• Families mark 20 years since tragic loss of AWACS crew

    Friday, Sept. 22, 1995 started out peaceful enough. Overcast skies were giving way to the heat of the sun, taking with them the last testimony of rain from the night before. Scattered clouds ranged from 5,000 to 20,000 feet, and visibility was 15 miles.For Elmendorf Air Force Base flightline

  • National Preparedness Month: Volcano edition

    Suddenly, an explosion shudders the ground and spews black arrows of soot, covering the surrounding area in a layer of ash, suffocating life all around.Alaska is home to approximately 130 volcanoes and volcanic fields; more than 50 have been active since 1760. Twenty-seven of those volcanoes have

  • 68 Years: Proud Past, Promising Future

    Although downtown Anchorage was flooded with those in pirate costumes, another celebration brought together almost 700 military members, families and other distinguished guests dressed in their finest attire to honor the Air Force's legacy at the Dena'ina Convention Center, Saturday.U.S. Air Force

  • Exploring Denali in recognition of military appreciation

    Each September Denali National Park and Preserve hosts a "road lottery" where winners can drive as much of the Denali Park Road as weather allows. Sept. 19 was Military Appreciation Day, and 400 lottery tickets were given to military members throughout Alaska.On normal business days, the park only

  • Be ready for earthquakes

    Earthquakes happen in Alaska every day, so what's the big deal?The second largest earthquake ever recorded happened here, according to earthquake.usgs.gov. The 1964 earthquake reached a magnitude 9.2 on the Richter scale."The earthquake of 1964 almost destroyed Anchorage. [It] wiped out Valdez [and]

  • AFE Airmen provide lifesaving equipment on every JBER flight

    In 1995, Air Force Capt. Scott O'Grady was shot down over Bosnia. He survived a week until his rescue with only a 29-pound survival bag of gear, rations and most importantly, a radio.A routine mission or an emergency night flight can have the same consequences. Human error and technical difficulties

  • A little grease doesn't get C-17 Globemaster III crew chief down

    Airman Halbert arrives at the hospital for his appointment to get new glasses. Walking through the door, he notices how friendly everyone is. Each passerby grins or smirks at him.The optometrist performing his eye exam has a comical glint in her eyes as she speaks to him. After the examination, an