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  • Nation honors fallen during National Moment of Remembrance

    On May 29, Americans will pause to remember servicemembers from wars past and present who have given the ultimate sacrifice while defending the nation. The National Moment of Remembrance takes place for one minute each year on Memorial Day, starting at 3 p.m. local time. "The time 3 p.m. was chosen

  • Air Force leaders send Memorial Day message

    The following is a Memorial Day message from Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley. "To the men and women of the United States Air Force: "In a time of peace and prosperity, we remember those who gave their lives in service to our country.

  • Services career field named Air Force Team of the Year

    Each year, Air Force officials evaluate career fields for unity and exceptional performance that warrants recognition by the entire force. In conjunction with the Air Force Association, one career field is recognized with an Air Force-level award. Services, Air Force Specialty Code 3M0X1, was

  • 2007 budget completes dorm recapitalization funding

    The Air Force's fiscal 2007 budget request will complete the funding needed to replace inadequate dormitories for Airmen. During recent testimony before the Senate Appropriations Committee's subcommittee on military construction and veterans affairs, William C. "Bill" Anderson, assistant secretary

  • Airmen help honor vets at country music awards show

    Backstage, the anticipation of the curtains rising was surreal as 40 Airmen and eight veterans waited to make their national television debut during the 41st Academy of Country Music awards program May 23. With a quick nod and a smile from the band to calm their nerves, the director yelled, “We’re

  • IT modernization: Leveraging the power of information

    Since January, the Air Force has been busy modernizing itself through the Secretary of the Air Force initiatives embodied in Air Force Smart Operations 21. The Air Force's communications and information community is part of that modernization effort. Their focus is on restructuring information

  • Technology improvements keep information flowing to warfighter

    During the recent Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., the Air Force demonstrated new technology that provides warfighters with greater connectivity and more timely information. During the exercise, the Air Force tested the Battlefield Airborne Communications Node.

  • Whatever you do this summer, stay safe

    Each year, the Air Force stresses the importance of zero mishaps during the 101 Critical Days of Summer through PowerPoint slides, commander’s calls and safety briefings. For the most part, Airmen do their part to put safety at the forefront. But what about those safety issues that tend to fall

  • DOD, Congress making progress on Tricare changes

    The Defense Department, working hard with Congress for the past several months, has reached some conclusions about how the fee system for military health care should be changed, a top DOD official said here May 11. "It's universally agreed that there is a serious issue, a serious problem, with the

  • Program gives technology access to disabled GIs

    A Defense Department program helps wounded servicemembers and other people with disabilities have equal access to the information environment and opportunities throughout the federal government, a senior DOD official said May 8. Dinah F.B. Cohen, director of the Computer and Electronic Accommodation

  • DOD announces increase in foreign language pay

    The Department of Defense announced May 10 an increase effective June 1 in Foreign Language Proficiency Pay, or FLPP, for servicemembers who qualify. The fiscal 2005 National Defense Authorization Act authorizes the secretary of defense to increase FLPP pay from a maximum of $300 per month to a

  • Air Force notifies force shaping lieutenants

    Today, 2,084 lieutenants in the 2002 and 2003 accession year groups will learn if they were selected for retention by the Force Shaping Board. Each officer is being notified personally of their status by their senior rater. Officers deployed will be notified by either the deployed commander or their

  • Vietnam POW exhibit opens at Air Force museum

    Visitors can get a rare glimpse into the lives of prisoners of war through a dramatic new exhibit at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. The exhibit, titled "Return with Honor: American Prisoners of War in Southeast Asia," located in the museum's Modern Flight Gallery, is now open to

  • Force shaping board results to be released May 10

    Lieutenants eligible for the 2006 Force Shaping Board will be notified personally of their retention status by their senior rater on May 10. The force shaping board, which convened at the Air Force Personnel Center here April 10, selected 1,240 out of 2,083 officers in the 2002 and 2003 accession

  • Fewer Airmen delinquent on government travel card payments

    More Airmen are paying their government travel card bills on time, allowing the Air Force to reach what many believed was an unattainable goal set by the Department of Defense, an Air Force official said. “We met our goal by lowering our delinquency rate below 2 percent for two consecutive months,”

