'Letter to Airmen' focuses on teamwork, discipline

In his current Letter to Airmen, the acting secretary of the Air Force designated the month of August for strategic planning and explains how the Air Force's top leaders will focus on a number of issues. "Along with General Schwartz and other senior leaders, I am reviewing a range of issues that

General Schwartz to Airmen: Be proud

On his first day after being sworn in as the Air Force chief of staff, Gen. Norton Schwartz wasted no time in getting his message out to Airmen. "The key thing we need to do is achieve stability," General Schwartz said. "At the same time, we need to focus on those things that are most important,

General Schwartz in as 19th chief of staff

The Air Force's 19th chief of staff spoke of mending fences and earning trust in his speech after taking charge of the service during a ceremony here Aug. 12. "Without trust, we are nothing," Gen. Norton A. Schwartz said to the crowd of about 600 people on the base's ceremonial lawn. "Trust must be

Airman advocates safer skies for civilian, military pilots

To make the skies safer for general aviation and U.S. military pilots, Air Force officials sent a safety expert here to the world's largest airshow, the Experimental Aircraft Association's Oshkosh Air Venture airshow, to educate pilots on midair collision avoidance and on the need for flight safety

Coalition exchange tours enhance vital partnership

Coalition air forces have proved instrumental in the continued success of airlift missions for Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. This was exemplified in July as the 386th Expeditionary Maintenance Group conducted C-130 Hercules aircraft exchange tours with the Japanese Air Self Defense Force's

Test satellite to provide warfighters eye in the sky

Fans of the television show "24" often watch fictional counter-terrorist agent Jack Bauer wipe out adversary cells even though he is often severely outnumbered. In his favor, he usually has real-time satellite locations of his enemies sent to his personal digital assistant so that he is always one

Airman helps injured warriors 'face' the world

The characteristics of a person's face are unmistakable. They are the uniqueness that makes you recognize a family member, a friend, a co-worker. Now imagine suddenly being stripped of those defining characteristics. Many Soldiers, Sailors, Airman, and Marines have experienced this debilitating

Air Force secretary meets veterans, addresses issues

The acting secretary of the Air Force talked to Airmen, military veterans and Nebraska civic leaders during Air Force Week in the Heartland Aug. 11 in Omaha and at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. Secretary Michael B. Donley had breakfast with Airmen assigned to Offutt AFB, visited the Veterans

Airman joins Soldiers in real-life 'CSI: Iraq'

The fight to bring security to the people of Iraq requires all branches of the military to work together, bringing Airmen and Soldiers side by side. Senior Airman Kathleen Gasque is one of many Airmen who fight alongside other servicemembers for the freedom of both the United States and Iraq. As a

New methodology, software to aid security measures

Researchers at the Air Force Research Laboratory's Airbase Technologies Division here have developed a new security risk-assessment methodology and are developing a supporting software tool that integrates and transforms the traditional vulnerability assessment into a true risk-management process.

$1 headset fix improves Predator mission

MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial system pilots here can now talk over a secure Internet phone line using their headsets thanks to one Airman's ingenuity and one dollar. Staff Sgt. Ray Stetler, the NCO in charge of base information and infrastructure for the 407th Expeditionary Communications Squadron

Raptor crews practice drive-through refueling

Now that the F-22 Raptor arrival ceremonies are over and the anticipation of the arrival has subsided, Airmen here are on an aggressive training schedule to prepare them for combat operations. As part of that training, members of the 49th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and 49th Logistics Readiness

Pilots provide emergency close air support

For F-15E Strike Eagle and A-10 Thunderbolt pilots deployed here, joint terminal attack controllers, or JTACs,  play a vital role in the close air support mission. However, there's not always a JTAC on the ground when close air support, or CAS,  is needed. In these rare situations, pilots step

Air Force Week in the Heartland kicks off with a bang

Fly-bys, music, military precision and fireworks broadcast the beginning of Air Force Week in the Heartland as more than 10,000 witnessed Airmen at their best Aug. 9 at Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha. Airmen from Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., hosted the free event to let the public experience what the

Aug. 9 airpower summary: A-10s drop bomb, fire cannon at enemy targets

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

Sergeant improves process, saves time

An Airman with the 437th Maintenance Squadron wheel and tire shop has helped save man-hours with a better way of cleaning C-17 Globemaster III nose-wheel bolts that need to be inspected. Tech. Sgt. Eddie Melendez, an aircraft maintenance craftsman in the 437 MXS wheel and tire shop aircraft

