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U.S. Air Force News

  • Airman comes to aid of heart attack victim

    Tech. Sgt. James Harrell Jr. was on his way home from here after a shift with the 81st Security Forces Squadron about 5:15 a.m. March 26. As he traveled west on Pass Road, he turned south onto Rodenberg Avenue -- not his normal route home to Gulfport, Miss."I can't explain it ... I just decided to

  • Chief of staff: Minot Airmen key to Air Force mission

    The Air Force chief of staff addressed more than 1,500 Airmen gathered here April 1 to discuss teamwork and excellence, key elements in mission accomplishment as well as in maintaining standards in the nuclear business.Gen. Norton Schwartz talked to Airmen from the 5th Bomb Wing and 91st Missile

  • Hmong-American patriot recognized by Air Force chief of staff

    Presumed dead for decades, a Royal Laotian Air Force fighter pilot received recognition from the Air Force's top uniformed officer here March 31 for his contributions during the Vietnam War.Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz presented Yia Kha with a certificate of appreciation for his

  • Bagram medics remove unexploded ordnance from patient

    Airmen from the Craig Joint Theater Hospital trauma team here removed an unexploded ordnance from a patient's scalp March 18 here.The patient, an Afghan National Army soldier, was involved in an improvised explosive device attack and had a 14.5 mm high explosive incendiary round with approximately 5

  • Leave en route policy change benefits Airmen

    Some Airmen will now have the opportunity to take leave en route within the continental United States when they return home, or redeploy, from the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. This change can save Airmen significant time and travel-associated costs, as well as provide them an

  • Original song competition at MyAirForceLife.com

    More than 70 years ago, Capt. Robert MacArthur Crawford, an Airman with the Army Air Corps, won an original song competition with an entry that eventually became the official song for the U.S. Air Force. Captain Crawford wrote the lyrics and music to "Off We Go Into the Wild Blue Yonder."Starting

  • Yokota officials host bilateral safety conference

    Forty-two Japanese civilian general aviation pilots landed here March 20 for the Kanto Plain Mid-Air Collision and Avoidance Conference conducted by the staff of the 374th Airlift Wing Safety Office. The MACA conference brought military members together with civilian pilots from all over Japan, to

  • Guardsmen assist in Northeast states battling floods

    More than 1,500 National Guard members in three Northeast states are waging a war against rising flood waters after several days of rain combined with melting snow.Massachusetts officials have called up more than 900 Soldiers, including 116 Air Guardsmen, while Rhode Island and Connecticut officials

  • Airmen sustain increased airlift flow to Afghanistan

    Airmen at Camp Bastion in southern Afghanistan increased airfield operations recently in direct support of Marines during the U.S. troop increase called for by President Barack Obama to target the insurgency and secure key population centers.U.S. Transportation Command officials here requested 615th

  • Eight coaches selected for Warrior Games

    Air Force officials recently announced the names of eight Air Force members selected to coach the 2010 Air Force team for Department of Defense's inaugural Warrior Games in Colorado Springs, Colo., May 10 to 14."We received an overwhelming response from hundreds of people interested in coaching

  • Beale family selected as Air Force FitFamily of the month

    The family of a 9th Support Division Squadron member here was selected as the Air Force's FitFamily of the Month for March after logging more points than any other Air Force family on the program's Web site.The FitFamily Web site provides a venue for families to participate in family activities and

  • Top enlisted leader addresses top issues facing Airmen

    The top enlisted Airman addressed some of the top issues facing Airmen during a visit here March 17 and 18.The role battlefield Airmen play in deployed operations is an area of focus because it ties into one of the Air Force's priorities, said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy. "I am

  • VA secretary releases draft Gulf War task force report

    Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced March 31 that the department's Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses Task Force has completed the final draft of a comprehensive report that will redefine how VA officials address the concerns of veterans who deployed during the Gulf War in 1990 and

