EW Barn aims for 100 percent effective fleet

by Senior Airman Aaron J. Jenne
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

10/14/2015 - SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- For more than 25 years, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, has been home to the F-15E Strike Eagle; from day one when it was just getting airborne, to the high-tech bird it is today.

The first production Strike Eagle, a dual-role fighter designed for air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, was released in 1988 and reached initial operational capability in 1989.

Master Sgt. Rodger Boles, 4th Fighter Wing avionics manager, said many of the electrical systems and components are original and few upgrades have been implemented during the life of the airframe.

To combat degradation in the jet's Electronic Warfare systems, the 4th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron's avionics working group established an EW Barn in January 2015 to temporarily bolster routine maintenance and get every jet up to a fully functional status.

According to Boles, the average age of the jets assigned to the wing is 30 years old. To ensure functionality routine inspection and maintenance standards were established.

The EW Barn augments routine inspection by taking jets off the flightline three days at a time to focus solely on testing and repairing the ALR-56C Radar Warning Receiver System and its constituent components. As the aircraft's primary defensive system, it detects incoming enemy radio transmissions and alerts aircrews they're being targeted.

"This system is very sophisticated," Boles said. "It isn't like a radar detector in your car. It doesn't just have blinking lights; it will tell you what is lighting you up - this type of missile, aircraft, anti-aircraft artillery - and where it's coming from. Without that critical situational awareness for the aircrew, they could get shot down in a hot zone and never know they were even being targeted. Knowing what threats are in an area is extremely important for their safety and also for completing their mission."

According to Boles, the RWRSs installed in the wing's aircraft are as old as the airframes themselves.

"We want this system to have maximum sensitivity, so the aircrew has the maximum amount of warning time they need," Boles said. "This is not a system we can afford to become compromised."

Boles said flight crews rely on every component and system of the jet to function properly. Even one system malfunction could prove catastrophic.

Tech. Sgt. Michael Price, 4th AMXS NCO in charge of the EW Barn, said this system is regularly tested. In fact, they are required to test it every 180 days for each aircraft, but often when an issue is identified in routine inspections, repairs can't always be made immediately.

"The biggest obstacle we face is working around flying schedules," Price said. "The test itself is complicated and can take anywhere from two to six hours depending on multiple factors. When avionics troops find an issue, they might not have time to fix the jet on the spot because it's needed for training the next day."

The avionics working group noticed a trend where fewer and fewer of these systems were functioning at 100 percent, Price said. They started looking to successful programs used at other bases, and adopted a system used at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho.

Two NCOs were permanently placed to each lead three-man shifts of avionic technicians assigned to the barn on three-month rotations. To date, 26 avionics Airmen have worked in the barn and 90 jets have cycled through, each tested, repaired and re-tested.

Price said he observed three main impacts of the EW Barn: a decrease in test failures across the fleet, the Airmen who discovered the discrepancy in testing were the same ones who fixed the issue, and the 26 Airmen became extremely proficient with the complicated testing equipment.

"My guys have done great work this year," Price said. "We've fixed a lot of jets and made sure these detection systems continue working at peak performance, because our pilots put their lives in our hands every time they fly, and they deserve our very best. Thanks to the awesome work my guys have done, I am confident our pilots will stay safe."

Boles said the program has been successful thus far, improving pass rates by nine percent for jets that have been through the barn versus those that haven't. His ultimate goal, however, is a 100 percent pass rate across the fleet.

Boles admitted the goal is high; however, setting high standards will only make the team more efficient, which in turn makes the aircraft safer.

"In the long run, the training it allows us to provide to our Airmen from each aircraft maintenance unit is the real solution," Price said. "After working with us, they are proficient with the equipment and procedures. When they go back to their units, they can share what they have learned with their fellow Airmen."

Members of the avionics working group agree the impact of the EW Barn has been positive. They are also hopeful the successes observed thus far are just a stepping stone to even greater achievements.

"The members of the EW Barn have done a monumental amount of work over the last 300 days or so," Boles said. "It hasn't gone unnoticed. I'm really proud of everyone's efforts. We've come a long way this year and I expect the trend to continue."

