Category: Defence Intelligence

Source: United States Air Force

WASHINGTON (AFNS) —  

The Department of the Air Force commemorated the 76th anniversary of the Air Force and the fourth anniversary of the Space Force with a non-denomination worship service that included the participation of members of several faiths at the Washington National Cathedral Sept. 10.

Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass and Acting Vice Chief of Space Operations Lt. Gen. Philip Garrant participated in the service, which recognized the contributions of women to service in addition to marking the upcoming Air Force and Space Force anniversary dates.

“Women’s impact is not a secondary narrative in our history; it’s essential,” said Maj. Gen. Randall E. Kitchens, Department of the Air Force chief of chaplains. “From the early days of women aviators who broke both sound and societal barriers, to today’s leading generals and leaders crafting the future doctrines and policies, women have been the bedrock of innovation, resilience and strength in our forces.”

Members of the congregation reflected on the incessant courage of women who forged a path where none existed, serving with distinction in times of peace and conflict and elevating the mission to heights previously unimagined.

The service also recognized the 75th anniversary of the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act, which enabled women to serve as permanent regular members of the military.

Kendall specifically acknowledged the accomplishments of Women Airforce Service Pilots, or WASP, women who served as federal civil service employee pilots prior to women being allowed to serve as regular military pilots.

“Despite their sacrifices during times of war, women have also had to fight for their own equality,” Kendall said. “Our history is full of inspiring women leaders who fought through barriers and against headwinds with sheer resolve and determination to put women on equal footing with men.”

Kendall also recognized a modern-day trailblazer, retired Maj. Gen. Lorraine K. Potter, the first female chaplain in the Air Force. She was also the first female chaplain of any U.S. military service to be promoted to the pay grade of O-6, the first female Air Force chief of chaplains, and the first woman ordained by the American Baptist churches in the state of Rhode Island.

Potter reflected on the opportunities afforded to her.

“I knew God called me to be a fellow traveler with people struggling with the challenges and uncertainties of life,” Potter said. “There were not many places in the late 1960s and ‘70s for a woman in ministry to serve. But the timing was right; things were changing, and the Air Force Chaplain Service gave me a unique and wonderful place to do ministry.”

A video recording of the Department of the Air Force 76th Anniversary Service by the Washington National Cathedral is available for viewing here: 9.10.23 Department of the Air Force Anniversary Service.

Source: United States Air Force

This week’s photos feature Airmen from around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.

To view all Week in Photos collections, click here.

Source: United States Air Force

FORT GEORGE G. Meade, Md. (AFNS) —  

In this week’s look around the Air Force, Enlisted Professional Military Education courses have new uniform wear and physical fitness requirements, Airmen from Creech Air Force Base work with Marines in California, and a new proving ground for automated flight has its first successful test. (Hosted by Staff. Sgt. Milton Hamilton)

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For previous episodes, click here for the Air Force TV page.

Source: United States Air Force

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. (AFNS) —  

Department of the Air Force leaders and their spouses discussed changes and challenges that have impacted military families during a panel at the Air and Space Forces Association’s 2023 Air, Space and Cyber Conference Sept. 13.

Participating panelists included Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. and his wife, Sharene Brown; Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman and his wife, Jennifer Saltzman; Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass and her husband, Rahn Bass; and Chief Master Sgt. of the Space Force Roger A. Towberman and his wife, Rachel Rush.

Lt. Gen. Caroline M. Miller, Air Force Manpower, Personnel and Services deputy chief of staff, moderated the discussion and asked panelists to share their perspectives on changes they witnessed over time as military families. She also engaged the leaders and their spouses on their personal experiences in leveraging on and off-base resources to improve their quality of life as military families.

“When it comes to change, today’s military family looks a lot different than it did 30 years ago,” Chief Bass said. “You have more dual-working families, dual military, and single parents.”

Chief Bass also said leaders should continue to support initiatives and programs on military installations that help maintain family connections.

Sharene Brown said she witnessed several positive changes throughout her experience as a military spouse, especially regarding the availability of programs to support service and family members’ mental health, as well as resources to ease transitions for military-connected students and resources to assist Airmen and Guardians enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program.

“The fact that we can talk about this openly and connect to the resources out there is huge,” Sharene Brown said. “From my perspective, what’s now available on and off our installations for our families is overwhelming.”

Some of the resources highlighted included:

• Cohen Veterans Network: a network of mental health clinics focusing on post-9/11 veterans, active duty servicemembers, and families, to help address transition challenges before they become chronic or acute
• Joint Service School Liaison Program: education specialists that assist with local school navigation, deployment support, scholarship, and grant resources, and more
• Exceptional Family Member Program: a Department of Defense program offered to servicemembers who have a family member with an exceptional medical or educational need

Gen. Saltzman noted that Airmen and Guardians are expected to do more with fewer resources as the department evolves.

“It’s a fundamentally different Air Force,” Gen. Saltzman said. “What’s impressive to me is we have shifted from an Air Force of over 500,000 to an Air Force and Space Force that is far less than that.”

Panelists also mentioned another dynamic affecting Airmen and Guardian families, the “deployed in place” concept. An increasing number of active-duty Airmen and Guardians support high-ops-tempo units and missions from home station. These Airmen and Guardians often face the same stressors and grueling hours they would during an overseas deployment, yet they still return home to their families daily.

