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U.S. Air Force News

  • Department makes 'great strides' in brain-injury care

    The Defense Department is making great strides in the field of traumatic brain injury that will benefit not only the department, but also its global and civilian partners, a TBI expert said March 11."The department is committed to fast-tracking promising research and to improving the diagnosis and

  • Course readies civilians for overseas deployments

    An incoming rocket explodes, shaking the earth and setting off a shockwave of activity."Keep your heads down!" a soldier shouts back to a group of civilians standing by a doorway as he scans a half-blown-up parking garage ahead for suspicious activity.A few soldiers, M-16s in hand, surround the

  • Photo essay: Exercise Cope North

    The U.S. Air Force and Japanese Air Self-Defense Force conduct exercise Cope North annually at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, to increase combat readiness and interoperability, concentrating on coordination and evaluation of air tactics, techniques and procedures.View the slideshow.

  • CSAF talks cooperation, efficiency at defense conference

    The Air Force and the private sector must focus their collective efforts to ensure America's defense needs are met in the face of declining purchasing power, according to the Air Force chief of staff.Gen. Norton Schwartz made the remarks during a speech to defense industry leaders, service members

  • Loadmasters hone skills during training, humanitarian mission

    When one C-17 Globemaster III left here Feb. 25, there were a few more loadmasters aboard than usual. A training mission was in the works, but the extra hands were put to use for a humanitarian mission that coincided with the training.The aircrew made stops at Langley Air Force Base, Va., MacDill

  • Airmen demonstrate massive airdrop, teamwork in joint exercise

    Nine Little Rock Air Force Base C-130 Hercules and twice as many aircrews, along with maintainers and planners from the base, participated in Joint Operation Access Exercise Feb. 9 through 12 here and at Fort Bragg, N.C.JOAX is a two-week exercise to prepare Airmen and Soliers to respond to

  • Photo essay: Airmen participate in exercise Cope North

    U.S. and Japanese airmen take part in exercise Cope North Feb. 21, 2011, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. The exercise helps joint forces increase combat readiness and interoperability, concentrating on coordination and evaluation of air tactics, techniques and procedures.View the slideshow.

  • Future initiatives discussed during fuel efficiency summit

    Air Mobility Command members set the course for cultural change during a fuel efficiency summit here Feb. 16 and 17 that included participation by representatives from 11 Air Force major commands. AMC leaders hosted the summit to share and collaborate on ideas and initiatives that will help promote

  • Officials announce military service awards nominees

    Air Force officials recently announced its four nominees for the 2010 Government Employees Insurance Company Military Service Awards.The annual GEICO Military Service Awards recognize enlisted service members from all military service branches, active duty, National Guard and Reserve, for their

  • TRICARE autism demonstration proving positive

    During the recent 2011 Military Health System Conference, Michael O'Bar, deputy director for TRICARE policy and operations, reported on the Department of Defense Enhanced Access to Autism Services Demonstration. "We have begun the process to determine how best to make the board-certified behavior

  • New fuel savings concept evaluated at JB McGuire

    As the Air Force's largest consumer of aviation fuel, Air Mobility Command officials are taking a leadership role in efforts to reduce fuel consumption across all mobility Air Force missions. Members of AMC's Test and Evaluation Squadron here recently completed an operational evaluation of a new

  • Efficiencies, balance main focuses of FY12 budget

    Air Force officials said despite a reduction in the top line request, combat capabilities and balance will remain focal points in the Air Force's portion of the president's fiscal 2012 budget presented here Feb 14.The total Air Force budget request for FY12 is $166.3 billion, down from $170.8

  • AFSO21 event helps plan fuel conservation initiatives

    Members from the 100th Operations Group, the 100th Maintenance Group and the 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron recently used the Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century process to help design fuel conservation initiatives here.The goal of these initiatives is to help achieve the secretary

  • Officials certify first aircraft for biofuel usage

    The C-17 Globemaster III was recently certified for unlimited usage of hydroprocessed blended biofuels known as hydrotreated renewable jet fuels, officials said here Feb. 9. "This certification marks the Air Force's first platform to be fully certified using an HRJ blend," said Dr. Kevin Geiss, the

