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U.S. Air Force News

  • Jan. 5 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Jan. 5, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.Air Operations in Afghanistan:Shkin An Air Force B-1B Lancer aircrew provided

  • Jan. 4 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Jan. 4, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.Air Operations in Afghanistan:MorghabAn Air Force B-1B Lancer aircrew provided

  • Jan. 3 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Jan. 3, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.Air Operations in Afghanistan:Qalat An Air Force B-1B Lancer aircrew provided

  • Little Rock Airman has $10,000 idea

    A Little Rock Air Force Base Airman received $10,000 by submitting his idea to save the base more than $230,000 through the Innovation Development through Employee Awareness program.Staff Sgt. William Hoessler, a 314th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron communication navigation system craftsman,

  • Airmen help Afghan National Army Air Corps soldiers take aim

    Airmen of the 738th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group here are training 30 Afghanistan National Army Air Corps soldiers on the M-240B rifle in January here.For some of the ANAAC soldiers it was their first time shooting the gas-powered machine gun while for others it was their second, but the Airmen

  • Travis officials conduct mass launch

    Members of the 60th and 349th Air Mobility wings conducted the base's first mass launch of nine aircraft Dec. 21 at Travis Air Force Base.Base officials said the total force launch effort was an opportunity for operations, maintenance and support personnel to train together on a larger scale than

  • General to receive Order of the Sword

    Retired Gen. John D. W. Corley, the former commander of Air Combat Command, is scheduled to be inducted into ACC's Order of the Sword Jan. 13 during a ceremony in Omaha, Neb. The Order of the Sword is the highest honor the enlisted corps can bestow on an individual and recognizes someone for

  • Photo essay: Airmen prepare for night mission at Bagram

    Airmen with the 455th Expeditionary Operation Support Squadron here maintain the life support equipment to keep the support for Operation Enduring Freedom in the air. They prepare the equipment needed, especially night vision googles and helmets, for the night missions flown by the 79th

  • Mullen underscores importance of academy experience

    On hand for a pair of service academy football bowl games in Texas Jan. 2 , Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, underscored the symbolism of the matchups for troops around the world.But he also emphasized the importance of looking at an academy experience as a potential for

  • Air Force officials activate newest expeditionary unit

    The Air Force's newest expeditionary unit, the 586th Expeditionary Support Squadron, was activated in a special ceremony Jan. 2 at an air base in Southwest Asia.Col. John Williams, 586th Air Expeditionary Group commander, passed command of the newly formed support unit to Maj. Gregory

  • Military academy bowl victories shine light on armed forces

    The Air Force and Naval academy football teams triumphed in their respective bowl games Jan. 2, shining a spotlight on the servicemember-athletes comprising the rosters and the armed forces they represent.Military honors were replete here at the 5th annual Armed Forces Bowl, which pitted the

  • Airmen train Kyrgyz officials on EOD mission

    A team of Airmen from the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing hosted a team of Kyrgyz officials during a five-day visit to learn about the explosive ordnance disposal operations at the Transit Center at Manas recently.The training, called Theater Security Cooperation, encompassed bringing security forces,

  • Jan. 2 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Jan. 02, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.Air Operations in Afghanistan:Khanabad Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles provided

  • Jan. 1 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Jan. 01, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.Air Operations in Afghanistan:AsmarAn Air Force B-1B Lancer provided armed

  • Dec. 31 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 31, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.Air Operations in Afghanistan:AsmarAn Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle provided armed

  • Dec. 30 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan in the following operations Dec. 30, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.Air Operations in Afghanistan:Lashkar GahAn Air Force MQ-1B Predator

  • Dec. 29 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 29, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.Air Operations in Afghanistan:AsadabadAn Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon provided

  • 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.

