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  • Marine takes helm of Air Force wing at Eglin

    A Marine assumed command of the Air Force's 33rd Fighter Wing here recently while the commander attends a professional military education course.Marine Col. Arthur Tomassetti will lead the 33rd FW as he has been the vice commander of the joint unit of Airmen, Sailor and Marines who will train

  • 'Tricare University' offers benefit education

    If you are new to Tricare and eager to learn about your health care benefits or an old hand who wants to know the latest changes, Tricare University is the place to go.Tricare University offers free online courses 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year at www.tricare.mil/tricareu."The

  • Deadline approaches for 2010 scholarships

    The Feb. 17 deadline for students to apply for the 2010 Scholarships for Military Children Program is fast approaching. All students interested and eligible to apply are encouraged to gather their materials and submit their applications as soon as possible. One of the materials needed includes an

  • Reservists deployed to Homestead help improve airflow to Haiti

    Department of Defense officials transformed Homestead Air Reserve Base from an F-16 Fighting Falcon base into a hub supplies to the Haiti and as a reception point for repatriating evacuees.With a limited mobility infrastructure at Homestead ARB, the Air Force deployed 28 reservists from the 512th

  • Mapping tool aids in depot maintenance career advancement

    A career development tool initiated by an Air Force Materiel Command member here could be the driving force behind helping depot maintenance workers at AFMC's air logistics centers excel in their careers."I always felt we were lacking in our ability to help individuals plan their careers, and so

  • Photo essay: Fuels on a freezing day at Misawa

    Airmen with the fuels management flight of the 35th Logistics Readiness Squadron here ensures wing and transient aircraft receive fuel 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in any type of weather.View the slideshow.

  • E-4 commemorates 35 years on alert

    To say there have been a lot of changes in the past 35 years would be a bit of an understatement.To give a frame of reference, gas was roughly 50 cents a gallon, the Pittsburgh Steelers, who currently own six Super Bowl trophies, had yet to win their first, and the Cold War between the Soviet Union

  • Top enlisted Airman addresses key Cannon issues during visit

    The Air Force's top enlisted Airman visited here Jan. 20 and addressed issues that ranged from housing and deployments to how Cannon Air Force Base Airmen fit into the bigger Air Force picture.Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy told Airmen that top Air Force leaders are very aware of

  • 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 to begin recovery of GI Bill advance payments

    The Veterans Affairs Department is 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 first

  • Officials announce change to C-17 sustainment plan

    Air Force officials announced Jan. 21 they will establish an integrated C-17 Globemaster III Program Office and lead the product-support integration efforts at Warner-Robins Air Logistics Center at Robins Air Force Base, Ga. with support from the Boeing Company. Additionally specialists at the

  • SecAF unveils service's game plan in future security environment

    The Air Force's top civilian addressed Air, Space and Cyberspace Power in the 21st Century during his portion of the 38th Institute for Foreign Policy Analysis-Fletcher Conference on National Security Strategy and Policy Jan. 20, here. Air Force Secretary Michael Donley noted the service's challenge

  • POL flight starts what could be 'benchmark' process

    The 376th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron petroleum, oil and lubricants flight has just implemented a process for filtering fuel that Air Force leadership wants to make a "benchmark."This first in-the-area of responsibility pre-stage fuel filter system drew the attention of Maj. Gen.

  • General Corley inducted into Order of the Sword

    Approximately 500 members from across Air Combat Command gathered in Omaha, Neb., Jan. 13 to induct retired Gen. John D. W. Corley into ACC's Order of the Sword.General Corley became the fifth person to receive the honor, which is the highest the enlisted corps can bestow upon an officer."To be

  • Use caution when donating to relief efforts, expert says

    There's been an outpouring of goodwill and a desire to help victims in response to the devastation caused by the Jan. 12 earthquake in Haiti.But not all urgent appeals for aid being broadcast on radio and television, online and at social networking sites are legitimate, a consumer expert with the

  • New NSPS transition office announced

    The Department of Defense announced Jan. 21 the establishment of the National Security Personnel System Transition Office and the selection of John H. James Jr. as the director.Mr. James will report to the deputy under secretary of defense for civilian personnel policy and lead the NSPSTO in

  • 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

  • Air Force officials name Sijan award winners

    Air Force officials have recognized four Airmen with the service's 2009 Lance P. Sijan Air Force Leadership Award.The Sijan award annually recognizes Airmen who demonstrate outstanding leadership abilities.The senior officer category winner is Lt. Col. Roger A. Sherman, who is assigned to Peterson

