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  • Pearl Harbor attack presents parallels, lessons for terror war

    Sixty-five years ago, the United States endured an attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, that for the next 60 years -- until Sept. 11, 2001 -- stood as the most devastating enemy attack on U.S. soil. Like the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, the Japanese raid on Pearl Harbor has been called a defining moment in U.S. history. It caught the country by

  • Pearl Harbor mini-sub mission fails, first prisoner captured

    One hundred miles from Oahu, Hawaii, Kazuo Sakamaki launched his 79-foot submarine -- even though the navigation gyro was broken. His mission: Travel to Pearl Harbor and fire two 18-inch torpedoes at the battleship Pennsylvania.The broken gyro proved his undoing. Thrown off-course before he could enter the harbor, Sakamaki and his sole crew member,

  • Commanders lead Airmen in changing times

    From the 15th Pursuit Group to today's 15 Airlift Wing, more than 55 commanders have led the base's Airmen in its 66-year history. Two of the base's commanders during World War II went on to become general officers - Maj. Gen. Kenneth R. Powell and Maj. Gen. Dewitt S. Spain. The airport in Memphis is named after General Spain. In more recent times,
  • The 15 Airlift Wing shield was originally approved for the 15th Fighter Group on Oct. 2, 1942. (U.S. Air Force graphic).

    Shield represents past roots, present vision

    The shield of the 15th Airlift Wing symbolizes the unit's mission and reflects its storied past. It was originally approved for the 15th Fighter Group on Oct. 2, 1942.The ultramarine blue and gold represent Air Force colors while the lightning flashes from the base represent the speed of modern aviation. The gun sight in the center signifies the

  • Aleutian Islands: World War II secret bases

    When Stuart Faber enlisted in the Army Air Corps shortly after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in December 1941, he wasn't quite sure what he'd be doing. Once assigned to the 404th Bomb Squadron at Elmendorf Field, Alaska, he not only maintained bombers, but was also sent on temporary duty to perform a variety of tasks at a remote Aleutian island town
  • Retired Master Sgt. Richard Fiske receives a helping hand from Erica Solomon in raising the colors at the USS Arizona Memorial visitor center in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 2001. The Pearl Harbor survivor volunteered at the center as a goodwill ambassador for more than 20 years. (Courtesy photo)

    Pearl Harbor survivor remembers

    On Dec. 7, 1941, Richard Fiske started his day aboard the USS West Virginia, much like any other. But just before 8 a.m., the 19-year-old Marine bugler looked up from his watch post on the ship's quarterdeck to see Japanese planes overhead."At first I thought they were our planes, then the first torpedo hit our ship," Mr. Fiske said. Almost two
  • Joe Muratsuchi, an American inducted into the Japanese army, stands beneath a display of the Japanese naval flag and World War II leaders, Admiral Yamamoto (left) and Admiral Nagumo, at the Arizona War Memorial Musuem in Hawaii in 1987. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Bill Thompson)

    A Superior Private, a historian remembers

    It was a rather typical workday for 20-year-old Joe Muratsuchi. After rising, he swept the shop where he worked as a bookkeeper. It was a good job, and he liked the work, mostly because he was good at numbers. At certain hours of the day, he and a young co-worker would turn on the radio for the latest stock market quotes, listening especially for
  • Master Sgt. Salvador Baltazar marshals in Hickam's third C-17 Globemaster III at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, Tuesday, March 14, 2006. Hickam will be getting eight C-17s that will enhance military capabilities to rapidly deploy assets throughout the Pacific. Sergeant Baltazar is a Hawaii Air National Guard crew chief from the 154th Maintenance Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Shane A. Cuomo)

    Wing changes missions over time

    The 15th Airlift Wing, originally established as the 15th Pursuit Group (Fighter) on Nov. 22, 1940, activated at Wheeler Field , Hawaii, on Dec. 1, 1940. A little more than a year later, on Dec. 7, 1941, it engaged in combat action during the Japanese attack on military installations in Hawaii. Bombing and strafing attacks that morning by

