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  • Airmen participate in buddy wing program

    Republic of Korea air force airmen from Seosan Air Base visited Osan's 36th Fighter Squadron Dec. 11 to Dec. 13 to participate in Seventh Air Force's quarterly "buddy wing" program. The purpose of the buddy wing program is to exchange ideas, introduce tactics and improve interoperability between the

  • Basic training instructors help mold Iraq's future leaders

    The bark of the military training instructor's command voice, when heard by many current and former Airmen, may bring back memories of one of the most stressful periods of their lives, basic training. However, for the Iraqi air force warrant officer candidates in training here, it is the sound of a

  • Iraqi Air Force Training School graduates firefighters, officers

    American Airmen helped the first 10 Iraqi firefighters graduate Dec. 11 and 28 more Iraqi officer candidates receive their diplomas and commissions as second lieutenants Dec. 10 at the Iraqi Air Force Training School here. The firefighter graduation marked another first in the milestones of

  • Forecasters save millions in resources via storm updates

    Heavy rains this year rescued three states suffering from 54 years of drought, while prompting military resources in the region to guard against flooding in the process. Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas, mired in a decades-long drought, saw major storms throughout much of the year provide much needed

  • FM chiefs attain bottom line at conference

    Financial management and comptroller chief master sergeants from across the globe gathered at Gunter Annex's Senior NCO Academy Dec. 3 to 7 to discuss the state of the Air Force financial management transformation.While attending the Financial Management Chief's Conference, 38 chiefs focused on the

  • Assistant secretary: FM is enabler for programs

    In providing security for warfighters and protecting national interests, the Air Force is often the first on scene and the last to leave and that requires enormous funding, said one of the Air Force's top financial officials Dec. 3 here. John G. Vonglis the principal deputy assistant secretary of

  • AFPC announces civilian personnel services transformation

    Civilian personnel services are transforming at the Air Force Personnel Center to ensure speed of personnel actions and enhanced self-service capabilities. "Overall the transformation is designed to improve the efficiency of delivering personnel services," said Charles Huerta, the AFPC Personnel

  • Kehler: 'The future of Space is now'

    "Air Force Space Command performs a national, and in some cases, an international space mission," said Gen. C. Robert Kehler, the new commander of AFSPC. "The space capabilities we provide today are embedded in all of our combat operations," he said. "They're also embedded in our military

  • Lieutenant's oversight mission vital to Air Force testing

    In his duties as the air propulsion test project manager at the Arnold Engineering Development Center here 1st Lt. Josh Frederik plays a key part in numerous multimillion dollar projects."You're dealing with these big numbers and as the representative on the government side you need to be a good

  • Key maintenance, logistics functions realign

    The alignment of fighter and combat search and rescue aircraft maintenance units under flying squadrons was announced by the Air Force chief of the staff  Dec. 7 here. Between July and November 2008, AMUs supporting fighter and CSAR flying squadrons will realign within those squadrons, Gen. T.

  • Commander retires after 38 years of service

    With one last review of a formation of Ramstein's finest Airmen, and along with it, one last coin challenge, Gen. William T. Hobbins, commander of United States Air Forces in Europe, was retired at a ceremony here Dec. 10 after more than 38 years of service. General Hobbins cited cooperation as key

  • PME classrooms open for sister service

    Some students attending the Elmendorf Professional Military Education center wear a different shade of blue ... U.S. Coast Guard blue. Two Coast Guard members are enrolled in the Elmendorf NCO Academy while three other guardsmen are in Airman Leadership School. They are set to graduate Dec. 13 with

  • Air Force chief of chaplains visits troops in Horn of Africa

    The Air Force chief of chaplains visited the Religious Ministries Department of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa Dec. 3 and 4 to meet with chaplain members and  Airmen deployed to the task force to see some of the Djibouti humanitarian assistance projects.Chaplain (Maj. Gen.) Charles C.

