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Military News
Military News - 12/25/09

Last Updated: 11:58 AM 12/23/09 - William R. Ellington, Bianca L. Greenwell, Christopher L. Dunn, Celene D. Connell, Camron J. Spencer (Full Story)
Military News - 12/08/09
Last Updated: 8:09 PM 12/08/09 - Kelvin J. Thomas, Marvin K. Segars, Kameron N. Flick, Christopher Dunn, Rickey J. Martin (Full Story)
Military News - 10/01/09
Last Updated: 7:41 PM 11/05/09 - Christopher A. Essue, Marshall M. Graham, Anthony R. Christopher (Full Story)
Military News - 10/22/09
Last Updated: 7:37 PM 11/05/09 - Trent L. Lester, Cecilia J. Kelsey, Joshua L. Lakey, Christopher L. Dunn, Eric B. Bagley, Lamar D. Byrd (Full Story)
U.S. Military News
  • Time Running Out for Troops, Veterans to Claim 'Stop Loss'
    Eligible service members and veterans have less than three months to apply for Retroactive "Stop Loss" Special Pay.
  • Navy to Commission Submarine Missouri
    The Navy's newest attack submarine, Missouri, will be commissioned July 31, during an 11 a.m. EDT ceremony in Groton, Conn. Missouri is named to honor the people of the "Show Me State" and its leaders for their continuous support of the military.
  • George Washington Wraps Up Invincible Spirit
    USS George Washington (CVN 73) completed its role in the U.S.-Republic of Korea (ROK) combined alliance military exercise "Invincible Spirit" July 28.
  • Eisenhower Returns to Homeport
    The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike) returned to their homeport of Norfolk, Va., July 28, after operating in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet Areas of Responsibilities (AORs) after nearly seven months July 28.
  • E-Leave to Begin at Shore Commands
    The Navy announced the implementation of its new Electronic Leave (E-Leave) system in a message July 27.
  • BUPERS Uses New System for Message Delivery
    The Bureau of Naval Personnel (BUPERS) and Navy Personnel Command (NPC) announced they will transition to a new message system beginning in August.
  • Navy Accepts Delivery of Future USS Gravely
    The Navy officially accepted delivery of the future USS Gravely from Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding during a ceremony July 26 in Pascagoula, Miss. Designated DDG 107, Gravely is the 57th ship of the Arleigh Burke class.
  • Navy Showcases Top-Ranking Patent Portfolio
    The Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) vice commander delivered a keynote address to the National Conference of Standards Laboratories International July 26 to highlight how the U.S. Navy uses innovative technology to build, manage and maintain sophisticated ships and weapons systems.
  • Defense Department Recognizes Navy Scientists and Engineers
    Pentagon leaders honored eighteen of the Navy's top contributors to basic and applied science and engineering from around the country July 23.
  • Airmen killed in C-17 crash identified
    Majors Michael Freyholtz and Aaron Malone, pilots assigned to the Alaska Air National Guard's 249th Airlift Squadron; Capt. Jeffrey Hill, a pilot assigned to Elmendorf's 517th Airlift Squadron; and Master Sgt. Thomas Cicardo, a 249th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, were killed in the C-17 Globemaster III crash here July 28.

    "We come to work with immense sorrow after four of our fellow Airmen lost their lives in the C-17 crash at Elmendorf Air Force Base Wednesday," said Brig. Gen. Charles E. Foster, the 176th Wing commander, Alaska Air National Guard. "They were more than valued Airmen. They were our teammates, friends, family members and fellow Alaskans. We mourn their loss and share the deep sadness of their families."
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  • 509th Medical Group earns outstanding HSI rating
    Whiteman Air Force Base's 509th Medical Group earned the highest rating in seven years for the entire Air Force during a recent Health Services Inspection July 12-16.

    "We received an outstanding in the three areas and an outstanding overall which means we're doing an exceptional job in making sure we're keeping our finger on the pulse of the unit and taking care of our patients while at the same time taking care of the readiness mission and making sure the B-2 (Spirit bombers) are ready to operate," said Col. Kathleen Dunn-Cane, 509th MDG commander. "An outstanding alone would be pretty impressive but to get the highest score in the last seven years is really remarkable."
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  • VA officials approve $2.8 million for Gulf War illness research
    Department of Veterans Affairs officials have approved $2.8 million to fund three new research projects that focus on testing or developing new treatments for illnesses affecting veterans who served in the Gulf War from 1990 to 1991.

    The research incorporates recommendations of the department's Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses Task Force.

