HomeNews

NATO Air Policing operations

U.S. Air Force News

  • 17th Air Force Airmen support Africa Command

    Airmen from 17th Air Force here received initial operational capability Oct. 1 and are already supporting missions for the U.S. Africa Command. In the first 30 days since declaring initial operational capability, aerial missions on the continent have coincided with continuing administration and

  • Nov. 13 airpower summary: A-10s protect ground forces

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 13, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II fired cannon rounds against

  • Airmen respond to buried threat in Afghanistan

    When the Soviet Union pulled out of Afghanistan, they left thousands of mines and other explosive remnants of the war behind. At Bagram Airfield, with constant civil engineering projects to expand the flightline and other facilities, it's a daily occurrence to find small explosives in the soft sand.

  • Air Force colonel to pilot his first space shuttle mission

    An Air Force colonel is scheduled to pilot the Space Shuttle Endeavour for mission STS-126 when it takes off Nov. 14 at Kennedy Space Center, Fla.Col. Eric Boe, a NASA astronaut, will fly the shuttle on his first voyage into space as Endeavour supports the International Space Station. During the

  • Interns provide capabilities to the Air Force

    This summer, officials with the Global Cyberspace Integration Center and the National Institute of Aerospace successfully completed a cyberspace innovation and integration initiative, or CI3, for undergraduate and graduate students interested in technology projects. CI3 allows upper-class college

  • Nov. 12 airpower summary: Reaper hits target

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 12, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force MQ-9A Reaper used Hellfire missiles against

  • Edwards test squadron test drives Global Hawk

    Members of the 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron here test drives the Global Hawk unmanned aircraft system and ensures the aircraft is up to par with advertised specifications. Squadron personnel evaluate the operational effectiveness and suitability of advanced Air Combat Command weapon systems,

  • Kyrgyz war heroes, Manas Airmen enjoy Veterans Day

    In honor of Veterans Day, the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing hosted ten Kyrgyz  World War II veterans for a tour of the base, dinner and a ceremony to announce the start of a program to help supplement their living expenses and continue to further strengthen the friendship between the Kyrgyz veterans

  • Nov. 11 airpower summary: B-1B bombs enemy forces

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 11, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer and an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle

  • Nov. 10 airpower summary: F-15Es deter anti-Afghan forces

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 10, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped guided bomb unit-38s

  • Strategic planners give glimpse of tomorrow's mobility force

    Air Mobility Command strategic planners gave an insider's view into the future of air mobility  at the 40th annual Airlift/Tanker Association Conference Nov. 10 here. The air mobility future contains airlifters able to takeoff and land on extremely short and unprepared airfields, aircraft

  • F-16 destroyed in fire in Southwest Asia

    An F-16 Fighting Falcon caught fire after the pilot aborted the takeoff at about 5:40 a.m. Baghdad time Nov. 12 at an air base in Southwest Asia. The pilot, who climbed out of the stopped aircraft, was taken to the Air Force Theater Hospital on base for evaluation and had no apparent injuries. The

  • First students graduate Raptor Basic Course

    Four student pilots at Tyndall AFB became the first graduates of the Air Force's F-22 Raptor Basic Course Nov. 1, setting another milestone in the fielding of the Air Force's most advanced fighter aircraft. These pilots are the first in the Air Force to have the F-22 as their first operational

  • Navy pilots learning to fly Global Hawk

    In what could prove to be the first step toward creating a joint RQ-4 Unmanned Aircraft System training unit here, pilots of the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron are teaching a class of Navy pilots the Global Hawk system. The class, consisting of three active-duty P-3 Orion pilots and one civilian

  • New UAS program at Randolph simulates air battle space

    A first-of-its-kind combat familiarization program for pilots slated to fly unmanned aircraft systems soon will launch at the 563rd Flying Training Squadron here. The four-week-long Unmanned Aircraft Systems Fundamentals Course will begin Nov. 21. It is designed to give 10 newly-winged graduates of

  • Nov. 9 airpower summary: tankers help sustain operations

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 8, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle dropped a guided bomb

