Veterans Innovation Partnership Application Period Opens

U.S. State Department News Release

WASHINGTON, March 13, 2015 – The Department of State today opened the fellowship application period for the next round of the Veterans Innovation Partnership, which aims to mobilize resources and build networks to promote foreign affairs career opportunities for veterans.

The announcement was made as part of Global Partnerships Week, held March 9-15.

The Veterans Innovation Partnership was launched by Secretary of State John F. Kerry in October 2013. Managed by the secretary’s Office of Global Partnerships, it assists with educational opportunities to study international relations, establishes fellowship opportunities at U.S. government foreign affairs agencies, and facilitates international public and private employment opportunities.

The call for applications will remain open until March 27, 2015. Complete application packages received by the first cut-off date of March 20, 2015, will receive first consideration for employment. Applications submitted and processed after this date will receive consideration on an as-needed basis.

VIP fellowships are open to veterans who are enrolled or have recently completed a master’s degree in the preferred fields of international business, international relations/affairs, public policy, public administration or a related field.

Application Guidelines

Applicants must apply within two years of completing a graduate degree, except for veterans prevented from doing so because of their military service obligation. Those veterans will have up to six years after degree completion to apply. Successful applicants are placed in a dynamic developmental program.

The applicants selected for the fellowship will form the second cohort of VIP fellows at the State Department and partner agencies. The first class of 22 fellows was selected in the fall of 2014 and began their fellowships in early 2015.

Total force effort enables Misawa exercise

by Staff Sgt. Derek VanHorn
35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

3/12/2015 - MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- The 35th Fighter Wing reached out to an unlikely source to help support a week-long operational readiness exercise that wrapped up here March 5.

Misawa needed to transport dozens of Airmen to the Republic of Korea in support of the exercise, but lacked airlift transportation. Nearly 2,000 miles away at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, the majority of Pacific Air Force's airlift assets were heavily involved in COPE NORTH 15, a massive exercise featuring about 50 aircraft from multiple nations. While Misawa's F-16 Fighting Falcons are equipped to fight, they are not equipped to transport.

That's where California Air National Guard came in.

Back at PACAF headquarters at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, members of the 613th Air Operations Center jumped into action by contacting Air National Guard and Reserve units on the west coast of the U.S. asking who had the capability to support. The Air National Guard's 146th Airlift Wing out of Channel Islands, California, responded to the call by offering up two C-130J Hercules from their 115th Airlift Squadron to ensure the mission happened.

PACAF bases typically interact with each other during unit level exercises, and bringing a guard unit from the U.S. to support one was previously unheard of.

"This was a huge shift in thinking of who we can use in local exercises," said Lt. Col. Kevin Lord, 35th FW inspector general, who coordinated Misawa's aspect of the operation.  "It's awesome to have the total force capability when we need it."

It took some remarkable background work to make the mission happen, including PACAF funding military personnel appropriation days for the guard unit and the 35th FW covering the crews' per diem and lodging costs. The trip essentially cost as much as it would have to support any local PACAF crew, while offering up rare, invaluable experience.

Preparation time was also cut dramatically for the California crew, and Lt. Col. Chris Dougherty, 115th AS director of operations, said they were only allotted two weeks instead of the usual six months of prep time for a deployment. He said many guard members work separate fulltime jobs, and it can be tough getting time off in such short notice.

"You have to have a willing unit who wants to participate, making it beneficial to everyone," Lord said. "Without them stepping up, our exercise couldn't have happened."

Along with common logistics associated with flying operations, a few hurdles needed to be jumped to make the mission a success. Because Misawa isn't accustomed to preparing loads with C-130Js, Dougherty's team needed to develop full load plans with the 35th Logistics Readiness Squadron here.

"Every deployment or movement we have out of Misawa has its own special quirks and challenges," said Tech. Sgt. Letitia Nuelken, who oversaw the 35th LRS deployment process. "It's important to work between active duty and the Air National Guard; we get to see how our stateside counterparts operate and they get to see how our wing operates in PACAF."

In December, Misawa carried out exercise Beverly Sunrise 15-1, a full-scale exercise that actually deployed Airmen to the Republic of Korea and allowed Misawa Airmen who stayed back to employ their wartime efforts from home. Aircraft from multiple PACAF bases flew crews throughout Asia, creating a robust and new way of exercising. Previously, the entire base simulated a deployment and never physically left the home station.

Thanks to the support from PACAF and the California ANG, Misawa was able to maintain the standard as they teamed up with the 51st Fighter Wing in Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, who exercised alongside them in this ORE, Beverly Sunrise 15-2.

They took the training a step further this time around, and on their flight back from Osan to Misawa, the ANG crew took the opportunity to execute an on-the-fly aeromedical evacuation exercise with the 35th Medical Group and medics from Kadena Air Base, Japan. Dozens of Misawa medics awaited their arrival and quickly transported groups of simulated patients from the back of the aircraft onto awaiting buses before rushing them to the base hospital.

It was the first time Misawa has ever exercised a C-130 medical evacuation, and Capt. Mike Bernabe, 35th MDG readiness flight chief, said the true challenge was not knowing exactly what to expect.

