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  • Warfighters discuss mission accomplishment at WEPTAC

    Approximately 670 warfighters from across the Air Combat Command gathered Jan. 3 to 16 at the Weapons and Tactics conference here hosted by the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center. Attendees discussed ways to efficiently and effectively accomplish the Air Force mission with equipment they already possess

  • Airmen featured in upcoming documentary series

    A six-episode television documentary exploring Air Force combat rescue in Afghanistan through the stories of deployed Airmen slated to premiere Feb. 18, at 10 p.m. EST/PST.The show, "Inside Combat Rescue," provides a real-time look at the experiences of Airmen working to save the lives of NATO

  • Brothers have reunion at 23,000 feet

    There are many predictable things about deployments, but for one Airman, the unpredictable happened. He didn't expect a family reunion, but got one - at 23,000 feet in the air two days before Christmas. The day started like any other for 1st Lt. Michael Ellsworth, 963rd Expeditionary Airborne Air

  • AF largest refueling squadron tops 50K combat hours in 2012

    Averaging more than 136 hours a day, the largest refueling squadron in the world flew more than 50,000 combat hours within 2012's 366 calendar days using the Total Force Integration model."Surpassing 50,000 hours is a significant milestone," said Lt. Col. Brian Gilpatrick, 340th Expeditionary Air

  • Airmen bring wealth of experience to PRT nerve center

    What do you get when you put an Air Force vehicle operator, water fuels system maintainer, bioenvironmental engineer technician, and airfield systems technician together? According to the leadership at the Zabul Provincial Reconstruction Team, you get one of the most efficiently run tactical

  • Deployed Airmen help Afghan police with security checkpoint

    At a busy intersection in Parwan Province near Bagram Airfield, adults and children alike stopped to watch as a crane lofted what looked like a shipping container above the heads of Afghan and American servicemembers Jan. 7.The container was actually the top of an old guard tower from Bagram

  • SecAF, CMSAF hold Airman's Call on the 'Rock'

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy met with Airmen from the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing here December 30. Donley and Roy visited the 386th AEW and held an Airman's Call as part of a multi-base tour to meet with deployed Airmen within the U.S.

  • Airmen and Soldier musicians play in unison

    Editor's Note: This is the first article in a series about the U.S. Air Forces Central Band, the only assigned Air Force Band to the Central Command Area of Responsibility. Based in Southwest Asia, the current band "Total Force" is comprised of deployed Airmen from the Band of the U.S. Air Force

  • Solar power lights up Southwest Asia

    Air Force leaders are continually looking for means to do things leaner and cleaner, even in deployed locations.It probably goes unnoticed by most people here, but solar-powered light carts are paving the road to an environmentally friendlier future in Southwest Asia. These new light carts save the

  • Separate paths bring brothers together for Christmas

    Up until a few days ago, Staff Sgt. Derek Allen hadn't seen his brother, Army Cpl. Greg Allen, in a long time. However, an interesting twist of fate spurred their separate services to bring them together here for the Christmas holidays."Both of us being here in (Afghanistan) is the closest we have

  • Deployed Airman receives Christmas phone call from President Obama

    "Hello, President Obama? ... I'm great, how are you?" So began the most memorable phone call of a six-month deployment for Senior Airman Keshia Shutts with the 451st Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron here, who received a Christmas morning phone call from President Barack Obama.The

  • Pararescue, security forces Airmen train as one

    The afternoon sky was still and silent just before a thunderous HH-60G Pave Hawk landed thrusting 100 mph winds. Out jumped three pararescuemen assessing possible threats in all directions as they headed to aid an injured member of a friendly force.The 38th Rescue Squadron and 823rd Base Defense

  • Air Force Cross recipients honored at Pope Field

    Four bronze busts in the likeness of Air Force Cross recipients were unveiled during a ceremony here honoring the Airmen at the Combat Control School Dec. 6. The busts honor Capt. Barry Crawford, Tech. Sgt. John Chapman, Staff Sgts. Robert Gutierrez and Zach Rhyner. Crawford and Gutierrez were in