  • Nov. 8 airpower summary: A-10s deter enemy activities

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 8, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped guided bomb unit-38s

  • Nov. 7 airpower summary: C-17s sustain operations

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations Nov. 7, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer and a coalition aircraft

  • New treatments for warriors' psychological care examined

    Defense Department officials here are investigating new treatments as part of a focused, sustained campaign to assist wounded warriors suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury, a senior U.S. military official said. The effort is being launched in conjunction with the

  • Nov. 6 airpower summary: F-15Es conduct show of force

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 6, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force MQ-9 Reaper dropped guided bomb unit-12s and used

  • McChord Airmen help controllers train for new runway

    McChord Air Force Base Airmen shared their training simulator here with Seattle-Tacoma International Airport tower controllers to ensure they are certified and ready for operations when the civilian airport's third runway officially opens Nov. 20. Since September, members of the 62nd Operations

  • Nov. 4 airpower summary: F-16s protect coalition forces

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 4, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, coalition aircrafts dropped guided bomb unit-12s and enhanced

  • U.S., Australian team conducts evacuation in Antarctica

    A combined U.S. and Australian team successfully evacuated an Australian civilian in Antarctica to a hospital in Hobart, Australia, Nov. 5. The seriously injured patient was part of an Australian Antarctic Division contingent conducting scientific research at Davis Station, Antarctica. He is

  • Airmen spend day with Chilean children

    Airmen in Chile as part of an exchange with Latin American air forces spent Oct. 30 to brighten the outlook for neglected Chilean children in a suburb of Santiago.Fourteen Airmen and one Army National Guard member drove to a home for abused or neglected children where the servicemembers gave the

  • F-16 pilots receive Mackay Trophy

    Four F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots were awarded the Mackay Trophy at the National Aeronautic Association Fall Awards Banquet in the nation's capital Nov. 3. The award honors the "most meritorious flight of the year" by an Air Force person, persons or organization. This year's recipients were: -- Col.

  • Nov. 3 airpower summary: C-130s sustain global airlift

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 3, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles and Navy F/A-18F Super Hornets

  • Officials identify Airman missing in action

    Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office officials here announced Nov. 3 that the remains of a U.S. Airman missing in action from World War II have been identified and will be returned to his family for burial with full military honors. He is Staff Sgt. Martin F. Troy of the Army Air

  • Airmen show true grit in Strongman competition

    Airmen, Sailors and Soldiers battled it out in a showdown of guts and glory at the Strong Man/Strong Mind Challenge Oct. 25 at an air base in Southwest Asia. Out of the 20 participants in the multiforce face-off, three Air Force warriors emerged victorious with the top three spots. Senior Airman

  • Airmen continue building South American partnerships

    More than 70 Airmen are spread across four South American countries learning and sharing with their partner nations' military members and performing community outreach events. Operation Southern Partner, a Twelfth Air Force (Air Forces Southern) led event aimed at providing intensive, periodic

  • Nov. 2 airpower summary: F-15Es strike enemy forces

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 2, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped guided bomb unit-31s and

  • Nov. 1 airpower summary: C-17s help sustain operations

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 1, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped guided bomb unit-31s and

  • Hurlburt Field maintainers receive DOD award

    Maintainers from Hurlburt Field, Fla., were named the winners of the Department of Defense Phoenix Award, the highest field-level maintenance award within DOD, Oct. 29 in Denver. Representatives from the 1st Special Operations Maintenance group were on hand at the award ceremony during the 2008 DOD

  • Oct. 31 airpower summary: A-10s deter enemy activities

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 31, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, coalition aircraft dropped guided bomb unit-38s and fired

  • Maintainers partner to exchange new practices

    Nearly 30 Argentinean air force aircraft maintenance mechanics, students and instructors came together at Palomar Air Base here Oct. 31 to exchange new ideas and techniques on preserving and evaluating aircraft as part of Twelfth Air Force (Air Forces Southern)'s Operation Southern Partner. U.S. Air

  • Naval unit jack of all trades at air base

    A unit here has become a jack of all trades for the war on terrorism while remaining a master in its primary mission. Patrol Squadron 46's core mission is to provide anti-submarine coverage, but the squadron has spent the past four months here providing assistance in other ways. "We are very much a

