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  • New PCS program puts customers in the driver's seat

    With nearly 200,000 permanent change of station moves expected in the approaching season, it is important for Department of Defense personnel to note several broad changes to the personal property shipment process. The uniformed services began using the Defense Personal Property System to move DOD

  • Officials look for best, brightest to fill first sergeant positions

    Taking care of today's Airmen is the responsibility of everyone in leadership and supervisory positions in the Air Force. But, for a select group of senior non-commissioned officers, this specific mission is their primary job. Air Force first sergeants are the eyes and ears of a unit and serve as

  • First Iraqi ISR aircrew members graduate

    The first class of Iraqi Air Force Squadron 87 King Air intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircrew members completed their yearlong training May 17. The Iraqi King Air program, headed by Air Force and Navy aircrew instructors, trained four Iraqi pilots, seven co-pilots and five mission

  • NASCAR salutes military at Memorial Day race

    NASCAR saluted the men and women of the military past and present during pre-race festivities for the Coca-Cola 600 Sprint Cup race at Lowe's Motor Speedway here May 24. The salute included performances by the 82nd Airborne Division Chorus, the 2nd Marine Division Band and the Air Force's Tops in

  • Training team, Iraqi air force host first joint commanders' conference

    The Coalition Air Force Training Team and the Iraqi air force held their first joint commanders' conference for nearly 100 coalition and Iraqi senior leaders here May 20. "Based on the level to which the Iraqi air force has matured over the past couple of years, it was time to have a combined Iraqi

  • Space operations vital to Air Force, nation

    Air Force officials discussed the importance of space as a warfighting domain before members of the Senate May 20 on Capitol Hill. Senior Air Force leaders in the space realm answered questions from the Senate Armed Services Committee Strategic Force Subcommittee, telling them that Air Force

  • Airmen honor fallen comrade in arms

    Airmen here paid tribute to a fallen comrade on the two-year anniversary of the death of a fire team leader from the 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, Det. 3, Police Transition Training Team here.Staff Sgt. John T. Self was killed May 14, 2007, while out on patrol when the Humvee he was

  • General officer assignments announced

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz has announced new assignments for the following general officers: Maj. Gen. William N. McCasland, director of space acquisition, Office of the Under Secretary of the Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C., to director, Special Programs, Office of the

  • Team helps put tactical satellite in orbit

    Air Force officials helped launch an Air Force Minotaur I rocket launches into orbirt carrying the Air Force Research Laboratory's TacSat-3 satellite, NASA's PharmaSat microsatellite and NASA's CubeSat Technology Demonstration at 7:55 p.m. EDT May 19 from Wallops Flight Facility, Va.This mission

  • Personnel chief discusses military personnel budget

    Airmen are the focal point for winning today's fight and efforts relating to recruiting, developing and retaining a high-quality and diverse fighting force need to reflect that, the service's top manpower and personnel officer said on Capitol Hill May 20. Lt. Gen. Richard Y. Newton III, deputy chief

  • Chairman notes fallen Airman's sacrifice in Memorial Day message

    In his annual Memorial Day message to servicemembers worldwide, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff evoked the sacrifice of an Airman who died in Afghanistan last month. Here is Navy Adm. Mike Mullen's message: "On Memorial Day, and every day, we honor Americans who volunteer to serve a cause

  • Air Force chief predicts fewer 'exquisite' acquisition programs

    Air Force leaders are taking a more critical eye in weighing the technological capabilities of new systems against their corresponding cost, the Air Force's top military officer said here May 21. "We have had a temptation to design and try to build the most exquisite systems, and we've proven we can

  • Air Force leaders issue posture statement

    The Air Force's top leaders presented the official Air Force posture statement May 19 to the U.S. House Armed Services Committee. During their testimony, they focused on the upcoming budget as well as current and future Air Force capabilities.Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force

  • Arlington 'Flags In' tribute begins Memorial Day commemoration

    More than 3,000 servicemembers officially kicked off the Memorial Day commemoration last evening as they placed more than 250,000 miniature flags at every grave at Arlington National Cemetery, Va. The tradition, known as "Flags In," dates back to 1948, when soldiers of 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment,

  • Leaders issue Memorial Day message

    The Air Force's top leaders remember those who have been killed, wounded or permanently disabled in a Memorial Day message today . Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz issued the following message:"Never in the field of human conflict was so

