Tuesday, January 05, 2021

Kadena Shot

 

A Kadena Air Base first-line defender receives a Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at the base in Japan, Jan. 4, 2021. Red Cross volunteers and paramedics administered the vaccine.

Flying Colors

 

Air Force Capt. Bradley Daniel, left, and Maj. Megan Russell prepare to land a KC-135 Stratotanker at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., Dec. 17, 2020.

Stallion Support

 

Marines prepare to attach a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle Heavy Guns Carrier to a CH-53E Super Stallion aircraft during a helicopter support team training exercise at Kin Blue, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 17, 2020. The training improves logistics proficiency and the ability to execute contingency missions.

COVID-19 Vaccine

 

An Arizona National Guardsman prepares to administer the COVID-19 vaccine in Payson, Ariz., Jan. 4, 2021. Arizona National Guardsmen are assisting at vaccination sites, testing locations and food banks throughout the state.

Eagle Eye

 

Air Force Staff Sgt. Brandon Thomas-Volkov tightens bolts to the underside of an F-15E Strike Eagle at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, Jan. 5, 2021.

First Vaccinations

 

Army Health Clinic Stuttgart conducts its first inoculations of health care workers and first responders with the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at Patch Barracks in Stuttgart, Germany, Dec. 31, 2020. Lt. Col. Adam Cronkhite, seated left, director of emergency services, and Lt. Col. Maria Bruton, seated right, commander of the clinic, were the first to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in the Stuttgart military community

DOD and Mongolia Ministry of Defense Conduct 17th Annual Bilateral Consultative Council

 Jan. 5, 2021


U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Heino Klinck and Mongolia Ministry of Defense State Secretary D. Gankhuyag met virtually to conduct the 17th annual U.S.-Mongolia Bilateral Consultative Council, Jan. 5 (Washington, D.C.) and Jan. 6 (Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia).  Mongolian Minister of Defense G. Saikhanbayar provided closing remarks. 

Officials reaffirmed their commitment to the U.S.-Mongolia bilateral relationship and agreed to advance defense cooperation on matters of common interest to support a free and open Indo-Pacific.

DASD Klinck thanked State Secretary Gankhuyag for Mongolia’s commitment to international peace and stability, including Mongolia’s continued contributions to coalition efforts in Afghanistan and United Nations Peacekeeping Operations. DASD Klinck also discussed current regional security issues and ties between Mongolia and the United States under the third neighbor framework. 

Officials committed to enhance defense cooperation and collaboration to address current security challenges and to advance common interests. 

Log LIne

 

Marine Corps recruits participate in log drills at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, Jan. 4, 2021.

Medical Center Provides COVID-19 Vaccine Program Update

 Jan. 5, 2021 | BY Elaine Sanchez , Brooke Army Medical Center

Brooke Army Medical Center administered its first Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines to frontline medical professionals Dec. 17, 2020, as part of the Defense Department's initial vaccine rollout.

A service member gets a vaccine.

"I'm ready to eradicate this virus," Army Capt. Rebecca Parrish, a COVID-19 intensive care unit nurse, said after she received BAMC's first vaccine.

In the weeks since, BAMC has expanded the program to inpatient and outpatient medical and support personnel from across the organization to ensure the vaccine supply is appropriately and effectively used.

"Our aim is to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to patients and other team members, while ensuring our staff remains healthy," Army Brig. Gen. Shan Bagby, BAMC commanding general, said. "Their health is critical to our mission of providing safe, quality care to our service members, retirees, family members and civilian emergency patients."

Following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations, the DOD's vaccine distribution plan has three phases. The first phase includes healthcare and support personnel, emergency services and public safety workers, as well as other essential workers and deploying personnel. The second phase encompasses high-risk beneficiaries, with the final phase moving to the healthy population. 

With a finite supply of vaccines, BAMC is working to ensure its "healthcare heroes" remain a top priority. BAMC recently implemented a "fast pass" style system in which frontline personnel, such as from the emergency department and ICUs, are moved to the front of the line.

"Our frontline professionals have been working tirelessly to help others since the pandemic started," Bagby said. "We want to do everything we can to expedite their ability to get the vaccine."

Soldiers complete paperwork on a desk.

As the vaccine supply increases, BAMC will announce the start of the next phase, which opens the program to high-risk beneficiaries, such as patients ages 65 and older, pregnant women and patients over the age of 16 with a pre-existing condition.

