Manas coalition team pauses to remember the fallen

Men and women of the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing and coalition team gathered to remember the fallen in a Memorial Day ceremony here May 26. The Manas coalition team also paused to honor fallen Spanish Airmen and Soldiers. The ceremony marked the five-year anniversary of 62 Spanish servicemembers

General addresses transportation needs during Air Force Week-Philadelphia

The leader of U.S. Transportation Command addressed community leaders and hundreds of Airmen about the outlook of American military transportation May 27 at the University of Pennsylvania's Annenberg Center here. Gen. Norton A. Schwartz, USTRANSCOM commander at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., spoke at

Berlin Airshow kicks-off on a 'high note'

Aircraft soaring high over the crowd, music blaring at high levels and numerous high-profile guests dropping in for a visit helped kick the 2008 Berlin Airshow off on a high note here May 27. More than 15 flight demonstrations wowed the crowd during the first day in Berlin. These

CSAF honors World War I aviators

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley, along with several hundred American and French citizens, paid homage to a special group of World War I aviators May 24 at the Lafayette Escadrille memorial ceremony that took place outside of Paris. The Airmen of the Lafayette Escadrille were the

455th AEW holds memorial vigil

Airmen of the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing recognized two of its fallen comrades and honored many others who have given their lives, during a wreath-laying and silent vigil ceremony at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, May 26. "As Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines, we go forward, risk our lives,

Meaning of Memorial Day hits home for deployed Airmen

Airmen from Balad Air Base, Iraq, gathered to observe Memorial Day, May 26. The ceremony had personal significance for many Airmen in attendance. The 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing suffered the loss of three of its brothers-in-arms during the first half of 2008 -- Tech. Sgt. Anthony Capra, Staff Sgt.

Arlington 'Flags In' tribute begins Memorial Day commemoration

More than 3,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines officially kicked off the Memorial Day commemoration May 22 as they placed 265,000 miniature flags at every grave at Arlington National Cemetery. The tradition, known as "Flags In," dates back to 1948, when soldiers of 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment,

USAFE program builds working relationships

U.S. Air Forces in Europe patches can be seen around the world because of the command's robust military-to-military program, which is one of several theater security cooperation components. USAFE works with more than 60 countries on three continents annually to share information and enhance

Chairman of Joint Chiefs sends Memorial Day message

"Let no ravages of time testify to the present or the coming generations that we, as a people, have forgotten the cost of a free and undivided republic." With that solemn promise, Army General John Logan signed the order in 1868 that established Memorial Day. We have honored his promise faithfully

Air Force leaders send Memorial Day message

In a joint Letter to Airmen, the Air Force secretary and chief of staff send their Memorial Day message to Airmen and their families worldwide. Air Force Secretary Michael W. Wynne and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley remind Airmen that May 26 is a day that Americans remember and pay

Former Air Force pilot, NFL star touts opportunities for veterans

Chad Hennings has been known by many titles in his life: U.S. Air Force Academy graduate, A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot, Gulf War veteran, Dallas Cowboy. The three-time Super Bowl champion now can go by one more title: small-business advocate. "Small business is the lifeblood of America," Mr. Hennings

'Today's Air Force' features disaster relief

This week's edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights how the U.S. Air Force provides life-saving relief anywhere in the world. One example is the humanitarian relief Air Force aircrews have flown to China. Airmen are working around the clock to deliver food, blankets and tools to care for the

NCO found guilty, sentenced in court martial

Staff Sgt. Victor J. Rodgers, (who is not a cadet), from the 10th Medical Support Squadron here, was found guilty by a military judge of six violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The violations included disorderly conduct by knowingly filming a fellow Airman without her consent while

Airman's Roll Call: Thrift Savings Plan

This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on the long-term retirement savings plan Airmen and civilians can use to supplement their retirement plans. The savings plan gives investors the opportunity to lower their taxes each year they contribute. The taxes are deferred until the employee withdraws from

Top leaders unite for senior enlisted summit

More than 350 of the Air Force's top enlisted leaders converged on Maxwell Air Force Base's Gunter Annex to participate in the 2008 Senior Enlisted Leader Summit May 18 to 23. Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley, along with hundreds of Air Force command chief master sergeants,

Security forces Airmen honor fallen comrades

Airmen deployed to the 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron here commemorated National Police Week May 11 through 17 at a Southwest Asian air base. Members of the 386th ESFS paid homage to those killed in action by hosting a series of events celebrating the memory of their fallen comrades.

