Daily Report

Nov. 1, 2011

Gutierrez Receives Air Force Cross

SSgt. Robert Gutierrez Jr., an instructor at the Air Force Special Operations Training Center at Hurlburt Field, Fla., joined an elite group of airmen when he became only the second living recipient of the Air Force Cross—the service’s second highest...

JTAC Awarded Silver Star

Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz presented the Silver Star to TSgt. Ismael Villegas for his gallant actions in Afghanistan in 2009. In September of that year, Villegas was the lone joint terminal attack controller assigned to an Army special...

Preparing to Ride the Nuclear Bow Wave

The Pentagon and Energy Department late this decade will face a “bow wave” of significant cost to modernize components of the nation’s nuclear triad, said Maj. Gen. William Chambers, Air Staff lead for strategic deterrence and nuclear integration issues. “That...

A Token Mercy

A C-130J assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron at Ramstein AB, Germany, brought 30 injured Libyan rebels from Tripoli back to Ramstein to receive medical treatment. The Oct. 29 aeromedical evacuation flight marked the first time that US aircrews evacuated...

Minuteman at the Ready

The 341st Missile Wing recently conducted a simulated launch of a Minuteman III ICBM at Malmstrom AFB, Mont. Conducted twice annually, the Simulated Electronic Launch-Minuteman “is meant to exercise the weapon and its command signals in its operationally deployed location,”...

Building Block Bomber Upgrade

The Air Force has awarded Boeing a $57 million contract authorizing the company to begin working on sustainment block 16A for the service’s B-1 fleet. These upgrades will include changes to the bombers’ navigation, weapons delivery, radar, diagnostics, electrical multiplexing,...

Blanket Benevolence

The first two aid-laden C-130J Hercules lifted off from Ramstein AB, Germany, en route to Turkey’s earthquake battered Van region. Working with the State Department, US European Command loaded the 37th Airlift Squadron aircraft with hygiene supplies, bedding, and cots,...

Losing the Suicide Battle?

A new report from the Center for a New American Security questions whether the alarming rise in suicides among service members and veterans is threatening the viability of the all-volunteer force. “If military service becomes associated with suicide, will it...