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  • AMC passenger travel to be more predictable

    Select passenger terminals across Air Mobility Command are establishing pages on Facebook to provide passengers more predictability when it comes to space-available and space-required passengers.The overall goal of the AMC Space-A Facebook program is to use social media to expand knowledge about

  • The heat is on ... Afghan style

    As alarms sound and flames roar from the burning building, they run in while others run out.For years and years, firemen have trained for the eventuality that one day, they may have to save an innocent victim from the intense heat of a raging inferno. In Afghanistan, military fire training is no

  • Supervisor resource center moves to AF Portal

    Information, education and training critical to civilian supervisors is available at such online resources as the Supervisory Resource Center, which has moved to the Air Force Portal, SRC developers announced today.Formerly located on the Air Force Knowledge Now platform as a community of practice

  • Air Force completes FY12 civilian workforce restructure

    Air Force officials announced 4,500 additional positions for elimination as a continuation of its FY12 Civilian Workforce Restructure Jan 11.This reduction builds on the realignments announced in November, including the elimination of 9000 positions and the addition of 5900 positions against the Air

  • State Partnership Program emphasizes building relationships

    A small, but innovative, program demonstrates the U.S. military's "very agile and flexible" capabilities in working with partners, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said recently.Meeting with reporters Jan. 5 after the announcement of President Barack Obama's new strategic guidance for

  • Quality assurance Airman turns hardship into strength

    (Editor's note: This story is part of "Through Airmen's Eyes". These stories and commentaries focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)Tech. Sgt. Barry Armstrong grew up in a broken home, living with his mother and siblings moving from town to town looking for work just to make

  • CMSAF discusses top issues

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy addressed a capacity crowd of Airmen and civilians at the Langley Theater on Jan. 11, and covered a wide variety of key Air Force issues. Roy spoke on topics such as training, force management programs and how the current budget will affect operations,

  • Air Force completes Kabul shooting investigation

    The Air Force completed its investigation into the April 27, 2011 shooting incident at the Afghanistan air force Headquarters located in Kabul, Afghanistan, in which eight U.S. Air Force Airmen and one civilian contractor were killed in the line of duty while serving in a combat zone. The incident

  • Tuskegee Airman honored during Ceremonial Brass concert

    A member of the Tuskegee Airmen was honored during a concert by the United States Air Force Band's Ceremonial Brass Jan. 14 at The First Academy Faith Hall here.Retired Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Richard R. Hall, Jr., a Winter Park native, was attending Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans

  • Andersen takes aim: '90 at 90'

    Maintaining peak combat readiness begins and ends with healthy, motivated and well-trained Airmen. To ensure no one is left behind, base leaders are seeking to implement a new program pushing service members to the pinnacle of physical fitness.The new initiative, called "90 at 90", was set in motion

  • New airframe adds strike capability to Afghan air force

    In the Afghanistan government's continued effort to independently battle counterinsurgency, a new tool will be added to their arsenal designed to allow versatility, reconnaissance and precision weapons placement to the growing Afghan air force.Announced Dec. 30, the U.S. Air Force has approved a

  • 607th AOC integrates with 8th Army's Joint Interface Control Center team

    Members of 7th Air Force and the 607th Air and Space Operations Center welcomed the 8th Army Joint Interface Control Cell team to the Combat Operations Division here, a historic move that will help resolve issues from working in a joint environment. "Joint war fighting is all about the synergistic

  • Weapon system trainer to save taxpayer's dollars

    The first official KC-135 Stratotanker Boom Operator Weapon System Trainer in Air Mobility Command, slated to save the Air Force millions annually, opened during a ceremony Jan. 9 here.Training boom operators to perform in-flight refueling requires a tanker and a receiver. An eight-hour tanker

  • Do the spice, pay the price

    Spice use is on the rise, and Air Force officials are using methods such as drug testing, education and the Uniformed Code of Military Justice to put a stop to substance abuse. While the Air Force has always had a zero-tolerance policy, as of Jan. 4, Guam officials have banned the substance as well

