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  • Contract modification adds 4 aircraft for Air Force, Marines

    Officials from the 657th Aeronautical Systems Squadron here issued an undefinitized contract action in December that will add four aircraft to be used by the Air Force and Marine Corps. Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. of Marietta, Ga., was awarded the $256 million firm-fixed-price contract

  • BASH lowers Eglin aircraft incidents nearly 75 percent

    While most Air Force bases around the world have a Bird and Wildlife Aircraft Strike Hazard, or BASH, program, Eglin AFB officials have refocused and enhanced their efforts to more effectively deal with the diverse and rather large wildlife population. Eglin's wildlife strikes dropped by almost 75

  • Agreement enhances hydraulic repairs at Hill

    Ogden Air Logistics Center officials completed a partnering agreement with Parker Aerospace Dec. 18 paving the way for enhanced warfighter support. According to Hill AFB officials, the public-private sector team integrates the best of both worlds to meet 21st century warfighter needs on weapon

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 20

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Dec. 20. In Afghanistan Dec. 19, Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles and Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in

  • AMC releases KC-135 accident investigation results

    Air Mobility Command officials here Dec. 20 released the results of its investigation into the Sept. 26 KC-135 Stratotanker and TU-154 Kyrgyz passenger plane accident at Manas International Airport in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic. The collision between the TU-154 and KC-135 was clearly an accident and

  • Serving through the season: Staff Sgts. Chace and Maria Morris

    Chace and Maria Morris met and married more than four years ago. This holiday season they are serving their country at a Southwest Asia forward operating base in support of the war on terrorism. The staff sergeants are thankful the Air Force gave them the opportunity to deploy together, instead of

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 19

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Dec. 19.In Afghanistan Dec. 18, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles and an Air Force B-1B Lancer conducted strikes against Taliban extremists near Kandahar. The F-15Es expended guided bomb unit-12s and the B-1 expended

  • After the Pearl Harbor Attack

    Dec. 7, 1941: 2nd Lt. Wells Lawrence and his July bride slept soundly in their Wheeler Field, Hawaii, quarters. They'd been at Hickam Field for a big Saturday night party and returned home after midnight.At 7:55 a.m., sleepy calm turned to wide-awake terror. "A big bang startled me awake, and the

  • Military aircrews support Mount Hood rescue effort

    After finding the body of one missing climber on Mount Hood, Ore., members of the Oregon Army National Guard, Nevada Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve units continue to search for two other lost climbers Dec. 18. Rescue crews, joined by civilian volunteers, planned to take advantage of

  • Reservists add major adjustment to T-1 training

    Four or five months after graduating from Joint Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training at Vance AFB, students from the T-1A Jayhawk tanker and airlift track may very well find themselves flying over the not-so-friendly sky in support of the war on terrorism. Two members of the 5th Flying Training

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 18

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Dec. 18.In Afghanistan Dec. 17, 51 close-air support missions were flown in support of International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, and Afghan troops, reconstruction activities and route patrols. Additionally, six

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 17

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Dec. 17. In Afghanistan Dec. 16, Royal Air Force Harrier GR-7s provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Now Zad. The GR-7s expended

  • Oregon, Nevada Reservists join search for missing trio

    Reservists from the 304th Rescue Squadron here will team up again Dec. 17 with Air National Guardsmen from Nevada in hopes of finding three missing hikers lost on Mt. Hood more than a week ago. "This was our first opportunity to see the top of the mountain because of the poor weather and extreme

  • Airmen wrap up airdrop campaign

    The Air Force C-130 Hercules team Dec. 14 wrapped up its six-day campaign of airdropping more than 211,000 pounds of supplies into the flood-ravaged Dadaab region of eastern Kenya. But to children on the ground, it was the last 60 pounds that maybe made the most difference. As a way to say goodbye

  • Buccaneers return from Afghanistan tour

    Waiting for the C-130 Hercules to return, Master Sgt. Diego Vazquez's only thought was this fellow Airmen would soon be safely home with their families. The 156th Airlift Wing NCO in charge of finance was one of more than 150 people who welcomed the 198th Airlift Squadron transport and 26 Airmen

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 16

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Dec. 16. In Afghanistan Dec. 15, an Air Force B-1 Lancer and A-10 Thunderbolt II along with Royal Air Force Harrier GR-7s provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in

