Senate approves Florida GI Bill
The Florida Senate unanimously passed the Florida GI Bill, House Bill 7015, March 11, which is recognized as Florida National Guard Day at the Capitol.
Officials discuss Special Ops in budget request
Hurlburt Field – Air Force and Department of Defense leadership provided insight into the Fiscal Year 2015 proposed budget, including growth in special operations, during a briefing to the press March 4.
Air Force officials announce force structure changes
Washington (AFNS) – Air Force officials released force structure changes March 10 resulting from the fiscal year 2015 President’s Budget announced March 4.
Air Commando receives second Purple Heart
Hurlburt Field – Master Sgt. Ronnie Brickey, United States Air Force Special Operations School Force Protection Branch NCO in charge, received his second Purple Heart during a ceremony at Hurlburt Field Feb. 20 for wounds received in action as an explosive ordinance disposal technician in Iraq.
Tabor takes command of Air Warfare Center
Duke Field – Col. David Tabor took command of the Air Force Special Operations Air Warfare Center during an assumption of command ceremony at Duke Field, Feb. 27.
More than $100,000 donated to family of special tactics airmen
Shortly after U.S. Air Force Special Tactics Airman Master Sgt. Josh Gavulic died in a training exercise Feb. 21 in Elroy, Ariz., members of the Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) Association established a fund for his family.
Eglin releases report about fatal hangar incident
According to an investigative report, historically low temperatures followed by rapid thawing lead to a valve failure and the inadvertent High Expansion Foam (HEF) discharge that resulted in the death of a civilian contractor Jan. 8 in King Hangar at Eglin Air Force Base. Three other Eglin personnel were treated with inhalation injures.
Whiting Field conducts mass casualty exercise
Whiting Field’s security team conducted an exercise Feb. 20 that tested elements of the base and mutual aid agreements with police and fire services from Santa Rosa County. According to NAS Whiting Field Spokesman Jay Cope, “The Solid Curtain/Citadel Shield exercise is an annual force protection and anti-terrorism program that runs this year through Feb. 28.”
Tuskegee Airman shares life lessons at Hurlburt
“Keep your bags packed because you never know when a door of opportunity will open for you,” said Retired Chief Master Sgt. Walter Richardson during a presentation Feb. 19 before nearly 200 airmen in Hurlburt Field’s King Auditorium. He was one of 1,500 enlisted men selected to begin desegregation of the military in 1949.
Whiting to participate in anti-terrorism exercise
Naval Air Station (NAS) Whiting Field – NAS Whiting Field is participating in Solid Curtain-Citadel Shield ’14, an anti-terrorism/force protection exercise that will be conducted on all continental United States Naval installations through Feb. 28. The exercise began Feb. 18.