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  • FitFamilies initiative promotes holistic wellness for Airmen, families

    Get up. Get out. Get fit. Together.That’s the motto for FitFamilies, a new U.S. Air Force initiative designed to promote the holistic wellness among Airmen and their families. The Air Force Services Activity will administer FitFamilies and installation force support squadrons will operate it.“We

  • CEMIRT performs periodic maintenance of caterpillar generator, other repairs

    Repairing large industrial generators while saving taxpayer dollars is just the beginning of what the Civil Engineer Maintenance Inspection and Repair Team, or CEMIRT, does regularly at installations around the world. A team from the Travis Air Force Base, California, division of the Air Force Civil

  • September Energy Express released

    The September Energy Express is now available. In this issue: The Air Force takes home six FEMP awards, more than 100 Air Force energy experts attend the 2016 Energy Exchange and the AFCEC energy surety expert weighs in on resiliency. Read about these and more here.

  • Contest entries are picture perfect

    My Air Force Life in Focus, the 2016 Air Force photography contest, attracted 537 entries from budding to accomplished shutterbugs. The contest, sponsored by the Air Force Services Activity, was open to authorized patrons of Air Force force support squadron programs.“The quality of the work

  • World class athletes honored to represent Air Force

    The Air Force has a proud tradition of athletic achievements on the world stage. In the 1948 Olympic Games in London, Tuskegee Airman Malvin G. Whitfield won two golds and a bronze in track. In 1952, Whitfield, then a Korean War tail gunner, became the first active-duty American serviceman to win

  • AFIMSC commander retires

    The first commander of the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center completed a distinguished 31-year military career July 22 during a retirement ceremony here.

  • Air Force Olympian raising the bar

    First Lt. Cale Simmons, a contracting officer currently assigned to the Air Force World Class Athlete Program, is going to the 2016 Summer Olympics to represent the United States in track and field. Look for the 2013 U.S. Air Force Academy graduate during the opening ceremonies and pole vaulting

  • New commander sees strength of cross-functional capability

    Early in his career as a security forces officer, Maj. Gen. Bradley Spacy learned the value of military cross-functional capability, and he’s been a firm believer ever since.It’s fitting, then, that the 28-year veteran with vast combat support experience took command of the Air Force Installation

  • New AFSVA commander emphasizes family, service

    Col. Donna Turner emphasized two virtues in her new role as commander of the Air Force Services Activity. “I firmly believe, regardless of your position and rank, it’s all about serving and learning,” Turner told AFSVA Airmen July 14 at the Bob Hope Theater here. “I love to give back, and I love to

  • Air Force Clubs award scholarships

    The Air Force Services Activity’s Food and Beverage Division has awarded scholarships to six Air Force Club members or their family members. The 2016 Air Force Club Scholarship Program offered three scholarships in each of two categories: written and video essays. There were 85 written and 26 video

  • STEM-stimulating growth through education

    For most kids, once school is out for the summer, it’s all about vacations and staying up late playing video games until the next school year comes around.

  • Pain is no match for defenders

    Getting hit in the face with oleoresin capsicum spray is much like crushing a handful of cayenne peppers into your eyes – if cayenne peppers hurt 100 times worse.This is what every security forces defender has to experience when they join the career field, and five more lucky souls got the chance

  • Airman participates in EOD immersion

    Leaving a career field can be a scary proposition for an Airman who has been performing and learning the ins and outs of their job for the better part of a decade. The new career they choose may or may not be a good fit.Despite that, Staff Sgt. Michael McNally, 355th Maintenance Group scheduler,

  • Force Support carrying the Silver Flag

    Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center training development experts came together to discuss curriculum and processes for Force Support Silver Flag, the expeditionary training course that prepares Airmen for real-world bare-base beddown, sustainment and post-attack recovery contingencies

  • USAF/USAFE swimmers dominate NATO Allied Air Command Championships

    The Air Force/U.S. Air Forces Europe swim team outraced representatives from four allied air forces to win the NATO Allied Air Command Championship May 10-12 at Aviano Air Base, Italy.The Air Force/USAFE team ended the meet ranked No. 1 with 141 points. The German Air Force team claimed second with

  • Community Commons brings activities for Airmen under one roof

    Maximizing convenience and efficiency are the main goals of the U.S. Air Force’s “Community Commons” initiative. More importantly, it’s meant to foster camaraderie to build and sustain ready and resilient Airmen and their families.