  • AFNORTH Airmen assist with Haitian relief efforts

    Air operations experts at Air Forces Northern are assisting 12th Air Force and Air Forces Southern with humanitarian aid efforts following the Jan. 12 magnitude 7 earthquake that devastated Haiti.The 601st Air and Space Operations Center is supporting the 612th Combined Air and Space Operations

  • Air Forces Southern marks major milestones in Unified Response

    Airmen from Air Forces Southern successfully evacuated 1,521 people Jan. 18 from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, effectively doubling the cumulative evacuations of the previous five days from the earthquake-ravaged country. More than 1,200 of those evacuated were U.S. citizens."One of our mobility experts

  • Tricare dives into social media to engage beneficiaries

    Tricare officials are taking the plunge into social media to uncover what issues matter most to their beneficiaries around the world. Social media channels and networks like Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Flickr continue to transform how healthcare information, and information in general, is

  • Specially trained officers support Haitian relief efforts

    Responding to and supporting post-earthquake relief efforts in Haiti is expected to be the one of the most challenging humanitarian operations in the history of the National Security Preparedness directorate, according to Col. Michael Hare, NSEP director.Colonel Hare, who oversees Air Forces

  • Developmental opportunities in WMD for civilians/officers

    Officials are requesting nominations for a professional military education course in the study of weapons of mass destruction.The Center for the Study of Weapons of Mass Destruction at the National Defense University announced recently the call for nominations to the 2010 program for emerging

  • Reservists load supplies for Haiti relief

    When the call went out for volunteers to help with the Haitian relief effort at Homestead Air Reserve Base; a handful of Reserve aerial port specialist raised their hands. Aerial port specialists are responsible for all management and movement of cargo and passengers transported in the military

  • Local FEMA team heads to Haiti to aid humanitarian mission

    Members of the Federal Emergency Management Agency departed for Haiti Jan. 15, aboard two C-17 Globmaster IIIs to join the search for survivors from last week's destructive earthquake."Everyone is excited to get down there," said Michael Barakey, a search and rescue team member. "We want to help; we

  • Travis AFB medics set to deploy to Haiti

    Fifty-eight medical staff assigned to the 60th Medical Group are set to provide medical and humanitarian relief to the earthquake ravaged nation of Haiti.Personnel from the David Grant USAF Medical Center are bringing a 10-bed, completely portable "hospital in a box" known as an expeditionary

  • Military, civilian leaders assess, plan relief ops

    Base leaders met with civilian representatives Jan. 17 to assess current operations and plan for further support in response to the 7.0-magnitude earthquake in Haiti Jan. 12.The tri-service installation has been a departure point for military personnel providing in-country support and transport of

  • McChord Airmen fly Haiti relief missions

    Airmen launched two McChord C-17 Globemaster III aircraft early Sunday in support of mounting relief efforts in Haiti, flying one aircraft to Langley AFB, Va., and the other to Pope AFB, N.C.  From there, aircrews were to transport specialized teams and relief supplies into Haiti's Toussaint L'

  • Air mobility: connecting missions, hearts and lives for Haiti

    At approximately 6 p.m. Jan. 14, a Charleston AFB C-17 and crew departed on the base's first mission to bring the humanitarian relief to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, which was struck Jan. 12 by a devastating 7.0-magnitude earthquake.Charleston AFB began launching relief aircraft to augment the overall

  • Ohio Task Force One ready to depart for Haiti from WPAFB

    An 80-member urban search and rescue team is packed and ready to go here, in case their unit will be the next to fly into earthquake-ravaged Haiti.Ohio Task Force One is composed of volunteer members from throughout Ohio and northern Kentucky, highly trained people anxious to provide search and

  • Airmen deliver urban search, rescue team to Haiti

    Airmen aboard a C-17 Globemaster III from Travis Air Force Base, Calif., arrived in Haiti Jan. 14 with urban search and rescue teams for humanitarian relief efforts following the 7.0 earthquake that ravaged the island nation. On their way to Haiti, the aircrew stopped at March Air Reserve Base,

  • VA, DOD officials expand ranks of federal recovery coordinators

    Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced the hiring of five new federal recovery coordinators, bringing to 20 the number of professionals coordinating care for the most seriously injured servicemembers."Our federal recovery coordinators are key members of a team of health care

  • Air Force special forces rescue seven in Haiti relief efforts

    Air Force special force operators in Haiti have rescued seven survivors of the massive Jan. 12 earthquake that continues to wreak havoc on the country in its wake, according to Air Force officials.News of the rescues represents a small victory in the face of what some have described as one of the

