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  • Air Force officials to use prop planes as ISR platforms

    To better fill combatant commanders' needs for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, Air Force officials will begin using C-12 Huron turboprop planes as ISR platforms. The program, called Project Liberty, involves Airmen operating a fleet of 37 C-12 aircraft providing ISR full-motion video

  • Servicemembers search for Americans in capsized boat

    Servicemembers from Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa participated in a three-day rescue operation in an effort to save three Americans from a capsized sailboat 260 miles off coast of Madagascar in late January. One of the three Americans was found alive after being spotted by servicemembers

  • 'Today's Air Force' highlights peacekeeping operations in Africa

    This edition of "Today's Air Force" focuses on how Airmen are supporting humanitarian and peacekeeping operations in Africa. One segment highlights the first major operation engineered by members of U.S. Africa Command's air component, 17th Air Force. Operation Nimble Star was a weeklong expedition

  • Manas Airmen make memorable bonds with Kyrgyz children

    The more than 250 children at the Belovodsk orphanage just north of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, do not know what is beyond the high walls where they live, but inside their humble dwellings, their world is full of laughter, joy, kindness and amazement.  But, sometimes, there is sadness. About twice per

  • New Air Force chief of safety takes charge

    Kirtland Air Force Base officials welcomed the service's new top safety officer in a Jan. 13 change-of-command ceremony here.Maj. Gen. Frederick F. Roggero became the Air Force chief of safety and commander of the Air Force Safety Center at Kirtland AFB, replacing Maj. Gen. Wendell L. Griffin, who

  • Largest deployment of F-22s under way

    Twenty-four F-22 Raptors and hundreds of Airmen deployed to the Pacific region for a three-month deployment in support of the Pacific global deterrence mission.Twelve F-22s deployed from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, arrived Jan. 18 to Andersen AFB, Guam, and the week prior 12 F-22s from Langley

  • AFPC officials begin health records transfer mission to VA

    Air Force Personnel Center officials here will begin to transfer health treatment records of retired and separated active, Guard and Reserve Airmen to the Department of Veterans Affairs Feb. 1.AFPC will become the central transfer gateway to improve the flow of Air Force health treatment

  • Defense officials identify Air Force casualty

    Department of Defense officials here announced Jan. 23 the name of an Airman who died supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom Jan. 17 in Iraq.Senior Airman Omar J. McKnight, 22, of Marrero, La., died as a result of a nonhostile incident at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. He was assigned to the 6th Security

  • New culture course now available online to enlisted

    Through the efforts of the Air Force Culture and Language Center and Community College of the Air Force, enlisted members now have a distance learning course that will aid them in understanding world cultures. Introduction to Culture, the first course of its kind in the military and is currently

  • Major's medal, artifacts on display at Air Force museum

    One of the first Airmen to earn an Air Force Combat Action Medal donated his award, alongside others, to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Maj. Steve Raspet, the 12th Operations Group T-6A Texan II standards and evaluation branch chief and an

  • Personnel Center officials Spread the Word

    A team from the Air Force Personnel Center here successfully wrapped up phase one of the educational Spread the Word briefings Jan. 14 as officials educated Airmen at major commands and combatant commands. AFPC officials paved the way for the next round of experts to begin phase two of Spread the

  • National Guard members support inaugural mission

    About 9,300 National Guard Soldiers and Airmen joined thousands of active-duty and Reserve military members from all services to support President Barack Obama's inauguration Jan. 20 here. "We've always depended on the National Guard," Al Roker, the weather anchor for NBC's "Today Show" said from

  • Airman's Roll Call: Joint expeditionary taskings

    This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses terms used to describe Airmen fulfilling nontraditional roles in the deployed environment. Air Force officials provide vital capabilities to the joint team in the war on terrorism, and part of the missions and capabilities delivered until recently fell into a

  • Decisions loom for Joint Strike Fighter Program

    Decisions about the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and F-22 Raptor aircraft programs are expected early in President Barack Obama's administration. The F-35 program manager said Jan. 15 he sees strong support for the F-35 from the services, allied partners and, so far, on Capitol Hill. Based on initial

  • Airmen witness history from Southwest Asia

    Thousands of miles from home, members of the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing at this air base in Southwest Asia were still able to witness history being made as they watched the inauguration of President Barack Obama live Jan. 20 here. The inauguration was not scheduled to start until 7 p.m., but by

