Airpower summary for April 12: Predators patrol Iraqi skies

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations April 12, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs dropped guided bomb

Airpower summary for April 11: A-10s support ground forces

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations April 11, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs performed shows of force

UAV destroys mortar position, kills 6

An air strike by a coalition forces' unmanned aerial vehicle killed six enemy combatants and injured one who were firing mortars at around 2:30 a.m. April 11 at Iraqi security forces in Basra. The enemy combatants were observed in the Hyanniyah district by a coalition aircraft and positively

Sheppard officials begin replacing T-37s with T-6A Texan II

The T-37 Tweet officially began its march toward full retirement March 31 when 80th Flying Training Wing officials here "took the car keys" to its replacement, the T-6A Texan II. Retired Navy Rear Adm. James Maslowski, the vice president of government business for Hawker Beechcraft in Wichita, Kan.,

April 10 airpower summary: Predator fires missiles on enemy mortar team

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations April 10, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, a Royal Air Force GR-9 Harrier dropped an Enhanced Paveway

Euro-NATO committee has eyes on future

The spring Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program's Steering Committee completed its weeklong discussions April 4 regarding the future of the program, including its syllabus, budget and infrastructure. The committee also said goodbye to six-year chairman Royal Netherlands Air Force Air Commodore

Helicopter retires after service in Vietnam, Iraq

MH-53 Pave Low helicopter tail number 68-10357 flew its final mission and last flight supporting special operations forces March 28 in Iraq after 38 years of service. The helicopter was the lead command and control helicopter for a mission to rescue approximately 50 American prisoners of war from

Chief receives Air Force Cross 40 years after mission

A retired chief master sergeant was awarded the Air Force Cross 40 years after the mission which earned him the Air Force's second-highest honor April 5 here. Nearly 300 members of Chief Master Sgt. Dennis Richardson's former unit attended the ceremony for the flight engineer with the 106th Rescue

Ammo troops make explosive impact on B-52 mission

Airmen of the 36th Wing here, with their B-52 Stratofortress long-range bombers, have the capability of launching missions from Andersen to any location at any time and to anywhere. The B-52 can carry 70,000 pounds of the widest array of weapons in the U.S. inventory. This devastating flying arsenal

April 8 airpower summary: C-17s transport supplies

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations April 8, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs fired cannon rounds and

Predator crashes in Iraq

An Air Force MQ-1 Predator crashed northwest of Balad, Iraq, at approximately 7:10 p.m. local time April 9. The aircraft was launched from Ali Base, Iraq. The aircraft is a medium-altitude, long-endurance, remotely piloted aircraft. The MQ-1's primary mission is conducting armed reconnaissance. A

Aggressor fleet paint scheme nears completion

After swapping out F-16 Fighting Falcons with the 8th Fighter Wing at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Airmen from the 354th Maintenance Squadron sheet metal shop wasted no time in painting the newly-received aircraft with a flanker color scheme which helps other pilots identify these aircraft as

New concept in maintenance training comes to fruition

Years of hard work and planning came to realization April 7 when the first class of F-22 Raptor maintenance students graduated from the $21 million F-22 Maintenance Training Facility here. Eight Airmen graduated from the 13-week Aircraft Armament Systems course and became the first pipeline Airmen

Airmen at war set cargo, passenger movement records

Air transportation requirements of cargo and troops within U.S. Central Command's 27-nation area of responsibility reached an all-time high in March, but Airmen responded to this demand with a record-setting performance, officials said. U.S. Air Forces Central's air mobility professionals topped

Making a pilot; the first step

The road to becoming an Air Force pilot begins in Pueblo, Colo., where  the Air Force has charged Doss Aviation, a contractor, to provide an Initial Flight Screening course under the Air Education and Training Command. The purpose of the IFS is to screen aviation candidates and prepare them for the

Tweet complete: T-37 retires after 39 years of service

The T-37 Tweet formally retired April 3 from Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training here after 39 years of service as the gateway to the sky for more than 10,000 Air Force aviators. Columbus Air Force Base was the last Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training base flying the T-37, but the T-37

