President visits Eielson

President George W. Bush visited Eielson Air Force Base Aug. 4 to address base Airmen and the Soldiers of Fort Wainwright. His visit to Alaska was the first stop in an eight-day tour to Asia as the president meets foreign heads of state and will be on hand for the opening ceremonies at the Olympic

Pope command posts combine to increase efficiency

Members of the 440th Airlift Wing Command Post here recently merged with the 43rd Airlift Wing Command Post as part of the Air Force's continuing initiative to operate more efficiently. Since April 1, both Reserve and active-duty controllers have been operating from the same schedule and sharing the

Chief receives newspaper's Airman of the Year award

When Staff Sgt. Christopher Slaydon awoke from his combat injuries three weeks after arriving at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, the command chief for the 12th Flying Training Wing at nearby Randolph Air Force Base was at his bedside."As soon as I awoke, Chief Master Sgt. Stephen Page

Air Guardsmen train Air Force's airfield operators

Air National Guard officials here said recently that by using their knowledge and resources in airfield operations, they are successfully training the Air Force's next air base managers. In the Air Guard Airfield Operations Officer Training Program, Guardsmen train active-duty officers in airfield

Ali Airmen mourn loss of K-9 team member

Airmen with the 407th Provost Marshal Office here Aug. 1 held a memorial service for a K-9 member after his unexpected death from natural causes July 28. Goro, an 8-year-old German shepherd, was one month into his sixth deployment. Staff Sgt. Sean Neisen, deployed from the 435th Security Forces

Enhancements improve evaluation forms

Air Force Personnel Center officials here recently introduced several new technological enhancements to four Air Force evaluation forms as part of an ongoing commitment to improve and refine personnel processes. Enhancements were made to the following forms: -- Air Force Form 910 Enlisted

'Today's Air Force' features deployment training

This edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights deployment training and how it has become second nature for Airmen. Also featured is man's best friend, and not just dogs, but hard-working dogs. See how handlers train these canines to perform a variety of duties in order to keep military bases safe.

Chairman praises military Olympians

As more than a dozen military athletes head to Beijing for the Summer Olympics, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff lauded their accomplishments and sent his best wishes. "Wherever I travel around the world, whether it's Iraq, Afghanistan or even the Far East, I see so many spectacular young

Elmendorf community mourns fallen commander

Airmen and members of the local community paid tribute to the 3rd Wing commander during a memorial service July 31 at Hangar 1 here.Brig. Gen. Thomas L. Tinsley passed away July 27 at his on-base residence. "General Tinsley was a true leader and Airmen warrior and his untimely death is a loss to the

Nellis pilot killed in F-15D crash identified

The pilot who died in an aircraft accident July 30 was Lt. Col. Thomas Bouley. The name was released in a July 31 press conference by Col. Russell Handy, 57th Wing commander. Colonel Bouley was the 65th Aggressor Squadron commander. Colonel Bouley was killed when the two-seater F-15D Eagle he was

3 Airmen take spots on all-service chess team

Three Airmen will be part of a six-person team representing the armed forces in competition at the 19th Annual NATO Chess Championship Aug. 4 through 8 in Brussels, Belgium. Master Sgt. Dan Ranario, Tech. Sgt. Robert Bucholtz and Airman 1st Class Elena Dulger earned their spot on the all-military

20th EBS honors fallen by taking flight, continuing mission

A memorial service was held here July 25 to honor the men of "Raider 21" who lost their lives when the B-52H Stratofortress they were flying crashed off the coast of Guam July 21. Nearly 2,000 Airmen, friends and family gathered to honor the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron crew and Col. George

Study to focus on Airmen's time

A team, chartered by Lt. Gen. Richard Newton III, deputy chief of staff for manpower and personnel, will visit 10 Air Force bases to study the numerous strains on Airmen's time in today's resource-constrained environment. "We are at war and (operations) tempo is very high," General Newton said.

