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U.S. Air Force News

  • Social starts week celebrating outstanding Airmen

    The Air Force's 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year attended a social here Sept. 11 to kick off a week of events planned to honor them.Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy and his wife, Paula, welcomed the Airmen and their guests to Airey House, their official residence named after the first

  • 2010 Air Force Association Air & Space Conference kicks off

    More than 1,000 attendees were on hand for the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Air Force Association Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition on Sept. 13 at the National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Md. During the ceremonies, Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen.

  • Space Command Inspector General: 24th Air Force ready for full operations

    The Headquarters Air Force Space Command Inspector General team concluded a four-day, full operational capability assessment of 24th Air Force units here today with a briefing to the commander stating that the numbered Air Force and its subordinate units are "ready" to be declared fully

  • Medics showcase patient care concepts to Afghan airmen

    Air Force medics introduced some of their patient care concepts to Afghan airmen Sept. 8 here.For the first time, 451st Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility Airmen oriented four Afghan airmen to methods used to secure patients and load and move

  • Kadena's conservation efforts net federal award

    For the second consecutive year, civil engineers here have been awarded a federal energy and water management award for their aggressive conservation efforts on Okinawa.In 2009, the 718th Civil Engineer Squadron was honored for having one of the best 2008 energy efficiency and energy programs within

  • Falcons rout Cougars, 35-14, in Mountain West Conference opener

    Air Force's defense held BYU to just 126 yards of total offense in the final three quarters during the Falcons' 35-17 win in the teams' Mountain West Conference opener in front of a sold-out crowd of nearly 47,000 here Sept. 11.The rout breaks a six-game losing streak to BYU, who last lost to Air

  • Members of Kunsan Air Base remember Sept. 11 events

    A quiet and somber crowd gathered here early Sept. 10 to remember the events in America Sept. 11, 2001, and pay tribute to those who lost their lives that day.Airmen representing firefighters, law enforcement and emergency medical services, among official guests and others, attended the 8th Fighter

  • Air Guard 400 race to determine NASCAR's top 12

    Better known for its airpower than its horsepower, the Air National Guard will sponsor the Air Guard 400 at Richmond International Speedway Sept. 11.The 400-mile NASCAR race will include the Air National Guard-sponsored #26 car driven by Jeff Green and owned by Latitude 43 Motorsports."With NASCAR

  • More focus needed to end suicides, Mullens say

    A silent killer is rapidly infiltrating the military, claiming lives at an alarming rate each year.It does not discriminate, taking aim at the young and old, male and female -- from the battle-hardened Soldier to the new recruit."It's an area that can't get enough focus right now," said Navy Adm.

  • Air Force's top uniformed leaders visit Shaw

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy met with Airmen from across the installation here during a base visit Sept. 7 and 8.After touring areas and meeting with representatives of the 9th Air Force, Air Forces Central and the 20th Fighter

  • Officials welcome new Air Force chief of safety

    In a Sept. 1 change-of-command ceremony here, Maj. Gen. Gregory A. Feest assumed command of the Air Force Safety Center from Maj. Gen. Frederick F. Roggero. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz presided over the change of command. In his comments, he highlighted AFSC's performance under the

  • Air Force officials increase deployment times

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz announced a change to the air and space expeditionary force rotational baseline from 120 to 179 days for most active component Airmen. According to Air Force officials, 71 percent of Airmen are already deploying outside the 120-day baseline. The revised

  • Undersecretary visits Wilford Hall Medical Center

    Undersecretary of the Air Force Erin C. Conaton visited Wilford Hall Medical Center here Sept. 3 to learn about the Air Force's premier health care, medical education, research and readiness wing.Ms. Conaton met with Maj. Gen. (Dr.) Thomas W. Travis, the 59th MDW commander, and other senior leaders

  • Incirlik weather techs train to support contingency operations

    Once a quarter, weather technicians with the 39th Operations Squadron here can be found training with a piece of equipment that can help save lives, prevent disastrous mishaps and some say even predict the future. This piece of equipment is called a Tactical Meteorological Observing System. The TMOS

