Rocket scientists gather at space propulsion program review

The Air Force Office of Scientific Research here recently completed a program review on space propulsion and power in Annapolis, Md. About 150 rocket scientists from leading universities and small businesses throughout the nation gathered to share recent results from their AFOSR-funded research and

COMUSAFE: unmanned aircraft key to future decision superiority

The importance of the unmanned aircraft system, or UAS, in air, space and cyberspace missions of the U.S. Air Force and NATO and how the UAS of the future will be an equal participant in all three domains is key to future decision superiority, said the commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe. Acting

First F-22 slated for Pacific rolls out

Lockheed Martin rolled out the first combat-capable F-22 Raptor Oct. 16 destined for basing and operations in the Pacific Rim.Raptor 5087 completed its final assembly, with Air Force leaders from Alaska and Lockheed Martin employees on hand to mark the event outside the production line in

A-10 upgrade effort transforms Warthog capabilities

The A-10 Thunderbolt II, also nicknamed the Warthog, is sharpening its teeth with a $168 million upgrade effort for the entire fleet. Managed by the 642nd Aeronautical Systems Squadron at Aeronautical Systems Center here, the A/OA-10 is in the early stages of a five-year upgrade for all 356

AFRL awards $6.4 million contract to HNC Software

The Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate has awarded a $6,462,270 contract to HNC Software LLC, Advanced Technologies Group, of San Diego for research to improve the capabilities of U.S. intelligence analysts around the world. Under the 52-month award, HNC will develop, test,

Ellsworth energy team saves money, earns award

A five-person Ellsworth AFB team saved the base $470,000 in total energy costs for fiscal 2005 and received a 2006 Federal Energy and Water Management Award Oct. 5 at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. This U.S. Department of Energy award recognizes the annual achievements in the category

Team makes breakthrough in hypersonic research

An Air Force Research Laboratory Munitions Directorate science and engineering team has made a significant breakthrough in its hypersonic computational research, which could lead to new warhead technologies. Funded by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research here, the team is studying the

HARM targeting system ready ahead of schedule

The delivery of 15 Revision-7 pods in September to the Air Combat Command by the 693rd Armament Systems Squadron's High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missile Targeting System Program is more than two months ahead of Raytheon's contract requirement date. The pod is mounted to the side of an F-16 aircraft and

Air Force focused on three priorities

Amidst fighting the war on terrorism, the Air Force remains focused on its top three priorities. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley said the Air Force is concerned primarily with fighting and winning the long war against global terrorism and militant extremism, taking care of our

Joint system training enhance situational awareness

Airmen operating the global command and control system here are providing combatant commanders a visual map of servicemembers on the battlefield via satellite."Basically, you can view everything in the (area of responsibility)," said Staff Sgt. Michael Harvell, an instructor for the system. "You

First laser test conducted using recycled fuel

The world's first firing of a laser using recycled fuel was conducted at the Air Force Research Laboratory's Directed Energy Directorate recently by an Air Force and Boeing Company team. During the test, conducted at the directorate's Davis Advanced Laser Facility, a chemical laser was supplied with

Technology office tests synthetic fuel in ground vehicles

The Air Force Advanced Power Technology Office here is now conducting research on synthetic fuel for use in a ground environment. The use of synthetic fuel is vital if the Air Force is to have the means of operating without relying on foreign oil supplies. The Sept. 19 test flight by a B-52H

Pilots thrilled by CV-22 capabilities

When he talks about his new aircraft, the CV-22 Osprey, the lieutenant colonel's face lights up like a kid opening presents on his birthday. After 10 years of flying the MC-130H Combat Talon II, CV-22 instructor pilot Lt. Col. Darryl Sheets, from the 8th Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt

Air Force leaders to discuss new 'Cyber Command'

Air Force leaders are gathering in early November to discuss plans for creation of a new command, one chartered with flying and fighting in cyber space. Cyberspace became an official Air Force domain, like air and space, on Dec. 7, 2005, when Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne and Chief of

