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  • State-of-the-art battlefield system to integrate controllers

    Construction is scheduled to begin this month on a facility to house a state-of-the-art battlefield command and control system that will integrate air traffic management throughout Iraq. The $30 million Battlefield Command and Control CENTAF, or BC3, will house air traffic controllers from the

  • Dover exercise tests Airmen's combat environment skills

    Once fine tuned and sharpened with razor-edge precision, an ordinary axe became something magnificent during the Middle Ages. The battleaxe, a choice weapon due to its inexpensive cost and abundant availability, was a dangerous weapon on the battle fields of long ago. The methods of warfare have

  • Eielson maintainers use AFSO 21 to improve performance

    Members of the 354th Maintenance Squadron's Aerospace Ground Equipment Flight here recently implemented Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century initiatives to reorganize the unit to save resources and manpower.The flight reorganized into five cells for scheduled and unscheduled maintenance

  • Medical capability grows in Afghan province

    A joint Air Force and Army team helped build Afghanistan's medical capability as five men from the Zabul Province completed a three-month basic emergency medical technician training course Jan. 8 here. The course was facilitated by Provincial Reconstruction Team Qalat members and is similar to a

  • Airman's Roll Call highlights new enlisted career tool

    This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on a new enlisted tool Airmen can use to plan their careers. The My Enlisted Development Plan, or MyEDP, is designed to help Airmen track their own careers and the careers of those they supervise or mentor. The one-stop website allows Airmen to play a bigger

  • Civilian personnel system offers workers opportunities, officials say

    In its second year of implementation, the Defense Department's new civilian personnel system is meeting its goal of shifting the department to a performance-based pay system while giving employees the power to boost their own careers, two officials with the program said here Jan. 7. The National

  • Virtual enlisted promotion release proving successful

    Since its introduction in November, the new virtual enlisted promotion release system has received positive reviews from the field.  And, while it may be a bit of a culture shock for some, the new system provides several benefits for Airmen of all grades. "The new process resolved several challenges

  • AMC commander visits Airmen in Southwest Asia

    Deployed Airmen need modern aircraft and equipment to continue to effectively prosecute the war on terrorism, the commander of Air Mobility Command said in January during a recent tour of Southwest Asia air bases. Gen. Arthur J. Lichte made his first trip downrange since taking command of AMC in

  • 'Letter to Airmen' focuses on achievement

    In the latest Letter to Airmen, the secretary of the Air Force focuses on how Air Force people need to set personal and organizational goals for 2008. "I encourage each of you to set personal goals that will take care of your mind, body and your family so you are ready to defend our great nation

  • General Brady offers parting thoughts

    To many below the headquarters and major command levels, the title "AF/A1" may not mean much, but it should. AF/A1 is the office of the Air Force's senior officer in charge of all personnel issues from force shaping to education and training, and for nearly four years, Lt. Gen. Roger A. Brady has

  • Air Force funds fiber laser research, considers applications

    The Air Force Office of Scientific Research officials have recently funded a project that creates fiber-lasers as thin as a human hair. The ultra-fast fiber laser development will provide compact and cost effective solutions across a number of technologies of direct relevance to the Air Force.

  • Commercial flights move servicemembers around Africa

    The secretary of defense recently granted a waiver to allow Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa members to partner with a civilian contractor to take American servicemembers from major cities in the area of operation and fly them to smaller, remote locations.Secretary Robert M. Gates approved

  • Wind tunnel helps determine impact of hypersonic speeds

    Funding provided by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research has resulted in the world's only quiet hypersonic wind tunnel, which researchers are now using to test the performance of vehicles traveling at hypersonic speeds, or approximately 4,000 mph. A team of researchers at Purdue University,

  • Airmen design everything from bridges to buildings for Army

    Airmen here are helping their Army brethren everyday in different parts of Iraq, improving their quality of life by creating the blueprints for what may be the next place the Soldiers rest. Those Airmen are the engineering assistants of the 732nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron Det. 6. They're

  • New analysis tool boosts AF's wartime mission

    The Air Force has developed a new tool for personnelists and functional area managers that provides a complete and accurate accounting of deployment assets. For the first time, FAMs at the Air Force headquarters and major command level can look at their Air Force specialty codes and make accurate

