SSgt. Austin May, a public affairs specialist with the 100th Air Refueling Wing at RAF Mildenhall, Britain, designed the new wings occupational badge to be worn by airmen without previous flying qualification who will operate remotely piloted vehicles. The first class of these airmen graduated Sept. 25 at Creech AFB, Nev. and received these wings. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz approved May’s design, which May, a native of Katy, Tex., refined and perfected over an eight-month period based on feedback from Air Staff officials. May, already creator of the comic strip “Air Force Blues” chronicling the life of an Alaska-based pilot, said it was a “thrilling opportunity” to design the wings; he is now honored to be part of unmanned aircraft history. (SAF/PA report by TSgt. Amaani Lyle)
Airmen and Guardians in the Active and Reserve component, as well as civilian employees, in “mission critical and high-risk populations” are now required to receive influenza vaccinations annually to “preserve force readiness,” according to a recent Department of the Air Force memo.