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  • Quadrennial defense, nuclear posture review begin

    Pentagon officials kicked off the Defense Department's 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review and Nuclear Posture Review processes April 23 to determine what types of capabilities will be required to maintain U.S. national security now and in the coming years, senior officials said. "The QDR takes a

  • ISR leader shares future of intelligence field

    "We're changing the way we view intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance from the past," said Lt. Gen. David Deptula, Air Force deputy chief of staff for ISR, during his visit here April 16. "In the past, we had stratified pockets of industry. Now we're heading toward an integrated,

  • The services align, sign new working group charter

    The first big step towards achieving commonality and interoperability of expeditionary basing equipment in the joint force was taken April 13 as the service logistics chiefs came together here to sign the Joint Expeditionary Basing Working Group charter. The lead JEBWG organizations are the Air

  • Airmen, Marines work together to test-load helicopters

    Playing a game of inches, a team of Airmen and Marines worked together April 20 to test-load two Marine helicopters into a C-5C Galaxy.With inches to spare, Airmen from the 60th Aerial Port Squadron here and Marines from the Marine Light Attack Helicopter Training Squadron-303 and HMLA-367 at Camp

  • Secretary Gates presses to boost network security

    Defense Department officials are working to reduce vulnerability to cyber-attack attempts that occur regularly and are likely to continue for the foreseeable future, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said."We are under attack virtually all the time, every day here," Secretary Gates told CBS Evening

  • Sustaining the mission through green innovation

    On April 22, the Air Force will join the nation in observing Earth Day. On this occasion, we take the opportunity to reflect on our daily commitment to excellence and leadership in protecting and preserving the environment and our natural resources. As we fly, fight, and win today and in the future,

  • Silicon Valley rescue C-130s go digital

    Nestled in the center of the world's technology epicenter is the California Air National Guard's 129th Rescue Wing.  Search and rescue is the wing's primary mission, which often involves low-tech but courageous life-saving actions. The mission is about to get a high-tech boost from an innovative

  • EPLOs redefine part of Air Force mission

    When most Americans think of the Air Force, they envision slick, fast fighter jets soaring through the skies at Mach speed. A picture that doesn't normally come to mind is a military organization that helps local communities during hurricanes, wildfires, floods or other natural disasters. Nor does

  • Senior enlisted leader summit set for May

    The Air Force's top enlisted leader is set to convene the 2009 Senior Enlisted Leader Summit May 3 to 8 at Maxwell Air Force Base's Gunter Annex, Ala. Command chief master sergeants, career field managers, professional military education commandants and other key senior enlisted leaders from Air

  • Panjshir PRT unites Airmen, Soldiers for common cause

    A team of nearly 80 individuals, including 25 Airmen and 12 Soldiers, come together to perform a critical mission in Afghanistan's Panjshir Province. All of the servicemembers come from different walks of life, but now come together to help the impoverished province. One year ago, Staff Sgt. David

  • Thousands honor Doolittle Raiders at the 67th Reunion

    Thousands of people, young and old, gathered to honor five of the nine surviving Doolittle Raiders at the 67th Reunion in Columbia, S.C., April 16 to 18. On April 18, 1942, the Doolittle Raiders, led by then-Lt. Col. Jimmy Doolittle, became the first to bombard Japan following the attack on Pearl

  • Experts review B-52 fuel hose process

    Consultants from the Air Force Inspection Agency and the University of Tennessee recently facilitated a four-day rapid improvement event at the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center here in an effort to resolve issues involving spare parts for the B-52. The rapid improvement event is part of the Air

  • K-9, handler work together to keep servicemembers safe

    It is often said a dog is a man's best friend. For a Joint Expeditionary Tasking, or JET, Airman here, his dog is not just a friend, but a tool that could mean life or death for servicemembers patrolling the Iraqi streets. Senior Airman William Bailey, a military working dog handler and JET Airman

  • Hero of the Hudson visits alma mater

    Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, who saved U.S. Airways Flight 1549 with a heroic water landing in January, returned to the roots of his aviation career here Wednesday to accept a coveted flight award from the Air Force Academy. Captain Sullenberger, a 1973 graduate, received the 2009 Colonel

