Since Jan. 13, the 2nd Space Operations Squadron here has been busy disposing of an old and trusted satellite.
Squadron members could soon refer to the vehicle, known as SVN-30, as the satellite that keeps on giving because crews continues to garner invaluable information concerning how Global Positioning System Block IIA satellites behave as they degrade.
"We still have 12 GPS Block IIA vehicles on orbit," said Lt. Col. Dean Holthaus, the 2nd SOPS director of operations. "In addition to the normal end-of-life test and disposal procedures, we're conducting some tests (that) will help characterize how the other Block IIAs will behave with regard to their sensors, attitude control, etc., during future disposal operations."
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Laughlin was officially announced the busiest airfield and combined air traffic control tower in the Air Force for 2011 on Jan. 10 by the Air Force Flight Standards Agency for having a total of 337,439 operations.
Controlling the busiest airfield in the Air Force is the 47th Operations Support Squadron radar approach control section and tower. The RAPCON was identified as the busiest of 39 facilities with 266,591 operations and the tower was ninth out of 98 towers with 70,848.
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Air Force Reserve Combat-search-and-rescue Airmen from the 920th Rescue Wing, Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., supported the successful launch of a Delta IV rocket carrying the fourth Wideband Global SATCOM satellite at 7:38 p.m. EST from Space Launch Complex 37 here Jan. 19.
Maintenance Airmen readied two of the 920th's HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters, which aircrews took flight in two hours before the launch window, at approximately 5:30 p.m., to secure the Eastern Range.
The 45th Space Wing launched the United Launch Alliance Delta IV-Medium rocket WGS-04, which is the first craft in the program's upgraded Block 2 series, which adds a radio frequency bypass capability designed to support airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms requiring ultra-high bandwidth and data rates.
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The newest member of the United States Air Force Band is leading the Ceremonial Brass as the conductor during their first American concert tour Jan. 11-23 throughout Florida.
U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Shanti Nolan graduated officer training school in October 2011 and joined the Air Force Band in November.
For Nolan, the tour is a bit of a homecoming. The lieutenant graduated from Vero Beach High School in 1998 and taught there from 2002 to 2006 following her undergraduate education at Stetson University in Deland.
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This NCO is always there. If you're feeling down, she will comfort you. If you're eating by yourself, she will sit by you, and, if you're looking to improve your fitness, she'll whip your body into shape. She is ... the ultimate wingman.
Meet Staff Sgt. Sokum Ouk, a 332nd Expeditionary Force Support Squadron fitness journeyman who is deployed from Langley Air Force Base, Va. Her positive attitude, energetic personality and kindness can naturally bring a smile to a person's face.
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Airmen and Sailors from across the Air Force and Navy traveled here to represent U.S. military forces during the Bahrain International Airshow Jan. 19.
The biannual show is the second of its kind for Bahrain and has quickly become acclaimed throughout the region.
"We always look forward to highlighting the great relationship we have with the Kingdom of Bahrain, one of our strongest partners in the region. We are honored to once again get the invitation to come here and participate in this important event," said Col. Dean Neeley, the U.S. Air Forces Central security cooperation director.
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Airmen undergoing their fitness tests at high-altitude bases can breathe easier during fitness testing thanks to the efforts of Air Force Academy leaders and the Human Performance Laboratory.
Changes to the Air Force Fitness testing program in 2010 didn't include an altitude adjustment, as the previous testing system did, but that change didn't sit well with the Academy's leaders, so they set their sights on reinstating the altitude adjustment, according to Academy officials.
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The U.S. Air Force Ceremonial Brass Quintet performed a clinic for 25 students from Palm Beach Atlantic University during a visit to the school Jan. 20 here.
The clinic involved the members of the Brass Quintet playing five pieces for the students, answering questions, and then working with the university's brass quintet to improve their playing style.
During the question-and-answer session, Tech. Sgt. Josh Lies, a trumpeter with the brass quintet, told the students that working together as a collective group is an important part of how the Ceremonial Brass Quintet improves. One of the other brass quintet members said another important aspect to improving was the age-old message of practice.
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The U.S. Air Force Ceremonial Brass Quintet performed a clinic for 25 students from Palm Beach Atlantic University during a visit to the school Jan. 20 here.
The clinic involved the members of the Brass Quintet playing five pieces for the students, answering questions, and then working with the university's brass quintet to improve their playing style.
During the question-and-answer session, Tech. Sgt. Josh Lies, a trumpeter with the brass quintet, told the students that working together as a collective group is an important part of how the Ceremonial Brass Quintet improves. One of the other brass quintet members said another important aspect to improving was the age-old message of practice.
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Family members, friends and fellow service members gathered Jan. 20 here to honor the life and contributions of an original Tuskegee Airmen.
Retired Lt. Col. Luke Weathers, 90, a member of the 302nd Fighter Squadron during World War II, received full military honors including an F-16 Fighting Falcon flyover by 113th Wing, an Air National Guard unit of Washington, D.C. The ceremony coincided with the release of "Red Tails," a full-length feature film chronicling the challenges and victories of the Tuskegee Airmen.
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