  • Retreat reconnects couples before, after deployments

    On the banks of the Guadalupe River, a veterans group hosts a retreat that helps couples reconnect so they can better cope with life after deployments. Six couples attended the retreat hosted by the Military, Veteran and Family Assistance Foundation at the Heart of the Hills Camp here from April 20

  • New personnel system now in effect

    Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England signed a directive to implement the new National Security Personnel System during a roll-out ceremony here April 28. "Today is a milestone event," Secretary England said during the Pentagon ceremony. "After two and a half years of very hard work, the

  • Wildlife monitors help protect endangered species

    As night turns into dawn, a man's shadow rises on a rugged desert butte. His gaze slices through the morning light looking for his target. It is hard to hunt down the fastest land animal in North America, but he is good at stalking this elusive ghost of the Arizona desert. But, Erik Stenehjem is not

  • Family support center eases résumé worries

    The average employer will view a résumé for 15 to 20 seconds before moving on to another, according to family support center officials here. For this reason, they said it is vital for job seekers to have a résumé that represents their skills and abilities in the best manner. "The résumé is your

  • SECAF discusses current, future personnel issues

    Ensuring the Air Force operates fiscally is akin to anyone budgeting and paying for household and living expenses. The costs involved must be balanced and paid in order to maintain a certain lifestyle. For the Air Force, some of the business costs reside in the targeted reduction of 40,000 full-time

  • New civilian personnel system set to kick off April 30

    The first phase of the new National Security Personnel System is ready to launch April 30. Spiral 1.1 includes 11,000 Defense Department civilian employees throughout the United States. "The most important message is that we are ready," said Mary Lacey, NSPS program executive officer. "Employees are

  • AFSA members clean Vietnam Memorial

    Forty years ago, troops in Vietnam were issued rifles, ponchos and helmets. Last weekend, members from the Air Force Sergeants Association were armed with brooms, soap buckets and hoses. About 140 AFSA volunteers and family members traveled here from six Air Force bases to clean the Vietnam Veterans

  • Tactical recon paying dividends with TARS

    A little-known capability here is paying big dividends for warfighters on the ground. Air National Guard F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 332nd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron are using the Theater Airborne Reconnaissance System, or TARS pod, to provide high-quality still imagery to ground commanders

  • Air Force Audit Agency to work under new personnel system

    Nonbargaining unit employees of the Air Force Audit Agency here will become the first employees here to work under the long-awaited National Security Personnel System April 30. While Wright-Patterson, in general, isn't slated to roll out NSPS until January, NSPS officials said they will watch the

  • DUIs carry all sorts of consequences

    A conviction for driving under the influence can be deadly to an Air Force career.Four Moody Airmen have been arrested in the last six weeks for DUIs; these convictions will likely follow the Airmen for the rest of their careers. Both civilian and military DUI convictions can bring sobering effects

  • Rough conditions take their toll on vehicles

    Vehicles -- everybody needs one, everybody wants one. But without proper upkeep, they break. That is where the mechanics with the 407th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron’s vehicle maintenance flight come in. The flight’s 27 technicians and two supply Airmen maintain about 400 vehicles here.

  • Doolittle Raiders celebrate 64th reunion

    The Doolittle Raiders started the celebration of their 64th reunion this year with a solemn goblet ceremony April 18 in Dayton, Ohio. The ceremony, normally held in private, was opened to the media to honor the significance of the historical Tokyo Raid on April 18, 1942. With eight of the 16

  • Team tests pod at 'LITENING' speed

    Three Air Force units have started accelerated testing of a LITENING-AT targeting pod. The 416th Flight Test Squadron here is working with the 85th Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and the 422nd OTES at Nellis AFB, Nev., to update the existing LITENING pod with

  • 'Faces of the Fallen' exhibit at Women's Memorial until May 31

    "Faces of the Fallen," an exhibit featuring more than 1,300 individual portraits honoring America's servicemembers who died fighting the war on terrorism in Afghanistan and Iraq, will stay on display at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial until May 31, officials said. More than

  • Manhattan club offers cheap lodging for 'Those Who Serve'

