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U.S. Air Force News

  • USAFE celebrates 65 years of airpower

    United States Air Forces in Europe celebrates its 65th anniversary as the oldest, continuously active Air Force major command.USAFE began Jan. 19, 1942, when the War Department established Headquarters 8th Air Force, and the command continues its forward presence in Europe and Africa -- from

  • Deployed B-52s complete counter-sea exercise

    Usually, naval mines are placed at sea by dedicated ships traveling days from their home port. However, Airmen deployed to Guam's Andersen Air Force Base showcased the B-52 Stratofortress bomber's capability to quickly and accurately deliver naval mines while flying at 1,000 feet above the sea. The

  • Latest Roll Call focuses critical eye on responsible conduct

    This week's Roll Call directs Airmen to take responsibility for their actions, both on-and off-duty. Airmen are ambassadors for both their service and America -- no matter where they are stationed, TDY or deployed. Simply put, the actions of Airmen have far-reaching ramifications. When Airmen make

  • Travis trains Pacific AMC crews to maintain KC-10s

    In an effort to streamline KC-10 Extender maintenance responsibilities in the Pacific theater, the 60th Maintenance Operations Squadron here developed a two-phase course designed to teach enroute maintainers how to recover aircraft and perform basic maintenance tasks to help move aircraft through

  • Evaluation board application process moves to virtual MPF

    Active-duty Airmen seeking a correction to or removal of an evaluation report may initiate an appeal to the Evaluation Reports Appeal Board through the virtual Military Personnel Flight effective Jan. 22. Airmen may choose to apply to the board to seek a correction or removal of a performance

  • Software maintainers help warfighters achieve mission

    While the E-8 Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System, or Joint STARS, platform is celebrated for its ability to provide air commanders with real-time ground surveillance in support of attack operations, the surveillance giant couldn't complete its mission without the support from Airmen of

  • What AFSO 21 means

    Dr. Ronald C. Ritter, the special assistant for Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century, recently visited Pacific Air Forces headquarters to review AFSO 21 strategies in the command. "AFSO 21 is important to us all," Dr. Ritter said. "It is our initiative and a way to continue our long

  • Two Korean Air jets divert to Kunsan

    Two Boeing 747 aircraft made emergency landings here Jan. 17 after Incheon International Airport's runway closed for low visibility due to fog.The two Korean Air jets -- one laden with cargo, the other with passengers -- were greeted by 8th Fighter Wing leaders and support personnel with open

  • Career enlisted aviator positions open

    Opportunities are currently available for Airmen who wish to become career enlisted aviators. The Air Force has immediate openings for flight engineers, loadmasters, airborne mission systems, flight attendants, and airborne crypto logic linguists.First-term Airmen who have completed half of their

  • Charleston squadron helps build 'a room for Phillip'

    The Airmen of the Air Force Reserve Command's 300th Airlift Squadron have a history of reaching out to those in need. Each year, the squadron donates time and money to a deserving person or family. This year the 300th AS is doing more to aid a little boy who needs some big help. Led by Master Sgt.

  • Wing begins new chapter with F-15E

    Continuing to show a strong force and a visible presence in Afghanistan, the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing added a new capability to its inventory Jan. 14. With more than 200 Airmen supporting its mission, the F-15E Strike Eagle deployed from the 391st Fighter Squadron at Mountain Home Air Force

  • Deceased Ramstein Airman identified

    An Airman who died in downtown Kaiserslautern early Jan. 14 has been identified as Senior Airman Jordanis Michael McElroy-Ramirez.The 20-year-old Airman from Dale, Texas, was assigned to the 86th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.The cause of death is under investigation. Additional information will be

  • National Guard rolls out for yet another Midwest storm

    More than 600 Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen in Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas have been called out in response to the latest in a series of severe winter storms to blanket the Midwest with snow and ice.Missouri was among the hardest-hit states during the Martin Luther King Day holiday weekend.