Virtual technology enhances training for aircrews

Survival, evasion, resistance and escape instructors at the 15th Operational Support Squadron are now using virtual technology to train aircrews in parachute hanging harness training. Most of today's aircrews are familiar with flight simulators. They are accepted as standard and are essential tools

Air Force proposes initial Joint Strike Fighter locations

Plans for initiating environmental analyses for proposed locations of the Air Force's newest fighter, the F-35 Lightning II, were announced by Air Force officials Oct. 4. The initial Joint Strike Fighter locations include:-- Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., for primary maintenance and flight training;--

DOD Eagle Vision experiment wraps up at Lajes

A Department of Defense experiment testing the versatility of one of the Air Force's ground communications station systems wrapped up here Sept. 29. Eagle Vision-1, based at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, is designed to receive a variety of information from civilian remote-sensing satellites. "This

Air Force making progress on alternative fuels

The Air Force is embracing an energy strategy that uses alternative sources of power and conservation, Undersecretary of the Air Force Dr. Ron Sega told a group of civilian energy engineers during a World Energy Engineers Congress luncheon Sept. 15. "I think we're making progress, but we certainly

Air Force launches Young Investigators Research Program

Air Force Office of Scientific Research officials here announced Oct. 2 an award of approximately $6.3 million in grants to 21 scientists and engineers who submitted winning research proposals through the Air Force's new Young Investigator Research Program. The program is open to scientists and

AFMC seeks to streamline test, evaluation processes

If changes to the test and evaluation phases of new concept cars would improve mass production processes and reduce recalls, wouldn't it make sense for an auto manufacturer to spend $1 now if it meant saving $10 later? Officials at Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command think so and are applying

Missile squadron poised for 72-hour alerts

Missile combat crews in the 490th Missile Squadron here are helping the 20th Air Force transform missile operations as crewmembers started performing 72-hour alerts using three-person crews Sept. 30. Twentieth Air Force Commander, Maj. Gen. Thomas F. Deppe, suggested the 72-hour alert initiative and

New capability improves search, rescue response

Pararescuemen in the 347th Rescue Group here are preparing to add a new capability to their life-saving arsenal soon. Kangaroo Duck, a process which involves strapping an inflatable rubber raft to the underbelly of an HH-60 Pave Hawk, will be used to better assist with water-rescue scenarios, like

Weather agency helps commanders with mission decisions

Before flying to support ground forces or attack a target, Air Force and Army pilots run through a lengthy preflight checklist. Getting a go from Air Force weather forecasters is on the list twice. The meteorological data used by combat weather forecasters is collected by the Air Force Weather

F-35 centerpiece for international partnership

The F-35 Lightning II aircraft brings new capability to the Air Force, but also serves as a centerpiece for international cooperation. During the Air Force Association's 2006 Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition here Sept. 26, Brig. Gen. Charles R. Davis, deputy program executive

Air Force undertaking force transformation initiatives

The Air Force has changed direction in its effort to fulfill its legal requirements to organize, train and equip a flying force. During the Air Force Association's 2006 Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition here Sept. 27, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley explained how

Schriever Airmen assume GPS satellite responsibilities

Airmen from the 1st Space Operations Squadron here assumed launch and early orbit responsibilities for Global Positioning System IIR-M 15 shortly after it lifted off Sept. 25 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. The satellite's journey of 11,000 miles began as its Delta II rocket lifted off a

Instruments enhance space weather forecasts

Improving the prediction of ionospheric-created disturbances is the aim behind two weeks of digging through 3 feet of snow, ice and slush in the tundra of Greenland by four members of the Air Force Research Laboratory Space Vehicles Directorate, with assistance from Danish

Air Force launches Delta II/GPS mission

Members from the 45th Space Wing led the government/industry team that successfully launched a Delta II booster from here Sept. 25. The rocket carried a NAVSTAR Global Positioning System satellite into space and saluted the nation's former POWs and MIAs. The satellite launched is the second of the

