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U.S. Air Force News

  • Tops In Blue talent search underway

    Tops In Blue, the Air Force's premiere entertainment showcase, is accepting applications until Dec. 2 for its 2009 talent search. The 2009 talent call encourages vocalists, instrumentalists, dancers, and nonmusical talent such as comedians, dramatists, and magicians to submit an application and

  • Media, celebrities receive bird's eye view of AF mission

    Southern California media and Hollywood personalities were treated to a flight on a C-17 Globemaster III and received a bird's eye view of the Air Force mission Nov. 12. The event was part of the build-up to Air Force Week-Los Angeles which begins Nov. 14.Air Force Week serves as the premier

  • Civilians graduate with lessons in military culture

    The first class of the Civilian Acculturation and Leadership Training program graduated recently here giving the 25 attendees a better understanding of what the active-duty Air Force does. The course, designed to acquaint civilian employees with military culture, included lessons on Air Force core

  • 17th Air Force Airmen support Africa Command

    Airmen from 17th Air Force here received initial operational capability Oct. 1 and are already supporting missions for the U.S. Africa Command. In the first 30 days since declaring initial operational capability, aerial missions on the continent have coincided with continuing administration and

  • Airmen respond to buried threat in Afghanistan

    When the Soviet Union pulled out of Afghanistan, they left thousands of mines and other explosive remnants of the war behind. At Bagram Airfield, with constant civil engineering projects to expand the flightline and other facilities, it's a daily occurrence to find small explosives in the soft sand.

  • Wounded Airman: 'Absolute privilege to defend America'

    A wounded NCO spoke to 300 Airmen, retirees, Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce officials and members of the Alamo Chapter of the Air Force Association Nov. 3 at the Randolph Air Force Base Enlisted Club. The AFA-sponsored "Combat Breakfast" hosted Staff Sgt. Christopher Slaydon and 21 other

  • Iraqi doctors study AF aeromedical evacuation program

    Two doctors from Iraq's Ministry of Defense visited the Air Force Theater Hospital and Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility here Nov. 5-8 to study Air Force aeromedical evacuation procedures. The visit will help the doctors, Maj. (Dr.) Abdul-Razaq and Capt. (Dr.) Mohammed, establish an

  • Airman's Roll Call: Diversity

    This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on the differences between diversity and equal opportunity. The Air Force makes a distinction between diversity and EO. Diversity is mission-oriented and leadership driven--the way we should embrace our differences and utilize them to better accomplish our

  • Gen McCoy assumes command of AF Global Logistics Support Center

    The commander of Air Force Materiel Command installed a new commander for the Air Force Global Logistics Support Center Nov. 13 in ceremonies at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. During those ceremonies Gen. Bruce Carlson, who leads AFMC, AFGLSC's parent unit, awarded command of the center to Maj. Gen.

  • Edwards test squadron test drives Global Hawk

    Members of the 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron here test drives the Global Hawk unmanned aircraft system and ensures the aircraft is up to par with advertised specifications. Squadron personnel evaluate the operational effectiveness and suitability of advanced Air Combat Command weapon systems,

  • Operation Southern Partner ends

    Operation Southern Partner ended after two weeks in South America as 70 Airmen aboard a C-17 Globemaster III touched down at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base at about 10 p.m Nov. 7 here. Airmen representing more than 25 career fields exchanged information and ideas with counterparts in the air forces of

  • Civic leaders go for a ride

    Civic leaders from throughout the Southern California area had the opportunity to see Air Force operations up close, including an orientation flight.  The event was part of the lead-up to Air Force Week-Los Angeles which kicks off Nov. 14. Air Force Week serves as the premier platform to share the

  • Kyrgyz war heroes, Manas Airmen enjoy Veterans Day

    In honor of Veterans Day, the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing hosted ten Kyrgyz  World War II veterans for a tour of the base, dinner and a ceremony to announce the start of a program to help supplement their living expenses and continue to further strengthen the friendship between the Kyrgyz veterans

  • 'Letter to Airmen' highlights Warrior Care month

    In his current Letter to Airmen, the secretary of the Air Force talks about November as the designated the month for Warrior Care, and how the Air Force will continue to place Airmen and their families as a top commitment. "Developing and caring for our Airmen and their families is a top priority.

