I can recall sitting in my office at Kelly Air Force Base, Texas, when I first realized that e-mail was going to revolutionize our way of doing business. I remember thinking to myself, 'Wow, I just got an e-mail from a two-star general congratulating me on my promotion to lieutenant colonel.'
In the olden days, I would have received a third-generation memo on Xeroxed letterhead with a few signatures or scribbled initials that came in a wrinkled 'holey-joe' through base distribution.
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Aircraft mechanics make sure the airframes they are assigned to are in impeccable condition, fine tuning them, ensuring there isn't any excessive wear and tear so these precision machines are ready to do their part in the today's fight. The human body is also a precision machine and needs to be well maintained so servicemembers can stay in the fight.
The mission of the physical therapists here is to heal servicemembers suffering from aches and pains so they can get back to the fight, said Maj. (Dr.) Christian Lyons, 379th Expeditionary Medical Group Operations Flight physical therapist.
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Five years ago a rocket attack in Iraq left a former 17th Security Forces Squadron defender without legs and a right arm.
Brian Kolfage Jr., a retired senior airman, shared his story in Airman magazine, numerous newspapers, online magazines, patriotic Web sites and medical magazines. He was also in a video produced by Air Force media called "Alive Day" praising him for his courage and determination. He shared his story with 17th SFS Airmen and Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets July 2 here.
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This week's
photo highlights feature Airmen around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.
View the
Week in Photos slideshow.
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Special Operations Command Central officials opened a new home with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for their new building July 29 here.
The headquarters will allow SOCCENT members to better accomplish its mission of exercising operational control of more than 7,000 special operations servicemembers in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.
"We're privileged to be at the center of our nation's efforts," said Army Maj. Gen. Charles Cleveland, the SOCCENT commander who officiated at the grand opening. "With the help of our partners, we look forward to continuing to work toward a future that offers greater peace and stability in this region and throughout the world."
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Air Force Materiel Command officials here July 31 released an accident investigation report that determined that human factors associated with high gravitational forces caused the March 25 crash of an F-22 test aircraft 35 miles outside of Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
The test pilot, David Cooley, a Lockheed Martin employee, was killed in the mishap.
Mr. Cooley was a former Air Force pilot with significant flight experience, including in the F-22. The aircraft, assigned to the Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards AFB, was destroyed. Total cost of the aircraft, equipment damage and property restoration has been estimated at $155 million.
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When most servicemembers think of their concert experiences here, they recall punching their fists into the desert sky, rocking out to old favorites and meeting new friends.
Capt. Joshua Daniels, on the other hand, remembers long hours, black coffee and some of the most rewarding days of his military career.
Captain Daniels, the base's morale, welfare and recreation liaison, is in charge of arranging entertainment for servicemembers deployed to western Iraq. Though much of his time is spent organizing concerts, he also finds time to acquire computers for the MWR facility and provide sports equipment for servicemembers here.
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Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. William M. Fraser III testified about Air Force suicide programs July 29 before the U.S. House of Representative Committee on Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
Here is his written statement:
PRESENTATION TO THE COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES
SUBCOMMITTEE ON MILITARY PERSONNEL
UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
SUBJECT: UNITED STATES AIR FORCE SUICIDE PROGRAMS
STATEMENT OF: GENERAL WILLIAM M. FRASER III
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The most frustrating part about suicide prevention is the uncertainty about what causes troops to take their lives, top military leaders said here July 29.
This near-unanimous chorus was sounded on Capitol Hill when the second-ranking military officers of each service testified about military mental health before the House Armed Services Committee.
"The most frustrating thing is trying to find a cause," said Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli, the Army's vice chief of staff.
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Members of the 5th Maintenance Squadron Aerospace Ground Equipment Flight here recently initiated an Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century process to increase the unit's effectiveness with a $325 investment that is expected to yield a return and more than $1 million annually.
An increase in aircraft support forced the flight members to look at innovative ways to meet the mission, and by using the "6S" principles of sort, straighten, shine, safety, standardize, sustain and lean, the unit can save 60 man-hours weekly.
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