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U.S. Air Force News

  • 2010 Thrift Savings Plan contributions remain at 2009 limits

    The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board here announced Dec. 11 the 2010 elective deferral limit for regular Thrift Savings Plan contributions will remain at $16,500, unchanged from 2009. Contributions for the TSP catch-up plan also remains at the $5,500 limit set in 2009."TSP is a long-term

  • Incirlik officials launch onto social networking scene

    Incirlik Air Base officials entered the social networking scene by creating Web pages to keep up with today's fast-paced news and media.The commander and Public Affairs staff have set up a presence on Facebook and Twitter to reach out to Airmen and their families and give them the information they

  • Air Force officials announce OTS selection board results

    A total of 117 men and women from across America have earned an opportunity to become Air Force leaders following their selection for an officer's commission, officials here announced Dec. 9. Air Force Recruiting Service officials considered 461 applications as part of Officer Training School

  • Hickam officials pay tribute to Airmen's storied legacy

    Airmen and their families gathered at Hickam Air Force Base's historic flag pole Dec. 7, for the 68th remembrance ceremony to honor those men and women who lost their lives in the Japanese attack of Pearl Harbor. "On a similar morning 68 years ago on these very grounds, our world changed forever,"

  • Nominations open for 2010 DOD Employee with a Disability Award

    Awards and decorations officials at the Air Force Personnel Center here are seeking nominations for the 2010 Outstanding Department of Defense Employee with a Disability Award.This Secretary of Defense award recognizes the contributions and achievements made by physically or mentally disabled

  • Twitter accounts feed job opportunities, news to customers

    Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Flickr.   The Web is fueling society's digital hunger for real-time information and dialogue, and officials at the Air Force Personnel Center and the Air Force Services Agency are serving up the first course. Two Twitter accounts currently are being managed by the public

  • Task force finds improvement in sexual assault response

    Defense Department officials have made progress in improving their response to the needs of sexual assault victims, but they need to do more, a special task force has determined. The Defense Task Force on sexual assault in the military services has turned their report over to Defense Secretary

  • NORAD officials ready to track Santa's flight

    It's that time of the year again and North American Aerospace Defense Command officials are getting ready to track Santa Claus.The NORAD Tracks Santa Web site, www.noradsanta.org, is now live and features fun holiday games and activities that change daily. The Web site is available in seven

  • Support improves for families with special needs

    Officials are working to boost the resources and support the Defense Department's Exceptional Family Member Program provides to military families with special needs. "Most people are aware of EFMP as a mandatory enrollment program, but we're working to raise awareness of the family support we can

  • Top leaders spell out president's strategy

    Top U.S. government and military officials here spelled out President Barack Obama's new war strategy Dec. 6, even as hundreds of Marines launched a new offensive in southern Afghanistan.Both Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton appeared on three major

  • Nominations sought for 2010 American Legion service award

    Air Force Personnel Center officials here are now accepting nominations for the 2010 American Legion Spirit of Service Award.The award is sponsored by the National Headquarters of the American Legion and is presented annually to an enlisted member from each of the military branches for outstanding

  • Airmen lead training course for Iraqi police

    Airmen assigned to the Iraq Police Transition Team here started a new class Nov. 18 for recent graduates of the Iraqi Police Academy as an effort to further enhance their capabilities as officers securing their communities.The five-day class is part of an on-going effort to transition responsibility

  • Officials launch new Air Force community Web site

    Air Force officials have launched a new Web site to meet social and informational needs of Airmen, civilians, retirees and their families.The entire Air Force family: all Airmen, married and single; spouses; children; Air Force civilians; and retirees are invited to log on to

  • Force protection Airmen add another layer of armor in base defense

    Composed of Airmen from 60 different Air Force specialties, the 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron force protection unit here aids in defending the base against hostile actions inside the wire. Force protection escorts are charged with monitoring and safeguarding local and third country

  • 3-year South Korea option opens up to federal employees

    A 36-month tour option has been approved for federal employees accepting accompanied tours to select bases in South Korea, a move designed to create greater continuity of operations, increased long-term savings and an improved quality of life for civilian employees and their families.A memorandum by

