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  • Mission prep: Behind the scenes with an A-10 student pilot

    It was a little after 8 p.m. on June 8 when I finally left the 358th Fighter Squadron. That afternoon I'd been shadowing 1st Lt. Dan Griffin, a student in the squadron's A-10C Pilot Initial Qualification Course, as he prepared for his sortie, or flight, called "SAT-5." This was the fifth of 15

  • Moving with pets: tips for choosing the right flight

    Pets are an important part of the family making the move with you to new duty stations, but what's the best way to get them there? Some members moving to a new duty station get an opportunity to choose between traveling with Air Mobility Command or on commercial airlines. Here are some tips for

  • Program helps military families adopt

    I met an amazing military family the other day who opened their hearts and home to three children.Master Sgt. Kipp M. Bourgeois and his wife, Christina, adopted their children, thanks in part to financial assistance from the Defense Department's adoption reimbursement program. The couple had been

  • Enlisted heritage committee: sharing the forces story

    In August 2008, the Enlisted Heritage Committee here was established with the intent of telling the story of Airmen who have served, are serving and will serve in U.S. Air Forces in Europe. The 32-person committee collects and preserves the history and information earned from yesterday's and today's

  • Following Dad's footsteps to Iraq

    A father and son are both deployed here as vehicle mechanics. Senior Master Sgt. CJ Slifko, the vehicle fleet manager for the 447th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, said he had a tough decision to make toward the end of his six month tour: whether to approve a waiver on the deployment of

  • Aeromedical evacuation missions: Routine is only half the story

    Members of the 451st Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron here train like they fight.To them, there's no difference between home station and a combat zone."We see and treat the same things whether here or at home station," said Master Sgt. David Baker, the 451st EAES superintendent. "We

  • Association reconnects American-Japanese ties

    Active-duty and retired servicemembers searching for new contacts or old connections with Japan may join the latest military networking association. The U.S. Military Japan Alumni Association, created by a group of retired U.S. senior military leaders previously stationed in Japan, offers venues for

  • Hanscom major accomplishes goals, honors fallen troops through running

    On February 14, 2007, three victims of an Improvised Explosive Device explosion were rushed into the hospital where Maj. (Dr.) Derek Speten, the 66th Medical Group Diagnostics and Therapeutics flight commander, worked. Doctor Speten's patient, while severely burned, initially appeared to be in

  • Wind tunnel explores dynamics of high-speed flight

    Wind tunnels, the tools used to simulate airspeed environments to test flight capabilities, have come a long way since the Wright brothers built a box with fans to test a kite model. At the Air Force's Arnold Engineering Development Center White Oak site here, the breadth of that change is apparent.

  • Mother commissions son from across the globe

    Perhaps the biggest challenge of any deployment is the separation from family and friends and missing those momentous occasions in life such as a son's first word, a daughter's high school graduation, a 20-year wedding anniversary or a family reunion.While a military member's time downrange can't be

  • Monitoring the airfield under the watchful eye of Merlin

    The airfield managers here have a new tool in the arsenal to help aircraft here avoid birds and other wildlife while taking off or landing. This tool, known as the "Merlin" system, is a portable or movable radar system based on marine radar technology that can be purchased off the shelf, said Ron

  • Tanker operation fuels half of U.S. Central Command's air assets

    In some form or fashion, every Airman deployed to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility feels the effects of round-the-clock air operations, but perhaps none are more in tune with it than those working at the 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron in Southwest Asia. "Right now, there

  • Test cell Airmen prep F-16 engines for flight

    An F-16 Fighting Falcon engine testing facility, called the "hush house," is anything but what its name implies. Outside the soundproof structure, the decibels from roaring engines are hardly detectable. Inside, however, jet engines run at ear-splitting, full-volume afterburner, as 35th Maintenance

