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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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Hiring military reservists and veterans is a positive investment for America, the deputy director of U.S. Army Reserve Command told federal hiring officials July 27.

Reservists and veterans have a "vast resource of capabilities" that provides a distinct hiring pool for federal civilian jobs, Army Maj. Gen. Jon J. Miller said at the Veterans Employment Symposium, held here by representatives from the departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs, Labor and Homeland Security, and the Office of Personnel Management. The purpose of the symposium was to help federal hiring officials improve practices for hiring veterans.
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A new C-17 Globemaster III was named for all Medal of Honor recipients during a ceremony here July 26 during Air Mobility Rodeo 2011.

Gen. Raymond E. Johns Jr., the Air Mobility Command commander, officially dedicated the C-17, which will join the fleet at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, as the "Spirit of the Medal of Honor."

The naming ceremony is a time-honored Air Force tradition of dedicating aircraft to significant places, events and people. Previous honorees include prisoners of war and missing in action service members, as well as Purple Heart recipients.
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Ten years after the tragic events of 9/11, four 1st Special Operations Security Forces Squadron Airmen picked up their packs July 28 to participate in the Ruck March to Remember.

Tech. Sgt. Daniel Dance, the NCO in charge of supply; Tech. Sgt. Chad Reemtsma, the NCO in charge of physical security; Staff Sgt. Michael McQuiggin, a special operations flyaway security team leader; and Senior Airman Allen Buning, a special operations flyaway security team member, embarked on a 142-mile trek through two Southern states and will finish Aug. 1.
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The 301st Fighter Wing's main hangar was turned into something akin to a Hollywood movie set July 20 as the 11 contestants from last season's "American Idol" television show arrived here to film a public-service announcement for Air Force Reserve Command Recruiting Service.

The recruiting service hired a production crew, which set up lights, cameras and directed the action as the 11 "American Idols" learned about the wing's F-16C Fighting Falcons and explosive ordnance disposal mission from 301st FW Air Force reservists.
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As he handled a yellow bell pepper, Staff Sgt. Ghil Medina gazed inquisitively at its smooth, golden exterior.

"There's more to the ingredients than meets the eyes," the 633rd Force Support Squadron services journeyman said, motioning a hand over the capsicum. "It's about unlocking the potential of your food, using every bit of it in as many ways as possible."

Medina knows a lot about unlocking potential.

After winning several local and regional culinary arts awards and competitions, the 23-year-old chef took his talents to the national stage competing at the 2011 ACF National Convention in Dallas July 22-26.
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There is no question this is a time of constrained budgets across the world, and the Department of Defense is no different. Between worldwide commitments and the need for updated training and equipment, resources and dollars are stretched every day.

So why would we hold the Air Mobility Rodeo at all?

It's a fair question and certainly deserves an answer. In addition to this being a time of great financial responsibility, it's also a time when we've asked more of our Airmen than we ever have. And that means making sure they're the best-trained as possible.
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Members of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing and partner units rocked to the various tunes of the U.S. Air Force's 'Tops in Blue,' July 22, at an air base here.

The world-traveling group of Airmen composed of 36 vocalists, musicians, dancers and technicians from different career fields throughout the Air Force, provided musical entertainment and a break from the heat and normal daily activities.

"I think it's really cool how they come out and entertain people and serve as a good stress breaker," said Cadet Kevin Ueunten, an Air Force Academy student here as part of the school's Deployed Operations program.
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Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz spoke about the importance of diversity at the NAACP's Annual Armed Services and Veterans Affairs Awards Dinner here July 26.

The banquet was one of several events held in conjunction with the group's annual convention and coincided with the 63rd anniversary of the executive order desegregating the military.

"As a nation, we are benefitting from having recognized the value of meaningful diversity," Schwartz said during an address to the attendees.
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SAFE SKIES 2011, which included units from the California and the Alabama Air National Guard, is a military-to-military exchange between airmen from the U.S., Ukraine and Poland to enhance airspace security over the Ukraine and Poland in preparation for EURO 2012, the European soccer championship games. (U. S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Charles Vaughn)

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