  • Air Force releases KC-X draft request for proposals

    Air Force officials announced Friday the release of an updated draft Request for Proposals for the KC-X, the aerial tanker replacement aircraft. "This continues our open and transparent acquisition process," said Sue Payton, the Air Force senior acquisition executive. "We're releasing this document

  • Engineers contribute to F-35 initial flight success

    The Dec. 15 initial flight of the new F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, or JSF, came after more than six years of development and testing at Arnold Engineering Development Center here. The flight of the conventional takeoff and landing F-35 variant began at 12:44 p.m. CST at Lockheed Martin in

  • B-52 flight uses synthetic fuel in all eight engines

    A B-52 Stratofortress took off Dec. 15 on a flight-test mission using a blend of synthetic fuel and JP-8 in all eight engines. This is the first time a B-52 has flown using a synfuel blend as the only fuel on board. In September, the Air Force successfully flew a B-52 with two-engines using the

  • CMSAF visits Southern Command Airmen

    After three days of travel to U.S. Southern Command bases, the Airmen he has met have impressed Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley. The chief said Airmen serving at forward-operating locations in the region "are doing wonderful things for our Air Force." The chief said they do an

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 15

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Dec. 15.In Afghanistan Dec. 14, French M-2000D Mirages provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Asadabad. Royal Air Force GR-7

  • Westover named sole maintenance center for Reserve C-5s

    Air Force officials announced Dec. 13 that Westover ARB will become the new center for in-depth maintenance on all Air Force Reserve C-5 Galaxy aircraft. The Air Force will consolidate the eight existing C-5 isochronal inspection facilities into three in order to increase aircraft availability while

  • Academy officials open training facility at Pueblo Airport

    Officials from the Air Force Academy's 306th Flying Training Group will officially open a new facility Dec. 15 at the Pueblo Airport Industrial Park east of Pueblo, Colo. Staff members from Detachment 1 of the 306th FTG have been overseeing a contracted Air Force Initial Flight Screening program in

  • Combat Hammer tests air-to-ground bombing capabilities

    Eglin Air Force Base's western range, Bravo 70, was the site for the largest-ever Combat Hammer weapons system evaluation program Dec. 4 to 8, sponsored by the 86th Fighter Weapons Squadron. More than 40 precision-guided weapons were dropped, including laser-guided bombs, joint direct attack

  • Course prepares flag officers to project airpower

    Historically, air superiority has meant the difference between victory and defeat on the battlefield. Army Field Manual 100-20, Command and Employment of Air Power, written four years before the Air Force's birth in 1947, stated:"The gaining of air superiority is the first requirement for the

  • Australian official recognizes international affairs officer

    The Australian department of defense recognized an Air Force international affairs officer for his work in helping bring the C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft to the Australian fleet with an award Dec. 11 at the Pentagon.Australian Army Lt. Gen. David Hurley presented Maj. Stephen Webb with the

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 14

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Dec. 14.In Afghanistan Dec. 13, an Air Force B-1B Lancer conducted a strike against Taliban extremists near Kandahar. The B-1B expended guided bomb unit-38s. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and a B-1B provided close-air

  • Chief McKinley says roll call good for Air Force

    Some Airmen are not getting information they need to make them better and more productive, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley said. That is why he believes the start of a roll call program, which he said could start "within days," will help bridge the communications gap between

  • Senator urges military budget increases

    During a farewell speech in front of the Senate Armed Services Committee Dec. 7, Sen. Jim Talent (R-MO) said legislators must substantially increase military budgets over the coming decade if the U.S. military is to keep its edge. "There can be no doubt that without a substantial increase in

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 13

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Dec. 13.In Afghanistan Dec. 12, Air Force MQ-1 Predators conducted strikes against Taliban extremists near Kandahar. The Predators expended Hellfire missiles on enemy targets. Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers provided

  • DOD, U.K. sign next stage Joint Strike Fighter agreement

    United States and United Kingdom officials signed a memorandum of understanding Dec. 12 to begin future cooperation in the production, sustainment and follow-on development, called PSFD, phase of the Joint Strike Fighter program. Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon R. England and United Kingdom

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 12

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Dec. 12.In Afghanistan Dec. 11, Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Lashkar Gah. An Air Force B-1

  • University of Idaho students study human factors on B-52

    Seven students and a professor from the University of Idaho visited several organizations here Dec. 5 for a subsystem evaluation on the B-52 Stratofortress. The University of Idaho students are attending a graduate-level course, called advanced human factors, and were assigned to a class project