  • Airmen vie for slots in Army Air Assault course

    The sound of 12 Airmen chanting "air assault, air assault, air assault" over and over with every left step as they marched double time through the woods was audible from a distance.They'd been on duty since 4:30 a.m., completed an Army physical training test, and were about to face "The Tough One,"

  • Center officials award Space Fence preliminary design contracts

    Electronic Systems Center officials have issued two competitive contract orders, each worth $107 million, for preliminary design of the Space Fence program. They awarded the contracts to Raytheon Corp.'s Integrated Defense Systems and Lockheed Martin Corporation's Mission Systems & Sensors Division.

  • Air National Guard fighter wing preps for alert missions at Tyndall

    U.S.-based alert pilots train to shoot down enemy aircraft over American soil. They run exercise scenarios on a constant basis, preparing for that call to scramble. But all the dry runs in the world can't prepare a pilot for that moment when a live missile is released from the jet. That's why

  • First U.S.-trained Afghan helicopter pilots begin Mi-17 qualification course

    The first two Afghan air force helicopter pilots to complete basic pilot training in the U.S. recently began the initial Mi-17 qualification course meant to convert them into Mi-17 helicopter pilots at the Afghan air force base in Kabul. A hybrid of Croatian and U.S. helicopter training syllabi, the

  • Airmen demonstrate capabilities during life-like exercise

    Airmen here recently participated in Beverly High 11-02, a local operational readiness exercise that used scenarios to gauge Airmen's ability to react and respond to different situations and base emergencies.In one scenario Jan. 19, firefighters, security-forces and flight-medicine professionals

  • F-15E flies with new radar system

    Officials took a step forward in the F-15E Strike Eagle's continuous technological evolution as the Air Force's most versatile combat aircraft here Jan. 18.Officials from the 46th Test Wing launched the fourth generation fighter for the first time with a new and improved radar system, the

  • Airmen consolidate flying missions, free space for Afghan unit

    Officials from the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing recently began moving assets here as part of a long-term project to consolidate the wing's missions and to free space for the expanding Afghan unit. The move of the 75th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron marked the first of 10 units and two groups to be

  • McKinley: Relationships vital to National Guard domestic operations

    The National Guard's ability to respond to a domestic response depends largely on relationships established prior to an incident, the chief of the National Guard Bureau said Jan. 19 at the 2011 National Guard Bureau Domestic Operations Workshop here. "You establish these relationships in your

  • Air Force boxing back on base

    The Air Force School of Boxing is back in session at the boxing gym here.As of Jan. 8, Air Force boxing coach Steven Franco has been leading his pupils through his brand of "boxing 101."For camp veterans, such as All-Air Force light heavyweight Larry Hampp, two-time Air Force boxer Gary Griffin and

  • F-4 continues long-time service to Air Force with new mission

    The 82nd Aerial Target Squadron officials here are replacing the use of Lear jets for their banner tow missions with the F-4 Phantom, creating an air-to-air target that aircrews in training can safely evaluate, develop and test their weapons systems. "We developed the idea to use the F-4 for the

  • Networthiness sets standards for DOD, AF networks

    The Air Force soon will have a relatively new term to add to its network operations lexicon: "Networthiness." Air Force Network Integration Center officials recently led efforts to develop the Department of Defense's networthiness concept, an operational assessment that goes well beyond information

  • Hawaii National Guard all-hazards response team earns validation

    Members of the Army and Air Force Hawaii National Guard all-hazards response team stood up a chemical, biological, nuclear, high-yield explosive enhanced response force Dec. 13 through 18 here to be evaluated by Joint Interagency Training and Education Center officials.The CERF team was validated

  • New 'bird' finds home with 76th AS

    Members of the 76th Airlift Squadron here receieved a C-37A Dec. 7 to help increase the flying capabilities of the distinguished visitor mission.The new aircraft is the military version of the Gulfstream V ultra-long-range-business aircraft and is the first C-37A to be stationed here. The C-37A

  • Air Force emergency managers "walk the walk"