  • 2007 a time of reflection, success

    The year 2007 was a time for reflection as Air Force people celebrated the service's 60th anniversary, but it was also a time of great success as Airmen across the world defended their nation through air, space and cyberspace. In celebration of the 60th anniversary, six locations across the country

  • Emergency airdrop rescues stranded ship

    Teamwork, flexibility and airpower were used to deliver critical repair parts to a stranded British fishing vessel, the Argos Georgia, and its 25-person crew Jan. 4. The vessel had lost all main power and been frozen in the ice flow off the Ross Ice Shelf since Christmas Eve, New Zealand

  • Project promises economic boost for Afghans

    A recently-approved $300,000 construction contract promises economic growth for Afghans here, according to the Airman leading engineering efforts for the Mehtar Lam Provincial Reconstruction Team. The contract for the construction of four new agricultural buildings in the Mehtar Lam agricultural

  • Air Force cartoonist publishes book while deployed

    It's hard being only a figment of someone's imagination. Just ask 1st Lt. Kenneth Dahl, an F-15 Eagle fighter pilot with the imaginary 809th Fighter Squadron. Lieutenant Dahl, call sign "Barbie," is the star of the online Web comic Air Force Blues, and a hero, of sorts, to his Internet following.

  • U.S., Afghan partnership to bring prosperity to region

    "I make promises and my job is to fulfill these promises," Laghman Provincial Governor Gulab Mangal told more than 200 tribal elders during a shura, or tribal council, held here recently. Six weeks later, that declaration came true with the Dec. 31signing of an $8 million contract between the

  • Road warrior: Airmen honor fallen comrade

    One Airman's commitment to a fallen comrade came full circle with the dedication of "Master Sgt. Randy Gillespie Way," here Jan. 1. The road was dedicated in honor of Sergeant Gillespie, a career fuels specialist who died July 9 from wounds sustained during small arms fire near Herat, Afghanistan.

  • Calendar provides troop-support ideas

    New Year's resolutions frequently include good intentions, such as joining a gym, calling parents or organizing closets. But through its America Supports You program, the Defense Department is helping Americans resolve to support the nation's servicemembers throughout 2008. America Supports You is a

  • 'Wheel' saves lives in Afghanistan

    Days after deploying here, Tech. Sgt. Stephen Thackery saw first-hand the cost of the Taliban's war on the Afghan people, and responded as he was trained, by saving lives. The Hamilton, Va., native was on alert when the call came in to the 33rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron. A suicide bombing had

  • Airmen, Soldiers deliver wheelchairs to Hondurans

    A Civil Military Operations team from Joint Task Force-Bravo delivered 100 donated wheelchairs to disabled villagers along the Miskito Coast of Honduras Dec. 28. The Alabama non-profit organization Missions Unlimited contacted the U.S. Agency for International Development to coordinate the donation.

  • Operation Iraqi Child donations packed, ready

    More than 50 Airmen from across the 407th Air Expeditionary Group came together here  Dec. 22 to help sort through thousands of school supplies items, toys and more for children in southern Iraq. Hundreds of boxes filled with donations were gathered to support the Operation Iraqi Child project. "We

  • 'Today's Air Force' features the F-22 Raptor

    This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights the F-22 Raptor.  Also featured are an air combat training exercise called "Red Flag" and the F-35 Lightning II. The F-22 reached initial operational capability two years ago, but until recently that operational presence was restricted to the

  • Enhanced health information sharing supports warriors

    Department of Defense officials here recently announced the organization-wide release of enhancements to share electronic health information with the Department of Veterans Affairs.DOD information will be shared through the Bidirectional Health Information Exchange and the Clinical Data

  • Deployed Airmen find ancient artifacts at Iraqi air base

    An Airman and his team discovered fragments of pottery, possibly dating back as far back as 2,000 years during a recent job at Kirkuk Air Base. Tech. Sgt. Kelly Wayment, a heavy equipment operator with the 506th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron here, was carrying out a routine operation near a

  • Time, and softball, heal old wounds

    Players from two senior softball clubs met here recent to play a historic game. The Kids & Kubs senior softball team from St. Petersburg, Fl., and the Over the Rainbows senior softball team from Japan played a game at Hans L'Orange Park in Waipahu.The players ranged in age from 75 to 88 years old,

