HomeNews

NATO Air Policing operations

U.S. Air Force News

  • Sergeant filling prescriptions on Air Force birthday

    Tech. Sgt. Brenda Martinez-Lashley will be filling prescriptions instead of eating cake, ice cream and punch on the Air Force's 59th birthday. Like for the past 15 years, she and other Airmen around the world will report to work to fight or support the ongoing war on terrorism. This war -- like all

  • Flight nurse on medevac duty on Air Force birthday

    First Lt. John Rinaldo will be on aeromedical evacuation duty on the Air Force's 59th birthday and will not have much time to celebrate with the cake, ice cream and punch. Instead, like for the past 15 years, he and other Airmen around the world will report to work to fight or support the ongoing

  • Sergeant moving passengers on Air Force birthday

    The Air Force is 59 years old today. But Staff Sgt. Robert Thomas will not have much time to celebrate with the cake, ice cream and punch usually associated with birthdays. Instead, like for the past 15 years, he and other Airmen around the world will report to work to fight or support the ongoing

  • Secretary, chief send Air Force birthday message

    The following is a message from Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley on the Air Force's 59th birthday Sept. 18. "Over the course of the past 59 years, the United States Air Force has established itself as the dominant force in air, space

  • Maintainer spends Air Force birthday on flightline

    The Air Force is 59 years old today. But Tech. Sgt. Tim Scheaffer will not have time to celebrate with the cake, ice cream and punch usually associated with birthdays. Instead, like for the past 15 years, he and other Airmen around the world will report to work to fight or support the ongoing war on

  • Space unit to move from Cheyenne Mountain

    The Space Control Center, operated by the 1st Space Control Squadron, is transferring its operations from Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, Colo., to the Joint Space Operations Center at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.The move is part of an effort to enhance mission effectiveness and increase

  • AFIT Class of September 2006 graduates

    More than 40 scientists, engineers and management specialists are the latest recipients of graduate and doctoral degrees from the Air Force Institute of Technology.AFIT's Graduate School of Engineering and Management held its September 2006 graduation ceremony Sept. 14 in the Institute's Kenney

  • Manas Air Base hosts Kyrgyz president

    The 376th Air Expeditionary Wing and the U.S. Embassy here hosted a remembrance ceremony and a presidential visit Sept. 11. Kurmanbek Bakiev, the president of Kyrgyzstan, was the key speaker on his first visit to the base. During the ceremony, a coalition color guard of Spanish, French, Kyrgyz and

  • Secretary Wynne tells cadets interdependence is future of U.S. military

    Air Force secretary Michael W. Wynne told West Point cadets Sept. 14 they will witness the U.S. military's evolution from maneuver to interdependent warfare. The secretary was at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., for his 40th class reunion. He addressed about 4,000 cadets at the cadet

  • Officials award $589 million Weapon System Integrator contract

    Officials with the Electronic Systems Center's 350th Electronic Systems Group awarded a $589 million contract Sept. 12 to Lockheed Martin Corp. to serve as the Air and Space Operations Center Weapon System Integrator.With this contract, Air Force specialists will be able to aid the government's

  • Miss America shares message during base visit

    Miss America Jennifer Berry spoke to Airmen here Sept. 12, promoting her campaign of building intolerance to drunk driving and underage drinking."It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to host Miss America," said Col. Joseph Schwarz, 61st Air Base Wing commander. "She is dedicated to America just as

  • Business changes dramatically for air operations center

    The way business is done has dramatically changed at the 1st Air Force Air Operations Center here.Five years after 9/11, the AOC, which is responsible for U.S. air defense, has made serious networking and communications upgrades to improve their processes. "Our mission is to watch all the aircraft

  • Airmen provide medical assistance in Colombia

    Fourteen Airmen from Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., and Lackland AFB, Texas, arrived at Hospital Toribo Maya, Colombia, Sept. 13 and opened the doors to the hundreds of people who had already gathered outside seeking medical assistance. The team, made up of members from the 55th Medical Group at

  • Tight fit for GM-3 will save $360K per flight

    Members of the 4th Space Operations Squadron here successfully loaded their Ground Mobile-3 vehicle onto a C-17 Globemaster III Sept. 10, proving a concept that will save the Air Force more than $360,000 each time the GM-3 deploys. In addition, C-17s are easier to procure and have a greater

