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  • AFMC leaders told to seek efficiencies, get back to basics

    Challenging times ahead and developing efficiencies to accomplish the mission were among the key topics highlighted at the semi-annual Air Force Materiel Command Senior Leaders Conference here Aug. 23 through 25.AFMC Commander Gen. Donald J. Hoffman led his center and wing commanders, along with

  • Former professional baseball player says Air Guard is his winning team

    When Staff Sgt. Trevor Harvey lights the candles on the altar before Mass on drill weekends, he favors the hand that once pitched to Ken Griffey Jr. "During one game I pitched, he hit a ball over 500 feet," said Sergeant Harvey, who now serves as the chaplain's assistant with the Arizona Air

  • Veterans encouraged to submit claims for retroactive stop loss

    In working closely with the Office of the Secretary of Defense staff on a congressional action involving veterans submitting claims for Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay, major command and wing level officials are working to inform veterans who were affected by stop loss. Eligible Airmen include

  • Center seeks paperless Air Guard, Reserve records

    Employees at the Air Reserve Personnel Center in Denver are working to securely convert thousands of paper and microfiche personnel records to an electronic format for Air National guardsmen and Air Force Reserve Airmen. "These records represent reservists' careers from the moment they are gained to

  • Volunteer mentors support families of fallen

    The day Scott Warner saw Marines standing at his front door, his world came to a crashing halt.The servicemembers told Mr. Warner that his son, Marine Pvt. Heath Warner, had been killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq's Anbar province.Mr. Warner and his family, including his two younger sons, tried to

  • 8,800 Air Force employees transition out of NSPS

    The first two waves of Air Force employees have successfully converted out of the National Security Personnel System, leaving less than 30,000 to make the transition.Approximately 8,800 employees were converted out of NSPS during phases I and II on July 4 and July 18. Phases III and IV are scheduled

  • Air Force Reserve officials streamline call-up process

    Air Force Reserve Command officials are proposing comprehensive changes to how reservists are managed and called to active duty based on lessons learned from nearly nine years of combat and surge operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.Collectively called "AFR 2012," this series of projects establishes a

  • More than 1,100 schools partner with VA on GI Bill

    Paving the way for recipients of the post-9/11 GI Bill to attend higher-cost schools, Department of Veterans Affairs officials have entered into more than 3,200 agreements with over 1,100 schools for the upcoming academic year under the "Yellow Ribbon" program. Schools can enter into multiple

  • Air war architect reflects on Operation Desert Shield 20 years later

    The day retired Gen. Charles A. Horner received the call 20 years ago that eventually launched Operation Desert Shield he was flying his F-16 Fighting Falcon, engaged in an air-to-air training mission near the North Carolina coast with two F-15 Eagles from Langley Air Force Base, Va. General Horner,

  • New employees to be automatically enrolled in TSP

    New legislation that called for automatic enrollment of newly hired and eligible civilian federal employees, as well as certain rehires, into the Thrift Savings Plan began Aug. 1.This automatic enrollment feature is in compliance with the June 22, 2009, TSP Enhancement Act that authorizes federal

  • Air Force Cycling Team rides across Iowa

    More than 160 men and women of the U.S. Air Force joined thousands of bicyclists for the 38th Des Moines Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, better known by the cyclists as RAGBRAI. The Air Force Cycling Team, or AFCT, under the leadership of Lt. Col. Joseph Robinson, donned their team

  • Nonappropriated fund human resources issues addressed during conference

    Nearly 100 Air Force human resources professionals met here recently for the 2010 Nonappropriated Fund Human Resources worldwide conference.This was the first time the conference has been held since 2003, and it included topics on NAF employee recruiting, labor relations, retention methods and new

  • One year later: JB Charleston helps keep multinational wing operational

    A C-17 Globemaster III pilot from Pápa Air Base, Hungary, completed simulator training here recently, as part of a multinational mission.Maj. Brian Nicosia, a U.S. pilot and chief of tactics for the Heavy Airlift Wing, is part of the first multinational partnership for Strategic Airlift Capability,

  • Fallen Airmen honored at Arctic Thunder

    Commanders from the 3rd Wing and the Alaska Air National Guard's 176th Wing here spoke to local media July 31, discussing the weekend's Arctic Thunder air show and the tragic C-17 Globemaster III crash July 28 which killed four crewmembers.Maj. Michael Freyholtz, 34, from Hines, Minn., and Maj.

