B-1B Lancers rotate into Andersen

B-1B Lancers from the 34th Bomb Squadron at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D, have deployed here. The rotation was seamless for the 34th BS because they traded the rotation with another Ellsworth squadron, which left its bombers behind for them to use. “The support we’ve received from Andersen has been

CENTAF commander visits deployed Airmen, Sailors on last trip to Afghanistan

As part of his final trip to Afghanistan, the commander of U.S. Central Command Air Forces visited deployed Airmen and Sailors here Jan. 10 to 11. During a troop call, Lt. Gen. Walter E. Buchanan III addressed Airmen and Sailors who are deployed to Bagram as part of Air and Space Expeditionary Force

Post-Katrina relief operations bolster community recovery

Keesler is at the forefront of the battle to restore the Mississippi Gulf Coast of Hurricane Katrina’s wake. After the storm devastated the base and surrounding communities Aug. 29, Keesler’s training mission temporarily stopped as it recovered and began humanitarian relief operations, or HUMRO. The

Give and take, teach and learn -- building an Iraqi Air Force

Reality is often at odds with expectations when Airmen deploy. This difference can be extreme when the mission is to provide military training to a recent enemy. But several Airmen near the end of six-month deployments as advisory support team instructors say they would rather stay here than go home

Improved earpieces reaching Falcon pilots

F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots here will soon start using an earpiece that will afford better hearing protection and an improved mission focus. The 4th Fighter Squadron's "Fighting Fuujins" will receive the new attenuating custom communication earpiece system this month. The earpiece was developed at

Privatized housing now available at Scott

The Air Force closed a housing privatization deal recently at an Illinois base, bringing the total of privatized homes across the service to more than 16,000, said housing officials here. Scott Air Force Base, Ill., will benefit from $250 million in total development of 1,593 homes within the first

Mission is out of this world

Its material is found nowhere else on Earth but here, while its mission is out of this world. Detachment 5, 22nd Space Operations Squadron has an antenna that uses a durable Kevlar mix as its cover, the first of its kind in the world. They use it because the material must withstand 195-mph typhoon

Cannon visitor explores BRAC options

As directed by the final 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission recommendations, the Air Force is exploring new mission options here. Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Logistics William C. Anderson visited here Jan. 4-5 to gather information in an attempt

Leaner processes working at Kirtland

The Air Force is becoming leaner without the help of fad diets or abs-crunching exercise regiments. Logistics and maintenance programs imported from the private business sector, like Lean, are turning once-bloated processes into models of streamlined efficiency. The payoff is less cost, improved

Air Force improving production with Smart Operations 21

The Air Force used the best parts of several civilian efficiency programs to develop an Air Force-unique process-improvement program called "Smart Operations 21," Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne said. The program will take the Air Force forward in a journey of self-improvement, the

Guard, Reserve benefit from 2006 defense authorization

The 2006 National Defense Authorization Act signed into law Jan. 6 provides new or enhanced benefits for National Guard and Reserve members, a senior defense official said. President George W. Bush signed the legislation Jan. 6, providing a variety of benefits designed to bring reserve-component

2006 defense budget increases military pay and benefits

President George W. Bush ushered in an across-the-board 3.1 percent military pay raise, effective Jan. 1. It includes a variety of new or enhanced benefits for servicemembers and their families when he signed the 2006 National Defense Authorization Bill into law Jan. 6. In addition to a pay raise

New Mexico Tech to build on Kirtland

The Air Force conveyed more than eight acres of base land to the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology during a ceremony here Jan. 6. The agreement is designed to stimulate business efficiencies and technological advancement through the construction of new facilities. The land conveyance, a

Long convoy duty is no easy task

By dawn, Airmen of the 424th Medium Truck Detachment had finished preparing for their mission -- move Army 4th Infantry Division supplies and material from Kuwait into Iraq. These Airmen do not fly their cargo, and it’s quite possible they may go their entire deployment without even seeing a