Mirror-coating chamber in place at Starfire Optical Range

The Defense Department's largest mirror-coating chamber has been installed and tested at the Air Force Research Laboratory's Starfire Optical Range. "This will give the laboratory a safer alternative to transporting the 3.5-meter (11.5 feet) mirror all the way to Kitt Peak Observatory in Tucson,"

Research office underwrites Indian workshop

The Air Force Office of Scientific Research has agreed to underwrite an information assurance workshop planned by the Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate Jan. 12 in Bangalore, India. AFOSR's Asian Office of Aerospace Research and Development, with an initiative to increase

AFIT's center creating distance learning products

The Center for Directed Energy at the Air Force Institute of Technology is developing a suite of distance learning products focused at the pre-service and in-service directed energy professional. The first of these products that will be available is a distance learning format of the 32-hour laser

C-130 modernization program passes key milestone

The first C-130 Avionics Modernization Program aircraft, designated H2, successfully completed its first flight Sept. 19 in San Antonio. The flight represented a key milestone in the most comprehensive C-130 avionics modernization effort to date. The C-130 AMP program is managed by the Aeronautical

Converted C-130s make flying, training, maintaining easier

The C-130 Hercules getting upgraded avionics will give pilots better situational awareness, will be easier to schedule for missions and easier to maintain. The first of some 350 Air Force's C-130s to receive the avionics modernization program conversion -- which upgrades it with new digital displays

C-130 AMP flies for first time

A C-130 Hercules with a comprehensive avionics modification completed its maiden flight Sept. 19 from Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.The C-130 Avionics Modernization Program aircraft provides upgrades for C-130s.The aircraft's new avionics system features digital displays and the Boeing 737

B-52 tests alternative jet engine fuel

The Air Force accomplished another aviation first when a B-52 Stratofortress flew using an alternative fuel Sept. 19. The flight test involved running two of the bomber's engines on a synthetic fuel, made from a 50-50 blend of traditional crude oil-based fuel and a Fischer-Tropsch fuel derived from

Air Force Band streaming music on line

Chief Master Sgt. David Nokes worked 15 months to take an idea and, with the help of the U.S. Army, turned it into a viable product. The result is Air Force Bandstand, a 24-hour per day Internet streaming radio service that broadcasts music by the Air Force Band and also includes news from the Air

'Universal' ID card part of federal security upgrades

New identification cards to be issued to Defense Department employees beginning next month will help standardize workforce identification and security access systems across the government, a senior Defense Department official said here Sept. 15. The new common access card eventually will be issued

Space unit to move from Cheyenne Mountain

The Space Control Center, operated by the 1st Space Control Squadron, is transferring its operations from Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, Colo., to the Joint Space Operations Center at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.The move is part of an effort to enhance mission effectiveness and increase

Changes to acquisition processes reduce delivery time

Changes in the Air Force's acquisition community have already resulted in quicker delivery of capability to the warfighter, according to the assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition. The Air Force acquisition community is changing the way it does business to deliver capability faster and

'Reaper' moniker given to MQ-9 unmanned aerial vehicle

The Air Force chief of staff announced "Reaper" has been chosen as the name for the MQ-9 unmanned aerial vehicle. The Air Force is the Department of Defense's executive agent for designating and naming military aerospace vehicles. In the case of the Reaper, Gen. T. Michael Moseley made the final

Officials award $589 million Weapon System Integrator contract

Officials with the Electronic Systems Center's 350th Electronic Systems Group awarded a $589 million contract Sept. 12 to Lockheed Martin Corp. to serve as the Air and Space Operations Center Weapon System Integrator.With this contract, Air Force specialists will be able to aid the government's

Bio-based products enhance national security

The use of biological-based products is important to the nation's economy and to national security, because these products help reduce America's dependence on foreign energy resources, the deputy secretary of defense said Sept. 12. The Defense Department is the largest purchaser of products in the

