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U.S. Air Force News

  • AETC Trains America's International Partners

    Air Education and Training Command's mission is to develop America's Airmen today ... for tomorrow, but the command's reach extends far beyond America's borders.AETC personnel is training the air forces of America's international partners, helping create a large-scale network of air force

  • CSAF's 'fini flight' a ride of remembrance

    When Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz climbed aboard the MC-130E Combat Talon I here July 12, for his last flight as an active duty officer, he immediately began to reminisce on his flying career with special operations and the C-130 Hercules community."This is more than a little

  • Three of MacDill's 'finest' retire after 26 deployments

    Retirement is a time to reflect upon years of dedicated service with pride. Today, July 12, three of MacDill's finest have reached this milestone. Three military working dogs from the 6th Security Forces Squadron, Conny, Jago and Haris, hung up their leashes at Helton Hall in front of a captive

  • SecAF visits Heavy Airlift Wing in Hungary

    During his first visit to this small Hungarian base located roughly two hours from Budapest, Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley met with Heavy Airlift Wing (HAW) senior leaders, U.S. Airmen and Boeing contractors here July 11. The HAW is a multinational consortium that is designed to fulfill

  • ALS class graduates under new curriculum

    When nearly 50 senior airmen and staff sergeants graduated from Erwin Airman Leadership School here July 10, they were among the first Air Force-wide to graduate under a new test case curriculum.Kadena Air Base's ALS is one of seven schools in the Air Force and the only school in the Pacific

  • AF initiates voluntary limited loadmaster recall

    Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard loadmasters may be eligible to apply for a limited period recall to extended active duty, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced.The loadmaster career field is chronically undermanned, said Senior Master Sgt. Marvin Daugherty, AFPC accessions branch

  • AFFTC to be re-designated as Air Force Test Center

    The Air Force Flight Test Center will be re-designated as the Air Force Test Center during a ceremony here July 13. Gen. Janet Wolfenbarger, the commander of Air Force Materiel Command, will preside over the ceremony. During the ceremony, the 95th Air Base Wing will transition to the 412th Test

  • Reserve wing gears up for active-duty association

    The 442nd Fighter Wing is scheduled to begin integrating more than 100 active-duty Airmen by October.The total-force integration of active-duty Airmen into Reserve units is part of an initiative to improve efficiency and combat capability by leveraging Reserve experience and continuity. The 442nd FW

  • Tinker Reservists to participate in Navy fleet exercise

    Four 507th Air Refueling Wing KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft and more than 135 Air Force Reservists will join forces with the U.S. Navy during July to support a U.S. Pacific Fleet exercise.The exercise, called RIMPAC (Rim of the Pacific), is a series of multinational maritime exercises scheduled to

  • Sherpa scales Mount Everest with Global Strike flag

    With a static B-52 in the background and more than 100 Global Strike Airmen looking on, Chhiring Dorje Sherpa of Nepal, presented a new piece of Air Force Global Strike heritage, June 27, which he'd carried to the top of the world and back.On May 19, Sherpa climbed Mount Everest, the highest point

  • Airman Ranger retires after 41 years

    Forty-one years, 167 temporary duty assignments, 22 base assignments, six deployments and three wars later, Col. George W. Hays, the director of Command, Control, Communications, and Computer Systems, Headquarters Alaskan Command, retired from active duty service July 1 as the longest-serving

  • Information is best weapon against suicide

    In 2010 there were 110, in 2011 there were 122, and halfway through 2012 the number is already 140.These numbers, according to Defense Department officials, refer to suicides committed across the services within the past three years. It shows an upward trend in the number of lives lost despite the

  • Dempsey details defense challenges in visit to Nebraska base

    Likening the global security environment to strong winds such as those that come with severe weather here in the central plains, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff spoke June 26 about challenges buffeting the nation.Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey and his wife, Deanie, spoke with 300 service