Deployed environmental stewardship pays off

In the middle of the desert, Airmen have gone 'green'. These green Airmen, deployed to the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, are participating in a recycling program designed to reduce the waste produced at an air base in Southwest Asia. Items such as wooden pallets, metals, cardboard, plastic bottles

Officials offer full replacement value for damaged goods

Airmen may now automatically receive full replacement value protection from the moving company on damage their household goods might incur during a move, Air Force officials announced May 14. Household good pick-ups after March 1 will receive full-replacement-value protection from the moving company

Bootcamp gives veterans an entrepreneurial edge

Starting your own business can be a daunting venture even under the best of circumstances. But add to that the challenges of being a service-disabled veteran, and the experience can be overwhelming. That scenario troubled Mike Haynie, a former Air Force major. A few months after beginning his new

Prepositioning weapons at Balad to save $1.3 million

Balad Air Base has been chosen by Air Force leaders to be the test base for a weapons prepositioning initiative expected to save the Air Force approximately $1.3 million per year in transportation costs. This initiative involves the prepositioning of M-9s and M-16s that will allow certain Airmen to

15th generation rabbi: Helping servicemembers keep faith

The candle flame danced a slow mesmerizing dance as it flickered from one side of the wick to the next. The light softly illuminated his face as his silhouette became a portion of the projection behind him -- images of Holocaust victims. Soft-spoken yet with a stern demeanor, Rabbi (Capt.) Raphael

Bush, Gates honor military spouses at ceremony

President Bush and Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates paid tribute May 6 to about 1,100 military spouses who gathered for a Military Spouse Day celebration at the White House, where President Bush promised to continue pushing for more benefits for military families. Following a tradition President

Airmen, Soldiers honor fallen comrade

Airmen and Soldiers from Bagram Air Base honored an Airman who paid the ultimate sacrifice for his country during a memorial ceremony May 1 here. Senior Airman Jonathan A.V. Yelner, a convoy driver assigned to the Kapisa and Parwan Provincial Reconstruction Team, died of wounds suffered when his

Financial management, services to Airmen evolving

The assistant secretary of the Air Force for financial management and comptroller described a bright future for financial services during a visit with Air Mobility Command  financial management officials here April 28. John H. Gibson II said current and pending enhancements allow Airmen to work

With troops' freedom to choose beneficiaries comes greater responsibility

Starting in July, servicemembers can choose to whom a $100,000 death gratuity will be disbursed if they are killed in action. Currently, troops can assign half the posthumous payment to recipients of their preference, with the remainder paid according to a hierarchy determined by the Defense

Vice chief honors World War II Airmen, heroes

The Air Force vice chief of staff paid tribute to members of the Air Forces Escape and Evasion Society April 26 during the society's 44th annual reunion near Savannah, Ga. The AFEES primarily comprises Air Force World War II veterans who were forced down behind enemy lines and avoided or escaped

U.S. team takes Lithuania, 84-74

The United States Armed Forces team won its first International Military Sports Council championship since 1998, defeating Lithuania, 84-74, April 22 in the Chaparral Fitness Center at Lackland AFB. "It's very gratifying, particularly because we beat a good team," said Ted Albers, USA head coach.

