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  • Hanscom Airmen to participate in annual interoperability demo

    Members of the 653rd Electronic Systems Wing's Enterprise Integration Division are preparing for Hanscom AFB to once again become a key site for this year's Coalition Warrior Interoperability Demonstration from June 14 through 24.CWID is a global, annual event directed by the chairman of the Joint

  • Single parents juggle military, home demands

    The active-duty military includes nearly 73,000 single parents, which equates to 5.3 percent of the total force, according to Defense Department statistics from 2008. The Army leads the way with more than 35,000 single parents, followed by the Navy with more than 16,000, and the Air Force with more

  • Official equates financial, military readiness

    Through outreach and a robust system of educating servicemembers, Defense Department officials are working to keep troops financially fit to fight and protected from predatory lenders, a Pentagon official said May 19 here. Since the downward turn of the credit market in recent years, Defense

  • Reserve officers hone leadership skills

    More than 60 Air Force Reserve officers from throughout the nation traveled here recently to hone their leadership skills during the Junior Officer Leadership Development course.Hosted by officials with the Air Force Reserve Command's 512th Airlift Wing, the four-day course featured three general

  • Training command becomes energy-efficient force

    Officials released a new energy plan in December to serve as the framework for communicating Air Force energy goals to expand a culture shift where Airmen make energy a consideration in everything they do.The priorities now involve energy-focused considerations from initial design and acquisition

  • Air Guard officials open access to social media sites

    Air National Guard officials have announced that access to popular social media networking sites would become available to all Airmen who use their network. They began to allow access to popular social media networking sites May 10 and were scheduled to have access available to all bases and regions

  • U.S., Vietnam conclude Pacific Angel mission

    U.S. and Vietnamese military members and non-governmental agencies concluded Operation Pacific Angel 2010 during a ceremony to recognize the joint and combined humanitarian assistance efforts provided to the Tan Thoi and Truong Thanh communities May 17 here. Operation Pacific Angel 2010 is a joint

  • Program links troops with career resources

    As the United States' economic crisis lingers, returning veterans are finding it harder to translate the skills they have learned on the battlefields onto a resume, but some employers are working with the military to bridge the gap.Staff members with the Employer Partnership Office of the Armed

  • Iraqi training refresher course caters to prior servicemembers

    More than 1,025 prior Iraqi airmen are participating in a three-week Basic Military Training Top Off program at the Iraqi Air Force Training School here.The BMT Top Off course is a refresher course that reviews the preperation involved in basic military training, such as drill and dorm inspection,

  • AETC fields new management tool

    Air Education and Training Command officials will field new user-friendly software called the Task Management Tool, which is designed to support the task management process for AETC headquarters, Air University, 2nd Air Force, 19th Air Force and wing staff leadership beginning in September.The TMT

  • Air Force fitness program revisions begin July 1

    In less than two months, Airmen across the globe will begin testing against new fitness assessment standards. These standards were deemed necessary by senior Air Force leaders to ensure a fitter and healthier fighting force. Changes include bi-annual testing, minimum requirements within testing

  • AF seeks officers for Defense research program

    Air Force officials are soliciting officer nominations through June 17 for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Service Chiefs Program beginning in September.The DARPA SCP will help increase awareness within key military commands of DARPA's technology development efforts and enhance the

  • U.S., Vietnam servicemembers continue humanitarian efforts

    U.S. and Vietnamese servicemembers continued their humanitarian efforts in villages surrounding Can Tho as part of Operation Pacific Angel 2010 scheduled through May 15 here. The U.S. and Vietnamese civil engineering teams supporting Pacific Angel 2010 have increased the maximum capacity of two

  • Iraqi airmen closer to controlling Taji Tower

     Working with civilian contractors, Airmen here are preparing Iraqi airmen for the eventual transfer of air traffic control operations."We currently have 16 Iraqi Air Force students involved in training at this time," said Staff Sgt. Shannon Grice, 321st Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron air

