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  • Changes in weather agency structure improve efficiency

    The stage is set for big changes in Air Force weather forecasting across the United States. By aligning stateside weather operations with the Air Force warfighting initiative, Air Force weather is creating a more efficient and effective organizational structure to support the mission and the

  • 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

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released the airpower summary for July 31.In Afghanistan July 30, an Air Force B-1 Lancer provided close-air support for coalition troops taking small arms fire from Taliban extremists near Khowst. The B-1 expended a guided bomb unit-31 and a GBU-38 against

  • New aggressor unit will stand up in Alaska

    The Air Force will activate the 18th Aggressor Squadron at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska.The mission of the 18th AS will be to provide realistic combat adversary training in air, space and information operations. Aggressor squadrons use enemy tactics, techniques, and procedures to give a realistic

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for July 30

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released the airpower summary for July 30. In Afghanistan July 29, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided close air-support for coalition troops taking small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire from Taliban extremists in the vicinity of Tarin Kowt. The

  • Air Force reservists lead trauma care advances

    As coalition forces fight to help Iraq transition to democracy, Air Force surgeons here are fighting to save lives with new surgical knowledge that may benefit military and civilian medical care for years to come.Finishing his third tour in combat, Air Force reservist Col. (Dr.) Jay A. Johannigman

  • Cadets experience 'war' during visit

    Cadets from ROTC units across the country finished their three-week visit here by going to "war" with members of the 460th Space Wing. Eighteen cadets, who were here June 25 to July 14 as part of the Operation Air Force program, took part in War Week July 10 to 14. Airmen at Buckley participate

  • RIMPAC 2006 comes to a close

    The 20th multinational Rim of the Pacific Exercise, or RIMPAC, came to an end July 28. The exercise, a month-long simulation of intense warfare operations off the coast of Hawaii, comprised a coalition force of eight nations employing 35 ships, 160 aircraft and 19,000 sailors. RIMPAC 2006 provided

  • Two F-16s reach milestone

    Two F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 421st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron passed 6,000 flying hours during two recent Operation Iraqi Freedom combat missions over Iraq. Flown by Lt. Col. Mark Cline, 421st EFS commander, and Capt. Nick Edwards, aircraft numbers 88-0471 and 88-0428 were the first

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for July 29

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released the airpower summary for July 29.In Afghanistan yesterday, an Air Force B-1B Lancer and Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers provided close-air support for coalition troops taking small arms fire from Taliban extremists in the vicinity of Lashkar Gah. The

  • Lakenheath Strike Eagles return from Bulgaria

    Airmen and their F-15E Strike Eagles returned to this base today from Bulgaria with new flying skills and friends in a land they had never visited. About 200 Airmen and 10 jets from the 48th Fighter Wing deployed to Graf-Isnatievo Air Base, Bulgaria, for the two-week exercise Immediate Response that

  • Refuelers feed the deployed mission

    The 908th Air Refueling Squadron Airmen are doing their part in the war on terror, flying missions out of an base in Southwest Asia. "We have one-third of the air refueling assets as far as the aircraft and the crews go, but we provide almost 50 percent of the air refueling fuel in the area of

  • Air Force Reserve expands associate unit role at Vandenberg

    As part of the Air Force Total Force Integration initiatives, the Air Force Reserve Command is expanding its associate unit role with Air Force Space Command at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., to support the Joint Space Operations Center. "The associate unit program which began in 1968 has served

  • Cryogenics course keeps pilots, planes on target

    Cryogenics sounds like some future way of recreating life or a search for a cure of an unknown plague. It also sounds like something from "Star Trek" episodes or possibly even "Star Wars." In the Air Force, it means keeping pilots and aircrews alive when they're flying above the 10,000-foot level.

