Wilford Hall team helps save baby girl

Upon request from a Texas senator, the United States Air Force was tasked to transport a 2-month-old Galveston baby girl to Santa Rosa Children's Hospital in San Antonio. The baby has been hooked to an Extra-Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation machine at a local hospital there for 19 days and has a

AWACS crews watch over president

Members of the 552nd Air Control Wing were in Argentina through Nov. 7th to provide airborne surveillance for the Summit of the Americas attended by President George W. Bush. Thirty-three North and South American leaders convened at the summit to discuss solutions to common political, economic and

Veterans honored

WASHINGTON D.C. -- Military veterans from all branches of service gathered today at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery for a wreath laying ceremony, then moved to the ampitheater for a commemoration in honor of Veteran's Day. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jim

Commando Sling

Travis hosts Veteran's Powwow

About 2,000 people, including representatives from 20 Native American nations, took part in the fourth annual Veterans Powwow here. The event, held Nov. 5 and 6, was hosted by the Travis Native American Heritage Council and was the first two-day powwow celebration. “We had folks from Oregon, Nevada

Kadena Airmen teach English to Japanese Airmen

In a combat environment communication between allies is important. That’s why more than 25 Kadena Airmen practiced English communication with Japan Air Self Defense Force Airmen preparing to deploy to Southwest Asia recently. Kadena Airmen -- from senior airmen to major -- paired up with their

Counseling helps Airmen decide on Air Force

Average income for a civilian eight years after high school graduation –– $42,000. Total compensation for a staff sergeant with eight years time in service and no dependants –– $52,244. Attending the right decision and career decision briefings –– priceless. Making the right decision in which way to

JCS chairman sends Veterans' Day message

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Marine Gen. Peter Pace has sent the following  Veterans' Day message:"This Veterans’ Day we honor those men and women who have defended our nation in the armed forces. Today is an opportunity for Americans to recognize the tremendous accomplishments and proud

USO initiative keeps troops connected

The United Service Organizations is launching a pilot partnership program with the Family Literacy Foundation to help keep deployed military parents and their children connected. The program allows troops to send video tapes of them read aloud from children’s books. The mission of United Through

Schoolhouse trains tanker instructor pilots to be weapons officers

Some Airmen here are helping produce experts in Air Force tanker operations. Members of the 509th Weapons Squadron do that by conducting the KC-135 Weapons Instructor Course and running the tanker intelligence formal training unit here. The squadron is one of three that make up the U.S. Air Mobility

Bringing troops home safely

The sun had just set as the aircraft preflight checks ended. The tower reported: “cleared for take off.” The four engines of the vintage 1962 C-130E Hercules roared as the transport plane rumbled down the runway on its way to Iraq to deliver and pick up passengers and cargo. Aboard, loadmaster Tech.

Cadets designing, building unmanned aerial vehicles

At the Sensor-based Intelligent Robotics Laboratory in the department of electrical and computer engineering here, cadets and faculty are designing and building more sophisticated autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles. These UAVs will able to communicate with each other and search, track and destroy

American, Indian Airmen ‘mix it up’

For the first time, U.S. pilots faced the Indian Air Force’s most advanced, and newest, fighter -- the Su-30 MKI -- during an exercise Cope India 06 mission here. F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots Capt. Martin “Gabby” Mentch and 1st Lt. Robert “Pipes” Stimpson were the first to mix it up with the Su-30s

General Myers receives Presidential Medal of Freedom

President George Bush presented retired Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers the Presidential Medal of Freedom during a White House ceremony today. General Myers, who stepped down as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Sept. 30, was one of 14 Americans honored with the nation's highest civilian award.

