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  • Carter outlines military acquisition improvements

    The Defense Department has made much progress toward buying and fielding equipment smarter and faster, the Pentagon's undersecretary for acquisitions, technology and logistics told a congressional panel April 13.At a time when President Barack Obama and Congress look for ways to fix the nation's

  • Air Force sexual assault response coordinator earns Federal Service Award

    Dr. Charlotte Moerbe, the Joint Base San Antonio sexual assault response coordinator, was recognized for outstanding work on behalf of crime victims by Department of Justice officials April 8 during the National Crime Victims' Service Awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.Dr. Moerbe received one of two

  • Misawa children roll-up their sleeves, pitch-in with volunteer efforts

    Children from here, accompanied by 16 parents, were part of the first Misawa Helps program family mission April 12 to take place since the volunteer organization stood up in the days following the March 11 earthquake and resulting tsunami.With spring break and children out of school this week, this

  • President's plan likely to affect 2013 defense budget

    President Barack Obama's effort to seek additional savings within the Defense Department likely will affect the department's fiscal 2013 budget, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said April 13.The president announced that he plans to work with Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Navy Adm.

  • Security forces train Iraqi air force security forces

    Members of the 447th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron spent several weeks in March and April training 12 Iraqi security forces airmen from New Al Muthana Air Base on force protection techniques. Fourteen security forces members trained the Iraqis on procedures and techniques used every day by

  • Readiness exercise paves way for Operation Tomodachi success

    For six days in March, Airmen here focused on an operational readiness exercise, working long hours every day to prove that the base's warfighting plan was sound. The 374th Airlift Wing surged demands across the base, ensuring that individuals would be ready to support contingency operations if they

  • Army has new chief of staff

    Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates wanted an Army chief of staff willing to challenge the status quo, and he believes he has one in Gen. Martin E. Dempsey.General Dempsey succeeded Gen. George W. Casey Jr. as the Army chief of staff during a ceremony at Fort Myer, Va., April 11."Whatever challenges

  • North to south: U.S. defenders train Iraqi partners

    More than a dozen Iraqi air force security forces students took a step closer toward autonomous base security after graduating from a training course taught by Iraq Training and Advisory Mission-Air advisers April 7. The two-week course aimed to prepare the initial cadre of Iraqi airmen planning to

  • Deal averts shutdown, normal government operations to continue

    Government agencies are continuing normal operations after the administration, the Senate and the House of Representatives agreed to a fiscal 2011 budget.The continuing resolution expired last night at midnight, but the Senate and House passed a short-term funding bill that will allow both houses to

  • Army drill sergeant pushes BMT flight

    When Army Staff Sgt. David Peters marched Air Force Basic Military Training Flight 258 past reviewing officials during a parade here April 8, it completed one half of a basic training instructor exchange between services.The drill sergeant-military training instructor exchange has given the Air

  • Iraqi, American firefighters team up for joint exercise

    A dozen Iraqi Air Force and U.S.-contracted firefighters conducted a joint coordination exercise for a simulated C-130 Hercules crash here April 3. The exercise, led by the U.S. Air Force's base transition team, marked the initial steps in preparing Iraqi partners for increasing responsibilities as

  • T-38 arrives to supplement F-22 training

    Following a successful test run in March 2010 and approval by Air Combat Command officials, the first of several T-38 Talons from Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., arrived here April 1 for the beginning of the 1st Operations Group's T-38 Adversary Air Program.Col. Matt Molloy, the 1st Fighter Wing's

  • Air Force leaders discuss future of Airmen in joint operations across Iraq

    Air force leaders from the U.S., Iraq and other locations across Southwest Asia gathered on Victory Base Complex, Iraq, recently.During the conference, leaders reviewed the future manpower support of U.S. forces by joint expeditionary tasking and individual augmentee Airmen as Operation New Dawn

  • Critical self-assessment puts Global Strike Command on the right path

    With the Air Force conducting operations on multiple fronts across the globe and facing shrinking resources, Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen are focusing on finding smarter ways to accomplish the mission."(The Analyses, Assessments and Lessons Learned Directorate) is the entity that is aimed