  • Program helps servicemembers transition to civilian life

    The Department of Defense's Transition Assistance Program is working to prepare servicemembers and their families for a successful transition to civilian life. "We are trying to ensure that (servicemembers) transition from active duty back to the civilian community is a smooth and seamless one," Ron

  • Bastion Airmen have small paw print, large mission

    A team of Airmen handles thousands of passengers, pallets and vehicles flying into Camp Bastion, Afghanistan.The 'Port Dawgs,' as they liked to be called, proudly proclaim that they move as much cargo here as their unit does back home.But they have approximately 15 people instead of 200 handling the

  • Dec. 28 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 28 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.Air Operations in Afghanistan:AsadabadAir Force F-16 Fighting Falcons provided

  • Dec. 27 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 27 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.Air Operations in Afghanistan:QalatAir Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided armed

  • Ali firefighters prepare Iraqis for future

    Firefighters from the 407th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron are bringing the goal of independent Iraqi operations to reality at Camp Ur, Iraq.In December, Ali Base firefighters assisted their Iraqi counterparts toward self-sufficiency through numerous training sessions and skills tests.With

  • Tyndall Airman named Female Athlete of the Year

    When she was just 5 years old, she was already learning to hit softballs in her family's Fort Lauderdale, Fla., backyard. The balls were pitched patiently, one after the other, by an encouraging father who saw something special in his little girl's extraordinary ability to connect a bat with a ball.

  • 737th EAS reaches 10,000th mission milestone

    Considered by some to be an old-timer in a modern-day aircraft fleet, the C-130H Hercules proved its worth once again, successfully completing its 10,000th mission of the year for the 737th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron here Dec. 23.C-130H, tail number was 74-2065, based at Dyess Air Force Base,

  • New Iraqi recruits get a leg up

    More than 330 Iraqi air force recruits marched in a parade before beginning their initial basic military course Dec. 28, at Camp Taji, Iraq.Normally recruits attend the 12-week BMT course at the Iraqi Army Regional Training Center prior to reporting to the air force training school on Camp Taji for

  • Air Force medics partner with Iraqi Ministry of Defense hospital

    Members of the Air Force Theater Hospital took the first step in partnering with members of Iraq's Ministry of Defense Hospital Dec. 22, to form the American-Iraqi Air Medical Evacuation and Medical Provider Training Course here. The first installment of training allowed the Iraqis to study burn

  • Dec. 26 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 26 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.Air operations in Afghanistan:AsmarAir Force MQ-1B Predator aircraft provided armed

  • Dec. 25 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 25 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.Air operations in Afghanistan:AsmarAir Force F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft provided

  • Dec. 24 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 24 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.Air Operations in Afghanistan:AsadabadAir Force F-16 Fighting Falcons provided

  • Dec. 23 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 23 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.Air Operations in Afghanistan:Lashkar GahAir Force MQ-9A Reaper aircraft provided

  • Airman sees Christmas spirit in Afghanistan

    Maj. Tobin Griffeth, a legal officer from Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, was featured recently in the San Antonio Express-News for a goodwill mission he helped foster while deployed to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan.Major Griffeth, a University of Texas graduate, along with Capt. Katie Illingworth,

  • USAFE Airmen retool to enhance tradition of Building Partnerships

    The Airmen of U.S. Air Forces in Europe are charting new territory in tackling one of the Air Force's newest core functions: Building Partnerships.The lesson that international partnerships are essential to success in war and peace is not new. The Office of the Secretary of Defense directed U.S.

  • Georgia Air Guard teams with Army unit in Afghanistan

    Georgia Air National Guardsmen assigned to the 165th Air Support Operations Squadron have teamed up with 48th Infantry Brigade Soldiers in eastern Afghanistan. The Airmen are assigned to several joint terminal attack controller units that will call in combat-air support for the 48th's fighters, said

  • Photo essay: Airmen prepare A-10s for mission

    Pilots and crew prepare A-10 Thunderbolts II for flight at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, Dec. 27, 2009. The A-10 is specifically designed to provide close air support for U.S. and coalition ground forces.View slideshow.

