HomeNews

NATO Air Policing operations

U.S. Air Force News

  • Utility uniform feedback survey, PT gear coming

    The Air Force’s first physical training uniform will hit the street later this year, and a Web site for Airmen to provide feedback on the proposed utility uniform will be online July 1.Feedback on the proposed utility uniform has been excellent so far, but an Internet survey will give all Airmen a

  • Uzbeks ask U.S. to leave Karshi-Khanabad

    Uzbekistan has exercised its rights under an October 2001 bilateral agreement to end coalition use of Karshi-Khanabad airfield.The Uzbek government delivered a note July 29 to the U.S. embassy in Tashkent giving the United States 180 days to withdraw its forces from the strategic field. About 800

  • VA announces $300 million in grants to help veteran homeless

    Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced today the award of nearly $300 million in grants that will help approximately 120,000 homeless and at-risk Veterans and their families. The grants have been awarded to 319 community agencies in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto

  • VA announces disaster assistance after tornado outbreaks

    Officials from the Department of Veterans Affairs announced May 17 that special disaster assistance may be available to veterans with VA-guaranteed home loans who have been affected by recent tornados. Veterans living in designated disaster areas may receive mortgage assistance through their loan

  • VA announces online claims applications

    The Department of Veterans Affairs will now accept online applications from veterans, survivors and other claimants for various benefits without the additional requirement of submitting a signed paper copy of the application. People can now file initial applications for disability compensation,

  • VA announces 'Veterans Pride' initiative

    Leaders of major veterans organizations joined Veterans Affairs Secretary R. James Nicholson here today to launch an effort to "kindle a new spark of patriotism" by asking men and women who have served in the military to wear their medals on Veterans Day. "We are announcing a 'Veterans Pride

  • VA backs 19 million home loans

    With mortgage rates at historic lows, veterans and military members continue to use the Department of Veterans Affairs home loan program in record numbers to purchase a home or refinance their existing loans."Home ownership is one of the foundations of the American dream," said Secretary of Veterans

  • VA beefs up data security procedures

    The Department of Veterans Affairs is revamping its data security procedures following last month's theft of a VA laptop computer that contained personal information of veterans and military personnel still in uniform, the secretary of the VA told a congressional committee. "We will stay focused on

  • VA budget adds mental-health services for combat vets

    The proposed Department of Veterans Affairs funding request will provide more post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury services to combat veterans, as well as other mental-health care and services for wounded warriors, President Barack Obama said April 9. "The nightmares of war

  • VA budget request signals commitment to vets

    President Barack Obama's $132 billion 2012 budget request for the Veterans Affairs Department demonstrates that despite a tight fiscal environment, the U.S. officials stand by their commitment to men and women who have served in uniform, Deputy VA Secretary W. Scott Gould told American Forces Press

  • VA chief visits joint base clinic, discusses progress

    The Secretary for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, retired Army Gen. Eric K. Shinseki, along with Rep. Jon Runyan, visited the Community Based Outpatient Clinic April 13 here.Shinseki, the former Army Chief of Staff, came to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst to tour the facility and discuss

  • VA chief: Opportunity ensures care for all servicemembers

    The secretary of Veterans Affairs said June 3 that where some might see challenges for the department, he sees opportunities."One of the big opportunities we have, and it's a priority of ours, is to make sure that our servicemembers coming out of the combat theater are well taken care of," R. James

  • VA creating 28 new vet centers

    Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced Aug. 14 that combat veterans will receive readjustment counseling and other assistance in 28 additional communities across the country where the Department of Veterans Affairs will establish vet centers in 2010. "VA is committed to providing

  • VA data theft: Airmen may check status on AFPC Web site

    All active duty, Guard and Reserve Airmen can check the Spotlight area on the Air Force Personnel Center Web site to see if their personal data was compromised in the Veterans Administration data theft. This is an additional effort on behalf of the Air Force to ensure affected Airmen are aware their

