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  • SecAF thanks Airmen during Lajes visit

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley visited Lajes Field Airmen Dec. 18-19 to thank them for their service and countless sacrifices this holiday season. "During the holidays, please know that all Americans are keeping you and your families in their thoughts and prayers," Secretary Donley said.

  • Santa helps deliver fuel to remote bases in Afghanistan

    Santa Claus paid a surprise visit to the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron here Dec. 23 to assist in an airdrop delivery to remote forward operating bases in Afghanistan."I just wanted to bring a little holiday cheer to the men and women of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing and help out with a

  • Air expeditionary units inactivate after last Airmen leave Iraq

    Four air expeditionary units that were the air and space components to U.S. Forces-Iraq inactivated during a flag-casing ceremony Dec. 18 here. The 467th Air Expeditionary Group, 368th Expeditionary Air Support Operations Group, 321st Air Expeditionary Wing and 9th Air and Space Expeditionary Task

  • Communications failures contributed to border incident

    United States forces acted in self-defense and responded with appropriate force after being fired upon during a Nov. 25-26 incident on Afghanistan's border with Pakistan, according to findings from a Defense Department investigation that was released Dec. 22.Twenty-four Pakistani soldiers were

  • KC-10 cargo load training facility opens doors

    The new KC-10 cargo load training facility was officially opened at a ribbon cutting ceremony Dec. 16. The structure is the first of its kind in the Air Force, as a facility for cargo load training on the KC-10 Extender did not exist before today. The building will allow Airmen to train on cargo

  • Alaska National Guard brings Operation Santa Claus to Wales

    Santa, Mrs. Claus and 35 helpers brought Operation Santa Claus and holiday cheer on an Alaska National Guard C-130 Hercules to the small, remote Alaska village of Wales Dec. 9. The C-130 landed on the village's airstrip and was warmly greeted by community members on snow mobiles. Operation Santa

  • Air Guard unit provides testing ground for mask development

    Develop one aircrew mask that can be used on over 100 different air frames. That is the challenge for researchers assigned to the Joint Service Aircrew Mask-Fixed Wing Program.In early December, JSAM-FW researchers visited the 167th Airlift Wing, a West Virginia Air National Guard unit here, to

  • Lockheed Martin rolls-out final F-22 Raptor

    The final F-22 Raptor to be built for the U.S. Air Force, tail number 4195, rolled off the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics assembly line during a ceremony Dec. 13 at the company's Marietta plant. The fighter jet is the last of 187 F-22s produced, marking a bittersweet moment for members of the F-22

  • Panetta defends intelligence operations

    Declining to discuss details about a U.S. RQ-170 drone aircraft that went missing in Iran, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta defended the use of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft to protect the U.S.During a joint news conference here today with Afghan President Hamid Karzai,

  • Electronic flight bags could boost operational safety, effectiveness

    Improved safety, operational effectiveness and efficiency are just a few reasons Air Mobility Command officials are looking into using tablet devices such as electronic flight bags for aircrew members reference materials in the cockpit during in-flight emergencies."Moving from a paper-based to an

  • First Afghan pilot class in 30 years kicks off at Shindand

    The Afghan air force marked the beginning of its first undergraduate pilot training held exclusively inside Afghanistan in more than 30 years during a ceremony Dec. 10 here. More than 200 Afghan and coalition service members attended the ceremony.The first class will consist of seven Afghan air

  • NASA seeking astronaut candidates

    NASA is accepting applications for astronaut candidates via the USAJobs website, through Jan. 12, 2012, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced."Applicants who submit an application through the USAJobs site, must also do a separate application for the Air Force nomination board," said Howard

  • Hickam honors legacy, pays tribute to storied past

    At 7:55 a.m., some 70 years ago, lives on the sleepy island of Oahu were forever changed by an attacking force. JB Hickam took a living glimpse into this storied past filled with heroism, honor and valor on historic ground Dec. 7.On the very site Old Glory never left her post, where men like Joseph

  • Thunderbirds release 2012 show schedule

    The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds announced their 2012 show schedule Dec. 7. The team is set to perform more than 60 demonstrations in 33 locations, including two shows in Canada.The team, officially known as the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, will again kick-off their season by performing