  • Fighter pilot balanced tactics, safety, effectiveness

    I'd hate to see an epitaph on a fighter pilot's tombstone that says, "I told you I needed training"... How do you train for the most dangerous game in the world by being as safe as possible? When you don't let a guy train because it's dangerous, you're saying, "Go fight those lions with your bare hands in that arena, because we can't teach you to
  • At a ceremony Dec. 1 at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, 3rd Air Force was reactivated and Lt. Gen. Robert D. Bishop Jr was appointed commander. The numbered Air Force will plan combat and humanitarian operations in the U.S. Air Forces in Europe area of responsibility, which includes Europe and Africa. (U.S. Air Force illustration/Mike Carabajal)

    USAFE officials reactivate 3rd Air Force

    The 3rd Air Force was reactivated today during a ceremony here. Lt. Gen. Robert D. Bishop Jr. took command. General Bishop has been vice commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe."My last three job titles have begun with deputy, assistant or vice. I am personally delighted and humbled to be here this morning with that modifier gone," General Bishop
  • Senior Airman Pat Brush (left) and Staff Sgt. Chris Cronsell play at the annual Thanksgiving service at Ely Cathedral in the United Kingdom. The two Airmen are members of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Five Star Brass Band. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Scott Wakefield)

    English chaplains help Americans give thanks

    Chaplains from Royal Air Force Mildenhall set up a night of giving thanks at the historical Cathedral of Ely, which was built in 673 A.D. Although Thanksgiving wasn't celebrated until almost 950 years after the cathedral was built, the end of World War II gave the allies common ground to be thankful. "United States Army Air Force flyers often used
  • Retired Lt. Col. James Good Brown served as the chaplain for the 381st Bomb Group during World War II. He recently celebrated his 105th birthday. He also published a book, "The Mighty Men of the 381st: Heroes All," detailing the stories and experiences his unit had during the war. (Courtesy photo/John Supancic)

    Retired chaplain's life shining example of duty, faith

    On June 23, 1943, tragedy struck the small airfield at Royal Air Force Ridgewell, England, home of the 381st Bomb Group. As ground crews armed one of the unit's many B-17 Flying Fortress bombers, 11 on-board explosives detonated, killing 23 American servicemen and one British civilian. One man, an officer, was killed in a plane further down the
  • Tech. Sgt. Roger Salinas assists driver Gordy Grove in tying down the flap on the back of the truck Nov. 21 after Airmen from 90th Civil Engineer Squadron fire department watered the 2006 Capitol Christmas Tree being transported to Washington D.C. The tree stopped at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., on its way to the nation's capital. Sergeant Salinas is assigned to the 90th CES. (U.S. Air Force photo/1st Lt. Josh Edwards)

    Capitol Christmas Tree visits Wyoming base

    The 2006 Capitol Christmas Tree stopped here Nov. 20 on its way from Washington State to Washington, D.C.This year's tree, a 65-foot tall Pacific silver fir, is a gift from Washington state and was selected by Ted Bechtol, deputy superintendent of Capitol Grounds, from Washington's Olympic National Forest, according to the event's Web site. The
  • A P-38 Lightning. (Courtesy photo)

    'Lightning' strikes 1st Pursuit Group

    During July 1941, the 27th Pursuit Squadron had the honor of receiving the first P-38 Lightning delivered to the Army Air Force. This aircraft, described as "one of the most radical departures from tradition in American fighter development," evolved into the workhorse for the 1st Pursuit Group during World War II.Within a short time of the 27th's
  • The CV-22 Osprey flies by during its unveiling ceremony at Hurlburt Field, Fla. on Nov 16. The arrival of the CV-22 to Air Force Special Operations Command is part of Hurlburt Field's Heritage to Horizon commemoration, reflecting on the heritage of air commandos, reaffirming the commitment to the war on terrorism and resolving to continually expand capabilities. The commemoration also includes marking the re-designation of the 16th Special Operations Wing to the 1st SOW and the Air Force's 60th birthday. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman First Class Stephanie Sinclair)

