Fact Sheet Alphabetical List

Fact Sheet Search

  • Unarmed Tanker in Combat Search and Rescue

    On April 7, 2003, an unarmed KC-135 Stratotanker's crew put themselves in harm's way to help the crew of a downed F-15E. The KC-135 crew flew into hostile airspace north of Baghdad, Iraq, to refuel aircraft involved in the rescue, some of which were critically low on fuel. All four crewmembers, from

  • Lancer Crew's Quick Response

    On April 7, 2003, a B-1B Lancer crew from the 28th Bomb Wing diverted to hit a newly-identified high-value target. They quickly found and destroyed the target in twelve minutes using four precision-guided bombs. They also struck an additional fifteen other targets on the mission, including

  • From the Sky Overview

    Air Force air operations played a vital role in the initial stages of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, and continue to do so in ongoing operations. USAF aircrews are constantly overhead, precisely striking enemy targets on the ground, providing flexible and substantial airlift, and

  • Explosive Ordnance Disposal

    Initial Success or Total FailureWhen the presence of unexploded ordnance (UXO) makes an area too dangerous for normal operations, the U.S. Air Force relies upon its highly-trained Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technicians to make the area safe. Approaching their dangerous job with the grim humor

  • Duty First, Always Ready

    Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) personnel form an elite group of Air Force warriors. It is one of the few front-line combat jobs in the Air Force. TACP members bring overwhelming firepower to the battlefield. These Airmen accompany forward Army units to direct combat aircraft engaged in close air

  • Expeditionary Combat Airmen Overview

    In addition to Battlefield Airmen, other USAF officers and enlisted known as Expeditionary Combat Airmen are in the fight on the ground in Afghanistan and Iraq.Air liaison officers (ALOs) are fighter or bomber aircrew who direct close air support strikes as members of tactical air control parties on

  • Rocket-Propelled Grenades: Old Threat, New Danger

    The RPG-7 has become a weapon of choice among terrorists and insurgents. Somali militiamen used RPG-7s to down two U.S. Army helicopters in Mogadishu in 1993. The RPG-7 is commonly used by enemy forces in Afghanistan and Iraq, who employ them against vehicle convoys, checkpoints and

  • Battle at Takur Ghar: Roberts Ridge

      Click here to view the web page dedicated to Chapman as a Medal of Honor recipient.  In March 2002, in conjunction with Operation Anaconda, small reconnaissance teams established observation posts in strategic locations in Afghanistan and directed U.S. air power against enemy targets.  During this

  • Combating the Insurgency: Air Force Combat Controllers at Najaf, Iraq

     Combating the Insurgency: Air Force Combat Controllers at Najaf, Iraq            In late January 2007, Iraqi police in Najaf went to arrest what they thought were only 30 members of the fanatical “Soldiers of Heaven” sect.  Instead they were ambushed by about 800 heavily-entrenched

  • Hunting the Terrorists Down: SMSgt. Ramon Colon-Lopez

    Pararescueman Senior Master Sgt. Ramon Colon-Lopez deployed to Afghanistan shortly after 9/11, and he participated in direct action and combat search and rescue (CSAR) missions to capture or kill high value targets directly related to the recent terrorist attacks on U.S. soil and abroad. He also