Some veterans see another VA travel increase

Service-disabled and low-income veterans who are reimbursed for travel expenses while receiving care at Department of Veterans Affairs facilities will see an increase in their payments beginning Jan. 9. A recently passed law allows VA to cut the amount it must withhold from their mileage

Officials seek 10 enlisted for AFIT degree program

Air Force Institute of Technology officials are offering 10 noncommissioned officers the opportunity to pursue an advanced science, engineering or management degree at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Ten NCOs from around the Air Force will be selected in February to attend the

Officials initiate surgical specialty training in Iraq

Optimally managing the unique head and neck injury patterns seen in Iraq and Afghanistan has led to a successful initiative out of Wilford Hall Medical Center here: sending the first surgical fellow to a war zone for a surgical rotation. In the past, medical and surgical residents and fellows were

Nearly 11,000 survivors receiving retroactive VA payments

Officials from the Department of Veterans Affairs have identified nearly 11,000 surviving spouses of deceased veterans who will receive a lump-sum payment before the new year to correct an error in their VA benefits. Also documented were more than 73,000 who previously had been paid. VA officials

USAFCENT commander visits deployed Airmen on Christmas Eve

Much like Santa Claus pays a visit to boys and girls around the world on Christmas Eve, U.S. Air Forces Central leaders visited deployed Airmen here Dec. 24. Instead of presents, Lt. Gen. Gary North, USAFCENT commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Scott Dearduff, USAFCENT command chief, handed out words

Santa Claus is coming to town

Santa Claus visited the men and women of the North American Aerospace Defense Command Tracks Santa Battle Cab in preparation for his Christmas Eve journey Dec. 23 at Peterson Air Force Base. Santa received a Federal Aviation Administration, weather and air mission brief from Maj. Gen. John H.

DOD announces change to 2009-2010 kindergarten program

The entrance birth date for the Department of Defense Education Activity Kindergarten Program will change from Oct. 31 to Sept. 1, DODEA officials announced recently. The change means a child must be 5 years old by Sept. 1 to enroll in kindergarten. This aligns DODEA with national trends as well as

AAFES reps deliver troops' 'favorite things' this holiday season

Energy drinks, beef jerky, candy bars and DVDs. These items topped the wish lists of American troops shopping at more than 80 Army & Air Force Exchange Service locations throughout operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. In fact, Soldiers, Airmen, Marines and Sailors picked up nearly four

Dana Pounds named Air Force Athlete of the Year

Former Air Force track and field standout 2nd Lt. Dana Pounds was named the 2008 Female Athlete of the Year, Air Force Services Agency officials have announced. Lieutenant Pounds, who spent the past two years as a member of the World Class Athlete Program, or WCAP, finished second at the Olympic

Officials streamline overseas outprocessing guidelines

Air Force Personnel Center officials here recently introduced a new initiative that will streamline final processing for Airmen retiring or separating from overseas areas. With this change, additional travel to a separation processing base, or SPB, is no longer required. The new procedure is part of

Future Airman gains confidence, loses 160 pounds

Leo Knight-Inglesby is more determined than ever, and for the past 15 months has pushed himself beyond the limits he, and his loved ones, ever thought possible. The 22-year-old Silver Spring, Md., native is so set to "Do Something Amazing" in the Air Force that he shed more than 160 pounds to meet

AFPC officials to offer personnel course for commanders

Air Force Personnel Center officials here are launching a new course designed to provide squadron commanders outside the personnel career field with the latest military and civilian personnel programs and procedures.The course also provides information on the air and space expeditionary force

Airman found guilty in court-martial

An Airman here was found guilty by a panel of military officers of three violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice during a general court-martial Dec. 19 at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Airman 1st Class Derick R. Thompson of the 10th Medical Support Squadron, who is not an Academy cadet, was

Admiral Mullen sends best wishes for the holiday

Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, sends the following holiday message: Throughout our history, when faced with war at this special time of the year, American servicemen and women have risen with crisis and fought with valor while providing their fellow citizens precious

