Editor’s Note: The “People First” section is compiled from information from the Air Force Personnel Center, TRICARE, 56th Force Support Squadron, Airman and Family Readiness Flight, Veterans Affairs, the civilian personnel office and armed forces news services. For the complete story, go to the web address listed at the end of the story.
AF talks new technologiesduring innovation hearing
The Air Force’s pursuit of game-changing technologies and the need to attract and retain talented science, technology, engineering, and mathematics professionals were at the center of discussions during a hearing on defense innovation before the House Armed Services Committee’s subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities on Capitol Hill Feb. 24.
Dr. David Walker, the Air Force deputy assistant secretary of science, technology and engineering, joined colleagues from throughout the Defense Department’s science and technology enterprise to testify on efforts to maintain – and grow – the technological advantage of the U.S.
“We’re at a critical juncture in history,” he said. “The relentless pace of change continues to increase complexity and decrease predictability in warfare.”
Walker said the Air Force is committed to investment in S&T and embracing new paradigms in capability development.
The Air Force’s fiscal year 2017 President’s Budget request for S&T is approximately $2.5 billion which is an increase of approximately 4.5 percent over the Air Force’s fiscal 2016 President’s Budget request.
USAFE-AFAFRICA commander talks global precision attack
The leader of Air Force operations in Europe and Africa spoke on the importance of global precision attack in his region during the Air Force Association’s Air Warfare Symposium Feb. 26.
In charge of a force in Europe that’s 75 percent smaller since the Cold War ended in 1989, said Gen. Frank Gorenc, the U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa commander, it’s critical to use all resources and innovation available to get the mission done.
“I absolutely love our vision statement: World’s greatest Air Force, powered by Airmen, fueled by innovation. I know we have resource problems, but the bottom line is it doesn’t alleviate us of the requirement to be the world’s greatest Air Force,” Gorenc said. “It clearly puts the burden on our Airmen to continue to fuel what has been complete success since 1947 — I love that.”
Global precision attack, the commander said, has changed the DNA and nobody doubts the ability of our Air Force to deliver.
Military spouse employment partnership reaches milestone
The Defense Department announced on Feb. 29 that the Military Spouse Employment Partnership program has now partnered with 300 employers, according to officials from the DOD Spouse Education and Career Opportunities Office.
The program, launched in June 2011 by Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, is an employment and career partnership connecting military spouses to partner organizations and companies who have committed to recruit, hire, promote and retain military spouses in portable careers.
“This is such an exciting and important milestone for the program and for the thousands of military spouses around the world who search for meaningful employment and career opportunities,” said Rosemary Williams, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for military community and family policy.
“The Military Spouse Employment Partnership addresses the employment challenges facing military spouses while providing partner employers with access to a pool of highly qualified military spouses,” she said.
The partnership includes corporations, small businesses and other organizations that post job openings on the Military Spouse Employment Partnership Career Portal, mentor military spouses and other employers, and provide employment data on military spouses hired, officials said.
Cody testifies to readiness, resilience of Airmen, families
Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Cody testified on the quality of life in the military before the House Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs on Capitol Hill Feb. 26.
“There is no doubt today’s Airmen are the most talented, educated and experienced force our country has ever assembled,” Cody said. “They are professional men and women who are proud to serve, but remain concerned as fiscal restraints limit their capacity to accomplish the mission and erode at the compensation they earn in service to our nation.”
During his testimony, Cody focused on several areas concerning the service’s quality of life, to include compensation and readiness.
“Our Airmen continue to provide the preponderance of combat force against our adversaries around the globe,” Cody said.