Giving Airmen time back

Improvements in technology, review of manpower solutions and additional duty workload, and refining ancillary training topped the recommendations presented to Lt. Gen. Richard Newton III, deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel and services, by a team he chartered to find what impacts Airmen's

Rescue Airmen undergo confined-space training

Fifteen pararescuemen from the 31st Rescue Squadron and 320th Special Tactics Squadron here recently took part in training to help them execute rescue missions in confined spaces and collapsed structures. According to Maj. Jason Pifer, the 31st Rescue Squadron commander, the training came about as a

Alaskan long range radar station goes green

In an effort to reduce high operating costs at the Tin City Long Range Radar Station, engineers with the 611th Civil Engineer Squadron here have completed the construction of a wind turbine generator there.  It is the first such generator to be installed on an Alaskan Air Force installation and

Manas Airmen provide aid to earthquake victims

Airmen from Manas AB sent a humanitarian shipment Oct. 8 to provide aid to those affected by the recent earthquake in southern Kyrgyzstan. The base sent a flatbed truck of supplies that included a pallet of nearly 2,200 food ration packets, ten pallets of bottled water, more than 120 boxes

Training instructors build tactical course for Iraqi airmen

Military training instructors saw an unmet need in the Iraqi air force basic military training program and found a way to fill the need. For Staff Sgt. Matthew Coltrin and Tech. Sgt. Chris Ramsdell, MTIs deployed from the 322nd Training Squadron, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, no BMT course is

Ohio reservists complete aerial spray mission in Louisiana

Air Force Reserve aircrews and C-130 Hercules aircraft from the 910th Airlift Wing at Youngstown Air Reserve Station, Ohio, sprayed more than 770,000 acres in seven Louisiana parishes from Sept. 21 to Oct. 2. Reservists from the wing's 757th Airlift Squadron dropped pesticides to control insects

Air Force training facility underway at NAS Pensacola

Officials at the Naval Facilities Engineering Command-Southeast, in partnership with representatives from Air Education and Training Command and a construction conglomerate known as NTF, L.L.C., broke ground Oct. 2 for a new training instruction facility at Naval Air Station Pensacola.NAVFAC

Air Force senior leaders take up key decisions

The nuclear enterprise, cyber organization, end strength, force shaping, and command and control of Air Force operations were just some of the topics discussed when Air Force senior leaders met at CORONA on Oct. 1-3 at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley

PRT strives to build relationships in remote village

A 40-person team of Airmen, Sailors and Soldiers from the Kapisa and Parwan Provincial Reconstruction Team recently traveled to a remote village to provide medical services. After traversing a rugged, hand-hewn mountain roads barely wide enough for a Humvee, the team of security and medical experts

Threat Reduction Agency marks 10 years of operations

It is an agency that seems tailor-made to combat the threats the United States faces today: nuclear proliferation, chemical weapons and the possibility of genetically modified diseases. But the Defense Threat Reduction Agency was formed when Americans still thought there was such a thing as a "peace

Special duty assignment pay now available for EOD Airmen

Air Force officials recently approved special duty assignment pay for most Airmen in the explosive ordnance disposal career field. Since 2002, the overall retention rates for EOD Airmen has declined by 30 percent because of high operations tempo and the inherent dangers involved in this demanding

USAFE Airmen exchange ideas with Romanian counterparts

The United States Air Forces in Europe command chief and three other Ramstein senior noncommissioned officers visited Romanian air force senior enlisted leaders at the Boboc Training Center, Romania, Sept. 22-27 as part of an ongoing USAFE theater security cooperation engagement. Chief Master Sgt.

