Air Force, Boeing team up for early-orbit operations

Airmen with the 3rd Space Operations Squadron and Boeing Corporation contractors  took over early-orbit operations on Wideband Global SATCOM Satellite Vehicle 1 from a Boeing facility in El Segundo, Calif., Oct. 10, approximately 30 minutes after it launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station,

Air Force officials release new annual training plan details

Air Force leaders have released the details about the new annual training requirements program for the Total Force. As of Oct. 15, all Airmen will use the new "block instruction" plan that combines nine ancillary training courses into three 30-minute blocks of training, saving more than 6 million

Oct. 13 airpower summary: What air force is averaging 180 OIF sorties per week?

The Combined Air and Space Operations Center's airpower summary provides a daily account of the integration and synchronization of airpower. But sometimes, the impact or significance of airpower isn't clearly seen in this numerical rollup. Maj. Gen. Maurice Forsyth, Deputy Combined Air Forces

JTF-Bravo runs 388 miles in remembrance of POW/MIAs

Soldiers, Airmen and Sailors here completed a remembrance run Oct. 12 in honor of prisoners of war and those missing in action. Approximately 170 runners took part in the 24-hour ceremony held at the base track. Laps were completed with each runner carrying a baton and reflecting on the sacrifice of

Oct. 12 airpower summary: F-15Es target enemy positions

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 12, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle targeted an enemy

Oct. 11 airpower summary: C-17s provide 'best option' for force resupply

The Combined Air and Space Operations Center's airpower summary provides a daily account of the integration and synchronization of airpower. But some folks may ask, "So what? What does this summary really mean?" The Oct. 11 airpower "So What" factor is about options. You're with a group of coalition

Secretary Wynne: Airmen in Korea have unique experience

In his first visit since March 2006, Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne visited here Oct. 6 as part of his 2007 tour throughout the Pacific theater. He arrived just in time to enjoy Air Power Day, Osan's annual aerial and ground demonstration, featuring performances by several aircraft from

CENTAF commander meets with Airmen in Afghanistan

The commander of U.S. Central Command Air Forces visited with 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Airmen here and at Kandahar Airfield Oct. 8. Lt. Gen. Gary North also used the visit to Afghanistan to view the newest addition to the Air Force's close-air-support inventory -- the MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial

New JCS chairman visits Bagram

The military's top servicemember visited here Oct. 7 to check on operations in Afghanistan and hear the concerns of military members. Adm. Michael G. Mullen, the new chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, thanked servicemembers for their sacrifices during an All-Hands Call for E-6s and below. The

The 'So What' factor puts Oct. 10 airpower summary in perspective

The Combined Air and Space Operations Center's airpower summary provides a daily account of the integration and synchronization of airpower. But some folks may ask, "So what? What does this summary really mean?" The "So What" factor for Oct. 10's airpower summary is that five dozen coalition

Reaper UAV now flying in Afghanistan

The Air Force announced Oct. 11 that the MQ-9 Reaper, the service's new hunter-killer unmanned aerial vehicle, is now flying operational missions in Afghanistan. The Reaper has completed 12 missions since its inaugural flight there Sept. 25, averaging about one sortie per day. Capable of striking

New Iraqi air force continues to grow

The Coalition Air Force Transition Team, 370th Expeditionary Training Squadron, is continuing its efforts to populate the new Iraqi air force. A combined graduation was held Oct. 10 for four Iraqi air force maintenance officers, five maintenance supervisors, eight fuels supervisors and 54 enlisted

Team effort sets airlift standard

Any significant group achievement can normally be attributed to a strong team, persistence and a relentless commitment to a challenging mission or task at hand. The 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, flying C-17 Globemaster IIIs, contributed the lion's share of intra-theater airlift by flying

First next-generation communications satellite launches

The Air Force launched the first of a next generation of military communications satellites from here Oct. 10 at 8:22 p.m. EDT, when a United Launch Alliance Atlas V booster carried a Wideband Global SATCOM satellite into space. WGS is the nation's next-generation wideband satellite communications

Raven B has landed in Southwest Asia

A small unmanned aerial vehicle is now being used to increase the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing's force protection capabilities. Maintained and operated by the 380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, the Raven B is the wing's sixth and smallest aircraft, weighing 4.2 pounds with a wing span of

