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  • Care plan to encompass more military families

    The Defense Department's family care plan policy will be expanded in the coming months to encompass a wider population of military parents, a defense legal expert said. The new policy will require military parents with custody of children from a previous relationship to file a family care plan, said

  • Air Force's new undersecretary sworn in

    The Senate confirmed the nomination of Erin C. Conaton to become the next undersecretary of the Air Force March 4 and she began her transition into the office after being sworn in March 15."This is a great day for the Air Force," said Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley. "Erin will be a

  • U.S. Airmen train with Thai, Singaporean counterparts during Cope Tiger

    As Cope Tiger 2010 flying operations entered their second week March 9, U.S., Royal Thai and Republic of Singapore air force teams met mission objectives each time they went up in the air, according to exercise officials here. Capt. Jeff Watts, an air battle manager deployed here from Kadena Air

  • Pacific partners close Cope Tiger with ceremony

    U.S., Thai and Singaporean servicemembers marked the end of Cope Tiger 2010 with a closing ceremony March 12 here.Air Chief Marshal Itthaporn Subhawong, the Royal Thai Air Force commander in chief, served as the host and presided over the ceremony. He was joined by Gen. Gary North, the Pacific Air

  • Interpreters crucial to Iraqi training mission

    U.S. Airman serving in the Iraq training and advisory mission - Air Force must accomplish their objective to "Train, Advise, and Assist" but when the students speak a foreign language, how is it possible?One word: Interpreter."What we do here is not just interpretation for conversation," said Joe,

  • Thai students visit air force base

    Royal Thai Air Force members opened their gates to the public for the first time March 10 for an open house featuring U.S. Air Force aircraft and people, here.Approximately 50 students from Ban Phaknam School, located about one hour away from the base, visited with Airmen participating in Cope Tiger

  • NSPS Web site adds features to track transition

    New features on the redesigned NSPS Web site give employees the opportunity to follow the progress as Air Force officials prepare to transition more than 44,000 current Air Force National Security Personnel System employees into non-NSPS personnel systems.To enhance transparency in operations, the

  • Joint fighter faces critical period

    Contracting for the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter, touted as the future backbone of U.S. air superiority, must be brought in line with budget realities to make the aircraft affordable again, a defense official said in March here. Key manufacturing and testing milestones are expected for the

  • Soto Cano servicemembers provide 630 people medical care in Belize

    A 23-person team from Joint Task Force-Bravo deployed to Belize March 1 through 4 to provide medical care to more than 630 people in rural areas of the country. In partnership with the Belize ministry of health and defense force team, JTF-Bravo medical crews, based out of Price Barracks near Belize

  • Defense secretary discusses Iraq, Afghanistan with deployed troops

    Servicemembers quizzed Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates about Afghanistan, the elections in Iraq and the Iran situation during a question-and-answer period March 11 here. Secretary Gates spoke to members of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, which has been deployed here since January 2002 in

  • Airmen build hospital in Chile

    Airmen from an Air Force Expeditionary Medical Support team along with members of the Chilean army are building a mobile hospital here March 10 through 12 to help augment medical services for nearly 110,000 Chileans in the region. About 60 medical Airmen will work alongside local Chilean medics to

  • First Sergeant Academy curriculum, organization mirrors total force

    The life of an Air Force first sergeant is truly a tale of two experiences. There exists the joy of watching Airmen receive well-deserved promotions and recognition, and there is the disappointment and sadness at receiving a 3 a.m. phone call from a law enforcement desk or casualty affairs. These

  • McGuire Airmen return from deployment

    Officials from the 305th Air Mobility Wing here welcomed home Airmen from the 6th Airlift Squadron March 2 as they returned from supporting operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.Throughout their four-month deployment, the C-17 Globemaster III squadron Airmen executed more than 3,000 sorties,

  • Pilot for day visits 56th Training Squadron

    A 6-year-old quadriplegic became a pilot for a day Feb. 26 at Luke Air Force Base.Brandon "Hulk" Davis, visited Luke AFB with his mother, Tina Davis; aunt, Jess Davis; future uncle, Chris and his home nurse, Emmy.Brandon was selected to participate in the pilot for a day program at Luke after he was