  • Lakenheath Airmen gear up for deployments

    More than 800 Airmen assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing here are departing this month to support military operations in Southwest Asia, South America, Africa and Eastern Europe as part of the latest air and space expeditionary force."This is an average-sized deployment," said Capt. Gretchen Yule,

  • Leaders at all levels must be aware of AFSO 21 efforts

    General officers gathered here Sept. 6 to present their plans for streamlining the processes that govern the Air Force. As part of Air Force Smart Operations 21, or AFSO 21, the Air Force Smart Operations Process Council, made up of senior Air Force leaders, guides and integrates the transformation

  • Airmen deploy from Mountain Home AFB

    More than 160 Airmen from the 726th Air Control Squadron here deployed Sept. 10 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.Their mission is to monitor the airspace over a battlefield and provide military leaders with a clear and accurate picture of that area, allowing commanders to make informed,

  • COMUSAFE forges relations with Latvian officials

    The U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander and staff advisers visited Riga, Latvia, Sept. 11 to meet senior defense and state department officials and tour facilities. During the trip, Gen. William T. Hobbins visited the U.S. Embassy, Latvian Ministry of Defense and Joint Operations Center in Riga. "We

  • 45th Space Wing supports successful shuttle launch

    The 45th Space Wing here supported NASA's launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis Sept. 9.The launch occurred at 11:14 a.m. EDT from Space Launch Complex 39B at Kennedy Space Center.The 45th SW's Eastern Range assets such as radar, optical and meteorological instrumentation helped energize a

  • Air Force team to provide medical care in Colombia

    An Air Force medical team made up of members from the 55th Medical Group at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., and the 59th Medical Wing at Lackland AFB, Texas, arrived here Sept. 10 to participate in a two-week medical readiness exercise. As part of this medical readiness training exercise, or MEDRETE,

  • Senior Air Force leaders hold space summit

    Senior Air Force leaders met Sept. 7 at the Pentagon to discuss space missions and operations at a space summit.Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley served as host for the summit, where the primary purpose was to discuss current and future Air Force space issues, to include current

  • Fall '06 Air and Space Power Journal available

    The College for Aerospace Doctrine, Research and Education at Air University has published and distributed the Fall 2006 English edition of the Air Force's professional journal, Air and Space Power Journal. The journal serves as an open forum for the presentation and stimulation of innovative

  • Researchers aim to enhance air vehicle systems

    Air Force Office of Scientific Research officials here recently awarded the University of Washington and three partner universities a grant worth approximately $6 million over five years to study the design of air vehicles capable of collecting and storing solar and heat energies. The

  • Air Force Research Lab names 2006 fellows

    Air Force Research Laboratory officials are honoring seven scientists and engineers as new fellows during an annual awards banquet Sept. 19 at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. Designed to recognize and reward AFRL's most outstanding in-house scientists and engineers, the fellows

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary, space support requests for Sept. 7

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have announced the airpower summary and space support requests for Sept. 7.In Afghanistan Sept. 6, Air Force B-1 Lancers provided close-air support for coalition troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Asadabad. One aircraft expended a Guided Bomb

  • Propulsion shops work together, eliminate waste

    In the name of increased combat capability, the 388th and 419th Fighter Wing propulsion shops are working side by side to take advantage of expertise from active-duty and Reserve technicians, while eliminating redundancy."The move enables us to work leaner, meaner and more concise, as well as

  • Teams seek fresh, creative ideas to resolve problems

    With violence at deployed military checkpoints a reality, U.S. and coalition forces often have to make tough decisions when drivers ignore warnings to stop. Insurgents often attack these guarded locations, sometimes with car bombs.Maj. Gen. Ted F. Bowlds, the Air Force Research Laboratory commander,

  • Lackland medics keep steady deployment pace

    More than 100 Airmen from the 59th Medical Wing departed Wilford Hall Medical Center here earlier this week for various locations throughout Southwest Asia, including the Air Force Theater Hospital at Balad Air Base, Iraq.Others will follow throughout September, with a final count of more than

  • Retired chief can't say goodbye to KC-135

    Nearly 50 years after retired Chief Master Sgt. Bobby McCasland boarded his first KC-135 Stratotanker, he is still in the KC-135 business. Today, he is a program manager for a team building a Test Tanker 2 KC-135R for the Air Force. Chief McCasland is also honoring his roots and making arrangements

  • Yokota Airmen deploy throughout Southwest Asia

    Approximately 70 Airmen from the 374th Airlift Wing here set out on a 120-day deployment this week in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.Airmen assembled at the Deployment Processing Center here on the Labor Day holiday, spending time with family and friends before departing.

