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One AWACS lands at D-M for Boneyard Storage

One NATO E-3A AWACS an effort to modernize the fleet identified for retirement at overflow, and aircraft disposal.

(Airborne Warning and Control and reduce overall manpower this time. Tucson is the ideal loca-

System) departed NATO Air costs while prudently managing Aircraft from all branches tion for the Boneyard due to

Base Geilenkirchen, Germany limited resources. of the Department of Defense, its dry, temperate climate,

and landed around 1 p.m. June NATO has planned to mod- other government agencies which reduces corrosion, and

23, for storage in the ‘Boneyard’. ernize 14 of its 17 AWACS, and international partners are the hard caliche subsoil which

This is the first ever NATO and due to budget restric- sent to the Boneyard for stor- supports the weight of over

AWACS to be retired. The deci- tions has decided to retire age, preservation, parts rec- 4,000 aircraft without the

sion to retire one E-3A was made one AWACS aircraft in 2015. lamation, aircraft regenera- need to pave the 2,600 acres

by the North Atlantic Council in No more AWACS have been tion, depot-level maintenance, where they are parked.

Enhanced e-learning for cyber Airmen

Tech. Sgt. Luke Thornton program embodies that mantra. This is very exciting; our Airmen NEWS
will have options for the first time on how they choose to learn!”
Air Force Space Command Cyberspace Support Squadron
The AF e-Learning is portable; it allows Airmen to access train-
WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Air Force cyber Airman training takes ing via desktop workstations, personal laptops, smart phones or
a giant leap forward with the latest enhancement to AF e-Learning. mobile devices. AF e-Learning is accessible, regardless of an Air-
man’s duty station.
The upgrade allows Air Force supervisors and trainers to facilitate
better skill-level upgrade and on-the-job training with customizable “The cyberspace domain is a dynamic working environment; the
learning programs that can be updated on the fly to remain current workforce training model must be too. AF e-Learning provides that
as technology changes. dynamic training capability while maintaining standardized training
efforts,” Campbell said.
Computer-based training courses typically cover few training
tasks and take hours to complete. Now, supervisors, training manag- AF e-Learning offers upgrade training and continuing education
ers and the Air Force cyber training team at Keesler Air Force Base, resources to help active-duty, Reserve, Guard and Air Force civil-
Mississippi, can drill down using modules, chapters and videos to fo- ian cyber professionals achieve their goals. Any eligible Air Force
cus cyber Airmen on particular tasks. This will shorten the amount member can take advantage of free training resources in a variety of
of time Airmen spend on task training while allowing them to learn subject areas, including but not limited to: business skills, network
in a way that works best for their learning style. security, continuous process improvement, project management,
desktop applications and leadership training.
Keeping pace with social media trends, wiki and blog capabili-
ties are also now available in the AF e-Learning environment. AF “Books24x7” provides a comprehensive, fully-searchable library of
e-Learning blogs allow users to engage with and exchange ideas with 25 thousand online books and 15 thousand videos. The entire library
other students, subject matter experts, and career field or functional can be accessed for free on all mobile devices. These resources are
managers. AF e-Learning wikis have the potential to create a great available for all levels of expertise and experience.
source of community knowledge, information and collaboration on
training resources. The AF e-Learning program is managed by Air Force Space Com-
mand Cyberspace Support Squadron at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.
“AF e-Learning is making great progress with an eye on agility and
affordability with this upgrade,” said Chief Master Sgt. Chip Camp- To access the AF e-Learning site, log into the Air Force Portal
bell, the Air Force cyberspace support career field manager. “This and type in “AF e-Learning” under the quick links section on the
main page.

AF recognizes LGBT service members during Pride Month

Staff Sgt. Heather Davis it. The story of lesbian, gay, bi- The most significant gov- throughout her career. During
sexual and transgender Ameri- ernmental step toward LGBT a routine Security Forces train-
162nd Wing Public Affairs cans is no different.” equality came in 2010 with the ing exercise, a fellow female law
repeal of Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell. enforcement officer refused to
The last decade has given Since 2012, the Department partner with McIntyre because
way to great change in the of Defense has followed suit “The hardest part was hear- there were rumors she was gay.
military as it marches toward with the nation in recognizing ing the judgement and prej-
the crumbling walls of dis- the plight of gay, lesbian, bisex- udice against what people “It’s just rude,” said McIntyre.
crimination against gay, lesbi- ual and transgender individuals think we are like,” said Tech While deployed, prior to the
an, bisexual and transgender with LGBT Pride Month. These Sgt. Casandra McIntyre, an repeal of Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell,
service members. men and women have battled aerospace security specialist the discrimination was even
for their personal rights while with the 162nd Wing Security more rampant. McIntyre fre-
“The true genius of America fighting for the freedoms of oth- Forces Squadron. quently overheard negative
is that America can change,” ers--braving criticism, judge- commentary regarding gay
said President Barack Obama. ment and prejudice just to live a McIntyre has been a member service members, discussions
“Change happens because of life of integrity, a life with rights of the wing for 16 years endur- about segregation and the de-
ordinary people, countless un- that many take for granted. ing many hardships and criti-
sung heroes of our American cisms about her personal life See LGBT, Page 11
story who stand up and demand