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  • Air Force working to fix pay issues

    In testimony before Congress on Nov. 18, the Air Force's finance director said there are issues with the service's pay system, but officials are tackling them. Michael Montelongo, assistant secretary of the Air Force for financial management, told the Senate Armed Services Committee subcommittee on

  • Speckled Trout takes detour to aid deployed Airman

    “Airmen helping Airmen” is a statement that is made often in the ranks of the Air Force.High-ranking Air Force leaders and a C-135C Speckled Trout crew from here demonstrated it Nov. 11.The crew was preparing to leave Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, with Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche and

  • Air Force band performs at Clinton library opening

    Rain, and a lot of it, could not dampen the spirits of Airmen assigned here to help make the William J. Clinton Presidential Library opening ceremonies Nov. 18 a success.Active-duty Airmen from the Air Force Band of Mid-America assigned to Scott Air Force Base, Ill., kicked off the official grand

  • A breast cancer survivor shares her story

    “I never thought it could happen to me,” she said. Her morning routine April 4, 2001, changed her outlook on life and gave her a new respect for it. Her day-to-day routine of waking up and jumping in and out of the shower now involves taking steps to save her life.After discovering a lump in her

  • French honor U.S. Air Force senior leaders

    Two Air Force senior officers were inducted recently into the French Legion d'Honneur, their highest award given for outstanding service to France.Gen. John P. Jumper, Air Force chief of staff, and Gen. John W. Handy, commander of U.S. Transportation Command and Air Mobility Command, were presented

  • Travis firefighters win world championship

    Competing against the best of the best, a team of Travis firefighters captured top honors during the World Firefighter Combat Challenge Nov. 9 to 13 in Las Vegas.It is the first Department of Defense team to win the international title and only the second American team to win the award since

  • Jumper: AEF has been successful

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper told House Armed Services Committee members that while reconstitution of air expeditionary forces is not moving as quickly as expected, the concept is battle-proven.The Air Force's highest-ranking uniformed member testified before the House of

  • Duck hunting William Tell style

    “It’s just like duck hunting ...” Well, maybe not just like duck hunting. The “duck” is a 40-by-8 foot target being hauled 2,000 feet behind a Learjet flying about 20,000 feet over the Gulf of Mexico. Otherwise, it is really similar to duck hunting.During William Tell, F-15 Eagle pilots compete

  • Air Force engineers help Soldiers build field bases

    From their desks miles away from forward-operating bases, Combined Task Force-Coyote engineers are improving the lives of deployed Soldiers and Marines. During their five-month deployment here, 11 Airman deployed from Missouri Air National Guard work alongside Army engineers designing buildings,

  • Maintainers mind William Tell

    Several maintainers are crowded inside a snack bar like a pack of sardines. Inside the small room, the Airmen watch live footage of a two-ship vs. four-ship mission featuring their team’s F-15 Eagles. Watching their aircraft perform is a rare occurrence for the Airmen, who usually send their jets

  • Air Force by service, but Army by trade

    They are a unique breed of servicemembers on the frontline -- Air Force by service, but Army by trade.Joint terminal attack controllers can be found throughout Afghanistan, planning, communicating and facilitating the execution of close-air support for ground forces.For the Soldiers of 2nd

  • Airman receives 'Grateful Nation Award'

    An Airman was among six servicemembers honored for heroism in the war on terrorism at an award dinner Nov. 15 in Arlington, Va.Tech. Sgt. Robert Jeeves received the award as a tactical air coordinator attached to U.S. Army Special Forces. The honorees performed acts of heroism, putting the mission

  • Airman achieves dream to fly 'into the wild blue yonder'

    The anticipation shines in his eyes. The smile on his face is genuine and easy. His demeanor exudes an infectious energy.Capt. Terry Tyree Jr. gets to fly today.It has taken him 14 years, three technical schools and a positive attitude to achieve his dream of becoming an Air Force pilot.He

  • SECAF ‘vector’ addresses resignation

    In the latest edition of “The Secretary’s Vector,” released Nov. 17, Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche discusses his resignation as the 20th service secretary.Secretary Roche said he accepted the position from President George W. Bush with the intention to serve one term and then return