  • Plan for cyberspace available in near future

    Air Force leaders soon will define the service's plan for cyberspace. "I would expect, in a matter of weeks, to see us rolling out what I would call a cyberspace campaign plan on where we are going to go next," said Lt. Gen. Michael W. Peterson, chief of warfighting integration and Air Force chief

  • CENTCOM air commander: supporting ground troops top priority

    When describing the vast scope of the air mission in support of ground troops waging the war on terror, the commander of U.S. Central Command Air Forces paints some graphic images. In addition to its daily average of 74 close-air support missions in support of combat missions in the region, Air

  • Operational missile defense test a total success

    A test of the Ground-based Missile Defense System today was a total success, said Lt. Gen. Henry A. Obering III, director of the Missile Defense Agency.General Obering called today's test, the first operational one for the system, a huge step in fielding of the missile defense shield. He said he

  • Airmen come to aid of Air Force widow

    Airmen here are pitching in to help a 72-year-old Air Force widow rebuild her house following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. The effort is part of a base humanitarian relief operation partnered with local charitable organizations on 700 cases across the Gulf Coast since the hurricane in

  • Bagram C-130s drop high-tech cargo delivery system

    The same global positioning technology that helps fighter and bomber pilots deliver smart bombs with pinpoint accuracy now allows cargo bundles dropped from cargo planes to steer themselves to drop zones. A C-130 Hercules from the 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron here dropped supplies to a U.S.

  • Charleston closed, airlift still going strong

    Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., closed Aug. 31 because of severe weather conditions from Tropical Storm Ernesto, but the base's global airlift mission is still enduring. The base's fleet of C-17 Globemaster III aircraft evacuated Aug. 30 to Whiteman AFB, Mo., and Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, to

  • After Katrina: ACC's intel team applies lessons learned

    The men and women of Air Combat Command's intelligence directorate haven't been stocking up on distilled water and plywood, but they are prepared for the busy part of the 2006 hurricane season or any natural disaster that might affect the United States. "We're light-years ahead of where we were this

  • Wilford Hall holds dedication ceremony for C-9 Nightingale

    Active duty and retired military medical personnel gathered here Aug. 31 to dedicate the C-9 Nightingale static display. Nicknamed the "Cadillac of Medevac" and the "Workhorse" for aeromedical evacuation, it provided service not only to the military, but also to the Department of Veterans Affairs

  • NASA invites students to help astronaut count the stars

    NASA and the Canadian Space Agency are collaborating on a new education activity that helps students become astronomers. The Star Count Project will investigate the visual quality of the night sky and help assess the extent of atmospheric light pollution.There are many factors that affect how many

  • CAP proves worth during Katrina relief

    When Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast a year ago, the nation went into immediate humanitarian mission mode. Along with the efforts of countless organizations came help from a 57,000-strong force often overlooked. While the debris settled and devastation became evident under clear skies, the

  • Airmen experience tip of expeditionary spear

    Most Airmen have experienced the expeditionary air and space force, but for about 170 Airmen serving in the military personnel exchange program, the term "expeditionary" takes on a whole new meaning. Officers and senior NCOs serving in the MPEP are assigned to nearly three dozen foreign air forces

  • Katrina shapes rescue mission

    On Aug. 29, 2005, the third-strongest hurricane ever to hit U.S soil made landfall on the Louisiana and Mississippi border. Soon after, rescue crews from here were called on to perform search and rescue on a scale previously unseen. "The Katrina relief effort was a benchmark for Air Force rescue,"

