WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Some 924 enlisted aviators will find themselves with a new Air Force specialty code Oct. 31.

The new career field, 1A9X1 Special Missions Aviation, will merge aerial gunners with flight engineers on vertical lift aircraft, such as the HH-60 Blackhawks and CV-22 Osprey, with loadmasters on AC-130 Gunships and other non-standard aircraft used by special operations forces.

"The new career field was created to balance and sustain the career enlisted aviator force and to create a larger pool of qualified personnel to perform the duties required to meet the needs of current and future Air Force's missions," said Chief Master Sgt. Douglas Massingill, the career field manager for career enlisted aviators.

Master Sgt. Matthew Ardis, career enlisted aviator in-service recruiter, expanded on that point.

He said merging the career field of aerial gunners, which typically overflows with new applicants, and the career field of certain loadmasters and flight engineers, which often suffers from manning shortages, results in the sustainable balance of which Massingill referred.

The merger won't be too drastic for most of the affected Airmen, Ardis said, since many gunner duties already overlap with those of engineers and loadmasters.

"Flight engineers have been working guns since the guns have been on the aircraft," Ardis said.

The learning curve might be slightly steeper for loadmasters, but Ardis said he expects them to catch on quickly because, while they may not typically fire aircraft guns, they still have familiarity with their basic function and operation.

The requirements for Airmen or new recruits interested in joining the special missions aviation career field include the ability to:
· pass a class III flight physical,
· score at least 60 on the mechanical portion or 57 on the general portion of the armed services vocational aptitude battery test,
· lift 70 pounds
· and obtain a secret security clearance.

Airmen looking to retrain into this career field can contact Master Sgt. Matthew Ardis at cea.recruiting@pentagon.af.mil or (703) 697-1717.

ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. (AFNS) -- As news broke of NASA's Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) "Curiosity" rover's successful landing on the "Red Planet" Aug. 6, Arnold Engineering Development Complex's (AEDC) Hypervelocity Tunnel 9 Director Dan Marren was watching the live TV broadcast of the event.

"Last night, after eight months of high-speed flight, while you slept, NASA successfully landed the rover Curiosity on Mars," Marren said. "What I find refreshing is that for our part, there is an interesting story.

"Much of the success of the "7 minutes of terror" - that most challenging part NASA refers to from re-entry to touchdown - is directly related to sub-systems AEDC helped develop and validate. A solid heat shield and a proper deceleration parachute were crucial to putting the rover down safely. What is even more rewarding to me is that our capabilities designed many years ago for the original space race and strategic systems were so useful today enabling discovery and the natural curiosity of the human race."

"Curiosity" is the most highly advanced, mobile robot with the heaviest overall payload ever sent to another planet to investigate Mars' ability, both past and present, to sustain microbial life.

AEDC's role in supporting the MSL program has included evaluating the aerothermal loading of the heat shield at the complex's Hypervelocity Tunnel 9 facility in Silver Spring, Md., and assessing thermal protection system material candidates for the MSL's heat shield at the complex's central location in Tennessee. In addition, NASA and AEDC's engineers tested the MSL's full-sized parachute in the world's largest wind tunnel at National Full-Scale Aerodynamic Complex (NFAC) in California.

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO - RANDOLPH, Texas (AFNS) -- More than 13,400 senior airmen -- 40 percent of those eligible -- have been selected for promotion to staff sergeant.

To see the list, go to http://www.afpc.af.mil/promotions/ssgt.asp.

Staff sergeant is the first noncommissioned officer rank. Those selected will be promoted beginning in September, depending on their promotion sequence number. Selections are tentative until the data verification process is complete, which is no later than 10 days after the promotion release date.

The average score for those selected was 283.30, with an average time-in-grade of 1.93 years and time-in-service of 4.45 years. Weighted factor point averages were 131.59 for enlisted performance reports, .98 for decorations, 70.35 for the promotion fitness exam and 57.33 for the specialty knowledge test.

For more information about promotions or other personnel issues, visit the myPers website at https://mypers.af.mil.