Aug. 7 airpower summary: F-15Es remain vigilant

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Aug. 7, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped guided bomb

Air Force officials release report on Columbus T-38 accident

Air Force officials here recently completed its investigation of the April 23 T-38C Talon accident at Columbus Air Force Base, Miss., which resulted in the deaths of two pilots and destroyed the airplane. Maj. Blair Faulkner, a 43rd Flying Training Squadron instructor pilot, and 2nd Lt. Matthew

Air Force officials release report on Sheppard T-38 accident

Air Force officials here completed their investigation of the May 1 T-38C Talon accident at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, which resulted in the deaths of two pilots and destroyed the airplane. Maj. Brad T. Funk, a 90th Flying Training Squadron instructor pilot, and 2nd Lt. Alec F. Littler, a

Base members improve processes to increase efficiency

Members of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing here have refined and streamlined processes in order to increase productivity and the level of support provided to the warfighter in theater.Supporting an average of 70 missions per day couldn't be accomplished without the combined logistical support of

French airmen train at Luke

Approximately 20 French air force aircrews, 60 maintainers and support personnel and four Rafale aircraft visited the base here to participate in an exercise July 28 to Aug. 8. The major coalition exercise here provided a unique opportunity for the French Rafale pilots and Luke's F-16 Fighting

Researchers create system to convert waste to energy

Researchers with the Air Force Research Laboratory's Materials and Manufacturing Directorate here are developing a transportable waste-to-energy system to produce electricity at forward military operating locations. The Department of Energy's Federal Energy Management Program supports this

Aug. 6 airpower summary: Reaper bombs insurgents

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Aug. 6, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, a French 2000 Mirage dropped a guided bomb unit-12 onto

Joint Base Balad Airmen's initiatives shorten supply lines

Members of the 332nd Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron's Material Management Flight here are changing the way logisticians support warfighters. Airmen established prepositioned spare parts packages for deploying aircraft and researched prepositioning small-arms weapons for deploying

Pentagon issues draft request for proposals for new tanker contract

The Defense Department has issued a draft request for proposals to the competitors in the Air Force's $35 billion program to acquire new aerial refueling tanker aircraft. The request went to Northrop-Grumman and Boeing, and addresses concerns the Government Accountability Office raised about the

Airmen transport helo crash survivors to hospital

California Air National Guardsmen from the 129th Rescue Wing here rescued two survivors of a civilian helicopter crash Aug. 5 near Junction City, Calif.  The Sikorsky S-61 firefighting helicopter that went down was assigned to the Buckhorn Fire in the Iron Complex.A Moffett-based HH-60G Pave Hawk

JSTARS meets AWACS

The 16th Expeditionary Airborne Command and Control Squadron from Robins Air Force Base, Ga., has deployed to Kadena Air Base for 30 days to train with the 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron and participate in an operational readiness exercise on the Korean Peninsula. The unit is flying its E-8C

Congressmen visit servicemembers in Manas

A congressional delegation consisting of five U.S. senators visited with Airmen from the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing and toured the base, Aug. 5, as a part of an eight-day trip to promote security, democracy and development in central Asia. Led by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada,

Officials dedicate enlisted education center

Air University officials dedicated the Thomas N. Barnes Center for Enlisted Education to the fourth chief master sergeant of the Air Force at a ceremony here July 24. The Barnes Center acts as an umbrella covering the Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, all NCO academies within the

Sister service siblings serve side-by-side

They grew up with stories about his heroism and bravery as a 19-year-old Soldier. They knew of his sacrifice to leave his new bride and his dedication to serve his nation. They were told he suffered a great loss and was never the same after he watched his best friend die on D-Day. They admired his

AFOSI marks 60 years of service

Brig. Gen. Dana A. Simmons, Air Force Office of Special Investigations commander, hosted AFOSI's 60th Anniversary wreath-laying ceremony Aug. 1 at the Air Force Memorial located across from the Pentagon. The purpose of the ceremony was to honor the men and women of the organization both past and

Showing his metal

President visits Eielson

President George W. Bush visited Eielson Air Force Base Aug. 4 to address base Airmen and the Soldiers of Fort Wainwright. His visit to Alaska was the first stop in an eight-day tour to Asia as the president meets foreign heads of state and will be on hand for the opening ceremonies at the Olympic