  • Pacific Angel medical team relocates without missing a beat

    After providing three days of free medical care to more than 1,200 patients at Can Tho, Vietnam, the U.S. military medical team relocated their mission May 13 here as part of Operation Pacific Angel 2010. Medical teams from Vietnam and the U.S. began treating residents in Truong Thanh with free

  • ESC officials look to DOD 'Venture Catalyst' initiative

    Electronic Systems Center officials here are working with a special Defense Department unit to help tackle some tough command and control and information-related challenges.People in the Capabilities Integration Division, known best by its two-letter XR designation, are currently awaiting a list of

  • AFOTEC members support deployed Airmen with care packages

    Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center members put together care packages for the organization's deployed members May 7 here."The AFOTEC Key Spouse program initiated the care package program to ensure deployed members are taken care of as we continue to support their efforts and help

  • First lady calls on nation to support military families

    First Lady Michelle Obama issued a national challenge today to all sectors of American society: mobilize and take action to support and engage military families."One percent of Americans may be fighting our wars, but we need 100 percent of Americans to support them and their families," the first

  • First lady announces military family review

    READY FOR REVIEWPresident Barack Obama has directed the national security staff to lead a 90-day review aimed at developing a federal-government-wide approach to supporting military families, First Lady Michelle Obama announced May 13 here."With just 1 percent of our population -- our troops --

  • Ground system adds more bandwidth to cluttered airspace

    The installation of a first-of-its-kind aeronautical telemetry ground system at the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School here is improving aircraft communication in airspace already jumbled by frequencies from cell phones and satellite television.  This technology expands communications capability

  • Trauma research team works to improve battlefield injury outcomes

    As American military members and their coalition partners fight the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, medics from these same countries work in collaboration to treat their battlefield wounds in theater hospitals.Combat zone injuries have changed over the years, with improved body armor protecting vital

  • Afghan Air Interdiction Unit gets a boost

    Members of the Afghan Ministry of Interior's Air Interdiction Unit held a transition ceremony May 5 at an Afghan National Army Air Corps base in Kabul, Afghanistan, in support of the unit's notable accomplishments over the past 12 months. A few of the distinguished accomplishments include the

  • More bases to advertise vacancies on USAJOBS

    Eight additional locations will begin using USAJOBS.gov on May 24 to advertise vacancies to current Air Force employees.Charleston Air Force Base, S.C.; McGuire AFB, N.J.; McChord AFB, Wash.; Langley AFB, Va.; Elmendorf AFB, Alaska; Andersen AFB, Guam; and the Air Force District of Washington's

  • Elmendorf officials to open Fisher House

    Airmen here will take the first big step in building a haven for their wounded brethren when the groundbreaking for the Fisher House of Alaska takes place May 15.The groundbreaking ceremony is going to be held in concert with the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Anchorage Veteran Affairs

  • Deployment opportunities available for civilians

    Qualified Air Force civilians can broaden their career experience and bring valuable knowledge back to the workplace by volunteering for deployments in a variety of career fields, including civil engineering, contracting, intelligence, logistics management and security administration.As part of the

  • Airmen 'Jump into Prevention'

    Airmen and civilians gathered April 30 at Lincoln Regional Airport, Calif.  to sky dive as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.The event, titled Jump into Prevention, gave 38 people the chance to sky dive while raising awareness about sexual assault.The idea came about more than 10 years ago when

  • Air Force officials announce FY 2011 force structure alignments

    Air Force officials announced May 11 the proposed force structure realignment for fiscal 2011.  The proposal provides a summary of the civilian and military personnel changes and aircraft assignments at Air Force installations for the upcoming fiscal year. This announcement supersedes all previous

  • 'Today's Air Force' features a look around the service

    In this edition of "Today's Air Force," an Airman receives national recognition after his heroic efforts in earthquake-ravaged Haiti. Plus, Airmen join with their Indonesian counterparts for a bi-lateral exercise. And, celebrating the Year of the Air Force Family, viewers can take a look at Air

