May 20 airpower summary: A-10s provide overwatch

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations May 20, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, a battle in Lashkar Gah which began May 18 continued. 

T-38 crash claims life of Edwards' pilot

An Air Force test pilot student died May 21 when his jet trainer crashed north of Edwards Air Force Base. Captain Mark P. Graziano, 30, died when the T-38A Talon he was piloting crashed about nine miles north of the base here, near California City, Calif. Captain Graziano was assigned to the U.S.

T-38 crashes north of Edwards

An Air Force T-38 Talon crashed at 1:15 p.m. May 21, about nine miles north of Edwards Air Force Base. The Edwards aircraft was on a flight-test training mission at the time of the accident. Two crewmembers were on board; their condition is unknown at this time. A board of officers will investigate

North Dakota floods tested Air Force EPLOs

When Col. Stacy Collins became an Air Force emergency preparedness liaison officer last November, she couldn't have predicted that in less than five months, she'd be assisting in one of the worst natural disasters to hit North Dakota in years: the flooding of several rivers including the Red and

Four charged with terror plot against Air Guard base, Jewish facilities

Less than a month after the sentencing of five defendants found guilty in a terror plot to kill soldiers at Fort Dix, N.J., authorities say they have foiled another terrorist plot against an Air National Guard base and a synagogue and Jewish community center in New York. The FBI and New York police

May 19 airpower summary: Reapers engage anti-Afghan forces

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations May 19, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, numerous Air Force and coalition aircraft engaged

Keesler officials open gates to military bloggers

Airmen in the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron here hosted the Air Force's first ever orientation flight for military bloggers May 19. The flight, which took place aboard one of the Reserve unit's WC-130J Hercules, was designed to give the bloggers a taste of what it's like to fly on a military

Airmen airlift aid to Pakistan's war-torn Swat Valley

In response to specific requests for support from the government of Pakistan, the Department of Defense has arranged for the delivery of humanitarian assistance to aid the estimated 1.7 million Pakistanis displaced by current military operations against extremists in the country's northwestern

May 18 airpower summary: C-130s provide intra-theater airlift

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations May 18, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and an F-15E Strike Eagle

AF officials announce Combat Air Forces restructure plan

Following the May 7 roll-out of the fiscal year 2010 budget proposal for the Department of Defense, Air Force officials announced plans to retire legacy fighters to fund a smaller and more capable force and redistribute people for higher priority missions. The Combat Air Forces restructuring plan

Huge crowd turns out for Night at the Air Force Museum

More than 10,000 visitors came face-to-face with aviation history May 15 during a Night at the Air Force Museum at the National Museum of the United States Air Force here. The sizeable crowd had the opportunity to look into the cockpits of aircraft such as the B-24D Liberator and SR-71A Blackbird

Airmen support Soldiers by putting bombs on targets

On a battlefield they plan, request and direct air strikes against enemy targets in close proximity to friendly forces, namely the army units on the frontlines who may need close-air support in the blink of an eye. "I get a lot of satisfaction knowing I am supporting my Army counterparts," said

Combat controller receives two Bronze Stars with valor

A combat controller, who is now charged with helping fill the special tactics ranks, was presented with two Bronze Stars with valor during a ceremony held recently at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Master Sgt. Ken Huhman, a special tactics recruiter in San Antonio, received the medals for his

May 17 airpower summary: F-15Es support coalition forces

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations May 17, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II carried out strafing

'Today's Air Force' features the new CMSAF

This edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights the next chief master sergeant of the Air Force, unmanned aircraft systems operated from Creech Air Force Base, Nev., the dangers of supplements and an F-16 Fighting Falcon that passed 7,000 hours of flight time. The 16th chief master sergeant of the

Pacific Command strategy centers on partnership, readiness, presence

The three major tenets of the U.S. Pacific Command strategy -- partnership, readiness and presence -- are having a powerful impact in bringing together the joint, interagency and international capabilities required to promote regional stability, the command's top officer told American Forces Press

May 14 airpower summary: F-16s provide armed reconnaissance

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations May 14, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles conducted strafing runs