  • Think about family members if considering suicide

    Thirty years ago today, Dec. 29, my father forever changed my life, as well as the lives of his other family members. He took a shotgun and shot himself in the head. His death certificate reads, "Self-inflicted gunshot wound."I can't tell you how many times I've heard people joke about something

  • Dec. 22 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 22 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.Air Operations in Afghanistan:KandaharAir Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs provided

  • SECAF outlines future, thanks Airmen during Kadena visit

    Outlining the Air Force's future was the focus of Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley's Airmen's Call during his visit here Dec. 22, part of a six-base Pacific tour in which the secretary is reconnecting with the region and thanking Airmen serving overseas during this holiday season. The

  • MC-12 arrives, heralds activation of 4th ERS

    The newest aircraft to the Air Force's inventory arrived Dec. 27, 2009, to Bagram Airfield. The MC-12 aircraft, tail number 090623, was the first of an undisclosed number of aircraft for the new 4th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron here.Following the MC-12's arrival, the 4th Expeditionary

  • Secretary of the Air Force spends Christmas with Airmen in Korea

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley visited South Korea Dec. 24 and 25, meeting with Airmen at Osan Air Base and Kunsan Air Base for the first time since being appointed to the position. Secretary Donley said the Christmas Day stop at Osan was his first since 1991. "Osan is much more built up

  • Air Force senior leaders pay holiday visit to Global Strike Command Airmen

    The Air Force's top uniformed officer and top enlisted leader each visited Air Force Global Strike Command wings for Christmas, spending the holiday with Airmen charged with the nuclear strategic deterrence mission and global strike operations.Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz visited

  • Who's calling?

    Not many people can say they received a phone call from the president of the United States on Christmas Eve. Tech. Sgt. Donald Pedro, an 821st Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron fuels advisor, was honored to receive a phone call from his commander in chief, Barack Obama, to wish him a merry

  • 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 slideshow.

  • USO offers respite from traveling frenzy

    As the rest of Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport bustled with holiday travelers Dec. 23, its USO Lounge offered military travelers -- many returning home from overseas deployments -- a welcome sanctuary of solace. The lounge is conveniently positioned near the

  • Air Force honorees to attend AETC Symposium Ball

    The 2010 Air Education and Training Command Symposium will honor five special Airmen at a formal ball Jan. 15 in San Antonio."The remaining five Air Force Medal of Honor recipients who were honored for valor during the Vietnam War will be recognized for their heroic actions and the sacrifices they

  • Photo essay: Santa, friends welcome C-17

    Three 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron leaders became visitors from the North Pole for a day and marshalled a C-17 Globemaster on the flightline here Dec. 22.  The squadron held a fundraiser to chose which person would dress as Santa, a reindeer or an elf. Maj. Aaron Sasson, the operations

  • Dec. 21 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 21 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.Air Operations in Afghanistan:SanginNavy F/A-18C Hornets provided armed overwatch

  • Dec. 15 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 15 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.Air Operations in Afghanistan:ShurakianAn Air Force B-1B Lancer provided armed

  • Holloman Airmen train to fight back

    Airmen of the 49th Security Forces Squadron here received first responder to an active gunman training Dec. 15 to 17 from members of the Roswell Police Department special operations team in New Mexico.The training allowed defenders to practice the proper techniques to safely eliminate any emergency

  • Ellsworth members support Angel Tree program

    Rows of excited children watched and waited for Santa and Mrs. Claus' arrival on a B-1B Lancer float at the Youth and Family Services child care center in Rapid City, S.D.The float was sponsored by the 28th Operations Support Squadron staff as part of the Angel Tree gift program, and after arriving

  • Air Force secretary visits Airmen at Hickam

    As part of his six-base tour in Pacific Air Forces, Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley visited here Dec. 18 and spoke to Airmen about several Air Force issues. "I'm delighted to be here with Team Hickam and to reacquaint myself with the mission here," said Secretary Donley to more than 600

  • Woman's choice to drink, drive crushes captain's dream of flying

    Capt. Alan Yee had just finished pilot training and was out with friends celebrating. He and his friends realized they had one too many drinks to drive, and called a cab. As they were travelling down a 50 mph road, a truck slammed into their cab. Moments later, one friend in the cab was ejected out

