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  • Yokota couple wins O’Malley award

    Sources have it that behind every good man stands a good woman.Col. Mark Schissler, a former 374th Airlift Wing commander here, said he has to agree.His wife, Marcia, and himself led the wing and its tenant units through two years of relief efforts, community relations events, inspections and

  • Tech, master promotion rates announced

    Air Force officials have selected 6,630 of 25,454 eligible technical sergeants for promotion to master sergeant; and 9,116 of 43,379 eligible staff sergeants for promotion to technical sergeant.The master sergeant selection rate rose 0.10 percent from last year to 26.05 percent, while this year's

  • Report lists multiple factors in fatal accident

    An Air Force report concluded multiple safety violations led to an August accident resulting in the death of one Airman and the serious injury of another. Senior Airman Jesse Williamson Jr. died, and Senior Airman Ryan Robinson sustained serious injuries when the boom lift from which they were

  • Air Force Research Lab gives new meaning to ‘battlebots’

    An unidentified man walks toward a security forces vehicle. A loud, firm voice warns the man to “halt and be identified.” The man does not comply and continues to advance. The vehicle backs up cautiously flashing its red and blue lights to make sure the man knows he is dealing with security

  • Dominguez invites ministry team to academy

    The Air Force invited the National Conference on Ministry to the Armed Forces to visit the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., to provide an outside perspective on religious respect issues there, Air Force officials announced June 8.Michael L. Dominguez, acting secretary of the Air Force, asked the team

  • Grand Forks, Eielson key to Air Force Future Total Force

    If the Base Realignment and Closure recommendations released in May are approved, Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., and Eielson AFB, Alaska, will see some changes. Both bases will play a strategic role in the Air Force's Future Total Force plan.Grand Forks received the highest BRAC score for

  • There’s no quitting in the Air Force

    An Airman candidate stood up and said, “I quit.”Almost before he could finish speaking, three staff sergeants were in his face barking like trained attack dogs.“You can’t quit!” they yelled. “We decide who’s quitting, and you’re not quitting! Ain’t no such thing as quitting.”The confrontation took

  • Officials tout benefits of Microsoft home use program

    For about the cost of a month’s subscription to an Internet service provider, most Airmen can get a copy of the software application they are currently using on their office desktops for use on their personal home computers.The benefit, dubbed the Microsoft home use program, is part of Microsoft’s

  • Total force combats explosive devices

    On a normal day, operations at the 451st Air Expeditionary Group here can be typical of any deployed unit. Civil engineer Airmen work tirelessly to keep the long-neglected runway open so that thousands of Soldiers can remain supplied. Aerial port Airmen load and unload a seemingly endless stream of

  • Desert dust in the wind

    Just about midnight recently the wind kicked up here as suddenly as someone turning off a light switch, bringing with it huge clouds of dust that rolled in and obliterated everything from view.People who were sleeping in their tents were rudely awakened as tent ropes strained and even some beds were

  • Space launch program moves ahead after successful test

    A successful test of the Falcon I launch vehicle here recently put the Air Force one step closer toward acquiring a less expensive means for lifting payloads into space.On its maiden flight, Falcon I will carry a Defense Department satellite. This flight follows the launch of the last Titan IV here

  • BRAC changes to medicine focus on care, training, research

    Airmen bound for a career in the Air Force Medical Service will start off by training in a joint environment if all Base Realignment and Closure recommendations are approved.The changes will not completely homogenize training for enlisted medical specialists, but they will allow all the services to

  • Deployed plumbers keep water flowing

    Water. It is one of life’s most basic necessities. Without it, battles have been lost and entire armies have fallen.It can mean the difference between success and failure -- and even life and death.The Airmen of the 447th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron utilities team know that getting clean

  • B-52 aids ground troops under small arms fire

    A B-52 Stratofortress from the 40th Air Expeditionary Group dropped three joint-direct attack munitions recently on a cave of anti-coalition forces in Afghanistan, killing two and leading to the capture of 10 others by coalition ground forces.The mission was one of 22 close-air support and armed

