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  • Academy investigates illegal drug use

    The Air Force Academy is investigating approximately 15 cadets for violating a general order prohibiting the use of intoxicating substances -- other than alcohol, caffeine, tobacco or lawfully-used prescribed medications. The Academy superintendent issued his general order in April 2010, and it

  • Air Force medics train host nation on emergency response

    Airmen deployed to the 380th Expeditionary Medical Group joined with fellow healthcare professionals from the host nation air force for patient transport training Jan. 11.The doctors, nurses and medical technicians from both countries instructed each other on how to load their different litters and

  • Coalition aviators train Afghans to perform critical supply run

    The pilot's eyes squint as he tries to locate his landing zone located in the terrain covered by a rolling and twisting blanket of dust. The trip to the Kunar Valley in northern Afghanistan is treacherous with numerous towering mountains as tall as 12,000 feet, providing an obstacle course of a

  • Military logistics strained, but healthy, official says

    The state of military logistics is healthy and service members are doing amazing things to supply operations around the world, but the system is strained as a result of 10 years of war, the Joint Staff's director of logistics said here.Lt. Gen. Brooks L. Bash said military logisticians are, in many

  • Deployed CE Airmen create innovative method to speed de-icing process

    Through a collaborative effort, the men and women of the 455th Expeditionary Civil Engineering Squadron improved aircraft safety by building a de-icing station from spare materials, drastically increasing the speed and reliability of refilling the de-icer trucks at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. A

  • War yields lessons in preventing, treating eye injuries

    Ten years of conflict has given rise not only to the world's best body armor and state-of-the-art battlefield technologies, but also a new understanding about ways to prevent eye injuries and treat those who suffer from them.When the war in Afghanistan kicked off in 2002, ballistic goggles were hard

  • 727th EACS takes control of new mission

    The 727th Expeditionary Air Control Squadron changed missions Dec. 30 as it supported the end of Operation New Dawn and began supporting the air defense of the Arabian Gulf.The timing of the transition allowed for a full-circle moment for members of the 727th EACS, who are deployed from the 606th

  • Afghanistan airdrops surpass record levels in 2011

    In 2011, mobility Airmen delivering airdrops reached a new annual record with 75,956,235 pounds of cargo delivered. That's nearly 16 million more pounds delivered than the previous record set in 2010 of 60,400,000.At more than 75.9 million pounds - that's the equivalent of standing on a mountain top

  • DOD leaders: U.S. will remain world's strongest military

    The Defense Department's new, 10-year strategy will ensure the U.S. remains the world's strongest military power, DOD leaders emphasized in weekend interviews.In an interview with Bob Schieffer that aired Jan. 8 on the CBS news program "Face the Nation," Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Joint

  • Even with cuts, military will remain capable, official says

    Defense Department officials will use the military strategy guidance that President Barack Obama announced yesterday to tie numbers to the department's fiscal 2013 budget request, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said Jan. 6.The budget request is expected to be delivered to Capitol Hill in

  • First Transit Center commander reflects on decade of change

    Even in his wildest dreams, he never could have envisioned what he started 10 years ago would turn into what he sees now. But when the Transit Center's first commander, then-Brig. Gen. Chris Kelly, landed on Runway 08 at the Manas International Airport on Dec. 16, 2001, he saw potential of what this

  • Obama: Future force will be smaller, agile, ready

    At a moment of national transition, the U.S. is reshaping defense priorities and its military force to sustain U.S. global leadership and respond to changing security and fiscal needs, President Barack Obama said Jan. 5 at the Pentagon.Obama, the first president to address reporters in the Pentagon

  • New defense strategic guidance detailed in near future

    Specifics on how the new defense strategic guidance will affect the Pentagon's budget will take shape in the weeks to come as White House and Defense Department officials prepare President Barack Obama's 2013 budget request.Obama, joined by Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Army Gen. Martin E.

