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  • 'Today's Air Force' features Haiti relief efforts

    In this edition of "Today's Air Force," Operation Unified Response continues, as Airmen play key roles in the Haiti relief efforts. Plus, a look at one of the most unique jobs in the military, chasing U-2 spy planes down the runway. Finally, viewers get a look at an Air Force civilian working behind

  • Gates announces joint strike fighter program shakeup

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates announced a restructuring in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter office Feb. 1, to provide increased oversight of a program he conceded has fallen behind in meeting key benchmarks. Secretary Gates also announced that he has withheld $614 million in performance fees from

  • Review upgrades personnel status; budget confirms it

    The Fiscal 2011 Defense Budget Request and the Quadrennial Defense Review look at personnel as a strategic asset, the Joint Staff's director for force structure, resources and assessments said Feb. 1.Navy Vice Adm. Stephen Stanley spoke during a Pentagon news conference explaining both documents.

  • Budget request continues defense reform agenda

    The fiscal 2011 Defense Department budget request continues an overall reform agenda and seeks a total request of $708 billion in budget authority, the Pentagon's chief financial officer said Feb. 1 here. The total includes $159 billion in overseas contingency operations, or war spending,

  • Kyrgyz youth entertain Airmen, NFL cheerleaders

    Transit Center at Manas Airmen and NFL cheerleaders watched a concert performed by Kyrgyz students at a local music school Jan. 27, in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.While on an Armed Forces Entertainment tour here, the Washington Redskins cheerleaders visited the Abdraev Musical Boarding School in Bishkek,

  • Review aims to rebalance forces, puts people first

    The Quadrennial Defense Review, released Feb. 1, seeks to rebalance the military to better fight today's wars and to institutionalize department reforms, the undersecretary of Defense for policy said. The report to Congress provides a strategy-driven framework used for determining the department's

  • United Nations official assists Airmen with Haiti operations

    A member of the United Nations World Food Programme arrived at Tyndall Air Force Base Jan. 24 to assist the Haiti Flight Operations Coordination Center officials with setting up humanitarian aviation response to the earthquake-ravaged nation.Overall command and control of the HFOCC falls to members

  • Dobbins medical team returns from Haiti relief mission

    Five members of the 94th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron here returned home Jan. 31 after a two-week Operation Unified Response deployment to provide medical care and support for Haitians injured in the devastating earthquake. While unloading their medical equipment, Lt. Col. David Rodberg, the

  • Deployed Airman wins design contest

    Air Force Services Agency officials here announced the winner of the MyAirForceLife.com T-shirt contest recently here.Staff Sgt. Nathan Cruz, a radio frequency transmission technician from Robins Air Force Base, Ga., won the contest out of 174 submissions in the adult category. The award was

  • Airman to pilot STS-130 shuttle mission

    An Airman will pilot the STS-130 mission to the International Space Station aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavor, scheduled to launch Feb. 7 from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.Col. Terry Virts Jr., an astronaut, fighter pilot and test pilot with more than 3,800 flying hours in more than 40

  • Exercise Pacific Angel 2010 set to begin

    Airmen will join four South Asian and Pacific nation representatives from February through August to provide medical, dental and engineering assistance as part of Operation Pacific Angel 2010.In continuation of U.S. humanitarian assistance to the Philippines after the devastating storms of 2009,

  • Community, Air Force team up to give Haitians bear hugs

    More than 3,000 Haitian earthquake victims have processed through Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla., evacuating Haiti on military aircraft. The victims rely on Airmen and civilian community members to provide temporary relief until they can reunite with friends, loved ones or family members. Among

  • Research Laboratory, Academy officials collaborate on space project

    U.S. Air Force Academy cadets and members of the Air Force Research Laboratory at Edwards Air Force on the FalconSAT-5 satellite Jan. 11 through 22 here.The primary mission of the FalconSAT-5 is to perform space weather measurements using on-board sensors in collaboration with remote ground sites.