  • Reserve commander delivers holiday message to Airmen

    The Air Force's top reservist offered a holiday message of thanks to deployed Airmen for their service during a Dec. 3 visit to Bagram Air Base. Lt. Gen. John A. Bradley, commander of the Air Force Reserve Command, spoke with scores of 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Airmen during his daylong visit

  • Leaders review programs, processes that take care of Airmen

    A cross-functional team of senior Air Force leaders is reviewing programs and processes essential to the health and welfare of Airmen using Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century problem-solving tools. One of the 10 AFSO 21 key processes, "Caring for People," was chartered to take on

  • Technology conference powers down

    More than 500 exhibitors set up various displays to show off their cutting-edge technology to American military members the last week of November at the Interservice Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference at the Orange County Convention Center here.The latest in simulation and

  • An Afghan education built from the ground up

    Coalition mentors stationed in northern Afghanistan continue to take interest in the country's future by investing time and money in the "younger generation." An embedded training team assigned to Afghan Regional Security Integration Command - North has partnered with members of the Afghan National

  • General focuses on mission, future of AWACS

    The E-3 Sentry airborne early warning and control system aircraft and its crews have led the way into battle many times in the past and are achieving combat excellence today, the commander of the nation's only AWACS flying wing said Nov. 27. The focus now, however, is on the future, Brig. Gen. Lori

  • Military must understand, master change, JCS chief says

    The U.S. military needs to understand change and the pace of change if it will succeed in the future, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told students at the Army War College recently."Some of the change is happening so quickly we have no idea how (it) will end up," Adm. Michael G. Mullen

  • Conference makes virtual training a reality

    The special weapons and tactics team quickly moves through the terrorist camp to the front of a safe house while forces from air and sea take out the rest of the camp. With precise and quick tactics, the team proceeds though the house, takes out the remaining terrorists, secures the hostage, and

  • American servicemembers mentor Afghan maintainers

    American servicemembers are mentoring the Afghan national army's 205th Maintenance Corps to keeping its fleet of more than 1,300 vehicles operational at Forward Operating Base Hero in Afghanistan. Capt. Eric McGreevy and Army Staff Sgt. Mark Reynolds of the U.S. maintenance mentoring team here train

  • AF leader discusses acquisition focus areas

    People in the Air Force acquisitions office are focusing on the workforce, product improvement and acquisitions processes, said Sue C. Payton, assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition. The acquisitions office is comprised of 24,183 people responsible for 127 major programs. They are

  • SECAF addresses logistics professionals on future missions

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne spoke about the future of Air Force logistics before a crowd of more than 1,300 officers and civilians at this year's annual Logistics Officer Association National Conference. "For some time now, I've been talking about a new way of war, and you all have

  • Forum exposes private industry to business opportunities

    More than 100 representatives from private industry joined Air Force representatives at the Enhanced Use Lease Program Industry Forum in Dallas, Nov. 8. The forum solicited feedback and highlighted potential EUL projects. Through the EUL program, officials lease underused military assets, including

  • Aviation resource Airmen train for future success

    Known amongst each other as "one-charlies," Airmen in the Air Force's aviation resource management career field can get advanced training through a pair of courses in the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center's Mobility Operations School at Fort Dix, N.J. The Host Aviation Resource Management course,

  • Airmen help Kyrgyz build homes, hope for the future

    Even the rain couldn't dampen the spirits of 20 local Kyrgyz families who received keys to their new homes Nov. 23 from Habitat for Humanity, and built with the help of Airmen here. Many of them, or their family members, had spent the last six months helping construct the four residential structures

  • 'Today's Air Force' features F-15 operations

    This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights the F-15 grounding and the diligent research to return it to flying status. Also featured, the Air Force Thunderbirds and the arduous schedule they have been performing for more than fifty years.  Finally, see how the service molds future

  • General honored for decades of service

    The current longest-serving person in the Air Force was inducted into the Air Force Enlisted Heritage Hall's Wall of Achievers during an enlisted academy graduation ceremony in downtown Montgomery recently. Maj. Gen. Thomas F. Deppe joins more than 140 individuals on the Wall of Achievers. Names

  • 'Dashboard' puts Guard, Reserve Airmen in driver's seat

    An enhancement to the virtual Personnel Center-Guard and Reserve, or vPC-GR, is scheduled to launch in December and will put Air National Guard and Reserve Airmen in the driver's seat of their personnel transactions. The new vPC-GR "dashboard" will streamline the way Airmen manage their vPC-GR

  • Chaplain assistant chiefs evaluate pre-deployment training

    Enlisted leaders in the Air Force's chaplain assistant career field made a special visit to the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center in early November to talk with chaplains and chaplain assistant students in the Advanced Contingency Skills Training Course and to observe the course. The visit brought

