Aerial spray team deploys to Louisiana

Ten reservists and an Air Force Reserve C-130 Hercules from here flew to Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Sept. 17 to begin aerial spray missions throughout that state in the wake of Hurricane Ike. Another three specially equipped C-130s will deploy to Barksdale AFB Sept. 18. The base in Shreveport,

AF leaders to host nuclear summit

Acting Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Norton A. Schwartz will host a nuclear summit Sept. 18 at Bolling AFB, D.C. Discussions will center on structure, process and cultural issues vital to improving Air Force stewardship of its nuclear enterprise, which

Airman's Roll Call: Air Force celebrates 61st birthday

This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on six decades-plus of airpower as the Air Force celebrates its 61st birthday Sept. 18. For more information about the Air Force's 61st birthday read this week's Airman's Roll Call. Airman's Roll Call is designed for supervisors at all levels to help keep

AAFES supports troops bringing relief to Ike victims

As troops bring help to the Houston area in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike, Army & Air Force Exchange Service officials are currently doing their part to support them with a Mobile Field Exchange.A MFE is a retail store in a 53-foot trailer that carries merchandise such as snacks, drinks and

Guard unit makes final preparations for Predator flights

Members of the 163rd Reconnaissance Wing here are now ready to begin training the Airmen on the MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft system. March Air Reserve Base officials expect to fly its first "live" training sortie in January from the former George Air Force Base, now known as Southern California

President Bush greets servicemembers supporting Ike relief

Gen. Schwartz addresses Air Force future

The chief of staff of the Air Force addressed Air Force Association Air and Space Technology Convention delegates Sept. 16 here to share his vision for the future of the service. "The work we must accomplish is serious stuff," Gen. Norton A. Schwartz said, "but I know we are up to the task." Part of

General Odierno takes command of forces in Iraq

Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno assumed command of Multinational Force Iraq from Army Gen. David H. Petraeus during a ceremony at al Faw Palace here Sept. 16. The change of command occurs after incredible progress in the country, said Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, who traveled to Baghdad to

Acquisition official outlines challenges for ISR community

Command, control, computers, communications, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, collectively referred to as C4ISR, is a very large business, Martha Evans told a government-industry crowd that assembled here Sept. 11. "When you look at the portfolio for C4ISR, it's only slightly smaller

Air Force, Air National Guard partner for new mission

The Air Force and Air National Guard officials have agreed to establish a temporary mission qualification training detachment for the RC-12 aircraft at Key Field in Meridian, Miss. This mission, conducted by the Mississippi Air National Guard, will help bolster the Department of Defense's

Joint patrol provides Airmen with valuable knowledge

It's been more than 30 years since the Vietnam War ended and since the Air Force has been solely responsible for a base's defense in a war zone, but that's all about to change at Joint Base Balad by the end of September. The Air Force is taking responsibility for base defense from the Army, and to

Reserve rescue team pulls 17 from floodwaters

Air Force reservists assigned to the 331st Air Expeditionary Group, a inter-agency search and rescue unit based at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, rescued 17 people from Hurricane Ike flood waters Sept. 13 in a small Texas town.The reservists, deployed from the 920th Rescue Wing at Patrick Air Force

Air Force develops plan for filling unmanned aircraft system positions

Air Force leaders are taking a two-pronged approach to address the increasing need for pilots of unmanned aircraft systems in Afghanistan and Iraq, an Air Force official said recently. The first approach will use a small percentage of undergraduate pilot training graduates for the short term. The

General Schwartz kicks off AFA convention

The Air Force Association's 24th Annual Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition got underway here Sept. 15. In remarks to open the conference, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton A. Schwartz said service leaders will work to regain America's trust by improving its performance, citing work

Acting Secretary Donley speaks at AFA conference

From uniforms to deployments, nuclear priorities and the service's future, acting Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley spoke of a variety of topics at the Air Force Association convention here Sept. 15. "We are providers of tremendous capability of air and space," Secretary Donley said. "All