  • General, NCO talk about warrior care on national TV

    The Air Force deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel and services at the Pentagon and an injured sergeant made an appearance on Fox News to speak about "Warrior Care Month" Nov. 10 here. Lt. Gen. Richard Y. Newton III and Tech. Sgt. Israel Del Toro appeared on television to tell the American

  • Secretary of Air Force visits San Antonio military hospitals

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley visited the San Antonio Military Medical Center South and North campuses Nov. 8. The secretary recently returned from trips to theater hospitals at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, and Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. His visit to San Antonio military hospitals

  • Strategic planners give glimpse of tomorrow's mobility force

    Air Mobility Command strategic planners gave an insider's view into the future of air mobility  at the 40th annual Airlift/Tanker Association Conference Nov. 10 here. The air mobility future contains airlifters able to takeoff and land on extremely short and unprepared airfields, aircraft

  • Jets honor servicemembers with military appreciation day

    More than 100 Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen participated in the New York Jets Military Appreciation Day prior to the football game Nov. 9 at Meadowlands Stadium in New Jersey. The game, played against the St. Louis Rams, kicked off with the unveiling of a giant flag by 60

  • CMSAF visits veterans at armed forces home

    The Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force and his entire staff visited veterans at the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Washington, D.C., Nov. 10. The group arrived in time to have lunch with the residents, and then spent the majority of their time greeting veterans. "I enjoy seeing people who will

  • Yellow Ribbon program focuses on reservists, families

    Air Force reservists in the 507th Air Refueling Wing at Tinker AFB, who return from long deployments, are finding the welcome mat waiting for them. A congressional directive in the 2007 Defense Appropriations Act mandated that Reserve components provide reservists and their families with additional

  • Navy pilots learning to fly Global Hawk

    In what could prove to be the first step toward creating a joint RQ-4 Unmanned Aircraft System training unit here, pilots of the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron are teaching a class of Navy pilots the Global Hawk system. The class, consisting of three active-duty P-3 Orion pilots and one civilian

  • Marines celebrate Marine Corps' 233rd birthday at Manas

    When Marines go to war, regardless of where they are or what they're doing, they never fail to celebrate their beloved "Corps'" birthday and remember their heritage. Today a small group of 30 Marines deployed from the Okinawa-based 3rd Marine Division displayed the Marine motto of Semper Fidelis,

  • 'Today's Air Force' features warrior care

    This edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights the month of November as Warrior Care month. The military has designated millions of dollars for wounded, ill and injured servicemembers with plans to establish a center for excellence that will specialize in research and development. And see how some

  • SECAF looks ahead at Airlift/Tanker Association convention

    The Air Force's senior civilian leader stressed the importance of the air mobility mission, specifying that air refueling capability is fundamental to the United States' power projection across the spectrum of conflict.Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley told the audience of more than 1,000

  • Airman volunteers as boy's 'instructor pilot'

    A little boy from Flagstaff, Ariz., touched the lives of guardsmen at the 162nd Fighter Wing here last year when he visited the wing to be a fighter pilot for a day, and he continues to inspire unit members to this day. At the age of 6, Dominic Magne underwent aggressive chemotherapy in his battle

  • Air Force officials complete General Tinsley investigation

    A thorough investigation conducted by the Air Force Office of Special Investigation recently, found that forensic evidence was consistent with the initial assessment that Brig. Gen. Thomas L. Tinsley died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest. Autopsy results coupled with toxicology

  • Air Force officials seek recruiters, instructors, MTIs

    Air Education and Training Command officials here are seeking hundreds of members for immediate assignment as recruiters, technical school and Basic Military Training instructors. The need for instructors is in response to the Air Force end-strength increase of roughly 4,000 members and the Basic

  • McChord Airmen help controllers train for new runway

    McChord Air Force Base Airmen shared their training simulator here with Seattle-Tacoma International Airport tower controllers to ensure they are certified and ready for operations when the civilian airport's third runway officially opens Nov. 20. Since September, members of the 62nd Operations

