Free Republic

A B-1B bomber caught fire on the flight line at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, on April 20, the base announced. The fire started around 10 p.m. during “routine engine maintenance” while the B-1 Lancer was parked, according to a Dyess press release. Two individuals were injured during the fire and transported to a local medical facility with “non-life-threatening injuries,” according to the release. They were later released. A Dyess Air Force Base public affairs official told Air Force Magazine that the cause of the fire and whether the aircraft can be salvaged are still being investigated. Information on the...

The non-nuclear B-1 Lancer has adapted from a strategic mission to a close-air support role, and will continue to play an effective part in today's fight in Afghanistan and Iraq, according to leaders here. While the remaining bombers in the Air Force inventory transferred to Air Force Global Strike Command, the B-1 has become the go-to airframe when combatant commanders want a show of force or support for ground troops. "The predominance of what we are doing right now in theater is close-air support; non-traditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; and armed overwatch" said Col. Charlie Catoe, 7th Operations Group commander....

.S. Air Force Chief of Staff has delivered first of 28 Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules to the 317th Airlift Group at Dyess Air Force Base. "The delivery of this C-130J and others like it is a step toward modernising our airlift inventories , we’ll continue to make progress in this area over the next few years,” Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton A. Schwartz said in an Air Forse official new release. The 317th Airlift Group will replace its existing Dyess fleet of 33 aging C-130 from the newly developed aircraft C-130J Lockheed will complete the final delieveries...

Testing of the Lockheed Martin Sniper Targeting Pod on board the B-1B Lancer bomber has been accelerated in recent and is nearly completed, leading to the Air Force's Air Combat Command plans to approve sending pod-equipped bombers on operational missions by mid-summer. Because the sniper pod is a desperately needed capability in theater, Edwards Global Power Bomber Combined Test Force and the 337th Test and Evaluation Squadron from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, combined the operational and developmental testing of a B-1B Lancer to accelerate the integration of the sniper targeting pod with the B-1B bomber. "Everyone at the here...

<p>U.S. Rep. Charlie Stenholm, R-Abilene, attended his first House Armed Services Committee hearing Wednesday morning.</p> <p>Stenholm, currently representing District 17 but vying for the District 19 seat, was appointed to the committee Tuesday night.</p> <p>"Charlie Stenholm is one of our most able members of Congress," said Missouri Democrat and ranking committee member Ike Skelton through a written release. "He understands national security thoroughly, and I predict he will be a tremendous asset to the House Armed Services Committee."</p>

Hastert stumps for Neugebauer By SEBASTIAN KITCHEN AVALANCHE-JOURNAL ABILENE — U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert told business people here Wednesday that he believes Republicans can capture more seats in Congress during the November election. "Texas is a great opportunity," he said. Hastert, R-Ill., campaigned in Abilene for U.S. Rep. Randy Neugebauer, R-Lubbock. About 75 people attended the event at the Abilene Civic Center. Neugebauer's race with fellow incumbent Charlie Stenholm, D-Abilene, is one of several that Republicans are hoping to win to increase their margin in the U.S. House. Hastert said he has heard people predict Republicans will acquire an...

Abilene expects Cheney at rally for Neugebauer BY BRIAN WILLIAMS AVALANCHE-JOURNAL Vice President Dick Cheney will join U.S. Rep. Randy Neugebauer next week in Abilene for a rally and reception, according to an Abilene Republican. The $25-per-person fund-raiser for Neugebauer, R-Lubbock, is scheduled for Dec. 5 at the Abilene Civic Center, said Paul Washburn, Taylor County Republican Party chairman. AP Photo Vice-President Dick Cheney addresses an audience during a fund-raising appearance Monday, Nov. 24, 2003 in Cleveland. Ohio Gov. Bob Taft was the host of a $2,000-a-plate dinner at the Intercontinental Hotel and Conference Center near downtown. Washburn said Neugebauer’s...

<p>July 11 (Bloomberg) -- Nine residents of an Air Force Base in Abilene, Texas, have been quarantined because they are suspected of having severe acute respiratory syndrome.</p> <p>The first case was reported on Tuesday. Some of the people had symptoms of a flu-like or respiratory illness after traveling through a Toronto airport, said David May, a spokesman for Dyess Air Force Base.</p>