HomeNews

NATO Air Policing operations

U.S. Air Force News

  • Chairman's Corner: Independence Day 2011

    This Independence Day we celebrate our nation's 235th birthday. As we enjoy all the traditions and pleasures this singularly American holiday has to offer, I also ask that we take a moment to remember those who have done so much to secure and safeguard our independence throughout our history.Today,

  • First Airmen graduate from new EOD screening course

    Six Airmen graduated from the first explosive ordnance disposal preliminary screening course here June 27. The revised and extended 20-day academic Air Force program gives Airmen a well-rounded vision of their duties while mentally and physically challenging them. The goal for the course is to

  • Air Force civilian honored with Zuckert Award

    Retired Maj. Gen. Charles Henderson, the deputy assistant chief of staff for strategic deterrence and nuclear integration at Headquarters U.S. Air Force in Washington D.C., was presented the 2010 Eugene M. Zuckert Management Award by Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley during a ceremony at the

  • Strike Eagle pilot honored with Air Force safety award

    A pilot who landed a crippled F-15E Strike Eagle after taking off from Kunsan Air Base, Korea, received the Air Force's most prestigious flight safety award here June 29.Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley presented Capt. Hans Buckwalter, of the 366th Fighter Wing at Mountain Home Air Force

  • Gates ends historic term as defense secretary

    Robert M. Gates is the only man to thank two presidents for the privilege of serving as secretary of defense.At the Armed Forces Farewell Tribute June 30 on the Pentagon's parade field, Secretary Gates thanked President George W. Bush for nominating him for the job in 2006, and President Barack

  • Air Force normalizes short-tour credit policy

    Beginning July 1, Airmen will no longer receive short tour credit for overseas temporary duty assignments of 181 consecutive days. This change initially was announced in a memorandum signed by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz in April.In June 2003, a temporary exception to policy was

  • DOD launches military spouse employment partnership

    In an effort to address military spouses' employment challenges, the Defense Department launched a program June 29 to expand career opportunities for military spouses worldwide, and to recognize the skills and talents they bring to the employment table.Flanked by military spouses and corporate

  • U.S., Indonesian airmen complete annual air mobility exercise

    The annual week-long combined exercise between Indonesian and U.S. Air Force personnel, known as Exercise Cope West, came to a close here June 24.More than 70 Airmen from Yokota Air Base, Japan, and three C-130 Hercules aircraft with Yokota's 36th Airlift Squadron, as well as one Indonesian Air

  • Air Force issues guidance to streamline environmental reviews

    In order to get "back to basics" and the original intent of National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Air Force recently issued new program guidance entitled "Planning Requirements for the Environmental Impact Analysis Process." The program will help Air Force installations, major commands,

  • Thunderbirds add Finland performance to storied history

    On both sides of every U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds F-16 Fighting Falcon, there's a colorful, square panel that displays the flags of all the countries in the world where the team has performed. The Thunderbirds had the privilege of adding a new flag to the panel June 18. For the first time in its

  • Allied Strike 2011 in full swing, capping months of planning

    The execution phase of Allied Strike 2011 is in full swing here, capping months of planning. The exercise has brought together nearly 350 people from the U.S. and 14 NATO partner nations for the largest close-air-support exercise in Europe. "The planning effort was massive," said Capt. Ruven

  • Air Force doctor receives France's highest decoration

    An Air Force doctor whose medical expertise and French language skills were credited with helping save 14 U.S. Sailors' lives after the terrorist attack on the USS Cole in Yemen in 2000 received France's highest decoration at the French Embassy in Washington June 21.Maj. Gen. (Dr.) Byron L. Hepburn,

  • Dillons named 2011 O'Malley recipients

    Air Force officials have announced their selection for the 2011 General and Mrs. Jerome F. O'Malley Award. Brig. Gen. Mark Dillon, the 86th Airlift Wing commander, and his wife Sara were selected as this year's winners.The annual award recognizes the wing commander and spouse team who have best

  • VA officials urge veterans to get tested on National HIV Testing Day

    June 27th is National HIV Testing Day and Department of Veterans Affairs officials will be promoting and offering testing to veterans at VA medical facilities across the nation."Everyone should be tested for HIV/AIDS because early detection saves lives," said VA Secretary Eric K, Shinseki. "The

  • Airmen, Soldiers train to maintain skills

    In the culmination of weeks of training, Airmen from the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing and Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment conducted a joint emergency response exercise June 23 here."When we got here we wanted to make sure we are ready to react to any situation,"

