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U.S. Air Force News

  • Thunderbirds officials announce 2010 schedule

    Officials from the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, "Thunderbirds," here announced its 2010 airshow schedule. The team's 57th show season is scheduled to take them to more than 65 shows in 27 states and Canada. Lt. Col. Case Cunningham will join the team as commander and leader for the

  • Bolling members take 'Amazing Race' challenge

    Nearly 40 people from the National Capital Region competed in an obstacle course-style competition Dec. 4 at Bolling Air Force Base. Events ranged from paintball to low-crawling, wheelchair racing, barrel-rolling and bicycling.Competitors raced across a 5.5-mile area on Bolling AFB and Anacostia

  • Laughlin Airmen give special opportunity to one of their own

    Laughlin Air Force Base Airmen hosted the Air Force's newest pilot here Nov. 20. Nicholas "Nicky" Pena, 3, was sworn in as an honorary pilot at the 87th Flying Training Squadron. Nicky, who has an anaplastic ependymoma brain tumor, was invited to be a part of Laughlin AFB's Pilot for a Day program.

  • Task force finds improvement in sexual assault response

    Defense Department officials have made progress in improving their response to the needs of sexual assault victims, but they need to do more, a special task force has determined. The Defense Task Force on sexual assault in the military services has turned their report over to Defense Secretary

  • Alert mission protects U.S. airspace, interests

    Shaw Air Force Base Airmen supporting the Operation Noble Eagle alert mission provide quick-reaction support to protect U.S. airspace and significant events like presidential movements and space shuttle launches."We have to be ready if the alarm goes off at 2:30 in the morning," said Master Sgt.

  • U.S., Malaysian air forces participate in live-flying exercise

    U.S. and Malaysian airmen participated in a live-flying exercise involving air combat training in Malaysia from Nov. 9 through 20.Members of the 67th Fighter Squadron from Kadena Air Base, Japan, took their F-15 Eagles to TUDM Butterworth, Malaysia, to train with the Royal Malaysian Air Force's

  • Air Force officials reinforce tattoo, body alteration policy

    Air Force senior leaders here have taken steps to ensure Air Force dress and personal appearance standards are applied consistently across the service."It's about enforcing and maintaining Air Force standards," said Lt. Gen. Richard Y. Newton III, the deputy chief of staff for manpower and

  • Top leaders spell out president's strategy

    Top U.S. government and military officials here spelled out President Barack Obama's new war strategy Dec. 6, even as hundreds of Marines launched a new offensive in southern Afghanistan.Both Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton appeared on three major

  • Base retiree activities offices worldwide need volunteers

    Retiree activities office members currently need volunteers at 109 offices at active-duty, Reserve and Guard bases around the world. "All of the retiree activities offices are suffering for a new group of people to volunteer because the core of (current volunteers) are getting sick, getting older

  • Deputy defense secretary outlines protections for information

    Although information technology enables the Defense Department to make gains in military capabilities, those gains come at a cost, the deputy defense secretary told industry executives in New York. "The Defense Department makes a tempting target," Mr. William J. Lynn III said. "We have 7 million

  • Dover C-5Ms complete test in surge operations

    The C-5M Super Galaxy team has completed another stage of operational test and evaluation with the conclusion of surge operations at Dover AFB. The surge operations consisted of 31 days of delivering essential cargo and flying sorties nonstop, from Dover AFB to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, without

  • Transportation officials confident in Afghan deployment

    U.S. Transportation Command officials are confident they can accomplish the mission of delivering 30,000 U.S. troops and their equipment to Afghanistan when they are needed. Planners at the command based at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., are working with operations specialists at U.S. Joint Forces

  • CMSAF visits Kandahar Airmen

    The Air Force's top enlisted Airman visited Kandahar Airfield Nov. 28 through 30 to say thank you to the Airmen here.Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy said he took this time to better understand the full spectrum of a deployment for an Airman on ground-level. He said he wanted to see