  • Rescue wing gears up for Tropical Storm Ernesto

    Air Force Reserve Command's rescue unit here is taking measures to prepare for Tropical Storm Ernesto as it heads toward central Florida. The 920th Rescue Wing will evacuate its aircraft to Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga., Aug. 29. Wing aircrews will fly their HH-60G Pavehawk helicopters and HC-130P/N

  • AF Space and Missile Pioneers Hall of Fame inducts 6

    Six trailblazers were inducted here Aug. 24 into the Air Force Space and Missile Pioneers Hall of Fame for their significant accomplishments in the advancement of space and missile programs in the Air Force. The inductees, whose work formed the basis upon which Air Force Space Command now operates,

  • Joint review fosters communication, collaboration

    Air Force Office of Scientific Research officials recently traveled to Atlanta where they completed their yearly Joint Program Review of basic research funded projects. Hundreds of notable researchers and scientists attended this year's program representing the Air Force Research Laboratory,

  • Whiteman B-2s complete successful Andersen deployment

    After more than 140 sorties and 330 released weapons, B-2 Spirit aircraft, pilots, maintainers and support staff from the 509th Bomb Wing are returning home having completed another successful deployment here.Aircraft and Airmen from the 393rd and 13th Bomb Squadrons and 509th Maintenance Group at

  • Air Force and FAA collaborate on launch safety requirements

    Air Force and Federal Aviation Administration officials strengthened their long history of cooperation and partnership in the commercial space launch safety arena today with the publication of the FAA's Licensing and Safety Requirements for Launch document, Code of Federal Regulations Title 14 Part

  • Unique mission: Guarding a space wing missile complex

    The rolling prairie hills here are blanketed with wind-driven swaying fields of golden grain. With an average of nine people per square mile in this state, the farm lands here seem to be a postcard setting for tranquil, peaceful living. Appearances can be deceiving. One hundred and fifty Minuteman

  • Tenacious trainers triumph in Katrina's wake

    One of Keesler's most remarkable Hurricane Katrina success stories is the resurgence of the 81st Training Group. Training, Keesler's primary mission, has not only rebounded, but has flourished in the past year, said Col. Deborah Van De Ven, who took command of the 81st TRG a month after Katrina's

  • Joint dermatology program receives maximum accreditation

    Accreditation was awarded to the Brooke Army Medical Center and Wilford Hall Medical Center Dermatology Residency Program Aug. 16. The accreditation signifies that the integrated Army and Air Force dermatology program meets or exceeds the standards set by the Accreditation Council for Graduate

  • Air Force leaders attend Blue Summit

    More than 600 senior Air Force leaders gathered here Aug. 24 at the invitation of their top uniformed leader to discuss issues of importance to that service. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley invited all general officers from the ranks of active duty, Air National Guard and Air Force

  • Letter to Airmen recognizes Air Force transformation

    In his latest "Letter to Airmen," Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley discusses measures that will shape and transform the Air Force.  General Moseley said Airmen today are engaged in a vast array of missions from operating satellites in deep space to applying air power to the surface

  • Products to revolutionize space weather forecasts

    Predicting the harmful effects of space weather on a U.S. military asset or mission has been advanced with the delivery of a prototype that combines environmental information with system specifications and thresholds. The prototype, which consists of five computer-generated products, provides

  • New senior acquisition executive on board

    Air Force officials recently named the new assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition. As the Air Force's new senior acquisition executive, Sue C. Payton is responsible for all Air Force research, development and non-space acquisition activities. She provides direction, guidance and

  • Academy engineering among nation's top programs

    Several U.S. Air Force Academy undergraduate engineering programs rank among the top in the nation, according to the U.S. News & World Report's America's best colleges 2007 rankings. The U.S. News & World Report rankings were released Aug. 18. The rankings are separated by which universities offer

  • AEF Center reassigned to Air Force Personnel Center

    The Air and Space Expeditionary Force Center will be assigned under the Air Force Personnel Center at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley announced today. The reassignment, which becomes effective Aug. 29, will synergize operations between the two centers

  • Senior leaders eye robust intelligence capabilities, people

    Several active duty and retired senior leaders from the Air Force intelligence community gathered with Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley at the Pentagon recently as part of an intelligence summit and strategy session. The leaders are reviewing how and when the Air Force uses

