305th MOS inactivates, members stay put

by Airman Sean M. Crowe
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs

5/17/2013 - JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Maj. Stephen Grove, 305th Maintenance Operations Squadron commander, relinquished command of the 305th MOS during the unit's inactivation ceremony May 9, 2013, here.

The 305th MOS was the first squadron of its kind to be redesignated to the 305th Maintenance Group Maintenance Operations (305th MXG/MO).

The new 305th MXG/MO commander, 2nd Lt. Maritza Mendoza, will take charge of all members of the old squadron.

Headquarters Air Force directed all maintenance operations squadrons which fall under non-ICBM wings to no longer be squadrons and instead serve as part of the maintenance groups. All maintenance squadrons must be in accordance with the new structures by Sep. 30, 2013, according to the HQ AF memorandum.

"This ceremony will bring the 305th MOS in alignment with all other bases," said Master Sgt. Don Romaca, 305th MXG Quality Assurance Office chief inspector. "Today's restructure is a shining example of the great flexibility our Air Force has to realign itself and maximize its ability to meet future challenges."

The alignment will ultimately create more competitive command opportunities and better prepare field and company grade officers within the maintenance officer career field, according to the memorandum signed by Maj. Gen. John B. Cooper, deputy chief of staff for logistics, installations and mission support director of logistics.

Company-grade officers (second lieutenants through captains) may have difficulties adjusting to the level of responsibility they will encounter with the restructure.

"It's going to be a challenge using the experience I have to fill the responsibilities of a major," said Mendoza. "Second lieutenants are rarely in charge of so many people. I will be looking to my senior noncommissioned officers and experienced civilians for guidance. I'm looking at it as a huge opportunity, on the other hand, to gain experience and increase my learning curve."

Mendoza will take charge of all functions and manpower per Air Force Instruction 38-101.

"Today the organization stays intact," said Col. John Mateer, 305th MXG commander. "Maintenance operations is a critical component of our aircraft and munitions maintenance support of the air mobility mission."

Maintenance operations drive the maintenance mission by providing management to the group in the following ways: budgeting, planning, real-property management, training, mobility, manpower and scheduling. The section also manages safety and environmental standards, quality assurance and analysis for the wing's maintenance activities. Maintenance operations play a role in almost every function of the maintenance group.

"I like to think of our other four squadrons as the cogs of a very large machine," said Mateer. "The support which Maintenance Operations offers is the grease between those cogs."

Grove assumed command of the 605th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron May 10, 2013, here.

The 305th MOS's lineage began when the squadron was established the 305th Station Complement Squadron Nov. 2, 1943, and activated Dec. 5, 1943. The squadron was then inactivated Nov. 20, 1945, and disbanded Oct. 8, 1948. It was then reestablished and redesignated 305th Logistics Support Squadron Aug. 29, 1991, and Sept. 1, 1991, respectively. The 305th LSS was inactivated Aug. 20, 1993, and then reactivated and redesignated 305th Maintenance Operations Squadron Oct. 1, 1994, and Oct. 1, 2002, respectively.

Nimble Titan Increases Multinational Missile Defense Cooperation

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 16, 2013 – U.S. Strategic Command has been leading an international effort for the past eight years to promote cooperation and interoperability in missile defense around the globe.

Known as Nimble Titan, it’s a series of two-year experimentation campaigns that bring together 22 nations to address missile defense challenges in the coming decade, said Army Col. Michael Derrick, director of allied integration for Stratcom’s Joint Functional Component Command for Integrated Missile Defense.

Nimble Titan is now in its fourth two-year iteration, with a mix of seminars, tabletop exercises, war games and instrumented experiments, Derrick explained during a telephone interview from his office at Schriever Air Force Base, Colo.

All are aimed at promoting partnership Derrick called essential to standing up to ballistic missile threats.
Each participating nation realizes that none can go it alone in missile defense, he said. That includes nations such as the United States, Japan and the Netherlands, among others that have their own missile defense systems, he added. The U.S. system, for example, depends in part on basing sensors and interceptors in other countries and using their airspace and ground facilities to operate.