  • Joint exercise kicks off with community day

    More than 100 servicemembers from U.S. Air Forces in Europe, U.S. Army Europe and Marine Forces Reserve arrived Sept. 7 in Podgorica, Montenegro, to participate in the 10th annual Partnership for Peace a Joint Chiefs of Staff-sponsored medical training exercise. U.S. and Montenegrin servicemembers

  • Photo essay: Airmen clean up after typhoon

    Airmen from the 18th Wing here got together Sept. 2, 2010, to clean up debris at the Okuma Recreation Area after Typhoon Kompasu struck Okinawa Aug. 31.View the slideshow.

  • Deployed air refueling unit helps fuel the Afghanistan surge

    On Dec. 1, 2009, President Barack Obama announced that an additional 30,000 troops would be sent to Afghanistan to help stabilize the country. Whether in support of airlift missions or combat operations, aircraft fuel delivered by members of the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron here is

  • Mobility Airmen support Pakistan flood relief

    Mobility Airmen have been involved in the Pakistan flood relief effort since floods began affecting the country in late July. Among the Airmen deployed to Pakistan are about 30 members from Air Mobility Command's 818th Contingency Response Group, 621st Contingency Response Wing, from Joint Base

  • Chief of staff to participate in the Air Force Marathon 10K

    The Air Force chief of staff is putting himself on the starting line during Air Force Marathon events here, joining thousands of others ready to show their dedication to physical fitness.Gen. Norton Schwartz plans to return to the Air Force Marathon for the second year in a row, this time running

  • Nonprofit groups step up to help military families

    America's support of our troops and their families has been a welcome theme during this past decade of war. The stories of support are abundant, from top leaders encouraging Americans to salute troops to neighbors pitching in to help a deployed family.Some people have taken this support even a step

  • Kadena DFAC staff gives menu 'heads up' on Twitter

    Kadena's dining facility staff has found a new use for social networking websites to keep Airmen informed."When people ask us where the menu is, we tell them it's now on Twitter," said Tech. Sgt. Lacey D. Brown, the 18th Force Support Squadron Marshall Dining Facility manager. "Now you can (view) it

  • Air Force survives 1st-half scare, overcomes Demons, 65-21

    If Air Force's home opener was supposed to be an easy ride, Northwestern State missed the memo. The Falcons brought down a stubborn Demons team, but only after they overcame a few demons of their own.Air Force rallied in the second half, outscoring Northwestern State 41-0 in the second half en route

  • Leaders issue joint Labor Day holiday message

    The Air Force's top leaders remind the entire Air Force family to minimize safety risks this weekend and beyond in a Labor Day message. Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy issued the following

  • Airmen assist BLM during wild horse round-up

    Members of the 366th Operations Support Squadron and 266th Range Control Squadron recently supported the Bureau of Land Management during its emergency gathering of 198 wild horses after a wildfire charred the land the animals usually roam. To perform this rescue mission, BLM officials needed access

  • Fitness testing begins for deployed Airmen

    Airmen deployed to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility will roll physical fitness testing into their wartime responsibilities starting Oct. 1. Lt. Gen. Mike Hostage, the U.S. Air Forces Central Command commander, recently approved a policy authorizing fitness testing in the AOR for

  • AF transfers northern airspace to Iraq

    The Air Force handed over the Kirkuk sector of airspace, 15,000 feet and above, to the Iraq Civil Aviation Authority Sept. 1. The Kirkuk sector of airspace consists of the northern 1/3 portion of Iraq, which previously had been controlled by the Air Force out of Kirkuk Air Base. "Tonight marks a

  • Air Force officials seek nominees for Ph.D. program

    Air Force officials are seeking to develop officers as strategic thinkers through a program that will allow them to obtain a doctorate in strategic studies.The Air Force Chief of Staff Ph.D. program will allow officers to attend a top-tier university to complete their doctorate in studies such as