    Heritage to Horizons celebration highlights CV-22 Osprey

    The first operational CV-22 Osprey stole the show during an air power demonstration at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Nov. 16, commemorating the Air Force's 60th anniversary. As special operations forces simulated a behind-the-lines mission with Air Force Special Operations Command AC-130 gunships firing overhead and MH-53 Pave Low helicopters bringing in
  • Santa's fans can track his journey around the world on Dec. 24 at North American Aerospace Defense Command's special Web site www.noradsanta.org.The site also features the history of NORAD Tracks Santa program, has interactive games and more. (U.S. Air Force graphic)

    NORAD to track Santa's trek around world

    In advance of the holiday season and its 51st season of tracking Santa Claus on his annual journey around the world, the North American Aerospace Defense Command activated its "NORAD Tracks Santa" Web site for 2006. The U.S.-Canadian command's program began in 1955 when an errant phone call was made to NORAD's predecessor, the Continental Air
  • The granite memorial to the crew of King 56 includes an image of a C-130 flying overhead with a pararescueman being lowered to assist an injured servciemember on one side. The other side contains an inscription describing the tragedy that occurred Nov. 22, 1996 when a C-130 aircraft crashed with 10 Portland-based Airmen on board.

    Portland reservists remember King 56 crew

    The Air Force Reserve has found a new home for a memorial created in honor of 10 former Portland reservists. Officials from the 939th Air Refueling Wing will re-dedicate the memorial in a ceremony Nov. 17 at Willamette National Cemetery. The black granite marble stone monument was dedicated to the crew members of a C-130 aircraft, call sign King
  • The Boeing X-45A unmanned combat air vehicle is now on display in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Springfield Pike, near Dayton, Ohio. (U.S. Air Force photo)

    Boeing X-45A unmanned combat vehicle on display

    The Boeing X-45A unmanned combat air vehicle was officially inducted into the National Museum of the United States Air Force collection during a ceremony Nov. 13. "The X-45A is a prime example of an air vehicle that points to the future of our Air Force," said retired Maj. Gen. Charles D. Metcalf, museum director. "Unmanned aerial vehicles are

  • Air Force declassifies elite aggressor program

    After decades of secrecy, Air Force officials acknowledged Nov. 13 that Communist-built fighters were flown at the Tonopah Test Range northwest of Las Vegas, Nev. From 1977 through 1988, the program, known as Constant Peg, saw Air Force, Navy and Marine aircrews flying against Soviet-designed MiG fighters as part of a training program where
  • Honor guard members perform before the grave of Gen. George S. Patton during the Veterans Day ceremony at the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial Nov. 11. The honor guard members are from the 52 Fighter Wing at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Josie L. Kemp)

