U.S. AIR FORCE NEWS

  • Upgrade makes electronic forms more user friendly

    Air Force officials recently rolled out a new software upgrade that makes it easier for Airmen to view and print electronic forms. Feedback from Airmen revealed problems with blank lines appearing on paper copies of electronic forms that were not visible on digital versions. "The issue was with the

  • Pilot missing in action from the Vietnam War is identified

    The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced Oct. 8 that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, missing in action from the Vietnam War, have been identified and will be returned to his family for burial with full military honors. He is Capt. Lorenza Conner, U.S. Air Force, from

  • Hawgsmoke to continue despite A-10 inspections

    "Hawgsmoke 2008," an A-10 Thunderbolt II bombing and gunnery competition scheduled Oct. 15 to 18 in Salina, Kan., will continue despite an Air Force directive to sideline some of the aircraft. Air Force officials issued a time-compliance technical order Oct. 3, requiring immediate inspection and

  • MIT research enhances high-speed computers

    Air Force-sponsored research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is accelerating the development of quantum, or high-speed, computers which help Air Force specialists with cryptoanalysis, or 'code-breaking,' microwave electronics and materials science. Chief researcher Dr. William Oliver of

  • Alaskan long range radar station goes green

    In an effort to reduce high operating costs at the Tin City Long Range Radar Station, engineers with the 611th Civil Engineer Squadron here have completed the construction of a wind turbine generator there.  It is the first such generator to be installed on an Alaskan Air Force installation and

  • Former POWs now eligible for posthumous Purple Hearts

    A policy change to expand eligibility for the Purple Heart award to prisoners of war who died in captivity represents the right decision that recognizes their sacrifice, a senior defense official said. Pentagon officials announced the new policy Oct. 6 that will extend criteria for receiving Purple

  • Officials revise Purple Heart eligibility criteria

    Department of Defense officials announced Oct. 6 that eligibility criteria for the Purple Heart have been expanded to permit prisoners of war who died in captivity to receive the award. The revised department policy presumes, for service members who die in captivity as a qualifying prisoner of war,

  • Airman's Roll Call: Energy at the forefront

    This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on what Airmen can do to help the Air Force conserve energy. The Air Force is the federal government's largest consumer of energy. While individual Airmen can't necessarily control the amount of fuel we require for our aircraft, we can all do our part to ensure

  • Training courses help Airmen handle sports bikes

    The "coolness" factor of sport bikes is tied to their characteristics: sport bikes are sleek, colorful, and built for speed. For Airmen, many of whom are attracted to an adrenaline rush, these characteristics are huge selling points. However, these same features make riding sport bikes much

  • Solar energy research could reduce energy needs

    Solar energy could be a powerful solution to the energy needs of the future for military and commercial entities. However, scientists point out the constant need for power, not just when the sun is shining. Funding support from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research is enabling a Massachusetts