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  • Hamza Mebratie, L3Harris Technologies, cuts wire to install a new simulator Aug. 12, 2019, inside the Martin Bomber building on Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. This new simulator is needed in aiding Team Offutt members to perform initial, requalification and continuation training in an organized environment. Additionally the simulator will restore the ability to partake in numerous multi-organizational exercises.

    Offutt restores training capabilities with new simulator

    A new aircrew training device is being built as part of an effort to replace the three ATDs destroyed in the March flood.
  • The Kenney Gate or Flag Gate on Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska recently got some much needed upgrades for security and to provide better protection from the elements for the 55th Security Forces members. The Kenney Gate is named after Gen. George C. Kenney who was the first commander of Strategic Air Command. (U.S. Air Force photo by Charles Haymond/Released)

    Changes coming to gate operations

    Personnel entering and exiting the installation will notice changes to gate operations beginning immediately after Labor Day. Starting Sept. 3, 2019, the Kenney Gate will close daily from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. the following day, while the STRATCOM Gate’s vehicle search pit will now be closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
  • Military members play soccer

    Offutt Football Club to compete in 2019 Defender’s Cup

    The Offutt Football Club’s men’s varsity team is preparing for the 2019 Defender’s Cup National Military Soccer Tournament held at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, from Aug. 30 to Sept. 2. The Defender’s Cup is a military soccer tournament that is open to any base- or post-level soccer team representing a military installation.
  • Rivet Joint RC-135V/W

    Offutt runway closure delayed 10 months

    The 55th Wing’s runway replacement at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, has been pushed back from December 2019 to October 2020. The ten-month delay of the runway closure allows for demolition and earthwork to begin before winter. This sets up the program to be in the asphalt and concrete work phase by spring 2021 and wrapping up the needed inspections and Federal Aviation Administration approval to reopen in the twelfth month of work. Sections of Offutt’s current runway are more than 70 years old. Regular maintenance is required to sustain safe flight conditions. The replacement, which is projected to cost approximately $176 million between Offutt and Lincoln, sets up the 55th Wing’s global intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mission to continue from Offutt for at least 20 years before any major maintenance is required.
  • Members of the 38th Reconnaissance Squadron attempt to score while playing a game of Broomball June 21, 2019, at Grover Ice Rink, Omaha, Nebraska. Broomball is one of the many unit cohesion events made possible by the Unite Program established earlier this year. The program is the vision of Gen. David L. Goldfein, Air Force chief of staff, who recognized the need to take care of our squadrons by allowing units to focus on resiliency and cohesion for its members.

    Program unites Offutt AFB squadrons

    Members of the 38th Reconnaissance Squadron participated in a unit cohesion activity funded through the Unite Program, June 21.
  • While specific start dates of tornado seasons vary based on region, they can happen at any time, day or night. On the other hand, Hurricane Season recently began on June 1 and will extend to Nov. 30. Air Combat Command recently updated their Hurricane Conditions (HURCON) for Airmen, civilian employees and families to follow. (U.S. Air Force graphic by Tech. Sgt. Nick Wilson)

    ACC defines HUR-RY, TOR-RY framework

    While specific start dates of tornado seasons vary based on region, they can happen at any time, day or night. On the other hand, Hurricane Season recently began on June 1 and will extend to Nov. 30. Due to catastrophic weather events that took place throughout the past 12 year, including Hurricane Michael and Hurricane Florence, the Air Force Severe Weather Readiness Assessment team recently developed an action plan for all at-risk installations across the United States.
  • From left to right: Colleen Vonderharr, Fisher House acting manager, Tom Brewerm, State Senator, Don Bacon, United States Congressman, Don Burman, Veteran Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care system director, Barb Yllescas Vorthmann, Nebraska Gold Star Mothers vice president, David Coker, Fisher House Foundation president, Deb Fischer, United States Senator, Jennifer Kogert, Veteran's Affairs Fisher House & Family, Patrick Dawson, VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System assistant director, Rob Norrie, lead engineer, mark the beginning of construction on the first Fisher House in Nebraska during a groundbreaking ceremony Aug. 7, 2019, at the Veteran Affairs Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska. There are currently 84 Fisher Houses in operation across the United States and in Germany and the United Kingdom.

