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  • Sheppard chapel raises $5,200 for Haiti

    The 82nd Training Wing chaplain's office staff raised more than $5,200 during several church services Jan. 17 here to assist the Haitian relief efforts.People attending two Protestant and two Roman Catholic services donated the money to assist Haitian after a massive earthquake devastated the island

  • Combat controllers crucial to Haiti earthquake relief

    Thanks to a specialized group of Airmen used to working in austere locations, airlift operations in Haiti were possible in the initial days after an earthquake destroyed much of the capital, and since then these Airmen have made the airport one of the busiest in the world.Combat controllers are used

  • AF, Navy help Red Cross volunteers reach Haiti

    Air Force and Navy personnel helped deliver approximately 70 American Red Cross volunteers to Haiti, Jan. 21, to help improve communications between medical staff on the USNS Comfort and Haitian patients.The deployment was the largest in the Red Cross' recent history, according an ARC

  • U.S., Japan forces celebrate as alliance reaches half-century mark

    Fifty years ago U.S. and Japanese officials signed a security treaty that has outlasted 10 U.S. presidents and 22 Japan prime ministers, and things show no sign of slowing down yet.To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the alliance, approximately 200 Japanese and American servicemembers and

  • 586th ELRS observes anniversary, supports OIF drawdown mission

    An Air Force team, filling joint expeditionary taskings, recently observed their unit's 4-year anniversary at a forward-deployed U.S. Army base here. Airmen from the 586th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, affectionately known as "Combat Truckers" are charged with moving cargo within the

  • Taking care of caregivers

    Deployments are a way of life in today's Air Force. Accordingly, Air Force members plan ahead and anticipate all contingencies while they are deployed.One plan that is required by all Air Force members with families is a family care plan that reasonably covers all situations, short and long term.

  • Multinational aid delivered to Haiti

    As relief continues to pour into Haiti, aid packages being delivered by one military organization reflects the multinational effort to assist the people of the stricken island nation.A load of aid equipment and supplies was delivered to the Toussaint L'Ouverture International Airport in

  • Homestead offers respite for Haiti earthquake victims

    Since the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that devastated Haiti Jan. 12, Homestead Air Reserve Base has become a staging area for aircrews to bring earthquake victims. The base, located approximately 25 miles southwest of Miami, has become a hub for aircraft and personnel supporting Operation Unified

  • POL flight starts what could be 'benchmark' process

    The 376th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron petroleum, oil and lubricants flight has just implemented a process for filtering fuel that Air Force leadership wants to make a "benchmark."This first in-the-area of responsibility pre-stage fuel filter system drew the attention of Maj. Gen.

  • General Corley inducted into Order of the Sword

    Approximately 500 members from across Air Combat Command gathered in Omaha, Neb., Jan. 13 to induct retired Gen. John D. W. Corley into ACC's Order of the Sword.General Corley became the fifth person to receive the honor, which is the highest the enlisted corps can bestow upon an officer."To be

  • Peninsula warriors contribute to Haiti relief efforts

    Airmen from the 633rd Logistics Readiness Squadron at Langley AFB and Soldiers from Fort Eustis, Va., and Fort Lee, N.J., loaded vehicles, equipment and aid supplies aboard a C-17 Globemaster III bound for Haiti Jan. 19 as part of Operation Unified Response.U.S. Transportation Command officials

  • Charleston AFB aircrew conducts air delivery over Haiti

    Airmen from Charleston Air Force Base conducted the first C-17 Globemaster III air delivery mission to Haiti during Operation Unified Response Jan. 18. At approximately 5 a.m. the day of the flight, Maj. Jeff Daniels, the mission aircraft commander with the 437th Operations Support Squadron, said he

  • Guard uses chat room to support relief effort

    With the recent earthquake destroying so much of Haiti's infrastructure, communication between military units remains vital to supporting the relief effort. A readily available chat client is being used to relay critical information between the services and is proving to be a powerful communication

  • PACAF aircraft depart to assist Haiti relief effort

    Pacific Air Forces deployed seven C-17 Globemaster III aircraft Jan. 19 to Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., to support the U.S. military's Haitian relief effort, Operation Unified Response.The aircraft and crews will rotate in to Haiti from Charleston AFB to provide airlift services as needed. A