Forecasters afloat support multinational training exercise

Air Force weather teams are used to jointness, providing weather support operations for both the Army and Air Force on land or in the air. However, Joint Task Force Exercise 08-4, a multinational exercise hosted by U.S. Joint Forces Command, would require them to truly go above and beyond -- and out

Jointness key to command afloat during JTFEX 08-4

Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen exercised jointness aboard a Navy ship along the eastern U.S. coast from Virginia to Florida July 21-31 for Joint Task Force Exercise 08-4 "Operation Brimstone." Aboard the USS Bataan, U.S. servicemembers and some coalition forces are working

B-52H reaches retirement

The first B-52H Stratofortress reaches retirement after more than 45 years of dedicated service to the country July 24 here on its final flight to Davis-Monthan  Air Force Base, Ariz. "It is a truly sad time when we decommission a plane," said Lt. Col. Bill Stahl, 5th Maintenance Group deputy

No cargo too large for Sather aerial port Airmen

Sometimes good things come in big packages, and occasionally they come in very big packages. For the aerial port Airman assigned to the 447th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, there is no package that's too big or cargo that they can't handle. With only a day's notice, these Airmen

Airman's Roll Call: the new G.I. Bill

This week's Airman's Roll Call highlights the recently approved G.I. Bill.  It will provide even more benefits than the current Montgomery G.I. Bill.  The bill will take effect Aug. 1, 2009.Some of the upgrades involve tuition, housing, books and supplies, tutoring and certification.  You can find

Pope medics train Travis Airmen for deployment

As the C-130 Hercules makes its final approach on the torn-up runway, the 15 Airmen kneeling on the grass 100 feet away rise as one, making sure the litter they are carrying is stable, and walk toward the flightline. At the back of the aircraft, the litter team is directed where to load their

Latest weather toolkit enhances data exchange

The mid-July fielding of the 651st Electronic Systems Squadron's Joint Environmental Toolkit Increment 2 is helping U.S. forces deal with an ever-changing variable: the weather. The Air Force Weather Agency at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., is the first unit to receive the second increment of JET's

Airmen provide free services, products to Hondurans

More than 740 people from the village of San Antonio De Canada, Honduras, came to a medical readiness training exercise condcted by the Joint Task Force-Bravo Medical Element here July 25. The exercise was designed to provide U.S. servicemembers with real-world training in austere locations, as well

McKinley: Airmen play key roles in joint National Guard

Airmen are an integral part of fulfilling an increasingly joint National Guard's domestic and overseas missions, the director of the Air National Guard said here July 23. Lt. Gen. Craig McKinley told a record-breaking audience of 1,500 gathered for the National Guard Bureau Joint Family Program

Health specialists teach techniques to Laotian team

A team of international health specialists from Pacific Air Forces taught a first responder medical course during a subject matter expert exchange in Vientiane, Laos, July 7 - 23. Students, doctors and nurses from Hospital 103 in Vientiane, Laos, attended the first ever training exchange to learn

Airmen maintain force protection through vigilance

They all have different backgrounds and home stations, but the Airmen who work in the 407th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron Force Protection Section are conditioned and tasked with a critical duty: maintaining the installation's internal safety and security. Though Airmen assigned to 407th

Many Airmen, one mission: 'Defend the Base'

The 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Group activated here July 24, and while made up of many Airmen, the group's purpose is singular: "Defend the Base." The 332nd ESFG will assume every aspect of base defense, including the Joint Defense Operations Center, the Quick Reaction Force, base perimeter

386th ELRS tests new Humvee modification

The 386th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron's vehicle maintenance section is testing two new modifications for the M1116 up-armored high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicles' (Humvee) condenser, hoping the improvement will eventually become standard in all M1116 Humvees throughout the

'Today's Air Force' features deployed Airmen

In this edition of "Today's Air Force" you will discover how Airmen are helping the Afghan air corps become self sufficient. And, you see how the C130J Hercules is reducing the number of ground convoys by delivering supplies to operating bases. Also featured is the different ways Airmen entertain

Elmendorf commander dies of gunshot wound

Brig. Gen. Thomas L. Tinsley, commander of the 3rd Wing here, died of a gunshot wound July 27 at his on-base residence. Elmendorf medical authorities responded and General Tinsley was declared dead at approximately 10:30 pm July 27. The general had served as the wing commander here since May

Osan exercise tests Airmen

Air Force observes integration's 60th anniversary

In ceremonies and speeches throughout the week, the Air Force and its sister services observed the 60th anniversary since racial integration was mandated in the military. On July 26, 1948, President Harry S Truman signed Executive Order 9981, which states, "It is hereby declared to be the policy of

60 years celebrated!