  • Eglin Airmen join Marines in combat fitness test

    Eglin Air Force Base Airmen joined the Marines during their annual combat fitness test Nov. 25 here. Airmen who came out for the combat fitness test accepted the invitation from Marine Sgt. Maj. Bonnie Skinner of the 501st Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron to try out the newest addition to the

  • CMSAF visits deployed Airmen in Southwest Asia

    Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James A. Roy spoke with and visited deployed servicemembers at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, during his first U.S. Central Command area of responsibility tour as the service's top enlisted leader. During various discussions with

  • Airmen lead training course for Iraqi police

    Airmen assigned to the Iraq Police Transition Team here started a new class Nov. 18 for recent graduates of the Iraqi Police Academy as an effort to further enhance their capabilities as officers securing their communities.The five-day class is part of an on-going effort to transition responsibility

  • Force protection Airmen add another layer of armor in base defense

    Composed of Airmen from 60 different Air Force specialties, the 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron force protection unit here aids in defending the base against hostile actions inside the wire. Force protection escorts are charged with monitoring and safeguarding local and third country

  • Squadron commander receives Nebraska Admiralship

    A special ceremony for Maj. Dana McCown's promotion to lieutenant colonel Nov. 24 became much more as Nebraska first lady Sally Ganem took to the podium during the ceremony.. The wife of Nebraska governor Dave Heineman bestowed Colonel McCown with an Admiralship in the Great Navy of Nebraska for the

  • Retired chief shares experiences with Air Force Wounded Warrior Program

    When Airmen deploy to places like Iraq and Afghanistan they accomplish difficult and challenging missions. Unfortunately some return injured or even having paid the ultimate price for freedom. The Air Force Wounded Warrior Program is committed to caring for wounded Airmen, their families, and the

  • Dec. 1 golden anniversary of chief master sergeant rank

    Chief master sergeants weren't a part of the Air Force's enlisted structure when the service was formed in 1947. In fact, it took 11 years after the fact until the rank even existed.This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment by Air Force officals of the rank of chief master sergeant,

  • Air Force officials release F-15E accident investigation report

    Air Combat Command officials here Dec. 1 released the results of an F-15E Strike Eagle in Afghanistan July 18 stating a flight lead weapons system officer's incorrect assessment of a training target's elevation led to the crash, according to the ACC Accident Investigation Board report. The crew was

  • Airman advises Iraqis on ISR missions

    A U.S. Air Force officer assigned to the Iraq Training and Advisory Mission is an adviser to Iraqi intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance airmen within the Iraqi Air Operations Center.Capt. Sean Reynolds, an IAOC intelligence advisor, helps Iraqi airmen with ISR mission scheduling and

  • Airmen, Iraqi army technicians destroy stockpile of munitions

    Airmen and Iraqi army technicians destroyed a stockpile of captured munitions and improvised explosive device components weighing close to 1,200 pounds Nov. 24, at a range outside of Baghdad, Iraq.The event was a combined effort between the explosive ordnance disposal technicians assigned to the

  • Air Force leaders make Thanksgiving Day visit to Airmen in Afghanistan

    The Air Force's top officer and enlisted member paid a Thanksgiving visit to Airmen who are deployed to the NATO Training Mission - Afghanistan and Combined Air Power Transition Force here.During an Airmen's call, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force

  • Joint program aims to reduce firefighter injuries

    Firefighting may be near the top of the Defense Department's list of high-risk occupations, but there's a move afoot to make it safer. According to reports, Defense Department firefighter injuries -- more than 1,000 new incidents each year -- have cost the department nearly $30 million a year. When

  • AETC commander presents Educator of the Year awards

    The 2008-2009 Air Education and Training Command Educator of the Year awards ceremony here Nov. 16 honored three individuals who made significant contributions to AETC's educational mission during the academic year. The AETC Educator of the Year awards are presented to the top enlisted, officer and