  • Air Force officials launch FitFamily

    Air Force officials are launching a new family fitness program that encourages an active lifestyle for kids and adults, and serves as an outlet to promote health and wellness in Air Force families. FitFamily, a companion to the highly successful youth fitness program, Fit Factor, begins Jan. 30, and

  • Two Academy grads win NSBE awards

    Two Air Force Academy grads will be honored at the upcoming 36th National Society of Black Engineers Annual Convention April 3 in Toronto. Retired Col. Fred Gregory, Class of 1964, was selected as the Golden Torch Legacy Award winner, and Col. Jeff Butler, Class of 1988, was selected for Lifetime

  • Tricare official explains plans for future

    To balance increasingly complex responsibilities at home and overseas, Military Health System officials have adopted the Quadruple Aim model of care, Rear Adm. Christine Hunter, deputy director of the Tricare Management Activity, told a standing-room only crowd of military medical leaders Jan. 27. 

  • Holloman visit by chief of staff highlights contributions of Airmen

    The top military leader of the Air Force visited here Jan. 27 to talk with Airmen about the state of the Air Force and to get a firsthand look at what Airmen here do on a day-to-day basis. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz visited mission and support facilities on the base and met with

  • Organizations awarded 2009 Learning Innovation Award

    Air Force Education and Training Command officials presented organizations with the 2009 Learning Innovation Award during the 2010 AETC Symposium Jan. 14, at San Antonio. The innovation awards were presented to AETC teams who developed new initiatives and successes for both education and training by

  • Secretary Donley announces location of newest Fisher House

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley announced Jan. 27 during a Pentagon ceremony that the next Fisher House will be established on Dover Air Force Base, Del. The house will provide lodging for families coming to the base to witness dignified transfers of their loved ones' remains at the Air

  • Top enlisted Airman visits Nellis

    Chief Roy explained his belief that the three things that develop Airmen are training, education and experiences. "One of the most important jobs of the Air Force is the training of our future leaders of the Air Force," Chief Roy said. He said on-the-job training is an important step in preparing

  • Air Force officials select Space Command for encroachment initiative

    The assistant secretary of the Air Force for installations, environment and logistics, together with the Air Force civil engineer, has selected Air Force Space Command to be the demonstration command for the Air Force's Enterprise-Wide Encroachment Management Initiative.Two Air Force Space Command

  • Military families get free access to caregiver network

    Military families now have free access to an online network of caregivers who can assist with everything from babysitting to dog walking. Sittercity is the nation's largest online source for local babysitters, nannies, elder care providers, dog walkers, housekeepers and tutors, and contains more

  • Air Force medics evacuating critically ill from Haiti

    A three-person medical team from the Wright-Patterson Medical Center here is providing aeromedical evacuation support to assist victims of the earthquake in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.The critical care air transport team, or CCATT, is staging from MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. with the 45th

  • Pay, medical, family issues highlight budget request

    President Barack Obama will request increased funding for military pay, housing allowances, family support programs and care for wounded warriors, as he recognizing the nation's responsibility to support its men and women in uniform and their families, White House officials said Jan.27, here. The

  • Air Force program develops senior civilian leaders

    Civilian Strategic Leader Program officials are briefing Air Force career field functional leaders this month on details of the program aimed at developing the senior-leader civilian workforce."The Air Force has approximately 300 Senior Executive Service civilians today, and we need to ensure we are

  • Researchers work to provide faster, more effcient software for Air Force

    Researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln are working to increase the efficiency of the software-testing process across Air Force systems by addressing the issue of faulty software. A recent breakthrough in the work of lead researcher Dr. Myra Cohen and her team has resulted in an algorithm

  • Marine takes helm of Air Force wing at Eglin

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

  • Pope members support Operation Unified Response

    Members of the 43rd Security Forces Squadron here have amplified their operations tempo in support of Operation Unified Response since the surge of relief effort to the eartquake-ravaged Haiti.Every Air Force aircraft landing at the Toussaint L'Ouverture International in Port-au-Prince Airport is

