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U.S. Air Force News

  • Leave en route policy change benefits Airmen

    Some Airmen will now have the opportunity to take leave en route within the continental United States when they return home, or redeploy, from the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. This change can save Airmen significant time and travel-associated costs, as well as provide them an

  • Beale family selected as Air Force FitFamily of the month

    The family of a 9th Support Division Squadron member here was selected as the Air Force's FitFamily of the Month for March after logging more points than any other Air Force family on the program's Web site.The FitFamily Web site provides a venue for families to participate in family activities and

  • VA secretary releases draft Gulf War task force report

    Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced March 31 that the department's Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses Task Force has completed the final draft of a comprehensive report that will redefine how VA officials address the concerns of veterans who deployed during the Gulf War in 1990 and

  • New DVD helps children deal with deployment

    Defense and USO officials joined military families at the U.S. Navy Memorial here yesterday to celebrate the launch of a new DVD created to help military children cope with a parent's deployment."With You All the Way" -- a joint effort by the Defense Department, USO and the Trevor Romain Co. --

  • USO officials announce Sesame Workshop tour dates

    The Sesame Street/USO Experience for Military Families, a free traveling USO show based on Sesame Workshop's award winning "Talk, Listen, Connect" initiative and produced in partnership with Vee, is back in the United States after an around-the-world tour. The show, which is exclusively for military

  • Operation Purple reconnects children, parents after deployments

    It wasn't a typical cross country skiing race where skill and speed are factors. In this race, it was all about cooperation. Three children and two parents, lined up like a caterpillar with their hands on the shoulders of the person in front of them, inching along in unison and trying not to trip

  • Circus entertains, honors military families

    The military and the circus have a lot in common.  They both have people from around the nation and assets from around the world. Both are highly trained units that perform sometimes unimaginable feats and handle unspeakable logistical details in carrying out their mission. And, most importantly,

  • Military families get free access to caregiver network

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

  • FitFamily program promotes healthy lifestyles

    Air Force officials launched FitFamily Jan. 30 to encourage and reward children and adults for leading an active lifestyle.The program is designed to increase fitness levels and supplements the Air Force's youth fitness program, FitFactor. "FitFamily promotes the importance of healthy lifestyle

  • Ellsworth Airmen give children taste of deployment process

    Members of the 28th Force Support Squadron Airman and Family Readiness Center here taught base children, spouses of military members and local teachers about the deployment process March 13 here.The event, called Kids, Spouses and Teachers Understanding Deployment Operations, or KUDOS, SUDOS and

  • Air Combat Command leader discusses priorities during visit to Nellis

    The commander of Air Combat Command discussed priorities and focus areas for the command with Airmen here during a visit March 10 through 12.Topping Gen. William M. Fraser III's list of the command's priorities is taking care of Airmen."It's not the hardware or platforms making the mission happen --

  • Symposium nurtures students in research skills

    A Defense Department program is giving high school students the support and resources to design and conduct original research in science, technology, engineering and mathematics areas. Lynn Smith of the Department of Defense Education activity, director of the Junior Science and Humanities

  • Chief of chaplains announces corps' annual award winners

    The Air Force chief of chaplains recently announced the chaplain corps' 2009 annual awards. "All nominees are to be applauded for their amazing performance and exceptional dedication to duty," said Chaplain (Maj. Gen.) Cecil R. Richardson. "But the accomplishments of the winners exemplified first

  • New members appointed to VA Advisory Committee on Women Veterans

    Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki has appointed six new members to the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans, an expert panel that advises Department of Veterans Affairs officials on a wide array of issues affecting women veterans."VA remains committed to providing quality, timely care

  • Female pilots share stories at National Air and Space Museum

    The staff at the National Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center hosted their annual Women in Aviation and Space Family Day March 13 where Airmen had to chance to talk to young girls about being a female pilot.For Lt. Col. Merryl Tengesdal, it was "an opportunity to show the young ladies that

  • Care plan to encompass more military families

    The Defense Department's family care plan policy will be expanded in the coming months to encompass a wider population of military parents, a defense legal expert said. The new policy will require military parents with custody of children from a previous relationship to file a family care plan, said

  • Employment program to resume for enrolled spouses

    The Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts program, commonly known as MyCAA, will resume March 13 for the more than 136,000 spouses who already have established an account, the Defense Department official who heads up the program announced March 11 here. Officials announced a temporary halt in

  • Everyone saves with generic drugs

    Popular generic drugs like omeprazole, zolpidem and cetirizine, which treat gastrointestinal problems, insomnia and allergies, also are available under familiar brand names. While generic drugs are not advertised on television or in magazines, they provide the same benefits as their brand-name

