Air Force announces 2006 Weather Awards

Air Force officials have released the 2006 Air Force Weather Awards. Military recipients of individual or team awards are entitled to wear the Air Force Recognition Ribbon, and civilian recipients of individual and team awards are entitled to wear the Air Force Recognition Lapel Pin.The Air Force

Yokota residents pay tribute to Holocaust victims

The Constitution protects American citizens' rights to worship as they choose by allowing the "free exercise thereof," but history shows citizens of other countries have not been as fortunate. Yokota Air Base residents exercised "the right of the people peaceably to assemble" at a memorial service

Space professional development program is 1st-of-its-kind

The first course of a five-course, space certificate pilot program initiated by Air Force Space Command and the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs concludes this month for 20 space professionals. The goal of this "first-of-its-kind" program is to increase the technical foundation of space

Lakenheath munitions Airmen test AFSO 21 initiative

Members of the 48th Munitions Squadron here are using Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century initiatives to help alleviate pending manning cuts. As part of Force Shaping, the munitions squadron of 300-plus Airmen will be downsized by a little more than a third; however, the mission will

Airmen provide 1st class postal service to thousands

Servicemembers here enjoy some of the fastest, most reliable mail service in the history of armed conflict. And when it is time to return home, they can also lighten their load by mailing their gear instead of lugging it through the airlines. 'Combat Postal' Airmen with the 332nd Air Expeditionary

Phase team keeps F-16s in the fight

The sound of electric drills and pounding hammers resonates inside the hardened aircraft shelter here as crew chiefs shout orders over the noise of wielding power tools and a variety of gadgets: Welcome to Day One of an F-16 Fighting Falcon phase dock. Members of the 35th Expeditionary Maintenance

CENTAF leaders visit Airmen at nontraditional places

The commander and command chief for U.S. Central Command Air Forces made a round-robin tour of locations April 20 in Southwest Asia where Airmen are performing duties never done before in places where you normally don't find Air Force members. Lt. Gen. Gary L. North and Command Chief Master Sgt.

Airmen assist Iraqi Air Force reconstitution

On a daily basis, Staff Sgt. Luke Almeter dons his U.S. Air Force uniform and drives the short commute to New Al Muthana Air Base. This seemingly easy task is something his Iraqi Air Force counterparts can't do because of the dangers that lurk outside the base. Because of fear of retribution, Iraqi

370th Group and squadron stand up

The unit activation and assumption of command of the 370th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group and Squadron took place at New Al Muthana Air Base April 22. "This event symbolizes the commitment of the U.S. Air Force in rebuilding the Iraqi Air Force," said Brig. Gen. Robert Allardice, Coalition Air

Medics offer readiness training to embassy, medical personnel

Medics from Joint Task Force-Bravo's medical element conducted first responder and chemical/biological response training here April 17-19 for American embassy personnel and healthcare providers from Honduras. Thirty eight students attended the class, which provided training on chemical, biological,

Doolittle Raiders celebrate 65 years since historic mission

Seven surviving members of the famed "Doolittle Raiders" met in San Antonio in mid April to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the unit's historic bombing mission over Japan April 18, 1942. The raid, which consisted of 16 B-25 Mitchell bombers taking off from the deck of an Navy aircraft carrier, was

Air Force Assistance Fund changes lives

When hard times come, Airmen should not hesitate to ask for help. One Lajes Field Airmen was in need so he turned to the Air Force Aid Society. Senior Airmen Matthew Reindl works in the 65th Air Base Wing Finance Office by day, and is a husband and father of three by night. "Since we've been here at

Week in Photos highlights Airmen in action

The "Week In Photos" Web feature on Air Force Link provides visitors with photos that highlight Air Force missions around the world. Among this week's photos are: Waiting for explosive ordnance disposal members to confirm the scene is safe, Staff Sgt. Christopher Hawks and Master Sgt. Albert

Air Support Ops keep control at Atlantic Strike V

The 682nd Air Support Operations Squadron Airmen from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., provided tactical command and control as the Air Support Operations Center during Atlantic Strike V April 14-20 at the Avon Park Air Ground Complex at Avon Park, Fla. The ASOC is the forward extension of the air

