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  • Photo essay: Checking the Pave Hawk

    An HH-60 Pave Hawk from the California Air National Guard's 129th Rescue Squadron receives a preflight inspection before a training mission here Nov. 6. View the slideshow.

  • Glue used in partial cornea transplant

    An ophthalmologist here recently performed a unique procedure to restore a patient's vision. Lt. Col. (Dr.) Charles Reilly completed a partial cornea transplant using a type of glue to correct a thinning cornea."The patient had a full corneal transplant in the 1980's due to Keratoconus disease,"

  • Air Force command brings focus to nuclear enterprise

    Over the past 15 months, Air Force officials have built from scratch a model new command that will sustain and modernize U.S. intercontinental ballistic missile wings and the nuclear-capable bomber fleet, said the general who leads the new command."Some people have likened that to trying to build an

  • Officials use report's findings to prevent violence

    The Air Force follow-on review, Protecting the Force: Lessons from Fort Hood, released Nov. 9, concluded that Airmen at all levels are key to preventing future tragedies like the one at Fort Hood, Texas. The tragic shooting of servicemembers at Fort Hood in November 2009 underscored the need for the

  • Air Force leaders send birthday messages to Marine Corps

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy salute the Marine Corps on its 235th birthday Nov. 10. Secretary Donley wrote a letter to the secretary of the Navy stating:"Congratulations as you celebrate

  • Officials seek Spirit of Service Award nominees

    Air Force officials are soliciting nominations for the 2011 American Legion Spirit of Service Award.The award is sponsored by the National Headquarters of the American Legion and is presented annually to an enlisted member from each of the military branches for outstanding volunteer service

  • 'Mission One' at NORTHCOM: Defending the homeland

    Developing regional response capabilities, stepping up preparations for a no-notice catastrophe and maturing partnerships are among priorities at U.S. Northern Command, the new deputy commander said here Nov. 2."We're working very closely with the National Guard and (the Office of the Secretary of

  • Airmen assist in transfer of patients to new Misawa City Hospital

    Members of the 35th Medical Group here teamed up with the Misawa City Fire Department and Japan Air Self-Defense Force to transfer Misawa City Hospital patients to a new downtown treatment facility Nov. 5.During the transfer, more than 80 patients, 15 of whom were critical care patients, were

  • US, NATO participate in Baltic Region Training Event

    U.S. Air Forces in Europe officials participated in a one-day Baltic Region Training Event Nov. 3 at Siauliai Air Base, Lithuania. BRTE is an advanced, routine training concept to enhance interoperability, build capability and continue air integration of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. It's designed

  • Iraqi air force Squadron 70 launches first mission from Ali Base

    Members of the Iraqi air force Squadron 70 flew their first operational mission from here Oct. 25 to provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support over the Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca.  The squadron relocated to here from Basra Air Base, Iraq, only one week earlier. In

  • Fisher House to be dedicated at Dover Air Force Base

    Air Force leaders, elected officials and distinguished guests are scheduled to dedicate the Fisher House for Families of the Fallen on Dover Air Force Base, Del., Nov. 10. The Fisher House for Families of the Fallen is a unique facility among the Fisher House Foundation's 49 other Fisher Houses

  • Air Force officials name deputy assistant secretary for energy

    Air Force officials named Dr. Kevin T. Geiss the new deputy assistant secretary of energy for the Air Force Nov. 4.Dr. Geiss will lead the Air Force's Energy Office, comprising a staff of 11 people dedicated to energy policy development and support of energy-focused programs."Energy is an enabler

  • Thunderbird maintainers keep show running behind the scenes

    Throughout its 57 years in existence, the Air Force Thunderbirds air demonstration team has never canceled a performance due to maintenance issues. When you factor in the Thunderbirds' most recent air show performance Nov. 6 and 7 during AirFest 2010 at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, continuing the

  • Air Force defeats Army, secures Commander-in-Chief's trophy

    The Air Force Academy Falcons defeated the Black Knights of West Point 42-22 Nov. 6 at Michie Field here. The teams have now battled on the gridiron 45 times with the Falcons leading the series 31-13 with one tie. This is the fifth-straight Air Force victory against Army."Fine victory," said Falcon