May 15 airpower summary: KC-135 tankers fueled 174 sorties

Coalition airpower integrated with Coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations May 15, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, a B-1B Lancer Bomber struck anti-Afghan forces'

May 16 airpower summary: Lancer turns back enemy forces

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations May 16, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, a firefight near Morghab prompted Air Force F-15E Strike

Air Force leaders chart way forward for service

The Air Force has made tough choices and some prudent trade-offs to balance the service across the spectrum of capabilities needed for the future, Air Force leaders said.Air Force Secretary Michael B. Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz discussed the service's efforts to balance

CSAF reflects on importance of PACAF

The chief of staff of the Air Force wrapped up a week-long, four-base tour of Pacific Air Forces here May 13 on his first visit to the region since becoming the nation's top-ranking uniformed Airman last August. Gen. Norton Schwartz said the United States has a vested interest in the Asia-Pacific

Predator crashes in eastern Afghanistan

An Air Force MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft crashed May 14 in eastern Afghanistan. The crash was not due to hostile fire. The aircraft is a medium-altitude, long-endurance, remotely piloted aircraft. The Predator's primary mission is conducting armed reconnaissance. A board of Air Force officials

Sheppard T-38 veers off runway

A Sheppard Air Force Base T-38 Talon veered off the runway during takeoff at about 2:10 p.m. CDT May 14 here. The crew of two experienced minor injuries and are receiving treatment. The T-38, assigned to the 80th Flying Training Wing, is a twin-engine, high-altitude, supersonic jet trainer.The

Ramstein Airmen support NASA shuttle launch

Ramstein Air Base Airmen teamed up with New York Air National Guard members to support NASA's launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis in May here. Members of the 37th Airlift Squadron, 1st Combat Communications Squadron and the Guard's 101st Expeditionary Rescue Squadron loaded rescue cargo into two C-130

Airman spots aircraft fuel leak at 35,000 feet

Most of us hear stories of Airmen saving lives in combat, but an Airman who saves the lives of more than 300 passengers is definitely a story worth hearing. A fuel leak on a civilian aircraft caught the attention of Staff Sgt. Bartek Bachleda, 909th Air Refueling Squadron boom operator, during a

Airmen take heed for those in need

Ten Airmen from Manas Air Base visited the Umut-Nadjeshda Children's Rehabilitation Center in Bishkek May 9 to help fix the center for more than 60 local children. The off-duty Airmen painted playground equipment, installed a new stove and to make other improvements to the center for the youths aged

Exercise to test aerospace response over Washington

The North American Aerospace Defense Command will conduct an exercise over the nation's capital and its suburbs May 15, Defense Department officials said May 13. Exercise Falcon Virgo tests the aerospace defense of the national capital area. F-16 Fighting Falcon jets, Coast Guard Dolphin choppers

May 13 airpower summary: A-10 strikes enemy positions

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations May 13, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II conducted strafing runs

U.S. pilots train Finns in aerial refueling operations

A group of Airmen with the 100th Air Refueling Wing traveled to Tampere, Finland, May 2 to participate in a week-long exercise with Navy  and Finnish Air Force F-18 Hornet pilots.The Airmen helped teach the Finnish pilots how to refuel in-air from a KC-135 Stratotanker.The exercise marks the first

U.S. Air Force to deploy Raptors to Japan, Guam

The Air Force is deploying two contingents of F-22A Raptors to the Pacific theater this month for approximately 120 days. Current plans call for 12 of the fighters to deploy to Kadena Air Base, Japan, from the 94th Fighter Squadron at Langley Air Force Base, Va., and another 12 to deploy to Andersen

Korean War ace passes away

As an Air Force pilot, Col. Harold E. Fischer Jr. achieved the designation of ace during the Korean conflict and was a high-profile prisoner of war. Colonel Fischer died April 30 in Las Vegas, Nev. He was 83. Originally from Iowa, he joined the Navy after graduating from high school in 1944. He

Test center officials link mobility to 'boots on the ground'

In the Southern Arizona desert, three C-130 Hercules aircraft recently rumbled over the saguaros and airdropped training bundles to a waiting combat controller. The historic drop was conducted digitally with a tactical data link known as the Situational Awareness Data Link, or SADL. It was the first

