HH-60Gs integrate with Army AH-64s for war missions

Airmen and Soldiers here took integration one step further with rotary wing aviation operations in Afghanistan. While the Army AH-64 Apaches and Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawks have flown medical evacuation missions together for some time now in Afghanistan, on Sept. 25 they flew their first joint combat

Oct. 2 airpower summary: C-17s provide airlift support

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 2, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, coalition aircraft dropped guided bomb unit-12s onto an

Inspections ordered for A-10 Thunderbolt IIs

Air Force officials have issued a time compliance technical order requiring immediate inspection and repair of wing cracks for a portion of the A-10 Thunderbolt II fleet. This action impacts approximately 130 A-10 aircraft with thin-skin wings installed during original manufacture and is being taken

Top cover: Airpower integral to ground force's success

Pilots on board F-15E Strike Eagles helped turned the tide as Army Soldiers fighting terrorists in Afghanistan were pinned down and needed assistance in mid September.An improvised explosive device had disabled a vehicle and Soldiers were stranded, but airpower was there to help. "As we got within

Air Force medics support trauma mission for warriors

A recent influx of trauma cases at Wilford Hall Medical Center here sheds light on the importance of the hospital's civilian trauma mission with the city of San Antonio, and the high caliber of training it provides for military doctors and medics here. During the month of September, Air Force

Charleston officials begin transporting new Army vehicles

Charleston Air Force Base officials began receiving and immediately shipping six new Army High Mobility Engineer Excavator vehicles to warfighters in Southwest Asia Sept. 29 here. Charleston AFB is the first Air Force base to receive and ship the HMEE, which is a newly developed military

DOD officials move toward civilian expeditionary capability

Defense Department officials are moving forward with setting up a global expeditionary force for civilian employees, a senior Pentagon personnel official said Sept. 30. Patricia Bradshaw, deputy undersecretary of defense for civilian personnel policy, said operations in Iraq and Afghanistan pointed

Welcome home

MH-53s fly final combat missions

Aircrews flew the remaining six MH-53 Pave Low helicopters on their last combat missions in support of special operations forces Sept. 27 in Southwest Asia. The last mission, a SOF logistical resupply and passenger movement throughout central and southern Iraq, marks their last combat mission before

Iraqi training wing soars to 3,000th hour

The Iraqi air force Flying Training Wing has reached yet another goal, one that may have seemed impossible a year ago, with the help of Airmen from the 52nd Expeditionary Flying Training Squadron. This partnership enabled Iraqi pilots to reach the 3,000th flying training hour milestone here Sept 23.

'Today's Air Force' features war-zone support

This edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights what Air Force men and women are doing to support the war on terrorism in Southwest Asia. See how three hospitals, each run by representatives of a different country, come together to provide the utmost medical training to Afghan medical students. Also

Airmen train at Fort Bragg for 'outside the wire' deployment

More than 175 Airmen from 55 different bases around the world are training here with an "outside the wire" mindset as they prepare for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan.The Airmen will be part of Provincial Reconstruction Teams on 270-day deployments to help rebuild the infrastructure and

Servicemembers prepare for Afghan deployments

Airmen, Sailors and Soldiers formed 12 Provincial Reconstruction Teams and are receiving training here as part of a 270-day rotation to Afghanistan in an effort to help rebuild the infrastructure and legitimize the Afghan government. Each PRT, consisting of a main body of Airmen or Sailors and an

Airman immerses into language for deployment

An Airman deploying soon to Afghanistan as part of a Provincial Reconstruction Team will be able to use a hobby of his to help make his deployment easier for himself and his team. Senior Airman George Williams joined the Air Force almost four years ago in hopes of being a linguist specializing in

Brake it down

Village of Hope training center graduates final class

A program designed to help "Sons of Iraq" citizen security group members learn skills that will enable them to help Iraq move forward graduated its final class of 60 students here Sept. 25. "The Village of Hope was part of a civil service corps program that took Sons of Iraq members from checkpoints

U.S. troops help build Afghan air corps

A team of 170 U.S. Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines have been tasked with recruiting, training and equipping the Afghan National Army Air Corps. "Our goal is to develop this Air Corps to be fully independent and fully operational, capable to meet (the) security requirements of Afghanistan," Air

Iraqis learn, overcome challenges of helo operations

Iraqi helicopter aircrews are increasingly in demand as Iraqi security forces assume responsibility of their nation's security from their American counterparts. These crews are trained at Taji Air Base, Iraq, using UH-1 Hueys and Mi-17 Hips, where they learn the ins and outs of helicopter

