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  • Air Force mentor-protégé team wins Nunn-Perry award for cyber applications

    A mentor-protégé team earned the Nunn-Perry award March 2 for achievements in cyber applications for the Air Force, officials from the service's office of small business said here March 4. Ball Aerospace, Colorado Engineering, Inc. and Florida International University were recognized at the annual

  • Chief Roy visits with Airmen at F.E. Warren Air Force Base

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy visited here March 2 and 3, the first of two planned visits to Air Force Global Strike Command bases."Here you man and guard our nation's most lethal weapons," he said. "Likewise, I see our Airmen as the Air Force's most important weapons. We must take

  • Airmen deliver aid to Libyan evacuees

    Airmen from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, delivered humanitarian aid March 4 to Libyan evacuees and foreign nationals, who have fled here due to recent political uprising in Libya.The Airmen, assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron, piloted two C-130J Super Hercules and received 2,000 wool blankets, 40

  • Air Force accepts delivery of final MQ-1 Predator

    The Air Force accepted MQ-1 Predator tail number 268, the final MQ-1 manufactured for the service, in a ceremony March 3. Col. James Beissner, the chief of Air Combat Command's Irregular Warfare Division, accepted the aircraft on behalf of the Air Force."This event marks a milestone in Air Force

  • Red Flag cyber operations: Isn't Red Flag a flyer's exercise?

    As Airmen from Air Force Space Command participate Red Flag from Feb. 21 through March 11 at the Nevada Test and Training Range complex, Nev.Red Flag is a realistic, combat-training exercise involving the air forces of the U.S. and its allies in simulated air combat."Red Flag continues to adapt and

  • Progress continues toward Academy training facility groundbreaking

    Preliminaries to the construction of a training facility for the Air Force Academy's Center for Character and Leadership Development are moving along briskly, and construction is expected to begin in late summer.The building will occupy much of the space on the Honor Court between Harmon Hall and

  • Graham, Leahy: National Guard an irreplaceable treasure

    The National Guard is a treasure that brings irreplaceable skills to domestic support, to civil authorities and to overseas operations, South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham told fellow senators and senior Guard leaders here March 3."A Guard unit can do more in Afghanistan and Iraq than almost anyone,

  • C-5s provide 'muscle' for helicopter swap-out missions to Afghanistan

    The Air Force's biggest airlifter -- the C-5 Galaxy -- and the Airmen who maintain and fly them are part of a U.S. Transportation Command "multi-modal" effort to move Army helicopters to Afghanistan.The operation under way in Western Europe features two C-5B and two C-5M Super Galaxies and crew and

  • Contractor delivers first new E-8C Joint STARS production engine

    The U.S. Air Force E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System, or Joint STARS, achieved a significant objective March 3 as part of the ongoing System Design and Development Re-engining effort. A First Engine Delivery Ceremony was held at the Pratt & Whitney production facility in Middletown,

  • President signs continuing resolution extension

    President Barack Obama signed legislation March 2 that will keep the government funded and running through March 18.The new continuing resolution cuts $4 billion from the previous continuing resolution funding. None of the $4 billion is taken from Defense Department programs. Extending the

  • Air Force Week in Photos

    This week's photo highlights 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.

  • Photo essay: Exercise Cope North

    The U.S. Air Force and Japanese Air Self-Defense Force conduct exercise Cope North annually at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, to increase combat readiness and interoperability, concentrating on coordination and evaluation of air tactics, techniques and procedures.View the slideshow.