Airmen visit Chilean orphanage

Airmen participating in the largest air show in South America took a moment between demonstrations and displays to visit more than 30 preschool-aged children April 3 at the Koinomadelfia orphanage west of Santiago. The Airmen from the 366th Fighter Wing at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, and

'Army Wives' films on Charleston

Charleston Air Force Base officials hosted the first Department of Defense-supported filming of the Lifetime Television show "Army Wives" April 7 at the base exchange here.Charleston members have been working with the production company since the beginning of December on this event and since then,

Colorado's last Guard Vietnam MIA laid to rest

The remains of a Colorado Air National Guardsman who vanished during an observation flight 39 years ago over the jungles of South Vietnam were to rest April 3 at Arlington National Cemetery. Maj. Perry H. Jefferson, an intelligence officer with Colorado's 120th Tactical Fighter Squadron, went

April 7 airpower summary: F-16s bomb enemy artillery

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations April 7, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle dropped a guided bomb unit-31

U.S., Romanian airmen break cultural barriers with sports

Airmen deployed here are breaking down language and cultural barriers with their Romanian air force counterparts through their mutual love of sports. Military members from both countries played in a soccer tournament at Campia Turzii April 7 as teams focused more on team-building than

Program benefits American, Bulgarian maintainers

American and Bulgarian Airmen received familiarization briefings on F-15 Eagles and MiG-29 aircraft in an effort to increase theater security cooperation in April here. F-15s are deployed to Bulgaria for Operation Noble Endeavor supporting the NATO summit, and it presented maintainers from the two

April 6 airpower summary: Reaper destroys target

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations April 6, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force MQ-9A Reaper, an Air Force B-1B Lancer and

NCAA Final Four recognizes American servicemembers

College basketball officials recognized the contributions of American servicemembers throughout the world during the men's NCAA Final Four weekend April 4 through 7 in San Antonio. Military members were present during college basketball's biggest weekend while singing the national anthem, presenting

April 5 airpower summary: C-17s carry the load

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations April 5, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, a Royal Air Force GR-7 Harrier conducted a show of force

April 3 airpower summary

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations April 3, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, French Mirage 2000s performed shows of force in order to

B-1 involved in ground incident after landing

A B-1B Lancer, while taxiing after landing at an air base in Southwest Asia, was involved in a ground incident and caught fire at 9:10 p.m. local on April 4.  The crew evacuated the aircraft and is safe.  The fire was contained.A board of inquiry has been appointed and will investigate the

Predator mishap occurs on Balad runway

An Air Force MQ-1 Predator ran off of the runway here while landing at approximately 12:40 p.m. local time April 4. The aircraft is a medium-altitude, long-endurance, remotely piloted aircraft. The MQ-1's primary mission is conducting armed reconnaissance. A board will be convened to investigate the

B-2s ready to fly despite safety pause

Although B-2 Spirit flying operations remain in temporary pause, the Airmen and aircraft are ready and capable to generate missions if necessary, according to Air Combat Command officials here and the 509th Bomb Wing commander at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. Since the first-ever B-2 crash Feb. 23 at

AFCENT deputy commander visits deployed Airmen

The 9th Air Force vice commander and the deputy commander of U.S. Air Forces Central visited 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Airmen April 2 at a Southwest Asian air base. Maj. Gen. William L. Holland from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., met and talked with Airmen who fly aircraft, maintain

CE builds Airmen home away from home in Romania

Hundreds of Airmen deployed here in support of Operation Noble Endeavor have a home away from home thanks to the civil engineers of the 404th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron. In 96 hours the team constructed a tent city complete with hot showers, dining facility and dry living quarters in an empty

Tankers support NATO summit from Hungary, Bulgaria

KC-135 Stratotankers and aircrews from U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Mobility Command deployed to Hungary and Bulgaria to provide air-refueling support for the NATO summit running April 2 through 4 in Romania. The Romanian-led operation will police the sky over Bucharest, Romania, during the

