AFMC Command News

  • AFRL develops biofuel-powered heated vest

    Around the world, military members from Alaska to Afghanistan work in harsh, frigid environments. Temperatures in the Afghani Mountains have been recorded as low as minus 51 degrees Farenheit, while Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, sees up to 69 inches of snowfall each year. Military personnel must

  • Civilian employees make great gains on weight loss goals

    While some people are still pondering the thought of losing a few pounds in the New Year, Chris Lawless and Kelsie Fox are celebrating their new looks. Mr. Lawless and Ms. Fox, electronic engineers with the 402nd Maintenance Wing's Electronic Warfare Division, have collectively lost almost 200

  • Military may contribute more to TSP

    Effective Jan. 1, military members may contribute any whole percentage of their base pay to Thrift Savings Plan. The total of tax-deferred investments cannot exceed $15,000, which is the Internal Revenue Service's annual elective deferral limit for 2006. Those serving in a tax-free combat zone are

  • Primer makes work safer for F-15 painters

    Painters can breathe a little easier thanks to the development of a new material used for stripping and painting F-15 Eagles. The Air Force is continuing its march toward environmentally-friendly mission execution. A partnership with the University of Missouri-Rolla; Air Force Research Lab,

  • Community heroes awarded Airman's Medal

    The split second it took to choose reaction over thought resulted in two of Kirtland Air Force Base's finest receiving the highest peacetime decoration, the Airman's Medal. Senior Airman Jonathan L. Calhoun and Airman 1st Class Erik F. Munana, both from the 898th Munitions Maintenance Squadron here,

  • Flight demonstrations set stage for Weapon Data Network

    The ability to communicate with a weapon after it's released from an aircraft is at the forefront of all new weapons technology. But while this idea is still in its infancy, the need to develop standards for it has become a priority. Such standards were successfully implemented and demonstrated

  • EOD training facility gets realistic

    As evidenced from the war on terrorism, terrorists who have limited resources creatively use improvised explosive devices to wreak havoc on their targets. The Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal has a new $7 million facility, the Advanced Improvised Explosive Device Disposal facility, to teach

  • Newest 'Herc' propelled through Phase 2 testing

    C-130J test teams from Edwards concluded Phase 2 Operational Test and Evaluation testing on Dec. 21 after more than 300 hours of OT&E flight test activities. It culminates nearly five years of developmental and operational testing. The C-130J is the latest addition to the C-130 fleet. It provides 40

  • F-16 pylons receive upgrade

    Wiring for F-16 pylons are being upgraded by the 309th Commodities Maintenance Squadron, Ogden Air Logistics Center, enabling them to handle 21st century smart munitions. The cables that deliver the pilot's commands to the munitions must be more complex as weapon systems and munitions improve. "The

  • People's willingness to change impresses AFMC commander

    When then-Lieutenant Bruce Carlson was stationed in Thailand in the 1970s, every day he would walk from his hooch to the post office, pass an airman or sergeant and ask, "Don't you salute lieutenants?" Today, the commander of Air Force Materiel Command doesn't see any evidence that company-grade

  • F-16 receives special care at Hill

    Specialists at the Ogden Air Logistics Center, 649th Combat Logistics Support Squadron, used their unique equipment and skills to repair a damaged F-16. The squadron's role was pivotal since they were the only active-duty maintenance unit capable of making such repairs, said 1st Lt. Joshua Holmes,

  • Improved earpieces reaching Falcon pilots

    A new earpiece is set to be implemented among Hill's F-16 pilots affording them better hearing protection and an improved mission focus. The 4th Fighter Squadron's "Fighting Fuujins" will receive the new Attenuating Custom Communication Earpiece System this month. The earpiece was developed at

  • New commander joins AFRL

    Maj. Gen. Ted F. Bowlds officially assumed command of the Air Force Research Laboratory Jan. 9 during an appointment of command ceremony at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force's Modern Flight Hangar in Dayton, Ohio. Gen. Bruce Carlson, commander, Air Force Materiel Command, presided over the

  • Wright-Patterson heat plants among cleanest in world

    Two coal-fired heat plants that produce super-heated water for heating buildings in the winter and for supporting projects in the Air Force Research Laboratories at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, are among the cleanest in the world. Ohio’s Environmental Protection Agency laws allow no more than

  • Troops to Teachers sergeant named teacher of the year

    A retired senior master sergeant who used the Troops to Teachers program was surprised in December when he was named the 2005 Ohio Teacher of the Year. Retired Senior Master Sgt. Eric Combs teaches ninth-graders at Fairborn High School and loves his work, but was surprised to find out just how much