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U.S. Air Force News

  • Logistics innovations impact warfighters

    The commander of Air Mobility Command thanked members of his organization in attendance Nov. 14 here at the national conference of the Logistics Officer Association, noting their initiatives are resulting in needed fuel and equipment being delivered to warfighters faster and more efficiently. "In

  • New 400-hour phase inspection equates to lives saved

    F-15E Strike Eagle maintainers here recently became the first in the Air Force to implement a new inspection process that promises greater airpower capability throughout Afghanistan. Shortly after becoming the first deployed F-15E unit in the Air Force to return to full operational capability

  • Vance helps celebrate Oklahoma's centennial

    Four T-38C Talon planes from Vance kicked off the Oklahoma Centennial parade in Guthrie, Okla., marking 100 years of statehood. The planes from the 25th Flying Training Squadron symbolized the land rush that settled the Oklahoma territory in 1889. It was part of a full day of festivities in Guthrie

  • Gen. Hobbins honored with Order of the Sword

    With all the pomp and circumstance the U.S. Air Forces in Europe enlisted corps could muster, some 800 guests witnessed the induction of Gen. William T. Hobbins, USAFE commander, into the Order of the Sword here tonight. The Order of the Sword is the highest honor enlisted Airmen can bestow on an

  • Nov. 18 airpower summary: F-15Es support operations

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 18, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an enemy mortar site was struck with a guided bomb

  • Nov. 17 airpower summary: A-10s fly CAS missions

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 17, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles fired cannon rounds against

  • Officials release CSAR-X proposal request amendment

    Air Force officials released Amendment 5 to the Request for Proposals Nov. 15 for CSAR-X, the combat search and rescue replacement vehicle. Officials have conducted face-to-face meetings with all CSAR-X offerors after the release of Draft RFP Amendment 5. These face-to-face meetings with CSAR-X

  • Nov. 16 airpower summary: C-17s deliver troops, cargo

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

  • Nov. 15 airpower summary: Crew chiefs keep missions flying

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 15, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer conducted air strikes against

  • SECAF honors international affairs office with award

    The secretary of the Air Force presented members of the deputy undersecretary of the Air Force for international affairs office with the Air Force Organizational Excellence Award November 15. "Air Force International Affairs has been recognized over the years as one of the premiere organizations

  • Wingmen save fellow Airman's life at Kunsan

    When Pacific Air Forces officials sent out guidance for all the Pacific bases to have a Wingman Day, no one could have thought that during the day three wingmen would come to the aid of another Airman saving his life. At approximately 8:40 a.m. Nov. 13, as Kunsan Air Base members were gathering in

  • Close-air-support exercise tests Atlantic Strike participants

    The cool evening was still as three camouflaged insurgents watched an Army patrol approach their village. Unbeknownst to the saboteurs, an Air Force targeting pod was closely watching their position and relaying information to the ground commander. Suddenly, a deafening explosion drowned out all

  • U.S. military showcased at Dubai Air Show

    More than 325 American servicemembers participated in the 10th Dubai Air Show Nov. 11 through 15 here. Airmen, Sailors and Soldiers provided logistics, force protection and maintenance support to the various U.S. aircraft on display and performing aerial demonstrations. The Dubai Air Show is

  • Officials begin to clear F-15Es to full-mission status

    Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft are now undergoing a safety inspection that will return them to flying status according to an order issued Nov. 11 by Gen. John Corley, the commander of Air Combat Command. Each of the 224 E-model aircraft require the completion of a 13-hour time-compliance

  • 44-year-old C-130 flies final combat mission, ends service

    After 44 years of service and more than 29,500 flying hours, a C-130 Hercules flew its final combat mission Nov. 13 from Southwest Asia and will next be heading to the boneyard. Aircraft 63-7865 from the 86th Airlift Wing at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and currently assigned to the 386th Air

  • Laser paint removal lessens production time, health hazards

    Six months ago, the process to remove paint from an aircraft part took four or five hours. Today, the use of lasers is accomplishing the job in 20 minutes. The 566th Aircraft Maintenance Group's Disassembly and Cleaning Unit can "nitpick" an aircraft part of its paint in that reduced amount of time

