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  • C-17 finds home at Hickam AFB

    When “The Spirit of Hawaii Ke Aloha” landed on the flightline here it delivered a new era of air operations for the Pacific Air Forces and the U.S. Pacific Command. Hickam is the first base outside the continental U.S. to permanently host the strategic airlifters. By the end of the year the base

  • AF general to retire at reduced rank

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne has directed that Brig. Gen. Richard S. Hassan, former director of the Air Force senior leader management office, retire in the permanent grade of colonel effective March 1. The retirement grade determination follows an Air Force Inspector General

  • Priorities are key to getting organized

    Short suspenses, miles of e-mail traffic and clocks that never slow down can present road blocks on the daily path to getting the mission done. Even so, Rowdy Yates, 78th Air Base Wing Lean change manager, said people can get more done daily with the right approach. "I believe the reason people feel

  • Air Force’s FY 2007 budget released

    As part of the president's fiscal year 2007 budget plan, the Air Force is set to receive $105.9 billion. This budget meets the vision of Air Force leaders to fight and win the global war on terrorism; to develop, train and care for Airmen; and to recapitalize and modernize the force, said Maj. Gen.

  • Edwards squadron writes book on CV-22 training

    The Air Force is providing warfighters advanced and reliable tools to accomplish their mission by combining the capabilities of two distinctly different aircraft. Although the CV-22 Osprey is still undergoing developmental tests, it began operational testing here in December with crews from Air

  • Japanese officers attend AF security forces basic course

    The first Japanese air force officers since 1992 are attending the Air Force security forces basic officer course here. “I would like to emphasize that we really appreciate being accepted here,” said Capt. Hideaki Nakamura, one of the three Japanese officers attending the nearly four-month-long

  • QDR directs Air Force future

    The Department of Defense released the results of the quadrennial defense review Feb. 3 here. "The QDR guides and supports Air Force transformation in pursuit of key joint, interdependent combat capabilities that enable us to deliver more sovereign options for the defense of the United States of

  • Budgeting software benefits command and users

    Learning how to load software onto a computer was painful for Paul Grabiel. He is a budget analyst, not a “techie” and he couldn't seem to do his job without biting his lip in frustration. But thanks to a new software program, there's good news for Mr. Grabiel and his colleagues in financial

  • Engineer honored for innovations

    The editors of U.S. Black Engineer and Information Technology magazine have named 1st Lt. Robert Patton Jr. of the Air Force Research Laboratory as one of their "Modern-Day Technology Leaders for 2006" for outstanding leadership in engineering, science and technology. A native of Richmond, Va.,

  • BRAC keeps military health system relevant

    The 2005 Base Realignment and Closure, or BRAC, process has created opportunities and challenges for the military community, and specifically the military medicine community, the commission's chairman said here Feb. 2.Four BRAC actions affect large medical facilities. At least four more affect

  • Adjustments essential to maintaining Tricare benefits

    Adjustments to the Tricare program are necessary to ensure military health benefits are maintained at a superior level for many years, said a Defense Department official here Feb. 1. The changes, which will be introduced next week with the release of the Quadrennial Defense Review and the

  • Sergeant thanks Congress for helping keep her team together

    As the president spoke to the nation during the State of the Union address, an Airman sat in the gallery, dressed in blues, displaying the combat medals she earned in Iraq. America’s most prominent leaders were gathered in one room on Capitol Hill for the annual speech Jan. 31. Sitting attentively

  • Air Force Assistance Fund campaign begins Feb. 13

    This year's Air Force Assistance Fund "Commitment to Caring" campaign, from Feb. 13 to May 5, will provide Airmen the opportunity to contribute to any of the four official Air Force charitable organizations. Now in its 33rd year, 100 percent of designated AFAF contributions will benefit active-duty,

  • Phase maintenance key to mission success

    Eleven hours flying time or about 4,400 nautical miles away is a key to success for the 40th Air Expeditionary Group’s mission: supporting Operation Enduring Freedom from the sky and ensuring peace throughout Afghanistan. The key: Detachment 1 with the group’s expeditionary maintenance squadron at

