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  • World War II vet receives long-awaited medals

    Although he was not dressed in the khaki Army Air Corps uniform he wore after enlisting at 17, World War II veteran Tech. Sgt. Howard Thornton was no less proud when he received medals during a special ceremony here Aug. 29. A small gathering of family, friends and military members assembled to

  • Airmen provide comfort, care with aeromedical evacuations

    Members of the 379th Expeditionary Air Evacuation Squadron run weekly missions to both Iraq and Afghanistan to either pick up patients or return servicemembers who have sufficiently recovered back to a forward location. An average of 120 wounded and injured servicemembers are transported each month.

  • Airmen demonstrate their importance to Afghanistan, joint operations

    Joint expeditionary tasked Airmen have two commanders, the Army one responsible for their day-to-day missions and the Air Force one responsible for their administrative and operational control; but they both sing the praises of their Airmen. According to Army Lt. Col. Matt Smith the task force

  • Sept. 4 airpower summary: Enemy firing positions eliminated

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Sept. 4, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, coalition aircraft provided armed overwatch for friendly forces

  • Sept. 3 airpower summary: Pave Hawks provide rapid transport

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Sept. 3, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon and coalition aircraft provided

  • AFMC leaders continue to focus on nuclear sustainment

    Sustaining the Air Force nuclear arsenal was emphasized by the commander of Air Force Materiel Command as he led center and wing commanders along with AFMC headquarters senior staff through two days of in-depth discussions during the command's semi-annual senior leaders conference here Sept. 1 and

  • Sept. 2 airpower summary: F-16s watch over ground troops

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Sept. 2, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons and coalition aircraft provided

  • American medical advisers guide Iraqi army back into patients' trust

    American medical advisers at Camp Ur are helping Iraqi army members run a clinic efficiently here as well as getting Iraqi soldiers to use the medical care available to them. Camp Ur boasts a fully functioning medical clinic complete with a three-bay emergency room, pharmacy, dentist, radiology

  • Security forces Airmen help secure future of Iraq

    Members of the Air Force's 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron Det. 2 here strive to ready members of the Iraqi police to handle day-to-day police operations within their district in Iraq. Currently, the security forces Airmen are responsible for nine different stations and are training

  • Air Force doctor advances cyanide poisoning treatment

    In espionage novels, cyanide capsules are swallowed by captured spies who would rather commit suicide than divulge classified information. But the highly toxic chemical used in so many works of fiction is a real threat for being used as a terrorist weapon. Maj. (Dr.) Vik Bebarta, a physician and

  • Yokota restaurant in step with transformation

    The grand opening of a Chili's restaurant Aug. 14 at Yokota Air Base, Japan, is another step in the sustained efforts by Air Force leaders to care for their people by improving quality of life. Several hundred Airmen, their families and civic leaders from the Yokota AB community took part in a

  • 'Today's Air Force' features a new vice chief, teamwork and diversity

    This edition of Today's Air Force features a new vice chief of staff of the Air Force who comes to the job during a time of transition and change,  a lesson in teamwork that proves vital in helping Airmen accomplish their mission, and the celebration of cultural diversity around the world.General

  • Mud run begins Air Force Week Sacramento

    Air Force Week Sacramento kicked off with a splash Sept. 5 as thousands of people participated in the 10th annual Mather Mud Run at Hagan Community Park here. Air Force Week Sacramento is designed to expose the local population to the incredible power and capabilities of the Air Force and strengthen

  • Sept. 1 airpower summary: A-10s suppress enemy position

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Sept. 1, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and coalition aircraft provided

  • Football: Air Force blasts Nicholls State 72-0 in home opener

    Air Force scored early and often, handing the Nicholls State Colonels their worst loss in the school's history with a 72-0 blowout at Falcon Stadium Sept. 5. The Falcons' defense set the tempo for the game, recovering four of the Colonels' five fumbles and keeping Nicholls State out of the red zone,

  • Predator crashes in Afghanistan

    An Air Force MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft crashed in eastern Afghanistan Sept. 4 at approximately 8:45 p.m. Kabul time. The crash was not due to hostile fire. There were no reports of civilian injuries or damage to civilian property at the site. The aircraft is a medium-altitude, long-endurance,

  • Academy to tweet Air Force-Nicholls State home opener

    The Air Force Academy Public Affairs Office will broadcast live updates on the Air Force-Nicholls State game at the Academy's Twitter page, http://twitter.com/AF_Academy. Updates will include scoring drives and other key plays during the game.Results of the game will be available on the Academy's

