Members of 13th Air Force’s analyses, assessments, and lessons learned directorate at Hickam AFB, Hawaii, are the Air Force’s Lessons Learned Outstanding Team of the Year for 2009. The group was recognized at an awards ceremony in late October in San Antonio for its work to improve Air Force operations at all levels by incorporating the experiences of individual airmen engaged in organizational changes in the Pacific theater. “Regardless of how successful a mission is, there is always something to be learned and captured for future missions,” said John Trifonovitch, who heads the winning directorate. He said the lessons learned also impact the joint community to help ensure that “we thrive as a team.” (Hickam Nov. 24 report by TSgt. Kerry Jackson)
Members of Congress from both parties expressed frustration and dismay over the abrupt and still-unexplained firing last month of Air Force Gen. Timothy Haugh from his dual role as head of U.S. Cyber Command and director of the National Security Agency.