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  • SrA Kevin O'Brien

    Kevin O'BrienSenior Airman Air National GuardHometown: Chicopee, MASport(s): Cycling, shooting, and track and fieldInjury: Brain tumorHow has military health services helped you overcome your injury/disability?N/ADownload Printable Player CardsSee more player profiles: A-D | E-K | L-R | S-Z

  • SrA Ryan Largeman

    Ryan LargemanSenior Airman RetiredHometown: Covington, GASport(s): ArcheryInjury: N/AHow has military health services helped you overcome your injury/disability?Reintegration into social groups. Brought me back into athletics.

  • SrA Slone La Fountain

    Slone La FountainSenior Airman Active DutyHometown: Colstrip, MTSport(s): Cycling, swimming, and track and fieldInjury: Post-traumatic stress disorderHow has military health services helped you overcome your injury/disability?Military health services has helped me receive any help recovering that I

  • SrA Trent Smith

    Trent SmithSenior Airman (Retired)Hometown: Portland, ORSport(s): Volleyball, shooting, and track and fieldInjury: Post-traumatic stress disorderHow has military health services helped you overcome your injury/disability?Provided the opportunity and equipment for me to overcome barriers within my

  • SRB list drops to 32 specialties

    Air Force officials made significant changes to the selective re-enlistment bonus program as a result of continuing force-shaping efforts. Based on the findings of a review in October, officials have published the latest list, which contains 32 Air Force specialties, down from 62.The new list is

  • SSG will head technology council

    Standard Systems Group experts here will now develop Air Force-wide strategies for buying and managing information technology products as they assume their role as head of the new Air Force Information Technology Commodity Council. The council will stand up in mid-June.John Gilligan, Air Force

  • SSgt Benjamin Seekell

    Benjamin SeekellStaff Sergeant Active DutyHometown: Charlestown, RISport(s): Cycling, shooting, track and field, and basketballInjury: Below-knee left leg amputationHow has military health services helped you overcome your injury/disability?It has given me a new set of goals and provided me with a

  • SSgt Daniel Crane

    Daniel CraneStaff Sergeant RetiredHometown: San Angelo, TXSport(s): Volleyball, shooting, swimming, and track and fieldInjury: Right arm amputation and post-traumatic stress disorderHow has military health services helped you overcome your injury/disability?Still have not overcome all injuries

  • SSgt Edward Newbern

    Edward NewbernStaff Sergeant (Active Duty)Hometown: Navarre, FLSport(s): Volleyball, cycling, shooting, swimming, archery, track and field, and ultimate championInjury: Traumatic brain injuryHow has military health services helped you overcome your injury/disability?The health care and recovery

  • SSgt EPR static closeout dates implemented

    Implementation of a series of changes to the enlisted evaluation and promotion systems announced in July by Air Force senior leaders continues with establishment of the staff sergeant enlisted performance report static closeout date. Effective Oct. 4, all staff sergeant EPRs will close out Jan. 31.

  • SSgt Jason Ellis

    Jason EllisStaff Sergeant (Retired)Hometown: Chicago, Illinois & Midwest City, OklahomaSport(s): Shooting, Track & Field, BasketballInjury: Spinal cord injury with lumbar fusion and moderate sciatic nerve damage, traumatic brain injury with minor balance and memory issues, bilateral total knee

  • SSgt Jeffrey Harper

    Jeffrey HarperStaff Sergeant (Retired)Hometown: Ashington Court House, OHSport(s): Volleyball, cycling and shootingInjury: Traumatic brain injury, fused right ankle, pelvis fracture and nerve damageHow has military health services helped you overcome your injury/disability?They helped me with

  • SSgt Nick Dadgostar

    Nick DadgostarStaff Sergeant RetiredHometown: Felton, DESport(s): Volleyball, shooting, swimming, and track and fieldInjury: Below-knee right leg amputation, left ankle nerve damage, left great toe amputation and left hand and wrist damage.How has military health services helped you overcome your

  • SSgt promotion test rescheduled for April 1-May 16

    To ensure senior airmen selected for promotion to staff sergeant do not meet the enlisted retention board, the Air Force will move the testing window up from May 1-June 15 to April 1-May 16, Air Force Personnel Center officials said today.

