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

May 3 airpower summary: B-1B bombs narcotics facility

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations May 3, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer bombed a narcotics facility

Public health maintains high standards, healthy force

Airmen in the 379th Expeditionary Medical Group constantly monitor the health of all individuals and check to see if illnesses of base personnel are isolated incidents or part of a trend at this air base in Southwest Asia. "Our main role is the prevention and control of communicable diseases," said

May 2 airpower summary: C-17s provide heavy airlift

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations May 2, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs dropped guided bomb unit-38s

May 1 airpower summary: A-10 provides show of force

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

Man's best friend

Staff Sgt. Philip Mendoza pets his military working dog, Rico, wearing "doggles," during training aboard a helicopter April 21 at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. The training teaches the team how to safely and properly enter and exit aircraft, and prepares them for future air-assault missions. Sergeant

Officials set operating location for San Antonio joint base

Air Education and Training Command officials here signed an order March 16 that established an operating location to support the creation of a joint base in San Antonio. Establishment of the operating location provides a framework against which to assign some of the earliest members of what will

'Today's Air Force' features training, Earth Day celebrations

The latest edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights how Airmen at Aviano Air Base in Italy prepare for combat, a new model in the C-130 Hercules fleet, and a celebration of Earth Day. Combined training is a way to get to know allies, how they train and how they'll react in certain situations and

From basic trainee to Airman

Maintainers keep Red Flag-Alaska jets flying

Keesler personnel to participate in LIFESAVER 2009

Keesler AFB Airmen join local, state and federal agencies in "LIFESAVER 2009," a major federal coordinating center and national disaster medical system exercise being conducted May 5-7. With an estimated 2,000 participants, this is the largest "LIFESAVER" event since May 2005. "LIFESAVER 2009" will

Reserve Airmen complete deployment to Guam

More than 110 Airmen and four KC-135 Stratotankers from Grissom Air Reserve Base, Ind., completed a four-month deployment May 1 to Andersen Air Force Base.The Airmen formed the 506th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron to support Pacific refueling operations. KC-135s have been routinely deployed

Testimony details Pentagon, VA plans for wounded warriors

The departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs are working together to address the needs of wounded warriors, defense officials told the House Armed Services Committee April 29. Gail H. McGinn, acting undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, charted what she called the "lines of

Unit marks 50 years of NASA support

Three NASA astronauts visited Patrick Air Force Base members April 24 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of support from the Air Force to the American space program. Current Astronaut Col. Greg Johnson and former astronauts retired Navy Capt. Jon McBride and retired Marine Col. Bob Springer shared

Red Flag-Alaska pilots train to fly, fight, win

The flight plans have been filed; the mission briefs have been completed. Now it's time for the key players in a multinational force to come together to fly, fight and win. During Red Flag-Alaska, United States military pilots and coalition forces are provided the opportunity to train jointly more

NCO sentenced for larceny, bomb threat

A noncommissioned officer stationed here pleaded guilty to several violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice April 28 and was sentenced the next day to 24 months confinement, a bad conduct discharge and a reduction in rank to airman. Staff Sgt. Arthur Miller, assigned to the 65th Logistics

Sexual assault prevention videos available from DOD

Defense Department agencies at all levels have valuable resources at their fingertips for training servicemembers, civilian employees and contractors on prevention of sexual harassment and assault. More than two dozen prevention training DVDs are available through the DefenseImagery.mil Web site,

Vehicle maintainers travel rough road

Vehicle maintenance conducted in the most equipped garages can still present its fair share of challenges. For vehicle maintainers assigned to the Paktya Provincial Reconstruction Team here, garages, a well-stocked supply warehouse and proper tools are a remote luxury not often afforded here.

