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  • 'Today's Air Force' features a look around the service

    In this edition of "Today's Air Force," Airmen and civilians celebrate an historic upgrade in satellite communications capabilities. Plus, an Air Force couple gets ready to deploy together. Also, glimpse a solemn ceremony as pararescue Airmen say goodbye. The 30-minute, weekly news show can be seen

  • CSAF stresses importance of Airmen and mission

    The Air Force's top uniformed officer made a visit June 24 to meet with Airmen, talk about his priorities, and listen to the concerns of those living and working here."Let me begin by reminding you that everyone matters," said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz. "It's like a team;

  • Delivery of new F-16s to Pakistan shows deepening relations

    Three F-16 Fighting Falcons are scheduled to arrive in Pakistan June 26 with 15 more to be delivered later this year and next, said Maj. Todd Robbins, the Pakistan country director in the office of the undersecretary of the Air Force for international affairs. "This is the most visible part of a

  • Information Protection Workshop 2010 examines security issues, goals

    With a focus on training, education and force development, professionals from major commands, wings, field operating agencies and direct reporting units from across the Air Force gathered here for the 2010 Worldwide Information Protection Workshop June 21 through 25.Hosted by the Air Force

  • Lajes supports YoAFF campaign with quality-of-life improvements

    In the midst of many budget cuts, Lajes Field, Azores, officials are improving the quality of life for Airmen and their families, with a focus on improving programs geared toward areas of concern for Air Force families.Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen.

  • Opportunities exist for active-duty Airmen to become IMA Reservists

    Air Force Reserve Individual Mobilization Augmentee program officials are currently looking for Airmen from all career fields to fill worldwide taskings, according to a Reserve management group official. "Airmen who are leaving the active-duty force are encouraged to consider opportunities along the

  • Military parents voice education concerns to leaders

    Top U.S. and military leaders took part in a roundtable discussion with parents at the elementary school here today to gain greater insight into the education challenges military families face. Among the participants were Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III; Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice

  • General McKinley: Medical field key to future battles

    The Air National Guard's medical professionals are uniquely suited to respond to any asymmetric challenge that confronts our nation in the future, the National Guard's top officer said here June 19."All of the missions that the medical field has done over time ... have put it into a position to be

  • Services, VA use technology for stress, resilience outreach

    Officials from the military services and the Veterans Health Administration of the Veterans Affairs Department increasingly use digital technology to reach out to identify and treat servicemembers with traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder. The second-ranking officers of each

  • New officer course boosts cyberspace transformation

    A new undergraduate cyber training course for officers launched here June 15.Air Force officials allocated $11.7 million to establish the course, and about $7.6 million has already been spent to upgrade facilities and purchase the computer infrastructure, simulators and laboratory networks to

  • A-10C pilot, family headed to Argentina through Olmsted Scholar program

    An A-10C Thunderbolt II pilot assigned to the 358th Fighter Squadron here was one of 17 military officers selected by the George and Carol Olmsted Foundation to be a student in Olmsted Scholar Class of 2011. Maj. Sean Baerman, his wife Mandy and their 3-year-old-son, Teague will move to Buenos Aires

  • Thunderbirds announce 2011 officer selections

    The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, commonly known as the Thunderbirds, recently announced incoming officer selections for the 2011 demonstration season.Capt. Ryan Riley, an F-16 pilot stationed at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, will join the team as the left wing for the squadron as

  • Air Force to host joint library workshop

    Department of Defense library professionals will exchange ideas, explore new technology and develop strategies for future library programs during a workshop June 22 through 25 in northern Virginia.The Air Force, Navy and U.S. Marines Corps Librarians' Training Workshop will feature speakers from

  • Tinker squadron extends service life of first aircraft in Navy E-6 fleet

    Airmen from the 566th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron completed work on extending the service life of the first of 16 Navy E-6B Mercury aircraft June 15.The E-6Bs are flown by members of the Strategic Communications Wing ONE, whose primary mission is airborne communication with Navy submarines. It

  • Puerto Rican troops, families need new birth certificates

    Servicemembers and their families who were born in Puerto Rico will need to obtain a new birth certificate starting July 1, although the Defense Department will honor the certificate they used to establish their identity and to enroll for military benefits prior to that date, a defense official

