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  • Unified Engagement 2006 kicks off

    In a welcoming speech to more than 300 military members and civilians at the Battle Command Training Center here, Gen. Paul V. Hester, Pacific Air Forces commander, kicked off Unified Engagement 2006. Participants from the United States, Great Britain, Canada and Australia are here from Nov. 1 to 8

  • Kunsan Air Base at forefront of readiness

    It's not uncommon for Airmen here to be awakened at 5 a.m. from deep sleep to hear a thunderous loudspeaker voice announcing an invasion. They jump out of bed, grab their chemical warfare gear and rush to work. When the neighboring enemy could possibly invade at any moment, training exercises like

  • Mountain Home may help train Singapore Airmen

    Air Force and Singapore officials are negotiating to bring up to 10 Singapore F-15 Eagles to Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, and establish a training squadron there. Stand-up of the squadron depends upon the successful completion of an environmental analysis required under the National

  • Travis Airmen train Japan's first boom operators

    Three members of the Japan Air Self Defense Force completed a four-month training program here, making them the first boom operators in their military. "I'm proud to be one of the first three students from Japan to complete this training," said Tech. Sgt. Masaaki Takahashi. Master Sgt. Randy

  • Transition workshop valuable to vets, labor officials say

    All separating servicemembers should know about Transition Assistance Program workshops, Labor Department officials said here Nov. 2. The Labor Department teams with DOD and the Department of Veterans Affairs to offer these workshops to transitioning servicemembers, Charles S. Ciccolella, assistant

  • Training Is essential, even downrange

    An old military adage states that troops must train like they fight. This remains true, even while deployed to austere environments and in less-than-favorable conditions. Service members assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa train almost daily to hone their skills in use of weapons,

  • Army praises AFMC units for future battlefield improvements

    Two Air Force Materiel Command units -- the Air Force Research Laboratory's Human Effectiveness Directorate and the Aeronautical Systems Center Special Operations Forces Systems Group -- recently teamed with the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Center's Future Force Warrior Advanced Technology Demonstration

  • Children of fallen servicemembers have chance for free Disneyland trip

    Children of servicemembers killed since Sept. 11 have until Nov. 15 to try to get on board the Snowball Express -- destination Disneyland, with a couple of fun stops along the way. The M. Scott Kerr Foundation is sponsoring the Snowball Express in conjunction with Rotary Clubs of Costa Mesa, Calif.,

  • 19-year-old Airman earns CCAF degree in 9 months

    At 19 years old, Senior Airman Sharon Hawley is the youngest of more than 9,100 graduates earning their degrees in October at the Community College of the Air Force here. The integrated avionics mechanic, assigned to 412th Maintenance Squadron at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., completed the

  • Reserve to expand associate role with Shaw F-16 unit

    As part of the Air Force Total Force Integration initiatives, Air Force Reserve Command is teaming up with Air Combat Command to expand its associate presence with additional F-16 pilots at the 20th Fighter Wing at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., in fiscal 2008. Air Combat Command's 20th FW flies three

  • Air Force Clubs to test 'U Choose' program in AETC

    Air Force Services Agency officials have announced a new program they plan to test starting Jan. 1 that will allow new and current club members to choose between the Private Label or the MasterCard club membership card. The "U Choose" program will be tested in the Air Education and Training Command

  • Manas medics provide training to Bishkek hospital employees

    Three local hospitals in Bishkek are getting more than $10 million in medical supplies and equipment from the U.S., and members of the 376th Expeditionary Medical Group here are assisting in the effort by training hospital personnel to use some of the new equipment. Col. Howard Hayes, 376 EMDG

  • Fallen Moody AFB Airman honored at memorial service

    Members from various groups and squadrons here gathered Oct. 19 to honor the life and sacrifices of Airman 1st Class Lee Bernard Chavis at the base chapel here. Airman Chavis, a member of the 824th Security Forces Squadron, was killed Oct. 14 in the line of duty while performing duties as a turret

  • Airman selected as Miss Arkansas USA

    An Airman assigned to Little Rock Air Force Base was selected as Miss Arkansas USA Oct. 28 at the pageant held in the Donald W. Reynolds Auditorium on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas. Second Lieutenant Kelly George, a resident of Sherwood, Ark., is the deputy chief of Public Affairs

  • Servicemembers' right to vote comes with rules

    As the 2006 elections fast approach to decide House of Representative and Senate seats, as well as local and state elections, there are some rules military members need to know about the political process.These rules are not in place to restrict a military member's political freedoms, said Maj.

