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  • Andersen Airmen response group hone combat skills

    In the former housing area known as Andersen South, a team of Airmen patrol the abandoned, rundown facilities. They scan the front and back of the patrol, looking for anything or anyone out of the ordinary. The Airmen are members of Andersen Air Force Base's 36th Contingency Response Group; this

  • Hydrant vehicles refuel Air Force fleet faster

    The 379th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels flight recently received three R-12 hydrant servicing vehicles that will significantly increase refueling capabilities. In conjunction with the recently commissioned hydrant fueling system and arrival of the HSVs, the hydrant fueling

  • Air Force Reserve wing at Scott receives first C-40 aircraft

    The Air Force Reserve Command's 932nd Airlift Wing here welcomed a new aircraft into its inventory Feb. 26 with the arrival of its first of three C-40Cs. The wing, the only Air Force Reserve unit in the state of Illinois with a flying mission, will use the aircraft to augment its mission of

  • In-house repairs keep costs down at Misawa Air Base

    The war on terrorism is forcing the U.S. military to take a closer look at its budget and how money is spent. In the quest to maximize resources, three Airmen here are part of program designed to do just. Three NCO's of the 35th Maintenance Group are manning Misawa's Repair Enhancement Program

  • Top teams can vie for excellence award

    For more than 14 years, the Chief of Staff Team Excellence Awards, sponsored by the Air Force chief of staff, have been recognizing those Airmen who use a systematic approach to enhance mission capability, improve operational performance and create sustained results. For 2007, the Air Force's goal

  • German community office, one-stop info shop for Americans

    International marriage, restaurant recommendations and utility bill interpretation are all daily topics at the German-American Community Office in Kaiserslautern.The office, which opened in February 2003, is staffed by bilingual host nation civilians who have helped more than 10,000 German and

  • Personnel records readiness vital to mission

    Nobody can predict the twists and turns that life can take, but with a little bit of preparation Airmen can make the best of any situation. The Air Force Personnel Center designated March as Personnel Records Readiness Month. Military members used this opportunity to review items such as their

  • Columbus, Ohio, to celebrate 'Air Force Heritage Week'

    Reaffirming its commitment to the commemoration of 60 years of air and space power, the United States Air Force announced Feb. 23 that Columbus, Ohio, has been selected as host for the nation's only Air Force Heritage Week in conjunction with The Gathering of Mustangs and Legends in September 2007.

  • 'Man's best friends' help fight war on terrorism

    More than 2,000 military working dogs currently serve at military bases around the world. But for the 65th Security Forces Squadron at Lajes Field, their hearts belong to two of those dogs. Dan and Rex, both adult German Shepherds, arrived at Lajes Field straight from the 120-day rigorous training

  • Medical professionals win team of the year

    Air Force and Air Force Association officials have named Air Force expeditionary medics, or EMEDS, as the 2007 Team of the Year. Each year, AFA officials, working with major command-level command chief master sergeants and the Office of the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, select a specific

  • Afghan officers exchange ideas with Air Force counterparts

    Eight Afghan army air corps officers recently visited the 455th Expeditionary Mission Support Group here. The group came to exchange ideas with their Air Force counterparts. "They learned a lot," said Capt. Tommy Butler, who is an air corps advisory group mentor. "The Afghans don't have a complete

  • Elmendorf Airmen support PACAF operations

    "Whoever holds Alaska will hold the world." Speaking these words to Congress in 1935 during his final public appearance, Gen. Billy Mitchell understood the importance of airpower in Alaska. And today Airmen at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, are proving his words to be true. "We literally sit on

  • Sergeant's desire to serve aids recovery

    Tech. Sgt. Israel Del Toro continues talking to Airmen about his experiences in Afghanistan even as he struggles to recover from burns he received in combat. The tactical air controller is fighting to stay in uniform so he can continue serving his country. The sergeant suffered severe burns over 80

  • Chairman of Joint Chiefs speaks to Airmen

    Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Marine Gen. Peter Pace spoke to Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Coast Guardsmen at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, during a town hall meeting Feb. 23. The main message of his speech was only two words. "We came a long way to say, basically, two words to you and

  • Elmendorf Airmen put AFSO 21 to work

    With the arrival of the F-22 Raptor this summer, Elmendorf Air Force Base Airmen are saying goodbye to the F-15E Strike Eagle. Before each plane can be transferred to its new home at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, it has to pass a 10-day aircraft transfer inspection, and now, using Air Force Smart

  • Top American doctors visit Ramstein, Landstuhl

    Two of the highest ranking doctors from the United States toured Ramstein Air Base and the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany in late February. Dr. William Plested III, the president of the American Medical Association; Dr. J. Edward Hill, the former AMA president; and Maj. Gen. Gerald

