Korean VIP goes for a ride

The 8th Fighter Wing commander literally took Gunsan City's Korean National Police chief for a ride here March 4. Colonel J.D. Harris invited Kim Myung Jung to the base to familiarize him with the wing mission and the F-16 Fighting Falcon. Kunsan's Pilot for a Day program brings local civilians who

Airman tracks down parts for Iraqi maintenance depot

A joint expeditionary tasking Airman with the 732nd Air Expeditionary Group here is a scavenger. Capt. Jeff Allen, a contract officer representative for the depot, is charged with locating the parts the Iraqi army needs to restore their vehicles, whether it be buying it or finding it at a salvage

Air Force on target with recruiting, retention

Air Force leaders' efforts to have the "right number of people in the right jobs" remains a challenge and so far, the Air Force is headed in the right direction, according to Lt. Gen. Richard Y. Newton III, the deputy chief of staff for manpower and personnel. The general was one of several senior

Top agents praise OSI efforts within Afghanistan

The Air Force's top Office of Special Investigations leaders recently spoke with agents and support personnel serving in Afghanistan during a Feb. 23 through 26 visit to Bagram Airfield. Brig. Gen. Dana Simmons, the Air Force OSI commander, Col. Humberto Morales, the 24th Expeditionary Force

Process for validating reserve early-retired pay explained

Air Reserve Personnel Center officials here are finalizing procedures for validating the receipt of retired pay before Citizen Airmen, both guardsmen and reservists, turn 60 years old.Since Jan. 28, 2008, Guard and Reserve Airmen can reduce the age they receive retirement pay by three months for

Players, spectator save life of fallen Airman

Five minutes into an intramural basketball game, two base teams were locked in a battle for victory but then had to shift focus to battle to save a fallen player's life at 8:30 p.m. Feb. 18 here. A player fell head first to the floor at the Pope Fitness Center's basketball court, but two players

March 4 airpower summary: B-1B destroys drug production facilities

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 4, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer bomber used guided bomb unit-38s to

March 5 airpower summary: A-10s provide aerial security

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 5, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles engaged a cave that anti-Afghan

Prescription crosscheck program helps Tricare beneficiaries

The Tricare military health plan is ensuring patient safety for its 9.2 million beneficiaries through a revolutionary drug utilization program, a senior Tricare official said last week. "We cover about 2.2 million prescription medication claims per week -- that's about 120 million prescriptions per

Overweight youth pose recruitment challenges

Fat is bad for one's health. And as defense officials attest, it's also bad for recruiting, and for national defense. Curtis Gilroy, the Pentagon's accessions chief, lamented during a congressional hearing that many recruitment-age youth are too overweight to qualify for military service. And as a

Air Force Climate Survey yields insights

More than 90 percent of Airmen responding to a recent survey indicated that they are happy with their Air Force jobs and the performance of their organizations. These findings are according to a study that measures Airmen's attitudes toward their work environment and unit. "I am extremely pleased to

Post commemorates 99th anniversary of first military flight

A vintage Stearman PT-17 and a Fairchild PTY-26 flew at approximately 11 a.m. March 2 under a clear blue sky over the grounds of Fort Sam Houston commemorating the 99th anniversary of the first military flight made by then 1st Lt. Benjamin Foulois. Sponsored by the Stinsons Flight No. 2, Order of

Guard aviators gear up for Afghanistan deployment

Four New York Army National Guard aviators got a taste of high-altitude flying in Afghanistan on Feb. 25 without leaving the United States. The Afghan-bound members of Detachment 20, Operational Support Airlift, went through high-altitude training at an Air Force oxygen chamber here. The Soldiers

Symposium encourages Building Partnerships, ideas

The LeMay Center for Doctrine Development and Education here invites select officers and civilian equivalents to take part in the Building Partnerships Symposium March 23 to 25 here. The event's primary focus is to promote discussion about relevant experiences and theories to be incorporated into

Chapel team goes outside wire for duty

The chaplain and his assistant for the 732nd Air Expeditionary Group here serve Airmen who perform their duties in combat zones outside the wire, so they do to.Chaplain (Capt.) David Haltom and Staff Sgt. Porscha Howard, the chapel team for the 732nd AEG, provide chapel support to joint

Army, Air Force partner to improve facilities for Iraqi military

Air Force and Army Corps of Engineers members joined forces to improve the training facilities for Iraq's air force cadets here. The $1.96 million rehabilitation project at the Iraq Military Academy Rustamiyah included five major components that will greatly enhance the learning and living

