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  • C-17 arrives in New Zealand

    A C-17 Globemaster III crew of 14 from the 517th Airlift Squadron at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, arrived here March 18 for the 2009 Whenuapai Air Show. This is the first time since 1981 that a U. S. asset is participating in the yearly event, which began March 21, said U. S. Navy Chief Warrant

  • Airmen destroy Iraqi weapons for base security

    Approximately 30 Iraqi weapons were destroyed here March 18 to enhance base security, including many AK-47s; a Browning 9 mm pistol; a World War II-era .50 caliber anti-aircraft gun; an RPG 5 and 7; 61 mm and 81 mm mortars; and a 122 mm howitzer artillery piece. "We destroy these weapons, so the

  • 379th Airmen host Navy F/A-18s

    Airmen with the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing recently played host to Sailors from the U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt who were participating in Exercise Eastern Angler. The bilateral coalition exercise consisted of five days of flying operations, giving the Navy F/A-18 Hornet pilots a chance to train with

  • March 23 airpower summary: C-130s provide support

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 23, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles bombarded an anti-Afghan

  • Airmen train Iraqi maintainers

    Two maintenance Airmen took three Iraqi air force members from here to Camp Taji, Iraq, March 24 to help fix one of Iraq's C-130s In an attempt to help members of the Iraqi air force better cross utilize their resources and assets. Technical Sergeants Jim Grifasi and Bobby McKenzie, advisers with

  • March 22 airpower summary: A-10s hit targets

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 22, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15Es blew up a cave being used by

  • Senior leaders meet for high-level 'Warfighter Talks'

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Air Force leadership hosted Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead and senior naval leaders for the Navy-Air Force Warfighter Talks March 18 at Bolling Air Force Base, D.C. About 35 flag and general officers from both services gathered for a

  • March 21 airpower summary: F-15Es target anti-Afghan forces

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations March 21, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles and A-10 Thunderbolt

  • March 20 airpower summary: Tankers fuel the fight

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations March 20, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force MQ-1B Predator fired a Hellfire

  • National Guard Airmen augment Misawa maintenance

    Thirty-one Air National Guard Airmen volunteered to leave the United States in late February to help members of the 35th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron here recover and maintain F-16 Fighting Falcons returning from Joint Base Balad, Iraq. Members of the 14th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, who returned

  • 'Today's Air Force' features joint warfighting

    This edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights the importance of joint warfighting and the building of a joint force. Also featured is Operation Arctic Care 2009 which takes place in Alaska and brings much needed medical care for local villagers. The Air Force's newest fighter, the F-22 Raptor, is

  • Manas KC-135s revolutionize combat operations

    The 376th Air Expeditionary Wing's fleet of KC-135 Stratotankers here delivers more than fuel to the fight in Afghanistan these days as it is revolutionizing the way war is fought by serving as a data network relay high above the battlefield. At first glance, the cluster of cases mounted in the back

  • Sniper pod improves capabilities, lethality of B-1

    The B-1 Lancer, one of the most versatile aircraft in the Air Force arsenal, is now even more lethal. This lethality is not due to bigger bombs in its bomb bay, but to a small torpedo-shaped pod stuck to the plane's underbelly. Called the Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod, this device enables the B-1's

  • B-2 aircrew participates in exercise in Pacific

    Airmen aboard a B-2 Spirit tested their endurance in a 24-hour, 8,000-mile mission to Alaska and back to Guam March 12 in an exercise showcasing U.S. commitment to peace and stability throughout the Pacific region. Four B-2s and 270 Airmen from the 13th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron are deployed to

  • March 19 airpower summary: B-1B destroys enemy positions

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 19, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and F-15E Strike Eagles

  • Luke Airmen advise Moroccan air force on F-16 operations

    Members of the Royal Moroccan air force traveled 6,000 miles to speak with Luke Air Force Base Airmen and tour the installation for an insider's perspective on how an F-16 Fighting Falcon base operates in mid-March. Royal Moroccan air force officials are in the process of building an F-16 base in

  • Crew navigates tanker out of trouble

    "Any aircraft, any station, this is Shell 73. Emergency. We've lost complete navigational capability. Request assistance." This was the mayday call from Capt. Matthew Jaeger as he and the crew of Shell 73, a KC-135 Stratotanker from Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan, flew somewhere over the border of

