News - Tag readiness

Department of the Air Force restores previous military tuition assistance cap and AF COOL funding
November 19, 2020 — The Department of the Air Force restored military tuition assistance to $4,500 per fiscal year and Air Force Credentialing Opportunities Online preparatory course funding for fiscal year 2021, effective immediately. ... MORE

AFWERX announces virtual Accelerate Event Dec. 7-11
November 14, 2020 — It has grown from three successful innovation experiments into one organization that will accelerate affordable and agile capabilities by expanding the defense industrial base as the preferred partner for commercial technology innovation and broadening the network of Airmen creating innovative concepts... MORE

AFWERX is announcing the inaugural Accelerate event being held virtually Dec. 7 to 11. The event will highlight how AFWERX is institutionalizing air and space innovation across the Department of the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force courtesy graphic)

Air Force Medical Service unveils new model for active duty care
June 25, 2019 — In an effort to return more Airmen to duty quicker, the Air Force is rolling out a new medical model to restore the overall readiness of our military. Under the new Air Force Medical Reform model, dedicated provider care teams will be aligned to an Operational Medical Readiness Squadron primarily focused on proactively treating active duty Airmen and improving their availability to support the warfighting mission. Care for non-active duty patients, primarily the families of service members and military retirees, will be handled by separate provider teams aligned to a Health Care Operations Squadron... MORE

In an effort to return more Airmen to duty quicker, this summer Air Force is rolling out a new medical model to help restore the overall readiness of our military. (U.S. Air Force graphic)

New mobile app enables, engages, empowers Airmen
April 18, 2019 — The Air Force now has an enterprise-wide mobile app designed to provide Airmen with streamlined access to information they need for their lives and careers... MORE

Growing Air Force’s space medicine culture
January 30, 2019 — As space continues to play an increasingly critical role in our nation’s defense, the need for the space medicine specialty grows. Medical Airmen within U.S. Air Force Space Command are making sure space operators are ready for future readiness requirements. “Space is no longer a neutral, docile domain,” said Col. Walter “Sparky” Matthews, AFSPC Command Surgeon. “It has become a contested environment where many state and non-state actors actively seek to disrupt U.S. space capability.”... MORE

Medical Airmen assigned to U.S. Air Force Space Command are charged with delivering care to the Airmen who launch, monitor and operate the Air Force’s satellite systems. As space continues to play an increasingly critical role in our nation’s defense, medical Airmen in AFSPC are also preparing for the future of space medicine. (U.S. Air Force illustration)

How the Air Force got smarter about its aviation fuel use in 2018
December 31, 2018 — Did you know the Air Force is the largest consumer of fuel in the Department of Defense? This may not surprise you, if say, you’ve ever watched a sortie of F-35s complete an aerial refueling, or witnessed a C-5 lift (seemingly) effortlessly into the sky. In fact, the Air Force consumes approximately 2 billion gallons of aviation fuel annually – which is about 81 percent of the total Air Force energy budget (with about 17 percent used for facilities and 2 percent for ground vehicles). Operational energy, or aviation fuel, is critical to mission success – but getting fuel to the warfighter involves complex logistical and technical challenges, intricate planning, and more importantly, poses safety risks to the troops transporting it. As the battlefield becomes increasingly multifaceted, energy resilience is a top concern for the Air Force, and optimized operations are an essential component to maintaining it. ... MORE

A C-17 Globemaster III from the 14th Airlift Squadron, Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., banks over the Arthur J. Ravenel Bridge in Charleston, S.C., during a training mission May 16, 2006. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Russell E. Cooley IV)

JB Charleston executes full-spectrum readiness exercise
November 19, 2018 — The 628th Air Base Wing, 437th Airlift Wing and 315th Airlift Wing teamed up for a total force rapid mobility exercise Nov. 12-17, 2018. The exercise focused on total force readiness, mobilization, base defense and quick-response airlift capabilities, according to Col. Rockie Wilson, 628th Mission Support Group commander and leader of one of the exercise’s simulated air expeditionary groups. ... MORE

Capt. Christopher Long, 315th Airlift Wing officer in charge of accessories, listens to a radio transmission during a readiness exercise Nov. 16, 2018, at Joint Base Charleston, S.C. To keep the training as realistic as possible, participants from across JB Charleston received the equipment, weapons and specialty uniform items they would use in real-world situations. The simulated scenarios enabled senior base leaders and subject matter experts to ensure the readiness of JB Charleston’s quick response capabilities.

Strengthening Trusted Care culture in Air Force medicine
January 30, 2018 — On October 26th, 2017, over 130 leaders across various health care organizations gathered to listen to Col. Christian Lyons and Lt. Col. Michael Fea speak on Trusted Care’s aim of positioning the Air Force Medical Service as a high reliability organization... MORE

The “Trusted Care” badge serves as a reminder for the entire U.S. Air Force Medical Service (AFMS) to provide exemplary patient-centered care at every level. In order to ensure the patient is placed at the center of their care, Trusted Care has teamed up with the Institute of Healthcare Improvement (IHI) to develop an effective training program. Training is aimed at fostering a culture of safety from front-line providers to senior leaders. (U.S. Air Force photo by SSgt Jensen Stidham)

Medically ready to be mission ready
January 11, 2018 — From periodic health assessments to regular dental exams, every Airman should know the importance of maintaining their Individual Medical Readiness (IMR) at all times... MORE

Air Force Col. (Dr.) Kimberly Pietszak, interim chief, Department of Quality Services, and assistant chief, Department of Medicine, examines Air Force Col. Patrick McCain at San Antonio Military Medical Center, Aug 26, 2015. Getting regular checkups are vital step in maintaining one’s Individual Medical Readiness and aids an Airman’s ability to support the mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Corey Toye)

Bedrock of readiness: Air Force Medical Home improves access to care and supports Airmen readiness
December 4, 2017 — Air Force Medical Home is a patient-centered, team-based approach to delivering primary care to patients at Air Force health facilities. As with all aspects of the Air Force Medical Service mission, maintaining Airmen’s medical readiness and optimizing performance is the highest priority. To achieve this mission, the Air Force Medical Service is working to increase its health care capabilities, and provide greater levels of mission support to line commanders... MORE