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  • Detachment activated to support V-22 testing

    A new detachment was activated here recently to support V-22 Osprey testing.Detachment 2 was created to operationally test the MV-22 from the special operations perspective to assess its value as a baseline for the special operations variant, the CV-22."I'm proud to be part of the outstanding team

  • Detachment standardizes aeromedical qualification training for total force

    Airmen assigned to 31 aeromedical evacuation squadrons across the Air Force must complete vigorous training to provide lifesaving in-transit care on fixed-wing aircraft. The 375th Air Mobility Wing’s newest formal training unit, Detachment 4, located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the

  • Detachment tracks space shuttle Discovery

    The 22nd Space Operations Squadron's Detachment 5 here is playing a pivotal role in the Discovery mission following its launch July 4 from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida -- one in which the shuttle does not launch if the detachment is not ready. "When the space shuttle launches and while it's

  • Detainee transfers announced

    The Department of Defense announced Oct. 16 it transferred one detainee to Bahrain, one detainee to Iran and two detainees to Pakistan. These detainees were all recommended for transfer due to Administrative Review Board processes conducted at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. With the transfers, approximately

  • Detecting spice: research continues at the Academy

    The Navy has a promotional campaign warning against spice; the Army has allowed commanders to order mandatory drug-testing for the first time; and Airmen at the Air Force Drug Testing Laboratory are working to find ways to detect the substance in service members.

  • Determination, ingenuity prevail for Bagram Airmen

    When Airmen of the 819th RED HORSE Squadron here were faced with a $400,000 challenge in March, they used ingenuity to save the Air Force hundreds of thousands of dollars.A  water-well drilling rig was shipped from Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., in September 2007, but a series of incidents prevented

  • Determined to make a better life

    Growing up in Gilroy, California, she had everything a girl could wish for: money, designer clothes and so much more. Shortly after high school graduation, her father took everything from her and kicked her to the streets.

  • Deterrence is not a fading concept, CSAF says

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz reminded community members and North Dakota's senior elected representatives at a luncheon here Dec. 1 that "deterrence is not a fading concept." As part of his visit to the base, the general discussed the concept for the new Global Strike Command. He

  • Deterrence keeps secluded Minuteman crew focused

    After more than a hour's drive from civilization, down sometimes treacherous country dirt roads, 1st Lt. Matthew Bejcek still has about 90 minutes of security checks to pass through before he can start his job as a caretaker of this nation's single biggest deterrent to terrorism. There is a reason

  • Deterrence still key to national security, general says

    Deterrence remains as central to America's national security as it was during the Cold War, U.S. Strategic Command's top officer told the Senate Armed Services Committee March 19. "Our unique global perspective has given us a good platform for advocating for the nation's needs for missile defense;

  • Developer begins construction on innovation center at Hill AFB

    Developers at Hill Air Force Base are breaking ground on another new construction project this week, creating more space for new jobs near the base. Air Force and Utah officials participated in a ceremony March 3, 2017, to mark the progress at Falcon Hill National Aerospace Research Park. The new

  • Developing Airmen and working mission ops never stop

    Daylong senior noncommissioned officer induction events at the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Aug. 2 exemplified a commitment to professionally developing Airmen in the deployed environment. The induction events were held at no expense to mission operations, which continued, thanks to the efforts

  • Developing Self: Airman’s Foundational Competencies Category

    The Air Force has identified 24 Airman’s foundational competencies for all Airmen, these competencies are universally applicable to all Airmen and are categorized into four groups: Developing Self, Developing Others, Developing Ideas and Developing Organizations.

  • Developing Self: An Airman's Foundational Competency

    In episode 51 of "The Air Force Starts Here" podcast, Col. Mark Coggins, competencies division chief, and Maj. Gen. William Spangenthal, Air Education and Training Command deputy commander, speak about Developing Self, the first category in the Airman’s Foundational Competencies.

  • Development changes affect chiefs

    The Air Force is transforming the way it manages and develops chief master sergeants as part of a servicewide change in professional development.“For more than a year now … we have begun major cultural changes in the Air Force, a new vision -- how to best develop our force for the future” said Brig.

  • Development division helping equip security forces

    The 820th Security Forces Group here reorganized itself and now includes a division dedicated to testing and evaluating new equipment for Airmen deploying to Iraq. The new combat development division -- created in mid-October -- aims to supply the group with more effective gear, while also saving

  • Development plan helps officers communicate their preferences

    Officers interested in specific development opportunities should use the Airman Development Plan to communicate their preferences to decision-makers, official said. Although assignments are based on Air Force needs first, and then professional development, officer preferences communicated via the

  • Development team to select chief nurses in June

    Lieutenant colonel and lieutenant colonel-select nurses interested in chief nurse opportunities must ensure their Airman Development Plan is up to date and statement of intent is submitted by the June 11 suspense, Air Force Personnel Center officials said.The nurse corps development team will

  • Development teams guide Reserve Airmen's careers

    The Air Force Reserve Command is working on a new program designed to maximize the potential of its Airmen as they chart their future careers. It encourages them to forward their desires up the chain of command, and will prepare future air and space leaders to seize the opportunities afforded them

  • Development teams to consider officer command positions

    Development teams from various Air Force specialties will convene between May and August 2015 to consider eligible line and non-line officers for squadron and deputy group commander positions projected for calendar year 2016.

  • Development teams up, running

    Every officer career field now has development teams set up to “vector” officer career development. "They're up and running," said Col. Kathleen Grabowski, chief of assignment policy at the Air Force Personnel Center here. "They're applying a great deal of collective officer career experience to

  • Developmental education application deadline set

    Officers and civilians considering intermediate or senior developmental education in 2008 have until April 13 and May 1, respectively, to submit their applications for selection board consideration. Officers apply using a Web-based application, while civilians submit their applications through their

  • Developmental education application deadlines set

    Civilians and officers considering intermediate or senior developmental education in academic year 2010 to 2011 have until May 1 and May 6, respectively, to submit their applications for consideration by the selection board here. Officers apply using a Web-based application, while civilians submit

  • Developmental education application deadlines set

    Applications for intermediate and senior developmental education for officers are due April 9, Air Force Personnel Center officials said.Civilians interested in basic developmental education or intermediate and senior developmental education will need to turn in their applications by May 1.Basic

  • Developmental education application deadlines set

    Officers and civilians considering intermediate or senior developmental education in 2009 have until April 25 and May 1, respectively, to submit their applications for consideration by the selection board. Officers apply using a Web-based application, while civilians submit their applications

  • Developmental education application windows open

    Eligible active duty officers and civilians are now able to apply for intermediate and senior developmental education opportunities, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced. Officer applications are due to AFPC April 5, and civilian nominations are due May 1, said George McKey, AFPC officer

  • Developmental education application windows open in March

    Eligible active duty officers and Department of the Air Force appropriated fund civilian employees can apply beginning in March for intermediate and senior developmental education opportunities, Air Force Personnel Center officials said March 24.

  • Developmental education applications due April 12, May 1

    (EDITOR'S NOTE: The officer application suspense has been extended to April 12.)Eligible active duty officers and civilians are now able to apply for intermediate and senior developmental education opportunities, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced. Officer applications are due to AFPC

  • Developmental education deadline set for officers, civilians

    Officers considering intermediate or senior developmental education in 2011 have until March 31 to submit their applications for consideration by the selection board, officials announced. Civilians have until May 1 to submit applications.Officers apply using a Web-based application, while civilians

  • Developmental engineering officers needed

    Some developmental engineering cross-flow opportunities exist for 2002 year group officers. However, to be considered, their applications must be received at the Air Force Personnel Center here by Jan. 3. Eligible officers, currently serving in over-strength career fields, must have an accredited

  • Developmental opportunities in WMD for civilians/officers

    Officials are requesting nominations for a professional military education course in the study of weapons of mass destruction.The Center for the Study of Weapons of Mass Destruction at the National Defense University announced recently the call for nominations to the 2010 program for emerging

  • Developmental teams get voice in officer PME selection

    More than 1,100 officers will get the chance to attend intermediate or senior developmental education schools thanks to the Developmental Education Designation Board held at the Air Force Personnel Center here in October.The board combined inputs from the central selection promotion boards and

  • Developmental teams to consider 2013 command candidates

    Developmental teams from 11 different Air Force specialties will convene between May and September to consider eligible officers for calendar year 2013 squadron command, deputy logistics commander and deputy mission support group commander positions. Officers interested in command opportunities must

  • DFAS and myPay officials assure personal-data security

    With “phishing” scams occurring more frequently, Defense Finance and Accounting Service officials said they want to assure customers that every precaution is taken to secure data.Customers should be aware that the agency and its Web-based system, myPay, will not ask for personal or financial

  • DFAS begins recouping separation pay soon

    Recouping military retirees' voluntary separation incentive special separation benefit and other separation payments by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service will resume in August. Separation payments and others, such as severance pay, were offered to active-duty servicemembers to reduce

  • DFAS clarifies retro civilian pay raise

    The additional 2.1-percent pay raise for civilian employees authorized by the president Jan. 23, will be retroactive to Jan. 11. However, before it can take effect, an executive order must be issued addressing how the increase will be split between base and locality pay, said Defense Finance and

  • DFAS gets pay out on time

    Defense Finance and Accounting Service officials have processed on schedule all payrolls for servicemembers, retirees and annuitants, and federal civilian employees who have pay accounts with the agency.Direct deposit funds were transferred on schedule to financial institutions, officials said.

  • DFAS officials caution against look-alike sites

    Officials here caution the 2 million military and civilian users of myPay to use only the official Web site when accessing pay account information."Personal information is valuable and should be safeguarded," said Claudia L. Bogard, director of corporate communications for the Defense Finance and

  • DFAS serves 21st century Airmen

    Maj. Gen. Mark Brown visited the Defense Finance and Accounting Service headquarters here Sept. 16, during the agency’s annual business meeting to speak about 21st century Airmen and how DFAS could help service today’s generation.

  • DFAS to process retroactive civilian-pay increase

    Defense Finance and Accounting Service officials will soon begin processing the 2.1-percent retroactive pay increase for the federal civilian employees they serve. President George W. Bush signed an executive order March 3 identifying the new pay-increase percentages. The updates will be processed

  • DFAS warns service members of scam emails

    Defense Finance and Accounting Service recently released a statement warning of email scams targeting military members, military retirees, and civilian employees.According to the statement, the most recent email scam indicates that individuals who are receiving disability compensation from the

  • DFAS Web site moves

    The Defense Finance and Accounting Service public Web site moved to a new location on the Internet, officials announced March 2.The old site, www.dfas.mil, will remain available through March 31. Then, users will be redirected to the new site, www.dod.mil/dfas, and links to pages on the previous

  • Diagnosis fails to stop Airman in her tracks

    Tech. Sgt. Ashley Bean spent her summer prepping for an upcoming marathon, one of two she planned to run this year. The reservist had even made a goal to beat her fastest time, until an MRI scan changed her plans.

  • Diamond in the rough: An Airman’s recovery from his haunted past

    Growing up, many of his childhood nights were spent staring through a gaping hole in his bedroom ceiling. He didn't know how it got there, but sometimes it served as a pleasant escape from the surrounding chaos. It gave access to the wide open Oklahoma sky and he positioned his mattress in the

  • Did you say CSI or AFOSI?

    First responders here received training April 15 from an Air Force Office of Special Investigations crime scene investigator on how to process a hazardous materials incident. Special Agent Jennifer Steel, one of AFOSI's forensic science consultants, came to Vance to teach people from

  • Dietary supplements removed from Exchanges due to health concerns

    The Department of Defense has implemented a temporary moratorium on the sales of products containing DMAA within military facilities. The moratorium will remain in effect pending further review of relevant scientific evidence and reported events, officials said.Recent reports show that two Soldier

  • Different views of same humanitarian effort

    Maj. Mark Ledbetter briefs his aircrew about the day’s mission and walks with them to their HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter. It is a simple mission, but the enormity of the situation still affects the entire aircrew. Their task it to help feed and supply more than a million people left homeless after

  • Differing tour lengths affect deployment morale

    Tour lengths are the biggest obstacle to U.S. servicemember morale in Iraq, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said during a visit here Oct. 4. Marine Gen. Peter Pace said when he visits combat zones, morale generally is high, but after a bit of digging, he said, he finds the different tour

  • Digital advances produce improved unmanned aerial vehicles

    One day on a gray-painted aircraft carrier tossed by turbulent seas, a grizzled Navy commander awaits the arrival of a new pilot.A teeny knock pings from the outside of the officer's watertight steel door."Come in," the commander growls. The door swings open and a squat, cylindrical object

  • Digital Campaign virtual industry event slated for Sept. 21

    The event will be conducted via Microsoft Teams Live Event from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET and will be hosted by Dr. Will Roper, assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, technology and logistics, and Gen. Arnold W. Bunch Jr., commander of Air Force Materiel Command.

  • Digital close-air support improvements on the way

    Airmen on the ground whose mission is to help deliver close-air support will soon receive a set of tools that will help them do their jobs better while lightening the loads they're required to carry.Tactical air control party Airmen are assigned to Army units that engage in all levels of operations,

  • Digital Directorate sets new pace for Phase II SBIR awards

    The Digital Directorate at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., recently awarded seven Phase II Small Business Innovation Research Program contracts to some of the startups who participated in the July 2019 UAS and Kessel Run Pitch Days.

  • Dignified transfer

    An Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations Center carry team transfers the remains of Air Force Staff Sgt. Phillip A. Myers, of Hopewell, Va., at Dover Air Force Base, Del., April 5. Sergeant Myers died April 4 near Helmand Province, Afghanistan, from wounds suffered from an improvised explosive

  • Dignified transfer OIC honored to serve fallen

    At his home base of Minot Air Force Base, N.D., Capt. Bernard Harper is the chief of the Military Personnel Section. His job there varies greatly from the range of duties he oversees as the officer in charge of dignified transfers here with Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations."The jobs are like

  • Dignitaries visit U.S., Bulgarian exercise

    The U.S. ambassador to Bulgaria and Bulgarian minister of defense visited Plovdiv Airport to witness the partnership building between U.S. and Bulgarian military forces April 27 during Operation Thracian Spring 2010 here. The bilateral training exercise brings U.S. and Bulgarian military forces

  • Dillons named 2011 O'Malley recipients

    Air Force officials have announced their selection for the 2011 General and Mrs. Jerome F. O'Malley Award. Brig. Gen. Mark Dillon, the 86th Airlift Wing commander, and his wife Sara were selected as this year's winners.The annual award recognizes the wing commander and spouse team who have best

  • DIMO strengthening medical ties worldwide

    Defense Institute for Medical Operations officials recently sent out an eight-person team to head-up and teach an aeromedical evacuation and critical-care transport course in Ankara, Turkey.The five-day course provided the advanced training necessary to care for critically ill or injured patients in

  • Dining facility feeds leaders of tomorrow

    For most dining facilities, the thought of feeding an entire wing at one time is not a pleasant one. For the staff at Mitchell Hall, the cadet dining facility at the United States Air Force Academy, this is simply business as usual. The dining facility, named after military aviation pioneer Brig.

  • Direct communication between Airmen key to suicide prevention

    More than a decade in the making, the culture of the "wingman" approach to suicide prevention is still evolving as risk factors and causes of suicide are becoming more widely understood. The wingman concept should be very familiar to most Airmen. Suicide prevention training has been incorporated

  • Direct hire authority offers flexible civilian recruitment

    Direct hire authority provides Air Force managers the capability to hire employees when the Office of Personnel Management determines a severe candidate shortage or critical hiring need exists. Working with civilian personnel flight specialists, the program allows managers to recruit and hire

  • Directive boosts priority of stability operations

    Stability operations are now a major priority for the Defense Department, on par with combat operations, and will receive more planning and funding, two DoD officials said here today. The officials were explaining DoD Directive 3000.05, which was signed Nov. 28. The directive provides guidance on

  • Directive re-emphasizes protecting Afghan civilians

    A new tactical directive for coalition forces serving in Afghanistan re-emphasizes the importance of preventing civilian casualties. Army Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, commander of NATO's International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces Afghanistan, released the directive July 2. It builds on

  • Director asks Air Guard leaders to look ahead

    Times are tough for the Air National Guard, but Lt. Gen. Harry Wyatt III sees many "great" opportunities for his 106,700-member force to excel in the future."We know there is a mismatch right now of demands on the force and resources," said General Wyatt, the director of the Air Guard. "I think it

  • Director calls personnel system transition 'rewarding'

    The Defense Department's transfer of more than 170,000 civilian employees out of the National Security Personnel System since 2009 has been smooth, the transition's director said Jan 13.John H. James Jr. said much of the credit for the transition goes to the services."The components have done a very

  • Director details furlough plans for DOD schools

    Students, teachers and parents of the Defense Department's schools can be confident that despite the department's upcoming civilian furloughs, the school year will start on time, the Department of Defense Education Activity's director said May 22.DODEA operates schools overseas and at some U.S.

  • Director of the ANG addresses AFA Air & Space Conference

    Lt. Gen. Stanley Clarke, the Director of the Air National Guard, provided an overview of the ANG at the 2014 Air Force Association’s Air & Space and Conference and Technology Exposition in Washington, D.C., Sept. 15.

  • Directorate cleans up with new water-based solution

    Maintainers here recently replaced their chemical-based cleaning solvent with a water-based product that is proving safer for workers. The new solvent will also saves thousands of dollars each year in environmental disposal and compliance costs, said officials.The water-based cleaning fluid,

  • Directorate leads KC-135 upgrade for Turkish Air Force

    The upgrade, termed “Block 45,” completely remodeled the inside of the Turkish KC-135R Stratotanker’s flight deck, with new liquid crystal displays, radio altimeter, computer module updates, autopilot, and a digital flight director, replacing approximately 63 parts to include analog instruments

  • Directors: Air Guard, Army Guard are cost-effective forces

    We are trained to the same standards of the active duty Air Force, we are available and on call 365 days a year, and it doesn't cost the taxpayer a thing until the governor picks up the phone, the director of the Air National Guard said Dec. 8 at the Reserve Officer Association here."I think that's

  • Directory for wounded warriors, families, caregivers launched

    Department of Defense officials here Nov. 17 launched the National Resource Directory, a collaborative effort between the departments of Defense, Labor and Veterans Affairs. The directory is a Web-based network of care coordinators, providers and support partners with resources for wounded, ill and

  • Directory links wounded warriors, families to resources

    From benefits and compensation, to education and training, an online directory is providing wounded warriors, veterans and their families a direct connection to thousands of state, local and national resources. "There's so much information on the Web right now; it's nice to have one place to access

  • 'Dirt Boyz' pave way for aircraft, Airmen

    Kettles filled with scalding tar, 300-degree asphalt, concrete chemicals that can burn skin are the tools of the trade for heavy equipment operators who labor here under a scorching Iraqi sun. Airmen assigned to the 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, known as "Dirt Boyz" know their duties

  • Dirt runway testing increases C-17 safety, agility

    In an effort to expand the capability of the C-17 Globemaster III, about 40 people from the C-17 Integrated Test Force are in the midst of a four-phase test program to determine the C-17 takeoff and landing performance on non-paved surfaces. Engineers and pilots are testing the aircraft in extreme

  • 'Dirtboyz' keep Balad airfield operational

    Every day, aircraft fly in and out of Balad AB to provide vital support for Operation Iraqi Freedom. Whether F-16 Fighting Falcons, C-130 Hercules or HH-60 Pave Hawks, the airframes are able to approach and depart because of fully operational, well-maintained runways. Better known as "dirtboyz,"

  • Dirty bird gets a bath

    Staff Sgt. Rick Casto guides a B-52 Stratofortress from Minot Air Force Base, N.D., into the wash rack at a forward-deployed location supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. The wash racks here recently received new foam sprayers that cut the washing time of a B-52 in half. Casto is a crew chief

  • DISA highlights increase in use of collaboration tool

    Use of a Web-based application designed to offer an information exchange environment for Defense Department users has grown markedly as defense spending cuts loom, Defense Information Systems Agency officials said.Since 2007, Defense Connect Online has been the "go-to" mechanism among several new

  • DISA rolls out DOD online communication tool

    The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) is rolling out a new online collaboration tool that offers Defense Department employees anywhere in the world secure web conferencing and secure instant messaging and chat capabilities.

  • Disabilities don't stop marathoners

    A paralyzing injury from a motorcycle crash at age 20 took away Andy Houghton's ability to use his legs, but he still finished his first marathon Sept. 20. Mr. Houghton from Hollywood, Fla., completed the 26.2 mile 12th annual Air Force Marathon piloting a sleek handcycle equipped with a derailleur

  • Disability board accepting applications for records review

    Department of Defense officials here are now accepting applications from certain medically-separated veterans to have their records reviewed, potentially increasing their disability rating. "To be eligible for a review, veterans must have been medically separated between Sept. 11, 2001, and Dec. 31,

  • Disability claims backlog reduced by 44 percent

    One year after the backlog of pending disability compensation claims peaked at over 611,000 in March 2013, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has reduced that number by approximately 44 percent to 344,000 claims -- a reduction of more than 267,000. At the same time officials have improved the