  • Secretary of Defense visits troops in Southwest Asia

    Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta delivers remarks to more than 300 Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen here Dec. 12, 2012. Panetta took time to speak with troops to thank them for their service and answer questions before continuing his tour throughout Southwest Asia. “I really wanted to come

  • Freedom Award recognizes Guard, Reserve supporters

    Reserve component members still have time to nominate their civilian employers for the 2013 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, officials from Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a DOD agency, said today.Nominations for the award are due by Jan. 21, 2013. The award is the

  • Q&A: AF chief information officer on Cyber Summit

    Air Force leaders held a Cyber Summit in November at Joint Base Andrews, Md., to discuss the Air Force's role in cyberspace and to ensure the mission needs of the Air Force and joint warfighter are being met going forward.More than 30 senior leaders, including the secretary and chief of staff of the

  • Defenders and good will ambassadors

    The sun rises on an empty field outside an entry control point as a few defenders prepare their gear and equipment for the day. By mid-morning the field becomes filled with nearly 400 Afghan locals all waiting to process through that ECP at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. For the bravo sector entry

  • Past, present SOWTs shape elite career field

    The Special Operations Weather Team is one of the newest career fields in the Air Force, officially created just three years ago. However, this grey beret-wearing unit has been around since 1963, originally known as the Commando Combat Weather Team stationed here at Hurlburt Field, Fla.To remember

  • Afghan AF, NATO Air Training Command sign joint strategic flightplan

    Maj. Gen. Abdul Wahab Wardak, commander of the Afghan air force, and Brig. Gen. Steven Shepro, commander of NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan, signed the first-ever combined strategy into effect at a Nov. 28 ceremony at the NATC-A headquarters at the Kabul International Airport here. All three

  • Arc Light marked beginning of B-52 involvement in Vietnam

    Editor's Note: This is the first in a series of articles highlighting the B-52's involvement in the Vietnam Conflict up to Operation Linebacker II. The 40th Anniversary of Linebacker II takes place Dec. 18-29.By 1972, the war in Vietnam had persisted for more than eight years, characterized by a

  • Japanese aircrew learn advanced airlift tactics in Missouri

    A sky blue military aircraft with red Japanese flag markings is an odd sight in the Midwest.Yet, Airmen at the Missouri Air National Guard training center here are used to such foreign sights.The Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center at the 139th Airlift Wing instructs service members from other

  • EOD Airmen earn 18 Bronze Stars

    After six months of clearing improvised explosive devices, providing blast analysis and clearing roadways, the nearly 40 explosive ordnance disposal Airmen assigned to Joint Task Force Paladin South 966th Air Expeditionary Squadron are headed home, but not before being recognized for their

  • KC-135 crew on point in Afghan skies

    From the window of her "office," Senior Airman Brittany Bahner breathes deeply and takes in the view of the brown, arid expanse near Kandahar Province, Afghanistan. She waits patiently, lying prone in the boom pod at the rear of the KC-135 Stratotanker, while communicating through her headset with

  • Deployed father controls airspace over son in Afghanistan

    Maj. Christopher Gering worries like any other parent whose child deploys downrange. It can be gut wrenching knowing his child operates outside the wire, working to clear and dispose of improvised explosive devices.Since August, this proud parent has had an advantage most parents are not afforded

  • Three Airmen win 'Best in Show' photography contest

    Defense Department leaders honored three Airmen Nov. 30, for their participation in the Arts in Embassies program. The Airmen were part of a group of 12 photography winners, selected from over 3,000 photo submissions.Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta, Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the

  • Airmen conduct rescue off the Coast of Mexico

    Air National Guardsmen from the 129th Rescue Wing successfully completed a complex, overwater rescue of an injured ship hand from a Marshall Islands flagged merchant vessel approximately 300 miles off the coast of Mexico on Nov, 29. The 129th Rescue Wing received a call from the U.S. Coast Guard

  • Language Enabled Airman Program announces selections

    Foreign language experts from around the Air Force recently met at the Air Force Culture and Language Center at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., part of Air University's Spaatz Center for Officer Education, to select the latest participants for the Air Force's Language Enabled Airman Program. More than