COMACC visits Seymour Johnson AFB, talks priorities, future

by Senior Airman Brittain Crolley
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

9/11/2015 - SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- U.S. Air Force Gen. Hawk Carlisle, commander of Air Combat Command, visited Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, Sept. 8-9, to further immerse himself in the 4th Fighter Wing's mission and one of its most prominent initiatives, the "Make It Better" program. The "Make It Better" campaign directly contributes to multiple quality of life programs across the installation.

During the event, the general received briefings on base programs, visited numerous Airmen around the installation and held an all call to discuss his priorities and vision for ACC and Seymour Johnson AFB.

"I've been thoroughly impressed with some of the things the 4th Fighter Wing has done to take care of our Airmen and their families," Carlisle said. "The Make It Better campaign is a template we can use across the Air Force to further invest in the great men and women we have in our service."

Another positive trend Carlisle noticed in the wing's efforts to take care of Airmen and their families was the rapid development in the Key Spouse program, which has nearly doubled its numbers to more than 160 members during the past year. As an all-volunteer force, key spouses dedicate countless hours to making sure Airmen and their families are well taken care of, especially when service members are separated from their families.

The program falls directly in line with one of Carlisle's main priorities he set upon becoming ACC commander.

"It's our job to take care of our Airmen and their families," Carlisle said in a note to the men and women of ACC. "Our Airmen are our asymmetric advantage over any adversary that we may face, so we must make sure they're resilient and have everything they need to face the unique challenges of military life."

Carlisle also took time to visit the source of Strike Eagle airpower, the base's F-15E formal training units, to learn more about Exercise Razor Talon, the 4th FW's massive, monthly air-sea exercise.

The exercise incorporates assets from multiple bases along the East Coast to promote joint service synergy and expand on the air-sea battle concept.

With the divestiture of the A-10, Carlisle said he believes the Strike Eagle could soon see an increase in roles, from combat search and rescue to airborne forward air control missions, which will keep it in the Air Force's arsenal for "a long time to come."

"The F-15E community is the bedrock of our ability to do our mission anywhere in the world," Carlisle said. "It's an airplane that can survive and operate in a contested environment, and as we continue to modernize it and we look at avionics upgrades and the weapons that we're developing for the airplane, we're going to continue to take advantage of it. The F-15E, with its capabilities, is so much a key to our future."

That future, Carlisle acknowledged, holds a lot of uncertainties. He said although ACC is currently in a good state, he fully recognizes that it is spread thin, and the demand for combat air power far exceeds the supply our Airmen can provide.

"We simply can't continue at the pace we're currently working at," he said.

The visit concluded with an all call to discuss these upcoming challenges and changes, but moreover, Carlisle wanted to thank Seymour Johnson Airmen for their service and sacrifice as well as their continued excellence in completing the mission.

"To the 4th Fighter Wing and all the men and women doing their job, and their families, thank you for what you're doing. You're great Americans, you're great Airmen, and I can't thank you enough. We've got a lot of challenges ahead of us, and we need you."

Face of Defense: Air Force Fighter Pilot Reaches 3,000 Flying Hours

By Air Force Airman Shawna L. Keyes 4th Fighter Wing

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C., August 20, 2015 — For F-15E Strike Eagle aircrew at the 4th Fighter Wing here, flying through the skies is a regular part of life. But for Air Force Lt. Col. Paul Hibbard, a 333rd Fighter Squadron instructor pilot, the clouds are like a second home.

Hibbard is in rare air, indeed, after recently surpassing the 3,000-hour mark in the F-15E -- the equivalent of more than four continuous months in the air.

He said he still remembers hour number one, back on Feb. 9, 1995, as a student in the first F-15 basic course held here.

"My first couple of hours in the Strike Eagle were exhilarating," Hibbard said. "What an amazing machine. The simulator and ground briefs prepared us for all of the procedures we would execute, but nothing prepares you for the kick in the pants, the G-forces and the mind-racing visuals of a flight in an F-15E. Over time, I've grown accustomed to the physical demands, but the joys of dominating the aerial environment haven't faded."

Diverse Career

Following initial training, Hibbard explained he had a unique experience to be assigned to four different F-15E operational squadrons.

