Aug 2, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- High school boredom and daydreaming were the seeds to success for a Bravo Company private whose fantasy novel is so popular that it's hard to find copies these days.

Aug 2, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- In early 2009, Linda and Stanford Mendenhall were given an invitation that changed their lives. Come to Huntsville, they were urged. Be a part of the Redstone Arsenal family, they were encouraged.

Jul 30, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Recent flight testing on a Black Hawk helicopter at Redstone Arsenal proved to engineers Matt Boenker and Dale Cox something they already believed in - a U.S. helicopter can fly on an alternative fuel mix of 50 percent coal and 50 percent jet fuel.

Jul 28, 2010

Jul 28, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. - The new SMDC/AIB (Space and Missile Defense Command/Alabama Industries for the Blind) Satellite Supply Store had its grand opening July 27 in building 5221 of the Von Braun Complex here.

Jul 23, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- The young Soldier had a watch to keep. He had awoken from his two-hour rest break, and it was his turn to watch for the tanks. They had orders to follow them into Monte Cristo.

Jul 23, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- A fire at Redstone Test Center's building 7298 on July 13 partially damaged the facility and caused the temporary evacuation of other Arsenal buildings near the site, but did not lead to any injuries.

Jul 23, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- This year's applicants for the commissary scholarships were asked to look into the past when writing their required essay. Here was the assigned topic: If you can travel back in time, but cannot change events, what point in history would you go and why'

Jul 23, 2010

REDSTONE ROCKET, Ala. -- For Linda Horn, the two trombones that her husband and son played throughout their high school and college years are made of more than just brass - in their slides and bells they hold happy memories of band concerts, football games and afternoons spent filling her home with music.

Jul 23, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Whether he's saying the prayer at a gathering of military families or talking about God on a Decatur-based Christian country radio station, chaplain James Henderson always has one mission in mind - to share God's love.

Jul 23, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Lori Reynolds knows what it takes to transform an Army organization and its human capital to meet the needs of the mission. She has done that in a big way at least twice in her civilian career.

Jul 23, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- In a remote area of Redstone Arsenal near Gate 3, explosive ordnance experts are quietly and safely going about the business of detonating munitions that herald mainly from the World War II era.

Jul 19, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- In the 1940s, world events took the life of a 16-year-old South Alabama country boy and turned him into a war hero.

Jul 19, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- There were 120 of them. Dr. Wernher von Braun wanted more. But, in the end, he settled for 120 German specialists in rocket metals and propulsion to join him in an American project that would forever change the nation's view of space exploration and transform Huntsville into a center for missile and space technology.

Jul 19, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Brig. Gen. Lynn Collyar, chief of Ordnance for the Army and commanding general of the Ordnance Center and Schools, has a message for Team Redstone - thank you, and job well done.

Jul 19, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Natalie Taylor wants members of Redstone's military population to know they're not alone. She's the Exceptional Family Member Program manager at Army Community Service. EFMP is the Armywide program for identifying active-duty military families that have special needs members.

Jul 16, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Col. Mark Smith will say farewell to 12 years of service with the Army Medical Command at the Fox Army Health Center change of command ceremony on Friday. Yet, he won't be leaving the Army's medical community.

Jul 9, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- There's one Army slogan that Garrison deputy commander Curtis Clark would like Garrison employees to put to work every day. That slogan' Be all you can be.

Jul 9, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- By day, Chris Popham provides Redstone Arsenal with audiovisual presentation support. By night, the Force is with him as he protects the galaxy as an Imperial Crewman. It's all in a day's work for the Star Wars enthusiast.

Jul 9, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- 1st Sgt. Shawnaree Perez knows what it takes to set a Soldier's career path. With experience as an active duty Soldier, National Guard Soldier and Reservist, Perez, who now serves with the Reserves' 318th Chemical Company (Heavy) in Birmingham, can advise her Soldiers regarding the options of today's total Army.