August is almost here and the highpoints of the summer for the 446th Airlift Wing have passed. We've moved past the operation group's aircrew standardization evaluation, the Air Expo is over, and the various Fourth of July celebrations are in the bag. Time to relax except for one thing - the pending operational readiness inspection.

The 446th and 62nd Airlift Wings and the 627th Air Base Group will go through an Air Mobility Command Inspector General Operational Readiness Inspection Oct. 13-20. But before that, those tapped to participate will make another practice run with an operational readiness exercise Sept. 7 to 14.

August is really a time to push forward, not relax.

"UTAs are scarce and valuable commodities that need to be fully utilized," said Senior Master Sgt. Nicole Carman, 446th Airlift Wing Combat Readiness. "August is the last primary UTA left for the members playing in the ORI; they need to use it wisely. Let the polishing, pep talks and motivating speeches begin."

It's time to re-gage our sights on the wing's top priority for the past 12 months- the ORI.

"As a player myself, there are a few things that I'm doing to prep for September's ORE," said Lt. Col. Ray Luevanos, 446th Mission Support Group deputy commander. "First, I've dusted off my Airman's Manual and am keeping it on my desk so I can review a page or two each time I sit down.

"A significant portion of the ORI is open-book, meaning that if an exercise evaluation team member or IG Inspector asks you an ATSO (ability to survive and operate) question, you are encouraged to break out your Airman's Manual and talk him or her through the answer," Luevanos said.

Of course, it helps if that book is current.

"Make sure that you have the most current edition of the Airman's Manual dated 1 March 2009," Luevanos stressed. "You should also have sticker updates to pages 41, 69, 126, 127, 202, and Critical Information page 2. If you don't have this version of the Airman's Manual or you are missing these stick-on updates, please contact your unit deployment manager as soon as possible."

And Luevanos offered this tip for finding answers with speed: "Put tabs in your Airman's Manual to help you turn to specific sections even faster."

If you're feeling rusty on your chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, high yield explosive training and self-aid buddy care skills, you're not alone. The 446th AW readiness section is coordinating a basic ATSO skills review to allow inspection players to get some more hands-on training. This refresher training, time and place to be announced, will be on Sunday of the August UTA.

In the meantime, reservists need to make sure they accomplish all of their Total Force Awareness Training and Tier 2A training.

"The TFAT and Tier 2A training will be reflected in every mobility folder and eligible for inspection during the ORI," Carman said. "Completion of the required items and personal focus on the standard mobility folder will help expedite the team's audit."

TFAT training includes information assurance, force protection, human relations, information protection and suicide awareness.

Tier 2A training includes self-aid buddy care, CBRNE, counter IED, explosive ordnance reconnaissance, Air Force culture, Law of Armed Conflict, professional/unprofessional relationships.

Other mobility requirements include a current fitness test, small arms training, passport, immunizations, physical health assessment and dental exam, M-50 fit test, dog tags and security clearance, and at least 45 days retainability.

"If reservists are coming due for any medical requirements, focus on getting the questionnaires, health assessment, dental appointment, lab work and immunizations completed in a timely manner, rather than waiting until the last moment when appointments are limited," Carman said.

Another easy thing you can do is check your common access card to see if it expires in October or November. Making certain that CAC card is effective throughout the notional 45-day deployment can save you significant delays in the deployment line.

Other items you can inventory right now are your dog tags, flashlight, protective equipment (gloves, ear protection, eye protection), and gas mask inserts.

"Don't worry about reflective belts," Luevanos said. "These will be issued to everyone so we can be identified as 446 players. But you may want to bring an extra reflective belt if you have a backpack. Remember, the key is to be visible from any angle at night. By inventorying these essential items right now, you can save yourself some frantic, last-minute scrambling immediately prior to your departure."

So much for a laid-back August. But fear not, your efforts have not gone unnoticed.

"Wing leadership saw multiple examples of players with positive attitudes and can-do spirit during the May ORE," Luevanos said. "I have no doubt that by investing a little bit of time in preparation, we'll continue to build upon our success as we move toward October's ORI."

Imagine working in a building with no air conditioning, a leaky roof, cracked walls, a poor telecommunications system and no storage space for vital equipment. Add 150 people into a space designed for half that number and you'll get a glimpse into the workspace Reservists from the 446th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron have endured for more than three decades.