  • VA deputy highlights bond between Defense and Veterans Affairs

    An innovative, far-sighted partnership between the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense will improve the health care system for Veterans and dramatically change the way health care is delivered to all Americans, according to Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs W. Scott

  • VA eases claims process for veterans with PTSD

    The Veterans Affairs Department will publish a final regulation July 13 intended to ease the claims process and improve access to health care for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. The new rule, to be published in the Federal Register, will relax the evidence requirement if the PTSD

  • VA emphasizes education before Post-9/11 GI Bill switch

    As the Department of Veterans Affairs begins accepting sign-ups for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, officials are encouraging anyone considering enrolling in the program to get educated about it first to ensure it's right for them. "Starting (today), people can start applying for the new benefit," said Keith

  • VA expedites decisions for long-standing claims

    The Veterans Affairs Department is expediting compensation claims decisions for veterans who have waited one year or longer, VA officials announced today.Effective today, VA claims raters will make provisional decisions on the oldest claims on hand, officials said, which will allow veterans to begin

  • VA finding jobs for Iraq, Afghanistan vets

    For young men and women fighting the war on terrorism, coming home in good health is a major goal. But coming home to a good job also is a primary concern, Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary R. James Nicholson said during a news conference Oct. 13. He announced a VA jobs program for

  • VA funding reflects commitment to vets

    Emphasizing that a nation's budget reflects its core priorities, a senior Veterans Affairs Department official said the proposed 10 percent fiscal year 2014 budget increase for VA and the fact that the department is specifically sheltered from sequestration demonstrate America's unwavering

  • VA grants up to one year of retroactive veterans benefits

    The Department of Veterans Affairs announced yesterday that veterans filing an original fully developed claim for service-connected disability compensation may be entitled to up to one-year of retroactive disability benefits.

  • VA guarantees home loans for servicemembers

    Servicemembers returning to the states from overseas can now take advantage of a valuable home buying guarantee from the Department of Veterans Affairs.Contrary to what some may think, the VA does not offer home loans, instead they offer a home-loan guarantee, said Tan Johnson, a VA representative. 

  • VA issues new report on suicide data

    The Veterans Affairs Department today released a comprehensive report on veterans who die by suicide.In the past, data on veterans who died by suicide was only available for those who had sought VA health care services. Today's report also includes state data for veterans who had not received health

  • VA launches hotline for health care, women veteran questions

    The Veterans Affairs Department has launched a new hotline -- 1-855-VA-WOMEN -- to receive and respond to questions from veterans, their families and caregivers about the many VA services and resources available to women veterans.The service began accepting calls March 27."Some women veterans may

  • VA launches 'Kids Page' Web site

    Department of Veterans Affairs officials announced the launch of "VA Kids" on Nov. 5. The new Web page is designed to help young people understand what it means to be a veteran."The ideals of military service and patriotism can be unfamiliar to some children and young adults," said Anthony

  • VA launches new PSA on suicide prevention for veterans

    Department of Veterans Affairs officials are reaching out to veterans in crisis and their families in a new public service announcement to raise awareness about suicide prevention resources, such as the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). "As more veterans return from Iraq and

  • VA launches partnership to benefit veterans

    Department of Veterans Affairs officials have launched a new partnership to help non-government organizations, or NGOs, plan, improve and carry out their own programs on behalf of veterans, their families and their survivors. "VA has a track record of success in working with non-profit groups and

  • VA makes progress to end veteran homelessness

    They served their country in uniform -- many on the front lines in Iraq and Afghanistan. And now that they've returned home and rejoined civilian life, an alarming number of veterans have found themselves on the streets and living under bridges.Veterans Affairs Department officials are making

  • VA offers new online resource service

    The Department of Veterans Affairs is offering a new online service, My HealtheVet, which is a gateway to veteran health benefits and services.It provides access to trusted health information, links to federal and VA benefits and resources, the Personal Health Journal and online VA prescription

  • VA official emphasizes addressing mental health issues early

    Close collaboration between Defense and Veterans Affairs department officials, plus proactive military screening policies are helping to identify and treat mental-health issues in returning combat veterans before they escalate into more serious, long-term problems, said the Veteran Affairs