  • SSgt Rey Edenfield

    Rey EdenfieldStaff Sergeant (Active Duty)Hometown: Guyton, GASport(s): Volleyball, shooting, archery, and track and fieldInjury: Left leg amputationHow has military health services helped you overcome your injury/disability?N/ADownload Printable Player CardsSee more player profiles: A-D | E-K |

  • SSgt Seth Pena

    Seth PenaStaff Sergeant Active DutyHometown: N/ASport(s): Shooting and archeryInjury: Left leg injury, traumatic brain injury and torn aortaHow has military health services helped you overcome your injury/disability?New bionic prosthetics and helping me to be active with fun events.Download

  • SSgt Sven (Christian) Perryman

    Sven (Christian) PerrymanStaff Sergeant Active DutyHometown: Sport(s): Injury: How has military health services helped you overcome your injury/disability?Download Printable Player CardsSee more player profiles: A-D | E-K | L-R | S-Z

  • SSgt Timothy Babb

    Timothy BabbStaff Sergeant (Retired)Hometown: Selma, ALSport(s): Cycling, shooting, swimming, and track and fieldInjury: Depression, back injuryHow has military health services helped you overcome your injury/disability?Yes, indeed.Download Printable Player CardsSee more player profiles: A-D |

  • SSgt Tino Uli

    Tino UliStaff Sergeant RetiredHometown: Oceanside, CA/ Kalihi, HISport(s): Volleyball, cycling and basketballInjury: Post-traumatic stress disorderHow has military health services helped you overcome your injury/disability?It's helped me break through social barriers, strive to get better each and

  • SSgt Zachary Burnash

    Zachary BurnashStaff Sergeant (Active Duty)Hometown: Schenectady, NYSport(s): Volleyball, cycling, swimming, track and field, and basketballInjury: Shrapnel from a rocket blastHow has military health services helped you overcome your injury/disability?N/ADownload Printable Player CardsSee more

  • St. Elmo's visit

    Capt. Rachel Tukey of the 28th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron watches a natural phenomenon known as St. Elmo's Fire on the windshield of her KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refueler. The KC-135 crew had just refueled a B-52 Stratofortress bomber April 2. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt.

  • St. Louis celebrates Air Force Week

    For the second year in a row, Air Force Week St. Louis has kicked off with a flying start. From July 2-8, the Air Force will be the talk of the town in this gateway city. Events honoring Air Force servicemembers will be happening on both sides of the "Mighty Mississippi," from minor and major league

  • St. Louis to host inaugural Air Force Week

    Air Force officials have announced the first-ever Air Force Week.  It will begin Aug. 6 in St. Louis, culminating in an open house and air show at nearby Scott Air Force Base, Ill., Aug. 12 to 13, featuring the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds.The St. Louis metro region was selected by Air Force

  • St. Lucia police team with Airmen during Operation Southern Partner

    Nearly 30 members of the Royal St. Lucia police force's special service unit worked with a U.S. Air Force Guardian Angel team here June 1 through 3 to enhance search and rescue efforts for the island nation.The Guardian Angel team deployed for Operation Southern Partner is comprised of a combat

  • Stadium dedicated to fallen Airman

    More than 150 servicemembers from Balad Air Base and Logistics Support Area Anaconda gathered at the base stadium Dec. 15 to remember a fallen comrade.Base leaders officially renamed the stadium Holt Memorial Stadium, in honor of Airman 1st Class Antoine J. Holt. Airman Holt was killed during a

  • Staff sergeant beats cancer

    For many people, Independence Day is all about celebration, spending time with family and watching fireworks light up the night sky, but on July 4, 2014, there was no celebrating for Staff Sgt. Richard L. Johnson.

