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  • Hungary-based Airmen write new chapter in mulitinational operations

    At this small, bare-bones, communist-era airfield located in the Hungarian countryside, midpoint between Budapest and Vienna, American Airmen are writing a dynamic new chapter in multinational cooperation and flight operations. Airmen assigned to the Heavy Airlift Wing at Papa Air Base,

  • Air Force awards $365 million Secondary Power Logistics Solution contract

    Officials from the U.S. Air Force and Honeywell International Inc. signed a new eight-year, $365 million extension to the Secondary Power Logistics Solution contract to provide logistics and depot support for F-15 Eagle fighter aircraft.This extension builds on Increment I of the SPLS contract,

  • SecAF, community honor Keesler AFB

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley praised the robust partnership of the Air Force and its sister services at the Salute to the Military in Biloxi, Miss., Oct. 23.Donley addressed nearly 1,000 military members and community representatives at the 34th annual event sponsored by the Mississippi

  • In wake of Sandy, mobility Airmen poised to 'answer the call'

    Across the nation, mobility Airmen are assessing the damage left by Hurricane Sandy at their own Air Force bases along the East Coast and beginning the process of recovery, while also standing ready to answer the call for support of relief efforts from civilian authorities. In the wake of the

  • McGuire continues recovery efforts, FEMA base of operations

    Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst personnel are continuing with recovery efforts and expect to resume most operations Wednesday.Impact from the storm includes fallen trees, scattered debris, some property damage, minor flooding and power outages."The entire joint base's preparation efforts went a

  • More than 7,400 National Guard members responding to Hurricane Sandy

    More than 7,400 Citizen-Soldiers and -Airmen had been mobilized in 11 states to respond to Hurricane Sandy by 4:30 a.m., Oct. 30, and more were on the way.National Guard assistance to local first responders and the Federal Emergency Management Agency included support at evacuation shelters, route

  • Weather recon squadron takes last look at 'Sandy'

    Pilots and crewmembers from the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron took off from Hunter Army Airfield, Ga., to conduct a weather reconnaissance mission over the East coast prior to Hurricane Sandy making landfall on Monday, Oct. 29.  The WC-130J weather recon aircraft made a final mission before

  • NORTHCOM supports hurricane response efforts

    U.S. Northern Command is poised to provide Defense Department support to Federal Emergency Management Agency, tribal, state and local response efforts due to Hurricane Sandy.Part of NORTHCOM's defense support of civil authorities mission directs the command to plan and anticipate actions that it may

  • 305th AMW Airmen evacuate ahead of 'Sandy'

    The 305th Air Mobility Wing evacuated its C-17 Globemaster IIIs and KC-10 Extenders from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Sunday, Oct. 28, in anticipation of Hurricane Sandy's arrival to the area.The C-17s were sent to Joint Base Charleston, S.C., and MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. The KC-10 Extenders

  • California Air Guard members prepare to assist with Hurricane Sandy response

    More than 100 California Air National Guardsmen from the 129th Rescue Wing are preparing to mobilize to the East Coast to assist with Hurricane Sandy rescue efforts.Two MC-130P Combat Shadow aircraft, two HH-60G Pave Hawk rescue helicopters and two Guardian Angel Pararescue teams will mobilize to

  • U.K. F-35 fleet increases capability at Eglin AFB

    A second British F-35B Lightning II arrived here Oct. 19, joining the nine A variants of the joint strike fighter flown by the Air Force and the 11 B variants flown by the Marine Corps to become the largest fleet of F-35s in the world with 22 jets.The first class of United Kingdom Royal Air Force

  • Remains of two Airmen lost in 1969 identified, honored

     The remains of two Airmen who died when their F-4D Phantom II was shot over Laos in 1969 were returned and honored at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors Oct. 19.Col. Wendell Keller, of Fargo, N.D., and Capt. Virgil K. Meroney III, of Fayetteville, Ark., were killed when their

  • Aviano unveils first locally painted F-16

    The 31st Maintenance Squadron unveiled Aviano's first locally-painted F-16 during a ribbon cutting ceremony for a new NATO-funded Corrosion Control Facility here Oct. 19, which will enable the squadron to sustain and extend the life of F-16 fighter jets and avoid costs to perform the task elsewhere.

