Language familiarity, cultural awareness critical to Iraq fight

Language training and awareness of Iraqi and Arab culture are absolutely necessary for servicemembers deploying to Iraq, the outgoing commander of Multinational Corps Iraq said in Baghdad Dec. 12. Army Lt. Gen. Peter Chiarelli, who gives up command Dec. 14, told Baghdad-based journalists that a poll

Senator urges military budget increases

During a farewell speech in front of the Senate Armed Services Committee Dec. 7, Sen. Jim Talent (R-MO) said legislators must substantially increase military budgets over the coming decade if the U.S. military is to keep its edge. "There can be no doubt that without a substantial increase in

Web site commemorates National Guard birthday

The National Guard turns 370 years old Dec. 13, and the National Guard Bureau is celebrating with a Web site dedicated to the organization and its history. The site, www.ngb.army.mil/features/birthday/index.html, chronicles the Guard's history, starting in 1636 when the General Court of the

CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 13

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Dec. 13.In Afghanistan Dec. 12, Air Force MQ-1 Predators conducted strikes against Taliban extremists near Kandahar. The Predators expended Hellfire missiles on enemy targets. Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers provided

Active duty components make recruiting goals

All active-duty components made their recruiting goals in November, Defense Department officials said today. The Army made 105 percent of goal, the Navy 100 percent, the Marine Corps 104 percent and the Air Force 100 percent. In raw numbers, and the Air Force recruited exactly 1,877 Airmen, the Army

Air Force contractor rebuilds Iraqi dry dock

The rebuilding of the ship lift in Umm Qasr, Iraq, finished another crucial step in the country's reconstruction. A ship lift is a mechanism used for transporting boats between sea and land, and is used to dry dock and launch ships. "In short, it's an elevator for ships, lifting them out of the

Rumsfeld thanks servicemembers in Iraq

Saying he feels fortunate to have served as defense secretary during this momentous period in history, Donald H. Rumsfeld said he has been inspired by working with the nation's men and women in uniform. Secretary Rumsfeld looked back on his almost seven years at the helm of the department during an

DOD, U.K. sign next stage Joint Strike Fighter agreement

United States and United Kingdom officials signed a memorandum of understanding Dec. 12 to begin future cooperation in the production, sustainment and follow-on development, called PSFD, phase of the Joint Strike Fighter program. Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon R. England and United Kingdom

Santa's sky 'scape

Operation Unity Knight brings relief to Kenya

Humanitarian and civic assistance supplies are ready to be palletized and loaded onto a C-130 Hercules for an airdrop Dec. 9. The Air Force is dropping more than 240,000 pounds of supplies to flood refugees in eastern Kenya. After weeks of rain in Dadaab region in Kenya, camps housing about 160,000

Sniffing out trouble

AFMC leaders plot 'One Materiel Command' course

"Pushing widgets out your door but having those widgets stack up in front of another Air Force Materiel Command unit's door really hasn't helped the enterprise." With that statement, Gen. Bruce Carlson, AFMC commander, explained his concept of 'One Materiel Command' to 103 AFMC senior leaders

New RAF housing site could be history's hiding ground

RAF Mildenhall is beginning a new housing construction project to add more units to the officer housing area. But, before they break ground, the building site must go through a preliminary dig to ensure any possible objects of archeological significance that may be found are properly uncovered and

CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 12

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Dec. 12.In Afghanistan Dec. 11, Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Lashkar Gah. An Air Force B-1

Soaring Eagles

Chief McKinley visits Airmen at Soto Cano

Delivering 12,000 cookies to Airmen at forward operating bases is just one of Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley's many jobs. But the prospects of meeting with Airmen at four Central and South American and Caribbean bases put a smile on the face of the Air Force's top enlisted

Air Force plays in pandemic flu exercise

The Air Force is participating in a pandemic flu exercise Dec. 11-13 in Boerne, Texas, linking a variety of major south Texas crisis response agencies and Air Force medical personnel. The Regional Pandemic Flu Conference, facilitated by the Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council, involves 59th