  • Olympic path marks troops' journeys to fulfilled dreams

    The ceremony began much as any typical military procession does; with troops called to formation."I need a four-man front. Give me a four-man front," yelled a platoon leader.The troops joked and shifted, jostling about and adjusting spacing."Everybody in this row right here, shift back one," the

  • Youngstown Airmen take part in oil spill cleanup

    Two C-130 Hercules aircraft and crews from here are spraying oil-dispersing agents as part of an effort to clean up the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.More than 40 reservists from the Air Force Reserve Command's 910th Airlift Wing are operating out of Stennis International Airport, Miss.

  • Defense Media Activity officials launch podcast widget

    The Pentagon Channel, the Defense's Department's broadcast vehicle for the latest Defense Department news, has unveiled its latest widget for podcasts.Available under the Widgets tab on Defense.gov, the widget allows users to receive the latest Defense Department podcasts on their own websites or

  • Officials still seeking those impacted by stop-loss

    More than 2,600 current and former Airmen have been approved for retroactive stop-loss special pay since Air Force Personnel Center officials here began accepting claims in September.Officials continue to seek Airmen who were involuntarily held on active duty between Sept. 11, 2001, and Sept. 30,

  • VA officials cutting insurance premiums for families

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

  • Motorcycle champions rev up safe riding message

    Pentagon officials hosted their fourth annual motorcycle safety event May 8 here to rev up interest in learning the right way to ride.World-class riders including Keith Code, the director of the California Superbikes School, and Jeff Tilten, the co-producer of the safety film "Semper Ride," came out

  • Air Force senior execs honored with top awards

    Seventeen of the Air Force's top executive employees were recognized for career achievements during the annual Distinguished and Meritorious Presidential Rank Awards ceremony held April 30 in the auditorium of the Women's Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery.Secretary of the Air Force Michael

  • Warrior Games team completes training, ready to compete

    Members of the Air Force team competing in the inaugural Warrior Games here completed their final week of training May 7. The 17 wounded, ill and injured Air Force team members will compete against Soldiers, Marines, Coast Guardsmen and Sailors May 10 through 14. The teams will compete in a variety

  • New Air Force Combat Systems Officer Course opens at Navy base

    Air Force aviator training took a step into the 21st century May 5, when the inaugural class of Combat Systems Officer students began training here with the 479th Flying Training Group.As they sat down in classes and began a new year-long training program, the CSO students became part of a

  • Chairman tells servicemembers it's okay to get help

    The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff wants service members to know it is okay to get help for behavioral health-related conditions. In a new video spotlighting Tricare's behavioral health care benefits, Adm. Mike Mullen sends a strong message to servicemembers struggling with feelings of

  • Exchange Service officials investing in facilities

    Construction on a military installation is a sign of progress as the Department of Defense transforms. Army and Air Force Exchange Service officials are playing an active part in this process as the organization has completed 123 major facility projects, valued at more than $1.1 billion dollars,

  • Air Force program learns from Airmen

    The Air Force Lessons Learned program gives Airmen the opportunity to share their combat experiences to help future service members, according to the director of Air Force Analyses, Assessments and Lessons Learned (A9). "Every Airman is valued and can initiate change across our Air Force by

  • Barksdale pilots support Pilot for a Day program

    Pilots with the 2nd Bomb Wing here brightened the lives of seriously ill children May 1 by supporting Naval Air Station Corpus Christi Texas' Pilot for a Day program.Members of the 20th Bomb Squadron here recently flew a training mission to NAS Corpus Christi, that allowed them to do several passes

  • Officials expand opportunities for small businesses

    President Obama signed two executive orders April 26 that focus additional resources on providing new opportunities for small businesses to compete for federal contracts. Noting that "more work can and should be done" to help ensure the federal government meets its small business contracting goals,

  • Warrior Games to include pentathlon ultimate challenge

    The inaugural Warrior Games competition May 10 through 14 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., will feature individual and team events and an ultimate champion multi-sport challenge for a Chairman's Cup trophy. During a "DOD Live" bloggers roundtable May 6, Robert E. Moore

  • Social media sites add dimension to sharing information

    A new Facebook fan page is giving the Air Force community an interactive platform for exchanging news, information and feedback about programs that affect their personal and professional lives. US Air Force Life and Career debuted earlier this year and has captured topics fresh on the minds of Air

  • General sees opportunity, innovation at F-35 training wing

    The commander of Air Education and Training Command visited the 33rd Fighter Wing April 26 here.General Stephen R. Lorenz visited Eglin Air Force Base to observe how the wing staff is taking "the opportunity to shape the future," by training pilots and maintainers on the F-35 Lightning II."(The

  • McKeague: Diversity strengthens military

    The strength of the military is improved by the diverse backgrounds of those who make up the organization, a senior National Guard officer said May 3. "I'd like to think that (for) the success of the United States military, one of its essential elements is diversity," said Maj. Gen. Kelly K.

  • Pentagon leaders recognize best installations

    Representatives from five military bases deemed the "best of the best" were awarded the highest award for excellence among installations at a Pentagon ceremony May 5 here. Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska; the Army's Fort Bragg in North Carolina; Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine

  • Air Force program recognized for excellence in government

    The Air Force's Logistics, Installations and Mission Support-Enterprise View, or LIMS-EV,  Logistics Transformation initiative was one of 20 finalists in the 2010 Excellence.Gov Awards, competing with other organizations from throughout the federal government.The American Council for Technology and

  • Student pilots reach course milestone: airborne refueling

    Nearly 18,000 feet above Southern Arizona's desert landscape, students in the A-10C Pilot Initial Qualification Course here completed their first air-to-air refueling mission during the week of April 26. Twelve pilots from the 358th Fighter Squadron and 13 from the 357th FS are enrolled in the

  • Servicemembers begin immersion training in Afghanistan

    The first class of U.S. military servicemembers and civilians in the new AfPak Hands program arrived here last week to continue training at the Counterinsurgency Training Academy Afghanistan.AfPak Hands is a new, "all-in" language and cultural immersion initiative developed last summer and stood up

  • Air Force announces JAG award winners

    The Air Force Judge Advocate General announced April 30 the 2009 Judge Advocate General Award winners. "I am proud of each of our award winners; they represent the best of the best," said Lt. Gen. Richard C. Harding, the judge advocate general. "They have demonstrated excellence, initiative,

  • Officials declassify nuclear stockpile details to promote transparency

    U.S. officials released newly declassified details about the country's nuclear stockpile May 3, including significant progress made in dismantling warheads, in an effort to promote transparency and help stem nuclear proliferation.The United States had 5,113 warheads in its nuclear weapons stockpile

  • Triathlon kicks off fitness month, brings families together

    Members of the Kaiserslautern Military Community participated in the second annual FitFactor Triathlon May 2 here. Approximately 70 participants swam, biked and ran their way to the finish line where family, friends and spectators cheered them on. The event, held mainly for youth to get out and

  • Global Strike commander visits Malmstrom

    The commander of Air Force Global Strike Command visited the members of the 341st Missile Wing April 20 through 22. While here, Lt. Gen. Frank Klotz met with first sergeants and chiefs; held a commander's call with officers and senior noncommissioned officers; toured the medical group for a Personal

  • Yellow Ribbon event provides rest, eases redeployment

    Rest and relaxation mixed with reintegration seminars and veteran resources, coupled with plenty of chocolate was the theme for the 60-day Yellow Ribbon Event April 16 to 18 at Hershey Lodge in Hershey, Pa.Yellow Ribbon coordinators from the 514th Air Mobility Wing planned this event for more than

  • Balad team helps Iraqi women learn beekeeping trade

    The local buzz around Balad isn't just about a new agricultural development program, it's also literal.A beekeeper taught Iraqi women and families how to care for bees during a three-day class in Yethrib, a sub-district of Balad, to help spur economic independence and benefit local agriculture.In a

