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The article discusses the incursions by unidentified flying objects (UFOs) into North American airspace. Topics discussed include need for better systems and capabilities to detect and respond to potential airborne threats, the frustration of lawmakers over the lack of situational awareness, and the efforts being made by the North American Aerospace Defense Command(NORAD).

The article focuses on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to the White House and Capitol Hill to secure U.S. long-range munitions and persuade Republicans to pass a 25 billion U.S. dollar aid package for Ukraine, emphasizing the urgency of assistance in the ongoing war. While the majority of senators support providing another aid package, there is resistance in the House, with some Republicans opposing additional aid and demanding conditions.

The article focuses on how House Republicans in Colorado and Alabama considered including constraints on Space Command's temporary base in Colorado Springs in the fiscal 2024 defense authorization bill. It reports that, the Armed Services Chairman Mike Rogers urged Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall for a decision on permanent headquarters.

The article informs that Joe Biden, President of the U.S., signed the annual defense authorization bill into law on December 23, 2022 despite administration concerns over its repeal of the military's coronavirus vaccine mandate. It is noted that officials had raised objections over the inclusion of the COVID-19 vaccine mandate repeal, put in place by defense officials in late 2021.

Profiles several U.S. military personnel and other people who were affected by the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the U.S. Retired Navy Lieutenant Kevin Schaeffer; Army Staff Sergeant Matthew Hess; Reserve Officers' Training Corps Cadet Theresa Cunningham.

Reports on legal controversies surrounding the promotions system in the United States Air Force.

Reports on the testing requirements for promotion of enlisted personnel in the United States Air Force.

Reports on the promotion of eligible United States officers to chief master sergeant. Winding down of the drawdown on promotions; Air Force goals in promotions since 1990.

The article provides information on the voluntary and mandatory retraining programs announced by the U.S. Air Fore for non-commissioned officers in over manned Air Force Specialty Codes (AFSC). A voluntary retraining program is also being promoted by the Air Force for first-term airmen. The objective of the Air Force is to urge airmen in over manned AFSC to switch back to career fields they held earlier in their careers.

The article deals with the response of U.S. Air Force crews to detractors of the C-130J Hercules transport plane. They said that advanced computers and upgradeable software improved its capabilities while eliminating the need for a navigator and flight engineer. The Defense Department's Office of the Inspector General noted that its propellers made it unable to perform in a weather reconnaissance mission. Airmen cited the ability of the plane to climb high altitudes faster than its predecessor.

Reports on the aeromedical evacuation operation of the U.S. Air Force. Medical equipment and supplies carried in the C-17 Globemaster transport plane, including bandages and cardiac monitors among others; Injuries and illnesses treated by the aeromedical evacuation staff; Number of patients that could be carried by the C-17 plane.

Provides information on the two concepts of service dress coats to be introduced by the U.S. Air Force in May 2006 which are modeled from the uniform worn during the World War I. Interest of Air Force Chief of Staff General T. Michael Moseley on the history and heritage of the military which reflects on the coats; Ability of airmen to express their opinions about the proposed coats through an e-mail address provided by the Air Force; Remarks from Staff Sergeant Jesse Leeper regarding a military uniform he prefers.

Reports that the 919th Operations Group, the most awarded special task force under the U.S. Air Force is facing reorganization. Awards received by the reserve unit; Equivalent of the Gallant Unit Citation; Information on the gallantry of the unit.

The article discusses several issues surrounding Brigadier General Richard S. Hassan, director of the U.S. Air Force Management office at the Pentagon, as of February 2006. Hassan, who was charged with sexual harassment, was demoted to Colonel and forced to retire in March. During his trial, a number of unnamed female employees testified about his sexual misconduct.

The article provides information on recommendations given by airmen in the U.S. regarding changes in their uniforms. Technical Sergeant Steve Mahoney wanted to eliminate the use of flight caps. According to Staff Sergeant Erik Nordstrom, maintainers should have uniforms similar to a pilot. Some airmen criticized the lack of pockets in the shirt of battle dress uniforms.

Presents the views of several military service members on the pays and fringe benefits they received from the U.S. government. Air Force Staff Sergeant Art Ayala; Marine Master Sergeant Joseph Reed; Corporal Michael Zagola Jr.

Questions the capability of the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command to handle simultaneous wars. Requirements of the US military to meet airlift demands for near simultaneous wars; Comments from Major General Charles Coolidge, director of operations and logistics for the US Transportation Command at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois; Definition of the ton-miles total.

Reports on the decline in the United States Air Force's readiness rate, as a result of the lack of spare parts for its planes. Readiness rate decline between 1991 and 1998; Expected impact of the $300 million budget set for spare parts; Challenges facing the depot maintenance and supply management head.

Reports on the US Air Force's development of a policy to address the growing popularity of tattoos, body piercing and brandings. Provisions of the policy pertaining to the frequency and proportion of allowed tatoos on airmen's body; Motivating factors which led to the development of the policy; Rules of other service units for tattoos.

