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  • Bush: As Iraqis stand up, U.S. will stand down

    "As Iraqis stand up, we will stand down," President Bush said Aug. 11.The president made the remark while at him home in Crawford, Texas, where he met with Vice President Dick Cheney, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Richard B.

  • Airmen test new small diameter bomb system

    Gunfighters with the 366th Maintenance Group here put their skills to use when they tested a new small diameter bomb system Aug. 3 to 5.The GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb system is a low-cost, precision-strike weapon system that will soon be used by fighters, bombers and unmanned combat air vehicles.

  • Firefighters prepared when disaster strikes

    When there is an emergency, they are on the scene protecting Airmen and resources. But firefighters here do more than just battle flames; their inspections and training programs are tools they use to prevent emergencies that pose risks to fellow Airmen.“We provide aircraft crash rescue and

  • BRAC focus on right-sizing total force

    The co-chairman of the Air Force's base closure executive group recently discussed the views the Air Force took when considering the Base Realignment and Closure recommendations."We have to base our future Air Force on a smaller but more capable force, and organize that force in the most effective

  • Five Airmen -- brothers in fight for freedom

    The remains of five Airmen, brothers in arms to bring freedom to the nation of Iraq, were buried here Aug. 11 with full military honors.They were Maj. William Downs of the 6th Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Fla.; Capt. Jeremy Fresques of the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron at Hurlburt

  • Personal sacrifices by enlisted force not overlooked

    At one point or another in every servicemember’s career, he or she will make a personal sacrifice for the accomplishment of the mission.Chief Master Sgt. John Foran, 9th Air Force and U.S. Central Command Air Forces command chief, wants the enlisted force to know their sacrifices, particularly from

  • AMC 'total force’ rushes to aid of trapped Russian sailors

    It was a total force effort by Air Mobility Command active-duty, Reserve and Air National Guard units in a long-distance rescue effort Aug. 5 to free seven Russian sailors trapped in a submarine 625 feet beneath the sea. The Russian sub became tangled in a fishing net Aug. 4 during a military

  • Airmen join Sailors, Marines for JASEX 05

    Airmen from Kadena and Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, sharpened their joint warfighting skills during a third annual multiservice exercise designed to bring together U.S. air and naval power in the Pacific.The Joint Air and Sea Exercise 2005 also lured in about 30 Navy and Marine Corps

  • March receives AFRC’s first C-17

    The 452nd Air Mobility Wing here received Air Force Reserve Command’s first C-17 Globemaster III Aug. 9. Maj. Gen. Robert E. Duignan, 4th Air Force commander, and an aircrew from the 452nd AMW made the flight from the Boeing’s Long Beach, Calif., facility to the base.“We’re extremely proud and

  • Aeromedical evacuation improvements saving lives

    Better training, more advanced equipment and aeromedical evacuation procedures that are constantly being improved are helping save the lives of thousands of wounded servicemembers in Iraq and Afghanistan, Air Force medical officers said.Lt. Col. (Dr.) Warren Dorlac, chief of critical care and trauma

  • Command chief outlines direction for Airmen

    After recent trips to Air Combat Command bases throughout the United States and a trip to Southwest Asia, Chief Master Sgt. Dave Popp, Air Combat Command's command chief master sergeant, said he is impressed with the quality of America's Airmen and that his meetings with them filled him with pride

  • Video raises suicide awareness

    Creators of a video filmed here are hoping it will educate, prevent and lower the risk of suicides across Air Combat Command as well as the rest of the Air Force.“Air Combat Command Off-Duty Survivor Stories: Suicide Choices; Terminal Consequences,” is the second in a series of videos by the 436th

  • Report: Stabilator failure caused F-15 crash

    The failure of one of an F-15 Eagle's horizontal stabilators caused its pilot to lose control of his aircraft and crash during a training mission March 25, an Air Combat Command Investigation Board report on Aug. 9.The crash occurred during defensive basic fighter maneuver training with another

  • EOD Airmen rely on high-tech, steady nerves

    Soldiers of the 56th Brigade Combat Team encounter explosive situations daily as they travel along Iraq’s highways during convoy escort missions. But things hit closer to home when the Texas Army National Guardsmen found a suspicious package in a trailer near their headquarters recently. Security