  • AAFES worker trains daily despite prosthetic leg

    Terry Mallon broke his back, both legs and both ankles showing off a stunt. The 60-foot fall off an amusement park ride pushed his shin bones past his knees.Twenty-four years and 11 surgeries later, which included the loss of his right leg, the Army and Air Force Exchange Service security

  • U.S., Japanese forces conduct weapons familiarization

    U.S. Air Force weapons crews and Japan’s air self-defense forces conducted a turn-around familiarization exercise inside an aircraft hangar here Nov. 15. during Keen Sword 2005. Keen Sword is designed to increase the defensive readiness of Japanese and American forces though training in air,

  • Airmen providing civil engineering support to Soldiers

    About 50 Airmen from the 52nd Civil Engineer Squadron here, along with four from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, low crawled and convoyed their way to becoming an “Army of One.” This prepared them to deploy downrange to provide civil engineering support for the Army.The team is the first from U.S. Air

  • Roche submits resignation

    Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche announced his resignation Nov. 16."I'm honored to have served the president, the secretary of defense and the terrific Airmen I've come to know and love in the past few years as the secretary of the Air Force,” he said. “I've served with talented

  • Airman recalls convoy duty in Iraq

    Staff Sgt. Amelia Solomon did not spend her summer backpacking through Europe or sunbathing on the beaches of Cornwall with her 3-year-old daughter. Instead, she spent her summer in the dry, blistering heat of Iraq, wondering how many improvised explosive devices might be hidden on the trail in

  • AF participates in Veterans Day tribute at Redskins' game

    Thousands of sports fans and patriots were entertained here Nov. 14 by the Washington Redskins and Cincinnati Bengals football teams and the U.S. Air Force. The day's main attraction was the Redskins' battle against the Bengals, but as part of a tribute to American military veterans, the Air Force

  • Academy officials relieve some cadets of duties

    Academy officials here have announced that 15 of 21 cadets assigned to the Cadet Wing’s Group 1 fall semester staff have been relieved of their duties following reports of inappropriate conduct at an offsite meeting in Winter Park, Colo., Oct. 1 and 2. The inappropriate conduct reportedly involved

  • Weapons troops are not cowboys during Loadeo

    Despite what people may think, the Loadeo event does not feature an Airman wearing a cowboy hat, straddling an AIM-120 missile, ready for the ride of his life.Loadeo is the weapons-loading competition taking place here during the 2004 William Tell air-to-air weapons meet.“Loadeo is a competition

  • Spare jet scores for PACAF team during William Tell event

    The Pacific Air Forces team put big points on the William Tell scoreboard after a touch-and-go start in their first event Nov. 9 at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla.The Operation Noble Eagle event simulates the launch of quick-response fighters that must react to an enemy aircraft crossing the border

  • Air Force aims for ‘weapons-grade’ vision

    In June, the Air Force vice chief of staff and surgeon general approved wavefront-guided LASIK surgery for aviators in aircraft flying at altitudes of less than 14,000 feet. WFG-LASIK is a new generation of laser eye surgery that maps subtle irregularities in the cornea before the procedure,

  • Air Force senior leaders visit Tallil Air Base

    According to the Air Force’s senior leaders, the Airmen serving in Southwest Asia today are exceeding expectations as they press forward in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.“We expect you to be great, but with all that we’ve seen firsthand, you’re even better than we expected,” said Chief Master

  • Air Force shows off new ‘tent city’

    Airmen of the 435th Materiel Maintenance Squadron here showed off their newest asset, the “550 I” Basic Expeditionary Airfield Resources base kit in Sanem, Luxembourg, on Nov. 9. The kit, known as “tent city,” is the first of its kind in the U.S. Air Force. It is staged there at the U.S. Air

  • Medevac crew devotes time to African orphanage

    Flying regular missions in and around Southwest Asia are normal responsibilities for an expeditionary medical evacuation crew, but it was a special mission undertaken by Capt. Karen Mensen and her crew that made all the difference in the lives of more than 30 children recently in a remote part of

  • Experience, fresh eyes ensure airfield security

    Airman Michael Roomsburg stopped the Humvee as Staff Sgt. Chad Marten called to notify the security forces command post that the Delta-5 external security response team was set to patrol outer perimeter road.“I’ll man the turret,” said Airman Roomsburg, an active-duty Airman deployed from Pope Air

