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  • 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

  • Reductions won't affect most TRICARE Prime beneficiaries

    Despite upcoming service area reductions, TRICARE Prime will remain a health care option for 97 percent of the more than 5 million beneficiaries eligible for the health care plan, Military Health System officials said.The 3 percent difference, which comprises about 171,000 beneficiaries who mostly

  • 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

  • Alaska trooper gains, gives at Air Force NCO academy

     Tech. Sgt. Brian Zeisel with the Alaska Air National Guard is modest about the recognition he gets from leading his Alaska State Trooper K9, "Argo," through some dangerous law enforcement dispatches.As a full time State Trooper with more than 10 years' service, thousands see Zeisel's patrols in

  • Military children express sacrifices through art, writing

    Life through the eyes of military children through their paintings, drawings and writings was on public display at the Education Department here today to celebrate the Month of the Military Child.Since 1983, the Defense Department has officially recognized military children for the support they

  • Guard rescue center completes 5,000th mission

    Members of the Alaska (11th Air Force) Rescue Coordination Center on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, completed their 5,000th mission (since July 1, 1994) March 27. During the 5,000th mission, the team coordinated the Alaska Air National Guard's successful recovery of a pilot who crashed a

  • 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

  • Sexual assault has No place in DOD, official says

    Sexual assault has no place in the Defense Department, a senior Pentagon official said April 2 here, calling on the workforce to be part of the solution.In a keynote address kicking off Aberdeen Proving Ground's observance of National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, acting

  • Andrews communications Airmen have global mission

    He'll be the first to admit that his job is far from easy. Maintaining highly complex, state-of-the-art cyber systems operations equipment is something Senior Airman Joseph Cline finds amazingly difficult, but one that he says has global implications.Cline is a member of the 89th Communications

  • 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

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: An immigrant's climb to the top

    For decades, America has been known around the world as a place of opportunity, a reputation that has drawn people from all corners of the world to inhabit there. It's this reputation that motivated a husband and wife to leave a former communist nation of Yugoslavia with their two boys in tow in

  • 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,

  • Airman, wife make a difference

    When this Airman dons his uniform, he flies a C-17 Globemaster III on missions transporting supplies and Airmen to where duty calls. But when he takes his uniform off, he still finds ways to make a difference in the world. First Lt. Joey Brewer, 16th Airlift Squadron pilot, and his wife, Tori,

  • Space mission continues despite restructure

    Critical Air Force missions continue from their current locations after today's restructure of Air Force Space Command's Space Innovation and Development Center at Schriever AFB, Colo.The SIDC restructure and realignment of subordinate organizations is part of the Air Force response to meet future

  • U.S. seeks 'peace and stability' on Korean Peninsula

    The U.S. will continue to conduct military exercises such as Foal Eagle 2013 with South Korea as part of its commitment to that nation and its desire to maintain peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the region, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said April 1.Speaking to reporters,

  • AF scientist earns DOD's top civilian award

    Dr. Boris Tomasic from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Air Force Materiel Command at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base was named a recipient of the 57th annual Department of Defense Distinguished Civilian Service Award.The highest honor given by the Secretary of Defense to career civilian

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Airman, Vietnam POW looks back

    (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.) Forty years have passed since the United States ended its involvement in the Vietnam War, and 40 years have passed since many of its sons who engaged in

  • PACAF, Japan Airmen conduct ISR exchange

    Pacific Air Forces' Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) Airmen visited their Japanese counterparts at Naha and Kadena Air Base, Japan March 11 to 13 to find new ways to enhance ISR bilateral cooperation between the U.S. Air Force and the Koku-jieitai, or Japan Air Self Defense Force.