  • Class bell rings for cadets

    Sports has its opening day, Broadway its opening night, and the academy its first day of class.The anticipation of the new school year that begins Aug. 10 brings a book bag full of optimism for cadets and faculty as diverse as themselves.“There’s so much excitement in that first meeting. It’s the

  • Kadena Airmen rescue stranded surfer

    A day of surfing in Okinawa could have turned deadly for a Marine Corps family member the evening of Aug. 5 had it not been for the quick efforts of Airmen here.An HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter crew jumped into action after the Japanese coast guard asked Kadena's 18th Wing for assistance in finding a

  • Future Total Force in step with PACAF mission

    As the Future Total Force initiative integrates with Air Force operations in the Pacific, the transition is looking good, said the Pacific Air Forces commander.“The transformational pieces of our capabilities are clearly in the form of long-range bombers, the C-17 (Globemaster III), F/A-22 (Raptor)

  • Life support technicians inspect, maintain survival equipment

    The 774th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron's life support section is full of aircrew life support technicians who work hard every day since their work can mean "life or death" for C-130 Hercules aircrews and passengers.Life support equipment always has to be in tip-top condition to be ready whenever a

  • Airmen, Soldiers work with Hondurans to provide care

    Outside the double doors, the waiting area looked like any typical hospital. On Aug. 3, a couple waited tensely for news about their son’s procedure, while a young girl in a teddy bear hospital gown giggled with her family while waiting her turn to see the doctors. But the work taking place inside

  • Contractor has supported every shuttle mission

    One hundred fourteen -- that is the total number of space shuttle missions launched by NASA. It is also the number of space shuttle missions Cliff Gatewood has supported here.Mr. Gatewood, a contractor, has been involved with every space shuttle mission to date beginning with Columbia in 1981. He

  • Airmen support Soldiers with airdrop

    To keep yet another convoy off the road, 386th Air Expeditionary Wing aircrews at this forward-deployed location recently gave a textbook example of what agile combat support is all about.Several C-130 Hercules airdropped more than 69,000 pounds of Meals, Ready to Eat to U.S. and Iraqi Soldiers

  • Critical days continue to take Airmen

    The fatal auto accident that claimed the lives of two Airmen in Germany recently raised the Air Force’s death toll to 24 during this year’s “101 Critical Days of Summer.”While that number is fairly typical for summer fatalities, it is still too high, said Tom Pazell, deputy chief of Air Force Ground

  • Air Force seeks applicants for IAS program

    Air Force officials are looking to develop a cadre of Air Force officers with international insight, foreign language proficiency and cultural understanding to work in today's security and expeditionary operations environment.The Air Force will select officers at the midcareer point, normally seven

  • Airmen 'build bridge' for new mission at Spangdahlem

    About a dozen Airmen with the 817th Contingency Response Group from McGuire Air Force Base, N.J., arrived here July 28 to support the Rhein-Main Transition Program.The five-year Rhein-Main Transition Program, scheduled for completion in December, calls for closing down Rhein-Main Air Base,

  • Spangdahlem pilots fly missions in Romania

    About 160 Airmen from the 81st Fighter Squadron at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, recently conducted the first Air Force fighter training mission in Constanta, Romania.The two-week exercise that ended July 31 aligned with Romanian-American Training Exercise 2005, a joint and combined effort with the

  • Officials announce services award winners

    Air Force Services Agency officials announced the winners of the 2005 services awards recently.Kadena Air Base, Japan, won the Gen. Curtis E. LeMay Trophy for best overall services unit at a large base. Spangdahlem AB, Germany, won the Maj. Gen. Eugene L. Eubank Trophy for best services at a small

  • Guard, Reserve integrate seamlessly into Nellis organization

    Organizations at the Air Warfare Center here are taking the concept, “One Team, One Fight,” literally and are combining active duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command personnel in all mission areas.“This is a smarter, better way of doing business, because we’re able to capitalize on

  • Airmen medevac two wounded Afghans

    A combat search and rescue crew evacuated two Afghan nationals who had been wounded by stray shrapnel from an anti-coalition militia mortar attack against a forward-operating base in a village northeast of Kandahar, Afghanistan, on July 28.After the attack, the two -- an adult and a 12-year-old boy

