SecAF visits Ramstein, shares insight into way ahead

by Staff Sgt. Sara Keller
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

3/18/2014 - RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- For her first stop during her first overseas trip as the Secretary of the Air Force, Deborah Lee James toured Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and spoke with U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa Airmen March 17.

The purpose of the trip for the 23rd Secretary of the U.S. Air Force was to give her a chance to learn more about USAFE-AFAFRICA's role in the region, meet Airmen in their work stations and better understand Ramstein's many mission capabilities though face-to-face interactions.

Her visit consisted of a command mission brief, one-on-one discussions during lunch with Airmen, facility tours, a meeting with Ramstein Sexual Assault Response Coordinators, C-17 and C-130 aeromedical evacuation static displays, and finished up with an Airmen's call open to all Ramstein personnel.

During the Airmen's call, James spoke about her top three priorities, challenges the Air Force is facing and the way ahead for the force.

She explained her three priorities were taking care of people, balancing today's readiness with tomorrow's modernization, and making every dollar count.

"To me, taking care of people means we need to continue to recruit the right people. We need to retain the right people, and shape the force by having the right people in the right ranks and specialties," said James. "We also need to be able to grow and train leaders while encouraging diversity of thought."

James also explained by invigorating the discussion of the Air Force core values, Airmen can ensure they are taking care of each other by having dignity and respect for all.
Explaining her second and third priority, she said since the period of sequestration, things encompassing our readiness, like flying hours and TDYs for professional development, have slipped.

"Readiness needs to be brought back up to a more reasonable level, but we still need to ensure we are adding value to every tax dollar," she said.

Some of the challenges James discussed included the continuous budget constraints and the delicate, yet complex solutions Airmen will be faced with throughout the next few years.
In order to sustain readiness and build technological superiority, James explained the Air force is reducing manpower and force structure, retiring outdated aircraft, such as the A-10 Thunderbolt II, the U-2 Dragon Lady, and the M-Q1 Predator, as well as slowing the growth of military pay.

"We need to invest the money we save from these reductions and use it for near-term readiness," she explained. "We will be using these savings to invest in flying hours, training and modernization platforms like the [long range strike] bomber and space programs.

"We will also be force shaping to create a smaller Air Force," James continued. "We hope to have as many people as possible separate voluntary, but we will be involuntary separating Airmen if needed. We project there will be two boards throughout the next 15 months or so. And if someone goes through the first board, they will not have to go through a second time."

The last subject James elaborated on was the reduction of compensation.

"The proposal going forward in fiscal year '15 will slow the growth in military compensation," she said. "Instead of a two percent pay raise, there will be a one percent. So the pay still goes up, just not as much."

The secretary also asked Airmen ensure they are constantly reviewing and updating their records, communicating with their supervisors and seeking information from their leaders as things continue to change. Airmen should also be prepared for their future, wherever it may take them.

Secretary James has 30 years of senior homeland and national security experience in the federal government and the private sector. Prior to her current position, she served as president of Science Applications International Corporation's Technical and Engineering Sector, where she was responsible for 8,700 employees and more than $2 billion in revenue.

Airman receives Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor

by Airman 1st Class Sergio A. Gamboa
325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

3/18/2014 - TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla.  -- An Airman received the Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor March 11 at Naval Support Activity Panama City, Fla. for providing rescue to soldiers surrounded by improvised explosive devices.

Lt. Gen. Bradley A. Heithold, United States Special Operations Command vice commander, presented the cross to Staff Sgt. Thomas Culpepper, NSA Panama City 342nd Training Squadron Detachment 2 Air Force Combat Dive Course pararescuman, for his acts during a 2011 deployment.

Members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement" while participating in an aerial flight receive the Distinguished Flying Cross, according to the Air Force Personnel Center website.

"I was surprised," Culpepper said. "It's an odd thing when you feel like you went out and did your job one day, get a medal out of it, when you don't feel like you did anything outside your job description."