  • Deployed structural maintainers 'do it all'

    When a homeowner needs to redo a wall, repair the roof, and re-key a lock, several calls must be made.The Air Force only has to make one.Structural maintainers are "like the carpenters, welders, roofers and handymen, kind of all rolled up into one," said Tech. Sgt. Howard Jones, 380th Expeditionary

  • Airmen provide Sailors real-time video for maritime operations

    Editor's Note: Actual locations and specific details of the types of aircraft and ships involved were withheld for operational security.A Navy information systems technician aboard ship looked down at his laptop on a recent October day and saw something unheard of for Sailors just months before - a

  • Every flight 'ultimate trip' for deployed aircrews

    A small group of people leave their office and pile into a vehicle.Twelve hours later, they've travelled more than 800 miles - roughly the distance from Seattle to San Francisco - stopped several times in the middle of nowhere, picked up a few passengers who speak very little English, overcome

  • QF-16 drone arrives for testing, prepares warfighters for tomorrow's threats

    The 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group marked an important milestone in continuing to prepare the warfighter for tomorrow's threats as the first QF-16 drone arrived for developmental testing at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., Nov. 19."The work done prior to today and the test work that is forthcoming will

  • New Medical Clinic Opens Doors Strengthening U.S. Kyrgyz Partnership

    Service members from the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, in partnership with representatives from the U.S. Embassy Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic Ministry of Health and residents of the Nizhne-Chuysk Village gathered on Nov. 15, to celebrate the grand opening of the village's new medical clinic. The

  • F-35 begins integration phase of weapons testing

    The F-35 Lighting II, Joint Strike Fighter began the integration phase of weapons testing Oct. 26, when the F-35A Conventional Takeoff and Landing aircraft successfully completed the first in-flight test with an AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile. It was the first time a weapon

  • 563rd Rescue Group receives first combat ready HC-130J Combat King II

    Making its Air Force debut, the first combat ready HC-130J Combat King II touched down on Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., as the centerpiece of an induction ceremony presided by Col. Jason Hanover, 563rd Rescue Group commander Nov. 15.The 563rd Rescue Group directs flying operations for the

  • Band ramps up engagement as command position returns to Japan

    As U.S. forces rebalance to the Pacific, one group of Air Force musicians looks to play its way to new levels of engagement throughout the world's largest region.After a five-year absence, the command position for the Air Force's Band of the Pacific has returned to Yokota Air Base, Japan -- and with

  • Airmen repair, save aircraft amid enemy mortars

    A seven-man mission recovery team assigned to 8th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron deployed to forward operating base Shank in the remote Logar province of Eastern Afghanistan to complete repairs and recover a downed C-17 Globemaster III.They recovered the vital aircraft amid daily enemy mortar

  • 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.

  • AF supports both Sandy relief and Afghanistan operations

    Mobility Airmen are playing key roles supporting humanitarian relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, while continuing to support U.S. operations around the world, including missions in Afghanistan.Since Hurricane Sandy struck the East Coast on Oct. 30, C-17 Globemaster IIIs, C-5 Galaxys, and

  • 90th EARS participates in Feast of Sacrifice

    Though some may find it intimidating to step boldly into a foreign land, many choose to embrace their unfamiliar surroundings and experience what the region has to offer.Recently, Airmen from the 90th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron plunged into local culture by participating in some of the

  • New program provides recordable books to deployed Airmen

    Air Force Personnel Center Directorate of Services officials are sending more than 900 recordable children's books to learning resource centers at six deployed locations throughout the U.S. Air Forces Central Command's area of responsibility.The Air Force Library Program collaborated with the

  • Every patient an important story to CASF staff

    As she sifted through the captain's baggage to make sure he didn't have anything he wasn't supposed to, the young medic came across his watch. The captain had been injured by an improvised explosive device where he lost three of his limbs. He had been unconscious the whole time he was at the Role 3