President Bush sends holiday greetings to all

President Bush has taped a special video message to servicemembers and their families this holiday season. "Laura and I send greetings to all the men and women of the United States military this holiday season," he says in his one minute and 30 second message.  "In this dangerous time, I thank you

Policy update to make civilian hiring quicker

 To increase the efficiency in filling civilian vacancies, effective Jan. 1, selecting officials will have 45 days instead of 90 to choose the best-qualified candidate. "We continue to refine the civilian hiring process where we can to speed up the hiring action," said Maj. Gen. K.C. McClain, Air

First security guardsmen dispatched into missile fields

Officials at the Minot-based 219th Security Forces Squadron of the North Dakota Air National Guard's 119th Wing have dispatched security Airmen into the missile fields at Minot Air Force Base for the first time. "Putting guardsmen into the field to work side by side with the active duty is a

PACAF officials centralize fitness testing

Airmen across the Pacific Air Forces area of responsibility soon will see a change in their fitness testing procedures as command officials move to centralize the testing under base health and wellness centers by March of 2009. After receiving feedback from across the command, Gen. Howie Chandler,

'Perspective' stresses taking care of Airmen

In his latest "Enlisted Perspective," the Air Force's top enlisted Airman focuses his attention on taking care of Airmen and their families, reinforcing the Air Force's commitment from all levels. "I know there are many issues causing us stress today,"  Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J.

Course gives officers new outlook on force support

Officials at the first Force Support Officers' Course here graduated 57 officers Dec. 11 with Lt. Gen. Richard Newton on hand to congratulate the officers on their achievement. "These outstanding officers made history as they walked across the stage," said General Newton, the deputy chief of staff

Airman's Roll Call: Make safe decisions during holidays

This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on Airmen making safe decisions regarding drinking and driving during the holidays. The holiday season between Thanksgiving and the new year is one of the most dangerous times on America's roadways, due to an increase in the number of people who are driving

New terminology recognizes contributions of Airmen

The Air Force is adopting new terminology to better reflect participation in today's joint fight, the Air Force chief of staff advised in a letter to the field. Airmen who were previously categorized as filling non-standard or "in lieu of" taskings now will be referred to as filling a joint

Officials announce Reserve colonel promotions

Air Reserve Personnel Center officials here announced the fiscal 2009 Air Force Reserve Line and Nonline Colonel Promotion Selection Board results Dec. 16. A selection board convened at ARPC Oct. 6 through 10 to determine those officers qualified to assume the next higher grade and selected 96 of

Officials identify servicemen MIA from Vietnam War

Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office officials here announced Dec. 15 that the group remains of six U.S. servicemen, missing from the Vietnam War, are soon to be buried with full military honors. The Air Force servicemembers are Maj. Bernard L. Bucher, of Eureka, Ill.; Maj. John L.

EUCOM program aims to reduce caregiver fatigue

Recognizing the risk of burnout among caregivers providing warrior and family support, U.S. European Command plans to kick off a program this spring that incorporates principles introduced by bestselling author and lecturer Dr. Stephen Covey. EUCOM is putting together a compassion-fatigue program

Officials set military housing allowance rates for 2009

Housing allowances for military members will go up an average of 6.9 percent in 2009, Defense Department officials announced Dec. 15. The increase comes to an average of about $95 per month across the board for the 950,000 servicemembers expected to draw basic allowance for housing, or BAH, in 2009,

Air Force recruiting Web site redesign launched

Incorporating the latest Internet technologies while reflecting the way ahead for the service, Air Force Recruiting Service officials launched their redesigned Web site Dec. 15 at airforce.com. The Web site serves as the Air Force's official recruiting site and offers potential recruits and the

Congress authorizes paternity leave

Eligible Airmen are now authorized 10 days of nonchargeable paternity leave following the birth of their newborns, courtesy of the 2009 Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act passed by Congress. The law applies to married, active-duty Airmen. The Airman's wife must have given birth to the

