Air Force Link News

Air Force Trials 2021: A Virtual Experience

Shannon Hall — Wed, 23 Dec 2020 13:30:00 GMT

The anticipation for how Air Force Trials 2021 will be conducted can now cease. After much consideration, deliberation, and cross talk between multiple organizations, the decision has been made to have the 7th Annual Air Force Trials go fully virtual. Although this is not what many of our athletes wanted, it is currently the safest option and will still be an amazing competition.

AFW2 Fit Games: Taking virtual fitness by storm

Bianca Soto — Sun, 13 Sep 2020 13:30:00 GMT

The Fit Games are a fitness challenge that will consist of predesignated bodyweight exercises, fulfilled by an established number of reps per exercise and round. Open for all AFW2 warriors and Invictus Games U.S. Team athletes to participate, this fitness event will be the first of its kind geared towards engaging warriors in a non-sport specific challenge.

Intrepid Spirit Center opens at Eglin AFB

Ilka Cole — Sat, 29 Aug 2020 12:00:00 GMT

Eglin Air Force Base’s Intrepid Spirit Center, the first on an Air Force base, is a treatment center dedicated to post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, associated pain conditions and psychological injuries in active-duty service members.

Warriors unite through community networks

Bianca Soto — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 12:00:00 GMT

AFW2 community programs connect warriors to local events, activities and resources within the 46,000 veteran service organizations located nationwide. The team utilizes social media platforms to connect with veteran service organizations and obtain vital information, which they streamline and share with warriors and their families.

Survivor harnesses resilience to overcome invisible wounds

DoD News — Sun, 09 Aug 2020 17:30:00 GMT

Reality hit when then Airman First Class Brittany Johnson of the 49th Logistics Readiness Squadron left the hospital in September 2010 after a week-long stay for sexual and physical assault. “I didn’t feel like myself,” recalls Johnson, now a technical sergeant with the 36th Civil Engineering Squadron. “I couldn’t find joy in activities anymore.”

AFW2 to host virtual powerlifting competition June 19

Shannon Hall — Thu, 18 Jun 2020 20:00:00 GMT

The Air Force Wounded Warrior Program, or AFW2, will host its first ever virtual powerlifting competition June 19 on Facebook Live.

Wounded warrior recalls dark days, bright recovery

Malcolm McClendon — Sun, 14 Jun 2020 16:00:00 GMT

Bernard Lawson, a former platoon sergeant who was wounded while serving as an Army chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear technical escort Soldier at Johnston Atoll, overcame severe nerve damage injuries with the help from other wounded warriors and is now the emergency manager for the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center.

Military Caregiver Month: Hidden heroes

Shannon Hall — Tue, 19 May 2020 21:00:00 GMT

The Caregiver Support and Family Program was founded in 2014 to improve caregiver resiliency by connecting them with other caregivers who can share experiences, provide guidance and ultimately build trust and long-lasting relationships.

Rescue dogs help heal wounded warriors

Josh Plueger — Sun, 09 Feb 2020 13:00:00 GMT

The Office of the Warrior Advocate is a first-of-its-kind organization that was founded by two wounded warriors that saw a need. It is in that same spirit of seeing needs and answering the call that service dogs are becoming part of Offutt’s landscape and cultural norms.

Wounded warrior, outreach specialist demonstrate lasting impact of connecting

Chip Pons — Fri, 25 Oct 2019 15:45:00 GMT

The theme for the month of October is connectedness, and Melissa Wiest, AFW2 outreach specialist and retired master sergeant along with retired Staff Sgt. Seth Pena, AFW2 Ambassador, are living proof of just how important connectedness is.

No effort spared to bring wounded Soldier home

Alexandra Soika — Thu, 03 Oct 2019 12:00:00 GMT

In mid-August, Air Mobility Command’s 618th Air Operations Center was notified of an injured Soldier in need of urgent aeromedical evacuation out of Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan. Immediately, AOC Airmen started to build a mission – REACH 797 – to help save one Soldier whose survival was in question after being critically wounded in a blast.

Executive order offers better access to mental health resources

David Vergun — Fri, 06 Sep 2019 14:00:00 GMT

Executive Order 13822, "Supporting Our Veterans During Their Transition From Uniformed Service to Civilian Life," directs the departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security "to come together and ensure we have seamless access to mental health care and suicide prevention resources for transitioning service members and recent veterans, particularly during their first year of transition after separation or retirement," she said.

Wounded warrior talks resiliency during tactical pause

Lauren Russell — Tue, 27 Aug 2019 14:57:00 GMT

In the wake of Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein’s Resiliency Tactical Pause directive, Master Sgt. Jose E. Rijos, Air Force Wounded Warrior ambassador, recounted the traumas of his career with his service dog, Cairo, at his side.

Retired MWDs looking for families, homes, couches

Mary Nell Sanchez — Sun, 04 Aug 2019 14:00:00 GMT

Thousands of MWDs are stationed around the world placing themselves in harm’s way detecting bombs, land mines and subduing threatening people; all in the name of keeping Americans safe.

2019 Warrior Games begin

Robert A. Whetstone — Tue, 25 Jun 2019 17:42:00 GMT

Jon Stewart, a comedian, was once again the master of ceremonies to officially open the games. He mixed humor with a compassion and seriousness about wounded warriors that seems to resonate with service members and families.

Seeking mental health treatment: Chief shares his experience with PTSD

Staff Sgt. Christine Groening — Sun, 26 May 2019 13:00:00 GMT

Many service members struggle with the thought of seeking mental health treatment, thinking of it as a career ender, or possibly that others may think they are weak for seeking help. Corvin said he wrestled with the thought of whether or not to get help, and eventually decided he needed to make a change – not only for himself, but for his family.

Intrepid Spirit Center moves forward

Ilka Cole — Mon, 06 May 2019 13:30:00 GMT

The 96th Medical Group held a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the construction of the Intrepid Spirit Center at Eglin Air Force Base, May 2.

Ensuring unity of effort moving wounded warfighters from combat to care

Michael P. Kleiman — Wed, 10 Apr 2019 14:45:00 GMT

Optimizing the care and safe transport of wounded warfighters while moving from point of injury to the final destination was the focus of the more than 200 participants attending the annual Global Patient Movement Joint Advisory Board held at Scott Air Force Base, April 2.

8th MDOS polishes readiness with 3D tech

Staff Sgt. Joshua Edwards — Wed, 13 Feb 2019 16:37:00 GMT

The 8th Medical Operations Squadron Dental Flight ensures all Kunsan service members have the brightest smile and best teeth with efficiency, comfort, and new technology to facilitate a quick return to duty after procedures.

Airmen encouraged to participate in Health Related Behaviors Survey

DoD News — Fri, 08 Feb 2019 20:43:00 GMT

Airmen are encouraged to participate in the online Health Related Behaviors Survey that will conclude on Feb. 28.