  • Air Force leaders send Veterans Day message

    The following is a Veterans Day message from Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper:“Each year, America honors its veterans for the sacrifices and hard-fought successes of so many of its citizens -- those who have worn the uniform as Soldiers,

  • Reserve volunteers to see longer overseas tour lengths

    The leader of Air Force Reserve Command said Airmen volunteering for duty are leading his command’s ability to support the war effort; however, changes to the amount of time people will be asked to be overseas are on the horizon.Lt. Gen. John A. Bradley, chief of the Air Force Reserve and AFRC

  • Senior leaders discuss Air Force future

    The Air Force’s top three leaders stopped at this forward-deployed location Nov. 8 while on their tour through Southwest Asia. Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche, Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray met with Airmen of the 386th Air

  • Air Force honors spouses with pin

    Air Force officials have expanded the pin program to recognize and thank those who support the efforts of Airmen around the world by introducing the Air Force spouse pin. This pin joins the Air Force employer pin and parent pin as one of the service’s most visible public outreach programs.Peter B.

  • Paper LES program shredded to make way for digital delivery

    Airmen will get one less piece of mail now that the Defense Finance and Accounting Service stopped sending paper leave and earnings statements this month. Airmen will not go without the critical information the LES provides because it is now available via the service’s myPay Web site, said Colonel

  • Navy admiral commands NORAD, Northern Command

    Before a full house, Navy Adm. Timothy J. Keating assumed command of North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command from Gen. Ralph E. "Ed" Eberhart in ceremonies here Nov. 5. The former director of the Joint Staff is the first non-Air Force officer to command NORAD since its

  • Now showing: Nov. 8 edition of AFTV News

    Air Force operation of the large medical facility at Balad Air Base, Iraq, spotlights the Nov. 8 edition of Air Force Television News. Tech. Sgt. Joy Josephson spent a week at the hospital, chronicling the treatment of wounded servicemembers by Air Force medics. Tech. Sgt. Bill Scherer also

  • Air Force’s top leaders visit Southwest Asia

    The Air Force’s top civilian, officer and enlisted leaders visited more than 5,000 Airmen at this forward-deployed location Nov. 4 as they kicked off their swing through Southwest Asia.Sporting the Air Force’s new proposed utility uniform, Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche, Chief of

  • Air Force leaders premiere new uniform

    When Air Force leaders arrived at this forward-deployed location Nov. 4, they wore the latest proposed replacement for the battle dress uniform.“I was surprised to see them wearing the newer version of the uniform,” said Master Sgt. Sharon Kegler, a first sergeant deployed from McGuire Air Force

  • Camp Zama Airmen provide vital communications link

    A small group of Airmen at this Army installation provides vital worldwide communications links for the Department of Defense and its allies in the Pacific region. The technicians assigned to Operating Location C of the 374th Communications Squadron at Yokota Air Base, Japan, handle area, regional,

  • Air Force selects 32 captains for intern program

    The Air Force Intern Program Central Selection Board selected 32 captains from among 487 candidates nominated by senior raters from across the Air Force. The board was held Sept. 20 to 24 at the Air Force Personnel Center here.The 18- to 24-month program combines hands-on experience as an intern in

  • Military family support professionals gather

    Directors of family support centers from across the Air Force gathered nearby in Landsdowne, Va., to discuss how to better serve Airmen and their loved ones. The weeklong conference, Strengthening the Home Front, focused on two areas: integrating the Air Force One Source program into base

  • Deployed Airmen getting new physical training uniform first

    When the Air Force chief of staff announced a new fitness standard in July 2003, he promised Airmen a new physical training uniform in which to prepare. That new uniform is now ready, and Airmen serving in Southwest Asia will be the first to get them, said Senior Master Sgt. Jacqueline Dean, the Air

  • Third DOS rollback takes effect

    As a part of force shaping, Air Force personnel officials have implemented a third enlisted date of separation rollback.The program “rolls back” the date of separation of enlisted Airmen with specific re-enlistment eligibility codes, or assignment availability codes. These Airmen will have less