  • National Security Personnel System goes under microscope

    The federal government's largest pay-for-performance system, the National Security Personnel System, is under review at the request of officials in the Defense Department and the Office of Personnel Management. Since October 2006, about 205,000 defense employees were brought under the new NSPS,

  • Air Force officials modernize mentoring program

    As Air Force officials continue to modernize the processes to meet 21st century mission requirements, manpower and personnel force development officials have taken a hard look at the service's mentoring program to increase its effectiveness. "Our mentoring program has existed on paper for many

  • Proposed B-1 program aims to speed maintenance

    A team of high ranking Air Force officials visited here recently in an effort to determine whether to change the way maintenance is performed on the B-1B Lancer strategic bomber. Called the "Red Team," the group from Air Force Materiel Command, Air Combat Command and the Air Staff are considering

  • Project builds bond between U.S., Kyrgyz Republic

    A symbolic ground-breaking ceremony was held April 14 in Birdik Village to signify the start of a school renovation project between the United States and the Kyrgyz Republic.Nearly two weeks after work began on the $470,000 project to repair the school, a ceremony was held to recognize the

  • Airman coordinates air ops for Iraqi detainees

    There are thousands of Iraqi detainees located in different detention facilities throughout Iraq who require air travel for everything from detainee transfers to attending court cases, and thanks to one Air Force captain, the Iraqi detainees get where they need to go. Capt. M. Kathryn Kotora, Joint

  • Moving beyond the F-22

    This op-ed piece appeared in the Washington Post on April 13, written by Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz.The debate over whether to continue production of the F-22 Raptor has been one of the most politically charged and controversial budget

  • Academy space fleet continues to grow

    The U.S. Air Force Academy's space fleet grows even larger this year with the launch of one satellite, continued operations of a second satellite and design work underway for a third. The newest addition will be FalconSAT-6, which is on the drawing board now. The FalconSAT space fleet is a series of

  • VA secretary embraces 'personal calling' of serving veterans

    Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki is a no-nonsense leader who wants veterans to measure his performance and that of the department he leads through concrete results, not rhetoric. "Veterans have been given a lot of promises over a bunch of years, and I have assured them that they should

  • 'Today's Air Force' features dignified transfers

    This edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights the new policy for the transfer of fallen military members, a Purple Heart Medal recipient, a winter sports clinic for the disabled and a smoldering type of training: firefighting. A new policy has been approved by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates

  • Reserve commander meets with deployed reservists

    Lt. Gen. Charles E. Stenner Jr., Air Force Reserve Command commander, visited with Reserve members April 8 and 9 during a multi-base tour of the Air Forces Central area of responsibility. General Stenner, who is also chief of Air Force Reserve, took the opportunity to dine with Reservists and

  • Airmen make pledge to prevent sexual assaults

    While American and coalition forces continue fighting the war on terrorism, there are silent criminals among the warriors who cause battle wounds of another kind: sexual assault. There were 165 sexual assault reports in Iraq and Afghanistan during fiscal 2008, a dramatic increase compared to the 131

  • Tiered construct defines future expeditionary skills training

    A guarantee to eliminate duplicate expeditionary skills training requirements for all Air Force personnel through a four-tiered construct is now in effect by officials here. "This new construct ensures Airmen receive appropriate expeditionary education and training at the appropriate time," said

  • Intel deputy unveils ISR capability planning process

    For the first-time, Air Force technicians have developed a consolidated process and corporate governance structure to improve intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities in air, space, ground and cyberspace to meet current and future challenges facing the United States and its Allies

  • CSAF addresses 386th Airmen during AOR visit

    The Air Force's top officer spoke to 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Airmen as part of a visit to the Air Forces Central area of responsibility April 6 and 7. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz also took time to visit the Airmen of the 387th Air Expeditionary Group and speak with the combat

  • AFMC will use new media to announce award winners

    Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs officials are venturing into the world of new media and for the first time will attempt to report the annual AFMC Enlisted Awards live as names of Airmen selected are announced April 9 at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. A Public Affairs

