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  • Air Force architects receive leadership excellence award

    The Air Force Enterprise Architecting Division was recognized for excellence in leadership and results during the EA 2010 Conference and Exhibition at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center here Sept 8.Air Force EA Division Chief Col. David Geuting accepted the 2010 Excellence in EA Award from

  • Nonprofit groups step up to help military families

    America's support of our troops and their families has been a welcome theme during this past decade of war. The stories of support are abundant, from top leaders encouraging Americans to salute troops to neighbors pitching in to help a deployed family.Some people have taken this support even a step

  • Pope senior NCO wins interservice chess tourney

    A senior NCO assigned to Pope Air Force Base recently defeated top chess players from each service to take home the top prize during the 2010 Interservice Chess Championship. Master Sgt. Dan Ranario, of the 3rd Aerial Port Squadron, will join the U.S.-led team participating in the 2010 NATO Chess

  • Airmen assist BLM during wild horse round-up

    Members of the 366th Operations Support Squadron and 266th Range Control Squadron recently supported the Bureau of Land Management during its emergency gathering of 198 wild horses after a wildfire charred the land the animals usually roam. To perform this rescue mission, BLM officials needed access

  • Chief scientist describes future technology

    "Humans today are still more capable than machines, but by 2030 that is absolutely not going to be the case anymore," said Dr. Werner Dahm, the Air Force Chief Scientist, in describing one of the conclusions he reached during the Air Force's first in-depth look at future technology in more than a

  • Academy firefighters win DOD awards

    Two Air Force Academy firefighters received Department of Defense awards during the Defense Fire and Emergency Services Annual Awards Banquet in Chicago Aug. 27.Senior Airman Jessica Morehouse was named the 2009 DOD military firefighter of the year, and Deputy Fire Chief Ken Helgerson received the

  • Air Force officials seek nominees for Ph.D. program

    Air Force officials are seeking to develop officers as strategic thinkers through a program that will allow them to obtain a doctorate in strategic studies.The Air Force Chief of Staff Ph.D. program will allow officers to attend a top-tier university to complete their doctorate in studies such as

  • AFNORTH EPLOs deploying for Hurricane Earl

    Officials from the Air Forces Northern National Emergency Preparedness Directorate are deploying emergency preparedness liaison officers to provide assistance to emergency relief forces as required as Hurricane Earl and Tropical Storm Fiona approach the U.S. coastline.The EPLOs, in concert with

  • Combat, hardship pays remain for troops serving in Iraq

    The change from Operation Iraqi Freedom to Operation New Dawn does not affect the pays and entitlements troops serving in Iraq receive, a Pentagon spokeswoman said Sept. 1.Servicemembers deployed to Iraq will still receive hostile fire/imminent danger pay, hardship-duty pay and incidental expenses.

  • Tricare Retired Reserve health coverage launches

    For the first time, members of the Retired Reserve who are not yet age 60, the so-called "gray area" retirees, can purchase Tricare health coverage for themselves and their eligible family members with the Sept. 1 launch of Tricare Retired Reserve. "This new program offers a health coverage

  • Six installations test consolidated food service operations

    Air Force Services Agency officials are slated to begin testing a re-engineering of Air Force food services this fall with a pilot program at six Air Force installations across the U.S. The pilot program, called the Food Transformation Initiative, will test a food delivery model aimed at improving

  • E-8C flies final OIF mission

    Airmen from the 7th Expeditionary Air Command and Control Squadron here flew their final mission in support Operation Iraqi Freedom Aug. 31 before the Department of Defense officially transitions to Operation New Dawn Sept. 1. The 7th EACCS has flown E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar

  • Joint aviation coordination cell established to aid Pakistan flood relief

    A number of Pakistan, U.S. and international organizations, both military and civilian, gathered at Pakistan Air Force Base Chaklala, Pakistan, Aug. 28 to form a joint aviation coordination cell aimed at streamlining air operations supporting Pakistan's flood relief efforts. After torrential rains

  • Airmen provide critical air battle management

    A team of 140 U.S. and coalition force Airmen make up the 71st Expeditionary Air Control Squadron here, providing command and control over the sky in Afghanistan and air defense of the Arabian Gulf. The 71st EACS, better known as "Pyramid Control," operates the 24-hour a day Battlespace Command and

  • Officials moving forward with cleanup at Tyndall

    Air Force officials announced plans to continue with environmental cleanup efforts in place at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. Terry Yonkers, the assistant secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Logistics, directed that the work move forward expeditiously and within the framework