  • AF Raven B operators maintain 'eyes-on' for ground forces

    "There it is," said Staff Sgt. Jeff Tomkiewicz, 887th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, as he pointed at a little, buzzing white dot in the sky. As the Raven B operator approached the small strip of sand of Camp Bucca's Burge Field, the tiny Raven B unmanned aircraft system hovered above the

  • March 18 airpower summary: A-10 hits target

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 18, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II dropped guided bomb

  • March 17 airpower summary: F-16s strike target

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 17, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Navy F/A-18F Super Hornets flew a show of force,

  • March 16 airpower summary: C-130s sustain operations

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 16, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles hit enemy positions near

  • March 15 airpower summary: F-15 destroys cache

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 15, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle destroyed a cache of

  • U.S., Japan forces conduct bilateral training

    Japan Air Self Defense Force pilots are practicing defensive missions with U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors in bilateral fighter pilot training March 16 through 19 over Kadena Air Base.American Airmen regularly conduct joint, combined and bilateral training from the base to defend Japan to maintain peace

  • Airmen represent U.S. military at airshow 'down under'

    About 100 Airmen from across the Air Force recently flew "down under" to represent the U.S. military and demonstrate aircraft capabilities at the 2009 Australian International Airshow March 13 through 15 at Avalon Airport. Airmen from Air Combat Command, Air Mobility Command, Air Force Reserve

  • New Kandahar unit prepares for troop increase

    Kandahar Airfield officials activated the 772nd Expeditionary Airlift Squadron March 15 here as the NATO base prepares for the build-up of forces to support Operation Enduring Freedom.The newest airlift squadron in the Air Force will be flying the C-130J Hercules, and serve under the 451st Air

  • Rescue Airmen support shuttle launch

    Airmen from Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., supported the successful launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery March 16 from Kennedy Space Center. Pararescuemen, along with crewmembers on HH-60G Pave Hawks of the 920th Rescue Wing were stationed on or around Kennedy Space Center for the 7:43 p.m.

  • Air Force officials release F-15 accident report

    A sequence of flight analysis and assessment errors by the pilot led to an F-15 Eagle overrunning the runway and all paved surfaces Nov. 13 at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., Air Education and Training Command officials announced March 17 here. The accident resulted in $1.25 million damage to the

  • Captain mentors teens in Senate Youth Program

    Students participating in the U.S. Senate Youth Program recently toured government buildings including the Pentagon, met their elected representatives and learned about the foundations of democracy here. They also became personally acquainted with a defender of this democratic process: Capt. Ladonna

  • Special operations officials seek best, brightest pilots

    Wanted: Individuals able to think on their feet, adapt quickly when needed, have a love for flying, and want to get in the fight now. That was the message to members of the 80th Flying Training Wing's Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program March 6 here from Maj. Gen. Kurt A. Cichowski, the Air

  • Former Thunderbirds pilot 'an inspiration' for young girls

    Perched on a balcony overseeing an assortment of aircraft static displays, a young girl asked Maj. Nicole Malachowski, "Is it hard to be a pilot?"The major smiled at the question; it's one she'd answered many times. After all, she was the first female Thunderbirds and before that, an accomplished

  • 'Today's Air Force' features importance of joint warfighting

    This edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights the importance of joint warfighting and the building of a joint force. Also featured is Operation Arctic Care that takes place in Alaska and brings much needed medical care for villagers in the entire state. There is also a feature on the Air Force's

  • March 14 airpower summary: B-1Bs support ground troops

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 14, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs used 30 mm Avenger cannon

  • March 13 airpower summary: A-10s strike enemy positions

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 13, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, a coalition aircraft responded to a dawn attack against a

  • Multinational consortium celebrates milestone of first C-17

    Twelve nations simultaneously came a step closer to fulfilling their national strategic airlift requirements today as a single C-17 Globemaster III reached a key manufacturing milestone here. Officials associated with the first-of-its kind strategic airlift capability, or SAC, consortium of 10 NATO

  • Mildenhall Airmen assist RAF members redeploy

    When servicemembers return home after a six-month deployment, the fewer things standing between them and their loved ones, the better. Knowing that, Royal Air Force Mildenhall members wasted no time helping about 150 Royal Air Force members returning from Afghanistan get through the necessary return

