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U.S. Air Force News

  • Active-duty officers sought for attaché duty

    Active duty line of the Air Force captains, majors and lieutenant colonels interested in attaché duty could find themselves on an international affairs team in Switzerland, Venezuela, Burma and others, but those interested must submit their applications by June 20 to be considered, said Air Force

  • DOD seeks leadership program candidates

    Department of Defense officials are seeking active duty Air Force majors and major-selects for the academic year 2013-2014 Executive Leadership Development Program, Air Force Personnel Center officials said.Applications are due to AFPC by June 10. Program orientation is slated for August and the

  • Unit deployment manager now special duty position

    Unit deployment manager is now a two-year-controlled special duty assignment (identifier 8U000); a change Air Force officials say will help professionalize the position and improve deployment program continuity. In past the UDM retained his or her Air Force specialty code, and even though UDMs were

  • Cadets earn praise for cyclogyro project

    Aeronautical Engineering cadets have presented their award-winning design of a search and rescue and medical evacuation aircraft for the year 2045 to Academy and industry leaders at the Aero Lab here May 13.Nine cadets collaboratively designed "The Night Owl," a futuristic cyclogyro that can direct

  • 2 Airmen earn spots to compete on world stage of soccer

    Two Airmen from Lajes Field have earned the opportunity to participate in the 2013 International Military Sports Council (CISM) 1st World Football Trophy July 2 to 14.According to its official website, the International Military Sports Council is one of the largest multidisciplinary organizations in

  • Warrior Games 2013: Airman faces challenge at Games as TBI victim

    By looking at him, you would never be able to tell he is a battle-tested, combat-injured Airman. He is a testament to invisible wounds and just how their effects can become visible in everyday life. Capt. Mitchell Kieffer is a mathematician at heart and an operations research analyst at Joint Base

  • Hagel orders retraining of recruiters, sexual assault responders

    Amid a spate of allegations of criminal behavior by military recruiters and service members involved in the Defense Department's efforts to prevent sexual assaults and help that crime's victims, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has ordered the services to retrain, re-credential and rescreen all sexual

  • Hanscom AFB-managed program helps save Airman's life

     A program managed here that helps get supplies safely to warfighters was recently used in Afghanistan to help save an Airman's life.The Dynamic Retasking Capability Urgent Operational Need provides the ability for C-17 Globemaster IIIs and C-130J Hercules to be directed to an alternative location

  • SecAF, CSAF share confidence in nuclear enterprise

    Appearing before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense to testify about the service's fiscal 2014 budget request, Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III also addressed Congressional concerns over media reports about the findings of a

  • DOD Comptroller: Sequestration devastates U.S. military readiness

    During a Senate hearing yesterday on President Barack Obama's $9.5 billion military construction budget request for fiscal 2014, Defense Department Comptroller Robert F. Hale said the severe and abrupt budget cuts imposed by sequestration are devastating the U.S. armed forces.Hale and John Conger,

  • Air Force Food Transformation Initiative enters second phase

    Airmen at five installations will see a new era in food service operations as the Air Force Food Transformation Initiative moves into its second phase.The initiative, known as FTI, is a pilot program designed to provide Airmen greater variety, availability, and quality of food, while maintaining

  • Warrior Games 2013: Wounded Academy grad uses Games to help recovery

    About three years after a bullet in his head in Iraq dramatically changed the course of his life, Capt. Wes Glisson can put his sentences together again as he continues his recovery from traumatic brain injury. He's able to remember just about everything about his life except for the shooting, which

  • Wife of Air Guard Airman selected as Military Spouse of 2013

    The wife of an Air National Guard Airman who created support groups for military families and businesses has been selected as the 2013 Military Spouse of the Year.Alicia Hinds-Ward, the spouse of Tech. Sgt. Edwinston J. Ward of the 113th fighter wing at Joint Base Andrews, Md., was chosen among more