  • Strategy calls for military to handle full range of contingencies

    The American military will be leaner in the years ahead, but it will remain lethal and without a match in the world, President Barack Obama said at the Pentagon on Jan. 5.Obama, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, detailed the

  • Obama: Defense strategy will maintain U.S. military pre-eminence

    President Barack Obama announced a defense strategy Jan. 5 that he said will allow the military to defend the United States and its national interests while cutting military spending in a responsible, balanced manner.The president spoke about the conclusions of the defense strategy review at the

  • Airmen recognized for gallant efforts during bus crash

    Five Airmen from the 51st Civil Engineer Squadron here were recognized Jan. 3, 2012 for their gallant efforts in response to a vehicle accident that occurred on base.Tech. Sgt. Justin Pederson, Senior Airman Robert Farmer, Senior Airman Richard Turner, Airman 1st Class Tylor King and Airman 1st

  • New law eases airport screening for troops, families

    President Barack Obama signed a bill into law Jan. 3 to streamline airport screening procedures for service members and their families traveling on official orders.The Risk-based Security Screening for Members of the Armed Forces Act gives the Transportation Security Administration six months to

  • 'Today's Air Force' looks back at 2011

    On a special end-of-year edition, "Today's Air Force" takes a look back at the top stories for 2011.This week's show kicks off with TAF reporter Airman 1st Class Jimmy Moreland covering the rebuilding efforts in Japan after the devastating earthquake and tsunami. Later, the show pays tribute to one

  • JTF-Bravo delivers medical care to 1,400 Guatemalans

    Twenty-two members from Joint Task Force-Bravo provided medical care to more than 1,400 residents Dec. 8-13 in an isolated region of southwest Guatemala.JTF-Bravo members teamed up with their Guatemalan medical partners, including the Guatemalan Ministry of Health and the Military Group in El Codo

  • Bulgarian doctors observe aeromedical evacuation at Ramstein AB

    Four doctors from the Bulgarian Military Medical Academy visited here for a week-long aeromedical evacuation orientation. The familiarization event took the doctors on a tour of the 86th Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility where the primary function is safe transport and staging of patients

  • F-15 sale to Saudi Arabia part of broader effort

    The recently announced $29.4 billion sale of F-15SA fighter aircraft to Saudi Arabia is just one part of a broader U.S.-Saudi military sales and defense cooperation effort that's central to regional security, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said.U.S. officials announced an agreement Dec. 29

  • Saudi Arabia to purchase 84 F-15SA, upgrade current F-15 fleet

    Air Force officials announced the next chapter in a partnership with the Royal Saudi Air Force as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia recently signed a $29.4 billion Foreign Military Sales Letter of Offer and Acceptance solidifying their plans to purchase 84 F-15SA fighter aircraft and upgrade their current

  • Panetta 'will not tolerate' bullying, hazing

    Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta added a pointed anti-bullying directive to a holiday message sent Dec. 23 to service members around the world."I cannot be more proud of who you are and what you represent as you serve and sacrifice for our great nation," the message read, in part. "With that honor,

  • SecAF thanks Airmen during Lajes visit

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley visited Lajes Field Airmen Dec. 18-19 to thank them for their service and countless sacrifices this holiday season. "During the holidays, please know that all Americans are keeping you and your families in their thoughts and prayers," Secretary Donley said.

  • Air Force Week in Photos

    This week's photos feature Airmen around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.View the slideshow.

  • Santa helps deliver fuel to remote bases in Afghanistan

    Santa Claus paid a surprise visit to the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron here Dec. 23 to assist in an airdrop delivery to remote forward operating bases in Afghanistan."I just wanted to bring a little holiday cheer to the men and women of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing and help out with a

  • Air expeditionary units inactivate after last Airmen leave Iraq

    Four air expeditionary units that were the air and space components to U.S. Forces-Iraq inactivated during a flag-casing ceremony Dec. 18 here. The 467th Air Expeditionary Group, 368th Expeditionary Air Support Operations Group, 321st Air Expeditionary Wing and 9th Air and Space Expeditionary Task