  • Malmstrom Airmen replace missile guidance systems

    Missile maintenance Airmen installed the final replacement to the missile guidance system at each missile launch facility of the base's Minuteman III fleet Dec. 4 at Malmstrom Air Force Base. The NS-20 system has been replaced with the NS-50 system through the Guidance Replacement Program. The GRP

  • Tricare can help make New Year's resolutions reality

    Saving money, tobacco use and fighting the battle of the bulge are among the hot topics on most people's New Year's resolution lists, but this year Tricare officials can help. Saving money on regularly used prescriptions got a lot easier in 2007 with the new Member Choice Center.The MCC can save a

  • B-2 mission shows bomber flexibility

    Members of the 393rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron deployed here with B-2 Spirits from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., took off on a two-ship exercise destined to Alaska Dec. 18 when one bomber was diverted to a global power sortie. Global power missions, which are more than 20 hours long, demonstrate

  • Delta II with GPS payload successfully launches

    Air Force space technicians successfully launched a United Launch Alliance Delta II booster Dec. 21 carrying the fifth modernized NAVSTAR Global Positioning System satellite into space. The NAVSTAR GPS was launched at 3:04 p.m. EST from Space Launch Complex 17A here. The satellite will join the

  • C-17 polar airdrop capability successful

    During the winter season at the South Pole, temperatures often dip as low as minus 100 F and can paralyze an aircraft's hydraulic systems, crystallize the fuel and solidify lubricants. However, freezing temperatures did not deter Joint Task Force-Support Forces Antarctica Operation Deep Freeze crews

  • Servicemembers celebrate school dedication in Djibouti

    American Servicemembers from the 486th Civil Affairs Battalion and Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa were greeted with a traditional Djibouti dance by the students and community members of Kouta Bouya Dec. 17 as part of the school dedication ceremony here. During the five months of

  • AWACS' special mission: Track Santa

    Airmen from the 552nd Air Control Wing here will once again track the man in red and keep a watchful eye as he and his reindeer fly through the night to deliver presents to children all over the United States. Just before midnight on Christmas Eve, an E-3 Sentry and crew will leave Tinker Air Force

  • CSAF announces selectees for new senior officer program

    Seven senior officers were recently selected to be part of a new program directed by Chief of the Staff of the Air Force Gen. T. Michael Moseley. As part of the Chief of Staff of the Air Force Fellows program, these select officers will work directly for the chief of staff in lieu of serving as a

  • Behind the scenes, Airmen help to open hospital

    Airmen on a medical mentoring team have been working hard to ensure the successful opening of an Afghan national army hospital here for the past several months. The team's original mission was to mentor their ANA counterparts and teach them the necessary medical skills to treat Afghan military and

  • Airmen revamp Iraqi police training facility

    For Iraqi police to succeed in securing their nation from the hands of insurgents, they need proper training and equipment, and they get help from American servicemembers at the 732nd Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, Det. 6.In five days, Airmen from the unit built a classroom, mock

  • New eye exam technology improves productivity

    Air Force Materiel Command officials provided the 72nd Medical Group here with an early Christmas present, a new piece of optometry equipment that is saving the Air Force lost man-hours. The Optos 2000, a low-powered scanning laser ophthalmoscope, is eliminating the need to dilate a patient's eyes

  • AF officials set new course in future support operations

    When it comes to people programs, community support and quality of life, there will soon be one organization on base that will handle it all -- the Force Support Squadron. The new organization is the result of an ongoing Air Force-wide merger of Mission Support and Services Squadrons and is expected

  • JCS chairman sends holiday message

    The following is a holiday message from the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Navy Adm. Michael G. Mullen."Whether this holiday season finds you celebrating Christmas, Hanukah or Kwanzaa, I offer my very best wishes for a season filled with joy. "The holidays are a time to reflect on the past

  • Travel policy change benefits military families

    Military families now can access military-supplied air transport to travel to their official "homes of record" located outside the continental United States when their sponsors are deployed for 120 days or more, thanks to a recent policy change, a military official said today. Before the change,