  • Wing's legacy continues

    The 509th Bomb Wing makes its home here, and operates the Air Force's premier weapon system, the B-2 Spirit bomber. The mission of the wing is to bring the full spectrum of expeditionary global power of the B-2 for combat support capabilities to combatant commanders.  With the B-2, the wing can

  • Nov. 14 airpower summary: A-10s provide close-air support

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 14, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle engaged enemy combatants

  • Fairchild helicopter crew rescues fallen hiker

    Members of the 36th Rescue Flight here rescued a stranded 20-year-old hiker Nov. 11 about 20 miles south of Missoula, Mont. Local emergency responders were unable to rescue the man due to the hazardous terrain; therefore the 36th RQF UH-1N Huey flew to the site and lowered an independent-duty

  • Nov. 13 airpower summary: C-17s resupply forces

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 13, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles engaged enemy positions

  • Not just another day at the office

    Staff Sgt. "Dean" was having a bad day at the office. As an Air Force Joint Terminal Attack Controller embedded with ground forces, his job was to serve as liaison between the ground commander and aircrews. On the afternoon of Oct. 27, the ten-vehicle convoy he was traveling with in Southern

  • Airmen, 'Great Patriots' celebrate Veterans Day

    It isn't very often that Mark Pavlovich Polushenko, an 83-year-old retired infantry lieutenant colonel with the former Soviet Union Army, has occasion to put on his military service dress uniform. The opportunity came again Nov. 12 during a special Veterans Day event here. Colonel Polushenko was

  • Airmen show their edge during Keen Sword

    Over the next two weeks, 300-plus Airmen will be participating in the largest bilateral field training exercise in Japan, designed to practice defending Japan against foreign aggression. The goal of Exercise Keen Sword is to improve interoperability between the Japanese Air Self Defense Force and

  • Aviation pioneers attend Heritage to Horizons ceremony

    Five members of the Women Airforce Service Pilots who served during World War II attended the Heritage to Horizons proclamation ceremony for Air Force Week Nevada during a city council meeting Nov. 7 at the Las Vegas City Hall. The ceremony was part of a weeklong Air Force's 60th Anniversary

  • Nov. 12 airpower summary: KC-135s help fuel 233 aircraft

    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 F-15E Strike Eagle released flares during a

  • Postured to help: 3rd Air Force ready

    Third Air Force officials have developed a new, quick-response humanitarian assistance capability to support the European theater, and Nov. 5, they launched a 36-hour Humanitarian Relief Operation 9-1-1 exercise to test it. The exercise scenario challenged the ability of Airmen at Ramstein to

  • The Raven puts more eyes in the sky

    The little cousin of the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper is making a big splash here as the RQ-11B Raven program takes flight. The Raven is a small unmanned aerial vehicle used to conduct visual reconnaissance up to ten kilometers away, said Staff Sgt. Daniel Garcia of the Force Protection Aerial

  • Nov. 11 airpower summary: F-16s support mission

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the 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 B1-B Lancer dropped a guided bomb unit-38

  • Nov. 10 airpower summary: C-130s sustain operations

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 10, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Navy F/A-18 Hornets struck a cave with guided bomb

  • Nov. 9 airpower summary: B-1B Lancer delivers precision

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 9, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, coalition forces came under intense fire from enemy firing

  • Cyber Airmen fight in America's newest battlefront

    A key component in the world's most lethal air and space force is the ability to protect sensitive communication and computer systems from the bad guys. A group of highly trained Airmen here take that fight head on every day in the far-reaching realm of cyberspace. Senior Airman Jonathan Odum,

  • Six servicemembers die after helicopter crash

    Six U.S. servicemembers have died of injuries sustained when a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter attached to 1st Battalion, 214th Aviation Regiment crashed at approximately noon Nov. 8, 22 miles southwest of Aviano. Five died in the crash and one died later that evening.Eleven U.S. Airmen and

  • Nov. 8 airpower summary: C-130s key to resupply

    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 MQ-1Predator engaged enemy combatants in

  • Nov. 7 airpower summary: KC-10's fuel coalition missions

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 7, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force MQ-9 Reaper Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

  • Chief McKinley updates Airmen on Air Force priorities

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley recently reaffirmed the Air Force's three top priorities as winning the war on terrorism, developing and caring for Airmen and their families, and recapitalization and modernization. The Air Force's top enlisted Airman then spelled out where the