  • USAREUR driver's license -- success in your hands

    Stress during a permanent change of station move is inevitable, but proper planning before leaving a current station is one way to mitigate some of the pressure and anxiety that can occur after arriving at a new duty location. For members and dependents PCSing to Germany, one big stressor is passing

  • Troops bid former President Bush farewell at Andrews

    Military officials bid farewell to the outgoing commander in chief during a departure ceremony Jan. 20 at Andrews Air Force Base where he called leading men and women in uniform the highlight of his presidency. A joint service honor guard, military band and about 4,000 cheering, flag-waving fans

  • Yokota trespassers caught, detained, released

    Two trespassers were caught on Yokota Air Base, detained and after further investigation, released in January here. The trespassers, tanukis or Japanese raccoon dogs, were captured by the 374th Civil Engineer Squadron Entomology Flight Airmen on Yokota Jan. 6 and taken to Tama Hills Recreation Area

  • Inauguration brings Tuskegee Airmen to Bolling

     One-hundred and eighty-eight Tuskegee Airmen arrived at the Bolling Club here Jan. 20 for breakfast, music and conversation before attending the Presidential Inauguration. "The event here was very humbling," said Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley. "It presented us a

  • Airmen kick off inauguration day preparing for parade

    Maj. Geraldine Holmes-Barnett said she remembers boarding a bus in Ohio when she was just 9 years old to hear Dr. Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream Speech" during the 1963 March on Washington. That memory came full circle this morning as the 54-year-old African-American nurse with the 779th

  • U.S. Airman dies at Joint Base Balad

    A United States Air Force member deployed with the 532nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron died in the early morning of Jan. 18 at Joint Base Balad, Iraq.The name of the Airman is being withheld pending next-of-kin notification and release by Department of Defense officials.

  • Deployed F-22 Raptors arrive at Andersen

    Twelve F-22 Raptors deployed from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, arrived here Jan. 18, for a three month deployment in support of Pacific Global Deterrence mission. As part of the continuing force posture adjustments to address worldwide requirements, additional forces like the 90th Expeditionary

  • General Petraeus visits Manas Air Base

    Manas Airmen briefly hosted Gen. David Petraeus, the U.S. Central Command commander, as he arrived in Kyrgyzstan for the start of a several day visit with Kyrgyz leaders. The visit was the general's first to Manas AB and the central Asian nation since assuming command of CENTCOM in October 2008.

  • Airmen provide power to the people

    Twenty members of the 379th Civil Engineer Squadron electrical systems shop at this air base in Southwest Asia give power to the people while giving them the energy they need to get through every day.Responsible for repairing and maintaining all lighting fixtures, street lights, power outlets and

  • Andrews officials launch tactical fitness center

    Base leaders here took a groundbreaking new stride in combat fitness training capability Jan. 15 with the ribbon-cutting of the Andrews Tactical Fitness Center. The center supports the 316th Wing's goal of "Airmen fit and ready to fight and win across the whole spectrum" with a new policy and

  • Disability board accepting applications for records review

    Department of Defense officials here are now accepting applications from certain medically-separated veterans to have their records reviewed, potentially increasing their disability rating. "To be eligible for a review, veterans must have been medically separated between Sept. 11, 2001, and Dec. 31,

  • Airmen transport, care for wounded warriors

    Airmen of the 379th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron airlift warriors on military aircraft out of locations throughout the war zone and to military medical treatment facilities.Consistent and readily available airlift is usually the difference between life and death for servicemembers

  • WASP served for love of flight

    When Betty Jo Reed was introduced to flying, it was love at first sight. She was 6 years old and her father paid $1 for her to take a ride in a Ford tri-motor airplane at a local fair in 1929. Once airborne, Ms. Reed was hooked. "I remember feeling free and happy, and loving the whole experience,"

  • F-22s begin training in Japan

    F-22 Raptors took to the sky over Japan Jan. 14 as members of the 27th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron began flight operations with Kadena Air Base officials. More than 200 Airmen and 12 F-22s from Langley Air Force Base, Va., are operating out of Kadena AB to demonstrate the continued U.S.