  • MC-130J rollout accelerates AFSOC recapitalization

    Air Force Special Operations Command officials welcomed the latest variant of the MC-130 at a rollout ceremony held at Lockheed Martin's Marietta, Ga., factory recently.The rollout accelerates AFSOC commander Lt. Gen. Donald C. Wurster's priority to recapitalize the fleet by acquiring MC-130J Combat

  • Program develops senior civilian leaders

    The Civilian Strategic Leader Program director assignment offers a structured strategic path for developing future Air Force senior civilian leaders.The program serves as a process for identifying civilian employees at the GS-14 and 15 or equivalent levels who will be the most competitive for

  • Gates, Shinseki agree to joint electronic medical records

    Two years after they joined President Barack Obama in announcing plans to create a joint virtual lifetime electronic record, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki have agreed to create a joint common platform for their departments' electronic medical

  • Air Force chief information officer discusses way ahead for cyberoperations

    The Air Force chief information officer addressed modern cyberspace threats and the impact of social networking at the Air Force Association Cyber Futures Symposium and Convention here April 1.Lt. Gen. William T. Lord emphasized that despite recent budgetary constraints, the Air Force needs to

  • AFNIC engineers prepare Air Force for IPv6 transition

    The Air Force is preparing to undergo a major transition of its non-secure internet protocol router network, or NIPRNet, and if it goes as planned, you'll never notice.Air Force Network Integration Center engineers are leading the Air Force's transition from the current Internet Protocol addressing

  • Airmen contribute to training, operational missions in Italy

    Eleven Airmen from here traveled to Italy aboard a C-17 Globemaster III recently to help three U.S. and Italian army and air force units fulfill airborne training. During their week-long stint, they executed 1,480 paratrooper jumps. "We do joint airborne air transportability training, a way for the

  • Air Force debuts pilot enlisted developmental team

    The Air Force's top enlisted leader addressed the service's first pilot enlisted development team March 31 for senior noncommissioned officers in the nuclear weapons career field. Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy met with Air Force Personnel Center assignments representatives and EDT

  • Air Force officials present budget to appropriations committees

    Air Force leaders discussed the service's fiscal 2012 budget request and their concerns about operating under a continuing resolution with members of the Senate and House Appropriations Committees during hearings here March 30 and 31.In the March 30 hearing before the Senate Appropriations

  • Gates Outlines U.S. Role as NATO Takes Libya Mission

    As NATO officials assumed command of coalition operations in Libya this morning, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told the House Armed Services Committee that U.S. forces will "significantly ramp down" their commitment in the operation.Gates said U.S. efforts in Libya will provide the capabilities

  • U.S., Iraqi air force officials discuss T-6's future in Iraq

    Iraq air force officials took a step closer to self-sustainment after hosting their first T-6 Texan trainer aircraft program management review at New Al Muthana Air Base just days before a historic instructor pilot flight. The conference held March 17 brought together more than 30 representatives

  • Classes aim to spark interest in science, technology

    From robotics engineering to gaming technology, Defense Department school officials are hoping their new, cutting-edge courses will spark a lifelong passion for science and technology in their students.Under a new science, technology, engineering and math initiative, Department of Defense Education

  • Rollout approaches for Young Adult TRICARE enrollment

    TRICARE will soon allow qualified young adults, up to age 26, to purchase military health plan coverage on a month-to-month basis.TRICARE officials announced plans to roll out the new Young Adult Program, including an option to make coverage retroactive to Jan. 1, in the near future.This will ensure

  • Air Force officials outline efficiencies processes

    In compliance with Department of Defense efficiency guidance, Air Force officials confirmed plans here March 29 to implement fiscal 2012 budget proposals that shift dollars and people from overhead and support functions to modernization and warfighting areas.During testimony to members of the

  • Project Crossbow enhances capabilities

    A collaborative U.S. Air Force and United Kingdom Royal Air Force program is making it easier for the two services to share information collected via intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems.The program, dubbed Project Crossbow and modeled on the U.S. Air Force's Distributed Common