  • Reaper drops first precision-guided bomb, protects forces

    The MQ-9A Reaper demonstrated it's unique precision strike capability as a hunter-killer attack platform by dropping its first precision-guided bomb Nov. 7. "The beauty of the MQ-9 Reaper is that we're able to synchronize and integrate unmanned aerial attack platforms over the skies of Afghanistan,

  • Aerial port rebalancing accelerates cargo movement and reduces cost

    Aerial port rebalancing efforts are underway to speed the delivery of cargo destined for warfighters deployed in support of operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. The proposed actions also will significantly reduce the overall cost of operations to the American taxpayer. Beginning Jan. 1,

  • Service-disabled veterans key to meeting military missions

    Three Air Force winners were among 19 organizations and individuals honored at the first Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Awards Ceremony Nov. 5 at the Pentagon. The group of entrepreneurs and department acquisition officials earned praise from Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England

  • Warfighters gather to train for close-air-support operations

    More than 200 warfighters from around the world gathered to combat a simulated enemy force comprised of insurgent groups, roadside bombs and hidden snipers Nov. 6 through 9 at the Avon Park Military Training Complex in central Florida. Atlantic Strike VI, a semi-annual training event sponsored by

  • 3rd Air Force commander, 24 Airmen visit Normandy

    Airmen from 3rd Air Force here relived history by retracing the footsteps of American Soldiers in Normandy who orchestrated one of the most epic battles in U.S. history -- the D-Day invasion. Lt. Gen. Robert D. Bishop Jr., the 3rd Air Force commander, and 24 Airmen from 3rd Air Force walked the

  • Pilot missing from the Vietnam War is identified

    The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced Nov. 6 that the remains of a serviceman, missing from the Vietnam War, have been identified and will be returned to his family for burial with full military honors. He is Maj. John L. Carroll, Air Force, of Decatur, Ga. He will be

  • Nov. 6 airpower summary: B-1Bs provide cover

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 6, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, a Navy F/A-18 Hornet engaged enemy combatants with

  • Airman takes next step toward her American dream

    One Airman's version of the American dream includes some children and a bakery of her own. It is a dream Airman 1st Class Olga Bilobol now has as a brand-new American citizen following a Nov. 6 naturalization ceremony at Nellis Air Force Base. "It means so much to me that I have a hard time

  • Upgraded A-10s prove worth in Iraq

    A new version of the A-10 Thunderbolt II has been flying over Iraq providing close-air support for the ground troops from Al Asad Air Base for nearly two months. As part of the Precision Engagement Upgrade Program, the Maryland Air National Guard's 175th Wing has been converting it's A-10s from A to

  • Mission continues during grounding of F-15s

    Lt. Gen. Gary L. North, U.S. Central Command's Combined Forces Air Component commander is maintaining assigned F-15E Strike Eagles on ground alert and will accomplish all assigned missions with a variety of fighter, attack and bomber aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles, under his command and

  • Live-fly exercise trains Airmen for combat mission

    More than 100 12th Air Force and Air Forces Southern Airmen will train the way they fight as they participate in Mesa Fury 2007, a large force exercise Nov. 5 to Nov. 9. Mesa Fury 2007, a joint forces exercise, is designed to allow Airmen and participating Department of Defense combat units an

  • Reserve refuelers train with Egyptian fliers

    March reservists are conducting two weeks of air-refueling missions here with fighter pilots from the Egyptian air force. "I think this is a great opportunity for the entire U.S. Air Force," said Lt. Col. Al Oliver, the mission director and a tanker refueling scheduler with 4th Air Force at

  • Nov. 5 airpower summary: A-10s target insurgents

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 5, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, a French Mirage 2000 engaged enemy combatants with

  • B-2 arrives at Whiteman AFB

    When 15-year John H. Belanger took his first flying lesson in Menominee, Mich., little did he realize he'd be making aviation history 27 years later by co-piloting the B-2 bomber during arrival ceremonies at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. Nor did this lieutenant colonel realize exactly what he was

  • Commanders form distinguished list

    A long list of distinguished commanders, including an Air Force chief of staff have led the 509th Bomb Wing in its mission. The wing traces its historical roots to a World War II ancestor, the 509 Composite Group. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John D. Ryan was commander of the group and wing three