  • New energy module provides awareness tool for Airmen

    The Air Force continues to place emphasis on energy awareness throughout the entire year. A new voluntary energy awareness module was made available to all Air Force members Dec. 1."The module provides an overview of energy strategies of the Air Force, what actions the Air Force is taking to build

  • KC-10 cargo load training facility opens doors

    The new KC-10 cargo load training facility was officially opened at a ribbon cutting ceremony Dec. 16. The structure is the first of its kind in the Air Force, as a facility for cargo load training on the KC-10 Extender did not exist before today. The building will allow Airmen to train on cargo

  • Laughlin AFB graduates Afghanistan's newest pilots

    Three Afghan air force lieutenants will soon be returning to Afghanistan with silver wings after graduating from Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Dec.16 here.After competing against more than 350 potential Afghan pilot candidates, these three lieutenants are the first from their country to

  • Air Force prepares UDMs, IDOs for next deployment rotation

    Nearly 350 representatives responsible for preparing Airmen for deployments attended the latest Air and Space Expeditionary Force Execution Working Group in San Antonio on Dec. 7 and 8.The Air Force Personnel Center's AEF and Personnel Operations directorate facilitated the two-day working group

  • Alaska National Guard brings Operation Santa Claus to Wales

    Santa, Mrs. Claus and 35 helpers brought Operation Santa Claus and holiday cheer on an Alaska National Guard C-130 Hercules to the small, remote Alaska village of Wales Dec. 9. The C-130 landed on the village's airstrip and was warmly greeted by community members on snow mobiles. Operation Santa

  • Air Guard unit provides testing ground for mask development

    Develop one aircrew mask that can be used on over 100 different air frames. That is the challenge for researchers assigned to the Joint Service Aircrew Mask-Fixed Wing Program.In early December, JSAM-FW researchers visited the 167th Airlift Wing, a West Virginia Air National Guard unit here, to

  • Panetta concludes Iraq mission noting service, sacrifice

    Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta joined Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey and other U.S. and Iraq leaders in honoring eight years of service and sacrifice as they commemorated the end of the U.S. military mission in Iraq."No words, no ceremony can provide full

  • Panetta defends intelligence operations

    Declining to discuss details about a U.S. RQ-170 drone aircraft that went missing in Iran, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta defended the use of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft to protect the U.S.During a joint news conference here today with Afghan President Hamid Karzai,

  • Electronic flight bags could boost operational safety, effectiveness

    Improved safety, operational effectiveness and efficiency are just a few reasons Air Mobility Command officials are looking into using tablet devices such as electronic flight bags for aircrew members reference materials in the cockpit during in-flight emergencies."Moving from a paper-based to an

  • Academy superintendent invited to join Order of the Sword

    Air Force Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Mike Gould was invited by the Academy's enlisted corps to join the Order of the Sword during a ceremony here Dec. 13.Chief Master Sgt. Todd Salzman brought the Academy's enlisted Airmen together under the guise of an enlisted call; he filled everyone in on

  • Holloman scientist receives Harold Brown Award

    A chief scientist from Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., received the 2011 Harold Brown Award on Dec. 12 for his role in significant advances in hypersonic missile research.Dr. Michael Hooser's work with the Holloman High Speed Test Track's artificial rain environment established benchmarks against

  • First Afghan pilot class in 30 years kicks off at Shindand

    The Afghan air force marked the beginning of its first undergraduate pilot training held exclusively inside Afghanistan in more than 30 years during a ceremony Dec. 10 here. More than 200 Afghan and coalition service members attended the ceremony.The first class will consist of seven Afghan air

  • Air Force MQ-9 crashes in Seychelles

    An Air Force MQ-9 Reaper crashed at the Seychelles International Airport in Mahe at 10:22 a.m. Dec. 13. The MQ-9 was not armed and no injuries were reported. The Seychelles government leaders were immediately notified, and the U.S. military and the Civil Aviation Authority of Seychelles are

