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  • Refueling is lifeline of U.S., NATO air operations

    Thirty Royal Danish air force F-16 Fighting Falcons took to the sky over their homeland Dec. 8 to rendezvous with a Royal Air Force Mildenhall-based KC-135 Stratotanker and perform semi-annual aerial refueling training. The mission fortified both operational readiness and mutual trust between the

  • Dec. 11 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 11 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.Air Operations in Afghanistan:BagramAir Force F-15E Strike Eagles provided armed

  • Dec. 10 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 10 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.Air Operations in Afghanistan:Lashkar GahAn Air Force B-1B Lancer provided armed

  • X-51A WaveRider gets first ride aboard B-52

    The X-51A Waverider was carried aloft for the first time Dec. 9 by an Air Force Flight Test Center B-52 Stratofortressover Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.The test was a key milestone in preparation for the X-51 to light its supersonic combustion ramjet engine and propel the WaverRider at hypersonic

  • Airman helps rescue 3 injured warriors during battle in Afghanistan

    An Air National Guard member from the 129th Rescue Squadron here recently returned home from her deployment to Afghanistan after being wounded by enemy forces while rescuing three injured American Soldiers July 29. Capt. Mary Jennings, an HH-60G Pave Hawk co-pilot, launched her rescue helicopter,

  • Airmen build future Afghan pilot training base

    Airmen restored an airfield that will eventually become the home of the Afghan National Army Air Corps undergraduate pilot training in Shindand, Afghanistan.Airmen deployed from the 615th Contingency Response Wing at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., worked side-by-side with Afghan and coalition

  • Dec. 9 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 9 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.Air operations in Afghanistan:AsmarAir Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft provided

  • Robins officials help fix vital warfighters' equipment issue

    A Robins Air Force Base team is working to resolve a top equipment issue for warfighters in Iraq and Afghanistan. About a dozen people in the 642nd Combat Sustainment Group are involved with developing specifications for a redesign of flightline air conditioners that are critical to the operation of

  • Building on Bold Quest, airborne network moves forward

    A team from the Electronic Systems Center here is now building on some encouraging airborne networking results achieved during Bold Quest 2009, the Joint Forces Command-led exercise conducted in November.Despite some issues that took the main test aircraft off line, officials from the 653rd

  • Educators explore virtual reality as learning tool

    Some people teleported, others flew and some just walked into the holographic auditorium for the Global Learning Forum event here Nov. 19.Though they arrived by different means, everyone in attendance had one thing in common: they did not really exist. Neither did the lecture hall in which they were

  • Defense officials visit Dover C-5M testing

    The senior adviser to the secretary of Defense on operational and live fire test and evaluation of DOD weapons systems flew on the C-5M Super Galaxy during a local air refueling qualification operational test and evaluation sortie Dec. 7 at Dover Air Force Base, Del.Dr. J. Michael Gilmore, the

  • Dec. 8 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 8 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.Air operations in Afghanistan:AsadabadAir Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft flew

  • Photo essay: Crews prepare for KC-135 mission

    Airmen from the 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron prepare KC-135 Stratotankers for a refueling mission Dec. 2, 2009, at an airfield here.  The squadron refuels  joint and coalition aircraft in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.View the slideshow.

  • Hickam officials pay tribute to Airmen's storied legacy

    Airmen and their families gathered at Hickam Air Force Base's historic flag pole Dec. 7, for the 68th remembrance ceremony to honor those men and women who lost their lives in the Japanese attack of Pearl Harbor. "On a similar morning 68 years ago on these very grounds, our world changed forever,"

  • Dec. 7 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 7 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.Air operations in Afghanistan:KandaharAir Force MQ-1 Predator aircraft provided armed

  • Laughlin Airmen give special opportunity to one of their own

    Laughlin Air Force Base Airmen hosted the Air Force's newest pilot here Nov. 20. Nicholas "Nicky" Pena, 3, was sworn in as an honorary pilot at the 87th Flying Training Squadron. Nicky, who has an anaplastic ependymoma brain tumor, was invited to be a part of Laughlin AFB's Pilot for a Day program.