  • Staff sergeant LEAPs on opportunity to use native tongue

    Born and raised in Nizhnekamsk, Russia, Anastasia Stuart traveled to the U.S. as a young adult with the intention of only staying a year to improve her English. One year quickly turned into two, and before she knew it, she enlisted into the U.S. Air Force.

  • Staff sergeant promotion list slated for Thursday release

    Air Force officials selected 13,448 of 33,060 eligible senior airmen for promotion to staff sergeant, a selection rate of 40.68 percent, Air Force Personnel Center officials said. The list is slated for release Aug. 2.The average score for those selected was 283.30, with an average time in grade of

  • Staff sergeant promotion rates announced

    Air Force officials selected 15,130 of 36,608 eligible senior airmen for promotion to staff sergeant for a selection rate of 41.33 percent, up 5.46 percent from last year. The staff sergeant promotion list will be released at 9 a.m. Central Daylight Time Aug. 15, and score notices will be posted on

  • Stage facility provides aircrews one-stop support

    A management team at this base is helping aircrews spend less time preparing for flying with a streamlined, one-stop approach to en route mission planning. The result is an increase in mission velocity, said Lt. Col. James Kirk, commander of the 726th Air Mobility Squadron. That leads to a more

  • Staging facility offers more than air evacuations

    Getting troops injured in battle from the war zone to another location where they can receive more definitive care takes careful planning and coordination. Such was the case Oct. 21, when members of the 386th Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility at this desert base helped move 16 injured troops

  • Staging facility prepares injured warfighters for flight

    For warfighters who are injured in Iraq, the Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility at Balad AB is where their road to recovery starts. The CASF is a staging area where patients are prepared for their flight out of Iraq to Landstuhl, Germany. The CASF is staffed by critical care air transport and

  • Staging facility puts wounded warriors on ‘road to recovery’

    What do a bank manager, a school nurse and a Seattle Symphony chorus member have in common? They’re all reservists, they all volunteered to serve at Balad Air Base, Iraq, and they all work at the Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility, part of the 332nd Expeditionary Aerospace Medicine Squadron

  • Staging facility takes over where hospital leaves off

    It is 10:30 p.m., and the 332nd Expeditionary Medical Group’s contingency aeromedical staging facility here is a flurry of activity. The doctors, nurses and technicians are making their rounds while other Airmen are checking in new arrivals, processing movement paperwork, palletizing bags and making

  • Staging flight sees lull in hectic routine

    The 435th Contingency Aeromedical Staging Flight’s large, 86-bed, open-bay ward was empty, so Staff Sgt. Desiree Wilson busied herself doing chores.The brightly lit ward was eerily peaceful, thanks to an unexpected lull here Aug. 8 in the busy business of aeromedical evacuation. So, all alone in the

  • Stain-resistant boot research under way

    The Air Force Uniform Office, here, continues its research to find a stain-resistant utility boot that retains the low maintenance of the current sage green boot and is composed of material that will not stain nor absorb workplace chemicals. A request for information, or RFI, was posted on

  • 'Stand down' serves homeless veterans in Charleston

    More than 2,068 homeless people, both veterans and civilians, received aid from local volunteers at the 11th annual Stand Down Against Homelessness, Oct. 28 and 29, at North Charleston Armory Park, S.C.More than 300 local military and civilian volunteers supported the event. Sponsored by the Ralph

  • Standard AEF deployment length stretches to 120 days

    Most Airmen scheduled to deploy in upcoming air and space expeditionary force packages will see their orders expand from 90 to 120 days. The change in deployment length will begin with AEF cycle 5 in September. Those who deploy as part of AEF 1 and 2 should prepare for a 120-day deployment. Air

  • Standard federal ID to replace common access cards

    A new, standardized identification card is being developed for all federal employees. The new card will replace the common access cards that military personnel, government civilians and contractors now hold, said Mary Dixon, deputy director of the Defense Manpower Data Center. The new cards will

