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

Officials unveil portrait of AF pioneer

Air Force officials unveiled a portrait of the late Gen. Bernard Schriever in a ceremony July 8 at the Pentagon. General Schriever is often called the "father of the Air Force space and missile program" because of his advocacy of the need for space superiority and contributions to the development of

Maintainers keep C-130's flying during wildfire operations

As the fires in California continue to threaten lives and property, maintainers from the 302nd Air Expeditionary Group ensure that the modular airborne fire fighting system-equipped C-130 Hercules aircraft are ready to fly and drop fire retardant on time and on target. When it comes to getting the

Air Force to honor international contributions

The secretary of the Air Force has established an annual award to honor outstanding and innovative contributions to international affairs. Launched in January, the Air Force International Affairs Excellence Award recognizes the one Air Force person judged to be most effective in building,

AF introduces civilian acculturation, leadership program

Applications are now being accepted from Air Force civilian interns and Student Career Employment Program graduates for the Civilian Acculturation and Leadership Training program. This opportunity is a chief of staff initiative designed as an intensive leadership development program for civilians

RED HORSE engineers move full-speed ahead in Peru

A 64-member team of Air Force civil engineers are making speedy progress here in the completion of several construction projects supporting New Horizons-Peru 2008, a U.S. and Peruvian humanitarian effort to bring relief to underprivileged Peruvians. The Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational

MAFFS 'safety man' keeps people, environment safe

Since firefighting operations started June 26, Airmen from the 302nd Air Expeditionary Group have been busy on the ground, keeping operations running smoothly at McClellan Airfield, Calif. The job to keep those Airmen safe goes to Senior Master Sgt. Aaron Smith, from Cheyenne, Wyo. Sergeant Smith is

Air Force video earns top awards

A Secretary of the Air Force video describing the role of air power in the war on terrorism earned two top television awards recently. The Telly Awards honored the service's "Setting the Conditions for Victory" video with two Silver Awards, which is the highest honor bestowed to the best of local,

Airman's Roll Call: Achieve your personal best

This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on starting an aerobics regimen now, not when your annual fitness test is a week away. Today's Air Force is expeditionary, and Airmen are being tasked to do more and do it more often. These tasks require Airmen to be physically capable of performing at peak

Bagram dedicates dining facility to fallen Airman

A dining facility here was dedicated July 6 to fallen Senior Airman Jonathan A.V. Yelner, who was killed in action April 29 while on a combat patrol. In the sea of digital camouflage during the ceremony, Airman Yelner's spirit stood out amongst the crowd of mostly-Army servicemembers -- and those

Traditional reservist named first sergeant of the year

Air Force officials have selected Master Sgt. Jeffrey Gray as the winner of the 2008 First Sergeant of the Year award. Sergeant Gray, a traditional reservist, serves as first sergeant for the 328th Airlift Squadron, Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, N.Y. Sergeant Gray managed and cared for more

California fire support missions continue July 4

Airmen from the 302nd Air Expeditionary Group launched their ninth day of Aerial support missions July 4 in a coordinated effort to control wildfires in California. The aircrews, flying Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems-equipped C-130 Hercules aircraft, focused their firefighting efforts on the

Airmen continue California firefighting support

Aimen from the 302nd Air Expeditionary Group launched their eighth day of Aerial support missions July 3 in a coordinated effort to control wildfires in California. The C-130 aircrews focused their firefighting efforts on the Gap fire in the Los Padres National Forest and the Piute fire located in

SECDEF visits McChord, Fort Lewis

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates visited Airmen here and Soldiers at neighboring Fort Lewis July 7-8. Secretary Gates, who lives near Mount Vernon, Wash., when he is not at the Pentagon, stopped by McChord AFB and Fort Lewis on his way back to Washington D.C. after the Independence Day holiday.

California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger visits 302nd AEG

During a visit to the California National Guard fire fighting training facility at McClellan Airfield here, California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger paid a brief visit to the 302nd Air Expeditionary Group to wish Airmen a happy 4th of July and thank them for their service in assisting with

'Perspective' discusses knowing the basics

In his latest "Enlisted Perspective," the Air Force's top enlisted Airman focuses on the importance of knowing the basics, and practicing and performing them well. "Many Airmen know that I enjoy college football," said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley. "There is one thing that

Teamwork helps Airmen fight fires

Airmen of the 302nd Air Expeditionary Group continued to work with national agencies July 5 to support firefighting efforts in California. Launching from McClellan Airfield, eight Modular Airborne Firefighting System-equipped C-130 Hercules aircraft flew a total of 40 sorties July 5 and dropped a

