Airmen land at Omaha zoo for Air Force Week

Airmen and an F-16 Fighting Falcon descended on Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo to increase understanding of the Air Force throughout the community Aug. 12 in Omaha. The event was part of Air Force Week in the Heartland, a week-long schedule of events in the Omaha area aimed at showcasing the Air Force,

'Letter to Airmen' focuses on teamwork, discipline

In his current Letter to Airmen, the acting secretary of the Air Force designated the month of August for strategic planning and explains how the Air Force's top leaders will focus on a number of issues. "Along with General Schwartz and other senior leaders, I am reviewing a range of issues that

General Schwartz to Airmen: Be proud

On his first day after being sworn in as the Air Force chief of staff, Gen. Norton Schwartz wasted no time in getting his message out to Airmen. "The key thing we need to do is achieve stability," General Schwartz said. "At the same time, we need to focus on those things that are most important,

General Schwartz in as 19th chief of staff

The Air Force's 19th chief of staff spoke of mending fences and earning trust in his speech after taking charge of the service during a ceremony here Aug. 12. "Without trust, we are nothing," Gen. Norton A. Schwartz said to the crowd of about 600 people on the base's ceremonial lawn. "Trust must be

Airman advocates safer skies for civilian, military pilots

To make the skies safer for general aviation and U.S. military pilots, Air Force officials sent a safety expert here to the world's largest airshow, the Experimental Aircraft Association's Oshkosh Air Venture airshow, to educate pilots on midair collision avoidance and on the need for flight safety

Airmen feedback essential to additional duty study

Airmen may now take advantage of a free-form text questionnaire, readily identifying additional duties they believe are non-value added or need redesigning. The Air Force Manpower Agency here will use this feedback to assist in the Air Force's drive to reduce additional duty demands in order to free

Medical, temporary retirees now eligible for CRSC payments

Former Airmen receiving military retired pay who served less than 20 years may now be eligible to receive Air Force Combat-Related Special Compensation. CRSC is part of a legislative initiative designed to restore a veteran's military retirement pay that has been reduced by Veterans' Affairs

Recruiter assistance program offers ranks more than non-chargeable leave

While preparing to move to his first duty base at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Airman Todd West wanted to spend time with his family in Missouri, but he didn't know how to do it without using up his personal leave. Then he learned about the Recruiter Assistance Program. RAP is an active-duty

Commander in 'perfect' shape sets example for Airmen

Every year, most Airmen set a goal of hoping to pass their annual fitness test, and some even set a goal to score a 100 percent. But how many people can get a perfect score on the toughest scale when they can do it at their own level? And how many also really hold themselves to the standard of

Airman helps injured warriors 'face' the world

The characteristics of a person's face are unmistakable. They are the uniqueness that makes you recognize a family member, a friend, a co-worker. Now imagine suddenly being stripped of those defining characteristics. Many Soldiers, Sailors, Airman, and Marines have experienced this debilitating

Air Force secretary meets veterans, addresses issues

The acting secretary of the Air Force talked to Airmen, military veterans and Nebraska civic leaders during Air Force Week in the Heartland Aug. 11 in Omaha and at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. Secretary Michael B. Donley had breakfast with Airmen assigned to Offutt AFB, visited the Veterans

Airman joins Soldiers in real-life 'CSI: Iraq'

The fight to bring security to the people of Iraq requires all branches of the military to work together, bringing Airmen and Soldiers side by side. Senior Airman Kathleen Gasque is one of many Airmen who fight alongside other servicemembers for the freedom of both the United States and Iraq. As a

$1 headset fix improves Predator mission

MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial system pilots here can now talk over a secure Internet phone line using their headsets thanks to one Airman's ingenuity and one dollar. Staff Sgt. Ray Stetler, the NCO in charge of base information and infrastructure for the 407th Expeditionary Communications Squadron

Raptor crews practice drive-through refueling

Now that the F-22 Raptor arrival ceremonies are over and the anticipation of the arrival has subsided, Airmen here are on an aggressive training schedule to prepare them for combat operations. As part of that training, members of the 49th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and 49th Logistics Readiness

