NATO Air Policing operations

U.S. Air Force News

  • Afghan air force adds first honor guard to its ranks

    Afghan airmen from the Kandahar Air Wing posted colors for the first time with their own honor guard at the one year anniversary of the unit's activation Oct. 5 here.For the past year, Airmen of the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing Honor Guard have posted the colors for KAW ceremonies. The team recently

  • Rescue crews answer the call in Afghanistan

    By signing in to their shift, they know the first mission is theirs. Ready to leave in moments with barely a second to spare, the crew is notified at the last minute to stand down, prolonging the suspense as they attempt to relax. However, relaxation is hardly an option when a simple beep of the

  • Air Force officials announce enlisted supplemental promotions

    More than 630 Airmen have been selected for promotion as part of the October enlisted supplemental promotion board.The promotion list can be found on the Air Force Personnel Center's public website. Airmen also can access their score notices at the same time on the Virtual Military Personnel Flight

  • Vandenberg Airman killed in Afghanistan

    An Airman assigned to the 30th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal flight here was killed in action and another was injured Oct. 5, while serving in Afghanistan.Senior Airman Daniel Johnson, 23, died while conducting an EOD operation in Afghanistan.Tech. Sgt. Robert Butler was

  • Amendment provision could put more money in spouse's paycheck

    Military spouses in states that collect state income taxes could be able to pocket a little more of their paycheck under an amendment that allows spouses to retain their legal residency in their home state.A November 2009 amendment to the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act included a provision that

  • Service demographics offer snapshot of force

    Air Force Personnel Center officials here recently published a demographics report offering a snapshot of the service's active-duty and civilian force. This data is current as of Sept. 30 and can also be found on the Air Force personnel statistics Web page.Statistics are rounded to the nearest

  • Canadian forces contribute to space mission

    When servicemembers here perform a mission, whether it is space surveillance or launching a payload into space, it is not solely an American effort, but rather a joint effort. One such example is the partnership here between Americans and Canadians. Stemming out of the North American Aerospace

  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing goes 'green' with recycling program

    Officials in the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing are striving to go "green" as part of the Air Force's continuing effort to eliminate waste and become more energy efficient.An on-base recycling program, run by 386th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron officials, collects more than 60 metric tons of

  • Top chief discusses training, wingmanship during Academy visit

    The chief master sergeant of the Air Force visited with the Air Force Academy's enlisted cadre Oct. 1 and talked about the way ahead for the Air Force, professional military education and taking care of Airmen and families.Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy was in Colorado

  • Security Airmen train to handle active shooter threats

    "Bang bang!" The shouts were heard back and forth as the two security forces Airmen shuffled quickly onto another floor of the building, looking down the sights of their M-9s. "Bang bang!" The lone threat, actively 'shooting' with his red plastic shotgun, had been stopped. This exercise was just one

  • Davis-Monthan hosts self-defense instructor course

    Security forces Airmen and civilian law enforcement officials participated in a three-day Rape Aggression Defense Systems instructor certification class Sept. 13  through 15 here.RADS is a program designed to teach physical, defensive tactics that can be used when faced with aggression.The

  • Armament Symposium brings DOD, industry together

    For the 36th year, the Air Armament Center partnered with the National Defense Industrial Association to host its annual Air Armament Symposium here Oct. 5 and 6.The symposium, a two-day forum for both industry and government personnel, was an opportunity to exchange information, recognize

  • 4th Fighter Wing loses an Airman

    An Airman assigned to the 4th Fighter Wing was found dead Oct. 4. Deceased is Senior Airman Ross Merrit Horton, a lodging customer service representative of the 4th Force Support Squadron. Airman Horton is from Chico, California. The cause of death is under investigation. "The 4th Fighter Wing

  • House resolution honors aeromedical evacuation Airmen

    Members of the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed a resolution Sept. 28 honoring the Airmen who support and perform aeromedical evacuation.House Resolution 1605 recognizes "the service of the medical and aircrews in helping our wounded warriors make the expeditious and safe trip home

