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  • Twice-yearly TSP 'open season' limitations end July 1

    Defense Department civilians and servicemembers building tax-free retirement accounts through the Thrift Savings Plan soon will be able to change their investment options at any time instead of just twice a year.Current biannual TSP "open season" investment-choice windows will end July 1, said Army

  • General Jumper charts course for future

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper gave a vector for the Air Force’s future during a speech Feb. 17 at the Air Force Association’s 2005 Air Warfare Symposium here.General Jumper followed Peter B. Teets, acting secretary of the Air Force, at the convention in which about 1,000 people

  • Inspector General investigates eight Air Force contracts

    Eight Air Force defense contracts not previously identified for in-depth review have been referred to the Department of Defense inspector general for investigation.The referral resulted from a review by Defense Contract Management Agency officials of 407 contracts under the control of or influenced

  • Finance begins transformation

    The Air Force financial management community formally kicked off the operational phase of its transformation effort Feb. 2 at a conference in San Antonio.The conference highlighted the "six lanes" of financial transformation planned for the service in the next decade, which emphasize customer

  • DOD IG finds fault with former SECAF

    The former secretary of the Air Force was found recently to have committed two technical violations of the Joint Ethics Regulation.The findings are the result of an investigation by the Department of Defense's Office of the Inspector General and were published in a report Jan. 27.In May 2003, then

  • Expeditionary logistics team carries the load

    They “move the mission,” keeping the busiest airfield in Afghanistan operational.They are the 455th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron Airmen, and their job is to support all aircraft coming in and out of here, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.“Last month, we pushed more than 10,000

  • Air Force moves radios to narrowband

    As the demand for radio frequencies continues to grow, so does the need to increase efficiency. Air Force Communications Agency officials here helped create more capabilities by providing the roadmap for moving the Air Force away from wideband to narrowband radios. Land mobile radio systems enable

  • New civilian personnel rules published Feb. 14

    Officials from the Department of Defense and the Office of Personnel Management will publish the regulations that will govern how the new National Security Personnel System will operate, DOD officials said Feb. 10.The proposed regulations will appear in the Federal Register Feb. 14, and officials

  • Fairchild tests centralized computer support

    A handful of information managers at the network control center here assumed responsibility for a portion of computer workgroup management operations Feb. 7.This is the beginning of a year-long Air Force test program called Pathfinder-Workgroup Management.The base was selected for the test by Air

  • Jumper talks force development with career field managers

    Nearly one hundred active-duty, Guard and Reserve officer and civilian career field managers gathered at the Air Force Personnel Center here recently to discuss the future of force development.The three-day conference included a visit from Gen. John P. Jumper, Air Force chief of staff, who thanked

  • Airmen provide convoy security for Soldiers, Marines in Iraq

    When Master Sgt. William Chapman joined the Air Force transportation field 20 years ago, he never dreamed he would use his skills far beyond the flightline.Recently returned from Iraq, Sergeant Chapman is teaching his fellow Airmen critical skills needed to conduct convoy-security missions there.It

  • Environmental symposium trains thousands

    The Air Force 2005 Environmental Training Symposium, an event that combines the efforts of five major commands and focuses on nine major base organizations, began here Feb. 7.More than 1,500 students from across the Air Force, other government agencies and national academia are participating in more

  • Air Force names EEO winners

    The winners of the 2004 Air Force Distinguished Equal Employment Opportunity Awards were announced recently by the Air Force deputy chief of staff for personnel.The awards recognize individuals for outstanding support and contributions to the objectives of the Air Force civilian EEO and affirmative

  • Engineers receive Black Engineer of the Year awards

    Two Air Force Research Laboratory engineers have won Black Engineer of the Year awards.Dr. Chandra Curtis, a digital avionics systems engineer for the munitions directorate at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., has been selected for the “Most Promising Engineer in Government” award. Dr. Curtis is

  • Joint STARS duo reaches troops on the ground

    One is active duty straight out of technical training; the other served on active duty and is now in the Air National Guard. One is male, the other is female.Yet despite their differences on the surface, Tech. Sgt. Thomas Bloomberg and Airman 1st Class Emily Leece, could not be any closer.“We

