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U.S. Air Force News

  • Afghanistan -- the way ahead: McChrystal sends message to troops

    Army Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, has posted a message to the troops on the way ahead. The full text follows: We have been presented a great opportunity to take the tremendous work of our coalition force to the next level. The clarity, capability and

  • Tops In Blue officials seek new talent, auditions open

    The Air Force's premier entertainment group, Tops In Blue, is seeking new performers to be part of the 2010 Tops In Blue World Tour.Air Force "Mission Audition" is open to all members of the Air Force, Air Force Reserve, and Air National Guard, regardless of rank or career field.The group is looking

  • Air Force Global Strike Command officials assume ICBM mission

    Air Force Global Strike Command officials here assume the Air Force's intercontinental ballistic missile mission Dec. 1. The ICBM transfer is part of a phased approach to unify all Air Force nuclear-capable assets under one command, officials said. The new command gains three missile wings with the

  • DARPA officials launch network challenge competition

    Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency officials will take the Internet technology that agency researchers helped create 40 years ago a step farther Dec. 5 with a contest aimed at bringing people together to solve tough problems. And they have sweetened the "DARPA Network Challenge" with a

  • Air Force officials accepting nominations for public administration award

    Air Force officials are now accepting nominations for the 6th Annual Department of Defense David O. Cooke Excellence in Public Administration Award. This award recognizes non-managerial career civilian employees who demonstrate great leadership potential as future federal executives. To be eligible,

  • Respite child care expands to all 50 states

    It's a few hours a month, but the break the Armed Services YMCA Respite Child Care program provides parents with a deployed spouse always is welcome. And since the program's Oct. 1 nationwide expansion, many more parents will benefit.The Armed Services YMCA, as part of a Defense Department contract,

  • Commander, chaplain talk about holiday stress

    The holiday season is almost upon us and some deployed Airmen may find themselves wrestling with a combination of stressors during the 40 or so days between Thanksgiving and the New Year.Many Airmen can find themselves overwhelmed with feelings of sadness or depression because they miss friends and

  • Air Force secretary discusses state of force at Global Warfare Symposium

    The Air Force's top civilian leader delivered a key note speech regarding the service's future with special attention to the space mission at the 2009 Air Force Association Global Warfare Symposium here Nov. 20. At the conclusion of the two-day summit, Air Force Secretary Michael B. Donley outlined

  • Records transfer marks historic milestone

    The transfer of approximately 177,000 official military personnel files from the Air Force to the National Archives and Records Administration here Nov. 18 marked a milestone as the final service to make its historical documents a part of the public record."This is an especially historic day for the

  • Transfer of Post-9/11 G.I. Bill benefits easier with new virtual application

    A new module in the virtual Military Personnel Flight that will simplify the process of transferring Post-9/11 G.I. Bill benefits to dependents is set to launch this month.The new vMPF module will check an Airman's eligibility and allow him or her to fill out, sign and send the required statement of

  • Trade Commission officials offer gift card tips

    Because distance often separates extended and even immediate families in military life, gift cards are a popular choice for holiday gift-giving. After all, one size fits all, and the recipients can get exactly what they want from a retailer or restaurant. But the Federal Trade Commission advises

  • Don't let safety get lost in holiday hustle, bustle

    As people prepare for the upcoming holiday season, it's easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle of the season and not think about safety. For the Air Force Safety Center team, the holiday season, which runs from the day before Thanksgiving to the day after New Years, can be one of the most

  • Air Force officials enhance community support information

    As Air Force officials continue to modernize information sharing to meet 21st century mission requirements, manpower and personnel force development officials have taken a look at the official community Web site of the Air Force to increase its effectiveness. Transition is under way of the Air Force

  • Air Force Safety Center officials build awareness with family campaign

    Air Force Safety Center officials here released the first public service announcement highlighting volunteer family members active in saving lives and preventing mishaps.The center is using Airmen's families to influence behaviors as part of the safety center's campaign during the Year of the Air

  • Wounded warrior program continues assisting Airmen and their families

    Air Force leaders remain committed to the service's top investments: Airmen and their families. In support of a Defense Department initiative to return wounded warriors to productive military service or civilian life, Air Force officials here have revised several personnel policies. These policies

  • Mullen sees operational structure in Guard's future

    The National Guard's transformation from a strategic reserve to an operational force since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, should continue beyond the current conflicts, the nation's top military officer told Guard leaders Nov. 19. As operations in Iraq and Afghanistan change over the next

  • Nominees sought for Air Force Sergeants Association Pitsenbarger Award

    Air Force Sergeants Association officials here are seeking nominations for the 2010 Pitsenbarger Award. The annual AFSA Pitsenbarger Award recognizes an Air Force enlisted servicemember who has performed a heroic act, on or off duty, that result in saving a life or preventing serious injury to

  • Air Force leaders speak at 2009 Global Warfare Symposium

    Air Force senior leaders discussed the service's priorities, capabilities and vision in space, cyberspace and strategic deterrence at the 2009 Air Force Association Global Warfare Symposium here Nov. 19. Gen. Kevin P. Chilton, Lt. Gen. Frank G. Klotz and Maj. Gen. Richard E. Webber, respective

  • Squadron Officer College staff offers new distance learning courses

    Squadron Officer College instructors here will be offering four new distance learning courses, based on selected competencies from the Air Force Competency List, to company grade officers beginning in 2010.Basing the courses on Air Force competencies is important, said Dr. Norm Wagner, a Squadron

  • AFSPC commander bids farewell to missile wings

    Gen. C. Robert Kehler, commander of Air Force Space Command, traveled to three bases Nov. 12 and 13 to say farewell to three missile wings and the strategic deterrent mission.General Kehler met with wing leaders and held a commander's call at Malmstrom, Minot, and F.E. Warren Air Force bases.  The

  • Applicants sought for air attaché duty

    Air Force officials here are accepting applications until Dec. 11 from senior captains, majors and lieutenant colonels to fill eight air attaché positions and assistant air attaché positions with in-country reporting dates ranging from August 2010 to September 2012. Officers selected for attaché

  • Air Force officials host Sexual Assault Prevention, Response Leader Summit

    To reinforce the service's commitment to protect Airmen and maintain a safe environment, senior leaders gathered for the 2009 Air Force Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Leader Summit here Nov. 16.Air Force Secretary Michael B. Donley, Assistant Vice Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. William L. Shelton,

  • Air Force leaders reinforce senior adviser hiring guidance

    Air Force senior leaders here recently completed a year-long comprehensive review of the requirements, contracting processes and tasks performed by senior advisers.While the review did not find any ethical or legal concerns, Air Force Secretary Michael B. Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen.

  • Air Force officials make first major move toward a central network

    Air Force officials recently took the first major steps recently in moving e-mail and network services into what will become the central Air Force Network. Within today's environment, major commands and some subordinate units operate their own networks, but the Active Directory and Exchange project

  • Flexibility key to airpower, Space-A

    Have you ever dreamed of climbing the steps of an Egyptian pyramid or schussing down a black diamond ski slope in Bavaria? Or perhaps digging your toes in the sand on a Hawaiian beach is more your speed. Well, there is a perfect way to make these dreams become a reality: space-available

  • Officials announce fiscal 2010 force management measures

    Air Force officials here announced Nov. 16 measures to meet the fiscal 2010 end strength of 331,700, requiring personnel management actions to reduce the force by approximately 3,700 officers and enlisted members through voluntary and involuntary early separation and retirement programs. Eligible

  • Online master's program extended to captains

    Air University officials here will offer eligible mid-level Air Force captains a unique educational opportunity to enroll in an online master's degree beginning this December. The degree is designed to be career-relevant and is intended to accommodate the current high operations tempo environment,

  • Officials expand 2010 ACP to growing mission needs

    Details on the fiscal 2010 Aviator Continuation Pay Program released by officials Nov. 13 continue to emphasize the Air Force's retention efforts in critical, rated career fields while recognizing the growing significance of remotely piloted aircraft.The ACP Program allows some active-duty rated

  • Air Force officials emphasize individual fitness responsibility

    While Air Force commanders have the responsibility to maintain a unit fitness program, the new fitness Air Force instruction will better emphasize each Airman's responsibility to meet and maintain fitness standards, officials here said Nov. 13.Commanders and supervisors will continue to emphasize

  • Officials seek past, present Academy nominees for award

    Officials from the Center for Character and Leadership Development are soliciting nominees for the 2009 Malham M. Wakin Character and Leadership Development Award.The Wakin Award is presented to personnel assigned to the U.S. Air Force Academy, both past and present, to include individuals or teams

  • Latest issue of Airman magazine available

    The latest issue of Airman, now available in print and online, highlights stories about caring for Airmen and their families. The list of feature stories in the November/December issue include:  An Immigrant's Tale The journey of a Sudanese "lost boy'" whose search for stability took him from the

  • Policy opens federal job opportunities for qualifying military spouses

    A new executive policy has pushed open the door for qualifying military spouses to enter the federal workforce, enabling them to apply for more jobs advertised on USAJOBS.Executive Order 13473, which went into effect Sept. 11, 2009, identified three groups of qualifying spouses now eligible to apply

  • Air Force officials seek nominations for NCOA Vanguard Award

    Air Force officials here are soliciting nominations for the 2010 Noncommissioned Officers Association Vanguard Award. Nominees must be between the rank of senior airman and chief master sergeant who have performed a heroic act, on or off duty, which resulted in saving someone's life or preventing

  • Air Force leaders issue joint Veterans Day message

    The Air Force's top leaders remind the entire Air Force family that this holiday has a meaning beyond a "day off" from work in a Veterans Day message. Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz issued the following message:Bound by common purpose and

  • Official cites benefits of deploying civilians

    A recent Facebook post by a U.S. Soldier heading home from Iraq highlights some of the nonmilitary roles American troops often assume in today's counterinsurgency wars. "My time in Iraq approaches its end," the junior enlisted Soldier wrote, listing military duties he performed on tour, followed by

  • Prescription meds: Proceed with caution

    With a steady military healthcare system and a variety of medical resources in the Air Force, it can be difficult for some Airmen to ensure their prescribed medications are current. When Airmen ignore inspecting their medicine cabinets they risk possible damage to their careers and, more

  • Chief of Staff addresses key mobility, Air Force issues at conference

    Gen. Norton Schwartz, the Air Force chief of staff, recently attended the 41st Airlift Tanker Association conference where he addressed a gathering of more than 4,000 active duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian Airmen. In his comments, General Schwartz emphasized the importance of every Airman and

  • Air Force officials accepting physician assistant applications

    Air Force officials here are taking applications from active-duty enlisted Airmen for Physician Assistant Phase I Training classes beginning December 2010, and April and August 2011. To be eligible for this program, applicants must: -- be on active duty in the grade of E-3 through E-8 with a minimum

  • Air Force officials unveil new strategic basing process

    Senior Air Force officials have applied a new basing process to more than 200 sites for training and operational basing of the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter aircraft. In fall 2008, Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Norton Schwartz sought to redefine

  • Open season set for 3 civilian benefit programs

    Air Force Personnel Center officials here have announced the open season for three civilian benefit programs lasting Nov. 9 through Dec. 14. The three programs are the Federal Employees Health Benefits program, or FEHB; the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program, or FEDVIP; and the

  • Officials release new selective re-enlistment bonus list

    Pentagon officials recently released the latest selective re-enlistment bonus list containing 91 Air Force specialties. The revised listing places a greater emphasis on retaining Airmen with 17 months to six years of service, said Tech. Sgt. Christopher Dowlearn, the NCO in charge of Air Force

  • Mental health pros meet to consider treatments for veterans

    Improving mental health care for servicemembers and veterans requires a coordinated effort beyond health care providers and the military community, the Pentagon's top mental health expert said here. Opening the second Warrior Resilience Conference Nov. 3, Army Brig. Gen. (Dr.) Loree K. Sutton,

  • Air Guard members are flexible, adaptable to change, says Wyatt

    The Air National Guard still provides the best bang for the buck because of the ability and flexibility of its Airmen, the reserve component's director told hundreds of Air Guard enlisted members in Dallas Nov. 3. "We will leverage those to provide the country with the most affordable, the best

  • Experts to answer H1N1 questions online

    Military Health System experts will host a Web-based town hall-style meeting Nov. 10 from 3 to 4 p.m. EST to respond to questions about H1N1 influenza. Military members, their families, health-care providers and Defense Department civilians may submit questions starting Nov. 2, using the comments

  • Air Force officials seek UAS volunteers, announces policy change

    Air Force officials here are seeking combat systems officers for unmanned aircraft systems pilot duty, and interested commissioned Airmen have until Nov. 20 to volunteer for the training. CSOs within the grade of lieutenant through major are eligible, and applicants must also have between two to 13

  • Nurse commissioning program seeks enlisted applicants

    Officials at the Air Force Personnel Center here will conduct the annual Nurse Enlisted Commissioning Program board May 11-13 to select candidates for fall 2010 start dates. The program offers active-duty enlisted personnel the opportunity to earn a bachelor's degree in a high-need academic major.

  • Tricare announces H1N1 immunization policy

    Immunizations against the H1N1 virus will soon be available, and people are eager to take precautions. Tricare Prime, Standard and Extra beneficiaries can get their shots from network and non-network providers without paying a deductible or making a co-payment. A temporary waiver allows retired

  • Improved protection for household goods

    Relocating can be one of the most stressful events in a person's life. With approximately 500,000 household goods shipments every year, the military is the largest moving population in the United States. Officials with the Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command are committed to making

  • New perspective improves VA programs

    A new perspective has enabled leaders at the Department of Veterans Affairs to improve the level and accessibility of care provided to servicemembers, the department's assistant secretary for public and intergovernmental affairs said here Oct. 27. "I bring with me to VA a really different, new

  • Officials to announce chief master sergeant selections

    Air Force officials selected 475 of 2,276 eligible senior master sergeants for promotion to chief master sergeant for a selection rate of 20.87 percent. The average score for those selected was 662.78, with an average time in grade of 3.40 and time in service of 23.23 years, respectively, and 24.49

  • Airmen sought for unique, joint program

    Air Force officials are seeking Airmen for a three- to five-year period for a Defense Department program aimed at creating greater continuity, focus and persistent engagement across the battlefield in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Afghanistan Pakistan Hands program was established by Adm. Mike

  • Air Force officials announce candidate bases for joint strike fighter

    Air Force officials here announced the list of candidate locations Oct. 29 for basing the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter. The list of candidate bases was approved by the secretary and chief of staff of the Air Force and identifies the first group of bases to be considered for joint strike

  • Air Force updates guidance for wear of PTU

    Air Force officials have updated guidance for wear of the physical training uniform, replacing previous guidance published in Air Force Instruction 36-2903, Dress and Personal Appearance of Air Force Personnel. According to a message released from Air Force A1 and signed by Lt. Gen. Richard Y.

  • AAFES aims to be military shoppers' first choice for the holidays

    Promotions, prizes and popular name brands will anchor the efforts of Army & Air Force Exchange Service officials to invite military families to "rediscover the value" their exchange is offering this holiday season.Exclusive savings on holiday decorations, care package items and electronics will be

  • Personnel Center officials expand service center hours for civilians

    To increase customer support to Air Force civilian employees and applicants around the world, officials at the Total Force Service Center have expanded the hours civilian personnel experts are available to discuss employment, benefits and entitlements. While service delivery representatives are

  • Air Force officials revise civilian hiring policy

    Department of Defense civilian employees will now be referred to the hiring official along with current Air Force civilians for all permanent Air Force civilian positions. Former Air Force employees who were realigned under the Army or Navy because of Base Realignment and Closure or joint basing

  • New Web site offers supervisor growth through e-learning tools

    Air Force supervisors now have online access to a robust collection of continuous learning tools. The Supervisor Resource Center is a Community of Practice site that offers an assortment of Air Force e-learning tools, such as training courses, books, simulations, exercises and job-aids, and the

  • Stop loss Airmen eligible for compensation

    Current and former Airmen who were involuntarily held on active duty beyond an approved separation or retirement date as a direct result of stop loss between Sept. 11, 2001, and Sept. 30, 2009, may be eligible for a Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay compensation of $500 for each month they were

  • Officials change promotion policy regarding senior NCO academy

    Completion of the resident Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy or a sister service equivalent will be required for promotion to senior master sergeant effective Jan. 1, an Air Force personnel official said recently.This policy change supersedes the current policy which requires Air

  • Nominees sought for 2010 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year Award

    Air Force Personnel Center recognition programs section officials here are requesting nominations for the 2010 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year Award. Nominations are due to AFPC by April 22, 2010. There are three categories for award: Airman, NCO and Senior NCO. The period of service for the award

  • Air Force officials release fleece wear policy

    The 98th Air Force Virtual Uniform Board released a policy message here Oct. 9 for wearing the new Air Force sage green fleece as an outer garment for the airman battle uniform. According to the message, the sage green fleece may only be worn over the ABU top, and is not authorized to be worn solely

  • Air Force officials launch updated Key Spouse program

    As part of the July 2009-July 2010 Year of the Air Force Family initiative, the service's senior leaders have announced the launch of a revised and standardized Key Spouse program. Paula Roy, wife of Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy, is the senior spouse champion for the program and

  • Air Force officials authorize BDU cold weather item to wear with ABUs

    Air Force officials here now authorized Airmen to wear the battle dress uniform cold weather Gore-Tex and field jacket with the current airman battle uniform. The decision to authorize the coat stems from the demand of cold weather gear outweighing current supply of the new ABU coat. According to a

  • Global Strike Command leader updates progress

    Air Force Global Strike Command's top officer provided an update on the command's progress toward full operational capability during a speech at the Capitol Hill Club here Oct. 2. Lt. Gen. Frank G. Klotz, the AFGSC commander, outlined the progress in bringing online the first new major command in

  • UAS career field decisions, ISR organization discussed at summit

    Air Force leaders met at an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance summit here Sept. 29 to discuss ISR organizational plans and further refine a blueprint for unmanned aircraft systems career fields. Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and

  • Web site offers help for military families in transition

    Sixteen-year-old Robyn Lutzkanin loves the military. As a military child, she said she has moved often and enjoys seeing new places and meeting new people. "It really opens your eyes up to the world," Robyn added. But she admited to dreading the transition of moving to that new place and having to

  • Officials announce homeowners assistance program details

    Defense Department officials announced Sept. 30, the details for distributing $555 million available under the Homeowners Assistance Program. The program is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed in February, and it's designed to partially reimburse those whose service to the

  • VA to provide emergency checks to students awaiting benefits

    Checks for up to $3,000 will be available soon to students who have applied for Veterans Affairs educational benefits and who have not yet received their government payment. The checks will be distributed to eligible students at VA regional benefits offices across the country starting Oct. 2, said

  • Air Force leaders emphasize AFSO21

    In a joint June 2009 memorandum, the secretary and chief of staff of the Air Force pointed out the importance of Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century, or AFSO21. "AFSO21 represents a fundamental transformation in how Airmen work," Michael Donley and Gen. Norton Schwartz said in their

  • 'Year of the Air Force Family' Web site launched

    Air Force officials have launched a new Web site to showcase the Year of the Air Force Family effort. Airmen and their families can log on to http://www.af.mil/yoaff/index.asp to learn about AF-wide initiatives, monthly themes and programs, as well as contact local installation Airman Family and

  • Air Force officials begin search for new aerial tanker

    Senior Department of Defense and Air Force officials announced the rollout of the KC-X Acquisition Program at a Pentagon briefing Sept. 24. Air Force leaders are seeking a replacement for the KC-135 Stratotanker that has been a stalwart of the tanker fleet for more than 53 years. Today, the