  • Flying the wounded home

    Afghan airmen and NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan advisers worked as one to transfer a patient from Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, during a reverse aeromedical evacuation mission to Forward Operating Base Bostic in Konar province, Afghanistan Sept. 27.A reverse medical evacuation takes a

  • Airmen, Misawa residents prep for disaster

    Airmen from the 35th Medical Operations Squadron and 35th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department provided first-responder support during a natural disaster preparedness exercise Oct. 3 at Misawa City Sea Port. The exercise tested civilian and military coordination and response."The scenario was an

  • Air Force officials conducting personnel accountability exercise

    Officials are conducting an Air Force-wide exercise Oct. 6 through 8 to test the Air Force Personnel Accountability and Assessment System.An exercise execution order will identify the geographic area of interest in which all personnel assigned to, living in, TDY to or on leave in that area, must be

  • Tests to compare CCAF, civilian degrees

    Education offices at 60 Air Force and Air National Guard bases around the world will test Community College of the Air Force graduates to determine how they compare to counterparts in civilian institutions.The testing begins Oct. 14 and runs through Nov. 15.First-time CCAF degree recipients who have

  • ACCE-I director: Taking care of Airmen top priority

    Support for joint operations, partnering with Iraqi security forces and care for Airmen were some of the topics discussed during the visit by Iraq's top Airman here Sept 21.In his first Airmen's call since becoming the Air Component Coordination Element-Iraq director and commander of Detachment 2,

  • Airmen make impact with first GBU-54 combat drop in Afghanistan

    Airmen from the 510th Fighter Squadron here employed a guided bomb unit-54 laser joint directed attack munition for the first time in the Afghan area of operations recently.The GBU-54 is the Air Force's newest 500-pound precision weapon, equipped with a special targeting system that uses a

  • Lieutenants complete inaugural language training

    Twenty-five of the Air Force's newest second lieutenants recently completed the inaugural class of focused language training at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., as part of the Language Enabled Airmen Program.The Language Intensive Training Event, or LITE, was held at the Air Force Culture and Language

  • Exercise aims to change game

    A training exercise held at Joint Base Lewis-McChord recently might change how Air Force and Army units conduct close air support.Pacific Strike 2010 demonstrated capabilities that could vastly improve close-air-support operations for deployed units as well as in garrison, said Army I Corps' Chief

  • Website is one-stop shop for deployment-related issues

    Airmen can access information about their upcoming deployment at the Air and Space Expeditionary Force Online website. The AEF Online website, located at https://aef.afpc.randolph.af.mil/, provides a single access point for all AEF-related issues to include reporting instructions, tempo banding,

  • Registration now open for 2011 AETC Symposium

    Registration is open for the 2011 Air Education and Training Command Symposium, scheduled for Jan. 20 and 21 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio. The two-day symposium is slated to feature more than 90 seminars on a variety of education, training and innovation topics by

  • Photo essay: Afghanistan unit shows capabilities

    Pararescuemen from the 33rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron participate with Airmen from the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing in a training mission here Sept. 24. The training mission provided a glimpse of what the 33rd ERQS brings to the fight and the capabilities it provides to combat commanders.View

  • NJ-based CRG assumes alert rotation for global mobility mission

    Airmen from the 621st Contingency Wing here will assume responsibility for a four-month rotation of Joint Task Force, Port-Opening alert Oct. 1.Approximately120 mobility Airmen assigned to the CRW's 817th Contingency Response Group will join 55 Soldiers from an Army Rapid Port Opening Element based

  • President extends deadline for stop loss benefit

    Eligible Airmen, veterans and their beneficiaries now have until Dec. 3 to apply for retroactive stop loss special pay following an extension in the continuing resolution signed by the president Sept. 30.The new Dec. 3 deadline extends the original Oct. 21 cutoff for applications and allows eligible

  • Airman dies in combat operations in Afghanistan

    An Air Force Special Operations Command combat controller died Sept. 29 while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.Senior Airman Mark A. Forester, 29, of Tuscaloosa, Ala., was killed while conducting combat operations with his special forces team in Uruzgan province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to

  • Global Strike command reaches full operational capability

    Officials declared Air Force Global Strike Command to be at full operational capability Sept. 30, on schedule, and less than 14 months after its initial activation as a command.To reach that milestone, the command accomplished more than 700 action items identified by the secretary and chief of staff

  • Air Force Week in Photos

    This week's photo highlights feature Airmen around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.View the slideshow.