Attacked Air Force recruiter in stable condition

The Air Force recruiter who was stabbed outside her Harlem, N.Y., recruiting office Dec. 11 remains in stable condition. Staff Sgt. Sarah Charles, a recruiter with the 313th Recruiting Squadron, was speaking with a potential applicant when she was attacked by a female assailant. The recruiter

Alaska Guard continues Operation Santa Claus tradition

Children from rural Alaskan communities were treated to an early Christmas this year as members of the Alaska National Guard completed Operation Santa Claus for young people in communities across the state. The 50-year community relations and support program provides toys, books and school supplies

Public may comment on draft rules for spouse employment

The public is invited to comment until Jan. 5, 2009, on proposed rules to speed up the hiring process for some military spouses seeking federal jobs. The Office of Personnel Management staff published the rules Dec. 5 in the Federal Register and drafted the regulations to implement an executive

Arizona officials aim to end scams, predatory lending

Financial scams and predatory lending against servicemembers and veterans is so common that the Arizona attorney general has created an advisory board to stop it. "We got so many complaints that were related to either veterans or active-duty military on our consumer line that I felt it was necessary

Space station crew exchanges seasons greetings with Earth

Soaring high above the Earth, the crew of the International Space Station beamed down season's greetings that will air on NASA Television starting Dec. 12. The public can return the extraterrestrial good will and send greetings to the crew by visiting: http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/postcard The

Scholarships help retiree finish education

Spouses with an eye on professional certification or a post-secondary education may not have to foot the entire bill, thanks to a National Military Family Association scholarship program. The group is accepting applications for its annual Joanne Holbrook Patton Military Spouse Scholarship. The

Airman scheduled for court-martial at Academy

Air Force officials here determined a case should proceed to a general court-martial against an Airman assigned to the 10th Medical Support Squadron here to begin Dec. 15 at the U.S. Air Force Academy.An Article 32 hearing determined the case against Airman 1st Class Derick R. Thompson, who is not a

Officials request NCO feedback for future assessments

Staff sergeants through chief master sergeants throughout the Air Force are encouraged to share feedback with officials from the Air Force Occupational Measurement Squadron here right now. This feedback will help NCOs have a voice their own career advancements. Input from the Military Knowledge and

Air Force recruiter stabbed in New York

An Air Force recruiter was stabbed outside her Harlem recruiting office Dec. 11 at about 12:45 p.m. in New York City. Staff Sgt. Sarah Charles, a recruiter with the 313th Recruiting Squadron, is currently in critical but stable condition. Sergeant Charles was talking with a potential applicant at

Reservists may qualify for early retired pay

Department of Defense officials here have issued new guidelines for early receipt of retired pay for members of the Reserve components. Instead of having to wait until age 60 to receive Reserve retired pay, eligible members may receive retired pay prior to age 60 but not before age 50. Under interim

Airman's Roll Call: Managing stress during the holidays

This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on Airmen identifying and finding ways to deal with stress during the holidays. During the holiday season, Airmen may find themselves wrestling with a combination of stressors during this time. Some Airmen make holiday travel plans to visit loved ones or

Services meet or exceed November recruiting goals

All active-duty and reserve-component U.S. military services met or exceeded their November recruiting goals, according to a Defense Department report. -- Air Force recruiting officials signed up 2,916 new active-duty Airmen, meeting their target number of enlistees for the month. -- Army recruiting

New year brings new tools to quit tobacco

Department of Defense and Tricare officials are offering new innovative online tools to help servicemembers keep their New Year's resolutions to quit tobacco. The DOD-sponsored educational campaign, Quit Tobacco--Make Everyone Proud, is expanding its interactive Web site. Users can now create a blog

Air Force officials announce OTS selection results

A total of 223 men and women from across America have earned an opportunity to become Air Force leaders following their selection for an officer's commission, officials here announced Dec. 9. Air Force Recruiting Service officials considered 474 applications as part of Officer Training School

CJCS salutes servicemembers' success at awards dinner

U.S. troops engaged in the global war on terrorism are doing "an exceptionally hard job exceptionally well," the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said at the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs' annual awards dinner held here Dec. 8. "I believe our future is tied, as it always must

Wanna make an Air Force commercial?

