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  • Plan ahead - MilPDS shuts down in December

    For those who may be planning to re-enlist, retire or make any other changes that could affect their pay, now would be the time to do it. The Air Force Personnel Center will be upgrading and transferring the Military Personnel Data System to the Defense Information Systems Agency's Defense

  • Offutt earns ACC Installation Excellence Award

    Offutt Air Force Base was recently named Air Combat Command's 2013 Commander in Chief's Annual Installation Excellence Award winner.By claiming this award, Offutt receives $100,000 for quality-of-life improvements throughout the installation."It's quite an honor to be selected by ACC as their

  • Airmen rally, register to save lives

    Nearly 200 Airmen fromf Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., added their names to the C. W. Bill Young Marrow Donor Center database as willing bone marrow donors during a registration drive Sept. 27.Airmen and base community members teamed together to make the event, coordinated by Capt. Amber

  • 317th AG delivers hope to Afghan children

    The 317th Airlift Group participated in the Denton Program Sept. 18, by transporting school supplies to students and teachers in Afghanistan. The aircrew stopped at Charleston AFB, S.C., picking up school supplies from Denton Program offices before continuing to Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, where

  • 9th Attack Squadron stands up at Holloman

    The 9th Fighter Squadron was re-activated as the 9th Attack Squadron, part of the 49th Operations Group, at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., Sept. 28. The Flying Knights carry with them a rich heritage dating back to 1941, when the 9th Fighter Squadron was first activated to support a global mission

  • The 46th Test Group transitions to the 96th

    After 20 years, the 46th Test Group deactivated at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., Oct. 1.The group was simultaneously redesignated as the 96th Test Group, which was established at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., in July 2012, as part of a command-wide consolidation effort by Air Force Materiel Command.

  • Energy action: It starts with one

    If one Airman runs an 18-watt compact fluorescent light bulb for one hour, it costs approximately five cents. If the estimated 10,000 civilian employees and military members at Langley Air Force Base, Va., were to run one 18-watt CFL bulb for one hour simultaneously, it could cost roughly $500.

  • Moody's first Combat King heads to 'boneyard'

    After more than 20,500 flight hours, numerous deployments and multiple assignments, aircraft 65-0987 took its final flight to the "boneyard" Sept. 25. The six-hour flight to the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group, often called the "boneyard," at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz.,

  • Mountain Home Airmen return from deployment

    Airmen from the 366th Fighter Wing returned Sept. 27 from a deployment to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The 391st Fighter Squadron and 366th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron executed Combined Forces Air Component Command priorities, took advantage of training opportunities to

  • The end of an era

    For 37 years Dyess' C-130 Hercules and its Airmen have built a legacy in the Air Force. That legacy came to end Sept. 26 as the last two C-130 H models, tail numbers 1667 and 2063, departed for Little Rock AFB, Ark."It's a bitter sweet day," said Col. Walter H. Ward, 317th Airlift Group commander.

  • Lodging rates increase Oct. 1

    After four years without a rate increase, Air Force lodging rates will go up beginning Oct. 1, said Air Force Personnel Center officials Sept. 27. The increase is necessary to ensure Air Force Lodging rates cover current operating and capital improvement costs, said Maj. Gen. A.J. Stewart, AFPC

  • Airman excels at U.S. Naval Senior Enlisted Academy

    Master Sgt. Nate Bettisworth spends most of his duty time managing finances at the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, but took a unique opportunity July 26 to further his professional military education.Bettisworth graduated from the U.S. Naval Senior Enlisted Academy in

  • FEVER 11 wins Tunner award

    The aircrew of FEVER 11 received the William H. Tunner Award at the Annual Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition award ceremony here, Sept. 17. FEVER 11 received the award, which is presented to the most outstanding airlift crew in the U.S. Air Force for a rescue alert, for a casualty

  • Ceremony marks departure of military presence at AFFSC

    Thanks were given and goodbyes were said during a recognition ceremony for the last active-duty Airmen departing the Air Force Financial Services Center Airmen in the center's lobby, Sept. 19.Airmen are no longer assigned to the AFFSC, as a result of an Air Force-level decision made last year to

  • Rape Aggression Defense System course empowers Airmen

    With all exits blocked, vision impaired, and a crowd of aggressors surrounding her, the Rape Aggression Defense Systems student sprung into action. Utilizing the training she received from the class, she acted quickly as the Airmen playing the role of aggressors swept in to incapacitate her. "No!,"

  • Airmen able to vote by absentee ballots

    No one has to miss out on getting their vote in for the upcoming general election. WithFVAP.gov voting for military members, it is simpler than ever.The 2012 general election will be held Nov. 6 and deadlines to register absentee ballots are state-dependent and can be found at the FVAP.gov website.