  • 62nd Port Dawgs do 'whatever it takes' to support hurricane relief efforts

    Airmen from the 62nd Aerial Port Squadron worked through the night Nov. 2, and well into the afternoon Nov. 3,  to process more than 20 vehicles and support equipment destined for the East Coast to support Hurricane Sandy relief efforts.The vehicles, sent from the Seattle City Light power company in

  • Military airlifts, aid flow to New York, New Jersey

    Another airlift, this time from Phoenix, Ariz., will bring more power restoration trucks and equipment to New York and New Jersey, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little told Pentagon reporters today.As of this morning, 12 C-5 Galaxy and C-17 Globemaster III aircraft have arrived at Stewart Air

  • AFRL played major role in historic near-space jump

    For more than nine minutes Oct. 14, an international audience watched as Austrian daredevil Felix Baumgartner egressed from a capsule 128,000 feet above the earth and fell toward the planet reaching speeds of 834 miles per hour, to become the first person to break the sound barrier outside of a

  • AETC sees first pilot production from new Afghanistan schoolhouse

    The new fixed-wing pilot schoolhouse in Afghanistan at Shindand Air Base, Herat Province, graduated its first three fixed-wing pilots this month, the first to be produced in Afghanistan in more than 30 years -- a major milestone for the U.S. and Afghan Air Forces.Three Afghan air force first

  • Outreach to teach: Volunteers connect with Afghan children

    A year ago, a group of volunteers turned a burned-out restaurant on Bagram Airfield into a one-room classroom, and invited area school-age children to learn math, reading, and writing.When the first "Cat in the Hat" class graduated in August, 40 area Afghan children had taken huge steps toward

  • Remains of two Airmen lost in 1969 identified, honored

     The remains of two Airmen who died when their F-4D Phantom II was shot over Laos in 1969 were returned and honored at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors Oct. 19.Col. Wendell Keller, of Fargo, N.D., and Capt. Virgil K. Meroney III, of Fayetteville, Ark., were killed when their

  • Airmen honored by college for heroism in Afghanistan

    As the battle on the gridiron between the Clemson Tigers and the Virginia Tech Hokies paused for halftime, a story of heroism was broadcast over the Memorial Stadium speakers for some 80,000 people in attendance Oct. 20, 2012, at Clemson, S.C. Capt. Michael Polidor and Capt. Justin Kulish, now B-2

  • Airmen deploy in support of downed Black Hawk

    Two joint inspectors from the 8th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron were tasked with an invaluable mission in - to forward deploy to a remote forward operating base in Afghanistan and help with the inspection and movement of a downed UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter.Tech. Sgt. Peter Feliciano Jr. and

  • Deployed maintainers keep the 'Herc' fit to fight

    Every day, thousands of coalition service members operating in Afghanistan rely on the C-130 Hercules to enable their operations; to meet this requirement, the men and women who operate this venerable tactical airlift workhorse rely on a team of maintainers who keep the "Hercs" ready to fly.

  • First sergeant to join stateside walk from deployed location

    Sometimes she walks or runs with a friend, and then she's got someone to talk with and motivate her. But many times she walks with just her music and her thoughts, and it allows her to remember just what she's walking for.Master Sgt. Laurie Cherry, the 727th Expeditionary Air Control Squadron first

  • Alleged assault results in curfew for U.S. forces in Japan

    An alleged assault of a female Japanese citizen in Okinawa by two U.S. service members Oct. 16 has drawn an apology from the commander of U.S. forces in Japan and imposition of a curfew throughout the country."I want to personally apologize for the grief and trauma the victim has endured and the

  • A history of 'there first' For AF special ops

    Although Air Force Special Operations Command was officially established in 1990, its history dates all the way back to World War II. From that time, Air Commandos have been heavily called upon for a wide assortment of missions - missions nobody else could do."Since 1975, at the end of the Vietnam

  • Pacific Thunder gets jump start at Osan AB

    For the fifth straight year, 31st and 33rd Rescue Squadron Airmen from Kadena Air Base, Japan, have teamed up with the 25th Fighter Squadron here to kick off Exercise Pacific Thunder 2012.The two-week exercise, focused entirely on combat search and rescue operations, began Oct. 11 and is scheduled