Officials make changes to overseas extension incentive list

Air Force officials added an enlisted specialty code and removed two others from the Overseas Tour Extension Incentive Program eligibility list for Airmen serving at long tour locations. Airmen in the communication-computer systems control career field and 46 other Air Force speciality codes with a

Red Flag-Alaska ends on positive note

The year's first Red Flag-Alaska ended April 20 after two weeks of intense, air-combat training over Alaska's mountain ranges. Training in a multi-service, multi-platform, combat operations exercise involving coalition forces was an opportunity that cannot be underemphasized, said Lt. Col. Eddie

Airman loses $600 to '1-cent deposit' scam

An Airman assigned to the 50th Mission Support Squadron here recently fell victim to a new banking scam against which vigilance is the only defense. Airman A, whose full name has been withheld for privacy reasons, first noticed the scam when money began disappearing from his account at a local bank.

Weather can't stop desert-dwelling Airmen at Red Flag-Alaska

Working in a cold-weather environment may not be in the repertoire of desert-dwelling maintainers supporting Exercise Red Flag-Alaska 07-1, but Airmen from Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., don't seem to mind and they're not about to let it affect their mission. "If it wasn't chilly here I would probably

'Unwavering professionalism' encouraged in all servicemembers

U.S. Forces in Japan's mission to keep peace and security in its area of responsibility is shouldered by each military member serving in the region, and USFJ leaders are encouraging all servicemembers to practice unwavering professionalism in everything they do. Unwavering professionalism is a

Army captain's roots branch to a Doolittle Raider

"I don't need a light to tell me what I already know!" said 1st Lt. Dean Edward Hallmark, ripping the flashing red light bulbs from the display in the cockpit of his B-25. It was April 18, 1942, and Lieutenant Hallmark and his crew were running out of gas over the coast of China following the famous

CSAF's Scope highlights Doolittle Raiders heroism, impact

The CSAF's Scope focuses on current topics the Air Force chief of staff feels are of special importance to today's Airmen. Among Gen. T. Michael Moseley's top issues this month is the 65th anniversary of the Doolittle Raiders' bombing mission over Japan. Two entries are dedicated to the Doolittle

PACAF leads way in Air Force's anthrax vaccine push

Pacific Air Forces' implementation of the Anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program is off to a good start. Since the program was ordered to resume under the direction of the deputy secretary of defense in October, PACAF has immunized more than 94 percent of its Airmen who have been designated for

Airmen train colleagues for combat during Atlantic Strike

Insurgents wait beside a roadway for an Army convoy. As Humvees pass, the insurgents launch their attack, blasting improvised explosive devices and firing rockets at the vehicles. Air Force joint terminal attack controllers embedded with the Soldiers respond by calling for an impromptu airstrike.

Turkey partners with U.S. in war on terrorism

In just three days, forces from the United States, Turkey and Afghanistan worked together on a joint mission to transport more than 135,000 pounds of Turkish equipment and supplies from Incirlik Air Base to Kabul AB, Afghanistan. The Turkish equipment was loaded onto an American C-17 Globemaster III

Atlantic Strike V begins in Avon Park

More than 400 joint servicemembers began participating in Atlantic Strike V, a U.S. Central Command Air Forces pre-deployment training event April 14 at the Avon Park Air Ground Training Complex in Avon Park, Fla. The semi-annual training through April 20 and prepares joint air and ground forces for

German policemen invaluable asset at Ramstein

The German Civilian Security Police, also known as ZPs, are an invaluable asset in making sure things run smoothly here. With the high deployment rate of their military counterparts, the ZPs have stepped up to make sure there are no gaps in safeguarding security.They are fully integrated into the

Bioenvironmental engineers keep Airmen safe

DOD's top enlisted leader visits Okinawa

The Department of Defense's top enlisted leader visited Okinawa April 11 to 13 to see firsthand the role the U.S. military plays on Okinawa to include the missions at Kadena Air Base. Army Command Sgt. Maj. William Gainey, the senior enlisted advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, met

