Kabul Airman brings gifts, smiles to local children

Thanks to the efforts of an Airman deployed to Kabul International Airport and supporters back in the United States, 47 local youth soccer players are now a little better equipped.Master Sgt. William Whitt, a fuels mentor with the Air Corps Advisors Group here, worked with his wife, Lea-Ellen Whitt,

Beale expands environmental cleanup ability

Beale Air Force Base environmental members, in conjunction with environmental consultants, recently completed a project that greatly expands the base's ability to perform critical environmental cleanup operations. The project uses a revolutionary process that naturally cleans contaminated

Air Force leaders discuss priorities at summit

Air Force leaders met here Oct. 23 to discuss the future beddown of weapons systems over the next several years, outlining a strategy to address the Air Force's most pressing need: recapitalization and modernization of its aging fleet. The discussion focused on maintaining, evolving and expanding

Leaders unveil new partnership for acquisition

Air Force Materiel Command officials here and acquisition professionals at the Pentagon have recently formed a new partnership to overcome weapon-system acquisition challenges, according to senior Air Force leaders.Sue C. Payton, the assistant secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, and Gen.

DOD officials name new senior tribal liason

Department of Defense officials have announced that David Sanborn, an enrolled member of the Penobscot Nation, will be the department's new senior tribal liaison. The DOD senior tribal liaison has primary responsibility for providing guidance and oversight for the department's American Indian &

Program encourages scientific collaborations

As panel members convene for the organization's 50th annual meeting, a five-nation program geared toward collaboration in defense science and technology is looking at its past and charting its future, a senior Defense Department official said. Andre van Tilborg, deputy undersecretary of defense for

Servicemembers deliver food to Honduran mountain village

Airmen, Soldiers and Sailors from Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, hiked Comayagua Mountain to deliver approximately 450 pounds of food to citizens in the remote Bella Vista village Oct. 20. The hike, rated as "physically challenging" by its organizers, took approximately four hours as the

'Today's Air Force' features the MQ-9 Reaper

This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights the Air Force's newest unmanned aerial vehicle, the MQ-9 Reaper. Also featured is the ongoing operation that protects America's skies, Noble Eagle. Finally, get an inside look into raising and training military working dogs. The 30-minute, weekly

Global Hawk passes fuel test

The 452nd Flight Test Squadron pushed the RQ-4 Global Hawk Block 20 to its fuel system limits during a week-long starvation test here. The testing involved tilting the aircraft to a 20-degree angle while running the aircraft out of fuel inside the weight and balance hangar. "The testing is very

Bagram Airmen help bring better life to Afghan families

A group of Bagram Airmen joined with their civilian and sister service counterparts Oct. 17 to help bring a better life to the people of Afghanistan, one family at a time. Dubbed Operation Care, the all-volunteer effort collects and delivers clothing, toys, candy, school and hygiene supplies to

Air Force retiree funerals change due to manpower cuts

Base honor guards across the Air Force will be changing the way they perform retiree funerals starting Nov. 1 due to manpower cuts and high operations tempo as well as a higher number of retiree funerals than ever in Air Force history. The formal 10-person funeral will no longer be authorized for

Chief McKinley visits Robins, discusses Air Force priorities

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley traveled to Robins Air Force Base Oct. 11 and spoke with Airmen throughout the base. Chief McKinley met with several base units and told enlisted Airmen that the Air Force has a vision and that includes helping Airmen be better prepared to win

Worldwide weather system installations completed

The Electronic Systems Center here has wrapped up a five-year, $70 million effort to replace 110 fixed-based weather sensing systems at sites across the globe. The center and the prime contractor, Coastal Environmental Systems of Seattle, Wash., completed the final installation in Southwest Asia

Joint team helps build Afghan air corps

As the Afghan national army air corps begins to spread its wings and take to the air, a group of U.S. servicemembers are by their side, mentoring and advising them every step of the way. Almost 100 Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines are working alongside their Afghan counterparts as part of the