    A vacation to New York City is just plain expensive. After taking a three-hour no-frills flight, then shelling out $45 for a taxi ride from the airport into the city, the last thing you want to do is to pay $200 to $300 each night for a room. For servicemembers and their families, there is a way

  • BEST newsletter keeps civilians current

    The Benefits and Entitlements Service Team newsletter is the best source of information about benefits affecting Air Force appropriated fund civilians, and Air Force Personnel Center officials are encouraging more people to subscribe. By subscribing to the BEST newsletter, civilians have immediate

  • DOD attacks rising pharmacy costs

    In the first year since the Department of Defense began using the uniform formulary process to review and classify prescription drugs, $500 million has been saved.In addition, the Pharmacy Data Transaction Service, or PDTS, has avoided more than 171,000 potentially life-threatening drug interactions

  • DOD plans to boost access to military childcare

    The availability of child-care services for military families will receive a boost from a multi-faceted approach by the Defense Department, a senior official said recently. "We project the (child-care) needs as greater than what we're offering at this point," said Jan Witte, director of DOD's office

  • Advocates provide helping hand in times of need

    “No questions. No doubts. We’re here for you.” The job of a victim advocate is not to ask questions or doubt the victim. Their job is to help the individual through the process, said Staff Sgt. Holly Lucas, a Minot Air Force Base sexual assault victim advocate.Victim advocates are active-duty

  • Three Falcon boxers crowned national champs

    Three members of the Air Force Academy boxing team were crowned national champions April 8 as the Falcons wrapped up competition at the 2006 National Collegiate Boxing Association Championships. Air Force entered the final night of competition in fourth place, following a disappointing semifinal

  • Continuing health care priority for DOD

    During testimony in front of both the House and Senate Armed Services Committees recently, Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. John D.W. Corley said that sustaining health care for servicemembers, their families and retirees is a priority for the Department of Defense. General Corley, along with the

  • America pays tribute to 'Cap' Weinberger

    Caspar W. Weinberger's definition of happiness was "service to a noble cause," Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said at the former defense secretary's funeral April 4. Secretary Weinberger died in Maine on March 28 at age 88. He was buried April 4 at Arlington National Cemetery. He served as

  • No cases of ID theft involve pay system

    No cases of computer scamming or identity theft involving the Defense Department's computerized pay services system have been reported, a Defense Finance and Accounting Service spokeswoman said April 4. "There has not been any identity theft and/or 'phishing' scams with the 'myPay' site," DFAS

  • Airmen volunteers help improve medical facilities in Kyrgyzstan

    Airmen are working to improve the lives of patients at two Bishkek medical facilities. Last week, volunteers from the Manas Air Base Outreach Society, or MABOS, visited patients in a children’s heart ward and a burn unit in medical centers in Bishkek. They delivered donated medical supplies, linen,

  • Air Force finds cost savings for Raptor with multi-year purchasing

    The Air Force believes it can save nearly $500 million by going to multi-year procurement with the next 60 F-22A Raptor aircraft. The Air Force has asked Congress to approve multi-year funding for the remaining 60 Raptors it plans to purchase over the next three fiscal years. Multi-year funding

  • New civilian personnel system to mean slight pay hike for most

    Most of the first 11,000 Defense Department civilian employees to convert to the new civilian personnel system in April will receive a pay increase, an official said today. About 85 percent of people will see an initial bump in pay when they are enrolled in the new National Security Personnel

  • USAFE reaching out to establish security ties

    Airmen and their counterparts from other countries meeting to discuss ways to fix runways may not impact the war on terror like an airstrike against al Qaeda forces. But these face-to-face meetings could one day lead to a security accord that could help combat terrorism, said Mike McMullan, chief of

  • Medics use Smart Ops 21 to decrease patient notification time by half

    For the past year, the 436th Medical Group here has applied a continual improvement process many people often associate with maintenance personnel and programs. LEAN, Six Sigma and Continual Process Improvement are all programs the Air Force has introduced into the maintenance career fields over the

