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U.S. Air Force News

  • USTRANSCOM ready for worst hurricanes can muster

    As Hurricane Dean converged on the Gulf of Mexico in August, members of the U.S. Transportation Command were prepared for the worst its winds could muster. In support of United States Northern Command, aeromedical capabilities such as personnel and equipment were forward -deployed to Texas, and a

  • Cannon unit to become 27th Special Operations Wing

    Air Force officials here announced Aug. 30 the designation of a new Air Force Special Operations Command wing at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., as the 27th Special Operations Wing. The 27th designation, currently used as the 27th Fighter Wing at Cannon AFB, will change from fighter to special

  • Reserve beats recruiting goal for seventh consecutive year

    Air Force Reserve officials announced they have reached their recruiting goal for 2007, topping 8,000 people Aug. 28.This is the seventh consecutive year Air Force Reserve Command Recruiting Service has surpassed its goals, an achievement unmatched by any other Reserve component. Approximately 400

  • McChord C-17 crew flies medevac mission out of Antarctica

    Airmen of the 304th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron flew a C-17 Globemaster III on a medical evacuation mission to bring a patient requiring immediate medical attention Aug. 28 out of Antarctica. Twenty-four hours after completing their winter fly-in season for Operation Deep Freeze, 304th EAS Airmen

  • DJs go to Guam to thank Cannon Airmen again

    Two radio personalities from New Mexico came to Guam bearing greetings, letters and gifts from families and friends to say "thanks again" to Airmen of the 522nd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron deployed here from Cannon Air Force Base, N.M.The two disc jockeys, Steve Rooney and Duffy Moon, of the

  • Aug. 28 airpower summary: F-16s stay close overhead

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Aug. 28, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped guided bomb unit-38s

  • C-5 to be showcased at Air Force Marathon

    The official aircraft of the 11th annual Air Force Marathon is the C-5 Galaxy and marathon participants, spectators and volunteers will see the aircraft fly over the course of the race Sept. 15 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.A C-5 will fly over the base as the day will be filled with

  • CSAF's Scope highlights SERE training, AMU 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. Among Gen. T. Michael Moseley's top issues this month are revamping survival, evasion, resistance and escape training for Airmen and reorganizing

  • Aug. 27 airpower summary: Stratotankers help fuel the fleet

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations August 27, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs targeted enemies near

  • Winter flights to Antarctica wrap up

    Airmen from McChord Air Force Base, Wash., completed the Operation Deep Freeze 2007-08 winter fly-in season when a final C-17 Globemaster III took off Aug. 25 from Pegasus White Ice Runway in Antarctica. Members of the 304th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron flew a total of 355 passengers and 119,953

  • A-10 Thunderbolt II gets technological 'thumbs up'

    The precision engagement modified A-10C Thunderbolt II received its Initial Operational Capability Aug. 21 during a ceremony here. The A-10C has received its most significant modifications in its 30-year history, said Lt. Col. Ralph Hansen, chief of A-10 requirements for Air Combat Command. The

  • Aug. 26 airpower summary: F-16s provide close-air support

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Aug. 26, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles strafed a possible enemy

  • Pioneering officer to retire

    The 25th commandant of the National War College here and one of the first Air Force women to complete undergraduate pilot training will retire Sept. 1 after a 34-year military career. "There's a lot of magic, excitement and amazement in military aviation," Maj. Gen. Teresa Marne Peterson said Aug.

  • Aug. 25 airpower summary: coalition fighters support ground forces

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations August 25, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs destroyed a mortar firing

  • Aug. 24 airpower summary: A-10s provide show of force

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Aug. 4, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Royal Air Force Harriers GR-9 and GR-7 fired rockets at enemies

  • NORAD fighters respond to airspace violation

    Two F-15 Eagles under the direction of North American Aerospace Defense Command intercepted a small Cessna aircraft flying through the Temporary Flight Restriction zone over Crawford, Texas Aug. 23. The civilian aircraft entered the TFR at approximately 3:00 PM central time. The fighters expended

  • Air Force helps foster American, Russian relations

    Stressing the importance of fostering good relations between America and Russia, the U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander spoke to media at a press conference Aug. 21 at the Moscow International Air Show. With the aid of a Russian translator, Gen. William T. Hobbins expressed what an honor it was for

