First active duty C-130J deploys to AOR

The 379th Air Expeditionary Wing welcomed the newest member of its fleet today as the first active duty C-130J deployed to the area of responsibility landed in Southwest Asia. "We're not only the first active duty, C-130J deployment, it's also a record-setting event," said Lt. Col. Dan Tulley, 41st

SECAF visits Airmen in Southwest Asia

The Secretary of the Air Force toured Southwest Asia Feb. 5 to meet with Airmen here, discuss current issues and view the progress of the base and its assets. While here, the Honorable Michael W. Wynne toured the Combined Air and Space Operations Center and had breakfast with Airmen there, cut the

American Idol singer visits Airmen

Former "American Idol" runner-up Harold Elwin "Bo" Bice Jr. spent two hours taking photos, signing autographs, and talking with Airmen at an air base in the Persian Gulf Feb. 7 as part of the Stars for Stripes celebrity tour. The Stars for Stripes celebrity tours are designed to improve the morale

Always Watching

Ring Tale: Earned vs. Entitled

My grandfather and I were extremely close. He was a great storyteller, and the stories I cherished the most were his tales as a military policeman in the Army during World War II. The source of his favorite story was a ring he acquired during the war. During his deployment to France, my grandfather

Manas NCO donates art to fund surgeries for needy children

Where most just see trash, Tech Sgt. Robert Sommers, 376th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, sees possibility. On any given day, the Operations Management NCOIC could be found sorting through leftover wood scraps and paints in his shop to create paintings and donate the proceeds to help pay for

Guard unit pounds desert dust

They traded in their suits and police uniforms and the cool mist of Niagara Falls for Air Force cammo and the desert dust of Baghdad. They knew about the desert. They'd heard about the heat and the sand. They'd trained and prepared for four months in Iraq protecting America. For some, it's not the

Airpower Summary for February 4

Coalition airpower integrated with Coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations Feb. 4, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, British GR7 Harriers performed shows of force in

Airmen transport Soldiers throughout battlefield

Airpower Summary for February 4

Coalition airpower integrated with Coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations Feb. 4, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle conducted a show