  • Panetta: King renewed promise of America's dream

    In anticipation of the nation's Martin Luther King Jr. Day observance Jan. 16, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta has issued a message to members of the Defense Department outlining his personal view of the slain civil rights leader's impact on America.Here is the text of the secretary's message:"My

  • New F-35B joint strike fighters arrive at Eglin

    A resolution to be even more expeditionary will be met this year, now that Marines here received their first two F-35B Lightning II variants of DoD's fifth generation fighter Jan. 11.At the 33rd Fighter Wing, Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 is the home for the new aircraft where its

  • NY airport greets aircrew with impromptu welcome home

    LaGuardia Airport personnel received an unexpected arrival Dec. 27, when the 4th Special Operations Squadron aircrew radioed the airport requesting permission to land.The unexpected arrival of an AC-130U Spooky Gunship, which was on deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn since

  • Airman turns adversity into positive approach to life

    (Editor's Note: This story is part of "Through Airmen's Eyes." These stories and commentaries focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)Senior Airman Alex Cox started a life-changing family tradition when he joined the Air Force in 2008, but it wasn't the trend he started that

  • Man's best wingman

    (This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories and commentaries focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)Steven and his buddy Geri are American Airmen serving in Iraq. Both are alpha males, both are relentless and determined to win at all

  • 144 hours in Ethiopia: Africa remembers

    (Editor's Note: This story is part of "Through Airmen's Eyes." These stories and commentaries focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.During a recent trip to Ethiopia, Senior Airman Jarad A. Denton experienced rural areas outside the country's capital as he travelled to Negele

  • Tuskegee Airmen: A legacy of love

    (This commentary is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories and commentaries focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)Last week I had the opportunity to learn about some Air Force history as well as family history. There was a screening of a new

  • From Baghdad, on Veterans Day

    (Editor's Note: This story is part of "Through Airmen's Eyes." These stories and commentaries focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)On Veterans Day, when the nation formally recognizes the contributions of millions of past and present men and women in uniform, I want to pass

  • Record long-range bomber flight turns 50

    Fifty years ago on Jan. 11, 1962, a crew of eight Airmen embarked on a historic feat that would take them half way across the globe and reaffirm to the world America's dominance in long-range aircraft strike capabilities.Piloting the newest model of long-range bombers, the B-52H Stratofortress,

  • Air Force medics train host nation on emergency response

    Airmen deployed to the 380th Expeditionary Medical Group joined with fellow healthcare professionals from the host nation air force for patient transport training Jan. 11.The doctors, nurses and medical technicians from both countries instructed each other on how to load their different litters and

  • Selective continuation: information officers should know

    Captains and majors twice deferred for promotion to the next higher rank who have less than 18 years of service may face a selective continuation board. Selective continuation boards allow the Air Force to retain twice-deferred officers for a length of time determined by the Secretary of the Air

  • Coalition aviators train Afghans to perform critical supply run

    The pilot's eyes squint as he tries to locate his landing zone located in the terrain covered by a rolling and twisting blanket of dust. The trip to the Kunar Valley in northern Afghanistan is treacherous with numerous towering mountains as tall as 12,000 feet, providing an obstacle course of a

  • Airman wins big on 'The Price Is Right'

    "Come on down!"This simple request ended with a big pay-off in a showcase showdown for a Vandenberg Fire Department member and his family.Tech. Sgt. Armando Galaviz II, the VFD North battalion chief, attended a showing of "The Price is Right" in August and won the grand prize worth more than

  • Air Force chief of staff releases 2012 reading List

    The Air Force chief of staff announced his latest professional reading list Jan. 6.In a letter to all Air Force personnel, Gen. Norton Schwartz said today's Airmen are among the military's best educated and most inquisitive. "We Airmen are innovators because we embrace the word 'why' and mine it for

  • War yields lessons in preventing, treating eye injuries

    Ten years of conflict has given rise not only to the world's best body armor and state-of-the-art battlefield technologies, but also a new understanding about ways to prevent eye injuries and treat those who suffer from them.When the war in Afghanistan kicked off in 2002, ballistic goggles were hard

