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  • Airmen defend inside the wire

    One group of Airmen here enables local and third-country nationals to work here, which helps Kirkuk officials reduce military manpower needed and provide security to thousands of residents.Airmen escorts came from bases and various career fields throughout the Air Force and brought here to “defend

  • Airmen share culture with South Koreans

    Airmen here got to see what it is like on the “other side of the fence” recently when they spent the night learning and sharing experiences with more than 20 South Korean families from nearby Jeonju City.Airmen from several base squadrons volunteered for the Korean Red Cross Cultural Awareness

  • Moseley confirmation hearing held

    The Air Force chief of staff nominee testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee here June 29."I am deeply humbled and honored to be here," Gen. T. Michael Moseley said. "I truly appreciate the enormity and responsibility of the office of chief of staff of the Air Force."General Moseley,

  • 50th anniversary of B-52 delivery

    Even though it recently turned 50, the B-52 Stratofortress is still capable of dropping or launching the widest array of weapons in the U.S. inventory. And its lifespan has been calculated to extend beyond the year 2040. June 29 marked the 50th anniversary for the B-52, also known as the “Big Ugly

  • Airmen get ACCES to better communication

    The most important word in a maintenance operation is “stop!” To help spread the work, the attenuating customized communications earpiece system was developed by Air Force Research Laboratory scientists and local F/A-22 Raptor specialists. The earpiece makes it easier for pilots and maintainers to

  • Dominguez talks about present course in Iraq, future for Airmen

    During the acting secretary of the Air Force’s visit here June 29, he said part of the reason he came was to pass on a message. “I want to let you know how deeply appreciated your service is by the men and women of the United States,” Michael L. Dominguez said. “There is a debate in our country

  • Jumper stresses core values, spiritual strength

    As part of service in the Air Force, Airmen are expected to embrace its core values, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper said in a Chief’s Sight Picture released June 28. These values -- integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do -- are a guide that binds Airmen

  • Airman missing from Vietnam War identified

    The Department of Defense POW/MIA Personnel Office announced June 29 that the remains of an Airman, missing in action from the Vietnam War, have been identified and are being returned to his family for burial.Lt. Col. Darel Leetun of Hettinger, N.D., will be buried with full military honors July 8

  • President thanks troops, urges Americans to thank them too

    President Bush expressed his gratitude June 28 to the nation's servicemembers and their families, and urged Americans to take time on Independence Day to make their own gesture of thanks.President Bush spoke at Fort Bragg, N.C., in a nationally televised address."To the Soldiers in this hall and our

  • 60th Fighter Squadron wins air-superiority trophy

    For the second time in less than 10 years, the 60th Fighter Squadron is the winner of the Raytheon Trophy.Started in 1953 by Hughes Aircraft Company, the trophy is given annually to the top air-superiority or air-defense squadron in the Air Force.“It’s quite an honor -- bottom line it’s the highest

  • Command chief board announces results

    Air Force officials have announced the results of the 2005 Command Chief Master Sergeant Candidate Board held June 6 to 10.Command chief master sergeants serve as senior enlisted advisers to commanders at wing, numbered Air Force, field operating agency and major command levels. When the senior

  • Mobility bags must be packed, ready

    When most people plan to travel, they take time to make sure they have packed everything they will need for their trip. Sometimes, forgetting a toothbrush can put a damper on a vacation. However, in the military, troops must be ready to go at a moment’s notice. On a deployment to a hazardous duty

  • Airman flies to Dog Island to test radio communication

    An avid private pilot and amateur radio operator assigned here participated in Field Day 2005 on June 25, a national emergency preparedness exercise aimed at ham radio operators.Working alone on a desolate island, Lt. Col. Edward Linch combined his two passions and brought a concept he has long

  • Band member selected for ‘Hope’ award

    Air Force Personnel Center officials recently announced the U.S. Air Force Band’s superintendent here as the recipient of the 2005 U.S. Armed Forces Spirit of Hope Award for the Air Force.Senior Master Sgt. Ann Hinote has been a band member for 17 years.The Spirit of Hope Award is presented annually

  • Airman tests new body armor

    Carried into the Air Force theater hospital, wounded badly in the shoulder and thigh, a servicemember is lucky to be alive. The body armor he was wearing protected his vital organs but could not stop the bullets from tearing into his unprotected body parts.It was not all just luck though. The