  • Dec. 6 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 6 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.Air Operations in Afghanistan:AsadabadAir Force F-15E Strike Eagles provided armed

  • Dec. 5 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 5 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.Air Operations in Afghanistan:Tirgari Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons provided

  • Kandahar Airmen focus on safety

    Members of the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing Safety Office here work around the clock to keep safety hazards to a minimum.There are three disciplines: weapons, ground and flight safety, and members of each discipline conduct inspections, program evaluations and mishap investigations. They also

  • Alert mission protects U.S. airspace, interests

    Shaw Air Force Base Airmen supporting the Operation Noble Eagle alert mission provide quick-reaction support to protect U.S. airspace and significant events like presidential movements and space shuttle launches."We have to be ready if the alarm goes off at 2:30 in the morning," said Master Sgt.

  • Nov. 30 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 30 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.Air Operations in Afghanistan:Asadabad Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles and F-16

  • Nov. 29 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 29 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.Air Operations in Afghanistan:Chahar BaghAir Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and

  • Dec. 2 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 2 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.Air operations in Afghanistan:OruzganAir Force B-1B Lancer aircraft flew armed

  • Dec. 3 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 3 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.Air operations in Afghanistan:AsadabadAir Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft flew armed

  • Security forces Airmen end operations at Camp Bucca

    Members of the 887th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron officially ended operations during a deactivation ceremony Dec. 3 at Camp Bucca, Iraq. The furling of the squadron guidon marked the end of the squadron's three-year partnership with the Army providing counterinsurgency, detainee operations

  • Dec. 4 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 4 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.Air Operations in Afghanistan:Now ZadAir Force MQ-1 Predator aircraft flew armed

  • Senate confirms new AFMC vice commander

    The Senate confirmed Dec. 4 Lt. Gen. Janet C. Wolfenbarger and promoted her immediately to the rank of lieutenant general with assignment to the position of Air Force Materiel Command vice commander. General Wolfenbarger was previously the director of intelligence and requirements at Headquarters

  • Dover C-5Ms complete test in surge operations

    The C-5M Super Galaxy team has completed another stage of operational test and evaluation with the conclusion of surge operations at Dover AFB. The surge operations consisted of 31 days of delivering essential cargo and flying sorties nonstop, from Dover AFB to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, without

  • Dec. 1 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 1 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.Air Operations in Afghanistan:AsadabadAir Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft flew

  • Department focuses on F-35 costs, fair tanker competition

    Pentagon officials are working to halt spiraling costs in the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter aircraft program while ensuring competition for a new refueling tanker remains fair to all contenders, Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III said here Dec. 2. Mr. Lynn told the Aerospace and

  • Lynn cites aerospace role in Afghanistan strategy

    Aerospace assets will be critical to the success of stepped-up operations in Afghanistan, from delivering troops to ferrying logistical support to providing lifesaving intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities to ground forces, Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn told industry

  • Convoy 911: Joint unit extends battlespace communication

    As coalition convoys travel through Iraq, C-130 Hercules aircraft circle overhead, listening to ground radio traffic and ready to respond to any request for assistance from those convoys. Keeping those C-130s flying is the mission of the Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines from the 777th

  • Former MAC commander remembered

    Gen. Paul K. Carlton, former commander of the Military Airlift Command, passed away Nov. 23 in San Antonio at the age of 88. General Carlton was commander of MAC from Sept. 26, 1972, to March 31, 1977."General Carlton's accomplishments as a commander will be remembered and honored; he embodied the

  • MC-12 reaches 1,000th combat mission

    Members of the 362nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron here, recently reached 1,000 combat sorties in the MC-12W aircraft only five months after arriving in-theater.Currently operating only at Joint Base Balad, the MC-12 is one of the Air Force's newest platforms for intelligence, surveillance

  • Dec. 1 golden anniversary of chief master sergeant rank

    Chief master sergeants weren't a part of the Air Force's enlisted structure when the service was formed in 1947. In fact, it took 11 years after the fact until the rank even existed.This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment by Air Force officals of the rank of chief master sergeant,

