House Approves FY2008 Defense Authorization Bill
The House of Representatives spent two days and approved more than 40 amendments before finally passing the fiscal year 2008 Defense Authorization Bill (H.R. 1585) with a 397-27 vote. It authorizes $648.5 billion, which includes $506.9 billion for Department of Defense and Department of Energy programs, as well as $141.6 billion in supplemental spending. The Senate is currently working on their Defense Authorization Bill. Click here to review highlights of the Bill.

Continuing Call to Action!
The Air Force is facing an unprecedented set of challenges as it works to build its future force. After 16 years of continuous combat operations, procurement accounts are inadequately funded, soaring personnel costs threaten other critical budget portfolios, and the Air Force faces challenges in maintaining aircraft on average 23.5 years of age, the oldest in the Air Force's history. The Air Force Association is working this problem at a variety of levels to create a broad level of support for the need for additional resources. Please continue to pass the word and direct people to AFA's "Call to Action" at http://www.capwiz.com/afa/issues/alert/?alertid=9650246 This feature allows people to easily contact their representatives on this critical Air Force funding issue.

Enlisted Perspective Remembers the First CMSAF
Chief Master Sgt. Paul Airey was selected as the first chief master sergeant of the Air Force on April 3, 1967. During his tenure he visited many bases and talked with many Airmen about improving conditions for the enlisted force. (U.S. Air Force file photo) Commemorating the 40th anniversary of the appointment of the first chief master sergeant of the Air Force is the subject of the latest Enlisted Perspective by Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley. Click here for story.

In Afghanistan, Mercy Missions are a Part of War
The 33rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron is the elite of the military's helicopter crews, trained to carry commandos behind enemy lines and retrieve pilots shot down in combat. But in Afghanistan, those are missions they are rarely called on to perform. So instead, U.S. commanders have drafted them into the effort to win the support of the Afghan people. Specialists in flying over dangerous terrain on moonless nights and in foul weather, the Air Force crews offer ordinary Afghans in isolated villages an extraordinary service that the Taliban and al Qaeda insurgents cannot - a fast ride to a good hospital. Click here for Wall Street Journal article.

Ramstein Security Forces Honor Fallen Comrades
A1C Nathan Smith kneels in respect for a fellow Airman while Airman Antonio Dickens renders a salute during the Last Guard Mount Ceremony May 16 at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. The ceremony, which recognizes fallen security forces members, was held in conjunction with National Police Week. Airmen Smith and Dickens are assigned to the 435th Security Forces Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by SrA Levi Riendeau)

Airman Dies in Support of Operation Iraqi Freedom
DOD announced the death of an Airman who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Staff Sgt. John T. Self, 29, of Pontotoc, Miss., died May 14 as result of enemy action near Baghdad, Iraq. He was assigned to the 314th Security Forces Squadron, Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark.

Air Force Creates First Unmanned Aerial Systems Wing
The Air Force activated the 432nd Wing on May 1st, its first ever unmanned aerial systems (UAS) wing at Creech AFB, Nev. The wing assumes control of the MQ-1 Predator and the MQ-9 Reaper squadrons. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) builds both air vehicles. Click here for story.

SecDef Administers 1st Commissioning Oath to ROTC Cadets
Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates administered the oath of commission to 55 joint-service Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets and midshipmen from schools across the United States in a ceremony May 17 at the White House. Among them, 16 Air Force cadets joined the ranks of the Air Force's commissioned officer corps. The ceremony was a first in military history. Previous laws required a commissioned military officer to administer the oath. However, a change in the 2007 National Defense Authorization Act gave the president, vice president and secretary of defense authorization to administer the oaths of commission and enlistment. Click here for story.

