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  • Vietnam War rescue pilot goes on to command space shuttle

    African Americans blazed trails even beyond the stratosphere, as seen in the achievements of retired Col. Frederick D. Gregory, a former Air Force combat rescue pilot and NASA astronaut.After graduating from the Air Force Academy in 1964, Gregory entered pilot training and attended undergraduate

  • SecAF: Air Force must continue to modernize

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley highlighted the service's need to continue future modernization plans during remarks to approximately 400 Airmen, industry officials and Air Force Association members Feb. 24 here.Donley spoke on the second day of the Air Force Association's 2012 Air Warfare

  • AF teens make an impact with Teen Movement initiative

    Air Force teen councils around the globe launched a new initiative to foster teen personal development and to create a positive impact on local Air Force communities.Teen Movement challenges installation teen councils to conduct four large-scale projects throughout the year supporting four pillars:

  • Air Force fiscal 2013 budget invests in critical space capabilities

    Investment in space programs was a priority in this year's Air Force budget, according to Undersecretary of the Air Force Erin Conaton.Air Force leaders sought to sustain and modernize the capabilities that enable the service to support the Department of Defense's new strategic guidance, Conaton

  • Air Force works to update disability hiring records

    Disability hiring initiatives are ongoing as federal agencies work to meet the president's challenge to hire 100,000 people with disabilities over the next five years.The Air Force has a long history of supporting such initiatives, but official records may not illustrate that, Air Force Personnel

  • Daniel James III makes own mark in Air Force history

    The son of the Air Force's first African-American four-star general made a mark in his own right during an Air Force career spanning close to four decades.Lt. Gen. Daniel James III was born in Tuskegee, Alabama, on Sept. 7, 1945. He earned his commission as a distinguished graduate of the University

  • CMSAF testifies before Congress

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy testified at the House Appropriations Committee's Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee Quality of Life hearing Feb. 16. He discussed topics that included wounded warrior care and building resiliency in Airmen. "We must ensure our Airmen

  • AF identifies career fields eligible for crossflow

    Support officers in some overmanned career fields may be eligible to volunteer for retraining into an undermanned career field in support of the Air Force 2012 nonrated line officer crossflow program. Applications for the program will be accepted Feb. 17 through March16.Crossflow is one of various

  • Senior enlisted leaders cite troops' top concerns

    The senior enlisted advisors for the four military services met on Capitol Hill Feb. 16 to discuss with lawmakers the top issues on service members' minds.It turns out that for many, it's the same as what's on lawmakers' minds: the budget."I was asked questions, beginning in April, all the way to

  • AFAF names winners of video contest

    Air Force Assistance Fund officials named the AFAF 2012 fundraising campaign online video contest winners Feb. 15.The video contest was designed to motivate Airmen and their families to learn more about the annual AFAF campaign and the four AFAF affiliate charities -- Air Force Villages, Air Force

  • AF flight surgeon makes mark during historic space flight

    The American public remembers John Glenn for his solo orbit around Earth. They remember Neil Armstrong for his walk on the moon. But few remember how Col. (Dr.) Vance H. Marchbanks Jr., one of the first black flight surgeons in the Army and the first in the Air Force, made it possible for them and

  • Air Force hosts collaborative Software Development Forum

    The Air Force Network Integration Center hosted the first Software Development Forum here Feb. 7.The forum brought together nearly 100 people from industry and the Air Force to discuss future software standards for integration onto the Air Force Network."We need to save time and money by

  • FTI continues to transform food delivery for Airmen

    The Air Force Food Transformation Initiative began at six pilot locations a little over a year ago, and the ground-breaking initiative continues to make progress in redefining how food is delivered to today's Airmen. In its first year, Airmen at the FTI pilot locations experienced revamped menu

  • First lady samples Food Transformation Initiative at Little Rock

    Michelle Obama visited the Hercules Dining Facility here Feb. 9 to survey the food transformation initiative program on base. The visit was part of a three-day tour by the first lady, commemorating the second anniversary of her "Let's Move!" program designed to combat childhood obesity.In addition