"The original building for AES was designed for a smaller squadron and almost the day they broke ground in the early 1980s, Air Mobility Command doubled the size of our squadron," Senior Master Sgt. Anthony Wilds, 446th AES superintendent, said. "We've always been crowded as a result."

Lt. Col. Kenneth Winslow, 446th AES director of operations, said the squadron has been working from McChord Field's alternate command post building for the past two and a half years while their regular structure (Bldg. 1210) was being renovated.

AES Reservists happily moved into their restored facility on McChord Field Monday, one designed with their specific needs in mind.

"The upside for us is more room in the new facility," Winslow said. "The new building has some additions, including a learning lab with all the necessary computer drops for Advanced Distributed Learning Service and Computer-Based Training. Now that we've gone up to 150 people, getting ADLS training done over a Unit Training Assembly weekend won't involve people competing for training space. That's going to be a huge advantage."

The recent renovation included the installation of a modern telecommunications and internet system for the squadron's Reservists.

"When they built our old facility, the design was based on late 1970s or early 1980s requirements and (then) we only had one computer that was used to cut flight orders," Wilds said, who is also a Tacoma firefighter in his civilian job. "Now, 90 percent of what we do involves CBTs. We are constantly inundated with new critical items and every time we get a new piece of equipment we have to be trained on it. If you're not trained on it, you don't fly. We're a flying medevac unit and effectively using CBTs is critical to how we maintain our mission readiness."

Coupled with increased office, conference room and training space, the 446th AES also gained a new equipment warehouse as a bonus.

"Over the years, our technology and equipment have changed and we had no storage space of our own," Wilds said. "Our last storage space was about an eighth of the size for what we needed and our equipment was stacked floor to ceiling. This new structure is nice because it allows us to readily get our gear out. The new structure provides storage for all of our in-flight AE kits, which are all War Readiness Material equipment. If they call us, we can leave in an hour," he said.

Despite all the inconvenience moving into temporary, smaller workspace two and a half years ago, Reservists from the 446th AES haven't missed a beat while delivering continuous mission support.

"We have not slowed down while preparing for the September Operational Readiness Exercise and the October Operational Readiness Inspection either," Wilds said. "A large portion of our squadron is currently deployed to Afghanistan and we've been preparing for OREs, ORIs and exercises the whole time we've been moving out or moving in."

The long wait is over now that the 446th AES has relocated to its "remodeled home."

"This has been a group effort with great support from the 446th Airlift Wing, the 446th Operations Group and of course the contractors and engineers who all helped work on the building," Wilds said.

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (AFNS) -- A C-17 Globemaster III carrying 23 passengers, plus a crew of 19, landed at Peter O. Knight airport near Tampa, Fla., rather than at the planned destination of MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.,  about four miles away.

The aircraft, flying in support of U.S. Central Command, was apparently undamaged and there were no injuries.

There appears to be no damage to the airfield. In concert with airfield officials, the Air Force is planning to move the aircraft to allow Peter O. Knight airport to re-open.

The incident is under investigation.

Joint Base San Antonio - Randolph, Texas (AFNS) -- Airmen stationed at overseas long tour locations who extend their tour Aug. 1 or later may be eligible for incentives, Air Force Personnel Center officials said.

Recent changes to the Overseas Tour Extension Incentive Program will affect members who make a "date eligible for return from overseas" decision Aug. 1 or later. Some Air Force specialty codes have been added to the eligibility list, while others have been removed, said Bill Warner, the AFPC Assignment Programs and Procedures Branch chief. The OTEIP exists to increase stability and decrease permanent change of station costs, he said.

"Incentives are offered to all enlisted members who extend their overseas short tour by 12 months," Warner said. "Enlisted members in specific career fields at overseas long tour locations are also eligible when they extend their overseas long tour by 12 months.

Eligible Air Force Specialty Codes are periodically reviewed and approved by the Secretary of the Air Force.