  • Airmen guard camp, detainees in Iraq

    Airmen here are performing jobs normally reserved for deployed Soldiers. They are escorting patrols and convoys, helping provide force protection for an Army camp and guarding detainees. More than 6,000 detainees are housed in the temporary internment facility here while awaiting legal proceedings

  • Air Force improving force protection

    Protecting military people or equipment is not a new thing in the Air Force, but the way it is being done is. More and more emphasis is being placed on how the Air Force does force protection business and the effects are being seen at home bases servicewide and the U.S. Central Command’s area of

  • Military responders geared up for active hurricane season

    With forecasters predicting an active hurricane season this year, military responders are geared up for whatever Mother Nature whirls their way.Hurricane season officially kicked off June 1, and meteorologists expect the decade-long trend toward active hurricane seasons in the Atlantic to continue

  • Chaplains do good works for Iraqi neighbors

    While Air Force chaplains deployed here are called to serve their fellow Airmen, a higher calling compels them to serve everyone, on or off the base.Humanitarian missions provide chaplains with an avenue to enrich the lives of Iraqis as well as the Airmen here, said Chaplain (Capt.) Charles Seligman

  • Robots, Airmen defuse unexploded ordnance

    With the help of new, faster and more agile robots, explosive ordnance disposal Airmen here have an opportunity to keep their distance from bombs set to harm servicemembers off the base.Teaming man and machine is giving Airmen of the EOD unit an upper hand in the seemingly never-ending battle

  • Bio shop provides peace of mind

    It is a hot day, and an Airman has been walking around base for most of it. He is thirsty, so without thinking he grabs a bottle of water, trusting the water is safe to drink, and with good reason. The Airmen with the 332nd Expeditionary Aerospace Medical Squadron’s bioenvironmental engineering

  • World War II women warriors pass on history, heritage

    After pooling her quarters with her cousin to pay the whopping, 1920s fee of $1.50, Caro Bayley climbed into a Tri-motor Ford airplane at Springfield Airfield, Ohio. She was about to make a historic flight -- the first in her life.Soaring over the clouds, the young girl looked down at the ground.

  • Motorcycle safety forum held at Andrews

    The muffled roar of motorcycles filled the air here May 28 as the base held the inaugural Air Force Motorcycle Safety Forum.The main goals of the forum were to save lives by promoting safe riding and to encourage the motorcycle mentoring concept called for by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P.

  • Crash victims identified

    Department of Defense officials identified the four Airmen who died May 30 in the crash of an Iraqi air force aircraft.The Airmen, deployed from Hurlburt Field, Fla., were on a training mission in eastern Diyala province when the Iraqi Comp Air 7SL aircraft they were in crashed. An Iraqi pilot was

  • Airman helps people get back on their feet

    An Airman here constructs, assembles, repairs and adjusts orthopedic appliances to help injured people in the Pacific Region get back on their feet.“(I) help people with disabling conditions improve their degree of function to a healthy level,” said Master Sgt. Nathan Simonson, an orthotic

  • PACAF officials establish warfighting headquarters

    Pacific Air Forces headquarters officials established the George C. Kenney Headquarters (Provisional) here June 1. The newly formed warfighting headquarters will focus exclusively on planning and executing military operations throughout the Pacific theater, excluding the Korean Peninsula. It is

  • Airman helps people arrive, depart Kosovo

    An Airman deployed here had a busy flight schedule to deal with, but he was not going anywhere.“I have to meet a passenger, who is going to Greece, at the airport in Pristina. Then I have to meet an arriving plane afterward,” said Tech. Sgt. Tony Schuster, NATO’s channel flight coordinator for

  • Officials announce Flemming award winners

    Four Airmen were selected for the 56th Annual Arthur S. Flemming Award.George Washington University officials present the awards to honor outstanding people in federal government each year who have performed outstanding and meritorious work to encourage high standards of performance; enhance

  • Sons of Iraq represent future, freedom

    Iraq just moved closer toward freedom and independence -- 54 steps closer to be exact.Each step is represented by one of 54 elite Iraqi soldiers who have begun explosives ordnance disposal school, the first group to enter the school since the free elections in January. The soldiers will learn how to

