Alaska Guard continues Operation Santa Claus tradition

Children from rural Alaskan communities were treated to an early Christmas this year as members of the Alaska National Guard completed Operation Santa Claus for young people in communities across the state. The 50-year community relations and support program provides toys, books and school supplies

Air Force bands 'in the fight'

Air Force bands like Air Force Materiel Command's Band of Flight located here perform thousands of concerts each year, with several performances in far away countries as part of a "hearts and minds" campaign being led by military bands. Since 2004, Air Force bands have been deploying to U.S. Central

RED HORSE Airmen close chapter with Iraqis

Airmen with the 557th Expeditionary RED HORSE Squadron witnessed the ribbon-cutting ceremony for a community center Dec. 5 in Hawr Rajab. Through a program called Village of Hope, RED HORSE Airmen taught Iraqi citizens the basics of construction over a 10-month period that yielded four remodeled

Airmen lead effort to rescue injured crewman at sea

American Airmen and aircraft were part of an international effort over the Atlantic Ocean that saved the life of a crewmember who suffered a life-threatening head injury onboard a cargo ship Dec. 10 more than 320 miles west of Cork, Ireland. The Burmese crewmember was injured at sea on a

Southern Command, AF South leaders visit deployed troops

Senior leaders from Southern Command and Air Forces Southern kicked off a week-long tour Dec. 8 to visit forward-deployed personnel and assist nearby communities in seven Latin American countries during the holiday season. A C-21 from Andrews Air Force Base, Md., carried the group to Forward

Operation Christmas Drop box-build complete

After 55 years running, Operation Christmas Drop is the Air Force's longest running humanitarian airlift mission. This year marks the 56th annual Operation Christmas Drop. With only days left until boxes are delivered to the small islands of Micronesia, last-minute donations are still pouring in,

Kadena volunteers spread holiday cheer to single servicemembers

How do you bring a little cheer to more than 2,000 single servicemembers spending the holidays far away from family and friends? Perhaps 24,000 cookies is a good start. With this in mind, 500 volunteers from various organizations here mixed, rolled, sprinkled, decorated and baked thousands of

Manas Airmen help provide aid to Kyrgyz in need

Manas Airmen, in conjunction with U.S. Embassy personnel in Bishkek, hosted a small ceremony Nov. 25 in which 31,680 meals-ready-to-eat and more than 100 cold weather sleeping bags were provided to the Kyrgyz Republic's Ministry of Emergency Situations, or MES, to help local Kyrgyz who may need

U.S. troops help flood victims in Central America

A team of 48 U.S. servicemembers and seven helicopters from the Honduras-based Joint Task Force-Bravo deployed to Panama and Costa Rica the last week of November to help communities impacted by heavy rains and flooding. The team, composed of aviation and medical personnel, is supporting rescue and

Incirlik volunteers strengthen community

Incirlik Air Base members reached out to help citizens of Incirlik by renovating a village park with fresh paint, landscaping and equipment Nov. 15 in the village just outside the base. About 75 base volunteers ventured out to the nearby Incirlik Village park to give Turkish children a nicer place

Airmen reach out to children's home in Lithuania

More than 20 Airmen from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, volunteered their time and talents with Lithuanian children Nov. 15 at the District Vijurkai Children's Home in Vijurkai, Lithuania. The Airmen, deployed from the 48th Fighter Wing, are in Lithuania to perform the NATO Baltic air policing

Clinic treats adults, children for cerebral palsy

Officials at a new clinic are providing comprehensive treatment for adults and children suffering from cerebral palsy at the San Antonio Military Medical Complex, formerly called the Wilford Hall Medical Center. The San Antonio Military Medical Complex Adult and Pediatric Spasticity Clinic is

Lifesaving Airman, patient meet for first time

A local South Korean woman and the Kunsan Air Base Airman whose blood donation saved her life met for the first time when she visited here Nov. 21. Airman Tamarias Pope of the 8th Security Forces Squadron met up with 22-year-old You Jin Pak, allowing the 19-year-old Airman to put a face to the

Are you ready for the Great American Smokeout?

