Airmen deliver Ebola treatment facility to West Africa

by Senior Airman Kayla Newman
633rd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

9/30/2014 - JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. (AFNS)  -- Airmen from Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, partnered with representatives from the U.S. Public Health Service Sept. 26, to deliver a modular medical treatment center, as part of a government-wide effort to support humanitarian relief operations in Ebola-stricken African nations.

Airmen from the 633rd Medical Group accompanied the Expeditionary Medical Support System, or EMEDS, to Africa. And while they will not be involved in treatment of patients exposed to the virus, they will be supporting the overall effort by setting up the facility and training international healthcare workers.

In early September, the Defense Department approved the State Department's request for a 25-bed deployable hospital facility, equipment and personnel required to set up the facility. The Air Force's Expeditionary Medical Support System fulfilled the request, meaning Operation United Assistance -- the designation for Ebola relief missions -- receives the largest version of the EMEDS facility. The facility can treat a population at risk of up to 6,500.

"Over the past week or so, 633rd MDG Airmen have worked in tandem with representatives from the U.S. Public Health Service as part of a multi-agency effort," said Lt. Col. Christopher Dun, the chief of the Expeditionary Medical Operations Division Office of the Command Surgeon Headquarters Air Combat Command. "From the scale of response, this is a national effort. Experts from across the country are working together to bring meaningful relief to those stricken by this terrible disease."

As part of the joint effort from multiple government agencies, Airmen will set the stage for further mission success by standing up the EMEDS and training public health professionals about the proper use of the extensive tools available to them.

"The most important thing is the Airmen setting up and training the (international health workers) on the equipment and how it works," said Brig. Gen. (Dr.) Sean Lee Murphy, the ACC surgeon general. He noted that while the Airmen will not be doing patient care, they will still be using all of the force health protection as a precaution and will still be playing an important role in the humanitarian mission. This particular opportunity to help on the other side of the world is a bit unique.

"We are potentially setting a precedent because the EMEDS unit is typically set up for things like trauma care," said Rear Adm. Scott Giberson, the acting deputy surgeon general for the U.S. Department of Public Health Service. "(Instead) we will be using it for an infectious pathogen and treatment of international health care workers."

According to Giberson, the Air Force's EMEDS is one of the greatest assets to have in this situation.

The U.S. Public Health Service Commission Corps is partnering with the DOD.

"DOD Army in Africa, AFRICOM (U.S. Africa Command), will be supporting us with some of the logistics and things like that, but the Air Force has the piece of delivering the facility for us and the expertise of setting up the facility and training us on the facility," Giberson said. "So we need that piece of the puzzle to complete the successful mission."

100th LRS Airman 'pools' resources, ideas to save environment

by Gina Randall
100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

9/30/2014 - RAF MILDENHALL, England  -- The 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron Fuels flight has a very dangerous job involving a flammable substance -- fuel. They ensure it's safely transported to aircraft and certain government-owned vehicles.

Second Lt. Evan Tilton from Shawnee, Oklahoma, is the 100th LRS Fuels Flight commander and his flight are responsible for a vital task -- getting fuel to the aircraft, without which, they couldn't fly their missions.

"We're responsible for approximately 4 million gallons of Jet Propellant 8 that we supply to the 100th Air Refueling Wing, 352nd Special Operations Group, the 95th Reconnaissance Squadron and any transient aircraft," Tilton explained.

The members of Tilton's team are always looking for ways to improve the service they provide and the impact their work could have on the environment.

One member of his team saw a situation that could have resulted in damage to the local environment and wanted to improve procedures.

"There was an aircraft that was venting fuel and we realized we needed a way not only to clean up fuel, but to contain it," said Staff Sgt. Zachary Kiniry, 100th LRS Fuels training and support supervisor from Claremont, New Hampshire.

The only kits available were basic and mostly there to clean up the fuel once it was spilt. Kiniry had an idea to contain the fuel after it had spilt but before it would cause environmental damage. Additionally, his idea would possibly enable a way to reclaim spilt fuel through the use of the containment pools.

"It's a three-stage containment kit. On first deployment, the spill pool can be deployed immediately and contain up to 100 gallons of fuel. With environmental cleanup and remediation costs averaging $115 a gallon, it could potentially save the Air Force up to $11,500 by containing 100 gallons in the pool," Kiniry explained.

Not only did the Airman think to have somewhere for the fuel to be collected, he went above and beyond and thought about what would happen if the pool overfilled. The second stage allows the user to direct overflow to an area they want it to go and to soak it up.

"In the event it did overfill, we have sticky spill dykes we can put down to manipulate where we want the fuel to flow and then 20 feet of absorbent socks which soak up fuel," the supervisor said, explaining the second stage.

