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  • Concurrent receipt pay reality in Jan.

    Military retirees will begin receiving both retired pay and Veterans Affairs disability compensation as the disability offset is phased out.Previously, the offset reduced the amount of the military retiree’s pay by an amount equal to any disability payment received from the VA.Legislation

  • Pilot talks about Enola Gay mission

    “Airspeed and altitude” was the flight strategy that positioned the Enola Gay to deliver the first atomic bomb used as a weapon nearly 60 years ago, said the pilot who planned and flew the mission.Retired Brig. Gen. Paul W. Tibbets spent several days in the nation’s capital attending events leading

  • Pilot talks about Enola Gay mission

    “Airspeed and altitude” was the flight strategy that positioned the Enola Gay to deliver the first atomic bomb used as a weapon nearly 60 years ago, said the pilot who planned and flew the mission.Retired Brig. Gen. Paul W. Tibbets spent several days in the nation’s capital attending events leading

  • Airmen remember Linebacker II

    Thirty-three airmen stood in a somber formation here Dec.18 to mark the 31st anniversary of the Linebacker II missions that led to the end of the Vietnam War. Each airman, who represented a fallen airman, snapped to attention as a name was read from the list of those lost. Thirty-three airmen and

  • ‘First-strike rations’ developed

    "Ration stripping" is what they call it when forward-deployed combat servicemembers get rid of all but the most essential items from their Meals, Ready to Eat so they do not have so much to carry as they set out on a mission.Servicemembers in Operation Anaconda in Afghanistan reported sacrificing

  • Rumsfeld welcomes combat controllers

    Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld welcomed a new crop of Air Force combat controllers Dec. 18 during a visit to Pope Air Force Base, N.C.During his graduation remarks, Rumsfeld said the Combat Control School "produces some of the finest warriors in the Air Force and the armed services."In fact,

  • Applications available for teen aviation camp

    Thirty-six teens will have the opportunity to attend the fifth annual Air Force Teen Aviation Camp at the U.S. Air Force Academy. The camp will run June 5 to 11.High-school students who have completed their freshman or sophomore year and are interested in the academy and aviation camp should submit

  • Lackland civilian wins DOD award

    Department of Defense officials named the 2003 Outstanding DOD Employee with a Disability Award during a recent ceremony in Bethesda, Md.Raymond Jenks, an instructional systems specialist with the 37th Training Support Squadron at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, is the winner.“It really feels great

  • B-2 reaches full operational capability

    The B-2 Spirit reached full operational capability status, Lt. Gen. Bruce Carlson announced Dec. 17 during a ceremony here. The event was marked by the Spirit of Missouri's re-enactment of its first delivery here 10 years ago."The B-2 Spirit is combat-proven. It's now officially fully

  • AF names environmental winners

    The Air Force civil engineer announced the winners of the Gen. Thomas D. White Environmental Award for 2003.Nine of the winners are eligible for the secretary of defense environmental-security award and will go forward as the nominees.The 2003 winners are:-- Environmental Quality Award

  • SG prioritizes influenza vaccinations

    The Air Force is taking prudent steps to protect the health and safety of all its beneficiaries in light of the early onset of influenza.The nationwide increase of influenza cases and reports of severe complications, including deaths, has led to a higher demand for influenza vaccination than in

  • OSI investigation garners excellence award

    Detachment 102 of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations here has been awarded the President’s Council on Integrity and Efficiency Investigative Excellence Award. The detachment won the award for its work on the case of the United States vs. Arguin. Investigators worked with U.S. General

  • Bush: Wright qualities define nation

    Gray sky, chilly air and pouring rain did not dampen the sprit of an enthusiastic crowd here Dec. 17 as they awaited the arrival of the event’s most anticipated guest speaker.President George W. Bush was scheduled to address the crowd at the Wright Brothers National Memorial on Dec. 17, the last day

  • Crowds gather for re-enactment

    More than 34,200 people stood in mud, the cold and rain, and under gray sky to witness the climax of a yearlong celebration.The event was not even something original or new, but something that had been done before -- exactly 100 years before.The crowd gathered to watch a re-enactment of Orville and