Conference highlights force support transformation efforts

In June, signifying A1 Force Support transformation efforts, more than 350 manpower, personnel and services commanders, directors of personnel, major command, field operating agency and Air Staff leaders gathered in Keystone, Colo., for the first combined worldwide conference. With the integration

Runners get fit to fight during Air Force Week in the Heartland

Approximately 250 runners spiraled through Offutt Air Force Base and the surrounding community in the first Bellevue/Offutt Runway Run as part of Air Force Week in the Heartland Aug. 10 here. Military members and civilian running enthusiasts did their part to be fit to fight as they ran through the

Air Force Week in the Heartland kicks off with a bang

Fly-bys, music, military precision and fireworks broadcast the beginning of Air Force Week in the Heartland as more than 10,000 witnessed Airmen at their best Aug. 9 at Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha. Airmen from Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., hosted the free event to let the public experience what the

PMEL Airmen deliver precision to warfighters

The door opens into a dimly-lit labyrinth of technology. The bright light from outside sears through, revealing the truth behind the Air Force's precision of wartime capabilities. Though they work from the shadows of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing mission, the 379th Expeditionary Maintenance

Weather Agency provides edge to warfighters

Today's warfighters are constantly looking for any combat advantage that they can gain on their enemies. One factor that can be the difference between a failed mission and a successful one is the weather. Bad weather can disable a Global Positioning System unit or cause low visibility for an

Sergeant improves process, saves time

An Airman with the 437th Maintenance Squadron wheel and tire shop has helped save man-hours with a better way of cleaning C-17 Globemaster III nose-wheel bolts that need to be inspected. Tech. Sgt. Eddie Melendez, an aircraft maintenance craftsman in the 437 MXS wheel and tire shop aircraft

Suicide Prevention: Speak up so others don't act out

A canoe plummets over a waterfall and crashes into boulders below. Moments earlier, as it nears the precipice, a bystander almost yells out a warning but assumes the canoeist is in control of the situation and remains quiet. Prior to that, several hikers watch the same person paddling obliviously

Retraining gives NCOs opportunity to shape their careers

Air Force officials are seeking volunteers to accept jobs in more than 1,077 shortage career field and special duty positions during the 2009 Noncommissioned Officer Retraining Program which began Aug. 1. Officials especially need NCOs to choose opportunities to conduct investigative work in the

Base members improve processes to increase efficiency

Members of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing here have refined and streamlined processes in order to increase productivity and the level of support provided to the warfighter in theater.Supporting an average of 70 missions per day couldn't be accomplished without the combined logistical support of

French airmen train at Luke

Approximately 20 French air force aircrews, 60 maintainers and support personnel and four Rafale aircraft visited the base here to participate in an exercise July 28 to Aug. 8. The major coalition exercise here provided a unique opportunity for the French Rafale pilots and Luke's F-16 Fighting

Orphanage kids have special day at Soto Cano

More than 50 boys from the Hogar de Ninos Nazareth Orphanage in Comayagua spent a day of fun here Aug. 2 thanks to the good hearts of members of the Joint Task Force-Bravo community. Nearly 60 Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen volunteered during the day of fun and activities for the boys aged 6-17 years

Servicemembers treat 8,100 patients, livestock in Mali

American servicemembers completed the largest annual humanitarian medical exercise in Africa July 26 after two-weeks of intense training and humanitarian assistance in villages throughout Mali. Airmen from Aviano Air Base, Italy, were among more than 90 servicemembers who deployed for the

Joint Base Balad Airmen's initiatives shorten supply lines

Members of the 332nd Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron's Material Management Flight here are changing the way logisticians support warfighters. Airmen established prepositioned spare parts packages for deploying aircraft and researched prepositioning small-arms weapons for deploying

Airmen to compete in Olympics

Four Airmen will discover how they measure up with the world as they compete at the 2008 Olympics beginning Aug. 8 in Beijing. Lt. Col. Dominic Grazioli, from Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, Capt. Kevin Eastler, from Buckley AFB, Colo. and Capts. Seth Kelsey, and Eli Bremer, from Colorado Springs,

Airmen transport helo crash survivors to hospital

California Air National Guardsmen from the 129th Rescue Wing here rescued two survivors of a civilian helicopter crash Aug. 5 near Junction City, Calif.  The Sikorsky S-61 firefighting helicopter that went down was assigned to the Buckhorn Fire in the Iron Complex.A Moffett-based HH-60G Pave Hawk