  • Airmen 'lean' on AFSO21

    Senior leaders from the 37th Training Wing spent a day learning how to reduce waste, maximize resources and improve efficiencies by using the Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century program.AFSO21, a standardized approach for improving work processes and combat capabilities across the Air

  • Enlisted force development initiatives approved

    The Force Management and Development Council members approved an initiative that will change the way the Air Force grows the next generation of senior enlisted leaders. The initiative originated with the Enlisted Force Development Panel and will enable the enlisted force to move forward in

  • Senators weigh in on renewable energy at Nevada Forum

    Two senators addressed Nevada Forum attendees here Aug. 25 to laud the Air Force for its leadership in green initiatives and offer support in finding safe, compatible ways to continue renewable energy without impeding military training missions.During the second day of the three-day forum,

  • Air Force officials urge operations security vigilance

    Fraudsters continue to hijack accounts on social networking sites and spread malicious software, FBI officials said. One technique entices users to download an application or view a video that appears to be sent from users' "friends", giving the perception of being legitimate. Once the user responds

  • Airmen respond to Pakistan relief efforts

    Active duty and Reserve aircrews assigned to the 62nd and 446th airlift wings departed here Aug. 23 for Pakistan humanitarian relief operations.Officials said the U.S. has responded immediately and generously to Pakistan's call for assistance following the tragic and devastating floods that started

  • New York civic leader earns highest Air Force public service award

    The secretary of the Air Force awarded a public relations pioneer with the highest public service award given to a civilian here Aug. 24. Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley presented Chester Burger the Distinguished Public Service Award for his 15 years of volunteer service as an Air Force

  • Air Force officials announce changes to space functions

    Air Force officials announced the realignment of some Headquarters Air Force space functions Aug. 26, following the recent completion of a review of Headquarters Air Force space management and responsibilities, which was directed by Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley in December 2009. In a

  • 13th AF concludes Asia-Pacific civil engineering summit

    A 13th Air Force-hosted civil engineering subject-matter expert exchange that included officers from 14 Asia-Pacific countries concluded here Aug. 22.The exchange allowed mid-level officers from regional Asia-Pacific partner nations to exchange views related to civil engineering operations, to tour

  • Airmen help beautify New York landmark

    More than 30 Airmen helped clean up one of New York City's well-known military memorials as part of Air Force Week here Aug. 25.Despite rainy weather, Airmen from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst donned gloves and ponchos while they beautified the 11-acre Grand Army Plaza. This plaza is the opening

  • Space Logistics Group passes compliance inspection

    The Space Logistics Group, a subordinate unit of the Space and Missile Systems Center, received an overall grade of "in compliance with comments" on a compliance inspection conducted Aug. 16 through 23. This was the first time the group had undergone a CI.CIs are conducted to assess areas mandated

  • Direct communication between Airmen key to suicide prevention

    More than a decade in the making, the culture of the "wingman" approach to suicide prevention is still evolving as risk factors and causes of suicide are becoming more widely understood. The wingman concept should be very familiar to most Airmen. Suicide prevention training has been incorporated

  • Empire Challenge pulls worldwide resources for exercise

    Representatives from the Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine Corps, as well as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, Japan and many more partner nations, recently participated in the annual Empire Challenge 10 here and at locations worldwide simultaneously July 26 through Aug. 13. The

  • Air Force encourages employees to cash in on ideas

    Highlighting a new Department of Defense-led program designed to produce money-saving ideas that improve the way the DOD operates, Air Force Undersecretary and chief management officer Erin C. Conaton is encouraging civilian and military employees to share their ideas online at

  • Deployed aircrew brings relief to flood-torn Pakistan

    As Air Force operations in support of flood relief operations in Pakistan resumed, aircrew and support personnel from the 746th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia prepared to forward deploy to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, to ease the workload of the local

  • Air Force chief of staff thanks Airmen, families in accepting award

    The Air Force's highest ranking officer was awarded one of the Air Force Sergeants Association's top honors during the organization's Professional Airmen's Conference and International Convention here Aug. 18.In pre-taped remarks, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz accepted the 2009

  • Tyndall officials unveil 'green' fitness center

    Tyndall Air Force Base officials opened the first building in the Air Force expected to reach the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Platinum level here Aug. 20. The platinum level is the highest rating possible under the group's green building rating