  • Tanker's first flight over top of the world marks new era in efficiency

    The U.S. Air Force has gone to the ends of the earth to support operations in Afghanistan.A KC-135 Stratotanker flew north until it started flying south June 21 an 22, cutting a new pathway over the Arctic Circle and the North Pole between Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., and the Transit Center at

  • Thousands admire U.S. aircraft at Paris Air Show

    The world's longest-established aerospace event comes to a close June 26 after hundreds of thousands of people viewed the best of what aviation has to offer.The 49th International Paris Air Show, which began more than 100 years ago, opened June 20 with four trade-show days and three public days at

  • Intrepid Center marks first anniversary

    A year after its ribbon-cutting ceremony, the National Intrepid Center of Excellence is making a difference in the lives of warfighters suffering traumatic brain injuries and psychological disorders, said Dr. James Kelly, the center's director.The facility, Dr. Kelly said, also is expanding the

  • Headquarters AFSOC passes guidon to new commander

    Lt. Gen. Eric E. Fiel assumed command of Air Force Special Operations Command at a ceremony here June 24, ushering in a new era at a time when the command has experienced intense growth. General Fiel replaced retiring Lt. Gen. Donald Wurster during the ceremony, presided by Air Force Chief of Staff

  • Mullen endorses Afghanistan drawdown plan

    The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told Congress June 23 he endorses the president's plan to withdraw troops from Afghanistan.Navy Adm. Mike Mullen testified before the House Armed Services Committee following President Barack Obama's announcement June 22 that 33,000 U.S. troops now in

  • Fairchild Airmen help save homes from flooding

    Forty student candidates and instructors from the 336th Training Group Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape School here filled roughly 10,000 sandbags in Pend Oreille County, Wash., June 9, reportedly saving three homes from being flooded and making elderly homeowners extremely grateful and

  • Officials announce E-6 selection stats

    Air Force officials selected 8,545 of 34,257 eligible staff sergeants for promotion to technical sergeant, for a selection rate of 24.94 percent.The average score for those selected was 320.48, with an average time-in-grade of 5.55 years and an average time-in-service of 10.61 years. The average

  • Minot Airmen aid community affected by flood

    For the second time in a month, city officials have ordered citizens of Minot, N.D., including more than 950 Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen and their families, to evacuate downtown homes here.Minot Mayor Curt Zimbelman, said water levels are expected to reach the highest volumes ever in

  • Arrival ceremony welcomes fallen U.S. military members home

    Three unidentified American heroes returned from war June 17. They were greeted here by friends and fellow service members, with full military honors. Although their return was sad because they were ones who had paid the ultimate sacrifice, their return also was joyful because they are fallen heroes

  • Airman solves fuel-flow transmitter problem, saves Air Force thousands

    An Airman here was recently awarded a check worth $10,000 through the Innovative Development Employee Awareness program.Tech. Sgt. Tremaine Smith, the 51st Maintenance Group technical order distribution office manager, was recognized for an idea that fixed a fuel-flow transmitter problem, saving the

  • Experts teach March Airmen to run injury-free

    Dr. Mark Cucuzzella, the medical consultant for the Air Force Marathon, and Ian Adamson, an ultra-athlete and three-time record holder, shared information on proper techniques and methods for injury-free running during two, three-hour running clinics June 12 here. Dr. Cucuzzella, an associate

  • U.S., Indonesian airmen begin Cope West 11

    Airmen from the 374th Airlift Wing at Yokota Air Base, Japan, and their Indonesian air force counterparts gathered at a ceremony to officially mark the beginning of the U.S. and Indonesian tactical airlift exercise called Cope West 11 June 20 here.Three C-130 Hercules from the 36th Airlift Squadron,

  • Enlisted members selected for nurse commissioning program

    Twenty-four enlisted Airmen will head back to the classroom in August following their selection for the 2011 Nurse Enlisted Commissioning Program.The NECP selection board meets annually in May to review records and identify the top applicants for a commissioning opportunity in a critical career

  • NATO chaplains integrate ideas for better chaplain care

    Chaplains from nine NATO countries met here June 13 through 16 to discuss the best way to care for chaplains returning from the theater of operations.The idea is called "Care for the Caregivers," and it allows chaplains returning from a theater deployment to head out on retreat to decompress and