  • Military health system headed to joint future

    "Jointness" is the future for military operations, and the military health care system will be no different, two Defense Department officials said here Jan. 30. As the military health system transforms, the services will unite to provide more complete and efficient care to all servicemembers, their

  • Transformed battlefield medical care saving more lives

    The military health system has revolutionized battlefield medical care in the past four years, reducing fatalities and raising the quality of care to all-time high levels, two Defense Department officials said here Jan. 30. Injured servicemembers are now more quickly transported from the battlefield

  • Air Force eliminates commissioned officer distinctions

    The Air Force will eliminate the distinction between active-duty regular and reserve officers by May 1. Previously, an officer who earned a reserve commission served in a sort of probationary period until promoted to major, when they could become a “regular” officer. The contract reserve officers

  • New contract begins for Tricare dental program

    Tricare Management Activity will begin its new Tricare Dental Program, or TDP, contract with United Concordia Companies Inc. Feb. 1. United Concordia will continue to furnish worldwide, comprehensive dental coverage to include preventive, diagnostic, restorative and maintenance services to all

  • Memorial services held for fallen Airmen

    More than 500 Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and multinational partners attended a memorial service Jan. 27 to pay their final respects to two Airmen who were killed in Iraq by an improvised explosive device Jan. 22. Tech. Sgt. Jason Norton, 32, and Staff Sgt. Brian McElroy, 28, were assigned to

  • Headquarters Air Force realigns similar to 'J-staff' model

    The staff functions at Headquarters Air Force, major commands and warfighting headquarters will soon all share the same "A-staff" structure. By Feb. 1, the Air Staff at Headquarters Air Force here will adopt an organizational structure that closely mirrors the Army's "G-staff," the Navy's "N-staff"

  • PMEL Airmen ensure equipment is serviceable

    The precision measurement equipment laboratory’s claim to fame is being the only 379th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron workgroup that serves the entire area of responsibility. The team falls under the responsibility of the test measurement and diagnostic equipment, or TMDE, flight. The laboratory

  • Position-vacancy promotions change for Reservists

    Air Force Reserve Command is changing the way it determines the number of early officer promotions, known as position-vacancy promotions. “Starting with the February Air Force Reserve major promotion selection board, we will link position-vacancy promotion quotas to mandatory promotion board

  • Services Airmen handle record-breaking ‘invasion’

    More than 3,000 transient servicemembers invaded this desert base recently. These travelers broke the base’s records for lodging and dining. "They came in droves, hungry and tired," said Lt. Col. David Preston, the commander of the 379th Expeditionary Services Squadron. "But, Services was up for the

  • Most Reserve, Guard members earn more, not less, in uniform

    Despite general perceptions that Guardsmen and Reservists lose income when called to active duty, most actually earn more in uniform than as civilians, a new Rand Corp. study reveals. The nonprofit research organization's study, commissioned by the Defense Department and released Jan. 25, shows that

  • Air Force ranks No. 1 for renewable energy use

    The Air Force purchased more renewable energy than any other member of the Environmental Protection Agency’s green power partnership last year, according to a report released Jan. 24 by the EPA. The partnership, which is sponsored by the EPA, consists of U.S. companies and organizations that

  • AMC Airmen deploying 'a little lighter'

    Air Mobility Command Airmen who deploy are traveling a little lighter -- nearly 90 pounds lighter -- thanks to the mobility bag pre-positioning initiative. The program, now in its second phase, will allow 5,000 Airmen -- about 1,000 from AMC -- to deploy without carrying the typical three mobility

  • Defense Department sets record with charitable giving

    The Defense Department raised a record-high $15.1 million in the 2005 Combined Federal Campaign, exceeding the department's goal by $2.3 million. DOD recognized its organizations for their fundraising efforts at the Combined Federal Campaign awards ceremony Jan. 25 at the Pentagon. "By all of these

  • CMSAF Murray visits Southern Command units

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray toured units throughout U.S. Southern Command Jan. 16 to 19 to express Air Force leaders’ appreciation for what Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and civilians within the command do every day. Chief Murray visited Airmen in Honduras, Ecuador,

