By Jim GaramoneAmerican Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Oct. 10, 2012 – NATO has no plans to reduce its Kosovo Force, Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said in Brussels today.
About 1,650 troops, including around 760 Americans, serve in the
Kosovo Force, known as KFOR. Alliance defense ministers discussed the
situation in the country during their meeting this week and will not
make any changes in the make-up of the force, Rasmussen told reporters
as the NATO defense ministers conference wrapped up.
“We agreed
that KFOR continues to play an indispensable role in Kosovo,” he said.
“And ministers made clear that they remain committed to sustaining that
role.”
The ministers agreed that the security situation and freedom of movement have improved in Kosovo over the last six months, “but that we must remain vigilant and strong,” he said. NATO ministers welcome renewed contacts between Serbian and Kosovar officials, and NATO nations are fully committed to furthering that dialogue, the secretary general noted. “All need to live up to their responsibilities and move the whole region forward,” he said. NATO has no plans to reduce the troop presence in Kosovo, Rasmussen said. “We have the ambition to gradually reduce our troop presence in Kosovo as the security situation, hopefully, continues to improve,” Rasmussen said. “But because of the volatile situation we have witnessed during the recent year, we have postponed the decision to reduce the number of troops.” The secretary general reiterated that what happens in Kosovo will be dictated by the security situation on the ground. “We will not take any step that can deteriorate the security situation in Kosovo,” he said. “We will stay committed to fully implementing the United Nations Security Council’s mandate to ensure a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement for all people in Kosovo.” Military commanders may change where troops are deployed in the country, Rasmussen said. “You will see some rebalancing in the coming months with a stronger focus on the north of Kosovo, taking into account the situation we have witnessed there,” he said. |
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Troop Numbers to Remain Stable for Kosovo, Rasmussen Says
Battleship NORTH CAROLINA Announces 2013 Program and Event Schedule
WILMINGTON, NC – The Battleship NORTH CAROLINA is pleased to
announce the programming and special event schedule for 2013.
Diverse programming onboard the NORTH CAROLINA allows people
of all generations to experience what fascinates them most about one of the
most decorated ships of World War II. You are invited to discover and build
your personal connection by participating in programs such as Firepower and
Power Plant that give more in depth exploration. The young at heart will also
enjoy the more family fun oriented events with the Easter Egg Hunt and Batty
Battleship’s Halloween Bash.
New for 2013:
Design & Damage Control
May 18, 2013
Time: 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
$55 per person. $50
for Friends members or active military.
As the first of the 10 fast battleships which served in
WWII, NORTH CAROLINA paved the way for those battleships that followed. In this four-hour program, participants will
explore the ship and engage with experts on ship design. Topics include
surviving a torpedo strike, fires, and loss of power; thwarting magnetism and
unwanted waters from flooding; from shoring and shifting fuel oil to triage of
casualties and effective communication. An interesting and insightful afternoon
awaits inquiring minds.
The tour is limited to ages 16 and older and limited to 48
participants. It is not appropriate for those who have difficulty climbing
narrow ladders or over knee-high hatches. Wear warm, comfortable, washable
clothing, sturdy, rubber-soled shoes and bring a camera! Water and light snack
provided. Registration and payment are due by Thursday, May 16. Program is
$50/$45 for Friends of the Battleship or active military. Call 910-251-5797 for
reservations.
The Battleship NORTH CAROLINA is self-supporting, not tax
supported and relies primarily upon admissions to tour the Ship, sales in the
Ship's Store, donations and investments. No funds for its administration and
operation come from appropriations from governmental entities at the local,
state or federal levels. Located at the junction of Highways 17/74/76/421 on
the Cape Fear River. Visit
www.battleshipnc.com or follow us on Facebook.com/ncbb55 and
Twitter.com/battleshipnc for more information.
Chairman, Enlisted Advisor Urge Service Members to Vote
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Oct. 10, 2012 – The military’s top commissioned and noncommissioned officers have joined forces to urge service members to exercise their right to vote in the upcoming election.
Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and his senior enlisted advisor, Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Bryan B. Battaglia, recorded a video message for distribution throughout the Defense Department.
“Throughout history, the men and women of our Armed Forces have fought to protect and defend our constitution, including our right to vote,” Dempsey said in the message. “Voting is indeed democracy in action, and it defines, in no small part, what it means to be an American.”
Battaglia emphasized that service members have every opportunity to vote. “Whether overseas or at your home station, absentee ballot or the polling station, voting has never been easier for you and your family,” he said. “And we strongly encourage each of you to exercise your right. If needed, your unit voting assistance officer stands ready to help.”
Dempsey noted that even as service members participate in the election, their mission remains unchanged.
“As we cast our ballot and leaders are elected, we will all continue to proudly serve with loyalty and honor,” he said. “It simply reaffirms our dedication and trust as members of this great profession. Thank you for your service.”
Sheppard detachment helps EOD joint school embrace C3
by Dan Hawkins
82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
10/9/2012 - EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Turning one person's trash into another person's treasure happens all the time and Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal is as far as one needs to look to see the cost-conscious culture mentality in full swing on a daily basis.
When it comes to reutilizing recyclable materials to enhance practical scenario training areas, NAVSCOLEOD has led from the front after another successful year turning the reusable material into world-class training areas for hands-on training in one of the armed services' most dangerous career fields.
The 366th Training Squadron Field Training Detachment 3, part of the 782nd Training Group at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, has played a huge role in the joint school's effort to use the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service (DRMS), along with other local sources, in a variety of projects aimed at enhancing the realism of explosive ordnance disposal training, embracing the C3 philosophy to help save taxpayer dollars.
"Our goal, which is in line with our (NAVSCOLEOD) commander's intent, is to increase the realism, rigor and relevance of our overall training program," said Lt. Col. Jerry Sanchez, 366th TRS Detachment 3 commander. "What we do is too important to not look at every avenue available to us to ensure our training is the best in the world."
After a cost avoidance of $1.54 million in fiscal year 2010 and $1.34 million in FY 2011 through the use of DRMS, NAVSCOLEOD has pushed hard again this year in trying again to earn a spot on the DRMS "Million Dollar Board" in FY 2012.
According to Senior Chief Petty Officer Al Albright, NCOIC of the Weapons of Mass Destruction division, using DRMS as opposed to waiting for funding not only saves money, but allows the school to implement changes to the training scenario curriculum on a schedule.
"We gather resources all year long from DRMS and then look to see where we need to upgrade each of training areas across all the divisions," Albright said. "We get all of our resources in order and then we try to build while the students are out on exodus for the holidays."
One of the major projects completed with the help of DRMS was the construction of a robot training facility for the Improvised Explosive Device division, using $500,000 in recycled resources and in-house labor for the build.
With the new facility, which includes roped off lanes for individual robots, low-light tunnels for limited visibility operations and both above and below-ground culverts, the training environment mirrors the conditions downrange.
"This allows us to train on exactly what we will see in Afghanistan or anywhere else," said Tech. Sgt. Benjamin McGraw, NAVSCOLEOD instructor. "Having the individualized stations set up also allows us to isolate weak skill set areas for students and spend more time focusing on those areas for improvement."
A key acquisition for the Nuclear Ordnance Division was a $16,000 jet engine, which enabled training scenarios across several divisions.
The NOD was able to utilize the engine shell as a Minuteman III shroud trainer. With actual shroud trainers costing upwards of $195,000 and often on a two to three-year order backlog, the trainer speeded up NOD's ability to train on missile-related scenarios, which did not exist previously.
The engine components stripped from the shell are being utilized by the IED division as part of wreckage training problems.
NOD's procurement of $250,000 in vehicles for a large-scale accident training area still being developed will also add to realism to their curriculum.
The WMD division's top priority was the development of "CONUS town", where students focus on searching for nuclear material. After acquiring $237,000 in DRMS assets, the NAVSCOLEOD staff was able to create an entire urban setting, complete with a restaurant, bank, post office, town houses and even a gas station.
"We needed something to visually stimulate the students during training," Albright said. "The training is so relevant in urban areas that this build had to happen to keep up with current trends."
Other WMD division projects included a tunnel system, with four foot in diameter culverts and sheds covered with camouflage netting to help create authenticity. A new "militia" camp to simulate "homegrown" terrorist scenarios was created with $55,000 in training aides secured through DRMS. In the inert training area, a $90,000 bus was acquired to create a search lane, along with $120,000 in vehicles for a joint parking lot simulation exercise with the IED division.
The training area upgrades go beyond the EOD basic course. Advanced IED Defeat, a course designed for students coming back to NAVSCOLEOD for upgrade training, logged a $190,000 cost avoidance using recycled materials to construct 15 training devices.
