AFCEA - Los Angeles

An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile was launched during an operational test at 6:27 a.m. (PST) May 22, from Vandenberg AFB, Calif.

Col. Brent McArthur, the 30th Space Wing's vice commander, was the launch decision authority.

The launch team, under the direction of the 576th Flight Test Squadron, included crew members from the 91st Missile Wing, Minot AFB, N.D. Maintenance and operations task force members from the 91st Missile Wing have also conducted operational tasks in support of the launch.
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Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III send the following Memorial Day message to Airmen of the U.S. Air Force and their families:

Memorial Day provides an opportunity to reflect upon the sacrifices of our nation's uniformed service members, particularly the more than one million Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen who gave their "last full measure of devotion" to preserve the freedoms we cherish. Many of us can envision a specific individual -- a relative, friend, or coworker -- who has paid the ultimate price in defense of America. Take a moment -- right now -- and think of that person and their family ... thank them for giving their all.
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Air Force officials announced today Altus Air Force Base, Okla., as the preferred alternative for the KC-46A formal training unit (FTU).

McConnell AFB, Kan., was selected as the preferred alternative for the first active duty led KC-46A main operating base (MOB 1) and Fairchild AFB, Wash., and Grand Forks AFB, N.D., are the reasonable alternatives.

The preferred alternative for the first Air National Guard KC-46A main operating base (MOB 2) is Pease Air Guard Station, N.H., and Forbes AGS, Kan.; Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J; Pittsburgh IAP AGS, Pa., and Rickenbacker AGS, Ohio, are reasonable alternatives.
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A group of Airmen with the Air Force Seven Summits team reached the highest point of the world, Mount Everest (29,035 ft.) just after 5 a.m. local time May 19.

The success marks the first time a team of military members from any nation has reached the highest point on all seven continents: Mount Elbrus Europe; Mount Kilimanjaro Africa; Mount Aconcagua South America; Mount McKinley North America; Mount Vinson Antarctica; Mount Kosciuszko Australia and Mount Everest Asia.
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Six Air Force E-3 Sentries and two Navy E-6B Mercuries returned to Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., May 21 after diverting here in advance of severe weather in Oklahoma.

The E-6Bs and one E-3 arrived May 17, while the other five E-3s arrived May 20 with less than eight hours notice. The inclement weather that caused the aircraft to divert included a tornado that touched down, destroying Moore, Okla., a small town located about 3 miles south of Tinker AFB.

The 964th Airborne Air Control Squadron deputy officer made the decision for the aircraft to divert here due to inclement weather, said Airman 1st Class Barbie Kramer, a 355th Operations Support Squadron airfield operations coordinator. Davis-Monthan AFB was chosen over other bases due to its location and 24/7 operations with a ramp space to support the heavy aircraft.
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U.S. Northern Command officials are coordinating Department of Defense-provided support to the Federal Emergency Management Agency and state and local response activities in response to tornado-devastated areas in Oklahoma.

Currently, there are two NORTHCOM mission assignments approved in support of disaster operations.

The command has activated the Region VI Defense Coordinating Officer, and the Defense Coordinating Element to Moore, Okla., to validate, plan and coordinate potential DOD support of FEMA's disaster response operations and to facilitate DOD's support of potential life-saving and response operations. DOD will provide regional knowledge, requirements validation, and liaison support to the affected areas.
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The first class of six enlisted students graduated the Advanced Enlisted Mission Planning Course, the first course for enlisted intelligence professionals, at the U.S. Air Force Weapons School here May 17.

When these Airmen return to their home units, they will work closely with their intelligence weapons officers and chiefs of training to help their units not only retain readiness, but work to improve standing training programs as well, Weapons School officials said.

"They all worked extremely hard," said Capt. James Blick, the 19th Weapons Squadron mission planning course flight commander, and AEMPC chief. "They were thrown into an incredibly challenging situation. Even when they were sitting there tired and groggy, they were thinking about going back home and teach others and making them better."
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Senior Hannah Dake was named the recipient of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's National Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award for the 2012-13 academic year, May 21.

After winning the Mountain Region award last week, Dake was on the national ballot with 11 other regional winners.

The award recognizes outstanding individuals in all divisions at the regional and national level. In August, the national winners will be honored during a special ceremony hosted by the U.S. Tennis Association during Arthur Ashe Kids' Day inside Ashe Stadium in Flushing Meadows, N.Y.
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Airmen from Fairchild Air Force Base were part of one of the larget torchlight parades in the country when they helped celebrate Armed Forces Day May 18.  It was the 75th anniversary of Spokane's festival honoring both active duty and veteran members of the community.

Established in 1938, the Spokane Lilac Festival celebrates Lilac City, Spokane. the Spokane Lilac Festival dedicates itself to involving local youth, the nation's military and establishing community spirit in the Inland Northwest.
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(This feature is part of the "Through Airmen's Eyes" series on AF.mil. These stories focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.)

As the proud owner of three master's degrees and a doctorate, Chaplain (Lt. Col.) John Tillery has dedicated his life to service in the U.S. Air Force. While it may seem that those who have attained a doctorate are among the ranks of the elite and the privileged, Tillery has proven an exception to that rule.
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Airmen launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile here during an operational test at 6:27 a.m. PST, today.

Col. Brent McArthur, the 30th Space Wing's Vice Wing Commander, was the launch decision authority.

The launch team, under the direction of the 576th Flight Test Squadron, included crew members from the 91st Missile Wing, Minot AFB, N.D. Maintenance and operations task force members from the 91st Missile Wing have also conducted operational tasks in support of the launch.
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Efforts to help people who were injured or lost their homes began almost immediately after a deadly tornado struck Moore, Okla., May 20.

One of those willing to help was Tech. Sgt. Shane Buss, the 47th Flying Training Wing's equal opportunity NCO-in-charge, along with his wife and four children.

"I was stationed in Oklahoma when an EF4 tornado hit in 1999, so I've seen the kind of destruction these things can have," Buss said. "We consider some old friends up there to be like family, and that region feels like home to us."
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A massive tornado struck Moore, Okla., three miles south of Tinker Air Force Base, May 20, killing 24 people. Nearly 250 members of the Oklahoma National Guard, as well as members of Tinker AFB are assisting with clean up efforts. The following are photos of the damage and relief efforts.

View the slideshow.
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Six U.S. Air Force E-3 Sentry and two U.S. Navy E-6B Mercury aircraft arrived here from Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. during the weekend of May 17 due to severe weather in Oklahoma.

The inclement weather that caused the aircraft to divert included a tornado that touched down, destroying Moore, Okla., a small town located about three miles south of Tinker AFB.

The E-6Bs and one E-3 arrived May 17 while the other five E-3s arrived May 20th with less than eight hours notice.
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An instructor pilot with the 8th Flying Training Squadron was selected for the Air Force Rugby team and will compete in the 2013 Collegiate Rugby Championship May 29 through June 3 in Philadelphia.

Capt. John Lockard has been playing rugby since 2002 when he picked up the game during his time at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.

"I played football at the Academy for a year but it just wasn't working out," said Lockard.

He began his pursuit of rugby in 2002 when his friends at the Academy suggested he try it instead of football.
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The initial cadre of F-35A Lightning II instructor pilots qualified in aerial refueling last week, adding another capability for student pilot training at the 33rd Fighter Wing's F-35 Integrated Training Center here.

"Eleven pilots had flown 14 refueling missions across the boom with the help of a KC-135 Stratotanker based here all last week," said Col. Andrew Toth, the commander of the 33rd Fighter Squadron. "Prior to this, only test pilots had done so."

The pilots discovered refueling the F-35 was an easy process, given the stability of the jet in flight and the preparation they received flying aerial refueling missions during ground school with the high-fidelity F-35 full-mission simulator.
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The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Disabled American Veterans and the American Legion today announced a new partnership to help reduce the compensation claims backlog for veterans.

The effort, called the Fully Developed Claims Community of Practice, is a key part of the VA's overall transformation plan to end the backlog in 2015 and process claims within 125 days at 98 percent accuracy, VA officials said.

The VA can process fully developed claims in half the time it takes for a traditionally filed claim, officials noted.
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Air Force Personnel Center officials activated the Air Force Personnel Accountability and Assessment System to ensure Airmen and their families in the Moore and Oklahoma City, Okla., are accounted for and have access to assistance, AFPC officials said today.

AFPAAS is a web-based application used to account for and assess the needs of the Air Force total force including active-duty Airmen, selected Reserve members, Department of the Air Force and non-appropriated fund civilian employees, Air Force contractors overseas, and family members affected by disasters, said Brian Angell, the AFPC personnel readiness chief.
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Nearly 250 members of the Oklahoma National Guard, as well as members of Tinker Air Force Base are assisting with victim search and security in Moore, Okla., where a tornado left at least 24 dead, including nine children, authorities said.

The twister hit Monday, May 20, about 3:15 p.m. CDT, just three miles south of Tinker.

Tinker Air Force Base officials activated the 507th Air Refueling Wing Crisis Action Team and initiated accountability of all personnel assigned to the wing.
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Several years ago, I had the opportunity to attend an Office Personnel Management leadership academy. During three weeks of intense and quality training, there was one story in particular from our instructor that made a deep impression and has stuck with me after all of these years.

My instructor worked as a consultant in the business world. One time he was asked to consult for a company that had one section with very low morale. As soon as he walked into their office it was profoundly obvious. Everything about the work environment made it clear this group did not like their job, or each other. One of his first questions to the group was, "What do you do here?"
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