Bagram Airmen directly support 72-hour battle

During the last week of September, crews of the 774th Expeditionary Air Squadron conducted one of the largest series of air drop operations in Afghanistan's history, getting nearly 150 tons of food, water and ammunition to coalition troops in the field. However, excitement at the accomplishment

Air Force armada all about the ammo

Not many people know the Air Force has a navy. Ask the typical Airman if he can name even one of the service's ships and he would most likely shrug and say, "Ship? We don't have ships. We fly airplanes." But the fact is the Air Force does have ships. Called the Afloat Pre-positioned Fleet, the

C-130s hit the ice

A pair of specially equipped C-130 Hercules aircraft, belonging to the New York Air National Guard's 109th Airlift Wing, left here headed for Antarctica Oct. 17. The team hit the ice at McMurdo Statio, Antarctica, one of the coldest, windiest, most inhospitable places on the globe, as part of

Eielson's last A-10 carried on final flight

The last Eielson Air Force Base A-10 Thunderbolt II was strapped in and transported via C-5 Galaxy Oct. 6 from here to its new home at the Museum of Aviation Flight and Technology Center at Robins Air Force Base, Ga.The aircraft, tail number 75-0305, was being used for weapons ground training at

DLA-Warner Robins activated Oct. 15

The Defense Logistics Agency gained 240 employees Oct. 15 when DLA-Warner Robins stood up here. The "new" employees will provide supply, storage and distribution support to the maintenance activities for Warner Robins Air Logistics Center. DLA activated the new detachment of its aviation supply and

Total force Airmen participate in Chilean exercise

Active duty, Reserve and National Guard Airmen from across the Southwest came together Oct 15 to 19 in Iquique, Chile, to participate in WILLKA, Chile's first exercise with their new F-16 Fighting Falcons, F-5 Freedom Fighters and the U.S. Air Force.Approximately 130 Airmen will train with their

Online resource can help deal with life's challenges

A new online educational resource offers Tricare beneficiaries a secure, safe environment to seek information, educational materials and self-assessment tools on behavioral health, addiction and recovery, life events and daily living skills. "AchieveSolutions" can be accessed through the behavioral

Air Force doctors train Pakistanis in battlefield surgery

Air Force medical professionals are part of an ongoing defense mission to teach their international military counterparts the latest combat-related surgical techniques. A five-person team of Air Force doctors recently returned from Rawalpind, Pakistan, after teaching a five-day course to Pakistani

AFMC helps develop hybrid truck technology

When it comes to heavy-duty, special purpose vehicles, some Americans may imagine a gas-guzzling engine and tons of unfriendly emissions taking their toll on the environment. But the Air Force's Advanced Power Technology Office, or APTO, here is working to change the stereotype and prove heavy-duty

Chain of successes leads to Reaper operations

The new MQ-9 Reaper has flown daily missions over Afghanistan since late September.The 658th Aeronautical Systems Squadron, in the 303rd Aeronautical Systems Wing, comprises the team of program managers, functional supporters, testers and logisticians who were behind the team effort of getting the

Global Cyberspace Integration Center mission formalized

The Air Force Global Cyberspace Integration Center here took a step forward in the Air Force's effort to "Fly and Fight in Cyberspace" following the signature of a new mission directive. The directive, signed by Lt. Gen. Michael W. Peterson, Air Force Warfighting Integration and chief information

Researchers fine-tune F-35 pilot-aircraft speech system

When the first F-35 Lightning II rolls out in 2008, communications between pilot and aircraft will enter a new era thanks in part to testing and analysis conducted at the Air Force Research Laboratory's Human Effectiveness Directorate. The F-35 will be the first U.S. fighter aircraft with a speech

Mobility Operations School introduces new maintenance simulator

The U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center's Mobility Operations School begins its first classroom use of the new Aircraft Maintenance Production Simulator, or AMPS, in October for its Maintenance Supervision and Production Course, or MSPC. The AMPS is a conversion and upgrade of the Aircraft

Air Force officials release new annual training plan details

Air Force leaders have released the details about the new annual training requirements program for the Total Force. As of Oct. 15, all Airmen will use the new "block instruction" plan that combines nine ancillary training courses into three 30-minute blocks of training, saving more than 6 million

