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  • Raptors deliver kinetic, situational awareness capabilities against ISIL

    As Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve continues the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant forces, an aircraft that was once controversial has quietly become one of the U.S.-led Coalition’s most reliable combat assets.The F-22 Raptor, the U.S. Air Force’s premier

  • ‘Thirsty Camel’ Airmen provide outlet, morale for servicemembers

    Working a 12 hour shift in the desert heat isn’t easy. The sweat spilling down your face and uniform, the constant reminder to drink water to combat dehydration, the stress endured getting the mission done to the best of your ability under difficult circumstances. After a hard day’s work, nothing

  • Radar maintainers provide clear picture for warfighters

    Having a sight picture of the airspace over an area of responsibility is critical in any operation. It allows combatant commanders and all levels of leadership the ability to make real-time decisions affecting everything from aerial operations to ground forces. Those decisions couldn’t be made

  • Brig. Gen. Orcutt continues 380 AEW legacy

    U.S. Airmen alongside other coalition personnel gathered inside a hangar on the flightline for the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing change of command at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, June 30.Brig. Gen. John Quintas relinquished command of the wing to Air Force Brig. Gen. Daniel Orcutt in a

  • Commander concludes fini flight, prepares for new horizon

    Brigadier General John T. Quintas, the commander of the Air Expeditionary Wing, completed his final flight Thursday marking the end of his command.An aviator Air Force tradition, the fini flight is the last flight with the wing or squadron in which fellow aircrew, friends and family members hose

  • Airmen exercise cultural awareness during Ramadan

    U.S. military personnel serving in the Middle East are constantly reminded to be familiar with host-nation customs and courtesies to help facilitate a long-lasting mutual respect with the local community.A significant religious period happens in the Middle East during the ninth month of the Islamic

  • U.S. Army celebrates 240th birthday with coalition partners

    The 1st Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery Regiment celebrated the U.S. Army’s 240th birthday by hosting a five-sport event at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia June 12-13.  The activities included a 5K color run, volleyball, softball, tug-o-war and dodgeball. Several teams, made up of

  • Blood, Sweat, Tears: crew chief’s pour everything in to OIR

    (Editor’s note: Due to safety and security reasons,last names and unit designators were removed.) At the beginning of each shift, Staff Sgt. Oren grabsa pair of green and orange foam hearing protection packaged in a little whitebox; he rolls them in to a fine point and puts them in his ears. His

  • HVAC Airmen withstand the heat to deliver the cool

    Desert environments contain harsh elements, which can beextremely difficult to become acclimated to. One element in particular, tendsto grab people’s attention immediately making its presence known in anunforgiving way.As soon as new members get here and step off the plane theyexperience the

  • Maintaining the vehicles that move the mission

    (Editor’s note: Due to safety and security reasons,last names and unit designators were removed.)Imagine unloading 60 thousand pounds of cargo byhand. Aircraft missions, personnel movements, and supply distributions wouldcome to a screeching halt. The time and resources necessary to accomplish sucha