Doolittle Raiders 65th anniversary kicks off at Randolph

The 65th anniversary reunion of the Doolittle Raiders launched with an opening ceremony attended by more than 250 spectators April 17 here. The ceremony included several short speeches from Randolph Air Force Base leadership and the Doolittle Raiders' historian and manager. Second Lt. Austin

Unit scrambles to guide troubled aircraft to safe landing

Airmen of the Air Force Reserve Command's 916th Air Refueling Wing here scrambled to launch an early morning mission April 17 to rendezvous with and help safely land an Air Force aircraft that lost critical instrumentation. The NCK-135 aircrew from Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., called an in-flight

Month recognizes military children's sacrifices

April has been the month for celebrating military children for 21 years, which recognizes the important sacrifices they make for the military family. Month of the Military Child is a well-deserved accolade, said Kathy Hartwell, the Pacific Air Forces Services Family Member Programs branch chief."The

Ready Reserve Push-Pull 2007 exercise slated for June

More than 300 Individual Ready Reserve Airmen will participate in a Defense Department-required exercise in June, which conducts an end-to-end test of key mobilization processes and systems. The Air Force will begin Exercise Push-Pull 2007 June 18 when officials will "push" about 320 IRR Airmen, or

Airman's Creed exemplifies warfighting ethos

The Air Force chief of staff introduced the new "Airman's Creed" April 18 to provide Airmen a tangible statement of beliefs that they can hold most dear. The Airman's Creed reflects pride in the role of air, space and cyberspace power and the Air Force's commitment in supporting and defending the

Air Force officials finance fight from consolidated center

The creation of the Air Force Financial Services Center, which will save the Air Force money and help "finance the fight," moved closer to reality April 18, as financial services transformation teams kicked off a series of visits to bases around the world starting with those in Air Force Space

CSAF's Vector focuses on warfighting perspective

With the nation at war, the latest Chief of Staff's Vector redirects our service's focus and warfighting orientation. "As Airmen, we have a unique warfighting perspective, shaped by a century-old quest to gain the high ground," said Gen. T. Michael Moseley, the Air Force chief of staff.  "The

Airman's Roll Call highlights Doolittle Raiders

The latest Airman's Roll Call highlights the Doolittle Raiders, who are reuniting this week to remember the 65th anniversary of their historic flight. On April 18, 1942, 80 men launched 16 B-25 medium bombers from the deck of an aircraft carrier on their way to bombing various targets on the home

F-22s use refueling 'pit stop'

Just like in NASCAR, a good pit crew can make or break a team. When tankers aren't in the sky to refuel fighters, pilots take advantage of a pit. "Hot pits" are crucial in wartime as it gets the fighters gassed up quickly while both engines are still running, and back into the fight. "It's actually

Combat comm Airmen hone skills in field training

The 1st Combat Communication Squadron from Ramstein Air Base, recently trained in a field near Bitburg, Germany, where they dealt with hostile conditions simulating a deployed environment. The comm squadron has several field training sessions throughout each year, with both classroom and field

April 16 airpower summary: Close air support missions support operations

Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations April 16, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer provided a show of force,

Airman shows way for Afghan National Army recruiters

To serve and protect the nation is one of the top three reasons U.S. citizens take the military oath of enlistment, and Staff Sgt. Matt Leas learned firsthand that it is also the top reason Afghans join the 207th Zafar (Victory) Corps. The 364th Recruiting Squadron systems administrator recently

Veterinary mission morphs into lifesaving trek

With only seconds to react, U.S. military members made a daring rescue pulling a young African man out of a raging torrent April 14 in Dikhil, Djibouti. After a day of heavy rain, the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa team was assessing a river crossing site they planned to use the

Idea nets maintenance Airman $10,000

An Air Force maintainer from McChord Air Force Base recently earned big bucks by making good use of a part that was going to be turned into scrap metal. Master Sgt. Barry Buchmiller of the 62nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron received a $10,000 check from the Air Force's Innovative Development through