Deployed unit turns fuel into freedom

Members of the 340th Aircraft Maintenance Unit here are supporting the war on terrorism with their fleet of more than 20 KC-135 Stratotankers. During the past four months, members of the 340th AMU supported more than 3,200 sorties, which provided 107 million pounds of fuel to more than 14,000

AF's first active associate unit deploying to Balad

The Air Force's first active associate unit is preparing to deploy here this month to support the war on terrorism.Activated in July 2006, the 30th Airlift Squadron is the first active duty Air Mobility Command squadron to operationally report to an Air National Guard unit, the 153rd Airlift Wing in

Falcon gets downloaded

DCFACC talks airpower, Airmen

The mobility machine came to the forefront again just as recently as Airmen assigned to Air and Space Expeditionary Forces 7 and 8 rotated out of the theater and AEFs 9 and 10 came in. According to Maj. Gen. Maury Forsyth, deputy combined forces air component commander, the transition was seamless.

Oct. 9 airpower summary: A-10s bring firepower to the fight

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 9, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, a show of force was conducted by Air Force A-10

Airmen patrol the streets of Baghdad

Baghdad's international zone is surrounded by a network of security and entry control points aimed at keeping insurgents out of the area. However, law and order within the area rests solely in the hands of Airmen.Approximately 45 security forces Airmen from Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England; Grand

Air Force to transform installation acquisition

Air Force leaders have announced a comprehensive restructuring of installation acquisition to strategically source goods and services in support of all Air Force installations in the continental United States. During the past 18 months, Air Force acquisition leaders conducted a comprehensive

B-2s deploy to Guam

Four B-2 Spirits from the 393rd Bomb Squadron, deployed from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., arrived here Oct. 7 as part of a continuous bomber presence in the Asia-Pacific region. The B-2 Spirit is a multi-role bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions. A dramatic leap

Oct. 8 airpower summary: F-16s stay close overhead

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 8, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an enemy position in Asadabad was successfully struck

Joint Chiefs officials meet with Afghan leaders

Less than three months after the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff visited this small southern district, three additional members of the Washington-based Joint Staff stopped by for a meeting with the provincial governor here Oct. 7. Marine Lt. Gen. John Sattler, the Strategic Plans and Policy

Airlifters deliver the goods

To keep troops off the road is an important consideration in the war on terrorism. One way to keep more troops off the road is with airdrop operations. Recently, Airmen from the 777th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron used two C-130 Hercules aircraft to drop 31 Container Delivery System bundles over a

Total force tanker operation comes to Andersen

Airmen here are used to seeing tanker units come and go, but this time a deployed contingent of aerial refueling specialists from Ohio are here to stay for about two months instead of the usual two or three weeks. "We want to fully integrate with the 36th Wing and be a part of team Andersen," said

Oct. 5 airpower summary: Maintainers keep fleet flying

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 5, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs fired cannon rounds onto an

Kunsan receives upgraded fighters

The 8th Fighter Wing received its initial group of Block 40 F-16 Fighting Falcons here this week under the Common Configuration Implementation Program. The aircraft arrival marked the first group of upgraded F-16s flown to Korea. The aircraft were flown here from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, by

Rescue Flight crew makes toughest save of careers

When a rescue team that's been saving lives for more than a decade calls one rescue "by far the toughest," you know it's time to sit up and listen, they've got a story to tell. The life-saving men of the 36th Rescue Flight performed the memorable rescue Oct. 1. Over the course of that evening and

Fall 2007 Airman now available online

The F-22 Raptor is coming into its own, flying high and turning heads. Its pilots and maintainers are discovering just how much the stealth jet can do. The Airmen are finding there is no other aircraft that even comes close to matching the Raptor's capabilities -- the new benchmark for

Iraqi air force flying training school opens at Kikuk

The Iraqi air force flying training school opened its doors Oct. 1 and began to train Iraqi aviators with the assistance of American Airmen. The planning for the school has been in the works for approximately two years and is all part of the plan to return Kirkuk Air Base back to the Iraqi air

