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  • Yokota mission essential for global reach

    The commander of Air Mobility Command recently met with the men and women of the 730th Air Mobility Squadron and other senior officials. As part of a nine-day tour of air mobility operations across the Pacific region last week, Gen. Duncan J. McNabb hosted a commander's call, toured the AMC

  • Global Hawk flies first Beale ACC sortie

    A newly-arrived RQ-4 Global Hawk Unmanned Aerial Vehicle made its first operational Air Combat Command flight from here Nov. 21. The first Global Hawk flight from Beale signifies the end of the base's and communities' five-year wait for the aircraft, and the beginning of local training flights as

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Nov. 22

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Nov. 22.In Afghanistan Nov. 21, Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers and Navy F/A-18 Hornets provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near

  • Bush: Asia, U.S., share common threats, interests

    The U.S. remains committed to Asia, because the two regions face similar threats from terrorism and share economic and security interests, President Bush said at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, Nov. 21. Stopping to have breakfast with troops after a Southeast Asia tour that included visits to

  • Maintainers turn Rivet Joint

    A sergeant sits at the end of a table reviewing maintenance records. In the background, Airmen play video games as a college football game blares on a television. The call that the RC-135 Rivet Joint is 30 minutes out comes down, and in an instant everyone drops what they are doing. It's time to

  • Ellsworth cops take to the skies

    In the remote forward-operating locations of Afghanistan and surrounding areas, Air Force aircraft often have to land on dirt-strip runways. Air Force aircraft might look like the proverbial sitting duck to an enemy combatant or rogue insurgent, but nothing could be further from the truth. Should a

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Nov. 21

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Nov. 21. In Afghanistan Nov. 20, 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

  • Aircrews fly scientists, equipment to Antarctica

    A McChord Air Force Base, Wash., jet touched down on a sheet of sea ice here Nov. 16 as part of Operation Deep Freeze. The C-17 Globemaster III, loaded with National Science Foundation staff members, supplies and equipment along with members of the 62nd and 446th Airlift Wings, landed on the ice

  • Second C-5M Super Galaxy takes flight

    The second fully modernized Lockheed Martin C-5M Super Galaxy test aircraft made its first flight Nov. 17 from Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga. This is the second of three aircraft that will comprise the new C-5M test fleet. "The C-5M represents a true recapitalization program for a critical

  • 379th AEW supports flood relief operations in Ethiopia

    For Airman 1st Class Daniel Stone, it was an amazing adventure. "Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be flying into the heart of Africa, helping flood victims," said the loadmaster assigned to the 746th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron here. "It's something I'll never forget." Deployed to

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Nov. 20

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Nov. 20. In Afghanistan Nov. 19, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Kandahar . The A-10s

  • Joint tactical radio system fielded soon

    The Air Force is about to enter a new era in communications technology. Officials at the Electronic Systems Center at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., have signed a $7.8M contract with Thales Communications, Incorporated, for the delivery of the first Joint Tactical Radio System radios to the Air

  • 'Lightning' strikes 1st Pursuit Group

    During July 1941, the 27th Pursuit Squadron had the honor of receiving the first P-38 Lightning delivered to the Army Air Force. This aircraft, described as "one of the most radical departures from tradition in American fighter development," evolved into the workhorse for the 1st Pursuit Group

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Nov. 19

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Nov. 19.Afghanistan Nov. 18, U.S. Navy F/A-18Cs and F/A-18Es provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Kandahar. The F/A-18Cs expended a guided

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Nov. 18

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Nov. 18. In Afghanistan Nov. 17, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Kandahar. The A-10s

  • Heritage to Horizons celebration highlights CV-22 Osprey

    The first operational CV-22 Osprey stole the show during an air power demonstration at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Nov. 16, commemorating the Air Force's 60th anniversary. As special operations forces simulated a behind-the-lines mission with Air Force Special Operations Command AC-130 gunships firing

  • Air Force, industry must partner to create synth-fuel demand

    The Air Force must partner with the civilian aviation industry to create a stronger demand for alternative fuel sources. During a conference of defense industry representatives here Nov. 14, Michael Aimone, Air Force assistant deputy chief of staff for logistics, installations and mission support,

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Nov. 17

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Nov. 17.In Afghanistan Nov. 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