  • Air Force space vehicle comes in for a landing

    The Air Force's unmanned, reusable space plane landed in the early morning of June 16 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., a successful conclusion to a record-setting test-flight mission that began March 5, 2011, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.The X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle, one of two

  • Hanscom starts new energy competition

    A new energy competition is underway here called "How Low Can You Go?" The competition requires little effort but big results by focusing on energy consumption during the weekend. "We want people to place special focus on their pre-weekend shutdown measures," said Tom Schluckebier, the base civil

  • A day for Old Glory

    Today we celebrate Flag Day by showing its respect to the national emblem that was adopted 235 years ago. The American flag, sewn by Betsy Ross, has seen multiple iterations and designs throughout its history. However, the care and respect of the flag has remained constant and paramount.The handling

  • AF officials launch online civilian retirement tool

    Air Force human resources officials added a new feature in May to the Employee Benefits Information System Web application that allows Air Force appropriated fund civilians to request benefits-related actions online. The HR Link module will help civilians prepare for retirement, request a retirement

  • Kadena personnel bank $10,000 for ingenuity

    Undersecretary of the Air Force Erin Conaton urged anyone employed by the U.S. federal government to search for and identify any areas that could cut wasteful spending, according to a message published in July 2011."Over the past two years, 56,000 ideas have been submitted through the Securing

  • Commando competition promotes special ops skills, collaboration

    As elite commandos from across the Western Hemisphere compete this week in a grueling counterterrorism and special operations skills competition, the commander of Special Operations Command South said they're building the relationships required to confront transnational organized crime gripping much

  • DOD announces top environmental award recipients

    At a Pentagon ceremony today, Defense and Interior Department officials presented this year's Secretary of Defense Environmental Award to 10 teams and installations for excellence in advancing environmental initiatives.Among the installations recognized, the Air Force was represented by both the

  • Partnership helps military spouses find employment

    As the wife of the Air Force Chief of Staff, Suzie Schwartz has the opportunity to meet with Air Force families stationed all across the country and around the world. And when she does, one issue that comes up time and again is spouse employment. During a recent interview, Schwartz said a relatively

  • Initiative could help improve ISR operators' processes

    The Electronic Systems Center Command and Control Constellation program recently held an operational demonstration in here to evaluate a new prototype capability to improve command and control of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance data.The prototyping initiative, called Deliberate and

  • Medical 'C-code' not a deployment disqualifier

    Contrary to common belief, a medical assignment limitation code, commonly known as the "C-code," does not disqualify an Airman from deployment, and it does not identify an Airman for medical discharge.A "C-code" applied to a member's profile for medical reasons is one of the various tools AFPC

  • Air Force 'brat' a smooth operator

     (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories and commentaries focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)There are two things Senior Airman Joshua Chrisman loves: the KC-10 Extender and chicken nuggets.When the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing

  • SecAF visits Eielson Airmen

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley met with senior leaders and Airmen here during a visit May 21 to 22. The secretary visited several locations on base, spoke to Airmen and met with local civic leaders. During an all call at the base theater, Donley said Airmen are the driving factor behind a

  • Army, Air Force mount renewable energy push

    The Army and Air Force are committed to developing 1 billion watts of renewable energy on their installations by 2025, senior leaders from both services announced May 23.The plan marks the latest milestone in a multi-year endeavor to find ways to make the military more energy efficient, said

  • Former Airman credits AF for success in acting career

    A former service member credits the Air Force for helping him make a successful jump from the military to a television and film career.Jon Huertas, born Jon William Hofstedt, served eight years in the Air Force as an aircraft nuclear and conventional weapons specialist. He took advantage of the Air

  • Last AF Security Service Airman bids farewell

    For Lt. Gen. John C. (Craig) Koziol, bidding adieu culminates more than his three-plus decades as an intelligence game-changer. On the eve of his Air Force retirement capping a distinguished 36-year career, his goodbye to the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency, one of his