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Deployed Airman draws inspiration from desert canvas

    (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.) Some might see the desert as brown, dusty and generally void of life. But while they may fail to see much color in the desert skyline, one maintenance

  • AFR/ANG announces 2013 teen leadership summits

    The Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard officials announced the 2013 AFR/ANG Teen Leadership Summit locations. This year's summits will be held in Dahlonega, Ga., and Estes Park, Colo. The teen summits combine high-adventure activities with leadership classes to allow teens to tap into their

  • Air Force wounded warriors attend adaptive sports camp

    More than 50 wounded, ill or injured Airmen from the Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Patient Squadron participated in a two-day adaptive sports camp here March 21-22.The camp was provided by the Air Force Wounded Warrior Adaptive Sports Program, which introduces wounded, injured and ill Airmen to

  • 'Geek Squad' saves AF millions

    As budget cuts affect the quality of life in the Air Force, military personnel are adapting to changes from the government's financial trouble.A group of Airmen from the 20th Maintenance Group Air Force Repair Enhancement Program, or also known as the "base geek squad," are doing their part to bring

  • First woman to lead air campaign

    In early 2011, the world watched in horror as the aging dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi turned his weapons against his own people in what became a bloody civil war in the North African state of Libya. Soon, the Libyan army was bearing down on Benghazi, the second largest city in the country, threatening

  • Medic shows courage after rocket attack

    Three weeks after arriving to her deployed location in Afghanistan, insurgents showered then-Tech. Sgt. Angela Blue's base with 80-millimeter mortars, rocket-propelled grenades and machine gun fire.During the attack, she received a radio request to report to the Afghan National Army side of the

  • SecDef says furlough days reduced for civilians

    The Defense Department has revised from 22 to 14 the number of days hundreds of thousands of civilian employees could be furloughed this year because of the budget sequester, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced today.In addition, a senior Defense Department official speaking on background told

  • Airman helps others any place, anytime

    (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.) Senior Master Sgt. Marvin D. Compton is no stranger to life-saving events. For the second time in seven years, Compton was at the right place at the

  • Joint Task Force builds skills, ties with RAF at unique exercise

    Units deploying to U.S. Transportation Command's Eagle Flag exercise here can expect to encounter austere field conditions, heated interaction with role players acting as difficult locals, and lots and lots of cargo. But when air mobility specialists from the British Royal air force arrived to

  • TSA expedites airport screening for wounded warriors

    The Transportation Security Administration now offers expedited airport screening to severely injured members of the armed forces.In addition to offering curb-to-gate service, TSA now allows wounded warriors to move through security checkpoints without having to remove shoes, light outerwear jackets

  • Seasoned diplomat gives tips about public affairs missions overseas

    Ambassador Ronald E. Neumann, president of the American Academy of Diplomacy, spoke to 120 faculty, staff and students on Monday at the Defense Information School.A combat-seasoned diplomat and a former U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan, Neumann spoke about the characteristics of an effective public

  • AF to implement force structure changes

    The Air Force released its plan Mar. 28 to implement force structure changes mandated by the Fiscal Year 2013 National Defense Authorization Act. The bill authorized the service to complete actions approved in previous years, such as aircraft retirements, and directed execution of

  • Transit Center introduces Kyrgyz military to aeromedical evacuations

    Transit Center at Manas medical professionals meet weekly with their counterparts in the Kyrgyz military for the purpose of exchanging information on processes and sharing common terminology. At the request of the Kyrgyz Republic, the most recent military exchange introduced several Kyrgyz military

  • From the Ground Up: Climbing to the Top of the World

    Six continents. Seven years. More than 100,000 feet climbed and next month, the USAF 7 Summits Challenge team is setting out to climb to the top of the world. At 29,035 ft., Mount Everest is the highest peak on Earth. If successful, six Airmen will become the first American military team to reach

  • Cyber Vision 2025: AF missions at risk in cyberspace

    A recently released year-long study on cyberspace highlighted that missions are at risk from "malicious insiders, insecure supply chains and increasingly sophisticated adversaries as well as growing systems interdependencies."The study, led by Air Force Chief Scientist Dr. Mark T. Maybury, combined

  • Blue Horizons: War College students look at 2035

    Each spring, a select group of Air War College students meet for BOGSAT sessions and collaborate in "murder boards" to help Air Force leaders make decisions on how the service will adapt to technological changes in the next quarter of a century. For the past five years, Blue Horizons has

  • Officials uphold commitment to suicide prevention solutions

     A panel of Defense Department and service officials told Congress March 21, their efforts to address military suicides will persist.Representing the Air Force, Lt. Gen. Darrell D. Jones, the deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel and services, spoke to the actions the Air Force is taking to

  • Pacific Air Forces commander thanks Airmen as Cope Tiger 13 concludes

    The commander of Pacific Air Forces met with Airmen from the U.S., Thailand and Republic of Singapore as they joined forces one last time on the flight line during the closing ceremony for Cope Tiger 13 here March 21. "I want to personally thank you for all that you've done. What you've accomplished