Deployed Airman witnesses daughter's birth via Internet

For Airman 1st Class Roger Prokes, a patrolman with the 95th Security Forces Squadron here, being deployed didn't mean he would miss the birth of his daughter. Modern technology would see to that. "Just in case my husband wasn't back, I had spoken with the director of labor and delivery at my

Airpower integral to Kajaki Dam turbine delivery

Coalition airpower focused on a critical part of southern Afghanistan from Aug. 28 to Sept. 2 to protect more than 4,000 ground forces and to support the delivery of an electric turbine for the 30-year-old hydroelectric Kajaki Dam in the Helmand Province. The new turbine, part of a U.S.-funded

New battle gear improves capabilities for combat Airmen

Battlefield Airmen will soon receive a new equipment item that will improve their ability to execute their combat duties. The new airman battle system-ground is a tactical ensemble, or equipment item, for Airmen who perform their mission outside the wire in close coordination with ground forces. "It

Airmen to deliver 10,000th MRAP to troops

The 10,000th mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicle is scheduled to be delivered to troops supporting Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom Sept. 25 by Air Mobility Command Airmen.MRAPs were introduced in 2007, and AMC Airmen have been working around-the-clock planning, coordinating and executing

Brothers meet at 20,000 feet

Family reunions are always special, but for two brothers stationed at different bases in Southwest Asia their meeting at 20,000 feet over a combat zone is even more memorable. During the encounter Sept. 10, Capt. Jason Moraes, a KC-10 Extender pilot for the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, refueled his

Tinker civilians provide communications support to Iraqis

Seven members from the 38th Engineering Installation Group's Systems Telecommunications Engineering Managers are helping to rebuild Iraq's air force by designing the entire communications infrastructure. The lead engineer for the coalition air force training team and 38th EIG STEM manager, Mike

Joint unmanned aircraft system mission crosses Atlantic

An Air Combat Command RQ-4A Global Hawk unmanned aircraft system from the 9th Reconnaissance Wing at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., made a trans-Atlantic flight Sept. 20 with the assistance of Navy officials. The 19-hour flight from Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Md., to Southwest Asia had Air

Special Operations Command earns multiple AFA awards

Air Force Special Operations Command officials here took home four awards during the Air Force Association's annual Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition held from Sept. 15 to 17 in Washington, D.C. Each year, AFA officials honor the outstanding achievements of men and women throughout

STRATCOM leader charts nuclear path for American military

The U.S. Strategic Command commander here recently laid out his vision for the future of America's strategic deterrence mission and the importance of nuclear stewardship. Gen. Kevin P. Chilton also outlined the necessary measures to correct the accountability and day-to-day management issues with

'Perspective' goes outside the wire

In his latest "Enlisted Perspective," the Air Force's top enlisted Airman discusses how Airmen in conventional and uncoventional taskings all contribute to the fight against terrorism. "Our Airmen are warriors. We come from a proud heritage of warriors, and today we continue our combat tradition by

Airmen honor America's fallen

Crouched in the shade of an elm tree between the Washington Monument and World War II Memorial here, a major used portable communications equipment Sept. 20 to direct three F-15 Eagle pilots to fly over a national tribute to honor America's fallen and their families. "It was inspirational and

Ramstein Airman killed in Pakistan

An 86th Airlift Wing major from here was killed after a Sept. 20 explosion in Islamabad, Pakistan. Maj. Rodolfo Rodriguez, 34, of the 86th Construction and Training Squadron, was deployed to the area in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. "Our heartfelt sympathies go out to his family and friends

Iraqi airmen keep helicopter fleet flying

An American Airman assigned to the 770th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron at Taji Air Base is helping Iraqi airmen learn how to be aircraft maintainers as the Iraqi air force takes steps to take off on their own.Tech. Sgt. Lee Everhart, an Mi-17 air adviser with the 770th AEAS, is part of the

Tinker officials adapt sniper pod for B-1Bs

The B-1B Lancer maintainers here adapted a video targeting pod normally employed on F-15 Eagles and F-16 Fighting Falcons to B-1Bs in response to an urgent request from U.S. Air Forces Central officials. The sniper pod enables aircrews to positively identify and engage enemy targets, significantly

American Language Course graduates first class

Eighteen Iraqi airmen have accomplished one of the top training requirements for the Iraqi air force -- learning the English language. These airmen were the first to graduate from the American Language Course during a ceremony here Sept. 10. Because English is the international language for