Medics treat servicemembers throughout Southwest Asia

Getting warriors back in the fight is a duty for the medical professionals in the 379th Expeditionary Medical Group in Southwest Asia. The 96 percent of wounded warriors returned to duty shows not only that they are good at what they do, but also that they provide critical support to the theaterwide

Barksdale Airmen take care of B-52 business 7,000 miles away

The ground shakes and the flightline shudders as the eight engines of a B-52 Stratofortress beat gravity into submission lifting the giant bomber into the air. Each of the bomber's engines can produce more than 17,000 pounds of thrust along with a deafening roar, but for the Airmen assigned to the

Air Force Review held at memorial

Air Force officials held an Air Force Review in "Heritage to Horizons" style revitalizing a 300-year-old military ceremony and presented it to a modern audience April 14 at the Air Force Memorial in Arlington, Va. The Air Force Review was hosted by Maj. Gen. Robert L. Smolen, the Air Force District

'That others may live' Air Force hero remembered

April 11 was an important anniversary for all Airmen as it marked 41 years since Airman 1st Class William Pitsenbarger, pararescue crewmember, distinguished himself by extreme valor near Cam My, Republic of Vietnam. The slogan 'that others may live' is the foundation of everything Air Force

Repatriation ceremony held for remains returned from N. Korea

One by one the flag draped coffins containing the remains of six U.S. service members killed in the Korean War were carried by a multi-service detail from the back of a C-17 Globemaster III during a repatriation ceremony at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. Distinguished guests, veterans and a joint

Scientific Advisory Board helps move ideas from concept to reality

When today's Airmen use one of the many cutting edge technology tools at their disposal, they can thank a small group of scientists and engineers for helping make it a reality. The Air Force Scientific Advisory Board continued their long tradition of helping the Air Force bring new ideas to reality

Doolittle Raiders to meet for 65th anniversary reunion

Seven surviving members of the famed "Doolittle Tokyo Raiders," will descend on San Antonio, this week for a series of events marking the 65th anniversary of one of the most notable airpower missions in military history. Personally ordered by Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt, the raid was a response to

Advantages outweigh disadvantages for military children

There are many sacrifices children have to make for the sake of their military parents. They move every time their parents do. They leave schools in the middle of a term and enter new schools, having to make new friends everywhere they go. Some might say the life of the military child can be hard,

Agency certifies new instrument landing system

A new instrument landing system, or ILS, aiding flight safety at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing was certified by Air Force Flight Standards Agency officials April 10, completing a collaborative project in the works since 2005. The ILS is a precision-approach system serving as the pilot's eyes when

Honor Guard Drill Team keeping sharp for Air Force

The United States Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team recently returned from their latest 11-day tour around the U.S., that included visits to Atlanta; Hill Air Force Base, Utah; and Salt Lake City. During their visits, the team performed for NCAA Final Four events, including the opening ceremonies at

AETC announces top Airmen

Air Education and Training Command officials announced its top Airmen of 2006. The winners were chosen from among 25 nominees identified by leadership at their home stations as the best professionals in their categories. "As the first command, we recruit, educate and train America's Airmen," said

Life support aircrew puts pilots', passengers' safety first

Before passengers are loaded onto the planes, and pilots taxi them for take off, there's a group of Airmen ensuring the safety of those aboard. Aircrew life support technicians of the 459th Airlift Squadron here check every piece of safety equipment located in the aircraft including survival kits

Guard, Reserve leaders speak before Senate

Military leaders from the National Guard and Reserve testified before members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Defense, April 11 on Capitol Hill to give a status on the forces and to bring focus on the services' budget. Lt. Gen. Craig R. McKinley, the director of the Air

Airmen, Soldiers jointly hone chemical response skills

In today's Air Force. Airmen are warfighters focused on helping win the war on terrorism. Part of that focus involves working interdependently with other services in what is definitely a joint fight. As the Air Force continues to increase its footprint in the joint environment more and more Air

CMSAF talks quality of life at Aviano

The highest enlisted member in the Air Force made a stop here to talk with America's warfighters. Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley discussed topics affecting Air Force members now and in the near future, but a major priority for the chief is the upkeep of the Air Force's quality