  • Red, White and Brave parade honors those who serve

    Air Force Academy participants joined forces with many local military members and civilians alike who turned out to salute returning Fort Carson fighting men and women Aug. 29, 2009, in downtown Colorado Springs. The Red, White and Brave parade drew an estimated 40,000 spectators lining downtown

  • Jungle Shield exercise trains Airmen, federal agencies

    Airmen at Andersen Air Force Base and Hickam AFB, Hawaii, participated in an exercise Aug. 25 through 27 to test the Air Force's ability to protect U.S. air sovereignty in the Pacific region. The exercise, known as Jungle Shield, trains flying crews and ensures command and control requirements are

  • Labor Day weekend golfers help troops, families

    Maj. Dan Rooney knows that just a dollar or more added to your golf greens fees this Labor Day weekend can provide millions of dollars to help servicemembers and their families. Major Rooney, a professional golfer and an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot with the Oklahoma Air National Guard, is the founder

  • Air Force humanitarian team arrives on Chuuk

    The Humanitarian Assistance Rapid Response Team, or HARRT, validation exercise officially began Sept. 2 with the arrival of a C-17 Globemaster III transporting 54 Air Force medical and contingency response experts to the Micronesian island state of Chuuk. The team will provide medical assistance to

  • Air Forces Central officials launch new Combined Air, Space Ops Center

    Airmen, Soldiers, Marines and Sailors along with their coalition partners from Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom are busy standing up and launching the new U.S. Air Forces Central Combined Air and Space Operations Center here. Communications Airmen along with their contractor counterparts are

  • Policy change benefits disabled Airmen

    A policy change by Air Force Personnel Center officials here now allows some Airmen retiring with less than 20 years active service to receive retirement certificates. A change to Air Force Instruction 36-3203, Service Retirements, authorizes Airmen with less than 20 years of active service who are

  • Elmendorf Airmen boost aviation fuel with additive

    Elmendorf Air Force Base officials started to blend a thermally stable additive known as Plus 100 to its JP-8 aviation fuel Sept. 1. The additive prevents coking and carbon buildup in the engine, which will greatly reduce engine maintenance. Even before base officials began using this additive, the

  • JAG Corps officials announce law school programs

    Applications for the Funded Legal Education Program and Excess Leave Program are being accepted from Jan. 1 to March 1, 2010. The FLEP, which is a paid legal studies program for active-duty Air Force commissioned officers, is an assignment action and participants receive full pay, allowances and

  • Missile retrofit provides better accuracy, saves Air Force money

    Members of the 86th Munitions Squadron here recently upgraded their AGM-65 Maverick H-and-K-model missile systems as part of the Air Force effort to modernize its air and space inventories. With the help of an Air Force Reserve ammunition team and a Maverick Systems Program Office team from Raytheon

  • Air Force officials reactivate 69th Bomb Squadron at Minot

    Air Force officials reactivated the 69th Bomb Squadron Sept. 3 at Minot Air Force Base. The new unit is the fourth operational B-52H Stratofortress squadron in the Air Force and joins the 23rd Bomb Squadron as the second squadron here. The new squadron was established to provide each B-52 wing with

  • Airmen teach Iraqis firefighting skills, help kids

    An Air Force firefighting squadron is making a difference in Iraq by training firefighters and helping local children. Members of the 407th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Protection Flight, a 40-man team of firefighters who provides fire response and airfield operations to Ali Base,

  • Osan command sponsorship at capacity

    An overwhelming response for command sponsorship by Airmen serving tours at Osan Air Base, South Korea, is compelling officials there to establish a waiting list after having reached capacity. "The availability of command sponsorship at Osan Air Base is an important and highly impactful initiative

  • Elmendorf Airmen convicted, sentenced for UCMJ violations

    An Elmendorf Air Force Base Airman was sentenced to 12 months confinement, reduction in rank to E-1 and a bad-conduct discharge for using "an interactive computer service for carriage in interstate or foreign commerce, obscene, lewd, lascivious, or filthy pictures or other matter of indecent

  • Air Force Week in Photos

    This week's photo highlights feature Airmen around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force. View the Week in Photos slideshow.