  • Roche visits RAF Mildenhall troops

    The secretary of the Air Force visited here Dec. 11 and 12 to say “thanks” to the men and women for their hard work during the past year.During his two-day trip, Dr. James G. Roche toured aircraft and units, received mission briefings and, most importantly, met with the airmen he specifically came

  • Four earn 2003 Sijan award

    Four airmen are being recognized with the service's 2003 Lance P. Sijan Air Force Leadership Award. The Sijan award annually recognizes senior and junior officer and enlisted airmen who demonstrate outstanding leadership abilities while assigned to organizations at the wing level or below.The 2003

  • Stars tour Iraq for holidays

    Airmen and soldiers crowded the only hangar here Dec. 17 in hopes of capturing a glimpse of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and several entertainers who were traveling throughout Iraq.Gen. Richard Myers brought with him Academy Award winning actor and comedian Robin Williams, Olympic gold

  • Cadets get job assignments

    Senior Air Force Academy cadets got an early holiday present this month when they found out which Air Force jobs they will perform after graduation.Fifty-three percent of the senior class -- 530 of 988 -- are bound for undergraduate pilot training. Another 34 cadets will be navigators and seven

  • Airmen bring holiday cheer to remote village

    Every now and then, people see the true embodiment of the Christmas spirit -- gifts given with no associated commercialism, joy shared with no negative undercurrents and help offered with no expectation of return.The airmen and spouses of the 517th Airlift Squadron at Elmendorf Air Force Base,

  • C-17 debuts in exercise

    For the first time, the C-17 Globemaster III was included in a mission-employment exercise held here the first two weeks of December. The C-17 adds a greater air-mobility presence to the exercise, which allows combat air forces to get a better idea of how the airlifters are used, said Lt. Col. John

  • Tallil airmen donate clothes to Iraqis

    Airmen here have found a way to become involved with the local Iraqi community through a joint operation with the Army.As airmen leave the base after their tours of duty, many dispose of their civilian clothes. Officials here decided to collect the discarded clothes, clean them and give them to

  • AF identifies operational shortfalls

    Air Force officials released a list of operational shortfalls Dec. 17. The list came from a two-year analysis of current and future warfighting effects and capabilities, a process called a capabilities review and risk assessment.The assessment identified and prioritized critical operational

  • ‘Spirit of Freedom’ dedicated at AF museum

    U.S. Air Force Museum officials formally inducted a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber into the institution’s aircraft collection Dec. 16. The Air Force’s national museum is the first place to permanently exhibit the stealth bomber to the public.During the dedication ceremony, officials christened the

  • Air Force boxers qualify for Olympic trials

    Three Air Force boxers have qualified for the U.S. Olympic Boxing Trials during the 2003 Armed Forces Boxing Championship held at Camp Lejeune, N.C., from Dec. 7 to 12. -- Airman 1st Class Hector Ramos from Travis Air Force Base, Calif., won the 132-pound lightweight class. -- Airman James Johnson

  • Replacements sought for aging helicopters

    An aging fleet of combat search and rescue helicopters is leading Air Force officials on a quest for a new personnel recovery vehicle.The HH-60G Pave Hawks that comprise the CSAR helicopter fleet are 14 years old on average. The oldest are 23 years old and have surpassed the 7,000 flying-hour mark.

  • Readiness Challenge postponed

    Mission requirements have forced Air Force officials to again postpone Readiness Challenge VIII, the biennial multinational combat-support competition. No makeup date has been announced, but officials said they hope to resume competition in 2005. The competition was scheduled to return in 2004

  • KC-10 crew flies flag of hope

    A KC-10 Extender crew at a forward-deployed location carried a special message of hope and peace on their flight over Iraq on Dec. 9.As part of the project “Hands on America,” the crew displayed from their boom window an 86-by-76-inch American Flag hand-crafted by Iowa school students. In doing so,

  • Secretary discusses Air Guard’s future

    Bold innovation and seamless integration of active-duty and Air Reserve Component forces are vital to winning America’s future battles, the service’s top executive said.“The Air National Guard must remain ready, reliable and relevant … to meet the joint force’s needs in theater combat,” Secretary of