  • McConnell AFB officials host AFSO 21 event

    Officials here hosted their first Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century event Sept. 13 through 17 to further streamline and sustain the KC-135 Stratotanker fleet.The event, called the "KC-135 Points of Use Parts Enterprise Event," involved 16 different units Air Force-wide, and affects the

  • Shaw Airman's quick actions save man's life

    People never know when the things they learn in life may have a drastic effect on someone else's life. For one Shaw AFB Airman, those lessons helped him save a man.On Sept. 17, Airman 1st Class Brandon Horne, a 20th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels truck operator, was on his way to Seymour Johnson

  • Gates praises service, sacrifice of all-volunteer force

    The American people are losing contact with those who make up its military, and the nation needs to understand the service and sacrifices that U.S. military personnel and their families make, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said at Duke University's Page Auditorium Sept. 29.The secretary spoke to

  • Air refueling pioneers honored in ceremony at Scott

    The air refueling pioneers responsible for the United States' first air-refueling flights in 1923 and 1929 were honored in a ceremony Sept. 23 at Scott AFB's "Walk of Fame" as part of a presentation by the Airlift-Tanker Association Hall of Fame officials.Gen. Raymond E. Johns Jr., commander of Air

  • Scott AFB hosts suicide prevention field day

    Leaders of the 375th Air Mobility Wing highlighted the importance of the wingman concept to prevent suicides during a day-long Suicide Prevention Field Day Sept. 23.Officials from various base agencies hosted the event and helped Airmen focus on their ability to save another's life simply by being

  • Leaders send energy awareness message

    The Air Force's top leaders released a joint "Letter to Airmen" to encourage Airmen to continue to be energy efficient at the workplace and at home.  "The Air Force is engaged in a long-term effort to improve our nation's energy security through energy efficiency and conservation," Secretary of the

  • Officials implement new training model

    Given the complexities of today's combat missions and the inherent, life-threatening dangers faced by Airmen today, it is critical that Airmen receive effective training before engaging in battle. To provide Airmen with the most realistic training environment away from the battle space, Air Force

  • Photo essay: Airmen contribute to NATO's Iceland mission

    Weapons load crew Airmen assigned to the 493rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron work on final touches to a munitions load of an AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air missile in support of NATO's Icelandic Air Policing mission here Sept. 23. Approximately 200 Airmen were deployed from all over the

  • Schriever Airmen get serious with Happy Hour

    Schriever Air Force Base Airmen were invited Sept. 24 to "Happy Hour" by base leadership where jokes about nagging wives, drugs, sex and drunken behavior filled the auditorium of Building 300 here.No, this wasn't a social-mixer, nor was it a happy hour, in the traditional sense."Happy Hour" is a

  • 'Heat' is on at Hurlburt Field

    On the same court where special operations Airmen conduct physical training, the Miami Heat, a National Basketball Association team, kicked off their preseason training camp at the Aderholt Fitness Center Sept. 28 here. The week-long camp also marks the first time the team has taken training camp

  • Programs help Airmen pick up the pace

    With the new Air Force physical training standards, many Airmen are looking for ways to gain a few extra points on their scores.When it comes to the 1.5-mile run portion of the test, units are setting challenges and Airmen are starting programs designed to motivate testers and help them shave

  • Atlantic Strike simulates real combat

    The team of four trudged down the road in the hot, mid-afternoon sun wearing body armor, Kevlar helmets and radios on their backs with their weapons drawn. There had been reports of an enemy stronghold in the area, and the team's mission was to take the "bad guys" out. Finally, they came to a split