New civilian personnel training postponed until review complete

National Security Personnel System training for Department of Defense managers and rank-and-file employees is being postponed while a component of the new system is reviewed, an NSPS official said here today. "We've asked the services to put a hold on their training for January because we're

Civilian pay raises to take effect

The upcoming pay period for Defense Department civilian General Schedule employees will reflect a 2.1 percent across-the-board pay raise. It also includes a range of locality pays that bring the overall pay hikes between 2.83 and 5.62 percent, an Office of Personnel Management spokesman said. The

National Guard helps battle wildfires

National Guard crews continue to assist Oklahoma and Texas firefighters in dousing wildfires that have now burned more than 600,000 acres in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. Texas Air National Guard crews helped firefighters battle a 22,000-acre blaze that threatened more than 200 homes near Carbon,

Airmen participate in Rose Bowl events

A B-1B Lancer kicked off the national college football title game Jan. 4 with a flyover of the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. Gen. Ronald Keys, commander of Air Combat Command and Lt. Gen. Michael Hamel, commander of the Space and Missile Systems Center here, represented the Air Force at several

Last Herc heads to new home

California Guard to get the Predator

As part of ongoing Total Force initiatives, the Air Force, the National Guard Bureau and the Adjutant General of California announced today that the California Air National Guard’s 163rd Air Refueling Wing, March Air Reserve Base, Calif., will become the home for a new MQ-1 Predator Unmanned Aerial

Airmen ‘drop the ball’ on New Year’s Eve

With inspiration from New York -- the city that never sleeps -- Airmen at this desert base that never sleeps got to drop the ball this New Year’s Eve. In less than 72 hours, some 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineering Squadron members constructed a New Year’s Eve Ball like the one dropped at New

Keeping Predators flying helps keep Balad safe

Airmen who maintain the MQ-1 Predator here take great pride in ensuring the unmanned aerial vehicles they look after can keep and eagle eye on what goes on in Iraq. The 61 Airmen of the 46th Aircraft Maintenance Unit -- and three Royal Air Force Airmen -- keep the Predators flying for the pilots who

For Reserve aircrew, New Year’s Eve over Iraq is routine

People around the globe welcomed 2006 with a variety of New Year’s Eve celebrations. High above Iraq, a Reserve C-130 Hercules aircrew headed for Balad Air Base, celebrated in a different way -- flying another mission in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. With the drone of the aircraft’s four

Process speeds up IT acquisition

The Secretary of the Air Force implemented Information Technology Lean reengineering improvements slated for the information technology acquisition process last month. The Electronic Systems Center's Operations Support Systems Wing will begin to use the process immediately, with the Air Force-wide

Finance center distributing year-end pay, tax statements

Servicemembers, military retirees and annuitants and federal civilian employees paid by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service can expect to receive their 2005 tax statements by mail soon, a DFAS official said. In fact, most retirees and annuitants already may have received theirs, with the last

Controllers keeping Iraqi skies safe

Another small dot drags a string of numbers with it as it hesitantly shuffles onto the screen. Now there are 30 dots with numbers. Airman 1st Class Grant Gers slips a strip of paper, no wider than a magazine and shorter than two end-to-end sugar packs, neatly but quickly enters the squawk (four of

DOD office helps military sexual assault victims

A new Defense Department organization is dedicated to address the needs of servicemembers who have been sexually assaulted, a senior official said here Dec. 22. The Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office is DoD's central point of accountability for sexual assault incidents, the office's

Airmen deploy with lighter load

A new mobility-bag process will now “lighten” the load of deployed members and save the Air Force money, too. The 386th Air Expeditionary Wing’s and two other locations are test sites for a new process to preposition mobility bags and chemical warfare defense equipment in the U.S. Central Command

Murray: Enlisted joint military education available

Joint professional military education will become a reality for enlisted Airmen throughout their careers. A new Department of Defense policy requires joint learning objectives in all enlisted levels. While the officer corps is mandated by law to include joint education, this policy specifically