  • Panel discusses people, command and control, IT

    A panel of senior officers discussed the importance of people, strong command and control, and information technology innovations during the Airlift/Tanker Association convention here Oct. 30.The panel consisted of Gen. John W. Handy, commander of U.S. Transportation Command and Air Mobility

  • New York Airmen provide medical equipment for refugees

    Thousands of Nicaraguans needing treatment received help from New York guardsmen when the Airmen gathered to sort through a hospital full of dusty medical equipment.Sister Deb, or Debbie Blow, executive director of the North Country Mission of Hope in Plattsburgh, N.Y., has an ongoing mission to

  • Airman plays roadie for rock ‘n’ roll legends

    The arena lights dimmed and thousands of fans cheered as the stage lights came to life revealing rock ‘n’ roll legends Eddie and Alex Van Halen, Michael Anthony and Sammy Hagar.While Eddie played his guitar, Staff Sgt. Scott Viers stood in the second row enjoying the fruits of his labor.Sergeant

  • General Jumper discusses transformation

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper addressed thousands of troops as the final keynote speaker at the Airlift/Tanker Association Symposium here Oct. 30.The general spoke on how far the Air Force has evolved in recent years and what he sees for the future.“We, as Airmen, face what can only

  • Leaders unveil updated utility uniform colors, pattern

    Responding to Airmen’s feedback, Air Force leaders unveiled an alternative utility uniform color scheme and pattern Nov. 2 as part of the ongoing wear-test that was announced in August 2003.Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper and Chief Master

  • CMSAF addresses top issues

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray addressed hundreds of troops attending the 2004 Airlift/Tanker Association Symposium on Oct. 29, an event he has been unable to attend in years past.Chief Murray gave his insight on three main topics he said he feels are the backbone of the

  • AFIT honors 2004 distinguished alumni

    The Air Force Institute of Technology honored two 2004 distinguished alumni here Oct. 29. Retired Maj. Gen. Robert R. Rankine and Dr. Edward T. Curran were selected for their pioneering roles in science, engineering and education.“The title of ‘distinguished alumnus’ is the highest honor that AFIT

  • Air Force musicians join AEF rotations

    Air Force bandsmen rarely play to boisterous crowds of 2,000 people dancing, singing and stage-diving, but at one deployed location in Southwest Asia, that is what happened. The show was among several in the Middle East as part of the Air Force Band of Mid-America’s tour during its first air and

  • Guardsmen making K-2 connections

    The C-130 Hercules aircrew from Saint Joseph, Mo., was told the night before that its mission tasking, called a frag (fragmentary order), was to fly supplies from Karshi-Khanabad Air Base, Uzbekistan, known as K-2, to Fire Base Salerno, Afghanistan.It was going to be a quick offload for the Missouri

  • 'Newslink' provides news from across Iraq

    Airmen deployed to Iraq, and their family and friends back home, now have an updated resource to help them stay current on Air Force news throughout the country.Iraq Newslink is a Web site built specifically to tell stories of deployed Airmen.The site, located at www.afnews.af.mil/iraq/index.htm, is

  • British team shoots to top at Defender Challenge 2004

    An eight-person British team took home the top award at the worldwide security forces competition Defender Challenge 2004 held here Oct. 22 to 28.The Royal Air Force Regiment took first in the grueling fitness challenge event and third in the Sadler Cup tactical exercise. These wins earned them the

  • Airmen roll past 1 million convoy miles

    The convoy escorts of the 732nd Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron rolled over an impressive milestone recently when its Airmen passed 1 million miles driven for missions throughout Iraq.“From my standpoint, it’s a tremendous milestone,” said Col. Eric Pohland, 732nd Expeditionary Mission

  • 2004 Airlift/Tanker Association convention convenes

    Signifying the tremendous role that reserve forces play in the air mobility mission, the leaders of the Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve kicked off the 2004 Airlift/Tanker Association Convention here Oct. 29. Lt. Gen. Daniel James III, ANG director, and his reserve component colleague,

  • Treadmill half-marathon raises cash for charity

    It was a beautiful, sunny day in Afghanistan. With just a little nip in the air, the morning was perfect for a half-marathon. But the weather did not matter; this 13-mile race was inside, on treadmills.Runners here claim only the devout run outside, where they must brave dust storms that leave a

  • General Myers praises troops, addresses concerns

    Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers addressed this year’s Airlift/Tanker Association convention here Oct. 29 with one main goal in mind.“I wanted to look you in the eye and tell you how important you are to this great country of ours. You are our future,” he said.