  • Leaders issue joint Labor Day safety message

    The Air Force's top leaders remind the entire Air Force family to minimize safety risks this weekend and beyond in a Labor Day message. Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz issued the following message: "As we approach this holiday weekend, it

  • 615th CRW members support Ulchi Freedom Guardian in South Korea

    Members of the 15th Air Mobility Operations Squadron here traveled to South Korea to support the Ulchi Freedom Guardian exercise on Aug. 17 through 28. Ulchi Freedom Guardian is a computerized command and control exercise. The 15th AMOS trains to respond to contingency operations in the Pacific

  • Servicemembers work 'out of the doghouse' at Joint Base Balad

    On a deployment, a multitude of distractions can make sleep challenging for some servicemembers including F-16 Fighting Falcons roaring on the flightline and helicopters thundering through the air. Also putting rest to the test are 70-pound Labrador retrievers taking up half the bed. For Air Force

  • Mountain Home hosts first Gunfighter Flag

    Starting Sept. 14, people in the local area may notice an increase in flying operations with a myriad of planes and visitors taking part in the first Gunfighter Flag 2009.The multinational exercise will include participants from Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.; Schriever AFB, Colo.; Phoenix Air National

  • Afghan C-27A program takes flight

    Test pilots, engineers and ground crews from Alenia North America performed an initial test flight of the first of 20 programmed Afghan C-27A "Spartans" recently in Italy. The medium-sized tactical military transport remains on schedule for delivery to Naples in late September. Combined Security

  • Veterans, first timers benefit from Red Flag exercises

    During the Red Flag 09-5 exercise here, young and veteran pilots train in realistic combat scenarios through Sept. 4. The large-force employment includes various airframes from sister services and allied nations. The pilots train in a combined an joint atmosphere in a training area spanning more

  • AAFES officials explain return policy

    Officials with the Army Air Force Exchange Service, the Department of Defense's oldest and largest exchange service, are constantly looking for the most effective way to communicate information pertaining to its mission, policies, structure and so forth to those it accurately refers to as "the best

  • Services' top enlisted members discuss family support

    The top enlisted servicemember from each of the four services offered their appreciation to those who support military families before fielding some tough questions during a town hall-style meeting here Sept. 1. The meeting was part of the Defense Department's three-day Joint Family Readiness

  • Airmen help Iraqi army take control of base operations

    Operations continue as normal at Camp Ur. The focus remains the same: keep the base running and the mission on target. Iraqi army soldiers routinely work with their U.S. counterparts, but one important difference now is that the Iraqis have taken command of the controls."It's a historic time for

  • Photo essay: Red Flag trains combat air forces

    Units from the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marines Corps participate in training missions for Red Flag 09-5 along with allied forces from Italy and the United Arab Emirates Aug. 26, 2009 here. This is the first time the United Arab Emirates has participated in Red Flag, a realistic two-week air combat

  • Aug. 31 airpower summary: Tankers have a busy day

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Aug. 31, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons and coalition aircraft provided

  • 'Biggest Loser' comes to Osan

    Airmen from the 51st Medical Group here are getting ready for the Air Force's new fitness program that starts January 2010. By taking a popular television show and adapting it to a military lifestyle, the Airmen have created their own "Biggest Loser" competition. The 10-week competition consists of

  • 13th Air Force officials welcome new commander

    Officials from 13th Air Force here welcomed their new commander in a change-of-command ceremony Sept. 2 at Hickam Air Force Base.Lt. Gen. Herbert J. "Hawk" Carlisle assumed command of 13th Air Force as Lt. Gen. Loyd S. "Chip" Utterback relinquished command and will retire from the Air Force after

  • Secretary Gates explains opposition to alternate F-35 engine

    A proposed alternative engine for the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter would cost far more than the existing engine and push back the production timetable, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said in early September. Secretary Gates visited the Lockheed Martin F-35 factory Aug. 31 in Fort Worth,

  • Kadena Airmen 'deploy' to Guam

    Nearly 100 maintenance, operations, and support personnel arrived here Aug. 31 as part of a test of the deployment capabilities of the 18th Wing from Kadena Air Base, Japan.The timing of this deployment coincides with "Obon," which means reduced jet noise coming from the Kadena flight line and over

  • U.S., Romanian air forces discuss aircraft maintenance

    A U.S. Air Forces in Europe maintenance NCO training program traveling contact team met with Romanian air force instructors and aircraft maintainers during a visit to Bucharest, Romania Aug. 25 through 28. The primary purpose of the four-day visit was to discuss the U.S. Air Force's cradle-to-grave