  • Retirements application process centralized for reservists

    Beginning July 31, all eligible members of the Air Force Reserve will submit retirement applications electronically via the virtual Personnel Center Guard and Reserve, a 24-hour, seven-days-a-week customer service Web portal operated by the Air Reserve Personnel Center here. "The ultimate goal is to

  • Air Force operations and organization doctrine updated, released

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley has approved the latest revision to Air Force Doctrine Document 2, Operations and Organization. It is considered the Air Force's capstone document outlining the operations and organization of air and space power, officials said. The revised document

  • Maintainers keep B-1 in the fight

    Maintainers assigned to the 40th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron are responsible for servicing, inspecting and repairing B-1B Lancers used to drop bombs in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Being in charge of most flightline repair items on a $283 million aircraft that is saving lives in

  • 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

  • Green Lightning tests Pacific bomber force

    B-2 Stealth bombers, KC-10 Extenders and support personnel are participating in a new exercise here.Exercise Green Lightning is designed to improve the U.S. capabilities and operational familiarity in the region for the Pacific bomber presence and enhance relations with the Australians. "The United

  • Air Force officials accepting physical therapy applications

    Air Force officials are taking applications for the Doctor of Physical Therapy program which begins Dec. 18, 2007 at the Health Science Center at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Only active-duty Airmen who possess a baccalaureate degree or those who are in the final semester prior to receiving a degree

  • KC-135: 50 years old and still refueling

    Airmen with the Hawaii Air National Guard's 154th Maintenance Squadron are servicing a fleet of aging KC-135 Stratotankers here. "I'll read you the number, are you ready?" Tech. Sgt. Phillip Ferriman asked Senior Airman Thom Pialda, both electrical engineers with the 154th MXS. "L-24-6, no, wait.

  • Public affairs, multimedia functions merge under Strategic Communication

    Twenty-four hour news cycles and the demand for real-time data and images dictate an adjustment in how the Air Force is organized in order to better leverage its capabilities and provide timely and focused information to the public, the Air Force chief of staff said recently in a memorandum. "To

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released the airpower summary for July 28.In Afghanistan July 27, an Air Force Predator unmanned aerial vehicle conducted a strike against Taliban extremists gathering in a building in the vicinity of Kandahar. The UAV expended Hellfire missiles, destroying

  • Ramstein medics provide humanitarian care

    Securing the health of the thousands of U.S. citizens leaving Lebanon has been placed in the hands of a small group of medical personnel from the 435th Medical Group at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. "Our people love helping," said Capt. Chris Kurinec, who is serving as the operations officer here. "We

  • Falcons cut Mildenhall bird strikes

    Keith Mutton and Alan Marenghi roam the flightline at this base in their small blue vans doing a job that is truly for the birds. The father and stepson duo command a squadron of falcons, hawks and owls that help keep away birds that pose a bird-strike threat to aircraft here. But, it is not an easy

  • AIA safety office reminds drivers to stay alert on roads

    Many people take for granted the danger that comes with driving long distance. Without giving it another thought, the average person would jump in their car after an eight-hour work day and drive the four or five hours to visit a friend for the weekend even though the consequences could be deadly.

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released the airpower summary for July 27. In Afghanistan July 26, an Air Force B-1 Lancer provided close-air support for coalition troops taking small arms fire from Taliban extremists in the vicinity of Musah Qal'eh. The B-1 expended a joint direct attack

  • Special ops group helps out in Lebanon operations

    The 352nd Special Operations Group, from Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, is taking part in joint operations to transport American citizens, who are voluntarily departing Lebanon to Cyprus. The group plays an important role in the U.S. State Department operation.Our mission is to assist the

  • Contracting provides base 'buying power'

    When Airmen deploy they quickly find there are differences from how they do their job at their home station. At a deployed location, if something needs to be purchased, built or serviced, chances are the contracting office has a hand in it. According to the 447th Air Expeditionary Group chief 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

  • Controlling skies over dangerous territory

    Inside their mobile air traffic control tower, the air traffic controllers need only peer outside their windows or listen to their two-way radios to see and hear the war unfold before them. It's like watching TV, except they're in it, and it's real life. "When I see (medical evacuations) happen, and

  • Exercise strengthens U.S., international combat skills

    Cooperative Cope Thunder 06-3 is the largest multi-lateral air combat exercise in the Pacific bringing together about 1,300 participants to train in Alaska.The operations officer for the exercise said Cope Thunder is very air forces centric -- providing realistic training in joint and combined

  • Creative troops, maintenance keep vintage tankers airborne

    Airmen who maintain the fleet of KC-135 Stratotankers at this base fight a constant battle to keep the vintage jets flying their vital refueling missions. At times that can be an around-the-clock struggle because the aging tanker suffers from seasonal maladies, said Col. Mike Saville, the 100th