Gunship commander receives Cheney Award

The aircraft commander of an AC-130H Spectre gunship was named the recipient of the Cheney Award Oct. 6 for providing close-air support to troops on the ground in Afghanistan in May 2007. The Cheney Award is presented each year to aviators who demonstrate an act of valor, extreme fortitude or

Cannon Airmen train for special operations forces resupply

What seems like routine training for 27th Special Operations Wing C-130W Hercules aircrews, loadmasters and logistics Airmen here in reality prepares them to execute missions downrange. "Special operations forces that are deployed rely on this type of air drop very much," said Staff Sgt. Jerimy

ACC maintainers expedite A-10 inspection actions

Air Combat Command maintenance Airmen will begin an immediate inspection of all A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft with thin-skinned wings for cracking following a Time Compliance Technical Order issued to ACC A-10 units on Oct. 3. ACC officials are working closely with those in Air Force Materiel

Reserve liaison office answers for AOR

When a part-time job becomes a full-time commitment questions usually come along with the transition. A small office here answers them for all the reservists and Guardsmen in the area of responsibility. The Air Reserve Component Liaison Office here helps more than 4,000 members of the Air National

Special Ops weathermen get new specialty code

Air Force special operations weathermen now have a new specialty code they can call their own. Recruiters can enlist trainees directly into the 1W0X2 special operations weathermen career field since the new Air Force specialty code is now in the enlisted classification directory. Before this new

Chinese military delegation visits Hickam AFB

A delegation from China's People Liberation Army visited here as part of a professional exchange with senior U.S. military enlisted personnel Oct. 2. The People's Liberation Army delegation of 12, led by Maj. Gen. Zhong Zhiming, chief of military affairs for the PLA Headquarters General Staff,

Ceremony marks beginning of U.S. mission in Baltics

For the second time in history, an American flag was raised over the Quick Reaction Facility in Siauliai during a ceremony marking the U.S. Air Force's assumption of responsibility for the NATO Baltic air policing mission. The ceremony began with Lithuanian Lt. Col. Raimundas Matulis, Ministry of

'Today's Air Force' features Gulf Coast response

This edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights the impact of and prompt response to the hurricanes that struck the Gulf Coast. Airmen immediately came through, handing out five tons of water, four thousand bags of ice and six hundred meals. Another team effort is demonstrated by the Airmen behind

HH-60Gs integrate with Army AH-64s for war missions

Airmen and Soldiers here took integration one step further with rotary wing aviation operations in Afghanistan. While the Army AH-64 Apaches and Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawks have flown medical evacuation missions together for some time now in Afghanistan, on Sept. 25 they flew their first joint combat

Oct. 2 airpower summary: C-17s provide airlift support

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

Inspections ordered for A-10 Thunderbolt IIs

Air Force officials have issued a time compliance technical order requiring immediate inspection and repair of wing cracks for a portion of the A-10 Thunderbolt II fleet. This action impacts approximately 130 A-10 aircraft with thin-skin wings installed during original manufacture and is being taken

Gen. McKinley approved to lead Guard Bureau

Lt. Gen. Craig R. McKinley was confirmed as the 26th chief of the National Guard Bureau by the Senate Oct. 2 in Washington, D.C. He will also become the first four-star general in the nearly 372-year history of the National Guard. The current director of the Air National Guard, General McKinley was

Senate confirms Gen. Fraser as next vice chief of staff

General William M. Fraser III, a command pilot, will be the Air Force's next vice chief of staff, based on a Senate confirmation vote, which occurred Oct. 2. Now the president must offer the official appointment to the general before he can assume his new position. General Fraser, who now serves as

Senate confirms Donley to be next secretary of Air Force

Michael B. Donley will be the next secretary of the Air Force based on an Oct. 2 Senate confirmation vote here. Secretary Donley had been designated by the president to begin serving as acting secretary on June 21, 2008. The former director of administration and management for the Defense

Top cover: Airpower integral to ground force's success

Pilots on board F-15E Strike Eagles helped turned the tide as Army Soldiers fighting terrorists in Afghanistan were pinned down and needed assistance in mid September.An improvised explosive device had disabled a vehicle and Soldiers were stranded, but airpower was there to help. "As we got within

F-35 begins workout

Air Force launches 'BlueTube' site for online videos

When you get an interesting or funny Air Force video in your e-mail, do you ever send it out to family, friends and co-workers? Now the Air Force has its own channel, called AirForceBlueTube, for those videos on the popular video-sharing site YouTube.com. "We wanted to have a one-stop shop to host