  • End of an era for Edwards test flight civilian

    Bearing witness to over a half century of aerospace engineering and innovation is a testament to one's interest in flight test history. However, to actually participate in over 50 years of it is a testament to one's dedication and excellence in the field.After 55 years of work for the Air Force

  • Stripes to bars: Tips on how to get commissioned

    Airmen looking to trade in their stripes for a set of bars can take advantage of five different commissioning programs offered by the Air Force. According to Melanie Mendez, 31st Force Support Squadron education and training specialist, enlisted Airmen have an advantage when applying for

  • Jet engine mechanic wins language award

    Since 2002, the Air Force has awarded outstanding Airmen who possess superior foreign language skills and leveraged their capabilities to increase the Air Forces's mission effectiveness. Senior Airman Michael Abrash was recently selected as the Air Force Language Professional of the Year for

  • Tuskegee Airman goes on to become first Air Force African-American general

    A man who was shunned because of his race during his four years at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., back in the early 1930s would go on to become the first African-American general in the U.S. Air Force.Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. was born in 1912 to Benjamin O. Davis, Sr., an Army officer

  • Initiative brings Travis into 2012

    Born out of the Electronic Flight Bag Initiative for aircrew and intended to cut down on inefficiencies, the Digital Air Wing Initiative is now in effect here.Inefficiencies are felt most where the work is taking place, whether it is repeatedly inputting data manually or attempting to find a way

  • Program connects officer with family heritage

    (This story 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.)People in the military understand that being able to relate across cultures is a very important skill. That ability has a more personal

  • VERA, VSIP round two application period ends Friday

    Applications for voluntary early retirement authority and/or voluntary separation incentive pay consideration must be submitted this week at bases that are still accepting applications, Air Force officials said.Early retirement and separation incentives are part of ongoing measures used to help

  • Airman making difference in Office of First Lady

    The former commander of the 4th Airlift Squadron at McChord Air Force Base, Wash., is one of four service members to have been accepted into the 15-member 2011-2012 class of White House Fellows.Lt. Col. Rodney Lewis, a C-17A Globemaster III pilot, began his fellowship in August 2011 when he was

  • 512th Airman, Family Readiness best in DOD

    Department of Defense Officials announced Jan. 11 that the 512th Airman and Family Readiness is the recipient of the 2011 Reserve Family Readiness Award.The DOD award recognizes one unit from each of the seven Reserve components that maintain the best family support program."Family readiness is

  • Bazaar school reopens to Afghan children

    In a symbolic gesture, a young Afghan boy cut the ribbon of the new bazaar school during a ceremony Jan. 21.About 50 Afghan boys gathered around Netherlands Col. Kees Marselis, Kandahar Airfield deputy commander and chief of staff, as he spoke about the initiative that went into making the new

  • Acquisition board approves DEAMS next phase

    The Defense Acquisition Board on Jan. 10 approved the Defense Enterprise Accounting and Management System's entry into the engineering and manufacturing development phase, otherwise known in acquisition terms as Milestone B.The purpose of DEAMS, which was initiated in 2003 as a joint effort between

  • President Obama visits Buckley Air Force Base

    President Barack Obama was greeted by Col. Daniel Dant, 460th Space Wing commander, and Air Force Secretary Michael Donley here Jan. 26, amidst a flurry of media and wing members as he spoke on energy conservation and renewable energy.Buckley AFB is a fitting backdrop to the commander-in-chief's

  • Obama praises DOD's energy leadership, stewardship

    President Barack Obama traveled to Buckley Air Force Base, Colo., Jan. 26 to praise the military for "doing its part" -- not just in the nation's defense, but also as leaders in energy conservation.Obama delivered his message at the home of the 460th Space Wing in Aurora, Colo., calling the "green"

  • AFAF video contest submissions due Jan. 31

    Air Force Assistance Fund officials reminded Airmen and YouTube fans that submissions for the AFAF 2012 fundraising campaign online video contest are due Jan. 31.The video contest was extended to allow participants more time to complete their video entries. "The contest is open to any individual or