  • New CMSAF insignia debuts Nov. 1

    A new chief master sergeant of the Air Force insignia debuts Nov. 1, and stands out as a highly distinguished symbol representative of all Airmen, officials said.The new insignia contains the Great Seal of the United States of America and two stars in the upper blue field. The chevrons and the

  • CMSAF addresses fitness, training

    Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray spoke to a crowd of nearly 400 Airmen at an enlisted seminar here Oct. 22.He discussed issues facing the Air Force, and fielded questions and concerns from those in attendance. He started by asking how many in the audience had heard of Airman

  • Leaders call for evaluation of suicide prevention efforts

    Air Force senior leaders are calling for commanders to conduct full reviews of suicide prevention efforts and to ensure that all Airmen are aware of resources such as life skills and other support agencies to address the service’s highest suicide rate in nine years.As of Oct. 27, 46 active-duty

  • New civilian personnel system brings sweeping changes

    The new human resource system known as the National Security Personnel System is scheduled to start for an initial 100,000 Department of Defense employees in the summer of 2005, Roger M. Blanchard said here Oct 25. He is the Air Force assistant deputy chief of staff for personnel Air Force

  • New office focusing on improving joint operations

    While U.S. military forces deployed to the Middle East continue operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, leaders at home are applying lessons learned from the campaigns to improve joint operations between the Air Force and Army.The first of nearly 20 Air Force and Army initiatives toward improving joint

  • Airmen take part in Operation Pencil Box

    About 20 Airmen from the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing were greeted with smiles, cheers and the classic thumbs-up sign as they delivered school supplies and toys to a nearby elementary school Oct. 23 as part of Operation Pencil Box.More than 150 Iraqi children welcomed the group as they went from

  • Sibling reunion ‘sweet’ for Air Force reservist

    Family reunions may seem sappy to some, but for maple syrup farming siblings deployed to Afghanistan, such meetings are truly sweet.Tech. Sgt. Rebecca Jo Allen, a reservist deployed to nearby Bagram Air Base from Pope Air Force Base, N.C., and U.S. Army Reserve Chief Warrant Officer Tim Gaby,

  • Haunted reading room spooks teens

    The glow of electric candles lit the darkened room. The glowing eyes of a skull glared out at passersby. Bats lined the ceiling. A platter of eyeballs and other body parts sat waiting for those daring enough to try a piece.This was the scene at the base library here when its staff transformed the

  • Airmen run in Army ‘10-miler’

    More than 100 Airmen took part in the second annual Logistics Support Area Anaconda 10-Miler road race held here Oct. 24.Overall the group was just a small part of the more than 1,300 Soldiers, Marines, Sailors and Department of Defense civilians who competed in the event. Participants entered as

  • Physical medicine team keeps ‘sprains and strains’ down

    Things do not ever seem to slow down for the physical medicine team here. The staff of six -- an occupational therapist, a physical therapist and four physical medicine technicians -- has seen more than 1,000 patients since Sept. 20. “There’s just a continual flow of patients here,” said Maj. Brian

  • Now showing: Oct. 25 edition of AFTV News

    The continuing cleanup and relief support given victims of four Florida hurricanes highlights the latest edition of Air Force Television News. Staff Sgt. Kevin Nichols reports from Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., the staging point for tons of supplies and materials on their way to Florida and

  • Air Force summit set to start

    Nearly 1,000 people are gathering here Oct. 26 to 29 for the third annual Air Force Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance summit.Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper will highlight a slate of speakers who will share insights and visions

  • Officials announce 2004 awards for air mobility excellence

    Airlift/Tanker Association officials recently announced the 2004 award winners for excellence within the air mobility community.The association recognized 27 people in five categories. These Airmen will be honored at its annual convention in Dallas on Oct. 29.The Young Leadership Award is presented

  • Online write-in absentee ballot offered for overseas voters

    Deployed or stationed overseas and still waiting for your state absentee ballot to arrive in the mail? There's no need to sweat it out any more.The online federal write-in absentee ballot gives U.S. citizens overseas who haven't yet received the absentee ballots they applied for the chance to vote