  • Two in Air Force among DOD's best employees

    Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III paid tribute to eight people who distinguished themselves among more than 700,000 others and were selected to receive the Defense Department's annual top civilian employee awards."They understand that working for the department is a public trust that

  • Not just an average flight simulator

    Officials from the 23rd Operations Support Squadron started their first HC-130 Hercules simulator course here recently.This simulator doesn't train just the pilot and co-pilot, it trains the entire crew. "The purpose of the simulator is to bring up situations that the crew could run into during a

  • Admiral, Mrs. Mullen speak out on veterans' challenges

    With Veterans Day around the corner, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Navy Adm. Mike Mullen and his wife, Deborah, sat down with reporters this week to raise visibility on issues important to military families and veterans.The Mullens' interviews Nov. 3 with the Pentagon Channel and other news

  • AFRCC members assist in search for missing aircraft with four onboard

    Air Force Rescue Coordination Center officials here worked with Wyoming Department of Military Affairs and Fremont County Emergency Management officials to search for a small aircraft with a father and three of his sons on board that went missing Oct. 25.According to the Mooney M20J's flight plan,

  • USAJOBS to be single source for Air Force job seekers

    Current civilian employees will have a single source to apply for vacant Air Force positions beginning Nov. 15 when they join other job seekers already using USAJOBS.Air Force civilian personnel officials announced the decision in October that almost all hiring will be accomplished through USAJOBS

  • 11-year-old becomes a pilot

    When an 11-year-old becomes a pilot, it's a headline maker. When an 11-year-old survives potentially terminal brain cancer, it's a headline maker. And the heroes who made both of those things possible for 11-year-old Ryder Lum were the doctors and staff of Kapiolani Women's and Children's Hospital,

  • Airmen help Soldiers meet airborne school requirements

    Paratroopers sat side-by-side both crushed and cozy from the weight of the massive parachute packs on their laps. Each jumper's eyes squinted from a combination of fatigue and flying dust kicked up by the ferocious winds whirling in from the C-17 Globemaster III's side doors. Loadmasters and

  • Wounded Soldier saved through use of heart, lung machine

    A wounded Soldier incurred an injury that affected his lungs, and was transported on an aeromedical evacuation mission Oct. 21, from Afghanistan to Germany. The mission was carried out aboard a C-17 Globemaster III, with the use of an extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation machine. "This is the first

  • Occupational analysts influence Air Force decision makers

    The Air Force's flying community logs thousands upon thousands of miles-per year fulfilling their mission, but 37 civilians based at Randolph AFB also are racking up the miles in their quest to assist the service's brain trust.Members of the Air Force Occupational Analysis office, assigned to Air

  • Photo essay: PRT Zabul patrols area

    Air Force, Army, Department of State, U.S. Agency for International Development and U.S. Department of Agriculture personnel assigned to the Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul patrol here for situational awareness Nov. 1. The team works with the government of Afghanistan to improve stability and

  • Fairchild Airmen rescue 6 in one day

    Airmen from the 36th Rescue Flight saved six people and a dog during two different operations in Northern Idaho Oct. 28. Unexpected snowfall, up to 3 feet in some places, stranded a father and daughter as well as a group of campers among the 7,000-foot peaks of the densely forested mountain ranges.

  • Training center launches Afghan pilots

    The commander of the Afghan air force air school and the 738th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron is charged with training Afghan soldiers to operate in their air force. Air Force Lt. Col. Ryan Nichols discussed his specialized training facility in an Oct. 28 "DODLive" bloggers roundtable."(This

  • CSAF honors hometown heroes at Air Force Week

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz helped honor some of central Florida's hometown heroes during a dinner Oct. 29 at Air Force Week Cocoa Beach 2010 here. Air Force Week is a public communication program that allows community members the opportunity to meet Airmen and learn about the Air

  • Community leaders share information, ideas with AFMC commander

    Eighteen civic leaders from across Air Force Materiel Command met with the commander Oct. 28, for a discussion of challenges that lie ahead in five significant categories tied to the AFMC mission.The civic leaders are members of the command's Community Liaison Program, a group of 40 people