  • 'Today's Air Force' features cyberspace domain

    This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights the Global Cyberspace Integration Center or GCIC at Langley Air Force Base. Also featured is TRICARE's new Web site for beneficiary enrollment and one of the most unique careers in the Air Force, Tops in Blue. See how the talented uniformed

  • Immunology laboratory named Center of Excellence

    The newest Center of Excellence for radioallergosorbent, or RAST, testing in the Air Force Medical Service lies within the Diagnostic Immunology laboratory at Wilford Hall Medical Center here. RAST testing is the process of using a patient's extracted blood to detect the antibodies associated with

  • Council co-chairmen send holiday message to retirees

    The following is a holiday message from Air Force Retiree Council Co-Chairmen retired Lt. Gen. Donald L. Peterson and retired Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray: As another year draws to a close, and our friends and family gather to celebrate during this holiday season, we offer

  • C-17 uses synthetic fuel blend on transcontinental flight

    The Air Force marked the 104th anniversary of powered flight Dec. 17 by completing the first transcontinental flight of an aircraft using a blend of regular aviation and synthetic fuel. A C-17 Globemaster III using the synthetic fuel blend lifted off shortly before dawn at McChord Air Force Base,

  • AFPC retools personnel services delivery

    Immediate access and ease of use form the foundation of the Air Force Personnel Center's ongoing efforts here to refine its personnel products available for Air Force customers. In the wake of significant cutbacks to the personnel career field, the center has leveraged technology to improve customer

  • U.S. team opens shelter for Afghan women

    Officials of the Bagram Provincial Reconstruction Team unveiled a new women's shelter during a ribbon-cutting ceremony Dec. 13 in Kapisa Province.Khuweja Abubaker, the Kapisa Provincial governor; Safura Kohistani, the director of women's affairs for Kapisa Province; and members of the PRT were on

  • Thunderbirds announce 2008 schedule

    The Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, has announced its 2008 airshow schedule. The team is scheduled to perform more than 67 shows in 25 states and Canada, as it commemorates the 55th Anniversary of the "Ambassadors in Blue." Lt. Col. Greg Thomas takes the reigns as the

  • USAFE hosts AFSO 21 Process Council

    The Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century Process Council was hosted by U.S. Air Forces in Europe officials Dec. 10 and 11 at Ramstein Air Base. Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley kicked off the council with a round-table

  • Lackland near top of 'best place to raise a child' list

    In November, BusinessWeek.com reported a study that recognized Lackland AFB for being the eighth best place in the country to raise children. The study rated cities from all over the country in the following categories: school test scores, cost of living, recreational and cultural activities, number

  • Basic training instructors help mold Iraq's future leaders

    The bark of the military training instructor's command voice, when heard by many current and former Airmen, may bring back memories of one of the most stressful periods of their lives, basic training. However, for the Iraqi air force warrant officer candidates in training here, it is the sound of a

  • Iraqi Air Force Training School graduates firefighters, officers

    American Airmen helped the first 10 Iraqi firefighters graduate Dec. 11 and 28 more Iraqi officer candidates receive their diplomas and commissions as second lieutenants Dec. 10 at the Iraqi Air Force Training School here. The firefighter graduation marked another first in the milestones of

  • New eye treatment offers better outcome, saves money

    Two 59th Medical Wing team member's implementation of a new drug project to treat age related macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in the elderly, is helping patients and saving the Air Force $990 per unit dose.In recognition of their accomplishments, Pamela Singleton and Lt. Col.

  • Military mail record broken

    With holiday mailing in full force, Dec. 5 was a record-setting day for mail destined for American military personnel in the Iraq and Afghanistan war zones. Mail Terminal Services, a U.S. Postal Service-contracted company that prepares and ships mail to the war zones, processed 96 semi-trailers of

  • New year brings higher housing allowance to most recipients

    Most servicemembers receiving a housing allowance will see more in their 2008 paychecks. The average increase more than doubled for 2008 at 7.3 percent over last year's 3.5 percent average increase. The Defense Department will pump an additional $600 million into the housing allowance program, for a

  • Senior NCOs mentor junior sergeants in Iraq

    More than 30 NCOs attended the Ali Base Top 3 Council's NCO Mentorship Seminar Dec. 8 here to enhance their professional development. A panel of three chief master sergeants gave Airmen a glimpse into what it takes to make E-9, and discussed the new performance report and feedback. "The role of the