  • Air Force marksman right on target

    Civil engineer Airman hits the mark at the National Rifle Association Mid-Range Regional Championship hosted by the Santa Margarita Gun Club at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, May 21-22, 2016.

  • Nature’s hazards: Mosquito-borne diseases

    Mosquito bites can be annoying, but they can also cause serious viral diseases, such as Zika, West Nile, Chikungunya and Dengue. If an infected mosquito bites a bird or mammal, including humans, it can transmit the illness to them.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, West

  • EOD compound named for fallen Airman

    The 20th Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal flight’s compound was renamed for a fallen EOD Airman here, May 20.Christina Kazakavage, mother of Tech. Sgt. Adam Ginett, an EOD Airman assigned to the 31st CES at Aviano Air Base, Italy, attended the event to commemorate her son.“This

  • Defenders make memorial shine

    790th Missile Security Forces Squadron defenders gathered outside of the 90th Security Forces Group building Memorial Day, May 30, to rededicate the newly cleaned memorial to fallen members of the SFG.The memorial bears the names of 90th SFG defenders who have died in the line of duty. The plaque

  • Andersen opens doors to renovated dining facility

    The Magellan Inn, Andersen Air Force Base’s dining facility, opened its doors to the base May 26 after more than a year of renovations to help improve the quality of life for Team Andersen.Airmen assigned to the 36th Civil Engineer Squadron led the construction efforts with assistance from Naval

  • ‘American Idol’ winner David Cook begins Air Force installations tour

    There’s an important reason why 2008 “American Idol” winner David Cook performs concerts for U.S. military personnel.“To get a chance to say thank you, in person, for their service and sacrifice is huge,” said Cook, who is performing at 16 U.S. Air Force installations as part of the Air Force

  • Air Force bowling centers offer range of events

    The Air Force Services Activity, headquartered on JBSA-Lackland, offers programs and special events that appeal to Airmen and their families by providing fun, exercise and competition in a safe environment.“Our bowling center upgrades and programs will enable single Airmen and those with families to

  • New website makes it easier for Airmen to enjoy the great outdoors

     Airmen and their families wanting to spend time in the great outdoors camping, boating or just relaxing can use a new Air Force Services Activity database.To make it easier for members of the Air Force family to determine what Air Force recreational opportunities are available, AFSVA catalogued a

  • CHPS coordinators focus on wellness of AFMC workforce

     Enhancing the health and well-being of the Air Force Materiel Command workforce was the focus of the Civilian Health Promotion Services coordinators meeting held here in April. As stated in the 2016 AFMC strategic plan, “Our people are AFMC’s most precious resource.” AFMC leadership’s support and

  • AcqDemo team outlines planned activities related to transition

     In late May to mid-June, Air Force Materiel Command employees who will transition into the Department of Defense Civilian Acquisition Workforce Demonstration Project will receive information detailing their individual conversion into the new pay system. The AcqDemo transition effective date is June

  • Got thoughts? Take the AF Food Services Assessment Survey

    Taking care of Airmen and families remains one of the Air Force’s top priorities. Providing the best food service possible is an important aspect of doing that.  It’s essential to listen to and respond to what people have to say.  The 2016 Food Services Assessment Survey or FSAS, available now, is a

