Members of the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing and Bagram Airfield Media Operations Center hosted an Afghan media day Jan. 5 here.
Fourteen journalists and cameramen from various Afghan news agencies received an up-close look at close air support in Afghanistan, complete with tours of the F-15E Strike Eagle and the A-10 Thunderbolt II and a briefing from Brig. Gen. James M. "Mike" Holmes, the 455th AEW commander.
The conflict in Afghanistan is just as much an information war as it is a kinetic one, General Holmes said. Department of Defense Public Affairs officials strive to provide timely and accurate information; however, succeeding at the information war becomes a challenge when competing with an enemy who is not concerned with facts. Since the insurgents are good at getting their story out, in order for balanced media coverage it becomes essential for U.S. and coalition forces to engage the local media.
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The U.S. Air Force Academy was named as one of the nation's top 100 best value colleges for 2009 by The Princeton Review Jan. 8.
The Best Values College List features 50 public and 50 private colleges.
The Princeton Review selected these institutions as its "best value" choices for 2009 based on its surveys of administrators and students at more than 650 public and private colleges and universities. The selection criteria covered more than 30 factors in three areas: academics, costs of attendance and financial aid using the most recently reported data from each institution for its 2007 through 2008 academic year.
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A Disney vacation just got more affordable for military members and their families.
With the "Disney's Armed Forces Salute" offer, active and retired military personnel, including active members of the Coast Guard and activated members of the National Guard or Reserve, can enjoy complimentary, multiday admission into Disney's U.S. theme parks, and additional special ticket offers for family members and friends.
At the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, from Jan. 4 to Dec. 23 each active or retired member of the U.S. military may obtain one free five-day "Disney's Armed Forces Salute" ticket with "Park Hopper" and water park options. The ticket is valid for five days of admission into the four Walt Disney World theme parks, plus a total of five visits to a choice of a Disney water park, DisneyQuest Indoor Interactive Theme Park or certain other attractions.
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Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Jan. 6, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.
In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs dropped guided bomb unit-38s and fired cannon rounds against an anti-Afghan machine gun crew attacking coalition forces in the vicinity of Sheykhabad. The missions were confirmed successful by the on-scene joint terminal attack controllers.
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An Airman with the Taji National Depot sees the war on terrorism succeeding every day as coalition forces collect and destroy enemy weapons here.
Capt. Ted Yang is the liaison officer for Multinational Security Transition Command-Iraq's J4 collective weapons section, and his joint team of Airmen, Soldiers and civilians are responsible for collecting weapons captured from insurgents so they can't be used against Iraqi and coalition forces.
"We collect anywhere from 100 to 1,000 weapons a week," Captain Yang said. "I saw almost 3,000 weapons come through in just my first week on the job."
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For veterans struggling financially due to a job loss or decreased income, Department of Veterans Affairs officials offer an assortment of programs that can relieve the costs of health care or provide care at no cost.
Veterans whose previous income was ruled too high for VA health care may be able to enter the VA system based upon a hardship if their current year's income is projected to fall below federal income thresholds due to a job loss, separation from service or some other financial setback.
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Alaska National Guard members saved 167 lives here in Alaska and around the world in 2008.
Officials of the 11th Rescue Coordination Center, the sole Alaska representative responsible for all aeronautical search and rescue cases in Alaska, released their end of year statistics Dec. 31.
The Alaska National Guard was credited with 79 saves and 10 assists in Alaska, in addition to 72 saves during a six-month deployment in Afghanistan, and 16 on the Gulf Coast while administering hurricane support to Texas and Louisiana.
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Department of Veterans Affairs officials have launched a new partnership to help non-government organizations, or NGOs, plan, improve and carry out their own programs on behalf of veterans, their families and their survivors.
"VA has a track record of success in working with non-profit groups and businesses that have their own programs for veterans, but we can do more," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. "By tapping into the power and resources of NGOs, we can ensure more veterans, families and survivors receive not only VA services, but also other assistance in their own communities."
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The holidays are over and a new year has begun. And with that, many look to live healthier lives in 2009. The Air Force Materiel Command Wellness Support Center is one available tool to make that goal a reality.
"AFMC's Wellness and Safety Program encompasses all facets of wellness: physical, emotional, social and spiritual to military and civilians," said Marilyn Leggett, Civilian Health Promotion Service.
The wellness program staff relies on their Web site
www.afmcwellness.com, which can be accessed anytime.
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Air Force Technical Applications Center Airmen operating at 12 remote locations throughout Alaska are pursuing alternate means for energy.
The Airmen of Det. 460, a tenant unit at Eielson Air Force Base, operate in units powered by propane, but now solar power may become a reality even though there are times of the year when the sun shines less than four hours a day here.
"It seems we have advanced in technology to the point where solar systems in the dark arctic conditions of Alaska are viable and now we must overcome the old mindset that Alaska is just too dark in the winter for solar power," said Master Sgt. Andrew Morgan, the Det. 460 superintendent.
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