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  • Just a few weeks before leaving for his deployment, Tim was under the impression he would be serving in another country in the Central Command area of responsibility, but then learned he was redirected to Kandahar--just 400 miles away from his son.

    Like father, like son: family serendipitously deployed together

    Senior Master Sgt. Tim Shumaker grew up listening to stories of his father’s time serving as a U.S. Army paratrooper and knew at an early age he wanted to follow in his footsteps.
  • From executing deliberate strikes to performing close air support and complete aerial reconnaissance, the Air Force is taking a new approach to the multirole capacity of the MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aircraft.

    MQ-9 Reaper keeps eyes on targets

    From executing deliberate strikes to performing close air support and complete aerial reconnaissance, the Air Force is taking a new approach to the multirole capacity of the MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aircraft.
  • All of the U.S. Air Force’s E-11A aircraft with the Battlefield Airborne Communications Node payload are assigned to the 430th Expeditionary Electronic Combat Squadron and operate solely out of Kandahar Airfield.

    Everything’s better with BACN

    There is an aircraft that is so unique, you can only find it in one place – not even the pilots who fly the aircraft can touch it until they are deployed to this specific location.
  • Senior Airman Richard Lawrence, a personnelist from the 451st Expeditionary Support Squadron, provides overwatch at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. Personnelists with the 451st ESPTS in and out-processes all members at KAF, handles decorations and other personnel functions. All Airmen, regardless of position, are responsible for the security and safety of the installation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Gonsier)

    Revitalizing the Squadron: Support Squadron enables airpower at KAF

    KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- A successful air campaign requires more than just aviators and maintainers—it needs Airmen to support every facet of airpower.Within the 451st Air Expeditionary Group, at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, there is a squadron designed to organically provide personnel the support needed to project airpower in the
  • Chaplain (Capt.) John Appiah and Staff Sgt. Christopher Rodriguez, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing, prepare to leave Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, July 23, 2017. Since chaplains are noncombatants, their assistants, though not trained bodyguards, take on the extra responsibility of defending their chaplain if in a hostile situation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Gonsier)

    Chaplains go into harm’s way, provide spiritual support for all

    BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Thousands of feet above Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, two Airmen, riding in a helicopter, wearing more than 75 pounds of gear, hover around the city before landing. These Airmen are not pararescuemen or tactical air control party—they’re a chaplain and chaplain assistant. After landing, they quickly travel to the
  • Airmen 1st Class Giovanni and Drew, 451st Expeditionary Support Squadron flightline security element members, deescalated a potential volatile situation during an incident where unknown convoy approached their post on Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. Their keen senses, trust in each other, communication with others and training all came together, effectively thwarting a potential catastrophe without having to resort to firing their weapons. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Gonsier)

    Defenders deescalate situation downrange, prevent potential incident

    KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - A lot of people have seen the exciting world of combat arms training or the cute, but capable, military working dogs, but most are not familiar with the rough—and sometimes intense—duties of Air Force Defenders in Afghanistan. These Airmen stand watch for more than 12 hours per day, in 115-degree heat, ensuring
  • Two Airmen, who are deployed to Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, as part of the 451st Expeditionary Support Squadron, are emblematic of the diverse force. Staff Sgt. Nana Dankwa and Airman 1st Class Yongqin Li did not grow up in the United States. They emigrated from their respective countries and gained citizenship while serving in the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Gonsier)

    Foreign-born Airmen deploy, live their American Dream

    KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – The Air Force is proud of its diversity, providing Airmen the opportunity to live and visit places they never would imagine going to and working with people from all walks of life.Two Airmen, who are deployed to Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, as part of the 451st Expeditionary Support Squadron, are emblematic of
  • The 455th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron plow the fighter ramp at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan Feb. 4, 2017. The 455th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadrons and ECES de-iced aircraft and cleared snow from the runway so the F-16 Fighting Falcons of the 79th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron could continue their missions - flying multiple sorties daily to support the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing’s mission to defend, support and deliver airpower. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Katherine Spessa)

    Getting airfield back up and running

    The 455th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron plow the fighter ramp at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan Feb. 4, 2017. The 455th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadrons and ECES de-iced aircraft and cleared snow from the runway so the F-16 Fighting Falcons of the 79th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron could continue their missions - flying multiple
  • Thomas Boyd in a portrait taken circa 1945. Boyd served as a B-24 Liberator tail gunner for the 455th Bomb Group during World War II. (Courtesy Photo)

    Original ‘Vulture’ shares story with 21st century warfighters

    “Primitive” is the word he uses to describe flying in a B-24 Liberator during World War II.The bomber wasn’t pressurized and its open gunner-turret windows to the fore, aft and on both wings made the aircraft frigid for its crew members. They had to bundle up as best they could to stay warm, but according to the “Rosalie May” tail gunner, retired
  • U.S. Army Master Sgt. (retired) Leroy Petry, Medal of Honor recipient, sits in the cockpit of an F-16 Fighting Falcon at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Oct. 16, 2016. Petry was one of six wounded warriors to participate in Operation Proper Exit, a program that returns battle-wounded service members to theater. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Katherine Spessa)

    Wounded warriors return to Craig Joint Theater Hospital

     BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- The entrance to the Craig Joint Theater Hospital emergency room at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, dubbed “Warrior’s Way,” has seen more than 14,000 injured service members carried by litter under its flag. On Nov. 16, 2016, six of those warriors returned, walking on their own.  The first of this group of wounded
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