  • Airmen deliver aid 'outside the wire'

    Humanitarian aid missions conjure up images of Airmen air-dropping supplies to austere locations too hazardous to deliver by trucks or convoy.  Images of smiling villagers eagerly awaiting much needed vittles and supplies. But not all "HA" missions in Afghanistan require airlift; some require simply

  • New York Air National Guard supports Antarctic research

    The New York Air National Guard's 109th Airlift Wing kicks off its annual support for the National Science Foundation in Antarctica as ski-equipped LC-130 Hercules aircraft head for Antarctica on Oct. 16 and 17.These aircraft will support the National Science Foundation's research in the Antarctic,

  • Tail swap enables Afghan mission support and humanitarian effort

    A 317th Airlift Group C-130J and aircrew already assigned to deploy to Afghanistan on a tail-swap mission were given the perfect opportunity to conduct their mission and help the people of Afghanistan as well by participating in the Denton Program and transporting school supplies to students and

  • Fort Smith ANG Airmen Head Home

    Arkansas Air National Guard A-10 Thunderbolt II aircrews and maintainers began their journey home this week after successfully completing a three-month deployment with the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing where they provided close air support to coalition forces in Afghanistan.Due to the close knit

  • 'Silent Sentry' gives deployed Airmen upper hand in space superiority

    With the advancement of technology, satellite communication has been a key factor in maintaining space superiority throughout the entire area of responsibility.Airmen assigned to the 379th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron operate the Rapid Attack Identification Detection Reporting System,

  • NORTHCOM marks 10 years protecting U.S. homeland

    Ten years ago Oct. 1, still stinging from the devastating 9/11 terror attacks, the United States stood up U.S. Northern Command with one sole mission: to deter, prevent and defeat threats and aggression aimed at the continental United States, its territories and its interests.The activation marked

  • Special Tactics Airmen earn Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart

    When the critical moment came there was courage. There was courage from an Airman who moved into the line of fire to retrieve bodies of fallen Afghan commandos. One Airman risked sniper fire to call in air support and another Airman continued to fight despite shrapnel wounds from a hand

  • Airmen honor Belgian Malinois

    A Belgian Malinois became the first military working dog honored by the 341st Training Squadron for her heroic actions while assigned to a U.S. Special Forces unit in Afghanistan.Layka, an almost 3-year-old female, was recognized Sept. 12 at Joint Base San Antonio - Lackland, Texas, for saving

  • Dempsey: Insider attacks won't affect NATO's Afghan strategy

    The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff stressed again today that NATO's decision to curtail closely partnered operations with Afghan forces because of on-going attacks on the coalition is only a tactical change that will not undermine the goal of producing a trained Afghan security force by the

  • Total force effort brings people home after Libyan attack

    A C-17 Globemaster III answered the urgent call to fly 36 passengers to safety out of Libya following the attack on the U.S. consulate Sept. 12 that had resulted in the death of the U.S. ambassador and three others. The aircraft was under the command and control of the 618th Air and Space Operations

  • Deployed firefighters train Kyrgyz counterparts

    Fairchild firefighters deployed with the 376th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron at the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, conducted a capabilities demonstration with their Kyrgyz Republic counterparts Aug. 29. The exercise was part of a continuing informational exchange program familiarizing

  • Intelligence developmental team to convene

    Intelligence officers interested in leadership, command and developmental opportunities have until the second week of October to prepare an application and statement of intent, which are due to the Air Force Personnel Center by Oct. 12, AFPC officials said.The Intelligence Officer Fall Developmental

  • Largest exercise wraps up in South Korea

    Airmen, along with 30,000 participants from South Korea and other nations, took part in one of the largest Joint Staff exercises in the world here date to Aug. 30. Exercise Ulchi Freedom-Guardian is an annual computer-simulated, U.S. Combined Forces Command defense-oriented exercise, designed to

  • Afghan airmen learn language of flight

    Whether an Afghan airmen needs to fly an aircraft safely, communicate with air traffic controllers, or maintain and fix equipment, he must first learn the language of flight.English is the language of flight used around the world, and Afghan airmen are learning to speak it fluently at the Kandahar

  • First Family Readiness Center opens doors in AOR

    The 379th Air Expeditionary Wing is now home to the first Airman and Family Readiness Center in the Southwest Asia area of responsibility. The center opened its doors and added family members to those they serve, following the ribbon cutting ceremony Aug. 29, 2012.Daniel Ginsberg, the Assistant

  • 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.

