Joint STARS exceeds 23,000 flight hours

The 128th Expeditionary Airborne Command and Control Squadron, one of three operational Joint Surveillance Target Attacks Radar System squadrons, recently reached a milestone of 23,000 flight-hours by flying missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Beginning on Jan. 16, 2003, the JSTARS

ECONS builds toward enduring presence in AOR

As the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing builds an enduring presence in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, a group of Airmen are assisting the effort by purchasing everything from salt shakers for the dining facility to tons of concrete used to build and repair base taxiways. Behind the

Base provides theaterwide surge support

Squadrons across the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing have increased operations to provide theaterwide support during the current surge in Iraq and Afghanistan. One such example is the 8th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron, a 379th AEW tenant unit that links air mobility operations together to

763rd ERS keeps a step ahead of enemy

They don't talk much about what they do, at least to those outside the small, secure compound in Ops Town. But, they do listen to what others have to say - mostly enemy ground forces. The 763rd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron maintains a constant presence in the Central Command area of

Preparing for wounded warriors

Wing Airmen tackle increased operations tempo

Airmen from the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing continue to maintain increased operations, both in the air and on the ground, in support of ground forces in Afghanistan and Iraq. This week, bombers assigned to the 379th AEW saw an increase in combat sorties on the Combined Forces Air Component

Airman battled cancer, returns to fly missions

"Before I was diagnosed, I was like everybody else, I thought I was bulletproof," said Lt. Col. Kurt Barry, 128th Expeditionary Air Command and Control Squadron, E-8C mission crew commander. In October 2004, while serving a staff tour in Europe, Colonel Barry had his annual physical and was

AFSO 21 wing initiatives save money, increases capability

A cross-squadron team of Airmen from the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing have succeeded in another Air Force Smart Operations 21 initiative that will continue to increase combat capability for the wing, and save money which can be diverted into Air Force recapitalization priorities. 1st Lt. Andrew

New facility aids transition to enduring presence

The transition toward an enduring presence requires efficient long-term planning, such as pre-positioning equipment in warehouses similar to home station. This line of thinking has led to increased storage capability for aircraft parts to meet the high operations tempo. Most recently, the 379th

340th EARS keeps aircraft in the fight 24-7

Despite the age of the KC-135 - the Air Force's top recapitalization priority - the 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron Stratotanker's role in delivering air power has proven itself critical to the wing mission and to U.S. Central Command.  As enablers, the refuelers make every other air