  • First lady's priority: Taking care of military families

    First lady Michelle Obama was the featured speaker at the Joint Armed Forces Officers' Wives Club's 32nd annual luncheon Jan. 26 at the Bolling Officers Club here.About 400 spouses from all branches of the military gathered to hear Mrs. Obama share her insights on military families, and announce a

  • 'Tricare University' offers benefit education

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

  • Academy fencers ranked in national points standings

    The U.S. Fencing Association point standings were released Jan. 26 for epee, saber and foil. Five Academy fencers are nationally ranked in the USFA point standings. Leading the way for the Air Force Academy fencing program is senior Peter French. French is currently ranked fifth in the nation with

  • Luke opens combat PT center

    Luke Air Force Base officials opened a combat physical training center Jan. 21 here, unveiling the fourth combat-oriented physical training venue the base has built or renovated in the past year. The new venue adds 8,000 square feet of indoor physical training space to Luke Air Force Base."This is a

  • Military families gain access to free, online tutoring

    Defense Department officials here launched a free, online tutoring service for servicemembers and their families. The site -- http://www.tutor.com/military -- offers round-the-clock professional tutors who can assist with homework, studying, test preparation, resume writing and more. Marine Corps

  • Deadline approaches for 2010 scholarships

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

  • Call for warrior games coaches

    If you have ever wanted to follow the footsteps of legendary coaches like John Wooden or Ed Owen, staff members in the Air Force Services Agency Fitness Branch are looking for you.The Air Force team for the first Warrior Games needs coaches for shooting, swimming, archery, volleyball, cycling, track

  • First lady announces family program budget boost

    President Barack Obama's fiscal 2011 budget request calls for a record $8.8 billion for military family support programs, First Lady Michelle Obama told military spouses Jan. 26 at Bolling Air Force Base here. The request represents a 3 percent increase over current funding, and includes more money

  • Mapping tool aids in depot maintenance career advancement

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

  • Reaper exhibit opens at Air Force museum

    Air Force and industry officials joined National Museum of the U.S Air Force officials for the opening of the museum's new MQ-9 Reaper exhibit Jan. 25 here.As a medium-altitude, long-endurance remotely piloted aircraft, the Reaper locates and destroys time-critical and highly mobile targets and

  • Researchers examine video gaming's benefits

    Think interactive video games are a waste of time or more suited for children? Think again. Research under way by the Office of Naval Research indicates that video games can help adults process information much faster and improve their fundamental abilities to reason and solve problems in novel

  • Chairman cites need for rapid health care solutions

    Defense Department officials must work quickly to surmount a stigma that's preventing servicemembers from seeking help for the signature wounds of today's wars, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said Jan. 25. "We are clearly just beginning to deal with the long-term effects of the signature

  • VA officials to begin recovery of GI Bill advance payments

    Veterans Affairs Department officials are beginning the process of recovering advance payments made available during the fall 2009 semester to veterans and servicemembers who applied for education benefits. "The advance payments were a huge success and helped thousands of student veterans during the

  • Barksdale 'dePLAYment' program keeps children active

    Barksdale Air Force Base officials are participating in a program for families of deployed Airmen that allows them to enjoy base activities for free or reduced fees.To do so, the families receive "dePLAYment tags" that are used at Barksdale AFB facilities including the youth center, arts and crafts

  • VA to begin recovery of GI Bill advance payments

    The Veterans Affairs Department is beginning the process of recovering advance payments made available during the fall 2009 semester to veterans and servicemembers who applied for education benefits. "The advance payments were a huge success and helped thousands of student veterans during the first

  • 'Today's Air Force' features Haiti relief

    In this edition of "Today's Air Force," Airmen leap into action to rush supplies and food to the people of Haiti. Also featured in this edition, Air Force units begin to draw down in Iraq while ramping up in Afghanistan and a rookie flight nurse goes through aeromedical evacuation training. In the