Pope command posts combine to increase efficiency

Members of the 440th Airlift Wing Command Post here recently merged with the 43rd Airlift Wing Command Post as part of the Air Force's continuing initiative to operate more efficiently. Since April 1, both Reserve and active-duty controllers have been operating from the same schedule and sharing the

Air Guardsmen train Air Force's airfield operators

Air National Guard officials here said recently that by using their knowledge and resources in airfield operations, they are successfully training the Air Force's next air base managers. In the Air Guard Airfield Operations Officer Training Program, Guardsmen train active-duty officers in airfield

Teamwork

'Today's Air Force' features deployment training

This edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights deployment training and how it has become second nature for Airmen. Also featured is man's best friend, and not just dogs, but hard-working dogs. See how handlers train these canines to perform a variety of duties in order to keep military bases safe.

Aug. 2 airpower summary: Strike Eagles soar

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations August 2, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an F-15E Strike Eagle dropped a GBU-38 onto an enemy

Aug. 1 airpower summary: Falcon takes out weapons cache

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Aug. 1, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Royal Air Force GR-9 Harriers fired rockets and dropped

Elmendorf community mourns fallen commander

Airmen and members of the local community paid tribute to the 3rd Wing commander during a memorial service July 31 at Hangar 1 here.Brig. Gen. Thomas L. Tinsley passed away July 27 at his on-base residence. "General Tinsley was a true leader and Airmen warrior and his untimely death is a loss to the

Nellis pilot killed in F-15D crash identified

The pilot who died in an aircraft accident July 30 was Lt. Col. Thomas Bouley. The name was released in a July 31 press conference by Col. Russell Handy, 57th Wing commander. Colonel Bouley was the 65th Aggressor Squadron commander. Colonel Bouley was killed when the two-seater F-15D Eagle he was

July 31 airpower summary: Tankers bring fuel to the fight

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations July 31, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle fired cannon rounds at

20th EBS honors fallen by taking flight, continuing mission

A memorial service was held here July 25 to honor the men of "Raider 21" who lost their lives when the B-52H Stratofortress they were flying crashed off the coast of Guam July 21. Nearly 2,000 Airmen, friends and family gathered to honor the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron crew and Col. George

Computer modifications result in energy savings

Carlene Conner-Kueck is an advocate for energy conservation -- and she's not alone. The Air Force Materiel Command Communications Installations and Mission Support directorate is filled with people devoted to money-saving conservation techniques. "All energy managers in this command have a passion

Predator crashes north of Joint Base Balad

An MQ-1 Predator crashed north of Joint Base Balad at approximately 10:45 a.m. local time Aug 1. The aircraft is a medium-altitude, long-endurance, remotely piloted vehicle used primarily to conduct armed reconnaissance. A board will convene to investigate the crash. Comment on this story (comments

Military vehicle tips over on county road

An enclosed missile transport vehicle, assigned to the 91st Missile Wing, en route to a launch facility tipped on its side on a gravel access road this morning between the towns of Makoti and Parshall. The vehicle, which carried an unarmed Minuteman III booster , tipped on its side at 8:20 a.m.

July 30 Airpower Summary: KC-10s 'extend' air ops

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations July 30, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers fired rockets and

Fire task force mission becomes 'wait and see'

With the latest California wildfires mostly under control, Army and Air National Guard aircrews supporting the firefighting effort can finally begin to breathe, as many aircraft are pulled from active support to a stand-by role. Since the California fires began June 21, Army and Air National Guard

AFSOUTH, AFNORTH host air chiefs conference

Lt. Gen. Norman Seip, the 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) commander, and Maj. Gen. Henry Morrow, the 1st Air Force (Air Forces North) commander, hosted a Central American Air Chiefs Conference here July 25 for six air chiefs from Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama.

Forecasters afloat support multinational training exercise

Air Force weather teams are used to jointness, providing weather support operations for both the Army and Air Force on land or in the air. However, Joint Task Force Exercise 08-4, a multinational exercise hosted by U.S. Joint Forces Command, would require them to truly go above and beyond -- and out

Jointness key to command afloat during JTFEX 08-4

Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen exercised jointness aboard a Navy ship along the eastern U.S. coast from Virginia to Florida July 21-31 for Joint Task Force Exercise 08-4 "Operation Brimstone." Aboard the USS Bataan, U.S. servicemembers and some coalition forces are working