Airmen deliver 30,000 H1N1 prevention kits to Haiti and Central America

An Air Mobility Command C-17 Globemaster III and its crew, operating in conjunction with U.S. Southern Command efforts, delivered 30,000 H1N1 influenza prevention kits to Haiti and five Central American countries May 8 to 10, according to AMC officials. The H1N1 flu virus, first detected in April,

May 12 airpower summary: B-1B strikes enemy facility

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations May 12, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer carried out a planned strike

May 11 airpower summary: C-17s provide heavy airlift

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations May 11, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, a flight of Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs carried out

USAF, ROKAF put Max Thunder into full swing

U.S. and Republic of Korea Air Force personnel began the second 7th Air Force-designed Max Thunder bilateral air training exercise here May 7. The training opportunity aims to test aircrews' warfighting skills in realistic combat situations that combine both ROKAF and USAF flying and maintenance

B-1B makes impact throughout Southwest Asia

Before late 2008, the B-1B Lancer was known primarily as a bomber, but since then the aircraft was modified to include the Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod now provides nontraditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to ground forces. "Before the B-1B was equipped with the sniper pod, we

May 10 airpower summary: Airlift brings supplies to troops

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations May 10, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs used 30mm cannons and guided

May 9 airpower summary: A-10s thwart enemy activity

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations May 9, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs responded to an anti-Afghan

May 8 airpower summary: A-10s provide overwatch

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations May 8, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs conducted strikes on

Idea earns maintainer big money

A simple suggestion earned one Misawa maintainer $10,000 and saved the Air Force thousands more. Staff Sgt. Jerome Latham, an engine craftsman with the 35th Maintenance Squadron, suggested a technical order change to the Innovative Development through Employee Awareness, or IDEA, program. His idea

Air Force unmanned aircraft featured on '60 Minutes'

CBS correspondent Lara Logan hosted a 60 Minutes segment May 10 on the Air Force's unmanned aircraft systems and featured the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper. During the piece she interviewed Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Col. Chris Chambliss, commander of the 432d Wing and 432d

Aircrews, maintainers gear up for wildfire season

Reserve and Air National Guard Airmen earned their certifications on the Military Airborne Firefighting System during training May 3 through 9 here. C-130 Hercules aircrews flew MAFFS training missions from the Tucson International Airport from sun up to sundown to finalize their annual

Training for unmanned aircraft systems

May 7 airpower summary: F-15Es cover friendly units

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations May 7, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II conducted a show of

Manas hosts symposium for medical partners

A gathering of medical minds met here recently for a coalition medical symposium sponsored by the 376th Expeditionary Medical Group. Guests attending the symposium included personnel from the Spanish coalition medical staff, U.S. Embassy medical unit, Peace Corps medical staff and the Bishkek

Airmen, Soldiers make first jump from Ramstein C-130J

As the ramp let down at 3,000 feet and the sunlight slipped into the cargo bay of a new C-130J Super Hercules, Air Force and Army paratroopers stood ready to execute the first jump from Ramstein Air Base's newest aircraft. As Ramstein transitions from the older C-130E Hercules, some 35 Airmen and

Officials test commercial fuel to replace JP-8 fuel

In an ongoing analysis of alternatives to reduce aviation fuel costs, the Air Force Petroleum Agency here has launched an initiative to use commercial jet fuel in place of military standard JP-8 fuel. The Air Force annually uses about 2.5 billion gallons of fuel, resulting in the service's second

May 6 airpower summary: Reaper targets IED emplacers

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations May 6, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an F-15E Strike Eagle used guided bomb unit-38s to

Officials release Kandahar C-17 accident investigation report

Air Mobility Command officials here May 8 released the results of its investigation into the Dec. 3, 2008, mishap involving a C-17 Globemaster III at Kandahar Air Base, Afghanistan. Following an uneventful flight from Germany to Kandahar AB, the mishap aircraft entered its final parking spot and the

Air Force officials release C-17 accident investigation report

Air Mobility Command here May 7 released the results of its investigation into the Jan. 30 mishap involving a C-17 Globemaster III that landed with retracted gear at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. The Accident Investigation Board, convened by AMC officials, concluded the primary cause of the mishap