  • New Zealand aircrew assists U.S. Airmen during mission

    A Royal New Zealand Air Force aircrew assisted Airmen from the U.S. Pacific Command's Joint Task Force Support Forces Antarctica by delivering a mission essential part Oct. 27 to a disabled aircraft at Pegasus White Ice Runway, Antarctica. An electronic engine controller and three Air Force aircraft

  • Oct. 30 airpower summary: F-15Es keep vigilant overwatch

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 30, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, a Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet dropped a guided bomb unit-38

  • Chilean, U.S. Air Forces share perimeter defense methods

    Force Protection Airmen and a Canadian officer participating in Operation Southern Partner demonstrated the Small Unmanned Aircraft System to the Chilean air force's anti-aircraft artillery regiment Oct 29. Operation Southern Partner is an all-new, in-depth subject matter exchange emphasizing

  • Admiral Mullen cites culture of change during address

    Change is the cornerstone and is at the heart of every aspect of today's military, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told more than 800 Air War College students Oct. 28 at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. "I see it in technology. I see it in people. I see it in missions. I see it in the joint

  • Oct. 29 airpower summary: C-130s transport troops, cargo

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 29, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, a Navy F/A-18A Hornet and a coalition aircraft dropped guided

  • Airmen, Chilean school 'partner' to teach children aviation

    More than 10 community outreach projects were started Oct. 27 as part of the Twelfth Air Force (Air Forces Southern)'s Operation Southern Partner. Maj. Jason Couisine, the Air Force section chief at the U.S. Military Group here, acted as a schoolteacher during a guest science class at the Complejo

  • Joint Base Balad Airmen remember fallen wingman

    A memorial service was held here Oct. 27 for a 332nd Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron NCO who was found dead in his housing unit Oct. 23 at Joint Base Balad.Airmen held a town hall meeting here that started with a roll call. A senior NCO with the 332nd EMXS called out names of Airmen in the phase

  • Work continues to replace T-38 aileron levers

    To meet the challenge of building more than 1,000 aileron actuator levers for T-38 Talon aircraft, workers in the 532nd Commodities Maintenance Squadron's New Manufacturing and Repair Division literally had to start from scratch. The levers, which control moveable flaps on the T-38's wings, are

  • U.S. forces participate in Hong Kong exercise

    American, Hong Kong and Chinese forces joined together for the Search and Rescue Exercise 2008 in mid-October off the coast of Hong Kong.Search and rescue units from the Alaska Air National Guard's 210th and 212th Rescue Squadrons in Anchorage, Alaska, and the Coast Guard District 14 in Honolulu,

  • Center serves as hub for air mobility operations

    There is more to flying a mission than just hopping on the aircraft and cranking the engines. Air Mobility Command's 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center at Scott AFB is the nexus for the global air mission for the U.S. military. "We plan missions, resource the crews and the aircraft, task the

  • Oct. 28 airpower summary: Reaper fires missiles

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 28, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II fired rockets and cannon

  • Oct. 27 airpower summary: KC-135 provides fuel support

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 27, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, coalition aircraft dropped guided bomb unit-12s onto a tree

  • Commander discusses 'jewel in crown' of America's military

    The United States military is the best-manned, best-equipped and best-trained force in the world, but that doesn't mean a thing if it can't get to the fight, said the commander of U.S. Transportation Command. The 138,000 military and civilian men and women of the U.S. Transportation Command and its

  • Oct. 26 airpower summary: B-1B bombs enemy fighters

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 26, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped guided bomb unit-31s and

  • Chief of staff wraps up Middle East tour at Joint Base Balad

    The Air Force chief of staff finished a visit to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility with a last stop to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Oct. 25 here. Gen. Norton Schwartz and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley learned about Airmen's accomplishments in theater,

  • Guard, Reserve warfighters chart tactics course

    Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve officials prepared the roadmap for weapons and tactics needs for their near- and long-term during a conference Oct. 20 through 24 in Tucson.The annual Weapons and Tactic Conference began at the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., with opening remarks by Lt.

