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  • Christmas tree lighting welcomes the holiday season

    The Gunfighter community attended a holiday parade and participated in the holiday tree lighting ceremony Dec. 5, 2013. Santa Claus and base leadership gave candy to children throughout base housing and ended the parade with the ceremonial lighting of the base Christmas Tree. "We as Airmen talk a

  • TRICARE makes online customer service easier

    TRICARE implemented an easier way to access customer service features under the "I want to" section of the www.tricare.mil homepage, which began Dec. 1. TRICARE brings together the healthcare resources of each of the military services and supplements them with networks of civilian health care

  • Have fun with winter sports, but remember 'safety first'

    There you are, staring over the mountain's edge, your heart racing, your extremities freezing. The bone chilling wind wisps through your body as you lean forward. Your feet begin to slide and your eyes begin to widen. You start to pick up speed, faster and faster, obstacles and people zipping around

  • Stampede visits MHAFB, teaches basketball clinic

    The Idaho Stampede provided a basketball clinic for more than 20 children here Dec. 4.The Stampede is an American basketball team that plays in the National Basketball Association Development League based in the Boise, Idaho, area."The team is here to give back to military youth and teach them the

  • U-2 Dragon Lady above all

    Piloting a U-2 Dragon Lady is no simple task. The aircraft is widely regarded as the most difficult aircraft in the world to fly. U-2 aiframes are used to perform intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance at altitude's more than 70,000 ft.For pilots to fly at such extreme altitude's they are

  • AAFES, New Balance add new tread to wounded vets road to recovery

    Editor's Note: No federal endorsement of vendors or sponsors implied.The holidays are widely considered the season of giving, generally when people give gifts to loved ones and donate toward helping the less fortunate. However, for two companies, the gift-giving season has been non-stop for several

  • Prepare now for tax season, DOD official advises

    With tax season on the horizon, Service members should begin gathering documentation to file their 2013 taxes, the director of the Pentagon's office of family policy and children and youth said.In a recent interview with American Forces Press Service and the Pentagon Channel, Barbara Thompson

  • Hill selected to receive first operational F-35A aircraft

    After a four-year process, Air Force officials have named Hill Air Force Base the new home for the Air Force's first operational F-35A Lightning IIs.Multiple locations' operational considerations, installation attributes, economic, and environmental factors were all factors that led to the final

  • Obama appoints acting deputy defense secretary

    Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced Dec. 3 that President Barack Obama has appointed Christine H. Fox to serve as acting deputy defense secretary.Fox is a "brilliant defense thinker and proven manager," Hagel said.Deputy Defense Secretary Ash Carter departs Dec. 4, and Fox is scheduled to assume

  • JBLE members named Military Citizens of the Year

    Two members of the Joint Base Langley-Eustis community received the Military Citizen of the Year award from the Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce during a ceremony at the Crowne Plaza Hampton-Marina Hotel in Hampton, Nov. 12.The award is named in honor of Samuel T. Northern, a local businessman

  • Talking turkey, football with President Obama

    As Staff Sgt. Dustin Hawkins prepared for his moment with the  President, he tried to remain calm. "I'm pretty nervous," said Hawkins just prior to receiving a call from the president. "I shook hands with Hillary Clinton once when she came through (RAF) Mildenhall (England). I think I said, 'Nice to

  • Ellsworth hosts top AF leaders

    The U.S. Air Force's highest ranking officer teamed up with the service's highest ranking enlisted member to visit a base nestled in the heartland, to see firsthand the hard work being done by Airmen stationed here.Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, his wife, Betty Welsh, and Chief

  • Remembering Seymour Johnson's participation in JFK's funeral flyover

    On Nov. 25, 1963, a solemn funeral procession carried President John F. Kennedy to his final resting place at Arlington National Cemetery. As Kennedy family members made their way to their graveside positions, just before Jacqueline Kennedy lit the eternal flame, a contingency of 50 fighter aircraft

  • UA students tour 25th OWS

    Graduate and doctoral students from the University of Arizona visited the 25th Operational Weather Squadron here Nov. 22.Sixteen students from the Departments of Atmospheric Sciences, Geosciences and Planetary Sciences participated in a tour along with Dr. Xubin Zeng, UA Department of Atmospheric

  • Protect your child, one click or text at a time

    With advances in technology over the past decade, social media and other forms of electronic communication have skyrocketed, allowing people from all corners of the world to connect instantaneously. It may seem safe and harmless, but do you know who your children are talking to?According to

