Airmen continue filling Army billets

Moving supplies across Iraq can be a daunting task, but it is one more than 150 Airmen of Detachment 2632 have come together to do each day. These 732nd Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron “in-lieu-of” forces assist the Army's 181st Transportation Battalion run convoy missions primarily to

ROVER gives joint force new vision

“ROVER” is an unimpressive piece of equipment. But one Air Force officer swears it’s the link to the Air Force’s future in communications -- where the Xbox generation meets real-time battle. “You can’t get any simpler than this -- a laptop with a bunch of antennas and cables,” said Lt. Col. Gregory

Air Force makes changes to BAH policy

Beginning in January, the Air Force and the other military services will eliminate geographic rate protection for the basic allowance for housing. Over the last five years, geographic rate protection meant BAH rates around military communities could never drop, even when estimates for median housing

Special tactics Airmen train on submarine

A U.S. fighter pilot has been shot down. He is injured and behind enemy lines. But he has established communications and is evading the enemy. Time is a critical factor. He needs to be rescued, and he needs to be rescued now. Submerged off the coast lies 19,000 tons of stealth in the form of a

'Hat-in-the-Ring Gang' says goodbye to its Eagles

The 94th Fighter Squadron flew its last F-15 Eagle sortie today, marking the squadron’s official evolution to F-22A Raptor operations. The “Hat-in-the-Ring Gang” is the second squadron at Langley to convert from the F-15C/D -- a strictly air-to-air fighter -- to the Raptor, which has air-to-ground

Airmen continue Pakistan relief effort

The Air Force continues to support Pakistan-led earthquake recovery operations by airlifting much-needed supplies into the devastated region. Five Air Force C-130 Hercules and four C-17 Globemaster IIIs flew in more than 145,000 pounds of food, medical supplies, heaters, vehicle parts and office

Airmen bring holidays to remote village

For the 38th year, Airmen from Elmendorf Air Force Base have brought the holidays to a small village in northern Alaska. The tradition started in 1967 when, due to migration changes, Arctic Village hunters were unable to get the caribou that sustained them. That year, the 17th Tactical Airlift

C-5 airlift readies Soldiers for battle conditions

The first-time loading of a new Army helicopter flight simulator into a C-5 Galaxy required Airmen to build new ramps. Members of the 436th Aerial Port Squadron loaded the Aviation Combined Arms Tactical Trainer, a helicopter training simulator, onto the transport. But they had to build special

Air Force needs volunteers for extended deployments

As the Air Force accepts new roles in the global war on terrorism, the need grows for hundreds of Airmen to volunteer for one-year extended deployments to fill critical positions. Officer and enlisted Airmen in almost every major career field are needed for U.S. Central Command joint task force

USAFE Airmen collect gifts for Afghan children

Thousands of miles from the day-to-day bustle of holiday shopping and military missions, school children and orphans are receiving school supplies, toys and clothing -- from people they've never met. The children live in Afghanistan and they've been receiving these much-needed items through the

Security forces help hurricane victim

We see them everywhere. At the gates. In their cars and our rearview mirrors. By the flightline. They’re so omnipresent that many of us ignore them as part of the landscape. However, at least one man in the civilian community can't miss the 45th Security Forces Squadron Airmen who helped him rebound

McChord Airman earns top leadership award

A joint tactical air controller with the 5th Air Support Operations Squadron at Fort Lewis is the junior enlisted recipient of the 2005 Lance P. Sijan Air Force Leadership Award. Senior Airman Grailin Blamer was recognized for his quick and cool-headed thinking while providing air cover for Soldiers

Airmen earn awards for innovations, improvements

Airmen from seven major commands received the Chief of Staff Team Excellence Awards and Air Force Best Practice certificates for mission process improvements. Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne and Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel Gen. Roger A. Brady presented the trophies and

Air Force leaders discuss current issues

Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley met with the media at the Pentagon to discuss a wide range of topics and issues. The leaders provided updates on aircraft and the new Air Force mission statement at the Dec. 13 meeting. F-22A Raptor The

