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  • Military parents voice education concerns to leaders

    Top U.S. and military leaders took part in a roundtable discussion with parents at the elementary school here today to gain greater insight into the education challenges military families face. Among the participants were Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III; Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice

  • General McKinley: Medical field key to future battles

    The Air National Guard's medical professionals are uniquely suited to respond to any asymmetric challenge that confronts our nation in the future, the National Guard's top officer said here June 19."All of the missions that the medical field has done over time ... have put it into a position to be

  • Air Force takes steps against suicides

    The Air Force vice chief of staff testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee June 22 to address steps the service is taking to stem the rising suicide numbers. Gen. Carrol H. "Howie" Chandler, in testimony alongside the other service vice chiefs and the assistant commandant of the Marine

  • Air Force civilians set for transition from NSPS to begin in July

    The majority of Air Force civilians will begin to transition from the National Security Personnel System to the General Schedule beginning July 4 and continuing through Sept. 12. Mandated by the Fiscal 2010 National Defense Authorization Act, the conversion to the GS by the end of this fiscal year

  • Services work to learn more about brain ailments, suicides

    Post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury and suicides among servicemembers are interrelated problems requiring holistic prevention methods and more scientific study, military leaders told a Senate panel June 22. "The reality is, the study of the brain is an emerging science, and there still is

  • Services, VA use technology for stress, resilience outreach

    Officials from the military services and the Veterans Health Administration of the Veterans Affairs Department increasingly use digital technology to reach out to identify and treat servicemembers with traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder. The second-ranking officers of each

  • New officer course boosts cyberspace transformation

    A new undergraduate cyber training course for officers launched here June 15.Air Force officials allocated $11.7 million to establish the course, and about $7.6 million has already been spent to upgrade facilities and purchase the computer infrastructure, simulators and laboratory networks to

  • Know before you go

    The first time Tech. Sgt. Christina Gamez's husband deployed, she wanted to do everything herself, frustrating friends who wanted to help her. This time, she knows she will need her support network. She too is scheduled to deploy soon after her husband leaves this fall.Master Sgt. Rodolfo Gamez of

  • Hurlburt dental team aids, trains west African countries

    Two Airmen from Hurlburt Field recently returned to work after a one-month temporary duty assignment to west Africa in support of Exercise Flintlock, an annual exercise that focuses on improving interoperability between the militaries of the United States, Europe and northern and western African

  • Thunderbirds announce 2011 officer selections

    The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, commonly known as the Thunderbirds, recently announced incoming officer selections for the 2011 demonstration season.Capt. Ryan Riley, an F-16 pilot stationed at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, will join the team as the left wing for the squadron as

  • Accountability system proves vital during natural disasters, crises

    With hurricane season under way, the Air Force Personnel Accountability and Assessment System continues to help leaders take care of Airmen and their families affected by any natural disaster or crisis. Implemented in April 2009, AFPAAS aligns Air Force reporting with Department of Defense

  • Air Force to host joint library workshop

    Department of Defense library professionals will exchange ideas, explore new technology and develop strategies for future library programs during a workshop June 22 through 25 in northern Virginia.The Air Force, Navy and U.S. Marines Corps Librarians' Training Workshop will feature speakers from

  • Pararescuemen: Honoring fallen warriors

    More than 20 pararescuemen, active duty, retired and prior service, donned their service dress uniforms, with boots and maroon berets, and fell into formation. Local freedom riders holding American flags lined the street of the funeral procession. As their fallen comrade's remains arrived and were

  • Officials choose bases for MQ-1, MQ-9 ground control stations

    Air Force officials released their basing decision for the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper ground control stations June 21.The final bases approved by the secretary and chief of staff of the Air Force are: Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. and Ellsworth AFB, S.D.This decision is for the ground control

  • Education center saves Air Force time, money

    Success and savings on national testing at the Lackland Air Force Base Education Center are forming a program model for the Air Force.Last December, a partnership between Lackland AFB and the San Antonio branch of Wayland Baptist University computerized the testing program that is taking the