  • AF defenders, SKorea soldiers train to fend off opposing forces

    Defending the men and women of Osan Air Base is one challenge to the 51st Security Forces Squadron, but defending an entire country is quite another. To bring a force multiplier to the table, the 51st SFS defenders trained with South Korean army special operations forces during a training scenario

  • As Armed Forces soccer tournament nears, Air Force team kicks into high gear

    Themselves. That’s the only thing holding back the All-Air Force men’s soccer team as it prepared to enter the Armed Forces tournament May 6-14 in Fort Benning, Georgia, head coach Lt. Col. Derrick Weyand said.“The key to airpower is to be flexible, and that’s what this team is,” said Weyand, of the

  • Initiative gets kids to eat healthy, LiveWell

    Across the Air Force, children ages 3-18 will soon learn the importance of nutrition thanks to the Air Force Services Activity’s Kids LiveWell Healthy Initiative.The Air Force-wide initiative is geared toward kids, but it has another purpose, said Jonathan Grammer, AFSVA programs director.“It’s

  • Air Force teams with Army, law enforcement during EOD exercises

    As threats continue to emerge, interoperability and cooperation will be crucial for explosive ordnance disposal Airmen, said Maj. Mark Hope, deputy commander of the 301st Civil Engineer Squadron, Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base.“They’ll have better networking, better relationships

  • Financial management team wins DOD award

    The Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center’s financial management analysis team recently won an Undersecretary of Defense Comptroller Award for its work in AFIMSC’s standup.Brig. Gen. John M. Pletcher, financial management and comptroller director for Air Force Materiel Command, announced

  • MacDill’s new visiting quarters opens

    On April 15, the long-anticipated MacDill AFB Visiting Quarters opened. An official ribbon-cutting ceremony is set for May 2. The facility will feature 350 guestrooms, two conference rooms and an on-site food operation to provide guests a casual dining option.Thanks to its state-of-the-art Davis

  • AFMC command chief reflects on 30-year career

    Air Force Materiel Command’s top enlisted member will end his military career May 6, 2016, closing out what he calls a “wonderful journey” around the world.Chief Master Sgt. Michael Warner, AFMC’s command chief, will retire in a ceremony at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. Retired

  • Goldfein nominated as 21st CSAF

    Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced April 26 that the president has nominated Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein to be the 21st chief of staff of the Air Force, succeeding Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, who has served in the position since 2012.“I'm extremely humbled by the nomination

  • Internship program offers hands-on experience in military setting

    Graduating college seniors can get hands-on experience working with child and youth programs on military installations worldwide, thanks to the Military Extension Internship Program, or MEIP.  The MEIP enables students to integrate their schooling with more professional knowledge and skills gained

  • Air Force Clubs to award $23,000 in scholarships

    May 20 is the deadline to apply for the 2016 Air Force Club Scholarship Program.During the past 17 years, the program has provided college tuition assistance to more than 440 Air Force Club members and their eligible family members. As in the past, applicants must be club members or their eligible

  • AFMC’s Wingman Intervention program going strong

    Across Air Force Materiel Command, Airmen continue to embrace the command’s culture of respect and resiliency. This is especially evident in their behavior as wingmen.AFMC has been consciously building the concept of wingman intervention for nearly three years. The goals are to raise awareness of

  • Many AFMC employees to convert to AcqDemo Pay and Appraisal System

    Some 13,000 Air Force Materiel Command personnel have been notified they will transition to the Department of Defense Civilian Acquisition Workforce Demonstration Project, or AcqDemo, pay system June 12, 2016. For those converting to AcqDemo, their current GS performance period will end on June 11,

  • ‘The Walking Dead’ promotion enlivens AFSVA Summer Bowling League

    The theme of “The Walking Dead,” AMC’s hit series about life after a zombie apocalypse, was an easy selection for this year’s Air Force Services Activity Summer Bowling League, said Don Freund, Air Force Bowling Program Manager.“It happens to be the No. 1 show on television, especially among the

