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  • First lady announces military family review

    READY FOR REVIEWPresident Barack Obama has directed the national security staff to lead a 90-day review aimed at developing a federal-government-wide approach to supporting military families, First Lady Michelle Obama announced May 13 here."With just 1 percent of our population -- our troops --

  • Ground system adds more bandwidth to cluttered airspace

    The installation of a first-of-its-kind aeronautical telemetry ground system at the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School here is improving aircraft communication in airspace already jumbled by frequencies from cell phones and satellite television.  This technology expands communications capability

  • Former Air Force medic participates in Warrior Games

    As a former firefighter, emergency medical technician and Air Force aeromedical evacuation Airman, retired Staff Sgt. Ricky Tackett dedicated his life to taking care of others. As a member of the Air Force team participating in the inaugural Warrior Games, people, his teammates, continue to be his

  • Afghan Air Interdiction Unit gets a boost

    Members of the Afghan Ministry of Interior's Air Interdiction Unit held a transition ceremony May 5 at an Afghan National Army Air Corps base in Kabul, Afghanistan, in support of the unit's notable accomplishments over the past 12 months. A few of the distinguished accomplishments include the

  • Elmendorf officials to open Fisher House

    Airmen here will take the first big step in building a haven for their wounded brethren when the groundbreaking for the Fisher House of Alaska takes place May 15.The groundbreaking ceremony is going to be held in concert with the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Anchorage Veteran Affairs

  • Deployment opportunities available for civilians

    Qualified Air Force civilians can broaden their career experience and bring valuable knowledge back to the workplace by volunteering for deployments in a variety of career fields, including civil engineering, contracting, intelligence, logistics management and security administration.As part of the

  • Partnership with Air Guard, Reserve offers new options with C-130 training

    The secretary of the Air Force announced May 4 that officials will proceed with a plan to augment the C-130 Hercules training fleet with C-130s from Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve squadrons.Secretary Michael Donley said Air Force planners will "continue to analyze the allocation of

  • Air Force officials announce FY 2011 force structure alignments

    Air Force officials announced May 11 the proposed force structure realignment for fiscal 2011.  The proposal provides a summary of the civilian and military personnel changes and aircraft assignments at Air Force installations for the upcoming fiscal year. This announcement supersedes all previous

  • Senior Enlisted Leader Summit participants discuss Airmen's global influence

    More than 370 senior enlisted leaders from the Air Force, joint and coalition community gathered for the Senior Enlisted Leader Summit to focus on strategic enlisted issues the first week of May here. The theme of this year's summit, "Deliberately Developing Airmen for Global Response," included 30

  • Disabled vets, troops compete in first Warrior Games

    Let the games begin.With the lighting of the ceremonial Olympic cauldron by National Football League hall of famer and U.S. Naval Academy graduate Roger Staubach, the much-anticipated inaugural Warrior Games are under way.Some 200 disabled veterans from all five branches of military service marched

  • Olympic path marks troops' journeys to fulfilled dreams

    The ceremony began much as any typical military procession does; with troops called to formation."I need a four-man front. Give me a four-man front," yelled a platoon leader.The troops joked and shifted, jostling about and adjusting spacing."Everybody in this row right here, shift back one," the

  • Offutt community to observe National Police Week

    The community of Offutt Air Force Base will observe National Police Week May 9 through 15, culminating in a retreat ceremony.Offutt AFB Airmen will host numerous functions throughout Police Week to honor security forces Airmen, here and around the globe, as well as civilian law enforcement officers

  • Barksdale Airmen test ability during exercise

    Approximately 150 maintenance Airmen, 2nd Bomb Wing pilots and support members recently returned from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, where they participated in the 10-day Exercise Red Flag-Alaska.The exercise is designed to provide realistic and demanding air-combat training to flying unit members

  • VA officials cutting insurance premiums for families

    Department of Veterans Affairs officials announced here that military members insuring their families under the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance, which is administered by the VA, will have reduced out-of-pocket expenses beginning July 1."VA hopes these reductions will allow more military