  • Pentagon, Senate seek doubling of G.I. survivors' benefit

    Pentagon leaders and Capitol Hill legislators want to increase the current available combined government death benefit for families of fallen servicemembers by about $250,000.If enacted, the proposed change essentially would double the $262,000 now available to families of servicemembers killed in

  • Operation Deep Freeze sees end of C-141 Starlifter era

    The gateway to the highest, driest and coldest continent on earth remains wide open and actively engaged by Airmen deployed supporting Operation Deep Freeze.Since late August, Air Force LC-130 Hercules equipped with skis have flown more than 330 sorties supporting the U.S. Antarctic Program which

  • Reservists switch to paperless LES

    Jan. 1 was the deadline for Air Force reservists to start using myPay, the Web-based method for managing pay.Airmen who did not sign up may find it difficult to know how much they are getting paid. The Feb. 1 leave and earning statement is the last paper copy they will receive through the mail.

  • Air Force Assistance Fund campaign kicks off Feb. 14

    The Air Force Assistance Fund "Commitment to Caring" campaign runs Feb. 14 to May 6. Program officials invite Airmen to contribute to any of the Air Force’s four official charitable organizations.The charities benefit active-duty, Reserve, Guard, retired servicemembers, surviving spouses and

  • Deployed fuels technicians keep OEF airlift rolling

    On a busy morning here, fuels technicians in the 416th Expeditionary Mission Support Squadron fuels management flight could have between three and five fuel trucks on the airfield topping off a C-130 Hercules or a C-17 Globemaster III.It does not really matter where the planes are going; all that

  • Scams target tsunami donors

    The tsunamis that hit South Asia are being hailed as the worst natural disaster in this century. With death tolls topping 200,000 and countless people injured, our brethren in Asia are in need of relief -- shelter, food, clothing and other necessities. Americans opening their purse strings to

  • CMSAF: Our airlift is what makes us a global power

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray highlighted the Air Force’s airlift mission during a three-day visit here Jan. 12.“We could not do what we do in the United States military and as a nation without our great airlifters,” Chief Murray said. “Our airlift is what makes us a global

  • Fairchild tests environmental cleanup process

    The base here encompasses 536,028 acres, all of which the Air Force is mandated by federal law to protect and conserve through effective environmental planning and management.As part of this effort, there is a one-acre site where 1,130 hybrid poplar trees were planted; a drip irrigation system was

  • Airmen help train Iraqi soldiers

    A professional military education instructor had to overcome a language barrier, an unfamiliar curriculum and a trust issue with his students to contribute to the development of a new nation.Master Sgt. Mark Leuquire was one of 28 Air Force instructors deployed to Iraq to train noncommissioned

  • Service demographics offer snapshot of force

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

  • Officials announce OTS selections

    More than 50 people from throughout the United States have earned an opportunity to become Air Force leaders following their selection for a commission, officials here announced Jan. 14.Air Force Recruiting Service officials considered 387 applications as part of Officer Training School Selection

  • Secretary Roche retires

    Airmen, along with servicemembers from more than 14 nations, bid farewell to the 20th Secretary of the Air Force here Jan. 18.Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz presented Air Force Secretary Dr. James G. Roche the Department of Defense award for distinguished public service upon his

  • AFSOC unit wraps up Asian aid mission

    Airmen from the 353rd Special Operations Group at Kadena Air Base, Japan, are going home. Almost a month after a monster earthquake and killer tsunamis claimed untold thousands of lives, the Airmen’s quick-reaction work here is complete as conventional Air Force units have arrived.The MC-130 Combat

  • Officials announce annual civil engineer award winners

    Air Force officials joined three civilian professional associations in honoring Air Force civil engineers recently.The Society of American Military Engineers, the National Society of Professional Engineers, the Northeast Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives and Air Force

  • Undersecretary to fill three leadership roles

    The undersecretary of the Air Force will fill three roles following the departure of two senior Air Force leaders at the end of the month.Both Air Force Secretary Dr. James G. Roche and Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition Dr. Marvin R. Sambur leave their offices Jan. 20.Peter B.

