March 3 airpower: JTACS critical in fight

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for March 3.Coalition fighters, bombers and tankers provide infrastructure protection and support to coalition troops, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt terrorist activities. Transports provide

SECAF emphasizes Air Force goals with card

When Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne spoke at his town hall meeting at the Pentagon earlier this year, he discussed some of the issues facing the Air Force today, as well as its strengths and his goals for 2007. One of the ways he's spreading those goals is through a mission, or "goal

Air Force 60th Anniversary flag raised at memorial

Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne and Air Force Chief of Staff T. Michael Moseley were the hosts for the 60th Anniversary flag-raising ceremony at the Air Force Memorial March 1."On this day, the man who used the B-17 to such a great effect, General Tooey Spaatz, formally succeeded General

Thunderbird pilot talks to cadets on teamwork's importance

When Cadet 1st Class Nicole Malachowski received her commission, Mel Gibson won an Oscar for his role in Braveheart, "Kiss From A Rose" by Seal could be heard regularly on the radio and Great Britain was in the throes of a mad cow disease outbreak. Now, 11 years later, Major Malachowski returned to

New helmet gives pilots the edge

Aircrews at the 18th Fighter Squadron here recently received an important warfighting upgrade that can help keep them head and shoulders above the rest. Squadron pilots have incorporated a new helmet that features the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System, a system which improves breathing and radio

Contamination control area helps Airmen 'clean up'

One of the ways Incirlik AB Airmen prepared for their upcoming Unit Compliance Inspection was setting up a simulated contamination control area March 1. The contamination control area allows Airmen exposed to hazards from biological to chemical agents to come "clean" in a controlled environment. The

Japanese, American forces team up in war on terrorism

A Japan Air Self-Defense Force C-1 cargo jet touched down Feb. 27 at Yokota AB to pick up and deliver supplies. But the plane isn't loading cargo for Japan; the cargo is American supplies for U.S. servicemembers stationed throughout Japan and Guam. Japanese Maj. Masashi Ohta, a C-1 pilot, said the

Air Force logistics centers support warfighters 24/7

When aircraft maintainers, half-way around the world, need help fast, round-the-clock support is now available at Air Force Materiel Command's three air logistics centers. The customer support centers, or CSCs, at Tinker AFB, Okla., Robins AFB, Ga., and Hill AFB, Utah, are the product of AFMC's

Eielson helps Airmen move into new homes in a hurry

A ghost town now exists at Eielson AFB where 300 families once lived. Blanketed in several feet of snow, artic winter winds whistle through the solitary Sprucewood homes section of base housing. Before the bitter winter had set in, the more than 300 Airmen and their families called this area home.

March 2 airpower: F-15Es provide show of force

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for March 2.In Afghanistan March 1, an Air Force B-1 Lancer dropped guided bomb unit-38 joint direct attack munitions on enemy mortar and firing positions near Forward Operating Base Robinson. The joint terminal attack

U.S. Central Command, Bahrain air power officials discuss relations

Success in long war requires regional cooperation

The United States and the international community will need to support countries in the Middle East as they join together to defeat extremism during the long war on terror, a top U.S. Central Command officer said here March 1. "All along, U.S. Central Command has been committed to a regional

Dyess' aircraft maintainers meet AFSO 21 head on

While many shops in the Air Force are finding they have to do "less with less," one maintenance shop here found a way to do "more with less." The newly consolidated support flight in the 7th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron is an example of how Airmen in the 7th Maintenance Group are answering Air

Maintenance Airmen's custom parts keep planes in fight

Aircraft maintenance success in a deployed environment often depends on the availability of the parts and equipment needed to get aircraft back into the fight. Oftentimes, crew chiefs look no further than 379th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron back shops for support when aircraft parts or other

Airmen complete Nicaraguan medical exercise

Twenty medics finished the first of three New Horizons - Nicaragua 2007 Medical Readiness Training Exercises Feb. 28, giving free healthcare to 6,551 Nicaraguans throughout nine days. The $7.25 million joint U.S. and Nicaraguan military humanitarian and training exercise, provides a new school and