DOD, VA leaders chart way forward for wounded care

Officials in the Defense Department and the Department of Veterans Affairs are diligently working together to solve problems for America's wounded warriors, Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England told the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee April 24. The two departments are working to "improve

Top AF trainer receives feedback from ILO Airmen

The commander of 2nd Air Force, responsible for the development, oversight and direction of all operational aspects of basic military training and technical schools for enlisted and support officers, kicked off a theater-wide tour April 22 at an air base in Southwest Asia. Maj. Gen. Michael Gould's

Iron Flow program concludes at Kadena

With the departure of the final three F-15C Eagles from Kadena Air Base April 23 to Air National Guard units in the United States, the 18th Wing concluded Kadena AB's role in the Pacific Air Forces Iron Flow program. Begun in 2005, the Iron Flow program was a process to exchange Kadena's aging F-15

Airmen donate wheelchair, ramp for Ecuadorian girl

On April 18 Airmen from Forward Operating Location Manta conducted their final inspection of a wheelchair ramp they designed and funded for 11-year-old Kelly Yuleisy Arcentales. The completion of the wheelchair ramp from Kelly's home to the city sidewalk finalized a three month project to provide

Air Force enhances medical scholarships with $20,000 bonus

Students selected by Air Force officials for three- or four-year medical school scholarships in fiscal 2008 will get an extra $20,000 in their wallets with the new Critical Skills Accession Bonus. Qualified Medical Corps Health Professions Scholarship Program recipients awarded contracts from Oct.

Presidential Rank Awards presented to senior AF civilians

Air Force officials recognized the career achievements of 20 senior civilians April 14 during the annual Presidential Rank Awards Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. "Our distinguished winners are products of a lifetime of dedication to their trade (and) the Air Force," said Secretary of the

Secretary of state receives honorary Air University degree

Air University officials presented an honorary doctor of letters degree upon Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice for her academic achievements and contributions to international relations and national security April 14 here. Lt. Gen. Stephen R. Lorenz, the Air University commander, gave Secretary

Smart Ops teams simplify processes to save thousands, earn certification

Thousands of dollars in savings are on the horizon for Tinker Air Force Base as a result of the work by two AFSO21 process improvement teams who presented their final projects and graduated from training Jan. 14.In August, two four-member teams were given one Air Logistics Center problem each with a

Air Force secretary tells cadets of changing times

The Air Force has met the challenge of change with a combination of innovation, adaptability and flexibility for the last 60 years, said the Air Force secretary in his address to first and third class cadets April 8 in Arnold Hall here. "Character and leadership skills are always in high demand and

'Campus Dining' to transform AF food services

Air Combat Command is leading the Air Force in a study that will change the way food service is delivered at Air Force installations. Services officials in ACC are traveling to various installations within the command to assess current food operations; the research may result in Air Force bases

Aerial porters can now train anytime, anywhere

Air transportation Airmen across the Air Force can access training anytime, anywhere through the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center's distance learning program. Offered by the center's Mobility Operations School Air Transportation Branch, or ATB, "aerial porters" can train in eight courses:  Air

'Army Wives' films on Charleston

Charleston Air Force Base officials hosted the first Department of Defense-supported filming of the Lifetime Television show "Army Wives" April 7 at the base exchange here.Charleston members have been working with the production company since the beginning of December on this event and since then,

Winter sports clinic helps veterans

The 22nd National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic, the largest disabled learn-to-ski clinic in the world, helped motivate and heal nearly 400 veterans this year at Snowmass Village, Colo. The six-day winter sports clinic hosted 64 Airmen, 182 Soldiers, 66 Seamen, 60 Marines, and five Coast

Manas Airmen help Children's Heart Ward

Officials of the Children's Heart Ward in the nearby city of Bishkek performed their 100th surgery March 29 in part due to the support of the of the Manas Air Base Outreach Society.  With the support and donations from base Airmen, two Children's Heart Ward doctors conduct heart surgeries for free

Logistics key to deployed NATO mission

Logistics Airmen from the 404th Air Expeditionary Group have worked day and night to prepare the airfield here for Operation Noble Endeavor. F-15 Strike Eagles from the 492nd Fighter Squadron at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, United Kingdom, will augment Romanian forces in an air policing mission over

Cannon members march to honor Bataan POWs

"Sand, hills and pain," an elderly marcher said, describing the 26.2 mile Bataan Memorial Death March, held March 30 at White Sands Missile Range, N.M. The annual march, in its 19th year, honored the men and women forced to march 60 miles by Japanese soldiers, and in thousands of instances died, in

