All clear to land: Air traffic controllers ensure smooth flying

At 12 stories above ground level, Eielson's air traffic controllers have their work cut out for them: Acting as the start-to-finish force of the entire airspace for the area, the controllers track, manage and ensure operational safety for all aircraft taking off and landing at Eielson. To perform

Logistics planning: a universal mission

At Cooperative Cope Thunder 06-3, if aircraft are flying, people have a place to sleep and equipment to do their jobs, the logistics planning team has accomplished their mission. Getting personnel and assets to the right place at the right time is a universal undertaking, so the joint-combined

Andersen members go dumpster diving

Exercise evaluation team members across the wing were asked to get their hands dirty and go diving in dumpsters during the recent Cope North and Valiant Shield exercises. The order was given by Col. Michael Boera, 36th Wing commander, and the inspector general’s office was office of primary

KC-135: 50 years old and still refueling

Airmen with the Hawaii Air National Guard’s 154th Maintenance Squadron are servicing a fleet of aging KC-135 Stratotankers here. “I’ll read you the number, are you ready?” Tech. Sgt. Phillip Ferriman asked Senior Airman Thom Pialda. Both Airmen are electrical engineers with the 154th MXS. “L-24-6,

Canadian Forces CF-18's return to Eielson Air Force Base

For the first time in a number of years, Canadian Forces CF-18s are participating in Exercise COOPERATIVE COPE THUNDER. 409 Tactical Fighter Squadron (TFS), from 4 Wing Cold Lake, is flying friendly force or "Blue Air" missions focusing on air-to-air interdiction and close air support. In past years

Remembering the ‘Korean Armistice’

July in Korea is typically a hot and humid summer month in the middle of monsoon season. It was unusually dry and pleasant in 1953. I was a first grade schoolboy living amidst the rubble and devastation of Seoul. I was still overwhelmed by the loss of my parents just three years prior, during the

The ups and downs of international cooperation

What do a Swedish detachment commander, a Japanese captain, and a Canadian major have in common? They are all currently at Eielson Air Force Base participating and supporting the multi-national exercise Cooperative Cope Thunder. For three weeks the U.S. Air Force and air forces from more than 10

Swedish Gripen arrives at Eielson

The Swedish Air Force endure a long journey to participate in the Pacific Air Force exercise Cooperative Cope Thunder for the first time. In a journey that would span more than 5 days, seven Gripen fighters left Sweden on July 13 for the multi-national exercise designed to sharpen the combat skills

CATM Training

The story of the ‘Four Chaplains’

There are many examples in military history of our Air Force core value “Service Before Self.” I am proud, as a chaplain, to share with you the story of four heroic chaplains. In early 1943, as the United States was locked in conflict in World War II, the U.S. Army transport ship Dorcester set sail