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  • F-15E crew perishes in Afghanistan crash

    Two Air Force officers were killed July 18 in the crash of an F-15E Strike Eagle. The aircraft, assigned to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., was flying in support of coalition operations in eastern Afghanistan. The crash occurred at approximately 3:15 A.M. Kabul time. "Our thoughts and prayers

  • Photo essay: Japanese royalty pay homage to America's fallen

    Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko paid tribute to the interred at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific July 15 here. The ceremony included the laying of a chrysanthemum wreath, the playing of "Taps" and a joint flyover by U.S. Navy and Japan Self-Defense Forces aircraft.View

  • Airmen, KC-135s support exercise in Australia

    Two KC-135 Stratotankers delivered 140,000 pounds of fuel to two B-52 Stratofortresses participating in Talisman Saber 09, currently underway in Australia, and scheduled through July 25. Talisman Saber is a U.S. Pacific Command-directed, bilateral command post and field-training exercise designed to

  • Air Guard flight crews undergo water survival training

    Thirty-five F-16 pilots and flight surgeons assigned to the 182nd Fighter Squadron at Lackland Air Force Base participated in required water survival and rescue training here. Members were briefed on the availability and use of tools contained in their survival gear. The water instruction ended with

  • UAS sensor operator training to begin at Randolph

    Air Force officials recently gave Randolph Air Force Base instructors the green light to begin training the next generation of enlisted sensor operators to support unmanned aircraft systems. Stemming from the high demand for unmanned aircraft and operators, the 1UOX1 Air Force Specialty Code career

  • July 16 airpower summary: F-16s support warfighters

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations July 16, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.Near Surkhabad, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons demonstrated a show of

  • AFOTEC members put unmanned aircraft through paces

    It's no secret that unmanned aircraft are widely used in today's war to provide information, surveillance and armed reconnaissance. What's not widely known is the evaluation process these aircraft go through before they are delivered to the warfighter. Members of Detachment 5 of the Air Force

  • Photo essay: Alaskan load crews compete

    Aircrews from the 3rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron here participated recently in a load crew of the quarter competition.  The competition demonstrated and tested quick weapons turn around.  View slideshow.

  • Charleston officials provide dignified transfer training for Army chaplains

    More than 170 Army chaplain candidates gathered on the flightline here July 14 to receive training in the honors given to fallen servicemembers during dignified transfers of human remains. Last August, officials at the Army Chaplain Center and School at Fort Jackson, S.C., began coordinating with

  • July 15 airpower summary: Reaper provides topcover

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations July 15, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. Near Qalat, an Air Force MQ-9A Reaper released several guided bomb

  • 12-nation Heavy Airlift Wing takes flight with first C-17

    Twelve nations saw their dreams of strategic airlift come true as the multinational Heavy Airlift Wing they've built from scratch in less than a year received the "keys" to its first C-17 Globemaster III July 14 in Long Beach, Calif. During a ceremony at Boeing's final assembly facility, Col. John

  • 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year highlighted

    The 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year are selected based on superior leadership, job performance, significant self-improvement/ personal achievements and base/community involvement. The Air Force Chief of Staff reviews the selections. The selections for the 2009 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year

  • Air Force leaders roll out UAS flight plan

    Air Force leaders ushered in a new era of airpower capabilities with the approval of the Air Force Unmanned Aircraft Systems Flight Plan June 23 by Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz.The plan, which was developed by the Air Force's UAS Task

  • Weapons loaders arm jets for the fight

    Without the work of Airmen who load munitions on aircraft, F-16 Fighting Falcons in the fight here would be no different than any commercial airliner in terms of strike capability. Combat missions occur around the clock here and weapons loaders from the 332nd Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance

  • July 14 airpower summary: F-15Es hit enemy positions

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations July 14, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Asmar, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs conducted shows of force to

  • July 13 airpower summary: A-10s protect coalition forces

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations July 13, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Ghazni, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs conducted shows of force to

  • 17th Air Force members support presidential visit to Ghana

    Before President Barack Obama could land in Accra July 10, Airmen, Sailors and Marines were on the ground days in advance preparing for the visit.More than 150 Airmen in Accra and more than 1,000 Sailors and Marines aboard the USS Iwo Jima came together to form a task force to support the