  • RED HORSE port team equips New Horizons Panama mission for success

    A 12-person logistics support team moved more than 200 pieces of cargo 250 kilometers (more than 155 miles) from the port in Panama City to Meteti for New Horizons Panama 2010.The team, a division of the RED HORSE contingent deploying to Panama for New Horizons, arrived May 11, and worked furiously

  • Airmen mentor Afghan porters at Kabul airport

    For the Afghan National Army, the aerial port at the Afghan National Army Air Force base at Kabul International Airport is critical to resupplying troops in the field. The concept of an aerial port has been around for a long time, but increasing the capabilities is the job of the 438th Air

  • Academy's wave energy research faces major test in 2011

    If a U.S. Air Force Academy scientist's idea is proven correct, his research could tap into energy from ocean waves that could supply a large chunk of the world's electricity needs. A typical North Atlantic deep ocean wave is about 126 meters long and 3.5 meters tall, which could yield 100 kW per

  • Line officers face revised reclassification procedures

    To better manage the force and address the needs of critical and stressed career fields, Air Force officials have revised procedures for line officers eliminated from initial skills training.Line officers eliminated from training are now being considered by a panel at the Air Force Personnel Center

  • CWID tests latest in communications for warfighters

    Airmen and Soldiers brought their experience from Afghanistan and Iraq to test the latest communications systems in the Colorado Springs portion of the joint Coalition Warrior Interoperability Demonstration on June 16.The demonstration is designed to improve and enhance command and control;

  • Gates reviews military spouse career program

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates is grappling with the best way to reopen the Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts program to new applicants, concerned that the program has morphed beyond its original intent and cost estimates, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said June 18.Secretary

  • 'Making rank' has special significance for Global Strike general

    When Brig. Gen. Sandra E. Finan held her promotion ceremony here June 15, it gave new meaning to the expression "making rank."General Finan's rank was made by her father, who crafted her metal general's stars at his home worktable. In fact, he's made one of every rank insignia for her since she made

  • Scott agencies join to test new airframe

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

  • Air Force officials discuss mental health options, confidentiality

    Airmen in need of psychological intervention or counseling have myriad options available through a number of Air Force programs, officials said here June 16.Although psychological screening occurs throughout an Airman's career by way of annual preventive health assessments and post-deployment

  • Jump week brings five NATO countries together

    More than 100 paratroopers from five NATO countries conducted about 300 personnel drops June 15 here.The three-day airborne jump training is part of International Jump Week meant to build partnerships and capabilities needed to meet future challenges. The paratroopers from Belgium, Germany, England,

  • Savings bonds deductions move to direct deposit Sept. 30

    Airmen and Department of Defense civilians will use a new way to purchase savings bonds beginning Sept. 30 as part of the Department of Treasury's cost-effective plan to issue savings bonds electronically.Instead of payroll deductions, savings bonds will be available through a direct-deposit

  • Gates: Budget request reflects Pentagon's reform agenda

    The fiscal 2011 defense budget request continues and builds on the reforms of the fiscal 2010 budget, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told the Senate Appropriations Committee's subcommittee on defense June 16.The proposed base budget request is $549 billion, a 3.4 percent increase over the current

  • New systems make military moves more efficient

    With the busiest season for permanent-change-of-station moves under way, officials at U.S. Transportation Command are encouraging servicemembers to take advantage of new systems designed to make the process more convenient and efficient.Transcom launched the new Personally Procured Move, or PPM,

  • USAFE officials invest $240 million in housing

    The continuing investment in military family housing and dormitories is keeping U.S. Air Forces Europe in line with the Year of the Air Force Family theme of building a great place to live, work and play.During the year, USAFE officials completed the construction or renovation of numerous family

  • Libraries inspire military children to read

    Defense Department library officials have embarked on their first departmentwide summer reading program in hopes of encouraging military children to keep their reading skills sharp during the summer. More than 250 base libraries will soon set off on "Voyage to Book Island," an activity-packed

  • Officials announces initial test transmissions from GPS satellite

    Officials from the Space and Missile Systems Center's Global Positioning Systems Wing announced that the first GPS IIF satellite, launched May 27, has begun test transmissions of the new safety-of-life (L5) navigation signal. The L5 signal is a key element of efforts to modernize the GPS