  • Aug. 23 airpower summary: F-16s provide coalition overwatch

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations August 23, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs strafed enemies near Sangin

  • Air Force fighter squadron celebrates 90th year

    An F-22A Raptor demonstrated its air power during the wrap-up Aug. 20 of the 90th Fighter Squadron's 90th anniversary. Former and current members of the 90th FS gathered here Aug. 17 to 20 to recall the squadron's past and look forward to its future. "It is very humbling to be part of a squadron

  • Mildenhall Airmen showcase Air Force in Russia

    American pilots, aircrew and maintainers from the 100th Air Refueling Wing from Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, are on display Aug. 21 to 26 at the Moscow International Air Show in Russia. RAF Mildenhall Airmen have just one of a number of U.S. Air Force aircraft participating in the

  • Marathon signals growing partnership between base, university

    The U.S. Air Force Marathon's 5K race has a new location and date for 2007. Signifying a new partnership between Wright-Patterson AFB and nearby Wright State University, this year's 5K race will take place on the university's campus Sept. 14, the day before the marathon, which will be held at the

  • Aug. 22 airpower summary: Transports keep cargo, pax on the move

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Aug. 22, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles conducted successful shows of

  • Investigation finds engine failure caused Predator crash

    Engine failure caused the crash of an MQ-1B Predator remotely piloted aircraft Jan. 17, at a forward location in Southwest Asia, according to an Accident Investigation Board report released by Air Combat Command today. The $4.16 million Predator, assigned to the 15th Reconnaissance Squadron at

  • Air Force Reserve to form A-10 associate units

    As part of the Air Force's total force integration, Air Force Reserve Command officials are teaming up with Air Combat Command officials to establish two A-10 Thunderbolt II associate units in October. A classic associate group of about 215 reservists will support the active duty 23rd Wing at Moody

  • Travis Airmen grant child's wish

    The 6th Air Refueling Squadron granted a local boy's wish by making him a "Pilot for a Day" in the U.S. Air Force. Mitchell Louie, of San Carlos, Calif., who is battling gliolastoma spinal cancer, got the chance to become a KC-10 Extender pilot Aug. 20 as part of the Pilot for a Day program. The

  • Fairchild NCO receives $10,000 for great idea

    A Fairchild Air Force Base NCO used his knowledge and experience as a KC-10 Extender and KC-135 Stratotanker crew chief to come up with an idea worth $10,000.Tech. Sgt. Cade Peterson, a 92nd Maintenance Operations Squadron senior weapon system coordinator, used the the Innovative Development through

  • Aug. 21 airpower summary: Lancers show force

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Aug. 21, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs strafed an enemy firing

  • Charleston Airmen get Lean with maintenance

    Airmen from the 437th Maintenance Squadron here used Lean principles to increase aircraft availability and reduce total cost for Charleston Air Force Base Aug. 6 to 10.  The Airmen used the rapid-improvement Lean process, under the umbrella of Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century to

  • Stratofortresses test operational skills in Koa Lightning

    B-52 Stratofortresses and aircrews demonstrated the Air Force's global reach and global power by participating in the latest Koa Lightning exercise Aug. 21 through 23 from Andersen Air Force Base. Airmen of the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, deployed from Barksdale AFB, La., flew 18 hours

  • Army Air Corps veteran talks about war experience

    The 81-year-old World War II veteran was a liar. Robert McNally shared his story at the Pease Air National Guard Base's air show Aug. 19, one of the main attractions of Air Force Week New England. Mr. McNally's military journey preceded the Air Force and started in the era of the Army Air Corps.

  • Pacific Airlift Rally commences

    Pacific Airlift Rally 2007, co-hosted by the U.S. and Indonesian air forces, began Aug. 20 and runs through Aug. 24 at Halim Air Base, Jakarta, Indonesia. Pacific Airlift Rally is a Pacific Air Forces-sponsored military airlift symposium and live-flying exercise for nations of the Pacific Rim. The

  • Aug. 20 airpower summary: Crew chiefs track maintenance

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Aug. 20, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II provided a show of force

  • Operation Deep Freeze 2007-08 begins

    Operation Deep Freeze 2007-08 winter flights began Aug. 20 ending more than five months of isolation for the research station as the first C-17 Globemaster III delivered passengers and cargo to McMurdo Station, Antarctica. Landing 15 miles from McMurdo Station at Pegasus Runway, the C-17s will carry