  • Joint Chiefs enlisted adviser speaks at Bolling

    The first person selected to serve as the senior enlisted adviser to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff spoke recently to some of the Air Force's newest senior NCO about his role and their responsibility as leaders. Invited to be the guest speaker at a recent senior NCO induction ceremony,

  • Medical team conducts mission in Ecuador

    A medical team is conducting the first Medical Readiness Training Exercise, or MEDRETE, held in Esmereldas, Ecuador, through July 28. The two surgeons, a nurse anesthetist, two medical technicians and an anesthesiologist are led by Maj. (Dr.) Matthew Talarczyk, 859th Surgical Operations Squadron

  • Hospital revamps referral appointment system

    Air Force Smart Ops 21 initiatives are not just for operational matters. The Referral Management Center at the hospital here is making a difference in the care for all patients requiring the need of a specialist. The hospital caters to more than 21 specialties in 12 separate clinics, according to

  • PACAF exercise hosts Mexican observers

    Mexican air force observers are seeing firsthand how U.S. and coalition forces work together during Cooperative Cope Thunder to aid in their decision to become future exercise participants. As part of his cooperative engagement strategy, Gen. Paul V. Hester, Pacific Air Forces commander, invited the

  • Air Force meeting requirements for F-22 multi-year funding

    The Air Force will meet all requirements to proceed with multi-year funding on purchasing of the last 60 F-22 Raptor aircraft.During a July 26 testimony before the Senate Armed Service Committee air-land subcommittee, Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne said the service has met five of six

  • Retraining program seeks to fill more than 1,100 positions

    The 2007 NCO Retraining Program begins today as the Air Force seeks to fill more than 1,100 shortage career field and special duty positions. NCOs notified of their vulnerability to retrain must submit their shortage career field choices they would most like to retrain into or apply for a special

  • Manas C-17 crews help Americans depart Lebanon

    The C-17 Globemaster III detachment here recently had a name change and change of scenery. The 817th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron's detachment used to be Detachment 4, but due to a reorganization of the theater's airlift placement, is now Detachment 1. Det.1's primary mission is flying passengers

  • USAFE Airmen lauded for efforts in Lebanon operations

    As approximately 1,800 U.S. citizens passed through here via Air Force aircraft, the U.S. ambassador to Germany paid a visit to meet the transient Americans and to give thanks to the Airmen providing support. "My hats off first of all to General Hobbins and all the people who work with him, but also

  • C-130s assist humanitarian relief efforts in Cyprus

    Two C-130 Hercules crews assigned to the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing delivered more than 10 tons of food and other relief supplies during two missions this past week to support American citizens leaving Lebanon. Both missions were no-notice taskings delivered by U.S. Central Command Air Forces'

  • U.S. military involvement ending in Lebanon departures

    The U.S. military today performed its final scheduled assisted departure for U.S. citizens in Lebanon, a U.S. military spokesman in Cyprus said.The military has worked with the U.S. State Department and the governments of Turkey and Cyprus for the past 10 days to assist U.S. citizens departing from

  • Long days, flexibility part of tanker crew's life

    Air Force tankers refueled fighters over a stretch of the North Sea off England's East Anglia coast Tuesday in support of a joint NATO exercise. The scenario is nothing new for the two KC-135 Stratotanker crews that flew the mission from Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England. About 100 miles off the

  • Medical team transports newborn from Puerto Rico

    Seth and Stephanie Parker held each other's hands and waited. As the plane touched down at 12:05 a.m. July 22 at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, they smiled at each other and looked at their son. Four-day-old Stuart lay across from his parents on a medical cart surrounded by doctors, nurses and

  • 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

  • British pilot finishes Raptor training at Tyndall

    The first British pilot to complete F-22 Raptor training graduated July 17 at Tyndall Air Force Base. Flight Lt. Dan Robinson, from the Royal Air Force, is assigned to Langley AFB, Va. He has completed two months of training with the 43rd Fighter Squadron as part of an exchange program. In return, a

  • Federal Voting Assistance Program kicks into high gear

    The Federal Voting Assistance Program office is pulling out the stops to ensure all servicemembers and their families who wish to can vote. Polli Brunelli, the program's chief, said the program has learned from experience and has put in place a system to make it relatively painless for

  • Missouri Guard helps St. Louis area in recovery

    Missouri National Guard citizen Soldiers and Airmen are being mobilized to support storm recovery efforts in the St. Louis area."The Missouri National Guard is proud to help the St. Louis area through this difficult time," said Maj. Gen. King Sidwell, the adjutant general for Missouri National