  • 'Green Flag' keeps Airmen, Soldiers mission ready

    "If the band played a piece first with the piccolo, then with the brass horn, then with the clarinet, and then with the trumpet, there would be a lot of noise, but no music," said Gen. George S. Patton during World War II. "To get harmony in the music, each instrument must support the others. To get

  • Declassified document shows 'real' flying saucer

    The grainy film showed a round ship floating out of a hangar. Its silver, aluminum exterior glinted in the sun as it hovered a few feet off the ground. As it glided over a pool of water, it kicked debris into the air and the glass canopies of the two cockpits were showered with grass and gravel as

  • Hurlburt Airman found dead after boating mishap identified

    An active-duty Hurlburt Airman who was found dead Oct. 21 after a boating mishap has been identified. Rescue workers recovered the body of Airman 1st Class Colby Siegel, 1st Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, in Mary Esther, Fla., at 7:44 a.m. that day, according to the Okaloosa

  • U.S., ROK showcase skills during 2012 Air Power Day

    Osan Air Base hosted 65,000 visitors to reinforce the enduring partnership between the U.S. and the Republic of Korea during an Air Power Day celebration held Oct. 20 and 21.More than 22 Pacific Air Forces aircraft were on display while the ROK's premiere demonstration team, the Black Eagles, took

  • Airmen deploy in support of downed Black Hawk

    Two joint inspectors from the 8th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron were tasked with an invaluable mission in - to forward deploy to a remote forward operating base in Afghanistan and help with the inspection and movement of a downed UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter.Tech. Sgt. Peter Feliciano Jr. and

  • Air Force releases RFP for next search and rescue helicopter

    The Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition announced today the posting of the Combat Rescue Helicopter (CRH) Request for Proposal (RFP) to the Federal Business Opportunities website, signaling the official launch of this high priority Air Force acquisition program. The

  • Deployed maintainers keep the 'Herc' fit to fight

    Every day, thousands of coalition service members operating in Afghanistan rely on the C-130 Hercules to enable their operations; to meet this requirement, the men and women who operate this venerable tactical airlift workhorse rely on a team of maintainers who keep the "Hercs" ready to fly.

  • Alaska National Guard conducts three search-and-rescues in three days

    The 11th Air Force Rescue Coordination Center is working around the clock to lead search-and-rescue efforts, calling in multiple agencies, including the Alaska Air National Guard, to assist in three separate missions since Oct. 14. The first mission the RCC opened was in response to an overdue Super

  • Air Force aims to invigorate energy efficiency programs

    The deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for energy spoke to a group of industry and civic leaders, and a handful of international military partners, about the service's energy saving initiatives at the Air Force Association's monthly breakfast Oct. 17 in Crystal City, Va.Dr. Kevin T. Geiss

  • F-35A completes first in-flight JDAM release

    An F-35A conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) aircraft completed the first in-flight weapons release of a 2,000 pound GBU-31 BLU-109 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) from a 5th Generation fighter, Oct. 16. The flight was conducted by U.S. Air Force Maj. Eric "Doc" Schultz. The aircraft, known

  • Pacific Thunder gets jump start at Osan AB

    For the fifth straight year, 31st and 33rd Rescue Squadron Airmen from Kadena Air Base, Japan, have teamed up with the 25th Fighter Squadron here to kick off Exercise Pacific Thunder 2012.The two-week exercise, focused entirely on combat search and rescue operations, began Oct. 11 and is scheduled

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Airman keeps mission on target

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)It was a bright, sunny day recently as Senior Airman Kimara Duncan wheeled her toolbox out to the flightline here. The air was warm and filled with the

  • Airmen missing from Vietnam War identified

    The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced today that the remains of two Airmen, missing in action from the Vietnam War, have been identified and will be buried, as a group, with full military honors. Col. Wendell Keller, of Fargo, N.D., and Capt. Virgil K. Meroney III, of