    A team of 481 Air Force emergency managers representing all the major commands, recently joined 2,000 of their colleagues at the 58th annual International Association of Emergency Managers conference in San Antonio.This year's IAEM conference theme was, "Talk the Talk, now Walk the Walk," and the

  • Nurse commissioning program officials seek enlisted applicants

    Air Force officials are seeking active-duty enlisted Airmen to apply for the fall 2011 Nurse Enlisted Commissioning Program.The program offers enlisted members an opportunity to earn a bachelor's degree in a high-need academic major. Air Force Personnel Center officials will conduct the annual NECP

  • Identifying friendly forces to become easier for AWACS

    Engineers with the Electronic Systems Center here have achieved the next step in bringing an improved Identification Friend or Foe, or IFF, system capability to E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft.Currently, AWACS provides situational awareness of friendly, neutral and hostile

  • Air Force, industry leaders brainstorm at Renewable Energy Industry Day

    During the U.S. Air Force Renewable Energy Industry Day on December 8, Air Force senior leaders joined more than 250 industry professionals to exchange ideas about partnering to increase renewable energy supplies and achieve energy goals.Terry Yonkers, the assistant secretary of the Air Force for

  • DOD officials to expand community-based child care options

    Defense Department officials plan to launch an initiative early next year aimed at expanding the quality and quantity of community-based child care options for geographically dispersed reserve and active-duty families and for families facing long waits for on-base care.Through the initiative, DOD

  • Special needs families receive added support

    Thirty-five installations worldwide now have additional staff members to support active-duty Airmen who have family members with special needs.Air Force officials established Exceptional Family Member Program family support coordinator positions at installations with the highest number of

  • Combat rescue officers celebrate 10-year anniversary

    Officials celebrated the 10-year anniversary of the creation of the combat rescue officer career field Dec. 8."Our personnel recovery forces need to be organized, trained and equipped to operate across the full range of military operations, including humanitarian operations, irregular warfare and

  • Air Force's X-37B historical landing advances space vehicle technologies

    After 224 days in space since its launch April 22 from Cape Canaveral, Fla., the X-37B orbital test vehicle landing marks the Air Force's latest step in experimental test missions to improve the service's space capabilities, officials said here Dec. 6.The 11,000-pound OTV made an autonomous landing

  • DOD seeks to better support disabled employees, official says

    The Defense Department employs about 45,000 workers with disabilities, but needs to boost awareness of a program to support, hire and retain them, the DOD's director of disability programs said Dec. 7.On the eve of the 30th Annual Department of Defense Disability Awards ceremony, "Talent Has No

  • 412th TW tests Global Hawk with alternative fuel

    A remotely-piloted aircraft completed a 32-hour flight test using an alternative fuel mixture here Nov. 23.The 412th Test Wing's Global Vigilance Combined Test Force's Block 20 RQ-4 Global Hawk took off Nov. 22 and became the first RPA to fly using the Fischer-Tropsch Synthetic Paraffinic Kerosene

  • Air Guard top enlisted Airman addresses force

    The training and experience level of the Air National Guard's enlisted force has expanded during the past decade and, as a result it, has made considerable contributions to both the overseas and domestic missions, said the Air Guard's top enlisted leader Nov. 18."In the E-1 to E-4 category,

  • Photo essay: Mountain Home Airmen participate in exercise

    Members of the 391st Fighter Squadron use operational readiness exercises to gauge their ability to meet wartime taskings at a deployed location here Nov. 21. The evaluation includes initial response, readiness, combat operations, ability to survive and operate, self aid and buddy care, and mission

  • DOD officials establish wounded warrior task force

    Officials from the office of the undersecretary of Defense for personnel and readiness have announced the names of 14 members who will serve on the Department of Defense Task Force for Care, Management, and Transition of Recovering Wounded, Ill, and Injured servicemembers.The four-year mission of

  • Program easing medical separation rolls out forcewide

    A pilot program that eases medical separation and speeds benefit payments for servicemembers too wounded, sick or injured to stay in the military will soon roll out to the entire force. "We are proud that the disability evaluation system is making progress," a senior defense official said this week.