  • SecAF visits, thanks Airmen in Western Europe

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley visited Airmen serving with the 313th Air Expeditionary Wing and the 496th Air Base Squadron here June 17 to thank them for their service and meet with unit commanders.Upon Secretary Donley's arrival, he was greeted by Brig. Gen. Roy E. Uptegraff, the 313th

  • Military leaders discuss past, future ops at Air Boss Conference

    Leaders from around the world met here June 15 through 16 to discuss one important mission - strategic airpower in Korea."The Air Boss Conference is an annual conference that's hosted by the (Air Component Command commander)," said Col. James McGovern, the 607th Air and Space Operations Center

  • Online unit deployment manager course launches

    As part of the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center's continuing goal of leveraging technology to assist in training, members of the Expeditionary Center's Mobility Operations School celebrated the launch of the online unit deployment manager, or UDM, course this month.The eight-hour online course

  • Okinawan intern hones English skills at Kadena

    For the second year, an intern from Okinawa, Japan, is working with the Airmen and locally hired staff at the fitness center here.Ryo Oshiro, a17-year-old student from Kagamigaoka Special Education School, is working for the base to gain further knowledge of American customs and the English

  • Airmen pick up pieces before historic handover

    More than 35 Airmen and Soldiers volunteered to clean up the Victory Over America Palace at Camp Slayer June 5 through 7. The palace, which is one of 70-plus palaces Saddam Hussein built throughout the country, will soon be returned to the Iraqi government. The three-day cleanup effort was

  • Gates, Mullen support 'Stand up for Heroes'

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, spoke for the need for enduring support for service members at a fundraising event for wounded warriors and their families.The Defense Department leaders spoke before a crowd of about 800 who gathered

  • Photo essay: Airmen participate in NORTHERN EDGE 2011

    Airmen participate in the NORTHERN EDGE 2011 exercise here June 13. NORTHERN EDGE is a joint training exercise designed to practice operations, techniques and procedures, and enhance interoperability among the services.View the slideshow.

  • 'Biggest Loser' brings success to determined Airmen

    Several headquarters-based Airmen recently credited the health and wellness center's "Biggest Loser" program for helping them lose weight and bond with each other along the way.The program is inspired by the hit television show that features contestants vying to shed the most pounds in a specified

  • Mullen discusses fiscal 2012 budget proposal with Senate committee

    Navy Adm. Mike Mullen told the Senate Appropriations Committee today that he supports the fiscal 2012 budget proposal, and that it funds service members in harm's way in Afghanistan and Iraq.The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said the proposed 2012 budget fully funds deployed service members,

  • Gates calls for superb military, not hollow force

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said he'd rather have a smaller "superbly capable" military than a hollow force.Secretary Gates told the Senate Appropriations Committee's defense subcommittee June 15 that even as the department looks for savings, there has to be an admission that reductions will

  • Gates, Mullen protect family programs from budget cuts

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told the service chiefs to "fence" two areas in the budget options the military is contemplating: training and family programs."I don't want any money taken out of those," he told the Senate Appropriations Committee June 15.Secretary Gates and Navy Adm. Mike Mullen,

  • Macedonian general officially closes MEDCEUR 11

    The 2011 Medical Training Exercise in Central and Eastern Europe officially closed during a ceremony here June 15.MEDCEUR, an annual chairman of the joint chiefs of staff-sponsored regional and multilateral exercise, was designed to provide medical training and operational experience in a deployed

  • Pros, families ride in 2011 Air Force Cycling Classic

    Hot and humid weather didn't deter the more than 2,300 cycling enthusiasts from around the world and the approximate 600 on-lookers, who came out to cheer for teams and riders in the 2011 Air Force Cycling Classic held June 11 and 12, in Northern Virginia.The goal of the two-day event was to foster

  • Mullen discusses Afghanistan, Iraq, on Letterman

    America's top military officer explained what members of the U.S. military have gone through during 10 years of war to the audience of the "Late Show with David Letterman" June 13.Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told David Letterman that the American people need to

  • Mullen calls veteran support initiative 'terrific beginning'

    The nation's top military officer spoke here June 14 at a press conference announcing the "Community Blueprint," a resource designed to help local leaders focus support to veterans and their families.Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and his wife, Deborah, both

  • Air Force inspector general focus group realizes efficiencies

    In an effort to further minimize the effects of inspections on missions throughout the Air Force, the Air Force inspector general held an Inspection System Efficiencies Conference May 23 through May 26 in Lansdowne, Va., officials said here June 2.Conference participants included approximately 170