Spill dykes are a thick tape which is rolled out, sticks to the floor and stops liquid from passing under it.

The Airman went even further to think of what would happen if the second stage was breached.

"For the third stage, we have a spill drain blocker. If there are any grates or sewage systems nearby, the fuel could enter the water supply, so we cover that up," the New Hampshire native added. "It's a liquid-proof seal, like the dykes."

Kiniry said he feels it's vital to safeguard the host nation environment while stationed overseas.

"We are in a host country and we want to abide by the environmental guidelines here. We don't want to pollute their country so we are taking steps to ensure that we don't," he explained.

As well as protecting the local environment, he wanted to ensure his fellow Airmen are safe.

"The kits contain gloves, apron and goggles. Once the first line of defense -- the pool -- is deployed, you can put your proper personal protective equipment on so you won't be subject to personal harm," he remarked.

Previously, the fuel would be wasted; with the new kit, the contained fuel is able to be reused.

"That's potentially 100 gallons that we're putting back into the Air Force's hands," Tilton explained.

It has been a long process of seven months -- 400 man hours -- to develop the kit. But the work hasn't gone unnoticed and these Airmen hope to see it saving other bases around the world countless gallons of fuel and saving the local environment from potential damage.

"Right now, it's been pushed across U.S. Air Forces in Europe and hopefully one day we'll see it across the Air Force," Tilton exclaimed.

Tilton knows this product is the result of hard work and dedication of his valuable team member.

"Kiniry is a persistent, hard-working Airman, and I'm privileged to work with him. This one achievement here could affect the whole Air Force, and he makes me proud to serve with him and everyone on our fuels team on a day to day basis," Tilton said proudly.

Liberty Airmen present flags at Wembley Stadium

by Airman 1st Class Trevor T. McBride
48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

9/30/2014 - ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENEHATH, England -- Underneath the lights at Wembley Stadium in London, approximately 100 48th Fighter Wing Airmen proudly held the flags of both the United States and the United Kingdom on Sept. 28 to kickoff the first of three international series football games this season.

The first 2014 NFL game at Wembley Stadium featured the Miami Dolphins against the Oakland Raiders. The Airmen, who work in various 48th FW units, took to the field, presenting large U.S. and U.K. flags. This not only showed the NFL's presence in London, but also the continued cooperation between U.S. visiting forces and their U.K. hosts.

Along with the flag presentation, the pregame ceremony also involved a joint U.S. honor guard from RAF Alconbury, dance by the Oakland Raider's cheerleaders and a short performance by Def Leopard, all in front of more than 83,000 people.

"The feeling I had walking out onto the field in uniform was absolutely amazing," said Tech. Sgt. Brendan Clifton, 48th Equipment Maintenance Squadron aircraft structural maintenance craftsman.

According to Clifton, the experience brought a smile to the faces of the Airmen as they were cheered on by the loud international crowd.

"It was a great feeling to go to London and have the opportunity to represent the 48th Fighter Wing and the U.S. Air Force," Clifton added.

For Miami Dolphins tight end Charles Clay, the experience in London was wonderful, and he was grateful for the opportunity to play a game at Wembley Stadium.

"Playing a game in front of an international crowd is big, but securing the 'W' was the biggest thing," Clay said.

Clay contributed to the Miami Dolphins 38-14 win, recording two receptions for 32 yards. Clay says he has high praise for the troops overseas.

"They are the reason we have the opportunity to play this game. We have so much respect for those men and women."

Clay added he's often told from his fans that he is their hero, but he sees things differently.

"[The troops] are the tough guys," he said. "Those are the people I look up to as my heroes."

Travis celebrates two decades of KC-10 excellence

by Senior Airman Charles Rivezzo
60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

9/29/2014 - TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.  -- KC-10 Extender alumni from past and present converged Sept. 18 and 19 on Travis Air Force Base to celebrate the accomplishments and advancements the KC-10 community has achieved throughout its two decades at the installation.

Home to both active duty and Reserve units, Travis' air refueling squadrons mobilize and deploy 27 KC-10 aircraft, ensuring global reach for America by generating 24-hour-a-day strategic airlift and aerial-refueling sorties in support of U.S. and allied forces during humanitarian and contingency operations.

Since the KC-10s' arrival in September 1994, Travis has served as the Air Force's western hub for aerial refuel operations. Along with the service's east coast KC-10 units, based at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, the airframe has remained a staple platform for combatant commanders in nearly every operational effort since its introduction to the Air Force.

