OCR Text |
Show HILLTOP TIMES r lien4P 3 SecAF releases statement on OSC report American Forces Press Service W SCOTT M. ASH/U.S. Air Force Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz delivers comments about the new defense strategy to members of the media in the Pentagon on Jan. 27. Throughout the ongoing budget process, Schwartz said, the Air Force will remain committed to its ongoing responsibilities to provide globally-postured, regionally-tailorable, fullspectrum air power. CSAF: Air Force will be smaller but superb force BY TECH. SGT. RICHARD A. WILLIAMS JR. Air Force Public Affairs Agency W ASHINGTON 4Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz explained the service's contributions to the new Defense Department strategy during a Pentagon press briefing Jan. 27. Schwartz said that as the Air Force approaches future constrained budgets, service officials will trade size for quality in order to ensure a ready force. "We will be a smaller but superb force that maintains our agility, our flexibility and readiness to engage a full range of contingencies and threats," Schwartz said in the news conference, which followed the Defense Department's major budget decisions briefings Jan. 26. With Airmen regularly serving jointly and deploying with their coalition counterparts, the Air Force must ensure its unique contributions to national security are preserved, he added. "Air Force capabilities are clearly instrumental to the major priorities of the new defense strategic guidance, such as deterring and defeating aggression, power projection in antiaccess and area-denial environments, preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction, space and cyber operations and strategic deterrence," Schwartz said. Future plans call for the Air Force to reduce its total force end strength by approximately 10,000 personnel, the general said. The changes will be tied to reductions in aircraft and other force structure, and are not being made to simply save money, he added. Confronted by a complex security environment and significant reduction in defense resources, the Air Force determined that the best path forward was to become smaller in order to maintain and protect a high quality force, Schwartz said. "To avoid a hollow force, we must and will protect readiness at any force TUSKEGEE From page 1 don't hear about like Lt. Col. Har- vey whose contributions are just as important and directly affect the reason I'm able to wear this uniform today." "The Tuskegee Airmen are a glittering part of our history," said Hill Aerospace Heritage Foundation Chairman and retired Lt. Gen. Marc Reynolds. "It's important that the public understands the contributions of the Tuskegee Airmen to the war effort." This event is free and open to the public. Patrons will have an opportunity to take photos with Lt. Col. Harvey at the conclusion of the event. level and strengthen our integration of the total force team of active, Guard and Reserve Airmen," Schwartz said. "It is our intent, indeed our obligation, to the American people and our Airmen that we will remain the world's finest Air Force in the years and decades to come." Schwartz said the Air Force supports a new round of base realignment and closures as a way to reduce excess infrastructure, and echoed comments from senior defense officials that the Block 30 version of Global Hawk would be terminated. "The reality is that the Global Hawk is not less expensive to operate than the U-2," Schwartz said, confirming that the Air Force would continue to use the U-2 rather than the Global Hawk Block 30 as a way to reduce costs. "And in many respects, the Global Hawk Block 30 system is not as capable, from a sensor point of view, as the U-2." Schwartz also touched on the importance of the nuclear triad, stating "the diversity, the variety and the attributes associated with each leg of the triad actually reinforce each other to a great degree." Other key programs and investment priorities for the Air Force include the KC-46A tanker, F-35 Lightning II and the future long range strike bomber, Schwartz said. "The bottom line is these are important capabilities for the nation and ones that we will make sacrifices in other areas to sustain," the general said. Schwartz ended the news conference by touching on the importance of America's service members, and their families, to the success of the armed forces. "I would just like to remind everyone that the real power of our Air Force, like our sister services, is our people, and not only in the excellence that they strive to provide, but also in the commitment that their families offer us on a daily basis," Schwartz said. OTHER AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH EVENTS • Poets and artist exhibit at the Base Exchange and the Gerrity Base Library, Feb. 9, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. • Health Screening Seminar, Feb. 13, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Warrior Fitness Center. • African American History Cultural Trivia Game, Feb. 17, 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Hill Field Elementary School. • Gospel Extravaganza choir concert, Feb. 24, 7 p.m. at the 2nd Baptist Church in Ogden, sponsored by the AAHM committee. • Book readings every Tuesday at the Child Development Center on base, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., throughout the month of February. ASHINGTON — Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley released a statement Jan. 31 regarding the Office of Special Counsel's report concerning the investigation into reprisals against the whistleblowers at the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations. "The Office of Special Counsel has provided the Air Force with its findings from their investigation into reprisals taken against employee whistleblowers at the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations," Donley said. "The OSC has found that this did occur. The Chief and I believe strongly there is no place for reprisal in the Air Force. Reprisals against employees are unethical and illegal and counter to Air Force core values. We take violations of the law seriously and have appointed a two-star general to review the report and take appropriate action. "In the meantime, work continues on the independent assessment I directed to examine disciplinary actions taken at AFMAO," he added. "It is my intention to review this assessment, along with any actions taken based on the OSC reprisal investigation, and provide the Secretary of Defense with a final report on all disciplinary actions. "Throughout this process, the Air Force remains committed to this mission as a solemn obligation," Donley said. "We continue to care for America's fallen with dignity, honor and respect and provide care and support for their families." The OSC is an independent federal investigative and prosecutorial agency that receives, investigates, and prosecutes allegations of prohibited personnel practices with an emphasis on protecting federal government whistleblowers. (Courtesy of Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs.) • Hill AFB Job Openings Site Internal civilian announcements are posted on the Air Force Personnel Center Web site. Announcements for bargaining unit positions are posted on Fridays. All other announcements may be posted any day of the week. The Civilian Announcement Notification System is a subscription e-mail service available to 2 assist employees in their job search. Self-nominations for posted announcements can be made on-line at www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/resweb, or via the interactive voice response system at 1-800-997-2378 and TDD 1-800-382-0893. • For into on NSPS visit http://www.cpms.osd.mil/nsps. ?O'rvEit, INA 01-9 40925 Studios 5924 South 900 West Roy, 84067 (lower level of Pine View Dental) (next to state liquor store in Roy) Pick.a.ceramic piece, plan a'design & paint it. We glaze and fire every piece Studio Fees plus the cost of your piece $1 off studio ee $4.00 kids 12 and under • $7.00 over 12 for military This fee covers the paint, fire & glaze for each piece. Special : No Studio fee through Feb 5th Feb 11th - bate Night -studio fee 2 for $8.00 Feb 23rd - PJ night/ $1 studio fee for kids 12 & under in PJs Feb 25th - Tween night - studio fee 2 for $6.00 Sundays Family day - studio fee $20 up to 5 people NOW OPEN Hours Mona 11-8 Friday 11-9 Saturday 10-9 Sunday 11-5 Exchange Concessionaire EYEGLASSES BUY ONE GET ONE 5 0% Visit us in the Base Exchange Building 412 801-776-3368 Eye Exams Available by Dr. Michael Larsen Independent Doctor of Optometry • TRICARE accepted. • Appointments are available. • Walk-ins are welcome. BUY CONTACT LENSES ONLINE AT www.MILITARYCONTACTS.net '50% off 2nd pair must be of equal or lesser value as the first pair purchased. Purchase of two complete pairs of eyeglasses required. Second free pair must be purchased with the first pair and at the same dale and time for the same person. Cannot be combined with any other discount. coupon or insurance plan. All eyeglass purchases require a current, valid prescription. Otter expires 03103112. ©all 2 National Vision, Inc. |