Air Force prepares to test synthetic fuel on B-52

A B-52 Stratofortress powered by a mix of synthetic and JP-8 fuel is slated to take its first flight Sept. 19 from Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., bringing the Air Force one step closer to reducing its dependence on foreign fuel. "This is an extremely important moment for the Department of Defense,"

Fifth CMSAF puts Air Force evolution into perspective

Evolution and progression have been Air Force standards since the service's creation almost 60 years ago. But a voice from the past reminded Airmen here that the fundamentals of Air Force success are the same now as then. Retired Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Robert Gaylor, the fifth chief

Senior Air Force leaders hold space summit

Senior Air Force leaders met Sept. 7 at the Pentagon to discuss space missions and operations at a space summit.Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley served as host for the summit, where the primary purpose was to discuss current and future Air Force space issues, to include current

Researchers aim to enhance air vehicle systems

Air Force Office of Scientific Research officials here recently awarded the University of Washington and three partner universities a grant worth approximately $6 million over five years to study the design of air vehicles capable of collecting and storing solar and heat energies. The

Air Force Research Lab names 2006 fellows

Air Force Research Laboratory officials are honoring seven scientists and engineers as new fellows during an annual awards banquet Sept. 19 at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. Designed to recognize and reward AFRL's most outstanding in-house scientists and engineers, the fellows

Research team reveals increased UAV ability

A Brigham Young University team of scientists and engineers, funded by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research here, has recently demonstrated increased consensus capabilities among unmanned air vehicles. "This research on cooperative control involves developing methods to enable multiple UAVs

CENTAF releases airpower summary, space support requests for Sept. 7

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have announced the airpower summary and space support requests for Sept. 7.In Afghanistan Sept. 6, Air Force B-1 Lancers provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Asadabad. One aircraft expended a Guided Bomb

Teams seek fresh, creative ideas to resolve problems

With violence at deployed military checkpoints a reality, U.S. and coalition forces often have to make tough decisions when drivers ignore warnings to stop. Insurgents often attack these guarded locations, sometimes with car bombs.Maj. Gen. Ted F. Bowlds, the Air Force Research Laboratory commander,

Small Diameter Bomb I delivered ahead of schedule

The culmination of more than five years of extraordinary teamwork was realized when the GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bomb was successfully delivered to the warfighter ahead of schedule and under cost. "This achievement represents an unparalleled team victory for the combined Air Armament Center and

F-35 Lightning II JSF testing marks program milestone

Arnold Engineering Development Center officials just completed aerodynamic testing on two variants of the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter to support flight testing of the plane later this year. With this latest test, the AEDC staff surpassed 8,000 hours of JSF testing in the center's

U-2 operations

Plan for cyberspace available in near future

Air Force leaders soon will define the service's plan for cyberspace. "I would expect, in a matter of weeks, to see us rolling out what I would call a cyberspace campaign plan on where we are going to go next," said Lt. Gen. Michael W. Peterson, chief of warfighting integration and Air Force chief

Operational missile defense test a total success

A test of the Ground-based Missile Defense System today was a total success, said Lt. Gen. Henry A. Obering III, director of the Missile Defense Agency.General Obering called today's test, the first operational one for the system, a huge step in fielding of the missile defense shield. He said he

Bagram C-130s drop high-tech cargo delivery system

The same global positioning technology that helps fighter and bomber pilots deliver smart bombs with pinpoint accuracy now allows cargo bundles dropped from cargo planes to steer themselves to drop zones. A C-130 Hercules from the 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron here dropped supplies to a U.S.