National Guard chief visits troops in war zone

The National Guard's first four-star general visited citizen-Soldiers and -Airmen serving throughout Southwest Asia in dozens of formal briefings, town hall meetings and tours at the end of February and early March.General Craig R. McKinley, the chief of the National Guard Bureau, visited the Guard

March 3 airpower summary: Predator keeps vigilant watch

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 3, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force MQ-1B Predator unmanned aerial vehicle used a

Nighttime operations

Foundation gives spouses chance to become financial counselors

Through their investor education foundation, representatives with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA, are helping military spouses become accredited as financial counselors. The foundation's "Military Spouse Fellowship Program" has been providing military spouses the means to earn

Retirees can give to Air Force Assistance Fund

Even if retired, Airmen still can give to the Air Force Assistance Fund. This year's annual campaign, the 36th, began Feb. 9 and runs through May 1; however, installation commanders will decide on a specific six-week period for their base's campaign. Retirees can contribute through a one-time gift

Servicemembers provide medical care to 120 Afghans

American servicemembers of the Nangarhar Provincial Reconstruction team conducted a medical assistance mission and cared for more than 120 Afghans at the Hope of Mother School and Clinic in Surkh Rod District Feb. 24 in Afghanistan. In approximately three hours, the team's medics and an Afghan

Challenging Air Force weather mission at Academy

With an area of 18,000 acres, an elevation gain of 2,800 feet and Pikes Peak only 15 miles to the southwest, staying ahead of the weather here can be difficult. Add to that an airfield that relies heavily on weather conditions that allow pilots to land by looking outside the cockpit and you have

Santa's other reindeer

ESC uses new acquisition steps to advance critical program

An Electronic Systems Center team has completed one of the Air Force's first Materiel Development Decisions using the new DOD Instruction 5000.02, Operation of the Defense Acquisition System, acquisition procedures approved in December. The team, composed of people in the 653rd Electronic Systems

AFSPC commander speaks on changing nature of warfare

General C. Robert Kehler, the commander of Air Force Space Command, spoke at the Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando Feb. 24 about the future of conflict. "We're very excited about what is happening in our command," he said, referring to the decision to make Air Force Space Command the lead for (Air

JCS chairman stresses value of joint warfighting

As military officials in Chile work toward building a joint force, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff shared insights from U.S. history and emphasized the importance of the joint process."The U.S. military is the best in the world" partly because leaders and servicemembers have embraced joint

Successful Deep Freeze season comes to an end

Another season of Department of Defense support to the U.S. Antarctic Program and National Science Foundation activities in Antarctica came to an end Feb. 28. The 2008-2009 season of Operation Deep Freeze, the U.S. military's operational and logistical support of the NSF's scientific research

Misawa officials welcome home 300 deployed Airmen

The Misawa Air Base community welcomed home about 300 Airmen who had been deployed supporting expeditionary operations Feb. 27 through March 1 here. Families gathered on the flightline to greet their loved ones who have been gone for five to six months at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, in support of the

Army, Air Guard at full strength, directors tell Congress

The Army National Guard is over strength and the Air National Guard has met its end strength for the first time since 2002, the directors told Congress March 3 here. "This is a new era for us," said Army Lt. Gen. Clyde Vaughn, the director of the Army National Guard. "We've never been in this

Airmen advise Afghans on Russian-made helicopters

Kadena Air Base Airmen are contributing to the readiness of the Afghan national army air corps by serving as advisers to Afghan airmen at Kandahar Air Base, Afghanistan, who maintain the Russian-made MI-17 transport helicopter. Tech. Sgt. Dennis Flanagan, a helicopter crew chief, and Tech. Sgt.

Airman's Roll Call: Cyber threat training

This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on things Airmen can do to prevent cyber threats from harming Air Force computer networks. Just like safety down days, Airmen are taking a moment to better understand how cyber threats can hamper the mission. This week, Airmen in units across the Air Force are

Air Force teams with NASCAR to aid recruiting

The Air Force was on display at the Shelby 427 race March 1 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Nevada as the Air Force NASCAR was on hand for race fans to see and the Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, performed.A crowd of 200,000 people witnessed Lt. Gen. Ronald F. Sams, the

Agencies practice hazardous cleanup in arctic conditions

The 611th Civil Engineer Squadron, 3rd Civil Engineer Squadron, Coast Guard, Navy's Supervisor of Salvage and the Alaska Environmental Protection Agency combined this year to practice decontamination procedures during Ice Ops on Six-mile Lake at Elmendorf Air Force Base. Ice Ops is an annual