  • PRT beautifies Afghan girls' school

    Airmen from Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul are partnering with Zabul Province government officials to make school life more pleasant by overseeing improvements for 1,200 Afghan high school and elementary students at the Bibi Khala Girls' School here."Coming out here and seeing the smiling

  • Survivor shares story to combat troop suicides

    Kim Ruocco hung up the phone with her husband, relieved he had finally agreed to seek help for his increasingly severe bouts of depression.Still, she had a nagging feeling that something wasn't right. She decided to catch a red-eye flight from Massachusetts to California, where her husband's reserve

  • Applying for Air Force NAF jobs goes virtual

    A new centralized online tool is making it easier for job seekers to find and apply for federal careers in various nonappropriated fund activities, including Air Force clubs, golf courses, child development centers, youth centers, bowling centers and outdoor recreation centers. On May 24,

  • Tac Sat-3 completes groundbreaking experimental mission

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

  • NSPS transition well under way, official tells Congress

    The transition of Defense Department civilian employees from the National Security Personnel System is proceeding, with 75 percent of the workforce expected to be transferred into the General Schedule classification and pay system by late September, the defense official overseeing the effort told

  • Air Force football team ranked second nationally in academic performance

    The U.S. Air Force Academy football team here has the second-highest multi-year Academic Progress Rate of any team in the Football Bowl Subdivision, according the a report issued June 9 by NCAA officials. The APR provides a real-time look at a team's academic success each semester by tracking the

  • Air Force leaders maintain Community Action Information Boards

    Although the Year of the Air Force Family draws to a close July 2010, senior leaders will continue to provide avenues to care for Airmen and their families through a variety of methods including the Community Action Information Boards. CAIBs provide an important opportunity for senior-level

  • Council tackles Air Force retiree concerns, issues

    The Air Force Retiree Council meets annually at the Air Force Personnel Center here to discuss and act upon concerns and issues affecting nearly 790,000 retired Airmen and surviving spouses. This year's council met May 3 through 7 to review topics such as pay and benefits, medical care, and

  • Airmen participate in Unified Engagement 2010

    U.S. Air Forces in Europe officials joined representatives from seven other countries here to participate in Unified Engagement 2010, which started June 7 and continues through June 11.The Unified Engagement seminar is the fourth Building Partnership Seminar USAFE officials have conducted with

  • Tinker maintained B-1 milestone

    A B-1 Lancer will reach the 10,000-hour flying mark by early June. Initially envisioned with a 20-year service life in 1985, the aircraft wasn't expected to reach such a milestone, Tinker officials said. Through the dedication and hard work of the members of the 76th Maintenance Wing's programmed

  • Air Force website offers legal assistance

    Next time clients need a will, power of attorney or just have a legal question, they can visit the new Air Force Legal Assistance website at https://aflegalassistance.law.af.mil. The website is designed for active-duty and reserve component members, retirees and dependents. Officials created the

  • Defense leaders laud air-sea battle concept initiative

    The air-sea battle concept being developed by Air Force and Navy officials exemplifies the closer, more integrated relationships the military needs in order to confront future challenges, top Pentagon leaders said.The new concept is "a prime example of how we need to keep breaking down stovepipes

  • MyAirForceLife.com photography competition

    Air Force Services Agency officials are accepting photograph entries on MyAirForceLife.com, now through July 4, as part of the Year of the Air Force Family.This is an opportunity for Airmen and eligible patrons of Air Force morale, welfare and recreation programs to express through photos what Air

  • Global Hawk takes northern route, improves efficiency

    Staff Sgt. Ryan Conversi's eyes remain focused on a pair of industrial-strength laptop computers as the time approaches for the next launch of an RQ-4 Global Hawk on the Beale Air Force Base flightline. One of the computers is a vehicle test controller and the other contains Sergeant Conversi's

  • How the Air Force Uniform Board works

    Throughout the years, Air Force uniforms have evolved to meet modern day operational requirements, but few Airmen know the process involved or who is responsible for these changes.The biggest misconceptions seem to center around the uniform board. Contrary to what some believe, the board is not the

  • Air Force awarded top honors for excellence in public relations

    The U.S. Air Force received top honors June 3 at the Public Relations Society of America's annual Silver Anvil Awards Ceremony at the Equitable Tower in New York City. This is the first time the Air Force has received the PRSA's most esteemed, "Best of Silver Anvil" Award, recognized as the civilian

  • VA secretary announces new hotline for homeless veterans

    Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced June 3 the establishment of a new telephone hotline to provide emergency support and resources to homeless veterans. He made the announcement as he toured the facility at the VA medical center in Canandaigua."It is unacceptable for a single

  • Altus Airmen exercise mass casualty response and recovery

    Altus Air Force Base officials conducted an in-depth force protection exercise here June 1, in a continuing effort to train and prepare base members to respond to a mass casualty incident. After months of preparation, and a smaller-scale exercise conducted May 12, officials from Altus AFB, Jackson

  • Air Force fitness program revision rewards excellent Airmen

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

  • New cyber chief: People key in meeting cyberspace challenge

    Cyberspace will provide "tremendous opportunities for the future, but also tremendous vulnerabilities," the commander of U.S. Cyber Command said June 3 in his first public appearance since assuming his new post.Citing the explosion in use of the Internet, e-mail, social networking and instant

  • Neurology residents score highest in nation

    Neurology residents at Wilford Hall Medical Center here are scoring among the highest of all residency programs in the United States."During the past two years, our residents scored in the 98th percentile on their residency in-service training exams. This year they scored in the 100th percentile,"

  • New tech-advanced classroom awaits F-35 students

    A foundation for how the first generation of F-35 Lightning II pilots and maintainers trains for the next half century continues to evolve here as 33rd Fighter Wing officials add state-of-the-art technology to the classroom arsenal. "The technology is fabulous. It brings us to a revolutionary new

  • Ramstein Airmen perform in-depth inspection on C-130J

    The first isochronal inspection on Ramstein Air Base's earliest C-130J Super Hercules aircraft kicked off here May 26. A team of about 60 active-duty Airmen from different specialty codes, all familiar with the J model, examined tail number 8601 during the 10-day inspection.An ISO inspection, much

  • Technology drives new, better ways to educate Airmen

    Cell phones could soon be the ticket to keeping up with professional development requirements. That's just one concept being explored by officials at Air Education and Training Command, the Air Force's training and education component. Like their counterparts in the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, AETC

  • DOD certifies 6 programs under Nunn-McCurdy Law breaches

    Department of Defense officials have certified that six acquisition programs, including the F-35 Lightning II and the DDG-1000 destroyer, should continue under Nunn-McCurdy legislation.  The systems also include the block 3 upgrade program for the Apache AH-64 helicopter, the advanced threat

  • Vietnam combat lessons apply today, Mullen says

    The military's top officer called on Vietnam veterans to stay connected with today's servicemembers, saying their lessons learned, especially with post-traumatic stress disorder, can help veterans of combat in Iraq and Afghanistan.Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, made

  • Iraqi forces practice lifesaving measures

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

  • Airmen upgrade GPS constellation

    Airmen from the 2nd Space Operations Squadron and from the 19th SOPS took control of the Air Force's newest GPS satellite following its launch into orbit May 28 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.  The GPS IIF SV-1 satellite represents a substantial upgrade for the GPS constellation. Thanks

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

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

  • Air Force security transfers authority to Army

    Members of the 506th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron here transferred authority for base security to Soldiers from the 1st Special Troops Battalion during a ceremony here May 28. In addition to the transfer of authority, the 506th ESFS was officially inactivated. 506th ESFS Airmen ensured the

  • Air Guard successfully tests back-up for messaging systems

    Air National Guard members teamed up with contractors and other industry partners to create and execute a back-up system for their messaging systems."Until now, the survivability of (Non-classified internet protocol router) e-mail was dependent upon restoring data from backup disks and tapes," said

  • Mullen: Honoring the nation's fallen warriors

    Not long after the Civil War, Americans pledged to honor those who, as Abraham Lincoln put it, gave the last full measure of devotion.Be they from Lexington and Concord, Gettysburg and Antietam, the Argonne Forest or the beaches of Normandy, Chosin and Inchon, Saigon and the Mekong Delta, Baghdad or

  • New security strategy touts partnership efforts

    Military-to-military contacts are a "critical component" of global engagement and support the nation's security, according to the new National Security Strategy presented to Congress May 27. "Our ability to sustain these alliances, and to build coalitions of support toward common objectives, depends

  • Personnel recovery team lives up to its motto

    "These things we do, that others may live."That s the motto for the Airmen of the 64th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron who operate and maintain Joint Base Balad's rescue helicopters.Training exercises, conducted at both deployed locations and stateside units, are a never-ending way of life for the

  • Scott AFB converts to new defense accounting system

    Air Force and U.S. Transportation Command officials began a new era of financial management May 27 when Spiral 2 of the Defense Enterprise Accounting and Management System, or DEAMS, deployed to users at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. There are nearly 1,100 initial users at or associated with Scott AFB.

  • Misawa maintenance Airmen benefit from AFSO21 review

    For many Airmen, the Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century program is as abstract as its name. For the Airmen of the 35th Maintenance Squadron munitions flight munitions support equipment element here, an AFSO21 review revealed they could cut their work time in half. "Honestly, I was a

  • National Guard leaders observe Israel's nationwide exercise

    Sirens wailed across Israel and residents took shelter during a nationwide civil defense exercise carefully watched by a delegation of National Guard leaders May 26 here.The communication, collaboration and coordination National Level Exercise Turning Point 4 revealed between the Israeli Defense

  • 18th LRS recognized for community service

    Airmen from the 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron were honored by a Japanese non-profit organization May 22 for providing hundreds of hours of community service here.Five representatives of the 18th LRS were among several Air Force and Navy units and individuals recognized by the Good Conduct

  • Avionics shop works around the clock

    While many of us are heading to bed at the end of a long day, Airmen from the 437th Maintenance Squadron avionics flight are working around the clock in order to ensure vital repairs are made on parts necessary for C-17 Globemaster IIIs to conduct day-to-day operations.The avionics intermediate

  • Air Force Energy Forum on the horizon

    With a focus on the service's most pressing operational energy issues, Air Force officials will kick off the Air Force Energy Forum III here May 27.Undersecretary of the Air Force Erin Conaton, the Air Force's senior energy official, will deliver the keynote address during the two-day forum,

  • Mullen offers leadership challenges to Academy grads

    The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff challenged the U.S. Air Force Academy's graduating class to embrace a sense of duty and build on the lessons they learned here as they become tomorrow's leaders.Navy Adm. Mike Mullen praised the character and courage of the Class of 2010's members who chose

  • Airman leads joint Mi-35 attack helicopter adviser team for Afghan Air Corps

    A joint team of American, Czech Republic and Hungarian advisers assigned to the 440th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron are making strides helping Afghan National Army Air Corps Mi-35 Hind E attack helicopter pilots get into the fight."We are seeing the results of the teamwork of our advisers and

  • Review panel praises BMT program improvements

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

  • Senior NCO makes difference in Afghans' lives

    A NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan senior NCO recently won the Air Force 2010 League of United Latin American Citizens "Excellence in Military Service Award" for service during his last deployment to Afghanistan.Senior Master Sgt. Limweshe Wright, a NTM-A's combined joint logistics office

  • C-27A adviser squadron now 100 percent manned

    A year of success stories continues for Airmen of the 538th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron, who are advising Afghan National Army Air Corps soldiers on the use of the C-27A Spartan. "We are now fully manned and will be able to continue toward our goal of building a professional air force for

  • Museums offer free admission to military families

    Active-duty servicemembers and their families will gain free access to hundreds of museums throughout the nation this summer, thanks to a partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts and Blue Star Families.More than 600 museums in 50 states and the District of Columbia have signed up so

  • Hiring surge to employ thousands

    With contractor-to-civilian conversions, new organizations standing up and overall increases in civilian positions, the Air Force civil service continues to grow as officials look to employ thousands of U.S. citizens.Air Force Personnel Center officials have filled more than 3,000 new positions

  • Guardian Challenge 2010 season a success

    Air Force Space Command officials announced the winners of Guardian Challenge 2010, the command-wide combat competition, during the awards ceremony May 21.The top awards and winners included: - The Schriever Trophy for Best Space Launch Wing: 45th Space Wing, Patrick Air Force Base, Fla. - The

  • Armament advisor makes Afghans proud

    Master Sgt. Raymond Rogers Jr. stands and watches two Afghan National Army Air Corps weapons loaders put new 12.7 mm rounds into the Yak-B Gatling gun of an MI-35 Hind E attack helicopter. For Sergeant Rogers Jr., a 438th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron armament and ammunition flight adviser,