  • AF instant messengers shutting down

    The Air Force will shut down the Air Force Instant Messenger and Friends and Family Instant Messenger services by Dec. 31. AFIM and FFIM are collaborative tools available on the Air Force Portal. AFIM is used by Air Force Portal users to chat with each other. FFIM is a subset of AFIM that allowed AF

  • Blended e-learning courses mix accessibility, personal touch

    As part of the effort to modernize Air Force training programs, the Ira C. Eaker Center for Professional Development here has taken to cyberspace recently with five new blended e-learning courses. Using a combination of online webinars and self-paced curriculum, the e-learning courses allow students

  • Dentists at Gardez welcome first, only clinical adviser

     At Paktia Regional Military Hospital at Gardez three Afghan dental workers are very excited about receiving their first adviser. Maj. Courtney Schapira is part of the Medical Embedded Training Team at Forward Operating Base Lightning. The team is made up of a variety of medical advisoes for the

  • US embassies welcome opportunities for interagency training

    United States embassies from across the globe are stepping up to participate in a unique training opportunity for Airmen known as the Embassy Immersion Fellowship program. The fellowship places Airmen side-by-side with their U.S. foreign service counterparts in a five-week program sponsored by the

  • Thunderbirds release 2012 show schedule

    The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds announced their 2012 show schedule Dec. 7. The team is set to perform more than 60 demonstrations in 33 locations, including two shows in Canada.The team, officially known as the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, will again kick-off their season by performing

  • USO honors service members' leadership

    Medal of Honor recipient Marine Sgt. Dakota Meyer, a Navy SEAL killed in Afghanistan in August, a Soldier and an Air Force search-and-rescue team member who repeatedly exposed themselves to enemy fire to save their wounded comrades, and a Coast Guardsman who led maritime security operations in the

  • U.S., Honduran partners help more than 1,100 flood victims

    More than 20 medical personnel from Joint Task Force-Bravo provided general medical care to more than 1,100 flood victims Nov. 29 and 30 here. The JTF-Bravo team, from Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, collaborated with their Honduran medical partners, including the Honduran Ministry of Health, to

  • Afghan, US forces combine for flightline security patrol

    History was made Dec. 3 at Kandahar Airfield when Afghan air force security forces partnered with their U.S Air Force counterparts for a flightline security patrol for the first time.Master Sgt. Terry Gilbert, the senior enlisted security forces adviser, said the patrol went well."The patrol was

  • Air Force pararescue exercise receives national accreditation

    The Angel Thunder exercise received Joint National Training Capability accreditation and certifications Nov. 30.Angel Thunder is an Air Combat Command-sponsored personnel recovery exercise held annually at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. Rescue units from all over the world send pararescueman

  • Air Force rolls out new rifle qualification course

    Airmen taking the new Air Force Rifle Qualification Course are finding themselves learning more than just basic marksmanship skills.Changes requiring more intensive weapons training were published in September by the Air Force Security Center and officially took effect Dec. 1."Our combatant

  • Missile component damage reported at Minot AFB

    A small, replaceable component of a Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile was damaged Nov. 17 while maintenance technicians at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., conducted routine maintenance. Airmen reported the damage immediately to proper authorities in accordance with standard procedures.The

  • Vinyl treasure found on Wake Island

    In a tale straight from an adventure book, contractors here recently stumbled upon a vinyl record collection with an estimated value between $90,000 and $250,000. The 611th Air Support Group's Detachment 1 is now making a comprehensive effort to preserve the nearly 9,000 vintage vinyl records and

  • Airmen ensure emergency medical suppplies easily accessible

    Deployed medical Airmen have a launched a new program that will help ensure quick access to medical supplies in the event of an emergency or mass casualty event at the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing. The members of the 380th Expeditionary Medical Group here have placed two containers containing

  • Carter recognizes best junior, senior enlisted troops

    Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter today paid tribute to the military's enlisted members while recognizing two deemed the best of the best."You may not read about them everyday ... but, behind the scenes, they are the unsung heroes," Carter said during a Pentagon ceremony honoring the Office