  • Deck the Halls with Safety in Mind Fa la la la la

    Decorating homes for the holidays is a magical way to kick-start the season but families should be aware of the potential fire hazards and injuries that can happen if safety precautions are not taken. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were 14,000 injuries related to

  • Last 'new' Phantom returns to service

    The 82nd Aerial Target Squadron received the last of the "new" QF-4 aerial targets Nov. 19 as the Vietnam-era aircraft landed here. The QF-4, Aircraft 68-0599, spent more than 20 years in the Air Force "Boneyard" at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. before being brought back to life for one last

  • Evacuation, formation flights, insertions practiced by deployed Task Force

    The call comes in to the Tactical Operation Center without warning: A U.S. military member has been injured in an operation taking place off the coast of Honduras and requires an immediate medical evacuation, or MEDEVAC. The aircrew springs into action--the pilots, crew chief and flight medic

  • Dyess Airman tapped for presidential maintenance

    Not many Air Force maintainers get a chance to be part of the aircraft fleet that provides support to the President of the United States, but for one Dyess Airman that prestigious opportunity has arrived.Staff Sgt. Ryan Blanton, 7th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron B-1 jet engine specialist, was

  • 7th EMS keeps Bones mission ready

    Unlike all the king's horses and all the king's men, Airmen from the 7th Equipment Maintenance Squadron can take it apart, inspect it, repair it and put it back together again. It's not Humpty Dumpty they're working on though; it's the B-1 Bomber."The first couple of days when the aircraft comes to

  • Korean air force weather commander visits Team Offutt

    The Republic of Korea Air Force Weather Wing commander visited the Air Force Weather Agency on Nov. 12.ROKAF Col. Chang Hoon Lee toured the headquarters facility, received multiples briefings and worked with AFWA's leadership on identifying areas for cooperation and exchange that would build on the

  • Langley AFB transitions to new maintenance initiative

    The 633rd Civil Engineer Squadron implemented a new facility maintenance initiative at Langley Air Force Base beginning fiscal year 2014. Initiated by Air Combat Command, the policy prolongs the lifespan of equipment and facilities on base while saving money.According to Todd Barnes, 633rd CES

  • Rapid response: 689th RPOE trains with 633rd LRS

    Slowly and methodically the Humvee rolled onto the metal platform inside the Small Air Terminal at Langley Air Force Base, Va., Nov. 19. The vehicle's bulky frame depressed the steel plate as its weight was digitally recorded. "It's critical to move through this inspection as quickly as possible,"

  • 99 ABW leaders visit Tule Springs fossil beds

    Leaders of the 99th Air Base Wing made the trip to the Tule Springs fossil beds and toured the excavation sites with archaeology experts and members of the local news media Nov. 18. Col. Barry Cornish, 99th ABW commander, Col. Robert Ramsden, 99th ABW vice commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Steven

  • Retired ACC ops chief lauded by acting SecAF

    A retired Air Force officer who brought the F-22 Raptor fleet back to full operational status following an indefinite grounding, received the 2012 Eugene M. Zuckert Management Award, at the Pentagon, Nov. 18.Acting Secretary of the Air Force Eric Fanning presented the award to retired Maj. Gen.

  • Bleeding pride and purple

    An Afghan street named Route Red was designated black because it had not been traveled in more than a year. The designation was apt, as it was lined with explosion craters and broken down tanks from years past. The explosive ordnance disposal team responsible for the area drove the route through an

  • U.S. Airmen return from Brazilian-led CRUZEX exercise

    U.S. Air Force Airmen and Air National Guardsmen participated in Cruzeiro do Sul, a Brazilian-hosted air force exercise testing air-to-air maneuvers, mission planning, airdrop operations, and search and rescue skills, Nov. 4-15. More than 150 U.S. Airmen, six F-16 Fighting Falcons, and a KC-135

  • Thunderbirds honor fallen pilot with dedication of restored F-105 replica

    It endured a dozen Las Vegas summers and as many cold, dry winters. More than 150 months of gusty desert wind and never-ending desert dust. It had a purpose of the highest order, but for almost 13 years, it sat unnoticed in a remote area of base property. Its wait is finally over. The

  • First RC-135 delivered to the Royal Air Force

    The first of three RC-135 Rivet Joint aircraft was officially delivered to the U.K. during a special ceremony at Royal Air Force Waddington, England, on Nov. 12.The historic occasion is the culmination of a 2010 agreement between the Department of Defense and the U.K. Ministry of Defense for the RAF