  • Motorcycle champions rev up safe riding message

    Pentagon officials hosted their fourth annual motorcycle safety event May 8 here to rev up interest in learning the right way to ride.World-class riders including Keith Code, the director of the California Superbikes School, and Jeff Tilten, the co-producer of the safety film "Semper Ride," came out

  • New Noncommissioned Officer Academy to open at Sheppard AFB

    Air Force officials announced plans May 7 to open an Air Force Noncommissioned Officer Academy at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas.The academy is scheduled to open its doors to technical sergeants in early 2011, with an initial expected graduation rate of about 1,300 annually. With the addition of

  • New Air Force Combat Systems Officer Course opens at Navy base

    Air Force aviator training took a step into the 21st century May 5, when the inaugural class of Combat Systems Officer students began training here with the 479th Flying Training Group.As they sat down in classes and began a new year-long training program, the CSO students became part of a

  • Chairman tells servicemembers it's okay to get help

    The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff wants service members to know it is okay to get help for behavioral health-related conditions. In a new video spotlighting Tricare's behavioral health care benefits, Adm. Mike Mullen sends a strong message to servicemembers struggling with feelings of

  • Exchange Service officials investing in facilities

    Construction on a military installation is a sign of progress as the Department of Defense transforms. Army and Air Force Exchange Service officials are playing an active part in this process as the organization has completed 123 major facility projects, valued at more than $1.1 billion dollars,

  • Officials expand opportunities for small businesses

    President Obama signed two executive orders April 26 that focus additional resources on providing new opportunities for small businesses to compete for federal contracts. Noting that "more work can and should be done" to help ensure the federal government meets its small business contracting goals,

  • Air Combat Command leader visits Tinker Airmen

    The commander of Air Combat Command wrapped up a two-day visit with an "all-call" assembly for 552nd Air Control Wing Airmen April 29 here.During the event, Gen. William M. Fraser III spoke about the importance of dedicated, resilient and innovative Airmen.He also spoke about the 552nd ACW mission

  • Gates to brief Senate on new START treaty

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates is slated to go to Capitol Hill May 7 to brief the full Senate on the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty that President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed last month, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said May 7 here.Secretary of State

  • Warrior Games to include pentathlon ultimate challenge

    The inaugural Warrior Games competition May 10 through 14 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., will feature individual and team events and an ultimate champion multi-sport challenge for a Chairman's Cup trophy. During a "DOD Live" bloggers roundtable May 6, Robert E. Moore

  • Social media sites add dimension to sharing information

    A new Facebook fan page is giving the Air Force community an interactive platform for exchanging news, information and feedback about programs that affect their personal and professional lives. US Air Force Life and Career debuted earlier this year and has captured topics fresh on the minds of Air

  • General sees opportunity, innovation at F-35 training wing

    The commander of Air Education and Training Command visited the 33rd Fighter Wing April 26 here.General Stephen R. Lorenz visited Eglin Air Force Base to observe how the wing staff is taking "the opportunity to shape the future," by training pilots and maintainers on the F-35 Lightning II."(The

  • Pentagon leaders recognize best installations

    Representatives from five military bases deemed the "best of the best" were awarded the highest award for excellence among installations at a Pentagon ceremony May 5 here. Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska; the Army's Fort Bragg in North Carolina; Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine

  • 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' online inbox goes live

    A new online inbox that enables servicemembers and their families to comment anonymously about the impact of a possible repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law has gone live. The inbox will enable servicemembers and families to offer their thoughts about how a repeal of the law that prohibits gays

  • TIME magazine honors Airman at New York City gala

    The editors of TIME magazine honored Chief Master Sgt. Antonio D. Travis as one of the 100 most influential people in the world for his efforts following the Haiti earthquake. He was recognized May 4 during the 2010 TIME 100 gala event at New York City's Lincoln Center. Chief Travis was one of the

  • Air Force program recognized for excellence in government

    The Air Force's Logistics, Installations and Mission Support-Enterprise View, or LIMS-EV,  Logistics Transformation initiative was one of 20 finalists in the 2010 Excellence.Gov Awards, competing with other organizations from throughout the federal government.The American Council for Technology and