  • Malmstrom, Patrick, Peterson tops at Guardian Challenge

    Inside Hangar 140 here, the air was thick with anticipation as teams from across Air Force Space Command maintained nervous conversation over dinner Aug. 17, awaiting the announcement of the Guardian Challenge 2006 winners. Gen. Kevin P. Chilton, AFSPC commander, reminded a highly motivated crowd

  • Guardian Challenge teams reach finish line

    Climbing, jumping, swinging from ropes and running in the summer heat, the Guardian Challenge 2006 security forces teams competed in the obstacle course portion of the competition at Schriever Air Force Base, Colo., on Aug. 16. Teams prepared for the past several months to be physically fit enough

  • Space Command focuses on tailoring mission with new triad

    Strategic deterrence, securing the space domain and recapitalizing on a lesser budget are among the priorities for the Air Force Space Command commander.In keeping with the theme, "Global missions... meeting the challenge," Gen. Kevin P. Chilton spoke on the future of Air Force space missions at the

  • Challenge continues for security forces

    Guardian Challenge security forces showed off their tactics and marksmanship skills at Jacks Valley here Aug. 14 and 15. The tactics portion was planned out by a team of 19 Airmen and headed by Capt. Kathy Jordan, Air Force Space Command. She said the team started planning the scenario in May.

  • Guardian Challenge under way

    More than 150 competitors from throughout Air Force Space Command are being graded on their readiness and combat capabilities as part of Guardian Challenge here.  The competition runs Aug. 14 to 17."Guardian Challenge is all about raising the bar," said Gen. Kevin P. Chilton, AFSPC commander, of the

  • Air Force sweeps armed forces golf tournament

    The Air Force capitalized on its home-course advantage to capture the 2006 Armed Forces Golf Championship on Aug. 11 at the Marshallia Ranch Golf Course here. Air Force golfers took top honors at the conclusion of the four-round tournament, winning the men's and women's team competitions, as well as

  • AMC Airmen take part in Tuskegee Airmen convention

    Nearly 90 Air Mobility Command Airmen participated in the 35th Annual Tuskegee Airmen National Convention here July 31 to Aug. 4, celebrating the history of the nation's first black combat pilots. The event was particularly memorable for one participant attending his first convention."I found out

  • Air Force Week kicks off in St. Louis

    The first Air Force Week kicked off here Aug. 6 during the St. Louis Cardinals-Milwaukee Brewers game at Busch Stadium with Airmen participating in the toss of the first pitch and a flyover by Missouri National Guard F-15 Eagles. Air Force Gen. Norton Schwartz, commander of U.S. Transportation

  • Weather agency employs new forecast model

    The Air Force Weather Agency headquartered here took the first steps to use the new Weather Research and Forecasting model, known as WRF, for operational forecasts. The WRF model, the first worldwide fine-scale computer forecasting program in nearly a decade, was created through a collaborative

  • Vandenberg golfers exploit home course advantage

    In a battle of hometown heroes, one Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., Airman beats out another in the playoff round of the 2006 Air Force Golf Championship Aug. 4 at the Marshallia Ranch Golf Course here. In the end it was Air Force golf veteran Geoffrey Mann, who won the same tournament in 2003,

  • Space brings invisible power to the fight

    When space professionals deploy, they learn how to better provide combat effects, and warfighters learn more about the invisible power space brings to the fight. "It's not good enough to fly satellites from afar," said Lt. Col. John Shaw, the 4th Space Operations Squadron commander. "We need to

  • New Air Force lieutenant colonels selected for SDE

    The lieutenant colonel central selection board held at the Air Force Personnel Center here has identified senior developmental education "selects." Officers identified as selects join a resource pool of officers who will be considered for future attendance at in-residence SDE. SDE enhances the

  • Transformation redefines multi-national exercise

    As the Air Force transforms the way it does things, Pacific Air Forces is changing the way it conducts combat training exercises.At the forefront of this effort is PACAF's largest multi-national exercise, Cooperative Cope Thunder, soon to be renamed Red Flag Alaska. The exercise incorporates the

  • New AFSPC commander touts 'invisible force'

