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  • William Dudek, 55th Civil Engineer Squadron assistant fire chief, contributed over 500 hours over the past four years as a Certified State Fire Marshall Instructor. He instructed and certified 30 members in various organizations within the firefighter career field. He has also raised over $60,000 through volunteer efforts for the Muscular Dystrophy Association fill the boot campaign.

    Volunteering is a part of life more than service

    A member of Team Offutt received the Volunteer Excellence Award for their accomplishments in volunteer community service. William Dudek, 55th Civil Engineer Squadron assistant fire chief, contributed over 500 hours over the past four years as a Certified State Fire Marshall Instructor. He instructed and certified 30 members in various organizations within the firefighter career field. He has also raised over $60,000 through volunteer efforts for the Muscular Dystrophy Association fill the boot campaign.
  • The furniture section of the Offutt Air Force Base Airman's Attic June 25, 2019, at Offutt AFB, Nebraksa. The Airman's Attic serves all service members in grades E-1 through E-6. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jacob Skovo)

    The Airman’s Attic: For more than just Airmen

    There are times when a name can be deceiving and that is especially true for the Airman’s Attic located on the South side of Building D on Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. The truth is that all enlisted service members, up to E-6, and their families are welcome to patronize the Airman’s Attic. All items at the facility avaliable at no cost to those authorized to use it.
  • U.S. Air Force Surgeon General, Lt. Gen. Dorothy Hogg, speaks at the official activation of Air Force Medical Readiness Agency, at Defense Health Headquarters, Falls Church, Virginia, June 28, 2019. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Mahler)

    Air Force stands up Air Force Medical Readiness Agency

    In a ceremony Friday at the Defense Health Headquarters in Falls Church, Virginia, the Air Force Medical Service stood up a new field operating agency, the Air Force Medical Readiness Agency. Lt. Gen. Dorothy Hogg, Air Force Surgeon General, and Brig. Gen. Mark Koeniger, incoming AFMRA commander, spoke at the ceremony, heralding a new era in Air Force Medicine.
  • The Tactical Air Navigational System repair team pose for group photo in front of TACAN antenna June 22, 2019, at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. They removed damaged components, replacing them and aligning the system and performing peak tuning to optimize electronics in preparation for the Federal Aviation Administration to certify newly installed system. (U.S. photo by L. Cunningham)

    Team Offutt restores lighthouse in the sky

    The Tactical Air Navigation System is the first navigational aid to be back in service June 25, 2019 at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. The TACAN system was only two years old when the transponder cabinet in which it is housed was damaged by flood waters March 2019. While the outer shell remained intact, the inside components were heavily impaired. The TACAN rack which was still under contract, is being provided at no cost to Offutt saving approximately $375,000.
  • U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Vicent Lopez, 55th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, receives a tropical flavored shaved ice June 20, 2019, during a morale event at the Warhawk Community Center on Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. Shaved ice was served to team Offutt members at the Warhawk Community Center, 55th Wing Base Operations building and the Martin Bomber building. (U.S. Air Force photo by Charles J. Haymond)

    Shaved ice on a hot summer day

    The 55th Wing Chaplain core hosted a shaved ice event June 20, 2019, to treat Team Offutt members who were displaced by the historic flood.Although approximately 3,200 personnel were displaced from 44 work centers , Team Offutt members have continued accomplishing their mission without discrepancy.The idea came while the 55th Wing Chaplain core was
  • Patrons work out and socialize at the Offutt Field House’s newly relocated Children’s Play Area. The new CPA features all self-propelled exercise equipment that does not require wires or power cords to minimize safety risks to children in the area along with a play area to keep them occupied and active while their parents workout.

    Relocated children’s play area puts safety first

    Offutt Field House staff moved the Children’s Play Area from a spot that interfered with patrons on the running track, to a location which provides patrons with adequate space to get a full workout and is fully self-contained, allowing parents to maintain accountability of children accompanying them. The new CPA features all self-propelled exercise equipment that does not require wires or power cords to minimize safety risks to children in the area along with a play area to keep them occupied and active while their parents workout.  
  • United States Naval Academy Midshipmen pose for a group photo with staff from the 15th Operational Weather Squadron at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, May 11, 2019. Midshipmen visit the 15th OWS annually to learn about convective storms, which can cause hazardous weather such as tornadoes, hail, lightning and heavy rain. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Austin Durila)

    Midshipmen visit 15th OWS to learn Midwest weather

    Midshipmen from the U.S. Naval Academy visited the 15th Operational Weather Squadron May 11, 2019, to learn about severe weather and its effects on aviation. An example of cross service partnership, the annual visit allows future naval officers the opportunity to learn about weather phenomena from weather Airmen with real world experience and to discover the similarities and differences between the Air Force and Navy meteorology missions.

  • Facility renovation, mold remediation begins at Offutt

    Using the Air Force Contract Augmentation Program, Offutt officials hired a vendor to help repair base facilities impacted by the mid-March flooding. AFCAP is a rapid response office and contracting tool for use by U.S. Government entities needing urgent assistance. The first facility that AFCAP focused on is the Bennie L. Davis Maintenance Facility, which is the primary maintenance facility maintaining combat-ready aircraft, equipment and munitions for the 55th Wing’s mission.
  • U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. May O'Brien, 25th Air Force commander, passes the 55th Wing guidon to Col. Gavin Marks, during the 55th Wing Change of Command ceremony June 14, 2019, inisde Dock 1 of the Bennie Davis Maintenance Facility at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. Marks assumed command from Col. Michael H. Manion, who departs Offutt AFB for the Pentagon.

    Wing under new leadership

    The Airmen of the Fightin’ Fifty-Fifth welcomed a new commander during a change of command ceremony June 14, 2019. Col. Gavin Marks assumed command of the 55th Wing from Col. Michael Manion during the time-honored military ceremony inside the Bennie L. Davis Maintenance Facility here. Maj. Gen. Mary F. O’Brien, 25th Air Force commander, presided over the ceremony. She thanked Manion for his leadership over the past two years and welcomed Marks to the largest wing in Air Combat Command.
  • USAF

    480th EFS participates in Aviation Rotation 19-2

    Airmen assigned to the 52nd Fighter Wing, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, deployed as one unit under the 480th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron at Krzesiny Air Base, Poland.

  • Offutt rebuilds following floods

    The Offutt Next Generation Project Management Office has been stood up in response to the March flood that covered 1.2M square feet of the base. The team’s job is to coordinate all rebuilding efforts as well as ensure the base is even better prepared for future disasters.
  • Team Offutt remembers the crew of the Rivet Amber who lost their lives on this day 50 years ago. A memorial was held in the 45th Reconnaissance Squadron Haun Auditorium featuring keynote speaker Kingdon Hawes, the acting squadron commander on the day of the crash.

    Remembering Rivet Amber 50 years later

    The 45th Reconnaissance Squadron marked the 50th anniversary of the loss of the Rivet Amber with a memorial ceremony and plaque dedication in the 45th RS Haun Auditorium June 5, 2019.
  • Ryan Hoffman, Offutt fire station chief, leads a group of firefighters from the Czech Republic air force, the 155th Air Refueling Wing, Nebraska Air National Guard and the Offutt fire department while instructing them on how to put out fire on a RC-135 aircraft during a live-fire training exercise at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, June 5, 2019. The Nebraska Air National Guard works in association with the Czech Republic through the State Partnership Program. Each participating guard unit has a brother or sister unit assigned to them.

    Baptism by fire

    Firefighters from the Czech Republic, the 155th Air Refueling Wing, Nebraska Air National Guard and members from the Offutt Air Force Base 55th Civil Engineer Squadron fire department participated in a live fire training June 5, 2019, at the fire pit here.  Firefighters from Offutt are required to train twice a year using the fire pit and structural burning. Although this is required training for the firefighters, this exercise was a little unique. This time the fire department was hosting firefighters from the Czech Republic. The Nebraska Air National Guard works in association with the Czech Republic through the State Partnership Program. Each guard unit has a brother or sister unit attached to them. The SPP has been around for 25 years and now includes 76 partnerships with 81 nations around the world.  The Nebraska ANG has future plans for an additional partnership with Rwanda.
  • Col. Michael Manion, 2nd from the left, 55th Wing commander and 55th Medical Group leadership, cut the ribbon signifying the opening of the new satellite pharmacy located at the Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, Base Exchange. The pharmacy gained approximately thirty percent in square footage, giving them additional space not only to fill and manage prescriptions, but also for patient processing lines.

    Ribbon cutting marks satellite pharmacy opening

    The ribbon cutting ceremony for the new 55th Medical Group Satellite Pharmacy was held June 3, 2019, at the Base Exchange.
  • An Illustration commemorating the 75th anniversary of the D-Day invasion, depicting the meteorologists responsible for the invasion’s weather planning. The weather forecast that led to June 6, 1944, being selected as the date to begin Operation Overlord is widely regarded as the most important weather forecast in history. (U.S. Air Force illustration by Josh Plueger)

    Most important weather forecast ever made

    Seventy-five years ago, Allied forces began the task of opening the second front in Europe when they landed on the beaches of Normandy, France on June 6, 1944. Weather was a key factor in deciding when and where the invasion would take place. There were competing priorities when selecting the desired conditions for the invasion. “You have to think of all the many varied platforms that would be used to launch the offensive, each one needed certain conditions,” said Kent Sieg, 557th Weather Wing historian. “Bombers needed clear sight to targets. Tides had to be low to expose obstacles, but could not be too low or troops would have too long a distance to get to shore.” Selecting a date that would be the best compromise for these requirements was the challenge. The time determined to be most favorable for an offensive was a full moon. Had Stagg and his team delayed the invasion until the next full moon, June 19, Allied forces would have faced one of the largest storms in the English Channel in almost 80 years and D-Day may have very well failed.
  • The change of command is a military ceremony rooted in the time of the Roman Legions and the passing of a commander’s baton in front of his legions, signifying to them who will lead them into battle.

    It takes a village

    We witness the transfer of authority in a change of command ceremony approximately every two years. From squadron to wing level changes of command, they vary in size, but all uphold military traditions.The change of command is a military ceremony rooted in the time of the Roman Legions and the passing of a commander’s baton in front of his legions,
  • As Team Offutt continues to recover from flooding that enveloped the base two months ago, members are reminded that severe weather season is here. Taking a few moments to learn what to do in the event of severe weather can make all the difference if the unthinkable happens.

    Get ready, severe weather season is here

    As Team Offutt continues to recover from flooding that enveloped the base two months ago, members are reminded that severe weather season is here.Taking a few moments to learn what to do in the event of severe weather can make all the difference if the unthinkable happens.“Know where you’re going and how to get there in a safe but expedient
  • Mr. Rusty Hike, a Bellevue resident and long-time Offutt Advisory Council volunteer, cooks a mountain of hot dogs at the annual Offutt Appreciation Day Picnic. The OAC has been hosting the picnic for members of Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, for more than two decades. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger)

    Annual Appreciation Picnic offers morale boost to Team Offutt

    The annual Offutt Advisory Council’s Appreciation Day Picnic is scheduled for June 7, 2019, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Since the flood has damaged much of Offutt AFB and its facilities, including the base lake area, the picnic will be held at an alternate location. For safety and security reasons, the location is being withheld from public announcements, but Team Offutt members can get the information from their leadership.
  • U.S. Air Force Col. Michael Manion, 55th Wing commander, gives opening remarks during the Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders conference May 14, 2019, at the Salvation Army Kroc Center Omaha, Nebraska. The conference was held to help future leaders learn various ways to step up and take charge of the day-to-day business in their workplaces.

    Empowering tomorrow’s Leaders for the future

    The third annual Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders conference was recently held at the Salvation Army Kroc Center in Omaha Nebraska.
  • U.S. Air Force retired Lt. Col. Barry Bridger spoke to Team Offutt during commander’s update briefing May 16, 2019, at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. Bridger was shot down Jan. 23, 1967, by a surface-to-air missile over Son Tay, North Vietnam, only to be captured later by the North Vietnamese and imprisoned at Hoa Loa Prison, also known to the POWs as the Hanoi Hilton.

    POW recounts his time in Hanoi Hilton

    A former Vietnam prisoner of war spoke at the commander’s update briefing May 16, 2019, at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska.
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