  • Air Force officials release F-15E accident investigation report

    Air Combat Command officials here Dec. 1 released the results of an F-15E Strike Eagle in Afghanistan July 18 stating a flight lead weapons system officer's incorrect assessment of a training target's elevation led to the crash, according to the ACC Accident Investigation Board report. The crew was

  • CONOP test finding success for Air Force in Iraq

    According to air mobility experts on the ground in Iraq, initial results of the ongoing U.S. Army direct support mission Concept of Operations test there indicate what Air Force and Air Mobility Command officials have said all along: the Air Force supports this mission 100 percent.The CONOP test

  • Reservist keeps in touch with students

    Master Sgt. Linda Adams has been an elementary school teacher for the past four years.After just one day on the job in the current school year, however, she departed on a four-month deployment to Southwest Asia with her Air Force Reserve unit from Keesler Air Force Base, Miss."I was able to say 'hi'

  • ACC commander greets deployed Airmen

    "I am here to tell you that I work for you," said Gen. William M. Fraser III, commander of Air Combat Command, during his visit to deployed Airmen at the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Nov. 23 and 24, 2009.After a day of touring base operations, maintenance and support functions, General Fraser

  • Singapore celebrates partnership with Air Force

    U.S. government and Republic of Singapore officials celebrated their partnership during the Peace Carvin V inauguration of the F-15SG fighter detachment Nov. 19 here.The ceremony honored the Peace Carvin V F-15 detachment known as the 428th Fighter Squadron, which will operate up to 12 F-15SG

  • Dubai Air Show encourages partnership, compatible hardware

    More than 150 servicemembers participated in the 11th Dubai Air Show Nov. 15 through 19 here.The Dubai Air Show is currently the third largest air show in the world and the U.S. has participated every year since the first show. Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid, the ruler of Dubai; Sheikh Mohammad Bin

  • Nellis Airmen work behind the scenes to ensure exercise success

    Every year, Airmen here support the largest air mobility exercise in the United States. This Mobility Air Forces Exercise, or MAFEX, is essential in making sure both Soldiers and Airmen are prepared to coordinate jointly during overseas contingencies. The MAFEX is part of the U.S. Air Force Weapon

  • Air Force officials release MQ-1 accident report

    Air Force officials here said an MQ-1 Predator remotely piloted aircraft flying a mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom lost contact with its ground control station and crashed in a forward operating area April 20, according to the Air Combat Command Accident Investigation Board report

  • Air Mobility Command officials welcome new commander

    Air Mobility Command officials welcomed a new commander in a ceremony Nov. 20 at Scott Air Force Base.Gen. Raymond E. Johns Jr. took command of AMC from Gen. Arthur J. Lichte, and will be responsible for providing rapid, global mobility and sustainment for America's armed forces. As the commander,

  • AMC officials give $225K to three bases for thinking green

    Green thinking led to cold cash Nov. 18 when Air Mobility Command officials gave $100,000 to Charleston Air Force Base, S.C.; $75,000 to Scott AFB; and $50,000 to Travis AFB, Calif.; for efforts by people at each base to conserve energy and promote culture change. Eligibility for the Energy

  • Weapons school completes large scale mobility exercise

    Airmen from two U.S. Air Force Weapons School squadrons and aircrews flying 40 heavy-body aircraft completed a Mobility Air Forces Exercise over the Nevada Test and Training Range here Nov. 18."This is essentially the capstone for our Weapons Instructor Course, helping us learn how to plan, schedule

  • Photo essay: Checking out the B-1B for combat

    Airmen from the 37th Aircraft Maintenance Unit and 37th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron perform preflight checks on a B-1B Lancer Nov. 11, 2009, at an air base here. Carrying the largest payload of guided and unguided weapons in the Air Force inventory, the multi-mission B-1 is the backbone of America's

  • Air Force secretary visits Luke

    The secretary of the Air Force visited Luke Air Force Base for the first time Nov. 18 and spoke to base members about the latest Air Force issues."I've been looking forward to visiting Luke for months," said Secretary Michael B. Donley said. "I wanted to personally meet the people that continue to