Africa Command unfurls colors during Pentagon ceremony

The flag for a new U.S. unified command that seeks to meld civilian expertise with military planning and logistics was unfurled Oct. 1 during a Pentagon ceremony. Army Gen. William E. "Kip" Ward unfurled the colors and told Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Air Force medics support trauma mission for warriors

A recent influx of trauma cases at Wilford Hall Medical Center here sheds light on the importance of the hospital's civilian trauma mission with the city of San Antonio, and the high caliber of training it provides for military doctors and medics here. During the month of September, Air Force

Seventeenth Air Force stands up

The air component for U.S. Africa Command declared initial operational capability Sept. 18 in an assumption-of-command ceremony on Ramstein which also celebrated the unit's Oct. 1 activation. Seventeenth Air Force, also to be known as Air Forces Africa, marked the coming activation by handing the

Charleston officials begin transporting new Army vehicles

Charleston Air Force Base officials began receiving and immediately shipping six new Army High Mobility Engineer Excavator vehicles to warfighters in Southwest Asia Sept. 29 here. Charleston AFB is the first Air Force base to receive and ship the HMEE, which is a newly developed military

U.S. Africa Command activated

Officials enter agreement to create aerospace complex

Air Force officials announced Sept. 25 that the service has signed a long-term lease agreement with Oklahoma County that will enable the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center to establish the Tinker Aerospace Complex here. The lease, which was signed Sept. 24, covers approximately 407 acres of land

Simulation center prepares medics for saving lives

In this world where hospital staffs hold human lives in their hands, where do they train to function under this ultimate responsibility? When they are put under the stress of doing a job so important that even the military considers them doctors first and military second, where do they learn to

U.S. Northern Command gains dedicated response force

For the first time in its existence, U.S. Northern Command is gaining a dedicated force to respond to potential chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and high-yield explosive (CBRNE) incidents in the homeland. "We are now building the first of three CBRNE Consequence Management Response

Deep Freeze Airman given Christchurch civic award

Fresh off the successful night-time landing of a C-17 Globemaster III on the cold Antarctica ice, a 12-year veteran of Operation Deep Freeze missions has become the first American to receive the Christchurch Civic Award. Lt. Col. Jim McGann, 304th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron commander, received

New course trains medical teams in Pacific

Critical care specialists from the Air Force, Army and Navy are training on moving seriously ill patients in the Pacific theater at a Sept. 29 through Oct. 3 course being held here. The aeromedical evacuation regulating organization for U.S. Pacific Command, 13th Air Force's Theater Patient Movement

Defense contributions help NASA's 50-year legacy

As the men and women of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration celebrate its 50th anniversary this week, Defense Department personnel also can take a bow for the key role they have played in lending technology and expertise to NASA's space exploration and research mission.NASA began

Airman's Roll Call: Signs of domestic violence

This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on supervisors and co-workers ability to identify signs of domestic violence in their fellow Airmen. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, reminding us to be alert for signs of violence and help those deal with their difficult situation. The Air Force

Provisional team prepares for cyber mission assurance

The Air Force Cyber Command (Provisional) staff here has spent a year defining and shaping the future of the service's cyberspace operations. There have been numerous contributions from the team that will assist the Air Force as it decides how it will "fly, fight and win" in the cyberspace domain,

MH-53s fly final combat missions

Aircrews flew the remaining six MH-53 Pave Low helicopters on their last combat missions in support of special operations forces Sept. 27 in Southwest Asia. The last mission, a SOF logistical resupply and passenger movement throughout central and southern Iraq, marks their last combat mission before

Air Force, Navy officials agree upon F-35 depot workload

Air Force and Navy officials here signed a memo Sept. 16 identifying a new process for allocating F-35 Lightning II depot repair workloads. The new process takes into account service competency and experience in determining workload allocation. "This was truly a joint effort on the part of the Air

Iraqi training wing soars to 3,000th hour

The Iraqi air force Flying Training Wing has reached yet another goal, one that may have seemed impossible a year ago, with the help of Airmen from the 52nd Expeditionary Flying Training Squadron. This partnership enabled Iraqi pilots to reach the 3,000th flying training hour milestone here Sept 23.