Troops learn to play by the rules

Airmen, Soldiers and Sailors attended the Air Mobility Warfare Center here for the Rules of Engagement/Rules of Use of Force Tactical Training Seminar. The seminar held from Dec. 6 to 8 and hosted by the center for the first time, familiarized more than 40 students with the legal and tactical

Families together through video teleconferencing

“Daddy, where are you? When will you be home?” 7-year-old Gabrielle Hamed asked repeatedly. “Daddy, I miss you,” chimed in sister Annalyn, 8, daughter of Master Sgt. Roger Hamed, who is deployed to Iraq. Friends and families had a rare opportunity Dec. 13 to see and talk via video teleconferencing

Wynne: Instill Airmen with opportunity for change

The secretary of the Air Force said the service will embark on an effort to improve itself by using private sector developed process optimization tools to become more efficient. Two optimization tools are Lean and Six Sigma. Corporations like Toyota and General Electric have used them to catapult

Air Force names 2005 Sijan award recipients

The Air Force recognized four Airmen with the service's 2005 Lance P. Sijan Air Force Leadership Award. The Sijan award annually recognizes Airmen who demonstrate outstanding leadership abilities while assigned to organizations at the wing level or below. The 2005 recipients are: Senior officer --

Conference paves way for efficient Air Force

The Air Force is looking to civilian companies to find ways to streamline itself, eliminate waste and save money in the process. Civilian companies like General Electric and Toyota have been successfully using process improvement programs to cut waste and increase efficiency. Now the Air Force plans

Guardsmen meet to discuss 2020 vision

Senior Air National Guard leaders met for a three-day conference here to discuss the future and their role in the Air Force. Scores of generals, command chief master sergeants and adjutant generals attended the Dec. 12 event opening. They will spend the duration of the conference discussing a global

Vandenberg helicopter crews help seize drugs

The 76th Helicopter Squadron here helped seize $284 million of marijuana while supporting Joint Task Force North counterdrug operations this year. The joint task force bases operations on requests for Department of Defense assistance from the Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Border Patrol in

ARPC automates 20-year and mortgage letters

The Air Reserve Personnel Center set another transformation milestone with the self-service automation of the reissue of 20-year and mortgage letters. The letters are now available via the Virtual Personnel Center Guard/Reserve portal. The original 20-year notification letter is issued approximately

Reservist can establish online virtual accounts

Air Force reservists can now go online to create an account on the Reserve Personnel Center’s Virtual Personnel Center-Guard Reserve portal. The portal on the personnel center’s Web site allows reservists to access virtual personnel services and enhances the traditional “vMPF” tools with which many

Skill pairing helps develop future leaders

Force development teams now have a new tool -- skill pairing -- to help them better shape future leaders. Skill pairing is a method of combining developmental expertise across functions to meet Air Force sustainment requirements. Airmen gain this expertise through education and training

Airmen training Iraqi NCOs to lead protection force

Security forces pride themselves on making a good first impression for base visitors. Now they are instilling that same pride and professionalism in Iraqi Airmen. Three Air Force security forces members are training the Iraqi protection force that will ultimately inherit security operations at New

Disabled veteran earns DOD award

An Air Force civilian received top-level recognition at the 25th Annual Department of Defense Disability Award ceremony. John Hanson is the 2005 Outstanding DOD employee with a disability. Mr. Hanson, who works at the base family support center here, was the lone Air Force recipient out of 18 who

Wrestling superstars end Afghan tour

World Wrestling Entertainment superstars, and its flamboyant chairman Vince McMahon, wrapped up their third “Tribute to the Troops” tour with a live-to-tape show of WWE’s Monday Night “RAW.” The wrestlers ended their tour Dec. 9. Before leaving Dec. 10, WWE Women’s Champion Trish Stratus said her

Airmen keeping search and rescue 'choppers' flying

Whether it’s for a matter of life and death or a routine mission, 64th Expeditionary Helicopter Maintenance Unit troops here keep their combat search and rescue helicopters ready. The unit’s more than 30 Airmen never stop working to maintain and repair the HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters that fly from

