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AF News
Sequestration will affect force readiness
The four branches of the military delivered another warning to Congress April 18 that a prolonged budget sequester will significantly affect military readiness, and could leave the services unable to carry out defense strategy.
Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Larry Spencer told lawmakers sequestration has forced the cancellation of flying hours, the stand-down of nine fighter squadrons and three bomber squadrons -- all of which is dealing a direct blow to Air Force readiness.
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Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Larry Spencer told lawmakers sequestration has forced the cancellation of flying hours, the stand-down of nine fighter squadrons and three bomber squadrons -- all of which is dealing a direct blow to Air Force readiness.
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Airmen, EPA combine conservation efforts for Earth Day
In commemoration of Earth Day, more than 150 volunteers participated in a coastal cleanup April 21 on Tarague Beach here.
Earth Day is an international event that demonstrates the commitment and significant investment the United States and other countries have made toward environmental security.
Members of the 36th Civil Engineer Squadron environmental flight hosted the Tarague Beach cleanup for Airmen and their families, successfully collecting seven truck-loads of trash most of which were recyclable plastic materials.
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Earth Day is an international event that demonstrates the commitment and significant investment the United States and other countries have made toward environmental security.
Members of the 36th Civil Engineer Squadron environmental flight hosted the Tarague Beach cleanup for Airmen and their families, successfully collecting seven truck-loads of trash most of which were recyclable plastic materials.
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Sequestration impact on combat aviation: decreased readiness
The near and long term effects of sequestration and budget cuts for the military's combat aviation assets was the focus of a House Armed Services Committee subcommittee panel on Capitol Hill April 17.
Two of the Air Force's top experts on combat aviation acquisition and operations, along with their sister services counterparts, provided subcommittee members with updates on the toll sequestration will take on combat readiness for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2013 and 2014, as well as for the years ahead.
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Two of the Air Force's top experts on combat aviation acquisition and operations, along with their sister services counterparts, provided subcommittee members with updates on the toll sequestration will take on combat readiness for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2013 and 2014, as well as for the years ahead.
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USAFE commander confirmed for NATO/EUCOM command
Air Force Gen. Philip M. Breedlove will assume responsibilities as commander of U.S. European Command and as NATO's supreme allied commander for Europe during change-of-command ceremonies slated for mid-May, EUCOM officials reported.
The Senate confirmed Breedlove's nomination for the post that Navy Adm. James G. Stavridis has held since 2009 late April 18. His confirmation was among 548 during a particularly busy legislative day, Senate officials said.
Breedlove currently serves as commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe, U.S. Air Forces Africa and Allied Air Command, and as director of the Joint Air Power Competence Center.
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The Senate confirmed Breedlove's nomination for the post that Navy Adm. James G. Stavridis has held since 2009 late April 18. His confirmation was among 548 during a particularly busy legislative day, Senate officials said.
Breedlove currently serves as commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe, U.S. Air Forces Africa and Allied Air Command, and as director of the Joint Air Power Competence Center.
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Airman's sharp eye saves AF $348K
As Air Force officials seek to institute a culture change through the "Every Dollar Counts" campaign, one deployed airman's determination helped to save more than a third of a million dollars
Master Sgt. Ernest Harrison, 386th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron transportation management office superintendent, was working his liaison officer duties at a host-nation port when something caught his eye.
"I saw this massive piece of equipment, but had no idea it was an Air Force asset," Harrison said. "My predecessor gave me a list of all the assets I needed to track, and this was not one of them."
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Master Sgt. Ernest Harrison, 386th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron transportation management office superintendent, was working his liaison officer duties at a host-nation port when something caught his eye.
"I saw this massive piece of equipment, but had no idea it was an Air Force asset," Harrison said. "My predecessor gave me a list of all the assets I needed to track, and this was not one of them."
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Earth Day: Air Force officials emphasize water conservation
Every April 22, the Air Force recognizes Earth Day, a time to show support for the environment.
This year, the Air Force is focusing on water reduction and reuse. Water projects may not attract many news headlines, but the money and critical resources they save, deserve attention.
