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U.S. Air Force News

  • Air Force Reserve A-10s get 'smart' systems

    You can build just about anything on a good foundation. Air Force reservists from the 442nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and the 303rd Fighter Squadron here are being reminded of that as five of the 442nd Fighter Wing's A-10 Thunderbolt IIs are being equipped with "smart" multi-function color

  • Planning critical to Red Flag - Alaska success

    Coalition and American pilots, aircrews and support members need a realistic training environment, and Red Flag - Alaska provides some of the most realistic training on earth. Coordinating this training is the responsibility of the 353rd Combat Training Squadron members, who plan and prepare each

  • Hurricane Hunters fly Atlantic winter storm

    Hurricane Hunters from here flew toward an impending winter storm Feb. 13. Forecasters expected more snow for the northeastern seaboard the next day. Better known for pinpointing tropical storms and hurricanes, Air Force Reserve Command's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron WC-130J aircraft

  • Feb. 14 airpower: F-15s conduct successful strikes

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Feb. 14.In Afghanistan Feb. 13, Air Force F-15 Eagles conducted a strike against enemy forces near Musa Qal'eh. An F-15 expended a guided bomb unit-12 on a vehicle, successfully destroying it and stopping an enemy

  • First F-22 bound for Pacific unveiled

    Representatives from the Air Force and Lockheed Martin gathered to accept Pacific Air Forces' first F-22 Raptor Feb. 12 at Marietta, Ga. This latest F-22 will be among 36 others that will make up the first F-22s assigned to PACAF at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens

  • 36th OG reactivates to meet Pacific theater mission

    The 36th Operations Group was reactivated after more than a decade to serve as the focal point for the Air Force's expeditionary operations taking place here. The 36th OG will assume the mission of the 36th Expeditionary Operations Group and establish a permanent command structure for deployed Air

  • Reserve wing closes chapter in history

    Reservists from the 944th Fighter Wing here bid farewell to the last three F-16 Fighting Falcons after almost 20 years. The unit's F-16s are being reassigned to other locations on the recommendations of the Base Realignment and Closure Commission. "This is like a family that's moving on," said Lt.

  • F-22 deployment to Kadena delayed

    While en route to Kadena Air Base, Japan, Feb. 10, a software issue affecting the F-22 Raptor's navigation system was discovered. All aircraft, which departed Hickam AFB earlier that day, returned safely. F-22 engineers and maintainers are working to update the software. After successful testing,

  • Air Force completes F-16 accident investigation

    Air Force officials completed an investigation of the F-16 Fighting Falcon accident at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. Oct. 26, 2006, which resulted in the loss of the 56th Fighter Wing aircraft. The accident investigation board determined a third stage fan disk malfunction caused the mishap. The fan

  • Airmen work alongside Peruvian military during joint exercise

    Approximately 150 Airmen are participating in a joint military exercise with the Peruvian air force scheduled to continue through Feb. 16 here.Exercise Falcon Condor 07 allows the U.S military to build relationships with military and civilian leaders of Peru."This exercise give us the opportunity to

  • Hurricane Hunters track Pacific winter storms

    While most people flee when a pending storm is coming, Keesler AFB Airmen go right into the heart of storms to provide detailed information about storms to warn people of hazardous weather.Airmen and WC-130J Hercules aircraft, also known as Hurricane Hunters, left here Feb. 12 for Anchorage, Alaska,

  • Last-minute call leads to unplanned refueling mission

    A late night call, a cancelled sortie and flexibility led an aircrew from the 351st Air Refueling Squadron here to expedite medical care for more than a dozen severely injured troops being transported from Iraq to Andrews Air Force Base, Md., on Feb. 7. According to Capt. Brent Toth, 100th

  • Feb. 12 airpower: A-10s help team apprehend insurgents

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Feb. 12.In Afghanistan Feb. 11, Navy F/A-18 Hornets provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops receiving small arms and rocket fire from enemy forces near Tarin Kowt. No