Band members connect with Bishkek music students

Members of the U.S. Air Forces Central Band Hot Brass treated approximately 200 students and faculty of the Bishkek College of Music to the sounds of rock 'n' roll, disco, country and classical music during a performance March 26 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The traveling Air Force band, which is

Developmental education application deadlines set

Officers and civilians considering intermediate or senior developmental education in 2009 have until April 25 and May 1, respectively, to submit their applications for consideration by the selection board. Officers apply using a Web-based application, while civilians submit their applications

Reservists may face limit on man-day tours

Later this year hundreds of reservists nationwide could reach the limit on the number of man-days they can serve in Air Force Reserve Command. Reservists through the rank of colonel received permission 3.5 years ago to serve up to 1,095 man-days of the previous 1,460 days in a rolling four-year

Pope officials remember fallen Airman

Pope Air Force Base members paid their respects to an NCO who died March 22 fighting the war on terrorism during a March 26 memorial ceremony at Hangar 4 here. Tech. Sgt. William H. Jefferson Jr., 34, from the 21st Special Tactics Squadron died from wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an

DOD anti-tobacco campaign invades military markets

The Department of Defense isn't just blowing smoke about its tobacco cessation campaign. "Quit Tobacco. Make Everyone Proud" is making its presence felt with enthusiastic marketing initiatives in 13 U.S. metropolitan markets containing 28 major military installations.The campaign positions military

Air Force officials work to resolve child-care issues

The shortage of qualified child-care providers is a major concern for Air Force families, and the Air Force is working to resolve it, the chief of Airman and Family Services at the Pentagon said. While the Air Force offers Airmen quality, affordable child care at on-base facilities throughout the

Airmen ease Marines move to Afghanistan

With last year's operations in Afghanistan among the highest since they began in 2001, Airmen here are acutely aware of the mission importance to refuel aircraft supporting those operations, as well as provide world-class service and care to transiting passengers, said Col. Harrison Smith, the

Whiteman officials dedicate Child Development Center

More than 150 base and community members paid tribute to the late Susie Skelton by dedicating the Whiteman Air Force Base Child Development Center in her honor March 15 here. The base Child Development Center, completed in 2007, provides specialized childcare provisions and development for infants,

Village of Hope lives up to its name

Members of the 557th Expeditionary Red Horse Squadron, headquartered at Balad Air Base, Iraq, paid out nearly $10,000 to 120 students at the Red Horse Village of Hope March 13 here. The Village of Hope program is a test program that has many in the Department of Defense watching. Similar to a

Air Force officials to close force shaping programs

Since the Air Force is on track to meet end strength goals for fiscal 2008, force shaping programs are being closed for the remainder of the year. March 31 is the last day Air Force officials will accept fiscal 2008 Voluntary Separation Pay program applications. All eligible officers interested in

C-130 aircrews, Army riggers reach airdrop record

February marked an airdrop record for the C-130 Hercules of the 774th Air Expeditionary Squadron, but not without the support of the Army's 11th Quartermaster Rigger Detachment and Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force riggers here. The joint team delivered approximately 1 million pounds of

'Hoop dreams' come true for Airman

For the fourth year in a row a Reserve Command member has been tapped to play on the All Air Force basketball team. Capt. Kurtis Darden, the only reservist on the team, will play in the Armed Forces Basketball Tournament to be held March 23 to 28 at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. "This year I'm

Aerial porters receive advanced training

Airmen in the Air Force air transportation career field, also known as "aerial porters," can advance their training and capabilities here through the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center's Aerial Port Operations Course. Held approximately 12 times a year at either Fort Dix or an away location such as

New online master's program for AF civilians now available

Eligible Air Force civilians have until March 14 to apply for a new online master's degree program offered this June by Air University's Air Command and Staff College. The two-year program, for civilians GS-11 and above and pay band-02 and above who don't already have their master's degree, consists

Air Force films Edwards, Travis Airmen, aircraft 'Above All'