  • DOD program provides technology for disabled workers

    A Department of Defense program that provides the technology and services disabled workers need to use computers and other basic office equipment evens the employment playing field for the disabled. It also makes it easier for managers to hire them, said Dinah Cohen, the DOD official who has run

  • Lending a helping hand in Uzbekistan

    After cruising through the gates of a Karshi City orphanage, Airmen and Soldiers from here stepped out of their convoy vehicles. They were deployed on a special mission: to bring smiles and a bit of joy into the lives of the children who live there.The “house of mercy” is a home for orphans and

  • Elmendorf 'charged' by new technology

    Firefighters here may not look like modern-day energy pioneers, but they are, because of an innovative fuel cell project that is being tested in a fire station here. The project sounds a lot like a chemistry experiment."The fuel cell uses electrochemical energy conversion that combines oxygen and

  • Airmen recall Swiss internment

    Confinement did not stop some servicemembers from doing their duty during World War II, and now a little distance did not keep them from rekindling old memories.Thirty one former Army Air Force servicemembers, here for the Swiss Internees Association reunion Oct. 14, all have a different story. But

  • Drug testing program targets those most likely to use

    A recent change to the Air Force's drug testing program aims to further reduce the number of substance abusers by targeting Airmen most likely to use them. The Air Force began its "Smart Testing" program Oct. 1, at three major commands. Under the program, individuals in the group shown to most

  • Airman cashes in on pair of IDEAs

    An Airman’s pair of suggestions to have depot-level maintenance done at the wing level saved the Air Force more than $2.7 million and earned him two checks for $10,000 and $8,000 respectively, from the Innovative Development through Employee Awareness program.Tech. Sgt. Mark Kobayashi, an Air Force

  • Air Force receiving OIF artwork

    About 150 artists from around the country will donate more than 200 paintings to the Air Force during a ceremony Oct. 29 at Andrews Air Force Base, Md.The artwork features works by artists who traveled to Iraq and Afghanistan to cover the Air Force mission during operations Enduring Freedom and

  • Two deployed Airmen celebrate Ramadan

    For most Airmen, deploying on the current air and space expeditionary force rotation means spending the holidays far from family and home. But for two Airmen with the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing here, it means getting closer to their religious roots.Though a general order prohibits Airmen from

  • AMC exercise kicks off in Michigan

    Nearly 500 people from McChord Air Force Base, Wash., Grand Forks AFB, N.D., and Travis AFB, Calif., traveled to an Air National Guard base here for exercise Crisis Outlook 2004, a weeklong exercise designed to practice “ability to survive and operate” scenarios.Col. Chris Coley, 62nd Operations

  • Kirkuk firefighters train Iraqis

    A siren pierces the early evening night calling attention to the bright yellow firetruck speeding toward a pillar of smoke in the distance.People here are accustomed to the sounds and sights of the emergency response crews as they hurry to save lives and property, but this crew is different.Instead

  • General Jumper visits Pacific Coast Air Museum

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper visited here Oct. 16 for a dedication ceremony at the Pacific Coast Air Museum.At the event, a restored F-106A Delta Dart was dedicated in honor and remembrance of General Jumper’s father, Maj. Gen. Jimmy Jumper, and the 48th Fighter Interceptor Squadron,

  • Active-duty, reservists combine forces in Afghan sky

    In the Afghanistan sky, the 81st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron has a “rainbow” effect. Air Force Reserve and active-duty pilots have teamed together for an air and space expeditionary force deployment here to protect U.S. and coalition people from attackers whose aim is to disrupt the national

  • POL Airmen help turn C-130 into flying gas station

    For Staff Sgt. Chris Cooper and Senior Airman Pete Kaplan, being fuels specialists is what they joined the Air Force to do. But the two petroleum, oil and lubricant experts had no idea they would be donning body armor and flying a 3,000-gallon fuel bladder around the desert, refueling much-needed

  • Babysitting club teaches teens responsibility

    What started out as just an after-school club to occupy free time, turned into a well-known organization here dedicated to teaching teenagers responsibilities of adulthood.Sherry Franklin, a program’s director at the youth center, started the babysitter club in 1999. Since then, their services have

  • Deployed postal workers help build morale

    In a deployed environment, morale is very important and comes in many forms, shapes and sizes, but often by mail.Three Airmen here are responsible for delivering mail to more than 2,500 people.“We can’t put a number on how many pieces of mail we get, but it’s around 2,600 pounds a day,” said Tech.