Airmen show 'can-do' spirit in joint force environment

In the constantly changing environment of modern warfare, Airmen are constantly being tasked to do things and go places out of the ordinary. Long gone are the days when the Air Force was built around strategic bombing, isolated to the rear of the lines on comfortable bases. Today's Airmen often work

Airmen get smart with sexual assault training

With bad intentions in their heart, they wait to take advantage of the person who isn't paying attention. Sam Rush-Walton, a Fullpower Workshop instructor, trained a crowd of Peterson Air Force Base active duty, civilians and dependents about how to protect themselves from becoming victims of

Hackers gain access to MyPay accounts

Someone's identity is stolen every 10 seconds, according to the Federal Trade Commission, and servicemembers are not immune to this statistic. There's been a recent rise in hackers attacking MyPay accounts, and most victims don't even know it. Most of the stolen information is collected by software

Chilton delivers priorities for future space capabilities

"Space has become so integrated in the fight, in the way we fight and indeed into our economy and in America," Gen. Kevin P. Chilton told an audience of more than 500 industry leaders, civilians and military members at the 23rd National Space Symposium here today. In his speech, General Chilton, the

Week in Photos features Airmen around the globe

-- The "Week In Photos" Web feature on Air Force Link provides visitors with photos that highlight Air Force missions around the world. Among this week's photos are: An Airman with the 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron's Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight at Balad Air Base, Iraq, safely

Luke team trains for combat at Red Flag-Alaska

Airmen from Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., are deployed to participate in Red Flag-Alaska, a multi-service, multi-platform coordinated, combat operations exercise at Eielson AFB. Thirteen instructor pilots, six operations support staff and more than 60 maintainers made the 2,600-mile trek to take part

Ordnance Airman awarded Bronze Star for Iraq duty

A "six-month adrenaline rush." That's how Master Sgt. Al Schneider described his deployment to Iraq. Assigned to Headquarters Pacific Air Forces Civil Engineer Directorate as the command explosive ordnance disposal superintendent, the Louisville, Ky., native left here last May for combat-skills

KC-10 Extenders keep jets on target

Staying in the fight is key to U.S. and coalition forces maintaining air superiority during combat missions.Helping ensure these pilots stay in the fight is the responsibility of the crews onboard refueling tankers like the KC-10 Extenders participating in the Red Flag-Alaska 07-1 exercise April 5

Chief of Staff speaks on future of space operations

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley delivered a speech to a crowd of more than 400 at the 23rd National Space Symposium here April 11.The general's speech to a group of military, civilian and industry space professionals focused on the important part space plays in the defense of the

Latest Enlisted Perspective features taking care of wounded Airmen

The chief master sergeant of the Air Force released his latest perspective and it focuses on taking care of wounded Airmen. Chief Master Sgt. Rodney J. McKinley, the Air Force's top enlisted Airman, knows the importance of taking care of Airmen, especially those who have been wounded during the war

Airmen earn silver, bronze in wrestling championship

Two Air Force members came away with medals April 7, after a double-elimination wrestling tournament held at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The U.S. Open National Wrestling Championship, held in Las Vegas for the 17th time, is where America's best wrestlers compete for the national title,

Misawa children get defensive learning kajukenbo

Military children have lots of unique opportunities available to them simply because their military parents are required to move around, and one of those opportunities is a kajukenbo karate class offered on Misawa Air Base. Kajukenbo is a hybrid martial art that combines karate, judo, jujutsu, kenpo

New mission control room ready for F-35 flight tests

The newest range mission control room built to test the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter was officially commissioned here April 11. Combined with equipment installation and recent room certification, the range control room now provides the F-35 test team with the resources necessary to monitor the

School honors fallen Airman, former student

Members of Spangdhalem Air Base gathered April 5 to honor a fallen Operation Iraqi Freedom Airman who graduated from Bitburg High School. Maj. Troy Gilbert, a 1989 BHS graduate, was killed when his F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed Nov. 27 while on a mission providing combat support to both an Army