  • Heritage Coat production uncertain despite favorable reviews

    Though Air Force officials here have not made a final decision on the new service coat, pre-decisional results show Airmen who sampled the Heritage Coat gave it high marks. Survey feedback showed 92 percent of wear test participants deemed the coat suitable for military uniform, and overall 66

  • Air Force officials take delivery of first MC-12

    Winning the fight from up high just got more advanced since the recent delivery of the MC-12 Project Liberty special mission turboprop aircraft. The MC-12 is the first of its kind for the Air Force and is set to venture downrange in May. Lt. Gen. David Deptula, Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff for

  • Space education seeks prominence

    The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff's newly-released special area of emphasis, "Space as a Contested Environment," draws attention to the reality that the United States can and will be challenged in space, and that military education needs modification to address this reality. The overall goal

  • U.S., Indian air forces discuss partnership efforts

    Senior air force officials from India and the United States met here March 25 through 29 to discuss operational concepts and to chart the way ahead for future training exchanges and exercises. This year's executive steering group meeting focused on the review and assessment of joint and combined

  • Servicemembers assist Afghans with economic development

    For more than eight years, the government of Afghanistan has been building from the ground up, using millions of dollars in aid from foreign governments and private organizations. These funds impact both the central government in Kabul and the country's 34 provinces. Due to the unique relationships

  • Gates lays out defense budget recommendations

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates laid out his recommendations for the 2010 budget during an April 6 Pentagon press conference . The secretary said he included his experiences in national security to make the decisions. To start, Secretary Gates plans to significantly restructure the Army's Future

  • Airman helps Iraqis bury past, rebuild future

    It has been said that those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it, but a group of Iraqi contractors, with the help of an American Airman, are taking a different approach. They are burying the past to rebuild a new future. The past, in this case, are three villas located in the

  • Maxwell legal services wins government-wide award

    The director of the Air Force Legal Operations Agency's Directorate of Legal Information Services, or AFLOA/JAS here, said he was notified March 27 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Graduate School that his organization had won the government-wide 2009 W. Edwards Deming Award. Col. Peter

  • AF officials look at bigger role for small business

    The Air Force is looking to support small businesses in a big way, two top service officials said during a visit here April 2. David Van Buren, principal deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, and Ronald Poussard, director of Air Force small business programs, said during a

  • Air Force instructors empower Iraqi warrant officers to lead

    Twenty-nine Iraqi air force members graduated from the warrant officer professional development course at the Iraqi air force schoolhouse with help from their U.S. Air Force instructors here March 28. The largest class to date demonstrates the commitment of the Iraqi air force throughout the ranks

  • Fiscal 2010 budget to reflect 'fundamental shift' in defense

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates will make budget decisions this weekend that will indicate a "fundamental shift in direction" for the department, the Pentagon press secretary said April 3. "These are not changes to the margins," Geoff Morrell said. The changes will affect the fiscal 2010 Defense

  • Air Force officials announce OTS selections

    A total of 308 men and women from across America have earned an opportunity to become Air Force leaders following their selection for an officer's commission, officials here announced April 3. Air Force Recruiting Service officials considered 865 applications as part of Officer Training School

  • Generals discuss future issues at National Space Symposium

    The commander of Air Force Space Command was the keynote speaker for the 25th National Space Symposium March 31 in Colorado Springs, Colo. "Space is no longer just the high ground. It is an integral part of the joint fight," said Gen. C. Robert "Bob" Kehler.The general is responsible for the

  • Air Force takes combat air acquisitions priorities to Hill

    As airpower takes on an increasingly critical role in the joint fight, Air Force and Navy officials testified before the House Appropriations Committee March 25 here to outline the services' top combat air acquisition priorities. Lt. Gen. Mark D. "Shack" Shackelford, the acquisition deputy to the

  • Kehler: Spherical battlespace is new theater of operations

    The world is no longer flat and information is no longer static. Neither can military operations confine focus to one area of a conflict while remaining oblivious to interconnections with the larger picture. It is time the view of the battlefield is turned upside-down. This is the message of the