  • Airmen keep eyes on the sky to protect warfighters

    Airmen of the 71st Expeditionary Air Control Squadron keep vigilant eyes on the sky over the Gulf region to keep American and coalition forces safe and secure.The members of the squadron provide a constant and extensive radar presence over the entire Arabian Gulf region, and can identify anyone and

  • Airmen, Soldiers team up to keep working dog in the fight

    Dental Airmen teamed up with Army veterinarians to give an Air Force working dog a root canal and get her back into the fight Jan. 15 at an air base in Southwest Asia. Airmen of the 386th Expeditionary Medical Group and Soldiers from the 218th Medical Detachment to work on 5-year-old Belgian

  • Lajes Field Airmen help disabled French aircraft

    Airmen at Lajes Field were ready to lend a helping hand as a disabled Air France 777 passenger aircraft was diverted here Jan. 4 then assisted with getting the jet airborne again. At 6 p.m. Jan. 4, the Lajes Field command post staff was notified of an in-flight emergency on the Air France jet over

  • Airmen dedicate memorial to 1988 C-130 crew

    A lone C-130 Hercules propeller blade stands erect, chipped, worn and scratched, telling a silent story of an end to six lives on June 8, 1988. The blade -- obtained from the C-130 Hercules that crashed -- is a poignant symbol of the tragic loss of life that occurred that summer day. The memory of

  • Clubs gain 10,000 new members, name prize winners

    The Air Force Clubs Division recently gained more than 10,000 new members during their annual membership campaign. This year's campaign featured a first-ever "card choice" option, where members chose the type of club membership card they want -- either the full use MasterCard or a limited use

  • Airmen begin Darfur airlift operations

    Airmen have begun airlifting Rwandan peacekeeping equipment and supplies Jan. 13 from Kigali to the Darfur Region of Sudan as part of the United Nations-Africa Union peacekeeping mission. The first mission was completed by a C-17 Globemaster III and aircrew deployed to Africa from Travis Air Force

  • Kirkuk servicemembers host vice president-elect

    Vice president-elect Joe Biden visited Airmen and Soldiers stationed here and met local Iraqi officials Jan. 13. Vice president-elect Biden of Delaware was accompanied by South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. The senators met and thanked Airmen and

  • Chief of staff visits Hurlburt Field Airmen

    The Air Force's top officer met Airmen of Hurlburt Field and discussed the importance of command and control to the joint team Jan. 9 here.General Schwartz spent time with the Airmen of the 505th Command and Control Wing, a unit charged with improving and standardizing tactics, training, testing,

  • Airman's Roll Call: Presidential inauguration

    This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on the more than 5,000 servicemembers who will march in formations, perform in military bands and color guards, and serve in salute batteries and honor cordons for the 56th presidential inaugural parade and swearing-in ceremony Jan. 20. The group responsible

  • Museum opens exhibit dedicated to 'Warrior Airmen'

    A new exhibit at the National Museum of the United States Air Force now gives visitors a chance to see not only the service's past, but also its present and future.Called "Warrior Airmen," the new exhibit highlights how today's Airmen are contributing to the war on terrorism, both in the air and on

  • Vice president-elect meets Airmen in Southwest Asia

    Vice President-elect Joe Biden met Airmen from the 387th Air Expeditionary Group here as part of his tour of American bases in the Southwest Asia region.  Vice President-elect Biden is scheduled to visit Iraq after meeting with officials in Pakistan and Afghanistan. He takes office Jan. 20 along

  • Airman dies following training exercise

    A 30-year old male Airman assigned to the 342nd Training Squadron as a combat control apprentice died Jan. 12 at Wilford Hall Medical Center here. Staff Sergeant Kenneth J. Wilburn lost consciousness while participating in an above-water treading exercise at the Lackland training pool Jan. 9.