Using solenoids, metal frames, pumps and pressure tanks, the AIEDD made the course more challenging with the creation of the more sophisticated training devices.
Saving money through sound C3 principles is something everyone can do.
"We can all look around and see how we can do things more economically," Sanchez said. "There isn't one way of saving money that is necessarily better than another way; it comes down to having an eye towards being resourceful in everything you do."
NAVSCOLEOD, located on the ranges of Eglin Air Force Base, provides high-risk, specialized, basic and advanced EOD training to more than 2,200 U.S. and partner nation military and selected U.S. government personnel each year.
82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
10/9/2012 - EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Turning one person's trash into another person's treasure happens all the time and Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal is as far as one needs to look to see the cost-conscious culture mentality in full swing on a daily basis.
When it comes to reutilizing recyclable materials to enhance practical scenario training areas, NAVSCOLEOD has led from the front after another successful year turning the reusable material into world-class training areas for hands-on training in one of the armed services' most dangerous career fields.
The 366th Training Squadron Field Training Detachment 3, part of the 782nd Training Group at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, has played a huge role in the joint school's effort to use the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service (DRMS), along with other local sources, in a variety of projects aimed at enhancing the realism of explosive ordnance disposal training, embracing the C3 philosophy to help save taxpayer dollars.
"Our goal, which is in line with our (NAVSCOLEOD) commander's intent, is to increase the realism, rigor and relevance of our overall training program," said Lt. Col. Jerry Sanchez, 366th TRS Detachment 3 commander. "What we do is too important to not look at every avenue available to us to ensure our training is the best in the world."
After a cost avoidance of $1.54 million in fiscal year 2010 and $1.34 million in FY 2011 through the use of DRMS, NAVSCOLEOD has pushed hard again this year in trying again to earn a spot on the DRMS "Million Dollar Board" in FY 2012.
According to Senior Chief Petty Officer Al Albright, NCOIC of the Weapons of Mass Destruction division, using DRMS as opposed to waiting for funding not only saves money, but allows the school to implement changes to the training scenario curriculum on a schedule.
"We gather resources all year long from DRMS and then look to see where we need to upgrade each of training areas across all the divisions," Albright said. "We get all of our resources in order and then we try to build while the students are out on exodus for the holidays."
One of the major projects completed with the help of DRMS was the construction of a robot training facility for the Improvised Explosive Device division, using $500,000 in recycled resources and in-house labor for the build.
With the new facility, which includes roped off lanes for individual robots, low-light tunnels for limited visibility operations and both above and below-ground culverts, the training environment mirrors the conditions downrange.
"This allows us to train on exactly what we will see in Afghanistan or anywhere else," said Tech. Sgt. Benjamin McGraw, NAVSCOLEOD instructor. "Having the individualized stations set up also allows us to isolate weak skill set areas for students and spend more time focusing on those areas for improvement."
A key acquisition for the Nuclear Ordnance Division was a $16,000 jet engine, which enabled training scenarios across several divisions.
The NOD was able to utilize the engine shell as a Minuteman III shroud trainer. With actual shroud trainers costing upwards of $195,000 and often on a two to three-year order backlog, the trainer speeded up NOD's ability to train on missile-related scenarios, which did not exist previously.
The engine components stripped from the shell are being utilized by the IED division as part of wreckage training problems.
NOD's procurement of $250,000 in vehicles for a large-scale accident training area still being developed will also add to realism to their curriculum.
The WMD division's top priority was the development of "CONUS town", where students focus on searching for nuclear material. After acquiring $237,000 in DRMS assets, the NAVSCOLEOD staff was able to create an entire urban setting, complete with a restaurant, bank, post office, town houses and even a gas station.
"We needed something to visually stimulate the students during training," Albright said. "The training is so relevant in urban areas that this build had to happen to keep up with current trends."
Other WMD division projects included a tunnel system, with four foot in diameter culverts and sheds covered with camouflage netting to help create authenticity. A new "militia" camp to simulate "homegrown" terrorist scenarios was created with $55,000 in training aides secured through DRMS. In the inert training area, a $90,000 bus was acquired to create a search lane, along with $120,000 in vehicles for a joint parking lot simulation exercise with the IED division.
The training area upgrades go beyond the EOD basic course. Advanced IED Defeat, a course designed for students coming back to NAVSCOLEOD for upgrade training, logged a $190,000 cost avoidance using recycled materials to construct 15 training devices.
Using solenoids, metal frames, pumps and pressure tanks, the AIEDD made the course more challenging with the creation of the more sophisticated training devices.
Saving money through sound C3 principles is something everyone can do.
"We can all look around and see how we can do things more economically," Sanchez said. "There isn't one way of saving money that is necessarily better than another way; it comes down to having an eye towards being resourceful in everything you do."
NAVSCOLEOD, located on the ranges of Eglin Air Force Base, provides high-risk, specialized, basic and advanced EOD training to more than 2,200 U.S. and partner nation military and selected U.S. government personnel each year.
554th RED HORSE: "SEMPER DUCIMUS" for 47 years
by Master Sgt David W. Sommers
554th RED HORSE Squadron
10/9/2012 - ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- The 554th RED HORSE Squadron continues to uphold its unit motto, "semper ducimus" or "always leading" as it celebrates its 47th birthday on Oct.12, making the 554th RHS the oldest RED HORSE squadron in the U.S. Air Force.
As other services have well known units, such as the Army's 101st and 82nd Airborne, the Air Force's RED HORSE, along with the Thunderbirds, have paved its way to the knowledge of many, military or civilian.
What makes RED HORSE truly unique in the civil engineer community is that it is classified as a weapons system and provides a highly responsive force to support contingency, peacetime and humanitarian operations world-wide.
REDHORSE capabilities include but are not limited to: cradle-to-grave engineering, aircraft launch systems, bed-down operations, expedient facility construction, heavy equipment, water well drilling, concrete and asphalt batch plant, quarry, explosive demolition, air assault, supply, logistics, food services, medical, administration, training, contracting and comptroller operations.
In the early years of the Vietnam Conflict the Air Force lacked the engineering capability to quickly respond to expedient wartime construction and disaster recovery efforts on U.S. bases. At this point, repairs were beyond the scope of a regular civil engineering unit. The Air Force needed a squadron that could construct expeditionary airfields and build facilities in the most austere conditions supporting forward deployed tactical units.
By September 1965 Tactical Air Command (TAC) created two units with the name REDHORSE, an acronym meaning; Rapid Engineering Deployable Heavy Operations Repair Squadron Engineer. These two units would initially deploy to Southwest Asia. The 554th Civil Engineering Squadron (Heavy Repair) was constituted on Oct. 1, 1965 and organized 11 days later. The 554th and 555th CES Squadrons began training at Cannon AFB, N.M. The 554th CES initially deployed to Phan Rang Air Base, Republic of Vietnam in February 1966 where its first major project was a complete runway reconstruction.
In May 1967, the 554th CES was reassigned to the 1st Civil Engineer Group, and on Feb 15, 1970, the 554th CES moved to Cam Ranh Bay Air Base and then again to Da Nang Air Base on Nov. 30, 1971. By the end of 1971, the 554th CES was the only squadron remaining in the Republic of Vietnam. It moved to U Tapao AB, Thailand, on June 30, 1972 to remove modular facilities.
A few years later, on 5 January 1976, the unit was assigned to Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) and moved yet again to Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea with a detachment remaining in the Philippines for a short time. In the early 1980s, the 554th CES proved to be instrumental and lived up to its name by constructing facilities at Suwon Air Base to support a newly assigned A-10 squadron assigned to 5th Air Force.
In 1987, 7th Air Force became the proud owner of the 554th CES, and on 15 October 1988, re-designated the unit as the 554th Civil Engineering Squadron, REDHORSE. On 8 March 1989 it was re-designated as the 554th RHS civil engineering squadron, and on March 1, 1994 as the 554th RHS. The unit's size was significantly reduced in the mid-1990s, but by November 2000, its manning had rebounded, creating a unit reinforced by strength of 144.
In 2004, the 554th RHS established an airborne capability known as the 554th RHS Assault, Assessment, and Repair Operations (AARO, pronounced "arrow") team to support rapid airfield seizure and repair capabilities in the Pacific Theater.
Even today, this capability is the only one of its kind in the PACAF area of responsibility.
554th RHS operating location alpha was activated at Andersen AFB, Guam on September 26, 2005 after the decision was made to move the 554th RHS from Korea. On January 22, 2008, with the relocation of manpower and equipment complete, the 554th RHS operating location alpha became the 554th RHS of the 36th Contingency Response Group, 36th Wing on Andersen AFB, Guam.
