After high-altitude reconnaissance flights over Cuba in October 1962, Maj. Rudolf Anderson returned with pictures of ballistic missile sites and nuclear storage facilities under construction. President John F. Kennedy addressed the nation Oct. 22 and six tense days followed. While negotiations between the two superpowers were still under way, Major Anderson attempted another reconnaissance run and his U-2 was shot down and he was killed.
Because of the classified nature of his work, Major Anderson belonged to a select group of unheralded and unrecognized reconnaissance pilots. By personal direction of the president, Major Anderson was posthumously awarded the first Air Force Cross. At the time, the Bronze Star was the highest combat decoration that could be made for Cold War action. He was also posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and the Cheney Award.
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The 41-piece U.S. Air Forces in Europe Band toured Poland, and performed six concerts in various cities. The band is touring the country to support the international relations program sponsored by USAFE Commander Gen. Roger Brady in partnership with the U.S. State Department.
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Air Force leaders presented a civilian employee with a Spirit of Hope Award Oct. 27 for enhancing the quality of life of injured service members and their families.
The award is named in honor of Bob Hope, the first honorary veteran of the U.S. Army for his 50-plus years of entertaining troops, both in peacetime and in combat zones.
Each year, the five services and the Department of Defense can nominate individuals or organizations for the award that consists of a bronze or silver medal with a bas relief of Mr. Hope. This year, the Air Force's award went to a financial analyst assigned to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, for epitomizing honor, integrity, selfless dedication and outstanding service to the United States of America.
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The commander of the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., was relieved of command Oct. 30 due to loss of confidence in his ability to command.
Col. Joel S. Westa was removed by Maj. Gen. Floyd L. Carpenter, commander of 8th Air Force. Colonel Westa assumed command in November 2007.
Colonel Westa was not relieved for any alleged misconduct or wrongdoing. The inability to foster a culture of excellence, a lack of focus on the strategic mission during his command and substandard performance during several nuclear surety inspections, including the newly activated 69th Bomb Squadron deemed "not ready" to perform its nuclear mission, contributed to the loss of confidence.
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Officials at the Air Force Personnel Center here will conduct the annual Nurse Enlisted Commissioning Program board May 11-13 to select candidates for fall 2010 start dates.
The program offers active-duty enlisted personnel the opportunity to earn a bachelor's degree in a high-need academic major. NECP students will complete their degree at a college or university with an Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps detachment or a college or university with a "cross-town agreement."
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Every day, all Airmen who drive or ride -- officer, enlisted and civilian, too include their dependent family members -- are faced with making a choice and living with the decisions they make.
As fiscal 2009 came to a close Sept. 30, 47 Airmen across the Air Force were killed in motor vehicles, with 20 of those fatalities occurring on motorcycles.
Aviano Air Base was not exempt from the list of bases mourning the loss of an Airman as several hundred family members, friends and co-workers, in a private ceremony here, celebrated the life of Senior Airman Ingles Dosreis, who died following a three-car accident here in August, along with two Italians, leaving behind his wife and son.
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Immunizations against the H1N1 virus will soon be available, and people are eager to take precautions. Tricare Prime, Standard and Extra beneficiaries can get their shots from network and non-network providers without paying a deductible or making a co-payment.
A temporary waiver allows retired Tricare Prime enrollees to get the H1N1 immunization from non-network providers without a referral or authorization, eliminating point-of-service charges. Prime enrollees will not be charged a co-payment or cost share.
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Maj. John Loftis has a Pashto name -- Esan. People are always asking him what it means.
Deployed to Forward Operating Base Smart, a small military compound located in the heart of the Southern Afghan city of Qalat, the Air Force public information officer leaves quite an impression with the Afghan community he lives and works in, even if that community happens to be in the middle of a war zone.
While on foot patrol, Major Loftis is bombarded by swarms of Afghan children. Laughing and smiling, they follow him for blocks. He's made friends with every Afghan on base. Whether they're a guard or a local contractor, they're all on a first name basis with him.
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The roar of jets and flash of live fire in the desert east of this thriving capital city are the loudest and brightest signs of a flourishing National Guard State Partnership Program.
"I have been very favorably impressed with how the military-to-military relationships between Colorado and Jordan have evolved over the years," said Gen. Craig McKinley, the chief of the National Guard Bureau. "It's a very mature relationship. It's a very strong relationship built on trust and mutual interests, and I can't thank the Jordanian armed forces enough for their hospitality, courtesies and willingness to share their ideas on the security issues facing this region."
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Ellsworth Air Force Base officials recently completed the installation of a digital airport surveillance radar system to be used with the Dakota Air Traffic Control Facility here.
This modern, digital radar replaces traditional airport-surveillance radar used by air traffic controllers, eliminates ground distractions and displays multiple levels of precipitation.
The new system also helps address maintenance and parts challenges, while increasing Ellsworth AFB capabilities to control more airspace in Rapid City and other locations in South Dakota, said Chief Master Sgt. Brian Lavoie, the 28th Operations Support Squadron radar approach control facilities chief controller.
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