Department of Defense officials released a policy memorandum Feb. 26 regarding the safe and effective use of Internet-based capabilities, including social networking services and other interactive Web 2.0 applications.
The memorandum makes it policy that the DOD non-classified network be configured to provide access to Internet-based capabilities across all DOD components.
Commanders at all levels and heads of DOD components will continue to defend against malicious activity on military information networks; deny access to prohibited content sites such as gambling, pornography and hate-crime related activities; and take immediate and commensurate actions, as required, to safeguard missions such as temporarily limiting access to the Internet to preserve operations security or to address bandwidth constraints.
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AF General
Lee A. "Buddy" Archer was a Tuskegee Airmen, a group of black pilots who compiled an outstanding combat record in World War II. After excelling in high school, Archer enrolled in New York University to study International Relations. In early 1941, sensing war was imminent, he applied for pilot training in the U.S. Army Air Corps. Although he passed the mental and physical examinations, he was refused appointment because government policy at the time did not allow black citizens to serve in the Army Air Corps.
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When your spouse is deployed, it is inevitable that your car will break down, your house will spring a leak and everyone in the household will come down with a rare illness.
The good news is there is help, no matter what the situation. And the best place to start is the Airman and Family Readiness Center at your base.
The A&FRC staff offers deployment briefings, a mandatory briefing for all Airmen deploying. While the briefing is useful for deploying Airmen, it is also geared for spouses.
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The commander of Air Force Space Command highlighted the command's achievements in his Year in Review -- 2009 memorandum Feb. 10.
Gen. C. Robert Kehler said in a year defined by mission shifts, the more than 46,000 people of Air Force Space Command chose to thrive, allowing joint forces to navigate with accuracy, see with clarity, communicate with certainty, strike with precision and operate with assurance.
"I credit the sharp and steadfast men and women of Air Force Space Command with our unprecedented success in 2009," General Kehler said. "We provided space, missile and cyberspace capabilities with an unwavering commitment and focus on mission success."
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AF General
I'm often asked why I choose to be in the Air Force.
Some people ask to start up a conversation, others to be polite, and some genuinely wonder what compels Airmen to swear to support and defend the Constitution, put themselves in harm's way and deploy far from home.
Most people who ask are looking for a one-word answer. They expect you'll simply say adventure or flying, travel, education or some other military benefit.
Usually, after about 20 seconds of explanation their eyes turn glossy as you struggle to capture the essence of what you do and why you do it, all without using military jargon.
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The former 47th Flying Training Wing inspector general and an instructor pilot here, returned from a deployment to Iraq four months early.
Lt. Col. Chris Spigelmire, the 521st Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron commander, returned to Laughlin Air Force Base when the squadron de-activated four months ahead of schedule because their mission was complete.
In Iraq, Colonel Spigelmire's mission was to train Iraqis on how to launch Hellfire missiles from a Cessna Caravan.
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Military officials are addressing the problem of sexual assault, but more needs to be done, officials acknowledged in testimony before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Feb. 24 here.
Kaye Whitley, the chief of the Defense Department's sexual assault prevention and response office, Louis Iasiello, the co-chair of the Defense Task Force on Sexual Assault in the Military Services, and Brig. Gen. Sharon K.G. Dunbar, the Air Force director of force-management policy and deputy co-chair and member of the task force, briefed the committee on progress to date and what remains to be done.
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The Web-based project, "30 Days Through Afghanistan," kicked off Feb. 8 and aims to bring the people, the mission and the experiences of the men and women assigned to the International Security Assistance Force to a worldwide audience through the eyes of Tech. Sgts. Nathan Gallahan and Kenneth Raimondi.
Sergeant Raimondi, a broadcaster, and Sergeant Gallahan, a print journalist, are traveling throughout Afghanistan for 30 continuous days visiting each of the five regional commands and giving a first-hand perspective of the counter-insurgency mission. The two reporters will produce video and print news stories as well as document daily adventures through blogs and video blogs to showcase the troops in an interactive manner.
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Coalition airpower integrated with ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Feb. 25 according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.
Air Operations in Afghanistan:
Close-Air Support
Konduz
Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircrews provided armed overwatch for several friendly convoys and ground forces. The convoys were stalled due to improvised explosive devices and aircrews conducted shows of force, some with flares launched, to deter further enemy action. One convoy requested a strafing run, which was delivered, ending enemy contact. All actions were declared successful.
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A lieutenant assigned to the 80th Operations Support Squadron here finished first at the Armed Forces Cross Country Championship Feb. 13 held in Spokane Valley, Wash.
2nd Lt. Caroline White finished the 8-kilometer course with a time of 29:27, running at a pace of 5:55 miles per minute.
The win earned her a spot on the combined U.S. Armed Forces Cross Country Team.
"This is one of my favorite races to compete in because of the participation of the other services," Lieutenant White said. "Compared to some of the other services, people tend to think that the Air Force has a more technical image. Winning that race let those people know that we're not just about flying. We're about physical fitness too. Our abilities are balanced."
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