    The new commander of Air Force Space Command visited the 90th Space Wing and 20th Air Force July 28 to Aug. 1, touting what he called the "invisible force" with the big hammer. Gen. Kevin P. Chilton said he is excited to leverage the creative talent of the Airmen at all levels of the command and is

  • New structures, names for SMC organization

    The Air Force's Space and Missile Systems Center has reorganized and renamed its organizations to mirror the traditional Air Force structure in a ceremony July 31. The center activated six subordinate wings, 21 groups, 12 squadrons, 20 divisions, two system offices and the 61st Air Base Wing,

  • Air Force leaders sign memorial spire

    Two of the Air Force's top leaders signed a segment of the nearly completed Air Force Memorial during a visit to the construction site in Arlington, Va., on Aug. 3. Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. T. Michael Moseley and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney McKinley both inked their

  • 'Gateway to the West' embraces Air Force

    To honor the men and women of the U.S. Air Force, mayors, administrators and councils in the St. Louis metropolitan area are proclaiming the week of Aug. 7 as "Air Force Week" in their respective cities, villages and towns. St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay will sign a decree Aug. 7 proclaiming the week

  • CENTAF releases airpower, space support summary

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower and space support summary for Aug. 3.In Afghanistan Aug. 2, Royal Air Force Harrier GR-7s provided close-air support for coalition troops taking small-arms fire from Taliban extremists near Musah Qal'eh. The GR-7s expended an

  • Wynne: We are logisticians of information

    As does its enemies, the Air Force considers cyberspace a warfighting domain. The Air Force has always been in the business of flying and fighting in the air, and in past decades, has included space in that mission. This year the Air Force expanded its mission to include cyberspace -- the domain of

  • FAA authorizes Predators to seek survivors

    Traditionally tasked to hunt for targets, Air Combat Command's Predators are now authorized to seek survivors during disaster relief operations. A certificate of authorization, issued by the Federal Aviation Administration May 18, allows the MQ-1 or MQ-9 to support relief operations by providing

  • Air Force Association names 2006 Aerospace Award winners

    The winners of the 2006 Air Force Association Aerospace Awards have been announced. The AFA-sponsored awards recognized the following Air Force units, civilian employees and military personnel:The Theodore Von Karman Award, for the most outstanding contribution to national defense in the field of

  • New utility uniform on track for distribution

    The new Airman Battle Uniform is moving into production and on track for distribution to deploying Airmen next summer. Patterns have been finalized and are being run through production to ensure sizing and garment construction as well as preparing for assembly-line operations, said Senior Master

  • St. Louis to host inaugural Air Force Week

    Air Force officials have announced the first-ever Air Force Week.  It will begin Aug. 6 in St. Louis, culminating in an open house and air show at nearby Scott Air Force Base, Ill., Aug. 12 to 13, featuring the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds.The St. Louis metro region was selected by Air Force

  • 15th CMSAF takes first look at space

    On his first visit here July 28 as the top enlisted servicemember in the Air Force, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley stressed the importance of recognizing, leading and taking care of Airmen. "I want to focus on our junior enlisted to make sure we take care of them," he said.

  • New aggressor unit will stand up in Alaska

    The Air Force will activate the 18th Aggressor Squadron at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska.The mission of the 18th AS will be to provide realistic combat adversary training in air, space and information operations. Aggressor squadrons use enemy tactics, techniques, and procedures to give a realistic

  • Cadets experience 'war' during visit

    Cadets from ROTC units across the country finished their three-week visit here by going to "war" with members of the 460th Space Wing. Eighteen cadets, who were here June 25 to July 14 as part of the Operation Air Force program, took part in War Week July 10 to 14. Airmen at Buckley participate

  • Lakenheath Strike Eagles return from Bulgaria

    Airmen and their F-15E Strike Eagles returned to this base today from Bulgaria with new flying skills and friends in a land they had never visited. About 200 Airmen and 10 jets from the 48th Fighter Wing deployed to Graf-Isnatievo Air Base, Bulgaria, for the two-week exercise Immediate Response that