  • Air Force approves Afghanistan, Iraqi campaign medals

    Air Force officials have authorized Airmen to wear the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and the Iraqi Campaign Medal.The Department of Defense campaign medals apply to active-duty Airmen, reservists and guardsmen deployed on or after Oct. 24, 2001, for Operation Enduring Freedom and March 19, 2003, for

  • Airmen, Soldiers open lines of communication

    Since the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the area surrounding Baghdad International Airport has developed into a series of bases, each with its own unique role in fighting the war on terrorism.Now, a small group of Airmen and Soldiers are working together to link each of those bases together

  • Officials urge Airmen to be wary of scams

    “Congratulations! You’re the winner of $6 million. All we need you to do is contact our agent to begin the claim process.”At one time or another, most people have received this type of offer in the mail or by e-mail. This “to-good-to-be-true” offer is in fact a scam to entice people to give up

  • Total force Samaritans in the sand help friend, foe

    As the story goes, a good Samaritan helped an injured stranger along a well-traveled road in the Middle East more than 2,000 years ago.Today, hundreds of miles farther east, reservists of the 433rd Medical Squadron are working with about 140 Airmen of the 59th Medical Wing at Wilford Hall Medical

  • Exercise trains U.S. forces for combat missions

    Airmen, Sailors and Marines got a taste of realistic combat during Pacific Air Force’s premier combat-air power exercise, Cooperative Cope Thunder, which ended here June 24.About 400 U.S. forces and their 30 aircraft conducted operations together during two weeks of large-force employment training.

  • Air Force teams compete in pit-stop challenge

    Millions of NASCAR fans each year watch as professional pit-stop crews speedily change out tires and refill gas, but eight Air Force teams got to experience this rush for themselves. The Air Force’s car, No. 21, visited here June 23 to conduct a pit-stop demonstration and competition. The Air Force

  • Airmen add armor to convoy vehicles

    Airmen here are adding life-saving armor to large trucks to protect troops on convoy missions throughout Iraq. While these monsters of the road may look menacing now, it was not always this way, officials said. In many cases, their complete transformation can be traced back to the Airmen of the

  • Airdrop, refueling events take flight at Rodeo 2005

    The airdrop and air refueling event at Rodeo 2005 included 33 international and U.S. aircraft on a mission to become the best of the best.“These crewmembers were sent by their wings and their nations to represent them, having gone through intense training to hone their skills to be the best

  • Seymour Johnson crew carries Reserve torch at Rodeo

    Aircraft at Rodeo 2005 come in many shapes and sizes, but one thing they have in common is their need for a steady supply of fuel.The 916th Air Refueling Wing at Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C., is one of nine refueling wings, and the only Reserve refueling wing, competing here. The wing flies the KC-135

  • Life support takes new meaning for deployed Airmen

    Two small shops with more than double the workload as at home station pray their efforts supporting Operation Enduring Freedom are all for naught.That is because lives depend upon flawless work on the life support equipment in their care. If the equipment is never used, life support Airmen say that

  • Teams flex muscle during Rodeo fitness event

    The 715th Air Mobility Operations Group team from Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, finished first in the fit-to-fight competition at Rodeo 2005 here June 19 with a score of 297 points.The competition, worth a possible 300 points, was the first in Rodeo history, stemming from the desire of Gen. John P.

  • Guard Airmen join total force Rodeo

    A 19-person team from the 121st Air Refueling Wing in Columbus, Ohio, is the only Air National Guard unit competing in Rodeo 2005.“It is our honor to be here and further the tradition of the citizen-Soldier,” said Maj. Dave Johnson, 121st ARW team commander. “We are proud to go shoulder to shoulder

  • Competitors battle ants and obstacles on Rodeo course

    One hundred million ants, 800 possible points, 150 pounds to carry, 13 umpires, eight obstacles, five teams, two visiting generals, and one endurance course … priceless.Participants in the aeromedical evacuation endurance course event may be new to Rodeo, but they took the challenge head-on and made

  • Grounded, but governing the sky

    While F-15 Eagles and F-16 Fighting Falcons take off from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, for one of the many Cooperative Cope Thunder exercise scenarios, Japanese and Australian weapons control officers sit side by side viewing and controlling the sky.To do so, the controllers use a computer-based