Aircrews from the Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., and the 60th Air Mobility Wing at Travis AFB, Calif., recently took part in the filming of the latest round of Air Force commercials featuring the new campaign theme "Above All." The filming at Edwards Feb. 6 through 8

Joint STARS goes beyond line of sight

A straight line is the shortest distance between two points and the best way for communication to pass from one to the other, unless the earth's curvature prevents it. Then, what is known as beyond-line-of-sight, or BLOS, communication capability becomes necessary. BLOS uses two straight lines, one

Deployed Airmen may qualify for assignments, deferments

Some deployed Airmen who have served uncharacteristically long tours of duty will become qualified for a special advance assignment/deferment program, according to Air Force Personnel Center officials here. "This program recognizes that some of our Airmen, enlisted and officer, who have served a

CMSAF outlines Air Force priorities to Dover Airmen

The chief master sergeant of the Air Force outlined the Air Force's primary concerns Feb. 11 to Dover Air Force Base Airmen. Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley told base Airmen that the service's top-three priorities are winning the war on terrorism, taking care of Airmen and

Air Force snags top national advertising award

The Air Force earned one of the nation's top advertising honors Feb. 7, taking home a Golden Award at the 2008 ADDY Awards ceremony in Dallas. The technology section of the AIRFORCE.com Web site won best in class in the micro-site category, according to Air Force Recruiting Command officials. The

Incoming top chaplain speaks about trust

The Air Force's next chief of chaplains spoke about the importance of trusting in God, and the effect it has had on America and his life during the Feb. 12 Bolling Air Force Base annual prayer breakfast. "Trust is critical to our faith, crucial to our prayers and central to who we are as Americans,"

Air Force Aid Society provides alternative to pay-day loans

Air Force Aid Society officials are pleased to announce the new Falcon Loan program available to Air Force members beginning March 3.  A Falcon Loan is an interest-free loan of $500 or less that can be used for emergency needs such as basic living expenses -- rent, utilities and food -- car repairs,

Virtual MPF adds new self-service program for assignments

A new self-service assignments application launching Feb. 19 will eliminate a visit to the military personnel flight/element, saving Airmen both time and effort as part of the continuing initiatives of the Air Force's Personnel Services Delivery Transformation. Using the Expanded Permissive

Manas NCO donates art to fund surgeries for needy children

Where most just see trash, Tech. Sgt. Robert Sommers sees possibility. On any given day, the 376th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron operations management NCO in charge can be found sorting through leftover wood scraps in his shop, which he paints on his off-duty time. The artworks he creates

Service still seeking special compensation claimants

The approval rate of claims for Combat-Related Special Compensation is currently running 66 percent, but one-third of the eligible retirees still have not applied for the program. Air Force Personnel Center officials expected an increase in claims when the benefit was expanded to include all combat

Air Force claims center proves efficient

One year after opening the Air Force Claims Service Center near Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, Air Force leaders are proud to announce its successes in handling legal claims for all Airmen. Not only are Airmen paid quickly under the new system, that money is recovered from negligent moving

New earned income credit rules lucrative for some Airmen

Filing his family's taxes each year online, Master Sgt. Ron Przysucha says he normally receives about $3,000 in tax returns. This year however, he was taken by surprise when the same Web site he traditionally uses calculated his return at nearly $8,000. "I immediately thought it was a mistake and I

Air Force officials release budget request for 2009

As part of the president's fiscal 2009 budget, the Air Force officials are requesting Congress' approval for $143.9 billion, nearly more than $9 billion more than in fiscal 2008. Of the $143.9 billion request, $117 billion are funds directly controlled and managed by the Air Force. The remaining

RC-135 outlasts 1960's contemporaries

In the year 1962, The Beatles recorded their debut single, "Love Me Do," "The Beverly Hillbillies" premiered on television, a ticket to the movies cost 50 cents and the first RC-135 Rivet Joint aircraft rolled off the Boeing assembly line. Now, nearly a half a century later, The Beatles haven't had