Pilot killed in F-15 Eagle crash on Nellis range

A pilot from Nellis Air Force Base was killed after an Air Force F-15D Eagle crashed on the Nevada Test and Training Range approximately 50 miles east of Goldfield, Nev., at approximately 11:30 a.m. July 30. The F-15D, a two-seater, assigned to the 65th Aggressor Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base,

Hauling ordnance

Staff Sgt. Todd Slate guides an all-terrain forklift driven by Airman 1st Class Jesse Carlin who is picking up several general purpose bombs July 24 at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. The bomb components are stored in different secure areas until they are needed for assembly. The munitions movement team is

B-52H reaches retirement

The first B-52H Stratofortress reaches retirement after more than 45 years of dedicated service to the country July 24 here on its final flight to Davis-Monthan  Air Force Base, Ariz. "It is a truly sad time when we decommission a plane," said Lt. Col. Bill Stahl, 5th Maintenance Group deputy

Summit gives disaster response leaders 'Eagle Vision'

Key disaster response leaders united for a three day summit here July 22 to learn about a process that brings real-time life-saving images to civilian and military first responders. Maj. Gen. Henry C. 'Hank' Morrow, commander of 1st Air Force and Air Force Northern Command,  and Brig. Gen. Andre

No cargo too large for Sather aerial port Airmen

Sometimes good things come in big packages, and occasionally they come in very big packages. For the aerial port Airman assigned to the 447th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, there is no package that's too big or cargo that they can't handle. With only a day's notice, these Airmen

July 29 Airpower Summary: C-17s provide heavy airlift

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations July 29, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle dropped a guided bomb

Pope medics train Travis Airmen for deployment

As the C-130 Hercules makes its final approach on the torn-up runway, the 15 Airmen kneeling on the grass 100 feet away rise as one, making sure the litter they are carrying is stable, and walk toward the flightline. At the back of the aircraft, the litter team is directed where to load their

Latest weather toolkit enhances data exchange

The mid-July fielding of the 651st Electronic Systems Squadron's Joint Environmental Toolkit Increment 2 is helping U.S. forces deal with an ever-changing variable: the weather. The Air Force Weather Agency at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., is the first unit to receive the second increment of JET's

Air Force, New Mexico U. begin hi-tech partnership

A collaborative effort here is paving the way for a new center of excellence in New Mexico for the application of Field Programmable Gate Arrays, or FPGAs, in space and defense systems. Called the FPGA Mission Assurance Center, or FMAC, the project was recently allotted $1.6 million by Congress.

Academy ranks top in professor availability for 4th time

The Air Force Academy's professors are the most accessible in the nation for the fourth year in a row, according to The Best 368 Colleges text, released July 29 by the Princeton Review. Faculty availability is an expectation at a military service academy. At the U.S. Air Force Academy, the

Airmen provide free services, products to Hondurans

More than 740 people from the village of San Antonio De Canada, Honduras, came to a medical readiness training exercise condcted by the Joint Task Force-Bravo Medical Element here July 25. The exercise was designed to provide U.S. servicemembers with real-world training in austere locations, as well

CSTC-A team contributes to development of police force

More than 200 students were processed into the Regional Training Center here by Afghan National Police and Afghan civilians, with the help of Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan mentors. The police students arrived July 19 for Focused District Development training, a program to create a

McKinley: Airmen play key roles in joint National Guard

Airmen are an integral part of fulfilling an increasingly joint National Guard's domestic and overseas missions, the director of the Air National Guard said here July 23. Lt. Gen. Craig McKinley told a record-breaking audience of 1,500 gathered for the National Guard Bureau Joint Family Program

Wilford Hall ECMO team helps save baby

A crew of Air Force and civilian medical specialists flew to Honolulu July 21 to transport a 12-day-old baby girl to Rady Children's Hospital in California for advanced medical care. The 11-member critical care air transport team, which included a neonatal critical care physician, neonatology

July 28 airpower summary: A-10s strike enemy targets

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations July 28, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles fired cannon rounds onto

Health specialists teach techniques to Laotian team

A team of international health specialists from Pacific Air Forces taught a first responder medical course during a subject matter expert exchange in Vientiane, Laos, July 7 - 23. Students, doctors and nurses from Hospital 103 in Vientiane, Laos, attended the first ever training exchange to learn

Airmen maintain force protection through vigilance

They all have different backgrounds and home stations, but the Airmen who work in the 407th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron Force Protection Section are conditioned and tasked with a critical duty: maintaining the installation's internal safety and security. Though Airmen assigned to 407th