  • AF energy chief 'service to America' finalist

    The nonprofit Partnership for Public Service announced their 2013 Samuel J. Heyman Service to America medalists, which included a senior Air Force official. Dr. Kevin Geiss, Air Force deputy assistant secretary for energy, was recognized as a finalist May 7 on Washington's Capitol Hill. The

  • C-5M undergoes 'super' upgrade at Edwards AFB

    In 2006, the C-5 Galaxy underwent a "super" upgrade to further strengthen the airframe's worldwide airlift capabilities. Test teams here and at Dover Air Force Base, Del., are showing why the recent software upgrade to the largest aircraft in the Air Force inventory -- now known as the C-5M Super

  • Stratcom Chief: Minot AFB case shows integrity of nuclear enterprise

    The Air Force's aggressive response when missile-launch crews at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., fell short of established standards during an inspection in March underscores the integrity of the  nuclear weapons program, the commander of U.S. Strategic Command told Congress May 9."I do think they

  • President selects Academy's next dean of faculty

    The president of the United States has nominated Col. Andrew Armacost to the U.S. Senate for promotion to the rank of brigadier general and to become the next dean of the faculty of the U.S. Air Force Academy.Armacost will assume his new duties and rank later this year. Armacost moves to the dean's

  • AF officials: Sexual assault has no place in the Air Force

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A Welsh III presented the service's fiscal 2014 budget request to the Senate Armed Services Committee May 7, but much of the discussion focused on the recent sexual battery allegations involving Lt. Col. Jeff Krusinski,

  • DARPA seeks bold, imaginative, innovative officers

    The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency needs eight motivated officers for the fiscal 2013 Service Chiefs' Fellows Program, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced.Application packages for the three-month program, which begins in September, are due to the AFPC officer developmental

  • National Museum of the U.S. Air Force selected for heritage award

    The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force was recently selected by the U.S. Air Force History and Museums Program as the recipient of the 2013 Air Force Heritage Award for an exhibit titled Destruction from High Above: The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress in Southeast Asia.The award recognizes outstanding

  • Warrior Games 2013: Airman gets second chance at life

    You only live once, the saying goes. That may be true for most, but for one former jet engine mechanic that is not the case.Former Senior Airman Darrell Fisher had been fascinated with aviation since he was a child growing up in Fayetteville, N.C.  After working in the civilian sector for a while

  • SecDef calls for culture of dignity, respect

    Allegations of misconduct against an Air Force officer in charge of the service's sexual assault prevention and response effort underscored the importance of Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel's effort to prevent sexual assault across the military. Hagel began his Pentagon news conference Tuesday by

  • Report Helps Military Deal With Sexual Assault Problem

    Sexual assault is a long-term problem for the military, and it will take time for military efforts to combat it, the director of the Defense Department's sexual assault prevention and response office said."We are not satisfied with where we are at today," Army Maj. Gen. Gary S. Patton said in an

  • Team works to improve precision of high altitude airdrops

    A team here is working to improve safety for warfighters by increasing accuracy of high altitude airdrops with mission planning tools.The Joint Precision Airdrop System, or JPADS, is a family of equipment that consists of parachutes, mission planning systems, global positioning systems and computer

  • X-51A Waverider achieves breakthrough in final flight

    The final flight of the X-51A Waverider test program has accomplished a breakthrough in the development of flight reaching Mach 5.1 over the Pacific Ocean May 1. "It was a full mission success," said Charlie Brink, the X-51A program manager for the Air Force Research Laboratory Aerospace Systems

  • MyPers to celebrate first anniversary

    Did you ever have a question about a specific personnel function and needed to be pointed in the right direction? The myPers website provides all Air Force members a source to search for information regarding personnel programs, to complete personnel transactions, and to chat live with a subject

  • AF awards KC-46A aircrew training system contract

    The Air Force awarded a contract to FlightSafety Services Corporation on May 1, taking a major step forward in achieving the service's top acquisition priority - delivering a new aerial refueling capability to the warfighter. The contract, a Fixed Price Incentive Firm (FPIF) and Firm Fixed Price