“Because of what automation and remote capabilities have allowed, we can now create effects worldwide without leaving the safety of our garrisons,” Gen. Saltzman said. “As a leadership team, we have to recognize that this comes with a different set of challenges and stressors. We need to provide ways to mitigate that.”

The speakers on the panel shared strategies like scheduling regular quality time, having open communication, and allowing space to pursue individual interests as personal approaches to maintaining strong connections with their partners amid busy lives and careers.

“You really can’t ‘turn off’ in the positions we have here,” Rahn Bass said. “There will be messages and phone calls. Being realistic about that – present in the moment and deliberate about quality time is important.”

Towberman also shared his perspectives for looking at relationships using a different lens and how to be more connected.

“[It’s] about harmony,” Toberman said. “I think that harmony comes best … in undiluted moments. There’s too much of our life that gets diluted if we are not paying attention, and diluted experiences are hardly experiences at all. I think we try really hard to say ‘this is about us,’ and this is about a real moment.”

Rush spoke about an article she wrote for Military Spouse Magazine titled ‘Your Wild and Precious Life’, in which she spoke specifically to spouses about the importance of taking time to work on themselves, build personal connections, and find purpose beyond being in a relationship with their spouses.

“I think sometimes we [spouses] can lose sight of our life,” Rush said. “When I became a military spouse, I had friendships, I had connections, but I had to work so much harder to keep [them] … I think it’s important to really ground yourself in the life that you have and to make things real and pertinent. You have to do things for yourself because although you have the journey with this person you love so much, it is still this one wild and precious life. You have to do what makes you happy, and we all have to be there to support one another.”

Due to anticipated retirements and promotions, the 2023 AFA conference serves as the final time this group of leaders are expected to be on stage together, and they reflected on their experiences supporting military families across the Air Force and Space Force.

“One reason why I’ve enjoyed [this forum at AFA] is we’re able to show we are real people just like you,” said Gen. Brown. “We’ve got to remember how important [military families] are to what we do, and the sacrifices they make are tremendous.”

Source: United States Air Force

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. (AFNS) —  

The Air Force’s 12 Outstanding Airmen for 2023 were recognized and honored during the Air and Space Forces Association’s Air, Space and Cyber Conference Sept. 9-13.

The 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year (alphabetically listed, by rank and command of assignment when selected) are:

o Senior Master Sgt. Justin S. Cruz, Air Force Materiel Command – Airman supporting Space Force

o Tech. Sgt. Jennel L. Edwards, Air Force Global Strike Command

o Senior Master Sgt. Sedrick F. Evans, Pacific Air Forces

o Tech. Sgt. Michelle A. Fernandez, Air Mobility Command

o Master Sgt. Michael A. Galindo, Air Education and Training Command

o Senior Airman Ryan G. Hospelhorn, United States Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa

o Senior Airman Kostiantyn Khymchenko, Air Combat Command

o Tech. Sgt. Micaela R. Mahan, Air Force Materiel Command

o Tech. Sgt. Kimberly R. Mastrocola, Air Force Special Operations Command

o Staff Sgt. Dhruva S. Poluru, Air National Guard

o Tech. Sgt. Theodore M. Sebsibe, Air Force District of Washington

o Senior Airman Jacob T. Tawasha, Air Force Reserve Command

Selected for their exceptional leadership, job performance and personal achievement, the 12 Airmen will spend the next year, and the rest of their Air Force careers, being distinguished representatives for the department.

“Don’t change who you are,” said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass. “Who you are is what got you here. Looking forward, you are an ambassador to our Air Force. That comes with a lot of responsibility.”

These servant leaders embody Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall’s “One Team, One Fight.” Their character, leadership and experiences reflect the strength of the Air Force and will serve the 12 Airmen as they advocate for and work with Airmen across the force.

“I feel honored and humbled to be surrounded by Airmen at this level,” reflected Fernandez, 6th Security Forces Squadron Marine Patrol team lead at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. “They’re like-minded in the way they want the best for the Air Force and the best for themselves. Working with this team is always a great experience, and I’m looking forward to the work we will accomplish this year.”

Throughout their time at the conference, the honorees experienced Washington, D.C., with an immersion tour of the 1st Helicopter Squadron at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, and met DAF senior leaders, gaining insight into their key focus areas and intent.

During a sit-down discussion with the 12 Airmen, Bass conveyed her expectations and answered questions relating to their year-long journey.

“There is nothing that is on the minds of our Airmen and their families that we aren’t focused on,” Bass said. “We’ve got to work together to create irreversible momentum to get after these things while reoptimizing our Air Force.”

The event culminated with a ceremony celebrating all the achievements of the Airmen.

From senior master sergeant to senior airman, each member demonstrated how to lead, inspire others, and accelerate change around them. Their time at the conference will play a key role in the team’s ability to attract, train, and maintain the highest caliber of Airmen and Guardians in the year ahead.

The 12 Outstanding Airmen’s first official role will take place at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where they will help mentor and guide future officers of the Air Force and Space Force.

Source: United States Air Force

WASHINGTON (AFNS) —  

Beginning in academic year 2025-2026, more top-rated Air Force officers will be vectored and designated to Air University in-residence Intermediate Developmental Education and Senior Developmental Education.