  • EPA says AF top green power purchaser in America

    The Environmental Protection Agency lists the Air Force No. 1 as the largest purchaser of renewable energy in the United States and the third largest green power purchaser in the world. Last year, the Air Force purchased 1,066,397 megawatt hours of renewable energy. That’s enough energy to power

  • Joint Strike Fighter program crucial to future air dominance

    Keeping the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program on track is important because the Air Force needs to replace aging aircraft and it is an important complement to the F-22A Raptor aircraft. That Capitol Hill testimony came March 16 from Lt. Gen. Carrol H. "Howie" Chandler, deputy chief of staff for Air

  • JDAM continues to be warfighter's weapon of choice

    To call yourself the Airman warfighter's weapon of choice is one thing, but it's quite another to go out and back it up. Since its debut in 1999, the Joint Direct Attack Munition, or JDAM, has been called upon more than 15,000 times and continues to be used in the global war on terror. JDAM is a

  • F-16 Fighting Falcon covers multiple missions

    Hundreds of physical and mental training hours go into being a part of one of the most advanced careers in the world -- an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot. The F-16’s multiple missions, such as air-to-air and air-to-ground combat, make it one of the most versatile aircraft in the Air Force, said Capt.

  • Air Force introduces next generation cruise missile

    Since the late 1970s the Department of Defense has tried and failed numerous times to give the warfighter an affordable standoff cruise missile capable of taking out the enemy's air defenses early on in a conflict. Fast forward to 2006 and that warfighter need has finally been met by the Air Force's

  • KC-135 operations -- the flow behind the mission

    They have their hands in virtually every aspect of the KC-135 Stratotanker mission here -- they are the flow, the operational heartbeat. It starts at the top with their commander, runs through the operations officer, to a KC-135 mission planning cell, then to the aircrews. Then there is a support

  • Contingency response wing takes baby steps around the world

    Helping the relief victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and Pakistan’s earthquake disaster were its baby steps. The infant is the 621st Contingency Response Wing, which celebrated its first birthday on Monday, March 6, 2006 at a ceremony in its contingency response warehouse. “Each person here is

  • Virginia Guard unit begins integrating with fighter wing

    He wears a battle dress uniform and looks just like any other maintainer working on a F-22 Raptor, but this Airman is very different from most others in the 27th Aircraft Maintenance Unit here. He is paid by the hour, reports to a different supervisor and has a 70-mile commute to and from Richmond

  • KC-135s serve as enablers providing air bridges

    Their mission is critical to the global war on terrorism. They perform maintenance for the KC-135 Stratotankers that enable U.S. and coalition aircraft to sustain flight and take the fight to the enemy. Stratotanker maintainers are the keys to the KC-135’s success in supporting Operation Enduring

  • Kunsan units deploy to Singapore

    More than 70 Airmen from the 80th Fighter Squadron and 80th Aircraft Maintenance Unit deployed from Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, March 2 for Operation Commando Sling. The month-long deployment, involving joint warfare operations between the U.S. Air Force and its Singapore counterparts, will

  • More personnel actions available online

    Like MyPay and LeaveWeb before, the Air Force is bringing even more military personnel flight actions online. The process, called personnel services delivery transformation, takes effect March 31, and will encompass even more options than those of the Virtual MPF site already on the Internet. “We’re

  • Maintainers prepare for Raptor

    The F-22A Raptor's unequaled capabilities bring some unique challenges to Air Force maintainers here. Not the least of which is gearing up a support machine to handle the maintenance workload when the first Raptors arrive for modifications in April. About 18 of the 21st century fighter aircraft will

  • No typical day for OSI agents

    For many people, the three letters “O-S-I” conjure up images of intrigue, adventures, glamour and risk. However, for agents assigned to the Office of Special Investigations, the federal-level investigative service represents long days, serious work and countless hours of writing. “In a deployed

  • Tiger team tackles operational security violations

    A couple of Airmen sat in the base food court chatting about their return to the United States the next day. Excited to be going home, they compared flight times. Meanwhile, 3 feet away, a third-country national took mental notes. He knew someone who would pay for flight information. The aircraft