The service has come a long way in 60 years, as the military celebrates the 60th Anniversary of integration in the armed forces July 26 here.Tinker Air Force Base members reflect that progress, with African Americans currently serving in the top three 72nd Air Base Wing leadership positions. Col.

AF, Army firefighters contain real-world blaze in Iraq

Air Force and Army firefighters worked in the searing sun July 22 to contain a fire that engulfed six closely situated structures here. A call to the Joint Base Balad Fire Department at 12:30 p.m. set into motion an emergency-management response of firefighters and civilian volunteers. No one was

Academy commandant to take on new challenge

A leader during one of the most dynamic times in U.S. Air Force Academy history is moving on. Commandant of Cadets Brig. Gen. Susan Y. Desjardins will depart the Academy in October to become the Headquarters Air Mobility Command Strategic Plans, Requirements and Programs deputy director at Scott Air

Training sustains peace through empowerment

The surest path to a sustainable peace in Iraq is through the empowerment of the Iraqi Army, and Airmen here are anxious to continue to do their part, Air Force officials said. Working from Joint Base Balad, Iraq, and tasked through the 5th Engineer Battalion, 732nd Expeditionary Civil Engineering

SECDEF visits Airmen, tours training facilities

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates visited Basic Military Training here July 24 and spoke to the Air Force's newest crop of Airmen before they received their Airman's coin in a ceremony. Before speaking at the ceremony, Secretary Gates toured the Basic Military Training facility and observed the

F-22s deploy to Guam

Approximately 130 Airmen and five F-22 Raptors from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, are deployed to Guam for two weeks to fulfill security requirements in the Asia Pacific region.During the deployment, the Airmen will participate in exercises Jungle Shield and Cope Thaw. Exercise Jungle Shield

Eielson possible home for alternative fuels facility

Federal, state and local government leaders met July 18 in Fairbanks, Alaska, to plan Alaska's energy future. The Interior of Alaska Strategic Energy Summit, sponsored by the Fairbanks Economic Development Corporation, was attended by Senator Ted Stevens, Under Secretary of Energy Bud Albright,

Exercise in Pacific builds trust between nations

Representatives from nine nations are participating in Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2008 throughout July in Hawaii and the Pacific Ocean.RIMPAC 2008 employs more than 20,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, as well as members of other nations building a foundation of trust

Servicemembers mourn loss of one of their own

The Joint Base Balad Town Hall filled with brothers and sisters mourning the loss of a military family member July 20. Tech. Sgt. Jackie Larsen, a paralegal working with the Law and Order Task Force of the 732nd Expeditionary Support Squadron, died from non-combat related causes July 17. Sergeant

Airmen ready for Dolly's aftermath

As Hurricane Dolly continues to pound the Texas-Mexico border with heavy rains and strong winds, Airmen remain on standby to help when needed. The hurricane made landfall July 23 as a Category 2 storm, with 85-mile-an-hour winds. Weather forecasters expect the storm to deposit 15 inches of rain

Officials name downed B-52 aircrew members

Air Force officials have released the names of the Barksdale crew members of the B-52 that crashed July 21 off Guam's northwest coast.  Five of the six crew members were stationed here. They are Maj. Christopher M. Cooper, 33, aircraft commander; Maj. Brent D. Williams, 37, navigator; Capt. Michael

Airman's Roll Call: Air Force sponsorship program

This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on a sponsorship program Airmen and their families can use to ease their fears about relocating to a new base.The sponsorship program is part of the Air Force Individualized Newcomer Treatment and Orientation program, or INTRO, which is designed to facilitate

U.S., African forces participate in medical exercise

Malian medics, doctors and nurses put their skills to the test during a mass casualty exercise July 18, which kicked off in the village of Kati, Mali. Medics received a call July 18 of a bus crash -- with an actual bus and a vehicle on its side, blocking a roundabout. Patients were moulaged and

Search effort shifts from rescue to recovery

Air Force officials here determined July 23 that none of the six crewmembers survived the B-52 Stratofortress crash July 21 off Guam's northwest coast. Search and rescue teams have now shifted their focus from rescue operations to recovery of the aircrew. The joint civilian and military rescue teams

