Virginia
Air Force pararescuemen were able to bring home one of their fallen comrades April 6. As the ceremonial caisson rolled to a stop in Arlington National Cemetery, Tech. Sgt. Allen Avery, an Air Force pararescueman who lost his life during combat operations in Vietnam, was escorted to his final resting place.
Morocco
U.S. Air Forces Africa participated in the third biennial Marrakech Aeroexpo April 4 through 7 to strengthen the partnerships with Morocco and more than 15 other participating nations.
Afghanistan
The 26th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, Kandahar, pararescuemen wouldn’t scramble anywhere to save a patient without the 55th Expeditionary Helicopter Maintenance Unit members. The often-deployed crew is small and the work load can be heavy, but the engine Airmen keep the HH-60G Pave Hawk’s engines running at peak performance.
 Southwest Asia
Apricots and dates were secret ingredients that vexed ten teams competing for bragging rights at the installation’s first Warrior Chef Competition April 1 at Memorial Plaza. During the closing stages of their cooking time, the secret ingredients were introduced as a mandatory item to be incorporated into each team’s meal.
SecAF: In downsizing AF trades ‘size for quality’
In the current economic environment, the best course of action for the U.S. Air Force is to “trade size for quality,†said Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley March 30 in a keynote address to attendees of the 39th Tinker and Community Dining Out at the Tinker Club , Tinker Air Force Base, Okla.
The secretary said that budget reductions have compelled all branches of the military to balance competing needs, resulting in some tough choices for the Air Force.
“Although the Air Force is downsizing, we must still provide the force structure and capability and be prepared to respond to a dynamic environment,†Donley said.
“Readiness is essential because if we’re going to be smaller, we must be prepared.â€
Despite the cutbacks, the Air Force took action to protect the Air Force’s top priorities, such as the long range strike family of systems, including the new bomber, as well as the KC-46 tanker acquisition, key space programs and advanced ISR, the secretary said.
“Modernization remains a key concern, especially as our fleets age and new technologies drive new investment needs,†he said. “In this year’s budget proposal; we slow modernization while protecting programs that are critical to future capabilities.â€
http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123296808