April 2 airpower summary: C-130s carry load for coalition

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations April 2, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, in order to deter enemy activities Air Force A-10

Manas Airmen help Children's Heart Ward

Officials of the Children's Heart Ward in the nearby city of Bishkek performed their 100th surgery March 29 in part due to the support of the of the Manas Air Base Outreach Society.  With the support and donations from base Airmen, two Children's Heart Ward doctors conduct heart surgeries for free

Mobile CASF training course now available worldwide

Sheppard Air Force Base medical training took another step toward the future with the certification of the Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility Mobile Training Course taught here."Certification means we can go anywhere now and teach the course," said Maj. Tammy St. Armand, an instructor

Air Force ready, but general has concerns for future

The Air Force vice chief of staff and his counterparts from the other services, testified on readiness before the Senate Armed Services Committee Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support April 1. Gen. Duncan J. McNabb addressed Senate questions about the wear and tear on aircraft caused by

Arnold contributes to first supersonic flight using synthetic fuel

When a B-1B Lancer became the first Air Force aircraft to fly at supersonic speed using a 50/50 blend of synthetic and petroleum-based fuels March 19, the Arnold Engineering Development Center work force knew they played a significant role in supporting the flight. Since 2006, AEDC men and women

April 1 airpower summary: RAF celebrates 90th Anniversary

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations April 1, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle dropped a guided bomb unit-38

U.S., Japan AWACS units join forces

A Kadena Air Base squadron signed an agreement here March 26 with its Japan Air Self-Defense Force counterpart formalizing the joint working relationship they've enjoyed for years. Lt. Col. Rene Romero, the 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron commander, endorsed the first sister squadron agreement

A-10 makes wheels-up landing

An Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II made an emergency landing here without its landing gear March 25.The aircraft was participating in a Green Flag sortie out of Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. The plane, which had one person aboard, is assigned to the 75th Fighter Squadron at Moody AFB, Ga. The pilot

Chairman of Joint Chiefs visits Pope

Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, visited Pope Air Force Base and Fort Bragg March 31. While at Pope, he toured Pope's Green Ramp, visiting with warfighters from many of Pope's squadrons. He met with an aeromedical evacuation crew from the 43rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron;

Lakenheath Airmen support NATO summit

The 493rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron's aircraft and Airmen currently are projecting airpower and establishing air superiority from Bulgaria in support of the NATO summit as part of Operation Noble Endeavor in Bucharest, Romania. F-15 Eagles deployed from Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, are

Iraqi air force receives new aircraft

Ramstein Airmen participate in Exercise Thracian Spring

Airmen from the 86th Airlift Wing and the 435th Air Base Wing at Ramstein Air Force Base, Germany, as well as master jumpmasters from the 5th Quartermasters at Rhein Ordnance Barracks, Germany, joined forces with Bulgarian military forces to conduct Exercise Thracian Spring here from March 26 to

Airmen expand Air Force global reach with KC-10s

Providing 1 million gallons of jet fuel weekly, the KC-10 Extender and the Airmen of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing who support it give global reach to U.S. and coalition aircraft supporting operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. "The common theory on tankers is that we are a force

Logistics key to deployed NATO mission

Logistics Airmen from the 404th Air Expeditionary Group have worked day and night to prepare the airfield here for Operation Noble Endeavor. F-15 Strike Eagles from the 492nd Fighter Squadron at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, United Kingdom, will augment Romanian forces in an air policing mission over

March 31 airpower summary: C-17s provide heavy airlift

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 31, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II dropped a guided bomb

Air Force reaps dividends from scanning electron microscope

Since receiving the largest-known scanning electron microscope in the world in September 2007, Air Force officials here said the documented savings to date on less than eight components exceeds $70,000. Tinker Air Force Base officials project annual savings to the Air Force of up to $1 million, plus

Upgraded B-52 still on cutting edge

The B-52 Stratofortress is continually modified with new technology making the 50-year-old airframe one of the Air Force's most effective long-range heavy bombers. Modified B-52 aircraft with modern technology are capable of delivering a full range of joint-developed weapons and will continue to be

