News from around the Air Force

  • Published
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  The following information is gathered from various sources.

The Fast Goodbye

by Randy Roughton

Airman Magazine July/August 2010 -- An angry crowd surrounds a downed UH-60 Blackhawk crew in a remote province in Afghanistan. An AC-130U Spooky flies directly above the scene, but crewmembers above can't distinguish between civilians and potentially deadly adversaries on the ground. Fortunately, in this fictional scenario, there's a new weapon on board the aircraft, one with a non-lethal beam, in addition to the platform's standard, live ammunition. Within seconds, the nonlethal weapon can disperse the crowd and clear the way for the crew's rescue. 
 
For more, click HERE.

Fired Up

by Tech. Sgt. Matthew McGovern

Airman Magazine July/August 2010 -- Senior Airman Jessica Morehouse dons her war paint before suiting up. That's what she calls her eyeliner, mascara and lipstick. Those things may not fit the image of a world-record-holding, rugged firefighter competing in the World Firefighter Combat Challenge, but her competition knows better than to be fooled by the well-kept exterior.

For more, click HERE.

Air Commandos

by Staff Sgt. J. Paul Croxon

Airman Magazine July/August 2010 -- Izaiah Wiggins was born into this relationship with his father. For the first two years of his life he learned about him mostly via video conferencing. He never got the chance to know his dad when he was the protocol NCO or the recruiter with a stable work schedule. Instead, he got to know the special operations Airman, a father who frequently leaves without saying where he's going, how long he'll be there or when he will be able to talk to him again.

For more, click HERE.


Program helps military voters with upcoming election (AFNS)

Airman receives top honors from American Bar Association (AFNS)

New Force Generation Center Coming Soon (AFNS)

FROM AIR FORCE SENIOR LEADERS

Air Force primed to adopt official motto
Seeking an enduring and distinctive way to reflect the Air Force's cultural identity and adapt to changing missions, senior leaders have solicited feedback from Airmen to help develop potential mottos. "The intent is to create a phrase that captures the spirit of the Air Force, is inspirational, and serves as an enduring rallying cry for Airmen, from Airmen," said Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Carrol H. "Howie" Chandler.

►CURRENT ISSUES

Gates strives to change Pentagon's culture

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates announced efforts that will freeze civilian hires, cut contract payments, reduce the number of general officers, flag officers and senior civilians, and eliminate two Defense Department offices and U.S. Joint Forces Command. The initiative to reduce Defense Department overhead and to eliminate duplicative capabilities is part of a larger thrust to change the culture of the Pentagon.

► PERSONNEL ISSUES

Air Force officials to release staff sergeant promotion list

Air Force officials selected 13,518 of 28,510 eligible senior airmen for promotion to staff sergeant for a selection rate of 47.41 percent. The staff sergeant promotion list will be released publicly Aug. 19 at 8 a.m. CDT on the Air Force Personnel Center's public website. Airmen also can access their score notices at the same time on the Virtual Military Personnel Flight and Air Force Portal.