2005: an Air Force year to remember

It’s going to be hard to forget 2005, with the war on terrorism, tsunami response, hurricanes and floods. But light did find its way through the darkness. Most memorable are the Airmen who lent a helping hand to those in desperate need. This year also brought new technology, a continued presence at

Hurricane hunters close out record season

The "Hurricane Hunters" of Air Force Reserve Command's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron flew their last mission of the record 2005 Atlantic Hurricane Season in December. Squadron aircrews flew more than 145 missions into 25 storms and logged more than 1,500 flight hours. They did this while

Wynne: more integrated operations in Air Force’s future

The secretary of the Air Force said the service is headed toward more integrated operations. Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne stopped at this airlift base Dec. 23 after trips to bases in Southwest Asia and Germany. He talked about the importance of force integration, new weapons platforms

Bagram A-10s take fight to enemy

A-10 Thunderbolt IIs continue taking the fight to the enemy by providing close air support to U.S. and coalition forces participating in Operation Enduring Freedom.  Shortly after deploying in September to this base at the foot of the Hindu Kush mountains from Davis-Monthan Air Base, Ariz., the

F-22A took long road to initial operational capability

With the F-22A Raptor's initial operational capability declaration Dec. 15 came the capstone of a process that began 76 months earlier, in August 1997, when a C-5 Galaxy landed here and taxied down the expansive "Contractor's Row" with several crates and boxes in its cargo bay for what is now known

Herc undergoes reconstructive surgery

After about a month of tender loving care performed by the 379th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron's structural repair shop at a forward-deployed location, a C-130 Hercules is once again ready for flight. The C-130, from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, and currently deployed to Manas Air Base,

Routine commander’s call … sort of

Many bases have a commander’s call right before the holiday season to see everybody off safely and wish them a merry vacation. It was no different  here … except for how the information was delivered.The stage of the base theater looked like a late-night talk show, complete with a band, desk, couch,

Space group to activate new unit

Air Force Reserve Command’s 310th Space Group will travel deeper into the space program when it activates a new unit Jan. 7. Headquarters Reserve National Security Space Institute will be a Reserve associate unit to the National Security Space Institute in Colorado Springs, Colo. The institute is

Implementation of BRAC begins this year

Now that the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure commission has approved, modified or disapproved the Office of the Secretary of Defense's recommendations for the 2005 round of base realignment and closure, the individual services must plan the implementation of those recommendations. The Air Force

Squadron breathes new life into old aircraft bodies

Back in 1973, the 1553 multiplex data bus was the wave of the future for military aircraft. It replaced bulky equipment in passing data between sensors, computers, indicators and other aircraft equipment. It reduced weigh and was simpler and more flexible. That was more than 30 years ago. The old

DOD releases sexual harassment, assault reports

The Department of Defense today released the results of two reports on sexual harassment and sexual assault in the military: the 2004 survey of the reserve components and the Academic Program Year 2005 assessment at the three military service academies. Reserve components: The survey of about 76,000

Vandenberg activates Area Control Center

The 30th Space Wing activated the first major center in the new Western Range Operations Control Center Dec 15. The WROCC will be used for command and control of all Vandenberg launches and to oversee the Western Range, an area that encompasses the west coast of the continental United States and

Pope Airman thanks Cookie Lady for desserts in desert

Senior Airman Natalie Sanchez never imagined a care package she received last year while deployed to Iraq would lead to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Airman Sanchez, 43rd Communications Squadron who was deployed supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom, received a surprise in the mail when a care

CAOC memorializes Airman’s sacrifice

A New York Airman, who was killed when responding to the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks at the World Trade Center, was honored Dec. 22 when the Combined Air Operations Center entry control point was rededicated in his honor. After the closing of the old CAOC entry point Dec. 9, the rededication of the new

New medical staging facility opened

The new 332nd Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility opened Dec. 19 and will serve as a transition point for medical evacuations from Iraq. Construction on the $850,000 building began in September. "With the move into this new semi-hardened facility, we are continuing to improve the care we