Predator crashes in eastern Afghanistan

An Air Force MQ-1 Predator unmanned Aircraft crashed in eastern Afghanistan May 8 in the early afternoon hours. The crash was not due to hostile fire, and there were no injuries or damage to property as a result of the crash. The aircraft is a medium-altitude, long-endurance, remotely piloted

Reserve, Air Guard maintain aerial firefighting certification

Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard crews and aerial firefighters are participating in a week-long annual certification hosted by the U.S. Forest Service to be qualified and prepared to fight forest fires at a moment's notice. About 40 military air crews and aerial firefighters are

Nellis to stand up new aircraft maintenance squadron

Air Force Reserve Command officials will activate a new aircraft maintenance squadron in a May 15 ceremony here. The 926th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, part of the 926th Group, supports the Air Force Warfare Center at Nellis Air Force Base. Under the Total Force Integration initiative, the Air

Air Force fiscal 2010 budget reflects rebalanced priorities

Air Force officials here May 7 announced that its portion of the president's fiscal 2010 budget reflects a balanced strategy to prevail in today's joint fight and sustain air, space and cyberspace dominance. The two overarching principles guiding next year's budget are rebalancing the Air Force's

Better-equipped National Guard still faces critical shortages

Equipment critical to both domestic and warfighting missions and aircraft essential to guarding the nation's air sovereignty remain areas of concern for the National Guard. That was the message Lt. Gen. Harry M. Wyatt III, director of the Air National Guard, and Army Maj. Gen. Raymond W. Carpenter,

May 5 airpower summary: A-10s unleash lethal firepower

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations May 5, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, a coalition aircraft and a Royal Air Force GR-9 Harrier

Levitow's pilot lands at Peterson for leadership visit

"I don't need to tell you about character, if you didn't have it, you wouldn't be here," retired Maj. Kenneth Carpenter said to approximately 200 Airmen who gathered in the base auditorium April 28 to support his Year of Leadership program visit here. During his hour-long chat with the audience,

Nellis Airmen locate missing aircraft

An HH-60G Pave Hawk rescue crew from Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., found the wreckage an overdue aircraft in the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range May 1.The missing aircraft was the subject of the large-scale search by state officials and Civil Air Patrol members, but there were no survivors from the

May 4 airpower summary: C-17s provide heavy airlift

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations May 4, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Navy F/A-18F Super Hornets and an Air Force B-1B Lancer

Sheppard officials test synthetic fuels

Air Force Petroleum Agency officials are finalizing preparations for field testing of a 50/50 blend of JP-8 and synthetic jet fuel at the 364th Training Squadron fuels training complex here. Alternative Fuels Certification Office officials at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, said synthetic

Software proves effective in avoiding aircraft crashes

Leading-edge software technology 25 years in the making by specialists in numerous Defense Department agencies and NASA has demonstrated a continuous 98 percent effectiveness rate of eliminating aircraft crashes, a NASA test flight director said. The primary development of the software technology

Global Hawk flying mapping missions south of border

The RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned aircraft is currently using its sensors for non-military environmental mapping missions over South, Central America and the Caribbean at the request of partner nations in the region. The flights, dubbed "eco-missions" by the Air Forces Southern team, provide vital

Chief scientist: Airmen's innovative spirit vital to future

The Air Force's top scientific adviser expressed his appreciation for the innovative spirit among today's Airmen, during a visit with Air Mobility Command here May 1. Air Force Chief Scientist Dr. Werner J.A. Dahm said each Airman plays a vital role in innovation across the Air Force, as

Facts, testimony bust IDEA myths

In less time than it takes to fill out a credit card application, Darlene Daspit-Pohl was on her way to earning $10,000 just for having an idea. Ms. Daspit-Pohl used the Air Force Innovative Development through Employee Awareness Program, or IDEA program, to submit an idea that reduces how much the

Airmen, Sailors provide maritime support for Iraqi military

Air Force and Navy servicemembers teamed up in April to support and train the newly formed Iraqi navy with maritime mission along the northern area of the Arabian Gulf where a large percentage of Iraq's oil is exported. The first intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance flight took place April

