The Air Force released details of the service's plan to fully integrate women into previously closed career fields June 18.

The implementation plan was recently submitted to Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel for review.

More than 99 percent of Air Force positions are currently already open to female Airmen. In fact, 2013 marks the twentieth anniversary of the Department of Defense allowing women to serve as combat pilots.

The Air Force plans to open the remaining seven career fields -- all tied to special operations -- by Jan. 1, 2016.
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The Air Force's top officer reported on the growing strain sequestration has put on readiness, personnel and modernization to a group of civic and industry leaders attending the Air Force Association's monthly breakfast here, June 17.

Sequestration has hit the Air Force hard, said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III.

Like the rest of the Defense Department, the Air Force has seen severe reductions in funding, leading to concerns about critical mission factors including the readiness of pilots and aircraft that aren't flying today.
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Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley will be honored during a ceremony June 21 at 1 p.m., at Joint Base Andrews, Md. 

The ceremony will stream live online at the Pentagon Channel's live stream site (here) and Air Force Link's live video page (here).

Donley was confirmed as the 22nd secretary of the Air Force Oct. 2, 2008. He had been serving as the acting secretary since June of that year, as well as for seven months in 1993, making him the longest serving secretary in the Air Force's history.
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More than 1,000 Airmen, spouses and local community members turned out here June 17, for a town hall meeting with the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey said he came to Minot AFB because he wanted a chance to interact with those performing what he called "the vital work for our nation," noting that throughout the life of the B-52 Stratofortress and intercontinental ballistic missile force, there has been a history of silent, dedicated service, often in times of hardship and uncertainty.
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The new Professional Development Guide, or PDG, AFPAM 36-2241, is now available at www.e-publishing.af.mil.

Printed guides will be distributed to all promotion-eligible active duty Airmen in the grades of E-4 through E-8 and airmen first class with at least two years in service. Base and unit Weighted Airman Promotion System monitors will assist with the distribution of printed guides slated for early fall.

Effective date of the new guide is Oct. 1, 2013. Master sergeants testing this December will be the first examinees to use the guide to prepare for promotion testing.
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This week's photos 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.

View the slideshow.
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During Maj. Sean Cross' first flight into what became Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, he and his WC-130J Hercules crew joked and asked themselves why they were even tasked for the mission. "There was absolutely nothing to it at that point," he said.

By his second flight, the jokes stopped and were soon replaced by concern for their own families and homes after the hurricane crossed south Florida and entered the Gulf of Mexico on a direct path toward the Mississippi coast where the Hurricane Hunters of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron are based.
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Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Cody congratulate the Army on its 238th birthday, June 14.

Donley wrote a letter to the secretary of the Army stating:

"Congratulations on the U.S. Army's 238th birthday. The U.S. Air Force joins you in celebrating Army heritage and in paying tribute to the Soldiers whose unwavering dedication to the profession of arms has protected our Nation since the American Revolution.
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Senior Airman Jacob Petersen is packing for the "trip." Extra uniforms, underwear, socks, some special snacks. He kneels to give his 18-month-old daughter an extra hug and kiss before heading out the door. But Petersen isn't going on a deployment or an extended TDY or school.

On this morning, Petersen is one of about 10 Airmen from his unit at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, in Wyoming, headed out the door for work. But work for this security forces Airman is a lot different than for most of his Air Force counterparts. Petersen and his team of security forces, chefs and facility managers will spend the next three to four days at a remote missile alert facility supporting the underground ICBM mission.
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Senior officials announced June 6 that they have appointed a two-star general to lead the Air Force's effort to reduce sexual assault within the ranks, and provide victims the support they need.

Maj. Gen. Margaret Woodward was appointed the new director of the reorganized Air Force Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office. In addition to appointing a more senior officer to the position, the Air Force raised the stature of the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office by linking it directly to the office of the Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force.
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Ten of the 19 missile crew members from the 91st Operations Group at Minot AFB, N.D., have been recertified and are able to fully perform their alert duties.