Developing Airmen and working mission ops never stop

Daylong senior noncommissioned officer induction events at the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Aug. 2 exemplified a commitment to professionally developing Airmen in the deployed environment. The induction events were held at no expense to mission operations, which continued, thanks to the efforts

Airman's Roll Call: Opportunities for Airmen to LEAD

This week's Airman's Roll Call highlights opportunities for enlisted Airmen to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy through the Leaders Encouraging Airman Development program. Initiated in 1995 by former Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ronald R. Fogleman, the LEAD program delegates authority to unit and

Congressmen visit servicemembers in Manas

A congressional delegation consisting of five U.S. senators visited with Airmen from the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing and toured the base, Aug. 5, as a part of an eight-day trip to promote security, democracy and development in central Asia. Led by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada,

Airman takes top songwriting prize

An Airman crafts an autobiographical pop song.  A Marine pens a song about standing watch. A sailor scribbles a lullaby for his son.  A soldier raps into a tape recorder to entertain his unit. Songwriters like these servicemembers were among the many who submitted their original songs to this year's

Officials dedicate enlisted education center

Air University officials dedicated the Thomas N. Barnes Center for Enlisted Education to the fourth chief master sergeant of the Air Force at a ceremony here July 24. The Barnes Center acts as an umbrella covering the Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, all NCO academies within the

Senior NCO Academy class dedicates memorial

Time stood still at the Air Force Senior Non-commissioned Officer Academy July 23 as more than 400 people remembered one of the most definitive moments in recent American history. Airmen in Class 08-Delta unveiled four glass and steel panels on a clock tower in the courtyard of Maxwell-Gunter's

Reserve Airmen gain avenue to joint credit

Reserve Airmen can now nominate themselves for joint experience credit Air Reserve Personnel Center officials here said recently. ARPC officials received the necessary Reserve component implementation guidance March 28 from the undersecretary of Defense for personnel and readiness, which outlines

Sister service siblings serve side-by-side

They grew up with stories about his heroism and bravery as a 19-year-old Soldier. They knew of his sacrifice to leave his new bride and his dedication to serve his nation. They were told he suffered a great loss and was never the same after he watched his best friend die on D-Day. They admired his

AFOSI marks 60 years of service

Brig. Gen. Dana A. Simmons, Air Force Office of Special Investigations commander, hosted AFOSI's 60th Anniversary wreath-laying ceremony Aug. 1 at the Air Force Memorial located across from the Pentagon. The purpose of the ceremony was to honor the men and women of the organization both past and

President visits Eielson

President George W. Bush visited Eielson Air Force Base Aug. 4 to address base Airmen and the Soldiers of Fort Wainwright. His visit to Alaska was the first stop in an eight-day tour to Asia as the president meets foreign heads of state and will be on hand for the opening ceremonies at the Olympic

Pope command posts combine to increase efficiency

Members of the 440th Airlift Wing Command Post here recently merged with the 43rd Airlift Wing Command Post as part of the Air Force's continuing initiative to operate more efficiently. Since April 1, both Reserve and active-duty controllers have been operating from the same schedule and sharing the

Chief receives newspaper's Airman of the Year award

When Staff Sgt. Christopher Slaydon awoke from his combat injuries three weeks after arriving at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, the command chief for the 12th Flying Training Wing at nearby Randolph Air Force Base was at his bedside."As soon as I awoke, Chief Master Sgt. Stephen Page

Air Guardsmen train Air Force's airfield operators

Air National Guard officials here said recently that by using their knowledge and resources in airfield operations, they are successfully training the Air Force's next air base managers. In the Air Guard Airfield Operations Officer Training Program, Guardsmen train active-duty officers in airfield

Ali Airmen mourn loss of K-9 team member

Airmen with the 407th Provost Marshal Office here Aug. 1 held a memorial service for a K-9 member after his unexpected death from natural causes July 28. Goro, an 8-year-old German shepherd, was one month into his sixth deployment. Staff Sgt. Sean Neisen, deployed from the 435th Security Forces

Enhancements improve evaluation forms

Air Force Personnel Center officials here recently introduced several new technological enhancements to four Air Force evaluation forms as part of an ongoing commitment to improve and refine personnel processes. Enhancements were made to the following forms: -- Air Force Form 910 Enlisted

'Today's Air Force' features deployment training

This edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights deployment training and how it has become second nature for Airmen. Also featured is man's best friend, and not just dogs, but hard-working dogs. See how handlers train these canines to perform a variety of duties in order to keep military bases safe.