Northern Command commander surveys damage from Ike

The commander of U.S. Northern Command and other senior military leaders surveyed the Gulf Coast areas affected by Hurricane Ike Sept. 15 from HH-60G Pave Hawks. "We've seen an integrated team that has worked together pre-landfall and post-landfall to provide whatever Texas might need in terms of

Father & son take to the air

It's not every day a father gets to dogfight against his son in a high-performance fighter aircraft, 20,000 feet over the Pacific Ocean. It's even rarer when the aircraft being flown by the son is the same tail number that the father flew almost thirty years earlier. That's exactly what happened

Phoenix Raven training highlights capabilities of security forces Airmen

For Staff Sgt. Ian Martin, the figure 1709 is more than just a number, it's the beginning of a new life.The number means the staff sergeant, who is from the 121st Security Forces Squadron at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Ohio, is the 1,709th person to become a Raven. Air Force security

Reservists fly Operation Deep Freeze Springfly missions

Ten reservists from the 446th Airlift Wing deployed Sept. 4 to Christchurch, New Zealand in support of Operation Deep Freeze, 2008-2009 Springfly. Springfly is the ODF ramp up phase to prepare buildings and equipment, as well as pave the overland traverse to the South Pole, in preparation for the

Ex-fighter pilot-led team trains flyers on data link network

A team of former fighter pilots and other experts are making sure F-15 and F-16 squadrons are fully prepared to use a sophisticated communication network critical to operational success across the globe. No U.S. fighter squadron can deploy to Iraq or Afghanistan without the critical data link

'Today's Air Force' features key milestones

This edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights Air Force milestones in the war again terrorism and features the MQ-1 Predator passing 400,000 flight hours. Also, see how the Air Force continues to dominate airpower worldwide. In addition, witness how members of the Guard, Reserve and active units

Airmen, bears coexist on Hurlburt Field

Security forces members from Hurlburt Field and Eglin Air Force Base, along with local civilian officials, gathered at the weapons range learn bear aversion tactics from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission here recently. The training participants learned various techniques to

Team augments Afghan doctors, builds treatment capacity

With the assistance of Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team medics, doctors in Panjshir province treated 473 Afghan patients this week in two districts, Rohka and Shutol. Crowds of people gathered at the clinics shortly after Capt. Glenn M. Little, medical team chief, and medical technicians

Airmen, Soldiers aid people affected by Hurricane Ike

Airmen from the Texas Air National Guard and Soldiers from the Texas Army National Guard banded together with civilian emergency responders to help people affected by Hurricane Ike in Galveston, Texas, Sept. 14. Joint responders assisted with people at a local high school before busing them to San

Helicopter aircrews rescue hurricane victims

Airmen from the 129th Rescue Wing took off from Kelly Field in San Antonio Sept. 13 and helped rescue stranded victims of Hurricane Ike near Galveston, Texas. California Air National Guard members of the 129th RQW here are deployed to San Antonio to conduct search and rescue support operations

Navy, Air Force, Army, Coast Guard join forces for Ike rescues

Navy helicopter rescue crews positioned here participated in a joint search and rescue effort Sept. 13 flying missions in response to Hurricane Ike's Sept. 12 landfall on the Gulf Coast. The Navy teams flew multiple sweeps over hard-hit areas of Louisiana and Texas looking for signs of people in

Louisiana guardsmen watch over city

National Guard members here are providing vital roles of security and assistance in the face of Hurricane Ike's Sept. 12 strike on the Gulf Coast. Members of the 3rd Battalion 156 Infantry with the Louisiana Army National Guard supported local law enforcement and other agencies dealing with the

Airmen survey Ike damage

Religious support teams provide hope after Ike

For the first time, military chaplains and the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster are collaborating their efforts to provide cohesive spiritual response to those affected by the next hurricane. "During [Hurricane] Katrina, chaplains and religious advisors were reactive and working

Sept. 13 airpower summary: A-10s destroy targets

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Sept. 13, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, a Navy F/A-18C Hornet dropped a guided bomb unit-12 and