Oct. 4 airpower summary: F-16s deter enemy activity

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 4, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II dropped a guided bomb

Prime BEEF stamps hoof prints on Gitmo

Airmen from the 474th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron have started the process to transform Guantanamo's McCalla Airfield into an expeditonary legal complex here last month. The airfield resembles a military construction site in Iraq, complete with blowing dust, heavy equipment and a sprawling

New chapter for Air Force Special Operations begins

Cannon Air Force Base Airmen stood up the newly designated 27th Special Operations Wing during a unit redesignation and change-of-command ceremony Oct. 1 here, which began a new chapter for Air Force Special Operations Command. As the 27th Fighter Wing, an Air Combat Command asset, inactivated, the

Oct. 3 airpower summary: B-1Bs provide show of force

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 3, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs fired cannon rounds onto

Aeromedical evacuation team tops 500 transports

The only Air Force medical unit in Afghanistan with the mission of transporting injured military warriors, as well as injured civilians and enemy combatants, has cared for, and transported, more than 508 patients since May. The members of the 455th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Flight team,

Oct. 2 airpower summary: Air mobility sets record

The Combined Air and Space Operations Center's airpower summary provides a daily account of the integration and synchronization of coalition airpower with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan. As the final numbers came in for the month of

Force Protection Battlelab inactivates

In a reunion-like setting, current and past members of the Air Force's Force Protection Battlelab gathered at the Air Force Security Forces Center here Sept. 28 to mark the end of an era in force protection, the inactivation of the battlelab. This ceremony served as both personal and professional

Double deck aircraft mockup aids firefighting research

Responding to operational challenges posed by the new generation of large double deck aircraft, Air Force Research Laboratory engineers here have developed a mockup to research how to best fight fires and save lives in the event of a crash. The AFRL Materials and Manufacturing Directorate Airbase

'Setting the Conditions for Victory' video premieres online

The secretary of the Air Force video "Setting the Conditions for Victory" made its online debut Oct. 3. The 8-minute video, a follow-up to last year's "How We Fight" presentation, outlines the Air Force role in the war on terrorism and how the service succeeds in its domains of air, space and

Oct. 1 airpower summary: Predators on the prowl

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 1, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. An Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle dropped a guided bomb unit-38 on a

Air Force completes transfer of former Grissom AFB

Air Force officials reached a property transfer milestone when the deed for the final parcel of property at the former Grissom Air Force Base, Ind., was accepted by its local redevelopment authority Sept. 21. The central heating plant parcel was the last portion of the former base transferred to the

Sept. 30 airpower summary: A-10 Thunderbolts on target

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Sept. 30, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. An Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle struck buildings in an enemy compound in

CENTAF vice commander: Airmen performing wonderfully

America's Airmen across the globe are performing well, said the deputy commander of U.S. Central Command Air Forces recently during a tour of Southwest Asia. Maj. Gen. William L. Holland, who is also the vice commander of 9th Air Force, visited 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Airmen Sept. 30 and Oct. 1

Task force readies Eglin for F-35 mission

With the next generation of fighter aircraft slated to arrive here in less than three years, the Eglin Air Force Base F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter Site Activation Task Force is already working to get the base ready. Led by Col. George Ross and consisting of a 12-man, joint-service team,

Navy Seabees train with Kadena RED HORSE members

Navy Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 7 "crossed into the blue" and worked with Airmen during a joint-training exercise held Sept. 24 to 26 at Kadena Air Base. More than 87 NMCB 7 members participated in the Rapid Runway Repair and trained with Kadena AB Rapid Engineer

FOL Manta firefighters assist local firefighters

Members of the Forward Operating Location Manta Fire Department and medical team responded to a fishing boat fire Sept. 26 here at the request of the local authorities. The boat, which is owned and operated by a local company here in Manta was only a few miles off shore near FOL Manta when the

Chief of staff addresses future of airpower at conference

The Air Force chief of staff wrapped up the three-day Air Force Association's 2007 Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition with an address before a crowd of several hundred Sept. 26 here. In his address, titled "To fly, fight and win in the 21st century," Gen. T. Michael Moseley drove