  • Vehicle operators return home after teaming with Army

    Seven vehicle operators with the 92nd Logistics Readiness Squadron returned to work Feb. 21 after driving the war-ravaged roads of Iraq for nearly six months. “We were the last medium to light (Air Force-operated) gun trucks solely responsible for providing security to convoys,” Staff Sgt. Scott

  • Civilian sector the biggest space customer

    The head of Air Force Space Command said people might be surprised to learn that corporate America is the biggest user of Air Force space products. Gen. Lance W. Lord said the main reason for this is the reliability of space-based assets and because the technologies -- which are giving coalition

  • Chief master sergeant of the Air Force testifies on quality of life issues

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray testified on Capitol Hill Feb. 15 about Air Force quality of life issues before the House Appropriations Committee subcommittee on military quality of life, veterans affairs and related agencies. "I truly believe, and I think you'll agree, that our

  • Bolling Airmen share Valentine’s Day with veterans

    Ninety Air Force and civilian volunteers from Bolling and the Pentagon visited the Department of Veterans Affairs Maryland Health Care System Medical Center in Baltimore and the Baltimore VA Rehabilitation Center Feb. 14 as part of National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Week. Before the trip,

  • General Lord receives highest enlisted honor

    Air Force Space Command’s enlisted personnel bestowed the Order of the Sword upon Gen. Lance W. Lord, Air Force Space Command commander, Feb. 11. The Order of the Sword is the highest honor enlisted Airmen can bestow on a leader. More than 500 active-duty and retired enlisted Airmen gathered from

  • AF director of staff visits hometown schools

    As a child growing up in the shadow of Yankee Stadium, the recently designated Air Force director of staff said he wanted to be Mickey Mantle. When he returned to his old neighborhood Feb. 9, he told the children at Sacred Heart Grammar School he was proud to serve his country in the military

  • Groups combine resources, give troops valentines

    Two organizations have teamed up to send valentines to troops in Baghdad in an effort made possible by "America Supports You." Since November 2004, the Defense Department program to facilitate grassroots and corporate support for the nation's troops has worked to bond supporters, using a combination

  • Airmen to pay tribute to hospitalized veterans

    Airmen worldwide will be visiting Veterans Affairs medical centers, nursing homes, state veterans homes and other facilities this week to pay tribute to hospitalized veterans. They are helping celebrities, youth groups, community leaders, members of the general public and veterans service

  • New personnel system presents opportunity

    The Defense Department's new National Security Personnel System, or NSPS, is on track for initial implementation, the system's program executive officer said Feb. 9. "We’re still on track to deploy folks into Spiral 1.1 in April," Mary Lacey said. "We've got over 11,000 (non-union) employees that

  • Joint task force takes first steps to securing future

    The initial stages of a four-month long joint training exercise between the U.S. military and Honduran government, dubbed Operation New Horizons 2006 -- Honduras, began here in January. Joint Task Force, or JTF, Asegurar el Futuro, or “Securing the Future,” conducted the New Horizons mission and

  • DOD proposes Tricare hikes for younger military retirees

    The Defense Department is proposing that working-age military retirees and their families pay higher premiums to help address health care costs that have doubled during the past few years, senior DOD officials said here today. The proposed changes would apply only to eligible military retirees under

  • C-5 Galaxy aircraft engine test successful

    The Air Force reached a milestone last month in the effort to modernize its C-5 Galaxy fleet. A successful test of newly mounted C-5 engines occurred Jan. 21 at a Lockheed Martin facility in Marietta, Ga. The test was part of the C-5 Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program, or RERP, said

  • AF general to retire at reduced rank

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne has directed that Brig. Gen. Richard S. Hassan, former director of the Air Force senior leader management office, retire in the permanent grade of colonel effective March 1. The retirement grade determination follows an Air Force Inspector General

  • Air Force’s FY 2007 budget released

    As part of the president's fiscal year 2007 budget plan, the Air Force is set to receive $105.9 billion. This budget meets the vision of Air Force leaders to fight and win the global war on terrorism; to develop, train and care for Airmen; and to recapitalize and modernize the force, said Maj. Gen.

