Brig. Gen. Michael Callan, vice commander of 17th Air Force (Air Forces Africa) at Ramstein AB, Germany, in early June made his first official trip to Battle Creek ANGB, Mich., to meet with the Air Guardsmen of the 110th Air Operations Group who support his numbered air force. Callan praised the Air Guardsmen for their contributions. “The number of volunteers we have had for activations from the AOG is simply amazing,” he said. He said he looks forward “to breaking new ground” with them in supporting US Africa Command. The AOG stood up in April 2009. “One of the most impressive things about our partnership is that when AOG members are deployed to Ramstein or in Africa, they are absolutely indistinguishable from the active duty component,” said CMSgt. Michael Grimm, 17th AF command chief, who accompanied Callen. (Battle Creek report by TSgt. Alec Lloyd)
When acting Air Force Secretary Gary A. Ashworth rescinded service-wide “Family Days” last week citing the need to build readiness, he left it up to commanders, directors, and supervisors to decide if they would still permit extra days off. Here’s how Air Force major commands are taking that guidance.