Air Force names 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year

Air Force officials have selected the service's top enlisted members, naming the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2008. An Air Force selection board at the Air Force Personnel Center here considered 33 nominees who represented major commands, direct reporting units, field operating agencies and

Air traffic controller supports California wildfire effort

As a C-130 Hercules from the 302nd Air Expeditionary Group rolls down the ramp here ready to take off to fight California's wildfires, an air traffic controller in the tower at McClellan Airfield ensures each flight takes off and lands safely. William Grava looks over the airfield and scans the

Sather Airmen make each shot count

The scene is a typical firing range, not unlike what one would find built for a gun club or on an Army post or Air Force base. The line safety officers meticulously watch the novice shooters, holding their weapons properly, aiming at a silhouette target further down the range. "Is the line ready,"

Air Force, Boeing officials upgrade C-130 cockpits

Members of the 418th Flight Test Squadron here working with Boeing officials are currently conducting communication, navigation, radar and air data testing on two C-130 Hercules aircraft here as part of the Avionics Modernization Program. The Avionics Modernization Program, or AMP, upgrade includes

Airmen fight California fires for 12th day

Airmen of the 302nd Air Expeditionary Group here began their 12th day of aerial firefighting support missions July 7 in a coordinated effort to control wildfires in California. The 302nd AEG military airborne assets performed 69 airdrops delivering more than 100,300 gallons of fire retardant and

Promotion release 'virtual' success

It was deathly quiet at 7:45 a.m. at the Air Force Personnel Center here June 26. Both here, and around the world, noncommissioned officers eligible for promotion to technical and master sergeant hit the Internet, hoping someone had posted the promotion list prior to the 8 a.m. scheduled release. At

'Today's Air Force' features Joint Precision Airdrop System

This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights members of the 777th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron and how their efforts are keeping our Airmen out of harm's way. Also featured is the Joint Precision Airdrop System. See how the combined efforts of the Air Force and Army are improving

Andrews Airman participates in national golf tournament

When he was in high school, Senior Master Sgt. Kirk Kessler worked part-time at a golf course in Mobridge, S.D., to earn some cash and play the sport for free. As he mowed the fairways and greens, he didn't think much of the game. "I played a little bit, but I didn't take the game seriously," he

Deployed servicemembers celebrate Fourth of July in Afghanistan

Servicemembers assigned to the Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan celebrated America's 232nd Independence Day today in the traditional way, but in a non-traditional setting. Serving thousands of miles away from home in a warzone, servicemembers took time off to recharge and partake in

President salutes wounded Airman at medical center groundbreaking

A scar peeked out from beneath the navy blue beret Staff Sgt. Scott Lilley borrowed to wear July 3 during a groundbreaking ceremony for the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center here. "Luckily we have the same size head," said the cap's owner, Staff Sgt. Michael Barczik of Andrews Air Force

Evacuation system continues improving to get troops home

Since October 2001, more than 48,000 Soldiers, Marines, Sailors and Airmen have been aeromedically evacuated in support of the war on terrorism for both battle and nonbattle injuries. Air Mobility Command's Aeromedical Evacuation system provides the critical medical care from the front lines and

F-15E pilot receives American Fighter Aces award

An F-15E Strike Eagle pilot from the 4th Fighter Wing here received the American Fighter Aces Association's Francis S. Gabreski Award June 27 at an awards ceremony in Austin, Texas. Capt. Shannon Lippert, currently a member of the 336th Fighter Squadron, competed against pilots of all aircraft types

Iraqi air force soars through U.S.-guided exercise

Members of the Coalition Air Force Training Team assigned to the 370th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron here have been training and mentoring Iraqi air force members in their functional areas for years. Recently, the 370th AEAS staff partnered with members of the 447th Air Expeditionary Group at

Airmen's support of California fires goes into seventh day

Airmen of the 302nd Air Expeditionary Group here have launched their seventh day of support missions July 2 in a coordinated effort to control wildfires in northern California. Operating out of McClellan Airfield in Sacramento, the Airmen fly C-130 Hercules aircraft equipped with the Modular

AETC officials welcome new commander

Air Education and Training Command officials welcomed their new commander in a change-of-command ceremony July 2 at Randolph Air Force Base. Gen. Stephen R. Lorenz assumed command of AETC as Gen. Duncan J. McNabb, the Air Force vice chief of staff, presided over the ceremony.General Lorenz is

Airman laid to rest after 30 years

For 10 years, Capt. Christopher Joyce has carried the memory of Senior Master Sgt. James Caniford around his wrist. Sergeant Caniford, a former 16th Special Operations Squadron illuminator operator, was recently identified after more than 30 years listed as missing in action from the Vietnam