  • Oct. 25 airpower summary: A-10s strike enemy targets

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 25, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II fired cannon rounds onto

  • Air Force officials to establish new nuclear major command

    The Air Force will stand up a new major command specifically to manage its nuclear assets, the service's top official announced Oct. 24. Air Force Secretary Michael B. Donley said the new command will fold into its ranks thousands of Airmen and all of the Air Force's domestic nuclear capabilities in

  • 'Today's Air Force' features Air Force secretary

    This edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights Michael Donley, the 22nd secretary of the Air Force.  Also featured is his visit to Southwest Asia where he discusses the mission and involvement in the war on terrorism. Another highlight is the training Airmen go through to prepare for every mission.

  • Top leaders bring praise, vision of future to Airmen in Iraq

    The Air Force chief of staff and chief master sergeant of the Air Force praised Airmen for their role in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and discussed the "way ahead" during their on-going visit to meet face-to-face with Airmen deployed to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Oct. 24

  • Oct. 23 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 23, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II fired rockets and cannon

  • Oct. 24 airpower summary: F-16 strikes enemy

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 24, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs dropped a guided bomb

  • Chief of staff reenlists crew chief over Southwest Asia

    The Air Force chief of staff reenlisted a C-17 Globemaster III flight crewmember 32,000 feet above the U.S. Central Command area of operations Oct. 23. Gen. Norton Schwartz signed up Senior Airman Tyrell Haney, a 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, for another tour of duty -- his second

  • Airmen speed delivery of lifesaving medicine

    Coordination and hustle between several American military agencies here enabled a lifesaving package to reach an Iraqi snakebite victim and save a life Oct. 15 here. The Army Medical Materiel Center Southwest Asia staff received an urgent request for anti-venom to help a young Iraqi woman who was in

  • Airman missing in action from World War II identified

    Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office officials announced Oct. 21 that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, missing in action from World War II, have been identified and returned to his family for burial. 2nd Lt. Ray D. Packard of the Army Air Forces from Atwood, Calif., was buried Oct. 22

  • Lasers may aid missile defense, engine crack detection

    Air Force Office of Scientific Research-funded work at the University of Colorado at Boulder could lead to possible future technologies that use the high energy densities of lasers. Studies by university officials explore how atoms and molecules respond to light pulses, which could show cracks in

  • F-35 completes air-start test at Edwards

    The prototype F-35 Joint Strike Fighter AA-1 completed an air-start test validating the aircraft's ability to shut down and restart its engine in flight Oct. 23 here. This ensures the aircraft, which is called the F-35 Lightning II for the Air Force, can regain power and fly safely in the event of

  • Student pilot gets first UAS assignment at Vance

    As part of an Air Force initiative to meet increased demands for its airborne intelligence, reconnaissance, surveillance, force protection and strike capabilities, student pilots in the Air Education and Training Command have a new potential assignment among the array of Air Force aircraft: unmanned

  • Top military leaders visit Airmen in Southwest Asia

    The Air Force chief of staff and chief master sergeant of the Air Force visited Airmen of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Oct. 22 during their visit to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. "I'm pleased to be back in the AOR to see the many changes and steps the Air Force is taking to

  • ACC team effort vital to nuclear evaluation mission

    A three-month process, planned a year in advance, involving hundreds of man-hours of detailed coordination with people at more than four Air Force bases funnels down to one aircraft, one missile, one sortie and the push of a button. The aircraft is a B-52 Stratofortress flown by an aircrew from the

  • Oct. 22 airpower summary: B-1B bombs bad bikers

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 22, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II fired cannon rounds onto

  • AF officials agree to ship 18 cargo planes to Afghanistan

    The deal is done for the Air Force officials to ship 18 G-222 cargo planes to the Afghan National Air Corps. Officials signed the $287 million contract at Robins AFB Sept. 29. The Italian-built planes are being purchased from Alenia North America and will be refurbished, with 16 to serve as medium

  • Agility, flexibility, teamwork: Key components of airpower

    Examine most successful business or sports teams, and you may find their foundation is based on flexibility, agility and teamwork. The success of airpower in Iraq and Afghanistan incorporates these three traits on a daily basis, through the interaction with coalition forces and U.S. sister services.