SERE specialists surprise pilot

When Air Force pilots initially train to fly, they learn about ejecting from a plane and how to survive behind enemy lines.Several Misawa survival, evasion, resistance and escape, or SERE, specialists took a pilot out recently for some realistic training.1st Lt. Michael Baird, an F-16 Fighting

Doctrine Center 'jump starts' irregular warfare doctrine

Air University's Air Force Doctrine Center held a special writing group here Feb. 20 to 23 in order to put Air Force irregular warfare doctrine on the "fast track." Subject-matter experts were invited to attend the four-day conference in an ongoing effort to fill a void in war-fighting policy.  Air

Spring 'Air and Space Power Journal' available

The College of Aerospace Doctrine, Research and Education at Air University has published and distributed the Spring 2007 English edition of the Air Force's professional journal, "Air and Space Power Journal." The journal serves as an open forum for the presentation and stimulation of innovative

Official shares glimpse of future with Misawa Airmen

Mr. William Anderson, assistant secretary for installations, environment and logistics, stopped here Feb. 22 to meet with Airmen and to discuss key Air Force issues, including environmental stewardship and future fuel alternatives.He talked about the incredible care Airmen display as they lead the

Air Force official discusses uniform updates

Air Force officials move forward with the Airman Battle Uniform roll-out and plans for a new service dress coat. The new ABU, designed to eventually replace both the Battle Dress and Desert Combat Uniforms worn by Airmen, is currently in full production. Early deliveries of ABU inventories in 2007

Reserve forces augment RAF Croughton security

Ten guardsmen and reservists are augmenting the 422nd Security Forces Squadron here as 21 active-duty Airmen are deployed supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.Even though almost half of the 422nd SFS are deployed downrange, the mission at their home station doesn't end, but that's where the Guard and

March 1 airpower: C-17s provide intra-theater airlift

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for March 1. In Afghanistan Feb. 28, an Air Force B1-B Lancer provided a show of force and expended flares for coalition forces receiving mortar fire near Energay. The ground commander's intent was met and the mortar fire

Academy boxer helps battle for life

The boxer keeps his hands up as his feet dance around a heavy bag. He jabs and strikes the bag with his gloved fists, but when this boxer steps into the ring with an opponent, it isn't the only battle he's fighting. Cadet 1st Class Colin LaFavor is a member of the U.S. Air Force Academy's boxing

Staging facility prepares injured warfighters for flight

For warfighters who are injured in Iraq, the Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility at Balad AB is where their road to recovery starts. The CASF is a staging area where patients are prepared for their flight out of Iraq to Landstuhl, Germany. The CASF is staffed by critical care air transport and

Airman earns medal for lifesaving efforts

An Airman here was presented the Air Force Achievement Medal recently for saving the life of a 7-year-old boy who was choking on candy. Airman 1st Class Kyle Thomas was bowling while on leave in Norman, Okla., after competing six weeks of basic training and six months of technical training when he

Security Forces train Airmen to protect space resources

Senior Airman Joshua Newton holds the flashbang up high in the air and his three teammates know what that means without uttering a single word. It is time to breach the room and they all look away as he carefully leans forward and chucks the grenade into the room. As the flashbang goes off

Academy cadets prepare to have a blast ... off

Cadet 1st Class Lauren Viscito dons a white gown, blue booties and a hair net before stepping into a clean room at the academy. She's one of a team of cadets working to get FalconSAT-3 ready for lift off. FalconSAT-3 is part of a group of three small payloads headed to space aboard an Atlas V rocket

Fighting in cyberspace means cyber domain dominance

The Air Force officially announced creation of the new Cyberspace Command late last year. Now, just four months later, the command's leaders are talking about the way ahead. The Air Force's operational Cyberspace Command, also known as 8th Air Force, is commanded by Lt. Gen. Robert J. "Bob" Elder.