  • Mountain Home Airmen earn Bronze Stars, Army medals

    Four members of the 366th Civil Engineer Squadron earned the U.S. military's fourth-highest award during a ceremony Jan. 8 for their individual bravery and heroism while serving in Iraq. Capt. Stephanie Root, Tech. Sgt. David Fitzgerald, Staff Sgt. Michael Pray and Staff Sgt. Sjon Higgins earned the

  • Keesler's Flying Jennies receive final C-130J-30

    A crew from Air Force Reserve Command's 815th Airlift Squadron recently delivered the unit's final C-130J-30 aircraft here after accepting it from the manufacturer at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga. Maj. Gen. Hanferd "Rusty" J. Moen Jr. piloted the aircraft from Georgia to Mississippi Jan. 9. General

  • 'HOA Flex' channels supplies to military trainers

    U.S. servicemembers at three remote camps in the Horn of Africa depend on Air Force airlift to bring them life-sustaining supplies. These isolated sites, known as contingency operating locations, are scattered across a desolate and austere terrain two-thirds the size of the United States. This is

  • The nose knows: four-legged 'troops' sniff out explosives

    Two of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team's most valuable assets never talk about work, preferring to let the results speak for themselves. Even with their quiet demeanor, they have uncovered numerous weapons caches and explosives, and have become two of the most popular members of the unit. They are the

  • Hub-and-spoke missions provide tactical airlift in Iraq

    Whether it's operating from rough dirt strips or dropping off troops and equipment into hostile areas, C-130 Hercules keep convoys off the road in Iraq through airpower. Members of the 777th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron deployed from Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., fly C-130 hub-and-spoke

  • Ramstein Airman dies

    An Airman assigned here died in nearby Kaiserslautern at approximately 2:30 a.m. Jan. 14. The cause of death has not been determined at this time. The name of the Airman is being withheld until next of kin has been notified. The incident is under investigation. Comment on this story (comments may be

  • Eielson F-16s participating in Commando Sling

    Six F-16C/D Fighting Falcons from the 354th Fighter Wing at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, are deployed to Singapore to participate in the second iteration of Exercise Commando Sling, which began Jan. 8 and runs through Jan. 26.An annual series of exercises, Commando Sling began in 1990 to provide

  • Team Kadena members deploy

    More than 600 Airmen from here have begun deploying as part of Air Expeditionary Force Cycles 5 and 6 to various locations in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility to support the war on terrorism. As Airmen prepared to board commercial aircraft for flights to locations in Iraq and Qatar,

  • Sheppard implements new phase program

    Airmen here in technical training are enjoying more freedom and responsibility as Air Education and Training Command transitions into its new phase program. The new program, which took effect after Airmen returned from holiday exodus, became fully functional across Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas,

  • 8.2 magnitude quake sparks tsunami warning

    For the second time in three months, servicemembers and families here found themselves under the threat of a tsunami after an 8.2-magnitude earthquake struck east of the Kuril Islands in the Pacific Ocean Jan. 13, sparking tsunami warnings and shaking buildings. "I haven't been in an earthquake

  • Airmen deploy to Andersen for AEF rotation

    Eighty-three Airmen from both Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., and MacDill AFB, Fla., deployed recently to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam to form the 506th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron during a 120-day Air Expeditionary Force deployment cycle. "We have come and taken over for the Guard,"

  • Hill memorializes bombing victims

    Eyes swelled, tears fell and uniforms were moistened, yet Airmen who gathered here Jan. 12 were comforted as they paid tribute, expressed high regard, and refused to allow anything to dampen the memory of their comrades killed earlier this week in Iraq.Tech. Sgt. Timothy Weiner, Senior Airman Daniel

  • Airmen can participate in official rifle match

    Air Force active-duty, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard members have a chance to test their marksmanship skills at an upcoming rifle match here. The base serves as host to the rifle match Feb. 26 through March 1 at the firing range complex in Area A. The competition can accommodate as many

  • CMSAF thanks Airmen for sacrifices

    In the latest Chief's View, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley took time to thank Airmen and their families for their diligent service. In his weekly message to Airmen, the chief stessed that it's important to take time to recognize the efforts Airmen are making in the war on

  • Pararescue jumpers train 'that others may live'

    They train for the worst things imaginable and respond to the unthinkable. Paraescue jumpers, or PJs, can be found in the mountains of Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa or the streets of Iraq -- prepared to undertake any situation to recover a servicemember. At Camp Lemonier, a small group of PJs from