  • 3rd Medical Group ready for Soldiers' return

    The 3rd Medical Group here is ready to provide treatment to the more than 3,700 Soldiers from Fort Richardson's 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, who have returned or are preparing to return from deployment. "The men and women of the 3rd Medical Group have been making the

  • AF building bridges on energy, environment

    The Air Force's top energy and environmental steward wrapped up a week-long mission to Europe, building an energy awareness consortium among key air force and commercial aviation leaders Nov. 16. "Our goal was to connect with our counterparts in the French and British air forces, to build a

  • Air Guard officials break ground for new readiness center

    Officials broke ground on a $52 million Air National Guard Readiness Center expansion here Nov. 19. When completed, the four-story complex will unite the existing ANGRC here with its Air Guard offices in Arlington, Va. Lt. Gen. Craig R. McKinley, Air National Guard director, said the expansion on

  • New 400-hour phase inspection equates to lives saved

    F-15E Strike Eagle maintainers here recently became the first in the Air Force to implement a new inspection process that promises greater airpower capability throughout Afghanistan. Shortly after becoming the first deployed F-15E unit in the Air Force to return to full operational capability

  • Vance helps celebrate Oklahoma's centennial

    Four T-38C Talon planes from Vance kicked off the Oklahoma Centennial parade in Guthrie, Okla., marking 100 years of statehood. The planes from the 25th Flying Training Squadron symbolized the land rush that settled the Oklahoma territory in 1889. It was part of a full day of festivities in Guthrie

  • New IO course expands technology knowledge

    Recent studies indicate more than one billion people worldwide digest information through the Internet alone. The Air Force Doctrine Development and Education Center brought together 12 flag officers from across the defense department and governmental agencies Nov. 6 through 9 to learn how to

  • Air Force sharpshooters help commanders see the future

    When servicemembers go outside the wire here, they occasionally have an extra set of eyes watching over them. Concealed, the members of the 506th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron's Close Precision Engagement Team observe, provide intelligence and, if necessary, neutralize threats. The CPET

  • Honorary commanders program in full swing at Kunsan

    More then 60 honorary commanders held a friendship day for about 400 Wolf Pack Airmen to increase relationships between the base and local community Nov. 12. "The honorary commanders program is a win-win situation for Kunsan's good neighbors and Wolf Pack Airmen," said Col. CQ Brown, 8th Fighter

  • Officials announce new selective reenlistment bonus list

    Following a selective reenlistment bonus review, Pentagon officials have released the latest SRB list, effective Dec. 15, containing 43 Air Force specialties. "Our SRB analysis process proved invaluable, and we were able to modify the list to apply bonuses to our most critical needs," said Senior

  • Personnel center to deployers: Don't leave without guide

    Most Air Force members being deployed to a foreign country have little knowledge of the culture they'll work in for the next four to 12 months. They don't know a Hijab from an Abaya or a Dishdasha from a Gutra. How many times a day can you say hello to someone in Kyrgystan? Why can't you eat with

  • Head of Propulsion Directorate earns DOD honor

    The director of the Air Force Research Laboratory's Propulsion Directorate has earned the highest honor given by the Secretary of Defense to career civilian personnel. Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England presented the Defense Distinguished Civilian Service Award to Dr. William U. Borger

  • New initiative offers education, training funds for military spouses

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates joined Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao Nov. 14 in supporting a new initiative to help military spouses get the education and other credentials needed to pursue careers in high-demand, high-growth occupations.Secretary Gates praised the new Military Spouse Career

  • Book offers lessons on fighting terrorism with airpower

    Airpower is a valuable weapon in the fight against terrorism but only if it is applied with discrimination and care, according to a new study of the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah War published by Air University officials. Widespread criticism of Israel for relying on its air force to attack Hezbollah

  • Tricare to make access to dental care easier overseas

    Presently, host nation dentists often require military families to make full payment up front, and then wait for reimbursement from United Concordia, the administrator of the Tricare Dental Program. Now, Tricare has modified their dental contract in an effort to eliminate the problem by seeking out