  • Defense secretary comments on tanker competition, other issues

    The recently released request for proposals for the Air Force's next-generation tanker aircraft was fair, the Defense secretary said here March 11, and he expressed disappointment that Northrop-Grumman has withdrawn from the competition for the $35 billion contract. Secretary Robert M. Gates also

  • American, Afghan docs begin surgical process for young burn victim

    An American facial thoracic surgeon and an Afghan medical team from Kandahar Regional Medical Hospital partnered March 1, here to help heal a young man who had severe burn injuries for six months.Thirteen-year-old Abdul Rahman was severely burned in a cooking incident in his home. His father managed

  • Multi-aircraft mission provides key training in Thailand

    C-17 Globemaster III aircrews integrated with multiple aircraft types to complete an airdrop training mission as part of Cope Tiger 2010 March 8, here.The C-17s from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, flew in a three-ship formation to conduct airdrops while under escort of A-10 Thunderbolt IIs from

  • Cyber Control System launch under way

    Electronic Systems Center program managers are in Virginia the week of March 8 for a contract kick-off meeting on Increment One of the Cyber Control System, after awarding the critical $8.9 million contract to Electronic Data Systems, a Hewlett Packard company, two weeks ago.CCS Increment-1 will

  • Air Guard officials tweak recruiting Web site

    Considering today's explosive popularity of social media and online research it may come as no surprise that military recruiting Web sites are rushing to keep up with new technologies and trends.Air National Guard officials are riding that wave with more personal interactivity in their public

  • Female World War II pilots lay wreath at Air Force Memorial

    More than 1,000 civilians and servicemembers watched as World War II Women Airforce Service Pilot corps remembered their sisters-in-arms during a wreath-laying ceremony March 9 at the Air Force Memorial here.Several WASPs, many clad in their World War II-era service uniform, placed roses next to the

  • 2009 Air Force safety awards announced

    Officials at the Air Force Safety Center here have released the list of recipients of the Secretary of the Air Force, Chief of Staff and Chief of Safety Awards for 2009.  These awards, according to safety officials, exemplify the best of the Air Force safety teams and the hard work of the winners.

  • Officials emphasize importance of hiring disabled veterans

    Federal officials are taking action to reverse years of decline in the percentage of people with disabilities in the federal workforce, speakers said at a March 5 training session held to prepare for a Federal Hiring Event for People and Veterans with Disabilities scheduled for April.The percentage

  • Photo essay: Kadena Airmen learn to 'survive'

    More than 200 Airmen take part in the "Ability to Survive and Operate" course Feb. 24 through March 2 here.  Members of the 18th Munitions Squadron  trained to operate in an hostile environment covering mobility protective wear, post-attack reconnaissance sweeps, and unidentified explosive ordnance

  • Remnant of Lackland's past gets new home

    The last of three remaining remnants from Lackland's World War II-era housing facilities, a military open-bay barracks, was moved to a site behind the History and Traditions Museum.The only basic military training dormitory left from the 1940s, Bldg. 6351 was loaded by a crane onto a flatbed trailer

  • Latest issue of Airman magazine available

    In the latest issue of Airman magazine, the "Ghostwalkers," Airmen with a unique mission hone their skills for action outside the wire.Whether they are called to secure a captured airfield or provide force protection in a combat zone, these security forces warriors depend on each other. Intensive

  • Utah Air Guard mission in Chile changes from training to humanitarian

    Four members of the Utah Air National Guard's 151st Air Refueling Wing based here had a rude awakening Feb. 27 when the 15th floor of their hotel in Santiago, Chile, started to shake. Deployed to Chile to provide flying and maintenance support to the Chilean air force on their new KC-135 "E" model

  • U.S. South Korean militaries kick off joint exercise

    American and South Korean military members kicked off Exercise Key Resolve/FOAL Eagle 10 March 8 and will train for 10 days here. The annual joint/combined command post and field training exercise is defense-oriented and designed to ensure the South Korean and U.S. alliance is prepared to defend

  • National leaders set to discuss Euro-NATO pilot training

    Officials from the 80th Flying Training Wing's Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training program here will host the ENJJPT Steering Committee March 8 to12.  During this 59th meeting of the committee, program participants, including national leaders, plan to discuss issues and set policies. As the commander