Hill fighter squadron excels with Total Force Integration mission

Being the Air Force's first Total Force Integration fighter association, gives the phrase "one team, one fight" a whole new meaning for Hill Air Force Base's 388th and 419th Fighter Wings. As of July this year, the wings entered Phase III of TFI. Now the 419th FW, a Reserve wing, no longer flies and

Recruiting quality Airmen remains top priority

Despite an increasingly challenging recruiting environment, the Air Force reached its 2007 enlisted recruiting goals by 100 percent, bringing in 27,801 new Airmen during the past fiscal year. "The Air Force maintains high standards for recruits in (regard to) aptitude, medical (condition) and

New JCS chairman visits Bagram

The military's top servicemember visited here Oct. 7 to check on operations in Afghanistan and hear the concerns of military members. Adm. Michael G. Mullen, the new chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, thanked servicemembers for their sacrifices during an All-Hands Call for E-6s and below. The

Reaper UAV now flying in Afghanistan

The Air Force announced Oct. 11 that the MQ-9 Reaper, the service's new hunter-killer unmanned aerial vehicle, is now flying operational missions in Afghanistan. The Reaper has completed 12 missions since its inaugural flight there Sept. 25, averaging about one sortie per day. Capable of striking

New Iraqi air force continues to grow

The Coalition Air Force Transition Team, 370th Expeditionary Training Squadron, is continuing its efforts to populate the new Iraqi air force. A combined graduation was held Oct. 10 for four Iraqi air force maintenance officers, five maintenance supervisors, eight fuels supervisors and 54 enlisted

Raven B has landed in Southwest Asia

A small unmanned aerial vehicle is now being used to increase the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing's force protection capabilities. Maintained and operated by the 380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, the Raven B is the wing's sixth and smallest aircraft, weighing 4.2 pounds with a wing span of

Deployed unit turns fuel into freedom

Members of the 340th Aircraft Maintenance Unit here are supporting the war on terrorism with their fleet of more than 20 KC-135 Stratotankers. During the past four months, members of the 340th AMU supported more than 3,200 sorties, which provided 107 million pounds of fuel to more than 14,000

AF's first active associate unit deploying to Balad

The Air Force's first active associate unit is preparing to deploy here this month to support the war on terrorism.Activated in July 2006, the 30th Airlift Squadron is the first active duty Air Mobility Command squadron to operationally report to an Air National Guard unit, the 153rd Airlift Wing in

Interest in space wanes despite America's space dependency

Too many Americans feel the "dark void" above them is of little consequence, but nothing is further from the truth warned one congressman during the Space Education Symposium held by Air University's National Space Studies Center in Montgomery, Ala., in September. In a video presentation at the

Airmen patrol the streets of Baghdad

Baghdad's international zone is surrounded by a network of security and entry control points aimed at keeping insurgents out of the area. However, law and order within the area rests solely in the hands of Airmen.Approximately 45 security forces Airmen from Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England; Grand

LeAnn Rimes headlines Air Force holiday radio special

Multiple Grammy-award winner LeAnn Rimes recalls her fondest holiday memories as the featured artist in the "Red, White and Air Force Blue Christmas" radio special to be released in November. Produced and marketed by the Air Force Recruiting Service's strategic communications division, the one-hour

Air Force meets, exceeds recruiting goals for eighth year

The Air Force met its active-duty enlisted recruiting goal for the eighth year in a row and exceeded its chaplain and Officer Training School accession goals for fiscal 2007. "I'm proud of our highly professional recruiting force, who continue to exemplify the Air Force core values of integrity,

Air Force to transform installation acquisition

Air Force leaders have announced a comprehensive restructuring of installation acquisition to strategically source goods and services in support of all Air Force installations in the continental United States. During the past 18 months, Air Force acquisition leaders conducted a comprehensive