  • VA official outlines progress in reducing claims backlog

    A senior Veterans Affairs Department official Dec. 11, outlined progress made by the Veterans Benefits Administration in reducing the backlog of veterans' disability compensation and pension claims by 36 percent since March, attributing the success to the combined impact of transformation

  • VA officials announce funding for polytrauma center in San Antonio

    Department of Veterans Affairs officials announced the award of two contracts totaling $41.5 million to create a polytrauma center for the care of the most severely injured veterans and to improve the existing wards at the Audie L. Murphy VA Medical Center in San Antonio."A top priority for VA is

  • VA officials announce test of paperless claims processing system

    Department of Veterans Affairs officials have selected their regional benefits office in Providence, R.I., to test a paperless system and new procedures to improve processing of veterans' claims for disability compensation."This test program marks a major milestone in VA's move to paperless

  • VA officials announce use of standard payment rates for some non-VA care

    Department of Veterans Affairs officials announced Dec. 16 they will begin using Medicare's standard payment rates for certain medical procedures performed by non-VA providers on Feb. 16, 2011."This regulation will have no impact on the veterans we care for," said Dr. Robert A. Petzel, the VA

  • VA officials approve $2.8 million for Gulf War illness research

    Department of Veterans Affairs officials have approved $2.8 million to fund three new research projects that focus on testing or developing new treatments for illnesses affecting veterans who served in the Gulf War from 1990 to 1991. The research incorporates recommendations of the department's Gulf

  • VA officials assist veterans with health care costs

    For veterans struggling financially due to a job loss or decreased income, Department of Veterans Affairs officials offer an assortment of programs that can relieve the costs of health care or provide care at no cost. Veterans whose previous income was ruled too high for VA health care may be able

  • VA officials begin paying benefits for new Agent Orange claims

    Department of Veterans Affairs officials have begun distributing disability benefits to Vietnam veterans who qualify for compensation under recently liberalized rules for Agent Orange exposure."The joint efforts of Congress and VA demonstrate a commitment to provide Vietnam veterans with treatment

  • VA officials begin process to create open source electronic health record

    Department of Veterans Affairs officials released a draft Request for Proposal April 1 aimed at forming an open source community around its ground-breaking Veterans Integrated System Technology Architecture, or VistA, electronic health record, or EHR, system. When award is made under a planned RFP

  • VA officIals contacting veteran-students about new GI Bill

    Representatives of the Department of Veterans Affairs here will be telephoning veterans across the country to explain their education benefits under the new Post-911 GI Bill and ensure beneficiaries are able to receive payments due them. "The Post-9/11 GI Bill is one of our highest priorities," said

  • VA officials create ad campaign to highlight educational benefits

    Department of Veterans Affairs officials announced a two-month, nationwide advertising campaign Feb. 22 to assist student veterans and servicemembers applying for the Post-9/11 GI Bill."VA, student veterans and our schools have made significant progress in implementing the GI Bill this spring, but

  • VA officials cutting insurance premiums for families

    Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced April 29 here that military personnel insuring their families under the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance program will have reduced out-of-pocket expenses beginning July 1. "VA (officials hope) these reductions will allow more military

  • VA officials cutting insurance premiums for families

    Department of Veterans Affairs officials announced here that military members insuring their families under the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance, which is administered by the VA, will have reduced out-of-pocket expenses beginning July 1."VA hopes these reductions will allow more military

  • VA officials expand support for families of low-income veterans

    Department of Veterans Affairs officials announced Nov. 9 an important program designed to provide enhanced services to low-income veterans and their families who are at risk of being homeless. Under the Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program, VA officials will provide grants to private

  • VA officials extend 'Agent Orange' benefits to more veterans

    Relying on an independent study by the Institute of Medicine, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki decided to establish a service-connection for Vietnam veterans with three specific illnesses based on the latest evidence of an association with the herbicides referred to as Agent Orange.

