HomeNews

NATO Air Policing operations

U.S. Air Force News

  • McChord combat controllers receive medals

    Twenty-five medals were presented to 15 combat controllers and special tactics officers by the Air Force Special Operations Command commander during a Dec. 18 ceremony at McChord Air Force Base. Lt. Gen. Donald C. Wurster presented a Silver Star, seven Bronze Stars with Valor, three Bronze Stars,

  • Pope says goodbye to last A-10s

    Pope Air Force Base officials held a Dec. 19 ceremony to say goodbye to their last three A-10 Thunderbolt IIs as the aircraft took off here and flew to Moody AFB, Ga.  The reorganization of aircraft is designed to mitigate Air Force hardship from the shrinking budget. To preserve the heritage of the

  • AWACS' special mission: Track Santa

    Airmen from the 552nd Air Control Wing here will once again track the man in red and keep a watchful eye as he and his reindeer fly through the night to deliver presents to children all over the United States. Just before midnight on Christmas Eve, an E-3 Sentry and crew will leave Tinker Air Force

  • Cooperative effort nets C-130 wing for hands-on training

    Robins Air Force Base units joined forces recently to help officials of the 373rd Training Squadron Field Training Detachment here obtain a C-130 Hercules wing so students of the school could have hands-on training.With the wing, instructors can now demonstrate fuel systems repairs and allow the

  • Flight safety office brings Balad bird strikes down 30 percent

    With the help of volunteers from around the base, the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing flight safety office reduced the number of bird strikes on aircraft by 30 percent here in November. They accomplished this through the Bird Aircraft Strike Hazard program, which uses awareness and proactivity to

  • Dec. 19 airpower summary: C-130s provide heavy airlift

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 19, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, an Air Force MQ-9 Reaper dropped a guided bomb unit-12 on

  • Dec. 18 airpower summary: Guided bomb units hit on target

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 18, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle performed a show of force

  • Airmen help bring gift of freedom to Afghans

    Airmen of the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing recently helped give the gift of freedom to the citizens of the Afghan village of Musa Qalah. Afghan national security forces, backed by coalition forces, were able to defeat the Taliban insurgents that had controlled the town since February and freed its

  • Major missing in action from Vietnam War is identified

    Officials from the Department of Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office here announced Dec. 18 that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, missing in action from the Vietnam War, have been identified and will be returned to his family for burial with full military honors. Maj. Perry H.

  • Dec. 17 airpower summary: Predators strike enemy forces

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 17, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles targeted an enemy vehicle with

  • C-17 uses synthetic fuel blend on transcontinental flight

    The Air Force marked the 104th anniversary of powered flight Dec. 17 by completing the first transcontinental flight of an aircraft using a blend of regular aviation and synthetic fuel. A C-17 Globemaster III using the synthetic fuel blend lifted off shortly before dawn at McChord Air Force Base,

  • Senior analyst receives top award

    An outstanding test team, initiative and imagination are what the 2006 Air Force Civilian Analyst of the Year award winner describes as key to his receiving this honor. Clyde Shook, the 8th Flight Test Squadron senior test analyst, received his award during a recent research symposium in Colorado

  • Air Force names 2007 Sijan award recipients

    Air Force leaders recognized four Airmen with the service's 2007 Lance P. Sijan Air Force Leadership Award. The Sijan award annually recognizes Airmen who demonstrate outstanding leadership abilities. The Senior officer category winner is Lt. Col. Laura A. Soule, who is assigned to Lackland Air

  • Aircrews bring joy to Western Pacific during Christmas Drop

    Visiting aircrews and several base Airmen pulled together Dec. 14 through 18 to initiate Operation Christmas Drop from Anderson Air Force Base. This operation is possible because of the Air Force's unique capability to deliver palletized warfighting supplies from the air to any place on the

  • Balad aerial port bests cargo movement record

    The 332nd Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron Aerial Port Flight broke the single-day cargo-movement record here Dec. 6. The aerial port Airmen surpassed the previous record set in 2006 by more than 100 tons, moving 930 tons of cargo from 77 aircraft. "It's not surprising we broke the record,