While deployed as a pararescueman at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, his team received an important mission.

The team received a call to rescue three injured Army Pathfinders that were trapped in a ring of IEDs. The soldiers could not just walk away. The team arrived on a Sikorsky HH-60G Pave Hawk, hovered 50 feet above them, and Culpepper was hoisted down from a cable to bring those in danger to safety, he said.

After getting one soldier safely on the Pave Hawk, Culpepper started bringing up the second soldier when things went from bad to worse.

"As I hoisted the second patient up, the aircraft lost power," Culpepper said. "It started to fall out of the sky as I was coming up. The pilot then called for a 'shear cable,' which is where they would of cut the cable I was hanging on."

However, Culpepper's team member slammed the hoist to go up and brought them into the aircraft. At that point the aircraft dropped to about three feet from the ground, he said.

"Had we touched ground, we would have set off IEDs," he added.

At the time, he didn't think much of what he and his team members did. He was just going by their pararescue motto, "these things we do that others may live."

"'These things we do that others may live,' we've all read it, we have all said, it and I think without a doubt, we all and work by that." Culpepper said. "We were focused on the mission, and we knew the risk going in. We knew there was IEDs. We put aside personal desires and comforts. There was never a question of should we put ourselves at risk to pull these guys out."

While flying back to safety, the rescue team rotated in performing cardio pulmonary resuscitation to an injured soldier but he eventually passed away due to his wounds. Culpepper's team saved the lives of two soldiers.

116th ACW: one of 12 ANG units to receive state-of-art mobile kitchen

by Tech. Sgt. Regina Young
116 Air Control Wing, Public Affairs

3/13/2014 - ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- The 116th Air Control Wing, part of the Georgia Air National Guard, was chosen as one of 12 Air National Guard units to receive the new disaster relief mobile kitchen, or DRMK, in April, replacing their current mobile kitchen trailer.

"The capabilities of the DRMK will allow us to better react and aid first responders in contingency situations across the southeast," said Senior Master Sgt. Tanya Greene, 116th Services Flight superintendent.

The free-standing mobile kitchen; similar to a concession trailer you would see at many public events, is designed for fast setup and shutdown, comes ready for rapid transport aboard a C-130 and is built to be pulled with a standard heavy-duty pickup.

According to Greene, the new kitchen has the capability to feed up to 1,000 people a hot meal in less than 90 minutes, equating to about a 50 percent increase in efficiency.

"The kitchen is completely self-contained; it's more industrialized, like walking into an actual kitchen," commented Tech. Sgt. Terrance Woods, non-commissioned-officer-in-charge of food services for the 116th Services Flight. "Everything you need is right there for you."

A key component of the new mobile kitchen touted by many of the services personnel is the safer and more reliable burner technology that will allow them to use any type of distillate fuel cleanly and efficiently.

Witnessing the new technology first-hand, members from the 116th Air Control Wing's Services Flight travelled to the 136th Airlift Wing in Fort Worth, Texas to train on the DRMK.

The food service pros will get their chance to put their new mobile kitchen and culinary skills to the test during May's unit training assembly when they plan to provide a hot meal to drilling Guardsmen.

May's test run will serve as warm up for a Joint Service exercise in July where the 116th Services Flight will be tested on their ability to effectively use their training for stateside operations while supporting first responders during a simulated contingen

USNS Spearhead Participates in Exercise Saharan Expres

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Justin R. DiNiro, USNS Spearhead Public Affairs

ATLANTIC OCEAN (NNS) -- The U.S. Navy's first joint, high-speed vessel, USNS Spearhead (JHSV 1), participated with 12 West African and European partner nations in the fourth year of Exercise Saharan Express in the waters off West Africa, March 10-14.

Exercise Saharan Express is one of four African regional exercises, called the Express series exercises, facilitated by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, as a demonstration and test of the skills developed as part of Africa Partnership Station (APS) and ongoing efforts to increase maritime domain awareness.