  • Latest issue of Airman magazine available

    In the latest issue of Airman magazine, the "Ghostwalkers," Airmen with a unique mission hone their skills for action outside the wire.Whether they are called to secure a captured airfield or provide force protection in a combat zone, these security forces warriors depend on each other. Intensive

  • Single Airman Working Group opens support structure discussion

    Air Force officials here established the Single Airman Working Group to evaluate and develop morale and support programs for its members as part of the Year of the Air Force Family.Officer and enlisted single Airmen representatives from each major command and subject-matter experts from several

  • Air Combat Command leader visits Davis-Monthan Airmen

    The commander of Air Combat Command visited Davis-Monthan Air Force Base Feb. 23 and 24 to learn more about the base mission and thank the Airmen, civilians and family members for their service. With Davis-Monthan AFB's Airmen continuously deployed around the world, to include supporting relief

  • 'Dot Mil Docs' celebrates 100th episode

    Dot Mil Docs, the Military Health System's official podcast, celebrates its 100th episode this week. Dot Mil Docs is a weekly audio podcast that features military medical professionals and other military health experts from across the DOD. The program upholds the Military Health System's commitment

  • 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' review seeks broadest input

    The Defense Department's review on the potential impact of repealing the ban on gays serving openly in the military will solicit input from troops of every service and rank -- as well as their families -- through surveys, focus groups and social media tools, the team heading up the review told

  • A1 annual award winners announced

    The deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel and services recently announced the 2009 award winners for the A1 community."The A1 community is ready, engaging and constantly leaning forward to support Airmen and taking care of their families," said Lt. Gen. Richard Newton. "While celebrating the

  • Officials offer tips to help children develop healthy habits

    March is National Nutrition Month and with that comes an increased focus on healthy eating. Nutrition is an integral part of health in all individuals, especially in children, and Airmen and their families should take some time this month to assess your eating habits and how they may be affecting

  • Brain Injury Awareness Month highlights facts about head trauma

    Traumatic brain injury, or TBI, has been labeled a "signature injury" of the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. It also occurs in non-combat settings in association with motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries, assaults and falls. In 2009, Department of Defense officials reported 20,199

  • Deployment briefings important for spouses

    When your spouse is deployed, it is inevitable that your car will break down, your house will spring a leak and everyone in the household will come down with a rare illness.The good news is there is help, no matter what the situation. And the best place to start is the Airman and Family Readiness

  • Schriever spouse wins short story contest

    A spouse of a Schriever Air Force Base officer won the Year of the Air Force Family "My Air Force Life" short story contest in the over 18 category Feb. 24 here.Erin Wetmore, wife of 1st Lt. Ross Wetmore of the 50th Operations Support Squadron, learned in a surprise announcement that she had won

  • Dependent wins Air Force writing contest

    The daughter of an Andersen Air Force Base senior NCO won the Year of the Air Force Family short story under 18 category contest sponsored by MyAirForceLife.com Feb. 22 here.Ashley Nelson, daughter of Master Sgt. Dennis Nelson of the 36th Civil Engineer Squadron, won a laptop computer and gift

  • Approved spouses unaffected by career program pause

    A week after announcing the temporary halt of the Defense Department's Military Spouse Career Advancement Account operations, the head of the program assured participants with approved financial assistance that their enrollment will be unaffected. "For those of you who have currently approved

  • Air Force officials remain vigilant in PTSD treatment

    With a commitment to taking care of Airmen and their families, Air Force officials said they will maintain a focus on the prevention, mitigation and treatment of deployment-related post-traumatic stress disorder.Air Force officials use a three-pronged approach to promote psychological health and

  • VA officials create ad campaign to highlight educational benefits

    Department of Veterans Affairs officials announced a two-month, nationwide advertising campaign Feb. 22 to assist student veterans and servicemembers applying for the Post-9/11 GI Bill."VA, student veterans and our schools have made significant progress in implementing the GI Bill this spring, but

  • Video competition at MyAirForceLife.com

    What does MyAirForceLife.com have in common with YouTube, the world's most popular online video community?  Like YouTube, MyAirForceLife.com accepts video clips, allowing the global community to watch, share and vote on videos online.What's different is visitors to MyAirForceLife.com have an

  • Weeklong focus encourages saving for the future

    Officials at Airman & Family Readiness Centers around the Air Force are gearing up for the 2010 Military Saves Week and Military Youth Saves Week Feb. 21 through 28.During this week, A&FRC officials will promote financial readiness among Airmen and their families by encouraging them to effectively