  • DLA-Warner Robins shop humming along following transition

    At a glance, you can't differentiate between Defense Logistics Agency employees and Air Force civilians in the F-15 Eagle wing shop here. Yet work continues to run smoothly following the mid-October activation of DLA-Warner Robins here in which DLA gained 240 employees from the Air Force. The new

  • Nov. 4 airpower summary: Airdrop is key to resupply

    Coalition ground forces are able to keep the enemy on the run in Afghanistan's mountainous terrain where roads are extremely limited or simply don't exist because aircrews are able to to get much needed supplies right where they need to be. For six days, from Oct. 25 to Nov. 1, Airmen achieved more

  • Thunderbirds receive first upgraded F-16

    Hill Air Force Base officials rolled out the first of 11 configured F-16 Fighting Falcons for the Air Force Thunderbirds aerial demonstration team.During a ceremonial hand over Oct. 24, attended by incoming 2008-2009 Thunderbirds commander and lead pilot Lt. Col. Greg Thomas, and a full house of

  • Pachyderm PCS: Elephant finds new home courtesy of Air Force

    As the sun crested over the foothills of San Andreas, Calif., and the compound's gate opened, she knew she was home. Maggie, the Alaska Zoo's only elephant, arrived at the Performing Animal Welfare Society's ARK 2000 Wildlife Sanctuary Nov. 2, exiting her crate some 15 hours after leaving

  • Nov. 3 airpower summary: A-10s provide airpower

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 3, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle fired on enemy combatants

  • Air Force suspends some F-15 operations

    The Air Force suspended non-mission critical F-15 flight operations on Nov. 3 following the crash of a Missouri Air National Guard F-15C aircraft Nov. 2. The cause of that accident is still under investigation, however, preliminary findings indicate that a possible structural failure of the aircraft

  • Nov. 2 airpower summary: Strike Eagles support combat operations

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 2, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle performed a show of force

  • Nov. 1 airpower summary: Airmen engineer success

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 1, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles conducted air strikes

  • Flight attendants provide world-class service

    Presidents, generals and prime ministers count on the support from Airmen of the 89th Airlift Wing here who provide safe, comfortable and reliable transportation while keeping world leaders connected and protected on special air missions around the globe. Tech. Sgt. Pete Kana of the 1st Airlift

  • 3rd Wing activates second F-22 squadron

    The 3rd Wing at Elmendorf Air Force Base activated the 525th Fighter Squadron during a ceremony at the base Oct. 29. The second active-duty F-22 Raptor squadron took its place in wing history nearly three months after the aircraft officially landed on base. Lt. Col. Chuck Corcoran assumed command of

  • Oct. 31 airpower summary: A-10s support ground troops

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 31, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, a Royal Air Force GR-9 Harrier conducted a strike

  • Tinker unit designs new welding process for B-2

    When the B-2 Spirit systems support manager here needed three spar caps refurbished for a spare right aft deck kit, he uncovered a larger problem. The aft deck panels on the stealth bomber were not originally designed to be replaced, so there were only a couple of spare right aft deck kits produced.

  • B-2s train with JTACs, drop bombs on target

    The B-2 Spirit stealth bomber deployed here practiced weapons drops in the Pohakuloa Training Area, Hawaii Oct. 23 without using built in state of the art targeting system. This time, the fliers were conducting operations with joint terminal attack controllers on the ground to allow the specially

  • Battlefield Airmen train for JTAC role at Pohakuloa Training Area

    Tactical air control party members from the 25th Air Support Operations Squadron practiced and honed their skills calling in air strikes for B-2 Spirit stealth bombers during a week long training session as part of Exercise Koa Lightning. These battlefield Airmen serve as joint terminal attack

  • Mobility commander highlights AMC wartime successes, challenges

    Air Mobility Command's Gen. Arthur Lichte underscored the command's wartime challenges, as he praised the accomplishments of mobility warriors, during the Airlift Tanker Association's 39th annual convention in Nashville, Tenn., Oct 25 to 28. General Lichte emphasized how the command's warfighting

  • Ramstein Airmen join team in Iraq

    Six takeoffs. Six landings. Twelve hours. All in a day's work for aircrew members of the 737th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron taking on the mission known as the "pain train." "It's called the pain train because there's just 30 minutes between each stop," said Capt. Robin Cadow, 737th EAS pilot. "At