Airman gets 17 years confinement

A general court-martial sentenced an NCO to 17 years confinement after finding him guilty of rape, sodomy and striking a child. A military judge also sentenced Tech. Sgt. Larry Pauly to a dishonorable discharge and reduction to airman basic. Sergeant Pauly, of the 3rd Maintenance Operations

Lab keeps fuel, oxygen flowing

Some laboratory workers here provide a quality analysis of all fuels and gases used in the region. They also analyze fuel when a mishap or possible contamination occurs.In a war zone, both these functions are important missions. “The majority of the samples we receive are products that have been

Armor Airmen helping save lives

Not many people can say their work saves lives everyday. But Airmen at “Big Bob's” Add-on Armor Shop can. The 49 Airmen of the 732nd Expeditionary Logistic Readiness Squadron’s shop strip down heavy equipment and tactical vehicles and rebuilding them stronger. The shop got its name from the Army

Weather flight spins up 'Santa's Mailbag' program

Air Force volunteers are once again hosting Santa’s Mailbag, a free holiday program that lets children from around the world request and receive a letter from Santa Claus postmarked from North Pole, Alaska. Members of the 58th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron started the program more than 50 years

Air attachés end conference on regional issues

The Latin American Air Attaché conference that brought together Airmen serving in 21 countries to discuss concerns including the global war on terrorism ended here today. 12th Air Force hosted the event, which started Dec. 5, for Bruce Lemkin, the deputy undersecretary of the Air Force for

Chief of staff lauds evacuation teams

The Air Force chief of staff said 19 Airmen here provided an “awesome” example of what Airmen do in wartime. Two critical care teams were just doing their job when they escorted 12 battlefield-wounded patients, six in critical condition, on a mission from Landstuhl Regional Medical Center Andrews

Home front crew chiefs still make it happen

When they finish their shifts their uniforms are often covered in oil, dirt and sweat. They are no longer the crisp, starched uniforms they once were. However, for crew chiefs here -- and elsewhere on the home front -- this is a symbol of pride. The life of a crew chief is a tiring but rewarding

Airmen positive mentors to troubled youth

Making a positive impact on a community or another human being is what drives some people to volunteer. Forty Airmen from this base doing that -- making a significant impact in the lives of 55 youth through the Youth Detention Center mentoring program. “This has been an eye-opening experience,” said

Front-line forecasting not average day on the job

Slashing through Burmese jungles with Maj. Gen. Orde Wingate’s Chindits; hunkering down far above the DMZ in North Vietnam; infiltrating into Northern Iraq to ensure the success of a thousand-man airborne jump -- not the average day at the office for most weather forecasters. But those missions and

Airmen on Pakistan relief duty returning home

After more than two months of helping with Pakistan earthquake relief operations, the 24th Air Expeditionary Group is ending its operations at Chaklala Air Base. The group is returning home to McGuire Air Force Base, N.J., to become the 818th Contingency Response Group again. Group members will

Airmen continue Pakistan relief effort

The Air Force continues to support Pakistan-led earthquake recovery operations by airlifting much-needed supplies into the devastated region. Here are the latest figures from U.S. Central Command Air Forces for Dec. 2 through today. Five Air Force C-130 Hercules and one contracted Boeing 747 flew in

Airmen keep Kirkuk water cycle running

When the faucet comes on and water begins swirling in the sink and into the drain, it is actually beginning a never-ending journey. The water used by troops here and at Forward Operating Base Warrior circles in a never ending loop that, without the oversight of several guardsmen, might not go so

McConnell helps film 'world's largest concert' segment

A Public Broadcasting Service film crew came here to tape a segment for the “World’s Largest Concert” that will air next year. Base members and students from Beech Elementary School of Wichita, Kan., and Unified School District 259 took part in the Dec. 2 event. PBS will transmit the segment during

Maintainers keep ‘Hercs’ flying

Most of them are in there early 20s and some are just out of high school. Their average rank is senior airman and many of them have less than three years in the military. However, they have one of the most demanding jobs in the Air Force -- keeping multi-million-dollar aircraft flying in support of