  • CCAF represented at White House community colleges summit

    Lt. Col. Tim Albrecht, commandant of the Community College of the Air Force, served as the Department of Defense representative at a White House community college summit recently.A broad spectrum of people attended the summit, including administrators, educators, philanthropists and representatives

  • Airmen hone teamwork skills during live-fire training

    Firefighters from the 386th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron geared up and headed out to a nearby military installation here Oct. 27 and 28 for annual live-fire training, giving them a unique opportunity to hone their skills while working more closely as a team. Using a Mobile Aircraft

  • Energy initiatives, space capabilities top priorities for Air Force

    When the Air Force saves energy, it also saves money, the environment and possibly even lives, according to Undersecretary of the Air Force Erin C. Conaton. Ms. Conaton discussed ongoing service energy initiatives, as well as Air Force space programs, during a visit here Oct. 27 for Air Force Week

  • AFIT graduates first class of cyberspace warriors

    Officials with the Air Force Institute of Technology and the Air Force Cyberspace Technical Center of Excellence conducted the first Cyber 200 and 300 course graduation here Oct. 28. Gen. C. Robert Kehler, commander of Air Force Space Command, served as keynote speaker for this first class of

  • Keep Focus on Troops, Mullen Tells Joint Forces Command

    The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff praised the members of U.S. Joint Forces Command Oct. 29 for their efforts on behalf of the nation's warfighters while urging them to maintain that focus going forward.In a ceremony near the command's Norfolk, Va., headquarters, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen

  • Airmen 'INVEST' in efficiencies

    Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Carrol H. "Howie" Chandler spoke about Air Force efficiency initiatives Oct. 28 as part of the Military Strategy Forum at the Center for Strategic and International Studies here."I don't think anybody in the Air Force will argue that we can't be more efficient at

  • Air Force Falcon visits Florida school children

    Approximately 300 middle school students saw a live American kestrel falcon during a presentation from the U.S. Air Force Academy falconry program Oct. 28 here.Cadet 3rd Class Danielle Cortez and her falcon Buzz Lightyear visited students at L.B. Johnson Middle School here as part of Air Force Week

  • 'Mission One' at NORTHCOM: Defending the homeland

    Developing regional response capabilities, stepping up preparations for a no-notice catastrophe and maturing partnerships are among priorities at U.S. Northern Command, the new deputy commander said here Oct. 26."We're working very closely with the National Guard and (the Office of the Secretary of

  • Tops In Blue to conduct talent search

    The Air Force's entertainment group, Tops In Blue, is seeking new performers for their 2011 team.Total force Airmen who think they have the skills to sing, dance, act or play musical instruments are encouraged to apply for the Worldwide Talent Search at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, Dec. 6 to 13.

  • Deployed Airmen deliver coats, blankets to Kyrgyzstan school

    Whether it's the annual Bloomsday Run, Fourth of July Celebration or the Lilac Festival, Airmen at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., are no strangers to community outreach in the Spokane, Wash., area. While deployed to the Manas Transit Center, Kyrgyzstan, they brought that same spirit of service and

  • Airmen train Iraqi air force instructor pilots

    For the past six months, Iraqi Training and Advisory Mission-Air Force air advisers with the 52nd Expeditionary Flying Training Squadron have been training Iraqi pilots to become T-6 Texan II instructor pilots to rebuild the Iraqi air force."The 52nd (EFTS) stood up this year for T-6 flight

  • Airman saves man's life with CPR less than one day after training

    All servicemembers go through Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation training. It's training that, when put into a real situation, can be the deciding factor between life and death. Some might wonder if they will ever be called upon to perform CPR. For Staff Sgt. Eddie Ramirez, a battalion air liaison

  • VA officials taking life-saving campaign to streets

    Nearly 1,200 life-saving advertisements are going up on city buses, bus shelters, rail and subway stations across the nation displaying a message of hope for those who have served their country and may be facing an emotional crisis. Department of Veterans Affairs officials are advertising the

  • Airmen MIA from WWII identified, returned

    Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office officials announced Oct. 27 that the remains of two Airmen, missing in action from World War II, have been identified and are being returned to their families for burial with full military honors. Army Air Forces staff sergeants Claude A. Ray, 24,