Jul 9, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- As a medic, 1st Sgt. Tonny Pridgen has had a lot of experience serving Soldiers, first, as an active duty Soldier and an Alabama Army National Guard medic and, second, as a paramedic in the Defense Department's civilian work force at Fort Rucker.

Jul 9, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- For two new members of the Redstone family, Independence Day held special meaning this year. It was the first one they could celebrate as American citizens.

Jul 9, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Dave Bryant came to work at Redstone in March 1972 because he felt his job in western North Carolina would end within a few years. He stayed more than 38 years.

Jul 9, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- The Army's culture - its values and character -- was on full display at a change of command and retirement ceremony June 30 in Bob Jones Auditorium. And the two men at the center of that display are among the Army's and the nation's most accomplished heroes.

Jul 9, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- When you meet 1st Sgt. Albert Rocker, you may notice his 6-foot-3 stature. Then again, it may be you notice his million-watt smile. And these days, Rocker's job gives him a lot to smile about.

Jul 9, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- The Army has renewed its investment in the Hydra-70 family of 2.75-inch aviation rockets. June 30 brought the signing of a four-year production contract with General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products, out of Charlotte, N.C. The estimated value is $991,701,046.

Jul 2, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Col. Robert "Pat" Sullivan prefers looking at things from a service-oriented point of view. So, when asked what he expects from the more than 600 military, civilian and contractor employees working for the Logistics Support Activity, the organization's new commander changed the question around and asked "What should they expect from me'" In his view, the answer to both questions is the same.

Jul 2, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- In a new grouping of installations being done by the Installation Management Command, Garrison commander Col. Bob Pastorelli is confident Redstone Arsenal will place among the top garrisons as it pertains to future funding.

Jul 2, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Every even-numbered year since 2000, Heidi Weber Collier has organized a family reunion in Huntsville. But the reunion hasn't been for her ancestral family. Rather, it's been for the families of the German rocket scientists and engineers who adopted each other during the moves, first, from Germany to the U.S., and, second, from Fort Bliss, Texas, and White Sands Proving Ground, N.M., to Redstone Arsenal and Huntsville.

Jul 2, 2010

This was like a base realignment and closure move - only it all happened within the confines of Redstone Arsenal.

Jun 30, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Of the 250,000 civilians working for today's Army, more than 67,000 represent the Army Materiel Command, making AMC the Army's largest civilian organization. And that's why its commander - Gen. Ann Dunwoody - wants to make AMC "the champion" for civilian employees working for the Army.

Jun 25, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Test Week 2010: "The Impact of Defense Acquisition Reform on Test and Evaluation --One Year Later" convened last week at the Von Braun Center.

Jun 25, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL-- It's an annual tradition that sponsoring organizations from throughout the local community present thousands of dollars in gifts to Redstone's Soldier and NCO of the Year.

Jun 25, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Nine-year-old Samuel Tucker Styes of Harvest came decked out in his own military uniform to the Armed Forces Celebration Week's Concert in the Park at Joe Davis Stadium. He quickly made friends with the Veteran Memorial Museum's Randy Withrow, who showed the aspiring Soldier how a jeep from World War II is operated. That haphazard exchange - the sharing of military history along with Army values with a public that is interested, curious and supportive - was par for the course during an Armed Forces Celebration Week event June 14 that has long been a community favorite.

Jun 25, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Redstone Arsenal has definitely made its mark on high-level Army programs. Across the portfolio of programs overseen by the Pentagon, about half are managed right here at the Arsenal. And it's the successful management of those programs that is making a tremendous difference for Soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Jun 25, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Robert Sheibley and his family are now among Madison's most impressive families. This systems engineer lead for the Utility Helicopters Project Office, Program Executive Office for Aviation, has led his family into Madison's history books by being named the city's Family of the Year for 2010.

Jun 25, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Typical days in the Auto Skills Center do not involve teenagers. However, for the past two and a half months, this shop has been home to the Child Youth and School Services new "The Edge program: Introduction to Auto Mechanics" for ages 13-18.

