Air Force Featured Stories

  • A tribute to the greatest

    In this time when America's armed forces are called upon once again to defend the values we cherish as a free nation, I'm reminded of the many heroes who have come before us and made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.Not long ago, I had the chance to meet one of the members of the "greatest

  • Enlisted aide upgraded to special duty

    They have been part of the Air Force enlisted force since its beginning, but they have never had a formalized position description or job qualification standard -- until now. The enlisted aide program, now an official Air Force special duty, was authorized the new Air Force Specialty Code of 8A200

  • Tech conference stresses 'partnerships'

    "Partnerships for War-Winning Capability" was the theme here May 13 to 15 as military and industry representatives discussed changes in military operations, requirements, challenges and solutions at the fourth annual National Aeronautical Systems and Technology Conference.Operation Iraqi Freedom's

  • Tanker lease vital to global operations

    To quickly begin the recapitalization of its tanker fleet, the Air Force is pursuing a deal to lease 100 Boeing 767s converted into tankers.The proposal awaiting Department of Defense approval is vital to sustaining the Air Force’s tanker fleet, said Dr. Marvin R. Sambur, assistant secretary of the

  • U.S. 'committed to winning the peace' in Iraq, Feith says

    While there's much to do to assist the Iraqi people in the establishment of a free, democratic government of their choosing, the United States remains committed to achieving that goal, a senior DoD official told U.S. legislators today.In testimony on Capitol Hill today, Under Secretary of Defense

  • Hollywood entertainers play ball at Edwards

    Hollywood entertainers “traveled” here May 10 for the second annual National Basketball Association Entertainment League game.Zane Stoddard, NBA director of entertainment marketing, said he was happy he could bring the entertainers out, show base people a good time and support the

  • Love of flight unites Cochran, Yeager

    On the face of it, the long friendship between Jackie Cochran (Odlum) and Chuck Yeager seems a little improbable. Mixing two strong-willed overachievers, both of them whom were known public figures, is more like a formula for conflict.Yet the fighter pilot and the wealthy businesswoman had genuine

  • Cadet declares innocence at hearing

    Cadet 3rd Class Douglas L. Meester declared his innocence during an Article 32 hearing May 14 at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. Although the sophomore admitted during the hearing that he was not the perfect person, student or cadet, Meester said he is not a rapist. Meester is charged with

  • Officials release A-10 accident report

    Air Force investigators determined pilot error caused the Dec. 4 collision of two A-10 Thunderbolt IIs on the Nevada Test and Training Range approximately 98 miles northwest of Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.Capt. Eric Palaro, assigned to the 52nd Fighter Wing at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, died as a

  • Airman killed, 2nd injured in ambush

    Staff Sgt. Patrick Lee Griffin Jr., 31, of Elgin, S.C., was killed in action May 13 near Diwaniyah, Iraq. Griffin was killed when his convoy was ambushed en route to Baghdad. Master Sgt. Jeffery Gore suffered a leg wound in the ambush and is in stable condition. He is the weapons and tactics

  • Air Force negotiates extra Raptor

    Air Force officials have negotiated the procurement of one additional F/A-22 Raptor as part of a recent purchase, raising the total to 21 aircraft, according to service acquisition officials.The F/A-22 acquisition has a “buy-to-budget” philosophy, said Dr. Marvin R. Sambur, assistant secretary of

  • Zettler: People first in reconstituting force

    As the dust of Operation Iraqi Freedom settles, the Air Force installations and logistics community is turning its attention to the challenge that lies ahead: readying the service for the next big contingency.Replenishing the materiel and equipment reserved for wartime use, rebuilding the munitions

  • Myers praises 64th AEW during visit

    America’s top general stopped briefly at a forward-deployed location May 11 to thank the people of the 64th Air Expeditionary Wing for their contributions to Operation Iraqi Freedom.Gen. Richard B. Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, addressed a crowd of active-duty, Guard and Reserve

  • Air Force eases Stop-Loss restrictions

    Air Force personnel officials announced May 14 the release of more than half of the Air Force specialty codes restricted from retirement or separation May 2 under the Stop-Loss program.Following a review of operational requirements, 31 officer and 20 enlisted career fields were released from

  • Air Force name added to ‘The Wall’

    The name of an Air Force staff sergeant was among six added to Vietnam Veteran's Memorial here May 13. Staff Sgt. Donald S. Carson, a San Francisco native, was injured in a military aircraft accident in Thailand on April 12, 1963, and died a few days later. His name was omitted from “The Wall”