  • Air Force family, strategic balance among top SecAF priorities

    At the Air Force Sergeant's Association Professional Airmen's Conference here Aug. 18, the Air Force secretary emphasized his commitment to Airmen and their families, and a focus on strategic balance to best support current and future operations.Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley addressed

  • Center seeks paperless Air Guard, Reserve records

    Employees at the Air Reserve Personnel Center in Denver are working to securely convert thousands of paper and microfiche personnel records to an electronic format for Air National guardsmen and Air Force Reserve Airmen. "These records represent reservists' careers from the moment they are gained to

  • Keeping social networks free-speech friendly

    So, you think Facebook, MySpace and Twitter are just for fun and games? Think again. Since Department of Defense officials authorized military personnel to use these sites, social networking has become serious business. With every new freedom comes new boundaries and more opportunities to get into

  • McConnell Airman helps save 8-year-old's life

    A McConnell Air Force Base Airman saved an 8-year-old girl from drowning recently while on a canoeing trip with his church at the Buffalo River in Arkansas. After spending the day navigating the river, Senior Airman Robert Fischer, a 22nd Civil Engineer Squadron pavements and equipment operator, and

  • 2011 retraining program in full swing

    Airmen have almost a month remaining to voluntarily retrain in Phase I of the 2011 NCO Retraining Program before the program's involuntary Phase II begins Sept. 20. Air Force officials identified 1,061 opportunities for Airmen to retrain out of their current career field under NCORP. Airmen can

  • Volunteer mentors support families of fallen

    The day Scott Warner saw Marines standing at his front door, his world came to a crashing halt.The servicemembers told Mr. Warner that his son, Marine Pvt. Heath Warner, had been killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq's Anbar province.Mr. Warner and his family, including his two younger sons, tried to

  • U.S. continues to rush relief to Pakistan

    As monsoon rains continue to fall on Pakistan, U.S. officials are sending aid as fast as the flood-stricken country can absorb it, a Defense Department official said here Aug. 18. U.N. officials estimate that some 20 million Pakistanis are affected, with about 1,500 dead, as the Indus River and its

  • Academy repeats as 'Best in the West'

    The Air Force Academy received "Best in the West" ranking for the fourth-straight year in U.S. News and World Report's 2011 Best Colleges rankings released Aug. 17.The Academy also earned second place in the nation for best undergraduate engineering specialties of aerospace, aeronatical and

  • CMSAF shares perspective about readiness, development, resiliency

    The Air Force's top NCO spoke at the Air Force Sergeants Association Professional Airmen's Conference Aug. 17, citing readiness, deliberate development and resiliency among Airmen and their families as his main focuses.Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy said statistics of 40,000 Airmen

  • General calls for network utility, security balance

    It's critical to find the right balance between the security and utility of an information technology network, the Air Force's chief information officer said here Aug. 13.Speaking at a Hanscom Representatives Association luncheon, Lt. Gen. William T. Lord described that balancing act as one of "yin

  • AMC officials approve funds for CAF initiatives across command

    More than 168 initiatives spread throughout 12 Air Mobility Command bases directly supporting Comprehensive Airman Fitness were approved for funding by command officials Aug. 11.Comprehensive Airman Fitness, or CAF, began July 1 at AMC. Officials said CAF is not a program, "but an approach to better

  • New integrated defense tool offers heightened security

    Airmen in the 23rd Security Forces Squadron recently hosted a team of specialists here who introduced base personnel to a new tool aimed at improving security at military installations around the world.The ForcePRO software, created by a civilian company, is designed to help security planners

  • 8,800 Air Force employees transition out of NSPS

    The first two waves of Air Force employees have successfully converted out of the National Security Personnel System, leaving less than 30,000 to make the transition.Approximately 8,800 employees were converted out of NSPS during phases I and II on July 4 and July 18. Phases III and IV are scheduled

  • Physician mentors Afghan doctors

    Maj. (Dr.) Robert Sarlay Jr. has become fond of a quote by T.E. Lawrence: "Better the Arab do it tolerably than you do it perfectly." Not that he considers himself a modern-day Lawrence of Arabia. Ordinarily, Dr. Sarlay is a man of less exotic tastes. When he's not practicing emergency medicine at

  • A year later, H1N1 flu and your summer travel plans

    Last summer, talk of the H1N1 flu virus dominated the news. It was described by World Health Organization officials as the first pandemic of the 21st century. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that between 7,880 and 16,460 H1N1-related deaths occurred between April 1 and Dec.

