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  • BASH lowers Eglin aircraft incidents nearly 75 percent

    While most Air Force bases around the world have a Bird and Wildlife Aircraft Strike Hazard, or BASH, program, Eglin AFB officials have refocused and enhanced their efforts to more effectively deal with the diverse and rather large wildlife population. Eglin's wildlife strikes dropped by almost 75

  • Serving through the season: Senior Airman Jose Reyes

    Senior Airman Jose Reyes knows all about spending the holidays with a large family. As the youngest of nine brothers and sisters growing up in Brooklyn, N.Y., he did it and now he's doing it with a new family. "It's easier to spend that time together with them," said Sergeant Reyes, an Air Force

  • Serving through the season: Staff Sgts. Chace and Maria Morris

    Chace and Maria Morris met and married more than four years ago. This holiday season they are serving their country at a Southwest Asia forward operating base in support of the war on terrorism. The staff sergeants are thankful the Air Force gave them the opportunity to deploy together, instead of

  • Air Guard leaders explore ways to reset force

    The challenges for resetting the Air National Guard became more apparent to its senior leaders here Dec. 11 to 13 when Lt. Gen. Craig R. McKinley, director of the Air National Guard, hosted the senior leadership conference, Minuteman Heritage -- Preparing for New Horizons. More than 1,000 leaders

  • Serving through the season: Airman Basic Alex Diaz

    For many people, cooking for a holiday gathering may mean about 10 people, but for the staff at the Hale' Aina Dining Facility here, this holiday crowd can mean more than 300 Airmen and retirees. Airman Basic Alex Diaz is assigned to the 15th Services Squadron. He and other services Airmen at the

  • Magical weekend ends on ice

    Gary Komppa watched the National Hockey League action on the ice, and for a short time the pain of his loss melted away. The 11-year-old has not had much to smile about the last few months. He is now the man of the house after his father, Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Charles Komppa, died Oct. 25

  • Serving through the season: Staff Sgt. Joey Crowell

    After more than six years in the Air Force, Staff Sgt. Joey Crowell has gotten accustomed to working during the holidays. That's why Christmas this year in the Crowell household probably won't be happening on the 25th. "Being away five Christmases of those six it's really easy if you're flexible,"

  • Military aircrews support Mount Hood rescue effort

    After finding the body of one missing climber on Mount Hood, Ore., members of the Oregon Army National Guard, Nevada Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve units continue to search for two other lost climbers Dec. 18. Rescue crews, joined by civilian volunteers, planned to take advantage of

  • Air Force leaders advocate Voluntary Protection Program

    Air Force leaders here are advocating an enhanced safety program that focuses on developing and caring for the safety of Airmen, civilians and their families. The Voluntary Protection Program originates from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and focuses on incorporating the Air

  • Gates sworn in as defense secretary

    Robert M. Gates was sworn in as the nation's 22nd secretary of defense in a ceremony Dec. 18 at the Pentagon. After President George W. Bush introduced Secretary Gates as "an experienced and thoughtful leader," Vice President Richard B. Cheney administered the oath of office. Secretary Gates was

  • 6th SOPS delivers critical weather data to warfighters

    The motto, "Get data or die" holds special significance for the 6th Space Operations Squadron, an Air Force Reserve Command unit here whose Airmen must deliver data to their customers within 10 minutes of downloading it from their satellites.The squadron's data transforms weather from a force of

  • Air Force announces top recruiters for 2006

    Twelve Air Force recruiters garnered top honors in their field for fiscal year 2006 as winners of Operation Blue Suit XXVIII, Air Force Recruiting Service officials announced Dec. 18. The winners include:-- Master Sgt. Richard Cuddeford, 343rd Recruiting Squadron at Offutt AFB, Neb.-- Tech. Sgt.