  • Explosive ordnance Airmen clear the way for Afghan National Army

    "Fire in the hole! Fire in the hole! Fire in the hole!" When Staff Sgt. Benjamin Stewart, an explosive ordnance disposal technician, yells these words, it's time for the boom.Sergeant Stewart and Airmen from the 755th Air Expeditionary Squadron, Operating Location-Bravo EOD are clearing bombs from

  • Airman's time as family liaison officer affects lives, career

    When an Airman is seriously injured, there is a whole line-up of agencies ready to assist and provide necessary services. But, if the servicemember is not able to actively engage those there to help, then the Air Force assigns a family liaison officer to help the family deal with the emotional and

  • Front-line defenders proceed on lead

    They're loyal, trusted wingmen, attentive warriors and fierce defenders -- often more feared by a criminal than an M-16. And although they're all of maybe 3 feet tall, when they're out looking for trouble, just about everyone around takes notice. "That's what it's like to work with a dog," said

  • Mildenhall pilot 'hits' wall, keeps on running

    Many people have heard of runners "hitting the wall" when they run long distances, whether it's a 10K race, half-marathon or full marathon.Other people, like Capt. Danny Franz, take it to the extreme. Instead of "hitting" the wall, he ran it - all 84 miles of it.The "wall" in question was Hadrian's

  • PRT Zabul use Shuras to builds relationships, improve communities

    Airmen and Soldiers assigned to the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Zabul province use the Afghan tradition of the Shura to reach out to local villages as part of Operation Wroorwali, the Dari word for brotherhood.A Shura is an Arabic word for "consultation." According to officials here, it's

  • The bees' knees

    Air Force Tech Sgt. Rodney Buntyn brings more to Joint Task Force Guantanamo Bay than just his knowledge of power production. He also brings 30 years of beekeeping experience.Sergeant Buntyn, who has been in the Air National Guard for 25 years this June, deployed to JTF Guantanamo with the 474th

  • Al Asad aerial porters prepare for drawdown

    Airmen from the 532nd Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron transitioned from redeploying Marines deployed here to the upcoming drawdown of troops. The 532nd EOSS Airmen provide round-the-clock logistics and command and control support capabilities that enables the senior airfield authority to

  • Liaison officers work for people downrange

    There are 13 American provincial reconstruction teams operating within Afghanistan.The mission of the PRTs is to assist the government of Afghanistan to provide security, governance and development for its citizens.A PRT is not a typical combat zone unit because it doesn't own a physical

  • State, federal teams prepare for hurricane season

    As ambulance after ambulance pulls up to the tents on the flightline, medical staff members rush out to carry in patients on litters brought in from local hospitals. With only 72 hours until the hurricane makes landfall, it appears to be chaos to the untrained eye. But there is a method to the

  • Joint team ensures supplies get to warfighters

    Less than 30 seconds, that's all it takes for 40 container-delivery-system bundles, totaling 70,000 pounds of supplies, to drop out of the back of a C-17 Globemaster III.As the bundles descend toward the designated drop zone, Airmen from the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron watch another

  • Deployed Airmen power long-term mission

    As the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing transforms from its short-term origins to an enduring operation, the petroleum, oil and lubricants flight is one key to this revolution as the base's providers of energy . "A lot of people think of POL as the guys on the flightline in the big tan trucks," said

  • Joint hospital staff cares for warfighters, Afghans

    A team of Airmen, Soldiers and Sailors are working at the Salerno Hospital here to "care for those in harm's way."Their mission is to take care of U.S. and coalition warfighters, partner with medical entities within Afghanistan to respond to local national emergencies."We have a unique and

  • Surge participation by McChord reminiscent of the historic Berlin airlift

    Sixty-two years ago on July 2, Airmen in the 1-year-old Air Force made history with a mission that airlifted 2.3 million tons of coal, food and supplies to Berlin, Germany, after Soviet dictator Josef Stalin had cut off all ground transportation through Russia.The Soviet blockade on West Berlin left

