'Grand Slam' Wing welcomes new commander

Brig. Gen. Roger H. Watkins assumed command of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing from Brig. Gen. Giovanni Tuck during a change of command ceremony at the Coalition Compound Theater here June 14.Lieutenant Gen. David Goldfein, U.S. Air Forces Central commander, presided over the event in which more

Heat Stress Campaign 2012: Stay ahead of this inevitable heat

In 2010, 81 personnel at this location suffered heat-related injuries. The number dropped by 30 in 2011, and it is the goal of the 379th Expeditionary Medical Group Bioenvironmental Engineering and Public Health elements to keep that trend going down.Both are working to ensure each person on the

Sailor rededicates herself to physical fitness

A week before her 30th birthday, Petty Officer Sol Benavides was in the middle of another late night run on a dusty 2.5 mile gravel track in Southwest Asia. As she glanced up in the sky and admired the full moon, she had an epiphany."I told myself, "I'm going to run 30 miles for my birthday," said

Memorial Day Remembrance Cereomony

Parachute section precisely prepares packs

Today's aircraft are technological wonders, however, one piece of equipment is comparatively low-tech, yet absolutely vital - the parachute.The 379th Expeditionary Operation Support Squadron parachute section makes sure that this essential piece of safety equipment is in tip-top condition should

Airman's vigilance, quick thinking prevents tragedy

While preparing for her night shift, Senior Airman Lanea Trevino, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing command post controller, noticed something odd about the shower stall next to hers. The shower supplies, visible through the half opened curtain, had remained untouched for the entire time she had been

Critical Care: Aeromedical evacuation teams play vital role

There is nothing typical about an aeromedical evacuation mission. Recently one crew of aeromedical technicians was notified prior to take-off that, aside from six patients, their aircraft, a C-17, would also be needed to transport three aircraft engines and two pallets of cargo. "That for us is the

VCSAF presents Purple Heart to wounded Airman

Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Phil Breedlove presented the Purple Heart to Tech. Sgt. Jake Tieman, a member of the 577th Expeditionary Prime BEEF Squadron, at a base here May 7 for wounds received during operations in Afghanistan.Breedlove thanked Tieman for his service and sacrifice in front

Where the asphalt ends: Maintainers prep C-17s for unique mission

The mission never sleeps. Somewhere out there are forces in need of supplies to complete the mission. These service members have journeyed deep into the heart of Afghanistan and are sometimes more than 300 miles away from the nearest established airfield. For them, the ability for the C-17

Smart thinking saves AF $240K

Everyone hates spring cleaning. Basements, storage spaces, and closets get emptied, and stuff accumulated over the years often gets tossed if no longer needed. However, spring cleaning in the Air Force is a little different due to the value of aircraft components and equipment. Smart thinking and a