  • FM chiefs attain bottom line at conference

    Financial management and comptroller chief master sergeants from across the globe gathered at Gunter Annex's Senior NCO Academy Dec. 3 to 7 to discuss the state of the Air Force financial management transformation.While attending the Financial Management Chief's Conference, 38 chiefs focused on the

  • Warfighting integration, cyberspace expands service's reach

    Shortening the "kill chain" and enabling commanders to make well-informed decisions are a priority for the Air Force, said the chief of warfighting integration at the recent Air Force Information Technology Day here. Technology and cyberspace are the two top components for that priority, said Lt.

  • Airmen named the 'Best of the Best' performers

    From a little bit of country to a whole lot of rock and roll, 56 Airmen from around the world displayed their talent before standing room only crowds, during free live performances this past weekend at the Bob Hope Theater at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. All have hopes of not only being named the

  • AFPC announces civilian personnel services transformation

    Civilian personnel services are transforming at the Air Force Personnel Center to ensure speed of personnel actions and enhanced self-service capabilities. "Overall the transformation is designed to improve the efficiency of delivering personnel services," said Charles Huerta, the AFPC Personnel

  • Officals use virtual in-system supplemental promotions

    The December in-system supplemental release, scheduled for Dec. 13 at 8 a.m. CST, will be the first use of the virtual enlisted promotion release for monthly in-system releases. The Air Force went to virtual notification Nov. 14 with the release of the chief master sergeant list. More than 400

  • Kehler: 'The future of Space is now'

    "Air Force Space Command performs a national, and in some cases, an international space mission," said Gen. C. Robert Kehler, the new commander of AFSPC. "The space capabilities we provide today are embedded in all of our combat operations," he said. "They're also embedded in our military

  • Keesler couple earns 2007 O'Malley award

    The former Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., commander and his wife, who led the base's recovery efforts the two years following Hurricane Katrina, recently won the 2007 Gen. and Mrs. Jerome F. O'Malley Award. Brig. Gen. Paul Capasso and his wife, Laura, received the award that recognizes the wing

  • Lieutenant's oversight mission vital to Air Force testing

    In his duties as the air propulsion test project manager at the Arnold Engineering Development Center here 1st Lt. Josh Frederik plays a key part in numerous multimillion dollar projects."You're dealing with these big numbers and as the representative on the government side you need to be a good

  • Key maintenance, logistics functions realign

    The alignment of fighter and combat search and rescue aircraft maintenance units under flying squadrons was announced by the Air Force chief of the staff  Dec. 7 here. Between July and November 2008, AMUs supporting fighter and CSAR flying squadrons will realign within those squadrons, Gen. T.

  • 'Today's Air Force' features F-16 history

    This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights the history of the first F-16 Fighting Falcon model flown in 1976, and the newest F-16 upgrades to include one of the most impressive feature of the new aircraft -- the helmets and visors. Also featured is a civil engineer squadron exercise

  • F-15s undergo extensive technical inspections

    Air Force maintainers continue to perform methodical and time-intensive inspections on all F-15 Eagle A, B, C and D model aircraft which are revealing more cracks in the aircraft longerons. The discovery of more structural damage in the F-15s prompted the Dec. 3 stand-down order from Air Combat

  • Commander retires after 38 years of service

    With one last review of a formation of Ramstein's finest Airmen, and along with it, one last coin challenge, Gen. William T. Hobbins, commander of United States Air Forces in Europe, was retired at a ceremony here Dec. 10 after more than 38 years of service. General Hobbins cited cooperation as key

  • Kunsan Airmen paint arctic F-16s for Eielson

    Airmen from the 8th Maintenance Squadron corrosion shop recently completed painting an arctic scheme on one of their F-16 Fighting Falcons -- a first for Kunsan and soon Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. In October, Kunsan received its initial group of Block 40 F-16 aircraft under the Common

  • Moody unit consolidates to support battlefield Airmen

    Members of the 93rd Air Ground Operations Wing here will bring a new level of support to Airmen who specialize in ground-combat missions by consolidating units starting in January. The 93rd AGOW officials will consolidate the tactical air control party and battlefield weather specialties of the 3rd

  • Joint Task Force in Honduras unveils new public Web site

    Officials from U.S. Southern Command's Joint Task Force-Bravo here recently unveiled its new public-access Web page. The site, which can be found at http://www.jtfb.southcom.mil, is regularly updated with current news and photos from the JTF-Bravo Public Affairs Office. The site is the official news

  • Cultural, language center expands Air Force-wide

    Air University's Culture and Language Center is beginning an evolutionary change toward becoming an Air Force-wide institution focusing on culture and language throughout the service. Beginning next year, the center's mission will expand to include service-wide responsibilities as it becomes the Air

  • Boxing trio visits Hurlburt Field Airmen

    Boxing promoter Don King and two world champion boxers talked to Airmen and signed autographs during a meet-and-greet session Dec. 5 at Hurlburt Field, Fla. Five-time boxing world champion Felix Trinidad and eight-time boxing world champion Roy Jones Jr., on their "We Care" tour, stopped at the

  • Operational readiness exercise tests Airmen, Marines

    Airmen from the 18th Wing joined with elements from the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing to conduct a joint operational readiness exercise Dec. 3 to 7 here. During the week-long exercise, Kadena Air Base members and their Marine counterparts were tested on their ability to execute their wartime taskings,

  • Award winning program prevents suicides

    The 59th Medical Wing leads the Department of Defense in patient safety for significantly reducing the chances for inpatient suicides among high risk people. The 59th Mental Health Squadron's winning initiative, "Nurse/Mental Health Technician Change of Shift Safety Checks," led by Capt. Jose

  • Air Force receives 2 DOD disability awards

    Defense officials here lauded an Air Force civilian and 15 everyday heroes for overcoming disabilities, as well as named the Air Force an outstanding organization for hiring people with disabilities Dec. 4 in Bethesda, Md. Among the award recipients was Ronald Greenfield, the chief of staff for the

  • Thrift investment board sets 2008 TSP contribution limits

    The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board here recently announced that 2008's elective deferral limit for regular TSP contributions is $15,500, which is the same amount for 2007.In addition, contributions for the catch-up plan will remain at the same $5,000 limit set in 2006 and 2007."TSP is a

  • USAFE answers call of wounded warriors

    U.S. Air Forces in Europe officials made a recent donation of two, four-story buildings, and the buildings have saved hours on the road for wounded U.S. forces. The former Air Force hotels, transformed by $2.5 million renovations, provide convenient lodging for 190 to 200 wounded warriors on the

  • Survivor assistance program manager receives new A1 award

    He provided around-the-clock assistance to more than 200 families who suffered the loss of an active-duty member, mentored 25 Airmen seriously injured or wounded in action, and was appointed by the secretary of Defense to serve on the Independent Review Group at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

  • Air Force engineers improve Marine quality of life in Iraq

    Airmen are improving the lives and operating conditions of Marines by constructing more than $9.8 million in aircraft shelters, taxiways and temporary shelters at Al Asad Air Base. Deployed in an "in-lieu-of" tasking in support of the 20th Army Engineer Brigade, 557th Expeditionary REDHORSE

  • PERSCO teams do more than track 'boots on the ground'

    Every commander needs to know who is in the field and how those numbers affect Air Force readiness -- in short, how many "boots are on the ground." Each Personnel Support for Contingency Operations team's mission is to maintain deployed accountability and casualty reporting for all deployed Airman

  • Nellis to save $1 million annually with use of solar panels

    Officials from Nellis Air Force Base and SunPower Corp. are scheduled to finalize the commission of 15 megawatts in solar power to the base this month, making up North America's largest solar photovoltaic power system. When complete, the solar power will save the base $1 million annually. The switch

  • Misawa team forges international friendships on the field

    Bitter temperatures, rain and snow couldn't stop die-hard hard soccer players from coming out to play a game with local Japanese teams as part of a friendship tournament held between Misawa United and two Japanese teams from an off-base league here in November. Misawa United is a team comprised of

  • Operation Deep Freeze main season underway

    Active duty, Guard and Reserve Airmen from McChord Air Force Base, Wash., and the New York Air National Guard's 109th Airlift Wing, combined efforts to support the 13th Air Force-led Joint Task Force Support Forces Antarctica, Operation Deep Freeze. The main season, which opened Sept. 28, is the

  • Christmas radio program arrives just in time for holidays

    More than 3,300 country music radio stations nationwide will get a present in the mail this week, courtesy of the Air Force. This year's "Red, White, and Air Force Blue Christmas" radio program CD, featuring multiple Grammy Award-winning recording artist LeAnn Rimes, is not commercially available.