  • Rescue community remembers fallen Airmen

    Airmen from the 66th Rescue Squadron here held a remembrance ceremony June 9 for the crewmembers of an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter, call sign Pedro 66, who lost their lives in a crash a year ago on this date.Lt. Col. Daniel Jefferies, the 563rd Rescue Group deputy commander, presided over the

  • Air Force leaders send birthday messages to Army

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James Roy salute the Army on its 236th birthday June 14. Secretary Donley wrote a letter to the secretary of the Army stating:"Congratulations to you and all of your

  • Airmen participate in first ICRT training

    Airmen participating in the 2011 Medical Training Exercise in Central and Eastern Europe conducted the Aerospace School of Medicine's Initial Contingency Response Team training scenarios at the Krivolak army training area here June 10.This was the first time U.S. Air Force medics have conducted this

  • Iraqi airmen learn to protect leaders

    Prompted by assassinations of Iraqi military leaders, Iraqi airmen are receiving personal security operations training from members of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations here.According to the April 2011 Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction quarterly report, between January

  • Iraqi air force leaders attend conference at Balad

    Three Iraqi air force air staff generals and five representatives from different bases visited June 8 and 9 here to experience a U.S. Air Force base. Joint Base Balad was chosen to host the visit because it is the only base in Iraq that could provide the opportunity for Airmen to work with Iraqi

  • Pope C-130 crew chiefs achieve discrepancy-free checklists

     At some bases, a discrepancy-free checklist inspection has never occurred. At others it happens maybe once every 10 to 15 years, but two crew chiefs from the 440th Airlift Wing both achieved perfect checklist inspections for their aircraft.Tech. Sgts. Abner Berrios and Alan Hunter earned a "black

  • Reorganization enhances C2 testing, tactics, training

    The Air Force's preeminent wing for directing the service's operational command and control, or C2, testing, tactics development and training completed a reorganization effort June 10. The restructure will enhance Air Force, joint and coalition warfighter capabilities.Officials at the 505th Command

  • Airmen standardize procedures to ensure patient, aircrew safety

    Similar to walking through security and being searched by TSA at an airport, Airmen at the contingency aeromedical staging facility here have standardized procedures to take security aboard military aircraft to a higher level."We're like a medical airport," said Lt. Col. Barbara Persons, the 451st

  • Policy changes consider troops, families, official says

    The Pentagon office for personnel and readiness and the programs it oversees will not be immune from Defense Department efficiency initiatives, but will keep troops and their families at the forefront in the consideration of changes, the office's top civilian leader said."I joined with an efficiency

  • Multinational students receive training from U.S. medics

    Thirty-nine students from Macedonia, Slovenia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro, participated in a Defense Institute for Medical Operations disaster planners course here June 6 to 10. This course was part of the 2011 Medical Training Exercise in Central and Eastern Europe, an annual

  • DOD joins effort to promote healthy habits in children

    The Defense Department has joined a national initiative aimed at ensuring the nation's youngest children, including children from military families, get off to a healthy start.Speaking from a child care center here yesterday, First Lady Michelle Obama, accompanied by Marine Corps Gen. James E.

  • Relocated high school students graduate; first lady awards diplomas

    Nine high school seniors who relocated from Japan and were in danger of not being eligible to participate in their new school's commencement ceremony joined 27 seniors from Quantico Middle/High School on Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., for a special Department of Defense Education Activity

  • Air Force leaders praise Tinker's efficiency, warfighter support

    Two Air Force senior leaders toured the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center here June 6, and praised the partnerships they saw in action.Undersecretary of the Air Force Erin C. Conaton and former OC-ALC commander Lt. Gen. Loren M. Reno, who serves as the Air Force deputy chief of staff for logistics,

  • Air Force officials fund future ICBM studies

    The first of several studies to determine the best options for maintaining or replacing the nation's 450 Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile weapons systems after 2030 is underway, Air Force officials said here recently."The Air Force is strongly committed to the ground-based leg of the

  • Air Force senior leaders reflect on founding Air Commando

    The former deputy commander of the 1st Air Commando Group died June 6. Retired Maj. Gen. John Alison was 98 years old and is survived by his wife Penni and son David."General Alison was a superb Airman and an Air Force legend," said Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley. "As a highly decorated