  • Kadena Airmen live life of Japan self defense force

    Six Kadena Air Base NCOs recently had the opportunity to experience what life is like in the Japan Air Self Defense Force. As part of the NCO Bilateral Exchange Program they traveled in JASDF aircraft Dec. 5 to Tsuiki Air Base in mainland Japan. There, they spent nine days living and working

  • Air Force delivers much needed supplies to Kenya

    After weeks of a deluge that seemingly had no end in sight, something besides rain finally fell from the Eastern Kenya sky -- compliments of a U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules assigned to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing based in Southwest Asia. What began as a normal storm in late October in the

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 11

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Dec. 11.In Afghanistan Dec. 10, an Air Force B-1B Lancer provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Orgun-E. An Air Force B-1B and

  • SECAF visits Balad Airmen

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Wynne visited deployed Airmen here Dec. 9. Secretary Wynne spoke to Airmen during a town hall meeting in order to discuss issues affecting them and the impact Airmen are having on Operation Iraqi Freedom. He commented on how relevant was the mission statement of

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 10

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Dec. 10.In Afghanistan Dec. 9, Navy F/A-18 Hornets provided close- air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Lashkar Gah. One of the F/A-18s

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 9

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Dec. 9. In Afghanistan Dec. 8, an Air Force B-1B Lancer conducted a strike against Taliban extremists near Asadabad. The B-1B expended guided bomb unit-31s on enemy targets. Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers provided

  • Airmen, Soldiers revel in America's pastime in Iraq

    If you visit the softball diamond on any weekend at Logistics Support Area Anaconda, Iraq, you're likely to see a co-recreational game with players on both sides swinging the bat, circling the bases and trading friendly barbs with one another.At first glance, the scene would appear no different than

  • Four more F-16s to be delivered to Poland

    Four more F-16s are scheduled to arrive in Poland Dec. 14 as part of a second wave of a 48-aircraft delivery and a $3.8 billion program executed by Aeronautical Systems Center and the Air Force Security Assistance Center here.The F-16 deliveries are part of the Poland Peace Sky Program, a Foreign

  • Dover to be active hub for C-5 isochronal inspections

    Air Mobility Command officials announced Dec. 8 Dover Air Force Base, Del., as one of three sites selected for future C-5 Galaxy cargo aircraft isochronal inspections.According to AMC officials, Dover AFB was selected as the active-duty C-5 ISO site because of facilities, maintenance support, base

  • F-15 demo team transitions to F-22 demo team

    The F-15 Eagle East Coast Demonstration Team, one of seven single-ship demonstration teams assigned to Air Combat Command, concluded 27 years of performance history Dec. 1. After averaging more than 30 air shows a year for about 4 million people in the four corners of the United States and

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 8

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Dec. 8. In Afghanistan Dec. 7, U.S. Navy F/A-18s provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Kandahar. The F/A-18s expended guided bomb

  • NATO team ensures safe sky during Riga Summit

    While Airmen around U.S. Air Forces in Europe were gathering to celebrate Thanksgiving, duty called for more than 450 other Airmen in seven European countries to support the NATO Riga Summit in Latvia. Called Operation Peaceful Summit, the military effort enhanced ongoing Baltic Air Policing

  • Survivor remembers attack on Oahu

    Retired Chief Master Sgt. Ralph Barnett returned to Hickam for the 65th Anniversary of the attack on Oahu and to show his family where he was on that fateful Sunday morning. At the time of the attack he was a 24 year old assistant armament chief Buck Sgt. with the 23rd Bombardment Squadron stationed

  • Teams demonstrate patient care savvy in Exercise Capital Shield

    A year of planning culminated in the orchestration of more than five aircraft, 13 organizations and numerous flight surgeons, nurses, technicians, administrators and air and ground crew who conducted collaborative patient care and transport during Exercise Capital Shield here Dec. 4-7. Under

  • Andersen community makes a wish come true

    The overcast, rainy afternoon did not dampen the spirits of Andersen Airmen and civilians as they rallied together to make a little boy's wish come true Dec. 5. Andersen AFB officials teamed up to help the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Guam make one of Natsuki Takeda's wishes come true. Five-year-old

  • Airlift wing carries legacy into the future

    While much Air Force history can be found in volumes of books at the local library, its living heritage is not so easy to find. Or so most people think. In reality, Air Force heritage and history is easy to find in its Airmen and the units in which they serve. The 15th Airlift Wing at Hickam Air