Air Force officials release 2007 posture statement

Air Force officials released their annual posture statement which articulates the major elements required for the Air Force to fulfill its mission and its priorities over the course of the next year and into the future. The secretary of the Air Force and the Air Force chief of staff testified before

Turkish-U.S. airlift effort brings supplies to Afghans

In a joint effort between Turkish and U.S. Air Forces, 94,000 pounds of palletized cargo was transported via two C-17 Globemaster IIIs Feb. 21 to Kabul Air Base, Afghanistan. The 23 pallets and five trailers of cargo consisted of uniforms and equipment for the Afghan army to use in the war on

Test squadron demonstrates Sniper pod capability

Members of the 419th Flight Test Squadron here recently completed its initial developmental testing of the Sniper pod installed on a B-1B Lancer, designed to increase the aircraft's self-targeting capability. The Sniper pod, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, is an advanced targeting pod with

RED HORSE logistics hub supports Airmen uprange

An Air Force horse has been making tracks throughout Southwest Asia as this mobile force is making a difference in the war on terrorism.The Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers, or simply RED HORSE, supports contingency and special operations missions with mobile,

General speaks on Elmendorf's, Air Force's future

The Air Force deputy chief of staff for operations, plans and requirements, visited here Feb. 21 to 23 to discuss the capabilities Alaska provides to the service, recapitalization, joint initiatives and the arrival of the C-17 Globemaster IIIs and F-22 Raptor.Although he is no longer stationed in

AFMC leader discusses command's war contributions

In the thick of rocket-propelled grenades, mortars and small-arms fire in a battle, the last thing on a warfighter's mind would be thanking members of Air Force Materiel Command for the weapons about to be used. Using better intelligence offered by AFMC's advancements, the warfighter can be sure the

Pararescue Airmen mission ready for search, rescue

"That others may live" is the motto for the Air Force's pararescueman.Pararescue jumpers, or PJs, make up an elite corps of pararescuemen responsible for combat search and rescue missions.This team of highly trained pararescuemen performed a combat search and rescue training mission Feb. 24 in

Combat training adds to Airmen's skills

Combat training is critical for Airmen deploying downrange. Senior Airman Joshua Issermoyer, a tactical air controller stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, already has deployed but continues to strengthen his skills with more training. Some of that training involved approximately 2,300 American and

Robins instructors provide aircraft battle damage repair training to allies

Instructors from the 653rd Combat Logistics Support Squadron expanded their training responsibilities in mid-February to teach aircraft battle damage repair to five members from the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. Aircraft battle damage repair, or ABDR, training teaches techniques that help

Andersen Airmen response group hone combat skills

In the former housing area known as Andersen South, a team of Airmen patrol the abandoned, rundown facilities. They scan the front and back of the patrol, looking for anything or anyone out of the ordinary. The Airmen are members of Andersen Air Force Base's 36th Contingency Response Group; this

Hydrant vehicles refuel Air Force fleet faster

The 379th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels flight recently received three R-12 hydrant servicing vehicles that will significantly increase refueling capabilities. In conjunction with the recently commissioned hydrant fueling system and arrival of the HSVs, the hydrant fueling

Air Force Reserve wing at Scott receives first C-40 aircraft

The Air Force Reserve Command's 932nd Airlift Wing here welcomed a new aircraft into its inventory Feb. 26 with the arrival of its first of three C-40Cs. The wing, the only Air Force Reserve unit in the state of Illinois with a flying mission, will use the aircraft to augment its mission of

In-house repairs keep costs down at Misawa Air Base

The war on terrorism is forcing the U.S. military to take a closer look at its budget and how money is spent. In the quest to maximize resources, three Airmen here are part of program designed to do just. Three NCO's of the 35th Maintenance Group are manning Misawa's Repair Enhancement Program

Airmen help Kyrgyz K-9 corps take shape

Airmen of the 376th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron here are training a new breed of fighters for the war on terrorism. The Airmen normal protect the members of the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing supporting Operation Enduring Freedom, but are now helping train a Kyrgyz military working dog

Suicide bomber attacks Bagram Air Base during Cheney visit

Saying that changing his itinerary was "never an option," Vice President Dick Cheney stuck to his planned schedule after a suicide bomber's attack Feb. 27 on an entry gate at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, where the vice president was visiting. A U.S. servicemember, a coalition member and a U.S.