  • Airmen mentor Iraqi police officers

    Security forces Airmen mentored their Iraqi counterparts during a meeting at a local police station here Nov. 15 as part of an on going training program and in anticipation of upcoming elections.The Airmen work as part of a police training team and are assigned to the 732nd Expeditionary Security

  • Singapore celebrates partnership with Air Force

    U.S. government and Republic of Singapore officials celebrated their partnership during the Peace Carvin V inauguration of the F-15SG fighter detachment Nov. 19 here.The ceremony honored the Peace Carvin V F-15 detachment known as the 428th Fighter Squadron, which will operate up to 12 F-15SG

  • Nellis Airmen work behind the scenes to ensure exercise success

    Every year, Airmen here support the largest air mobility exercise in the United States. This Mobility Air Forces Exercise, or MAFEX, is essential in making sure both Soldiers and Airmen are prepared to coordinate jointly during overseas contingencies. The MAFEX is part of the U.S. Air Force Weapon

  • Kirkuk Airmen train Iraqis to help themselves

    Airmen of the 521st Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron here are tasked with helping Iraqis train their new pilot corps and prepare qualified Iraqi pilots to assume mission operations."The better we do our jobs, the fewer people they'll send to replace us until we don't have to be here at all," said

  • Health care gains recognition as bridge to stability

    A theory gaining momentum among counterinsurgency and military medical experts is that the health of a nation's people affects the health of a nation. While no formal study has confirmed a causal connection, evidence culled from U.S. commanders as well as American allies and adversaries, suggests a

  • Academy visit brings smiles to Cadet for a Day

    For Hannah Marklin, 16, and the Academy's most recent Cadet for a Day, it was a weekend packed with tours, football, aviation, demonstrations and hanging out with some 100 new friends.Hannah, her parents and friend Evan Simon, visited the Academy Nov. 12 through 14 and were feted by Cadet Squadron

  • Physical training uniform made in America

    Air Force officials partnered with American industry to ensure the new physical fitness uniform is not only upgraded with better material and functionality, but also is 100 percent America made.The new PTU outer garment running suit is being manufactured near Columbus Air Force Base, Miss., and

  • CMSAF visits Canada to build PME partnership

    The Air Force's top enlisted leader visited multiple locations in Canada Nov. 17 through 20 to build a permanent enlisted professional military education partnership with one of America's closest allies.Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy visited Ottawa, Ontario, and

  • American engineers conduct quality assurance training in Afghanistan

    Khost Provincial Reconstruction Team engineers conducted quality assurance training for more than 30 Afghan contractors, foremen and engineers at the Civil-Military Operations Center in downtown Khost, Afghanistan recently.The engineers conduct monthly training to address issues found during project

  • Wounded warrior program continues assisting Airmen and their families

    Air Force leaders remain committed to the service's top investments: Airmen and their families. In support of a Defense Department initiative to return wounded warriors to productive military service or civilian life, Air Force officials here have revised several personnel policies. These policies

  • Mullen sees operational structure in Guard's future

    The National Guard's transformation from a strategic reserve to an operational force since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, should continue beyond the current conflicts, the nation's top military officer told Guard leaders Nov. 19. As operations in Iraq and Afghanistan change over the next

  • Air Force leaders speak at 2009 Global Warfare Symposium

    Air Force senior leaders discussed the service's priorities, capabilities and vision in space, cyberspace and strategic deterrence at the 2009 Air Force Association Global Warfare Symposium here Nov. 19. Gen. Kevin P. Chilton, Lt. Gen. Frank G. Klotz and Maj. Gen. Richard E. Webber, respective

  • AMC officials give $225K to three bases for thinking green

    Green thinking led to cold cash Nov. 18 when Air Mobility Command officials gave $100,000 to Charleston Air Force Base, S.C.; $75,000 to Scott AFB; and $50,000 to Travis AFB, Calif.; for efforts by people at each base to conserve energy and promote culture change. Eligibility for the Energy

  • Air Force experts, Iraqi aviation authority restructure airways

    On Nov. 19, the Iraq Civil Aviation Authority implemented a revamped airway structure within Iraq, the first such airspace restructuring in years.In addition to the ICAA, members of the Air Component Coordination Element, Washington Consulting Group and various other agencies played a crucial role