Air Force to hold largest multinational enlisted conference

Representatives from 16 nations are meeting for four days of discussion and collaboration during the 2008 Senior Enlisted Leadership Conference July 21 through 25 in Kuala Lumpur. The conference is the largest air force multinational enlisted conference and is the first of its kind to be held in the

Airman connects families to loved ones who died in Battle of Okinawa

Although it's been more than 60 years since the battle of Okinawa, a Kadena Air Base NCO here is doing everything he can to ensure that friends and family members can remain connected to their loved ones who died in the battle. Tech. Sgt. Victor Follis, a quality assurance inspector with the 18th

Senate committee reviews Air Force nominees

Senate Armed Services Committee members presented a number of questions and challenges to Air Force civilian and military leader nominees July 22 on Capitol Hill. Michael Donley, the acting secretary of the Air Force, and Gen. Norton A. Schwartz, nominated to become the next chief of staff of the

18 nations gather for Conference of the American Air Chiefs

Air chiefs and representatives from 18 Western Hemisphere nations arrived July 19 for the 48th annual Conference of the American Air Chiefs in San Antonio. Lt. Gen. Norman R. Seip, the 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) commander led the AFSOUTH delegation during the week-long event. Attendees at

Multitude of new ideas emerge from Randolph's Lean Week

A final summation regarding "Lean Week" at Randolph, a period set aside for a brainstorming of ideas on how to create a more efficient base, was delivered last week. An outbrief following the May 19-23 Lean Week spotlighted a multitude of ideas brought forth by Randolph members concerning not only

Lean Week comes to Randolph

Gone is the Air Force before super computers and modern technology. Gone are the, "We used to do it this way," and "When I was an Airman..." mindsets. Even gone, is the Air Force of fifteen years ago. Today's Air Force is a highly streamlined, technology-driven entity that is tasked more and more

Lean Week Charter Plan announced, promotes elimination of waste across board

Facilitators, team leads and unit managers are set to conduct Air Force Smart Operations 21 objectives at the Mission Support Group, Medical Group, Operations Group and Maintenance Directorate within the12th Flying Training Wing. Randolph Air Force Base has scheduled the Lean Week initiative for

Tuskegee Airmen honored at McGuire ceremony

McGuire Air Force Base members honored the Tuskegee Airmen with a rededication of Tuskegee Avenue July 17 here. "Team McGuire did extremely well," said Col. Samuel Douglas, the Air Mobility Command operations division chief. "They went above and beyond with the ceremony. It was great having both

Service delivery assessment vital to patient care

Patient feedback through a centralized telephone survey program known as the service delivery assessment, or SDA, provides Air Force clinic staffs with direct, rapid and relevant feedback from their patients vital to national security, Air Force Medical Service officials said. "Improving the health

Airmen deliver aid to flood victims in Afghanistan

Airmen and other American servicemembers from the Nangarhar Provincial Reconstruction Team here delivered emergency humanitarian assistance supplies July 3 to residents of Kuz Kunar and Dari Noor districts of Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan. The Nangarhar Emergency Preparedness Committee assessed

Search effort continues following B-52 crash

A joint-agency search continues for missing crew members following the crash July 21 of a B-52H Stratofortress bomber 25 miles off the northwest coast of Guam. The bodies of two of the six Airmen on board the aircraft have been recovered. Identities of the crew members are being withheld pending

Duke Field Airmen drop last 15,000-pound bomb

Duke Field Airmen from the 711th Special Operations Squadron dropped the last operational Bomb Live Unit-82 from an MC-130E Combat Talon I July 15 at the Utah Test and Training Range. Nicknamed "Commando Vault" in Vietnam and "Daisy Cutter" in Afghanistan, the BLU-82 is a 15,000-pound bomb, and

Cyclists take off across Iowa

The 36th Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, or RAGBRAI, kicked off July 20 when thousands of avid cyclists, including a large contingent of Air Force riders, began the 471-mile trek across Iowa. Sponsored by the Des Moines Register newspaper, RAGBRAI is the longest, largest and oldest