  • QDR focuses on protecting Americans

    Just as the fall of the Soviet Union led to changes in how the U.S. military is organized and operates, the post-Sept. 11 world requires continuation of that process, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said here Feb. 1. At a Pentagon news conference, Mr. Rumsfeld and Navy Adm. Edmund Giambastiani,

  • Rapid prototyping speeds up design assessment

    The Air Force Research Laboratory has developed a new rapid way to test wind tunnel designs. Traditional wind tunnel models are meticulously machined from metal in a process that can take several months. While very precise, the manufacturing process is too slow to assess a new design's feasibility

  • New contract begins for Tricare dental program

    Tricare Management Activity will begin its new Tricare Dental Program, or TDP, contract with United Concordia Companies Inc. Feb. 1. United Concordia will continue to furnish worldwide, comprehensive dental coverage to include preventive, diagnostic, restorative and maintenance services to all

  • Memorial services held for fallen Airmen

    More than 500 Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and multinational partners attended a memorial service Jan. 27 to pay their final respects to two Airmen who were killed in Iraq by an improvised explosive device Jan. 22. Tech. Sgt. Jason Norton, 32, and Staff Sgt. Brian McElroy, 28, were assigned to

  • New location, same C-130 airlift mission

    Airmen and aircraft have relocated and the name of the squadron has changed. But, the mission of Airmen deployed here from the 463rd Airlift Group at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., has not. These Airmen deliver cargo in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility and are now flying their

  • Most Reserve, Guard members earn more, not less, in uniform

    Despite general perceptions that Guardsmen and Reservists lose income when called to active duty, most actually earn more in uniform than as civilians, a new Rand Corp. study reveals. The nonprofit research organization's study, commissioned by the Defense Department and released Jan. 25, shows that

  • AMC Airmen deploying 'a little lighter'

    Air Mobility Command Airmen who deploy are traveling a little lighter -- nearly 90 pounds lighter -- thanks to the mobility bag pre-positioning initiative. The program, now in its second phase, will allow 5,000 Airmen -- about 1,000 from AMC -- to deploy without carrying the typical three mobility

  • Security forces work side by side with Soldiers in Iraq

    Imagine searching door to door with Soldiers, looking for insurgents, high-value targets and weapons caches in Iraq. Envision the nerve it takes to do the job after having another Airman in the area critically injured by an improvised explosive device, or IED, only two weeks after being assigned to

  • Airmen survive on island showcased in 'Survivor'

    Capt. Kristen Bakotic first learned about Palau while watching the two-hour finale of the reality television show “Survivor.” When she found out the Air Force was looking for enlisted people to volunteer for a six-month tour here, she checked to see if they needed an officer. The Air Force had in

  • Airmen extend knowledge and manpower to island of Palau

    For only the second time since the mid-1970s, the civic action team program in Palau is composed entirely of Airmen from around the world. Thirteen Airmen are living and working on the island made famous a year and a half ago on the reality television series “Survivor.” But the Airmen aren’t here

  • Health and wellness centers help some keep resolutions

    Health and wellness centers Air Force-wide can help smokers kick their habit. Smoking cessation programs are offered for active duty personnel, retirees and Reservists. At the center here, the six-session program is combined with drug and patch therapy, psychological tips and physiological

  • Air Force improving production with Smart Operations 21

    The Air Force used the best parts of several civilian efficiency programs to develop an Air Force-unique process-improvement program called "Smart Operations 21," Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne said. The program will take the Air Force forward in a journey of self-improvement, the

  • Guard, Reserve benefit from 2006 defense authorization

    The 2006 National Defense Authorization Act signed into law Jan. 6 provides new or enhanced benefits for National Guard and Reserve members, a senior defense official said. President George W. Bush signed the legislation Jan. 6, providing a variety of benefits designed to bring reserve-component

  • 2006 defense budget increases military pay and benefits

    President George W. Bush ushered in an across-the-board 3.1 percent military pay raise, effective Jan. 1. It includes a variety of new or enhanced benefits for servicemembers and their families when he signed the 2006 National Defense Authorization Bill into law Jan. 6. In addition to a pay raise