March 30 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 March 30, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II performed shows of force in

Tinker maintainers aid Saudi air force with E-3 repair

Representatives from the Royal Saudi air force arrived to collect their newly repaired E-3 March 24 from Tinker Air Force Base officials. After members of the 566th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron's E-3 Maintenance Flight here replaced a bearing between the rotodome and aircraft, an aircrew from the

Permanent Global Logistics Support Centers stands up

A new, permanent headquarters overseeing Air Force global logistics support is now in operation at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. General Bruce Carlson, commander of Air Force Materiel Command, formally stood up the Air Force Global Logistics Support Center in ceremonies March 28 at Scott AFB. He also

Coalition maintainers keep C-130 in the fight

Aircraft maintainers from the U.S. Air Force, Japanese Air Self-Defense Force and South Korean air forces teamed up during the Coalition Maintenance Exchange Program to keep deployed C-130 Hercules aircraft ready for combat recently at a Southwest Asian air base. The exchange program matched

March 28 airpower summary: C-130s support coalition forces

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

Phoenix Rally celebrates 60th Anniversary of Berlin Airlift

Air mobility leaders gathered for the annual Phoenix Rally to acknowledge past and present accomplishments while celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift March 24 through 28 here. The theme of Phoenix Rally was "A legacy of global reach and hope," chosen to recognize the Air Mobility

March 27 airpower summary: A-10s destroy enemy targets

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 27, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs fired cannon rounds onto

Air Force Web site can prevent air mishaps for civilian pilots

Air Combat Command officials here currently are reaching out to private civilian pilots by publicizing a Web site designed to prevent mid-air collisions with military aircraft. The Web site, called www.seeandavoid.org, allows users to locate their flight path and determine how they can avoid flying

Airmen augment Romanian security for NATO summit

Airmen from across U.S. Air Forces in Europe converged on locations throughout the continent this week to support Operation Noble Endeavor, a Romanian-led effort to police the sky above the upcoming NATO summit in Bucharest, Romania. Hundreds of support, maintenance, operations and medical Airmen

The writings on the wall for a leaner Air National Guard

Improvement. For Col. Billy Asbell it often starts with a dozen or more slightly anxious Air National Guard members seated in their conference room. They clutch cups of coffee or water and find some comfort in the familiar walls. Before long, those walls are hidden behind layers of yellow sticky

Airmen destroy UXOs risen from the desert depths

Plums of smoke rose in the sky as Airman from the 407th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron used C4 to detonate 13 piles of ordnance here March 26.The ordnance was discovered over a 159 acres area of the base by a six-Airman explosive ordnance disposal team and six augmentees.The team looks for

Holloman units combine to refurbish fire truck

Members of the 49th Maintenance Squadron Aircraft Metals Technology Shop and the 49th Civil Engineer Squadron's Station No. 2 here recently came together and completed the refurbishing of a fire truck, combining the abilities of two trucks into one."We were trying to come up with new ways of doing

AFNORTH provides support to flood areas

The numbered air force responsible for ensuring the air defense of the continental U.S. has also been supporting civilian and military authorities working to provide relief from the recent floods in the U.S. Maj. Gen. Henry C. "Hank" Morrow, the 1st Air Force (Air Forces Northen) commander at

March 25 airpower summary: KC-10s provide vital refueling support

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 25, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, French 2000 Mirages conducted shows of force over enemy

Chief master sergeant of the Air Force visits Kunsan Airmen

The chief master sergeant of the Air Force spoke with Kunsan Air Base Airmen about recapitalization, modernization and quality of life for Airmen and their families March 24 here. Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley also discussed force shaping challenges and emphasized why it's

Dyess AFB model of energy conservation

Dyess Air Force Base is going green. Take a tour of the base and it's easy to see how. In one building, water is pumped from a small pond, turned into ice and used to cool several dormitories; the landscaping is irrigated using effluent water purchased from the city of Abilene, Texas; and eight