  • Airman magazine changes to quarterly publication

    Beginning in July, Airman magazine will be distributed on a quarterly basis versus monthly, to include the January almanac edition.Readers can expect to see enhanced photography and changes in content, layout and design. Because of the transition, the June issue will not be published, but excerpts

  • Officials announce manpower, organization winners

    Air Force officials have announced the winners of the 2004 Air Force Manpower and Organization awards.The annual awards recognize the top manpower and organization professionals in each category.The 2004 winners are:-- Headquarters-Level Field Grade Officer of the Year: Lt. Col. Gregory Parsons

  • Airman missing from Vietnam War identified

    Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office officials announced May 31 that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, missing in action from the Vietnam War, have been identified and are being returned to his family for burial.He is 1st Lt. Lee Adams of Willits, Calif. A memorial service with full

  • Guardsmen tackle challenges of keeping their cool

    People wanting to find out just how hot it can get inside their tent only need mess with the environmental control unit, and they will find out soon enough.Instead, it is probably advisable just to take Master Sgt. Alex Gonzalez’s word for it, and leave the things alone.“It can easily get to 120

  • Paperless transition of emergency data cards complete

    After decades of Airmen updating emergency contact information in their personnel records, everyone is now required to update the information online rather than visiting their military personnel flights.Effective immediately, personnel flight officials are no longer required to print and file a

  • Air Force finalizes new utility uniform

    Blue and green tiger stripes are out; the digitized pattern with subdued green, tan, blue and gray is in.After reviewing more than 150,000 bits of feedback throughout the initial seven-month wear test of the proposed utility uniform, Air Force leaders recently decided to eliminate the original color

  • 'Chief's View' focuses on communication

    A new television production featuring the chief master sergeant of the Air Force is providing an information venue for key Air Force issues to Airmen worldwide.The one-minute segments, called "Chief's View," air globally on American Forces Radio and Television Service, the Pentagon Channel and are

  • Five Airmen killed in Iraqi crash

    Four U.S. Airmen and one Iraqi airman were killed May 30 when an Iraqi air force Comp Air 7SL aircraft crashed in eastern Diyala province during an operational mission.The aircraft belonged to Iraqi’s 3rd Squadron and is a single engine high-winged aircraft used for surveillance and movement of

  • Airmen work with Soldiers to help Iraqi communities

    The public works directorate here, comprising Air Force and Army civil engineers, work on everything from constructing new facilities to designing waste-water treatment facilities to installing electric power nodes. “In short, if you need a construction project done, we do it all,” said Maj. Thomas

  • Honoring fallen heroes full-time job

    Click, click, click. People can hear the crisp, unmistakable sound of heels tapping together simultaneously.With precision movements, Homestead Air Reserve Base Honor Guard Airmen march in unison to take their spot in the funeral procession. They are dressed in pristine Air Force dress uniforms

  • Airmen provide support during Operation Alaskan Road

    A group of Airmen at Camp Wy-Wuh, Alaska, is supporting the troops of Joint Task Force Alaskan Road by making sure their camp has at least some of the comforts of home. Operation Alaskan Road entails the construction of a 14.5-mile road on an island that is Alaska’s only federally recognized Indian

  • DOD study ongoing to investigate Airmen’s health

    An ongoing Department of Defense health study will ultimately examine health surveys submitted by servicemembers throughout 20 years.The joint-service Millennium Cohort Study will evaluate the health risks of military deployments, occupations and general military service, said Navy Cmdr. (Dr.)

  • Sister, brother meet up in Southwest Asia

    An Airman here got quite a surprise when she got off the plane in a forward-deployed location in Southwest Asia in transit to her final destination here.It was the smiling face of her brother, Staff Sgt. Matthew Hochstein, an aerospace ground equipment technician with the 379th Expeditionary

  • Airmen provide close-air support for patrol in Afghanistan

    Air Force air and ground combat support elements accompanied infantrymen from the 508th Infantry Regiment during a presence patrol in the mountainous region here recently.Air Force joint terminal attack controllers, who are attached to an Army unit to coordinate close-air support for ground

  • Taking second step: BRAC commissioner visits Pope AFB

    A Base Realignment and Closure commissioner met with base leaders here May 24 to discuss the base’s inclusion on the 2005 BRAC list, the units that could potentially be affected and the land that comprises the base.“My visit is not to announce Pope will be closed. Rather I am here to get a personal