  • Roll Call to help supervisors keep Airmen in the know

    A new weekly publication titled "Roll Call" is designed to help shop- and office-level supervisors explain complex, yet important Air Force issues to their Airmen during daily or weekly meetings. Roll Call is a one-page print product, posted online every Friday. It covers one or two topics, in full

  • Retired colonel provides air support for Snowball Express

    Retired Lt. Col. Roy White picked up the phone and on the other end was an opportunity to contribute to the military again.The phone call was from Michael Kerr, the founder of Snowball Express, and he wanted to get every military family who had a lost a loved one in the war on terror to California

  • Airmen wrap up airdrop campaign

    The Air Force C-130 Hercules team Dec. 14 wrapped up its six-day campaign of airdropping more than 211,000 pounds of supplies into the flood-ravaged Dadaab region of eastern Kenya. But to children on the ground, it was the last 60 pounds that maybe made the most difference. As a way to say goodbye

  • Snowball Express kicks off weekend festivities

    Orange County businessman Michael Kerr decided his part in the War on Terror was to give families of fallen military heroes one magical weekend, complete with a trip to Disneyland. Mr. Kerr is the founder of the Snowball Express, a Dec 15-18 event offered to the families of service members who died

  • Air Force releases KC-X draft request for proposals

    Air Force officials announced Friday the release of an updated draft Request for Proposals for the KC-X, the aerial tanker replacement aircraft. "This continues our open and transparent acquisition process," said Sue Payton, the Air Force senior acquisition executive. "We're releasing this document

  • Airforce.com: Online link to 'Cross into the Blue'

    For seven years, the official Air Force recruiting Web site has provided the public information on officer and enlisted careers as well as benefits the Air Force offers. Monday through Friday six decorated, retired recruiters man airforce.com chat lines, each managing up to seven chats at a time and

  • Secretary Rumsfeld bids servicemembers farewell

    For these past six years, I have had the opportunity, and, I should add, the privilege, to serve with the greatest military the world has ever known. To all of the men and women in uniform, all across the globe, I wish it were possible for me to meet with each of you personally today so I could look

  • Academy officials open training facility at Pueblo Airport

    Officials from the Air Force Academy's 306th Flying Training Group will officially open a new facility Dec. 15 at the Pueblo Airport Industrial Park east of Pueblo, Colo. Staff members from Detachment 1 of the 306th FTG have been overseeing a contracted Air Force Initial Flight Screening program in

  • Combat Hammer tests air-to-ground bombing capabilities

    Eglin Air Force Base's western range, Bravo 70, was the site for the largest-ever Combat Hammer weapons system evaluation program Dec. 4 to 8, sponsored by the 86th Fighter Weapons Squadron. More than 40 precision-guided weapons were dropped, including laser-guided bombs, joint direct attack

  • Course prepares flag officers to project airpower

    Historically, air superiority has meant the difference between victory and defeat on the battlefield. Army Field Manual 100-20, Command and Employment of Air Power, written four years before the Air Force's birth in 1947, stated:"The gaining of air superiority is the first requirement for the

  • Airmen challenged to make better choices

    "Work hard and play smart" may soon be a new mantra for Airmen after duty hours. In February, the Air Force kicked off a new program titled "Culture of Responsible Choices." The program, called CoRC for short, is more of a change in mindset than an actual new formal program. It is a mindset where

  • Chief McKinley says roll call good for Air Force

    Some Airmen are not getting information they need to make them better and more productive, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley said. That is why he believes the start of a roll call program, which he said could start "within days," will help bridge the communications gap between

  • Honor guard lays to rest Airmen killed in Iraq

    The tradition of laying to rest one's own carries with it the heavy burden of knowing a fellow Airman and hero has just departed. While this is the everyday job of ceremonial guardsmen, sometimes a death hits home a little harder and makes a lasting impact on those who take a part in the funeral.

  • Senator urges military budget increases

    During a farewell speech in front of the Senate Armed Services Committee Dec. 7, Sen. Jim Talent (R-MO) said legislators must substantially increase military budgets over the coming decade if the U.S. military is to keep its edge. "There can be no doubt that without a substantial increase in

  • Web site commemorates National Guard birthday

    The National Guard turns 370 years old Dec. 13, and the National Guard Bureau is celebrating with a Web site dedicated to the organization and its history. The site, www.ngb.army.mil/features/birthday/index.html, chronicles the Guard's history, starting in 1636 when the General Court of the