  • Airman moonlights as CAP officer

    During the week Jillian Smith is called “airman first class”; on the weekends it is “lieutenant.” Why the change? The 27th Intelligence Support Squadron communications troop splits her time between the Air Force and the Virginia Wing of the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol. A nonprofit

  • Commissioning program available for active-duty Airmen

    In 2001, Second Lt. Christiane Makela was one step away from leaving the Air Force. At the time, she was a staff sergeant assigned to the 56th Civil Engineer Squadron at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz.She changed her mind and traded her stripes for gold lieutenant bars via the Airman Education and

  • Twins celebrate a half century of service

    Many things have changed at Robins in the past 50 years. There have been runway extensions, new buildings, new units and a string of commanders. But there has been one constant: the presence of Billy and Bobby Edwards, who are logistics management specialists. The 69-year-old identical twins

  • AF’s former top military lawyer to retire in reduced rank

    Air Force Secretary Dr. James G. Roche has directed that Maj. Gen. Thomas J. Fiscus, the former Judge Advocate General of the Air Force, be retired in the permanent grade of colonel effective Feb. 1. Retirement in the grade of colonel instead of major general will result in a future retired pay

  • Air Force, partners deliver aid to Indonesia

    Unfamiliar partners from disparate lands have tuned the tools of their humanitarian outreach trade and are working in unison in the wake of one of the world’s worst natural disasters.Airmen of the 353rd Special Operations Group, based in Langkawi, Malaysia, said the 16-hour days typically begin,

  • Instruction clarifies enlisted Airmen’s roles, responsibilities

    Air Force officials further clarified and standardized the roles, responsibilities and duty titles of its enlisted Airmen with the latest version of Air Force Instruction 36-2618, The Enlisted Force Structure.The 19-page document, certified by Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray,

  • Humanitarian-relief mission supports tsunami victims

    The largest humanitarian relief effort since the Berlin Airlift in 1947 is providing desperately needed water, food and medical supplies to victims of the tsunamis in the Indian Ocean, the general coordinating air support for the operation said Jan. 9.Brig. Gen. Jan-Marc Jouas, director of the

  • Course changes enhance enlisted professionals

    Air Force officials recently standardized enlisted professional enhancement courses and changed the supervisory structure for career assistance advisers and First Term Airman’s Center course managers. These changes enhance enlisted professionals by linking formal training, education and on-the-job

  • Airman’s role brings career full circle

    In September 1972, Donald Klinko stepped through the gates of Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont., primed and ready for his new duties as a security police officer. In a time when Vietnam and the Cold War were at their height, then Lieutenant Klinko would eventually become a missile security section

  • AMC aircraft, people support tsunami-relief operations

    In the days following the Dec. 26 tsunami disaster around the Indian Ocean, Air Mobility Command aircraft and people have delivered tons of relief equipment and hundreds of servicemembers into the affected region.As of Jan. 6, AMC aircraft and aircrews had delivered more than 1.66 million pounds of

  • Civilians get career fields, counselors

    Every Air Force civilian is now assigned to a specific career field, giving him or her a clear point of contact for career counseling. This marks the first tangible effect of civilian career field management, said Air Force Personnel Center officials here.Career field management is the civilian

  • AFRL scientist receives national recognition

    A research scientist and engineer at the Air Force Research Laboratory’s sensors directorate here has been selected for two national awards.Dr. Stanley Rogers has been selected for the 2005 Black Engineer of the Year award for career achievement in government and the 2005 National Society of Black

  • Four earn Sijan award

    Four Airmen are being recognized with the service’s Lance P. Sijan Air Force Leadership Award:The Sijan award annually recognizes a senior and junior officer and a senior and junior enlisted person who demonstrates outstanding leadership abilities while assigned to organizations at the wing level or

  • Blood transfer center essential to mission

    Six Airmen deployed to an air base here are the lifeline of Operation Iraqi Freedom -- literally and figuratively. For them, receiving, monitoring and shipping blood products is a sobering, but motivating responsibility.“People’s lives depend on the accuracy of our job performance,” said Staff Sgt.