  • AF panel likens DOD acquisition to contact sport

    The Defense Department's journey to recapture acquisition excellence took a big step forward during two days of discussions and workforce training held at Sinclair Community College here April 20 and 21.That was the assessment made by several senior leaders at the DOD Acquisition Insight

  • DOD acquisition leader shares his priorities

    More than 700 military, civilian and contractor acquisition professionals and defense industry partners discussed challenges they face during the Department of Defense Acquisition Insight Conference April 20 through 21 here.The Pentagon's top acquisition official, Dr. Ashton Carter, Undersecretary

  • Fry Scholarship established for children of fallen servicemembers

    Children of military personnel who died in the line of duty since Sept. 11, 2001, can apply for an educational scholarship similar to the new Post-9/11 GI Bill.  Benefits are retroactive to Aug. 1, 2009.The scholarship, which is administered by Department of Veterans Affairs representatives, is

  • Air Force chaplains train South Korean air force counterparts

    Republic of Korea Air Force chaplain corps personnel from across the peninsula gathered at Osan recently for Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, or ASIST, facilitated by Air Force chaplains. The occasion marked the first time joint training had been conducted between chaplains of the

  • VA officials cutting insurance premiums for families

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

  • Wingman Stand Down 2010 in May focuses on Airmen safety, well-being

    For a half day in May, Airmen will learn strategies to prevent suicides and private motor vehicle accidents as part of Wingman Stand Down 2010. The exact date for the stand down will be left to individual units to determine.In a jointly signed letter, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz

  • Boeing officials bring 787 to Eglin AFB for weather tests

    Officials at the McKinley Climatic Lab here are hosting Boeing's newest passenger aircraft, the 787 Dreamliner, for two weeks of cold and hot weather testing.The new plane arrived April 18 and was moved into the lab to begin its cold-weather testing with temperatures reaching minus 45 degrees. The

  • Balad servicemembers strengthen bonds with community, Iraqi children

    e first Iraqi Kids Day of the year here served as part of the ongoing base effort to positively engage the local populace April 24.Although past events of this kind had an underlying theme to teach the children about health and safety, this event was held for one purpose, to have fun. Thirty-four

  • Ramstein youth wins Air Force video competition

    A U.S. Air Forces in Europe youth was named the Air Force-level winner for his submission to the Year of the Air Force Family video competition April 21.Gen. Roger Brady, the USAFE commander, presented Hunter Koltes, 13, a $2,000 gift check toward the purchase of a new computer and video camera and

  • Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Movement Corridor study presses on

    Wildlife biologists and conservation agents from here along with researchers from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game are continuing a wildlife research effort in Anchorage, Alaska.In 2005 researchers initiated a joint installation study to document brown bear populations, habitat, food selection

  • 31 Airmen selected for physician assistant training

    Air Force officials here selected 31 Airmen to attend the Interservice Physician Assistant Training Program at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.The March 2010 Physician Assistant Board met at the Air Force Personnel Center to consider 85 applicants. In addition to those selected to attend training, eight

  • Lynn details approach to changes in warfare

    Warfare has changed, and the U.S. military must shift to meet the new threats, Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III said to members of the World Affairs Council here April 27.Mr. Lynn said he and Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates have tried to shift military strategy "to move the tectonic

  • Guard kids are different, but programs still available to them

    Guard kids differ from active duty kids in only one way: access. This means access to support programs and access to peers who understand what they are going through.Everything else is the same: missing their parents terribly when they deploy, counting the days until they come home and trying to

  • Avatar project seeks to help military amputees

    In the movie "Avatar," Jake Sully, a former Marine who lost the use of both legs in combat, climbs into a vessel that magically restores his body when he assumes a new, 10-foot-tall avatar identity.A new project being funded through the Advanced Army Medical Technology Initiative promises to bring