  • Standardization program announces awards

    Officials from the Defense Standardization Program Office recognized Air Force people and teams with awards for outstanding contributions to the Department of Defense in fiscal 2003. The awards were presented March 16 during a ceremony in Lansdowne, Va.The following received awards:Individuals--

  • Standing guard

    Tech. Sgt. Ken Joy stands guard as firefighters pump water from a stream near Bashur Airfield in northern Iraq. Joy and fellow security forces troops assigned to the 86th Expeditionary Contingency Response Group patrol the base perimeter, provide airfield protection and escort all airmen who leave

  • Standing tall: Amputee Airmen seek to defy odds in therapy sessions

    After a sprint around an indoor track with her prosthetic running blade, Heather Carter stopped, visibly tired. She smiled and began to sprint another lap. The medically retired senior airman once rounded the bases for the Air Force softball team until a freak accident severely injured her left leg

  • Standing vigilant from the top of the world

    Stretching from the confines of Thule Air Base, Greenland, the northernmost U.S. military installation hundreds of miles above the Arctic Circle, a dirt road trails steadily upward and to the northwest. Following the road for about a dozen miles across sparse, barren tundra resembling a moonscape

  • Standing watch

    Airman 1st Class Wednesday D. Brodenburger completes a pre-dawn patrol near one of the interior perimeter fences here. She and other airmen of the 822nd Security Forces Squadron are returning home after serving more than five months supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by

  • Stand-up of training group marks international homecoming

    With an international audience standing watch, Col. Michael Cosby accepted the flag of command for the reactivated 363rd Training Group at an air base in the Persian Gulf region March 26. Though officially listed as an activation, officiating officer, Lt. Gen. Gary North, U.S. Central Command Air

  • Stanley: Pentagon must do better in hiring disabled

    Defense Department officials are doing a "pretty good" job at hiring talented, disabled people for their civilian work force, but they needs to do much better, the Pentagon's top personnel official said Dec. 8 here during his keynote remarks at the 30th annual Disability Awards Ceremony and Forum."I

  • Star Spangled celebration

    A C-47 cargo aircraft highlights the foreground during a Fourth of July fireworks display near the parade grounds of the 37th Training Wing at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. The C-47 was one of the workhorses of the Berlin Airlift humanitarian mission shortly after the birth of of the U.S. Air

  • Starbase teaches children how to fly

    On her 11th birthday, Catherine Newcome gripped the yoke of a Cessna airplane and learned a lot about flying. She crashed the first time she tried to land, but quickly regained her composure, paid attention to her coach from the West Virginia Air National Guard, and took off and landed safely on

  • Starlifters retire from active-duty service

    The last two active-duty C-141B Starlifter transport aircraft will retire Sept. 16 at McGuire Air Force Base, N.J.During the past 40 years, the C-141 has proven versatile for troop and cargo transport, humanitarian- and disaster-relief operations and aeromedical evacuation. As such, the Starlifter

  • Star-powered kids' inaugural concert salutes military families

    From the opening notes of Grammy winner and multi-platinum recording star Usher to the final thanks of singer Katy Perry, military families all over the world were treated to a special thanks here last night.First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, hosted a

  • 'Starr' helps NORAD track Santa

    A “Starr” in the east will help guide North American Aerospace Defense Command’s Santa-tracking tradition Dec. 24. The Starr is none other than former Beatle, Ringo Starr, who will be NORAD’S honorary Santa tracker for Christmas 2003.“Santa and I are personal friends,” Starr said from his home in

  • Stars and Stripes offers free electronic newspapers

    Servicemembers who do not have access to the Stars and Stripes newspaper but do have access to a computer can now go online to read or download an exact replica of the paper at no charge.Stars and Stripes officials said the electronic version of the newspaper is an effort to reach readers in remote

  • Stars tour Iraq for holidays

    Airmen and soldiers crowded the only hangar here Dec. 17 in hopes of capturing a glimpse of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and several entertainers who were traveling throughout Iraq.Gen. Richard Myers brought with him Academy Award winning actor and comedian Robin Williams, Olympic gold