April 12 airpower: aerial porters keep cargo moving

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released this airpower summary April 12. In Afghanistan April 11, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped guided bomb unit-38s on two buildings from which insurgents were firing at coalition vehicles near Sangin. A joint terminal attack controller aligned with

Best Air Force journalism announced

A panel of civilian journalists, teachers and public relations professionals have selected the best in Air Force print and broadcast journalism for the 51st annual Air Force Media Contest. Senior Airman Brian A. Stives, of the 366th Fighter Wing at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, is the Air

Award winners save Air Force $26.5 million

Six individuals who saved the Air Force $26.5 million were recognized April 5 at the Pentagon.  Four individuals won Air Force Productivity Excellence Awards and two won Air Force Exceptional Innovator Awards.Lt. Gen. Roger A. Brady, the Air Force deputy chief of staff for manpower and personnel,

Goodfellow students put predicting the future to the test in Lone Star

They're playing mind games at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas. A bunch of military instructors -- all steeped in years of military intelligence field work -- take a bunch of green students, put them in a room draped with maps, crowded with tables and humming with computer equipment, and squeeze

17th Training Wing preserves heritage

The end of the Cold War left the United States needing fewer forces. A smaller force required fewer bases to support it and, organizationally, fewer units to hold it. For the Air Force, as it set about eliminating excess bases through the Base Realignment and Closure process and excess wings through

Goodfellow hosts premier firefighter school

It's burning. It's burning. The flames swell as the firefighters move into the mouth of the "dragon." In front of them -- a 500 degree wall of propane flames. The giant can's steel walls force the jets of fire to sweep over their heads and land behind them. At the nozzle is Airman 1st Class Cole

Misawa Air Base youth learn Japanese culture basics

When military members move overseas, they, as well as their children, get a chance to explore new cultures. That exploring can be through planned trips, classes offered locally and just by living in the country. At Misawa, children as young as three and four can take Japanese dance classes and

Ordnance disposal makes for no ordinary day

Airmen assigned to the 332nd Civil Engineer Squadron's Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight have a dangerous mission that keeps fellow coalition forces safe. It takes nerves of steel and a steady hand to do the work these Airmen do. After all, getting anywhere near an improvised explosive isn't

CMSAF visits Aviano Airmen

Aviano Airmen had a chance to meet and talk with Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley during his visit here April 9 and 10. The Air Force's top enlisted Airman paid a visit to Aviano as part of his U.S. Air Forces in Europe tour. During his stay, he hosted an Airmen's breakfast and

Pararescue Airmen, first responders train together in Arizona

Airmen from the 563rd Rescue Group here conducted an exercise to test how military and civilian agencies work together during an emergency situation April 2 at Coronado National Forest in Arizona. Davis-Monthan Air Force Base members worked alongside members of the National Park Service, Forest

Bagram Airmen move Army Force Provider camps

A familiar sight at this Afghanistan airfield involves American C-17 Globemaster IIIs landing and maneuvering as Russian-built IL-76 cargo aircraft taxies for departure. While one aircraft is being unloaded, another is waiting next in line to take off while another prepares to land. Airmen from one

Red Flag-Alaska strengthens coalition forces

Red Flag-Alaska, a multi-service, multi-platform coordinated, combat operations exercise, kicked off April 5 with the ultimate goal of improving the operational capability of participating units and fostering stronger relations between U.S. and coalition forces. Red Flag-Alaska allows these units,

Airman's Roll Call highlights new Professional Development Guide

This week's Airman's Roll Call highlights the Professional Development Guide, which is a new resource of information for all Airmen. The new guide, which combines the Promotion Fitness Examination and the United States Supervisory Examination study guides, is designed as a one-resource tool for

Air mobility keeps fast pace with war ops surges

Squadrons across the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing have increased operations to enhance theater-wide support for the current surge of troops throughout Iraq and Afghanistan. One such example is the 8th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron, a 379th AEW tenant unit that links air mobility operations

April 10 airpower: Airmen keep watch in the fight

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released the airpower summary for April 10.In Afghanistan April 9, an Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped guided bomb unit-38s on an insurgent position in an open area near Asadabad. The weapons directly hit the target according to a joint terminal attack

