Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Feb. 27, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.
In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer bomber used guided bomb unit-38s to destroy an anti-Afghan forces narcotics facility in southern Afghanistan. The strike took place as part of Coalition-Afghan National Army drug interdiction efforts, helping to reduce the flow of enemy funding from illicit drug production.
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AF General
Throughout history, women in the military have made significant contributions. This is especially true in the Air Force whether they are flying A-10 Thunderbolt IIs or commanding thousands of Airmen.
Women's History Month officially started in March 2000 by order of President Clinton when he signed a presidential proclamation highlighting women of the past and future. He encouraged all Americans to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies and activities, and to remember throughout the year the many contributions of courageous women who have made this nation strong.
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An initiative aimed at boosting capacity among Central and South American security forces will get put to the test in early March when 18 countries come together for a national security exercise in the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic.
The United States and England will join 16 Caribbean countries during the 25th annual Tradewinds exercise that kicks off March 4 and runs through March 18.
Marine Corps Forces South will take the lead in the U.S. Southern Command-sponsored exercise focused on maritime interdiction and search-and-rescue operations with an emphasis on command and control.
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President Barack Obama's fiscal 2010 budget proposal includes a 2.9 percent pay increase for U.S. servicemembers.
The figure is lower than pay raises requested the past two years, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said Feb. 26. But he noted that Congress has a precedent of increasing the amount initially requested.
"Two years ago, we went to the Hill with about the same request; it was 3 percent," Secretary Gates said. "And last year, we went with a request for 3.5 percent. In both cases, the Congress added to it."
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A new exhibit titled, "100 Missions Up North," opens March 19 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force here.
The display highlights the story of brave Airmen who flew missions above North Vietnam and neighboring countries during the Vietnam War.
Located in the Modern Flight Gallery, the exhibit features more than 50 historical photographs, approximately 100 artifacts, such as flightsuits, boonie hats, unique patches, and firsthand accounts of the courage of many Air Force pilots and crewmen.
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According to recent reports from Air Mobility Command officials, Charleston AFB is currently leading the way for reduction in energy consumption in AMC.
Mandated by federal Executive Order 13423, the Air Force and all federal agencies are required to reduce energy consumption annually by 3 percent for electric and 2 percent for water based off of a 2003 baseline, or the total amount of energy consumed in 2003. All federal agencies should have reached a minimum of 30 percent reduction of electricity and 16 percent of water between its start in 2005 until fiscal year 2015.
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Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Feb. 26, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.
In Afghanistan a coalition aircraft used a precision guided munition to destroy an anti-Afghan compound near Lashkar Gah. The jet released weapons after coalition troops began taking fire from enemy fighting positions within.
In the area of Kajaki Dam, a coalition aircraft dropped a guided bomb unit-12, targeting an enemy firing position within a walled compound. The airstrike occurred to stop enemy assault rifle, machine gun and rocket propelled grenade fire coming from the position.
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White House officials announced Feb. 26 that Secretary Michael B. Donley will remain the secretary of the Air Force.
"I am very honored that the president and the secretary of Defense have asked me to continue in this capacity," Secretary Donley said. "It remains a privilege to serve the men and women of the world's finest Air Force."
Several other military civilian leaders also will remain at their assignments, creating continuity and stability for servicemembers.
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Few other figures in the Air Force exemplify leadership more than the military training instructor and more are needed to help meet short- and long-term manning goals.
Because of the demands of increasing end strength, Air Force officials need to bring in about 220 additional MTIs. About 4,000 additional enlisted Airmen per year will be recruited during the next two years. That will boost manning to 332,700.
The influx of new Airmen entering the Air Force and the recent expansion of the basic military training program has increased the number of trainees in the pipeline, said Chief Master Sgt. Brian Glasgow, chief of the support assignments branch at the Air Force Personnel Center here.
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Members of the 75th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron here reached a historic milestone Feb. 24 when the unit surpassed 10,000 combat flight hours in the A-10 Thunderbolt II for a single deployment rotation.
Col. Raymond Strasburger, the 455th Expeditionary Operations Group commander, and Lt. Col. Sam Milam, the 75th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron commander, were the two pilots credited for reaching the milestone after completing a five-hour, close-air-support mission in southern Afghanistan.
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