  • Air Force officials announce OTS selection results

    Some 162 men and women have been selected for Officer Training School, officials at Air Force Recruiting Service here announced Oct. 30. OTS Selection Board 06OT05 considered 267 applications and selected 162 for a 61percent selection rate. Of those, 34 are enlisted members who have earned the

  • President Bush visits Charleston, rallies military

    President George W. Bush met and spoke to a crowd of more than 4,000 servicemembers and families as he praised the military for their efforts fighting the war on terrorism Oct. 28 at a rally on the Charleston AFB flightline. The president's visit follows an Oct. 27 stopover by Vice President Dick

  • Reserve, active duty seamlessly maintain aircraft

    At first glance, one cannot tell a difference between the two. A more in-depth analysis finds the two dress alike, have the same training and work side by side, capable of doing any task just as well as the other.It is only with a keen eye that one can find a variation in the two -- the patches on

  • LADSC Waiver Program begins Oct. 30

    Beginning noon CST Oct. 30, master and technical sergeants in specific overage Air Force specialty codes may apply to have certain active duty service commitments waived allowing them to retire if eligible. The Limited Active Duty Service Commitment Waiver Program forgives the following ADSCs for

  • Air Force recognizes outstanding real estate professionals

    At the annual Air Force Real Estate Awards ceremony held during the Air Force Real Estate Workshop on Oct. 19, two Air Force real estate professionals and one real estate office were recognized for their accomplishments. Karen Pate, a real property accountable officer from Cannon Air Force Base, N.

  • Deployed group tightens bonds as deployed squadron

    The Airmen of the 506th Expeditionary Medical Squadron have an advantage when it comes to treating casualties -- they are all from the same home team. Deployed here from the 48th Medical Group at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England. the doctors, nurses and technicians who have spent the last six

  • Combat Comm readies Airmen for deployments

    Driving convoys, building defense fighting positions and throwing elbows in hand-to-hand combat were all incorporated into the combat readiness course here Oct. 20 to 27. The 1st Combat Communications Squadron trained 33 newcomers at the mandatory course, which prepares the Airmen for hostile

  • Fairchild unit saves woman in Idaho

    A woman missing in the Harvard, Idaho, area since the afternoon of Oct. 24 was found Oct. 25 by the 36th Rescue Flight here. The Latah County Sheriff's Office requested the Air Force's help early on Oct. 25, said Capt. Kevin Burns, a pilot with the 36th RQF. A UH-1N Huey helicopter took off from

  • California Air Guardsmen save life in Mexico

    Air Guardsmen from the 129th Rescue Wing here conducted a successful medical evacuation of a U.S. citizen in La Paz, Mexico, Oct. 24 while Tropical Storm Paul brewed off the southern coast of the Baja Peninsula. Responding to the call from the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center based out of

  • Notre Dame president leads cadets on change of pace

    As wind swirled and snow accumulated outside on a frigid northern Indiana morning, ordinary students slept warmly inside.  On the contrary, the university president and vice president here paced through the wintery elements early Tuesday in leading extraordinary ROTC cadets and midshipmen on the

  • Rumsfeld: Terrorists use media to manipulate American people

    The "center of gravity" in the Iraq war is in America with the American people, not on the battlefield, and the media is a powerful tool that influences the people's will, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said Oct. 24. "This is the first war that's been conducted in the 21st century with all the

  • Virtual weapons give realistic training at Emerald Warrior

    The first integration of live and virtual net-centric weapons in special operations forces occurred as part of Emerald Warrior 07 on Oct. 25. Airmen participating in the exercise benefit from the simulation technology, which lets them experience near-realistic combat training. In the last few years,

  • Green Lightning exercise strengthens U.S., Australian ties

    Two B-52 Stratofortress bombers of the 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron completed a long-range training sortie from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, to Australia's Delamere Air Weapons Range in the Northern Territory Oct. 24. This "Green Lightning" sortie is only the second of its kind, continuing a

  • Misawa units strengthened by Total Force

    Air National Guard and Reserve Airmen support various missions throughout the Air Force, and it is no exception here.In units like the 35th Security Forces Squadron, the active duty strength is complemented by Air Guard or Reserve support. "The Guard and Reserve members currently attached to

  • Emerald Warrior kicks off at Hurlburt Field

    Emerald Warrior '07, Air Force Special Operations Command's first joint coalition exercise focused on training Air Force, Army and allied units in missions directly related to the war on terrorism, kicked off here Oct. 24. Emerald Warrior '07, the first exercise completely planned by AFSOC, is also

  • Bush says U.S. security depends on victory in Iraq

    Winning the war on terrorism in Iraq is critical to American defense, President Bush said today in a White House news conference. Bush spoke about coalition strategy and tactics changes in Iraq. "Our security at home depends on ensuring Iraq is an ally in the war on terror and does not become a

  • Randolph NCO selected as senior enlisted aide of year

    The Air Education and Training commander's aide here was selected as the top senior enlisted aide during a ceremony Oct. 12 at Bolling Air Force Base, D.C.Master Sgt. Roy Bowser is the winner of the 2006 Enlisted Aide of the Year Award for the Senior-Aide Category. Sergeant Bowser is an enlisted

  • Air Force maintainers give Australians peek into their future

    Maintainers from the Amberly Royal Australian Air Force Base's 36th Squadron are working alongside Air Force counterparts learning the ins and outs of the C-17 Globemaster III. Currently Australia doesn't have a heavy airlift capability and must rely on outside sources for services. This assistance

  • AIA names 'Best of the Best' during Sensor Olympics

    The Air Intelligence Agency's 27th annual Sensor Olympics was held at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, Oct. 19. During the banquet, the top three enlisted technicians from each of the 23 career fields within AIA were awarded gold, silver and bronze medals. "Each year, we come together as an

  • Maxwell NCO selected as top junior enlisted aide

    The Air University commander's aide here was presented the 2006 Air Force Junior Enlisted Aide of the Year award during a ceremony Oct. 12 at Bolling Air Force Base, D.C. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley and Gen. William R. Looney III, Air Education and Training Command commander,

  • Atlantic Strike provides joint training for interdependent warfighters

    Airmen, Marines, Soldiers and Sailors started joint training for air and ground operations as part of Atlantic Strike IV at Avon Park Air Force Range, Fla., Oct. 23. The U.S. Central Command Air Forces semiannual training event takes place on the 106,000-acre bomb range in south central Florida to

  • Newest 'Chief's View' deals with enlisted development plan

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley addresses the newest page on the Air Force Portal Web site, "My EDP," in his latest Chief's View video.Also known as "My Enlisted Development Plan," the Web site is ideal "if you want to play a bigger role in developing the future of your

  • COMUSAFE builds on U.S.-Romania relationship

    The road ahead for the partnering of U.S. and Romanian air forces continues on the fast-track after a visit Oct. 19 and 20 by the U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander, who met with key Romanian officials. Gen. Tom Hobbins traveled to Romania for a firsthand look at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, where

  • Cheney thanks Indiana Airmen, Soldiers

    National Guard members perform vital stateside and overseas duties as America stays on the offense to defeat global terrorism, Vice President Richard B. Cheney said during a visit to Camp Atterbury, Ind., Oct. 20. "To serve in the National Guard is to accept a dual mission," Mr. Cheney told gathered

  • Airmen learn how to LEAN

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney McKinley, along with 11 Airmen representing every major command in the Air Force, took a major step toward implementing Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century by visiting United Airlines administrative and maintenance offices at the San Francisco

  • Training comes first for pararescue Airmen

    Air Force pararescue is an elite force, but before its Airmen are PJs they're trainees. And sometimes PJ training brings them here before they join the world of combat rescue. Thirteen instructors and 20 pararescue trainees with the 342nd Training Squadron traveled from Kirtland Air Force Base,

  • Pay chief discusses new defense bill's military compensation

    With the 2.2 percent across-the-board pay raise that is part of the Fiscal 2007 National Defense Authorization Act, the Defense Department will reach its goal to bring military basic pay to the 70th percentile when compared to civilians with comparable education and training, a top DOD compensation

  • Career enlisted aviators positions open

    Opportunities are now available for Airmen who wish to cross-train into career enlisted aviator fields. The Air Force has immediate openings for in-flight refueling (boom operators), flight engineers, loadmasters, airborne mission systems, airborne battle management, flight attendants, aerial

  • Museum adds British Bristol Beaufighter to gallery

    An aircraft that once filled the need for an effective night fighter in the U.S. Army Air Forces until an American aircraft could be produced was placed on display during a special ceremony on Oct. 18 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. The newly restored British Bristol Beaufighter first

  • COMUSAFE: unmanned aircraft key to future decision superiority

    The importance of the unmanned aircraft system, or UAS, in air, space and cyberspace missions of the U.S. Air Force and NATO and how the UAS of the future will be an equal participant in all three domains is key to future decision superiority, said the commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe. Acting

  • Rumsfeld: Time needed to win war on terrorism

    The innovative spirit is helping America win the war on terror, but it will remain a long, hard battle against a deadly, thinking foe, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld told students at the Air University today. Secretary Rumsfeld spoke to the students at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. At the end

  • Officials initiate date-of-separation rollback for enlisted Airmen

    In an effort to maintain a quality enlisted force and meet mandated end strength, the Air Force will accelerate the date of separation for certain Airmen, based on their years of service and re-enlistment eligibility or assignment availability codes. Under DOS Rollback, Airmen who will have fewer

  • First F-22 slated for Pacific rolls out

    Lockheed Martin rolled out the first combat-capable F-22 Raptor Oct. 16 destined for basing and operations in the Pacific Rim.Raptor 5087 completed its final assembly, with Air Force leaders from Alaska and Lockheed Martin employees on hand to mark the event outside the production line in

  • President signs 2007 Defense Authorization Act

    The fiscal 2007 National Defense Authorization Act provides more than $530 billion to maintain the military in the shape it must be to win the war on terrorism.President Bush signed the bill, officially called the John Warner National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007, during a small

  • Hate groups, gangs not acceptable to Air Force

    Active participation in hate groups and gangs is not compatible with the Air Force way of life, and any Airmen found guilty of such participation will be punished accordingly, said Air Force leaders here recently. "It goes without saying that participation in such activity has no place in our Air

  • Travis doctor elected president of national medical society

    The chief of the medical staff at the David Grant Medical Center here has been elected president of the American College of Emergency Physicians during the organization's recent meeting in New Orleans.Col. (Dr.) Linda Lawrence previously served as vice president of ACEP, and is an attending

  • Two new programs guide enlisted force shaping

    Air Force officials here announced Oct. 16 two additional enlisted programs to help support current force shaping efforts to reduce 40,000 active-duty Airmen. The programs, a date of separation rollback and a limited active duty service commitment waiver, join the current tools of reducing the

  • AMC declares C-130J operational

    Air Mobility Command officials declared Initial Operational Capability for the C-130J, the Air Force's premier intratheater airlifter. The October declaration is the result of an extensive effort by the total force team to meet specific IOC criteria.Some of the specific requirements for the C-130J

  • Airman killed during combat operations in Iraq

    Airman First Class Leebernard E. Chavis, assigned to the 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, was killed by enemy gunfire Oct. 14 in the vicinity of Baghdad, Iraq. Airman Chavis, age 21, was performing duties as a member of a U.S. military police training team supporting Iraqi police at the

  • Air Force Memorial: Inspiration leads to future success

    The Air Force Memorial was designed by the Air Force Memorial Foundation to represent different things to different people. For Staff Sgt. Paul Piper, it's simple inspiration. The sergeant can remember in the eighth grade when he was first inspired to serve his country during a visit to the D.C.

  • Logistics officers given challenge at conference

    The commander of the Air Force Materiel Command took the stage at the Logistics Officer Association National Conference Oct. 10 to tell 1,350 logistics officers to get lean and expect to be in a long war.Gen. Bruce Carlson gave the officers an overview of the enemy and how it exploits Islam and uses

  • 14th FTW welcomes new trainer aircraft

    The 14th Flying Training Wing commander formally welcomed the T-6 Texan II to the Columbus AFB fleet during an official ceremony here Oct. 12. Col. Dave Gerber received the first new airframe assigned here since the T-1 Jayhawk was added to the inventory in January 1996 and will eventually replace

  • New era in flight training begins Oct. 13

    Air Education and Training Command officials formally usher in a new era in flying training when Initial Flight Screening operations begin at Pueblo Memorial Airport Oct. 13 as the first students report for the class. The Initial Flight Screening program evaluates candidates hoping to enter Air

  • Red Flag kicks off at Nellis

    Nearly 60 aircraft and nine units, supported by 1,000 Airmen from across the United States and Belgium are taking part in the first Red Flag exercise of fiscal 2007, which began Oct. 10 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. The exercise that runs until Oct. 20 tests aircrews' warfighting skills in

  • Navy officer leads AF squadron; celebrates Navy birthday

    Oct. 13, 1775, holds a special meaning for the nation; it was the date the Continental Congress authorized the procurement, fitting out, manning and dispatch of two armed vessels to cruise in search of munitions ships supplying the British Army in America. This Oct. 13, the Navy's birthday will be

  • Air Force focused on three priorities

    Amidst fighting the war on terrorism, the Air Force remains focused on its top three priorities. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley said the Air Force is concerned primarily with fighting and winning the long war against global terrorism and militant extremism, taking care of our

  • Medical centers integrate surgery missions

    With the most recent base realignment and closure changes looming, Brooke Army Medical Center and Wilford Hall Medical Center here have begun integrating their vascular surgical missions. Lt. Col. (Dr.) Todd Rasmussen, chief of the vascular surgery service at WHMC, stated that the combining of the

  • San Antonio hospitals team for military PTSD study

    A proposed pilot investigation linking three of San Antonio's military research hubs is slated to treat and study servicemembers with symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The Prolonged Exposure for Combat-Related Stress Disorders study links Wilford Hall Medical Center, Brooke Army Medical

  • Fall 2006 quarterly issue of Airman available

    Read about how basic military training is evolving to create Airmen warriors, celebrate 50 years of operational success with the KC-135 Stratotanker and the Airmen who keep it flying, discover the meaning behind the Air Force Memorial's design, and tag along with provincial reconstruction teams as

  • CENTAF releases airpower summary for Oct. 12 and monthly airpower overview

    In Afghanistan Oct. 11, U.S. Navy F/A-18 Hornets provided close air support for International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, troops in contact with Taliban extremists near Lwara Dasta. The F/A-18s expended a guided bomb unit-12 on an enemy position. Navy F/A-18s and Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt

  • NATO air forces remain strong, look to future excellence

    NATO air forces' partnership is strong and poised to grow even stronger over the long haul, said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley before a congregation of air force commanders from 25 NATO nations. General Moseley said NATO air forces face similar circumstances, including increasing

  • RED HORSE breaks ground on new training field

    Airmen broke ground on the Northwest Field Expeditionary Training Campus here Oct. 11. The 554th Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operations Repair Squadron Engineers will accomplish $20 million in construction over the next five years. "Right now we are only 74 strong, but we'll have our full

  • Guard has banner year for recruiting, retention

    The National Guard recruited 19,000 more citizen-Soldiers and Airmen in 2006 than it did during the previous year and exceeded its retention goals by record numbers, Guard officials reported in early October. Concerted efforts to recruit new people into the Army and Air National Guard during the war

  • MUTES trains deployed electronic warfare officers

    Deployed Guardsmen from the 266th Range Squadron at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, are helping B-52 Stratofortress electronic warfare officers quickly identify potential aircraft threats at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, as part of the Air Force's continuous bomber presence in the Pacific. The

  • Cleanup program on fast track

    When Andrews Air Force Base, Md., was placed on the Environmental Protection Agency's National Priorities List of contaminated sites in 1999, environmental restoration program managers estimated it would take until 2014 and millions of dollars to remedy the sites.With 23 sites and 10 areas of

  • Deployed B-52 maintainers achieve perfect record

    Since deploying here, B-52 Stratofortress maintainers with the 36th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron have achieved a 100-percent mission effectiveness-rate and 100-percent weapons-release rate for every sortie flown during September. The percentages reflect almost 50 sorties, accumulating

  • Deployment presents challenge for firefighters

    The sandy desert terrain and base infrastructures in Southwest Asia pose new challenges to Airman 1st Class Eric Theer, a firefighter deployed from Beale Air Force Base, Calif. "I'm used to fighting grass fires back home," said the 20-year-old Airman assigned to the 379th Expeditionary Civil

  • Joint system training enhance situational awareness

    Airmen operating the global command and control system here are providing combatant commanders a visual map of servicemembers on the battlefield via satellite."Basically, you can view everything in the (area of responsibility)," said Staff Sgt. Michael Harvell, an instructor for the system. "You

  • Seasoned PJ trains next generation

    Along the halls of the Pararescue and Combat Rescue Officer School here, reminders of heroes past adorn the walls with honor. There have been 13 Air Force Crosses and one Medal of Honor awarded to former students. They serve as testimony to the valor demonstrated by a fresh crop of

  • 13th AF welcomes new commander, transforms operations

    A one-year transformation of command and control of air, space and information operations in the Pacific ended here as 13th Air Force officially began operations as a component numbered air force headquarters and welcomed a new commander. Former Pacific Air Forces Deputy Commander, Lt. Gen. Loyd S.

  • 'Top Flight' to rock forward bases

    A 10-member Air Force band plans to boost morale throughout Southwest Asia, entertaining coalition forces at several forward operating locations as well as main operating bases typically visited by other bands and civilian artists. Top Flight, the rock band component of the Band of the West at

  • Operation Enduring Freedom marks five years

    Five years ago, America, still stinging from the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, began striking back in the war on terrorism.President Bush appeared on national television to inform the American people he had unleashed U.S. military might against the enemy. Land-based bombers and Navy strike aircraft from

  • T-38s at Laughlin mark beginning of transition

    Laughlin AFB officials received the first T-38 Talon Oct. 4 from Moody AFB, Ga.  The aircraft's arrival denotes the start of the transition to a new training mission. "This jet marks the beginning of Laughlin's transition to our newly acquired Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals mission," said Col.

  • Air Force leaders to discuss new 'Cyber Command'

    Air Force leaders are gathering in early November to discuss plans for creation of a new command, one chartered with flying and fighting in cyber space. Cyberspace became an official Air Force domain, like air and space, on Dec. 7, 2005, when Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne and Chief of

  • NATO takes lead for operations throughout Afghanistan

    NATO took the lead for international military operations throughout Afghanistan Oct. 5, assuming authority from the coalition for 14 eastern provinces at a ceremony in the Afghan capital of Kabul. Regional Command East is the last of four regional NATO commands in its International Security

  • USAFE unit debuts small diameter bomb in combat

    The Guided Bomb Unit-39/B small diameter bomb was flown into combat for the first time Oct. 5 by members of the 494th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron. The unit, deployed to the Southwest Asia area of operations, launched a two-ship formation of F-15E Strike Eagles at 1:30 a.m. EDT carrying the new

  • Virtual technology enhances training for aircrews

    Survival, evasion, resistance and escape instructors at the 15th Operational Support Squadron are now using virtual technology to train aircrews in parachute hanging harness training. Most of today's aircrews are familiar with flight simulators. They are accepted as standard and are essential tools

  • Air Force announces team excellence awards

    Air Force officials have announced the five teams selected for the 2006 Chief of Staff Team Excellence Awards. The awards recognize teams that used a systematic approach to enhance mission capability, improve operational performance and create sustained results. Improvements made by the five award

  • Air Force proposes initial Joint Strike Fighter locations

    Plans for initiating environmental analyses for proposed locations of the Air Force's newest fighter, the F-35 Lightning II, were announced by Air Force officials Oct. 4. The initial Joint Strike Fighter locations include:-- Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., for primary maintenance and flight training;--

  • Guard, British officers exchange views

    An Arkansas Air National Guard officer and a Royal Auxiliary Air Force warrant officer participated recently in an exchange officer program to help further cement the relationship between the two countries' air Reserve forces. For Maj. Dom Sarnataro, a 154th Training Squadron pilot, the National

  • Some Airmen can carry over 'use or lose' leave

    Airmen who were recalled from or unable to take annual leave this past year for reasons such as support for contingency operations may be allowed to accumulate more than the normal 60 days after the fiscal year ends. Special leave accrual carry over also applies to Air Force Reserve and Air National