  • Regis, Kelly featuring troop holiday messages

    Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa, hosts of the morning talk show, "Live with Regis and Kelly," will feature televised holiday greetings from deployed U.S. servicemembers to their loved ones at home throughout Christmas week.Footage of troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Korea and Bosnia, all shot by

  • Hoaxes affect government cards

    A recent e-mail hoax targeted government purchasing cardholders in an attempt to gain vital account information.The e-mail message linked users to a Web-based form, which fraudulently requested key information such as Social Security number, credit card account numbers and expiration dates.“This is

  • Firefighter challenge to air on ESPN

    Air Force and Department of Defense firefighters will get airtime this weekend as ESPN2 broadcasts the 12th annual Firefighter Challenge at 2 p.m. EST on Dec. 21.Twelve military teams participated in the Firefighter Challenge competition, joining almost 200 other fire departments from the United

  • Civilians will see increase in pay

    While a civil service pay bill awaits congressional action, Air Force civilian employees should see an average 2-percent increase in their January paychecks.Air Force Personnel Center officials here said a 2-percent increase for general schedule employees will go into effect automatically and that

  • Air Force announces OTS selections

    Air Force officials are giving 84 enlisted airmen the chance to trade in their stripes for gold bars by choosing them to attend Officer Training School, officials announced Dec. 16. Air Force Recruiting Service officials considered 515 applications and selected 157 as part of Officer Training

  • Quarterly assignment listing available

    The Enlisted Quarterly Assignment Listing for people returning from overseas May through July will be available Jan. 13.Individuals should contact their military personnel flights to update their preferences by Jan. 30, said officials at the Air Force Personnel Center here. Airmen will be notified

  • Leaders reflect on 100 years of flight

    The following is a joint message from Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper:“It was the most significant 12 seconds of the last 100 years.“On Dec. 17, 1903, two bicycle builders from Ohio, Orville and Wilbur Wright, launched the world on a

  • Group explains re-employment rights

    Bobby Hollingsworth calls it “closing the loop.”He is the executive director of the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, commonly referred to as ESGR. He is referring to how that organization is taking its message to members of the National Guard and other reservists,

  • Iraqi translators react to news

    “No more nightmares,” said Mohammed Taha. “A lot more good will happen in Iraq after 35 years of nightmares.”Taha was just one of thousands of Iraqis who reacted with joy about the news that Saddam Hussein was captured Dec. 13 and is now in U.S. custody.What makes Taha unique is that he is one of a

  • Airman plays big role in B-2 legacy

    He is Whiteman 7. He is Spirit 36. He is “GQ.” He is the first Whiteman-trained B-2 Spirit instructor pilot. And now, he is the project officer for the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Spirit of Missouri’s arrival here Dec. 17.Col. Scott Land, 509th Operations Group deputy commander,

  • Airmen react to Hussein’s capture

    There was cautious enthusiasm here the afternoon of Dec. 14 when rumors began floating that Saddam Hussein, the ace of spades in the “55 Most Wanted” deck of cards, might have been captured.For most people, the sound of gunfire outside the perimeter gate was nothing out of the ordinary, as

  • Proceedings delayed for translator

    The military judge appointed to preside over the court-martial case involving an Air Force translator has delayed the proceedings. The initial session of Senior Airman Ahmad I. Al Halabi’s court-martial was scheduled for Dec. 15. It has been postponed until Jan. 13 to allow resolution of questions

  • National Guard celebrates birthday with run

    Members of the National Guard Bureau’s joint headquarters staff celebrated the National Guard’s 367th birthday a bit differently than in years past. Most of them ran, and some of them walked two miles. Army Guard Lt. Gen. H. Steven Blum, in his first year as the Guard Bureau’s chief, led the way.