  • Air Force officials mull 9th Air Force, AFCENT separation

    As Air Force leaders continue to balance mission requirements and available resources, they are proposing a separation between the stateside numbered air force and its warfighting component to the U.S. Central Command. Currently, a three-star general commands both 9th Air Force at Shaw Air Force

  • Emergency aid reaches Pakistan refugees

    A third C-17 Globemaster III aircraft landed here May 22 bringing emergency aid promised by the Department of Defense to the people of Pakistan who have evacuated the war-torn Swat Valley. During the past 24 hours, three such aircraft delivered relief supplies here, part of $10 million in supplies

  • Critical Days of Summer videos aim to save Airmen's lives

    The Air Force chief of staff and the Air Force top safety officer appear in videos to launch the service's annual Critical Days of Summer safety campaign, which begins May 22 and ends Sept. 7. Gen. Norton Schwartz appears in a video calling for everyone to be proactive in saving lives during this

  • Leaders send letter to Airmen on Critical Days of Summer

    The Air Force's top two leaders cited the start of the 2009 Critical Days of Summer campaign, and called for everyone to be proactive in saving lives during this high-risk season in a letter to Airmen sent out May 22. In the letter, Air Force Secretary Michael B. Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff

  • Pacific Air Forces Airmen mourn loss of Airman

    Airmen are mourning the loss of a Pacific Air Forces lieutenant killed in action May 20 during Operation Enduring Freedom. First Lt. Roslyn L. Schulte, 25, an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations officer assigned to the 613th Air and Space Operations Center, died May 20 near

  • AFSO 21 initiative at Dover will save $1.8 million

    A new process here will save the Air Force $1.8 million in man hours in the course of a year and most Airmen will not notice the change. Inprocessing at Dover took an average of 20 days, but through an Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century initiative, that time has been cut to two days. "A

  • Keesler officials open gates to military bloggers

    Airmen in the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron here hosted the Air Force's first ever orientation flight for military bloggers May 19. The flight, which took place aboard one of the Reserve unit's WC-130J Hercules, was designed to give the bloggers a taste of what it's like to fly on a military

  • Airmen compete in Boston Marathon Iraqi style

    People at Contingency Operating Base Adder were buzzing with excitement at 5 a.m. April 18, as runners anxiously awaited the start of the annual Boston Marathon-Iraq held for the fifth time here. More than 300 servicemembers and civilians from throughout the area of responsibility ran the perimeter

  • Airmen airlift aid to Pakistan's war-torn Swat Valley

    In response to specific requests for support from the government of Pakistan, the Department of Defense has arranged for the delivery of humanitarian assistance to aid the estimated 1.7 million Pakistanis displaced by current military operations against extremists in the country's northwestern

  • AF officials announce Combat Air Forces restructure plan

    Following the May 7 roll-out of the fiscal year 2010 budget proposal for the Department of Defense, Air Force officials announced plans to retire legacy fighters to fund a smaller and more capable force and redistribute people for higher priority missions. The Combat Air Forces restructuring plan

  • Air Force chief of staff visits Osan

    The common themes of Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz's remarks to more than 400 Airmen gathered here May 11 were teamwork and excellence, key elements in mission accomplishment as well as in Airmen's personal lives. The general also reminded the crowd that all Airmen are a part of the

  • Huge crowd turns out for Night at the Air Force Museum

    More than 10,000 visitors came face-to-face with aviation history May 15 during a Night at the Air Force Museum at the National Museum of the United States Air Force here. The sizeable crowd had the opportunity to look into the cockpits of aircraft such as the B-24D Liberator and SR-71A Blackbird

  • Apheresis broadens impact of blood donations

    Rose Weatherly plays a major role in providing life-saving blood products to patients at Keesler Medical Center and, literally, around the world. Ms. Weatherly, a registered nurse, is the apheresis supervisor with the 81st Diagnostics and Therapeutics Squadron's pathology and clinical laboratory

  • Airmen support Soldiers by putting bombs on targets

    On a battlefield they plan, request and direct air strikes against enemy targets in close proximity to friendly forces, namely the army units on the frontlines who may need close-air support in the blink of an eye. "I get a lot of satisfaction knowing I am supporting my Army counterparts," said