  • Air Force officials name Sijan award winners

    Air Force officials have recognized four Airmen with the service's 2009 Lance P. Sijan Air Force Leadership Award.The Sijan award annually recognizes Airmen who demonstrate outstanding leadership abilities.The senior officer category winner is Lt. Col. Roger A. Sherman, who is assigned to Peterson

  • Cannon Airman returns from earthquake-torn Haiti

    Although earthquakes are nothing unusual for one Airman here who hails from Azusa, Calif., they were the last thing on his mind when he took leave shortly after New Year's Day. Airman 1st Class Mike Cooksey, 27th Special Operations Equipment Maintenance Squadron, returned to Cannon Jan. 17, a week

  • Altus sends six C-17s for Operation Unified Response

    The 97th Air Mobility Wing launched six C-17 Globemaster IIIs from the 58th Airlift Squadron Jan. 17 and 18 here to assist with the humanitarian relief effort in Haiti, Operation Unified Response.Altus AFB officials answered the call for help with 50 aircrew personnel who will deliver aid in the

  • Air Force officials extend deadline for warrior games applications

    Air Force officials are accepting applications until Feb. 15 for the inaugural Warrior Games in Colorado Springs, Colo.Wounded, ill and injured servicemembers will compete across all branches of the military in a joint effort between the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Olympic Committee.

  • Peterson-based AF reservists join in Haiti relief efforts

    Two Air Force Reserve aircraft and aircrews assigned to the Colorado-based 302nd Airlift Wing received short-notice orders over the weekend to airlift evacuees out of Haiti and deliver needed supplies to the earthquake-stricken Caribbean nation.The C-130 Hercules aircraft were re-routed from

  • Holloman Airmen prepare to help Haiti

    Units from across the base have been tasked to prepare personnel and assets to deploy in support of Operation United Response.The 49th Materiel Maintenance Group, 49th Civil Engineer Squadron and 49th Logistics Readiness Squadron have been working around the clock since Jan. 13, preparing potable

  • Processing the evacuated

    As planes continue to leave Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla., full of relief supplies bound for Haiti, a great number of planes return full of evacuees coming home. These people, many of them U.S. citizens or residents, must go through evacuation in-processing at Homestead ARB.Currently this process

  • Aftershock shakes Haiti; no apparent damage

    An early morning aftershock here Jan. 20 shook the sleeping Soldiers from their bags as the building swayed and creaked for a few seconds. "It was like: 'Whoah! Is somebody shaking me awake or was the ground moving?'" said Army Maj. J.T. Eldridge, the squadron operations officer for the 1st

  • Air Force asset used to assess damage, needs

    After a devastating 7.0-magnitude earthquake rocked the capitol of Haiti, Port-au-Prince, last week leaving severe structural damage and an unknown death toll, the Air Force was tasked to provide imagery through the use of an observation aircraft.The OC-135B Open Skies, belonging to Air Combat

  • Specially trained officers support Haitian relief efforts

    Responding to and supporting post-earthquake relief efforts in Haiti is expected to be the one of the most challenging humanitarian operations in the history of the National Security Preparedness directorate, according to Col. Michael Hare, NSEP director.Colonel Hare, who oversees Air Forces

  • 2010 AETC Symposium reaches new heights with seminars, displays

    More than 3,700 people attended the 2010 Air Education and Training Command Symposium Jan. 14 and 15 in downtown San Antonio, the largest showing to date. The symposium featured nearly 100 academic seminars on a variety of Air Force topics, a technology exposition hosted by the Alamo chapter of the

  • Reservists load supplies for Haiti relief

    When the call went out for volunteers to help with the Haitian relief effort at Homestead Air Reserve Base; a handful of Reserve aerial port specialist raised their hands. Aerial port specialists are responsible for all management and movement of cargo and passengers transported in the military

  • Travis AFB medics set to deploy to Haiti

    Fifty-eight medical staff assigned to the 60th Medical Group are set to provide medical and humanitarian relief to the earthquake ravaged nation of Haiti.Personnel from the David Grant USAF Medical Center are bringing a 10-bed, completely portable "hospital in a box" known as an expeditionary