Hockey: Academy player takes Atlantic rookie honors

A U.S. Air Force Academy freshman was named the Atlantic Hockey Association Rookie of the Week for his performance against the University of Connecticut Dec. 7 and 8. Jeff Hajner, a right wing/center from Las Vegas, had a career best three points in the two-game series. He assisted on the

Prevention, education key to winning war against HIV

In the military's fight against HIV/AIDS, prevention is the key to winning the battle, said Dr. Judith Delmar, a staff physician with the Air Force's HIV program at Wilford Hall Medical Center. Speaking at the sixth annual international HIV/AIDS Strategic Planning and Policy Development course, the

Spang Airmen compete for Mr. Universe title

Representing the United States and the Air Force two Airmen from Spangdahlem Air Base traveled to Cuxhaven, Germany, to compete in the legendary Mr. Universe competition Dec. 2. Troy Saunders, Men's Class II competitor, and Justin Usery, Men's Class III competitor, were asked to participate in the

University of Idaho students study human factors on B-52

Seven students and a professor from the University of Idaho visited several organizations here Dec. 5 for a subsystem evaluation on the B-52 Stratofortress. The University of Idaho students are attending a graduate-level course, called advanced human factors, and were assigned to a class project

Schedule announced for release of tax statements

Servicemembers, military retirees and annuitants, and federal civilian employees paid by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service can expect to receive their 2006 tax statements beginning this month, DFAS officials announced today. DFAS customers with access to the secure, Web-based "myPay" system

Mission Employment

Testing their skills

New pay, personnel system on horizon for troops

A new system coming in 2008 to the Army and Air Force will integrate pay and personnel and make life easier for servicemembers everywhere, the general in charge of the system's deployment said. The Defense Integrated Military Human Resources System, or DIMHRS, integrates the two services' pay and

Florida base provides mix of support for shuttle launch

The Air Force's 45th Space Wing out of Patrick Air Force Base, Fla. supported NASA's launch of Space Shuttle Discovery from Kennedy Space Center Dec. 9 on the shuttle's first night launch in four years. Several units across the 45th SW played vital roles such as helping validate the pad after the

Kadena Airmen live life of Japan self defense force

Six Kadena Air Base NCOs recently had the opportunity to experience what life is like in the Japan Air Self Defense Force. As part of the NCO Bilateral Exchange Program they traveled in JASDF aircraft Dec. 5 to Tsuiki Air Base in mainland Japan. There, they spent nine days living and working

Air Force delivers much needed supplies to Kenya

After weeks of a deluge that seemingly had no end in sight, something besides rain finally fell from the Eastern Kenya sky -- compliments of a U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules assigned to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing based in Southwest Asia. What began as a normal storm in late October in the

CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 11

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Dec. 11.In Afghanistan Dec. 10, an Air Force B-1B Lancer provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Orgun-E. An Air Force B-1B and

Hurlburt Airmen grant Honduran Christmas wish

A group of Airmen here are taking a break from their holiday hustle and bustle to make a special trip and grant Christmas wishes for others. More than a dozen Airmen from the 6th Special Operations Squadron, 15th SOS and 73rd SOS travel Dec. 11 to La Ceiba, Honduras, to carry out Operation Christmas

SECAF visits Balad Airmen

Secretary of the Air Force Michael Wynne visited deployed Airmen here Dec. 9. Secretary Wynne spoke to Airmen during a town hall meeting in order to discuss issues affecting them and the impact Airmen are having on Operation Iraqi Freedom. He commented on how relevant was the mission statement of

CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 10

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Dec. 10.In Afghanistan Dec. 9, Navy F/A-18 Hornets provided close- air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Lashkar Gah. One of the F/A-18s

CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 9

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Dec. 9. In Afghanistan Dec. 8, an Air Force B-1B Lancer conducted a strike against Taliban extremists near Asadabad. The B-1B expended guided bomb unit-31s on enemy targets. Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers provided