Airman's Roll Call Focuses on Combat Action Medal
In the spirit of cultivating warrior ethos in all Airmen, Air Force officials created the Air Force Combat Action Medal, which recognizes Airmen who have engaged the enemy. Through an evolution of Air Force warfighting roles, more Airmen are finding themselves involved in combat actions. Some Airmen have earned awards from other services to reflect this, but Airmen should wear Air Force awards on Air Force uniforms, said Gen. T. Michael Moseley, the Air Force chief of staff. The medal reaches back to Air Force heritage and is scarlet red with diagonal yellow stripes, similar to the art on Brig. Gen. Billy Mitchell's aircraft. Read this week's Airman's Roll Call at Click here

Airman Saves Four Lives, Earns Soldier's Medal
Col. Michael Bartley awards SSgt Scott White with the U.S Army Soldier's Medal May 10 at Nellis AFB, Nev. Sergeant White is an explosive ordnance disposal technician assigned to the 99th Civil Engineer Squadron's EOD Flight. Colonel Bartley is the 99th Air Base Wing commander. (U.S Air Force photo by A1C Nadine Barclay) Click here for story.

New Tactical Vehicle Rolls onto Moody
Airmen of the 820th Security Forces Group at Moody AFB, Ga., received two of the 18 new light medium tactical vehicles scheduled to replace the aging five-ton M923 and 2.5-ton "Deuce" M35 utility trucks. The group is expected to receive nine five-ton capacity medium tactical vehicles and nine 2.5-ton capacity LMTVs to replace all of its older vehicles. Click here for story.

Donated Mural Honors Servicemembers
Servicemembers arriving at the passenger terminal at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, examine a mural donated by artists Paul and David Eisemann. The mural has messages and signatures from many first responders in the 9/11 attacks in New York, Pennsylvania and the Pentagon. (U.S. Air Force photo by SSgt Kevin Tomko)

Hurricane Hunters Fly Year's First Storm Mission over Atlantic
The Hurricane Hunters answer the call to an early kickoff of this year's hurricane season, which arrived nearly a month early with the development of Subtropical Storm Andrea off the coast of Georgia. This year, the state-of-the-art WC-130J aircraft will be equipped with the Stepped-Frequency Microwave Radiometer which allows the Citizen Airman of the Hurricane Hunters to constantly measure surface winds directly below the aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by TSgt James Pritchett) Click here for story.

Airmen Missing in Action from WWII Identified
DOD's POW/Missing Personnel Office announced May 11 that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, missing in action from World War II, have been identified and are being returned to his family for burial with full military honors. First Lt. Archibald Kelly, U.S. Army Air Forces, of Detroit, Mich., will be buried May 12 in Great Lakes National Cemetery at Holly, Mich. Click here for details.

Air Force Repatriates Remains from Libya
Air Force officials recently returned from Libya with the remains of 72 deceased Americans, believed to be family members of Airmen once stationed at Wheelus Air Base located outside of Tripoli, the nation's capital. Wheelus was active from about 1958 to 1972 as a B-52 Stratofortress base and Airmen were permitted to have their families with them. The dead were buried at a cemetery run by the Italian military, which had offered Americans stationed at Wheelus a free plot and marker. At the time, there was no entitlement for American servicemembers to have deceased family flown home, so many Airmen took the Italians up on the offer. Click here for story.

TRICARE Uniform Formulary Update Announced
Selected medications are continuing on the TRICARE Uniform Formulary and 10 others have been designated as nonformulary (or third tier) effective August 1, 2007. Click here for a chart showing medication status.

A Grand Parade
A young girl shows support for her mother May 19 during the 48th Annual Armed Forces Day parade in Torrance, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo by TSgt. Raheem Moore)

AFA Announces Space Camp Winners for 2007
The Air Force Association is pleased to announce the winners of our U.S. SPACE CAMP essay contest. We received over 1,000 well-written and creative essays from students in grades 7-12 nationwide. Our scholarship winners will receive roundtrip airfare, tuition and room and board for a week at SPACE CAMP during the week of July 15, 2007. Our congratulations to all the winners and our thanks to all the students who participated....you are all winners! Click here for list of winners.

AFA's 2007 Air Force Civilian Employee Award Winners Announced
The Air Force announced four civilian Airmen as 2007 Air Force Association Outstanding Air Force Civilian Employees of the Year awards recipients. The winners are: 1) David L. Smart, Hurlburt Field, Fla., Civilian Wage Employee of the Year; 2) Christopher R. Nordberg, Hill AFB, Utah, Civilian Program Specialist of the Year; 3) Robert D. Lefever, Moody AFB, Ga., Civilian Program Manager of the Year; and 4) Robert Renko, Linthicum, Md., Civilian Senior Program Manager of the Year. The senior program manager award will be presented in September during AFA's 2007 Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition in Washington D.C. All other award winners will be recognized at appropriate state and local chapter ceremonies in coordination with the winner's local commander. Each winner is authorized the Air Force Recognition Ribbon lapel pin.