Jun 25, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Huntsville just became another top choice for national recognition. And this time, the recognition directly relates to the Army's veterans. During the signing of the Armed Forces Celebration Week proclamation June 14, community leaders shared the podium with the Army's director of Human Resources Policy Directorate, who announced a new Army program that will be launched in Huntsville to recruit, employ and retain veterans in federal employment.

Jun 18, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Maj. Tracey Smith sounds like any other proud mama when she talks about her "Garland." She is quick to show you a picture or tell you a story about all of Garland's "firsts." You can hear the joy in her voice when she talks about bringing Garland home for the first time; you can hear the strain when she talks about the day Garland left for college. For a brief moment, you almost forget that Garland is a dog. Of course, she's not just any dog; she is well on her way to being a guide dog for the Guiding Eyes for the Blind organization.

Jun 18, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Pvt. Jake Betts had two things in mind when he joined the Army eight months ago - make his mother proud and start a career. Meeting a two-star general was not on the list.

Jun 18, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- "Please accept this on behalf of a grateful command." "Please thank your family." "Thank you for what you have done." Those were the words of appreciation expressed over and over again by Maj. Gen. Jim Myles, commander of the Aviation and Missile Command and Redstone Arsenal, to more than 50 civilian and contractor employees Thursday during an AMCOM Deployed Workforce Recognition Ceremony.

Jun 18, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Although his 40-year Army career didn't bring him to Redstone Arsenal, retired Chief Warrant Officer 5 Harold DeBerry does have something in common with the scientist who brought rocket technology to Huntsville. Both Dr. Wernher von Braun and DeBerry have been inducted into the Army Ordnance Corps Hall of Fame - von Braun in 1973 and DeBerry this past May.

Jun 14, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Red, white and blue will be the colors of the week when the local community reaches out to Redstone Arsenal and the armed services to extend its appreciation and gratitude. The community's annual recognition of Armed Forces Celebration Week begins June 14 - which is also the 235th birthday of the Army and the 233rd birthday of the U.S. flag - and will continue through June 19. It will be a week of ceremony and celebration that offers something for the entire community under the theme "United in Strength."

Jun 9, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Oh my, gosh, it's nearly summertime! What are you going to do with those kids' If you're like many working parents with school-age children, summer can be a crazy time of balancing schedules, trying to keep the kids entertained and occupied, and filling the summer with fun childhood memories - all while you are holding down your job on the Arsenal.

Jun 9, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- USASAC employees waited in line for a taste of the hot dogs and sausages being served by the Soldier in uniform manning the grill. Some approached with respectful reservation. Others laughed and joked with their new leader. With a smile and a kind word for each person he met, he fed his civilian troops in more ways than one. "I'm here to serve you," Sgt. Maj. William Kaundart said. And it was clear that he meant more than just hot dogs.

Jun 9, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Fighting fires, completing high school near the top of his class and serving as an Army JROTC battalion commander have been Adam McMurray's duties for the past year. But flying airplanes and helicopters, and serving in the Air Force have been his dream.

Jun 9, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Rodney Bailey's job is all about connecting Team Redstone employees with their paperwork. They come from all across the Arsenal - from the Redstone Test Center, Logistics Support Activity, Aviation and Missile Command, and Aviation and Missile Research Development and Engineering Center, among others - with one thing in mind: to turn in unneeded and obsolete equipment per Army regulations.

Jun 9, 2010

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. -- Summer season is here. Have you filled up your activity calendar yet' In North Alabama, that's not a difficult task. Summertime is ripe with plenty of things to see and do within just an hour or two of Huntsville.

Jun 9, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- In the woods of Camp OuTAmongEM, wounded warriors are able to hope, dream and most importantly - hunt. It was only a few years ago that Steve Statler, a logistics management specialist at LOGSA had an idea for a free hunting camp that would allow wounded warriors to return to the outdoor activities they loved before their injuries. Today, the program brings wounded warriors from around the area to the camp based on the ideals of conservation, compassion and community.