Once notification is made and this phase is underway, information will be posted online and on social media that will detail how high-risk beneficiaries can inquire about their eligibility to receive a vaccine and the process for administration.

"While our current focus is on the hospital staff to ensure we are able to protect our patients, we are absolutely keeping our valued military beneficiaries in mind as we move forward," Bagby said. "We will provide frequent updates to ensure we are keeping everyone informed about this important program."

The CDC recommends a combination of getting vaccinated and following safety recommendations — face coverings, handwashing and physical distancing — to achieve the best protection from COVID-19 and to help lower the public health risks associated with the pandemic.

BAMC leaders encourage those who are hesitant about getting the vaccine to discuss their concerns with medical experts or find out more information on the CDC and other government websites. 

An airman administers a vaccine to another airman.

"We have a vaccine that represents an incredibly effective and safe solution that exceeds all of our initial expectations, performing well in all ages, all demographic groups tested, and with 95% efficacy," Air Force Col. Heather Yun, BAMC's deputy commander for medical services and an infectious disease physician, said. "It is my hope that we will look back at this time as a return to normalcy as we safely and efficiently roll out the vaccine program at BAMC and other sites across the nation."

Sports Heroes Who Served: Football Coach Recounts Lessons Learned in Army

 Jan. 5, 2021 | BY David Vergun , DOD News

Sports Heroes Who Served is a series that highlights the accomplishments of athletes who served in the U.S. military.

Louis "Lou" Leo Holtz has spent much of his life on the gridiron. From 1956 to 1957, he played football as a linebacker at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio.

While at Kent State, he was also enrolled in Army ROTC and was commissioned in the Field Artillery Branch of the Army Reserve when he graduated.

A man at a lectern speaks to a group of people in military uniforms.

In a career that spanned 44 years, Holtz held a variety of football coaching jobs at the college and National Football League levels.

He was assistant coach at: the University of Iowa in 1960; the College of William and Mary, 1961 to 1963; the University of Connecticut, 1964 to 1965; the University of South Carolina, 1966 to 1967; and Ohio State University, 1968.

Holtz was head coach at: the College of William and Mary, 1969 to 1970; North Carolina State University, 1972 to 1975; New York Jets, 1976; University of Arkansas, 1977 to 1983; University of Minnesota, 1984 to 1985; Notre Dame University, 1986 to 1996; and, the University of South Carolina, 1999 to 2004.

A man speaks to a group of soldiers.
Three men dressed in combat gear walk together as service members stand behind them.

Despite moving around a lot, his college coaching record was stellar: 249-132-7. His NFL coaching record wasn't as impressive: 3-10.

Later, he became a football analyst for CBS Sports and ESPN.

Throughout his football fame, Holtz never forgot his Army roots. 

He has frequently visited U.S. troops in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere, talking to them about football and leadership. He's also a member of the American Legion in Indiana.

He once said the Army and ROTC "have been a positive thing in my life because I wasn't very good in discipline or leadership skills. I learned lessons in leadership and self-discipline."

A man standing on a stage in an auditorium speaks to a group of people. An American flag is behind him.

On June 21, 2016, Holtz visited U.S. Central Command headquarters at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, where he shared his football experiences and lessons learned.

''I am a big believer in accountability and responsibility, and I learned that from my time in the military,'' Holtz said. ''There is never a wrong time to do the right thing, just like there is no right time to do the wrong thing.''

He emphasized the importance of working as a team, setting goals, and caring for others.

''You've got to make a sincere attempt to have the right goals to begin with, and then go after them with appropriate effort,'' Holtz said. ''And remember that you can't really achieve anything great without the help of others.''

Holtz then expanded on the importance of teamwork in the military.

A man stands at a lectern and speaks into a microphone; the lectern is draped with a banner that reads "The American Legion."

''Our country has never faced greater challenges than we have right now,'' said Holtz. ''We need that teamwork, and we need to work together for that common cause. You can't be at your best without working together.''

In 2019, Holtz was presented with the American Legion's James V. Day ''Good Guy'' Award in Indianapolis.

''For many years, this coach and great American has contributed time and resources to charitable endeavors, including the Lou's Lads Foundation, the Holtz Charitable Foundation and numerous other great causes,'' American Legion past national commander Daniel M. Dellinger said while presenting the award.