Senior leaders are asking Airmen to get behind the camera and submit a video for the next Air Force advertising campaign.  The contest has begun and runs until Jan. 9.  Airmen are encouraged to create a video depicting what their unit or they do to support the Air Force mission, as well as highlight

General Schwartz releases 2009 CSAF Reading List

The chief of staff of the Air Force announced the 2009 CSAF Reading List Dec. 8. "Today's Air Force is the product of the pioneers who preceded us, and our Airmen are proudly carrying the torch," said Gen. Norton Schwartz, the service's 19th chief of staff. "In our professional development, we must

Obama taps Shinseki as next Veterans Affairs chief

President-elect Barack Obama has selected retired Army Chief of Staff Gen. Eric K. Shinseki as his nominee to be secretary of veterans affairs. "As we seek a new national security strategy that uses all elements of American power, we must also remember those who run the greatest risks and make the

New TSP contribution limits set for 2009

The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board recently announced an increase in the 2009 elective deferral limit for regular Thrift Savings Plan contributions. The limit is now $16,500, up from $15,500 for 2008. In addition, contributions for the TSP catch-up plan will increase to $5,500, up from

Leaders encourage Airmen to apply for Academy

Young, hard-charging Airmen are sought for entry into the U.S. Air Force Academy and the Air Force Academy Preparatory School with the end goal of earning a commission, but must apply by Jan. 31, 2009. The Academy sets aside up to 85 slots for active-duty Airmen and up to 85 more slots for Guard and

Programs aim to strengthen military marriages, curb divorce

Servicemembers and their spouses are flocking to a broad array of programs to help them strengthen their family relationships as the services step up efforts to curb divorce rates.Military divorce rates rose by .1 percent -- to 3.4 percent -- during fiscal 2008, with 492 more divorces than the

Academy officials announce 2008 distinguished graduates

Officials from the U.S. Air Force Academy and the Academy's Association of Graduates have announced the winners of the 2008 Distinguished Graduate Award. Retired Maj. Gen. Donald Shepperd, Class of 1962, and Mr. John Martinson, Class of 1970, earned this prestigious honor for their singular and

Guard families eligible for child care subsidy

For National Guard members who are about to deploy, there is a lot to think about before heading overseas. Changes have to be made to school and work schedules, arrangements have to be made for routine household chores, but for many, child care is one thing that weighs heaviest on their minds. For

Climate survey deadline extended to Dec. 14

If you want to play a part in shaping the future of the Air Force, an effective and proven tool may be sitting in your inbox and you have until Dec. 14 to be heard. Since Oct. 1, an initial e-mail invitation and several follow-on reminders were sent out Air Force-wide, which included a link to the

Military financial road show heads to Washington state

As headlines scream news of an economic recession, a Defense Department team is heading to the Pacific Northwest Dec. 4 to help drive home the point that financial readiness is a big part of mission readiness. Fort Lewis, McChord Air Force Base and Naval Air Station Bremerton in Washington state

CSAF: Airmen, Air Force integral part of joint fight

With his first 100 days in office under his belt, the 19th chief of staff of the Air Force says the Air Force is in good shape. Gen. Norton Schwartz says that's because of the impressive job America's Airmen -- active-duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian -- are performing. The service's top military

AETC opens virtual doors to MyBase

Air Education and Training Command officals here launched a virtual world Dec. 2 targeting avatars, or people, interested in learning more about the Air Force. Second Life is a three-dimensional virtual world where users can socialize, connect and explore the digital universe using virtual

Air Force leaders reinforce zero tolerance for sexual assault

Leaders from wing level to senior Air Force brass recently gathered for a two-day leader summit on sexual assault prevention and response here. Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz affirmed their commitment to eliminating sexual assaults in

