• Altus Air Force Base Airman dies while deployed to Afghanistan

    A staff sergeant assigned to the 97th Communications Squadron but deployed as a member of a Provincial Reconstruction Team in Nuristan, Afghanistan was pronounced dead at approximately 11 a.m. Nov. 12. Staff Sgt. Andrew S. Bubacz (prounounced "Boo-bah-tch") passed away after sustaining head injuries

  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Airman dies downrange

    An Airman currently deployed to Afghanistan but assigned to the 97th Air Mobility Wing was pronounced dead at approximately 11 a.m. after sustaining injuries while working at a forward operating base in Afghanistan. Emergency crews responded and the Airman was transported to the hospital at Bagram

  • Veterans Day remarks, Nov. 11, 2010

    Good morning ladies and gentlemen. It is a pleasure to be here with you, and I'd like to begin with a thank you to Mr. Pinkley, your Post Commander, as well as to all the members of the Butch O'Neal Post, for inviting me to speak on this, one of our most important national holidays. As a veteran

  • Senior Airman Nicholas Carver is the Mighty 97th's Airman of the Quarter

    11/23/2010 - ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. - Senior Airman Nicholas Carver is the Airman of the quarter, July to Sept. 2010."I would like to credit this award to hard work. I have been willing to sacrifice my personal time and leisure to further pursue my career goals. Additionally, I credit my

  • AETC Commander to Retire After 37 Years of Service

    The commander of Air Education and Training Command, Gen. Stephen R. Lorenz, will retire in the grade of general effective Jan. 1, 2011, Air Force officials announced today, culminating more than 37 years of commissioned service. His retirement ceremony is Nov. 17.Among his many accomplishments as

  • West Flight Pattern over Altus becomes normal practice

    The 97th Air Mobility Wing's training mission requirements have changed, driving the development of a new flight pattern, which during the past six months has become standard practice for aircrews here. The west pattern has resulted in a significant enhancement to support required training on night

  • 54th ARS wins challenge

    Five teams competed and burned a total of 43,986 calories within 12 hours during the 1st annual 54th Air Refueling Squadron invitational Question Mark Endurance Challenge Nov. 4 at the fitness center. Each team's goal was to burn the most calories while keeping an elliptical machine in motion for 12

  • Spice

    Thirteen Airmen were offered non-judicial punishment on Oct. 21 for suspected use of a synthetic cannabis known as "Spice." All thirteen Airmen accepted non-judicial punishment. Some Airmen may not be aware that the rules on using Spice have changed. Earlier this year, Air Force Instruction 44-121,

  • Spouses experience orientation flight

    Air Force spouses Trisha Castle, Sara Birnbaum, Mandi Foster, Becky Sparks and Heather Vanderzel took off from here Oct. 27 for a four-hour Spouse Orientation Flight."The flight will enhance morale and unit cohesion, said Maj. Kay Hasson, Director of Resources 58th Airlift Squadron. "It will allow

  • Farm City Week unites Altus, Airmen and agriculture

    Every fall, Altus Airmen have the chance to switch out combat boots for cowboy boots and kick up the dirt alongside their neighbors during the city of Altus' annual Farm City Week. Farm City Week, held Nov. 1-5 this year, aims to highlight the importance of agriculture to the economic base of Altus