  • Convoy Airmen protect supply lines

    He wipes the sweat from his palms, getting a better grasp on the warm steel handles of the .50-caliber gun. Darkness stretches around him for miles, with the exception of the headlights from his convoy illuminating the road ahead. The Airman remains vigilant as he keeps a watchful eye. At this

  • Volunteers give to community at Marian House

    Downtown Colorado Springs was quiet on a recent morning. Traffic, normally a dull roar during the week, was a whisper as cars zipped along a nearly empty Interstate 25 and local roads. A dozen cars sat parked behind a yellow house on a road about a quarter of a mile from the highway.As other

  • Air Force leaders send Memorial Day message

    The following is a Memorial Day message from Michael L. Dominguez, acting secretary of the Air Force, and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper:“This Memorial Day, our thoughts and prayers are with those whose family members have died in service to our great nation. This day also reminds us

  • 100-percent accountability paramount in deployed operations

    Imagine showing up to work one day only to discover everyone is new. Well, that has been the case at this and many other forward-deployed locations worldwide. Most of the Airmen in the air and space expeditionary force’s current rotation arrived within the past month, and that means Airmen at the

  • Deploying does not mean classroom is closed

    Wearing desert battle dress uniforms and living in a tent city do not necessarily mean people need to put their educational goals on hold, said the chief of the learning resource center at a forward-deployed location.Tech. Sgt. James Norton Jr. recently arrived from the 480th Intelligence Wing at

  • Honor guard, ceremonial guardsmen award winners named

    Air Force officials recently announced the winners of the 2004 Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Base Honor Guard and U.S. Air Force Ceremonial Guardsmen Awards. The winners are: -- Honor Guard Program Manager of the Year: Master Sgt. Angela Valentine from Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark.

  • Eglin uses controlled burns to protect pine forests

    Conserving the longleaf pine ecosystem here has always been a top priority for base officials, and the base’s natural resources section does its part to help.A large part of the environmental mission here is the prescribed burn program. The primary reason for burning is to help manage the ecosystem

  • Airman sentenced in contraband court martial

    A former 728th Air Control Squadron Airman here was sentenced to confinement for one year and dismissal from active duty in a general court martial May 20.Maj. Gregory McMillion was found guilty on three of four charges: violating a lawful general order; failure to give notice and turn over to

  • Air National Guard leaders focus on BRAC

    Air National Guard leaders are urging citizen Airmen nationwide to remain focused on their missions while they and others consider the organization's future during this year's Base Realignment and Closure process. Lt. Gen. Daniel James III, ANG director, and Chief Master Sgt. Richard Smith, ANG

  • Officials unveil new generation command and control system

    A new generation command and control system was unveiled recently when Air Mobility Command officials began fielding a new system that provides unit-level and force-level mission planning, scheduling and tracking of all mobility airlift and air refueling missions.The global decision support system

  • Lajes sergeant 100-percent fit to fight

    People may spend hours studying to get a 100 percent on a test, but a sergeant here spent hours in the gym and at fitness sessions to achieve a perfect score on the Air Force fitness test -- twice.Senior Master Sgt. Robin McMullen, chief controller of the 65th Operations Support Squadron’s air

  • Joint Space Operations Center opens at Vandenberg

    Joint warfighters worldwide will soon reap the benefits from the Joint Space Operations Center, which opened here May 18.“This (center) really is the culmination of a number of years of evolutionary thinking about space power and its applications,” said Maj. Gen. Michael A. Hamel, 14th Air Force

  • Airmen discover illegal aliens aboard aircraft

    Attention to detail and great military-civilian cooperation helped local and state officials nab six illegal aliens here May 16.Air traffic controllers received an emergency call from a civilian pilot who said he was in danger of running out of fuel. The military controllers offered the pilot a

  • Vehicle operators named 'team of the year'

    The Army has traditionally provided protection for supply and munitions convoys in Iraq and Afghanistan, but when manning shortages made it tough for Soldiers to fulfill that role, the Air Force provided help. As many as 25 percent of Airmen in the vehicle operations career field were specially