  • Elmendorf squadron takes holiday cheer north

    As Santa Claus prepares for his big trip from the North Pole, he took some time out to make a special trip with the 517th Airlift Squadron "Firebirds" here to deliver Christmas presents and supplies to an Athabascan village in northern Alaska -- a tradition that's been around for 37 years.In 1967,

  • Pentagon, eight bases test new civilian personnel system

    Defense Department officials announced Dec. 15 that elements of the Air Force headquarters and eight bases will be in the initial implementation of the National Security Personnel System. The eight bases are: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.; Ellsworth AFB, S.D.; Lackland AFB, Texas; March Air Reserve

  • Airmen move crucial cargo for warfighters

    Airmen of the 437th Aerial Port Squadron here are packaging and delivering critical supplies, including vehicle armor, to American warfighters in Iraq.Charleston Air Force Base, the hub for shipping supplies supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom has seen a 71 percent increase in operations.Since Dec.

  • Officials select first for National Security Personnel System

    Navy Secretary Gordon England announced Dec. 15 the units selected to take part in the initial implementation of the human resources and appeals elements of the Department of Defense’s National Security Personnel System. Secretary England, who serves as the DOD senior executive overseeing the

  • New agreement will strengthen network security

    In an initiative to secure computers and networks worldwide, Air Force officials entered into an agreement with Microsoft to purchase software and support for more than a half-million computers. Under the agreement, in partnership with Dell Computer Corp., all existing Air Force software and

  • Ugandans get air power lesson

    The U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander addressed the first class of Ugandan Senior Command and Staff College attendees here Dec. 2 during the course’s air power week. As the guest lecturer, Gen. Robert H. “Doc” Foglesong talked about issues ranging from air and space power to leadership and how the

  • White House Fellows Program seeks applicants

    Air Force officials are encouraging Airmen to apply for the White House Fellows Program. Applicants must obtain written endorsement and authorization from their commanders.Founded in 1964, the program is one of America's most prestigious for leadership and public service, officials said. It

  • TSP begins catch-up contributions enrollment for 2005

    Air Force Personnel Center's benefits and entitlements service team automated systems will be available for 2005 Thrift Savings Plan catch-up contribution enrollments beginning Dec. 12."TSP catch-up contributions are additional tax-deferred contributions, separate from (regular) contributions," said

  • Airmen teach English to South Korean children

    Airmen from here are traveling to Suwon City to help teach English to students at an elementary school.Since August, 25 Airmen assigned to the 51st Medical Group have taught English at the school the first Saturday of every month.The volunteer work got the attention of the city’s mayor, Kim Young

  • Financial impact of force shaping lessened

    Airmen transitioning to the Air Force Reserve through Palace Chase or to the Army through Blue to Green force-shaping initiatives now face a lighter economic impact.Airmen will no longer have to pay education costs or unearned portions of enlistment bonuses if they applied for separation after Dec.

  • Training prepares security forces Airmen for deployment

    Airmen of the 482nd Security Forces Squadron held a tactical training exercise here Dec. 5. The purpose of the exercise was to prepare them for a variety of possible scenarios if and when they deploy.Convoy missions and urban operations are among the most common challenges for security forces

  • 668 Airmen face involuntary retraining

    Although many Airmen have already volunteered to change career fields or separate under the initial phase of the Air Force's fiscal 2005 noncommissioned officer retraining program, 668 other active-duty Airmen face involuntary retraining.In Phase I of the program, Air Force officials notified more

  • Medics, aircrews work together to save lives

    The cold, metal interior of a loud, rumbling C-130 Hercules, accompanied by the smell of jet fuel and the sight of red tracer rounds in the distance, may not seem like the ideal environment to treat patients. However, for those providing medical care to those who need it quickly, there is really no

  • Armed forces honor longtime Air Force volunteer

    The military services have chosen a longtime Air Force volunteer from Arizona as this year's recipient of the Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher Distinguished Civilian Humanitarian Award.Dorothy Hunt Finley is a leading member of the Davis-Monthan 50, an organization dedicated to supporting Airmen and