  • 17th CMSAF visits Ramstein AB

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Cody visited with Airmen here March 26 to share his vision of the Air Force.The 17th chief master sergeant of the Air Force visited leaders from numerous organizations here and coined 10 Airmen from different career fields for various achievements.Service

  • Air Force's top enlisted leader visits Spangdahlem AB

    The Air Force's top enlisted leader visited here March 25-26. As part of the tour, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Cody met with leaders of Spangdahlem Air Base's private organizations, held an Airmen's call and took briefings about fighter wing operations.First, he had lunch with the

  • MilPDS upgrade complete

    The Air Force has successfully upgraded and transferred the Military Personnel Data System to the Defense Information Systems Agency Defense Enterprise Computing Center, Air Force Personnel Center officials said March 25."We're pleased that the MilPDS upgrade took less time than anticipated, and we

  • Boots Blesse flies west

     An Air Force legend was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery March 22, officially "flying west."Retired Maj. Gen. Frederick "Boots" Blesse, a double ace pilot, passed away Oct. 31, 2012. He retired from the Air Force April 1, 1975, and into his final days, the Air Force was a consistent part

  • Moon landing jump starts general's own space legacy

    When Neil Armstrong made history with man's first footsteps on the moon, Susan Helms needed a little nudging from her mom to get excited. And get excited she did. She realized that there would never be another first step on the moon, and even as a young 11-year-old, knew the feat was something

  • 'A chief is a chief'

    With the growth of the women's movement evolving in the workplace in the 80s and 90s, military operations continued to see an increasing number of women climb the ranks of the armed forces. In the summer of 1990, while the U.S. moved men and women across the Atlantic in support of the Gulf War,

  • Not too soon for spouse's job hunt before moving

    As service members start to receive their orders for summer moves, it's time for working spouses to update resumes, start networking for job opportunities and contact career counselors at their new locations, a Pentagon official recommends.In an interview with American Forces Press Service and the

  • DOD requires more base closings, official says

    The Defense Department possesses more real estate than it needs and is looking to close additional bases and installations in the United States and abroad, a senior DOD official told a House panel March 14.Air Force leaders agree, according to Kathleen I. Ferguson, acting assistant secretary of the

  • Air Force rabbi 'one of her kind'

    Minutes before sunset on Friday, she lowers her head and covers her face in prayer. Her hands are illuminated by the faint glow of the Shabbat candles, each flame representing and honoring a family member.As the week comes to a close, Capt. Sarah Schechter, the Jewish chaplain of the 11th Wing at

  • 45th Space Wing launches second SBIRS GEO satellite

    The 45th Space Wing successfully launched a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the second Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) GEO-2 satellite into orbit from Space Complex 41 here March 19.A combined team of military, government civilians and contractors from across the 45th Space Wing

  • Developmental education applications due April 12, May 1

    (EDITOR'S NOTE: The officer application suspense has been extended to April 12.)Eligible active duty officers and civilians are now able to apply for intermediate and senior developmental education opportunities, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced. Officer applications are due to AFPC

  • Efforts continue for spouse professional license portability

    Defense Department officials recognize that an unemployed spouse can affect a service member's retention, so efforts continue to allow spouses' professional licenses to transfer from state to state as military families move from one duty station to another, a Pentagon official told American Forces

  • Airmen now learn in HD with Guard's NCO Academy

    The Air National Guard's center for training and education is leveraging live high-definition, high-bitrate video to develop Airmen with the high quality associated with an in-residence experience - but at a fraction of the cost.Currently the I.G. Brown Training and Education Center, or TEC, is in

  • Dempsey: Tuition assistance cuts due to readiness shortfalls

    Tuition assistance was a hot-button issue during a town hall session between Marines and their families and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff here March 21.The first question for Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey was about the program. The Marine Corps, Army and Air Force had eliminated the

  • Science fair leads to first and only woman as SecAF

    In a field dominated by boys, especially during the mid 1950's, a young high school junior in Tacoma, Wash., was determined to win her local science fair. Borrowing a small piece of uranium from her uncle, who worked for a mining company, the student created a model of atoms and set up a display to

  • Cody testifies to quality of life in the Air Force

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Cody testified on quality-of-life issues in the Air Force before House Appropriations Committee members March 19.The biggest challenge currently facing the Air Force is the nation's fiscal situation, Cody said, citing the looming furlough of 180,000 civilian

  • Joint STARS improves warfighter communication

    Joint STARS recently became the first Air Force airborne system to fully retrofit new terminals that will improve warfighter communication.The Joint STARS Communications and Network Upgrade program successfully installed, tested and fielded the first of its Multifunctional Information Distribution

  • Squadron, group command application process underway

    Development teams from various Air Force specialties will convene between May and September to consider eligible officers for 2014 squadron command, deputy maintenance and deputy mission support group commander positions, Air Force Personnel Center officials said today.Suspense dates for statements

  • Developmental education application windows open

    Eligible active duty officers and civilians are now able to apply for intermediate and senior developmental education opportunities, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced. Officer applications are due to AFPC April 5, and civilian nominations are due May 1, said George McKey, AFPC officer

  • Lessons from a pro: Invest for retirement now

    A member of the Air Force Civic Leader program and financial expert recently addressed several ways Airmen can prepare better for retirement.John O'Connor, the chairman of J.H. Whitney Investment Management, spoke about what Airmen can do now, in order to take away a substantial pension by the time

  • First Sergeant Academy embraces blended learning

    The U. S. Air Force First Sergeant Academy has transformed its curriculum from a traditional "brick-and-mortar" education experience to a mixture of facilitated distance learning and in-resident classroom time to teach future first sergeants. What was once a three-week in-residence course is now

  • Children need routine environment during moves, official says

    Service members and their spouses who will travel to new duty stations this summer might face the added concern of keeping life routine for their children, the director of the Pentagon's office of family policy and children and youth told American Forces Press Service and the Pentagon Channel."Just

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: From victim to victorious

    (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.)"You can be the victim, or you can be victorious." This has become the life motto for Tech. Sgt. Tanya Evans, the 48th Logistics Readiness Squadron

  • Academy instructors receive Commendation Medals for life-saving efforts

    Two U.S. Air Force Academy chemistry instructors received Commendation Medals March 18 for helping save the life of a fellow hiker on Jan.26 in Manitou Springs, Colo.It was just another day for Maj. Thomas Heier and Capt. Benjamin Worker when they climbed the 8,590-foot Manitou Incline in

  • Hometown of AF first woman 4-star dedicates new high school in her honor

    Beavercreek City Schools dedicated its high school campus to Air Force Materiel Command Commander Gen. Janet Wolfenbarger, a 1976 Beavercreek graduate, in a ceremony held March 15.The campus was renamed the "General Janet C. (Libby) Wolfenbarger Campus at Beavercreek High School." The school is

  • Keesler personnel chief named Air Force's best

    The personnel chief at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., has been named the top Air Force manpower and personnel flight chief of the year.Becky Green, 81st Force Support Squadron, leads a 68-member flight that includes military and civilian members, is responsible for planning, development and

  • West Point visit sparks illustrious 30-year AF career

    Describing her career as "inconceivable," there isn't much that Maj. Gen. Sharon K. G. Dunbar would want to change. "I've done more than I ever imagined," said the small-hometown-in-Illinois commander of the Air Force District of Washington, Joint Base Andrews, Md. "I've met incredible people

  • Academy holds memorial service for first African-American graduate

    Charles V. Bush, a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy's Class of 1963 and a Vietnam veteran, was laid to rest during a memorial service at the Academy March 16.Bush, also known as "BG-1" for being the Academy's first black graduate, died Nov. 5, 2012, at his home in Lolo, Mont.Friends and family

  • Taking steps out of respect at Bataan Memorial Death March

    As the sun rose above the New Mexican desert, thousands of people from the United States and countries around the world gathered to begin the 24th Annual Bataan Memorial Death March at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., March 17.The Bataan Memorial Death March honors the 80,000 Filipino and American

  • CMSAF discusses tuition assistance

    Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James Cody took questions from Airmen here March 14, on the decision to suspend military tuition assistance. He also addressed how Airmen can continue to further their educational needs and what the future holds for the program next fiscal year, which begins