  • NORAD ready to track Santa's flight

    The North American Aerospace Defense Command is getting ready to track Santa's yuletide journey.The NORAD Tracks Santa website, http://www.noradsanta.org, went live Dec. 1 featuring a countdown calendar, a kid's countdown village complete with holiday games and activities that change daily, and

  • Environmental assessment underway for New Start Treaty silo eliminations

    An environmental assessment is underway at two Air Force Global Strike Command bases for the elimination of 100 empty missile silos and associated alert facilities, in accordance with the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty.Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont., and F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo., will each

  • Biden, al-Maliki honor troops' sacrifices during Day of Commitment Ceremony

    Vice President Joe Biden attended the Government of Iraq Day of Commitment Ceremony in the Al Faw Palace at Victory Base Complex, Iraq, Dec. 1, 2011.Biden joined Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and Ambassador to Iraq James F. Jeffrey in commemorating the

  • Airmen complete important GPS airdrop mission in Afghanistan

    Airmen from the 772nd Expeditionary Airlift Squadron successfully completed an airdrop mission to Combat Outpost Herrera in east Afghanistan, using GPS-guided bundles to deliver the supplies Nov. 27.The C-130 Hercules, operated by its crew from the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing at Kandahar Airfield,

  • 'Cool School' teaches arctic survival

    Surviving in the wilderness could be intimidating for some, but doing so during a brutal Alaskan winter could be downright scary. Detachment 1, 66th Training Squadron's Arctic Survival Training course, which began here recently, offers students a set of skills invaluable to enduring the subarctic

  • Commissaries to end magazine sales overseas

    Defense Commissary Agency officials have announced the end of magazine sales in their overseas stores beginning January 2012. This policy affects all commissaries in Europe, the Pacific (Japan, Okinawa, South Korea and Guam) and Puerto Rico.DeCA will continue to sell the Stars & Stripes newspaper

  • Electronic warfare officer instructs Navy pilots

    An Air Force electronic warfare officer recently became the first to upgrade and become a fully qualified instructor teaching Navy pilots flight maneuvers in the EA-6B Prowler.Maj. Martin Rann, an EA-6B Prowler instructor assigned to the Fixed Wing Electronic Attack Squadron 129, is attached to the

  • Nellis Airmen clean-up F-15 crash site

    Nellis Air Force Base Airmen worked alongside the Army National Guardsmen Aviation unit stationed in Stockton, Calif., to conduct recovery and clean-up efforts for the F-15C Eagle aircraft crash site in the Nevada Test and Training Range recently.The operation was the 820th RED HORSE Squadron

  • Faith connects US, Kyrgyz pastors

    The simple thought, "What can I do at my level," led the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing chaplain to a Bishkek church to start a religious exchange program. One of the four mission pillars of the Transit Center is to build relationships, and after contemplating how he could do this, Chaplain (Lt. Col.)

  • Maintenance advisers certify first-ever AAF expediter

    Maintenance advisers recently certified the first Afghan air force flightline expediter at Kandahar Air Wing.A direct maintenance commander delegate on the flightline and an expediter is responsible for efficiently utilizing manning and resources to effectively execute the flight schedule agreed

  • US, Kyrgyz officials participate in joint exercise

    Emergency responders from the Kyrgyz Ministries of Emergency Services, Interior and Defense participated in a joint explosive ordnance disposal and chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and high-yield explosives response exercise with their American counterparts Nov. 22 here.The exercise was

  • U.S., Swedish air forces conduct squadron exchange program

    Swedish Air Force and 48th Fighter Wing airmen participated in a week-long squadron exchange program here, which concluded Nov. 18. Swedish JAS-39 Gripen pilots went up against F-15C Eagle and F-15E Strike Eagle pilots in simulated combat scenarios to train with and learn from each other. The 493rd