  • Secretary, chief of staff: Airmen integral to overall relief efforts

    Since the startup of relief efforts following the earthquake in Haiti, active-duty, Air Guard and Reserve Airmen have been working around the clock to support aid missions to get people and supplies to the stricken island nation.Both the secretary of the Air Force and the Air Force chief of staff

  • Puerto Rico ANG operationally ready

    Whether providence or coincidence, the Airmen in the Puerto Rico Air National Guard are proving their readiness and relevance in support of Operation Unified Response while preparing for a major readiness inspection.For the past year, Airmen from the 156th Airlift Wing have been training for an

  • Military, civilian leaders assess, plan relief ops

    Base leaders met with civilian representatives Jan. 17 to assess current operations and plan for further support in response to the 7.0-magnitude earthquake in Haiti Jan. 12.The tri-service installation has been a departure point for military personnel providing in-country support and transport of

  • New Jersey base gets evacuees from Haiti on road home

    A flight carrying 44 evacuees arrived here late Jan. 16 in a continuing effort to assist U.S. citizens in Haiti after the country was devastated by a 7.0-magnitude earthquake Jan. 12.Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst personnel, along with individual volunteers and representatives from civilian

  • Puerto Rico ANG evacuates 70 from Haiti

    Airmen from the Puerto Rico Air National Guard's 156th Airlift Wing returned from Haiti with precious cargo Jan. 17 after delivering much needed supplies to a country crippled from a recent earthquake.Shortly after landing at Port-au-Prince International Airport and delivering a Puerto Rican search

  • Air mobility: connecting missions, hearts and lives for Haiti

    At approximately 6 p.m. Jan. 14, a Charleston AFB C-17 and crew departed on the base's first mission to bring the humanitarian relief to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, which was struck Jan. 12 by a devastating 7.0-magnitude earthquake.Charleston AFB began launching relief aircraft to augment the overall

  • Photo essay: Airmen, Soldiers airdrop supplies to Afghanistan

    Airmen and Soldiers load a C-17 Globemaster III with container delivery system bundles at an air base here Jan. 9. The Airmen were from the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron and the Soldiers from Det. 8 of the 824th Quartermaster Company. An 816th EAS aircrew  flew into Afghanistan and dropped

  • AMC continues to deliver in support of Haiti earthquake relief operations

    Since relief operations began Jan. 13, Air Mobility Command aircraft have delivered more than 340 passengers and 323 tons of emergency cargo to Haiti. During the past 24 hours, efforts have primarily focused on delivering Federal Emergency Agency teams; deployable joint command and control teams;

  • West Virginia Air Guard Operates Staging Area

    Airmen with the West Virginia Air National Guard's 167th Airlift Wing are working around the clock here in an effort to get critical, life-saving supplies to Haiti's earthquake victims.The air base was transformed yesterday into a staging area for more than 332,000 pounds of supplies bound for the

  • Haitian earthquake survivors land at Joint Base Andrews

    An 89th Airlift Wing C-32 carrying 22 survivors of the Haitian earthquake landed at Joint Base Andrews just after midnight Jan. 17. The repatriated U.S. citizens arrived at the passenger terminal with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who returned from Haiti after pledging U.S. support toward the

  • Pope, Bragg provide key step in Haiti humanitarian relief

    A combined aircrew from the Air Force Reserve Command's 440th Airlift Wing and the active-duty 43rd AW here departed Pope AFB on a C-130 Hercules Jan. 14 transporting approximately 61 Soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C.The mission was to deliver the Soldiers to

  • Gates, Mullen cite aid streaming into Haiti

    All Defense Department resources in the Western Hemisphere are available for assisting Haiti, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said today. Gates and Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, briefed reporters on the situation in Haiti. Some 1,000 U.S. servicemembers are on the

  • Redistribution team facilitates drawdown order

    In less than a year, the United States military is scheduled to execute the responsible drawdown of nearly 150,000 troops from Iraq. The troop exodus requires the consignment of cargo, vehicles, supplies and other war fighting equipment used in deployed locations.Joint Base Balad's redistribution

