HAVE YOU READ YOUR KA TODAY?
June 2, 2017
Volume 41, number 22
Ramstein celebrates Memorial Day in France Story and photos by Airman 1st Class Joshua Magbanua 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs LORRAINE CEMETERY, Saint Avold, France — Military and civilian officials commemorated fallen service members in a solemn Memorial Day ceremony May 28. Delegates from the U.S., France, and other allied nations attended the annual tradition at Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial. The occasion included wreath layings, the formal presentation of colors, remarks from officials, and a flyover conducted by the 37th Airlift Squadron. Containing 10,489 graves, Lorraine stands as the largest American World War II cemetery in Europe. The area surrounding Saint Avold was a major battle ground in the war, with the town itself serving as a communications hub for enemy forces. U.S. and allied troops liberated the area in 1944. This year’s ceremony was especially notable, because it marked 100 years See LORRAINE, Page 2
French military officials receive a wreath from a U.S. Army representative during a Memorial Day ceremony May 28 on Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial, St. Avold, France. 2017’s ceremony was especially notable, because it marked 100 years since the U.S. entered the First World War.
WASHINGTON — The Air Force presented its fiscal year 2018 president’s budget request May 23, 2017, following the Defense Department and sister services’ budget briefings. Maj. Gen. Jim Martin, the Air Force budget director, said the request supports the Secretary of Defense’s commitment to strengthening the U.S. military by improving warfighting readiness and addressing critical shortfalls while building a larger, more capable and more lethal joint force. The Air Force requested a top-line
budget of $132.4 billion in Air Forcecontrolled funding that invests primarily in Airmen, readiness, nuclear deterrence operations, space and cyber capabilities, combat Air Forces and infrastructure. This budget serves as a step forward in the Air Force’s readiness recovery. Martin said recovery will take years, and success requires relief of Budget Control Act caps coupled with predictable, sufficient and flexible budgets. The budget supports a Total Force end-strength of 502,000 personnel, increasing the active force by 4,100 and the Guard and Reserves by 1,700.
For the Total Force, the budget supports: • A 2.1 percent pay raise for activeduty Airmen and a 1.9 percent pay raise for civilian personnel. • The addition of approximately 200 recruiters while sustaining more basic and technical training instructors who will support more than 29,000 enlisted accessions. • Increasing pilot training capacity and adjusting their incentive pay structure. • Increasing maintenance manpower and experience. • Reducing gaps in critical skill areas such as nuclear, cyber, intelligence,
FEATURE
by Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
NEWS
Air Force presents fiscal year 2018 budget
Kisling NCOA bids farewell to one leader, welcomes another, Page 7
In readiness, the budget funds: • Flying hours to executable levels See BUDGET, Page 6
LIFESTYLES
Tip of the Week:
This is the time for thunderstorms in Europe. Run to a safe building or vehicle when you first hear thunder or see lightning. Stay indoors until the storm passes and never shelter under trees.
surveillance, and reconnaissance and the remotely piloted aircraft communities. • Adding more than 200 military and 961 civilian personnel to support the chief of staff of the Air Force priority to reinvigorate squadrons and improve commander support staff manning across the Air Force, alleviating Airmen from administrative duties and increasing overall readiness.
Ramstein celebrates Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage, Page 10
Adventure tour offers fun for families Sunday, Page 16