Entering the service in 1981 as a military modified version of the McDonnell Douglas DC-10 airliner, the KC-10 was created out of a need to augment the Air Force's large fleet of KC-135 Stratotankers. During the Vietnam War, doubts were raised regarding the KC-135s' ability to meet the needs of the United States' global commitment.

"(KC-10s) have been the workhorse for 20 years and I hope they stay around a little longer," said Col. David Mott, 60th Operations Group commander, who recorded more than 4,300 flight hours, most of them piloting the KC-10.

More recently, the aircraft has played a prominent role since 9/11, flying more than 350 missions guarding U.S. skies as a part of Operation Noble Eagle and more than 1,390 missions delivering critical air refueling support to numerous joint and coalition receiver aircraft in operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

"The capabilities of the KC-10 are unmatched by any other air refueling asset in the world," said Lt. Col. Thad Middleton, 9th Air Refueling Squadron commander. "It has proven itself to be a force multiplier, not only for the U.S. Air Force, but for the weapon systems of both the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps.  It is also capable of refueling weapon systems from allied and partner air services from around the world.  The plane brings stability and reliability to those who depend on it the most."

Throughout the two-day event that bridged the old generations of KC-10 aviators with the new, stories were swapped and knowledge was shared. But what appeared most evident was the beaming pride these individuals collectively displayed.

Individuals such as Sara Galvin, who recorded more than 10,000 flight hours as a KC-10 flight engineer, spoke extensively about the aircraft's rare multipurpose capabilities.

"The KC-10s versatility is what makes it so valuable," Galvin said. "It is the only aircraft that can both carry cargo and refuel on the same mission. Additionally, it is the only tanker currently in the fleet that can refuel using both the boom and the drogue in the same mission.  This kind of flexibility makes the KC-10 a vital asset on multiple fronts for the Air Force."

Middleton, who served in the 9th ARS a decade ago prior to assuming command of the squadron, has witnessed firsthand the mission of the KC-10 expand due to sustained operations and high deployment rates. But what stands out most to Middleton is what has remained constant throughout his tenure - the pride and professionalism of the KC-10 community.

"When I arrived here at Travis and more than 10 years ago, I was floored by the professionalism of not only the air crews but also the maintenance team supporting the KC-10 mission," he said.  "Of course, sitting here, watching our Airmen go in and out of the door, I feel the ops tempo is much more demanding than the years I was here, but they keep going.

"Over the years the men and women have maintained what we refer to as the 'Gucci standard' and continue to execute the mission safely, swiftly and with pride worldwide."

The 9th ARS commander added that the air refueling mission at Travis couldn't be accomplished without a "total force" effort.

"We are extremely fortunate to have a great relationship with our sister squadron, the 6th ARS, and our Reserve partners," he said. "These relationships are instrumental in making the Golden Bear's air-refueling mission happen on a daily basis."

In addition to the increased capabilities the KC-10 has brought to Air Force inventory, the local impact this airframe has brought to Travis is evident over the past 20 years.

The aircraft's arrival evolved Travis from an airlift wing to an air mobility wing due to the added air refueling capability in conjunction with its airlift role. Additionally, the military construction funds that came with the aircraft not only allowed the base to create new buildings to house the KC-10 flying and maintenance squadrons, but also give Travis a new Base Exchange.

"Despite its relative age, the aircraft is just as capable today as it was 20 years ago when it was first delivered to Travis Air Force Base," Middleton said. "It enables the 60th to embody what it truly means to be an air mobility wing."

Storm blows through Incirlik

by Senior Airman Nicole Sikorski
39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

9/29/2014 - INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey  -- Two severe weather storm cells collided over Adana, Turkey Sept. 27 and forced a wall of wind across the base here, leaving tons of debris in its wake.

The storm brought heavy rain and gale-force winds which up-rooted trees from the ground, aluminum siding from structures and left debris covering portions of the base. The peak wind was estimated to be 72 mph at approximately 4:30 p.m.

"The 39th Civil Engineer Squadron responded to the clean-up project immediately after the storm had hit," said Capt. Thomas Sena, 39th CES quality assurance flight commander.

"We are working to make sure that trees are removed and walkways are safe," said Sena.

Along with cleaning up debris from strewn trees, the 39th CES began making structural repairs around Incirlik AB as well.

Residents aided clean-up crews by pitching in themselves and dragging and piling debris from their yards and houses to the curbs in an effort to ease the burden on 39th CES personnel.

After the storm, Turkish and U.S. Airmen from around the base, partnered together and participated in a previously scheduled foreign object debris walk Sept. 29.