Jun 9, 2010

REDSTONE Last year Stephanie Caldwell was looking for concert information on the Von Braun Center website when she noticed an ad for dance team members. "I was interested right away because I was looking for an outlet to be involved with some type of dance team," she recalled. Caldwell tried out for the Viper Vixens, the dancers for the local professional arena football team. She made it and has been with the Vixens ever since. Officially, they're the Cycle Nation Viper Vixens. Caldwell, a contract specialist at the AMCOM Contracting Center, is the coordinator over the Vixens. She's also on their promo team which goes up into the stands during games doing eye black for the youngsters, selling pictures and signing autographs. "I love the community involvement," she said. "And it's fun. (The Alabama Vipers are) a great organization."

Jun 9, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Summer may not officially begin until June 21, but for Team Redstone the campaign to keep it a safe one has already begun. The Garrison and Ordnance Munitions and Electronics Maintenance School teamed together May 26 to educate the Redstone population about the hazards people encounter every day, which can be as simple as grilling a steak, sitting at your desk the wrong way or taking a ride on your motorcycle.

Jun 9, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Chief Warrant Officer 4 Patrick Benson has more than the scars on his right leg to show for the air battle he fought while serving in Afghanistan. He now also has an American Legion Valor Award.

May 21, 2010

Operating in deconflicted airspace and having a joint air picture of all low-level flying activity is as critical as the missions the military conducts every day.

May 21, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- A little over a year after Jack Roush Sr., team owner and CEO of Roush-Fenway Racing, visited with the Soldiers, scientists, engineers and Mustang owners of Redstone Arsenal, he achieved a milestone on the racetrack - his 400th all-time victory in road racing and NASCAR combined - with his partners Team ED right by his side. Side doors that is.

May 21, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- A few years ago, Sgt. 1st Class Eric Sears turned in the keys to his Army truck for a job that is now taking him halfway around the world to manage war-related contracts. Sears, one of the Army's top non-commissioned officers, has recently deployed to Afghanistan, where he will serve with the Joint Contracting Command/Iraq-Afghanistan at the Herat Regional Contracting Center, Camp Stone.

May 21, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- The spirit of Ben Howard's grandmother lives on in the recipes of the Officers and Civilians Club.

May 21, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- During his early years as an Army helicopter pilot, Kiowas, Cobras and Apaches were Col. Newman Shufflebarger's aircraft of choice. But when the Army called for him to take over as a Chinook product manager, his affinity for the attack helicopters soon took a nose dive.

May 19, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Two Redstone Arsenal events - one a May 10 press conference, the other a May 13 memorial service - were part of the grieving process in the acceptance of the deaths of two Team Redstone employees involved in high-risk research and development.

May 14, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Redstone Arsenal gave its military connected children one last big thank you May 1, ending the 2010 Month of the Military Child.

May 14, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Defending champion Mike Brady didn't mind the windy conditions on the second day of the 2010 post golf championship. While his eight competitors may have wished for better weather, Brady shot a 1-over 73, improving from his first-day 75. He won the tournament for the third straight year May 1-2 at the Links. This was his final appearance in the active-duty championship because he's retiring from the Air Force in July.

May 14, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Among the presentations about missile weapon systems, weapon system technology and the management of weapon systems, two Soldiers speaking to attendees at the Tactical Missiles Conference brought the day's meetings to the very heart of the matter - saving Soldier lives.

May 14, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Cpl. Jason Scarborough is on a mission of fitness and health. This wounded warrior has been spending several hours a week at the Sparkman Fitness Center, working with certified personal trainer Joe Martin to gain strength in his injured knee and to shed the 50 pounds he has gained since sustaining his injuries during a deployment to Iraq.

May 14, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- When Dr. Bill Craig looked over the long list of previous Medaris Award winners, he could hardly believe his name would be among them. That list of names includes Lt. Gen. Jim Link, Brig. Gen. Bob Drolet, Sen. Richard Shelby, Sen. Howell Heflin, Dr. Bill McCorkle and 2009 winner retired Maj. Gen. Jim Snider. And now it includes Bill Craig.