  • JBER, Patrick win 2016 active-duty Hennessy awards

    Congratulations to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, and Patrick Air Force Base, Florida, winners of 2016 John L. Hennessy Awards for active-duty U.S. Air Force food service operations.Earlier this year, installations from six major commands were nominated from each region: the Eastern

  • Meet the 2016 Hennessy travelers

    Members of the Hennessy Travelers Association recently evaluated finalists from Air Force installations in the Eastern Hemisphere (Region 1) and Western Hemisphere (Region 2) that were nominated to compete for the 2016 John L. Hennessy Award.  These food industry experts observed all aspects of the

  • Contests spotlight creativity

    Budding photographers and artists and can enter the 2016 Photo and Art Contest, sponsored by the Air Force Services Activity. Authorized patrons of Air Force Force Support Squadron programs are eligible to participate in the Air Force Services Activity also known as AFSVA promotions and

  • U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff honors AFCEC Activity Integration Team

    The U.S. Air Force Civil Engineer Center’s Activity Integration Team recently received honors as the second runner-up for the 2014 Chief of Staff Team Excellence Award.The team’s efforts contributed to a combined first-year savings of $260 million to the U.S. Air Force. But according to Capt. Graham

  • AFSVA on trend with mystery escape rooms

    Master criminal James Moriarty is expecting Sherlock Holmes to walk into his parlor. He’s laid a trap, of course, for the brilliant detective. Unfortunately, you and your companions have arrived instead. Now you have 60 minutes to outsmart Moriarty and escape. The clock is ticking …Interactive,

  • SECAF, deputy energy secretary visit Arizona base

    Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James and Deputy Energy Secretary Dr. Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall visited Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, for the first time March 9 to gain firsthand knowledge about the various operations, priorities and capabilities.

  • Reservist sets 1.5 mile run record at Luke

    By shaving 14 seconds off the current record for the 1.5 mile run, Staff Sgt. Christian Enriquez ran into the Luke Air Force Base history books March 13.Running in 8:10, the 944th Fighter Wing F-16 avionics craftsman shattered the old record of 8:24, set at Luke on June 25, 2014.An avid runner who

  • AFSVA gets ready for 2016 youth camps

    Teenagers looking to cure those summertime blues will have various camps to choose from this year, thanks to central funding from the Air Force Services Activity, also known as AFSVA.Teen family members of active-duty military assigned to or working or living on an Air Force led/joint installation,

  • USAF, RAAF security forces build on cooperation

    Group Capt. Wayne Kelly, director of security forces for the Royal Australian Air Force, had a specific purpose for his first visit here March 13-16.  When it comes to security forces “we need to understand our limitations and to act cooperatively,” said Kelly, a distinguished visitor of the Air

  • HVAC Airmen winning on deployed frontier: one a/c unit at a time

    No matter the job, each Airman provides a vital service – engaging issues on their own battlefront to ensure the mission goes as smoothly as possible, from the Soldiers who oversee the Patriot missile batteries to the services Airmen who ensure personnel have meals to eat and a place to sleep.

  • Iceman engineers build up range for RED FLAG-Alaska

    Building a bridge can come with many challenges, especially when the materials are water and below freezing temperatures.Airmen from the 354th Civil Engineer Squadron head to Delta Junction, Alaska, each year to construct a bridge made of ice, spending weeks at a time in the Alaskan wilderness

  • March issue of Airman magazine now available

    The March issue of Airman magazine is now available to download and is viewable through a Web browser. In the cover story, titled “Behind the Blast Doors,” we pull back the curtain to Cheyenne Mountain, to bring you an insiders’ look at "Americas's Fortress." Airman magazine provides an interactive

  • Raven B: Securing the perimeter from above

    Small, hand-held, unmanned, light weight and remotely operated drones describe one of the ways technology is used to ensure the safety of deployed personnel. The 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron secures the base perimeter with help from the Raven B Digital Data Link drone at Al Udeid Air