Air Force fiscal 2008 aviator continuation pay approved

The fiscal 2008 Aviator Continuation Pay program was approved here recently by Craig W. Duehring, the assistant secretary of the Air Force for manpower and Reserve affairs. The 2008 National Defense Authorization Act., which was signed by President George W. Bush Jan. 28, provided authorization. The

Coalition forces assist in Iraqi police pay day

Nearly 200 Iraqi police officers receive their monthly pay Jan. 30 with the help of expeditionary security forces members. Members of Det. 3 of the 732nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, 716th Military Police Battalion, 18th Military Police Brigade, performed the security and identification

Military working dog teams fine-tune relationships

It's a simple, age-old act of classical conditioning, the dog finds what the master desires and the dog is rewarded. In the case of Tommy, a three-year-old Belgian Malinoise assigned to Joint Task Force-Bravo Joint Security Forces here, the softball-sized round rubber toy is about all the reward he

First aerial bombing mission completed at Kwajalein

On Jan. 23, the 393rd Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, deployed here with their B-2 Spirit stealth bombers from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., completed the first aerial bombing mission at the U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site . The Kwajalein Atoll is home to

Troops, families can access free tax-filing services

Rather than paying a tax specialist, servicemembers and their families can obtain free assistance to prepare and file their annual tax returns through a special military program, a Defense Department tax advisor said here Jan. 30. The military's tax assistance program processes more than 200,000

Airman's Roll Call highlights knowledge of benefits

This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on empowering Airmen with information about their benefits. Air Force supervisors are responsible for providing counseling and feedback to the Airmen they supervise. Part of this is ensuring Airmen are equipped with the necessary knowledge to make informed

2008 force shaping board cancelled

Air Force lieutenants in the 2005 year group, a total of 764 eligible, will not face a fiscal 2008 force shaping board. "We received enough requests to separate through voluntary separations programs that conducting a force shaping board is no longer needed this year," said Lt. Gen. Richard

Troops to receive retroactive pay next month

Active duty troops will receive retroactive earnings next month, followed weeks later by a supplemental payday for non-active personnel, a Pentagon official said today. The National Defense Authorization Act signed into law Jan. 28 by President Bush stipulates a 3.5 percent military pay raise. This

Abused Afghan woman to receive plastic surgery

A 16-year-old woman brutally attacked by her husband in December is set to receive plastic surgery in Kabul following close coordination between the Afghan government and Provincial Reconstruction Team Qalat, a joint U.S. Air Force and Army unit here. Nazia Hookum Darr was beaten and disfigured by

Manas Airmen improve on community legacy

Airmen of the 376th Expeditionary Mission Support Group and Security Forces Squadron here donated $1,403 Jan. 23 for infrastructure improvements in their near-by adopted village Oktyabrskoye. Village mayor Galina Tereschuk met with visiting Manas AB Airmen and invited a small gathering of villagers

Aviator pay details to be released

Details on the retention bonus offered to experienced aviators should be released soon, Air Staff officials here said. The aviator continuation pay incentive is in the final coordination stages and once Congress finalizes and the president signs this year's annual National Defense Authorization Act,

Contingency Wartime Planning Course prepares Airmen for duty

As the supreme allied commander of allied forces in Europe during the Normandy invasion in World War II, Dwight D. Eisenhower explained the importance of military planning when he said, "In preparing for battle, I have always found that plans are useless but planning is indispensable." A course

Leaders announce policy changes for Airmen in AOR

Changes are on the horizon for Airmen serving in the Central Command area of responsibility. In an effort to standardize policies among those assigned and those deployed to the CENTCOM AOR, Air Force officials will implement several changes beginning as soon as February 2008. "There are several

Officials search for POW/MIAs on Wake Island

A team of anthropologists sent by Joint Prisoner of War Missing in Action Accounting Command officials began to dig on Wake Island to determine if they have found World War II prisoners of war. When a contractor doing asbestos abatement work on the island discovered what appeared to be human

Winter: Time for sunscreen and sweaters

Winter is here and that means it is time to pull out the sunscreen and sweaters! Yes, sunscreen. Outdoor fun activities such as skiing, ice skating and sledding can be fun, but it is important to protect your skin from the bitter cold, heavy winds and winter sun. When any of us think about winter we