  • Air Force sergeant honored by American Legion for community service

    A sergeant stationed at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., received The American Legion's Spirit of Service Award Aug. 31 in recognition of his extensive volunteer efforts in the community.Staff Sgt. Edward L. Perez, who serves as an airfield systems installation technician with the 688th Information

  • Air Force general reflects on Iraq tour of duty

    After spending more than a year coordinating airpower in Iraq and helping to ensure U.S. forces there drew down to less than 50,000 boots on the ground, the top Aiman in Iraq is headed home.Serving as the director of the Air Component Coordination Element in Iraq, the director of the force strategic

  • Healthy habits for children

    Teaching healthy habits to children at an early age can carry those habits through the teen years and into adulthood. Here are some important habits to teach children:Routinely and regularly washing hands is very important to stop the spread of germs and diseases and to avoid getting sick. All that

  • Net-Centric Ops Conference to examine changing environments, apps

    The theme for the eighth annual Net-Centric Ops Conference, to be held Sept. 20 at the Wentworth-by-the-Sea Hotel and Resort in New Castle, N.H., is "Changing Environments -- Changing Applications." Organizers of the conference say discussions will be focused on fully realizing net-centric

  • Top Airman in Iraq reflects on 18 months in country

    After spending more than 18 months coordinating and synchronizing airpower for U.S. servicemembers in Iraq and helping to ensure U.S. forces reached their goal of less than 50,000 boots on the ground, the top Airman in Iraq is headed home.Serving as the director of the Air Component Coordination

  • Joint aviation coordination cell established to aid Pakistan flood relief

    A number of Pakistan, U.S. and international organizations, both military and civilian, gathered at Pakistan Air Force Base Chaklala, Pakistan, Aug. 28 to form a joint aviation coordination cell aimed at streamlining air operations supporting Pakistan's flood relief efforts. After torrential rains

  • Three spouses of Airmen in Norway earn citizenship

    Three spouses of Airmen stationed at the NATO Joint Warfare Center and the 426th Air Base Squadron took their oath of allegience to become U.S. citizens Aug. 19 in Stavanger, Norway.A complex process for new citizens, Andrea Rodriguez-Sanchez, Rowena Jarman and Cornelia Jude, was made simpler thanks

  • Dr. Condoleezza Rice receives 2009 TD White Award

    Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice received the 2009 Thomas D. White National Defense Award during a visit here Aug. 26.Dr. Rice, currently a professor at Stanford University, received the award for contributions to the defense and security of the U.S. during her career as a professor,

  • Ammo Airmen support explosive mission

    Members of a munitions flight here are tasked with building bombs.It's a job some might take for granted, or a thought that will never cross the minds of others."Most people seem to think that bombs actually come preassembled, but these Airmen are out here building them with their hands," said

  • Enlisted force development initiatives approved

    The Force Management and Development Council members approved an initiative that will change the way the Air Force grows the next generation of senior enlisted leaders. The initiative originated with the Enlisted Force Development Panel and will enable the enlisted force to move forward in

  • Airmen respond to Pakistan relief efforts

    Active duty and Reserve aircrews assigned to the 62nd and 446th airlift wings departed here Aug. 23 for Pakistan humanitarian relief operations.Officials said the U.S. has responded immediately and generously to Pakistan's call for assistance following the tragic and devastating floods that started

  • Photo essay: Balad Airmen move Pave Hawks

    Maintainers from the 332nd Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron prepare a HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter for transportation out of Joint Base Balad, Iraq, Aug. 12, 2010.View the slideshow.

