RPAs then and now Part II: Maintenance makes history possible

(Editor's note: This article is part two of a four-part series.)During the morning of Oct. 22, 2013, the aircraft parking ramps at a deployed location roared to life. Checklists were run, hatches checked, and missions briefed as the crew chiefs, support units and air crew carefully prepared an MQ-1

RPAs then and now Part I: Reaching 2 million hours

(Editor's note: This article is part one of a four-part series.)The U.S. Air Force's MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft accumulated 2 million flight hours Oct. 22, 2013, not only marking a significant milestone, but also demonstrating the evolution of the program. The RPA

Hunters honor fallen defenders

Members of the 432nd Operations Support Squadron completed a 10 kilometer memorial ruck march here Oct. 18 to honor fallen security forces Airmen.The event, which is in its fourth year, typically takes place at Camp Bulls, Texas, but since the 432nd OSS team couldn't travel there members chose

99th Force Support Squadron’s Library set to close

The 99th Force Support Squadron Library at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., will be closing its doors due to ongoing budget constraints Sept. 30. Air Combat Command has eliminated the funding to maintain library services throughout the command for fiscal year 2014."We are exploring options to retain as

Airmen fill need for speed with NASCAR experience

Screeching tires, roaring engines and high speeds are appealing to those seeking to feel the ultimate rush but too often these stunts aren't performed in the presence of professionals and don't end well.Recently, Airmen from Creech and Nellis Air Force Bases had the opportunity to fuel their

A meeting at the local VFW

As a public affairs photojournalist, my job is to tell the Air Force story to the world but sometimes telling it to a smaller crowd is more effective and meaningful.Recently, I had the privilege to meet some of the Air Force's behind-the-scenes heroes, their accomplishments often forgotten over time

432nd Wing receives Meritorious Unit Award

The 432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing has been awarded the Air Combat Command Meritorious Unit Award for outstanding achievement in direct support of combat operations from June 1, 2012, to May 31, 2013.The combat ready Airmen of the 432nd Wing/432nd AEW employ the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9

Dodging stressors and building Airmen resiliency

The Hunters have taken a very different approach to changing the "wingman" culture, as part of the ongoing effort to build more resilient Airmen.The 432nd Wing, 432nd Air Expeditionary Wing held a dodge ball tournament to kickoff the quarterly Comprehensive Airmen Fitness day on Aug. 9. The

Defenders host local youth police cadets

The 799th Security Forces Squadron frequently interact with local law enforcement agencies in an effort to reach out to local communities and build partnerships with civilian neighbors. On July 29, the 799th Security Forces Squadron and 99th Ground Combat Training Squadron continued these outreach

Creech celebrates SNCO inductees