In 2009, the 554th RHS completed its first expeditionary deployment outside of the Pacific Command AOR in 35 years in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. In 2010, the 554th RHS continues extensive bed-down construction operations supporting itself, the 644th Combat Communications Squadron and the 736th Security Forces Squadron at Northwest Field. In September 2012, the 554th deployed again for the second time in 38 years outside of Pacific Command and the first time as the lead unit since the Vietnam War.
Today, the 554th is one of only four active duty REDHORSE squadrons in the Air Force and the only REDHORSE unit assigned to PACAF. Additionally, the 554th RHS is the only Total Force Integrated squadron in the Air Force.
When called upon, the 554th RHS will merge with the Air National Guard unit 254th RHS located at Andersen AFB, Guam and the Air Force Reserve unit, 307th RHS located at Barksdale AFB, La. When deployed together as a fully operational REDHORSE squadron of more than 405 personnel, the unit is completely self-sufficient and capable of independent operations worldwide, even in austere, high-threat locations.
554th RED HORSE Squadron
10/9/2012 - ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- The 554th RED HORSE Squadron continues to uphold its unit motto, "semper ducimus" or "always leading" as it celebrates its 47th birthday on Oct.12, making the 554th RHS the oldest RED HORSE squadron in the U.S. Air Force.
As other services have well known units, such as the Army's 101st and 82nd Airborne, the Air Force's RED HORSE, along with the Thunderbirds, have paved its way to the knowledge of many, military or civilian.
What makes RED HORSE truly unique in the civil engineer community is that it is classified as a weapons system and provides a highly responsive force to support contingency, peacetime and humanitarian operations world-wide.
REDHORSE capabilities include but are not limited to: cradle-to-grave engineering, aircraft launch systems, bed-down operations, expedient facility construction, heavy equipment, water well drilling, concrete and asphalt batch plant, quarry, explosive demolition, air assault, supply, logistics, food services, medical, administration, training, contracting and comptroller operations.
In the early years of the Vietnam Conflict the Air Force lacked the engineering capability to quickly respond to expedient wartime construction and disaster recovery efforts on U.S. bases. At this point, repairs were beyond the scope of a regular civil engineering unit. The Air Force needed a squadron that could construct expeditionary airfields and build facilities in the most austere conditions supporting forward deployed tactical units.
By September 1965 Tactical Air Command (TAC) created two units with the name REDHORSE, an acronym meaning; Rapid Engineering Deployable Heavy Operations Repair Squadron Engineer. These two units would initially deploy to Southwest Asia. The 554th Civil Engineering Squadron (Heavy Repair) was constituted on Oct. 1, 1965 and organized 11 days later. The 554th and 555th CES Squadrons began training at Cannon AFB, N.M. The 554th CES initially deployed to Phan Rang Air Base, Republic of Vietnam in February 1966 where its first major project was a complete runway reconstruction.
In May 1967, the 554th CES was reassigned to the 1st Civil Engineer Group, and on Feb 15, 1970, the 554th CES moved to Cam Ranh Bay Air Base and then again to Da Nang Air Base on Nov. 30, 1971. By the end of 1971, the 554th CES was the only squadron remaining in the Republic of Vietnam. It moved to U Tapao AB, Thailand, on June 30, 1972 to remove modular facilities.
A few years later, on 5 January 1976, the unit was assigned to Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) and moved yet again to Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea with a detachment remaining in the Philippines for a short time. In the early 1980s, the 554th CES proved to be instrumental and lived up to its name by constructing facilities at Suwon Air Base to support a newly assigned A-10 squadron assigned to 5th Air Force.
In 1987, 7th Air Force became the proud owner of the 554th CES, and on 15 October 1988, re-designated the unit as the 554th Civil Engineering Squadron, REDHORSE. On 8 March 1989 it was re-designated as the 554th RHS civil engineering squadron, and on March 1, 1994 as the 554th RHS. The unit's size was significantly reduced in the mid-1990s, but by November 2000, its manning had rebounded, creating a unit reinforced by strength of 144.
In 2004, the 554th RHS established an airborne capability known as the 554th RHS Assault, Assessment, and Repair Operations (AARO, pronounced "arrow") team to support rapid airfield seizure and repair capabilities in the Pacific Theater.
Even today, this capability is the only one of its kind in the PACAF area of responsibility.
554th RHS operating location alpha was activated at Andersen AFB, Guam on September 26, 2005 after the decision was made to move the 554th RHS from Korea. On January 22, 2008, with the relocation of manpower and equipment complete, the 554th RHS operating location alpha became the 554th RHS of the 36th Contingency Response Group, 36th Wing on Andersen AFB, Guam.
In 2009, the 554th RHS completed its first expeditionary deployment outside of the Pacific Command AOR in 35 years in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. In 2010, the 554th RHS continues extensive bed-down construction operations supporting itself, the 644th Combat Communications Squadron and the 736th Security Forces Squadron at Northwest Field. In September 2012, the 554th deployed again for the second time in 38 years outside of Pacific Command and the first time as the lead unit since the Vietnam War.
Today, the 554th is one of only four active duty REDHORSE squadrons in the Air Force and the only REDHORSE unit assigned to PACAF. Additionally, the 554th RHS is the only Total Force Integrated squadron in the Air Force.
When called upon, the 554th RHS will merge with the Air National Guard unit 254th RHS located at Andersen AFB, Guam and the Air Force Reserve unit, 307th RHS located at Barksdale AFB, La. When deployed together as a fully operational REDHORSE squadron of more than 405 personnel, the unit is completely self-sufficient and capable of independent operations worldwide, even in austere, high-threat locations.
1952 C-124 crash descendant finds closure in Alaska
by Capt. Tania Bryan
JTF-Alaska public affairs
10/9/2012 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- In November 1952, Airman Isaac Anderson sealed the envelope on a letter to his bride.
"I will be getting on a plane for Alaska in two hours. I love you, take care of my son," he wrote.
Airman Anderson and 51 other passengers and crewmembers aboard the C-124 Globemaster enroute to Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, from Washington state would never reach their final destination.
A search party was dispatched to the crash location and a portion of the aircraft's tail was spotted, but harsh weather conditions and the austere Alaskan environment thwarted efforts and necessitated the suspension of the recovery effort.
The C-124 crashed into Mt. Gannett, less than 40 miles from its final destination. The wreckage then tumbled down the mountain in an avalanche coming to final rest in a glacier, burying all evidence of the crash that had occurred as well as the hope to recover the service members, declared as missing in action.
It would be a month before a letter with details on the crash would be delivered to the next of kin, Airman Anderson's wife. She always thought he was going to walk back through the door, so she never remarried.
Nearly 60 years later, Airman Anderson's granddaughter, Tonja Anderson retells her father's story, saying it's always been a family legend. Because her father didn't grow up with his father, the legacy was carried on in pictures.
"I've always held on to the letter, I'm going to find out what happened," Anderson said.
As a promise to her grandmother before her death in 2001, Anderson picked up her search efforts to find the missing C-124 and answer the question, "how do you land on the glacier and not go back?"
In June 2012, while on a routine training mission, an Alaska Army National Guard UH-60 Blackhawk crew spotted bright yellow debris on the stark white landscape of the ground below. Low passes of Colony Glacier revealed what seemed to be aircraft debris, including shredded metal, life rafts and possibly a portion of landing gear.
Joint Task Force-Alaska was notified and activated and sent a team out to the glacier to take a closer look. The Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command was then contacted and a team was dispatched from their headquarters at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.
The JPAC team recovered material evidence such as life support equipment from the wreckage and also possible osseous material from the glacier. The team completed their investigation and recovery operation June 26 and the collected evidence was transported to JPAC's Central Identification Laboratory for further analysis.
Based on the material recovered, a positive correlation between the wreckage and the 1952 crash of Airman Anderson's C-124 was made.
Tonja Anderson heard about it on the news.
"I screamed, I cried, I called my dad at work and told him 'they found grandpa's plane'," she said.
After learning of the teamwork of the Alaska National Guard, JPAC and JTF-Alaska, Anderson decided to make the trip to Alaska to see for herself all that went into the effort, dubbed Operation Colony Glacier.
"I wanted to see for myself what it took for the 1952 search party to get there, what it was like having to stay the night, and, importantly, why they abandoned the search. You see it on paper, but until you visually see it ... I have more respect for it now.
"I just hope I can explain to the families when they have questions," Anderson worries.
"We don't understand, because we are just family members, what took place and why the military made the decisions they made, now that I'm here and I can see it I can get them to understand," she said. "If it's hard now, I know it would have been hard back then."
For Anderson, her visit to Alaska and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson was about closure.
