowledge Now' turns 10

Randy Adkins, Knowledge Management Center of Excellence director, clearly recalls the Friday afternoon when the idea of Knowledge Now was first raised. Members of the Air Force Materiel Command staff discussed the possibility of a "lessons-learned" database and sent the idea to Mr. Adkins, who had

New system for tracking personnel gets workout soon

As the Air Force gears up for its second test of the Air Force Personnel Accountability and Assessment System, Air Force Materiel Command leaders are reminding people to participate during the May 19-21 exercise. The new system is designed to improve the way the Air Force keeps track of its people.

'Today's Air Force' features the new CMSAF

This edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights the next chief master sergeant of the Air Force, unmanned aircraft systems operated from Creech Air Force Base, Nev., the dangers of supplements and an F-16 Fighting Falcon that passed 7,000 hours of flight time. The 16th chief master sergeant of the

May 14 airpower summary: F-16s provide armed reconnaissance

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations May 14, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles conducted strafing runs

May 15 airpower summary: KC-135 tankers fueled 174 sorties

Coalition airpower integrated with Coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations May 15, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, a B-1B Lancer Bomber struck anti-Afghan forces'

May 16 airpower summary: Lancer turns back enemy forces

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations May 16, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, a firefight near Morghab prompted Air Force F-15E Strike

AF.mil unveils new design

Air Force officials unveil a new look for the service's official Web site, AF.mil. For frequent visitors to AF.mil some of the changes will be obvious at a glance. The redesigned site features a larger layout, larger photos, new technology and less clutter. It offers users new content types with the

ESC group works to meet Iraqi air traffic control needs

An Electronic Systems Center group here is helping Iraqi air force officials rebuild their military air traffic control capabilities through a comprehensive foreign military sales effort. An 853rd Electronic Systems Group team initiated their efforts with an FMS case that began in January 2007.

Air Force leaders testify on infrastructure budget

The four pillars of the Air Force budget strategy--people, readiness, infrastructure, and modernization were the main topics May 12 when the deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for Installations testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee. Ms. Kathleen Ferguson, flanked by Brig.

Biden announces housing assistance program expansion

Vice President Joe Biden May 14 announced the Defense Department's plan to expand its housing assistance program with $555 million devoted to servicemembers forced to sell their homes at a loss due to the country's struggling housing market. The financial support comes from President Barack Obama's

Air Force leaders chart way forward for service

The Air Force has made tough choices and some prudent trade-offs to balance the service across the spectrum of capabilities needed for the future, Air Force leaders said.Air Force Secretary Michael B. Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz discussed the service's efforts to balance

CSAF reflects on importance of PACAF

The chief of staff of the Air Force wrapped up a week-long, four-base tour of Pacific Air Forces here May 13 on his first visit to the region since becoming the nation's top-ranking uniformed Airman last August. Gen. Norton Schwartz said the United States has a vested interest in the Asia-Pacific

Air Force officials standardize informal uniform

As a result of the 96th Air Force Uniform Board, a standardized informal uniform is now authorized for wear. The informal uniform will be mandatory for wear by all applicable Air Force personnel starting Jan. 1, 2011. The Air Force Chief of Staff directed review of the informal uniform to help

CSAF speaks candidly at Yokota Airmen

"In the end what it's all about is performance," said the senior Air Force officer responsible for organizing, training and equipping nearly 700,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian forces. "If the United States Air Force performs, we don't need to advertise ourselves and proclaim how good

Lackland chosen as cyber numbered Air Force headquarters

Air Force officials here announced May 15 that Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, is the preferred alternative for the permanent location of 24th Air Force, a new numbered Air Force headquarters focused on the cyber mission. Although Lackland AFB has been identified as the preferred alternative, a

Sheppard T-38 veers off runway

A Sheppard Air Force Base T-38 Talon veered off the runway during takeoff at about 2:10 p.m. CDT May 14 here. The crew of two experienced minor injuries and are receiving treatment. The T-38, assigned to the 80th Flying Training Wing, is a twin-engine, high-altitude, supersonic jet trainer.The

Air Force Week in Photos

This week's photo highlights cover Airmen around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force who fly, fight and win ... in air, space and cyberspace. View Week in Photos slideshow.