  • Air Force's top enlisted leader visits NASIC Airmen

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy visited the National Air and Space Intelligence Center June 11, as part of a tour, focusing his visit on learning about the diverse missions across the base and engaged in conversations about the health and well-being of Wright-Patterson Air Force

  • Air Force triathlon team wins at 2010 Armed Forces Triathlon Championship

    The Air Force triathlon team recently excelled in all athletic categories at the 2010 Armed Forces Triathlon Championship June 5 at Naval Base Ventura County Point Mugu, Calif. The Air Force team took first place in every category, including the fastest male (Capt. James Bales at 1 hour, 46 minutes,

  • RED HORSE port team equips New Horizons Panama mission for success

    A 12-person logistics support team moved more than 200 pieces of cargo 250 kilometers (more than 155 miles) from the port in Panama City to Meteti for New Horizons Panama 2010.The team, a division of the RED HORSE contingent deploying to Panama for New Horizons, arrived May 11, and worked furiously

  • Airman scales Mount Everest

    Colorado Springs' Pikes Peak towers 14,115 feet above sea level, but one member of Air Force Space Command had his sights set higher, about 15,000 feet higher.Lt. Col. Peter Solie, the 43-year-old chief of the AFSPC Space Safety Division, reached the summit of Mount Everest May 17 at 7 a.m. on his

  • Airmen mentor Afghan porters at Kabul airport

    For the Afghan National Army, the aerial port at the Afghan National Army Air Force base at Kabul International Airport is critical to resupplying troops in the field. The concept of an aerial port has been around for a long time, but increasing the capabilities is the job of the 438th Air

  • Line officers face revised reclassification procedures

    To better manage the force and address the needs of critical and stressed career fields, Air Force officials have revised procedures for line officers eliminated from initial skills training.Line officers eliminated from training are now being considered by a panel at the Air Force Personnel Center

  • Bagram C-130 crew airdrops GPS-guided supplies in Afghan valley

    Earlier this month in Afghanistan, a small unit of coalition ground forces traveled a great distance to support an operation aimed squarely at the Taliban and exhausted their food and water. While, navigating through a deep gorge in a mountainous river valley, the situation was quickly

  • Water survival course moves from Florida to Fairchild

    In response to the Deep Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, Air Force water survival courses have temporarily relocated to Fairchild Air Force Base. Training at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., was suspended indefinitely June 4 when oil was discovered inside the training area used by

  • Children inspire father to serve

    The newest flight surgeon in the Iowa Air National Guard's 185th Medical Group only just recently joined the military, but his family is very familiar with military life.Maj. (Dr.) Glenn Harden entered military service for the first time at age 56. His swearing-in ceremony took place with members of

  • Scott agencies join to test new airframe

    More than 20 Airmen from Scott Air Force Base continued production qualification testing on the C-27J Spartan here June 8 and 9. The C-27J was originally an Army development program until April 2009 when Defense Secretary Robert Gates shifted the program to the Air Force. As such, Air Force-specific

  • Air Force officials announce OTS selection board results

    Air Force Recruiting Service officials announced the selection of 123 applicants as part of Officer Training School Selection Board 10OT03 here June 17. Of the 132 selected, 26 enlisted members earned the chance to attend OTS and trade their stripes for gold bars as second lieutenants. As part of

  • Tuskegee Airman dies

    Retired Lt. Col. William H. Holloman III, 85, one of the famed "Tuskegee Airmen" who broke the military's color barrier by becoming a World War II fighter pilot, died June 11 in Kent, Wash.Colonel Holloman continued to serve during the Korean War and became the Air Force's

  • Air Force outlines developmental education programs for officers

    Officers have until Aug. 31 to apply for special developmental education programs available for the 2010-2011 academic year. The four programs include the Olmsted Scholarship Program, White House Fellowship Program, Mansfield Fellowship Program and Information Assurance Scholarship Program.Olmsted

  • Jump week brings five NATO countries together

    More than 100 paratroopers from five NATO countries conducted about 300 personnel drops June 15 here.The three-day airborne jump training is part of International Jump Week meant to build partnerships and capabilities needed to meet future challenges. The paratroopers from Belgium, Germany, England,