Future of Air Force energy discussed at industry forum

Air Force officials announced their intent to lease underutilized Air Force property and apply other tools to attract the support of private industry for energy projects at installations during an industry forum in September in Ontario, Calif.The Air Force Enhanced Use Lease Energy Industry Forum

Teamwork, skepticism lead to early finish for project

The motivation to prove skeptics wrong and a strong foundation of teamwork set the stage for the recent completion of an important new ramp here. The $8.9 million construction project, started in 2005, created a 270,000 square-foot concrete ramp to replace the corrugated "steel beach" that had

Airmen train for Wideband Global SATCOM

Five Airmen from the 3rd Space Operations Squadron here were the first to finish training recently for the Wideband Global SATCOM system, which is scheduled to launch Oct. 9. Wideband Global SATCOM, or WGS, is the successor to the Defense Satellite Communications System and will offer 12 times the

Operation Deep Freeze main season underway

Air operations in support of the 52nd Operation Deep Freeze main season are underway.A C-17 Globemaster III from the 62nd Airlift Wing, at McChord Air Force Base, Wash., completed three missions this past week from Christchurch, New Zealand, kicking off the 2007 to 2008 season for the 13th Air

Joint Chiefs officials meet with Afghan leaders

Less than three months after the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff visited this small southern district, three additional members of the Washington-based Joint Staff stopped by for a meeting with the provincial governor here Oct. 7. Marine Lt. Gen. John Sattler, the Strategic Plans and Policy

Kunsan receives upgraded fighters

The 8th Fighter Wing received its initial group of Block 40 F-16 Fighting Falcons here this week under the Common Configuration Implementation Program. The aircraft arrival marked the first group of upgraded F-16s flown to Korea. The aircraft were flown here from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, by

Basic trainees begin to receive ABUs

A huge step in the Air Force's transformation to the Airman battle uniform occurred Oct. 3 at the basic training equipment issue at Lackland Air Force Base. The trainees who entered the door at the uniform facility this week got a little something different in their duffel bags than the previous

Fall 2007 Airman now available online

The F-22 Raptor is coming into its own, flying high and turning heads. Its pilots and maintainers are discovering just how much the stealth jet can do. The Airmen are finding there is no other aircraft that even comes close to matching the Raptor's capabilities -- the new benchmark for

Air Force Reserve stands up first F-22 Raptor unit

Air Force Reserve officials activated the first F-22 Raptor unit, the 477th Fighter Group, in a ceremony here Oct. 2, giving the Reserve a valuable part of America's newest and most sophisticated weapons system. "This is a most wonderful day for the AFRC because we have officially stood up our first

Iraqi air force flying training school opens at Kikuk

The Iraqi air force flying training school opened its doors Oct. 1 and began to train Iraqi aviators with the assistance of American Airmen. The planning for the school has been in the works for approximately two years and is all part of the plan to return Kirkuk Air Base back to the Iraqi air

Today's finest teach tomorrow's pilots

Three local children diagnosed with serious illnesses suited up and jumped into the cockpit of an F-15 Eagle during the "Pilot for a Day" event here Oct. 2. The 95th Fighter Squadron hosted the children and their families for a fun-filled event allowing them to experienced a day in the life of an

Balad medic takes 'fit-to-fight' to extremes for charity

Fitness training is vital for Airmen to be prepared to meet the physical challenges of being deployed. An Airman here has taken physical fitness to a new level by using it to help others. Senior Airman Brendan Brustad, with the 332nd Expeditionary Medical Group, is preparing for a 100-mile marathon

Team re-engineers network environment

What was a maze of 35 antiquated routers, switches and load balancers used to direct millions of e-mails each day is now a streamlined set of seven all-in-one nodes that saves time, money and resources. "It's like trading in your Chevy truck for a BMW," said Capt. Drew Masur, a network and boundary

Prime BEEF stamps hoof prints on Gitmo

Airmen from the 474th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron have started the process to transform Guantanamo's McCalla Airfield into an expeditonary legal complex here last month. The airfield resembles a military construction site in Iraq, complete with blowing dust, heavy equipment and a sprawling