Airmen ‘drop’ in to help islanders

Airmen from here and Andersen Air Force Base, Guam -- and people from surrounding communities -- teamed to airlift Christmas supplies to people at more than 50 Micronesian islands. The effort was the 53rd anniversary of the Christmas Drop mission. Three C-130 Hercules aircraft from the 36th Airlift

Lost Airmen laid to rest at Arlington

After spending the last 37 years entombed in a glacier, two Airmen were finally laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. Col. Wilfred B. Crutchfield and Lt. Col. Ivan E. O’Dell received full military honors at their Dec. 7 burial ceremony, with several family members in attendance. “I appreciate

Airman missing from Vietnam War identified

The Department of Defense today identified another Airman missing in action from the Vietnam War. The department’s POW/Missing Personnel Office said he is Tech. Sgt. Patrick L. Shannon of Owasso, Okla. DOD returned the remains to his family for burial with full military honors. His family has yet to

Air Force releases new mission statement

The realities of the world have changed dramatically since the creation of the Air Force in 1947 and continue to change almost daily. With these changes in mind, Air Force leaders released a new mission statement Dec. 7 that defines the current and future direction of the Air Force. "Today, our

TSP announces enrollment changes for 2006

Effective in 2006, civilian and military employees are no longer subject to a percentage limit on the amount they may contribute to a regular Thrift Savings Plan account. They may contribute the full amount allowed by the Internal Revenue Service annual elective deferral limit, which is $15,000 for

Airman meets doctor who saved her

More than five months, 8,000 miles and countless prayers led to an unlikely reunion at a Colorado animal sanctuary. Tech. Sgt. Jamie Dana and Maj. (Dr.) Paul Morton first met June 25 in Kirkuk Air Base, Iraq -- a hot summer day the major described simply as chaotic. They met again Dec. 2 on a cold

Hickam quiet on this Dec. 7

The Pacific Air Forces headquarters building -- and this base -- is quiet today, the 64th anniversary of the surprise Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. But on Dec. 7, 1941, it was a major target during the infamous sneak attack on Pearl Harbor and Hickam Field that drew the United States into World

Cops plus copters equal better nuclear security

Take four security forces Airmen, throw them on a UH-1 Huey helicopter and what do you get? A combined defense team that is fast, efficient and keeps the country’s nuclear arsenal well protected. Helicopter aircrews and security forces at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont., have integrated parts of

Letter to Airmen pushes persistence in resource management

After 15 years of continuous engagement, the Air Force is evolving through persistent situation awareness, the secretary of the Air Force stated in a Letter to Airmen released today. “Our Air Force finds itself in an operating environment that requires us to examine all mission areas, from platforms

Barksdale maintainers keep ‘Buffs’ flying

Some people have compared the specialists at the 2nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron to gears in a watch. The watch can’t tick without the gears -- just as aircraft can’t fly without the Airmen. Within the squadron, specialists in each of the three aircraft maintenance units work behind the scenes to

Wilford Hall testing new vascular viewer

Airmen at the Wilford Hall Medical Center’s emergency department are helping evaluate a new light scope used to help locate patient’s veins and arteries. The vascular viewer uses an infrared lighting source to trans-illuminate tissue. So medical personnel can use it to better locate a patient’s

CMSAF discusses future at enlisted call

It was fitting Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald Murray wore the Air Force utility uniform of tomorrow when addressing about 700 Airmen at an enlisted call here. Most of what the chief talked about at the base theater Dec. 6 focused on the future. That was also the purpose of his visit to

Little Rock gets fifth ‘J-Herc’

Airmen fighting and training to fight the global war on terrorism have a new weapon -- a fifth C-130J Hercules. Lt. Gen. Dennis Larsen, Air Education and Training Command vice commander, delivered the new Hercules to the base’s Dec. 6 and added another first to his career. “This is the first C-130

Aerial porters breaking airlift records

Aerial porters of the 386th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron here are breaking records by moving more than 200,000 passengers and baggage since arriving in September. They have moved more cargo and people than other units who have rotated in and out of this desert base. “There is nothing