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 7

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Dec. 7. In Afghanistan Dec. 6, Navy F/A-18 Hornets and Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near

  • Japanese surprise attack on Hawaii

    At 7:55 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, 1941, an Imperial Japanese Naval Task Force under the command of Admiral Chuichi Nagumo, launched the biggest surprise attack in history. Japanese aircraft struck military installations on Oahu and in less then two hours inflicted the worst destruction the Army Air

  • Former Airman returns to Hickam

    Retired Chief Master Sgt. Ralph Barnett returned here for the 65th Anniversary of the attack on Oahu and to show his family where he was on that fateful Sunday morning. At the time of the attack he was a 24-year-old sergeant assigned as assistant armament chief with the 23rd Bombardment Squadron

  • Historian revisits Dec. 7, 1941

    On Sunday morning Dec. 7, 1941, the largest airborne attack force ever assembled by the Imperial Japanese Navy struck Oahu's military installations and in the attack's aftermath crippled the U.S .military in the Pacific and plunged the United States into World War II.Six Japanese carriers

  • Aleutian Islands: World War II secret bases

    When Stuart Faber enlisted in the Army Air Corps shortly after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in December 1941, he wasn't quite sure what he'd be doing. Once assigned to the 404th Bomb Squadron at Elmendorf Field, Alaska, he not only maintained bombers, but was also sent on temporary duty to perform a

  • Warfighters sharpen skills during Vigilant Shield

    Warfighters assigned to Air Forces Northern and Continental U.S. NORAD Region are honing the skills needed to respond to such threats during Vigilant Shield 07 which began Dec. 4 and runs through Dec. 14 here. The annual homeland defense Vigilant Shield exercise, sponsored by the North American

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 6

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Dec. 6.In Afghanistan Dec. 5, an Air Force MQ-1 Predator conducted a strike against Taliban extremists near Kandahar. The aircraft expended a Hellfire missile on the enemy target. An Air Force B-1B Lancer, Air Force

  • IMAs, units to share Reserve personnel reductions

    Faced with eliminating 7,700 personnel authorizations, Air Force Reserve Command officials have decided to divide those cuts between individual mobilization augmentees and unit reservists. "To do our part in the Air Force's recapitalization and modernization efforts, as well as participate in

  • Secretary Wynne visits Aviano

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Wynne visited Aviano AB Dec. 5 and spoke to base members about issues affecting today's Airmen. Some of the things Secretary Wynne discussed were Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century, deployments and the new cyber command. "I am capitalizing on the

  • Wing changes missions over time

    The 15th Airlift Wing, originally established as the 15th Pursuit Group (Fighter) on Nov. 22, 1940, activated at Wheeler Field , Hawaii, on Dec. 1, 1940. A little more than a year later, on Dec. 7, 1941, it engaged in combat action during the Japanese attack on military installations in Hawaii.

  • Fighter pilot balanced tactics, safety, effectiveness

    I'd hate to see an epitaph on a fighter pilot's tombstone that says, "I told you I needed training"... How do you train for the most dangerous game in the world by being as safe as possible? When you don't let a guy train because it's dangerous, you're saying, "Go fight those lions with your bare

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 5

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Dec. 5.In Afghanistan Dec. 4, U.S. Navy F/A-18 Hornets and Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near

  • Fairchild, Grand Forks crews support NATO summit

    KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft along with aircrews, crew chiefs and maintainers from Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., and Grand Forks AFB, N.D., are augmenting the refueling mission here in support of a NATO Summit mission.The weeklong deployment by the two stateside units allowed the RAF Mildenhall

  • Kentucky Airmen lead way for ANG contingency response

    The Kentucky Air National Guard is now the home of the first and only contingency response group in the Air National Guard. The 123rd Contingency Response Group -- an "airbase in a box" -- will now provide a continual capability to provide everything necessary to open a runway, load and unload

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 4

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Dec. 4.In Afghanistan Dec. 3, Navy F/A-18 Hornets and French Air Force M-2000Ds provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Kandahar.