  • AFPC officials launch improved Airmen Development Plan

    Active-duty officers, and soon civilians, can now more effectively map their careers with the recent phase two launch of the Airmen Development Plan. The phase II version includes a new audit trail feature and the ability to generate weekly e-mail notifications. The ADP application was introduced in

  • Exercise tests disaster relief mobility support

    If an earthquake triggered a tsunami that wiped out the southern coast of Puerto Rico, who gets the call for help? To help answer that question, more than 80 Airmen from the 621st Contingency Response Wing here deployed to eight locations throughout Puerto Rico and the outlying island of St. Thomas

  • Kyrgyz students get insiders' glimpse of Manas mission

    What lies beyond the fences that protect a military base can be a mystery to those living nearby who can only speculate about what goes on inside. The mystique of Manas Air Base was revealed to 13 students and faculty from the American University of Central Asia who received a special glimpse of the

  • DOD program aims to create new biodiesel fuel

    Ever imagine filling up the fuel tanks on a military aircraft with french fry grease?  That's exactly what Air Force officials could do someday if a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency research program proves successful. DARPA is the Defense Department's scientific agency that pushes the

  • Yokota Airmen train with Japanese police

    Members of the 374th Security Forces Squadron here conducted a joint response training exercise with members of the Japanese National Police-Fussa Division March 26 here. Fussa officials came up with idea of a joint unexploded ordnance response and investigation exercise to educate new police

  • Command chief discusses Women's History Month

    The U.S. Air Forces in Europe command chief talked to Royal Air Force Lakenheath Airmen about how women have played a large part in history, which is especially true in the military.Chief Master Sgt. Pamela Derrow visited RAF Lakenheath and spoke to base Airmen about the significance of Women's

  • Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program reaches milestone

    The advisory board of a new program mandated by the 2008 National Defense Authorization Act held its inaugural meeting here March 30. The Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program fulfills the requirement of establishing a national combat veteran reintegration program. The program's goal is to prepare

  • Wilford Hall officials to participate in smoking cessation study

    Air Force smokers who want to kick the habit may benefit from a smoking cessation study and program that will be conducted from Wilford Hall Medical Center here. The National Institutes of Health recently awarded a $3.6 million grant to the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis to

  • Spangdahlem Airmen to support Canadian troops

    The Canadians are coming to Spangdahlem Air Base.Canadian officials accepted a U.S. Air Force offer to use the base as the springboard to support to its deployed troops throughout Southwest Asia. Under an agreement with close allies Germany and the U.S., Canada has begun to implement a plan to use

  • Updated Professional Development Guide available online

    The latest version of the Air Force Professional Development Guide is now available online for all Airmen. The 500 page, 30.8 MB document is of particular interest to enlisted Airmen in the ranks of staff sergeant through senior master sergeant who want to begin studying for their next promotion

  • Amputee pilot completes third deployment

    What sets Maj. Alan Brown apart from other Airmen in the gym at Bagram Airfield's Camp Cunningham isn't his workout routine, it's his right leg. "When people see me in shorts at the gym there's definitely a pattern," said the 42-year-old mobility pilot of Pine Bluffs, Wyo. "They glance at my eyes,

  • Course trains intelligence analysts in ground operations

    Air Force intelligence analysts have been trained to focus on air threats since they first entered the service. There's now a need for them to be trained to provide support for world-wide ground combat and force protection operations. The Air Force Force Protection Intelligence Formal Training Unit

  • AFPC automates notifications for probationary periods

    In AFPC's ongoing effort to improve consistency and efficiency across the Air Force, supervisors will now receive an e-mail notification when one of their civilian employees is within 90 days of completing a probationary period. New employees and new supervisors serve an established probationary

  • Airmen demonstrate unmanned aircraft not merely 'drones'

    The door to the 62nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron features a drawing of an MQ-1 Predator armed with Hellfire missiles underscored with the words "We're not drones - we fire back." Often referred to by reporters as "drones," unmanned aircraft like the MQ-1 Predator and RQ-4 Global Hawk are

  • Intel system gains warfighting role

    Whether fighting the flames of California wildfires or detecting floating threats off coasts, officials from the 950th Electronic System Group are using a key imagery collection system known as Eagle Vision to transition victories from homeland defense into capabilities for warfighters use around