Hibbard has flown with the 494th FS at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England; the 389th FS at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho; and the 335th FS at Seymour Johnson AFB. He's also spent time at the 90th FS at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, when F-15Es were assigned there.

"I've participated in operations or exercises supporting our national military objectives in over 21 nations throughout four continents," Hibbard said. "While amazing and rewarding, I wouldn't call it exceptional. Airmen, soldiers, sailors, Marines and (Defense Department) civilians are making the amazing possible every day in places more far-flung than I ever experienced. They are the exceptional ones."

Mutual Milestone

Hibbard has flown more than 1,550 sorties and deployed seven times. But he said he's not crazy about statistical credentials.

"I don't want to be known as the guy with 1,000, 2,000 or 3,000 hours," Hibbard said. "Demonstrated performance was always, and remains, my benchmark, and that is only as good as your last sortie."

Upon landing from the sortie that took him over the mark, Hibbard's family and friends joined him on the ramp to celebrate his achievement. He said he was especially appreciative that his family was allowed out because they don't get to participate in a lot of what he does.

"So few Strike Eagle aircrew reach this milestone, and I didn't get there on my own," he said. "My wife of 22 years has supported me the whole way (as well as) all the unsung Airmen doing their best to make this milestone possible."

Sharing Expertise

As an instructor pilot, Hibbard is charged with training new Strike Eagle aviators during the qualification course. Lt. Col. Frederick Haley, the 333rd FS commander, said having someone with Hibbard's expertise provides an added benefit to those with zero hours in the aircraft.

"There are only two other actively flying F-15E pilots who have achieved this rare milestone," Haley said. "The 333rd Fighter Squadron is fortunate to have an officer of such tremendous talent and rare experience committed to developing the next generation of Strike Eagle warriors."

Hibbard said he plans to continue passing down his knowledge and expertise to all the younger pilots who come through his classroom.

"I can tell you the 3,000th hour didn't feel very different from the 2,000th or 1,000th hour, but it feels a lot different from that first hour," Hibbard said. "I look forward to being able to continue to fly the Strike Eagle for as long as the Air Force will allow me."

Purple Heart recipients honored during banquet

by Airman Shawna L. Keyes
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

8/10/2015 - SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C.  -- Two active-duty Airmen from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, along with 48 local veterans, were honored at a Purple Heart Banquet, Aug. 7, at the First Pentecostal Holiness Church in Goldsboro.

The event honored service members from Eastern North Carolina who've received the medal, representing every major conflict since World War II.

"I think this event is great," said Chief Master Sgt. John McCarthy, 4th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron superintendent. "The Wayne County community and everything they do for us vets, both active and retired, is phenomenal."

The Purple Heart Medal, which was established by former President George Washington on Aug. 7, 1782, is awarded to any member of the Armed Forces who is wounded or killed while serving in support of contingency operations.

McCarthy and Col. Christopher Freeman, 414th Fighter Group commander, were honored for their service and sacrifice. Both received their medals for injuries suffered during the attack on the Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia, June 25, 1996.

"I love coming to this banquet and meeting all the other vets," Freeman said. "Whether they're from Vietnam all the way forward into (current operations), I think it's neat to meet them and hear their stories. That's what I enjoy about this and I also think it's awesome that Goldsboro puts this together; it's an amazingly cool event."

Despite their injuries, both McCarthy and Freeman continue to serve in prominent leadership roles at Seymour Johnson AFB.

MIB initiative promotes resilience '4 Teens'

by Senior Airman Brittain Crolley
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

8/7/2015 - SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C.  -- Every day brings new challenges for our Airmen, whether it's in the form of an upcoming deployment that will take them away from their family, or a hurdle at work they must overcome. Fortunately, they continue to find a way to handle this adversity through training, teamwork and wingmanship, all for the sake of progressing the mission.

However, these Airmen are not the only ones fighting the good fight. While they are busy working 12-hour shifts, on remote TDY, or deployed, their families stay steadfast at home. They too have their own adversity to deal with, but aren't necessarily provided the same training as their service members to teach them how weather difficult situations.

