U.S. AIR FORCE NEWS

  • Electronic flight bags could boost operational safety, effectiveness

    Improved safety, operational effectiveness and efficiency are just a few reasons Air Mobility Command officials are looking into using tablet devices such as electronic flight bags for aircrew members reference materials in the cockpit during in-flight emergencies."Moving from a paper-based to an

  • Thrift savings plan contribution limits increase in 2012

    The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board has announced the 2012 elective deferral limit for regular Thrift Savings Plan contributions has increased from $16,500 to $17,000 for 2012, Air Force Personnel Center officials said. The TSP catch-up plan contribution limit will remain at $5,500. TSP

  • Air Force to lift hiring freeze Dec. 15

    The hiring freeze implemented in August will be fully lifted Dec. 15, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced.The freeze, preceded by hiring controls, was one of several measures implemented in 2011 to bring manning down to mandated 2010 levels. In addition, voluntary separation incentives

  • National Guard unveils peer hotline

    The National Guard unveiled its Vets4Warriors service members' counseling program at a Capitol Hill ceremony Dec. 13.Vets4Warriors is a toll-free, peer-to-peer counseling hotline that provides Guard members and Reserve component members with the ability to speak with counselors on the phone or

  • Academy superintendent invited to join Order of the Sword

    Air Force Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Mike Gould was invited by the Academy's enlisted corps to join the Order of the Sword during a ceremony here Dec. 13.Chief Master Sgt. Todd Salzman brought the Academy's enlisted Airmen together under the guise of an enlisted call; he filled everyone in on

  • New showerheads help conserve water at Andersen AFB

    The Air Force prides itself in conserving energy and resources, and Airmen here are doing their part with the recent installation of low-flow showerheads in base housing. Brig. Gen. John Doucette, the 36th Wing commander, was the first to install the energy efficient appliance Dec. 6."By lowering

  • AFIT seeks enlisted advanced degree applicants

    The Air Force Institute of Technology is offering enlisted applicants an opportunity to pursue advanced academic degrees in management or engineering, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced today.Nominations are due to AFPC by Dec. 31, with the selection board slated to convene Jan. 20.

  • Holloman scientist receives Harold Brown Award

    A chief scientist from Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., received the 2011 Harold Brown Award on Dec. 12 for his role in significant advances in hypersonic missile research.Dr. Michael Hooser's work with the Holloman High Speed Test Track's artificial rain environment established benchmarks against

  • Cadet killed in on-base car accident

    A U.S. Air Force Academy cadet was killed in a single-car accident Dec. 10 on the installation. Cadet 2nd Class Stephen E. Williams was a manager for the Air Force Falcons football team and a systems engineering management major."Our Air Force Academy family suffered a tragic loss over the weekend,"

  • First Afghan pilot class in 30 years kicks off at Shindand

    The Afghan air force marked the beginning of its first undergraduate pilot training held exclusively inside Afghanistan in more than 30 years during a ceremony Dec. 10 here. More than 200 Afghan and coalition service members attended the ceremony.The first class will consist of seven Afghan air