  • Officials to announce chief master sergeant selections

    Air Force officials selected 520 of 2,415 eligible senior master sergeants for promotion to chief master sergeant for a selection rate of 21.53 percent. The average score for those selected was 661.90, with an average time in grade and time in service of 3.47 and 23.06 years respectively, and 24.34

  • Airman helps make a difference in Afghanistan

    Since combat operations began in Afghanistan, Airmen have taken on new roles traditionally held by their Army counterparts. Staff Sgt. Don Elias, deployed from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is a prime example. The sergeant joined the Air Force in 1998 and has served two tours in Iraq. He

  • San Antonio families can share Thanksgiving with trainees

    For the 33rd year, San Antonio-area families can brighten the holidays for Air Force basic trainees through Operation Homecooking. The program offers local families the opportunity to share their traditional Thanksgiving Day with basic trainees. Through the years, families have opened their homes to

  • Electronic performance report routing now standardized

    An Air Force Enterprise Information Management initiative to process officer and enlisted performance reports electronically became reality Oct. 1 when Air Force Personnel Center officials endorsed the first of three phases of AF Electronic Workflow Processing, or AF e-WP, thanks to a partnership

  • Air Force officials begin extended Basic Military Training

    The first group of Air Force recruits to experience expanded Basic Military Training arrived Nov. 4 to Lackland Air Force Base. These new recruits are the first to face the challenge of an additional 14 days of training from 6.5 to 8.5 weeks. The added time will be used to enhance and reinforce

  • New AAFES chief dresses down uniform issues

    As the Army and Air Force Exchange Service enlisted advisor to the commanding general of AAFES, Chief Master Sgt. Jeffry Helm now has the distinct opportunity to impact not only the service he loves, but all branches of service about uniform issues. He plans to carry out his mission through

  • American servicemembers continue to provide promise

    The poverty-stricken neighborhoods of this bustling port capital of Trinidad and Tobago where crime, drug abuse and murder are facts of everyday life is not a place likely to attract American visitors. But for 15 engineers from the 5th Civil Engineer Squadron's Prime BEEF, along with a handful of

  • Newest mobile air shelter set up for training

    The newest model of deployable, mobile command posts is set up at the Air Force Expeditionary Center's main building here to give Airmen a view of what that may work on when they deploy in suppot of the war on terrorism.The Hard-sided Expandable Lightweight Air Mobile Shelter, or HELAMS, eventually

  • JCS chairman accentuates Warrior Care Month

    November 2008 is dedicated as Warrior Care Month by the Department of Defense. As we gather together, in the season of both thanks and giving, our nation pauses to recognize the sacrifices of today's service men and women in uniform, along with their families. Many families still face significant

  • Air Force disabled employees vital to mission

    Raymond Jenks is a busy man. He is the flight chief of instructional technology for the 37th Training Support Squadron, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. His office is responsible for designing and developing computer based training, programs, and technology solutions for the 37th Training Group and

  • Forces combine to share disaster response techniques

    Military medics from Argentina, Uruguay and the United States came together to share medical disaster response techniques in November here.The information exchange was part of Operation Southern Partner, an in-depth subject matter exchange emphasizing partnership, cooperation and sharing of

  • Airmen hone contingency skills at Silver Flag

    A handful of Airmen scan their checklists to make sure their mobility bags and other essentials are in order, while others thumb through their Airman's Manuals to bone up on proper chemical warfare procedures. The Airmen are in a wooded 1,200 acre site at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., and this is

  • Housing privatization projects sold to private company

    The sale of privatized military housing projects at four Air Force bases including Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass.; Little Rock AFB, Ark.; Moody AFB, Ga.; and Patrick AFB, Fla., and assumption of operations and management of the projects was announced Nov. 4 by the new owners, HP Communities LLC. The

  • Airman's Roll Call: Veterans Day

    This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on Veterans Day and recognizing American veterans, past and present. On Nov. 11, the nation pauses to remember those who have given so much in the defense of American freedoms and ideals. Americans can reflect on the foresight, courage and sacrifices of past

  • 2009 aviator continuation pay details released

    Air Force officials here released Nov. 4 the details for aviator continuation pay for this fiscal year. For active duty Airmen, the program gives various rated aviators -- namely some pilots, combat systems officers and air battle managers -- the opportunity to sign an active duty service commitment