May 12, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Team Redstone lost two of its own May 5 when a highly volatile chemical exploded during demilitarization processes at Test Area 10. The two Army contractors were identified as Jerry A. Grimes, 58, of Hartselle; and James R. Hawke, 53, of Hazel Green. Both sustained severe burns in the explosion and died in the evening hours of May 5 at the burn center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital. They were employed by locally based Amtec Corp. A memorial fund has been set up at Redstone Federal Credit Union for the benefit of the surviving spouses and their families. Donations may be made at any RFCU branch location by referencing the Jerry A. Grimes Memorial Fund and the James R. Hawke Memorial Fund. RFCU tellers can handle single donations divided between the funds in accordance with donor instructions.

May 7, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- On a rainy Saturday night, Ronnie Opolka and Mac McCord were at Huntsville International Airport, holding onto a sign that read "Welcome Home WWII Honor Flight" and a couple of U.S. flags. The two were among more than 500 people gathered in the lobby area near the exit sign for the airport's concourse April 24, waiting for 106 World War II veterans to disembark from a memorable trip to see their memorial in Washington, D.C. It was the 10th such trip sponsored by Honor Flight Tennessee Valley.

May 7, 2010

The enlisted Soldier can be found pretty much anywhere in the world, representing a nation that is committed to protecting freedom and democracy.

May 7, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Supplying in-theater aviation mechanics with tools, equipment and hardware starts right here at Redstone Arsenal. At an office/warehouse space located just off post near the Jetplex, employees of the Integrated Materiel Management Center's Readiness Directorate spend their working hours designing, equipping and shipping mobile units that take helicopter maintenance and refurbishment to the field.

May 7, 2010

A holistic view of people and equipment. That's what the Army's Materiel Enterprise philosophy is all about.

May 7, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- With his new epaulets and shoulder boards in place, the newly promoted Maj. Gen. Genaro Dellarocco said, with a slight smile, "They feel heavy." His promoting officer, Army Materiel Command commander Gen. Ann Dunwoody, smiled back, placed her hands on his shoulders and replied: "They are heavy. You don't even know."

May 7, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- With a merry twinkle in her eyes and a thousand-watt smile, Kathy Campbell is the picture perfect vision of a military wife who appreciates the Army lifestyle and being married to an Army officer. The wife of Lt. Gen. Kevin Campbell, commander of the Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command, Campbell is known for being welcoming and approachable, for her devotion to God and her faith, and for always enjoying a good laugh.

May 7, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- In June 2009, Shelley Feltmeyer sent her son off to war. Five months later, she sent herself. "I figured that if I could send my baby boy into harm's way, I could send myself," Feltmeyer, deputy to the commander for the Army Materiel Command Logistics Support Element, United States Division-Center, stationed with the 402nd Army Field Support Brigade in Baghdad, said.

May 7, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Two of Redstone Arsenal's employee contractors were killed in an explosion on May 5 at a Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center facility.

May 7, 2010

Redstone Arsenal, Ala. - It is with deepest sympathy and sadness that TEAM Redstone and Amtec Corporation announce the deaths of two contract employees.

Apr 30, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- In the smiles of children and the neighs of the horses they ride the mission of the Redstone Thrift Shop lives on. On a sunny Sunday afternoon, Rose Dashner, 9, sits atop Sassy at Happy Trails Therapeutic Riding in New Market. From her ease handling the horse, it is hard to tell that little Rose cannot see.

Apr 30, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- If you're looking for Staff Sgt. Chris Cole, start your search at the Huntsville Speedway. Tires squeal, sparks fly, engines roar and the smell of burnt rubber, oil and fuel fill the air as the sun sets and the Huntsville Speedway comes to life April 16. Behind car 27 sits Cole, living proof of racing's universal appeal.

Apr 30, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- "Can you believe this thing can fly' I'm just amazed it can get off the ground!" It was hard to tell who was more excited about the Chinook helicopter displayed Thursday on the Bring Your Child to Work Day field - Rob Fratangelo, who works on missile testing for the Redstone Test Center, or his two children, second-grader Izzy and pre-kindergartner Cole.