  • Vehicle management flight keeps Barksdale moving

    The responsibility for all government vehicles here falls to the 2nd Logistics Readiness Squadron’s vehicle management flight. That accountability includes buying 25 vehicles a year and managing 894 vehicles, with an annual repair budget of $1.6 million. Master Sgt. Michael Boyles, vehicle

  • Beale squadron welcomes Brown Bag University

    The Air Force provides opportunities and financial support for school, both personal and professional. Many bases also offer on-base programs so Airmen don’t have to commute to a local college. For the first time at Beale AFB, a school is now coming right to a squadron. “The concept of Brown Bag

  • JSTARS adds blue force tracking capability

    The ability to distinguish between friend and foe, a concept known as blue force tracking, is critical to conducting effective network-focused military operations. The Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar Systems Group made its first steps toward that goal by installing a system called Force XXI

  • Start date for new personnel system pushed back three months

    Defense officials have scaled back the initial group of civilian employees to fall under the new National Security Personnel System to 11,000 from a previously scheduled 60,000, officials announced Jan. 17. The implementation date was also changed from Feb. 1 to April 30. Personnel officials have

  • Reservists attend first safeguard training exercise

    While many Airmen were glued to the tube watching the NFL playoffs, the 939th Air Refueling Wing went to training camp to learn how to better survive and operate in a war, contingency or emergency. The 43 Reservists went to the Volk Field Combat Readiness Training Center at Camp Douglas, Wis., to

  • Infrastructure team makes the 'POInT'

    A group of Air Force civil engineers huddle in front of a large wall map at the back of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), 1st Brigade Combat Team’s headquarters here. The red and green lines that meander from dot to dot across the large white map command their attention. They are the Power

  • Andersen AFB: growing to meet its mission

    The eyes of U.S. military leaders are once again focused here to provide peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. “The strategic importance of Andersen is rejuvenating,” said Col. Michael Boera, the 36th Expeditionary Air Wing commander. “No longer is Andersen the sleepy hollow it’s been

  • Service demographics offer snapshot of force

    The Air Force Personnel Center here recently published its quarterly demographics report offering a snapshot of the service's active-duty and civilian force, as of Dec. 31. More information can be found at online at www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/demographics. Statistics rounded to the nearest tenth.

  • Medevac flight keeps warfighters in the fight

    Moving the wounded, sick or injured to where they can receive the right level of care is the focus of a group of medical specialists deployed here supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. From coordinating airlift to providing medical care while in flight, Airmen from the 455th Expeditionary

  • Post-Katrina relief operations bolster community recovery

    Keesler is at the forefront of the battle to restore the Mississippi Gulf Coast of Hurricane Katrina’s wake. After the storm devastated the base and surrounding communities Aug. 29, Keesler’s training mission temporarily stopped as it recovered and began humanitarian relief operations, or HUMRO. The

  • Privatized housing now available at Scott

    The Air Force closed a housing privatization deal recently at an Illinois base, bringing the total of privatized homes across the service to more than 16,000, said housing officials here. Scott Air Force Base, Ill., will benefit from $250 million in total development of 1,593 homes within the first

  • Air Force improving production with Smart Operations 21

    The Air Force used the best parts of several civilian efficiency programs to develop an Air Force-unique process-improvement program called "Smart Operations 21," Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne said. The program will take the Air Force forward in a journey of self-improvement, the

  • New Mexico Tech to build on Kirtland

    The Air Force conveyed more than eight acres of base land to the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology during a ceremony here Jan. 6. The agreement is designed to stimulate business efficiencies and technological advancement through the construction of new facilities. The land conveyance, a

  • Group chops away at space system’s weaknesses

    Several times a year, a group of junior U.S. military officers and federal government employees use open source databases -- such as the Internet and libraries -- in an attempt to reveal potential weaknesses in the Department of Defense's space systems. More often than not, participants in the Space

  • New civilian personnel training postponed until review complete

    National Security Personnel System training for Department of Defense managers and rank-and-file employees is being postponed while a component of the new system is reviewed, an NSPS official said here today. "We've asked the services to put a hold on their training for January because we're