Children honor sacrifice in Veterans Day walk

Their strides might not have been as long as the adults in the crowd, but each step they took meant just as much. Decked out in patriotic red, white and blue, children from Oak Hill Elementary School beamed with pride as they marched in their annual All Veteran’s Memorial Walk here last week. The

Brooks lab helping detect avian flu

An epidemiology laboratory here is working to develop more effective and timely methods for detecting the deadly avian flu virus. The Air Force Institute for Operational Health's epidemiology division is doing the research. The effort will support a worldwide Air Force surveillance program designed

CENTAF releases airpower summary report

Officials at U.S. Central Command Air Forces released today's airpower summary report.Coalition aircraft flew 58 close air support and armed reconnaissance sorties Nov. 9 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction

Watered down

Exercise tests aircrews in virtual reality by linking simulators nationwide

The first nationwide virtual reality exercise, Virtual Flag 06, used networked simulators to create a realistic and cheap simulated battlespace to test aircrews and space and ground operators. The exercise, led by the Distributed Mission Operations Center here, ended Nov. 4. The networked simulators

Treating the wounded

Engineers at work

Raceway rumble

Centers helps combat vets to cope

Combat veterans dealing with readjustment issues as they return home have a place to turn, thanks to a Department of Veterans Affairs initiative. The Vet Center program provides returning veterans with someone to talk to who can relate to their experiences. To date, readjustment counseling service

Maintainers keeping F-16s soaring over India

Cleaned, inspected and fully maintained, 12 neatly aligned F-16 Fighting Falcons stand poised for their daily battle. Beside them, their adversary -- an assortment of Indian Air Force MiGs, Mirages and Su-30s -- are also ready for the day’s dissimilar air combat training. The jets are all taking

Pilots, air battle managers can get cash to stay in

The fiscal 2006 Aviator Continuation Pay program will offer about 750 pilots and air battle managers a monetary incentive to continue their service. A five-year, fixed-length agreement is available to eligible pilots and air battle managers who apply. The agreement values in annual pretax amounts

DOD to begin BRAC closures, realignments

The Base Realignment and Closure Commission's recommendations for reshaping the Defense Department's infrastructure and force structure took effect at 12:01 a.m. today.Congress allowed the commission recommendations to pass into law at the mandated Nov. 8 deadline. The nine-member BRAC panel

Soto brothers endure Balad together

Deployments often mean working long hours thousands of miles away from family and friends. But for two Airmen here, that is not the case. The Soto brothers are both deployed to the 332nd Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron. Tech. Sgt. Orlando Soto and Senior Airman Saul Soto deployed from the

McConnell testing new Air Force personnel initiative

The Air Force is testing a new organizational structure at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., designed to improve convenience and timeliness for customers worldwide.The Personnel Services Delivery, or PSD, Transformation initiative allows Airmen to complete transactions online or through contact

Civilian personnel system allows employees control over advancement

The National Security Personnel System, which will go on line soon, will provide a more performance- and market-based system of hiring, pay and evaluation. With NSPS, Department of Defense civilians can influence the amount of money they will receive by their performance, their value to the

Bagram Airmen spread cheer, share smiles

Airmen fighting the global war on terrorism from nearby Bagram Air Base took time to spread cheer and share smiles with the people of a village here. As part of an adopt-a-village visit Nov. 3, Airmen distributed more than 1,200 pounds of winter clothes, blankets, school supplies and toys, said

Rescue squad puts training to test

The blades of the Army UH-60 Black Hawk medevac helicopter beat the air as four firefighters rushed to it with 200 pounds of specialized extrication gear. The 407th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron Airmen knew this time it wasn’t a drill. Two trucks were in a near head-on collision 10 minutes

National Veterans Awareness Week continues

A Senate resolution designates Nov. 6 to 12 as National Veterans Awareness Week. The week focuses on programs to make students in elementary and secondary schools aware of the contributions of veterans and their importance in preserving American peace and prosperity, said Delaware Sen. Joseph Biden,

CENTAF releases airpower summary

Officials at U.S. Central Command Air Forces released today’s airpower summary. Coalition aircraft flew 58 close air support and armed reconnaissance sorties Nov. 8 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities,

Changes on horizon for PME

The Air Force professional military education process has developed grade-related education and education opportunities that support specific jobs for officers. "On the enlisted side, the Air Force has long had a continuity of PME programs that are associated with rank advancement, but you also have

