Five turnovers sabotaged the Air Force Academy's offense as the Falcons fell to the University of Utah at Falcon Stadium Oct. 30.
This was the second straight week the Falcons faced a team ranked both in the top 10 of the nation and the BCS rankings, and was fourth nationally-ranked opponent the Falcons have faced this season.
Utah entered the game ranked at No. 7 and No. 8 in separate polls with a 7-0 record, while the Falcons came in at 5-3, ranked fourth in the Mountain West Conference.
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U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton delivered a message of gratitude and praise here Oct. 29 to all servicemembers willing to devote their lives to the defense of freedom.
Secretary Clinton discussed the magnitude of such a commitment, and the impact it has on the lives of millions of Americans.
"With Veterans Day approaching, I want you and your families to know that the American people remain grateful and proud for your service," Secretary Clinton said. "The dedication and sacrifices of the American military are very obvious in this region. We've been standing sentinel. We've been there defending, and taking the fight to those who would undermine freedom, our way of life and the opportunity for millions of others to have a chance to live up to their God-given potential."
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Though C-17 Globemaster III and C-130 Hercules flights subsided on Oct. 3, mobility Airmen with a contingency response element at Pakistan Air Force Base Chaklala are among more than 600 U.S. servicemembers who've helped achieve a new milestone of 20 million pounds of aid delivered.
Officials with the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan, said U.S. military aircraft and personnel supporting Pakistan's flood relief efforts achieved the mark Oct. 27. An Oct. 28 embassy press release said U.S. military aircraft and personnel, working in close coordination with the Pakistan military, delivered more than 20 million pounds of relief supplies. They also provided humanitarian airlift for more than 26,000 people in the flood-affected regions of Pakistan.
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There are many ways to keep children safe at Halloween, and common sense can do a lot to prevent a tragedy.
One way parents can help is to pick out or make a safe costume. Make sure that the costume is fireproof. Dress children in bright costumes so others can see them. If their costumes are dark, have children wear a reflective belt or carry a glow stick or flashlight. Costumes should be short enough so that they don't cause children to trip and fall.
Make sure that if children are carrying props that the tips are smooth and flexible enough to not cause injury if fallen on. Masks should fit securely and allow children to see well and not hinder visibility. If using face paint, make sure it is nontoxic and hypoallergenic.
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Pararescuemen from the Air Force Reserve Command's 920th Rescue Wing at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., perform a freefall water rescue demonstration here Oct. 27. The demonstration was part of Air Force Week Cocoa Beach, a weeklong event showcasing U.S. Air Force capabilities and increase public awareness.
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The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff praised the members of U.S. Joint Forces Command Oct. 29 for their efforts on behalf of the nation's warfighters while urging them to maintain that focus going forward.
In a ceremony near the command's Norfolk, Va., headquarters, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen presided as Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno assumed command of the organization.
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates announced in August his plans to close Joint Forces Command next year as part of his initiative throughout the department to cut costs through efficiencies. Secretary Gates Gates has said the command's role in supporting joint forces can be absorbed in other areas. Though Admiral Mullen didn't specifically address the possible closure in his remarks, he did thank the command's military and civilian employees for their dedication amid the uncertainty.
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"Readiness," said the chief master sergeant of the Air Force, "is the primary purpose of developing the new fitness standard, and, so far, Airmen are stepping up to the challenge as the program normalizes."
The new physical-training standard is a way to ensure Airmen are prepared to do the nation's work and encourage them to embrace a culture of fitness, said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy Oct. 28.
"Nearly 50 percent of Airmen are already reaching that 90 or above score, which is a significant accomplishment," he added. "It wasn't like that the very first month out of the chute."
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Defense Department officials are working to remind veterans and current servicemembers who were involuntarily retained in the military under the "Stop Loss" program to apply for special pay before the Dec. 3 deadline.
Servicemembers whose service was involuntarily extended or whose retirement was suspended between Sept. 11, 2001, and Sept. 30, 2009, are entitled to a retroactive payment of $500 for each month of extension.
By law, servicemembers who received a bonus for voluntarily re-enlisting or extending their service are not eligible for the special pay, officials said, but they added that they strongly urge people who even think they may be eligible to submit an application before the deadline.
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The pen strokes of a long-lost relative's letter inspired the brushstrokes of one Air Force Materiel Command woman who donated two works of original art to the Air Force Art Program's exhibit at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.
Elaine Balsley, an SAIC contractor and management analyst in the AFMC Logistics Directorate's Maintenance Division, donated a graphite sketch and acrylic painting that debuted Oct. 23 as part of the biannual exhibit hosted this year at the museum. This is the second time in two years Ms. Balsley has made a donation to the service's collection.
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Working under a carefully planned and escalating contested cyber environment on Oct. 15, members of the 460th Space Wing here successfully completed their first exclusively cyber-focused exercise.
"Exercise Cyber Lightning" was designed to test the wing' s capability to operate in a contested cyber environment," said Kevin Stocking, the 460th SW plans and programs chief.
Eight subject matter experts from outside the wing, ranging from the 688th Information Operations Wing and the Kansas Air National Guard -- both components of 24th Air Force -- to the Network Operations and Security Center and former "cyber aggressors" from Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., helped plan and execute the exercise. They also helped the wing' s exercise and evaluation team assess the wing' s performance and identify lessons learned.
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