  • New aggressor units expand training capabilities

    Unit changes at Nellis and Eielson Air Force bases have resulted in two wings that, together, create better opportunities for Air Force pilots to train for combat against potential adversaries. In January, the 65th Aggressor Squadron was reactivated under the 57th Adversary Tactics Group at Nellis

  • Portland reservists remember King 56 crew

    The Air Force Reserve has found a new home for a memorial created in honor of 10 former Portland reservists. Officials from the 939th Air Refueling Wing will re-dedicate the memorial in a ceremony Nov. 17 at Willamette National Cemetery. The black granite marble stone monument was dedicated to the

  • General, spouse receive O'Malley award

    Though dozens of people attended the 2006 General and Mrs. Jerome O'Malley Award ceremony here at the Pentagon Nov. 15, there were four names left off the guest list. "Dennis, Ivan, Katrina and Rita couldn't be here today," joked Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. T. Michael Moseley, who presented

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Nov. 16

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Nov. 16.In Afghanistan Nov. 15, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Oruzgan. An Air Force B-1

  • Air logistics center upgrades center wing boxes on C-130s

    Workers here began a three-phase project in November to ensure the viability of the C-130 Hercules fleet through the year 2030 and beyond. Center wing boxes on C-130s have been showing cracks earlier than expected. As a result, members of the 402nd Aircraft Maintenance Group have removed the center

  • Vehicle maintenance keeps Balad on the move

    With a turn of a screwdriver or a crank of a wrench, a 60-K loader can quickly resume loading cargo onto an aircraft because of the vehicle maintenance flight's efforts here. The 332nd Expeditionary Logistics Support Squadron's vehicle maintainers are responsible for the base's Air Force vehicle

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Nov. 15

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Nov. 15. In Afghanistan Nov. 14, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Now Zad and Qalat. The

  • A-10s get attention after returning from combat

    When Air Force reservists from the 442nd Fighter Wing arrived home from a four-month deployment to Afghanistan in September, they were given time-off to recuperate and adjust to life back home. The Air Force calls this time-off period "reconstitution." The same is true for the wing's A-10

  • Boeing X-45A unmanned combat vehicle on display

    The Boeing X-45A unmanned combat air vehicle was officially inducted into the National Museum of the United States Air Force collection during a ceremony Nov. 13. "The X-45A is a prime example of an air vehicle that points to the future of our Air Force," said retired Maj. Gen. Charles D. Metcalf,

  • Task force delivers aid to Ethiopian flood victims

    Air Force planes transported 48 tons of relief supplies Nov. 10 to the eastern part of Ethiopia, an area hard hit by floods since August. The C-130 Hercules crews picked up relief supplies at Dire Dawe and Addis Abbaba and delivered them to the city of Gode. More missions are planned, U.S. Central

  • Poland receives first F-16s

    The first F-16 Fighting Falcons acquired by the Polish air force arrived at the 31st Air Base here Nov. 9 and were featured at a special roll-out ceremony. Gen. Tom Hobbins, Allied Air Component commander and U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander, represented the Air Force chief of staff at the event

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Nov. 14

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Nov. 14. In Afghanistan Nov. 13, Navy F/A-18 Hornets conducted a strike against Taliban extremists near Oruzgan. The F/A-18s expended guided bomb unit-12s on enemy targets. Navy F/A-18 and Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers

  • Turkey-based Airmen saving troops' lives in Iraq

    Hundreds of miles away from the war zone, the efforts of Airmen here are helping keep Iraq-based troops off dangerous convoy routes that are plagued with roadside bombs and sniper attacks. By flying critical supplies via C-17 Globemaster III from this eastern Turkey air base directly to

  • Air Force declassifies elite aggressor program

    After decades of secrecy, Air Force officials acknowledged Nov. 13 that Communist-built fighters were flown at the Tonopah Test Range northwest of Las Vegas, Nev. From 1977 through 1988, the program, known as Constant Peg, saw Air Force, Navy and Marine aircrews flying against Soviet-designed MiG

  • Air Force, Navy wrap up joint mine exercise

    B-52 Stratofortress aircrews assigned to the 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron and Sailors with the Navy's Mobile Mine Assembly Unit 8 completed a week-long joint sea mine-laying exercise here Nov. 3. The 10-sortie exercise marked the largest number of weapons released by B-52s since they

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Nov. 13

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Nov. 13.In Afghanistan Nov. 12, an Air Force MQ-1 Predator conducted a strike against Taliban extremists near Kandahar. The Predator expended Hellfire missiles on enemy targets. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and Royal