Airmen mobilize to confront Afghan insurgency

More than a dozen F-15E Strike Eagles, two DC-10s and a C-17 Globemaster III met the rising sun over the Atlantic Ocean en route to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, April 29.Approximately 350 deploying Airmen from the 336th Fighter Squadron and 4th Maintenance Group will spend the next four months

Force Support Squadron takes on Red Flag-Alaska

Approximately 1,400 U.S. and foreign military members are participating in Red Flag-Alaska 09-2. The amplified workforce calls for additional support to provide basic needs, and Airmen in the 354th Force Support Squadron have willingly answered the call. "Red Flag-Alaska brings an increased number

Officials discourage aspirin use by troops in combat zones

Defense Department officials are directing servicemembers and government civilians deployed in overseas war zones to refrain from taking aspirin unless under a doctor's orders, a senior military physician said here April 30. "Aspirin use for reasons other than medical indications is discouraged,"

Airmen provide island residents with drinkable water

Six Airmen from Pacific Air Forces units arrived here Feb. 4 to cure the island's contaminated water supply ruined due to unusually high tides and have treated more than 1,840,000 gallons of water for residents here. Unusual weather around the Pacific region caused six irregular high tides to flow

Airmen train next generation

Over the Arizona desert near Tucson, nine student pilots took the "final exam" for a career most people only dream about in April. They are in the final stages of training to become F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots for the Air Force. At the end of 7.5 months of intense F-16 Basic Course Training with the

Air Force, Navy combine for air combat skills training

Pilots from the Wisconsin Air National Guard's 115th Fighter Wing in Madison, honed their air-to-air combat training skills along side their naval counterparts from the Strike Fighter Squadron 2 (VFA-2), Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif., during a two-week training mission here. Air Guard pilots

April 29 airpower summary: C-130s sustain war efforts

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations April 29, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, a coalition aircraft employed a guided bomb unit-12 to

Air Force chief of staff returns to roots

Some thirty-five years ago, 2nd Lt. Norton Schwartz graduated Undergraduate Pilot Training, walking away from here with a set of silver wings and a promising career with unlimited potential. On April 24th, now Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz came full circle, returning to Laughlin as

Airmen keep F-16s airborne during Balikatan 2009

Air Force maintainers are keeping fighter pilots ready to go during Exercise Balikatan 2009 here. Balikatan, which in English means "shoulder to shoulder," is an annual joint bilateral exercise designed to improve U.S. and the Republic of the Philippines combined planning, combat readiness and

Melting snow causes flooding at Minot launch facility

An intercontinental ballistic missile belonging to the 91st Missile Wing here will be removed for testing and analysis after water runoff from melting snow seeped into a launch facility and entered the launch tube April 12 here. The water was a result of record levels of snowfall this winter in the

Quadrennial Defense Review fact sheet available

People who are interested in learning more about the Defense Department's Quadrennial Defense Review process can do so by just accessing the QDR fact sheet that was posted April 29 on Defenselink, the Pentagon's public Web page. "The QDR takes a long-term, strategic view of the Department of Defense

Hanscom group works to develop acquisition strategy for space operations system

Whether it's the size of a chair or a driver's license, space debris travelling at speeds of 15,000 mph yields the same result if it crosses the orbital path of a space asset:  collision and subsequent loss. With the work of an Electronic Systems Center group to bolster space situational awareness,

Airmen spread goodwill during Balikatan 2009

More than 20 Airmen participating in Exercise Balikatan 2009 visited Filipino children at schools and an orphanage April 24 and 25 here. The Airmen from Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., participating in the exercise took time to spread goodwill to nearly 150 children from the Duyan Ni Maria orphanage and

Museum opens Thunderbirds F-16 aircraft exhibit

The Museum of Aviation here will open to the public a permanent Thunderbirds F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft exhibit May 3, the same day the Air Force Thunderbirds aerial demonstration team will perform at nearby Robins Air Force Base. The aircraft, once a part of the demonstration team, has been

Airmen build Iraqi air operations center capability

Ten Iraqi airmen at the Iraqi air operations center recently completed a seven-day air operations planning course taught by American Airmen air advisers in April here. This training enables the Iraqi air force to build their operational planning capability, which is a critical component to

April 28 airpower summary: KC-10s sustain fighters

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations April 28, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs performed multiple

First group of UPT pilots graduate from Predator training

The first group of Undergraduate Pilot Training students completed the MQ-1 Predator Formal Training Unit's Initial Qualification Training Course here April 24. Along with the UPT students, the class graduated 20 students, which translates to 10 crews. A crew comprises a pilot and sensor operator.