  • Predator crashes in Iraq

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials announced an MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle crashed at approximately 1:30 p.m. local time Dec. 17 near Al Muqdadiya in Iraq. The aircraft is a medium-altitude, long-endurance, remotely piloted aircraft. The Predator's primary mission is conducting

  • Dec. 16 airpower summary: F-16s support OIF

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 16, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Royal Air Force GR-7 Harriers engaged enemy combatants

  • Thunderbirds announce 2008 schedule

    The Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, has announced its 2008 airshow schedule. The team is scheduled to perform more than 67 shows in 25 states and Canada, as it commemorates the 55th Anniversary of the "Ambassadors in Blue." Lt. Col. Greg Thomas takes the reigns as the

  • Dec. 15 airpower summary: F-15Es deter enemy actions

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

  • Dec. 14 airpower summary: B-1Bs engage enemy positions

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 14, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs engaged enemy combatants

  • Air Force flies to top of world to care for member

    Thule Air Base, Greenland, may be located more than 700 miles north of the Arctic Circle, but it's never too far for Air Force members to go when an emergency arises. When the call came in that a medical evacuation was needed from Thule AB, members from around the Air Force came together with a team

  • Airmen participate in buddy wing program

    Republic of Korea air force airmen from Seosan Air Base visited Osan's 36th Fighter Squadron Dec. 11 to Dec. 13 to participate in Seventh Air Force's quarterly "buddy wing" program. The purpose of the buddy wing program is to exchange ideas, introduce tactics and improve interoperability between the

  • Dec. 13 airpower summary: KC-10s fuel OIF, OEF missions

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations Dec. 13, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B1-B Lancer dropped guided bomb

  • CSAF's Scope cites maintenance, logistics reorganization

    The Chief of Staff of the Air Force's Scope focuses on current topics the Air Force chief of staff feels are of special importance to today's Airmen.Gen. T. Michael Moseley's latest CSAF's Scope focuses on the reorganization of wing maintenance and logistics."As chief of staff, I'm responsible for

  • Kadena F-15 pilots train to keep talons sharp

    Despite the Air Force-wide stand down of F-15 Eagles, Kadena Air Base pilots are maintaining their skills and capabilities through virtual means. Members of the 18th Operations Support Squadron and Boeing civilian contractors with the unit have stepped up and provided increased time in flight

  • Commander brings holiday cheer to Ecuadorian schools

    U.S. Southern Command's deputy commander, Lt. Gen. Glenn F. Spears, visited two schools Dec. 10 in Manta, Ecuador, presenting both with certificates pledging thousands of dollars to fund renovation projects and provide school supplies. General Spears was accompanied by a group of personnel from

  • Dec. 12 airpower summary: A-10s flex muscles

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 12, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs engaged enemy positions

  • Iraqi Air Force Training School graduates firefighters, officers

    American Airmen helped the first 10 Iraqi firefighters graduate Dec. 11 and 28 more Iraqi officer candidates receive their diplomas and commissions as second lieutenants Dec. 10 at the Iraqi Air Force Training School here. The firefighter graduation marked another first in the milestones of

  • Military mail record broken

    With holiday mailing in full force, Dec. 5 was a record-setting day for mail destined for American military personnel in the Iraq and Afghanistan war zones. Mail Terminal Services, a U.S. Postal Service-contracted company that prepares and ships mail to the war zones, processed 96 semi-trailers of

  • Operation Christmas Drop box build-up complete in Guam

    Andersen Air Force Base members prepared for the 2007 Operation Christmas Drop Dec. 8 by filling boxes with supplies and toys Dec. 8 with the first airdrop scheduled for Dec. 14 to inhabitants on surrounding islands. Every year in December for 55 years, Andersen Air Force Base members and the 36th

  • F-22s at Langley receive FOC status

    F-22 Raptors here reached full operational capability Dec. 12, said Gen. John D.W. Corley, the commander of Air Combat Command.The announcement officially makes Langley's F-22 squadrons combat ready. FOC for the F-22 means the aircraft are now ready for global engagement, said Lt. Col. Mark Hansen,

  • Dec. 11 airpower summary: C-17s are force multiplier

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 11, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles engaged enemy firing

  • Fairchild Airmen rescue stranded hiker

    A four-member crew from the 36th Rescue Flight here rescued a stranded, injured hiker Dec. 4 after an avalanche that killed two others hit in the Snoqualmie Pass area in Washington. The crew took off Dec. 4 and arrived at McChord Air Force Base, Wash., where they were tasked by the Washington State

  • Warfighting integration, cyberspace expands service's reach

    Shortening the "kill chain" and enabling commanders to make well-informed decisions are a priority for the Air Force, said the chief of warfighting integration at the recent Air Force Information Technology Day here. Technology and cyberspace are the two top components for that priority, said Lt.