  • Global Hawk wet runway testing yields positive results

    Airmen, civilians and contractors of the 452nd Flight Test Squadron here conducted RQ-4 Global Hawk wet runway testing with positive results throughout March here.The wet runway test required the Global Hawk to demonstrate taxiing and stopping from 6, 12, 30, 50 and 70 knots.The Block 20 Global Hawk

  • Assistant VA secretary, U.S. Olympians join veterans on ski slopes

    The assistant secretary for Veterans Affairs and two U.S. Olympic athletes joined each other on the slopes during the 24th National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic March 31 here.VA Assistant Secretary Tammy Duckworth, Bode Miller and Casey Puckett skied with the veterans as part of the

  • General Schwartz releases 2010 CSAF Reading List

    The Air Force chief of staff announced his latest CSAF reading list April 1. "I am pleased to announce my 2010 reading list, which provides valuable ways for all Airmen to further their professional education and augment their leadership skills,"  Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz

  • Team heads to Chile for air show, but not empty-handed

    Approximately 30 Airmen and two F-22 Raptors from Holloman Air Force Base headed to Chile to participate in an air show, but took more equipment then initially planned.The plan had been in effect for months for the Airmen and aircraft to support the 2010 FIDAE Air and Trade Show that would mark the

  • Photo essay: Dogs run final course

    Three military working dogs here are due to be medically retired April 6, and took a final run at the kennel obstacle course March 25.  The dogs and their partners are assigned to the 56th Security Forces.View the slideshow.

  • Operation Purple reconnects children, parents after deployments

    It wasn't a typical cross country skiing race where skill and speed are factors. In this race, it was all about cooperation. Three children and two parents, lined up like a caterpillar with their hands on the shoulders of the person in front of them, inching along in unison and trying not to trip

  • An Air Force veteran's story: From combat controller to Paralympian

    In the blink of an eye your life can change forever.That's exactly what happened to Sean Halsted when he fell 40 feet to the ground while fast roping from a helicopter during a training mission at Hurlburt Field, Fla. He went from an active-duty combat controller to a U.S. Paralympian in the 2010

  • American servicemembers, helicopters deploy to Haiti

    Joint Task Force-Bravo officials deployed 40 servicemembers, four UH-60 Blackhawks and equipment March 21 and 22 in support of Joint Task Force-Haiti's airlift operations in Haiti.Four C-17 Globemaster IIIs landed and were loaded during a three-day period to airlift more than 180,000 pounds of

  • Clinic provides disabled vets pathway to paralympics

    Air Force veteran Sean Halsted was a decent skier before he fell 40 feet out of a helicopter while on a fast rope during a search-and-rescue training exercise in 1998. Paralyzed from the waist down, he feared his active days were behind him. Three years after his accident, Mr. Halsted reluctantly

  • Rescue crews fly into hostile zones to save lives

    Men and women of the 41st Expeditionary Rescue Squadron here provide around-the-clock personnel recovery, commonly known as combat search and rescue, for American and coalition warfighters supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.But unlike past wars where aircraft were lost every week, the mission in

  • New Reserve group stands up at Seymour Johnson

    To keep up with the increasing demand for F-15E Strike Eagle pilots and weapon systems officers, a new group is standing up here.The Air Force Reserve Command's 414th Fighter Group may have only a handful of assigned personnel now, but about 340 people will fall under the group, the 307th Fighter

  • Elmendorf Airmen complete million push-up challenge

    In about 3.5 months, 425 Elmendorf Air Force Base Airmen accumulated more than 1 million push-ups to reach a unit goal.In an effort to improve physical training scores and build camaraderie, 3rd Medical Group leaders posed the 100-day million push-up challenge and unit medics began logging their

  • General Holm remembered in ceremony at Arlington

    The first female two-star general in both the Air Force and Department of Defense was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery March 29. Retired Maj. Gen. Jeanne M. Holm is credited as the single driving force in achieving equality for military women and making them a viable part of the

  • Luke Airmen volunteer to assist disabled veterans at winter sports clinic

    Seven Airmen volunteers from Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., are here primarily to help transport disabled veterans during the 24th National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic March 28 through April 2.  But they also are assisting in other areas as the need arises.The winter sports clinic promotes