  • Weapons school completes large scale mobility exercise

    Airmen from two U.S. Air Force Weapons School squadrons and aircrews flying 40 heavy-body aircraft completed a Mobility Air Forces Exercise over the Nevada Test and Training Range here Nov. 18."This is essentially the capstone for our Weapons Instructor Course, helping us learn how to plan, schedule

  • Secretary of State visits servicemembers in Afghanistan

    Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton visited servicemembers Nov. 19 at the newly established International Security Assistance Force Joint Command here.Secretary Clinton was in the region attending the inauguration ceremony of Afghan President Hamid Karzai and took time to address and greet

  • Air Force Academy firefighters smash own world record

    An Air Force Academy team shattered their own world record Nov. 18 at the five-day 2009 Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge here.The top-ranked ladies tandem team, dubbed "Old Dog, New Trick," beat their record with a time of 1:52.33 in the female relay event."I'm so excited; it was a clean, seamless

  • Medics teach mental health classes in Philippines

    Members of the Camp Navarro General Hospital and the Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines chaplain team taught more than 50 care providers crisis intervention management techniques at the Western Mindanao Command Nov. 16 through 18 here. The classes focused on the hidden scars of the

  • Air Force secretary visits Luke

    The secretary of the Air Force visited Luke Air Force Base for the first time Nov. 18 and spoke to base members about the latest Air Force issues."I've been looking forward to visiting Luke for months," said Secretary Michael B. Donley said. "I wanted to personally meet the people that continue to

  • Airmen receive Sijan Award in Pentagon ceremony

    The Air Force's chief of staff honored the service's four Capt. Lance P. Sijan Award recipients in a ceremony in the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes Nov. 18.The Sijan Award annually recognizes Airmen who demonstrate outstanding leadership abilities, and this year's recipients are Maj. James Hughes Jr.

  • Applicants sought for air attaché duty

    Air Force officials here are accepting applications until Dec. 11 from senior captains, majors and lieutenant colonels to fill eight air attaché positions and assistant air attaché positions with in-country reporting dates ranging from August 2010 to September 2012. Officers selected for attaché

  • Air Force Warfare Center officials improve warfighter support

    At the Air Force Warfare Center here, lessons learned supporting ground troops in Afghanistan and Iraq are being shared with the aviation community and incorporated into the training as quickly as they're developed. Meanwhile, officials at the center's operational arm, the 57th Wing, are helping to

  • Air Force officials host Sexual Assault Prevention, Response Leader Summit

    To reinforce the service's commitment to protect Airmen and maintain a safe environment, senior leaders gathered for the 2009 Air Force Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Leader Summit here Nov. 16.Air Force Secretary Michael B. Donley, Assistant Vice Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. William L. Shelton,

  • Air Force leaders reinforce senior adviser hiring guidance

    Air Force senior leaders here recently completed a year-long comprehensive review of the requirements, contracting processes and tasks performed by senior advisers.While the review did not find any ethical or legal concerns, Air Force Secretary Michael B. Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen.

  • Air Force secretary presents small business achievement awards

    The secretary of the Air Force presented the 2008 and 2009 Small Business Programs Special Achievement Awards at the Air Force Office of Small Business Programs Conference Nov. 17 here."Because of their size, these smaller companies have great advantages over their much larger competitors, namely

  • Airmen compete in firefighter combat challenge

    Six teams of Air Force firefighters, from various bases, are testing their skills and stamina Nov. 16 to 20 against more than 600 fire departments from around the world during the five-day 2009 Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge here. The 3,000 military and civilian firefighters, hailing from

  • Air Force officials make first major move toward a central network

    Air Force officials recently took the first major steps recently in moving e-mail and network services into what will become the central Air Force Network. Within today's environment, major commands and some subordinate units operate their own networks, but the Active Directory and Exchange project