Team effort impacts Red Flag-Alaska

American servicemembers along with NATO military members joined forces to conduct simulated combat environments during Exercise Red Flag-Alaska that runs April 16 through May 1 here.One example of that teamwork during the exercise is the life support section where Airmen and Sailors work alongside

Top officer addresses Air Force's role in irregular warfare

As combat requirements evolve, so must the Air Force's unique capabilities to engage the enemy, the service's top officer said. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz discussed the role of Airmen in counterinsurgency operations and irregular warfare April 24 at the Brookings Institution

Deal could be near to extend use of Manas Air Base

U.S. officials could be nearing a deal with the Kyrgyzstan government to extend U.S. access to Manas Air Base, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell told reporters April 28. Mr. Morrell reported progress in negotiations he called "reason for hope" about reversing Kyrgyzstan's previous decision

2008 JAG Award winners announced

The Judge Advocate General Lt. Gen. Jack L. Rives has announced the 2008 Judge Advocate General Award winners. The award recipients will be formally recognized at an awards banquet during Keystone 2009, the Air Force JAG Corps' Leadership Summit held the last week of October in Dallas, Texas. Albert

New threat detection, countermeasure program introduced

A lot of questions are likely to rush through your head when you're out on the battlefield and the enemy projectiles come flying. Defense Advanced Research Project Agency officials are making big strides on a program to respond with life-saving speed and accuracy. The goal of DARPA's CROSSHAIRS, or

Airmen turn empty Bulgarian hangar into A-10 hub

As aircraft maintenance and support Airmen from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, packed to support Exercise Reunion April 2009 at Bezmer Air Base, Bulgaria, they had to be prepared for any problem that might arise. A Bulgarian SU-25 unit at Bezmer Air Base provided the A-10 Thunderbolt II maintenance

C-17 stage crews at Manas ramp up support for OEF

Over the past five weeks, three Pacific Air Forces C-17 Globemaster IIIs have been flying round-the-clock missions from Manas to Afghanistan delivering special cargo in support of the Operation Enduring Freedom surge. The "stage" operation set up at Manas included aircraft and personnel from 535th

KC-10s keep Red Flag-Alaska aircraft fueled to fight

A fleet of KC-10 Extenders and their aircrews are deployed here to keep jets in the fight as they participate in a 10-day air combat training exercise over Alaska. The KC-10 Airmen and aircrews at Eielson Air Force Base for Red Flag-Alaska 09-2 are from McGuire AFB, N.J., and Travis AFB, Calif.  "We

April 27 airpower summary: B-1B deters enemy activity

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations April 27, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, an Air Force MQ-9 Reaper flying over Balocan used a

April 26 airpower summary: Predators are eyes in the sky

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations April 26, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E carried out a show of force and

Air Force flight surgeons train Iraqi counterparts

American Air Force flight surgeons continued their mission to teach and train Iraqi air force and army flight surgeons here recently to better prepare the Iraqi officers to eventually take over the aerospace medicine mission. The Coalition Air Force Training Team is conducting a flight surgeon

F-35 test plane flies over Eglin

The F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter test aircraft arrived here April 21 to educate the base and local community about the Department of Defense and world's newest fighter.The arrival of the test F-35, called AA-1, kicked off a week full of events to showcase the aircraft at Eglin Air Force

Airmen keep Hercules strong

When a transient C-130 Hercules delivers cargo and personnel here, there is a chance the aircraft may require maintenance before flying again. This is where Airmen of the 746th Aircraft Maintenance Unit step up to troubleshoot and fix the plane to make the C-130 ready for its return flight home. "We

Senator Glenn receives White national defense award

Marine, test pilot, astronaut and four-term U.S. Senator John H. Glenn, Jr. was honored April 22 as the recipient of the 2008 Thomas D. White National Defense Award. Named in honor of Gen. Thomas Dresser White, former Air Force chief of staff, it is presented annually to a U.S. citizen who has

New York Guardsmen stay on alert to save lives

While all Airmen assigned to rescue squadrons throughout the Air Force know and follow the motto "So that others may live," there is one rescue squadron deployed to Afghanistan that takes this personal. "There is something that sets our unit apart from all the others," said Senior Master Sgt.