  • Minot AFB celebrates 50th anniversary

    Base officials here celebrated Jan. 10 Minot's 50th anniversary of becoming an official entity of the U.S. Air Force.Though the groundbreaking ceremony took place July 12, 1955, and the first unit, the 32nd Fighter Group, wasn't activated until Feb. 7, 1957, Jan. 10 holds just as much significance

  • Fallen EOD Airmen remembered during Sather memorial

    A memorial Jan. 10 honored the lives of three 447th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal Airmen killed in the line of duty Jan. 7. The members of "Team Lima" -- Tech. Sgt. Timothy Weiner, Senior Airman Daniel Miller, and Senior Airman Elizabeth Loncki -- all deployed

  • Latest Roll Call explains force shaping initiatives

    In this week's Roll Call, Air Force leaders discuss force shaping and define the measures being taken by the service to meet end-strength numbers. Air Force leaders are in the process of reducing the service's current size by 40,000 full-time equivalent positions through a variety of programs

  • 'Commando' Airmen continue heritage into future

    Keeping a promise is important to many people. But, keeping the Air Commando's promise -- to provide precise and reliable Air Force special operations air power, any time, any place -- is the motto Airmen of the 1st Special Operations Wing live by. The wing is the only active duty special operations

  • 55th Wing marks 6,000 days in Southwest Asia

    For the men and women assigned to the 55th Wing, an intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and command and control unit here, there's a saying about their 24-hours-a-day, 365-days-a-year mission of supporting intelligence operations somewhere around the world. "The sun never sets on the

  • The Air Commandos

    A sign over the doorway of a squat white building near the Hurlburt Field, Fla., runway of Eglin Air Force Base declares, "The Mission of the Air Force is to Fight." (Editor's note: This article is reprinted from Airman Magazine, September 1962.) The men wearing tennis shorts and sneakers, flying

  • Weather technician trains observers at Afghan outpost

    A battlefield weather Airman assigned to work with Army aviation units recently spent two days training members of the Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team to report weather observations. Senior Airman Nathan Fried of the 20th Expeditionary Air Support and Operations Squadron at Bagram Air Base

  • USAFE commander visits units in England

    The U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander visited the geographically separated units that make up the 501st Combat Support Wing in England Jan. 8 to 10.Gen. William T. Hobbins, accompanied by his wife, Robbin Hobbins, and Chief Master Sgt. Gary Coleman, the USAFE command chief, visited with the 501st

  • Reconnaissance aircraft, team reach milestone

    It may not have the stealthy skin of the B-2 Spirit or be able to hover vertically like the CV-22 Osprey, but the RC-135 Rivet Joint is the only aircraft that Airmen can claim to be deployed continuously for 6,000 days. This milestone can be touted by Airmen in the 763rd Expeditionary Reconnaissance

  • Wolf Pack family embraces Holloman Airmen

    Nearly 300 Airmen from Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., and several F-117 Nighthawks arrived at Kunsan AB in January to fulfill U.S. security responsibilities in the Western Pacific.The deployment brings 49th Fighter Wing pilots, maintainers and support Airmen from Holloman AFB to Kunsan AB for the

  • Chief's perspective focuses on Roll Call

    The new Roll Call program is the focus of the latest Enlisted Perspective by Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley.The chief said Airmen can add to their mission effectiveness by increasing their communications, but admits it's not an easy process."We all have access to good

  • Airman receives 2 Purple Hearts

    A Luke AFB sergeant was awarded two Purple Hearts for two separate injuries she received in a span of three months in Iraq.Staff Sgt. Aime Gaona, a 56th Operations Support Squadron intelligence analyst, was serving an eight-month deployment as a weapons intelligence team member of the 732nd

  • Jan. 11 marks 6,000 consecutive days in Southwest Asia

    Most military units rotate through the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in cycles ranging from four months to one year. After each deployment, the squadron returns to its home base for training and reconstitution. But members of the 55th Wing at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., called the

  • Letter to Airmen focuses on 'Excellence in All We Do'

    In the latest Letter to Airmen, Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne discusses the core value of "Excellence in All We Do" and how it relates to Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century.The secretary said he was impressed with the "amazing things" Airmen are accomplishing in the Air

  • Spouses of deployed Airmen armed with information

    When Airmen leave for a deployment, their spouses are often left at home, and many times are forced to make decisions they've never made before. For months, Misawa's 35th Operations Group has been training to go downrange. But preparing to deploy is more than what happens on the flightline; it's