  • KC-10 pilot supports air refueling missions in Southwest Asia

    Airmen supporting the KC-10 Extender deployed air refueling mission in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility flew more than 1,000 sorties off-loading more than 108 million pounds of fuel to more than 6,600 aircraft in support of combat operations in the first three months of this year. 1st

  • Coach takes to the mat for Air Force wrestling team

    When Tech. Sgt. Jay Field was asked to help coach the Air Force team this year, the former Air Force team wrestler put his experience to work."Coaching was the thing for me," said Sergeant Field, the 605th Test and Evaluation Squadron sergeant who has been helping the wrestlers at Milton High School

  • Korean War Medal of Honor recipient visits Scott AFB

    As a girl, Marisa Miyamura regularly visited her grandparents in the small town of Gallup, N.M., where her "ojisan," or grandfather, taught her that it's not what you have in life that matters, but what you do with it. For a child, the gold star surrounded by a wreath, topped with an eagle and the

  • Air Force liaison officers move assets by sea

    When it comes to moving Air Force assets, high costs and weight restrictions sometimes make transportation by sea vessel the sensible choice.In the U.S. Air Forces Central Command area of responsibility, it is up to 1st Lt. Elise Jones and Staff Sgt. Joseph Jacovina, both USAFCENT liaison officers,

  • Operations center keeps Global Hawk flying

    Inside the 12th Reconnaissance Squadron here, RQ-4 Global Hawk pilots and sensor operators watch a myriad of monitors and computers screens in a space that resembles NASA's mission control.The pilots and sensor operators are not observing the space shuttle orbiting the Earth; they are keeping an eye

  • Saving lives: In the heat of the moment

    In aftermath of the events of 9/11, the American people witnessed the responsibility and importance of firefighters.Elmendorf Air Force Base firefighter responsibilities include keeping the aircraft on the flightline safe, continuous training, and demonstrating the importance of fire safety.  "Being

  • Plan ahead to ease a difficult situation

    It is important for all military members to make sure they are legally ready to deploy and that includes having their personal affairs set up so that someone can speak for them in the event that they are incapacitated.The advanced medical directive, or health care power of attorney, allows a person

  • Essential logistics support makes personnel recovery possible

    Before any rescue mission can happen, special operations Airmen must be properly equipped, a responsibility to which the members of the 38th Rescue Squadron logistics flight are dedicated.Members of the 38th RQS logistics flight are responsible for all aircrew flight equipment, communication devices

  • Guard, NFL team up to develop future leaders, athletes

    The National Football League's High School Player Development program, sponsored by the National Guard, invited nearly 200 local high school football athletes to a one-week camp last week at a local Washington, D.C., high school.The HSPD program, now in its seventh year, provides high school

  • Cancer survivor is once again ready to fly, ready to ride

    One year ago, Senior Amn. Brian Petras was flying C-130 Hercules missions around the world. In less than a year, the flight engineer was diagnosed with cancer, underwent extensive surgery, recuperated, returned to all duties except actually flying in the plane and passed his physical fitness test

  • Cadet research benefits Falcon Stadium

    Two cadets majoring in mechanical engineering devoted their senior capstone research project to studying the heating system under the synthetic turf football field here at Falcon Stadium. Cadets 1st Class Caleb Becker and Ben Saunders simulated the functioning of the heating system in order to

  • Downrange: Academy NCO cares for locals, warfighters

    A surgical services technician with the 10th Medical Group didn't know what to expect when she deployed with the 655th Forward Surgery Team in Afghanistan two months ago. However, she quickly learned that at least some of the local population harbors no love for Americans in the country.During Staff

  • One man's trash is another man's trash, too

    Ask Tech. Sgt. James Thompson to describe what he does for the Air Force, and this is what you'll hear: "I take trash, analyze trash, and tell you how to handle the trash."Sergeant Thompson, an analyst with Det. 3 of the U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine, a tenant unit at Kadena Air Base,