Chairman praises military Olympians

As more than a dozen military athletes head to Beijing for the Summer Olympics, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff lauded their accomplishments and sent his best wishes. "Wherever I travel around the world, whether it's Iraq, Afghanistan or even the Far East, I see so many spectacular young

Elmendorf community mourns fallen commander

Airmen and members of the local community paid tribute to the 3rd Wing commander during a memorial service July 31 at Hangar 1 here.Brig. Gen. Thomas L. Tinsley passed away July 27 at his on-base residence. "General Tinsley was a true leader and Airmen warrior and his untimely death is a loss to the

Nellis pilot killed in F-15D crash identified

The pilot who died in an aircraft accident July 30 was Lt. Col. Thomas Bouley. The name was released in a July 31 press conference by Col. Russell Handy, 57th Wing commander. Colonel Bouley was the 65th Aggressor Squadron commander. Colonel Bouley was killed when the two-seater F-15D Eagle he was

3 Airmen take spots on all-service chess team

Three Airmen will be part of a six-person team representing the armed forces in competition at the 19th Annual NATO Chess Championship Aug. 4 through 8 in Brussels, Belgium. Master Sgt. Dan Ranario, Tech. Sgt. Robert Bucholtz and Airman 1st Class Elena Dulger earned their spot on the all-military

20th EBS honors fallen by taking flight, continuing mission

A memorial service was held here July 25 to honor the men of "Raider 21" who lost their lives when the B-52H Stratofortress they were flying crashed off the coast of Guam July 21. Nearly 2,000 Airmen, friends and family gathered to honor the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron crew and Col. George

Study to focus on Airmen's time

A team, chartered by Lt. Gen. Richard Newton III, deputy chief of staff for manpower and personnel, will visit 10 Air Force bases to study the numerous strains on Airmen's time in today's resource-constrained environment. "We are at war and (operations) tempo is very high," General Newton said.

Forecasters afloat support multinational training exercise

Air Force weather teams are used to jointness, providing weather support operations for both the Army and Air Force on land or in the air. However, Joint Task Force Exercise 08-4, a multinational exercise hosted by U.S. Joint Forces Command, would require them to truly go above and beyond -- and out

Jointness key to command afloat during JTFEX 08-4

Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen exercised jointness aboard a Navy ship along the eastern U.S. coast from Virginia to Florida July 21-31 for Joint Task Force Exercise 08-4 "Operation Brimstone." Aboard the USS Bataan, U.S. servicemembers and some coalition forces are working

B-52H reaches retirement

The first B-52H Stratofortress reaches retirement after more than 45 years of dedicated service to the country July 24 here on its final flight to Davis-Monthan  Air Force Base, Ariz. "It is a truly sad time when we decommission a plane," said Lt. Col. Bill Stahl, 5th Maintenance Group deputy

No cargo too large for Sather aerial port Airmen

Sometimes good things come in big packages, and occasionally they come in very big packages. For the aerial port Airman assigned to the 447th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, there is no package that's too big or cargo that they can't handle. With only a day's notice, these Airmen

Airman's Roll Call: the new G.I. Bill

This week's Airman's Roll Call highlights the recently approved G.I. Bill.  It will provide even more benefits than the current Montgomery G.I. Bill.  The bill will take effect Aug. 1, 2009.Some of the upgrades involve tuition, housing, books and supplies, tutoring and certification.  You can find

Pope medics train Travis Airmen for deployment

As the C-130 Hercules makes its final approach on the torn-up runway, the 15 Airmen kneeling on the grass 100 feet away rise as one, making sure the litter they are carrying is stable, and walk toward the flightline. At the back of the aircraft, the litter team is directed where to load their