  • AF Africa commander addresses continental challenges

    The commander of U.S. Air Forces Africa spoke about the increasingly focused role the U.S. is taking to bolster Africa's air capabilities during a March 9 visit to Air University here. "We must invest in the future of Africa," said Maj. Gen. Ronald R. "Ron" Ladnier Jr. The general's comments came on

  • March 12 airpower summary: F-15Es interrupt mortar attack

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 12, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, a Royal Air Force GR-9 Harrier destroyed an enemy truck

  • March 11 airpower summary: B-1Bs disrupt enemy plans

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 11, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force MQ-9A Reaper struck an anti-Afghan gunman with

  • Exercise in Thailand shows multilateral partnership

    Approximately 20 military members from Thailand, Singapore and the United States are working together to coordinate the aerial missions throughout the region for Exercise Cope Tiger 2009 March 9 through 20 here.Cope Tiger is a two-week exercise including both flying and humanitarian missions

  • No margin for error at Tinker bomber egress shop

    Members of the 565th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron's bomber egress shop here have just one chance to maintain B-52 Stratofortress and B-1B Lancer egress systems because there are no second chances when it comes to their line of work.Unit members maintain, replace and repair egress systems for the

  • Thule members aid in lifesaving ice rescue

    A National Science Foundation employee fell off a snow ramp at the foundation's research camp at Summit Station March 6 in Greenland, and the only place for him to get treatment was the medical clinic at Thule Air Base nearly 700 miles away. The employee suffered two broken vertebrae in his spine,

  • Air Force, Navy pilots train together over Okinawa

    Air Force and Navy pilots are sharpening their aerial combat skills in simulated dogfights and strike missions from March 1 through 21 over Okinawa. Using the base as a power projection platform, F-15 Eagle pilots from the 67th Fighter Squadron and F-22 Raptor pilots from the deployed 27th

  • March 10 airpower summary: A-10s conduct shows of force

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 10, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force MQ-9A Reaper used Hellfire missiles to target a

  • C-130s undergoing inspections

    An immediate action time compliance technical order was issued by Air Force Materiel Command officials here March 4 to inspect all C-130 Hercules aircraft due to potential cracking of wing-joint barrel nuts. The time compliance technical order was ordered after a C-130H undergoing routine scheduled

  • Iraqi Vice Chief of Staff: Air component top priority

    The Iraqi joint forces vice chief of staff discussed his country's top military priorities during a visit to Air Education and Training Command March 4. Chief among those priorities are the establishment of credible, effective air and naval components, General Nasier Arkan Al-Abadi said. "The Iraqi

  • Engineers save nearly $300 million in engine repairs

    Engineers at the Air Force Research Laboratory Materials and Manufacturing Directorate here saved nearly $300 million by reducing the costs associated with aircraft jet engine maintenance.The Engine Rotor Life Extension program, called ERLE, demonstrated a life-cycle cost avoidance for engine rotor

  • Multinational exercise Cope Tiger 2009 kicks off

    The first flights of Cope Tiger 2009 launched March 9, filling the sky above Thailand with fighter aircraft and signaling the 15th year of partnership between the United States, Thailand and Singapore militaries. Cope Tiger is an annual, multilateral aerial exercise which divides Thai, Singaporean

  • March 8 airpower summary: F-15Es provide aerial overwatch

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 8, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles flying aerial overwatch near

  • F-15E pilots protect ground forces in massive firefight

    Ten Soldiers who earned Silver Stars and an Airman who will receive an Air Force Cross March 10 might not be alive today if it were not for Seymour Johnson Air Force Base Airmen providing crucial close-air support during an assault on an insurgent stronghold in Afghanistan's Shok Valley last year. A

  • AFMC focuses on nuclear sustainment, command priorities

    The commander of Air Force Materiel Command called for maximum focus on the command priorities during AFMC's semi-annual senior leaders conference March 5 and 6 at Robins Air Force Base.From a top priority of robust nuclear sustainment to increased warfighter support and resource conservation, Gen.

