July 13, 2010 VA eases claims process for veterans with PTSD The Veterans Affairs Department will publish a final regulation July 13 intended to ease the claims process and improve access to health care for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. The new rule, to be published in the Federal Register, will relax the evidence requirement if the PTSD
July 13, 2010 Final MC-12 deployed to USCENTCOM AOR The 30th MC-12 Liberty was recently deployed to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility completing the initial deployment plan, an Air Force official announced July 9."We mobilized a significant industry base and every resource at our disposal, and delivered the first Federal Aviation
July 12, 2010 Air Force's new 'virtual finance' takes customers out of waiting line The Air Force's new "virtual finance" is giving work time back to Airmen and civilians by providing a host of secure financial services that customers can access with a mouse click.Replacing the "Money - Finance Central" page on the Air Force Portal, the virtual finance page was developed with a
July 12, 2010 Fightin' Fifty Fifth wins 2009 Omaha Trophy During a special ceremony in the Bennie Davis Maintenance Facility July 7, the 55th Wing was awarded the 2009 Omaha Trophy for Strategic Aircraft Operations.In front of more than 300 wing members, 55th WG Commander Brig. Gen. John N.T. Shanahan accepted the trophy from David Brown and Mark Theisen,
July 12, 2010 Chiefs retire from Air Force after six decades With a combined total of six decades of active-duty service, Chief Master Sgts. Lisa and Roger Sirois retired from the Air Force July 6 in front of several hundred friends, family and Team Offutt members.Chief (Lisa) Sirois ends her career as the 55th Wing's command chief while Chief (Roger) Sirois'
July 9, 2010 Gates, Mullen urge participation in survey Noting the importance of getting the opinions of those who would be most affected by a possible repeal of the so-called "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law that bans gays and lesbians from serving openly in the military, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, urged servicemembers to provide their input July 8.
July 7, 2010 New state-of-the-art ILS activated at Offutt Almost every day, dozens of aircraft land on Offutt's flight line, and not all of those landings are easy. Often times there are low clouds or other situations that impede the sight of pilots landing here. For the last 14 years, Offutt has utilized Precision Approach Radar, or PAR, to make things
July 2, 2010 RJs hit 8,000 missions in AOR The 763rd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron here flew its 8,000th mission in this area of responsibility June 25, hitting a significant milestone in the unit's history. It may not sound like much to some, but when you factor in that the entire RC-135 V/W Rivet Joint fleet, based at Offutt AFB,
July 1, 2010 Observe, report with deadly effect: 97 IS moves into new home More than 200 people from across Team Offutt and the local communities celebrated the opening of a new home for the 97th Intelligence Squadron at a ceremony June 29. The new 54,000 square foot building is primarily a special compartmented information facility and boasts six dedicated classified
June 30, 2010 Chief Gaylor reflects on the state of the Air Force "It's great to be back at Offutt," he said, with his eyes glittering with a hidden light. "We're back where the Air Force began, with the history of (the Strategic Air Command). When I come here, I feel like I'm back in touch with that."He settled back in his padded chair, crossed his knees and
June 28, 2010 Intramural softball season up to bat The 2010 intramural softball season is scheduled to get underway June 28 with 20 teams all vying for the title.The defending champion, 55th Security Forces Squadron team, has been split into two squads, but still believe their first team is strong enough to repeat."Our goal this season is only one
June 28, 2010 CSAF stresses importance of Airmen and mission The Air Force's top uniformed officer made a visit June 24 to meet with Airmen, talk about his priorities, and listen to the concerns of those living and working here."Let me begin by reminding you that everyone matters," said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz. "It's like a team;
June 24, 2010 Warrior Health: medical care, fitness combine for ready force Editor's Note: This is the first in a three-part series about the different aspects of personal health. "He who has health has hope, and he who has hope has everything." - Arabian proverb The physical health of military members and their families could be characterized as one of the most important
June 23, 2010 Air Force takes steps against suicides The Air Force vice chief of staff testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee June 22 to address steps the service is taking to stem the rising suicide numbers. Gen. Carrol H. "Howie" Chandler, in testimony alongside the other service vice chiefs and the assistant commandant of the Marine
June 23, 2010 Accountability system proves vital during natural disasters, crises With hurricane season under way, the Air Force Personnel Accountability and Assessment System continues to help leaders take care of Airmen and their families affected by any natural disaster or crisis. Implemented in April 2009, AFPAAS aligns Air Force reporting with Department of Defense