National Guard

9/1/2008 - BATON ROUGE, La. (AFPN) -- As Hurricane Gustav made landfall on the Gulf Coast, the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security praised the men and women of the Air Force and the National Guard for their efforts during preparations for the storm.

Secretary Michael Chertoff said the services were especially useful to help evacuate people with medical needs, such as critical care patients, who would be unable to otherwise leave the area.

"It was really the Air National Guard and the Air Force who came to the rescue setting up an air bridge so we could fly people out on C-130s and C-17s," he said. "It was a real positive addition to the capabilities we have on the ground."    » read more »

ARLINGTON, Va. – The National Guard has enlisted two superstars to attract new members and remind those already serving what the Guard is all about through a new nationwide theater advertising campaign that debuts today.

The new “Warrior” campaign includes music from Kid Rock and features Dale Earnhardt Jr., the National Guard-sponsored NASCAR Sprint Cup driver.

Kid Rock poses with Army National Guard soldiers: He appeared after filming the "Warrior" video, which will premiere in more than 3,000 theatres around the country on Aug. 22. (Photo courtesy of the Army National Guard)    » read more »

FORT DIX, N.J. (AFPN) - Members of the Air Mobility Battlelab (AMB) here have helped KC-135 Stratotanker aircrews to see in the dark through the KC-135 Exterior Night Vision Imaging System-compatible Lighting initiative.

Teaming with the Air Force Research Laboratory's Night Vision Center of Excellence of Mesa, Ariz., a light-emitting diode, or LED-based system was designed to replace the KC-135's wing and tail navigation lights, boom nozzle light, upper and lower strobes and pilot director lights without any internal aircraft wiring changes.

Inside the boom operator compartment at the tail of the plane, night-vision friendly LED flood lights were added and some cockpit and boom pod switches were replaced to facilitate multi-mode operations.    » read more »

WASHINGTON, (08/12/2008) - Servicemembers traveling for official business, including deployments, will continue to receive full reimbursement for reasonable, authorized excess baggage fees, defense officials said.

A recently updated fact sheet from the Department of Defense Per Diem, Travel and Transportation Committee explains department policy regarding excess baggage in light of new charges many airlines have imposed for checked baggage.    » read more »

WASHINGTON, Aug. 13, 2008 – Defense Department officials are assessing ways to better prepare servicemembers, particularly members of the reserve and National Guard, for the stresses of combat so they’re better able to avoid alcohol-related problems when they return home, defense officials said today.

The goal, officials said, is to beef up existing strategies to address alcohol issues before and during deployments to mitigate post-deployment drinking problems.    » read more »

Today And Tomorrow

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 30, 2008 -- The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) continues to coordinate the operational and support activities of numerous federal agencies in response to continued flooding in the Midwest.

FEMA and its federal partners are working closely with state and local governments as well as with the private sector to support those areas still fighting the floods and to assist those beginning the rebuilding process.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

* Where waters have receded, FEMA disaster assistance workers are providing resources to individuals seeking assistance in the Midwest.    » read more »

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - The Army National Guard flew one of its CH-47 Chinook helicopters into Cedar Rapids on Monday to help the town turn its water back on. The massive helicopters were used to pluck seven electrical pumps from a well field in Northwest Cedar Rapids still under water. Water receded enough by Saturday for the pumps to be above water.

National Guard flood relief, Cedar Rapids, Iowa: An employee from the Cedar Rapids Water Utility prepares to attach a lift cable from an Iowa Army National Guard CH-47 Chinook to a damaged water pump on the Iowa River near Cedar Rapids, Iowa. U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt Jack Braden    » read more »