'Today's Air Force' features war-zone support

This edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights what Air Force men and women are doing to support the war on terrorism in Southwest Asia. See how three hospitals, each run by representatives of a different country, come together to provide the utmost medical training to Afghan medical students. Also

Air Force could save millions through recovery program

A two-year proof of concept project to demanufacture and disassemble condemned jet engine parts for reuse is under way here and Air Force officials are praising initial results. About 200,000 pounds of material from the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center has already been introduced into the

New Air Force chief scientist has AFMC ties

Dr. Werner J.A. Dahm will begin his assignment as the new Chief Scientist of the Air Force in October, replacing Dr. Mark Lewis. While his post will be at the Pentagon, Dr. Dahm has a connection with Air Force Materiel Command. Dr. Dahm was a research engineer from 1979 to 1981 at the Arnold

Troops complete disaster relief mission in Haiti

The USS Kearsarge departed Haiti Sept. 29 after completing a 19-day disaster relief mission in the storm-ravaged Caribbean nation.  The humanitarian effort included robust helicopter and sealift support to U.S. relief efforts led by the U.S. Agency for International Development's Office of Foreign

Little Rock Air Force Base shifting focus

Officials from the 19th Airlift Wing will accept operational control of Little Rock Air Force Base Oct. 1 from 314th AW officials to become the base's host wing here. The 19th AW is an Air Mobility Command wing and the 314th AW is an Air Education and Training Command wing.   With an AMC wing taking

Airmen train at Fort Bragg for 'outside the wire' deployment

More than 175 Airmen from 55 different bases around the world are training here with an "outside the wire" mindset as they prepare for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan.The Airmen will be part of Provincial Reconstruction Teams on 270-day deployments to help rebuild the infrastructure and

Servicemembers prepare for Afghan deployments

Airmen, Sailors and Soldiers formed 12 Provincial Reconstruction Teams and are receiving training here as part of a 270-day rotation to Afghanistan in an effort to help rebuild the infrastructure and legitimize the Afghan government. Each PRT, consisting of a main body of Airmen or Sailors and an

CAP provides rescue resources during emergencies

When disasters strike, there is a select group of volunteer pilots, search and rescue teams, and trained observers who help those in need. Missing persons, flooding, tornadoes, hurricanes and downed aircraft are some of the situations to which the Civil Air Patrol responds at a moment's notice.

Airman immerses into language for deployment

An Airman deploying soon to Afghanistan as part of a Provincial Reconstruction Team will be able to use a hobby of his to help make his deployment easier for himself and his team. Senior Airman George Williams joined the Air Force almost four years ago in hopes of being a linguist specializing in

Brake it down

Heavy lifters

Village of Hope training center graduates final class

A program designed to help "Sons of Iraq" citizen security group members learn skills that will enable them to help Iraq move forward graduated its final class of 60 students here Sept. 25. "The Village of Hope was part of a civil service corps program that took Sons of Iraq members from checkpoints

Recruiting group closes its doors

Air Force Recruiting Service officials are deactivating the 367th Recruiting Group here Oct. 1 as recruiting units are realigned from four groups into three and reducing recruiting squadrons from 27 to 24. AFRS officials are reorganizing health professions recruiting into 24 regional hubs throughout

New organization changes how to get info, entertainment

The Oct. 1 establishment of the Defense Media Activity will change the way Defense Department members get news, entertainment and information to servicemembers and their families. Servicemembers will not immediately notice a change: the Armed Forces Network will still broadcast football games and

Airmen support new Hollywood movie 'Eagle Eye'