Space shuttle on way to space station

Space Shuttle Discovery successfully launched from Cape Canaveral at 8:47 p.m. EDT Dec. 9 and is on its way to the International Space Station. Mission STS-116 carries a crew of seven, three of them Sailors, and is Discovery's 33rd mission. The shuttle and its crew will deliver another truss segment

Basketball: Air Force drops heartbreaker to Illinois-Chicago

Despite leading for most of the contest, the Air Force women's basketball team lost a 58-57 heartbreaker to Illinois-Chicago here today at the UIC Pavilion. The Falcons fall to 3-6 on the season, while the Flames improve to 4-5. The Flames took an early 4-3 lead, but a 10-0 run put the Falcons ahead

New combat turret design named for fallen Airman

Sometimes a tragedy inspires others to strive for excellence. That's what happened here for two Air Force units near Baghdad as they worked together to bring in some good for fellow Airmen.Airman 1st Class LeeBernard Emmanuel Chavis was killed while patrolling the streets of Baghdad Oct. 14 in the

Fairchild Airmen awarded medals for heroism

Whether it is a meth lab in Spokane, Wash., booby trapped with grenades, or an improvised explosive device in Baghdad, every day brings something new for an explosive ordnance disposal technician. Two of Fairchild's EOD technicians were awarded decorations for heroism in a ceremony Dec. 7 at the

Airmen, Soldiers revel in America's pastime in Iraq

If you visit the softball diamond on any weekend at Logistics Support Area Anaconda, Iraq, you're likely to see a co-recreational game with players on both sides swinging the bat, circling the bases and trading friendly barbs with one another.At first glance, the scene would appear no different than

New features available on myPay

Defense Finance and Accounting Service officials announced several improvements have been made to myPay providing customers continued ease for on-line transactions. A new feature has been added for military service members on the Savings Deposit Program that allows service members serving in

Wrestling: Falcons fall to Western State, 19-12

Despite capturing an early lead, the Air Force wrestling team was unable to hold on for the victory against host Western State Dec. 8, falling 19-12. The Falcons, in their first dual meet of the year, open at 0-1, while the Mountaineers, ranked sixth in the Division II ranks, improve to 4-1. Junior

Hockey: UConn comes from behind for 7-5 win over Air Force

Connecticut scored five third-period goals, including three on the power play, for a 7-5 come-from behind win over Air Force in an Atlantic Hockey Association game Dec. 8 here at the Freitas Ice Forum. Air Force falls to 9-8-3 overall and 6-3-3 in the AHA. UConn improves to 5-11-0 and 5-8-0 in the

Four more F-16s to be delivered to Poland

Four more F-16s are scheduled to arrive in Poland Dec. 14 as part of a second wave of a 48-aircraft delivery and a $3.8 billion program executed by Aeronautical Systems Center and the Air Force Security Assistance Center here.The F-16 deliveries are part of the Poland Peace Sky Program, a Foreign

Basketball: Air Force loses to Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Unable to overcome a sluggish opening half, the Air Force women's basketball team fell to Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 65-53, Thursday evening, here at the Klotsche Center. The Falcons fall to 3-5 on the season, while the Panthers move to 4-6. UWM began the game on a 7-0 run to get off to a solid start,

AFPC commander newest Prep School exemplar

Maj. Gen. Tony Przybyslawski, Air Force Personnel Center commander, was recently selected by the Air Force Academy Preparatory School Class of 2007 as their exemplar. An exemplar is a graduate of the Prep School who has gone on to extraordinary accomplishments during their military career. General

Dover to be active hub for C-5 isochronal inspections

Air Mobility Command officials announced Dec. 8 Dover Air Force Base, Del., as one of three sites selected for future C-5 Galaxy cargo aircraft isochronal inspections.According to AMC officials, Dover AFB was selected as the active-duty C-5 ISO site because of facilities, maintenance support, base

F-15 demo team transitions to F-22 demo team

The F-15 Eagle East Coast Demonstration Team, one of seven single-ship demonstration teams assigned to Air Combat Command, concluded 27 years of performance history Dec. 1. After averaging more than 30 air shows a year for about 4 million people in the four corners of the United States and

