Jan. 17, 2013

Air Force leaders deliver budget guidance to force

WASHINGTON (AFNS) — Air Force leaders delivered guidance to the force recently, telling them to begin planning for the uncertain budget environment ahead, Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley said Jan. 11 in a press briefing."Even though we're not presuming this worst case will occur, prudent planning for the third and fourth quarters is required," Donley

Jan. 16, 2013

Physical fitness: Struggle between mind, body, pain

JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. (AFNS) — Losing weight isn't easy. It took almost five months to accomplish my goal of losing 40 pounds.I am physically average, but mentally I am tough. To lose the weight, I motivated myself after I experienced a humiliating personal setback. I was serving in a position my old eating habits did not support. In June 2012, I was released as a member of the

Jan. 15, 2013

AF releases new 'vision' document

WASHINGTON (AFNS) — The Air Force released a new Vision document today outlining the force's vision and way forward."Focused on 'Airmen, Mission, and Innovation,' I believe this short document captures what today's Air Force is all about and where I think we ought to focus on for tomorrow," said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III in an email to all

Jan. 11, 2013

Panetta: Fiscal crisis poses biggest immediate threat to DOD

WASHINGTON (AFNS) — The "perfect storm of budget uncertainty" howling around his department is the biggest immediate threat facing the U.S. military, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta told reporters here today.Panetta and Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stressed during a regular Pentagon press conference that unless Congress acts,

Jan. 10, 2013

940th Wing hosts MLK breakfast

Beale AFB Calif. — The 940th wing will host a Martin Luther King Day observance breakfast Friday Jan. 18 at the Recce Point club on base. Dr. Joseph Slade, pastor at Central Praise Ministries, will be the key note speaker and a choir from the Bethel AME Church from Olivehurst Calif. will be performing during the breakfast.RSVPs will be accepted no later than Monday,

Jan. 9, 2013

Thrift Savings Plan: Traditional or Roth, bottom line is saving when it matters most

FORT MEADE, Md. (AFNS) — With the current military retirement system, Airmen must serve in the military for 20 years before reaping retirement benefits, unless they are medically retired before hitting that mark.But what about Airmen who serve fewer than 20 years? What can they take away from their Air Force service beyond a medal, a handshake and solid work experience? A

Jan. 7, 2013

Reservists to get help with travel vouchers

ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. — Air Force Reserve Command is adding resources and changing business practices to make travel voucher processing easier for reservists.Throughout FY13 the command will increase the number of Defense Travel System travel technicians to assist reservists with their travel vouchers, according to Michael Burgess, AFRC chief of financial operations at

Jan. 6, 2013

940th Wing Reservists awarded at commander's call

Beale Air Force Base, Calif. — Three members of the 940th Wing Civil Engineer Squadron where presented with the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal during a ceremony here Jan. 6. Colonel Patricia Brewer, 940th Wing Mission Support Group Commander, presided over the ceremony honoring the airmen for their actions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.Major Rudolph Bartley-

Jan. 6, 2013

Re-enlistment crosses service boundaries

BEALE AFB, Calif. — Air Force Reservist Major Christopher, 940th Wing Executive Officer, administers the oath of enlistment to Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Brian McKenzie, near an RQ-4 Global Hawk at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., on Dec. 21, 2012. The two military members are life-long friends who have managed to stay connected despite taking different career

Jan. 4, 2013

Freedom Award Recognizes Guard, Reserve Supporters

WASHINGTON, Dec. 11, 2012 — Reserve component members still have time to nominate their civilian employers for the 2013 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, officials from Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a DOD agency, said today.Nominations for the award are due by Jan. 21, 2013. The award is the highest honor the Defense Department grants to