19 Jan 2006

5+1+1 equals U.S. air superiority

Five plus one plus one equals ... the ability to direct the command and control of U.S. and coalition air power across the globe. It also equals seven of course. That's the number of "Falconer" air and space operations centers, and Falconer support centers, that have now been brought on line with common capabilities, said Lt. Col. Rob Dare, chief

19 Jan 2006

Leaders receive short course at Test Pilot School

The U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School here held a Senior Executive Short Course from Jan. 9 through 12. The short course is a three-day class introducing senior Department of Defense leaders, both civilian and military, to developmental flight testing. This particular course focused on the unique people and expertise that are key to the Air Force

18 Jan 2006

Father and son blow up ordnance together

While Chief Master Sgt. Julio Morelos and his son Staff Sgt. Julio Morelos III have enjoyed watching football and playing sports together throughout life, they found a new way to bond while deployed together. The father and son duo worked together on an Explosive Ordnance Disposal demolition operation here helping destroy more than 80,000 pieces of

18 Jan 2006

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 have user-friendly, affordable and enduring

18 Jan 2006

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 pounds since the beginning of 2005. How did they do it?

18 Jan 2006

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 allowed up to a total of $44,000 in annual

18 Jan 2006

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, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio; Boeing-St. Louis

13 Jan 2006

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, voluntarily risked their lives July 2, 2004, when

13 Jan 2006

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 during a recent series of flight demonstrations here

13 Jan 2006

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 EOD technicians from the Army, Air Force, Navy,