  • Fuels airmen keep aircraft fighting

    Working out of a tiny corner of a dilapidated, Soviet-built aircraft hangar here, four airmen work around the clock to do their part in supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.They are the Air Force's petroleum, oil and lubricant specialists assigned to the 455th Expeditionary Operations Group.The POL

  • Huge wreath honors all servicemembers

    A Maine man is looking for photos of servicemembers from across the country who are engaged in homeland defense and the war against terrorism. He said he wants to attach the photos to a giant Christmas wreath that will be illuminated with 10,000 lights in Maine’s capital city every night through

  • Band’s ‘Born of a Dream’ plays to the troops

    Following performances in Washington and Los Angeles, the U.S. Air Force Band’s Broadway-class musical, “Born of a Dream,” will be broadcast to troops worldwide on American Forces Network’s Spectrum channel.The musical, which celebrates 100 years of powered flight, will air once on Dec. 16 and twice

  • Airmen rescue shrimp boat crew

    Airmen from the 920th Rescue Wing rescued two crewmembers of a sunken shrimping vessel Dec. 10.Wing officials sent two HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters at 4:15 p.m. to the scene, about 30 miles off the coast of Cape Canaveral, Fla.The crew had been sailing toward Bermuda when their boat apparently

  • Air Force celebrates Centennial of Flight

    The U.S. Air Force is bringing aviators, aircraft and adventure to the First Flight Centennial Celebration here through Dec. 17.The celebration commemorates the past century of flight and looks to the next generation of aviators to further the Wright brothers' dream."The Centennial of Flight is as

  • Most commissaries not closing

    To soothe anxiety among service members and their families about reports of the Defense Department closing commissaries, a top Department of Defense official emphasized that the department strongly supports commissaries as an important benefit of military service. "The future of the commissary

  • Airmen ongoing an ‘Amazing Race’

    Many organizations here have active group fitness programs. Some airmen head to the fitness center to play volleyball, while others go there and do timed push-ups and sit-ups.Each month, Space and Missile Systems Center Detachment 11 and Electronic Systems Center Detachment 5 airmen come together

  • Armed Forces reach million-moved milestone

    The U.S. military reached a major milestone recently. More than 1 million troops have been moved (deployments and redeployments) supporting operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.According to 2000 census data, this is like moving every man, woman and child in Montana more than 7,000

  • Airmen keep water flowing at Tallil

    When airmen here turn on a water faucet to brush their teeth or take a shower, they may not think about where the water comes from. But it takes six airmen working 12-hour shifts to keep the water flowing here around the clock.The pressure on them to keep water on tap is high because running

  • AF suicide prevention recognized

    A landmark University of Rochester study of suicide in the U.S. Air Force concluded that the service’s suicide-prevention program reduced the risk of suicide by 33 percent during the past six years. The research was reported in the Dec. 12 edition of the British Medical Journal. "This is a

  • United Arab Emirates honors Moseley

    The United Arab Emirates conferred the highest military order on Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley during a ceremony at the Dubai Air Show on Dec. 8.Lt. Gen. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the deputy crown prince of Abu Dhabi and chief of staff of the United Arab Emirates

  • Marines storm Eglin for exercise

    Marines stormed the beaches of the Eglin Gulf Test Range here Dec. 12 for a weeklong training exercise. The exercise involves ships, a submarine, aircraft and about 1,600 troops from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit of Expeditionary Strike Group Two.The Air Armament Center's 46th Test Wing airmen

  • Officials prohibit war trophies

    Servicemembers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan are prohibited from bringing back to the United States any items that were formerly in the possession of the enemy, officials said. With about 140,000 American servicemembers scheduled to rotate out of Iraq and Afghanistan, U.S. Central Command

  • FEGLI rates rise for some

    Some Air Force people covered by Federal Employees Group Life Insurance will see an increase in premiums in January.Civilian employees in the Option B 70 to 80 or older age bands are slated for the increase the first full pay period of the new year, said Janet Thomas of the Air Force Personnel

  • Airmen control northern Iraq flights

    With equipment older than many of its users, air traffic control services here present some unique challenges for the 32 people keeping Air Force and Army aircraft operating safely.Adapting to the challenges, airmen working in the 506th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron are responsible for

  • General addresses supply-chain problems

    When boxes of bubble wrap, filing cabinets and DVDs show up among "Triple Nine" cargo -- a number that designates the Air Force's highest priority shipment that usually is assigned to military units in places like Iraq -- it tells Gen. John W. Handy there is a problem with the military's supply

