The squadron serving as the sole Department of Defense provider of electronic warfare support for the F-35 joint strike fighter activated April 23 in a ceremony here.
Surrounded by artifacts from the history of airpower in the Air Armament Museum, the 513th Electronic Warfare Squadron stood up as a first step toward preparing Airmen, Sailors and Marines with the latest electronic warfare data for all three variants on the 5th generation aircraft.
"We are not supporting only one variant of the F-35, we are supporting all," said Col. Kevin J. McElroy, the 53rd Electronic Warfare Group commander. "One team, one fight, one guidon."
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Officials in at least three states along the Gulf of Mexico are preparing for a potential call for thousands of National Guard members as government leaders ramp up a response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal sent letters to federal officials asking them to approve funding to activate up to 6,000 Guardmembers to assist in the response to the oil spill.
In letters to Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates and to Janet Napolitano, the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Governor Jindal said the Guard "will provide security, medical capabilities, engineers and communication support in response to this threat."
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More than 140 Airmen and Soldiers worked together on a new concept during the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center's Eagle Flag exercise on Lakehurst April 12.
Eagle Flag is the U.S. military's premiere exercise for validating logistics port-opening procedures in an expeditionary environment.
The servicemembers teamed up to perform a Joint Task Force Port Opening Exercise. This calls upon the military to open a port of debarkation in an operating location to immediately begin mobility operations.
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U.S. and Iraqi air force firefighters facilitated a maintenance education day in an effort to foster professional bonds April 12 at Kirkuk Regional Air Base, Iraq.
506th Air Expeditionary Group members and Iraq Training and Advisory Mission members assisted the Province of Kirkuk Fire Department and the Iraq air force fire department members in getting as many fire trucks in service as possible.
The Iraq Air Force Fire Department has four fire vehicles, three were not working to full capacity prior to the assistance visit.
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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.
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Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced April 29 here that military personnel insuring their families under the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance program will have reduced out-of-pocket expenses beginning July 1.
"VA (officials hope) these reductions will allow more military personnel to obtain affordable life insurance coverage for their spouses, particularly in these difficult economic times," Secretary Shinseki said. "Without insurance protection, life after the loss of a spouse can be not only challenging emotionally, but can place a severe financial strain on a family."
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For a half day in May, Airmen will learn strategies to prevent suicides and private motor vehicle accidents as part of Wingman Stand Down 2010. The exact date for the stand down will be left to individual units to determine.
In a jointly signed letter, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy noted the reasons for the stand down.
"Sadly, 18 Airmen, eight guardsmen and reservists, and three civilians, of all ranks and specialties, have taken their own lives so far this year," the senior leaders noted. "Additionally, approximately 50 Air Force members annually are killed in motor vehicle accidents."
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"I don't care what anyone says. Whether it's two guys shooting at you or 20, when bullets start flying overhead, it's a tense moment," said Staff Sgt. Sean Harvell, a combat controller with 22nd Special Tactics Squadron here. "You might become accustomed to (firefights) in some way, but you never completely get used to it. Anyone who says they are never scared is lying."
Sergeant Harvell is speaking from experience. During a deployment to Afghanistan in 2007, his special forces unit engaged in around 70 to 75 firefights. On April 29, the Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz, presented Sergeant Harvell two Silver Stars for his actions in three of those engagements. The Silver Star is the third-highest decoration that can be awarded to a member of the U.S. armed forces, and is given for valor in the face of the enemy.
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The Air Force chief of staff presented 13 medals to 11 combat controllers during a ceremony here April 29.
Gen. Norton Schwartz pinned three Silver Stars, five Bronze Stars with Valor, three Bronze Stars, and two Purple Hearts on Airmen from the 22nd Special Tactics Squadron for their actions during various deployments to Afghanistan. Two of the Silver Stars were presented to a single individual.
"It is truly a pleasure to be among these great Airmen," General Schwartz said. "Integrity, service, and excellence are embodied in every heroic action we celebrate here today."
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The Air Force chief of staff presented 13 medals to 11 combat controllers during a ceremony here April 29.
Gen. Norton Schwartz pinned three Silver Stars, five Bronze Stars with Valor, three Bronze Stars, and two Purple Hearts on Airmen from the 22nd Special Tactics Squadron for their actions during various deployments to Afghanistan. Two of the Silver Stars were presented to a single individual.
"It is truly a pleasure to be among these great Airmen," General Schwartz said. "Integrity, service, and excellence are embodied in every heroic action we celebrate here today."
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