After Katrina: ACC's intel team applies lessons learned

The men and women of Air Combat Command's intelligence directorate haven't been stocking up on distilled water and plywood, but they are prepared for the busy part of the 2006 hurricane season or any natural disaster that might affect the United States. "We're light-years ahead of where we were this

NASA invites students to help astronaut count the stars

NASA and the Canadian Space Agency are collaborating on a new education activity that helps students become astronomers. The Star Count Project will investigate the visual quality of the night sky and help assess the extent of atmospheric light pollution.There are many factors that affect how many

Joint review fosters communication, collaboration

Air Force Office of Scientific Research officials recently traveled to Atlanta where they completed their yearly Joint Program Review of basic research funded projects. Hundreds of notable researchers and scientists attended this year's program representing the Air Force Research Laboratory,

Air Force and FAA collaborate on launch safety requirements

Air Force and Federal Aviation Administration officials strengthened their long history of cooperation and partnership in the commercial space launch safety arena today with the publication of the FAA's Licensing and Safety Requirements for Launch document, Code of Federal Regulations Title 14 Part

Tracking technology improves sustainment

Air Force Materiel Command members are taking advantage of Automatic Identification Technology and finding ways to improve it. Logistics and depot maintenance experts demonstrated some cutting-edge tracking technology projects during an AIT Showcase Aug. 15 attended by senior AFMC people. The

Products to revolutionize space weather forecasts

Predicting the harmful effects of space weather on a U.S. military asset or mission has been advanced with the delivery of a prototype that combines environmental information with system specifications and thresholds. The prototype, which consists of five computer-generated products, provides

CV-22 testing accelerates in August

The CV-22 Osprey, an aircraft unlike any other, is now in the midst of a test unlike any other.In the developmental test and evaluation phase, CV-22 testing has primarily been conducted by Bell-Boeing. However, when the Naval Air Systems Command requested an electronic warfare integrated assessment

AFRL awards $49.9 million contract to Colorado firm

The Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate has awarded a $49.9 million contract to Intelligent Software Solution Inc. of Colorado Springs, Colo., to upgrade intelligence capabilities at U.S. sites around the world. The five-year agreement is an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity

Arnold AFB supports DOD assured fuels initiative

The Arnold Engineering Development Center is taking a leading role in supporting the Department of Defense's assured fuels initiative, which aims to steer the military away from its reliance on foreign oil. A team from the center took its technical expertise and specialized equipment on the road to

Malmstrom, Patrick, Peterson tops at Guardian Challenge

Inside Hangar 140 here, the air was thick with anticipation as teams from across Air Force Space Command maintained nervous conversation over dinner Aug. 17, awaiting the announcement of the Guardian Challenge 2006 winners. Gen. Kevin P. Chilton, AFSPC commander, reminded a highly motivated crowd

Space Command focuses on tailoring mission with new triad

Strategic deterrence, securing the space domain and recapitalizing on a lesser budget are among the priorities for the Air Force Space Command commander.In keeping with the theme, "Global missions... meeting the challenge," Gen. Kevin P. Chilton spoke on the future of Air Force space missions at the

California Air National Guard embraces new mission

The sun heats a Nevada desert landscape as a small group of warriors focus on computer terminals. These men and women know their actions directly support others facing the heat of another desert half a world away. Members of the California Air National Guard's 163rd Air Refueling Wing have spent the

Guardian Challenge under way

More than 150 competitors from throughout Air Force Space Command are being graded on their readiness and combat capabilities as part of Guardian Challenge here.  The competition runs Aug. 14 to 17."Guardian Challenge is all about raising the bar," said Gen. Kevin P. Chilton, AFSPC commander, of the

C-5 Galaxy undergoes dynamic runway testing

As part of the C-5 Galaxy's Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program, the aircraft is undergoing dynamic taxi testing to check the structural strength and flexibility of the four-engine modification. The main focus of the RERP testing was the C-5 structure's movement when traveling over

Modifications to extend service life of A-10s

At first glance the A-10 Thunderbolt II cockpit looks like a Category 5 tornado just touched down in the middle of it. The chaotic scene, with hundreds of loose wires and instrumentation ripped from consoles, is really the beginning of modifications that will extend the service life of A-10s while

Mirror system successfully demonstrated

A dual-mirror system, designed to extend the range of high-energy lasers by receiving and redirecting laser energy, is being tested here. The system, a prototype called the Aerospace Relay Mirror System, or ARMS, is being developed at the Air Force Research Laboratory's Directed Energy Directorate.