  • Air Force Reserve expands associate unit role at Vandenberg

    As part of the Air Force Total Force Integration initiatives, the Air Force Reserve Command is expanding its associate unit role with Air Force Space Command at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., to support the Joint Space Operations Center. "The associate unit program which began in 1968 has served

  • Air Force operations and organization doctrine updated, released

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley has approved the latest revision to Air Force Doctrine Document 2, Operations and Organization. It is considered the Air Force's capstone document outlining the operations and organization of air and space power, officials said. The revised document

  • Maintainers keep B-1 in the fight

    Maintainers assigned to the 40th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron are responsible for servicing, inspecting and repairing B-1B Lancers used to drop bombs in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Being in charge of most flightline repair items on a $283 million aircraft that is saving lives in

  • Long days, flexibility part of tanker crew's life

    Air Force tankers refueled fighters over a stretch of the North Sea off England's East Anglia coast Tuesday in support of a joint NATO exercise. The scenario is nothing new for the two KC-135 Stratotanker crews that flew the mission from Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England. About 100 miles off the

  • Gen. Moseley: New long-range bomber on horizon for 2018

    A new bomber scheduled for operation as early as 2018 will enhance America's long-range strike capabilities, according to Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley in a recent Armed Services Committee speech. In a step to develop future long-range strike capabilities, Air Combat Command is

  • Academy professor sets swimming world record

    An Air Force Academy professor set a world record in long-distance swimming July 23.Lt. Col. Tim Lawrence of the U.S. Air Force Academy's Department of Astronautical Engineering became the first American to swim the 14.8 nautical miles from Britain's Jersey Island to France. In the process, he

  • Researchers conduct workshop on biologically inspired flight

    Air Force Office of Scientific Research officials here recently completed a workshop entitled "Biologically Inspired Flight for Micro Air Vehicles" in Denver. Micro air vehicles, or MAVs, are part of a new breed of remotely controlled aircraft that are significantly smaller than currently available

  • Innovative computer chip has enhanced storage capability

    A chemical alloy, used in everyday electronic items such as rewritable CDs and DVDs, serves as the source of a new computer chip. Researchers hope that this alloy will demonstrate non-volatile memory, or information storage retention without a power source, in the radiation-hardened space

  • Airmen have front-row seat for Discovery landing

    While the 45th Space Wing had an active role in supporting the Space Shuttle Discovery's 5.3 million-mile mission, a select group of its Airmen had the opportunity to watch the shuttle's landing firsthand July 17. "Being asked to witness the landing was exciting," said Senior Airman Melissa Lucas,

  • Cooperative Cope Thunder a massive multilateral air exercise

    More than 800 U.S. forces and allies arrived here this week for Cooperative Cope Thunder 06-03, the Air Force's largest multilateral air combat exercise in the Pacific. Filling the role of lead wing is the 35th Fighter Wing from Misawa Air Base, Japan, with Col. Nelson Cabot commanding the 35th Air

  • Vandenberg launches Minuteman III

    An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile was launched from here today at 3:14 a.m. The launch was part of an operational test to determine the weapon system's reliability and accuracy. This launch also exercised U.S. Strategic Command's Airborne Launch Control System, which flies

  • Defense weather satellites provide environmental support

    Officials from the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center here said they are on track to launch a third satellite in November that will join two others already in orbit essential in tracking global weather conditions and providing data for distribution to Department of Defense and civilian

  • New commander takes Air Force Recruiting reins

    Air Force Recruiting Service welcomed its new commander during a change of command ceremony here July 17. Brig. Gen. Suzanne Vautrinot took command from Brig. Gen. Robertus Remkes, who headed AFRS since February 2004. In her new role, General Vautrinot is the first female to lead Air Force

  • Rocket technology testing reaches 100-percent operation

    America's only staged combustion liquid booster rocket engine now in development marked an important milestone July 12 at NASA's Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Miss. The engine reached steady-state 100-percent operation, demonstrating mainstage performance for the first time.The engine

  • 45th Space Wing supports successful shuttle mission

    The 45th Space Wing provided continued support of the Space Shuttle Discovery from its launch on July 4 to its landing at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., on July 17.The Department of Defense Manned Spaceflight Support staff operated an around-the-clock Support Operations Center for STS-121 at Patrick