Officials in both the Department of Defense and Tricare encourage military service members and their families to take part in the annual Great American Smokeout on Nov. 20. Participation in the Smokeout is an important component of the DOD-sponsored educational campaign, Quit Tobacco--Make Everyone

Airman volunteers as boy's 'instructor pilot'

A little boy from Flagstaff, Ariz., touched the lives of guardsmen at the 162nd Fighter Wing here last year when he visited the wing to be a fighter pilot for a day, and he continues to inspire unit members to this day. At the age of 6, Dominic Magne underwent aggressive chemotherapy in his battle

American servicemembers continue to provide promise

The poverty-stricken neighborhoods of this bustling port capital of Trinidad and Tobago where crime, drug abuse and murder are facts of everyday life is not a place likely to attract American visitors. But for 15 engineers from the 5th Civil Engineer Squadron's Prime BEEF, along with a handful of

U.S., Australian team conducts evacuation in Antarctica

A combined U.S. and Australian team successfully evacuated an Australian civilian in Antarctica to a hospital in Hobart, Australia, Nov. 5. The seriously injured patient was part of an Australian Antarctic Division contingent conducting scientific research at Davis Station, Antarctica. He is

Forces combine to share disaster response techniques

Military medics from Argentina, Uruguay and the United States came together to share medical disaster response techniques in November here.The information exchange was part of Operation Southern Partner, an in-depth subject matter exchange emphasizing partnership, cooperation and sharing of

Airmen spend day with Chilean children

Airmen in Chile as part of an exchange with Latin American air forces spent Oct. 30 to brighten the outlook for neglected Chilean children in a suburb of Santiago.Fourteen Airmen and one Army National Guard member drove to a home for abused or neglected children where the servicemembers gave the

Airmen continue building South American partnerships

More than 70 Airmen are spread across four South American countries learning and sharing with their partner nations' military members and performing community outreach events. Operation Southern Partner, a Twelfth Air Force (Air Forces Southern) led event aimed at providing intensive, periodic

Red Horse Airmen renovate Chilean school's library

Two Airmen completed renovations of a dilapidated library at a Chilean culinary and hotel service high school here Oct. 31 giving 80 students a comfortable and usable library the students and faculty can use for years to come. The renovation, the result of Operation Southern Partner - a two-week

Maintainers partner to exchange new practices

Nearly 30 Argentinean air force aircraft maintenance mechanics, students and instructors came together at Palomar Air Base here Oct. 31 to exchange new ideas and techniques on preserving and evaluating aircraft as part of Twelfth Air Force (Air Forces Southern)'s Operation Southern Partner. U.S. Air

Chilean, U.S. Air Forces share perimeter defense methods

Force Protection Airmen and a Canadian officer participating in Operation Southern Partner demonstrated the Small Unmanned Aircraft System to the Chilean air force's anti-aircraft artillery regiment Oct 29. Operation Southern Partner is an all-new, in-depth subject matter exchange emphasizing

School supplies light up Afghan student's eyes

"Mister, mister pen. I need pen," echoes repeatedly from the mouths of young Afghan boys and girls reaching out with their hands whenever they see American servicemembers. When members of the Zabul Provincial Reconstruction Team walked onto a local boy's school campus recently, the students received

Airmen, Chilean school 'partner' to teach children aviation

More than 10 community outreach projects were started Oct. 27 as part of the Twelfth Air Force (Air Forces Southern)'s Operation Southern Partner. Maj. Jason Couisine, the Air Force section chief at the U.S. Military Group here, acted as a schoolteacher during a guest science class at the Complejo

Group surpasses $2 million in grants for military children

"Our Military Kids," a nonprofit support group, recently reached a new milestone: $2 million in grants awarded for sports, fine arts and tutoring programs. "The Our Military Kids grant program has been a wonderful way for Americans to thank our men and women serving our country overseas by providing

Airmen speed delivery of lifesaving medicine

Coordination and hustle between several American military agencies here enabled a lifesaving package to reach an Iraqi snakebite victim and save a life Oct. 15 here. The Army Medical Materiel Center Southwest Asia staff received an urgent request for anti-venom to help a young Iraqi woman who was in

Servicemembers help malnourished Afghan children

Members of the Zabul Provincial Reconstruction Team medical staff used "strong food" to help hundreds of malnourished Afghan children back to health in October. The PRT members began a four-week regiment of their "strong food," known locally as Qavi Ghiza, to the Shajoy hospital two months