  • New York Air National Guard supports Antarctic research

    The New York Air National Guard's 109th Airlift Wing kicks off its annual support for the National Science Foundation in Antarctica as ski-equipped LC-130 Hercules aircraft head for Antarctica on Oct. 16 and 17.These aircraft will support the National Science Foundation's research in the Antarctic,

  • F-35: Newest fighter much more than just 'stealthy plane'

    The engines roared overhead as an F-35A fell into formation. Although this is a basic maneuver for the test pilots, the possibilities for combat environments created by these elite aircraft working together are anything but mundane.The F-35, which features three variants to be used by the Air Force,

  • Silver Star represents 44-year closure for KIA Airman's family

    "Promise me you're going to find out what happened to him."All Lillian Calfee wanted to know was the fate of her only son.On March 11, 1968, Lillian was told by her daughter-in-law, June Calfee, that her son, Master Sgt. James Calfee was missing in action. He was part of a secret mission in

  • Predators, Reapers break flying record

    The 29th Attack Squadron, 9th Attack Squadron, and the 6th Reconnaissance Squadron set a non-combat record October 2, by flying six MQ-9 Reapers and four MQ-1 Predators simultaneously during a training mission at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. The 29th ATKS, 9th ATKS and the 6th RS recently increased

  • Sound barrier pioneer celebrates 65 years

    Retired Brig. Gen. Chuck Yeager, the first person to fly faster than the speed of sound, celebrated the 65th anniversary of his ground breaking event with a re-enactment here Oct. 14.Yeager was serving as a test pilot and flying the experimental Bell X-1 named the, "Glamorous Glennis," Oct. 14,

  • Army UH-1H finds new home with Air Force

    The Inter-American Air Forces Academy at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland recently landed a new training tool that upgrades the helicopter maintenance courses it offers to students from Latin American partner nations.The arrival of an Army UH-1H helicopter at IAAFA's 318th Training Squadron is

  • Academy cadets to conduct 'Flightline of the Future' research

    The U.S. Air Force Academy's Dean of the Faculty Brig. Gen. Dana H. Born signed a cooperative research and development agreement with officials from Lockheed Martin recently for a "Flightline of the Future" initiative and three other research-related projects.The Flightline of the Future program, a

  • Brig. Gen. Witham nominated as ANG deputy director

    Brig. Gen. James C. "JC" Witham has been named the next deputy director of the Air National Guard. Witham had served as the chief of staff of the California National Guard and the commander of that state's Air National Guard."I am thrilled and humbled for the opportunity to lead the best Air

  • AF nominates AFMC, AFSPC civilians for DOD award

    Two Air Force civilians have been nominated for the Department of Defense Distinguished Civilian Service Award.Dr. Boris Tomasic, Air Force Research Laboratory, Air Force Materiel Command, and Angelica M. Collazo, 92nd Information Operations Squadron, Air Force Space Command, will represent the Air

  • 'Vortex surfing' could be revolutionary

    Migrating birds, NASCAR drivers and Tour de France bicyclists already get it. And now the Air Force is thinking about flying gas-guzzling cargo aircraft in formation -- 'dragging' off one another -- on long-haul flights across the oceans.Flight tests with C-17s "vortex surfing" at Edwards Air Force

  • Tail swap enables Afghan mission support and humanitarian effort

    A 317th Airlift Group C-130J and aircrew already assigned to deploy to Afghanistan on a tail-swap mission were given the perfect opportunity to conduct their mission and help the people of Afghanistan as well by participating in the Denton Program and transporting school supplies to students and

  • Fort Smith ANG Airmen Head Home

    Arkansas Air National Guard A-10 Thunderbolt II aircrews and maintainers began their journey home this week after successfully completing a three-month deployment with the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing where they provided close air support to coalition forces in Afghanistan.Due to the close knit

  • 1952 C-124 crash descendant finds closure in Alaska

    In November 1952, Airman Isaac Anderson sealed the envelope on a letter to his bride.  "I will be getting on a plane for Alaska in two hours. I love you, take care of my son," he wrote. Airman Anderson and 51 other passengers and crewmembers aboard the C-124 Globemaster enroute to Elmendorf Air