Rescue personnel fly first flights from Randolph

Three HH-60 Pave Hawks and aircrews belonging to the 331st Air Expeditionary Group took off from here earlier the afternoon of Sept. 13 carrying search and rescue personnel to the Galveston, Texas, area in the wake of Hurricane Ike. The flight marks the first of many that may leave from Randolph Air

JTF-129 Airmen rescue civilians stranded in Galveston

California Air National Guardsmen from the 129th Rescue Wing here deployed to Kelly Field in San Antonio for Hurricane Ike search and rescue support operations rescued eight people Sept. 12 in Galveston, Texas. A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter on search and rescue patrol spotted unevacuated civilians

Moving the money behind the mission

Moving the mission requires moving the money and a small unit here controls the purse strings to this key base in the area of responsibility. About 13 people in the 379th Comptroller Squadron manage the budget for the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing and handle financial matters for those assigned here.

Summer research program benefits Academy cadets

When officials at the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center here and the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., launched a new and powerful mentoring program in March, it energized the center's involvement in the Academy's Cadet Summer Research Program. Six months later, seven

Servicemembers participate in Honduras Children's Day

Servicemembers from Joint Task Force-Bravo helped celebrate Children's Day Sept. 10 with more than 400 children in two nearby towns of Guajiquiro and Siguatepeque. The annual celebration recognizes the importance of children in Honduras. To support the holiday JTF-Bravo sent a Blackhawk helicopter

Battlelab initiative improves flight deck safety

Aircrews flying KC-135 Stratotankers to hot climates may have an easier way to keep their flight decks cool when on the ground thanks to the Air Mobility Battlelab's KC-135 Hot Weather Cooling Sock initiative. "This initiative addresses a current problem where aircraft maintainers use a standard

Little Rock AFB hub for hurricane aeromedical teams

Three C-130 Hercules aircraft from the 50th Airlift Squadron, 53rd AS and 62nd AS here were deployed Sept. 10 to perform aeromedical missions in preparation for Hurricane Ike's landfall in southern Texas with seven additional C-130s from the base on "standby" status. The aircrews transported

23rd Wing deploys rescue forces for Hurricane Ike response

As Hurricane Ike approached the Texas coast, the 23rd Wing began moving units on Sept. 11 to pre-stage for rapid rescue relief operations. The 23rd Wing is the only active-duty combat search and rescue wing in the Air Force. Units from the wing's two rescue groups, the 347th Rescue Group here and

Sept. 12 airpower summary: Predators keep watch

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Sept. 12, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, A-10 Thunderbolt IIs dropped guided bomb unit-12s and

Special tactics unit arrives in Houston to aid Ike relief

Members of the Oregon Air National Guard's 125th Special Tactics Squadron arrived at the Reliant Center in Houston Sept. 12 to assist with Hurricane Ike relief efforts. The team's primary focus is to provide command and control where needed and work with other federal agencies to establish

Airmen stand ready to provide hurricane relief at Randolph

Airmen with the 331st Air Expeditionary Group are staged at Randolph Air Force Base ready to respond with aid Sept. 12 as Hurricane Ike bears down on the Texas coast. The group, made up of nearly 600 people, brings with it units and capabilities from across the Air Force. Among them are search and

Report detailing nuclear mission recommendations released

Department of Defense officials here released a report Sept. 12 that details recommendations for the future of the Air Force nuclear mission. Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates formed a task force led by former Secretary of Defense Dr. James Schlesinger that examined the Air Force's nuclear

Guard members in states of Ike's path ready, willing, able

National Guard members in Texas and four other states are preparing for the worst as Hurricane Ike looms just off the Gulf Coast Sept. 12. Guard members in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas and Missouri have anticipated the problems associated with heavy rain and winds and will be ready to respond, said

'Landing Gear' aims to help at-risk Airmen

Air Force Medical Service officials are releasing a prevention education program that provides focused education specifically targeted at Airmen at risk for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, and other deployment-related mental health problems. Entitled Landing Gear, the training fulfills