Airman, medical response save Korean leukemia patient

It took less than 24 hours for one Kunsan Airman and several base medical providers to respond to the needs of a 24-year-old Korean leukemia patient; ultimately saving her life. After finishing a 14-hour shift defending the base, Airman Tamarias Pope, 8th Security Forces Squadron, was alerted that

Gates vows continued commitment to wounded warrior care

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates assured participants in the first Wounded Warriors Family Summit here Oct. 20 he will "continue to press forward with a sense of urgency" to provide top-level care and support for wounded warriors in a way that lays groundwork for the next administration's leaders

Group helps military families take flight

While on patrol in northern Iraq last year, Army Spc. Kevin Hardin of Jupiter, Fla., was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade. He suffered injuries to his hands and arms. As a result, some of his fingers were amputated. Shrapnel penetrated his skull, leaving inoperable injuries. Twenty surgeries later,

National Guard responds to Hurricane Omar

More than 90 National Guardmembers in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico are on duty Oct. 16 after Hurricane Omar passed through their area as a major Category 3 storm."Take this very seriously," said Gov. John deJongh of the U.S. Virgin Islands Oct. 15 after he activated his National Guard,

Dover Airman donates kidney to fiance

A Dover Air Force Base NCO gave her heart to her fiance in 2005, and almost four years later she gave him the gift of life Sept. 22. Master Sgt. Laura Perry, an air Reserve technician with the 512th Civil Engineer Squadron, donated her kidney to her fiance and fellow squadron member, Staff Sgt. Mark

Pararescuemen recall recent rescue mission

If jumping out of a perfectly good airplane into the middle of the Pacific Ocean in the middle of the night to help out complete strangers isn't your idea of a rush, then maybe a career as a pararescueman isn't for you. That's exactly what a team of PJs from the 31st Rescue Squadron and the 320th

Rescue Airmen undergo confined-space training

Fifteen pararescuemen from the 31st Rescue Squadron and 320th Special Tactics Squadron here recently took part in training to help them execute rescue missions in confined spaces and collapsed structures. According to Maj. Jason Pifer, the 31st Rescue Squadron commander, the training came about as a

Weather, chance turn climbing trip into rescue mission

What started off as a personal challenge for three civilian employees from RAF Mildenhall, climbing three mountains in 24 hours to raise money for charities, ended up as a dramatic rescue mission when the trio helped save a man's life at the top of the final peak Oct. 3. Alan Coldwell, Chris Gould

Manas Airmen provide aid to earthquake victims

Airmen from Manas AB sent a humanitarian shipment Oct. 8 to provide aid to those affected by the recent earthquake in southern Kyrgyzstan. The base sent a flatbed truck of supplies that included a pallet of nearly 2,200 food ration packets, ten pallets of bottled water, more than 120 boxes

Volunteer program aims to go Air Force-wide

What started off as a desire to volunteer at a local hospital now has the potential to spread Air Force-wide. Staff Sgt. Jewell Hicks Jr., an executive communications support Airman with the 375th Communications Squadron here, began Airmen for Children in July. The program encourages Scott Air Force

Village visit

Simulation center prepares medics for saving lives

In this world where hospital staffs hold human lives in their hands, where do they train to function under this ultimate responsibility? When they are put under the stress of doing a job so important that even the military considers them doctors first and military second, where do they learn to

Kadena Airmen aid injured mariners

Kadena Air Base Airmen provided medical assistance to two injured mariners aboard a Panamanian freighter Sept. 27 750 nautical miles north of the island of Saipan in the Pacific Ocean. Pararescuemen and members of the 320th Special Tactics Squadron left around 2:30 p.m. aboard an MC-130 flown by the

Troops complete disaster relief mission in Haiti

The USS Kearsarge departed Haiti Sept. 29 after completing a 19-day disaster relief mission in the storm-ravaged Caribbean nation.  The humanitarian effort included robust helicopter and sealift support to U.S. relief efforts led by the U.S. Agency for International Development's Office of Foreign

CAP provides rescue resources during emergencies

When disasters strike, there is a select group of volunteer pilots, search and rescue teams, and trained observers who help those in need. Missing persons, flooding, tornadoes, hurricanes and downed aircraft are some of the situations to which the Civil Air Patrol responds at a moment's notice.