  • Andersen Airmen treat, transport injured Sailors

    Airmen from the 36th Medical Group and 734th Air Mobility Squadron here played an integral role in treating and transporting six critically injured Sailors Dec. 2 to Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii.The Sailors were transported via a C-17 Globemaster III to Hickam AFB, then on to the Army's Burn Center

  • Record-setting fuels flight keeps gas flowing at Manas

    Airmen from the 376th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron Petroleum, Oils and Lubricants Flight help complete the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing's mission of delivering fuel, people and cargo to Afghanistan by keeping the fuel flowing. The men and women of POL, commonly known as the fuels

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 3

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials release the airpower summary for Dec. 3.In Afghanistan Dec. 2, Air Force B-1B Lancers provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Now Zad. The B-1Bs expended guided bomb

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 2

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Dec. 2. In Afghanistan Dec. 1, U.S. Navy F/A-18 Hornets and Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near

  • Air Force transporting injured Sailors

    The Air Force is currently responding to transport injured Sailors from Guam back to the United States to receive medical attention. Eight sailors were injured, six critically, as a result of an accident aboard a U.S. Navy submarine tender. The Guam Pacific Daily News reports the sailors were

  • Specialized reservist team supports Naval burn victims

    It's like a page from a script right out of a Hollywood movie. A McChord C-17 Globemaster III was diverted Dec. 1 to fly a nine-member Army Burn Center Flight Team from Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, to Hickam AFB, Hawaii, to care for six Navy Sailors burned when a steam line ruptured onboard the

  • NORAD to patrol space shuttle operations

    The Air Force is stepping up its air patrols in the Cape Canaveral, Fla., area to increase security for upcoming space shuttle operations. The patrols are a smart, efficient way to protect American lives and resources in the region, said Maj. Gen. Henry C. Morrow, the 1st Air Force commander."NORAD

  • Moody maintainers take initiative with AFSO 21

    A handful of Moody AFB maintenance professionals brought Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century to the forefront during a meeting Nov. 20 and 21 that reflected on improving inspections for the HC-130P. Sixteen Airmen from the 723rd Maintenance Squadron, Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Dec. 1

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Dec. 1. In Afghanistan Nov. 30, U.S. Navy F/A-18 Hornets provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Kabul. The F/A-18s expended guided

  • Report cites mechanical error in Predator accident

    An MQ-1L Predator crash during a training mission June 22 at Creech Air Force Base, Nev., was the result of mechanical error, according to an aircraft accident investigation report released Nov. 30.There were no injuries or fatalities from the accident; and other than the loss of the aircraft, no

  • Next generation: A-10C arrives at Davis-Monthan

    The A-10C Thunderbolt II made its official roll-out debut here Nov. 29, revealing its transformation and its enhanced capabilities under the Precision Engagement program.The Precision Engagement program will offer the A-10 the most significant modifications it has ever received in its 30-year

  • Sibling tanker pilots connect 7,700 miles from home

    Being in different services, they never thought their military paths would cross, but two Kaysville, Utah, brothers are sharing a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The Torbensen family learned Marine Corps Capt. Jason Torbensen and Air Force 1st Lt. Dustin Torbensen would serve together at a

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Nov. 30

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Nov. 30.In Afghanistan Nov. 29, Navy F/A-18 Hornets provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Orgun-e. The F/A-18s expended guided

  • Operation Season's Greetings huge smash

    The surrounding mountains here echoed the sounds of rock, blues, country and laughter when national entertainment artists performed for servicemembers Nov. 28 as part of Operation Season's Greetings. Headlining the show was country artist Jamie O'Neal. She is best known for her No. 1 hits "There is

  • Kunsan F-16 fleet prepped for 'Falcon STAR'

    The Block 30 F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 80th Fighter Squadron here are set to enter upgrade in the Air Force's Falcon Structural Augmentation Roadmap program aimed at extending the service life of the aircraft. The improvement to the fleet follows previous air-to-ground dominance to

  • AFSO 21 special assistant visits Aviano

    The secretary of the Air Force's special assistant for Air Force Smart Operations 21 visited here Nov. 29. Dr. Ron Ritter is responsible for developing and coordinating the Air Force's AFSO 21 transformational efforts. An early leader in understanding and applying lean manufacturing methods in U.S.