  • Civilian pay raises to take effect

    The upcoming pay period for Defense Department civilian General Schedule employees will reflect a 2.1 percent across-the-board pay raise. It also includes a range of locality pays that bring the overall pay hikes between 2.83 and 5.62 percent, an Office of Personnel Management spokesman said. The

  • National Guard helps battle wildfires

    National Guard crews continue to assist Oklahoma and Texas firefighters in dousing wildfires that have now burned more than 600,000 acres in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. Texas Air National Guard crews helped firefighters battle a 22,000-acre blaze that threatened more than 200 homes near Carbon,

  • Nomination season opening for top Guard, Reserve employer awards

    Guard and Reserve members may recommend their employers to be recognized for supporting their military service when the 2006 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Awards nomination season opens next week. The nomination season last from Jan. 9 to Feb. 28. During last year's open season,

  • Good eats means happy troops

    An army marches on it stomach. Napoleon Bonaparte said, and believed, that in 1812. Truth is he might have been thinking more about the importance of a good supply line. But a visit to a military camp -- then or now -- would reveal that good eats and tasty treats are just as important to the troops.

  • Keeping Predators flying helps keep Balad safe

    Airmen who maintain the MQ-1 Predator here take great pride in ensuring the unmanned aerial vehicles they look after can keep and eagle eye on what goes on in Iraq. The 61 Airmen of the 46th Aircraft Maintenance Unit -- and three Royal Air Force Airmen -- keep the Predators flying for the pilots who

  • EQUAL listing available Jan. 10

    The Enlisted Quarterly Assignment Listing for Airmen returning from overseas --and continental United States mandatory movers for May through July -- requirements will be available Jan. 10. Airmen need to work through their military personnel flights or commander's support staff to update their

  • Top docs discuss future of military trauma medicine

    The Department of Defense Combat Trauma Surgical Committee held their annual meeting here and the future of military trauma medicine was high on the agenda. The committee coordinates sustainable combat trauma surgery training programs and recommends tri-service policy changes to improve combat

  • DOD office helps military sexual assault victims

    A new Defense Department organization is dedicated to address the needs of servicemembers who have been sexually assaulted, a senior official said here Dec. 22. The Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office is DoD's central point of accountability for sexual assault incidents, the office's

  • Chaplains: a spirit of service

    Since the time of the American War for Independence, the value of supporting the spiritual part of military members through the service of chaplains has been recognized. Here in Southwest Asia, the men and women of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing and coalition forces have the opportunity to

  • 2005: an Air Force year to remember

    It’s going to be hard to forget 2005, with the war on terrorism, tsunami response, hurricanes and floods. But light did find its way through the darkness. Most memorable are the Airmen who lent a helping hand to those in desperate need. This year also brought new technology, a continued presence at

  • Wilford Hall, Malcolm Grow earn DOD awards

    Two Air Force medical centers earned Department of Defense Patient Safety Awards for their leadership and innovation in quality, safety and commitment to patient care. Getting awards are the 59th Medical Wing’s patient safety office at Wilford Hall Medical Center at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas,

  • Implementation of BRAC begins this year

    Now that the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure commission has approved, modified or disapproved the Office of the Secretary of Defense's recommendations for the 2005 round of base realignment and closure, the individual services must plan the implementation of those recommendations. The Air Force

  • DOD releases sexual harassment, assault reports

    The Department of Defense today released the results of two reports on sexual harassment and sexual assault in the military: the 2004 survey of the reserve components and the Academic Program Year 2005 assessment at the three military service academies. Reserve components: The survey of about 76,000

  • Vandenberg activates Area Control Center

    The 30th Space Wing activated the first major center in the new Western Range Operations Control Center Dec 15. The WROCC will be used for command and control of all Vandenberg launches and to oversee the Western Range, an area that encompasses the west coast of the continental United States and

  • Schriever family members ‘deploy’ to fitness center

    About 60 Airmen and family members came to the base’s main fitness center recently for a three-hour “deployment.” Children moved through a processing line and received necklaces, certificates and hand-pressed buttons. Some went into the racquetball court to practice their marksmanship on skee-ball

