March 30, 2012 Largest-known scanning electron microscope proves big asset to Tinker Four-and-a-half years ago, the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center purchased the largest-known scanning electron microscope in the world. It had been estimated the $2.2-million Ellcie, formerly Visitec, Microtechnik GmbH Mira-X large-chamber scanning electron microscope would save the Air Force
March 30, 2012 ORS SpaceLoft-6 launch to test reliability, durability of payloads in suborbital voyage The SpaceLoft-6 sounding rocket will launch April 5, 2012, at Spaceport America, in Upham, N.M., with seven payloads, crucial for future Operationally Responsive Space missions, demonstrating its dependability and resilience during a 13-minute, 70-mile-high trek.The ORS director explained the
March 30, 2012 Marathon 10K sells out before price increase The Air Force Marathon office announced that the 10K race sold out on March 23, 2012, in a record-setting 12-week period, just ahead of the April 2 price increase. "In 2011, it took five and a half months for the 10K to close out," said Rob Aguiar, assistant race director. "This year, it took just
March 30, 2012 AFMC announces, honors annual enlisted award winners Air Force Materiel Command announced its top enlisted Airmen of 2011 during the command's Annual Enlisted Awards Banquet March 29, 2012, at the National Museum of the United States Air Force.More than 350 family members, friends, wingmen and command officials gathered in the modern flight gallery of
March 29, 2012 Air Force officials announce third round of VERA/VSIP; not all AFMC bases included In its continuing effort to meet the Defense Department requirement to maintain civilian manning at fiscal 2010 levels, the Air Force is offering a third round of Voluntary Early Retirement Authority and Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment beginning May 1. However, Air Force Materiel Command
March 28, 2012 Air Force long-range radar program proceeding with revised acquisition strategy The Air Force program to provide a new ground-based, long-range radar system is moving forward with a revised acquisition strategy. The program office recently held an industry day here to explain the changes and its latest draft request for proposal.The Three-Dimensional Expeditionary Long-Range
March 26, 2012 F-35A completes first night refueling mission The first night refueling in the history of the F-35 program was completed March 26, 2012, here. Piloted by Lt. Col. Peter Vitt, 461st Flight Test Squadron director of operations, AF-4, an F-35A conventional takeoff and landing variant, rendezvoused with an Air Force KC-135 tanker and successfully
March 26, 2012 Key Joint STARS equipment upgrades in the works The Electronic Systems Center here is working to upgrade critical mission equipment on the E-8 Joint STARS aircraft and recent flight testing is proving successful and advancing the program.Joint STARS is an airborne battle management, command and control and intelligence, surveillance and
March 23, 2012 Final Combat Talon I undergoes PDM In two weeks, the last MC-130E Combat Talon I will complete its final phase of programmed depot maintenance here before departing for its final run from the flight line. The Combat Talon I fleet has been at Robins for PDM since the 1990s. The program was transferred from Lockheed's Big Safari
March 23, 2012 Commentary: Hold the line on timeless leadership Before I transferred from Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., I had an incentive ride in an F-16. At 15,000 feet, the view of Rogers Dry Lake Bed was surreal.The moment made me reflect on history, and I considered the many changes since the birth of the Air Force in 1947: the advent of personal