  • Communications network continues to evolve

    Two years after its standup, the Radio-over-Internet Protocol Routed network, or RIPRnet, has a very different mission and much greater reach than originally planned. The RIPRnet is a key communications network for both ground convoys and air operations throughout Iraq, consisting of 15 core sites

  • An Afghan education built from the ground up

    Coalition mentors stationed in northern Afghanistan continue to take interest in the country's future by investing time and money in the "younger generation." An embedded training team assigned to Afghan Regional Security Integration Command - North has partnered with members of the Afghan National

  • Virtual spouse support group holds conference at Fort Bragg

    Anticipatory grief, reintegration and relocation are terms that often resonate with military spouses. As servicemembers are fighting on the front lines, spouses at home are forming the support networks that are keeping families strong. This sacrifice and shared understanding was the focus of the

  • 50th anniversary of Air Force mission remembered

    On Nov. 27, 1957, at 6:59 a.m., six USAF pilots took off from Los Angeles and began what would be called Operation Sun Run. On that day, three new transcontinental speed records were established, and the speed and range of the McDonnell RF-101C was showcased. Years later, this mission would be

  • General focuses on mission, future of AWACS

    The E-3 Sentry airborne early warning and control system aircraft and its crews have led the way into battle many times in the past and are achieving combat excellence today, the commander of the nation's only AWACS flying wing said Nov. 27. The focus now, however, is on the future, Brig. Gen. Lori

  • 'Mind of Mencia' entertains troops in Middle East

    American servicemembers were treated to a United Service Organizations show where they were exposed to the "Mind of Mencia" Nov. 28 in Southwest Asia. Comedians Carlos Mencia, who stars in the Comedy Central show "Mind of Mencia," and Brad Williams entertained more than 600 servicemembers with two

  • Testing center opens at Camp Bucca

    Air Force security forces members here will now be able to redeploy home with their career development courses completed as base officials opened a new testing center.With many Airmen arriving for duty in the middle of upgrade training, Air Force leadership at Camp Bucca decided a testing center was

  • Conference makes virtual training a reality

    The special weapons and tactics team quickly moves through the terrorist camp to the front of a safe house while forces from air and sea take out the rest of the camp. With precise and quick tactics, the team proceeds though the house, takes out the remaining terrorists, secures the hostage, and

  • DOD, VA begin disability evaluation program

    The Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs recently implemented a test program for disability cases originating at the three major military treatment facilities and the VA hospital in the national capital region. The leadership of DOD and VA will review the program's progress over

  • CSAF's Scope highlights Brig. Gen. Paul W. Tibbets Jr.

    The CSAF's Scope focuses on current topics the Air Force chief of staff feels are of special importance to today's Airmen. Among Gen. T. Michael Moseley's top issues is the recent death of Brig. Gen. Paul W. Tibbets Jr., the pilot of the famous Enola Gay. "We all know General Tibbets as the pilot of

  • Tricare beneficiaries save with mail-order pharmacy

    Nearly 20,000 Tricare beneficiaries are saving money on their prescriptions after making the switch to mail order through the new member choice center. After only two months of operation, beneficiaries saved approximately $600,000 on prescriptions by switching from retail to the Tricare Mail Order

  • White Hawk soars, becomes Air Force warrior

    During the month of November we take time to recognize the contributions made by Native Americans to our nation's defense. Less than one percent of Airmen claim to be of Native American ancestry. Senior Airman Shiloh White Hawk, who is deployed here from the 1st Logistics Readiness Squadron, Langley

  • American servicemembers mentor Afghan maintainers

    American servicemembers are mentoring the Afghan national army's 205th Maintenance Corps to keeping its fleet of more than 1,300 vehicles operational at Forward Operating Base Hero in Afghanistan. Capt. Eric McGreevy and Army Staff Sgt. Mark Reynolds of the U.S. maintenance mentoring team here train