  • Texas National Guard ready for Hurricane Dean strike

    About 4,700 National Guard Soldiers and Airmen, most of them from Texas, are making final preparations Aug. 20 for a rapid response should Hurricane Dean strike the Texas coast the end of August. Another 5,000 Texas Soldiers and Airmen are poised for activation should Texas Gov. Rick Perry deem it

  • Robins officer comes up BIG in life, career

    A navigator with the 128th Airborne Command and Control Squadron here received the 2007 Blacks in Government Meritorious Service Award Aug. 17 in Nashville, Tenn.Lt. Col. Joseph Richardson accepted given annually to a military member and Department of Defense civilian employee who has distinguished

  • 'Today's Air Force' focuses on recapitalization

    This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights recapitalization -- replacing the aging F-15 Eagle with the front-line air dominance fighter, the F-22 Raptor. And see more than 22,000 Airmen, Sailors, Marines and Coastguardsmen participate in Exercise Valiant Shield. The exercise showcases

  • Aug. 19 airpower summary: Globemasters on the go

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Aug. 19, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II dropped a guided bomb unit-12 on

  • Aug. 18 airpower summary: Predators fly ISR missions

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in operations Aug. 18, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles strafed an enemy firing position with

  • Aug. 17 airpower summary: JSTARS provide ground surveillance

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in operations Aug. 17, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped multiple guided bomb unit-38s

  • Hurricane Hunters track Dean in Caribbean

    Air Force Reserve Command's Hurricane Hunters are in St. Croix, the U.S. Virgin Islands, flying state-of-the-art WC-130J aircraft into Hurricane Dean in support of the National Hurricane Center. Hurricane Dean blasted St. Lucia, uprooting trees, downing power lines and damaging homes and other

  • Soto Cano team responds to Peru earthquake

    Approximately 30 Soldiers and Airmen departed here Aug. 17 in support of relief efforts following the Aug. 15 earthquake near Lima, Peru. The task force, composed of a mobile surgery team, communications specialists and a small security detail, departed the base aboard a C-130J assigned to the

  • Northern Viking tests command, control capabilities

    An unidentified aircraft is headed toward Iceland's coast. The aircraft is not in contact with the tower, and two F-15 Eagles deployed from Royal Air Force Lakenheath in England scramble to intercept the suspicious aircraft. This is the scenario playing itself out several times during Northern

  • Aug. 16 airpower summary: Air transports vital to moving supplies

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Aug. 16, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped guided bomb unit -38s

  • Malmstrom Airmen rescue injured hiker on mountain peak

    A UH-1N "Huey" helicopter crew assigned to the 40th Helicopter Squadron here, rescued an injured hiker Aug. 10 near Cook City, Mont., just north of the Montana-Wyoming border. The rescue, executed at approximately 9,000 feet, raises the unit's total number of "saves" to 369 and marks its fourth

  • Aug. 12-15 airpower summary: Strike Eagles ready to hunt

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Aug. 12 to 15, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. Aug. 12In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped guided

  • Homestead Airmen return from Iraq

    More than 260 Airmen from Homestead Air Reserve Base were welcomed home Aug. 13 as they returned from supporting the war on terrorism at Balad Air Base, Iraq. The Airmen were bused from the flightline to the reception area where hundreds of family members, friends, elected officials and local media

  • Exercise Valiant Shield wraps up

    Exercise Valiant Shield 2007, the largest exercise of its kind in the Pacific, wrapped up eight days of flying operations Aug.13. During the field training exercise, more than 2,900 sorties were flown, with KC-135 Stratotankers and KC-10 Extenders offloading 2.29 million pounds of fuel to airborne

  • Training builds foundation for deploying medics

    The acrid, hazy smoke hangs over a scene that is straight out of a nightmare. A red substance that looks like blood is smeared all over the two vehicles, and one of the vehicles is tipped over on its side. Fake body parts and debris are scattered everywhere like a petulant child's unappreciated

  • Missing pilot from Vietnam War identified

    The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced Aug. 15 that the remains of an Air Force pilot, 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 Lt. Col. Alton C. Rockett Jr. of Birmingham,