Travis firefighters win second world title

For the second year in a row, firefighters from Travis Air Force Base, Calif., won the World Firefighter Combat Challenge team competition here. The Travis team also won the stream-light relay -- in a time of 4 minutes, 25.14 seconds -- to seal their victory. The team beat out more than 240

CARs help Airmen get insurance funds

Casualty assistance representatives have a vital role in ensuring injured Airmen get the insurance funds to which they are entitled. Their job is to help potentially eligible members with Traumatic Injury Protection Insurance applications in coordination with the base military treatment facility.

General Hobbins takes USAFE helm

Gen. William T. Hobbins took command of United States Air Forces in Europe from Gen. Robert H. “Doc” Foglesong today at a ceremony here. General Hobbins begins his term just five years after he left the command as its director of aerospace operations. The general was the Air Force deputy chief of

Defender training readies ‘brass’ for deployment

A new Air Force Materiel Command program helps train security forces leaders for deployment to combat zones. “Brave Defender,” developed by the command’s Security Forces Regional Training Center, prepares security forces commanders and senior enlisted leaders for success in the field. "This course

Moody rescue crews receive Mackay Trophy

Two HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter aircrews received the Mackay Trophy from Gen. John D. W. Corley, the Air Force vice chief of staff, at a ceremony here Dec. 5. The 13 Airmen earned the award for rescuing five Soldiers whose helicopter crashed in a sandstorm near Kharbut, Iraq, in April 2004. The

Controllers keep air traffic on course

In a cold, dark box the size of a small bedroom -- set apart from everything else here -- work the 332nd Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron combined en route radar approach controllers. The controllers maintain the airspace over central Iraq and handle air traffic for both military and

Athena is one lucky dog

It’s a familiar, yet sad story. A family is getting ready for a permanent change of station but can’t take their pet with them. But instead of trying to find a new home for the pet, they choose to abandon it and leave the animal to fend for itself. Athena was one of those pets left behind. The boxer

Wingman can help combat the ‘holiday blues’

Being stationed overseas often means separation from family members. This, combined with holiday stress, can lead to what is known as the “holiday blues.” “The holiday blues refers to feeling sad when we should be feeling joy, happiness and a sense of peace,” said Chaplain (Maj.) Shon Neyland.

Evaluators put ‘Js’ through the paces

Active duty, Reserve and Guard C-130J Airmen put the aircraft through its wartime paces here during a joint training exercise. Airmen worked with Soldiers at the Joint Readiness Training Center in Fort Polk, La., to test the airplane last month. The exercise tested the aircraft’s ability to

Red Horse builds it all at Q-West

The sounds of hammers smashing nails and the buzzing of saws cutting wood, typically resonate through this forward Army outpost -- simply known as Q-West. The 200-plus civil engineering Airmen of the 557th Expeditionary Red Horse Squadron are nowhere near an airfield. And they are nowhere near any

Engineers keep Kandahar airfield in the fight

Since arriving to support Operation Enduring Freedom, Air Force civil engineers here have been vital in keeping air operations on track. From repairing a 200-square-foot crater on the runway -- in less than an hour -- to upgrading the once substandard airfield, the 451st Air Expeditionary Group

Are you ready for some football?

Nine Airmen from McChord Air Force Base, Wash., will be featured in a national promo for the National Football League’s Monday Night Football on ABC television today. Monday night promos are aired before each game and are watched by more than 20 million people each week. The promos normally feature

Dynamic Weasel sharpens combat skills

Exercise Operation Dynamic Weasel begins here today to hone the skills Airmen need for combat deployments. The exercise will sharpen tactics, techniques and procedural skills while practicing for combat situations, said Maj. Anthony Roberson, the 20th Operations Support Squadron director of

Airmen ensure deployed troops get their mail

When the truck backs into place and the back doors open, brown and white cardboard boxes are stacked far and wide. These are not ordinary boxes. They may be special links to families and friends back home during the holiday season. Knowing this, the five people at the post office at this base do

