AFCEA - Los Angeles

Three spouses of Airmen stationed at the NATO Joint Warfare Center and the 426th Air Base Squadron took their oath of allegience to become U.S. citizens Aug. 19 in Stavanger, Norway.

A complex process for new citizens, Andrea Rodriguez-Sanchez, Rowena Jarman and Cornelia Jude, was made simpler thanks to a law that eliminates the need for servicemembers' spouses to travel to the U.S. for the nautrilization process, as long as they are stationed overseas.

"The whole process for my wife has taken some time as she got her permanent Residence almost four years ago while we were stationed in Turkey," said Master Sgt. Douglas Jarman.
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Recognizing the longstanding, integrated collaboration shared by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Defense Department, VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki gave the keynote address at the fourth annual Traumatic Brain Injury Military Training Conference Aug. 30 here.

"We -- DOD and VA -- simply cannot afford to be less than aggressive in our effort to identify, treat and rehabilitate TBI victims," Secretary Shinseki told the approximately 1,000 military, VA and civilian health care workers at the conference.
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Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines separating from the military can get extra help in finding a job from a new Defense Department resource.

Specialists in the Pentagon's Wounded Warrior Care and Transition Policy Office, part of the Office of Personnel and Readiness, recently developed the Career Decision Toolkit to help the 400,000-plus servicemembers who separate from the military each year have a smoother transition into civilian work, John R. Campbell, deputy undersecretary for wounded warrior care and transition policy, said Aug. 27.
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A team of 140 U.S. and coalition force Airmen make up the 71st Expeditionary Air Control Squadron here, providing command and control over the sky in Afghanistan and air defense of the Arabian Gulf.

The 71st EACS, better known as "Pyramid Control," operates the 24-hour a day Battlespace Command and Control Center, acting as the senior tactical battle management command and control element for Afghanistan. BC3 provides operators real-time information from data link, sensors and radio systems around the area of responsibility, giving the team situational awareness of the entire region.
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Air Force officials announced plans to continue with environmental cleanup efforts in place at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla.

Terry Yonkers, the assistant secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Logistics, directed that the work move forward expeditiously and within the framework established by the Defense Environment Restoration Program because, "we take our responsibility for the stewardship of environmental protection on our installations seriously."

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Senior leaders from the 37th Training Wing spent a day learning how to reduce waste, maximize resources and improve efficiencies by using the Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century program.

AFSO21, a standardized approach for improving work processes and combat capabilities across the Air Force, fosters a culture of continuous process improvement, and involves every total force Airman in developing that culture.

To emphasize making that cultural change at Lackland Air Force Base, 14 senior leaders from the 37th TRW spent their work day Aug. 19 in AFSO21 training to learn terminology and participate in problem-solving exercises.
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Members from the 41st Rescue Squadron begin training on HH-60G Pave Hawk munitions here Aug 25.

View the slideshow.
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Air Force officials are soliciting nominations for the 2011 Air Force Association Outstanding Air Force Civilian Employees of the Year Award.

Each year, AFA officials recognize four Air Force civilian employees for outstanding achievement in four categories.

Nominations will be evaluated on the nature of the achievement, development of techniques or procedures that significantly increased mission effectiveness, and breadth of impact.

Each major command, field operating agency and direct reporting unit may only nominate one person for each award.
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Veterans exposed to herbicides while serving in Vietnam and other areas will have easier access to quality health care and will qualify for disability compensation under a final regulation that will be published Aug. 31 in the Federal Register by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The new rule expands the list of health problems VA officials will presume to be related to Agent Orange and other herbicide exposures to add two new conditions and expand one existing category of conditions.
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Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice received the 2009 Thomas D. White National Defense Award during a visit here Aug. 26.

Dr. Rice, currently a professor at Stanford University, received the award for contributions to the defense and security of the U.S. during her career as a professor, presidential adviser, diplomat, author and national security expert, according to the award citation.

The award is presented annually to a U.S. citizen who has contributed significantly to national defense and security in any field of endeavor.
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Officials from the 459th Air Refueling Wing hosted the second inactive ready Reserve muster of this year  to check the eligibility status of IRR members within 150 miles of the base and inform them of all their current Reserve benefits Aug. 21 here. 

Musters serve as an opportunity for inactive Reserve members to update their personnel and medical records, ensuring full readiness in case of a recall to duty.

Individuals were briefed on member entitlements, such as the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill, Reserve Tricare benefits and Reserve service possibilities, such as being a traditional reservist, individual mobilization augmentee or Air Reserve technician.
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Members of a munitions flight here are tasked with building bombs.

It's a job some might take for granted, or a thought that will never cross the minds of others.

"Most people seem to think that bombs actually come preassembled, but these Airmen are out here building them with their hands," said Master Sgt. Robert Brown, a munitions systems specialist assigned to the 451st Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron Munitions Flight at Kandahar Airfield. "People don't know what it takes to put the bombs together, but we're out here on a daily basis working around explosives."
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Challenging times ahead and developing efficiencies to accomplish the mission were among the key topics highlighted at the semi-annual Air Force Materiel Command Senior Leaders Conference here Aug. 23 through 25.

AFMC Commander Gen. Donald J. Hoffman led his center and wing commanders, along with other command leaders, through three days of meetings that also focused on topics ranging from a back-to-basics approach to doing business to the command's ongoing efforts to reinvigorate the sustainment of the Air Force's nuclear assets. Other topics included several work force issues and energy conservation.
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The Force Management and Development Council members approved an initiative that will change the way the Air Force grows the next generation of senior enlisted leaders.

The initiative originated with the Enlisted Force Development Panel and will enable the enlisted force to move forward in deliberately developing senior enlisted leaders. Career field leaders will be able to manage enlisted talent and identify the right Airmen, for the right job, at the right time. This process will evaluate targeted ranks within select Air Force specialty codes and will vector senior NCOs who have the right training, education, and experience to critical positions within their career fields. AFPC still remains the assignment authority, but will consider the Airmen's vector when matching for assignments.
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Approximately 40 Airmen from the 621st Contingency Response Wing arrived in Pakistan Aug. 28 to support Pakistan's flood relief operations here.

The Airmen will work at Pakistan Air Force Base Chaklala, Pakistan, in partnership with Pakistan government and military officials to support humanitarian airlift operations and deliver relief supplies to locations throughout Pakistan.

This is the second time CRW Airmen have deployed to Pakistan. They provided similar support during the 2005 earthquake relief operations. The unit is based at Joint Base
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The Defense Department's newest high school is devoid of walls or windows, but yet has opened its "doors" this year to students throughout the world.

The DOD Education Activity's virtual high school is an accredited distance learning program for military students, whether they're geographically separated, transitioning between schools or just dealing with a scheduling conflict.

"It's a wonderful opportunity to close gaps and enhance students' educational experience in a 21st century environment," said Marilee Fitzgerald, the activity's acting director. "I think it opens up possibilities for learning that we have yet to understand, yet to explore."
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Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Aug. 27, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

Air Operations in Afghanistan

Close-Air Support

Ghecko
Coalition MQ-9 Reaper operators provided armed overwatch for friendly forces and released a missile over an enemy target to deter enemy activity. Ground controllers declared the engagement successful.
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Fraudsters continue to hijack accounts on social networking sites and spread malicious software, FBI officials said. One technique entices users to download an application or view a video that appears to be sent from users' "friends", giving the perception of being legitimate. Once the user responds to the phishing site, downloads the application, or clicks on the video link, their computer becomes infected.

With the influx of social media, Web 2.0 platforms and subsequent ease in sharing of sensitive and personally identifying information, Airmen should consider the risks and vulnerabilities in both personal and official activities, Air Force officials said.
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Two senators addressed Nevada Forum attendees here Aug. 25 to laud the Air Force for its leadership in green initiatives and offer support in finding safe, compatible ways to continue renewable energy without impeding military training missions.

During the second day of the three-day forum, Undersecretary of the Air Force Erin Conaton introduced key note speaker and U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) as tireless advocates for renewable energy.
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Active duty and Reserve aircrews assigned to the 62nd and 446th airlift wings departed here Aug. 23 for Pakistan humanitarian relief operations.

Officials said the U.S. has responded immediately and generously to Pakistan's call for assistance following the tragic and devastating floods that started July 29.

"The U.S. is committed to the welfare of the people of Pakistan and will continue to provide assistance during this period of terrible suffering," said Col. Kevin J. Kilb, the 62nd Airlift Wing commander. "The U.S. government applauds the government of Pakistan's efforts to provide support to its citizens, and stands ready, with the international community, to further support these efforts."
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