  • Warrior Care: Injured servicemembers go fishing

    Anglers from all over the state of Texas converged on Choke Canyon Reservoir Oct. 25 to participate in Fishing for Freedom V. Fishing for Freedom gives injured servicemembers the opportunity to team up with professional and semi-professional bass fisherman and enjoy a day on the water. Thirty-three

  • Airmen spend day with Chilean children

    Airmen in Chile as part of an exchange with Latin American air forces spent Oct. 30 to brighten the outlook for neglected Chilean children in a suburb of Santiago.Fourteen Airmen and one Army National Guard member drove to a home for abused or neglected children where the servicemembers gave the

  • Civilians begin leadership training program at Air University

    Twenty-five Air Force civilians began the first Civilian Acculturation and Leadership Training Program at Air University's Officer Training School Oct. 27 here.The program leads the 25-member group through a two-week course adapted from the OTS curriculum indoctrinated with Air Force leadership and

  • F-16 pilots receive Mackay Trophy

    Four F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots were awarded the Mackay Trophy at the National Aeronautic Association Fall Awards Banquet in the nation's capital Nov. 3. The award honors the "most meritorious flight of the year" by an Air Force person, persons or organization. This year's recipients were: -- Col.

  • Warrior Care Month highlights high-quality treatment

    In a campaign to highlight the medical and personal care available to wounded servicemembers, Department of Defense officials have designated November as Warrior Care Month. "This is a great opportunity for the Air Force family to understand that our care for our wounded warriors and their families

  • Officials identify Airman missing in action

    Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office officials here announced Nov. 3 that the remains of a U.S. Airman missing in action from World War II have been identified and will be returned to his family for burial with full military honors. He is Staff Sgt. Martin F. Troy of the Army Air

  • Airmen show true grit in Strongman competition

    Airmen, Sailors and Soldiers battled it out in a showdown of guts and glory at the Strong Man/Strong Mind Challenge Oct. 25 at an air base in Southwest Asia. Out of the 20 participants in the multiforce face-off, three Air Force warriors emerged victorious with the top three spots. Senior Airman

  • Information center to ease transition to AF management

    Base residents seeking support services can receive assistance from an information center at the 332nd Expeditionary Mission Support Group here once a joint-service initiative, called Base Operating Support-Integration, takes effect Nov. 6.BOS-I is a changeover of base support functions that

  • 'Perspective' focuses on reconstruction teams

    In his latest "Enlisted Perspective," the Air Force's top enlisted Airman discusses how Airmen have taken on new roles in today's fight against terrorism working with NATO International Security Assistance Force Provincial Reconstruction teams. "These combined teams of joint military and civilian

  • Airmen continue building South American partnerships

    More than 70 Airmen are spread across four South American countries learning and sharing with their partner nations' military members and performing community outreach events. Operation Southern Partner, a Twelfth Air Force (Air Forces Southern) led event aimed at providing intensive, periodic

  • Airmen train Afghan cops

    Three Airmen trained and graduated 900 Afghan national police in Nangarhar, Nuristan, Kunar and Lagman provinces during a nine-month deployment as part of a Department of State program.The program provides a secondary-level of professional police officer education at the Jalalabad Regional Training

  • Red Horse Airmen renovate Chilean school's library

    Two Airmen completed renovations of a dilapidated library at a Chilean culinary and hotel service high school here Oct. 31 giving 80 students a comfortable and usable library the students and faculty can use for years to come. The renovation, the result of Operation Southern Partner - a two-week

  • 'Today's Air Force' features the importance of training

    This edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights how Airmen train for the unexpected, how Air Force pilots stay on the cutting edge and how a new program is honoring our service members. In the field or in the classroom, training is of utmost importance to keep Airmen at their best on the battlefield.

