Bombers drop sea mines to end deployment

B-52 Stratofortress bombers dropped 162 inert sea mines 80 miles off Guam's south coast during a recent training exercise to finish a four-month rotation to the Pacific island. Aircrews from the 96th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron dropped the MK-62 sea mines on strategic spots to deter "enemy forces"

New radar facility to open

Officials from the Ellsworth Air Force Base and Minot AFB, N.D., Radar Approach Control Facilities are preparing to open the Dakota Air Traffic Control Facility this summer here.The facility will be a noncontiguous, co-located RAPCON and will service both bases and the region. "The current Ellsworth

Strike Eagles roar above the Pacific

Eighteen F-15E Strike Eagles and more than 400 Airmen from the 389th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, arrived June 4 here to help maintain deterrent capabilities in the Pacific. The mission is part of a scheduled air expeditionary force rotation for the 389th EFS,

Academy glider lands on Colorado golf course

A U.S. Air Force Academy TG-15 glider landed safely on the Garden of the Gods Golf Course June 18 in Colorado Springs, Colo. The pilot, Cadet 1st Class Kurt Cloutier, landed the aircraft near the western-most hole of the golf course in a manner preventing injury to pedestrians and damage to private

Training warriors

Cadets learn mission through Operation Air Force

Eighteen U.S. Air Force Academy cadets visited McChord Air Force Base June 13 to experience operations and day-to-day experiences in the Air Force.The cadets visited McChord AFB during the first phase of Operation Air Force, a career-broadening program, and then flew on board a C-17 Globemaster III

AF officials comment on GAO tanker bid decision

Government Accountability Office officials announced their findings June 18 and sustained portions of the Boeing protest of the KC-45A aerial refueling tanker competition. The contract, originally awarded to Northrop Grumman, is for the development and procurement of up to 179 tanker aircraft for

JTACs train in complex art of coordinating close-air support

Exercise Atlantic Strike VII kicked off June 14 in the swampy pinegroves of the Avon Park Air Ground Training Complex as more than 800 joint and coalition warfighters from around the world gathered to practice and train in the complex art of coordinating close-air support for ground maneuvers. The

Contracts awarded to recapitalize special-mission C-130s

Air Force officials announced the award of two contracts to Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company-Marietta, Ga., June 13 for the procurement of six modified KC-130J aircraft, and non-recurring costs associated with modifying the KC-130J. The modified KC-130Js meet the unique mission requirements of

Airman's Roll Call: Air Force offers benefits to Airmen

This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on the various benefits the Air Force provides many Airmen and their families so they can continue to serve. Among the many benefits the Air Force offers, the convenience of on-base shopping and availability of child care can make life easier for Airmen and

June 16 airpower summary: A-10s strike anti-Afghan forces

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations June 16, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs fired cannon rounds and

Renamed U.S. military base in Iraq reflects joint status

The home of the Air Force's only wing in Iraq and the Army's logistical headquarters for supplies and shipments in the country has been renamed to reflect the dual nature of the base. Joint Base Balad is the new name for what used to be called Balad Air Base by the Air Force and Logistics Support

Air University officials reflect on ABC enlisted degree program's success

It's been a year since the Community College of the Air Force launched the Air University Associate-to-Baccalaureate Cooperative program for enlisted Airmen and Air Force officials are pleased with the program's results thus far. When the program started June 15, 2007, Air University officials

Indiana Guard begins next mission -- recovery

Some Indiana National Guardsmen began returning to their homes on June 15, while others began the next phase of their flood duty in the southwest part of the state -- recovery. Joint Task Force - 81 will have 60 of its 1,300 deployed Soldiers stay behind in the vicinity of East Mount Carmel and New

National Guardsmen in two states prepare for flooding

More than 600 National Guardsmen in Illinois and Missouri will continue sandbagging operations along the Mississippi River June 16 in an effort to thwart the floodwaters that are subsiding in Iowa. The Illinois and Missouri rivers flow into the Mississippi north of St. Louis. Unlike 1993, flooding