  • New civilian personnel training postponed until review complete

    National Security Personnel System training for Department of Defense managers and rank-and-file employees is being postponed while a component of the new system is reviewed, an NSPS official said here today. "We've asked the services to put a hold on their training for January because we're

  • Civilian pay raises to take effect

    The upcoming pay period for Defense Department civilian General Schedule employees will reflect a 2.1 percent across-the-board pay raise. It also includes a range of locality pays that bring the overall pay hikes between 2.83 and 5.62 percent, an Office of Personnel Management spokesman said. The

  • Nomination season opening for top Guard, Reserve employer awards

    Guard and Reserve members may recommend their employers to be recognized for supporting their military service when the 2006 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Awards nomination season opens next week. The nomination season last from Jan. 9 to Feb. 28. During last year's open season,

  • Airmen ‘drop the ball’ on New Year’s Eve

    With inspiration from New York -- the city that never sleeps -- Airmen at this desert base that never sleeps got to drop the ball this New Year’s Eve. In less than 72 hours, some 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineering Squadron members constructed a New Year’s Eve Ball like the one dropped at New

  • Finance center distributing year-end pay, tax statements

    Servicemembers, military retirees and annuitants and federal civilian employees paid by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service can expect to receive their 2005 tax statements by mail soon, a DFAS official said. In fact, most retirees and annuitants already may have received theirs, with the last

  • Airmen dedicates time to fight crime

    For one Airman here, protecting and defending all enemies foreign and domestic is something he takes to heart. Tech. Sgt. Tim Allen of the 682nd Air Support Operations Squadron, is a volunteer constable in South Carolina. In South Carolina, a constable is a law enforcement officer commissioned by

  • 701st shows true meaning of Christmas

    Volunteers from the 701st Airlift Squadron here came together to help make the holidays a little brighter for those in need. Squadron members have adopted a family through the Department of Social Services, as well as provided Christmas gifts and food for the Charleston Women’s Homeless Shelter. “We

  • Airmen, civilians lay wreaths at Arlington

    Despite the cold, wind and snow, about 75 people gathered at Arlington National Cemetery on Dec. 15 to lay more than 5,000 wreaths on gravesites, including four at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Since 1992, members of the armed forces, civil air patrol, veterans of foreign wars and several

  • Air Force makes changes to BAH policy

    Beginning in January, the Air Force and the other military services will eliminate geographic rate protection for the basic allowance for housing. Over the last five years, geographic rate protection meant BAH rates around military communities could never drop, even when estimates for median housing

  • Computer program crash was a good thing

    There's nothing like a computer program crash to ruin your day, especially when it’s used to track patients in the Air Force’s largest medical facility. But with luck, a computer expert can help figure out the problem. And if you’re really lucky, the solution can be even better than the original.

  • ARPC automates 20-year and mortgage letters

    The Air Reserve Personnel Center set another transformation milestone with the self-service automation of the reissue of 20-year and mortgage letters. The letters are now available via the Virtual Personnel Center Guard/Reserve portal. The original 20-year notification letter is issued approximately

  • Airmen training Iraqi NCOs to lead protection force

    Security forces pride themselves on making a good first impression for base visitors. Now they are instilling that same pride and professionalism in Iraqi Airmen. Three Air Force security forces members are training the Iraqi protection force that will ultimately inherit security operations at New

  • Chief of staff lauds evacuation teams

    The Air Force chief of staff said 19 Airmen here provided an “awesome” example of what Airmen do in wartime. Two critical care teams were just doing their job when they escorted 12 battlefield-wounded patients, six in critical condition, on a mission from Landstuhl Regional Medical Center Andrews

  • TSP begins catch-up contribution enrollment for 2006

    The Air Force Personnel Center's civilian benefits and entitlements service team automated systems will be available for 2006 Thrift Savings Plan catch-up contribution enrollment beginning Dec. 11. Military members may submit their 2006 catch-up contribution enrollments in early January. TSP

  • TSP announces enrollment changes for 2006

    Effective in 2006, civilian and military employees are no longer subject to a percentage limit on the amount they may contribute to a regular Thrift Savings Plan account. They may contribute the full amount allowed by the Internal Revenue Service annual elective deferral limit, which is $15,000 for