’Patriot Express’ reengineering on track

The reengineering process to significantly scale down Patriot Express is on track, said experts in Air Mobility Command’s Air Transportation Division. Patriot Express is an AMC-managed, military-chartered commercial air service for transporting Department of Defense customers to and from overseas

Thunderbirds release 2006 schedule

The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the “Thunderbirds,” has announced its 2006 air show schedule. The team, based here, is scheduled to perform more than 65 public shows in 29 states. The 2006 schedule is as follows: March 25-26 -- Fort Smith, Ark.April 1-2 -- Punta Gorda, Fla. 8 --

Immersion turning out culturally savvy officers

Traveling to a foreign country, speaking the native tongue and understanding the culture are dreams to some people. But thanks to an Air Force program, line officers have the opportunity to turn those dreams into reality. Language and Area Studies Immersion is a program designed to build a force of

Keeping Airmen alive

Kadena Airman convicted for possessing child pornography

A military court martial convicted an Airman here today of possessing child pornography.A military judge then sentenced Senior Airman Jason O. Green, of the 353rd Maintenance Squadron, to 20 months confinement, reduction to airman basic and a dishonorable discharge. But as the result of a pretrial

Osprey flies spec ops forces into future

In addition to riding on the wings of Eagles, Falcons and Hawks, the Air Force will also fly with the Ospreys soon. The CV-22 Osprey, that is. The Air Force will buy 50 of the tilt-rotor aircraft for use by Air Force Special Operations Command. The Osprey will first go through several developmental

New guide helps maintain 'human weapon system'

It's a theme every Airman can recite -- but many might find themselves at a loss as to how to help a fellow Airman in distress. A guide published by the Air Force Suicide Prevention Program is now available to explain how to be a good “wingman.” The Leader's Guide for Managing Personnel in Distress

Airmen offload 250th Pakistan relief aircraft

The Air Force unloaded the 250th aircraft taking part in Operation Lifeline -- the humanitarian relief mission providing aid to the people hit by a 7.6 magnitude earthquake here in early October. The Idaho Air National Guard C-130 Hercules, arrived Nov. 29 at Chaklala Air Base from Afghanistan. It

Changes sweeten 're-up' bonuses in two careers

The Air Force changed the reenlistment window and waived obligated service requirements for Airmen in two career fields eligible to receive the enlisted critical skills retention bonus. Airmen who meet requirements may qualify for a retention bonus of up to $150,000. The reenlistment window now

A-10 pilot ‘talks down’ civilian airplane with emergency

“Mayday. Mayday.” The distress call is familiar to most people who watch television and movies. But when it is made for real, it can make a pilot’s mouth go dry and his stomach cramp. That is the feeling pilot Naim Fazlija said he had when he made the distress call to German radar controllers when

700-plus Airmen face retraining

The ongoing Noncommissioned Officer Retraining Program will involuntarily retrain up to 777 active duty Airmen. The second phase of the program started Nov. 18 and will continues until the Air Force meets retraining targets.Enlisted retraining staff workers at the Air Force Personnel Center here

Supplemental deployment health assessment starts in December

Airmen returning from deployment now have two opportunities to let healthcare workers know of their mental and physical health status. Beginning in December, the Air Force will require all Airmen returning from deployments to complete a post-deployment health reassessment. The PDHRA needs to be

Remains of missing WWII-era Airman are examined

President Bush visits Airmen, border patrol in Arizona

Deployed wing transports its 1 millionth passenger

The 386th Air Expeditionary Wing lived up to its motto of “Boots on the Ground” when it recently transported its 1millionth passenger in a little more than two years.The wing reached this historic milestone when they transported 10 Army soldiers to their final destination within the area of

Trick Pony brings season’s greetings to troops

The country music band Trick Pony is riding with the Air Force Reserve to Germany, Turkey, and a forward operating base in Southwest Asia, with a final stop at Keflavik, Iceland, Dec. 2. “We want to meet as many of the troops as possible and to thank them,” said Trick Pony’s lead singer Heidi