  • Local high school students get inside look at Southwest Asian air base

    Airmen from the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing hosted 75 high school students from the local America-Mideast Educational and Training Services language training center during their visit to the base May 16. Members of the 386th AEW along with Soldiers, Navy Seabees and Australian personnel from the

  • Guard bureau chief sees peacekeeping as likely National Guard mission

    The National Guard can expect peacekeeping roles in Afghanistan and Iraq in the future, the chief of the National Guard Bureau said here last week. "I've challenged our staff with thinking through what happens after Iraq, what happens after Afghanistan," Gen. Craig R. McKinley told an audience at

  • Blood center is lifeline for servicemembers

    Every year, thousands of units of blood and plasma are donated and sent into the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility to save the lives of servicemembers and civilians who sustain life threatening injuries. Thanks to the hard work of the four members of the 379th Expeditionary Medical Group

  • Freedom Conference Center NCOs boost morale

    Air Force supervisors make it their mission to provide leadership to their subordinate Airmen as well as boost unit morale whenever possible. One pair of NCOs here takes boosting morale one step further serving as the focal point for the entire base. 379th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron, Tech.

  • 'Air Force Knowledge Now' turns 10

    Randy Adkins, Knowledge Management Center of Excellence director, clearly recalls the Friday afternoon when the idea of Knowledge Now was first raised. Members of the Air Force Materiel Command staff discussed the possibility of a "lessons-learned" database and sent the idea to Mr. Adkins, who had

  • New system for tracking personnel gets workout soon

    As the Air Force gears up for its second test of the Air Force Personnel Accountability and Assessment System, Air Force Materiel Command leaders are reminding people to participate during the May 19-21 exercise. The new system is designed to improve the way the Air Force keeps track of its people.

  • AF.mil unveils new design

    Air Force officials unveil a new look for the service's official Web site, AF.mil. For frequent visitors to AF.mil some of the changes will be obvious at a glance. The redesigned site features a larger layout, larger photos, new technology and less clutter. It offers users new content types with the

  • ESC group works to meet Iraqi air traffic control needs

    An Electronic Systems Center group here is helping Iraqi air force officials rebuild their military air traffic control capabilities through a comprehensive foreign military sales effort. An 853rd Electronic Systems Group team initiated their efforts with an FMS case that began in January 2007.

  • Air Force leaders testify on infrastructure budget

    The four pillars of the Air Force budget strategy--people, readiness, infrastructure, and modernization were the main topics May 12 when the deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for Installations testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee. Ms. Kathleen Ferguson, flanked by Brig.

  • New club members get 3 month free membership

     All eligible personnel who join any Air Force club between June 15 and Aug. 15 will automatically receive three months of free dues as part of the Air Force's 2009 club membership campaign. New members also will receive the benefits of a free cash-back rewards program and a six-month, zero-percent

  • Air Force leaders chart way forward for service

    The Air Force has made tough choices and some prudent trade-offs to balance the service across the spectrum of capabilities needed for the future, Air Force leaders said.Air Force Secretary Michael B. Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz discussed the service's efforts to balance

  • CSAF reflects on importance of PACAF

    The chief of staff of the Air Force wrapped up a week-long, four-base tour of Pacific Air Forces here May 13 on his first visit to the region since becoming the nation's top-ranking uniformed Airman last August. Gen. Norton Schwartz said the United States has a vested interest in the Asia-Pacific

  • Air Force officials standardize informal uniform

    As a result of the 96th Air Force Uniform Board, a standardized informal uniform is now authorized for wear. The informal uniform will be mandatory for wear by all applicable Air Force personnel starting Jan. 1, 2011. The Air Force Chief of Staff directed review of the informal uniform to help

  • CSAF speaks candidly at Yokota Airmen

    "In the end what it's all about is performance," said the senior Air Force officer responsible for organizing, training and equipping nearly 700,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian forces. "If the United States Air Force performs, we don't need to advertise ourselves and proclaim how good

  • Ramstein Airmen support NASA shuttle launch

    Ramstein Air Base Airmen teamed up with New York Air National Guard members to support NASA's launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis in May here. Members of the 37th Airlift Squadron, 1st Combat Communications Squadron and the Guard's 101st Expeditionary Rescue Squadron loaded rescue cargo into two C-130

  • Airman spots aircraft fuel leak at 35,000 feet

    Most of us hear stories of Airmen saving lives in combat, but an Airman who saves the lives of more than 300 passengers is definitely a story worth hearing. A fuel leak on a civilian aircraft caught the attention of Staff Sgt. Bartek Bachleda, 909th Air Refueling Squadron boom operator, during a

  • Airmen take heed for those in need

    Ten Airmen from Manas Air Base visited the Umut-Nadjeshda Children's Rehabilitation Center in Bishkek May 9 to help fix the center for more than 60 local children. The off-duty Airmen painted playground equipment, installed a new stove and to make other improvements to the center for the youths aged

  • Academy football team ranks second in academic excellence

    In a recent NCAA ranking, the Air Force Academy football team finished second in the nation in Academic Progress Rates following only Stanford University. According to Troy Garnhart, Academy's director of Athletic Media Relations, the NCAA rack and stack considered the overall performance of all 27

  • U.S. pilots train Finns in aerial refueling operations

    A group of Airmen with the 100th Air Refueling Wing traveled to Tampere, Finland, May 2 to participate in a week-long exercise with Navy  and Finnish Air Force F-18 Hornet pilots.The Airmen helped teach the Finnish pilots how to refuel in-air from a KC-135 Stratotanker.The exercise marks the first

  • New uniforms: Comfortable, functional are goals

    Officials from the Uniform Program Office here continue to work for Airmen, researching and purchasing uniforms that provide more function, protection and comfort. The Air Force chief of staff met with office personnel April 21 for an update on clothing issues Airmen face as they support global

  • Providing reconstructive assistance, hope to Afghan homeland

    The Paktya Provincial Reconstruction Team is providing assistance to rebuild Afghanistan, as well as give the local Afghans a chance to overcome incredible odds to achieve a foothold back into the economic forefront. Housed within the walls of a traditional Afghan qalat, a mud and straw compound, on

  • AFCENT officials begin to look at Iraq reposture

    More than 80 Air Force, Army and Navy functional experts gathered here May 5 to 8 to lay the groundwork for U.S. Air Forces Central's reposture from Iraq over the next two years. "The conference ensured AFCENT's reposturing and responsible drawdown is synchronized with (Central Command's) guidance

  • Enlisted Heritage Hall receives Airey's CMSAF ring

    Paul Wesley Airey, the first chief master sgt. of the Air Force, had a close and very special association with Gunter, which he proved by leaving his CMSAF ring to the Enlisted Heritage Hall museum, his son said. "Dad always wanted his ring to come to Gunter because of his association with the

  • Air Force continues partnership with Professional Bull Riders

    Air Force Recruiting Service officials here announced May 11, the continuation of the Air Force partnership with the Professional Bull Riders, Inc., making it the official armed services branch of PBR. "The Air Force is extremely excited about partnering with the Professional Bull Riders again this

  • 2009 Senior Enlisted Leader Summit held at Gunter

    The Air Force vice chief of staff of the Air Force addressed the third annual Senior Enlisted Leader Summit May 6 at Gunter's Senior NCO Academy. Gen. William M. Fraser III said all Airmen should know and support the Air Force priorities and live by the Air Force core values of integrity first,

  • Idea earns maintainer big money

    A simple suggestion earned one Misawa maintainer $10,000 and saved the Air Force thousands more. Staff Sgt. Jerome Latham, an engine craftsman with the 35th Maintenance Squadron, suggested a technical order change to the Innovative Development through Employee Awareness, or IDEA, program. His idea

  • University students learn about cyber mission

    A group of students from Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, La., got a first-hand look at how Air Force men and women conduct cyberspace operations during a tour of Air Force Cyber Command, (Provisional) here May 5. According to Louisiana Tech professor Dr. Brian Etheridge, director of the honors

  • Working dog, EOD team partner to secure Alaska's interior

    The Department of Homeland Security teamed up with Eielson AFB Airmen here in an effort to keep the Fairbanks North Star Borough safer May 5. A military working dog team assigned to the 354th Security Forces Squadron, and an explosive ordnance disposal team from 354th Civil Engineer Squadron swept

  • Air Force unmanned aircraft featured on '60 Minutes'

