by Capt. Tristan Hinderliter 451st Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs 12/26/2012 - KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (AFNS) -- "Hello, President Obama? ... I'm great, how are you?" So began the most memorable phone call of a six-month deployment for Senior Airman Keshia Shutts with the 451st Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron here, who received a Christmas morning … [Read more...]
Robot Will Serve as Future Military’s ‘Pack Mule’
By Terri Moon Cronk American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Dec. 19, 2012 – Soldiers who have to carry up to 100 pounds of equipment on their back is expected to get some relief from the burdensome weight. Enter the robot. It’s not just any robot. DARPA’s semiautonomous Legged Squad Support System -- also known as the LS3 -- will carry 400 pounds of … [Read more...]
Fical Cliff Fears Cause Change in Military Spending and Saving Habits
December 24, 2012 FORT WORTH, Texas – As the year-end fiscal cliff deadline approaches, military personnel are increasingly worried about their financial futures – and they are taking actions to shore up their household finances. The First Command Financial Behaviors Index® reveals that two thirds of middle-class military families (senior NCOs and … [Read more...]
Obama Gives Federal Workers Christmas Eve Off
American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Dec. 21, 2012 – President Barack Obama has issued an executive order closing all executive branch departments and agencies and giving employees the day off on Christmas Eve, Monday, Dec. 24, 2012. Offices and installations considered essential to national security will remain open however, and their employees will be required … [Read more...]
First Electronic Warfare Graduate Receives Crested Collar Insignia
December 19, 2012 By Cannoneer staff FORT SILL, Okla. -- Twenty-eight Soldiers in the Electronic Warfare Specialist Basic Course were the first students to receive the new Electronic Warfare, or EW, collar insignia at a graduation and cresting ceremony, Dec. 13, at Fort Sill. Students in Class No. 001-13 were pinned by warrant officers currently in the EW Technician Warrant … [Read more...]