New rifle course prepares Airmen for combat

VOGELWEH, Germany – An Airman loads ammunition into a clip before firing in the new Air Force rifle qualification course Oct. 7. The new course of fire has a mandatory implementation date of Dec. 1, 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Benjamin Wilson)

New rifle course prepares Airmen for combat

VOGELWEH, Germany – Staff Sgt. Timothy Streets, 569th U.S. Force Protection Squadron, practices tactical movements with an M-4 carbine while taking the new Air Force rifle qualification course Oct. 7. The new course of fire has a mandatory implementation date of Dec. 1, 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Benjamin Wilson)

ANG, USAFE Leaders visit Safe Skies 2011

Maj. Gen. Paul Brown, Chief Master Sgt. Michael Cone, and Maj. Gen. Don Ralph talk before a press conference at Mirgorod Air Base, Ukraine, July 22, During Safe Skies 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Maj. Matthew T. Mutti)

Honoring a hero

French air force Maj. Guillaume Vernet shows his pride after receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor from Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz July 13, 2011, at the Lafayette Escadrille Memorial in Marnes-la-Coquette, France. Vernet was awarded the decoration for repeatedly flying into hostile territory in December 2009 while deployed to Afghanistan as an exchange officer with the 41st Rescue Squadron from Moody Air Force Base, Ga. During that mission, Vernet rescued an urgent casualty whose injury put the lives of 160 British soldiers in jeopardy. (Courtesy photo)

MEDCEUR 11 kicks off in Macedonia

CAMP PEPELISHTE, Macedonia -- Members of the U.S. Air Force and Army salute during the Macedonian and American National Anthems at the opening ceremony of Medical Training Exercise in Central and Eastern Europe 2011 here June 6. The countries participating in this year’s MEDCEUR are Macedonia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Slovenia, Norway and the United States. MEDCEUR is a Partnership for Peace and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff-sponsored regional and multilateral exercise in Central and Eastern Europe designed to provide medical training and operational experience in a deployed environment. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Kelley J. Stewart)

MEDCEUR 11 kicks off in Macedonia

CAMP PEPELISHTE, Macedonia -- Members of the United States Air Force and Army salute during the Macedonian and American National Anthems at the opening ceremony of Medical Training Exercise in Central and Eastern Europe 2011 here June 6. The countries participating in this year’s MEDCEUR are Macedonia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Slovenia, Norway and the United States. MEDCEUR is a Partnership for Peace and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff-sponsored regional and multilateral exercise in Central and Eastern Europe designed to provide medical training and operational experience in a deployed environment. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Kelley J. Stewart)

MEDCEUR 11 kicks off in Macedonia

CAMP PEPELISHTE, Macedonia – Col. Charles Tedder, the American co-director for Medical Training Exercise in Central and Eastern Europe, gives his opening remarks during the MEDCEUR 2011 opening ceremony here June 6. The countries participating in this year’s MEDCEUR are Macedonia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Slovenia, Norway and the United States. MEDCEUR is a Partnership for Peace and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff-sponsored regional and multilateral exercise in Central and Eastern Europe designed to provide medical training and operational experience in a deployed environment. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Kelley J. Stewart)

MEDCEUR 11 kicks off in Macedonia

CAMP PEPELISHTE, Macedonia – Gen. Maj. Naser Sejdini, Republic of Macedonia army deputy chief of staff, gives his opening remarks during the Medical Training Exercise in Central and Eastern Europe 2011 opening ceremony June 6. MEDCEUR is a Partnership for Peace and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff-sponsored regional and multilateral exercise in Central and Eastern Europe designed to provide medical training and operational experience in a deployed environment. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Kelley J. Stewart)

MEDCEUR 11 kicks off in Macedonia

CAMP PEPELISHTE, Macedonia – Gen. Maj. Naser Sejdini, Republic of Macedonia army deputy chief of the general staff, gives his opening remarks during the Medical Training Exercise in Central and Eastern Europe 2011 opening ceremony June 6. The general welcomed this year’s participants, which included Macedonia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Slovenia, Norway and the United States. MEDCEUR is a Partnership for Peace and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff-sponsored regional and multilateral exercise in Central and Eastern Europe designed to provide medical training and operational experience in a deployed environment. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Kelley J. Stewart)

MEDCEUR 11 kicks off in Macedonia

CAMP PEPELISHTE, Macedonia – Members of the United States Air Force and Army salute during the Medical Training Exercise in Central and Eastern Europe 2011 opening ceremony practice here June 6. The countries participating in this year’s MEDCEUR are Macedonia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Slovenia, Norway and the United States. MEDCEUR is a Partnership for Peace and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff-sponsored regional and multilateral exercise in Central and Eastern Europe designed to provide medical training and operational experience in a deployed environment. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Kelley J. Stewart)

Actor Angelina Jolie Visits Wounded Warriors

Actor Angelina Jolie is greeted by Walt Murren, United Service Organizations Europe regional vice president, during a visit with wounded warriors, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, May 13, 2011. Jolie took time to meet with the military members as a part of her USO tour in an effort to boost their morale. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Caleb Pierce)

USAFE Concert Band on Tour

Members of the United States Air Forces in Europe Band set up the stage before a performance, Bratislava, Slovakia, May 4, 2011. The USAFE concert band is on tour through three countries, performing at seven locations as part of a building partnerships capacity and community outreach initiative. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Jocelyn L. Rich)

USAFE Concert Band on Tour

Members of the United States Air Forces in Europe Band set up the stage before a performance, Bratislava, Slovakia, May 4, 2011. The USAFE concert band is on tour through three countries, performing at seven locations as part of a building partnerships capacity and community outreach initiative. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech Sgt. Jocelyn L. Rich)

USAFE Concert Band on Tour

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Justin Hummer, oboist and facility manager with the United States Air Forces in Europe Band practices and warms up before a performance, Bratislava, Slovakia, May 4, 2011. The USAFE concert band is on tour through three countries, performing at seven locations as part of a building partnerships capacity and community outreach initiative. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech Sgt. Jocelyn L. Rich)

USAFE Concert Band on Tour

The United States Air Forces in Europe Band, performs during a concert, Nitra, Slovakia, May 8, 2011. The USAFE concert band is on tour through three countries, performing at seven locations as part of a building partnerships capacity and community outreach initiative. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech Sgt. Jocelyn L. Rich)

USAFE Concert Band on Tour

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Ian Tyson, clarinetist and transpiration management officer with the United States Air Forces in Europe Band, performs a solo during a concert, Nitra, Slovakia, May 8, 2011. The USAFE concert band is on tour through three countries, performing at seven locations as part of a building partnerships capacity and community outreach initiative. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech Sgt. Jocelyn L. Rich)

USAFE Concert Band on Tour

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. John Davis, flutist and noncommissioned officer in charge of supply with the Band of the West, practices and warms up before a performance, Pápa, Hungary, May 3, 2011. Sgt. Davis is augmenting with the United States Air Forces in Europe Band while they are on tour. The USAFE concert band is on tour through three countries, performing at seven locations as part of building partnerships capacity and community outreach initiative. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech Sgt. Jocelyn L. Rich)

USAFE Concert Band on Tour

Folders of music are laid out for members of the United States Air Forces in Europe Band before a performance, Pápa, Hungary, May 3, 2011. The USAFE concert band is on tour through three countries, performing at seven locations as part of a building partnerships capacity and community outreach initiative. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech Sgt. Jocelyn L. Rich)

USAFE Concert Band on Tour

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Rachel Trimble, vocalist and operations representative with the United States Air Forces in Europe Band, sings "Defying Gravity" during a concert, Bratislava, Slovakia, May 4, 2011. The USAFE concert band is on tour through three countries, performing at seven locations as part of a building partnerships capacity and community outreach initiative. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech Sgt. Jocelyn L. Rich)

USAFE Concert Band on Tour

U.S. Air Force Maj. Matthew Henry, United States Air Forces in Europe Band, commander and conductor, leads the USAFE concert band during a performance, Banská Bystrica, Slovakia, May 7, 2011. The USAFE concert band is on tour through three countries, performing at seven locations as part of a building partnerships capacity and community outreach initiative. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech Sgt. Jocelyn L. Rich)

USAFE Concert Band on Tour

U.S. Air Force Maj. Matthew Henry, United States Air Forces in Europe Band, commander and conductor, leads the USAFE concert band during a performance, Brno, Czech Republic, May 2, 2011. The USAFE concert band is on tour through three countries, performing at seven locations as part of a building partnerships capacity and community outreach initiative. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech Sgt. Jocelyn L. Rich)

USAFE Concert Band on Tour

U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Kenneth Maxwell, vocalist and a member of the commander's support staff with the United States Air Forces in Europe Band, performs "Figaro" during a concert, Brno, Czech Republic, May 2, 2011. The USAFE concert band is on tour through three countries, performing at seven locations as part of a building partnerships capacity and community outreach initiative. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech Sgt. Jocelyn L. Rich)

Catching zzz's does a body good.

This photo illustration was produced to bring awareness to practice good sleep hygiene and identify some of the stresses that cause sleeplessness. (U.S. Air Force photo and graphic by Senior Airman Ethan Morgan)

Former COMUSAFE recieves award

Latvian president Valdis Zatlers awards retired Gen. William Tom Hobbins, USAFE commander from 2005 to 2008, the Order of Viesturs, First Grade, in recognition of the general’s personal investment in helping to ensure the success of the NATO summit in Riga, Latvia, in November 2006. “It was a great honor to receive this award,” said General Hobbins. “I simply represent the people who are truly deserving of this award, the men and women of USAFE who served with me.” (Courtesy photo by Toms Kalnins, Chancery of the president of Latvia)