  • Airmen return from Urban Sniper School

    Two Airmen from the 736th Security Forces Squadron here recently returned from 11 days of training in an Urban Sniper School with a Marine expeditionary unit at Kadena Air Base, Japan.Tech. Sgt. Samuel Howell and Staff Sgt. Patrick Pendergest along with nine Marines attended the school taught by the

  • Lajes Airmen impact mission at Naval Station Rota

    Helping with the war effort doesn't always mean Airmen have to be deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan. Naval Station Rota in Spain houses an average of 50 Airmen who are on temporary duty from bases throughout U.S. Air Forces in Europe who are fighting the war on terrorism by supporting the Air Force's

  • Air transportation specialists key to life at Lajes

    Keeping Lajes Field members fed and informed is a vital job that falls on the shoulders of a 28-year-old sergeant's team, since virtually everything the base needs is flown into the small island off Portugal that Lajes Field calls home.Staff Sgt. Eric Brooks and the rest of his team at the 729th Air

  • Iron Thunder roars through Shaw

    Thunder was heard throughout the Carolinas in early February as more than 100 Air Force, Navy, Marine and Royal Air Force aircraft participated in Exercise Iron Thunder.The four-day, multiservice and multinational exercise, hosted by the 77th Fighter Squadron here, prepared participants for future

  • Loadmasters learn from mentors

    A hefty responsibility rests on the shoulders of many junior expeditionary Airmen in the war on terrorism. Daniel Stone, Brian Mulkey and Sheldon Cary, all loadmasters and airmen 1st class from the 746th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, are among the many junior Airmen making a difference on a daily

  • Feb. 11 airpower: F-16s provide close-air support

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Feb. 11. In Afghanistan Feb. 10, Royal Air Force GR-7s provided a show of force for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops patrolling near Now Zad. The patrol reported that a ceasefire agreement had

  • F-15 Strike Eagles take over close-air-support mission at Bagram

    The F-15 Strike Eagle recently swapped out with the A-10 Thunderbolt II to assume responsibility of the close-air-support mission here. The F-15s are assigned to the 391st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and are deployed from the 391st Fighter Squadron at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho.

  • Feb. 10 airpower: F-16s destroy IED production plant

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Feb. 10. In Afghanistan Feb. 9, an Air Force B-1 Lancer provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops taking small-arms fire from Taliban extremists near Pashsbad. The B-1

  • U.S. airpower strikes suspected terrorists in Baghdad

    In response to a call for air power, a U.S. Air Force F-16 Falcon aided U.S. ground forces by delivering precision munitions on eight hostile personnel in an air strike south of Baghdad Feb. 8. The F-16 pilot, launched from the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, Balad Air Base, responded to a U.S. Air

  • Life-saving attempt earns Airman praise, accolade

    A 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Airman received a medal recently that will serve as a reminder of the day he unwittingly stepped into the spotlight while on a mission in Africa. While waiting for his dinner companions at a hotel in Nairobi, Kenya, Tech. Sgt. Bryant Billingsley heard a call for

  • Helicopter support trailer provides rapid mobility

    It appears to be just a plain gray box, with a drop down rear ramp and external lighting. There are no flashy unit murals or logos. In fact, there is no labeling on the trailer at all, other than a government license plate. This nondescript trailer, recently purchased by the 723rd Aircraft

  • Expeditor training part of AFSO 21 initiatives

    Members of the 60th Aerial Port Squadron here are holding a two-week class to develop ways to eliminate time aircrews and loadmasters are spending on the ground after a flight. Tech. Sgt. Ryan Holmes, a course director from the Air Mobility Warfare Center at Fort Dix, N.J., said they will train

  • Feb. 9 airpower: F-16 strike takes out terrorists

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Feb. 9.In Afghanistan Feb. 8, an Air Force B-1 Lancer, Navy F/A-18 Hornets and French air force M-2000 Mirages provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops receiving enemy

  • C-130 accident investigation board complete

    Air Mobility Command officials released Feb. 9 the results of their investigation into the July 17 accident involving a C-130 Hercules deployed from the 43rd Airlift Wing at Pope AFB, N.C., during a night landing at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq. The aircrew flying the C-130E was deployed from the 317th