  • Intermediate network warfare training up and running

    In February, 17 students began the first intermediate network warfare training at the 39th Information Operations Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Fla.The 42-day course began Feb. 2 and features a syllabus geared to the needs of cyberoperators in the field, said 1st Lt. Michelle Buchholtz, the influence

  • CSAF talks cooperation, efficiency at defense conference

    The Air Force and the private sector must focus their collective efforts to ensure America's defense needs are met in the face of declining purchasing power, according to the Air Force chief of staff.Gen. Norton Schwartz made the remarks during a speech to defense industry leaders, service members

  • Air Force to launch second orbital test vehicle

    Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office officials announced the launch of the second X-37B March 4 with a back-up launch opportunity March 5. AFRCO is leading the Defense Department's orbital test vehicle initiative, by direction of the undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics

  • TRANSCOM provides nation's greatest advantage, commander says

    The greatest advantage the U.S. has over any potential enemy is the ability to project and sustain forces anywhere in the world, the commander of U.S. Transportation Command said here today."No other nation can do what we do," said Air Force Gen. Duncan J. McNabb.A decade of war has meant TRANSCOM

  • 'Today's Air Force' features a look around the service

    In this edition of "Today's Air Force," Air Force officials implement some cost-cutting measures in the wake of federal budget constraints. Plus, Airmen train with their host nation counterparts to make sure that when lives are on line, everyone's on the same page. And, get a look at some

  • Photo essay: Airmen participate in field training exercise

    Aerial porters from the 621st Contingency Response Wing participated in a field training exercise that simulated the unit's ability to rapidly deploy to remote locations and provide critical airlift support.View the slideshow.

  • Airmen harness radiation to search vehicles

    With a little bit of training and the power of gamma-rays, 447th Expeditionary Security Forces Airmen are developing their vehicle-search skills using the relocatable Vehicle and Cargo Inspection System.Eight Airmen were hand-selected to train on the VACIS, a gamma-ray imaging system made by Science

  • First MC-130J training program takes flight

    As the first MC-130J Combat Shadow II rolled off the Lockheed Martin factory line, a training flight class recently conducted sorties in preparation for transition to the new airframe.The Air Force Special Operations Training Center's first MC-130J training program flight class practiced air drops,

  • First female CV-22 pilot completes training

    After nearly three years of flight training with the Air Force, she recently became the first qualified female pilot of the CV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft. It started with pictures of aircraft in her grandfather's home. Then it was on to starting lessons to earn her private pilot's license as a

  • AFNIC engineers assist in Global Hawk beddown

    When Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., officials needed to establish a more robust communications infrastructure to support a new tenant unit's Global Hawk remotely piloted aircraft mission, they knew just who to call."Pat Katzer is the best network engineer in the business ... we needed the best,"

  • Government shutdown could affect commissaries

    In the event of a government shutdown, commissary customers are asked to check their local military installation news outlets before, during and after the event to determine if stores serving their area are open."As a matter of course, the Defense Commissary Agency plans for any event that could

  • Kuwait celebrates 50/20 anniversary with coalition forces

    Members of U.S. Central Command, and several coalition countries, helped commemorate Kuwait's 50/20 celebration with an airshow and parade Feb. 26.The event celebrated Kuwait's 20th year of liberation from invading forces from Iraq and its 50th year of independence from Great Britain.Some of the

  • Army to assume responsibility for Pope Air Force Base

    Pope Air Force Base became Pope Field March 1 as it transitioned to be an Army operated facility supporting Air Force operations.Several Air Force units were redesignated or inactivated, marking a significant moment in Air Force history.The signing of a proclamation marked the handover of

  • Key Resolve exercise begins at Osan AB

    Service members from the U.S. and South Korea kicked off Exercise Key Resolve Feb. 28 here.Key Resolve is a combined exercise that involves more than 2,300 U.S. forces and nearly 10,000 South Korean forces and is geared towards maintaining the readiness of the Combined Forces Command staff and

  • Photo essay: Airmen participate in operational readiness exercise

    Airmen participated in an Operational Readiness Exercise here Feb. 22 to 25. The exercise trained Airmen on the proper procedures for self-aid and buddy care, field stripping a weapon and how to wear and use chemical gear and gas masks. View the slideshow.