  • McChord Airmen earn top marks in nuclear inspection

    Air Force inspectors gave members of the 62nd Airlift Wing here the highest-possible grade Jan. 12 following a weeklong inspection of the wing's role as the nation's primary nuclear airlift force. Airmen evaluated in the final phase of a Defense Nuclear Surety Inspection here Jan. 7 through 12

  • 'Year In Photos' highlights 2008

    Throughout the past year, Airmen, deployed and at home, successfully carried out the Air Force mission to Fly, Fight and Win in air, space and cyberspace.  Whether it was maintaining and launching an unmanned aircraft, tending to a wounded warrior, helping to reinforce a levee during a major flood,

  • American Airman teaches Iraqi air force cadets

    Teaching leadership in a foreign land was never part of his career plan, but that's exactly what Capt. Tom Fiordelisi has been doing for the last 12 months at a forward operating base near Baghdad. Captain Fiordelisi served as commandant of cadets for ROTC Det. 630 at Kent State University in Ohio

  • Manas Airmen host Kyrgyz Congress of Women

    Manas Air Base Airmen hosted 24 members of the Kyrgyz Congress of Women for a Jan. 8 tour and luncheon here. The group, composed of female Kyrgyz civic and business leaders, met Manas AB leaders, learned about the base's mission and observed the contributions of female coalition members. For most of

  • Airmen in sky give warriors on ground situational awareness

    Airmen of the 7th Expeditionary Air Command and Control Squadron from this air base in Southwest Asia provide constant situational ground assessment from the air to coalition forces supporting operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.Inside the E-8C Joint STARS, the aircrew give airborne battle

  • Air Force inauguration participation represents another historic event

    On Jan. 20, when President-elect Barack Obama takes the oath of office, U.S. servicemembers once again will participate in a time-honored tradition which began with President George Washington for his first inauguration in 1789. Among those servicemembers participating with the new president will be

  • Travis Airmen contribute to Darfur airlift operation

    Members of the 615th Contingency Response Wing here recently deployed to Africa in support of humanitarian airlift missions into the Darfur region of Sudan. Nearly two dozen Travis Air Force Base members departed Jan. 1 for Kigali, Rwanda, to support the operation, which will airlift equipment from

  • 17th Air Force members plan support for Darfur operation

    Airmen will soon begin airlifting special equipment for Rwandan peacekeepers in the Darfur region of Sudan to mark the kickoff of the first major operation engineered by officials of U.S. Africa Command's air component, 17th Air Force.Members of 17th Air Force, also known as U.S. Air Forces

  • Airman receives Purple Heart from chief of staff

    On Christmas Eve, Master Sgt. David Webber wasn't thinking about Santa or sugarplums. He wasn't wrapping presents for his two boys or his wife. He was in a guard tower. In Afghanistan. Helping scan for snipers. But that was before being hit with chunks of shrapnel that had him losing a pint of blood

  • Airmen to deliver peacekeeping equipment to Darfur

    Airmen will assist a U.S. Africa Command-led operation to airlift equipment into the Darfur region of Sudan in support of United Nations and African Union peacekeeping missions, Air Mobility Command officials said here Jan 8. The operation was announced Jan. 5 by President George W. Bush during a

  • Airman leads team in managing enemy's weapons cache

    An Airman with the Taji National Depot sees the war on terrorism succeeding every day as coalition forces collect and destroy enemy weapons here. Capt. Ted Yang is the liaison officer for Multinational Security Transition Command-Iraq's J4 collective weapons section, and his joint team of Airmen,

  • Airman's Roll Call: Enlisted promotion process

    This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on the enlisted promotion process, and features some information Airmen should consider as they prepare for their next promotion.Testing is one process Airmen need to prepare for. The purpose of promotion testing is to measure Airmen's specialty and general

  • Eielson Airmen research alternative energy resources

    Air Force Technical Applications Center Airmen operating at 12 remote locations throughout Alaska are pursuing alternate means for energy.The Airmen of Det. 460, a tenant unit at Eielson Air Force Base, operate in units powered by propane, but now solar power may become a reality even though there

  • 21 Air Force civilians receive 2008 Presidential Rank Award

    Twenty-one Air Force senior executives and senior professionals received the 2008 Presidential Rank Award for sustained achievement in government service. President George W. Bush announced the recipients at the Pentagon Sep. 30, 2008, and Air Force officials will honor the award recipients at a

  • Washington Guard mobilized for snow removal

    The Washington National Guard officials plan to mobilize up to 200 citizen Soldiers and Airmen over the next few days in response to record snow fall in the Spokane area. Their mission starting Jan. 7 will focus on removing snow, which has accumulated on the roofs of area schools. "The unprecedented

  • Force protection Airmen learn to use another tool

    Force protection augmentees with the 407th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron here have added an intermediate item to their tool belt when they began training on how to use a collapsible baton here recently. The batons allow Airmen to engage an opponent using nondeadly force in accordance with

