Daily Report

Sept. 12, 2011

We’ll Never Waver

In the 10 years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Americans have shown that they do not give in to fear, are resolved to defend their way of life, and hold fast to their freedoms, said President Obama Sunday in commemorating...

A Defining Moment

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Sunday the 9/11 terrorist attacks have made the nation more resilient. “As we recall that day of tragedy and trauma, of bravery and heroism, we remember it as a defining moment for all Americans,” said...

Airmen Commemorate 9/11

Airmen serving in Southwest Asia, together with their Army, Marine Corps, and Navy brethren, on Sunday commemorated the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks at their deployed locations. “We’re out here celebrating American freedom, but more importantly we’re out...

DFC with Valor for Moody Airman

Maj. Kirk Adams, an HH-60 pilot with the 41st Rescue Squadron at Moody AFB, Ga., last week received the Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor for his heroic actions in Afghanistan in 2009. On April 4, 2009, Adams “suppressed armed enemies”...

Spotlight: TSgt. Dustin K. Goodwin

One of the Air Force’s 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2011, TSgt. Dustin K. Goodwin is a flight chief assigned to the 48th Security Forces Squadron at RAF Lakenheath, Britain. Goodwin has deployed twice to both Iraq and...

Eight Injured in Nellis Mishap

Eight airmen were injured last week at Nellis AFB, Nev., when an outdoor shelter that shades aircraft on the flight line collapsed under the force of extreme winds. The airmen suffered minor injuries, were evacuated to the base hospital for...

Suicide Rate Drops, Still a Concern

There have been 56 suicides in the Air Force community so far this year. Although that number has dropped since this time last year, “it is still a major area of concern for our force,” Lt. Gen. Darrell Jones, deputy...

Auditors Cite Need for Better Cyber Incident Investigations

The Air Force failed to effectively manage and investigate numerous cyber events in 2009, according to a recent Air Force Audit Agency report based on a 2010 investigation. For example, the Air Force Computer Emergency Response Team, responsible for monitoring suspicious activity on the Air Force network, did not even investigate 23 percent, or 18 of 78, "category 5" cyber events, found the AFAA auditors. A category 5 activity could expose Air Force systems to increased risk, such as an Air Force user accessing a domain known to host malicious files. Network personnel also failed to implement corrective actions, like restricting access to certain websites, streaming media, and social networking, to prevent cyber incidents from recurring, stated the auditors. The report recommended, and the Air Force agreed, that 24th Air Force—USAF's cyber operations arm—should boost its network storage capacity so personnel can retain audit logs that will help them keep track of malicious websites. The Air Force also should establish a standard list of restricted proxy server categories, according to the report. These changes are expected to be in place by January. (Full report; caution, large-sized file.)

Obama Issues New Counterterrorism Communications Plan

President Obama issued new guidance aimed at countering communications strategies used by al Qaeda to recruit operatives. The executive order, which the White House released two days before the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, calls on the State...

Dyess’ Half Dozen

Dyess AFB, Tex., received its sixth new-build C-130J transport, fresh from Lockheed Martin’s production facility in Marietta Ga., according to a company release. “The latest C-130J delivery represents another key step in continuing efforts to modernize our inventory to provide...