  • Official urges planning, offers resources for fiscal fitness

    It's important for children to learn financial life skills early on to maintain financial security and avoid woes in adulthood, a Defense Department official said.Barbara Thompson, the director of DOD's office of family policy and children and youth, said in an interview with American Forces Press

  • Any time, anywhere data access coming soon

    In the not-too-distant future, Defense Department personnel will be able to securely access data any time and anywhere, the department's deputy chief information officer for command, control, communications and computers and information infrastructure said here today.The current mobility strategy

  • Officer development program applications due

    Officers considering 2014 advanced academic degree and experience broadening programs have a narrow application window, which is currently open, Air Force Personnel Center officials said. In addition, mobility pilot, intelligence, space, missile, weather, cyber operations, munitions and missile

  • USAFE fighter squadrons affected by sequestration

    Nearly half of the fighter squadrons in U.S. Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa halted flying operations three weeks ago.The action was a result of the reduction of flying hours Air Force-wide -- one impact of the current sequestration-related budget challenges affecting the Defense

  • Total force readiness topic of Capitol Hill testimony

    Senior leaders from the active-duty Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve were on Capitol Hill here April 24th to discuss the impact of sequestration on Total Force readiness.In written and oral testimony, they reconfirmed the Air Force's commitment to serving America's long-term

  • Dover Airman in 'fight of his life'

    Sometimes a headache is just a headache. Other times it can be the sign of something much worse.Just ask Maj. Shawn Boyle, an Individual Mobilization Augmentee reservist with the 436th Airlift Wing/Judge Advocate office. Boyle, who lives outside of Pittsburgh, Pa., was experiencing what he thought

  • Airman returns home to provide humanitarian support

    Staff. Sgt. Endro Accettola, an electrical systems journeyman from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, left his hometown of Balikpapan, Indonesia, in 2002 at the age of 14. His first time back to Indonesia was with the U.S. Air Force on a humanitarian operation called Pacific Angel.PACANGEL is a

  • First Lady announces certification plan for veteran jobs

    First Lady Michelle Obama today unveiled the new Information Technology Training and Certification Partnership to put thousands of service members to work with industry-recognized IT certifications in hand before they leave the military.Obama, who made the announcement at the White House Forum on

  • AF uses innovative tactics to tackle sexual assault

    As part of an innovative initiative to reduce sexual assault across the Minot Air Force Base has partnered with the Gracie Academy to certify 100 men and women of the U.S. Air Force in the Gracie Women Empowered program, April 15 to 19. In 2012, the U.S. Air Force saw a 30 percent increase in sexual

  • New under secretary sworn in during Pentagon ceremony

    The Senate confirmed the nomination of Eric Fanning to become the next under secretary of the Air Force April 18 and he began his transition into the office after being sworn in April 29."On behalf of the more than 690,000 men and women of the U.S. Air Force, I want to welcome Eric to our Air Force

  • Family servicemembers' group life insurance benefit changes

    Service members married to other service members are no longer automatically enrolled in the Family Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance program, Pentagon officials said.The change was effective Jan. 2, and to date affects about 4,500 service members, Coast Guard Cmdr. Kristen Martin, who heads the

  • Deployed service members observe Sexual Assault Awareness Month

    Sexual Assault Awareness Month is observed every April and this year at Kandahar Airfield, in celebration of this month, leaders here collaborated on events to promote awareness including a free self-defense class that offered up to 12 sessions. "Having knowledge of the type of assaults that have

  • Official discusses Transition Assistance Program at House hearing

    The Defense Department, in concert with the military services and interagency partners are successfully implementing the department's revamped Transition Assistance Program, a senior DOD official told a House Armed Services Committee subcommittee here April 24.Dr. Susan S. Kelly,  the principal

  • SecAF: Hanscom enabling linked AF future

    Systems that help collect, process and push data to where it's needed quickly and securely are vital to Air Force operations, Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley said during a visit here April 25."Working independently and also with world-class high tech talent in the Boston area, you help