  • Operation Toy Drop brings international, U.S. military together

    Army Private Gregory Amones sat on the ground with cherry pie oozing out the right thigh pocket of his uniform. Finishing his first parachute jump at Fort Bragg, N.C., the Soldier didn't mind the smashed cherry stain on his battle uniform. The "cherry pie" rite of passage didn't compare to the jump

  • Dec. 10 airpower summary: Reaper destroys target

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 10, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle performed a show of

  • Keesler couple earns 2007 O'Malley award

    The former Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., commander and his wife, who led the base's recovery efforts the two years following Hurricane Katrina, recently won the 2007 Gen. and Mrs. Jerome F. O'Malley Award. Brig. Gen. Paul Capasso and his wife, Laura, received the award that recognizes the wing

  • Astronaut applications available for May board

    Active duty Air Force Airmen have the opportunity to compete for pilot and mission specialist crew positions with the nation's space program through the Air Force Astronaut nomination program. Air Force nominees will compete with representatives from the other services for the chance to become an

  • Key maintenance, logistics functions realign

    The alignment of fighter and combat search and rescue aircraft maintenance units under flying squadrons was announced by the Air Force chief of the staff  Dec. 7 here. Between July and November 2008, AMUs supporting fighter and CSAR flying squadrons will realign within those squadrons, Gen. T.

  • 'Today's Air Force' features F-16 history

    This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights the history of the first F-16 Fighting Falcon model flown in 1976, and the newest F-16 upgrades to include one of the most impressive feature of the new aircraft -- the helmets and visors. Also featured is a civil engineer squadron exercise

  • Dec. 9 airpower summary: F-16s destroy weapons cache

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 9, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles successfully performed

  • F-15s undergo extensive technical inspections

    Air Force maintainers continue to perform methodical and time-intensive inspections on all F-15 Eagle A, B, C and D model aircraft which are revealing more cracks in the aircraft longerons. The discovery of more structural damage in the F-15s prompted the Dec. 3 stand-down order from Air Combat

  • Commander retires after 38 years of service

    With one last review of a formation of Ramstein's finest Airmen, and along with it, one last coin challenge, Gen. William T. Hobbins, commander of United States Air Forces in Europe, was retired at a ceremony here Dec. 10 after more than 38 years of service. General Hobbins cited cooperation as key

  • Spirited remembrance: B-2 marks Pearl Harbor event

    Two members of the 393rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron piloted their B-2 Spirit stealth bomber over Pearl Harbor Dec. 7 in honor of Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. This flight was part of a stealth bomber global power sortie, where the aircrews practice their global reach capability by flying more than

  • Dec. 7 airpower summary: C-130s keep mission moving

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 7, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles destroyed enemy compounds

  • Kunsan Airmen paint arctic F-16s for Eielson

    Airmen from the 8th Maintenance Squadron corrosion shop recently completed painting an arctic scheme on one of their F-16 Fighting Falcons -- a first for Kunsan and soon Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. In October, Kunsan received its initial group of Block 40 F-16 aircraft under the Common

  • Boxing trio visits Hurlburt Field Airmen

    Boxing promoter Don King and two world champion boxers talked to Airmen and signed autographs during a meet-and-greet session Dec. 5 at Hurlburt Field, Fla. Five-time boxing world champion Felix Trinidad and eight-time boxing world champion Roy Jones Jr., on their "We Care" tour, stopped at the

  • Operational readiness exercise tests Airmen, Marines

    Airmen from the 18th Wing joined with elements from the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing to conduct a joint operational readiness exercise Dec. 3 to 7 here. During the week-long exercise, Kadena Air Base members and their Marine counterparts were tested on their ability to execute their wartime taskings,

  • Dec. 6 airpower summary: C-17s deliver airlift support

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 6, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer employed guided bomb

