Bagram security forces fly away to support airlift mission

Security forces protect Air Force people and resources worldwide, even when those resources are on the move at more than 300 mph. The C-130 Hercules cargo plane is the primary means of moving supplies and troops around Afghanistan. Aircrews frequently land at remote, dirt landing strips to support

Comm team keeps Viper Lance participants connected

One mile of cable, six pallets of equipment and three days to set up fully functioning communications for a forward base is standard work for members of the 1st Combat Communications Squadron. Thirteen members of the 1st CBCS, headquartered at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, are here to support Exercise

Randolph officer found guilty in court-martial

An Air Force officer was tried and found guilty in a general court-martial at the Randolph Air Force Base federal courtroom at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 9. Lt. Col. Christopher T. Kugel was charged with dereliction of duty and conduct unbecoming an officer after he admitted to having affairs with several

Air Force still hiring

Despite rumors to the contrary, the Air Force is still hiring. People interested in joining are always encouraged to apply, even in light of the Air Force's recently released force-shaping initiatives. To match the Air Force's new strength numbers, next year's recruiting goals have reduced by nine

New Web portal to help enlisted career development

Enlisted Airmen will soon have a new development Web site portal designed to meet all of their career development needs, allowing them to navigate different aspects of their time in service from their desktop computers, Air Force officials here said. My Enlisted Development Plan, or MyEDP, is

Airman recognized for work with Iraqi army

"This is a big deal ... this is a big deal ... a Bronze Star!" said Col. Michael Boera, 36th Wing commander. He was presiding over a ceremony in which Tech. Sgt. Ruben Vazquez of the 36th Medical Operations Squadron was awarded a Bronze Star for his service as an independent duty medical technician

33rd Fighter Wing gains F-35 training mission

Air Force officials announced plans to assign the mission of training new Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and allied F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter pilots and maintainers to the 33rd Fighter Wing here. Final planning for the move is dependent on the results of the ongoing environmental impact

History comes full circle for black aviators

The past and present came together Aug. 4 as black aviators from different generations took part in a historic flight aboard a C-17 Globemaster III. An all-volunteer, black aircrew from the 315th and 437th Airlift Wings at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., and the 446th AW at McChord AFB, Wash., flew

Reserve unit participates in 'Safe Seas 2006'

Aerial spray operations and maintenance people from the 910th Airlift Wing at Youngstown Air Reserve Station, Ohio, continue to hone their aerial spray application skills. Most of the time aerial spray crews work to control biting insects such as mosquitoes and flies. During the second week of

Top chief elaborates on Airman pride

The top enlisted Airman shared his thoughts on Airman pride during his visit here. Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley was in San Antonio to check out basic training at Lackland Air Force Base and security forces expeditionary training at nearby Camp Bullis.The chief was impressed

C-17 Globemaster III crew doing its part

A long day of loading and unloading cargo off of the C-17 Globemaster III is nothing new to the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron aircrew. On this day the crew was able to fly in more than 80 aircraft pallets full of supplies to Balad, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. "The deployed

Royal Air Force pilot makes history in B-2 Spirit

At first glance, he looks like any other Air Force pilot: olive-green flight suit, polished boots and a bluish-gray flight cap with rank insignia prominently displayed. On closer inspection, you realize the little differences.His shoulder boards don't feature bars or leaves, but instead a

Air Guard pilots train in escape, evasion

A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots from the Idaho Air National Guard's 190th Fighter Squadron ascended the mountains here Aug. 6 for a refresher on escaping the enemy and evading capture should they ever be shot down. The training they hope they never have to use is important because, while the United

Bearing assembly failure caused F-16 crash in Utah

A bearing assembly failure caused an F-16 Fighting Falcon to crash in an unpopulated dry area close to Carrington Island in the Great Salt Lake, Utah, during a training mission March 30, according to an Air Force report released Aug. 7. The pilot ejected safely from the aircraft, sustaining minor

Medic discovers more about himself during PRT mission

When a suicide bomber slammed and ignited his missile-laden vehicle into the Humvee in front of Staff Sgt. Eric Mathiasen, the Air Force medic exploded into action. He did not think about his wife or two children, or that there was unexploded ordnance lying about. He just grabbed his medical bag and