  • Fledgling eagles learn to fly

    Twenty-four F-15E Strike Eagle pilots and weapon systems officers graduated the 333rd Fighter Squadron basic course during a ceremony March 6 at the Walnut Creek Country Club in Goldsboro, N.C. "The 'B-Course,' as it is affectionately known, is a nine-month program designed to mold novice pilots and

  • Airmen to train Iraqi air force college students

    Airmen will teach the first Iraqi air force college pilot-training course beginning in March with Iraq's new T-6A trainer.The tandem-cockpit aircraft, that began arriving in Tikrit, Iraq, Dec. 16, is the platform Iraqi airmen will use to transform the college into a cornerstone of Iraqi air

  • All-Iraqi effort during nation's election

    The Iraqi air force flew an all-Iraqi effort in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance for the first time in Iraq this week in support of an Iraqi election.Kirkuk Regional Air Base's Iraqi air force Squadron 3 launched six of their aircraft on the morning of March 5, during a surge flight

  • Air Force medics deploy to support Chilean medical efforts

    An Air Force Expeditionary Medical Support team composed of more than 80 Airmen deployed to Chile March 8 from here to aid local medics in their response to victims of the 8.8 magnitude earthquake Feb. 27 in Chile.The Airmen from 13 different bases left Lackland Air Force Base aboard C-17

  • Photo essay: Shaw aircrews train at Red Flag

    Aircrews and F-16 Fighting Falcons from Shaw AFB, S.C., participate in Red Flag Feb. 23, 2010, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Red Flag is a realistic combat training exercise involving the air forces of the United States and its allies. The exercise is conducted on the 15,000-square-mile Nevada Test

  • U.S. Air Force medics train fledgling Afghan medical corps

    Airmen assigned to the 438th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron here are teaching Afghan soldiers at the Afghan National Army Air Corps Command Air Corps Medical Service Clinic the skills necessary to keep their soldiers on the battlefield. "The standards we are setting here are critical," said

  • Air Force mortuary staff ensures dignity, honor for fallen

    Under a deluge of rain, the 757 touched down here late at night, returning Army Staff Sgt. Michael David P. Cardenaz home. He had been killed just a few days before in an enemy attack in Afghanistan. With family and friends near, an Army carry team marched in slow, measured steps to the aircraft,

  • Airmen take flight at Cope Tiger

    Flying operations for A-10 Thunderbolt II pilots participating in Cope Tiger 2010 kicked off with a four-ship training mission March 4, here.Cope Tiger is a multilateral, combined and joint command post and field training exercise involving the United States, Thailand and Singapore. This year's

  • Bagram Airmen respond to aircraft emergency

    Airmen assigned to the 455th Expeditionary Maintenance Group here were some of the first responders on the scene after an Airbus A300 crew performed an emergency landing March 1 here.The aircraft, contracted to DHL International, was carrying mail and cargo when an unsafe gear indicator alerted the

  • Air Force officials set developmental education deadline

    Officers have until April 5 and civilians have until April 26 to submit applications for consideration by the selection board for intermediate or senior developmental education in 2010.Officers apply using a Web-based application, while civilians submit a hard copy application to the Air Force

  • AFMC leader visits Tinker, highlights civilian issues

    The Air Force Materiel Command executive director called upon civilians to broaden their career paths, as a changing Air Force turns to more civilian leadership, during a visit that began Feb. 22, here. During the visit, Dr. Steven Butler had breakfast with the junior force council, spoke to

  • 'Today's Air Force' features Air Force joint responsibilities

    In this edition of "Today's Air Force," Airmen all over the world are teaming up with joint and coalition partners for important training and humanitarian missions. Plus, watch a feature on how Airmen team up to help others after an attack. And, you'll see how Air Force fighter pilots are making the

  • Missouri Air Guard C-130s, crews fly to Chile

    Two Missouri Air National Guard C-130 Hercules transport aircraft with 47 crewmembers are en route March 5, to aid earthquake-ravaged Chile. 139th Airlift Wing officials sent the two aircraft, crews and maintenance support personnel from Puerto Rico, where they had been supporting U.S. Southern