Latest weather toolkit enhances data exchange

The mid-July fielding of the 651st Electronic Systems Squadron's Joint Environmental Toolkit Increment 2 is helping U.S. forces deal with an ever-changing variable: the weather. The Air Force Weather Agency at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., is the first unit to receive the second increment of JET's

Airmen provide free services, products to Hondurans

More than 740 people from the village of San Antonio De Canada, Honduras, came to a medical readiness training exercise condcted by the Joint Task Force-Bravo Medical Element here July 25. The exercise was designed to provide U.S. servicemembers with real-world training in austere locations, as well

McKinley: Airmen play key roles in joint National Guard

Airmen are an integral part of fulfilling an increasingly joint National Guard's domestic and overseas missions, the director of the Air National Guard said here July 23. Lt. Gen. Craig McKinley told a record-breaking audience of 1,500 gathered for the National Guard Bureau Joint Family Program

Health specialists teach techniques to Laotian team

A team of international health specialists from Pacific Air Forces taught a first responder medical course during a subject matter expert exchange in Vientiane, Laos, July 7 - 23. Students, doctors and nurses from Hospital 103 in Vientiane, Laos, attended the first ever training exchange to learn

Airmen maintain force protection through vigilance

They all have different backgrounds and home stations, but the Airmen who work in the 407th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron Force Protection Section are conditioned and tasked with a critical duty: maintaining the installation's internal safety and security. Though Airmen assigned to 407th

Many Airmen, one mission: 'Defend the Base'

The 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Group activated here July 24, and while made up of many Airmen, the group's purpose is singular: "Defend the Base." The 332nd ESFG will assume every aspect of base defense, including the Joint Defense Operations Center, the Quick Reaction Force, base perimeter

386th ELRS tests new Humvee modification

The 386th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron's vehicle maintenance section is testing two new modifications for the M1116 up-armored high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicles' (Humvee) condenser, hoping the improvement will eventually become standard in all M1116 Humvees throughout the

'Today's Air Force' features deployed Airmen

In this edition of "Today's Air Force" you will discover how Airmen are helping the Afghan air corps become self sufficient. And, you see how the C130J Hercules is reducing the number of ground convoys by delivering supplies to operating bases. Also featured is the different ways Airmen entertain

Elmendorf commander dies of gunshot wound

Brig. Gen. Thomas L. Tinsley, commander of the 3rd Wing here, died of a gunshot wound July 27 at his on-base residence. Elmendorf medical authorities responded and General Tinsley was declared dead at approximately 10:30 pm July 27. The general had served as the wing commander here since May

Osan exercise tests Airmen

Air Force observes integration's 60th anniversary

In ceremonies and speeches throughout the week, the Air Force and its sister services observed the 60th anniversary since racial integration was mandated in the military. On July 26, 1948, President Harry S Truman signed Executive Order 9981, which states, "It is hereby declared to be the policy of

60 years celebrated!

The service has come a long way in 60 years, as the military celebrates the 60th Anniversary of integration in the armed forces July 26 here.Tinker Air Force Base members reflect that progress, with African Americans currently serving in the top three 72nd Air Base Wing leadership positions. Col.

AF, Army firefighters contain real-world blaze in Iraq

Air Force and Army firefighters worked in the searing sun July 22 to contain a fire that engulfed six closely situated structures here. A call to the Joint Base Balad Fire Department at 12:30 p.m. set into motion an emergency-management response of firefighters and civilian volunteers. No one was

Academy commandant to take on new challenge

A leader during one of the most dynamic times in U.S. Air Force Academy history is moving on. Commandant of Cadets Brig. Gen. Susan Y. Desjardins will depart the Academy in October to become the Headquarters Air Mobility Command Strategic Plans, Requirements and Programs deputy director at Scott Air

Training sustains peace through empowerment

The surest path to a sustainable peace in Iraq is through the empowerment of the Iraqi Army, and Airmen here are anxious to continue to do their part, Air Force officials said. Working from Joint Base Balad, Iraq, and tasked through the 5th Engineer Battalion, 732nd Expeditionary Civil Engineering

SECDEF visits Airmen, tours training facilities

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates visited Basic Military Training here July 24 and spoke to the Air Force's newest crop of Airmen before they received their Airman's coin in a ceremony. Before speaking at the ceremony, Secretary Gates toured the Basic Military Training facility and observed the