  • 1st Combat Comm Airmen support presidential visit to Ghana

    More than 150 Airmen of the 1st Combat Communications Squadron set up forward communications for the President Barack Obama's visit to Ghana in July. The Airmen joined Marines in Accra and more than 1,000 Sailors and Marines aboard the USS Iwo Jima to form a task force to support the president's

  • July 10 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations July 10, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, near Lashkar Gar, several Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles

  • July 11 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations July 11, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. Near Tarin Kowt, an Air Force B-1B Lancer conducted strikes and destroyed

  • July 12 airpower summary: B-1B deters enemy

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations July 12, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. Near Badikhel, an Air Force B-1B Lancer released flares in a show of

  • Lakenheath air traffic controllers pick up NATO training mission

    Royal Air Force Lakenheath air traffic controllers trained eight Spanish air traffic controllers prior to their upcoming NATO deployment in July here. The Spanish controllers were here for two weeks, and they will be followed by another group of eight for two weeks prior to their departure to meet

  • Officials announce Predator, Reaper additional formal training location

    Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico will be the new location for an additional MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper formal training unit, announced the commander of Air Combat Command here July 13. Gen. John D.W. Corley, with concurrence from the chief of staff of the Air Force, announced the additional

  • Air Force officials release Predator accident report

    Air Force officials here announced an MQ-1 Predator that crashed just short of Ali Base, Iraq, Oct. 19, 2008, was due to a quill shaft bearing failure, according to an Air Combat Command Accident Investigation Board report released July 13 here. The $3.7 million Predator, assigned to the 432nd Wing

  • French unmanned aircraft protect Bagram Airmen, coalition forces

    Airmen of the French unmanned aircraft system operational squadron here are active on patrols in the sky over Afghanistan looking for any movement that could mean danger to friendly troops as they provide coalition and International Security Assistance Force troops with intelligence, surveillance

  • Latest Red Flag exercise begins at Nellis

    Southern Nevada residents may notice increased military aircraft activity as the Air Force begins Red Flag 09-4 July 13. Red Flag is a realistic combat training exercise involving the air forces of the United States and its allies. The exercise is conducted on the 15,000-square-mile Nevada Test and

  • Airpower Summary for July 8

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations July 8, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, near Kandahar, an Air Force B-1B Lancer stopped an

  • July 7 airpower summary: A-10s end enemy attacks

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations July 7, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, in the vicinity of Gereshk, an Air Force B-1B Lancer

  • ESC, MITRE officials take hands-on approach to terminal management

    Officials at Electronic Systems Center and MITRE Corp. are taking a hands-on approach to managing a major satellite communications terminal program, especially now that they have purchased and set one up in their own backyard. More specifically, a team from the 653rd Electronic Systems Wing's Space

  • Airmen in EC-130H unit complete 2,000th combat mission

    An EC-130H Compass Call aircrew here completed their unit's 2,000th combat mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom July 8. The Airmen, assigned to the 41st Expeditionary Electronic Combat Squadron, provided direct support to coalition ground forces in Afghanistan on the milestone

  • 2 Airmen chosen as astronaut candidates

    Two Air Force officers have been chosen by NASA officials for the 2009 Astronaut Candidate Class July 9.Lt. Col. Mike Hopkins and Maj. Jack Fischer will attend the first iteration of a program designed to ready astronaut candidates for new missions and settings.With NASA's space shuttle program

  • Doolittle Raiders to attend Air Mobility Rodeo

    Three of the remaining nine Doolittle Raiders will attend the Air Mobility Rodeo July 19 through 24 at McChord Air Force Base, Wash. The Doolittle Raiders are special guests of Gen. Arthur J. Lichte, the commander of Air Mobility Command, and are scheduled to attend Rodeo competitions,

  • Air Force Communications Agency to change name

    The Air Force Communications Agency will be redesignated the Air Force Network Integration Center to more accurately reflect its role in cyberspace operations July 15 here.The name change comes at a time when the Air Force continues to align its cyber forces under Air Force Space Command, located at

  • Hanscom team works to upgrade airborne comm for top U.S. officials

    A Hanscom Air Force Base team is working to acquire a comprehensive system that will provide highly reliable, secure and integrated voice, data and video equipment for airborne U.S. senior leaders. Those leaders include the vice president, secretary of defense, secretary of state, numerous senior