"An emerging part of the energy program is water conservation," said Ken Gray, the acting energy director at the Air Force Civil Engineer Center. "It's critical because in a number of locations, specifically Texas, where they've had a drought, reservoirs are falling drastically and water is becoming an increasingly scarce commodity."
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This year, the Air Force is focusing on water reduction and reuse. Water projects may not attract many news headlines, but the money and critical resources they save, deserve attention.
"An emerging part of the energy program is water conservation," said Ken Gray, the acting energy director at the Air Force Civil Engineer Center. "It's critical because in a number of locations, specifically Texas, where they've had a drought, reservoirs are falling drastically and water is becoming an increasingly scarce commodity."
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General, wife die in private plane crash
Maj. Gen. Joseph D. Brown IV and his wife, Sue S. Brown, were killed April 19, when the Cessna 210 he was piloting crashed in Williamsburg, Va. General Brown has been the commandant of The Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy in Washington D.C. since October 2010.
"We are deeply saddened by the loss of Joe Brown and his wife, Sue. Our thoughts and prayers are with their family, friends, and the members of the National Defense University as they come to terms with the tragedy. Joe and Sue dedicated their lives in service to our nation and their loss will be felt across our Air Force and joint team." - Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen Mark A. Welsh III
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"We are deeply saddened by the loss of Joe Brown and his wife, Sue. Our thoughts and prayers are with their family, friends, and the members of the National Defense University as they come to terms with the tragedy. Joe and Sue dedicated their lives in service to our nation and their loss will be felt across our Air Force and joint team." - Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen Mark A. Welsh III
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Warrior Games camp prepares Air Force team
Athletes representing the Air Force during this year's Warrior Games participated in a week-long training camp here April 14-20.
The Warrior Games, held May 11-16 at the U.S. Air Force Academy and U.S. Olympic Training Center, are a sport competition for sick and injured service members and veterans.
This year marks the largest number of wounded warriors the Air Force team has participating in the games, said Cami Stock, the assistant head coach of the team.
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The Warrior Games, held May 11-16 at the U.S. Air Force Academy and U.S. Olympic Training Center, are a sport competition for sick and injured service members and veterans.
This year marks the largest number of wounded warriors the Air Force team has participating in the games, said Cami Stock, the assistant head coach of the team.
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Massachusetts Air National Guard responded to marathon bombing
Every year on Patriot's Day, a Massachusetts state holiday commemorating the opening battle of the American Revolution in 1775, the 102nd Security Forces Squadron deploys a team of Airmen to line the route of the annual Boston Marathon. Their mission: to augment local law enforcement by providing crowd control and ensuring public safety.
The 18-man team, who reported for their detail at 5 a.m., April 15, found themselves in the midst of an emergency response effort later that afternoon after two bombs were detonated near the finish line of the marathon, where three lives were lost and more than 180 injured. They remained on duty until 5 a.m., the next morning.
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The 18-man team, who reported for their detail at 5 a.m., April 15, found themselves in the midst of an emergency response effort later that afternoon after two bombs were detonated near the finish line of the marathon, where three lives were lost and more than 180 injured. They remained on duty until 5 a.m., the next morning.
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Air Force Week in Photos Special Edition: Angel Thunder 2013
This week's photos feature Airmen participating in the joint service, multinational, interagency combat search and rescue exercise, Angel Thunder. Angel Thunder 2013 is a personnel recovery exercise designed to provide training for participants using a variety of scenarios to simulate deployment conditions and contingencies.
View the slideshow.
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View the slideshow.
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VA expedites decisions for long-standing claims
The Veterans Affairs Department is expediting compensation claims decisions for veterans who have waited one year or longer, VA officials announced today.
Effective today, VA claims raters will make provisional decisions on the oldest claims on hand, officials said, which will allow veterans to begin collecting compensation benefits more quickly, if eligible.
Veterans will be able to submit additional evidence for consideration a full year after the provisional rating, before VA issues a final decision.
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Effective today, VA claims raters will make provisional decisions on the oldest claims on hand, officials said, which will allow veterans to begin collecting compensation benefits more quickly, if eligible.
Veterans will be able to submit additional evidence for consideration a full year after the provisional rating, before VA issues a final decision.
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AF earns top DOD environmental awards
Two Air Force units have been recognized as the best in the Department of Defense at being "green."
The 673rd Air Base Wing, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, and the 78th Civil Engineer Group, Robins Air Force Base, Ga., were among the winners of the 2013 Secretary of Defense Environmental Awards announced today.
Each year since 1962, the Department of Defense honors individuals, teams and installations for environmental excellence that support quality of life and increase efficiencies without compromising mission success.
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The 673rd Air Base Wing, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, and the 78th Civil Engineer Group, Robins Air Force Base, Ga., were among the winners of the 2013 Secretary of Defense Environmental Awards announced today.
Each year since 1962, the Department of Defense honors individuals, teams and installations for environmental excellence that support quality of life and increase efficiencies without compromising mission success.
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The difficult discussion
Death is a subject that all too often no one wants to talk about until there is no option. Usually we only discuss it when confronted with death due to the loss of a family member, friend or co-worker.
We are a unique group of people here. We face death each time we walk through the doors of the Charles C. Carson Center for Mortuary Affairs in order to fulfill this sacred mission. Yet, we are just as guilty of not talking about death with our own families.
During the last 19 years, I have seen too many families anguish or argue over decisions they have to make in remembering and honoring their loved one, because discussing death seems taboo prior to the actual event. Whether it is the type of casket, the best burial location or who to officiate the service, the list goes on and on. These decisions and the anxiety they can cause affects families in the military and in the private sector equally.
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We are a unique group of people here. We face death each time we walk through the doors of the Charles C. Carson Center for Mortuary Affairs in order to fulfill this sacred mission. Yet, we are just as guilty of not talking about death with our own families.
During the last 19 years, I have seen too many families anguish or argue over decisions they have to make in remembering and honoring their loved one, because discussing death seems taboo prior to the actual event. Whether it is the type of casket, the best burial location or who to officiate the service, the list goes on and on. These decisions and the anxiety they can cause affects families in the military and in the private sector equally.
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Senate confirms Fanning as next Air Force under secretary
Eric Fanning will be the next Air Force under secretary, according to a Senate confirmation vote April 18.
Fanning provided testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee Feb. 28, before the full Senate voted on his confirmation. Now the president must appoint him before he can assume his new position.
"I have been immensely proud to serve these last four years with the men and women of the Navy and the Marine Corps. I very much look forward to becoming part of the Air Force family," he said during his confirmation hearing. "It would be my honor to play a role in making sure that the best men and women our country has to offer get all the support they need in undertaking the mission of defending our country, a mission for which they freely volunteer."
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Fanning provided testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee Feb. 28, before the full Senate voted on his confirmation. Now the president must appoint him before he can assume his new position.
"I have been immensely proud to serve these last four years with the men and women of the Navy and the Marine Corps. I very much look forward to becoming part of the Air Force family," he said during his confirmation hearing. "It would be my honor to play a role in making sure that the best men and women our country has to offer get all the support they need in undertaking the mission of defending our country, a mission for which they freely volunteer."
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AF captain seriously injured during Boston Marathon blasts
An Air Force captain stationed at Hanscom Air Force Base, outside of Boston, was one of the bystanders seriously injured during one of two devastating explosions that rocked the Boston Marathon on April 15.
Capt. Adam K. Davis is a deputy IPT lead systems engineer with the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Hanscom AFB. He previously served at Joint Base San Antonio - Lackland and the Space and Missile Systems Center in Los Angeles. He commissioned in 2003.
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Capt. Adam K. Davis is a deputy IPT lead systems engineer with the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Hanscom AFB. He previously served at Joint Base San Antonio - Lackland and the Space and Missile Systems Center in Los Angeles. He commissioned in 2003.
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Air Force Combat Talons fly for last time
The Air Force's last four MC-130E Combat Talon I's spread their wings for a final mission from their home at Duke Field on April 15.
The Talons will be officially retired in a ceremony at Duke Field on April 25 and the aircraft will then be flown to the "boneyard" at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz.,. April 25th commemorates the 33rd anniversary of the Desert One mission to free the Iranian Hostages - several of the MC-130E's at Duke Field took part in that mission.
"This is an emotional and historic day for the Airmen of the 919th Special Operations Wing," said Col. Andy Comtois, 919th SOW commander. "Since our inception, the 919th SOW has primarily been a C-130 wing and, for almost 20 years, a Combat Talon wing. We will miss these great warbirds."
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The Talons will be officially retired in a ceremony at Duke Field on April 25 and the aircraft will then be flown to the "boneyard" at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz.,. April 25th commemorates the 33rd anniversary of the Desert One mission to free the Iranian Hostages - several of the MC-130E's at Duke Field took part in that mission.
"This is an emotional and historic day for the Airmen of the 919th Special Operations Wing," said Col. Andy Comtois, 919th SOW commander. "Since our inception, the 919th SOW has primarily been a C-130 wing and, for almost 20 years, a Combat Talon wing. We will miss these great warbirds."
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AF observes Sexual Assault Awareness Month
At installations around the world Airmen are working together to increase awareness, prevent and care for the victims of sexual assault, with a variety of events underway in observance of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Air Force Personnel Center officials said.
From the commander in chief to the first-line supervisor, leaders must be committed every day of the year to preventing sexual assault and maintaining an environment that is respectful of others, said Jacqueline Shiflet, an official with AFPC Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Operations.
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From the commander in chief to the first-line supervisor, leaders must be committed every day of the year to preventing sexual assault and maintaining an environment that is respectful of others, said Jacqueline Shiflet, an official with AFPC Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Operations.
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AFPC implements live chat capability on myPers website
The Air Force Personnel Center now provides live chat capability through the myPers website, AFPC officials announced recently.
Since April 5, live chat capability has provided users interested in retiring with the option of real time communication with personnel specialists. Additional topics will be rolled out in phases throughout 2013.
"We always strive to provide the best customer service," said 2nd Lt. Benjamin Fornea, a Total Force Service Center transition support officer. "Before this capability, members were only able to call the Total Force Service Center or email them questions. Live chat will provide an additional avenue for the AFPC to communicate with the greater Air Force workforce. This functionality will provide a faster response than email, and more convenience than a phone call."
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Since April 5, live chat capability has provided users interested in retiring with the option of real time communication with personnel specialists. Additional topics will be rolled out in phases throughout 2013.
"We always strive to provide the best customer service," said 2nd Lt. Benjamin Fornea, a Total Force Service Center transition support officer. "Before this capability, members were only able to call the Total Force Service Center or email them questions. Live chat will provide an additional avenue for the AFPC to communicate with the greater Air Force workforce. This functionality will provide a faster response than email, and more convenience than a phone call."
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Former bases offer communities earth-friendly education opportunities
As one of 10,000 students at Arizona State University's Poly Technic campus at the former Williams Air Force Base, Ariz., Theodore Betkie heard about the Air Force's soil cleanup efforts at his campus.
Since he knew past military operations caused some problems from fuel spills and leaks, he also had a few questions and wanted to see the Air Force Civil Engineer Center's cleanup in action.
Coordinating with Air Force representatives, Betkie's curiosity was satisfied with a site tour allowing him and classmates a close look at the soil vapor extraction unit right under their feet.
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Since he knew past military operations caused some problems from fuel spills and leaks, he also had a few questions and wanted to see the Air Force Civil Engineer Center's cleanup in action.
Coordinating with Air Force representatives, Betkie's curiosity was satisfied with a site tour allowing him and classmates a close look at the soil vapor extraction unit right under their feet.
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AF leaders highlight space program successes, address FY14 budget
Space today is in as good a position as it's been in a very long time, said Richard McKinney, the deputy under secretary of the Air Force for space.
McKinney, along with Dr. Jamie Morin, the acting under secretary of the Air Force, and Brig. Gen. Robert McMurry, the director of space programs for the office of the assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, briefed members of the media on the Air Force's fiscal 2014 Space Budget April 15 in the Pentagon here.
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McKinney, along with Dr. Jamie Morin, the acting under secretary of the Air Force, and Brig. Gen. Robert McMurry, the director of space programs for the office of the assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, briefed members of the media on the Air Force's fiscal 2014 Space Budget April 15 in the Pentagon here.
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