  • Tactical airlift initiatives further Air Force's total force integration

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley announced four proposed initiatives Oct. 31 concerning C-130 Hercules tactical airlift, each of which furthers the service's vision for a seamless total force. The initiatives, which would impact communities in Tennessee, New York, Georgia and

  • Kunsan Airmen strive for smarter ways to execute with less

    Doing things smarter is something the 8th Fighter Wing is striving for, especially with the entire Air Force having to now accomplish the mission with less. With every commander's call and opportunity senior leaders have had to speak with the Airmen here, they are taking to heart Air Force Smart

  • Oct. 29 airpower summary: F-16s deter enemy activity

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

  • Global Hawk, U-2 capture essential wildfires images

    Throughout the week Air Forces Northern tasked specialized aircraft to provide firefighting commanders and civil authorities with photos and video of Southern California wildfires. Among the aircraft were the RQ-4 Global Hawk Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and U-2 Dragon Lady from Beale Air Force Base,

  • AFMC helps return damaged B-1B to friendly environment

    When a $283-million aircraft that's a segment of America's long-range bomber force loses one of its four engines - over the skies of Afghanistan - Airmen kick their fix-it instincts into high gear. Thanks to a unified effort led by Air Force Materiel Command, a maintenance team repaired a damaged

  • Commander foresees Air Force mastery of cyberspace

    Information technology is a two-edged sword the Air Force must wield more expertly than the nation's enemies, said the commander of Air Force Materiel Command during an Oct. 25 speech at the InfoTech Conference in Dayton, Ohio. Gen. Bruce Carlson discussed today's fight against terrorism, including

  • Firefighting aircrews face unique challenges

    The military crews in the planes dropping fire retardant on wildfire flames in southern California face hazards and challenges unique to their humanitarian mission. First is the low altitude at which they fly and the sudden, violent updrafts and downdrafts caused by the heat of the fire. Factor in

  • Oct. 28 airpower summary: C-130s replenish ground forces

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 28, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, a Royal Air Force GR-7 Harrier used rockets to attack

  • Oct. 27 airpower summary: Reaper conducts first strike

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 27, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, the Air Force's newest unmanned aerial vehicle, the MQ-9

  • Oct. 26 airpower summary: Shows of force deter enemy

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 26, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles targeted enemy combatants

  • Airmen continue fight on Southern California wildfires

    Four specially equipped Modular Airborne Firefighting System C-130 Hercules aircraft joined the massive firefighting effort in Southern California Oct. 23 and continue to fly missions as weakening winds allowed an aerial assault on the state's destructive wildfires. Since Oct. 24, the Air National

  • Air Force, forest service team to fight California fires

    More than 50 years ago, the Air Force and U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service teamed up to equip aircraft with the capability to fight large-scale fires -- a union that is yielding huge dividends in the battle against the raging wildfires that broke out in southern California earlier this

  • Airmen practice water rescue

    Part of participating in a local operational readiness exercise is practicing skills and tactics that many hope they never have to use. Such was the case when a water survival and rescue exercise was conducted Oct. 24 by members of Kadena Air Base, Japan, off the coast of Okinawa as part of  local

  • Oct. 25 airpower summary: F-16s support coaliton forces

    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 enemy cave located in Gardez was struck with guided

  • Air Force to fly elephant from Alaska to California

    Air Force members will fly Maggie, a 25-year-old African elephant at the Alaska Zoo, on a C-17 Globemaster IIIs cargo aircraft to her new home in California Nov. 1. Maggie will fly from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, to Travis AFB, Calif., aboard the Alaskan-based C-17. Officials with the Alaska

  • Air Force moving hybrid battalion into Darfur

    Air Force members are providing airlift support to the Rwandan military, moving United Nations armored personnel carriers, Rwandan soldiers, food, medicine and equipment in and out of the Darfur region Oct. 24.The Rwandan battalion is one of two working as the United Nations-African Union Hybrid

  • Beale Airmen, ISR assets support California wildfires

    Members of the 9th Reconnaissance Wing are currently flying U-2 and Global Hawk surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft and collecting high-altitude imagery of the wildfires in Southern California in support of the U.S. Air Force Northern Command's mission there. A U-2 from Beale Air Force Base