'Fit' to fight

C-5 lands at Bagram, opens galaxy of capabilities

The Sept. 22 landing and launching of one of the Air Force's largest aircraft at Bagram Air Base promises to bring "tremendous" capability for the movement of critical cargo across the region, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing officials said here. The Air Force's C-5 Galaxy landed here without

Session advances Tinker efforts to realign supply processes

In preparation for the transition of part of the 776th Maintenance Support Squadron here to the Defense Logistics Agency in February 2008, Air Force and DLA officials conducted a kickoff session here in mid-September. The support squadron, part of Tinker's 76th Maintenance Wing, is one of the

Data shared across systems, services, intel communities

By providing interoperability among 19 systems, four security domains, four networks, six countries and three continents, members of the Electronic Systems Center here recently demonstrated a level of connectivity some previously thought impossible. When the 950th Electronic Systems Group's DIB

F-16 airstrike kills 3 terrorist leaders

An Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon dropped precision munitions near Al Nussayyib, Iraq, Sept. 25 killing Abu Nasr al-Tunisi and two other al-Qaida Iraq operatives, according to Air Force officials. They were killed when the aircraft, assigned to U.S. Central Command Air Forces, dropped two

Sept. 27 airpower summary: F-16s project power

Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Sept. 27, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs targeted an enemy cave in

New ramps provide Bagram increased airpower capability

Two new flightline ramps opened Sept. 27 at Bagram Air Base and brings new capabilities to coalition air operations, NATO and Air Force officials said. The $9.3 million joint venture between the NATO Maintenance and Supply Agency and the Yuksel Construction Co. provides significantly more parking

Aerial intercept training prepares warfighters

F-16 Fighting Falcon crews practiced rapid response situations during aerial intercept training held Sept. 24 at Andersen Air Force Base.The training took advantage of deployed airframes present on the island, and the "hostiles" in the exercise were deployed KC-135 tankers simulating enemy

Foreign air force members learn about C-130 programs

Members of the Kazakhstan Republic air force visited here this month in an effort to learn more about how the U.S. Air Force takes care of business. The seven-person group visited the C-130 Hercules combat loss replacement program, where modifications are made to enable C-130s to be combat ready to

Underwing platform aids C-17 maintainers

A new underwing maintenance platform will help C-17 Globemaster III maintainers continue their mission safer and more effectively, said base officials here.The advent of the platform was made possible by the combined efforts of the Boeing Company and the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center. The

Attack controllers receive 2,000th remote receiver

Officials from U.S. Central Command Air Forces recently received the 2,000th remotely operated video enhanced receiver, a small laptop with an external antenna that allows joint terminal attack controllers on the ground to coordinate more accurate air strikes. The device is rapidly gaining

Dover manager garners DOD antiterrorism award

A Dover Air Force Base employee was recently named the Department of Defense Best Antiterrorism Program Manager for 2007. Michael Mendoza of the 436th Airlift Wing earned the DOD-level recognition for surpassing the antiterrorism-management capabilities of every other U.S. military installation in

ACC commander receives top AFA award

The commander of Air Combat Command received the Air Force Association's most prestigious annual award during the National Aerospace Awards and Air Force Anniversary Dinner Sept. 26 here. Gen. Ronald E. Keys earned the H. H. Arnold Award as the military member who has made the most significant

Sept. 26 airpower summary: C-17 provides support

Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Sept. 27, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. An Air Force B-1B Lancer targeted enemies firing on coalition forces in

Cyberspace expert briefs AFA conference attendees

"The first battle in the wars of the future will be over the control of cyberspace," said Dr. Lani Kass at the Air Force Association's Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition Sept. 26 in Washington. Ms. Kass, a special assistant to the Air Force chief of staff, has long been an expert on

Sept. 25 airpower summary: A-10s ready to rumble

Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan in the following operations Sept. 25, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. An Air Force B-1B Lancer targeted a series of caves in Ghazni

Airman's Roll Call looks at AF past, future

This week's Airman's Roll Call highlights Air Force leaders' views about the past and future. Air Force leaders are meeting at the Air Force Association's Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition in the nation's capital to discuss the future of the service  One of the highlights of the AFA