  • Uniform phaseout dates draw near

    With many phaseout and mandatory wear dates approaching, the look of Air Force uniforms will change slightly over the next year. Here are a few dates to remember for uniform and policy changes.As of the following dates, wear of the listed uniform items will be phased out:Oct. 1, 2010-- 100 percent

  • DOD identifies Air Force casualty

    The Department of Defense announced today the death of an Airman who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.Senior Airman Daniel R. Sanchez, 23, of El Paso, Texas, died Sept. 16 while conducting combat operations in Oruzgan province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 23rd Special Tactics

  • Academy Airmen finish strong at Air Force Marathon

    Two Airmen assigned here won big at the Air Force Marathon Sept. 18 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.Capt. Brian Dumm, an Academy English instructor, was the overall male and active-military male winner. Capt. Anne Marie Sibal, a judge advocate here, was the active-military female

  • Sitka 43 Airmen remembered in memorial unveiling

    Air Force officials along with actor Gary Sinise unveiled the Sitka 43 Memorial during a ceremony Sept. 16 here to honor four Airmen who died in an aircraft accident July 28.Mr. Sinise unveiled a scale C-17 Globemaster III, the centerpiece of the memorial, in memory of Maj. Aaron Malone, Maj.

  • Online development plan improving total force career roadmaps

    The web-based career tool for total force Airmen, known as My Development Plan, is undergoing changes aimed at positively affecting the Air Force and its members' futures, officials said Sept. 28.With a total force focus, MyDP is geared to help users make informed decisions about their career with

  • Photo essay: Airmen and Soldiers join forces during exercise

    Airmen and Soldiers take part in a Joint Forces Entry Exercise here Sept. 13. The training develops cohesiveness between the Army and Air Force by executing large-scale heavy equipment and troop movements for real-world contingencies.View the slideshow.

  • Air Force takes third in annual culinary competition

    An Air Force team took third place in the Military Hospitality Alliance's seventh annual Military Culinary Competition at the Marine Barracks here Sept. 25. The team of four Airmen and one Sailor ranked third out of 13 teams by a panel of military and civilian chefs who acted as judges for the

  • Medical staff celebrates advances in ECMO

    The year 2010 marks the 25th anniversary of the 59th Medical wing staff conducting extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation missions.ECMO is a machine that provides cardiac and respiratory support primarily to infants and children whose hearts and lungs are so severely diseased or damaged that they can

  • Leaders praise mobility team for successful Afghanistan surge

    When President Barack Obama announced the surge of an additional 30,000 servicemembers to Afghanistan, mobility Airmen didn't waste a second getting the surge in motion.Within days, units designated to go to Afghanistan were notified and began preparations. Likewise, the DOD's mobility team, which

  • Former NCO fights through PTSD

    Before a nine-month deployment to Camp Bucca, Iraq, an active-duty security forces member stationed at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., was on the fast track. He was promoted below-the-zone to senior airman and selected for staff sergeant on first attempt. Before he was medically retired due to

  • Physician earns AFA top award for health care

    A doctor here has been honored for making the most significant contribution to the continued good health of the men and women of the Air Force last year.Lt. Col. (Dr.) Christopher P. Paulson, from the 96th Medical Operations Squadron, was presented the Air Force Association's Paul W. Myers Award

  • AF civil engineers BEEF up Marine Corps mission

    Airmen and Marines worked together to build sun shades to improve the quality of life for a new F/A-18 Hornet squadron Sept. 23 and 24 at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan.The 777th Expeditionary Prime BEEF Squadron, also known as the Base Engineer Emergency Force, provided the skill set and received

  • Pilot takes top spot at Air Force half-marathon

    Although not as fast as the aircraft he flies, a PC-12 pilot from the 34th Special Operations Squadron blasted past the competition in the men's half marathon during the 2010 Air Force Marathon at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, Sept. 17 through18. Capt. Ben Payne finished the 13.1-mile race

  • 'Today's Air Force' features a look around the service

    In this edition of "Today's Air Force," pilots race around the globe on a mission to help the victims of flooding in Pakistan. Plus, you'll see where Airmen learn leadership skills that last a lifetime. Finally, Americans and Portuguese find a novel way to strengthen their international ties. The

