Not that F word

"No, no...please don't make me do it!" Pumping hearts, sweat-ridden bodies, and cramped limbs are some of what makes people hate one aspect of it. Having to suck up the gut, that can be cleverly disguised in uniform, and hoping nobody else in the locker room is watching the first, second or third

47th Fighter Squadron trains to provide close air support

The 47th Fighter Squadron deployed to Peterson AFB, Colo., in mid December to conduct close air support training with the A-10 Thunderbolts and the 13th Air Support Operational Squadron. Barksdale A-10s supported the Special Ops personnel out of Fort Carson, Colo., in forward air control, updating

Iraq Karate Kat gets makeover from Bossier instructor

So what does an off duty martial arts school owner and instructor do with his free time when deployed to Iraq? Martial arts training, of course! When a Barksdale 917th Wing member, Maj. Charles Chapman, 506th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, operations flight commander arrived at Kirkuk Region

Command Post NCOIC Lead by Example

When Master Sgt. John McClain, non commissioned officer in charge and Training Manager, Barksdale Command Post, applied for the job in the command post approximately one year ago, he was walking back into a world that he was all too familiar. He was going back to a career field that was

Barksdale Reservists benefit from wartime honeymoon

Traditionally speaking, the first few months of a marriage can set the tone for a lifetime. For two reservists deployed to Kirkuk Regional Air Base, Iraq, spending their honeymoon in a war zone has proven to be building blocks for a future together. When Senior Airman Nickole Daigle Rhodes was

917th Wing Sets Buff Smoke on Fire

Best Squadron, Best Crew, Best Aircraft Maintenance Unit and Best Crew Chiefs. The 917th Wing took top honors at the five day Buff Smoke competition held here at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., from December 1-4, 2008 with an awards ceremony held on Friday, December 5. Buff Smoke is a competition

Barksdale Reservists help maintain Kirkuk Regional Air Base

At home or half way around the world, Air Force civil engineers know their job; keeping bases operational. Airmen deployed from the 917th Civil Engineer Squadron at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., are putting the skills they hone one weekend a month to use maintaining the base and improving the

917th Civil Engineer honors father while deployed to Iraq

BRAC Funding Brings New Building to the 917th Wing

When the 47th Fighter Squadron acquired eight new A-10s and additional manpower as a result of the Air Force's reorganization and the subsequent closing of the 926th Fighter Wing at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans, Louisiana, more space was needed to accommodate the extra equipment

Extreme Commuting for Reservist

Americans spend more than 100 hours commuting to work each year, according to American Community Survey data released by the U.S. Census Bureau. The average commute to work is 25.5 minutes but depends on the location of the commute. The 917th Wing has approximately 1,700 members with over 1,000 of