  • AMC officials sign energy savings contract for McGuire

    An energy savings performance contract was signed by Air Mobility Command officials Dec. 23 at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.The contract implements four energy saving projects at JB McGuire: heat plant decentralization, upgraded high-efficiency lighting, chiller plant improvements and

  • Select bases to implement new civilian application procedure

    As early as mid-February, the rollout of a civilian hiring test initiative will require current Air Force civilian employees to follow new procedures when applying for jobs at select bases. Air Force civilians who want to apply for jobs at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas; Osan Air Base, Korea; or

  • Iraqi air force graduates 247 cadets

    More than 240 cadets graduated from the Iraqi air force officer course basic military training course Jan. 10, here.In the two-month course, the 247 graduates at Iraqi Military Academy-Rustamiyah were educated in professionalism, teamwork, management and the leadership skills required to be an

  • Airmen transition into new fitness program

    As Airmen begin transitioning into the new testing cycle in January, officials worked to publish the new Air Force instruction to the Air Force Publications Web site Jan. 12, with an effective date of July 1.Air Force officials unveiled the new fitness program in August while still completing a

  • Academy chosen among nation's top 100 best-value colleges

    The U.S. Air Force Academy was named as one of the nation's top 100 best-value colleges for 2010 by The Princeton Review Jan. 12.The Best Values College List features 50 public and 50 private colleges, and The Princeton Review selected these institutions as its "best value" choices for 2010 based on

  • Airmen make a difference one gallon at a time

    Pumping more than 188 million gallons of fuel to more than 9,500 aircraft would take a while, and probably would be one long line for the fuel pump. Airmen of the 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels management flight here distributed that much fuel in 2009 for aircraft in the

  • Officials urge collaboration in suicide prevention

    There are no clear-cut answers to suicide prevention, but through collaboration and team work from federal and private institutions, the nation can better address the challenge, Defense and Veterans Affairs department officials said today.In a joint Defense-VA conference, titled "Building Strong and

  • Joint basing at Charleston moves forward with activation of 628th ABW

    Eighteenth Air Force officials activated the 628th Air Base Wing during an assumption-of-command ceremony Jan. 8 at Charleston AFB.The activation of the 628th ABW is the latest step toward the stand up of Joint Base Charleston Jan. 31. The joint base stand up in late January will begin the next

  • Podcast Series Addresses Post-deployment Challenges

    Servicemembers and their families can get help coping with post-deployment stress through a new series of podcasts profiling the personal stories of those who have lived it. "Combat brings individuals face-to-face with the harshest demands imaginable. In fact, it's impossible to be unaffected by

  • Chairman calls strategy year's greatest challenge

    Executing the president's strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan presents his biggest challenge, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told a CNN reporter Jan. 10. However, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen said he sees progress being made in both countries. "In December, we recruited to an exceptionally

  • Mobility commander visits Georgia, Florida wings

    The commander of Air Mobility Command visited the 165th Airlift Wing, the 6th Air Mobility Wing and the 927th Air Refueling Wing to continue his efforts to view the air mobility mission "through the eyes of the Airmen."Gen. Raymond E. Johns Jr., who took the seat as AMC commander in late November,

  • Wings of Blue cadets jump into Rose Bowl

    The U.S. Air Force Academy's Wings of Blue, the Air Force parachute demonstration team, jumped into the Rose Bowl as part of pregame activities during the Citi Bowl Championship Series National Championship Game, Jan. 7 in Pasadena, Calif.Wings of Blue members dropped into the stadium of 93,000

  • Air Force officer becomes namesake for prestigious award

    The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy recently named an award after an Air Force officer who commanded the 732nd Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron and provided leadership for the first Air Force detachments conducting convoy escort missions at Joint Base Balad, Iraq.Established in 2009, the Lt.

  • Airman earns Male Athlete of the Year title

    Becoming the Air Force Male Athlete of the Year is no easy feat.  It takes a lot of determination and dedication to achieve this status. This year's Air Force male athlete of the year is Capt. Ian Holt, a squadron command post missile combat crew commander for the 319th Missile Squadron.Captain Holt

  • American servicemembers bridge gap between Afghan provinces, relationships

    Afghan nationals and coalition forces gathered at the Arghandab District Center prior to an opening ceremony of a symbolic bridge Dec. 26, in the Zabul province.  Village elders from the surrounding area were dressed in their traditional garments and sat with their shoes lining the outer edge of the

  • California governor boosts support to combat vets

    California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has announced a new state initiative to better help returning combat veterans land jobs and get whatever assistance they need to secure housing, health care and other veterans' services. The governor unveiled the Operation Welcome Home outreach campaign during

  • Minot residents weather blizzard, continue mission

    Many Minot Air Force Base members were snowbound indoors due to 25.7 inches of snow, but the mission continued.Because many missile combat crew members and security forces were delayed in the field for about a day, 91st Missile Wing officials adjusted many schedules once the snow stopped falling and

  • Gen. Lew Allen dies

    Gen. Lew Allen Jr., the 10th chief of staff of the Air Force, passed away Jan. 4 in Potomac Falls, Va. Funeral arrangements have not yet been made but burial will be in Arlington Cemetery."General Allen was a visionary leader for our Air Force, a devoted husband and father, and a respected

  • Air Force officials activate newest expeditionary unit

    The Air Force's newest expeditionary unit, the 586th Expeditionary Support Squadron, was activated in a special ceremony Jan. 2 at an air base in Southwest Asia.Col. John Williams, 586th Air Expeditionary Group commander, passed command of the newly formed support unit to Maj. Gregory

  • Program helps servicemembers transition to civilian life

    The Department of Defense's Transition Assistance Program is working to prepare servicemembers and their families for a successful transition to civilian life. "We are trying to ensure that (servicemembers) transition from active duty back to the civilian community is a smooth and seamless one," Ron

  • Bastion Airmen have small paw print, large mission

    A team of Airmen handles thousands of passengers, pallets and vehicles flying into Camp Bastion, Afghanistan.The 'Port Dawgs,' as they liked to be called, proudly proclaim that they move as much cargo here as their unit does back home.But they have approximately 15 people instead of 200 handling the

  • Lynn says fight against IEDs remains priority

    Defeating the terrorists' weapon of choice is and will remain a priority for the Defense Department, Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III said here Dec. 30.Mr. Lynn spoke during a Pentagon ceremony where Army Lt. Gen. Thomas Metz stepped down as director of the Joint Improvised Explosive

  • Tyndall Airman named Female Athlete of the Year

    When she was just 5 years old, she was already learning to hit softballs in her family's Fort Lauderdale, Fla., backyard. The balls were pitched patiently, one after the other, by an encouraging father who saw something special in his little girl's extraordinary ability to connect a bat with a ball.

  • New Iraqi recruits get a leg up

    More than 330 Iraqi air force recruits marched in a parade before beginning their initial basic military course Dec. 28, at Camp Taji, Iraq.Normally recruits attend the 12-week BMT course at the Iraqi Army Regional Training Center prior to reporting to the air force training school on Camp Taji for

  • Think about family members if considering suicide

    Thirty years ago today, Dec. 29, my father forever changed my life, as well as the lives of his other family members. He took a shotgun and shot himself in the head. His death certificate reads, "Self-inflicted gunshot wound."I can't tell you how many times I've heard people joke about something

  • Tricare officials expanded benefits and customer service in 2009

    The past year has been a busy one for Tricare officials with the introduction of a new Web-based counseling program and major enhancements to several other Tricare benefits.Introduced Aug. 1, the Tricare Assistance Program uses today's constantly evolving Web-based technologies to bring short-term

  • Secretary of the Air Force spends Christmas with Airmen in Korea

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley visited South Korea Dec. 24 and 25, meeting with Airmen at Osan Air Base and Kunsan Air Base for the first time since being appointed to the position. Secretary Donley said the Christmas Day stop at Osan was his first since 1991. "Osan is much more built up

  • Air Force senior leaders pay holiday visit to Global Strike Command Airmen

    The Air Force's top uniformed officer and top enlisted leader each visited Air Force Global Strike Command wings for Christmas, spending the holiday with Airmen charged with the nuclear strategic deterrence mission and global strike operations.Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz visited

  • Who's calling?

    Not many people can say they received a phone call from the president of the United States on Christmas Eve. Tech. Sgt. Donald Pedro, an 821st Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron fuels advisor, was honored to receive a phone call from his commander in chief, Barack Obama, to wish him a merry

  • USO offers respite from traveling frenzy

    As the rest of Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport bustled with holiday travelers Dec. 23, its USO Lounge offered military travelers -- many returning home from overseas deployments -- a welcome sanctuary of solace. The lounge is conveniently positioned near the

  • Tricare program for gray-area reservists on its way

    A new program will offer "gray-area" reservists the opportunity to purchase Tricare health care coverage.While qualified members of the Selected Reserve may purchase premium-based coverage under Tricare Reserve Select (TRS), retired National Guard and Reserve personnel did not have Tricare health

  • Woman's choice to drink, drive crushes captain's dream of flying

    Capt. Alan Yee had just finished pilot training and was out with friends celebrating. He and his friends realized they had one too many drinks to drive, and called a cab. As they were travelling down a 50 mph road, a truck slammed into their cab. Moments later, one friend in the cab was ejected out

  • Officials seek 10 enlisted for AFIT degree program

    Air Force Institute of Technology officials are offering 10 NCOs the opportunity to pursue an advanced science, engineering or management degree at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, and nominations are due to the Air Force Personnel Center here by Jan. 29, 2010. Ten NCOs from around the Air

  • New program helps Tricare beneficiaries battle lung diseases

    Even after quitting, smoking can lead to serious health problems including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, but Tricare officials are committed to helping beneficiaries quit smoking and stay smoke-free.Smoking is the leading cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and exposure to

  • Air Force facility energy program celebrates successes, plans for future

    Do motion detectors control the lights in your building? Does the air conditioner seem to work better these days? Perhaps you can now look out the window and see a large wind turbine generating power for your base. In 2009, the Air Force reduced the amount of energy used per square foot (i.e.,

  • Fairchild officials host Single Airmen's Summit

    Fairchild Air Force Base officials recently commenced the Air Force's Single Airmen's Summit to address issues single Airmen. Issues were discussed in focus groups about community, safety, leisure, family, base support systems, personal growth and work and relationship concerns. These focus groups

  • Airmen create partnerships in multinational exercise

    More than 300 Airmen partnered with colleagues from five other countries for an exercise held in Southwest Asia that concluded in mid-December.The event began in November and simulated a "large force employment," and gave participating nations a chance to develop solutions to potential issues that

  • Hurricane Hunters fly first winter storm

    Members of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron here have been tasked by National Weather Service officials to fly their first winter storm of the season on the East Coast starting Dec. 25.The Air Force Reserve's 53rd WRS "Hurricane Hunters," assigned to the 403rd Wing here, normally collect

  • Good things come in small packages

    Imagine driving home from the base exchange with your spouse and child. It's Christmastime -- the first away from the rest of your family -- and the thought pops into your mind, "What can I do for others who are away from their families as well?"It was at this moment that Project Rudolph was born,

  • Tricare program for 'gray area' reservists coming

    A new program will offer "gray area" reservists the opportunity to purchase Tricare health care coverage.While qualified members of the Selected Reserve may purchase premium-based coverage under Tricare Reserve Select, or TRS, retired National Guard and Reserve personnel did not have Tricare health

  • 11 Air Force agencies to colocate

    Upon completion of an estimated $65 million renovation, a building here will house more than 2,800 workers from 11 Air Force agencies. Various agencies including the Air Force Real Property Agency, the Air Force Medical Operations Agency, the Air Force Center for Engineering, and the Environment and

  • Opportunities available in financial management

    Air Force line officers interested in applying for the Financial Management Leadership Program must submit their nominations to the Air Force Personnel Center by Jan. 5.The four-year program specializes in Air Force leadership development by providing an opportunity for line officers outside the 65F

  • Armed forces 'strong, healthy, ready,' survey says

    Members of the armed forces are strong, healthy and ready to accomplish their mission, a survey of their health-related behaviors has revealed. Defense Department officials Dec. 16 announced the final results of 2008's survey of health-related behaviors among active-duty military personnel.

  • Roger that: What the Air Force life means to me

    When Chief Master Sgt. Malcolm McVicar answered the question, "What does the Air Force life mean to me," on www.MyAirForceLife.com, he answered, "The Air Force family is the family that grows each day as you meet new Airmen. Like a traditional family, they are always there when you need them the

  • AFRCC Airmen aid in Arizona search for 55 stranded people

    Airmen at the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center aided local and state first responders while searching for several missing individuals who were stranded near Flagstaff, Ariz.. Last week's winter storm dumped several inches of snow, trapping 55 individuals who were hunting or looking for the

  • Officials seek feedback on family programs

    Defense officials have launched virtual "listening sessions" in hopes of gaining more insight into the effectiveness of military family programs, a Pentagon official said Dec. 15. The anonymous, online survey solicits feedback from servicemembers and their families on the military's educational