  • Logistics agency staff prepares to help Haiti

    The Defense Logistics Agency staff here is preparing to provide humanitarian relief in response to the devastating earthquake that shook Haiti Jan. 12. The agency's Joint Logistics Operations Center staff is coordinating support with U.S. Southern Command who are, in turn, working with the State

  • Foreign Language Proficiency Bonus provides Airmen incentives

    Air Force officials have recently updated the Foreign Language Proficiency Bonus policy. All Airmen, regardless of career field, are now eligible for FLPB in a broad range of languages including those identified as "dominant in the force" such as Spanish, Tagalog, French, German, Italian,

  • Select bases to implement new civilian application procedure

    As early as mid-February, the rollout of a civilian hiring test initiative will require current Air Force civilian employees to follow new procedures when applying for jobs at select bases. Air Force civilians who want to apply for jobs at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas; Osan Air Base, Korea; or

  • Mobility aircraft, personnel poised to support Haiti relief operations

    Air Mobility Command forces are actively working to support relief operations in Haiti after a 7.0-magnitude earthquake devastated the Caribbean nation Jan. 12, AMC officials said here Jan. 13. President Barack Obama directed a swift, coordinated effort from the U.S., saying "the people of Haiti

  • Program brings languages to senior officer PME

    As special guests of the Air Force Culture and Language Center staff, 20 instructors from the Defense Language Institute in Washington, D.C., and Monterey, Calif., are helping Air War College and Air Command and Staff College students cultivate basic language skills as part of the Strategic

  • Families dealing with loss, injury of TACPs

    The Air Force suffered a loss Jan. 3 with news of an attack on a joint tactical air control party team embedded with an Army infantry company in Kandahar, Afghanistan. The team was ambushed by numerous improvised explosive devices that mortally wounded Senior Airman Bradley Smith and injured Senior

  • Military preps for broader Haiti relief mission

    The aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson is headed toward earthquake-devastated Haiti and is scheduled to arrive tomorrow to provide airlift support for the disaster-response mission, the commander of U.S. Southern Command reported Jan. 13.Meanwhile, Gen. Douglas Fraser said, SOUTHCOM officials are

  • Mullen voices concern with military suicide rate

    Suicide is a growing problem in the military community, and its leaders must be committed to reversing that trend, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said here Jan. 13.In an address to an audience of more than 1,000 military and other government agency health-care workers and officials

  • Air Force officials announce holiday safety results

    The Air Force had the lowest recorded number of private motor vehicle fatalities during the Thanksgiving-to-New Year's time frame -- one -- to include the lowest number of automobile fatalities -- zero. It was also the first time in 13 years the Air Force did not have a single active-duty death due

  • Iraqi air force graduates 247 cadets

    More than 240 cadets graduated from the Iraqi air force officer course basic military training course Jan. 10, here.In the two-month course, the 247 graduates at Iraqi Military Academy-Rustamiyah were educated in professionalism, teamwork, management and the leadership skills required to be an

  • Military officials to deploy assessment team to Haiti

    U.S. Southern Command officials here will deploy a team of 30 people to Haiti to support U.S. relief efforts in the aftermath of the Jan. 12 earthquake. The team, which includes U.S. military engineers, operational planners, and a command and control group and communication specialists, will arrive

  • Budget for 2010 to help Guard equip, modernize

    Increased funding in the fiscal 2010 budget will allow the National Guard to modernize and equip its forces for state and federal missions, Guard officials announced here Jan. 11."This robust funding will constitute a significant strengthening of the Guard's equipment fill and modernization

  • Maintainers keep aircraft soaring

    Airmen from the 451st Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron maintenance flight keep A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft up and running, enabling them to provide close-air support throughout Afghanistan.By performing phase inspections after every 500 hours of flight, they make sure the aircraft are in the best

  • Academy chosen among nation's top 100 best-value colleges

    The U.S. Air Force Academy was named as one of the nation's top 100 best-value colleges for 2010 by The Princeton Review Jan. 12.The Best Values College List features 50 public and 50 private colleges, and The Princeton Review selected these institutions as its "best value" choices for 2010 based on