AWACS mission: Track Santa

Members of the 552nd Air Control Wing will provide support to one of the North Pole's most notable residents this year -- Santa and his team of flying reindeer. Slightly before midnight on Christmas Eve, an E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control systems aircraft and crew will leave here on one of

Post-Katrina relief operations bolster community recovery

Keesler is at the tip of the sword in the battle to restore the Mississippi Gulf Coast in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. After the storm devastated the base and surrounding communities, Keesler's training mission was broadened to include humanitarian relief operations under the direction of the

C-130J gets 4-star fly-in

Little Rock’s two newest C-130J Hercules received a four-star welcome today from Gen. William R. Looney III, commander of Air Education and Training Command. The C-130Js flew in a two-ship formation helmed by General Looney and Brig. Gen. Kip Self, 314th Airlift Wing and Little Rock AFB commander.

Air Force leaders foresee personnel cuts

Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne said a proposal aimed at reducing the number of Air Force total-force personnel has been discussed. During a press conference Dec. 13, Secretary Wynne said the reduction would take affect across the total force -- active duty, Reserve, Guard and civilian

Manas Air Base Outreach Society visits hospital in Bishkek

Six Airmen from the Manas Air Base Outreach Society donned Santa caps and visited children at a hospital and passed out presents, generated cheer, and sang Christmas songs. Master Sgt. Dan Cline and seven other Airmen left Manas Air Base with toys gathered by family and friends. They traveled to the

386th AEW wing slated as next generation of fuels mobility equipment

The 386th Air Expeditionary Wing will become the test wing for the next generation of fuels mobility support equipment. The fuels operational resources capability equipment is scheduled to be installed by Jan. 3 with an operational utility evaluation immediately following. The equipment is designed

Murray: Focused on people at this time of year

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray thanked all Airmen for their service and wished them a happy holiday season during an interview Dec. 19 at the Pentagon. "Thank you -- our Airmen and families -- for everything you've done in the past year," Chief Murray said. "I couldn't be more

23rd SOPS volunteers donate time at local soup kitchen

Among other items, the recipe calls for 14 pounds of ground beef, 12 eggs and one quart of milk. It yields 50 portions of meatloaf, just about right for another hot meal at the Sonshine Soup Kitchen. Since 1989, the small soup kitchen in Derry, N.H., has served about 40 hot meals to local area

New rules to reinforce Guard, Reserve re-employment protections

The National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve is lauding the Labor Department announcement issuing rules clarifying re-employment rights for citizen-soldiers. They said the Dec. 16 announcement is a major step forward for guardsmen, reservists and their civilian employers.

TSA trains bomb dog teams for transit systems

Six mass transit officers partnered with bomb dogs are graduating today at Lackland, marking the Transportation Security Administration’s first full-scale expansion into canine protection for people riding trains, light rail and buses in America’s major cities. The TSA office on Lackland is sharing

Airmen continue filling Army billets

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

ROVER gives joint force new vision

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

Air Force makes changes to BAH policy

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

Special tactics Airmen train on submarine

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

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

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

C-5 airlift readies Soldiers for battle conditions

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

Air Force needs volunteers for extended deployments

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

USAFE Airmen collect gifts for Afghan children

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

Airmen earn awards for innovations, improvements

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

Air Force leaders discuss current issues

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

Computer program crash was a good thing

There's nothing like a computer program crash to ruin your day, especially when it’s used to track patients in the Air Force’s largest medical facility. But with luck, a computer expert can help figure out the problem. And if you’re really lucky, the solution can be even better than the original.