  • AETC marks 70 years of training and education excellence

    The demand for flying training caused by the United States' entry into World War II after the attack on Pearl Harbor, resulted in the creation of the Air Corps Flying Training Command January 23, 1942. Today marks Air Education and Training Command's 70th Anniversary. After several re-designations,

  • Smaller carbon footprint means fewer risks, official says

    A hard push by the Defense Department and the military services to reduce dependence on fossil fuels will shrink risks on the battlefield along with the Pentagon's carbon footprint, a DOD official said yesterday.Oliver Fritz, the deputy director for policy in the Office of the Under Secretary of

  • Air Force completes FY12 civilian workforce restructure

    Air Force officials announced 4,500 additional positions for elimination as a continuation of its FY12 Civilian Workforce Restructure Jan 11.This reduction builds on the realignments announced in November, including the elimination of 9000 positions and the addition of 5900 positions against the Air

  • CMSAF discusses top issues

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy addressed a capacity crowd of Airmen and civilians at the Langley Theater on Jan. 11, and covered a wide variety of key Air Force issues. Roy spoke on topics such as training, force management programs and how the current budget will affect operations,

  • Air Force completes Kabul shooting investigation

    The Air Force completed its investigation into the April 27, 2011 shooting incident at the Afghanistan air force Headquarters located in Kabul, Afghanistan, in which eight U.S. Air Force Airmen and one civilian contractor were killed in the line of duty while serving in a combat zone. The incident

  • Andersen takes aim: '90 at 90'

    Maintaining peak combat readiness begins and ends with healthy, motivated and well-trained Airmen. To ensure no one is left behind, base leaders are seeking to implement a new program pushing service members to the pinnacle of physical fitness.The new initiative, called "90 at 90", was set in motion

  • Life After Death: 45 tumors didn't slow down this Airman

    (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.)For Master Sgt. Scott Kapanke, the 437th Maintenance Squadron flight chief at Joint Base Charleston, S.C., cancer wasn't a death

  • Foundational space capabilities focus of 50th ASM kick-off

    The Air Force Space Command commander kicked off the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics' 50th Aerospace Sciences Meeting in Nashville, Tenn., Jan. 9.As the keynote speaker, Gen. William Shelton highlighted space efficiencies and effectiveness, the importance of science, technology,

  • Military logistics strained, but healthy, official says

    The state of military logistics is healthy and service members are doing amazing things to supply operations around the world, but the system is strained as a result of 10 years of war, the Joint Staff's director of logistics said here.Lt. Gen. Brooks L. Bash said military logisticians are, in many

  • War yields lessons in preventing, treating eye injuries

    Ten years of conflict has given rise not only to the world's best body armor and state-of-the-art battlefield technologies, but also a new understanding about ways to prevent eye injuries and treat those who suffer from them.When the war in Afghanistan kicked off in 2002, ballistic goggles were hard

  • AFMC officials kick off Year of Continuing Education

    Building on its Year of the Community College of the Air Force campaign in 2011, Air Force Materiel Command officials announced a plan Jan. 1. for the Year of Continuing Education.Gen. Donald Hoffman, the AFMC commander, introduced the initiative to Airmen via email Jan. 6. In it, the general

  • Air Force maintenance icon dies

    Retired Lt. Gen. Leo Marquez died Dec. 30 in Albuquerque, N.M., at age 79.Throughout his 33-year career, Marquez is credited with revolutionizing the maintenance and logistics career field."In my many encounters with General Leo Marquez, he always lived up to his reputation as being one of those

  • Air Force offering second round of VERA/VSIP

    The Air Force is offering a second round of voluntary early retirement authority and voluntary separation incentive pay beginning Jan. 9.The move is part of the Air Force's continuing effort to meet the Department of Defense requirement to maintain civilian funding at fiscal 2010 levels"The Air

  • Defense bill affects pay, separation bonuses, more

    President Barack Obama signed the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act on Dec. 31, 2011, which increases active-duty and reserve pay by 1.6 percent and governs Defense Department activities, from procurement to military personnel policy.Several provisions in this year's act will potentially

