News

  • Wing change of command brings back 'one of our own'

    The 55th Wing said goodbye to Brig. Gen. John N.T. Shanahan March 9 at a special change of command ceremony and welcomed back Brig. Gen. Donald "Bits" Bacon, this time as the new wing commander. Lt. Gen. Glenn F. Spears, 12th Air Force commander, presided over the ceremony and presented General

  • Dodgeball tournament set for March 19

    For anyone who has ever wanted to hurl something at his or her supervisor, good news is on the horizon.Offutt will host a free dodgeball tournament at the field house here March 19 at 10 a.m. The tournament will feature teams of up to 10 people, who will try to throw seven-inch rubber balls as hard

  • Team Offutt to honor fallen Cobra Ball aircrew members

    The Fightin' Fifty-Fifth's history pages are full of Cold War stories of sacrifice and dedication and on March 15, the members of Team Offutt will pause to remember one of the more tragic chapters.On that same March day in 1981, six crew members of Cobra Ball 61-2664 lost their lives when their

  • Taking time to honor veterans

    A home for veterans, our nation's heroes, can be found about five miles from Offutt. If you walk through the doors, you'll soon find men who served in combat as far back as WWII.The Eastern Nebraska Veterans Home, located at 12505 South 40th St. in Bellevue, is home to 112 veterans of all services,

  • Offutt warriors to run in 22nd Annual Bataan Memorial Death March

    They marched more than 80 miles in the tropical heat of the Philippines without adequate water or food. Many couldn't continue and were beaten to death or shot.On April 10, 1942, the day after the surrender of the main Philippine Island of Luzon to Japanese forces during WWII, 75,000 Filipino and

  • AFWA honors weather warrior, enlisted heritage with auditorium dedication

    The Air Force Weather Agency honored one of their own by dedicating their auditorium to retired Chief Master Sgt. Peter Morris during a ceremony here Feb. 15.Chief Morris served 30 years in the Air Force weather community and is widely recognized as one of their finest enlisted leaders and weather

  • Volunteering leads to college credit

    For many college students, paying for an education can be a daunting task. Having to pay for tuition, room, board and expensive books can cause many students to work several hours a week and many more may turn to student loans to finance their education.Thankfully at Offutt a program exists to aid

  • Time to celebrate: 55th Wing Birthday Ball on the horizon

    The party date is set, the location has been scouted and now the time has come...to get your tickets.The 33rd Annual 55th Wing Birthday Ball is set for March 26 at the Embassy Suites Convention Center in La Vista, Neb.The event marks the 70th anniversary of the Fightin' Fifty-Fifth, which dates back

  • WWII pilot receives Distinguished Flying Cross

    He flew dangerous missions during World War II where his aircraft took intense enemy fire, yet he and his crew still accomplished their mission.Because of this bravery under fire, 1st Lt. William "Bill" Wrenn was posthumously awarded the highest honor one can receive for aerial achievement, the

  • Cold Steel Challenge under way

    With all the commitments people have such as appointments, school, work and being a parent, many may struggle to find motivation to exercise or eat right on a regular basis.Even military members can find it difficult to work out regularly, eat a balanced diet, and live a healthy lifestyle.For

  • STRATCOM welcomes new commander

    Gen. C. Robert "Bob" Kehler took the reins as the commander of U.S. Strategic Command during a change of command ceremony here today. The Secretary of Defense, Honorable Dr. Robert M. Gates presided over the event. Approximately 1,000 people were on hand to welcome back the former Air Force Space

  • Supporting the military spouse

    New Air Force spouses may feel lost in the world of military jargon and acronyms that seem to be part of everyday life. Even a seasoned military spouse may find him or herself searching for answers.Thankfully, Offutt's Airman and Family Readiness Center offers Heart Link, an Air Force spouse

  • MPS unveils new appointment system

    Patrons of the 55th Force Support Squadron's Military Personnel Section have a new avenue to schedule services with a newly adopted online appointment system.The website went online the afternoon of Jan. 25, said 2nd Lt. Kelly Hiser, officer in charge of the MPS. Within minutes, there were more than

  • Tutor.com offers free sessions to military families

    When doing schoolwork, whether it's for elementary school, high school, college or beyond, everyone runs into a problem they can't solve by themselves. Helping hands can be a lifesaver.Tutor.com recently gave its six-millionth tutoring session, and currently offers unlimited online homework help and

  • Officials to issue new camouflage uniforms to deployers

    Airmen deploying to Afghanistan in 2011 will see a new uniform issued to them as part of their deployment gear beginning in March. While Airmen have been faced with a slew of uniform changes in recent years, this new uniform is not a matter of image or heritage but instead has resulted from a joint

  • Gates: Congress must address 'crisis on my doorstep'

    The failure of Congress so far to pass the fiscal 2011 defense appropriations bill, which creates the possibility of funding the department under a year-long continuing resolution instead, is "the crisis on my doorstep," Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said in an interview Jan. 26.Failure to pass

  • Officials provide advice on post-deployment intimacy issues

    In the list of problems that can confront service members after a combat deployment, few can be harder to talk about or more devastating than the inability to resume intimate relationships.Couples who have survived multiple combat deployments know the situation all too well."The first few years of

  • WMD program available for officers, civilians

    Officials are seeking nominations to participate in the Program for Emerging Leaders and the study of weapons of mass destruction.Officials from the Center for the Study of Weapons of Mass Destruction at the National Defense University recently announced the professional development opportunity that