386th ELRS tests new Humvee modification

The 386th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron's vehicle maintenance section is testing two new modifications for the M1116 up-armored high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicles' (Humvee) condenser, hoping the improvement will eventually become standard in all M1116 Humvees throughout the

'Today's Air Force' features deployed Airmen

In this edition of "Today's Air Force" you will discover how Airmen are helping the Afghan air corps become self sufficient. And, you see how the C130J Hercules is reducing the number of ground convoys by delivering supplies to operating bases. Also featured is the different ways Airmen entertain

Raider 21 aircrew remembered

Alternative energy project under way at Robins AFB

The Defense Logistics Agency kicked off its fuel cell forklift pilot project here July 24 at the Defense Depot Warner Robins. It is part of an effort to find alternative energy sources and reduce America's growing dependence on energy imports. The DDWG, in collaboration with the DLA Research and

Air Force officials consider applications of 'jamming' model

Granular fluids, like salt or sand, and viscous liquids, like toothpaste or wood glue, can behave like liquids or solids depending on certain conditions. When these fragile materials stop flowing, scientists refer to the transition as "jamming." With funding from the Air Force Office of Scientific

July 27 Airpower Summary: Tankers ensure global reach

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations July 27, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, a Navy F/A-18C Hornet dropped a guided bomb unit-38

Elmendorf commander dies of gunshot wound

Brig. Gen. Thomas L. Tinsley, commander of the 3rd Wing here, died of a gunshot wound July 27 at his on-base residence. Elmendorf medical authorities responded and General Tinsley was declared dead at approximately 10:30 pm July 27. The general had served as the wing commander here since May

AF, Army firefighters contain real-world blaze in Iraq

Air Force and Army firefighters worked in the searing sun July 22 to contain a fire that engulfed six closely situated structures here. A call to the Joint Base Balad Fire Department at 12:30 p.m. set into motion an emergency-management response of firefighters and civilian volunteers. No one was

Strike teams push out aid for Hurricane Dolly victims

For nearly a quarter million people, calm is beginning to settle across the south Texas Rio Grande region after the relentless lashing that Hurricane Dolly doled out recently. This calm is due in part by the relief efforts of strike task forces that set out before dawn July 24 to set up points of

Bold Quest Plus wraps up in Florida

Bold Quest Plus, which included units from the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps, and coalition partners from Canada and the United Kingdom, wrapped up this week, highlighting innovative ways to enhance future U.S. and coalition warfighting capabilities. The two-week U.S. Joint Forces Command

Accident investigation board convened to investigate B-52 crash

Gen. John D.W. Corley, commander of Air Combat Command, has convened an accident investigation board to investigate the B-52 Stratofortress mishap off the northwest coast of Guam. Brig. Gen. Mark A. Barrett, commander of the 1st Fighter Wing here, has been designated as the board president. The B-52

Training sustains peace through empowerment

The surest path to a sustainable peace in Iraq is through the empowerment of the Iraqi Army, and Airmen here are anxious to continue to do their part, Air Force officials said. Working from Joint Base Balad, Iraq, and tasked through the 5th Engineer Battalion, 732nd Expeditionary Civil Engineering

SECDEF visits Airmen, tours training facilities

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates visited Basic Military Training here July 24 and spoke to the Air Force's newest crop of Airmen before they received their Airman's coin in a ceremony. Before speaking at the ceremony, Secretary Gates toured the Basic Military Training facility and observed the

NORAD officials keep constant vigil for threats to homeland

Defending North America's borders is no easy task. The threats are continuous and can come from anywhere -- by land, in the air, on the sea or even through information systems. Anticipating these threats and warning of them is the job of the men and women of the North American Aerospace Defense

F-22s deploy to Guam

Approximately 130 Airmen and five F-22 Raptors from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, are deployed to Guam for two weeks to fulfill security requirements in the Asia Pacific region.During the deployment, the Airmen will participate in exercises Jungle Shield and Cope Thaw. Exercise Jungle Shield

Exercise in Pacific builds trust between nations

Representatives from nine nations are participating in Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2008 throughout July in Hawaii and the Pacific Ocean.RIMPAC 2008 employs more than 20,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, as well as members of other nations building a foundation of trust

Reaper patrols Iraq sky

Airmen ready for Dolly's aftermath

As Hurricane Dolly continues to pound the Texas-Mexico border with heavy rains and strong winds, Airmen remain on standby to help when needed. The hurricane made landfall July 23 as a Category 2 storm, with 85-mile-an-hour winds. Weather forecasters expect the storm to deposit 15 inches of rain