  • F-15 test force celebrates 10 years of Eagle improvements

    On Oct. 12, the F-15 Operational Flight Program Combined Test Force celebrates its 10-year anniversary.The members of the unit, many of whom were there at the inception, recalled the major accomplishments and changes they've seen after 10 years.The OTP CTF is a unit composed of active/reserve

  • Discovery Channel series highlights C-17

    The show "Mighty Planes" took aim at a new plane, the C-17 Globemaster III, and the Discovery Channel was here to film the versatile cargo plane from Sept. 20 to Sept. 26. "The whole show Mighty Planes is exactly what it is, it's planes that are 'mighty;' that are big," said Stephen Grant, the

  • Elmendorf P38 Lightning

    Flying through a January sky in 1945, U.S. Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. Robert Nesmith was piloting a P-38G Lightning - one of the Air Force's best aircraft during World War II. The plane, equipped with two engines and relatively long wings, was a beautiful sight, and Nesmith worked hard to be in a

  • Airmen showcase C-17 to New Zealanders

    Thousands of New Zealanders visited the Christchurch International Airport for a chance to get a glimpse inside the cockpit of a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft, which deployed to Christchurch from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., Sep. 29 in support of Operation Deep Freeze 2012.Airmen from the 62nd

  • AF leaders encourage energy savings in latest 'Letter to Airmen'

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley, Chief of Staff of the Air Force General Mark A. Welsh III and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James A. Roy issued a tri-signature "Letter to Airmen" on Sept. 28.As part of Energy Action Month this October, the Air Force's top three leaders

  • Wolfenbarger: AFMC 5-Center reorganization on track

    After some 18 months of planning and careful transition, Air Force Materiel Command officials are ready to declare initial operational capability of AFMC's 5-Center reorganization Oct. 1.In early July, the command began activating its new centers and consolidating others as it transitioned from

  • Airman missing from WWII identified

    The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced today that the remains of a serviceman, missing in action from World War II, have been identified and will be returned to his family for burial with full military honors. Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. Samuel E. Lunday, of Marianna,

  • Crew chiefs shine under dangerous conditions

    Two Airmen from the 5th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron were recently coined by wing leadership for their work in helping to prevent the spread of a potentially disastrous fire involving a B-52H Stratofortress. The situation all began during a routine B-52 landing procedure when crew chiefs Senior

  • Former SAC commander dies

    Retired Gen. Bennie L. Davis, former commander in chief of Strategic Air Command and director of the Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff, with headquarters at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., died Sept. 23 in Georgetown, Texas. He was 84 years-old.Davis assumed his position as the SAC commander in

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Hero's story comes to life

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)He was 13 years old when he received a copy of the book "Into the Mouth of the Cat" from his father. Capt. Jason Powell didn't know it then, but the

  • Carter visits F-16 international training school

    Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter visited the 162nd Fighter Wing at Tucson International Airport here Sept. 26 to learn about international F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft pilot training.The Arizona Air National Guard was one of several stops Carter made throughout the Tucson area."It was very

  • Nellis helps Make-A-Wish come true

    There are many people who wish for the opportunity to see the home of the fighter pilot.With the help of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Georgious Kalevrosoglou, an 18-year-old from Greece, diagnosed with leukemia, was able to do just that.Members of the 57th Wing gave Kalevrosoglou and his family a

  • Space shuttle arrives home for one last 'endeavor'

    For the Edwards community who has been actively involved in NASA's Space Shuttle program since flight testing began in the 1970's, it was a bittersweet day when Space Shuttle Endeavour arrived one last time Sept. 20, piggy-backed on NASA's Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft.When the SCA departed

  • FEVER 11 wins Tunner award

    The aircrew of FEVER 11 received the William H. Tunner Award at the Annual Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition award ceremony here,Sept. 17. FEVER 11 received the award, which is presented to the most outstanding airlift crew in the U.S. Air Force for a rescue alert, for a casualty