  • DOD officials announce school year 2010/2011 child care fee policy

    Department of Defense officials announced July 30 the school year 2010/2011 child care fee policy. The policy will adjust fee ranges in child care programs across the services and will be implemented no later than Sept. 30. Changes will impact families who have children enrolled in DOD child

  • Child care fees change to maintain quality services

    The Defense Department is adjusting its child care fees, adding categories for its highest income earners, to compensate for six years without fee range increases, Pentagon officials announced July 30.The department's Military and Community Family Policy Office has added three categories to the top

  • 509th Medical Group earns outstanding HSI rating

    Whiteman Air Force Base's 509th Medical Group earned the highest rating in seven years for the entire Air Force during a recent Health Services Inspection July 12-16. "We received an outstanding in the three areas and an outstanding overall which means we're doing an exceptional job in making sure

  • Elmendorf AFB air show, Arctic Thunder, to proceed

    Despite the tragic loss of four Airmen in a C-17 Globemaster III accident that occurred here July 28, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson's air show and open house will proceed this weekend. "We do this to both honor the loss of our four Airmen and also to pay respect to all servicemembers who make the

  • ICBM test launches showcase Global Strike capabilities

    Two Global Strike Command missile crews launched Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile test vehicles June 16 and 30, respectively, at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.Missile maintenance and operational task forces from F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo., and Malmstrom AFB, Mont., combined with the

  • Current, former Airmen eligible for stop loss special pay

    Thousands of current and former Airmen remain eligible to receive $500 in retroactive special pay for each month they were affected by stop loss. Airmen have until Oct. 21 to apply through the Air Force Personnel Center here. Air Force people eligible include active, retired and former members as

  • Misuse of prescription drugs could cost Airmen career, jail time

    Sitting in his room with a headache, an Airman contemplates whether or not to take pain medication that was prescribed to him for a tooth extraction several months ago.He decides it's pain medication, and he's suffering from pain, so there can be no harm. The next day, the Airman tests positive in a

  • Chief McKinley visits Ramstein Airmen

    The 15th chief master sergeant of the Air Force visited here July 26 and shared his perspective as the service's former top enlisted member.Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney McKinley retired from active duty at the highest enlisted level in June 2009, but despite the transition to civilian

  • Airman pleads guilty during 'Trust' court martial

    A member of the 55th Communications Squadron here pled guilty to involuntary manslaughter and knowingly providing false information to a peace officer during his judge-alone court martial July 20.After accepting the plea of Airman 1st Class Corey Hernandez, Military Judge Lt. Col. Nancy J. Paul

  • Spouse jobs program to relaunch in October

    The Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts program will resume Oct. 25, but with some significant changes to the popular spouse employment program, a defense official announced today.Changes include a reduction in the amount of financial aid, a change in the population eligible to receive that

  • Deadline for voluntary separation pay applications draws near

    The extended application period for eligible officers to apply for voluntary separation pay at one and a half times the authorized separation pay rate comes to a close July 31.Officers eligible to apply for VSP include those in year groups 1998, 1999, 2002, 2003 and 2004, in the grades of major and

  • Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits key to recruiting and retention

    Proposed changes to the Post-9/11 GI Bill would improve military readiness, a senior Pentagon official said July 21 at a Capitol Hill hearing.Robert E. Clark, assistant director for accessions policy in the office of the defense undersecretary for personnel and readiness, also said education

  • Balad Airmen move helicopters for Iraq drawdown

    As the drawdown and redeployment of assets continues in Iraq, helicopters from bases in Northern Iraq have made their way here to be inspected, prepped and shipped to new operating locations with the assistance of the 332nd Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron Aerial Port team."We have about