  • Teens gather for first AF Reserve Teen Leadership Council

    Teenagers from around the nation gathered at Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command here for the first AFR Teen Leadership Council meeting Nov. 12. The 20 teens, selected to represent their peers as members of the council, received briefings on Air Force Reserve Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Programs

  • Officials release E-9 statistics

    Air Force officials selected 504 of 2,287 eligible senior master sergeants for promotion to chief master sergeant, for a selection rate of 22.04 percent.The average score for those selected was 661.37, with an average time in grade of 3.33 years and time in service of 23.30 years, respectively. The

  • TRICARE provides answers to behavioral health questions

    Whether it's "butterflies in the stomach" or a quickened heartbeat, most people feel anxious at some time or another. While it's normal to worry or feel nervous before public speaking or an important event, or with unexpected news, some people constantly feel on edge and panicky. Similarly, sadness

  • Squadron tests newest F-22s, live-firing of missiles

    F-22s Raptor crews from the 90th Fighter Squadron here deployed to Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., Oct. 30, to participate in exercise Combat Archer, the air-to-air evaluation portion of the Air Force's Weapons Systems Evaluation Program.90th FS members are training and being evaluated with the

  • Hill AFB energy project full steam ahead

    Officials are set to begin negotiations on a unique enhanced use lease project that could process recyclables and municipal solid waste at Hill Air Force Base, Utah and the surrounding community.Officials at the Air Force Real Property Agency and Hill AFB will soon begin negotiations with Ogden Hill

  • AFRCC members assist in search for missing aircraft with four onboard

    Air Force Rescue Coordination Center officials here worked with Wyoming Department of Military Affairs and Fremont County Emergency Management officials to search for a small aircraft with a father and three of his sons on board that went missing Oct. 25.According to the Mooney M20J's flight plan,

  • Squadron aims to reduce use of air-sickness bags

    Even the bravest fighter pilots and toughest medical-evacuation helicopter pilots may occasionally need an air-sickness bag. Air sickness has nothing to do with how tough or strong someone is. It's a complex problem with a variety of causes, which affects many people to varying degrees. For aircrew,

  • Airmen embracing fitness culture

    "Readiness," said the chief master sergeant of the Air Force, "is the primary purpose of developing the new fitness standard, and, so far, Airmen are stepping up to the challenge as the program normalizes." The new physical-training standard is a way to ensure Airmen are prepared to do the nation's

  • 460th Space Wing wraps up first Cyber Lightning exercise

    Working under a carefully planned and escalating contested cyber environment on Oct. 15, members of the 460th Space Wing here successfully completed their first exclusively cyber-focused exercise."Exercise Cyber Lightning" was designed to test the wing' s capability to operate in a contested cyber

  • Space Fence design moves into next phase

    Electronic Systems Center officials released a request for proposal announcement Oct. 20, 2010, for the next phase of a program that will revamp the way space objects and debris are identified and tracked.The Space Fence program, with a total anticipated value of more than $3.5 billion, will deliver

  • New medical forms will streamline veterans claims process

    The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has released three new disability benefits questionnaires for physicians of Veterans applying for VA disability compensation benefits. This initiative marks the beginning of a major reform of the physicians' guides and automated routines that will streamline

  • Eglin completes second alternate fuel test

    Specialists at Eglin Air Force Base conducted their second aircraft performance evaluation using an environmentally-friendly, biomass-derived fuel, this time with an F-15E Strike Eagle.The jet flew at a variety of flight conditions, achieved supersonic speeds, and landed with no issues, though it

  • Command, control wing adds joint digital integration mission

    A new mission was added to the 505th Command and Control Wing here Oct. 15.The 505th Operations Group at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., took over Joint Digital Integration for Combat Engagement, or JDICE, from the Air Force Command and Control Integration Center. The JDICE capability complements the

  • General Eichhorn assumes command of AFOTEC

    Officials at the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center held a change of command ceremony here Oct. 22 as Maj. Gen. David J. Eichhorn assumed command of the center from Maj. Gen. Stephen T. Sargeant.  Lt. Gen. William L. Shelton, the assistant vice chief of staff of the Air Force, presided