  • Academy professor sets swimming world record

    An Air Force Academy professor set a world record in long-distance swimming July 23.Lt. Col. Tim Lawrence of the U.S. Air Force Academy's Department of Astronautical Engineering became the first American to swim the 14.8 nautical miles from Britain's Jersey Island to France. In the process, he

  • Incirlik pulls together as hundreds transit base

    Airmen at the 728th Air Mobility Squadron passenger terminal are used to large crowds of people waiting to board an aircraft. They are used to endless piles of paperwork, luggage details and occasional irritable customers. Those are the things they are used to, but they live for events like those

  • Air Force officials announce 2007 force-shaping initiatives

    Air Force officials announced today new force-shaping initiatives to be used to meet the required 2007 fiscal year end-strength numbers. The new initiatives are designed to bring the officer numbers down as the enlisted end-strength numbers are on target for 2007. Officials said more than 8,000

  • Pit stops in 'hot' zone require quick off-loads

    When people deployed to Afghanistan say a location is "hot," it could mean one of two things. Either it feels like the sun is closer than the moon, or the enemy is lurking about. Here, both meanings apply. For pilots, that equates to making quick pit stops here so they can get in and out of this

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released the airpower summary for July 26.In Afghanistan July 25, an Air Force B-1 Lancer provided close-air support for coalition troops taking small arms fire from Taliban extremists near Musah Qal'eh. The B-1 expended guided bomb unit-31s and 38s on

  • Departure efforts through Incirlik continue

    More than 1,600 American citizens displaced from Lebanon continued to process through Incirlik Air Base today. The Americans boarded the USS Trenton in Beirut Sunday at 5:10 p.m., and headed for the port city of Mersin in Turkey. After arriving in Turkey, they traveled by bus to Incirlik. "Many of

  • AFSOC making a difference in war on terror

    His people are making a difference in the war on terror, the leader of the Air Force's special operations troops told members of Congress on Capitol Hill. These Airmen are taking the fight to the enemy every night and in the spirit of their stealthy mission, it's a fight that goes unnoticed by the

  • Swedish Air Force travels to Alaska for exercise

    In a journey that would span more than five days, seven Gripen fighters traveled from Sweden to Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, for the multinational exercise, Cooperative Cope Thunder.When they arrived at the Alaskan base, the Swedish pilots and 23 technicians from the ground crew had reached a

  • Security forces members battle HEAT

    Airmen here are receiving specialized training designed to help them know what to do if their tactical vehicle was to rollover and increase survivability.The training, termed HEAT, encompasses instruction and the use of the Humvee egress assistance trainer. "This is a two-part training exercise,"

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released the airpower summary for July 25. In Afghanistan July 24, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with enemy forces near Asadabad. The aircraft expended cannon rounds against enemy troop positions,

  • MySpace use comes with risks

    The online site MySpace offering individuals free membership to create a personalized Web page can also serve as a vulnerability for Air Force people to post personal information that can cause problems or risk operational security.MySpace members can share personal photos and use it to catch up

  • Panjshir PRT medics visit remote Afghan district

    Patients walked as far as six miles and waited as long as eight hours for treatment by Air Force medics from the Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team who visited the Paryan District July 15 and 16.The Medical Civic Action Program, or MEDCAP, was coordinated at the invitation of Panjshir director

  • U.S., Bulgarian air traffic controllers perfect teamwork

    Air Force controllers from the 48th Operations Support Squadron have the opportunity to work and build friendships with their Bulgarian counterparts here as part of Exercise Immediate Response 2006.Bulgaria is a new member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and this exercise gives the

  • Circled insignia, shoulder board change implementation dates announced

    Following the Air Force chief of staff's vision of "lasting heritage - limitless horizons," the Air Force uniform board made minor changes to the enlisted uniform. These changes include returning to the U.S. insignia with circle for the service dress uniform and the deletion of the optional shoulder

  • Incirlik continues helping Americans leaving Lebanon

    The new Incirlik Deployment Processing Center officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 30. Just a few weeks later, the facility is serving as a real-world reception center for 1,600 American citizens leaving Lebanon and seeking travel back to the United States. More than 500 Airmen

  • Mildenhall's tanker services in high demand

    The KC-135 Stratotanker crews at this base in the sedate English countryside are refueling aircraft that are helping get Americans out of Lebanon. Transporting Americans from Lebanon is topping world headlines. But for the 100th Air Refueling Wing it is just its latest mission, wing commander Col.