  • Air Force pararescue exercise receives national accreditation

    The Angel Thunder exercise received Joint National Training Capability accreditation and certifications Nov. 30.Angel Thunder is an Air Combat Command-sponsored personnel recovery exercise held annually at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. Rescue units from all over the world send pararescueman

  • CAP marks 70th anniversary, honors World War II members

    Civil Air Patrol members observed the 70th anniversary of its founding with a ceremony Dec. 1 at its national headquarters here. During the ceremony, which celebrated the past, present and future of the official civilian auxiliary of the Air Force, CAP leaders presented Exceptional Service Awards to

  • Global Strike Command wins Creech Award for Maintenance Excellence

    Air Force Global Strike Command is the winner of the General Wilbur L. Creech Maintenance Excellence Award for 2011, Air Force officials announced last week. The Creech Award is named for Gen. Wilbur L. Creech, who received his commission and wings in 1949. He commanded at the wing and major command

  • Airman receives lifetime achievement award for alternative fuels

    A technical advisor at the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, was recently awarded a lifetime achievement award for his extensive work with alternative fuels.The Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative awarded William E. Harrison III the Visionary

  • Airmen complete important GPS airdrop mission in Afghanistan

    Airmen from the 772nd Expeditionary Airlift Squadron successfully completed an airdrop mission to Combat Outpost Herrera in east Afghanistan, using GPS-guided bundles to deliver the supplies Nov. 27.The C-130 Hercules, operated by its crew from the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing at Kandahar Airfield,

  • Nellis Airmen clean-up F-15 crash site

    Nellis Air Force Base Airmen worked alongside the Army National Guardsmen Aviation unit stationed in Stockton, Calif., to conduct recovery and clean-up efforts for the F-15C Eagle aircraft crash site in the Nevada Test and Training Range recently.The operation was the 820th RED HORSE Squadron

  • Maintenance advisers certify first-ever AAF expediter

    Maintenance advisers recently certified the first Afghan air force flightline expediter at Kandahar Air Wing.A direct maintenance commander delegate on the flightline and an expediter is responsible for efficiently utilizing manning and resources to effectively execute the flight schedule agreed

  • Former prisoner of war receives Purple Heart

    Almost 67 years after being shot down during a bombing raid during World War II, former 1st Lt. Edward J. Moppert Jr. received his Purple Heart medal Nov. 26 at the World War II Memorial here.A few years ago, Moppert's daughter, Lorene Moppert-Keipper, started organizing his military records and

  • CSAF visits Airmen in Iraq

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz visited Airmen here Nov. 17.During his trip, he met with Airmen at Sather Air Base and FOB Union III, both in Iraq, as well as with U.S. and Iraqi leaders. While at Sather AB, the general hosted an all call to discuss current Air Force issues and take

  • U.S., Swedish air forces conduct squadron exchange program

    Swedish Air Force and 48th Fighter Wing airmen participated in a week-long squadron exchange program here, which concluded Nov. 18. Swedish JAS-39 Gripen pilots went up against F-15C Eagle and F-15E Strike Eagle pilots in simulated combat scenarios to train with and learn from each other. The 493rd

  • VCSAF: America is an air and space nation

    The Air Force vice chief of staff discussed many topics concerning the current and future state of America's airpower at the Air Force Association's Global Warfare Symposium Nov. 18 in Los Angeles. Airpower has made the United States a global power, Gen. Phil Breedlove told an audience of

  • U.S., Canadian defense leaders call F-35 crucial

    Calling it crucial to the defense of North America, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Canadian Defense Minister Peter G. MacKay today emphasized that both nations are committed to developing the F-35 joint strike fighter.At a news conference here in conjunction with the Halifax International

  • Flying Tigers reunite, honor 70 years of service

    The 2011 Flying Tigers reunion brought together pilots who have flown attack and rescue aircraft bearing the infamous shark's teeth for the past 70 years.The remaining original Flying Tigers, made up of American Volunteer Group pilots and supporters who defended China in World War II, met Nov. 10

  • F-16s to strengthen Iraqi air defense, partnership with U.S.

