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Sunday, Nov. 29, 2009

Military Notebook: New Air Force physical fitness standards delayed

The Air Force will push back plans to tighten physical fitness training rules six months, the Air Force public affairs office announced last week. The new standards will begin July 1, 2010.

The new rules guide leaders on the wear of their physical fitness uniform and raises expectations on aerobic fitness. Commanders will also be expected to test their airmen twice a year on physical fitness.

“We want to do this right,” Lt. Gen. Richard Y. Newton, the chief of Air Force manpower and personnel, said in a news release. “It’s about readiness and our continued commitment to ensure we have a fit force, ready to perform its global mission.”

Chambliss, Georgia lawmakers visit 48th Brigade troops in Afghanistan

Sen. Saxby Chambliss led a group of Georgians to Afghanistan this past week, having Thanksgiving dinner with the 48th Brigade of the Georgia National Guard. Chambliss was joined by Rep. John Barrow, D-Savannah, Rep. Lynn Westmoreland, R-Sharpsburg, and Rep. Tom Price, R-Roswell.

In a phone interview with The Associated Press, Chambliss urged President Obama to approve an increase in troops. Obama will speak Tuesday at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., to outline his plan to do just that, according to multiple reports.

The 48th Brigade has operated in Afghanistan since March. They are due to return home in the spring.

Japanese government cools on F-22

The final avenue for continuing the F-22 line, selling the aircraft to the Japanese government, may have hit a dead end. The Japanese defense minister has scrapped plans to purchase F-22s and instead focused on purchasing 40 F-35s, according to a Japan Times report.

Lawmakers supporting the F-22 program, including Chambliss, have thrown support behind proposals to sell a stripped-down version of the aircraft to Japan, only to run into stern opposition from the Pentagon.

Veterans invited to learn more about benefits at Griffin event next month

The Georgia Department of Veterans Service and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will be hosting a veterans’ benefits service and information session at the Georgia National Guard Armory in Griffin on Dec. 10. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

All Georgia veterans are invited to attend. A number of organizations that provide benefits to veterans — including the VA, TRICARE and the Social Security Administration — will have representatives at the event.

Seasonal flu vaccines will be given at the event.

Air Force to launch social networking site

The Air Force will launch its own social networking site Tuesday, USAFServices.com. The Web site will be a portal for an online community of airmen and Air Force family members, according to an Air Force news release.

USAFServices.com will replace and expand on the current Air Force online portal for social networking, AFCrossroads.com. Like Facebook or MySpace, USAFServices.com will allow users to join groups, link up with friends and share photos.

Because of security concerns, the military is ending GI Mail, its e-mail service for spouses.

To contact military writer Thomas L. Day, call 744-4489.