Air National Guard shores up as flood recedes

One hundred-fifty Air National Guardsmen from the 185th Air Refueling Wing in Sioux City, Iowa, landed at The Eastern Iowa Airport June 15 to augment the 295 already working with Army National Guard and state agencies in Cedar Rapids as flood waters recede from what is being called the 500-year

'Today's Air Force' features the service's heritage

This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" focuses on the service's heritage with a visit to the National Museum of the USAF  where a Peacekeeper Missile exhibit dedication took place.  During the ceremony, it was announced that Air Force officials were bringing back the old ICBM missile crewmember

U.S. Army celebrates 233rd birthday

Since its birth on June 14, 1775, more than a year before the Declaration of Independence was signed, the U.S. Army has played a vital role in the growth and development of America. Soldiers have fought more than 10 wars, from the American Revolution through the Cold War, the Gulf War, to the

Guard units provide real-time video of flood damaged areas

Flying at 8,000 feet above flood ravaged Wisconsin, members of the Wisconsin Air National Guard with assistance from Air Guard units from Arkansas and Mississippi provided emergency management officials with "eyes in the sky" to help with disaster relief efforts. Recent heavy rains have left

Air Guard plane provides documentation of flood damage

Indiana National Guard officials here have received live footage of flood damage throughout the state from an advanced Air National Guard counterdrug aircraft. The footage will assist with missions and help local governments plan to repair the damage. "It can show officials where roads are washed

192nd first Air Guard unit to fly F-22 for Operation Noble Eagle

The Virginia Air National Guard's 192nd Fighter Wing here is the first Air Guard unit to fly the F-22 Raptor in support of Operation Noble Eagle. Operation Noble Eagle was established by President George W. Bush to protect the American homeland following the terrorist attacks in September 2001.

Bulgarian incentive flight

Predator crashes in Afghanistan

An Air Force MQ-1 Predator crashed following takeoff at approximately 2 a.m. local time June 12 here. The aircraft was approximately six miles south of Kandahar Airfield. The aircraft is a medium-altitude, long-endurance, remotely piloted aircraft. The MQ-1's primary mission is conducting armed

Airman, Sailor save Peruvian soldier

An Airman and Sailor saved the life of a Peruvian soldier supporting Task Force New Horizons-Peru 2008 June 8 here. Tech. Sgt. Christopher Clark, a medical technician for Task Force New Horizons, and Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Brennen Lawson helped care for the Peruvian soldier who suffered from

Osan gets technologically advanced protective masks

Osan Air Base Airmen began receiving their new M-50 protective masks, replacing the MCU 2 protective mask, during a mass re-issue process June 9. The M-50 mask is one of the latest initiatives in fielding "joint" equipment, said Tech. Sgt. Peter Garcia, who is with the 51st Civil Engineer Squadron

Guard unit welcomes Predator, reconnaissance mission

Members of the 147th Fighter Wing here said goodbye to their F-16 Fighting Falcons and made room for the MQ-1 Predator as the Air National Guard unit became the 147th Reconnaissance Wing June 7.The Predators at the Houston Air National Guard Base are expected to enhance both U.S. military

Trip was gesture of respect to Airmen, Gates says

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates' trip to Langley Air Force Base, Va., Peterson AFB, Colo., and Scott AFB, Ill., was a gesture of respect and confidence in Airmen following a rough week for the Air Force. On June 5, Secretary Gates asked for and received the resignations of Air Force Secretary

Airmen teach Iraqis Western-style command, control

As part of an ongoing process to stabilize Iraq, Airmen are teaching command and control techniques to their counterparts at the Iraqi air operations center at Camp Victory near Baghdad's international airport. The operations center is the hub that controls all Iraqi air force missions, where

Safety video promotes driving, recreation safety

The top Air Force safety officer appears in a video for the service's annual "101 Critical Days of Summer" safety campaign, which started May 23 and ends Sept. 2. In the production, Maj. Gen. Wendell Griffin, the Air Force chief of safety and commander of the Air Force Safety Center at Kirtland AFB,

