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  • DOD recognizes Travis medical center

    David Grant Medical Center has been honored with the 2006 Team Performance Patient Safety Award in recognition of outstanding achievement in creating a safer patient environment. The award, presented at the 2007 Military Health System conference in Washington, D.C., is the highest honor within the

  • Air Force's top leaders address service concerns

    The Air Force secretary and chief of staff took the opportunity to discuss the service's challenges and ongoing efforts in the war on terrorism Feb. 8 at the Air Force Association Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando, Fla.Michael Wynne and Gen. T. Michael Moseley spoke about the challenges of force

  • Airmen foster relations as ambassadors

    It was smiles galore as Airmen paid a visit to a local foster home Feb. 16, while here for a joint air show with the Peruvian Air Force. More than 400 children were treated to a performance by the Air National Guard Band of the Southwest and conversation with Airmen. The children, some of whom are

  • Lajes NCO's job saves water, money

    A Lajes Field NCO may not fly a jet or drive a tank, but carrying a pipe-wrench for the 65th Civil Engineer Squadron can be just as important. "We're here for the main plumbing and water distribution," said Staff Sgt. Kellen Buss, who works in the utilities shop. "Any water that goes from the wells

  • Ramstein inbound section delivers

    Each year an average of 30,000 packages pass through the Cargo Movement Center's inbound section helping ensure Ramstein Air Base runs smoothly. Nestled on Ramstein's southside is a large warehouse. It is the home of the inbound section and just down the road from Ramstein's flightline. "We touch

  • Eagle Flag role players: Airmen helping Airmen

    In a matter of minutes, one master sergeant here became a "chief" during a briefing for Exercise Eagle Flag 07-3 Feb. 5 at Fort Dix, N.J. "As a role player, you're deployed here to help push the students to do better, but we learn right beside them," said Master Sgt. James Gardner of the 60th

  • Medical teams provide priceless gift

    Most people get cards, chocolate and flowers from someone special on Valentine's Day. On this particular day, the treatment, care and attention patients in a C-17 Globemaster III received from a combined aerial medic team far surpassed any typical Feb. 14 gift. The critical care air transport and

  • Officer reduction in force subject of this week's Roll Call

    Meeting the Air Force's lower authorized end strength will result in approximately 40,000 active-duty Airmen separating from the service. This week's Roll Call explains one of the ways the Air Force is ensuring it has the right mix of skill sets.The Air Force needs to maintain its combat capability

  • 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

  • Combat camera videographer receives Purple Heart

    Within an hour of waking up in the Air Force Theater Hospital on the morning of Feb. 11, Staff Sgt. Kathryn Robinson was presented with the Purple Heart. Sergeant Robinson, a videographer assigned to the 4th Combat Camera Squadron in March Air Reserve Base, Calif. , was shot once in the left forearm

  • Boxing: Hard-hitting bouts highlight Wing Open quarterfinals

    The Wing Open Tournament continued Feb. 15 as the Air Force boxing team hosted the quarterfinal round of action in the Upper Boxing Room of the Cadet Gym. There were 11 bouts that featured experienced veterans and tough newcomers, as each contender vied for a spot in the next round. The Falcons

  • Airmen honored for combatant deployment roles

    The Air Force recently named three Fort Hood, Texas, Airmen the first recipients of three new awards during a ceremony at the Hall of Heroes in the Pentagon. The new awards honor members of the tactical air control party career field. Two of the awards are named after TACP Airmen who gave their

  • Leaders focus on Air Force priorities at Corona South

    The secretary of the Air Force, the Air Force chief of staff and other key service leaders met for Corona South to discuss key strategic issues, priorities and initiatives of the Air Force Feb. 12 to 14 at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.Michael W. Wynne and Gen. T. Michael Moseley led the meeting, with

  • Lessons learned program to improve deployments

    U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials have established a program to help solve problems and improve things for new people rotating into the area of responsibility. The CENTAF Office of Lessons Learned, established in October 2004, has increased its staff and now has two specialists working to

  • Air Force trauma specialists train civilian counterparts

    Air Force trauma specialists here are training civilian medical personnel on emergency airway management skills. The training, held Feb. 7 at Wilford Hall Medical Center here, was the first under a new agreement signed by the 59th Medical Wing Trauma Department and San Antonio AirLife. The

  • U.S., Peruvian Air Forces reach milestone

    With the final latch of the helicopter's door and a ride away from a deserted terrain of Peru, the U.S. and Peruvian Air Forces completed their first joint combat search and rescue exercise in South America. Coordinated with both countries by military and U.S. Embassy personnel, the combat search

  • Simulation center provides edge to medics

    For nearly two years, Wilford Hall Medical Center's simulation center has been preparing Airmen for real-world medical scenarios here and in the deployed setting. The center was established as a task to create a needs assessment for the incorporation of medical simulation into Air Force Medical

  • Fuels flight pumps out record

    Airmen with the 332nd Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron's petroleum, oil and lubricant, or POL, flight pumped a lot of gas recently. In fact, they set a record for the highest number of gallons of fuel issued in a single month over the last three years. POL Airmen received and issued a

  • Horn of Africa task force welcomes new commander

    Formations of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Airmen, Sailors, Soldiers and Marines provided the backdrop Feb. 14 as Rear Admiral James M. Hart accepted command from Rear Adm. Richard W. Hunt in a ceremony on the flightline of Camp Lemonier, Djibouti.Admiral Hart addressed his vision for

  • Planning critical to Red Flag - Alaska success

    Coalition and American pilots, aircrews and support members need a realistic training environment, and Red Flag - Alaska provides some of the most realistic training on earth. Coordinating this training is the responsibility of the 353rd Combat Training Squadron members, who plan and prepare each

  • Mission failure means 'lights out' for engineers

    Every Air Force job is vital to accomplishing the mission. But the work of civil engineers affects anyone who uses power; if there is no one do to their job, it's lights out. Staff Sgt. Brian Sawyer is one of those civil engineers. When asked what he loves most about his job, Sergeant Sawyer

  • Vandenberg Airman sparks change throughout DOD

    When she stood in front of senior leaders Dec. 21 at Breaker's Dining Facility here and voiced her concern, she had no idea her question would be heard by Department of Defense officials. The question Airman 1st Class Erica Hudson presented during an Airmen's breakfast that morning came from a

  • Reserve wing closes chapter in history

    Reservists from the 944th Fighter Wing here bid farewell to the last three F-16 Fighting Falcons after almost 20 years. The unit's F-16s are being reassigned to other locations on the recommendations of the Base Realignment and Closure Commission. "This is like a family that's moving on," said Lt.

  • Academy Cadet Wing returns to daily schedule

    The Cadet Wing has returned to its daily schedule of calls and cadets' off-duty privileges have been reinstated, academy officials announced Feb. 13. Lt. Gen. John F. Regni, the academy superintendent, restricted the entire 4,300-member Cadet Wing to the campus Feb. 7 after a cheating incident

  • Pace: Debate, discourse not U.S. weaknesses

    No enemy should confuse U.S. debate on the war in Iraq for weakness, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said here Feb. 9.Speaking at a town hall meeting at U.S. Pacific Command here, Marine Gen. Peter Pace said an early or precipitous withdrawal from Iraq would be a disaster for Iraqis and

  • Air Force reopens job reservations for nine career fields

    Most first-term Airmen serving in nine Air Force specialty codes will now be eligible to apply for a career job reservation. Airmen serving in the 2A0X1D, 2A5X3D, 2E0X1, 2M0X2, 3E0X1, 3E0X2, 3E1X1, 3E2X1 or 3E3X1 AFSCs will be granted a CJR regardless of their CJR window of eligibility. "This change

  • Reserve doctor chosen for medical specialty board

    The chief of Air Force Reserve Command's line-of-duty board was chosen to serve on the American Board of Preventative Medicine beginning in August. Col. (Dr.) Susan Northrup was selected in January to serve a three-year term on the ABPM, the only U.S. agency that certifies medical doctors in

  • Airmen return from Urban Sniper School

    Two Airmen from the 736th Security Forces Squadron here recently returned from 11 days of training in an Urban Sniper School with a Marine expeditionary unit at Kadena Air Base, Japan.Tech. Sgt. Samuel Howell and Staff Sgt. Patrick Pendergest along with nine Marines attended the school taught by the

  • Air transportation specialists key to life at Lajes

    Keeping Lajes Field members fed and informed is a vital job that falls on the shoulders of a 28-year-old sergeant's team, since virtually everything the base needs is flown into the small island off Portugal that Lajes Field calls home.Staff Sgt. Eric Brooks and the rest of his team at the 729th Air

  • USAFE, Liberian medics team up to save lives

    Within minutes of completing two days of medical training in Liberia taught by medics from U.S. Air Forces in Europe Airmen, 23 Armed Forces of Liberia medical technicians were put to the test when they responded to a high-speed vehicle rollover Jan. 28 here. Outside the gate to the remote military

  • U.S. Central Command air power official meets with Kenya Air Force

    On a recent return visit to Kenya, the commander of U.S. Central Command Air Forces continued a dialogue of cooperation and mutual operational goals with Kenya Air Force officials this week. Lt. Gen. Gary North met with Brig. Gen. Jackson Waheru, deputy commander of the Kenya Air Force, among other

  • F-15 Strike Eagles take over close-air-support mission at Bagram

    The F-15 Strike Eagle recently swapped out with the A-10 Thunderbolt II to assume responsibility of the close-air-support mission here. The F-15s are assigned to the 391st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and are deployed from the 391st Fighter Squadron at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho.

  • Kadena's hospital gets a check-up

    Patients at the Kadena clinic can rest a little easier knowing clinic staff members are doing all they can to make sure they get the best care possible. The 18th Medical Group recently underwent two simultaneous evaluations. The hospital was scored on the nine functional areas of the medical field,

  • Balad exercise hones response skills

    A joint Army and Air Force exercise recently tested the emergency response skills of Airmen and Soldier firefighters at Balad Air Base, Iraq. "Our No. 1 goal is to coordinate an emergency response that'll safely take the injured to a medical treatment facility," said Chief Master Sgt. Kevin

  • Life-saving attempt earns Airman praise, accolade

    A 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Airman received a medal recently that will serve as a reminder of the day he unwittingly stepped into the spotlight while on a mission in Africa. While waiting for his dinner companions at a hotel in Nairobi, Kenya, Tech. Sgt. Bryant Billingsley heard a call for

  • Helicopter support trailer provides rapid mobility

    It appears to be just a plain gray box, with a drop down rear ramp and external lighting. There are no flashy unit murals or logos. In fact, there is no labeling on the trailer at all, other than a government license plate. This nondescript trailer, recently purchased by the 723rd Aircraft

  • Deterrence keeps secluded Minuteman crew focused

    After more than a hour's drive from civilization, down sometimes treacherous country dirt roads, 1st Lt. Matthew Bejcek still has about 90 minutes of security checks to pass through before he can start his job as a caretaker of this nation's single biggest deterrent to terrorism. There is a reason

  • Moody Airman receives Purple Heart

    When a sniper's bullet careened off his turret-mounted machine gun and struck his side, the last thing the young Airman thought was that he had just been shot. Senior Airman Jeremy Birchfield, 824th Security Forces Squadron turret gunner, had just paid a local Iraqi boy to get him a pizza, while he

  • Expeditor training part of AFSO 21 initiatives

    Members of the 60th Aerial Port Squadron here are holding a two-week class to develop ways to eliminate time aircrews and loadmasters are spending on the ground after a flight. Tech. Sgt. Ryan Holmes, a course director from the Air Mobility Warfare Center at Fort Dix, N.J., said they will train

  • Vehicle registration streamlines customer service

    Airmen who work in the vehicle registration office here realized not all of their customers were happy all the time. There were a variety of concerning factors, but the main area of dissatisfaction was waiting times. "In the summertime I believe our max wait was three hours and 45 minutes long. And

  • Air Force Assistance Fund 2007 campaign begins Feb. 12

    This year's Air Force Assistance Fund "Commitment to Caring" campaign, from Feb. 12 to May 4, will provide Airmen the opportunity to contribute to any of the four official Air Force charitable organizations. Now in its 34th year, 100-percent of designated AFAF contributions will benefit active-duty,

  • ABU wear policy effective immediately

    Air Force officials at the Pentagon released the wear policy for the new Airman Battle Uniform Feb. 7. The policy comes in time to help many of the Airmen deploying to the AOR in May, as these Airmen will be among the first to get the ABU. Further ABU distribution plans will be based on production

  • Academy investigating potential test compromise

    U.S. Air Force Academy officials are investigating an incident of cheating involving more than 19 freshman cadets. "We have an honor code here at the Academy," said Capt. Capt. Kim Melchor, the deputy director of public affairs during a telephone interview Feb. 8. "From the first day they arrive, we

  • Air Force team performs goodwill mission in Thailand

    A U.S. Air Force medical and dental team and members of the Royal Thai Air Force participated in a humanitarian mission at Thairat 72 School in Udon Thani on Feb. 6. This was the second civil-action project and the first in northern Thailand conducted during exercise Cope Tiger 2007. According to

  • Teaching high-altitude safety at 50 feet below sea level

    An NCO from Ramstein AB is preparing Airmen for a flight up to 30,000 feet while never leaving the ground. Master Sgt. Doug Schmidt takes his position outside the hyperbaric chamber while a dozen or so students inside strap on their oxygen masks in a training facility in a part of the Netherlands

  • Physician assistant receives Purple Heart

    An Airman who survived an improvised explosive device attack in December isn't likely to forget that moment -- or the one when he was presented a Purple Heart by the chief of staff of the Air Force Feb. 4. Capt. Kevin Fischer is a physician assistant assigned to the 732nd Expeditionary Logistics

  • New trailer equipped for rapid response to biological agents

    A ceremony Feb. 6 here marked the first delivery in the Air Force of a laboratory response team trailer. The trailer is equipped with the Joint Biological Agent Identification and Diagnostic System, or JBAIDS, which provides rapid analysis of biological agents, an essential capability during an

  • Tops In Blue 2007 rehearses for anniversary season

    Cast members for the 2007 version of the Tops In Blue show are singing, dancing and learning how to prepare for approximately 140 shows in 30 countries.Singers, dancers, instrumentalists, drivers, stage crew -- 38 in all -- converged in January beginning 10 weeks of rehearsals for Tops In Blue 2007

  • Dover reorganizes for C-17 mission

    A ceremony here Feb. 4 marked the end of a 30-year run of Dover AFB's sole C-5 Galaxy mission and the beginning of a new era as the base prepares for the first of 13 C-17 Globemaster IIIs scheduled to arrive this summer. Air Force Reserve Command's 512th Maintenance Group is reorganizing to

  • Air Force unit wins 2006 DOD Patient Safety Award

    The 59th Medical Wing staff was recognized as a Department of Defense Patient Safety Award winner for their use of new technology and innovation for patient care and safety tracking in an emergency department setting Jan. 30. The award was presented to Brig. Gen. (Dr.) David G. Young III, the 59th

  • PACAF commander: Unity is key in war on terrorism

    Taking care of Airmen and their families, the war on terrorism, modernizing the aging fleet, and the recent stand-up of the 13th Air Force Detachment at Yokota AB, Japan, were topics of interest for the commander of Pacific Air Forces during a visit to Kadena AB Feb. 1 to 3. "Taking care of Airmen

  • Kirkuk Airmen provide care following attack

    Two Iraqi civilians were injured near Kirkuk, Iraq when they were caught in the crossfire between Iraqi, authorities and insurgents Feb. 1. After being transported here by helicopter and receiving emergency medical treatment from members of the 506th Expeditionary Medical Squadron, they were flown

  • The making of an air commando

    I had never heard the song before, but the melody was vaguely familiar: "Swamp rat, swamp rat, where do you hi-ide? "Come out in the open and I'll be your guy-ide." The raspy voice bounced off the tall pines in Kisatchie National Forest in central Louisiana: I'm a friendly guerilla who'll take you

  • Maintainers keep planes flying at Cope Tiger

    Maintenance personnel are in Thailand as part of Exercise Cope Tiger '07. The A-10 Thunderbolt IIs from Osan Air Base, Korea, are joined by planes from bases in Japan and Hawaii, all participating in the two-week multilateral exercise with Thailand and Singapore.With more than 60 planes in the air

  • Air Force Reserve expands KC-135 force at March ARB

    Air Force Reserve Command officials have expanded the size of its KC-135 Stratotanker force at March Air Reserve Base, Calif., as part of the Air Force total force integration initiatives.Under the Base Realignment and Closure process, the 939th Air Refueling Wing at Portland International Airport,

  • 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

  • MyEDP provides real answers for real Airmen

    Airmen needn't look further than their computer screens for candid advice and information regarding their service careers, thanks to the My Enlisted Development Plan Web site, now up and running through the Air Force Portal.Designed as the Air Force's cradle-to-grave enlisted developmental tool,

  • Children follow in parents' footsteps on National Job Shadow Day

    After rushing through weekday morning routines, children and parents head off different in directions to begin their days, each wondering what the others' day will entail. Mackenzie Odom, a Spangdahlem Elementary School fourth grader, had the opportunity to see first hand what her father, Tech. Sgt.

  • Airmen to work alongside Soldiers in Afghanistan

    Troops arriving here are typically greeted by a welcoming committee, so when the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing commander and his staff went to meet the servicemembers bound for Afghanistan disembarking off an aircraft Feb. 4, they fully expected to see Army Soldiers file off. But when more than 170

  • Chief of staff visits Air Force's combat airpower hub

    "We've been a nation at war since 9-11, but people declared war on us a long time before then," said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley while speaking to deployed Airmen of Balad's 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Feb. 4. The general cited terrorist attacks over the past three decades and

  • Chief of staff: Warrior Airmen new culture of Air Force

    Today's Airmen are in the fight. As the war on terrorism continues in the Middle East and the war on drugs continues in South and Central America, Airmen are engaged in struggles across the globe. "We are warfighters," said Gen. T. Michael Moseley, the Air Force chief of staff. "From the pilots who

  • Academy hospital tops in class

    The Defense Department's award for top mid-sized military treatment facility went to the U.S. Air Force Academy during ceremonies Feb. 6 in Washington, D.C., as part of the annual Tricare conference. Col. Alan Berg, commander of the 10th Medical Group, was there to accept the Military Treatment

  • American, Japanese airmen join forces in Keen Edge '07

    Approximately 300 Airmen and six Japan Air Self Defense Force liaison officers are participating in the bilateral command post Exercise Keen Edge '07 here. Officials from 13th Air Force are conducting their part of the annual weeklong joint bilateral exercise to increase combat readiness and

  • Cope Tiger participants provide humanitarian assistance

    Servicemembers from the United States, Thailand and Republic of Singapore took part in a humanitarian mission during Cope Tiger 2007 Jan. 30 at a Thai school. "It is an incredible feeling to come into an area like this and make an impact, show off the humanitarian side of the U.S. Air Force and

  • Senior leaders address deployments, total-force concept

    The Air Force has been deployed to the Middle East in one fashion or another for more than 16 years and, according to the service's top officer, Airmen should expect this trend to continue for at least the next 10. "I believe we will be in the Middle East for a very long time yet," said Gen. T.

  • Kadena Airmen ready for visiting Raptors

    As Kadena Air Base officials get ready to host 12 F-22 Raptors for the fighters' first overseas deployment, the base's most important focus right now is their readiness stance. "That readiness gives us piece and stability in the region," said Brig. Gen. Harold W. Moulton, 18th Wing commander. "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

  • New technology takes pain out of major dentistry

    Dental work for deploying Moody AFB Airmen that once took six weeks can now be accomplished at the dental clinic in a number of hours because of a new computer-based system now in use. The $64,000 system frees laboratory technicians from the time-consuming process of molding plaster, shaping wax,

  • 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 combat airpower helps turn tide in decisive Battle of An Najaf

    More than 200 enemy insurgents were killed and 100 gunmen captured near An Najaf Jan. 28 with 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing providing close-air support in the joint, combined effort to route the enemy in battle. After insurgents attacked ground forces with small arms fire and rocket-propelled

  • Illinois ANG supports Bears, Operation Enduring Freedom

    Senior Airman Kimberly Letherman will be watching her favorite team, the Chicago Bears, on Super Bowl Monday. That's right -- Super Bowl Monday. With a nine-and-a-half-hour-time difference with the United States, Airmen in Afghanistan will watch the Super Bowl in the early hours of Monday morning.

  • 'Top Gun' instructor helps with Raptor integration

    What do you say when the Air Force chief of staff asks you to be the first F-22 pilot for the Navy? In Navy Lt. Cmdr. Michael Wosje's case, it was, "How could I refuse?" In a program that lets Navy pilots jump ship to train and integrate with the Air Force, this F/A-18C Hornet pilot from the USS

  • 379th fights GWOT 24/7

    Anyone who drives around the base at night will notice much of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing has a 24-hour operating schedule. Whether it's on the flightline or in a back shop, maintainers, operators and support personnel are working around the clock to generate combat sorties. Some people are

  • Chief of Staff visits Bagram Airmen

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Rodney McKinley visited Bagram and Kandahar airfields Feb. 2 during a tour of Afghanistan. The general addressed the Airmen of the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing and 451st Air Expeditionary Group, discussing

  • Strike Eagles 'rain thunder' on enemy

    When an F-15E Strike Eagle goes by low and fast, the ground shakes and even crew chiefs with years of experience with the aircraft can be surprised. With its advanced sensors and wide array of weapons, enemy forces don't have to see or hear the F-15E for it to strike them. "We can find targets on

  • SECAF town hall meeting: Every Airman an ambassador

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne spoke in front of a packed house January 31 during his town hall meeting at the Pentagon. During the meeting, the secretary discussed some of the issues facing the Air Force today as well as its strengths and his goals for 2007. One issue included the ages

  • Programs allow deployed Airmen to e-mail, chat with family

    Air Force officials continue to provide deployed Airmen and their families with Web-based communication tools, allowing e-mail and instant messaging from virtually anywhere in the world. The Air Force Instant Messenger and Global Internet Mail programs help ease the stress of deployments by keeping

  • Guam honors Andersen Airman

    A 36th Civil Engineer Squadron Airman has received two of the highest honors the government of Guam can bestow Jan. 26. In separate ceremonies, Staff Sgt. Ryan Ancheta, a structural craftsman with the squadron's vertical repair shop, was honored with a resolution from the Guam legislature and the

  • AFSO 21: Achieving a smarter staffing process

    Getting better and faster answers for decision makers was the goal for a team from Headquarters Air Force Space Command and the Space and Missile Systems Center at Los Angeles AFB, Calif., which met here for an Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century Rapid Improvement Event Jan. 22 to 25.

  • Travis medics deploy to Afghan hospital

    Approximately 100 Airmen from the 60th Medical Group at David Grant Medical Center deployed in January to the largest military hospital in Afghanistan.The 455th Expeditionary Medical Group was activated during a ceremony Jan. 23 to assume operation of the Air Force Theater Hospital at Bagram Air

  • AFMC commander visits Southwest Asia

    The commander of Air Force Materiel Command visited Southwest Asia recently to receive a first-hand look at challenges Airmen face maintaining airfield weapon systems in the area of responsibility. During his visit, Gen. Bruce Carlson discussed what AFMC brings to the fight, including science and

  • Vehicle maintenance Airmen use AFSO 21 initiatives

    Airmen in the 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron's vehicle maintenance shop are improving safety in their workcenter using Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century.Mechanics in this unit work on B-2 and B-4 aircraft towing vehicles every three to four years. When that time comes around, it

  • Security forces train in combat employment exercise

    Airmen from the 51st Fighter Wing at Osan Air Base, South Korea, and the 8th Fighter Wing at Kunsan AB, South Korea, participated in a Combat Employment Readiness Exercise in late January.The week-long exercise tested the ability of units across the Korean Peninsula to sustain surge operations while

  • 7 Charleston Airmen receive Bronze Stars

    Seven Charleston AFB Airmen were presented Bronze Stars Jan. 29 here by the Air Mobility Command commander in front of their families, friends and several hundred military members. Gen. Duncan J. McNabb said these individuals embody the heart of the nation. Awarded the Bronze Stars were: -- Capt.

  • Air Force astronaut reflects on 23 years of service

    After more than 23 years of service, Pamela Melroy is finishing her Air Force career with a splash. The Air Force colonel spent her last day before retirement, Jan. 31, undergoing water survival training at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Neutral Buoyancy Lab. But as she

  • Working dog handler receives Purple Heart

    "Today, you have an example of what a truly great NCO can be," said the 42nd Air Base Wing commander to those attending the January and February enlisted promotion ceremony at the Enlisted Club Jan. 31. Col. Pete Costello referred to Staff Sgt. Robert Brown, a 42nd Security Forces Squadron military

  • 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

  • Guard integration moves Airmen from Kulis to Elmendorf

    The 176th Wing at Kulis Air National Guard Base, Alaska, and associated aircraft, will relocate to Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, in accordance with the 2005 BRAC Commission recommendation. The 2005 BRAC Commission recommended that, contingent on the availability of adequate military construction

  • Bronze Star, second Purple Heart given to EOD Airmen

    Two explosive ordnance disposal Airmen from the 314th Civil Engineer Squadron received combat medals for their actions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom Jan. 30 in a ceremony here. Staff Sgt. Lawrence Lipinski was awarded the Bronze Star and Staff Sgt. Matthew Patnaude received his second Purple

  • Tanker recapitalization proposal released

    Air Force leaders officially released a request for proposal for a replacement tanker aircraft Jan. 30. The RFP is the official invitation to manufacturers to begin making offers to build a replacement for the Air Force's aging "Eisenhower-era" fleet of KC-135 Stratotankers, said Sue Payton, the

  • Ramstein control tower gets facelift

    Ramstein AB air traffic controllers left their 10-story tower in January for a one-story MSN-7 mobile control tower. During the next few weeks, the air traffic control tower will receive approximately $313,000 in upgrades that will transform the 1952 tower. "My pledge is to provide our outstanding

  • Changes planned for ISR community

    The Air Force director of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, or ISR, recently discussed his plans for improving the service's ISR capabilities. During a recent roundtable with members of the press, Lt. Gen. David A. Deptula laid out his plans for overhauling the service's ISR functions.

  • USAFE, Ukrainian air force continue spirit of cooperation

    As the Ukrainian air force continues its steady progress, information exchanges with partnering nations such as U.S. Air Forces in Europe help further that development, said the chief of the Ukrainian air force. "A visit like this is a good opportunity to gain experience from USAFE, which relates to

  • Center for the Intrepid opens its doors

    An aircraft carrier that sparked the spirits of a nation following the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor during the dark, early days of World War II has become the namesake of the world's most technologically advanced rehabilitation center for amputees and burn victims unveiled during an

  • Joint Intelligence Operations Center opens in Kabul

    The Joint Intelligence Operations Center, a strategic and operational breakthrough in Afghanistan-Pakistan border security, officially opened here Jan. 25 during a ceremony at Headquarters, International Security Assistance Force. The JIOC's debut publicly acknowledges ISAF's, Afghanistan's and

  • Pararescuemen dedicate drop zone to lost Airman

    Airmen at Kadena Air Base, Japan, remembered two of their own during a "Ridout Drop-Zone" dedication ceremony Jan. 29. Pararescuemen from the 320th Special Tactics Squadron and the 31st Rescue Squadron honored the fallen warriors with a pararescue tradition of naming the drop zone and then

  • CSAF's Vector discusses Air Force intelligence transformation

    The latest Chief of Staff's Vector outlines changes in the way the Air Force will transform its intelligence activities. "Our first step is to realign functions within the Headquarters Staff to establish the AF/A2 as the single focal point and lead for all Air Force intelligence, surveillance and

  • Fisher House offers help in times of crisis

    Her kind eyes have seen a lot of joy and sorrow over the years, but Paula Lewis never tires of helping those in need. A self-professed collector of hugs, Ms. Lewis has been a staple of the Lackland Fisher House since it opened in 1994. She started her association as a volunteer, and after being

  • 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

  • Airmen to see combat medal in April

    Since the Air Force started manning convoy operations in support of the war on terror, more Airmen have had an opportunity to put their rifle training to use in real-world scenarios. Today, explosive ordnance disposal and security forces Airmen, along with those performing in-lieu-of taskings, have