  • Air Force bands provide more than music

    Airmen deployed to combat zones today perform a variety of missions, ranging from precision bombing to explosive ordnance disposal, to working with local community leaders as members of provincial reconstruction teams and even training Iraqi and Afghan soldiers and airmen. Air Force bandsmen, too,

  • First responders train to support airport

    Members of the 8th Civil Engineer Squadron fire department here participated in Gunsan airport's G-20 summit on terrorism and civil aviation air incident training at the airport Sept. 17.According to airport officials, the exercise tested the "cooperative and emergency response systems" of the

  • Airmen wrap up bilateral training exercise in Bangladesh

    Airmen from Yokota Air Base, Japan, wrapped up four days of training with their Bangladesh air force counterparts as exercise Cope South 10 came to an end Sept. 23.More than 40 U.S. Airmen and two C-130 Hercules aircraft traveled to the Asian nation to train with the Bangladesh air force to better

  • Photo essay: Security forces prepare for combat at Hill

    Airmen with the 75th Security Forces Squadron practice rifle fighting techniques during combat readiness training Sept. 13 here. The CRT course provides Airmen with the basic skills needed to deploy, to include tactical movements and land navigation.View the slideshow.

  • Military participates in National Public Lands Day

    Thousands of volunteers are expected to descend on 48 military bases Sept. 25 to prune, plant and paint in an effort to show that the Defense Department is a good steward of its public land.The work is being done as part of the 17th annual National Public Lands Day, an event sponsored by the

  • Air Force Week in Photos

    This week's photo highlights feature Airmen around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.View the slideshow. 

  • South Dakota Air National Guard wing named top fighter unit

    The Airmen of the South Dakota Air National Guard's 114th Fighter Wing have once again distinguished themselves as the most outstanding Air National Guard fighter unit in the nation. They were selected as the 2010 recipient of the National Guard Bureau's Winston P. Wilson Trophy. The trophy is

  • Rescue Airmen exchange knowledge, build partnerships with Colombian airmen

    Airmen from the rescue community at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., recently visited South America to share their knowledge in a week-long, subject-matter expert exchange with Colombian air force C-130 Hercules crews here. Under Southern Command's Traditional Commander's Activity Program, the four

  • Airmen urged to complete all PCS requirements

    Airmen who recently completed a permanent change of station move have probably completed all the obvious steps involved in the move -- boxes unpacked, children settled into new schools, PCS travel voucher completed.However, travelers are advised that they're not yet done with their move if they

  • 'Sex Signals' asks Airmen to re-examine sexual cues

    Although sexual assault is no laughing matter, Airmen here found a lighthearted way to learn about it during a free show here at the base theater Sept. 2."Sex Signals", a Sexual Assault Response Coordinator program production, is a series of various dating scenes performed by professional actors who

  • Joint warfighters hone skills at Atlantic Strike

    Joint and coalition warfighters improved their close-air support skills during an exercise led by Air Combat Command and U.S. Joint Forces Command's Joint Fires Integration and Interoperability Team Sept. 13.Atlantic Strike 10-02 trained warfighters to find, fix, track, target, engage and assess

  • House reviews quality of military off-duty education

    A House Armed Services Committee panel heard testimony from Defense Department officials Sept. 21 on the quality of off-duty servicemember voluntary education opportunities.During 2010, an estimated 380,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines will receive $580 million in DOD tuition-assistance

  • Edwards AFB Airman dies of gunshot wounds

    An Edwards Air Force Base Airman died from gunshot wounds suffered at a California City residence Sept. 22.Dead is Staff Sgt. Brian M. Carragher, a military working dog handler assigned to the 95th Security Forces Squadron.At approximately 7:40 p.m. California City Police notified the command post

  • Airmen participate in Operation Market Garden anniversary

    Nineteen Airmen along with three C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron traveled to Holland Sept. 16 to 19 to participate in the reenactment of the largest airborne assault in history to date. More than 1,000 Dutch, German, British, Polish and American servicemembers