  • Smithsonian opens new facility

    One of the most popular museums of the Smithsonian Institution here celebrated its expansion with a day honoring military aviation veterans.Military aviators from conflicts as far back as World War II were invited to the "Salute to Military Aviation Veterans" Dec. 9, at the National Air and Space

  • Murray: Air Force faces challenges

    The service's top enlisted leader assured a group of more than 200 people here Dec. 8, that Air Force officials are working hard to overcome challenges in readiness and manning levels."Our family readiness is absolutely a direct component of our military readiness ... our ability to fight and win

  • Officials announce EELV contract award

    Air Force officials announced Dec. 10 a contract award to Lockheed Martin International Launch Services for the purchase of one Atlas V Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle. The vehicle will launch a National Reconnaissance Office payload from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., in 2006.This was a

  • Study determining C-5A's viability

    Experts here are evaluating the C-5 Galaxy's current health, service life and long-term viability as the first phase of an on-going study to decide the aircraft’s future.The four-phase C-5A Structural Risk Analysis and Model Revalidation study began here at the request of Air Mobility Command

  • Thunderbirds release 2004 schedule

    The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, known as the Thunderbirds, announced its 2004 air show schedule. The team is scheduled to perform more than 65 shows in 22 states, Canada and Asia.The 2004 schedule is:March27 and 28 -- Punta Gorda, Fla.April3 and 4 -- Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.17 and

  • Cadet named academic all-American

    An academy senior has been named to the 2003 Academic All-American Men’s Soccer Team, a first in the 48-year history of men’s soccer here.Cadet 1st Class Casey Chronister, of Yakima, Wash., is a forward and team co-captain on the soccer team, is a second-team selection and has a 3.85 grade point

  • Air Force names athletes of the year

    The Air Force announced its 2003 Athletes of the Year on Dec. 3 at the annual Athletic Business Conference in Orlando, Fla.This year’s Athletes of the Year are Capt. Kevin Eastler, from F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo.; and 1st Lt. Laura McDonald, from Randolph AFB, Texas.Eastler, the United States’

  • AFN broadcasts from Baghdad

    U.S. military broadcasters hit the airwaves in Baghdad, Iraq, on Dec. 10 with the first manned American Forces Radio and Television Service broadcast from the country.American Forces Network-Iraq, features live shows, news, sports, weather and commentary 24 hours a day in Baghdad. By the end of

  • Airmen resume refurbishing tankers

    As the saying goes, it's what's on the inside that counts. That is the case for a 45-plus-year-old KC-135 Stratotanker that has recently gone through an interior sprucing-up, by airmen of the 92nd Maintenance Squadron’s equipment excellence shop here."These improvements are critical to our

  • A Nighthawk in Raptor's clothing

    It took 10 gallons of dark gray paint, 5 1/2 gallons of light gray paint and 3 gallons of silicon paint to give one F-117A Nighthawk here an F/A-22 Raptor-style makeover.Lt. Col. Kevin Sullivan, the 53rd Test and Evaluation Group’s Detachment 1 commander, asked the 49th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron

  • Officials target military pay increases

    Military personnel will see their basic pay more in line with their civilian counterparts in the private sector in 2004 thanks to an increased pay and benefits compensation package. The package is included in the 2004 Defense Authorization Act approved by Congress.The 2004 military pay and benefits

  • Survivors will receive extra money

    Congress is making death and taxes a little bit less painful by giving extra money to families of deceased airmen.Families of almost 500 airmen who died on active duty since Sept. 10, 2001, are receiving an additional $6,000 beyond the death benefits they originally received. They will also be

  • Council saves major commands money

    Collective buying power helped Air Force Information Technology Commodity Council members save three major commands more than $4 million in computer purchases.Representatives from Air Combat Command, Air Education and Training Command and the United States Air Forces in Europe now collectively have

  • C-130J squadron created

    The Air Force reactivated the 48th Airlift Squadron here Dec. 5, to establish the first active-duty C-130J Hercules training squadron in the Air Force.The reactivation of the 48th AS, the third flying unit attached to the 314th Airlift Wing here, will train crews in the newest generation of C-130s.