  • Budget slows defense growth, comptroller says

    Cost savings reflected in the fiscal 2012 Defense Department budget do not represent a cut from current funding levels, but rather a slower rate of growth than has been seen in recent years, the Pentagon's comptroller and chief financial officer told a Senate committee here March 29.Defense

  • Clinton urges aid to Libya, pressure on Gadhafi

    The international community must work toward three goals in Libya, America's senior diplomat said March 29: delivering humanitarian assistance, pressuring and isolating Moammar Gadhafi's regime, and supporting Libyans' efforts for political change.Speaking in London, at the International Conference

  • Officers share cross-flow experiences, skills

    Cross-flowing into one career field from another isn't a new concept for Airmen. Most officers, at one time or another throughout their career, have served in a position or job outside of their original or primary Air Force Specialty Code. Take, for example, Lt. Col. Ginger Wallace, a former

  • Disabled veterans inspire all Americans, Biden says

    Vice President Joe Biden made a surprise appearance last night at the opening ceremonies of the 25th National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic, thanking the participants for their service and sacrifices and for the inspiration they give their fellow Americans."You are a remarkable group of

  • 2011 Environment, Safety, Occupational Health Symposium wraps up

    The 2011 Environmental, Safety and Occupational Health Symposium at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel here wrapped up after five days of training sessions.  The symposium ran from March 21 through 25.Airmen from all Air Force commands attended sessions on topics ranging from environmental chemistry to risk

  • First Iraqi air force instructor pilot begins training students

    The first Iraqi air force instructor pilot to be certified since American forces ousted Saddam Hussein took a major step forward for the Iraqi air force March 19 here. Lt. Col. Hussein Hamid, Iraqi air force Squadron 203 commander, flew a training mission with an Iraqi student pilot in a T-6 Texan,

  • Mullen accepts award on behalf of armed forces

    Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Navy Adm. Mike Mullen accepted the Dwight D. Eisenhower Award from the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress March 24 on behalf of all members of the U.S. armed forces."Tonight, there are thousands upon thousands of young men and women answering our

  • Military children need nation's support

    Military children need the support not just of the Defense Department, but the "whole of nation" to ensure they're ready for the future, a DOD official said here March 23."Military children are resilient, but they need a lot of help," said Robert L. Gordon III, the deputy assistant secretary of

  • Carpathian Spring comes to a close

    After a week of training for more than 70 Airmen and Soldiers and their Romanian counterparts, Carpathian Spring officially came to a close March 18 in Romania.Members of the 37th Airlift Squadron, the 435th Contingency Response Group, the 86th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, the 86th Aeromedical

  • PACOM officials direct distribution of potassium iodide tablets

    As a precautionary measure, U.S. Pacific Command officials directed distribution of potassium iodide tablets March 22 here. Base officials, however, are stressing there is no indication of increased exposure here. "We want everyone who may need the pills to be prepared, whether it's because of

  • Gates cites efforts to avoid civilian casualties in Libya

    Coalition forces enforcing a no-fly zone in Libya to halt the slaughter of citizens by Moammar Gadhafi "have gone to great lengths to avoid civilian casualties," Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said here March 22.Gates and Russian Defense Minister Anatoliy Serdyukov met to discuss a range of

  • Romanian air force officers visit local Alabama Guard unit

    Five officers from the Romanian air force visited the Alabama National Guard's 187th Fighter Wing here recently. Over their five-day visit, the Romanian officers received a broad overview of F-16 Fighting Falcon operations and sustainment programs.Romanian air force leaders are considering plans to

  • Lithuanian armed forces members observe Ramstein Silver Flag course

    Eight members of the Lithuanian armed forces traveled here to observe a Silver Flag training course here March 9 through 16.Silver Flag is a seven-day training exercise where Airmen practice their contingency skill sets, to include setting up and maintaining a bare base, conducting post-attack