  • Historians write their own chapter with Air Force awards

    Air Force officials recently named the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency history office the recipient of the 2010 Brig. Gen. Brian S. Gunderson Award for overall history program management excellence and the Air Force Heritage Award for its heritage center and

  • Air Force spouse, children recall evacuation following Japan earthquake

    The date, March 11, 2011, will never be forgotten by many people. It was the day that a 8.9-magnitude earthquake hit Japan and a day that started the motions for an Air Force family to make a decision to evacuate to Spokane, Wash., or stay and risk their newborn baby's health.The choice for them was

  • Multinational exercise kicks off in Macedonia

    Members from seven multinational forces gathered in Macedonia June 6 to kick off the 2011 Medical Training Exercise in Central and Eastern Europe, or MEDCEUR 11. MEDCEUR, an annual regional and multilateral exercise sponsored by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is held in the spirit of

  • Airmen assist residents in tornado relief efforts

    Airmen provided critical aid for elderly, uninsured and disabled people who were impacted by tornadoes April 25 through 28 that tore through the southern and midwest regions of the United States.Chief Master Sgt. Mark Ericson, the Air Force tactical air command and control career field manager, said

  • Airmen save Soldier from gas fire

    Two Airmen from the 466th Air Expeditionary Wing flightline security office saved a Solider from a gasoline fire May 26 here.Two members of the flightline security team had driven to a base gas station to refuel their truck. Staff Sgt. Alicia Estes was pumping the gas when Senior Airman Kourtlyn

  • First Doolittle Award presented to 4th Fighter Wing

    The 4th Fighter Wing received the inaugural Air Force Historical Foundation Doolittle Award during a ceremony at the Air Force Memorial here June 2.The Doolittle Award promotes the history and heritage of a unit as opposed to an individual. The award is named after Lt. Gen. Jimmy Doolittle, a Medal

  • Thunderbirds set to kick off 2011 European tour in Turkey

    The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds are practiced and ready to perform the first official demonstration of their 2011 European Tour. The team brought 78 of its nearly 120 Airmen on the six-week, transcontinental trip, arriving earlier this week at Cigli AB, just outside of the western coastal city of

  • Raven Claw forges future warrior-diplomats

    Trainees faced decisions ranging from eating fish heads full of teeth to providing the host nation with night-vision goggles and satellite imagery.Nineteen Airmen tested their powers of diplomatic negotiation and combat readiness in Raven Claw, a week-long exercise devoted to preparing future combat

  • Officials suggest new role for more capable Reserve force

    Capabilities gained from a decade of combat have transformed military reserve components into a full-spectrum operational force that should be integrated into the active fighting force, a defense official said June 3.Paul Patrick, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for reserve affairs for

  • Thunderbirds announce 2012 officer selections

    The commander of Air Combat Command, Gen. William M. Fraser III, has officially selected the officers who will be joining the United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, "Thunderbirds" for the 2012 demonstration season. Maj. Greg Moseley, a lieutenant colonel-select currently assigned to

  • Prime BEEF improves living conditions in Afghanistan

    Recently, a small team from the 577th Expeditionary Prime BEEF Squadron traveled to forward-operating bases to improve the quality of life for service members at combat outposts in Southeastern Afghanistan. Prime BEEF stands for Base Engineer Emergency Force, and these teams of laborers, made up of

  • JAG corps announces law school programs

    Applications for the Funded Legal Education Program and Excess Leave Program are being accepted from January through March 2012. The number of FLEP and ELP applicants selected in any academic year is determined based on the needs of the Air Force."Our Air Force missions are constantly changing, and

  • Captain shares Student Flight knowledge to help unit build program

    Capt. Bryan Williams, the Student Flight coordinator for the California Air National Guard's 129th Rescue Wing at Moffett Federal Airfield, Calif., helped establish the new Student Flight training program for the West Virginia ANG's 130th Airlift Wing here.A Student Flight prepares new recruits for

  • Minot Airmen help neighbors as flood water rises

    With the Souris River threatening to break the levies already in place, thousands of Minot citizens, including military members, their families and DOD civilians, have been forced to evacuate the area here June 1.Many have sought shelter with friends and families outside of the evacuation areas. For

  • Guard provides presence patrols in Minot's evacuated areas

    Members of the North Dakota Air National Guard's 219th Security Forces Squadron began a new mission June 2 as they continued with flood operations here. About 50 Guardsmen began providing presence patrols in the city's nine evacuated zones. The Guard members' presence will help deter possible theft