  • Net-centricity transcends the network, experts say

    Several high-level Air Force, joint service and industry speakers discussed the powers and perils of operating in a net-centric environment at this year's Net-Centric Operations Conference at the Wentworth Hotel and Conference Center here Sept. 20.Sponsored by the Patriots Roost Chapter of the

  • Airman inducted into Pentagon's Hall of Heroes

    Chief Master Sgt. Richard Etchberger was posthumously inducted into the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes in a ceremony Sept. 22 following presentation of the Medal of Honor during a White House ceremony the day before."Today, we bring honor to Chief Etchberger's memory and our nation's highest tribute to

  • Yokota, Kadena leaders join for smart operations course

    Airmen from both Yokota and Kadena air bases came together as part of an Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century senior leader's course Sept. 20 and 21AFSO21 is a standardized approach by which Airmen break down a day-to-day process into individual steps to determine more efficient ways of

  • Air Force officials select 2010 team excellence award winners

    Air Force officials recently selected five teams to receive 2010 Chief of Staff Team Excellence awards for finding creative ways to enhance mission capabilities, improve operational performance and create sustained results. The innovations and business solutions the competing Air Force teams

  • DOD officials identify Air Force casualty

    Department of Defense officials announced Sept. 22 the death of an Airman who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Senior Airman Michael J. Buras, 23, of Fitzgerald, Ga., died Sept. 21 of wounds suffered as the result of an improvised explosive device detonation in Kandahar, Afghanistan. He

  • Photo essay: Rapid loading for the fight

    Loadmasters and aircrew from the 730th Air Mobility Squadron load pallets Sept. 15, onto a C-5 Galaxy at Yokota Air Base, Japan. The Airmen performed a two-hour quick turn on the C-5, preparing and loading a large amount of equipment and supplies. View the slideshow:

  • 36th LRS Airmen support Valiant Shield

    Airmen from the 36th Logistical Readiness Squadron stepped up their game during Valiant Shield 2010 by acting as master planners for all support, vehicle coordination and aircraft fueling needs.During Valiant Shield, an additional 1,300 personnel were here, and the 36th LRS Airmen ensured

  • German partnership enhances mission, saves JTACs money

    From energy conservation practices to Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century initiatives, Airmen are looking for more efficient ways of conducting business. One task that has Air Force leaders here thinking outside the box is continued support for joint terminal attack controller training

  • Veteran recalls battle leading to Medal of Honor

    In 1968, a battle raged where heroes arose only to be unacknowledged for 18 years. Proper recognition occurred during a White House ceremony Sept. 21 when Chief Master Sgt. Richard Etchberger was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor after saving three of his men in a battle that failed to make

  • AETC: Fatality free Critical Days of Summer

    Air Education and Training Command officials announced the command ended its Critical Days of Summer campaign with no fatalities.This year was AETC's first fatality free Critical Days of Summer since 1960.The Air Force campaigns for safety every year from Memorial Day to Labor Day to encourage

  • President presents posthumous Medal of Honor to hero's sons

    President Barack Obama presented the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry to the family of an Air Force chief master sergeant killed in action 42 years ago in Laos during a ceremony Sept. 21. "Today, we present the Medal of Honor to an American who displayed such gallantry more than four decades

  • 'Pioneers in Blue' highlights Airmen's contributions

    On Sept. 18, the official birthday of the Air Force, Air Force Public Affairs Agency officials launched a project showcasing 38 veterans from different career fields and backgrounds who have contributed to the greatness of the Air Force. "Pioneers in Blue," a series of photographic portraits on

  • New York National Guard members participate in South African air show

    More than 70 members of the New York Army and Air National Guard are participating in the Africa Aerospace and Defense Exposition 2010 from Sept. 21 through 25 in Cape Town, South Africa.The event is held at Air Force Base Ysterplaat and features aircraft from 35 countries and 135 manufacturers.The

  • Photo essay: Hunters track 'Igor'

    Airmen from Air Force Reserve Command 's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron known as the "Hurricane Hunters" fly a mission to collect data on Hurricane Igor here Sept. 17.View the slideshow.