  • Moody A-10s to receive new sniper pods

    Moody Air Force Base A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots operating over Iraq and Afghanistan this fall will be armed with new targeting pods designed to increase the already lethal capabilities. A number of the 23rd Fighter Group's A-10s will be upgraded to the Sniper Advanced Targeting Pods, which are

  • Airmen provide presidential support in Moscow

    Two C-130 Hercules aircraft and aircrews from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, hauled a 17-member presidential support team, 10 portable light carts and a utility truck to Moscow's Vnukovo International Airport July 3 in preparation for President Barack Obama's visit to the region. Planning the travel

  • July 6 airpower summary: Tanker crews put in long hours

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations July 6, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle fired warning shots from

  • Defense Education Forum panelists discuss modernization, emerging missions

    Defense Education Forum panelists recently gathered at the Reserve Officers Association headquarters here to discuss the Air Force Reserve's role in modernization and emerging missions. Maj. Gen. Howard N. Thompson, the Air Force Reserve deputy, cited the importance of volunteerism as Reserve Airmen

  • AFPC officials accepting applications for Test Pilot School

    Officers interested in applying for the next annual Air Force Test Pilot School Selection Board should submit their applications to the Air Force Personnel Center here by Aug. 14.The selection board will convene Sept. 28 through Oct. 2 at AFPC for classes beginning in July 2010 and July 2011. "The

  • Flight engineers: Critical component to combat search, rescue mission

    If the actions of a combat search and rescue crew were viewed as a symphony, flight engineers would be the conductors. They are experts on the aircraft's weapons systems, know how to operate the hoist, serve as radio operators and operate the .50 caliber machine gun. In many ways, it's man in

  • NASA research to help aircraft avoid ocean storms, turbulence

    NASA officials here are funding the development of a prototype system to provide aircraft with updates about severe storms and turbulence as they fly across remote ocean regions. Scientists at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colo., in partnership with colleagues at the

  • Air mobility, tanker support key elements of Global Thunder

    Air Mobility Command airlift and tanker support were key contributors to Exercise Global Thunder 2009 that ran June 24 through 30, AMC officials said recently. Global Thunder 2009, a U.S. Strategic Command-led exercise, provided training opportunities for various service components, units and their

  • AFSO 21 improves wash rack ops

    The group was assembled as part of the Air Force-wide implementation plan for Air Force Smart Operations for the 21 Century. Washes are part of a corrosion-control process used to extend the life and reliability of Air Force aircraft. Corrosive stuff is deposited onto the aircraft from various

  • July 5 airpower summary: Helicopters rapidly transport patients

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations July 5, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, a Royal Air Force GR-4 Tornado conducted a strafing run

  • July 4 airpower summary: Predators protect friendly units

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force trooops in Afghanistan during operations July 4, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer used guided bomb unit-31s to

  • Reaper crash in southern Afghanistan

    An MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aircraft system crashed in southern Afghanistan July 4. The crash was not due to hostile fire. The aircraft is a medium-to-high altitude long-endurance, unmanned aircraft system. The MQ-9's primary mission is as a persistent hunter-killer against emerging targets to achieve

  • July 3 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations July 3, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, a Royal Air Force GR-4 Tornado used a Paveway guided

  • July 2 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations July 2, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, a coalition aircraft executed a strike with a guided

  • July 1 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations July 1, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs employed 30mm Avenger

  • Air Mobility Command's 'Rodeo 2009' just weeks away

    Air Mobility Command's premier mobility competition will take place July 19 to 24 at McChord Air Force Base, Wash., AMC officials said.The international competition focuses on improving worldwide air mobility forces' professional core abilities and features more than 40 aircraft participating in

  • Chief McKinley bows out

    After more than 30 years of service, the Air Force's top enlisted leader said his goodbyes to fellow Airmen in a June 30 ceremony in Washington, D.C.Former Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley told the gathered throng that his father took him and two friends to the Military

  • Innovative maintainers save time, lives of front line troops

    Maintainers here have come up with an innovative phase maintenance process to keep as many close-air-support aircraft airborne in theater that is being hailed by U.S. Central Command senior leaders. A-10 Thunderbolt II maintainers deployed from the 23rd Maintenance Group at Moody Air Force Base,

  • WASP awarded Congressional Gold Medal for service

    A dedicated group of patriotic female pilots were recognized by President Barack Obama July 1 at the White House for their invaluable service to the nation more than 60 years ago. Women's Airforce Service Pilots Elaine Danforth Harmon, Bernice Falk Haydu and Lorraine H. Rodgers were joined by five

  • 86th AGE flight shows benefits of AFSO 21

    In March 2006 when former Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne called for a new way to evaluate how the Air Force operates, called AFSO 21, he encouraged the elimination of unnecessary steps. He suggested the Air Force leverage on technology, using the right tools and techniques to see any

  • AMC commander visits Airmen in Southwest Asia, highlights mobility's role

    Like clockwork, an Air Mobility Command aircraft departs on a mission within the area-of-operations every two minutes every hour of every day. Providing the three cornerstones of the command's mobility mission -- airlift, aerial refueling and aeromedical evacuation -- AMC Airmen have provided

  • Aerial gunners provide cover for lifesaving mission

    Air Force combat search and rescue crews on HH-60G Pave Hawks fly throughout Afghanistan to provide airlift and medical care to servicemembers wounded on the battlefield. More often than not, this requires them to fly into and operate in extremely hostile and precarious situations and locations,

  • Hurricane Hunters prep for upcoming storm season

    Members of the Air Force Reserve Command's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron deployed to their detachment here recently to fly training missions over the Caribbean in preparation for the 2009 hurricane season. Unit Airmen are part of the 403rd Wing located at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., and

  • World War II vets share wartime stories with Charleston Airmen

    A new generation of Airmen came face-to-face with the "Greatest Generation" when a group of World War II veterans from the 493rd Fighter Squadron visited Charleston Air Force Base June 29. Airmen from the 16th Airlift Squadron hosted the group along with Lt. Col. Michael King, the 493rd FS commander

  • Air Force reservists 'tweet,' blog, post their way to cyberspace

    A couple of times a day, Master Sgt. Collen McGee logs onto the 433rd Airlift Wing's Twitter account and "tweets" updates to 675 followers from around the world. Using the twitter handle of @AFRC_433, Sergeant McGee condenses messages to 140 characters, often including links to related Web sites.

  • Twelve-nation consortium ready for first C-17

    Officials of the12-nation Strategic Airlift Capability, or SAC, consortium will celebrate the activation of the operational unit, known as the Heavy Airlift Wing, and arrival of the unit's first C-17 Globemaster III aircraft at Pápa Air Base, Hungary, in a ceremony on July 27. The wing's

  • June 28 airpower summary: C-130s deliver for warfighters

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations June 28, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs flying cover for a

  • June 29 airpower summary: KC-135s fuel the fight

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations June 29, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped guided bomb unit-31s in

  • June 30 airpower summary: Reaper hits enemy forces

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations June 30, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force MQ-9 Reaper employed a guided bomb unit-12

  • New Air Force commercial highlights unmanned aircraft system

    An Air Force commercial highlighting the technology of the unmanned aircraft systems is airing nationally this week in television markets and select movie theaters across the country. The "UAS" commercial depicts a futuristic look at warfighting and how what was once considered science fiction is

  • Crewmember stable after Airmen assist in rescue over Atlantic

    A crewmember who required immediate medical attention on board a ship 400 miles off the coast of Ireland is reported to be in stable condition after three U.S. Air Force units participated in his rescue June 26. Officials from the United Kingdom Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Center contacted

  • Fairchild Airmen rescue hikers

    Airmen of the 36th Rescue Flight from Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., rescued a hiker from Fort Lewis, Wash., who tumbled more than 1,000 feet June 14 down a mountain just west of Wenatchee, Wash.The 58-year-old man and his son were hiking around 3 p.m. when the older man stumbled down a mountain

  • 'Today's Air Force' features Airmen working in a joint environment

    This edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights how U.S. aircraft were put on display in Paris and Southwest Asia, how Airmen are training around the world in both joint and combined environments, and how several fitness tips can help Airmen stay healthy this summer. Showcasing Air Force aircraft

  • June 27 airpower summary: Predator employs Hellfire missile

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations June 27, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, a B-1B Lancer used guided bomb unit-38s to target

  • June 26 airpower summary: B-1B targets insurgent facility

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations June 26, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, a coalition aircraft carried out strikes using guided

  • Airmen spend time with students during deployment

    Nine deployed Airmen from the 525th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Unit spent their off-duty time assisting three teachers with 60 students in the Machananao Elementary School summer program here June 19. The Airmen deployed to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, are from Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, to

  • Ground, flight tests yield zero interference for interrogator system

    Overseas ground and flight testing on a NATO Airborne Warning and Control System recently demonstrated that a prototype waveform designed to better distinguish friendly forces from foes did not interfere with European civilian air traffic control. This paves the way for 635th Electronic Systems

  • Airborne Early Warning Commanders' Conference attracts worldwide audience

    Commanders from around the world gathered for the Executive Multinational Airborne Early Warning Commanders' Conference June 16 and 17 at Tinker Air Force Base. The EMACC is an annual event where air force leaders from nations that operate AWACS or similar airborne early warning and control aircraft

  • Hurlburt Field unit transfers to Cannon

    Officials from the 16th Special Operations Squadron held a squadron flag-transfer ceremony here June 19 to mark the official transfer of the squadron from Hurlburt Field, Fla., to Cannon Air Force Base. "The mighty (AC-130H) Spectre has arrived," said Lt. Gen. Donald C. Wurster, the Air Force

  • Air Force officials announce fiscal 2010 force structure realignments

    Air Force officials here announced June 26 its proposed force structure realignment for fiscal 2010. The announcement addresses the Air Force's force structure, realignment and management actions supported by the president's fiscal 2010 budget and summarizes the civilian and military personnel

  • Honduras airshow aids local hospital

    An international air show united aviators, air forces and Hondurans to share their love of flying to help save lives at a local hospital June 20 and 21 here. More than 30 U.S. Air Forces Southern Airmen, a KC-135 Stratotanker, two F-16 Fighting Falcons and an F-16 demonstration team deployed to the

  • Dover Airman defuses mid-air incident

    "I want to slit the captain's throat," is not what passengers want to hear an irate man, pacing up and down the aisles on an airline flight, shout over and over again. However, in the face of this peril on an international commercial flight to Italy, this is what one Dover mechanic discovered - and

  • June 25 airpower summary: A-10s target anti-Afghan forces

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations June 25, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs strafed anti-Afghan forces

  • June 24 airpower summary: C-130 airlift keeps mission going

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations June 24, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, a coalition aircraft engaged anti-Afghan gunmen in a

  • Airmen contribute to rescue effort at sea

    An international rescue effort is underway June 26 to a ship in the Atlantic approximately 700 miles off the west coast of Ireland as a crewmember on board the container ship "Pascha" has fallen seriously ill and needs urgent medical attention. The ship's distance from land makes it impossible for

  • Altus team shoots for 'A' rating at AMC rodeo

    Members of the 97th Maintenance Directorate here give great attention to the smallest details everyday, and more recently as the maintainers prepare for the 2009 Air Mobility Command Airlift Rodeo. Larry Melton, KC-135 rodeo team chief, has his crew working diligently to prepare aircraft for the

  • Bomber crews improve mission skills at Northern Edge 2009

    The 96th Bomb Squadron from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., deployed here for exercise Northern Edge 2009 to practice mission planning and war-time procedures. The 96th BS brought three B-52H Stratofortress long-range bombers to train in the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex and over the Gulf of

  • Sather AB renovates runway, paves way for Iraq's future

    Sather's runway recently underwent a major overhaul, improving the quality, capability and safety of the airfield here. Construction on the 10,830-foot runway began Dec. 27 and finished June 16, the day the airstrip re-opened. The renovations included concrete and joint repairs, rubber residue

  • Coalition forces, Kirkuk officials partner to care for bombing victims

    The bright pink soccer ball was clearly out of place on the flightline here June 22; however, it was in just the right place to begin the healing process for a 9-year-old girl atop a stretcher being carried on board a Turkish air force C-130 to be aeromedically evacuated to Ankara, Turkey. She was