  • Stars visible at, from LA observatory

    Senior Air Force leaders rubbed elbows with entertainment industry figures Nov. 18 during an Air Force Week reception at the Griffith Observatory here. Hosted by the Friends of the Observatory, a nonprofit organization which supports the world's most visited public observatory, the event honored

  • Start date for new personnel system pushed back three months

    Defense officials have scaled back the initial group of civilian employees to fall under the new National Security Personnel System to 11,000 from a previously scheduled 60,000, officials announced Jan. 17. The implementation date was also changed from Feb. 1 to April 30. Personnel officials have

  • State Department learns customer service from AFPC

    Seven members of the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Human Resources visited the Air Force Personnel Center to learn the many technological initiatives the center members have undertaken to deliver personnel services to its customers Aug. 25 and 26 here. "We want to continue to enhance our human

  • State Department, DOD approve dependents’ departure from Turkey

    The secretary of defense, in coordination with the secretary of state, has authorized the ordered departure of all Defense Department dependents not assigned to chief of mission authority from Adana (to include Incirlik Air Base), Ismir and Mugla, Turkey.

  • State National Guards to combine headquarters

    Each state National Guard will combine its top three headquarters into one "joint force headquarters," said Army Lt. Gen. H. Steven Blum, the head of the National Guard Bureau.There are 162 headquarters units in the 54 state and territory National Guard entities and by Oct. 1, 108 of these will no

  • State of AF: Modernizing for next offset strategy

    Budget plans are poised to keep the Air Force atop of its game, with a new bomber and advanced technology to help Airmen execute a future offset strategy, the head of the service announced at the Air Force Association’s Air Warfare Symposium Feb. 26.

  • State of Air Force Reserve discussed at AFA

    Senior Department of Defense and industry leaders gathered at the Air Force Association’s 2014 Air and Space conference and technology exposition Sept. 15 to discuss the future of the Air Force and Air Force Reserve.

  • State of the AF is 'strong'

    The Air Force's top leaders said today the service has accomplished much while dealing with many challenges in the last year.Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III briefed members of the media here on the state of the service and its focus on

  • State of the Air Force

    Senior Air Force officials will brief the press at 2 p.m. EST, Jan. 15. Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III will discuss the current state of the Air Force, as well as, share their thoughts on the future of the Air Force.

  • State Partnership Program emphasizes building relationships

    A small, but innovative, program demonstrates the U.S. military's "very agile and flexible" capabilities in working with partners, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said recently.Meeting with reporters Jan. 5 after the announcement of President Barack Obama's new strategic guidance for

  • State-of-the-art battlefield system to integrate controllers

    Construction is scheduled to begin this month on a facility to house a state-of-the-art battlefield command and control system that will integrate air traffic management throughout Iraq. The $30 million Battlefield Command and Control CENTAF, or BC3, will house air traffic controllers from the

  • State-of-the-art carbon dioxide laser speeds up production

    A unique tool used to cut parts for all weapons systems supported here brings a whole new meaning to cutting edge technology at the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center.“This (carbon dioxide) laser supports all weapon systems here … and the engine workload,” said Alan Casey, computer numerical control

  • State-of-the-art cardiovascular services available at Travis AFB

    With equipment that can only be found in four other hospitals in the nation, surgeons here recently performed the first operations while using a new state-of-the-art, hybrid cardiovascular operating room. It took a team of medical professionals here three years to bring the cardiovascular services

  • State-of-the-art equipment bridges the gap

    Army Corps of Engineers members along with members of the 84th Engineer Support Company, 6th Engineer Battalion, tested a new bridging system April 28, 2010, at Fort Richardson, Alaska, to help the military travel across a wide variety of terrain quickly. Testing of the Lightweight Modular Causeway

  • States let taxpayers donate refunds to military families

    Illinois led the charge last year when it began letting taxpayers check a box on their state tax returns to donate their tax refunds to families of deployed guardsmen and reservists.Illinois’ example -- which has paid out $2.7 million so far to more than 5,000 military families -- is quickly