  • Servicemembers escort veterans to local fair

    Airmen, Soldiers and Sailors assigned to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., escorted residents of the Washington State Soldiers Home to the Puyallup Fair Sept. 15, giving the active duty members a chance to connect with veterans."It is truly amazing to see the connection formed between the veterans

  • Stop loss special pay deadline nears

    Time is running out for current and former Airmen previously affected by Stop Loss to apply for retroactive special pay as the Oct. 21 deadline approaches.Airmen eligible include active, retired and former members as well as Reserve component members, who served on active duty while their enlistment

  • U.S., Bangladesh airmen team up for Cope South 2010

    More than 40 Yokota Air Base Airmen and two C-130 Hercules deployed to participate in Exercise Cope South 2010 with the Bangladeshi airmen at Kurmitola Air Base, Bangladesh.During the exercise, the nations' airmen will exchange airlift, airland and airdrop delivery techniques that will deepen

  • RPAT responsibly moving equipment out of Iraq

    Airmen assigned to Redistribution Property Assistance Team here have been working alongside Soldiers, contractors and Department of the Army civilians to ensure equipment leaving Iraq gets to its proper location, and in a usable condition as U.S. forces continue to draw down forces in Iraq.First Lt.

  • NCO trains for mixed martial arts fight on base

    The first thing a visitor to the FIT NHB Fight Gym in downtown Albuquerque, N.M., notices is the steady series of staccato thumps echoing off the walls. It's the sound of solid blows landing squarely on padded targets. In this converted warehouse, fighters train in mixed martial arts, practicing

  • Vandenberg Airmen conduct Minuteman III flight test

    Technicians here test launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile Sept. 17 from Launch Facility-09 . The missile's single reentry test vehicle traveled approximately 5,300 miles to a pre-determined target about 200 miles southwest of Guam. ICBM analysts, including officials

  • TACP Airmen build park for Air Force Enlisted Village

    After about six weeks of hard work, sweat and dedication, several Air Force Tactical Air Control Party volunteer Airmen from Hurlburt Field, Fla., completed a new park at the Air Force Enlisted Village in Shalimar, Fla. The AFEV held a ceremony recently to dedicate the newly-built park. The event

  • Medal of Honor recipients speak at AFA conference

    Three Medal of Honor recipients answered audience questions as part of a panel at the 2010 Air Force Association Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition at National Harbor, in Oxon Hill, Md., Sept. 15.Joe Jackson, George Day and Leo Thorsness all began their military careers as enlisted

  • Outstanding Airmen honored at dinner

    Air Force Association officials held a formal dinner honoring the 2010 Outstanding Airmen of the Year was held at the National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Md., Sept. 14 during the Air Force Association's Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition."This is a proud moment for our honorees," said

  • Global Hawk arrives in Guam

    Airmen here celebrated the arrival of the RQ-4 Global Hawk to Guam during a ceremony Sept. 20.The Global Hawk brings significant capabilities to the Pacific theater, which will benefit the 36th Wing, Pacific Air Forces, U.S. Pacific Command, and regional partners, said Gen. Gary North, the

  • Maintainers keep Galaxies, Globemasters flying through Iraq

    Maintainers with the 521st Air Mobility Operations Group, Det. 5, have kept on their toes maintaining C-5 Galaxies and C-17 Globemaster IIIs passing through Iraq, ensuring they are in "tip-top" shape to keep servicemembers and cargo moving through safely. "We've got C-5s coming in here and we're

  • 'Today's Air Force' features a look around the service

    In this edition of "Today's Air Force," members of the media get a peek at the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter as it races through the sky. Also in this edition, Airmen travel to the island nation of Sri Lanka and lend a healing hand to the local populace.  And firefighters push their bodies

  • Air Force Marathon sets attendance record

    A record field of 12,000 runners registered for 2010 Air Force Marathon events Sept. 17 - 18 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. This year's race participation shattered the previous 2009 Marathon record of 9,969 runners, and by Sept. 14, had completely sold out at the pre-determined race cap