  • Exercise prepares Airmen for Afghan marketplace attack

    A deadly insurgent rocket attack on a civilian marketplace in Afghanistan's Kapisa Province resulted in wounded Afghans being medically evacuated Nov. 16 to nearby hospitals, including the Craig Joint Theater Hospital here that took in 13 civilians.According to Capt. James McDaniel, the hospital

  • Dolphins fly to New Caledonia with Hickam C-17 crew

    Airmen aboard C-17 Globemaster IIIs from Hickam AFB transported dolphins from the Navy Marine Mammals Program in San Diego, Calif., to Noumea, New Caledonia, Nov. 8 to locate and dispose of more than 200 contact mines that were leftover from World War II.The active-duty and Reserve C-17 aircrew from

  • Officials announce fiscal 2010 force management measures

    Air Force officials here announced Nov. 16 measures to meet the fiscal 2010 end strength of 331,700, requiring personnel management actions to reduce the force by approximately 3,700 officers and enlisted members through voluntary and involuntary early separation and retirement programs. Eligible

  • Initiative helps disabled vets stay active

    A recent initiative launched by officials with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Olympic Committee is giving disabled veterans a chance to rediscover their potential through athletics and competition.A memorandum of understanding was signed between the two organizations Oct. 21 to

  • Nellis officials plan for F-35's opportunities, challenges

    With the new F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter aircraft's arrival just four years away, officials at the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center here are looking forward to joint training opportunities while recognizing the challenges of providing realistic training on such a technologically advanced

  • Supreme Allied Commander Europe visits USAFE forces

    The commander of U.S. European Command and Supreme Allied Commander in Europe met the commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe here to discuss USAFE's vital role in accomplishing the EUCOM mission Nov. 10 at Ramstein Air Base."The Airmen of USAFE are essential to providing deterrence from aggression

  • All services meet or exceed October recruiting goals

    All active-duty and reserve-component military branches met or exceeded their recruiting goals for October, Defense Department officials said. October's results, the first for fiscal 2010, continue a successful military recruiting mission that experienced a banner year in fiscal 2009. Active and

  • USAFE command chief builds partnership in Bulgaria

    The top enlisted advisor to U.S. Air Forces in Europe visited Bulgaria Nov. 2-6 to explore cooperation opportunities for enlisted professional military education. Chief Master Sgt. Pamela Derrow, USAFE command chief, spent the week meeting with Bulgarian air force leaders and talking about how

  • Unmanned aircraft crews strive to support warfighters

    As Pentagon officials look for ways to increase intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support for warfighters in Afghanistan, the Air Force's first unmanned aircraft systems wing already is on the case in its never-ending quest to provide more and better intelligence through the systems they

  • Officials expand 2010 ACP to growing mission needs

    Details on the fiscal 2010 Aviator Continuation Pay Program released by officials Nov. 13 continue to emphasize the Air Force's retention efforts in critical, rated career fields while recognizing the growing significance of remotely piloted aircraft.The ACP Program allows some active-duty rated

  • Air Education and Training Command wins the USAF Marathon MAJCOM Challenge

    The Air Education and Training Command won this year's U.S. Air Force Marathon Major Command Challenge Commander's Trophy, with the Air Force Materiel Command coming in second.The announcement was made last week at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.The MAJCOM Challenge is an Air

  • Air Force officials emphasize individual fitness responsibility

    While Air Force commanders have the responsibility to maintain a unit fitness program, the new fitness Air Force instruction will better emphasize each Airman's responsibility to meet and maintain fitness standards, officials here said Nov. 13.Commanders and supervisors will continue to emphasize

  • Ramstein Airmen improve training, effectiveness with new M-50 mask

    Airmen at Ramstein Air Base will see a new change in chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear training with the use of the new M-50 Joint Service General Purpose Mask and Joint Service Lightweight Integrated Suit Technology, effective immediately."The new masks are joint service; they'll be

