News - Page 527

Gates: 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' repeal demands study
February 10, 2010 — The Defense Department's review of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law, which bans gays from serving openly in the military, will help to ensure readiness and unit cohesion remain intact if Congress repeals it, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said in an interview aired Feb. 9. Secretary Gates also discussed the close cooperation he and Secretary of... MORE

Charleston chiefs recognized at annual ceremony Feb. 6
February 10, 2010 — More than 350 people came to the Charleston Club Feb. 6 to congratulate and celebrate Joint Team Charleston's newest chief master sergeants. The new chiefs are Chief Master Sergeants Jose Tamayo, 315th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron; Edwin Felix and Kenneth Battle, 315th Maintenance Squadron; Ray Eanes, 560th RED HORSE Squadron; Mark Bridgeman,... MORE

Chief Master Sgt. Kenneth Battle lights the senior master sergeant candle at the Annual Charleston Chief's Recognition Ceremony held at the Charleston Club Feb. 6. Chief Battle was one of six Airmen selected for promotion at Joint Base Charleston to the rank of chief master sergeant. Chief Battle is with the 315th Maintenance Squadron. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Lauren Main)

Spin cycle!
February 10, 2010 — MORE

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Louis Gosseck gives it his all during the last minutes of a 45-minute spin class at the Fitness and Sports Center here Feb. 5, 2010. Spin classes are held at the fitness center Mondays through Fridays. Sergeant Gosseck is an electrical environmental specialist with 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/James M. Bowman)

JBC receives a sobering reminder
February 10, 2010 — MORE

Sarah Panzau speaks to Joint Team Charleston members about the consequences of drinking and driving at the base theater here Feb. 9. Ms. Panzau was involved in a drunk driving related traffic accident and now tours the country speaking against drunk driving. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Katie Gieratz)(RELEASED)

Loadmaster's landscape
February 10, 2010 — MORE

Tech. Sgt. Kevin Owens sits on the ramp of a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft while flying over the mountains of Afghanistan after an air delivery mission Feb. 2. Sergeant Owens and the crew delivered 34 container delivery system bundles to an undisclosed base in Afghanistan as part of a combat resupply mission. Sergeant Owens is a loadmaster with the 14th Airlift Squadron and is currently deployed to the Middle East with the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Angelita Lawrence/Released)

Warrior of the Week: Senior Airman Sean Nappier
February 9, 2010 — Senior Airman Sean Nappier is a member of the 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and has been stationed at Joint Base Charleston for more than three years.He is currently deployed to the Middle East where he is assigned to the 8th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.In his deployed unit, Airman Nappier's primary duties include direct... MORE

Senior Airman Sean Nappier, 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron instrument flight control systems journeyman (Courtesy photo)

16 AS commander receives Bronze Star Medal
February 9, 2010 — MORE

Col. Bob Holba presents Lt. Col. Christopher Mann with a Bronze Star Medal during a commanderÕs call at the base theater Jan. 29. Colonel Mann distinguished himself while serving as commander of the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, supporting ground and air operations while deployed to the Middle East from Jan. 1 to April 30, 2009. Under Colonel MannÕs leadership, the 816 EAS executed the single largest C-17A combat air delivery effort to date in the history of the Global War on Terrorism. In total, the squadronÕs operations accounted for 70 percent of all airland cargo and more than 95 percent of all air delivery cargo provided in support of three major areas of responsibility. Additionally, the squadron pioneered the expansion of the C-17AÕs combat role by conducting the first-ever C-17A leaflet air delivery over 14 insurgent-held strongholds in Afghanistan. The accomplishments are only a few among numerous achievements under Colonel MannÕs leadership. Colonel Holba is the 437th Operations Group commander, and Colonel Mann is the 16th Airlift Squadron commander. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Eric Harris)

Airmen in Action: security forces Airman protects Middle Eastern air base
February 9, 2010 — MORE

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Frankie Piland watches over the flightline at an air base in the Middle East Jan. 31, 2010. Security forces Airmen are in charge of protecting and providing security for thousands of deployed service members and millions of dollars worth of deployed military assets and equipment. Airman Piland is deployed from the 628th Security Forces Squadron and is assigned to the 380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol/Released)

AF returns enlisted high year of tenure to standards
February 9, 2010 — Air Force manpower and personnel officials here announced Jan. 27 a return of enlisted high year of tenure limits to their pre-2003 levels."We've considered returning HYT limits to their normal levels for several years. Now that our Air Force end strength is stabilizing, it is an appropriate time to return back to the pre-2003 levels," said Tom... MORE

Air Force manpower and personnel officials announced Jan. 27, 2010, a return of enlisted high year of tenure limits to their pre-2003 levels. The change will initially affect approximately 2,500 Airmen; 500 senior airmen, 400 technical sergeants, 1,200 master sergeants and 400 senior master sergeants. The HYT for senior master sergeant, master sergeant, technical sergeant and senior airman will return to 26, 24, 22 and 10 years, respectively. The HYT limits for both chief master sergeant (30 years) and staff sergeant (20 years) will remain the same since they were not raised in 2003.

Charleston Airmen enable combat air delivery in Middle East
February 6, 2010 — MORE

A C-17 Globemaster III aircrew assigned to the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, prepares for a combat-airdrop over Afghanistan, Feb. 1, 2010, at a base in Southwest Asia. The maximum payload capacity of a C-17 is 170,900 pounds and its maximum takeoff weight is 585,000 pounds. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez/released)