  • C-17 flight uses synthetic fuel blend

    A C-17 Globemaster III took off Oct. 22 on a flight using a blend of synthetic and JP-8 fuels in all four fuel tanks. This is the first time a C-17 has flown using a Fischer-Tropsch/JP-8 blend as the only fuel on board. Air Force members successfully flew a C-17 Oct. 19 with the Fischer-Tropsch/JP-8

  • CV-22 Osprey flies first search and recovery mission

    A CV-22 Osprey assigned to the 58th Special Operations Wing here participated in the aircraft's first search and recovery mission, responding to the fatal crash of a medical aircraft in the mountains of southern Colorado. Airport officials lost contact with the Arizona-based Beechcraft King airplane

  • Supply Airmen help take fight to enemy

    Keeping aircraft flying and war fighters supplied in Afghanistan is a challenging job, but one done by Airmen of the 455th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron supply flight here. An estimated $50 million in equipment and supplies, everything from aircraft weapon system parts to office

  • Air Force leaders testify on strategic, budget initiatives

    People, equipment and money were the main topics Oct. 24 when the secretary of the Air Force and the chief of staff testified before the House Armed Services Committee. Secretary Michael W. Wynne and Gen. T. Michael Moseley answered questions from the committee about warfighting resources required

  • First lady meets Airmen in Southwest Asia

    First lady Laura Bush met more than 40 Airmen from the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, U.S. Embassy employees and their families Oct. 22 in Southwest Asia. The first lady talked to them about her tour to the region and her interaction with women from the host nation during her tour of the Persian Gulf

  • Oct. 24 airpower summary: Supplying the warfighter

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

  • Buddy Wing Program teams up U.S., Korean Airmen

    Pilots and maintainers from the 80th Fighter Squadron participated in a Buddy Wing Program exercise Oct. 23 to 25 at Jungwon Air Base, South Korea. The Buddy Wing program is a way for U.S. Air Force and South Korea air force members to develop teamwork, exchange ideas and improve tactics. "It's very

  • Air Force Reserve unit deploys to fight California fires

    Two Air Force Reserve Command firefighting C-130 Hercules aircraft left Oct. 23 to help battle the raging wildfires in Southern California. The National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho, requested Department of Defense assistance in fighting the fires which put the wheels in motion for the

  • Airmen help Afghans stand up flight medicine clinic

    Like many Airmen around the world, Maj. Mical Kupke's day starts with a brief meeting to plan out the day's events. But that's where the similarity ends. The flight surgeon and her team's day involves mentoring members of the Afghan national army air corps in the field of flight medicine and

  • Oct. 23 airpower summary: Enemy forces are Thunderstruck

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 23, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B1-B Lancer conducted a strike against an

  • Leaders unveil new partnership for acquisition

    Air Force Materiel Command officials here and acquisition professionals at the Pentagon have recently formed a new partnership to overcome weapon-system acquisition challenges, according to senior Air Force leaders.Sue C. Payton, the assistant secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, and Gen.

  • Reserve C-130s helping fight California fires

    Air Force Reserve Command's 302nd Airlift Wing here has launched two firefighting C-130 Hercules aircraft to battle the raging wildfires in southern California. Two additional C-130s also are going to support the operation. National Interagency Fire Center officials in Boise, Idaho, requested

  • Oct. 22 airpower summary: Tankers give gas to go

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 22, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, a Royal Air Force GR-7 Harrier launched an enhanced

  • Military personnel, assets help to battle California fires

    Military personnel and assets are helping out in the most serious outbreak of wildfires in California in years. California National Guard and California-based active duty personnel are providing some of the muscle needed to contain the fires, which have driven more than 300,000 people from their

  • Program encourages scientific collaborations

    As panel members convene for the organization's 50th annual meeting, a five-nation program geared toward collaboration in defense science and technology is looking at its past and charting its future, a senior Defense Department official said. Andre van Tilborg, deputy undersecretary of defense for

  • A Sunday unlike any other

    Capt. Dennis Hargis will never forget Oct. 14, and it's likely those whose lives he saved won't either. The 354th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron A-10 pilot from San Antonio was mere days away from the end of his six-month deployment here when he received the call that nearby friendly troops were in

  • Oct. 21 airpower summary: B-1Bs show force, presence

    Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 21, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B1-B Lancer struck an enemy compound