Lightweight litter system initiative yields promising results

As initiatives go, this one for the Air Force Expeditionary Center's Air Mobility Battlelab may "litter"-ally save lives. AMB set out to prove the feasibility of using a lightweight, man-portable litter system that can be hand-carried by aeromedical evacuation, or AE, teams and used on Air Mobility

March 23 airpower summary: F-16s keep vigilant

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 23, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped guided bomb unit-31s and

March 22 airpower summary:F-15s suppress enemy fire

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the Interntional Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 22, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles conducted a show of force

March 21 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 March 21, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, French 2000 Mirages performed shows of force in order to

Airmen minimize DOD weather-related losses

The 26th Operational Weather Squadron here helped minimize Department of Defense losses during severe regional weather recently that resulted in more than 20 civilian deaths and power outages affecting millions. The 26th OWS, which provides Air Force and Army installations weather watches, warnings

AMC commander reinforces need for new tanker

While many are focused on the formal protest of the recent KC-45A contract award, the needs of the warfighter -- and the nation -- remain unchanged. The Air Force's nearly 50-year-old KC-135 Stratotanker must be replaced with a newer, more capable aircraft as soon as possible. "This is a matter of

March 20 airpower summary: KC-135s provide sortie support

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 20, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer, Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers and

NORAD to celebrate 50th Anniversary

North American Aerospace Defense Command is celebrating a milestone this year, 50 years of a rich and colorful history between two countries that formally acknowledged a mutual commitment to defend their citizens from air attacks. Although NORAD originally stood up at Ent Air Force Base, Colo., on

FAA lauds Air Force synthetic fuel team

The Air Force team that developed a blend of petroleum and synthetic fuel for the B-52 Stratofortress received the Federal Aviation Administration's 2007 Excellence in Aviation Research Award at a ceremony March 14 in the Air Force Research Laboratory's Propulsion Directorate here.Barry Scott, the

March 19 airpower summary: F-16s bomb enemy targets

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

B-1B achieves first supersonic flight using synthetic fuel

A B-1B Lancer from the 9th Bomb Squadron here became the first Air Force aircraft to fly at supersonic speed using an alternate fuel March 19 in a flight over Texas and New Mexico. The fuel, a 50/50 blend of synthetic and petroleum gases, is being tested as part of an ongoing Air Force program to

Little, but strong: Burned Iraqi child overcomes odds

Editor's Note: The names of the Iraqi mother and son in this article have been changed, at the mother's request, to protect their identities from terrorists who would harm them if it was known that the pair received help from American servicemembers and the U.S. government. A photo of an adorable

T-6A accident investigation complete

Air Force officials have completed the investigation of the Nov. 28, 2007, T-6A Texan II mid-air collision near Gunshy Auxiliary Field, Miss., which resulted in the loss of both aircraft. The accident investigation board determined the cause of this mishap was a result of pilot error. A T-6A flown

Airmen ease Marines move to Afghanistan

With last year's operations in Afghanistan among the highest since they began in 2001, Airmen here are acutely aware of the mission importance to refuel aircraft supporting those operations, as well as provide world-class service and care to transiting passengers, said Col. Harrison Smith, the

March 18 airpower summary: B-1B deters enemies

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 18, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped a guided bomb unit-31

Pilot inducted into women's aviation hall of fame

In the months since her last flight as the Thunderbirds No. 3 right wing pilot, Maj. Nicole Malachowski has had a hard time putting her accomplishment of being the first woman to fly on a U.S. military flight demonstration team into a proper perspective. At the San Diego Air & Space Museum March 14,

Airmen integral part of unmanned aerial system milestones

The Global Hawk unmanned aerial system recently reached its 10 year and 20,000 flight hour milestones. More than 15,000 of those hours and most of those years have been amassed in support of operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, providing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to

Military Channel films at Langley for upcoming episode

The Discovery Military Channel filmed an episode March 11 at Langley Air Force Base, Va. The episode, which is part of the series "Showdown: Air Combat," will focus on the F-22 Raptor and its capabilities. The 10-segment series will highlight different military aircraft, and is scheduled to premiere