  • Charleston Airmen return from war

    More than 130 Charleston Air Force Base Airmen returned here Jan. 3 from their 120-day deployment in Southwest Asia supporting the war on terrorism. While deployed, the Airmen of the 15th Airlift Squadron served under the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron and supported operations Enduring

  • Airmen prep for Patriot's debut at Southwest Asian base

    Airmen of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing here are laying the groundwork to welcome more than 200 Soldiers from Fort Bliss, Texas, as they set up a Patriot battery here for the first time. Airmen from more than a dozen units have been actively involved in myriad activities and projects to include

  • New badge part of historic change in force support

    A new career badge made its debut when 57 officers graduated from the inaugural force support officer training course last month at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. After nine weeks of initial skills training, the officers are the first to showcase the badge of the new 38F Force Support Air Force

  • Airmen build rapport with community

    Airmen of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Host Nation Coordination Cell here are liaisons between American forces and host nation officials to keep the wing mission flowing. "The primary mission of HNCC is to facilitate and coordinate all interaction between the U.S. military and the (host nation)

  • 'Today's Air Force' features Air Force support to Iraqis

    This edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights some of the events Air Force members were involved with throughout the year. While all events engaging Airmen are crucial, these are but a few that led to the success of the Air Force mission. One of the events featured focuses on the efforts in Iraq

  • DOD officials expand eligibility for expeditionary medal

    Department of Defense officials recently expanded the areas of eligibility for the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal. The approved additions are two countries - Morocco and Burkina Faso - and Operation Nomad Shadow, with an initial area of eligibility of Turkey and Northern Iraq. In March

  • Teamwork shown as Airmen respond to helicopter crash

    Six Airmen of the 379th Civil Engineer Squadron here used teamwork to recover a helicopter that crashed Dec. 15  at a forward operating base in Afghanistan. The firefighters rushed to the scene and began command and control measures after being notified of the helicopter crash that landed in a ditch

  • CMSAF McKinley, graduating Airmen honor enlisted heroes

    Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Rodney McKinley and more than 700 Airmen preparing to graduate from basic military training honored the Air Force's enlisted heroes during today's dedication of the new Enlisted Heroes Walk here. Several dignitaries, including Gen. Stephen R. Lorenz, commander

  • Deployed servicemember returns home half the Airman he used to be

    "I knew I was unhealthy and had to make some changes, especially when I thought about my five-year-old looking up at me," said Senior Airman Jarvis Johnson. "Without changes, I wouldn't be around to see him and my daughters grow up." When you ask someone what they can accomplish in six months --

  • Rescue wing sends replacements to Afghanistan

    A group of Air Force Reserve Command Airmen from the 920th Rescue Wing here departed on the last leg of a 14-month deployment to Afghanistan Dec. 27 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Approximately 40 helicopter aircrew members, maintenance specialists and logistics and support personnel

  • "Cart-Starts" make a quick launch for B-52s

    Airmen assigned to the 36th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron have recently been showcasing the B-52 Stratofortress's ability to respond to threats at a moment's notice. Throughout the month of December, Airmen from Minot Air Force Base, N.D., have been launching aircraft by a method known

  • DOD inaugural committee moves into high gear

    Exactly three weeks before inauguration day, the buzz of activity at the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee here is a notable exception to the traditional holiday lull that settles over the nation's capital between Christmas and New Year's Day. More than 400 Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and

  • Hawaii's Air Guard feeds underpriviledged

    Amidst the thunder, lightning and an island wide power outage, the Hawaii Air National Guard and the 15th Airlift Wing prepared a meal for Honolulu's less fortunate here Dec. 27. On the day before, Team Hickam's 15th Services Squadron began cooking 40 turkeys and 140 hams that were needed for a

  • Guard's counterdrug warriors endeavor to test one and all

    Finding a single drug abuser among thousands of servicemembers can compare to a shell game, but National Guard officials are placing all odds in their favor. Officials are striving to keep the Guard's Citizen-Airmen and -Soldiers drug free through an increase in drug tests and the integration of new

  • Thunderbirds release 2009 air show schedule

    The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, "Thunderbirds," has announced its 2009 air show schedule. In their 56th season, the Thunderbirds are scheduled to perform more than 73 shows in the United States, Puerto Rico and the Far East. Entering his second season, Lt. Col. Greg Thomas, the team's

