HomeNews

NATO Air Policing operations

U.S. Air Force News

  • Senior enlisted leaders cite troops' top concerns

    The senior enlisted advisors for the four military services met on Capitol Hill Feb. 16 to discuss with lawmakers the top issues on service members' minds.It turns out that for many, it's the same as what's on lawmakers' minds: the budget."I was asked questions, beginning in April, all the way to

  • AFCENT band plays first-ever rock concert at Abu Dhabi university

    Emirati college kids love James Brown.Members of the U.S. Air Forces Central Band, Afterburner, discovered this firsthand Feb. 16 as they played at Zayed University here for almost 300 students on campus. The performance marked several firsts: the first rock band to visit the school, the first time

  • Mobile Web app makes personnel accountability easier

    Software developers have created a new mobile Web application that allows total force Airmen the ability to account for themselves and family members from their smartphone during a crisis or natural disaster.During a crisis, the Air Force uses the Air Force Personnel Accountability and Assessment

  • AF flight surgeon makes mark during historic space flight

    The American public remembers John Glenn for his solo orbit around Earth. They remember Neil Armstrong for his walk on the moon. But few remember how Col. (Dr.) Vance H. Marchbanks Jr., one of the first black flight surgeons in the Army and the first in the Air Force, made it possible for them and

  • AFSPC commander addresses maturing cyberspace domain

    The Air Force Space Command commander highlighted space and cyberspace superiority, acquisition strategies and industry partnerships, and the need for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education during a speech Feb. 7 in Colorado Springs, Colo.Gen. William Shelton kicked off the

  • Air Force, Navy officers help develop Afghan hospital project

    A groundbreaking ceremony kicked off the construction of a new hospital near Shindand Air Base, Afghanistan, Jan. 28.Calling it a major step forward for Afghans living near the base, officials said the $5 million commander's emergency response program is estimated to be completed in nine months.Air

  • Air Force kicks off ESOH Symposium

    The Air Force kicked off its 20th annual Environment, Safety and Occupational Health Symposium at the Colorado Convention Center here Feb. 13.The largest military training event of its kind features 525 course offerings for more than 1,200 attendees and runs through Feb. 17. Air Force senior leaders

  • OSI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service catch cyber criminal

    Criminals work their mischief where there is money to be gained, and in a world that relies heavily on the Internet, identity thieves are working overtime to find new and creative ways to steal.That was the case with Rene Quimby, who was able to get his virtual hands on the identities of more than

  • User-friendly USAF Song recordings ready for use

    New recordings of the U.S. Air Force Song are available for use in official military ceremonies at the Air Force Portal and www.music.af.mil.  The new recordings, one with vocals and one instrumental-only, respect the original character, lyrics and melody of the song, but are designed to promote

  • AF 2013 budget: Cuts while keeping agile, flexible, ready force

    The Air Force released its fiscal 2013 budget Feb. 13 and stressed the need for difficult budgetary cuts to meet the new defense strategy while maintaining the service's agility, flexibility and readiness.The Air Force is requesting $154.3 billion in the president's 2013 budget, a reduction of five

  • 35 Airmen selected for 2012 Tops in Blue tour

    Air Force Services Agency officials here recently announced the names of 35 Airmen selected for the 2012 Tops in Blue tour. In January, more than 80 Airmen competed as singers, dancers, musicians, magicians and technicians for Tops in Blue slots during the annual Air Force Worldwide Talent Search at

  • Troops, families to benefit from landmark settlement

    Service members and their families are among the Americans who will benefit from a "landmark" $25 billion foreclosure settlement between the government and banks, federal and state officials said today.The federal government and 49 state attorneys general reached the agreement with the nation's five

  • Air Force hosts collaborative Software Development Forum

    The Air Force Network Integration Center hosted the first Software Development Forum here Feb. 7.The forum brought together nearly 100 people from industry and the Air Force to discuss future software standards for integration onto the Air Force Network."We need to save time and money by

  • FTI continues to transform food delivery for Airmen

    The Air Force Food Transformation Initiative began at six pilot locations a little over a year ago, and the ground-breaking initiative continues to make progress in redefining how food is delivered to today's Airmen. In its first year, Airmen at the FTI pilot locations experienced revamped menu

  • First lady samples Food Transformation Initiative at Little Rock

    Michelle Obama visited the Hercules Dining Facility here Feb. 9 to survey the food transformation initiative program on base. The visit was part of a three-day tour by the first lady, commemorating the second anniversary of her "Let's Move!" program designed to combat childhood obesity.In addition

  • End of an era for Edwards test flight civilian

    Bearing witness to over a half century of aerospace engineering and innovation is a testament to one's interest in flight test history. However, to actually participate in over 50 years of it is a testament to one's dedication and excellence in the field.After 55 years of work for the Air Force

  • Tuskegee Airman a success in both military and business

    A former Tuskegee Airman went on to have a career in the Air Force, as well as success in the business world.Lee A. Archer joined the Army in 1941 with high hopes of becoming a pilot, but was initially denied because of his race. When the Army's policy changed about a year later, Archer was accepted

  • New fuels course graduates first class

    A new fuels training course developed by 364th Training Squadron members here officially started Jan. 23 and graduated its first students Feb. 3.The Fuels Operational Readiness Capability Equipment Course is designed to teach fuels specialists about new equipment currently being in deployed

  • Roy LaGrone immortalized Tuskegee Airmen through art

    "As soon as I got up there, I knew absolutely this is what I wanted to do," said Air Force pioneer Roy LaGrone of his journey from young passenger aboard a Ford Trimotor plane to original Tuskegee Airman pilot turned prolific artist.As one of many African Americans of his era fighting against the

  • Fiscal austerity requires leveraging 'total force'

    In wartime and peacetime, the total force construct is virtually seamless, with Guardsmen and Reserve service members who are indistinguishable from their active-component peers. Our recent air operations in Libya are but the latest example.The ability of our Guardsmen and Reservists to deploy on

  • SecDef visits AF wounded warrior care facility

    The Secretary of Defense visited Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Feb. 3, to show his appreciation for the dedicated and hard-working service members who ensure wounded warriors receive world-class care.Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta started his visit at the Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility

  • Air Force leaders chart service changes

    Making changes to the Air Force is "hard, but manageable," Air Force Secretary Michael B. Donley said here today.Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton A. Schwartz detailed force structure changes that will be made in the service over the next year. The men spoke during a Pentagon news

  • Air Force announces force structure overview for FY 13 and beyond

    Air Force officials announced proposed force structure changes which support the new DoD strategic guidance retiring 286 aircraft over the next five years, including 227 in fiscal year 13.According to Secretary of the Air Force, Michael Donley, the Air Force is shaping itself for future challenges

  • SecAF: AF will continue to be ready, agile and flexible

    In the face of a changing strategic environment and constrained budgets, the Air Force will maintain its agility, flexibility and readiness to engage a full range of contingencies and threats, according to Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley.Donley spoke to approximately 160 Airmen, industry

  • Voting tool gets thumbs up from DOD

    As this presidential election year unfolds, America's voting process will get plenty of attention.Thanks to two members of the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency headquarters, sorting through the how-tos of exercising this American right is at the fingertips of everyone

  • Air Force assessing performance feedback program

    Air Force officials are field testing a new performance feedback worksheet to assess how supervisors interact and provide feedback to their Airmen. The Airman Comprehensive Assessment worksheet is designed to increase supervisor awareness of activities affecting their Airmen and better facilitate

  • Engineer promotes African-Americans in early days of aviation

    An engineering student from Chicago would go on to become an important link in African-American aviation history and do much to take the accomplishments of the early pioneers in aviation and propel them to national acclaim.William J. Powell was born in Kentucky in 1897 and moved with his family to

  • Initiative brings Travis into 2012

    Born out of the Electronic Flight Bag Initiative for aircrew and intended to cut down on inefficiencies, the Digital Air Wing Initiative is now in effect here.Inefficiencies are felt most where the work is taking place, whether it is repeatedly inputting data manually or attempting to find a way

  • Official outlines absentee voting options

    Federal officials are urging military members, their families and other Americans living outside the U.S. to register to vote and request an absentee ballot.Both can be done easily by downloading a federal postcard application on the Federal Voting Assistance Program website, Bob Carey, the

  • First African-American pilot a war hero during WWI

    After watching his father narrowly escape a lynching in early 20th century Georgia, Eugene Bullard would escape the confines of racial tensions and a segregated country to become the first African-American combat pilot and one of the first African-American heroes of World War I.Bullard, who grew up

  • Air Force hosts national civic leader conference

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz met with prominent civic leaders from 32 states and Guam here Jan. 31.Schwartz began the Air Force Chief of Staff Civic Leader Program's annual winter conference by discussing the hard choices the Air Force

  • Air Force leaders publish new strategy document

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz released the 'Air Force Priorities for a New Strategy with Constrained Budgets' white paper Feb 1."The Air Force has made the hard choices to closely align with the new strategic guidance in our FY13 budget

  • Bessie Coleman: Woman who 'dared to dream' made aviation history

    A young woman from rural east Texas, who grew up in a hardscrabble existence as one of 13 children born to poor sharecropper parents, became an unlikely choice to pave the way for future African-American accomplishments in aviation and the U.S. Air Force.Elizabeth "Bessie" Coleman would go on to be

  • Program connects officer with family heritage

    (This story is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories and commentaries focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)People in the military understand that being able to relate across cultures is a very important skill. That ability has a more personal

  • Medical officer sees other side of care after injury

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories and commentaries focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)In Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, where East meets West in a struggle to defeat the Taliban, lies an air base that's home to 30,000

  • Air Force, Navy officers help develop Afghan hospital project

    A major step forward for Afghans living near Shindand Air Base, Afghanistan, occurred Jan. 28 during the groundbreaking for a new hospital. The $5 million commander's emergency response program has an estimated completion timeframe of nine months. Air Force Maj. Wesley Morris, a comptroller adviser

  • Bagram Airmen work to deliver link to home

    The men and women of the 455th Expeditionary Communication Squadron Knowledge Operations Management Office dedicate themselves, day in and day out, to provide a valuable service to 455th Air Expeditionary Wing personnel and its Air Force tenant units...mail call. Although it is not within their

  • Airman making difference in Office of First Lady

    The former commander of the 4th Airlift Squadron at McChord Air Force Base, Wash., is one of four service members to have been accepted into the 15-member 2011-2012 class of White House Fellows.Lt. Col. Rodney Lewis, a C-17A Globemaster III pilot, began his fellowship in August 2011 when he was

  • ESC working to upgrade the 'heart' of control, reporting center

    The Electronic Systems Center is working to modernize the U.S. Air Force Control and Reporting Center and has recently put out a request for information to upgrade the CRC Operations Module. The CRC is a mobile command, control and communications radar element which provides a comprehensive air

  • Bazaar school reopens to Afghan children

    In a symbolic gesture, a young Afghan boy cut the ribbon of the new bazaar school during a ceremony Jan. 21.About 50 Afghan boys gathered around Netherlands Col. Kees Marselis, Kandahar Airfield deputy commander and chief of staff, as he spoke about the initiative that went into making the new

  • CSAF: AF will be smaller but superb force

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz explained the service's contributions to the new Defense Department strategy during a Pentagon press briefing here Jan. 27. Schwartz said that as the Air Force approaches future constrained budgets, service officials will trade size for quality in order

  • SecAF visits Colorado Springs, highlights budget priorities

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley received a warm welcome from the local community here Jan. 27 during remarks at the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce to approximately 40 local community, military and business leaders. Donley said his trip to Colorado Springs provided a chance to visit

  • Airmen assist victims of avalanche, downed aircraft in Afghanistan

    A team of U.S. Air Force and Afghan air force aircrew and support personnel snapped into action Jan. 24 to provide life-saving support to 31 Afghan victims of an avalanche.Additionally, the team supported an Afghan aircrew that had downed their aircraft in an effort to rescue the victims of the

  • National Museum USAF displays formerly classified reconnaissance satellites

    Military, government and industry officials gathered Jan. 26 to officially place three formerly classified reconnaissance satellites on public display in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force here.The three satellites -- Gambit 1 KH-7, Gambit 3 KH-8 and Hexagon KH-9 --

  • AF officials announce Lance P. Sijan Award winners

    Air Force officials recently announced the winners of the 2011 Lance P. Sijan Air Force Leadership Award.The Lance P. Sijan Air Force Leadership Award recognizes Airmen who have demonstrated outstanding leadership abilities.The senior officer category winner is Maj. Laura Dejong, who is assigned to

  • National database helps protect military from financial fraud

    Their presence outside military bases has become all too familiar: businesses peddling cars, electronics and other items with undisclosed conditions or sky-high interest rates that quickly become a financial nightmare for service members.Today, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announced as

  • Barksdale AFB mourns fallen EOD hero

    Airmen and families here gathered to mourn the loss of a 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance technician Jan. 20.Senior Airman Bryan Bell, 23, was killed in action Jan. 5 by an improvised explosive device while performing his duties for Delta Company, 466th Explosive Ordnance Disposal

  • Air Force leaders say strategy calls for F-22, F-35 capabilities

    Fifth-generation fighter aircraft are key to America maintaining domain dominance in the years ahead, Air Force officials said here Jan. 24.Lt. Gen. Christopher D. Miller, the deputy chief of staff for strategic plans and programs, and Maj. Gen. Noel T. "Tom" Jones, the service's director for

  • AF top boxers vie to compete at Armed Forces championships

    The goals are still the same for Air Force boxing coach Steven Franco during the Air Force Boxing Camp at the Chaparral Fitness Center: Defeat the other military branches to win medals."Like I tell these guys from day one, I don't care if I take one guy or all 10 guys from different weight classes,

  • AETC marks 70 years of training and education excellence

    The demand for flying training caused by the United States' entry into World War II after the attack on Pearl Harbor, resulted in the creation of the Air Corps Flying Training Command January 23, 1942. Today marks Air Education and Training Command's 70th Anniversary. After several re-designations,

  • Old satellite teaching new lessons

    Since Jan. 13, the 2nd Space Operations Squadron here has been busy disposing of an old and trusted satellite. Squadron members could soon refer to the vehicle, known as SVN-30, as the satellite that keeps on giving because crews continues to garner invaluable information concerning how Global

  • Newest band member leads Ceremonial Brass on first American concert tour

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories and commentaries focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)The newest member of the United States Air Force Band is leading the Ceremonial Brass as the conductor during their first American

  • Brass quintet conducts clinic with Florida university students

    The U.S. Air Force Ceremonial Brass Quintet performed a clinic for 25 students from Palm Beach Atlantic University during a visit to the school Jan. 20 here.The clinic involved the members of the Brass Quintet playing five pieces for the students, answering questions, and then working with the

  • 'Today's Air Force' highlights Airmen overcoming adversity

    The newest edition of "Today's Air Force" covers everything from a new program that's helping Airmen eat right and stay fit to a couple who overcame adversity together. Other stories include a piece by Airman 1st Class Roman Weber, who highlights the transition from M-16 to M-4 rifle qualification.

  • SF Airman rises to physical training challenge

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories and commentaries focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)Fitness is important to Senior Airman Steven Evans; not just because he is his unit's fitness program manager, but because he's seen

  • New AF camp renamed in honor of JTAC

    The 451st Air Expeditionary Wing's newly acquired Canada 9 compound will soon be renamed to honor a joint terminal attack controller who was posthumously awarded a Silver Star for his actions in January 2010.Recently approved by Kandahar Airfield officials, the compound was renamed Camp Bradley

  • Smaller carbon footprint means fewer risks, official says

    A hard push by the Defense Department and the military services to reduce dependence on fossil fuels will shrink risks on the battlefield along with the Pentagon's carbon footprint, a DOD official said yesterday.Oliver Fritz, the deputy director for policy in the Office of the Under Secretary of

  • CSAF: Airmen key to new defense strategy

    Airmen will play an important role in the joint team's effort to achieve the priorities laid out in the new defense strategic guidance, according to the Air Force's top uniformed officer.Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz spoke to members of the World Affairs Council of Wilmington here

  • New RPA career field graduates first RQ-4 pilots

    Two members of Beale Air Force Base were recognized as the first RQ-4 Global Hawk pilots in the new 18X career field during a winging ceremony Jan. 13 here.Second Lts. Jacob and Scott began training Oct. 3, 2011, after a decision by Air Staff officials in June 2011 established undergraduate training

  • N.M. land grant expands AF training

    The U.S. Air Force accepted a land gift offer from the State of New Mexico during a ceremony in Santa Fe Jan. 18, hosted by the New Mexico State Land Office. The 11,000-acre land gift, valued at approximately $3.2 million, will support the Joint Air Force Special Operations mission at Cannon Air

  • AETC Airmen share lessons, vision at 2012 Symposium

    Thousands of Airmen from across Air Education and Training Command attended the 2012 AETC Symposium here Jan. 12-13 to learn about world-leading capabilities and technologies for educating, training, recruiting and innovating.More than 120 vendor booths, 70 seminars and panels, and a number of

  • Physical fitness motivates, bonds Afghan and American women

    Over the last few years, physical fitness has become a focal point for Airmen readiness across the U.S. Air Force. Here, at the Afghan air force compound, nine female AAF members and one American advisor are also making it a point of emphasis in their military training and daily lives.What began as

  • U.S., coalition nations form Wideband Global Satellite partnership

    Senior defense officials from six countries announced a multilateral partnership in wideband global satellite communication, which is valued at more than $10 billion, Jan. 17 here.The officials from Canada, Denmark, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand and the U.S. held an initial WGS

  • AMC passenger travel to be more predictable

    Select passenger terminals across Air Mobility Command are establishing pages on Facebook to provide passengers more predictability when it comes to space-available and space-required passengers.The overall goal of the AMC Space-A Facebook program is to use social media to expand knowledge about

  • The heat is on ... Afghan style

    As alarms sound and flames roar from the burning building, they run in while others run out.For years and years, firemen have trained for the eventuality that one day, they may have to save an innocent victim from the intense heat of a raging inferno. In Afghanistan, military fire training is no

  • Supervisor resource center moves to AF Portal

    Information, education and training critical to civilian supervisors is available at such online resources as the Supervisory Resource Center, which has moved to the Air Force Portal, SRC developers announced today.Formerly located on the Air Force Knowledge Now platform as a community of practice

  • State Partnership Program emphasizes building relationships

    A small, but innovative, program demonstrates the U.S. military's "very agile and flexible" capabilities in working with partners, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said recently.Meeting with reporters Jan. 5 after the announcement of President Barack Obama's new strategic guidance for

  • Quality assurance Airman turns hardship into strength

    (Editor's note: This story is part of "Through Airmen's Eyes". These stories and commentaries focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)Tech. Sgt. Barry Armstrong grew up in a broken home, living with his mother and siblings moving from town to town looking for work just to make

  • CMSAF discusses top issues

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy addressed a capacity crowd of Airmen and civilians at the Langley Theater on Jan. 11, and covered a wide variety of key Air Force issues. Roy spoke on topics such as training, force management programs and how the current budget will affect operations,

  • Air Force completes Kabul shooting investigation

    The Air Force completed its investigation into the April 27, 2011 shooting incident at the Afghanistan air force Headquarters located in Kabul, Afghanistan, in which eight U.S. Air Force Airmen and one civilian contractor were killed in the line of duty while serving in a combat zone. The incident

  • Tuskegee Airman honored during Ceremonial Brass concert

    A member of the Tuskegee Airmen was honored during a concert by the United States Air Force Band's Ceremonial Brass Jan. 14 at The First Academy Faith Hall here.Retired Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Richard R. Hall, Jr., a Winter Park native, was attending Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans

  • Andersen takes aim: '90 at 90'

    Maintaining peak combat readiness begins and ends with healthy, motivated and well-trained Airmen. To ensure no one is left behind, base leaders are seeking to implement a new program pushing service members to the pinnacle of physical fitness.The new initiative, called "90 at 90", was set in motion

  • New airframe adds strike capability to Afghan air force

    In the Afghanistan government's continued effort to independently battle counterinsurgency, a new tool will be added to their arsenal designed to allow versatility, reconnaissance and precision weapons placement to the growing Afghan air force.Announced Dec. 30, the U.S. Air Force has approved a

  • 607th AOC integrates with 8th Army's Joint Interface Control Center team

    Members of 7th Air Force and the 607th Air and Space Operations Center welcomed the 8th Army Joint Interface Control Cell team to the Combat Operations Division here, a historic move that will help resolve issues from working in a joint environment. "Joint war fighting is all about the synergistic

  • Weapon system trainer to save taxpayer's dollars

    The first official KC-135 Stratotanker Boom Operator Weapon System Trainer in Air Mobility Command, slated to save the Air Force millions annually, opened during a ceremony Jan. 9 here.Training boom operators to perform in-flight refueling requires a tanker and a receiver. An eight-hour tanker

  • New F-35B joint strike fighters arrive at Eglin

    A resolution to be even more expeditionary will be met this year, now that Marines here received their first two F-35B Lightning II variants of DoD's fifth generation fighter Jan. 11.At the 33rd Fighter Wing, Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 is the home for the new aircraft where its

  • NY airport greets aircrew with impromptu welcome home

    LaGuardia Airport personnel received an unexpected arrival Dec. 27, when the 4th Special Operations Squadron aircrew radioed the airport requesting permission to land.The unexpected arrival of an AC-130U Spooky Gunship, which was on deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn since

  • Airman turns adversity into positive approach to life

    (Editor's Note: This story is part of "Through Airmen's Eyes." These stories and commentaries focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)Senior Airman Alex Cox started a life-changing family tradition when he joined the Air Force in 2008, but it wasn't the trend he started that

  • Man's best wingman

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories and commentaries focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)Steven and his buddy Geri are American Airmen serving in Iraq. Both are alpha males, both are relentless and determined to win at all

  • Tuskegee Airmen: A legacy of love

    (This commentary is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories and commentaries focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)Last week I had the opportunity to learn about some Air Force history as well as family history. There was a screening of a new

  • From Baghdad, on Veterans Day

    (Editor's Note: This story is part of "Through Airmen's Eyes." These stories and commentaries focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)On Veterans Day, when the nation formally recognizes the contributions of millions of past and present men and women in uniform, I want to pass

  • Record long-range bomber flight turns 50

    Fifty years ago on Jan. 11, 1962, a crew of eight Airmen embarked on a historic feat that would take them half way across the globe and reaffirm to the world America's dominance in long-range aircraft strike capabilities.Piloting the newest model of long-range bombers, the B-52H Stratofortress,

  • Air Force medics train host nation on emergency response

    Airmen deployed to the 380th Expeditionary Medical Group joined with fellow healthcare professionals from the host nation air force for patient transport training Jan. 11.The doctors, nurses and medical technicians from both countries instructed each other on how to load their different litters and

  • Airman wins big on 'The Price Is Right'

    "Come on down!"This simple request ended with a big pay-off in a showcase showdown for a Vandenberg Fire Department member and his family.Tech. Sgt. Armando Galaviz II, the VFD North battalion chief, attended a showing of "The Price is Right" in August and won the grand prize worth more than

  • Air Force chief of staff releases 2012 reading List

    The Air Force chief of staff announced his latest professional reading list Jan. 6.In a letter to all Air Force personnel, Gen. Norton Schwartz said today's Airmen are among the military's best educated and most inquisitive. "We Airmen are innovators because we embrace the word 'why' and mine it for

  • War yields lessons in preventing, treating eye injuries

    Ten years of conflict has given rise not only to the world's best body armor and state-of-the-art battlefield technologies, but also a new understanding about ways to prevent eye injuries and treat those who suffer from them.When the war in Afghanistan kicked off in 2002, ballistic goggles were hard

  • 727th EACS takes control of new mission

    The 727th Expeditionary Air Control Squadron changed missions Dec. 30 as it supported the end of Operation New Dawn and began supporting the air defense of the Arabian Gulf.The timing of the transition allowed for a full-circle moment for members of the 727th EACS, who are deployed from the 606th

  • LivingFit helps Airmen, families reach weight loss goals

    A new year often begins with resolutions to lose weight and get in shape. Air Force services officials recently launched a new program designed to help Airmen and families accomplish this common goal through proper nutrition and activity.The USAF FitFamily website now includes LivingFit, an online

  • Afghan announcers broadcast peace to listeners

    In an area with an illiteracy rate of approximately 70 percent, radio communication can be critical when sharing news and current events in Paktya province of Afghanistan. The Paktya Provincial Reconstruction Team recently partnered with local radio announcers in the unveiling of "Caravan Radio," an

  • Afghanistan airdrops surpass record levels in 2011

    In 2011, mobility Airmen delivering airdrops reached a new annual record with 75,956,235 pounds of cargo delivered. That's nearly 16 million more pounds delivered than the previous record set in 2010 of 60,400,000.At more than 75.9 million pounds - that's the equivalent of standing on a mountain top

  • DOD leaders: U.S. will remain world's strongest military

    The Defense Department's new, 10-year strategy will ensure the U.S. remains the world's strongest military power, DOD leaders emphasized in weekend interviews.In an interview with Bob Schieffer that aired Jan. 8 on the CBS news program "Face the Nation," Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Joint

  • Even with cuts, military will remain capable, official says

    Defense Department officials will use the military strategy guidance that President Barack Obama announced yesterday to tie numbers to the department's fiscal 2013 budget request, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said Jan. 6.The budget request is expected to be delivered to Capitol Hill in

  • First Transit Center commander reflects on decade of change

    Even in his wildest dreams, he never could have envisioned what he started 10 years ago would turn into what he sees now. But when the Transit Center's first commander, then-Brig. Gen. Chris Kelly, landed on Runway 08 at the Manas International Airport on Dec. 16, 2001, he saw potential of what this

  • Air Force maintenance icon dies

    Retired Lt. Gen. Leo Marquez died Dec. 30 in Albuquerque, N.M., at age 79.Throughout his 33-year career, Marquez is credited with revolutionizing the maintenance and logistics career field."In my many encounters with General Leo Marquez, he always lived up to his reputation as being one of those

  • Obama: Future force will be smaller, agile, ready

    At a moment of national transition, the U.S. is reshaping defense priorities and its military force to sustain U.S. global leadership and respond to changing security and fiscal needs, President Barack Obama said Jan. 5 at the Pentagon.Obama, the first president to address reporters in the Pentagon

  • New defense strategic guidance detailed in near future

    Specifics on how the new defense strategic guidance will affect the Pentagon's budget will take shape in the weeks to come as White House and Defense Department officials prepare President Barack Obama's 2013 budget request.Obama, joined by Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Army Gen. Martin E.

  • Strategy calls for military to handle full range of contingencies

    The American military will be leaner in the years ahead, but it will remain lethal and without a match in the world, President Barack Obama said at the Pentagon on Jan. 5.Obama, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, detailed the

  • SecDef calls deployed Air Force NCO to ring in new year

    The NCO picked up the phone in his office at Kabul International Airport and on the other end was the Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta who called Jan. 1, 2012, to wish him a happy New Year.Air Force Tech. Sgt. Charles Heathman, a rotary wing maintenance adviser with the 438th Air Expeditionary