Iraqi air force attains tenfold increase in sorties

Iraq's air force, with help from a U.S. transition team, attained a tenfold increase in its number of weekly sorties and doubled the size of its fleet over the past year, a military official said today. Maj. Gen. Robert R. Allardice, commander of the Coalition Air Force Transition Team, said the

Conference addresses air, ground synchronization issues

More than 100 coalition members met March 3 to 5 at Al-Faw Palace in Baghdad to discuss ways to better synchronize airpower with future ground operations across Iraq. Dubbed simply the Air Synchronization Conference, the meeting brought together ground operators and planners from the Army-led

C-130 aircrews, Army riggers reach airdrop record

February marked an airdrop record for the C-130 Hercules of the 774th Air Expeditionary Squadron, but not without the support of the Army's 11th Quartermaster Rigger Detachment and Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force riggers here. The joint team delivered approximately 1 million pounds of

UAVs aid force protection efforts

RQ-11 Raven unmanned aerial vehicles may be easily mistaken for an unorthodox version of a model airplane, but Airmen here use the UAV to secure the base and surrounding neighborhoods. Weighing in at less than 5 pounds, the Raven is operated from the ground via a remote control unit that can send

March 16 airpower summary: A-10s destroy enemy targets

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 16, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II and a B-1B Lancer dropped

Identity of fallen pilot released

An Air Force student pilot, 2nd Lt. David J. Mitchell, 26, from Amherst, Ohio, and assigned to the 62nd Fighter Squadron here, was killed March 14 when his F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft crashed in a remote area three miles south of Alamo Lake, Ariz. Lieutenant Mitchell was on a two-ship student

March 15 airpower summary: C-17s support, move warfighters

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 dropped a guided bomb

March 14 airpower summary: F-16s continue shows of force

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 F-15E Strike Eagles dropped guided bomb

March 13 airpower summary: C-130s give Herculean effort

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, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped a guided bomb

Officials detail scope, units of AFCYBER command

The work of building Air Force Cyber Command continues with officials releasing details of what the scope of the command will look like and how it will function in lieu of having a permanent base named for its headquarters location. "We are aggressively moving forward with plans for having initial

Top leaders testify on '09 budget

The Air Force's top two leaders testified before the House and Senate Committee on Appropriations subcommittees on Defense during hearings about the fiscal 2009 budget March 11 and 12. While the main topic of discussion among congressmen and senators remained the KC-45A contract award, Secretary of

C-130J tailor-made for mission over Afghanistan

A 746th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron C-130J Hercules aircrew operating out of Southwest Asia dropped leaflets over Afghanistan encouraging its citizens to reject violence and embrace their government as part of an integrated operation with NATO's International Security Assistance Force March 6.

Space Command hall of fame inductee honored

The Navy rejected him for far-sighted vision he "might" develop later in life. So he graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point with a Bachelor of Science degree on D-Day, June 6, 1944. By 1946 he was selected to serve in the super secret Manhattan Engineer District -- the

Dutch air chief predicts continued cooperation

His air force has a history of training pilots in the United States that dates back to 1941. It's a long relationship Lt. Gen. Hans de Jong would like to continue. General de Jong, commander of the Royal Netherlands Air Force, said he expects his country to not only maintain its aircrew training

RC-135 surpasses 50,000 flying-hour mark

A 763rd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron RC-135 Rivet Joint surpassed the 50,000 flight-hour mark during a mission supporting Operation Enduring Freedom March 12. RC-135 Tail No. 132 boasts an impressive resume of tours over the years including Vietnam, operations Southern and Northern Watch to

Rwandan Defense Force air traffic controllers visit Ramstein

Ramstein Air Base officials recently hosted four air traffic controllers from the Rwandan Defense Force, giving them a first-hand look at how the U.S. Air Force takes care of business on the airfield. The Rwandans visited the 86th Operations Support Squadron Airfield Operations Flight and the 1st

March 12 airpower summary: C-130s support coalition forces

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 12, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer, an F-15E Strike Eagle and an