    CBS correspondent Lara Logan hosted a 60 Minutes segment May 10 on the Air Force's unmanned aircraft systems and featured the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper. During the piece she interviewed Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Col. Chris Chambliss, commander of the 432d Wing and 432d

  • Air Force leaders send budget message

    The top two Air Force leaders released a joint message May 8 regarding the fiscal 2010 defense budget and shifting Air Force priorities. Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton A. Schwartz said that the defense budget focuses on three themes:

  • Airmen help Florida youth see inner potential

    For 10 troubled young men from the Liberty Juvenile Unit for Special Treatment in Bristol, Fla., May 5 was a chance to receive some respite from the confines of juvenile delinquency. Members of the 325th Security Forces Squadron here hosted the teenagers, who ranged from ages 15 to 18, on a tour of

  • New facility gives junior officers space to learn self-defense

    Arms and legs flailed and thrashed in grappling and arm bars as instructors and students demonstrated self-defense tactics for a grand opening ceremony May 1 at the new Expeditionary Training Center here. Combatives are now part of the new warrior-ethos curriculum being developed and integrated into

  • Air Force officials unveil acquisition improvement plan

    Air Force leaders have announced their plan for improving acquisition, which will have far-reaching impacts on the way the service develops and buys defense capabilities for the nation. The Air Force's acquisition improvement plan "will serve as our strategic framework for the critical work of

  • DOD officials promote 'World No Tobacco Day'

    The last Monday in May is Memorial Day, a day set aside to honor the men and women who gave their lives in service to their country. Living freedom to the fullest by reducing unnecessary health risks is one way to honor the memories of those who've died, DOD officials say. Just around the corner

  • Manas hosts symposium for medical partners

    A gathering of medical minds met here recently for a coalition medical symposium sponsored by the 376th Expeditionary Medical Group. Guests attending the symposium included personnel from the Spanish coalition medical staff, U.S. Embassy medical unit, Peace Corps medical staff and the Bishkek

  • Air Force leaders name next top enlisted leader

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley have announced the Airman selected to be the service's next enlisted leader. Chief Master Sgt. James A. Roy will become the 16th chief master sergeant of the Air Force during an appointment

  • Klotz confirmed to lead Air Force Global Strike Command

    Lt. Gen. Frank G. Klotz received Senate confirmation to become commander of the Air Force's newest major command, Air Force Global Strike Command. "I am honored to have been nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate to lead our Air Force global strike forces," General Klotz said. "I

  • Airmen, Soldiers make first jump from Ramstein C-130J

    As the ramp let down at 3,000 feet and the sunlight slipped into the cargo bay of a new C-130J Super Hercules, Air Force and Army paratroopers stood ready to execute the first jump from Ramstein Air Base's newest aircraft. As Ramstein transitions from the older C-130E Hercules, some 35 Airmen and

  • Officials test commercial fuel to replace JP-8 fuel

    In an ongoing analysis of alternatives to reduce aviation fuel costs, the Air Force Petroleum Agency here has launched an initiative to use commercial jet fuel in place of military standard JP-8 fuel. The Air Force annually uses about 2.5 billion gallons of fuel, resulting in the service's second

  • Wounded warrior receives surprise promotion

    Staff Sgt. Daniel Acosta woke May 7 thinking he was a senior airman. He was surprised to discover that he was promoted to staff sergeant without his knowledge. Lt. Col. Michael Glass, 59th Medical Support Squadron commander, advised Sergeant Acosta that Lt. Gen. Richard Newton, deputy chief of staff

  • Airmen go 'Beyond the Horizon' to help Jamaicans

    More than 3,700 Jamaicans were given free medical, eye and dental care April 11 through 26 when 35 Airmen participated in a U.S. Southern Command humanitarian assistance exercise called Beyond the Horizon. The Air National Guard Airmen from Arizona's 162nd Fighter Wing treated Jamaicans as they

  • Bagram officials stand up 4 new squadrons

    Bagram Airfield officials have added four new squadrons to their growing list of units during an assumption of command ceremony here May 5. More than 1,200 joint expeditionary tasking and provincial reconstruction team Airmen deployed to more than 40 forward operating bases and camps throughout