Air Force Space Command general speaks at AFA conference

General Kevin Chilton, Air Force Space Command commander, addressed hundreds of military members and civilians at the Air Force Association's Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition Sept. 25. The general, nominated to become the head of U.S. Strategic Command, expounded on the history of

Combat controller recounts battle for AFA audience

A combat controller assigned to the 21st Special Tactics Squadron at Pope Air Force Base, N.C., brought an Air Force Special Operations Command perspective on the war on terrorism to attendees at the Air Force Association's 2007 Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition Sept. 24. "You will

AFA convention features command chiefs forum

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley and command chiefs from five Air Force major commands joined to answer Airmen's questions during a forum at the Air Force Association's 2007 Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition here Sept. 24. The forum provided Airmen in attendance

Sept. 24 airpower summary: C-17s provide heavy airlift

Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Sept. 24, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. An Air Force MQ-1B Predator fired a Hellfire missile at an enemy vehicle

After one year, Phoenix Warrior course soaring high

Airmen at the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center's 421st Combat Training Squadron have finished their first year of teaching the Phoenix Warrior Training Course, and all signs point to the fact it is helping prepare security forces for their wartime mission."Phoenix Warrior, from inception, has

General Moseley kicks off AFA conference

The Air Force chief of staff spoke at the opening ceremonies for the Air Force Association's Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition Sept. 24. "This is a celebration of being a separate service with a primary mission of flying and fighting and defending our country," Gen. T. Michael Moseley

Deployed gunners have eagle eyes with safer turret system

Security forces Airmen here are now training with a new high-technology weapons system currently being used during outside-the-wire patrols in Iraq. Instructors from the Army's Military Police School from Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., trained members of the 820th Security Forces Group in the effective use

Sept. 23 airpower summary: B-1Bs bring on the firepower

Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Sept. 23, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. An Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II dropped a general purpose 500-pound bomb

5th Air Force celebrates 66 years

Members of 5th Air Force celebrated its 66th anniversary in a Sept. 21 ceremony at Yokota Air Base. Lt. Gen. Bruce A. Wright, the U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force commander, led the ceremony."Today, 5th Air Force directs its focus on a bilateral approach to maintaining a robust and integrated

Kadena Airmen shine on 'Jeopardy!'

The answer is, "Video clues taped at Kadena Air Base." The question is, "What will be featured on the Sept. 27 episode of the long-running game show 'Jeopardy!'?" The show will honor the Air Force's 60th anniversary with video clues and an Air Force questions panel who will highlight current Air

Sept. 22 airpower summary: Loadmasters supply forces

Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Sept. 22, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. An Air Force B-1B Lancer in Asadabad struck multiple positions with guided

Sept. 21 airpower summary: F-16s fill multiple combat roles

Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Sept. 21, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs used guided bomb unit-12s to engage

AIrfield inspection reveals excellence

Eielson Airmen recently established themselves as being among the best in the Air Force during the 2007 Air Traffic System Evaluation Program and the Air Force Weather Standardization and Evaluation Program inspection. According to Capt. Jeffery Byman, 354th Operations Support Squadron airfield

Strolling Strings awaken young minds

Members of the U.S. Air Force Strolling Strings played a mini-concert for the string orchestra class at Kalani High School here Sept. 14 as part of the Air Force's 60th anniversary celebration during Air Force Week Honolulu. The Strolling Strings is a key element to the United States Air Force Band

Getting ready for winter in Alaska

Sept. 20 airpower summary: C-130s sustain airlift operations

Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Sept. 20, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs engaged enemy forces in a tree line near

Bold Quest exercise wraps up

The last mission complete, U.S. Joint Forces Command officials now have the task of assessing all the data collected during the Coalition Combat Identification Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration, known as Bold Quest.The nine nation coalition operational exercise took place at Nellis Air Force

Dover medical officer selected for 'Why We Serve'

A medical nurse practitioner from the 436th Medical Dental Operations Squadron here was selected Sept. 19 to participate in the Department of Defense's national civic outreach program 'Why We Serve' and share her war-related story with the American public.During her deployment, Major Potter served