  • Space leaders discuss operating in resource-constrained environments

    Air Force Space Command leaders along with civilian officials who have made a significant contribution to America's military space program came together here Oct. 21 to discuss the future and the lessons learned of operating in a resource constrained environment. The members shared first-hand

  • Air Force poised for Expeditionary Combat Support System

    Touted as the largest change in Air Force logistics history, the Expeditionary Combat Support System will establish the service's first capability to globally view, standardize and manage logistics resources, officials said here during the program's kick off Oct. 22.Designed to close process gaps

  • Air Force Week Cocoa Beach begins with proclamation ceremony

    Undersecretary of the Air Force Erin C. Conaton and Florida Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp helped kick off Air Force Week Cocoa Beach during a proclamation ceremony here Oct 26. "We rely upon the public, who are here and in other parts of the country, to help us succeed," Ms. Conaton said to the more than

  • Thunderbirds dazzle Disney crowd during Air Force Week in Florida

    The Air Force Thunderbirds air demonstration team made a special appearance at the Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Fla., Oct. 26 as they flew their famous delta formation over Cinderella's Castle and the theme park's main street. It was one of numerous events scheduled as part of Air Force Week Cocoa

  • Professional Bull Riders honor Nellis Airmen at world finals

    Members of the international Professional Bull Riders, Inc., association saluted the Air Force and the accomplishments of several Airmen during their World Finals in Las Vegas Oct. 22.The special-themed Air Force Night kicked off with a swearing-in ceremony for 25 members of the Delayed Enlistment

  • Hickam Airmen 'deploy' during readiness exercise

    Airmen tested their ability to respond to contingency operations in the Pacific during Beverly Kahuna 2010-F, an initial response readiness exercise Oct. 20 and 21. For the first time since Pearl Harbor Naval Base and Hickam Air Force Base joined their borders to become a joint base, the efforts of

  • Airmen finish 860-mile trek for fallen comrades

    Hundreds of people gathered here Oct. 21 to welcome the marchers from the Tim Davis Special Tactics Memorial March. They had just completed an 860-mile march across five states that started Oct. 9 at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Each of the marching Airmen carried one or more wooden batons, each

  • Expeditionary Center Airmen honor Air Force's first female chief

    Every Airman should know the name Grace A. Peterson. She is the first woman to ever hold the rank of chief master sergeant.For the 200 people in attendance at the Expeditionary Center here Oct. 18, the first woman to be promoted to chief master sergeant 50 years ago sat in the front row of the hall

  • Langley AFB nurse earns national honor

    A nurse from the 633rd Medical Group here was recently recognized with a national award during the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses Armed Forces Section's 2010 annual conference in Las Vegas.Capt. Marion Collins, a women's health clinic nurse manager with the group, was

  • Airmen, Sailors train together for future relief efforts

    Airmen from the 36th Mobility Response Squadron and Sailors from the Navy's Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron TWO FIVE partnered during a field training exercise to foster a better working relationship Oct. 13, at Northwest Field, Guam.The joint training consisted of a series of 9-Line medical

  • Honor Guard exhibits excellence, represents service

    For Airmen assigned to the United States Air Force Honor Guard here, excellence isn't a trait to be desired, it's expected. "We are in the public spotlight day in and day out," said Staff Sgt. Eric Allen, the media librarian for the USAF Honor Guard. "So every time we do our job we have to make sure

  • Air Force chief of staff honors retirees, praises Airmen

    The Air Force's top uniformed officer honored retirees and praised today's Airmen during a dinner here Oct. 22.Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz was the guest speaker at the annual chairman's dinner at Air Force Village, an officers' retirement community here, in celebration of its 40th

  • Geothermal plant to save Aviano $35,000 per year

    Airmen here anticipate saving about $35,000 per year with the completion of an energy saving project at the base fitness center. Now fully operational and the first of its kind in the U.S. Air Forces in Europe, the $470,000 geothermal project was part of a commitment by base officials to reduce

  • Air Force Village rededicated during special ceremony

    The wife of Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz helped honor Air Force Village founders and administrators during a rededication ceremony here Oct. 22.Suzie Schwartz was the featured speaker at the ceremony, which marked 40 years of operation for this Air Force retirement home. It also