    Spangdahlem Airmen honor veterans

    Despite the rainy weather and the chill in the air, men and women of all ages gathered at the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial Nov. 11 to honor past and present military veterans during a Veterans Day ceremony. "Being here is a reminder of a generation of sacrifice to ensure the freedom of not just Americans but people across the world,"
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RT @PACAF: #BTF is at it again! This time they integrated with @JASDF_PAO AND @USMC fighters to support a #FreeandopenIndoPacific @INDOPAC…
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RT @GenCQBrownJr: Air dominance starts here. https://t.co/h7uNB5ykNb
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.@SecAFOfficial Frank Kendall directed COVID-19 vaccination implementation guidelines for Department of the Air Fo… https://t.co/3zoOOrdbxD
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Vax Facts Curious about the #COVID19 vaccine? Here are some facts to help burst a few #COVID vaccine myths. Learn… https://t.co/cZE93NAW3x
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RT @SecAFOfficial: Thank you to the senators, representatives & staffers who welcomed the @USAirForce leadership team to #CapitolHill yeste…
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RT @UnderSecAF: Honored to celebrate the Air Force’s 74th Birthday alongside our Congressional leaders. They’re key partners in ensuring we…
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RT @GenCQBrownJr: Watch the three-part Laying the Foundation series here: https://t.co/VMHZwlSDt7 @CASI_Research #ActionOrderC. https://t.…
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C2IMERA was used in support of the Afghan Evacuation Op in Afghanistan. The Command & Control Incident Management… https://t.co/X28lHEqDhF
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.@SpecialTactics_ #Airmen joined in the Columbian-led search and rescue and disaster relief exercise Ángel de los A… https://t.co/LhzNgAcWxv
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Defenders and their K-9 counterparts at Osan Air Base, ROK, conducted flight training on a U.S. Army HH-60 Black Ha… https://t.co/F6GUONgFYk
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RT @UnderSecAF: I get at least one notification a day about a DAF teammate we have needlessly lost to COVID. We need to be mission ready—…
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.@SecAFOfficial, @GenCQBrownJr & @cmsaf_official visited Liberty Village @jointbasemdl, N.J. The team toured op cen… https://t.co/erJs60sYOi
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RT @GenCQBrownJr: Enjoyed speaking w/ Republic of Singapore Air Force CAF Maj. Gen. Kelvin Khong. The @USAirForce is grateful for Singapore…
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Members of the 33rd Rescue Squadron, @KadenaAirBase, Japan, recently participated in joint training with U.S. Marin… https://t.co/aef3q4JuoB
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RT @SecAFOfficial: Senior leaders, including SecAF Kendall, visited #TaskForceLiberty where active duty, Guard & Reserve service members ar…
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RT @USAFRecruiting: Why make just one mark on the world when you can make many? @usairforce @GenCQBrownJr https://t.co/xXidr8buDI
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RT @GenCQBrownJr: To ensure success -- or head off failure -- we must rapidly develop and deliver new capabilities. We must make difficult…
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.@RAFMildenhall #Airmen from the maintenance, intel, weather and security forces career fields worked together to g… https://t.co/WKQ7RvpIzP
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RT @GenCQBrownJr: The service members @USAF_EC, @jointbasemdl didn’t believe in impossible. They completely transformed an empty field and…
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The newest Air Force Podcast recently dropped. Listen to a small snippet of CMSAF Kaleth O. Wright talk with Staff Sgt. New about resiliency. Listen to the entire podcast on Youtube: https://go.usa.gov/xpnAD or Subscribe to The Air Force Podcast on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/the-air-force-podcast/id1264107694?mt=2
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Our mantra, "Always ready!" It's the spirit we fly by! #B2Tuesday
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Need some motivation to get your week started off right? Listen as CMSAF Kaleth O. Wright weighs in...
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The U.S. Air Force Academy gives its cadets some unique opportunities. Ride along one of this opportunities.
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A United States Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker refuels an F-22 Raptor over northern Iraq, Nov. 6, 2019. U.S. Central Command operations deter adversaries and demonstrate support for allies and partners in the region. (Video by Staff Sgt. Daniel Snider)
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Although the Silver Star is the third-highest military medal, it's not given often. Today, TSgt Cody Smith was the 49th Special Tactics Airman to receive this medal since Sept. 11th, 2001. Read more of TSgt Smith's amazing story: https://www.airforcespecialtactics.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2024815/special-tactics-airman-battled-through-injuries-awarded-silver-star/fbclid/IwAR2LZWwx1VHdTnQe39rIEBOuJS_0JvMQBBGt7I-E6zsxxn-Lx9387yu43Bc/ Cannon Air Force Base Air Force Special Operations Command United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)
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Tune in as our Air Force musicians along with other military musicians are awarded the National Medal of Arts.
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