  • Today's Air Force highlights retirement prep, medical Airmen

    Air Force Television News released a new edition of Today's Air Force on May 18. In the first segment, Tech. Sgt. Trevor Pedro takes viewers to an F-22 media day hosted by the commander of Air Combat Command. Later Airman 1st Class Hillary Herrick highlights a new way Airmen can prepare for

  • Knowing common hiring authorities critical in filling civilian positions

    As the Air Force continues to reform its hiring processes, hiring managers can make better, timelier decisions when they understand which hiring authorities they should use when recruiting new employees.Hiring appointment authorities provide managers with the legal means to hire employees via a new

  • Additional civilian employee self-service requests available online

    Air Force Personnel Center human resources officials have expanded a self-service initiative allowing civilians to request updates to their personnel records online.Employees can now request updates for résumés, name changes, veterans' preference for reduction in force, awards, education, training,

  • New process to save Airmen time, effort during change of station

    Starting at the end of May and going through February 2013, officials here will help test a new procedure to centralize steps military members take to get their permanent change of station orders and other actions prior to out-processing. The project, spearheaded by the Air Force Personnel Center,

  • Expanded Palace Chase applications due June 1

    Some active duty officers who are unable to separate because of an active duty service commitment may still be able to take advantage of the Expanded Palace Chase program, said Lt. Col. Tara White, Air Force Personnel Center retirements and separations chief."This isn't a new program," White said,

  • Active duty service commitment waiver request window closing soon

    Active duty Airmen who would like to retire or separate but have an active duty service commitment that prevents them from doing so may be eligible for a waiver, said Lt. Col. Tara White, Air Force Personnel Center retirements and separations chief."We announced this opportunity last December as one

  • Prior enlisted retirement restriction waiver requests due by June 1

    Prior enlisted officers with eight years of active duty commissioned time may be able to retire through the Air Force 10-8 Commission Waiver Program, which was originally announced last December, Air Force Personnel Center officials reminded Airmen today. "AFPC announced this program last December

  • AF husband earns Military Spouse of the Year award

    A husband who championed the progression of disability policy and the exceptional family member program received the 2012 Military Spouse of the Year Award here today.Jeremy Hilton, spouse of Air Force Lt. Col. Renae Hilton, an Air Force Office of Special Investigations agent on Joint Base Andrews,

  • Joint mission brings health care to Alabama residents

    The Air National Guard and other service members provided free health care to Alabama residents during innovative readiness training mission Alabama Care 2012 in Demopolis, Hayneville and here May 1-10.Alabama Care 2012 focused on deployment and readiness training in a joint-service environment

  • Families list retirement, pay as top issues

    Military families regard the possible change of military retirement benefits as their top concern, according to the results of a major survey released today.The 2012 Military Family Lifestyle Survey also shows that pay and benefits, the impact of deployments on children, operational tempo, spouse

  • Air Force retiree recalls harsh life in Poland during WWII

    Master Sgt. Sam Katchmar retired in June of ʼ68, 20 years after he began his service to the country in the newly-formed Air Force. American-born, his mother sold their family saloon and moved, with her six children, to Poland after her husband died in a coal mine accident. The family survived in

  • 'Care Beyond Duty' - The Air Force Wounded Warrior Program

    Since Oct. 1, Air Force Wounded Warrior Program nonmedical care managers have assisted Airmen with garnering more than $700,000 worth of benefits and entitlements. This is just one example of how the Air Force Wounded Warrior Program works with, and advocates for, wounded warriors and their

  • Weather field to consider command candidates

    The weather career field development team and 2013 weather squadron command selection board will convene in July to select officers for the squadron command candidate list, and to vector weather officers for developmental opportunities, Air Force Personnel Center officials said.Candidates will be

  • Key leader in Air Force nuclear enterprise passes away

    A top Air Force senior advisor and leader involved in the integration of nuclear capabilities into Air Force, as well as joint and coalition, operations passed away May 3 following a lengthy illness.Charles R. "Ron" Henderson, the deputy assistant chief of staff for strategic deterrence and nuclear

  • Little Rock AFB members say goodbye to last C-130E

    Airmen gathered for a ceremony here May 1 to say goodbye to the first C-130E Hercules ever produced and the last one to be retired.Tail No. 61-2358 will retire to Edwards AFB where it will be used as a static display after more than 50 years of service. Leaders and Airmen from three different wings

  • Top Air Force chaplain retires after 40-year career

    Air Force Chief of Chaplains Maj. Gen. Cecil R. Richardson concluded a nearly 41-year career with his retirement ceremony April 30 here.Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz recounted how retired Marine Gen. Anthony Zinni at U.S. Central Command once told him that "Richardson has the

  • Assistant vice chief of staff retires after 34 years

    After serving in the Air Force for nearly 34 years, Lt. Gen. Richard "Dick" Newton III retired in a ceremony here April 27.Newton had served as the Air Force's assistant vice chief of staff since December 2010. With his retirement, Lt. Gen. Frank Gorenc is the new assistant vice chief of staff,

  • Programs exist to minimize RIF impact on employees

    As demonstrated by the announcement of a third round of Voluntary Separation Incentive Pay and Voluntary Early Retirement Authority beginning 1 May, the Air Force is committed to maximizing voluntary separation measures to the greatest extent possible. Despite this, some bases may find the need to

  • AF boom operator finalist for military fatherhood award

    When they called his name -- his actual name, not the invective often spewed at new recruits -- Senior Airman Jonathan Jackson was sure the news was bad.Instructors aren't interested in feelings at basic military training. It's their job to shape Airmen for the fight, so to be called by his name and

  • Enlisted early retirement applications due Monday

    Airmen eligible for the Temporary Early Retirement Authority have until Monday to complete and submit their applications, Air Force Personnel Center officials said today.TERA is one of several programs the Air Force is using to size and shape the force to meet current and future mission

  • Air Force strategy legend dies at age 96

    A retired Air Force general who was known as the father of "strategy to task," and was instrumental in the development and implementation of new weapon systems during the last half of the 20th Century passed away April 25, at the age of 96.Retired Lt. Gen. Glenn A. Kent spent more than three decades

  • SecAF discusses force structure, 35 FW contributions during Misawa visit

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley met with Airmen and toured several 35th Fighter Wing units April 23 during a trip to Misawa Air Base.During his visit, Donley held an Airman's Call where topics of discussion included the 35th FW's contributions to Misawa, the new Department of Defense

  • Some lieutenant colonels can apply for TIG retirement waiver

    Lieutenant colonels with at least two years time in grade may be able to retire at their current grade through the Time in Grade Waiver Program, said Lt. Col. Tara White, Air Force Personnel Center retirements and separations chief. Air Force officials announced last December that the TIG Waiver

  • Missing personnel records impact more than promotions

    When Senior Master Sgt. Randy Scanlan wasn't promoted to his current rank the first time his records met the board, he was a little confused. As a maintainer and an aerial gunner, he deployed often and received many decorations. When he was asked if he wanted to review his records before they met

  • Air Mobility Command staff sergeant earns AF operational security award

    Managing a command-wide operations security program was just one area that led to a staff sergeant here earning the 2011 Air Force Operations Security NCO of the Year.Staff Sgt. Robert Perecko, is the information operations fused communication NCO in charge at the 618th Air and Space Operations

  • AF vectors 38 to regional affairs strategist positions

    More than 36 line officers have been selected for development as regional affairs strategists, under the International Affairs Specialist Program, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced.Regional affairs strategist is a developmental initiative offered to Airmen who have 7-10 years of

  • Officials implement flexibilities for third round of VERA/VSIP

    As the Air Force continues a civilian workforce restructure through voluntary retirement and separation initiatives, officials have instituted new flexibilities to help minimize the impact of downsizing and workforce shaping.Unlike the previous two rounds, the third round of Voluntary Early

  • Retired general receives lifetime space achievement award

    The Air Force chief of staff presented a former vice chief of staff of the Air Force with the Gen. James E. Hill Lifetime Space Achievement Award at the 28th National Space Symposium here April 18.Gen. Norton Schwartz presented the award to Gen. Thomas S. Moorman Jr., who is known as a "visionary"

  • AF to rely more on renewable energy -- 1 gigawatt by 2016

    The Air Force is on target to generate 1 gigawatt of renewable energy by 2016, and expects to have enough renewable energy to supply 25 percent of all installation electricity use by 2025, according to Air Force officials. The announcement supports the Department of Defense's plans to roll out new

  • Officials implement flexibilities for third round of VERA/VSIP

    As the Air Force continues a fiscal 2012 civilian workforce restructure through voluntary retirement and separation initiatives, officials have instituted new flexibilities to help minimize the impact of downsizing and workforce shaping.Unlike the previous two rounds, the third round of Voluntary

  • Self-service requests available for civilians online

    Air Force civilians are now able to request updates to their personnel records through an online self-service initiative.Air Force Personnel Center human resources officials here launched an initiative that allows civilians to submit online requests for name change and veterans preference inquiries.

  • 48 officers selected for career field change

    Air Force officials selected 48 company and field grade officers to crossflow into the intelligence and public affairs career fields during a selection board held last month at the Air Force Personnel Center, Air Force officials announced today.The nonrated line officer crossflow program is one of

  • TACC leading effort for retrograde cargo from Afghanistan

    For airlift aircraft transiting and moving cargo to and from the Southwest Asia, planners at the 618th Air Operations Center are leading an effort to keep those aircraft full of cargo as they return from the deployed areas to the United States.The initiative, labeled retrograde, helps to efficiently

  • From Vietnam to OEF: Pilot flies last mission of career

    Lt. Col. James Routt, a pilot deployed with the 71st Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, flew the last combat air mission of his 33-year military career over the skies of Afghanistan, April 12.During his career, Routt has witnessed several operations -- from Vietnam to Operation Enduring Freedom in

  • Academy cadet honored during White House ceremony

    An Air Force Academy cadet who cofounded a non-profit organization that supports daughters of military members was honored during a White House ceremony on April 11.Cadet Staff Sgt. Moranda Hern spoke at the White House during ceremonies marking the first anniversary of "Joining Forces," a national

  • Missouri Air Guard band performs at White House

    Sidewinder, the rock band element of the St. Louis, Mo.-based 571st Missouri Air National Guard Band made famous by a YouTube video, performed at the White House today in front of the Obamas, National Guard senior leaders and other attendees.The 10-member ensemble was invited to perform for First

  • General Flowers presented with Order of the Sword

    The enlisted men and women of Air Education and Training Command presented retired Maj. Gen. Alfred K. Flowers with the Order of the Sword during a ceremony April 6 here.Before his retirement in November, Flowers served as the deputy assistant for Budget at the Office of the Assistant Secretary of

  • Early retirement offered to select enlisted Airmen

    Air Force officials announced an application window for targeted early retirements for enlisted Airmen. Eligible Airmen will have 15-19 years of service in fiscal 2012 and be in the grades of staff sergeant through master sergeant in overmanned career fields.The Temporary Early Retirement Authority

  • Food transformation program adds seven bases

    Airmen at seven installations will see a new era in food service operations in October as the Air Force Food Transformation Initiative expands.FTI is a pilot program designed to provide Airmen with improved food quality, variety and availability, while maintaining home station and warfighting

  • Laughlin fitness center goes green

    The Losano Fitness Center here recently began harnessing power by using elliptical machines and a new state-of-the-art technology called ReRev.After the 47th Civil Engineer Squadron converted five of the machines, each creates electricity while people use them during a workout.During a 30-minute

  • First lady unveils new military spouse hiring effort

    First lady Michelle Obama today announced a new hiring effort intended to deliver thousands of portable, flexible job opportunities to military spouses and veterans in the coming years.Eleven companies have pledged more than 15,000 jobs for military spouses and veterans, the first lady said, noting

  • AF officials complete IT consolidation across manpower, personnel, services

    Air Force officials have completed consolidating information technology assets and resources in the Air Force's manpower, personnel and services community into the Air Force Personnel Operations Agency.About 450 positions from IT divisions across the Air Force Personnel Center, Air Force Manpower

  • Advisory team engages on Afghan irrigation

    Advisors with the 838th Air Expeditionary Advisory Group recently conducted a humanitarian site survey mission centered on repairing spillways that deliver water to multiple villages located directly outside Shindand Air Base, Afghanistan, March 22.The focus of the ongoing mission is to reroute

  • New tool helps process new civilian employees

    Air Force civilian hires will soon have access to a new virtual tool that provides more efficient and timely processing for job placement.The USA Staffing Onboarding Manager tool will help reduce the average amount of time it takes to inprocess new civilians before they enter on duty. The tool is

  • DOD implements new changes to sexual assault response

    The Defense Department has refined new methods to aid sexual assault victims whether reporting a crime or seeking assistance as they transition from service, the director of the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office said here March 30."We have several new options for victims of sexual

  • Officials reaffirm Pentagon's commitment to F-35

    Estimated costs for the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter have increased over the life of the program, but the Defense Department is working to contain cost growth and remains committed to the fifth-generation fighter, defense officials said March 29.Frank Kendall III said during confirmation

  • Air Force installations host 'Cook It Up' events

    Air Force installations worldwide are organizing local cooking contests to foster and instill a sense of community and promote a healthy lifestyle.Known as 'Cook It Up', Air Force community centers are hosting food challenges to draw participants from the entire community and highlight culinary

  • Air Defense Command commences operations at Yokota AB

    A crowd of senior-ranking U.S. and Japanese military leaders gathered here March 26 to celebrate the beginning of Air Defense Command operations at Yokota Air Base.The Air Defense Command headquarters, which conducts command and control operations to defend Japanese airspace, was relocated from

  • Air Force Reserve Pipe Band performs for president

    Military bagpipers are a unique sight in Washington, D.C., especially clad in official Air Force tartan kilts and lining the steps of the U.S. Capitol. So unique, in fact, the pipe band of the Band of the U.S. Air Force Reserve is the only professional pipe band in the Department of Defense. On

  • General: Space capability integral to all military operations

    Space capabilities have become integral to all military operations, the commander of Air Force Space Command told reporters here during a Defense Writers Group breakfast March 22."It's hard to imagine what life was like before we had ... GPS providing very accurate targeting capability, military

  • Air Force officials announce third round of VERA/VSIP

    In its continuing effort to meet the Defense Department requirement to maintain civilian manning at fiscal 2010 levels, the Air Force is offering a third round of Voluntary Early Retirement Authority and Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment beginning May 1."The Air Force recognizes the invaluable

  • AF leaders discuss planned force structure changes

    The Air Force secretary and chief of staff discussed planned force structure changes, and efforts to balance service active-duty and reserve components, during congressional testimony here March 20. During a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air

  • AFGSC officials kick off Never Quit rowing challenge April 5

    Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen will learn how much pull it takes to get to the Olympics when the month-long Never Quit rowing challenge begins here April 5. The American300 rowing challenge, part of a command-wide initiative to strengthen and encourage Airmen, will begin with Lt. Gen. Jim

  • Air Force launches tool kit aimed at pollution prevention

    The Air Force launched a new tool kit March 21 to promote pollution prevention across the service. As part of the planned Air Force Earth Day 2012 commemoration, the tool kit provides new, customizable products for use at installations Air Force-wide in creating local Earth Day campaigns.Although

  • AF extends retroactive stop loss application window

    Airmen eligible for the Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay Program who did not apply before the fall deadline will have another opportunity to do so, Air Force Personnel Center officials said.Airmen who were unable to submit a claim will be able to do so through Oct. 21, including active duty,