  • Officials seek 10 enlisted for AFIT degree program

    Air Force Institute of Technology officials are offering 10 NCOs the opportunity to pursue an advanced science, engineering or management degree at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, and nominations are due to the Air Force Personnel Center here by Jan. 29, 2010. Ten NCOs from around the Air

  • Everybody knows that Santa is a paratrooper

    You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen. But on Dec. 6 at Pope Air Force Base, it was not a team of reindeer, but Maj. Jeff Dasher, a navigator in the 95th Airlift Squadron who guided the mission for the 440th Airlift Wing's C-130 Hercules that flew a group of Soldier Santas across the

  • Chairman sends holiday message to troops, families

    Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dec. 22 issued the following holiday message: "As America celebrates this holiday season, our Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen and Coast Guardsmen are serving around the world. Families and friends at home can enjoy the holidays in

  • Retirement answers live with new AFPC Webinar series

    Air Force Personnel Center officials here launched a series of Web conferences, called Webinars, designed to provide retirement-eligible Airmen the information they need to submit their retirement applications."We designed these Webinars to better serve our customers and enable more direct

  • Dec. 20 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 20 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.Air operations in Afghanistan:Chahar BaghAir Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft flew

  • Dec. 19 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 19 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.Air operations in Afghanistan:RemakAir Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft flew armed

  • Dec. 18 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 18 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.Air operations in Afghanistan:Orgun-EAir Force F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft flew

  • Fairchild officials host Single Airmen's Summit

    Fairchild Air Force Base officials recently commenced the Air Force's Single Airmen's Summit to address issues single Airmen. Issues were discussed in focus groups about community, safety, leisure, family, base support systems, personal growth and work and relationship concerns. These focus groups

  • Photo essay: Mountain Home AFB receives hypoxia simulator

    Airmen at the 366th Operations Group received the first on-base simulator-based hypoxia demonstrator for fighter aircrew Dec. 16, 2009 at the base hospital here. Hypoxia is an oxygen deficiency of the tissue and blood cells that causes impairment at high altitudes. View the slideshow.

  • American surgical team making a difference in southern Philippines

    Five Airmen are operating a fully-equipped trauma center, providing emergency care, basic medical care and educational services to hundreds of Filipino and U.S. troops on the southern island of Jolo, Philippines. The Air Force members are part of the forward surgical team assigned to Joint Special

  • Altus Airmen boost Canadian forward air control training

    Airmen here provided a first-time service to Canadian forces personnel with ground support for forward air controller training at Fort Sill Falcon Bombing Range, Okla., Nov. 24 through Dec. 8.Members of the 425th Tactical Fighter Squadron from Canadian Forces Bagotville in Quebec, Canada, and Altus

  • Preventing the 'after-the-holidays bill blues'

    Walking through a shopping mall, it's difficult not to notice holiday decorations, crowded stores and retailers claiming to offer the best deals of the season. Before pulling out their wallets, Airmen are encouraged to keep a few things in mind to help prevent the "after-the-holidays bill blues."The

  • Airmen create partnerships in multinational exercise

    More than 300 Airmen partnered with colleagues from five other countries for an exercise held in Southwest Asia that concluded in mid-December.The event began in November and simulated a "large force employment," and gave participating nations a chance to develop solutions to potential issues that

  • Air Force officials stand up new squadron in Iraq

    Air Force officials held an assumption-of-command ceremony for the 532nd Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron Dec. 15 80 feet above the flightline standing upon a control tower platform at Al Asad Air Base. The airfield was previously operated by the Marine Corps, but due to the drawdown, Air

  • Aviano Air Base hospital receives ENERGY STAR rating

    The Aviano Air Base hospital has received the Environmental Protection Agency's ENERGY STAR rating, the national symbol for superior energy efficiency and environmental protection. The base hospital is the first U.S. facility overseas to receive this distinction, and joins 96 other hospitals in the

  • Hurricane Hunters fly first winter storm

    Members of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron here have been tasked by National Weather Service officials to fly their first winter storm of the season on the East Coast starting Dec. 25.The Air Force Reserve's 53rd WRS "Hurricane Hunters," assigned to the 403rd Wing here, normally collect

