U.S. AIR FORCE NEWS

  • New TSP contribution limits set for 2009

    The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board recently announced an increase in the 2009 elective deferral limit for regular Thrift Savings Plan contributions. The limit is now $16,500, up from $15,500 for 2008. In addition, contributions for the TSP catch-up plan will increase to $5,500, up from

  • Leaders encourage Airmen to apply for Academy

    Young, hard-charging Airmen are sought for entry into the U.S. Air Force Academy and the Air Force Academy Preparatory School with the end goal of earning a commission, but must apply by Jan. 31, 2009. The Academy sets aside up to 85 slots for active-duty Airmen and up to 85 more slots for Guard and

  • Programs aim to strengthen military marriages, curb divorce

    Servicemembers and their spouses are flocking to a broad array of programs to help them strengthen their family relationships as the services step up efforts to curb divorce rates.Military divorce rates rose by .1 percent -- to 3.4 percent -- during fiscal 2008, with 492 more divorces than the

  • Presidency council ratifies U.S.-Iraq security pact

    The new U.S.-Iraq security pact that was approved by Iraqi lawmakers Nov. 27 was ratified by Iraq's presidency council Dec. 4, senior U.S. officials said.The two-part security pact consists of a strategic framework agreement that establishes the foundation of a long-term bilateral relationship

  • Airmen provide FAST coverage

    Upon landing one morning at a remote location in Iraq, two specially trained Airmen with the 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron took charge of security for a $30.1 million C-130 Hercules and its crew. Senior Airmen Rosie Munoz and Michelle Kendall assume this responsibility on a regular

  • Deployed Warbirds participate in Australian Aces North exercise

    Airmen deployed to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, recently participated in the Australian Aces North exercise with personnel from the Australian Fighter Combat Instructor Course, which ended Dec. 4. The Aces North exercise is the capstone of the FCIC, which is the Australian equivalent of the U.S.

  • Re-invigorating nuclear enterprise a top priority

    Maintaining accountability and improving stewardship of the Air Force's nuclear program is the top priority, said the service's 19th chief of staff recently. Gen. Norton Schwartz said the Air Force has gone through some "rough" air in the realm of nuclear deterrence, but the service is already on

  • Kandahar team provides ammunition to win the fight

    With a munitions stockpile of 560 line items worth more than $11 million, the job of providing weapons to warfighters at Kandahar Airfield falls to a three-man flight. "We maintain and provide munitions to U.S. and coalition forces," said Master Sgt. James Bradley, the munitions accountable systems

  • Teamwork helps Manas handle holiday season mail surge

    The Manas Air Base Post Office staff knows to expect a huge influx of Christmas and holiday care packages, and to deliver the mountain of mail to base residents it takes teamwork from base volunteers. Between Thanksgiving and the first week of January, the Manas AB Post Office will receive roughly

  • E-8C's new engine program takes off

    America's eye in the sky, the E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System,  or Joint STARS, will soon be faster, quieter, more efficient and more operationally effective with a major engine upgrade effort now under way here. Getting new engines on E-8C test aircraft is a major milestone for