AAFES mobile field exchange heads to Galveston Island

The Army & Air Force Exchange Service, at the request of the Texas National Guard, has moved a mobile field exchange from Ellington Field south to Scholes International Airport in Galveston, Texas. "We moved the MFE on Saturday and opened the doors on Sunday, Sept. 21," said the Fort Sam Houston

Reserve C-130s begin aerial spraying in Louisiana

An Air Force Reserve C-130 Hercules aircraft and 10 reservists from the 910th Airlift Wing are scheduled to begin aerial spray missions in Louisiana from here Sept 22. Barksdale AFB was chosen as the base of operations for the aircrews and maintenance personnel because of its proximity to the spray

USS Nassau delivers critical help to Galveston

Military heavy equipment and teams began arriving onshore here Sept. 18 as part of a tremendous assistance effort for an area devastated by Hurricane Ike. Teams from the amphibious assault ship USS Nassau began the process of bringing supplies, equipment and people ashore to help with cleanup

Wilford Hall Airmen aid Hurricane Ike evacuees

Approximately 100 medics from Lackland Air Force Base worked around the clock Sept. 12 through 14 to assist with Hurricane Ike evacuees from the Gulf Coast region who arrived at Port San Antonio. Wilford Hall Medical Center members assigned to the 59th Medical Wing staff helped move 137

Louisiana Guard clears devastation in Cameron Parish

A military response team arrived here Sept. 15 to begin cleanup operations in the wake of Hurricane Ike. Members of the Louisiana Army National Guard's 528th Engineer Battalion, 921st Engineer Company, from Windsboro, La., arrived in Cameron Parish to begin the task of returning the area to a

Aerial spray team deploys to Louisiana

Ten reservists and an Air Force Reserve C-130 Hercules from here flew to Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Sept. 17 to begin aerial spray missions throughout that state in the wake of Hurricane Ike. Another three specially equipped C-130s will deploy to Barksdale AFB Sept. 18. The base in Shreveport,

AAFES supports troops bringing relief to Ike victims

As troops bring help to the Houston area in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike, Army & Air Force Exchange Service officials are currently doing their part to support them with a Mobile Field Exchange.A MFE is a retail store in a 53-foot trailer that carries merchandise such as snacks, drinks and

President Bush greets servicemembers supporting Ike relief

Reserve rescue team pulls 17 from floodwaters

Air Force reservists assigned to the 331st Air Expeditionary Group, a inter-agency search and rescue unit based at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, rescued 17 people from Hurricane Ike flood waters Sept. 13 in a small Texas town.The reservists, deployed from the 920th Rescue Wing at Patrick Air Force

Northern Command commander surveys damage from Ike

The commander of U.S. Northern Command and other senior military leaders surveyed the Gulf Coast areas affected by Hurricane Ike Sept. 15 from HH-60G Pave Hawks. "We've seen an integrated team that has worked together pre-landfall and post-landfall to provide whatever Texas might need in terms of

Team augments Afghan doctors, builds treatment capacity

With the assistance of Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team medics, doctors in Panjshir province treated 473 Afghan patients this week in two districts, Rohka and Shutol. Crowds of people gathered at the clinics shortly after Capt. Glenn M. Little, medical team chief, and medical technicians

Airmen, Soldiers aid people affected by Hurricane Ike

Airmen from the Texas Air National Guard and Soldiers from the Texas Army National Guard banded together with civilian emergency responders to help people affected by Hurricane Ike in Galveston, Texas, Sept. 14. Joint responders assisted with people at a local high school before busing them to San

Helicopter aircrews rescue hurricane victims

Airmen from the 129th Rescue Wing took off from Kelly Field in San Antonio Sept. 13 and helped rescue stranded victims of Hurricane Ike near Galveston, Texas. California Air National Guard members of the 129th RQW here are deployed to San Antonio to conduct search and rescue support operations

Navy, Air Force, Army, Coast Guard join forces for Ike rescues

Navy helicopter rescue crews positioned here participated in a joint search and rescue effort Sept. 13 flying missions in response to Hurricane Ike's Sept. 12 landfall on the Gulf Coast. The Navy teams flew multiple sweeps over hard-hit areas of Louisiana and Texas looking for signs of people in

Louisiana guardsmen watch over city

National Guard members here are providing vital roles of security and assistance in the face of Hurricane Ike's Sept. 12 strike on the Gulf Coast. Members of the 3rd Battalion 156 Infantry with the Louisiana Army National Guard supported local law enforcement and other agencies dealing with the

Airmen survey Ike damage

Religious support teams provide hope after Ike

For the first time, military chaplains and the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster are collaborating their efforts to provide cohesive spiritual response to those affected by the next hurricane. "During [Hurricane] Katrina, chaplains and religious advisors were reactive and working

Rescue personnel fly first flights from Randolph

Three HH-60 Pave Hawks and aircrews belonging to the 331st Air Expeditionary Group took off from here earlier the afternoon of Sept. 13 carrying search and rescue personnel to the Galveston, Texas, area in the wake of Hurricane Ike. The flight marks the first of many that may leave from Randolph Air

JTF-129 Airmen rescue civilians stranded in Galveston

California Air National Guardsmen from the 129th Rescue Wing here deployed to Kelly Field in San Antonio for Hurricane Ike search and rescue support operations rescued eight people Sept. 12 in Galveston, Texas. A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter on search and rescue patrol spotted unevacuated civilians

Servicemembers participate in Honduras Children's Day

Servicemembers from Joint Task Force-Bravo helped celebrate Children's Day Sept. 10 with more than 400 children in two nearby towns of Guajiquiro and Siguatepeque. The annual celebration recognizes the importance of children in Honduras. To support the holiday JTF-Bravo sent a Blackhawk helicopter

Little Rock AFB hub for hurricane aeromedical teams

Three C-130 Hercules aircraft from the 50th Airlift Squadron, 53rd AS and 62nd AS here were deployed Sept. 10 to perform aeromedical missions in preparation for Hurricane Ike's landfall in southern Texas with seven additional C-130s from the base on "standby" status. The aircrews transported

23rd Wing deploys rescue forces for Hurricane Ike response

As Hurricane Ike approached the Texas coast, the 23rd Wing began moving units on Sept. 11 to pre-stage for rapid rescue relief operations. The 23rd Wing is the only active-duty combat search and rescue wing in the Air Force. Units from the wing's two rescue groups, the 347th Rescue Group here and

Hurricane Hunters fly nonstop into Ike

As residents of the Texas coastline flee to safe havens, the Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters continue fly right into the center of Mother Nature's fury Sept. 12 from here. Hurricane Ike is projected to make landfall Sept. 13 along the Texas coast near the city of Galveston as well as provide

Altus crews deliver for Hurricane Ike support

Patrick Airmen ready to help Hurricane Ike victims

Airmen of the 920th Rescue Wing here flew two HH-60G Pave Hawks from Patrick Air Force Base to Gulfport, Miss., to preposition search and rescue aircraft to aid victims of Hurricane Ike Sept. 12. Airmen flew the two helicopters and two HC-130P/N Hercules long-range refueling aircraft will fly to

California Air National Guard assists Texas for Hurricane Ike

California Air National Guardsmen from the 129th Rescue Wing here, already deployed to Ellington Field in Houston for Hurricane Ike search and rescue support operations, relocated Sept. 11 to Kelly Field in San Antonio because of Hurricane Ike's projected path. Assigned to Joint Task Force 129, the

MacDill AFB medical team supports hurricane relief efforts

A mobile aeromedical staging facility team from the 6th Air Mobility Wing, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., arrived here Sept. 9 in support of Hurricane Ike evacuation efforts. Along with the MASF team, more than 200 state and federal assets and volunteers converged on Corpus Christi ahead of Ike in

AMC aircraft, Airmen supporting Hurricane Ike evacuations

Mobility Airmen and their aircraft are again in full support of hurricane evacuation operations as Hurricane Ike approaches the Gulf Coast. This effort to support evacuation of patients and members of the general population comes on the heels of Air Mobility Command's support to Hurricane Gustav

Team conducts emergency medical movement in Antarctica

Joint Task Force Support Forces Antarctica provided a two-person medical team and C-17 Globemaster III to conduct an emergency medical evacuation Sept. 10 for a 56-year-old male assigned to the National Science Foundation in Antarctica. The patient needed a cardiovascular evaluation and was deemed

Hurricane Hunters track Ike

Barreling toward the Texas coast, Hurricane Ike is regaining strength as officials along the Texas coast began evacuations of the first of millions of residents in the forecast path of the storm Sept. 10. Warm gulf waters contributed to renewed strength for Hurricane Ike after it passed over Cuba

Texas National Guard evacuates citizens for Hurricane Ike

Nine Air National Guard C-130 Hercules aircraft from three states configured for medical air evacuation began transporting special-needs patients from the Corpus Christi, Texas, area the morning of Sept. 10 in preparation for Hurricane Ike's expected landfall Sept. 13. The mission falls under Texas

Transportation, distribution expertise aids Georgian refugees

Members of the U.S. defense transportation system worked to help get more than 22,000 humanitarian daily rations to a relief organization in the area to help feed a growing number of Georgian refugees. Officials from U.S. Transportation Command and its component Army's Military Surface Deployment

C-17s evacuate from Charleston

Eleven C-17 Globemaster III aircraft here evacuated Sept. 4 due to the possibility of severe weather caused by Tropical Storm Hanna. The evacuation of the C-17s began midmorning and continued until about 2:15 p.m. Six of the aircraft relocated to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, while the

National Guard in four states prepare for Hanna

Officials in four states along the East Coast are employing their National Guard units as Tropical Storm Hanna nears. Officials in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina have almost 40,000 Army and Air National Guard members available to their governors, if needed. This includes almost

Citizen Airmen return to Keesler, chase Hanna, Ike

Aircraft and people assigned to the Air Force Reserve's 403rd Wing began returning here Sept. 3 from forward operating locations where aircrews continued their missions of airlift and hurricane reconnaissance. While deployed, the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, known as the Hurricane Hunters,

Rescue squadrons provide support for Hurricane Gustav

Airmen from rescue helicopter squadrons from across the Air Force came together here to provide personnel recovery support in the event it was needed for Hurricane Gustav that stormed through Louisiana Sept. 1. Active and Guard rescue squadrons from Alaska, Arizona, California and New York combined

Commander praises Gustav preparations, response

In the wake of Hurricane Gustav, residents of Louisiana are slowly heading to their homes and beginning to pick up the pieces left by the storm. Nearly half the state is without power, many people are running out of money and more than 70,000 Louisianans are still living in shelters. Yet, though

Maxwell officials provide shelter for Gustav evacuees

When Hurricane Gustav made landfall early Sept. 1 along the Louisiana coast, 658 individuals from the Gulf Coast region were safely out of harm's way in temporary facilities here. Maxwell Air Force Base is a designated National Logistical Support Area for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and

Hurricane Hunters patrol Gustav

Airmen from the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron "Hurricane Hunters" are flying daily weather reconnaissance missions into Hurricane Gustav from Homestead Air Reserve Base to aid the National Weather Service in providing the storm's projected path to the American public. The squadron, a

AMC poised to support post-hurricane operations

Air Mobility Command planners and operators held a collective breath as Hurricane Gustav made landfall Sept. 1. Although most AMC aircraft and personnel were pulled back from the U.S. Gulf Coast area Aug. 31 -- hours before the hurricane's projected landfall -- the command was still fully engage in

Canadian forces assist in hurricane evacuation

Canadian Forces officials deployed three aircraft in support of Air Forces Northern humanitarian efforts during Hurricane Gustav.A CC-177 Globemaster from Trenton, Ontario, deployed to New Orleans to assist in the evacuation of people from hospitals and rest homes in the path of the major storm.Two

Maxwell officials prepare for Hurricane Gustav

As Hurricane Gustav bears down on the Gulf Coast, Maxwell Air Force Base officials are bedding down federal and state emergency management units and evacuees from military bases in the storm's path.Maxwell is a designated National Logistical Support Area for the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Intelligence wing supports Gustav efforts

Even though Hurricane Gustav made landfall hundreds of miles away, Airmen from the 480th Intelligence Wing here are playing a critical support role. The same intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets that are used to support contingency operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, also play a