  • Bangladeshi airmen observe Cooperative Cope Thunder

    Observers from the Bangladesh air force are attending this year’s Cooperative Cope Thunder to help prepare for their first participation in 2007. Their observation included a facilities tour such as the flightline, hangar bays and ramp space. “While here, we’ve had many questions about Cope Thunder

  • Air Warrior II tests aircrews and controllers

    A-10 Thunderbolt IIs are participating in Air Warrior II, a large-scale combat exercise here.The Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., aircrews are helping prepare 10th Mountain Division Soldiers for an upcoming deployment to Afghanistan, said Maj. Joel Hampton, 548th Combat Training Squadron

  • Moving season highlights need for good customer service

    After receiving only part of his unaccompanied baggage shipment, an Airman here became concerned about the whereabouts of the remainder of his shipment.“After checking into the status of the rest of my unaccompanied baggage, I found out that the paperwork from my last base was not completed

  • Pilot dies after U-2 Dragon Lady crashes in Southwest Asia

    The pilot of an Air Force U-2 Dragon Lady died when his plane crashed at a forward-deployed location here in the early hours of June 22.The pilot completed flying a mission supporting Operation Enduring Freedom and was returning to base when the crash occurred. His name is being withheld pending

  • Communications Airmen complete Rodeo ‘puzzle’

    Months of preparation have allowed base officials to assemble the puzzle pieces necessary to run Rodeo 2005. Perhaps one of the most essential, and busiest, pieces of the puzzle has been the Airmen of the 62nd Communications Squadron here.With more than 1,000 people coming here for the one-week air

  • Maintainers keep 'Thunder' rolling

    With more than 47 aircraft from the United States, Japan and the United Kingdom converging on the flightline here for Cooperative Cope Thunder, the "Thunder Dome" is serving as the nerve center of maintenance activities vital to deployed units.The Thunder Dome is nothing like the gladiator-style

  • Rodeo umpires offer critical eye

    There is a room in a hangar here where only a select few are admitted, but every competitor at Rodeo 2005 wants access. It is the room where scores are recorded and winners are identified for every event this year.Providing the raw data for the score keepers in that room will be 250 umpires -- men

  • Officials release Albania accident report

    An accident investigation board found that a loss of situational awareness by the flight deck crew caused the March 31 crash of an Air Force MC-130H Combat Talon II in Albania.The nine Airmen on the 7th Special Operations Squadron aircraft, based at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, were killed.

  • Premier air mobility competition kicks off

    “Ladies and gentlemen, let the fight begin -- Rodeo’s on!”Brig. Gen. David S. “Scott” Gray kicked off the Rodeo 2005 competition with those words June 19 when Rodeo participants and observers gathered on the flightline here for the opening ceremony. He is the Rodeo commander and the commander of

  • General Looney takes command of AETC

    Gen. William R. Looney III became the commander of Air Education and Training Command here June 17 taking the helm of the Air Force’s “first command.”Gen. John P. Jumper, Air Force chief of staff, presided at the flightline ceremony, which more than 1,200 people attended.General Looney came to AETC

  • Airman saves children from drowning

    An Airman here was expecting to have some fun in the sun on a weekend trip to the beach during a recent trip. He was not expecting to save children from drowning.Staff Sgt. Jozsef Nagy, an Internet services technician with the Air Force Weather Agency, was attending a network management training

  • Egress Airmen save family

    On what should have been a peaceful, relaxing day off, Airmen here found themselves busy rescuing a family from a water disaster.During a kayaking trip, Airmen 1st Class Todd Branthoover, Erik Main and Walter Lewis, and Senior Airman Mark Medonis, all of the 33rd Maintenance Squadron’s egress shop,

  • Predator provides close-air support to embattled Marines in Iraq

    An MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle destroyed an anti-Iraqi forces mortar launch site near Al Qaim on June 18 while assisting Marines under enemy fire.The air strike occurred during Operation Spear in which U.S. and Iraqi security forces in Iraq’s Anbar province called in air strikes on