Rescue wing saves 122 people since June 1

The Airmen of the 347th Rescue Wing saved 66 people from potentially fatal injuries and another 56 from critical injuries in Afghanistan since June 1.These numbers not only show deployed Moody Airmen are accomplishing the mission, but that lives are being saved, said Col. Eric Kivi, 347th Operations

KC-10 maintainers keep mission flowing

KC-10 Extender maintainers work long days on the flightline with temperatures reaching nearly 135 degrees on the scorching concrete, and it is even hotter in the KC-10s parked on the ramp. These are the conditions facing the Airmen of the 380th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. The

Airpark dedication honors Tuskegee Airmen

More than 50 Tuskegee Airmen attended an airpark dedication ceremony in their honor Aug. 2 in front of the 944th Fighter Wing headquarters here. The airpark features an F-16 Fighting Falcon static aircraft painted in World War II Tuskegee colors in recognition of the "Red Tail" warriors of the

'Ready Elmendorf' will prepare PACAF's F-22s

Pacific Air Forces officials are excited about bringing the F-22 Raptor to the command. Aircraft crews will start their training in Virginia before actually landing on the Alaskan tarmac."Through a concept known as 'Ready Elmendorf,' Alaska's aircraft and pilots will initially operate at Langley Air

Transformation redefines multi-national exercise

As the Air Force transforms the way it does things, Pacific Air Forces is changing the way it conducts combat training exercises.At the forefront of this effort is PACAF's largest multi-national exercise, Cooperative Cope Thunder, soon to be renamed Red Flag Alaska. The exercise incorporates the

PACAF leaders see flash of future in Georgia

Senior leaders from Pacific Air Forces toured the F-22 Raptor production facility here Aug. 3 and got a look at the command's first 5th-generation fighter aircraft. Raptor 4087, bearing "AK" on its tail, is bound for Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. It will be the first of 36 Raptors, in two

Airmen train in ground combat at Camp Shelby

About 170 Airmen have graduated from Camp Shelby, Miss., after four weeks of ground combat skills training in preparation for deployment to Afghanistan to support Army embedded training teams. "Very few of us knew each other when we first got here," said Maj. Brenda Frye, support team commander.

Services unite to patrol Guam's shoreline

The first joint operation involving the Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard security forces set out to patrol the shores of Guam July 26. "This is a joint operation with Coast Guard, Air Force and naval assets all working together as a coordinated team to enhance force protection and overall protection

Tyndall spearheads F-22 fighter tactics integration

The 325th Air Control Squadron and 43rd Fighter Squadron here are making significant advances integrating F-22 Raptor fighter tactics with command and control operations, enhancing the capabilities of both. One of the new advances is the ability to send free text messages from command and control

Rescue unit faces moving challenges

It will be a while before the 56th Rescue Squadron fully transitions into operations at this fighter base and begins its new mission in Europe. The combat search and rescue unit arrived here in May from Naval Air Station Keflavik, Iceland, where it served 35 years. It left as part of the U.S.

Wynne: We are logisticians of information

As does its enemies, the Air Force considers cyberspace a warfighting domain. The Air Force has always been in the business of flying and fighting in the air, and in past decades, has included space in that mission. This year the Air Force expanded its mission to include cyberspace -- the domain of

'Your Guardians of Freedom' site set to scale down

Budget constraints and contract services reductions have forced officials  to make changes to the "Your Guardians of Freedom" Web site starting Oct 1. The Web site enables Air Force members to order pins for employers of activated Guardsmen (E pin), parents (P pin) and spouses (S pin). Pin

FAA authorizes Predators to seek survivors

Traditionally tasked to hunt for targets, Air Combat Command's Predators are now authorized to seek survivors during disaster relief operations. A certificate of authorization, issued by the Federal Aviation Administration May 18, allows the MQ-1 or MQ-9 to support relief operations by providing