  • Tops In Blue officials seek new talent, auditions open

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

  • DARPA officials launch network challenge competition

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

  • Academy cadet awarded Marshall Scholarship

    A senior cadet here has been named a 2010 Marshall Scholarship winner.Cadet 1st Class Austin McKinney, from Canton, Mich., is the Air Force Academy's 11th Marshall Scholar.Cadet McKinney plans to obtain two separate master's degrees at the University of London in England, one in Latin American

  • Air Force officials accepting nominations for public administration award

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

  • Reservist keeps in touch with students

    Master Sgt. Linda Adams has been an elementary school teacher for the past four years.After just one day on the job in the current school year, however, she departed on a four-month deployment to Southwest Asia with her Air Force Reserve unit from Keesler Air Force Base, Miss."I was able to say 'hi'

  • Servicemembers' Holiday Greetings now available online

    Members of the Joint Hometown News Service here recently posted more than 8,000 holiday greetings from servicemembers and their families stationed around the world on its Web site.To see the holiday greetings, family members, servicemembers and their families can visit at

  • Airmen mentor Iraqi police officers

    Security forces Airmen mentored their Iraqi counterparts during a meeting at a local police station here Nov. 15 as part of an on going training program and in anticipation of upcoming elections.The Airmen work as part of a police training team and are assigned to the 732nd Expeditionary Security

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

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

  • Trade Commission officials offer gift card tips

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

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

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

  • Air Force officials enhance community support information

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

  • Physical training uniform made in America

    Air Force officials partnered with American industry to ensure the new physical fitness uniform is not only upgraded with better material and functionality, but also is 100 percent America made.The new PTU outer garment running suit is being manufactured near Columbus Air Force Base, Miss., and

  • American engineers conduct quality assurance training in Afghanistan

    Khost Provincial Reconstruction Team engineers conducted quality assurance training for more than 30 Afghan contractors, foremen and engineers at the Civil-Military Operations Center in downtown Khost, Afghanistan recently.The engineers conduct monthly training to address issues found during project

  • Air Force Safety Center officials build awareness with family campaign

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

  • Nominees sought for Air Force Sergeants Association Pitsenbarger Award

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

  • Squadron Officer College staff offers new distance learning courses

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

  • Corrections experts, engineers visit Afghan prison construction site

    Correctional experts and Kunar Provincial Reconstruction Team engineers visited the Kunar Prison construction site to conduct a quality assurance check and address potential security concerns recently in the Kunar Province.Experts with the Corrections System Support Program, a Department of State

  • Applicants sought for air attaché duty

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

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

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

  • Flexibility key to airpower, Space-A

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

  • Officials announce fiscal 2010 force management measures

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

  • Online master's program extended to captains

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

  • All services meet or exceed October recruiting goals

    All active-duty and reserve-component military branches met or exceeded their recruiting goals for October, Defense Department officials said. October's results, the first for fiscal 2010, continue a successful military recruiting mission that experienced a banner year in fiscal 2009. Active and

  • Officials expand 2010 ACP to growing mission needs

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

  • Year of the Air Force Family T-shirt design competition under way

    Air Force Services Agency officials are promoting a T-shirt design competition on the recently launched myairforcelife.com, now through Dec. 20, as part of the Year of the Air Force Family."The site will feature programs and competitions that will roll out through the year," said Ms. Debbie Karnes,

  • Federal officials pledge support for hiring veterans

    Senior federal officials here Nov. 12 pledged their support of President Barack Obama's directive to increase the hiring of military veterans. President Obama signed the executive order Nov. 9 that calls on each federal agency to establish a veterans' employment program office designed to help

  • Services Agency officials launch MyAirForceLife.com

    Air Force Services Agency officials have launched a new Web site, MyAirForceLife.com, to help Airmen stay connected, informed and engaged in programs as part of the Year of the Air Force Family."The theme of our campaign is 'The Air Force is a great place to live, work and play,'" said Col. Sandra