Hurlburt Airmen work together to save life

Two Air Force Special Operations Command Airmen here have been credited with helping save the life of a local man recently at an area YMCA after the man suffered a heart attack. Spending a hot, muggy afternoon watching children play tee ball, a man and his wife were walking with their grandchildren

National Guard ordered to battle California wildfires

Approximately 200 California National Guard members were ordered by the state governor July 2 to provide direct ground support to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to extinguish wildfires in the northern part of the state. There are already more than 500 Guard Soldiers and

Acting secretary shares his perspective with Airmen

The U.S. Air Force core values of integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do will remain in place, said Acting Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley during a July 1 visit here.In his first visit to an Air Force base since being named to the position, Secretary Donley

Air Force officials clarify uniform change announcements

As the Air Force transitions from the legacy battle dress to the modern airman battle uniform, questions and concerns are bound to come up, said the head of Air Force uniform and recognition branch. "Anytime there is new information about uniforms for Airmen, we will get that out to the field as

Personnel Center officials on target to complete AEF merger

Vince Fonner walks into the newly constructed operations center at the Air Force Personnel Center here to check on a couple of new high-resolution monitors. He nods his approval as workers begin to carefully position them in the work areas. Although some keyboard trays need to be installed and a few

Airman's Roll Call: Don't become a statistic

Independence Day weekend is almost here and this week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on playing it safe while celebrating the nation's birthday this weekend. To ensure the weekend is safe for everyone and to prevent anyone from becoming a statistic, Airmen should make operational risk management a

Cyberspace career fields, training paths, badge proposed

Air Force officials recently proposed a plan to develop its enlisted and officer corps into Airmen who specialize in establishing, controlling and fighting in the cyberspace domain. That's according to Maj. Gen. William T. Lord, the Air Force Cyber Command (Provisional) commander who referenced

Airmen support California firefighting for sixth day

Airmen of the 302nd Air Expeditionary Group here are into their sixth day of California wildfire support July 1 helping to control fires engulfing areas of the Sequoia National Forest. Airmen of the 302nd AEG operate out of McClellan Airfield in Sacramento and fly C-130 Hercules aircraft equipped

U.S. Forces Japan commander reviews troops

The commander of both U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force spoke about the importance of meeting the men and women stationed on Okinawa as he toured Kadena Air Base and other local American bases June 18 through 20. Lt. Gen. Edward A. Rice Jr. said seeing the servicemembers stationed here with his

Recruit sheds weight to join Air Force

A Charleston-area resident weighing 253 pounds lost more than 80 pounds in eight months to meet weight requirements to join the Air Force in time to go to Basic Military Training July 1. "I wasn't surprised that I weighed too much (then), but I really didn't know the weight limit would be that low,"

'Letter to Airmen' recommits to high standards

In his first Letter to Airmen, the acting secretary of the Air Force focuses on how the Air Force will direct attention to the nuclear mission to overcome cultural, systemic and institutional challenges. "To begin restoring our inner confidence and credibility, I have directed the establishment of a

Airmen launch fifth day of California fire support

Airmen and aircraft of the 302nd Air Expeditionary Group here launched their fifth day of California wildfire support June 30 in an effort to control fires engulfing areas of the Tahoe and Los Padres National Forests. The 302nd AEG C-130 Hercules aircraft carry the Modular Airborne Firefighting

National Security Agency awards trophy to Beale unit

National Security Agency officials recently selected the 13th Intelligence Squadron at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., as the Air Force winner of the 2007 Director's Trophy, awarded annually for outstanding direct tactical signals intelligence contributions to warfighters. The Director's Trophy is

July-August Airman magazine now available

In the latest issue of Airman magazine, Airmen who maintain the twin-tailed A-10 Thunderbolt II in Afghanistan know their gun-toting jets spread fear among insurgents.So maintainers do whatever it takes to keep the aging ground-attack fighter jets -- which they call the "hog" -- flying in the war on

Wounded warriors tour Randolph

A training accident that caused the loss of his left leg, multiple burns and resulted in 15 surgeries couldn't keep Marine Capt. Ryan Voltin out of a cockpit June 27 here. Captain Voltin flew a T-6A Texan II simulator after hoisting himself into an actual T-6A on the flightline as Randolph Air Force

Tuskegee Airman dies

Retired Lt. Col. Charles Dryden, 87, one of the famed "Tuskegee Airmen" who broke the military's color barrier by becoming a World War II fighter pilot, died June 24 in Atlanta. Colonel Dryden was born Sept. 16, 1920 in New York City to Jamaican parents. He graduated from Peter Stuyvesant High

