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U.S. Air Force News

  • SECAF certifies synthetic fuel blends for B-52H

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne announced the completion of the Air Force's certification of the Fischer-Tropsch fuel blend in the B-52H Stratofortress during a signing ceremony here Aug. 8. The signing ceremony certified that the blended FT and JP-8 fuel is safe for operational use in

  • Air Force funds research on self-healing materials

    A research team at the University of Illinois, funded by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, is creating new, cutting-edge structural microvascular materials which will have repetitive, self-healing capabilities as well as self-cooling behavior.Professor Scott White and his colleagues are

  • Air Force and Better Business Bureau partner

    Representatives from the Air Force and the Council of Better Business Bureaus signed a memorandum of understanding July 16 at the Pentagon that will benefit Airmen and their families. Tim Beyland, assistant deputy chief of staff for Manpower and Personnel, and Steven Cole, chief executive officer of

  • Letter to Airmen focuses on energy consumption

    In the latest Letter to Airmen, Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne discusses how the Air Force is using technology to reduce its energy consumption. "We are also working innovatively on the supply side, whether it is putting the largest solar panel field to work out at Nellis (Air Force

  • Latest 'Today's Air Force' now available

    This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights unmanned aerial vehicles, including the Air Force's latest unmanned vehicle and first hunter-killer UAV, the MQ-9 Reaper. More powerful than the MQ-1 Predator, the MQ-9 is designed to go after time-sensitive targets and can destroy or disable

  • Two Space & Missile Pioneers selected for 2007

    Air Force Space Command officials have announced the 2007 Air Force Space and Missile Pioneers are retired Gen. Lew Allen Jr. and retired Maj. Gen. Joe H. Engle. They will be honored at an award ceremony and a hall of fame induction luncheon here Aug. 8. General Allen, a former Air Force chief of

  • SECAF visits Toyota plant for process alignment ideas

    The secretary of the Air Force and a group of senior officers recently visited the Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky plant in an effort to see quality work in action. TMMK uses the "Toyota Production System," which involves the alignment of management goals from the Japan headquarters all the way

  • Expeditionary bands play for troops in Southwest Asia

    For Army Spc. Jose Feurtado, there were no thoughts of the combat wounds healing in his neck. There were no thoughts of the mortar attack in Baghdad that put them there two weeks before. There were no thoughts of his upcoming return to the combat zone from his convalescent leave at the 379th

  • Airman's Roll Call: Taking environmental responsibility

    This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on Airmen and civilians being responsible for Air Force's environmental role. The Air Force continues to set the example as the nation's top customer for buying energy that comes from environmentally-friendly sources. Airmen should always look for ways they can

  • Air Force recognizes 2006 environmental award winners

    Seven active bases, one Guard wing and one individual were chosen for the Gen. Thomas D. White Environmental Awards for 2006 June 7 at the Pentagon. The Air Force also won four of eight Department of Defense environmental awards. "The Air Force has a long track record of taking care of the

  • Air Force receives 4 of 8 DOD environmental awards

    Three Air Force bases and one Air Force civilian were chosen for Defense Department environmental awards June 7 in Washington, D.C. Environmental stewardship is not a separate Defense Department mission, but rather is the fabric of the department, a top defense official said during the 2006

  • Air Force saves money through energy-efficient lighting

    With an energy efficiency commitment, Air Force officials pursue leading-edge technologies for energy efficient lighting as part of its energy strategy for the 21st century. The Air Force spends about $1 billion annually for the 77 trillion British thermal units of energy required to run more than

  • New Pentagon Channel show helps troops get 'Fit for Duty'

    Hosts of a new show coming to the Pentagon Channel want to make troops hurt, sweat and push them to their limits, but most of all the new show aims to ensure members of the U.S. military are "Fit for Duty." "Fitness is as much a part of the military as the uniform," said retired Master Sgt. Jim

  • Solar energy helps power base

    Solar energy panels in use here are saving base officials money while protecting the environment. The photovoltaic array project became fully operational May 17.The goal of the project is to cut power costs, reduce energy consumption and comply with the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Base civil

  • Lt. Dan Band salutes servicemembers overseas

    Everywhere he goes, actor Gary Sinise is recognized as Lieutenant Dan from the movie "Forrest Gump." It was this recognition that gave him the inspiration for his band name: The Lt. Dan Band; a tool that Mr. Sinise uses to support the men and women in the Armed Forces by playing overseas tours and

  • Air Force research team's 'out of box thinking' earns honors

    Efforts to advance experimentation war gaming within the Air Force and the Defense Department resulted in a team from the Air Force Research Laboratory's Directed Energy Directorate receiving the Air Force Modeling and Simulation Experimentation Award for 2006. The team, which consists of team

  • Northern Command exercise concludes

    After nearly 10 days of mock terrorist attacks, drug runners and train collisions, the Alaska Shield/Northern Edge 2007 exercise came to a close May 15. The exercise, part of U.S. Northern Command's nationwide Ardent Sentry/Northern Edge 2007, improved coordination between the Department of Defense

  • Military, civilians partner for vital disaster training

    In a unified effort to save lives and protect vital infrastructure facilities, Airmen, Soldiers and civilian first responders trained together May 9 as they responded to a mass casualty exercise scenario. The training event was part of Alaska Shield/Northern Edge, Alaska's portion of an annual

  • Charleston test platform for new all-electric vehicle

    Over the next six months four new, energy-saving vehicles can be seen zipping across the base's roads. The Department of Transportation-certified, all-electric, zero-pollution, low-speed vehicles are Miles ZX40 and ZX40S. They are capable of moving at speeds of 25 mph for 50 miles before a recharge

  • Fitness month focuses on health, social benefits

    May is National Sports and Fitness month, and there are positive health and social benefits to getting off the couch and over to the fitness center, a track, running trail, pool, court, park or other venue of your choice.In other words, just choose it!Jill Goff, fitness program manager at Yokota's

  • Shaw to begin one-year hybrid refueler test

    Fuels Airmen here are putting the Air Force's only R-11 Hybrid Electric Aviation Refueler through its paces during a one-year test that began here this month. The test will determine how much the 72,000-pound hybrid reduces emissions and conserves diesel fuel, potentially saving the Air Force money,

  • Dover stands up new C-17 maintenance squadron

    The 736th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron was stood up in an assumption-of-command ceremony here April 30. The 736th AMXS will be responsible for maintaining the C-17 Globemaster IIIs, scheduled to start arriving this summer. "This is all very, very exciting, yet humbling," said Lt. Col. Raymond

  • Mountain Home awarded $1 million for Air Force excellence

    Air Force leaders honored Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, with the Commander in Chief's Annual Award for Installation Excellence at a ceremony May 3 in the Pentagon. The annual award recognizes the Air Force base that stands out among all others in a variety of categories. Mountain Home AFB,

  • Tops in Blue boosts servicemembers' morale through song

    "Tops in Blue," known as the Air Forces' Expeditionary Entertainers, performed here May 2 to a standing-room only crowd. The show, themed "The Fly By," featured hit songs by Tom Jones, The Supremes, The Beach Boys, Chubby Checker and the Charlie Daniels Band. The show was presented as a tribute to

  • Manas outreach program saves lives, one heart at a time

    Since its inception in 2003, the Manas Air Base Outreach Society through the Children's Heart Fund has saved 76 children born with holes in their hearts. Sixteen children alone have been saved since January. "It's a great help," said Gula Tolkonbek, mother of 10-year-old heart surgery patient Nazik

  • Homeschoolers, Air Force legal office conduct fairytale trial

    Twelve Bolling area homeschoolers participated in a mock trial held by the 11th Wing Judge Advocate at Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals courtroom here April 27. The goal of the mock trial, State of Italia v. Gepetta, was to introduce the homeschoolers to the legal process. The children also

  • Tops In Blue put on a show for Airmen, Soldiers at Balad

    Sequins, tassels, gleaming brass and perfectly choreographed dance moves were on display as the 2007 Tops In Blue team unleashed the talent of the Air Force for Airmen and Soldiers April 28 at the Sustainer Theater here. Thirty-eight active-duty Airmen make up the singers, dancers, instrumentalists,

  • Backscatter technology leaves bad guys no place to hide

    Members of the 820th Security Forces Group here are set to employ a new high-technology search system in the war on terrorism that will help increase base security that also can deter acts of aggression against coalition forces. Known as the Z backscatter van, the $1.2 million, 13,000-pound,

  • A-10 provides top cover for troops in Iraq

    The catalysts behind one of the most kinetically advanced air forces in the world can be found at the 438th Air Expeditionary Group's maintenance and fighter squadrons. The Airmen assigned to these units employ their kinetic energy by flying the A-10 Thunderbolt II, an aircraft that provides

  • Officials take step forward toward renewable energy

    The groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of North America's largest solar photovoltaic power system took place here April 23. The Nellis solar energy system, once operational, will generate 25 million kilowatt-hours of "clean" electricity for the base. The project is scheduled for completion

  • Air Force civilians win presidential rank awards

    Several Air Force civilians were presented the 2006 Presidential Rank Awards here in a ceremony held April 20 in the Women's Memorial in Arlington National Cemetery. The President of the United States annually awards distinguished and meritorious ranks to career members of the senior executive

  • Air Force leading contributor in keeping the world green

    Blue suiters can celebrate Earth Day April 22 with the knowledge that they play an important role in keeping the world green. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency tabulates a quarterly listing of the top 25 partner organizations that purchase the highest amount of environmentally friendly power

  • Jimmy Doolittle: famed airpower pioneer

    The man the "Doolittle Raiders" are named for may not be a household name today, but James H. "Jimmy" Doolittle was once one of the most famous celebrities in America, even before the raid, and remains one of the most remarkable figures of the 20th century. Born in Alameda, Calif., on Dec. 14, 1896,

  • USAFE medics treat Ghanaians for Navy study

    A team of six U.S. Air Forces in Europe medics worked side by side with Ghanaian military doctors and saw 250 patients in seven hours April 10 in the jungle village of Taviefe, Ghana. The medics are in Ghana for a weeklong joint medical mission providing care to locals on Lake Volta as part of

  • Air Force loadmaster maxes 10,000-hour mark

    An 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron loadmaster now wears a badge of distinction that very few loadmasters receive -- an Air Mobility Command custom patch displaying the number 10,000. After 25 years of service, Master Sgt. Joseph Maxey surpassed 10,000 flying hours April 3 during an airlift

  • Shaw selected for 'showcase' dormitory

    Officials at the Air Force Engineering and Construction Division selected two military construction projects to showcase the Air Force's success in areas of energy and sustainable development. A 144-room, three-story dormitory at Shaw, to be started this fiscal year, is one of those projects. The

  • McGuire commander is 'hands-on' saving energy

    In January, the Department of Energy chose McGuire as one of the lead bases in the Air Force to be given an Energy Efficiency Expert Evaluation Audit; commonly referred to as the "E4" Audit. On the final day of the E4 visit, Michael Aimone, the Air Force assistant deputy chief of staff for

  • CSAF discusses construction projects in testimony

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley met with members of the House Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs March 29 to discuss the service's construction efforts. General Moseley said the Air Force is committed to improving base infrastructure

  • 'Team Lean' Challenge promotes weight loss, camaraderie

    Hoping to promote wellness and weight loss through camaraderie and enjoyable activities, Air Force Materiel Command officials are introducing a command-wide competition that relies on concerted efforts of people together supporting and motivating one another. Team Lean Challenge, or TLC, kicks off

  • Missile defense system protects United States, allies

    The United States has been fielding a missile defense system aimed toward defending itself, its deployed forces and its allies against emerging threats, a top Air Force official said March 28. "We initially turned our attention to North Korea because we felt that that had the higher sense of

  • Spouses to Teachers program expands to Pacific region

    Military spouses living overseas and interested in a professional and portable teaching career now have additional assistance with the Spouses to Teachers program. Effective throughout the U.S. Pacific Command since Feb. 1, Spouses to Teachers offers resources and counseling to military spouses

  • Air Force program delivers a touch of home

    Representatives from Armed Forces Entertainment flocked to Austin for the 2007 South by Southwest, or SXSW, music and film festival. Their mission was to recruit new talent for their tours that travel around the globe. The groups are not paid to participate, but all of their expenses are covered and

  • AFSO21 team exchanges Lean practices with industry officials

    Air Force officials, looking to industry Lean experts for best practices and lessons learned to apply to Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century, got a first-hand look at Lean in action during a recent three-day industry exchange here. The team of 30 Air Force leaders visited Boeing

