Air Force saves Airmen time, no longer requires first year evaluations

Source: U.S. Airforce



Air Force officials announced Jan. 4, 2018, Enlisted Performance Reports are no longer required for regular Air Force Airmen in the grade of airman first class and below with less than 36 months’ Time-In-Service or Air Reserve Component Airmen below the grade of senior airman.

Read more about this at the U.S. Airforce

Wright-Patterson AFB to provide safe haven to aircraft in path of Hurricane Irma

Source: The U.S. Airforce

Washington, D.C. - September 8, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- The 88th Air Base Wing at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is receiving aircraft and their associated aircrews evacuating from several military installations threatened by approaching Hurricane Irma.

Eight F-15 Eagles from the 125th Fighter Wing, Jacksonville Air National Guard Base, Florida, landed at Wright-Patterson AFB Sept. 7, 2017.

The F-15s are expected to be joined by eight Navy P-8A Poseidons and six Navy P-3C Orions from Patrol Squadron Thirty, Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida; and three C-17 Globemaster IIIs from the 437th Airlift Wing, Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina.

Col. Bradley McDonald, 88th ABW commander, spoke to the importance of providing hurricane relief efforts and assistance. He said support was already provided in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey by the 88th ABW and Reserve partners, the 445th Airlift Wing at Wright-Patterson AFB.

"Our hearts go out to all those impacted by Hurricane Irma, and we are grateful that we have the opportunity to help and support those in need," McDonald said. “We have the resources and capabilities to be a safe haven for aircraft, both Air Force and our sister services, that need to move out of the potential path of Hurricane Irma.”

Anticipated aircraft seeking safe haven include KC-130 Super Hercules from Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, and F/A-18 Hornets from NAS Paxtuxent River, Maryland.

Additionally, the colonel announced that 100 of the base’s medics and equipment are prepared to deploy as part of an emergency medical clinic capability and are awaiting orders.

Base officials here are closely watching the approaching storm’s track and intensity.

Air National Guard responds, too

Meanwhile, a team of six personnel from the 269th Combat Communications Squadron at Springfield-Beckly ANGB, Springfield, Ohio, left Sept. 7, with a truck and trailer full of equipment to provide communications assistance in Puerto Rico.

Capt. Craig Conner, the 269th Combat Communications Squadron detachment commander, is one of the personnel going to Puerto Rico.

“We started preparing at the beginning of this week. We can provide a quick response to enhance much-needed emergency communications,” he said. “It’s something we expect. We understand there is a great need, and we are looking forward to providing assistance.”

Keesler PERSCO team preps to support Harvey relief effort

Source: U.S. Air Force

Keesler Air Force Base, MS - September 4, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- A six-person Personnel Support for Contingency Operations team made up of 81st Force Support Squadron members is set to deploy from here this weekend to Texas to support Hurricane Harvey relief and recovery efforts.

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The PERSCO team will be primarily responsible for the accountability of all the deployed military members supporting hurricane relief efforts in the area to include active-duty, Reserve and Guard from all branches.

The PERSCO team will be stationed out of Kelly Annex near Joint Base San Antonio Lackland, Texas. All ground commanders will be responsible for reporting the status of their personnel to the PERSCO team on a regular basis.

“The team will have to account for all military members taking part in recovery and rescue efforts, no matter where they are they will be required to report their status up to the Air Force Personnel Center in case members get seriously injured or go missing,” said Master Sgt. Krista Mercadel, the 81st FSS military personnel section superintendent. “Accountability in vital to keeping commanders on the ground informed about service member strength at all times.”

Mercadel also mentioned that the team is ready and excited for this deployment and does monthly training to prepare themselves for just such a mission.

“The team is excited about going, their happy to be able to do their job in a deployed location,” said Mercadel, “the members of (Keesler AFB) are there for our fellow wingmen no matter where they are or the circumstances. “

The 81st FSS team includes of Chief Master Sgt. Leslie Jackson, superintendent, Master Sgt. Nikki Gulley, NCOIC career development, Tech Sgt. Jamie Bell, assignments counselor, Staff Sgt. Deltron McRae, student personnel assignment counselor, Senior Airmen Corey Easley, force management journeyman, and Thanh Ngan Le, retention counselor. They will be joined with five others service members from Goodfellow Air Force Base to create an 11-person team.

“This is why we’re here, to help people out and accomplish the mission,” said Lt Col Teresa Ammons, the 81st FSS commander. “We’re very excited and so happy to be able to go down and help people get back on their feet.”