  • Congress reviews Air Force's readiness at House hearing

    The top leaders from the Air Force's active and Reserve components were on Capitol Hill on April 24 to provide statements and answer questions regarding their fiscal year 2014 budgets and force readiness.Representative Rob Wittman, (R-Va.), the chairman of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee,

  • Timbouktu and back: ANG med unit conducts 'irregular' operations

    "Have you heard of Timbouktu? Well, our medical personnel have been there, providing military support in some unconventional ways," said Lt. Col. Kevin Hinkle, 193rd Special Operations Medical Group chief of medical operations.Timbouktu is a region in Mali, located in the northwestern part of

  • Senior leaders testify on health of personnel programs

    Air Force senior leaders, along with counterparts from each of the services, testified about the current state of military personnel programs before the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee April 24.Daniel B. Ginsberg, assistant secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs and Lt. Gen.

  • Affordability priority for F-35 program

    Affordability remains the priority for the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter, the Pentagon's program executive officer for the Defense Department's most expensive procurement told Congress yesterday.Air Force Lt. Gen. Christopher C. Bogdan told the Senate Armed Services Committee's airland

  • Reservists ready for wildland fire season

    Despite the winter-like weather, Colorado Air Force reservists and their active-duty counterparts were recertified April 19-23 here to respond to wildland fires.The 302nd Airlift Wing, the Air Force Reserve's only organization with the aerial fire fighting mission, held its annual Modular Airborne

  • Indonesian, U.S. forces practice humanitarian evacuation

    After two days of in-class lectures, U.S. and Indonesian service members and civilians from the Muhammadiyah Disaster Management Center participated in an aeromedical evacuation subject-matter expert exchange here, April 24.During the exchange, a disaster scenario was simulated in which patients

  • U.S.-Australia agreement promotes space situational awareness

    A new agreement made between the United States and Australia represents the first in what U.S. Strategic Command's commander hopes will be many that promote transparency in the space domain.Air Force Gen. C. Robert Kehler signed the agreement on behalf of the United States, short-cutting the process

  • Edwards completes tests to extend KC-135

    Known as "The Mighty War Wagon" of the Air Force, the KC-135 Stratotanker has proven to be the core aerial refueling capability for the Air Force for more than 50 years.With the help of the 418th Flight Test Squadron at Edwards, along with a multitude of testers, the KC-135 Block 45 test team

  • Langley selected for 'better foods, better bodies' pilot

    The "Better Foods, Better Bodies" campaign recently selected Joint Base Langley-Eustis as a pilot base for its promotional initiative. From how Airmen shop at the commissary, to the meals they choose to eat, this movement is designed to help service members and their families make healthier

  • EPA recognizes Air Force renewable energy efforts

    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Top 50 list of Green Power Partners released this month ranks the Air Force number one in the Department of Defense and number two in the federal government for its purchase and on-site production of green power. In 2012, the Air Force used 283 million

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Marathon man trains to buckle up

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)The appetizer: four times around a 25-mile track in September, with 10,000 feet of ascent and 10,000 feet of descent. The main course: a 100-mile

  • Deployed Airmen save lives miles from front lines

    The explosion took the Airman at the knee, knocking the patrol to the ground. Patrol members rushed to him, treating him for shock and taking out his individual first aid kit to render aid - various gauzes for covering the wound, two tourniquets to cut off blood flow, and a few smaller items that

  • Nobel Laureate gives important decision-making tips

    Defense Department personnel pride themselves on their decision-making ability, but Nobel laureate Daniel Kahneman believes there are ways to systematically improve and help remove biases from the process.Kahneman presented his opinions during the "New Ideas @ OSD" seminar in the Pentagon this

  • Airmen, EPA combine conservation efforts for Earth Day

     In commemoration of Earth Day, more than 150 volunteers participated in a coastal cleanup April 21 on Tarague Beach here.Earth Day is an international event that demonstrates the commitment and significant investment the United States and other countries have made toward environmental security.