  • Cadet candidates earn diplomas, Academy appointments

    One hundred ninety-nine members of the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School Class of 2010 said goodbye to 10 months of academic, military and physical training during commencement exercises May 18 in Arnold Hall here."It feels amazing," Cadet Candidate Michelle Ivey said of her graduation. "It

  • Top enlisted Airman addresses quality-of-life issues

    As Air Force leaders work to improve the quality of life for Airmen and their families, suicide prevention is among their top priorities, the service's top enlisted Airman said.The suicide rate for all four services in 2009 was higher than the national average, defense officials said. Air Force

  • El Salvadoran vice chief views Air Force training programs

    The vice chief of the Joint General Staff for the Republic of El Salvador visited Lackland AFB May 10 to 11 to gain insight on Air Force educational and training programs.The two-day visit by El Salvadoran air force Brig. Gen. Jaime Parada fell under the auspice of the Air Force Chief of Staff's

  • Mass fatality training integrates Air Guard recovery teams

    One of the key functions of the Regional Mass Fatality Management Training Evolution was to develop and evaluate protocol for integration of Air National Guard Fatality Search and Recovery Teams May 10 at the Army Reserve Center/Jersey City Police Facility."This partnership between the National

  • A new way to go from blue to green

    While Airmen and new recruits at basic training still "cross into the blue," Airmen at Pacific Air Forces are looking for new ways to cross into the green -- through reducing energy demands, increasing energy supplies and changing the culture.These methods form the three pillars of the Air Force

  • Lynn notes Cyber Command's significance

    Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III called the establishment of U.S. Cyber Command at Fort Meade, Md., a milestone in the United States being able to conduct full-spectrum operations in a new domain.Mr. Lynn spoke to reporters in his office May 21 before attending the stand-up of the

  • Undersecretary's visit underscores importance of nuclear mission

    The Air Force's newest senior leader visited the Air Force's newest major command May 20.Undersecretary of the Air Force Erin Conaton visited Air Force Global Strike Command to get a firsthand view of the command.Hosted by Lt. Gen. Frank Klotz, AFGSC commander, Ms. Conaton received briefings from

  • Portal offers new secure network tool similar to Facebook

    Air Force Portal Web designers are keeping up with the Web 2.0 era by offering portal users a new means to engage in professional communications in a secure social media environment.After initial tests among some 7,000 users in the Air Force's logistics community, the portal's newly developed

  • Aviano officials tap into Earth's energy

    Construction has begun to build a $680,000 geothermal plant here, the first of its kind in U.S. Air Forces in Europe."Aviano (AB officials are) actively leaning forward on numerous utility and energy-saving initiatives," said Lt. Col. Bo Bloomer, the 31st Civil Engineer Squadron commander. "The

  • Air Guard engineers assist Navajo Nation

    Two Air National Guard civil engineering units began renovation and construction work May 16 here at St. Michaels Association for Special Education.Members of the Virginia Air Guard's 203rd Red Horse Squadron and the Colorado Air Guard's 240th Civil Engineer Flight are repairing buildings,

  • Safety campaign provides awareness to Airmen

    As part of the Air Force's Wingman Stand Down 2010, missions here will be halted May 21 as Airmen seek methods of preventing suicides and private motor vehicle accidents by strengthening wingmen relationships.These stand downs will be held around the Air Force in May. While on the cusp of the 101

  • Gates establishes U.S. Cyber Command, names first commander

    Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates announced May 21 Army Gen. Keith B. Alexander's appointment as the first commander of U.S. Cyber Command, officially establishing the Initial Operating Capability for the new command. The announcement comes immediately following General Alexander's promotion to

  • Air Force chief of staff addresses 2010 CAF Airpower Symposium

    Although last minute plane troubles kept the Air Force's top uniformed leader from physically attending the 2010 Combat Air Forces Airpower Symposium at Langley Air Force Base May 19, it didn't keep him from delivering his keynote address to participants.Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz

  • Single parents juggle military, home demands

    The active-duty military includes nearly 73,000 single parents, which equates to 5.3 percent of the total force, according to Defense Department statistics from 2008. The Army leads the way with more than 35,000 single parents, followed by the Navy with more than 16,000, and the Air Force with more