    Groundbreaking held for Fisher House

    A groundbreaking ceremony for the first Fisher House in Nebraska was held at the Veterans Affairs NE-Western Iowa Health Care System’s Omaha campus next to the VA Medical Center in Omaha Aug. 7, 2019.
  • Capt. Andy Stalford, left, 343rd Reconnaissance Squadron, receives a mock gift from Lt. Col. Nelson Tirdado, right, 343rd commander, at Fraternal Order of Eagles in Bellevue, Nebraska, July 12, 2019, at the squadron’s Roll Call. Traditionally the roll was to account for personnel after a deployment. It is used today by the 343rd as a morale booster and to highlight past mistakes so current and future Airmen can learn from them. The Fraternal Order of Eagles offered a room to the 343rd for heritage events after their building was destroyed by flood waters on Offutt earlier this year.

    Preserving a proud heritage

    A group of veterans and active duty members gather every Friday at a local bar to talk about their time spent in service with the 343rd Reconnaissance Squadron. The local bar, Eagles, has graciously allowed Airmen to congregate for what they call “roll call” since flooding ruined their facility earlier this year. At roll call, people meet and talk about both the past and the present.
  • Pilots and flight engineers finalize the preflight check for an E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, June 6. The AWACS aircraft is assigned to the 605th Test and Evaluation Squadron at Tinker Air Force Base, and was staged at Ramstein in support of Exercise Astral Knight. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jimmie D. Pike)

    DRAGON heads south for summer

    HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Pilots flew an upgraded E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft across the international date line and into the southern hemisphere in late July.The flights prove a $1.05 aircraft billion upgrade, called DRAGON, is worthy of long-haul, international flights. DRAGON, which stands for Diminishing
  • Military Working Dog Forever Stamp

    Military working dogs stamp their place in history

    The Military Working Dog stamp was unveiled as the U.S. Postal Service’s newest stamp during the American Philatelic Society’s 133rd annual convention Aug. 1, 2019, at the Catholic Health Initiatives Health Center in Omaha, Nebraska.
  • Members of AFIMSC's Budget Office Installation Support Team review the Budget Execution Analysis Strategy Tool (BEAST), to monitor the status of must pay and unfunded requirements at installations across the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ed Shannon)

    AFIMSC navigates storms, disasters to exceed 84 percent budget execution

    A flexible strategy combined with strong partnerships that focus on taking care of Airmen. That’s what helped the Air Force exceed a goal to execute more than 83 percent of its $7 billion installation and mission support portfolio by the July 31 deadline.
  • Military working dog Uurska, assigned to the 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, waits to begin her shift at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, July 24, 2019. Uurska deployed with her handler, Staff Sgt. Kathryn Malone, from Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Daniel Martinez)

    In this together: MWDs and handlers protect the base, each other

    Every military branch has its own version of the wingman concept where service members look after, care and help one another like family. But what if your wingman happens to be a dog?
  • Caskets containing the remains of 28 World War II soldiers sit in the back of a C-17 Globemaster III during a dignified transfer July 23, 2019. For additional images of the transfer, visit https://www.flickr.com/photos/offutt_afb/albums/72157709886860852

    Remains of 28 service members returned for identification

    Caskets containing the remains of 28 World War II soldiers sit in the back of a C-17 Globemaster III during a dignified transfer July 23, 2019. For additional images of the transfer, visit https://www.flickr.com/photos/offutt_afb/albums/72157709886860852 (U.S. Air Force photo by William A. O'Brien)
  • Col. Gavin Marks, 55th Wing commander, passes the 55th Mission Support Group guidon to Col. W.R. Alan Dayton, during the 55th Mission Support Group Change of Command ceremony July 24, 2019, inside the Offutt Air Force Base Fire Station. Col. W.R. Alan Dayton took over command of the 55th MSG from Col. J. David Norton who has served in the position since 2017.

    55th MSG is under new leadership

    Team Offutt welcomed a new 55th Mission Support Group commander during a change of command ceremony July 24, 2019. This ceremony depicts the formal transfer of authority through the exchange of a guidon as a symbol providing assurance that the unit will never be leaderless.

  • Combat-Injured Veterans Tax Fairness Act of 2016

    On Dec. 16, 2016, the president signed into law the Combat-Injured Veterans Tax Fairness Act of 2016, which provides eligible veterans the right to seek a refund for taxes they may have paid on Disability Severance Pay.  Most veterans who claimed the disability severance payment as income and received a one-time, lump-sum, payment when they separated from military service are entitled to a refund. The payment must have been received after Jan. 17, 1991, and before Jan. 1, 2017.  Eligible veterans should have received a mailed notice from the Department of Defense in July 2018 explaining how to claim their tax refunds.
  • Tech. Sgt. Nick Doage, 217th Engineering and Installation Squadron quality assurance, assembles a hard drive rack July 10, 2019, inside the Martin Bomber building at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska.Air National Guard members from the 217th and 210th Engineering Installation Squadrons out of Illinois and Minnesota traveled here to aid the 55th Communications Squadron in laying new fiber-cabling for the 97th Intelligence Support Squadron and other various squadrons.

    Guard units aid Offutt Cable Dawgs in flood aftermath

    Air National Guard members from the 217th and 210th Engineering Installation Squadrons out of Illinois and Minnesota traveled here to aid the 55th Communications Squadron in laying new fiber-cabling for the 97th Intelligence Support Squadron and other various squadrons. 
  • Senior Master Sgt. Anthony Thompson Jr., 55th Force Support Squadron career assistance advisor, speaks with Airmen about ethics at the conclusion of the First Term Airmen’s Center course, which is an introductory course for Airmen when they arrive at their first duty station.

    Scavenger hunt yields awards, benefits to first term Airmen

    The inaugural Amazing Offutt Scavenger Hunt was held May 6, 2019 at Offutt Air Force Base. The hunt’s conclusion coincides with the end of the first term Airmen’s course, which is an introductory course for new Airmen to the base. The scavenger hunt is the result of a partnership between the Warhawk Community Center, Professional Development Center, 55th Force Support Squadron Marketing Office, the First Term Airmen Center and other support offices to provide incoming Airmen an interactive way to get acquainted with base services.
  • Col. Gavin Marks, 55th Wing commander, passes the 55th Medical Group guidon to Col. Julie Ostrand, during the 55th Medical Group Change of Command ceremony July 11, 2019, inside the 557th Weather Wing auditorium at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. Osrand assumed command from Col. Judy Stoltmann who is retiring soon from the Armed Forces.

    Medics are under new leadership

    The mighty medics of the 55th Medical Group welcomed a new commander during a change of command ceremony July 11, 2019. Col. Julie Ostrand took over command of the 55th MDG from Col. Judy Stoltmann during the time-honored military ceremony inside the 557th Weather Wing auditorium.
  • Members of 55th Comptroller Squadron Financial Management flight pose with crocheted rabbits made by Sally Harder July 1, 2019, at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. Harder, a retired military spouse and grandmother to Airman 1st Class Julie Hubble, financial services technician enjoys crafting for others. “I’ve been making things for people all of my life it’s just little things to brighten up their desk,” said Harder.

    A tight stitched family

    Military life is one not easily forgotten. Being married for 53 years and spending 23 of them as a military spouse, the grandmother of a service member here, maintains her connection by providing handmade gifts.
  • U.S. Air Force wounded warrior athlete Capt. (Ret.) Rob Hufford throws a discus during the discus field event of the Department of Defense Warrior Games in Tampa, Fla., June 23, 2019.

    Offutt heroes compete in 2019 Warrior Games in Tampa

    Two Wounded Warriors representing Offutt Air Force Base participated in this year’s Department of Defense Warrior Games June 21 through 30, in Tampa, Florida. Ten teams comprised of approximately 300 athletes from around the world played in the games. From the U.S. the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and U.S. Special Operations Command formed teams to compete. The remaining five teams were from Australia, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
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