  • Secretary Wynne speaks at symposium in Las Vegas

    The secretary of the Air Force spoke about the past accomplishments and future plans of the Air Force to a crowd of more than 300 people during the 2007 Air and Space Leaders symposium at the Wynn Hotel and resort Nov. 8 in Las Vegas. Secretary Michael W. Wynne was the keystone speaker of the

  • Chief McKinley updates Airmen on Air Force priorities

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley recently reaffirmed the Air Force's three top priorities as winning the war on terrorism, developing and caring for Airmen and their families, and recapitalization and modernization. The Air Force's top enlisted Airman then spelled out where the

  • Crew chief meets childhood hero at Hill

    "Okay buddy, how do you read me?" That simple phrase may not mean a lot to the average person, but for Airman 1st Class Jeremy Meyers, hearing it from his hero was unforgettable. "It's such a small world. Not in my wildest dreams did I think I would be stationed with one of my heroes," Airman Meyers

  • Dover hosts AFSO 21 leadership course

    Dover Air Force Base officials hosted an Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century senior leader's course Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. The two-day course, designed to give senior Air Force leadership the tools to meet AFSO 21 objectives, trained 32 officers and four civilians. The attendees learned

  • AFRL wins workforce development award

    The Air Force Research Laboratory's director of personnel is excited about winning a highly coveted award, not just for her own organization, but because of what it says about the entire lab. "This is an AFRL award, an enterprise-wide effort, that says AFRL cares about its people," said Personnel

  • Space Command striving for improved field communications

    Airmen of Air Force Space Command's Space Innovation and Development Center were on hand in Warren's AFB Quebec flight area recently, but they weren't looking to the area's Peacekeeper past; they were demonstrating the future. "We're here to continue demonstrations of the combat airborne network,"

  • Upgraded A-10s prove worth in Iraq

    A new version of the A-10 Thunderbolt II has been flying over Iraq providing close-air support for the ground troops from Al Asad Air Base for nearly two months. As part of the Precision Engagement Upgrade Program, the Maryland Air National Guard's 175th Wing has been converting it's A-10s from A to

  • Football: Falcons ride record-breaker Hall over Army

    The way Air Force's Chad Hall gains ground would normally make an infantry soldier proud. Instead, the Falcon z-back broke the spirit of some future ground troops when he ran wild for 275 yards, leading the bluesuiters to a convincing 30-10 win over inter-service rival Army, before a season-high,

  • AF leaders meet at CORONA Fall

    Air Force senior leaders have just concluded the two-day CORONA Fall conference at the United States Air Force Academy. The goal of this CORONA summit was to ensure planning for tomorrow is not compromised by concentrating on today's fight. "Our current mission focus is waging and winning the long

  • Airmen, Soldiers help establish military academy

    Nearly, 2,000 young hopefuls descended upon the Afghan National Military Academy recently, all vying for the chance to be accepted into the academy and possibly study in the United States and Great Britain. A group of U.S. Airmen and Soldiers are currently working at the academy helping process the

  • Officials announce virtual enlisted promotion release

    Beginning with the November 2007 chief master sergeant promotion announcement, Airmen will be able to access the results of their promotion consideration on their own from anywhere in the world. Through the new virtual enlisted promotion release system, promotion lists will be posted on the Air

  • Honor guard transitions to new funeral guidelines

    Beginning Nov. 1, honor guard teams across the Air Force will support retiree funeral missions with seven members for standard funerals nationwide. While funerals at Arlington National Cemetery will continue to receive military honors supported by Air Force Honor Guard Airmen, funerals for retirees

  • Officials select civilians for strategic leader program

    Air Force officials have selected 84 civilians for the Civilian Strategic Leader Program, formerly known as the GS-15 Leadership Development Program. "The CSLP is designed to help institutionalize the total force development," said Lt. Gen. Roger Brady, chief of manpower and personnel for the Air

  • Air Force's top financial manager visits Keesler for schoolhouse opening

    John G. Vonglis, principal deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for financial management and comptroller, visited Keesler Oct. 29 for the unveiling of the new financial management officer schoolhouse here. The event marked the official opening of the newly-renovated schoolhouse facility and

  • Tinker unit designs new welding process for B-2

    When the B-2 Spirit systems support manager here needed three spar caps refurbished for a spare right aft deck kit, he uncovered a larger problem. The aft deck panels on the stealth bomber were not originally designed to be replaced, so there were only a couple of spare right aft deck kits produced.