  • Defense Department pauses spouse employment program

    Defense Department officials here have temporarily halted a popular employment assistance program for military spouses while it conducts a "top-to-bottom" review of its services, officials said Feb. 18. The My Spouse Career Advancement Account program, also known as MyCAA, offers military spouses

  • Thousands of families sign up for FitFamily

    Within the first week of the launch of FitFamily, more than 2,000 families have signed up for the program at http://www.usafFitFamily.com.FitFamily empowers families to take charge of their lifestyles and make healthier choices. The program offers innovative ideas, resources and activities for Air

  • New concept for annual AF Assistance Fund campaign announced

    Air Force officials are introducing a new concept this year for the annual Air Force Assistance Fund "Commitment to Caring" campaign, which provides Airmen the opportunity to contribute to four official Air Force charitable organizations.The campaign, now in its 37th year, will run during a

  • MacDill teen wins T-shirt design competition

    A MacDill Air Force Base teen recently won the MyAirForce.com T-shirt competition.Nick Berglund, the son of retired Army Lt. Col. Rich and Robin Berglund, won the competition out of 61 submissions in the youth category.Col. Lawrence Martin, the commander of the 6th Air Mobility Wing, presented the

  • Air Force secretary: Importance of joint mission can't be stressed enough

    The secretary of the Air Force spent time at Bagram Airfield Feb. 1 and 2 as part of a weeklong tour through the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility."One of the primary reasons for the trip was to monitor our efforts in training the Afghanistan National Army Air Corps," Secretary Michael

  • Freedom Miles encourages Ellsworth families to stay healthy

    Officials from the Ellsworth Air Force Base Airman and Family Readiness Center and base fitness center are sponsoring a 14-week program called Freedom Miles designed to encourage the spouses of deployed Airmen to stay active during the military members' deployment.Freedom Miles kicked off with a

  • Deployed Airman wins design contest

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

  • Air Force officials launch FitFamily

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

  • Tricare official explains plans for future

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

  • Military families get free access to caregiver network

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

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

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

  • 'Tricare University' offers benefit education

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

  • Military families gain access to free, online tutoring

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

  • Call for warrior games coaches

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

  • First lady announces family program budget boost

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

  • Barksdale 'dePLAYment' program keeps children active

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

  • Taking care of caregivers

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

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

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

  • VA, DOD officials expand ranks of federal recovery coordinators

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

  • Mullen voices concern with military suicide rate

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

  • Officials urge collaboration in suicide prevention

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

  • Podcast Series Addresses Post-deployment Challenges

    Servicemembers and their families can get help coping with post-deployment stress through a new series of podcasts profiling the personal stories of those who have lived it. "Combat brings individuals face-to-face with the harshest demands imaginable. In fact, it's impossible to be unaffected by

  • Air Force officials study brain injuries

    Compression chambers used to treat divers who experienced "the bends" after ascending too quickly may offer clues to treating wounded warriors suffering traumatic brain injuries. An Air Force study at Wilford Hall Medical Center in San Antonio hopes to determine if hyperbaric oxygen therapy shows

  • Toolkit helps answer servicemembers' health care questions

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

  • Air Force secretary visits Lackland, addresses priorities

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

  • Laws change for military, overseas voters

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

  • Tricare officials encourage eye exams

    Maintaining healthy eyes and vision is an important part of personal safety and quality of life. Getting an eye exam is a smart idea for anyone, whether or not he or she has vision problems. Active duty family members can get a routine eye exam every year, and retirees and their family

  • Defense, Veterans Affairs step closer to integrated records

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

  • Chief of staff dedicates Center for Families of the Fallen

    The Air Force chief of staff dedicated the new Center for Families of the Fallen at the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations Center here Jan. 6."For many of us, this dedication is a bittersweet event," said Gen. Norton Schwartz, the Air Force chief of staff. "This center is emblematic of our

  • New facility fulfills needs for families of the fallen

    The staff of the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations Center has been providing dignity, honor and respect for fallen warriors, and care, service and support for their families since the unit was activated on Jan. 6, 2009. So it was only appropriate that a new facility that will carry that family

  • Program helps servicemembers transition to civilian life

    The Department of Defense's Transition Assistance Program is working to prepare servicemembers and their families for a successful transition to civilian life. "We are trying to ensure that (servicemembers) transition from active duty back to the civilian community is a smooth and seamless one," Ron

  • Three vaccines now available at Tricare network pharmacies

    Tricare beneficiaries can now receive select vaccines with no out-of-pocket expense at retail pharmacies.For the first time, beneficiaries can visit Tricare retail network pharmacies to receive seasonal flu, H1N1 flu and pneumonia vaccines at no cost. This expanded coverage is available to all