Gates hammers home importance of Air Force nuke mission

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates gave a very quick synopsis of the goals of his tenure in office June 10 at Scott Air Force Base. "We are damn sure ... going to spend and do everything necessary to win the wars we are in, to care properly for our wounded, and to restore excellence in our nuclear

New video focuses on cyberspace

The Air Force Institute of Technology's Center for Cyberspace Research has produced a new  video that delves into the importance of cyberspace, the third domain of the Air Force in addition to air and space. The video, New Domain - New Warrior, can be viewed on the CCR Web site. The Center for

Gates: Nuclear mission shortcomings caused dismissals

If it were not for the serious decline in the Air Force's nuclear mission focus and performance, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said here June 9, he would not have felt the need to replace the Air Force leadership. Secretary Gates asked for and received the resignations of Air Force Secretary

Secretary Gates cites Air Force's value in war on terrorism

America's war on terrorism would grind to a halt without the contributions of the Air Force, said the Defense secretary June 9 at Langley Air Force Base. "Every day, amazing Airmen are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan," Secretary Robert M. Gates said. "Beyond that, you support all the services

Defense secretary: Increase focus on nuclear mission

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates spoke candidly to Air Force Space Command members here June 10 about the resignation of top Air Force officials and problems of leadership and accountability in the control of nuclear assets. He charted a new course for the Air Force leaders at all levels. "The

Indiana's Air, Army Guard respond to regional flooding

Members of the Indiana Air National Guard's 181st Intelligence Wing and the Army National Guard's 519th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion came to the aid of their communities as more than six inches of rain fell onto Indiana's Wabash Valley June 6 and 7.When the call for assistance came in, the

'Perspective' focuses on excellence

In his latest "Enlisted Perspective," the Air Force's top enlisted Airman discusses how maintaining  the Air Force core values will ensure continued success in today's turbulent times. "Each and every job is critical and Airmen must remain focused on the job at hand. We must give every task our most

Defense secretary visits Peterson

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates arrives June 9 to Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. Secretary Gates is visiting Peterson AFB to deliver a speech reinforcing his message that the Air Force must apply more rigor to its responsibilities with nuclear weapons on the heels of the resignation of the Air

SECDEF praises Airmen, discusses leadership changes

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates reassured Airmen of their value and contributions, and presented a way ahead to ease wartime strain during a visit to Air Combat Command here June 9. In describing the Air Force's oft un-acknowledged efforts in the war on terrorism, he said he realized the costs of

Altitude in Peru presents challenges, won't stop mission

The air is a bit thinin the mountainous region of Ayacucho, Peru, where Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine servicemembers are participating in New Horizons-Peru 2008, a humanitarian mission set on improving the quality of life of underprivileged Peruvians. The altitude in Huamanga is more than 9,000

Pave Low pilot named Kolligian Award recipient

An Air Force helicopter pilot was named the 2008 recipient of the service's top safety award June 9. Lt. Col. Eugene V. Becker from the 20th Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Fla., was presented the Koren Kolligian Jr. trophy during a ceremony at the Pentagon. Vice Chief of Staff

Air Force announces Reserve F-22 squadron at Holloman

Air Force Reserve Command officials announced June 6 that a second F-22 Raptor fighter squadron will be established at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. Reserve officials will relocate the 301st Fighter Squadron from Luke AFB, Ariz., to Holloman AFB and form a classic association with the active duty's

Afghan soldiers master driving Humvees

Humvees will soon become the Afghan National Army's vehicle of choice on the battlefield, but not until every soldier is qualified to safely operate them. For this reason, Air Force Capt. Todd Klusek and Army Capt. William Snyder, combat service support senior mentors assigned to the Combined

Improvements target morale for troops in Afghanistan

A genuine caring attitude drives the morale, welfare and recreation Airmen who continuously work to improve the MWR facilities and events for Airmen and Soldiers here. Assigned to the Laghman Provincial Reconstruction Team, two of the three MWR Airmen arrived in March to discover a facility