  • Spouse jobs program to relaunch in October

    The Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts program will resume Oct. 25, but with some significant changes to the popular spouse employment program, a defense official announced July 20.Changes include a reduction in the amount of financial aid, a change in the population eligible to receive

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

    In this edition of "Today's Air Force," the chief of staff of the Air Force and his wife talk about Air Force family matters. In another segment, an Airman shares her story about dealing with post traumatic stress disorder.  A third segment features connecting cultures through music as the USAFE

  • Air Combat Command promotes CCAF degree

    Although having a Community College of the Air Force degree is important for all Airmen, Air Combat Command is encouraging its technical sergeants to achieve this educational goal. Currently, the command is seven points below the Air Force average of 42 percent, but the goal is to have 50 percent of

  • Los Angeles AFB goes 'green' by harnessing solar energy

    The energy department of the 61st Civil Engineer and Logistics Squadron recently finished the final portion of its three-phase construction of a photovoltaic panel project, completing the north-side parking lot of the base. Using state-of-the-art panels, the "PV Canopy Project" is part of Los

  • Acquisition reform plays key role in Pentagon's cost savings

    Defense Department officials have the opportunity to save billions of taxpayer dollars through acquisitions reform, but only if they grow their workforce with the right federal workers in place to oversee contracts, a senior Pentagon official said July 15."There is a significant opportunity to save

  • Air Guard prominently featured in Times Square

    Beginning July 15, the Air National Guard is being featured prominently in New York City's Times Square.Capt. Rondal Perry, the chief of the ANG's marketing and advertising branch, said two 15-second advertisements will be shown every hour, 18 hours a day, for the next four months on the 26 by 20

  • Schriever musician hits it big with original song

    When it comes to hobbies, many people just do what they love for fun. Seldom does a hobby actually pay off. For one Schriever Air Force Base staff sergeant, his love of music has paid off in a big way. Staff Sgt. Richard Justice, the NCO in charge of procedures in the 3rd Space Operations Squadron,

  • Every drop counts: New technology saves base dollars

    By this time next year, Peterson Air Force Base will have a high tech irrigation system that will sense when it's about to rain.Members of the 21st Space Wing Civil Engineer Squadron are installing an intelligent irrigation system that will shut down when its built-in weather system shows an eighth

  • NSPS positions assigned GS pay grades

    With only weeks remaining to classify Air Force civilian jobs into the General Schedule personnel system, Air Force classifiers are ensuring National Security Personnel System positions have a current GS title, series and grade before the NSPS conversion out date.With the fiscal 2010 National

  • Information assurance scholarship available to officers, civilians

    Officers and civilians have until Jan. 31 to apply for the Information Assurance Scholarship Program, a special developmental education program available for the 2011 academic year. The program pays the full cost of tuition, select fees and required books for graduate degrees in subjects such as

  • Air Force's new 'virtual Finance' takes customers out of waiting line

    The Air Force's new "virtual Finance" is giving work time back to Airmen and civilians by providing a host of secure financial services that customers can access with a mouse click.Replacing the "Money - Finance Central" page on the Air Force Portal, the virtual finance page was developed with a

  • Medical center officials open state-of-the-art hemodialysis center

    The largest medical facility on the West Coast has seen major improvements in 2010 which have brought state-of-the-art equipment and facilities to the base.During the past few months, David Grant USAF Medical Center was amid a flurry of changes, upgrades and renovations.One of the most visible

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

    This edition of "Today's Air Force" features an in-depth look at one woman's struggle with post traumatic stress disorder. Plus, Air Force Academy cadets get a taste of life in the operational Air Force. Finally, a father and son serve together downrange.The 30-minute, weekly news show can be seen

  • Official details foreign language program's progress

    The military's efforts to have more language-qualified servicemembers are beginning to pay off, the Defense Department's senior language authority said this week.Nancy E. Weaver testified June 29 before the House Armed Services Committee's oversight subcommittee.Knowing the language, knowing the