  • F-22 begins first overseas deployment

    The first overseas operational deployment of the Air Force's newest fighter is underway as 12 F-22 Raptors landed here Feb. 7 en route to Kadena Air Base, Japan. The aircraft and more than 250 Airmen from the 27th Fighter Squadron from Langley AFB, Va., are supporting the U.S. Pacific Command's

  • Fighter training in Turkey helps more than just pilots

    Fighting Falcons are flying over Turkey as Airmen of the 22nd and 23rd Fighter Squadrons from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, conduct rotational deployment training. Accompanying the fighter squadrons are members of several Spangdalhem AB units charged with keeping the F-16 Fighting Falcon

  • Feb. 8 airpower: F-16s provide key airpower support

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Feb. 8.In Afghanistan Feb. 7, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons provided show-of-force for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops by flying over an area reported to have suspected insurgents hiding and

  • Dover reorganizes for C-17 mission

    A ceremony here Feb. 4 marked the end of a 30-year run of Dover AFB's sole C-5 Galaxy mission and the beginning of a new era as the base prepares for the first of 13 C-17 Globemaster IIIs scheduled to arrive this summer. Air Force Reserve Command's 512th Maintenance Group is reorganizing to

  • The making of an air commando

    I had never heard the song before, but the melody was vaguely familiar: "Swamp rat, swamp rat, where do you hi-ide? "Come out in the open and I'll be your guy-ide." The raspy voice bounced off the tall pines in Kisatchie National Forest in central Louisiana: I'm a friendly guerilla who'll take you

  • Maintainers keep planes flying at Cope Tiger

    Maintenance personnel are in Thailand as part of Exercise Cope Tiger '07. The A-10 Thunderbolt IIs from Osan Air Base, Korea, are joined by planes from bases in Japan and Hawaii, all participating in the two-week multilateral exercise with Thailand and Singapore.With more than 60 planes in the air

  • F-15s kept 'eye on the sky' during Super Bowl

    In the days leading up to Super Bowl XLI, Airmen from the Florida Air National Guard's 125th Fighter Wing at Jacksonville were ready to switch on engine power to their fighter aircraft in an instant.While thousands of fans streamed into Miami, the wing's F-15 Eagles stepped up patrols, flying

  • Air Force Reserve expands KC-135 force at March ARB

    Air Force Reserve Command officials have expanded the size of its KC-135 Stratotanker force at March Air Reserve Base, Calif., as part of the Air Force total force integration initiatives.Under the Base Realignment and Closure process, the 939th Air Refueling Wing at Portland International Airport,

  • Feb. 7 airpower: B-1s providing close-air support

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Feb. 7.In Afghanistan Feb. 6, an Air Force B-1B Lancer provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops receiving small arms fire from Taliban extremists in a building near Qurya.

  • Wing supports mission at 'critical time'

    The 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing is the most forward-deployed Air Force wing in Iraq. The wing has pioneered modern warfare tactics using advanced weapons systems such as the F-16 Fighting Falcon, A-10 II Thunderbolt and the MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle for close-air support and traditional

  • Airmen to work alongside Soldiers in Afghanistan

    Troops arriving here are typically greeted by a welcoming committee, so when the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing commander and his staff went to meet the servicemembers bound for Afghanistan disembarking off an aircraft Feb. 4, they fully expected to see Army Soldiers file off. But when more than 170

  • Chief of staff visits Air Force's combat airpower hub

    "We've been a nation at war since 9-11, but people declared war on us a long time before then," said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley while speaking to deployed Airmen of Balad's 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Feb. 4. The general cited terrorist attacks over the past three decades and

  • Chief of staff: Warrior Airmen new culture of Air Force

    Today's Airmen are in the fight. As the war on terrorism continues in the Middle East and the war on drugs continues in South and Central America, Airmen are engaged in struggles across the globe. "We are warfighters," said Gen. T. Michael Moseley, the Air Force chief of staff. "From the pilots who

  • Feb. 6 airpower: Eagles shut down small-arms fire

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Feb. 6. In Afghanistan Feb. 5, F-15 Eagles provided show-of-force and overhead coverage for a convoy of International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops near Ya Qubi who were receiving small arms fire and a

  • Senior leaders address deployments, total-force concept

    The Air Force has been deployed to the Middle East in one fashion or another for more than 16 years and, according to the service's top officer, Airmen should expect this trend to continue for at least the next 10. "I believe we will be in the Middle East for a very long time yet," said Gen. T.

