15 Apr 2007

OHA, COLA surveys to be distributed soon

Military members who reside in the local community will soon receive a request to participate in two important surveys that could affect their wallets. The Overseas Housing Allowance and Cost of Living Allowance surveys will be sent to all military who reside off base via email. The OHA survey could affect the money people get for their housing

11 Apr 2007

Unique operator refuels the war

The KC-135 Stratotanker helps the Air Force accomplish its mission by providing gas during flight. But to accomplish its mission, this fuel station in the sky requires an operator with a very unique job. He goes by the name of "Boom" or Boom Operator. Staff Sgt. Larry Nahalea has refueled various jets as a boom operator aboard KC-135 Stratotankers

11 Apr 2007

Recalls may come in, but products don't go out at Kadena's commissary

Kadena's commissary takes safety seriously when it comes to keeping recalled food from getting into the carts of its customers. The Defense Commissary Agency's mission is to provide groceries to military members, retirees and their families in a safe and secure shopping environment. With the various food recalls in the past few months, the

11 Apr 2007

Kadena garners AF installation excellence awards

Air Force officials recently recognized 16 units, programs and individuals at Kadena for excellence, the most of any base in the Air Force. Three units, five unit programs and eight Team Kadena members were named 2006 Commander-in-Chief Installation Excellence Special Recognition award winners. Kadena's 18th Services Squadron received the five unit

6 Apr 2007

Commander support staffs consolidate at group level

The 18th Mission Support Group became the final group on Kadena to consolidate its individual squadron commander support staffs into one staff that will support all personnel assigned to the group. "In order to meet our strategic, long-term personnel planning goals, combining the squadron CSS's under the MSG will effectively streamline personnel

2 Apr 2007

Jeopardy searches Kadena for contestants

Alex Trebek, host of the "Jeopardy" television game show, visited Kadena March 31 to search for future contestants as part of a USO-sponsored tour of military bases in the Pacific region. "There are military members stationed all around the world and some of them are on long deployments," Mr. Trebek said. "As a result, they don't have the

1 Apr 2007

U.S. citizens can file immigrant visa petitions for family members through U.S. Consulate on Okinawa

Immigrant visas for families of U.S. citizens on Okinawa can once again be processed through the U.S. Consulate General in Naha, a service that stopped in late January. "We are happy to once again be able to provide this important service to our military colleagues and their families," said Kevin Maher, U.S. Consul General in Naha. American

1 Apr 2007

Jeopardy host Alex Trebek visits Kadena

1 Apr 2007

Kadena Airman gives SECAF insight on deployed job

Staff Sgt. Joseph Bozsoki seldom appears at a loss for words. The munitions Airman from Kadena Air Base is always ready to talk, so it's no surprise he was selected to brief the Secretary of the Air Force during a tour of 407th Air Expeditionary Group facilities March 28. Sergeant Bozsoki had only a couple of minutes to detail the Ali "ammo"

29 Mar 2007

Pacific Air Commandos head to Korea for annual ORE

More than 400 members of Kadena's 353rd Special Operations Group practiced wartime skills needed to survive and operate during a recent exercise deployment to Korea. "It's our first game of the season," said Col. Raymond Chapman, 353rd SOG commander. "We will continue to exercise and train and get even better. From this exercise we'll take our

29 Mar 2007

Services opens Kadena's new pet boarding facility

Kadena's Karing Kennels opened a new pet facility March 23, bringing animal boarding services to a 300 percent increase for cats and a 30 percent increase for dogs. The $2.4 million complex, located just inside of Gate 3, is climate controlled and has five wading pools for dogs built in to the 8,800-square-foot complex. "The old facility was

29 Mar 2007

Chief of Chaplains: Change is way of life in Air Force

The Air Force chief of chaplains likens Airmen to Jack Bauer of television's "24" fame. "Just like Jack Bauer, we know trouble is out there because we're all fighting the Global War on Terror," said Chaplain (Maj. Gen.) Charles Baldwin. "Every day, we accept not only the personal troubles of life, but also the responsibility of the national and

27 Mar 2007

Kadena commissary to reveal new look after temp closure

The Kadena Commissary will close one hour early March 31 and be closed April 1-2 for a major reorganization intended to make the store more customer friendly. The Defense Commissary Agency is in a continual process of changing how  product is placed on commissary shelves, according to Mr. Rene Francisco, Kadena commissary  store director. New

24 Mar 2007

Military women sharp--and showing it

March is Women's History Month--a time to celebrate the grandmothers, mothers, sisters and daughters who are all at the heart of a movement that brought about significant changes in education, politics and law, religion, work, social reform and health. These women from all walks of life took long strides to ensure the acknowledgement of their

24 Mar 2007

Air Force officials release 2007 posture statement

Air Force officials released their annual posture statement which articulates the major elements required for the Air Force to fulfill its mission and its priorities over the course of the next year and into the future. The secretary of the Air Force and the Air Force chief of staff testified before the House Armed Services Committee Feb. 28,