  • AFMC leaders plot 'One Materiel Command' course

    "Pushing widgets out your door but having those widgets stack up in front of another Air Force Materiel Command unit's door really hasn't helped the enterprise." With that statement, Gen. Bruce Carlson, AFMC commander, explained his concept of 'One Materiel Command' to 103 AFMC senior leaders

  • Chief McKinley visits Airmen at Soto Cano

    Delivering 12,000 cookies to Airmen at forward operating bases is just one of Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley's many jobs. But the prospects of meeting with Airmen at four Central and South American and Caribbean bases put a smile on the face of the Air Force's top enlisted

  • Air Force plays in pandemic flu exercise

    The Air Force is participating in a pandemic flu exercise Dec. 11-13 in Boerne, Texas, linking a variety of major south Texas crisis response agencies and Air Force medical personnel. The Regional Pandemic Flu Conference, facilitated by the Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council, involves 59th

  • Prevention, education key to winning war against HIV

    In the military's fight against HIV/AIDS, prevention is the key to winning the battle, said Dr. Judith Delmar, a staff physician with the Air Force's HIV program at Wilford Hall Medical Center. Speaking at the sixth annual international HIV/AIDS Strategic Planning and Policy Development course, the

  • Spang Airmen compete for Mr. Universe title

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

  • Florida base provides mix of support for shuttle launch

    The Air Force's 45th Space Wing out of Patrick Air Force Base, Fla. supported NASA's launch of Space Shuttle Discovery from Kennedy Space Center Dec. 9 on the shuttle's first night launch in four years. Several units across the 45th SW played vital roles such as helping validate the pad after the

  • Kadena Airmen live life of Japan self defense force

    Six Kadena Air Base NCOs recently had the opportunity to experience what life is like in the Japan Air Self Defense Force. As part of the NCO Bilateral Exchange Program they traveled in JASDF aircraft Dec. 5 to Tsuiki Air Base in mainland Japan. There, they spent nine days living and working

  • Air Force delivers much needed supplies to Kenya

    After weeks of a deluge that seemingly had no end in sight, something besides rain finally fell from the Eastern Kenya sky -- compliments of a U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules assigned to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing based in Southwest Asia. What began as a normal storm in late October in the

  • Hurlburt Airmen grant Honduran Christmas wish

    A group of Airmen here are taking a break from their holiday hustle and bustle to make a special trip and grant Christmas wishes for others. More than a dozen Airmen from the 6th Special Operations Squadron, 15th SOS and 73rd SOS travel Dec. 11 to La Ceiba, Honduras, to carry out Operation Christmas

  • SECAF visits Balad Airmen

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Wynne visited deployed Airmen here Dec. 9. Secretary Wynne spoke to Airmen during a town hall meeting in order to discuss issues affecting them and the impact Airmen are having on Operation Iraqi Freedom. He commented on how relevant was the mission statement of

  • New combat turret design named for fallen Airman

    Sometimes a tragedy inspires others to strive for excellence. That's what happened here for two Air Force units near Baghdad as they worked together to bring in some good for fellow Airmen.Airman 1st Class LeeBernard Emmanuel Chavis was killed while patrolling the streets of Baghdad Oct. 14 in the

  • Airmen, Soldiers revel in America's pastime in Iraq

    If you visit the softball diamond on any weekend at Logistics Support Area Anaconda, Iraq, you're likely to see a co-recreational game with players on both sides swinging the bat, circling the bases and trading friendly barbs with one another.At first glance, the scene would appear no different than

  • Spectrum Summit focuses on warfighters' communication needs

    Servicemembers on patrols and convoy missions in Iraq and Afghanistan sometimes have to choose between having access to radios to call in close-air support if they need it or to call for jammers to disable improvised explosive devices they encounter along the route. That is a decision troops

  • Airmen play role in homeland defense exercise

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

  • Special retreat held for fallen Airman

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

  • General talks to next greatest generation

    The four-star general looked into the crowd of eager-eyed cadets -- the next generation of Air Force leaders looked back at him. General Paul V. Hester, the Pacific Air Forces commander, visited Houston for the strategic outreach plan "Air Force Road Show" and took time to talk with the University