  • Student pilots reach course milestone: airborne refueling

    Nearly 18,000 feet above Southern Arizona's desert landscape, students in the A-10C Pilot Initial Qualification Course here completed their first air-to-air refueling mission during the week of April 26. Twelve pilots from the 358th Fighter Squadron and 13 from the 357th FS are enrolled in the

  • Servicemembers begin immersion training in Afghanistan

    The first class of U.S. military servicemembers and civilians in the new AfPak Hands program arrived here last week to continue training at the Counterinsurgency Training Academy Afghanistan.AfPak Hands is a new, "all-in" language and cultural immersion initiative developed last summer and stood up

  • U.S., Pakistan relations bolstered by F-16 training

    Eight Pakistani air force pilots, each experienced in the F-16 Fighting Falcon's A and B models, recently learned to fly the newer C- and D-model aircraft at the 162nd Fighter Wing, the international F-16 training unit, and were honored at a graduation ceremony May 4 here.Pakistan's air force

  • Joint Base McGuire selected to test drive new fuel truck

    Members of the 87th Logistics Readiness Squadron here received a new refueling vehicle April 14 to evaluate its performance.The Rampmaster 17.5K large capacity refueling vehicle is augmenting the current fleet of nine R-11 tank-refueling trucks and nine R-12 hydrant-servicing vehicles already used

  • Failed attack underscores need for vigilance

    President Barack Obama called the failed terror attack in New York's Times Square May 1 a sobering reminder of the need to remain vigilant against terrorists committed to destroying America's way of life."Around the world and here at home, there are those who would attack our citizens and who would

  • Iraqi firefighters graduate Balad training course

    Local Iraqi firefighters recently completed a four-part training class with the Joint Base Balad fire department here.Seven Iraqi firefighters put their skills to the test as they suited up to battle an actual structural fire in the training field at the JB Balad fire station prior to graduating

  • Officials declassify nuclear stockpile details to promote transparency

    U.S. officials released newly declassified details about the country's nuclear stockpile May 3, including significant progress made in dismantling warheads, in an effort to promote transparency and help stem nuclear proliferation.The United States had 5,113 warheads in its nuclear weapons stockpile

  • New MC-12 unit activated at Kandahar Airfield

    Officials activated the Air Force's newest MC-12 Liberty squadron in a ceremony here May 1. The 361st Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron has been reactivated many times in the squadron's fairly unique history, said Col. John A. Cherrey, the commander of the 451st Expeditionary Operations Group

  • Global Strike commander visits Malmstrom

    The commander of Air Force Global Strike Command visited the members of the 341st Missile Wing April 20 through 22. While here, Lt. Gen. Frank Klotz met with first sergeants and chiefs; held a commander's call with officers and senior noncommissioned officers; toured the medical group for a Personal

  • Yellow Ribbon event provides rest, eases redeployment

    Rest and relaxation mixed with reintegration seminars and veteran resources, coupled with plenty of chocolate was the theme for the 60-day Yellow Ribbon Event April 16 to 18 at Hershey Lodge in Hershey, Pa.Yellow Ribbon coordinators from the 514th Air Mobility Wing planned this event for more than

  • Balad team helps Iraqi women learn beekeeping trade

    The local buzz around Balad isn't just about a new agricultural development program, it's also literal.A beekeeper taught Iraqi women and families how to care for bees during a three-day class in Yethrib, a sub-district of Balad, to help spur economic independence and benefit local agriculture.In a

  • Ali Airmen and Iraqi soldiers team up to keep electricity flowing

    Three Airmen from the 407th Air Expeditionary Group Civil Engineer Squadron Power Production shop traveled to Camp Ur, Iraq, April 19 through 21, to train Iraqi army mechanics on proper procedures for preventative maintenance of four diesel generators providing electrical power to the base.At Camp

  • State-of-the-art equipment bridges the gap

    Army Corps of Engineers members along with members of the 84th Engineer Support Company, 6th Engineer Battalion, tested a new bridging system April 28, 2010, at Fort Richardson, Alaska, to help the military travel across a wide variety of terrain quickly. Testing of the Lightweight Modular Causeway