Air Force cycling team wraps up RAGBRAI

One hundred Air Force cycling team members finished in two columns of 50 in Muscatine, Iowa, on July 29, dipping their front wheel in the Mississippi River, the traditional end to the ride across the state. The Air Force team participated in the Des Moines Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across

Small-diameter bomb makes F-15E squadron more lethal

When the 494th Fighter Squadron deploys to Southwest Asia later this year, its new small-diameter bomb will make its F-15E Strike Eagles even more lethal. The squadron will be the first to use the Air Force's new Guided Bomb Unit-39 bomb. It is a thin, Global Positioning System-guided 250-pound bomb

ROVER adds extra set of eyes to sky

A demonstration of the Remote Operated Video Enhanced Receiver during field training here on July 28 allowed basic cadets an opportunity to see how an extra set of eyes in the sky is a critical weapon in military arsenals."It's important to take a new group of leaders and have them interface on the

New utility uniform on track for distribution

The new Airman Battle Uniform is moving into production and on track for distribution to deploying Airmen next summer. Patterns have been finalized and are being run through production to ensure sizing and garment construction as well as preparing for assembly-line operations, said Senior Master

Jungle warfare training

Cancer doesn’t stop Air Force cyclists from crossing Iowa

Tears don’t fall lightly from a colonel, especially in front of more than 120 other Airmen. But when Col. John Clarke presented Pamela Vineyard a plaque, representing a weeklong bike ride across the state of Iowa, the tears were evidence of the inspiring and amazing example of her strength and

15th CMSAF takes first look at space

On his first visit here July 28 as the top enlisted servicemember in the Air Force, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley stressed the importance of recognizing, leading and taking care of Airmen. "I want to focus on our junior enlisted to make sure we take care of them," he said.

Aerial port Airmen make own training opportunities

When the flow of aircraft in and out of this base slows, 727th Air Mobility Squadron troops find ways to keep their training current. That means Airmen must mob the C-5 Galaxy or C-17 Globemaster III aircraft that do arrive -- or deploy to other bases in Europe and the Middle East to train. "Our

Changes in weather agency structure improve efficiency

The stage is set for big changes in Air Force weather forecasting across the United States. By aligning stateside weather operations with the Air Force warfighting initiative, Air Force weather is creating a more efficient and effective organizational structure to support the mission and the

Hawaii air traffic controllers train to fight

New aggressor unit will stand up in Alaska

The Air Force will activate the 18th Aggressor Squadron at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska.The mission of the 18th AS will be to provide realistic combat adversary training in air, space and information operations. Aggressor squadrons use enemy tactics, techniques, and procedures to give a realistic

Cadets experience 'war' during visit

Cadets from ROTC units across the country finished their three-week visit here by going to "war" with members of the 460th Space Wing. Eighteen cadets, who were here June 25 to July 14 as part of the Operation Air Force program, took part in War Week July 10 to 14. Airmen at Buckley participate

Lakenheath Strike Eagles return from Bulgaria

Airmen and their F-15E Strike Eagles returned to this base today from Bulgaria with new flying skills and friends in a land they had never visited. About 200 Airmen and 10 jets from the 48th Fighter Wing deployed to Graf-Isnatievo Air Base, Bulgaria, for the two-week exercise Immediate Response that

Air Force Reserve expands associate unit role at Vandenberg

As part of the Air Force Total Force Integration initiatives, the Air Force Reserve Command is expanding its associate unit role with Air Force Space Command at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., to support the Joint Space Operations Center. "The associate unit program which began in 1968 has served

Cryogenics course keeps pilots, planes on target

Cryogenics sounds like some future way of recreating life or a search for a cure of an unknown plague. It also sounds like something from "Star Trek" episodes or possibly even "Star Wars." In the Air Force, it means keeping pilots and aircrews alive when they're flying above the 10,000-foot level.