Secretary Gates examines close-air support at Bagram

Avoiding civilian casualties is a high priority for U.S. aircrews, the Defense secretary said Sept. 17 at Bagram Airfield. Secretary Robert M. Gates came to Bagram Airfield to get a full picture of the American aviation effort in Afghanistan. Civilian casualties from American and NATO bombing

AF's top pastor discusses role of 'combat' chaplains

The Air Force's top chaplain said military chaplains are working hard in deployed environments to help ensure servicemembers have their constitutional right to worship God in their own way. Maj. Gen. Cecil Richardson, Air Force chief of chaplains, addressed attendees of the 2008 Air Force

Gen. Schwartz addresses Air Force future

The chief of staff of the Air Force addressed Air Force Association Air and Space Technology Convention delegates Sept. 16 here to share his vision for the future of the service. "The work we must accomplish is serious stuff," Gen. Norton A. Schwartz said, "but I know we are up to the task." Part of

Former Joint Chiefs chairman remembers 9/11

Sept. 11 was a day of remembrance across the country as Americans reflected on the events that occurred that day in 2001. Gen. Richard B. Myers, the now-retired chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, traveled to Maxwell to speak at the Air Force Wargaming Institute. While here he shared his unique

General Odierno takes command of forces in Iraq

Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno assumed command of Multinational Force Iraq from Army Gen. David H. Petraeus during a ceremony at al Faw Palace here Sept. 16. The change of command occurs after incredible progress in the country, said Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, who traveled to Baghdad to

Joint patrol provides Airmen with valuable knowledge

It's been more than 30 years since the Vietnam War ended and since the Air Force has been solely responsible for a base's defense in a war zone, but that's all about to change at Joint Base Balad by the end of September. The Air Force is taking responsibility for base defense from the Army, and to

Air Force develops plan for filling unmanned aircraft system positions

Air Force leaders are taking a two-pronged approach to address the increasing need for pilots of unmanned aircraft systems in Afghanistan and Iraq, an Air Force official said recently. The first approach will use a small percentage of undergraduate pilot training graduates for the short term. The

General Schwartz kicks off AFA convention

The Air Force Association's 24th Annual Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition got underway here Sept. 15. In remarks to open the conference, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton A. Schwartz said service leaders will work to regain America's trust by improving its performance, citing work

Father & son take to the air

It's not every day a father gets to dogfight against his son in a high-performance fighter aircraft, 20,000 feet over the Pacific Ocean. It's even rarer when the aircraft being flown by the son is the same tail number that the father flew almost thirty years earlier. That's exactly what happened

'Today's Air Force' features key milestones

This edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights Air Force milestones in the war again terrorism and features the MQ-1 Predator passing 400,000 flight hours. Also, see how the Air Force continues to dominate airpower worldwide. In addition, witness how members of the Guard, Reserve and active units

Sept. 13 airpower summary: A-10s destroy targets

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Sept. 13, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, a Navy F/A-18C Hornet dropped a guided bomb unit-12 and

Sept. 12 airpower summary: Predators keep watch

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Sept. 12, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, A-10 Thunderbolt IIs dropped guided bomb unit-12s and

'Landing Gear' aims to help at-risk Airmen

Air Force Medical Service officials are releasing a prevention education program that provides focused education specifically targeted at Airmen at risk for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, and other deployment-related mental health problems. Entitled Landing Gear, the training fulfills

Skills summit aims to streamline training for Airmen

The evolving war on terrorism has made Col. Jenny Pickett's personal mission of "keeping Airmen alive" more challenging these days. The commandant of the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Operations School, which trains Airmen for deployment, says inconsistencies in where and how troops gain war-fighting

Pentagon Memorial opens to public

The Pentagon Memorial was dedicated and opened to the public in a solemn ceremony before thousands of servicemembers and civilians Sept. 11 here. The memorial honors the 184 people who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks here seven years ago when Flight 77 was flown into the south side of the

Ceremony inspires members to never forget Sept. 11

Airmen of the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing gathered with coalition forces and sister servicemembers at sunrise Sept. 11 on the grounds of a newly constructed memorial for a Sept. 11 Remembrance Ceremony here. Col. Cameron Torrens, the 386th AEW commander, presided over the ceremony on the seventh

Airman's Roll Call: Pentagon Memorial unveiling

This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on the unveiling of the Pentagon Memorial, a lasting tribute to those who died in the attack there on Sept. 11, 2001. As the World Trade Center burned in New York City as a result of two terrorist-hijacked aircraft crashing into them, a third plane struck the

TRANSCOM officials improve military supply chain security

Officials of the U.S. Transportation Command here recently deployed a container security system that detects tampering and helps protect military container shipments moving from Afghanistan to Pakistan. TRANSCOM officials introduced the CommerceGuard container security system, provided by GE

RED HORSE Airmen give Iraqis reason for hope

Six months ago, the town of Hawr Rajab was a mere shell of its former self. Local shops were closed, their windows boarded up. The streets were abandoned. Homes were badly damaged. The town was once an al-Qaida in Iraq stronghold where violence and intimidation forced residents to flee their homes.