Tuskegee Airman: Follow in the footsteps of these heroes

A former Air Force colonel encouraged the next generation to follow in the footsteps of the World War II heroes during the Gen. Benjamin O. Davis Jr. Awards Gala of the 37th Annual Tuskegee Airmen Convention July 19 here. Dr. Guion Bluford Jr., the Aerospace Technology Group founder and president,

Artists reflect on visiting, documenting expeditionary center

In late June, five artists from across the United States visited the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center to create future pieces of art for the Air Force Art Program. Included in the visit were Mr. William Frake of Carmel, N.Y., Mr. John Finger of Walnut Creek, Calif., Ms. Tatiana El-Khouri of Los

Original Tuskegee Airmen share experiences

The public learned more about the original Tuskegee Airmen during an open forum at the Tuskegee Airmen Convention July 19 here. Seven Tuskegee Airmen pilots spoke about their personal experiences as some of the first African-American pilots and answered questions posed by the audience. The Airmen

Servicemembers honored at Tuskegee Airmen convention

Military members and Tuskegee Airmen were honored at the Tuskegee Airmen National Convention military luncheon July 18 here. "I want people to understand whose shoulders we are standing on and what those men did for us and our Air Force," said Brig. Gen. Robin Rand, the principal director to the

Air Force leaders share women's perspectives

Servicemembers learned more about the perspectives of women in the military during a leadership forum here July 17. The forum was part of the Tuskegee Airmen Convention ending July 20. Senior leadership spoke about several issues, including the heroism of Tuskegee Airmen, the history of women in the

New Kyrgyzstan medical facility offers high-quality care

376th Expeditionary Medical Group officials cut the ribbon on a new hospital building here July 17. After nearly seven years operating out of a tent facility, the new building includes updated inpatient area, an operating room, emergency room, a new laboratory, a dental office and three individual

'Today's Air Force' features combat search and rescue

This edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights a combat search and rescue unit where pararescue Airmen endure one of the toughest training in the Air Force and an explosive ordnance disposal team at Balad Air Base, Iraq, that uses robots capable of disarming bombs. Also featured are off-base

Symposium gets to core of Air Force's role in cyberspace

In an effort to bring together minds and ideas from across the cyberspace community, Air University officials hosted a week-long cyberspace symposium here recently. Some 250 professional civilian and military information experts gathered to discuss the implications of cyberspace, especially with

Air National Guard members save lives by land, sea

Air National Guardsmen from the 129th Rescue Wing launched a search and rescue mission from here July 16 to save a fisherman experiencing a medical emergency aboard a Canadian fishing boat off the coast of California. Responding to a pararescuemen headed to the 85-foot Ocean Marauder fishing boat

California firefighting commander: 'Great job' by Airmen

People in California noticed the job Airmen at McClellan Airfield performed in fighting California's wildfires and could not stop telling the commander of U.S. Northern Command during his July 17 visit to Sacramento. "State leaders are stumbling over each other trying to thank you guys!" said Gen.

Kadena's K-9 warriors go airborne

The ability to cope with anxiety and stress is an important skill for today's expeditionary Airmen as they face more frequent deployments in combat conditions. Recently, Airmen from the 18th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, the 33rd Rescue Squadron and 18th Security Forces Squadron teamed up to help

DOD officials identify Air Force casualty

Department of Defense officials here announced July 18 the death of an Airman who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Tech. Sgt. Jackie L. Larsen, 37, of Tacoma, Wash., died of natural causes July 17 at Balad Air Base, Iraq. She was assigned to the 9th Reconnaissance Wing from Beale Air Force

U-2 nose art honors fallen Soldier

Airmen added chalk art to a U-2 fuselage to honor the late brother of an Airman serving here as a crew chief July 14 at a Southwest Asian air base.The art was a tribute to Army Cpl. Gunnar W. Zwilling, 20, brother of Airman 1st Class Alexander Zwilling, who was deployed here as a member of the 99th

Firefighting mission takes C-130 to its limits

Airmen in the sky are giving firefighters on the ground the upper hand in battling the blazes across the state, California forest officials said. Flying specially equipped C-130 Hercules, members of the 302nd Air Expeditionary Group are a valuable resource for firefighters in helping slow down the

Pharmacist dispenses much-needed medicine for Malians

Boxes filled the small supply room-turned pharmacy as servicemembers painstakingly sorted through more than 30,000 pills destined for thousands of Malians July 15. More than 90 doctors, nurses and medical technicians deployed to Mali for MEDFLAG 08, a multinational medical training exercise designed