New chapter for Air Force Special Operations begins

Cannon Air Force Base Airmen stood up the newly designated 27th Special Operations Wing during a unit redesignation and change-of-command ceremony Oct. 1 here, which began a new chapter for Air Force Special Operations Command. As the 27th Fighter Wing, an Air Combat Command asset, inactivated, the

New JCS chairman tours Southwest Asia

General Corley takes command of ACC

Gen. John D.W. Corley assumed the reins of Air Combat Command from Gen. Ronald E. Keys Oct. 2 in a ceremony here. "Today we transition Air Combat Command from one great American to another," said Gen. T. Michael Moseley, the Air Force chief of staff. "I'm proud to be able to hand over the watch to

Double deck aircraft mockup aids firefighting research

Responding to operational challenges posed by the new generation of large double deck aircraft, Air Force Research Laboratory engineers here have developed a mockup to research how to best fight fires and save lives in the event of a crash. The AFRL Materials and Manufacturing Directorate Airbase

Eglin team receives national award

The Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center's Small Diameter Bomb Test Team received the Air Force Association's 2007 Test and Evaluation Team of the Year Award Sept. 24 at the Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition in Washington. The nine-member test team from Eglin Air Force

'Setting the Conditions for Victory' video premieres online

The secretary of the Air Force video "Setting the Conditions for Victory" made its online debut Oct. 3. The 8-minute video, a follow-up to last year's "How We Fight" presentation, outlines the Air Force role in the war on terrorism and how the service succeeds in its domains of air, space and

Active-duty, Guard wings pave future alliances

Two Fairchild Air Force Base air refueling wings merged Oct. 1 and forged into Air National Guard and active-duty wings. In response to the Congress-mandated 2005 Base Realignment and Closure process, the last of the KC-135 Stratotankers belonging to the Washington ANG's 141st Air Refueling Wing

Commandant of cadets flies new C-17 Globemaster III home

Servicemembers make mountain trek to deliver food

What started as a small group of friends wanting to explore the Comayagua Mountain Valley in Honduras quickly grew to a large group of servicemembers on a hike for a "higher power."A group of approximately 55 military volunteers delivered 450 pounds of donated dry goods, consisting of items such as

Hypersonic vehicle completes inaugural flight

A hypersonic vehicle comprising five innovative payloads accomplished a successful, six-minute flight during its initial mission Sept. 20 here. The hypersonic vehicle was designed and developed by the Air Force Research Laboratory's Space Vehicles Directorate at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.

Task force readies Eglin for F-35 mission

With the next generation of fighter aircraft slated to arrive here in less than three years, the Eglin Air Force Base F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter Site Activation Task Force is already working to get the base ready. Led by Col. George Ross and consisting of a 12-man, joint-service team,

Navy Seabees train with Kadena RED HORSE members

Navy Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 7 "crossed into the blue" and worked with Airmen during a joint-training exercise held Sept. 24 to 26 at Kadena Air Base. More than 87 NMCB 7 members participated in the Rapid Runway Repair and trained with Kadena AB Rapid Engineer

Chief of staff addresses future of airpower at conference

The Air Force chief of staff wrapped up the three-day Air Force Association's 2007 Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition with an address before a crowd of several hundred Sept. 26 here. In his address, titled "To fly, fight and win in the 21st century," Gen. T. Michael Moseley drove

Air University working with Congress to offer new degrees

Air University officials are working with members of Congress for authorization to grant three new degrees. U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Mobile, recently proposed an amendment to the defense authorization bill that will give the university degree-granting authority for a doctorate of philosophy in

AFA honors 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year

The Air Force's top 12 enlisted Airmen were treated to a gala affair Sept. 24 during the Air Force Association's Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition here. Each year, the AFA honors the 12 Airmen at its annual convention in Washington, D.C. Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J.

