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  • 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.,

  • Chairman sends holiday message to troops, families

    Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dec. 22 issued the following holiday message: "As America celebrates this holiday season, our Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen and Coast Guardsmen are serving around the world. Families and friends at home can enjoy the holidays in

  • 'America's AOC' tracks Santa this Christmas Eve

    Members of the 601st Air and Space Operations Center here will once again track Santa Claus on part of his journey around the world this Christmas Eve, and media interested in tracking Santa are invited to visit "America's AOC" Christmas Eve.In conjunction with the "NORAD Tracks Santa" program, the

  • Conference addresses unmanned aircraft systems use for 1st Air Force mission

    Conference attendees addressed issues related to unmanned aircraft systems' access into the national airspace system Dec. 9 through 11 here.The conference focused on ways Air Force officials can consolidate their efforts with other organizations to gain access into the national airspace system.The

  • American surgical team making a difference in southern Philippines

    Five Airmen are operating a fully-equipped trauma center, providing emergency care, basic medical care and educational services to hundreds of Filipino and U.S. troops on the southern island of Jolo, Philippines. The Air Force members are part of the forward surgical team assigned to Joint Special

  • Preventing the 'after-the-holidays bill blues'

    Walking through a shopping mall, it's difficult not to notice holiday decorations, crowded stores and retailers claiming to offer the best deals of the season. Before pulling out their wallets, Airmen are encouraged to keep a few things in mind to help prevent the "after-the-holidays bill blues."The

  • Airmen create partnerships in multinational exercise

    More than 300 Airmen partnered with colleagues from five other countries for an exercise held in Southwest Asia that concluded in mid-December.The event began in November and simulated a "large force employment," and gave participating nations a chance to develop solutions to potential issues that

  • Aviano Air Base hospital receives ENERGY STAR rating

    The Aviano Air Base hospital has received the Environmental Protection Agency's ENERGY STAR rating, the national symbol for superior energy efficiency and environmental protection. The base hospital is the first U.S. facility overseas to receive this distinction, and joins 96 other hospitals in the

  • F-22s complete first Middle East deployment

    Airmen completed the first deployment of F-22 Raptors to the Middle East in mid-December.The fifth-generation fighters and their crews were in the area as part of a multinational exercise where pilots from a variety of nations train together in fighting a large-scale air war. This was the first

  • Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff visits Afghanistan

    The United States' most senior military officer visited Airmen and other coalition forces here to learn more about counterinsurgency efforts in Dec. 16 Afghanistan's Kapisa province.Navy Adm. Michael Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, met with French Brig. Gen. Marcel Druart, the

  • Air Force officials debut first 3-D commercial

    The Air Force became the first military branch with a 3-D commercial when it premiered its new "Space" spot before the movie "Avatar" Dec. 18 here. The Palladium IMAX theater in San Antonio hosted a special screening of the movie and commercial for Randolph Air Force Base, Texas members."The

  • Doctors perform groundbreaking surgery at Walter Reed

    Doctors from Walter Reed Army Medical Center here and the University of Miami collaborated to perform the first pancreas islet cell transplant Thanksgiving Day on an Airman whose pancreas was injured so severely in Afghanistan that it had to be removed.While serving with an Army unit in Afghanistan,

  • Airmen participate in 32nd Annual Bastogne Historic Walk

    Cold ears, foggy breath and muscle fatigue that 52nd Fighter Wing and geographically-separated units experienced in Bastogne, Belgium, may have been the only things they had in common with the Axis and Allies who walked through that same location more than 60 years ago.According to Ed Lapotsky,

  • Air Force nurses welcome Iraqi colleagues, share skills

    Seventeen Iraqi medical care providers recently attended the December installment of the 332nd Expeditionary Medical Group's Iraqi Nursing Partnership Program here.As the responsible drawdown of U.S. forces from Iraq continues, the program is intended to further the medical capabilities of local

  • Senior leaders accomplish Year of the Air Force Family road show

    Air Force leaders traveled recently to 23 bases across 12 major commands, including the Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve Command, to spread the word on the Year of the Air Force Family.During the YoAFF road show, Air Force leaders had the opportunity to meet hundreds of Airmen and their

  • 11 Air Force agencies to colocate

    Upon completion of an estimated $65 million renovation, a building here will house more than 2,800 workers from 11 Air Force agencies. Various agencies including the Air Force Real Property Agency, the Air Force Medical Operations Agency, the Air Force Center for Engineering, and the Environment and

  • USO tour brings celebrities, cheer to Bagram servicemembers

    Hundreds of Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines gathered here Dec. 15, to enjoy a United Service Organizations' Holiday Troop Visit tour featuring country singer and actor Billy Ray Cyrus, tennis pro Anna Kournikova, acclaimed comedian Dave Attell and legendary tennis coach and inspirational

  • Opportunities available in financial management

    Air Force line officers interested in applying for the Financial Management Leadership Program must submit their nominations to the Air Force Personnel Center by Jan. 5.The four-year program specializes in Air Force leadership development by providing an opportunity for line officers outside the 65F

  • Weather warriors endure 'turbulent climb'

    Airmen from Det. 1, 607th Weather Squadron participated in a tactical training scenario dubbed Operation Turbulent Climb here Dec. 5.The weather warriors at Camp Red Cloud are stationed 15 miles from the Korean Demilitarized Zone and would likely be one of the first to see action if hostilities were

  • Retired first sergeant leaves special legacy

    When Senior Master Sgt. Clayton French was honored at his Nov. 20 retirement ceremony, most of the guests in attendance learned the 81st Medical Operations Squadron first sergeant would leave a significant legacy to the service to which he devoted more than 28 years of his life.  Sergeant French had

  • Leaders send holiday greetings

    The Air Force's top leaders send the Air Force family holiday greetings and remind all to remember those Airmen in harm's way apart from family and friends.  Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy

  • Airmen perform operations with Kyrgyz surgeons

    Air Force surgeons at the Transit Center at Manas and Kyrgyz doctors worked together to performed surgical operations Dec. 11 in a local hospital here.The team of medical Airmen led by Col. (Dr.) Jerrold Flyer, 376the Expeditionary Medical Group commander, assisted with two separate operations,

  • Partnership between air forces in the making

    Officials from the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing hosted Afghan National Army Air Corps officials Dec. 19, here, to explain how an American combat wing operates day to day.Brig. Gen. Steven L. Kwast, the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing commander and other Airmen from operations, maintenance and mission

  • Traumatic stress response team helps Fort Hood victims

    An Air Force medical team trained in helping people recover from traumatic events returned from Fort Hood, Texas, after responding to the Nov. 5 shootings, which left 13 people dead and dozens injured.The Traumatic Stress Response team, led by Maj. Sheila Beville, a 59th Mental Health

  • Patriot 7 exercise teaches ISR skills to enhance situational awareness

    About 30 Air Force, joint and coalition trainees participated in Patriot 7, an exercise using intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to support irregular warfare missions Dec. 6 through 11, here.The week-long field training prepared servicemembers to use full motion video while conducting

  • Airmen to deliver bikes to Afghan children

    With the assistance from the Alaska Air National Guard and Anchorage volunteers, more than 20 disadvantaged children in Afghanistan will get new bikes this month.The bicycles, together with parts and tools, were donated by the Anchorage Community YMCA, The Bicycle Shop, Paramount Cycles, Chain

  • Year of the Air Force Family short story competition coming soon

    Air Force Services Agency officials are accepting short story competition entries Dec. 20 through Feb. 14, as part of the Year of the Air Force Family.This is an opportunity for Airmen to express what living the Air Force life means to them, their family and their friends. Entries must be be 300

  • Cadets bring holiday cheer to children in need

    U.S. Air Force Academy Cadets sponsored the "Toy Trick," an event to gather toys for less fortunate children, at the Falcons hockey team's match against American International College Dec. 5 in the Cadet Ice Arena here.  After the Falcons scored their first goal, fans tossed donated toys onto the

  • Secretary Gates thanks Kirkuk's Airmen, Soldiers

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates addressed more than 300 Airmen and Soldiers here Dec. 11.  "I know some of you are finishing up your tours and I just want you to know how grateful I am for the service that you've rendered," Secretary Gates said. "Your mission here is still critical to preserving

  • Joint Chiefs chairman sends birthday message to National Guard

    Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, sends the following birthday message to members of the National Guard: "On the 13th of December each year, we celebrate the creation of one of America's most enduring institutions: our National Guard. The Guard has a proud history of

  • Families of deployed Airmen warm up to Hearts Apart holiday party

    Hearts Apart morale program members organized an annual holiday party to help families adjust to seperation from deployments Dec. 4 at Hurlburt Field. With this year designated as the Year of the Air Force Family, many people understand that deployments are a way of military life and there are times

  • President signs bill, aids military spouses

    The President signed a bill Nov. 11 to help ease the strain on military families who frequently travel from state to state and country to country.President Barack Obama signed the bill, known as the 'Military Spouses Residency Relief Act,' as an amendment to the 2003 Servicemembers Civil Relief

  • Langley officials take first step toward Joint Base Langley-Eustis

    Officials from the 1st Fighter Wing here will release two of its four groups to the soon-to-be-established 633rd Air Base Wing Jan. 7; the first step toward the congressionally directed Joint Base Langley-Eustis that begins initial operational capability next month.The purpose of the 633rd ABW is to

  • Chief master sergeant of the Air Force visits Joint Base Balad

    The Air Force's top enlisted Airman visited Joint Base Balad, Iraq Dec. 4, to talk to Airmen and survey the base's missions. Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy discussed deployed Airmen responsibilities and concerns during a morning Airmen's call.  There are about 200,000 Airmen

  • Robins officials help fix vital warfighters' equipment issue

    A Robins Air Force Base team is working to resolve a top equipment issue for warfighters in Iraq and Afghanistan. About a dozen people in the 642nd Combat Sustainment Group are involved with developing specifications for a redesign of flightline air conditioners that are critical to the operation of