Airmen outside the wire

Air Force security forces are usually associated with base defense, but with the increased needs of the Army, deployed Airmen here are finding themselves outside the wire performing area security and winning hearts and minds. Security Forces Airmen from 17 bases, ranking from airman to lieutenant

Air Force gun trucks deliver the goods

As Airmen saddle up for one of the most notorious jobs in Iraq, the mood is not dread, but drive and determination. There's confidence in every move as members of the 732nd Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron here at Forward Operating Base Speicher prepare to escort truck convoys on some of

Second chance: Active-duty father donates kidney

It’s evening, and the Pitman family is playing Candyland in their living room. Devin, 5, bounces from the sofa to the gameboard and pulls a card. “Ice cream!” the blue-eyed boy shouts, and moves his yellow pawn toward the end of the trail. “My turn,” his father says, leaning over the board to pull a

Ammo warriors keep close-air support of U.S., coalition forces a reality

Keeping a mission-capable supply of bullets coming as A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots respond to close-air support requests is a key role for a group of Airmen taking part in the ongoing global war on terrorism. Deployed here from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., the role of the 455th Air

For all B-52 flyers, all roads lead to the 11th BS

For B-52 Stratofortress aircrew members, all roads lead to Barksdale, more specifically the 11th Bomb Squadron. All "Buff" navigators, pilots or electronic warfare officers goes through their initial and upgrade training in the 11th BS. During 2005, the squadron processed 315 students.“Of the 315

Mechanics turn wrenches to save lives

Mechanics often talk about vehicle maintenance as if it were life and death. For the gun-truck maintainers of the 732nd Logistic Support Squadron, the idea is more than a figure of speech. The trucks they maintain help provide convoy security, traveling some of the most brutal roads in Iraq.

Medical Group Airmen return from humanitarian mission

Nine members from the 9th Medical Group recently returned from a medical readiness exercise in Paraguay. While in Paraguay the members worked alongside security, Paraguayan military doctors and liaison officers, as well as physicians from Andrews Air Force Base, Md., and Vandenberg AFB, Calif. The

Air transportation career field benefits from mobile learning

Two Airmen with the Air Mobility Warfare Center’s Mobility Operations School are helping fellow air transportation Airmen keep up on their training -- no matter where they are in the world. The effort, called mobile learning or “M-learning,” refers to the use of handheld devices when used to enhance

ORIs evolve with modern war fighting

Airmen today can face deployment with increased confidence after practicing modified operational readiness inspection scenarios that reflect current wartime conditions. According to Air Combat Command's Inspector General Col. Tom Jones, with the expeditionary nature of today's Air Force, it is

Leaders visit Travis for AMC orientation

A group of Air Mobility Command mission support group commanders and an AMC general visited Travis recently as a part of AMC’s Excellent Installation Orientation. The team toured five AMC bases, including Dover Air Force Base, Del.;  Andrews AFB,  Md.; Charleston AFB, S.C.;  McConnell AFB, Kan.; and

Civil engineers build tent city in Southwest Asia

From hammers to bulldozers, from planning to construction along with muscles and sweat, the 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron’s tent city project is under way and near completion. The planning for the tent city expansion program began in September. About 28 tents are being constructed to

All secure, and then some

Security in Southwest Asia is no joke, but you may still get a smile from security forces Airmen when they check your ID. Ensuring the security of coalition forces and resources is a job the 379th Expeditionary Security Forces team takes very seriously. “We have a dedicated and enthusiastic team

Deployed Airman receives call from president

While most people were waiting to make an important call on Thanksgiving, an Airman here was awaiting a call from an important person. Airman 1st Class Sarah Sullivan, an airfield management operations supervisor, received that call at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 24, when the White House switchboard put the

Ramstein Reservist helps injured troops get home

"Home for the holidays" is a familiar goal for many military people, but not Tech. Sgt. Katheryn Bicker. This Reservist from the 944th Fighter Wing at Luke AFB, Ariz., is forgoing her own holidays to help others in what she feels is the true spirit of the season. "I don't think about it being