  • Airmen train Afghan C-27 loadmaster

    Airmen from the 538th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron and Afghan soldiers with the Afghanistan National Army Air Corps completed a successful check ride for the nation's first qualified C-27 Spartan loadmaster March 28 here.During an almost two-hour International Security Assistance Force

  • U.S. officials donate hospital to Chilean community

    U.S. government officials donated an expeditionary hospital to local Chilean officials in a ceremony here March 24.Paul Simons, the U.S. ambassador to Chile, presented Enrique Neira, the mayor of Angol, with a certificate representing the transfer of the hospital to the local community of Angol. The

  • Airmen complete humanitarian mission in Chile

    Members of the Air Force Expeditionary Medical Support team completed a humanitarian mission to build an expeditionary hospital and augment medical care for members of the Angol community here March 26. A team of Airmen built, staffed and equipped a field hospital to serve more than 110,000 people

  • Bagram Airmen keep F-16s in the fight

    As their F-16 Fighting Falcon pulled into its parking spot on the airfield March 23, the maintainers from the 34th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Unit had something to be proud of: tail number 2119 had returned from its 30th code 1 sortie over Afghanistan.Lt. Col. Brad Lyons, 34th Expeditionary

  • 20 athletes selected for Warrior Games

    Air Force officials here recently announced the names of 20 athletes selected for Department of Defense's Warrior Games May 10 through 14 in Colorado Springs, Colo.Wounded, ill and injured active duty, Guard and Reserve members, as well as retired members and veterans from the Army, Marine Corps,

  • Manas Airmen deliver care packages to Kyrgyz villagers

    A Transit Center at Manas Airmen wrote to his family and friends, "Please don't send me any care packages." Instead, Lt. Col. Rex Vanderwood told his family and friends, "If you want to send something, send things that will help the local villagers."Deployed to the Transit Center at Manas since

  • Latest 'Portraits in Courage' released

    The stories of heroism, valor, sacrifice and bravery of 17 Airmen appear in the fourth edition of the Air Force's Portraits in Courage now available.The stories are compelling: Airmen who call in close-air support following an improvised explosive device attack, save the life of an Afghan

  • Defense official hails effect of unmanned aircraft on warfare

    Perhaps no other weapon platform has more significantly transformed the way the U.S. military wages war in recent years than unmanned aircraft, a senior defense official told Congress March 24 here. Since 2006, operations have grown from about 165,000 hours to more than 550,000 hours annually, said

  • CSAF: Air Force Global Strike Command mission requires constant vigilance

    The Air Force chief of staff opened the first-ever Air Force Global Strike Command commander's conference Mar. 24 via video teleconference, telling wing commanders, spouses, command chiefs and civic leaders from across the command that they have a critical mission that requires constant

  • Pentagon officials change 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' enforcement

    The Defense secretary announced changes to the Pentagon's regulation on homosexuals serving in the military that he said make the Defense Department's enforcement of the so-called "Don't ask, don't tell" law "fairer and more appropriate" March 25 here. Secretary Robert M. Gates announced Feb. 2 he'd

  • Airmen help Afghans fly C-27 mission

    A joint aircrew of U.S. Airmen from the 538th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron and Afghan soldiers in the Afghanistan National Army Air Corps completed an operational C-27 Spartan mission here March 24.Taking off from Kabul International Airport, the four-man aircrew flew Southwest to Kandahar

  • Air Force leaders expand force management options

    Due to the high volume of traffic on the Air Force Personnel Center personnel services Web site following this announcement, Airmen experiencing difficulty accessing the site may direct their questions concerning force management to their base military personnel sections or the Total Force Service

  • Air Force officials continue plans to modernize GPS

    Through the years, the Global Positioning System has become one of the most widely-used Air Force applications.Today GPS is used in everything from farming and aviation to public safety, disaster relief and recreation, not to mention its military purpose of providing precision navigation and timing