  • Contract extension puts communication system on bombers

    Electronic Systems Center officials here awarded a contract Sept. 29 that will enable continued integration of an airborne communication system aboard two key Air Force platforms.The $14 million award to Northrop Grumman Corp. extends a previous contract to develop and test the Common Link

  • Secretary Donley addresses challenges ahead during Kirtland visit

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley visited Kirtland Air Force Base Oct. 13 and 14 to meet with base leaders, speak with Airmen serving here and address members of the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce.During his visit, Secretary Donley visited numerous base organizations, including the

  • Test center fuses old, new technology for light attack

    Test pilots and engineers here are learning what happens when high-tech systems are combined with low-tech airframes for a new, cost effective, light-attack aircraft.Light attack, a revitalized concept in the Air Force, addresses the need for an airplane that offers surveillance as well as strike

  • Photo essay: Lakenheath set-piece demonstration

    Members of the 48th Maintenance Group participate in a set-piece demonstration. The demonstration involves five-man teams tasked with regenerating an aircraft within a specified time limit in preparation for the NATO Tactical Evaluation here Oct. 7. View the slideshow.

  • Randolph Airmen urge students to make the right choices

    If experience is the best teacher, some 200 students from a San Antonio middle school learned invaluable lessons last week from a group of Randolph Airmen with personal stories to tell and messages to impart.Dwight Middle School students visited here for the new school year's first session of the

  • Afghan air force members attend fly-away security team training

    Nine Afghan air force security forces members received flyaway security team training here from Sept. 27 through Oct. 4. They are assigned to the quick reaction force and have received previous basic military police and air base defense training. The training provides the Afghan air force an added

  • Wilford Hall hosts graduate medical education course

    A course for medical educators provided by the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences was held Sept. 24 to Oct. 2 at Wilford Hall Medical Center here. The course, designed to train military medical education program directors, was chaired by retired Army Col. (Dr.) Louis Pangaro, who

  • Shinseki: Evidence led to new Agent Orange presumptions

    Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki defended his decision to add heart disease, Parkinson's disease and leukemia to the conditions VA officials can presume in Vietnam War veterans to be caused by Agent Orange exposure.Speaking before the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs Sept. 23,

  • Combat Air Force Airmen integrate into new plan

    Combat Air Force officials released the 2010 CAF Strategic Plan Sept. 15, a document that focuses on the development, planning and employment of integrated combat capabilities."The Combat Air Force is a group of eight major commands and the Airmen that work in those commands across our Air Force;

  • Researchers developing analysis tool to track anomalous behavior

    Researchers in the Anticipate and Influence Behavior Division's Behavior Modeling Branch, part of the 711th Human Performance Wing's Air Force Research Laboratory, also known as 711th HPW/RHXB, are developing an analysis tool that will help military specialists discover and track unusual behavior in

  • C-17 conducts flight test with biofuel

    The Air Force's ongoing alternative fuels certification efforts reached a new milestone Aug. 27 when a C-17 Globemaster III from here flew on all engines using jet fuel blended with a combination of traditional petroleum-based fuel, or JP-8, biofuel derived in part from animal fat, and synthetic

  • Officials moving forward with cleanup at Tyndall

    Air Force officials announced plans to continue with environmental cleanup efforts in place at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. Terry Yonkers, the assistant secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Logistics, directed that the work move forward expeditiously and within the framework

  • Destructive F-16 test makes strides toward new drone's development

    An F-16 Fighting Falcon was intentionally blown apart on the range here as part of a test on an aerial-target flight termination system Aug. 19. The purpose of the test conducted by the 780th Test Squadron, and overseen by the QF-16 special programs office, was to demonstrate that the FTS design

  • Space Logistics Group passes compliance inspection

    The Space Logistics Group, a subordinate unit of the Space and Missile Systems Center, received an overall grade of "in compliance with comments" on a compliance inspection conducted Aug. 16 through 23. This was the first time the group had undergone a CI.CIs are conducted to assess areas mandated

  • Mental health clinic works to help Airmen, families

    Members of the 673rd Medical Group Mental Health Flight here have been working hard to meet the mental healthcare needs of military members and their families.The military life can be a stressful one, said Maj. Alexsa Billups, a member of the 673rd MDG. "It's up to the individual people to come to

  • Academy ranked 11th-best school in nation by Forbes

    The Air Force Academy was ranked the 11th-best college in the nation on Forbes Magazine's 2010 America's Best Colleges list, which was released Aug. 12.The rankings are compiled by Forbes and the Center for College Affordability and Productivity, which evaluated more than 600 undergraduate programs.