    During a press conference Nov. 8  the commander of the Iraqi air force said Iraq's purchase of 18 F-16C Fighting Falcons, for their future air defense, will encourage and strengthen the strategic partnership between the U.S. and Iraq. In September, through the Foreign Military Sales program, the

  • Afghan airmen begin functional check flight training

    With coalition adviser support, Afghan airmen began post-phase funcitional check flight training recently in an effort to further professionalize the Afghan air force at Kandahar Air Wing. A phase inspection is a detailed inspection of an aircraft that includes servicing and cleaning and takes place

  • PACAF releases report on F-16 mishap at Kunsan AB

    Headquarters Pacific Air Forces today released the results of its investigation into a July 29, 2011, ground collision of two F-16CM aircraft at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea. Gen. Gary North, the Pacific Air Forces commander, directed an investigation into the incident. The accident investigation

  • U.S. assists with Turkish earthquake relief

    U.S. Air Forces in Europe sent a C-130J Super Hercules loaded with arctic relief supplies to south-eastern Turkey on Nov. 13 to aid victims of recent earthquakes there.The Van region of Turkey is coping with the aftereffects of two earthquakes: a magnitude 7.2 quake that occurred Oct. 23 and a

  • 28th BW garners top bomb wing honors

    After proving to be the top bomb wing in the U.S. Air Force, the 28th Bomb Wing here will bring home the Stanley Cup of trophies in the bomber community -- the Fairchild Trophy.The announcement was made during the Global Strike Command's Global Strike Challenge competition award ceremony at

  • DOD highlights U.S. military aircraft capabilities in 2011 Dubai Airshow

    AFCENT Airmen will lead the Department of Defense effort to showcase a variety of U.S. military aircraft at the 2011 Dubai Airshow from Nov. 13 to 17. The event demonstrates a shared commitment both to regional security and to developing the U.S. military's key relationships throughout Southwest

  • Close air support protects coalition forces, kills 70 insurgents

    F-15E Strike Eagles from the 335th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 121st EFS dropped more than 9,000 pounds of munitions through severe weather on enemy forces trying to overrun a combat outpost in Paktika province, Afghanistan, Nov. 8. According to reports, up to

  • Multi-service office to advance air-sea battle concept

    The Department of Defense announced the creation of a new office to integrate air and naval combat capabilities in support of emerging national security requirements Nov. 9.In the 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review, former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates directed the Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps

  • Photo essay: Last aircraft departs 313th Air Expeditionary Wing

    A KC-10 Extender deployed to the 313th Air Expeditionary Wing at a non-disclosed base here departed Nov. 8 to return back to the U.S.Airmen serving in the 313th AEW came from myriad places but served as "one team."Those Airmen, and the planes they use for air refueling and airlift for Operation

  • Air Force mobile app takes off

    The Air Force Recruiting Service's first smartphone app, Make-it-Fly, hit the Apple app store recently. This free app challenges users by allowing them to build and fly their own aircraft. To complete the series of nine mission objectives, users must choose from different fuselages, wings, engines

  • Libya mission ends, Airmen come home

    Airmen from the 22nd Air Refueling Wing here are returning home from Operation Unified Protector with more than 3,000 sorties and 29,170 hours flown. In March 2011, United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973 established a no-fly zone and NATO forces conducted ground strikes in coordination with

  • Fallen pilot laid to rest after 43 years

    Since 1977 a marker in memory of Air Force Col. Gilbert S. Palmer Jr. sat upon a hill for the pilot who went missing in action Feb. 27, 1968. Now, more than 43 years later, Palmer's remains have been returned to his family for proper burial in Arlington with full military honors. More than 30

  • Air Force Reserve pilot the first to reach 1,000 F-22 flight hours

    An Air Force Reserve pilot made history here Nov. 4 when he flew his 1,000 flight hour in an F-22 Raptor.Lt. Col. David Piffarerio, the 302nd Fighter Squadron commander, became the first Air Force pilot to reach the historic milestone."This is a great milestone for the pilots, maintainers and