Program offers enlisted members chance to LEAD

Enlisted Airmen with eyes on U.S. Air Force Academy appointments may have their chance to become an officer through the Leaders Encouraging Airman Development program. The program, initiated in 1995 by Gen. Ronald R. Fogleman, the former Air Force chief of staff, delegates authority to unit and wing

Former ESC commander receives Order of the Sword

The NCOs of Air Force Materiel Command inducted retired Lt. Gen. Charles L. Johnson II, the former Electronic Systems Center commander, into the AFMC Order of the Sword during a June 20 ceremony here. During the ceremony, General Johnson praised the enlisted corps for the professionalism and

Third Reserve C-130 joins California wildfire fight

A third Air Force Reserve Command C-130H Hercules was dispatched June 27 to help fight raging wild fires in California. Officials from the 302nd Airlift Wing from Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., sent the additional airplane and crews to join the 302nd Air Expeditionary Group at McClellan Airfield in

Air Boss Conference brings leaders together

Leaders from around the world came together here June 26 to 27 to discuss deterrence and evaluate the war plan used to ensure peace and stability in South Korea. The 7th Air Force, Pacific Air Forces and Osan Air Base Commander Lt. Gen. Stephen G. Wood hosts the Air Boss Conference annually. The

Airmen give dead engine new life

There is life after death. Airmen of the 934th Maintenance Squadron here took a T-56-A-7 turboprop engine with more than 22,000 hours of total time running destined for the "bone yard" at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., and now use it to train unit members. The engine was condemned and its

Guard chief: Firefighting, flood efforts 'outstanding'

The chief of the National Guard Bureau assessed the National Guard's California fire and Midwest flood-fighting efforts firsthand June 26 and 27 calling their support "superb." "They're handling very difficult and complex issues in a very competent and professional manner," said Army Lt. Gen. H.

'Today's Air Force' features Midwest flooding

This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights the efforts of Air and Army National guardsmen and the battle of what has been called, the 500-year flood. Guardsmen are working with local officials to re-enforce levees, keeping an evacuation mission from becoming a rescue mission. And RED

Airmen donate medical equipment to Bulgarian hospital

Airmen from Homestead Air Reserve Base recently raised $2,800 to purchase a new cardiac monitor for the children's ward at local hospital during a deployment to Graf-Isnatievo Air Base, Bulgaria. Reservists from the 482nd Fighter Wing deployed with 10 F-16 Fighting Falcons to train with Bulgarian

Memorial visit a family affair for top enlisted Airman, uncle

When Army veteran Richard McKinley visited the World War II Memorial here for the first time June 24, the Air Force's top enlisted man -- his nephew -- was there to greet him. The Ohio resident was visibly moved by Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley, his brother's son, taking time

National Guard on duty from coast to coast

About 2,300 Air and Army National Guard members remain on duty in the Midwest, down from a peak of more than 5,700, officials reported. Meanwhile, officials in California called for more aircraft to fight the wildfires. While the number of guardmembers needed on the ground went down, the number of

Airmen bring joy through cooking at Center for the Intrepid

The apartment-style kitchen on the fourth floor of the Center for the Intrepid in San Antonio was bubbling with excitement June 24 as the sound of conversation and the smell of delicious foods permeated the air. The Center, located near Brooke Army Medical Center, provides traumatic amputee

Citizen Airmen prepare for war on fire

Airmen, deployed to California for firefighting support, are getting ready to take the fight to nature's fury. "I'm proud both the Air Force Reserve and (Air National Guard) are able to support such a vital national mission," said Tech. Sgt. Scott Bailey, a loadmaster with the 302nd Airlift Wing at

Airmen work to keep pilots safe

South Korean army UAVs enhance training at Kunsan

Airmen from the 8th Civil Engineer Squadron here and South Korean army soldiers teamed up for combined nuclear, biological and chemical training June 23 and 24 at Kunsan Air Base. The two-day training course presented the two forces with scenarios requiring them to protect and sustain mission

Berlin Airlift vets return to Germany for anniversary

For 50 years, Dub Southers recalled the grueling hours he worked at an air base in northern Germany at the start of the Berlin Airlift, not the historical significance of what he helped achieve as a flight engineer and crew chief. He remembered well the stacks of coal being shipped in from local

'Falcon' lands in Afghanistan

The U.S. Air Forces Central band "Falcon" showcased its musical talents for audiences June 20 to 22 at Bagram Air Base. The band entertained attendees of the 455th Expeditionary Operations Group change-of-command ceremony with a variety of pop music before and after the ceremony. During the formal