  • Dec. 5 airpower summary: F-16s watch over coalition troops

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 5, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped guided bomb

  • Airmen help deliver helicopters to Afghan military

    Airmen from Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan Combined Air Power Transition Force help deliver the first three of 12 refurbished Soviet helicopters Dec. 5 at Kabul, Afghanistan. The Airmen are involved in mentoring the Afghan national army air corps and helped acquire the aircraft,

  • First Air National Guard contingency response group trains

    Airmen assigned to the nation's first Air National Guard contingency response group unit attended 22 days of training at the Air Force Expeditionary Center's Mobility Operations School here. Fifty-six Airmen from the 115-person 123rd Contingency Response Group of the Kentucky Air National Guard at

  • Officials stand down F-15 A-D models until further notice

    The commander of Air Combat Command directed the stand-down Dec. 3 of all ACC F-15 A through D model aircraft until further notice. The decision follows additional information received from the ongoing investigation of the Nov. 2 F-15C mishap that resulted in the loss of that aircraft. Gen. John

  • Dec. 4 airpower summary: C-130s fleet workhorse

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations Dec. 4, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, a Royal Air Force Harrier GR-9 targeted an enemy

  • Air Force engineers improve Marine quality of life in Iraq

    Airmen are improving the lives and operating conditions of Marines by constructing more than $9.8 million in aircraft shelters, taxiways and temporary shelters at Al Asad Air Base. Deployed in an "in-lieu-of" tasking in support of the 20th Army Engineer Brigade, 557th Expeditionary REDHORSE

  • Dec. 3 airpower summary: B-1B bombs enemy in Afghanistan

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 3, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped guided bomb unit-12s

  • Operation Deep Freeze main season underway

    Active duty, Guard and Reserve Airmen from McChord Air Force Base, Wash., and the New York Air National Guard's 109th Airlift Wing, combined efforts to support the 13th Air Force-led Joint Task Force Support Forces Antarctica, Operation Deep Freeze. The main season, which opened Sept. 28, is the

  • Communications network continues to evolve

    Two years after its standup, the Radio-over-Internet Protocol Routed network, or RIPRnet, has a very different mission and much greater reach than originally planned. The RIPRnet is a key communications network for both ground convoys and air operations throughout Iraq, consisting of 15 core sites

  • Dec. 2 airpower summary: F-16s support ground troops

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

  • Dec. 1 airpower summary: F-15Es engage enemy combatants

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

  • Nov. 30 airpower summary: B-1Bs provide overwatch

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 30, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles employed guided bomb

  • 50th anniversary of Air Force mission remembered

    On Nov. 27, 1957, at 6:59 a.m., six USAF pilots took off from Los Angeles and began what would be called Operation Sun Run. On that day, three new transcontinental speed records were established, and the speed and range of the McDonnell RF-101C was showcased. Years later, this mission would be

  • General focuses on mission, future of AWACS

    The E-3 Sentry airborne early warning and control system aircraft and its crews have led the way into battle many times in the past and are achieving combat excellence today, the commander of the nation's only AWACS flying wing said Nov. 27. The focus now, however, is on the future, Brig. Gen. Lori

  • Marines to participate in Kadena readiness exercise

    The Marines have landed. Personnel from Marine Aircraft Group 12 based at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, will be major participants in Kadena Air Base's local operational readiness exercise next week. Approximately 600 MAG-12 Marines and 32 F/A-18 Hornets began arriving at Kadena Nov. 28

  • Pilots missing from Vietnam war identified

    Officials from the Department of Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office announced Nov. 30 that the remains of two U.S. servicemembers missing from the Vietnam War have been identified. They are Maj. Robert F. Woods of Salt Lake City and Capt. Johnnie C. Cornelius of Maricopa County,

  • Nov. 29 airpower summary: Commando Solo

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 29, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles conducted an air

  • Conference makes virtual training a reality

    The special weapons and tactics team quickly moves through the terrorist camp to the front of a safe house while forces from air and sea take out the rest of the camp. With precise and quick tactics, the team proceeds though the house, takes out the remaining terrorists, secures the hostage, and

