US military and joint service command officials saluted their German counterparts in a ceremony Sept. 28, thanking them for their three-year contribution in performing entry control and vehicle search duties at US Air Forces in Europe bases. The last German guard left Ramstein Air Base Sept. 27. German base security force levels peaked in April 2003, with 4,130 Germans guarding 66 US military installations in Germany. The Germans’ effort freed up thousands of US security forces and other key USAF personnel to deploy in support of the Global War on Terror.
Airmen and Guardians in the Active and Reserve component, as well as civilian employees, in “mission critical and high-risk populations” are now required to receive influenza vaccinations annually to “preserve force readiness,” according to a recent Department of the Air Force memo.