  • National Guard, U.S. Southern Command members build partnership capacity

    The National Guard State Partnership Program is a key element to building relationships within the U.S. Southern Command region, the combatant commander said recently during the 27th annual Air Force Association Air Warfare Symposium and Technology Exposition here."(SOUTHCOM has) 28 different state

  • CMSAF strengthens ties with Colombian partners

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy visited Colombian military sites here Feb. 1 to 4.He said the purpose of the visit was to reaffirm U.S. Southern Command officials' commitment to a strong nation-to-nation partnership and to explore professional military education exchange

  • Airmen, German army team up for training

    Members of the 435th Contingency Response Group were invited by their German army counterparts from the 31st German ABN Brigade to join them on the Schϋtzenschnur range for two days of weapons and military familiarization training recently in Oldenburg, Germany. The 31st German Airborne Brigade

  • Airmen test contingency postal operations

    Airmen from the Yokota Post Office set up a contingency post office to test the agency's warfighting capabilities by using their mail contingency kit at the Yujo Community Center here Feb. 22.Master Sgt. Victor Negron, the 374th Communications Squadron postmaster, said the purpose of the CPO is to

  • Mullen: Anniversary reaffirms U.S.-Kuwaiti bonds

    The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff joined in festivities Feb. 26 celebrating the 20th anniversary of Kuwait's liberation during Operation Desert Storm and the 50th anniversary of its independence."I am very proud to represent the United States here in Kuwait, as Kuwaitis celebrate their

  • Photo essay: 386th AEW participates in Kuwait 50/20 celebration

    February marks major milestones for one of the Unites States' allies, the nation of Kuwait. Throughout the entire month, the people of Kuwait have been celebrating the 50th anniversary of their independence from Great Britain as well as 20 years of liberation from Iraq. The 50/20 celebration, which

  • Vice CSAF emphasizes modeling, simulation integration during AFAMS visit

    Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Philip Breedlove emphasized the need to standardize live, virtual and constructive modeling and simulation across the Air Force and the joint team during a recent visit to the Air Force Agency for Modeling and Simulation here."We must build to a modeling and

  • Loadmasters hone skills during training, humanitarian mission

    When one C-17 Globemaster III left here Feb. 25, there were a few more loadmasters aboard than usual. A training mission was in the works, but the extra hands were put to use for a humanitarian mission that coincided with the training.The aircrew made stops at Langley Air Force Base, Va., MacDill

  • Federal pay freeze also impacts NAF employees

    The recently implemented two-year pay freeze for federal employees applies to Department of Defense nonappropriated fund, or NAF, employees in crafts and trades and pay-banded pay schedules. Under legislation signed in December 2010, the pay freeze impacts basic pay, special pay rates and

  • Airmen demonstrate massive airdrop, teamwork in joint exercise

    Nine Little Rock Air Force Base C-130 Hercules and twice as many aircrews, along with maintainers and planners from the base, participated in Joint Operation Access Exercise Feb. 9 through 12 here and at Fort Bragg, N.C.JOAX is a two-week exercise to prepare Airmen and Soliers to respond to

  • CONR team supports successful shuttle launch

    Officials with the Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Region, or CONR, and Air Forces Northern provided crucial airspace control and manning support to the successful launch of Space Shuttle Discovery Feb. 24.CONR representatives ensured airspace sovereignty by enforcing the

  • Landing zone safety officers trained at austere location

    At an austere airstrip here, air mobility liaison officers are conducting landing zone safety officer certification training to U.S. and coalition forces throughout Afghanistan. Twenty-six students from the U.S. Air Force and Army and the Romanian army attended a two-day class that featured

  • Emergency exercise brings U.S., Japanese responders together

    Airmen from the 35th Fighter Wing teamed with their host nation's emergency responders for an accident exercise here Feb. 23. The exercise scenario was a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter accident in which two Airmen and one Japanese bystander are injured."This was a great experience," said Staff Sgt. Tye

  • Space weather team readies for upcoming solar max

    Solar max may sound like the name of a super hero, but it's certainly no comic book or 3-D movie.Solar max is actually the name for the sun's most active period in the solar cycle, consistently producing solar emissions, solar flares and sun spots.For a little background on the sun's activities, the