  • 727th EACS takes control of new mission

    The 727th Expeditionary Air Control Squadron changed missions Dec. 30 as it supported the end of Operation New Dawn and began supporting the air defense of the Arabian Gulf.The timing of the transition allowed for a full-circle moment for members of the 727th EACS, who are deployed from the 606th

  • LivingFit helps Airmen, families reach weight loss goals

    A new year often begins with resolutions to lose weight and get in shape. Air Force services officials recently launched a new program designed to help Airmen and families accomplish this common goal through proper nutrition and activity.The USAF FitFamily website now includes LivingFit, an online

  • Afghan announcers broadcast peace to listeners

    In an area with an illiteracy rate of approximately 70 percent, radio communication can be critical when sharing news and current events in Paktya province of Afghanistan. The Paktya Provincial Reconstruction Team recently partnered with local radio announcers in the unveiling of "Caravan Radio," an

  • Afghanistan airdrops surpass record levels in 2011

    In 2011, mobility Airmen delivering airdrops reached a new annual record with 75,956,235 pounds of cargo delivered. That's nearly 16 million more pounds delivered than the previous record set in 2010 of 60,400,000.At more than 75.9 million pounds - that's the equivalent of standing on a mountain top

  • DOD leaders: U.S. will remain world's strongest military

    The Defense Department's new, 10-year strategy will ensure the U.S. remains the world's strongest military power, DOD leaders emphasized in weekend interviews.In an interview with Bob Schieffer that aired Jan. 8 on the CBS news program "Face the Nation," Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Joint

  • Even with cuts, military will remain capable, official says

    Defense Department officials will use the military strategy guidance that President Barack Obama announced yesterday to tie numbers to the department's fiscal 2013 budget request, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said Jan. 6.The budget request is expected to be delivered to Capitol Hill in

  • First Transit Center commander reflects on decade of change

    Even in his wildest dreams, he never could have envisioned what he started 10 years ago would turn into what he sees now. But when the Transit Center's first commander, then-Brig. Gen. Chris Kelly, landed on Runway 08 at the Manas International Airport on Dec. 16, 2001, he saw potential of what this

  • Air Force maintenance icon dies

    Retired Lt. Gen. Leo Marquez died Dec. 30 in Albuquerque, N.M., at age 79.Throughout his 33-year career, Marquez is credited with revolutionizing the maintenance and logistics career field."In my many encounters with General Leo Marquez, he always lived up to his reputation as being one of those

  • Obama: Future force will be smaller, agile, ready

    At a moment of national transition, the U.S. is reshaping defense priorities and its military force to sustain U.S. global leadership and respond to changing security and fiscal needs, President Barack Obama said Jan. 5 at the Pentagon.Obama, the first president to address reporters in the Pentagon

  • New defense strategic guidance detailed in near future

    Specifics on how the new defense strategic guidance will affect the Pentagon's budget will take shape in the weeks to come as White House and Defense Department officials prepare President Barack Obama's 2013 budget request.Obama, joined by Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Army Gen. Martin E.

  • Strategy calls for military to handle full range of contingencies

    The American military will be leaner in the years ahead, but it will remain lethal and without a match in the world, President Barack Obama said at the Pentagon on Jan. 5.Obama, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, detailed the

  • Obama: Defense strategy will maintain U.S. military pre-eminence

    President Barack Obama announced a defense strategy Jan. 5 that he said will allow the military to defend the United States and its national interests while cutting military spending in a responsible, balanced manner.The president spoke about the conclusions of the defense strategy review at the

  • SecDef calls deployed Air Force NCO to ring in new year

    The NCO picked up the phone in his office at Kabul International Airport and on the other end was the Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta who called Jan. 1, 2012, to wish him a happy New Year.Air Force Tech. Sgt. Charles Heathman, a rotary wing maintenance adviser with the 438th Air Expeditionary

  • AWACS crew coordinates rescue in Afghanistan

    Helping rescue downed pilots isn't something Airmen aboard an E-3 Sentry do regularly, but that's exactly what happened to one crew from the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Dec. 30.Two hours into the Sentry crew's planned mission, they received a mayday call, relayed through a KC-135 Stratotanker, from