  • New York civic leader earns highest Air Force public service award

    The secretary of the Air Force awarded a public relations pioneer with the highest public service award given to a civilian here Aug. 24. Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley presented Chester Burger the Distinguished Public Service Award for his 15 years of volunteer service as an Air Force

  • Teamwork keeps Sather Air Base's passenger terminal moving

    As servicemembers in Iraq prepare to transition from combat operations to an advise and assist role, members of the 447th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron here continue to support the drawdown through continuing 24-hour operations. The Airmen process up to 20,000 passengers and 1,200 tons

  • Airmen, aircraft showcased in Times Square

    An F-16 Fighting Falcon and the Afterburner Monster Truck were two exhibits parked in the middle of Times Square here Aug. 26 as part of Air Force Week New York.Various Air Force exhibits were spread over two blocks of Times Square to help educate citizens of New York about Airmen and the Air Force

  • Airmen help beautify New York landmark

    More than 30 Airmen helped clean up one of New York City's well-known military memorials as part of Air Force Week here Aug. 25.Despite rainy weather, Airmen from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst donned gloves and ponchos while they beautified the 11-acre Grand Army Plaza. This plaza is the opening

  • Ramstein Airmen train with sister wing in Poland

    Airmen from the 86th Airlift Wing and 435th Contingency Response Group at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, traveled to the 33rd Air Base here Aug. 13 through 19 for combined training with Polish military forces. Operation Screaming Eagle, the weeklong off-site training, aimed at sharing knowledge,

  • Direct communication between Airmen key to suicide prevention

    More than a decade in the making, the culture of the "wingman" approach to suicide prevention is still evolving as risk factors and causes of suicide are becoming more widely understood. The wingman concept should be very familiar to most Airmen. Suicide prevention training has been incorporated

  • Air Force Week kicks off in the Big Apple

    Throughout the five boroughs of New York City, Airmen are sharing their stories, and their appreciation during Air Force Week here Aug. 24 through Aug. 29. The New York City Police commissioner, on behalf of the Mayor of New York City, proclaimed this week Air Force Week in a ceremony aboard the

  • Former professional baseball player says Air Guard is his winning team

    When Staff Sgt. Trevor Harvey lights the candles on the altar before Mass on drill weekends, he favors the hand that once pitched to Ken Griffey Jr. "During one game I pitched, he hit a ball over 500 feet," said Sergeant Harvey, who now serves as the chaplain's assistant with the Arizona Air

  • Air Force filling holes in communication during drawdown

    While convoys are operating in areas where ground communications are limited, joint airborne battle staff crews are stepping in to bridge the gap during the responsible drawdown of forces where communication is critical to ensure U.S. Forces redeploy safely.The drawdown has been a continuous process

  • Ask the question

    When Tech. Sgt. David Bales got the call that an Airman he supervised was drunk and talking about "ending it all," he immediately drove to the dormitory. He'd been around too many successful and attempted suicides to just attribute "ending it all" to a case of drunken rambling. As an intelligence

  • Veterans encouraged to submit claims for retroactive stop loss

    In working closely with the Office of the Secretary of Defense staff on a congressional action involving veterans submitting claims for Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay, major command and wing level officials are working to inform veterans who were affected by stop loss. Eligible Airmen include

  • Deployed aircrew brings relief to flood-torn Pakistan

    As Air Force operations in support of flood relief operations in Pakistan resumed, aircrew and support personnel from the 746th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia prepared to forward deploy to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, to ease the workload of the local

  • Airmen assist with Army ground movements in Iraq

    Tactical air control party teams assigned to the 4/2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team here help to keep their convoys safe by being a liaison to Airmen in aircraft flying above, when convoys are on the move.A TACP team consists of two Airmen: a joint terminal attack controller, and a radio operator,

  • Air Force chief of staff thanks Airmen, families in accepting award

    The Air Force's highest ranking officer was awarded one of the Air Force Sergeants Association's top honors during the organization's Professional Airmen's Conference and International Convention here Aug. 18.In pre-taped remarks, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz accepted the 2009

  • Renovated heritage museum reopens

    Air Force officials reopened a newly-named and renovated enlisted heritage museum here Aug. 12.In addition to spending $730,000 to renovate a building that has housed the museum since 1956, the name was officially changed from the History and Traditions Museum to the USAF Airman Heritage Museum.Gen.