Gen. Chilton confirmed to head USSTRATCOM

The commander of Air Force Space Command received Senate confirmation Sept. 28 to be the new commander of U.S. Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb."I am humbled by the confidence that the secretary of Defense and the president have put in me with the nomination, and humbled by (the

New ramps provide Bagram increased airpower capability

Two new flightline ramps opened Sept. 27 at Bagram Air Base and brings new capabilities to coalition air operations, NATO and Air Force officials said. The $9.3 million joint venture between the NATO Maintenance and Supply Agency and the Yuksel Construction Co. provides significantly more parking

Aerial intercept training prepares warfighters

F-16 Fighting Falcon crews practiced rapid response situations during aerial intercept training held Sept. 24 at Andersen Air Force Base.The training took advantage of deployed airframes present on the island, and the "hostiles" in the exercise were deployed KC-135 tankers simulating enemy

Foreign air force members learn about C-130 programs

Members of the Kazakhstan Republic air force visited here this month in an effort to learn more about how the U.S. Air Force takes care of business. The seven-person group visited the C-130 Hercules combat loss replacement program, where modifications are made to enable C-130s to be combat ready to

Underwing platform aids C-17 maintainers

A new underwing maintenance platform will help C-17 Globemaster III maintainers continue their mission safer and more effectively, said base officials here.The advent of the platform was made possible by the combined efforts of the Boeing Company and the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center. The

Air Force announces team-excellence awards

Five teams have been recently selected for the 2007 Chief of Staff Team Excellence Awards during a Sept. 25 ceremony in Washington, D.C. Gen. Duncan J. McNabb, the Air Force vice chief of staff, recognized the teams for their use of a systematic approach to enhance mission capability, improve

Dover manager garners DOD antiterrorism award

A Dover Air Force Base employee was recently named the Department of Defense Best Antiterrorism Program Manager for 2007. Michael Mendoza of the 436th Airlift Wing earned the DOD-level recognition for surpassing the antiterrorism-management capabilities of every other U.S. military installation in

Bagram Airman makes difference on 2 fronts

An Airman deployed to Bagram Air Base is not only making a difference in the war on terrorism, but also in his Louisiana hometown. Tech. Sgt. Bruce BeeJay Johnson, an information manager from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., and deployed with the 755th Air Expeditionary Group, has been positively

Cyberspace expert briefs AFA conference attendees

"The first battle in the wars of the future will be over the control of cyberspace," said Dr. Lani Kass at the Air Force Association's Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition Sept. 26 in Washington. Ms. Kass, a special assistant to the Air Force chief of staff, has long been an expert on

AF leader addresses cyberspace defense at conference

Defending air and space is what the Air Force has done admirably for 60 years, and it will protect information in the cyberspace domain in the future with the establishment of the Air Force Cyber Command. "The mission of the Air Force is to provide sovereign options for the defense of the nation and

AMC commander cites successes, needed upgrades

The commander of Air Mobility Command briefed attendees from across the globe Sept. 26 on the command's past, present and future contributions to the nation's defense during the Air Force Association's Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition here. "It takes bravery and courage to do our

Top Air Force generals address Airmen's concerns

Recapitalization, creation of an Africa Command, unmanned aerial vehicles and deployed Airmen were just a few of the key issues discussed during a four-star forum at the Air Force Association 2006 Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition here Sept. 24. Gen. T. Michael Moseley, the Air

Air Force energy initiatives focus on fuel, beyond

Leaders of Air Force energy policy and programs convened here Sept. 25 to discuss the Air Force's direction and initiatives in the realm of renewable and alternative energy sources. William C. Anderson, the assistant secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Logistics and senior

Air Force leaders discuss need to control cyberspace

Military and industry leaders who gathered here this week spoke about the tremendous warfighting value of controlling cyberspace, but they were just as clear about the inherent threats. "If we lose our ability to use cyberspace, we lose our ability to war-fight," said. Col. Tony Buntyn, director

Pacific conference builds enlisted forces

Officials from the 13th Air Force hosted a 17-nation conference here this week focusing on aviation safety and mishap prevention. The 13th AF Pacific Rim Airpower Symposium, formerly the PACRIM Director of Operations Conference, brought together representatives from Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei,