  • Ramstein Airmen pay St. Baldrick's $6,645 for haircut

    Does a free haircut sound like a good deal? Perhaps it sounds even better when a free haircut raises awareness and money to combat cancer in children. Ninety-eight people volunteered to give up their locks to participate in the first St. Baldrick's event at Donnelly Park here June 26. The

  • Reflections on the water: Outward Bound veteran expeditions

    Through a joint effort between various foundations, servicemembers who are veterans of operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom can receive a free Outward Bound expedition.Outward Bound offers white water rafting trips, cliff diving and group fitness, hikes and teambuilding exercises. Life on

  • Texas Guard prepares for season's first hurricane

    About 2,500 members of the Texas National Guard are on standby in anticipation of Tropical Storm Alex, which is expected to become a hurricane and hit the lower Texas coast late July 1 or early July 2.The deployment of troops and the locations where they will go depends on future weather predictions

  • Reserve program to grow by 400 by September

    With 400 new funded billets and recent attrition rates in fiscal 2010, Air Force Reserve Individual Mobilization Augmentee Program officials are expecting to hire 1,600 people by September. "We're hiring and that is terrific news on several fronts," said Col. Nancy Zbyszinski, the Readiness

  • Fallen Eglin Airmen honored on Khobar Towers anniversary

    Approximately 100 people gathered here June 25 to remember the 12 Airmen who made the highest sacrifice in service to the United States on this date 14 years ago .A terrorist attack at Khobar Towers in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, resulted in 400 casualties among civilian and military personnel. The 33rd

  • CSAF stresses importance of Airmen and mission

    The Air Force's top uniformed officer made a visit June 24 to meet with Airmen, talk about his priorities, and listen to the concerns of those living and working here."Let me begin by reminding you that everyone matters," said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz. "It's like a team;

  • Delivery of new F-16s to Pakistan shows deepening relations

    Three F-16 Fighting Falcons are scheduled to arrive in Pakistan June 26 with 15 more to be delivered later this year and next, said Maj. Todd Robbins, the Pakistan country director in the office of the undersecretary of the Air Force for international affairs. "This is the most visible part of a

  • Voluntary separation, retirement deadlines near

    As the window to voluntarily separate or retire closes, Air Force officials urge Airmen impacted by force management who are interested in transitioning from the active-duty force to do so quickly before the cutoff dates later this month."Volunteering ahead of retention boards will give officers

  • Opportunities exist for active-duty Airmen to become IMA Reservists

    Air Force Reserve Individual Mobilization Augmentee program officials are currently looking for Airmen from all career fields to fill worldwide taskings, according to a Reserve management group official. "Airmen who are leaving the active-duty force are encouraged to consider opportunities along the

  • General McKinley: Medical field key to future battles

    The Air National Guard's medical professionals are uniquely suited to respond to any asymmetric challenge that confronts our nation in the future, the National Guard's top officer said here June 19."All of the missions that the medical field has done over time ... have put it into a position to be

  • Pararescuemen: Honoring fallen warriors

    More than 20 pararescuemen, active duty, retired and prior service, donned their service dress uniforms, with boots and maroon berets, and fell into formation. Local freedom riders holding American flags lined the street of the funeral procession. As their fallen comrade's remains arrived and were

  • Joint team construction projects follow Afghan priorities

    Airmen and Soldiers are encouraging Afghan government officials to determine their own priorities for construction projects that will benefit people in the Zabul province."We recognized a need for the people of Zabul to be connected with their government and the desire of the population to build

  • Officials extend voluntary separation pay, reduce separation pay

    Air Force officials are extending the application period for eligible officers to apply for voluntary separation pay through July 31, but are lowering the multiplier to 1.5 times the authorized separation pay effective July 1."The window to apply for two times separation pay is rapidly closing,"

  • Applying for Air Force NAF jobs goes virtual

    A new centralized online tool is making it easier for job seekers to find and apply for federal careers in various nonappropriated fund activities, including Air Force clubs, golf courses, child development centers, youth centers, bowling centers and outdoor recreation centers. On May 24,