  • Think about family members if considering suicide

    Thirty years ago today, Dec. 29, my father forever changed my life, as well as the lives of his other family members. He took a shotgun and shot himself in the head. His death certificate reads, "Self-inflicted gunshot wound."I can't tell you how many times I've heard people joke about something

  • Tricare officials expanded benefits and customer service in 2009

    The past year has been a busy one for Tricare officials with the introduction of a new Web-based counseling program and major enhancements to several other Tricare benefits.Introduced Aug. 1, the Tricare Assistance Program uses today's constantly evolving Web-based technologies to bring short-term

  • Kits help children cope with deployments

    Each year thousands of military children are affected by either a mother or father deploying, and when this happened to the Choate family here, it sparked an idea helps prepare military children deal with deployments. In October, Maj. Eric Choate, an Air Operations Squadron Det. 1 delivery control

  • Air Force secretary visits Airmen at Hickam

    As part of his six-base tour in Pacific Air Forces, Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley visited here Dec. 18 and spoke to Airmen about several Air Force issues. "I'm delighted to be here with Team Hickam and to reacquaint myself with the mission here," said Secretary Donley to more than 600

  • DePLAYment tags coming soon

    Air Force Services Agency officials will be offering DePLAYment tags to families of deployed members starting Dec. 21 through July 31, 2010, as part of the Year of the Air Force Family.Eligible members can log on to http://www.myairforcelife.com to see if their installation is participating and find

  • Tricare program for 'gray area' reservists coming

    A new program will offer "gray area" reservists the opportunity to purchase Tricare health care coverage.While qualified members of the Selected Reserve may purchase premium-based coverage under Tricare Reserve Select, or TRS, retired National Guard and Reserve personnel did not have Tricare health

  • Researcher shares cold safety tips for servicemembers

    Researchers at the U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine are coming up with ways to sustain servicemembers' performance in environmental extremes, a research physiologist at the institute said Dec. 17. "Our job is to help (servicemembers) do their job better in rough environments,"

  • Senior leaders accomplish Year of the Air Force Family road show

    Air Force leaders traveled recently to 23 bases across 12 major commands, including the Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve Command, to spread the word on the Year of the Air Force Family.During the YoAFF road show, Air Force leaders had the opportunity to meet hundreds of Airmen and their

  • Korea command officials focus on quality of life

    Improving the quality of life for servicemembers and their families stationed in South Korea is a top priority, the commander of U.S. Forces Korea said. In a "DODLive" bloggers roundtable Dec. 15, Army Gen. Walter "Skip" Sharp said one of his main priorities is to maintain and improve facilities,

  • Military housing allowance rates set for 2010

    Military members will see an average raise of 2.5 percent in housing allowance rates in 2010, a BAH program analyst for the Defense Department here said Dec. 16. The increase comes to average of around $37 per month for the more than 900,000 servicemembers expected to draw the basic allowance for

  • Roger that: What the Air Force life means to me

    When Chief Master Sgt. Malcolm McVicar answered the question, "What does the Air Force life mean to me," on www.MyAirForceLife.com, he answered, "The Air Force family is the family that grows each day as you meet new Airmen. Like a traditional family, they are always there when you need them the

  • Leaders send holiday greetings

    The Air Force's top leaders send the Air Force family holiday greetings and remind all to remember those Airmen in harm's way apart from family and friends.  Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy

  • Officials seek feedback on family programs

    Defense officials have launched virtual "listening sessions" in hopes of gaining more insight into the effectiveness of military family programs, a Pentagon official said Dec. 15. The anonymous, online survey solicits feedback from servicemembers and their families on the military's educational

  • Year of the Air Force Family short story competition coming soon

    Air Force Services Agency officials are accepting short story competition entries Dec. 20 through Feb. 14, as part of the Year of the Air Force Family.This is an opportunity for Airmen to express what living the Air Force life means to them, their family and their friends. Entries must be be 300

  • 'Today's Air Force' features changes in tattoo policy

    In this edition of Today's Air Force, Air Force officials do an about face on a controversial tattoo policy. Plus, see how a new driving simulator in Germany prepares Airmen for the Autobahn. And Airmen in Belgium take time to remember some of the heroes of WWII. For two weeks the Air Force had a

  • Ramstein members bake goods for local Airmen

    Ramstein Air Base area spouses' organizations joined forces Dec. 11 to bring some holiday joy to servicemembers here.Members of the Ramstein Officer Spouses' Club, Kaiserslautern/Landstuhl Spouses' Association and the Ramstein Enlisted Spouses Association brought sheets full of cookies and baked