  • TF33 jet engine shop up and running at Tinker

    The Air Force's lone TF33 Jet Engine Intermediate Maintenance shop here achieved full operational capability status in October. "This marks a shift of engine workload from field units to the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center, enabling the warfighter to focus more on expeditionary capabilities and

  • CSI Honduras: JSF teaches crime scene processing to Honduran police

    The joint security forces unit here hosted 70 local police officers and police academy students Oct. 24 and 26 for a course on crime scene processing. The course is one in a series of classes taught this year, with other lessons involving handcuff procedures, high-risk traffic stops and riot

  • Industry, academic leaders pool brainpower to address IED threat

    The head of the Defense Department's counter-improvised explosive device effort challenged some of the best minds in industry, academia, the national laboratories and the military to come up with better ways to thwart these deadly weapons. Retired Army Gen. Montgomery C. Meigs, director of the Joint

  • Officials offer programs for domestic violence awareness

    While stress is not the sole cause, it can be a major contributor to domestic violence among Air Force members and their families, according to Air Force family advocacy experts. In 2006, there were 3,914 reports of domestic abuse involving Airmen as either the victim or offender. Of those, 50

  • Commander foresees Air Force mastery of cyberspace

    Information technology is a two-edged sword the Air Force must wield more expertly than the nation's enemies, said the commander of Air Force Materiel Command during an Oct. 25 speech at the InfoTech Conference in Dayton, Ohio. Gen. Bruce Carlson discussed today's fight against terrorism, including

  • Airmen, Marines team up for Djibouti humanitarian mission

    Smiles and laughter filled the air as Airmen and Marines provided live entertainment, toys and water to the residents of Nagad village Oct. 23 in Djibouti. Nagad was the site of a Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa civil affairs engagement, teaming Airmen of the U.S. Central Air Forces'

  • Air Force leaders testify on strategic, budget initiatives

    People, equipment and money were the main topics Oct. 24 when the secretary of the Air Force and the chief of staff testified before the House Armed Services Committee. Secretary Michael W. Wynne and Gen. T. Michael Moseley answered questions from the committee about warfighting resources required

  • Space Command welcomes new leader

    "Space capabilities have shaped the American way of warfare in the 21st century, just like airpower did in the 20th," said Gen. C. Robert "Bob" Kehler as he assumed command of Air Force Space Command in a ceremony here Oct. 24 presided over by Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Duncan J. McNabb.

  • Airmen deploy to Kunsan to practice medical skills

    More than 60 reservists from the 944th Fighter Wing at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., along with 4th and 10th Air Force members and two instructors from Brooks City-Base, Texas, deployed to Kunsan Air Base to build an expeditionary medical system theater hospital facility in late October.The Airmen

  • Air Force leaders discuss priorities at summit

    Air Force leaders met here Oct. 23 to discuss the future beddown of weapons systems over the next several years, outlining a strategy to address the Air Force's most pressing need: recapitalization and modernization of its aging fleet. The discussion focused on maintaining, evolving and expanding

  • Wargame explores Air Force options for 2030

    While exercising the strategic proverb of a legendary 16th Century samurai warrior, 130 military strategists and planners gathered here Oct. 14 through 19 to explore future Air Force constructs based on technologies and concepts of the year 2030. Miyamoto Musashi stressed the importance of making

  • Program encourages scientific collaborations

    As panel members convene for the organization's 50th annual meeting, a five-nation program geared toward collaboration in defense science and technology is looking at its past and charting its future, a senior Defense Department official said. Andre van Tilborg, deputy undersecretary of defense for

  • Officers, civilians selected for developmental education

    More than 950 officers and civilians were recently selected to attend intermediate and senior developmental education programs during the academic 2008 to 2009 year, Air Force Personnel Center officials here recently announced. The list of primaries and alternates will be posted to the Air Force

  • AFIT students conduct payload testing for space shuttle

    Air Force Institute of Technology students from the graduate school of engineering and management's department of aeronautics and astronautics recently completed testing of their flight hardware experiment in preparation for an upcoming space shuttle mission, STS-123. Rigidizable Inflatable