  • SBIRS instructors hold keys to ground floor of new payload

    Future Space Based Infrared System crews will get in on the ground level of Air Force Space Command's most advanced payload when they begin training at the 460th Operations Group's Detachment 1 on Jan. 12. Training on SBIRS' newest satellite will give students a historic chance to involve themselves

  • Involuntary phase for NCO retraining program begins

    Airmen identified as required to retrain must submit a retraining application by Jan. 15 or separate from the Air Force under Phase II of the Air Force Fiscal 2007 Noncommissioned Officer Retraining Program. After meeting the Jan. 15 deadline, Phase II eligibles must choose an Air Force specialty

  • Hill mourns the loss of 3 Airmen

    Hill AFB leaders reflected on the loss of three Airmen who were killed in Iraq by a car bomb. Tech. Sgt. Timothy R. Weiner, 35, of Tamarack, Fla., Senior Airman Elizabeth A. Loncki, 23, of New Castle, Del., and Senior Airman Daniel B. Miller Jr., 24, of Galesburg, Ill., died in the Jan. 7 explosion

  • Travis, Robins test wireless aircraft intercom system

    For five days, Air Force aircraft maintainers at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., and Robins Air Force Base, Ga., demonstrated the Telephonics TruLink Wireless System at their respective bases to great success. The system demonstration was conducted as part of an initiative dubbed "Wireless Intercom

  • Texas National Guard team responds to bird deaths

    In a scene reminiscent of emergency measures seen in cities across the country after 9/11, downtown Austin, Texas, was temporarily blocked to people and traffic so authorities could investigate the unexplained deaths of more than 60 birds Jan. 8. Together with local, state and federal responders,

  • AETC commander addresses training changes

    As part of a visit to Pacific Air Forces here, the commander of Air Education and Training Command discussed training with other countries' air forces. During his visit, Gen. William R. Looney III explained the changing role of the Air Force and how training is changing to accommodate today's

  • 2007 year of 'PACAF Resilient Warrior'

    The commander of Pacific Air Forces has designated 2007 as the year of the "PACAF Resilient Warrior." The PACAF Resilient Warrior initiative is a 12-month campaign focusing on 11 critical attributes of success designed to enhance pride in Airmen, build resilience and reinforce responsible

  • Pacific Airmen deploy in support of war on terrorism

    Several Pacific Air Forces Airmen left Kadena Air Base, Japan, Jan. 8 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Many of the Airmen are from Kadena's 18th Civil Engineering and Logistics Readiness squadrons. The deployment also included Airmen from Yokota Air Base and Misawa Air Base, Japan. Some of the

  • Improvised explosive device kills three Hill Airmen

    Three Airmen from Hill AFB were killed Jan. 7 by a car bomb while performing duties in the Baghdad area. The explosion also injured a fourth Airman not assigned to Hill. The Airmen were assigned to the 775th Civil Engineer Squadron's Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight. While in Iraq, the Airmen were

  • Wilford Hall medics depart for Iraq

    More than 60 Airmen from the 59th Medical Wing at Wilford Hall Medical Center departed here Jan. 9 in support of the war on terrorism. The deployment sends mobilizing medical Airmen to the Air Force Theater Hospital at Balad Air Base, Iraq, to relieve wing members already there. Wing officials

  • Winter 2007 quarterly issue of Airman available online

    Read about how Airmen are rebuilding hope by mentoring Iraqi soldiers, see how warfare is evolving thanks to valuable training in the field, discover how Balad hospital is thriving thanks to deployed servicemembers, and learn how one family is receiving much-needed support from the Air Force to care

  • DOD identifies Air Force casualties

    The Department of Defense announced Jan. 8 the death of three Airmen who were killed Jan. 7 by a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device while performing duties in the Baghdad area supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Airmen were assigned to the 775th Civil Engineer Squadron, Hill Air Force

  • PACAF leads major commands in energy conservation

    Pacific Air Forces officials have seen a 17 percent reduction in energy use from fiscal 2003, well on its way to exceeding the Energy Policy Act of 2005's goal of reducing energy consumption by 2 percent each year from 2006 through 2015 for a total of 20 percent. PACAF had the largest energy use