F-22s deploy to Guam

Approximately 130 Airmen and five F-22 Raptors from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, are deployed to Guam for two weeks to fulfill security requirements in the Asia Pacific region.During the deployment, the Airmen will participate in exercises Jungle Shield and Cope Thaw. Exercise Jungle Shield

Eielson possible home for alternative fuels facility

Federal, state and local government leaders met July 18 in Fairbanks, Alaska, to plan Alaska's energy future. The Interior of Alaska Strategic Energy Summit, sponsored by the Fairbanks Economic Development Corporation, was attended by Senator Ted Stevens, Under Secretary of Energy Bud Albright,

Exercise in Pacific builds trust between nations

Representatives from nine nations are participating in Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2008 throughout July in Hawaii and the Pacific Ocean.RIMPAC 2008 employs more than 20,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, as well as members of other nations building a foundation of trust

Servicemembers mourn loss of one of their own

The Joint Base Balad Town Hall filled with brothers and sisters mourning the loss of a military family member July 20. Tech. Sgt. Jackie Larsen, a paralegal working with the Law and Order Task Force of the 732nd Expeditionary Support Squadron, died from non-combat related causes July 17. Sergeant

Airmen ready for Dolly's aftermath

As Hurricane Dolly continues to pound the Texas-Mexico border with heavy rains and strong winds, Airmen remain on standby to help when needed. The hurricane made landfall July 23 as a Category 2 storm, with 85-mile-an-hour winds. Weather forecasters expect the storm to deposit 15 inches of rain

Officials name downed B-52 aircrew members

Air Force officials have released the names of the Barksdale crew members of the B-52 that crashed July 21 off Guam's northwest coast.  Five of the six crew members were stationed here. They are Maj. Christopher M. Cooper, 33, aircraft commander; Maj. Brent D. Williams, 37, navigator; Capt. Michael

Airman's Roll Call: Air Force sponsorship program

This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on a sponsorship program Airmen and their families can use to ease their fears about relocating to a new base.The sponsorship program is part of the Air Force Individualized Newcomer Treatment and Orientation program, or INTRO, which is designed to facilitate

U.S., African forces participate in medical exercise

Malian medics, doctors and nurses put their skills to the test during a mass casualty exercise July 18, which kicked off in the village of Kati, Mali. Medics received a call July 18 of a bus crash -- with an actual bus and a vehicle on its side, blocking a roundabout. Patients were moulaged and

Search effort shifts from rescue to recovery

Air Force officials here determined July 23 that none of the six crewmembers survived the B-52 Stratofortress crash July 21 off Guam's northwest coast. Search and rescue teams have now shifted their focus from rescue operations to recovery of the aircrew. The joint civilian and military rescue teams

Air Force to hold largest multinational enlisted conference

Representatives from 16 nations are meeting for four days of discussion and collaboration during the 2008 Senior Enlisted Leadership Conference July 21 through 25 in Kuala Lumpur. The conference is the largest air force multinational enlisted conference and is the first of its kind to be held in the

Airman connects families to loved ones who died in Battle of Okinawa

Although it's been more than 60 years since the battle of Okinawa, a Kadena Air Base NCO here is doing everything he can to ensure that friends and family members can remain connected to their loved ones who died in the battle. Tech. Sgt. Victor Follis, a quality assurance inspector with the 18th

Senate committee reviews Air Force nominees

Senate Armed Services Committee members presented a number of questions and challenges to Air Force civilian and military leader nominees July 22 on Capitol Hill. Michael Donley, the acting secretary of the Air Force, and Gen. Norton A. Schwartz, nominated to become the next chief of staff of the

18 nations gather for Conference of the American Air Chiefs

Air chiefs and representatives from 18 Western Hemisphere nations arrived July 19 for the 48th annual Conference of the American Air Chiefs in San Antonio. Lt. Gen. Norman R. Seip, the 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) commander led the AFSOUTH delegation during the week-long event. Attendees at

