Photo essay: Chasing down the U-2 in Southwest Asia

Airmen from the 99th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron use "chase cars" to aid a U-2 Dragon Lady pilot in landing a U-2 during operations at a non-disclosed location in Southwest Asia on March 9, 2010. According to the Air Force fact sheet on the U-2, the low-altitude handling characteristics of

C-130 Airdrop

Civil Engagement Program helps prepare Iraq for future

As the United States prepares to draw down troops in Iraq, efforts are being made to ensure the effect on the country's infrastructure is minimal. Preparing Iraq to support the newfound democracy is now the number one mission for American forces. Bases across Iraq engage local communities through a

Iraqi Air Force launches first advanced pilot training program

The first students have begun classes at the Iraqi Air Force College, which opened its doors at the Tikrit Air Base here March 11. Ten Iraqi Air Force pilots are going through the advanced pilot training program on the T-6A to become instructors for other student pilots who will follow.This program

Wing defeats host nation, claims soccer championship

The 386th Air Expeditionary Wing soccer team defeated their host nation counterparts 3-0 during a friendly match March 16, 2010 at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia.The rare victory, likely a first for the Americans, according to research by the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing historian, was

Visit to Kyrgyzstan brings Reserve Generation into community

The U.S. Air Forces Central band "Reserve Generation" toured Kyrgyzstan March 5 to 14 during their two-month deployment from Robins Air Force Base, Ga.The five-person group, together with their audio engineer and officer in charge, played at five venues off the Transit Center at Manas as well as two

Deployed U-2 pilot achieves rare feat of 100 combat missions

For Maj. William Gottenberg, he's been helping the Dragon Lady breathe a lot of fire lately. The 16-and-a-half-year Air Force veteran and pilot recently achieved 100 combat missions in the U-2 in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility."It's a good feeling because it's an awesome mission and

Partnering

AFCENT command chief visits KAF

The Command Chief for U. S. Air Forces Central, Southwest Asia, visited Kandahar Airfield March 1 through 4 to check on the morale of the Airmen serving here and see how things were going.Command Chief Master Sgt. Mark J. Villella visited with various units during his 3-day visit. "The reason for

New ATC Tower opens for business

Beginning at 12:01 a.m. March 12, 2010, the newly-constructed air traffic control tower at Ali Base, Iraq, opened for operation."This is a monumental day for the US Air Force, the Army Corps of Engineers, and for the future of the Iraqi Air Force," commented Lt. Col. Michael Richardson, commander,