  • Simulator provides risk-free training at Eielson

    The 354th Security Forces Squadron training instructors here recently received training on a new simulation system that will train Airmen in marksmanship, collective and judgmental firing skills. The Engagement Skills Trainer 2000 is a small-arms training system used to increase deployment

  • Sheppard chapel raises $5,200 for Haiti

    The 82nd Training Wing chaplain's office staff raised more than $5,200 during several church services Jan. 17 here to assist the Haitian relief efforts.People attending two Protestant and two Roman Catholic services donated the money to assist Haitian after a massive earthquake devastated the island

  • Air Force officials select Airmen for physical therapy training

    An Air Force board here selected two Airmen to attend the U.S. Army-Baylor University Doctoral Program in Physical Therapy at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.First Lt. Ronald Miller of Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., and Tech. Sgt. Aaron Butler of Moody AFB, Ga., were selected to attend the 28-month academic

  • Taking care of caregivers

    Deployments are a way of life in today's Air Force. Accordingly, Air Force members plan ahead and anticipate all contingencies while they are deployed.One plan that is required by all Air Force members with families is a family care plan that reasonably covers all situations, short and long term.

  • Multinational aid delivered to Haiti

    As relief continues to pour into Haiti, aid packages being delivered by one military organization reflects the multinational effort to assist the people of the stricken island nation.A load of aid equipment and supplies was delivered to the Toussaint L'Ouverture International Airport in

  • Officials announce change to C-17 sustainment plan

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

  • History in the making: First Canadian student pilots to train with ENJJPT

    Two young Canadians made history at the 80th Flying Training wing when they became the first two Canadian student pilots to train in the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training program here. Although Sheppard has had Canadian instructor pilots in the past, the two lieutenants are the first Canadian

  • Guard uses chat room to support relief effort

    With the recent earthquake destroying so much of Haiti's infrastructure, communication between military units remains vital to supporting the relief effort. A readily available chat client is being used to relay critical information between the services and is proving to be a powerful communication

  • VA officials reaching out to students and schools to speed benefit payments

    In a coordinated effort to speed up the processing of Post 9/11 GI Bill education benefits this spring, Department of Veterans Affairs officials announced Jan. 20 that they have been reaching out to student veterans, servicemembers, university officials and other partners to meet a commitment to an

  • USNS Comfort arrives in Port-au-Prince

    Haitian patients began arriving on the Navy hospital ship USNS Comfort even as the ship approached its anchorage this morning. As the ship approached shore in the capital city here, Sailors aboard the Comfort felt the magnitude 6.1 aftershock. The jolt collapsed a pier in Port-au-Prince that medical

  • Air Force officials extend deadline for warrior games applications

    Air Force officials are accepting applications until Feb. 15 for the inaugural Warrior Games in Colorado Springs, Colo.Wounded, ill and injured servicemembers will compete across all branches of the military in a joint effort between the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Olympic Committee.

  • School takes students to new heights

    Airmen take off into a high-flying career upon graduating from a classroom that hovers 500 feet above the ground.Students training at the 23rd Flying Training Squadron in Fort Rucker, Ala., are the Air Force's primary source of helicopter pilots for special operations, combat search and rescue,

  • Supporting those who support those in need

    Ever since word got out about the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that devastated the island nation of Haiti, Pope has been in a state of organized chaos. Both Air Force active duty and Reserve personnel have been working hand in hand with Army personnel from Fort Bragg, N.C., to ship Airmen, Soldiers and

  • Specially trained officers support Haitian relief efforts

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

  • 2010 AETC Symposium reaches new heights with seminars, displays

    More than 3,700 people attended the 2010 Air Education and Training Command Symposium Jan. 14 and 15 in downtown San Antonio, the largest showing to date. The symposium featured nearly 100 academic seminars on a variety of Air Force topics, a technology exposition hosted by the Alamo chapter of the