  • Post-Katrina relief operations bolster community recovery

    Keesler is at the tip of the sword in the battle to restore the Mississippi Gulf Coast in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. After the storm devastated the base and surrounding communities, Keesler's training mission was broadened to include humanitarian relief operations under the direction of the

  • Air Force leaders foresee personnel cuts

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne said a proposal aimed at reducing the number of Air Force total-force personnel has been discussed. During a press conference Dec. 13, Secretary Wynne said the reduction would take affect across the total force -- active duty, Reserve, Guard and civilian

  • 701st shows true meaning of Christmas

    Volunteers from the 701st Airlift Squadron here came together to help make the holidays a little brighter for those in need. Squadron members have adopted a family through the Department of Social Services, as well as provided Christmas gifts and food for the Charleston Women’s Homeless Shelter. “We

  • SECAF visits deployed Airmen, shares insight

    The world and the Air Force have gone through remarkable changes since Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne hung up his Air Force uniform more than 30 years ago. The enemies, tools to fight them and tactics are all different now. But just six weeks into the job, the secretary visited Airmen

  • PACAF continues to conserve energy

    It’s hard to pick up a national publication of any sort this winter and not see headlines screaming of impending financial peril because of sky-rocketing fuel prices. But, Pacific Air Forces has been combating energy resource concerns even before President Bush’s 2005 Energy and Fuel Conservation

  • 23rd SOPS volunteers donate time at local soup kitchen

    Among other items, the recipe calls for 14 pounds of ground beef, 12 eggs and one quart of milk. It yields 50 portions of meatloaf, just about right for another hot meal at the Sonshine Soup Kitchen. Since 1989, the small soup kitchen in Derry, N.H., has served about 40 hot meals to local area

  • AFPC changes AMS access procedures

    In a recent change to improve security and standardize access controls, access to the Assignment Management System is now controlled by the Air Force Personnel Center's Secure Web site. Airmen can access the AFPC Secure site through the public Web site at www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/ by establishing a

  • 'Hat-in-the-Ring Gang' says goodbye to its Eagles

    The 94th Fighter Squadron flew its last F-15 Eagle sortie today, marking the squadron’s official evolution to F-22A Raptor operations. The “Hat-in-the-Ring Gang” is the second squadron at Langley to convert from the F-15C/D -- a strictly air-to-air fighter -- to the Raptor, which has air-to-ground

  • Air War College hosts diplomats

    When thinking of the war on terrorism at home and abroad, two pictures emerge for many Americans: the military on the battlefield and the diplomats working foreign policy here and overseas. Both work to ensure America's security. These pictures merged here when 19 Department of State officials

  • McChord Airman earns top leadership award

    A joint tactical air controller with the 5th Air Support Operations Squadron at Fort Lewis is the junior enlisted recipient of the 2005 Lance P. Sijan Air Force Leadership Award. Senior Airman Grailin Blamer was recognized for his quick and cool-headed thinking while providing air cover for Soldiers

  • Airmen earn awards for innovations, improvements

    Airmen from seven major commands received the Chief of Staff Team Excellence Awards and Air Force Best Practice certificates for mission process improvements. Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne and Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel Gen. Roger A. Brady presented the trophies and

  • Pakistan gets two upgraded F-16s

    In the early 1980s, the Pakistan air force received its first F-16 Fighting Falcons from the United States. Since then, the maintenance support for the jets has been as unpredictable as world politics. It wasn't until late 2003 that the U.S. government agreed to assess Pakistan's F-16 fleet and

  • Comm squadron develops Air Force Standard Desktop

    The 50th Space Communications Squadron here is spearheading development of the Air Force Standard Desktop Configuration. This move will strengthen network defenses on all Air Force active-duty, Reserve and Guard installations in 2006 and may become a part of an approved configuration for all federal

  • Air Force names 2005 Sijan award recipients

    The Air Force recognized four Airmen with the service's 2005 Lance P. Sijan Air Force Leadership Award. The Sijan award annually recognizes Airmen who demonstrate outstanding leadership abilities while assigned to organizations at the wing level or below. The 2005 recipients are: Senior officer --

