Air Force critical to filling holes in communication during drawdown

Editor's note: This is part two of a five part series highlighting the Air Force's involvement during the Responsible Drawdown of Forces in Iraq.While convoys are operating in areas where ground communications are limited, joint airborne battle staff, or JABS, crews are stepping in to bridge the gap

Photo Essay: Security Forces protect Al Asad flight line during drawdown

Editor's note: This is part two of a three part photo series highlighting the Air Force's involvement during the Responsible Drawdown of Forces in Iraq.As U.S. forces drawdown in Iraq, the Air Force's footprint will become noticeably smaller, but units such as the 552nd Expeditionary Operation

Under the Cover of Darkness - Afghan Mi-17 aircrew fly with Night Vision Goggles

The Afghan Air Force aircrew flew for the first time using Night Vision Goggles within Afghanistan and completed the first operational tasking at the end of the flight on Aug. 22, 2010.Afghan Airmen went to an austere unlit landing zone, with a blacked-out Mi-17 transport helicopter. The Afghan crew

746th aircrew brings relief to flood-torn Pakistan

As Air Force operations in support of flood relief operations in Pakistan resumed, aircrew and support personnel from the 746th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia prepared to forward deploy to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, to ease the workload of the local

No moos about EMXS's cash cow AIS

Heads-up display $225,717.84, encrypted ultra-high frequency radio $38,054.58, pilot throttle grip $4,115.17 a shop that can repair these components and more--priceless.The 332nd Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron's F-16 Avionics Intermediate Shop has the final say whether a part is repaired,

Airmen play vital role in Army ground movements in Iraq

Editor's note: This is part one of a five part series highlighting the Air Force's involvement during the Responsible Drawdown of Forces in Iraq.Tactical Air Control Party teams assigned to the 4/2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team have been keeping their convoys safe by being a liaison to the eyes in the

Photo Essay: Cargo plane to passenger plane in less than 60 minutes

Editor's note: This is part one of a three part photo series highlighting the Air Force's involvement during the Responsible Drawdown of Forces in IraqLoadmasters and 447th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron aerial port Airmen unloaded 12 pallets of cargo, and then reconfigured the aircraft

US, Afghan forces meet with locals to discuss Zabul Provincial Parliamentary elections

Never for want of a nail ... or a fastener

The profession of arms has undergone many changes through the ages, but one timeless principle remains essential to operational success: meticulous equipment preparation. The concept is summed up in the ancient proverb, "For Want of a Nail." For want of a nail the shoe was lost.For want of a shoe

451st AEW congratulates deployed Airmen selected for promotion

Air Force officials selected 13,518 of 28,510 eligible senior airmen for promotion to staff sergeant for a selection rate of 47.41 percent.The average score for those selected was 282.88, with an average time in grade of 1.97 years and an average time in service of 4.55 years, respectively. The