  • Flag-flying donations warm American hearts, Afghan feet

    The excitement in the eyes of the Afghan children was mirrored on the faces of two American civilians as a truck carrying bags full of winter shoes backed into an orphanage courtyard recently. Donations received from the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing’s flag-flying program ensured that more than 300

  • Troops get 3.5 percent raise, increase in housing allowance

    Money contained within the 2005 National Defense Authorization Act will fund a 3.5 percent troop pay raise and eliminate servicemembers' out-of-pocket costs for family housing, the Department of Defense’s top military personnel official said.The January troop pay raise will be applied across the

  • New EEO process optimizes complaint resolution

    Air Force officials recently implemented a more streamlined process to help civilians resolve discrimination issues in their workplace.The new process, called the “compressed orderly rapid equitable” process, became available to civilians Oct. 1. The process is expected to greatly expedite

  • AGE of excellence

    Empty closets and pantries are often considered signs of scarcity and tough times. But when Tech. Sgt. Timothy Haun opens the “hold bin,” a pantry that used to be full of manila envelopes and boxes, he sees mostly empty space, and he is happy about it.The manila envelopes and boxes contained pieces

  • ‘Resultant Fury’ pits aircrews against challenging targets

    B-2 Spirit bombers flew a 23-hour roundtrip mission from here Nov. 22 supporting a two-day exercise involving a variety of aircraft striking maritime and ground targets in the Pacific.The highlight of the exercise was the sinking of towed targets by two B-52 Stratofortresses using updated J-series

  • Senator praises Air Force secretary

    A leading member of Congress praised Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche on the floor of the U.S. Senate on Nov. 19, just days after the secretary announced his resignation.Sen. James Inhofe paid tribute Secretary Roche’s service, specifically pointing to his efforts at revitalizing

  • Air Force civilians among top 50 Hispanics

    Hispanic Engineer and Information Technology magazine has included two Air Force civilians among this year’s Top 50 Hispanics in Business and Technology.Michael L. Dominguez and Michael Montelongo were selected from among hundreds of workers in government, academia and corporate America for their

  • Air Force working to fix pay issues

    In testimony before Congress on Nov. 18, the Air Force's finance director said there are issues with the service's pay system, but officials are tackling them. Michael Montelongo, assistant secretary of the Air Force for financial management, told the Senate Armed Services Committee subcommittee on

  • ROTC cadets use marathon to reinforce core values

    Nine Air Force ROTC cadets used the Marine Corps Marathon to help them become better leaders.The University of Notre Dame cadets from Air Force ROTC Detachment 225 traveled from Indiana to Arlington Va., recently to compete in the 29th Marine Corps Marathon.The detachment’s athletic goals are to

  • Big Brother reunites with ‘little’

    After losing his life possessions to a fire, his parents separating and losing motivation to do daily activities, one boy found help from an Airman now stationed here.As a preteen, Xzavior Hill said he had no direction to his life. His goal was simply to pass each day with as little effort as

  • Holiday season can be difficult, stressful

    The holiday season is supposed to be a time of fun, family and good food.“Holidays should be happy and joyful,” said Capt. Kimberly Newsom, chief of life skills support center at the 92nd Medical Group. “It should be a celebration of time spent with loved ones.”Unfortunately, with all of the

  • DOD investigating contracts, reviewing procedures

    The Defense Department's director of acquisition announced Nov. 9 actions being taken to investigate contracts made by Darleen Druyun and initiatives to eliminate future potential for unethical behavior.Earlier this year, Mrs. Druyun pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate Title 18, Section 208 of

  • SECAF ‘vector’ addresses resignation

    In the latest edition of “The Secretary’s Vector,” released Nov. 17, Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche discusses his resignation as the 20th service secretary.Secretary Roche said he accepted the position from President George W. Bush with the intention to serve one term and then return

  • Sambur announces resignation

    Dr. Marvin R. Sambur announced his resignation Nov. 17 as assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition. Dr. Sambur came to the Air Force in 2001 from private industry."Marv Sambur is a highly accomplished professional and a patriot who gave up a lucrative career to serve his country in a