  • AF releasing new fitness instruction

    One of the most noticeable changes to the Air Force’s new fitness program is that it will be defined by an operational rather than a medical instruction. The change shows that senior leaders consider fitness an important part of operational readiness, said Maj. Lisa Schmidt, the Air Force chief of

  • Airman convicted of sex crimes

    An airman here was convicted of carnal knowledge, sodomy and disobeying a lawful order. He received 30 months confinement, a bad conduct discharge, demotion to airman basic and forfeited all pay and allowances.Senior Airman Donny R. Stafford, of the 58th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, was convicted

  • Lightless holiday tree honors missing

    Peggy Marish-Boos had been assigned here to the Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office for two years when she finally asked, "Why don't we ever have a Christmas or holiday tree?""Somebody said the government doesn't provide funds for such frivolous things," said Marish-Boos, who then in 1998 was an

  • Jacket, pullover require nametags

    The Air Force has established both the mandatory wear date and proper wear for the new metallic nametag on service dress uniforms and pullover sweaters.Effective Jan. 1, the nametag must be worn on the wearer's right side of the service dress jacket with the bottom of the nametag level with the

  • Advisory board seeks reservists’ input

    When reservists on the Air Force Reserve Advisory Board meet at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas, Jan. 23 and 24, they can add another success story to their list of accomplishments.President George W. Bush signed the fiscal 2004 National Defense Authorization Act on Nov. 24,

  • Now showing: Dec. 8 edition of AFTV News

    The journey from wanting to be a pilot in the Air Force to becoming one is the subject of the latest edition of Air Force Television News. “The Making of a Pilot” is the first program in a series of four special productions to be aired during the holiday season.Produced by Staff Sgt. Marty Rush at

  • OSI team dedicated to safety, security

    From improving the quality of life to taking off and landing on the runway here, each and every unit assigned here has an important mission. The Air Force Office of Special Investigation Forward Operating Location 19 is no exception.The special agents here are dedicated to making the base a more

  • PFE changes with feedback

    Master sergeants and senior master sergeants studying for promotion in 2005 will have a combined study reference because of feedback to the Air Force Occupational Measurement Squadron here.The consolidation of the Promotion Fitness Examination Study Guide and Supervisory Examination Study Guide into

  • Officials urge flu virus protection

    With flu season here and deadly outbreaks of the virus being reported across the country, Department of Defense health-care officials are urging servicemembers, DOD civilians and family members to get vaccinated. Dr. David Tornberg, deputy assistant secretary of defense for clinical and program

  • Environmental symposium registration begins

    Registration began Dec. 1 for the 2004 Environmental Training Symposium scheduled for March 8 to 12 in Nashville, Tenn.The symposium is conducted by officials from Air Combat Command, Air Education and Training Command, Air Mobility Command and Air Force Space Command. More than 1,500 students from

  • IDEA recovers more than $2 million

    A discovery by an Air Force Research Laboratory employee here has led to the recovery by the Air Force of more than $2 million in hidden funds. Susan Hluska, a procurement analyst at AFRL's information directorate, has earned a $10,000 award from the Air Force Innovative Development through

  • Airmen help improve C-130 night missions

    Air Force survival equipment technicians are helping make Pacific Air Force nighttime airlift operations safer by replacing the interior insulation on C-130 Hercules aircraft during an ongoing refurbishment program here. During night training, C-130 aircrews use Night Vision Imaging System

  • Deployed airmen plead guilty to thefts

    Two airmen pleaded guilty and were sentenced recently to bad conduct discharges, reductions in rank and confinement for a series of thefts that occurred here during a two-week period in October.Airman 1st Class Victor Adams Jr. and Airman Jamie Smith pleaded guilty to multiple counts of larceny and

  • AFPC passwords reset online

    More than 500 people forget their passwords to the Air Force Personnel Center’s customer service Web applications every day. Many of them are unaware they can reset a password on their own online within seconds, officials said."Instead, hundreds of people call the technical assistance center