  • F-22s complete first Middle East deployment

    Airmen completed the first deployment of F-22 Raptors to the Middle East in mid-December.The fifth-generation fighters and their crews were in the area as part of a multinational exercise where pilots from a variety of nations train together in fighting a large-scale air war. This was the first

  • Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff visits Afghanistan

    The United States' most senior military officer visited Airmen and other coalition forces here to learn more about counterinsurgency efforts in Dec. 16 Afghanistan's Kapisa province.Navy Adm. Michael Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, met with French Brig. Gen. Marcel Druart, the

  • Air Force officials debut first 3-D commercial

    The Air Force became the first military branch with a 3-D commercial when it premiered its new "Space" spot before the movie "Avatar" Dec. 18 here. The Palladium IMAX theater in San Antonio hosted a special screening of the movie and commercial for Randolph Air Force Base, Texas members."The

  • Dec. 17 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 17 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.Air Operations in Afghanistan:ShahidanAir Force F-15E Strike Eagles flew armed

  • Dec. 16 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Dec. 16 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.Air Operations in Afghanistan:AsadabadAir Force F-16 Fighting Falcons provided

  • Two brothers from Dayton taught the world to fly

    Aviation enthusiasts, Air Force officials and local government leaders gathered here Dec. 17 to remember how two brothers from Dayton, Ohio, changed the world.The brief ceremony, held adjacent to the Wright Brothers Memorial on base, recognized the 106th anniversary of the first powered flight at

  • Doctors perform groundbreaking surgery at Walter Reed

    Doctors from Walter Reed Army Medical Center here and the University of Miami collaborated to perform the first pancreas islet cell transplant Thanksgiving Day on an Airman whose pancreas was injured so severely in Afghanistan that it had to be removed.While serving with an Army unit in Afghanistan,

  • Airmen participate in 32nd Annual Bastogne Historic Walk

    Cold ears, foggy breath and muscle fatigue that 52nd Fighter Wing and geographically-separated units experienced in Bastogne, Belgium, may have been the only things they had in common with the Axis and Allies who walked through that same location more than 60 years ago.According to Ed Lapotsky,

  • Operation Christmas Drop is under way once again

    More than 12 months of preparation have gone into ensuring this year's four-day air drop mission, known as Operation Christmas Drop, goes smoothly, with countless fundraisers and many drop-off points made available to those wishing to donate supplies and help support Guam's island neighbors in the

  • Good things come in small packages

    Imagine driving home from the base exchange with your spouse and child. It's Christmastime -- the first away from the rest of your family -- and the thought pops into your mind, "What can I do for others who are away from their families as well?"It was at this moment that Project Rudolph was born,

  • DePLAYment tags coming soon

    Air Force Services Agency officials will be offering DePLAYment tags to families of deployed members starting Dec. 21 through July 31, 2010, as part of the Year of the Air Force Family.Eligible members can log on to http://www.myairforcelife.com to see if their installation is participating and find

  • DOD officials identify Air Force casualty

    Department of Defense officials have announced the death of an Airman who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.Tech. Sgt. Anthony C. Campbell Jr., 35, of Florence, Ky., died Dec. 15 of wounds suffered from the detonation of an improvised explosive device in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

  • Air Force nurses welcome Iraqi colleagues, share skills

    Seventeen Iraqi medical care providers recently attended the December installment of the 332nd Expeditionary Medical Group's Iraqi Nursing Partnership Program here.As the responsible drawdown of U.S. forces from Iraq continues, the program is intended to further the medical capabilities of local

  • 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 slideshow.