  • Air Force Warfare Center officials improve warfighter support

    At the Air Force Warfare Center here, lessons learned supporting ground troops in Afghanistan and Iraq are being shared with the aviation community and incorporated into the training as quickly as they're developed. Meanwhile, officials at the center's operational arm, the 57th Wing, are helping to

  • Air Force secretary presents small business achievement awards

    The secretary of the Air Force presented the 2008 and 2009 Small Business Programs Special Achievement Awards at the Air Force Office of Small Business Programs Conference Nov. 17 here."Because of their size, these smaller companies have great advantages over their much larger competitors, namely

  • Flexibility key to airpower, Space-A

    Have you ever dreamed of climbing the steps of an Egyptian pyramid or schussing down a black diamond ski slope in Bavaria? Or perhaps digging your toes in the sand on a Hawaiian beach is more your speed. Well, there is a perfect way to make these dreams become a reality: space-available

  • Airmen earn Gen. Lew Allen Award

    Two aircraft maintenance Airmen received the Gen. Lew Allen Jr. Award Nov. 16 in a ceremony in the Airman's Hall of the Pentagon.Maj. Eliot Sasson, an operations officer with the 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron from Charleston Air Force Base, S.C.; and Senior Master Sgt. Franklin Galloway,

  • Nellis officials plan for F-35's opportunities, challenges

    With the new F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter aircraft's arrival just four years away, officials at the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center here are looking forward to joint training opportunities while recognizing the challenges of providing realistic training on such a technologically advanced

  • Unmanned aircraft crews strive to support warfighters

    As Pentagon officials look for ways to increase intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support for warfighters in Afghanistan, the Air Force's first unmanned aircraft systems wing already is on the case in its never-ending quest to provide more and better intelligence through the systems they

  • Officials expand 2010 ACP to growing mission needs

    Details on the fiscal 2010 Aviator Continuation Pay Program released by officials Nov. 13 continue to emphasize the Air Force's retention efforts in critical, rated career fields while recognizing the growing significance of remotely piloted aircraft.The ACP Program allows some active-duty rated

  • Airmen fly C-5M into U.S. record books

    An attempted record-setting flight by a C-5M Galaxy that took place Sept. 13 is now in the official record books after being certified Oct. 30 by officials of the U.S. National Aeronautic Association.The Dover Air Force Base, Del., aircrew flying the C-5M, named The Spirit of Normandy, consisted of

  • Osan Airmen provide force, equipment sustainment

    Members of the Osan Air Base deployment readiness control center is the hub for Airmen, equipment and cargo that deploy in and out of the base during real-world events and exercises.Deployment readiness control center members work closely with each installation's duty officers to ensure day-to-day

  • Iraqi airmen score bull's eye with Hellfire missile

    For the first time since the re-formation of the Iraqi air force, an Iraqi pilot fired a missile from an aircraft Nov. 4, at a target on a bombing range near Al Asad Air Base, Iraq. A three-man Iraqi aircrew from Squadron 3 fired an AGM-114 Hellfire missile from an AC-208 Caravan, officials at

  • Ring returned to Vietnam POW 44 years after imprisonment

    With the traditional "I do's" and exchange of wedding bands some 54 years ago on Oct. 1, 1955, James and Phyllis Hivner began their life's journey together which, like many young couples, began with not knowing what the future held.That journey was rocked 10 years later, almost to the day, when

  • Nov. 8 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 8 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.Air Operations in Afghanistan:Chahar BaghAir Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided armed

  • Nov. 7 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 7 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.Air Operations in Afghanistan:Musa QalaAir Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and Navy F/A-18C

  • Nov. 6 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 6 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.Air Operations in Afghanistan:AsadabadAir Force F-16C Fighting Falcons flew armed

  • Nov. 4 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 4 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.Air Operations in Afghanistan:AsadabadAir Force F-16C Fighting Falcons and F-15E