  • Officials release C-32 accident report

    Air Mobility Command officials here Feb. 6 released the results of its investigation into the June 1 mishap involving an engine test on a C-32 aircraft at Andrews AFB, Md., during which asphalt from the shoulder pavement disintegrated and impacted the aircraft. The Accident Investigation Board,

  • Barksdale B-52s arrive in Guam, complete bomber rotation

    Airmen from the 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale AFB, La., and their B-52 Stratofortress bombers arrived in Guam recently to begin a four-month deployment here. The Louisiana-based aircraft, aircrew, support and maintenance members replaced the Minot AFB, N.D., Airmen who redeployed home as part of a

  • Air Force FY 2008 budget includes pay raise, new facilities

    In the president's fiscal 2008 budget, released Feb. 5, Air Force leaders are asking Congress for about $110.7 billion. The Air Force budget request, about $6.2 billion more than it received in FY07, is divided into three primary areas: people, readiness and modernization and recapitalization. About

  • AFSO 21: Fairchild initiative reduces wait for critical parts

    A maintenance technician here used to wait up to an hour to get a screw and washer before he could complete a KC-135 Stratotanker repair on the flightline. Soon, thanks to an Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century initiative at the 92nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, he is just minutes away

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Feb. 5

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Feb. 5. In Afghanistan Feb. 4, an Air Force MQ-1 Predator and Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers conducted a strike against enemy forces near Musa Qal'eh. A GR-7 successfully expended an enhanced Paveway II munition at an

  • Air Force combat airpower helps turn tide in decisive Battle of An Najaf

    More than 200 enemy insurgents were killed and 100 gunmen captured near An Najaf Jan. 28 with 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing providing close-air support in the joint, combined effort to route the enemy in battle. After insurgents attacked ground forces with small arms fire and rocket-propelled

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Feb. 4

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Feb. 4.In Afghanistan Feb. 3, an Air Force B-1B Lancer provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with enemy forces near Forward Operating Base Carlson. The B-1B

  • Illinois ANG supports Bears, Operation Enduring Freedom

    Senior Airman Kimberly Letherman will be watching her favorite team, the Chicago Bears, on Super Bowl Monday. That's right -- Super Bowl Monday. With a nine-and-a-half-hour-time difference with the United States, Airmen in Afghanistan will watch the Super Bowl in the early hours of Monday morning.

  • 'Top Gun' instructor helps with Raptor integration

    What do you say when the Air Force chief of staff asks you to be the first F-22 pilot for the Navy? In Navy Lt. Cmdr. Michael Wosje's case, it was, "How could I refuse?" In a program that lets Navy pilots jump ship to train and integrate with the Air Force, this F/A-18C Hornet pilot from the USS

  • 379th fights GWOT 24/7

    Anyone who drives around the base at night will notice much of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing has a 24-hour operating schedule. Whether it's on the flightline or in a back shop, maintainers, operators and support personnel are working around the clock to generate combat sorties. Some people are

  • Chief of Staff visits Bagram Airmen

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Rodney McKinley visited Bagram and Kandahar airfields Feb. 2 during a tour of Afghanistan. The general addressed the Airmen of the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing and 451st Air Expeditionary Group, discussing

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Feb. 3

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Feb. 3.In Afghanistan Feb. 2, Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with enemy forces near Delaram. RAF M-2000s provided

  • Strike Eagles 'rain thunder' on enemy

    When an F-15E Strike Eagle goes by low and fast, the ground shakes and even crew chiefs with years of experience with the aircraft can be surprised. With its advanced sensors and wide array of weapons, enemy forces don't have to see or hear the F-15E for it to strike them. "We can find targets on

  • Leaders discuss reshaping of logistics

    Airmen and civilian logistics leaders throughout Pacific Air Forces gathered for a two-week conference to discuss the reshaping and recapitalization of the logistics community using Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century initiatives. Air Force Logistics covers a wide range of services