  • Logistics system release transforms combat support

    A new age for Air Force logisticians began when a pilot version of the Expeditionary Combat Support System went live July 31 at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass. The Expeditionary Combat Support System will transform business processes, alter management and control systems, and affect personnel roles

  • Knowledge operation managers lead the way

    Air Force senior leaders in the Knowledge Operations Management career field recently recognized KOM personnel at Wilford Hall Medical Center for their outstanding work in realigning information managers under one central office. Prior to 2008, the 59th Medical Wing KOMs were called information

  • Maintainers resurrect F-16s that will become targets

    Maintainers are towing F-16 Fighting Falcons out of retirement from the "boneyard" here July 29 and preparing them to become the Air Force's newest platform for target training. Specialists with the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group are regenerating F-16s so they can be flown to a

  • ICBM test launches showcase Global Strike capabilities

    Two Global Strike Command missile crews launched Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile test vehicles June 16 and 30, respectively, at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.Missile maintenance and operational task forces from F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo., and Malmstrom AFB, Mont., combined with the

  • The multiple roles of the C-17 Globemaster III

    The C-17 III Globemaster here serves as the visual centerpiece of the United States' static display coral at the 2010 Farnborough International Air Show here.The eight crew members accompanying the newest cargo aircraft to the international event are from the 301st Airlift Squadron, a Air Force

  • AFRL test marks return to 'in-house' rocket fuel development

    Air Force Research Laboratory scientists here returned to the organization's roots with their latest rocket test recently.AFRL technicians have tested rockets of all sizes and fuels of all make-ups for years. What makes this latest test unique is that all components of the test were developed at the

  • C-5s support Afghanistan troop surge

    Since June 17, Dover Air Force Base Reserve and active-duty C-5 Galaxy aircrews have been overseas supporting the Afghanistan surge delivering 4 million pounds of cargo to Afghanistan.Two C-5M Super Galaxies and seven C-5 Galaxies completed 42 of 44 missions July 12, with the final C-5 mission

  • ESC radar program moves forward

    The Electronic Systems Center's Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program recently reached a significant milestone when the sensor and first software baseline were delivered to Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., for the next step -- integration on a Global Hawk aircraft. MP-RTIP increases

  • President Obama announces return of the SAVE award

    President Barack Obama wants federal employees to submit their ideas for eliminating government waste and saving American taxpayers' money as part of the 2010 SAVE, or securing Americans' value and efficiency, award program. President Obama made the announcement in a video on the White House website

  • Airmen participate in RIMPAC 2010 international maritime exercise

    The 613th Air and Space Operations Center here is serving as the central hub for data and voice communications during the biennial Rim of the Pacific exercise June 23 through Aug. 1. The state-of-the-art facility enables a multinational team to provide command and control of air and space assets

  • Polish team observes inspection

    Polish air force members visited here during the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Phase I Operational Readiness Inspection to gain an upper hand in inspection processes and procedures.Next year, Polish units will undergo a NATO tactical evaluation, and members from different specialties observed several

  • 13th AF hosts international engineering exchange summit

    The 13th Air Force hosted seven civil engineers from countries throughout the Asia-Pacific region during a subject matter expert exchange summit called Pacific Unity here June 3 through 17. The summit is a joint and combined military information-sharing forum that provides mid-level officers from

  • Services work to learn more about brain ailments, suicides

    Post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury and suicides among servicemembers are interrelated problems requiring holistic prevention methods and more scientific study, military leaders told a Senate panel June 22. "The reality is, the study of the brain is an emerging science, and there still is

  • Scott agencies join to test new airframe

    More than 20 Airmen from Scott Air Force Base continued production qualification testing on the C-27J Spartan here June 8 and 9. The C-27J was originally an Army development program until April 2009 when Defense Secretary Robert Gates shifted the program to the Air Force. As such, Air Force-specific