  • JAG corps announces law school programs

    Applications for the Funded Legal Education Program (FLEP) and Excess Leave Program (ELP) are being accepted from Jan. 1 through March 1, 2014. Interested officers are encouraged to compete. The number of FLEP and ELP applicants selected in any academic year is determined based on the needs of the

  • CSAF launches new initiative to improve communication with Airmen

    As part of a series of recent efforts to enhance communication with Airmen, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III released the first of a new video series called "Airman to Airman." With all the issues facing the department over the last year, Welsh said the videos serve as an opportunity

  • Special forces trains for infiltration/exfiltration in Honduras

    U.S. Special Forces operators from the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) conducted RAPIDS infiltration/exfiltration training here, Nov. 15.RAPIDS is a special forces tactic for quickly inserting and removing personnel into and out of an area. In Central America, this tactic would most likely be

  • Aerial gunnery training keeps Blackhawk crews accurate

    The pounding of the rotors fills the air as the UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter banks sharply to the right, hugging the terrain in a shallow valley between mountain peaks. From the side of the aircraft, a crew chiefs peers out the open window, his hands resting on the handles of a M240 machine gun. As

  • New changes to the special duty program

    Additional changes to the Air Force special duty program will require Airmen to be nominated and vetted through an approval process that began Oct. 1. The changes to the program allow leadership and commanders to nominate their top performing Airmen for positions such as military training

  • Winterize vehicle to dodge breakdowns

    Cold conditions drain power and require increased traction, requiring increased maintenance during winter months. A few easy steps at the beginning of the season can keep drivers out of the snow berm."Check your fluids first," said Staff Sgt. Richard W. Moore, a vehicle maintenance technician

  • Two bands, one sound: AF, William and Mary bands join forces

    Members of the U.S. Air Force Heritage of America Band partnered with the College of William and Mary Wind Ensemble to perform a special "Side by Side" concert at Warhill High School in Williamsburg, Nov. 14.More than 400 people gathered to watch more than 90 band members from the two bands as they

  • U.S. Army Major, immigrant, honored by ethnic organization

    "That was my renaissance," said U.S. Army Maj. Juan Arzu, Joint Task Force-Bravo contracting chief, of moving to the United States from Honduras at the age of 14. By age 19, he made the decision to join the U.S. Army. "I wanted to give something back to the country that had given us so much," he

  • D-M member receives rescue award

    A D-M helicopter pilot recently earned the 2013 Air Rescue Association's Richard T. Kight Award.Capt. Brian R. Dicks, 55th Rescue Squadron, accepted the award via live webcam during the annual Air Rescue Association reunion. He was unable to attend the event in person as he had just returned to the

  • Military Working Dog Instructor rides for recovery

    "Making a difference in the lives of healing heroes" is a motto the Ride 2 Recovery organization members live by and one that Staff Sgt. Brent Olson, 99th Ground Combat Training Squadron military working dog instructor, set out to honor during the Las Vegas Ride 2 Recovery Honor Ride Nov. 9. Olson

  • AF Band plays for Veteran's weekend Steelers crowd

    The Air Force Heritage of America Band performed at Heinz stadium in Pittsburgh for the Steelers vs. Bills NFL Salute to Service game for Veteran's Day weekend November 10.More than 35 members of the Heritage Band performed three service medleys during the half time show for the 60,406 fans in

  • Airmen work high steel, keep iron flying

    Providing airpower worldwide requires contributions from Airmen of all types. Some positions support the mission directly and visibly, while others do so behind the scenes; keeping things running in the dark of night or behind closed doors.Ground radar and airfield systems technicians operate behind

  • RPAs: One more arrow in the quiver

    The Airmen who work with remotely piloted aircraft believe reaching 2 million flight hours was just the beginning of the still untapped capabilities of the systems and program. This feat continues to expand the future of the RPA community with infinite possibilities. Col. James Cluff, 432nd Wing/Air

  • 'Final toast' honors remaining Doolittle Raiders

    The Air Force hosted the famed Doolittle Tokyo Raiders' final toast to their fallen comrades during an invitation-only ceremony Nov. 9 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force."Tonight is a night of conflicting emotions: pride in our Doolittle Tokyo Raiders, sorrow at the end of a mission and a

  • Doolittle Raiders honored at final toast event

    The remaining Doolittle Raiders gathered at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force Nov. 9 to partake in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Doolittle Raider memorial in Memorial Park here, followed by a flyover of B-25 aircraft.The speakers of the memorial tribute include retired Lt. Col. Richard E.