  • Rise of the cyber wingman

    Every day, malicious code, worms, botnets and hooks attack Air Force computers hardware, software and the Internet. They infiltrate classified information and compromise national security. In response, Air Force officials are stepping up their mission to defend cyberspace.Mission success is the goal

  • Experts answer H1N1 questions online

    Experts did their best to answer questions and allay fears over H1N1 flu and the associated vaccine during a Nov. 10 online town-hall meeting here hosted by Military Health System officials. Questions -- submitted via a special Web site -- included concerns such as whether it's possible to

  • Homeland Security unveils new job site for veterans

    The Department of Homeland Security has unveiled a new Web site designed to provide a one-stop location for veterans looking for jobs. The site, http://www.dhs.gov/veterans, also serves as a resource for veterans organizations to learn about the department's veteran outreach initiatives. "This new

  • Recruiter plays hero, stops robbery in progress

    An Air Force recruiter stopped a robbery in progress while attending his unit's annual training conference Oct. 29 here.Staff Sgt. Cesar Munoz, a recruiter with the 344th Recruiting Squadron stationed in Killeen, Texas, subdued two assailants attempting to mug an elderly man at the Sam's Town Hotel

  • Guard members demonstrate digitally aided personnel recovery operations

    California Air National Guard members based here successfully demonstrated coalition personnel recovery operations using net enabled data link capabilities during the U.S. Joint Forces Command Exercise Bold Quest 2009 Oct. 27 to Nov. 5.The 129th Rescue Wing sent 23 Guard members and an MC-130P

  • Nov. 3 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 3 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.Air Operations in Afghanistan:KonduzAir Force F-16C Fighting Falcons provided armed

  • Airmen build up reconstruction yard for drawdown

    Airmen of the 732nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron's Det. 6 here are not only in the business of pushing dirt, but also in pushing the U.S. military closer to drawdown in Iraq. The Airmen are tasked to level off a Saddam Hussein-era munitions storage area to create a workspace for the

  • VFW officials give troops free talk time on Veterans Day

    Deployed and hospitalized servicemembers are expected to make about 120,000 calls home this Veterans Day, and it won't cost them one thin dime. Officials from the Veterans of Foreign Wars organization are once again offering "Free Call Day" through its Operation Uplink program. USAA, which offers

  • Hurricane Hunters fly into Ida

    The Air Force Reserve's Hurricane Hunters are flying non-stop into Hurricane Ida collecting critical weather data as the storm enters the Gulf of Mexico. The Hurricane Hunters of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron are assigned to the 403rd Wing and stationed at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss.

  • Ramstein officials celebrate Air Force Family Week

    Ramstein Air Base officials held numerous events inviting active-duty, Guard and Reserve members as well as spouse and civilian employees to see firsthand some of the services available to them at the base's Airman and Family Readiness Center as part of Air Force Family Week Nov. 4 here. This year

  • Oct. 30 airpower summary:

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 30 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs flew armed overwatch for friendly

  • Oct. 26 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 26, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons flew armed overwatch for a friendly

  • Oct. 25 airpower summary

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 25, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft flew armed overwatch in the

  • Air Force officials accepting physician assistant applications

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

  • NASA seeks student payloads for high-flying research balloon

    NASA is accepting applications from students at U.S. colleges and universities who want to send their experiments to the edge of space on a high-flying scientific balloon.The annual NASA project provides near space access for 12 undergraduate and graduate student experiments to be carried by a NASA

  • Air Force officials unveil new strategic basing process

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

  • Open season set for 3 civilian benefit programs

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

  • Countdown to Veterans Day begins with Library of Congress

    Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced the Department of Veterans Affairs is joining with the Library of Congress to offer "Veterans History Countdown" on the VA Web site featuring the oral histories of veterans from every state and U.S. territory. "VA has partnered with the

  • FalconLaunch 6 test fire ends with a 'bang'