  • Afghanistan troop level to eclipse Iraq by midyear

    This summer will mark the first time since 2003 that the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan will overshadow the American presence in Iraq, the top U.S. military officer told Congress March 24 here. Driving the eclipse is the 30,000-troop surge President Barack Obama announced for Afghanistan in

  • Airmen participate in ruck march

    Members from the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations Center here participated in the 436th Security Forces Squadron's 11th Annual Ruck March held March 20. The annual 6.2-mile march is a fundraiser to honor the veterans of the Korean War who fought in the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir. "About

  • Robins officials welcome returning members from Haiti mission

    Six members of the 53rd Combat Communications Squadron deployable initial communications element team returned here March 16 from a six-week deployment to Haiti where the team supported Operation Unified Response.The team consisting of Capt. Joel Nelson, Tech. Sgt. Turvon Casey, Staff Sgts. Jon

  • Misawa commander named honorary city mayor

    For a few hours March 23, the 35th Fighter Wing commander at Misawa Air Base served as honorary Misawa City mayor. Col. David Stilwell was appointed mayor for a day by Misawa City Mayor Kazumasa Taneichi. Additionally, his wife, Jan, was appointed ambassador to Misawa City and was presented with

  • Photo essay: Special tactics Airmen jump at night

    Airmen from the U.S. Air Force Special Tactics Training Squadron participated in a high altitude, low opening or HALO, mission near here March 16 during Exercise Emerald Warrior 2010. View the slideshow.

  • Ellsworth Airmen participate in cooking competition

    Food service workers from the Bandit Inn dining facility here participated in the second annual "Ellsworth Iron Chef" competition March 17 here.The competitors divided themselves into four teams and were tasked to create a multicourse meal with each dish featuring one of the two secret ingredients:

  • Theater hospital wall preserves memory, sacrifice

    The 20-by 30-foot flag thousands of patients have passed under on their way to the Air Force Theater Hospital at Joint Base Balad often is photographed in military circles. But lesser known, though no less poignant, are the walls of the Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility's recreation room.

  • Dates, locations announced for 2010 Air Force Weeks

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz has announced the dates and locations for the two Air Force Weeks to be held in 2010. The first Air Force Week will be held in New York City from Aug. 25th through the 29th, culminating with the two-day Coney Island Air Show that will feature the U.S.

  • Airmen aid medical support mission in Chile

    Two members from the 5th Combat Communications Group deployed to Angol, Chile, in support of relief efforts after the Chilean earthquake Feb. 27. The team left March 7 and arrived in Chile March 11. Staff Sgt. William Kidd and Senior Airman Patrick Walters from the 52nd Combat Communications

  • Air Forces Africa officials visit Botswana, emphasize partnership

    The 17th Air Force (Air Forces Africa) commander and his staff visited for a senior leader engagement March 9 here.This was the general's second visit to Gaborone since June 2009, when Botswana's relationship with AFAFRICA was firmly established. He met with Botswana Defence Force senior leaders to

  • Former chief of staff laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery

    The 10th chief of staff of the Air Force was laid to rest in a full-honors ceremony March 22 at Arlington National Cemetery, but his legacy lives with today's Airmen through his emphasis on developing camaraderie, pursuing history and recognizing excellence.Gen. Lew Allen Jr. passed away Jan. 4 in

  • Joint team leads Afghan crew chief academy

    A team of Airmen from the 440th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron and Soldiers from the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, Task Force Falcon, led the first class of Afghan National Army Air Corp soldiers through the Afghan National Security Forces Crew Chief Academy March 6 here.The joint team of

  • Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office staff updates families of loved ones

    More than 280 loved ones of American servicemembers missing in action and prisoners of war gathered for a briefing from the Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office March 20 here.The mission of the DPMO is to establish policies worldwide for accounting for all missing servicemembers from all

  • Chilean, Air Force medics share knowledge, experience

    Air Force and Chilean medics are transitioning duties while sharing knowledge at the expeditionary hospital here March 22.Since the hospital opened March 13, Chilean and Air Force medics worked side-by-side to treat more than 130 patients and perform 16 surgeries. For many of the Airmen here,