  • U.S. ambassador visits Balad's leaders and provincial reconstructive team

    The U.S. ambassador to Iraq visited Joint Base Balad April 23, to better understand the work the joint base's provincial reconstruction team is doing to prepare Iraq for its future. Ambassador Christopher Hill received an update from base leaders of the programs and missions civilians and

  • Combat photographer to compete in Warrior Games

    Not once, but twice. Twice, in 2004 and 2007, a combat photographer who was assigned to the 1st Combat Camera Squadron, Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., was wounded in Iraq.It was her combat wounds in 2007 that caused retired Staff Sgt. Stacy Pearsall to give up her dream as a combat photographer

  • New recruits make commitment at Sun-N-Fun Air Show

    Eighteen new recruits recited the oath of enlistment at the Sun-N-Fun Air Show at Lakeland, Fla., April 17.Lt. Col. Chase Cunningham, U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron "Thunderbirds" commander, administered the oath of enlistment in front of about 60,000 patriotic onlookers. The oath is a

  • Tricare overseas beneficiaries reminded to update DEERS

    Tricare beneficiaries living overseas should keep an eye on their mailbox for critical information about how the new Tricare Overseas Program contract affects them. To make sure this information finds its way into the right mailbox, beneficiaries living abroad need to update their Defense Enrollment

  • 'Today's Air Force' features a look around the service

    In this edition of "Today's Air Force," Airmen performing one of the most somber duties in the military speak out. Plus, Airmen and Soldiers go to the mat for a little ground and pound during joint combatives training. And, a group of high schoolers gets a taste of life in boot camp. The 30-minute,

  • Italian navy, air force officials visit F-35 training wing

    Representatives from the Italian air force and navy visited the 33rd Fighter Wing here April 20 in an effort to check the progress of the first F-35 Lightning II integrated training center and learn more about this new coalition venture. "Things are moving, and this program is becoming real," said

  • Armed Forces Chaplaincy Center dedication set for May 6

    The dedication ceremony for the Armed Forces Chaplaincy Center is set for May 6. The new center will provide religious training and education for Air Force, Army and Navy chaplain corps personnel.In 2005, a Base Realignment and Closure mandate directed that the Naval Chaplains School in Newport,

  • Air Guard security forces at the top of their game

    Air National Guard security forces are at the top of their game, their top officer said here April 21. "We're better equipped, better trained, better (tasked) than we have ever been," said Col. John Wakefield at a conference of nearly 400 ANG security forces personnel.Thousands of them have deployed

  • Deployed wing 'Walks a Mile' for Sexual Assault Awareness Month

    Airmen from the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing here participated in the "Walk A Mile In Their Shoes" in observance of Sexual Assault Awareness Month April, 19. Signs with information on sexual assault were placed along the route while participants read them and walked in silence. The event was

  • Airmen train Japanese customs agency members to detect threats

    Air Force Office of Special Investigations agents from Det. 623 here and Airmen from the 35th Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Unit here trained Hakodate customs inspectors with the Japan Ministry of Finance April 23 on counterterrorism measures to deter potential threats that may pass

  • Airman contributes to advancement of Afghan women

    Recent efforts by Airmen and their coalition partners have led to opportunities for women in Afghanistan to serve as commissioned officers in the Afghan National Army.Lt. Col. Lisa Pike, assigned to the Air Force Manpower, Services and Personnel Directorate, contributed to standing up the first

  • Warrior Games approaching fast

    With fewer than three weeks to go, the Air Force team is making preparations for the Department of Defense's inaugural Warrior Games in Colorado Springs, Colo., May 10th through the 14th.What started as an e-mail from one athlete asking questions about the upcoming event turned into a process of

  • VA officials strive to prevent veteran suicides

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

  • Aircrew breaks C-17 record with heaviest airdrop

    Members of the 418th Flight Test Squadron here set a record for the heaviest single payload ever extracted out of a C-17A T-1 during flight April 14 over Yuma Proving Ground, Ariz. A 77,000 pound jumbo drop test vehicle was extracted out of a C-17 at 25,000 feet. The JDTV is used to test the