  • Comptroller outlines continuing resolution, sequestration

    The continuing resolution the Senate approved Sept. 22 and the president is expected to sign this week will affect short- and long-term Defense Department spending in coming months, a senior defense official said today.Pentagon Comptroller Robert F. Hale spoke on "Financing Defense: Strategies for

  • U.S. military inspires South African youth

    The sun was shining almost as brightly as the smiles on the faces of hundreds of children stepping onto a C-17 Globemaster III for the first time, Sept. 20.The children arrived at the Africa Aerospace and Defense Exposition, here to participate in a Youth Development Program. The program partners

  • 734th AMS supports Valiant Shield 12

    Airmen from the 734th Air Mobility Squadron brought their support during Exercise Valiant Shield 2012 here, Sept. 11 to 17.This year, the 734th AMS received and downloaded 416 tons of cargo, 796 passengers and received 48 inbound aircraft."We all feel a great deal of pride from participating and

  • Airmen certified for F-35 engine runs

    An Airman seated in an aircraft, surrounded by electronic displays, surveys the cockpit of an F-35A Lightning II and begins rehearsed procedures that now feel comfortable. He feels the jet's familiar rumble below as the engine roars to life on the flightline. If you imagined the person in the seat

  • U.S. participates in South African Exposition

    More than 130 U.S. military members were invited to demonstrate the air and ground capabilities of American forces as they partnered with the South African air force during the 2012 Africa Aerospace and Defense Exposition here, Sept. 22-23."This was a tremendous opportunity for the U.S. military to

  • World War II veterans share memories during conference

    The first snow of the winter blanketed the German landscape below his P-51 Mustang, and as the young World War II pilot flew alongside others in formation, he noticed an important detail. "There were two silver aircraft and two painted with the green camouflage flying alongside me," said retired

  • Never forget: World War II Airman, POW shares story of resiliency

    Two flags wave in the wind of his front yard. The first is the U.S. flag, the symbol of his country. The second is the Prisoner of War/Missing in Action flag, the symbol of his sacrifice.His living room is decorated in combat medals, including the Purple Heart and Prisoner of War medal. They are

  • Comptroller: Sequestration Would Devastate Defense Spending

    Sequestration will devastate every aspect of Defense Department spending, from fighting the war in Afghanistan and supporting troop health and morale to training, maintenance and modernization, and carrying out the defense strategic guidance, Pentagon Comptroller Robert F. Hale said here Sept.

  • KC-46 enters critical design review phase

    The Air Force KC-46A program director described the critical development phases of the next-generation refueling aircraft during the 2012 Air Force Association Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition in Washington, D.C., Sept. 18.Maj. Gen. John F. Thompson, program executive officer for

  • IDS agencies team up to teach life skills to new Airmen

    The opportunity for approximately 150 Airmen to learn more about personal finance, team building, stress management and relationships was made possible by a new pilot program aimed at providing Airmen with tools to enhance their overall life-skills knowledge base.Through collaboration between the

  • Carter: Sequestration would have effect of 'hidden tax'

    Because it would lead to inefficiencies, the sequestration mechanism built into the Budget Control Act would amount to a hidden tax, Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter said here Sept. 20."If sequestration happens, it is not only disruptive in many ways I'd love to describe, but it's a hidden

  • 36th Wing provides consistent evac support in Asia-Pacific

    With tsunami threats recently pervading the Asia-Pacific region, the 36th Wing here has been actively exercising its capabilities of providing evacuation support to neighboring bases while simultaneously accommodating some of the largest joint and coalition exercises in the region."This year the

  • AFLINK mobile app keeps people connected to everything Air Force

    Staying connected and keeping up with the latest news and information has never been easier for America's Airmen. On the Air Force's 65th birthday, Sept. 18, officials announced that the service has released a mobile application designed to keep Airmen, families, retirees, recruits and the public

  • First week of RARO 12 wraps up

    The first week of live training at Ramstein Rover 2012 ended Sept. 16 here. RARO 12 is a NATO exercise focused on preparing forward air controllers to support ground commanders in Afghanistan within the next year. Multiple nations are participating, including the U.S., Czech Republic, United

  • Welsh: 'The only way to move forward is together'