  • Holloman Airmen train for worst in active shooter exercise

    Holloman Air Force Base members tested their preparedness during a simulated active gunman situation March 11 at the Domenici Fitness and Sports Center here.As 49th Security Forces Squadron patrolmen cleared the building in search of the suspects, a quick reaction force stood up and was en route to

  • Joint EOD training benefits 2 nations

    Kyrgyz army explosive ordnance disposal technicians visited the Transit Center at Manas March 15 through 19 for a subject matter information exchange with American EOD Airmen and Soldiers.The Airmen here regularly bring Kyrgyz soldiers to the installation and the EOD range to train together,

  • Airman's vigilance prevents aircraft mishap

    Airmen from the 455th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aborted an F-15E Strike Eagle mission minutes before takeoff March 12 here when a crew chief noticed an oddity with the flight controls of an aircraft.Staff Sgt. Justin Wilson, a 494th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew

  • Construction begins on new fuel pipeline at Southwest Asia base

    Construction on a new 2.7-mile pipeline to bolster ground refueling operations for the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing began March 17 at a non-disclosed base here.The $5.7 million project calls for the construction of an above-ground 8-inch carbon steel pipeline from the existing tanker truck offload

  • Airman-funded heart surgeries change 150 childrens' lives

    In an age when Americans are able to vote for a healthcare bill when they are dissatisfied with the current plan, many people around the world, including in Kyrgyzstan, struggle to afford surgery without any health insurance at all.So, American Airmen from the Transit Center have rallied together,

  • USAFE officials visit command's newest wing

    Gen. Roger Brady, commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe, and Chief Master Sgt. Pamela Derrow, USAFE command chief master sergeant, visited the Airmen of the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing March 16 to see the unique blend of capabilities the unit brings to USAFE.The visit allowed General Brady and

  • Military gears up for 2010 Census

    Defense Department officials are working with the U.S. Census Bureau to ensure that all military personnel are accounted for in the 2010 Census, a defense official said March 19. All servicemembers and their families, whether stationed domestically or overseas, must be counted and attributed to

  • Agency staff provides aeronautical products to military pilots, aviators

    National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency officials here provide up-to-date aeronautical products and support to Air Force pilots and other military aviators, and supported relief efforts after a 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti Jan. 12. The director of NGA's Aeronautical Services, Office of Global

  • Air Force officials open aviation art gallery in Pentagon

    The World War I Skyfighters of France teamed with modern-day American Airmen in Afghanistan in an art gallery exhibit in the Pentagon dedicated March 18 by Air Force senior leaders. The exhibit showcases the work of the first aviation artist and displays the latest addition to the Air Force Art

  • 505th Command and Control Wing welcomes new Royal Air Force exchange officer

    Royal Air Force Wing Commander Allan Goodison recently took the reins as 505th Training Group deputy commander of development, here. Wing Commander Goodison will work with the 505th TRG commander integrating command and control or C2, operations with joint and coalition forces.Group members develop

  • Air Force official transfers hangar to Iraqi air force

    Members of the Iraq Training and Advisory Mission-U.S. Air Force and the Iraqi air force stood shoulder to shoulder during a ceremony at Kirkuk Regional Air Base March 10 as Brig. Gen. Scott Hanson, 321st Air Expeditionary Wing commander, and Staff Lt. Gen. Anwer Amen, Iraqi air force commander,

  • Lajes officials take step toward solar power

    As part of the Air Force officials' renewable energy initiative, members of the 65th Civil Engineer Squadron have taken a step toward saving taxpayers money after installing and testing their first solar energy-producing panels in a military family housing unit Feb. 22 here. The panel unit costs

  • Students get firsthand look at Philippine, U.S. militaries

    Aproximately 300 Philippine elementary school students visited with members of the Philippine and U.S. militaries participating in exercise Balikatan 2010 March 15 here.Students from Sapang Bato Elementary School in nearby Angeles City and the rest from Clark Elementary School, were invited to the