Hurricane Hunters fly nonstop into Ike

As residents of the Texas coastline flee to safe havens, the Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters continue fly right into the center of Mother Nature's fury Sept. 12 from here. Hurricane Ike is projected to make landfall Sept. 13 along the Texas coast near the city of Galveston as well as provide

Altus crews deliver for Hurricane Ike support

Patrick Airmen ready to help Hurricane Ike victims

Airmen of the 920th Rescue Wing here flew two HH-60G Pave Hawks from Patrick Air Force Base to Gulfport, Miss., to preposition search and rescue aircraft to aid victims of Hurricane Ike Sept. 12. Airmen flew the two helicopters and two HC-130P/N Hercules long-range refueling aircraft will fly to

Coast Guard Incident Command Center prepares for Ike

A Coast Guard Incident Command Center was stood up in preparation for Hurricane Ike Sept. 11 in Katy. Approximately 300 Coast Guardsmen from the Houston-Galveston sector are organizing to respond to post hurricane conditions with 25 foot response boats and helicopters prepositioned from Brownsville,

Hurlburt Airmen assist with freighter rescue

Airmen of the 1st Special Operations Wing here launched two CV-22 Ospreys, an MC-130P Combat Shadow and an MH-53 Pave Low helicopter Sept. 12 to prepare for a possible rescue of 22 people aboard the Cyprus-flagged freighter Antalina adrift in the Gulf of Mexico south of Louisiana caught in Hurricane

C-17 crew lands after-dark landing in Antarctica

A C-17 Globemaster III aircrew from McChord Air Force Base, Wash., performed the first known after-dark landing in Antarctica using night vision goggles here Sept. 11. The McChord aircrew, consisting of active duty Airmen from the 62nd Airlift Wing and Reservists from the 446th Airlift Wing,

MacDill AFB medical team supports hurricane relief efforts

A mobile aeromedical staging facility team from the 6th Air Mobility Wing, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., arrived here Sept. 9 in support of Hurricane Ike evacuation efforts. Along with the MASF team, more than 200 state and federal assets and volunteers converged on Corpus Christi ahead of Ike in

AMC aircraft, Airmen supporting Hurricane Ike evacuations

Mobility Airmen and their aircraft are again in full support of hurricane evacuation operations as Hurricane Ike approaches the Gulf Coast. This effort to support evacuation of patients and members of the general population comes on the heels of Air Mobility Command's support to Hurricane Gustav

Chief McKinley visits Wright-Patterson AFB

Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley held an enlisted call at the base theater here Sept. 9 where he touched on a variety of topics, including the Air Force's near-term priorities. The enlisted call was part of his two-day visit to the base Sept. 8 and 9. During his visit, Chief

Skills summit aims to streamline training for Airmen

The evolving war on terrorism has made Col. Jenny Pickett's personal mission of "keeping Airmen alive" more challenging these days. The commandant of the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Operations School, which trains Airmen for deployment, says inconsistencies in where and how troops gain war-fighting

Team conducts emergency medical movement in Antarctica

Joint Task Force Support Forces Antarctica provided a two-person medical team and C-17 Globemaster III to conduct an emergency medical evacuation Sept. 10 for a 56-year-old male assigned to the National Science Foundation in Antarctica. The patient needed a cardiovascular evaluation and was deemed

Air Force officials release B-1B accident report

A brake-metering-valve failure caused a B-1B Lancer to collide with two aircraft rescue firefighting vehicles March 7 in Guam, according to an Air Combat Command accident investigation board released here Sept. 2. The board determined the aircraft began to roll forward after engine shutdown at

Crown me

Hurricane Hunters track Ike

Barreling toward the Texas coast, Hurricane Ike is regaining strength as officials along the Texas coast began evacuations of the first of millions of residents in the forecast path of the storm Sept. 10. Warm gulf waters contributed to renewed strength for Hurricane Ike after it passed over Cuba