Simulated scorcher

VA program promotes employment among new vets

The Department of Veterans Affairs is promoting job opportunities for those leaving military service with a new program. R. James Nicholson, the VA secretary, spoke to the American Forces Press Service and the Pentagon Channel in anticipation of National Veterans Awareness Week, which began Nov. 6

Development division helping equip security forces

The 820th Security Forces Group here reorganized itself and now includes a division dedicated to testing and evaluating new equipment for Airmen deploying to Iraq. The new combat development division -- created in mid-October -- aims to supply the group with more effective gear, while also saving

Back home

Making their mark

Communications keep Cope India Airmen connected

Setting up complete operational communication support for 250 deployed Airmen in a foreign country doesn’t just happen overnight. But the 35th Communications Squadron’s 10-person theater deployable communication package did that in 48 hours. The unit from Misawa Air Base, Japan, is here to support

Newest vets get VA medical care priority

Some 120,000 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans receiving Department of Veterans Affairs medical care are getting top priority at some of the world's best-quality medical treatment, the secretary of Veterans Affairs said. R. James Nicholson spoke to the American Forces Press Service and the Pentagon

Health program will help returning troops

Servicemembers returning from deployments will now participate in a post-deployment health reassessment program that all the services are instituting. Defense Department officials said the new program will assess the health -- both physical and mental -- of servicemembers from 90 to 120 days after

76 recruits ‘sign up’ at 49ers game

Seventy-six delayed entry program recruits swore into the Air Force before a crowd of 70,000 at a San Francisco 49ers game here Nov. 6. The recruits -- some traveled 100 miles to the Monster Park football field -- enlisted through the 364th Recruiting Squadron out of Sacramento, Calif. The annual

Special ops reservist helping rebuild Iraqi air force

During a deployment to Iraq, Brig. Gen. Frank Padilla led a team of Air Force and coalition partner experts to plan for and help to rebuild a more robust and effective Iraqi air force. The group’s mission is to help the Iraqis establish the very best air force possible with the resources they have

Air Force facing higher energy bill

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita were summer events, but their impact will probably be felt this winter. And that impact will not just be on the Gulf Coast, but across the nation and on military installations as facility energy prices continue to increase, Air Force officials said. The storms caused

Defense directive sets detainee interrogation policy

The Defense Department has a new policy on detainee interrogations.Officials began writing the directive in December 2004. Acting Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England signed the directive Nov. 3. It is the first formal defense directive on this policy. DOD Directive 3115. 09 -- DOD Intelligence

CENTAF releases airpower summary

Officials at U.S. Central Command released today’s airpower summary. Coalition aircraft flew 53 close air support and armed reconnaissance sorties Nov. 7 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. The missions included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and

Conference prepares people for today’s, future cyber crimes

The Defense Cyber Crime Center and Joint Task Force – Global Network Operations will host a cyber crime conference here in January. The conference -- Attacking Cyber Crime -- the Evolving Professions -- will cover all aspects of computer crime. That includes intrusion investigations, cyber crime

Pandemic flu Web site online

The Defense Department went “live” today with a Web site to help meet the objectives outlined in President George Bush's national strategy for pandemic influenza. The address is: deploymentlink.osd.mil The site offers information about pandemic flu and avian flu. It has a section of frequently asked

Eagles, Raptors team to deter ‘attack’

Every day, F-15 Eagle instructor pilots here teach dozens of student pilots how to fight and win in combat. But the instructors rarely get a chance to showcase their own warfighting skills. Fortunately, some 1st Fighter Squadron instructors got a chance to test their skills against the toughest and

U.S., Indian Airmen take next step in growing relationship

The U.S. and Indian air forces opened the next chapter in their growing relationship when exercise Cope India 2006 began here Nov. 7.About 250 Airmen from Pacific Air Forces join several hundred of their Indian counterparts for the two-week, dissimilar air combat training exercise in which simulated

