SECDEF praises Airmen, discusses leadership changes

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates reassured Airmen of their value and contributions, and presented a way ahead to ease wartime strain during a visit to Air Combat Command here June 9. In describing the Air Force's oft un-acknowledged efforts in the war on terrorism, he said he realized the costs of

Altitude in Peru presents challenges, won't stop mission

The air is a bit thinin the mountainous region of Ayacucho, Peru, where Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine servicemembers are participating in New Horizons-Peru 2008, a humanitarian mission set on improving the quality of life of underprivileged Peruvians. The altitude in Huamanga is more than 9,000

Final record scan moves AFPC closer to total virtual service

Blanca Rubio, a contract scanning team leader at the Air Force Personnel Center here, performed an electronic scan of the Air Force's last paper unit personnel record June 3.  This was an important digital milestone because it completed the paper conversion to a Web-based, around-the-clock "virtual

Pave Low pilot named Kolligian Award recipient

An Air Force helicopter pilot was named the 2008 recipient of the service's top safety award June 9. Lt. Col. Eugene V. Becker from the 20th Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Fla., was presented the Koren Kolligian Jr. trophy during a ceremony at the Pentagon. Vice Chief of Staff

Air Force announces Reserve F-22 squadron at Holloman

Air Force Reserve Command officials announced June 6 that a second F-22 Raptor fighter squadron will be established at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. Reserve officials will relocate the 301st Fighter Squadron from Luke AFB, Ariz., to Holloman AFB and form a classic association with the active duty's

Forum draws senior Air Force leaders

Air Force senior leaders came together here for a quarterly Process Council meeting to discuss issues facing the service today and in the future. A highlight of the June 2-3 forum was the review of Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century initiatives designed to help provide substantive

Afghan soldiers master driving Humvees

Humvees will soon become the Afghan National Army's vehicle of choice on the battlefield, but not until every soldier is qualified to safely operate them. For this reason, Air Force Capt. Todd Klusek and Army Capt. William Snyder, combat service support senior mentors assigned to the Combined

Improvements target morale for troops in Afghanistan

A genuine caring attitude drives the morale, welfare and recreation Airmen who continuously work to improve the MWR facilities and events for Airmen and Soldiers here. Assigned to the Laghman Provincial Reconstruction Team, two of the three MWR Airmen arrived in March to discover a facility

Blood test

AFOSI is 2008 AFA Team of the Year

It wasn't exactly the welcome he was expecting, but Special Agent Timothy Rivera said it was pretty unforgettable as he stood in line to in-process at Balad Air Base, Iraq, during his deployment in 2006. "It was my first day, not even my first hour on the ground, and we were getting incoming