Keflavik Airmen Get More Help: US Air Forces in Europe has sent two teams of experts to NAS Keflavik, Iceland, to assist the 85th Group airmen in getting new assignments and deciding how and where to move their families—all of which has to take place within four months. (The Bush Administration announced the removal of US forces from Iceland in mid-March.) The USAFE teams arrived in April. The first team briefed airmen on what to expect with the changes, while the second team—arriving five days later—began the actual assignment process. USAFE officials said last week that team members talked face-to-face with each airman and resolved questions and concerns on the spot. The assignments team handled more than 350 assignments, accepting more than 20 special duty applications and processing more than 20 volunteer statements for Korea, in just two days.
Gene Smith, Former POW and AFA Chair, Dies at 91
Jan. 19, 2026
Lt. Col. Richard “Gene” Smith, who overcame five and a half years as a prisoner of war in the notorious Hanoi Hilton from 1967 until 1973, died Jan. 16. He was one day short of his 91st birthday.