  • Family support centers target programs

    Family support centers around the Air Force are changing the way they do business to better serve the needs of communities.“Traditionally, we served customers who came into the center,” said Linda Olivia Smith, chief of Air Force family matters. “Now we’re doing more outreach -- going to the

  • Holiday greetings team visits Gwangju

    A lot of “I love you” and well wishes were spoken here Oct. 12 when 126 Airmen and Soldiers sent their holiday greetings home.An Army and Air Force Hometown News Service holiday greetings team stopped here as part of a worldwide tour to film messages from servicemembers to air on their hometown

  • Airman, wife arrested in murder plot

    Civilian authorities arrested an Airman from here and his wife Oct. 13 in a murder-for-hire scheme. He was already in custody at a local holding facility facing separate Air Force charges.Staff Sgt. Matthew Gladue, a weather systems technician with the 51st Combat Communications Squadron, and his

  • USO honors Airman at gala event

    The United Service Organizations honored an Airman from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, at the 2004 USO Gala here Oct. 14 for his unhesitating courage in saving the lives of two children.Seeing smoke coming from a house and learning that children were trapped inside, Senior Airman Nicholas Semonelle,

  • Relationship, money issues face some returning combatants

    Money, intimacy and re-establishing their relationship as a couple and with their children are some of the challenging issues facing families when servicemembers return after months away in Iraq or Afghanistan. A team of mental-health professionals from the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress,

  • LOEs now mandatory for some deployed commanders

    With the continuing emergence of increased expeditionary mission requirements, Air Force officials are implementing a policy that will complement officer evaluations by ensuring performance in key leadership positions at deployed locations is documented.Beginning with the current air and space

  • Airfield team stays busy at deployed location

    Airfield management at one forward-deployed air base in Southwest Asia involves doing more than just filing flight plans and telling pilots where to park.Master Sgt. Carlos Marrero, the chief of airfield management, and his staff also ensure the smooth and efficient movement of aircraft in the area

  • AEF Battlelab becomes Air Warfare Battlelab

    The Air Expeditionary Force Battlelab, which stood up here in July 1997, recently became the Air Warfare Battlelab. The change reflects the 2003 realignment under the Air Warfare Center at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., and better matches operational and testing functions. The battlelab focuses on

  • Hope, awareness keys to suicide prevention

    Problems come unexpectedly, and things like deployments and family troubles can be big stressors for many servicemembers. But one thing care providers want to get across is that suicide is not the right answer.More than 40 Airmen Air Force-wide have committed suicide this year, and though leaders

  • Name change heralds new era at AF museum

    A dramatic era of change and growth continues to unfold at the Air Force's national museum with the institution launching a formal name change.Officials announced the name change from the U.S. Air Force Museum to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force during a ceremony Oct. 14. "The Air Force

  • Student Civil Air Patrol program takes flight

    While some middle-school students spend their free time playing video games or watching television, a recently chartered organization here is giving future Airmen the opportunity to experience crossing into the blue as Civil Air Patrol cadets.Unlike ROTC, the cadets’ involvement is not graded as a

  • Postal agency sets overseas holiday mailing dates, policies

    The dates for mailing items to and from overseas locations in time for the holidays are fast approaching, and officials at the Military Postal Service Agency here have suggestions for ensuring packages and letters arrive on time. "If packages are mailed earlier, it may be possible to use

  • Physician assistants strong support for military medical units

    Every 15 minutes, Maj. James Kahler lifts a medical record from the rack, enters an exam room, and his hunt begins anew.Part medical detective, part complaint department head, part confession-hearing priest, Major Kahler weighs verbal feedback against diagnostic examination to determine a prognosis

  • Helmet upgrades enhance air power

    F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots here can now look, lock and launch on an enemy target in the blink of an eye. Because split seconds can mean the difference between life or death for a pilot in combat, the 52nd Fighter Wing here adopted an advanced approach to high-tech man-machine interaction with the