  • DOD announces pilot sites for Healthy Base Initiative

    Thirteen pilot sites will participate in the Healthy Base Initiative, a demonstration project for the Defense Department's Operation Live Well, Pentagon officials announced March 18.Among the 13 chosen were Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii; Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho; Yokota Air Base,

  • AF's top lawyer: Special Victims' Counsel supports sexual assault victims

    The Air Force's top lawyer testified Mar. 13 before the Senate Armed Services Committee's personnel subcommittee on sexual assault in the military and ongoing efforts to combat the problem.The Judge Advocate General, Lt. Gen. Richard C. Harding, was joined by his fellow service counterparts and the

  • Plan early for household moves

    For many military and federal government workers, spring signifies not only flowers in bloom and warmer weather, but also a good time to get the jump on peak moving season, which typically runs from May to August.Mitch Chandran, an Army Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command spokesman,

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: Risky cliff dive saves friend, earns Airman's Medal

    (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.)Capt. Matt Adams looked up, encouraging his friend and co-worker, Capt. John Barbour, as he clung precariously to a waterfall's cliff, some 25 feet above

  • Women in AF paved way, often through adversity

    In a quote from one of Shakespeare's plays, "Twelfth Night," the character Malvallo remarks that "some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon 'em."Women in the Air Force (WAF) produced many such women who did not set out to be trailblazers but whose

  • One success inspires the next for today's women leaders

    "Things done are won; joy's soul is in the doing." This quote from one of Shakespeare's most ambiguous plays, Troilus and Cressida, appears to be the constant theme behind the careers of many of the Air Force's most accomplished women. Whether it was The Honorable Sheila E. Widnall, the 18th

  • Fly-By-Wire F-15SA makes first flight

    The U.S. Air Force and its prime contractor Boeing have completed a successful first flight of the new F-15SA advanced fighter aircraft for the Royal Saudi Air Force. The F-15SA's maiden voyage took place Feb. 20  at the Boeing facilities in St. Louis. The flight went as planned, meeting all test

  • PACANGEL-Philippines team treats nearly 7,000 patients

    The Operation Pacific Angel-Philippines medical mission officially ended March 9 here with 6,885 patients treated at two medical sites nearby, far exceeding the projected 4,500 mark.Hundreds of patients waited outside a sports and cultural center in Dumaguete seeking treatment on the final day of

  • AF personnel chief talks family programs, tuition assistance

    A senior Air Force leader testified in front of Congress Mar. 13 on the impact sequestration has had on Airmen and family programs, to include military tuition assistance. Lt. Gen. Darrell D. Jones, deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel and services, informed members of the House Armed

  • ISR warriors raise bar at Red Flag

    Armed with some of the military's latest technologies and defined objectives in mind, Airmen in the intelligence career field begin to process, exploit and disseminate intelligence to an extent and level never achieved before. They do this as part of a continuing campaign that prepares fighters for

  • AF extends Post-9/11 GI Bill benefit transfer phase-in period

    Some Airmen will be able to transfer all or a portion of their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to their family members without incurring a four-year active duty service commitment thanks to a program phase-in extension implemented this month.When initially implemented, the Post-9/11 GI Bill education

  • College grants available for children of deceased combat vets

    Maj. Kevin Wilkins died of an illness that resulted from his military service in Operation Iraqi Freedom.This left his wife, Jill, wondering how she was going to handle being a single parent and how she was going to pay for her son and daughter's college education. Then she found out about the "Iraq

  • Flight nurses revolutionize military medical care

    Before World War II, the U.S. military showed little interest in using aircraft and flight nurses to evacuate wounded soldiers to rear areas. The global war, however, forced the U.S. Army Air Forces to revolutionize military medical care through the development of air evacuation (later known as

  • Defense secretary orders review of UCMJ, AF courts-martial outcome

    Defense officials announced March 12 that Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has directed two separate reviews to ensure that the U.S. military justice system is appropriately protecting victims of sexual assault as well as dispensing justice to the accused, said Pentagon Press Secretary George Little

  • Through Airmen's Eyes: AF firefighter is part of the family

    (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.)"If something happens and you're in a fire, it doesn't matter who's next to you, as long as you can trust they can get you out," said Airman 1st Class