Maintainers keep B-1 in the fight

Maintainers assigned to the 40th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron are responsible for servicing, inspecting and repairing B-1B Lancers used to drop bombs in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Being in charge of most flightline repair items on a $283 million aircraft that is saving lives in

Balad Air Base now part of Air Force Public Web

Airmen in Iraq supporting the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing at Balad Air Base can expect to see a new look on their public Web site. The Air Force plan to consolidate and standardize the appearance of its sites has reached deployed bases as part of the Air Force Public Web program. The Secretary of

Green Lightning tests Pacific bomber force

B-2 Stealth bombers, KC-10 Extenders and support personnel are participating in a new exercise here.Exercise Green Lightning is designed to improve the U.S. capabilities and operational familiarity in the region for the Pacific bomber presence and enhance relations with the Australians. "The United

Air Force officials accepting physical therapy applications

Air Force officials are taking applications for the Doctor of Physical Therapy program which begins Dec. 18, 2007 at the Health Science Center at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Only active-duty Airmen who possess a baccalaureate degree or those who are in the final semester prior to receiving a degree

Public affairs, multimedia functions merge under Strategic Communication

Twenty-four hour news cycles and the demand for real-time data and images dictate an adjustment in how the Air Force is organized in order to better leverage its capabilities and provide timely and focused information to the public, the Air Force chief of staff said recently in a memorandum. "To

Falcons cut Mildenhall bird strikes

Keith Mutton and Alan Marenghi roam the flightline at this base in their small blue vans doing a job that is truly for the birds. The father and stepson duo command a squadron of falcons, hawks and owls that help keep away birds that pose a bird-strike threat to aircraft here. But, it is not an easy

Special ops group helps out in Lebanon operations

The 352nd Special Operations Group, from Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, is taking part in joint operations to transport American citizens, who are voluntarily departing Lebanon to Cyprus. The group plays an important role in the U.S. State Department operation.Our mission is to assist the

Contracting provides base 'buying power'

When Airmen deploy they quickly find there are differences from how they do their job at their home station. At a deployed location, if something needs to be purchased, built or serviced, chances are the contracting office has a hand in it. According to the 447th Air Expeditionary Group chief of

Exercise strengthens U.S., international combat skills

Cooperative Cope Thunder 06-3 is the largest multi-lateral air combat exercise in the Pacific bringing together about 1,300 participants to train in Alaska.The operations officer for the exercise said Cope Thunder is very air forces centric -- providing realistic training in joint and combined

Joint Chiefs enlisted adviser speaks at Bolling

The first person selected to serve as the senior enlisted adviser to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff spoke recently to some of the Air Force's newest senior NCO about his role and their responsibility as leaders. Invited to be the guest speaker at a recent senior NCO induction ceremony,

Medical team conducts mission in Ecuador

A medical team is conducting the first Medical Readiness Training Exercise, or MEDRETE, held in Esmereldas, Ecuador, through July 28. The two surgeons, a nurse anesthetist, two medical technicians and an anesthesiologist are led by Maj. (Dr.) Matthew Talarczyk, 859th Surgical Operations Squadron

PACAF exercise hosts Mexican observers

Mexican air force observers are seeing firsthand how U.S. and coalition forces work together during Cooperative Cope Thunder to aid in their decision to become future exercise participants. As part of his cooperative engagement strategy, Gen. Paul V. Hester, Pacific Air Forces commander, invited the

Retraining program seeks to fill more than 1,100 positions

The 2007 NCO Retraining Program begins today as the Air Force seeks to fill more than 1,100 shortage career field and special duty positions. NCOs notified of their vulnerability to retrain must submit their shortage career field choices they would most like to retrain into or apply for a special

Long days, flexibility part of tanker crew's life

Air Force tankers refueled fighters over a stretch of the North Sea off England's East Anglia coast Tuesday in support of a joint NATO exercise. The scenario is nothing new for the two KC-135 Stratotanker crews that flew the mission from Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England. About 100 miles off the

British pilot finishes Raptor training at Tyndall

The first British pilot to complete F-22 Raptor training graduated July 17 at Tyndall Air Force Base. Flight Lt. Dan Robinson, from the Royal Air Force, is assigned to Langley AFB, Va. He has completed two months of training with the 43rd Fighter Squadron as part of an exchange program. In return, a

Federal Voting Assistance Program kicks into high gear

The Federal Voting Assistance Program office is pulling out the stops to ensure all servicemembers and their families who wish to can vote. Polli Brunelli, the program's chief, said the program has learned from experience and has put in place a system to make it relatively painless for

Missouri Guard helps St. Louis area in recovery

Missouri National Guard citizen Soldiers and Airmen are being mobilized to support storm recovery efforts in the St. Louis area."The Missouri National Guard is proud to help the St. Louis area through this difficult time," said Maj. Gen. King Sidwell, the adjutant general for Missouri National

Academy professor sets swimming world record

An Air Force Academy professor set a world record in long-distance swimming July 23.Lt. Col. Tim Lawrence of the U.S. Air Force Academy's Department of Astronautical Engineering became the first American to swim the 14.8 nautical miles from Britain's Jersey Island to France. In the process, he

Security forces members battle HEAT

Airmen here are receiving specialized training designed to help them know what to do if their tactical vehicle was to rollover and increase survivability.The training, termed HEAT, encompasses instruction and the use of the Humvee egress assistance trainer. "This is a two-part training exercise,"

U.S., Bulgarian air traffic controllers perfect teamwork

Air Force controllers from the 48th Operations Support Squadron have the opportunity to work and build friendships with their Bulgarian counterparts here as part of Exercise Immediate Response 2006.Bulgaria is a new member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and this exercise gives the

'New' patients make training more realistic

The use of advanced, more lifelike simulated patients at the aerospace medical service apprentice course is enhancing medical training for Airmen here attending technical school with the 882nd Training Group."The purpose of these patient simulators is to have the most advanced equipment that

Experience a key training tool at Security Forces Academy

A unit here is taking Airmen's combat experiences and merging them into the training they provide security forces bound for duty "outside the wire" in war zones. The 343rd Training Squadron has added combat experience to their Security Forces Academy to better prepare Airmen to provide air base

No matter the nationality, pilots speak same language

United States and European pilots may have language barriers but at the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training program, they all speak the same language -- aviation. In the 55-week ENJJPT program, approximately 250 American and European students earn their wings yearly. Of those graduating, about 65

Misawa F-16 unit flying high at Cooperative Cope Thunder

Pilots and support staff from Misawa Air Base, Japan, are taking advantage of realistic air combat training here during Cooperative Cope Thunder, Pacific Air Forces' largest joint and bilateral air combat exercise. The 13th Fighter Squadron brought about 40 pilots and support Airmen and 12 F-16

RAM squad exercises ability to rescue coalition forces

Firefighting tends to be a strenuous and dangerous job, requiring its practitioners to place themselves in harm's way to save lives and property.A team of 20 Air National Guard firefighters at Ali Base have volunteered to take that responsibility a step further by working on the Rescue Air Mobility

Guard, Reserve medics gear up at Patriot '06

More than 2,200 Airmen and Soldiers are gathering in Wisconsin at Ft. McCoy and Volk Field Combat Readiness Training Center as part of Patriot '06, an Air National Guard-led exercise held July 15 to 28.Servicemembers are also participating at Jefferson Barracks Air National Guard Station, Mo."The

Medical squadron takes on AFSO 21 challenge

The 71st Medical Support Squadron's radiology section wasted little time following the Air Force Smart Operations 21 announcement to roll out a smarter, less expensive way of conducting their business. The X-ray department recently switched to a photo archiving and communications system, or PACS.

AETC takes ownership of CV-22 Osprey

It's now official. The CV-22 Osprey, which has been incrementally delivered here since March, is now an Air Education and Training Command asset. The owner has been Air Force Special Operations Command, but after the recently completed operational utility evaluation and final transfer and acceptance

Photos, documentation help in disaster recovery

Taking photos of knick-knacks and furniture may not seem like a fun way to spend a weekend, but it could save Airmen and families thousands of dollars in the event of a major disaster, said an Air Force Legal Operations Agency official here. Whether loss is from fire, theft or natural disaster,

Air Force names SERE specialist award winners

The Air Force announced the 2005 Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Specialists of the year. The 2005 award winners are: SERE Specialist Senior NCO of the Year, Tier 1: Master Sgt. John Mizelle, 607th Combat Operations Squadron, Osan Air Base, South Korea. SERE Specialist Senior NCO of the

Guard, Reserve commission takes to the road for hearings

The Commission on the National Guard and Reserves, charged by Congress to recommend changes in the laws and policies governing its citizen Soldiers, met in San Antonio this week -- the first time the commission has met somewhere other than Washington, D.C.Six high-ranking members of the Guard and

Simulator to help prepare Elmendorf pilots for C-17s

In preparation for Elmendorf's first C-17 Globemaster III arriving in June 2007, members of the Program Integration Office here flew to Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., to pick up the base's newest simulator."The purpose of the simulator is to train Elmendorf pilots and loadmasters to fly the Air

Shaw hosts Operation Iron Thunder

More than 100 aircraft from the U.S. military and NATO forces participated here this week in Operation Iron Thunder. Hosted by the 77th Fighter Squadron, the exercise offered a chance for players to be exposed to missions nearly identical to those faced in combat. "Operation Iron Thunder is a large

USAFSIA receives federal accreditation

Officials from the U.S. Air Force Special Investigations Academy in Glynco, Ga., announced July 20 its accreditation by the Federal Law Enforcement Training Accreditation Board of Directors. The USAFSIA is the first Department of Defense law enforcement school to receive FLETA accreditation, said

Swedish Gripen fighters arrive at Eielson

The Swedish Air Force endured a long journey to participate in the Pacific Air Forces exercise Cooperative Cope Thunder for the first time. In a journey that would span more than five days, seven Gripen fighters left Sweden on July 13 for the multinational exercise. The first leg of their trip took

Video game prepares Airmen, families for emergencies

True or False? Tornados always have a visible funnel extending to the ground. The answer to that question and more appear in the Air Force's newest training tool designed to prepare civilians, Airmen and their families for emergencies. The difference is this teaching instrument isn't a slideshow

AFSOC commander discusses mission with Congress

"We're helping those who cannot stand on their own against tyranny," Lt. Gen. Michael W. Wooley told a roomful of people Tuesday on Capitol Hill. The general is the commander of Air Force Special Operations Command. He was in Washington to inform members of Congress, staffers, media representatives

Flight builds training replicas, saves money

Airmen at the 982nd Maintenance Squadron Trainer Development Flight here are creating replicas that not only meet the hands-on training needs of technical school students but also saves the Air Force money.Members of the flight are creating functional replicas that range in size as big as an

Engineers go beyond virtual reality to test systems

Some aircraft parts can be used to fight in air-to-air combat without ever having to take off a runway. By assembling the avionics "guts" of fighter jets into racks and consoles, engineers and technicians can recreate flight and aerial threats in one facility. The Air Force has that inexpensive

U.S. Airmen teach Iraqi volunteers to battle blazes

Iraqi Air Force maintenance people are putting down their wrenches and picking up fire hoses. They are under the experienced eyes of Kirkuk Air Base's 506th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron firefighters here.For firefighters of the Iraqi Air Force, walking into an inferno on an already warm day

OSI agent overcomes IED injuries, back to the job

The morning of Feb. 20 was like any other for Air Force Office of Special Investigations Special Agent Adele Loar, who was assigned to the Strategic Counterintelligence Directorate in Baghdad, Iraq. Her mission, along with the joint team assembled there, was to gather information from Iraqi civilian

45th Space Wing supports successful shuttle mission

The 45th Space Wing provided continued support of the Space Shuttle Discovery from its launch on July 4 to its landing at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., on July 17.The Department of Defense Manned Spaceflight Support staff operated an around-the-clock Support Operations Center for STS-121 at Patrick

Milwaukee Reserve unit begins move to North Carolina

The timeline for the permanent transfer of the 440th Airlift Wing to Pope Air Force Base, N.C., and the closure of General Mitchell International Airport Air Reserve Station has been released. The 440th AW will be a North Carolina Air Force Reserve unit by May 2007 and the Air Reserve Station will

