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U.S. Air Force News

  • Raptor redefines maneuverability

    "Turning on a dime" brings to mind images of a split-second change of direction. Imagine doing that in a jet hurtling through the sky. That is the F-22 Raptor.The F-22 design, with its stealth, supercruise and integrated avionics, provides a high degree of assurance that a "dogfight" will not be

  • Hill experts renovate F-16s for Thailand's air force

    The first five F-16 Fighting Falcons of 16 being renovated by aircraft experts here left for Thailand recently. The remainder of the modified fighters are scheduled to join the Royal Thai air force by January.The F-16s, which will be used as air defense fighters, were brought here from

  • Supply flight keeps parts moving at OEF base

    The 379th Air Expeditionary Wing is one of the largest units in the Persian Gulf region to support Operation Enduring Freedom. Its primary aircraft are KC-10 Extenders and KC-135 Stratotankers. The wing has delivered almost 300 million pounds of fuel to U.S. and coalition aircraft in the war on

  • New facility for airborne laser ground testing

    With the airborne laser flight test program under way, members of the ABL Integrated Test Force here are putting the finishing touches on a new facility that will be key to upcoming ground tests.The $18.5 million test support structure, known as the Ground Pressure Recovery Assembly, will allow the

  • Aircraft storage center receives first B-1

    The first of two dozen B-1 Lancers to be stored as part of the Air Force's B-1 fleet reduction plan arrived at the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center here Aug. 20.The arrival starts a reduction process that will take the Air Force's B-1 fleet to 60 from its current 92 count. Twenty four

  • New radar keeps skies safe

    A new radar is improving safety for aircraft landing at a forward-operating location supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.The AN/MPN-25 Rapid Deployment Radar System was deployed in January."We brought it here to prove the system and provide a higher level of safety for the aircraft around the

  • Mom, son fight war on terrorism together

    The Schnichels family has done a great job of sticking together.Not only are three of them bearing the same last name stationed together at Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., but two are fighting the war on terrorism at the same forward-deployed location in the Arabian Gulf region.Master Sgt. Carol

  • Remembering close air support's humble beginnings

    Even the most complex of systems often begin with a simple idea.Case in point: close air support.While today's soldier can expect aerial support from fighter aircraft, specially designed gunships and helicopters -- even heavy bombers dropping laser guided munitions from several miles away -- the

  • Reserve aircrew honored for heroic mission

    When the call for help came the evening of Dec. 7, the MC-130E Combat Talon crew from the 919th Special Operations Wing here, did not hesitate to fly through enemy territory to assist their fellow special operators.The 711th Special Operations Squadron crew's actions earned them one of the Air Force

  • Detachment activated to support V-22 testing

    A new detachment was activated here recently to support V-22 Osprey testing.Detachment 2 was created to operationally test the MV-22 from the special operations perspective to assess its value as a baseline for the special operations variant, the CV-22."I'm proud to be part of the outstanding team

  • Yokota airmen stay ready

    Tech. Sgt. Michael Cannon, an electrical power production technician from the 374th Civil Engineer Squadron here, installs a barrier cable at the flightline during a readiness exercise here. The barrier is used to assist aircraft during emergency landings. Yokota is the primary airlift resource

  • CCAF offers FAA certification for engine maintainers

    After four years in development, a new certification program offered by the Community College of the Air Force could replace the title"aircraft mechanic" with "Federal Aviation Administration-certified aviation maintenance technician" in for airmen working on military aircraft.The Joint Service

  • Dyess NCO nets $10,000 for idea

    A Dyess senior noncommissioned officer is $10,000 richer thanks to his suggestion which will save the Air Force more than a quarter of a million dollars annually.Master Sgt. Stephen Schwartz, NCO in charge of the 7th Component Repair Squadron's engine shop here, submitted his suggestion through the

  • B-1 consolidation begins

    A year after the B-1 Lancer consolidation plan was first announced, people here are seeing the first steps take shape.The plan, announced last year, calls for the B-1 fleet to be consolidated here and at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D. The other three bases where B-1s were assigned have already

  • F-16 simulator goes high energy

    F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots here are honing their laser firing skills against airborne targets while flying their aircraft -- without ever leaving the ground.Pilots are using the high energy laser fighter simulator, an F-16 simulator modified to integrate a high energy laser weapon model into an

  • OEF missions 'challenging, fulfilling' for KC-135 crew

    A steady stream of warm sweat drips from Capt. Matt Bowers' face as he preflights the KC-135 Stratotanker for a mid-day mission that will take him to the skies over Afghanistan.Temperatures in the sauna-like cockpit reach 130 degrees during the 90-minute process and won't cool off until the tanker

  • Bird watch

    Master Sgt. Lloyd Webb, 40th Air Expeditionary Wing flight safety noncommissioned officer, ensures the airfield at a deployed location is clear of birds. The base uses a combination of methods such as airfield mowing, water drainage and pyrotechnics to help reduce the number of birds, which can be a

  • Lyles delivers newest C-17 to Air Force

    A critical piece of the Air Force puzzle was put in place Aug. 1 as Air Force Materiel Command's top officer delivered the newest C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft to Charleston Air Force Base, S.C.Gen. Lester Lyles, AFMC commander, delivered the aircraft, the 42nd C-17 to be delivered to

  • Board determines F-15E fire causes

    An accident investigation board recently determined an F-15E Strike Eagle engine stall and fire Feb. 12 was caused by several factors.Factors include operating the engine in secondary mode, a reduced stall margin and a high fuel-flow rate into the engine.The F-15E, assigned to the 492nd Fighter

  • Maintainers keep C-5 Galaxy fit for duty

    The mission almost sounds simple. Put a crew on the plane, fly it into the area of operations, pick up the cargo and head home.Sending the C-5 Galaxy into the international airport in Kandahar, Afghanistan, not only takes the skilled precision of aircrews, it also takes the airmen behind the scenes

  • F-15 Eagles still flying high at 30

    The F-15 Eagle turned 30 years old July 27, but those who fly it or maintain it say this bird is as spry as ever.Considering the numbers that really count, the aircraft is mission perfect. It currently boasts a combat record of 104 kills without a loss, a score that includes Israeli and Saudi