  • Granite Thunder 2005 rocks New Boston

    A van lies on its side at the edge of a road where two men sprint from the scene into the nearby woods. As a figure lies motionless in the grass beside the van, an ear-piercing explosion suddenly rocks the vehicle, shrouding it and the unknown figure in smoke. Debris arcs high into the air before

  • Weather forecasters provide support in Kosovo

    When some people want to start a conversation with a stranger or someone they have not seen for a while, they may ask the long-standing question, “What do you think of the weather?”As weather forecasters, a small group of Airmen deployed to Camp Bondsteel in Kosovo take the question one step

  • New one-star joins two-star brother

    As Maj. Gen. Stanley Gorenc watched his younger brother, Brig. Gen. Frank Gorenc, pin on his first star, they became two of 271 general officers in the active-duty Air Force out of its more than 350,000 AirmenThe younger brother was promoted during a frocking ceremony June 15 as he relinquished

  • Kadena aircrew evacuates boy from Saipan

    A life-threatening emergency on the island of Saipan prompted a team of Airmen here into action recently.An aircrew from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron and medics from the 18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron transported a severely injured 15-month-old boy out of Saipan.“It was a Friday afternoon

  • Deployed dads get ‘live’ visits from families

    Six deployed dads got a special Father’s Day present from their families here June 15 when they were linked up via video teleconference.The six Airmen, all deployed to Balad Air Base, Iraq, were told they would be doing television interviews with local reporters about being deployed on Father’s Day.

  • Yokota radar techs keep Pacific aircraft safe

    Every day, technicians here ensure air traffic control radars correctly and safely track incoming and outgoing Department of Defense military and contracted civilian aircraft. Radar is air traffic control’s primary surveillance system, said Tech. Sgt. Michael Smith, ground radar systems supervisor

  • EOD Airmen work to keep Kandahar safe

    There are many unsung heroes in the war on terrorism. From the security forces Airmen at the front gates to the supply clerks who keep the warfighters equipped, it takes a strong effort behind the scenes to keep today’s Air Force flying.Here, however, it is difficult to find a group that does more

  • New majors selected for IDE

    The P0404A Major Central Selection Board recently held at the Air Force Personnel Center here selected officers for promotion and identified those selected for intermediate developmental education.Officers selected will join a resource pool of officers who will be considered for future attendance at

  • Online purchase turns into historical find

    The online purchase of one person here will soon be displayed in an Air Force historical museum. Jeffery Hughes, a 305th Mission Support Squadron human resource assistant, recently donated a rare set of 1955 Airman test stripes to the Air Mobility Command Museum at Dover Air Force Base, Del.Mr.

  • Life on the other side of the litter

    During the 1991 Gulf War, Marine Sgt. Brian Ackerman was a member of Task Force Grizzly, the American force that swept through the desert into Kuwait to liberate it from Iraqi forces.After Sergeant Ackerman’s unit made it into Kuwait City and began busting down doors looking for resistance, an Iraqi

  • Airmen establish early warning network with locals

    Instead of relying solely on patrolmen and sensors to analyze the ever-evolving installation defense puzzle, security forces specialists here are using the help of a previously underused weapon system -- word of mouth. Security forces patrol teams responsible for securing Tallil’s perimeter are

  • 379th AMU fighter maintenance family affair

    Like many father and son teams, Senior Master Sgt. Joe Franco and Staff Sgt. Joe Franco plan on spending Father’s Day getting out the toolbox and tinkering around with a vehicle.Only the wrenches will not be spread out under a carport or at a base auto hobby shop. Not this year.The elder Franco, of

  • Face-to-face counseling available to Airmen, families

    Sometimes an Airman needs someone to talk to, and although his or her supervisor or friends are available, they are not always the right ones to listen.The Air Force, as part of a larger effort within the Department of Defense, offers Airmen a professional, private, face-to-face counseling as part

  • Reservists required to register civilian employment info

    Time is running out for about 15,000 Air Force reservists in the Selected Reserve to comply with a Department of Defense directive. Oct. 31 is the deadline for reservists who are paid for training to register information about their civilian place of employment. About 60,000 of these Airmen,

  • 2006 Thunderbirds team includes first female pilot

    U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, “Thunderbirds,” officials announced their new pilots for the 2006 demonstration season which includes the first female demonstration pilot in the 52-year history of the Thunderbirds. Capt. Nicole Malachowski, of the 494th Fighter Squadron at Royal Air Force

  • Guardsmen familiarize Polish airmen with F-16

    Once adversaries, American F-16 Fighting Falcons and Soviet-era MiG-29s sit side by side on the flightline here during exercise Sentry White Falcon 2005.Warm emotions can be felt as the Polish and American pilots share each other’s planes; sometimes the fighter pilots cannot fight away the

  • Air Force shooting team takes silver, bronze at trap match

    The Air Force International Trap Shooting Team recently competed in the 2005 Interservice Trap Championships and won two medals.The five-day competition here brought Air Force and Army marksmen together to compete in international trap and double-trap events.Capt. Mike Herman from Schriever Air

  • Airman saves life while TDY

    Air Command and Staff College student Maj. Michael Jansen cannot explain his actions while on temporary duty to Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., for specialized study of air and space power. “Something like that may happen once in your lifetime, but hopefully never,” he said. “You can’t plan how you

  • New mission arrives at Incirlik

    A new mission kicked off here recently with the arrival and departure of C-17 Globemaster IIIs carrying cargo to Iraq supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.The new mission, which works on a “hub and spoke” concept, calls for cargo to come into the base from Charleston Air Force Base, S. C., and be

  • U.S. military showcases mission, aircraft at Paris Air Show

    U.S. servicemembers were on hand to offer tours of eight U.S. military aircraft at the 46th Annual Paris Air Show’s official opening June 13.French president Jacques Chirac attended the ribbon cutting ceremony at the Le Bourget Exposition Park biannual event that allows traders, exhibitors and

  • Former professional athletes visit Airmen in Southwest Asia

    Airmen from the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing at a forward-deployed location received a special visit June 12 and 13, courtesy of the United Services Organization. And they went big, very big, with the celebrity guest list.National Basketball Association player and current hoops talking head, Charles

  • STRATCOM Airman on target for world title

    For three years, a space operations officer assigned at U.S. Strategic Command here has prepared for a chance to fulfill his dream of representing the red, white and blue at the world championship of practical shooting. His dream will become a reality Aug. 21 in Guayaquil, Ecuador.Maj. Roger

  • Radio shop keeps deployed Airmen in tune

    A small shop has a big job here. The two-person shop within the 40th Air Expeditionary Group’s communications flight is responsible for programming, maintaining and tracking more than 360 hand-held radios, 299 pagers, a public address system, giant voice, about 15 television services and 200 phones

  • KC-10 air refueling sorties vital to combat missions

    KC-10 Extender crews know how important every mission is; however, success is even sweeter when major barriers are overcome to launch just one mission.This was especially true as maintainers and operators at a forward-deployed location overcame one obstacle after another to launch a KC-10, allowing

  • Communications flight Airmen link base with outside world

    Without people like Staff Sgt. Karisa Szczygiel and Senior Airman Keith Hopson life at this forward-deployed location would be lonely and quiet. Morale and mission accomplishment certainly would be severely degraded if not downright nonexistent. The two Airmen are part of a 12-person shop within

  • Cooperative Cope Thunder kicks off

    The sky above Alaska is brimming with activity as Pacific Air Force’s premier composite force exercise kicked off here June 9.Cooperative Cope Thunder runs through June 24 with operations here and at nearby Elmendorf Air Force Base.The exercise highlights multinational operations combined with

  • Supply Airmen keep deployed essentials on shelf

    Continuously keeping supplies on the shelf to support military operations here falls on the shoulders of a group of Airmen from the 416th Expeditionary Mission Support Squadron’s supply section.They ensure warfighters have the necessary gear and parts to effectively fight the war on terrorism. They

  • Latest C-130J evolution arrives on desert ramp

    The faster more powerful C-130 Hercules J-models and the stretch version arrived in Southwest Asia on June 7 and 8, bringing state-of-the-art technology to the war on terrorism.Airmen with the Rhode Island Air National Guard’s 143rd Airlift Squadron, the California ANG’s 146th AS and the Maryland

  • Iraqi airmen tack on master sergeant’s stripes

    An Airman here chose to have two unusual attendees, or in his words, his adopted family, tack on his new stripes recently. Master Sgt. Bubba Beason, 777th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron pneudraulic systems technician instructor deployed from Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., asked two