  • Guard members demonstrate digitally aided personnel recovery operations

    California Air National Guard members based here successfully demonstrated coalition personnel recovery operations using net enabled data link capabilities during the U.S. Joint Forces Command Exercise Bold Quest 2009 Oct. 27 to Nov. 5.The 129th Rescue Wing sent 23 Guard members and an MC-130P

  • Nov. 5 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 5 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.Air Operations in Afghanistan:SurkhabadAir Force B-1B Lancers provided armed overwatch

  • Nov. 3 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 3 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.Air Operations in Afghanistan:KonduzAir Force F-16C Fighting Falcons provided armed

  • C-130 arrival in Poland marks end, new beginning

    Ramstein Air Base Airmen delivered the base's last E-model C-130 Hercules Nov. 2 to Powidz Air Base, Poland, marking the end of 38 years of service to the U.S. Air Force but the newest addition to the Polish air force's blossoming fleet of strategic airlifters.C-130 tail No. 1299 touched down and as

  • Nov. 2 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 2 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.Air Operations in Afghanistan:SanginNavy F/A-18E Super Hornets flew armed overwatch

  • Nov. 1 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 1 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.Air Operations in Afghanistan:AsmarAir Force F-16C Fighting Falcons flew armed

  • Oct. 31 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 31 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.Air Operations in Afghanistan:GardezAir Force F-15E Strike Eagles flew armed

  • Air Force officials to use commercial jet fuel to replace military spec fuel

    To reduce reliance on military specification products, simplify the fuel supply chain and save money, Air Force Petroleum Agency researchers will conduct demonstrations to use commercially available jet fuel instead of military standard JP-8 fuel. The demonstrations of Jet A fuel versus JP-8 fuel

  • Reserve, Guard members contribute to Ramstein mission

    In February 2009, Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley said, "I am proud to report that the total force team of regular, Reserve, Guard and civilians, along with our joint partners, continues to provide world-class air, space and cyber capabilities for our combatant commanders." At Ramstein AB,

  • 403rd Wing aircraft evacuate ahead of Ida

    The Air Force Reserve's 403rd Wing is evacuating aircraft Nov. 9 from Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., to forward operating locations in Texas to avoid possible heavy winds from Hurricane Ida. The storm is expected to work its way near the Gulf Coast in the next 24 to 48 hours, according to the

  • Chief of Staff addresses key mobility, Air Force issues at conference

    Gen. Norton Schwartz, the Air Force chief of staff, recently attended the 41st Airlift Tanker Association conference where he addressed a gathering of more than 4,000 active duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian Airmen. In his comments, General Schwartz emphasized the importance of every Airman and

  • Oct. 29 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 29, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, coalition aircraft flew armed overwatch for friendly forces in the

  • Oct. 28 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 28 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft flew armed overwatch in the

  • Oct. 30 airpower summary:

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 30 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs flew armed overwatch for friendly

  • Oct. 27 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 27, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force MQ-9 Reaper responded to a friendly forces request for

  • Oct. 26 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 26, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons flew armed overwatch for a friendly

  • Oct. 25 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 25, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft flew armed overwatch in the

  • Oct. 24 airpower summary: C-130s provide tactical airlift

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 24, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles flew armed reconnaissance in the

  • Air Force finishes safest flying year

    Fiscal 2009 was the safest flying year in the 62-year history of the Air Force.  There were only 17 Class A mishaps. The next best year was fiscal 2006 with 19 Class A mishaps. A Class A mishap is one where there is loss of life, an injury resulting in permanent total disability, the destruction of

  • Air Force officials unveil new strategic basing process

    Senior Air Force officials have applied a new basing process to more than 200 sites for training and operational basing of the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter aircraft. In fall 2008, Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Norton Schwartz sought to redefine

  • Simulator helps attack controllers train

    Coalition and joint terminal attack controllers used a simulator to hone their skills in calling in close-air support during U.S. Joint Forces Command's advanced-concept technology demonstration Bold Quest 2009, which concluded here and at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Nov. 5. The