Wings combine strengths to solve Raptor issue

Four wings are combining efforts to analyze, develop and test a new advanced medium-range air-to-air missile data collection system for the first F-22A Raptor at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. The 53rd Wing, 46th Test Wing, 1st Fighter Wing and 325th Fighter Wing worked side by side to solve the

NASA, Air Force agree to aeronautics cooperation

NASA and the Air Force have formed an aeronautics research partnership that builds upon and expands on the longstanding relationship between the two organizations.NASA Administrator Michael Griffin and Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne signed a memorandum of understanding Aug. 7 during a

Weather agency employs new forecast model

The Air Force Weather Agency headquartered here took the first steps to use the new Weather Research and Forecasting model, known as WRF, for operational forecasts. The WRF model, the first worldwide fine-scale computer forecasting program in nearly a decade, was created through a collaborative

Space brings invisible power to the fight

When space professionals deploy, they learn how to better provide combat effects, and warfighters learn more about the invisible power space brings to the fight. "It's not good enough to fly satellites from afar," said Lt. Col. John Shaw, the 4th Space Operations Squadron commander. "We need to

New structures, names for SMC organization

The Air Force's Space and Missile Systems Center has reorganized and renamed its organizations to mirror the traditional Air Force structure in a ceremony July 31. The center activated six subordinate wings, 21 groups, 12 squadrons, 20 divisions, two system offices and the 61st Air Base Wing,

Tyndall spearheads F-22 fighter tactics integration

The 325th Air Control Squadron and 43rd Fighter Squadron here are making significant advances integrating F-22 Raptor fighter tactics with command and control operations, enhancing the capabilities of both. One of the new advances is the ability to send free text messages from command and control

PACAF unveils first F-22

Pacific Air Forces' officials got a glimpse into the future of fighter capability during a tail flash unveiling ceremony here today in which PACAF's first F-22 Raptor was unveiled. The aircraft, which is still under construction, will be the first of 36 F-22s assigned to Elmendorf Air Force Base,

CENTAF releases airpower, space support summary

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower and space support summary for Aug. 3.In Afghanistan Aug. 2, Royal Air Force Harrier GR-7s provided close-air support for coalition troops taking small-arms fire from Taliban extremists near Musah Qal'eh. The GR-7s expended an

Wynne: We are logisticians of information

As does its enemies, the Air Force considers cyberspace a warfighting domain. The Air Force has always been in the business of flying and fighting in the air, and in past decades, has included space in that mission. This year the Air Force expanded its mission to include cyberspace -- the domain of

Air Force Association names 2006 Aerospace Award winners

The winners of the 2006 Air Force Association Aerospace Awards have been announced. The AFA-sponsored awards recognized the following Air Force units, civilian employees and military personnel:The Theodore Von Karman Award, for the most outstanding contribution to national defense in the field of

Small-diameter bomb makes F-15E squadron more lethal

When the 494th Fighter Squadron deploys to Southwest Asia later this year, its new small-diameter bomb will make its F-15E Strike Eagles even more lethal. The squadron will be the first to use the Air Force's new Guided Bomb Unit-39 bomb. It is a thin, Global Positioning System-guided 250-pound bomb

Global Hawk passes 10,000 flight hours milestone

The Global Hawk unmanned aerial system continues to prove its utility and effectiveness in the global war on terror, having flown more than 10,500 flight hours by late July. The Global Hawk achieved 10,000 flight hours in June, with its ratio of combat flying hours to non-combat hours increasing to

ROVER adds extra set of eyes to sky

A demonstration of the Remote Operated Video Enhanced Receiver during field training here on July 28 allowed basic cadets an opportunity to see how an extra set of eyes in the sky is a critical weapon in military arsenals."It's important to take a new group of leaders and have them interface on the

St. Louis to host inaugural Air Force Week

Air Force officials have announced the first-ever Air Force Week.  It will begin Aug. 6 in St. Louis, culminating in an open house and air show at nearby Scott Air Force Base, Ill., Aug. 12 to 13, featuring the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds.The St. Louis metro region was selected by Air Force

15th CMSAF takes first look at space

On his first visit here July 28 as the top enlisted servicemember in the Air Force, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley stressed the importance of recognizing, leading and taking care of Airmen. "I want to focus on our junior enlisted to make sure we take care of them," he said.