  • NSPS transition well under way, official tells Congress

    The transition of Defense Department civilian employees from the National Security Personnel System is proceeding, with 75 percent of the workforce expected to be transferred into the General Schedule classification and pay system by late September, the defense official overseeing the effort told

  • Officials announce plans for third DOS rollback

    Air Force officials announced June 8 plans for a third enlisted date of separation rollback with a mandatory DOS of Aug. 31, 2010. This program is part of an overall effort by the Air Force to maintain a quality enlisted force and meet the congressionally mandated end strength.Under the third DOS

  • Council tackles Air Force retiree concerns, issues

    The Air Force Retiree Council meets annually at the Air Force Personnel Center here to discuss and act upon concerns and issues affecting nearly 790,000 retired Airmen and surviving spouses. This year's council met May 3 through 7 to review topics such as pay and benefits, medical care, and

  • Tricare records-processing system reaches milestone

    As of May 26, the one billionth Tricare Encounter Data record was processed for Tricare services around the world. This has significance for all Tricare beneficiaries."The fact that one billion records have been processed reflects the value of this program in helping Tricare provide the best

  • Air Force awarded top honors for excellence in public relations

    The U.S. Air Force received top honors June 3 at the Public Relations Society of America's annual Silver Anvil Awards Ceremony at the Equitable Tower in New York City. This is the first time the Air Force has received the PRSA's most esteemed, "Best of Silver Anvil" Award, recognized as the civilian

  • Air Force U-2 pilot receives top safety award

    A pilot who recovered a crippled U-2 during a night training mission received the Air Force's most prestigious flight safety award here June 1.Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz presented Lt. Col. Joseph Santucci, the 99th Reconnaissance Squadron commander at Beale Air Force Base, Calif.,

  • Vietnam combat lessons apply today, Mullen says

    The military's top officer called on Vietnam veterans to stay connected with today's servicemembers, saying their lessons learned, especially with post-traumatic stress disorder, can help veterans of combat in Iraq and Afghanistan.Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, made

  • U.S., French remember America's first combat pilots

    U.S. and French civilian and military leaders paid their respects to America's first combat pilots during ceremony at a memorial outside of Paris, May 27.Gen. Roger Brady, the U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander, U.S. Ambassador to France Charles Rivkin, French Lt. Gen. Paul Fouilland, the Strategic

  • Photo essay: Airmen honor the fallen

    This photo feature highlights Airmen worldwide paying their respects to those who have died in service of their country honoring their heroism, courage and ultimate sacrifice.View the slideshow.

  • Misawa AB community gathers for Memorial Day retreat

    Airmen, Sailors and Soldiers were joined by military veterans in a retreat ceremony here May 27, honoring those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the defense and service of their nation. The audience of more than 200 past and present servicemembers and their families bore witness to a special

  • National Guard leaders observe Israel's nationwide exercise

    Sirens wailed across Israel and residents took shelter during a nationwide civil defense exercise carefully watched by a delegation of National Guard leaders May 26 here.The communication, collaboration and coordination National Level Exercise Turning Point 4 revealed between the Israeli Defense

  • Airman leads joint Mi-35 attack helicopter adviser team for Afghan Air Corps

    A joint team of American, Czech Republic and Hungarian advisers assigned to the 440th Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron are making strides helping Afghan National Army Air Corps Mi-35 Hind E attack helicopter pilots get into the fight."We are seeing the results of the teamwork of our advisers and

  • "300 Lives in 30 Days" campaign raises $50k

    What started as a bike-a-thon to raise money for children's heart surgeries in Kyrgyzstan turned into a 30-day campaign culminating in the "Bike Your Heart Out" event here May 18 and 19. During the bike-a-thon, more than 81 Airmen from the Transit Center at Manas biked more than 3,400 miles.