  • Annual Air Force symposium embraces critical training environment

    Air Force officials launched their annual Environmental, Safety and Occupational Health Training Symposium here March 21, hosting more than 1,800 participants and 120 exhibitors.Assistant Secretary of the Air Force Terry Yonkers, Air Force Civil Engineer Maj. Gen. Tim Byers and Brig. Gen. Dave Howe,

  • Clinical trials seek to improve warriors' burn care

    New hope is on the horizon for wounded warriors suffering debilitating burns as officials from the Armed Forces Institute of Regenerative Medicine and their partners at medical research centers launch three promising clinical trials.Burns are among the most painful and debilitating battlefield

  • CMSAF Roy visits sunny Soto Cano Air Base

    It was 25 degrees at Joint Base Andrews, Md., when Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy boarded a plane and headed to Honduras where when he joined Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines at sunny Soto Cano Air Base Jan. 30 and 31.The visit was packed with tours and meet-and-greets, but the

  • T-38 completes 50 years of service

    Officials commemorated the T-38 Talon supersonic jet trainer's 50th service anniversary in a ceremony here March 17.The T-38 was first deployed in March 1961, and has served as a training vehicle for multiple generations of pilots and pilot instructors throughout its five decades of service.Col.

  • Air Force officials present budget to Senate

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz discussed the Air Force fiscal-2012 budget request and recent developments in Japan and Libya during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing here March 17. The Air Force's baseline budget request of $150

  • Air Force pioneer speaks at women's conference

    An Air Force pioneer, who is now serving as the top-ranked woman in the Air Force, shared lessons learned during her 34-year career March 16 with more than 170 Airmen at the Joint Women's Leadership Symposium here.The two-day symposium allowed women from each service branch to speak with their

  • Eagle Vision imagery supporting Japan recovery efforts

    The Electronic Systems Center-managed Eagle Vision imagery collection team here rushed into action within hours of the devastating earthquake and subsequent tsunami that struck Northeast Japan March 11.Shortly after 7 a.m. Eastern Time on March 11, the Eagle Vision team began working to order

  • Air advisory firefighters key to AAF future

    Afghan airmen are frequently seen piloting Afghan air force MI-17 helicopters throughout the Herat Province.However, at Shindand Air Base, they've discovered it takes more than pilots to keep their air force moving forward and are learning self-sustaining support skills.Deployed Airmen and their

  • First flight a success for future Afghan flying crew chiefs

    Four Afghan airmen attached to the Kandahar Air Wing recently flew their first flights as part of the inaugural flying crew chiefs course here.The month-long course pairs U.S. flying crew chiefs and Afghan crew chief trainees and focuses on the operational capability of the MI-17 transport

  • AFPC officials stream developmental team outbriefs online

    Active-duty officers are now able to watch and participate in their career field's developmental team outbriefs online through the Defense Connect Online website. This initiative allows Airmen to view and ask questions to their career field's senior representatives on each DT panel."Streaming live

  • Land-based precision approach system program resumes

    The land-based Joint Precision Approach and Landing System is getting back on track after the deputy secretary of defense issued the Resource Management Directive-700 in January that restored full funding to the program.JPALS is a family of systems that will provide precision approach and landing

  • Misawa Air Base endures earthquake

    Misawa Air Base was shaken by the major earthquake that struck Japan Mar 11. Base officials reported minor structural damage to buildings and a loss of commercial power. Currently there is no estimate on when power will be restored. No injuries were reported.According to officials, base houses and

  • Chief Etchberger honored at Air Force Memorial

    Air Force leaders joined the family of Chief Master Sgt. Richard L. Etchberger at the Air Force Memorial here March 11 to honor the war hero with the unveiling of his name on the memorial's Medal of Honor recipient wall.Air Force Secretary Michael Donley, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A.