  • Airborne Laser fires tracking laser, hits target

    The YAL-1A Airborne Laser, a modified Boeing 747-400F, successfully test fired its target illuminator laser March 15 during a five-hour test flight. The mission and test firing represented the Airborne Laser's first in-flight external laser firing, and used the NC-135E "Big Crow" test aircraft to

  • Country artist Robison eager to entertain in Iraq, Kuwait

    The air crackles with anticipation, as he makes his first move.G,C,C,G,C,C,D,G. The letters are the opening chords of country music artist Charlie Robison's song, "My Hometown," one of the songs he will perform during an Armed Forces Entertainment tour March 18 to 27 to Kuwait and Iraq. He feels the

  • Falcon forwards march over Georgia in NIT

    Jacob Burtschi and Dan Nwaelele are determined to graduate as winners. The Air Force senior forwards combined for 40 points and 16 rebounds to power the Falcons to an 83-52 rout of visiting Georgia in the second round of the National Invitation Tournament, in front of a near-capacity crowd of 5,698

  • Air Force officials implement energy initiatives program

    Two installations are going to serve as test bases for the Air Force's new energy initiatives pilot test program. Barksdale Air Force Base, La., and McGuire AFB, N.J., were chosen due to their geographic locations and their operational and facility characteristics. Officials will be looking at

  • Falcons fly high in NIT debut

    The Air Force Academy Falcons didn't let the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament snub on March 11 sidetrack them in their National Invitation Tournament debut three days later. In a statistical rarity, all five Air Force starters -- Matt McCraw, Tim Anderson, Jacob Burtschi, Dan Nwaelele and Nick Welch

  • Base residents play vital role in conserving energy

    A 3-percent reduction in energy consumption each year through 2015 as outlined by executive order has the potential to save hundreds of thousands of dollars at each base. For residents here, that energy reduction equates to about $930,000. People who live on base are making a contribution by taking

  • Air Force's satellite-loaded Atlas V is 50th launch success

    The Air Force marked its 50th consecutive successful launch March 8 with an Atlas V loaded with six experimental satellites. Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles AFB, Calif., successfully launched the rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., with the 45th Space Wing spacelift

  • Chief's perspective focuses on energy

    Saving energy is the focus of the latest Enlisted Perspective by Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley. The chief said the Air Force has made great strides in developing alternative fuels in its energy conservation program; however, the enlisted force Airmen have the potential to

  • Air Force kicks off energy forum

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne, welcomed members of the energy industry to the Air Force Energy Forum at the Crystal Gateway Marriott here March 8. "The interesting thing that we are looking for in the Air Force is to actually change the environment that we operate in so that we can

  • Spring forward: Daylight-saving time starts Sunday

    Setting clocks forward an hour early for daylight-saving time is coming up quicker this year. The start of daylight-saving time, or DST, has been moved up from the first Sunday in April to the second Sunday in March. On March 11, those living in areas under DST will set clocks forward one hour, from

  • Officials announce Air Force Safety Awards for 2006

    Air Force safety officials have announced the winners of the 2006 Safety Awards. They are: Secretary of the Air Force Safety Award: Category I -- Air Force Special Operations Command at Hurlburt Field, Fla.   (No Category II listed)Maj. Gen. Benjamin D. Foulois Memorial Award: Air Force Special

  • Air Force serves as host for energy industry forum

    Energy policy, aviation platforms and future fuel utilization are just a few of the topics that will be presented at the Air Force's Energy Industry Forum March 8 to 9 in Arlington, Va. The forum will have various plenary and concurrent sessions that will look at the full spectrum of the Air Force's

  • Research of materials for use in extreme environments

    Leading edge scientific discoveries and breakthroughs funded by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research here could pave the way for new performance capabilities of materials used in extreme environments. Among these latest developments, recently presented at an AFOSR ceramics program review, is

  • Eielson Airmen help keep mushers, dogs in race

    Interior Alaska's formidable winter chill couldn't deter the Icemen team from volunteering to help support the local community during Yukon Quest, the 1,000-mile international dog sled race. More than 160 Airmen braved temperatures -- at times dipping below negative 40 degrees -- to help man the

  • Official shares glimpse of future with Misawa Airmen

    Mr. William Anderson, assistant secretary for installations, environment and logistics, stopped here Feb. 22 to meet with Airmen and to discuss key Air Force issues, including environmental stewardship and future fuel alternatives.He talked about the incredible care Airmen display as they lead the

  • Air Force exploring renewable energy sources

    Air Force officials are investigating the use of renewable energy like wind, solar and geothermal source for use in the future as an alternative to petroleum said the assistant secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Logistics. William C. Anderson believes changes to how energy

  • This week's Roll Call focuses on energy conservation

    As the Department of Defense's greatest fuel consumer, the Air Force must examine every aspect of fuel consumption while maintaining its core competencies and power-projection capabilities.Air Force leaders at every level are looking for innovative ways to conserve fuel and everyone, down to the

  • Air Force supports NASA mission to study auroras

    Airmen from the 45th Space Wing supported the Feb. 17 launch of a Delta II booster carrying five NASA probes on a mission called "THEMIS," which will study auroral substorms, an avalanche of solar wind powered magnetic energy that intensifies the northern and southern lights. "We made history. This

  • Hockey: Canisius took first period lead for 4-2 win over Air Force

    Canisius scored three goals in the first period and held on for a 4-2 win over Air Force in an Atlantic Hockey Association game Friday, Feb. 16, at the Academy's Cadet Ice Arena.Canisius jumped into eighth place in the league with the win and improved to 9-21-2 overall and 8-16-2 in the AHA. Air

  • Propane plant fuels utility alternatives for Moody

    Members of the 23rd Civil Engineer Squadron are using a new propane-air mix system to create an alternative source of fuel, allowing the base to avoid paying high contract fees for natural gas. The system, which Moody AFB officials began using in November, substitutes propane for the natural gas

  • AAFES adjusts gas pricing overseas

    Army and Air Force Exchange Service officials began a new gas-pricing plan Feb. 1 that should make buying gas overseas easier on a person's budget as prices are now updated on a weekly basis instead of monthly changes. The decision is based on customer feedback for more immediacy in the price

  • North Korea agrees to nuclear disarmament

    North Korea has agreed to shut down nuclear operations and allow international inspectors into the country, President Bush announced Feb. 14 here, hailing it as an important step toward a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula. At six-party talks in Beijing, North Korea said that within 60 days it will shut

  • New space technology provides less shake, rattle, roll

    Current deployment mechanisms operating aboard spacecraft primarily consist of heavy springs which, when activated, inflict shock to components such as solar arrays and antennae. This often hinders the equipment's efficiency in the harsh environment of space. Air Force Materiel Command's Space

  • Hockey: RIT beats Air Force, 5-4

    Rochester Institute of Technology scored two goals in the third period for a 5-4 win over Air Force in an Atlantic Hockey Association game at the Frank Ritter Arena Feb. 9. RIT, in first place in the AHA, improves to 18-9-2 overall and 17-5-1 in the league. Air Force falls to 13-13-5, 10-8-5 for

  • Vandenberg team launches Minuteman III

    An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile was launched from North Vandenberg Feb. 7 at 12:14 a.m. "This program is key to our constant assessment of the reliability of our ICBM fleet," said Brig. Gen. C. Donald Alston, director of Air Force Space Command's Air, Space and

  • Air Force FY 2008 budget includes pay raise, new facilities

    In the president's fiscal 2008 budget, released Feb. 5, Air Force leaders are asking Congress for about $110.7 billion. The Air Force budget request, about $6.2 billion more than it received in FY07, is divided into three primary areas: people, readiness and modernization and recapitalization. About

  • Vice chairman 'cautiously optimistic' about new Iraq approach

    The nation's second-highest-ranking military officer said he is cautiously optimistic about the new approach to Iraq after a three-day visit there that ended Feb 2."It is clear that most of the senior officials (from the) coalition, Iraq and United States I talked with during my time in Baghdad are

  • Air Force recognized as top federal green power purchaser

    For the third year in a row, the Air Force heads the Environmental Protection Agency's list of Top 10 federal government green power purchasers in the Green Power Partnership. The list highlights EPA's federal Green Power Partners that have completed the largest annual voluntary purchases through

  • Hickam Airmen strategize aircraft weight-reduction initiative

    Members of the Hawaii Air National Guard have been categorizing parts of a KC-135 Stratotanker to figure out what can come off during certain missions to save fuel and money for the Air Force. The project was initially launched when Dr. Ron Ritter, special assistant for Air Force Smart Operations

  • 36 graduate from AFSO 21 class at University of Tennessee

    Thirty-six military officers and civilians graduated from the first class of Level II Experts in Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century Jan. 11 at the University of Tennessee.The University of Tennessee was selected for the six-month training for "their depth and breadth of knowledge, and

  • Airborne Laser returns for more testing

    The YAL-1A, a modified Boeing 747-400F known as the Airborne Laser, is undergoing a long-term test phase at the Air Force Flight Test Center here that includes test firing the aircraft's low-power lasers in flight for the first time. The Missile Defense Agency is testing and developing the Airborne

  • AAFES overseas pump prices to reflect U.S. market conditions

    Beginning Feb. 1, all Army and Air Force Exchange Service overseas gas stations will adjust pump prices week-to-week based on the current week's U.S. Department of Energy average price. The first week-to-week adjustment to pump prices at AAFES-operated stations in Germany, Turkey, Korea, Okinawa,

  • Moody Airmen test new, nonlethal method of repelling enemy

    Airmen of the 820th Security Forces Group here are currently evaluating a long-range, nonlethal weapon system that could eventually save lives in the war on terrorism. The Active Denial System is designed to engage and repel human targets by projecting a beam of energy that creates an intolerable

  • What AFSO 21 means

    Dr. Ronald C. Ritter, the special assistant for Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century, recently visited Pacific Air Forces headquarters to review AFSO 21 strategies in the command. "AFSO 21 is important to us all," Dr. Ritter said. "It is our initiative and a way to continue our long

  • Air Force Afterburner thrills monster truck fans at Alamodome

    Afterburner, the Air Force-sponsored monster truck, thrilled 50,000 Monster Jam fans with car-crushing, high-jumping, raw engine power Jan. 13 at San Antonio's Alamodome. 2007 marks the second season the Air Force sponsors Afterburner, a high-powered 2006 monster truck equipped with a 1,465 HP, 540

  • PACAF leads major commands in energy conservation

    Pacific Air Forces officials have seen a 17 percent reduction in energy use from fiscal 2003, well on its way to exceeding the Energy Policy Act of 2005's goal of reducing energy consumption by 2 percent each year from 2006 through 2015 for a total of 20 percent. PACAF had the largest energy use

  • Latest Roll Call focuses on AFSO 21

    This week's Roll Call features Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century, also known as AFSO 21, which is a program that encourages Airmen to maximize value while minimizing waste. AFSO 21 is about results. Senior leaders have identified the major result areas, which are called "Five North

  • Congressional delegation visits hydrogen fueling station

    Fifteen congressional delegates visited the hydrogen fueling station at Hickam AFB Dec. 29. Opened in November 2006, the facility is a renewable energy station that is helping the Air Force overcome its dependency on petroleum products by providing an alternate fuel source. The unique Air Force

  • Hydrogen-powered vehicles sign of future

    Along with the increasing number of hybrid vehicles sharing the roadways with traditional fossil-fueled autos, there has also been an increase of hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles on Air Force bases.Hydrogen station officials here say the concept of hydrogen isn't new. NASA has been using the

  • Ellsworth continues record of excellence in environmental compliance

    Region 8 of the Environmental Protection Agency announced the deletion of portions of the Ellsworth Air Force Base site from the National Priorities List on Dec. 4. "This milestone is a result of a tremendous amount of hard work by some highly dedicated professionals not only at Ellsworth, but at

  • Hickam leads way to lessen fossil fuel use

    The Air Force is the largest consumer of petroleum products in the Department of Defense and Secretary of the Air Force Michael Wynne has made it a priority to find alternative fuels to replace fossil fuels. In a partnership with the State of Hawaii, Hickam is implementing Secretary Wynne's

  • Serving through the season: Airman Marilyn Torres

    It's already on the schedule -- Amn. Marilyn Torres will celebrate the holidays inside the 726th Air Mobility Squadron's supply warehouse, ensuring heavy aircraft assigned here are mission-ready. Like many Airmen new to the Air Force, she'll also spend some time doing details, such as cleaning the

  • Hydrogen fuel cell outperforms diesel counterpart

    Air Force Materiel Command officials here are tied to a project that could provide warfighters at remote bases with a cleaner, quieter way to power runway lights and other electrically powered devices. Air Force Advanced Power Technology Office, or APTO, officials here held a December demonstration

  • B-52 flight uses synthetic fuel in all eight engines

    A B-52 Stratofortress took off Dec. 15 on a flight-test mission using a blend of synthetic fuel and JP-8 in all eight engines. This is the first time a B-52 has flown using a synfuel blend as the only fuel on board. In September, the Air Force successfully flew a B-52 with two-engines using the

  • Spang Airmen compete for Mr. Universe title

    Representing the United States and the Air Force two Airmen from Spangdahlem Air Base traveled to Cuxhaven, Germany, to compete in the legendary Mr. Universe competition Dec. 2. Troy Saunders, Men's Class II competitor, and Justin Usery, Men's Class III competitor, were asked to participate in the

  • Airmen play role in homeland defense exercise

    A simulated catastrophe hit Davis-Monthan AFB Dec. 4 and tested base Airmen's ability to deal with a major accident with nuclear implications here. Exercise Vigilant Shield 07, a national-level scenario which kicked off at Davis-Monthan AFB, connects the departments of Defense, Homeland Security,

  • Special retreat held for fallen Airman

    A special retreat ceremony was held Dec. 6 for Capt. Kermit Evans the 27th Civil Engineer Squadron's Exposive Ordnance Disposal flight commander here. Captain Evans was killed Dec. 3 when the Marine CH-46 helicopter he was traveling in was forced to make an emergency water landing near the shore of

  • Warfighters sharpen skills during Vigilant Shield

    Warfighters assigned to Air Forces Northern and Continental U.S. NORAD Region are honing the skills needed to respond to such threats during Vigilant Shield 07 which began Dec. 4 and runs through Dec. 14 here. The annual homeland defense Vigilant Shield exercise, sponsored by the North American

  • U.S. forces to stay in Iraq 'until job complete'

    U.S. leaders will consider all options on moving forward in Iraq, but three tenets of U.S. Iraq policy "remain firm and they're fixed," President George W. Bush said after a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki Nov. 30 in Amman, Jordan.He also reiterated that U.S. forces would remain in

  • Tops In Blue needs horn players to complete group

    The Tops In Blue 2007 entertainment group is almost complete, but has some important vacancies that talented Air Force Airmen can fill, and fill quickly. "We need horn players," said Jeri White, Tops In Blue production coordinator at Air Force Services Agency, "trumpets, trombones and saxophones,

  • Air Force, industry must partner to create synth-fuel demand

    The Air Force must partner with the civilian aviation industry to create a stronger demand for alternative fuel sources. During a conference of defense industry representatives here Nov. 14, Michael Aimone, Air Force assistant deputy chief of staff for logistics, installations and mission support,

  • Travis firefighters crowned world champs third straight year

    Not even a rain-slick course could stop Travis AFB firefighters from winning a third consecutive World Firefighter Combat Challenge held Nov. 7 to 11 in Henderson, Nev. The challenge, which attracted hundreds of U.S. and Canadian municipal fire departments from more than 25 locations, encouraged

  • Research lab tests, certifies synthetic fuels

    As an integral partner in the Office of the Secretary of Defense Assured Fuels Initiative, the Air Force Research Laboratory is leading the investigation for suitable, domestically produced alternative fuels for military use. AFRL is certifying suitable fuels for the Air Force fleet as part of the

  • AMC reduces costs through fuel efficiency

    Energy costs are a significant part of the Defense Department operating budget, and Air Mobility Command uses 54 percent of the U.S. military's consumption of aviation fuel. Not surprisingly, efficient use of this resource has always been an AMC goal, and while fuel costs remain high, command

  • Waste-eating bacteria explored as power source

    The Air Force Office of Scientific Research here recently awarded a five-year grant to the University of Southern California worth approximately $4.5 million to lead a study on bioengineered fuel cells. Bioengineered fuel cells are bacteria capable of producing electrical energy simply through the

  • Ellsworth first base to enter environmental program

    Ellsworth Air Force Base has become the first Air Force-owned installation to accept membership into the Environmental Protection Agency's Performance Track program. During a special ceremony Oct. 31, Robert Roberts, EPA regional administrator, in presenting Ellsworth officials with Performance

  • Lab teams prepare for show stopper demonstrations

    Two, six-member Junior Workforce Challenge Project teams working on non-lethal, vehicle-halting prototypes for deployed area checkpoints will display their efforts at an upcoming competition. Each team consists of Air Force junior officers and civilians. They have been working on ideas since June,