  • SECAF town hall meeting: Every Airman an ambassador

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne spoke in front of a packed house January 31 during his town hall meeting at the Pentagon. During the meeting, the secretary discussed some of the issues facing the Air Force today as well as its strengths and his goals for 2007. One issue included the ages

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Feb. 2

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Feb. 2. In Afghanistan Feb. 1, Air Force F-15 Eagles and a B-1B Lancer provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with enemy forces near Forward Operating Base

  • Peterson Airmen grant boy's wish to be a pilot for a day

    Airmen from Peterson AFB helped bring an ailing child's dream to life in January. Born with a genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow on his nerves, 14-year-old Zachery Olsen dreamed of becoming a pilot. Zachery was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis four years ago, he became eligible for a wish

  • Vehicle maintenance Airmen use AFSO 21 initiatives

    Airmen in the 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron's vehicle maintenance shop are improving safety in their workcenter using Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century.Mechanics in this unit work on B-2 and B-4 aircraft towing vehicles every three to four years. When that time comes around, it

  • Spooky gunship armed with new cannons

    Spooky is about to get a little scarier. Crews at Hurlburt Field have put the finishing touches on the first AC-130U Spooky gunship armed with the 30 mm Bushmaster cannon. The rearmed Spooky retains its 105 mm cannon but replaces the 25 mm and 40 mm guns with Bushmasters. The project is a "win-win,"

  • Air Force astronaut reflects on 23 years of service

    After more than 23 years of service, Pamela Melroy is finishing her Air Force career with a splash. The Air Force colonel spent her last day before retirement, Jan. 31, undergoing water survival training at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Neutral Buoyancy Lab. But as she

  • C-21 fleet continues to dwindle

    Members of the 76th Airlift Squadron bid farewell to three of its 13 C-21 aircraft in January, as the Air Force retires the aircraft from the active-duty inventory. The C-21 is the military version of the Lear Jet 35A business jet and is used primarily for senior-level passengers, cargo airlift and

  • CENTAF releases airpower summaries for Feb. 1

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Feb. 1.In Afghanistan Jan. 31, F-15 Eagles and a B-1B Lancer provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with enemy forces near Forward Operating Base Carlson. An

  • Cope Tiger underway in Thailand

    The skies over this air base in central Thailand are filled with the sounds of fighter jets screaming on take-off and landing as Exercise Cope Tiger 2007 gets underway. This is the 13th year for Cope Tiger, a multilateral, joint Thai/U.S. sponsored exercise between the nations of Thailand, Singapore

  • Guard integration moves Airmen from Kulis to Elmendorf

    The 176th Wing at Kulis Air National Guard Base, Alaska, and associated aircraft, will relocate to Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, in accordance with the 2005 BRAC Commission recommendation. The 2005 BRAC Commission recommended that, contingent on the availability of adequate military construction

  • Air Force posts KC-X request for proposals

    The assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition announced Jan. 30 the posting of the KC-X Aerial Refueling Aircraft Request for Proposal to the Federal Business Opportunities Web site, signaling the official launch of the Air Force's No. 1 priority acquisition program. The announcement

  • CENTAF releases airpower summaries for Jan. 30, 31

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Jan. 30 and 31.In Afghanistan Jan. 30, F-15 Eagles provided close-air support to International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with enemy forces near Nurestan. Air Force B-1 Lancers and Royal Air

  • Missing Airman declared dead

    Andersen AFB officials announced Airman 1st Class Michael McDonald has been declared dead Jan. 31. Airman McDonald was reported missing Jan. 27 off Tarague Beach here. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Airman McDonald's family and friends during this tragic event," said Brig. Gen. Douglas Owens,

  • Tanker recapitalization proposal released

    Air Force leaders officially released a request for proposal for a replacement tanker aircraft Jan. 30. The RFP is the official invitation to manufacturers to begin making offers to build a replacement for the Air Force's aging "Eisenhower-era" fleet of KC-135 Stratotankers, said Sue Payton, the