Blood test

AFOSI is 2008 AFA Team of the Year

It wasn't exactly the welcome he was expecting, but Special Agent Timothy Rivera said it was pretty unforgettable as he stood in line to in-process at Balad Air Base, Iraq, during his deployment in 2006. "It was my first day, not even my first hour on the ground, and we were getting incoming

Airmen help graduate Afghan's newest firefighters

Eleven members of the Afghan National Army Air Corps recently became the first graduates of the Air Corps Firefighting School May 29 at Kabul. The graduates completed four months of class work, countless hands-on exercises extinguishing various types of fires and practicing lifesaving techniques

Wing units take on Red Flag

Aircrews from the 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron departed Kadena Air Base, Japan, June 3 on their way to Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, to participate in the second Red Flag exercise this year. The air controllers joined other Kadena units including the 909th Air Refueling Squadron and the

Airmen help Iraqi air force become self-sustaining service

High above the desert terrain, they fly in providing security to the people of Iraq. The airmen are vigilant, alert and ready to engage the enemy while patrolling the sky over Iraq. They are the new breed of Iraqi airmen. The Iraqi air force has evolved by leaps and bounds in recent years, and

Wing medics train with Thai counterparts

Medics assigned to the 18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron returned here May 31 after participating in an aeromedical evacuation exercise in Bangkok, Thailand with the Royal Thai Air Force as part of a humanitarian-assistance mission. The 18th AES trained with the RTAF during the 13th Air

Officials bring back missile badges, wings

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley announced the return of the missile badge with operations designator for intercontinental ballistic missile crews June 6. He also announced that the three ICBM wings of Air Force Space Command's 20th Air Force will return to the convention of being

Interagency task force targets 'violent actors'

U.S. Central Command is part of an interagency task force for irregular warfare, a CentCom operations section initiative that recently stood up to track and target "violent and extreme actors" in the command's area of operations, said the general who is spearheading the effort. "Regionally, we look

Hanscom to play vital role in coalition demo

Hanscom Air Force Base officials are setting up to serve as a major host site for the June 9 through 20 Coalition Warrior Interoperability Demonstration, an annual event sponsored by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and directed by U.S. Joint Forces Command.  The primary goal -- at Hanscom

Fairchild aircrew saves woman

A five-man UH-1N Huey crew from the 36th Rescue Flight here responded to an emergency call June 3 and rescued a 44-year-old woman reported lost by her husband in Ellensburg, Wash. The Kittitas County Sheriff's Department requested assistance from the Air Force the morning of June 3 after ground

Incirlik first in USAFE to stand up force support squadron

Incirlik Air Base officials will continue the Air Force-wide merger of services and mission support squadrons when its 39th Services Squadron and 39th Mission Support Squadron officially combine to become the 39th Force Support Squadron. The wing is the first U.S. Air Forces in Europe unit of any

B-2 accident report released

Distorted data introduced by a B-2 Spirit's air data system skewed information entering the bomber's flight control computers ultimately causing the crash of the aircraft on takeoff at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Feb. 23, according to an Air Combat Command accident investigation report released

Manas soars with total-force operations

The 376th Air Expeditionary Wing here has a combined staff of Air National Guard crews and maintenance teams alongside active-duty Airmen working together as an integrated team for U.S. Air Forces Central. That team already had members of the Reserve and active duty, and added members of the Air

Doctor receives Canadian award

A member of the 59th Medical Wing has been awarded the Canadian Meritorious Service Medal for his life-saving contributions to Canadians and coalition soldiers while deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan. Col. (Dr.) Thomas Seay, the 59th Radiology Squadron commander, was assigned to the Combined

Manas fire department switches to contract services

Officials of the 376th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron turned over fire protection and prevention responsibilities to civilian contract firefighters in a small ceremony June 2 at Manas Air Base. The 36 military firefighter positions seen over the past six years have now switched to about 28