  • Airmen's rapid response to fire saves $52 million

    Four Airmen with the 332nd Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron here protected $52 million in aircraft parts from being damaged or destroyed with their quick response to an electrical fire Sept. 22. Staff Sgt. Akeilee Murchison, Senior Airman Heather Libiszewski, Airman 1st Class Mayra

  • UAS volunteers sought for Air Force test program; deadline approaching

    Air Force officials are seeking up to 20 captains with four to six years of experience to volunteer for the unmanned aircraft systems beta test program. "This first run of the test-run program is open to captains who have no previous military pilot-training experience," said Col. Curt Sheldon,

  • Oct. 21 airpower summary: A-10s provide escort for convoys

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 21, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II fired cannon rounds onto

  • E-9A crews survey gulf, track missiles

    Tyndall Air Force Base aircrews flying the twin-turbo-propped E-9A help ensure the Gulf of Mexico waters are clear of boats and aircraft for live-fire missile launches during Air Force exercises. The E-9A is used as an airborne surveillance/telemetry data relay aircraft and its aircrews evaluate the

  • Iraqi air force pilots take flight into history

    The first three pilots graduated from Iraq's only fixed-wing flight training school at Kirkuk Regional Air Base Oct. 13. With cooperation from the Coalition Air Force Training Team and the 52nd Expeditionary Flying Training Squadron at Kirkuk Regional AB, the Iraqi training wing presented the new

  • Oct. 20 airpower summary: Reaper strikes enemy target

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 20, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force MQ-9A Reaper dropped a guided bomb unit-12

  • Air Force chief of staff visits Southwest Asia

    The Air Force's top officer addressed manning, service priorities and success in the war on terrorism during his first visit to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility since becoming chief of staff Oct. 20 here. The service's prior strategy of reducing 40,000 active-duty positions to free up

  • Depot efforts continue to keep T-38s flying

    Members of the 573rd Commodities Maintenance Squadron here continue to put in long hours to make sure Air Force pilot training doesn't come to a halt. Many members of the squadron have been working 10-hour days, seven days a week to make a new aileron actuator lever for the T-38 Talon used to train

  • Idaho Air Guard unit wins Hawgsmoke team award

    The Idaho Air National Guard's 190th Fighter Squadron was named the top team at Hawgsmoke 2008 in Salina, Kan., Oct. 17. An awards banquet capped off four days of competition among 14 A-10 Thunderbolt II squadrons from across the Air Force. The 190th, part of the 124th Wing, based at Boise

  • 18 Oct. airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 18, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle dropped a guided bomb

  • 17 Oct. airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 17, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs fired cannon rounds and

  • Officials outline challenges, needs at logistics conference

    About 1,200 logisticians gathered at the National Logistics Officer Association Conference Oct. 13 through 16 to learn Air Force priorities, urgent warfighter needs and sustainment initiatives that will affect their profession. Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition Sue Payton and Gen.

  • Hawgsmoke A-10s dazzle local visitors

    The Hawgsmoke 2008 bombing and gunnery portion of the competition took place Oct.16 as A-10 Thunderbolt IIs attacked targets on the nearby Smoky Hill Range, dazzling the spectators who gathered to observe. It was Day 3 of the event and members of the press, community leaders and other distinguished

  • F-35 environmental impact statement released

    Air Force officials have announced that the final environmental impact statement addressing the beddown of the Joint Strike Fighter and 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) is available for public review. The publication of the notice of availability in the Federal Register begins a 30-day public

  • Secretary Donley visits Bagram Airmen

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley visited with Airmen from Bagram Airfield Oct. 15 during his first visit to the country since being confirmed by Congress earlier this month. During his visit, Secretary Donley held an Airman's call for approximately 400 Airmen stationed here. "Since I

  • SECAF discusses vision with Airmen in AOR

    After gaining insight into the diverse mission capabilities of the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley discussed the Air Force vision with Airmen from the wing Oct. 14 at an air base in Southwest Asia. The secretary toured the base for much of the day, delving