  • Hickam Airmen conduct 4-ship airdrop training

    Four C-17 Globemaster III aircrews from the 535th Airlift squadron conducted multi-element airdrop training over the Kahuku training range Aug. 13 here allowing aircrew members to maintain currency while increasing proficiency and capability. Strategic airlift for the eight C-17s at Hickam AFB is in

  • Automated test helps maintainers solve F-15 problems

    Maintainers from bases around the world are focusing their eyes on Robins Air Force Base, the 566th Combat Sustainment Squadron's test equipment office, and a new test set that officials developed as a solution to F-15 Eagle maintenance dilemmas. A new automated flight control system test set has

  • Icelandic defense exercise kicks off

    Leaders from the United States and Iceland joined NATO partners Aug. 13 to kick off an exercise to demonstrate U.S. commitment to the 1951 bilateral U.S.-Iceland defense agreement and reinvigorate air defense command and control capabilities of joint and coalition forces in Iceland. Exercise

  • Hurricane Hunters fly into Flossie

    As Hurricane Flossie made its way across the Pacific, a few Airmen were doing the unthinkable -- making trips directly into the eye of the Category 4 storm. Airmen of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron's Hurricane Hunters out of Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., flew missions into the storm from

  • Cargo flight keeps warfighters moving

    The Airmen with the 379th Logistics Readiness Squadron Cargo Movement Flight here serve as force multipliers by ensuring anything warfighters need gets to the proper place at the proper time. Members of the flight receive and ship supplies in and out of the base to and from anywhere in the world,

  • Crew chief awarded Purple Heart after 39-year wait

    Wayne Sufficool vividly remembers what happened to him Feb. 19, 1968, when he was a crew chief on the RF-4C aircraft at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, South Vietnam. It was the day the flightline area he was working on was hit with more than 40 rounds of 122 mm mortar rounds. Now Mr. Sufficool has another

  • Recent ops eval challenges Lakenheath Airmen

    While most Airmen either have participated in or are familiar with an operational readiness inspection -- both the Phase 1 and Phase II portions--some are scratching their heads over a recent evaluation exercise held here.  The operations evaluation, more commonly known as an "ops eval," looks and

  • Aug. 11 airpower summary: Predators provide edge in war on terrorism

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in operations Aug. 11, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle conducted a show of force with

  • Aug. 10 airpower summary: Tankers fuel the fight

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in operations Aug. 10, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped guided bomb unit-38s and 12s

  • Recovery agency teams complete 100th Laos mission

    Four recovery teams from the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command recently completed JPAC's 100th recovery mission in Laos."The JPAC mission is as important in our effort to account for each missing American here as it is in Vietnam, Cambodia, China, Korea and everywhere else where we have unresolved

  • Secretary monitors Joint Tactical Radio System development

    The secretary of the Air Force recently visited the Joint Program Executive Office in San Diego to discuss the current status of the Department of Defense-mandated Joint Tactical Radio System, or JTRS, program. Secretary Michael W. Wynne, who sits on the board of directors for the JTRS program,

  • Leaders consider returning maintainers to flying squadrons

    Air Force leaders are considering realigning aircraft maintenance units directly into flying squadrons. "It's important for Air Force units to be structured by mission and not by function," said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley. "Aircraft maintenance is an important element of a

  • Aug. 9 airpower summary: Fighting Falcons ready to strike

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Aug. 9 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer used flares to provide shows of force

  • Ops center commands sky during Exercise Valiant Shield

    Airmen, Sailors, Soldiers and Marines are working together in the 613th Air and Space Operations Center here and within the airspace around Guam to enhance joint combat skills and interoperability during Exercise Valiant Shield 2007 held Aug. 6 to 13. The week-long exercise tests the military's

  • Aug. 8 airpower summary: Ready on the flightline

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Aug. 8, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II dropped a guided bomb

  • Blood center supports U.S., coalition warfighters

    Airmen of the 379th Expeditionary Medical Group's blood transshipment center here have a tendency to make people's blood run cold -- literally. Blood transshipment center members are responsible for receiving blood from donors stateside, processing it, accounting for it, repacking it and shipping it

  • Predator soars to record numbers of sorties

    When terrorists tried shooting mortar rounds at Balad Air Base in July, they didn't count on the tireless, unblinking eye of an MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle overhead, transmitting their every move to Airmen on the ground here. Airmen assigned to the 46th Expeditionary Reconnaissance

