Joint Force

Northern Vision Lt. Gen. Thomas A. Bussiere is the commander, Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Command Region, North American Aerospace Defense Command; commander, Alaskan Command, U.S. Northern Command; commander, Eleventh Air Force, Pacific Air Forces, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. He is the senior military officer in Alaska, responsible for the integration of all military activities in […] Airman Magazine No responses December 3, 2019
Arctic Challenge According to the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, the Arctic sea ice extent has declined by 40% since 1979. The loss is transforming Alaska’s climate while also accelerating coastal erosion. “In a diminishing ice environment in the Arctic region, we’re seeing there’s more opportunity for industry, more opportunity for resource extraction, if done in a […] Robbie Arp No responses December 2, 2019
Engaging the Arctic In 1935, Billy Mitchell, former U.S. Army brigadier general and airpower advocate, testified before Congress that Alaska was the most strategic place in the world. From there, he said, U.S. Army aircraft could reach any capital in the northern hemisphere within nine hours. Much of that flight time was over unoccupied polar ice, as only the […] Robbie Arp No responses November 18, 2019
Based in Trust Growing trust between the local community and U.S. service members, and fostering good relationships with the government in the area surrounding a new base increases the chance of local support for Airmen deployed there in an effort to bring stability to the region. The U.S. Army’s 411th Civil Affairs Battalion are experts in nurturing relationships […] TSgt Perry Aston No responses November 12, 2019
Built from Scratch For three years, RED HORSE Airmen have been rotating every six months to Air Base 201 in Agadez, Niger, to participate in the largest troop labor construction project in Air Force history. RED HORSE stands for Air Force Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers. The Air Force built the base and its 6000-foot […] Andrew Arthur Breese No responses November 5, 2019
Air Base 201 After 1000 days, and barriers including dust storms, thunderstorms, and the isolated location, US Air Force Airmen at Air Base 201 in Agadez, Niger have completed the largest troop labor project in history. Air Base 201’s 6000 foot runway will give the Air Force a constant intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance presence in a increasingly active […] Andrew Arthur Breese No responses November 1, 2019
ASAF Henderson Podcast In the spring of 2019, Airman interviewed John W. Henderson, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Energy, about the current state of Air Force installations and the path forward in recapitalization. He believes that mission requirements and infrastructure readiness are intrinsically linked. Listen to the podcast HERE. Henderson is responsible for […] J.M. Eddins Jr. No responses October 9, 2019
Maintaining Success Airmen at aircraft maintenance squadrons around the service have begun innovating with new scheduling, accelerated hands-on training courses and virtual reality simulators to get new maintainers proficient quickly; keeping more aircraft ready to fly and improving operational readiness. We begin a continuing series of video vignettes at Travis Air Force Base, California, highlighting Airmen who […] J.M. Eddins Jr. No responses October 7, 2019
Guarding the Nation’s Skies Following the events of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the Department of Defense identified flaws in its security procedures within the airspace surrounding the National Capital Region. In response, Operation Noble Eagle was created to protect the skies of North America. An important training element of Noble Eagle, Fertile Keynote exercises utilize the Air Force’s civilian […] Airman Magazine No responses August 19, 2019
Building A Power Base John W. Henderson, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Energy, is responsible for the formulation, review and execution of plans, policies, programs and budgets to meet Air Force installations, energy, environment, safety and occupational health objectives. Henderson was commissioned in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in May 1994, upon graduation […] J.M. Eddins Jr. No responses August 5, 2019