  • Air Force Uniform Office researches fire-resistant uniform

    Members of the Air Force Uniform Office here attended the American Wool Council's Wool Education Seminar July 20-23 in Salt Lake City, Utah, to learn about and see the latest developments in wool production. According to the American Sheep Industry Association, or ASI, the military is the largest

  • AFMC civilian represents Air Force as award nominee

    An Air Force Materiel Command civilian is the Air Force nominee for the 2008 Spirit of Hope Award. The Spirit of Hope award is inspired by the United Service Organizations and named after entertainer Bob Hope. It honors armed forces members and civilians alike who epitomize the values of duty,

  • Soldier conquers suicidal thoughts, urges others to get help

    Army Capt. Emily Stehr, a physical therapist with the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, is in the business of healing. But five months after returning from Iraq, she was struggling with her own internal wounds of war that had not healed. She decided to kill herself. What stopped Captain Stehr was not

  • Ramstein Airmen support 15-nation medical training exercise

    Thirty-two members of the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, arrived here Aug. 25 in support of the Medical Training Exercise in Central and Eastern Europe 2009. More than 600 people representing 15 nations will participate in this year's annual exercise with a focus on

  • Air Force officials announce aerospace award winners

    Air Force officials here announced Sept. 2 the winners of the 2009 Air Force Association National Aerospace and Specialty Awards. The awards recognize professional excellence and contributions to national defense. The Theodore von Karman Award winner for most outstanding contribution in the field of

  • Photo essay: Balad firefighters rappel tower

    Base firefighters use the control tower to conduct a rappeling exercise here Aug. 20, 2009.  The training allows the firefighters to hone their skills with different knots, anchors and belay techniques. View the slideshow.

  • Defense Department to start H1N1 flu vaccinations

    All military personnel will be vaccinated against the H1N1 flu virus, and the vaccine will be available to all military family members who want it, a Defense Department health affairs official said Sept. 2 here. The H1N1 vaccination program will begin in early October, said Army Lt. Col. (Dr.) Wayne

  • Air Force officials release Predator accident report

    Air Force officials here Sept. 2 said a disconnected vacuum line caused the April 28 crash of an MQ-1 Predator west of Creech Air Force Base, Nev.According to an Air Combat Command accident investigation board report, the aircraft executed a hard landing in the rough terrain surrounding the airfield

  • Fiscal closeout may delay orders in hand

    Some Airmen may experience slight delays in receiving permanent-change-of-station orders in September as officials here begin implementing new procedures for closing out the fiscal year PCS budget. Active-duty Airmen with assignment report dates or a date eligible for return from overseas of January

  • Academy joins social media scene

    The U.S. Air Force Academy officially entered the social media sphere Aug. 28 with the launch of Web pages on two popular social networking sites. In order to offer the public a convenient way to see what's going on at the Academy, the public affairs office here has created a page on

  • Afterburner retiree newsletter back after 3-year hiatus

    After a three-year hiatus, the hard-copy Afterburner retiree newsletter is back. Special funding was granted to provide news and information to retirees and surviving spouses. However, those with computer access are urged to forego a hard-copy version to save money. There are approximately 770,000

  • Gates cites importance of acquisition reform

    It is imperative for the nation to get defense acquisition reform right, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said Aug. 31 during a visit to Texas to tour the plants of two major defense contractors. Americans are getting value for their tax dollars spent in the defense realm, Secretary Gates said

  • Beale AFB first to incorporate Body Pump in fitness program

    "When your body starts to scream, tell it to shut up." That's the motto of the new Body Pump fitness program which began at the fitness center here Aug. 24. Several members of the 9th Force Support Squadron trained to become certified instructors of the program."We wanted to find the most relevant

  • Safety: More than just 101 critical days

    Just because you "fly a desk" in an administrative work area, doesn't mean you don't have to worry about safety. In fact, according to 86th Airlift Wing safety officials here, one of the more extreme mishaps that happened this year took place in an administrative environment. One unlucky person

  • Holiday Greetings teams ready to deploy

    Taping for one of the most recognizable holiday programs in America will begin soon, months before wreaths are hung and lights are strung in homes across the country. Broadcast teams from the Joint Hometown News Service in San Antonio will depart shortly after Labor Day to begin taping video holiday

  • Whiteman Airmen test nuclear weapon mission

    Members of the 72nd Test and Evaluation Squadron here took part in Combat Sledgehammer Aug. 17 as part of Air Combat Command's nuclear weapon system evaluation program. Combat Sledgehammer is conducted on Air Force bomber and fighter aircraft that are capable of carrying thermonuclear bombs and