Members of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations will get ready for its close-up Sept. 26 as the movie "Eagle Eye" will be released to selected theaters around the country. The movie stars Shia LaBeouf and Michelle Monaghan and is directed by D. J. Caruso."This was a great opportunity for

AEF move to AFPC now complete

Air Force officials held a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony designating full operational capability for the Air and Space Expeditionary Force and Personnel Operations Directorate Sept. 26 at the Air Force Personnel Center here. The AEF Center, previously located at Langley Air Force Base, Va., became

Senior leaders held accountable for nuclear enterprise missteps

Air Force leaders released details today about administrative actions being taken against 15 officers in connection with deficiencies outlined in a report reviewing elements of the service's nuclear enterprise. "The Air Force has no more solemn obligation than the security and reliability of the

U.S. troops help build Afghan air corps

A team of 170 U.S. Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines have been tasked with recruiting, training and equipping the Afghan National Army Air Corps. "Our goal is to develop this Air Corps to be fully independent and fully operational, capable to meet (the) security requirements of Afghanistan," Air

Iraqis learn, overcome challenges of helo operations

Iraqi helicopter aircrews are increasingly in demand as Iraqi security forces assume responsibility of their nation's security from their American counterparts. These crews are trained at Taji Air Base, Iraq, using UH-1 Hueys and Mi-17 Hips, where they learn the ins and outs of helicopter

Deployed Airman witnesses daughter's birth via Internet

For Airman 1st Class Roger Prokes, a patrolman with the 95th Security Forces Squadron here, being deployed didn't mean he would miss the birth of his daughter. Modern technology would see to that. "Just in case my husband wasn't back, I had spoken with the director of labor and delivery at my

Airpower integral to Kajaki Dam turbine delivery

Coalition airpower focused on a critical part of southern Afghanistan from Aug. 28 to Sept. 2 to protect more than 4,000 ground forces and to support the delivery of an electric turbine for the 30-year-old hydroelectric Kajaki Dam in the Helmand Province. The new turbine, part of a U.S.-funded

New battle gear improves capabilities for combat Airmen

Battlefield Airmen will soon receive a new equipment item that will improve their ability to execute their combat duties. The new airman battle system-ground is a tactical ensemble, or equipment item, for Airmen who perform their mission outside the wire in close coordination with ground forces. "It

Airmen to deliver 10,000th MRAP to troops

The 10,000th mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicle is scheduled to be delivered to troops supporting Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom Sept. 25 by Air Mobility Command Airmen.MRAPs were introduced in 2007, and AMC Airmen have been working around-the-clock planning, coordinating and executing

Civilian leaders learn strength of U.S. airpower in Europe

Civilian business and community leaders got firsthand and sometimes hands-on exposure Sept. 23 to U.S. Air Forces in Europe's multiple missions of supporting warfighters, building partnerships and strengthening its historic NATO ties. U.S. Air Forces, Europe, or USAFE, is as critical to U.S.

Conference speakers say users' needs matter most

Speakers at the sixth annual Network Centric Operations Conference held here Sept. 22 offered various perspectives on the pathways to achieving "net-centricity," but all agreed on the goal. It's about better serving the people whose missions -- and sometimes lives -- depend on receiving timely and

Iraqi relief

AAFES mobile field exchange heads to Galveston Island

The Army & Air Force Exchange Service, at the request of the Texas National Guard, has moved a mobile field exchange from Ellington Field south to Scholes International Airport in Galveston, Texas. "We moved the MFE on Saturday and opened the doors on Sunday, Sept. 21," said the Fort Sam Houston

Brothers meet at 20,000 feet

Family reunions are always special, but for two brothers stationed at different bases in Southwest Asia their meeting at 20,000 feet over a combat zone is even more memorable. During the encounter Sept. 10, Capt. Jason Moraes, a KC-10 Extender pilot for the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, refueled his

Partnership with New Zealand emphasized at air conference

Partnership between the United States and New Zealand militaries is vital to meeting the security challenges of the Pacific region, said the 13th Air Force commander at the Royal New Zealand Air Force Chief of Air Force Conference Sept. 23. Lt. Gen. Loyd S. "Chip" Utterback provided a U.S.