Officers chosen for education, cross-flow duties

More than 210 officers from 18 career fields were selected to attend developmental education or for cross-flow assignments beginning in summer 2006. The development team special program selection and Air Force Institute of Technology boards considered officers from various fields. They included

Army edges Air Force, 27-24

They did what Soldiers do best, take ground and hold it. Thanks to three long scoring marches totaling 210 yards -- and chewing up 18:05 off the clock -- Army held on for a 27-24 victory over Air Force Nov. 5. There were a season-high 44,782 fans at Falcon Stadium. The win snapped the Black Knights’

C-130J Hercules undergoes new test

As part of the second phase of the C-130J Hercules qualification test and evaluation, the aircraft will fly airdrop and formation-drop operations later this month. The aircraft from here will take part in an exercise at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, La., from Nov. 13 to 17. The

Airmen start deployment training early

Members of air expeditionary forces nine and 10 here began preparing for their deployment by learning essential combat skills. The 88th Air Base Wing readiness section started the expeditionary combat skills training course last month to cover the 19 hours of training troops need before deploying.

Fit to fight

Specialized training

Top performers

Raptor post-flight

Needed maintenance

Job fair highlights veterans' skills and commitment

Employers anxious to tap into the skills and discipline military service instills in its members converged at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center here during the first Salute Our Heroes Veterans Job Fair and Career Expo. There were also thousands of job-seeking veterans at the Nov. 3 event.The

Schriever's rabbi teaching Hebrew class

The 50th Space Wing chaplain’s office held the first “Beginning Hebrew” class for people interested in learning the basics of the language. From the first base bulletin advertising the four one-hour sessions, the response has been nothing but positive, base officials said. “When we first advertised

CENTAF releases today's airpower summary

Officials at U.S. Central Air Force have released today's airpower summary. Coalition aircraft flew 50 close air support and armed reconnaissance sorties Nov. 6 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities, and

AETC closes global address lists Nov. 19 to 20

All Air Education and Training Command Microsoft Exchange e-mail users will find something missing from their global address lists Nov. 19 to 20. E-mail services will be available all weekend. But as part of a planned upgrade to the system, command e-mail users will not be able to view any

Air Force selects 589 new chief master sergeants

The Air Force selected 589 senior master sergeants for promotion to chief master sergeant. The Air Force will release the promotion list Nov. 9. The complete list of selectees will be available by 5 p.m. CST that day at http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/eprom/. A total of 2,580 senior master sergeants

Wynne: Air Force needs more joint role

Air Force Secretary Michael W. Wynne said as the Air Force evolves to a new global war on terrorism era he wants it to participate in more joint operations. The Air Force is operating “as a joint service, right now -- today," the secretary said. But he said the service needs to foster a more joint

New Huey

French finish coalition flying mission

After three months of flying support and combat sorties, the French air force successfully fulfilled its mission here today. The French air force flew Operation Enduring Freedom began close air support, armed reconnaissance and convoy-escort missions in support of the parliamentary elections in

Operation Ruthless Raven: OSI cracks down on drug smugglers

The Air Force Office of Special Investigations is heading up Operation Ruthless Raven, a joint task force to combat drug smuggling. Ruthless Raven Task Force goals are to identify vulnerabilities in the Air Force transportation and mail systems and to leverage internal and external capabilities to

Skeet shooters bring home victory for Air Force

The Air Force Skeet Team presented a plaque to the director of the AIr Force SErvices Agency in a ceremony at the Pentagon here Nov. 2, capping a season that blasted Navy, Marines and Army teams in competition. Maj. Vernon Lucas, who represented the skeet team and works at the Pentagon, expressed

CFC opened new frontiers for NASA scientist

Terry Morris was about 4 years old when his parents pushed him out the front door into the snow-covered streets of Chicago. They didn't want him to come back. In that world, the Windy City's newest homeless child found towering drifts, more ash gray than white and more ice than snow, instead of the