  • Soldiers, Airmen care for Iraqi patients

    Only a few hours earlier, surgeons were working diligently to save his life and repair the damage a bullet caused when it entered his abdomen and ricocheted throughout his body. Now, the 11-year-old Iraqi boy sleeps peacefully with his favorite stuffed animal clutched in his hand. His father, next

  • Basic cadets focus on next training obstacle

    Academy cadets began their final two weeks of training recently with a 7.8 mile hike to Jacks Valley. Almost 1,400 basic cadets from the class of 2009 marched from the main campus to the field training site they will call home during the field portion of basic cadet training.The field portion of BCT

  • Academy medics save life of Peterson NCO in Iraq

    Staff Sgt. Jamie Dana, a dog handler assigned to the 21st Security Forces Squadron at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., was seriously injured a month into her six-month deployment when an improvised explosive device hit her convoy during a patrol near Kirkuk Air Base, Iraq. Airmen here who are

  • Air Force fighting fires at home

    Guardsmen and reservists are used to international situations that call for them to put out fires. Now, they are doing it here at home -- literally.More than 60 guardsmen and four specially equipped C-130 Hercules from North Carolina and Wyoming Air National Guard units are battling blazes in the

  • ESGR gives support to reservists, guardsmen, employers

    A viable Guard and reserve force -- a critical weapon in the struggle against violent extremism -- depends on having viable employer support, said Gary Walston, newly appointed program specialist for the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve in Texas.Mr. Walston, a retired Air National

  • Coalition: Withdrawal to be conditions-based

    The withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq will be based strictly on security conditions in the country and the readiness of Iraqi forces to conduct independent operations, a Multinational Force Iraq spokesman said in Baghdad on July 28.The United States will not withdraw forces until Iraqi security

  • Sword Order falls into hands of AFC2ISR Center Commander

    The commander of the Air Force Command and Control, and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Center became the first inductee into the Air Force District of Washington’s Order of the Sword during a ceremony here July 22.Maj. Gen. Tommy F. Crawford received the highest honor and tribute

  • Officials: Troop withdrawals could begin next year

    A "fairly substantial" withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq could take place next spring or summer if the insurgency does not grow and the country's political process continues as scheduled, the commander of coalition forces said here July 27.U.S. Army Gen. George Casey, head of Multinational Force

  • Airman keeps sight of dream despite obstacles

    In 1971, 20-year-old Victor Folarin set off on a journey to achieve his dream of becoming a doctor. During that journey, he immigrated to another country, earned five college degrees and joined the U.S. military.Col. (Dr.) Victor Folarin, outgoing 7th Aeromedical/Dental Squadron commander here, was

  • First Future Total Force wing proves successful

    The first Future Total Force wing, the 116th Air Control Wing, is nearing its third birthday since merging active-duty Air Force, Army and Air National Guard units to form a “blended wing.”In October 2002, America’s first total force wing took flight as the 116th ACW and made history by combining

  • Cope North bilateral exercise wraps up in Guam

    The thunder in the Guam sky has subsided with the conclusion of Cope North, a bilateral exercise between Airmen from the U.S. Air Force and the Japan air self-defense force.The exercise, which ended July 21, was designed to enhance U.S. and Japanese air operations by training in air combat tactics,

  • Major works hard at preparing warriors

    Sport and business have long had a strong working relationship.Maj. Michael Ternus, 377th Logistics Readiness Squadron operations officer, exemplifies this relationship -- albeit as an unconventional businessman in an unconventional sport.The major is the current national master's super heavyweight

  • QDR will reflect tomorrow’s, not today’s, challenges

    Military leaders will resist any temptation to assume the force needed for the future will be a cookie-cutter version of today's needs, Gen. Richard B. Myers said here July 25.The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff was talking about how the military will examine its forces, resources and programs

  • Tankers take care of deployed aircrews

    Airman 1st Class Robert Willis celebrated his 21st birthday in a rather unusual manner July 22 -- offloading 85,200 pounds of jet fuel at 27,500 feet to a B-52 Stratofortress bound for Afghanistan.It was merely another day at the “office” for the boom operator on the KC-135 Stratotanker air

