Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations January 30, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.
In Afghanistan, an Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle destroyed an anti-Afghan heavy machine gun position with a guided bomb unit-31 during a firefight near Nangalam. The enemy dug and attempted to conceal the firing position, but remained visible to F-15E targeting systems.
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We wanted to give a hat tip to playpiano.com for their recent
post on the U.S. Air Force band. Thanks
Air Force Band, Airmen, USAF
Each February, the country recognizes African American History Month to highlight the struggles and triumphs of millions of American citizens during some of the most devastating obstacles in the nation's history. -- slavery, prejudice, poverty -- and looks at their contributions to the nation's cultural and political life.
This has particular interest for those in the American military as for the first time in history, the U.S. armed forces are led by an African-American commander in chief.
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A long anticipated upgrade to the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS) that's used to battle the nation's wildfires was recently approved for operational use, months before the next fire season.
MAFFS II was approved for use on the California Air National Guard's 146th Airlift Wing C-130J Hercules cargo aircraft, according Air Guard officials here.
The state has two of the new systems that were showcased today to state officials and local media at McClellan Air Park in Sacramento, Calif.
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Osan Air Base Airmen train throughout the year to survive and operate in war, and members of the 51st Security Forces Squadron here ensure the base is properly defended.
Upon arrival to Osan AB, officer and enlisted security forces members go through a six-day combat readiness course to get Airmen adjusted to the operating procedures and duties they face on a daily basis here.
"When they come to Osan, we have to get everyone on the same page," said Staff Sgt. Michael Huh, the NCO in charge of the combat readiness course. "Our basic fundamentals when we fight wars are to shoot, move and communicate. Without one of those fundamentals, our mission will fail. So we practice those fundamentals with everyone getting online, shooting, moving and communicating."
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President Barack Obama is scheduled to meet Jan. 30 with the U.S. military's senior enlisted advisers at the White House, a senior Defense Department official said.
The armed services' enlisted advisers are the senior noncommissioned officers for the Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine Corps. The president also will greet the Coast Guard's top enlisted leader, spokesman Bryan Whitman said.
President Obama is slated to meet with Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley, Sergeant Major of the Army Kenneth O. Preston, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Rick D. West, Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Carlton W. Kent and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Charles W. Bowen.
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Sesame Workshop will air a PBS special Apr. 1 aimed at helping military families cope with changes.
Actor/singer Queen Latifah and singer John Mayer will join Elmo to present, "Coming Home: Military Families Cope with Change." The special carries a message for children whose parents suffered a physical or psychological wound in combat.
"Rosita's father is in a wheelchair and (she) talks to Elmo about her feelings," Barbara Thompson, director of the Defense Department's Office of Family Policy/Children and Youth, said. "Elmo very graciously says, 'You need to talk to your dad about that.'"
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Country music group Lonestar rocked a crowd of hundreds of Soldiers, Airmen and civilians Jan. 24 at Contingency Operating Base Adder, Iraq.
Comedian Greg Vaccariello led the night's entertainment with his one-man stage act featuring impersonations of Robert Di Niro and colorful humor about accepting life's idiosyncrasies before the band hit the stage.
Lonestar sang a multitude of songs including "What About Now," "Let Me Love You" and "Walking in Memphis."
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After 47 years of service without a single hit, a C-130 with the 386th Expeditionary Operations Group here has flown its last combat mission and will be retired to the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz.
Airmen in the 386th EOG and 386th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron celebrated the retirement of aircraft no. 1847 by dousing the aircraft with a deluge of water from two fire trucks as it taxied in from its final mission.
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Joint Base Balad Airmen are engaged in the Iraqi sky as Iraqis get ready to participate in their country's electoral process Jan. 31, the first time since 2005.
"U.S. and coalition airpower is uniquely qualified to provide non-intrusive security support to the government of Iraq as it conducts this historic election," said Lt. Gen. Gary L. North, the commander of 9th Air Force and U.S. Air Forces Central.
Overall, more than 14,000 Iraqi candidates, including almost 4,000 women, are running for approximately 440 provincial council seats in 14 of Iraq's 18 provinces. According to Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission, which is in charge of conducting the election, 15 million Iraqis are registered to vote.
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