"Our flexibility was tested," Bernabe said, citing unfamiliar aircraft structure and manual patient offloading. "But, it was the perfect scenario for what we would face in a real-world situation. After seeing our professionals in action, there's no doubt patients are going to receive top care when coming to Misawa."

Bernabe said the 35th MDG approached the exercise focused on hitting main objectives, including pre-deployment support, overarching aeromedical support, maintaining local care and effective posture for follow-on patients from deployed locations -- largely made possible by airlift counterparts.

"Hats off to the Air National Guard team for their role in this process," Bernabe said. "They were up to the challenge and provided us with everything we could have asked for."

For many ANG crew members, it was the first time they've been any further west than Guam.

"I don't know if I'd call it a typical operation," said Maj. Tim Greenler, C-130J pilot with the 115th AS. "In an exercise of this scale, we're just one of the many moving parts and they all have to work together smoothly."

By all estimations, things worked smoothly -- both sides emphasized the desire to work together in the future if ever called upon.

"A big takeaway for us was having these 20-year guardsmen -- who were extremely experienced and well-versed - highlight our strengths and weaknesses," Lord said. "Having these pros around was huge in setting us up for success in the future."

Lord also said it's a great opportunity for the ANG to get their foot in the door on experiencing major PACAF combat operations, as they would almost certainly be called on in a real-world situation.

"This exercise really showed how valuable every entity is to the total force," he said. "Anytime you have the opportunity to integrate multiple assets, you capitalize. It shows what we're capable of as an Air Force."

Team Yokota shares keys to resiliency with JSDF allies

by Airman 1st Class David C. Danford
374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

3/11/2015 - ICHIGAYA, Japan -- Resiliency can be defined as the ability to withstand, adapt or recover from life's adversities. U.S. Airmen around the world are being taught skills and techniques to help them deal with the stress of military life, while maintaining mission readiness as part of the Comprehensive Airmen Fitness Program.

At Yokota Air Base, Japan, the resiliency program is going a little further. To advance the relationship between the U.S. Air Force and the Japan Self-Defense Forces, Master Sgt. Jonas McVey, 374th Airlift Wing master resiliency trainer, and Micaela Alexander, community support coordinator, were invited to the JSDF headquarters in Ichigaya alongside members of Yokota's senior leadership to share these skills with JSDF leadership.

"This course is about giving our troops the tools they need," McVey said. "The more tools you have the more flexible you are when adversity comes."

During the three-hour briefing, Warrant Officers from JSDF were shown how to better communicate with their subordinates, coworkers, friends and family using good listening and interpersonal problem solving techniques. The first technique focuses on active listening through responsiveness and body language, while the second focuses on a five-step process to resolve conflict.

"We may not always be able to come up with a solution immediately, but if I treat you with respect, we'll be able to talk about the problem again," McVey said. "It doesn't always mean I get what I want, but it will be a conversation, not an argument."

After demonstrating the techniques' effectiveness, U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force Command Chief Master Sgt. James Laurent and 374th Airlift Wing Command Chief Master Sgt. Paul Elliott shared their perspective on the resiliency program and the importance in taking care of their Airmen.

"The most important thing a leader can do is to get to know their Airmen," Laurent said. "If you don't know what is normal for your Airmen, how will you know when something is abnormal?"

U.S., Poland to Conduct Patriot Missile Exercise

By Nick Simeone

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, March 13, 2015 – U.S. and Polish forces will conduct an exercise later this month involving a U.S. Patriot missile battery and Poland’s 3rd Warsaw Air Defense Missile Brigade, Pentagon spokesman Army Col. Steve Warren announced today.

The exercise will involve some 100 U.S. soldiers and 30 vehicles at a location on Polish territory.

Warren called the exercise part of Operation Atlantic Resolve, which is designed to reassure allies, demonstrate freedom of movement and deter regional aggression on the eastern flank of NATO. The mission began in response to Russia’s armed support for separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine and its annexation of Crimea a year ago.

Coastal Riverine Squadron 1 Detachment Deploys

From Commander, Coastal Riverine Group 1 Public Affairs

CORONADO, Calif. (NNS) -- Sailors assigned to Coastal Riverine Squadron (CRS) 1 deployed to Bahrain and Djibouti March 11.

While deployed, CRS-1 will provide security and protection of strategic shipping and naval vessels operating in coastal areas and port facilities, to ensure uninterrupted flow of cargo and units to combatant commanders.

"We are excited about the opportunity to take all the lessons learned and capabilities from our training and put them to use in real-world operations," said Cmdr. Jeffrey Marty, CRS-1 detachment commander. "We will have a valuable role in the overall security posture in the region and will continue the great work done by previous CRS-1 forces."

CRS-1 has personnel currently deployed to Djibouti and other areas within the commander, U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

"This team is trained and ready to go," said Marty. "We are looking forward to finally deploying and utilizing our expertise in support of the 5th Fleet commander's priorities."

Coastal Riverine Force (CRF) operates in harbors, rivers, bays, across the littorals and ashore.

The primary mission of CRF is to conduct maritime security operations across all phases of military operations by defending high value assets, critical maritime infrastructure, ports and harbors both inland and on coastal waterways against enemies and when commanded conduct offensive combat operations.