  • Tac Sat-3 completes groundbreaking experimental mission

    Tactical Satellite-3 will transition from an experimental demonstration to an operational asset when spacecraft control authority officially transfers June 12 from the Air Force Research Laboratory's Space Vehicles Directorate here to Air Force Space Command at Peterson AFB, Colo.Launched in May

  • Air Force fitness program revision rewards excellent Airmen

    Based upon service-wide feedback, Airmen who earn an "excellent" on the new fitness test will now only have to test once a year according to a new revision to the Air Force Fitness Program."We believe this will recognize fitness excellence and serve as an incentive for more Airmen to improve their

  • Iraqi forces practice lifesaving measures

    Members of the Iraqi air force and army participated in a mass casualty exercise recently at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. Iraqi forces from Al-Muthana, Camp Taji and New Al-Muthana demonstrated their abilities to assess and treat several types of conditions that may happen if they were to enter a combat

  • Units make history with Air Force's first homeland defense ORI

    Three units representing each component of the Air Force made history here May 16 through 23 when they successfully completed the first homeland defense operational readiness inspection.The ORI, held at the Gulfport Combat Readiness Training Center here, was administered by the Air Mobility Command

  • Osan Airmen host munitions exercise

    Members of the 51st Fighter Wing are hosting a mass munitions production exercise here through May 28.Combat Ammunition Production Exercise 10 is an annual event conducted by Pacific Air Forces and 13th Air Force logistics staff, and evaluated by munitions Airmen from across the service.The

  • Review panel praises BMT program improvements

    The 22nd Basic Military Training Triennial Review Committee validated the positive effect expanded training has had on BMT graduates during its evaluation May 12 through 14 here.The committee observed program improvements achieved by expanding BMT to 8.5 weeks and adding a week-long Basic

  • Air Force fitness program revisions begin July 1

    In less than two months, Airmen across the globe will begin testing against new fitness assessment standards. These standards were deemed necessary by senior Air Force leaders to ensure a fitter and healthier fighting force. Changes include bi-annual testing, minimum requirements within testing

  • AFOTEC members support deployed Airmen with care packages

    Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center members put together care packages for the organization's deployed members May 7 here."The AFOTEC Key Spouse program initiated the care package program to ensure deployed members are taken care of as we continue to support their efforts and help

  • Offutt community to observe National Police Week

    The community of Offutt Air Force Base will observe National Police Week May 9 through 15, culminating in a retreat ceremony.Offutt AFB Airmen will host numerous functions throughout Police Week to honor security forces Airmen, here and around the globe, as well as civilian law enforcement officers

  • Exchange Service officials investing in facilities

    Construction on a military installation is a sign of progress as the Department of Defense transforms. Army and Air Force Exchange Service officials are playing an active part in this process as the organization has completed 123 major facility projects, valued at more than $1.1 billion dollars,

  • Air Force program learns from Airmen

    The Air Force Lessons Learned program gives Airmen the opportunity to share their combat experiences to help future service members, according to the director of Air Force Analyses, Assessments and Lessons Learned (A9). "Every Airman is valued and can initiate change across our Air Force by

  • Air Force officials clarify officer stratification

    Air Force officials are providing additional guidance to help clarify the use of stratification for officers after receiving feedback from senior leaders, promotion boards and Airmen around the globe. That feedback included concerns that our previous officer stratification guidance was unclear and

  • Airmen train on combat search, rescue missions

    Airmen participating in Exercise Angel Thunder 2010 here performed a combat search and rescue mission at the Barry M. Goldwater Range April 19 more than 140 miles northwest of Tucson, Ariz. Two HH-60G Pave Hawk rescue helicopters carrying teams of pararescuemen accompanied by multiple A-10

  • Combat photographer to compete in Warrior Games

    Not once, but twice. Twice, in 2004 and 2007, a combat photographer who was assigned to the 1st Combat Camera Squadron, Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., was wounded in Iraq.It was her combat wounds in 2007 that caused retired Staff Sgt. Stacy Pearsall to give up her dream as a combat photographer