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Nov. 12

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Nov. 12. In Afghanistan Nov. 11, Navy F/A-18Cs and F/A-18Fs provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Now Zad. The F/A-18Cs expended

  • Research lab tests, certifies synthetic fuels

    As an integral partner in the Office of the Secretary of Defense Assured Fuels Initiative, the Air Force Research Laboratory is leading the investigation for suitable, domestically produced alternative fuels for military use. AFRL is certifying suitable fuels for the Air Force fleet as part of the

  • Air Force pilot missing from Vietnam War is identified

    The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced Nov. 9 that the remains of a U.S. Air Force officer missing in action from the Vietnam War have been identified. The remains of Col. Charles J. Scharf are being returned to his family for burial with full military honors. His funeral

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Nov. 11

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Nov. 11.In Afghanistan Nov. 10, an Air Force Predator conducted a strike against Taliban extremists near Kandahar. The Predator expended Hellfire missiles on enemy targets.Air Force A-10 Thunderbolts and a B-1B Lancer

  • Three brothers complete Air Force basic training together

    Three brothers from Fort Worth, Texas, will be "doing something amazing" for the Air Force in the coming years after graduation from Basic Military Training Nov. 10. Twins Chaz and Logan Hatcher, 22, and their younger brother, Derek, 19, completed the 6.5-week course while assigned to three

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Nov. 10

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Nov. 10. In Afghanistan Nov. 9, an Air Force B-1B Lancer conducted a strike against Taliban extremists near Khvajeh Khezar. The B-1B expended guided bomb unit-31s on enemy targets. Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers and U.S.

  • Raptor wing does not forget its past on road to future

    Though a unit's past might be dotted with a book full of famous Air Force firsts, over the decades, its Airmen tend to forget that. And sometimes, living up to a fabled heritage is just not an easy thing to do. That is one reason Brig. Gen. Burt Field does not let the people of the 1st Fighter Wing

  • ASC plays critical role in replacement helicopter contract

    Air Force officials announced Nov. 9 the award of a contract potentially valued at $4.1 billion to The Boeing Co., for the Air Force's number two acquisition priority, a replacement combat search and rescue, or CSAR, helicopter. The program will take place in two parts. The first increment, Block 0,

  • Officials select developer for combat search and rescue replacement vehicle

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne announced the selection of Boeing Helicopter of Ridley Park, Pa., to provide the new combat search and rescue replacement vehicle, known as CSAR-X. The Nov. 9 announcement comes at the end of a fair and open competition, and thorough evaluation of multiple

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Nov. 9

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Nov. 9. In Afghanistan Nov. 8, an Air Force RQ-1 Predator flew an air strike against Taliban extremists near Oruzgan. The Predator fired a Hellfire missile on an enemy target. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided

  • AMC reduces costs through fuel efficiency

    Energy costs are a significant part of the Defense Department operating budget, and Air Mobility Command uses 54 percent of the U.S. military's consumption of aviation fuel. Not surprisingly, efficient use of this resource has always been an AMC goal, and while fuel costs remain high, command

  • 1st Fighter Wing lays claim to numerous accomplishments

    The name says it all -- 1st Fighter Wing. As the first air combat unit organized under the U.S. Army air arm 80 years ago, the wing can make claim to many historic accomplishments.The study of the 1st FW's history is comparable to examining the history of air power itself. The groaning of wooden

  • 'Dirtboyz' keep Balad airfield operational

    Every day, aircraft fly in and out of Balad AB to provide vital support for Operation Iraqi Freedom. Whether F-16 Fighting Falcons, C-130 Hercules or HH-60 Pave Hawks, the airframes are able to approach and depart because of fully operational, well-maintained runways. Better known as "dirtboyz,"

  • Firsts of the 1st Fighter Wing

    During its nine decades of service, the 1st Fighter Wing carved its niche in U.S. air history.For its part, the 1st FW was:-- The first U.S. group-level unit to enter air combat.-- The first U.S. unit to destroy an enemy aircraft in World War I. -- The parent unit of the first recipient of the Medal

  • Former technical director for C-17 earns DOD award

    The former technical director for the Aeronautical Systems Center's C-17 Globemaster III program has won a Department of Defense Distinguished Civilian Service Award for 2006. Lawrence Fielding is one of eight this year to win the award, which recognizes exceptional achievements that benefited the

  • Remains identified as Air Force reservist

    Remains discovered off the California coast in September have been positively identified as that of an Air Force reservist and passenger on an HC-130 cargo aircraft, call sign King 56, that crashed into the Pacific Ocean 10 years ago. Staff Sgt. Jonathan R. Leonard was on board King 56 when it went

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Nov. 8

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Nov. 8 In Afghanistan Nov. 7, 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

  • C-130 crew honored with Mackay Trophy

    Five C-130 Hercules crewmembers were recognized during a ceremony in Arlington, Va., Nov. 6 by the Air Force and the National Aeronautic Association when they were presented with the 2005 Clarence Mackay Trophy. Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. John D. W. Corley presented the trophy to Maj.