  • Important updates in life require update in DEERS

    Important life events like moving or a child going off to college are milestones in military families' lives. No matter where their journeys take them, it's important for families to keep their Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System records up to date. For Tricare beneficiaries, keeping

  • Aug. 30 airpower summary: F-15Es deter enemy attack

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Aug. 30 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles provided armed overwatch for Abchakan

  • Defense secretary touts F-35 as heart of future tactical combat aviation

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates visited the Lockheed Martin's F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter factory here Aug. 31, assessing progress on what he called "the heart of the future of our tactical combat aviation." Secretary Gates walked through the mile-long production facility, getting

  • Secretary Gates to MC-12 workers: Your work is saving troops' lives

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates gave a pep talk to employees outfitting the MC-12 Liberty aircraft for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions Aug. 31 here, telling them their work is saving lives on the battlefield. Secretary Gates visited the L3 Communications plant here, getting

  • Aug. 28 airpower summary: ISR aircraft perform tactical reconnaissance

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Aug. 28, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force B-1B Lancer, F-15E Strike Eagle and A-10 Thunderbolt II

  • Air Force secretary praises Airmen, discusses ops with Bagram Airmen

    The secretary of the Air Force visited 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Airmen Aug. 29 here during his second visit to Afghanistan in 10 months. Secretary Michael B. Donley spoke to approximately 300 Airmen at an Airmen's Call held on the steps of an old, Russian air traffic control tower, known as the

  • Aug. 29 airpower summary: Reaper provides armed interdiction

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Aug. 29, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, F-16CJ Fighting Falcon aircraft provided armed overwatch for

  • AF general thanks Coast Guard for continuous shuttle support

    The Air Forces Northern commander and overseer of the Joint Task Force-Space Transportation System visited the Coast Guard Station Port Canaveral, Fla., to express his thanks to the team for their continued support of the JTF-STS mission. "NASA's mission is one of international importance, and your

  • Photo essay: Supplies drop in Afghanistan

    Pallets of cargo drop from a C-17 Globemaster III to a forward operating base in Afghanistan, Aug. 27, 2009,  in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The aircrew is assigned to the 817th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron.View the slideshow.

  • Being 'green' is key part of commissary operations

    Each year, Defense Commissary Agency stores use more than 200 million gallons of water, spend more than $60 million on utility services and generate more solid waste than most mid-sized cities. However, as DeCA officials deliver the commissary benefit, they also are responsible for eliminating or

  • Air Guard's domestic ops experts to confer on top priorities

    Hundreds of Air National Guard officials will gather here Sept. 21 through 25 to plan for domestic and civil support operations at the ANG Domestic Operations Essential 10 Requirements Conference. The conference will join subject matter and planning experts in working groups to discuss and

  • C-130 crew delivers humanitarian supplies to Afghan village

    Airmen from the 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron dropped eight bundles of humanitarian aid from a C-130 Hercules Aug. 26 to a remote village in northern Afghanistan.The Air National Guard crew, deployed from the 158th Airlift Squadron in Savannah, Ga, performed the mission to support coalition

  • Innovative Airmen make jobs, lives easier

    Airmen from the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing have applied the axiom "work smarter, not harder" to come up with solutions on the job that are saving manpower, time and money here in Southwest Asia. Examples of innovation are not limited to just one group. Each of the four groups assigned to the 379th

  • Elmendorf Airmen support Army's Operation Arctic Response

    Active and Air National Guard Airmen provided assistance to Army Soldiers Aug. 24 and 26 during Operation Arctic Response here. Members of the 517th Airlift Squadron from here and the Alaska Air National Guard's 249th Airlift Squadron supported the operation, which is an emergency deployment

  • Airmen enhance Ugandan humanitarian airlift capability

    Airmen from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and Army Reserve Soldiers from Nashville, Tenn., arrived in Uganda Aug. 25 to participate in a C-130 Hercules familiarization event with the Uganda peoples defense air force. The theater security cooperation initiative gives Ugandan forces a firsthand look at

  • Airmen protect space assets in new Air Force commercial

    An Air Force commercial highlighting the role men and women in the Air Force's Joint Space Operations Center at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., play in protecting satellite and other space assets begins airing Aug. 31 in television markets and select movie theaters across the country. "Space