Along with a summer 2012 timeline of Operation Colony Glacier, vintage artifacts recovered from the glacier - including a celestial navigation chart, Morse code card, and survival equipment such as rations, cooking pot and M1950 stove, fishing and desalination kits - as well as personal items such as a boot heel, uniform button, and a hockey puck were on display for Anderson.
"This makes it real for me," she said. "I can't believe all that is still intact, it's just priceless being able to touch some of the stuff that was on the plane with them."
She thanked the "Alaska National Guard, Joint Task Force, and JPAC, for taking the time to go back to the glacier and bringing it home, so we can finally get closure after 60 years."
She says she understands now the necessity to abandon the search all those years ago.
"When you are a family member and you are reading about it, you don't truly understand about it being inaccessible. I wrote letters every day. When I pulled out some of the emails and letters I wrote, I realized I was very mean, and it was just because I couldn't understand, how do you land on the glacier and not go back?" Anderson said. "Now that I'm here and I can see it, I truly understand."
In her journey, she's met 20 to 30 families of the 52.
"At this point in my life, I'm prepared even if they don't find one piece of my grandfather, I have closure," Anderson said. "If they can bring something back to the other families, I've done my job."
Airmen Anderson would be proud of his granddaughter's efforts.
"It's no longer a family story, it's real now."
JTF-Alaska public affairs
10/9/2012 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- In November 1952, Airman Isaac Anderson sealed the envelope on a letter to his bride.
"I will be getting on a plane for Alaska in two hours. I love you, take care of my son," he wrote.
Airman Anderson and 51 other passengers and crewmembers aboard the C-124 Globemaster enroute to Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, from Washington state would never reach their final destination.
A search party was dispatched to the crash location and a portion of the aircraft's tail was spotted, but harsh weather conditions and the austere Alaskan environment thwarted efforts and necessitated the suspension of the recovery effort.
The C-124 crashed into Mt. Gannett, less than 40 miles from its final destination. The wreckage then tumbled down the mountain in an avalanche coming to final rest in a glacier, burying all evidence of the crash that had occurred as well as the hope to recover the service members, declared as missing in action.
It would be a month before a letter with details on the crash would be delivered to the next of kin, Airman Anderson's wife. She always thought he was going to walk back through the door, so she never remarried.
Nearly 60 years later, Airman Anderson's granddaughter, Tonja Anderson retells her father's story, saying it's always been a family legend. Because her father didn't grow up with his father, the legacy was carried on in pictures.
"I've always held on to the letter, I'm going to find out what happened," Anderson said.
As a promise to her grandmother before her death in 2001, Anderson picked up her search efforts to find the missing C-124 and answer the question, "how do you land on the glacier and not go back?"
In June 2012, while on a routine training mission, an Alaska Army National Guard UH-60 Blackhawk crew spotted bright yellow debris on the stark white landscape of the ground below. Low passes of Colony Glacier revealed what seemed to be aircraft debris, including shredded metal, life rafts and possibly a portion of landing gear.
Joint Task Force-Alaska was notified and activated and sent a team out to the glacier to take a closer look. The Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command was then contacted and a team was dispatched from their headquarters at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.
The JPAC team recovered material evidence such as life support equipment from the wreckage and also possible osseous material from the glacier. The team completed their investigation and recovery operation June 26 and the collected evidence was transported to JPAC's Central Identification Laboratory for further analysis.
Based on the material recovered, a positive correlation between the wreckage and the 1952 crash of Airman Anderson's C-124 was made.
Tonja Anderson heard about it on the news.
"I screamed, I cried, I called my dad at work and told him 'they found grandpa's plane'," she said.
After learning of the teamwork of the Alaska National Guard, JPAC and JTF-Alaska, Anderson decided to make the trip to Alaska to see for herself all that went into the effort, dubbed Operation Colony Glacier.
"I wanted to see for myself what it took for the 1952 search party to get there, what it was like having to stay the night, and, importantly, why they abandoned the search. You see it on paper, but until you visually see it ... I have more respect for it now.
"I just hope I can explain to the families when they have questions," Anderson worries.
"We don't understand, because we are just family members, what took place and why the military made the decisions they made, now that I'm here and I can see it I can get them to understand," she said. "If it's hard now, I know it would have been hard back then."
For Anderson, her visit to Alaska and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson was about closure.
Along with a summer 2012 timeline of Operation Colony Glacier, vintage artifacts recovered from the glacier - including a celestial navigation chart, Morse code card, and survival equipment such as rations, cooking pot and M1950 stove, fishing and desalination kits - as well as personal items such as a boot heel, uniform button, and a hockey puck were on display for Anderson.
"This makes it real for me," she said. "I can't believe all that is still intact, it's just priceless being able to touch some of the stuff that was on the plane with them."
She thanked the "Alaska National Guard, Joint Task Force, and JPAC, for taking the time to go back to the glacier and bringing it home, so we can finally get closure after 60 years."
She says she understands now the necessity to abandon the search all those years ago.
"When you are a family member and you are reading about it, you don't truly understand about it being inaccessible. I wrote letters every day. When I pulled out some of the emails and letters I wrote, I realized I was very mean, and it was just because I couldn't understand, how do you land on the glacier and not go back?" Anderson said. "Now that I'm here and I can see it, I truly understand."
In her journey, she's met 20 to 30 families of the 52.
"At this point in my life, I'm prepared even if they don't find one piece of my grandfather, I have closure," Anderson said. "If they can bring something back to the other families, I've done my job."
Airmen Anderson would be proud of his granddaughter's efforts.
"It's no longer a family story, it's real now."
Tuesday, October 09, 2012
Team Andersen Airmen tour USS George Washington
by Airman 1st Class Marianique Santos
36th Wing Public Affairs
10/9/2012 - NAVAL BASE, Guam -- Members of Team Andersen and their families toured the USS George Washington (CVN 73) here, Sept. 22.
"I enjoyed the tour," said 1st Lt. Musette Willis, 36th Operations Support Squadron weather flight commander. "Some people say that this island is small and there isn't too many places to travel, well just imagine being on a ship."
As one of the 11 Navy global force aircraft carriers, the George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interests of the U.S. and its allies in the Asia-Pacific region.
"People are amazed at the size of the ship from the flight deck down to the hangar," said Mass Communications Chief Petty Officer Ryan Delcore, the George Washington's media department lead chief petty officer. "It's important to give visitors a tour of a nuclear powered aircraft carrier and show how many things need to be orchestrated to get our mission done along with all the tool and equipment to make it happen."
The tour took the Airmen and their families through the entry of the ship and into the hangar deck located below the runway. After seeing the area, the tour group was instructed to board the lift to get to the flight deck, where the F/A-18 Hornets, E-2 Hawkeyes and other Navy aircraft were parked.
"We stepped onto the largest elevator that I've ever seen, and learned that they use this platform to raise aircraft from the hangar and onto the flight deck," said Lieutenant Willis. "I was amazed at how many aircraft were able to fit."
After the tour groups were able to explore the flight deck, the Airmen and their families used the commanding officer's passage way to the bridge where they were able to see the carrier's control center and look at the flight deck from a commander's perspective.
At the bridge, individuals walked around and had the privilege of sitting on the commanding officer's and the navigator's chairs.
"I can't really choose which part of the tour was my favorite," said Lieutenant Willis. "I got to sit in the commanding officer's chair. What a view! It was also nice to be able to take a close look at the different aircraft. Though I've been in the Air Force for 18 years and have briefed hundreds of pilots, I have never been able to get so close to an airplane besides boarding it."
During the tour, the ship was bustling with activity. From maintenance at the flightline to other Navy personnel accomplishing their daily duties, work continues regardless of whether the George Washington is on port or at sea.
"We use our equipment a lot and we're doing a lot of maintenance in order to make sure it performs to its maximum capability," said Delcore. "It's a good way to show how hard working our crew members are considering how many assets we have on this carrier."
For Team Andersen Airmen who went to see the George Washington, the tour served as an avenue of learning.
"I think it is very important for other branches to see what other services do and how they contribute to the fight," said Lieutenant Willis. "This gains individuals a better appreciation for their sister services."
"I work by the airfield every day and watch the planes take off when I have time," Lieutenant Willis continued. "Seeing the flight deck made me realize that they launch and park aircraft in a significantly smaller area. It made me feel a connection with the Navy and gave me a better understanding and appreciation of what they do."
36th Wing Public Affairs
10/9/2012 - NAVAL BASE, Guam -- Members of Team Andersen and their families toured the USS George Washington (CVN 73) here, Sept. 22.
"I enjoyed the tour," said 1st Lt. Musette Willis, 36th Operations Support Squadron weather flight commander. "Some people say that this island is small and there isn't too many places to travel, well just imagine being on a ship."
As one of the 11 Navy global force aircraft carriers, the George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interests of the U.S. and its allies in the Asia-Pacific region.
"People are amazed at the size of the ship from the flight deck down to the hangar," said Mass Communications Chief Petty Officer Ryan Delcore, the George Washington's media department lead chief petty officer. "It's important to give visitors a tour of a nuclear powered aircraft carrier and show how many things need to be orchestrated to get our mission done along with all the tool and equipment to make it happen."
The tour took the Airmen and their families through the entry of the ship and into the hangar deck located below the runway. After seeing the area, the tour group was instructed to board the lift to get to the flight deck, where the F/A-18 Hornets, E-2 Hawkeyes and other Navy aircraft were parked.
"We stepped onto the largest elevator that I've ever seen, and learned that they use this platform to raise aircraft from the hangar and onto the flight deck," said Lieutenant Willis. "I was amazed at how many aircraft were able to fit."
After the tour groups were able to explore the flight deck, the Airmen and their families used the commanding officer's passage way to the bridge where they were able to see the carrier's control center and look at the flight deck from a commander's perspective.
At the bridge, individuals walked around and had the privilege of sitting on the commanding officer's and the navigator's chairs.
"I can't really choose which part of the tour was my favorite," said Lieutenant Willis. "I got to sit in the commanding officer's chair. What a view! It was also nice to be able to take a close look at the different aircraft. Though I've been in the Air Force for 18 years and have briefed hundreds of pilots, I have never been able to get so close to an airplane besides boarding it."
During the tour, the ship was bustling with activity. From maintenance at the flightline to other Navy personnel accomplishing their daily duties, work continues regardless of whether the George Washington is on port or at sea.
"We use our equipment a lot and we're doing a lot of maintenance in order to make sure it performs to its maximum capability," said Delcore. "It's a good way to show how hard working our crew members are considering how many assets we have on this carrier."
For Team Andersen Airmen who went to see the George Washington, the tour served as an avenue of learning.
"I think it is very important for other branches to see what other services do and how they contribute to the fight," said Lieutenant Willis. "This gains individuals a better appreciation for their sister services."
"I work by the airfield every day and watch the planes take off when I have time," Lieutenant Willis continued. "Seeing the flight deck made me realize that they launch and park aircraft in a significantly smaller area. It made me feel a connection with the Navy and gave me a better understanding and appreciation of what they do."
Commando Warrior facilitates inspection
by Airman 1st Class Marianique Santos
36th Wing Public Affairs
10/9/2012 - NORTHWEST FIELD, Guam -- At some point in their career, security forces Airmen are required to make a trip to a regional training center to make sure they have the skill sets to execute their mission downrange. In Asia-Pacific region, Andersen Air Force Base's 736th Security Forces Squadron Commando Warrior Flight not only prepares the Airmen for deployment, but also facilitate command-level readiness inspections.
The Commando Warrior flight is in charge of the Pacific Regional Training Center, making sure that security forces Airmen to the region are always ready for deployment.
"We cover all the bases for pacific: Eielson, Kadena, Hawaii, and so on," said Senior Airman Benjamin Nelson, 736th SFS Commando Warrior flight PRTC instructor. "Occasionally, we get a few Airmen from the U.S. fulfilling their pre-deployment requirement when there is no training going on in the U.S."
The Commando Warrior training is conducted here with a 15-day refresher training culminating to a 73-hour field training exercise. During the FTX, the Airmen execute contingency missions and defend simulated forward operating base Commando Warrior.
Within the two weeks of training, they train on mounted and dismounted patrols, counter improvised explosive device threats, counter insurgency operations, team movements, individual movements, land navigation and tactical combat casualty care.
"As security forces, we don't know when we might get deployed," said Airman Nelson. "If something happens we can be tasked immediately to go down range. That's why it's important to send security members to this training and make sure that they are proficient in executing their mission."
Along with fulfilling pre-deployment requirement, the Airmen from 18th Security Forces Squadron from Kadena AFB, Japan, was simultaneously training and being evaluated by the Pacific Air Forces Security Forces Inspector General for this year's readiness inspection.
"The day shift right now is comprised mostly of Kadena Airmen," said Airman Nelson. "PACAF IG is here evaluating them as we conduct our own evaluation. We try to get the IG requirements squared away before we get back on our own."
Conducting the readiness inspection PRTC allows PACAF to assess and evaluate the unit's force on force objectives.
"From the inspector's perspective, having the training center here gives us the most realistic evaluation of the Airmen and their ability to conduct force on force operation," said Capt. James Hagemier, PACAF SF IG. "Being in a FOB and not having comforts that they usually have allows them to focus on what their mission is, giving us the closest thing to actually seeing what they would do down range or in support of operations."
The freedom to use blanks and pyrotechnics and setting up ambushes without disrupting the day-to-day mission of a base gives the instructors, as well as the IG, the freedom to throw in more elaborate scenarios and see how the Airmen will react in a plethora of situations.
"It enables us to make a more legitimate assessment of their force on force capabilities because we could put them in scenarios that we might not be able to facilitate in their home stations," said Captain Hagemier. "We can actually provide more realistic scenarios where they would have to adapt and overcome."
It has been a long time since a readiness inspection has been conducted with pre-deployment training, but Captain Hagemier said that they plan to conduct readiness inspection pluses this way whenever they are able to schedule everything accordingly.
"It was already established that it is one of the better ways to conduct this type of inspection," said Captain Hagemier. "It gives us an opportunity to leverage all the capabilities here and bring that grade back with us when we conduct that actual inspection."
The PRTC instructors also facilitated the field training exercise in a way that allowed the IG and Commando Warrior scenarios to flow seamlessly.
"The students have no idea what's going to be inspected by me and which ones will be inspected by the instructors so they just come in and do their mission to the best of their abilities," said Captain Hagemier. "The students performance is a testament to the awesome program the PRTC team has here. The level of training the Airmen receive coincides with the importance of the mission they will be doing downrange."
The members of the Commando Warrior flight have been down range and use their experiences to create the best and most realistic training environment for their fellow security forces members.
"We are a small cohesive team," said Airman Nelson. "I work with great individuals everyday to try and make our regional training center as effective and realistic as we can within the realm of safety."
"For those who have not deployed, we want to make sure that the students can react and know what it's like to react and fire under stress," he continued. "We try to provide them the training that would prepare them for anything that they would have to face as security forces Airmen."
36th Wing Public Affairs
10/9/2012 - NORTHWEST FIELD, Guam -- At some point in their career, security forces Airmen are required to make a trip to a regional training center to make sure they have the skill sets to execute their mission downrange. In Asia-Pacific region, Andersen Air Force Base's 736th Security Forces Squadron Commando Warrior Flight not only prepares the Airmen for deployment, but also facilitate command-level readiness inspections.
The Commando Warrior flight is in charge of the Pacific Regional Training Center, making sure that security forces Airmen to the region are always ready for deployment.
"We cover all the bases for pacific: Eielson, Kadena, Hawaii, and so on," said Senior Airman Benjamin Nelson, 736th SFS Commando Warrior flight PRTC instructor. "Occasionally, we get a few Airmen from the U.S. fulfilling their pre-deployment requirement when there is no training going on in the U.S."
The Commando Warrior training is conducted here with a 15-day refresher training culminating to a 73-hour field training exercise. During the FTX, the Airmen execute contingency missions and defend simulated forward operating base Commando Warrior.
Within the two weeks of training, they train on mounted and dismounted patrols, counter improvised explosive device threats, counter insurgency operations, team movements, individual movements, land navigation and tactical combat casualty care.
"As security forces, we don't know when we might get deployed," said Airman Nelson. "If something happens we can be tasked immediately to go down range. That's why it's important to send security members to this training and make sure that they are proficient in executing their mission."
Along with fulfilling pre-deployment requirement, the Airmen from 18th Security Forces Squadron from Kadena AFB, Japan, was simultaneously training and being evaluated by the Pacific Air Forces Security Forces Inspector General for this year's readiness inspection.
"The day shift right now is comprised mostly of Kadena Airmen," said Airman Nelson. "PACAF IG is here evaluating them as we conduct our own evaluation. We try to get the IG requirements squared away before we get back on our own."
Conducting the readiness inspection PRTC allows PACAF to assess and evaluate the unit's force on force objectives.
"From the inspector's perspective, having the training center here gives us the most realistic evaluation of the Airmen and their ability to conduct force on force operation," said Capt. James Hagemier, PACAF SF IG. "Being in a FOB and not having comforts that they usually have allows them to focus on what their mission is, giving us the closest thing to actually seeing what they would do down range or in support of operations."
