Officials promise seamless defense secretary transition

DOD personnel will work diligently to ensure a seamless transition between outgoing Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and Robert M. Gates, Pentagon officials said today. President Bush accepted Secretary Rumsfeld's resignation Nov. 8 and announced he was appointing Mr. Gates to succeed him. DOD

Air Force releases chief master sergeant list

The promotion list for chief master sergeants was publicly released Nov. 8.  Air Force officials selected 417 chief master sergeants from 2,475 senior master sergeants considered. Complete information is available on the Air Force Personnel Center Web site. Click here for a list of selectees:

'Dirtboyz' keep Balad airfield operational

Every day, aircraft fly in and out of Balad AB to provide vital support for Operation Iraqi Freedom. Whether F-16 Fighting Falcons, C-130 Hercules or HH-60 Pave Hawks, the airframes are able to approach and depart because of fully operational, well-maintained runways. Better known as "dirtboyz,"

Secretary Wynne: Rumsfeld helped reshape Air Force

Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne said Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld changed the way the military thinks about defense during his six years at the Pentagon. Secretary Wynne worked with Secretary Rumsfeld three times at the Department of Defense and in his current job. "In each case

AFSO 21 process gets weapons to warfighters faster

When the AIM-120D production program manager was asked to be team leader on an Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century rapid improvement event, he was a little skeptical. "We had a very sound and fundamentally strong (acquisition) process going and I really pushed back at the idea," said

Storied leaders have led mighty 1st

The list of commanders of the 1st Pursuit Group and 1st Fighter Wing reads like a "Who's Who of the Air Force," and includes aviation pioneers, wartime heroes and future Air Force chiefs of staff.Group Commanders and Dates Assigned Maj. Bert M. Atkinson, May 5, 1918 Maj. Harold E. Hartney, Aug. 21,

NORAD commander: Air Force role vital to homeland security

Homeland defense has come full circle since the events of 9/11. America now faces a new and constantly evolving threat -- the threat of terrorism. Dealing with this threat is the task of the men and women of the North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, a bi-national U.S. and Canadian

Firsts of the 1st Fighter Wing

During its nine decades of service, the 1st Fighter Wing carved its niche in U.S. air history.For its part, the 1st FW was:-- The first U.S. group-level unit to enter air combat.-- The first U.S. unit to destroy an enemy aircraft in World War I. -- The parent unit of the first recipient of the Medal

Air showin' off

1st Fighter Wing's battle honors numerous

The campaign participation credits and battlefield honors for the 1st Pursuit Group and 1st Fighter Wing are numerous.World War I Battle Honors Awarded to the 1st Pursuit Group Lorraine (defensive sector) Champagne (defensive sector) Champagne-Marne, July 15-18, 1918 Aisne-Marne, July 18 to Aug. 6,