  • Translators: providing a common language for a common goal in Chile

    With the help of dedicated translators, Chilean patients can describe their pain to Air Force doctors, Airmen can explain expeditionary  medical equipment to Chilean medics and local Chilean officials can relay the support they need to meet the medical needs of more than 110,000 people here, after

  • Airmen gain experience while supporting Canadian military training

    More than 50 Canadian airmen and six CF-18 Hornets deployed to Altus Air Force Base to conduct forward air control training with the Canadian army March 8 through 23 here. Altus AFB Airmen provided an estimated more than 50,000 gallons of fuel, air traffic control and radio approach control support,

  • Air Force leaders issue 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' message

    The three top Air Force leaders have issued a service-wide message explaining how Air Force people will support the Department of Defense working group evaluating "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" legislation.Air Force Secretary Michael Donley, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Chief Master

  • Joint STARS resumes re-engining program with two major contract actions

    The 751st Electronic Systems Group has successfully resumed the system design and development phase of the E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System re-engining program with the award of two large contract actions. The E-8C Joint STARS is an airborne battle management command and control

  • Precision airdrop training coming to Altus AFB

    A new training course will be soon implemented into the syllabus for all C-17 Globemaster III aircrew members attending technical training here.Air Force officials are relocating the improved container delivery system and joint precision airdrop system training to Altus Air Force Base in the coming

  • U.S., JASDF Airmen work side by side during ATR exercise

    Crewchiefs and fuels specialists worked side-by-side with their Japan Air Self Defense Force counterparts as a part of a cross-familiarization program during an aviation training relocation exercise March 8 through 12 at Tsuiki Air Base.   Staff Sgt. Curtis Roe and Airman 1st Class Curtis Watson,

  • Medical professionals save millions with common-sense concept

    Officials from the 86th Medical Special Operations Clinic have developed a way to maximize time spent by people traveling to Ramstein Air Base for a conference, saving the Department of Defense millions of dollars along the way.They use a simple yet, inspired concept called conference medicine most

  • Healthy dating, sexual assault awareness discussed with teens

    Department of Defense Dependents Schools high school-aged students, parents and staff members are invited to attend the "Can I Kiss You?" program touring U.S. Air Forces in Europe high schools March 22 to April 2.The USAFE sexual assault response coordinator and school liaison officer program

  • Altus training operations begin to recover from ice storm

    Looking at Altus Air Force Base, the only signs of this year's ice storm are limbless trees that had to be trimmed down after the storm covered the base in a thick sheet of ice. However, members of the 97th Training Squadron are just now recovering from its lingering effects.The ice storm hit Altus

  • Air Force Uniform Office planning for the future

    Officials in the Air Force Uniform Office here are developing a seven-year strategic plan, which will be used to provide Air Force Uniform Board members vital uniform technology information to assist in making decisions on allocating limited resources to pursue the board's priorities.Priorities for

  • New members appointed to VA Advisory Committee on Women Veterans

    Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki has appointed six new members to the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans, an expert panel that advises Department of Veterans Affairs officials on a wide array of issues affecting women veterans."VA remains committed to providing quality, timely care

  • Tsuiki ATR exercise concludes

    The departure of the final two F-16 Fighting Falcons from Tsuiki Air Base March 12 signaled the end of a weeklong aviation training relocation exercise between the 35th Fighter Wing from Misawa AB, Japan and the Japan Air Self Defense Force. Approximately 90 Airmen and five F-16s were deployed from

  • Airmen train Iraqi EOD squad

    The eight Iraqi men drove up to the Ali Base main gate in two sparkling clean, white Ford F-350 trucks, replete with police badges emblazoned on the doors and light bars on the roofs . Waiting to meet them were three Airmen in a joint explosive ordanace disposal rapid response vehicle.The Iraqis

  • New protocol to provide early brain injury detection

    Defense Department officials are rolling out a new set of guidelines for the treatment of mild traumatic brain injury among servicemembers in combat areas. "We're morphing from a symptom-based approach in theater to an incident-based approach," a senior official said March 15 during a "DoDLive"