  • Eielson's last A-10 carried on final flight

    The last Eielson Air Force Base A-10 Thunderbolt II was strapped in and transported via C-5 Galaxy Oct. 6 from here to its new home at the Museum of Aviation Flight and Technology Center at Robins Air Force Base, Ga.The aircraft, tail number 75-0305, was being used for weapons ground training at

  • Total force Airmen participate in Chilean exercise

    Active duty, Reserve and National Guard Airmen from across the Southwest came together Oct 15 to 19 in Iquique, Chile, to participate in WILLKA, Chile's first exercise with their new F-16 Fighting Falcons, F-5 Freedom Fighters and the U.S. Air Force.Approximately 130 Airmen will train with their

  • Tricare adds coverage for breast cancer MRI screenings

    Recognizing the importance of early detection, officials from the Tricare Management Activity recently changed its policy adding coverage for Magnetic Resonance Imaging screening for women at high risk of developing breast cancer. The American Cancer Society has clear guidelines defining high risk,

  • Chain of successes leads to Reaper operations

    The new MQ-9 Reaper has flown daily missions over Afghanistan since late September.The 658th Aeronautical Systems Squadron, in the 303rd Aeronautical Systems Wing, comprises the team of program managers, functional supporters, testers and logisticians who were behind the team effort of getting the

  • Air mobility leaders rally for combat success

    Nearly 130 air mobility leaders gathered here Oct. 10 to 12 for Phoenix Rally -- a three-day, focused look at Air Mobility Command's priorities, roles and missions. "The global reach delivered by air mobility forces truly is America's bridge to combat success," said Gen. Arthur J. Lichte, the AMC

  • Latest doctrine signed on foreign internal defense

    The latest revision to Air Force Doctrine Document 2-3.1, Foreign Internal Defense, has been approved by Maj. Gen. Allen G. Peck, Air Force Doctrine Development and Education Center commander.Although Air Force officials can perform foreign internal defense, or FID, across the range of military

  • Awards shine spotlight on Air Force's best, brightest

    The efforts of the best and the brightest scientists, technicians and engineers were honored at the Air Force Scientist & Engineer and Science & Technology Awards ceremony that took place here Oct. 4.Among the award winners was 2nd Lt. Robert Bethancourt, recognized for his outstanding contributions

  • Researchers fine-tune F-35 pilot-aircraft speech system

    When the first F-35 Lightning II rolls out in 2008, communications between pilot and aircraft will enter a new era thanks in part to testing and analysis conducted at the Air Force Research Laboratory's Human Effectiveness Directorate. The F-35 will be the first U.S. fighter aircraft with a speech

  • Airmen visit schools as part of Air Force Week Atlanta

    They came from the air. They came with spinning rifles. They came showing the best they have to offer. Air Force Week Atlanta continued Oct. 9 through 11 as Airmen traveled to three Atlanta-area schools to show students from Marietta, Etowah and Lovejoy high schools what the Air Force is all about.

  • CENTAF commander meets with Airmen in Afghanistan

    The commander of U.S. Central Command Air Forces visited with 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Airmen here and at Kandahar Airfield Oct. 8. Lt. Gen. Gary North also used the visit to Afghanistan to view the newest addition to the Air Force's close-air-support inventory -- the MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial

  • New JCS chairman visits Bagram

    The military's top servicemember visited here Oct. 7 to check on operations in Afghanistan and hear the concerns of military members. Adm. Michael G. Mullen, the new chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, thanked servicemembers for their sacrifices during an All-Hands Call for E-6s and below. The

  • Reaper UAV now flying in Afghanistan

    The Air Force announced Oct. 11 that the MQ-9 Reaper, the service's new hunter-killer unmanned aerial vehicle, is now flying operational missions in Afghanistan. The Reaper has completed 12 missions since its inaugural flight there Sept. 25, averaging about one sortie per day. Capable of striking

  • New Iraqi air force continues to grow

    The Coalition Air Force Transition Team, 370th Expeditionary Training Squadron, is continuing its efforts to populate the new Iraqi air force. A combined graduation was held Oct. 10 for four Iraqi air force maintenance officers, five maintenance supervisors, eight fuels supervisors and 54 enlisted