  • Teams demonstrate patient care savvy in Exercise Capital Shield

    A year of planning culminated in the orchestration of more than five aircraft, 13 organizations and numerous flight surgeons, nurses, technicians, administrators and air and ground crew who conducted collaborative patient care and transport during Exercise Capital Shield here Dec. 4-7. Under

  • General briefs Air Force mission to Houston group

    Ken Scott and other members of the Houston Forum were briefed about the Air Force Mission by General Paul V. Hester, Pacific Air Forces commander, Dec. 7 here at a JW Marriott hotel auditorium. Mr. Scott owns a public relations and communications company in Houston and he knows how hard public

  • Air Force: Expeditious recognition for expeditionary Airmen

    The Air Force deputy chief of staff for personnel told lawmakers Dec. 6 the service makes it a priority to recognize the contributions of its Airmen. "In war, our top priorities are to win and take care of our people," said Lt. Gen. Roger A. Brady, before the House Armed Services Committee military

  • 2006 suicide numbers not start of trend

    The number of suicides among Airmen in fiscal 2006 rose about 14 percent above a ten year average for the service, but the increase is not likely the start of a trend, an Air Force official said. "The suicide rate for 2006 is most indicative of the random variations year-to-year of suicides," said

  • Air Force allergy doctors win FIT competition

    A 59th Medical Wing allergy team won the 15th Annual American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Fellows-in-Training Bowl held Nov. 6 in Philadelphia. Allergy specialists Maj. (Dr.) Stephen Scranton and Capt. (Dr.) Chris Calabria, with the 759th Medical Operations Squadron at Wilford Hall

  • Airlift wing carries legacy into the future

    While much Air Force history can be found in volumes of books at the local library, its living heritage is not so easy to find. Or so most people think. In reality, Air Force heritage and history is easy to find in its Airmen and the units in which they serve. The 15th Airlift Wing at Hickam Air

  • Dec. 7 marks 65th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor

    Sixty-five years ago the Japanese raid on Pearl Harbor killed more than 2,400 Americans. The surprise raid, which took place on the morning of Dec. 7, 1941, led America into what would become the deadliest conflict in human history. Before the Pearl Harbor attack, World War II was being fought in

  • Officials weigh need for Africa Command

    Defense Department officials continue to examine the idea of establishing a U.S. Africa Command, a top DOD official said here this week. A team of DOD officials is looking at all options in examining the need for a new combatant command, said Theresa Whelan the deputy assistant secretary of defense

  • Air War College receives joint Phase II certification

    Air War College, the Air Force's senior service school, located at Air University here, received Joint Staff J-7's recommendation for Joint Professional Military Education Phase II certification at the culmination of a visit by a certification assessment team in late November. The recommendation

  • Warfighters sharpen skills during Vigilant Shield

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

  • Pearl Harbor survivor remembers

    On Dec. 7, 1941, Richard Fiske started his day aboard the USS West Virginia, much like any other. But just before 8 a.m., the 19-year-old Marine bugler looked up from his watch post on the ship's quarterdeck to see Japanese planes overhead."At first I thought they were our planes, then the first

  • IMAs, units to share Reserve personnel reductions

    Faced with eliminating 7,700 personnel authorizations, Air Force Reserve Command officials have decided to divide those cuts between individual mobilization augmentees and unit reservists. "To do our part in the Air Force's recapitalization and modernization efforts, as well as participate in

  • Air Force launches new television program

    A long-format, weekly news show titled "Today's Air Force" is now available. The new program, which first aired Oct. 30, was introduced to help tell Air Force stories in a more in-depth manner. "We have daily news programs, but they don't provide enough time to get deep into a subject and provide

  • Chief McKinley visits Airmen in San Antonio

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley learned about the Air Force News Agency's capabilities during a visit Dec. 5 here. Agency Airmen showed the chief how their media products help tell the global Air Force story. He also learned how agency products help support the strategic

  • Wing changes missions over time

    The 15th Airlift Wing, originally established as the 15th Pursuit Group (Fighter) on Nov. 22, 1940, activated at Wheeler Field , Hawaii, on Dec. 1, 1940. A little more than a year later, on Dec. 7, 1941, it engaged in combat action during the Japanese attack on military installations in Hawaii.