  • Former WAC interviewed as one of oldest living Airmen

    After Mildred McDowell left the Air Force in 1949, she had one regret - that she no longer had her Women's Army Corps uniform. Fortunately, the year before she died, someone read a story about her life and sent her a replacement. When McDowell died at the age of 104 on Nov. 15, 2012, she was buried

  • U.S, Japan refine integrated air and missile defense during exercise

    Members of the U.S. military and Japan Self Defense Forces teamed up here recently to conduct a week-long exercise focused on operational issues relating to missile defense in the Pacific theater.Japan Air Self Defense Force Maj. Gen. Masashi Yamada, the director of the Defense Plans and Operations

  • Air Force suspends military tuition assistance

    In the wake of sequestration, the Air Force officially suspended military tuition assistance March 11.Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley announced the Air Force has officially suspended military TA for the remainder of fiscal 2013. The program will continue to be evaluated to determine the

  • Oldest U.S. military flying unit celebrates centennial

    The 1st Reconnaissance Squadron at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., celebrated its 100th anniversary March 7-9 as the oldest flying unit in U.S. military aviation.The squadron opened its doors to the base populace and special guests for tours, and two days of historical symposiums were held featuring

  • Air Force Honor Guard female pallbearer honored to serve

    When Staff Sgt. Jennifer Powell joined the Body Bearers team, she was one of two women to do so since 1972.As a U.S. Air Force Honor Guard pallbearer, Powell is part of an eight-person team responsible for carrying the remains of deceased service members, their dependents, senior and national

  • SecDef directs review of Distinguished Warfare Medal

    In light of recent discussions concerning the new Distinguished Warfare Medal and its order of precedence relative to other military decorations, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has ordered a review of the award, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said here today.Little said Hagel directed Army

  • Medical Airmen move wounded warriors, provide closure

    Usually when a wounded Airman, Soldier, Sailor or Marine or Airman leaves the combat theater, they leave on a stretcher, surrounded by the beeps and hum of machines reading and reporting vital signs. Sometimes they are conscious, but all too often they are not -- suddenly waking in a hospital

  • US, Philippine service members work together during PACANGEL

    A joint team of U.S. service members traveled to the Philippines to participate in Operation Pacific Angel March 4 through 11.Operation Pacific Angel is a U.S. Pacific Command humanitarian mission that sends primary care, dental, optometry and civil engineer experts to different countries each year

  • Military substance abuse research progresses, doctor says

    Defense Department officials are developing research-based methods to curb substance abuse among service members, their families and veterans, a senior DOD medical official said here March 11.Dr. Michael E. Kilpatrick -- the deputy director for force health protection and readiness programs in the

  • Two AF nurses heroes of 'Operation Babylift'

    No matter how far women were kept away from combat roles, they were never far from harm and the opportunity to rise above and beyond the call of duty.An explosion blew out a pressure door of a C-5A Galaxy as it took off from Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Vietnam, April 4, 1975, forcing it to make an

  • PACOM promotes regional cyber capabilities, defenses

    Two years ago, U.S. Pacific Command set out on a big experiment during its Terminal Fury exercise, subjecting participants for the first time to simulated cyber intrusions and network access denials, among other unexpected curve balls the exercise planners threw their way.PACOM's cyber cell, serving

  • First shirts find value in ANG 'warrior network'

    When Chief Master Sgt. Michael Kennedy wanted to communicate to more than 800 first sergeants across the Air National Guard as their functional manager this week he turned to the I.G. Brown Training and Education Center.The Center told him, no problem.Its Media Engagement Division and "Warrior

  • First AF woman 4-star comes full circle

    Young Janet Libby was definitely someone going places at Beavercreek High School near Dayton, Ohio. She was in the National Honor Society, on both the German and Ski clubs and a soccer athlete as well. But even those friends and well-wishers who would have signed her senior yearbook with words like

  • Betty 'Tack' Blake: Only surviving member of 1st WASP class

    Last year, a young female pilot recently showed her 91-year-old guest the F-16 Fighting Falcon she flies at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. She thanked Betty "Tack" Blake several times as she talked about her job, so Blake finally asked the young captain why she was thanking her."Because you started it,"

  • Academy honored for community service

    The U.S. Air Force Academy was placed on the 2013 President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll March 4 in recognition of its community support. One of several institutions honored by the Corporation for National and Community Service, the Academy was cited for its achievements in