Tinker civilians provide communications support to Iraqis

Seven members from the 38th Engineering Installation Group's Systems Telecommunications Engineering Managers are helping to rebuild Iraq's air force by designing the entire communications infrastructure. The lead engineer for the coalition air force training team and 38th EIG STEM manager, Mike

Air Force officials announce team excellence awards

Air Force officials here recently announced the five teams selected for the 2008 Chief of Staff Team Excellence Awards. The awards recognize teams that used a systematic approach to enhance mission capability, improve operational performance, and create sustained results. Improvements made by the

Joint unmanned aircraft system mission crosses Atlantic

An Air Combat Command RQ-4A Global Hawk unmanned aircraft system from the 9th Reconnaissance Wing at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., made a trans-Atlantic flight Sept. 20 with the assistance of Navy officials. The 19-hour flight from Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Md., to Southwest Asia had Air

Special Operations Command earns multiple AFA awards

Air Force Special Operations Command officials here took home four awards during the Air Force Association's annual Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition held from Sept. 15 to 17 in Washington, D.C. Each year, AFA officials honor the outstanding achievements of men and women throughout

STRATCOM leader charts nuclear path for American military

The U.S. Strategic Command commander here recently laid out his vision for the future of America's strategic deterrence mission and the importance of nuclear stewardship. Gen. Kevin P. Chilton also outlined the necessary measures to correct the accountability and day-to-day management issues with

Reserve C-130s begin aerial spraying in Louisiana

An Air Force Reserve C-130 Hercules aircraft and 10 reservists from the 910th Airlift Wing are scheduled to begin aerial spray missions in Louisiana from here Sept 22. Barksdale AFB was chosen as the base of operations for the aircrews and maintenance personnel because of its proximity to the spray

Iraqi airmen keep helicopter fleet flying

An American Airman assigned to the 770th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron at Taji Air Base is helping Iraqi airmen learn how to be aircraft maintainers as the Iraqi air force takes steps to take off on their own.Tech. Sgt. Lee Everhart, an Mi-17 air adviser with the 770th AEAS, is part of the

'Today's Air Force' features an Antarctica ice landing

This edition of "Today's Air Force" the Air Force reaches new heights on ice and in the air in Antarctica. Also, Airmen offer their assistance to provide medical relief to people in Zabul, Afghanistan. Finally, see how security forces Airmen deploy to Iraq to take on ground security. The 30-minute,

Zabul governor: Unite in peace for Afghanistan, for the world

Nearly 200 village elders, children and Zabul provincial government officials gathered Sept. 21 to celebrate the United Nations' Day of Peace. "I hope this day of peace can be maintained in Afghanistan," said Zabul provincial Governor Delbar Jan Arman. "There should be an end to the misery in our

Air Guard has 'turned the corner' after BRAC

Three years after the Base Realignment and Closure rulings, the Air National Guard is finally starting to settle down, the director of the Air National Guard said Sept. 17 here. "We're actually at a point in history where things have turned the corner," Lt. Gen. Craig R. McKinley told a crowd at the

Tinker officials adapt sniper pod for B-1Bs

The B-1B Lancer maintainers here adapted a video targeting pod normally employed on F-15 Eagles and F-16 Fighting Falcons to B-1Bs in response to an urgent request from U.S. Air Forces Central officials. The sniper pod enables aircrews to positively identify and engage enemy targets, significantly

PACAF summer safety campaign most successful in years

Pacific Air Forces wrapped up the annual 101 Critical Days of Summer safety campaign with no reportable fatalities and an overall decrease of 20 percent in total ground safety mishaps from the same time last year. This year's campaign, themed "I Can Save My Own Life," was the most successful safety

Band members, Kyrgyz citizens share culture through music

Members of the Air Force Band Yuma played 10 concerts during an eight-day tour Sept. 4 through 11 throughout Kyrgyzstan. The band visited Manas Air Base and performed at a number of schools, orphanages and other venues in the local Kyrgyz communities. Yuma is a five-person band that fuses elements