  • ESC officials award contract to meet urgent need

    Electronic Systems Center officials here awarded a contract June 24 to Northrop Grumman Corp. to field and deploy an airborne communications system that provides real-time battlefield information to warfighters. The center awarded the $276 million, 18-month contract to incorporate the Battlefield

  • Holloman Airmen honor fallen Soldier

    More than 300 Holloman Air Force Base members turned out June 11 to pay their respects to an Alamogordo resident and Army Soldier who paid the ultimate sacrifice earlier this month in Iraq. Army Spc. Christopher M. Kurth was killed in a grenade attack June 4 near Kirkuk, Iraq. He was stationed at

  • Pilot dies in F-16 accident

    Hill Air Force Base officials confirmed an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot was killed at about 10:25 p.m. June 22 after the aircraft crashed on the Utah Test and Training Range about 35 miles south of Wendover, Utah. The pilot, Capt. George Bryan Houghton, 28, from the 388th Fighter Wing here, graduated

  • Airmen calibrate for mission success

    Airmen who work in the 379th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory here play a vital role for warfighters as the calibrate and test equipment critical to mission accomplishmentThey service equipment from approximately 320 units in the area of responsibility

  • Airmen, aircraft on display at Paris Air Show

    Airmen stood alongside aviation industry members and an international mix of civilian and military pilots to parade a host of aircraft, reconnaissance platforms and weapon systems at this year's centenary Paris Air Show here June 18. Le Bourget airfield, located 10 miles north of Paris, drew nearly

  • Air National Guard members visit Polish air base

    Members of the 182nd Airlift Wing arrived at the 33rd Air Base here as part of the Illinois Air National Guard's role in the State Partnership Program. The visit is part of a continual endeavor by National Guard Units and European military forces to facilitate information exchange and

  • June 23 airpower summary: HH-60Gs support medical evacuations

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations June 23, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an F-15E Strike Eagle conducted a strike using a guided

  • Military unites with Hollywood on 'Transformers'

    "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" hits theaters nationwide June 24 as the culmination of more than a year of Defense Department support, ranging from script and uniform notes to C-17 Globemaster III aerial maneuvers and jumps from the Army's Golden Knights parachute demonstration team. The first

  • Kirkuk self-help project protects airfield assets, saves money

    Members from every 506th Air Expeditionary Group unit joined forces for a self-help project here to improve airfield security here in June. Security forces members, medics, civil engineers, air-freight controllers, air-traffic controllers and communications technicians united to fulfill one of the

  • Elite team provides security for airlift assets

    An elite team of hand-picked security forces Airmen here are tasked with providing security for airlift assets that travel into unsecure locations in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. The 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron fly-away security team travels with airlift assets

  • Command, control relationships critical to close-air-support mission

    Air Force offensive aerial units operating within the Central Command area of responsibility are focused on one primary task: close-air support. "It is my opinion that close-air support is the most effective fire support asset in Afghanistan right now, and I haven't heard any different from the

  • June 22 airpower summary: KC-135s keep coalition aircraft in the fight

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations June 22, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, a Royal Air Force MQ-9 Reaper conducted a Hellfire

  • A-10 'assembly-line' maintenance concept a model of efficiency

    A-10 maintenance personnel from the 124th Wing are in the early stages of a new "assembly line" maintenance concept that may serve as a model for how Air Force aircraft maintenance is performed in the future. Dubbed the Consolidated Install Program, this program began June 1 and is projected to save

  • Ground equipment Airmen show benefits of AFSO 21

    In March 2006 when former Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne called for a new way to evaluate how the Air Force operates, called Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century, or AFSO 21, he encouraged the elimination of unnecessary steps in any work process. He suggested Air Force people

  • C-17 crew uses combat offload to deliver materials to warzone

    A C-17 Globemaster III crew from the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron used a combat offload procedure here June 20 to deliver materials that will be used to help defend the local population. Due to the austere location of the forward operating base, the personnel stationed here did not have the

  • Test cell upgrades capability, reliability

    Another piece of the digital age arrived June 14 at the 379th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron engine-test cell here as the operational test of a C-130 Hercules engine with a new 21D model engine-test cell brought the unit up to par with home station capabilities. The new digital model brought