Airman articles from May 2003

Airman archives from May 2003

Flying chevrons: enlisted pilots helped shape the early Air Force. (A Centennial of Flight Special Feature).
May 1, 2003... To fly a slick fighter, globe-trotting cargo plane or one of the unmanned aerial vehicles making life miserable for terrorists, today's Air Force pilot must be an officer. But it wasn't always that way. The Air Force has a proud heritage...

Pilots face increasing ground threats. (Airman's World).
May 1, 2003... SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- In the early stages of the war with Iraq, coalition pilots had not yet faced the intense air defenses they dealt with during the Gulf War. Still, the Iraqis fired at coalition aircraft on every mission, said an A-to...

Airmen gear up for bomber bed down. (Airman's World).
May 1, 2003... OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM--When about 1,200 airmen and a dozen bombers arrived at this European base in late February. they were met by approximately 160 airmen who were ready and waiting. After all, the local mission is to bed down bodies...

Air Force launches campaign to thank parents. (Airman's World).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... WASHINGTON, D.C.--Secretary of the Air Force James Roche and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John Jumper launched a service-wide campaign to thank parents of America's airmen for supporting their children's service. The Air Force Parent...

Bases in Germany get change of guard. (Airman's World).
May 1, 2003... RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- German troops are providing some security at three air bases in Germany to help ease the workload on Air Force security forces. U.S. and German military officials signed a historic memorandum of understanding...

Air Force implements Stop-Loss. (Airman's World).
May 1, 2003... WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Air Force will use Stop-Loss to retain specific skills needed to meet national security objectives. Effective May 2, 43 officer and 56 enlisted specialties will be affected by Stop-Loss. "We do not take this action...

GI Mail provides secure, reliable e-mail link to loved ones. (Airman's World).(Global Internet Mail)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- With airmen deployed away from home, the opportunity to communicate with loved ones takes on greater importance. "To provide a link back home, Air Force Crossroads, the Air Force's official community Web site,...

Deployed airman keeps sight of the American dream. (Airman's World).(George Okorodudu)
May 1, 2003... OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM--Airman 1st Class George Okorodudu admits with a wide smile he has nothing. For the better part of two years, the Nigerian-born Okorodudu, a deployed supply troop from Minot Air Force Base, N.D., has been building...

Airmail.(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2003... Support for U.S. forces In a time of tremendous turmoil, we are indeed fortunate to have the bravest of men and women. What you do today is for the future of the United States and the world. You are the flame within our Lady's torch. You...

Correction.(Correction Notice)
May 1, 2003... We incorrectly identified the photographer who captured the opening image of "OSI: The Fact-Finders" in our March issue. The photo was taken by Tech. Sgt. Jim Varhegyi.

Operation Iraqi Freedom: airmen fight to help end the regime of Saddam Hussein.
May 1, 2003... With the help of airmen such as Jennifer Raney, coalition air power will continue its dominance until Operation Iraqi Freedom dispels the regime of Saddam Hussein. As an aerospace ground equipment maintainer, the senior airman is pumped up...

Life on the Afghan frontier: The Bagram mission remains the same, but life is better.
May 1, 2003... In the armed camp that is Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, Airman 1st Class Lewis Pollard is just one more face in the crowd. It's hard to tell him apart from the thousands of other troops. Like the rest, he wears a desert-camouflage...

More than meets the eye: Hurricane Hunters give early warnings to coastal communities, saving lives and limiting property losses.
May 1, 2003... A storm smashes into the coast like a giant fist. Winds of 140 mph double over palm trees before ripping them from their roots. Sections of roofs are ripped from houses piece by piece, sent flying like lethal weapons bent on destruction. Walls...

Giving life a jumpstart: when an active duty master sergeant lost his hearing, a team of experts stepped in to help him hear again.
May 1, 2003... Master Sgt. John Hawk slept really well. He had been almost totally deaf since Thanksgiving 2001, so no amount of noise disrupted his slumber. Then came the problem of waking up on time. So, he bought a vibrating alarm clock. Getting up in...

Wearing the patch: The patch is the heart and soul of the Thunderbirds.
May 1, 2003... Staff Sgt. Cameron St. Amand slowly and methodically waxed a 16-by-20-foot patch adorning the hangar floor at Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, headquarters, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. To St. Amand, an assistant crew...

Back to Bagram. (Airman's Notebook).
May 1, 2003... Nobody told me I had to go back to Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan. I volunteered just like many of the airmen who are serving there for longer tours. When I told my mom and dad I was returning, they weren't happy. They asked me if I was too...

Man down under. (Final Frame).(Senior Airman James Cummings,)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2003... From down under, Senior Airman James Cummings, a cable and antenna maintenance technician with the 65th Communications Squadron, Lajes Field, Azores, tests telephone cable lines. Four people repaired more than 400 conductors in two weeks to...