  • Emergency management: Not just 'chem training guys'

    A few weeks ago, Airmen from the 332nd Expeditionary Communication Squadron were digging trenches for cables and they unearthed a strange blue powder.Unsure of just what the powder was, they contacted the 332nd Civil Engineer Squadron emergency management section here, who responded, bringing a

  • Logistics system release transforms combat support

    A new age for Air Force logisticians began when a pilot version of the Expeditionary Combat Support System went live July 31 at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass. The Expeditionary Combat Support System will transform business processes, alter management and control systems, and affect personnel roles

  • Air Force Reserve officials designing new Force Generation Center

    Air Force Reserve planners are designing an organization that will serve as the single path to request and receive, as well as oversee and deliver, Air Force Reserve forces and capability. Called the Force Generation Center, the new unit is projected to begin initial operations in October and be up

  • Air Force Reserve officials streamline call-up process

    Air Force Reserve Command officials are proposing comprehensive changes to how reservists are managed and called to active duty based on lessons learned from nearly nine years of combat and surge operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.Collectively called "AFR 2012," this series of projects establishes a

  • 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

  • McKinley tells Guard enlisted force to prepare for prolonged overseas role

    The National Guard likely will continue to play a significant role in overseas contingency operations for the foreseeable future, the chief of the National Guard Bureau said here Aug. 8."Just like we have in Kosovo for 14 years and the Sinai (and) the Horn of Africa, I think the National Guard will

  • Leadership key to tackling suicide, Medal of Honor recipient tells guardsmen

    Leadership at all levels is the key to lowering the suicide rate among servicemembers, a Medal of Honor recipient told National Guard members here Aug 8. Retired Army Maj. Drew Dix received the Medal of Honor for his actions in Vietnam. Now, he has been talking with servicemembers about resiliency

  • TAP helps Airmen transition to civilian life

    Airmen planning to separate or retire are encouraged to participate in the Air Force transition assistance program to help them make informed decisions on life after active-duty service.Department of Defense officials partner with Department of Labor and Veterans Affairs officials to provide TAP

  • Air war architect reflects on Operation Desert Shield 20 years later

    The day retired Gen. Charles A. Horner received the call 20 years ago that eventually launched Operation Desert Shield he was flying his F-16 Fighting Falcon, engaged in an air-to-air training mission near the North Carolina coast with two F-15 Eagles from Langley Air Force Base, Va. General Horner,

  • Major learns to get back up after fall

    Waking up alone, face down and bleeding, on the sun-baked granite rock after falling face-first 50 feet from the top of a mountain is where U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet David Garay found himself June 2, 1997, only one day after his 19th birthday.Garay, now a major, lived through the fall and

  • Air Force Cycling Team rides across Iowa

    More than 160 men and women of the U.S. Air Force joined thousands of bicyclists for the 38th Des Moines Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, better known by the cyclists as RAGBRAI. The Air Force Cycling Team, or AFCT, under the leadership of Lt. Col. Joseph Robinson, donned their team

  • Joint Base MDL goes 'green' with automotive fuel

    Officials here held a ceremony at the base service station July 30 to launch the use of E85 fuel in all government vehicles that are designed for ethanol-based fuels.The fuel contains a higher percentage of ethanol than regular fuel, with a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent unleaded

  • Acquisition Improvement Plan recaptures excellence

    When the Air Force Secretary and Chief of Staff signed the Acquisition Improvement Plan in May 2009, they launched a significant effort to help the service recapture acquisition excellence."A key element of this plan was the revitalization of the (Air Force) acquisition workforce," said Lt. Gen.

  • Joint: The new 'buzz word' in family support

    National Guard officials are willing to help family members around the country, no matter which branch or component their servicemember belongs to, the Guard's top family programs official said Aug. 3."Families' needs are the same across the board, and we can't afford to work within just our own

  • Nonappropriated fund human resources issues addressed during conference

    Nearly 100 Air Force human resources professionals met here recently for the 2010 Nonappropriated Fund Human Resources worldwide conference.This was the first time the conference has been held since 2003, and it included topics on NAF employee recruiting, labor relations, retention methods and new

  • Teamwork provides relief

    More than 76 thousand pounds of food was carried aboard a C-17 Globemaster III Aug. 2 en route to the flood-ravaged areas of northwest Pakistan.Those 38 tons of halal meals, ready-to-eat meals that don't contain pork products, were only a small part of the 345 thousand meals that have been