  • Reservists protect Airmen at Baghdad base

    Two reservists at Baghdad International Airport are shaping force protection for more than 700 people, meshing the future total force with the reality of what is currently around them.Capt. Lisa Maloney and Master Sgt. Mary Webb run the anti-terrorism/force protection office here. Working daily with

  • Future Total Force arrives for duty in Vermont

    Airman 1st Class Kirshell LaCroix had not even graduated from technical school when she decided to jump into the Future Total Force. She landed in South Burlington, Vt., about a month ago, and the 20-year-old electrical and environmental aircraft maintenance apprentice said it looks like she made

  • Teamwork moves Rwandan troops

    It takes a lot more than Hercules to move Rwandan Defense Force members to the Darfur region of the Sudan. The C-130 Hercules needs a team working together to make sure things go right. In fact, there were 10 crewmembers on each of the flights working together to ensure the 13-hour, round-trip

  • Blue Flag starts with bang at Nellis, Hurlburt Field

    Joint forces from around the United States, along with 11 coalition partners, converged here and at the Combined Air Operations Center at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., for the start of Blue Flag 05-02 on July 24.About 2,000 joint troops, led by 9th Air Force, are participating at the two locations

  • Test pilot school selection board date set

    Air Force officials plan to hold the next test pilot school selection board at the Air Force Personnel Center here Nov. 28 to Dec. 2 for classes beginning in July 2006 and January 2007.The U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School trains pilots and navigators as well as civilian and military engineers to

  • Sergeant runs marathon for his father

    There are many reasons to run a marathon, but for a C-130 Hercules flight engineer at this forward-deployed location, honoring his ailing dad was more than enough reason to slip on his running shoes.Tech. Sgt. Peter Rearick’s father recently suffered a heart attack recently and is scheduled to have

  • Future Total Force outlined on Capitol Hill

    There will be no "gap" between the end of assigned missions for Air National Guard units and the beginning of their replacement missions.In testimony before the House Armed Services Committee on July 20, the director of Air Force plans and programs told legislators the service is working hard to

  • Red Horse engineers build Iraqi future

    In the military community, the Red Horse name invokes images of rough and ready Airmen who can deploy at a moment’s notice into austere and hostile environments and build an operational airfield, seemingly overnight.In today’s war on terrorism, a group of Red Horse engineers from the Ohio and

  • Airmen make two saves in one day

    Lying on the ground, he leaned his head and saw the small bird that filled the air with the sounds of a warm summer afternoon. The sun had woken him earlier and lit the mountaintops, which burst into an array of color.As the summer breeze cooled him, Alexander Ryan thought of the events that placed

  • Innovative techniques help Air Force meet manning goals

    The Air Force deputy chief of staff for personnel told lawmakers July 19 the service would meet its end-strength requirement by the end of the fiscal year. In March, Lt. Gen. Roger A. Brady told lawmakers the service would meet its end-strength goal by end of the fiscal year."End strength" is the

  • Air Force accepting physician assistant applications

    The Air Force is taking applications for physician assistant Phase I training classes in beginning January, April and August 2007.Only active-duty enlisted Airmen are eligible to apply.The selection board is scheduled to convene at the Air Force Personnel Center here March 21, 2006. Completed

  • Air Force accepting physical therapy applications

    The Air Force is taking applications for the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program which begins Dec. 17, 2006, 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 before receiving a degree that

  • Safety course teaches risk management for two-wheelers

    Many motorcyclists say there is nothing like the feeling of flying down the highway on two wheels with a sunset stretched out ahead.But before hitting the open road, Airmen and civilians here, and many throughout the Air Force, must complete an approved motorcycle safety course and pass a

  • Leaders address Air Force in BRAC process

    Defense Department leaders told the Base Realignment and Closure Commission July 18 why certain military facilities are not included in Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's May 13 recommendations.Commissioners were here to continue their deliberations after visiting military bases nationwide in

  • Guard supports families through deployment hardships

    Families of deployed guardsmen and reservists face challenges beyond those of active-duty families, and a strong family support network stands behind them to help through those difficult days, the National Guard Bureau chief said."The challenges are considerable," said Army Lt. Gen. H Steven