During the exercise, Spearhead played the role of a suspect vessel, which provided participating nations at multiple maritime operations centers (MOCs), located in various areas, the opportunity to track the ship's movement. The communication between the MOCs mirrors real-world situations where regional information sharing plays a vital role in successful operations.

Other exercise participants engaged in pier side and underway scenarios such as illegal fishing and counter-illicit trafficking aboard partner vessels.

"Our engagements with these partner nations help employ techniques that will help us all deter illegal activities in these waters," said Navy Capt. Marc Lederer, the military detachment mission commander aboard Spearhead.

Improving cooperation, tactical expertise and information sharing among participating nations in order to increase safety and security at sea is the overarching exercise goal for the 13 partner nation participants in this year's exercise.

"It is always an exciting opportunity to engage with these nations, working hand-in-hand for a safer maritime presence," said Lt. Cmdr. Steve Murdock, the military detachment's operations officer aboard Spearhead.

Spearhead, which is on its maiden deployment, is deployed in the waters off West and Central Africa as part of Africa Partnership Station.

U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts a full range of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation missions in concert with coalition, joint, interagency, and other parties in order to advance security and stability in Europe and Africa.

Hagel Assures Malaysian Counterpart of U.S. Commitment to Search

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 18, 2014 – Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel spoke with Malaysian Defense Minister Hishammuddin Tun Hussein last night to discuss the ongoing search for Malaysian Airlines Flight 370.

In a statement summarizing the phone call, Assistant Pentagon Press Secretary Carl Woog said Hagel conveyed that the United States remains fully committed to working with the Malaysian government to find the plane and that the U.S. Navy has re-tasked reconnaissance aircraft to search the Indian Ocean’s southern corridor.

“Secretary Hagel noted that this search mission is in many ways unprecedented and thanked Minister Hishammuddin for his government's collaboration with international partners,” Woog added.

Hagel also told Hishammuddin that he looks forward to seeing the minister at the upcoming U.S.-Association of Southeast Asian Nations defense forum in Honolulu, Woog said, and noted the meeting will provide a good opportunity to continue discussions on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, among other areas of mutual concern.

VFA-32 Holds Aerial Change of Command

From USS Harry S. Truman Public Affairs

GULF OF OMAN (NNS) -- The "Swordsmen" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 32 held a change of command ceremony while embarked on board the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), March 17.

Cmdr. Jeremy T. Andrew was relieved by Cmdr. Peter A. Hagge in an aerial change of command above the ship.

Both pilots read their orders formally transferring command over the radio, followed by a series of flight maneuvers signifying the change of command.

"I had the tremendous fortune to stand in front of the finest strike fighter squadron on the flight line," said Andrew. "The Swordsmen of VFA-32 faced countless challenges in 2013 and 2014. Each time they rose to an unprecedented level of excellence and I look forward to hearing about their continued success."

Andrew reported to VFA-32 in October 2011 as the executive officer before taking command of the squadron in January 2013.

He has accumulated more than 2,500 flight hours and has logged more than 550 carrier arrested landings throughout his career.

Andrew's next assignment will be staff officer at U.S. Strategic Command headquarters.

Hagge was assigned to VFA-32 in November 2012 as the executive officer.

"It's a tremendous honor it is to be the 61st commanding officer of the "Swordsmen" and I would like to thank Cmdr. Andrew for his leadership, mentorship, and friendship," said Hagge. "I look forward to leading the exceptional young men and women of VFA-32 who exhibit pride, professionalism and purpose."

USS Kidd Completes Andaman Sea Search; Detached from SAR Efforts

From U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs

INDIAN OCEAN (NNS) -- Searching a combined 15,000 square miles since March 10th, USS Kidd and its MH-60R helicopters completed their search of the Andaman Sea and have been detached from the MH370 Search and Rescue (SAR) effort as of March 18th. No debris or wreckage associated with an aircraft was found.

"The dedication of this crew is amazing. 314 Sailors were out here operating for 24 hours a day, standing extra watches and volunteering for extra duties because they knew if it were their loved one missing on MH370, they'd want the best U.S. Navy capabilities involved in the search," said Kidd's Executive Officer Commander T.J. Zerr.

The move was made in consultation with the Government of Malaysia. With the search area expanding into the southern Indian Ocean, long range patrol aircraft such as the P-8A Poseidon and P-3C Orion are more suited to the current SAR mission. Covering up to 15,000 square miles in one 9-hour flight, the P-8 and P-3 can search larger areas with their advanced surface search radars and electro-optical sensors as well as fly low for visual identification when needed.

"I'm proud of our crew and their performance and resiliency during this challenging mission. We trained for operations like this throughout the year and when it was time to execute this crew came though flawlessly," said Kidd's Commanding Officer, Commander Gabe Varela.

USS Kidd will proceed South through the Strait of Malacca to the South China Sea for follow-on operational tasking as they were when the search operation started. The US Navy will move its P-8 Poseidon to Western Australia to better support the expanding SAR efforts to the South.

Air Guard First Sergeant Functional Area Manager visits 145th AW

by Master Sgt. Patricia F. Moran
145th Public Affairs

3/12/2014 - CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The blackberry vibrates and the familiar ring grows louder as you pick up the phone, realizing as you answer it in a daze that you are about to end your blissful sleep, that perfect dream...at 2 a.m. Security Police from the base is on the phone. They're very sorry to disturb you (not really!), but they just picked up one of your troops on a drunk and disorderly charge. Feeling irritable you tell them that you'll be right there, and why, because you have a troop that no matter what, they need your help. That is just one of many sleepless nights and longer days that a First Sergeant, often referred to as the "first shirt," or "shirt," lives through as part of their duty to ensure the morale, welfare, safety and honorable conduct of all the enlisted members.

Chief Master Sgt. Michael Kennedy knows this situation all too well. As First Sergeant Functional Area Manager for the Air National Guard he is responsible for the National Guard First Sergeant Program and all Airmen appointed to that position. Kennedy traveled from Joint Base Andrews, Md., to Charlotte to meet with the 145th Airlift Wing's First Sergeants during the March Unit Training Assembly for the purpose of delivering news, professional training and to discuss future changes being made in the First Sergeant program.

He spoke with NCANG 1st Sergeants about integrity and the increasing responsibilities that are expected from a 1st Shirt.

If Non-Commissioned Officers are the backbone of the armed forces, then the First Sergeant is the heart and soul. No other enlisted person carries nearly the responsibility and authority of the First Sergeant. No other person in the squadron or company, including the commissioned officers, possesses the First Sergeant's breadth of experience, professional knowledge, or education. A First Sergeant MUST be a qualified expert in promotions, demotions, military law, civilian law, counseling, discipline, leave & passes, evaluations, inspections, public speaking, billeting, permanent change of station moves, temporary duties, pay problems and procedures, child and family support, bad checks, budgeting, loans, requisitions, dress and appearance, awards and decorations, unit history, parades, ceremonies, family advocacy, medical benefits and requirements, reenlistments, retirements, weight control, professional military education, identification card privileges, off limit areas, restrictions, etc. The First Sergeant is the primary liaison with the commander on all matters concerning the enlisted corps. He or she is the eyes and ears for the commander and the mouth for the enlisted force. The First Sergeant carries a cell phone with him or her 24 hours per day, seven days per week, and never complains when he/she is called out at any hour.

I AM A FIRST SERGEANT
First my job is people -- Every One is My Business. I dedicate my time and energy to their needs; their health, morale, discipline, and welfare. I grow in strength by strengthening my people. My job is done in faith; my people build faith.

Suited for success: Travis trains on integrated aircrew body armor with Eglin AFB

by Staff Sgt. Christopher Carranza
60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

3/14/2014 - TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.  -- Travis aircrew and aircrew flight equipment Airmen trained with integrated aircrew body armor systems to help the 28th Test and Evaluation Squadron from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., collect operational performance data on multiple airframes, March 3 to 7 on the flightline.

"As of now there are 15 different body armor systems available to the Air Force and we hope to narrow it down to two variations," said Tech. Sgt. Arvin Baldorado, 60th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment technician. "The integrated system is more convenient for aircrew and saves time for mission preparation, meaning that the system is more adaptable to whatever the mission calls for."

Travis was chosen as the first base for testing because of the three airframes that operate here, C-5 Galaxy, C-17 Globemaster III and KC-10 Extender, which made the location optimal for testing.

"This opportunity has benefited everyone," said Maj. Christopher Hoppin 60th OSS Aircrew Flight Equipment Officer. "We are helping the 28th from Eglin gather their data and our AFE Airmen and aircrew experts are voicing their opinion about how this combat equipment can help us better perform our mission."

For the 1,400 active and Reserve aircrew members at Travis, there are approximately 50 AFE Airmen servicing and handling their mission required equipment.

"As an aircrew member we are put into situations in which our lives depend on our equipment," Hoppin said. "Our equipment has to be above all reliable and effective. This testing has been the opportunity to ensure that happens. With such an emphasis on physical responsibilities, this program could potentially save a lot of money. By identifying shortfalls now in testing as opposed to later in the field, we are able to positively impact future generations of Airmen."

The AFE technicians completed maintenance, sizing, fitting evaluations and support testing with aircrew.

"I believe with these advanced systems being implemented, we are replacing a lot of outdated equipment," Baldorado said. "Integrating the survival vest and body armor essentially kills two birds with one stone and improves aircrew performance and convenience."

"This has been a very unique opportunity that doesn't come up often," Hoppin said. "I am proud to be part of Travis AFE and see our AFE technicians apply their expertise into an important program. This testing could not have been accomplished without our AFE Airmen."

Women's heritage honored with all female refueling mission

by Staff Sgt. Veronica Montes
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

3/17/2014 - FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash.  -- Airmen from different units at Fairchild came together to conduct an all-female refueling mission March 13 in honor of women's history month and to remember women's heritage.

Female pilots, boom operators and maintainers all played a part in commemorating the 2014 Women's History Month theme of celebrating women of character, courage and commitment, as well as 67 years of females serving in the Air Force.

"I believe it is important to celebrate women's history month to emphasize positive role models and show that there are many opportunities out there for girls and young women," said Maj. Gena Fedoruk, 92nd Operations Support Squadron chief of current operations. "Today's flight pays tribute to the women that paved the way for us to fly as equals in the military."

Fedoruk was one of two pilots from the 92nd Air Refueling Wing on the flight, along with two female boom operators and a pilot from the 116th Air Refueling Squadron, making the flight a total force integration mission. The three-person maintenance team who prepared the KC-135 Stratotanker was also made up entirely of female Airmen as well as the Airmen who launched the aircraft from the tower.

Airman 1st Class Jessica Lambright, 92nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, said it's empowering to be able to do something like this.

"There are so few women aircrew members, it's important for us to stick together and support each other," said Maj. Stephanie Blech, 92nd Operations Group chief of standardization and evaluation and pilot aboard the flight. "It's an opportunity to promote women in aviation."

Although it is not uncommon to have an all-female mission, it was fitting for the crew to be able to commemorate a significant aspect of the Air Force heritage and the growth of the female role in today's military. They agreed it was a great time and was something they needed to do more often.

"Flying together is something we don't normally get to do," said Senior Airman Erin Ong, 92nd ARS boom operator. "It was great to be able to complete this mission honoring Women's History Month."