Remembering the Pearl Harbor attack

Spectrum Summit focuses on warfighters' communication needs

Servicemembers on patrols and convoy missions in Iraq and Afghanistan sometimes have to choose between having access to radios to call in close-air support if they need it or to call for jammers to disable improvised explosive devices they encounter along the route. That is a decision troops

Airmen play role in homeland defense exercise

A simulated catastrophe hit Davis-Monthan AFB Dec. 4 and tested base Airmen's ability to deal with a major accident with nuclear implications here. Exercise Vigilant Shield 07, a national-level scenario which kicked off at Davis-Monthan AFB, connects the departments of Defense, Homeland Security,

CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 8

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Dec. 8. In Afghanistan Dec. 7, U.S. Navy F/A-18s provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Kandahar. The F/A-18s expended guided bomb

Farewell Hercules

Special retreat held for fallen Airman

A special retreat ceremony was held Dec. 6 for Capt. Kermit Evans the 27th Civil Engineer Squadron's Exposive Ordnance Disposal flight commander here. Captain Evans was killed Dec. 3 when the Marine CH-46 helicopter he was traveling in was forced to make an emergency water landing near the shore of

NATO team ensures safe sky during Riga Summit

While Airmen around U.S. Air Forces in Europe were gathering to celebrate Thanksgiving, duty called for more than 450 other Airmen in seven European countries to support the NATO Riga Summit in Latvia. Called Operation Peaceful Summit, the military effort enhanced ongoing Baltic Air Policing

General talks to next greatest generation

The four-star general looked into the crowd of eager-eyed cadets -- the next generation of Air Force leaders looked back at him. General Paul V. Hester, the Pacific Air Forces commander, visited Houston for the strategic outreach plan "Air Force Road Show" and took time to talk with the University

Manas checkpoint incident under investigation

The driver of a truck operated by a local fuel company Dec. 6 at approximately 3 p.m. local time was shot and killed by a 376th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron Airman.The driver had stopped at the checkpoint for a routine inspection of his vehicle. Then went into a security tent to wait for

Hockey: Falcons roar in 3rd, 4-2 victory over UConn

A big third period led Air Force to a 4-2 win over Connecticut in an Atlantic Hockey Association game here today at the Freitas Ice Forum. Goals by Josh Frider and Brian Reese and seven saves by Peter Foster paced the Falcons in the final 20 minutes. Air Force improves to 9-7-3 overall and 6-2-3 in

Airman acquitted in court-martial

Airman 1st Class Ricardo Villamil, 10th Mission Support Squadron, was found not guilty today on one count of violating Article 120 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (rape), and not guilty of violating Article 134 (willfully and wrongfully holding another individual against his or her will). A

Survivor remembers attack on Oahu

Retired Chief Master Sgt. Ralph Barnett returned to Hickam for the 65th Anniversary of the attack on Oahu and to show his family where he was on that fateful Sunday morning. At the time of the attack he was a 24 year old assistant armament chief Buck Sgt. with the 23rd Bombardment Squadron stationed

Aeromedical services graduate receives gift of family

A 59th Medical Wing member got an early holiday gift at graduation this week, his family. Airman 1st Class David Parker, an Aeromedical Services Apprentice Phase II student here at Wilford Hall Medical Center, was not expecting to see his mother, Cathie Parker, and brother, Jonathan Parker, at his

Remembering a day of infamy

Teams demonstrate patient care savvy in Exercise Capital Shield

A year of planning culminated in the orchestration of more than five aircraft, 13 organizations and numerous flight surgeons, nurses, technicians, administrators and air and ground crew who conducted collaborative patient care and transport during Exercise Capital Shield here Dec. 4-7. Under

General briefs Air Force mission to Houston group

Ken Scott and other members of the Houston Forum were briefed about the Air Force Mission by General Paul V. Hester, Pacific Air Forces commander, Dec. 7 here at a JW Marriott hotel auditorium. Mr. Scott owns a public relations and communications company in Houston and he knows how hard public