Anthrax vaccine program becomes mandatory for some

The Anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program, or AVIP, mandates Airmen assigned to high-threat areas receive the Anthrax vaccine, while also providing Airmen the choice to continue anthrax vaccines if they are not assigned to a designated high-threat area. Implementation of the AVIP begins March 19, in

Spangdahlem Airmen, a force behind ground support

In the hangars along the flightline here, Airmen load up the 81st Fighter Squadron's A-10 Thunderbolt IIs with munitions.Having recently returned from training in Portugal, the 81st FS is back in Germany and the training hasn't stopped. While the pilots of the 81st FS are honing their skills behind

Top teams can vie for excellence award

For more than 14 years, the Chief of Staff Team Excellence Awards, sponsored by the Air Force chief of staff, have been recognizing those Airmen who use a systematic approach to enhance mission capability, improve operational performance and create sustained results. For 2007, the Air Force's goal

German community office, one-stop info shop for Americans

International marriage, restaurant recommendations and utility bill interpretation are all daily topics at the German-American Community Office in Kaiserslautern.The office, which opened in February 2003, is staffed by bilingual host nation civilians who have helped more than 10,000 German and

Personnel records readiness vital to mission

Nobody can predict the twists and turns that life can take, but with a little bit of preparation Airmen can make the best of any situation. The Air Force Personnel Center designated March as Personnel Records Readiness Month. Military members used this opportunity to review items such as their

Feb. 26 airpower: F-15Es provide show of force

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Feb. 26.In Afghanistan Feb. 25, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles provided shows of force for a convoy receiving small arms fire in Pashsbad. A joint terminal attack controller reported that two individuals were firing at

Tax credits, deductions save Air Force members money

It's tax season again and new tax codes have changed some credits and refunds. Knowing what credits and deductions to claim allows Airmen to keep more of their own money. The Heroes Earned Retirement Opportunities, or HERO Act signed by President George W. Bush May 29, 2006 allows military members

'Man's best friends' help fight war on terrorism

More than 2,000 military working dogs currently serve at military bases around the world. But for the 65th Security Forces Squadron at Lajes Field, their hearts belong to two of those dogs. Dan and Rex, both adult German Shepherds, arrived at Lajes Field straight from the 120-day rigorous training

Afghan officers exchange ideas with Air Force counterparts

Eight Afghan army air corps officers recently visited the 455th Expeditionary Mission Support Group here. The group came to exchange ideas with their Air Force counterparts. "They learned a lot," said Capt. Tommy Butler, who is an air corps advisory group mentor. "The Afghans don't have a complete

'Week in Photos' highlights Airmen around the world

Airmen are deployed around the globe every day to support operations ranging from humanitarian missions and coalition exercises to fighting terrorism with airpower. The "Week In Photos" Web exclusive on Air Force Link provides visitors ten photos that feature Airmen at war. It is a brief but

Elmendorf Airmen support PACAF operations

"Whoever holds Alaska will hold the world." Speaking these words to Congress in 1935 during his final public appearance, Gen. Billy Mitchell understood the importance of airpower in Alaska. And today Airmen at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, are proving his words to be true. "We literally sit on

Chairman of Joint Chiefs speaks to Airmen

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Marine Gen. Peter Pace spoke to Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Coast Guardsmen at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, during a town hall meeting Feb. 23. The main message of his speech was only two words. "We came a long way to say, basically, two words to you and

Elmendorf Airmen put AFSO 21 to work

With the arrival of the F-22 Raptor this summer, Elmendorf Air Force Base Airmen are saying goodbye to the F-15E Strike Eagle. Before each plane can be transferred to its new home at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, it has to pass a 10-day aircraft transfer inspection, and now, using Air Force Smart

Pope unit begins transition to Little Rock

For 36 years, 41st Airlift Squadron Airmen have called Pope Air Force Base home, but Feb. 23's realignment ceremony marked a new beginning as the unit heads to Little Rock AFB, Ark. The 41st AS will stand up at Little Rock AFB April 5 under the command of Lt. Col. Dan Tulley, and is a significant

Air Force exploring renewable energy sources

Air Force officials are investigating the use of renewable energy like wind, solar and geothermal source for use in the future as an alternative to petroleum said the assistant secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Logistics. William C. Anderson believes changes to how energy

This week's Roll Call focuses on energy conservation

As the Department of Defense's greatest fuel consumer, the Air Force must examine every aspect of fuel consumption while maintaining its core competencies and power-projection capabilities.Air Force leaders at every level are looking for innovative ways to conserve fuel and everyone, down to the

Keeping kids drug-free

One Airman here has taken a dare to make a difference in children's lives. Senior Airman Kristi Morrell spends her days teaching children at Aviano AB about the dangers of drug use through the drug abuse resistance and education program, or DARE. Drug abuse is a problem around the world. According

Feb. 23 airpower: Airlifters move people and cargo daily

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Feb. 23. In Afghanistan Feb. 22, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles were assigned to drop guided bomb unit-12s on an enemy compound near Now Zad. One of the F-15E successfully dropped a GBU-12 laser guided bomb on the

National media visit Air Force Theater Hospital in Balad

A Discovery Channel television film crew from Los Angeles and independent author Michael Mason from Tulsa, Okla., are visiting the Air Force Theater Hospital here this week for upcoming projects highlighting the contributions of Air Force Medical Service personnel in the war on terrorism. The crew

Vice president praises troops during Guam stopover

Vice President Richard Cheney rallied servicemembers during a Feb. 22 stopover at Guam while en route from Japan to Australia. The vice president spoke to more than 2,000 Airmen, Sailors, Soldiers, Coast Guardsmen and Guam dignitaries, emphasizing the critical role Guam's position in the Pacific

Airmen continue training for quick response

When a tsunami devastated parts of Southeast Asia in 2005, Airmen from a special Air Force unit were ready to help. It's the job of the Airmen of the 615th Contingency Response Wing at Travis AFB to respond to crisis situations around the world at a moment's notice. They establish an aerial port,

T-38 crashes in Texas

An Air Force T-38 Talon crashed at about 12:45 p.m. today approximately 12 miles south of Hondo, Texas. The aircraft was assigned to the 12th Flying Training Wing here. The aircraft was performing a training mission. The pilot safely ejected and is being transported to Wilford Hall Medical Center at

'New Horizons' mission improves Nicaraguans' lives

The sun pounds the ground as Airman 1st Class Jean Colas wipes his forehead clean of sweat and Nicaraguan soil. He stands, eyes squinted, surveying the fresh concrete he just helped pour -- the foundation for a five-room medical clinic here. He and about 16 other 820th Expeditionary Red Horse

Feb. 22 airpower: F-15s stop sniper fire

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- In Afghanistan Feb. 21, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops receiving sniper fire near Now Zad. A joint terminal attack controller, or JTAC, gave coordinates of a compound where the sniper fire

Services unite, leading logistics' way in Spain

The first two months of 2007 have been busy at Naval Station Rota. The task was to move over 100 Army helicopters to and from the Central Command theater using Air Force planes and Navy ships. With a mission this big, Rota's strategic location proved valuable."It's almost perfectly located between

Top American doctors visit Ramstein, Landstuhl

Two of the highest ranking doctors from the United States toured Ramstein Air Base and the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany in late February. Dr. William Plested III, the president of the American Medical Association; Dr. J. Edward Hill, the former AMA president; and Maj. Gen. Gerald

Air Force general receives analysis award

The Air Force Heritage to Horizons focus was highlighted recently when the Air Force vice chief of staff received the Lt. Gen. Glenn A. Kent Leadership Award here. Gen. John D.W. Corley was recognized for his long-term vision and leadership in guiding the Air Force to set the standard for Department

Cadet cheating investigation continues at academy

The number of U.S. Air Force Academy cadets who are under investigation for cheating on a Fourth Class Knowledge Test has not changed since Feb. 15's update (Academy provides update on cadet cheating investigation).Since cadet interviews began Feb. 2, a total of 39 cases have been

Wilford Hall takes step forward in BRAC process

Brooke Army Medical Center and Wilford Hall Medical Center take another step toward base realignment and closure. Effective March 1, the two medical centers will combine their Travel Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Henry M. Jackson Foundation clinics' outpatient services. The combined services, to

Working dog teams search, patrol together

Ensuring the safety of everyone at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing here rests upon a group of Airmen and their highly trained four-legged partners. The 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron Military Working Dog Section has several certified teams made up of handlers and their explosive

Iraq deployment opportunities open to federal civilians

The Department of Defense needs DOD civilian volunteers to serve with the Department of State's provincial reconstruction teams in Iraq. The PRTs are designed to promote security and economic development in Iraq and assist the Iraqi people in rebuilding and administering their country. A foreign

Air Force medics treat Cambodians

Meeting patients' needs in remote Cambodia is a challenge to say the least, but for a team of primary care providers from Brooks City-Base, Texas, it's worth every barrier that is conquered.Members of the Medical Civil Action Program helped those in need Jan. 28 to Feb. 4 in Mondol Kiri, Cambodia.

Feb. 21 airpower: B-1B hits enemy communications compound

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Feb. 21. In Afghanistan Feb. 20, an Air Force B-1B Lancer provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops surrounded by enemy forces and vehicles preparing for an ambush near

Air Force, British firemen dampen off-base blaze

Air Force firefighters here joined British firefighters from the town of Mildenhall in response to an off-base fire Feb. 21. The 11 firefighters and one on-scene commander from the 100th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department responded to the West Row fire after receiving a call from an on-base

Air Force builds new houses at overseas bases

As the Air Force undergoes constant transformation from deployments to manning issues, the importance of Airmen's quality of life hasn't changed. One quality-of-life improvement was the $1 billion the Air Force spent upgrading base housing in various overseas locations in Korea, the United Kingdom

Radiology staff provides reliable, rapid response in Iraq

The third Monday of February did not bring the radiology flight a day off from work, like it did for most of their counterparts in America on Presidents Day. The radiology staff kept uttering the phrase, "Man, we've been very busy today." As the sixteenth hour of the day passed, 38 patients had been

First JPADS improved system airdrop over Iraq a success

Eight aircrew members from the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing's 777th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron used the Joint Precision Airdrop System, or JPADS, mission planning software for the first time over Iraq Feb. 16 to deliver six 1,200-pound Improved Container Delivery System, or I-CDS, bundles. The

Reserve pararescuemen help rescue Mount Hood climbers

Air Force Reserve pararescuemen from 304th Rescue Squadron, Portland International Airport, Ore., were called Feb. 18 to assist in the search and rescue effort for three stranded climbers. While attempting to descend Mount Hood, Ore., the three people and a dog, who were roped together, fell through

Bagram unit opens new bridge, road

When local contractor Asil Khan first thought of building a bridge over the Gogamanda River, he was knee-deep in it, evading the Soviet army on a trip to Pakistan to procure weapons for the mujahedeen. More than 15 years later, that idea became a reality, as Gov. Jabar Taqwa officially opened the

Air Force leaders speak at annual AFA convention

History and heritage, recapitalization and mission readiness and accomplishments were just a few of the topics covered by the Air Force's senior leaders at the Air Force Association's 23rd annual Air Warfare Symposium here Feb. 8 and 9. Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne introduced his

Firefighters free pilots from cockpits in worst case scenarios

Firefighters use exercises as a venue for training in specialized scenarios. Extended hours and varied shifts for the Misawa AB members recently provided firefighters the opportunity to conduct training sessions that require extra attention and set up. One such scenario is pilot extraction. If a

Air Force continues support to communities affected by BRAC

Across the nation, communities are being reshaped by the military's transformation due to Base Realignment and Closure changes. At a conference for these communities, mayors, engineers, construction companies and others met to discuss the best way for their neighborhoods faced with base closure or

New command may change USAFE's role in Africa

U.S. Air Forces in Europe Airmen have played an active role in Africa since the 1970s, but future participation has yet to be defined due to the recent establishment of U.S. Africa Command. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates announced the creation of AFRICOM Feb. 6, but how that will affect Airmen

World powers bring soft touch to African neighbors

World powers!  The words often bring to mind the image of a military might with continuous armed presence around the world. Although this is definitely a key capability, there is also a softness demanded of world power leaders and that is exactly what people of Africa have found in their western

Wing responsible for wide range of support, missions

Coalition forces have supported operations in Afghanistan for more than five years and the Airmen of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing here perform a wide range of missions in support of those operations. Afghanistan operations are broken up into five regions that operate under the International

Feb. 20 airpower: Coalition tankers refuel the fleet

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Feb. 20. In Afghanistan Feb.19, Air Force F-15 Eagles conducted a strike against an enemy staging point in a cave near Pech. The F-15s dropped guided bomb unit-31 joint direct attack munitions one meter above the cave

Hill supports warfighters with software products

Simulated warfare found in popular video games can take months of detailed planning and encoding. In the real world, the lives of American warfighters rely on quality software products. Factoring in the Department of Defense's need for flawless systems management in support of the real deal gives

DOD identifies Air Force casualty

The Department of Defense announced Feb. 19 the death of an Airman who died Feb. 18 when the coalition MH-47 special operations helicopter he was riding in crashed in eastern Afghanistan. Tech. Sgt. Scott E. Duffman, 32, of Albuquerque, N.M., was assigned to the 24th Special Tactics Squadron, Pope

Survivors of Afghan helicopter crash airlifted to Germany

Only hours after a helicopter crashed in Afghanistan, Airmen from an aeromedical evacuation control team in Southwest Asia got 11 of fourteen injured survivors onboard a C-17 Globemaster III bound for Germany."That really made a difference in saving lives" said Lt. Col. Lenora Cook, the evacuation

Feb. 19 airpower: close-air support missions

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Feb. 19. In Afghanistan Feb. 18, 30 close-air support missions were flown in support of International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and route patrols. Ten U.S. Air

Raptors arrive at Kadena

Ten F-22 Raptors arrived here Feb. 17 and 18 for the first overseas deployment of the Air Force's newest air supremacy aircraft. The aircraft, assigned to the 27th Fighter Squadron at Langley Air Force Base, Va., started their deployment to Kadena almost 10 days previously with a stop at Hickam AFB,

Airmen kick off part two of Falcon Condor 2007

A crowd of more than 15,000 Peruvians watched in amazement as the skies above Las Palmas Air Force Base in Lima, Peru, were filled with Peruvian and U.S. aircraft during a joint air show that kicked off here Feb. 17. The air show, Falcon Condor 2007, is in addition to a joint exercise that took

Air Force supports NASA mission to study auroras

Airmen from the 45th Space Wing supported the Feb. 17 launch of a Delta II booster carrying five NASA probes on a mission called "THEMIS," which will study auroral substorms, an avalanche of solar wind powered magnetic energy that intensifies the northern and southern lights. "We made history. This

379th responds to increased operations

The 379th Air Expeditionary Wing kicked into high gear to support ongoing operations in Iraq, while still providing a presence in Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa. Flying squadrons and maintenance units throughout the wing responded to the call for an increased display of airpower to back the

Feb. 18 airpower: F-16s provide over watch for search team

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Feb. 18.In Afghanistan Feb. 17, U.S. Navy F/A-18 Hornets conducted a strike against insurgents Near Qurya. The Hornet strike-fighters dropped guided bomb unit-38 joint direct attack munitions on insurgent compounds and

DOD recognizes Travis medical center

David Grant Medical Center has been honored with the 2006 Team Performance Patient Safety Award in recognition of outstanding achievement in creating a safer patient environment. The award, presented at the 2007 Military Health System conference in Washington, D.C., is the highest honor within the

Air Force band builds relations in Peru

An Air Force regional band is on tour here sharing the Air Force story through music and entertainment while supporting Airmen participating in a joint military exercise and air show this weekend. The Air National Guard Band of the Southwest, located at Port Hueneme Naval Station, Calif., is