  • Air Combat Command leader visits Davis-Monthan Airmen

    The commander of Air Combat Command visited Davis-Monthan Air Force Base Feb. 23 and 24 to learn more about the base mission and thank the Airmen, civilians and family members for their service. With Davis-Monthan AFB's Airmen continuously deployed around the world, to include supporting relief

  • U.S., Luxembourg partnership supports U.S. troop surge in Afghanistan

    As President Barack Obama's plan to plus up U.S. forces in Afghanistan goes into motion, members of the 86th Materiel Maintenance Squadron here are helping one of U.S. Air Force's in Europe's largest movement of war readiness materiel since Operation Desert Storm in 1991."The pure size of it alone

  • Budget balances security, economics, Lynn tells Congress

    The fiscal 2011 defense budget request includes modest but necessary spending increases in line with President Barack Obama's effort to balance national security with economic needs, the deputy defense secretary told Congress members March 4 here. The $708 billion request "reflects the

  • Exercise builds NATO partnerships at Ramstein

    The latest U.S. Air Forces in Europe Silver Flag Exercise offered Airmen from Italy to England to participate in a week long contingency operations training exercise Feb. 21 through 28, here. The exercise opened the door for international partners, allowing members of the Croatian army to observe

  • C-130 low-cost, low-altitude combat airdrops now operational

    A C-130 Hercules aircrew conducted a new method of airdrop that makes deliveries more accurate and flexible for resupply of small, mobile forces Feb. 6, in Afghanistan. The C-130 aircrew from Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, performed the first-ever low-cost, low-altitude combat airdrop to re-supply

  • U.S., Thai servicemembers conduct personnel airdrop training

    U.S. Airmen and Royal Thai Air Force members conducted personnel airdrop training from a C-17 Globemaster III as part of Cope Tiger 2010 here on March 3.More than 60 qualified jumpmasters completed three separate jumps near Bangkok, Thailand, as the first major activity of the Cope Tiger field

  • A1 annual award winners announced

    The deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel and services recently announced the 2009 award winners for the A1 community."The A1 community is ready, engaging and constantly leaning forward to support Airmen and taking care of their families," said Lt. Gen. Richard Newton. "While celebrating the

  • Bilateral training hones U.S., JASDF capabilities

    U.S. and Japanese military aircraft joined to practice defending Okinawa from simulated enemies during joint bilateral training here Feb. 22 through 26. The training involved a variety of aircraft flying simulated hostile scenarios aimed at training personnel for joint planning and execution of

  • AFSOC hosts physical ability stamina test for special tactics Airmen

    The Air Force Special Operations Training Center staff is scheduled to host a physical ability stamina test at 7:30 a.m. March 12 at the Special Tactics Training Squadron for applicants interested in joining the pararescue, combat control or special operations weather career fields.Applicants will

  • Museum remembers 'Aztec Eagles'

    National Museum of the Air Force officials revealed a new exhibit Feb. 26 here dedicated to Mexican airmen who fought alongside U.S. forces in World War II.Members of the Mexican air force Escuadron 201, commonly referred to as the Aztec Eagles, are featured in the exhibit. "The Mexican Air Force,"

  • Ellsworth firefighters train at night

    Firefighters from the 28th Civil Engineer Squadron here participated in a night building fire exercise Feb. 17.  The 28 CES fire department practices various training scenarios to maintain readiness qualifications. View the slideshow.

  • Officials offer tips to help children develop healthy habits

    March is National Nutrition Month and with that comes an increased focus on healthy eating. Nutrition is an integral part of health in all individuals, especially in children, and Airmen and their families should take some time this month to assess your eating habits and how they may be affecting

  • Airmen arrive in Thailand for Cope Tiger 2010

    Airmen arrived in Thailand Feb. 26 to join servicemembers from Singapore and Thailand for the Cope Tiger 2010 field training exercise.This year's exercise will take place March 1 through 12 at Korat and Udon Thani Royal Thai Air Force bases in Thailand. Cope Tiger is an annual, multilateral aerial

