Thirteen journalists who write for blogs and other social media Web sites have seen up-close and personal how Pacific Air Forces’ C-17s conduct airdrop operations. Members of the 525th Airlift Squadron from JB Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, took these reporters aboard two of the units C-17s during a training mission held in and around Hawaii as part of the ongoing Rim of the Pacific exercise. “We’re excited to build and develop new relationships with additional people to help tell the Air Force story,” said Lt. Col. Maria Carl, PACAF director of public affairs, when discussing the July 16 social media event. She said PACAF’s vast geographic area of responsibility has caused command officials to be “a bit more innovative about how we deliver our messages.” (Pearl Harbor-Hickam report by TSgt. Matthew McGovern)
A provision in the fiscal 2025 defense policy bill will require the Defense Department to include the military occupational specialty of service members who die by suicide in its annual report on suicide deaths, though it remains to be seen how much data the department will actually disclose.