Airmen, Soldiers mentor Afghan medical instructors

A team of five highly-skilled Air Force and Army medics mentor Afghan National Army instructors at the Combat Medic School in Kabul. Their mission is to guide the ANA instructors into leading the Combat Medic Course, which was recently extended to eight weeks. As instructors, they serve as mentors

Airman exemplifies base's Japan Day

An Airman here recently received a cultural experience few Japanese are even afforded the opportunity to enjoy. Airman 1st Class Song Lee entranced the crowd at the opening ceremony of Misawa Air Base's 20th Annual Japan Day wearing a Junihitoe (which means 12-layer robe), an elegant imperial

CMSAF introduces, defines warrior ethos

The top enlisted Airman visited Lajes Field in early April on his tour of U.S. Air Forces in Europe bases and spoke to Airmen about several upcoming service-wide changes, specifically a creed that defines a new way of life for Airmen today. "The Air Force has never had an official creed that tells

Airmen keep a step ahead of enemy

They don't talk much about what they do, at least to those outside the small, secure compound in Ops Town. But, they do listen to what others have to say -- mostly enemy ground forces. The 763rd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron maintains a constant presence in the Central Command area of

Service demographics offer snapshot of force

The Air Force Personnel Center here recently published its demographics report offering a snapshot of the service's active-duty and civilian force, as of March 31. Statistics are rounded to the nearest tenth.Active-duty demographics -- 337,780 individuals are on active duty composed of 68,675

Airmen provide force protection 'inside the wire'

An Airman performing a vehicle search might be a C-17 Globemaster III loadmaster. The Airman providing escort for local nationals could be a medical technician. But, regardless of their primary Air Force Specialty Code, or AFSC, Airmen such as these provide force protection while assigned to the

Senator visits Iraq, spends week on active duty

A South Carolina senator toured Iraq for two days, and then put on an Air Force desert camouflage uniform for a week and worked as a judge advocate for the Multinational Forces, Iraq. Sen. Lindsey Graham, also a Reserve colonel, visited the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing April 9 after getting a

10 missing WWII Airmen are identified

The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced April 9 that the remains of 10 U.S. servicemen, missing in action from World War II, have been identified and will be returned to their families for burial with full military honors. The Airmen are: 2nd Lt. Raymond A. Cooley of Leary,

Young Airman prepares for his first deployment

Eighteen years old and fresh out of high school, he may not have many years under his flak vest but he made a choice few make ... to serve and defend his country. Airman Samuel Martinek, part of the 35th Security Forces Squadron at Misawa Air Base, Japan, is preparing for his upcoming deployment.

Air Force releases combat action medal criteria

Air Force officials at the Air Force Personnel Center released criteria this week for award of the new combat action medal, an award for Airmen who have been involved in direct fighting situations where they risked their lives in an enemy engagement. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley

Airmen visit Nicaraguan orphanages, deliver donations

Thirty-six Camp RED HORSE members collected more than $500, more than 80 books and more than 100 toys and donated it all to two orphanages here April 7. Delivering the donations and spending time with the orphans was one of the volunteer projects of New Horizons - Nicaragua 2007, a humanitarian

Charter members reflect on Air Guard's first 60 years

Their membership gets older and smaller every day. Nearly 60 years have passed since they formed, but time has not removed distant memories of 1946 and 1947 after these veterans helped claim victory in World War II and flew as Air National Guardsmen. You may have met them on your drill weekends

Air Force loadmaster maxes 10,000-hour mark

An 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron loadmaster now wears a badge of distinction that very few loadmasters receive -- an Air Mobility Command custom patch displaying the number 10,000. After 25 years of service, Master Sgt. Joseph Maxey surpassed 10,000 flying hours April 3 during an airlift

Shaw selected for 'showcase' dormitory

Officials at the Air Force Engineering and Construction Division selected two military construction projects to showcase the Air Force's success in areas of energy and sustainable development. A 144-room, three-story dormitory at Shaw, to be started this fiscal year, is one of those projects. The