  • Cyberspace leaders hold career panel at Academy

    Senior officers with Air Force Space Command and 24th Air Force held a space and cyberspace career panel in the Academy's Fairchild Hall Jan. 11.The panel gave cadets in attendance a chance to ask the panelists questions about the future of space and cyberspace and how their future careers might fit

  • Airmen make a difference one gallon at a time

    Pumping more than 188 million gallons of fuel to more than 9,500 aircraft would take a while, and probably would be one long line for the fuel pump. Airmen of the 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels management flight here distributed that much fuel in 2009 for aircraft in the

  • Officials urge collaboration in suicide prevention

    There are no clear-cut answers to suicide prevention, but through collaboration and team work from federal and private institutions, the nation can better address the challenge, Defense and Veterans Affairs department officials said today.In a joint Defense-VA conference, titled "Building Strong and

  • Gates will remain as secretary at least another year

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates will stay in office for at least another year, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell confirmed here Jan. 7. Secretary Gates met with President Barack Obama before Christmas and committed to another year on the job, Mr. Morrell said. Then-President George W. Bush

  • Joint basing at Charleston moves forward with activation of 628th ABW

    Eighteenth Air Force officials activated the 628th Air Base Wing during an assumption-of-command ceremony Jan. 8 at Charleston AFB.The activation of the 628th ABW is the latest step toward the stand up of Joint Base Charleston Jan. 31. The joint base stand up in late January will begin the next

  • Chairman calls strategy year's greatest challenge

    Executing the president's strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan presents his biggest challenge, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told a CNN reporter Jan. 10. However, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen said he sees progress being made in both countries. "In December, we recruited to an exceptionally

  • USO plans family centers at Bethesda, Belvoir

    United Services Organization officials plan to build family centers at the National Naval Medical Center at Bethesda, Md., and Fort Belvoir, Va., to continue the USO's tradition of bringing troops a piece of home. The project was inspired by the Army Community Services center at Brooke Army Medical

  • Laws change for military, overseas voters

    Servicemembers and overseas voters shouldn't assume they automatically will receive ballots for the 2010 elections just because they have in the past. Previously, voters would receive absentee ballots for up to two cycles following their request, Bob Carey, Federal Voting Assistance Program

  • Airman earns Male Athlete of the Year title

    Becoming the Air Force Male Athlete of the Year is no easy feat.  It takes a lot of determination and dedication to achieve this status. This year's Air Force male athlete of the year is Capt. Ian Holt, a squadron command post missile combat crew commander for the 319th Missile Squadron.Captain Holt

  • Provincial reconstruction team expands hospital for Afghans

    A cornerstone ceremony for a new, modern wing of the Zabul Provincial Hospital took place Dec. 26, in Qalat, Afghanistan.The International Security Assistance Forces Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul is partnering with local community leaders to complete this project. Contractors have

  • American servicemembers bridge gap between Afghan provinces, relationships

    Afghan nationals and coalition forces gathered at the Arghandab District Center prior to an opening ceremony of a symbolic bridge Dec. 26, in the Zabul province.  Village elders from the surrounding area were dressed in their traditional garments and sat with their shoes lining the outer edge of the

  • Transit Center Airmen compete against Kyrgyz in basketball game

    Airmen from the Transit Center at Manas defeated a Kyrgyz Russian Slavic University basketball team 93-51 in a game here Jan. 5. This was the Transit Center's third game and second victory against a local team. The Kyrgyz team started strong and was up one point after the first three minutes, but

  • Chief of staff dedicates Center for Families of the Fallen

    The Air Force chief of staff dedicated the new Center for Families of the Fallen at the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations Center here Jan. 6."For many of us, this dedication is a bittersweet event," said Gen. Norton Schwartz, the Air Force chief of staff. "This center is emblematic of our

  • New facility fulfills needs for families of the fallen

    The staff of the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations Center has been providing dignity, honor and respect for fallen warriors, and care, service and support for their families since the unit was activated on Jan. 6, 2009. So it was only appropriate that a new facility that will carry that family