  • Deadline near for public administration award

    The deadline for submitting nominations for the 7th Annual Department of Defense David O. Cooke Excellence in Public Administration Award to the Air Force Personnel Center is May 1. This award was created to recognize the contributions similar to those of David O. Cooke during his nearly five

  • Mullen urges communities to embrace returning vets

    The top U.S. military officer continued his campaign March 10 to encourage communities to help combat veterans transition after returning home and to embrace the attributes they bring to the nation. "This is a generation that is wired to serve," whether at the local, state, national or international

  • Chief Roy: Global strike is a mission we can't forget

    The Air Force's highest-ranking enlisted Airman discussed the future of the Air Force, education, training issues, professional military education and resiliency with more than 1,400 Airmen here. Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy visited March 8 for an orientation with Air Force Global

  • Officials release officer cross-flow board results

    As part of the Air Force's ongoing efforts to balance the force, Air Force Personnel Center officials convened a panel Feb. 15 through 16 to select eligible nonrated line officers for cross-flow into critically manned career fields."The officer cross-flow program was implemented in 2011 as a

  • Space team improves GPS capability for warfighters

    Joint force warfighters around the globe will soon be able to assess real-time and future GPS accuracy, both where they are and where they're going, with a new capability developed by the 2nd Space Operations Squadron's Global Positioning System User Operations team here.The new capability uses the

  • DOD officials reach out to employers of Guard, Reserve members

    Defense Department officials are reaching out to employers of guardsmen and reservists with a survey to find out how the past decade of war and the heavy use of reserve-component forces has affected their civilian workplaces.The department is distributing the surveys to some 80,000 employers

  • Air Force civil engineer visits Academy

    The Air Force civil engineer visited the U.S. Air Force Academy March 4 to speak to civil engineer officers and cadets about the state of civil engineer operations in Afghanistan and the effects of force management on the civil engineer officer corps.Maj. Gen. Timothy Byers and his staff looked at

  • Airmen showcase mission in Australia

    Visitors got an up-close look at Air Force aircraft and Airmen during the Avalon 2011 Australian International Airshow here March 4 to 6.Several Airmen participated in the event, one of the largest airshows in the world."Engagement with our allies, especially one as close as Australia, is key to our

  • Cyber warriors test phishing response

    As part of the Air Force's mission to ward off attacks in cyberspace, members the 50th Space Communications Squadron went phishing on base last month."Phishing is when someone sends messages to a large group of people in an effort to deceive people into revealing their personal information, such as

  • Air Force Reserve legislative goals presented on Capitol Hill

    "Force readiness, force rebalance, and force support" are the three top legislative priorities unveiled by Lt. Gen. Charles E. Stenner Jr. to more than 60 congressional staffers and military liaison officers at the Senate and House Feb. 25."The new priorities are designed to focus congressional

  • Air Force conservation programs score widespread victories

    The Air Force is trustee to more than eight million acres of land, water and air assets, and is home to more than 70 threatened and endangered species. Stewardship of these resources, in conjunction with sustainment of critical military mission activities, is a key priority for conservation programs

  • Air Force technicians launch second unmanned spacecraft

    In the latest step to improve space capability and further develop an affordable, reusable space vehicle, Air Force technicians launched the second X-37B here March 5, officials said.The Orbital Test Vehicle-2 launch comes on the heels of the successful flight of OTV-1, which made an autonomous

  • Red Flag cyber operations: Isn't Red Flag a flyer's exercise?

    As Airmen from Air Force Space Command participate Red Flag from Feb. 21 through March 11 at the Nevada Test and Training Range complex, Nev.Red Flag is a realistic, combat-training exercise involving the air forces of the U.S. and its allies in simulated air combat."Red Flag continues to adapt and

  • Guard's Youth ChalleNGe program celebrates 100,000th graduate during gala

    Military leaders, members of Congress and celebrities gathered for the National Guard Youth Foundation's 2011 ChalleNGe Champions Gala March 1 here.This year, the gala celebrated the program's 100,000th graduate."I am proud to be representing 100,000 other cadets, each of us with our own story of

  • Progress continues toward Academy training facility groundbreaking

    Preliminaries to the construction of a training facility for the Air Force Academy's Center for Character and Leadership Development are moving along briskly, and construction is expected to begin in late summer.The building will occupy much of the space on the Honor Court between Harmon Hall and