  • White Hawk soars, becomes Air Force warrior

    During the month of November we take time to recognize the contributions made by Native Americans to our nation's defense. Less than one percent of Airmen claim to be of Native American ancestry. Senior Airman Shiloh White Hawk, who is deployed here from the 1st Logistics Readiness Squadron, Langley

  • Nov. 28 airpower summary: B-1B supports OIF, OEF

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

  • F-22 endures 3-week, cold-weather test at Eielson

    An F-22 Raptor came here for three weeks in November to test the aircraft's braking system on ice in time for the first snow at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, home to several F-22s since August. "We were validating the F-22 braking system's stability and performance as well as evaluating

  • Air Force MQ-1 crashes in Iraq

    An Air Force MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle crashed Nov. 29 at approximately 11 a.m. local time. The crash site was in an unpopulated area. The aircraft is a medium-altitude long-endurance, remotely piloted aircraft. The MQ-1's primary mission is conducting armed reconnaissance. A board will

  • Air Force trainers involved in mid-air collision

    Two Columbus Air Force Base T-6 Texan II primary trainers collided about 12:47 p.m. Nov. 28 near the Columbus AFB Auxiliary airfield in Shuqualak, Miss. At the time of the accident, the aircraft were conducting initial flight training operations. On-scene emergency response has located and confirmed

  • F-15 A-D models ordered to stand down for additional inspections

    For the second time this month, the commander of Air Combat Command has directed a fleet-wide inspection of all ACC F-15 A through D model aircraft. The directive follows Nov. 27 findings stemming from the investigation of an F-15C mishap that resulted in the loss of that aircraft on Nov. 2 . Based

  • F-4C Phantom dedicated to fallen Airmen

    After visiting Iraq, Afghanistan and Walter Reed Army Hospital, Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne was compelled by the overwhelming attitude of the military ethic of "standing watch so others may be free," in today's servicemen. He faced a similar emotion today when a Vietnam era F-4C

  • Bagram Airmen launch 'care strikes' to spread cheer

    For the last two months, a group of Airmen have been conducting what some are calling "care strikes," to enhance morale among servicemembers here. Capt. Ken Valardi, the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Chaplain and his assistant, Staff Sgt. Aaron Smith, began the project in September with the delivery

  • Secretary sees first afterburning engine test with synthetic fuel

    The secretary of the Air Force viewed the first ground testing of the General Electric F101 engine using a 50-50 mix of Fischer-Tropsch and JP-8 jet fuels Nov. 27 at Arnold Air Force Base. Secretary Michael W. Wynne witnessed the first series to qualify a high-performance, afterburning engine with

  • Aircraft dedicated to Purple Heart recipients

    One of the Air Force's most modern cargo aircraft was named after the nation's oldest military decoration Nov. 20 in a ceremony attended by Medal of Honor and Purple Heart medal recipients. The Mississippi Air National Guard's 172nd Airlift Wing named one of its C-17 Globemaster IIIs "The Spirit of

  • AF leader discusses acquisition focus areas

    People in the Air Force acquisitions office are focusing on the workforce, product improvement and acquisitions processes, said Sue C. Payton, assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition. The acquisitions office is comprised of 24,183 people responsible for 127 major programs. They are

  • Airman missing in action from Vietnam War identified

    The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced Nov. 27 that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, missing in action from the Vietnam War, have been identified and will be returned to his family for burial with full military honors.He is Capt. Stephen A. Rusch of Lambertville, N.J. He

  • Mechanic-centric focus to improve aircraft availability

    By using Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century tools, a maintenance team here established a synchronized, integrated end-to-end maintenance process that does not impact mission requirements, increasing aircraft availability. The high velocity maintenance, or HVM, would require all of those

  • Airmen help establish Iraqi air force

    Camp Taji Airmen are helping rebuild the Iraqi air force.The camp, located approximately 20 miles northwest of Baghdad, is home to the 370th Expeditionary Training Squadron made up of officer and enlisted Airmen from various career fields who are training Iraqis in several technical training

  • Legislators visit Tinker AFB, learn about Air Force's mission

    A cross-section of state legislators from Arkansas, Kentucky and Oklahoma visited Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., in November as part of the National Council of State Government Officials conference. The group received a briefing of the organizations on base and their roles in supporting national

  • Nov. 25 airpower summary: F-16s provide overwatch

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 25, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II performed a show of