  • Airmen take to the field for combat skills training

    Taking an Airman out of his normal comfort zone and placing him in an environment where he is expected to practice ground combat skills can take time and patience for both the instructor and the student. Airmen at Osan Air Base, South Korea, went through a 19-hour Installation Arming Response course

  • Teamwork key to bilateral exchanges at Misawa

    Overcoming obstacles such as language barriers can be difficult. This is something Staff Sgt. Andrew Frasier learned recently when he and six other Airmen from Misawa AB, Japan, came here for a bilateral exchange. One of Sergeant Frasier's responsibilities during the exchange was making sure

  • Airmen killed during combat operations

    Three Airmen assigned to the 447th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron's Explosive Ordnance Division were killed Jan. 7 by a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device while performing duties in the Baghdad area.Additionally, one Airman was injured in the explosion.The names of the Airmen are being

  • Airmen keep communications running in Ethiopia

    Airmen ensure all communications are operational at a remote camp bordered by grass-hut villages, a dormant volcano and packs of hyenas that roam just outside the gate. Senior Airman Jeremy Cole and Airman 1st Class Steven Brumley are the only Air Force members assigned to Contingency Operating

  • Personnel specialists provide support to deployed Airmen

    "First in, last out" is the battle cry of the Personnel Support for Contingency Operations team, better known as PERSCO. It's definitely the case during a deployment at Balad AB, headquarters to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, when you're responsible for processing more than 7,000 Air Force

  • National Guard to the rescue in 8 states

    Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen in eight states rescued people and hauled hay to livestock following a severe end-of-year winter storm that stretched from America's northern to southern borders. Hundreds of Guard members in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas and Washington

  • Ramstein Airmen transport wounded servicemembers

    Medical Airmen from Germany flew to Iraq Jan. 4 to help protect the lives of wounded servicemembers. The mission of the 791st Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron at Ramstein AB, Germany, provides a lifeline for America's wounded. "We can have them home to definitive medical care in

  • Latest Roll Call focuses on AFSO 21

    This week's Roll Call features Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century, also known as AFSO 21, which is a program that encourages Airmen to maximize value while minimizing waste. AFSO 21 is about results. Senior leaders have identified the major result areas, which are called "Five North

  • Air Force may hold RIF board if goal not met

    The Air Force will convene an officer reduction in force board in June if it fails to meet its force-shaping goal, said the service's senior most officer for manpower and personnel. "While the goal has been to reduce active-duty end strength through voluntary programs where possible, if at the end

  • Honor Guard gives President Ford final honors

    Like many rapid response teams in the Air Force, the elite U.S. Air Force Honor Guard has to be ready at a moment's notice. When President Gerald R. Ford passed away Dec. 26, the Honor Guard was alerted and organized itself for the events surrounding the funeral of the 38th president. "Once we were

  • Name released of Travis Airman involved in accident

    An Airman assigned to the 60th Security Forces Squadron died in Fairfield, Calif., Jan. 3. Airman 1st Class Sean A. Motoshige, 60th SFS armorer, originally from San Francisco, died from injuries resulting from a four-car traffic accident on east-bound Interstate 80. "The Travis team is deeply

  • 118th Rose Parade kicks off with silent 'boom'

    Crowds cheered with thunderous applause as the Air Force kicked off its 60th anniversary year with a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber and two F-22As opening the 118th annual Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif., on Jan. 1. Gen. Kevin Chilton, Air Force Space Command commander at Peterson AFB,

  • Space shapes today's front lines

    Its existence is only acknowledged by its absence. It doesn't attract attention, yet it changes our behavior. It is there without asking; thus it is often taken for granted. Theater space operators put the power of space at the fingertips of warfighters. "We are combat integrators," said Maj. Troy

  • Wyoming Air Guard dropping hay for Colorado cattle

    The Wyoming Air National Guard arrived in Pueblo, Colo., on Jan. 3 to begin flying missions to drop hay to stranded Colorado cattle.One C-130 Hercules and 10 Airmen are assisting the Colorado National Guard with feeding cattle in the southeastern corner of the state, near Lamar."Although the

  • Security forces Airmen help shape Iraq's future

    They only come inside the wire to eat, sleep and work out. When members of the 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron's Detachment 7 go to work, they hit the streets of Baghdad right along side the Iraqi police. "It makes me nervous every time I have to send someone out," said Capt. Ian