  • Officials seek 10 enlisted for AFIT degree program

    Air Force Institute of Technology officials are offering 10 noncommissioned officers the opportunity to pursue an advanced science, engineering or management degree at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Ten NCOs from around the Air Force will be selected in February to attend the

  • President Bush calls local loadmaster

    Christmas presents come in all shapes and sizes, but one junior enlisted Airman here received a gift he never expected -- a call from President George W. Bush. Senior Airman Dan Gutowski, 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron loadmaster, found out about the surprise Dec. 23 and received the call on

  • 300 and counting -- rescue unit saves lives in Afghanistan

    Air Force reservists with the 920th Rescue Wing here have saved more than 300 U.S. troops since deploying to Afghanistan in February 2008. The Air Force Reserve Command unit is flying HH-60 helicopter missions in support the U.S. Army medical evacuation operation. Airmen from the wing and its sister

  • Keeping tabs on the airfield

    When many aircraft need space on a limited airfield, a small section steps in to ensure there is room for all. Like a game of musical chairs, Airmen in the 379th Expeditionary Operations Squadron airfield management section here constantly shift assets around to maximize use of the airfield,

  • Surgeons return injured troops to action

    With precision-guided instrumentation and steady hands, a surgical team here is returning injured warfighters to the fight. Dr. (Maj.) Daniel Todd Rose, orthopedic surgeon, and Dr. (Maj.) Craig Kolasch, general surgeon, both with the 379th Expeditionary Medical Group, handle most of the minor

  • TACPs provide vital link between pilots, ground troops

    Although they make up one of the Air Force's smallest career fields, their mission leaves a huge impact on the battlefield and can mean life or death for troops on the ground. Tactical air control party Airmen serve as liaisons between ground commanders and pilots in the sky to eliminate the enemy's

  • Filler' up--with 2 million gallons of premium

    Filler' up is a phrase you may have used many times back in the days of full service gas stations but it's not very common terminology in the day and age of high-prices and self-service everything. The 376th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron's Petroleum, Oils and Lubricants Flight, however,

  • General, Mrs. Schwartz spend Christmas at Creech

    Creech Airmen received a surprise Christmas day when Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and his wife Suzie visited the base. It was the second time in as many weeks that the Schwartz family visited the northern Nevada base. General and Mrs. Schwartz returned to Creech on the holiday to

  • USAFCENT commander visits deployed Airmen on Christmas Eve

    Much like Santa Claus pays a visit to boys and girls around the world on Christmas Eve, U.S. Air Forces Central leaders visited deployed Airmen here Dec. 24. Instead of presents, Lt. Gen. Gary North, USAFCENT commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Scott Dearduff, USAFCENT command chief, handed out words

  • EOD Airmen stay 1 step ahead of the enemy

    Bombs may not be exploding at this Southwest Asian air base, but in a war where the enemy is always finding new ways to inflict damage, Airmen in one shop remain one step ahead of the bad guys. Airmen of the 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit here use

  • Air Force engineers answer the call from Soldiers in Iraq

    "Answering the call" is a motto 732nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron Airmen believe in, and it's something Soldiers can attest to. This team of combat-trained engineers, assigned to the 732nd ECES Det. 6, will build anything, anywhere to help Soldiers in Iraq accomplish their mission or to

  • Airman saves lives in Afghanistan

    An Air Force Special Operations Command Airman saved lives in Afghanistan April 6 during a lengthy battle by calling in airstrikes to protect his team. Staff Sgt. Zachary Rhyner, a special tactics combat controller assigned to the 21st Special Tactics Squadron at Pope Air Force Base, N.C., was

  • Airman helps troops connect with families during holidays

    An Airman here came up with two specials ways to help deployed Airmen connect with their families during the holiday season. Senior Airman Marco Palacios, a services technician deployed from Beale Air Force Base, Calif., offered to videotape holiday greetings and readings of "A Night Before

  • DOD announces change to 2009-2010 kindergarten program

    The entrance birth date for the Department of Defense Education Activity Kindergarten Program will change from Oct. 31 to Sept. 1, DODEA officials announced recently. The change means a child must be 5 years old by Sept. 1 to enroll in kindergarten. This aligns DODEA with national trends as well as