  • Historic homecoming for Tuskegee Airmen as site opens

    Hundreds of aviators, mechanics and support personnel who once worked at the Tuskegee Army Airfield and Moton Field, Ala., during the 1930s and '40s gathered here once again Oct. 10 when the National Park Service memorialized the efforts of the first black pilots, the famed Tuskegee Airmen, in the

  • Oct. 16 airpower summary: Tankers continue to fuel the fight

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 16, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs fired cannon rounds and

  • Hawgsmoke 2008 gets into full swing

    With the arrival of the last group of A-10 Thunderbolt IIs late in the afternoon, Hawgsmoke 2008 got into full swing Oct. 15 as pilots flew out to the Kansas Air National Guard's Smoky Hill bomb and gunnery range nearby for range familiarization flights. The clearing sky signaled the end of nearly

  • National Guard responds to Hurricane Omar

    More than 90 National Guardmembers in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico are on duty Oct. 16 after Hurricane Omar passed through their area as a major Category 3 storm."Take this very seriously," said Gov. John deJongh of the U.S. Virgin Islands Oct. 15 after he activated his National Guard,

  • Training bomb strikes vehicle near Nellis

    A training weapon fell from an Air Force aircraft on a training mission and struck a vehicle traveling on a road adjacent to the base Oct. 15, said Nellis Air Force Base officials. The weapon, a 25-pound bomb dummy unit-33, landed near a mobility warehouse on the base before bouncing into the road

  • Guard unit provides 'one-stop' Predator training

    As the Air Force's and Air National Guard's unmanned aircraft system mission continues to grow, Airmen with the 163rd Maintenance Group here are stepping up their training program to ensure availability of enough highly-skilled personnel to support these systems, especially the MQ-1 Predator.

  • Oct. 15 airpower summary: A-10s support ground forces

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 15, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs dropped guided bomb unit-38s

  • NATO air chiefs discuss common challenges, solutions

    Nineteen NATO air chiefs gathered to discuss how to meet the security demands of a changing world at the chief of staff of the Air Force-hosted 2008 NATO Air Chiefs Conference Oct. 5 through 12 here. The theme for this year's conference was "The Community of Airmen: Solutions to Common Challenges,"

  • Multi-skill crew delivers first C-17 ahead of schedule

    The C-17 Globemaster III cargo plane that sat in front of a maintenance hangar here looked no different than any other C-17, but the maintenance crew around it was unique. The crew, part of the 562nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, is the first to be trained under a new "multi-skill" initiative. The

  • Secretary tours Joint Base Balad, shares Air Force vision

    The secretary of the Air Force visited Joint Base Balad Oct. 13 to learn about the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing's contributions to the war on terrorism and to share his vision for the future of the Air Force. Secretary Michael B. Donley toured the Air Force Theater Hospital, the 46th Expeditionary

  • Oct. 14 airpower summary: C-17s keep coalition supplied

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 14, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II dropped a guided bomb

  • A-10s ready as Hawgsmoke 2008 begins

    Two A-10 Thunderbolt IIs broke through the overcast skies of central Kansas Oct. 15 and crossed over the center point of the Salina Airport's north-south runway officially kicking off Hawgsmoke 2008, the Air Force's biennial A-10 bombing and tactical gunnery competition. The moment also marked the

  • SECAF gains insight into diverse missions at deployed wing

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley spent the day at the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing at an air base in Southwest Asia Oct. 12. The secretary visited the wing to gain a better understanding of the infrastructure and capabilities of one the Air Forces Central area of responsibility's most

  • Chief of staff emphasizes logisticians' role

    You don't have to sell Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton A. Schwartz on the value of logistics. "Acquisition, engineering and wholesale logistics form the foundation of numerous Air Force capabilities ... Logistics professionals who perform these services are critical to everything the Air Force

  • Airmen increase mission effectiveness 1 stat at a time

    A 379th Expeditionary Maintenance Operations Squadron Maintenance analysis team here helped improve processes and established preventive maintenance procedures to save the Air Force several million dollars since September.The five-member team measured aircraft performance, determined aircraft health