Human performance training optimizes Airmen

As the Air Force continues to scale down its numbers, it's more important than ever to have Airmen performing their missions at the highest levels. This means working smarter, not harder, and doing it safely. Helping to optimize the performance of members here is the goal for the 18th Aerospace

Airmen donate clothes, sports items to Malian

Months of hard work came to fruition for Airmen from Aviano Air Base, Italy, when they delivered boxes of clothing to a local orphanage July 16 in Mali. When Airmen from Aviano found out they were going to Mali for a medical mission, they joined efforts with the local community to gather more than

Officials offer incentive pay at Creech

Air Force officials have authorized assignment incentive pay, or AIP, for Airmen assigned to and performing duty at Creech Air Force Base, Nev., effective immediately. Airmen who meet the eligibility criteria will receive $300 AIP per month for the first 36 months assigned to a Creech AFB unit, and

Air National Guardsmen called to assist ground firefighting

The 129th Rescue Wing is mobilizing approximately 30 Airmen to provide direct ground support to help the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection with the current wildfire threat in northern California. The department will train the Airmen on firefighting techniques beginning later next

302nd AEG conducts its 21st day of California wild fire support

Aircraft and firefighters from the 302nd Air Expeditionary Group began their 21st day of aerial firefighting support missions July 16 in a coordinated effort to control wildfires in California. On July 15, aerial assets of the 302nd AEG did not perform aerial firefighting missions due limited

AETC first to receive new acquisitions authority

Air Education and Training Command became the first major command authorized to pursue services acquisitions valued at up to $500 million, following the signing of an agreement between the command and Air Force Acquisitions officials. The new agreement is expected to help streamline the acquisition

Lakenheath Airman gives someone a second chance at life

Staff Sgt. James D. Kelley, 48th Equipment Maintenance Squadron repair and reclamation journeyman here, is saving a life by donating peripheral blood stem cells July 18 to a hospital in Fairfax, Va.The PBSC transplant consists of shots for five days to increase the amount of stem cells in the

Airman under fire; Pararescueman saves two girls

The day started out as normal as they do in a combat area of Afghanistan, said Tech. Sgt. Clinton Beck, a pararescueman with the 24th Special Tactics Squadron.He awoke with his team of elite special operators and began planning the day's mission, he said. As the team approached their target, they

Hurricane Hunters deploy to U.S. Virgin Islands

Hurricane Hunters have deployed from the Air Force Reserve Command's 403rd Wing here to a forward operating location on St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands to be in position for storm flights. After Citizen Airmen of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron flew missions into Hurricane Bertha

Airmen sail into Coast Guard Academy

Two senior NCOs recently had the opportunity to attend the U.S. Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Academy in Petaluma, Calif. Master Sgts Christopher King and Chance Glascock took advantage of the advanced training offered to just 40 Air Force senior NCOs a year. The five-week course stresses

'Send it our way, we'll get the job done!'

Air Mobility Command Airmen in Southwest Asia work around the clock to ensure passengers and cargo move in and out of the U.S. Air Forces Central area of responsibility, proudly proclaiming, "You need it, we move it." The 255 members of the 8th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron, a tenant unit of

Malians learn life-saving techniques during exercise

In a dimly lit, dusty classroom, 32 Malian medics and nurses received their first-ever mass casualty training July 15 in Kati, Mali, 15 kilometers outside the capital city of Bamako. More than 90 servicemembers deployed to Mali for MEDFLAG 08, a multi-national medical training exercise designed to

Airman's Roll Call: Earning college credit

This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on ways Airmen can work on their college degrees while continuing the mission. The Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support program allows Airmen the opportunity to earn college credits even when they do not have the time to sit in a classroom.