  • General Eichhorn assumes command of AFOTEC

    Officials at the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center held a change of command ceremony here Oct. 22 as Maj. Gen. David J. Eichhorn assumed command of the center from Maj. Gen. Stephen T. Sargeant.  Lt. Gen. William L. Shelton, the assistant vice chief of staff of the Air Force, presided

  • Special operations members garner awards

    Twelve members of the Air Force special operations community recently received annual awards presented by Lt. Gen. Philip M. Breedlove, the deputy chief of staff for operations, plans and requirements. The awards ceremony recognized the 2009 United States Air Force Combat Rescue Officer of the Year,

  • Transition calls for employees to 'brush up' resumes

    Following the success of a seven-month pilot program using a resume-based system to fill vacant positions at 16 locations across the service, current Air Force civilian employees will now apply for vacant position using USAJOBS beginning Nov. 15.To search for Air Force vacancies, employees can visit

  • Air Force spurs communication at diversity senior working group

    Air Force officials met with the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, industry leaders and other service representatives during the service's diversity senior working group here Oct. 17 through 18.Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Adm. Mike Mullen both spoke to the group, during

  • Airmen run miles in memoriam

    For many people, running 26.2 miles may seem like a crazy idea. But, for the nine members of the 55th Force Support Squadron's running team, it's just another challenge to overcome.The team, formed in July, after some members of the 55th FSS expressed interest in running the Rock 'n' Roll San

  • AF officials release officer, civilian developmental education board results

    More than 860 officers and 90 civilians were selected for intermediate and senior developmental education opportunities during the 2010 Officer and Civilian Developmental Education boards conducted here.The officer and civilian selectee lists are available on the Air Force Personnel Center public

  • Freethinkers, Pagans discuss intersections of mind, spirit

    Members of the Air Force Academy's Freethinkers group invited members of the Special Program in Religious Education earth-centered spirituality group to discuss their beliefs, views and experiences during a SPIRE meeting here Oct. 18.SPIRE members set aside time each week for the religiously diverse

  • Jordanian, American fighters refuel above Jordan

    Jordanian and American pilots recently met several thousand feet over Jordan where they exchanged knowledge and fuel. An aircrew operating KC-10 Extender from McGuire Air Force Base, N.J. refueled eight F-16 Fighting Falcons over Jordan as part of Falcon Air Meet 2010 -- a two-week exercise bringing

  • Warfighters meet in second coalition virtual battle

    The United States rarely goes to war on its own now. More than ever U.S. servicemembers work with coalition partners to win on the battlefield. In order to train for this, the 705th Combat Training Squadron at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M. spent the last year preparing to host the second Coalition

  • Hurlburt Field intelligence flight earns AF level award

    The 1st Special Operations Support Squadron received the 2009 Outstanding Operations Group Intelligence/Operations Support Flight Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Unit of the Year award Oct. 14 here for their tremendous accomplishments at Hurlburt Field. Brig. Gen. Robert "Bob" P. Otto,

  • AF starts migration of information, services to new total-force website

    Air Force personnel specialists are in the process of migrating personnel information and services to the new Air Force Personnel Services website.The transfer aims to move the Air Force toward its goal of establishing a single, online knowledge base for active duty, Air National Guard, Air Force

  • One month of construction helps a small island

    Eighteen Air Force civil engineers and Navy Seabees spent 41 days on the outer islands of Yap, Micronesia, remodeling and rebuilding a high school as part of Operation Pacific Unity, a humanitarian civil engineering effort. "The buildings needed a lot of work," said Master Sgt. Marco Thresher, the

  • AFSO21 Rapid Improvement Event streamlines report process

    Officials here are bringing change to the performance reporting process, thanks to a recent week-long Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century Rapid Improvement Event.Subject matter experts from the wing gathered with a goal of streamlining the enlisted and officer performance reports

  • AFPC officials conduct retirement webinars for Airmen

    Air Force Personnel Center officials are set to conduct a series of web-based seminars highlighting the retirement process for active-duty Airmen. These webinars are scheduled to be held every quarter to help Airmen successfully navigate through the retirement and separation processes.The

  • Spending reforms top Defense priorities

    Pentagon officials should start seeing results from major spending reforms launched by Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates in the summer of 2010, Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III said Oct. 14.The entire Defense Department is working to change the way it does business to become more

  • Senior Pentagon official: Military must reduce use of fossil fuels

    The Defense Department's current reliance on expensive, difficult-to-transport and finite fossil fuels affects cost-reduction efforts as well as war-fighting operations, a senior Pentagon official said."Certainly, for current operations and for the future, one of the things we're really focused on

  • Firefighter Combat Challenge returns to Ramstein after 5-year hiatus

    For the first time in five years, firefighters and emergency responders from throughout U.S. Air Forces in Europe came together here Oct. 9 for the 2010 Firefighter Combat Challenge. The return of the event, previously put on hold due to real-world demands, also marked the end of the Kaiserslautern

  • Falcon's fourth quarter awakening comes up short against Aztecs

    The Air Force Academy Falcons showed some life in the fourth quarter, but came up short in a losing effort to San Diego State University Oct. 16 at Qualcomm Stadium here.  The 23rd ranked Falcons lost to the Aztecs 27-25.The game started off slowly for both teams. Both quarterbacks threw

  • Top enlisted Airman visits Horn of Africa

    The chief master sergeant of the Air Force spent a day here to see firsthand the role Airmen play in the mission of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa and throughout the U.S. Africa Command theater.During the Oct. 13 visit, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy visited Airmen in

  • State-of-the-art cardiovascular services available at Travis AFB

    With equipment that can only be found in four other hospitals in the nation, surgeons here recently performed the first operations while using a new state-of-the-art, hybrid cardiovascular operating room. It took a team of medical professionals here three years to bring the cardiovascular services

  • Airmen in Pakistan relate 2005 earthquake to 2010 flood operations

    Approximately five years ago, more than 60 Airmen from the 818th Contingency Response Group at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., were notified to pack their bags and deploy to Pakistan.  Their mission was to support relief efforts after a 7.6 magnitude earthquake left more than 80,000 people

  • One step at a time: Airman recovering after crash

    Staff Sgt. Chris Curtis wanted nothing more than to walk through the doors to the 8th Special Operations Squadron building.His friends and colleagues cheered him on as he accomplished that goal Oct. 8; a feat that just a few months ago seemed nearly impossible.Sergeant Curtis was a flight engineer

  • DOD, VA healthcare officials combine specialties to provide 'one-stop shop'

    Through a joint venture between Defense Department and Veterans Affairs officials, medical professionals here are offering DOD and VA patients a combined clinic for heart, lung and vascular care.The Heart, Lung and Vascular Center at David Grant USAF Medical Center, which opened Oct. 13, is the

  • Don't 'bank' on COLA

    A cost-of-living allowance is designed to help offset expenses incurred from living in a local economy. However, officials stress that Airmen should not view COLA as a reliable source of income, and they encourage them to save it where possible for times of spikes in the exchange rate or for

  • US, Bulgarian airmen partner to control the sky

    High above the busy work of crew chiefs, security forces members and ground equipment maintainers stands a familiar piece of landscape for Airmen all over the world -- the tower.The air traffic control tower here is full of U.S. and Bulgarian airmen working together to keep eyes on both Bulgarian

  • CJCS: Air Force has 'led the way' in energy security

    The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff lauded the Air Force for its commitment to energy security during the Pentagon Energy Security Event here Oct. 13."The Air Force is pushing forward, focusing on three goals of reducing demand, increasing supply through renewable and alternative sources, and

  • Crew completes RQ-4 inaugural flight

    Airmen here made their mark on history Oct. 7 as an RQ-4 Global Hawk successfully took off and landed on the runway for the first time.The RQ-4 is the only permanently stationed aircraft here and is the first of three RQ-4s to be delivered. The other two are scheduled for delivery by early

  • Expeditionary Center launches 'Ground Up Challenge'

    Visitors to the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center can expect to become more intimately familiar with the ground than they were expecting if they happen to be on the campus at 8 a.m., 11 a.m. or 4 p.m.At those designated times, all military members within the center, student or faculty, cease