  • Chief Roy highlights downrange Airmen

    The chief master sergeant of the Air Force has released an "Enlisted Perspective" focusing on Airmen working downrange in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.After visiting during the recent holiday season, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy, the Air Force's top enlisted

  • Little Rock Airman has $10,000 idea

    A Little Rock Air Force Base Airman received $10,000 by submitting his idea to save the base more than $230,000 through the Innovation Development through Employee Awareness program.Staff Sgt. William Hoessler, a 314th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron communication navigation system craftsman,

  • Gen. Lew Allen dies

    Gen. Lew Allen Jr., the 10th chief of staff of the Air Force, passed away Jan. 4 in Potomac Falls, Va. Funeral arrangements have not yet been made but burial will be in Arlington Cemetery."General Allen was a visionary leader for our Air Force, a devoted husband and father, and a respected

  • Travis officials conduct mass launch

    Members of the 60th and 349th Air Mobility wings conducted the base's first mass launch of nine aircraft Dec. 21 at Travis Air Force Base.Base officials said the total force launch effort was an opportunity for operations, maintenance and support personnel to train together on a larger scale than

  • General to receive Order of the Sword

    Retired Gen. John D. W. Corley, the former commander of Air Combat Command, is scheduled to be inducted into ACC's Order of the Sword Jan. 13 during a ceremony in Omaha, Neb. The Order of the Sword is the highest honor the enlisted corps can bestow on an individual and recognizes someone for

  • Mullen underscores importance of academy experience

    On hand for a pair of service academy football bowl games in Texas Jan. 2 , Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, underscored the symbolism of the matchups for troops around the world.But he also emphasized the importance of looking at an academy experience as a potential for

  • Air Force officials activate newest expeditionary unit

    The Air Force's newest expeditionary unit, the 586th Expeditionary Support Squadron, was activated in a special ceremony Jan. 2 at an air base in Southwest Asia.Col. John Williams, 586th Air Expeditionary Group commander, passed command of the newly formed support unit to Maj. Gregory

  • Military academy bowl victories shine light on armed forces

    The Air Force and Naval academy football teams triumphed in their respective bowl games Jan. 2, shining a spotlight on the servicemember-athletes comprising the rosters and the armed forces they represent.Military honors were replete here at the 5th annual Armed Forces Bowl, which pitted the

  • Airmen train Kyrgyz officials on EOD mission

    A team of Airmen from the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing hosted a team of Kyrgyz officials during a five-day visit to learn about the explosive ordnance disposal operations at the Transit Center at Manas recently.The training, called Theater Security Cooperation, encompassed bringing security forces,

  • Lynn says fight against IEDs remains priority

    Defeating the terrorists' weapon of choice is and will remain a priority for the Defense Department, Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III said here Dec. 30.Mr. Lynn spoke during a Pentagon ceremony where Army Lt. Gen. Thomas Metz stepped down as director of the Joint Improvised Explosive

  • Ali firefighters prepare Iraqis for future

    Firefighters from the 407th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron are bringing the goal of independent Iraqi operations to reality at Camp Ur, Iraq.In December, Ali Base firefighters assisted their Iraqi counterparts toward self-sufficiency through numerous training sessions and skills tests.With

  • 737th EAS reaches 10,000th mission milestone

    Considered by some to be an old-timer in a modern-day aircraft fleet, the C-130H Hercules proved its worth once again, successfully completing its 10,000th mission of the year for the 737th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron here Dec. 23.C-130H, tail number was 74-2065, based at Dyess Air Force Base,

  • Iraqi kids, U.S. servicemembers enjoy another day of fun, education

    U.S. servicemembers hosted busloads of Iraqi children for a day of fun, games and culture sharing Dec. 19, 2009, as part of the ongoing base effort to directly engage the local populace here.The event marked the fifth of its kind in the last four months, each one focused on educating and

  • New Iraqi recruits get a leg up

    More than 330 Iraqi air force recruits marched in a parade before beginning their initial basic military course Dec. 28, at Camp Taji, Iraq.Normally recruits attend the 12-week BMT course at the Iraqi Army Regional Training Center prior to reporting to the air force training school on Camp Taji for

  • USAFE Airmen retool to enhance tradition of Building Partnerships

    The Airmen of U.S. Air Forces in Europe are charting new territory in tackling one of the Air Force's newest core functions: Building Partnerships.The lesson that international partnerships are essential to success in war and peace is not new. The Office of the Secretary of Defense directed U.S.