Baylor University ROTC unit celebrates 60th birthday

Already recognized as one of the nation's oldest Air Force ROTC units, Baylor University's Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Detachment 810 marked another milestone recently. The unit celebrated its 60th anniversary on the Baylor campus, commissioning 1,301 second lieutenants though the

USS Nassau delivers critical help to Galveston

Military heavy equipment and teams began arriving onshore here Sept. 18 as part of a tremendous assistance effort for an area devastated by Hurricane Ike. Teams from the amphibious assault ship USS Nassau began the process of bringing supplies, equipment and people ashore to help with cleanup

Airman gives aid at 37,000 feet

Today's Air Force prepares Airmen to be ready for any contingency, and often emergency situations arise at the most unexpected times. For Capt. Sam Millar, the 18th Operations Group Aeromedical Evacuation Branch chief, that situation arose about eight hours into a flight from Narita, Japan, to

JPAC teams serve on front lines of recoveries

Tech. Sgt. Valda Wilson is an Air Force photographer. But last month in a harvested wheat field in the village of Strass near Germany's Hurtgen Forest, she spent most of her days with her hands full of dirt. Sergeant Wilson is one of about 10 members of a Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command team who

American Language Course graduates first class

Eighteen Iraqi airmen have accomplished one of the top training requirements for the Iraqi air force -- learning the English language. These airmen were the first to graduate from the American Language Course during a ceremony here Sept. 10. Because English is the international language for

CMSAF McKinley highlights 61 years of airpower

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley spoke to Airmen at the Air Force 61st Birthday Celebration at Bolling Air Force Base, D.C., Sept. 18. Chief McKinley opened the celebration with a speech, highlighting events involving Airmen and the Air Force that happened since last year's

General discusses role of Reserve

The Air Force Reserve Command's vice commander addressed a gathering of service members and civilians Sept. 16 during a presentation at the 24th Annual Air Force Association Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition here. Maj. Gen. Allan R. Poulin discussed the command's role in the war on

Hanscom Airmen learn how to identify drugs to fight crime

Airmen of the 66th Security Forces Squadron here learned to recognize drugs and drug paraphernalia in the event they encounter them during their day-to-day duties during Sept. 17 and 18 training.Detective James Donovan, a narcotics officer with the police department of Saugus, Mass., showed Hanscom

Wilford Hall Airmen aid Hurricane Ike evacuees

Approximately 100 medics from Lackland Air Force Base worked around the clock Sept. 12 through 14 to assist with Hurricane Ike evacuees from the Gulf Coast region who arrived at Port San Antonio. Wilford Hall Medical Center members assigned to the 59th Medical Wing staff helped move 137

Secretary Gates examines close-air support at Bagram

Avoiding civilian casualties is a high priority for U.S. aircrews, the Defense secretary said Sept. 17 at Bagram Airfield. Secretary Robert M. Gates came to Bagram Airfield to get a full picture of the American aviation effort in Afghanistan. Civilian casualties from American and NATO bombing

Louisiana Guard clears devastation in Cameron Parish

A military response team arrived here Sept. 15 to begin cleanup operations in the wake of Hurricane Ike. Members of the Louisiana Army National Guard's 528th Engineer Battalion, 921st Engineer Company, from Windsboro, La., arrived in Cameron Parish to begin the task of returning the area to a

Willow Grove unit completes last A-10 deployment

The Pennsylvania Air National Guard unit stationed at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove, Pa., will be transitioning to a joint interagency installation as a result of the Department of Defense's 2005 Base Realignment and Closure recommendations. With the new mission coming onboard,

AF's top pastor discusses role of 'combat' chaplains

The Air Force's top chaplain said military chaplains are working hard in deployed environments to help ensure servicemembers have their constitutional right to worship God in their own way. Maj. Gen. Cecil Richardson, Air Force chief of chaplains, addressed attendees of the 2008 Air Force