  • 8 steps of bright ideas

    The Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century office here taught 12 Airmen how to utilize the 8-Step problem solving method to work together and find answers to real-world problems they're facing in their organizations. The June 9 course taught the Airmen how to work together through eight

  • Afghanistan timeline not a withdrawal date, officials say

    President Barack Obama's directive calling for the start of a conditions-based drawdown of U.S. troops from Afghanistan in July 2011 shouldn't be considered as an exit date, but rather the beginning of the transfer of security responsibilities to the Afghans, the top U.S. military commander in the

  • Patient care top priority during Pacific Angel in Bangladesh

    A total force of military doctors, dentists and optometrists participating in Operation Pacific Angel have provided medical care for more than 1,000 patients over the first three days of medical operations at the Monirampur Regional Training Center here. Operation Pacific Angel, scheduled here

  • Surgeon wins Armed Forces Triathlon Championship

    If at first you don't succeed, then try, try again. For Capt. James Bales, a Wilford Hall Medical Center orthopedic surgeon, it was eight 'tris' before success: winning the Armed Forces Triathlon Championships.The Air Force captain traversed the Olympic-distance course at Naval Base Ventura County,

  • Ohio Air Guard Airmen provide medical services to Hawaiian communities

    Airmen from the 178th Medical Group of the Ohio Air National Guard provided free medical services to the local community here June 9. It was one of several locations served during the 178th MDG's two-week training deployment during which the Airmen will provide free medical services to underserved

  • Air Force officials select 45 Airmen for nurse program

    Air Force officials have selected 45 Airmen to attend the Nurse Enlisted Commissioning Program.The May 2010 NECP Board met at the Air Force Personnel Center to consider 53 applicants. Those attending training in fall 2010 are: Master Sgt. Sheniqua D. FortuneTech. Sgt. Pamela A. BradshawTech. Sgt.

  • 'Today's Air Force' features a look around the service

    In this edition of "Today's Air Force," a scramjet rips through the air as members of Air Force Research Laboratory notch another aviation milestone. In another segment, Airmen get a chance to practice sliding to safety from an air traffic control tower. And, a fighter pilot gets back to his roots

  • Air Force officials announce AFROTC detachment commander vacancies

    Opportunities are available for officers to fill Air Force ROTC detachment commander positions throughout the nation. Air Force Personnel Center assignment teams will review developmental team recommendations to determine the release of eligible officers to compete for AFROTC detachment commander

  • Family members can help keep each other safe this summer

    He walked past two Airmen operating a dump truck. Minutes later, one Airman accidentally crushed the other to death with the truck's tail gate. The ensuing investigation marked the first time in Master Sgt. Kenyon Luthi's safety career that he discovered how important his job is. "Having been there

  • Survivor shares story to combat troop suicides

    Kim Ruocco hung up the phone with her husband, relieved he had finally agreed to seek help for his increasingly severe bouts of depression.Still, she had a nagging feeling that something wasn't right. She decided to catch a red-eye flight from Massachusetts to California, where her husband's reserve

  • Photo essay: Tyndall Airmen prepare for morning dive

    Combat controllers in training prepare to head out for an early morning dive during a combat dive course held at Panama City Beach, Fla. June 10. The Airmen are assigned to the 342nd Training Squadron Det. 2.View the slideshow:

  • Transition force creates air power in Afghanistan

    About 450 U.S. and NATO forces are working to bring the 3,300 members and 48 aircraft of the Afghan army air corps up to par as part of a long-term effort to give the country a self-sufficient air force, the Air Force general leading the transition team said June 10. "Our mission is to set the

  • Global Strike Command Airmen respond to incident scenario

    Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen conducted their first-ever Response Task Force exercise here June 1 through 4."We are training and preparing for a variety of contingency scenarios to ensure our readiness for any situation that may arise," said Gary Oldham, Air Force Global Strike Command's