Kyrgyz controllers see stateside air traffic operations

Kyrgyz controllers from Manas Air Base got the chance to see air traffic operations on a whole new level with an orientation trip to the United States Sept. 3 to 17. Seven Kyrgyz air navigation controllers spent nearly two weeks touring the training and advanced operations sites that comprise the

Sept. 19 airpower summary: Maintainers keep mission flying

Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Sept. 19, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles engaged enemies near Gereshk using guided

International air chiefs to meet in Washington

The Air Force chief of staff will host air chiefs of more than 80 international air forces during the third Global Air Chiefs Conference here Sept. 21 to 28. The gathering provides a forum where defense leaders from the nations can develop personal relationships while talking about issues of mutual

B-52s demonstrate global reach, power

Airmen of the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron here flew to the Pele Bombing Range in Hawaii to drop inert weapons as part of Exercise Koa Lightning Sept. 16 and 17. Different from previous Koa Lightning exercises, bomber aircrews dropped ordnance as they were talked into the targets by joint

Agency activates 2nd Weather Group

In streamlining the way the Air Force Weather Agency functions, the 2nd Weather Group activated Sept. 19 at the Bennie Davis Maintenance Facility here. The ceremony marked the culmination of an AFWA reorganization that began in May 2006 with the standup of the 1st Weather Group. The 2nd WXG is made

Air Force secretary announces provisional Cyber Command

The secretary of the Air Force announced the Air Force is officially standing up a provisional Cyberspace Command during his address at the Air Force 60th anniversary celebration Sept. 18 at the Pentagon. Secretary Michael W. Wynne said the provisional command, called AFCYBER (P), will be located at

Air Force awarded 'best of best' for ozone sustainment

The Air Force received the Best-of-the-Best Stratospheric Ozone Protection Award for outstanding leadership in stratospheric ozone protection from the United Nations Environmental Programme and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The award was part of the 20th anniversary of the signing of the

Sept. 18 airpower summary: A-10s provide security

Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Sept. 18, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs targeted an enemy building in Jaladabad with

CENTCOM commander visits 380th AEW Airmen

The commander of U.S. Central Command visited Airmen from the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Sept. 17 at their forward deployed location in Southwest Asia.Adm. William J. Fallon was greeted by Brig. Gen. Lawrence Wells, 380th AEW commander; Col. Bruce VanSkiver, the 380th AEW vice commander; Chief

Robins Breakout program benefits Air Force, local businesses

The Robins Air Force Base U-2S program is "breaking out" and saving time, energy and money by using the expertise of local businesses. The 560th Aircraft Sustainment Group, which maintains the U-2 program, has been using the Breakout program since 1985, and base officials said the program has saved

Aviano F-16 crashes in Italy

An Aviano Air Base pilot successfully ejected from an F-16 Fighting Falcon while on a routine high-altitiude training mission Sept. 18 here. Initial reports indicate the pilot, Maj. Timothy Palmer, assigned to the 510th Fighter Squadron, is in good condition pending further evaluation at a medical

Sept. 17 airpower summary: Maintainers keep them flying

Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Sept. 17, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles targeted enemies in a tree line near Kajaki

Deployers help support coastal cleanup in Guam

Eight members of the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron here left their B-52 Stratofortress' idle Sept. 15 and volunteered their off-duty time to participate in Guam's 13th annual coastal cleanup. The 20th EBS' cleanup target was in the village and diving area near Agat, Guam. Their time was well

Drill team begins 'Birthday Tour'

The Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team is celebrating the service's 60th anniversary with their "Birthday Tour" in communities across the United States.The team performed Sept. 14 at New Mexico's all-state Air Force Ball for services members from Holloman, Cannon and Kirtland Air Force bases. Next,

Airman's Roll Call honors 60 years of air, space power

This week's Airman's Roll Call commemorates the past 60 years of the Air Force's supremacy of air and space power. September is the birth month of the Air Force, and for the past 60 years the men and women of the Air Force have continually defended America and freedom around the world. This week's

Bagram medical staff 'Smooth Operators'

The Task Force Med operating room staff at the Craig Joint Theater Hospital display the true meaning of teamwork, as they care for wounded American and Afghan patients here. Nicknamed the "Smooth Operators," the team arrived in May and made the surgical suite mission-ready in less than 48 hours.