  • Air Force officials release high year tenure details

    Air Force officials announced Dec. 19, high year of tenure limit changes for the grades of senior airman, staff sergeant and technical sergeant that go into effect in 2013. The changes are a part of additional force management programs that are ongoing to continue to size and shape the force to

  • Air Force officials announce additional force management measures

    In on-going efforts to continue to size and shape the force to current and future requirements, Air Force officials announced additional force management programs. The Air Force ended fiscal year 2011 about 1,200 Airmen over endstrength.For enlisted Airmen, voluntary programs from last year will

  • AF Wounded Warrior Program helps Airmen transition, become self-sufficient

    For wounded warriors who are being medically retired, the fear of leaving the service can be a frightening reality. Unfortunately, there are many more hurdles they must face during their transition.While the Air Force has many programs in place to help these Airmen, the Wounded Warrior Program care

  • Electronic flight bags could boost operational safety, effectiveness

    Improved safety, operational effectiveness and efficiency are just a few reasons Air Mobility Command officials are looking into using tablet devices such as electronic flight bags for aircrew members reference materials in the cockpit during in-flight emergencies."Moving from a paper-based to an

  • Thrift savings plan contribution limits increase in 2012

    The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board has announced the 2012 elective deferral limit for regular Thrift Savings Plan contributions has increased from $16,500 to $17,000 for 2012, Air Force Personnel Center officials said. The TSP catch-up plan contribution limit will remain at $5,500. TSP

  • Air Force to lift hiring freeze Dec. 15

    The hiring freeze implemented in August will be fully lifted Dec. 15, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced.The freeze, preceded by hiring controls, was one of several measures implemented in 2011 to bring manning down to mandated 2010 levels. In addition, voluntary separation incentives

  • National Guard unveils peer hotline

    The National Guard unveiled its Vets4Warriors service members' counseling program at a Capitol Hill ceremony Dec. 13.Vets4Warriors is a toll-free, peer-to-peer counseling hotline that provides Guard members and Reserve component members with the ability to speak with counselors on the phone or

  • New showerheads help conserve water at Andersen AFB

    The Air Force prides itself in conserving energy and resources, and Airmen here are doing their part with the recent installation of low-flow showerheads in base housing. Brig. Gen. John Doucette, the 36th Wing commander, was the first to install the energy efficient appliance Dec. 6."By lowering

  • Air Force safety magazine gets new website

    Wingman, the Air Force's official quarterly safety magazine, has a new digital home. Readers can find the current and all future issues of Wingman at www.wingmanmagazine.af.mil. Due to a Department of Defense initiative for organizations to find greater efficiencies, Air Force Safety Center

  • Air Force officials urge safe winter holiday season

    With the holidays around the corner, officials at the Air Force Safety Center here remind Airmen to use sound risk management during the upcoming festivities both on- and off-duty. "As we celebrate this holiday season, please be vigilant and remember to be a good wingman for all those in your family

  • Air Force expands FY12 officer voluntary force management measures

    Air Force leaders announced Dec. 6 the expansion of voluntary officer separation measures for fiscal 2012 as part of the service's ongoing force-management initiatives.The leaders implemented a tailored, multi-year program in 2010 to reduce the personnel numbers to meet the service's authorized

  • General explains changes to mortuary disposal process

    As soon as officials at the Air Force Port Mortuary in Dover, Del., realized cremated and incinerated service member remains were being disposed of in a landfill, they changed the process, Lt. Gen. Darrell D. Jones said Dec. 8.Jones, the Air Force's deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel and

  • Three Air Force members honored at annual disability awards ceremony

    Three Airmen were recognized Dec. 6 during the 31st Annual Department of Defense Disability Awards Ceremony at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Bethesda, Md.This annual event provides an overview of DOD disability policy and initiatives, recognizes DOD organizations for their efforts in the employment of