  • Refueling is lifeline of U.S., NATO air operations

    Thirty Royal Danish air force F-16 Fighting Falcons took to the sky over their homeland Dec. 8 to rendezvous with a Royal Air Force Mildenhall-based KC-135 Stratotanker and perform semi-annual aerial refueling training. The mission fortified both operational readiness and mutual trust between the

  • President promises conditions-based Afghanistan transition

    Any changes in U.S. troop strength in Afghanistan when security responsibility starts to transfer to the Afghans in July 2011 will be considered in light of the situation on the ground at that time, President Barack Obama said Dec. 10 in Oslo, Norway. With Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg

  • 2010 Thrift Savings Plan contributions remain at 2009 limits

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

  • USO officials honor 5 Air Force Medal of Honor recipients

    Officials of the Metropolitan New York USO held their 48th Annual Armed Forces Gala and Gold Medal Dinner and honored the only five living Air Force Medal of Honor recipients Dec. 9 in New York City. The USO's Distinguished Service Award was presented to Col. Bernard F. Fisher, Col. James P.

  • Langley officials take first step toward Joint Base Langley-Eustis

    Officials from the 1st Fighter Wing here will release two of its four groups to the soon-to-be-established 633rd Air Base Wing Jan. 7; the first step toward the congressionally directed Joint Base Langley-Eustis that begins initial operational capability next month.The purpose of the 633rd ABW is to

  • Secretary Gates to discuss progress, drawdown in Baghdad

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates arrived here Dec. 10 to meet with Iraqi and U.S. military leaders about continuing progress toward building Iraqi security forces and drawing down the U.S. force presence here to 50,000 by late August. The visit, Secretary Gates' first since July, comes as the

  • Promotion to E-8 to require resident Senior NCO Academy

    Completion of the resident Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy or a sister service equivalent becomes a requirement for promotion to senior master sergeant effective Jan. 1, Air Force officials announced Dec. 9 as part of a policy change.The change in the professional military education

  • Joint Chiefs chairman: Al-Qaida remains dangerous

    Al-Qaida remains a danger, and the area along the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan is the epicenter of global Islamic extremism, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said at the Foreign Press Center here Dec. 8. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen reiterated to foreign journalists that he fully concurs

  • Air Force officials announce OTS selection board results

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

  • DOD officials host disability awards ceremony, forum

    Defense Department officials highlighted the Pentagon's programs for people with disabilities Dec. 8 and recognized accomplishments of employees with disabilities. Clarence Johnson, acting deputy undersecretary of defense for plans, served as host for the department's disability awards ceremony and

  • Hickam officials pay tribute to Airmen's storied legacy

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

  • Barksdale officials host Charter Chief golden anniversary

    Officials from the 2nd Bomb Wing here hosted a golden anniversary celebration to honor Air Force pioneers Dec. 1.Exactly 50 years ago on Dec. 1, 1959, 625 Airmen were promoted and pinned as the first-ever chief master sergeants. Called the Charter Chiefs, these Airmen secured their place in history

  • Kandahar Airmen focus on safety

    Members of the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing Safety Office here work around the clock to keep safety hazards to a minimum.There are three disciplines: weapons, ground and flight safety, and members of each discipline conduct inspections, program evaluations and mishap investigations. They also

  • Base retiree activities offices worldwide need volunteers

    Retiree activities office members currently need volunteers at 109 offices at active-duty, Reserve and Guard bases around the world. "All of the retiree activities offices are suffering for a new group of people to volunteer because the core of (current volunteers) are getting sick, getting older

  • Air Force chaplains reflect on milestones, emphasize warrior care

    More than 100 chaplains and chaplain assistants from throughout the Air Force attended the Chaplain Corps Summit here recently, in part to celebrate 60th anniversary of the Air Force Chaplain Corps and the 100th anniversary of the chaplain assistant career field.The summit began with an interfaith

  • Senate confirms new AFMC vice commander

    The Senate confirmed Dec. 4 Lt. Gen. Janet C. Wolfenbarger and promoted her immediately to the rank of lieutenant general with assignment to the position of Air Force Materiel Command vice commander. General Wolfenbarger was previously the director of intelligence and requirements at Headquarters

  • HIV/AIDS vaccine has promising results

    Through combined military research programs and medical cooperation, the Defense Department has been able to accomplish incredible promise in a future vaccine development for HIV and AIDS, a senior official in that effort said Dec. 3. "The U.S. Army has sponsored a vaccine program which has now, for