Reports on the ban announced by United States Air Force officials against the use of commercial study guides for promotion tests. Claim that the ban is necessary to protect the integrity of the enlisted-promotion testing program; Airmen's puzzled reaction toward the ban; Other explanations concerning the ban.

Focuses on the members of the United States Air Force's Generation X. Characteristics; Perceptions concerning independence, institutions and organized religion; Opinion of Air Force officials on the generation's conduct; Factors affecting the generation's attitudes and concerns; Reasons why the generation preferred Air Force from the rest of the units; Distinction from the baby boomers and the silent generation.

Details non-Christian recruits complaints' of religious discrimination and insensitivity at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. Manifestations of religious bias; Air Force base officials' denial of the complaint; Remarks made by retired Rabbi Irvin Ehrlich, the Jewish chaplain at Lackland from 1985 to 1989, regarding the problem. INSET: At Lackland, many faiths are served, by Bryant Jordan..

Reports on the abundance of medals that can be awarded to an Air Force personnel. Types of medals; Approval by the Defense Department of the Armed Forces Service Medal; Comments of sergeant Constantine Sgagias. INSET: Buckets of medals.; A ribbon is more than a decoration.; A....

Discusses various aspects of promotion in the United States Air Force. Criteria for selection; Increasing importance of senior enlisted corps; Changes in the promotion-board makeup; Discussion of the process of promotion.

Discusses 25 ways on how to improve the United States Air Force. Includes changes in the recruiting process; Limitation on time-in-service and grade promotion points; Changes in rank progression; Options for fitness testing. INSETS: What you think the Air Force needs;A few other ideas.

Focuses on the effort of the United States Air Force to increase the salaries and allowances of its airmen. Move of the Air Force to re-enlist those who have left the service; Information on the program of the Air Force to attract and retain its pilots; Details on the issue.

Focuses on the efforts to correct the errors in wearing of military uniforms in the United States. Common uniform errors; Accessories allowed for military; Controversial changes on military uniforms. INSETS: Military fashion police keep troops in vogue;Test your dress etiquette.

Provides information on the Air Mobility Command's Rodeo 1998 competition for the United States Air Force held June 21-25 at McChord Air Force Base in Washington. Features of the competition; Three categories of the Rodeo; How the competition become more realistic. INSET: Roundup.

The article offers information on the war of the U.S. with Iran for its nuclear weapons program. Topics discussed include targets of Iran such as radar and missile batteries; devasting impact of war on populations, infrastructure, economies and political systems; and activity of the U.S. president in avoiding war with Iran.

The article profiles U.S. Air Force Major Matt Yocum and former Marine Lance Corporal Zachery Sherman, writers for Marvel Comics. It says that Yocum wrote a story for "Giant Size Avengers Special No. 1," a collection of stories about a superhero group whose members include Captain America and Spider-Man while Sherman's story is included in the comic book anthology "Marvel Comics Presents. It mentions that Yocum is assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel while Sherman once worked on special effects for George Lucas' Industrial Light and Magic.

The article reports on the signing of a petition by more than 2,400 U.S. Air Force Reserve technicians or their supporters seeking to reverse a new policy requiring them to wear their uniforms on the job, even while on civilian status. Lieutenant General John Bradley, chief of the Air Force Reserve, said that the policy is in effect for reserve technicians not covered by collective bargaining, but for those who have union representation, it is only a matter of time since, at the end of the day, the new policy will be the rule.

The article focuses on the retraining of U.S. Air National Guard servicemen in Battle Creek, Michigan as they prepare for the move of several A-10 Thunderbolt military airplanes to Selfrigdge air base in Detroit. Captain Penny Ripperger acknowledges that the wing's transition from fighters to unmanned aerial vehicles has been difficult as guardsmen must make hard choices.

The article announces the recipients of the U.S. Air National Guard's airmen of the year award for 2006, including Jesse Permenter, Lawrence Taylor and Michael Keller.

The article features Timothy Montjoy, an information manager at Robins Air Force Base in Georgia who has been playing poker since 2003. Montjoy has already won about $40,000 for joining poker tournaments and has already played in six professional tournaments since February 2006. His reasons for playing poker is mainly of pure financial reason since he is just earning roughly $51,000 in basic pay, housing, food allowances and tax advantages.

The article focuses on the arguments raised regarding the U.S. Air Force's request for about $90 million to purchase thousands of new handguns for its airmen. It mentions that the Air Force wants to replace the Defense Department-standard M9 handguns with .45-caliber handguns. Also cited are the reasons of Air Force officials for requesting for such handguns. A comparison between the features and capabilities of a .45 unit and a 9 millimeter (mm) handgun is provided.