  • Moving massive antenna saves $250K

    The 366th Communications Squadron finished relocating the Ground-to-Air Transmit and Receive antenna Nov. 12, at Mountain Home Air Force base, Idaho.With the GATR move complete, it will provide reliable communication, while saving a quarter of a million dollars."By utilizing an existing antenna

  • Active shooter exercise tests medical group

    Shots rang out and rounds echoed off the floor of the 366th Medical Group building here Nov. 13. Unknown to hospital personnel, at exactly 12:15 p.m. and 1 second a gunman, escorted by exercise controllers, was calmly surveying the hallways for anyone who decided to be curious or forgot their

  • 50th anniversary flag commemorates Vietnam war veterans

    Service members past and present gathered at the commissary here to pay tribute to Vietnam War veterans, and witness the unveiling of the 50th Anniversary Vietnam War Commemoration flag, Nov. 7, 2013.Ret. Col. Ray Kleber was the guest speaker at the ceremony. Kleber served as the Seymour Johnson Air

  • Joint Task Force-Bravo provides medical care to more than 1,200 in Honduras

    Joint Task Force- Bravo's Medical Element partnered with the Honduran Ministry of Health and the Honduran military to provide medical care to more than 1,200 people in Plan de Leones and Cuesta de la Virgen, two remote villages in the department of Comayagua, during a Medical Readiness Exercise

  • "Camaraderie Day" celebrates U.S., Honduran military relationship

    Honduran and United States military members came together for a day of fellowship and friendly competition at the bi-annual Camaraderie Day event here today.Camaraderie Day is an event built around celebrating the partnership between Honduras and the United States. The day serves to increase

  • Commissary bound? Grab your DoD ID

    Commissaries will soon begin scanning customers' Department of Defense ID cards at checkouts as the Defense Commissary Agency continues its pursuit to deliver a 21st century benefit.The commissary at Fort Lee, Va., became the first store to scan ID cards on Oct. 22 as the first part of an

  • RPAs then and now Part III: History in the making

    (Editor's note: This article is part three of a four-part series.)Early days:How did the remotely piloted aircraft develop into what it is known as today? The RPA actually got its start as early as 1896. Known as aerodromes at the time, early RPAs were used to test the capabilities of new flying

  • Sacrifice of military families supports entire force

    Each year the president signs a proclamation declaring November Military Family Appreciation Month. During this time, military families are recognized by the Department of Defense and the nation for the sacrifices they make in support of the country.One of Seymour Johnson's families opens up about

  • U.S. Airmen arrive for air exercise in Brazil

    The U.S. Air Force is taking part in Cruzeiro do Sul Exercise, a Brazilian air exercise that began Nov. 4 and is scheduled to complete Nov. 15, here.The Brazilian Air Force-led exercise combines coalition aerial refueling and Combat Search and Rescue structured training with a focus on

  • JBLE team tackles mountainous Tough Mudder

    A team of Service members from Joint Base Langley-Eustis took on the 12-mile Tough Mudder course at the Peacemaker National Training Center in Gerrardstown, W.Va., Oct. 19 and 20.U.S. Army Capt. Michael McCrory, Initial Military Training Center of Excellence aide-de-camp for the deputy commanding

  • Airmen watch Carolina Panthers from "Row of Honor"

    For more than a decade, all 73,778 seats of the Carolina Panthers, Bank of America Stadium have been sold out.This season, however, eight seats are reserved in honor of the United States military.For the first time in National Football League history, a special "Row of Honor" was created to pay

  • Air Combat Command's senior enlisted sets the record straight

    Chief Master Sgt. Richard Parsons, Air Combat Command command chief, held a briefing for 4th Fighter Wing Airmen at the base theater here, Oct. 29. Parsons reminded Team Seymour about the importance of their mission, and answered questions about rumored upcoming changes to promotion procedures and

  • Total Force Service Center contact numbers change

    Telephone contact numbers for the Total Force Service Center, or TFSC, will change Nov. 15.The new numbers are commercial 210-565-0102 and DSN 665-0102. They will replace DSN 665-5000 and DSN 847-3294. To ensure Airmen have ample time to adjust, Air Force Personnel Center officials will keep both