  • Air Force senior leaders break ground for special Fisher House at Dover

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley, Gen. Norton Schwartz, Air Force Chief of Staff, and Ken Fisher, Fisher House Foundation chairman, participated in a special groundbreaking ceremony May 1 for a Fisher House on Dover Air Force Base, Del. Although this is the 53rd Fisher House to be built,

  • AF panel likens DOD acquisition to contact sport

    The Defense Department's journey to recapture acquisition excellence took a big step forward during two days of discussions and workforce training held at Sinclair Community College here April 20 and 21.That was the assessment made by several senior leaders at the DOD Acquisition Insight

  • DOD acquisition leader shares his priorities

    More than 700 military, civilian and contractor acquisition professionals and defense industry partners discussed challenges they face during the Department of Defense Acquisition Insight Conference April 20 through 21 here.The Pentagon's top acquisition official, Dr. Ashton Carter, Undersecretary

  • Manas Airmen help support disabled children in Kyrgyzstan

    Airmen from the Transit Center at Manas helped disabled children at a Kyrgyz children's center learn to sign, draw and study during a visit April 27.Some of the children have autism, Down syndrome, and cerebral palsy; some are just physically handicapped, said Sam Duechenbi, a German translator for

  • Fry Scholarship established for children of fallen servicemembers

    Children of military personnel who died in the line of duty since Sept. 11, 2001, can apply for an educational scholarship similar to the new Post-9/11 GI Bill.  Benefits are retroactive to Aug. 1, 2009.The scholarship, which is administered by Department of Veterans Affairs representatives, is

  • Airmen, Soldiers join forces for exercise

    More than 140 Airmen and Soldiers worked together on a new concept during the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center's Eagle Flag exercise on Lakehurst April 12. Eagle Flag is the U.S. military's premiere exercise for validating logistics port-opening procedures in an expeditionary environment.The

  • Exercise in Indonesia comes to a close

    A joint exercise between Indonesian and U.S. Air Force members came to a close April 23 after one week of both countries participating in combined air drops and tactical maneuvers in support of Exercise Cope West 10.Cope West is a Pacific Air Forces-sponsored bilateral tactical airlift exercise

  • VA officials cutting insurance premiums for families

    Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced April 29 here that military personnel insuring their families under the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance program will have reduced out-of-pocket expenses beginning July 1. "VA (officials hope) these reductions will allow more military

  • Wingman Stand Down 2010 in May focuses on Airmen safety, well-being

    For a half day in May, Airmen will learn strategies to prevent suicides and private motor vehicle accidents as part of Wingman Stand Down 2010. The exact date for the stand down will be left to individual units to determine.In a jointly signed letter, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz

  • Boeing officials bring 787 to Eglin AFB for weather tests

    Officials at the McKinley Climatic Lab here are hosting Boeing's newest passenger aircraft, the 787 Dreamliner, for two weeks of cold and hot weather testing.The new plane arrived April 18 and was moved into the lab to begin its cold-weather testing with temperatures reaching minus 45 degrees. The

  • Dignitaries visit U.S., Bulgarian exercise

    The U.S. ambassador to Bulgaria and Bulgarian minister of defense visited Plovdiv Airport to witness the partnership building between U.S. and Bulgarian military forces April 27 during Operation Thracian Spring 2010 here. The bilateral training exercise brings U.S. and Bulgarian military forces

  • Lynn discusses social media at Facebook headquarters

    You could call the Facebook headquarters the "un-Pentagon." The dress is casual, with far more T-shirts than sport coats, and many workers wear sandals instead of shoes.A skateboard was parked outside one office. An employee who spotted a group in business suits remarked, "If they're wearing ties,

  • Airmen train for firefighting mission

    Airmen from the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve are training with the Modular Airborne Firefighting System, or MAFFS, at the South Carolina Technology and Aviation Center here April 26 to 30.Air National Guard and Reserve aircrews fly MAFFS-equipped C-130 Hercules aircraft that can dispense