  • New law eases airport screening for troops, families

    President Barack Obama signed a bill into law Jan. 3 to streamline airport screening procedures for service members and their families traveling on official orders.The Risk-based Security Screening for Members of the Armed Forces Act gives the Transportation Security Administration six months to

  • 'Today's Air Force' looks back at 2011

    On a special end-of-year edition, "Today's Air Force" takes a look back at the top stories for 2011.This week's show kicks off with TAF reporter Airman 1st Class Jimmy Moreland covering the rebuilding efforts in Japan after the devastating earthquake and tsunami. Later, the show pays tribute to one

  • JTF-Bravo delivers medical care to 1,400 Guatemalans

    Twenty-two members from Joint Task Force-Bravo provided medical care to more than 1,400 residents Dec. 8-13 in an isolated region of southwest Guatemala.JTF-Bravo members teamed up with their Guatemalan medical partners, including the Guatemalan Ministry of Health and the Military Group in El Codo

  • F-15 sale to Saudi Arabia part of broader effort

    The recently announced $29.4 billion sale of F-15SA fighter aircraft to Saudi Arabia is just one part of a broader U.S.-Saudi military sales and defense cooperation effort that's central to regional security, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said.U.S. officials announced an agreement Dec. 29

  • Defense bill affects pay, separation bonuses, more

    President Barack Obama signed the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act on Dec. 31, 2011, which increases active-duty and reserve pay by 1.6 percent and governs Defense Department activities, from procurement to military personnel policy.Several provisions in this year's act will potentially

  • SEAC talks service member issues

    The senior enlisted advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff talked about what it feels like to be the highest ranking enlisted person in the armed services as well as other topics pressing today's military during a visit here recently.During a multi-country USO holiday tour, Sgt. Maj.

  • TRICARE beneficiaries have several pharmacy options

    Despite questions about whether the Walgreens pharmacy chain will continue as a TRICARE provider, beneficiaries will have several options for filling prescriptions, Defense Department spokeswoman Eileen M. Lainez said today.The retail pharmacy contract between Express Scripts Inc., or ESI, and the

  • American300 Warrior Tour brings 'never quit' message to 24th Air Force, JBSA

    No one complained about the rain during 24th Air Force's war fit physical training here Dec. 19. Complaining was not an option when two amputees from American300 Warrior Tours led the way.Chad Crittenden, a CBS' Survivor contestant, and Mike Schultz, an ESPN's X Games adaptive gold medalist, didn't

  • Toledo edges Air Force in 42-41 shootout

    A failed two-point conversion gave the Toledo Rockets a 42-41 win over Air Force in the Military Bowl Dec. 28.The game was an expected offensive shootout featuring two teams that scored a combined 920 points this season. The two teams gave just that to a national television audience, with 35 points

  • Panetta 'will not tolerate' bullying, hazing

    Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta added a pointed anti-bullying directive to a holiday message sent Dec. 23 to service members around the world."I cannot be more proud of who you are and what you represent as you serve and sacrifice for our great nation," the message read, in part. "With that honor,

  • DOD releases sexual assault report, announces new policies

    Defense Department officials released the "Annual Report on Sexual Harassment and Violence at the Military Service Academies" on Dec. 27, covering the academic year from June 1, 2010, to May 31, 2011.The report shows an increase in reports of sexual assault, with 65 reports of sexual assault

  • SecAF: International security is a team sport

    The Secretary of the Air Force stressed the importance of joint warfighting and building partnerships during his visit to the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Dec. 22-23.Airmen, Soldiers and Sailors briefed Michael Donley, the 22nd SecAF, about current and future operations as he toured the wing and

  • Air expeditionary units inactivate after last Airmen leave Iraq

    Four air expeditionary units that were the air and space components to U.S. Forces-Iraq inactivated during a flag-casing ceremony Dec. 18 here. The 467th Air Expeditionary Group, 368th Expeditionary Air Support Operations Group, 321st Air Expeditionary Wing and 9th Air and Space Expeditionary Task

  • Communications failures contributed to border incident

    United States forces acted in self-defense and responded with appropriate force after being fired upon during a Nov. 25-26 incident on Afghanistan's border with Pakistan, according to findings from a Defense Department investigation that was released Dec. 22.Twenty-four Pakistani soldiers were