  • Holloman tops ACC in installation excellence

    Holloman Air Force Base is an outstanding example of what the Air Force considers to be a top-notch military installation. As proof, Air Combat Command awarded Holloman the Commander-in-Chief's 2013 Installation Excellence Award.The importance and stature of this award was stated in a press release

  • ACC names one of Dyess' civil engineers the command's best in 2013

    Air Combat Command has named one of Dyess' Civil Engineers as their 2013 Outstanding Civil Engineer Manager for the civilian supervisor category.Colette Saucier, 7th Civil Engineer Squadron real property officer, was recognized for her time as a supervisory facilities and equipment specialist during

  • RPAs then and now Part II: Maintenance makes history possible

    (Editor's note: This article is part two of a four-part series.)During the morning of Oct. 22, 2013, the aircraft parking ramps at a deployed location roared to life. Checklists were run, hatches checked, and missions briefed as the crew chiefs, support units and air crew carefully prepared an MQ-1

  • Airmen entertain World Series crowd at Fenway Park

    The four Airmen have performed separately on stages across Germany, Southwest Asia and Africa. They have performed for dignitaries such as the President of the United States and the Queen of England. Together, these four members of the Heritage of America Band had never performed for an audience as

  • F-35A conducts first live fire with AMRAAM

    The F-35 Lightning II executed its first live-fire launch of a guided air-to-air missile over a military test range off the California coast on Oct. 30.The AIM-120 advanced medium range air-to-air missile (AMRAAM) was fired from an F-35A (AF-6) conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) variant

  • U.S. Airmen to participate in Brazilian-led exercise

    U.S. Air Force Airmen and Air National Guardsmen will be participating in Cruzex, a Brazilian-hosted air force exercise in South America Nov. 4-14. The primary aim of Cruzex is to prepare participants to work together in support of multinational operations. Scenarios included in Cruzex are

  • ACC group among nation's best medical facilities

    Three Air Force Medical Service military treatment facilities (MTFs) earned top accreditation honors recently by The Joint Commission, the leading accreditor of health care organizations in America, for exemplary performance and were named among the nation's Top Performers on Key Quality

  • Mountain Home uncovers the 'ghosts' of Halloween's past

    The hands of the old clock stand vertical as tiny ghoulish creatures pass to and fro', their heads measuring eye to eye with the ghostly fog, snaking around the buildings, houses and yards of Gunfighter Manor. The base housing streets, which were once the pride of Mountain Home Air Force Base, now

  • "It is my duty as a pararescueman to save life..."

    Eight Airmen from the 48th Rescue Squadron at D-M were first responders on a 19 vehicle accident involving more than 20 people on Interstate 10 near Picacho Peak, Ariz., Oct. 29, 2013.Six pararescueman, a combat rescue officer and a communications specialist were driving through a dust storm with

  • Cody testifies to commission on total force

    The Air Force's senior enlisted Airman testified in front of the National Commission on the Structure of the Air Force Oct. 25 in Arlington, Va., giving his perspective of the total force and the challenges to building the best balance for the future. Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody

  • Tumor fails to stop Airman in her tracks

    Ashley Bean had become interested in running marathons after participating in two overseas. She even planned on running in two more this year. Bean was preparing for an upcoming marathon and made a goal to beat her old time, but that all changed this summer.After having migraines and dizzy spells at

  • A true airpower giant

    We lost another Air Force hero this week. Brig. Gen. James Robinson "Robbie" Risner was part of that legendary group who served in three wars, built an Air Force, and gave us an enduring example of courage and mission success. Most of today's Airmen know General Risner because of his leadership and

  • AF leaders describe future force under sequestration

    Two senior Air Force leaders testified before Congress Oct. 23, along with their Army and Navy counterparts on the impact of the continuing resolution and sequestration on the service's acquisition and modernization programs.Dr. William LaPlante, the principal deputy to the secretary of the Air

  • Violators of PII will have AFNET accounts locked

    Individuals who inappropriately store and transmit Personally Identifiable Information over the Air Force Network will now have their accounts locked in response to the violation. "We are taking several steps to improve notification and reporting of PII incidents," said General William L. Shelton,

  • Dedicated to excellence: SJ Airman recognized as AF top crew chief

    Being a crew chief may not be the most glamorous of jobs. It usually requires working long hours, often in extreme temperatures, heavy workloads and a fast-paced environment. Sometimes the blood and sweat poured into each day goes unnoticed.However, the Air Force has recognized one 4th Fighter Wing