  • Developmental opportunities in WMD for civilians/officers

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

  • Haiti task force commander notes progress

    Humanitarian assistance efforts in Haiti are improving every day despite enormous challenges, the commander of Joint Task Force Haiti said. "Today, we had 180 flights go through the airport with zero delays," Army Lt. Gen. P.K. "Ken" Keen said Jan. 18 during a "DoDLive" bloggers roundtable. "That's

  • F-15 rewire flight to save money, manhours

    A new rewire flight at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., is playing a key role in keeping the aging F-15 Eagle flying for years to come. The flight will perform a complete rewire on 122 F-15s during the next five years. The rewiring will be done on C and D models, and when complete, the flight will spend

  • 'Today's Air Force' features A-10 Thunderbolt II

    In this edition of "Today's Air Force," the A-10 Thunderbolt II is featured getting a new lease on life. Plus, viewers get an inside look at the coordinated effort of providing security for a base in Iraq.  And, F-16 maintainers show how they prevent a small screw from creating a big headache.

  • ESC group aids Haitian response efforts with critical imagery

    The 950th Electronic System Group's Eagle Vision imagery collection team here sprang into action within hours of the 7.0 earthquake that shook Haiti to its core Jan. 13.By about 9 p.m. that evening, program officials began working to order commercial satellite imagery of the island nation from a

  • Space team achieves key ground-segment milestones

    A joint Air Force and Lockheed Martin team developing the Space-Based Infrared System program, known as SBIRS, has achieved two key milestones: a testing milestone demonstrating the ground system is on track to support launch of the first SBIRS geosynchronous GEO-1 satellite in the constellation;

  • VA, DOD officials expand ranks of federal recovery coordinators

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

  • Foreign Language Proficiency Bonus provides Airmen incentives

    Air Force officials have recently updated the Foreign Language Proficiency Bonus policy. All Airmen, regardless of career field, are now eligible for FLPB in a broad range of languages including those identified as "dominant in the force" such as Spanish, Tagalog, French, German, Italian,

  • Air Force officials participating in summer program

    Air Force organization officials have the opportunity to begin hiring students March 17 for temporary, funded positions as part of the 2010 Workforce Recruitment Program for College Students with Disabilities.Air Force officials are participating in the annual program sponsored by the Department of

  • Select bases to implement new civilian application procedure

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

  • Program brings languages to senior officer PME

    As special guests of the Air Force Culture and Language Center staff, 20 instructors from the Defense Language Institute in Washington, D.C., and Monterey, Calif., are helping Air War College and Air Command and Staff College students cultivate basic language skills as part of the Strategic

  • Mullen voices concern with military suicide rate

    Suicide is a growing problem in the military community, and its leaders must be committed to reversing that trend, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said here Jan. 13.In an address to an audience of more than 1,000 military and other government agency health-care workers and officials

  • Air Force seeking athletes for warrior games

    The deadline for submitting applications to compete in the inaugural Warrior Games at Colorado Springs, Colo. is Jan. 15.Approximately 200 wounded active duty members and military veterans will compete in the Warrior Games May 10 to 14. Air Force officials are seeking approximately 25 wounded

  • Iraqi air force graduates 247 cadets

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

  • Air Force officials announce enlisted board, promotion schedules

    Air Force officials here have released new enlisted promotion board and testing schedules Jan. 14."The 2010 enlisted promotion rates look promising," said Chief Master Sgt. Mark Long, the enlisted promotions, evaluations and physical fitness chief. "Nearly all 2009 rates slightly increased from 2008

  • Airmen transition into new fitness program

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

  • Budget for 2010 to help Guard equip, modernize

    Increased funding in the fiscal 2010 budget will allow the National Guard to modernize and equip its forces for state and federal missions, Guard officials announced here Jan. 11."This robust funding will constitute a significant strengthening of the Guard's equipment fill and modernization

  • Air Force pilot missing in action from Vietnam War is identified

    Officials with the Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced Jan. 12 that the remains of an Air Force pilot, missing in action from the Vietnam War, have been identified and will be returned to his family for burial.Maj. Russell C. Goodman of Salt Lake City, Utah, will be honored