  • Legends inducted into Space, Missile Pioneers Hall of Fame

    One man was a nuclear physicist who led the Air Force to create a command dedicated to space, while the second is an aviation legend famous for flying airplanes into space, and together they entered the Air Force Space and Missile Pioneers Hall of Fame Aug. 8 here. The 2007 Space and Missile Pioneer

  • Elmendorf welcomes F-22 Raptor

    It was a historic day for Elmendorf as the base officially welcomed the first of its F-22 Raptor fleet during a ceremony here Aug. 8.Elmendorf became the second operational base and the first Pacific Air Forces installation to receive the Air Force's new superiority fighter. "These incredible

  • SECAF certifies synthetic fuel blends for B-52H

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne announced the completion of the Air Force's certification of the Fischer-Tropsch fuel blend in the B-52H Stratofortress during a signing ceremony here Aug. 8. The signing ceremony certified that the blended FT and JP-8 fuel is safe for operational use in

  • Aug. 7 airpower summary: Tankers extend fighter capabilities

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations August 7 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs dropped guided bomb unit-12s

  • Valiant Shield exercise brings services together

    Kadena-based units departed Okinawa Aug. 5 on their way to Guam to join fellow Airmen and sister services in the joint Exercise Valiant Shield which runs through Aug. 14. The 44th Fighter Squadron, with elements of the 67th FS, and the 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron and 909th Air Refueling

  • Air Force technology helps put out fires faster

    Scientists at Tyndall AFB, Fla., have developed ultra high pressure water firefighting technology that has resulted in a smaller, leaner air transportable fire truck. Starting in fiscal 2008, these new trucks can be deployed in sets of two on a C-130 Hercules, whereas the former fire trucks could

  • Ramstein Airmen support joint airdrop exercise

    Airmen flying a C-130 Hercules from the 37th Airlift Squadron here supported high altitude-low opening airdrop training exercise Aug. 2 near Banja Luka, Bosnia.  Using the HALO technique, a jumper leaves an aircraft at a high altitude and free-falls to a much lower altitude before opening his or her

  • Air Force signs multiyear contract for F-22

    Air Force officials here signed a production contract with Lockheed Martin Corp. to add 60 F-22 Raptors to the Air Force inventory by December 2011. The multiyear contract for the fifth-generation fighters will save the Air Force $411 million compared to a traditional annual procurement program of

  • To Stem the Tide - A Korean War Perspective

    Warnings had sounded as early as March 10, 1950. The U. S. Korean Military Advisory Group had relayed a report through channels to Washington, D.C., that North Korea would likely cross the 38th Parallel and invade its neighbor to the south--possibly as early as June. But there were plenty of

  • Aug. 6 airpower summary: Tankers ready to go

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Aug. 6 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle dropped a guided bomb unit-12

  • Airpower key to Exercise Valiant Shield

    Members of the 613th Air and Space Operations Center at Hickam Air Force Base will provide command and control of flying operations above and around Guam during Exercise Valiant Shield Aug. 6 to 13.The 13th Air Force's 613th AOC staff delivers full spectrum capability for planning, directing and

  • Former secretary of the Air Force dies

    Former Secretary of the Air Force John C. Stetson died Aug. 2 at his home in Lake Forest, Ill. Mr. Stetson was the 12th secretary of the Air Force, serving from June 1978 to May 1979. He was born in Chicago in 1920. He received a bachelor of science degree in aeronautical engineering from

  • Cadets get firsthand knowledge of deployments

    Members of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing here hosted a rotation of U.S. Air Force Academy cadets who visited Southwest Asia to experience a deployment firsthand. The cadets toured the Combined Air and Space Operations Center, security forces and the fire department to give them a better working

  • Airmen, Sailors join up in convoy relay

    Sailors of Task Force 124 here fly and operate the E-6B Mercury in support of Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen on the ground in and around Baghdad, mainly relaying communications for convoy operations. Navy officials realized with the installation of a few extra radios and the removal of some

  • Aug. 5 airpower summary: A-10s unleash awesome firepower

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Aug. 5 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs strafed enemies near Orgun-E