  • Tops In Blue Airmen entertain forces in South Korea

    Airmen of Tops In Blue performed for more than 700 Army, Air Force, Navy and South Korean air force members and their families Dec. 19 at the South Korean armed forces headquarters.The visit was part of the 2008 World Tour titled "Deja Blue" where 37 members of the Air Force's premiere entertainment

  • Yokota Airmen strengthen bonds with Japanese military

    Yokota Air Base Airmen participated in bilateral training events with Japan Air Self Defense Force members Dec. 17 at Iruma Air Base, Japan. American Airmen were able to train and share ideas with their Japanese peers to share how each country manages flying squadrons and maintainers. Normally,

  • Iraqi aeromedical evacuation capability continues to develop

    Iraqi medical airmen took a step in the evolution of the air force as an effective fighting force Dec. 20 as they conducted an aeromedical evacuation mission from the Air Force Theater Hospital here to the 86th Combat Support Hospital in Baghdad. Three wounded patients, an Iraqi police officer and

  • Eglin Airmen test readiness during weeklong exercise

    Airmen of the 33rd Fighter Wing here tested their ability to respond anytime and anywhere in support of the nation's defense during an Operation Noble Eagle exercise in mid-December. Wing planners and exercise evaluation team members created plans and scenarios to provide an accurate replication of

  • NCO earns Bronze Star for actions in Iraq

    A 425th Air Base Group Anti-terrorism Force Protection NCO here received the Bronze Star at Izmir's Collocated Club for his efforts during a 12-month deployment to Joint Base Balad, Iraq. Tech. Sgt. James Thompson received the fourth-highest combat award for the U.S. armed forces from Col. Richard

  • AAFES reps deliver troops' 'favorite things' this holiday season

    Energy drinks, beef jerky, candy bars and DVDs. These items topped the wish lists of American troops shopping at more than 80 Army & Air Force Exchange Service locations throughout operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. In fact, Soldiers, Airmen, Marines and Sailors picked up nearly four

  • Sather Airmen destroy weapons cache

    Sather Air Base Airmen destroyed one of the larger enemy weapons caches to be collected at one time in the Iraq theater of operations. Four three-person 447th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron's Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight teams destroyed the 13,000-pound weapons cache discovered by Iraqi

  • Officials streamline overseas outprocessing guidelines

    Air Force Personnel Center officials here recently introduced a new initiative that will streamline final processing for Airmen retiring or separating from overseas areas. With this change, additional travel to a separation processing base, or SPB, is no longer required. The new procedure is part of

  • Future Airman gains confidence, loses 160 pounds

    Leo Knight-Inglesby is more determined than ever, and for the past 15 months has pushed himself beyond the limits he, and his loved ones, ever thought possible. The 22-year-old Silver Spring, Md., native is so set to "Do Something Amazing" in the Air Force that he shed more than 160 pounds to meet

  • AFPC officials to offer personnel course for commanders

    Air Force Personnel Center officials here are launching a new course designed to provide squadron commanders outside the personnel career field with the latest military and civilian personnel programs and procedures.The course also provides information on the air and space expeditionary force

  • JABS knock out communication problems for warfighters

    Joint Airborne Battle Staff members here are similar to 911 operators in the air as they ensure convoys operating throughout Iraq are never without communications. JABS crews flying on board C-130 Hercules aircraft fill in the gap wherever ground communication is limited in the war zone, which is

  • Operation Cheer provides poinsettias to wounded

    A Randolph Air Force Base chaplain is showing his love for wounded warriors this holiday season with a lot of help from his flock. Chaplain (Capt.) Eric Boyer of the 12th Flying Training Wing encouraged base members to contribute to Operation Cheer, a program that brings a dose of the holiday spirit

  • Airman found guilty in court-martial

    An Airman here was found guilty by a panel of military officers of three violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice during a general court-martial Dec. 19 at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Airman 1st Class Derick R. Thompson of the 10th Medical Support Squadron, who is not an Academy cadet, was

  • Bakers, baggers deliver sweet treats to dormitory Airmen

    Thousands of homemade cookies, candy, hot chocolate and other goodies were collected, bagged and delivered to dormitory residents Dec. 16 at Peterson Air Force Base.Hundreds of people donated cookies and sweets, totaling more than 6,600, for nearly 400 single servicemembers of Peterson, Schriever