  • Academy cadets to conduct rocket static fire test

    Cadets in the FalconLaunch program here will conduct a fully integrated static test fire of the FalconLaunch-8 rocket's propulsion system Jan. 15 in Jacks Valley, Colo.FalconLaunch is a two-semester course for cadets to gain hands-on experience, "learning space by doing space." Over the course of

  • Officials urge collaboration in suicide prevention

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

  • Gates will remain as secretary at least another year

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates will stay in office for at least another year, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell confirmed here Jan. 7. Secretary Gates met with President Barack Obama before Christmas and committed to another year on the job, Mr. Morrell said. Then-President George W. Bush

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

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

  • Wings of Blue cadets jump into Rose Bowl

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

  • Toolkit helps answer servicemembers' health care questions

    One in five servicemembers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan suffers from major depression or post traumatic stress disorder, according to officials from the Department of Veterans Affairs National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.To help servicemembers affected by a behavioral or other

  • 'Today's Air Force' features a look back at 2009

    In this edition of "Today's Air Force," a look back is taken at the top stories of 2009. Stories covered range from the creation and stand-up of the Air Force's newest major command, to a heartfelt story about the Year of the Air Force Family.   Also featured are changes in the Post 9/11 GI Bill in

  • Air Force secretary visits Lackland, addresses priorities

    The secretary of the Air Force toured Lackland Air Force Base and presided over the latest Basic Military Training graduation here Jan. 8.Secretary Michael Donley toured the Basic Expeditionary Airman Skills and Training complex, talked to base Airmen and discussed some of his top priorities for

  • USO plans family centers at Bethesda, Belvoir

    United Services Organization officials plan to build family centers at the National Naval Medical Center at Bethesda, Md., and Fort Belvoir, Va., to continue the USO's tradition of bringing troops a piece of home. The project was inspired by the Army Community Services center at Brooke Army Medical

  • Laws change for military, overseas voters

    Servicemembers and overseas voters shouldn't assume they automatically will receive ballots for the 2010 elections just because they have in the past. Previously, voters would receive absentee ballots for up to two cycles following their request, Bob Carey, Federal Voting Assistance Program

  • Air Force officer becomes namesake for prestigious award

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

  • Airman earns Male Athlete of the Year title

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

  • Managed airborne intel system hits field

    The 950th Electronic Systems Group here recently delivered the 500th unit of an airborne intelligence system that enables aircrews to send and receive the most timely situational awareness and threat data.The Combat Track II system, has been in production since 2004. Over time it's become a real

  • Wounded vets to participate in first warrior games

    Approximately 200 wounded active duty members and military veterans will compete in the inaugural Warrior Games May 10 to 14 in Colorado Springs, Colo., Defense Department officials announced Jan. 7. The U.S. Olympic Committee will host the games, and events will include shooting, swimming, archery,

  • Defense, Veterans Affairs step closer to integrated records

    The Defense Department soon will join a Veterans Affairs Department and Kaiser Permanente partnership designed to improve the way military veterans and the nation receive health care, the VA's top health affairs policy advisor said Jan. 6. For the past month, officials at Kaiser Permanente and

  • American servicemembers bridge gap between Afghan provinces, relationships

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

  • No need to feel SAD during the winter

    Occasionally feeling depressed is normal. Everyone has days when they feel low, irritable or sad, but these moods usually last a few days and disappear.As the season changes and the days get shorter, some people develop symptoms of depression. Sadness and lack of energy and motivation are not a

  • California governor boosts support to combat vets

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

  • Little Rock Airman has $10,000 idea

    A Little Rock Air Force Base Airman received $10,000 by submitting his idea to save the base more than $230,000 through the Innovation Development through Employee Awareness program.Staff Sgt. William Hoessler, a 314th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron communication navigation system craftsman,

  • Gen. Lew Allen dies

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