The freedom to use blanks and pyrotechnics and setting up ambushes without disrupting the day-to-day mission of a base gives the instructors, as well as the IG, the freedom to throw in more elaborate scenarios and see how the Airmen will react in a plethora of situations.
"It enables us to make a more legitimate assessment of their force on force capabilities because we could put them in scenarios that we might not be able to facilitate in their home stations," said Captain Hagemier. "We can actually provide more realistic scenarios where they would have to adapt and overcome."
It has been a long time since a readiness inspection has been conducted with pre-deployment training, but Captain Hagemier said that they plan to conduct readiness inspection pluses this way whenever they are able to schedule everything accordingly.
"It was already established that it is one of the better ways to conduct this type of inspection," said Captain Hagemier. "It gives us an opportunity to leverage all the capabilities here and bring that grade back with us when we conduct that actual inspection."
The PRTC instructors also facilitated the field training exercise in a way that allowed the IG and Commando Warrior scenarios to flow seamlessly.
"The students have no idea what's going to be inspected by me and which ones will be inspected by the instructors so they just come in and do their mission to the best of their abilities," said Captain Hagemier. "The students performance is a testament to the awesome program the PRTC team has here. The level of training the Airmen receive coincides with the importance of the mission they will be doing downrange."
The members of the Commando Warrior flight have been down range and use their experiences to create the best and most realistic training environment for their fellow security forces members.
"We are a small cohesive team," said Airman Nelson. "I work with great individuals everyday to try and make our regional training center as effective and realistic as we can within the realm of safety."
"For those who have not deployed, we want to make sure that the students can react and know what it's like to react and fire under stress," he continued. "We try to provide them the training that would prepare them for anything that they would have to face as security forces Airmen."
Bells ring for fallen firefighter comrades
by Airman 1st Class Hailey Davis
18th Wing Public Affairs
10/6/2012 - KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Three white blocks sit 10 feet from a cement memorial where three square stones have been placed in memory of fallen firefighters from Kadena.
Each cement block holds a single flag pole, which is home to the American flag, the Japanese flag, and the Kadena Fire Department flag.
Despite being overseas, this memorial, along with a ceremony that took place Oct. 7, is one way Kadena remembers fallen American firefighters.
Bells Across America was started in 2011 by the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation to honor American firefighters that made the ultimate sacrifice in 2010. This year, Kadena adds one of their own to the 83 fallen firefighters that gave their lives in 2011.
"Derek Kozorosky died on Feb. 11, 2011 during a backing accident at Fire Department Headquarters," explained Tech. Sgt. Nelson Thomas, Kadena Fire Emergency Services fire prevention inspector. "I was the Assistant Chief in charge the day of Derek's accident."
Thomas also led operations to rescue his fallen firefighter, alongside Staff Sgt. James Wolnik, Kadena Fire Emergency Services fire prevention inspector.
He explained that although the accident occured more than a year and a half ago, it's still fresh, and difficult to talk about. Instead he pauses to remember his fallen brother.
"I worked with him for six months in Fire Station 1 and regarded him as one of the best and brightest of all our firefighters," said Thomas. "Derek was always willing to give 100% and never complained about anything."
Wolnik, as well as Thomas, agree that Derek was a great guy at work, someone that Airmen could look up to. He always had a smile on his face, and was eager to learn something new every day.
"Koz and I were on the same 'kelly day set,' which is our regular day off," said Staff Sgt. James Wolnik, Kadena Fire Emergency Services fire prevention inspector. "He was the one that I'd go out to dinner with while everyone was at work."
He had a kindred spirit, said Thomas. "I will forever be greatful for the time that I knew Derek."
"For the longest time I didn't want to believe that it had happened," Wolnik said, his voice shaky. "Even after, once we had found out that he had passed away, it was surreal. I was kind of numb for quite a while."
"It was all a blur," Thomas said. "I took it pretty hard, because I know there was nothing that I could have physically done to stop the accident from happening."
Wolnik explains how although the accident tore the department apart in the beginning, he and his fellow firefighters came together and painted a mural at a section of the Sunabe Seawall outside Kadena's gates.
"It brings the old (firefighters) together and gives us something to bring the new firefighters into," Wolnik said about the mural memorial in remembrance of Derek.
The ringing of the bell is symbolic within the fire department. It symbolizes that a comrade has fallen, thus, at the end of the ceremony, the bell rang a total of nine times, three times for fallen firefighters of Kadena; Todd Crigger, Jun. 3, 1990, Takashi Shimada, Dec. 23, 2010, and Derek Kovorosky, Feb. 11, 2011.
"It's a time for us to pay respects, and to think of those who we've lost too soon," Thomas said with an emotional pause.
Kadena's ceremony as well as a ceremony at Misawa Air Base, Japan, coincide with 300 fire departments across the United States holding a National Fallen Firefighter Memorial ceremony in Emmitsburg, Md., Oct. 7.
"To me, (Bells Across America) is a remembrance and the accepting of our fallen brothers into the brotherhood forever," said Wolnik.
18th Wing Public Affairs
10/6/2012 - KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Three white blocks sit 10 feet from a cement memorial where three square stones have been placed in memory of fallen firefighters from Kadena.
Each cement block holds a single flag pole, which is home to the American flag, the Japanese flag, and the Kadena Fire Department flag.
Despite being overseas, this memorial, along with a ceremony that took place Oct. 7, is one way Kadena remembers fallen American firefighters.
Bells Across America was started in 2011 by the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation to honor American firefighters that made the ultimate sacrifice in 2010. This year, Kadena adds one of their own to the 83 fallen firefighters that gave their lives in 2011.
"Derek Kozorosky died on Feb. 11, 2011 during a backing accident at Fire Department Headquarters," explained Tech. Sgt. Nelson Thomas, Kadena Fire Emergency Services fire prevention inspector. "I was the Assistant Chief in charge the day of Derek's accident."
Thomas also led operations to rescue his fallen firefighter, alongside Staff Sgt. James Wolnik, Kadena Fire Emergency Services fire prevention inspector.
He explained that although the accident occured more than a year and a half ago, it's still fresh, and difficult to talk about. Instead he pauses to remember his fallen brother.
"I worked with him for six months in Fire Station 1 and regarded him as one of the best and brightest of all our firefighters," said Thomas. "Derek was always willing to give 100% and never complained about anything."
Wolnik, as well as Thomas, agree that Derek was a great guy at work, someone that Airmen could look up to. He always had a smile on his face, and was eager to learn something new every day.
"Koz and I were on the same 'kelly day set,' which is our regular day off," said Staff Sgt. James Wolnik, Kadena Fire Emergency Services fire prevention inspector. "He was the one that I'd go out to dinner with while everyone was at work."
He had a kindred spirit, said Thomas. "I will forever be greatful for the time that I knew Derek."
"For the longest time I didn't want to believe that it had happened," Wolnik said, his voice shaky. "Even after, once we had found out that he had passed away, it was surreal. I was kind of numb for quite a while."
"It was all a blur," Thomas said. "I took it pretty hard, because I know there was nothing that I could have physically done to stop the accident from happening."
Wolnik explains how although the accident tore the department apart in the beginning, he and his fellow firefighters came together and painted a mural at a section of the Sunabe Seawall outside Kadena's gates.
"It brings the old (firefighters) together and gives us something to bring the new firefighters into," Wolnik said about the mural memorial in remembrance of Derek.
The ringing of the bell is symbolic within the fire department. It symbolizes that a comrade has fallen, thus, at the end of the ceremony, the bell rang a total of nine times, three times for fallen firefighters of Kadena; Todd Crigger, Jun. 3, 1990, Takashi Shimada, Dec. 23, 2010, and Derek Kovorosky, Feb. 11, 2011.
"It's a time for us to pay respects, and to think of those who we've lost too soon," Thomas said with an emotional pause.
Kadena's ceremony as well as a ceremony at Misawa Air Base, Japan, coincide with 300 fire departments across the United States holding a National Fallen Firefighter Memorial ceremony in Emmitsburg, Md., Oct. 7.
"To me, (Bells Across America) is a remembrance and the accepting of our fallen brothers into the brotherhood forever," said Wolnik.
Vote now for your choice of best Army PT uniform
By C. Todd LopezArmy News Service
WASHINGTON (10/9/12) - Back in February, the Army gave Soldiers a chance to weigh in on the Improved Physical Fitness Uniform. The Army took those Soldier suggestions and developed a possible replacement uniform.
Beginning today, Soldiers can vote on which one of those they think looks the best. The online poll will be available for 20 days.
More than 76,000 Soldiers responded to the initial survey. Among other things, Soldiers commented about uniform fit, moisture wicking and anti-microbial properties and how much the uniform weighs. The Army listened to Soldiers and has developed a new Improved Physical Fitness Uniform, or IPFU.