  • AFMC commander to receive highest enlisted honor

    Gen. Donald Hoffman, the commander of Air Force Materiel Command, will be inducted into AFMC's Order of the Sword in a ceremony March 30 at the National Museum of the United States Air Force."Induction into the order is the highest honor that enlisted Airmen can place on a leader," said Chief Master

  • CMSAF visits UK, paves way forward

    The chief master sergeant of the Air Force visited RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath March 13, to discuss important Air Force topics with Airmen.CMSAF James Roy visited several locations on both bases and said he was impressed by the professionalism of Airmen."When you enter the gate at both bases,

  • CMSAF Roy visits 48th FW

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy arrived here March 13, 2012 to visit with Liberty Wing Airmen.The visit was his first to bases in the United Kingdom.The first Airmen to meet the CMSAF were members of the 48th Security Forces Squadron and 48th Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance

  • Stop loss special pay extended

    Eligible Airmen, veterans and their beneficiaries now have until midnight Oct. 21 to apply for retroactive stop loss special pay following an extension in the continuing resolution authorized by Public Law 112-74. The new Oct. 21, 2012 deadline extends the original cutoff for applications and allows

  • AF Undersecretary visits Travis

    Undersecretary of the Air Force Erin Conaton visited here March 8 to receive a first-hand look at Travis operations, which consists of the 60th Air Mobility Wing, the 349th Air Mobility Wing and the 615th Contingency Response Wing - a total integrated force that makes up one of the Air Force's

  • Air mobility maintainers help Air Force cut down fuel costs

    Air mobility maintainers are helping to secure the future by becoming more fuel efficient, officials said. Maintenance professionals are working to avoid future expenses by lightening loads on KC-135 Stratotankers and C-5 Galaxies; they're also cutting back on use of gas-guzzling aircraft auxiliary

  • Air Force leaders discuss modernization in budget hearing

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz outlined the service's modernization efforts during testimony to the House Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on Defense here March 6."Modernization is our most significant concern, especially as our

  • Service science chiefs discuss technology, budget gaps

    In talks yesterday with science chiefs from the Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine Corps, House Armed Services Committee members targeted technology advances, cyber security and gaps left by mandated cuts in the 2013 defense budget.The panel heard testimony from Dr. Steven H. Walker, the Air Force

  • White House honors Iraq veterans during dinner

    President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama hosted a White House tribute to Iraq War veterans and their families last night to honor them for their service, sacrifice and commitment to the nation.Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, and Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta,

  • AF leaders: FY 13 budget maintains quality, ready force

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz met with members of the House Armed Services Committee here Feb. 28 to discuss key components of the service's fiscal 2013 budget request."The budget request represents the culmination of many hard decisions

  • USAFE team, senior NCO win national award

    The Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe Command Vehicles Branch and one of its senior NCOs recently proved the USAFE logistics program is among the best the U.S. has to offer by winning two Association of Equipment Management Professionals awards.The branch and Master Sgt. Jeremy Parks, the USAFE

  • Injury compensation team saves AF millions

    Last year the Air Force Personnel Center injury compensation team saved the Air Force $5.9 million in future dollars.The team accomplished this partly by identifying compensation process flaws, and partly through thorough assessment of injury compensation claims.According to Marty Watson, the chief

  • CMSAF Roy: Developing Airmen key to future success

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy emphasized the evolution of training Airmen before a crowd of approximately 400 Airmen, industry officials and Air Force Association members here Feb. 24.Roy, who spoke on the second day of the Air Force Association's 2012 Air Warfare Symposium and

  • Longest serving Airman also longest serving African-American in DoD

    The Air Force's longest serving Airman, who retired this past January after nearly 47 years of service, is also the longest serving African-American service member within the Department of Defense.Maj. Gen. Alfred K. Flowers recently retired from the Pentagon where he served as the Deputy Assistant