To help arm these family members, especially children, with the life skills needed to battle unforeseen obstacles, the base youth center partnered with Make It Better leaders and master resilience trainers to create the Make It Better 4 Teens program.

"We teach these [resilience] skills to our Airmen, teaching them how to cope," said Tech. Sgt. Stan Williams, 4th Component Maintenance Squadron jet engine mechanic and assistant MIB4T coordinator. "Well think about it, what if we started teaching those skills at a younger age to our children, so when they experience adversity they'll have some of the skills to be able to cope?"

The MIB4T team ventured out to answer that question by holding a weeklong Youth Resilience Camp Aug. 3-7 at the youth center to teach teens these valuable skills and how to live a more resilient lifestyle.

Throughout the week, children participated in a variety of events testing their mental, physical, spiritual and social resilience, identical to the Comprehensive Airman Fitness program. From challenging memory tasks to learning how to fly a kite, the group used teamwork, problem solving and other life skills to accomplish tasks.

"My favorite part was the mental games," said Hunter, a camp participant. "I know it will help me with school and memorizing stuff for tests."

With the success of the foundational camp, the MIB4T leaders said they hope to push the program curriculum forward to continue making a bigger impact in the lives of military children. Williams said they plan to conduct more events like this when children are out of school and during holiday breaks, with an ultimate goal of pushing the program Air Force-wide.

"These skills work," Williams exclaimed. "They basically saved my life and I think it's important that we pass these skills down to our younger kids so that maybe it'll help save someone else's life."

At the conclusion of the camp, the MIB4T team believed they made a lasting impact on the children who participated and set them up for a brighter future.

"These young people are literally youth wingmen," said Richard Lambert, 4th Fighter Wing community support coordinator. "They're wingmen to one another, wingmen to their families and wingmen to the community. They are our future leaders of tomorrow and we need to make sure they have the skills to succeed in the face of adversity."

Flying high: Strike Eagle pilot reaches elite milestone

by Airman Shawna L. Keyes
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

8/6/2015 - SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C.  --  For F-15E Strike Eagle aircrew at the 4th Fighter Wing, flying through the skies is a part of their lifestyle. However, for Lt. Col. Paul Hibbard, 333rd Fighter Squadron instructor pilot, the clouds are almost like a second home.

On July 22, Hibbard surpassed the 3,000-hour mark in the F-15E, joining an elite group of fighter aviators.

"It's quite an honor," Hibbard said. "Not many fighter pilots accumulate that many flight hours and experience."

Hour one began more than two decades ago when he started his career as an F-15E Strike Eagle pilot on Feb. 9, 1995, as a student in the first Basic Course held at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.

"My first couple of hours in the Strike Eagle were exhilarating," Hibbard said. "What an amazing machine. The simulator and ground briefs prepared us for all of the procedures we would execute, but nothing prepares you for the kick in the pants, the g-forces and the mind-racing visuals of a flight in an F-15E. Over time, I've grown accustomed to the physical demands, but the joys of dominating the aerial environment haven't faded."

Following initial training, Hibbard explained he had a unique experience to be assigned to four different F-15E operational squadrons.

Hibbard has flown with the 494th FS at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, the 389th FS in Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, and the 335th FS at Seymour Johnson AFB. He's also spent time at the 90th FS at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, when F-15Es were assigned there.

"I've participated in operations or exercises supporting our National Military Objectives in over 21 nations throughout four continents," Hibbard said. "While amazing and rewarding, I wouldn't call it exceptional. Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and DoD civilians are making the amazing possible every day in places more far-flung than I ever experienced. They are the exceptional ones."

Hibbard has flown more than 1,550 sorties and deployed seven times throughout his Strike Eagle career. During that time, he learned no one is perfect, including himself.
"I don't want to be known as the guy with 1,000, 2,000, or 3,000 hours," Hibbard said. "Credentials don't mean much to me. Demonstrated performance was always, and remains, my benchmark, and that is only as good as your last sortie."

Upon landing from the sortie that took him over the mark, Hibbard's family and friends joined him on the ramp to celebrate his achievement. He said he was especially appreciative that his family was allowed out because they don't get to participate in a lot of what he does.