Enlisted Village cited as one of 'Florida's Best' charities

The Air Force Enlisted Village, one of the four official charities of the Air Force, was lauded in the August issue of "Florida Trend" magazine as one of the state's best charities. According to author Barbara Miracle, "Just as increasing productivity is a key to success for businesses, the best

Airman's Roll Call: Pentagon Memorial unveiling

This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on the unveiling of the Pentagon Memorial, a lasting tribute to those who died in the attack there on Sept. 11, 2001. As the World Trade Center burned in New York City as a result of two terrorist-hijacked aircraft crashing into them, a third plane struck the

Secretary Gates cancels air-refueling solicitation

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates has cancelled the competition for the $35 billion Air Force tanker contract. Secretary Gates told the House Armed Services Committee Sept. 10 that he decided the contract cannot be awarded by January, and that rather than award a contract that will be contested, the

International tattoo drums up excitement

Airmen from bases in Japan, Germany, Alaska, and Georgia came together to create the Air Force Total Force Band and performed at the 2008 International Wonju Tattoo Sept. 5 here. Maj. Matthew Henry, the Air Force Band of the Pacific commander, formed a marching band with members spanning the globe

F-35 cockpit demonstrator travels to Wright-Patterson

Aeronautical Systems Center personnel connected with the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter program are "flying" the jet with the Sept. 8 arrival of the F-35 cockpit demonstrator here. The cockpit demonstrator is a traveling, working mock-up of the advanced jet's cockpit, complete with

Sensors researcher receives DOD honor

Air Force officials here announced in a Sept. 3 message that the Air Force nominee assigned to the Air Force Research Laboratory is the winner of the 53rd annual Department of Defense Distinguished Civilian Service Award. Edmund Zelnio from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, was selected for the

B-52s roar over Guam during bomber surge

Members of the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron flew surge missions and launched six of its B-52 Stratofortresses on a large scale training flights Sept. 4 and 5 from here. The training mission allowed crewmembers to practice more than the standard two-ship deconfliction plan while maintaining

Engineer's energy research may cut costs, increase efficiency

An Air Force Office of Scientific Research-funded mechanical engineer here has developed an inexpensive, efficient material that will enable electronic devices to quietly and motionlessly self-regulate temperature and convert excess heat into a power source. This new development could impact the

Virtual reality project could improve UAS operations

An Air Force Office of Scientific Research-managed team here is building a virtual reality environment for the battlespace initiative to maximize the potential of unmanned aircraft systems. The team is applying advanced physical and eye-tracking systems and voice interfaces, said Dr. James Oliver,

Readiness centers: 1-stop, career shops for spouses

When Trish Kuettel and her husband, Tech. Sgt. Michael Kuettel, arrived at Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., last summer, her "to do" list was long and daunting. One thing the mother of two didn't have to worry about was where to look for career and employment assistance. "Since I was unfamiliar

Air Staff Agency uses 'New Media' to talk

Since the beginning of warfare, the toughest battles for commanders have always been communicating with their own troops, ensuring everyone is hearing the same message. Lt. Gen. Michael W. Peterson, the Warfighting Integration and Chief Information Office director, took a different approach when he

Online master's program earns award

Officials from the Air Command and Staff College's Distance Learning Directorate here developed and launched the Air Force's online master's degree program in 2007 and received the Muir S. Fairchild Award Aug. 29 for their efforts. The entire curriculum was created in-house, and the program, an Air

TRANSCOM officials improve military supply chain security

Officials of the U.S. Transportation Command here recently deployed a container security system that detects tampering and helps protect military container shipments moving from Afghanistan to Pakistan. TRANSCOM officials introduced the CommerceGuard container security system, provided by GE

RED HORSE Airmen give Iraqis reason for hope

Six months ago, the town of Hawr Rajab was a mere shell of its former self. Local shops were closed, their windows boarded up. The streets were abandoned. Homes were badly damaged. The town was once an al-Qaida in Iraq stronghold where violence and intimidation forced residents to flee their homes.

Suicide Prevention Week: There is help

Although suicide rates for the military are substantially lower than comparable populations in the United States, Department of Defense figures are on the rise. In 2001, for every 100,000 servicemembers, 10.3 committed suicide. In 2007 that number had risen to 13.9. Suicide Prevention Week is Sept.

'Today's Air Force' features airborne warning and control

During this edition of "Today's Air Force" you will "travel" on a NATO airborne warning and control system, or AWACS, aircraft, and also learn how Air Force officials are working to better align the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance agency in the Pacific. Another segment features the

Retired professor convicted

A federal jury convicted retired University of Tennessee professor Dr. J. Reece Roth Sept. 3 of illegally exporting military technical information related to plasma technology designed to be deployed on the wings of drones operating as weapons or surveillance systems. Contribution to the verdict

CSAF: Precision, reliability key to Airmen keeping the promise

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton A. Schwartz capped off a one-day visit here Sep. 3 with a special Airman's Call for a sample group of Airmen from various squadrons, career fields and ranks. Brig. Gen. Darryl Roberson, 325th Fighter Wing commander, introduced General Schwartz to

General McNabb assumes command of USTRANSCOM

Gen. Duncan J. McNabb assumed command of U.S. Transportation Command here in a ceremony Sept. 5. Secretary of Defense Dr. Robert M. Gates presided at the ceremony in which General McNabb became the ninth USTRANSCOM commander. Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was the first

Air Force wraps up summer safety, begins fall campaign

The Air Force wrapped up the 101 Critical Days of Summer safety campaign over Labor Day weekend, ending the safest campaign in the last 10 years. Sixteen Airmen died in the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day, whereas in 2006, the previous safest summer season of the decade, 17 Airmen died in

Logistics readiness returns to basics

Air Force logistics readiness officials are teaming to end a string of missteps in compliance and accountability by stressing a return to high standards of excellence through an enterprise-wide campaign that draws upon a back-to-basics approach to tasks. "In the past few years, we've witnessed

Airmen to be featured on TV Sunday

Deployed Airmen will be featured on a televised salute to the troops Sept. 7. The two-hour evening program stars several entertainment-industry celebrities offering performances and thanks in tribute to all service members. Airmen deployed to Joint Base Balad, Iraq, recorded segments for the program

C-17s evacuate from Charleston

Eleven C-17 Globemaster III aircraft here evacuated Sept. 4 due to the possibility of severe weather caused by Tropical Storm Hanna. The evacuation of the C-17s began midmorning and continued until about 2:15 p.m. Six of the aircraft relocated to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, while the

Warrior medics deploy in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom

More than 80 Airmen from the 59th Medical Wing deployed Sept. 4, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.Deploying personnel bid their families farewell early in the morning in the Wilford Hall Medical Center auditorium before beginning their journey. This deployment is one of several that will occur

National Guard in four states prepare for Hanna

Officials in four states along the East Coast are employing their National Guard units as Tropical Storm Hanna nears. Officials in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina have almost 40,000 Army and Air National Guard members available to their governors, if needed. This includes almost

Citizen Airmen return to Keesler, chase Hanna, Ike

Aircraft and people assigned to the Air Force Reserve's 403rd Wing began returning here Sept. 3 from forward operating locations where aircrews continued their missions of airlift and hurricane reconnaissance. While deployed, the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, known as the Hurricane Hunters,

AF Survival School becomes reality TV

Americans get the opportunity to step into the boots of an Air Force Survival School student by watching the reality show Survival School starting Sept. 9 on the MOJO HD channel at 9 p.m. EDT. The ten half-hour episodes will track 47 Airmen as they face the limits of their skill during the Air Force

Air Force halts wing reorganization

Air Force leaders halted plans to perform a global wing restructure which was designed to realign fighter, bomber and rescue airlift maintenance units into flying squadrons. Maintenance and flying squadrons will remain separate and will continue doing business "as they have for the past four or five