  • Ramstein youth wins Air Force video competition

    A U.S. Air Forces in Europe youth was named the Air Force-level winner for his submission to the Year of the Air Force Family video competition April 21.Gen. Roger Brady, the USAFE commander, presented Hunter Koltes, 13, a $2,000 gift check toward the purchase of a new computer and video camera and

  • TIME magazine recognizes Airman in top 100

    TIME magazine editors have named Chief Master Sgt. Antonio D. Travis to the 2010 TIME 100, the magazine's annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world for his efforts after the Haiti earthquake. Chief Travis was one of the first U.S. military members on the ground at the Toussaint

  • Lynn details approach to changes in warfare

    Warfare has changed, and the U.S. military must shift to meet the new threats, Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III said to members of the World Affairs Council here April 27.Mr. Lynn said he and Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates have tried to shift military strategy "to move the tectonic

  • Avatar project seeks to help military amputees

    In the movie "Avatar," Jake Sully, a former Marine who lost the use of both legs in combat, climbs into a vessel that magically restores his body when he assumes a new, 10-foot-tall avatar identity.A new project being funded through the Advanced Army Medical Technology Initiative promises to bring

  • Coalition airmen observe day of remembrance

    Airmen from six partner nations gathered at the memorial plaza for a dawn service to observe Australian and New Zealand Army Corps Day April 25 here. A national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand, ANZAC Day is commemorated April 25 every year by both countries to honor members of the

  • Thunderbirds fly Super Bowl champions

    Super Bowl XLIV champions Drew Brees and Jabari Greer of the National Football League's New Orleans Saints experienced "air dominance" in a different fashion going for a ride in a Air Force Thunderbirds red, white and blue F-16 Fighting Falcon April 23, here. The Super Bowl champions took time out

  • Registration open for 2010 Air Force Energy Forum III

    The Air Force Energy III Forum, focusing on the service's most pressing energy issues, is slated to take place May 27 through 28 here. Highlighting the event's theme "A New Culture: Energy as an Operations Enabler," Air Force, government and industry energy representatives will discuss the service's

  • New Air Force cyberspace badge guidelines released

    Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton A. Schwartz has approved the new cyberspace badge and associated wear criteria.In his Apr. 21 memorandum, General Schwartz set forth guidelines and addressed standard eligibility requirements for officers working in the cyberspace domain. Eligibility criteria for

  • New recruits make commitment at Sun-N-Fun Air Show

    Eighteen new recruits recited the oath of enlistment at the Sun-N-Fun Air Show at Lakeland, Fla., April 17.Lt. Col. Chase Cunningham, U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron "Thunderbirds" commander, administered the oath of enlistment in front of about 60,000 patriotic onlookers. The oath is a

  • Exercise enhances training, partnerships for U.S., Bulgarian military

    Airmen, Soldiers and Sailors teamed with Bulgarian armed forces members to conduct Exercise Thracian Spring 2010 April 22 thorugh 28 here.Eighty-one Airmen from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, joined Soldiers from the 5th Quartermaster Company at Rhine Ordnance Barracks, Germany and Sailors from the

  • Pace of changes clouds future, Mullen says

    The pace of changes in the military and in the world has made looking ahead a difficult proposition, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said April 26.Navy Adm. Mike Mullen told members of the Colorado Air National Guard's 140th Wing during a town hall-style meeting at Buckley Air Force Base,

  • Air Force recruiters debut 'augmented reality' mobile tour

    The U.S. Air Force's newest mobile marketing tour, "Command Center Alpha," was unveiled April 22 at the Suwannee River Jam in Live Oak, Fla. Command Center Alpha is a first-of-its-kind augmented reality mobile tour experience that immerses visitors in the "sci-fi" world of the U.S. Air Force. The

  • Tricare overseas beneficiaries reminded to update DEERS

    Tricare beneficiaries living overseas should keep an eye on their mailbox for critical information about how the new Tricare Overseas Program contract affects them. To make sure this information finds its way into the right mailbox, beneficiaries living abroad need to update their Defense Enrollment

  • Air Guard civil engineers benefit from improvements

    Frequent mobilizations are still challenging the Air National Guard's civil engineers, but the planning, training and support for them has improved dramatically, Guard officials said April 26 here.About 400 Air Guard civil engineers joined with security forces Airmen at a conference here to discuss