"So few Strike Eagle aircrew reach this milestone, and I didn't get there on my own," he said. "My wife of 22 years has supported me the whole way (as well as) all the unsung Airmen doing their best to make this milestone possible."

As an instructor pilot, Hibbard is charged with training new Strike Eagle aviators during the qualification course. His commander, Lt. Col. Frederick Haley, said having someone with Hibbard's expertise provides an added benefit to those on hour one in the aircraft.

"There are only two other actively flying F-15E pilots who have achieved this rare milestone," said Lt. Col. Frederick Haley, 333rd FS commander. "The 333rd Fighter Squadron is fortunate to have an officer of such tremendous talent and rare experience committed to developing the next generation of Strike Eagle warriors."

Now a member of this elite Strike Eagle club, Hibbard plans to continue passing down his knowledge and expertise to all the younger pilots that come through his classroom.

"I can tell you the 3,000th hour didn't feel very different from the 2,000th or 1,000th hour, but it feels a lot different from that first hour," Hibbard said. "I look forward to being able to continue to fly the Strike Eagle for as long as the Air Force will allow me."

Airmen help base 'weather' any storm

by Senior Airman John Nieves Camacho
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

8/6/2015 - SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Multiple displays of surrounding weather conditions fill monitors throughout the room. Screens and documents are flooded with combined acronyms and numbers - a cryptic language only a specialist can decipher.

Amidst the colorful display of precipitation, wind and climate forecasts, short spouts of data are verbally exchanged to accomplish the mission.

"Issue a weather advisory and inform our forecasters of the changes."

"Roger. I'll continue to monitor models and satellite imagery, as well."

The Airmen of the 4th Operations Support Squadron weather flight work diligently, 365 days a year, to stay ahead of Mother Nature and keep the people and aircraft of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base safe.

"The weather flight directs and coordinates weather watches, warnings and advisories," said Master Sgt. Adam Bolen, 4th OSS weather flight chief. "This ensures the safety of flights and enables the resource protection of (12,000) base personnel and families, as well as over $9 billion in Defense Department assets."

Airmen constantly monitor weather patterns spanning North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. Gathering information such as temperature, wind speed, cloud movement and precipitation levels, Airmen are able provide accurate information to the base populace.

"We look at satellite feeds, (as well as) various radar and computer modeling websites," said Senior Airman Megan Blankenship, 4th OSS weather forecaster. "On any given day, we monitor around 15 to 20 different sources and products that we analyze and interpret to produce just one forecast for the airfield or a flying mission."

The weather flight is comprised of 17 individuals across three sections: staff, airfield services and mission services. The staff section handles administrative duties, while the airfield services section focuses on monitoring the weather above and within five nautical miles of the airfield. Mission services acts as the liaison between aircrew members and the weather flight by delivering forecasts for operations outside the immediate area.

"Briefing aircrew prior to flight is my favorite part of the job," said Staff Sgt. Robert Catron, 4th OSS weather forecaster. "We integrate with them in the fighter squadron, build trust and rapport and see all of our work culminate together."

By providing accurate forecasts, the weather flight has their hand in defending more than half of the Air Force's F-15E Strike Eagles. With so much of the mission taking place in the skies, their efforts ultimately assist in enabling more than 19,000 flying hours per year.

"Other jobs could get more difficult if there was no weather flight," Blankenship said. "We help save the Air Force money by forecasting inclement weather and advising leadership on potential hazards, which ultimately protects the lives of many aircrew members and billions of dollars in assets."

Bolen described his Airmen as "vigilant guardians" and said their work is above reproach.

"Few Airmen are tied to the mission of both the 4th Fighter Wing and the 916th Air Refueling Wing like my Airmen," Bolen added. "The selflessness and default to action attitude they express every day is a tribute to the dedication of all of my weather forecasters."

Thanks to the accuracy and brevity of the weather flight's information, so far in 2015, no aircraft or traffic incidents installation involving inclement weather have occurred.

"I love working as a weather forecaster for the Air Force," Catron said. "Our situational awareness is always at its peak. The work may get hectic at times, but we do what it takes to get the mission done. When weather is at its worst, I'm at my best."