  • Ramstein planes, Airmen depart for Darfur mission

    Three C-130 Hercules from the 86th Airlift Wing and about 40 Airmen here left July 16 for Kigali, Rwanda, to begin a monthlong airlift mission to the Darfur region of Sudan. The mission is part of NATO’s response to support the African Union’s expanded peacekeeping mission in Darfur with logistics

  • Student pilots receive nonjudicial punishment

    The last of 11 officers here received nonjudicial punishment for their roles in a cheating incident during the T-37 Tweet phase of specialized undergraduate pilot training.The officers, with ranks of second lieutenant through captain, were disciplined for their roles in cheating on emergency

  • Charges preferred in Columbus AFB cheating investigation

    Court martial charges were preferred here July 13 against Capt. Richard Brimer, of the 41st Flying Training Squadron here, for his role in a cheating incident during the T-37 Tweet phase of specialized undergraduate pilot training. The charges consist of: a violation of Article 92, failure to obey a

  • F-16 pilots provide support for troops on the battlefield

    In an instant they are gone, but the 510th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron’s F-16 Fighting Falcons can be found in the Iraqi sky providing air support for servicemembers fighting against insurgents on the ground. The 510th EFS provides support for ground commanders countrywide. These tasks include

  • Airmen may reduce risks at home by applying ORM

    In most Air Force jobs, training is given to Airmen to teach them how to accomplish the mission, recognize a threat and, in the event a threat does arise, how to execute and prevent a greater threat from happening.In everyday lives, it is important to take the knowledge gained from work and share it

  • Air Force officials announce small business winners

    The acting secretary of the Air Force recognized the 2004 Secretary of the Air Force Small and Disadvantaged Business Awards recipients during a ceremony July 8.“My heartfelt thanks go to you for what you do, and for the great value-added contributions you make to the Air Force and the nation," said

  • Recruiters test new hometown shipping program

    Air Force Recruiting Service officials here recently began a test program to ship recruits to basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base from their hometowns. The program, called hometown shipping, aims to eliminate the need for applicants to visit a military entrance processing station a

  • Late space, missile pioneer receives full military honors

    Retired Gen. Bernard Adolph Schriever, widely regarded as the father and architect of the Air Force space and missile programs, was buried July 12 with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.After a chapel ceremony at Fort Myer, General Schriever was placed on a caisson and

  • AMC uses alternate dispute resolution to solve conflicts

    Air Mobility Command officials here have taken significant steps to promote greater use of a program that has proven to be effective at resolving conflict, especially workplace disputes.The program, known as alternate dispute resolution, significantly reduces the dollars and hours expended annually

  • Stop movement ends for Hurlburt, 366th TRS detachment

    Officials at Hurlburt Field, Fla., and the 366th Training Squadron’s Detachment 6 in Gulfport, Miss., have reinstated all permanent change of station and temporary duty travel to their respective locations.For more information, Airmen and Department of Defense civilians and their family members can

  • Group helps educators reach out to ‘suddenly military' children

    Because of the high number of National Guardsmen and reservists fighting the war on terrorism, the Military Child Education Coalition has created a program to teach educators and others how to help "suddenly military" children of deployed citizen Soldiers.The coalition established a workshop called

  • Defense review matches strategy with capabilities

    The Quadrennial Defense Review, due to Congress in February, is a long-term look to ensure the Defense Department has the tools needed to do the missions of the future, a senior DOD policy official said.Douglas Feith, undersecretary of defense for policy, said the review will take its cues from the

  • General sees ‘seamless’ force in Southwest Asia

    Everyone is on the same team, wears the same uniform and performs the same mission. As a result, people cannot tell the difference between active-duty Airmen, reservists and guardsmen.That is the impression Lt. Gen. John A. Bradley received on his recent visit to Iraq and Afghanistan. General

  • Military astronauts prepare for Discovery mission

    The Defense Department will be well-represented when Space Shuttle Discovery launches into space July 13, with three of the seven crewmembers from the military, including the commander, retired Col. Eileen Collins.As the clock ticks toward the scheduled 3:51 p.m. EDT liftoff, crews are making final

  • Officials complete investigation into cadet’s death

    Air Force officials have completed their investigation into the death of Cadet 4th Class Edward Schmeltz earlier this year.Cadet Schmeltz collapsed Jan. 31, following a 600-yard run as part of a physical fitness test, and could not be resuscitated. He received immediate medical treatment on the