More than 350 members combined participated in the FOD walk which stretched from one side of the runway to the other including taxiways and ramps, clearing the field from any metal or large objects that could potentially be ingested by aircraft engines causing millions of dollars in damages, according to Tech. Sgt. Charles Biddulph, 39th Air Base Wing FOD prevention monitor.

"It was a great display of teamwork between U.S. Air Force and the TURAF," said Biddulph.

The last time Incirlik AB saw a storm this powerful was in 1996, when winds reached up to 69 knots, said Mehmet Birbiri, 39th Air Base Wing host nation advisor. Birbiri has worked at Incirlik for 40 years and had never seen a storm pack as much punch purely due to wind. In 1996, the storm left debris covering the base and houses were flooded.

"The force of wind that ripped through the base this time, was something I hadn't seen here before," said Birbiri. "The way this storm happened, and the damage it caused, will be one that people will not soon forget."

Fini flight ends Niagara Guard-Reserve C-130 association

by Public Affairs
914th Airlift Wing

9/26/2014 - NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION, N.Y. -- Airmen in the 107th Airlift Wing flew their final C-130 flight here, Sept. 25, ending a seven-year Air Reserve Component combat delivery association between the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard.

The New York Air National Guard unit will transition to flying remotely piloted aircraft as a result of recent force structure changes.

This is the third mission change for the ANG unit since the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission decision to transition the unit from flying the KC-135 tanker aircraft to flying C-130s with the Air Force Reserve's 914th Airlift Wing under a Reserve Associate structure. Both wings flew and maintained Reserve-owned C-130 airframes during the association.

"The 107th and 914th Airlift Wings as an association here had several great years together as partners in the mission," said Col. John Higgins, 107th Airlift Wing commander.

Guardsman Lt. Col. Buff Hoffman, 328th Airlift Squadron chief of Standards and Evaluation, said the association was a success between the wings because of the hard work of Guard and Reserve Airmen at all levels.

Higgins and Hoffman, who were on the final flight, said many of the Airmen flying were sad about ending the association and flying the C-130, however, they are happy to move forward and take on another mission.

USS James E. Williams Arrives in Port Louis, Mauritius

By Ensign Michael Scarborough, USS James E. Williams Public Affairs

PORT LOUIS, Mauritius (NNS) -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS James E. Williams (DDG 95) arrived in Port Louis, Mauritius, for a port visit Sept. 29.

This port visit serves to continue U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet's efforts to be a forward deployed presence in the African theater and to demonstrate our commitment to regional stability and maritime security.

"We are excited for our visit to Port Louis and grateful for this opportunity to strengthen our ties with Mauritius," said Capt. Tony Simmons, James E. Williams' commanding officer. "Assisting our African partners in building core competencies allows our maritime partners to develop African solutions to African problems."

This visit serves to continue U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa's efforts to build maritime partnerships with African nations in order to improve regional maritime safety and security.

While in port, Sailors are scheduled to participate in two sporting events with the local police force, host a reception, and conduct a community relations project. Sailors will also improve the material condition of the ship.

James E. Williams, homeported in Norfolk, Virginia, is conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Africa.

U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint, and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

Strike Group Planners Meet at Symposium

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Vaughan Dill

BREMERTON, Wash. (NNS) -- Operational planners for Carrier Strike Group Three (CSG3) attended a four-day symposium to reinforce integration between CSG3 component commands at the Trident Training Facility on Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor Sept. 23-28.

More than 40 officers and chiefs attended the symposium, held as the primary focus of CSG3 shift from maintenance to operational readiness. This comes as the strike group's flagship, Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), nears the conclusion of a 16-month Docking Planned Incremental Availability (DPIA).

"When a flagship goes through a long DPIA and can't get underway, like what Stennis is emerging from, it is easy for the warfare commanders to focus on their piece of the strike group and forget how to work together smoothly," said CSG3 Training and Readiness Officer, Cmdr. Timothy Reidy. "It's easy for supporting staffs to lose the understanding and interpersonal relationships that allow CSG3 to pull together on all levels to quickly and efficiently work together."

By coming together before the formal integrated portion of the Fleet Readiness Training Plan, the strike group has the opportunity to build relationships and exercise its updated and revised plans. Planners work together in real time through a tabletop war game scenario with a "train like we fight" mentality. This allows warfare commanders and their staffs to remain familiar with the planning process and the responsibilities each has to ensure CSG3 operates effectively.

A place to belong

by Tech. Sgt. Russ Scalf
380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

9/29/2014 - SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Staff Sgt. Ruta Shibeshi is an Airman in the United States Air Force Reserve.

What sounds like a job title to most, to Shibeshi has meant family, friends and a place to belong.