  • Air Force transitions from NSPS to GS

    Most Air Force civilians under the National Security Personnel System will convert to the General Schedule by the end of this fiscal year in support of the Department of Defense goal to convert out as quickly as possible. This conversion out of NSPS was mandated by the Fiscal 2010 National Defense

  • A new way to go from blue to green

    While Airmen and new recruits at basic training still "cross into the blue," Airmen at Pacific Air Forces are looking for new ways to cross into the green -- through reducing energy demands, increasing energy supplies and changing the culture.These methods form the three pillars of the Air Force

  • Official equates financial, military readiness

    Through outreach and a robust system of educating servicemembers, Defense Department officials are working to keep troops financially fit to fight and protected from predatory lenders, a Pentagon official said May 19 here. Since the downward turn of the credit market in recent years, Defense

  • Kadena Airmen see mobility surge due to volcanic activity

    As a result of continued volcanic activity in Iceland, some Air Mobility Command aircraft are being re-routed through the Pacific on their way to support operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. As the keystone of the Pacific, Kadena Air Base is one of the bases providing en route support for C-5

  • Guard security forces members protect exercise participants

    While more than 250 participants of Exercise Ardent Sentry '10 are here honing their skills to protect American citizens against threats from the air, Airmen from the Georgia Air National Guard's 165th Security Forces Squadron are protecting them on the ground. The unit is part of the 165th Airlift

  • Leaders conclude successful Sensor Rally

    More than 50 group, wing and center commanders attended the spring Sensor Rally here May 4 and 5. The bi-annual conference for Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency commanders was hosted by members of the agency's 70th ISR Wing headquartered on this Army post just 30 miles

  • U.S., Vietnam building great relationships says U.S. Consul General

    The U. S. Counsul General from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, expressed his thanks to the U.S. and Vietnam for expanding their relationship through Operation Pacific Angel after touring the hosting facility here May 10.Consul General Kenneth J. Fairfax witnessed first-hand the combined effort of the

  • First lady calls on nation to support military families

    First Lady Michelle Obama issued a national challenge today to all sectors of American society: mobilize and take action to support and engage military families."One percent of Americans may be fighting our wars, but we need 100 percent of Americans to support them and their families," the first

  • Gold Star Mothers visit McConnell Air Force Base

    With heavy hearts and a true sense of the meaning of "service before self," eight members from several chapters of the American Gold Star Mothers recently visited here May 4 for a Mother's Day tribute.The American Gold Star Mothers, a national organization of mothers who have lost a son or daughter

  • DOD officials to study compensation, incentives

    Defense Department officials May 11 announced the start of the congressionally mandated 11th Quadrennial Review of Military Compensation.The review's focus, officials said, will be on combat pay, compensation for reserve-component servicemembers, caregivers and survivors and pay incentives for

  • Officials still seeking those impacted by stop-loss

    More than 2,600 current and former Airmen have been approved for retroactive stop-loss special pay since Air Force Personnel Center officials here began accepting claims in September.Officials continue to seek Airmen who were involuntarily held on active duty between Sept. 11, 2001, and Sept. 30,

  • 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

  • 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

  • Air Force senior execs honored with top awards

    Seventeen of the Air Force's top executive employees were recognized for career achievements during the annual Distinguished and Meritorious Presidential Rank Awards ceremony held April 30 in the auditorium of the Women's Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery.Secretary of the Air Force Michael

  • Guard members assist with oil spill

    National Guard Citizen Airmen and Soldiers are on the ground in Louisiana, Alabama and Florida supporting civilian authorities tackling the oil slick in the Gulf of Mexico."We're dealing with a massive and potentially unprecedented environmental disaster," President Barack Obama said during a Gulf

  • Country star entertains troops in Germany

    Country music icon Toby Keith performed for the Kaiserslautern Military Community at a jam-packed concert May 1 here.The concert was headed up by officials from the USO, Armed Forces Entertainment and the 86th Services Squadron here and was open to all military ID card holders.Mr. Keith

  • 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,

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • Guard kids are different, but programs still available to them

    Guard kids differ from active duty kids in only one way: access. This means access to support programs and access to peers who understand what they are going through.Everything else is the same: missing their parents terribly when they deploy, counting the days until they come home and trying to