Leaders address issues at AFA symposium

The top Air Force leaders outlined today and tomorrow's challenges for the service Feb. 26 at the 25th Annual Air Force Association Air Warfare Symposium and Technology Exposition in Orlando, Fla. Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley and Gen. Norton Schwartz, chief of staff of the Air Force,

Altus shop improvement reuses waste water

Airmen from the 97th Maintenance Directorate wheel and tire shop recently improved the way they wash aircraft wheels, which will save the Air Force more than $47,000 and reduce hazardous waste generation by more than 27,000 pounds annually. When the shop focused on increasing efficiency, the end

March 2 airpower summary: A-10s deter, disrupt enemy activities

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 2, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs dropped general purpose

U.S., India strengthen partnership

Rescue crews assist search for missing boater, NFL players

Air Force Reserve rescue crews from the 920th Rescue Wing here launched two aircraft March 2 as Airmen helped with the continued search for three missing boaters in the Gulf of Mexico, two who are NFL players. The 920th RQW maintenance teams prepared an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter and an HC-130P/N

Officials announce senior master sergeant selections

Air Force officials have selected 1,450 of 13,216 eligible master sergeants for promotion to senior master sergeant for a selection rate of 10.97 percent. Last year's selection rate was 8.77 percent. The average score for those selected was 661.49, which was based on the following point averages:

Personnel desktop application expanded

Beginning March 13, group and wing commanders will have access to vital personnel information right at their fingertips according to officials at the Air Force Personnel Center here. The Base-Level Service Delivery Model commander's tool will provide personnel information, such as manning documents

Physical therapy keeps Airmen fit to fight

A person passing by the physical therapy office at this base in Southwest Asia might not notice it exists, because much of the recovery equipment found in stateside clinics isn't there. But Maj. Jesse Richardson, 379th Expeditionary Medical Group physical therapist, said this allows him to get out

Kadena Airmen volunteer time to Japanese children

Fifteen Airmen from the 18th Wing here used their native English skills to connect with 60 children at a Japanese preschool Feb. 26 while temporarily deployed to the Japan Air Self Defense Force's Nyutabaru Air Base in Miyazaki Prefecture. The children, ages 3 to 6 years old, at Isshin preschool

Airmen vigilant for threats

Airmen with the 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron's Escort Flight keep a vigilant eye throughout the base interior 24 hours a day, seven days a week to protect the base's operational security and everyone's safety. The flight of more than 180 Airmen preserve security by escorting

386th Airmen contribute to Victoria wildfire relief

When the Australian servicemembers of Force Support Unit 1 at an air base in Southwest Asia passed a bucket around at their last barbecue to raise funds for the victims of the Victoria wildfires, they had hoped for some loose change from their Air Force guests. What they got surprised them.  Between

Squadron continues tradition, honors fallen comrades

Members from the 1st Special Operations Squadron took off Feb. 26 from Kadena Air Base, Japan, on a MC-130H Combat Talon II to honor fallen brethren that were lost 28 years ago.A 1st SOS MC-130E, call sign Stray 59, crashed during an exercise killing eight crewmembers and 15 passengers Feb. 26,

Airmen deliver 1 million pounds of supplies in 42 days

Airmen of the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron dropped its 1 millionth pound of equipment from a C-17 Globemaster III Feb. 16 over Afghanistan just 42 days after arriving here Dec. 30. Unit members deployed from Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., completed the milestone mission supporting

Airman welcomes first child via Web cam

A 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Airman deployed at an air base in Southwest Asia witnessed the birth of his first child in the Oklahoma City area live via Web cam Feb. 19. Senior Airman Daniel Warila, a 380th Expeditionary Maintenance aerospace ground equipment mechanic, watched his son, Lucas Daniel

March 1 airpower summary: MQ-9 targets enemy with missiles

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations March 1, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs responded to a ground

Rescue crews join search for missing NFL players, boaters

An Air Force Reserve Rescue crew from the 920th Rescue Wing here took off in an HH-60G Pave Hawk at 5 p.m. March 1 to join the Coast Guard in a search for four missing boaters in the Gulf of Mexico. Detroit Lions defensive end Corey Smith and Oakland Raiders linebacker Victor Cooper were among the

Feb. 26 airpower summary: A-10s deter enemy forces

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Feb. 26, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan a coalition aircraft used a precision guided munition to

Feb. 27 airpower summary: B-1B destroys enemy narcotics facility

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Feb. 27, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer bomber used guided bomb unit-38s

Feb. 28 air power summary: F-15E destroys enemy weapons cache

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Feb. 28, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle destroyed an anti-Afghan