In July of 1986, a more than decade-long civil war continued to rage in Ethiopia. By its conclusion in 1991, the fighting would claim upward of 1.4 million lives. In addition to those lost to the violence, it's been estimated that nearly an additional seven million perished in severe droughts and famine that gripped the region during the 1980s.

It was in the midst of this strife that Shibeshi was born in Eritrea, East Africa. She didn't know her father; he was a soldier who was fighting in the war. When she was 3 years old her mother, Misgana, joined the hundreds of thousands of East Africans who were fleeing the fighting and seeking asylum in neighboring Sudan.

"We left for fear that we might become casualties of the war," said Shibeshi, who's home unit is the 313th Airlift Squadron, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.. "My mother and I traveled during the night and slept during the days. It was extremely dangerous crossing the border from Eritrea. Once we reached Sudan, we joined a refugee camp with fellow Africans who also escaped the war. We lived in Sudan as residents of the camp for almost five years. While we were there, my mother gave birth to my younger sister."

Joining the family on their journey was an uncle, her mother's brother, Okbazgi. After spending half a decade as residents of the camp, he helped the family secure passage to the United States through a sponsorship program. Although they had fled Eritrea, the group did not manage to escape the war.

"I remember leaving," said Shibeshi. "It was night time, they got us on this helicopter and they told us we could only take a certain amount of stuff. I remember my uncle telling us to go, here's your sponsorship paperwork, keep it close to you.  He was the one who got us out. He was supposed to go with us, but he stayed back so it wouldn't look so suspicious, so he gave his life. I remember my mom looking at me saying you have to just go. He said I'll be there, just listen to your mother, stay close and take care of your sister. They took him back to Eritrea and he was drafted. We never saw him again."

In 1993, Shibeshi, her mother, stepfather and sister immigrated to Seattle, Washington. The group stayed with her step father's family while adjusting to their new surroundings. Ruta was enrolled in an English second language course designed to help prepare her and others in the sponsorship program with their transition to America. When she finally began grade school, she found herself isolated. Many of the friends she had made in the transition began moving away.  Their families migrated elsewhere looking for work.

"A lot of the Africans were very close," said Shibeshi. "Their families migrated together from Africa and then to America and so they were close. All the girls and boys, we all grew up together."

"Being accepted was a little different. African American young ladies would say things like oh you Africans you're not black; you think you have good hair. They would say things like that. At that time my white friends were trying to act black and my African friends wanted to be black, because they wanted to be accepted. Then when I would go home I was torn by my culture, but I wanted to be Americanized. The only way I could adapt was to watch MTV and things like that. How did they dress, what did they talk about? I couldn't talk to my mother and my cousins were in it with me. TV and entertainment was my biggest outlet. I would take whatever my mom gave me and change it so I wouldn't be as bullied, talked about or I wouldn't stick out."

Shibeshi struggled to find acceptance throughout her adolescence. Her struggles eventually led to rebellious behaviors. As she progressed to high school it began to impact her education.

"I didn't realize how fortunate I was," said Shibeshi. "I was just so caught up with everything else. My freshman year was pretty much down the drain, I had like a 1.2 grade point average. At the end of my sophomore year, someone sat me down and said it was looking like I wasn't going to graduate. I said you can't tell me that, I can do whatever I want. When she told me that, something just clicked and I started taking night courses to make up the ones I failed while still going to regular high school. I eventually graduated with a 4.0. and opened and closed my high school graduation."

Her newfound dedication to academics enabled Shibeshi to not only graduate, but move on to college as well. She decided on a career in health care as a way to help others while supporting her family.

In 2008, Shibeshi was still not satisfied with where her life was. She decided to visit a local Army recruiter to see what kinds of options were available to her.  She eventually decided to join the Air Force Reserve.

"I joined the Air Force in May 2009," said Shibeshi. "The military has taught me how to be more confident, physically and mentally stronger, resilient, disciplined and how to be an effective noncommissioned officer. Obtaining my bachelor's degree while serving in today's military is something that further gave me purpose, direction and has contributed to my career."

Shibeshi is now serving on her second deployment. She credits her service with helping pave a clear path for her in life. It provided her with the resources that have allowed her to find a sense of security and a diverse community to which to belong.

"Moving to America was a rough transition for my family and me," said Shibeshi. "We went from living in poverty to project low-income housing, to apartment complexes. But with resiliency, hard work and dedication of my mother and I, we now own our own home. There were several times where I could have died attempting to get to this point I am in my life, but with all that I have been through it has made me who I am today. I do not take anything for granted. I am a product of my past but knowledgeable enough to not be a prisoner of it. I've always wanted to be successful because my family deserves it, especially my mother. Through the grace of God, I'm doing just that."