Air Force: Expeditious recognition for expeditionary Airmen

The Air Force deputy chief of staff for personnel told lawmakers Dec. 6 the service makes it a priority to recognize the contributions of its Airmen. "In war, our top priorities are to win and take care of our people," said Lt. Gen. Roger A. Brady, before the House Armed Services Committee military

Battle uniform available to deploying Airmen this spring

The Airman Battle Uniform is on track for distribution this spring to Airmen deploying as part of Air Expeditionary Forces 7 and 8. The new ABU is in production Dec. 7 and uniforms are being warehoused. The uniform will be ready for distribution to Airmen deploying as part of AEFs 7/8. Most Airmen

2006 suicide numbers not start of trend

The number of suicides among Airmen in fiscal 2006 rose about 14 percent above a ten year average for the service, but the increase is not likely the start of a trend, an Air Force official said. "The suicide rate for 2006 is most indicative of the random variations year-to-year of suicides," said

Air Force allergy doctors win FIT competition

A 59th Medical Wing allergy team won the 15th Annual American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Fellows-in-Training Bowl held Nov. 6 in Philadelphia. Allergy specialists Maj. (Dr.) Stephen Scranton and Capt. (Dr.) Chris Calabria, with the 759th Medical Operations Squadron at Wilford Hall

Honoring fallen comrade

Andersen community makes a wish come true

The overcast, rainy afternoon did not dampen the spirits of Andersen Airmen and civilians as they rallied together to make a little boy's wish come true Dec. 5. Andersen AFB officials teamed up to help the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Guam make one of Natsuki Takeda's wishes come true. Five-year-old

Gates to take office Dec. 18

Robert M. Gates will take over as defense secretary Dec. 18, and the department will wish current Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld farewell at a Pentagon ceremony Dec. 15, a Defense Department spokesman announced today. Mr. Gates and Secretary Rumsfeld have met a couple of times to handle

Incirlik welcomes Air Force secretary

Incirlik AB members welcomed the secretary of the Air Force and his wife at approximately noon local time Dec. 7 as the service's leader met with base officials and witnessed the unique missions and capabilities conducted daily in support of full-spectrum operations. Secretary of the Air Force

Airlift wing carries legacy into the future

While much Air Force history can be found in volumes of books at the local library, its living heritage is not so easy to find. Or so most people think. In reality, Air Force heritage and history is easy to find in its Airmen and the units in which they serve. The 15th Airlift Wing at Hickam Air

Safety committee promotes holiday hazard awareness

Increased alcohol consumption and dangerous road conditions are two of many holiday hazards a Defense Department safety committee is working to remind servicemembers about this season. The Defense Safety Oversight Council is using a series of holiday messages from top DOD and service safety center

CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 7

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Dec. 7. In Afghanistan Dec. 6, Navy F/A-18 Hornets and Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near

4 Airmen vie for GEICO awards

Four Airmen have been chosen to represent the Air Force to compete for the 2006 Government Employee Insurance Company Military Service Awards. Their records will compete against those of other members of the armed forces in four categories. Master Sgt. Shawn Ricchuito of Robins AFB, Ga., will

Japanese surprise attack on Hawaii

At 7:55 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, 1941, an Imperial Japanese Naval Task Force under the command of Admiral Chuichi Nagumo, launched the biggest surprise attack in history. Japanese aircraft struck military installations on Oahu and in less then two hours inflicted the worst destruction the Army Air

Former Airman returns to Hickam

Retired Chief Master Sgt. Ralph Barnett returned here for the 65th Anniversary of the attack on Oahu and to show his family where he was on that fateful Sunday morning. At the time of the attack he was a 24-year-old sergeant assigned as assistant armament chief with the 23rd Bombardment Squadron

Dec. 7 marks 65th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor

Sixty-five years ago the Japanese raid on Pearl Harbor killed more than 2,400 Americans. The surprise raid, which took place on the morning of Dec. 7, 1941, led America into what would become the deadliest conflict in human history. Before the Pearl Harbor attack, World War II was being fought in