  • Intermediate network warfare training up and running

    In February, 17 students began the first intermediate network warfare training at the 39th Information Operations Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Fla.The 42-day course began Feb. 2 and features a syllabus geared to the needs of cyberoperators in the field, said 1st Lt. Michelle Buchholtz, the influence

  • CSAF talks cooperation, efficiency at defense conference

    The Air Force and the private sector must focus their collective efforts to ensure America's defense needs are met in the face of declining purchasing power, according to the Air Force chief of staff.Gen. Norton Schwartz made the remarks during a speech to defense industry leaders, service members

  • Civilian employees should start education applications early

    Hundreds of professional development opportunities are available annually for civilian employees. Many of those slots go unfilled, in part because eligible candidates wait until the last minute to prepare and staff their application packages.For example, annually, 280 Civilian Acculturation and

  • First MC-130J training program takes flight

    As the first MC-130J Combat Shadow II rolled off the Lockheed Martin factory line, a training flight class recently conducted sorties in preparation for transition to the new airframe.The Air Force Special Operations Training Center's first MC-130J training program flight class practiced air drops,

  • General Schwartz: Austerity, strategic challenges call for true total force

    Austerity and the strategic environment make communicating and collaborating as a total force paramount for the Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, the Air Force chief of staff said here Feb. 28.Efficiency and zero tolerance of fraud, waste and abuse are also critical priorities,

  • Program cuts sustain health care, maintain quality

    Defense Department officials have recommended a number of ways to cut costs in the military health system, while still providing high-quality care and protecting the wallets of active duty service members and their families, a senior defense official said Feb. 28."We're trying to create a balanced

  • CMSAF strengthens ties with Colombian partners

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy visited Colombian military sites here Feb. 1 to 4.He said the purpose of the visit was to reaffirm U.S. Southern Command officials' commitment to a strong nation-to-nation partnership and to explore professional military education exchange

  • Mullen: Anniversary reaffirms U.S.-Kuwaiti bonds

    The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff joined in festivities Feb. 26 celebrating the 20th anniversary of Kuwait's liberation during Operation Desert Storm and the 50th anniversary of its independence."I am very proud to represent the United States here in Kuwait, as Kuwaitis celebrate their

  • Vice CSAF emphasizes modeling, simulation integration during AFAMS visit

    Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Philip Breedlove emphasized the need to standardize live, virtual and constructive modeling and simulation across the Air Force and the joint team during a recent visit to the Air Force Agency for Modeling and Simulation here."We must build to a modeling and

  • Future initiatives discussed during fuel efficiency summit

    Air Mobility Command members set the course for cultural change during a fuel efficiency summit here Feb. 16 and 17 that included participation by representatives from 11 Air Force major commands. AMC leaders hosted the summit to share and collaborate on ideas and initiatives that will help promote

  • Historic firsts for AFNORTH sergeants lead to distinguished honors

    It had all the markings of a historic event with firsts on several fronts.  As well it should; it was a historic event.At a ceremony held Jan. 28, two Air Forces Northern technical sergeants were the first U.S. Airmen to graduate from the Canadian Intermediate Leadership Program at the Canadian

  • USAFWS takes new approach to generating leaders

    U.S. Air Force Weapons School officials recently modified their syllabus to reflect that it is not only the Air Force's most challenging tactical training, but also a program designed to produce the Air Force's next generation of great leaders.The USAFWS has commonly been thought of as a leadership

  • Afghan air force develops loadmasters as C-27 fleet expands

    As the Afghan air force C-27A Spartan fleet grows -- now half way to its goal of twenty of the cargo/transport aircraft seen as the centerpiece of the AAF -- so does the need for qualified loadmasters. Responsible for the cargo, personnel and safety of the aircraft, the loadmaster backs up the pilot

  • Air traffic advisers aim high for Iraq's future

    As U.S. forces continue to draw down to meet the Dec. 31 deadline, Air Force air traffic control advisers have their eyes fixed on the sky above Iraq.Maj. Rudolf Kuehne and Capt. Maureen Trujillo, senior ATC advisers for Iraq Training and Advisory Mission-Air, are tasked with ensuring their Iraqi