  • VCSAF: America is an air and space nation

    The Air Force vice chief of staff discussed many topics concerning the current and future state of America's airpower at the Air Force Association's Global Warfare Symposium Nov. 18 in Los Angeles. Airpower has made the United States a global power, Gen. Phil Breedlove told an audience of

  • U.S., Canadian defense leaders call F-35 crucial

    Calling it crucial to the defense of North America, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Canadian Defense Minister Peter G. MacKay today emphasized that both nations are committed to developing the F-35 joint strike fighter.At a news conference here in conjunction with the Halifax International

  • Flying Tigers reunite, honor 70 years of service

    The 2011 Flying Tigers reunion brought together pilots who have flown attack and rescue aircraft bearing the infamous shark's teeth for the past 70 years.The remaining original Flying Tigers, made up of American Volunteer Group pilots and supporters who defended China in World War II, met Nov. 10

  • Panetta cites concerns of sexual assault in the ranks

    Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta will issue "very direct guidance" in the coming months about how the department should respond to sexual assaults within the ranks, the Pentagon press secretary told reporters today.George Little cited public commentary from Capitol Hill and elsewhere on the

  • F-16s to strengthen Iraqi air defense, partnership with U.S.

    During a press conference Nov. 8  the commander of the Iraqi air force said Iraq's purchase of 18 F-16C Fighting Falcons, for their future air defense, will encourage and strengthen the strategic partnership between the U.S. and Iraq. In September, through the Foreign Military Sales program, the

  • Commander cites 'positive impact' from Iraq mission

    Most of about 24,000 U.S. service members remaining in Iraq will be home "well before Christmas," the last U.S. division commander there said today.Army Maj. Gen. Bernard S. Champoux, commander of U.S. Division-Center and the Hawaii-based 25th Infantry Division, briefed Pentagon reporters via video

  • Air Force Negotiation Center of Excellence conducts EU, NATO training

    "You don't get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate," reads the sign on the door of the Air Force Negotiation Center of Excellence, part of Air University's Spaatz Center for Officer Education, here. As the NCE director, Dr. Stef Eisen is the Air Force's authority on negotiation. He recently

  • Air Force refines force presentation, generation

    Air Force officials have been working for more than two years to develop a more consistent force presentation model for the Air Expeditionary Force deployment system.Future changes in how the Air Force presents its forces in the joint environment and generates forces to support combatant commanders

  • Afghan airmen begin functional check flight training

    With coalition adviser support, Afghan airmen began post-phase funcitional check flight training recently in an effort to further professionalize the Afghan air force at Kandahar Air Wing. A phase inspection is a detailed inspection of an aircraft that includes servicing and cleaning and takes place

  • Air Force updates doctrine documents

    The Air Force updated its two capstone doctrine documents.In October, the Air Force released Air Force Doctrine Document 1, Air Force Basic Doctrine, Organization, and Command. In early November, a revised AFDD 1-1, Leadership and Force Development, was approved and is expected to be available

  • CSAF, AFCENT commander highlight partnership in 2011 Dubai Airshow

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and U.S. Air Forces Central Command Commander Lt. Gen. David Goldfein met with key United Arab Emirates leaders aboard the John C. Stennis (CVN-74) Navy carrier Nov. 13 in conjunction with the Dubai Airshow 2011 and the UAE's 40th Anniversary."The Dubai

  • U.S. assists with Turkish earthquake relief

    U.S. Air Forces in Europe sent a C-130J Super Hercules loaded with arctic relief supplies to south-eastern Turkey on Nov. 13 to aid victims of recent earthquakes there.The Van region of Turkey is coping with the aftereffects of two earthquakes: a magnitude 7.2 quake that occurred Oct. 23 and a

  • Air Force launches cutting-edge culture & language website

    The Air Force Culture and Language Center, part of Air University's Spaatz Center here, recently launched a new public website to provide information on the Air Force's efforts to increase cross-cultural competence -- a critical warfighting skill cited by Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta in an

  • 28th BW garners top bomb wing honors

    After proving to be the top bomb wing in the U.S. Air Force, the 28th Bomb Wing here will bring home the Stanley Cup of trophies in the bomber community -- the Fairchild Trophy.The announcement was made during the Global Strike Command's Global Strike Challenge competition award ceremony at

  • Pararescuemen train in Djiboutian desert

    Pararescuemen with the 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron conducted a training rescue mission here recently. The training involved parachuting into a simulated crash site, locating and treating casualties, and coordinating evacuation while maintaining security. For the slideshow, click here.