  • Critically manned career fields given edge to fill NCO slots

    Airmen in 17 Air Force specialties will be given a leg up for promotion this year in an attempt to fill manning shortfalls in their career fields. As part of the chronic critical shortage skills program, Airmen testing for staff, technical or master sergeants during the 2005 promotion cycle, and

  • Pallet pursuit nets plentiful return

    It is “mission accomplished” for the Airmen of the 455th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron’s pallet and net team. They have returned more than $3.7 million in pallets, nets and other airlift assets to the transportation system in three months.While these assets are supposed to be returned

  • Air Force men take armed forces volleyball crown

    The Air Force men’s volleyball team won the 2005 Men’s Armed Forces Volleyball Championship here May 16.The Airmen began their run to the title by defeating the Navy 25-23, 25-17, 22-25 and 25-22. After the Army defeated the Marines -- 12-25, 22-25, 25-21, 25-19 and 25-17 – they were in a position

  • Vietnam War missing in action Airman identified

    The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced May 20 that the remains of a U.S. Airman, missing in action from the Vietnam War, have been identified and returned to his family for burial with full military honors.On Oct. 15, 1965, Maj. Robert Harry Schuler Jr., of Wellsburg, N.Y.,

  • Airmen make most of temporary situation

    In many deployed locations, temporary quarters are commonplace. Taking that to a whole new level, air traffic controllers with the 332nd Expeditionary Airfield Operations Squadron here have set up shop in a plywood tower nicknamed the “tree house.”“When we arrived … a renovation project on the

  • Airmen use ‘germ warfare’ to ensure force readiness

    Most people see the war on terrorism as a global engagement where bombs and bullets are the biggest threat against Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors and Marines. However, there is a strike force here made up of two Airmen who are fighting the battle against another serious threat -- a microscopic

  • Officials announce airfield operations awards

    Air Force officials recently announced the winners of the 2004 Air Force Airfield Operation Awards.Airfield operations, a flight within the operations support squadron, is responsible for airfield operations and control, specifically airfield management and air traffic control.The 2004 winners

  • BRAC recommendations present beneficial results

    Air Force Base Realignment and Closure recommendations provide an opportunity for the Air Force to effectively organize its total force into a more capable and efficient warfighting organization, transforming the Air Force to better meet future threats.The co-chairman of the Air Force's Base Closure

  • Civil engineers train for chemical attacks

    Civil engineers here replaced their shovels, hammers and power tools with gas masks, gloves and chemical warfare ensemble gear during ability to survive and operate training here May 18.“This training is very important,” said Capt. Jeremy Milliman, 374th Civil Engineer Squadron’s readiness flight

  • A father remembered

    Five numbers painted on the tail of a local parade’s float will pass by thousands of people, and they may not see what is between them.A string of numbers can represent anything from how much money someone has in his or her bank account, to phone numbers or even ZIP codes.71424 represents the life

  • Mobile dental bus helps drive away plaque

    Being assigned to a geographically separated unit can sometimes create difficulties and lost man-hours when it comes to annual appointments like dental checkups. That is not the case for GSUs aligned with Spangdahlem.The 52nd Dental Squadron’s dental bus is a 40-foot long, fully functioning dental

  • Officials announce 2004 security forces awards

    Air Force officials recently announced the 2004 Air Force Outstanding Security Forces Individual Award winners.These annual awards recognize the top security forces Airmen in each category.The career field-wide award winner is:Colonel Billy Jack Carter Award: Senior Master Sgt. Richard Graves from

  • Air Force officials send Armed Forces Day message

    The following is an Armed Forces Day message from Michael L. Dominguez, acting secretary of the Air Force, and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper:In the first presidential proclamation for Armed Forces Day in 1950, President Truman said the day ‘marks the first combined demonstration by

  • ‘Metal mayhem’ returns to Kunsan

    Metal mayhem returned here as heavy metal giants Quiet Riot and Skid Row rocked a packed house during their final concert on the Korean peninsula May 17.During the previous week, Quiet Riot and Skid Row toured Army and Air Force installations to bring their in-your-face style of hard rock, said