May 3 airpower summary: B-1B bombs narcotics facility

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations May 3, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer bombed a narcotics facility

May 2 airpower summary: C-17s provide heavy airlift

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations May 2, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs dropped guided bomb unit-38s

May 1 airpower summary: A-10 provides show of force

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations May 1, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle engaged hostile-firing

April 30 airpower summary: F-15Es support coalition forces

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations April 30, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, a battle erupted between coalition and anti-Afghan

Keesler personnel to participate in LIFESAVER 2009

Keesler AFB Airmen join local, state and federal agencies in "LIFESAVER 2009," a major federal coordinating center and national disaster medical system exercise being conducted May 5-7. With an estimated 2,000 participants, this is the largest "LIFESAVER" event since May 2005. "LIFESAVER 2009" will

Museum receives artifact donation from Mexican air force

The Mexican air force foreign liaison officer stationed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio presented National Museum of the U.S. Air Force officials here with World War II artifacts representing the 201st Mexican Fighter Squadron April 29.Mexican air force Lt. Col. Daniel Mojica presented a

Airmen mobilize to confront Afghan insurgency

More than a dozen F-15E Strike Eagles, two DC-10s and a C-17 Globemaster III met the rising sun over the Atlantic Ocean en route to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, April 29.Approximately 350 deploying Airmen from the 336th Fighter Squadron and 4th Maintenance Group will spend the next four months

Airmen train next generation

Over the Arizona desert near Tucson, nine student pilots took the "final exam" for a career most people only dream about in April. They are in the final stages of training to become F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots for the Air Force. At the end of 7.5 months of intense F-16 Basic Course Training with the

Air Force, Navy combine for air combat skills training

Pilots from the Wisconsin Air National Guard's 115th Fighter Wing in Madison, honed their air-to-air combat training skills along side their naval counterparts from the Strike Fighter Squadron 2 (VFA-2), Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif., during a two-week training mission here. Air Guard pilots

April 29 airpower summary: C-130s sustain war efforts

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations April 29, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, a coalition aircraft employed a guided bomb unit-12 to

Airmen keep F-16s airborne during Balikatan 2009

Air Force maintainers are keeping fighter pilots ready to go during Exercise Balikatan 2009 here. Balikatan, which in English means "shoulder to shoulder," is an annual joint bilateral exercise designed to improve U.S. and the Republic of the Philippines combined planning, combat readiness and

Airmen spread goodwill during Balikatan 2009

More than 20 Airmen participating in Exercise Balikatan 2009 visited Filipino children at schools and an orphanage April 24 and 25 here. The Airmen from Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., participating in the exercise took time to spread goodwill to nearly 150 children from the Duyan Ni Maria orphanage and

Museum opens Thunderbirds F-16 aircraft exhibit

The Museum of Aviation here will open to the public a permanent Thunderbirds F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft exhibit May 3, the same day the Air Force Thunderbirds aerial demonstration team will perform at nearby Robins Air Force Base. The aircraft, once a part of the demonstration team, has been

April 28 airpower summary: KC-10s sustain fighters

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations April 28, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs performed multiple

AFMC maintenance group wins silver in Shingo Prize

The 402nd Electronics Maintenance Group here has taken silver in the Shingo Prize, which has been dubbed the "Nobel Prize of Manufacturing." The 402nd EMXG employs 1,407 people who test and repair avionics on a wide array of military aircraft. The Shingo Prize is administered by the Utah State

'6S' leads to AMC success

Air Mobility Command Airmen recently spent a day focused on using the "6S" method to reduce clutter, inefficient processes, waste and more in their work spaces. 6S is a six-step process that stands for safety, sort, straighten, shine, standardize and sustain. "Through the 6S method, Airmen learn to

First group of UPT pilots graduate from Predator training

The first group of Undergraduate Pilot Training students completed the MQ-1 Predator Formal Training Unit's Initial Qualification Training Course here April 24. Along with the UPT students, the class graduated 20 students, which translates to 10 crews. A crew comprises a pilot and sensor operator.

Top officer addresses Air Force's role in irregular warfare

As combat requirements evolve, so must the Air Force's unique capabilities to engage the enemy, the service's top officer said. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz discussed the role of Airmen in counterinsurgency operations and irregular warfare April 24 at the Brookings Institution

Airmen turn empty Bulgarian hangar into A-10 hub

As aircraft maintenance and support Airmen from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, packed to support Exercise Reunion April 2009 at Bezmer Air Base, Bulgaria, they had to be prepared for any problem that might arise. A Bulgarian SU-25 unit at Bezmer Air Base provided the A-10 Thunderbolt II maintenance

C-17 stage crews at Manas ramp up support for OEF

Over the past five weeks, three Pacific Air Forces C-17 Globemaster IIIs have been flying round-the-clock missions from Manas to Afghanistan delivering special cargo in support of the Operation Enduring Freedom surge. The "stage" operation set up at Manas included aircraft and personnel from 535th

KC-10s keep Red Flag-Alaska aircraft fueled to fight

A fleet of KC-10 Extenders and their aircrews are deployed here to keep jets in the fight as they participate in a 10-day air combat training exercise over Alaska. The KC-10 Airmen and aircrews at Eielson Air Force Base for Red Flag-Alaska 09-2 are from McGuire AFB, N.J., and Travis AFB, Calif.  "We

April 27 airpower summary: B-1B deters enemy activity

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations April 27, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, an Air Force MQ-9 Reaper flying over Balocan used a

April 26 airpower summary: Predators are eyes in the sky

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations April 26, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E carried out a show of force and

Air Force flight surgeons train Iraqi counterparts

American Air Force flight surgeons continued their mission to teach and train Iraqi air force and army flight surgeons here recently to better prepare the Iraqi officers to eventually take over the aerospace medicine mission. The Coalition Air Force Training Team is conducting a flight surgeon

F-35 test plane flies over Eglin

The F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter test aircraft arrived here April 21 to educate the base and local community about the Department of Defense and world's newest fighter.The arrival of the test F-35, called AA-1, kicked off a week full of events to showcase the aircraft at Eglin Air Force

Airmen keep Hercules strong

When a transient C-130 Hercules delivers cargo and personnel here, there is a chance the aircraft may require maintenance before flying again. This is where Airmen of the 746th Aircraft Maintenance Unit step up to troubleshoot and fix the plane to make the C-130 ready for its return flight home. "We

Blue Flag enhances ability to protect U.S. from attacks

More than 500 Air Force personnel along with Army, Navy and Marine representatives completed a two-week training exercise April 24 here to improve how to monitor and intercept hostile military aircraft and to respond to potential terrorist attacks. Part of a series of military defense training

Charleston aerial port supports OEF build-up

Members of the 437th Aerial Port Squadron here are moving shipments of airfield matting overseas to help create landing strips in a number of remote locations supporting the build-up for Operation Enduring Freedom. Airfield matting is used to accelerate airfield construction by eliminating the time

School honors Colorado's last Vietnam MIA Airman

Officials from the Air Force Intelligence School here named its auditorium in honor of Colorado's last missing in action Air National Guard member from the Vietnam War April 10 here. Colorado native Maj. Perry H. Jefferson was honored as members of the Colorado Air National Guard and

Engaging the Afghan media

Lt. Gen. Gary L. North, the Combined Forces Air Component commander for forces in Southwest Asia, met with Afghan media recently to discuss airpower missions and contributions to the safety and security of the Afghan people. Reporters from more than 20 television, radio and news print organizations

April 25 airpower summary: C-17s helping to sustain fight

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations April 25, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, an A-10 Thunderbolt II strafed an enemy truck carrying

April 24 airpower summary: Pave Hawks key to rescues

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations April 24, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II and F-15E Strike

Langley showcases airpower to conclude Air Force Week

Airpower took center stage during the first day of Airpower over Hampton Roads, a three-day airshow culmination of Air Force Week April 24 here. Thousands of people from the surrounding Hampton Roads area came to the first day of airshows to witness static displays and aerial demonstrations by

Barrel nut team gets C-130s back in the air

A team of 30 Airmen across five units helped keep the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing's mission effectiveness rates above 98 percent during a nine-day period when the wing had only three flyable C-130 Hercules aircraft. After an immediate action time compliance technical order, or TCTO, was issued by