  • Fighter pilot balanced tactics, safety, effectiveness

    I'd hate to see an epitaph on a fighter pilot's tombstone that says, "I told you I needed training"... How do you train for the most dangerous game in the world by being as safe as possible? When you don't let a guy train because it's dangerous, you're saying, "Go fight those lions with your bare

  • Leaders stress holiday safety

    In a joint Letter to Airmen, Air Force Secretary Michael W. Wynne and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley stressed the importance of safety during the holiday season. The two leaders want Airmen to watch out for each other. And they said though the service puts emphasis on safety, the

  • Military health care professionals join to combat global AIDS

    Military health care professionals from 30 countries gathered here Dec. 4 for the sixth annual international HIV/AIDS Strategic Planning and Policy Development course. The week-long course, which is hosted by the Defense Institute for Medical Operations, aims to help senior military and civilian

  • Kentucky Airmen lead way for ANG contingency response

    The Kentucky Air National Guard is now the home of the first and only contingency response group in the Air National Guard. The 123rd Contingency Response Group -- an "airbase in a box" -- will now provide a continual capability to provide everything necessary to open a runway, load and unload

  • Pope NCO receives Purple Heart

    A tactical air control party Airman from Pope AFB's 17th Air Support Operations Squadron was awarded the Purple Heart in a presentation ceremony Nov. 30 here. Tech. Sgt. Juan Valentin was awarded the Purple Heart for his wounds received in action Oct. 28 while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

  • Afghan reconstruction team brings supplies to orphans

    The Mehtar Lam Provincial Reconstruction Team paid an unexpected visit to a girl's orphan school Nov. 27 to donate three trailers full of supplies, including items to help with the approaching winter. The staff of Rosantoon Orphan Girl's School in Mehtar Lam City welcomed the team and helped

  • Andersen Airmen treat, transport injured Sailors

    Airmen from the 36th Medical Group and 734th Air Mobility Squadron here played an integral role in treating and transporting six critically injured Sailors Dec. 2 to Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii.The Sailors were transported via a C-17 Globemaster III to Hickam AFB, then on to the Army's Burn Center

  • Record-setting fuels flight keeps gas flowing at Manas

    Airmen from the 376th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron Petroleum, Oils and Lubricants Flight help complete the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing's mission of delivering fuel, people and cargo to Afghanistan by keeping the fuel flowing. The men and women of POL, commonly known as the fuels

  • Air Force transporting injured Sailors

    The Air Force is currently responding to transport injured Sailors from Guam back to the United States to receive medical attention. Eight sailors were injured, six critically, as a result of an accident aboard a U.S. Navy submarine tender. The Guam Pacific Daily News reports the sailors were

  • Children tune in Air Force Band holiday concert

    The Air Force Band kicked off its holiday season here today with a downtown concert tailored for young concert-goers at the Daughters of the American Republic Constitution Hall. With performances from four of the band's eight ensembles -the hip-hop/pop band Max Impact, the Singing Sergeants choir,

  • USAFE officials reactivate 3rd Air Force

    The 3rd Air Force was reactivated today during a ceremony here. Lt. Gen. Robert D. Bishop Jr. took command. General Bishop has been vice commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe."My last three job titles have begun with deputy, assistant or vice. I am personally delighted and humbled to be here this

  • Moody pharmacy team makes AFSO 21 improvements

    The 23rd Medical Group's pharmacy is currently implementing a series of changes to improve customer service and satisfaction. The changes are a direct result of the group's first Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century Rapid Improvement Event. The first change revises the pharmacy hours from

  • Patrolmen lauded for life-saving response

    A base Airman who attempted suicide is alive today because of the fast reaction of four patrolmen from the 366th Security Forces Squadron here. This month, 366th Fighter Wing officials showed its gratitude by selecting Tech. Sgt. Rich Richardson, Tech. Sgt. Galen Dickerson, Staff Sgt. Tom French and

  • NCO completes in-theater advocate training

    An NCO here completed 40 hours of training to become the first victim advocate trained in Southwest Asia, according to the local Sexual Assault Response Coordinator. Dr. Mario Mercado said Staff Sgt. Kino Simmons of the 380th Expeditionary Communications Squadron completed the training before any