  • Afghan PRT treats patients, prepares village for winter

    Twenty-four members of the Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team, the 405th Civil Affairs Battalion and Task Force Tiger made the four-hour trek to the northernmost district here to assist the province's most impoverished population. A cooperative Medical Civic Action Program, or MEDCAP, was

  • Exchange program enhances coalition operations

    Northwest Florida is gaining worldwide recognition through a program that makes local Air Force bases the training grounds for covert coalition aircraft operations.The program, known as Combined Special Operations Forces Subject Matter Expert Exchange, is a concept that came to life on a large scale

  • Mountain Home newspaper going virtual

    An era will come to an end Dec. 22 when the base newspaper here, The Gunfighter, hits the streets for the last time. The public affairs staff will become one of the first bases to transition from a traditional newspaper to a Web-based product. The transition decision is primarily in response to

  • Veterans Day special: Veterans share war experiences

    The year was 1967. First Lt. Marko Milakovich stood on the side of Budda Mountain, about 10 miles from Quang Nhia in South Vietnam. The 25-year-old was on a site survey and had a weapons carrier and six Army bodyguards for safety. As he stood on the mountainside, leaflets fluttered to the ground

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Nov. 7

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Nov. 7.In Afghanistan Nov. 6, Navy F/A-18 Hornets provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Qanat-e Hazrat. The F/A-18s expended

  • Lean principles reduce antenna repair times

    Since adopting Lean principles, the F-16 Antenna Shop here has improved efficiency, cut costs and enabled F-16 pilots to fly without worrying about their radar. When an F-16 antenna shows signs of failure, it is replaced with a spare and the defective antenna sent to the shop for repair. Using Lean

  • Pope Airmen get heart-warming welcome home

    It was the best present a little girl could hope for when Sarah Beam's daddy arrived back home from a deployment on her 6th birthday. More than 180 Airmen who supported operations in Afghanistan and Iraq were welcomed home by family and friends at Green Ramp Nov. 2. Despite the late evening arrival

  • Active associate unit to be established at Scott AFB

    As part of the Air Force Total Force Integration initiatives, an active associate unit will be established with Air Force Reserve Command's 932nd Airlift Wing at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., in 2007. The Air Force Reserve unit will receive three C-40 aircraft the same year. Under the active associate

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Nov. 6

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Nov. 6.In Afghanistan Nov. 5, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons and a B-1B Lancer provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Gereshk.

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Nov. 5

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Nov. 5. In Afghanistan Nov. 4, French Air Force M2000s provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Arandu. In total, 33 close-air support

  • Guard, Manas crews exemplify total force integration

    The 141st Air Refueling Wing unit from the Washington Air National Guard rotated home this week after a successful two and a half week tour here. Although their stay was short, the mission accomplishments speak for themselves, said Lt. Col. Michael Gaal, 22nd Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Nov. 4

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Nov. 4. In Afghanistan Nov. 3, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and B-1B Lancers provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Gangikhel. The B-1Bs

  • Airmen receive trophies for maintenance excellence

    Two Airmen earned trophies and praise here for their abilities to keep Air Force aircraft flying and munitions ready for the mission.Master Sgt. Timothy Kellner, 31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Aviano Air Base, Italy, and Capt. Abigail Ruscetta, 16th AMXS, Hurlburt Field, Fla., were honored with

  • 109th Airlift Wing commemorates first South Pole landing

    An LC-130 Hercules from the New York Air National Guard's 109th Airlift Wing touched down at the South Pole on Oct. 30 to commemorate the first plane landing there 50 years ago. On Oct. 31, 1956, Navy Lt. Cmdr. Gus Shinn landed a ski-equipped R4D-5 (a Navy version of the DC-3) named "Que Sera Sera"

  • Kunsan Air Base at forefront of readiness

    It's not uncommon for Airmen here to be awakened at 5 a.m. from deep sleep to hear a thunderous loudspeaker voice announcing an invasion. They jump out of bed, grab their chemical warfare gear and rush to work. When the neighboring enemy could possibly invade at any moment, training exercises like

  • Hydrogen fueling station now operating at Hickam

    State and U.S. Air Force officials gathered here Nov. 2 to unveil Hawaii's and the service's first hydrogen generation and dispensing station. The event marked the completion of a major achievement in a multi-phased alternative fuel vehicle development program that was launched five years ago."From

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Nov. 3

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Nov. 3. In Afghanistan Nov. 2, Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Hajji Musa. Air Force A-10

  • Bands bring tour to Europe, deployed troops

    Guest artists will join up with bands from Air Force Reserve Command and U.S. Air Forces in Europe to entertain families and troops in late November. Country music artist Jaime O'Neal, entertainer of the air waves Delilah, John Popper of the platinum-selling group Blues Traveler, and the New England

  • Travis Airmen train Japan's first boom operators

    Three members of the Japan Air Self Defense Force completed a four-month training program here, making them the first boom operators in their military. "I'm proud to be one of the first three students from Japan to complete this training," said Tech. Sgt. Masaaki Takahashi. Master Sgt. Randy

  • Exercise Atlantic Rescue tests search, rescue pros' skills

    In a worst case scenario for pilots or warfighters in hostile territory, one thing is constant -- the Air Force will not leave a person behind. Securing that promise are combat search and rescue professionals from across Air Combat Command who practiced together in Exercise Atlantic Rescue Oct. 30

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Nov. 2

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Nov. 2.In Iraq Nov. 1, an Air Force MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle and Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornets conducted strikes against anti-Iraqi forces near Ramadi. The Predator expended a Hellfire missile and the F/A-18s

  • PCS policy could extend officer assignments to four years

    Some officers now could spend as many as four years at a duty station before getting a new assignment. Air Force officials are looking for ways to reduce the number of permanent change-of-station moves for officers, particularly for those in the United States. By extending the average assignment

  • Compass Call continues to 'Jam' enemy

    In two years, aircrews in the 41st Expeditionary Electronic Combat Squadron have flown 5,000 combat hours in support of the war on terrorism. The squadron has flown more than 940 sorties supporting ground troops here. This milestone reflects the longest deployment in the squadron's history, said

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Nov. 1

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Nov. 1. In Afghanistan Oct. 31, an Air Force Predator conducted a strike against Taliban extremists near Kandahar. The Predator expended a Hellfire missile on enemy targets. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided

  • Dover AFB bird radar to test airplane strikes

    In an effort to prevent aircraft bird strikes, the Air Force Safety Center's, Bird/Wildlife Aircraft Strike Hazard, or BASH, chose Dover Air Force Base as one of the test sites for a radar that will help prevent bird strikes. The radar is expected to be operational this month, and the concept of

  • Hickam testing new deployable hydrogen refueling station

    As the Air Force continues to look for ways to reduce energy consumption in its facilities, vehicles and aircraft operations the 15th Airlift Wing will be doing its part by serving as a test bed for a new modular deployable hydrogen refueling station. Awarded the contract two years ago, HydraFLX

  • Reserve to expand associate role with Shaw F-16 unit

    As part of the Air Force Total Force Integration initiatives, Air Force Reserve Command is teaming up with Air Combat Command to expand its associate presence with additional F-16 pilots at the 20th Fighter Wing at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., in fiscal 2008. Air Combat Command's 20th FW flies three

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Oct. 31

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Oct. 31.In Afghanistan Oct. 30, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Now Zad. The A-10s expended

  • Maintenance unit moves fuel on time

    Delivering fuel to the warfighters in Afghanistan takes on a personal meaning for the 376th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron's KC-135 Aircraft Maintenance Unit Airmen. "We know how important fuel is to the fight," said Tech. Sgt. John Lipkea, KC-135 AMU specialist expeditor. "You can't

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Oct. 30

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Oct. 30. In Afghanistan Oct. 29, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Kajah Ulva. The A-10s

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Oct. 29

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Oct. 29. In Afghanistan Oct. 28, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Payendi. The A-10s dropped

  • Reserve, active duty seamlessly maintain aircraft

    At first glance, one cannot tell a difference between the two. A more in-depth analysis finds the two dress alike, have the same training and work side by side, capable of doing any task just as well as the other.It is only with a keen eye that one can find a variation in the two -- the patches on

  • F-117: A long, storied history that is about to end

    After 25 years of storied service, the F-117 Nighthawk, the Air Force's first stealth fighter, is about to retire. The technology that once made it a unique weapon system has now caught up to it and newer fighter aircraft are now joining the fleet. Still, the Nighthawk was the first of its kind, a

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Oct. 28

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Oct. 28. In Afghanistan Oct. 27, a U.S. Air Force B-1B provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Gangikhel. The B-1B dropped Guided

  • Air Force leader visits to observe base's energy conservation methods

    The Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Logistics visited Edwards Oct. 25 as part of a multi-base visit to the service's top energy saving bases. William C. Anderson made Edwards a stopping point in his trip for what he said were "several reasons." First, he said

  • Air Force major works 'down under' in support of mission

    While the air show here ended Oct. 22 and the C-17 Globemaster III crew from Hawaii headed back to their home at Hickam Air Force Base, one U.S. Airman remained -- not because he missed the flight home, but because he's already home.Maj. James Hearn, commander of Detachment 1 of the 735th Air

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Oct. 27

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Oct. 27.In Afghanistan Oct. 26, an Air Force B1-B Lancer and A-10 Tunderbolt IIs provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near

  • Boom uses steady hand to keep aircraft fighting

    "It's more like trying to knock a melon off a post by pushing a 20-foot pole through a chain-link fence on a windy day." Senior Airman Jered Danielson compared operating the boom at nearly 5 miles above Iraq to a video game, but there's more to it than just playing a game.Airman Danielson, a 340th

  • California Air Guardsmen save life in Mexico

    Air Guardsmen from the 129th Rescue Wing here conducted a successful medical evacuation of a U.S. citizen in La Paz, Mexico, Oct. 24 while Tropical Storm Paul brewed off the southern coast of the Baja Peninsula. Responding to the call from the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center based out of

  • Airman missing in action from Vietnam War is identified

    The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced Oct. 26 that the remains of an Airman, missing in action from the Vietnam War, have been identified and returned to his family for burial with full military honors. He is Maj. Charles L. Bifolchi of Quincy, Mass. He will be buried on

  • Virtual weapons give realistic training at Emerald Warrior

    The first integration of live and virtual net-centric weapons in special operations forces occurred as part of Emerald Warrior 07 on Oct. 25. Airmen participating in the exercise benefit from the simulation technology, which lets them experience near-realistic combat training. In the last few years,

  • Green Lightning exercise strengthens U.S., Australian ties

    Two B-52 Stratofortress bombers of the 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron completed a long-range training sortie from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, to Australia's Delamere Air Weapons Range in the Northern Territory Oct. 24. This "Green Lightning" sortie is only the second of its kind, continuing a

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Oct. 26

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Oct. 26. In Afghanistan Oct. 25, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Khakeran. The A-10s

  • Charleston Aerial Port Squadron 'Leans' forward

    Members of the 437th Aerial Port Squadron here have leaned forward to streamline processes to save money while getting vital equipment to the warfighter faster. Using Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century, 437th APS officials re-evaluated several of their workflow processes and developed

  • Industry Days emphasize Air Force need for new tanker

    Nearly 100 people from industry and the government attended the Oct. 24 kick off of Tanker Industry Days in nearby Dayton, Ohio. Sponsored by Aeronautical Systems Center's 653rd Aeronautical Systems Squadron at Wright-Patterson AFB, Industry Days enhanced competition through communication with

  • AFA chairman gauges issues visiting Aviano Airmen

    When the Air Force Association chairman visited here today, he didn't stay long.   And that's not a bad thing. A brief stay meant Bob Largent could quickly report back what Airmen's concerns are to Air Force leaders, members of Congress, and the public. "(I am here) to learn the issues first hand

  • Officials announce C-130J contract conversion

    Air Force officials announced today the multi-year procurement contract Oct. 25 for the C-130J Hercules has been converted from a Federal Acquisition Regulation Part 12 to a FAR Part 15 contract. In order to comply with the fiscal 2006 National Defense Authorization Act, the C-130J contract has been

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Oct. 25

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have released the airpower summary for Oct. 25.In Afghanistan Oct. 24, an Air Force B-1 Lancer provided close-air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Sardaran and Garmsir. In total, 31