Iraqi Air Force College graduates next generation pilots; adds to aircraft inventory

The Iraqi Air Force College held a graduation ceremony for its latest generation of pilots and received three new aircraft to add to its inventory, Sept. 21.Attending the ceremony was General Babaker, Chief of Staff, Iraqi Joint Forces, Staff Lt. Gen. Anwar, Commander of the Iraqi Air Force, and

NATO Air Training Command and Afghan Air Force Bring Election to All Regions of Afghanistan

Afghanistan has spent the last several years amid a democratic reconstruction of the country. Beginning in early September and continuing through most of the month, the country participated in one of the most important aspects of democracy; the vote. NATO Air Training Command- Afghanistan (NATC-A)

Resiliency training helps servicemembers cope with deployed stress

Deployments cause stress and stress, if not managed, can lead to consequences such as arguments, fights, mission failures and possible suicide.Joint Base Balad had the opportunity to be the first base in the Southwest Asia area of responsibility to test the Flash Forward Resiliency Training Program,

Hit the dirt!

AF civil engineers BEEF up Marine Corps mission

Airmen and Marines worked together to build sun shades to improve the quality of life for a new F/A-18 Hornet squadron Sept. 23 and 24 at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan.The 777th Expeditionary Prime BEEF Squadron, also known as the Base Engineer Emergency Force, provided the skill set and also

Tunnel to Towers Run Commemorates 9/11 Fire Fighters

Nearly 400 personnel from both the NATO Air Training Command- Afghanistan, 15 NATO countries and the Afghan Air Force participated in the "Tunnel to Towers" run/walk race on Sep. 24, 2010 held on the International Security Assistance Force and Afghan Air Force base in Kabul, Afghanistan. "We come

Afghans teach Afghans leadership, education, professions

To many, the differences between the Afghanistan and American people seem numerous and insurmountable. But for the trained U.S. military support troops working shoulder-to-shoulder with their Afghan counterparts, the similarities far outnumber the differences. Pohantoon-e-Hawaee, a specialized

Commentary: Count to five for savvy social media

From a tweet on Twitter to a picture on Facebook, social media has become for many the best and fastest way to let friends and family know the skinny at Joint Base Balad, Iraq during your deployment here.I'm ignorant on the workings of Facebook, Myspace and Twitter (why are postings called "tweets"

NCO ensures fuel quality meets standards

Wearing an industrial apron and goggles, the sergeant nearly looks the part of a mad scientist as he goes about his tasks in a trailer full of shiny diagnostic equipment at this undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. But instead of trying to cause chaos, his job is to ensure everything moves

Afghan Airmen host USAF birthday celebration

Afghans hosted an Air Force birthday celebration for their American counterparts Sept. 19 at the Kandahar Air Wing, Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan."We are delighted to share this event with our fellow Airmen," said Brig. Gen. Paul Johnson, 451st Air Expeditionary Wing commander. "This is a special