  • E-3 damaged while landing at Nellis

    An E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control system aircraft was damaged while landing Aug. 28 at Nellis Air Force Base. The 32-person crew safely evacuated the aircraft and the subsequent fire was quickly extinguished by Nellis AFB emergency response forces. The aircraft, flown by Airmen of the 552nd

  • Strike Eagles surpass 8,000 combat hours, support unique missions

    Airmen from the 336th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron achieved a milestone here when they surpassed 8,000 combat hours in the F-15E Strike Eagle while providing security to coalition forces. The aircrew for the mission included Capt. Jaina Donberg, the F-15E pilot and a native of Arlington, Va., and

  • Aug. 27 airpower summary: B-1B destroys enemy position

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Aug. 27 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft provided armed overwatch at

  • 'Today's Air Force' features chief of staff first-year reflections

    In this edition of "Today's Air Force," the chief of staff of the Air Force reflects on his first year on the job, the Global Positioning System gets a high tech upgrade, and Airmen turn to a new program in Iraq to get help dealing with combat stress.Major changes have taken place across the Air

  • Base of preference requests can now be initiated online through vMPF

    Air Force Personnel Center officials have revamped the Voluntary Assignments Base of Preference Program to allow eligible enlisted members to initiate BOP requests online. Air Force members from the rank of E-8 and below can now apply for permanent change of station BOP, in-place BOP, or both

  • AFCENT commander, command chief visit JBB

    Lt. Gen. Mike Hostage, the new U.S. Air Forces Central Command commander, and AFCENT Command Chief Master Sgt. Scott Dearduff visited Joint Balad Base Aug. 25 to survey various missions and address some of the Airmen he now commands. During his visit, General Hostage met with Army officials from the

  • Officials outline adoption process for military working dogs

    Military working dogs have come a long way since the days of ancient Persia and Assyria, where they donned armor, spiked collars and warned of impending attack or charged on the enemy's cavalry. Modern battlefield and customs conditions bring forth complex and ever-changing challenges, and as such,

  • Defense Department turns to ESC to lead way on NextGen

    Dr. Tim Rudolph, the Electronic Systems Center's chief technology officer, has been named the Defense Department's lead architect for a federal initiative known as the Next Generation Air Transportation System. The center's 653rd Electronic Systems Wing here, which has a lot of experience with

  • New vice chief of staff takes office

    Gen. Carrol H. "Howie" Chandler is the new vice chief of staff of the Air Force, succeeding Gen. William M. Fraser III who held the position since October 2008. General Chandler comes to the Pentagon after two years of service as commander of Pacific Air Forces; Air Component Commander for U.S.

  • OC-ALC to refurbish Navy E-6 aircraft

    Workers from the 566th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron here will begin work next month on the first of the Navy's E-6B Mercury aircraft scheduled for a service life extension program refit. The refit will involve inspecting and replacing up to 15,000 fasteners on the aircraft's wings. Fastener holes

  • New supercomputer supports ISR research, development

    Desch, one of the world's most powerful supercomputers, will be dedicated during a ceremony here Aug. 31. The Desch is a custom-designed SGI Altix ICE 8200 supercomputer that has been optimized and will be dedicated exclusively to support real-time translation of synthetic aperture radar data into

  • Misawa Airmen rescue Japanese citizen

    Eight Airmen from Misawa AB saved the life of a Japanese citizen Aug. 15 when they pulled him away from a house and car that were engulfed in flames. The Airmen and their families were on a bus returning from a night of celebrating a child's birthday and bidding farewell to a fellow Airman.

  • Launch of civilian marketing campaign pivotal in filling Air Force jobs

    Over the next five years, Air Force officials plan to hire 20,000 more civilians into civil service. To help bases better market civilian job openings and recruit qualified applicants for current and future jobs, Air Force Personnel Center specialists will roll out the "Your Future" marketing and

  • Contractor, U.S. Attorney agree on $15 million fraud suit settlement

    Earlier this month, the United States Attorney and Dynamics Research Corporation, known as DRC, corporate officials reached a settlement agreement in a False Claims Act suit filed by government officials recently. DRC, an advisory and assistance services government contractor supporting the Air

  • Guardsman lauds employer for military support

    The past five years have been "the most exciting, dynamic and rewarding" of Brad Sams' professional career, not because of his success as an attorney, but because of the military opportunities his employer has enabled him to pursue, the Air National Guard major said. "They create a culture that