Hilltop Times – Hill Air Force Base Weekly Newspaper Since 1948

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio — Throughout my Air Force career, I’ve often reflected on what it means to serve. I’m proud of the work we do and the sacrifices we make every day so all Americans can continue to enjoy our many freedoms.

WRIGHT PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio —Team AFMC, sexual assault is a crime that violates our Air Force core values and erodes both morale and unit effectiveness. We remain unequivocal in our commitment to prevent incidents of sexual assault, provide victim care where assault has occurred, and hold those who commit such acts accountable. Sexual assault has no place in our Air Force.

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio — Air Force Materiel Command officials announced May 2 that its executive director, Steve Butler, will retire June 30 after 35 years of service. He will be replaced by Michael Gill, currently executive director of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center.

Patsy Reeves, currently AFMC’s director of contracting, will become AFLCMC’s executive director.

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio — During April and May, Air Force Materiel Command will be promoting its ‘Be Active: Physical Activity Initiative.’

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio — As a result of sequestration taking effect on March 1, the Air Force is expected to absorb more than $12 billion in reductions this fiscal year while simultaneously working to mitigate an overseas contingency operations funding shortfall and operating under a highly restrictive continuing resolution.

Air Force Materiel Command convened a task force this week to implement reductions and analyze mission impacts to the command based on guidance received from Headquarters Air Force, according to AFMC officials.

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio — Team AFMC,

As many of you have likely heard or read by now, Secretary of Defense Panetta notified Congress that civilian employee furloughs may occur if budget sequestration takes effect March 1. Civilian employee furloughs, if enacted, would begin late April, following a 30-day notice.

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio — Building on the success of its “Year of the Community College of the Air Force” campaign in 2011 and “Year of Continuing Education” campaign in 2012, Air Force Materiel Command rolled out a plan for the “Year of the Graduate” Jan. 1.

The Year of the Graduate, or YoGrad, will still emphasize continuing education across the command but will also recognize those who have completed degrees during this three-phase education campaign.

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio — The budgetary uncertainties currently facing the Department of Defense, combined with a projected $1.8 billion shortfall in Air Force funding for overseas contingency operations, require prudent steps to mitigate budget execution risks, according to Gen. Janet Wolfenbarger, Air Force Materiel Command commander.

The Hilltop Times and the Standard-Examiner sat down with Col. Sarah Zabel, 75th Air Base Wing commander, for a series of questions Jan. 3, before the Change of Command ceremony to be held next week (Jan. 11).

You are moving on?

I am moving on. The change of command is Jan. 11.

Will you be around after that?

Not for long. The timing of this change of command is because I'm going on to a class that all new generals go to. About the time it winds up I'm expecting to move into another job.