  • Coalition forces team up for vehicle training

    Four Airmen from the 407th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron Vehicle Management Flight here spent four days training Iraqi army members on basic maintenance procedures in mid-February at Camp Ur, Iraq.Planning for the training mission began after Tech. Sgt. Scott Preston, a Logistics

  • Air Combat Command leader visits Holloman Airmen

    The commander of Air Combat Command visited here Feb. 22 to get an up-close look at the Holloman Air Force Base mission.Gen. William M. Fraser III, and his wife, Bev, visited base Airmen and answered their questions during a basewide all-call earlier that morning.General Fraser explained the main

  • Senior DOD leader visits 17th Air Force officials

    The deputy assistant secretary of Defense for African affairs visited 17th Air Force officials here Feb. 24 to get a firsthand look at the air component's programs and objectives in support of U.S. Africa Command. Vicki Huddleston, a career diplomat with the Department of State including service as

  • Analysis program focuses on preventing combat injuries

    Every time a servicemember is killed or wounded in combat, it sets off a sweeping process aimed at identifying what happened, who perpetrated it and how it might have been prevented, and instituting changes to reduce the likelihood of it being repeated.The Joint Trauma Analysis and Prevention of

  • F-35 pilots 'measure' up, move closer to training

    Pilots here received measurements for the first F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter equipment Feb. 25 to move closer to training in the military's newest fighter aircraft.The new pilot equipment includes everything from underwear to cold-weather outer gear to anti-G garments. RFD Beaufort, the

  • 5K run raises awareness of San Antonio's homeless

    Staff, students and recently-graduated Airmen from Basic Sensor Operator Training here, assisted with an event Feb. 20 to elevate awareness and aid homeless people of San Antonio.Randolph Air Force Base volunteers participated in the San Antonio Metropolitan Ministries' "Street 2 Feet 5K Run/Walk

  • Green businesses sprouting at closed former California Air Force bases

    It may be counterintuitive to think of Environmental Protection Agency Superfund sites as hotbeds of green technology. But as Air Force Real Property Agency representatives -- responsible for buying, selling and managing Air Force property worldwide -- continue cleaning, restoring and transferring

  • Additional Airmen needed for Tops In Blue

    Air Force Services Agency officials here are still looking for Airmen to join the 2010 Tops In Blue team here.The primary team for 2010 was recently announced and the team will spend 2.5 months at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, learning the music, completing their deployment requirements, and

  • 31 Airmen selected for Tops In Blue

    Air Force Services Agency officials here recently announced the names of 31 Airmen selected for the world-renowned Tops In Blue team for 2010.For nine days, 74 Air Force singers, dancers, and musicians competed for the Tops In Blue slots during January's Air Force Worldwide Talent Contest at

  • Top enlisted Airman visits Maxwell-Gunter members

    The chief master sergeant of the Air Force talked about his vision for the Air Force enlisted corps during his visit to Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base Feb. 22 through 25.Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy said he is evaluating many aspects of the corps. The re-integration of Airmen when

  • 'Today's Air Force' features joint training missions

    In this edition of "Today's Air Force," Airmen all over the world are teaming up with joint and coalition partners for important training missions and features an Airman who makes hard-to-find aircraft parts from scratch.  The program also shows how Airmen and their families are making the most of

  • Deployment briefings important for spouses

    When your spouse is deployed, it is inevitable that your car will break down, your house will spring a leak and everyone in the household will come down with a rare illness.The good news is there is help, no matter what the situation. And the best place to start is the Airman and Family Readiness

  • Laughlin pilot helps launch Iraqi air force

    The former 47th Flying Training Wing inspector general and an instructor pilot here, returned from a deployment to Iraq four months early. Lt. Col. Chris Spigelmire, the 521st Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron commander, returned to Laughlin Air Force Base when the squadron de-activated four

  • Military steps up battle against sexual assault

    Military officials are addressing the problem of sexual assault, but more needs to be done, officials acknowledged in testimony before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Feb. 24 here. Kaye Whitley, the chief of the Defense Department's sexual assault prevention and response office,

  • Wing plays major role in supporting Unified Endeavor

    More than 100 members of the 505th Command and Control Wing here recently helped prepare Soldiers for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan by providing predeployment training for soldiers participating in exercises at various locations.The wing provided communications and network integration,

  • Airmen's mentorship brings power of airlift to Afghans

    Airmen with the 538th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron are advising Afghanistan National Army Air Corps C-27 pilots and loadmasters here. Since November 2009, the squadron's 16 Airmen advisers, including nine pilots, five loadmasters, a flight engineer and their Afghan counterparts, have flown

  • Sheppard lieutenant wins cross country championship

    A lieutenant assigned to the 80th Operations Support Squadron here finished first at the Armed Forces Cross Country Championship Feb. 13 held in Spokane Valley, Wash. 2nd Lt. Caroline White finished the 8-kilometer course with a time of 29:27, running at a pace of 5:55 miles per minute. The win

  • Application deadline set for officer development opportunities

    Air Force officers considering advanced academic degree and experience broadening programs in 2011 have until April 30 to apply.Officers in space and missiles operations, intelligence, weather, logistics, program management, developmental engineering, communications and information, public affairs,

  • Airmen train Afghan National Army Air Corps' first C-27 pilot

    An Afghan National Army Air Corps pilot became the first Afghan pilot qualified to fly the C-27 here Feb. 23.American Airmen helped train Afghan Lt. Faiz Ramaki as the Afghan National Army Air Corps' newest pilot on the Air Corps' newest aircraft. "He's very sharp," said Lt. Col. Paul Bedesem, a

  • Approved spouses unaffected by career program pause

    A week after announcing the temporary halt of the Defense Department's Military Spouse Career Advancement Account operations, the head of the program assured participants with approved financial assistance that their enrollment will be unaffected. "For those of you who have currently approved

  • Bilateral training strengthens American, Japanese ties

    A group of Japan Air Self Defense Force enlisted members recently experienced the on- and off-duty life of an American Airman during a bilateral exchange program held at Kadena Air Base Feb. 12 to 18.The exchange program, a 5th Air Force initiative established to bolster cultural and professional

  • Haiti airport transitions, commercial flights begin

    American Airlines flight 377 landed at 9:21 a.m. at Toussaint L'Ouverture International Airport here Feb. 19 marking the return of commercial air service to the nation following the Jan. 12 earthquake that destroyed ports of entry into the country.Airmen have been working since their arrival Jan. 13

  • Buffalo Soldiers legacy shared at Sheppard

    The members of Sheppard Air Force base learned about the legacy of Buffalo Soldiers during a banquet Feb. 19 here.Buffalo Soldiers were the first African Americans to serve in the "regular" U.S. Army immediately after the Civil War. "The Buffalo soldiers were mostly former slaves from all over the

  • Lackland program develops Airmen of character

    Aligning with the vision of the 37th Training Wing commander, a program emphasizing character development has had a significant impact on the Airmen of the 343rd Training Squadron. The program puts into practice the vision that Col. William H. Mott V, the 37th TRW commander, has for the wing:  shape

  • Air Force two-star receives career achievement award at BEYA conference

    Maj. Gen. Larry Spencer received an award Feb. 20 at the annual Black Engineer of the Year Awards conference, an annual event to recognize and honor African-Americans in technical career fields.General Spencer, a career officer with 30 years of service in the Air Force, was honored with the Career

  • Kirkuk Airmen train Iraqi medics

    Members of the 506th Expeditionary Medical Squadron here are helping train Iraqi medics at the K-1 Iraqi medical clinic on basic emergency procedures.Iraqi Expert Field Medical Batch training is a four-week course offered to Iraqi medics in order to provide the experience they will need in

  • Air Force officials remain vigilant in PTSD treatment

    With a commitment to taking care of Airmen and their families, Air Force officials said they will maintain a focus on the prevention, mitigation and treatment of deployment-related post-traumatic stress disorder.Air Force officials use a three-pronged approach to promote psychological health and

  • U.S., Thailand, Singapore officials to begin Cope Tiger 2010

    Aviation and ground units from the U.S. Air Force, the Republic of Singapore air force, and the Royal Thai Air Force and Army, will participate in the Cope Tiger 2010 field training exercise March 1 through 12 in Thailand.Cope Tiger is an annual, multilateral, aerial force exercise conducted in the

  • Air Force leaders seek to balance current, future needs

    The Air Force's budget request for fiscal 2011 provides the right balance between supporting the war efforts and other current-day commitments while posturing for future challenges, the top Air Force civilian and military leaders told Congress Feb. 23 here. The $119.6 billion request is designed to

  • Air Force officials approve incentive pay for officer, enlisted RPA aircrews

    Air Force officials here have approved an incentive pay for officer and enlisted Airmen who commit themselves to flying or operating sensors on remotely piloted aircraft.The incentive pay is equivalent to the current aviation incentive pay programs and is available to Airmen in the officer 18X RPA

  • My Development Plan gives Airmen access to career information, mentorship

    Airmen soon will have a new, Web-based tool to track their career and work with a mentor from throughout the Air Force, according to Dan Sitterly, the director of Force Development for the deputy chief of staff for Manpower, Personnel and Services.My Development Plan, which is made up of My Civilian

  • Culture, Language Center staff launches culture-general training

    Today's global environment calls for Airmen to have the knowledge, skills and attitudes with which to build partnerships and effectively communicate with international partners and potential adversaries, manpower and personnel officials said Feb. 22 here. Without the proper training and development

  • Sheppard instructors train Chilean air force maintainers

    Thirty-eight Chilean air force enlisted members visited Sheppard Air Force Base, to learn the finer points of maintenance on four specific aircraft systems at the 982nd Training Group January and February here. Instructors taught members of the Chilean air force various maintenance courses for the

  • Andersen, Yokota Airmen train for disaster relief operations

    Members of the 36th Contingency Response Group here and aircrews from the 374th Operations Group at Yokota Air Base, Japan, participated in a mock deployment to rehearse time-critical actions for disaster relief operations Feb. 17-18 at Northwest Field.Airmen from the 36th CRG hosted two aircrews

  • 4 Airmen struck by lightning during training exercise at Eglin

    Four Airmen were injured by lightning during a field training exercise at approximately 8 a.m. Feb. 22 at a range on Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.One instructor and three students assigned to the 342nd Training Squadron, Det. 3 from Hurlburt Field were injured while conducting vehicle navigation

  • Army missile range commander visits Holloman Airmen

    The commanding general of the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico visited here Feb. 12 to experience air-to-air fighter training and the remotely piloted aircraft training program firsthand.Army Gen. John Regan started his day pulling six G's (force of gravity) over White Sands Missile Range

  • 'Today's Air Force' features airborne laser testbed

    In this edition of "Today's Air Force," the airborne laser testbed aircraft successfully shoots down a ballistic missile; Air Force officials in Iraq continue the responsible drawdown of forces, preparing Iraqis to assume control; and one Airman's inspirational story: how he's winning the battle of

  • Dutch partnership emphasizes innovations in training

    The commander of the Royal Netherlands air force visited the Air Education and Training Command headquarters Feb. 14 through 16 to learn more aboutremotely piloted aircraft, strategic airlift and space. "I think our footprint in AETC is rather big because of the number of people who train in the

  • Air Force cross country teams win Armed Forces title

    The Air Force men's and women's cross country teams won the Armed Forces Cross Country Championship Feb. 13 at Plantes Ferry Sports Complex, Spokane Valley, Wash."This was the most talented men's and women's team I've been a part of in seven years," said Capt. Levi Severson, the team captain for the

  • Academy cadet earns scholarship to study at Oxford

    A U.S. Air Force Academy cadet recently earned a top-level scholarship to Exeter College at Oxford University in England for two years of graduate study.Cadet 1st Class Bradford Waldie garnered the Alberta Bart Holaday Scholarship and will study abroad to earn a master's degree in philosophy in

  • Military officials ease thumb drive, flash media bans

    New guidelines from U.S. Strategic Command officials allow servicemembers to use "thumb drives" and other flash media to store computer data under specific circumstances. Strategic Command officials banned use of thumb drives and flash media in November 2008, after the use of the media infected a

  • New AF dining program offers greater variety, availability

    Airmen at six bases may soon see greater quality and variety in their dining venues and food and beverage options, Air Force services officials said recently.The pilot program of the Air Force Services Agency's Food Transformation Initiative is gearing up to bring a new way of dining on Air Force