  • Hurlburt Field maintainers receive DOD award

    Maintainers from Hurlburt Field, Fla., were named the winners of the Department of Defense Phoenix Award, the highest field-level maintenance award within DOD, Oct. 29 in Denver. Representatives from the 1st Special Operations Maintenance group were on hand at the award ceremony during the 2008 DOD

  • Team seeks Airmen ready for 'something different'

    Air Education and Training Command officials here encourage Airmen seeking to do "something different" during their Air Force career to apply for special duty assignments. To spread the word, members of the Air Force Recruiting Service Recruiter Screening Team visit Air Force bases across the nation

  • Reserve medics train at Kunsan

    More than 50 medics from three Air Force Reserve units tested their wartime medical support capabilities alongside Kunsan Air Base members Oct. 18 through Nov. 1 here. The Reserve units, traveling from as far as Niagara Air Reserve Station, N.Y., conducted medical refresher training sessions and

  • New Zealand aircrew assists U.S. Airmen during mission

    A Royal New Zealand Air Force aircrew assisted Airmen from the U.S. Pacific Command's Joint Task Force Support Forces Antarctica by delivering a mission essential part Oct. 27 to a disabled aircraft at Pegasus White Ice Runway, Antarctica. An electronic engine controller and three Air Force aircraft

  • Basic training couple graduate with honors

    More than 780 Airmen waited to hear if they were among the 10 percent announced as honor graduates from Basic Military Training Oct. 24 at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Airmen 1st Class Melissa and Steven Lafollette, married only four months before basic training, were excited to hear their names

  • Chilean, U.S. Air Forces share perimeter defense methods

    Force Protection Airmen and a Canadian officer participating in Operation Southern Partner demonstrated the Small Unmanned Aircraft System to the Chilean air force's anti-aircraft artillery regiment Oct 29. Operation Southern Partner is an all-new, in-depth subject matter exchange emphasizing

  • Survey responses still needed as Nov. 26 deadline nears

    On Oct. 1, Air Force leaders opened the door for all Airmen to voice their concerns with the launching of the 2008 Air Force Climate Survey. Although that door is still open, it is slowly closing. The survey, which runs through Nov. 26, is designed to assess the opinions and perceptions of the Air

  • CAC login gives users access to Reserve personnel site

    Air Reserve Personnel Center officials launched a new enhancement Oct. 30 allowing Airmen to log into the virtual Personnel Center-Guard and Reserve using their Common Access Card.This enhancement gives Airmen the option to associate their vPC-GR account with their CAC, eliminating the need to

  • Air Force 'moving in right direction' on nuclear program, Gates says

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates pointed to broad initiatives within the Air Force he said are helping to return its nuclear mission to "the standards of excellence for which it was known throughout the entire Cold War." Speaking at the Carnegie Institute for International Peace Oct. 28, Secretary

  • Airmen, Chilean school 'partner' to teach children aviation

    More than 10 community outreach projects were started Oct. 27 as part of the Twelfth Air Force (Air Forces Southern)'s Operation Southern Partner. Maj. Jason Couisine, the Air Force section chief at the U.S. Military Group here, acted as a schoolteacher during a guest science class at the Complejo

  • Joint Base Balad Airmen remember fallen wingman

    A memorial service was held here Oct. 27 for a 332nd Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron NCO who was found dead in his housing unit Oct. 23 at Joint Base Balad.Airmen held a town hall meeting here that started with a roll call. A senior NCO with the 332nd EMXS called out names of Airmen in the phase

  • Tuskegee Airmen address Air Force captains

    Riding the crest of the historic opening of the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site Oct. 10, four of the original Airmen spoke to hundreds of Air Force officers at Squadron Officer School at Maxwell Air Force Base recently. In their speeches and subsequent panel discussions, the former fighter

  • WWII veterans attend museum D-Day exhibit opening

    More than 40 World War II veterans gathered Oct. 17 here to help open an exhibit recounting their wartime experiences on June 6, 1944. The veterans, mostly paratroopers of the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment that trained at Fort Benning, near Columbus, Ga., jumped from C-47 troop carriers into

  • Center serves as hub for air mobility operations

    There is more to flying a mission than just hopping on the aircraft and cranking the engines. Air Mobility Command's 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center at Scott AFB is the nexus for the global air mission for the U.S. military. "We plan missions, resource the crews and the aircraft, task the

  • Small town donates $5 million for joint ed center

    The City of Jacksonville's 31,000 residents in Arkansas will soon donate $5 million to help construct a new education center for Little Rock Air Force Base and the local community. The citizens of Jacksonville raised $5 million through a 2003 sales tax to help the Air Force build a joint education