  • Americans, British long-time partners united in Operation Enduring Freedom

    The 62nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron has a unique role where Airmen from the British Royal Air Force and the U.S. work together to support the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mission for Operation Enduring Freedom. The primary mission of the 62nd is to launch and recover

  • Afghanistan Health Reconstruction Course introduced into PRT training

    Sustainability and self-sufficiency is the goal for the new Afghanistan Health Sector Reconstruction Course being introduced into all provincial reconstruction team training."We have taken what some would have considered a boring lecture series, expanded it and morphed it into a highly dynamic,

  • B-52 takes part in joint training 'down under'

    The Air Force will send a B-52 and KC-135, operating from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, to Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin later this week to take part in short term joint training with the RAAF. The B-52 is assigned to Andersen AFB as part of U.S. Pacific Command and U.S. Air Force

  • McChord C-17 crews begin WinFly to Antarctica

    The 62nd Airlift Wing began the winter flying period Aug. 20 as part of its support of the U.S. Antarctic Program and the National Science Foundation.The period, known as WinFly, is scheduled to last until Aug. 28 and will deliver advance teams and cargo for the upcoming main season of Operation

  • Transit Center passenger experience realigned to centralized location

    Whether a service member is heading to Afghanistan or redeploying back to their home station, they want their transient experience to be simple.A consolidation of the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan's Passenger Terminal and U.S. Customs Processing Center into a centralized location is aimed at

  • Nuclear enterprise experts train and attend symposium

    Approximately 16 general and flag officers, led by the commander of U.S. Strategic Command, took part in an airborne emergency action officers exercise and Strategic Deterrence Conference at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., Aug. 6-9.Gen. C. Robert Kehler, commander of U.S. Strategic Command, is

  • Behind-the-scenes look at saving lives

    It was his first deployment to Afghanistan, and to make matters worse, he was assigned to one of the busiest trauma centers in the region. Staff Sgt. Caleb Gibson felt a sense of shock, pride and satisfaction as he watched U.S. military medical personnel treat injured troops. "It was shocking to see

  • SecAF shares AF, DoD energy goals at summit

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley presented a keynote address on the Department of Defense's energy initiatives at the 2012 National Clean Energy Summit here August 7.The fifth annual summit gathered leaders from government, business, non-profit organizations and academia to discuss the

  • Rescue Airmen partner with Canadians for search-and-rescue training

    Approximately 30 Airmen from the 920th Rescue Wing at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., traveled to Canada July 15-22 to train alongside and strengthen partnerships with Royal Canadian Air Force search-and-rescue technicians, known as SAR techs, and their support personnel. The SAR techs from our

  • Reserve answers call for additional MAFFS aircraft in Boise

    The U.S. Forest Service has modified its request for assistance for the MAFFS-equipped C-130s. The new request, received late yesterday, tasks an additional two C-130s using Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems, to assist with fires in the Rocky Mountain area.The two aircraft from the 302nd

  • Morale check: It's in the mail

    On any given day in a small non-descript office on Camp Losano here, Airmen of the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing peek their heads in and ask the question, "Is she here?"The "she" they are referring to goes by many names: "K-10," "Santa Clause," and "Mail Girl," to name a few. But Senior Airman

  • B-52s provide RIMPAC 2012 air capability

    Members from the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Minot Air Force Base, N.D., participated in nine sorties in support of this year's Rim of the Pacific exercise July 11-31 in and around training areas surrounding the Hawaiian islands. Six B-52 Stratofortresses from the 69th EBS, accompanied by more

  • US, Poland develop partnership through Screaming Eagle

    Airmen from the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing and 86th Airlift Wing continue to train with Polish military members in Exercise Screaming Eagle IV here July 24 through Aug. 3."Poland is one of our strongest and closest allies in the world and is a leader in Europe," said President Barack Obama.

