Bushwacker 06-04

CENTAF releases airpower summary for Sept. 21

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Sept. 21.In Afghanistan Sept. 20, an Air Force B-1 Lancer and U.S. Marine Corps AV-8Bs provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Asmar. The B-1 expended a Guided Bomb

Upgraded KC-135 Stratotankers integral to joint force

The Air Force's KC-135 Stratotanker fleet celebrates 50 years this month of enhancing fighter, bomber and cargo aircraft missions. The multi-role tanker's primary mission is to refuel Air Force, sister service and coalition aircraft, but it also fills other jobs, including airlifting cargo,

Lajes Field weathers Tropical Storm Gordon

Tropical Storm Gordon caused no major damage for Airmen at Lajes Field, Azores, Portugal, Sept. 20, when the storm passed further south of the Azores than experts had originally predicted.The storm had winds of 37 to 47 mph with gusts up to 80 mph as it made landfall. Gordon was downgraded to a

Citizen Soldiers, Airmen make difference on border

The Department of Homeland Security has seen a drop in the number of illegal immigrants crossing the U.S. border with Mexico for the first time, and the National Guard has made the difference, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said here Sept. 18."For the first time, we are seeing a

Converted C-130s make flying, training, maintaining easier

The C-130 Hercules getting upgraded avionics will give pilots better situational awareness, will be easier to schedule for missions and easier to maintain. The first of some 350 Air Force's C-130s to receive the avionics modernization program conversion -- which upgrades it with new digital displays

C-130 AMP flies for first time

A C-130 Hercules with a comprehensive avionics modification completed its maiden flight Sept. 19 from Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.The C-130 Avionics Modernization Program aircraft provides upgrades for C-130s.The aircraft's new avionics system features digital displays and the Boeing 737

Contingency training sharpens combat skills

New strategic communication tool online

A recently released publication aims to help Airmen and commanders become better strategic communicators when talking about the Air Force to the public. The Air Force Story, available now on this site, is a high-level summary of information about the Air Force, with topics ranging from heritage to

Strategic communication applies to every Airman

All Airmen have within themselves the ability to be strategic communicators and share the Air Force story with the public, said the Air Force's director of strategic communication at the Pentagon. "Airmen should be proud of who they are and what they do, and they should be proud to share that with

CENTAF releases airpower summary for Sept. 20

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Sept. 20. In Afghanistan Sept. 20, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolts, a B-1 Lancer and Navy F/A-18F Hornets provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Tarin Kowt. The A-10s

Civil Air Patrol honored for hurricane relief contributions

The Civil Air Patrol is scheduled to receive the prestigious Summit Award Sept. 20 for its Hurricanes Katrina and Rita disaster relief contributions. This is the highest award the American Society of Association Executives and the Center for Association Leadership's Associations Advance America

Course prepares dentists to treat children worldwide

Officials from the 59th Medical Wing are teaching a Pediatric Dentistry Course to help general dentists from smaller clinics learn new techniques for treating children during the two-week course that ends Sept. 22 at Lackland AFB, Texas.The in-residence course provides training to Air Force dentists

Aeromedical evacuation mission

Lajes Field prepares for Hurricane Gordon

Airmen at Lajes Field, Azores, Portugal, are preparing for Hurricane Gordon, which forecasters predict will make landfall early Sept. 20. "Primarily we have been focusing on tracking the storm and trying to get as much information together and what the possible direct impact may be to our personnel

Illustrators draw on real-life experiences

In this digital era, a group of distinguished illustrators still volunteer their time and talent to capturing the Air Force mission on canvas. "When you look at an oil painting, you are looking at the (artist's) original thinking," said Keith Ferris. "Digital images can be altered countless times

Special proclamation

Air Force awards CRAF contracts worth $2.3 billion

Headquarters Air Mobility Command has awarded its annual contracts that support the Civil Reserve Air Fleet program, worth $2.3 billion in fiscal 2007.Civilian airlines contractually commit to the CRAF to support Department of Defense airlift requirements in emergencies when the need for airlift

Manas C-17 crew drops vital cargo in Afghanistan

The primary mission of the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing is to provide air mobility support to servicemembers in Afghanistan fighting the war on terrorism. Detachment 1 of the 817th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron here enabled that mission with a combat airdrop Sept. 17. The C-17 Globemaster III

KC-135 launch

Air Force Band streaming music on line

Chief Master Sgt. David Nokes worked 15 months to take an idea and, with the help of the U.S. Army, turned it into a viable product. The result is Air Force Bandstand, a 24-hour per day Internet streaming radio service that broadcasts music by the Air Force Band and also includes news from the Air

Work begins when boots hit the ground

To move 35,000 troops in and out of Southwest Asia each month, Airmen and fellow servicemembers are called to action as soon as the crew door opens upon landing. "What separates us from all other air terminals is that here, passengers become troops as soon as the plane lands," said Maj. Charlene

Bagram PRT awards $3 million contract

A landmark road-construction contract that will link all districts in the Kapisa province of Afghanistan was awarded to a local contractor by the Bagram Provincial Reconstruction Team Sept. 18.When the road is complete, Kapisa province will be the only province in Afghanistan with roads connecting

CENTAF releases airpower summary for Sept. 19

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Sept. 19.In Afghanistan Sept. 18, an Air Force B-1 Lancer, along with Royal Air Force Harrier GR-7s and French Air Force M-2000s provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near

Wake Island assessment nears completion

The damage assessment team from Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, has moved into its second phase of operations here. After three days of comprehensive walk-through inspections on more than 135 facilities, the team has gathered enough data to begin putting together estimates. When Super Typhoon Ioke

Captain pulls missile duty on Air Force birthday

Capt. Jason Hopkin is so busy monitoring ballistic missile launch codes that he will not have time for cake, ice cream and punch on the Air Force's 59th birthday.He will join the other Airmen around the world who will report to work to fight or support the ongoing war on terrorism. This war -- like

Chapel worker attending ball on Air Force birthday

Senior Airman Melissa Ann Harrington helps chaplains minister to Airmen's needs and will have scant time on the Air Force's 59th birthday for cake, ice cream and punch.Instead, like for the past 15 years, she and other Airmen around the world will report to work to fight or support the ongoing war

Sergeant dispatching maintainers on Air Force birthday

Master Sgt. Robert Potter is busing tracking maintenance teams on the Air Force's 59th birthday, not enjoying cake, ice cream and punch.Instead, like for the past 15 years, he and other Airmen around the world will report to work to fight or support the ongoing war on terrorism. This war -- like all

Report: Pilot error caused B-1 crash

Pilot error caused a B-1 Lancer to crash while landing on the runway at a forward-deployed location May 8, 2006, according to an aircraft accident investigation report released here Sept. 18. The co-pilot suffered a minor back injury and the other three crew members were not injured. Damage totaled

Airman checking munitions on Air Force birthday

Senior Airman Robert Shelton has munitions on his plate on the Air Force's 59th birthday instead of the usual cake, ice cream and punch.Because for the past 15 years, he and other Airmen around the world will report to work to fight or support the ongoing war on terrorism. This war -- like all the

Eagles, Falcons face off in air exercise

Eagles and Falcons, the Air Force's premier "birds of prey," are currently facing off here in a two-week air-to-air exercise called Sentry Aloha.F-15 Eagles from the Hawaii Air National Guard's 199th Fighter Squadron and F-16 Fighting Falcons from the Texas Air National Guard's 149th Fighter Wing

Young Airman excels, learns at Wake Island

Super Typhoon Ioke left Wake Island in shambles. The Category 5 storm raged through the atoll Aug. 31, demolishing buildings and tossing around anything that wasn't bolted down -- and many things that were. Assessing the damage includes some repair work, and it's a mission that calls for the most

C-17 pilot on standby on Air Force birthday

Capt. Carl Miller could be flying his transport aircraft instead of celebrating the Air Force's birthday with the cake, ice cream and punch.Because, like for the past 15 years, he and other Airmen around the world will report to work this day to fight or support the ongoing war on terrorism. This

Crew chief keeps B-1s flying on Air Force birthday

Airman 1st Class Jonathan Termun is keeping B-1 Lancers flying on the Air Force's 59th birthday, with no time for cake, ice cream and punch. Because, like for the past 15 years, he and other Airmen around the world will report to work to fight or support the ongoing war on terrorism. This war --

Maintainers improving system through AFSO 21

If you could reduce the number of steps an Airman in the 92nd Maintenance Squadron's Periodic Inspection Element has to climb every day, you could give him back a lot of time. It would also be an excellent example of Air Force Smart Operations 21 in action. Until recently, working inside the cargo

Raptor pilot training on Air Force birthday

Capt. Daniel Arkema will be flying the Air Force's newest fighter on the service's birthday -- not eating cake and ice cream and drinking punch. Instead, like for the past 15 years, he and other Airmen around the world will report to work to fight or support the ongoing war on terrorism. This war --

Dynamics of terrorism

CENTAF releases airpower summaries for Sept. 16-18

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summaries for Sept. 16 through 18.Sept. 16In Afghanistan Sept. 15, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and a B-1 Lancer provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Khowst. Marine Corps AV-8Bs

Charleston photojournalist featured on national magazine

An aerial combat photojournalist with the 1st Combat Camera Squadron here will be featured on the cover of a national professional women's magazine. Staff Sgt. Stacy Pearsall's self-portrait flying in a helicopter over Iraq in 2003 was chosen for the cover of the October issue of Pink, which hits

Sergeant filling prescriptions on Air Force birthday

Tech. Sgt. Brenda Martinez-Lashley will be filling prescriptions instead of eating cake, ice cream and punch on the Air Force's 59th birthday. Like for the past 15 years, she and other Airmen around the world will report to work to fight or support the ongoing war on terrorism. This war -- like all

Flight nurse on medevac duty on Air Force birthday

First Lt. John Rinaldo will be on aeromedical evacuation duty on the Air Force's 59th birthday and will not have much time to celebrate with the cake, ice cream and punch. Instead, like for the past 15 years, he and other Airmen around the world will report to work to fight or support the ongoing

Sergeant moving passengers on Air Force birthday

The Air Force is 59 years old today. But Staff Sgt. Robert Thomas will not have much time to celebrate with the cake, ice cream and punch usually associated with birthdays. Instead, like for the past 15 years, he and other Airmen around the world will report to work to fight or support the ongoing

Maintainer spends Air Force birthday on flightline

The Air Force is 59 years old today. But Tech. Sgt. Tim Scheaffer will not have time to celebrate with the cake, ice cream and punch usually associated with birthdays. Instead, like for the past 15 years, he and other Airmen around the world will report to work to fight or support the ongoing war on

Airmen compete in training challenge

Airmen from nine major commands gathered here this week to compete and train in the CBRN Challenge. The challenge, which covers chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear hazards, is being held for the first time as an Air Force-wide event. The week-long event ends Sept. 15 with a banquet and

CMSAF McKinley gets firsthand look at Offutt missions

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney McKinley met with Airmen here and saw firsthand the diverse missions accomplished in support of the nation's defense. While at Offutt AFB Sept. 5 to 8, the chief took the opportunity to speak at an "all hands call" at U.S. Strategic Command and an enlisted

Reservists honored for rescue efforts

More than 40 members of the 943rd Rescue Group here were honored Sept. 10 here for their service during rescue efforts following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.Members of the 305th and 306th Rescue Squadrons, 943rd Maintenance and other support units were honored by military leaders and public

Space unit to move from Cheyenne Mountain

The Space Control Center, operated by the 1st Space Control Squadron, is transferring its operations from Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, Colo., to the Joint Space Operations Center at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.The move is part of an effort to enhance mission effectiveness and increase

Officials provide update on F-16 crash

Officials at the 52nd Fighter Wing here have released additional information about the crash of the F-16 Fighting Falcon near the town of Oberkail, Germany, Sept. 14.The F-16 pilot, 1st Lt. Trevor Merrell, 28, from the 22nd Fighter Squadron at Spangdahlem AB, ejected safely from the

Airmen add up damage at Wake Island

Airmen from the 15th Civil Engineer Squadron and the 15th Communications Squadron from Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, are working around the clock to provide accurate estimates of the storm damage on Wake Island caused by Super Typhoon Ioke. Super Typhoon Ioke brought 155 mph winds and 190 mph gusts

Denver-area units hold POW/MIA Recognition Day vigil

To commemorate National POW/MIA Recognition Day, military and civilian employees gathered here Sept. 14 for a 24-hour vigil to remember people listed as prisoners of war or missing in action. The annual ceremony opened with volunteers from the Air Reserve Personnel Center, Defense Finance and

CENTAF releases airpower summary for Sept. 15

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Sept. 15.In Afghanistan yesterday, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Oruzgan. An Air Force B-1 Lancer provided close-air support for

Manas Air Base hosts Kyrgyz president

The 376th Air Expeditionary Wing and the U.S. Embassy here hosted a remembrance ceremony and a presidential visit Sept. 11. Kurmanbek Bakiev, the president of Kyrgyzstan, was the key speaker on his first visit to the base. During the ceremony, a coalition color guard of Spanish, French, Kyrgyz and

Air Force Link highlights Air Force birthday

The Air Force Link Web site will help the Air Force celebrate its 59th birthday by posting photos Sept. 18 of Airmen on the job around the globe. There will be different photos posted every hour throughout the day to show Americans how their Airmen are celebrating the anniversary -- hard at work

U.S. military gives medical equipment to Nicaragua

U.S. servicemembers from Joint Task Force-Bravo departed Leon, Nicaragua, Sept. 13, leaving more than $185,000 worth of medical equipment and supplies for the hospital where people were being treated after an alcohol-poisoning epidemic claimed the lives of more than 45 people and left hundreds more

Dover AFB readies for arrival of C-17s

Distinguished visitors from around the state gathered together with members of the Dover Air Force Base community Sept. 11 to celebrate the groundbreaking of a new C-17 training facility and the arrival of C-17 Globemaster III aircraft to Dover. The ceremony was a celebration of nearly a decade of

Ceremony marks first step for command's relocation

The Army's Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command, or SDDC, took its first official step in relocating from Virginia to Scott Air Force Base, Ill., with the opening of the SDDC advanced team's facility Sept. 12. Gen. Norton A. Schwartz, commander of the U.S. Transportation Command,

POW/MIA Recognition Day reaffirms commitment

As Americans pause to observe POW/MIA Recognition Day Sept. 15, teams of military and civilian experts will be excavating sites in Europe, South Korea, Solomon Islands, Alaska and Hawaii, looking for remains to help identify servicemembers still missing from past wars. Teams from the Joint POW/MIA

Changes to acquisition processes reduce delivery time

Changes in the Air Force's acquisition community have already resulted in quicker delivery of capability to the warfighter, according to the assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition. The Air Force acquisition community is changing the way it does business to deliver capability faster and

'Reaper' moniker given to MQ-9 unmanned aerial vehicle

The Air Force chief of staff announced "Reaper" has been chosen as the name for the MQ-9 unmanned aerial vehicle. The Air Force is the Department of Defense's executive agent for designating and naming military aerospace vehicles. In the case of the Reaper, Gen. T. Michael Moseley made the final

Spangdahlem F-16 crashes

A 22nd Fighter Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed at 1 p.m. local time Sept. 14 near the town of Oberkail, about 10 miles north of this busy fighter base. The pilot ejected safely and is in good condition, said Staff Sgt. Tammie Moore, a spokesperson for the 52nd Fighter Wing. The aircraft was on

CENTAF releases airpower summary for Sept. 14

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Sept. 14.In Afghanistan Sept. 13, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolts provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Oruzgan. The following close-air support requests supported NATO

Hickam team begins Wake Island assessment

Airmen from the 15th Airlift Wing embarked on Day One of their intensive damage assessment here Sept. 14, following the destruction left by Super Typhoon Ioke Aug. 31.The Airmen arrived Sept. 12 on a C-17 Globemaster III from Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, and will spend several days gathering the

UAV catches anti-Iraqi forces mortar team

Two men were detained and a small cache discovered after coalition forces observed, with the intelligence gathered from an unmanned aerial vehicle, six men fleeing the origin of an indirect fire attack on the civilians of Khan Bani Sa'ad, south of Baqubah Tuesday. After two mortar rounds impacted

First look at Wake: Less damage than feared

Members of the 36th Contingency Response Group from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, completed their initial assessment of Wake Island Sept. 11, finding the island's runway intact and operational with fuel tanks secure, but runway lights are missing and there is minor damage to the fuels transfer

Andersen team prepares Wake Island for aircraft

After Super Typhoon Ioke's 155 mph winds and driving storm surge devastated Wake Island Aug. 31, members of the 36th Contingency Response Group at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, made up the initial assessment team sent to the island. "Prior to the storm the experts were all saying there would be no

Dyess welcomes back bomber squadron

Hundreds of family members and friends welcomed home 279 Airmen of the 7th Bomb Wing who returned to Dyess AFB Sept. 13 from a deployment to Southwest Asia. The squadron deployed for several months throughout Southwest Asia in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. "It's all about

Live-fire training

Officials award $589 million Weapon System Integrator contract

Officials with the Electronic Systems Center's 350th Electronic Systems Group awarded a $589 million contract Sept. 12 to Lockheed Martin Corp. to serve as the Air and Space Operations Center Weapon System Integrator.With this contract, Air Force specialists will be able to aid the government's

Business changes dramatically for air operations center

The way business is done has dramatically changed at the 1st Air Force Air Operations Center here.Five years after 9/11, the AOC, which is responsible for U.S. air defense, has made serious networking and communications upgrades to improve their processes. "Our mission is to watch all the aircraft

Cannon F-16s support Operation Iraqi Freedom

California ANG participating in exercises in Ukraine

California Air National Guardsmen and members of California's Emergency Medical Services Authority are participating in a disaster response exercise with civilians and military members from Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Moldova in Odessa, Ukraine, Sept. 13 through 21.Activities will focus on

South Carolina Air Guard trains at Kadena

Bio-based products enhance national security

The use of biological-based products is important to the nation's economy and to national security, because these products help reduce America's dependence on foreign energy resources, the deputy secretary of defense said Sept. 12. The Defense Department is the largest purchaser of products in the

Teams fly to Wake Island to assess damage

A 53-person team of 15th Airlift Wing Airmen, Defense Department employees and contractors arrived here Sept. 12 on a C-17 Globemaster III from Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. The team of civil engineers and communications experts came to assess damage caused by Super Typhoon Ioke and report the

CENTAF releases airpower summary for Sept. 13

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Sept. 13.In Afghanistan Sept. 12, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Kandahar. The aircraft expended Guided Bomb Unit-12s and cannon

Airmen provide medical assistance in Colombia

Fourteen Airmen from Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., and Lackland AFB, Texas, arrived at Hospital Toribo Maya, Colombia, Sept. 13 and opened the doors to the hundreds of people who had already gathered outside seeking medical assistance. The team, made up of members from the 55th Medical Group at

USAFE Airmen support Med Flag 2006 in Ghana

More than 50 Airmen from United States Air Forces in Europe arrived in Tamale, Ghana, Sept. 9 to participate in a humanitarian exercise called Med Flag 2006.The group, composed of medical, support and security Airmen from Spangdahlem, Ramstein and Sembach Air Bases in Germany, will spend four days

World War II vets receive Bronze Stars after 62 years

Reunited in a hotel ballroom just outside Washington, D.C., a small group of former Army Air Corps members were presented with long-overdue medals in a ceremony Sept. 9. Gen. Ronald E. Keys, Air Combat Command commander, presented Francis Goldberg, John Bucko, John McCurdy and Eugene Peterson

Tight fit for GM-3 will save $360K per flight

Members of the 4th Space Operations Squadron here successfully loaded their Ground Mobile-3 vehicle onto a C-17 Globemaster III Sept. 10, proving a concept that will save the Air Force more than $360,000 each time the GM-3 deploys. In addition, C-17s are easier to procure and have a greater

Major receives Asthma Educator Certification

A 59th Medical Wing major here is now one of only 1,600 certified asthma educators nationwide. Maj. James Hurst, the Allergy and Immunizations Flight nurse manager at Wilford Hall Medical Center, recently passed the National Asthma Educator Certification Board exam, a voluntary testing program used

Lakenheath Airmen gear up for deployments

More than 800 Airmen assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing here are departing this month to support military operations in Southwest Asia, South America, Africa and Eastern Europe as part of the latest air and space expeditionary force."This is an average-sized deployment," said Capt. Gretchen Yule,

Leaders at all levels must be aware of AFSO 21 efforts

General officers gathered here Sept. 6 to present their plans for streamlining the processes that govern the Air Force. As part of Air Force Smart Operations 21, or AFSO 21, the Air Force Smart Operations Process Council, made up of senior Air Force leaders, guides and integrates the transformation

Spangdahlem Airmen return home

About 250 Spangdahlem Airmen returned home Sept. 9 to their families and friends after a deployment to Southwest Asia. "Since 9/11, a lot of Americans have been serving and sacrificing; these are the latest," said Col. Darryl Roberson, 52nd Fighter Wing commander. "The families and children here

Airmen deploy from Mountain Home AFB

More than 160 Airmen from the 726th Air Control Squadron here deployed Sept. 10 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.Their mission is to monitor the airspace over a battlefield and provide military leaders with a clear and accurate picture of that area, allowing commanders to make informed,