  • Families of deployed Airmen warm up to Hearts Apart holiday party

    Hearts Apart morale program members organized an annual holiday party to help families adjust to seperation from deployments Dec. 4 at Hurlburt Field. With this year designated as the Year of the Air Force Family, many people understand that deployments are a way of military life and there are times

  • McConnell 'Heroes at Home' program helps military children

    The Parents as Teachers Heroes at Home program offers servicemembers and military spouses here free family support and education for their children, prenatal to three years old.  The Department of Defense provides funding for the program at installations with high deployment rates. Currently, two

  • Laughlin Airmen give special opportunity to one of their own

    Laughlin Air Force Base Airmen hosted the Air Force's newest pilot here Nov. 20. Nicholas "Nicky" Pena, 3, was sworn in as an honorary pilot at the 87th Flying Training Squadron. Nicky, who has an anaplastic ependymoma brain tumor, was invited to be a part of Laughlin AFB's Pilot for a Day program.

  • Twitter accounts feed job opportunities, news to customers

    Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Flickr.   The Web is fueling society's digital hunger for real-time information and dialogue, and officials at the Air Force Personnel Center and the Air Force Services Agency are serving up the first course. Two Twitter accounts currently are being managed by the public

  • Support improves for families with special needs

    Officials are working to boost the resources and support the Defense Department's Exceptional Family Member Program provides to military families with special needs. "Most people are aware of EFMP as a mandatory enrollment program, but we're working to raise awareness of the family support we can

  • Veterans more likely to avoid foreclosure with VA-backed loan

    Despite problems in the nation's housing market, mortgage loans backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs had a lower foreclosure rate than any other type of home loan in the industry, as of the end of the last fiscal year."The dedication of VA's loan professionals, the support of our partners in

  • Base retiree activities offices worldwide need volunteers

    Retiree activities office members currently need volunteers at 109 offices at active-duty, Reserve and Guard bases around the world. "All of the retiree activities offices are suffering for a new group of people to volunteer because the core of (current volunteers) are getting sick, getting older

  • Officials launch new Air Force community Web site

    Air Force officials have launched a new Web site to meet social and informational needs of Airmen, civilians, retirees and their families.The entire Air Force family: all Airmen, married and single; spouses; children; Air Force civilians; and retirees are invited to log on to

  • Father, son meet in Afghanistan

    There's a saying that a parent would do anything for his children, and that even includes deploying to war to be with their child.During the "Year of the Air Force Family," Tech. Sgt. Thomas Leaman, a reservist from the 302nd Airlift Wing at Petersen Air Force Base, Colo., decided he needed to be

  • Reservist keeps in touch with students

    Master Sgt. Linda Adams has been an elementary school teacher for the past four years.After just one day on the job in the current school year, however, she departed on a four-month deployment to Southwest Asia with her Air Force Reserve unit from Keesler Air Force Base, Miss."I was able to say 'hi'

  • PACAF commander celebrates Thanksgiving with Airmen in Korea

    Gen. Gary North, Pacific Air Forces commander, celebrated Thanksgiving by serving turkey and other holiday favorites to the Airmen serving remote tours in South Korea.The general departed here Nov. 21 to visit Kunsan and Osan Air Bases, South Korea, taking with him Maj. Gen. Jan-Marc Jouas, PACAF

  • Air Force leaders make Thanksgiving Day visit to Airmen in Afghanistan

    The Air Force's top officer and enlisted member paid a Thanksgiving visit to Airmen who are deployed to the NATO Training Mission - Afghanistan and Combined Air Power Transition Force here.During an Airmen's call, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force

  • Transfer of Post-9/11 G.I. Bill benefits easier with new virtual application

    A new module in the virtual Military Personnel Flight that will simplify the process of transferring Post-9/11 G.I. Bill benefits to dependents is set to launch this month.The new vMPF module will check an Airman's eligibility and allow him or her to fill out, sign and send the required statement of

  • Don't let safety get lost in holiday hustle, bustle

    As people prepare for the upcoming holiday season, it's easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle of the season and not think about safety. For the Air Force Safety Center team, the holiday season, which runs from the day before Thanksgiving to the day after New Years, can be one of the most

  • Operation Warmheart: Taking care of Kadena families

    Military members prepare 275 bags filled with a Thanksgiving turkey and other canned goods at the commissary at Kadena Air Base, Japan, for families in need as part of Operation Warmheart Nov. 24, 2009. Operation Warmheart is a program designed to help young enlisted personnel and their families

  • Mullen offers thanks to military families

    President Barack Obama has proclaimed the week of Nov. 22-28 as National Family Week, and the nation's top military officer has issued a message to all military families in honor of their contributions to the nation. Here is the text of the message from Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint