Reapers Flew to New Base in Afghanistan, Saving Valuable Time

The MQ-9 Reapers the Air Force recently shifted to Afghanistan from an undisclosed location where they were supporting Operation Inherent Resolve were flown to Kandahar Airfield, rather than boxed up and shipped, marking a first for US Central Command. Jennifer Hlad has the story from Al Udeid AB, Qatar.

USAF Creates Team to Build Aviation Capability in Iraq as US Presence Wanes

The Air Force and coalition partners this month created a new team ?to help Iraq create a sustainable aviation infrastructure with the goal to permanently maintain victory over ISIS. The move comes as the US is drawing down its total presence in the country, morphing into an advise and assist role with a focus on missions such as policing and border security. Read the full story by Brian Everstine.

AMC Getting Its Civilians Ready for Possible Furlough If There’s Another Shutdown

Air Mobility Command is getting its civilian workforce ready for another shutdown in case Congress cannot pass another continuing resolution or a full budget by midnight on Thursday when current funding expires. The command on Monday published a “furlough survival guide,” outlining who is impacted and the shutdown process. “When we say emergency shutdown, the word emergency implies there is little time to prepare,” AMC human resource specialist James Monday said in the release. “Although there are contingency plans in place, we don’t always know exactly when and how a shutdown will happen, so each time there will be an adjustment.” Civilian employees fall into three categories, with different impacts during a shutdown. Excepted employees need to work during a shutdown in an unpaid status, while non-excepted employees are furloughed, which is similar to a leave-without-pay status, and exempt employees are not impacted and work as normal. Civilian employees can find out their category by contacting a local Civilian Personnel Office. During the shutdown last month, about 4,000 AMC civilians were subject to the furlough. Congressional leaders have said they don’t expect another shutdown, CNN reported, but they have yet to strike a deal. The House is expected to vote early this week on a measure to avert a shutdown by funding the government through March 22. However, the Senate also will need to approve a similar measure if another shutdown is to be averted. —Brian Everstine

Academy Overhauls Sexual Assault Prevention Office

The Air Force Academy is overhauling its Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office, hiring a new staff and updating the office itself following a high-profile investigation into allegations it discouraged reporting and was unable to assist victims. In December, CBS News investigated the Academy’s response to sexual assaults, finding that it underreported allegations, intimidated cadets to avoid reporting assaults, and removed an official who tried to raise awareness of problems. The Academy last week issued a news releasing lauding a “rejuvenated” SAPRO office. A temporary team has manned the office while the hiring process for eight permanent full-time employees is finished. The team will include a new deputy director, sexual assault program manager, three victim advocates, two violence prevention integrators, and one program manager. The new office, which was renovated, held an open house on Jan. 30 to show the Academy it is “operating at full capacity,” temporary Assistant SAPR Program Manager Maj. El-Len Serra said in the release. —Brian Everstine