  • Japanese, American NCOs work together to gain insight

    Kadena Air Base officials began a NCO exchange program Feb. 18, giving eight Japanese Air Self Defense Force airmen the chance to see how their U.S. Air Force counterparts operate."The JASDF airmen did an ice-breaker with the chiefs, flew the KC-135 (Stratotanker) flight simulator and worked with

  • Air Force Medical Service officials announce 2010 award winners

    Air Force Medical Service officials have announced individual, team and military treatment facility awards for 2010. According to the award message, the Air Force Recognition Ribbon is authorized for individual award winners only. Winners of individual awards may take a copy of the attached message

  • Photo essay: Airmen participate in exercise Cope North

    U.S. and Japanese airmen take part in exercise Cope North Feb. 21, 2011, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. The exercise helps joint forces increase combat readiness and interoperability, concentrating on coordination and evaluation of air tactics, techniques and procedures.View the slideshow.

  • Future initiatives discussed during fuel efficiency summit

    Air Mobility Command members set the course for cultural change during a fuel efficiency summit here Feb. 16 and 17 that included participation by representatives from 11 Air Force major commands. AMC leaders hosted the summit to share and collaborate on ideas and initiatives that will help promote

  • Air Force announces next tanker aircraft

    Air Force and Defense Department officials announced the award of an engineering and manufacturing development contract valued at more than $3.5 billion for the KC-46A aerial refueler to The Boeing Company Feb. 24.Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley said in the briefing that many factors were

  • USAFWS takes new approach to generating leaders

    U.S. Air Force Weapons School officials recently modified their syllabus to reflect that it is not only the Air Force's most challenging tactical training, but also a program designed to produce the Air Force's next generation of great leaders.The USAFWS has commonly been thought of as a leadership

  • 'Today's Air Force' features a look around the service

    In this edition of "Today's Air Force," Air Force officials tighten their belts as they find ways to save $33 billion dollars.  And, motivational speaker Andy Christiansen gives Airmen a lesson in mentorship. Plus, an Airman and his canine companion team up to keep their base safe from

  • Thunderbirds host the Blue Angels

    The Thunderbirds hosted three members of the Navy Blue Angels team here Feb. 23 as part of a traditional exchange program between the two units. Blue Angel No. 2, Lt. Cmdr. Jim Tomaszeski, right wing; and Blue Angel No. 4, Lt. Rob Kurrle, slot; had the chance to fly in the back seat of a

  • Air Force Week in Photos

    This week's photo highlights 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.

  • McChord Airmen survive New Zealand earthquake unscathed

    About 35 McChord Airmen, 15 of them from the Air Force Reserve Command's 446th Airlift Wing, are in Christchurch, New Zealand, where a 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit Feb. 22. The remaining McChord Airmen in Christchurch belong to the active-duty 62nd Airlift Wing here.Based in Christchurch with their

  • Fairchild Airmen climb ice-covered tower to retain communications

    Transmission systems radio Airmen with the 92nd Communications Squadron here left their heated offices to work on top of a snow-covered mountain where the average temperature is below zero.These Airmen journey to the Calispell Mountain Peak in Cusick, Wash., to de-ice a radio tower that provides

  • Photo essay: CV-22 Osprey training mission

    Crewmembers from the 8th Special Operations Squadron participate in a CV-22 Osprey training mission here Feb. 1. The primary mission of the CV-22 is insertion, extraction, and resupply of unconventional warfare forces and equipment into hostile or enemy-controlled territory using air-land or airdrop

  • Three Academy graduates to fly STS-133 shuttle mission

    Three Air Force Academy graduates are leading Space Shuttle Discovery on the STS-133 mission, which is scheduled to lift off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., Feb. 24. Retired Col. Steven Lindsey, Class of 1982, is mission commander, while 1987 graduate Col. Eric Boe is the pilot and

  • 'Military Saves Week' spotlights importance of saving

    Service members and their families should "start small and think big" when kick-starting a savings plan, a financial expert said Feb. 23."It's not what you make, it's what you keep," said Pam McClelland, a senior program analyst in the Pentagon's office of family policy and children and youth. "A

  • Agency chief outlines threat reduction strategy

    Defense Threat Reduction Agency people are at work around the clock to protect American forces and citizens from nuclear, chemical and biological threats, the agency's director said Feb. 23.Speaking to the Defense Writers Group, Kenneth A. Myers III, who also is director of the U.S. Strategic

  • Air Force Network Integration Center officials launch IA education tools

    Air Force Network Integration Center officials recently introduced new information assurance education tools to help Airmen stay up to speed in the constantly evolving cyberspace environment. The initiatives, which include a robust community of practice, webinars and computer-based training, are

  • Afghan air force develops loadmasters as C-27 fleet expands

    As the Afghan air force C-27A Spartan fleet grows -- now half way to its goal of twenty of the cargo/transport aircraft seen as the centerpiece of the AAF -- so does the need for qualified loadmasters. Responsible for the cargo, personnel and safety of the aircraft, the loadmaster backs up the pilot

  • Photo essay: Combined Team Zabul

    Dog handlers from the Air Force, Army, and Navy and their explosive detection canines work together as part of a Combined Team Zabul training session here Feb. 18.View the slideshow.

  • Eielson Airmen support Army deployments

    Airmen with the 354th Maintenance Squadron aerospace ground equipment flight assisted in processing nearly 500 deploying Soldiers through the Joint Mobility Complex Feb. 3 here to help fulfill the wing's mission of enabling military forces.AGE Airmen supported the deployment effort by de-icing

  • New York Air Guardsmen all safe after New Zealand earthquake

    All 26 members of the New York Air National Guard's 109th Airlift Wing, currently deployed to Christchurch, New Zealand, in support of Operation Deep Freeze, are safe and unharmed after a 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck the New Zealand city Feb. 22.The Air Guard wing will remain in

  • Photo essay: Atlantic Strike exercise

    Members of the 14th Air Support Operations Squadron take part in exercise Atlantic Strike here Feb. 15. Atlantic Strike is a coalition air-to-ground training exercise that simulates a deployed environment.View the slideshow.

  • Officers visit Kuwait college, brief students

    Four officers visited Kuwait's Mubarak Al Abdullah Joint Command and Staff College to lecture to 92 students from 19 countries within the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf on various joint military topics. The school is similar to the Air Force's Air Command and Staff College and

  • Air traffic advisers aim high for Iraq's future

    As U.S. forces continue to draw down to meet the Dec. 31 deadline, Air Force air traffic control advisers have their eyes fixed on the sky above Iraq.Maj. Rudolf Kuehne and Capt. Maureen Trujillo, senior ATC advisers for Iraq Training and Advisory Mission-Air, are tasked with ensuring their Iraqi

  • Afghan air force C-27 fleet halfway to goal

    The Afghan air force received an addition to its forces with the arrival of the 10th C-27A Spartan at the Afghan Air Force Base in Kabul Feb. 20, marking the half-way point in the AAF's C-27 fleet as it continues to build to 20.Not only valuable for Afghanistan's burgeoning cargo capabilities, the

  • SecAF takes stock of progress, future challenges

    During remarks to the Air Force Association's 27th Annual Air Warfare Symposium and Technology Exposition here Feb. 18, the Air Force's senior ranking official reviewed the service' s priorities and underscored Air Force commitment to making the most of available resources in a challenging fiscal

  • DOD officials honor top Guard, Reserve family programs

    Defense Department officials lauded the top National Guard and Reserve family programs here Feb. 18 calling family support a vital component of mission readiness."Whether it is the basics of building military communities or taking care of military children or supporting military spouses, all of

  • Vice CSAF: Air Force must prepare for more complex, varied ops

    The Air Force is working to balance today's needs and tomorrow's challenges while operating under intense fiscal pressures, the service's vice chief of staff said here Feb. 17.During remarks at the Air Force Association's 2011 Air Warfare Symposium and Technology Exposition, Gen. Philip M. Breedlove

  • Luke AFB medical group named best in Air Force

    The 56th Medical Group clinic from here was named the Air Force's best clinic for Fiscal 10 during the Military Healthcare Symposium in Washington Jan. 24 through Jan. 27.The award was presented to Col. Mark Holland, the 56th MDG commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Monica Hill, the 56th MDG

  • DOD officials strive to strengthen, empower military families

    From educational opportunities to spouse employment, Defense Department officials are expanding military family support programs to better meet families' current needs, as well as to empower them for the challenges that lie ahead, the DOD official who oversees military family programs said Feb.

  • Space-A travel: Did you know?

    Every day hundreds of military and military-contracted commercial aircraft travel the world delivering troops and cargo. These missions allow hundreds of thousands of military personnel, retirees, family members and other Department of Defense-eligible travelers to fly at almost no cost, courtesy of

  • Eagle Vision program garners key award for keen Earth observation

    An Electronic Systems Center program has been named the winner of a prestigious award presented by officials from NASA and the U.S. Department of the Interior.The agencies honored the Eagle Vision program with the 2010 William T. Pecora award during a Pentagon ceremony Feb. 15. Eagle Vision was

  • Results of command, control training study show roadmap ahead

    Standardizing command and control, or C2, training across air, space and cyber domains and consolidating training here were the main recommendations of a recent independent study completed for Air Combat Command.Results and proposed priorities of the study examining Air Force operational-level C2

  • Air Force Week in Photos

    This week's photo highlights 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.

  • Airmen, Soldiers team up to train Iraqi airmen

    Nearly a dozen Iraqi airmen graduated from a week-long security forces training session Feb. 12, organized by Airmen from the 321st Expeditionary Mission Support Advisory Group's base transition team and Army military policemen stationed at Kirkuk Air Base, Iraq. The training session, spearheaded

  • DOD surgeons general visit Bagram Airfield medics

    The Department of Defense surgeons general visited the Craig Joint Theater Hospital here Feb. 13.During their brief visit to Afghanistan's most advanced military medical center, Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Charles B. Green, Army Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Eric B. Schoomaker and Navy Vice Adm. (Dr.) Adam M. Robinson Jr.,

  • Adjustments put F-35 on track, program director says

    The Defense Department's joint strike fighter program is on track to field the F-35 Lightning II in fiscal 2016, the program's director said here Feb. 15.In remarks to the National Aeronautics Association, Navy Vice Adm. David Venlet said that although changes made to the program in January extended

  • U.S., Polish military enhance partnerships through training

    Airmen from Ramstein Air Base traveled to the 33rd Air Base in Powidz, Poland, Feb. 4 to 12 for a joint training mission with Polish military forces.More than 60 Airmen from the 86th Airlift Wing and 435th Air Ground Operations Wing participated in the week-long, off-site training aimed at sharing

  • 'Today's Air Force' features a look around the service

    In this edition of "Today's Air Force," meet a tech. sergeant who's teaching future officers at the Air Force Academy. Plus, it's Military Saves Week, and you'll get a few helpful hints on how to get your finances on track. And, Airmen in Japan get the PT session of a lifetime with the creator of

  • Gates welcomes House vote against extra F-35 engine

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates Feb. 15 welcomed the full House of Representatives vote to kill the extra engine for the F-35 Lighting II, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said.The House voted 233-199 to strip funds for the engine from the fiscal 2011 defense spending bill."Secretary Gates

  • Lynn gains IT industry's cybersecurity perspective

    Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III returned Feb. 15 from a two-day cybersecurity-focused trip here that included a keynote speech and meetings with industry leaders.Throughout his visit, Mr. Lynn focused on communicating with information technology professionals, whom he terms critical to

  • Airmen assist in Air Force-wide missile modification

    Members of the 86th Munitions Squadron here recently assisted a joint air to surface standoff missile team in a weeklong project of modifying several missiles as part of an Air Force-wide initiative.Officials from Lockheed Martin Corporation, the developer of the missiles, dispatched a team to work

  • New fuel savings concept evaluated at JB McGuire

    As the Air Force's largest consumer of aviation fuel, Air Mobility Command officials are taking a leadership role in efforts to reduce fuel consumption across all mobility Air Force missions. Members of AMC's Test and Evaluation Squadron here recently completed an operational evaluation of a new