  • TSP Roth option now available

    Federal civilian employees and members of the uniform services now have the option of being taxed up front rather than during their retirement years-at a possible higher rate, with a Roth Thrift Savings Plan program, starting Oct. 1, 2012. TSP is a retirement savings plan, based on member

  • Never forgotten: JBLE honors the lost

    The morning sounds of Langley Air Force Base, Va., seemed to pause as the melodic notes of the Star Spangled Banner floated somberly through the warm air, Sept. 21. Almost immediately after the last note disappeared among the resurgent hum of birds and insects, a group of six runners appeared in the

  • OSD visit provides joint basing perspective

    Often, when the words "joint-basing" are spoken in conversations between service members, they invoke a myriad of responses. This was certainly the case as the Joint Base Langley-Eustis concept was discussed in depth between senior leadership from both Langley Air Force Base and Fort Eustis, Va.,

  • Retired, separated wounded warriors can still pursue CCAF degree

    Air Force combat-related wounded warriors wishing to continue their Community College of the Air Force education can now do so after separating or retiring thanks to provisions in the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act. This legislative change supports the Secretary of the Air Force's priority

  • Bones share the air with Lobos during exercise

    The skies above Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., are routinely filled with B-1 bombers, but during Sept. 17 to 21, base bombers shared the airspace and ramp area with several South Dakota Air National Guard F-16s during a Guard training exercise. The 114th Fighter Wing Fighting Lobos headquartered in

  • ACC Airman honored with room dedication

    Rare is the occasion when an Airman has a room named after him -- yet alone, while he's still alive and able to enjoy the fruits of his labor.But, that's precisely what transpired Sept. 5, when officials at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida dedicated a room at its NCO academy in honor of Staff Sgt.

  • Dyess' best maintainers compete in GSC

    Airmen from the 7th Maintenance Group competed in the 3rd annual Global Strike Challenge Sept. 19 expecting to reclaim their place atop the maintenance community. Official score-posting will be at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Nov. 4-8.Two years ago, Dyess AFB walked away with the Ellis Giant Sword

  • Tobacco cessation: Nellis HAWC promotes better lifestyle choices

    The Health and Wellness Center at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., is promoting healthier lifestyle choices for Airmen and their families by offering a variety of classes and services.One class offered at the HAWC is the tobacco cessation class. Tobacco cessation offers dependency advice, guidance and

  • 552nd ACW Airmen return from deployment

    A 16-hour delay due to a commercial aircraft mechanical failure did little Monday to dampen the spirits of friends, family and co-workers who turned out in mass to welcome home approximately 50 Airmen from the 552nd Air Control Wing from a six-month deployment to the Middle East.Anxiety,

  • Fort Eustis prepares for Army-wide suicide prevention stand down day Sept. 27

    Fort Eustis, Va., will host a series of events as part of the Army-wide suicide prevention stand -down day, scheduled for Sept. 27.Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, the Army's vice chief of staff, ordered the Army-wide suicide stand-down as a way to empower leadership to prevent further loss of life due to

  • Leaders issue Air Force birthday message

    Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy issued the following message to the Airmen of the United States Air Force:As we celebrate the United States Air Force's 65th birthday, we salute all of the

  • Airmen receive taste of Ranger School

    A 12-mile ruck march, water survival, battle drills and urban tactics all while being deprived of food and sleep is what prepares Moody Airmen for U.S. Army Ranger School.The 820th Base Defense Group hosted a six-day Pre-Ranger Focus Training Course at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., Sept. 4 to 9.