Kadena volunteers spread holiday cheer to single servicemembers

How do you bring a little cheer to more than 2,000 single servicemembers spending the holidays far away from family and friends? Perhaps 24,000 cookies is a good start. With this in mind, 500 volunteers from various organizations here mixed, rolled, sprinkled, decorated and baked thousands of

Hiring authority makes it easier to hire disabled employees

Air Force officials are working to increase manager understanding of how to hire qualified people with disabilities. The Schedule A hiring authority, a noncompetitive government hiring process, allows federal employers to hire qualified people with mental retardation, severe physical disabilities or

'Today's Air Force' features warrior care

This edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights a different type of therapy for wounded warriors. While most rehabilitation occurs within the walls of medical facilities, new and unique organizations are now able to treat wounded warriors outside medical facilities. Also featured is a plan to

Former Air Force secretary dies at 92

Verne Orr, the fourteenth secretary of the Air Force, died Nov. 27 at age 92 in his home in Pasadena, Calif.  He served under President Ronald Reagan from 1981 to 1985. "Former Secretary of the Air Force Verne Orr was a leader and a professional committed to the United States Air Force and our

NORTHCOM: Guarding the nation's borders

Thousands of U.S. military men and women are deployed across the globe promoting democracy, guarding freedom and fighting terrorism. They are the fingers of the nation's military, extending its reach and capabilities on an international scope. But as the events of Sept. 11, 2001, demonstrated, the

Airman's Roll Call: Easing deployment stress

This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on easing deployment stress through personal and family readiness.Airmen with financial, family or other personal concerns may struggle to perform their duties at 100 percent efficiency at home station or abroad. The Airman and Family Readiness Center helps

DOD officials navigate language roadmap

Defense Department officials here completed more than 90 percent of the tasks they set out to accomplish in a language plan that launched four years ago. Known as the Defense Language Transformation Roadmap, this broad strategy aims to address national shortfalls in foreign language skills in the

PACAF key to stability in diverse theater, general says

The Pacific theater is large, diverse and complicated, but the Airmen of Pacific Air Forces are up to the challenge, according to a senior PACAF leader speaking in Los Angeles Nov. 20. Lt. Gen. Chip Utterback, 13th Air Force commander, kicked off the Air Force Association Global Warfare Symposium

Travel charge cards to switch over Nov. 30

The government-issued Bank of America official travel charge card that's been used for years by Defense Department military and civilian employees will be deactivated effective Nov. 30, Defense Travel Management Office officials said. Citibank has the new contract, and eligible defense military and

Post-combat coping methods vary, troops say

Methods of coping with combat and its aftereffects vary as greatly as the effects themselves, six warriors participating in a conference panel here said. Officials at the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury hosted the "Warrior Resilience Conference:

Astronauts send special greetings to military

The combined crews of Space Shuttle Endeavour and the International Space Station have sent a special greeting to members of the American military in time for the upcoming holiday season. From orbit 220 miles above Earth, Commander Chris Ferguson (captain, U.S. Navy), Pilot Eric Boe (colonel, U.S.

Program helps Guard, Reserve members fill active-duty tours

When his building inspection business slowed, Tech. Sgt. David Marcelli of the District of Columbia Air National Guard needed to find work. He found it by using the Personnel Force Innovation program that matches up organizations that need Guard and Reserve members looking for active duty tours.

SECAF visits base to discuss future of space power

Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley visited Vandenberg Nov. 22 to meet with 14th Air Force leaders and tour the Joint Space Operations Center here. Secretary Donley visited with Brig. Gen. Jay Santee, 14th Air Force vice commander, and Col. Richard Boltz, the 614th Air and Space Operations

Gen. Hoffman assumes leadership of AF Materiel Command

Gen. Donald J. Hoffman assumed command of the organization responsible for the technology, acquisition, test and sustainment of the service's current and future weapon systems during a ceremony here Nov. 21. General Hoffman took the reins of Air Force Materiel Command from Gen. Bruce Carlson during