Multitude of new ideas emerge from Randolph's Lean Week

A final summation regarding "Lean Week" at Randolph, a period set aside for a brainstorming of ideas on how to create a more efficient base, was delivered last week. An outbrief following the May 19-23 Lean Week spotlighted a multitude of ideas brought forth by Randolph members concerning not only

Lean Week comes to Randolph

Gone is the Air Force before super computers and modern technology. Gone are the, "We used to do it this way," and "When I was an Airman..." mindsets. Even gone, is the Air Force of fifteen years ago. Today's Air Force is a highly streamlined, technology-driven entity that is tasked more and more

Lean Week Charter Plan announced, promotes elimination of waste across board

Facilitators, team leads and unit managers are set to conduct Air Force Smart Operations 21 objectives at the Mission Support Group, Medical Group, Operations Group and Maintenance Directorate within the12th Flying Training Wing. Randolph Air Force Base has scheduled the Lean Week initiative for

Tuskegee Airmen honored at McGuire ceremony

McGuire Air Force Base members honored the Tuskegee Airmen with a rededication of Tuskegee Avenue July 17 here. "Team McGuire did extremely well," said Col. Samuel Douglas, the Air Mobility Command operations division chief. "They went above and beyond with the ceremony. It was great having both

Service delivery assessment vital to patient care

Patient feedback through a centralized telephone survey program known as the service delivery assessment, or SDA, provides Air Force clinic staffs with direct, rapid and relevant feedback from their patients vital to national security, Air Force Medical Service officials said. "Improving the health

Airmen deliver aid to flood victims in Afghanistan

Airmen and other American servicemembers from the Nangarhar Provincial Reconstruction Team here delivered emergency humanitarian assistance supplies July 3 to residents of Kuz Kunar and Dari Noor districts of Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan. The Nangarhar Emergency Preparedness Committee assessed

Search effort continues following B-52 crash

A joint-agency search continues for missing crew members following the crash July 21 of a B-52H Stratofortress bomber 25 miles off the northwest coast of Guam. The bodies of two of the six Airmen on board the aircraft have been recovered. Identities of the crew members are being withheld pending

Duke Field Airmen drop last 15,000-pound bomb

Duke Field Airmen from the 711th Special Operations Squadron dropped the last operational Bomb Live Unit-82 from an MC-130E Combat Talon I July 15 at the Utah Test and Training Range. Nicknamed "Commando Vault" in Vietnam and "Daisy Cutter" in Afghanistan, the BLU-82 is a 15,000-pound bomb, and

Cyclists take off across Iowa

The 36th Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, or RAGBRAI, kicked off July 20 when thousands of avid cyclists, including a large contingent of Air Force riders, began the 471-mile trek across Iowa. Sponsored by the Des Moines Register newspaper, RAGBRAI is the longest, largest and oldest

Tuskegee Airman: Follow in the footsteps of these heroes

A former Air Force colonel encouraged the next generation to follow in the footsteps of the World War II heroes during the Gen. Benjamin O. Davis Jr. Awards Gala of the 37th Annual Tuskegee Airmen Convention July 19 here. Dr. Guion Bluford Jr., the Aerospace Technology Group founder and president,

Artists reflect on visiting, documenting expeditionary center

In late June, five artists from across the United States visited the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center to create future pieces of art for the Air Force Art Program. Included in the visit were Mr. William Frake of Carmel, N.Y., Mr. John Finger of Walnut Creek, Calif., Ms. Tatiana El-Khouri of Los

Original Tuskegee Airmen share experiences

The public learned more about the original Tuskegee Airmen during an open forum at the Tuskegee Airmen Convention July 19 here. Seven Tuskegee Airmen pilots spoke about their personal experiences as some of the first African-American pilots and answered questions posed by the audience. The Airmen

Servicemembers honored at Tuskegee Airmen convention

Military members and Tuskegee Airmen were honored at the Tuskegee Airmen National Convention military luncheon July 18 here. "I want people to understand whose shoulders we are standing on and what those men did for us and our Air Force," said Brig. Gen. Robin Rand, the principal director to the

Air Force leaders share women's perspectives

Servicemembers learned more about the perspectives of women in the military during a leadership forum here July 17. The forum was part of the Tuskegee Airmen Convention ending July 20. Senior leadership spoke about several issues, including the heroism of Tuskegee Airmen, the history of women in the