  • Air Force officials release high year tenure details

    Air Force officials announced Dec. 19, high year of tenure limit changes for the grades of senior airman, staff sergeant and technical sergeant that go into effect in 2013. The changes are a part of additional force management programs that are ongoing to continue to size and shape the force to

  • Air Force officials announce additional force management measures

    In on-going efforts to continue to size and shape the force to current and future requirements, Air Force officials announced additional force management programs. The Air Force ended fiscal year 2011 about 1,200 Airmen over endstrength.For enlisted Airmen, voluntary programs from last year will

  • Last Airmen out of Iraq arrive home for Christmas

    America welcomed home from Iraq more than 200 of her Air Force sons and daughters Dec. 20 at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.The Airmen were the last of the Air Force contingent in Iraq and were home in time for the winter holidays as stated by the president.Among the

  • New energy module provides awareness tool for Airmen

    The Air Force continues to place emphasis on energy awareness throughout the entire year. A new voluntary energy awareness module was made available to all Air Force members Dec. 1."The module provides an overview of energy strategies of the Air Force, what actions the Air Force is taking to build

  • New capability keeps deployers notified of changes

    Airmen getting ready to deploy have a new capability to help them prepare for their tasking. A recent change to the Air Force Reporting Instruction Tool now allows users to sign-up for instant email notifications when they occur.Prior to this change, members had to check the website often to ensure

  • EO officials aim to set the standard for federal agencies

    Air Force equal opportunity officials have expanded a pilot program that reduces processing times for civilian equal employment opportunity complaints to five months versus the standard six months. The move is part of an Air Force effort to set the EO standard for federal agencies. In 2010, the Air

  • Air Force will continue normal operations

    According to the Office of the Secretary of Defense comptroller, Bob Hale, the House and Senate have now passed a defense appropriations bill as part of an omnibus appropriation package. "Later today we expect them to pass a six-day continuing resolution allowing time for enrollment and signature of

  • 24-hour stay for shutdown

    On Dec. 16, Congress passed and President Barack Obama signed a new continuing resolution that will provide funding for the Air Force through the end of Dec. 17. As a result, the Air Force will continue normal operations and will not be shutting down today. Air Force leaders know how difficult this

  • KC-10 cargo load training facility opens doors

    The new KC-10 cargo load training facility was officially opened at a ribbon cutting ceremony Dec. 16. The structure is the first of its kind in the Air Force, as a facility for cargo load training on the KC-10 Extender did not exist before today. The building will allow Airmen to train on cargo

  • Alaska National Guard brings Operation Santa Claus to Wales

    Santa, Mrs. Claus and 35 helpers brought Operation Santa Claus and holiday cheer on an Alaska National Guard C-130 Hercules to the small, remote Alaska village of Wales Dec. 9. The C-130 landed on the village's airstrip and was warmly greeted by community members on snow mobiles. Operation Santa

  • AF Wounded Warrior Program helps Airmen transition, become self-sufficient

    For wounded warriors who are being medically retired, the fear of leaving the service can be a frightening reality. Unfortunately, there are many more hurdles they must face during their transition.While the Air Force has many programs in place to help these Airmen, the Wounded Warrior Program care

  • Lockheed Martin rolls-out final F-22 Raptor

    The final F-22 Raptor to be built for the U.S. Air Force, tail number 4195, rolled off the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics assembly line during a ceremony Dec. 13 at the company's Marietta plant. The fighter jet is the last of 187 F-22s produced, marking a bittersweet moment for members of the F-22

  • Panetta concludes Iraq mission noting service, sacrifice

    Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta joined Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey and other U.S. and Iraq leaders in honoring eight years of service and sacrifice as they commemorated the end of the U.S. military mission in Iraq."No words, no ceremony can provide full

  • Air Force takes steps to advance contract fraud fight

    Air Force officials laid the groundwork to further their fight against procurement fraud and contractor misconduct with the signing of a memorandum of understanding here Dec. 9.The memorandum between the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Air Force Contracting and Air Force General Council

