Dec 01, 2008 10:13AM

Lackland medical center labs receive 2-year accreditation

The labs at San Antonio Military Medical Center-South recently received a two-year accreditation from the AABB, an organization recognized by the industry for monitoring and advancing transfusion and cellular therapies worldwide.

The accreditation involved an intensive on-site assessment by AABB evaluators Nov. 18 and 19. 

Their findings proved that the labs at SAMMC-South, formerly known as the Wilford Hall Medical Center, met or exceeded their stringent standards. The AABB inspects approximately 1,800 facilities across the United States and abroad.
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Dec 01, 2008 09:52AM

NORTHCOM: Guarding the nation's borders

Thousands of U.S. military men and women are deployed across the globe promoting democracy, guarding freedom and fighting terrorism. They are the fingers of the nation's military, extending its reach and capabilities on an international scope. 

But as the events of Sept. 11, 2001, demonstrated, the United States is not impervious to attack. In the aftermath of these tragic actions, Department of Defense officials began to look at homeland defense in a whole new light. 
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Dec 01, 2008 08:59AM

Manas Airman receives surprise call from president

"This is the White House switchboard, can you hear me OK?"

With that, Senior Airman Victoria Drefs was finally convinced that her fellow Airmen in the 376th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron's petroleum oil and lubricants shop were not playing another prank on her.

Airman Drefs, a native of Armour, S.D., and three-year Air Force veteran, was one of two deployed Air Force members selected to receive a Thanksgiving Day morale call from President George W. Bush.
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Dec 01, 2008 08:24AM

U.S. troops help flood victims in Central America

A team of 48 U.S. servicemembers and seven helicopters from the Honduras-based Joint Task Force-Bravo deployed to Panama and Costa Rica the last week of November to help communities impacted by heavy rains and flooding.

The team, composed of aviation and medical personnel, is supporting rescue and recovery efforts in coordination with national disaster response organizations from each country.

Authorities in both countries declared a state of emergency and submitted requests for assistance through their respective U.S. embassies after persistent rains resulted in several deaths and endangered thousands of residents near Limon, Costa Rica, as well as western Panama and other areas along the Caribbean coast.
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Dec 01, 2008 07:36AM

Nov. 30 airpower summary: A-10s perform shows of force

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Nov. 30, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, Navy F/A-18E Super Hornets dropped a guided bomb unit-12 and GBU-38s and coalition aircraft fired cannon rounds against anti-coalition members who were hiding in a compound in the vicinity of Shurakian. The missions were confirmed a success by on-scene joint terminal attack controllers.
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