  • Falcons' Garland signs with Denver Broncos

    Air Force senior defensive lineman Ben Garland has signed a professional contract with the Denver Broncos, according to an announcement April 26 from the National Football League team.Garland is required by Department of Defense policy to serve at least 24 months active duty before applying for an

  • Airmen build facilities for warfighters

    As 30,000 servicemembers continue to pour into the region as part of the troop surge in Afghanistan, a 15-man team of Airmen with the 1st Expeditionary RED HORSE Group here is building structures for warfighters."Our mission here is to construct the facilities that directly support the

  • Air Force-wide social media access begins

    Air Force officials began a two-week phased opening April 26 of access to social media sites Air Force-wide. Pacific Air Forces bases gained access to social media sites earlier in April, serving as the test-bed prior to the Air Force-wide initiative.Air Force Space Command, Air Education and

  • B-1 adapts, remains effective after 25 years

    The non-nuclear B-1 Lancer has adapted from a strategic mission to a close-air support role, and will continue to play an effective part in today's fight in Afghanistan and Iraq, according to leaders here. While the remaining bombers in the Air Force inventory transferred to Air Force Global Strike

  • Gen. Odierno notes progress of Iraqi forces

    As the troop drawdown continues in Iraq, the top U.S. commander there said he's convinced the Iraqi security forces are ready to take over more responsibility, and that the sacrifices the United States has made to get to this point will prove worthwhile."I think we have an opportunity in Iraq we

  • Italian navy, air force officials visit F-35 training wing

    Representatives from the Italian air force and navy visited the 33rd Fighter Wing here April 20 in an effort to check the progress of the first F-35 Lightning II integrated training center and learn more about this new coalition venture. "Things are moving, and this program is becoming real," said

  • Armed Forces Chaplaincy Center dedication set for May 6

    The dedication ceremony for the Armed Forces Chaplaincy Center is set for May 6. The new center will provide religious training and education for Air Force, Army and Navy chaplain corps personnel.In 2005, a Base Realignment and Closure mandate directed that the Naval Chaplains School in Newport,

  • Air Guard security forces at the top of their game

    Air National Guard security forces are at the top of their game, their top officer said here April 21. "We're better equipped, better trained, better (tasked) than we have ever been," said Col. John Wakefield at a conference of nearly 400 ANG security forces personnel.Thousands of them have deployed

  • Officials launch improved system for personal property moves

    After extensive testing and evaluation, transportation officials have launched an improved system to better compensate servicemembers who personally move their household goods on military orders.All services began using the new system April 15. Moves initiated prior to that date will continue to

  • Official urges Gulf War vets to seek VA care

    Gulf War veterans with medical symptoms should seek treatment through the Department of Veterans Affairs in light of a recent study stating Gulf War service is a cause of post-traumatic stress disorder, a senior military health system official said April 25 here.If Gulf War veterans seek care

  • Cope West shows U.S. partnership with Indonesia

    Members of the U.S. and Indonesian air forces held an opening ceremony here April 20 that officially marked the beginning of a joint tactical airlift exercise called Cope West 2010. Cope West is a weeklong bilateral field training exercise sponsored by the two countries' air forces. Cope West is

  • Aircrew breaks C-17 record with heaviest airdrop

    Members of the 418th Flight Test Squadron here set a record for the heaviest single payload ever extracted out of a C-17A T-1 during flight April 14 over Yuma Proving Ground, Ariz. A 77,000 pound jumbo drop test vehicle was extracted out of a C-17 at 25,000 feet. The JDTV is used to test the

  • Airmen, Soldiers team up to tackle threats

    Air Force and Army members here performed a joint, force-protection patrol April 14 near one of the U.S. Air Force's Central Command's main airbases in Iraq.Members of the Air Force's 532nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron and the Army's 1st of the 28th Infantry Battalion  teamed up and armed

  • Air Force's most tenured recruiter retires

    Nearly 26 years ago Doug Sikat felt it was time for a change in his three-year Air Force career. The New York City native was a buck sergeant working as an F-15 Eagle crew chief at Kadena Air Base, Japan. While he loved his job, he knew there was something else out there for him.That "something