  • Airman earns $10k through IDEA program

    A staff sergeant here had a good idea that led to a $10,000 payday. Staff Sgt. Jonnie Deitz, a 4th Component Maintenance Squadron aerospace propulsion journeyman, is the most recent member of the Seymour Johnson AFB community to receive an Innovative Development Through Employee Awareness Program

  • 2011 retraining program in full swing

    Airmen have almost a month remaining to voluntarily retrain in Phase I of the 2011 NCO Retraining Program before the program's involuntary Phase II begins Sept. 20. Air Force officials identified 1,061 opportunities for Airmen to retrain out of their current career field under NCORP. Airmen can

  • Photo essay: Southwest Asia C-17 crew tests airdrop capabilities

    Crewmembers of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing take part in Operation Everest here Aug 13. The operation is a week-long effort delivering 837 of bundles of supplies and equipment to forward operating bases across the area of responsibility.View the slideshow.

  • Volunteer mentors support families of fallen

    The day Scott Warner saw Marines standing at his front door, his world came to a crashing halt.The servicemembers told Mr. Warner that his son, Marine Pvt. Heath Warner, had been killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq's Anbar province.Mr. Warner and his family, including his two younger sons, tried to

  • C-17 squadron sets new standard in deployed airdrops

    Members of the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron here dropped more than 1,192,000 pounds to 22 different drop zones, including fuel, water, food and additional supplies needed by servicemembers on the ground at forward operating bases across the area of responsibility.The endeavor, called

  • Exercise Ulchi Freedom Guardian underway

    Exercise Ulchi Freedom Guardian, the world's largest command and control simulation exercise began Aug. 16 and continues through Aug. 26.According to senior Combined Forces Command officials, the annual joint/combined command post exercise is designed to improve the Republic of Korea and U.S.

  • New Horizons Airman organizes donations to Panamanian children

    Capt. Aaron Jackson knew before he volunteered to deploy to Panama for New Horizons that he wanted to do something special to improve the quality of life for children in Darien Province, so he sent a message to friends and family back home to see if anyone would donate items.From a simple letter and

  • CMSAF shares perspective about readiness, development, resiliency

    The Air Force's top NCO spoke at the Air Force Sergeants Association Professional Airmen's Conference Aug. 17, citing readiness, deliberate development and resiliency among Airmen and their families as his main focuses.Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy said statistics of 40,000 Airmen

  • Medical crew takes flight, injured out of fight

    Five members of the 332nd Expeditionary Airlift Flight, with the help of other unit comrades, loaded a C-130 Hercules with medical supplies and equipment in preparation for picking up servicemembers at various locations throughout Iraq. Lt. Col. Bryan Castle, the 332nd EAEF commander, scurried up a

  • Medical team trains for emergency response

    Air Force medical professionals participated in a massive joint forces field-training exercise recently simulating a terrorist attack in the U.S.The 10-day exercise, held at Camp Atterbury, Ind., allowed servicemembers to participate in a war game scenario and know their specific duties in case a

  • Air Force officials reviewing command, control training infrastructure

    Air Force officials awarded an independent-study contract to DP Technology Services Inc., Aug. 16, for studying the development of an advanced operational-level C2, or command and control, training campus. "This study is the first step in developing a solution which will benefit Air Force C2 in the

  • 8,800 Air Force employees transition out of NSPS

    The first two waves of Air Force employees have successfully converted out of the National Security Personnel System, leaving less than 30,000 to make the transition.Approximately 8,800 employees were converted out of NSPS during phases I and II on July 4 and July 18. Phases III and IV are scheduled

  • Physician mentors Afghan doctors

    Maj. (Dr.) Robert Sarlay Jr. has become fond of a quote by T.E. Lawrence: "Better the Arab do it tolerably than you do it perfectly." Not that he considers himself a modern-day Lawrence of Arabia. Ordinarily, Dr. Sarlay is a man of less exotic tastes. When he's not practicing emergency medicine at

  • Largest Air Force fuel farm operates 'bare base' style

    Each day, more than 320,000 gallons of fuel are pumped in and out of the largest fuel farm in the Air Force, running through the most intricate maze of pipes and hoses of the filtration and storage systems.Petroleum, Oils and Lubricants specialists in the 376th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness

  • AAFES officials working double time to correct inadvertent charges

    A processing error resulted in duplicate charges on credit and debit card transactions for some customers at Army Air Force Exchange Service stores."Shoppers who swiped their cards anytime between Aug. 7 and Aug. 9 at an AAFES facility are strongly encouraged to review their statements to see if

  • Airman answers unusual call, saves life through donation

    When most Airmen come into the Air Force, they know their service could include being called upon to do something that could save a life. However, one such Airman answered the call in a way very few could. Staff Sgt. Charles Newberry, a personnel specialist assigned to the 311th Air Base Group's

  • Follow me, save me, repair me: crash recovery

    The 332nd Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron's wheel and tire, transient alert, and crash recovery flight is a flight with three unique missions housed under one roof, that deals with out-of-the-ordinary aircraft, wheels and damage.Members of the wheel and tire shop handle all F-16 Fighting Falcon

  • Ramstein AB medics prepare for emergency situations

    Medics here sharpened their skills during Mobile Aeromedical Staging Facility training Aug. 2 to 6.A team of nurses, medical technicians, communications specialists and medical administrative technicians, exercised the capabilities of Ramstein Air Base's MASF, which is one of only three in the

  • Photo essay: Guard unit improves communications

    Airmen from the 213th Engineering Installation Squadron improve the grounding system on a communications tower here July 22. They are assigned at nearby Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, N.Y.View the slideshow.

  • Emergency management: Not just 'chem training guys'

    A few weeks ago, Airmen from the 332nd Expeditionary Communication Squadron were digging trenches for cables and they unearthed a strange blue powder.Unsure of just what the powder was, they contacted the 332nd Civil Engineer Squadron emergency management section here, who responded, bringing a

  • Military working dogs defend 386th Air Expeditionary Wing

    These canines are truly an Airman's best friend, especially when it comes to saving lives.The military working dog section of the 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron has the unique mission of safeguarding the base here with highly motivated K-9 partners. The dogs' powerful sense of smell is

  • Security forces Airmen aid force protection in ground attack

    The saying "timing is everything" was never more accurate than when members of the 451st Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron went out to repair a camera along the perimeter fence line here Aug. 3, and in doing so, helped fellow force protection members thwart a ground attack. Staff Sgt. Sarah

  • Air Force Reserve officials designing new Force Generation Center

    Air Force Reserve planners are designing an organization that will serve as the single path to request and receive, as well as oversee and deliver, Air Force Reserve forces and capability. Called the Force Generation Center, the new unit is projected to begin initial operations in October and be up

  • Air Force Reserve officials streamline call-up process

    Air Force Reserve Command officials are proposing comprehensive changes to how reservists are managed and called to active duty based on lessons learned from nearly nine years of combat and surge operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.Collectively called "AFR 2012," this series of projects establishes a

  • Couple's path to marriage winds through deployment

    Young girls often dream about what their perfect wedding will be like. They dream of the perfect dress, cake, ring and who their dashing groom will be.Senior Airman Sheri Nolen spent her childhood in Denver more interested in playing in the dirt and running around. "I never really thought about a

  • Air Force officials to release staff sergeant promotion list

    Air Force officials selected 13,518 of 28,510 eligible senior airmen for promotion to staff sergeant for a selection rate of 47.41 percent.The average score for those selected was 282.88, with an average time in grade of 1.97 years and an average time in service of 4.55 years, respectively. The

  • McKinley tells Guard enlisted force to prepare for prolonged overseas role

    The National Guard likely will continue to play a significant role in overseas contingency operations for the foreseeable future, the chief of the National Guard Bureau said here Aug. 8."Just like we have in Kosovo for 14 years and the Sinai (and) the Horn of Africa, I think the National Guard will

  • Leadership key to tackling suicide, Medal of Honor recipient tells guardsmen

    Leadership at all levels is the key to lowering the suicide rate among servicemembers, a Medal of Honor recipient told National Guard members here Aug 8. Retired Army Maj. Drew Dix received the Medal of Honor for his actions in Vietnam. Now, he has been talking with servicemembers about resiliency

  • Vice chief describes airpower's key role in Pacific at Tinian symposium

    Sixty-five years after a single bomber launched from a U.S. air base here changed the course of history, airpower continues to play a key role in regional security, the Air Force vice chief of staff said during a speech here Aug. 5.Gen. Carrol H. "Howie" Chandler spoke at an educational symposium

  • Air Force, Navy take steps toward joint RPA training

    In a first of many joint meetings, Beale Air Force Base leaders hosted a Global Hawk and Broad Area Maritime Surveillance Joint Cockpit Working Group Aug. 3 through 5. The group met to develop joint operations and training with the Air Force and the Navy remotely piloted RQ-4 and BAMS programs.The

  • Air war architect reflects on Operation Desert Shield 20 years later

    The day retired Gen. Charles A. Horner received the call 20 years ago that eventually launched Operation Desert Shield he was flying his F-16 Fighting Falcon, engaged in an air-to-air training mission near the North Carolina coast with two F-15 Eagles from Langley Air Force Base, Va. General Horner,

  • Fightin' Fifty-Fifth on the cusp of historic milestone

    Historic, monumental and simply incredible are just a few ways to describe the milestone soon to be attained by the men and women of the 55th Wing.On Aug. 9, the Fightin' Fifty-Fifth will surpass 20 years of continuous deployment to U.S. Central Command's area of responsibility by its personnel and

  • Air Force Cycling Team rides across Iowa

    More than 160 men and women of the U.S. Air Force joined thousands of bicyclists for the 38th Des Moines Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, better known by the cyclists as RAGBRAI. The Air Force Cycling Team, or AFCT, under the leadership of Lt. Col. Joseph Robinson, donned their team

  • Air Force primed to adopt official motto

    Seeking an enduring and distinctive way to reflect the Air Force's cultural identity and adapt to changing missions, senior leaders have solicited feedback from Airmen to help develop potential mottos, officials said Aug. 2."The intent is to create a phrase that captures the spirit of the Air Force,

  • Richmond track officials announce plans for 'Air Guard 400'

    Track President Doug Fritz and Master Sgt. Matt Leas jumped from an airplane and parachuted onto the pit road here at Richmond International Raceway Aug. 4 to announce the name of this year's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race.The Air Guard 400 will be held here on the second day of the "One Last Race to

  • Air Force Academy Cadet Wing accepts Class of 2014

    The basics are gone. Today, there are only cadets.The Air Force Academy, including graduates of the Class of 1974, welcomed the Class of 2014 into the Cadet Wing Aug. 4 in a ceremony at the Stillman Parade Field.Retired Maj. Gen. Ron Sega represented the Class of '74, which is the partner class and

  • Acquisition Improvement Plan recaptures excellence

    When the Air Force Secretary and Chief of Staff signed the Acquisition Improvement Plan in May 2009, they launched a significant effort to help the service recapture acquisition excellence."A key element of this plan was the revitalization of the (Air Force) acquisition workforce," said Lt. Gen.

  • Air Force vice chief of staff visits Andersen AFB

    Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Carrol H. "Howie" Chandler stopped here Aug. 2 through 4 to see firsthand how the 36th Wing Airmen furthers regional security in the Pacific theater.General Chandler was joined on his trip by Maj. Gen. Douglas Owens, the Pacific Air Forces vice commander, a former

  • Wilford Hall is 'baby-friendly hospital'

    Wilford Hall Medical Center has been designated a "Baby-Friendly Hospital" through the Texas Department of State Health Services' Texas Ten Step facility program.The announcement coincided with World Breastfeeding Week 2010 Aug. 1 through Aug. 7. The Texas Hospital Association and the Texas

  • Air Force Facebook page reaches 100,000

    The official United States Air Force Facebook page reached new heights over the Aug. 1 weekend when the number of fans who "like" the page topped 100,000. The page went live in mid-2009 as a way to share the latest Air Force news and to network with current Airmen, veterans, family members,