    The active-duty Air Force, its Reserve and the Air National Guard must work together to move forward, the chief of staff of the Air Force said here last week."I have trouble seeing lines between components of services, because I believe on the air side we have an Air Force -- it has three

  • Donley talks sequestration, explains AF budget plans

    The threat of sequestration continues to overhang "all budget decisions across the federal government," said Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley here Sept. 17.During his keynote remarks at the 2012 Air Force Association Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition, Donley conveyed the

  • Shinseki: VA honors 'exceptional Americans'

    The Airmen of today's United States Air Force display the same guts, determination and skill as their forebears in the wars of earlier eras, Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki said today at the Air Force Association's annual meeting.Service members stepped forward to repel the surprise

  • SecAF highlights 'state of force' at AFA conference

    In his keynote address at the 2012 Air Force Association's Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition here Sept. 17, Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley discussed major service accomplishments over the last 12 months and the Air Force's strategic way ahead.Donley said the Air Force's

  • Public trust requires apolitical military, Dempsey says

    The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff wants service members and veterans to consider what using the uniform for partisan politics does to the trust Americans have in their military.Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey has maintained throughout his 38-year career that the American military, as a whole,

  • Leaders to committee: Air Force on track for 2014 auditability deadline

    Leaders from each armed service and the Defense Department testified Sept. 14 to the House Armed Services Committee about the DOD's efforts to become auditable by 2014.The original auditable date was 2017, but Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta accelerated that goal in late 2011 by setting a DOD-wide

  • Total force effort brings people home after Libyan attack

    A C-17 Globemaster III answered the urgent call to fly 36 passengers to safety out of Libya following the attack on the U.S. consulate Sept. 12 that had resulted in the death of the U.S. ambassador and three others. The aircraft was under the command and control of the 618th Air and Space Operations

  • Air Force Marathon breaks another attendance record

    The 2012 running of the Air Force Marathon was the largest ever and sold out in record time. The race has grown to a field of more than 15,000 runners, doubling in size since 2008, representing all 50 states, 15 countries, all military services, and a diversity that included world-class marathoners,

  • F-35A maintenance training on track

    As the Air Force begins its Operational Utility Evaluation of the F-35A Lightning II, maintenance training to support the joint strike fighter is also preparing for key program milestones.Though the first "pipeline" students -- basic military training graduates -- don't begin training until January

  • AF joins NATO partners in Ramstein Rover 2012

    The U.S. Air Force joins 15 other nations in Ramstein Rover 2012 here from Sept. 5-22. RARO 12 is a NATO exercise focusing on forward air control and close air support capabilities. A-10 Thunderbolt IIs from the 81st Fighter Squadron, out of Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, are flying throughout the

  • National Guard vital to Africa Command mission

    "We in Africa Command rely on members of the Army and Air National Guard every day to accomplish our mission," Army Gen. Carter Ham told attendees at the 134th National Guard Association of the United States General Conference."The National Guard -- its Soldiers and Airmen -- are essential

  • Airmen wrap up Winfly on the 'ice'

    Despite operating in harsh conditions and experiencing multiple weather delays, the 304th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, comprised of Airmen from the 62nd and 446th Airlift Wings at McChord Field, completed its winter flying period into McMurdo Station, Antarctica Aug. 29, in support of the U.S.

  • First F-35 training commander: 'This jet is our future'

    Five months of flying the Air Force's newest fighter jet has left one Airman convinced of the aircraft's substantial combat capability.Lt. Col. Lee Kloos is the commander of the 58th Fighter Squadron, the Defense Department's first F-35 Lightning II training squadron, located at Eglin Air Force

  • Safety at center of growing RPA requirement

    Gen. Hap Arnold may have startled even his most visionary contemporaries when he said on V-J Day, "The next war may be fought by airplanes with no men in them at all. Take everything you've learned about aviation in war, throw it out of the window, and let's go to work on tomorrow's aviation."No one

  • Air Evac Airmen test capabilities on new airframe

    Airmen from the 86th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron tested their aeromedical evacuation capabilities on a new airframe here Sept. 3.The civilian Gulfstream III, or G3, provides the range and speed needed to reach different parts of Africa and Eurasia in a day, something the C-21 and some of the

