Air Force Begins F-35A Operational Utility Evaluation at Eglin AFB

Air Force officials begin their F-35A Lightning II Operational Utility Evaluation Sept. 10, an instrumental step in beginning Joint Strike Fighter pilot and maintenance training for the service. Two 33rd Fighter Wing pilots at Eglin AFB, Fla., along with two Air Force test pilots, will conduct the

Laughlin pilot helps Iraqis earn their wings

Mounted aboard an armored suburban with a pistol at his side, one of Laughlin's own begins his days in Iraq checking in on classes miles apart, filled with students not too dissimilar from those he left in Texas thousands of miles from home. Lt. Col. Chris Lachance, from Laughlin's 85th Flying

Airman nets $10,000 through IDEA program

The Air Force presented a check for $10,000 to a 31st Maintenance Squadron Airman recently for creating a new process that used less manpower and resources without sacrificing quality.Tech. Sgt. Jesse Swiderek, 31st MXS aircraft metals technology craftsmen, received the money as part of the

Keesler responds to fuel spill

Keesler resumes operations

Normal base operations are scheduled to resume Aug. 30, to include base cleanup measures as required.Mission essential personnel are directed to report to base at 9 a.m. while non-mission essential personnel report by noon. Leadership continues to stress the importance of safety, and remind

World War II vet awarded Distinguished Flying Cross

Family, friends, senior leaders and pilots gathered Aug. 24 to honor a World War II B-17 Flying Fortress pilot during an award ceremony at JBSA-Randolph's famed Taj Mahal where he was award the Distinguished Flying Cross medal.Second Lt. Samuel Smith was assigned to the 360th Bombardment Squadron at

Sheppard applies C3 to new facility construction

The 82nd Civil Engineering Squadron has truly taken the idea of a "Cost-Conscious Culture", or C3, to heart by incorporating money-saving, greener and more efficient building methods to accomplish its mission. Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training's new Operations Group facility, which will have its

Sheppard aids F-22 evac due to Hurricane Issac

F-22 Raptors from Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., were evacuated here Aug. 26 as a precautionary measure in advance of Hurricane Issac making landfall on the Florida panhandle.The 82nd Training Wing at Sheppard, along with the 80th Flying Training Wing, sprung into action hosting the evacuated

Keesler takes preventative measures as Isaac approaches

Maxwell, FEMA prepare relief supplies for Tropical Storm Isaac

As residents along the Gulf Coast of the United States prepare for Tropical Storm Isaac, Airmen and representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency are busy setting up an emergency staging site on Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. Beginning Saturday, more than 120 semi-trucks filled with