Airmen who accept OTEIP can opt for one of three incentives: $2,000 special lump sum payment, 30 days of non-chargeable vacation time or 14 days of non-chargeable vacation time and funded travel (for the military member only) to the nearest stateside port and back.

These eligibility changes are the result of a June 2012 revalidation review, Warner explained. During the review, various criteria were evaluated, such as critical manning levels and overseas/stateside balance, as well as such factors as operational tempo and resource availability.

"Under-manning at the 7-level is one reason a couple of career fields were added," Warner said. "Air traffic control is 63 percent manned at the 7-level and combat control is at 57 percent, so OTEIP offers incentives to keep those members in place an extra year."

Career fields were identified for removal from the incentive list for various reasons, including administrative and manning level changes, Warner explained.

"The 1T191, or aircrew life support, field is no longer a valid career field, so removing it was an administrative decision. Other fields have seen overseas manning levels improve, so incentivizing someone to remain an additional year is no longer necessary," he said.

OTEIP changes are effective for Airmen currently assigned overseas at long tour locations who make a DEROS extension decision Aug. 1 or later. Airmen who have already requested and received an approved DEROS extension under OTEIP will not be affected, Warner said.

To see the list of added and removed career fields, go to the myPers website at https://mypers.af.mil and enter "OTEIP" in the search window For more information about other assignment opportunities and personnel issues, visit myPers.

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO--RANDOLPH (AFNS) -- There's a smart phone application for just about everything these days, including joining the ranks of the Air Force's military training instructor corps.

The app, simply called "Air Force MTI," is free and available for Apple, Android and Blackberry devices.

"It takes a special person to be an MTI," said Master Sgt. Eric Gaona, an MTI in the 737th Training Squadron, who recruits for the corps. "Becoming an MTI allows you to highlight yourself as a leader who can mold civilians into Airmen -- it's a great career move."

The Air Force is looking to beef up its MTI corps, as the goal is to have 565 training instructors. Currently, there are roughly 475. Gaona said the corps is especially looking to recruit female instructors so the MTI corps is representative of the number of female Airmen in the service.

Women make up approximately 20 percent of the service, yet only around 10 percent of the MTI corps consists of female Airmen, Gaona said.

In the "MTI Life" segment of the app, potential applicants will find a comprehensive and entertaining collection of photos and videos of basic military training, and can view the entire experience from orientation to graduation. What's particularly special about the app is the week-by-week breakdown of BMT, which contains images, videos and a training schedule for each week. "MTI Perspective" videos highlight the key take-aways for each week of BMT from the viewpoint of an MTI.

The app provides a thorough snapshot of what the job entails, while providing a general understanding of what it takes to become one of the most disciplined leaders in the Air Force.

"What's great about being an MTI is the hands-on employment of the leadership skills you develop," Gaona said. "You'll learn and do much more than you thought was possible in the three to four years of being an MTI, setting you apart from those who only learn about leadership in a classroom."

The mobile app provides information on eligibility requirements and the application process including links, contact information and the applications themselves. There are also photos, a video library and information on the MTI Shadow Program -- an opportunity for an interested member to shadow an MTI to experience the career for themselves.

Other segments include a robust FAQ section, and a section devoted to Air National Guard and Reserve personnel. To download the app, simply search for "Air Force MTI" in the app market.

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. -- Air Force officials selected Capt. Eleanor "Ellie" Morgan, a C-17 Globemaster III pilot assigned to the 4th Airlift Squadron at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, as the winner of the 2012 Federally Employed Women Military Meritorious Service Award.

"This award means the world to me," said Morgan, a Bethlehem, Penn., native. "I feel truly honored to have been nominated and hope that I can continue to help provide learning and growth opportunities for other women."

According to her nomination package, Morgan was instrumental in the 4th Airlift Squadron's Pilot for a Day program for children with terminal illnesses, which raised more than $5,000 and ultimately provided the opportunity for 12 children and their families to participate in an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Morgan counts her involvement in this program as one of her most proud accomplishments.

"The program has given children and their families the unique opportunity to spend a day in the life of a C-17 pilot and get to participate in all kinds of unique hands-on activities," said Morgan. "I think the most rewarding part of it is knowing how meaningful it is for the families. They will cherish those memories for a lifetime, especially since many of our children in the program often suffer from various illnesses, some of which are terminal."