  • Air Force officials release F-16 accident report

    Catastrophic engine failure caused an F-16 Fighting Falcon to crash on the flightline of Joint Base Balad, Iraq, Nov. 12, 2008, Air Combat Command officials announced March 9 here. The $28.8 million aircraft was destroyed during impact and the subsequent fire. The pilot, who climbed out of the

  • Air Force officials release Predator accident report

    A short circuit caused electrical fluctuations to the primary control module and other critical components, thus causing the crash of an MQ-1 Predator near Joint Base Balad, Iraq, Aug. 1, 2008, according to an Air Combat Command Accident Investigation Board report released March 5 here. The

  • March 7 airpower summary: A-10s support ground forces

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 7, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs targeted enemy snipers

  • March 6 airpower summary: Strike Eagles protect convoys

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 6, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles destroyed several enemy

  • Kadena Airmen deploy to Thailand for Exercise Cope Tiger

    About 170 Kadena Air Base Airmen are deploying with 12 F-15 Eagles to Thailand to participate in Exercise Cope Tiger 2009 from March 9 through 20. The F-15s from the 44th Fighter Squadron here will fly alongside their Thai air force counterparts as well as the Singaporean air force and other U.S.

  • Korean VIP goes for a ride

    The 8th Fighter Wing commander literally took Gunsan City's Korean National Police chief for a ride here March 4. Colonel J.D. Harris invited Kim Myung Jung to the base to familiarize him with the wing mission and the F-16 Fighting Falcon. Kunsan's Pilot for a Day program brings local civilians who

  • Air Force on target with recruiting, retention

    Air Force leaders' efforts to have the "right number of people in the right jobs" remains a challenge and so far, the Air Force is headed in the right direction, according to Lt. Gen. Richard Y. Newton III, the deputy chief of staff for manpower and personnel. The general was one of several senior

  • March 4 airpower summary: B-1B destroys drug production facilities

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 4, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer bomber used guided bomb unit-38s to

  • March 5 airpower summary: A-10s provide aerial security

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 5, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles engaged a cave that anti-Afghan

  • Post commemorates 99th anniversary of first military flight

    A vintage Stearman PT-17 and a Fairchild PTY-26 flew at approximately 11 a.m. March 2 under a clear blue sky over the grounds of Fort Sam Houston commemorating the 99th anniversary of the first military flight made by then 1st Lt. Benjamin Foulois. Sponsored by the Stinsons Flight No. 2, Order of

  • Guard aviators gear up for Afghanistan deployment

    Four New York Army National Guard aviators got a taste of high-altitude flying in Afghanistan on Feb. 25 without leaving the United States. The Afghan-bound members of Detachment 20, Operational Support Airlift, went through high-altitude training at an Air Force oxygen chamber here. The Soldiers

  • March 3 airpower summary: Predator keeps vigilant watch

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 3, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force MQ-1B Predator unmanned aerial vehicle used a

  • Challenging Air Force weather mission at Academy

    With an area of 18,000 acres, an elevation gain of 2,800 feet and Pikes Peak only 15 miles to the southwest, staying ahead of the weather here can be difficult. Add to that an airfield that relies heavily on weather conditions that allow pilots to land by looking outside the cockpit and you have

  • ESC uses new acquisition steps to advance critical program

    An Electronic Systems Center team has completed one of the Air Force's first Materiel Development Decisions using the new DOD Instruction 5000.02, Operation of the Defense Acquisition System, acquisition procedures approved in December. The team, composed of people in the 653rd Electronic Systems

  • AFSPC commander speaks on changing nature of warfare

    General C. Robert Kehler, the commander of Air Force Space Command, spoke at the Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando Feb. 24 about the future of conflict. "We're very excited about what is happening in our command," he said, referring to the decision to make Air Force Space Command the lead for (Air

  • Successful Deep Freeze season comes to an end

    Another season of Department of Defense support to the U.S. Antarctic Program and National Science Foundation activities in Antarctica came to an end Feb. 28. The 2008-2009 season of Operation Deep Freeze, the U.S. military's operational and logistical support of the NSF's scientific research

  • Airmen advise Afghans on Russian-made helicopters

    Kadena Air Base Airmen are contributing to the readiness of the Afghan national army air corps by serving as advisers to Afghan airmen at Kandahar Air Base, Afghanistan, who maintain the Russian-made MI-17 transport helicopter. Tech. Sgt. Dennis Flanagan, a helicopter crew chief, and Tech. Sgt.

  • Altus shop improvement reuses waste water

    Airmen from the 97th Maintenance Directorate wheel and tire shop recently improved the way they wash aircraft wheels, which will save the Air Force more than $47,000 and reduce hazardous waste generation by more than 27,000 pounds annually. When the shop focused on increasing efficiency, the end

  • March 2 airpower summary: A-10s deter, disrupt enemy activities

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 2, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs dropped general purpose

  • Rescue crews assist search for missing boater, NFL players

    Air Force Reserve rescue crews from the 920th Rescue Wing here launched two aircraft March 2 as Airmen helped with the continued search for three missing boaters in the Gulf of Mexico, two who are NFL players. The 920th RQW maintenance teams prepared an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter and an HC-130P/N

  • Squadron continues tradition, honors fallen comrades

    Members from the 1st Special Operations Squadron took off Feb. 26 from Kadena Air Base, Japan, on a MC-130H Combat Talon II to honor fallen brethren that were lost 28 years ago.A 1st SOS MC-130E, call sign Stray 59, crashed during an exercise killing eight crewmembers and 15 passengers Feb. 26,

  • Airmen deliver 1 million pounds of supplies in 42 days

    Airmen of the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron dropped its 1 millionth pound of equipment from a C-17 Globemaster III Feb. 16 over Afghanistan just 42 days after arriving here Dec. 30. Unit members deployed from Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., completed the milestone mission supporting

  • March 1 airpower summary: MQ-9 targets enemy with missiles

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 1, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs responded to a ground

  • Rescue crews join search for missing NFL players, boaters

    An Air Force Reserve Rescue crew from the 920th Rescue Wing here took off in an HH-60G Pave Hawk at 5 p.m. March 1 to join the Coast Guard in a search for four missing boaters in the Gulf of Mexico. Detroit Lions defensive end Corey Smith and Oakland Raiders linebacker Victor Cooper were among the

  • Feb. 26 airpower summary: A-10s deter enemy forces

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Feb. 26, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan a coalition aircraft used a precision guided munition to

  • Feb. 27 airpower summary: B-1B destroys enemy narcotics facility

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

  • Feb. 28 air power summary: F-15E destroys enemy weapons cache

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Feb. 28, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle destroyed an anti-Afghan

  • New exhibit highlights '100 Missions Up North' at museum

    A new exhibit titled, "100 Missions Up North," opens March 19 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force here. The display highlights the story of brave Airmen who flew missions above North Vietnam and neighboring countries during the Vietnam War. Located in the Modern Flight Gallery, the exhibit

  • A-10 unit reaches 10,000-hour milestone

    Members of the 75th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron here reached a historic milestone Feb. 24 when the unit surpassed 10,000 combat flight hours in the A-10 Thunderbolt II for a single deployment rotation. Col. Raymond Strasburger, the 455th Expeditionary Operations Group commander, and Lt. Col. Sam

  • Honoring a brother's sacrifice

    An Airman here is honoring his brother's service two years after he paid the ultimate sacrifice when an improvised explosive device detonated and struck his vehicle while on patrol in Baghdad, Iraq.Senior Airman Jason Nathan was killed June 23, 2007, and today Staff Sgt. Joe Nathan Jr. is deployed

  • Airmen assist with 2009 ESPN Bassmaster Classic

    The 2009 ESPN Bassmaster Classic allowed several Barksdale Air Force Base Airmen to reel-in a piece of the action Feb. 20 through 22 here. Several bass enthusiasts and the Barksdale Hawgherders Bass Club participated in the classic, which brought 137,700 people to the Shreveport, La., area for what

  • Feb. 24 airpower summary: Predator targets anti-Afghan forces

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Feb. 24, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle engaged enemy forces with a

  • Feb. 25 airpower summary: F-15Es deter enemy forces

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Feb. 25, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, a Royal Air Force G-9 Harrier struck buildings in a compound

  • Aeromedical missions bring total force partners together

    Almost 56,000 Soldiers, Marines, Sailors since October 2001 have been aeromedically evacuated supporting expeditionary operations by the total force team of active-duty, Reserve and Guard Airmen. In the Air Mobility Command aeromedical evacuation community, every day entails a combination of total