  • Civilian Health Promotion Services celebrates 10-year anniversary

    Throughout 2016, Civilian Health Promotion Services is celebrating its 10-year anniversary of providing health and wellness services to Air Force Materiel Command’s workforce. The CHPS program began in 2006 in collaboration with Federal Occupational Health to maintain a healthy and productive

  • Partner nations join Airmen during first multilateral Silver Flag exercise

    Engineers from the Royal Australian Air Force, Republic of Singapore Air Force, Republic of Korea Air Force and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force began the first multilateral partner-nation Silver Flag exercise Feb. 13, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. Led by engineers from the 554th RED HORSE

  • Defenders, K9s relocate to new home

    U.S. and Royal Australian Air Force Airmen with the 380th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron Military Working Dog Section recently moved into their newly constructed K9 compound at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia.  Military working dogs and their handlers provide detection capabilities

  • Pest Management: Reducing disease, saving money

    The idea of stray animals, rodents, and insects give some people the heebie-jeebies (scare) and the idea of any of those creatures near your room, in your room, or near your food may make some anxious about their sleeping arrangements and where they eat. Pest management provides service members

  • AFIMSC announces annual award winners

    Maj. Gen. Theresa Carter, commander of the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center, announced the unit’s 2015 top performers Feb. 11.Winners, their unit or directorate, and category are: - Senior Airman Cinthia Swartzlander, Air Force Security Forces Center, Airman Category; - Tech. Sgt.

  • AF club members in running to ‘Leap into a Jeep’

    The Air Force Services Activity has declared February Air Force Clubs membership appreciation month.Every day during the month, Air Force Clubs will randomlyselect 10 members to receive prizes.  Additionally, on Feb.  29, one lucky club member will be able to “Leapinto a Jeep” as the winner of a

  • Air Force implements additional security measures

    In response to tragic events that have taken place on and off installations over the past few years, Air Force commanders can take additional measures to secure personnel and property on their installations through three programs that allow service members to carry weapons.

  • Licenses from 5 states banned at DOD bases

    Defense Department installations will no longer accept driver’s licenses from Minnesota, Illinois, Missouri, New Mexico, and Washington as proof of identity, DOD officials said.

  • Icy water, warm hearts

    The fourth-annual Matthew S. Schwartz Memorial Polar Plunge took place, Jan. 16, in Cheyenne’s Sloan Lake with the largest showing of jumpers since its inception.The event hosted 25 teams adding up to a total of 101 jumpers who displayed their support by bravely leaping into the cold waters of Sloan

  • Dirtboyz Clear the Snow

    If there is anything that Minnesotans love to talk--and by extension, complain--about, it's the weather. There is a bit of personal and regional pride associated with the harsh conditions that we all live through each winter. For the Minnesota-St. Paul Air Reserve Station, winter can be especially

  • 25 years after Operation Desert Storm

    This is a victory for every country in the coalition, for the United Nations… It is a victory for the rule of the law and for what is right. – George H.W. Bush, 41st President of the United States In August 1990, the first major foreign crisis for the United States since the end of the Cold War

  • CDC hosts MLK Book Reading for Kids

    Base volunteers read stories to children about Martin Luther King Jr. during the MLK book reading at the Child Development Center Jan. 14.The CDC assigned each volunteer a classroom based off of the children’s age group. Each volunteer then read a book relative to the children’s reading skill

  • Force Protection, defenders execute dorm makeover

    Residents of Bay A, Dorm 200, completed a month-long dorm renovation  project on Dec. 21., 2015 at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia. The dorm renovations are part of an effort to make the living areas within their facility, primarily the hallways, more homelike for its residents, which is

  • Winter is coming...eventually

    Though Jon Snow's fate is uncertain, one thing is certain for us; ice, snow, frigid cold and bone piercing winds are only a few weeks away; for winter is coming.