AFSO 21 helps Hurlburt Field save millions in training costs

Members of the 505th Training Squadron here used Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century initiatives to save almost $1.5 million in training costs.Unit members saved the money by finding new ways to manage government funds associated with sending students to formal training courses while

Air Force Space Command general speaks at AFA conference

General Kevin Chilton, Air Force Space Command commander, addressed hundreds of military members and civilians at the Air Force Association's Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition Sept. 25. The general, nominated to become the head of U.S. Strategic Command, expounded on the history of

AFA convention features command chiefs forum

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley and command chiefs from five Air Force major commands joined to answer Airmen's questions during a forum at the Air Force Association's 2007 Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition here Sept. 24. The forum provided Airmen in attendance

SECAF addresses Air Force Association conference

"The Air Force Association is the preeminent wingman and our strongest supporter," Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne told the audience during the opening day of the Air Force Association's Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition event Sept. 24. Secretary Wynne directly addressed

Aviano undergoes Renaissance

It once had an uncertain future. But the huge Aviano 2000 construction project is proof this base has a life that's being cast in concrete.  (Note: This article reprinted from Airman magazine, November, 2000.)Once upon a time, there was a small Air Force base at Aviano. It was tucked-away in a lush

Deployed gunners have eagle eyes with safer turret system

Security forces Airmen here are now training with a new high-technology weapons system currently being used during outside-the-wire patrols in Iraq. Instructors from the Army's Military Police School from Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., trained members of the 820th Security Forces Group in the effective use

Shaw pilots hear better with new earpiece

Pilots from Shaw Air Force Base are now being fitted with the new Attenuating Custom Communication Earpiece System, which clarifies communication and provides better hearing protection than they currently receive. The Attenuating Custom Communication Earpiece System, or ACCES, earphone is the shape

AFPC streamlines retirement, separation actions

As the result of processes developed under the Air Force Smart Operations for the 21 century initiative, retired or separated Airmen seeking corrections to their Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty -- commonly referred to as a Defense Department Form 214 -- will get a response in

Transfer ceremony reunites Flying Tigers heritage

Two A-10 Thunderbolt IIs carried a piece of Flying Tigers heritage away from Peterson Sept. 21 as part of an effort by Air Force officials to reunite three pieces of a historic World War II legacy. During the transfer ceremony, 76th Space Control Squadron officials here gave the squadron's piece of

Pacific nations meet to enhance airpower cooperation

Forty-three participants from 17 nations met here for four days of discussion and interaction Sept. 17 to 21during the Pacific Rim Airpower Symposium. PACRIM endeavors to build and enhance cooperation among the air forces of Pacific nations. Hosted by Pacific Air Forces' 13th Air Force, this year's

Strolling Strings awaken young minds

Members of the U.S. Air Force Strolling Strings played a mini-concert for the string orchestra class at Kalani High School here Sept. 14 as part of the Air Force's 60th anniversary celebration during Air Force Week Honolulu. The Strolling Strings is a key element to the United States Air Force Band

AFSO 21 initiative speeds up aircrew training process

Members of the 92nd Operations Support Squadron here have reduced the amount of training time required to get aircrews mission-ready and deployable through an AFSO 21 initiative. The Fairchild Air Force Base AFSO 21 team came up with a plan that reduces the previous four-month training process to

NORTHCOM commander shares joint, interagency experience

No service or nation can operate independently in (today's) global environment. Said the Northern Command's top official Sept. 20 during a visit to Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala."We've got to find ways to take advantage of our sister services and benefit from what other nations bring to the fight,"

Schriever Airmen transition to new GPS control system

Space systems experts with the 2nd Space Operations Squadron here reached a crucial milestone in deploying the $800-million Architecture Evolution Plan ground control system Sept. 14. The transition from legacy to Architecture Evolution Plan, called AEP, was conducted seamlessly in real time without

Air Force officers have alternate path to joint qualification

The Air Force will adopt a more flexible process for officers to gain joint qualification beginning Oct. 1. Previously, only officers who were assigned to a joint-duty assignment could become joint qualified, but this criteria will change as a result of the National Defense Authorization Act of