    The FalconLaunch-6 rocket ended its test-firing in Jacks Valley, Colo., Nov. 4 with a bang. The cadet-built rocket exploded after firing for a fraction of a second as the FalconLaunch cadre watched from more than one-half mile away. Academy firefighters were on-site for the test-fire.Once the rocket

  • Officials release new selective re-enlistment bonus list

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

  • Defense Department officials aim to improve families' lives

    Military families make tremendous sacrifices in support of the nation and deserve recognition as well as the best programs and policies the Defense Department can deliver, a defense official said here Nov. 3. Tommy T. Thomas, the deputy undersecretary of defense for military community and family

  • Malian forces improve proficiency at English language lab

    Members of U.S. Air Forces Africa toured the Malian Air Force English Language Lab in Bamako that prepares officers for training in other nations as well as participation in United Nations peacekeeping missions.Before an international student can apply to attend a U.S. Air Force training program, he

  • Servicemembers earn national security awards

    The Air Force chief of staff and two Airmen were among the honorees at the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs awards dinner here Nov. 2. The event honored the 2009 JINSA Henry M. "Scoop" Jackson Distinguished Service Award and Grateful Nation Award winners. Created to recognize leaders

  • Joint Base Andrews Firefighters provide blaze-battling training

    If it wasn't for the base fire training facility at Joint Base Andrews, Md., the Washington D.C. Fire Department would have fewer 'recruits turned firefighters' to fight its blazes in the city. "Our facility is currently under construction and the Andrews Fire Department and base commander have

  • Air Force engineers help keep Afghan roads safe for travel

    "Roads bring people. People bring business and business improves life for everyone." These words, spoken in 2006 by Canadian Brig. Gen. Daniel Pepin, then the deputy general for reconstruction projects in Afghanistan, have proven prophetic, as, three years later, the ability to move vehicles and

  • Experts to answer H1N1 questions online

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

  • Air Force mission requires diverse talent

    The Airman in charge of leading the Air Force's diversity efforts said the work is a "strategic imperative" for the service and our nation. "The Air Force's global engagement strategy requires a different approach -- a different mindset," said Col. Shawna O'Brien, chief of the Air Force's new

  • 'BRATS' tell their story

    It's often said that when someone joins the military, they aren't the only ones serving. Husbands and wives offer support, but recently another group gained recognition when an organization produced a film telling the story of military children. Operation Military BRAT presented the movie "BRATS:

  • Exercise seeks battlefield information effectiveness

    U.S. warfighters and allies operating in Afghanistan and Iraq depend on various sensor platforms that can provide information about the enemy's whereabouts night or day, a senior U.S. military officer said Oct. 29 here. That's why the annual joint Empire Challenge demonstration, which explores how

  • Officials to announce chief master sergeant selections

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

  • Airmen aid Stop Hunger Now

    About 200 volunteers from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base and the surrounding communities gathered Oct. 24 at the MERCI Mission Center in Goldsboro, N.C., to help stop hunger for the people of Afghanistan and to keep them warm throughout the winter. The volunteers prepared more than 115,000 rice- and

  • Air Force officials announce candidate bases for joint strike fighter

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

  • DOD officials order enough H1N1 vaccine for National Guard

    Department of Defense officials here have acquired enough doses of the H1N1 flu vaccine to immunize all 460,000 members of the National Guard, officials announced Oct. 29 here. "The DOD supply will go out to the Guard based on their order through the ... U.S. Army Medical Materiel Agency," said Army

  • Teamwork vital to promoting Air Force awareness

    The Air Force is all about teamwork. It's in recruiting brochures and Air Force commercials. No matter how big or small the mission, teamwork is a way of life. For Tech. Sgt. Rick Jones, NCO in charge of the Air Force NASCAR program, teamwork is vital in promoting Air Force awareness to millions of

  • Oct. 22 airpower summary: Predators provide overwatch

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 22, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcons flew armed reconnaissance in the

  • Oct. 21 airpower summary: B-1Bs provide armed overwatch

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 21 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs flew armed overwatch in the Konduz

  • Oct. 20 airpower summary: F-16s fly close-air support

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 20, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs flew armed overwatch in the