  • Charleston officials ship vehicles to support warfighters

    Charleston Air Force Base officials began shipping M1117 armored security vehicles for the Army on board C-17 Globemaster IIIs Oct. 24 here. Charleston AFB members received 82 ASVs in October and will continue shipping the vehicle as part of a surge to supply the increased manpower of the Army

  • Personnel center adds new mission; helps veterans, VA

    Air Force officials announced an added mission for the Air Force Personnel Center at Randolph AFB, Texas, beginning Oct. 30 to improve the accountability of medical records and aid in the timely processing of veterans' disability claims. Starting with Randolph AFB as the test base, AFPC will collect

  • Servicemembers make a difference

    Thirty-six Bolling Airman along with another 140 servicemembers from the Air Force District of Washington, Naval District of Washington and Military District of Washington spent four hours at Kenilworth Aquatic Garden Oct. 25 winterizing the park. Airmen, Soldiers and Sailors from the National

  • Defense secretary: Nuke capability critical to deterrence

    Calling nuclear weapons one of the world's "messy realities," Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said here Oct. 28 that as long as others who could potentially threaten the United States possess or seek them, it's critical that the United States does as well, and that they be kept safe, secure and

  • Veterinary care helps build relations with nomadic tribe

    Airmen and Soldiers from the Zabul Provincial Reconstruction Team vaccinated hundreds of animals in preparation for the long, hard Afghan winter in October here. In a region where the average income is less than a dollar a day, the PRT's veterinary civil assistance patrol not only strengthened the

  • Airmen receive cavalry spurs for building new base

    For their efforts in building more than 25,000 square feet of housing and administrative offices for 1st Cavalry Division Soldiers of 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 29 Air Force Airmen received cavalry combat spurs, symbolic of cavalry service in a combat zone, from the

  • Air Force wins EPA energy award

    Air Force officials received an Environment Protection Agency award for leading the federal government in purchasing renewable energy in October in Denver. The Air Force was named the winner of the 2008 Green Power Leadership Award in the Green Power Purchaser category. Air Force officials made an

  • Chief of staff wraps up Middle East tour at Joint Base Balad

    The Air Force chief of staff finished a visit to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility with a last stop to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Oct. 25 here. Gen. Norton Schwartz and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley learned about Airmen's accomplishments in theater,

  • Guard, Reserve warfighters chart tactics course

    Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve officials prepared the roadmap for weapons and tactics needs for their near- and long-term during a conference Oct. 20 through 24 in Tucson.The annual Weapons and Tactic Conference began at the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., with opening remarks by Lt.

  • Nellis Airmen begin 'War on Waste'

    The "War on Waste", a new Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century initiative, began at Nellis AFB, following an Enterprise Value Stream Analysis held here Oct. 6 to 8. The Enterprise Value Stream Analysis, conducted by the 99th Air Base Wing Executive Council, aligned the wing commander's

  • Air Force officials to establish new nuclear major command

    The Air Force will stand up a new major command specifically to manage its nuclear assets, the service's top official announced Oct. 24. Air Force Secretary Michael B. Donley said the new command will fold into its ranks thousands of Airmen and all of the Air Force's domestic nuclear capabilities in

  • Vandenberg officials launch Delta II rocket

    Vandenberg Air Force Base officials successfully launched a Delta II rocket carrying the Thales Alenia-Space COSMO-SkyMed 3 satellite at 7:28 p.m. PDT Oct. 24 from Space Launch Complex-2 here. The 30th Space Wing team supported the United Launch Alliance in preparing for the launch just six weeks

  • 'Today's Air Force' features Air Force secretary

    This edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights Michael Donley, the 22nd secretary of the Air Force.  Also featured is his visit to Southwest Asia where he discusses the mission and involvement in the war on terrorism. Another highlight is the training Airmen go through to prepare for every mission.