Air Force dentist aids Colombian people

On Sept. 11, 2001, Lt. Col. (Dr.) Gary Geracci was in the middle of packing for a TDY when he received a call from his mother saying the World Trade Center had been attacked. "I don't think you'll be going anywhere," she said. Like so many others who witnessed the tragic events of 9/11, Colonel

COMUSAFE forges relations with Latvian officials

The U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander and staff advisers visited Riga, Latvia, Sept. 11 to meet senior defense and state department officials and tour facilities. During the trip, Gen. William T. Hobbins visited the U.S. Embassy, Latvian Ministry of Defense and Joint Operations Center in Riga. "We

Mechanic snares $10,000 through IDEA program

William Durham was watching an infomercial about a year ago that featured a steamer blasting away caked-on pizza residue from an oven. He was amazed at how easily the steamer cleaned bathrooms, ovens and even barbecue grills. Part of Mr. Durham's job as a mechanic with the 76th Maintenance Wing is

CENTAF releases airpower summary for Sept. 12

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Sept. 12. In Afghanistan Sept. 11, an Air Force B-1 Lancer conducted a precision strike against Taliban extremist fighting positions and a mortar position in the vicinity of Asadabad. The B-1 expended Guided Bomb

Air Force prepares to test synthetic fuel on B-52

A B-52 Stratofortress powered by a mix of synthetic and JP-8 fuel is slated to take its first flight Sept. 19 from Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., bringing the Air Force one step closer to reducing its dependence on foreign fuel. "This is an extremely important moment for the Department of Defense,"

Fifth CMSAF puts Air Force evolution into perspective

Evolution and progression have been Air Force standards since the service's creation almost 60 years ago. But a voice from the past reminded Airmen here that the fundamentals of Air Force success are the same now as then. Retired Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Robert Gaylor, the fifth chief

Five years later Airmen remember 9/11, continue the fight

Sept. 11, 2001, is a day no American will ever forget, and Airmen serving around the world took time this Patriots Day to reflect on events just five years ago.Flags flew at half-staff and Airmen observed moments of silence around the world to commemorate the solemn anniversary. Coalition forces and

Tyndall ceremony honors 9/11 heroes, victims

More than 400 people attended a wreath-laying ceremony at the base chapel here Sept. 11 to honor the victims and heroes of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command sponsored the ceremony. The command's deputy commander, Brig. Gen. Marcel Duval, spoke

Beams of light honor those who died at Pentagon

People kept a respectful silence as 184 beams of white light emanated from the Pentagon's center courtyard, rising into the night sky Sept. 10 like lonely wraiths searching for lost loved ones. Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England signaled for the lights to be turned on just before 9 p.m., as

Andersen members return from USNS Mercy mission

Members from the 36th Medical Group, 36th Wing and the U.S. Navy Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25 returned home Sept. 10 following a 72-day humanitarian and civic assistance deployment on the USNS Mercy.While embarked on USNS Mercy, servicemembers and civilians participated in theater security

Down a manhole

Internship promotes international relationship

A medical summer internship program between Japan and Misawa Air Base builds bridges between nations, develops professional relationships and improves international health care. "Instead of flying to the states (to experience American medicine), they come to Misawa," said Paul Sayles, 35th Medical

Officials announce T-3A Firefly final disposition

Nearly a decade after the Air Force stood down the T-3A Firefly fleet following three fatal accidents, Air Force officials made a final disposition decision to salvage the aircraft in place. Base officials here announced the selection of TOTALL Metal Recycling Inc., of Granite City, Ill., to handle

Searchers 'leaving no stones unturned' in hunt for major

Air Force investigators and Kyrgyz police are still searching for Maj. Jill Metzger, who has been missing from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, since Sept. 5. Major Metzger, deployed as the personnel chief at the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing at nearby Manas Air Base, disappeared during a trip to a shopping

CENTAF releases airpower summary for Sept. 10-11

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Sept. 10.Sept. 10In Afghanistan Sept. 9, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, a B-1 Lancer, MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicles, Navy FA-18 Hornets and Royal Air Force Harrier GR-7s provided close-air support for

USAFE sets course with AFSO 21

To best meet the challenges of the road ahead, the U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander assembled leaders throughout the command here to initiate USAFE-wide implementation of Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century. "We're going to determine where we're going in the future, and AFSO 21 will