Tax-Free Giving from your IRA
Only 6 month's left to take advantage of a great opportunity. If you are age 701/2 or older, new legislation allows you to make cash gifts totaling up to $100,000 a year from your traditional or Roth IRA to AFA without incurring income tax on the withdrawal. This is good news for people who want to make a charitable gift during their lifetime from their retirement assets, but have been discouraged from doing so because of the income tax penalty. The provision is effective for tax years 2006 and 2007 only, so you must act by December 31, 2007 to take full advantage. For more information contact Lois O'Connor (loconnor@afa.org) at 1-800-727-3337 ext. 5832.

AFA/Grantham University Offer Full "Distance Education" Scholarship
The AFA mission includes promoting aerospace education, specifically the study of science, mathematics and technology. Through AFA's affiliation with Grantham University, AFA is pleased to provide a full 4-Year Online Degree Scholarship to an Active Duty Dependent, an AFA Member, or a dependent of an AFA Member. One (1) full four-year scholarship, bearing a total value of approximately $28,000, to Grantham University, also includes required books and software. To be eligible, candidates must have a high school diploma or GED. Deadline for applications is June 15. Click here for more information and an application.

AWACS 30th Anniversary Celebration
AFA's Gerrity Chapter, the 552nd Air Control Wing and the Tinker Heritage Foundation are pleased to announce the Air Force wide 30th Anniversary Celebration of the Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS), June 28-July 1, 2007. Events include briefings, wing activities and fly-bys at Tinker AFB as well as social gatherings, a golf tournament and banquet. Funds raised will help establish an endowment fund for the AFA Air Battle Manager Distinguished Graduate Award and assist the Gerrity Chapter AFA in completing the Tuskegee Airmen's Memorial at Tinker AFB. Click here for more information and to register.

Air Force Magazine Highlights
The May issue of AFA's Air Force Magazine includes " The Air Force in Facts and Figures", a Guide to Guide to Air Force Installations Worldwide, and a Gallery of USAF Weapons

AFAVBA TRAVEL PROGRAMS
Take advantage of the discounts available to you as an AFA member.

Budget & Avis Car Rental Discounts
If you'll be renting a car, compare rates using the AFA discount programs through Budget and Avis Car Rentals. Use the coupons too, to make your savings even better! Click here for Avis; Click here for Budget

Condo Rentals
Take advantage of unused RCI Timeshares for $299 per week - worldwide! You're not purchasing a timeshare and you don't have to listen to the sales pitch ... you're just taking advantage of RCI's Timeshares that are not sold or booked. They would rather receive $299 from AFA members than nothing at all. Whether it's an efficiency or a 3 bedroom ... in Alabama or the Caribbean ... in January or in August ... it's $299 for 7 nights' stay. The inventory includes condo units that resort owners do not use, which generally means off-season or short-notice travel. Use Veterans Organization #601 to make reservations. Click here to search availability.

AFAVBA Vacations for Cruises or Vacation Tours
If you're thinking about a cruise or other vacation tour, check out AFAVBA Vacations at www.afavacations.com or call 1-888-202-4068. AFAVBA Vacations is administered by Brennco Travel, one of the top accounts with every major cruise line and all the top touring companies. So you can expect some of the best prices around in addition to their award-winning service! The travel group has formed close working relationships with the cruise lines which means better care for our members and quick resolution if a problem was to arise. AFAVBA Vacations specializes in cruises and tours, and air, hotel, car rental and shore excursion reservations can be made at your convenience on the exclusive website. For full details visit www.afavacations.com or call 1-888-202-4068.

Enter for Free Cruise Give-Away
The next drawing for a free cruise will be held June 30th. Enter to win at http://www.afavacations.com/freecruise.html