Lt. Col. Lee Archer, a World War II fighter pilot with the Tuskegee Airmen, died Jan. 27 at the age of 90. He died of coronary complications at New York Hospital in New York City.
Colonel Archer entered the Army in November 1941 and received training as a telegrapher and field network-communications specialist. In December 1942, he was accepted into aviation cadet training and reported to the Tuskegee Army Airfield in Tuskegee, Ala.
On July 28, 1943, after graduating number one in his class and receiving his commission as a second lieutenant, he was assigned to the 302nd Fighter Squadron under the 332nd Fighter Group. The group was transferred to Italy during World War II.
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The results from the test of a prototype Airman Battle Uniform stain-resistant boot for wear in industrial environments have been released. These results are based on testing that concluded in October 2009.
The wear test choice is a full-grain leather boot, that incorporates a rubber toe and heal cap that resists staining and increases durability.
In 2008, the Air Force Uniform Office here began investigating various options for increasing the stain-resistant properties of the current issue suede ABU combat boots. The first test of a stain-resistant boot was unsuccessful in meeting the needs of Airmen. As a result, AFUO officials conducted a follow-on test with different materials. This follow-on wear and lab testing provided the research and development project team with data to make the best selection for acceptable stain-resistant ABU combat boots.
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One of the Air Force's longest-serving civilians will retire Jan. 29 after nearly 49 years in federal service.
Nancy Beeson, currently the confidential assistant to Secretary of the Air Force Administrative Assistant Bill Davidson, began her career in civil service in 1961, having previously worked in the SAF public affairs and legislative liaison offices.
She later worked for the SAF inspector general as the front office secretary and has since supported 19 inspectors general.
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Two Air Force Academy grads will be honored at the upcoming 36th National Society of Black Engineers Annual Convention April 3 in Toronto. Retired Col. Fred Gregory, Class of 1964, was selected as the Golden Torch Legacy Award winner, and Col. Jeff Butler, Class of 1988, was selected for Lifetime Achievement in Government.
Colonel Gregory garners an impressive set of lifetime accomplishments, according to the nomination package. After graduating from the Academy, he served as a pilot until he was selected for the astronaut program in January 1978. After his selection as an astronaut and subsequent training, he flew three shuttle missions, making history with two.
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The top military leader of the Air Force visited here Jan. 27 to talk with Airmen about the state of the Air Force and to get a firsthand look at what Airmen here do on a day-to-day basis.
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz visited mission and support facilities on the base and met with local civic leaders to gain a better appreciation for the larger Holloman Air Force Base community.
"Holloman is a wonderful installation that clearly is providing the place for two very important Air Force missions to continue to mature: the F-22 (Raptor) and the (MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper) remotely piloted aircraft mission," he said.
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To balance increasingly complex responsibilities at home and overseas, Military Health System officials have adopted the Quadruple Aim model of care, Rear Adm. Christine Hunter, deputy director of the Tricare Management Activity, told a standing-room only crowd of military medical leaders Jan. 27. The Quadruple Aim, she explained, supports readiness, population health, a positive patient experience and responsible management of health care costs.
During the 2010 Military Health System conference, key speakers described the scope and complexity of military medical operations and the Tricare program. The MHS is becoming increasingly complex, Admiral Hunter said, and must create a learning culture to develop the next generation of leaders ready to adapt to unforeseen circumstances. MHS leaders, she said, are adopting a learning culture to share knowledge.
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As relief supplies and support continue to pour into Haiti, members of the Kentucky Air National Guard's 123rd Contingency Operations Group has helped to ensure a steady flow of help into the areas that need it.
Operating out of Barahona, Dominican Republic, the unit has set up an airfield to provide an alternative for air traffic bound for Haiti's overwhelmed airport in Port-au-Prince.
The unit has been able to oversee the safe movement of cargo into the airfield, where it is then moved by flatbed trucks across the border and into Haiti, said Lt. Col. Kirk Hilbrecht, the public affairs officer for the Kentucky National Guard.
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Air Force officials are launching a new family fitness program that encourages an active lifestyle for kids and adults, and serves as an outlet to promote health and wellness in Air Force families.
FitFamily, a companion to the highly successful youth fitness program, Fit Factor, begins Jan. 30, and will encourage families to "get up, get out and get fit--together."
"The FitFamily program is more than just logging points, monitoring progress and earning incentives. It's about families spending quality time together and setting goals with each other," said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy, the Air Force's top enlisted Airman. "Developing and caring for Airmen and their families is a top priority. We must continue taking time to care for and honor our commitment to our families."
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Nearly 1,300 servicemembers, more than 80 aircraft and 19 units from the U.S. and England converged for the start of Red Flag 10-2 Jan. 25, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.
The exercise is the largest, full-scale integration exercise in the world and prepares warfighters for real-world combat by pitting them against the fictional country of Coyote.
"Our Kadena (Air Base) Airmen will experience the most realistic combat scenarios in the world with joint forces engaging in essential training required prior to employing in a contingency," said Lt. Col. Matthew Molineux, the 18th Operations Group deputy commander. "Red Flag pits our (Airmen) against the best opposing forces in the world."
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Air Force Education and Training Command officials presented organizations with the 2009 Learning Innovation Award during the 2010 AETC Symposium Jan. 14, at San Antonio.
The innovation awards were presented to AETC teams who developed new initiatives and successes for both education and training by Maj. Gen. Anthony F. Przybyslawski, the AETC vice commander.
The Innovation Award in Training was presented to the 81st Training Wing at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., for their work with the MyBase Education and Training prototype. The MyBase system is a 3-D immersive environment where two actual technical training courses were taught in 2009.
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