  • Airmen simplify with AFSO 21

    Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century is enabling some Kadena Airmen to spend more time with family rather than extra hours on the job. The intent of AFSO 21 is to improve operations by simplifying processes, some of which may already be in place. Additionally, it aims to generate

  • Equal opportunity crosses service lines

    Equal opportunity advisers from the 3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command and surrounding Army units here are currently hosting their quarterly Equal Opportunity Leader's Course here. The classroom is filled by more than 40 Soldiers from across Iraq with one exception: Master Sgt. Joe Newton, the

  • Lackland conservation efforts equal big rebate

    Lackland Air Force Base officials received the largest rebate ever awarded by CPS Energy March 17 here after creating a win-win situation for the base and the city-owned utility company. Brigadier Gen. Leonard A. "Len" Patrick, the 37th Training Wing commander, received a rebate check for

  • Airmen train Iraqi maintainers

    Two maintenance Airmen took three Iraqi air force members from here to Camp Taji, Iraq, March 24 to help fix one of Iraq's C-130s In an attempt to help members of the Iraqi air force better cross utilize their resources and assets. Technical Sergeants Jim Grifasi and Bobby McKenzie, advisers with

  • American servicemembers provide battlefield forensics

    When an improvised explosive device is detected, most people run and take cover but the weapons intelligence team here heads to the site to start the crime scene investigation. The Airmen, Soldiers and Sailor of the weapons intelligence team provide counter IED intelligence through collection,

  • SOS 'blends' training model incorporating new technology

    Academic and military researchers are introducing and proposing new approaches on leadership and teamwork training at the Squadron Officer School at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. Officials with Air Education and Training Command, the sponsor organization, partnered with researchers at the University

  • ISR operations: 'Eye in the sky'

    "Complete adaptation to environment means death. The essential point in all response is the desire to control environment." These words from the American philosopher and reformer John Dewey make the point that as conditions change, one must not simply adapt to them, but instead endeavor to control

  • Airmen help aircrews return if all goes awry

    When Staff Sgt. Eric Zwoll presents his briefing, aircrew members preparing for a mission listen carefully because they know if a mission goes awry then their lives will depend on his every word. Sergeant Zwoll is one of a handful of survival, evasion, resistance and escape specialists here who

  • Pay incentives help military avoid nursing shortage

    Army, Navy and Air Force nurse corps members are highly trained, capable and critical to the wartime mission of each service, the corps' leaders told a congressional committee this week here. The Senate Appropriations Committee's defense subcommittee heard testimony March 18 from the services'

  • B-2 aircrew participates in exercise in Pacific

    Airmen aboard a B-2 Spirit tested their endurance in a 24-hour, 8,000-mile mission to Alaska and back to Guam March 12 in an exercise showcasing U.S. commitment to peace and stability throughout the Pacific region. Four B-2s and 270 Airmen from the 13th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron are deployed to

  • Deterrence still key to national security, general says

    Deterrence remains as central to America's national security as it was during the Cold War, U.S. Strategic Command's top officer told the Senate Armed Services Committee March 19. "Our unique global perspective has given us a good platform for advocating for the nation's needs for missile defense;

  • Thrift Savings Plan provides retirement nest eggs

    About 614,000 servicemembers are saving for retirement in the federal Thrift Savings Program, which was opened to military members in 2002, a senior Pentagon official here said March 19. The TSP, explained Chuck Witschonke, assistant director of military compensation for economic analysis, is a U.S.