Charleston Airmen welcome home warriors

More than 125 Airmen from the 14th Airlift Squadron returned to Charleston Air Force Base Sept. 3 after completing more than a 120-day deployment to Southwest Asia in support of operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. The 14th AS Airmen deployed as the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron to

Airmen to be featured on TV Sunday

Deployed Airmen will be featured on a televised salute to the troops Sept. 7. The two-hour evening program stars several entertainment-industry celebrities offering performances and thanks in tribute to all service members. Airmen deployed to Joint Base Balad, Iraq, recorded segments for the program

Warrior medics deploy in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom

More than 80 Airmen from the 59th Medical Wing deployed Sept. 4, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.Deploying personnel bid their families farewell early in the morning in the Wilford Hall Medical Center auditorium before beginning their journey. This deployment is one of several that will occur

JCS chairman cites Pentagon Memorial's importance

With the official opening of the Pentagon Memorial a week away, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff reflected on the events of nearly seven years ago that inspired the memorial's creation. Navy Adm. Michael G. Mullen said his life as an American and as a servicemember changed forever on Sept.

Milestone reached in aircraft named for 9/11

Airmen in a unit here recently reached 40,000 flight hours in support of the war on terrorism fittingly in an aircraft named for the attacks which began the war. The 7th Expeditionary Air Command and Control Squadron Airmen reached the milestone Sept. 2 in E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar

'Today's Air Force' features global vigilance, reach, power

This edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights how the Air Force safeguards America by providing global vigilance, global reach and global power in the war on terrorism.Also highlighted is an essential type of training: Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape, or SERE training.  See how this

Aircrews take wounded warriors home

Almost three years have passed since aircrews in the 440th Airlift Wing here started flying special missions known as Integrated CONUS Medical Operations Plan missions. These ICMOP missions are designed to get injured servicemembers home as quickly as possible after arriving in the United States

Airman plays a traditional tune

Airmen gathered around the base flag pole just before 7 a.m. line up in formation and wait to hear the command, "Sound Reveille!" Those two words are Airman 1st Class Caitlin Davies' cue to begin playing her solo. Airman Davies, a 407th Expeditionary Communications Squadron Operations Flight network

CMSAF highlights warrior Airmen, Air Force focus areas

Airmen are fighting today's fight on fronts around the world for a more secure America and peace for future generations, the chief master sergeant of the Air Force told attendees at the Air Force Sergeant's Association Professional Airmen's Conference Aug. 26 in San Antonio. The No. 1 enlisted

Charleston Airmen deploy to support war on terrorism

More than 130 Charleston Air Force Base Airmen deployed from here Aug. 27 to a forward-deployed location in Southwest Asia to support operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Members of the 15th Airlift Squadron, 437th Operations Support Squadron and 437th Maintenance Group will fly and manage

General Schwartz featured on NPR's All Things Considered

Tom Bowman, National Public Radio Pentagon correspondent featured Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz during the Aug. 26 edition of NPR's All Things Considered. The 4:32-minute segment provides not only General Schwartz's plans for moving the Air Force forward in areas like intelligence,

Senior leaders meet to discuss, decide way ahead for force

Senior Air Force leaders gathered for a strategic summit Aug. 27 at Bolling Air Force Base to discuss the way ahead for the Air Force as a part of the August emphasis on strategic planning. "The summit allows us to identify issues that need senior leader review and decide on matters affecting the

Small group takes small packages, makes huge impact

When servicemen find themselves in harm's way they reach for a small item with a huge impact -- the individual first aid kit. A process here ensures they can depend on what's inside. Two Airmen from the 379th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron and three from the 379th Expeditionary Medical

Airmen employ laser joint direct attack munition in Iraq

Airmen employed a guided bomb unit-54 laser joint directed attack munition Aug. 12 against a moving enemy vehicle in the Diyala province to support a combined Iraqi army and U.S. Marine operation. The GBU-54 is the Air Force's newest 500-pound precision weapon, equipped with a special targeting

