SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE -- Authorization bill
In addition to a 2.2 percent across-the-board pay raise, Air Force reservists can look forward to better health care options in 2007.
Starting Oct. 1, 2007, drilling reservists can enroll in the new Tricare Standard for Selected Reserve health plan. They pay 28 percent of the premiums. The federal government picks up the rest of the tab.
People covered by the Federal Employees Health Benefit Program are not eligible for the new plan. The plan replaces the current three-tier Tricare Reserve Select system.

New Reserve command chief
A reservist stationed at the Pentagon will become Air Force Reserve Command's command chief master sergeant March 8, 2007. AFRC commander Lt. Gen. John A. Bradley selected Chief Master Sgt. Troy J. McIntosh from among 10 nominees for the position.
Air Force reservists from all categories - traditional reservists, individual mobilization augmentees, air reserve technicians and Active Guard Reserve members - applied for the command's top enlisted position.
Chief McIntosh has been the superintendent of the AGR Management Office in the Pentagon since April 2005
He will succeed Chief Master Sgt. Jackson A. Winsett, who has served as the AFRC command chief master sergeant since November 2004.
Chief Winsett plans to retire from the Air Force Reserve in March 2007.

Aimpoint of an unrivaled wingman
As a combat ready force, Air Force Reserve Command is preparing not only to come alongside but also to take the lead as needed.
To accomplish that task, it will remain a drill-based force, predominately composed of experienced people.
It will be a primary source for retaining people with prior regular component experience. If that pool of experience is not available, the Air Force Reserve will develop its own.
It will shape the future mix of Full Time Support manpower to meet mission and training requirements. It will leverage and develop the strengths of a diverse force and train leaders to recognize and employ those strengths.
It will provide leadership opportunities to the best and most capable.
The Air Force Reserve will continue to offer opportunities for people leaving active duty to serve as traditional reservists.
It will define active-duty experience as more than time spent in the regular component.

Flight attendants
The 932nd Airlift Wing at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., continues to hire flight attendants for its C-9C and C-40 distinguished-visitor missions.
Applicants must qualify for a top secret clearance, be available to fly a 10-day trip every three months and be within the Air Force fit-to-fight standards.
Also, they must pass a board interview process and meet flight physical requirements as a flying crew member.
For more details, call 618.229.7173.

IMAs, units to share reductions
Faced with eliminating 7,700 personnel authorizations, Air Force Reserve Command officials have decided to divide those cuts between individual mobilization augmentees and unit reservists--roughly 3,850 troops from each program.
The Air Force Reserve looked across both its unit and IMA programs to pay its Program Budget Directive 720 bill. In the next three years, the Air Force will cut about 40,000 positions in the active force.
The reductions will help fund aircraft modernization as the Air Force relies more on future technology. There are still job opportunities in the Air Force Reserve - that currently exist or are being created - for those interested in serving in the Selected Reserve.

Air Force officials take 'Strategic Communication" to next level
Top Air Force leaders attending a strategic communication summit here Dec. 19 outlined an ambitious blueprint for Airmen to tell the nation about their service's contributions to the war on terrorism.
Secretary of the Air Force Michael Wynne and Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley said they want to move decisively over the course of the next year to empower Airmen at all levels to explain what the Air Force brings to the fight and how Airmen are serving heroically alongside their Army, Navy and Marine partners.
Those attending the summit also heard from a panel of marketing and branding experts who advocated for a consistent internal and external message effort.
They noted that the Air Force has many stories to tell; but it's important to target relevant stories to specific audiences to heighten the impact of the messages.
Additionally, in support of an effort to enhance the Air Force brand, the panel recommended identifying and highlighting the different ways the Air Force is engaged in the fight and the capabilities it brings.
Senior leaders described the next year as critical in explaining the vital role that airpower plays in the joint fight and convincing Congress and the public that a recapitalized and vibrant Air Force is critical to the nation's security.