Commander's Call topics for Friday Feb. 3, 2012

Feb. 3, 2012

"We will be a smaller but superb force that maintains our agility, our flexibility and readiness to engage a full range of contingencies and threats." Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz following the Defense Department's major budget decisions briefings Jan. 26.

 

 

 

►CURRENT ISSUES

African Americans in aviation history profiled during February

After more than a decade into the 21st century, our Air Force today is made up of a mix of ethnic backgrounds -- people who work together for common goals and missions. But throughout our history, even throughout much of the 20th century, that hasn't always been the case.

 

Official outlines absentee voting options

Federal officials are urging military members, their families and other Americans living outside the U.S. to register to vote and request an absentee ballot.

 

AF concludes military transfer case photo investigation

The investigation of the 345th Training Squadron's Air Transportation Course class graduation photograph concluded recently.

 

SecAF releases statement on OSC report

Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley released a statement Jan. 31 regarding the Office of Special Counsel's report concerning the investigation into reprisals against the whistleblowers at the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations.

 

► PERSONNEL ISSUES 

Civilian developmental education applications due beginning in March

Air Force civilians interested in developmental education should work on their nomination packages now, Air Force Personnel Center officials advised.

 

►FAMILY, HEALTH AND SAFETY

Safety officers offer cold-weather tips

Despite an unseasonably mild winter for much of the U.S., military safety officials offer a reminder that Old Man Winter still has two months to go as they underscore the importance of winter safety for service members and their families.

 

►TECHNOLOGY

ESC working to upgrade the 'heart' of control, reporting center

The Electronic Systems Center is working to modernize the U.S. Air Force Control and Reporting Center and has recently put out a request for information to upgrade the CRC Operations Module.

 

 

 

 

 

 

►RESOURCES

 

AF.mil

http://www.af.mil

 

Airman magazine

http://www.airmanonline.af.mil/

 

Air Force Community

http://www.afcommunity.af.mil/

 

Air Force Outreach

http://www.afoutreach.af.mil/

 

Military OneSource

http://www.militaryonesource.com/

 

 

Military HOMEFRONT

http://www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil/

 

Air Force Personnel Center

https://gum-crm.csd.disa.mil

http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/

 

Air Reserve Personnel Center

http://www.arpc.afrc.af.mil/

 

Department of Defense

http://www.defense.gov  

 

Department of Defense News

http://www.defenselink.mil

 

Department of Veterans Affairs

http://www.va.gov

 

TRICARE

http://www.tricare.mil

 

U.S. Government Website

http://www.firstgov.gov/

 

Employment Opportunities

www.usajobs.com

www.nafjobs.org  

 

 Air Force Association Scholarships

http://www.afa.org/aef/aid/scholars.asp

 

 

 

 

 

 

►THIS WEEK IN AIR FORCE HISTORY

Feb. 3, 1946 - At Columbus, Ohio, the U.S. Army Air Forces disclosed the development of a plane with automatic devices for takeoff, flight and landing. The pilot only had to monitor the equipment.

 

Feb. 4, 1985 - After studying the use of women in missile crews, the Strategic Air Command decided to use gender-specific (all-female) crews in Minuteman units. The first class of six female Titan II launch control officers started Minuteman qualification training at Vandenberg AFB, Calif., in October. They were scheduled for duty with the 351st Strategic Missile Wing at Whiteman AFB, Mo., in January 1986.

 

Feb. 5, 1905 - Thomas S. Baldwin took part in a 10-mile race between his dirigible and an automobile. The dirigible and its pilot won by three minutes.

 

Feb. 6, 1959 - The Air Force successfully launched its first Titan I Intercontinental Ballistic Missile from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.

 

Feb. 7, 1999 - From Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., a Delta II rocket launched carrying the first spacecraft designed to intercept a comet and bring samples back to earth. The spacecraft was named Stardust.

 

Feb. 8, 1908 - The Secretary of War approved bids by the Wright brothers, Augustus M. Herring, and James

F. Scott to build the U.S. Army’s first plane.

 

Feb. 9, 1972 - The Boeing EC-137D testbed aircraft for the Air Force’s Airborne Warning and Control System made its first flight.

 

 

For more information on Air Force heritage, visit http://www.airforcehistory.af.mil.  

 

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