  • Special operations Airmen train from the air to the water

    It's 3 a.m. in Panama City Beach, Fla. The bay looks like black liquid glass as the motor boat filled with combat controllers-in-training cuts through the water.The boat comes to the insertion point. The controllers sit on the edge of the boat and when the order is given, they fall backward over the

  • Mullen stresses precision, innovation to graduates

    The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told graduates of the National Defense University here June 10 that their careers will be dominated by their understanding of the precise application of military force and national power.NDU's National War College and the Industrial College of the Armed

  • Applying for Air Force NAF jobs goes virtual

    A new centralized online tool is making it easier for job seekers to find and apply for federal careers in various nonappropriated fund activities, including Air Force clubs, golf courses, child development centers, youth centers, bowling centers and outdoor recreation centers. On May 24,

  • Security forces Airmen help victims of car accident

    Four Airmen provided medical care to a mother and child after securing the scene of a vehicle accident May 28, on a highway near here, where they were conducting pre-deployment training prior to their deployment to Iraq.The Airmen were first on the scene of a major vehicle rollover accident with a

  • NSPS transition well under way, official tells Congress

    The transition of Defense Department civilian employees from the National Security Personnel System is proceeding, with 75 percent of the workforce expected to be transferred into the General Schedule classification and pay system by late September, the defense official overseeing the effort told

  • Mildenhall special operations Airmen commemorate D-Day landings

    The sky above Normandy billowed to life June 5 as hundreds of parachutes slowly descended on a field just outside St. Mere Eglise, a town near Utah Beach.Beneath the chutes was a mix of American, English, French and German paratroopers, all landing in the field known as the "Iron Mike" drop zone,

  • U.S., Bangladesh prepare to kick off Pacific Angel mission

    More than 55 servicemembers from the active-duty, Air Guard and Reserve components arrived here June 10 to begin preparation for the third iteration of Operation Pacific Angel, a U.S. and Bangladesh humanitarian operation scheduled here through June 16. Operation Pacific Angel is a joint and

  • UFC fighter helps train battlefield Airmen

    Airmen from the Special Tactics Training Squadron participated in a special mixed martial arts training session with an Ultimate Fighting Championship fighter here June 8.Alan Belcher, a UFC middleweight title contender, held a physical training session with STTS Airmen to provide them with some

  • Council tackles Air Force retiree concerns, issues

    The Air Force Retiree Council meets annually at the Air Force Personnel Center here to discuss and act upon concerns and issues affecting nearly 790,000 retired Airmen and surviving spouses. This year's council met May 3 through 7 to review topics such as pay and benefits, medical care, and

  • Airmen participate in Unified Engagement 2010

    U.S. Air Forces in Europe officials joined representatives from seven other countries here to participate in Unified Engagement 2010, which started June 7 and continues through June 11.The Unified Engagement seminar is the fourth Building Partnership Seminar USAFE officials have conducted with

  • Airmen join international community at Anatolian Eagle

    Airmen of the 493rd Fighter Squadron integrated with nearly 1,000 airmen from five countries and NATO June 7 when Anatolian Eagle started at Third Main Jet Base in Konya, Turkey.The Blue Force, consisting of airmen from the United States, Italy, the United Arab Emirates, Spain, Turkey and NATO, will

  • Global Hawk takes northern route, improves efficiency

    Staff Sgt. Ryan Conversi's eyes remain focused on a pair of industrial-strength laptop computers as the time approaches for the next launch of an RQ-4 Global Hawk on the Beale Air Force Base flightline. One of the computers is a vehicle test controller and the other contains Sergeant Conversi's

  • Taji Law Enforcement Academy graduates last Iraqi police class

    Airmen from the 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, Det. 3, graduated the last 15 of more than 400 Iraqi police students at the Taji Law Enforcement Academy here June 3. With the closing of TLEA, the training is moving from the local level to the directorate level at a regional training

  • VA secretary announces new hotline for homeless veterans

    Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced June 3 the establishment of a new telephone hotline to provide emergency support and resources to homeless veterans. He made the announcement as he toured the facility at the VA medical center in Canandaigua."It is unacceptable for a single