Tornado wreaks havoc in Eglin AFB housing

As Hurricane Gustav made its trek across the Gulf of Mexico, residents on base here had a rude awakening Sep. 1. Air traffic controllers saw the first of three funnel clouds emerge from the storm's feeder bands that raked Northwest Florida at approximately 9:45 a.m.  Rain and winds gusting to more

Hurricane Hunters track Gustav

While Hurricane Gustav buffets their home, the Hurricane Hunters of the Air Force Reserve's 403rd Wing at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., continue to fly missions from their forward operating location at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla. As Gustav moves inland, Citizen Airmen of the 53rd Weather

Keesler officials assessing Gustav damages

Officials here are preparing preliminary damage assessments from the effects of Hurricane Gustav. Peak sustained winds received from Gustav topped out at 42 miles per hour, with gusts reaching 61 miles per hour.  Keesler leaders remain cautious about the residual threat of tornadoes as the storm

EPLOs move into place to support Gustav

As Hurricane Gustav approached the Gulf Coast, Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officers from all over the nation were brought in to help. EPLOs from as far away as Alaska moved into place in Louisiana, Texas and Alabama to coordinate military assets to support civil authorities. Lt. Col. Kelly

Reserve teams answer calls for help

More than 300 Gulf Coast patients were able to breathe a sigh of relief Sep. 1 thanks to Air Force Reserve aeromedical crews as Hurricane Gustav slammed into Terrebonne Bay, La., just west of New Orleans, at about 10:30 EST. Because more than 50 air evacuation flights had carried them to safety, the

EPLOs ready for emergency response role

Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officers nationwide stand ready to respond to national emergencies and events when requested. Air Force Reserve EPLOs are stationed in every state to coordinate military assets to support civil authorities in the event of a natural or man-made disaster or a national

AFNORTH Airmen assisting with Gustav medevac

Air Forces Northern Airmen here coordinated with numerous civilian and government agencies in Texas and Louisiana to assist with the evacuation of critical-care patients prior to Hurricane Gustav's landfall. AFNORTH Airmen provide U.S. Northern Command with visibility on all Air Force assets

AFNORTH activates recovery center for Gustav

Officials with the 601st Air and Space Operations Center have activated the Joint Personnel Recovery Center in preparation for landfall of Hurricane Gustav. Located here, JPRC personnel focus specifically on large-scale search and rescue, or SAR, operations in the event of a hurricane or natural

Military ready to support Hurricane Gustav relief effort

American military forces are prepositioned and ready to provide any relief necessary if called upon Sept. 1 at England Air Park in Alexandria as Hurricane Gustav batters the Gulf Coast. A joint force team of approximately 100 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Defense Department civilians has set up camp

Hurricane Hunters support weather study from Guam

Two Air Force Reserve WC-130J Hercules and a Naval Research Lab P-3 Orion deployed here recently to conduct meteorological research on tropical cyclones in the Western Pacific from August through September. During the project, labeled Tropical Cyclone Structure-2008, aircrews from the 53rd Weather

Hurricane Gustav -- Airmen ready and helping

During the Labor Day weekend, Americans have been keeping their eyes on Hurricane Gustav. Active-duty, Guard and Reserve Airmen have been doing their part supporting hurricane evacuation and relief missions along with their civilian and federal agency counterparts. On this third anniversary of

Hurricane Hunters tracking Gustav on Katrina anniversary

Hurricane Hunters from the Air Force Reserve's 403rd Wing here spent the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina flying into yet another tempest, Hurricane Gustav, which made landfall just west of Grand island, La., Sept 1. Three years ago, the Hurricane Hunters evacuated aircraft and personnel from

McChord aircrew delivers response team, supplies to New Orleans

A C-17 Globemaster III from the 62nd Airlift Wing, McChord Air Force Base, Wash., provided rapid deployment of a four-man contingency response team and 15,500 pounds of cargo from the 615th Contingency Response Wing at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., to the Louis Armstrong International Airport in

McChord aircrew deploys for hurricane response efforts

Airmen here put the words "Any time, any place" into action in the early hours Aug. 30 as a C-17 Globemaster III headed to Travis Air Force Base, Calif., for Hurricane Gustav preparation efforts. Without knowing what or who they were picking up, Airmen from the 10th Airlift Squadron headed to