  • Pacom weighs pre-prepositioning logistics for disaster response

    Along with more rotational deployments, U.S. Pacific Command is eyeing opportunities to pre-position some of the logistics assets being drawn down in Afghanistan to support a future disaster response or other contingency in the Asia-Pacific region.U.S. Marines began serving six-month rotational

  • Service members successfully work themselves out of job

    Most people wouldn't define success as working themselves out of a job, but for the Joint Medical Operations Cell located in western Afghanistan, that was exactly their goal.What began as a 20-person-strong medical team in 2006 has now dwindled down to six people as medical advisors and mentors

  • CASF: Staff, volunteers send heroes home

    The state-of-the-art Craig Joint Theater Hospital at Bagram Airfield is widely recognized as the premier medical facility in Afghanistan. CJTH treats about 4,000 patients each month - as many as 130 war-related injuries each day - yet more than 95 percent of their patients survive. The hospital has

  • Deployed first responders test reaction skills

    An explosion rocks the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing's aerospace ground equipment hangar. Minutes later, the sound of anguished voices calling for help can be heard as firefighters enter the dark, smoke-filled building.The scene then becomes mass chaos as medical personnel scramble to assist the

  • Schwartz: Air Force will thrive despite fiscal challenges

    The Air Force has reinvigorated the service's nuclear mission, incorporated unmanned aerial capabilities and made progress in acquisition, the service's chief of staff told reporters here July 24.Gen. Norton A. Schwartz, who finishes a four-year term in office shortly, said he believes the Air Force

  • DOD approves NATO medals for operations in Africa, Libya

    The Department of Defense announced July 24 that NATO medals for operations in Libya and Africa have been approved for acceptance and wear by eligible U.S. service members and DOD civilian personnel.The NATO Medal for NATO Operations and Activities in Africa is awarded for service in direct support

  • Two CSAR officers awarded Silver Star medals

    Two 19th Air Force combat search and rescue officers were presented the Silver Star medal at the 19th Air Force's inactivation ceremony here July 12. Gen. Edward A. Rice Jr., the commander of Air Education Training Command, presented the third-highest military decoration to Majs. Philip Bryant and

  • Airmen relocate WWII tank

    One of the most feared and powerful tanks of its time is making its way to the United States courtesy of the 48th Logistics Readiness Squadron. The squadron is shipping a World War II-era German Tiger 1 tank  from Royal Air Force Alconbury, England, to the U.S. Army Armor and Cavalry Museum at Fort

  • Overseas extension incentives changes ahead

    Airmen stationed at overseas long tour locations who extend their tour Aug. 1 or later may be eligible for incentives, Air Force Personnel Center officials said.Recent changes to the Overseas Tour Extension Incentive Program will affect members who make a "date eligible for return from overseas"

  • Two Silver Star medals presented at 19th Air Force inactivation ceremony

    Two 19th Air Force combat search and rescue pilots were presented the Silver Star medal at the 19th Air Force's inactivation ceremony  July 12 here. Gen. Edward A. Rice Jr., the commander of the Air Education Training Command, presented the third highest military decoration to Majors Philip Bryant

  • Service members: Let's talk trash

    With no one in sight, a trash truck pulls up to one of the many orange dumpsters throughout the base. As the driver and his crew dismount to empty the dumpster, so does a crew of four Airmen. However, before the dumpster can be emptied, these Airmen jump into it and begin a process of what some

  • Three of MacDill's 'finest' retire after 26 deployments

    Retirement is a time to reflect upon years of dedicated service with pride. Today, July 12, three of MacDill's finest have reached this milestone. Three military working dogs from the 6th Security Forces Squadron, Conny, Jago and Haris, hung up their leashes at Helton Hall in front of a captive