Defense Secretary lauds Airmen's contributions, service

Airmen around the world are making a life-and-death difference for U.S. military ground forces, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said here Sept. 16. The secretary praised Airmen's efforts and their sacrifices while addressing an audience at the Air Force Association's Air and Space Convention.

Air Force has solid future capabilities, Secretary Gates says

The foundation of America's air power rests on a broad and versatile mix of capabilities, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said here Sept. 16.Speaking at the Air Force Association's Air and Space Conference, Secretary Gates addressed the range of things the Air Force must be able to do in the

Secretary Gates returns tanker selection authority to Air Force

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates announced Sept. 16 that he has returned selection authority for the Air Force's next aerial-refueling tanker to Air Force officials. The Air Force had awarded the contract for what's known as the KC-X to a Northrop-Grumman/EADS/Airbus consortium, which prompted a

Charleston aerial port squadron gets 'lean' with AFSO 21

An Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century four-day rapid improvement event to improve cargo flow at the 437th Aerial Port Squadron ended here Sept. 11 with plans being developed for better processes. AFSO 21 uses the top elements of civilian efficiency programs like Lean and Sigma Six to

Mobility Warriors: Deployed weather flight provides mission critical forecasts

The mission's planned, the crew's ready to go, the aircraft waits on the tarmac, but Mother Nature still has her say on whether the mission is a go. The job of predicting the weather's effect on the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing falls on the 386th Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron Weather

Mobility Warriors: Airmen at contingency facility provide rest, comfort for servicemembers

In an air-conditioned tent, the sounds of Army Blackhawks carrying the wounded can be heard a few dozen feet away, as wounded servicemembers eagerly await for an aeromedical evacuation flight to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. A recent addition to the medical team's capabilities here

Combat arms: On target at Charleston

Photo essay: Contingency response Airmen practice rapid humanitarian response

Airmen from the 36th Contingency Response Group participated in a humanitarian assistance rapid response team (HARRT) validation exercise Sept. 2 at Chuuk International Airport on Weno Island here. A HARRT is a U.S. Air Force expeditionary medical capability designed to deploy within 24 hours of

Photo essay: Airdrop over Afghanistan

On Sept. 2, a crew of Airmen with the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron completed an airdrop over southern Afghanistan for deployed forces on the ground.The airdrop pallets were prepared and loaded at Bagram Air Field and flown to their airdrop zone aboard a C-17 Globemaster III.  Through Aug.

Original cadre of C-130 Weapons Instructor Course discuss growth of training

Five of the original cadre members of the U.S. Air Force Weapons School's initial C-130 Weapons Instructor Course came together Friday to attend the retirement of a fellow 29th Weapons Squadron comrade. Cols. Glen Downing, Kevin Jackson, Kirk Lear, Greg Otey and John Rutkowski sat down to reflect