  • First CMSAF earns Lifetime Achievement Award

    The first chief master sergeant of the Air Force announced he had learned the secret to winning awards to those in attendance at the Senior NCO Academy auditorium Nov. 20 here."The secret is simple  -- just live long enough," said retired Chief Paul Wesley Airey. "If you live long enough, (the

  • Nov. 24 airpower summary: A-10 Thunderbolts on target

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 24, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle conducted a show of force

  • Nov. 23 airpower summary: F-16 strike takes out terrorists

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 23, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs engaged multiple enemy

  • General honored for decades of service

    The current longest-serving person in the Air Force was inducted into the Air Force Enlisted Heritage Hall's Wall of Achievers during an enlisted academy graduation ceremony in downtown Montgomery recently. Maj. Gen. Thomas F. Deppe joins more than 140 individuals on the Wall of Achievers. Names

  • Nov. 22 airpower summary: F-16s support ground troops

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 22, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles targeted enemy

  • AMC commander discusses modernization, recapitalization issues

    Modernization of its aging fleet is one of the top priorities for Air Force leaders but it is complicated by program delays and budget limits, the commander of Air Mobility Command told members of the Logistics Officer Association in a speech here recently. The rising costs of modernizing the C-5

  • Entire F-15 fleet returning to flight

    Gen. John D.W. Corley, commander, Air Combat Command, sent a message Nov. 21 to F-15 pilots, weapons systems officers and maintenance professionals outlining the actions the Air Force has taken following the Nov. 2 F-15C Eagle mishap that resulted in the loss of the aircraft. The message reads:

  • Nov. 20 airpower summary: Aircrew help airdrop, resupply

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 20, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force MQ-1B Predator targeted an enemy mortar team

  • Bright Star brings together coalition forces

    Sixty Charleston Airmen recently participated in the oldest training exercise in the U.S. Central Command's area of responsibility aboard three C-17 Globemaster IIIs. Bright Star 07, hosted by Egypt in cooperation with USCENTCOM and U.S. Army Central Command, was held in Cairo from Nov. 3 to 19

  • AMC aircrews reach million sorties milestone

    Air Mobility Command passed a major milestone Nov. 19, when an AMC aircraft flew the command's one millionth sortie since September 11, 2001. The landmark flight was a C-17 mission flown to Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan. The crew was from the 62nd Airlift Wing's 10th Airlift Squadron, McChord AFB,

  • Ramstein receives first upgraded C-130

    Bigger, faster, stronger. That is what the Air Force has in mind with its new J model C-130 Hercules aircraft, unveiled at Ramstein Nov. 9, and meant to replace the C-130E. With an extended cargo bay and added features, the C-130J is set to attack and execute any mission set in front of it,

  • Airmen practice runway repair, RAAF airmen observe

    Approximately 110 personnel, most from the 36th Civil Engineer Squadron, Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, attended the Det. 1, 554th Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineer Silver Flag exercise here last week. After a week of mostly classroom training in their respective

  • AF building bridges on energy, environment

    The Air Force's top energy and environmental steward wrapped up a week-long mission to Europe, building an energy awareness consortium among key air force and commercial aviation leaders Nov. 16. "Our goal was to connect with our counterparts in the French and British air forces, to build a

  • Air Force takes two DOD 2007 Maintenance Awards

    The Department of Defense announced the winners of the 2007 Secretary of Defense Maintenance Awards Nov. 19. The Air Force won two of the eight awards, which recognizes excellence in both field- and depot-level maintenance units. The field-level maintenance awards honor military maintenance

  • CCAF officials launch new Web-based tool

    Community College of the Air Force officials have launched a new Web-based tool that provides students education and national certification information related to Air Force occupational specialties. The Credentialing and Education Research Tool, or CERT, is an online research tool that links CCAF

  • Nov. 19 airpower summary: EC-130J supports OIF, OEF

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

  • Over land or sea: B-2 Spirit participates in Koa Lightning

    B-2 Spirit stealth bombers from the 393rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron simulated attacking naval vessels in their home port while over Hawaii Nov. 15 on a Koa Lightning exercise mission.These sorties, which are well over 20 hours in duration, tout the Air Force's unique capability to send long range