  • Medal of Honor recipients visit Airmen, wounded warriors in Germany

    Two Medal of Honor recipients visited wounded warriors and Airmen here Oct. 23 as part of an Armed Forces Entertainment tour. Retired Army Col. Robert Howard and Command Sgt. Maj. Gary Littrell, who both received the nation's highest military decoration for actions during the Vietnam conflict, were

  • VA, DOD officials host national mental health summit

    Officials with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense are hosting a first-of-its-kind national summit to address the mental health care needs of America's military personnel, families and veterans, harnessing the programs, resources and expertise of both departments to deal

  • Chief of staff honors fallen Airmen in moving ceremony

    It was May 17, 1962, and NASA Astronaut Scott Carpenter was preparing for the Mercury program's second-ever orbital mission. Half way around the world, 13 Airmen were also preparing, getting situated to provide an emergency recovery site in Africa, only one of several such units positioned around

  • Defense Department officials take aim at drug abuse

    "Drug Free is the Key" for the Defense Department's Red Ribbon Week this year as it works to raise public awareness and mobilize communities to combat tobacco, alcohol and drug use among military personnel, civilians and families. The observation of Red Ribbon Week begins Oct. 23 and continues

  • Collaboration drove earthquake relief, commander says

    A rapid response and cooperation led to a successful humanitarian relief effort in the aftermath of last month's devastating earthquakes in Indonesia, a Navy commander said. Navy Rear Adm. Richard Landolt, commander of the Amphibious Force 7th Fleet based in Okinawa, Japan, described the operation,

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

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

  • Top enlisted Airman visits Ellsworth Airmen

    The 16th chief master sergeant of the Air Force visited Ellsworth Air Force Base Oct. 21 and 22 to tour the installation and speak with Ellsworth members about education, deployments, fitness and family support. "We are a nation at war," Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy said during an

  • Battlefield Airmen considered a weapon system

    The capabilities of battlefield Airmen are considered just as lethal as any advanced weapons system. For that reason, tactical air control party personnel, pararescuemen, security forces personnel and special operations weathermen have been included in the annual Weapons and Tactics Conference

  • Servicemembers hammer out, nail down construction in Iraq

    Military contracting officials deployed to Baghdad work to rebuild the economy in Iraq by hiring local contractors to build and remodel facilities throughout the International Zone. Airmen, Soldiers and Sailors have been hands-on with several structure projects, including the construction of an

  • Obama signs veterans health care legislation

    President Barack Obama signed new legislation Oct. 22 that creates predictable funding for veterans' health care. The Veterans Healthcare Reform and Transparency Act fundamentally changes how Department of Veterans Affairs receives health care funding. The reform calls for appropriations a year in

  • AFPC now accepting nominations for deputy commander positions

    Interested and eligible officers in the grade of O-5 may now submit applications to be considered for deputy commander positions in mission support groups in 2010. Applications are due via e-mail to the base support officer assignments section at the Air Force Personnel Center here by Nov. 20.

  • Stop loss Airmen eligible for compensation

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

  • Oct.16 airpower summary: C-130s sustain operations in Southwest Asia

    Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Oct. 16, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle and F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft

  • Veterans Affairs secretary announces new gravesite locator

    The secretary of Veterans Affairs announced Oct. 16 here that the Department of Veterans Affairs has made the gravesites of more than 6.7 million veterans easier to locate using handheld devices with Internet capability, such as "smart phones." "This innovative program continues VA's commitment to

  • Pentagon officials stress cybersecurity

    Pentagon officials stress that no matter what computer you use, you need to take cybersecurity into account. With growing dependence on information technology and increasing threats against it, President Barack Obama declared October to be National Cybersecurity Month. The Defense Department is one

  • Airman renders combat first aid to Soldiers

    An Air Force medic applied combat first aid to Soldiers when their vehicle was attacked by an improvised explosive device in Kapisa Province, recently. Senior Airman Ashley Jackson, a medic deployed from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, with Kapisa Provincial Reconstruction Team was riding in a