Apr 30, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Placed on a table in front of the guest speaker at the local celebration of the 102nd birthday of the Army Reserve was an enormous trophy that represented a major milestone for the celebration's host. The Third Region President's Trophy of the Association of the U.S. Army was presented to the Redstone-Huntsville Chapter of AUSA at a third region meeting a week before the Reserve birthday celebration. The chapter's president, Steve Taylor, made it a point to have the trophy at the Reserve event.

Apr 30, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- The local celebration of the 102nd birthday of the Army Reserve involved more than a cake and an exchange of congratulations. It also included a look at how the Reserve has evolved during its history, reflected in comments made by Steve Taylor, president of the Redstone-Huntsville Chapter of the Association of the U.S. Army; Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle; and one of the Reserves' commanders, Capt. David Borders, who just returned from leading the 375th Engineer Company in Iraq. They were part of a Reserve birthday breakfast celebration Thursday at Lockheed Martin.

Apr 30, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Redstone Arsenal has one good marketing tool in its Command and General Staff College satellite campus. The new satellite campus, which graduated its first class of officers from the intermediate level education common core course Friday, draws Soldiers from throughout the country. A survey of its parking lot on graduation day showed car tags from states like Colorado, New York, Kansas, Washington and Michigan.

Apr 30, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- All that was missing was a judge. But the verdict was never in doubt. With the courtroom as the venue, the Redstone Tax Center held its closing ceremony April 21 after another year of providing free tax preparation services for active duty military, reservists on active duty for more than 29 days, retired military and their family members.

Apr 30, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- It's 4 a.m. on a cool fall Saturday, and 8-year-old John William Diffey is not sleeping soundly all snuggled up in his bed covers. Instead, this go-getter third grader is snap-to awake, greeting deer hunters at Outdoor Recreation, and helping them to get checked in and assigned to the hunting areas. Once his job is done, John William falls in line with his dad, Bill Diffey, and the two head out for their own hunting time in the woods. But, later in the day, the Diffey father and son team are right back at Outdoor Recreation, signing in returning hunters, and recording the weight and other features of any wild game kills. So is the life of one of Redstone Arsenal's youngest volunteers.

Apr 23, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Sometimes Cindy Reiman just wants to go where everybody knows her name - and her kids. Trucks, blocks, balls and other children's toys scatter the floor of building 1413 as kids run from room to room, greeting their friends and indulging in the occasional fight over a toy shopping cart. Cheez-Its, Goldfish and animal crackers are the food of choice, juice boxes the perfect refreshment, and every adult in the room is eligible to tie a shoelace, throw away a Kleenex or replenish the snack bowl. To the outsider, the ChildWise building during Play Mornings may appear to be anything but an oasis, but for moms like Reiman, it's just what the pediatrician ordered.

Apr 23, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Honor Flight Tennessee Valley is getting ready to complete the mission. Yet, even as volunteers wrap up this popular program to fly World War II veterans to visit their memorial in Washington, D.C., it will take longer than planned to bring its wings to the ground.

Apr 23, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- God bless ya!" Those words -- most often expressed with excitement and joy, and marked with a smile - follow Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Ed Ahl wherever he goes. For him, they are a sincere greeting and an equally sincere farewell to the Soldiers, civilians and contractors he sees every day in his position as the chaplain for the Aviation and Missile Command.

Apr 23, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Bicentennial Chapel patrons reached into their pockets on Easter Sunday to help military family members. Their designated offering of $5,966.85 to the Total Tots program will provide for free child care for military families in need.

Apr 23, 2010

Hollywood director James Cameron may have made the term "avatar" a hot commodity in the world of science fiction movies, but it's the Program Executive Office for Missiles and REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Space that is using the concept of virtual personas in the real-life preparation of Soldiers for the battlefield. The Virtual, Interactive, Collaborative, Training, Resource/Environment laboratory, located at Northrop Grumman facilities in Huntsville, uses computer-generated avatars - movable, three-dimensional images representing Soldiers in a cyberspace environment - and simulated battle scenarios for war fighter training as part of the Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System development effort.