  • 33rd RQS kicks off Pacific Thunder

    Members of the 33rd Rescue Squadron are teaming up with the 25th Fighter Squadron for Exercise Pacific Thunder 2011 Oct. 31 through Nov. 9 at Osan Air Base, Korea.Four HH-60G Pave Hawks from the 33rd Rescue Squadron here flew to Osan AB to participate in the exercise alongside A-10 Thunderbolt II's

  • Off-the-shelf solutions speed new equipment to Reserve, Guard

    By using ideas from recently deployed Airmen and using off-the-shelf technology, the Reserve Component has developed new equipment that saved lives and led to highly successful combat operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.This streamlined process is speeding high-tech acquisitions and was briefed by

  • Air Force modernization takes B-2 to North Pole

    A B-2 Spirit flew from here to the North Pole and back Oct. 27 on a mission to test the aircraft's hardware and software upgrades, endurance and its performance at extremely high latitudes. The 18-plus hour mission consisted of developmental and operational test points to prove that the B-2's

  • Service chiefs: Sequestration damage could be irreversible

    Damage to the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps could be irreversible if the Budget Control Act's "sequestration" provision takes another $600 billion from the defense budget, the military service chiefs said today.Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, Chief of Naval Operations Adm.

  • MC-12 reaches major milestones in Afghanistan

    Airmen from the 4th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron here achieved three major milestones in the month of October supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.The squadron, which operates the MC-12 Liberty, surpassed 10,000 sorties flown, 50,000 flight hours and supported ground operations that led to

  • Air Force assists in historic final transfer of Iraq's airspace

     With the Air Force's assistance, Iraq now has full air traffic control responsibility for the country's airspace for the first time since 2003.The Air Force transferred management of the Baghdad and Joint Base Balad Airspace sector to the Iraq Civil Aviation Authority Oct. 1. With this historic

  • Airmen deliver aid to Turkish earthquake victims

     U.S. European Command officials sent two C-130J Super Hercules loaded with cots, blankets, sleeping bags and hygiene kits to north eastern Turkey, Oct. 29 to aid victims of a recent earthquake there.The C-130Js from the 86th Airlift Wing departed Ramstein Air Base, Germany, to deliver the supplies

  • Airmen help provide aeromedical evacuation Libyan freedom fighters

    A team of 18 Airmen is preparing to evacuate 26 seriously wounded Libyan fighters to Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston and four critical cases to Germany for immediate care. The team consists of eight Airmen from the 86th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron and 10 from 10th Air Force.Capt.

  • Air Force's top maintainers recognized

    Two Air Force aircraft maintainers were recognized by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz during a ceremony here Oct. 28 for their outstanding contributions to the Air Force mission.Capt. William Bernecker, who is assigned to the 48th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Royal Air Force

  • Air Force vice chief testifies on readiness

    The Air Force vice chief of staff provided the Air Force perspective on readiness in an age of austerity to the House Armed Services Committee's Subcommittee on Readiness here Oct. 27.Gen. Phil Breedlove joined his Army, Navy and Marine Corps counterparts in discussing the challenges expected as the

  • Second volume of Pioneers in Blue launches

    The second volume of Pioneers in Blue, a special project highlighting the contributions of 40 Air Force veterans from across generations, will launch in late October."Pioneers in Blue" is a Air Force Public Affairs Agency sponsored project that includes portrait-based displays, video interviews,

  • Navigator, logistics officer receive Cheney Award

    Two Airmen received the Cheney Award from Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley here Oct. 27 in recognition of their efforts to support Pakistan flood relief operations in 2010. Maj. John Foy, a C-130E/H Hercules navigator, and Capt. Patrick Markey, a logistics readiness officer; both assigned

  • Barksdale AFB Airmen honor Ploesti Raiders

    Airmen had the opportunity to mingle with nearly 30 World War II veterans here Oct. 17-21 during the 98th Bomb Group Reunion. Members of the 98th BG Veterans Association hosted the famed Ploesti Raiders to highlight the achievements of the bomb group during World War II for their day-time raids

  • Nellis AFB F-15C crashes

    An F-15C Eagle aircraft crashed at approximately 4:45 p.m. Oct. 24 on federal lands northwest of Alamo, Nev.The pilot ejected from the aircraft and was transported to the Mike O'Callaghan Federal Hospital for medical examination, but was uninjured.There is no outstanding threat to the public at this

  • Mobility Air Forces Airmen shoulder success of fuel conservation efforts

    Experienced marathon athletes are rarely haphazard about running. From the morning's breakfast ingredients to stretching minutes before they start, marathon performance relies heavily on controlled efficiency. Similarly, air mobility performance increasingly relies on controlled fuel efficiency. As

  • New airlift routes provide new possibilities

    Planners here teamed with planners from the U.S. Transportation Command and the aircrew of a C-5M Super Galaxy Sept. 25 and 26 to open a new nonstop route from the U.S. to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan.The aircrew members and aircraft originated from the 436th Airlift Wing at Dover Air Force Base,

  • SecAF: Stay focused on readiness during challenging times

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley toured the base and spoke to more than 250 Airmen during an all call here Oct. 17-18.Donley, currently in his fourth year as secretary, said it had been more than 20 years since his last visit here. He complimented the strong community support enjoyed by the

  • Andersen AFB preps for Operation Christmas Drop 2011

    Airmen here are shifting into high gear in preparation for the 60th iteration of the Air Force's longest-running, humanitarian-airlift mission -- Operation Christmas Drop. Since 1951, Operation Christmas Drop has been spreading the holiday spirit in the form of needed supplies to residents in some

  • Historic 'surge' exercises airlift crisis, contingency response

    A surge of C-5 Galaxies, slated to take place Oct. 17 - 21, will bring together 18 active-duty and 23 Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command crews and aircraft to fly cargo in support of combatant commanders across the globe. The assembly of the nation's largest military airlifters will

  • Congress reviews future Reserve equipment upgrades

    As Congress works on the fiscal year 2012 budget and to reduce federal debt, Army and Air Force Reserve and National Guard leaders were on Capitol Hill here to testify and answer questions about their funding proposals Oct. 12.Chairman Roscoe Bartlett and Ranking Member Silvestre Reyes lead the

  • Denton Program, 437th APS support humanitarian missions

    There is currently 24,800 pounds of humanitarian aid stored at the 437th Aerial Port Squadron here waiting to be shipped to Colon, Honduras on Oct. 25. Twenty reverse osmosis water purification systems and two anesthesia machines are being sent to provide clean water and medical supplies to more

  • Airman earns $10,000 with a simple IDEA

    While performing a routine test procedure, a 90th Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons expediter's heart sunk when he heard a sound no maintainer ever wants to hear -- crunch. He had accidentally damaged an F-22 Raptor configurable rail launcher that mounts the fighter's AIM-9 Sidewinder heat-seeking

  • AMC officials save energy in the office, on the road

    With an annual energy bill of more than $100 million, not including aircraft fuel, Air Mobility Command officials are exploring ways to save energy and the money spent on it. While the most obvious energy savings might come from the flying mission, AMC is working just as hard to save energy on the

  • Quick thinking earns Airman Distinguished Flying Cross

    An A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot was presented the Distinguished Flying Cross during a ceremony here Sept. 30.Maj. Ryan Hayde was presented the medal by Brig. Gen. Terrence O'Shaughnessy, the 57th Wing commander, for his actions during his recent deployment to Afghanistan."It's an honor to receive such

  • AFSOC's first MC-130J Combat Shadow II arrives at Cannon AFB

    Airmen assigned to the 27th Special Operations Wing held an aircraft acceptance ceremony Sept. 29 on the flightline here for the arrival of Air Force Special Operations Command's first MC-130J Combat Shadow II. Lt. Gen. Eric E. Fiel, the AFSOC commander, and Brig. Gen. Stephen Clark, the AFSOC

  • Family, friends say goodbye to founding air commando

    Airmen gathered here Oct. 3 to render a final salute to retired Maj. Gen. John Alison as he was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. "We have lost a great American, a dear friend, and a committed and loving family man," Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz said during a eulogy at

  • CSARs rescue wounded Afghan soldiers during high-risk mission

    Rescuing injured coalition forces in Afghanistan is something the 83rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron at Bagram Airfield is accustomed to doing, but flying over 12,000-foot mountains and aerial refueling presented dynamic challenges during a mission Sept. 11. Airmen from the 83rd ERQS, known as the

