Balad Navy Customs works to keep U.S. safe

The last days of a servicemember's deployment can be filled with the uncertainty of an itinerary, a busy schedule and visions of friends and family members. One thing a redeploying Airman shouldn't stress over is having their cargo inspected by the Navy customs team. "We aren't the bad guys," said

C-130 Low-cost low-altitude combat airdrops now operational

U.S. Air Force C-130 aircrews in Afghanistan bring combat supplies to Coalition ground forces every day but a new method of airdrop makes deliveries more accurate and flexible for resupply of small, mobile forces.A C-130H aircrew deployed to Bagram Airfield conducted the first ever C-130 low-cost

Joint project lifts economy, skills in Kirkuk

Earning and learning are two concepts used to help the Iraqi people rebuild their nation with pride and dignity.A joint project involving 506th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, Readiness Management Support Engineers and a local contractor are making those basic livelihood necessities a

Cadets seek to improve combat airdrops

Aeronautical and systems engineering management cadets from the Air Force Academy's Department of Aeronautics are working to improve the safety and accuracy of combat airdrops with remotely piloted aircraft. In 2009, U.S. Air Forces Central identified an urgent operational need for a true

Eyes in the sky: Deployed AWACS Airmen light up the stratosphere for combat ops

Every time they prepare for a mission, deployed E-3 Sentry flight and mission crew members surely think about getting the plane ready and knowing every special instruction line-by-line for their mission. But somewhere in the back of their minds, they know they have to be successful because of the

KC-10 Extender: BIG responsibility

New U.S. AFCENT Band arrives in theater

Reserve Generation, the newest U.S. Air Forces Central Command Expeditionary Band, has palletized its sound board, amps, guitars, drum kit and microphones, and boarded the "tour bus," which will airlift the first stop on the group's tour of the AOR.The five musicians and sound technician performed

Kirkuk's medevacs: ready, willing, able

When bad things happen outside the wire - improvised explosive devices, attacks, or even accidents - the most comforting sound can be the whir of the medical evacuation helicopter. The helo medevacs at this location make up one of four teams in Iraq. The team here, Team 2, is deployed from Wheeler

EMEDS teach Iraqis first aid

Members of the 506th Expeditionary Medical Squadron taught Iraqi air force pilots and aircraft maintainers from Squadrons 1 and 2 basic lifesaving procedures in an Iraq Training and Advisory Mission classroom at Kirkuk Regional Air Base Feb. 27, 2010.The Basic Trauma Life Support class focused on

Photo Essay: Band rocks 379th AEW

Rock band "Saving Abel" performed for servicemembers at a non-disclosed Southwest Asia location Feb. 22 as part of a USO tour of the AOR.Band members Jared Weeks, Jason Null, Scott Bartlett, Eric Taylor and Blake Dixon were allowed the opportunity to tour various units on base the day of the