  • GM-3 vehicle deploys aboard C-17 first time

    The 4th Space Operations Squadron's Ground Mobile-3 vehicle made history Nov. 25 with its first deployment aboard a C-17 Globemaster III. The GM-3 and a crew of 4th SOPS Airmen at Schriever AFB deployed to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, to set up deployed mobile satellite command-and-control

  • Today's security forces are expeditionary combat Airmen

    They work 12-hour patrols in 100-plus degree temperatures, sandstorms whipping into their faces. They drive convoy operations across the desert. They provide personal security details for four-star generals. Today's security forces career barely resembles its own Air Force specialty code from a

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Nov. 29

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Nov. 29.In Afghanistan Nov. 28, Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Lashkar Gah. The GR-7s

  • C-37A arrives at Hickam AFB

    The arrival here of the Navy's Executive Transport Detachment from nearby Kaneohe Marine Corps Air Station Nov. 25 signals the successful integration of flying missions between two services. The Navy C-37A business jet replaces the modified P-3 aircraft the unit used to fly. The reception of the

  • Air Force announces 2006 as safest year in aviation

    Fiscal year 2006 was the safest year in aviation ever for the Air Force. The year marked the lowest number of major aircraft accidents and fatalities within the Department of Defense, said the Chief of Air Force Safety Maj. Gen. Stan Gorenc recently. According to the statistics, the Air Force

  • Region Air Force commander visits Kadena

    The importance of the 18th Wing's mission in fighting the war on terrorism and its peace-keeping efforts in the Pacific region were key topics of discussion by the commander of U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force during his visit here Nov. 15. Lt. Gen. Bruce Wright, visited the base for an in-depth

  • Air Force officials convene board to examine F-16 crash

    Air Force officials have convened an investigative board to look into the crash of an F-16 Fighting Falcon engaged in combat operations over Iraq Nov. 27.The board will look into what caused the F-16 single-seat fighter to crash about 20 miles northwest of Baghdad around 1:35 p.m. local time. The

  • Science, engineering, technology achievements lauded

    Air Force officials recognized the service's top performers in science, engineering and technology during an awards banquet at the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Award winners received a plaque and a certificate recognizing their

  • Balad 'Port Dawgs' help limit ground convoys

    With each pallet pushed onto an aircraft flying out of Balad, another dangerous convoy mission is avoided and lives are potentially saved. The "Port Dawgs" assigned to the 332nd Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron Aerial Port Flight, ensure assets are delivered to forward-operating locations

  • U.S. Airmen help Iraqis take flight again

    The new Iraqi air force have returned to the sky, performing a variety of missions throughout the country, thanks to training and support from U.S. and coalition advisors. At Kirkuk Regional AB, American advisors are helping Iraqi military members of Squadron 3 train for their intelligence,

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Nov. 28

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Nov. 28.In Afghanistan Nov. 27, French M2000D Mirages and Navy F/A-18 Hornets provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Orgun-e. An

  • F-16 crash investigation begins

    The interim safety investigation board convened by U.S. Central Command Air Forces has begun its efforts to gather evidence to determine what caused an Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon to crash approximately 20 miles northwest of Baghdad at about 1:35 p.m. Nov. 27.The single-seat jet was in direct

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Nov. 27

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Nov. 27. In Afghanistan Nov. 26, Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Musah Qal'eh. The GR-7s

  • Depot liaison engineers support aircraft maintenance units

    Growing up in Arizona was practically like having a desert as a backyard. That backyard served as the perfect place for mountain biking -- a passion of 14-year-old Mark Eilertsen. For an avid biker, an ideal choice for a career would be doing something with mountain bikes. So the teenager did his

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Nov. 26

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Nov. 26.In Afghanistan Nov. 25, Navy F/A-18Fs provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Musah Qal'eh. The F/A-18Fs expended Guided

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Nov. 25

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Nov. 25. In Afghanistan Nov. 24, Navy F/A-18 Hornets and Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near

  • Relatives support deployments together

    Servicemembers often cite missing family as one of the main hardships of deployments. For at least three sets of family members at Balad Air Base, missing family might not be quite as difficult for the duration of this Air Expeditionary Force rotation. Staff Sgt. Coy Hixson, 732nd Expeditionary

  • Dirt runway testing increases C-17 safety, agility

    In an effort to expand the capability of the C-17 Globemaster III, about 40 people from the C-17 Integrated Test Force are in the midst of a four-phase test program to determine the C-17 takeoff and landing performance on non-paved surfaces. Engineers and pilots are testing the aircraft in extreme

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Nov. 24

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Nov. 24.In Afghanistan Nov. 23, U.S. Navy F/A-18 Hornets provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Asadabad. The F/A-18s expended

  • 18th Wing key component in war on terrorism

    The importance of the 18th Wing's mission in fighting the war on terrorism and its peacekeeping efforts in the Pacific region were the key topics discussed by the U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force commander here Nov. 15.Lt. Gen. Bruce A. Wright visited the base for an orientation tour of the wing