  • Air Force meets 2006 enlisted, OTS recruiting goals

    The Air Force exceeded its fiscal 2006 enlisted recruiting goal of 30,750 by assessing 30,888 men and women into active duty from Oct. 1, 2005, through Sept. 30, 2006.Air Force Recruiting Service also was successful in recruiting line officers and chaplains, bringing in 485 line officers and 31

  • Air Warrior transforms into new Green Flag

    With the ever-changing fight in the war on terrorism, thus goes the Air Force with the incarnation, or re-incarnation, of Green Flag.The Air Warrior exercises here and at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., have officially become the Air Force's premier pre-deployment exercises for Air Combat Command

  • Air traffic controller considers Air Force her second family

    With nearly 300 flights coming in and out of Laughlin AFB every day, new and seasoned pilots depend upon the support from air traffic controllers to send them out and bring them back home safely to their base and families.One air traffic controller on the ground guiding pilots over Del Rio,

  • F-22 Raptor ready for its combat role

    While the 27th Fighter Squadron is still figuring out the processes needed to deploy its F-22 Raptors to war, it is ready to go now. Squadron director of operations Lt. Col. Kevin Fesler said the Langley Air Force Base, Va., unit is still normalizing its operations. But he said if the call comes,

  • AFSO 21 tools enable Air Force to improve process

    Using Air Force Smart Operations 21, Fairchild AFB members are on a journey of self-improvement as they work to save time and money."You can do more with less, if you have less waste in your process," said Bill Long, Fairchild AFB's AFSO 21 consultant. AFSO 21 is an Air Force unique

  • Air show to showcase C-17's capabilities

    C-17 Globemaster III crews from Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, will showcase their aircrafts' unique capabilities in an air show in Australia this month. In preparation for the air show, a crew flew their C-17 to Kona International Airport, putting the jet through the performance maneuvers that best

  • C-21 aircraft crashes at Decatur, Ill. airport

    An Air Force Flight Standards Agency C-21 crashed at approximately 11:30 a.m. today at the Decatur, Ill. airport.The aircraft, based out of Will Rogers Air Guard Station in Oklahoma City, was performing touch-and-go training at the airport. The two pilots on board the aircraft are being held at a

  • Laughlin Airmen become Baron barnstormers for day

    Oct. 2 was far from a typical day for one Airman whose normal routine includes drawing blood and trying not to make children cry in the process. When Senior Airman Robert Arrington, a medical lab technician with the 47th Medical Support Squadron was told he'd been selected to fly with the Red Baron

  • Ceremony brings historic 23rd Wing to Moody

    The 347th Rescue Wing was officially re-designated as the 23rd Wing during a ceremony at 8:23 a.m. here Sept. 29.The ceremony culminated several recent changes to Moody's wing, including the assimilation of the 23rd Fighter Group at Pope Air Force Base, N.C., and Moody's 820th Security Forces Group.

  • Missile squadron poised for 72-hour alerts

    Missile combat crews in the 490th Missile Squadron here are helping the 20th Air Force transform missile operations as crewmembers started performing 72-hour alerts using three-person crews Sept. 30. Twentieth Air Force Commander, Maj. Gen. Thomas F. Deppe, suggested the 72-hour alert initiative and

  • New capability improves search, rescue response

    Pararescuemen in the 347th Rescue Group here are preparing to add a new capability to their life-saving arsenal soon. Kangaroo Duck, a process which involves strapping an inflatable rubber raft to the underbelly of an HH-60 Pave Hawk, will be used to better assist with water-rescue scenarios, like

  • COMUSAFE visits Portuguese defense officials

    The commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe met with Portuguese defense officials to build relationships and tour facilities Sept. 29. During the trip, Gen. Tom Hobbins visited Monte Real Air Base, Alcochete Range and Lisbon's Ministry of Defense, where he met Admiral Jose Manuel Garcia Mendes

  • Koa Lightning sharpens B-52 aircrews' war fighting skills

    The B-52 aircrews of the 23rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, deployed from the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., are keeping their war fighting skills sharp as part of the United States' continuous bomber presence in the Pacific region. A highlight of the "Barons" first 30 days at Andersen