Pakistan gets two upgraded F-16s

In the early 1980s, the Pakistan air force received its first F-16 Fighting Falcons from the United States. Since then, the maintenance support for the jets has been as unpredictable as world politics. It wasn't until late 2003 that the U.S. government agreed to assess Pakistan's F-16 fleet and

Troops learn to play by the rules

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

Conference paves way for efficient Air Force

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

From the frying pan into the gas tank

What smells like barbecue and can go 80 miles per hour? Master Sgt. Brian Hosken’s ride to work. Sergeant Hosken, the 45th Space Communications Squadron base land mobile radio manager, uses used vegetable oil to fuel his 1985 turbo-diesel Mercedes Benz car. He’s been doing that for nearly three

ARPC automates 20-year and mortgage letters

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

Reservist can establish online virtual accounts

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

Skill pairing helps develop future leaders

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

Airmen training Iraqi NCOs to lead protection force

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

Wrestling superstars end Afghan tour

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

Warfare center offers online courses

Ever wonder how wartime planners decide the best ways to organize and deploy air mobility forces and assets? Who goes in to start a bare-base operation, security forces or the tanker airlift control element and what are the variables in determining how many pallets you can load on a fully tanked

Armor Airmen helping save lives

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

Air attachés end conference on regional issues

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

Airmen positive mentors to troubled youth

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

Air Force medics still supporting Pakistan relief

As U.S. and international teams continue providing humanitarian and medical aid here, Air Force medics watch over responders, looking out for their health and ability to continue the mission. Shortly after humanitarian relief operations began in October, the 24th Air Expeditionary Group air

CENTAF releases its airpower summary

U.S. Central Command Air Forces released today's airpower summary. Coalition aircraft flew 34 close-air support missions Dec. 8 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities, and operations to deter and disrupt terrorist

Airmen keep Kirkuk water cycle running

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

Maintainers keep ‘Hercs’ flying

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

Air Force releases new mission statement

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

TSP begins catch-up contribution enrollment for 2006

The Air Force Personnel Center's civilian benefits and entitlements service team automated systems will be available for 2006 Thrift Savings Plan catch-up contribution enrollment beginning Dec. 11. Military members may submit their 2006 catch-up contribution enrollments in early January. TSP

TSP announces enrollment changes for 2006

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

Product center finishes $250 million comm program

The Global Information Grid Systems Group installed an emergency communications system at Minot Air Force Base, N.D, the last of 50 identical systems of a more than $250 million program. The Minuteman Minimum Essential Emergency Communications Network Program -- which began more than seven years ago

Hickam quiet on this Dec. 7

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

Wilford Hall testing new vascular viewer

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

Spouse survey to help shape future family programs

Defense officials want to make sure military spouses know it's important for them to complete the 30-minute online survey they received in the mail last month. The new Defense Department survey asks their views as defense planners shape family programs to meet their needs and interests, a top

CMSAF discusses future at enlisted call

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

Little Rock gets fifth ‘J-Herc’

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

CENTAF releases airpower summary

U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials released today's airpower summary.Coalition aircraft flew 58 close-air support missions Dec. 6 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. They included support to coalition troops, infrastructure protection, reconstruction activities and operations to deter and disrupt

Aerial porters breaking airlift records

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

Loadmasters keep cargo, passengers moving safely

Around the clock, C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft fly from here, airlifting military troops to locations throughout this theater. Helping passengers and cargo get to their destination safely is the job of the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing loadmasters. Senior Master Sgt. Steven Woodside, the loadmaster

Official debunks myths about military recruits

Recruits entering today’s military are head and shoulders above their contemporaries, a top Pentagon official said. Myths that imply otherwise reflect the Vietnam-era -- not today’s -- military, Bill Carr, acting deputy undersecretary of defense for military personnel policy, said of today's

General Hobbins takes USAFE helm

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

Program promotes healthy lifestyles for children

Kaitlyn Mayor prefers to hula-hoop while her brother, Tyler, skateboards to gain fitness points for a new Air Force Services Web-based program that promotes healthy lifestyles for children. The Florida siblings are among more than 5,300 Air Force youngsters between the ages of 9 and 18 to sign up

Defender training readies ‘brass’ for deployment

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

Wilford Hall to evaluate Tourette syndrome program

Wilford Hall Medical Center received a $3 million multi-site National Institutes of Health grant to evaluate a behavior therapy program to help control tics in adults who suffer Tourette syndrome. Tourette syndrome is a neurological disorder characterized by enduring motor and vocal tics. “A growing

Athena is one lucky dog

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