  • Airmen host Kyrgyz soldiers for professional development event

     Airmen from here and soldiers from the Koi Tash NCO Academy met for a professional military education exchange Nov. 10 here.The event centered on the Airman Leadership School methods of course delivery and the four primary curriculum topics of expeditionary Airmen, supervisor of Airmen, military

  • Kyrgyz, U.S. Women's Club shows similarities, creates friendships

    It seems no matter the location, get a bunch of women together and they can always find something about which to talk. That's the idea -- and the result -- in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, when female American service members deployed to the Transit Center at Manas to visit with Kyrgyz ladies during a weekly

  • Close air support protects coalition forces, kills 70 insurgents

    F-15E Strike Eagles from the 335th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 121st EFS dropped more than 9,000 pounds of munitions through severe weather on enemy forces trying to overrun a combat outpost in Paktika province, Afghanistan, Nov. 8. According to reports, up to

  • Obama urges nation to serve veterans who served

    President Barack Obama taped his weekly radio address, released Nov. 12, from the bridge of the USS Carl Vinson in San Diego, praising the men and women and uniform and underscoring the nation's commitment to them and all veterans.The president, who traveled to the ship Nov. 11 to meet with the crew

  • Air Force participates in joint homeland defense exercise

    A variety of military and federal organizations participated in a first-of-its-kind homeland defense event Nov. 7 as part of the Joint-Deployable Integrated Air and Missile Defense field training exercise conducted in Key West, Fla.According to Maj. Greg Lewis, the chief of command and control,

  • JB Balad wraps up operations

    What was once a bustling hub for U.S. operations in Iraq has now transitioned into a quiet and empty shell of its former self.In accordance with a 2008 security agreement between the U.S. and Iraq, Joint Base Balad was transitioned to the government of Iraq and the U.S. military presence has

  • U.S. NORTHCOM activates Defense Coordinating Officer for Alaska

    At the request of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Northern Command activated the Defense Coordinating Officer and Defense Coordinating Element Nov. 9 in preparation for support to civil authorities in advance of a severe winter storm expected along the Alaskan west coast.DCOs and DCEs

  • Multi-service office to advance air-sea battle concept

    The Department of Defense announced the creation of a new office to integrate air and naval combat capabilities in support of emerging national security requirements Nov. 9.In the 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review, former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates directed the Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps

  • Mildenhall combat controller earns Grateful Nation Award

    'First There,' a motto combat controllers bellow during their two-year training pipeline, and later affirm in blood, sweat and sacrifice on the most forward-deployed and dangerous battlefields as they pave the way for other forces to follow.As a member of the most highly trained special operations

  • Libya mission ends, Airmen come home

    Airmen from the 22nd Air Refueling Wing here are returning home from Operation Unified Protector with more than 3,000 sorties and 29,170 hours flown. In March 2011, United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973 established a no-fly zone and NATO forces conducted ground strikes in coordination with

  • Fallen pilot laid to rest after 43 years

    Since 1977 a marker in memory of Air Force Col. Gilbert S. Palmer Jr. sat upon a hill for the pilot who went missing in action Feb. 27, 1968. Now, more than 43 years later, Palmer's remains have been returned to his family for proper burial in Arlington with full military honors. More than 30

  • Afghan airmen begin law enforcement patrols

    Afghan air force security forces members initiated the first-ever law enforcement patrols on the AAF compound in Kandahar recently.Working with advisers from the 738th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group and with a goal of providing security on the AAF compound, the Afghan military police team began