  • Civil engineers announce award winners

    The Air Force and three civilian professional associations announced their 2005 Air Force civil engineer award winners Dec. 12. The awards are sponsored by the Society of American Military Engineers, the National Society of Professional Engineers, the Northeast chapter of the American Association of

  • Conference paves way for efficient Air Force

    The Air Force is looking to civilian companies to find ways to streamline itself, eliminate waste and save money in the process. Civilian companies like General Electric and Toyota have been successfully using process improvement programs to cut waste and increase efficiency. Now the Air Force plans

  • Vandenberg helicopter crews help seize drugs

    The 76th Helicopter Squadron here helped seize $284 million of marijuana while supporting Joint Task Force North counterdrug operations this year. The joint task force bases operations on requests for Department of Defense assistance from the Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Border Patrol in

  • ARPC automates 20-year and mortgage letters

    The Air Reserve Personnel Center set another transformation milestone with the self-service automation of the reissue of 20-year and mortgage letters. The letters are now available via the Virtual Personnel Center Guard/Reserve portal. The original 20-year notification letter is issued approximately

  • Reservist can establish online virtual accounts

    Air Force reservists can now go online to create an account on the Reserve Personnel Center’s Virtual Personnel Center-Guard Reserve portal. The portal on the personnel center’s Web site allows reservists to access virtual personnel services and enhances the traditional “vMPF” tools with which many

  • Skill pairing helps develop future leaders

    Force development teams now have a new tool -- skill pairing -- to help them better shape future leaders. Skill pairing is a method of combining developmental expertise across functions to meet Air Force sustainment requirements. Airmen gain this expertise through education and training

  • Officers needed for advanced degree, cross-flow opportunities

    Qualified officers who apply by the Jan. 15 application deadline may compete for and earn a master's degree in the Program for Acquisition and Contracting Experience with follow-on cross-flow assignments. Eligible contracting and acquisitions officers must have between three and seven years of

  • Joint enlisted PME becomes reality

    The enlisted force will now have the same opportunity as the officer corps to receive joint professional military education throughout their careers. "Senior leadership across the (defense) department and services know the backbone of the military is the enlisted corps, and they must be properly

  • TSP begins catch-up contribution enrollment for 2006

    The Air Force Personnel Center's civilian benefits and entitlements service team automated systems will be available for 2006 Thrift Savings Plan catch-up contribution enrollment beginning Dec. 11. Military members may submit their 2006 catch-up contribution enrollments in early January. TSP

  • TSP announces enrollment changes for 2006

    Effective in 2006, civilian and military employees are no longer subject to a percentage limit on the amount they may contribute to a regular Thrift Savings Plan account. They may contribute the full amount allowed by the Internal Revenue Service annual elective deferral limit, which is $15,000 for

  • Letter to Airmen pushes persistence in resource management

    After 15 years of continuous engagement, the Air Force is evolving through persistent situation awareness, the secretary of the Air Force stated in a Letter to Airmen released today. “Our Air Force finds itself in an operating environment that requires us to examine all mission areas, from platforms

  • CMSAF discusses future at enlisted call

    It was fitting Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald Murray wore the Air Force utility uniform of tomorrow when addressing about 700 Airmen at an enlisted call here. Most of what the chief talked about at the base theater Dec. 6 focused on the future. That was also the purpose of his visit to

  • Travis firefighters win second world title

    For the second year in a row, firefighters from Travis Air Force Base, Calif., won the World Firefighter Combat Challenge team competition here. The Travis team also won the stream-light relay -- in a time of 4 minutes, 25.14 seconds -- to seal their victory. The team beat out more than 240

  • Defender training readies ‘brass’ for deployment

    A new Air Force Materiel Command program helps train security forces leaders for deployment to combat zones. “Brave Defender,” developed by the command’s Security Forces Regional Training Center, prepares security forces commanders and senior enlisted leaders for success in the field. "This course