  • Air Guard officials focus on equipment for domestic operations

    Hundreds of Air National Guard members are meeting here Aug. 2 through Aug. 6 to discuss and prioritize the Air National Guard's equipment requirements for future natural and manmade disasters.The Domestic Operations Equipment Requirements conference provides Air Guard leaders, subject matter

  • Air Force officials name 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year

    Air Force officials selected the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2010. An Air Force selection board at the Air Force Personnel Center here considered 36 nominees who represented major commands, direct reporting units, field operating agencies and the Air Staff. The board selected the 12 Airmen

  • Mullen: Family support vital to war effort

    Military readiness is directly tied to family readiness, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told National Guard family program volunteers here Aug. 2."This is our ninth year at war," Navy Adm. Mike Mullen said. "We continue at a level that has generated extraordinary results from the best

  • Undersecretary talks about Air Force's energy plan at White House forum

    Undersecretary of the Air Force Erin Conaton described the service's work on energy reduction and the search for renewable sources of energy during a White House forum July 27. At the White House Office of Energy and Climate-sponsored Clean Energy Forum, Ms. Conaton talked about the strategic,

  • CSAF: Legacy of Tuskegee Airmen lives on in today's Airmen

    The red jackets of the Tuskegee Airmen remain as distinctive today as the red tail markings on the aircraft they flew during World War II. And their legacy -- the influence they've had on Air Force operations, past and present -- leaves an even more indelible mark.This was the message from the Air

  • Knowledge operation managers lead the way

    Air Force senior leaders in the Knowledge Operations Management career field recently recognized KOM personnel at Wilford Hall Medical Center for their outstanding work in realigning information managers under one central office. Prior to 2008, the 59th Medical Wing KOMs were called information

  • Suicide solution involves leadership, Mullen says

    While no easy answers exist to a military suicide problem that has reached "crisis level," a big part of the solution is tied to leadership, according to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.Addressing the National Guard Family Program Volunteer Workshop Aug. 2 in New Orleans, Navy Adm. Mike

  • Kunsan Airmen participate in Invincible Spirit exercise

    Members of the 35th and 80th Fighter Squadrons here flew a total of 20 sorties July 25 through 28 in support of Exercise Invincible Spirit, the first in a planned series of South Korean and U.S. Forces Korea combined naval exercises.The exercise is in response to the unprovoked attack on, and

  • Global Strike Command director briefs upcoming logistics changes

    The Air Force Global Strike Command's director of installations, logistics and mission support visited here July 21 through 23 to discuss the base's transformation from the current logistical process to the Expeditionary Combat Support System.During her site visit, Ann Mitchell stressed the

  • Airman gives of himself to save son

    An Airman from Hurlburt Field, Fla., donated a portion of his liver to help save the life of a two-year-old boy.Senior Airman Mario Webb, a ground radio maintainer from the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron, acted as a living donor to give his son, Genghis, a liver transplant in April. Airman Webb and

  • DOD officials announce school year 2010/2011 child care fee policy

    Department of Defense officials announced July 30 the school year 2010/2011 child care fee policy. The policy will adjust fee ranges in child care programs across the services and will be implemented no later than Sept. 30. Changes will impact families who have children enrolled in DOD child

  • 509th Medical Group earns outstanding HSI rating

    Whiteman Air Force Base's 509th Medical Group earned the highest rating in seven years for the entire Air Force during a recent Health Services Inspection July 12-16. "We received an outstanding in the three areas and an outstanding overall which means we're doing an exceptional job in making sure

  • Chief McKinley visits Ramstein Airmen

    The 15th chief master sergeant of the Air Force visited here July 26 and shared his perspective as the service's former top enlisted member.Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney McKinley retired from active duty at the highest enlisted level in June 2009, but despite the transition to civilian

  • Improved physical training uniform sized for both sexes

    The new, improved physical training uniform, or IPTU, has seen many improvements from the current PTU and sizing also has improved for both sexes."We have received much feedback from the field," said Maj. Eric Habersberger, the deputy chief of the Air Force Uniform Office. "We have made a strong

  • Secretary of the Air Force visits RAF Lakenheath

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley visited the 48th Fighter Wing here July 22 to meet with wing leadership and speak with Airmen serving in England.Secretary Donley also had lunch with base Airmen."This is my first visit to the 48th Fighter Wing," Secretary Donley said. "With 30 percent of

  • "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" survey a must to let Airmen viewpoints be known

    "Your opinion matters" is the view of Air Force officials on the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" survey released July 7 to more than 98,000 randomly selected active-duty Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve members. Selected Airmen have received an e-mail with the survey from Westat, a