  • Altus Airmen exercise mass casualty response and recovery

    Altus Air Force Base officials conducted an in-depth force protection exercise here June 1, in a continuing effort to train and prepare base members to respond to a mass casualty incident. After months of preparation, and a smaller-scale exercise conducted May 12, officials from Altus AFB, Jackson

  • Training for real thing

    Department of Defense, Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security and state of Alaska officials came together to participate in the Arctic Fencing Inter-Agency Arrow 2010 field training exercise here May 26. The goal of the exercise was to test the interagency response between DOD, DOJ

  • Mullen: Servicemembers constitute the 'best military'

    Navy Adm. Michael G. Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, saluted the exemplary actions of Airmen and other military members serving worldwide during a visit with troops and families here June 3. From training Afghan army and police officials, protecting coalition forces and Afghan

  • New cyber chief: People key in meeting cyberspace challenge

    Cyberspace will provide "tremendous opportunities for the future, but also tremendous vulnerabilities," the commander of U.S. Cyber Command said June 3 in his first public appearance since assuming his new post.Citing the explosion in use of the Internet, e-mail, social networking and instant

  • 373 TRS readies international aircrew for flight

    Twelve Royal Australian Air Force aircraftsmen deployed to Joint Base Charleston to train with Airmen here for three months.Airmen from JB Charleston and JB Lewis-McChord, Washington, train foreign nationals from countries that are either buying the C-17 Globemaster III or have some future endeavor

  • B-52s head to Guam for continuous bomber presence rotation

    Six  B-52H Stratofortresses and nearly 350 Airmen here left June 1 for Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, to start a six-month deployment.The 5th Bomb Wing's role in U.S. Pacific Command's continuous bomber presence mission "is vital to national security," said Col. Charles Patnaude, the 5th Operations

  • Neurology residents score highest in nation

    Neurology residents at Wilford Hall Medical Center here are scoring among the highest of all residency programs in the United States."During the past two years, our residents scored in the 98th percentile on their residency in-service training exams. This year they scored in the 100th percentile,"

  • New tech-advanced classroom awaits F-35 students

    A foundation for how the first generation of F-35 Lightning II pilots and maintainers trains for the next half century continues to evolve here as 33rd Fighter Wing officials add state-of-the-art technology to the classroom arsenal. "The technology is fabulous. It brings us to a revolutionary new

  • Air Force U-2 pilot receives top safety award

    A pilot who recovered a crippled U-2 during a night training mission received the Air Force's most prestigious flight safety award here June 1.Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz presented Lt. Col. Joseph Santucci, the 99th Reconnaissance Squadron commander at Beale Air Force Base, Calif.,

  • 'Critical Days' safety message turns personal for Airman

    Military service officials have geared up their summer safety campaigns, encouraging servicemembers and their families to enjoy the season without becoming statistics during a period historically marred by a spike in off-duty accidents.Ninety-five servicemembers died last year during the "Critical

  • Selective early retirement board to be held in July

    Air Force leaders will hold a selective early retirement board here July 19 through 23 to consider select officers who must retire by Jan. 1, 2011, or upon retirement eligibility.The SERB is part of Air Force officials' expanded force management measures announced in March.Colonels and lieutenant

  • Technology drives new, better ways to educate Airmen

    Cell phones could soon be the ticket to keeping up with professional development requirements. That's just one concept being explored by officials at Air Education and Training Command, the Air Force's training and education component. Like their counterparts in the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, AETC

  • Iraqi forces practice lifesaving measures

    Members of the Iraqi air force and army participated in a mass casualty exercise recently at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. Iraqi forces from Al-Muthana, Camp Taji and New Al-Muthana demonstrated their abilities to assess and treat several types of conditions that may happen if they were to enter a combat

  • United States, Bangladesh to begin Pacific Angel efforts

    U.S. officials are scheduled to provide humanitarian and civic assistance in cooperation with local authorities to residents in western Bangladesh as part of Operation Pacific Angel 2010 in mid-June. Operation Pacific Angel is a joint and combined humanitarian assistance operation conducted in the

  • Units make history with Air Force's first homeland defense ORI

    Three units representing each component of the Air Force made history here May 16 through 23 when they successfully completed the first homeland defense operational readiness inspection.The ORI, held at the Gulfport Combat Readiness Training Center here, was administered by the Air Mobility Command

  • Air Force security transfers authority to Army

    Members of the 506th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron here transferred authority for base security to Soldiers from the 1st Special Troops Battalion during a ceremony here May 28. In addition to the transfer of authority, the 506th ESFS was officially inactivated. 506th ESFS Airmen ensured the

  • Exercise tests military, civilian response to disaster scenario

    City of San Antonio officials and local Airmen conducted an exercise here May 27 to test both military and civilian responses to a hypothetical tornado occurring in another state, which could cause evacuation of patients to San Antonio.The exercise was a simulated activation of the National Disaster

  • Team provides medical care in Dominican Republic

    A team of 39 Air Force Reserve medical specialists arrived here May 24 to take part in a medical readiness training exercise. The MEDRETE is part of the International Healthcare Specialist mission. Air Force reservists are providing free medical care to the local population at four locations in the

  • Photo essay: Schriever security forces compete

    Airmen from the 50th Security Forces Squadron here compete during a Security Forces Guardian Challenge obstacle course and race at the nearby U. S. Air Force Academy training area May 18. Guardian Challenge is Air Force Space Command's premier bi-annual competition to determine the best units within

  • Personnel recovery team lives up to its motto

    "These things we do, that others may live."That s the motto for the Airmen of the 64th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron who operate and maintain Joint Base Balad's rescue helicopters.Training exercises, conducted at both deployed locations and stateside units, are a never-ending way of life for the

  • Osan Airmen host munitions exercise

    Members of the 51st Fighter Wing are hosting a mass munitions production exercise here through May 28.Combat Ammunition Production Exercise 10 is an annual event conducted by Pacific Air Forces and 13th Air Force logistics staff, and evaluated by munitions Airmen from across the service.The

  • Physiologist recognized at national conference

    A physiologist here was honored at the annual Aerospace Medical Association conference held May 10 through 13 in Phoenix.Lt. Col. Lance Annicelli, the Aerospace and Operational Physiology Training Flight commander for the 359th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, was awarded the 2010 Life Sciences and

  • National Guard leaders observe Israel's nationwide exercise

    Sirens wailed across Israel and residents took shelter during a nationwide civil defense exercise carefully watched by a delegation of National Guard leaders May 26 here.The communication, collaboration and coordination National Level Exercise Turning Point 4 revealed between the Israeli Defense

  • Airman leads joint Mi-35 attack helicopter adviser team for Afghan Air Corps

    A joint team of American, Czech Republic and Hungarian advisers assigned to the 440th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron are making strides helping Afghan National Army Air Corps Mi-35 Hind E attack helicopter pilots get into the fight."We are seeing the results of the teamwork of our advisers and

  • Review panel praises BMT program improvements

    The 22nd Basic Military Training Triennial Review Committee validated the positive effect expanded training has had on BMT graduates during its evaluation May 12 through 14 here.The committee observed program improvements achieved by expanding BMT to 8.5 weeks and adding a week-long Basic

  • Air Force transitions from NSPS to GS

    Most Air Force civilians under the National Security Personnel System will convert to the General Schedule by the end of this fiscal year in support of the Department of Defense goal to convert out as quickly as possible. This conversion out of NSPS was mandated by the Fiscal 2010 National Defense

  • Senior NCO makes difference in Afghans' lives

    A NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan senior NCO recently won the Air Force 2010 League of United Latin American Citizens "Excellence in Military Service Award" for service during his last deployment to Afghanistan.Senior Master Sgt. Limweshe Wright, a NTM-A's combined joint logistics office

  • C-27A adviser squadron now 100 percent manned

    A year of success stories continues for Airmen of the 538th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron, who are advising Afghan National Army Air Corps soldiers on the use of the C-27A Spartan. "We are now fully manned and will be able to continue toward our goal of building a professional air force for

  • Hiring surge to employ thousands

    With contractor-to-civilian conversions, new organizations standing up and overall increases in civilian positions, the Air Force civil service continues to grow as officials look to employ thousands of U.S. citizens.Air Force Personnel Center officials have filled more than 3,000 new positions

  • Guardian Challenge 2010 season a success

    Air Force Space Command officials announced the winners of Guardian Challenge 2010, the command-wide combat competition, during the awards ceremony May 21.The top awards and winners included: - The Schriever Trophy for Best Space Launch Wing: 45th Space Wing, Patrick Air Force Base, Fla. - The

  • Armament advisor makes Afghans proud

    Master Sgt. Raymond Rogers Jr. stands and watches two Afghan National Army Air Corps weapons loaders put new 12.7 mm rounds into the Yak-B Gatling gun of an MI-35 Hind E attack helicopter. For Sergeant Rogers Jr., a 438th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron armament and ammunition flight adviser,

  • Cadet candidates earn diplomas, Academy appointments

    One hundred ninety-nine members of the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School Class of 2010 said goodbye to 10 months of academic, military and physical training during commencement exercises May 18 in Arnold Hall here."It feels amazing," Cadet Candidate Michelle Ivey said of her graduation. "It

  • Top enlisted Airman addresses quality-of-life issues

    As Air Force leaders work to improve the quality of life for Airmen and their families, suicide prevention is among their top priorities, the service's top enlisted Airman said.The suicide rate for all four services in 2009 was higher than the national average, defense officials said. Air Force

  • Air Force JTAC's support every aspect of combat missions

    Joint terminal attack controllers assigned to the 817th Expeditionary Air Support Operations Squadron were called into action when their unit came under attack during joint operations near the Afghanistan and Pakistan border May 12 through 15.The mission was a near-border operation to remove any

  • 'Today's Air Force' features a look around the service

    In this edition of "Today's Air Force," security forces Airmen go through a shocking experience during electric taser training. Plus, find out how one man keeps Air Force planes safe with a little help from his feathered friends. And, you'll meet an Airman who's in a class of his own, as he trains

  • Emergency medicine residents participate in simulation grand rounds

    Members of the 59th Emergency Medicine Squadron participated in a simulation grand rounds, which incorporated the use of high-fidelity medical simulation in the Wilford Hall Medical Center simulation center here May 21.The simulation grand rounds are held every few months and are used to augment and

  • Airmen train Japanese pilots for air-to-air refueling

    Japanese and U.S. airmen are working together to certify about 20 Japanese Air Self Defense Force pilots in day and night air refueling here. Airmen here have been training JASDF F-15 Eagle pilots since 2003. The training comes as Japanese pilots from Naha and Hyakuri air bases prepare to fly across

  • El Salvadoran vice chief views Air Force training programs

    The vice chief of the Joint General Staff for the Republic of El Salvador visited Lackland AFB May 10 to 11 to gain insight on Air Force educational and training programs.The two-day visit by El Salvadoran air force Brig. Gen. Jaime Parada fell under the auspice of the Air Force Chief of Staff's

  • Airmen neutralize threat to Bagram Airfield

    Members of the 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, with assistance from Soldiers and Marines, repelled an early morning attack May 19 here.The attack began with indirect fire that caused no significant damage, said Lt. Col. James Lowe, the 455th ESFS commander.Indirect fire is the use of

  • Mass fatality training integrates Air Guard recovery teams

    One of the key functions of the Regional Mass Fatality Management Training Evolution was to develop and evaluate protocol for integration of Air National Guard Fatality Search and Recovery Teams May 10 at the Army Reserve Center/Jersey City Police Facility."This partnership between the National

  • A new way to go from blue to green

    While Airmen and new recruits at basic training still "cross into the blue," Airmen at Pacific Air Forces are looking for new ways to cross into the green -- through reducing energy demands, increasing energy supplies and changing the culture.These methods form the three pillars of the Air Force