  • Global Strike Challenge 2012: Meet the Operations Group team members

    Dyess Air Force Base aircrews recently took to the skies with aspirations of representing the base as the premier bomb wing during the 3rd annual Global Strike Challenge.The Global Strike Challenge is the world's premier bomber, Intercontinental Ballistic Missile and security forces competition with

  • Airmen fulfill Janie's wish

    Airmen from the 48th Rescue Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., visited Tucson's University Medical Center, handing out stuffed animals to the children of the pediatric ward Sept. 10.The members of the 48th RQS volunteered in honor of Janie Fahrendorff, an 18-year-old patient who had

  • AFREP: The last stop for maintenance

    In a time when budgets are shrinking and money is tight, shops across the Air Force are trying to find ways to do more with less. However, there is a little known program that has been working behind the scenes to alleviate some of these financial issues.As the last stop in the maintenance world

  • Online survey seeks Soldiers' experiences with new Army Service Uniform

    Soldiers will soon have the opportunity to share their experiences with the new Army Service Uniform (ASU) with Product Manager Soldier Clothing and Individual Equipment (PM SCIE). An online survey will be posted Sept. 17, and will run until Oct. 9. The Soldier feedback will be used to assess the

  • Airmen march to remember 9/11

    While most Americans commemorate the anniversary of the terrorist attacks on 9/11 by observing a moment of silence, whispering a prayer for those who lost a loved one, or spending quality time with their family, others choose to remember that fateful day a little differently. More than 150 Ellsworth

  • We remember: JBLE and local community honor Sept. 11

    It was a fair autumn wind that blew through Gosnold's Hope Park as service members, local police and citizens of Hampton, Va., gathered to pay their respects on the 11th anniversary of what has widely been regarded as the single-greatest act of terrorism ever committed on American soil."We will not,

  • Members of 612 ACOMS remember 9/11 victims with memorial march

    "Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror. The pictures of airplanes flying into buildings, fires burning, huge structures collapsing, have filled us with disbelief, terrible sadness and a quiet, unyielding anger." - President George W. BushIt was a Tuesday morning,

  • CFC kicks off for 2012

    The Combined Federal Campaign kicked off Sept. 1 in workplaces around the world. The campaign will run until Dec. 15 and, and at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., representatives are gearing up to help make this year's campaign a success.The CFC is one of the largest and most successful annual

  • Shaw hosts first sergeant symposium

    Noncommissioned officers from around the Air Force gathered at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., for a first sergeant's symposium Aug. 27-30.The symposium was attended by 103 NCOs who were interested in becoming a first sergeant or are currently assigned first sergeant tasks as an additional duty. While

  • Team Seymour leads ACC in energy conservation

    During a time when people all around the nation are doing what they can to minimize energy and water consumption, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., has been recognized as the leader in Air Combat Command for conservation during the 2011 fiscal year.According to Matthew Latham, 4th Civil Engineer

  • Summer safety wraps up

    Air Combat Command leaders reflect on the positive impact this year's safety campaign made across the command as the 2012 Critical Days of Summer nears its end Sept. 4. The Headquarters ACC Safety office led the campaign, with the goal of preserving combat capability for the command and the Air

  • Langley Airmen to raise suicide awareness through community walk

    In the United States, a person dies by suicide every 15 minutes, which claims more than 36,000 lives each year. Suicides among U.S. military members have spiked this year, and according to Pentagon figures, it is the highest rate so far during a decade of war in Iraq and Afghanistan.According to

  • Twelfth Air Force celebrates 70 years of service

    Twelfth Air Force personnel, visiting dignitaries, both current and past leadership, wing commanders, command chiefs, a former Vietnam Prisoner of War and Tucson, Ariz., civilians celebrated the 70th Anniversary of the Numbered Air Force (NAF) from its activation on 20 August 1942, during World War

  • Be informed, be ready: JBLE prepares for 2012 hurricane season

    It was only a year ago when a very large and incredibly destructive girl blew through Joint Base Langley Eustis, Va., and the surrounding area, leaving a disastrous wake everywhere she went. Her name was Irene, and she was the fifth costliest United States hurricane on record. A year later, JBLE

  • Rules of the road, the airfield

    Driving onto the Airfield at an Air Force base can be a daunting process for any Airman. There are so many things that need to be remembered to be safe. Drivers must ensure they conduct roll over foreign object debris checks at all FOD points, stay back 200 feet from taxiing aircraft, ensure they're

  • Gym transformed into 'shoothouse' for law enforcement

    In 2010, defenders from the 99th Security Forces Squadron and one member from the 555th RED HORSE, took a gym scheduled for demolition and transformed it into a shoothouse, currently utilized by all military services, local law enforcement and federal law enforcement. A shoothouse is a building

  • D-M flies above the rest at Hawgsmoke 2012

    Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., hosted 18 A-10 squadrons from around the world for the 7th biannual Hawgsmoke Competition here Aug. 15-17.Hawgsmoke is an aerial competition focusing on A-10 tactics such as moving target strafe techniques, GPS-out navigation, and degraded weapons delivery. Both

  • Civic leaders forum shares top military-support strategies

    Twenty-three civic leaders from 9th Air Force wings across the Southeastern United States gathered at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Aug. 14 to 15, 2012, for the first-ever 9th Air Force Civic Leader Forum.The forum offered civic attendees a better understanding of 9th Air Force's missions, challenges

  • NHRA driver breaks sound barrier

    Professional NHRA driver Alexis DeJoria received a ride that not even her 8000 horsepower funny car can deliver, a near 9G, supersonic flight in an F-15E Strike Eagle.The orientation flight provided DeJoria with a unique insight into the mission of the Air Force, 366th Fighter Wing and 389th Fighter

  • Afghanistan Health Reconstruction Course introduced into PRT training

    Sustainability and self-sufficiency - that is the goal.At least that is the goal for the new Afghanistan Health Sector Reconstruction Course being introduced into all provincial reconstruction team training."We have taken what some would have considered a boring lecture series, expanded it and

  • Welsh 'humbled' to serve as Air Force chief of staff

    The Air Force chief of staff flag passed to the service's 20th chief in a ceremony here Aug. 10.Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, a 36-year Airman, stepped into the position, taking over for Gen. Norton Schwartz, who also retired from the Air Force during the ceremony."Mark is respected throughout the Air

  • 317th AG two for two on target

    The 317th Airlift Group dropped two joint precision airdrop system or JPADS bundles simultaneously into two different drop zones a mile-and-a-half apart during a training exercise August 14 at Fort Hood, Texas."It's a unique capability," said Capt. Joshua Linden, 317th AG. "It is very flexible when

  • Thunderbirds, Snowbirds perform at Canadian Air Show

    The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron "Thunderbirds," performed alongside the Royal Canadian Air Forces air demonstration team the "Snowbirds," at the Abbotsford International Air Show Aug. 10 through 12. This year, the Abbotsford International Air Show celebrated its 50th anniversary and

  • PANAMAX 2012 commences

    Air Forces Southern and partner nations from 17 different countries officially kicked-off the annual U.S. Southern Command sponsored PANAMAX 2012 exercise Aug. 6. The 12-day exercise is an annual SOUTHCOM-sponsored exercise series that focuses on ensuring the defense of the Panama Canal. The canal

  • Cohesion key to joint ops during Mountain Peak

    The 20th Air Support Operations Squadron trained with the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, N.Y., during exercise Mountain Peak July 23 through Aug. 2 to improve joint operations downrange. The purpose of Mountain Peak is to prepare U.S. Army soldiers and U.S. Air Force Airmen for future

  • Gunfighters participate in Green Flag Exercise

    Members of the 389th Fighter Squadron and the 366th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron will team up with service members from around the United States during Green Flag East at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Aug. 9 through 23.GFE is a joint exercise that gives both airmen and soldiers a chance to

  • DOE honors Dyess with energy award

    Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, was recently presented a Federal Energy Management Program award by the Department of Energy.The award is presented to individuals and organizations with the federal government that significantly contribute to the efficient use of energy and water resources."This isn't

  • New VA Medical Center dedicated

    The first Veterans Affairs Medical Center ever built in southern Nevada and the first built in the United States in 17 years was dedicated by VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki with more than 700 people in attendance here, Aug. 6.The new $600 million facility includes 90 inpatient beds, a 120-bed

  • JASSM-ER nears operational employment

    The 337th Test and Evaluation Squadron is scheduled to complete the final-phase of operational testing for the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile - Extended Range later this month, marking a significant step toward operational employment.JASSM-ER is an autonomous, air-to-ground, precision-guided

  • Joint services tackle Mountain Peak

    The 10th Mountain Division hosted its largest exercise in over a decade to prepare soldiers and Airmen for future training and deployments. More than 10,000 service members participated in Mountain Peak, a large-scale training exercise July 23 through Aug. 2. "The most unique aspect of Mountain Peak

  • The forgotten side of cyber security

    U.S. President Barack Obama stated that cyber threats are "one of the most serious economic and national security threats our nation faces." As a society we have interwoven "cyberspace" into almost every aspect of our daily lives. The military is no exception to this trend. Cyberspace is used to

  • Airspace expansion enhances training

    The aerial training range at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, was expanded by more than 2,000 square miles July 26. The new airspace will accommodate the technological advancements of modern aircraft, as well as meet current and future training requirements for the F-15E and other aircraft flown

  • More than a homecoming

    Airmen reunited with their family and friends July 25, after being deployed to Southwest Asia for six-months. One Airman in particular had no one there to greet him or holding up welcome home signs, because his family was gathered a few miles away where a new addition was brought into the world.For

  • JTF-Bravo mentors medical students

    "We probably got more training in these two weeks than we will in our whole surgery rotation next year," said Ensign Kelly Haeusler.On their first day they witnessed a 14-year-old boy die, and an 18-month-old girl medically evacuated to the capital city's hospital. Finishing their first year of

  • Operation Hero helps alleviate children's deployment-related anxiety

    The roar of tiny feet resonated against the concrete floor as children from Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., all ran to experience the different stations and events of Operation: Hero, Aug. 1. This marks the 11th year for Operation: Hero, which focuses on educating children to the reality of

  • Gunfighters go green with turf installation

    Synthetic turf was recently installed at the Mountain Home Air Force Base Fitness Center's athletic field, ultimately saving the base 145,000 gallons of water and thousands of dollars per year.According to Richard A. Holmes, 366th Force Support Squadron fitness center director, the upgrade was

  • Air Force assures F-22 readiness following extensive testing

    Following months of life support systems components testing in the F-22 Raptor, officials have "determined with confidence" the source of previously unexplained physiological incidents, the director of operations for the Air Force's Air Combat Command said July 31 at a Pentagon news

  • State attorney general indicts Nellis AFB contractor for theft

    The Nevada attorney general announced the indictment of a contractor working in the plastic surgery department of the Mike O'Callaghan Federal Hospital at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., July 30.Shanita Flax was charged with 18 counts of theft and one count of attempted theft.One of her duties was to

  • Theater Operations a show of force around the world

    U. S. Southern Command is a joint and interagency organization supporting the United States national security interests, and with our partners, fostering security, stability, and prosperity in the Americas. The 612th Theater Operations Group plays a vital role in supporting the Air Forces Southern

  • 7th BW returns from largest B-1 deployment in last decade

    More than 400 Airmen returned from Southwest Asia July 25 and 26 to Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, after being deployed six months in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.The deployment marked the largest B-1 Bomber deployment of aircraft and personnel in the last 10 years.Families and friends waited

  • Rescue efforts combine in force during Red Flag 12-4

    Air combat exercises like Red Flag 12-4 puts pilots to the test in the air, but for one B-1B Lancer pilot his skills were tested on the ground as well. The Nevada Test and Training Range serves as the aerial playground for war games during Red Flag. With more than 12,000 square miles of airspace and

  • Rescue efforts combine in force during Red Flag 12-4

    Air combat exercises like Red Flag 12-4 puts pilots to the test in the air, but for one B-1B Lancer pilot his skills were tested on the ground as well.The Nevada Test and Training Range serves as the aerial playground for war games during Red Flag. With more than 12,000 square miles of airspace and

  • Nellis welcomes new USAF Warfare Center commander

    Maj. Gen. Jeffrey G. Lofgren assumed command and responsibilities of the United States Air Force Warfare Center from Maj. Gen. James W. "Bill" Hyatt during a change of command ceremony July 20 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. General Mike Hostage, commander of Air Combat Command, presided over the