  • Photo essay: Airmen drop donated goods to islanders

    Airman from Yokota Air Base, Japan, participated in the Operation Christmas Drop on its 57th anniversary to airdrop donated goods over remote islands in the Pacific Ocean Dec. 16 through 17.   Operation Christmas Drop is a non-profit organization sponsored by volunteers from Andersen Air Force Base

  • Weapons school grad marks a first

    An Air National Guard MQ-1 Predator pilot marked the beginning of a new era Dec. 12 as the first unmanned aircraft pilot from a reserve component to graduate from the Air Force Weapons Instructor Course at the U.S. Air Force Weapons School here.Maj. Tammy Barlette, from the Arizona Air National

  • Rescue crews train Japan Air Self Defense Force pilots

    Japanese Air Self-Defense Force pilots teamed up with 129th Rescue Wing aircrews here for refueling training Dec. 7 to 18.Maj. Eiji Sekine and Capt. Takeshi Tokuda, UH-60J helicopter pilots assigned to the Air Rescue Wing at Komaki Air Base, Japan, and Maj. Masahiko Miyazaki and Capt. Takemas

  • Senior leaders accomplish Year of the Air Force Family road show

    Air Force leaders traveled recently to 23 bases across 12 major commands, including the Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve Command, to spread the word on the Year of the Air Force Family.During the YoAFF road show, Air Force leaders had the opportunity to meet hundreds of Airmen and their

  • USO tour brings celebrities, cheer to Bagram servicemembers

    Hundreds of Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines gathered here Dec. 15, to enjoy a United Service Organizations' Holiday Troop Visit tour featuring country singer and actor Billy Ray Cyrus, tennis pro Anna Kournikova, acclaimed comedian Dave Attell and legendary tennis coach and inspirational

  • Airmen, Soldiers participate in Operation Thunderstruck

    One-by-one, 10 Charleston-based C-17 Globemaster IIIs took off from Charleston Air Force Base Dec. 16 in support of exercise "Operation Thunderstruck." While Charleston AFB is no stranger to launching a large number of aircraft in a short period of time, this year's exercise is different than ones

  • Roger that: What the Air Force life means to me

    When Chief Master Sgt. Malcolm McVicar answered the question, "What does the Air Force life mean to me," on www.MyAirForceLife.com, he answered, "The Air Force family is the family that grows each day as you meet new Airmen. Like a traditional family, they are always there when you need them the

  • Weather warriors endure 'turbulent climb'

    Airmen from Det. 1, 607th Weather Squadron participated in a tactical training scenario dubbed Operation Turbulent Climb here Dec. 5.The weather warriors at Camp Red Cloud are stationed 15 miles from the Korean Demilitarized Zone and would likely be one of the first to see action if hostilities were

  • AFRCC Airmen aid in Arizona search for 55 stranded people

    Airmen at the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center aided local and state first responders while searching for several missing individuals who were stranded near Flagstaff, Ariz.. Last week's winter storm dumped several inches of snow, trapping 55 individuals who were hunting or looking for the

  • Retired first sergeant leaves special legacy

    When Senior Master Sgt. Clayton French was honored at his Nov. 20 retirement ceremony, most of the guests in attendance learned the 81st Medical Operations Squadron first sergeant would leave a significant legacy to the service to which he devoted more than 28 years of his life.  Sergeant French had

  • Multinational wing completes first mission into Iraq

    A recent flight into Iraq marks another unit milestone for the multinational Heavy Airlift Wing based at Pápa Air Base, Hungary.The airlift mission into Iraq by the wing, which comprises 12 member nations, facilitated the deployment for members of the NATO Training Mission-Iraq."Each time we fly a

  • Leaders send holiday greetings

    The Air Force's top leaders send the Air Force family holiday greetings and remind all to remember those Airmen in harm's way apart from family and friends.  Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy

  • Airmen perform operations with Kyrgyz surgeons

    Air Force surgeons at the Transit Center at Manas and Kyrgyz doctors worked together to performed surgical operations Dec. 11 in a local hospital here.The team of medical Airmen led by Col. (Dr.) Jerrold Flyer, 376the Expeditionary Medical Group commander, assisted with two separate operations,

  • Partnership between air forces in the making

    Officials from the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing hosted Afghan National Army Air Corps officials Dec. 19, here, to explain how an American combat wing operates day to day.Brig. Gen. Steven L. Kwast, the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing commander and other Airmen from operations, maintenance and mission

  • Dec. 14 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations Dec. 14 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.Air operations in Afghanistan:KabulAir Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft