Aug. 10, 2010 Fightin' Fifty-Fifth achieves 20-year milestone in the AOR As of Aug. 9, the RC-135 V/W Rivet Joint from Offutt AFB, Neb., and the patriots operating in the shadows behind it have been continuously deployed and operating in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility for 20 consecutive years. Words alone can't adequately describe the significance of 20
Aug. 9, 2010 Air war architect reflects on Operation Desert Shield 20 years later The day retired Gen. Charles A. Horner received the call 20 years ago that eventually launched Operation Desert Shield he was flying his F-16 Fighting Falcon, engaged in an air-to-air training mission near the North Carolina coast with two F-15 Eagles from Langley Air Force Base, Va. General Horner,
Aug. 6, 2010 Offutt getting ready for the 2010 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show With less than a month before the show dates of Aug. 28 and 29, planning is fully underway for Offutt's 2010 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show."This is a show that you might see at any big base," said Maj. Eric Nelson, the air show director. "Our biggest challenge is getting all four
Aug. 5, 2010 VA officials create faster health care benefits application process for veterans As part of Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki's effort to streamline access to benefits, Department of Veterans Affairs officials have removed the signature requirement for veterans who electronically submit an online 10-10EZ "Application for Health Benefits." "This singular action will
Aug. 4, 2010 Suicide solution involves leadership, Mullen says While no easy answers exist to a military suicide problem that has reached "crisis level," a big part of the solution is tied to leadership, according to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.Addressing the National Guard Family Program Volunteer Workshop Aug. 2 in New Orleans, Navy Adm. Mike
Aug. 4, 2010 Fightin' Fifty-Fifth on the cusp of historic milestone Historic, monumental and simply incredible are just a few ways to describe the milestone soon to be attained by the men and women of the 55th Wing.On Aug. 9, the Fightin' Fifty-Fifth will surpass 20 years of continuous deployment to U.S. Central Command's area of responsibility by its personnel and
July 29, 2010 Air Combat Command promotes CCAF degree Although having a Community College of the Air Force degree is important for all Airmen, Air Combat Command is encouraging its technical sergeants to achieve this educational goal. Currently, the command is seven points below the Air Force average of 42 percent, but the goal is to have 50 percent of
July 29, 2010 Current, former Airmen eligible for stop loss special pay Thousands of current and former Air Force members remain eligible to receive $500 in retroactive special pay for each month they were affected by stop loss. Airmen have until Oct. 21 to apply through the Air Force Personnel Center here.Air Force people eligible include active, retired and former
July 29, 2010 Local communities participate in anti-crime, drug prevention event Communities across America will come together Aug. 3 for National Night Out in an effort to curb drug use and crime. During the annual gatherings, communities and local law enforcement officials get the opportunity to meet and work together in crime and drug abuse prevention.In Bellevue, the chamber
July 26, 2010 Spouse jobs program to relaunch in October The Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts program will resume Oct. 25, but with some significant changes to the popular spouse employment program, a defense official announced today.Changes include a reduction in the amount of financial aid, a change in the population eligible to receive that
July 23, 2010 55th Wing, operations group welcomes new squadron More than 300 people celebrated the arrival of the 55th Wing's newest squadron, the 55th Intelligence Support Squadron, during an activation ceremony at the Patriot Club July 22. "This is a little bit of a different day and ceremony, which few commanders get to experience," said Col. John Hansen,
July 22, 2010 Airman pleads guilty during ‘trust’ court martial A member of the 55th Communications Squadron here pled guilty to involuntary manslaughter and knowingly providing false information to a peace officer during his judge-alone court martial July 20.After accepting the plea of Airman 1st Class Corey Hernandez, listening to a number of witnesses during
July 20, 2010 12th Air Force commander visits Offutt Lt. Gen. Glenn Spears, 12th Air Force and Air Forces Southern commander, made his first official visit to Offutt as the 55th Wing's numbered Air Force commander on July 13 and 14. During his stay, General Spears was briefed on mission capabilities, saw new buildings, met with young Airmen and hosted
July 15, 2010 Officials announce NCO retraining program dates Approximately 4,345 Airmen will have the opportunity to retrain beginning today as part of the fiscal year 2011 NCO Retraining Program Air Force officials announced.The NCORP is a two-phase program designed to sustain the enlisted force by moving second-term and career Airmen from overage Air Force
July 15, 2010 Outreach 'essential' to suicide prevention, official says Preventing suicide among servicemembers and veterans calls for comprehensive education and communication, the director of the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury said here July 14.Testifying before the House Veterans Affairs Committee, Army Col. Robert
July 14, 2010 CSAF releases 'Vector' The Air Force's senior military leader released his vision for the future in a recent CSAF Vector 2010 that outlined five priorities and the "way ahead" for Airmen to maintain these priorities. "Our Airmen are responding to the nation's call with agility, innovation and expeditionary presence --