  • Sibling tanker pilots connect 7,700 miles from home

    Being in different services, they never thought their military paths would cross, but two Kaysville, Utah, brothers are sharing a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The Torbensen family learned Marine Corps Capt. Jason Torbensen and Air Force 1st Lt. Dustin Torbensen would serve together at a

  • Pace: Military chiefs looking at Iraq options

    Members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff are looking at the whole spectrum of conflict and various options open to them regarding troop deployments, Marine Gen. Peter Pace said here Nov. 29. "Whether it's been reported that we're looking at beefing up or it's reported that we're looking at 'skinnying'

  • AFSO 21 special assistant visits Aviano

    The secretary of the Air Force's special assistant for Air Force Smart Operations 21 visited here Nov. 29. Dr. Ron Ritter is responsible for developing and coordinating the Air Force's AFSO 21 transformational efforts. An early leader in understanding and applying lean manufacturing methods in U.S.

  • GM-3 vehicle deploys aboard C-17 first time

    The 4th Space Operations Squadron's Ground Mobile-3 vehicle made history Nov. 25 with its first deployment aboard a C-17 Globemaster III. The GM-3 and a crew of 4th SOPS Airmen at Schriever AFB deployed to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, to set up deployed mobile satellite command-and-control

  • Career fields meld expertise in recovery missions

    Airmen from three career fields have worked for the past five years to bring the guardian angel weapon system, or GAWS, online for the Air Force to provide rapid recovery of servicemembers. Made up of survival, evasion, resistance and escape specialists, pararescue jumper called PJs, and combat

  • Air Force announces 2006 as safest year in aviation

    Fiscal year 2006 was the safest year in aviation ever for the Air Force. The year marked the lowest number of major aircraft accidents and fatalities within the Department of Defense, said the Chief of Air Force Safety Maj. Gen. Stan Gorenc recently. According to the statistics, the Air Force

  • Region Air Force commander visits Kadena

    The importance of the 18th Wing's mission in fighting the war on terrorism and its peace-keeping efforts in the Pacific region were key topics of discussion by the commander of U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force during his visit here Nov. 15. Lt. Gen. Bruce Wright, visited the base for an in-depth

  • Personnel accountability key during emergencies

    A new Air Force Instruction places more responsibility for personnel accountability on the shoulders of individual Airmen. Air Force Instruction 10-218, Personnel Accountability in Conjunction With Natural Disasters or National Emergencies, published Oct. 31, 2006, details how an Airman should go

  • Science, engineering, technology achievements lauded

    Air Force officials recognized the service's top performers in science, engineering and technology during an awards banquet at the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Award winners received a plaque and a certificate recognizing their

  • Balad 'Port Dawgs' help limit ground convoys

    With each pallet pushed onto an aircraft flying out of Balad, another dangerous convoy mission is avoided and lives are potentially saved. The "Port Dawgs" assigned to the 332nd Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron Aerial Port Flight, ensure assets are delivered to forward-operating locations

  • PRT delivers supplies to Afghan schools

    Soldiers and Airmen from the Methar Lam Provincial Reconstruction Team delivered nearly a ton of much-needed supplies to two schools Nov. 21in the capital city of Laghman Province of Afghanistan.The PRT distributed 1,300 backpacks, teacher's kits, hygiene products, soccer balls, notebooks, pens,

  • Officials to conduct foreign language skills survey

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley recently approved a survey to identify the foreign language capability inherent in the Air Force. The purpose of the on-line survey is to allow Air Force officials to get a better understanding of the foreign language skills already in the force, so

  • Rough Riders serve patients traditional turkey dinner

    The Germany chapter of The Rough Riders Motorcycle Club cooked a traditional Thanksgiving dinner Nov. 23 for the patients and staff of the Contingency Air Staging Facility here. Tech. Sgt. Keith Hammack, president of the Rough Riders chapter, said the veterans-based club operates with three

  • Relatives support deployments together

    Servicemembers often cite missing family as one of the main hardships of deployments. For at least three sets of family members at Balad Air Base, missing family might not be quite as difficult for the duration of this Air Expeditionary Force rotation. Staff Sgt. Coy Hixson, 732nd Expeditionary