    "Reaching out to Gulf War Veterans is essential to the transformation of VA," said John R. Gingrich, the Veterans Affairs chief of staff. "This research is a great opportunity to do something that will improve the care and services these veterans have earned."
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  • Airmen provide expertise, medical support at 100th National Boy Scout Jamboree
    More than 200 Airmen are here supporting the 100th National Scout Jamboree July 26 through Aug. 4.  Approximately 46,000 Boy Scouts are attending the jamboree from throughout the country.

    The Airmen, including several U.S. Air Force Academy cadets, ran merit badge booths, and provided behind-the-scenes support like running a field hospital and supplying weather support, air traffic control for flyovers and safety oversight.

    "We've got a huge safety mission here," said Col. Lee-Ann Perkins, the 334th Air Expeditionary Group commander. "There's a lot of stuff out there that could potentially hurt someone so we've got a lot of folks here making sure this is a safe environment for the Scouts. It's a big job with the number of Scouts who are attending the Jamboree."
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  • Air Force Week in Photos
    This week's photo highlights feature Airmen around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.

    View the slideshow.
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  • Airman helps battle virus in Philippines
    An Airman and representatives from a local health department are on a crusade to combat the Dengue virus in villages here, as part of Operation Pacific Angel Feb. 15 through 22.

    Maj. Stephen Wolf, one of only 15 entomologists in the Air Force, and Julie Samson, from the Laoag city department of health have gone into 17 villages and educated a total of 465 residents on methods to combat the spread of this mosquito-borne virus.

    "This has been one of the best experiences of my life as we are making a positive impact on peoples' lives," said Major Wolf from Det. 3, U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine at Kadena Air Base, Japan. "Very seldom do I go to places that have had fatalities where families have lost their loved ones."
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Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) News
  • Were You Stop Lossed?
    There are millions of dollars waiting to be claimed by service members and veterans who were stop lossed, and time is running out! Those eligible must submit their claim by Oct. 21, 2010. The DoD Web site links to service-specific sites, where you ...
  • VFW Outraged by Media Support of Westboro Protestors
    Last week's U.S. Supreme Court filing of a friend-of-the-court brief by 22 news media organizations in support of the First Amendment rights of the Westboro Baptist Church has outraged the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. "As despicable as their ...
  • Media groups side with Westboro protestors in court case
    Published in Stars & Stripes by Jeff Schogol July 16, 2010 ARLINGTON, Va. — Twenty-two media organizations have sided with a radical church against the father of a fallen Marine who is trying to sue it for picketing his son’s funeral. The media ...
  • VFW Announces New Website Coming Soon
    KANSAS CITY, Mo., July 19, 2010 – The VFW is proud to announce the launch of its new website coming this August. After careful review and analysis of the user feedback submitted in recent years, the project began with three main objectives: • ...
  • VFW Applauds New PTSD Claims Decision
    WASHINGTON, D.C., July 12, 2010 — The national commander of America's largest combat veterans organization is applauding the Department of Veterans Affairs for eliminating a requirement for veterans to explicitly prove that a traumatic event directly ...
  • Banning Eagle Scout named top Scout in nation by VFW
    Published in Record Gazette by Rees Lloyd Local Eagle Scout Robert Morgan has been named “National Scout of the Year” for 2009-2010 by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Morgan, 18, the son of Chuck and Donna Morgan, received a $5,000 scholarship as ...
  • Operation Uplink's 4th of July Free Call Day!
    This July 4th, troops in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait can call the U.S for free for a full 24 hours in honor of Independence Day, courtesy of Sport Clips, beginning at 12:01AM July 4, 2010 and ending at 11:59PM July 4, 2010 (Eastern Standard ...
  • VFW National Commander Slams Massachusetts School Committee No-Pledge Decision
    KANSAS CITY, Mo., June 30, 2010 - The national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is appalled over an Arlington, Mass., school committee decision to reject a 17-year-old student’s request to allow others to voluntarily recite the ...
  • Past VFW National Commander Homan Dies at 87
    Richard Wilson Homan, age 87, passed away on Monday, June 21, 2010 at his residence in Franklin, WV. Mr. Homan was born on January 14, 1923 in Sugar Grove, WV, the son of the late Dr. Virgil Ray Homan, Sr. and the late Leafy A. Mitchell Homan. On ...
  • VFW National Commander Meets With President
    WASHINGTON June 18, 2010 — The national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. met with President Obama in the Oval Office yesterday morning to discuss issues important to America’s veterans, servicemembers and their families. Thomas ...