  • Officials announce aircrew life support award winners

    Air Force officials recently announced the 2004 Outstanding Air Force Aircrew Life Support of the Year award winners.These awards recognize the accomplishments of aircrew life support people and programs.The 2004 winners are:-- Outstanding Aircrew Life Support Headquarters Staff Member of the Year:

  • Officials announce Air Force communications, information awards

    The following people, teams and units are winners of the 2004 Air Force Communications and Information awards.Air Force communications and information individual award winners are:-- Outstanding Field Grade Officer: Maj. Kevin Payne from Ramstein Air Base, Germany.-- Outstanding Company Grade

  • Air Force launches 'AF eMail'

    The Air Force began the first phase of a new e-mail system May 6 that will enhance communication of Airmen worldwide.AF eMail (aka eMail-for-Life) is a single, static e-mail address that will not change during the career of an Airman or Air Force civilian employee.The current e-mail system, rapid

  • USO brings taste of America to troops

    The day began with business as usual for hundreds of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines deployed here to wage the war on terrorism.Airmen responded to a rocket attack on the airfield while Soldiers set off on operations outside the wire, hunting insurgents who threaten peace and freedom in

  • Airmen open heart, home to children in need

    More than 523,000 children nationwide are in foster care because their families are in crisis and unable to provide for their essential needs, according to child welfare agency officials. May is National Foster Care Month.One family here has opened its heart and home to some of those children the

  • Desert lifestyle results in big weight loss

    Most of the people assigned at this forward-deployed location as part of Air and Space Expeditionary Force 3/4 have rotated home, but they left behind a lot of excess baggage – unwanted pounds.Airmen hit the gym in heavy numbers, sometimes filling the two facilities here, and many left in much

  • PMEL Airmen ensure equipment is ready for fight

    When you do not feel well, the solution is simple. Aches or ailments of unknown origin are taken to medical practitioners for treatment.But what if it is test, measurement, and diagnostic equipment that is not up to speed?Airmen with the precision measurement equipment laboratory ensure the

  • Deployed Airmen honor fallen police officers

    Security Forces Airmen gathered near the flightline at the International Airport here May 13 to honor and remember fellow police officers who died in the line of duty, including military police officers who gave their lives defending freedom in military operations worldwide.The ceremony was part of

  • General Moseley nominated for CSAF

    The president announced May 16 his nomination of Gen. T. Michael Moseley as chief of staff of the Air Force to succeed Gen. John P. Jumper who has served in the position since September 2001."I am deeply honored and humbled to have been nominated to serve as the next Air Force chief of staff,” said

  • Careless recycling causes identity theft concerns

    Postal officials in Europe are asking people to read before they recycle to reduce the threat of identity theft.During the past few years, U.S. Air Forces in Europe postmasters have had great success combating litter problems with post office recycling bins; however, now there is a concern that

  • Six selected for Air Force chess team

    Seventeen Airmen recently battled head to head here on one of the oldest battlefields in history -- the chessboard.The 2005 Air Force Chess Tournament determined the 2005 Air Force chess team. The top six players were named to the team that will compete in the interservice tournament in June at

  • Airmen allowed to show service colors while traveling

    A new Air Force policy gives Airmen the choice to show their colors when traveling to and from deployment locations.Airmen traveling to and from the U.S. Central Command Air Forces' area of responsibility have been, until recently, required to wear civilian clothing on flights in and out of the

  • Airmen prepare Romanian base for exercise

    It is springtime in Romania where dishes and antennae are sprouting up at an airfield here that is developing into a multinational web of communication in preparation for exercise Combined Endeavor 2005.Activity at the airfield, which is the forward-deployed location for the exercise, is gaining

  • Census helps define future joint officer

    More than 7,000 Air Force officers in all ranks soon will be asked to complete a census that will be used to help decide what defines “joint.” The secretary of defense is working on a Congressionally mandated review of joint management and tasked each service to identify officer positions that

  • USAFE activates new wing at Mildenhall

    U.S. Air Forces in Europe activated a new wing here May 12 enhancing the command’s ability to provide support to its geographically separated units in the United Kingdom.The Airmen of the 501st Combat Support Wing will focus on units that, by their nature, are separated from main operating bases of