  • Air Force fiscal 2010 budget reflects rebalanced priorities

    Air Force officials here May 7 announced that its portion of the president's fiscal 2010 budget reflects a balanced strategy to prevail in today's joint fight and sustain air, space and cyberspace dominance. The two overarching principles guiding next year's budget are rebalancing the Air Force's

  • Better-equipped National Guard still faces critical shortages

    Equipment critical to both domestic and warfighting missions and aircraft essential to guarding the nation's air sovereignty remain areas of concern for the National Guard. That was the message Lt. Gen. Harry M. Wyatt III, director of the Air National Guard, and Army Maj. Gen. Raymond W. Carpenter,

  • Military continues to monitor H1N1 flu virus' path

    The U.S. military has prepared for years to confront a public health challenge like the H1N1 influenza virus, a senior Defense Department official said May 6 here. "We have been preparing for a situation like this for more than five years and have plans, processes and procedures to respond to a

  • Levitow's pilot lands at Peterson for leadership visit

    "I don't need to tell you about character, if you didn't have it, you wouldn't be here," retired Maj. Kenneth Carpenter said to approximately 200 Airmen who gathered in the base auditorium April 28 to support his Year of Leadership program visit here. During his hour-long chat with the audience,

  • Gates lauds U.S. efforts to boost Saudi military capacity

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates here May 6 called the mentorship that U.S. forces are providing the Saudi Arabian military a key factor in maintaining stability in the region and an example of the capacity-building efforts he'd like to see more of elsewhere in the world. Secretary Gates held a

  • Nellis Airmen locate missing aircraft

    An HH-60G Pave Hawk rescue crew from Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., found the wreckage an overdue aircraft in the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range May 1.The missing aircraft was the subject of the large-scale search by state officials and Civil Air Patrol members, but there were no survivors from the

  • 'Continuum of Service' video promotes total force options

    In an effort to retain highly skilled Airmen for a lifetime of service, Air Force leaders recently unveiled a Continuum of Service video that helps to promote seamless changes in duty status in the total force structure. The video, produced by a team from the Secretary of the Air Force Office of

  • Officials reject allegations of proselytizing in Afghanistan

    A report broadcast by the Arab news network Al Jazeera about U.S. servicemembers proselytizing in Afghanistan is just plain wrong, Pentagon officials said May 4. The Al Jazeera story showed an evangelical religious service on Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan and a discussion about distributing Bibles

  • Transition assistance experts hone job-assistance skills

    About 120 transition assistance experts from across the Air Force came to downtown San Antonio April 28 through 30 to learn the latest in career and employment initiatives and how they relate to today's economic environment. The three-day conference kicked off with a one-day, Air Force specific

  • Airmen distribute Humvees to Iraqi forces

    Joint expeditionary tasking Airmen and Soldiers here are currently working to arm Iraqi forces with more protective means of transportation. As U.S. forces change over to the M1151 Humvee, they turn in the older M1114 vehicles to the Taji Redistribution Property Assistance Team here as a means of

  • Facts, testimony bust IDEA myths

    In less time than it takes to fill out a credit card application, Darlene Daspit-Pohl was on her way to earning $10,000 just for having an idea. Ms. Daspit-Pohl used the Air Force Innovative Development through Employee Awareness Program, or IDEA program, to submit an idea that reduces how much the

  • Airmen, Sailors provide maritime support for Iraqi military

    Air Force and Navy servicemembers teamed up in April to support and train the newly formed Iraqi navy with maritime mission along the northern area of the Arabian Gulf where a large percentage of Iraq's oil is exported. The first intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance flight took place April

  • Public health maintains high standards, healthy force

    Airmen in the 379th Expeditionary Medical Group constantly monitor the health of all individuals and check to see if illnesses of base personnel are isolated incidents or part of a trend at this air base in Southwest Asia. "Our main role is the prevention and control of communicable diseases," said

  • Officials set operating location for San Antonio joint base

    Air Education and Training Command officials here signed an order March 16 that established an operating location to support the creation of a joint base in San Antonio. Establishment of the operating location provides a framework against which to assign some of the earliest members of what will

  • Keesler personnel to participate in LIFESAVER 2009

    Keesler AFB Airmen join local, state and federal agencies in "LIFESAVER 2009," a major federal coordinating center and national disaster medical system exercise being conducted May 5-7. With an estimated 2,000 participants, this is the largest "LIFESAVER" event since May 2005. "LIFESAVER 2009" will

  • Unit marks 50 years of NASA support

    Three NASA astronauts visited Patrick Air Force Base members April 24 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of support from the Air Force to the American space program. Current Astronaut Col. Greg Johnson and former astronauts retired Navy Capt. Jon McBride and retired Marine Col. Bob Springer shared

  • Red Flag-Alaska pilots train to fly, fight, win

    The flight plans have been filed; the mission briefs have been completed. Now it's time for the key players in a multinational force to come together to fly, fight and win. During Red Flag-Alaska, United States military pilots and coalition forces are provided the opportunity to train jointly more

  • NCO sentenced for larceny, bomb threat

    A noncommissioned officer stationed here pleaded guilty to several violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice April 28 and was sentenced the next day to 24 months confinement, a bad conduct discharge and a reduction in rank to airman. Staff Sgt. Arthur Miller, assigned to the 65th Logistics

  • Sexual assault prevention videos available from DOD

    Defense Department agencies at all levels have valuable resources at their fingertips for training servicemembers, civilian employees and contractors on prevention of sexual harassment and assault. More than two dozen prevention training DVDs are available through the DefenseImagery.mil Web site,

  • Vehicle maintainers travel rough road

    Vehicle maintenance conducted in the most equipped garages can still present its fair share of challenges. For vehicle maintainers assigned to the Paktya Provincial Reconstruction Team here, garages, a well-stocked supply warehouse and proper tools are a remote luxury not often afforded here.

  • Airmen mobilize to confront Afghan insurgency

    More than a dozen F-15E Strike Eagles, two DC-10s and a C-17 Globemaster III met the rising sun over the Atlantic Ocean en route to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, April 29.Approximately 350 deploying Airmen from the 336th Fighter Squadron and 4th Maintenance Group will spend the next four months

  • Force Support Squadron takes on Red Flag-Alaska

    Approximately 1,400 U.S. and foreign military members are participating in Red Flag-Alaska 09-2. The amplified workforce calls for additional support to provide basic needs, and Airmen in the 354th Force Support Squadron have willingly answered the call. "Red Flag-Alaska brings an increased number

  • Officials discourage aspirin use by troops in combat zones

    Defense Department officials are directing servicemembers and government civilians deployed in overseas war zones to refrain from taking aspirin unless under a doctor's orders, a senior military physician said here April 30. "Aspirin use for reasons other than medical indications is discouraged,"

  • Airmen provide island residents with drinkable water

    Six Airmen from Pacific Air Forces units arrived here Feb. 4 to cure the island's contaminated water supply ruined due to unusually high tides and have treated more than 1,840,000 gallons of water for residents here. Unusual weather around the Pacific region caused six irregular high tides to flow

  • Air Force chief of staff returns to roots

    Some thirty-five years ago, 2nd Lt. Norton Schwartz graduated Undergraduate Pilot Training, walking away from here with a set of silver wings and a promising career with unlimited potential. On April 24th, now Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz came full circle, returning to Laughlin as

  • Air Force Marathon seeks volunteers

    The 2009 U.S. Air Force Marathon may not be until Sept. 19 here, but seeking volunteers to help plan and execute the race's many aspects begins May 1. Individuals interested in volunteering can go online to www.usafmarathon.com to see jobs, schedules, dates, times, etc. All registered volunteers

  • Airmen keep F-16s airborne during Balikatan 2009

    Air Force maintainers are keeping fighter pilots ready to go during Exercise Balikatan 2009 here. Balikatan, which in English means "shoulder to shoulder," is an annual joint bilateral exercise designed to improve U.S. and the Republic of the Philippines combined planning, combat readiness and

  • Quadrennial Defense Review fact sheet available

    People who are interested in learning more about the Defense Department's Quadrennial Defense Review process can do so by just accessing the QDR fact sheet that was posted April 29 on Defenselink, the Pentagon's public Web page. "The QDR takes a long-term, strategic view of the Department of Defense

  • Airmen spread goodwill during Balikatan 2009

    More than 20 Airmen participating in Exercise Balikatan 2009 visited Filipino children at schools and an orphanage April 24 and 25 here. The Airmen from Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., participating in the exercise took time to spread goodwill to nearly 150 children from the Duyan Ni Maria orphanage and