USAF

8/12/2008 - WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- The Air Force's 19th chief of staff spoke of mending fences and earning trust in his speech after assuming command of the service during a ceremony here Aug. 12.

"Without trust, we are nothing," Gen. Norton A. Schwartz said to the crowd of about 600 people on the base's ceremonial lawn. "Trust must be earned, yet the American public trusts those in uniform. We will show ourselves worthy of the sacred trust our leaders, our joint brethren and the American people place in us, because this business is all about trust."

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and acting Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley both attended the ceremony, along with friends, family and Airmen who will work for General Schwartz.    » read more »

6/15/2008 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations June 14, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped guided bomb unit-31s and 38s to destroy anti-Afghan forces in caves in the vicinity of Nangalam. An on-scene joint terminal attack controller confirmed the missions successful.

An F-15E dropped a GBU-31 to destroy anti-Afghan forces with rocket launchers in the vicinity of Orgun-E. A JTAC reported the mission successful.    » read more »

6/12/2008 - WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- Air Force officials here currently are deciding how to carry out force shaping plans in the coming year following an announcement by Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates Monday to halt personnel cuts.

Active-duty end strength was projected to decrease from 328,600 to 316,600 by the end of fiscal 2009.

Stating his desire to ease the burden reduced staffing has created for some Airmen and their families, Secretary Gates told Airmen at Langley Air Force Base, Va., he intends "immediately to stop further reductions in Air Force personnel."    » read more »

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va., June 9, 2008 – If it were not for the serious decline in the Air Force’s nuclear mission focus and performance, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said here today, he would not have felt the need to replace the Air Force leadership.

Gates asked for and received the resignations of Air Force Secretary Michael W. Wynne and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley on June 6 in the wake of an investigation that found problems with the focus, performance and effective leadership of the service’s nuclear weapons program.

Speaking to airmen and Air Force civilians of Air Combat Command, Gates called the nuclear mission the Air Force’s most sensitive one.    » read more »

6/9/2008 - Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates arrives June 9 to Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. Secretary Gates is visiting Peterson AFB to deliver a speech reinforcing his message that the Air Force must apply more rigor to its responsibilities with nuclear weapons on the heels of the resignation of the Air Force’s top two leaders.

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates arrives at the Peterson air base flight line June 9: U.S. Air Force photo/Duncan Wood

Gen. C. Robert "Bob" Kehler, the commander of Air Force Space Command; Gen. Victor E. Renuart Jr., the commander of NORAD – U.S. Northern Command; and Col. Jay Raymond, the 21st Space Wing commander; greeted Secretary Gates upon his arrival.

June 09, 2008 -- "Today I provided my recommendation to the President for the nominations to the top civilian and military leadership positions in the Air Force.

"I recommended that Michael Donley be nominated to serve as Secretary of the Air Force.    » read more »

6/9/2008 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations June 8, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle: An Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft returns to the fight after receiving fuel from a KC-135R Stratotanker during a mission over Afghanistan. U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Andy Dunaway    » read more »

6/3/2008 - ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. (AFPN) -- Few car owners would ever think of pouring water down the gas tank; however, as Air Force officials here continue initiatives to redefine the Air Force's energy culture, more Airmen might picture water as an energy source.

Air Force Officials Look At Hydrogen As Potential Fuel Source: Scott Slyfield examines hydrogen storage tanks inside the HyHauler May 21 at Robins Air Force Base, Ga. Air Force officials continue initiatives to redefine the Air Force's energy culture and are studying hydrogen-power. U.S. Air Force photo/Sue Sapp    » read more »

05/28/2008 - WASHINGTON - This week the Army and Marine Corps announced an increase, while the Navy and Air Force announced a decrease. The Coast Guard number remained the same. The net collective result is 410 more reservists mobilized than last week.    » read more »

May 27, 2008 -- BERLIN, Germany — Aircrew and support personnel from bases in Europe and the U.S. have been hustling in to prepare for one of the premier air shows in the world, the Berlin International Air Show.

The "Spirit of Berlin" C-17 Globemaster III of Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina and C-47 heritage flight is scheduled to kick-off the daily events at the Berlin-Shoenefeld Airport, Germany, from May 27 - June 1.

Airmen prepare a B-1B Lancer bomber for towing during preparations for the 2008 Berlin Air Show here May 24: Department of Defense photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Corey Clements    » read more »

May 21, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of an airman who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Lt. Col. Joseph A. Moore, 54, of Boise, Idaho, died of natural causes May 20 in Djibouti.

He was assigned to the 124th Wing, Idaho Air National Guard, Gowen Field, Idaho.

Source: DOD

Wind Department seeks industry interest in a 30-MW farm on base

May 20, 2008 -- ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Sandia National Laboratories and Kirtland Air Force Base may soon share a wind farm that will provide as much as one-third of the electricity used by the two entities.

Wind farm: This wind farm on the Aragonne Mesa southwest of Santa Rosa, N.M. is similar to the type that might be built on Kirtland Air Force Base.    » read more »

5/18/2008 - CHENGDU SHUANGLIU INT'L AIRPORT, People's Republic of China (AFPN) -- Two Air Force C-17 Globemaster IIIs landed here May 18 carrying nearly 200,000 pounds of relief supplies in the wake of the devastating earthquake that struck the region on May 12.

Earthquake relief supplies from the United States are unloaded May 18 at the Shuangliu International Airport in Chengdu, China: U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Chris

The C-17s were assigned to the 15th Airlift Wing at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, and the 3rd Wing at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. Before 2005, C-17s were stationed exclusively in the continental U.S. C-17 squadrons are now operational at Hickam and Elmendorf AFBs.    » read more »

May 14, 2008 -- Kansas Lieutenant Governor Mark Parkinson is voicing his concern with the Air Force’s decision to outsource American military tankers to French-based Airbus.

“There are simply too many questions related to economic impact, national security, construction costs, mission capabilities and above all, the integrity of the Air Force’s selection process, to allow this decision to go unchallenged,” Parkinson said. “The Air Force’s decision to send a $35 billion contract - the second largest in U.S. history - and 19,000 jobs to Europe is not only bad for American workers, but a threat to our long-term national security.”    » read more »

May 7, 2008 -- PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds asks that all flags in the state be flown at half staff on Thursday, May 8, 2008, from 8 a.m. until sunset, in honor of Senior Airman Jonathan A.V. Yelner, 24, of Lafayette, California.

Airman Yelner was assigned to the 28th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota. He died April 29 near Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.

A memorial ceremony will be held at 9 a.m. (MDT) on Thursday, May 8, 2008, at the Black Hills Chapel on Ellsworth Air Force Base. A memorial service was held on May 6 in California.

Source: South Dakota Governor