  • Airman offers Great American Smokeout advice

    According to the American Cancer Society, more than 46.5 million American citizens are in a private prison. Afflicted with worsening health, financial shackles and being publicly ostracized, these prisoners have their cell in their possession, but they can break out.All they have to do is quit

  • Airman recalls convoy duty in Iraq

    Staff Sgt. Amelia Solomon did not spend her summer backpacking through Europe or sunbathing on the beaches of Cornwall with her 3-year-old daughter. Instead, she spent her summer in the dry, blistering heat of Iraq, wondering how many improvised explosive devices might be hidden on the trail in

  • Air Force seeks navigators

    Air Force officials are providing more opportunities to active-duty officers who want to become navigators.Officers who meet basic qualifications must submit their application package by Dec. 29 to be considered by the Feb. 8 to 10 undergraduate flying training selection board at the Air Force

  • New AMC delivery process speeds shipments to troops

    A new Air Mobility Command program, dubbed "Pure Pallet,” is simplifying and speeding up airlift shipments into the U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility.The program involves building and shipping individual aircraft pallets with cargo for a single customer, AMC officials said.Lt. Col. Steve

  • Ex-smoker encourages ‘smokeout’

    A 46-year-old health assistant technician decided to get a jump on the Nov. 18 Great American Smokeout when she took part in a tobacco cessation program. She said she went into the program expecting a challenge.A 30-year veteran of smoking, Debra Wolfe said she was watching a family tradition of

  • Developmental teams get voice in officer PME selection

    More than 1,100 officers will get the chance to attend intermediate or senior developmental education schools thanks to the Developmental Education Designation Board held at the Air Force Personnel Center here in October.The board combined inputs from the central selection promotion boards and

  • Air Force officials announce OTS selections

    More than 180 men and women from throughout America have earned an opportunity to become Air Force leaders following their selection for a commission, officials here announced Nov. 12.Air Force Recruiting Service officials considered 205 applications as part of Officer Training School Selection

  • Airmen run fire department at forward operating base

    With safety at the forefront in everyone’s minds, having firefighters ready and standing by is important when an emergency happens on base.The fire department here is run by four Airmen from Manas Air Base, Kyrgyz Republic, who respond to emergencies. The types of emergencies the team is prepared to

  • Reservists bring wounded home

    When more than 10,000 U.S. and multinational troops entered Fallujah on Nov. 8 to root out insurgents, two reservists from here prepared to move the wounded from Iraq.Maj. Greg Koewler and Master Sgt. Greg Thompson of the 445th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron are deployed to Balad Air Base, 50 miles

  • Air Force, contracting officer earn DOD honors

    Department of Defense officials honored the U.S. Air Force with two small business awards -- one for outstanding performance within an individual small business emphasis area, the other recognized the contracting professional of the year. The Air Force received recognition for its leadership in

  • Paper LES program shredded to make way for digital delivery

    Airmen will get one less piece of mail now that the Defense Finance and Accounting Service stopped sending paper leave and earnings statements this month. Airmen will not go without the critical information the LES provides because it is now available via the service’s myPay Web site, said Colonel

  • Air Force selects 32 captains for intern program

    The Air Force Intern Program Central Selection Board selected 32 captains from among 487 candidates nominated by senior raters from across the Air Force. The board was held Sept. 20 to 24 at the Air Force Personnel Center here.The 18- to 24-month program combines hands-on experience as an intern in

  • Airmen return from Darfur mission

    Two C-130 Hercules and about 100 Airmen returned here Nov. 5 after completing a two-week airlift mission moving African Union troops into the Darfur region of Sudan.During the mission, the Airmen moved 47 Nigerian and 238 Rwandan soldiers, and more than 118,000 pounds of cargo. The last mission was

  • Air Force seeks scholarship program applicants

    Air Force officials are offering qualified officers the opportunity to participate in the Information Assurance Scholarship Program, established to increase the number of qualified people entering the information assurance career field. A board will convene at the Air Force Personnel Center here