Blue Flag enhances ability to protect U.S. from attacks

More than 500 Air Force personnel along with Army, Navy and Marine representatives completed a two-week training exercise April 24 here to improve how to monitor and intercept hostile military aircraft and to respond to potential terrorist attacks. Part of a series of military defense training

Charleston aerial port supports OEF build-up

Members of the 437th Aerial Port Squadron here are moving shipments of airfield matting overseas to help create landing strips in a number of remote locations supporting the build-up for Operation Enduring Freedom. Airfield matting is used to accelerate airfield construction by eliminating the time

Bombs on target

Air Guard chief selected as NORTHCOM advisor

An Air National Guard command chief master sergeant has been selected as a command senior enlisted advisor for a combatant command.  It is the first time an Air Guardsman has been selected for that position.  Chief Master Sgt. W. Allen Usry, the current Continental U.S. NORAD Region-1st Air Force

Postal workers deliver pieces of home through mail

One of the nice things about deploying is the outpouring of support given by family, friends and even strangers from back home through care packages and letters. However, without the people who run the post offices on base, none of those well-wishes would get through to boost morale. "We provide all

Engaging the Afghan media

Lt. Gen. Gary L. North, the Combined Forces Air Component commander for forces in Southwest Asia, met with Afghan media recently to discuss airpower missions and contributions to the safety and security of the Afghan people. Reporters from more than 20 television, radio and news print organizations

April 25 airpower summary: C-17s helping to sustain fight

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations April 25, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, an A-10 Thunderbolt II strafed an enemy truck carrying

April 24 airpower summary: Pave Hawks key to rescues

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations April 24, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II and F-15E Strike

Practice keeps investigative skills sharp

Practicing skills and maintaining job proficiency are key factors in accomplishing the mission on a day-to-day basis. Recently a member of the 380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron here was able to practice and demonstrate fingerprinting skills in a mock crime scene scenario. According to

Air Force chief offers perspective to acquisition community

Some 700 Air Force senior leaders, acquisition professionals and defense industry partners met at the campus of Sinclair Community College April 20 to 22 to address challenges faced by the military acquisition, technology and logistics community.The two-and-a-half day event, organized by the

Langley showcases airpower to conclude Air Force Week

Airpower took center stage during the first day of Airpower over Hampton Roads, a three-day airshow culmination of Air Force Week April 24 here. Thousands of people from the surrounding Hampton Roads area came to the first day of airshows to witness static displays and aerial demonstrations by

AETC ensures nuclear precision, compliance, accountability

Command officials have aligned the Air Education and Training Command staff with headquarters Air Force, creating a new directorate that began operations in February to strengthen the focus on training for the Air Force's nuclear enterprise. The new office, AETC Nuclear Operations, Plans and

Student 'flies' last T-37 simulator mission

No one wants to be last in anything he or she does, especially when it comes to the highly-competitive Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program, the world's only multi-nationally run undergraduate pilot training organization. But 2nd Lt. Evan Negron, a 25-year-old Salem, N.J., native, said April

Senior officials define leadership during Air Force Week

Leadership was the key topic addressed during an Air Force Week panel discussion April 23 on the campus of the College of William & Mary. Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley led the panel with comments on the theme of "Leadership for the Future," and panel members shared their insights

Training system helps joint operators put bombs on target

When Air Force acquisition program managers meet to discuss the impact of their programs, they frequently talk figuratively about the ability to "put bombs on target." But when managers of the joint terminal control training and rehearsal system mention "bombs on target," they are being literal. The