  • Officials seek nonappropriated employees for career broadening opportunities

    Nonapproriated funds employees now have the opportunity to expand their careers and sharpen their leadership skills through the NAF Career Broadener Program. Applications for this program are part of the NAF Development Team call released Dec. 1.This Air Force initiative allows federal employees in

  • Airman receives lifetime achievement award for alternative fuels

    A technical advisor at the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, was recently awarded a lifetime achievement award for his extensive work with alternative fuels.The Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative awarded William E. Harrison III the Visionary

  • AFAF officials extend video contest to raise awareness for charities

    Air Force Assistance Fund officials announced Dec. 2 the extension to the AFAF's 2012 fundraising campaign online video contest to Jan. 31, 2012.The extension of the video contest is to allow participants more time to complete their video entries. "We received requests for extensions to the deadline

  • Air Force releases lieutenant colonel SERB results

    Commanders Air Force-wide were notified Nov. 30 of the results of the Calendar 2011 Lieutenant Colonel Selective Early Retirement Board held at the Air Force Personnel Center here in October.Lieutenant colonels in the Line of the Air Force competitive category who were twice deferred for promotion

  • Program reduces disability benefits waiting period after separation

    Air Force officials held a training conference recently to teach those operating the Integrated Disability Evaluation System how to process service members who, because of medical conditions, may no longer be able to serve in the Air Force. The conference, held jointly between the Air Force

  • Air Force leaders issue holiday safety message

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy send the following holiday safety campaign message to all Air Force personnel:"'Safety never takes a holiday' is the theme of this year's holiday safety

  • SECAF addresses current, future challenges for Air Force

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley addressed approximately 300 Airmen, industry officials and Air Force Association members in a keynote speech at the AFA's Global Warfare Symposium in Los Angeles, Nov. 18.During his remarks, the secretary provided symposium attendees with an update on the

  • Longest serving Airman calls it a career

    As the sun sets on the career of Maj. Gen. Alfred K. Flowers, he looks back with a sense of accomplishment. Flowers, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Budget, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and Comptroller, is set to retire from the Air Force on Jan. 1,

  • Conserving energy, reducing foot print one project at a time

    With today's fiscal limitations and focus on doing more with less, officials here are finding ways to save energy and money while getting the mission done.Executive orders state energy usage must be reduced by three percent and water usage by two percent annually until 2012, and members of Laughlin

  • Air Force wages war against waste

    On Nov. 15, the Air Force joined the rest of the nation in observing America Recycles Day, a nationally recognized initiative dedicated to encouraging people to recycle more at home, at work and on the go. Successful recycling and solid waste diversion efforts across the Air Force through the past

  • Panetta urges leaders in budget decisions

    In his strongest language to date, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta called on Congress Nov. 8 to "show some leadership" in the budget process.Panetta, speaking at the National Guard's Joint Senior Leaders Conference here, said that the sequester mechanism built into the Budget Control Act is "like

  • Air Force mobile app takes off

    The Air Force Recruiting Service's first smartphone app, Make-it-Fly, hit the Apple app store recently. This free app challenges users by allowing them to build and fly their own aircraft. To complete the series of nine mission objectives, users must choose from different fuselages, wings, engines

  • Air Force investigates and improves mortuary operation

    Air Force officials have completed a year-long investigation of the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations at Dover Air Force Base, Del., the point of entry for U.S. service members who are killed or die overseas. The service implemented multiple corrective actions and took action regarding three

  • Panetta urges employers to hire veterans

    Ensuring combat veterans who have sacrificed for their country have job opportunities when they return to civilian life is a national responsibility with roles for government and private sector alike, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said Nov. 7 in New York.Speaking with CEOs and veterans at a

  • Obama announces jobs initiatives for veterans

    President Barack Obama announced executive orders Nov. 7 to give tax credits to employers who hire post-9/11 veterans and wounded warriors, as well as enhanced career counseling and related services for veterans.The president, flanked by veterans association representatives in the White House Rose