  • Mobility leaders focused on 'getting back to basics'

    About 80 air mobility leaders gathered for a three-day conference that focused on Air Mobility Command's priorities, roles and missions Oct. 22 through 24 here. The theme for this year's AMC Phoenix Rally was "Back to Basics: Executing Global Reach Fundamentals." Gen. Arthur J. Lichte, the AMC

  • Top leaders bring praise, vision of future to Airmen in Iraq

    The Air Force chief of staff and chief master sergeant of the Air Force praised Airmen for their role in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and discussed the "way ahead" during their on-going visit to meet face-to-face with Airmen deployed to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Oct. 24

  • Chief of staff reenlists crew chief over Southwest Asia

    The Air Force chief of staff reenlisted a C-17 Globemaster III flight crewmember 32,000 feet above the U.S. Central Command area of operations Oct. 23. Gen. Norton Schwartz signed up Senior Airman Tyrell Haney, a 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, for another tour of duty -- his second

  • Airmen speed delivery of lifesaving medicine

    Coordination and hustle between several American military agencies here enabled a lifesaving package to reach an Iraqi snakebite victim and save a life Oct. 15 here. The Army Medical Materiel Center Southwest Asia staff received an urgent request for anti-venom to help a young Iraqi woman who was in

  • Airman missing in action from World War II identified

    Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office officials announced Oct. 21 that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, missing in action from World War II, have been identified and returned to his family for burial. 2nd Lt. Ray D. Packard of the Army Air Forces from Atwood, Calif., was buried Oct. 22

  • F-35 completes air-start test at Edwards

    The prototype F-35 Joint Strike Fighter AA-1 completed an air-start test validating the aircraft's ability to shut down and restart its engine in flight Oct. 23 here. This ensures the aircraft, which is called the F-35 Lightning II for the Air Force, can regain power and fly safely in the event of

  • Joint Base Balad Airman found dead in housing unit

    An Airman was found unresponsive in a housing unit at about 9 p.m. local time Oct. 22 and died at Joint Base Balad. Efforts to resuscitate the Airman, deployed to the 332nd Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron here, were unsuccessful. The name of the Airman is being withheld pending next-of-kin

  • Student pilot gets first UAS assignment at Vance

    As part of an Air Force initiative to meet increased demands for its airborne intelligence, reconnaissance, surveillance, force protection and strike capabilities, student pilots in the Air Education and Training Command have a new potential assignment among the array of Air Force aircraft: unmanned

  • Top military leaders visit Airmen in Southwest Asia

    The Air Force chief of staff and chief master sergeant of the Air Force visited Airmen of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Oct. 22 during their visit to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. "I'm pleased to be back in the AOR to see the many changes and steps the Air Force is taking to

  • ACC team effort vital to nuclear evaluation mission

    A three-month process, planned a year in advance, involving hundreds of man-hours of detailed coordination with people at more than four Air Force bases funnels down to one aircraft, one missile, one sortie and the push of a button. The aircraft is a B-52 Stratofortress flown by an aircrew from the

  • 2nd Air Force transformation driven by warfighter's needs

    Transformation is underway at 2nd Air Force here beginning with construction on a 2,000-square foot operations floor designed to support the new technical training operations center. The new center will serve as the operational command and control hub for technical training operations across 2nd Air

  • Inaugural Air Force Enlisted Force Development Panel meets

    Members of the Air Force Enlisted Force Development Panel, chartered to guide future enlisted force development efforts, recently held their inaugural meeting in Arlington, Va. At the first meeting, panel members discussed ways to use enlisted professional military education as a tool to

  • Chief of staff tours Bagram, addresses Airmen's questions

    The 19th Air Force chief of staff accompanied by the chief master sergeant of the Air Force made his first official trip to Bagram Airfield Oct. 21. Gen. Norton A. Schwartz toured the 455th Expeditionary Mission Support Group to learn more about the growing efforts to support the mission here, and

  • Defense secretary lauds wounded warrior care improvements

    The military has made "some significant steps forward" in caring for wounded warriors, the Defense secretary said during a Pentagon Channel interview broadcast Oct. 22. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said inpatient care provided to wounded warriors always has been world-class. "We've never had a

  • Agility, flexibility, teamwork: Key components of airpower

    Examine most successful business or sports teams, and you may find their foundation is based on flexibility, agility and teamwork. The success of airpower in Iraq and Afghanistan incorporates these three traits on a daily basis, through the interaction with coalition forces and U.S. sister services.