How to save a life

'Today's Air Force' features joint operations

This edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights Afghan and joint operations. Included is a segment on the C-130 Hercules which has played an essential role in global operations.  Also, observe how Airmen are teaching Soldiers about airfield management. This process will provide the necessary

Southern Command transformation promotes new approach to regional challenges

Along with U.S. Africa Command going fully operational Oct. 1, the Defense Department will reach another milestone as U.S. Southern Command officials complete a major reorganization that also promotes joint, interagency and even private- and public-sector cooperation. The concept supports universal

Airmen enhance Army medical evacuation mission

Airmen of the 305th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron here have flown more than 300 medical evacuations for coalition forces and Afghan nationals since March as they carry out their mission of saving lives.Members of the 305th ERQS and their HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters are deployed to Kandahar Air Base

Iraq, Afghanistan airdrops reach all-time high

Resupplying U.S. and coalition forces on the ground is a critical logistical component of combat operations. Seven months into 2008, the Air Force has already supplied forces in Iraq and Afghanistan with more than 8.5 million pounds of goods. This surpasses the 2007 total and reaches an all-time

Air Force chief of staff discusses leadership goals

The Air Force chief of staff shared his vision concerning Air Force leadership and discussed his goals for the direction of the Air Force during the Air Force Sergeants Association's Professional Airmen's Conference Aug. 25 in San Antonio. Gen. Norton A. Schwartz began his speech discussing the

Top leaders stress importance of excellence

Keeping the Air Force's promise to America, to the joint team and to Airmen and their families was the focus of Gen. Norton A. Schwartz, the Air Force chief of staff, during an Aug. 22 visit to Malmstrom Air Force Base. Acting Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley and General Schwartz

Iraqis sign container contract with Joint Base Balad

An Iraqi businessman, a local tribal leader and the commander of Joint Contracting Command-Iraq/Afghanistan gathered here Aug. 21 for a ribbon-cutting ceremony of the latest contract for the Iraqi First program between Joint Base Balad and the Miran Co. Hashim Abd Al-Amir Mahdi of the Miran Co. won

AF senior leaders address Hill Airmen

The acting secretary of the Air Force and the Air Force chief of staff spoke to top leaders and several thousand airmen here Aug. 22. Michael Donley and Gen. Norton Schwartz brought a tone mixed with both optimism and practicality in their speeches to Airmen. "It's been two months and one day since

Reaper drops bomb on anti-Iraqi forces

An MQ-9 Reaper dropped a 500-pound bomb against an anti-Iraqi target Aug. 16 in one of the first weapons engagements for the unmanned aircraft system.The Reaper began flying combat sorties in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom July 18 and joined the MQ-1 Predator as another UAS patrolling the sky to

PRT proving ingenuity is all it takes to make a difference

In a country where the reality is that parents will have to bury one of their children before the age of 5, members of a coalition provincial reconstruction team at Zabul, Afghanistan, are working to reverse this staggering trend. After two Air Force medical professionals spent some time on the

Predator passes 400,000 flight hours

The MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft system surpassed 400,000 flight hours during a mission in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Aug. 18. Members of the 15th Reconnaissance Squadron, part of the 432nd Air Expeditionary Wing at Creech Air Force Base, Nev., flew the milestone mission in

Teams to assist troops with holiday greetings

People usually get to hear their deployed loved one's voice on the telephone, but don't always see them until they return. For the 25th year, the Army and Air Force Hometown News Service holiday greeting teams will leave in late August from San Antonio for a mission allowing nearly 15,000 families

Acting secretary addresses VFW

Acting Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley spoke before an audience of Veterans of Foreign Wars members Aug. 18 at their national convention here. He gave a snapshot of today's Air Force and its contributions to the war on terrorism. "Our veterans have answered their country's call to duty,

Chief McKinley talks about Air Force focus areas

"Hold your heads up high," said Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley during his enlisted call in the Louis F. Garland Department of Defense Fire Academy high bay here Aug. 13. The chief opened his talk by telling Airmen that despite the bumps and bruises the Air Force has taken

Air Guard Predator pilots increase combat air patrols

Although they are some of the busiest pilots in the U.S. military, Air National Guard pilots who are now flying unmanned aircraft from the ground said they still climb into the cockpit and get some flight time whenever they can. Lt. Col. Rick Gibney, operations group commander and MQ-1 Predator