  • AFPC podcasts help Airmen understand workforce shaping

    From hiring controls to voluntary separation initiatives, the civilian workforce footprint is changing, and Air Force Personnel Center officials are working to provide easy-to-digest information to the workforce.To help Airmen understand how they are or may be affected by workforce shaping

  • Special tactics Airmen complete memorial march

    Fifteen Air Force Special Operations Command special tactics Airmen, along with two from Air Combat Command, embarked on a 10-day, 812-mile march to memorialize 17 fellow special tactics Airmen who died in combat.Marching from Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, to Hurlburt Field, Fla., these combat

  • AFMC officials restructure to cut overhead, make command more efficient

    Air Force officials announced an Air Force Materiel Command-wide restructure Nov. 2 that is aimed at providing greater military capabilities, improving readiness and operating effectively in the current fiscal environment.AFMC officials will reduce the number of its centers from 12 to five. This

  • Air Force announces civilian workforce restructuring

    Air Force officials announced several adjustments to the civilian workforce Nov. 2. In response to the secretary of defense's direction to stop civilian growth above fiscal year 2010 levels and the need to add 5,900 positions against the Air Force's top priorities, the Air Force eliminated

  • Air Force assists in historic final transfer of Iraq's airspace

     With the Air Force's assistance, Iraq now has full air traffic control responsibility for the country's airspace for the first time since 2003.The Air Force transferred management of the Baghdad and Joint Base Balad Airspace sector to the Iraq Civil Aviation Authority Oct. 1. With this historic

  • Officials continue enlisted DOS rollback program

    Air Force officials announced Oct. 28 plans to continue an enlisted date of separation rollback as part of its ongoing measures to manage the force and maintain a quality enlisted corps.The DOS rollback will accelerate the date of separation for selected Airmen in the grades of senior master

  • Air Force BDU officially history

    There are two things you should not see Nov. 1 -- Halloween costumes and the Air Force Battle Dress Uniform.In 2006, the Airman Battle Uniform became authorized for wear and a date was set for final phase-out of the woodland camouflage-patterned BDU's.Previously announced to be effective Oct. 1 of

  • New wind turbines help Air Force go green

    Under Secretary of the Air Force Erin C. Conaton visited the Massachusetts Military Reservation in Cape Cod, Mass., Oct. 28 for a ribbon cutting ceremony for two new wind turbines.The 1.5 megawatt wind turbines, in addition to an existing turbine, were built to offset electrical costs for powering

  • SECAF authorizes funds to assist flood-stricken Airmen

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley recently authorized funding for skilled and licensed volunteers to travel to Minot, N.D., to perform home repairs for nearly 250 Airmen who remain displaced here following historic flooding this summer. Secretary Donley signed into effect the memorandum

  • Officials stress keeping faith on military retirement

    The Defense Department has no proposals or recommendations on revamping military retirement at this time, but any future proposal must not break faith with those in the military today, senior Pentagon officials told Congress Oct. 25.Jo Ann Rooney, the principal deputy undersecretary of defense for

  • New tools for the war against waste

    The Air Force has some new ammunition in the war against waste thanks to Air Force Center for Engineering and the Environment officials launching the third edition of the Win the War Against Waste tool kit recently. Win the War Against Waste is an outreach campaign developed to support the Air

  • President, first lady visit Langley AFB

    President Barack Obama made an official visit here Oct. 19 to speak to service members and invited guests to show his support for the American military, and address how he hopes to put more money in the pockets of working men and women. The visit was on the third day of Obama's American Jobs Act bus

  • Executive action creates jobs for veterans

    President Barack Obama is using executive action to create new jobs for veterans in support of the American Jobs Act, a senior White House official said Oct. 25 during a conference call."I think all Americans can agree that veterans shouldn't have to fight for a job once they've come home from the

  • Mobility Air Forces Airmen shoulder success of fuel conservation efforts

    Experienced marathon athletes are rarely haphazard about running. From the morning's breakfast ingredients to stretching minutes before they start, marathon performance relies heavily on controlled efficiency. Similarly, air mobility performance increasingly relies on controlled fuel efficiency. As