  • Officials release F-16 accident report

    Air Force investigators have determined trapped external fuel because of an aircraft malfunction and the pilot’s failure to properly monitor his fuel status were the causes of an F-16 Fighting Falcon crash in Iraq on June 12.The aircraft was assigned to the 421st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and

  • Crash victims honored

    A ceremony here Dec. 3 honored four airmen who were killed when their MH-53 Pave Low helicopter crashed in Afghanistan on Nov. 23.About 2,000 people attended the ceremony.An enormous American Flag displayed behind the stage set the tone for the patriotic ceremony that remembered the lives of the

  • Academy applications on the rise

    The number of applicants to the Air Force Academy so far this year is 301 students more than all of last year, the academy’s admissions department officials said.“As of Dec. 2, the total number of applicants to the academy is 11,081,” said Rollie Stoneman, admissions associate director. “By the end

  • CSAF signs Air Force Basic Doctrine

    The service’s core document outlining the enduring basics of air and space power has been revised and hard copies will be in the hands of every officer and top-three noncommissioned officer by spring 2004.Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper approved the latest revision to Air Force Doctrine

  • Air Force logistics moves into new century with ‘eLog21’

    With the creation of the Air Force Installations and Logistics Directorate of Innovation and Transformation, the Air Force is updating the way logistics processes work.“There are some things we are still doing that fit a Cold War scenario,” said Lt. Gen. Michael Zettler, Air Force deputy chief of

  • Paper CLEP tests coming online

    The College Level Examination Program, a popular route for many servicemembers seeking degrees, will introduce 14 new paper tests in April.Since July 2001, more than 1,300 campus test centers have offered electronic computer-based CLEP tests. The reintroduced paper-based exams are considered "high

  • Civilian makes sculptures from recyclables

    Turning discarded aluminum soda cans, fabric, cardboard, plastic, glass, newspaper and wood into environmental art is a labor of love for Helen Walker.“Environmental art sculptures are very effective because they tell a story,” said the quality assurance evaluator for the 89th Civil Engineer

  • December issue of Airman available

    Learn where the Air Force is heading with the future of flight, take a look at airmen supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom, and learn about a unique program creating elite canine airmen. These features and more highlight the December issue of Airman magazine, now available in print and online at

  • EOD ensures runway safety

    Remnants from the 1991 Gulf War still reside here, and the 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron’s explosive ordnance disposal team is ensuring those remnants are not able to put people in harm’s way.The EOD team is working to remove ordnance found in the vicinity of the runway that was

  • Simulator improves command post training

    A state-of-the-art simulator in the 334th Training Squadron here is giving command post apprentice course students vivid training, making them more mission-ready upon graduation.The new $500,000 simulator replaced a 20-year-old system that was losing its upgrade capability, said squadron

  • Putting the pieces together

    It is like putting together a puzzle; where does each piece fit? In the case of aircraft maintenance here, how can aircraft best fit on the ramp?"With limited space, it's almost like playing Tetris," said Maj. Stella Smith, Detachment 1 Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander. "With

  • Military establishing global network

    The U.S. military is working to establish a state-of-the-art global communications network designed to provide real-time information to warfighters.The network will gather massive amounts of information and provide users "the right information at the right time," said Ron Jost, Department of Defense

  • AF-Navy develop joint radio system

    The Air Force and Navy have agreed to merge their two formerly separate programs for the acquisition of improved radio systems.The result will be the development of the Joint Tactical Radio System, a single family of radios designed to replace incompatible units in use across the services.Senior

  • Families ‘guarded’ while loved ones deployed

    Saying goodbye is never easy, especially to children who may not understand why their parents must deploy to support their country.One of the many tools Minnesota Family Programs Office officials offer is the Guardian Bear, which is available for children ranging in age from birth to 16 years.The

  • Children define freedom in essays

    When posed the question of what freedom meant, a 10-year-old student's entry to an essay contest gave a thoughtful response. The reply was uncharacteristic of a mind that might ordinarily turn to skateboards, baseball and video games.Kevin Young from San Diego gave a response indicative of the