  • Federal officials pledge support for hiring veterans

    Senior federal officials here Nov. 12 pledged their support of President Barack Obama's directive to increase the hiring of military veterans. President Obama signed the executive order Nov. 9 that calls on each federal agency to establish a veterans' employment program office designed to help

  • Rise of the cyber wingman

    Every day, malicious code, worms, botnets and hooks attack Air Force computers hardware, software and the Internet. They infiltrate classified information and compromise national security. In response, Air Force officials are stepping up their mission to defend cyberspace.Mission success is the goal

  • Iraqi airmen score bull's eye with Hellfire missile

    For the first time since the re-formation of the Iraqi air force, an Iraqi pilot fired a missile from an aircraft Nov. 4, at a target on a bombing range near Al Asad Air Base, Iraq. A three-man Iraqi aircrew from Squadron 3 fired an AGM-114 Hellfire missile from an AC-208 Caravan, officials at

  • Homeland Security unveils new job site for veterans

    The Department of Homeland Security has unveiled a new Web site designed to provide a one-stop location for veterans looking for jobs. The site, http://www.dhs.gov/veterans, also serves as a resource for veterans organizations to learn about the department's veteran outreach initiatives. "This new

  • Ring returned to Vietnam POW 44 years after imprisonment

    With the traditional "I do's" and exchange of wedding bands some 54 years ago on Oct. 1, 1955, James and Phyllis Hivner began their life's journey together which, like many young couples, began with not knowing what the future held.That journey was rocked 10 years later, almost to the day, when

  • Officials announce JAG family service award winner

    Tom Hagmaier, an active volunteer within the Air Force and Judge Advocate General Corps community for more than ten years, received the 2008 Joy Dunlap Family Service Award Oct. 29 during the annual award banquet, part of the JAG Corps' Keystone Leadership Summit in Dallas.  Lt. Gen. Jack L. Rives,

  • Recruiter plays hero, stops robbery in progress

    An Air Force recruiter stopped a robbery in progress while attending his unit's annual training conference Oct. 29 here.Staff Sgt. Cesar Munoz, a recruiter with the 344th Recruiting Squadron stationed in Killeen, Texas, subdued two assailants attempting to mug an elderly man at the Sam's Town Hotel

  • Photo essay: Practice makes perfect

    Air Force Honor Guard members visited here to train and evaluate base honor guard members Oct. 21. The training develops the skill sets used in various formations and ceremonies. View slideshow.

  • Executive order seeks more veterans in government

    President Barack Obama signed an executive order Nov. 9 aimed at hiring more veterans to work in the federal government. A governmentwide Council on Veterans' Employment will be chaired by Labor Secretary Hilda Solis and Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki. The order calls on each federal

  • C-130 arrival in Poland marks end, new beginning

    Ramstein Air Base Airmen delivered the base's last E-model C-130 Hercules Nov. 2 to Powidz Air Base, Poland, marking the end of 38 years of service to the U.S. Air Force but the newest addition to the Polish air force's blossoming fleet of strategic airlifters.C-130 tail No. 1299 touched down and as

  • Official cites benefits of deploying civilians

    A recent Facebook post by a U.S. Soldier heading home from Iraq highlights some of the nonmilitary roles American troops often assume in today's counterinsurgency wars. "My time in Iraq approaches its end," the junior enlisted Soldier wrote, listing military duties he performed on tour, followed by

  • Airmen build up reconstruction yard for drawdown

    Airmen of the 732nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron's Det. 6 here are not only in the business of pushing dirt, but also in pushing the U.S. military closer to drawdown in Iraq. The Airmen are tasked to level off a Saddam Hussein-era munitions storage area to create a workspace for the

  • Reserve, Guard members contribute to Ramstein mission

    In February 2009, Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley said, "I am proud to report that the total force team of regular, Reserve, Guard and civilians, along with our joint partners, continues to provide world-class air, space and cyber capabilities for our combatant commanders." At Ramstein AB,