Senate Armed Services Committee Approves Gates

The Senate Armed Services Committee unanimously recommended Robert M. Gates to be the next U.S. defense secretary. Virginia Sen. John Warner, committee chairman, expressed confidence in Gates' ability to do the job. "He's going to be a very strong adviser to the president of the United States and to

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

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

Historian revisits Dec. 7, 1941

On Sunday morning Dec. 7, 1941, the largest airborne attack force ever assembled by the Imperial Japanese Navy struck Oahu's military installations and in the attack's aftermath crippled the U.S .military in the Pacific and plunged the United States into World War II.Six Japanese carriers

Luke community rallies to support downed pilot's family

A Luke AFB pilot killed in action Nov. 27 in Iraq was remembered by Air Force leaders and friends as a warrior-patriot who made a difference in everything he did in a ceremony Dec. 6 here. Maj. Troy L. Gilbert's F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed while flying a combat mission in support of ground forces

Officials weigh need for Africa Command

Defense Department officials continue to examine the idea of establishing a U.S. Africa Command, a top DOD official said here this week. A team of DOD officials is looking at all options in examining the need for a new combatant command, said Theresa Whelan the deputy assistant secretary of defense

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

Football: Hennings inducted into college hall of fame

A former U.S. Air Force Academy football player was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame Dec. 5 in New York City. Chad Hennings, a 1988 academy graduate, was inducted into the 2006 College Football Hall of Fame Division I-A Class at the 49th Annual Awards Dinner. A unanimous first-team

Air War College receives joint Phase II certification

Air War College, the Air Force's senior service school, located at Air University here, received Joint Staff J-7's recommendation for Joint Professional Military Education Phase II certification at the culmination of a visit by a certification assessment team in late November. The recommendation

Caring for Airmen and their families

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

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

3 Air Force installations nominated for excellence

Air Force officials announced the three Air Force installations that have been named as finalists in the Commander-In-Chief's Annual Award for Installation Excellence Dec. 6. The bases nominated are Columbus AFB, Miss., Hurlburt Field, Fla., and Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho.The bases were

Warfighters sharpen skills during Vigilant Shield

Warfighters assigned to Air Forces Northern and Continental U.S. NORAD Region are honing the skills needed to respond to such threats during Vigilant Shield 07 which began Dec. 4 and runs through Dec. 14 here. The annual homeland defense Vigilant Shield exercise, sponsored by the North American

1st Air Force female pilot in combat reflects on career

As she attends Air War College here, the first female pilot in the Department of Defense to fly in combat reflected on some of her career experiences so far. An A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot, Lt. Col. Martha McSally is also the first female in the Air Force to serve as the commander of any combat

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

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

CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 6

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Dec. 6.In Afghanistan Dec. 5, an Air Force MQ-1 Predator conducted a strike against Taliban extremists near Kandahar. The aircraft expended a Hellfire missile on the enemy target. An Air Force B-1B Lancer, Air Force

Cadets earn all-conference football honors

Seven U.S. Air Force Academy football players were chosen for all-conference honors Dec. 5 by Mountain West Conference officials.Leading the way was Air Force junior linebacker Drew Fowler who was named first-team all-Mountain West Conference. Senior offensive lineman Robert Kraay and junior

Sailing the skies

IMAs, units to share Reserve personnel reductions

Faced with eliminating 7,700 personnel authorizations, Air Force Reserve Command officials have decided to divide those cuts between individual mobilization augmentees and unit reservists. "To do our part in the Air Force's recapitalization and modernization efforts, as well as participate in

Air Force launches new television program

A long-format, weekly news show titled "Today's Air Force" is now available. The new program, which first aired Oct. 30, was introduced to help tell Air Force stories in a more in-depth manner. "We have daily news programs, but they don't provide enough time to get deep into a subject and provide

TCU grounds Air Force in season finale

Texas Christian University played keep away from the Air Force for the better part of the first half Dec. 2 on its way to a 24-0 intermission lead, then tacked on two more scores after the break thanks to Falcon turnovers, en route to a 38-14 Mountain West Conference rout before 30,767 fans at the