  • Luke Airmen advise Moroccan air force on F-16 operations

    Members of the Royal Moroccan air force traveled 6,000 miles to speak with Luke Air Force Base Airmen and tour the installation for an insider's perspective on how an F-16 Fighting Falcon base operates in mid-March. Royal Moroccan air force officials are in the process of building an F-16 base in

  • New Kandahar unit prepares for troop increase

    Kandahar Airfield officials activated the 772nd Expeditionary Airlift Squadron March 15 here as the NATO base prepares for the build-up of forces to support Operation Enduring Freedom.The newest airlift squadron in the Air Force will be flying the C-130J Hercules, and serve under the 451st Air

  • Chief Airey memorial service celebrates life of AF hero

    During his life, he was a dedicated member of the profession of arms and fervent military supporter who became one of the most iconic figures of Air Force enlisted heritage and culture -- he was Paul Wesley Airey, the first Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force. His death was announced March 11 to a

  • NCO speaks at International Women's Day event

    The Afghan women and girls were curious. As they waited for the English words to translate into Dari, the room remained silent, a look of awe sprawled across their faces. For Tech. Sgt. Dawn Allison-Hess, the moment was just as captivating. Nearly 125 Afghan women and girls listened as she and guest

  • AFSO 21 helps ease finance program headache

    A team of experts came together this week to use the Vandenberg Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century, or AFSO 21, program to overcome obstacles in the Management Internal Control Program. The MICP came into effect during the President Reagan era and is intended to be a control on how the

  • European Command commander discusses USAFE role

    Partnering with allies to strengthen capabilities and interoperability is the future of U.S. European Command, of which airpower is a major factor. Army Gen. John Craddock, U.S. European Command commander, visited Ramstein Air Base March 16 and spoke about the way ahead for the command, and how

  • Former Thunderbirds pilot 'an inspiration' for young girls

    Perched on a balcony overseeing an assortment of aircraft static displays, a young girl asked Maj. Nicole Malachowski, "Is it hard to be a pilot?"The major smiled at the question; it's one she'd answered many times. After all, she was the first female Thunderbirds and before that, an accomplished

  • Hickam Airmen serve Oahu community during Jungle Day

    More than 150 Hickam Air Force Base Airmen gave back to the community by helping at several projects during Jungle Day March 13 throughout Oahu, Hawaii. Airmen from 13th Air Force here supported Jungle Day, which is traditionally observed on Friday the 13th, by volunteering at the River of Life

  • Gen. Schwartz to Airmen: 'We are a family'

    The chief of staff of the Air Force had a message for Airmen during an Airmen's Call here March 11: "We are a family and everyone in this room counts. "This is a big-tent Air Force," Gen. Norton Schwartz said. "In our business, you don't measure your worth by your proximity to the fight," he said.

  • Multinational consortium celebrates milestone of first C-17

    Twelve nations simultaneously came a step closer to fulfilling their national strategic airlift requirements today as a single C-17 Globemaster III reached a key manufacturing milestone here. Officials associated with the first-of-its kind strategic airlift capability, or SAC, consortium of 10 NATO

  • AF Africa commander addresses continental challenges

    The commander of U.S. Air Forces Africa spoke about the increasingly focused role the U.S. is taking to bolster Africa's air capabilities during a March 9 visit to Air University here. "We must invest in the future of Africa," said Maj. Gen. Ronald R. "Ron" Ladnier Jr. The general's comments came on

  • Public affairs chief takes stock of tumultuous year

    Information is a critical element of national power, and public affairs personnel have a role in how the government and military employ that element, the outgoing principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for public affairs said March 12 here. "Information is absolutely part of diplomacy and

  • Afghan women celebrate culture at Women's Day event

    More than 100 Afghan women and girls celebrated their accomplishments and culture during an International Women's Day celebration March 8 in the Bazarak district of Afghanistan's Panjshir province. The event, organized by the Panjshir director of women's affairs, featured a series of speakers who

  • 'Letter to Airmen' discusses balanced approach

    In his current Letter to Airmen, the secretary of the Air Force highlights the need to create a balance across the Air Force."A balanced approach means prevailing in today's operations while investing in new capabilities, force structure, skills and technologies to meet tomorrow's needs," Secretary

  • Maxwell expands reach into 'Twitterverse'

    Maxwell Air Force Base officials joined Twitter March 7, becoming the first base in Air Education and Training Command to do so. Twitter is a popular social-networking tool where users send short messages, or "tweets," to other users. "We're always looking for new avenues to tell people the Maxwell

  • AF mourns the loss of first chief master sergeant of the Air Force

    Former Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Paul Wesley Airey died March 11 in Panama City, Fla. "Chief Airey was an Airman's Airman and one of the true pioneers for our service," said Gen. Norton Schwartz, Air Force Chief of Staff. "He was a warrior, an innovator, and a leader with vision well

  • CSAF signs official charter for Expeditionary Center

    The official charter for the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center was signed by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz on March 3 giving the center its "mandate to operate." The charter outlines how the Air Force must provide expeditionary combat support, or ECS, capabilities to combatant

  • Air Force, Navy pilots train together over Okinawa

    Air Force and Navy pilots are sharpening their aerial combat skills in simulated dogfights and strike missions from March 1 through 21 over Okinawa. Using the base as a power projection platform, F-15 Eagle pilots from the 67th Fighter Squadron and F-22 Raptor pilots from the deployed 27th

  • Combat controller receives Air Force Cross, Purple Heart

    Tears stood in Sue Rhyner's eyes as she talked about her son, who, in a ceremony March 10 here received the Air Force Cross, the highest military decoration awarded by the service, and a Purple Heart. Staff Sgt. Zachary Rhyner of the 21st Special Tactics Squadron from Pope Air Force Base, N.C.,

  • Engineers save nearly $300 million in engine repairs

    Engineers at the Air Force Research Laboratory Materials and Manufacturing Directorate here saved nearly $300 million by reducing the costs associated with aircraft jet engine maintenance.The Engine Rotor Life Extension program, called ERLE, demonstrated a life-cycle cost avoidance for engine rotor

  • 'Today's Air Force' features interview with chief of staff

    This edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights the visit to Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, by the Air Force chief of staff during which he discussed what the future holds for the Air Force in Afghanistan. Also featured are ways to reduce personal debt and become financially stable through free

  • Job opportunities available for Airmen in recruiting

    The decision to increase the Air Force end strength from 316,000 to 330,000 at the end of 2008 forced Air Force Recruiting Service officials here to ramp up the number of recruiters across the nation, offering more Airmen a chance to enter a uniquely challenging career. "Recruiting offers a direct

  • Kadena Airmen deploy to Thailand for Exercise Cope Tiger

    About 170 Kadena Air Base Airmen are deploying with 12 F-15 Eagles to Thailand to participate in Exercise Cope Tiger 2009 from March 9 through 20. The F-15s from the 44th Fighter Squadron here will fly alongside their Thai air force counterparts as well as the Singaporean air force and other U.S.

  • Air Force on target with recruiting, retention

    Air Force leaders' efforts to have the "right number of people in the right jobs" remains a challenge and so far, the Air Force is headed in the right direction, according to Lt. Gen. Richard Y. Newton III, the deputy chief of staff for manpower and personnel. The general was one of several senior

  • Top agents praise OSI efforts within Afghanistan

    The Air Force's top Office of Special Investigations leaders recently spoke with agents and support personnel serving in Afghanistan during a Feb. 23 through 26 visit to Bagram Airfield. Brig. Gen. Dana Simmons, the Air Force OSI commander, Col. Humberto Morales, the 24th Expeditionary Force

  • Symposium encourages Building Partnerships, ideas

    The LeMay Center for Doctrine Development and Education here invites select officers and civilian equivalents to take part in the Building Partnerships Symposium March 23 to 25 here. The event's primary focus is to promote discussion about relevant experiences and theories to be incorporated into

  • Army, Air Force partner to improve facilities for Iraqi military

    Air Force and Army Corps of Engineers members joined forces to improve the training facilities for Iraq's air force cadets here. The $1.96 million rehabilitation project at the Iraq Military Academy Rustamiyah included five major components that will greatly enhance the learning and living

  • National Guard chief visits troops in war zone

    The National Guard's first four-star general visited citizen-Soldiers and -Airmen serving throughout Southwest Asia in dozens of formal briefings, town hall meetings and tours at the end of February and early March.General Craig R. McKinley, the chief of the National Guard Bureau, visited the Guard

  • Foundation gives spouses chance to become financial counselors

    Through their investor education foundation, representatives with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA, are helping military spouses become accredited as financial counselors. The foundation's "Military Spouse Fellowship Program" has been providing military spouses the means to earn