  • AFSO 21 continues to improve operations

    Last year, Airmen at Spangdahlem Air Base's propulsion shop had to walk to work. But this year, thanks to Air Force Smart Operations 21, these Airmen don't have to walk for miles each day just to do their jobs. "They told us we walked 10 miles a day just going to our cage to get tools," said Staff

  • Airmen train Iraqi police

    It beats patrolling the flightline and issuing traffic tickets on base. Ask anyone assigned to the 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron's Detachment 6 here. They're one of just two Air Force teams doing what they're doing: training Iraqi policemen in the province of Salah ad Din to run a

  • Registration open for Rodeo 2007

    Registration for Air Mobility Expeditionary Rodeo 2007 is now open through April 2. This year's competition takes place July 22-28 at McChord Air Force Base, Wash.United States Air Force teams can register online on Department of Defense computers at the Rodeo 2007 Web site,

  • Air Force plans to deactivate Willow Grove wing

    Air Force Reserve Command officials briefed congressional leaders today on plans to deactivate the command's 913th Airlift Wing located at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base in Willow Grove, Pa. The deactivation process would result in personnel authorizations being removed Oct. 1, 2007. The Air

  • Those aging ghosts of Pearl Harbor

    If you are under 30, Dec. 7, 1941, is probably only another date in your history book. The day the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. Ho-hum. If you are over 40, the date is one you may never forget. And like everyone else in that age group, you probably have your own story of "what I was doing when I

  • New unit strengthens U.S.-Japan alliance

    More than a year of planning reaches a milestone in strengthening the U.S.-Japan security alliance Jan. 5 with a ceremony activating Detachment 1, 13th Air Force, at Yokota Air Base, Japan.Col. Michael MacWilliam, formerly the 5th AF director of operations and plans, will command the detachment,

  • Structural fire trainer saves lives, money

    Airmen with the 35th Civil Engineer Squadron's Fire and Emergency Services Flight here are honing their skills on a new structural fire trainer. The better training not only can translate into less injuries, but also it consolidates a variety of scenarios in one area: putting out fires, working in

  • Air Force leaders develop strategic view on fuels

    Air Force leaders from major commands met here recently to discuss the service's strategic viewpoint on fuel conservation. As the Department of Defense's greatest fuel consumer, the Air Force must examine every aspect of fuel consumption while maintaining its core competencies and power-projection

  • Airmen receive 2006 intelligence awards

    The Air Force Intelligence Reserve and Alumni organization held its 56th annual holiday awards banquet here recently to recognize individual mobility augmentees, as well as several others, who supported the service's intelligence community throughout the year. The banquet was attended by 160 active

  • 2006 a year of transformation for Airmen

    In a year when Air Force operations around the globe helped positively impact countless lives affected by violence, intimidation and natural disaster, 2006 also served as a platform for evaluating how such missions can be accomplished more proficiently by capitalizing on training and technology.

  • Honor Guard helps lay President Ford to rest

    It's what many Airmen work for, day in and day out -- the chance to actually do what they have been training for, and to carry out their mission to the fullest. For members of the Air Force Honor Guard here at Bolling Air Force Base, this is that day. These honor guardsmen helped the nation pay its

  • Joint operations center keeps funeral plan on track

    Every military operation requires a headquarters, even those that are ceremonial in nature. For state funeral honors of former President Gerald R. Ford, that role is being filled by the Forward Operations Center located in the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel here.A conference room has been transformed into

  • Airmen build future with present mission

    There are many things that go into constructing buildings that servicemembers live and work in while serving in Iraq.In order for offices, dining facilities and dormitories to become a reality, someone drew plans, ordered supplies and constructed every room. That construction responsibility falls on

  • Volunteerism at heart of medical evacuation mission

    Airmen from the 908th Airlift Wing here have been transporting wounded, injured and sick servicemembers home from Andrews Air Force Base, Md., since September when Air Force Reserve Command took over primary responsibility for stateside aeromedical transportation. Operating from three hubs, located

  • Christmas delivered by air

    Santa employed members of Bagram Air Base this year to help him deliver Christmas to troops deployed to austere locations throughout the theater. In support of Operation Enduring Freedom, there are thousands of troops living in forward operating bases who receive their supplies through various