Now the Army wants Soldiers to weigh in on color options and graphic patterns for the uniform. There are six candidate uniforms – they are all the same in terms of fabrics, capabilities and durability. What's different is the color of the fabrics and the size, color and shapes of the graphic designs.
Stylistic variations include different colors for the jacket and pants -- black or gray, for instance. Soldiers can also choose among graphic elements and colors for graphic elements.
With the jacket, for instance, there is a chevron emblazoned across the chest. That can be in yellow, grey or black, and it can be thick or thin. On the shorts, there's the option to have colored piping on the sides. For the long and short-sleeve T-shirts, there are both fabric color options and the option to have either the word "Army" emblazoned across the chest or the Army logo over the left breast.
Perhaps more important than how the uniform looks is how the uniform will perform and feel. Improvements in the IPFU include reduced fabric weight, tag-less labels, anti-microbial properties, quick-dry capability, removal of reflective properties in the uniform, the removal of the liner and elastic bottom on the pants, and overall pattern adjustments to provide a better fit.
Those changes came as a result of Soldier input as well. Command Sgt. Maj. Emmett Maunakea, Program Executive Office Soldier, said Soldiers were asked to weigh in on the IPFU, and are being asked now to vote on which uniform they like best, because it is Soldiers who are the end users.
"Nobody can tell you better what needs to happen with it than the user of that piece of equipment," Maunakea said. "We need the feedback from Soldiers and leaders in the field to tell us what is wrong with it, what is right with it, and how can we make it better and work better for them."
Maunakea said Soldiers know what's available to civilians in the way of fitness gear, and brought that knowledge with them when they commented on the Army's uniform.
"Our Soldiers are smart," he said. "They are out there spending a lot of money in the economy as they buy their civilian workout clothing. And they are buying the newest, latest and greatest type of stuff."
Maj. Mia Bruner, assistant product manager for initial issue uniforms, said Soldiers came into the February survey with well-informed ideas about their physical fitness uniform.
"They knew what they wanted that uniform to do," she said. "They knew that they wanted it to have sort of high-performance capabilities within the fabric. They know when you go out on the commercial market, you see tags that say anti-microbial and quick-dry and all of these high-speed, high-performance terminology -- they knew what characteristics and features they wanted to see in the uniform."
To save on cost, the reflective elements of the IPFU have been removed, Maunakea said.
"Everybody is going to be wearing a PT belt anyway, so it doesn't make sense to have it on the uniform, if you are already wearing a reflective belt."
On the long sleeve T-shirt, the "mock collar" has been removed, as well as the sleeve cuffs, to make the uniform more comfortable for Soldiers.
"We made it more like a crew neck collar to allow more air in for the Soldiers to cool down as they are working out," Bruner said. "It won't be as constricted around the neck area."
In the February survey, Soldiers had said they felt the liner in the pants was too thick and "got in the way," Bruner said. The liner has been removed. "We included re-enforcements along the knee area as well."
Also a possibility with the new uniform is "possible female sizing that will be developed," Bruner said.
Maunakea and a team from PEO Soldier will travel around the Army to show off to Soldiers the new uniform options. The dates and locations include Fort Bragg, N.C, Oct. 8-10 ; Fort Hood, Texas, Oct. 11-15; Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., Oct. 16-18; and Fort Shafter and Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, Oct. 19-26. Locations for those demonstrations were chosen for density of Soldiers.
After Soldiers vote on which uniform they like best, there will be a "series of steps" that must take place before the uniforms reach Soldiers. Included in those steps are wear testing by a sample group of Soldiers, additional improvements as a result of that testing, and a final approval by the chief of staff of the Army.
Soldiers can start voting on the IPFU beginning Oct. 9. To vote, go to https://ipfusurvey.natick.army.mil, and log in with your CAC. If you want to take the survey without having to log in with your CAC, visit https://surveys.natick.army.mil/Surveys/ipfu.nsf.
Wis. National Guard's Challenge Academy directs troubled teens
By Vaughn R. Larson
Wisconsin National Guard
FORT McCOY, Wis. (10/09/12) - The superintendent of the state Department of Public Instruction got a good look at the life of cadets taking part in a successful remediation program for at-risk teens.
"We're here to take the kids that are on the wrong track, where the traditional school setting isn't working for them, and give them an opportunity," Keith Krueger, Challenge Academy acting director, said in a briefing for Dr. Evers. "To take some of those barriers away from them, and put some things in place in an environment where they can make some positive choices and get on the right track."
The Challenge Academy program began nationally in 1993 as a means of applying Department of Defense resources to the growing high school dropout rate, which Krueger described as a national crisis. In Wisconsin, an average of 6,000 students per year drop out of high school.
"Very few will actually get back on track to their education, and they struggle basically throughout life," Krueger said. He noted one study that indicates that each dropout can cost society as much as $2.5 million over the course of the first decade after quitting school. By comparison, the Wisconsin National Guard Challenge Academy will cost about $4.2 million this year to operate - 25 percent of which is funded by the state DPI, and the rest covered by the Department of Defense.
If this [study] is accurate, we get four kids on the right track and we're paying for ourselves," Krueger said.
The Wisconsin National Guard Challenge Academy averages 200 graduates per year. Of the more than 3,100 cadets to enroll in the program since 1998, nearly 2,500 graduated the 22-week residential course and continued to the 12-month post-residential phase – a graduation rate of about 79 percent. A Rand Corporation technical report indicates that the Challenge Academy program realizes a 166 percent return on every dollar spent.
Challenge Academy succeeds, Kruger explained, because teens volunteer for the program, and because the closed environment at Fort McCoy removes them from bad influences or a troubled home life that can impede achievement. A strict daily regimen – each day begins at 5:20 a.m. and ends about 9 p.m. –provides much-needed structure, and the absence of TV, video games, Internet, personal music players and cell phones helps cadets focus on their academic and personal tasks.
Besides classes such as math, English or civics, cadets learn social skills, table manners, personal hygiene, phone etiquette and for the girls how to wear makeup.
"[We emphasize] the subtle look as opposed to the Brittany Spears look," Krueger said.
Challenge Academy also teaches eight core components – academic excellence; job skills; physical fitness; leadership and "followership;" health, hygiene and nutrition; life-coping skills; responsible citizenship and service to community. Each day includes the potential of difficulty for cadets -- what Krueger referred to as a "grit test."
"When things become uncomfortable, do you push through it and find a way through it and excel, or do you give up, lay down and go back to sleep?" he asked.
Dreshawn Covan, a cadet from the last Challenge Academy class, shared his past of not coming home, fighting in school or skipping classes, and hanging around with the wrong crowd. Sometimes he stayed away from home to avoid his mother seeing him intoxicated. Attempts to improve his behavior and academics were typically short-lived.
Covan said the death of his 16-year-old cousin - whom he described as a "good kid" who went to school - prompted him to change his ways.
"My friends were right about one thing - I only get to be a teen once," Covan said. "So why shorten that up?"
Among the lessons Covan said he learned at Challenge Academy: asking for help is not weakness but strength, how to walk away from a fight, how to bounce back from mistakes, and who really cared about him.
"I never got a letter from my friends," he acknowledged.
Covan said when he first arrived at Challenge Academy, he was a teen at risk.
"I am no longer a teen at risk," he told Evers. "I actually have a goal."
Cadet Taelor Davis - who escorted Evers and Maj. Gen. Don Dunbar, adjutant general of Wisconsin around the Challenge Academy facilities - echoed Krueger and Covan.
"I've grown in integrity here," she said. "At midterm break I could tell I had changed. I had learned a lot. You don't notice the change until you go home."
Davis noted that cadets earn what they receive, including their uniforms - black leather boots, Battle Dress Uniform trousers, red T-shirts or polo shirts, and a BDU patrol cap.
"If you don't earn it, you won't see the value in it," she explained.
Shelley Joan Weiss, a DPI commissioner of education opportunities for military children, said that teens she has spoken with who quit Challenge Academy tend to regret their decision and often want to return. She asked one teen what he liked about the program.
"Sleeping in my own bed and sleeping at regular times every single day," was his reply, she said.
Evers seemed impressed with his visit.
"What I've learned is we're able to take kids that come from really difficult backgrounds and how we provide them with the skills to succeed," Evers said. "All the things they were missing in their lives, and in a relatively short period of time turn their lives around. It's been a very worthwhile visit."
AFPC officials grant CMS access to additional PERSCO teams
By Tech. Sgt. Steve
Grever
Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO – RANDOLPH, Texas – Air Force officials have given Personnel Support for Contingency Operations teams access to the Air Force Case Management System at more locations throughout U.S. Southern Command, U.S. Air Forces in Europe, Pacific Air Forces and Air Combat Command.
Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO – RANDOLPH, Texas – Air Force officials have given Personnel Support for Contingency Operations teams access to the Air Force Case Management System at more locations throughout U.S. Southern Command, U.S. Air Forces in Europe, Pacific Air Forces and Air Combat Command.
The Air Force Personnel Center’s
Air and Space Expeditionary Force Operations directorate and Total Force
Service Center-San Antonio deployment cell are working hand-in-hand to provide
additional CMS access, training and personnel assistance to deployed PERSCO
teams outside of the U.S. Air Forces Central’s area of responsibility.
“PERSCO teams can send us
personnel questions through CMS that specifically deal with career-effecting
cases for Airmen,” said Master Sgt. Joseph Smith, TFSC-SA sustainment
superintendent. “They have a direct line to our CMS box and we will be their
liaison with AFPC program managers and each member’s home station. We can reach
back and touch these home stations a lot easier than deployed PERSCO teams
because of the time difference alone.”
Many PERSCO teams within AFCENT
were given CMS access in 2011 to help them submit personnel inquiries to the
TFSC-SA deployment cell, but now AFPC representatives are extending that access
to deployed PERSCO teams in other regions.
“Once we set up a PERSCO team
with CMS access, we will send them a tutorial guide and training documents to
assist them in utilizing the system,” said Shauna Walker, AFPC readiness
systems support chief. “Since CMS is a home station tool for personnelists
already, it should be simple for PERSCO members to utilize the system in a
deployed environment.”
PERSCO team members typically
receive CMS access at their home station accounts and transferring them over to
their deployed duty locations is a simple process.
“We are evaluating what the
usage would be at the new locations based on number days a person is deployed
to the location and if CMS access would be utilized,” said Walker. “PERSCO
teams set up with a constant rotation of personnel for only 30 to 60 days may
not get as much use out of CMS as a PERSCO team with members deployed for 120
to 365 days.”
Deployed PERSCO teams can work
with the TFSC-SA deployment cell on a variety of personnel transactions
including assignments, awards and decorations, Post 9/11 GI Bill, evaluations,
promotions, reenlistments, retirements, retraining and separations inquiries.
AF officials reestablish squadron commander support staffs
By Tech. Sgt. Steve
Grever
Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO – RANDOLPH, Texas – Air Force officials reestablished squadron commander support staffs on Oct. 1 to help commanders manage administrative duties and other personnel and knowledge operations functions.
Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO – RANDOLPH, Texas – Air Force officials reestablished squadron commander support staffs on Oct. 1 to help commanders manage administrative duties and other personnel and knowledge operations functions.
The decision to recreate
squadron CSSs was made by Air Force senior leaders during a Corona South
conference in February to help squadron commanders who were overburdened by
personnel, knowledge operations and administrative support workloads.
To jump start this effort,
Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Manpower, Personnel and Services was given
functional oversight of the CSS organization throughout the Air Force and will
be responsible for developing guidance. Group-level knowledge operations
personnel will provide initial support for squadron CSSs and be distributed to
squadrons according to local requirements and priorities. These personnel will
work directly for unit commanders and provide a variety of support functions to
squadron leadership and personnel.
Additional billets are
scheduled to be added to CSSs in fiscal year 2014. These additional billets
will be filled by Air Force personnelists. Senior leaders are also considering
options for standardizing Air Force Specialty Codes and grades within each CSS
and adding additional manpower in future funding cycles.
“CSSs are the building blocks
of strong squadrons. They support commanders and the mission. By rebuilding our
CSS, we are helping commanders focus on their top priorities: the mission and
the outstanding Airmen who accomplish our mission every day,” said Lt. Gen.
Darrell Jones, Air Force manpower, personnel and services deputy chief of
staff. “This initiative to rebuild unit CSSs will greatly enhance mission
effectiveness.”
Exchange Offers Fee-Free Holiday Layaway
Exchange Offers Fee-Free Holiday Layaway
DALLAS – A good program just got better as the Army & Air Force Exchange Service’s Holiday Layaway program is now fee-free. Shoppers simply select their gifts for layaway and stop by customer service to complete the layaway process.
“Fee-free” means that while the Exchange collects an initial $3 processing fee for new layaways, that amount is returned to customers, via an Exchange Merchandise Gift Card, upon final payment and pick up their items.
In addition, toy layaway will be extended through Dec. 23. Gifts are safely out of sight until final payment and pick up just before Christmas. Also, for a limited time only, Nov. 1 through Dec. 16, customers can place computers, laptops, iPads and netbooks on layaway.
“The Exchange continues to beat the competition when it comes to selection, service and value,” said Exchange Chief of Staff Col. Tom Ockenfels. “Other retailers charge as much as $15 for layaway. Our program saves shoppers money.”
A deposit of only 15 percent is required when starting the layaway process. See customer service for program details and eligibility.
To take advantage of fee-free holiday layaway and extended layaway for toys, visit your local Exchange today.
AFSPC Milestone: AFSPC activated the 689th Combat Communications Wing
10/9/2012 - Peterson AFB, Colo. -- Air Force Space Command is celebrating its 30th Anniversary! Here is a significant milestone from the command's history ...
The 689th Combat Communications Wing (689th CCW) was activated on 9 October 2009 at Robins AFB, Ga. It is a subordinate unit of the Twenty-Fourth Air Force.
The 689th CCW's mission is to train, deploy and deliver expeditionary and specialized communications, air traffic control, landing systems for Humanitarian Relief Operations and dominant combat operations, anytime, anywhere and to take cyber to the tactical edge for relief and combat operations.
Its units include the 3d Combat Communications Group, at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, and the 5th Combat Communications Group at Robins Air Force Base in Georgia.
The 689th Combat Communications Wing (689th CCW) was activated on 9 October 2009 at Robins AFB, Ga. It is a subordinate unit of the Twenty-Fourth Air Force.
The 689th CCW's mission is to train, deploy and deliver expeditionary and specialized communications, air traffic control, landing systems for Humanitarian Relief Operations and dominant combat operations, anytime, anywhere and to take cyber to the tactical edge for relief and combat operations.
Its units include the 3d Combat Communications Group, at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, and the 5th Combat Communications Group at Robins Air Force Base in Georgia.
Panetta to Convey U.S. Support at NATO Conference
By Cheryl Pellerin
American Forces Press Service
BRUSSELS, Oct. 9, 2012 – During his fifth conference of NATO defense ministers here, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta will convey U.S. support for enhancing alliance capabilities, missile defense, cybersecurity, counterterrorism and countering weapons of mass destruction.
“I’ll also reassure allies of our strong commitment to finishing the job in Afghanistan alongside our allies,” the secretary told reporters traveling with him this week to Peru, Uruguay and Brussels.
Before today’s first meetings of the NATO defense ministers and members of the North Atlantic Council, Panetta will meet one-on-one with British Defense Secretary Philip Hammond.
Panetta also will have short meetings with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and with German Defense Minister Thomas de Maizière, and later this afternoon he will meet with French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian.
This morning, Rasmussen provided reporters with an overview of the conference.
“We will be meeting today and tomorrow to discuss progress of our missions in Afghanistan and Kosovo, and how we can maintain our security in a time of economic austerity, including through cooperation on key defense capabilities,” the secretary general said, adding that Afghanistan will top the agenda.
The mission there is challenging, and it has faced some challenging months, he said, noting the uptick in insider attacks on coalition forces.
“The enemies of Afghanistan are trying to undermine the progress we have made in building security and building the Afghan forces. But we will not let them succeed,” Rasmussen said.
Panetta said Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen, commander of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, would attend the conference.
“General Allen has put a number of steps into place to confront the insider threat issue, and he’s done that alongside the Afghans to try to make sure that we do everything we can to protect against insider attacks,” the secretary said. “My goal is to make clear to NATO and to our allies that we are taking all steps necessary to confront this issue, and that it should not be allowed to deter us from the plan that General Allen has put in place.”
In Brussels, Rasmussen said NATO remains committed to its goal, its strategy, and to Afghanistan. “We remain committed to completing our ISAF mission at the end of 2014, as planned,” he added. “And we remain committed to launching a new mission to train, advise and assist the Afghan security forces after 2014.”
Tomorrow, Rasmussen said, he will look to the ministers to endorse a broad framework for the new training mission in Afghanistan that will guide military planners as they draw up the detailed outline in the coming months.
“We will also take stock of the progress we’ve made on capabilities,” the secretary general said. “We are maintaining the momentum on defense projects and building on what we agreed at our Chicago summit. Allies are already working on 24 multinational programs, and more will come soon.”
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