  • Electronic flight bags could boost operational safety, effectiveness

    Improved safety, operational effectiveness and efficiency are just a few reasons Air Mobility Command officials are looking into using tablet devices such as electronic flight bags for aircrew members reference materials in the cockpit during in-flight emergencies."Moving from a paper-based to an

  • Thrift savings plan contribution limits increase in 2012

    The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board has announced the 2012 elective deferral limit for regular Thrift Savings Plan contributions has increased from $16,500 to $17,000 for 2012, Air Force Personnel Center officials said. The TSP catch-up plan contribution limit will remain at $5,500. TSP

  • Air Force to lift hiring freeze Dec. 15

    The hiring freeze implemented in August will be fully lifted Dec. 15, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced.The freeze, preceded by hiring controls, was one of several measures implemented in 2011 to bring manning down to mandated 2010 levels. In addition, voluntary separation incentives

  • National Guard unveils peer hotline

    The National Guard unveiled its Vets4Warriors service members' counseling program at a Capitol Hill ceremony Dec. 13.Vets4Warriors is a toll-free, peer-to-peer counseling hotline that provides Guard members and Reserve component members with the ability to speak with counselors on the phone or

  • New showerheads help conserve water at Andersen AFB

    The Air Force prides itself in conserving energy and resources, and Airmen here are doing their part with the recent installation of low-flow showerheads in base housing. Brig. Gen. John Doucette, the 36th Wing commander, was the first to install the energy efficient appliance Dec. 6."By lowering

  • Holloman scientist receives Harold Brown Award

    A chief scientist from Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., received the 2011 Harold Brown Award on Dec. 12 for his role in significant advances in hypersonic missile research.Dr. Michael Hooser's work with the Holloman High Speed Test Track's artificial rain environment established benchmarks against

  • First Afghan pilot class in 30 years kicks off at Shindand

    The Afghan air force marked the beginning of its first undergraduate pilot training held exclusively inside Afghanistan in more than 30 years during a ceremony Dec. 10 here. More than 200 Afghan and coalition service members attended the ceremony.The first class will consist of seven Afghan air

  • Air Force safety magazine gets new website

    Wingman, the Air Force's official quarterly safety magazine, has a new digital home. Readers can find the current and all future issues of Wingman at www.wingmanmagazine.af.mil. Due to a Department of Defense initiative for organizations to find greater efficiencies, Air Force Safety Center

  • Blended e-learning courses mix accessibility, personal touch

    As part of the effort to modernize Air Force training programs, the Ira C. Eaker Center for Professional Development here has taken to cyberspace recently with five new blended e-learning courses. Using a combination of online webinars and self-paced curriculum, the e-learning courses allow students

  • Air Force officials urge safe winter holiday season

    With the holidays around the corner, officials at the Air Force Safety Center here remind Airmen to use sound risk management during the upcoming festivities both on- and off-duty. "As we celebrate this holiday season, please be vigilant and remember to be a good wingman for all those in your family

  • Air Force expands FY12 officer voluntary force management measures

    Air Force leaders announced Dec. 6 the expansion of voluntary officer separation measures for fiscal 2012 as part of the service's ongoing force-management initiatives.The leaders implemented a tailored, multi-year program in 2010 to reduce the personnel numbers to meet the service's authorized

  • Air Force to remain in Mountain West Conference

    The Air Force Academy will stay in the Mountain West Conference, declining an offer to join the expanding Big East Conference, Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Mike Gould announced Dec. 7.The Academy was one of several schools courted by the Big East, which extended feelers and formal invitations to

  • US embassies welcome opportunities for interagency training

    United States embassies from across the globe are stepping up to participate in a unique training opportunity for Airmen known as the Embassy Immersion Fellowship program. The fellowship places Airmen side-by-side with their U.S. foreign service counterparts in a five-week program sponsored by the

  • Thunderbirds release 2012 show schedule

    The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds announced their 2012 show schedule Dec. 7. The team is set to perform more than 60 demonstrations in 33 locations, including two shows in Canada.The team, officially known as the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, will again kick-off their season by performing