Iraqi soldiers taught 'strength through truth' in PA course

Iraqi Special Operations Forces have learned the value of "strength through truth" through a public affairs and photojournalism course conducted in Baghdad, Iraq, recently. Ten ISOF soldiers who graduated the 15-day course can now effectively combat anti-Iraqi forces' misinformation campaigns. As

Airmen help Iraqi pilot earn his wings

Dressed in a tan flight suit adorned with the Iraqi flag, an L.A. Dodgers hat and aviator sunglasses, one pilot is helping his country take a step closer to having an independent air force. With help from U.S. Airmen, Iraqi air force Maj. Thagel took his last training flight prior to being certified

Flying with the Pave Hawks

Female leaders from Omaha, Air Force gather at Offutt

Nebraska female executives met some of the Air Force's leading women during the Ten Dinner Aug. 14 at the Patriot Club on Offutt Air Force Base. The Air Force's top acquisition leader, the Reserve mobilization assistant to the deputy surgeon general of the Air Force, the deputy director for global

Air Force surgeon general returns to Heartland

The surgeon general of the Air Force and native Nebraskan returned to his home state during Air Force Week in the Heartland Aug. 13 in Omaha. Lt. Gen. (Dr.) James G. Roudebush, originally from Gering, Neb., retraced his roots and visited the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Medicine

'Today's Air Force' features airpower in the AOR

This edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights the impact the Air Force is making from the skies in its role in the war against terrorism. With the advancement in technology, new and more sophisticated aircraft are being developed such as the MQ-9 Reaper. In another segment, see how the Air Force is

Coalition exchange tours enhance vital partnership

Coalition air forces have proved instrumental in the continued success of airlift missions for Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. This was exemplified in July as the 386th Expeditionary Maintenance Group conducted C-130 Hercules aircraft exchange tours with the Japanese Air Self Defense Force's

Air Force secretary meets veterans, addresses issues

The acting secretary of the Air Force talked to Airmen, military veterans and Nebraska civic leaders during Air Force Week in the Heartland Aug. 11 in Omaha and at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. Secretary Michael B. Donley had breakfast with Airmen assigned to Offutt AFB, visited the Veterans

Airman joins Soldiers in real-life 'CSI: Iraq'

The fight to bring security to the people of Iraq requires all branches of the military to work together, bringing Airmen and Soldiers side by side. Senior Airman Kathleen Gasque is one of many Airmen who fight alongside other servicemembers for the freedom of both the United States and Iraq. As a

$1 headset fix improves Predator mission

MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial system pilots here can now talk over a secure Internet phone line using their headsets thanks to one Airman's ingenuity and one dollar. Staff Sgt. Ray Stetler, the NCO in charge of base information and infrastructure for the 407th Expeditionary Communications Squadron

Pilots provide emergency close air support

For F-15E Strike Eagle and A-10 Thunderbolt pilots deployed here, joint terminal attack controllers, or JTACs,  play a vital role in the close air support mission. However, there's not always a JTAC on the ground when close air support, or CAS,  is needed. In these rare situations, pilots step

Aug. 9 airpower summary: A-10s drop bomb, fire cannon at enemy targets

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Aug. 9, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs fired cannon rounds and dropped

Plans under way for net-centric operations conference

Officials from the Electronic Systems Center and the Patriot Roost Chapter of the Association of Old Crows are teaming again to host a net-centric operations conference Sept. 22 at the Wentworth by the Sea Hotel in New Castle, N.H. "This year we are exploring the needs of not only the defense

Aug. 7 airpower summary: F-15Es remain vigilant

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Aug. 7, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped guided bomb

Pentagon Force Protection Agency braces for tourists

The Pentagon is the most obvious symbol of the world's most powerful military. The building is the home of the National Military Command Center. And soon it will be a tourist destination. While there are already tours of the building, the Pentagon will become a major destination for visitors to

Base members improve processes to increase efficiency

Members of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing here have refined and streamlined processes in order to increase productivity and the level of support provided to the warfighter in theater.Supporting an average of 70 missions per day couldn't be accomplished without the combined logistical support of

Aug. 6 airpower summary: Reaper bombs insurgents

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Aug. 6, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, a French 2000 Mirage dropped a guided bomb unit-12 onto

Joint Base Balad Airmen's initiatives shorten supply lines

Members of the 332nd Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron's Material Management Flight here are changing the way logisticians support warfighters. Airmen established prepositioned spare parts packages for deploying aircraft and researched prepositioning small-arms weapons for deploying