Civilian personnel system offers workers opportunities, officials say

In its second year of implementation, the Defense Department's new civilian personnel system is meeting its goal of shifting the department to a performance-based pay system while giving employees the power to boost their own careers, two officials with the program said here Jan. 7. The National

General Brady offers parting thoughts

To many below the headquarters and major command levels, the title "AF/A1" may not mean much, but it should. AF/A1 is the office of the Air Force's senior officer in charge of all personnel issues from force shaping to education and training, and for nearly four years, Lt. Gen. Roger A. Brady has

Certain officer, enlisted bonuses expired Dec. 31

Certain bonus programs for Reserve and active duty officer and enlisted personnel expired Dec. 31 due to the president not signing the fiscal 2008 National Defense Authorization Act and returning it to Congress for changes. All reenlistments for eligible Airmen in Air Force Specialty Codes with a

Tricare can help make New Year's resolutions reality

Saving money, tobacco use and fighting the battle of the bulge are among the hot topics on most people's New Year's resolution lists, but this year Tricare officials can help. Saving money on regularly used prescriptions got a lot easier in 2007 with the new Member Choice Center.The MCC can save a

Santa pays an early visit

CAP members place wreath at Air Force Memorial

Members of the Civil Air Patrol paid their respects to fallen Airmen at a wreath laying ceremony at the Air Force Memorial here Dec. 15. CAP Brig. Gen. Amy Courter, national commander, joined the Hagerstown, Md., unit at the memorial to "offer support in the spirit the Civil Air Patrol always has."

Program offers cash, advanced assignment consideration

Airmen selected for assignment to South Korea who apply for the Korea Assignment Incentive Pay Program can earn $300 a month and apply for advanced assignment consideration. The incentive program authorizes the monthly payments to Airmen who sign a written agreement to serve the prescribed tour

Airman supports burn clinic for Iraqi children

When Army Cpl. Joseph Barzeski invited Staff Sgt. Tracy Davidson to tour the Convoy Support Center's burn clinic in Scania, Iraq, he didn't think she would be back. But she did come back, again and again. "I didn't think she was going to want to stay, but she wanted to help," said the corporal. "She

New year brings higher housing allowance to most recipients

Most servicemembers receiving a housing allowance will see more in their 2008 paychecks. The average increase more than doubled for 2008 at 7.3 percent over last year's 3.5 percent average increase. The Defense Department will pump an additional $600 million into the housing allowance program, for a

'Gifts from the Homefront' support does 'double time'

Military advocates across America are making their support work twice as hard with Army and Air Force Exchange Service "Gifts from the Homefront" gift certificates. While assistance sent through this troop-support initiative provides for the immediate needs of troops throughout operations Enduring

AFMC Airmen honor commander with Order of the Sword

Air Force Materiel Command's enlisted corps honored its leader with the Order of the Sword Dec. 6 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force here. Gen. Bruce Carlson, the AFMC commander, received the AFMC Order of the Sword, the highest honor Air Force noncommissioned officers can give to an

Hickam commemorates 66th anniversary of attack

Survivors of the Dec. 7, 1941, attack on Hickam Air Field, and their family members descended upon Hickam Air Force Base for a commemorative ceremony to pay tribute and remember those who paid the ultimate cost. With the Courtyard of Heroes Eternal Flame burning in the background, Chaplain (Maj.)

Lackland officer court-martialed

During a military court martial Dec. 3 at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, a captain was convicted of committing indecent acts with two children. Tthe court sentenced Captain Edward Hudson Dec. 4 to 10 years confinement, total forfeitures of pay and allowances and dismissal from the Air Force. The

Deployed Airmen remember Pearl Harbor

More than 200 U.S. forces at an air base in Southwest Asia attended a memorial retreat in honor of the 2,340 killed and 1,143 wounded in the Dec. 7, 1941 attacks on U.S. military installations on Oahu, Territory of Hawaii. "We have come here today to pay honor and homage to our nations' heroes, the