  • Joint UAV Center of Excellence at Creech

    The newly created Joint Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Center of Excellence will stand up in October at Creech Air Force Base, Nev. The Air Force UAV COE, established at Creech in March, will stand down in order to support the joint center. The Air Force will retain its UAV Battlelab, which will continue

  • FTF initiatives make progress

    The Air Force director of plans and programs provided an update of the six Future Total Force initiatives being tested in the United States during a roundtable discussion July 7.Part of the FTF plan is to increase the number of bases where active-duty Airmen are assigned to Guard and Reserve units

  • Flexibility, working together key to Air Force FTF

    Leaders from the active-duty Air Force, Air Reserve Command and National Guard Bureau spoke recently about the direction of the Air Force’s Future Total Force. The future of the Air Force will be determined not only by the Future Total Force plan, but also the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure

  • Altus aircrew showcases dual-row airdrop

    An aircrew from the 58th Airlift Squadron here has made the first dual-row airdrop from a C-17 Globemaster III July 5."Dual row airdrops allow for twice as much cargo and heavy equipment to be delivered into a combat environment as compared to the conventional single row drop," said Lt. Col. Tal

  • Ammo, weapons Airmen get job done despite friendly rivalry

    While most, if not all, Airmen of the 40th Air Expeditionary Group take pride in their jobs, two seemingly similar specialties take it to a level where a friendly rivalry exists at this forward-deployed location.Make no mistake about the distinction between munitions and weapons Airmen. Those who

  • Edwards' warriors walk for cancer cure

    A broken arm is serious but will heal completely. The flu can leave one bedridden, but disappear in a week or so. But the effect of a chronic illness like cancer is there to stay -- it changes lives forever.This is how Michele Chebahtah, the 412th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron training manager,

  • Eglin spared as Hurricane Dennis flexes

    Hurricane Dennis approached the Emerald Coast and the base July 8, an area still trying to get back to a sense of normalcy 10 months after Hurricane Ivan ripped through the area.When the maximum sustained winds of Hurricane Dennis peaked at 150 mph on July 8, Dennis made history as the strongest

  • 50th anniversary marks future cadets taking oath at academy

    Fifty years ago, 306 civilians took the oath July 11 at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver to become the first Air Force Academy cadets.Lt. Gen. Hubert R. Harmon was recalled from retirement to become the academy’s first superintendent. General Harmon, along with Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Nathan F.

  • Program helps students cope with transitions

    It is a daunting and scary experience when school-age children wake up one morning realizing that they are in a strange new place, and, except for their family, they do not know anyone at all.They have no friends or peers to talk with and know nothing about the school they are about to enter, the

  • Officials issue stop movement, Florida bases evacuated

    As people and aircraft evacuate some Florida bases July 8 with the approach of Hurricane Dennis, Air Force officials have placed a ”stop movement” order for people permanently moving to or transiting to some Florida and Missippi installations. Affected installations are Whiting Field, Hurlburt

  • ACC flying hours restored

    Air Combat Command officials restored an estimated $201 million to its flying hour program July 1 after receiving additional funds from Air Force headquarters.Air Force officials approved the restoration which will help alleviate the loss of readiness resulting from the $272 million, 31,349-hour cut

  • Airmen teach C-130 ops to Iraqis, learn about sacrifice

    When a crew of instructors deployed here to teach Iraqi airmen the finer points of flying and maintaining C-130 Hercules, they knew they had a monumental task in front of them. But what they found was something unexpected. Slowly over several months, Iraqi and U.S. Airmen have developed lifelong

  • Death benefits, insurance increase for servicemembers

    Compensation for the survivors of servicemembers who die in combat zones and insurance coverage for servicemembers will both increase significantly this year.An increase in death gratuity benefits from $12,500 to $100,000 already has taken effect, and Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance maximum

  • Andersen couple wins first sergeant, security forces awards

    A husband and wife at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, have each earned major Air Force-wide recognition. Senior Master Sgt. Robert Altenbernd is the 2005 Air Force First Sergeant of the Year, and his wife, Master Sgt. Nancy Altenbernd, received the 2004 Air Force Outstanding Security Forces Support

  • PACAF prepares for Cope North

    Units from the U.S. Air Force and the Japan Air Self Defense Force will take part in the annual Cope North exercise here July 11 to 21.Cope North is a bilateral exercise designed to enhance U.S. and Japanese air operations. It gives pilots from both countries opportunities to conduct training in

  • CDPs provide civilian employees a voice in their career

    As part of civilian force development efforts, development teams are now using career development plans to provide employees at the GS-13 to -15 levels with development recommendations on their careers.The plans are forms that allow civilians to list their short- and long-term development goals.