  • Airman culture key to Exercise Salitre success

    Exercise Salitre ended Oct. 30 with a total force effort of nearly 200 active-duty and Air National Guard Airmen representing five U.S. bases, and supporting coalition efforts to strengthen regional military ties and interoperability. The exercise, hosted by the Chilean air force integrated Airmen

  • South Carolina Air Guard unit wins international F-16 competition

    The South Carolina Air National Guard's 169th Fighter Wing was named the overall winner of Falcon Air Meet 2009, a three-nation F-16 Fighting Falcon competition, held here through Nov. 3. The South Carolina team, which represented the U. S. Air Force's Central Command and the U.S., won three of the

  • Last C-130E leaves Ramstein

    Ramstein Air Base officials said goodbye to their last C-130E Hercules Nov. 2 after more than 30 years of flying for the Air Force, C-130 tail number 1299, which has been at Ramstein AB since 2007, departed for Poland under a Foreign Military Sales lease agreement between officials from Air Force

  • Iraqi air force acquires advanced radar system

    Iraqi air force officials advanced their air defense monitoring capabilities after a ceremony marked the transfer of a digital air surveillance radar from American control to Iraqi control Oct. 26 here. "Today, another historical day added to our brothers and the Iraqi air force," said Iraqi air

  • Little Rock officials lead joint force training effort at exercise

    Members of the 19th Airlift Wing from Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., took the lead at the Joint Forcible Entry Exercise 10-01 held here Oct. 25 through 29. The purpose of the JFEX is to re-establish forcible entry capability through airpower by combining Army and Air Force training needs, said

  • Air Force officials seek UAS volunteers, announces policy change

    Air Force officials here are seeking combat systems officers for unmanned aircraft systems pilot duty, and interested commissioned Airmen have until Nov. 20 to volunteer for the training. CSOs within the grade of lieutenant through major are eligible, and applicants must also have between two to 13

  • Lone Airman at Combat Outpost Keating recounts enemy attack

    Being the only Airman assigned to an Army Combat Outpost on the outskirts of Afghanistan-Pakistan border can be a little intimidating and scary. Being assigned to COP Keating while under attack by hundreds of insurgents armed with assault rifles and rocket propelled grenades is absolutely

  • Photo essay: Cold, snow no obstacle for Ellsworth crew

    Airmen of the 28th Maintenance Group keep the B-1B Lancer functional Oct. 29, 2009, on the flightline here. Despite the extreme cold and large snowfall in the South Dakota climate, the maintainers are on constant standby to assure all aircraft are ready for take-off at all times.View the slideshow.

  • Air Guard readies for C-27J fleet

    For the first time, Air National Guard aircrews will be the sole operators of a new aircraft straight off the assembly line. The C-27J Spartan, the latest propeller-driven airlifter, is an "extremely rugged" aircraft, designed for austere environments, said Air Force officials. It is about half the

  • Ellsworth officials launch digital airport surveillance radar

    Ellsworth Air Force Base officials recently completed the installation of a digital airport surveillance radar system to be used with the Dakota Air Traffic Control Facility here. This modern, digital radar replaces traditional airport-surveillance radar used by air traffic controllers, eliminates

  • 4 remotely piloted vehicle squadrons stand up at Holloman

    Air Force officials here stood up three remotely piloted vehicle squadrons and a maintenance squadron under the 49th Fighter Wing during an assumption-of-command ceremony Oct. 23 at Holloman Air Force Base. Members of the four squadrons -- the 29th Attack Squadron, 6th Reconnaissance Squadron, 16th

  • New perspective improves VA programs

    A new perspective has enabled leaders at the Department of Veterans Affairs to improve the level and accessibility of care provided to servicemembers, the department's assistant secretary for public and intergovernmental affairs said here Oct. 27. "I bring with me to VA a really different, new

  • Exercise seeks battlefield information effectiveness

    U.S. warfighters and allies operating in Afghanistan and Iraq depend on various sensor platforms that can provide information about the enemy's whereabouts night or day, a senior U.S. military officer said Oct. 29 here. That's why the annual joint Empire Challenge demonstration, which explores how