The remaining officers continue to progress through the retraining program with the remaining decertified crew members expected to return to alert duty in early June, according to Maj. Gen. Michael Carey, 20th Air Force commander.

The officers had been decertified following an Air Force Global Strike Command Consolidated Unit Inspection of the 91st Missile Wing, March 4. Twenty-two areas were looked at during the CUI, with the missile wing earning an "Outstanding" rating in one area, "Excellent" ratings in 14 areas, and "Satisfactory" ratings in six areas. One area was rated "Marginal."
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This week's photos 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.

View the slideshow.
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Air Force Television News released a new, edition of Today's Air Force on June 7.

On this episode's "Straight from the Top," Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley speaks about the challenges of Sequestration and continuing efforts of Air Force leaders to meet mission needs during this time of fiscal constraint.

Later, the show takes a look at the recent U.S. Air Force Academy graduation and hears from some of the Air Force's newest lieutenants.

Finally, viewers meet an Air Force family that's recovering from the Boston Marathon bombing and get a personal look into what it was like at this year's Warrior Games.
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Ten of the 19 missile crew members from the 91st Operations Group at Minot AFB, N.D., have been recertified and are able to fully perform their alert duties.

The remaining officers continue to progress through the retraining program with the remaining decertified crew members expected to return to alert duty in early June, according to Maj. Gen. Michael Carey, 20th Air Force commander.

The officers had been decertified following an Air Force Global Strike Command Consolidated Unit Inspection of the 91st Missile Wing, March 4. Twenty-two areas were looked at during the CUI, with the missile wing earning an "Outstanding" rating in one area, "Excellent" ratings in 14 areas, and "Satisfactory" ratings in six areas. One area was rated "Marginal."
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The Air Force chief of staff testified in front of the Senate Armed Services Committee along with the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and service chiefs from the Army, Navy Marine Corps and Coast Guard on pending legislation regarding sexual assaults in the military June 4.

Gen. Mark A. Welsh III re-emphasized to the committee the Air Force's commitment to combating sexual assault within its ranks and improving care for victims when it does occur.

Sexual assault "undermines the mission effectiveness of our great force," he said. "Nothing saddens me more than to know this cancer exists in our ranks."
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The Air Force announced Monday, June 3, that civilian employees whose homes were destroyed or rendered uninhabitable by the recent Oklahoma tornadoes will be "excepted" from administrative furlough.

While most Air Force civilian employees received their notices May 28, Tinker Air Force Base delayed notifying their employees until today to ensure all authorities were reviewed and applied to mitigate the impact on those affected by tornadoes.

"This is the right thing to do," said Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley. "Despite some facing devastating personal circumstances, our Oklahoma-based civilian employees have shown their resilience time and time again. The least we can do is remove this additional burden."
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Under Secretary of the Air Force Eric Fanning was sworn in by Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley during a formal ceremony May 31, 2013, at the Pentagon here.

In his duties, Fanning will be responsible for the efficient and effective management of Air Force resources and serve as the senior Air Force energy official. Additionally, he will serve as the focal point for space operations, policy and acquisition issues on the Air Force staff.


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The Air Force announced today it expects to declare F-35A Lightning II initial operation capability in December 2016. The announcement was included in a joint report detailing service-specific IOC requirements and dates for each of the F-35 variants that was delivered to Congress today.

"The Air Force has spent the last six months looking at our initial capability requirements and the expected availability date. This announcement is exciting news for the Air Force," said Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley. "It highlights to members of Congress, our international partners, and the American public that the program is on track to bring the United States military and our allies this critical capability."
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Air Force Television News released a new, special edition of Today's Air Force on May 31.

Featured in this episode is a visit to the Boneyard at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., taking viewers for an inside look at what happens to Air Force planes after they've flown their last mission. Here, a dedicated team brings new life to old aircraft and retrieves aircraft parts for future use. 

Then, Today's Air Force listens to the nostalgic stories of former Airmen who flew these planes decades ago and carry with them memories and stories of missions long past. 
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This week's photos 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.

View the slideshow.
more...