  • Air Force changes fitness test criteria

    Air Force officials are making a few changes to the physical fitness test used to assess the fitness of Airmen.In January 2004, the Air Force underwent a major change in the way it looked at fitness. As part of the Fit to Fight program, the service adopted a more stringent physical fitness

  • Becoming Thunderbird is dream come true for Nevada native

    She was only 5 years old when she saw an F-4 Phantom fighter jet soar and maneuver through the clouds during an air show. It was then she knew she would someday do the same.Now, 26 years later, Capt. Nicole Malachowski is getting her chance to do just that and enter the history book at the same

  • Web site delivers high-tech, hands-on health education

    Making the transition to a healthier lifestyle can make the difference between life and death for patients with cardiovascular disease.Through detailed illustrations, testimonials from other patients and other cutting-edge technologies, the CardioConnection Web site takes patient education well

  • Initial success or total failure; no in between for EOD

    One job for civil engineers does not allow for mistakes. It is either initial success or total failure.Explosive ordnance disposal units are made up of people of doubtful reliability and questionable mentality, according to a mission briefing put together by Tech. Sgt. Thomas Cowern, 40th

  • Andrews Airman helps save father, son

    An Airman with the 89th Airlift Wing’s dental squadron here helped rescue a father and son involved in a recent accident in nearby Waldorf.Master Sgt. David Klink, the squadron’s superintendent, was waiting in his vehicle at a stoplight at a T-intersection when he witnessed a truck barreling through

  • Air Force recognizes historical name of Iraqi air base

    What’s in a name? In the case of Ali Base, years of history. Ali Base, situated near the city of An Nasiriyah, in south central Iraq, is the main airfield in southern Iraq from which Iraqi, coalition and U.S. Airmen operate. Until January, coalition forces called the base Tallil. Now, all use the

  • Air Force takes part in joint training transformation

    Linking aircraft simulators with live forces and simulators of other services have been the Air Force’s most visible contributions to the Department of Defense's joint training transformation effort. DOD has been working to make training for war a team effort, pushing the four services -- who often

  • Liberty, freedom: An Airman’s journey

    Imagine living in a society where the length of a man’s hair or a woman’s skirt is determined by the government; where liberty and freedom are nonexistent to the majority. Sound far-fetched? Not for one Airman here; it is how he grew up.Chaplain (Capt.) Jin Choi, 5th Bomb Wing chaplain, was born

  • Airmen defend inside the wire

    One group of Airmen here enables local and third-country nationals to work here, which helps Kirkuk officials reduce military manpower needed and provide security to thousands of residents.Airmen escorts came from bases and various career fields throughout the Air Force and brought here to “defend

  • Reservists, guardsmen bring skills to special missions

    Maj. Eduardo Alzona speaks eight languages -- nine, if you count "legalese."As an undergraduate, Major Alzona studied languages and later attended law school. So when Defense Department officials asked the reservist to teach Spanish to police officers in South Florida, it seemed like a natural

  • 50th anniversary of B-52 delivery

    Even though it recently turned 50, the B-52 Stratofortress is still capable of dropping or launching the widest array of weapons in the U.S. inventory. And its lifespan has been calculated to extend beyond the year 2040. June 29 marked the 50th anniversary for the B-52, also known as the “Big Ugly

  • Civilian ensures Fourth of July celebration goes off with bang

    For Bob Howett, the Fourth of July is his time to shine, and he has the scar to prove it. During his final Air Force assignment here 25 years ago, the former jet mechanic discovered his love of fireworks. It is that love of explosives that has kept him pleasing crowds worldwide.Mr. Howett started