Air Force secretary discusses service's goals, priorities

The secretary of the Air Force spoke about the service's nuclear enterprise mission, Airmen at war and taking care of Airmen and their families April 23 while visiting the campus of the College of William & Mary during Hampton Roads Air Force Week. Secretary Michael B. Donley began by explaining the

ANG chief discusses air sovereignty missions with Congress

New commitments need to be made to the nation's Airmen and others who defend North America from threats to its air sovereignty, the Air National Guard's senior officer told members of Congress here April 22. Lt. Gen. Harry M. Wyatt, director of the Air National Guard, testified before the House

Medics provide care to people in Dominican Republic

Medics treated 760 patients at a primary school here April 20 on the inaugural day of the largest Maxwell Air Force Base-planned Air Force medical readiness exercise, or MEDRETE,  to date. A group of 45 medics, translators, security and support personnel from the U.S. Air Force, Army and Marines

April 23 airpower summary: A-10s thwart attack on convoy

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations April 23, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs operating near Nangalam

Quadrennial defense, nuclear posture review begin

Pentagon officials kicked off the Defense Department's 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review and Nuclear Posture Review processes April 23 to determine what types of capabilities will be required to maintain U.S. national security now and in the coming years, senior officials said. "The QDR takes a

Altus slated to receive Reserve squadron

Top military and government officials announced recently a Reserve squadron will join units here. The addition will boost aircrew training for the KC-135 Stratotanker, C-17 Globemaster III and the eventual KC-X.  The change will take place in fiscal 2010. "We have the opportunity to take some of the

Air Force legal team earns Deming Award

Excellence, innovation and high-impact practices are among the goals of many government agencies, but an Air Force team at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., distinguished itself and earned recognition for that at an April 20 ceremony. At the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center here,

13th Air Force commander visits Andersen Airmen

Lt. Gen. Chip Utterback, 13th Air Force commander, shakes hands with Staff Sgt. Eric Moeller, a firefighter from the 36th Civil Engineer Squadron, during a visit to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, April 22. The 36th Wing at Andersen is one of two wings assigned to 13th Air Force. (U.S. Air Force

AF doctors use virtual reality to treat PTSD

Mental health therapists and social workers at the David Grant USAF Medical Center at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., are currently using a virtual reality program to treat servicemembers who suffer from post traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, after returning from combat operations. "PTSD is an

Wilford Hall's emergency department much more than that

At first glance, Wilford Hall Medical Center's emergency department appears to be just another level-1 trauma center, treating patients from not only Lackland Air Force Base but from San Antonio and the surrounding areas. Yet, much more is going on there than people realize. "The emergency

The services align, sign new working group charter

The first big step towards achieving commonality and interoperability of expeditionary basing equipment in the joint force was taken April 13 as the service logistics chiefs came together here to sign the Joint Expeditionary Basing Working Group charter. The lead JEBWG organizations are the Air

Maintainers make it happen during Red Flag-Alaska

During Red Flag-Alaska, thousands of feet above the rugged Alaskan terrain, pilots push their aircraft to the limits, performing dog fights and defensive maneuvers against aggressors, honing their skills for combat missions. However, pilots aren't the only ones who are contributing to mission

Kadena conducts bilateral cultural exchange

Enlisted members of the Japanese Air Self Defense Force got an inside look at the day-to-day life of their U.S. Air Force counterparts while participating in the bilateral exchange program here. The 60 JASDF Airmen spent the day visiting the Erwin Professional Military Education Center, eating at

April 22 airpower summary: B-1B destroys compound

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations April 22, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer destroyed a large compound used

JAG Airman provides unique service while deployed

Many Air Force attorneys spend their days providing legal counsel and preparing legal documents, but for one Air Force captain being deployed means serving in a one of a kind legal position. Capt. Sophia Crawford, detention, judicial and legal policy attorney in the Office of the Staff Judge

Joint airpower show proves military might at Air Force Week

Hundreds of Virginia residents saw a joint airpower demonstration firsthand during Hampton Roads Air Force Week April 22 along the coastline of Virginia Beach. The event included a simulated rescue where a special forces team called in airstrikes then ran into the Atlantic Ocean to be rescued by