Handbook helps weapon systems get to warfighter quicker

The Department of Defense is constantly looking for ways to reduce the time it takes to get new weapon systems in the hands of the warfighter. The acquisition community at Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command here is helping the DOD do just that. The acquisition logistics division recently rolled

Balad Air Base now part of Air Force Public Web

Airmen in Iraq supporting the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing at Balad Air Base can expect to see a new look on their public Web site. The Air Force plan to consolidate and standardize the appearance of its sites has reached deployed bases as part of the Air Force Public Web program. The Secretary of

New radio enhances F-15 capability

A new radio installed in Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles is enhancing the fighter's ability to support the war on terrorism and homeland defense missions by enabling aircrews to communicate more effectively with ground troops and civilian aircraft. The fleet is receiving ultra high frequency/very high

Gen. Moseley: New long-range bomber on horizon for 2018

A new bomber scheduled for operation as early as 2018 will enhance America's long-range strike capabilities, according to Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley in a recent Armed Services Committee speech. In a step to develop future long-range strike capabilities, Air Combat Command is

Researchers conduct workshop on biologically inspired flight

Air Force Office of Scientific Research officials here recently completed a workshop entitled "Biologically Inspired Flight for Micro Air Vehicles" in Denver. Micro air vehicles, or MAVs, are part of a new breed of remotely controlled aircraft that are significantly smaller than currently available

Innovative computer chip has enhanced storage capability

A chemical alloy, used in everyday electronic items such as rewritable CDs and DVDs, serves as the source of a new computer chip. Researchers hope that this alloy will demonstrate non-volatile memory, or information storage retention without a power source, in the radiation-hardened space

Medical squadron takes on AFSO 21 challenge

The 71st Medical Support Squadron's radiology section wasted little time following the Air Force Smart Operations 21 announcement to roll out a smarter, less expensive way of conducting their business. The X-ray department recently switched to a photo archiving and communications system, or PACS.

Airmen have front-row seat for Discovery landing

While the 45th Space Wing had an active role in supporting the Space Shuttle Discovery's 5.3 million-mile mission, a select group of its Airmen had the opportunity to watch the shuttle's landing firsthand July 17. "Being asked to witness the landing was exciting," said Senior Airman Melissa Lucas,

Vandenberg launches Minuteman III

An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile was launched from here today at 3:14 a.m. The launch was part of an operational test to determine the weapon system's reliability and accuracy. This launch also exercised U.S. Strategic Command's Airborne Launch Control System, which flies

Defense weather satellites provide environmental support

Officials from the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center here said they are on track to launch a third satellite in November that will join two others already in orbit essential in tracking global weather conditions and providing data for distribution to Department of Defense and civilian

Engineers go beyond virtual reality to test systems

Some aircraft parts can be used to fight in air-to-air combat without ever having to take off a runway. By assembling the avionics "guts" of fighter jets into racks and consoles, engineers and technicians can recreate flight and aerial threats in one facility. The Air Force has that inexpensive

Rocket technology testing reaches 100-percent operation

America's only staged combustion liquid booster rocket engine now in development marked an important milestone July 12 at NASA's Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Miss. The engine reached steady-state 100-percent operation, demonstrating mainstage performance for the first time.The engine

45th Space Wing supports successful shuttle mission

The 45th Space Wing provided continued support of the Space Shuttle Discovery from its launch on July 4 to its landing at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., on July 17.The Department of Defense Manned Spaceflight Support staff operated an around-the-clock Support Operations Center for STS-121 at Patrick