  • Airman missing from Vietnam War identified

    The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced that the remains of an Airman, missing in action from the Vietnam War, have been identified and were returned to his family for burial at Arlington National Cemetery on June 10.He is Col. James Carter of Johnson City, Tenn.On Feb. 3,

  • Airmen join Soldiers taking Kenya military to new heights

    As the sun rose June 6, seven Airmen wearing desert flightsuits stood outside the guarded entrance to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport waiting for their passengers.The C-130 Hercules crew, deployed to Southwest Asia from the 440th Airlift Wing at General Mitchell Air Reserve Base, Wis., were

  • Airmen reflect on friend’s death

    The base lost a valued member in a car accident Memorial Day weekend. As grief hangs heavy over Shaw, leaders, co-workers and friends continue to ask why.Senior Airman Justin Morrow, 55th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, died from injuries sustained while traveling at night. He was not wearing his seat

  • Being smart with money while deployed

    While deployed, Airmen receive many entitlements. They receive combat zone tax exclusion, $225 hostile fire pay per month, $3.50 per diem and for those with families, $250 family separation allowance per month. Airmen who live in dormitories at their home station also receive basic allowance for

  • Hot days are on their way

    When one pictures the combination of sand and sun, tropical paradise may come to mind. But here, that tag team can be one terrible tandem.With the dog days of summer almost upon Iraq, temperatures are rising daily, and dust storms are making frequent visits here.“The weather pattern during the

  • Airmen keep base safe in austere conditions

    Not many Airmen here would volunteer to stand, dressed in their body armor, in the summer desert heat for 13 hours a day watching the perimeter. However, that is exactly what security forces Airmen do every day to keep people and assets here safe.“We secure the base and ensure nobody breaks the

  • Volunteers collect supplies for local Iraqi schools

    Most adults remember the joy of receiving a new box of crayons or coloring book as a child. In the U.S., this moment of joy is easy to achieve, but in Iraq, it is nearly impossible for some schoolchildren.Airmen and Soldiers here are trying to change that -- one school packet at a time.As

  • Yokota couple wins O’Malley award

    Sources have it that behind every good man stands a good woman.Col. Mark Schissler, a former 374th Airlift Wing commander here, said he has to agree.His wife, Marcia, and himself led the wing and its tenant units through two years of relief efforts, community relations events, inspections and

  • Tech, master promotion rates announced

    Air Force officials have selected 6,630 of 25,454 eligible technical sergeants for promotion to master sergeant; and 9,116 of 43,379 eligible staff sergeants for promotion to technical sergeant.The master sergeant selection rate rose 0.10 percent from last year to 26.05 percent, while this year's

  • Report lists multiple factors in fatal accident

    An Air Force report concluded multiple safety violations led to an August accident resulting in the death of one Airman and the serious injury of another. Senior Airman Jesse Williamson Jr. died, and Senior Airman Ryan Robinson sustained serious injuries when the boom lift from which they were

  • Air Force Research Lab gives new meaning to ‘battlebots’

    An unidentified man walks toward a security forces vehicle. A loud, firm voice warns the man to “halt and be identified.” The man does not comply and continues to advance. The vehicle backs up cautiously flashing its red and blue lights to make sure the man knows he is dealing with security

  • Dominguez invites ministry team to academy

    The Air Force invited the National Conference on Ministry to the Armed Forces to visit the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., to provide an outside perspective on religious respect issues there, Air Force officials announced June 8.Michael L. Dominguez, acting secretary of the Air Force, asked the team

  • Grand Forks, Eielson key to Air Force Future Total Force

    If the Base Realignment and Closure recommendations released in May are approved, Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., and Eielson AFB, Alaska, will see some changes. Both bases will play a strategic role in the Air Force's Future Total Force plan.Grand Forks received the highest BRAC score for

  • There’s no quitting in the Air Force

    An Airman candidate stood up and said, “I quit.”Almost before he could finish speaking, three staff sergeants were in his face barking like trained attack dogs.“You can’t quit!” they yelled. “We decide who’s quitting, and you’re not quitting! Ain’t no such thing as quitting.”The confrontation took

  • Officials tout benefits of Microsoft home use program

    For about the cost of a month’s subscription to an Internet service provider, most Airmen can get a copy of the software application they are currently using on their office desktops for use on their personal home computers.The benefit, dubbed the Microsoft home use program, is part of Microsoft’s

  • Total force combats explosive devices

    On a normal day, operations at the 451st Air Expeditionary Group here can be typical of any deployed unit. Civil engineer Airmen work tirelessly to keep the long-neglected runway open so that thousands of Soldiers can remain supplied. Aerial port Airmen load and unload a seemingly endless stream of

  • Desert dust in the wind

    Just about midnight recently the wind kicked up here as suddenly as someone turning off a light switch, bringing with it huge clouds of dust that rolled in and obliterated everything from view.People who were sleeping in their tents were rudely awakened as tent ropes strained and even some beds were

  • Space launch program moves ahead after successful test

    A successful test of the Falcon I launch vehicle here recently put the Air Force one step closer toward acquiring a less expensive means for lifting payloads into space.On its maiden flight, Falcon I will carry a Defense Department satellite. This flight follows the launch of the last Titan IV here

  • BRAC changes to medicine focus on care, training, research

    Airmen bound for a career in the Air Force Medical Service will start off by training in a joint environment if all Base Realignment and Closure recommendations are approved.The changes will not completely homogenize training for enlisted medical specialists, but they will allow all the services to

  • Deployed plumbers keep water flowing

    Water. It is one of life’s most basic necessities. Without it, battles have been lost and entire armies have fallen.It can mean the difference between success and failure -- and even life and death.The Airmen of the 447th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron utilities team know that getting clean

  • B-52 aids ground troops under small arms fire

    A B-52 Stratofortress from the 40th Air Expeditionary Group dropped three joint-direct attack munitions recently on a cave of anti-coalition forces in Afghanistan, killing two and leading to the capture of 10 others by coalition ground forces.The mission was one of 22 close-air support and armed

  • Airmen guard camp, detainees in Iraq

    Airmen here are performing jobs normally reserved for deployed Soldiers. They are escorting patrols and convoys, helping provide force protection for an Army camp and guarding detainees. More than 6,000 detainees are housed in the temporary internment facility here while awaiting legal proceedings

  • Air Force improving force protection

    Protecting military people or equipment is not a new thing in the Air Force, but the way it is being done is. More and more emphasis is being placed on how the Air Force does force protection business and the effects are being seen at home bases servicewide and the U.S. Central Command’s area of

  • Military responders geared up for active hurricane season

    With forecasters predicting an active hurricane season this year, military responders are geared up for whatever Mother Nature whirls their way.Hurricane season officially kicked off June 1, and meteorologists expect the decade-long trend toward active hurricane seasons in the Atlantic to continue

  • Chaplains do good works for Iraqi neighbors

    While Air Force chaplains deployed here are called to serve their fellow Airmen, a higher calling compels them to serve everyone, on or off the base.Humanitarian missions provide chaplains with an avenue to enrich the lives of Iraqis as well as the Airmen here, said Chaplain (Capt.) Charles Seligman

  • Robots, Airmen defuse unexploded ordnance

    With the help of new, faster and more agile robots, explosive ordnance disposal Airmen here have an opportunity to keep their distance from bombs set to harm servicemembers off the base.Teaming man and machine is giving Airmen of the EOD unit an upper hand in the seemingly never-ending battle

  • Bio shop provides peace of mind

    It is a hot day, and an Airman has been walking around base for most of it. He is thirsty, so without thinking he grabs a bottle of water, trusting the water is safe to drink, and with good reason. The Airmen with the 332nd Expeditionary Aerospace Medical Squadron’s bioenvironmental engineering

  • World War II women warriors pass on history, heritage

    After pooling her quarters with her cousin to pay the whopping, 1920s fee of $1.50, Caro Bayley climbed into a Tri-motor Ford airplane at Springfield Airfield, Ohio. She was about to make a historic flight -- the first in her life.Soaring over the clouds, the young girl looked down at the ground.

  • Motorcycle safety forum held at Andrews

    The muffled roar of motorcycles filled the air here May 28 as the base held the inaugural Air Force Motorcycle Safety Forum.The main goals of the forum were to save lives by promoting safe riding and to encourage the motorcycle mentoring concept called for by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P.