  • New 'milk stool' design may save dollars, backs

    A C-130 Hercules ramp support platform designed by four cadets here in May could save not only Air Force dollars but also the backs of the loadmasters who currently drag around 75-pound monstrosities, officials said.The newly designed "milk stool," as the ramp support platform is called, would weigh

  • DOD works toward successful transition in Iraq

    The recent Middle East turmoil underscores the importance of an active U.S. engagement in Iraq and a "shoring up" of relations with key regional partners, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Middle East said June 1."(The Defense Department) strongly believes we must remain focused on

  • Lakenheath Airmen pay homage to fallen

    Airmen from the 48th Fighter Wing Honor Guard at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, participated in a memorial ceremony honoring fallen heroes at the Scottish-American War Memorial here May 30.This year marks the 77th annual Scottish-American Memorial Day service at "The Call," a war memorial

  • Up to 1,000 Guard members respond to Massachusetts tornadoes

    Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick ordered up to 1,000 National Guard members to support civilian authorities after tornadoes caused property damage and power outages across the state June 1.About 450 Soldiers and Airmen already were on duty June 2, Massachusetts National Guard officials said.Among

  • Team building drove president's choices, Gates says

    Building a team was the most important consideration as President Barack Obama made his choices for top national security positions, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said June 2.While he wouldn't give specifics about his advice to the president, Secretary Gates told reporters traveling with him to

  • Labor Department grants to provide veterans job training

    As part of an interagency effort to support America's veterans, the Labor Department announced $37 million in grants to provide job training for about 21,000 veterans, many of them homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis announced the grants June 1, awarded to

  • Training at MacDill provides skills to survive

    In the military, training can teach most things, but it can't teach the will to survive. That is something contained deep inside, said Staff Sgt. Patrick Ray, the NCO in charge of survival, evasion, resistance and escape training here.SERE training is essential for military members who fly, or

  • Bagram hospital provides care to all who need it

    The announcement over the hospital intercom blared the news: more casualties were arriving, many that the staff knew would need near-heroic measures to survive.The Staff Sgt. Heathe N. Craig Joint Theater Hospital, one of the largest and best-equipped trauma facilities in Afghanistan, was preparing

  • Air Force announces OTS selection results

    A total of 63 men and women from across the U.S. have earned an opportunity to become Air Force leaders following their selection for an officer's commission, officials here announced today. Air Force Recruiting Service officials considered 971 applications as part of Officer Training School

  • Airman presented International Affairs Excellence Award

    Air Force officials presented a major with the International Affairs Excellence Award for 2010 here May 31 after deeming him most effective in building, sustaining, expanding and guiding international relationships for the service.Air Force Secretary Michael Donley presented the award to Maj. Paul

  • New warrior, family operations center opens

    Air Force officials held a ribbon cutting ceremony and grand opening for the Air Force's new Warrior and Family Operations Center here May 25.More than 200 people witnessed the opening of the 7,000 square-foot facility housing four programs: Air Force Wounded Warrior, Airman and Family Readiness,

  • Deployed Airmen fuel combat outpost security

    Airmen from the 455th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron Fuels Management Flight are assisting in the safety and security of thousands of U.S., Afghan and coalition troops at various forward operating bases and combat outpost throughout Afghanistan.Above these remote locations, aerostats

  • Photo essay: Honoring the fallen

    During a Memorial Day ceremony here May 30, volunteers place flags on the graves of men and women who died while serving in the military. View the slideshow.

  • Advisers open metals technology, sheet metal shops

    Advisers from the 721st Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron held an inauguration ceremony here to commemorate the opening of a metals technology and sheet metal shop in Iraq's newest and largest maintenance hangar. The ceremony was held to honor the effort and dedication it took to build two fully

  • Handmade quilts cloak wounded warriors in love

    Service members categorized as critical care aeromedical transport team patients are all leaving the contingency aeromedical staging facility with a very special package: a handmade quilt stitched with love. Shortly after the January arrival of the current CASF team, quilts began arriving at the

  • Obama nominates Dempsey as JCS chairman, Winnefeld as vice chairman

    President Barack Obama announced his choices as chairman and vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff May 30 during a Rose Garden ceremony.Obama intends to nominate Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey as chairman and Navy Adm. James A. Winnefeld as vice chairman. General Dempsey is currently the Army