  • Air Force postpones Officer Training School board

    The rated portion of the Air Force Officer Training School board originally scheduled for August has been postponed until January, Air Force Recruiting Service officials announced May 12.Because of fiscal 2005 and 2006 Air Force force-shaping efforts, the rated portion of the Aug. 2 OTS selection

  • Military leaders applaud Congress for advancing health care

    Military surgeons general thanked members of the Senate Appropriations Committee’s defense subcommittee for their role in advancing military medicine.The surgeons general testified May 10 before the subcommittee on the defense health program. At $18.9 billion, the program's fiscal 2006 budget is an

  • Helicopter crash kills one, injures two

    One Airman was killed and two others injured in an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter crash May 11 about 100 miles northeast of Santa Fe.The helicopter was assigned to the 58th Special Operations Wing’s 512th Rescue Squadron. It was on a training mission when it crashed at about 1:30 p.m. The names of the

  • Air National Guard fighter jets respond quickly to stray aircraft

    The military's actions when a small private plane strayed into the no-fly zone over the nation’s capital area May 11 were "just a normal response" that demonstrates the Air National Guard continues to be "ready to respond at a moment's notice," a member of the unit involved said.Airmen from the

  • Airmen travel to Guatemala to train, treat patients

    Outside a primitive five-room elementary school, hundreds of villagers lined up to receive medical, dental and optometry care.Airmen from Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., provided the care. The 33-person team had recently arrived to provide medical care for 10 days at three schools in villages in the

  • Air Force aviator strengthens U.S.-Japan friendship, ties

    An Air Force exchange pilot is strengthening bilateral ties and friendship between U.S. and Japanese military forces here. Capt. Justin Fletcher, an F-15 Eagle pilot, said that being assigned at the picturesque Japanese base located south of Tokyo is one of the most interesting and challenging jobs

  • Innovation, education benefit ongoing PEB mission

    Facing an increased caseload since Sept. 11, 2001, innovation and education have improved the Air Force Physical Disability Division's service to the Air Force and boarded Airmen, those who enter the disability evaluation system to determine their fitness. Some are returned to duty, while others may

  • Mobility bag test case begins

    Airmen will be returning from their deployment a little lighter because of a test to pre-position mobility bags in theater, potentially saving millions of dollars. The test began May 9.To make the deployable Air Force more agile and address concerns of people hand-carrying too many bags into the

  • Flight engineer earns Pitsenbarger award for heroism

    For his display of heroism in the face of hostile enemy fire, a helicopter flight engineer from Hurlburt Field, Fla., has been named the 2005 Pitsenbarger award winner.Master Sgt. Robert Colannino Jr. was a flight engineer aboard an MH-53M Pave Low during a night resupply mission when his helicopter

  • BRAC information available for affected bases

    The secretary of defense is expected to announce the proposed Base Realignment and Closure list during a press conference May 13.Air Force officials said they understand the effect BRAC can have on servicemembers, retirees, employees and their families.To assist people with vital BRAC information,

  • C-130 maintainers accomplish ‘in-field’ depot maintenance

    It took about a month for C-130 Hercules maintainers here to repair significant structural damage normally requiring a stateside depot team with full access to back shop structural support.A C-130 with the 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron received significant structural damage when its right

  • Internet-based health care can degrade mission readiness

    The Internet can be used to do research, download music and even shop for cars. However, Airmen should use caution before using the Internet as a means for receiving medical treatment, officials said.Many Airmen are taking advantage of the increasing number of Internet physician and pharmaceutical

  • Logistics Airman excels in passenger travel

    While most of her co-workers are helping servicemembers deployed here return home, one traffic management specialist is moving in another direction.With the deployment rotation in full swing, Senior Airman Latasha Ireland, with the 379th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, has work to do.

  • Special Olympics brings joy to Yokota volunteers

    More than 700 American and Japanese volunteers helped make the 26th Annual Kanto Plain Special Olympics a rousing success, officials said.But for some of the volunteers, seeing the May 7 and 8 event succeed is not the only reason they came.“I’m so happy to see the joy on the athlete’s faces,” said