  • AF, Marine and Army EOD techs train, learn from each other

    Air Force, Marine and Army explosive ordnance disposal technicians deployed to Southwest Asia came together for the first time to train at an undisclosed location Dec. 14-18. The five-day training exercise included more than 40 staged improvised explosive device scenarios simulating common incidents

  • If you re-build it, they will come

    In 2017, the National Air and Space Intelligence Center will celebrate its 100 year anniversary. Some elements of the building have been around since World War II and after so many years, wear and tear has taken its toll and updates are necessary. Air Force Materiel Command leaders asked the Air

  • AFSVA support key to Airmen spending holidays with loved ones

    An estimated 6,500 Airmen in trainingprograms at JBSA-Lackland, Sheppard Air Force Base and Goodfellow Air ForceBase, all in Texas; and Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, began theirtravels to spend the holidays with friends and family.Arranging for this massive exodus of Airman trainees to go

  • AF Materiel Command to transition to AcqDemo

    About 13,000 Air Force Materiel Command non-bargaining unit civilian employees will transition to the Acquisition Workforce Personnel Demonstration Project pay system in June 2016, according to AFMC officials.

  • Civil Engineering projects: from beginning to end

    Whether in an office building or on the road, the work of the 90th Civil Engineer Squadron is highly visible.Yet most people probably know very little about how the work actually gets done, who plans the projects and how they are funded. Rodney Trees, 90th CES base-side engineering chief, provided a

  • Okinawa City, Kadena firefighters conduct bilateral hazmat training

    Members from Kadena Air Base, Japan, and the Okinawa City Fire Department participated in a hazardous materials incident exercise for the first time, Dec. 8, at the Okinawa City Civic Center.   The exercise was held to strengthen bilateral capabilities between the fire departments so they can be

  • Tips on not wigging out this holiday season

    Now that the holiday season is in full swing, good cheer and tidings fill the air as the new year fast approaches. But while some blissfully enjoy the seasonal flurry, others are swarmed with the rising stressors of the holidays. With a few practical tips and reminders, there are ways to combat

  • CGO neighborhood nearing completion

    In a continued effort to providing quality living for Air Commandos and their families, Balfour Beatty Communities is moving quickly to finalize company grade officer housing. Members of the 27th Special Operations Wing gathered on Anaconda Loop to watch Capt. Rex Peacock, 27th Special Operations

  • AFMC promotes sober driving during holiday season

    The holiday season is a time of year when peoplegather with friends, colleagues and family to enjoy time together andcelebrate. Often these social eventsinclude alcohol. A driver’s licensemixed with a few alcoholic beverages can be dangerous. No one intends for alcohol-impaired drivingaccidents to

  • Air Force chefs learn from the best

    Fourteen Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserves chefs gained invaluable culinary training during the 2015 Armed Forces Forum for Culinary Excellence at the Culinary Institute of America at its Greystone Campus in St. Helena, California, Sept. 10-25.Participants included 36 military

  • Airmen getting their kicks with FootGolf

    A new sport that combines the fast action of soccer and some of the challenges of golf is emerging worldwide, and the Air Force Services Activity, also known as AFSVA, is leading the trend in offering the sport as an additional recreational opportunity for both golfers and non-golfers.“We’re at the

  • Successful UFC Fight Night program extended

     Air Force Services Activity has extended its popular Club Frenzy UFC Fight Night program. Watch parties featuring an Ultimate Fighting Championship pay-per-view fight and a special menu will be held at participating Air Force Clubs for UFC 193 on Nov. 14 and UFC 194 on Dec. 12.“The UFC Fight Frenzy

  • Military kids learn life lessons from NBA pros

    Seventy-five Departmentof Defense youth from various military installations here learned life lessons and basketball skills from NBA legendBruce Bowen and San Antonio Spurs guard Patty Mills during a Jr. NBA clinic atCole High School on Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Oct. 19.Bowen, an