Horsepower

Thunderbirds announce 2009 officer selections

Officials of the Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, commonly known as the Thunderbirds, announced incoming officer selections for the 2009 demonstration season June 2 here. Maj. Derek Routt, an F-15 Eagle pilot stationed at Nellis Air Force Base, will become the operations officer and serve as

Maintainers go 'green' with electric vehicles

The 23rd Equipment Maintenance Squadron here recently began testing electric vehicles in an effort to help the Air Force go "green." Moody Air Force Base became a test-site for the program after a request was made by Air Force Materiel Command officials for the base to evaluate the positive and

Raptors arrive at Holloman

More than 200 members of Holloman Air Force Base gathered to welcome the first two F-22 Raptors as they taxied into Hangar 301 here at 2:49 p.m., marking June 2 as an important date in 49th Fighter Wing history. The Air Force had announced in March 2006 that Holloman AFB was one of the preferred

New road to bring prosperity to Afghan province

More than 1,000 people attended the groundbreaking ceremony for a new $6 million road May 28 in Barak of the Bazarak District in the Panjshir province. During the ceremony, Afghan officials from the highest levels of government discussed the critical importance of the road, which will extend from

June 2 airpower summary: A-10 hits target

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations June 2, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles and Air Force A-10

Utah Air Guardsmen excel in handling two special events

Hosting a U.S. presidential visit is always a challenge, but hosting a visit by President George W. Bush along with coordinating the arrival of more than 200 Army National Guard Soldiers within hours of each other is a whole other ballgame.  But that's exactly what members of the Utah Air National

Predator crashes north of Balad

An MQ-1 Predator crashed north of Balad Air Base at approximately 10:40 p.m. local time June 2. The unmanned aerial vehicle was approximately 2 kilometers from the base. The aircraft is a medium-altitude, long-endurance, remotely piloted aircraft. The Predator's primary mission is conducting armed

McGuire Airmen aid injured parachutists

Army parachutists suffered injuries after a mid-air collision during a routine jump at the 2008 McGuire Air Force Base, N.J., Air Expo May 31.The parachutists belong to the 82nd Airborne Division's 40-member airborne parachute team from Fort Bragg, N.C. Both Soldiers were treated at the scene before

USAFE Airmen beat the heat, manage airshow crowd

U.S. Air Forces in Europe Airmen are all smiles despite the heat and crowds of people wanting to tour of their aircraft at the 2008 Berlin Airshow here. USAFE has about 20 Airmen here, showcasing two F-16 Fighting Falcons, two F-15 Strike Eagles (models C and E) and one KC-135R Stratotanker here at

AEF evolves for stressed career fields

Air Force officials here will soon implement an amendment to the air and space expeditionary force deployment cycle that will better reflect the deployment-tempo of stressed career fields. Currently more than 45 percent of the 35,000 Airmen fighting in the war on terrorism are deployed out of their

Defense Nuclear Surety Inspection conducted at Minot

A Defense Nuclear Surety Inspection was conducted at the 5th Bomb Wing, Minot Air Force Base, N.D., from May 16 to 26. Inspectors from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, the Department of Defense Inspector General, Air Force IG, Air Combat Command IG and Air Force Space Command IG evaluated the

Predator, Reaper unit becomes air expeditionary wing

The 432nd Wing here that flies the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles was designated an air expeditionary wing by Air Combat Command officials in May. The wing will now have dual reporting responsibilities to 9th Air Force and U.S. Air Forces Central at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C.,

AFRC commander presents goods to Afghan girl, village

Representing a group of Americans who want to assist in the reconstruction and development of Afghanistan, the commander of the Air Force Reserve Command presented several boxes of donated items to a 10-year-old Afghan girl and her village here May 30. Lt. Gen. John Bradley, on behalf of his wife

Medical team inspects remote health clinic

Appearances can be deceiving. The Jegdalak Medical Health Center, standing alone atop a rock-strewn hill overlooking Jegdalak, looks nothing like a medical facility. The clinic, however, serves a remote region of more than 30,000 Afghans. Located approximately 100 miles east of Kabul, Afghanistan,

'Today's Air Force' features Air Force transformation

This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights how the Air Force continues transforming to meet the needs of the 21st Century. The transformation begins with Airmen taking advantage of professional education, training and networking opportunities.Also featured is a segment on how Airmen are

Operation Pacific Angel leaves lasting impression

When temperatures approach 90 degrees with 90 percent humidity by 6 a.m. in the rural Cambodian province of Kampong Chhnang, excitement fills the air. News has spread far and wide by the Imam, a local religious leader, and by word of mouth. American medical people have returned to help the Cambodian

Cambodian cattle moo for Pacific Angel staff

If asked, most people would guess that a humanitarian medical mission run by the U.S. Air Force is to give aid and assistance to people from third-world countries, or provide humanitarian relief to a place that has been hit by natural disaster or devastation. But one team on Operation Pacific Angel

Kadena medics deploy on Mercy mission

Airmen from the 18th Medical Group deployed May 22 to Pacific Partnership 2008, a joint mission with the Navy aboard the hospital ship Mercy. The medics flew to Guam where they boarded the U.S. Navy Ship Mercy and will sail with her for the next three months bringing humanitarian and civic

Officials explain humanitarian operations during Air Force Week

Senior mobility and medical Air Force officials met with the mayor of Philadelphia and other community leaders to explain how Airmen provide hope around the world through humanitarian operations May 29 at the National Liberty Museum here. Lt. Gen. Christopher A. Kelly, vice commander of Air Mobility

AMC stands up first overseas wing

Air Mobility Command officials will stand up a new wing June 5 as part of its en route structure in the Pacific. The 515th Air Mobility Operations Wing at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, will be the first wing AMC officials have established overseas since the command's formation in 1992. Supporting

CMSAF spends day with AFPC Airmen

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley visited the Airmen of the Air Force Personnel Center here May 29. Chief McKinley and other board members were in town holding the boards that select the next Air Force 12 Outstanding Airmen and First Sergeant of the Year. During his visit to

Kunsan Airmen exercise with RSAF

Enhancing interoperability and allied war fighting lethality are just a few of the aims for Kunsan Air Base airmen currently mobilized to the Republic of Singapore. More than 22 F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots and maintainers from the 80th Fighter Squadron are wrapping up a 10-day air-to-air training

U.S.-German exchange pilots showcase interoperability

Enhancing the U.S.-German military-to-military relationship and promoting standardization and interoperability of equipment are key themes of the Berlin Airshow.Lt. Col. Marc Beutler, a German air force pilot assigned to the 14th Airlift Squadron at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., and is aircraft

Shipping it out

Tech. Sgt. Loren Hare signals Staff Sgt. Sapira Walker on the placement of a Navy P-3 Orion propeller that is being readied for shipment May 30 at Ali Base, Iraq. Airmen in the traffic management office are responsible for preparing, packaging, shipping and receiving all outbound cargo here.

2-time Oscar winner presents film at Air Force Week

Military medicine and wounded warriors took center stage in the "Fighting for Life" documentary produced by Terry Sanders shown during Air Force Week in Philadelphia May 28 at the Levitt Auditorium of the University of the Arts here. Directed by two-time Academy Award winner Terry Sanders and

CE Airmen complete projects to benefit U.S., Iraqi army

Airmen from Detachment 6 of the 732nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron recently returned here from forward deployed locations where they were instrumental in building infrastructures for coalition and joint forces in Iraq. One project was to build a joint combat outpost in the Diyala River

Aggressors give Blue Forces realistic training

Every good novel needs an antagonist, every good movie needs a bad guy and every good air force exercise needs an aggressor, commonly known as the Red Forces. F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots from the 64th Aggressor Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., are screaming across Canada's open skies playing

KC-135: 50 years of refueling the fleet

In an effort to modernize its aging tanker fleet, the Air Force awarded Northrop Grumman a contract to build the KC-45 aerial refueling aircraft in February. The new tanker is set to augment and eventually replace the KC-135 Stratotanker, currently the oldest airframe still in use by the Air Force.

RAF officers spin-up on 820th SFG roles, mission, training

Two members from the Royal Air Force, Force Protection Centre at RAF Honington, United Kingdom, recently visited the 820th Security Forces Group at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., as part of an exchange program between the units. Flight Lt. Dave Martin and Wing Cmdr. Tom Sawyer, Force Protection Centre

Manas BASH program takes to wing

Bird strikes are a major concern for the Air Force and Manas Air Base leaders have turned to a different version of the fighting falcon to keep the airfield clear. One of an aviator's best friends on Manas AB is a luger falcon named Mustang, the fist of its type in the area of responsibility to

Visionary doctor helps hundreds of Iraqis

A single doctor, a retired Air Force colonel, arrived here without much fanfare May 18 and left four days later. He left in his wake improved sight for many Iraqis and priceless training for Nasiriyah General Hospital physicians in Nasiriyah, Iraq. He traveled with a few bags and a 50-pound box

Vice chief, legendary pilot commemorate 60th anniversary of Berlin Airlift

Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Duncan J. McNabb and legendary airlift pilot retired Col. Gail Halvorsen participated in a commemorative panel discussion of the Berlin Airlift May 27 in Berlin. The Air Force Association sponsored the panel to highlight the historic importance of the mission and

Manas coalition team pauses to remember the fallen

Men and women of the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing and coalition team gathered to remember the fallen in a Memorial Day ceremony here May 26. The Manas coalition team also paused to honor fallen Spanish Airmen and Soldiers. The ceremony marked the five-year anniversary of 62 Spanish servicemembers

General addresses transportation needs during Air Force Week-Philadelphia

The leader of U.S. Transportation Command addressed community leaders and hundreds of Airmen about the outlook of American military transportation May 27 at the University of Pennsylvania's Annenberg Center here. Gen. Norton A. Schwartz, USTRANSCOM commander at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., spoke at

Academy Class of 2008 achieves long-awaited goal

Cool temperatures with an overcast sky and a threat of rain made it no less bright for the U.S. Air Force Academy's Class of 2008 when 1,012 graduates tossed their hats following a speech delivered by their commander-in-chief at the Academy May 28. "I am so pleased to stand before the future leaders

AETC plans 2009 Symposium in San Antonio

Air Education and Training Command officials are planning the 2009 AETC Symposium -- scheduled for Jan. 15-16, 2009, at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio. A crowd of more than 2,000 military and civilian attendees from around the country attended the 2007 AETC Symposium, which

Airmen trace roots of independence during Air Force Week in Philadelphia

Airpower roared over the birthplace of American independence as Airmen on the ground and in the air showed local citizens what the Air Force is all about May 27 during festivities supporting Air Force Week in Philadelphia. Throughout the Independence National Historical Park here, Airmen talked with

A tradition of honor: Servicemembers share pride in service

"Our servicemen and women are serving throughout the world as guardians of peace -- many of them away from their homes, their friends and their families. They are visible evidence of our determination to meet any threat to the peace with measured strength and high resolve. They are also evidence of

Stereolithography helps rebuild wounded warrior's jaw

While towing a disabled vehicle through the streets of Bagdad in 2004, Army Staff Sgt. Terry Saffron's HUMVEE was struck by an improvised explosive device. When he came to, he had an injured arm and a shattered jaw. For years he suffered debilitating jaw pain and was unable to chew. Army doctors

Air Force, Army improve joint training

Officials at the Army's National Training Center at Ft. Irwin, Calif., and the Air Force's Green Flag West at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., have been working hard to integrate service-level exercises to help improve joint training for units preparing to deploy to Iraq or Afghanistan. "We are the

Chief McKinley awards rank of honorary chief

An "Airman among Airmen" was awarded the honorary rank and title of a chief master sergeant in the Air Force during a ceremony here May 23. Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley, joined by more than 450 senior enlisted leaders attending the Airmen's Heritage Banquet during the 2008