Hurricane Hunters track Dolly

Hurricane Hunters from the Air Force Reserve Command's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron flew repeatedly through Hurricane Dolly as it headed toward the Texas coast, relaying critical data to National Weather Service forecasters in Miami. Six-person crews from the squadron have been tracking the

Officials name downed B-52 aircrew members

Air Force officials have released the names of the Barksdale crew members of the B-52 that crashed July 21 off Guam's northwest coast.  Five of the six crew members were stationed here. They are Maj. Christopher M. Cooper, 33, aircraft commander; Maj. Brent D. Williams, 37, navigator; Capt. Michael

Airman's Roll Call: Air Force sponsorship program

This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on a sponsorship program Airmen and their families can use to ease their fears about relocating to a new base.The sponsorship program is part of the Air Force Individualized Newcomer Treatment and Orientation program, or INTRO, which is designed to facilitate

Asia-Pacific nations collaborate to enhance airpower

More than 80 participants from 20 nations are meeting to discuss and collaborate during the 2008 Pacific Rim Airpower Symposium July 21 through 25 in Kuala Lumpur.Hosted by Royal Malaysian air force and U.S. Pacific Air Forces' 13th Air Force officials, this year's symposium focuses on early phases

Search effort shifts from rescue to recovery

Air Force officials here determined July 23 that none of the six crewmembers survived the B-52 Stratofortress crash July 21 off Guam's northwest coast. Search and rescue teams have now shifted their focus from rescue operations to recovery of the aircrew. The joint civilian and military rescue teams

Air Force to hold largest multinational enlisted conference

Representatives from 16 nations are meeting for four days of discussion and collaboration during the 2008 Senior Enlisted Leadership Conference July 21 through 25 in Kuala Lumpur. The conference is the largest air force multinational enlisted conference and is the first of its kind to be held in the

National Guard prepares for Hurricane Dolly

National Guardsmen from Texas are being pre-positioned here, ready to respond to the Texas coast, to help citizens affected by Hurricane Dolly which is scheduled to make landfall July 23. Texas Gov. Rick Perry recently activated 1,200 National Guardsmen and other emergency crews to prepare for the

18 nations gather for Conference of the American Air Chiefs

Air chiefs and representatives from 18 Western Hemisphere nations arrived July 19 for the 48th annual Conference of the American Air Chiefs in San Antonio. Lt. Gen. Norman R. Seip, the 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) commander led the AFSOUTH delegation during the week-long event. Attendees at

MQ-9 Reaper enhances Air Force capabilities in Iraq

The Air Force flew its first operational MQ-9 Reaper mission from here July 18, supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. The integration of the Reaper into theater-flight operations significantly enhances the strike and close-air-support capabilities of airpower forces in Iraq. The Reaper has a unique

Officials seek enlisted medical community's input for Web

The Defense Department is looking for input from the enlisted medical community as it sets up a new Web portal that will enable medics and corpsmen to share lessons learned and suggest ways to improve patient care. The portal will provide a forum for the estimated 80,000 enlisted medical

Predator crashes in Afghanistan

An Air Force MQ-1 Predator crashed in southern Afghanistan July 21. The aircraft is a medium-altitude, long-endurance, remotely piloted aircraft. The MQ-1's primary mission is conducting armed reconnaissance. A board will be convened to investigate the incident. Comment on this story   (comments may

Search effort continues following B-52 crash

A joint-agency search continues for missing crew members following the crash July 21 of a B-52H Stratofortress bomber 25 miles off the northwest coast of Guam. The bodies of two of the six Airmen on board the aircraft have been recovered. Identities of the crew members are being withheld pending

Duke Field Airmen drop last 15,000-pound bomb

Duke Field Airmen from the 711th Special Operations Squadron dropped the last operational Bomb Live Unit-82 from an MC-130E Combat Talon I July 15 at the Utah Test and Training Range. Nicknamed "Commando Vault" in Vietnam and "Daisy Cutter" in Afghanistan, the BLU-82 is a 15,000-pound bomb, and

Top acquisition official: Tanker acquisition top priority

Officials from the Government Accountability Office testified before Congress July 10 here about their decision to uphold Boeing's protests of the Air Force's selection of Northrop Grumman Corp. to produce 179 new tankers that would replace the aging KC-135 Stratotanker fleet. In its report, GAO