  • VA officials extend coverage for Gulf War veterans

    Veterans of the Gulf War as well as current operations in Iraq and Afghanistan now have a smoother path toward receiving health care benefits and disability compensation for nine diseases associated with their military service, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced Sept. 29.A

  • VA officials extend post-incarceration health care

    Department of Veterans Affairs officials will extend health care to eligible veterans in halfway houses and other temporary, post-incarceration housing under a new program aimed at cutting back on repeat offenses."There's hard evidence that lack of access to health care, including mental health

  • VA officials issuing first payments to caregivers

    Department of Veterans Affairs officials will send out more than $430,000 in stipend payments in July to nearly 200 family caregivers of veterans. These family caregivers were the first to complete their caregiver training under the program of comprehensive assistance for family caregivers. The

  • VA officials kick off National Caregiver Support Conference

    The 2011 National Caregiver Support Conference, which highlights Veterans Affairs' support of caregivers of all eras, will conclude here Aug. 4.The conference, which began Aug. 2, follows the implementation of landmark legislation by VA that provides a direct benefit for the first time to

  • VA officials launch childcare pilot

    Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced the launch of free, drop-in childcare service centers at three VA medical centers to an audience of more than 700 participants attending the Fifth National Summit on Women Veterans' Issues July 15 through 17 at the Hyatt Regency Washington on

  • VA officials launching new personalized Veterans Health Benefits Handbook

    Department of Veterans Affairs officials are testing a new, personalized Veterans Health Benefits Handbooks. The handbooks are tailored to provide enrolled veterans with the most relevant health benefits information based on their own specific eligibility. In essence, each handbook will be written

  • VA officials mark 85 years of 'discovery, innovation and advancement'

    Eighty-five years of enriching the lives of veterans and all Americans through top-notch medical research will be spotlighted April 26 through 30 when members of the Department of Veterans Affairs celebrate National VA Research Week.On April 22, Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs W. Scott Gould

  • VA officials obligate last of Recovery Act funds to help veterans

    Department of Veterans Affairs officials committed the last of their $1.8 billion in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds July 31, as one of the first federal agencies to achieve that milestone. Projects at more than 1,200 sites in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico will

  • VA officials process first claims for new Agent Orange presumptives

    Department of Veterans Affairs processors have decided more than 28,000 claims in the first six weeks of processing disability compensation applications from Vietnam veterans with diseases related to exposure to the herbicide Agent Orange."With new technology and ongoing improvements, we are quickly

  • VA officials propose change to aid veterans exposed to Agent Orange

    More than 100,000 veterans exposed to herbicides while serving in Vietnam and other areas will have an easier path to qualify for disability pay under a proposed regulation published by Department of Veterans Affairs officials that adds three new illnesses to the list of health problems found to be

  • VA officials reach out to veterans to explain upcoming changes to GI Bill

    Department of Veterans Affairs officials are reaching out to inform veterans of recent changes made by Congress to the Post 9/11 GI Bill that take effect in 2011. "The Post 9/11 GI Bill is incredibly important because it reduces the financial burdens of higher education so that veterans have an

  • VA officials reaching out to students and schools to speed benefit payments

    In a coordinated effort to speed up the processing of Post 9/11 GI Bill education benefits this spring, Department of Veterans Affairs officials announced Jan. 20 that they have been reaching out to student veterans, servicemembers, university officials and other partners to meet a commitment to an

  • VA officials seek opinion of veterans and public and private experts

    Officials with the Department of Veterans Affairs are hosting a public forum in Scottsdale, Ariz., aimed at improving the fairness of payments for veterans who are service-connected for genitourinary, digestive, dental, infectious, immune disorder and nutritional deficiency diseases and injuries.

  • VA officials set to kick off winter sports clinic

    More than 400 injured veterans have signed up to take part in the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic in Snowmass Village, Colo., the largest adaptive event of its kind in the world, scheduled from March 28 through April 2."This VA winter clinic is an extension of the superb

  • VA officials set to verify veteran small businesses

    To further advocate for veterans, VA officials have announced that companies identifying themselves as small businesses or veteran-owned businesses to gain priority for some Department of Veterans Affairs contracts now must provide documentation verifying their status within 90 days of receiving

  • VA officials start mentoring for veteran-owned small businesses

    To help small businesses owned by service-disabled veterans and other veteran-owned small businesses become more competitive in the marketplace, Department of Veterans Affairs officials have selected 20 mentor-protégé teams to participate in a new program. "For VA, it's a natural goal to award

  • VA officials strive to prevent veteran suicides

    With more than 6,000 veterans committing suicide every year, and 98 veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan taking their own lives during fiscal 2009 alone,  Department of Veterans Affairs officials are redoubling their outreach to veterans and promoting the toll-free suicide-prevention hotline. National

  • VA officials taking life-saving campaign to streets

    Nearly 1,200 life-saving advertisements are going up on city buses, bus shelters, rail and subway stations across the nation displaying a message of hope for those who have served their country and may be facing an emotional crisis. Department of Veterans Affairs officials are advertising the

  • VA officials test programs to expedite payments to disabled veterans

    Department of Veterans Affairs officials launched two pilot programs to test new procedures that will speed the payment of VA compensation benefits to veterans with disabilities connected to their military service. These new programs are part of Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki's

  • VA officials testing quicker access to medical records

    Department of Veterans Affairs officials are working to significantly reduce the average time needed to obtain health-care records from private physicians with the help of a private contractor and the Internet to speed claims decisions. "Innovations that will speed, simplify or improve our services

  • VA officials to begin recovery of GI Bill advance payments

    Veterans Affairs Department officials are beginning the process of recovering advance payments made available during the fall 2009 semester to veterans and servicemembers who applied for education benefits. "The advance payments were a huge success and helped thousands of student veterans during the

  • VA officials to survey veteran households

    Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K.Shinseki announced the Department of Veterans Affairs has launched a national survey of veterans, active duty service members, activated National Guard and Reserve members, and family members and survivors to learn if they are aware of VA services. "By hearing

  • VA officials urge veterans to get tested on National HIV Testing Day

    June 27th is National HIV Testing Day and Department of Veterans Affairs officials will be promoting and offering testing to veterans at VA medical facilities across the nation."Everyone should be tested for HIV/AIDS because early detection saves lives," said VA Secretary Eric K, Shinseki. "The

  • VA officials urge veterans to sign up for direct deposits

    Department of the Treasury officials have announced a new rule that will extend the safety and convenience of electronic payments to millions of Americans and phase out paper checks for federal benefits by March 1, 2013. Officials at the Department of Veterans Affairs urge veterans to sign up for

  • VA officials warn of telephone scam

    Officials at the Department of Veterans Affairs are warning people not to give credit card numbers over the phone to callers claiming to be updating VA prescription information. Kevin Secor, a Veterans Service Organizations liaison with the office of the secretary of Veterans Affairs, sent an e-mail

  • VA officials work to break disability claims backlog

    Former Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Tyrone Allen is part of a growing legion within the Veterans Affairs Department striving to make good on VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki's pledge to "break the back of the claims backlog."Allen understands firsthand the frustrations many veterans feel as they wait

  • VA officials work to provide post-9/11 family caregiver benefits

    A month after the Veterans Affairs Department began processing applications for primary family caregivers of eligible post-9/11 veterans, officials reported steady progress toward delivering the new services and benefits.VA  officials began processing applications for new services May 9, four days

  • VA opens small business conference in New Orleans

    The National Veterans Small Business Conference and Expo in New Orleans is underway. Hosted by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the first time, it is the largest nationwide conference of its kind focused on helping veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses succeed in winning

  • VA paralympic program officials launch website for disabled veterans

    Department of Veterans Affairs officials have launched a Paralympic Program website as part of the VA's ongoing commitment to support the rehabilitation and recovery of disabled veterans through participation in adaptive sports. "Adaptive sports participation among disabled veterans has many proven

  • VA program helps families help their veterans

    "Families At Ease" is a new program developed by Department of Veterans Affairs officials that works with family members and friends of veterans of any era to help them help their veteran get care.Many veterans are reluctant to get help for the symptoms or difficulties they are having, or may not

  • VA program promotes employment among new vets

    The Department of Veterans Affairs is promoting job opportunities for those leaving military service with a new program. R. James Nicholson, the VA secretary, spoke to the American Forces Press Service and the Pentagon Channel in anticipation of National Veterans Awareness Week, which began Nov. 6

  • VA quality data released to public on CMS Hospital Compare website

    Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers are now included in the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services Hospital Compare website, which measures hospital quality based on what matters most to patients, the outcomes of care. "VA is committed to providing veterans and their family members

  • VA reaches out to newest combat veterans

    The Department of Veterans Affairs is expanding its efforts to reach veterans of combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan to ensure they are aware of benefits they have earned.Anthony Principi, VA secretary, is sending a letter to more than 150,000 veterans of operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring

  • VA reaching out to rural Vets with Telehealth

    Kenneth Winn, 48, suffered a head injury while deployed in Operation Desert Storm. Since then, he's experienced his fair share of challenges in life. He's been looking for a job now for two years."I want to work," he said. "But if I tell (a potential employer) I have a head injury, they don't hire

  • VA reaching out to vets with mortgage problems

    Many home owners have found it difficult recently to pay their mortgages, but quick intervention by loan counselors at the Department of Veterans Affairs has actually reduced the number of veterans defaulting on their home loans. "VA is reaching out to veterans, both those who use our home-loan

  • VA researchers study advanced prosthetic arm

    Department of Veterans Affairs officials have announced a three-year study of an advanced artificial arm that easily allows those with severe limb loss to pick up a key or hold a pencil. "This arm is a high-tech example of how VA researchers are continually modernizing the materials, design and

  • VA secretary addresses traumatic brain injury conference

    Recognizing the longstanding, integrated collaboration shared by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Defense Department, VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki gave the keynote address at the fourth annual Traumatic Brain Injury Military Training Conference Aug. 30 here."We -- DOD and VA -- simply

  • VA Secretary announces $41.9 million to help homeless

    Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki has announced that 40 states will share more than $41.9 million in grants to community groups to provide 2,568 beds for homeless veterans this year. "These grants wouldn't have happened without the extraordinary partnerships forged with community

  • VA secretary announces 18 millionth home loan guaranty

    One of the most widely used veterans benefits in America reached a major milestone May 13 when Secretary of Veterans Affairs R. James Nicholson announced that an Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran from Texas was the recipient of the 18 millionth home loan guaranteed by the Department of Veterans

  • VA secretary announces new hotline for homeless veterans

    Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced June 3 the establishment of a new telephone hotline to provide emergency support and resources to homeless veterans. He made the announcement as he toured the facility at the VA medical center in Canandaigua."It is unacceptable for a single

  • VA secretary announces study of Vietnam-era women veterans

    Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki has announced the Department of Veterans Affairs is launching a comprehensive study of women veterans who served in the military during the Vietnam War to explore the effects of their military service upon their mental and physical health."One of my top

  • VA secretary calls for "forbearance" by mortgage companies

    Veterans in the Gulf States impacted by the recent oil spill may qualify for delayed mortgage payments if their mortgages already are guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. "We are strongly urging mortgage companies to extend every possible forbearance to veterans whose livelihoods have

  • VA secretary details plan to end homelessness for veterans

    The secretary of Veterans Affairs unveiled the department's comprehensive plan to end homelessness among Veterans Nov. 3 by marshalling the resources of government, business and the private sector. Secretary Eric K. Shinseki made his presentation during the "VA National Summit Ending Homelessness

  • VA secretary embraces 'personal calling' of serving veterans

    Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki is a no-nonsense leader who wants veterans to measure his performance and that of the department he leads through concrete results, not rhetoric. "Veterans have been given a lot of promises over a bunch of years, and I have assured them that they should