  • Afghan air force C-27 fleet halfway to goal

    The Afghan air force received an addition to its forces with the arrival of the 10th C-27A Spartan at the Afghan Air Force Base in Kabul Feb. 20, marking the half-way point in the AAF's C-27 fleet as it continues to build to 20.Not only valuable for Afghanistan's burgeoning cargo capabilities, the

  • SecAF takes stock of progress, future challenges

    During remarks to the Air Force Association's 27th Annual Air Warfare Symposium and Technology Exposition here Feb. 18, the Air Force's senior ranking official reviewed the service' s priorities and underscored Air Force commitment to making the most of available resources in a challenging fiscal

  • DOD officials strive to strengthen, empower military families

    From educational opportunities to spouse employment, Defense Department officials are expanding military family support programs to better meet families' current needs, as well as to empower them for the challenges that lie ahead, the DOD official who oversees military family programs said Feb.

  • SecAF, CSAF provide FY12 budget details

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz provided details on the service's fiscal 2012 national defense authorization budget request during a House Armed Services Committee hearing here Feb. 17.Air Force officials are requesting $150 billion in the

  • Results of command, control training study show roadmap ahead

    Standardizing command and control, or C2, training across air, space and cyber domains and consolidating training here were the main recommendations of a recent independent study completed for Air Combat Command.Results and proposed priorities of the study examining Air Force operational-level C2

  • 'Today's Air Force' features a look around the service

    In this edition of "Today's Air Force," meet a tech. sergeant who's teaching future officers at the Air Force Academy. Plus, it's Military Saves Week, and you'll get a few helpful hints on how to get your finances on track. And, Airmen in Japan get the PT session of a lifetime with the creator of

  • Exhibit features work of Tuskegee Airman turned artist

    In the 1930s, a teenage boy paid 50 cents for a "barnstormer" flight aboard a Ford Trimotor plane that carried him across the sky of rural Pine Bluff, Ark.That boy was Roy LaGrone, and the flight sparked his passion for aviation. Mr. LaGrone would go on to serve as one of the original Tuskegee

  • Defense communities cope with uncertain times

    Representatives from around the country have gathered here Feb. 14 through 16 for a three-day Winter Forum sponsored by the Association of Defense Communities to discuss the challenges faced by U.S. military installations, both those which are active and those which were closed over the years during

  • Fuel savings officials plan to broaden impact with AF-wide summit

    Members of the Air Force's Fuel Efficiency Office plan to host their first service-wide Aviation Operations Energy Steering Group summit here Feb. 16 and 17.Representatives from all Air Force major commands were invited to attend the summit. The event will be the first major meeting across the

  • Gates: Defense needs $540 billion for fiscal 2011

    Congress must provide $540 billion to the Defense Department for fiscal 2011 or the department will be in danger of not being able to perform its mission, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said here Feb. 14. Secretary Gates also said he will look at "all legal options" to shut down the extra engine

  • New, enhanced VA benefits provided to caregivers of veterans

    Department of Veterans Affairs officials are launching the first of a series of new and enhanced services supporting family caregivers of seriously ill and injured veterans. In May 2010, President Obama signed the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 legislation authorizing VA

  • Leaders explain Air Force manning impacts on Academy

    Air Force officials are implementing a strategy for force management, and the Air Force Academy is included in those efforts.Under the plan, the size of the cadet wing will be reduced from roughly 4,500 to 4,000 cadets by Oct. 1, 2012. Enrollment for each incoming freshman class will be shrunk

  • Deadline Feb. 22 for scholarship applications

    Applications for the 2011 Scholarships for Military Children program must arrive at a commissary by close of business Feb. 22. Eligible students must complete and deliver their application materials by that date. Scholarship applications are available in commissaries and online at

  • Opportunities available in financial management

    Air Force line officers interested in applying for the Financial Management Leadership Program must submit their nominations to the Air Force Personnel Center by March 3.The four-year program specializes in Air Force leadership development by providing an opportunity for line officers outside of the