  • 'Today's Air Force' features signing of Military Family Month proclamation

    In this edition of "Today's Air Force," medical evacuation specialists in Germany hit a major milestone, Airmen in Iraq take charge of security for Joint Base Balad, and a sick woman takes part in an art program designed to help cancer patients deal with their disease.Airmen staffing the Contingency

  • Airmen train future journalists

    More than 85 students from Rhodes Middle School in San Antonio received a firsthand look at the story telling mission of the Defense Media Activity-San Antonio Nov. 6 here.The tour was geared to spark interest in the Air Force and various media career paths to provide the sixth, seventh and eighth

  • Academy physicians discuss H1N1 lessons learned

    Senior medical officials who successfully slowed the spread of H1N1 flu virus at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., published what they learned in an October article featured in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Air Force Lt. Col. (Dr.) Catherine Witkop, a preventive

  • Air Force finishes safest flying year

    Fiscal 2009 was the safest flying year in the 62-year history of the Air Force.  There were only 17 Class A mishaps. The next best year was fiscal 2006 with 19 Class A mishaps. A Class A mishap is one where there is loss of life, an injury resulting in permanent total disability, the destruction of

  • Air Force officials accepting physician assistant applications

    Air Force officials here are taking applications from active-duty enlisted Airmen for Physician Assistant Phase I Training classes beginning December 2010, and April and August 2011. To be eligible for this program, applicants must: -- be on active duty in the grade of E-3 through E-8 with a minimum

  • Air Force officials unveil new strategic basing process

    Senior Air Force officials have applied a new basing process to more than 200 sites for training and operational basing of the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter aircraft. In fall 2008, Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Norton Schwartz sought to redefine

  • Simulator helps attack controllers train

    Coalition and joint terminal attack controllers used a simulator to hone their skills in calling in close-air support during U.S. Joint Forces Command's advanced-concept technology demonstration Bold Quest 2009, which concluded here and at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Nov. 5. The

  • Airman culture key to Exercise Salitre success

    Exercise Salitre ended Oct. 30 with a total force effort of nearly 200 active-duty and Air National Guard Airmen representing five U.S. bases, and supporting coalition efforts to strengthen regional military ties and interoperability. The exercise, hosted by the Chilean air force integrated Airmen

  • Airmen train Iraqi police

    Iraqi policemen from the city of Nasiriyah earned explosive ordnance disposal patches Nov. 4 after completing training with Air Force EOD technicians assigned to Task Force Troy at Forward Operating Base Cedar. The training, conducted by three Airmen, is part of a six-week course offered to the

  • New cyberspace support career field stood up Nov. 1

    Air Force officials here converted more than 43,000 total force enlisted Airmen from former communications career fields to cyberspace support Nov. 1. The new Air Force specialty is made up of three former career fields: communications-electronics, 2EXXX; knowledge operations management, 3AXXX; and

  • South Carolina Air Guard unit wins international F-16 competition

    The South Carolina Air National Guard's 169th Fighter Wing was named the overall winner of Falcon Air Meet 2009, a three-nation F-16 Fighting Falcon competition, held here through Nov. 3. The South Carolina team, which represented the U. S. Air Force's Central Command and the U.S., won three of the

  • Airmen escort Afghan governor during visit

    Airmen from the Zabul Provincial Reconstruction Team escorted and provided security for the Afghan provincial governor during a visit with local government and religious leaders at a compound here Oct. 25. The visit was part of an on-going effort by the governor to meet key leaders throughout the

  • Photo essay: Night exercise at Osan Air Base

    Airmen from the 51st Security Forces Squadron participated in a night training exercise here to evacuate Airmen from a "car bombed" building and to oppose the "enemy" forces that were planning to ambush the evacuees Nov. 3, 2009. The simulation was part of a base operational readiness

  • Malian forces improve proficiency at English language lab

    Members of U.S. Air Forces Africa toured the Malian Air Force English Language Lab in Bamako that prepares officers for training in other nations as well as participation in United Nations peacekeeping missions.Before an international student can apply to attend a U.S. Air Force training program, he