Airmen stay in spiritual shape in combat zone

When Airmen deploy to combat, they expect a mission-focused environment. Without the daily demands of home life and the distractions of fast-paced America, many use their limited spare time to develop themselves in new ways. "Some people get in shape at the gym," said Chaplain (Capt.) Jose Tate,

93rd Bomb Squadron is Litening pod combat-capable

The 917th Reserve Wing's 93rd Bomb Squadron here is the first B-52 Stratofortress squadron to complete the training requirements for combat use of the Litening AT targeting pod. "This new mission capability is a first for the B-52 and gives the combatant commander another weapon in his arsenal in

Total force at work in RIMPAC

Seven F-15 Eagle fighter jets assigned to the Hawaii Air National Guard fired AIM-7 Sparrow missiles at drones dropped from a Navy F-18 July 16. Pilots fired the missiles in the Pacific Missile Range Facility off the coast of Kauai, Hawaii, as part of the 2006 Rim of the Pacific Exercise, known as

Military Equal Opportunity works to right wrongs

The time was the early 1970s -- just a few years after President Lyndon B. Johnson enacted the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Race relations were affecting society as a whole, so it also affected the military. "The military was going through a large transition at that point with integration of military

Air Force leaders meet in Ohio for Corona

The Air Force's top leaders met for a forum at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, on July 12 to 14 to discuss the global war on terror, the state of readiness for Airmen and Air Force modernization. Army Gen. John Abizaid, U.S. Central Command commander, spoke with the leaders about his area of

Service demographics offer snapshot of force

The Air Force Personnel Center here recently published its quarterly demographics report, offering a snapshot of the service's active-duty and civilian force as of June 30. More information can be found at the center's analysis branch Web site: http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/demographics/.

Air Force notifies lieutenants of special board results

The 127 lieutenants in the 2002 and 2003 accession year groups who were reconsidered for retention should be notified by their senior raters today of the special board's results.The special board, which convened June 26 at the Air Force Personnel Center here, selected 22 of the lieutenants for

Elmendorf unit saves thousands

Airmen at the 3rd Equipment Maintenance Squadron Nondestructive Inspection Laboratory here have found a way to save the Air Force more than $200,000 annually.The lab is responsible for inspecting all aircraft assigned to the 3rd Wing for internal problems that are hard for the naked eye to see."We

Industry leaders headline Air Force technology conference

The 2006 Air Force Information Technology Conference, themed "Dominating Cyberspace," takes place Aug. 13 to 17 at Auburn University's Montgomery, Ala., campus. Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. John D.W. Corley will speak on the conference's opening day. Microsoft chief executive officer Steve

Air Force names pararescue award winners

Air Force officials announced today the combat rescue officer and pararescuemen of the year. The 2005 award winners are: Combat Rescue Officer of the Year: Capt. Jose L. Cabrera, 38th Rescue Squadron, Moody Air Force Base, Ga. Pararescue Senior NCO of the Year: Master Sgt. Douglas Isaacks, 342nd

IA program provides political-military, cultural experts

Air Force officers can expect to gain international insight, foreign language proficiency and cultural understanding by becoming international affairs specialists, said an Air Force executive here. "Under the old foreign area officer program, international skills were self-obtained," said Bruce

RIMPAC 2006: Perfecting air operations

Airmen and Sailors working in the Pacific Air Operations Center here are getting unique command and control training during the Rim of the Pacific exercise, known as RIMPAC 2006. Seven Pacific Rim nations and the United Kingdom are participating with the United States in the major maritime exercise,

Uniform board to release updates to AFI

An update to Air Force Instruction 36-2903, Air Force Uniform Dress and Appearance, will soon be released, said Air Force officials. A key feature of this updated instruction will be the return of heritage to the enlisted corps -- chevrons on the sleeves and circles around the U.S. insignia. "Over

C-130 Hercules crew delivers critical supplies

A C-130 Hercules crew assigned to the 738th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron provided critical support to an Army operating location in Afghanistan on July 6 by airdropping essential supplies before a potential enemy attack. Aircraft commander Capt. Travis Sjostedt and his crew just completed their