In addition to the Pilot for a Day program, Morgan coordinated a former Women's Air Service Pilot to speak at Joint Base Lewis-McChord's Women's History Month luncheon this year and while deployed she volunteered at a school for deaf children in Adana, Turkey, where she planned a holiday party and raised more than $1,000 for the school.

Morgan is a C-17 aircraft commander with more than 1,200 flight hours. She has accumulated more than 500 combat hours flying in support of Operation Iraqi and Enduring Freedom and Operation New Dawn, in addition to supporting humanitarian relief efforts around the globe.

"Ellie is truly an inspiring woman and well deserving of this award," said Lt. Col. Thomas O'Connell, 4th Airlift Squadron commander.

Morgan graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in systems engineering. She is a member of Academy Women (a non-profit organization which supports the personal and professional growth of current, former, and future women military officers), The Ninety-Nines (an international organization of female pilots in support of advancing women in aviation), and Women Military Aviators, Inc. (a corporation formed to promote and preserve the role of women pilots, navigators, and aircrew in the service of their country during times of war and peace). Her involvement in these organizations provides her with an opportunity to connect with other females in similar career fields.
"I think it's very important to encourage women to explore and pursue their interests in these fields and to provide them with role models and mentors that they can look up to, ask questions and learn from," said Morgan. "They may never know what they are truly capable of or have the potential to achieve without exposing them to the limitless opportunities that lay before them!"

The FEW award will be presented to Morgan's representative in July at the 43rd National Training Program ceremony in Detroit, Mich. Morgan will be unable to accept the award because she is currently deployed to Southwest Asia as a member of the Combined Air Operations Center. Her position there works with Diplomatic Clearances for aircraft within and around the Middle East and the Horn of Africa. She will return to JBLM this fall.

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas (AFNS) -- Airmen who want to attend university overseas, be a White House fellow, serve a two-year fellowship in Japan or compete for an information assurance scholarship have until July 31 to submit their application, Air Force Personnel Center officials said.

"These programs help us develop Airmen, which is one of the Air Force's top three priorities," said Lt. Col. Cotina Jenkins-Sellers, the AFPC officer developmental education chief. "Leaders emerge from these programs with greater knowledge of our role in defense and national security and a broader view of our place in the global arena."

Olmsted Scholar
The Olmsted Scholar Program is an opportunity for Air Force line officers to study in a foreign language at an international university overseas. Candidates selected for the program will experience cultural immersion in the selected country, including university study in the native language. Interested applicants can go to the George and Carol Olmsted Foundation website, www.olmstedfoundation.org, for more information about the program.

White House Fellowship
The White House Fellowship Program provides promising leaders with first-hand experience in the American government process. Selected candidates work for a year as special assistants or senior executives to cabinet-level agencies or in the executive office of the president. For more information about the Fellows program, interested applicants should go to www.whitehouse.gov/about/fellows.

Mansfield Fellowship Exchange
Airmen interested in cultural immersion in Japan can look into the Mansfield Fellowship Exchange Program. This first-of-its-kind fellowship, for the U.S. and Japan, enables federal government employees to develop in-depth understanding of Japan, learn how its government works and develop relationships with their Japanese counterparts. For more information about this rigorous two-year program, and for application instructions, go to www.mansfieldfdn.org.

Information Assurance Scholarship
To meet the growing need for qualified information assurance personnel, the Department of Defense has established the Information Assurance Scholarship Program. Eligible candidates could earn master's degrees in cyber operations or information resource management, or doctorate degrees in electrical or computer engineering. The scholarship program covers tuition, fees and books, with follow-on placement based on Air Force needs. Application information is available on the myPers website at https://mypers.af.mil.

"In addition to exposing Air Force leaders to cultural and political environments outside their normal duties, the special programs support the Air Force continuum-of-learning model designed to continue to grow leaders throughout their careers," said Jenkins-Sellers.

For full eligibility criteria and application instructions, or information about other personnel issues, visit myPers at https://mypers.af.mil.