  • Georgia Air Guard teams with Army unit in Afghanistan

    Georgia Air National Guardsmen assigned to the 165th Air Support Operations Squadron have teamed up with 48th Infantry Brigade Soldiers in eastern Afghanistan. The Airmen are assigned to several joint terminal attack controller units that will call in combat-air support for the 48th's fighters, said

  • Think about family members if considering suicide

    Thirty years ago today, Dec. 29, my father forever changed my life, as well as the lives of his other family members. He took a shotgun and shot himself in the head. His death certificate reads, "Self-inflicted gunshot wound."I can't tell you how many times I've heard people joke about something

  • SECAF outlines future, thanks Airmen during Kadena visit

    Outlining the Air Force's future was the focus of Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley's Airmen's Call during his visit here Dec. 22, part of a six-base Pacific tour in which the secretary is reconnecting with the region and thanking Airmen serving overseas during this holiday season. The

  • Servicemembers brighten spirits of Philippine children

    Twenty members of Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines spent a special holiday evening visiting children at the Social Development Center in Zamboanga City Dec. 23. "It made me feel really good to give my time and spend time with the kids," said Petty Officer 1st Class Christopher Cross.

  • Air Force senior leaders pay holiday visit to Global Strike Command Airmen

    The Air Force's top uniformed officer and top enlisted leader each visited Air Force Global Strike Command wings for Christmas, spending the holiday with Airmen charged with the nuclear strategic deterrence mission and global strike operations.Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz visited

  • USO offers respite from traveling frenzy

    As the rest of Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport bustled with holiday travelers Dec. 23, its USO Lounge offered military travelers -- many returning home from overseas deployments -- a welcome sanctuary of solace. The lounge is conveniently positioned near the

  • Ophthalmic surgeons employ cutting-edge technology

    Ophthalmic surgeons here are the first in the Defense Department to employ a state-of-the-art laser that will shorten recovery times for corneal transplantation. Members of the ophthalmology department assigned the 59th Medical Wing at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, now use a femtosecond laser to

  • Air Force honorees to attend AETC Symposium Ball

    The 2010 Air Education and Training Command Symposium will honor five special Airmen at a formal ball Jan. 15 in San Antonio."The remaining five Air Force Medal of Honor recipients who were honored for valor during the Vietnam War will be recognized for their heroic actions and the sacrifices they

  • Kits help children cope with deployments

    Each year thousands of military children are affected by either a mother or father deploying, and when this happened to the Choate family here, it sparked an idea helps prepare military children deal with deployments. In October, Maj. Eric Choate, an Air Operations Squadron Det. 1 delivery control

  • 8th Fighter Squadron flagship arrives

    The 8th Fighter Squadron received its first of 20 F-22 Raptors Dec. 21 here.The arrival of 8th FS flagship, a Langley Air Force Base Raptor, which came from maintenance in Palmdale, Calif., starts the next chapter of the "Black Sheep's" storied history that started in 1941 when the squadron was

  • Holloman Airmen train to fight back

    Airmen of the 49th Security Forces Squadron here received first responder to an active gunman training Dec. 15 to 17 from members of the Roswell Police Department special operations team in New Mexico.The training allowed defenders to practice the proper techniques to safely eliminate any emergency

  • Ellsworth members support Angel Tree program

    Rows of excited children watched and waited for Santa and Mrs. Claus' arrival on a B-1B Lancer float at the Youth and Family Services child care center in Rapid City, S.D.The float was sponsored by the 28th Operations Support Squadron staff as part of the Angel Tree gift program, and after arriving

  • Air Force facility energy program celebrates successes, plans for future

    Do motion detectors control the lights in your building? Does the air conditioner seem to work better these days? Perhaps you can now look out the window and see a large wind turbine generating power for your base. In 2009, the Air Force reduced the amount of energy used per square foot (i.e.,