  • USO honors service members' leadership

    Medal of Honor recipient Marine Sgt. Dakota Meyer, a Navy SEAL killed in Afghanistan in August, a Soldier and an Air Force search-and-rescue team member who repeatedly exposed themselves to enemy fire to save their wounded comrades, and a Coast Guardsman who led maritime security operations in the

  • U.S., Honduran partners help more than 1,100 flood victims

    More than 20 medical personnel from Joint Task Force-Bravo provided general medical care to more than 1,100 flood victims Nov. 29 and 30 here. The JTF-Bravo team, from Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, collaborated with their Honduran medical partners, including the Honduran Ministry of Health, to

  • Recovery care program assists wounded, ill or injured Airmen

    When an Airman becomes seriously wounded, ill or injured, the little things have a tendency to fall through the cracks as they focus on recovery and rehabilitation. These little things, like paying the bills for instance, have the potential to turn into major problems for Airmen and their families

  • Three Air Force members honored at annual disability awards ceremony

    Three Airmen were recognized Dec. 6 during the 31st Annual Department of Defense Disability Awards Ceremony at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Bethesda, Md.This annual event provides an overview of DOD disability policy and initiatives, recognizes DOD organizations for their efforts in the employment of

  • Air Force rolls out new rifle qualification course

    Airmen taking the new Air Force Rifle Qualification Course are finding themselves learning more than just basic marksmanship skills.Changes requiring more intensive weapons training were published in September by the Air Force Security Center and officially took effect Dec. 1."Our combatant

  • Vinyl treasure found on Wake Island

    In a tale straight from an adventure book, contractors here recently stumbled upon a vinyl record collection with an estimated value between $90,000 and $250,000. The 611th Air Support Group's Detachment 1 is now making a comprehensive effort to preserve the nearly 9,000 vintage vinyl records and

  • Global Strike Command wins Creech Award for Maintenance Excellence

    Air Force Global Strike Command is the winner of the General Wilbur L. Creech Maintenance Excellence Award for 2011, Air Force officials announced last week. The Creech Award is named for Gen. Wilbur L. Creech, who received his commission and wings in 1949. He commanded at the wing and major command

  • Obama makes Thanksgiving phone call to JET Airman

    A Joint Expeditionary Tasking Airman at Forward Operating Base Mushan, Afghanistan, received a call from President Barack Obama on Thanksgiving Day.Senior Airman John Johnson heard, "Please hold for the president of the United States," and then heard the voice of his commander-in-chief."The

  • Airmen ensure emergency medical suppplies easily accessible

    Deployed medical Airmen have a launched a new program that will help ensure quick access to medical supplies in the event of an emergency or mass casualty event at the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing. The members of the 380th Expeditionary Medical Group here have placed two containers containing

  • Transient couple meets up, reties knot

    While sitting on an airplane bound for Kyrgyzstan, the inbound American Forces Network superintendent for New Kabul Compound, Afghanistan, decided he wanted to renew his wedding vows. So, he leaned over to the inbound communications superintendent for Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, and shared his

  • Environmental assessment underway for New Start Treaty silo eliminations

    An environmental assessment is underway at two Air Force Global Strike Command bases for the elimination of 100 empty missile silos and associated alert facilities, in accordance with the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty.Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont., and F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo., will each

  • Officials approve DODEA school lunch price increase

    School lunch prices at all overseas Department of Defense Education Activity schools will increase starting Jan. 3, 2012, due to a new federal law and to keep pace with increasing food and operational costs, officials said.The military services approved an increase in the price of school lunch at

  • Air Force releases lieutenant colonel SERB results

    Commanders Air Force-wide were notified Nov. 30 of the results of the Calendar 2011 Lieutenant Colonel Selective Early Retirement Board held at the Air Force Personnel Center here in October.Lieutenant colonels in the Line of the Air Force competitive category who were twice deferred for promotion

  • Commissaries to end magazine sales overseas

    Defense Commissary Agency officials have announced the end of magazine sales in their overseas stores beginning January 2012. This policy affects all commissaries in Europe, the Pacific (Japan, Okinawa, South Korea and Guam) and Puerto Rico.DeCA will continue to sell the Stars & Stripes newspaper