Coast Guard provides maintenance support to 302nd AEG

Coast Guardsmen from Coast Guard Air Station Sacramento opened their hangar doors for maintainers from the 302nd Air Expeditionary Group, making it easier for them to work on the modular airborne fire fighting system-equipped C-130 Hercules aircraft that are assisting with fighting wildfires in

Servicemembers take part in Baghdad Boilermaker

The first Baghdad Boilermaker started with two Airmen from New York who just wanted to run the country's largest 15-kilometer race. Master Sgts. James Carrabba and Jeffrey Conant, both deployed from the 174th Fighter Wing in Syracuse, N.Y., have run the original Boilermaker in Utica, N.Y., a

Airmen return from humanitarian, training deployment

A 10-person team of Airmen from the 21st Medical Group at Peterson AFB returned from a two-week medical readiness exercise in San Miguel, El Salvador, July 3. The El Salvador deployment was part of an ongoing U.S. Southern Command MEDRETEs initiative in Central, South America and the Caribbean. This

Air Force Reserve rescuers change role, still save lives

Air Force reservists from the 920th Rescue Wing are taking on a different kind of role and saving lives in Afghanistan. Since arriving in February, they have saved 132 people flying U.S. Army medical evacuations, said Maj. Kevin Merrill, director of operations for the 305th Expeditionary Rescue

Iraqi air force reaches 2,000-flying hour milestone

The Iraqi air force reached 2,000 flying training hours here July 13, with the help of Airmen from the 52nd Expeditionary Flying Training Squadron. The milestone comes 11 months after Lt. Col. Mark Bennett, the 52nd EFTS commander, arrived at Kirkuk. "This is very significant across the entire

EOD flights take out 'things that make you go boom'

Improvised explosive devices account for more than 40 percent of all U.S. servicemember deaths, but a small group of professional Airmen make the roads of Baghdad a little safer by taking out any IED, explosively formed penetrator or unexploded ordnance that gets in their way. The 447th

Military aircrews continue California wildfire suppression support

Airmen from the 302nd Air Expeditionary Group began their 18th day of aerial firefighting support missions July 12 in a coordinated effort to control wildfires in California. The Airmen and their military airborne assets performed 26 air drops delivering more than 67,200 gallons of fire retardant

Medical team deploys to Mali for MEDFLAG 08

More than 90 servicemembers deployed to Bamako, Mali, July 11 for MEDFLAG 08, a multinational medical training exercise designed to enhance medical capabilities and readiness for U.S. and African forces. "MEDFLAG 08 gives us the opportunity to conduct medical training in a simulated mass casualty

Airman's packaging idea cuts hazmat response time

One Airman's initiative has cut the response times for hazardous material teams from hours to minutes, and his supervisors want civil engineer units throughout the Air Force to adopt the idea. Senior Airman Michael Blair, an emergency management equipment technician with the 332nd Expeditionary

Enlisted education gets new namesake

The official designation ceremony of the Thomas N. Barnes Center for Enlisted Education July 11 was the last in a series of events transforming Air University into streamlined centers for professional education, research and doctrinal development. The Barnes Center will serve as the umbrella

'Today's Air Force' features accomplishing the mission

This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" takes a look at how Airmen work together to put bombs on target. Also featured is a segment on the importance of knowing what the weather is while planning missions. And, while air traffic controllers let the pilots know when it's safe to land, who is

Airmen use explosives to dismantle C-130 in Iraq

Airmen used explosives to dismantle a C-130 Hercules stuck in a barren field northeast of Baghdad International Airport, July 7. The transport aircraft has been there since June 27, when its crew was forced to perform an emergency landing. The aircraft was deemed a security concern and it was

Chief of staff retires after 37 years

In a ceremony filled with military tradition, the 18th chief of staff of the Air Force, General T. Michael Moseley, retired July 11 after 37 years of service. "We honor here today the career of a warfighter, diplomat, historian and Airman," said former Secretary of the Air Force Michael Wynne, who

Beale Airmen prepared to welcome 450 of their neighbors

Like Airmen at many other Air Force bases, the Airmen of Beale Air Force Base, Calif., are constantly working to be good neighbors with the civilian communities outside their front gate. The Beale community may soon have a chance to demonstrate just how far they will go as they make preparations to

Iraqi air force acquires new aircraft from U.S. forces

U.S. forces transferred ownership of 11 aircraft to the Iraqi air force July 9 during a ceremony at New Al Muthana Air Base. Army Lt. Gen. Frank Helmick, commander of Multi-National Security Transition Command Iraq, signed over eight Cessna 172s and three Cessna Caravan 208s worth more than $9