  • Sequestration impact on combat aviation: decreased readiness

    The near and long term effects of sequestration and budget cuts for the military's combat aviation assets was the focus of a House Armed Services Committee subcommittee panel on Capitol Hill April 17.Two of the Air Force's top experts on combat aviation acquisition and operations, along with their

  • Airman's sharp eye saves AF $348K

    As Air Force officials seek to institute a culture change through the "Every Dollar Counts" campaign, one deployed airman's determination helped to save more than a third of a million dollarsMaster Sgt. Ernest Harrison, 386th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron transportation management

  • AF earns top DOD environmental awards

    Two Air Force units have been recognized as the best in the Department of Defense at being "green."The 673rd Air Base Wing, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, and the 78th Civil Engineer Group, Robins Air Force Base, Ga., were among the winners of the 2013 Secretary of Defense Environmental

  • AF observes Sexual Assault Awareness Month

    At installations around the world Airmen are working together to increase awareness, prevent and care for the victims of sexual assault, with a variety of events underway in observance of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Air Force Personnel Center officials said.From the commander in chief to the

  • AFPC implements live chat capability on myPers website

    The Air Force Personnel Center now provides live chat capability through the myPers website, AFPC officials announced recently.Since April 5, live chat capability has provided users interested in retiring with the option of real time communication with personnel specialists. Additional topics will

  • AF leaders highlight space program successes, address FY14 budget

    Space today is in as good a position as it's been in a very long time, said Richard McKinney, the deputy under secretary of the Air Force for space. McKinney, along with Dr. Jamie Morin, the acting under secretary of the Air Force, and Brig. Gen. Robert McMurry, the director of space programs for

  • DOD 'scrubbing money pot' to reduce furloughs, Carter says

    Pentagon leaders from Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on down are looking for ways to reduce the pending civilian employee layoffs known as furloughs, Deputy Defense Secretary Ash Carter said April 16.Under the department's current plan, more than 700,000 civilian employees will receive furlough

  • Science, technology remain critical, official says

    Despite fiscal uncertainty, science and technology remain critical elements in mitigating emerging threats against the United States, a Defense Department official told Congress yesterday.Alan Shaffer, the acting assistant secretary of defense for research and engineering, pledged to continue a

  • Air Force officials announce civilian Reduction in Force

    In a continuing effort to meet the Department of Defense funding targets in the FY12 President's Budget and re-balance the civilian workforce, approximately 60 Air Force installations will implement civilian Reduction in Force authorities effective through about Aug. 23, to assist in the placement

  • Program launches to educate communities on family needs

    A new publication series designed to educate civilians on the specialized needs of military and veteran families in their neighborhoods launched here April 15.Charles E. Milam, the acting assistant secretary of defense for military community and family policy, spoke at the launch event at the

  • Air Superiority: Advantage over enemy skies for 60 years

    A few months after the D-Day invasion in June 1944, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower surveyed the Normandy beaches with his son. "You'd never get away with this if you didn't have air supremacy," then 2nd Lt. John Eisenhower told his father. "Without air supremacy," the elder Eisenhower replied, "I

  • Earth Day: Air Force officials emphasize water conservation

    Every April 22, the Air Force recognizes Earth Day, a time to show support for the environment. This year, the Air Force is focusing on water reduction and reuse. Water projects may not attract many news headlines, but the money and critical resources they save, deserve attention."An emerging part

  • AF installations chief testifies to Congress on BRAC, MILCON

    In testimony before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction-Veteran Affairs here April 12, a senior Air Force leader announced the fiscal year 2014 budget for the service's installation programs. Kathleen Ferguson, Air Force Installations, Environment and Logistics, outlined

  • SecAF discusses $114.1 billion budget proposal

    The Air Force's top civilian leader today presented his service's fiscal 2014 $114.1 billion baseline budget request to Congress and shared some of the fiscal challenges the Air Force has faced."As with all budgets, our FY (2014) request represents a snapshot in time," Secretary of the Air Force

  • Budget request provides for best Air Force possible, Welsh says

    The Air Force's $114.1 billion fiscal 2014 budget request will provide for the most capable airpower arm possible, the Air Force chief of staff said here today.Testifying with Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley, Gen. Mark A. Welsh III told the House Armed Services Committee his service's

  • 38 Airmen selected for physician assistant program

    More than three dozen Airmen, including one U.S. Air Force Academy cadet, have been selected for the Interservice Physician Assistant Program, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced today.Out of 52 applicants, six officers (one an alternate), one U.S. Air Force Academy cadet and 31 enlisted

  • Dempsey lauds honorees at Military Child of the Year gala

    Compassion, faith and patriotism earned five youths, each representing a service branch, acclaim from senior leaders during the 5th Annual Military Child of the Year Awards Gala at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Pentagon City here April 12.Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of

  • AMC commander stresses importance of new tanker

    The commander of the Air Force's Air Mobility Command today stressed the high priority his service places on the KC-46A tanker aircraft program.Air Force Gen. Paul J. Selva discussed progress with the program and stressed its priority in a meeting with Defense Writers Group reporters.Air Force

  • 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

  • FY 14 budget: Sequester puts key Air Force objectives at risk

    Upon release of the Air Force Fiscal Year 2014 budget here April 10, the services' senior leaders said the shadow of sequestration in 2013 and on-going fiscal uncertainty will affect critical programs and objectives for years to come.While Air Force officials have scrambled to minimize impacts on

  • Air Force restarts tuition assistance

    The Air Force has officially restarted military tuition assistance, effective immediately. The service restarted the program as a result of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act of 2013, where Congress called for the MTA program to continue in the current fiscal year. As a

  • New resources promote fitness culture

    To help improve Total Force fitness levels, Air Force Personnel Center officials are fielding new fitness resources accessible online, in person or on DVD.These resources, including the Operational Fitness Program, Xtreme Wednesday Workouts, the Air Force Fitness DVDs and the Fitness on Request

  • DOD releases FY 14 defense budget proposal

    President Barack Obama today sent to Congress a proposed defense budget of $526.6 billion in discretionary budget authority to fund defense programs in the base budget for fiscal year (FY) 2014. The budget continues the department's commitment to good stewardship of taxpayer dollars by seeking

  • Operation 'Deep Freeze' wraps up for the season

    Following the arrival March 18 of SKIER 75 - the last LC-130 "Skibird" aircraft to depart the Operation Deep Freeze Joint Operating Area, the 2012-2013 ODF season completed another successful, yet challenging campaign.The Skibird's arrival at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam marks 55 years that

  • Air Force Reserve celebrates 65 years of historic service

    President Harry S. Truman signed legislation on April 14, 1948, establishing the modern-day Air Force Reserve. The new organization reaffirmed the "Citizen Airmen" concept that reaches back to the Army Air Service reservists of the First World War. This came seven months after Truman established the

  • KC-46 progress on track

    The top acquisition priority in the Air Force - acquiring a new aerial refueling capability - is proceeding "on track," Maj. Gen. John Thompson, the program executive officer for Tankers, said.Two years and several key milestones after the contract was awarded, a great deal of progress has been

  • Cyber Airman-development strategically critical to the nation

    Cyber Airman development became the focus of discussion at Cyber 1.3 in Colorado Springs April 8, as Chief Master Sgt. Linus Jordan, command chief, Air Force Space Command, addressed space and cyber industry leaders at the conference prior to official opening of the 29th National Space

  • Air Combat Command stands down units due to budget cuts

    Air Force officials will begin to stand down active-duty combat units starting April 9 to ensure the remaining units supporting worldwide operations can maintain sufficient readiness through the remainder of the fiscal year.The stand down is the result of cuts to Air Combat Command's operations and

  • AF officials select new fire chief

    The Air Force has a new top firefighter.Jim Podolske has been named chief of Fire Emergency Services, a division of the Air Force Civil Engineer Center's Readiness Directorate here. As the Air Force fire chief, Podolske will manage a force of more than 9,200 military and civilian firefighters as

  • Sexual assault awareness 'begins at top'