Rescue squadrons provide support for Hurricane Gustav

Airmen from rescue helicopter squadrons from across the Air Force came together here to provide personnel recovery support in the event it was needed for Hurricane Gustav that stormed through Louisiana Sept. 1. Active and Guard rescue squadrons from Alaska, Arizona, California and New York combined

E-9 accident report released

Pilot error caused the May 1 crash of an E-9 Widget at the Tallahassee Regional Airport in Tallahassee, Fla., according to an Air Combat Command accident investigation board report released today. The aircraft's landing gear was not lowered for a touch-and-go maneuver during the routine training

Air Force Reserve to test force support squadron concept

Starting in October, the Air Force Reserve Command will test a new force support structure by merging mission support squadrons and services squadrons at seven locations throughout the United States. In the test, which will run for one year, the affected units will merge manpower and personnel

Commander praises Gustav preparations, response

In the wake of Hurricane Gustav, residents of Louisiana are slowly heading to their homes and beginning to pick up the pieces left by the storm. Nearly half the state is without power, many people are running out of money and more than 70,000 Louisianans are still living in shelters. Yet, though

Airmen, Soldiers train for provincial reconstruction team

Servicemembers from the Army and Air Force have come here to train and become the next Zabul Province Reconstruction Team in Afghanistan. Nearly 100 servicemembers representing the Air Force, Army, Army Reserves and Army National Guard, will combine with USAID, Department of State and the Department

Edwards F-22 Raptor refuels using synthetic fuel

The F-22 Combined Test Force reached another milestone as an Edwards F-22 Raptor performed aerial refueling using a synthetic fuel.  It is the first time an Air Force aircraft refueled mid-air using an alternative jet engine fuel. The test was the culmination of Edwards test points in certifying the

Multinational exercise sustains international readiness

The 2008 Northern Viking exercise, which began with a ceremony here Sept. 1, aims to reinforce the resolve of the U.S. and its NATO partners in assisting in the defense of Iceland. Approximately 150 Airmen from U.S. Air Forces in Europe have joined forces with more than 300 U.S. Navy Seamen, as well

General Schwartz sends out first 'Vector'

In his first CSAF Vector, the Air Force chief of staff directs his attention to the mission of the Air Force for all Airmen, and outlines a plan for tomorrow's Air Force."The enduring responsibility of the United States Air Force is to provide strategic deterrence for the nation, and fly, fight and

AMC stands up new en route structure wing in Europe

Air Mobility Command officials will stand up a new wing Sept. 4 as part of its en route structure in Europe. The 521st Air Mobility Operations Wing at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, will become the headquarters for the existing 721st Air Mobility Operations Group at Ramstein AB, and the new 521st AMOG

Operation Deep Freeze 2008-2009 season begins

Operation Deep Freeze, the U.S. military's support of the U.S. Antarctic Program and the National Science Foundation, is scheduled to kick off the 2008-2009 season Sept. 4 as the first C-17 Globemaster III delivers passengers and cargo to McMurdo Station, Antarctica. The C-17, based out of McChord

Air Force Chief of Staff defines standard of excellence

Gen. Norton Schwartz, Air Force Chief of Staff, came to Air Force Space Command for a series of briefings and then visited with Peterson AFB personnel at an open forum at the base theater. His comments included what he called "vital things," the foremost of which is the need for the Air Force to go

Maxwell officials provide shelter for Gustav evacuees

When Hurricane Gustav made landfall early Sept. 1 along the Louisiana coast, 658 individuals from the Gulf Coast region were safely out of harm's way in temporary facilities here. Maxwell Air Force Base is a designated National Logistical Support Area for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and

Airman's Roll Call: Air Force uniform issues

This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton A. Schwartz's decision last week to defer a decision on the heritage service coat until summer 2009. Air Force leaders said they owe it to Airmen to do the research, development and quality assurance necessary to

Tinker officials set to host bomber summit

Catering to approximately 40 bomber fleet representatives, a bomber summit will be held here Sept. 11 and 12.  Topics will include the health of the aircraft, sustainability, capability upgrades and modernization efforts. Additionally, Air Combat Command officials will present a bomber roadmap