  • Stateside donations give Kyrgyz students tools of art trade

    Members of the 376th Expeditionary Medical Group here delivered handmade art easels and art supply donations in May to children of the Atbashinskaya School in Manas Village, Kyrgyzstan.The art supplies came from care packages sent from American servicemembers' family and friends in the United States

  • Static displays provide up-close look at American airpower

    Fifteen minutes of fame, it's something many hope for in their lifetimes. For some U.S. military members participating in the 2008 Singapore Air Show Feb. 19 to 24, the wait is over. Whether flying an air demonstration or manning a static display, Airmen and Sailors were the stars of the show as

  • Static F-86 display dedicated to Korean War ace

    Pacific Air Forces and 15th Wing leaders dedicated a newly repainted static F-86E Sabre fighter aircraft to a former PACAF vice commander during a ceremony here Dec. 29.Gen. Gary North rededicated the aircraft here to retired Lt. Gen. Winton W. "Bones" Marshall, who was also a combat commander and

  • Statistics show command's fitness program needs to improve

    Since the new fitness program began in 2004, Air Force Reserve Command’s performance has stumbled. In 2003, 76 percent of unit reservists took the fitness test. Most of them -- 98.9 percent -- passed their assessments. Now, two years later, 68 percent of the reservists tested. But, this time 7

  • Statuette honors AF honor guard, core values

    A 30-inch replica of the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard statue at the Air Force Memorial went on display at the Pentagon here April 13. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz accepted the replica on behalf of the service from Air Force Association leaders during a Pentagon ceremony. The AFA

  • Stavridis: National Guard State Partnership Program resources well-spent

    The National Guard's State Partnership Program is a good return on investment, the commander of U.S. European Command and Supreme Allied Commander in Europe said here last month.During testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee on March 29 on the topic of the Fiscal Year 2012 European

  • Stay connected with social media without sacrificing career

    Engaging in social media can be a positive experience that entertains, keeps people connected and allows opinions to be expressed on a wide variety of topics.In some cases though, social media can ruin personal reputations or careers, and create an open window for criminals to access personal

  • Stay safe this 4th of July

    The Fourth of July, a time for America to commemorate the passage of the Declaration of Independence, is often celebrated with parades, concerts, firework shows, family road trips, barbecues and parties where participants toast to the nation.

  • Stay TRICARE eligible: Keep DEERS up-to-date

    Beneficiaries who have recently experienced a life changing event, such as the birth or adoption of a child, or recent divorce or marriage should immediately record these changes in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System, or DEERS. If they wait, their TRICARE benefit coverage could be

  • Staying in the Reserve after separation can pay off

    Should I stay or should I go? For those in uniform, it is a question they face each time they come to the end of their enlistment. To many, deciding to stay on active duty or switch to the civilian sector seems to be their only options. Air Force Reserve officials beg to differ.Tech. Sgt. Michael

  • Staying involved key for parents, children

    Eight educators, health-care officials and family advocacy workers made presentations to parents during a "Let's Talk" conference here Jan. 18. The two-hour briefing served as a means to inform Yokota parents about a variety of resources readily available to them on base. Some of the forum's

  • Staying safe on two wheels

    With the worst of winter behind us, many folks are beginning to break out the hiking boots and sunscreen for some outdoor fun. Additionally, many motorcyclists who have been bound by snow and ice for the last several months are making their way onto the roads again. Lt. Col. Mark Guerber, the 16th

  • Staying safe, healthy all summer

    As the summer months wind down, leadership at all levels advocate for the continued health and safety of our Airmen and Space Professionals on and off duty.

  • Steady as she goes

    OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM (AFPN) -- Staff Sgt. Steven Holloway directs a crane operator in lifting a 3,000-pound diesel engine from a fire truck while Senior Airman Michael Jackson steadies it. Both airmen are assigned to the 458th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron at Mihail Kogalniceanu,