  • Serving through the season: Airman 1st Class Jack Smithson III

    With security forces' manning levels already low due to deployments to Iraq, Airman First Class Jack Smithson knew he would work at the main gate on Christmas. It's a job he joined the Air Force to do, as he follows in his father's footsteps. "Sitting in a patrol car is easier duty," Airman Smithson

  • Serving through the season: Senior Airman Ryan Summers

    Of all the things he has done, Senior Airman Ryan Summers believes that working Christmas day was an honor like none other. He is a member of the 341st Security Support Squadron. "Because of what we do, people have the freedom to celebrate whatever holiday they choose. I'm proud to be able to

  • Serving through the season: Tech. Sgt. Tracey Booth

    Having worked in security forces for 11 years, Tech. Sgt. Tracey Booth knows what it's like to work through the holidays. The difference this year is that when his duty hours at work are over, he starts his second job -- playing the role of both mom and dad for four children. Sergeant Booth and his

  • Serving through the season: Staff Sgt. Kyna Davis

    Tracking Santa's progress from the North Pole was not the only job a Kadena Airman had this holiday season. As a weather meteorologist from the 33rd Rescue Squadron, she was tasked to forecast weather patterns and brief squadron members for upcoming missions. Staff Sgt. Kyna Davis has been in the

  • Military members support Ford funeral

    The Washington portion of the state funeral for former President Gerald R. Ford was held Dec. 30. More than 500 military members supported the California portion of the state funeral for the former president. The military is providing ceremonial service, security and logistical support to honor and

  • Vehicle readiness squadron jumps onboard with AFSO 21

    Airmen everywhere are coming up with new ideas to improve their work areas as part of the Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century program. The Airmen with the 435th Logistics Readiness Squadron here are no different. When Senior Airman Yan Voskanov first came to the squadron, he noticed

  • Medical team goes extra mile for wounded servicemembers

    The importance of the aeromedical evacuation mission cannot be overstated, with aerovac crew members providing advanced life-saving care to wounded servicemembers.Even with providing this care, crew members often go above and beyond to help out their patients. That's how the "Treats for Troops"

  • Serving through the season: Senior Airman Jane Min-Hee Wyatt

    Fighting the war on terrorism knows no season and Kadena Airmen such as Senior Airman Jane Min-Hee Wyatt, an intelligence analyst with the 18th Operations Support Squadron, is either out-processing for an upcoming deployment or on her way to a forward location. The Aurora, Colo., native was hoping

  • PACAF command chief meets with Japanese airmen

    The command chief master sergeant for Pacific Air Forces stopped by Kumagaya Air Base last week to meet with Japanese Air Self Defense Force, or JASDF, members and tour the base.Kumagaya Air Base is home to the Fourth and Second JASDF Technical Training Schools, and serves as their basic training

  • Serving through the season: Air Transportation Specialists

    Many servicemembers take some time off this holiday season, but that's not an option for the men and women serving in Central and Southwest Asia.Air transport specialists like Airmen 1st Class Bryne Tiseth and Lance Chafin spend a lot of time on the flightline helping deliver the supplies and

  • Serving through the season: Airman 1st Class Ricardo Torrez Jr.

    He is asked to save lives and property with no hesitation and he does it no matter what the day, no matter where in the world he is located. Airman 1st Class Ricardo Torrez Jr. is a firefighter with the 18th Civil Engineer Squadron here and this year he is spending his holiday knowing what it means

  • Theater distribution center equips Airmen

    Entering the 376th Expeditionary Theater Distribution Center's issue and return building correlates to walking into a wholesale outfitters store -- all the gear one needs to get through the mission. "The primary purpose of this ETDC is to outfit all battlefield Airmen going downrange to Afghanistan

  • McGuire Airmen to be honored New Year's Eve

    Two Airmen from here will be honored guests of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg when the ball is dropped at midnight in Times Square on New Year's Eve. First Lt. Erick Saks and Tech. Sgt. Sonya Bulluck were chosen for their contributions to their country, community and the continuing war on

  • Elite Air Force unit transports former president's body

    Airmen from the 89th Airlift Wing at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., will transport the body of former President Gerald R. Ford, a U.S. Navy veteran, as his remains are flown between points in California, Washington and Michigan, Air Force military officers based here said. Ford, the nation's 38th