  • Wilford Hall to evaluate Tourette syndrome program

    Wilford Hall Medical Center received a $3 million multi-site National Institutes of Health grant to evaluate a behavior therapy program to help control tics in adults who suffer Tourette syndrome. Tourette syndrome is a neurological disorder characterized by enduring motor and vocal tics. “A growing

  • Controllers keep air traffic on course

    In a cold, dark box the size of a small bedroom -- set apart from everything else here -- work the 332nd Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron combined en route radar approach controllers. The controllers maintain the airspace over central Iraq and handle air traffic for both military and

  • Wingman can help combat the ‘holiday blues’

    Being stationed overseas often means separation from family members. This, combined with holiday stress, can lead to what is known as the “holiday blues.” “The holiday blues refers to feeling sad when we should be feeling joy, happiness and a sense of peace,” said Chaplain (Maj.) Shon Neyland.

  • Fuel cells could save Air Force thousands

    Ten new five-kilowatt fuel cells in operation here could save the Air Force thousands of dollars in energy costs. The fuel cells, located at the base ground water treatment plant, have been operating since early October. Base officials unveiled the new alternative fuel source Dec 1. The cells, which

  • Admiral Lippert: DLA changes will take team effort

    Defense Logistics Agency Director Vice Adm. Keith Lippert said the agency’s transformation will be take a team effort. The admiral spoke of the change and other topics to more than 600 people Nov. 29 at the annual North American Defense Logistics Conference here. “The transformation is not going to

  • ’Patriot Express’ reengineering on track

    The reengineering process to significantly scale down Patriot Express is on track, said experts in Air Mobility Command’s Air Transportation Division. Patriot Express is an AMC-managed, military-chartered commercial air service for transporting Department of Defense customers to and from overseas

  • AF names environmental winners

    The Air Force civil engineer announced the winners of the Gen. Thomas D. White Environmental Awards for 2005. Nine of the winners are eligible for the Secretary of Defense environmental awards and will go forward as the Air Force's nominees. The 2005 winners are: -- Environmental Quality Award

  • New guide helps maintain 'human weapon system'

    It's a theme every Airman can recite -- but many might find themselves at a loss as to how to help a fellow Airman in distress. A guide published by the Air Force Suicide Prevention Program is now available to explain how to be a good “wingman.” The Leader's Guide for Managing Personnel in Distress

  • Changes sweeten 're-up' bonuses in two careers

    The Air Force changed the reenlistment window and waived obligated service requirements for Airmen in two career fields eligible to receive the enlisted critical skills retention bonus. Airmen who meet requirements may qualify for a retention bonus of up to $150,000. The reenlistment window now

  • 700-plus Airmen face retraining

    The ongoing Noncommissioned Officer Retraining Program will involuntarily retrain up to 777 active duty Airmen. The second phase of the program started Nov. 18 and will continues until the Air Force meets retraining targets.Enlisted retraining staff workers at the Air Force Personnel Center here

  • DOD 'steps up fight' against HIV/AIDS

    Eighty senior military and medical officials from more than 30 countries will gather in San Antonio Dec. 2 to 9 to take part in the fifth annual HIV/AIDS course. This year’s theme is “Step Up the Fight.” Sponsored by the Defense Institute for Medical Operations, the course aims to help senior

  • DoD announces implementation of traumatic injury protection

    The Department of Defense announced today the implementation of traumatic injury protection insurance under the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance program as enacted by section 1032 of Public Law 109-13. The program, which will be known as TSGLI, is designed to provide financial assistance to

  • Maintainers keep Minuteman IIIs ready

    Nearly five decades after the Minuteman entered the United States' nuclear arsenal as President John F. Kennedy’s “Ace in the Hole,” technicians here are working to ensure it continues on active duty for the foreseeable future. The missile system watched over the nation as the Cold War ended, ground

  • Symposium keys on space support

    The theme for this year’s Air Force Association National Symposium was “Space – Enabling the War Fighter.” With this in mind, Space and Missile Systems Center commander Lt. Gen. Michael Hamel and other Air Force leaders, and industry partners met in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Nov. 18 to discuss their