A new special area of emphasis, or SAE, titled "Space as a Contested Environment," was introduced by U.S. military officials here March 30 at the 25th National Space Symposium.
SAEs are established by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to address topics of great importance to the joint military community.
Adm. Mike Mullen established this SAE to highlight the space domain's emergence as an environment where U.S. operations and superiority maybe challenged.
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Air Force senior leaders discussed key issues facing the service during Corona South March 27-28 at Bolling Air Force Base here.
Corona meetings, hosted by the secretary of the Air Force and Air Force chief of staff, are held several times a year to bring together major command commanders, Air Staff civilian leaders, Air Force combatant commanders and the chief master sergeant of the Air Force. The purpose is to advance discussion or make decisions on challenges facing the Air Force.
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The advisory board of a new program mandated by the 2008 National Defense Authorization Act held its inaugural meeting here March 30.
The Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program fulfills the requirement of establishing a national combat veteran reintegration program. The program's goal is to prepare servicemembers and their families for mobilization, sustain families during mobilization and reintegrate soldiers with their families, communities and employers upon redeployment.
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A Global Reach Combined Test Force test team recently conducted a special formation test with six C-17 Globemaster IIIs. The aircraft were equipped with a formation flight system that enables the pilot to monitor and fly the aircraft in formation with other C-17s.
"The C-17 has a basic mission requirement to be able to fly large-scale formations, both in the clear and through the clouds," said Lt. Col. James Hanley, 418th Flight Test Squadron commander. "The purpose is to be able to deliver a sizeable Army force of both personnel and their equipment into a hostile environment very rapidly."
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Governors in six upper Midwestern states have sent more than 2,400 National Guard members and some much-needed equipment to help fight flooding for a second week in North Dakota.
North Dakota Gov. John Hoeven said March 28 that his state continues to fight rising waters in Fargo and at other locations with the help of Guard members from Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Wisconsin, Missouri and South Dakota.
"We are mustering all of our state agencies and working with federal and local officials to meet this unprecedented event, as well as other flooding around the state," Governor Hoeven said. "Historic levels on the Red River are testing our resources, but not our resolve to do everything in our power to meet the challenge and protect this community."
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Air Force smokers who want to kick the habit may benefit from a smoking cessation study and program that will be conducted from Wilford Hall Medical Center here.
The National Institutes of Health recently awarded a $3.6 million grant to the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis to conduct the treatment outcome study.
Dr. Bob Klesges, a researcher at UT in Memphis, will serve as the principal investigator for the study at Wilford Hall, targeting active-duty Air Force members and reservists.
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In an effort to better provide spiritual care to Airmen, Air Force officials are offering scholarships for individuals who want to become service chaplains.
The religious professional scholarship program is designed to help fill manning shortfalls within the chaplaincy for underrepresented faiths within the Air Force. The program is available to any commissioned officer or anyone currently enrolled in a commissioning program, such as the Air Force Academy or ROTC.
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Air Mobility Command bases are using a new aircraft engine wash system that's not only better for the plane, but also it is better for the environment.
The EcoPower Engine Wash System is a system that uses atomized water, collects the effluent water and purifies it for recycled use.
EcoPower builders claim washing the engines will reduce engine fuel burn by as much as 1.2 percent.
"C-17 (Globemaster III) engines washed using the EcoPower Engine Wash System have shown measurable improvements in fuel efficiency and cooler operating temperatures," said Master Sgt. Richard Fults, the AMC C-17 propulsion superintendent. "The cooler exhaust gas temperatures also decrease heat stress on these engines, which benefits us in two ways. First, we see the engines are staying on the wing longer, and second, we are seeing gains in terms of preventive maintenance."
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Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki opened the 23rd annual National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic here March 29, encouraging more than 400 participants he said had found their way "to the top of the mountain in search of miracles."
"Thank you for your service. Thank you for your examples of courage and determination," the former Army chief of staff told the group, which includes about 150 veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan. "You have overcome a lot of obstacles in life to be here, and you will overcome many more by the time this clinic is over."
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Air Reserve Personnel Center officials here announced the second half of fiscal 2009 line and nonline captain and the second half of the fiscal 2009 first lieutenant promotions.
There were 299 Air National Guard and 299 Air Force Reserve officers selected for promotion to captain, and 252 Air National Guard and 93 Air Force Reserve officers selected for promotion to first lieutenant.
Officers may not assume the higher grade until they reach their two year date-of-rank anniversary or April 1, 2009, whichever is later.
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