  • Air Force leaders issue Energy Awareness message

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz send the following message regarding energy awareness month to the Airmen of the U.S. Air Force and their families:Global Vigilance, Reach, and Power at home and abroad require vast amounts of energy -

  • Wyatt: Air Guard is affordable, operational, accessible

    The Air National Guard is the affordable, operational, fully accessible force the Air Force needs during uncertain economic times, the director of the Air National Guard Lt. Gen. Harry Wyatt said here."The Air Guard provides to the United States Air Force 34 percent of the combat capability on seven

  • Kandahar graduates basic flight medics

     Four medics recently graduated at the Kandahar Air Wing from the first Afghan air force Basic Flight Medic course, boosting the Afghan medical response capability. According to medical professionals, the goal of the 40-hour course was to combine ground and flight medical training to produce a

  • Iraq makes first payment for 18 F-16s

    The Iraqi government has transferred its first payment for 18 F-16C Fighting Falcons, bringing Iraq closer to independently securing its airspace, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said Sept 27."These aircraft will help provide air sovereignty for Iraq to protect its own territory and deter or

  • Fairchild units conduct first KC-135 OSC exercise

    Earlier in 2011, a military aircraft went down in Afghanistan and the aircrew evaded through enemy terrain. A Fairchild KC-135 Stratotanker was nearby conducting operations and was the first to receive communications from the downed survivors. Once they positively authenticated the survivors, the

  • T-6 advisory mission ceases, Iraqi pilots teach their own

    "Iraqi air power starts here," are the words written above the doorway of the Iraqi air force's Squadron 203, a T-6A Texas II flight training squadron at Tikrit Air Base, Iraq. The words ring true, in part, because of the efforts of the U.S. Air Force's 52nd Expeditionary Flying Training Squadron,

  • Korean War Gallery now interactive on virtual tour

    The Korean War Gallery just went virtual at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.The gallery is now fully embedded with audio, video and interactive hotspots and touch-screen devices located throughout the gallery."The Korean War Gallery recalls the birth of the modern U.S. Air Force as a

  • Bird migration season increases bird strike risks

    As summer fades into fall, birds begin to migrate south to their wintering grounds. That migration means one thing to pilots and airfield managers: a dramatic increase in the risk of bird strikes. Monthly trends recorded from 1995 - 2010 by the Air Force Safety Center Aviation Safety Division

  • Sheppard graduates first 9-level Aircraft Armament course

    The first class of nine-level Aircraft Armament Systems senior NCOs graduated here Sept. 23.The 15 master sergeants who attended the course averaged 14 years of service since they completed their seven-level upgrade training. The two-week course is designed to teach career maintainers how to become

  • HC-130J arrival brings promise of improved personnel recovery

    Air Combat Command officials received its first HC-130J Combat King II after Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz flew the aircraft here and officiated an arrival ceremony Sept. 24.The delivery of the new C-130 model from Georgia was significant for the personnel recovery mission, as the

  • Air traffic controllers prepare to pass torch to Iraqis

    As Operation New Dawn continues to progress, air traffic controllers here are working side-by-side with civilian controllers and Iraqi airmen to transition the airspace back to Iraqi officials.Senior Airman Matt Morrow, a 407th Air Expeditionary Group air traffic controller, helps with the

  • Reserve Command to realign several units

    Four flying wings, one flying group and seven smaller units in the Air Force Reserve Command will change their higher headquarters and chains of command by Oct. 1.These actions advance the command's efforts to provide operational capabilities and strategic depth across the full spectrum of military

  • Air Mobility Command's response saves lives

    In wars, natural disasters and humanitarian emergencies, the Air Mobility Command's real-time global response capability saves lives and brings people home, Gen. Raymond E. Johns Jr. said this week.Johns, who commands AMC based at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., spoke to reporters here at a Defense

  • General cites SOUTHCOM regional challenges

    There have been several "good news" trends observed across the Caribbean and Central and South American regions over the past decade, yet narco-terrorism and corruption remain serious security concerns, U.S. Southern Command's chief said Sept. 21 here.Trade has increased in the region, while