  • Medical evacuation conference set to enhance Afghan army capabilities

    Members of the Afghan National Army Air Corps met with their coalition partners during a medical evacuation conference March 6 here. The purpose of the conference was coordination between ANAAC and coalition medical evacuation units to streamline and improve processes, said Maj. Peter Gross, an

  • Female pilots share stories at National Air and Space Museum

    The staff at the National Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center hosted their annual Women in Aviation and Space Family Day March 13 where Airmen had to chance to talk to young girls about being a female pilot.For Lt. Col. Merryl Tengesdal, it was "an opportunity to show the young ladies that

  • Airmen, Chileans treat patients at new expeditionary hospital

    Just five days after their arrival in Chile, Airmen from an Air Force Expeditionary Medical Support team along with Chilean medics are treating patients at the newly built mobile hospital March 15 here. Chilean surgeons and anesthesiologists worked side-by-side with their Air Force counterparts to

  • Air Force's new undersecretary sworn in

    The Senate confirmed the nomination of Erin C. Conaton to become the next undersecretary of the Air Force March 4 and she began her transition into the office after being sworn in March 15."This is a great day for the Air Force," said Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley. "Erin will be a

  • Official announces plans to curb fighter program's cost

    Defense Department officials will require a shift to a fixed-price contract in their negotiations with Lockheed Martin for the initial production phase of the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter, a defense official said here March 15 in a briefing at the Pentagon. Department officials also will

  • Airmen expand local hospital to meet Chileans' medical needs

    At the request of local medical officials, Airmen from an Air Force Expeditionary Medical Support team expanded the mobile hospital here March 12 to better meet the medical needs of the population surrounding Angol. During a meeting between Air Force EMEDS team leaders, local Chilean medical

  • Air Force Reserve to get C-17s at Wright-Patt

    Air Force officials will begin next year replacing 10 C-5 Galaxy aircraft with eight C-17 Globemaster III aircraft at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.The secretary of the Air Force and the Air Force chief of staff approved the change March 12. The officials anticipate that the first four C-17s

  • Kirkuk Airmen build desks for Iraqi children

    Several Airmen from the 506th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron here volunteered to refurbish desks for school children in March.The idea for refurbishing the school desks sprang from a conversation Chief Master Sgt. Tom Pizzi, the 506th ECES chief enlisted manager, deployed from McChord Air

  • Airey House, Court dedicated to first chief master sergeant of the Air Force

    The first chief master sergeant of the Air Force was remembered and honored March 10 at a dedication here of the house and street where CMSAFs reside."(We are here to) honor our first chief master sergeant of the Air Force, Paul Airey," said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy, number 16 of

  • Remotely piloted aircraft sensor operators named team of year

    Air Force and Air Force Association officials recently announced remotely piloted aircraft sensor operators as the 2010 Team of the Year.AFA officials named five enlisted Airmen in the RPA sensor operators' career field as individual 2010 Team of the Year award winners.Each year, AFA officials

  • Soto Cano servicemembers provide 630 people medical care in Belize

    A 23-person team from Joint Task Force-Bravo deployed to Belize March 1 through 4 to provide medical care to more than 630 people in rural areas of the country. In partnership with the Belize ministry of health and defense force team, JTF-Bravo medical crews, based out of Price Barracks near Belize

  • Blood platelet donations vital in deployed environment

    When a servicemember is critically injured in Iraq or Afghanistan and in need of a blood transfusion, it is the responsibility of technicians in the 932nd Blood Support Detachment here to ensure units of blood platelets are collected and shipped out to the caretakers tending to the wounded. Medical

  • New process available for selecting retirement option

    Officers and enlisted Airmen reaching 15 years of active-duty service will have new procedures in place beginning April 1 to accept enrollment in the Redux retirement plan. Airmen will receive an electronic notification of their eligibility for the High-3 Choice retirement plan that allows members