Air Force Reserve Command is expanding its enlistee training program from five test bases to more Reserve locations across the United States. The Development and Training Flight initiative aims to integrate new accessions by immersing them in military life as they await a slot at basic military training. “Some of these trainees may only be in the program a month before shipping out to basic training” while others may not ship out for a year, explained TSgt. Rick Zenner, 934th Airlift Wing DTF noncommissioned officer in charge at Minneapolis-St. Paul ARS, Minn. In the meantime, instructors teach the recruits military customs and courtesy, basic drill, physical training, and rank structure. “We go through dress and appearance and set some very tight standards with them,” added Zenner. In addition to Minneapolis, DTFs are already in place at Duke Field, Fla.; Travis AFB, Calif.; Youngstown ARS, Ohio; and Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. (Whiteman report by SrA. Wesley Wright)
The U.K. and the U.S. will continue to enjoy access to the ports, airfield, and workshops at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean for at least another century, under a deal inked between the U.K. and Mauritius May 22.