  • Airmen recognized with Air Force Chief of Staff Team Excellence Awards

    Five teams from across the service received Air Force Chief of Staff Team Excellence Awards during the Air Force Association's 2011 Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition here Sept. 20.Gen. Norton Schwartz presented the awards, and lauded three teams' efforts with Air Force Best Practice

  • Ali Base Airmen help U.S. forces transit Iraq

    Aerial porters and Airmen from the 407th Air Expeditionary Group's passenger terminal at Ali Base are preparing for an increase in passengers and cargo during the final months of Operation New Dawn.As the main aerial hub in southern Iraq, the terminal has processed approximately 5,000 passengers and

  • C-130Js improve Bagram's airlift, airdrop capabilities

    The 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron recently filled its ranks with C-130J Hercules aircraft and aircrews as two new units joined the squadron. Almost two dozen C-130Js and a full complement of aircrew and maintenance personnel, split between California Air National Guard's 146th Airlift Wing

  • USAFE commander highlights US, NATO partnership

    The commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe shared his views on the evolution of the partnership between U.S. and European Airmen during the Air Force Association's 2011 Air & Space Convention and Exposition here Sept. 20.Since World War I and the days of the Lafayette Escadrille, and even before,

  • Airmen missing in action from WWII identified

    The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced Sept. 20 that the remains of nine servicemen, missing in action from World War II, have been identified and are being returned to their families for burial with full military honors.Army Air Forces 1st Lt. William J. Sarsfield of

  • F-22 fleet to resume flight operations

    The Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz have recently approved an implementation plan developed by Air Combat Command officials that will allow the F-22 Raptor to resume flight operations after a four-month stand down.The commander of Air Combat Command

  • Senior leaders: B-2 has a bright future ahead

    Senior leaders from across the Air Force visited here last week to discuss the future of the B-2 Spirit bomber.The General Officer Steering Group for B-2 Sustainment met here Sept. 8 to discuss challenges and solutions for keeping the B-2 fleet healthy and operational for years to come.Ann Mitchell,

  • Rescue squadron returns home from concurrent deployments

    Approximately 60 members of the 56th Rescue Squadron returned here Sept. 15, after back-to-back deployments in support of two different operations that had them away from home for more than nine months.Their deployments began with a three-month stretch in Afghanistan where they provided high-risk

  • AAF receives first fixed-wing trainers

    The first three aircraft slated as initial trainers for the Afghan air force undergraduate pilot training program arrived here Sept. 18, marking a milestone for the Afghan Flight School. Three Cessna 182 Turbos are the first of six to be used as initial flight-training aircraft, with six additional

  • Air Force officials tackle current, future energy needs

    Air Force officials have developed an Air Force energy program to support its multi-faceted mission to "Fly, fight and win in air, space and cyberspace."This plan supports a stronger energy security posture that addresses the energy challenges of today and tomorrow while developing more reliable

  • Air Force aerial firefighters continue battling Texas wildfires

    Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft provided aerial firefighting support to northeast Texas for a second consecutive day Sept. 12, forming fire retardant lines in support of ground fire crews.Aircrews and their four C-130s dropped approximately 12,000 gallons of fire retardant against Fires 262 and

  • DOD aircraft join firefighting efforts in Texas, Northwest US

    Under the direction of the Joint Forces Air Component Commander for Air Forces Northern here, six Defense Department C-130 Hercules equipped with U.S. Forest Service Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems will deploy in support of the National Interagency Fire Center to supplement wildland

  • Continuous bomber presence restructuring saves DOD $12 million

     Air Force Global Strike Command and Pacific Air Forces officials teamed up recently to restructure logistics support and aircraft rotations for the continuous bomber presence in the Pacific.The restructuring is estimated to save the Defense Department more than $12 million annually."The continuous

  • Civil engineers start construction project on Wake Island

    Three 611th Civil Engineering Squadron members arrived here recently from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson to begin building the second of three Sprung Instant Structure buildings. After their arrival on the atoll in the Pacific Ocean about 3,000 miles southwest of Anchorage known as Wake Island,