  • 731st AMS completes MRAP mission

    Airmen from the 731st Air Mobility Squadron were key players recently in the first delivery of Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles to U.S. Forces in Korea. The squadron helped deliver the first five MRAP vehicles to U.S. Army units stationed on the peninsula in early July 2012 for use in

  • New AFSC coming for AFSOC enlisted aircrew

    Almost 470 flight engineers, aerial gunners and loadmasters who fly Air Force Special Operations Command's CV-22, AC-130 and Non-Standard Aviation aircraft are transitioning to one Air Force specialty code, 1A9X1 Special Mission Aviation starting in November. Master Sgt. Ben Lerman, AFSOC's aerial

  • F-35A reaches 'huge milestone' in program development

    Air Force officials begin their F-35A Lightning II Operational Utility Evaluation Sept. 10, an instrumental step in beginning Joint Strike Fighter pilot and maintenance training for the service. Two 33rd Fighter Wing pilots at Eglin AFB, Fla., along with two Air Force test pilots, will conduct the

  • Fighting birds with birds

    The 22nd Air Refueling Wing Bird Aircraft Strike Hazard program is being overhauled with new contractors employing the use of a falcon to keep skies clear from avian adversaries.The BASH program is in place to reduce bird strikes by introducing a natural predator into the area to ward off smaller

  • Wolf Pack Defenders go virtual to train

    One might assume the term "gunship" would most likely be overheard on a documentary for 20th century naval engineering.It is, however, what Airmen from the 8th Security Forces Squadron and members from the Republic of Korea Army heard during "call for fire" training last week, which included

  • ANG, Coast Guard complete joint rescue mission

    California Air National Guardsmen from the 129th Rescue Wing, in a joint mission with the U.S. Coast Guard, successfully completed the rescue of two distressed fishermen aboard a fishing vessel about 1,400 miles off the coast of Acapulco, Mexico. On Sunday, Sept. 2, the Air Force Rescue Coordination

  • Warner Robins C-130 team earns DoD top maintenance honor

    When the Department of Defense announced its top maintenance awards for depot and field-level units, recognizing outstanding achievement in weapon system and military equipment maintenance, it was a Robins Air Force Base, Ga., unit earning top honors.The 2012 Robert T. Mason Depot Maintenance

  • Andersen and Australian EOD work together in Tri-Crab 2012

    Team Andersen's Explosive Ordnance Disposal participated in the biennial multinational EOD exercise Tri-Crab 2012 from Aug. 20-31 on and around Guam.Tri-Crab is a combined engagement that focuses on strengthening relationships within the Asia-Pacific region through training and information

  • Iraqi air force F-16 training takes off in Arizona

    While the Republic of Iraq anticipates an initial deliveryof F-16 Fighting Falcons in September 2014, the pilots who will fly themembark on a historic partnership with the Arizona Air National Guard's 162ndFighter Wing here to learn how to fly the multipurpose fighter.Already, two Iraqis have joined

  • Afghan airmen learn language of flight

    Whether an Afghan airmen needs to fly an aircraft safely, communicate with air traffic controllers, or maintain and fix equipment, he must first learn the language of flight.English is the language of flight used around the world, and Afghan airmen are learning to speak it fluently at the Kandahar

  • Operational F-22's employ small diameter bombs during WSEP

    During a Combat Hammer exercise Alaska F-22 Raptors became the first operational F-22 unit to drop GBU-39 small diameter bombs.Although small diameter bombs have been employed by test pilots, Combat Hammer, a weapons system evaluation program sponsored by the 86th Fighter Weapons Squadron, provided

  • African air chiefs pledge cooperation, trust, solutions

    The 2012 Regional Air Chief Conference wrapped up here Aug. 30, leaving military leaders from multiple North and Western African nations excited about progress and resolutions involving an increase in regional coordination.One of the main points was, "The need to share information," said Ghana air

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Pushing through pain like a Spartan

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)Airman 1st Class Adam Orton is far from the ultra-endurance athletes, military special operators and seasoned adventure athletes typically found at the