C-130s drop humanitarian aid into Pakistan

Two C-130 Hercules aircrews left here Oct. 29 and airdropped an estimated 50,000 pounds of humanitarian supplies to victims of the Oct. 8 earthquake in Pakistan. Fourteen containers filled with food, water, shelter and supplies descended by parachute to people below. “As far as the C-130 goes, you

SOC shutdown marks end of era at Blue Cube

With each flip of a switch, the room grew eerily quieter as the end of an era drew closer. The equipment room of the Satellite Operations Center-52 inside the Blue Cube here ceased operations recently, after 36 years of around-the-clock support to the space community. Members of 21st Space

Second Air Force CV-22 arrives at Edwards

The Air Force’s second CV-22 Osprey arrived here Oct. 27.  -- two months earlier than the contract’s due date. The first Air Force CV-22 was delivered for electromagnetic testing to Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., Sept. 16 and will arrive at Edwards in December. The third CV-22 will be

23rd EFS protects Baltic skies

Providing security over the Baltic countries of Eastern Europe is no easy task.But the 23rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron is constantly training, even while deployed, to effectively address any airborne threats to the area. The 23rd EFS is provides 24-hour air policing coverage over Lithuania,

Vehicle revs up to shatter land speed record

It looks like a plane, sounds like a plane and even goes as fast as a plane, but it never leaves the ground. What is it? It's the North American Eagle, a land vehicle attempting to bring the world land speed record back to the United States. In preparation for this feat, the NAE team tested their

Summit helps young children, families cope

A Defense Department summit today addressed how trauma and stress impact children's well-being and what interventions work to support their healthy development and family competence. The summit, titled "When Duty Calls -- Supporting Military Families Through Challenging Times" -- ends Nov. 5. More

Commissary, Fisher House offer scholarships

The Defense Commissary Agency and the Fisher House Foundation have teamed up again to offer educational scholarships to children of military families and retirees. The Scholarships for Military Children Program is marking its sixth year, DeCA spokesman Kevin Robinson said, with the goal to provide

CENTAF airpower summary for Nov. 4

U.S. Central Air Force's airpower summary for today is: Coalition aircraft flew 35 close-air support and armed reconnaissance sorties Nov. 3 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter

Pentagon Channel Adds Podcasting to Product Line

The Pentagon Channel will add podcasting as a means of distributing the channel's military news and information targeted to servicemembers beginning Nov. 7."We are excited about leveraging technology that allows for more programming choices for our men and women in uniform," said Allison Barber,

DoD extends deadline for increased SGLI coverage for Katrina victims

The Department of Defense announced today the deadline for reducing or declining increased Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance coverage has been extended for servicemembers affected by Hurricane Katrina. Maximum SGLI coverage increased to $400,000 on Sept. 1. On that date, members eligible for SGLI

Guam unit continues providing Global Strike capabilities

Four B-1B Lancers from the 37th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron here participated in Exercise Koa Lightning last week -- continuing their mission of providing Global Strike capabilities for Pacific Air Forces and Pacific Command. During the exercise held in Hawaii, the B-1s dropped inert weapons and

Shaw volunteers help build community for 54 local families

Three times a week, volunteers here help build Habitat for Humanity housing for families in need. For some, building new homes has become a way of life.Master Sgt. Christopher Krohn, one of the lead volunteers from Shaw, is working on his 16th Habitat for Humanity house. Volunteers started their

Elections, security will determine size of force in Iraq

Iraqi security forces are now shouldering more security burdens, said Marine Lt. Gen. James T. Conway, director of operations for the Joint Staff. "Iraqi security forces continue to grow in capability and confidence," he said. The Iraqi army and police have more than 210,000 members trained and

SECAF: Integrity first

The newly confirmed Secretary of the Air Force has set a strong emphasis on both individual and organizational responsibility and accountability -- one of his goals for his tenure. "We have to … continuously emphasize the integrity of purpose and integrity of the individual," Secretary Michael W.