  • 'Check It' campaign to promote mission focus, stewardship

    Everyone within the Defense Department makes an important contribution to the overall mission, so it's critical that every member -- military, civilian and contractor alike -- ensures he or she does his or her job right. That's the message behind "Check It," a new Defense Department campaign that

  • 56th Rescue Squadron launches first flight from Lakenheath

    The 56th Rescue Squadron launched its first flight out of RAF Lakenheath today at noon."We are very excited to get our local flying started," said Lt. Col. Thomas Greetan, 56th RQS commander. "It's a tribute to all the various groups and squadrons within the wing who have played a significant part

  • 'New' patients make training more realistic

    The use of advanced, more lifelike simulated patients at the aerospace medical service apprentice course is enhancing medical training for Airmen here attending technical school with the 882nd Training Group."The purpose of these patient simulators is to have the most advanced equipment that

  • Airmen work round the clock in humanitarian crisis

    Four Airmen from the 352nd Special Operations Group are deployed here to help with the assisted departure of American citizens, which through July 23 totaled more than 7,000, from Beirut, Lebanon, to ports and airports in Cyprus. Having arrived in Cyprus early on July 18 from Royal Air Force

  • Americans fleeing Lebanon arrive at McGuire

    As of today, U.S. efforts to assist in the departure of American citizens from the conflict in Lebanon have led to more than 1,200 displaced people processing through here. American citizens are traveling aboard C-17 Globemaster III aircraft from here as well as from Charleston Air Force Base, S.C.,

  • 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

  • Experience a key training tool at Security Forces Academy

    A unit here is taking Airmen's combat experiences and merging them into the training they provide security forces bound for duty "outside the wire" in war zones. The 343rd Training Squadron has added combat experience to their Security Forces Academy to better prepare Airmen to provide air base

  • CENTAF release airpower summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released the airpower summary for July 24.In Afghanistan July 23, French Air Force M-2000s and Royal Air Force GR-7s provided close-air support for coalition troops ambushed and taking small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire from Taliban extremists near

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for July 22 and 23

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released the airpower summary for July 22 and 23.July 23In Afghanistan July 22, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and a B-1 Lancer provided close-air support for coalition troops taking small-arms fire from Taliban extremists near Now Zad. The A-10s conducted

  • No matter the nationality, pilots speak same language

    United States and European pilots may have language barriers but at the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training program, they all speak the same language -- aviation. In the 55-week ENJJPT program, approximately 250 American and European students earn their wings yearly. Of those graduating, about 65

  • Academy band wows crowd with help from old friend

    The U.S. Air Force Academy Band's Falconaires performed a concert for the Texas Band Members Association convention here at the Lila Cockrell Theatre with the assistance of a living legend. Sammy Nestico, known in music circles for his long career as a military musician and his success in the music

  • Misawa F-16 unit flying high at Cooperative Cope Thunder

    Pilots and support staff from Misawa Air Base, Japan, are taking advantage of realistic air combat training here during Cooperative Cope Thunder, Pacific Air Forces' largest joint and bilateral air combat exercise. The 13th Fighter Squadron brought about 40 pilots and support Airmen and 12 F-16

  • RAM squad exercises ability to rescue coalition forces

    Firefighting tends to be a strenuous and dangerous job, requiring its practitioners to place themselves in harm's way to save lives and property.A team of 20 Air National Guard firefighters at Ali Base have volunteered to take that responsibility a step further by working on the Rescue Air Mobility

  • Guard, Reserve medics gear up at Patriot '06

    More than 2,200 Airmen and Soldiers are gathering in Wisconsin at Ft. McCoy and Volk Field Combat Readiness Training Center as part of Patriot '06, an Air National Guard-led exercise held July 15 to 28.Servicemembers are also participating at Jefferson Barracks Air National Guard Station, Mo."The

  • Army & Air Force Exchange turns 111 July 25

    The Army & Air Force Exchange Service marks its 111th birthday July 25, celebrating its mission to provide quality goods and services at competitively low prices and generate earnings to support morale, welfare and recreation programs. On July 25, 1895, the War Department issued General Order No. 46

  • 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