The article focuses on the plan of the U.S. Air Force to extend the Basic Military Training (BMT) program by two weeks and develop a facility where recruits will learn to set up, defend and support a forward air base. The 1996 bombing at Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia prompted the Air Force to grow more combat-oriented airmen. It notes that the plan requires adding personnel and costs. Airmen will practice buddy care and respond to chemical and biological threats, among others, during exercises.

The article presents updates on issues related to armed forces. The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Summit 2007 will be held in Alexandria, Virginia. A series of special stamps is being used by the British Royal Mail to honor U.S. airmen from World War II. A recruiting drive is launched by Iraq for pilots to help rebuild its devastated air force.

The article reports on the Combat Action Medal to be given by the U.S. Air Force to the increasing number of airmen whose jobs involve being shot at by the enemy. The medal will be attached to a red and gold ribbon and will include a detail that refers to airman Billy Mitchell. According to Lieutenant General Roger A. Brady, the medal is intended for those who get into combat in the course of duty and not for airmen who are in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The article focuses on the effect of the plan of U.S. President George W. Bush to send in 20,000 reinforcements in Iraq on aircrews and maintainers. The airpilots and crews of the U.S. Air Force are working hard to sustain the military's occupation of Iraq. The plan of Bush will prompt greater demand for civil engineers. It cites the challenges facing the U.S. Air Force in planning and executing mission to, from and inside Iraq.

The article reports on the decision of the U.S. Air Force to reduce the percentage of officers it will promote to colonel in 2007. The service has also ended the continuation boards for lieutenant colonels who meet the 28-year maximum federal service ceiling. Position-vacancy promotions to major would be 30 percent of the mandatory board quota and 20 percent for lieutenant colonel. The changes in the colonel selection process are an attempt to give a good chance of success to officers.

The article focuses on the opposition of a group of retired senior officers regarding the nomination of U.S. Brigadier General Terry Heggemeier for the Legion of Merit by Army Major General Larry W. Shellito. It outlines the charges filed against Heggemeier. His fellow soldiers are against his nomination because of his alleged involvement in ending the careers of two military officers. It cites the efforts of retired officers to express their allegations in a letter against Heggemeier.

The article reports on the use of online/television campaign, gaming Web sites and racing venues by the U.S. Air Force to recruit. According to Tim Talbert, deputy chief of strategic communications division for U.S. Air Force Recruiting Service, the service is recruiting for the future. It is said that online advertising budget of the service was increased.

The article reports on the enrollment of all U.S. Air Force airmen in the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF). The CCAF tuition assistance was increased to 100 percent of cost in 2002. 291,000 associate degrees were awarded by CCAF since it was established. There was an increase in the percentage of first-year airmen with at least 15 college credits.

The article reports on the results of U.S. Air Force recruitment. It is said that there is still shortage in critical healthcare areas such as doctors, dentists and nurses even though more than 100 percent of the goal of the U.S. Air Force were recruited. The U.S. Air National Guard has achieved 97 percent of its goal.

The article provides information on the comic book "Children of the Grave," by former U.S. Marine Tom Waltz. The story is about war at its most fundamental level. By mixing war and horror, Waltz addresses justice, atonement and forgiveness. This was first published as a four-part series by Shooting Star Comics in 2005. It was reissued in the summer of 2006 as a trade paperback by independent comic house IDW Publishing.

The article reports on the Air and Space Conference 2006 of the U.S. Air Force Association in Washington D.C. from September 25 to 27, 2006. The key topics of the event include more training for airmen, consolidation of the force and college credits for professional military education. The leaders of the U.S. Air Force promoted plans to train and equip airmen for more missions.

This article reports on a new badge to be received by U.S. Air Force civil engineers in the readiness career field. The Readiness Occupational Badge features crossed retorts which are widely recognized symbols for chemical work. The new badge will be worn by airmen who respond to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats, as well as accidents.

This article reports on the involvement of U.S. Air Force officers in spotting illegal immigrants on the Mexican border in 2006. They were equipped with gadgets and weapons to monitor illegal immigrants. The number of people who attempted to cross the border declined due to the participation of the Air Force in the effort. They work with Army and National Guard members.

The article reports on the decision of the U.S. Air Force to recognize the ground-combat experiences of airmen as discussed on a meeting with the Department of Defense. Chief of Staff T. Michael Moseley wants to make sure that air force members are recognized. Combat-tested soldiers who specialize in infantry will get the Combat Infantryman's Badge and the Combat Action Badge if they are in another field. Retired colonel Dave Bynum presumes that the convoy duty is the most dangerous duty in Iraq.

The article reports on the mission of airmen at the Balad Air Base in Iraq of delivering food and military supplies in the country via the C-130 Hercules aircraft which helps limit dangerous convoy missions that make soldiers vulnerable to attacks. Airmen involved in the mission said that they will just tolerate the heat inside the plane than see their fellow soldiers killed along the roads of Iraq.