  • VA, DOD joint venture future of medical care

    As the sound of sledge hammers swinging and bulldozers running fades, a new state-of-the-art medical facility on the north side of San Antonio is poised to open its doors. The new North Central Federal Clinic, the first Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense venture using joint

  • Mission Monster Mash builds camaraderie

    A pilot who has been shot down and injured during a combat situation relies on the skills of an Air Force pararescueman to save his life and get him to safety. Known as PJs, these elite military men train to dodge bullets while protecting the people they rescue. To help prepare them for the

  • Operation Homecooking offers a taste of home

    Going through basic military training is always difficult on trainees, especially over the holidays. That is why for the past 31 years, Operation Homecooking has tried to serve up the flavors, family and feelings of the Thanksgiving holiday to hundreds of the Air Force's newest family members --

  • Enlisted aides invaluable to general officers

    It's a unique Air Force career field that has Airmen leaving their homes every morning only to start work at someone else's house. An enlisted aide assists a general officer with accomplishing their primary military and official duties. The position is a voluntary special assignment. "(The Air Force

  • Misawa Airmen build winning deployment team

    Airmen in the 14th Fighter Squadron are preparing to meet the challenges of their air expeditionary force deployment this winter and they are "fired up" to contribute to the war on terrorism. The 14th FS will deploy F-16 Fighting Falcons, pilots and support people to Operation Iraqi Freedom where

  • Keesler, industry set new standard for telephone service

    With the cutting of a telephone cable Nov. 15, officials here culminated a six-month project to upgrade communications technology and "dialed in" to a new level of disaster preparedness. The date marked the official implementation of the new Voice Over Internet Protocol, or VOIP, solution for

  • Performers bring some holiday cheer to Incirlik

    Music, singing, cheering and laughter rang from Hangar 4 on Nov. 22 as more than 1,000 people from around the Incirlik community gathered to enjoy the Operation Season's Greetings traveling troupe. The OSG group performers included a combination of the best performers of the Air Force Reserve Band

  • Retired chaplain's life shining example of duty, faith

    On June 23, 1943, tragedy struck the small airfield at Royal Air Force Ridgewell, England, home of the 381st Bomb Group. As ground crews armed one of the unit's many B-17 Flying Fortress bombers, 11 on-board explosives detonated, killing 23 American servicemen and one British civilian. One man, an

  • Air Force training makes Airmen safer, more aware

    Staff Sgt. Jason Lowery knows that preparing for combat duty is something many Airmen do not know much about. But training Airmen to be safer and more aware of the dangers they face around the world is not a new concept. Air Force Combat Skills Training is just the newest method of providing today's

  • 18th Wing key component in war on terrorism

    The importance of the 18th Wing's mission in fighting the war on terrorism and its peacekeeping efforts in the Pacific region were the key topics discussed by the U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force commander here Nov. 15.Lt. Gen. Bruce A. Wright visited the base for an orientation tour of the wing

  • Life at Incirlik means getting involved

    Incirlik is known affectionately by its residents as "the small community with the big heart." Senior Master Sgt. Raul Ruiz, the 39th Security Forces Squadron first sergeant, embraces this small-town environment by being an active member of the community. "My family and I are involved in everything

  • U.S., Turkish forces team up in Anatolian Eagle

    The 22nd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, deployed F-16 Fighting Falcons and more than 200 Airmen here for a two-week exercise called Anatolian Eagle.The exercise provided an opportunity for Turkish and American forces to work side-by-side and learn from each other.

  • Preparing Thanksgiving feast no easy feat

    An American Thanksgiving kitchen is often a loud, clattering commotion of cooks, noise, smells and relatives arguing about what time the Dallas Cowboys' game starts. By the time the chaos settles onto polished dining room furniture, all that's left are the clean-up, naps and a good game of bid

  • Global Hawk flies first Beale ACC sortie

    A newly-arrived RQ-4 Global Hawk Unmanned Aerial Vehicle made its first operational Air Combat Command flight from here Nov. 21. The first Global Hawk flight from Beale signifies the end of the base's and communities' five-year wait for the aircraft, and the beginning of local training flights as