Service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses take Air Force 'Beyond Goals' at conference

The importance of service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSBs) in going beyond goals to achieve the Air Force mission was highlighted at the 2008 SDVOSB Technology Conference and Expo at the MacDill AFB Officers Club Nov. 13-14. More than 400 SDVOSBs, prime contractors and other small

Open season ongoing for 3 civilian benefit programs

Air Force officials here announced the open season for three civilian benefit programs continues until Dec. 8. The three programs are the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, or FEHB; the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program, or FEDVIP; and the Federal Flexible Spending

Reserve Affairs chief explains new DOD directive

Recent changes on how the Guard and Reserves are recognized are larger than any in recent history, a senior Defense Department official said here Nov. 19. Thomas F. Hall, the assistant secretary of defense for Reserve Affairs, told the Air National Guard's top officers and command chief master

Program addresses wounded, ill servicemembers' needs

More than 1,900 wounded servicemembers have benefited from their enrollment in a specialized health program to meet their unique needs during their rehabilitative process. "As we began seeing more wounded servicemembers returning to our region, we identified some unique needs that they faced as they

DOD launches 'Wounded Warrior Diaries'

Defense Department officials have created the "Wounded Warrior Diaries," a multimedia Web tribute in which American servicemembers wounded in combat share stories of their service, including their hard-won battles on the road to recovery and the ups and downs of life in the wake of injury. The

'Spread the Word' team addresses workforce concerns

The commander of the Air Force Personnel Center brought her Spread the Word briefing team here Nov. 12 to 14 to communicate personnel changes with diverse groups of customers. Maj. Gen. K. C. McClain is traveling with the team initially to each Air Force base with a major command headquarters

Paving the way for a new travel reimbursement process

Air Force finance officials are implementing ways to improve customer service to Airmen with process changes, said the director of the Secretary of the Air Force Financial Management Process Improvement and Integrations Office. "This has been a rocky road for some Air Force travelers," said

New program for DOD moves rolls out

Officials from U.S. Transportation Command here and the Army's Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command announced that Phase II of the Defense Personal Property System will begin live operations Nov. 19. DPS is the automated, end-to-end management system for movement of household goods

E-9 board president emphasizes record verification

The president of the 2008 chief master sergeant evaluation board convened Oct. 20 at the Air Force Personnel Center here emphasized the importance of record verification by each eligible individual prior to the evaluation board convening. Brig. Gen. Frederick H. "Rick" Martin, the U.S. Africa

Airman's Roll Call: Air Force families

This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on families and the part they play in the Air Force mission. November is National Military Family Month, a time set aside to honor spouses, children, and parents for providing the rock-solid foundation on which the Air Force has stood for more than six decades.

DOD officials recognize dedication to veterans

No one has to tell Dawn Halfaker the value of hiring veterans, especially those disabled in combat. She is one. A U.S. Military Academy at West Point graduate and former Army military police officer, Ms. Halfaker was serving in Iraq in 2004 when a rocket-propelled grenade struck her convoy.

Directory for wounded warriors, families, caregivers launched

Department of Defense officials here Nov. 17 launched the National Resource Directory, a collaborative effort between the departments of Defense, Labor and Veterans Affairs. The directory is a Web-based network of care coordinators, providers and support partners with resources for wounded, ill and

Wounded warriors look for second chances

In less than five seconds, the security forces Airman went from being able to shout out commands that could save lives to not being able to speak above a whisper. When an explosive force projectile struck Staff Sgt. Scott Lilley's Humvee April 15, 2007, shrapnel smaller than the size of a BB pellet

Guard's first 4-star general ready to take Minutemen forward

A crowd of more than 300 people from all ranks and services watched as the secretary of Defense swore in and promoted the first four-star general to lead the National Guard in its 372-year history Nov. 17 in the Pentagon. Gen. Craig R. McKinley became the chief of the National Guard Bureau and

