Katrina Changes AETC Privatization Plans: The impact of Hurricane Katrina has led Air Education and Training Command officials to extend the family housing privatization timeline as they look for ways to offset a nearly 20 percent rise in regional construction costs. The search for ways to resolve “financial gaps” led to an eight-month delay for some bases. AETC also decided to remove Keesler AFB, Miss., the USAF base hit hardest by Katrina, from privatization plans altogether. Instead, they plan to replace all Keesler family housing using traditional military construction means.
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.