Ramstein Airmen support NASA shuttle launch

Ramstein Air Base Airmen teamed up with New York Air National Guard members to support NASA's launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis in May here. Members of the 37th Airlift Squadron, 1st Combat Communications Squadron and the Guard's 101st Expeditionary Rescue Squadron loaded rescue cargo into two C-130

Airman spots aircraft fuel leak at 35,000 feet

Most of us hear stories of Airmen saving lives in combat, but an Airman who saves the lives of more than 300 passengers is definitely a story worth hearing. A fuel leak on a civilian aircraft caught the attention of Staff Sgt. Bartek Bachleda, 909th Air Refueling Squadron boom operator, during a

Exercise to test aerospace response over Washington

The North American Aerospace Defense Command will conduct an exercise over the nation's capital and its suburbs May 15, Defense Department officials said May 13. Exercise Falcon Virgo tests the aerospace defense of the national capital area. F-16 Fighting Falcon jets, Coast Guard Dolphin choppers

May 13 airpower summary: A-10 strikes enemy positions

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations May 13, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II conducted strafing runs

U.S. pilots train Finns in aerial refueling operations

A group of Airmen with the 100th Air Refueling Wing traveled to Tampere, Finland, May 2 to participate in a week-long exercise with Navy  and Finnish Air Force F-18 Hornet pilots.The Airmen helped teach the Finnish pilots how to refuel in-air from a KC-135 Stratotanker.The exercise marks the first

New uniforms: Comfortable, functional are goals

Officials from the Uniform Program Office here continue to work for Airmen, researching and purchasing uniforms that provide more function, protection and comfort. The Air Force chief of staff met with office personnel April 21 for an update on clothing issues Airmen face as they support global

Providing reconstructive assistance, hope to Afghan homeland

The Paktya Provincial Reconstruction Team is providing assistance to rebuild Afghanistan, as well as give the local Afghans a chance to overcome incredible odds to achieve a foothold back into the economic forefront. Housed within the walls of a traditional Afghan qalat, a mud and straw compound, on

Test center officials link mobility to 'boots on the ground'

In the Southern Arizona desert, three C-130 Hercules aircraft recently rumbled over the saguaros and airdropped training bundles to a waiting combat controller. The historic drop was conducted digitally with a tactical data link known as the Situational Awareness Data Link, or SADL. It was the first

U.S., Australia, India train to improve medical care in Pacific

Thirty-two critical care specialists from the United States, Australia and India are scheduled to train on the movement of severely-ill patients in the Pacific theater during a course here May 11-15. Thirteenth Air Force's Theater Patient Movement Requirements Center-Pacific, the aeromedical

46th Test Wing integral part of Hubble repair

May 13 is rendezvous time for the crew of the space shuttle Atlantis and the Hubble Space Telescope. But prior to reaching this point, months of preparation work was done for this mission and the 46th Test Wing played a vital role. During the next week, astronauts will go on five spacewalks to

AFCENT officials begin to look at Iraq reposture

More than 80 Air Force, Army and Navy functional experts gathered here May 5 to 8 to lay the groundwork for U.S. Air Forces Central's reposture from Iraq over the next two years. "The conference ensured AFCENT's reposturing and responsible drawdown is synchronized with (Central Command's) guidance

Airmen build on partnership in Rwanda

U.S. Air Forces Africa conducted a military-to-military engagement with Rwandan Air Force air traffic controllers April 20-24 to expand on the two nations' existing partnership here. Seventeenth Air Force planners (AFAFRICA) from the plans and programs directorate organized the theater security

Airmen deliver 30,000 H1N1 prevention kits to Haiti and Central America

An Air Mobility Command C-17 Globemaster III and its crew, operating in conjunction with U.S. Southern Command efforts, delivered 30,000 H1N1 influenza prevention kits to Haiti and five Central American countries May 8 to 10, according to AMC officials. The H1N1 flu virus, first detected in April,

May 12 airpower summary: B-1B strikes enemy facility

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations May 12, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer carried out a planned strike

May 11 airpower summary: C-17s provide heavy airlift

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations May 11, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, a flight of Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs carried out

AFOTEC announces manpower realignment

The Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center will begin realigning manpower to improve mission effectiveness. Pending completion of an environmental impact assessment, the realignment will shift personnel from Kirtland AFB to four AFOTEC detachments located in California, Colorado, Florida

General calls for new thinking on cyberspace

The Air Force's top cyber official told a mostly industry-based audience here May 8 that the cyber arena is filled with new business opportunities, and some very hard challenges. "In an Air Force that is a lot of times focused on kinetic activity -- read that as F-16 (Fighting Falcons) and

New York Air Guard supports shuttle for 100th time

Eight pararescuemen aboard an HC-130 Hercules from the New York Air National Guard's 106th Rescue Wing were on hand to support NASA's Space Shuttle Atlantis as it launched May 11 from Kennedy Space Center, Fla.It was the 100th time Airmen from the Long Island-based rescue wing have watched a space

2009 Senior Enlisted Leader Summit held at Gunter

The Air Force vice chief of staff of the Air Force addressed the third annual Senior Enlisted Leader Summit May 6 at Gunter's Senior NCO Academy. Gen. William M. Fraser III said all Airmen should know and support the Air Force priorities and live by the Air Force core values of integrity first,

Recruiting, retention numbers strong for active, Reserve

All 10 active-duty and Reserve military components met or exceeded their recruiting goals in April, Defense Department officials here announced May 11. For the second consecutive month, the Marine Corps added the highest percentage of active-duty members. The Corps' goal was to add 1,018 new

B-1B makes impact throughout Southwest Asia

Before late 2008, the B-1B Lancer was known primarily as a bomber, but since then the aircraft was modified to include the Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod now provides nontraditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to ground forces. "Before the B-1B was equipped with the sniper pod, we

Let's get it started

Senior Airman Adam Owens and Senior Airman Michael Jakubec lift a transmission onto a transmission jack so it can be raised into a Pontiac GTO April 26 at an air base in Southwest Asia. The GTO is used as a chase car to help guide U-2 pilots during takeoffs and landings. Airman Owens is deployed

May 10 airpower summary: Airlift brings supplies to troops

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations May 10, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs used 30mm cannons and guided

May 9 airpower summary: A-10s thwart enemy activity

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations May 9, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs responded to an anti-Afghan

May 8 airpower summary: A-10s provide overwatch

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations May 8, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs conducted strikes on

Idea earns maintainer big money

A simple suggestion earned one Misawa maintainer $10,000 and saved the Air Force thousands more. Staff Sgt. Jerome Latham, an engine craftsman with the 35th Maintenance Squadron, suggested a technical order change to the Innovative Development through Employee Awareness, or IDEA, program. His idea

University students learn about cyber mission

A group of students from Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, La., got a first-hand look at how Air Force men and women conduct cyberspace operations during a tour of Air Force Cyber Command, (Provisional) here May 5. According to Louisiana Tech professor Dr. Brian Etheridge, director of the honors

Working dog, EOD team partner to secure Alaska's interior

The Department of Homeland Security teamed up with Eielson AFB Airmen here in an effort to keep the Fairbanks North Star Borough safer May 5. A military working dog team assigned to the 354th Security Forces Squadron, and an explosive ordnance disposal team from 354th Civil Engineer Squadron swept

Air Force leaders send budget message

The top two Air Force leaders released a joint message May 8 regarding the fiscal 2010 defense budget and shifting Air Force priorities. Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton A. Schwartz said that the defense budget focuses on three themes:

Aircrews, maintainers gear up for wildfire season

Reserve and Air National Guard Airmen earned their certifications on the Military Airborne Firefighting System during training May 3 through 9 here. C-130 Hercules aircrews flew MAFFS training missions from the Tucson International Airport from sun up to sundown to finalize their annual

New facility gives junior officers space to learn self-defense

Arms and legs flailed and thrashed in grappling and arm bars as instructors and students demonstrated self-defense tactics for a grand opening ceremony May 1 at the new Expeditionary Training Center here. Combatives are now part of the new warrior-ethos curriculum being developed and integrated into

Training for unmanned aircraft systems

Air Force officials unveil acquisition improvement plan

Air Force leaders have announced their plan for improving acquisition, which will have far-reaching impacts on the way the service develops and buys defense capabilities for the nation. The Air Force's acquisition improvement plan "will serve as our strategic framework for the critical work of

May 7 airpower summary: F-15Es cover friendly units

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations May 7, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II conducted a show of

Manas hosts symposium for medical partners

A gathering of medical minds met here recently for a coalition medical symposium sponsored by the 376th Expeditionary Medical Group. Guests attending the symposium included personnel from the Spanish coalition medical staff, U.S. Embassy medical unit, Peace Corps medical staff and the Bishkek

Air Force leaders name next top enlisted leader

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley have announced the Airman selected to be the service's next enlisted leader. Chief Master Sgt. James A. Roy will become the 16th chief master sergeant of the Air Force during an appointment

Klotz confirmed to lead Air Force Global Strike Command

Lt. Gen. Frank G. Klotz received Senate confirmation to become commander of the Air Force's newest major command, Air Force Global Strike Command. "I am honored to have been nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate to lead our Air Force global strike forces," General Klotz said. "I

Airmen, Soldiers make first jump from Ramstein C-130J

As the ramp let down at 3,000 feet and the sunlight slipped into the cargo bay of a new C-130J Super Hercules, Air Force and Army paratroopers stood ready to execute the first jump from Ramstein Air Base's newest aircraft. As Ramstein transitions from the older C-130E Hercules, some 35 Airmen and

Officials test commercial fuel to replace JP-8 fuel

In an ongoing analysis of alternatives to reduce aviation fuel costs, the Air Force Petroleum Agency here has launched an initiative to use commercial jet fuel in place of military standard JP-8 fuel. The Air Force annually uses about 2.5 billion gallons of fuel, resulting in the service's second

Recruiting Service team covers humanitarian mission

An Air Force Recruiting Service team returned to Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, in May following a week in the Dominican Republic where they photographed and videotaped Air Force medics providing healthcare during a medical humanitarian mission. The video and images will be used in a new, five-CD

Academy earns 10-year accreditation

The U.S. Air Force Academy here earned a maximum 10-year accreditation after undergoing a comprehensive and intense evaluation by a team of distinguished leaders in higher education April 27 through 29 here. During its visit, the eight-member team representing the Higher Learning Commission of the

May 6 airpower summary: Reaper targets IED emplacers

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations May 6, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an F-15E Strike Eagle used guided bomb unit-38s to

Officials release Kandahar C-17 accident investigation report

Air Mobility Command officials here May 8 released the results of its investigation into the Dec. 3, 2008, mishap involving a C-17 Globemaster III at Kandahar Air Base, Afghanistan. Following an uneventful flight from Germany to Kandahar AB, the mishap aircraft entered its final parking spot and the

Air Force officials release C-17 accident investigation report

Air Mobility Command here May 7 released the results of its investigation into the Jan. 30 mishap involving a C-17 Globemaster III that landed with retracted gear at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. The Accident Investigation Board, convened by AMC officials, concluded the primary cause of the mishap

Predator crashes in eastern Afghanistan

An Air Force MQ-1 Predator unmanned Aircraft crashed in eastern Afghanistan May 8 in the early afternoon hours. The crash was not due to hostile fire, and there were no injuries or damage to property as a result of the crash. The aircraft is a medium-altitude, long-endurance, remotely piloted

Wounded warrior receives surprise promotion

Staff Sgt. Daniel Acosta woke May 7 thinking he was a senior airman. He was surprised to discover that he was promoted to staff sergeant without his knowledge. Lt. Col. Michael Glass, 59th Medical Support Squadron commander, advised Sergeant Acosta that Lt. Gen. Richard Newton, deputy chief of staff

Reserve, Air Guard maintain aerial firefighting certification

Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard crews and aerial firefighters are participating in a week-long annual certification hosted by the U.S. Forest Service to be qualified and prepared to fight forest fires at a moment's notice. About 40 military air crews and aerial firefighters are

Bagram officials stand up 4 new squadrons

Bagram Airfield officials have added four new squadrons to their growing list of units during an assumption of command ceremony here May 5. More than 1,200 joint expeditionary tasking and provincial reconstruction team Airmen deployed to more than 40 forward operating bases and camps throughout

Nellis to stand up new aircraft maintenance squadron

Air Force Reserve Command officials will activate a new aircraft maintenance squadron in a May 15 ceremony here. The 926th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, part of the 926th Group, supports the Air Force Warfare Center at Nellis Air Force Base. Under the Total Force Integration initiative, the Air

Air Force fiscal 2010 budget reflects rebalanced priorities

Air Force officials here May 7 announced that its portion of the president's fiscal 2010 budget reflects a balanced strategy to prevail in today's joint fight and sustain air, space and cyberspace dominance. The two overarching principles guiding next year's budget are rebalancing the Air Force's

AETC officials to automate entry control

Drivers pulling up at gates on Air Education and Training Command bases will have something new to greet them later this year -- the Defense Biometric Identification System, or DBIDS. The most visible part of DBIDS, which has already been introduced at Air Force bases around the world, is the

Better-equipped National Guard still faces critical shortages

Equipment critical to both domestic and warfighting missions and aircraft essential to guarding the nation's air sovereignty remain areas of concern for the National Guard. That was the message Lt. Gen. Harry M. Wyatt III, director of the Air National Guard, and Army Maj. Gen. Raymond W. Carpenter,

Military continues to monitor H1N1 flu virus' path

The U.S. military has prepared for years to confront a public health challenge like the H1N1 influenza virus, a senior Defense Department official said May 6 here. "We have been preparing for a situation like this for more than five years and have plans, processes and procedures to respond to a

Heritage flight

May 5 airpower summary: A-10s unleash lethal firepower

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations May 5, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, a coalition aircraft and a Royal Air Force GR-9 Harrier

Levitow's pilot lands at Peterson for leadership visit

"I don't need to tell you about character, if you didn't have it, you wouldn't be here," retired Maj. Kenneth Carpenter said to approximately 200 Airmen who gathered in the base auditorium April 28 to support his Year of Leadership program visit here. During his hour-long chat with the audience,

Regulation changes to allow for longer South Korean tours

Department of Defense officials approved changes to the Joint Federal Travel Regulation that affects the length of military tours in Korea recently. The revised JFTR allows for 24- or 36-month accompanied tours at bases in Pyeongtaek, Osan, Daegu, Chinhae and Seoul, while two additional locations --

Gates lauds U.S. efforts to boost Saudi military capacity

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates here May 6 called the mentorship that U.S. forces are providing the Saudi Arabian military a key factor in maintaining stability in the region and an example of the capacity-building efforts he'd like to see more of elsewhere in the world. Secretary Gates held a

Nellis Airmen locate missing aircraft

An HH-60G Pave Hawk rescue crew from Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., found the wreckage an overdue aircraft in the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range May 1.The missing aircraft was the subject of the large-scale search by state officials and Civil Air Patrol members, but there were no survivors from the

May 4 airpower summary: C-17s provide heavy airlift

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations May 4, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Navy F/A-18F Super Hornets and an Air Force B-1B Lancer

Red Flag-Alaska ends

Airman's Roll Call: Post-9/11 G.I. Bill rules outlined

This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on the proposed transferability rules of the new Post-9/11 G.I. Bill. Department of Veterans Affairs representatives are now accepting sign-ups for the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill and Defense Department officials are working to get the word out about the proposed

Delta II launch successful

Teams from the 30th Space Wing and various agencies successfully launched a Delta II rocket from Vandenberg's Space Launch Complex-2 at 1:24 p.m May 5. The rocket carried an experimental satellite for the Missile Defense Agency's Space Tracking and Surveillance System Advanced Technology Risk

AFSO21 helps improve wing processes

In an effort to help save time and money, 23rd Wing officials stood up an office to provide Airmen with the tools and assistance to carry out Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century initiatives. AFSO21 is a program to help improve work processes and combat capabilities throughout the Air

Graduation day

Forces train Iraqis to manage communications

U.S. forces in Iraq increasingly are focused on training Iraqis to be self-sufficient, and most recently that training has brought Iraqis closer to managing their communications frequencies, information security and automotive maintenance. Fourteen students drawn from Iraq's ministries of

Officials reject allegations of proselytizing in Afghanistan

A report broadcast by the Arab news network Al Jazeera about U.S. servicemembers proselytizing in Afghanistan is just plain wrong, Pentagon officials said May 4. The Al Jazeera story showed an evangelical religious service on Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan and a discussion about distributing Bibles

Global Hawk flying mapping missions south of border

The RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned aircraft is currently using its sensors for non-military environmental mapping missions over South, Central America and the Caribbean at the request of partner nations in the region. The flights, dubbed "eco-missions" by the Air Forces Southern team, provide vital

Transition assistance experts hone job-assistance skills

About 120 transition assistance experts from across the Air Force came to downtown San Antonio April 28 through 30 to learn the latest in career and employment initiatives and how they relate to today's economic environment. The three-day conference kicked off with a one-day, Air Force specific

Chief scientist: Airmen's innovative spirit vital to future

The Air Force's top scientific adviser expressed his appreciation for the innovative spirit among today's Airmen, during a visit with Air Mobility Command here May 1. Air Force Chief Scientist Dr. Werner J.A. Dahm said each Airman plays a vital role in innovation across the Air Force, as

Airmen distribute Humvees to Iraqi forces

Joint expeditionary tasking Airmen and Soldiers here are currently working to arm Iraqi forces with more protective means of transportation. As U.S. forces change over to the M1151 Humvee, they turn in the older M1114 vehicles to the Taji Redistribution Property Assistance Team here as a means of

Challenge pushes Airmen, Soldiers

White House taps Robins for prestigious Circle Award

Robins has won the 2009 White House Closing of the Circle Award for its efforts to promote environmental improvement efforts. Base officials were notified of the award May 4, said Mark Summers, chief of the compliance branch in the 78th Civil Engineering Group here. The award is in recognition of

Facts, testimony bust IDEA myths

In less time than it takes to fill out a credit card application, Darlene Daspit-Pohl was on her way to earning $10,000 just for having an idea. Ms. Daspit-Pohl used the Air Force Innovative Development through Employee Awareness Program, or IDEA program, to submit an idea that reduces how much the

Airmen, Sailors provide maritime support for Iraqi military

Air Force and Navy servicemembers teamed up in April to support and train the newly formed Iraqi navy with maritime mission along the northern area of the Arabian Gulf where a large percentage of Iraq's oil is exported. The first intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance flight took place April