  • Air Force officials launch Atlas V carrying X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle

    Members of the 45th Space Wing here launched a United Launch Alliance-built Atlas V Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle carrying an X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle at 7:52 p.m. EDT April 22 here.The X-37B, making its first space flight, will provide a flexible space test platform to conduct various

  • Air Force, community reps plant trees across America

    In recognition of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22, Air Force Real Property Agency officials enlisted the participation of people in 40 communities to plant a tree at one of 40 former and active Air Force bases, from Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii to the former Loring AFB in Maine, as

  • Caring for People Forum wraps up

    The 2010 Caring for People Forum concluded here April 21 with the presentation of a list of proposed initiatives from attendees focused on a range of issues affecting Airmen and their families.Approximately 250 active-duty, Guard and Reserve Airmen and civilians gathered for this second annual

  • Air Force officials launch Combat Airman initiative

    Properly outfitted and equipped Airmen are essential to mission success, according to Air Force logistics officials who recently unveiled a new program focused on what Airmen wear and carry during training, at home station or deployed.Air Force officials hosted an initial planning conference in

  • Contract award to enhance in-flight operations for top U.S. officials

    Air Force officials here issued a contract award in mid-April that will provide highly reliable, secure and integrated voice, data and video equipment for airborne U.S. senior leaders. The nearly $209 million award to Rockwell Collins will allow Air Force officials to retrofit a fleet of 20 special

  • Better prosthetics coming for wounded warriors

    From developing a new microprocessor-controlled prosthetic leg to a non-chafing socket device, the Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center here is making big strides in advancing prosthetic science to improve wounded warriors' quality of life.The center reaches out to a broad spectrum

  • Air Force officials announce AFAF competition winners

    Air Force officials have announced their Group 1 winners of 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, which started Feb. 8 and runs until May 7, features

  • VA officials mark 85 years of 'discovery, innovation and advancement'

    Eighty-five years of enriching the lives of veterans and all Americans through top-notch medical research will be spotlighted April 26 through 30 when members of the Department of Veterans Affairs celebrate National VA Research Week.On April 22, Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs W. Scott Gould

  • Combat arms team supports all operations

    Airmen at the 451st Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron Combat Arms Training and Maintenance team here are directly responsible for ensuring each Air Force member is issued ammunition upon arrival here. In addition, the two-person team of Staff Sgt. Chanson Johnson, and Senior Airman Jacob

  • Air Force family celebrates 'Facility Energy' initiatives this Earth Day

    Air Force men and women join millions of people across the country and around the globe this year in celebrating 40 years of Earth Day. Celebrated annually on April 22, Earth Day promotes awareness and appreciation for the environment. The slogan, "make every day Earth Day" is exemplified in the Air

  • Troops take advantage of GI Bill transferability

    More than 100,000 requests from troops desiring to transfer their unused education benefits to family members have been approved under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, a defense official said April 22 here. Signed into law in June 2008, the new GI Bill is a Department of Veteran Affairs-sponsored program that

  • Additional resources online to support NSPS conversion

    Online training courses are now available to help smooth the upcoming transition of more than 40,000 current Air Force National Security Personnel System employees into non-NSPS personnel systems. To facilitate the conversion, multiple resources have been added to the NSPS's official Web site,

  • DFAS begins recouping separation pay soon

    Recouping military retirees' voluntary separation incentive special separation benefit and other separation payments by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service will resume in August. Separation payments and others, such as severance pay, were offered to active-duty servicemembers to reduce

  • Department hailed as leader in 'green' movement

    In a prelude to this week's Earth Day events, a major independent research group April 21 called the Defense Department a leader in energy conservation."The department is doing more than sounding an alarm; it has enacted energy goals and is inventing, testing and deploying new technologies and

  • Official details results of missile review

    Ballistic missiles are an increasing threat to the United States and the Defense Department must keep up with them, the deputy undersecretary of defense for policy said.James N. Miller, speaking about the department's Nuclear Posture Review April 20 before the Senate Armed Services Committee, said