  • Air Force general receives analysis award

    The Air Force Heritage to Horizons focus was highlighted recently when the Air Force vice chief of staff received the Lt. Gen. Glenn A. Kent Leadership Award here. Gen. John D.W. Corley was recognized for his long-term vision and leadership in guiding the Air Force to set the standard for Department

  • Willow Grove has best family readiness program

    Members of the 913th Airlift Wing at Willow Grove Air Reserve Station, Pa., received the 2006 Reserve Family Readiness Award at a Feb. 16 ceremony in Washington, D.C. Terry Jarrell, the 913th's family readiness director, and Master Sgt. Bernadette Tate-Dunlap, the family readiness superintendent,

  • Wilford Hall takes step forward in BRAC process

    Brooke Army Medical Center and Wilford Hall Medical Center take another step toward base realignment and closure. Effective March 1, the two medical centers will combine their Travel Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Henry M. Jackson Foundation clinics' outpatient services. The combined services, to

  • Working dog teams search, patrol together

    Ensuring the safety of everyone at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing here rests upon a group of Airmen and their highly trained four-legged partners. The 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron Military Working Dog Section has several certified teams made up of handlers and their explosive

  • Boxing: Air Force boxing finalizes wing open roster

    The final pairings of the 2007 Wing Open Championships have been decided, thanks to 14 action-packed bouts of Air Force boxing semifinal action on Feb. 21 in the Upper Boxing Room of the Cadet Gym. With a trip to Clune Arena and the Wing Open finals on the line, everyone brought their "A" game to

  • Incirlik Airmen test life-saving skills

    Incirlik AB Airmen went one step further in an attack response exercise Feb. 8.Exercise Evaluation Team members added scenarios that challenged base Airmen with making the decisions that could save lives in the field. While still in mobility mission oriented protective posture gear, Airmen had to

  • Lakenheath Airmen learn to cook healthier

    Members of the RAF Lakenheath Health and Wellness Center spice up their Body Composition Improvement Program by providing a healthy cooking class here. Staff Sgt. Natalie Gatewood, a nutrition counselor here, noticed there was something lacking to the required sessions Airmen were required to

  • Air Warfare Symposium features Air Force success, future

    Aerial support is critical in Iraq and Afghanistan. It saves lives and enables re-supply for troops fighting in difficult, remote terrain. But the heavy demand for aerial support is wearing down available assets, compounding problems already faced by aging Air Force fleets. The necessity to

  • Air Force builds new houses at overseas bases

    As the Air Force undergoes constant transformation from deployments to manning issues, the importance of Airmen's quality of life hasn't changed. One quality-of-life improvement was the $1 billion the Air Force spent upgrading base housing in various overseas locations in Korea, the United Kingdom

  • Radiology staff provides reliable, rapid response in Iraq

    The third Monday of February did not bring the radiology flight a day off from work, like it did for most of their counterparts in America on Presidents Day. The radiology staff kept uttering the phrase, "Man, we've been very busy today." As the sixteenth hour of the day passed, 38 patients had been

  • First JPADS improved system airdrop over Iraq a success

    Eight aircrew members from the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing's 777th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron used the Joint Precision Airdrop System, or JPADS, mission planning software for the first time over Iraq Feb. 16 to deliver six 1,200-pound Improved Container Delivery System, or I-CDS, bundles. The

  • Bagram unit opens new bridge, road

    When local contractor Asil Khan first thought of building a bridge over the Gogamanda River, he was knee-deep in it, evading the Soviet army on a trip to Pakistan to procure weapons for the mujahedeen. More than 15 years later, that idea became a reality, as Gov. Jabar Taqwa officially opened the

  • Air Force leaders speak at annual AFA convention

    History and heritage, recapitalization and mission readiness and accomplishments were just a few of the topics covered by the Air Force's senior leaders at the Air Force Association's 23rd annual Air Warfare Symposium here Feb. 8 and 9. Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne introduced his

  • General swears in new Airmen at Daytona 500 race

    Airmen, start your engines! Thirty six delayed-entry-program recruits were sworn into the Air Force Feb. 18 by Gen. Ronald Keys, Air Combat Command commander, before the NASCAR Daytona 500 race. The event took place outside the track at the Air Force recruiting booth, which featured large scale

  • Hill supports warfighters with software products

    Simulated warfare found in popular video games can take months of detailed planning and encoding. In the real world, the lives of American warfighters rely on quality software products. Factoring in the Department of Defense's need for flawless systems management in support of the real deal gives

  • 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,