  • Fiscal year recruiting, retention remain on track

    Fiscal 2011 recruitment and retention remained high throughout the services through January, with all active and reserve-component services meeting their recruiting goals, Pentagon officials announced Feb. 15.The fiscal year began Oct. 1, 2010, and ends Sept. 30.All four active-duty services met or

  • Fuel savings officials plan to broaden impact with AF-wide summit

    Members of the Air Force's Fuel Efficiency Office plan to host their first service-wide Aviation Operations Energy Steering Group summit here Feb. 16 and 17.Representatives from all Air Force major commands were invited to attend the summit. The event will be the first major meeting across the

  • New element assists special forces trainees

    Trainees in two Air Force Basic Military Training squadrons now have a "BATTLE" plan in place.Battlefield Airmen Technical Training Liaison Element was recently incorporated for trainees in the 320th and 331st Training Squadrons in the tactical air control party, combat controller and pararescuemen

  • Gates: Defense needs $540 billion for fiscal 2011

    Congress must provide $540 billion to the Defense Department for fiscal 2011 or the department will be in danger of not being able to perform its mission, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said here Feb. 14. Secretary Gates also said he will look at "all legal options" to shut down the extra engine

  • Missile agency seeks funds for defensive systems

    A ground-based system for homeland defense and interceptors for regional defense highlight the Missile Defense Agency's portion of the Defense Department's fiscal 2012 budget request.The agency requested more than $8.6 billion for fiscal 2012, compared to last year's requested $8.4 billion,

  • Iraqi airmen train on tool calibration system

    Iraqi airmen expanded their maintenance capabilities at New Al-Muthana Air Base, Iraq, after wrapping up a three-week U.S. Air Force training session on a new torque-wrench calibration system.Iraqi air force officials recently purchased the calibration system so maintainers here could become

  • Officials issue first report on homeless veterans

    For the first time, officials with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Housing and Urban Development published the most authoritative analysis of the extent and nature of homelessness among veterans. According to HUD and VA's assessment, nearly 76,000 veterans were homeless on a

  • Weather team provides reports for mission

    Arctic Warriors are defined by the cold temperatures in which they operate, but to deal with Alaska's harsh climate Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson officials rely on the Airmen of the weather flight to keep them informed.The 3rd Operations Support Squadron weather flight supports a mixture of Army,

  • Efficiencies, balance main focuses of FY12 budget

    Air Force officials said despite a reduction in the top line request, combat capabilities and balance will remain focal points in the Air Force's portion of the president's fiscal 2012 budget presented here Feb 14.The total Air Force budget request for FY12 is $166.3 billion, down from $170.8

  • Leaders explain Air Force manning impacts on Academy

    Air Force officials are implementing a strategy for force management, and the Air Force Academy is included in those efforts.Under the plan, the size of the cadet wing will be reduced from roughly 4,500 to 4,000 cadets by Oct. 1, 2012. Enrollment for each incoming freshman class will be shrunk

  • Task force vigilant against contract fraud

    Staff Sgt. Ryan Maseth, 24, of Pittsburgh, stepped into a shower in Iraq in January 2008 -- and it was the last action he would take on this earth. Sergeant Maseth was electrocuted in that shower -- one of many service members killed or injured by allegedly faulty electrical work in thousands of

  • Multinational officials plan for Cobra Gold 2012

    Military planners from more than 24 nations are in Thailand making a plan to deal with aggressive Arcadian military forces that took over a portion of neighboring Khuistan and Free Mojave on the subcontinent of Pacifica. The countries, timeline and scenario of the Arcadia situation are make-believe,

  • 34 Airmen selected for Tops In Blue

    Air Force Services Agency officials here recently announced the names of 34 Airmen selected for the 2011 Tops In Blue tour. In December 2010, 73 Airmen competed as singers, dancers, musicians and technicians for Tops In Blue slots during the annual Air Force Worldwide Talent Search at Lackland Air