Apr 16, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Representatives of the Spirit of America Festival announced winners of the 2010 Spirit of America Awards in a press conference April 7 at Decatur City Hall. The Spirit of America Festival, held yearly on July 4 at Point Mallard Park in Decatur, honors deserving men and women who display outstanding leadership, service and sacrifice to others and to this nation in three separate awards: the Humanitarian Award, the Barrett C. Shelton Freedom Award, and the Audie Murphy Patriotism Award.

Apr 16, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Capt. David Borders spent his Easter Sunday painting eggs and then hunting for them with his 3-year-old son Will, and neighborhood friends and family. The holiday activities were 6,000 miles away from where Borders and the 152 Soldiers of the Reserve's 375th Engineer Company had been only a week earlier.

Apr 16, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- The footprint of the Redstone Test Center reaches far beyond Redstone Arsenal's gates. This growing and evolving organization, formed last August with the merger of the Redstone Technical Test Center and the Aviation Technical Test Center at Fort Rucker, is spreading its wings throughout North Alabama, taking advantage of facilities and capabilities provided by the area's small airfields.

Apr 16, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Even with management changes being made at the Installation Management Command level, Redstone Arsenal's Garrison remains at the top in terms of excellence in customer service, program offerings and employee performance. And that's exactly where Garrison commander Col. Bob Pastorelli and deputy Curtis Clark plan to keep the Arsenal's Garrison.

Apr 16, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- The "tired faces" of Soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan broadcast over a video teleconference screen during Aviation and Missile Command deployed commanders meetings spurs Lisha Adams on to "work harder every day."

Apr 9, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- They are the world - and for the month of April, they are a reason for celebration

Apr 9, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- In 2007, the world of Elijah Roll and his family was topsey turvey, filled with doctor's appointments, speech and behavior therapy, various medications and lots of information on alternative treatments. And in the midst of all of that were two parents trying to understand the challenges of their 4-year-old son, who had difficulties with language and social interaction, uncontrollable temper tantrums and an inability to focus his attention on tasks.

Apr 9, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Being a Marine and living a godly life were two goals that affected retired Maj. Gen. Mastin Robeson's entire outlook on life. And both came from the heart.

Apr 9, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Marlene Cruze remembers the Soldier when she advises the 600 employees of the Aviation and Missile Command's Contracting Center. Even though contracting activities at Redstone Arsenal may seem hundreds of miles from the battlefield, as far as Cruze is concerned it is the Soldier who feels the direct impact of the contracts employees negotiate and manage when acquiring aviation and missile systems.

Apr 9, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- In the hands of Mike Chemsak, an egg looks mighty tiny. It also looks exquisite.

Apr 2, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- A sign posted on Redstone Arsenal in the 1940s read, "What you see and what you hear -- when you leave, leave it here." For Pauline Williams, some days, that's hard to do.

Apr 2, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- The planet Earth cannot contain the pride Emma Sweat, 5, has for her daddy. "I'm proud of him all the way to the moon!" Emma exclaimed. For the nearly 2 million children worldwide that are connected to the military in some way, this is their life - pride, patriotism, and at times, pain.

Apr 2, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- He calls it like he sees it; and his call is final. And no matter what the call, one team or the other won't like it. Such is the life of a hockey goal judge. And this isn't even a paid position for Kyle Hoover, an information security engineer for Ground-based Midcourse Defense ground systems within the Missile Defense Agency. He volunteers for the Southern Professional Hockey League, working home games for the Huntsville Havoc. He serves in the same role for the University of Alabama-Huntsville hockey team.

Apr 2, 2010

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- For those who know Lt. Gen. Jim Pillsbury, his first words during a special presentation as part of the Army Materiel Command Band's debut concert in Huntsville were very telling of the future. "It's good to be home," he said, looking out at an appreciative audience of about 150 who attended the AMC Band's Community Appreciation Concert on March 21 at Columbia High School.