Author Archives: Angel

Obama: 30,000 to Afghanistan by summer

Declaring “our security is at stake,” President Barack Obama ordered an additional 30,000 U.S. troops into the long war in Afghanistan on Tuesday night, nearly tripling the force he inherited but promising an impatient public to begin withdrawal in 18 … Continue reading

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Airmen watch over calm November in Iraq

Iraqi and coalition efforts had combined to sustain the stability in Iraq set new records in November with zero airstrikes, zero weapons releases and zero shows of force. The last time aircrews had a clean streak was in June; however, … Continue reading

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Marines to be first wave in Afghanistan plan

WASHINGTON — New infusions of Marines will begin moving into Afghanistan almost as soon as President Barack Obama announces a redrawn battle strategy, a plan widely expected to include more than 30,000 additional U.S. forces.Obama will try to sell a … Continue reading

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New PT test sidelined for 6 months

On your mark.Get set.At ease, airmen.The new fitness test standards are on hold, the Jan. 1 start date pushed back six months. Until July 1, the current scoring matrix stays in place.Before you get too excited, know that you’re not … Continue reading

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Air Force officials accepting nominations for public administration award

Air Force officials are now accepting nominations for the 6th Annual Department of Defense David O. Cooke Excellence in Public Administration Award. This award recognizes non-managerial career civilian employees who demonstrate great leadership potential as future federal executives. To be eligible, nominees … Continue reading

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Trigger-happy security complicates convoys

HUTAL, Afghanistan — Ill-disciplined private security guards escorting supply convoys to coalition bases are wreaking havoc as they pass through western Kandahar province, undermining the coalition’s counterinsurgency strategy here and leading to at least one confrontation with U.S. forces, say … Continue reading

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Cuts target officers, overstaffed fields

More than 3,700 airmen need to leave the service over the next 10 months if the Air Force wants to stay within its budget and shift positions into expanding career fields — and it does.The decision announced Nov. 17 to … Continue reading

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Single mother jailed for refusing to deploy

When Spc. Alexis Hutchinson’s airplane left Hunter Army Airfield, Ga., for Afghanistan on Nov. 5, she was not on board.The 21-year-old single mom stayed home because she had no one to care for her 10-month-old son. Her mother in Oakland, … Continue reading

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New IED map symbols help prepare troops

Improvised explosive devices have been the largest source of casualties in the war zone and remain a persistent problem.To help reduce the threat, the Army has created new mapping symbols — for use by all services — that will allow … Continue reading

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Respite child care expands to all 50 states

It’s a few hours a month, but the break the Armed Services YMCA Respite Child Care program provides parents with a deployed spouse always is welcome. And since the program’s Oct. 1 nationwide expansion, many more parents will benefit. The … Continue reading

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