Academy Board of Visitors to meet

The Air Force Academy's Board of Visitors is scheduled to meet in Washington, D.C., Nov. 20, to discuss a variety of issues, including the impact of faculty deployments on offering cadets an operational perspective from their instructors and an update on the non-profit organization for the benefit

'Today's Air Force' features Airmen building partnerships

This edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights how the Air Force is improving relations by building a strong partnership between the Iraqis and the coalition forces. In addition, medical teams in Afghanistan are making life easier for the locals by providing medical care. Air Force officials are

Council addresses Airmen issues

Officials of the Force Management and Development Council recently met under its revitalized structure and is now better organized to address issues facing all Airmen -- enlisted, officer and civilian. The 27 senior leaders who make up the council have met biannually since 2004, and in the most

First female four-star general promoted

Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody became the first female four-star general in U.S. military history in a Pentagon ceremony Nov. 14 and later assumed command of the U.S. Army Materiel Command here from outgoing commander, Gen. Benjamin S. Griffin. Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr. presided over the

Are you ready for the Great American Smokeout?

Officials in both the Department of Defense and Tricare encourage military service members and their families to take part in the annual Great American Smokeout on Nov. 20. Participation in the Smokeout is an important component of the DOD-sponsored educational campaign, Quit Tobacco--Make Everyone

Airman's Roll Call: Diversity

This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on the differences between diversity and equal opportunity. The Air Force makes a distinction between diversity and EO. Diversity is mission-oriented and leadership driven--the way we should embrace our differences and utilize them to better accomplish our

Sharing experiences with 'video pen pals'

Officers sought for attache duty

Air Force officials here are accepting applications until Dec. 5 from senior captains, majors and lieutenant colonels to fill various attache positions. Officers selected for attache duty will attend training for the advertised positions starting in January 2010. Attaches are selected from line

Aviano spouse named Air Force Spouse of the Year

The spouse of a senior NCO in the 31st Communications Squadron here has been presented with the Joan Orr Air Force Spouse of the Year Award during a special ceremony in Washington D.C. Melanie Huk, wife of Senior Master Sgt. Edward Huk, 31st CS, was presented the award by Michael Donley, secretary

Randolph honors World War II veteran

On the eve of Veterans Day, members of the Randolph Air Force Base community had the opportunity to thank and present the Purple Heart medal to a World War II veteran for wounds he sustained 63 years ago. Former Army Air Forces Cpl. Hilario L. Riojas of Karnes City, Texas, received his Purple Heart

Chairman promises wounded warriors they will be cared for, remembered

The United States will remember the servicemembers who have made incredible sacrifices on the nation's behalf, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said here Nov. 7 during the "A Salute to Our Troops" dinner sponsored by United Service Organizations and Microsoft. "I promise you we will never,

Yellow Ribbon program focuses on reservists, families

Air Force reservists in the 507th Air Refueling Wing at Tinker AFB, who return from long deployments, are finding the welcome mat waiting for them. A congressional directive in the 2007 Defense Appropriations Act mandated that Reserve components provide reservists and their families with additional

Chairman cites history in Veterans Day message

Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has issued a Veterans Day message to those who now serve or have served in the armed forces. Here is the text of the chairman's message: "When Armistice was declared on Nov. 11, 1918, effectively ending World War I, over sixty-five

'Today's Air Force' features warrior care

This edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights the month of November as Warrior Care month. The military has designated millions of dollars for wounded, ill and injured servicemembers with plans to establish a center for excellence that will specialize in research and development. And see how some

2009 Scholarships for Military Children Program is under way

If you're a high school or college student and the child of a military family looking for ways to found your education, you might want to checkout the 2009 Scholarships for Military Children Program that began Nov. 3. Scholarship applications are available in commissaries worldwide and online

AAFES supports America's wounded warriors

As part of November's Warrior Care Month, the men and women of the Army & Air Force Exchange Service are doing their part to recognize and support those who have sacrificed for their country."With barber shops, fast food restaurants and stores with items to help pass the time at military hospitals