  • Patent no longer pending for cadet

    A cadet's father brought an industrial air filter design problem to his son's attention to pass the time during a holiday break. "I had a general idea of a solution but just could not make it work," said David Nicholas, father of Cadet 2nd Class James Nicholas. "I brought the problem home to Jay,

  • AF's first active associate unit deploying to Balad

    The Air Force's first active associate unit is preparing to deploy here this month to support the war on terrorism.Activated in July 2006, the 30th Airlift Squadron is the first active duty Air Mobility Command squadron to operationally report to an Air National Guard unit, the 153rd Airlift Wing in

  • 'Letter to Airmen' reports modernization progress

    In the latest Letter to Airmen, the secretary of the Air Force discusses how a concerted effort towards modernizing the aging fleet will set the Air Force on a path to success. "A few years ago we set out to recapitalize our aging fleet while maintaining the quality of life for our people and their

  • Air Force Week Atlanta kicks off

    Air Force Week Atlanta began with the reading of the proclamation order Oct. 8 at the Marietta Conference Center here, announcing the Oct. 8 through Oct. 14 dates amid a race car, motorcycle, fighter plane flyovers, a band, Airmen and citizens of the Peach State.Signed by Georgia Governor Sonny

  • Future of Air Force energy discussed at industry forum

    Air Force officials announced their intent to lease underutilized Air Force property and apply other tools to attract the support of private industry for energy projects at installations during an industry forum in September in Ontario, Calif.The Air Force Enhanced Use Lease Energy Industry Forum

  • Congressional delegates visit U.S. CENTAF Airmen

    Five congressional delegates visited Airmen at the Combined Air and Space Operations Center and the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing here Oct. 6. Congressmen F. Allen Boyd, Jr. (D-FL); Wayne Gilchrest (D-MD); Roger Wicker (R-MS); Steven Cohen (D-TN); and Congresswoman Betty Sutton (D-OH) met with Lt.

  • Kunsan receives upgraded fighters

    The 8th Fighter Wing received its initial group of Block 40 F-16 Fighting Falcons here this week under the Common Configuration Implementation Program. The aircraft arrival marked the first group of upgraded F-16s flown to Korea. The aircraft were flown here from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, by

  • Iraqi air force flying training school opens at Kikuk

    The Iraqi air force flying training school opened its doors Oct. 1 and began to train Iraqi aviators with the assistance of American Airmen. The planning for the school has been in the works for approximately two years and is all part of the plan to return Kirkuk Air Base back to the Iraqi air

  • Team re-engineers network environment

    What was a maze of 35 antiquated routers, switches and load balancers used to direct millions of e-mails each day is now a streamlined set of seven all-in-one nodes that saves time, money and resources. "It's like trading in your Chevy truck for a BMW," said Capt. Drew Masur, a network and boundary

  • Officials complete transfer of two more California bases

    With the closure of six major Air Force installations in California by the Base Realignment and Closure Commission, the state has been going through a tremendous transformation since 1988. That is when it was announced that Norton Air Force Base in San Bernardino would close. In 1993, March AFB in

  • General Corley takes command of ACC

    Gen. John D.W. Corley assumed the reins of Air Combat Command from Gen. Ronald E. Keys Oct. 2 in a ceremony here. "Today we transition Air Combat Command from one great American to another," said Gen. T. Michael Moseley, the Air Force chief of staff. "I'm proud to be able to hand over the watch to

  • Manas Airmen honor village elderly

    Airmen from Manas Air Base handed out gift packages Oct. 1 to senior citizens in nearby Oktyabra'skoe Village as part of Kyrgyzstan's recognition of World Elders' Day. World Elder's Day, or Elderly Day, is set aside to honor older citizens each year Oct. 1, and this year the Oktyabra'skoe Village,

  • Active-duty, Guard wings pave future alliances

    Two Fairchild Air Force Base air refueling wings merged Oct. 1 and forged into Air National Guard and active-duty wings. In response to the Congress-mandated 2005 Base Realignment and Closure process, the last of the KC-135 Stratotankers belonging to the Washington ANG's 141st Air Refueling Wing

  • Mullen becomes 17th JCS chairman

    Navy Adm. Michael G. Mullen took the helm Oct. 1 as the 17th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, vowing to work to give servicemembers "clear direction, outstanding equipment and focused policies" to accomplish current missions and prepare for future ones. Admiral Mullen paused following his