Airmen, Marines work together to test-load helicopters

Playing a game of inches, a team of Airmen and Marines worked together April 20 to test-load two Marine helicopters into a C-5C Galaxy.With inches to spare, Airmen from the 60th Aerial Port Squadron here and Marines from the Marine Light Attack Helicopter Training Squadron-303 and HMLA-367 at Camp

Secretary Gates presses to boost network security

Defense Department officials are working to reduce vulnerability to cyber-attack attempts that occur regularly and are likely to continue for the foreseeable future, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said."We are under attack virtually all the time, every day here," Secretary Gates told CBS Evening

Telelconference held to improve Pacific medical care

Thirteenth Air Force officials hosted an inaugural aeromedical evacuation quality system-wide teleconference here recently for more than 30 military members and civilians to improve aeromedical evacuations for patients throughout the Pacific. It was the first teleconference of its kind to be hosted

F-22s, B-2s fly together over Pacific Ocean

Twelve F-22 Raptors departed here recently following a deployment marking the first time F-22 Raptors and B-2 Spirits, the key national strategic stealth assets in the Air Force inventory, deployed together outside the continental United States. The Raptors arrived in January and were joined by the

Hot spot at Nellis

Task force seeks sexual assault response feedback

Members of the Defense Task Force on Sexual Assault in the Military Services visited Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst recently to speak with base leaders, sexual assault response coordinators and other base personnel. The task force, which was chartered by Congress to look at sexual assault response

Soto Cano members battle devastating blaze

Emergency crews from Joint Task Force-Bravo at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, worked alongside local responders to battle a blaze here that consumed an historic building April 15. Seven firefighters and two security forces patrolmen left Soto Cano just 20 minutes after base officials were notified of

Squadron hosts 'Buddy-Wing' Program

Members of the 25th Fighter Squadron here hosted Airmen from South Korea's 15th Composite Wing April 13 to 15 for a "Buddy Wing" exercise and exchange program. The purpose of the program is to introduce and review tactics, exchange ideas and improve interoperability between the U.S. Air Force and

Security team provides safety net for Airmen

Airmen riding the bus outside the wire for the first time may not realize it, but they're not alone out there. The 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron's security escort team, armed and ready, are out there making sure each of those Airmen get to where they need to be safely. Selected by

April 21 airpower summary: F-16 takes out armed boat

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations April 21, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles destroyed an enemy truck

Guard, Reserve honor employers during Air Force Week

Air Force officials honored the support of civilian employers of the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve at an Air Force Week awards presentation April 21 at the Hamptons Golf Course here. After participating together in a golf tournament, Airmen from the Air National Guard and Air Force

Air Force lights up 'Operation Change Out'

All 64 major Air Force bases in the United States are participating in the Energy Star Operation Change Out: The Military Challenge campaign to change out incandescent bulbs with new energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs, or CFLs. The campaign is a joint effort between the Department of Defense

Sustaining the mission through green innovation

On April 22, the Air Force will join the nation in observing Earth Day. On this occasion, we take the opportunity to reflect on our daily commitment to excellence and leadership in protecting and preserving the environment and our natural resources. As we fly, fight, and win today and in the future,

Silicon Valley rescue C-130s go digital

Nestled in the center of the world's technology epicenter is the California Air National Guard's 129th Rescue Wing.  Search and rescue is the wing's primary mission, which often involves low-tech but courageous life-saving actions. The mission is about to get a high-tech boost from an innovative

Hanscom heritage event highlights heroes

During this quarter's Heritage of Freedom event here April 15, a group of speakers enlightened the audience about resolve, heroism and meeting warfighter's needs.  And, the emotional impact of a reunion was a powerful moment for those in attendance when a once-downed pilot reunited with the man who

EPLOs redefine part of Air Force mission

When most Americans think of the Air Force, they envision slick, fast fighter jets soaring through the skies at Mach speed. A picture that doesn't normally come to mind is a military organization that helps local communities during hurricanes, wildfires, floods or other natural disasters. Nor does