  • Airmen, drug runners play game of cat and mouse

    Airmen play a constant game of cat and mouse with the drug runners they search for who try sneaking their cargo into the United States. Sometimes the Airmen win and sometimes they lose. But they always try to find ways to beat the odds using a combination of sophisticated E-3 Sentry and other

  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Airman dies

    An Airman assigned to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing died Aug. 5. The cause of the death is being investigated.More details will be released as they become available. The 379th AEW supports more than 8,000 Airmen from active duty, National Guard, Reserves and coalition forces and is responsible

  • Aug. 4 airpower summary: F-16s fly close-air support

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Aug. 4 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles hit enemy firing positions with

  • Aug. 3 airpower summary: Joint ops support coalition forces

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Aug. 3 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, a French Mirage 2000D accompanied by a Mirage F1CR released a

  • Manta Airmen continue their counterdrug war

    American forces flying from here to hunt down drug runners could soon have to pack up their whole operation and move elsewhere. That is because Ecuadorian President Raphael Correa wants American forces out of the Andean country. He vows not to renew a 1999 agreement with the United States that

  • Airmen missing in action from Vietnam War identified

    Officials from the Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office here Aug. 3 announced the remains of two U.S. servicemen, missing in action from the Vietnam War, have been identified and will be returned to their families for burial with full military honors. They are Lt. Col. James H. Ayres,

  • Aug. 2 airpower summary: Refuelers keep fleet flying

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Aug. 2, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles and a Royal Air Force GR-7

  • U.S., South Korean Airmen train on base defense plan

    Airmen from the Republic of Korea's 38th Fighter Group and the U.S. Air Force's 8th Fighter Wing here joined forces with a common goal of training July 25."Since the 38th FG and 8th FW have their own ways of training members and defending Kunsan Air Base, it's very important for both sides to

  • Raptor maintenance training 'ramps' up at Sheppard

    The world of F-22 Raptor maintenance is becoming as high-tech as the sophisticated fighter itself. Because of new equipment called Portable Maintenance Aids,  or PMAs, maintainers here have vastly improved capabilities over past procedures and the initial skills training will reflect this advanced

  • Aug. 1 airpower summary: F-15Es provide close-air support

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Aug. 1, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle fired cannon rounds at enemy

  • July 31 airpower summary: F-16s provide effective overwatch

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations July 31, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs dropped guided bomb unit-12s

  • Second Predator crashes in Iraq in two days

    An Air Force MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle crashed off base Tuesday at approximately 8 p.m. local time.  This was the second Predator to crash in Iraq in two days.   Hostile activity does not appear to be a factor in either crash. The crash site is in an unpopulated area and no collateral

  • Aerial porters help demonstrate new transportation concepts

    Airmen from the 305th Aerial Port Squadron here recently played a major role in helping U.S. Transportation Command officials assess joint modular intermodal distribution, or JMIDS, concepts. Through JMIDS, USTRANSCOM officials seek greater efficiency in delivering cargo to the warfighter while

  • Airpower Summary for July 30: Strike Eagles strike

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations July 30, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force MQ-1B Predator fired a Hellfire missile at

  • Predator crashes on base in Iraq

    An MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle crashed at the end of the runway while landing at approximately 11 p.m. local time July 30 at Balad Air Base. The crash site is an unpopulated area and no collateral damage or injuries occurred. The aircraft is a medium-altitude long-endurance, remotely

  • Global Cyberspace Integration Center hot bench active

    The Global Cyberspace Integration Center here houses an operations center that serves as a test bed or "hot bench" that assesses various software and information systems to detect potential problems before they are delivered to the field. A team guides innovation, experimentation and sustainment

  • Latest 'Today's Air Force' highlights Air Force's focus

    This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights three Air Force's topics:  modernization and recapitalization, air shows and the culture of responsibility. Leaders understand that cyberspace will be the final war-fighting frontier. With technology steadily advancing, the need for cyberspace

  • July 29 airpower summary: Maintainers vital to mission

    Coalition airpower supported coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations July 29, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided shows of force with

  • Airmen mentor Afghan air corps soldiers

    From firefighters to aircraft mechanics to squadron commanders, several Airmen are mentoring and training their Afghan National Army air corps counterparts as members of the Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan here in the nation's capital. It's a job that's like no other, said Master