  • Air Force officials announce C-27J aircraft basing proposal

    Air Force officials announced Oct. 13 that Great Falls International Airport, Mont., is the preferred alternative to be the seventh operational location for bedding down four C-27J Spartan aircraft. Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Norton Schwartz

  • Veterans use NASA anti-gravity treadmill in treatment

    Veterans undergoing physical therapy at the Palo Alto Veterans Affairs Medical Center in California can now walk or jog on an "anti-gravity" treadmill that uses a unique differential air pressure technology allowing the veterans to feel as if they are "walking on the moon" by reducing the pressure

  • Memorial held for fallen special forces Airman

    A memorial service for an Airman who was recently killed in action was held here Oct. 8. Senior Airman Mark Forester, 29, of Tuscaloosa, Ala., was killed Sept. 29 while conducting combat operations with his special forces team in Uruzgan province, Afghanistan. "Mark believed with all his heart in

  • Center helps DOD build international bonds

    A graduation ceremony at the Defense Language Institute English Language Center here is not what one would consider typical. As the students' names are read, they approach the stage wearing the uniforms of their respective countries. From privates through generals, across all the services, these men

  • Navy celebrates 235th birthday

    As the U.S. Navy celebrates its 235th birthday, Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz have sent birthday greetings and congratulated the men and women of the Navy on behalf of America's Airmen."For over two centuries, our nation has been richly

  • General Schwartz discusses change in the U.S. Air Force

    The world has changed and the United States Air Force must change too, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz said Oct. 12 at the National Press Club here.General Schwartz made the point that political leaders have been dealing with the effects of globalization since the 1970s, but that the

  • Interservice rivalry: Air Force athletes claim Ironman military division

    A pair of Airmen pushed the envelope of mental and physical toughness to claim the 2010 Ironman World Championships Kona Military Division on a 140.6-mile grueling course.Maj. Scott Poteet and Capt. Jamie Turner combined for a 20:27:36 time to claim this year's top honors for the Armed Forces. Major

  • C-17s vital to aeromedical community in Pacific

    Each C-17 Globemaster III flight out of here in which tons of cargo are loaded, delivered and off loaded to a customer in some corner of the Pacific, deserves the crew's undivided attention to detail. However, when the cargo is a servicemember clinging to life, the crew's awareness can become even

  • Kadena captain dies near Sunabe seawall

    A captain assigned to the 18th Medical Support Squadron died here around 1:30 p.m. Oct. 9. Capt. Amy Brown went unconscious shortly after surfacing at a dive spot on the Sunabe seawall. The medical readiness flight commander was rushed to Camp Lester Naval Hospital, Japan, by local authorities, but

  • Secretary Gates seeks expansion of U.S.-Vietnamese cooperation

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates noted the level of cooperation in the military relationship between the U.S. and Vietnam and said he sees potential for that relationship to expand even further Oct. 11 during a speech at Vietnam National University. Secretary Gates said collaborative efforts

  • Air Force wins back-to-back softball titles

    The Air Force men's softball team won its second consecutive Armed Forces Softball Championship title after out-slugging Army Sept. 23 at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla. ,19-10. The Air Force won its sixth gold medal in nine years and posted a 7-2 record throughout the five-day tournament. Air

  • Special tactics Airmen walk for fallen comrades

    Fifteen special tactics Airmen carrying 50-pound rucksacks departed from here Oct. 9 on a mission to honor the memories of their fallen comrades.The 860-mile trek, known as the Tim Davis Special Tactics Memorial March, will stretch across five states and will consist of six teams walking 24 hours a

  • Airmen, Portuguese officials hone fuel spill response skills

    At the aftermath of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, Airmen geared up and prepared for future challenges that could occur at the coastal and ship docking area here during a week-long joint fuel spill response training exercise from Sept. 27 to Oct. 1 here. Due to the potential of oil slicks to

  • Pararescuemen train to save lives

    Members of the 56th Rescue Squadron conducted subsurface search, rescue and recovery training here recently. The pararescuemen trained in a controlled environment, allowing them to focus on their curriculum without being disturbed. The cove, far from the English coastline, provided a closed-off area