  • Special operators honored at Pentagon ceremony

    Five special operations Airmen were honored at a ceremony in the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes Feb. 24. The award winners are: Fighter Duty Officer Award - Capt. Brett E. Plummer Captain Plummer is a fighter duty officer assigned to the 4th Air Support Operations Squadron at Sullivan Barracks in

  • Marines arrive in Kunsan for exercise

    Kunsan Air Base Airmen accepted and processed Marines as they landed on board a KC-130J Super Hercules Feb. 23 here.The Marines from the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing out of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma from Japan participated in an Exercise Key Resolve, a routine training exercise designed to train

  • Red Flag 09-3 exercise begins

    Southern Nevada residents may have notice increased military aircraft activity as the latest Red Flag exercise began Feb. 23. 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

  • Chief of staff pays tribute to heritage

    When the Air Force chief of staff visited here recently, it wasn't just about looking forward and to the future of aviation with unmanned aircraft systems; it was also about looking back and recognizing where the service has been. Before Gen. Norton Schwartz stepped into the 99th Flying Training

  • U.S., Thai, Singapore forces to participate in Cope Tiger

    Aviation and ground units from the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps, the Royal Thai Air Force and army, and the Republic of Singapore air force are scheduled to participate in Exercise Cope Tiger 2009 March 9 through 20 in Thailand. Cope Tiger is an annual, multilateral aerial large-force

  • Special Operations Command Airman dies in Afghanistan

    An Air Force Special Operations Command combat control journeyman died Feb. 20 while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Staff Sgt. Timothy P. Davis, 28, of Aberdeen, Wash., died near Bagram, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive

  • Air Force, Army leaders lay out joint UAS future

    The Air Force and Army chiefs of staff signed a plan recently in Washington, D.C., taking the two services one step closer to supporting the full spectrum of conflict with their larger, multirole unmanned aircraft. Military officials presented the Army/Air Force Multirole Unmanned Aircraft System

  • Feb. 23 airpower summary: A-10s provide air cover

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Feb. 23, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Navy F/A-18F Super Hornets spotted enemy personnel trying to

  • 43rd EECS passes 20,000 combat hours

    Airmen with the 43rd Expeditionary Electronic Combat Squadron, a unit that has almost five years of continuous deployment, clocked their 20,000th combat flight hour early Feb. 17. The 43rd EECS aircrews and the EC-130 Compass Call aircraft they fly provide communications jamming support to U.S. and

  • Predator passes 500,000 flight hours

    Airmen of the 432d Air Expeditionary Wing here flew an MQ-1B Predator unmanned aircraft in a combat mission in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Feb. 18, and the flight surpassed the 500,000 flight-hour mark for the aircraft. Members of the 15th Reconnaissance Squadron flew the

  • Airmen escort presidential papers into history

    Air Force District of Washington Airmen took their place in history Feb. 23 as they were honored for moving presidential documents safely and in "record" time. Standing before the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights, Airmen from AFDW, the 316th

  • European Union delegation visits Manas

    A delegation of five representatives from the European Union visited Manas Air Base Feb. 21 to see firsthand how it supports the International Security Assistance Force mission and coalition partnership in Afghanistan. Led by Ambassador Pierre Morel, EU special representative to Central Asia, the

  • Airmen teach Iraqi air force members aircraft maintenance

    Airmen from the 321st Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron here are teaching Iraqi air force members aircraft structural maintenance as both parties learn each other's language. The advisers concluded that the best way to teach the Iraqis the intricate tasks of aircraft structural maintenance was to

  • Rapid acquisition, training team helps secure Iraqi elections

    An Electronic Systems Center rapid acquisition project helped ensure recent Iraqi elections were conducted peaceably. ESC officials provided 600 all-weather, fully stabilized metal detectors that were used at polling venues across Iraq, and center officials also provided three members of a

  • Feb. 22 airpower summary: B-1B destroys enemy bunker

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Feb. 22, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer destroyed an anti-Afghan bunker

  • Predator crashes northeast of Balad

    An Air Force MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft stationed here crashed off base at approximately 4:30 p.m. local time Feb. 22. The Predator is a medium-altitude, long-endurance, remotely piloted aircraft used primarily to conduct armed reconnaissance. A board will convene to investigate the