  • NCO trains allied airmen in Cope Tiger

    Airmen have been lending their expertise to train allied airmen from Thailand and Singapore as Exercise Cope Tiger 2007 kicked off Jan. 29 in Southeast Asia. The multinational exercise covers command post procedures, field training and humanitarian civic service training. "My job is to perform air

  • C-130 mechanics beat repair deadline for gunship

    When Aircraft 89-0512, an AC-130U Spooky, arrived at Robins AFB for program depot maintenance, it was given an accelerated schedule of only 150 days to complete. This was 31 days less than the standard 181 days for such an aircraft and many wondered if the members of the 560th Aircraft Maintenance

  • Changes planned for ISR community

    The Air Force director of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, or ISR, recently discussed his plans for improving the service's ISR capabilities. During a recent roundtable with members of the press, Lt. Gen. David A. Deptula laid out his plans for overhauling the service's ISR functions.

  • USAFE, Ukrainian air force continue spirit of cooperation

    As the Ukrainian air force continues its steady progress, information exchanges with partnering nations such as U.S. Air Forces in Europe help further that development, said the chief of the Ukrainian air force. "A visit like this is a good opportunity to gain experience from USAFE, which relates to

  • Hickam Airmen strategize aircraft weight-reduction initiative

    Members of the Hawaii Air National Guard have been categorizing parts of a KC-135 Stratotanker to figure out what can come off during certain missions to save fuel and money for the Air Force. The project was initially launched when Dr. Ron Ritter, special assistant for Air Force Smart Operations

  • Center for the Intrepid opens its doors

    An aircraft carrier that sparked the spirits of a nation following the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor during the dark, early days of World War II has become the namesake of the world's most technologically advanced rehabilitation center for amputees and burn victims unveiled during an

  • C-130 maintenance unit gets much needed upgrade

    Airmen of the 746th Aircraft Maintenance Unit who generate C-130 Hercules aircraft throughout Southwest Asia now have an upgraded maintenance facility to call home. The new complex replaces the hodgepodge of old tents, conexes and homemade wooden structures, which combined to form a complex

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Jan. 29

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Jan. 29. In Afghanistan Jan. 28, Air Force B-1B Lancers provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with enemy forces near forward operating bases Carlson and

  • NORAD fighters to patrol Super Bowl XLI

    The Continental U.S. NORAD Region is stepping up its air patrols in the Miami-Dade area to increase security during Super Bowl XLI activities. Spectators will see the Air Force Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, fly over Dolphin Stadium during pregame events, and other Air Force fighter jets

  • New complex expedites refueling

    A new petroleum, oil and lubricant complex here has commenced operations to meet the burgeoning growth of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in support of the war on terrorism. The $113 million complex, located near the north end of the flightline, boosts the capability needed to supply fuel for

  • Deployed maintainers launch 200 perfect sorties

    Some records can only be matched, never broken. One such record was set this week by the maintainers of the 36th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, who successfully launched their 200th consecutive B-52 Stratofortress sortie with a 100-percent mission

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Jan. 28

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Jan. 28.In Afghanistan Jan. 27, U.S. Air Force F-15 Eagles provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force troops in contact with enemy forces near Moqor and Worzhanah Kalay. An F-15 expended a

  • Search continues, officials identify missing Airman

    Base and local officials are continuing to look into the disappearance of an Airman swimming off Tarague Beach here Jan. 27. The missing Airman has been identified as Airman 1st Class Michael McDonald, who was deployed to Andersen from Minot Air Force Base, N.D., with the 36th Maintenance Squadron.

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Jan. 27

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Jan. 27.In Afghanistan Jan. 26, a B-1B Lancer and Royal Air Force GR-7s provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force troops in contact with enemy forces near Sangin. A GR-7 expended a guided

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Jan. 25

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Jan. 25.In Afghanistan Jan. 24, an Air Force B-1B Lancer provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with enemy forces near Musa Qal'eh. The B-1B expended guided

  • Deep Freeze members commemorate base's 50th anniversary

    Members of Operation Deep Freeze participated in events to commemorate the base's 50th anniversary Jan. 20 at Scott Base on Ross Island in Antarctica. Antarctica New Zealand sponsored the event, which invited U.S. and New Zealand diplomats and political leaders. The National Science Foundation, as

  • Airborne Laser returns for more testing

    The YAL-1A, a modified Boeing 747-400F known as the Airborne Laser, is undergoing a long-term test phase at the Air Force Flight Test Center here that includes test firing the aircraft's low-power lasers in flight for the first time. The Missile Defense Agency is testing and developing the Airborne

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Jan. 26

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Jan. 26.In Afghanistan Jan. 25, an Air Force B-1B Lancer conducted a strike on Taliban extremists near Musa Qal'eh. The bomber expended guided bomb unit-38s on enemy targets. In total, 22 close-air-support missions were

  • Predator accident report released

    Pilot error caused an MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle to crash during a training mission at Creech AFB, Nev., Aug. 3, 2006, according to an aircraft accident investigation report released Jan. 26 here. There were no injuries or fatalities from the accident, and damage to the aircraft totaled

  • Life at Thule

    Landing on a snow-packed winter runway 700 miles north of the Arctic Circle can be a harrowing experience for anyone who journeys here. Snow-blinding winds howling in excess of 50-miles-per-hour, temperatures plunging below zero, and 24-hours-a-day without sunshine are commonplace and make it unlike

  • Chief Parish helps honor new chiefs at Spangdahlem

    The eighth chief master sergeant of the Air Force was among those congratulating seven chief master sergeant selectees during a chiefs' recognition ceremony here Jan. 20.Retired Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Sam E. Parish was the guest speaker at the event."It is a good hard, tough mission that

  • Air Force proposes adding 23 F-15s, F-16s at Nellis

    The Air Force is proposing to base 23 additional F-15 Eagles and F-16 Fighting Falcons here and to add about 520 people as a result of changes mandated by the recent Base Realignment and Closure process. Under the proposed action, the 64th Aggressor Squadron would receive five F-16 aircraft and the

  • Airmen ideas carry big payout

    Two Seymour Johnson AFB Airmen's ideas they submitted earned them a little extra spending money. Master Sgt. Terry Fraser and Senior Airman Stephen Jorgensen received checks from the Innovation Development through Employee Awareness program for using a little ingenuity to help the Air Force save

  • Security forces Airmen complete 'Fly Away' course at Fort Dix

    Sixty security forces Airmen from across the Air Force prepared for an overseas deployment while attending the Fly Away Security Training, or FAST, Course 07-1 Jan. 18 here. Each student gained new skills in everything from hand-to-hand combat to anti-hijacking training. The FAST course is the first

  • Alaska unit deals with challenges of tropical weather

    The mission of U.S. jet fighter maintainers is direct: fix what is wrong in a timely fashion to get the jets back on the flightline and ready for take-off. That is the goal of 18th Aircraft Maintenance Unit Airmen from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, as they take part in exercise Commando Sling at

  • 20 years of lethality: Ellsworth celebrates B-1's history

    The 28th Bomb Wing received its first B-1B Lancer on Jan. 21, 1987. Over the course of its 20 years of service with the wing, the aircraft and its mission have changed significantly. The B-1B has roots in the 1970s, when it became obvious that winning the Cold War required stepping up technology.

  • Flex Team deploys at moment's notice

    The 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron's Fire and Emergency Services Flex Team deploys at a moment's notice to forward-operating bases to provide aircraft rescue, emergency medical and firefighting support whenever and wherever needed. Humanitarian and special operations missions also need

  • Mobility Operations School earns award for online course

    An online course aimed at training students in the Air Force air transportation career field in aerial port air freight operations earned a Gold Award in the 2006 Brandon Hall Excellence in E-Learning Awards competition in Denver.The Air Mobility Warfare Center's Mobility Operations School here

  • 'Hot pitting' returns to Incirlik

    Airmen from Incirlik's 39th Logistic Readiness Squadron recently began practicing a refueling technique not used at this base in more than a decade. The technique, called hot pitting, allows aircraft such as F-16 Fighting Falcons that are deployed here for training to land and refuel without ever