  • AFAF officials host video contest to raise awareness for charities

    The Air Force Assistance Fund is hosting an online video contest from Nov. 30 to Jan. 20, 2012 to help raise awareness for the AFAF's 2012 fundraising campaign.The concept for a video contest originated from an installation project officer from Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., who created a humorous

  • New airlift routes provide new possibilities

    Planners here teamed with planners from the U.S. Transportation Command and the aircrew of a C-5M Super Galaxy Sept. 25 and 26 to open a new nonstop route from the U.S. to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan.The aircrew members and aircraft originated from the 436th Airlift Wing at Dover Air Force Base,

  • Chairman's Corner: The military retirement system

    In my first blog entry, I discussed the four themes that are important to me as I start my tenure as the 18th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Among them I mention keeping faith with our military family. I was recently reminded of the importance of this when I testified before the House Armed

  • Congress reviews future Reserve equipment upgrades

    As Congress works on the fiscal year 2012 budget and to reduce federal debt, Army and Air Force Reserve and National Guard leaders were on Capitol Hill here to testify and answer questions about their funding proposals Oct. 12.Chairman Roscoe Bartlett and Ranking Member Silvestre Reyes lead the

  • Application deadline for Stop Loss compensation approaching

    The Oct. 21 deadline to apply for Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay is fast approaching. Airmen who were involuntarily held on active duty between Sept. 11, 2001, and Sept. 30, 2004, may be eligible for the special pay compensation of $500 for each month they were affected. The 2009 War Supplemental

  • Air Force building the future force

    Changes are coming to the Air Force and officials are working with the Department of Defense to prioritize current and future resources as part of a national priority to reduce spending. In the spring of 2010 the Defense Department began a comprehensive effort to increase efficiencies, reduce

  • CMSAF visits Hawaii, discusses AF-wide issues

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy recently visited Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and took some time to answer questions about Air Force-wide issues. The following is a transcript of his interview:1. You were the Senior enlisted leader and adviser at (Pacific Command) and 5th Air Force

  • AMC officials save energy in the office, on the road

    With an annual energy bill of more than $100 million, not including aircraft fuel, Air Mobility Command officials are exploring ways to save energy and the money spent on it. While the most obvious energy savings might come from the flying mission, AMC is working just as hard to save energy on the

  • AFCENT officials increase energy efficiency in deployed locations

    Initiatives to save energy are not just limited to bases in the United States. In deployed locations, saving energy is a top priority, as well."The air component makes up a large part of the overall (Department of Defense) energy consumption bill, so we must look at every opportunity to be smart

  • DOD gives high priority to saving energy

    The Defense Department has made saving energy a priority in everything it does, the deputy undersecretary of defense for installations and environment said Sept. 29.Dorothy Robyn manages and oversees permanent military installations worldwide and manages installations programs that involve energy,

  • New TRICARE Prime enrollees pay adjusted annual fees

    Military retirees enrolling in the TRICARE Prime health plan after Oct. 1 will begin paying slightly higher annual fees, Pentagon officials announced Sept 30.The fee change for fiscal 2012 means the plan will cost $260 per year for members and $520 per year for members and family. The increase

  • 'Team Mullen' highlights troops' service, sacrifices

     As "Team Mullen," Navy Adm. Mike Mullen and his wife, Deborah, have championed the needs of service members and their families during the admiral's four years as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.The chairman is the principal military adviser to the president, vice president, secretary of state

  • Four decades of service come to a close for senior Air Force civilian

    It's the wonderful people that he's worked with that have made 43 years in the Air Force such a great experience, said William Davidson. Davidson, the administrative assistant to the secretary of the Air Force, will retire in a ceremony here Sept. 30. "They always say you'll know when to leave." He

  • Bird migration season increases bird strike risks

    As summer fades into fall, birds begin to migrate south to their wintering grounds. That migration means one thing to pilots and airfield managers: a dramatic increase in the risk of bird strikes. Monthly trends recorded from 1995 - 2010 by the Air Force Safety Center Aviation Safety Division