Sign of success

Academy cadets get lunch-time treat, witness history

The new secretary of the Air Force was sworn in at the academy’s Mitchell Hall cadet dining facility today during the cadet noon meal. Michael W. Wynne was sworn in by acting Secretary of the Air Force Pete Geren. Secretary Wynne said he accepted the mantel with great pride and added he could not

Weaver selected to play in Hula Bowl

Academy senior offensive lineman Ross Weaver has been selected to play in the Hula Bowl all-star football game. The game is Jan. 21, 2006, at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu. Weaver is the 33rd Falcon to be selected for the Hula Bowl since 1964. He is the seventh offensive lineman and the first since Ben

Center redesign promises to improve production

Continuous process improvement is alive and well at the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center. For proof, look no further than the 76th Maintenance Wing's new F100 Business Unit being stood up as part of a landmark $500 million, 10-year process of transforming maintenance, repair and overhaul, or MRO,

Cutting edge micro-satellite achieves milestones

A 220-pound micro-satellite developed by the Air Force Research Laboratory's Space Vehicles Directorate here recently accomplished significant mission milestones when it rendezvoused with the upper stage of a Minotaur I launch vehicle at distances between 1.5 kilometers and 500 meters. The Air Force

Base fire department responds to unauthorized landing

Firefighters here responded to an unauthorized landing that took place Oct. 25 near the fire department’s truck maintenance area. The flyer was taken into custody, and when he responded to interrogators’ questions with unintelligible clicks and whistles, he was placed in a cage and given nothing but

7th Fighter Squadron vet receives medals

Sixty years after serving in the Army Air Corps, a 7th Fighter Squadron pilot received a Distinguished Flying Cross and an Air Medal. First Lieutenant James Costley, a P-38 pilot in World Word II, received the last of his military decorations in front of three generations of his family, friends and

Wynne sworn in as 21st secretary

Michael W. Wynne was sworn in today in front of 4,200 U.S. Air Force Academy cadets, during their noontime meal, as the 21st secretary of the Air Force. In this role, he is responsible for the affairs of the Department of the Air Force, including organizing, training, equipping and providing for the

Military postal agency offers advice for holiday mail

"Pack it well" and "mail it early" are two tips a military postal official offered today for holiday mail being sent to servicemembers overseas. The Defense Department announced recommended holiday mail dates Oct. 31. The first deadline occurs Nov. 12 for parcel post items headed overseas to APO and

Afghanistan’s busiest runway undergoes repairs as mission continues

Age, weather and more than 3,000 operations every week take their toll on the busiest runway in Afghanistan. Without a continual effort to repair the runway here, the mission would virtually come to a halt. A nine-man spall-repair team from the 455th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron spends more

New SECAF sends 'Letter to Airmen'

The following is a "Letter to Airmen" from Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne:"It is an honor to serve as Secretary of the Air Force, and I look forward to working alongside you in keeping our Nation safe. Because of your dedication, skill, and sacrifice, the U.S. Air Force gives an

Save-A-Life tour is an eye-opener

Travis members experienced the dangers of driving under the influence this week when the Save-A-Life tour visited here. The tour uses a drunk-driving simulator that allows people to experience first-hand how alcohol impairs their driving skills. The machine has an instrument panel and three screens,

Brooks City-Base entomologists demonstrate pioneering techniques

They don't "kill bugs dead" as the advertising slogan suggests, but they're finding them a lot faster now before deadly microorganisms can cause havoc through disease outbreaks. Air Force medical entomologists here have developed an innovative capability that could have a profound impact in

CENTAF airpower summary for Nov. 3

U.S. Central Air Force's airpower summary for today is: Coalition aircraft flew 36 close-air support and armed reconnaissance sorties Nov. 2 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter

Air Force repeats as Armed Forces rugby champion

Air Force cruised past Navy 46-14 in the championship match of the 2005 Armed Forces Rugby Championship Oct. 21. The match was a repeat of the 2004 championship, in which Air Force defeated Navy 23-12. The competition was wide open after the first day of round-robin play Oct. 19. Air Force had been