  • First Minotaur IV Lite launches from Vandenberg

    Members from the 30th Space Wing here launched the first Minotaur IV Lite launch vehicle at 4 p.m. April 22 here. The rocket carried the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's Falcon Hypersonic Technology Vehicle 2.The Minotaur family of launch vehicles are provided by the Orbital/Suborbital

  • Appointees get a large glimpse of Academy life

    Officially accepting a college offer can be intimidating when one is admitted to several competitive academic institutions. Upon receiving an appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy, some applicants know without a doubt they will accept if given the chance. Other applicants would like some more

  • Air Force officials launch Atlas V carrying X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle

    Members of the 45th Space Wing here launched a United Launch Alliance-built Atlas V Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle carrying an X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle at 7:52 p.m. EDT April 22 here.The X-37B, making its first space flight, will provide a flexible space test platform to conduct various

  • Dyess offers specialized housing through privatization

    Housing program officials here point to the privatized housing units managed off base as a success story, as the Air Force plans for 22 more bases to go "private" by the end of next year. "We started demolishing 1950s-era homes almost 10 years ago," said Dolores Green, housing program manager with

  • Caring for People Forum wraps up

    The 2010 Caring for People Forum concluded here April 21 with the presentation of a list of proposed initiatives from attendees focused on a range of issues affecting Airmen and their families.Approximately 250 active-duty, Guard and Reserve Airmen and civilians gathered for this second annual

  • Air Force officials launch Combat Airman initiative

    Properly outfitted and equipped Airmen are essential to mission success, according to Air Force logistics officials who recently unveiled a new program focused on what Airmen wear and carry during training, at home station or deployed.Air Force officials hosted an initial planning conference in

  • Contract award to enhance in-flight operations for top U.S. officials

    Air Force officials here issued a contract award in mid-April that will provide highly reliable, secure and integrated voice, data and video equipment for airborne U.S. senior leaders. The nearly $209 million award to Rockwell Collins will allow Air Force officials to retrofit a fleet of 20 special

  • Better prosthetics coming for wounded warriors

    From developing a new microprocessor-controlled prosthetic leg to a non-chafing socket device, the Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center here is making big strides in advancing prosthetic science to improve wounded warriors' quality of life.The center reaches out to a broad spectrum

  • Air Force F-35 completes first test flight

    The Air Force version of the F-35A flew for an hour April 20 from Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base, Texas, becoming the seventh F-35 Lightning II to fly. AF-2, the conventional takeoff and landing aircraft, is the Air Force's version of the Joint Strike Fighter. This fifth-generation

  • Joint training mission enables reservists to train as they fight

    Reservists from the 815th Airlift Squadron here completed a joint airborne and air transportability training mission with Army special forces Soldiers April 16 in Key West, Fla. The JA/ATT program provides the 815th AS members with unique training opportunities, said Lt. Col. Mark Carter, the 403rd

  • Air Force officials announce AFAF competition winners

    Air Force officials have announced their Group 1 winners of the annual Air Force Assistance Fund "Commitment to Caring" campaign, which provides Airmen the opportunity to contribute to four official Air Force charitable organizations.The campaign, which started Feb. 8 and runs until May 7, features

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

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

  • Air Force family celebrates 'Facility Energy' initiatives this Earth Day

    Air Force men and women join millions of people across the country and around the globe this year in celebrating 40 years of Earth Day. Celebrated annually on April 22, Earth Day promotes awareness and appreciation for the environment. The slogan, "make every day Earth Day" is exemplified in the Air

  • Troops take advantage of GI Bill transferability

    More than 100,000 requests from troops desiring to transfer their unused education benefits to family members have been approved under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, a defense official said April 22 here. Signed into law in June 2008, the new GI Bill is a Department of Veteran Affairs-sponsored program that