    To combat and put an end to sexual assault in the military, the Defense Department has designed programs to boost victim medical care, increase assault reporting and hold offenders accountable for their crimes, the director of the Pentagon's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office said here

  • TRICARE expands assistance to reduce tobacco use

    The Defense Department is committed to helping troops, their families and all beneficiaries of the TRICARE health care plan reduce their reliance on tobacco products, a TRICARE official said here today.During an interview with American Forces Press Service and the Pentagon Channel, Paul Fitzpatrick,

  • NBA team honors Milwaukee Airman

    The sign on the wall backstage at the BMO Harris Bradley Center, home to the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks, was explicit and unambiguous: "No hard soled shoes allowed on the court." Security staff and ushers lining the perimeter of the basketball court keep a close eye on anyone who got too close to the

  • Stressed parents get help with new program

    With April designated as Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Defense Department is highlighting its commitment to preventing child abuse and neglect among military families, especially through the Family Advocacy Program, and providing those who need it with counseling.The FAP focuses on strengthening

  • AF survey looks at community programs' effectiveness

    The 2013 Air Force Community Assessment Survey launched Mar. 5, and this time includes reservists, guardsmen and spouses. The assessment is designed to assist chaplains and people working in installation-level Airman and family readiness centers, family advocacy programs, health and wellness

  • Air Force Medical Service goes green and receives top energy award

    The Air Force Medical Service was awarded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Energy Star Partner of the Year award March 26, in Washington, D.C. for Air Force-wide efforts to reduce energy consumption in medical facilities by 10 percent, saving an estimated $3.3 million in taxpayer dollars.The

  • Voluntary separation programs continue through August

    Eligible officers and enlisted members have until Aug. 1 to submit their application for separation under the fiscal 2013 voluntary force management programs, Air Force officials reminded Airmen today.Announced in February, FY13 force management programs support the Air Force effort to reduce

  • Nuclear deterrence remains key STRATCOM mission, commander says

    Twenty-five years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, and with the United States and Russia committed to deep cuts in their already-reduced nuclear arsenals, some might be tempted to think U.S. Strategic Command's most important mission is fading into the history books.Maintaining a credible nuclear

  • AF announces Installation Excellence award recipient

    Air Force leaders announced the winners of the 2013 Air Force Installation Excellence awards and Special Recognition program March 27.Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., is the recipient of this year's award, with McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., receiving runner-up. "It is our distinct privilege to

  • Officials announce team bound for 2013 Warrior Games

    Fifty Air Force athletes are one step closer to gold after being chosen to represent the service at the 2013 Warrior Games.The Warrior Games is an Olympic-style competition open to all wounded, ill and injured military members and veterans. Each branch of service sends a team to represent their

  • A-10 fires its first laser-guided rocket

    The 40th Flight Test Squadron completed another first in February when an A-10 Thunderbolt II fired a guided rocket that impacted only inches away from its intended target.The 2.75 diameter, 35-pound, laser-guided rocket is known as the fixed-wing Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II. Before the

  • AF leader reaffirms commitment to Asia-Pacific partners

    Deputy Undersecretary of the Air Force, International Affairs, Heidi Grant, attended the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) 2013 at Langkawi Island, Malaysia, as part of ongoing efforts to build relationships in the Asia-Pacific region, March 24 through 28. The Deputy

  • CMSAF visits Aviano AB, tackles tough questions

    During his recent visit of Air Force bases in Europe, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody spent two days talking with Aviano Airmen, March 28 and 29, getting their viewpoints on some of the Air Force's biggest issues. In his second month since stepping into the service's highest

  • DOD works to ensure access for special needs families

    Defense Department officials are working to standardize a program designed to help service members get care for family members with chronic health issues or special needs who otherwise might face forgoing an assignment or having to cut short a deployment because of an inability to find such care.The

  • May, June boards consider medical officers for command

    Medical officers will be considered for command when five medical corps boards convene in May and June, Air Force Personnel Center officials said.Although the first board is not scheduled until mid- to late-May, commander or equivalent-endorsed statements of intent must arrive at AFPC by April 26,