  • Trinidadian training concludes with counter-terrorism exercise

    A joint medical team concluded a week-long disaster planning and mass casualty response course alongside Trinidadian officials with a counter terrorism exercise here July 23.Since the training was funded by officials from the Counter-Terrorism Fellowship Program, the team of instructors with the

  • 502nd ABW breaks ground on new headquarters

    The 502nd ABW got a little closer to establishing itself July 14 here as Brig. Gen. Leonard Patrick, the 502nd ABW commander, was joined by various local and military officials in breaking ground for the wing's new headquarters.The 25,733-square-foot building will cost approximately $7.4 million and

  • Spouse jobs program to relaunch in October

    The Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts program will resume Oct. 25, but with some significant changes to the popular spouse employment program, a defense official announced today.Changes include a reduction in the amount of financial aid, a change in the population eligible to receive that

  • Air Force undersecretary testifies about efficiencies before House committee

    The Air Force undersecretary testified before the House Armed Services Committee July 22 about how Air Force officials are working with their Defense Department counterparts to control spending and transform business operations and create efficiencies.Also testifying were Elizabeth McGrath, the DOD

  • Deadline for voluntary separation pay applications draws near

    The extended application period for eligible officers to apply for voluntary separation pay at one and a half times the authorized separation pay rate comes to a close July 31.Officers eligible to apply for VSP include those in year groups 1998, 1999, 2002, 2003 and 2004, in the grades of major and

  • AETC inducts newest member into Order of the Sword

    More than 300 Airmen from across Air Education and Training Command gathered in a formal ceremony July 16 at the Gateway Club on Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, July 16, to induct Gen. Stephen R. Lorenz, the Air Education and Training Command commander, into the Order of the Sword. General Lorenz is

  • General outlines U.S. mission, challenges in Africa

    As U.S. Africa Command matures and strengthens ties with African nations, American interests on the continent become more stable, the command's top officer said July 20.Africom was established in October 2007 to "add value" to African nations by improving their military capacities and to help

  • Spouse jobs program to relaunch in October

    The Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts program will resume Oct. 25, but with some significant changes to the popular spouse employment program, a defense official announced July 20.Changes include a reduction in the amount of financial aid, a change in the population eligible to receive

  • Joint medical team prepares local officials during disaster training

    A joint team of medical instructors is working with local medical, government and emergency officials here July 19, to help them practice and coordinate their response efforts in the event of a disaster or mass casualty incident.The Defense Institute for Medical Operations team, composed of Air

  • Air Combat Command promotes CCAF degree

    Although having a Community College of the Air Force degree is important for all Airmen, Air Combat Command is encouraging its technical sergeants to achieve this educational goal. Currently, the command is seven points below the Air Force average of 42 percent, but the goal is to have 50 percent of

  • Asia-Pacific nations meet to discuss peace operations

    U.S. servicemembers will join representatives from other nations throughout the Asia-Pacific region in Singapore July 19 through 23 to discuss the use of air forces in support of peace operations.The talks are part of the 2010 Pacific Rim Airpower Symposium, co-hosted this year by Singapore and the

  • AF Personnel Center news service keeps Airmen informed

    An electronic news service featuring the latest Air Force manpower, personnel and services information is available to help Airmen make informed decisions about their careers.More than 15,000 members subscribe to the Manpower, Personnel and Services News Service.  However, Air Force leaders

  • Acquisition reform plays key role in Pentagon's cost savings

    Defense Department officials have the opportunity to save billions of taxpayer dollars through acquisitions reform, but only if they grow their workforce with the right federal workers in place to oversee contracts, a senior Pentagon official said July 15."There is a significant opportunity to save

  • Hiring authority expanded to certain cybersecurity jobs

    Air Force managers hiring civilian federal employees for certain cybersecurity positions have been authorized to use the streamlined Schedule A hiring authority to help expeditiously fill more than 680 positions.The Department of Defense grants the use of Schedule A in specific cases, including when

  • CMSAF visits Iraq, reflects on first year

    The Air Force's top enlisted leader landed here June 28 to spend three days visiting with Airmen and his Iraqi counterpart before departing June 30, which marked his one-year anniversary on the job.Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy came to the area to speak with Airmen and discuss his

  • Outreach 'essential' to suicide prevention, official says

    Preventing suicide among servicemembers and veterans calls for comprehensive education and communication, the director of the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury said here July 14.Testifying before the House Veterans Affairs Committee, Army Col. Robert