  • For Armed Services YMCA, November all about family

    Military Family Week began about two decades ago as part of The Great American Family project.Then in 1996, the Armed Services YMCA expanded the week, which occurred around Thanksgiving, into Military Family Month, which began Nov. 1.Just as the week grew into a month-long celebration, military

  • CMSAF addresses top issues

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray addressed hundreds of troops attending the 2004 Airlift/Tanker Association Symposium on Oct. 29, an event he has been unable to attend in years past.Chief Murray gave his insight on three main topics he said he feels are the backbone of the

  • AFIT honors 2004 distinguished alumni

    The Air Force Institute of Technology honored two 2004 distinguished alumni here Oct. 29. Retired Maj. Gen. Robert R. Rankine and Dr. Edward T. Curran were selected for their pioneering roles in science, engineering and education.“The title of ‘distinguished alumnus’ is the highest honor that AFIT

  • Tricare benefits improved significantly for reservists

    The National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal 2005 significantly improves the overall health benefits available to guardsmen, reservists and their families. It also makes permanent several of the Tricare benefits authorized “temporarily” under defense legislation, while extending secretarial

  • Civilian health-care ‘open season’ offers 18 new plans

    Office of Personnel Management officials announced new health-care options that may provide better financial opportunities for employees.Eighteen new high-deductible health plans will be offered by the federal employees’ health benefits program for 2005. The new health plans, when used with a health

  • British team shoots to top at Defender Challenge 2004

    An eight-person British team took home the top award at the worldwide security forces competition Defender Challenge 2004 held here Oct. 22 to 28.The Royal Air Force Regiment took first in the grueling fitness challenge event and third in the Sadler Cup tactical exercise. These wins earned them the

  • Leaders call for evaluation of suicide prevention efforts

    Air Force senior leaders are calling for commanders to conduct full reviews of suicide prevention efforts and to ensure that all Airmen are aware of resources such as life skills and other support agencies to address the service’s highest suicide rate in nine years.As of Oct. 27, 46 active-duty

  • New system tracks parts data

    Technicians in the avionics and instruments division now have a faster way to get the parts they need. The Lean Depot Management System tracks data on parts, and technicians, engineers and managers said they are noticing several benefits.The system can determine if a part is available and if so,

  • Officials announce 2004 awards for air mobility excellence

    Airlift/Tanker Association officials recently announced the 2004 award winners for excellence within the air mobility community.The association recognized 27 people in five categories. These Airmen will be honored at its annual convention in Dallas on Oct. 29.The Young Leadership Award is presented

  • DOD officials issue 'green' procurement policy

    Department of Defense officials issued a new procurement policy this week urging employees and the military to "buy green."The policy requires the department's civilian and military people to purchase products and services that benefit the environment, said Alex Beehler, DOD's chief of environmental

  • Air Force team deploys to prepare for Sudan airlift mission

    About 30 Airmen from U.S. European Command arrived in Kigali, Rwanda, on Oct. 21 to begin preparations to support a two-week airlift mission of Rwandan peacekeepers. The mission is part of an African Union expanded mission in the Darfur region of Sudan.Two C-130 Hercules aircraft and about 120

  • Airman dies, two injured in helicopter crash

    An Airman died Oct. 21 from injuries sustained in an Oct. 20 HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter crash about 105 miles east of Shindand, Afghanistan. Two other Airmen were injured in the crash and were taken to a medical facility at Kandahar Air Field, along with an Afghan who works for the Joint Electoral

  • General Jumper visits Pacific Coast Air Museum

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper visited here Oct. 16 for a dedication ceremony at the Pacific Coast Air Museum.At the event, a restored F-106A Delta Dart was dedicated in honor and remembrance of General Jumper’s father, Maj. Gen. Jimmy Jumper, and the 48th Fighter Interceptor Squadron,

  • Officials activate National Security Space Institute

    Air Force Space Command officials stood up a space education and training organization here recently that they said will provide the foundation to creating a new generation of space professionals. The National Security Space Institute will be the Department of Defense's single focal point for space