“As the United States developed its own ballistic missile defense system, we realized that the system is inextricably engaged with our allies around the world,” Derrick said. “Integration with our allies around
 the world in the field of missile defense is absolutely necessary. We simply cannot do this without them.”

But international cooperation brings more to the effort, he said, increasing transparency about missile defense and setting the conditions for nations to share information and leverage one another’s assets. This may save money at a time when many militaries are experiencing severe budget cutbacks, while providing more comprehensive missile defenses, he noted.

Collaboration is particularly vital at a time when several nations as well as non-state actors are ratcheting up the threat. “We have those nations that consistently threaten us, either with real capability or with rhetoric,” Derrick said.

“Nimble Titan creates an environment where these likeminded nations can discuss and try to solve the challenges that we have now or anticipate that we will have in the next 10 years,” he said. “Instead of doing things independently against a common foe, we are able to work together.”

Through Nimble Titan events, participants explore ways to improve information-sharing and distribution and develop plans, including command-and-control procedures, to provide coordinated, synchronized missile defenses.

“We discuss concepts of operation such as how to put the capabilities from different nations together to build a coherent and effective unit,” Derrick said. “The goal is to put mechanisms in place to optimize those international efforts.”

Nimble Titan 14, the latest in the series of campaigns, kicked off in February with an orientation seminar for new participants. It will be followed by other activities over the next several months.

The most significant takeaways from these individual events will be incorporated into the Nimble Titan 14 capstone event planned for next spring in Suffolk, Va. “This will be a program that allows nations from around the world to see the global implications of what is going on in each region,” Derrick said.

Although Nimble Titan isn’t designed to address any particular threat, and activities all involve notional perpetrators, sometimes the events correspond with those in the real world.

Last year, for example, the capstone event for the Nimble Titan 12 series kicked off just four days after North Korea’s failed three-stage missile launch. Over the course of four days, participants and observers planned military, as well as political and civil defense responses, to mock launches a decade into the future from two fictitious countries.

But Derrick said the cooperation developed during Nimble Titan has a huge payoff when real-world challenges develop.

“You can’t work with a nation until you have some basis upon which to build that cooperation. And through Nimble Titan, we have a group of people, now in 22 nations, who know the topic, who know one another, and who know the challenges we all face,” he said. “We have been very successful in building a cadre of people around the world who can work together.”

This assures U.S. allies of the United States’ commitment to standing with them in missile defense. “We want them to know that we are not only willing, but able to work with them,” Derrick said.

But even more importantly, he said, is its deterrent effect -- one Derrick said every participating nation can agree to.

“Missile defense is an important deterrent because it doesn’t threaten and can’t hurt anyone,” he said. “If someone launches a missile at you, being able to destroy that missile in space and cause no damage or harm whatsoever gives you the moral high ground. You have defended yourself, but you haven’t caused your attacker any harm.”

This makes missile defense an important complement to U.S. Strategic Command’s other assets, most of which have offensive capabilities, he said.

One of its greatest advantages, Derrick said, is that it provides the opportunity for informed, coordinated responses.

“It gives our leadership at the national level a whole lot of options that otherwise would not be available: to pursue diplomatic outcomes, to arrange responses with other nations, or to go to the United Nations if they need to,” he said. “That’s one of the real advantages of missile defense. It provides options and time for the leadership that otherwise would not be available.”

27th IS ranked best in AF

by Staff Sgt. Jarad A. Denton
633rd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

5/16/2013 - LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. -- The 27th Intelligence Squadron recently earned the Lt. Gen. Harold W. Grant Information Dominance award, demonstrating itself as the best small communications and information unit in the U.S. Air Force.

This award, named in honor of a communications pioneer who worked throughout his career to ensure the operating forces had the best communications support available, recognizes large and small cyberspace and information dominance squadrons for sustained superior performance and professional excellence while managing core cyberspace and information dominance functions, and for contributions that most improved Air Force Department of Defense operations and missions.

The 27th IS mission is to provide "behind the scenes" communication and network services which tie into the analytical nodes of the Air Force Distributed Common Ground System, enabling the 480th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing to deliver critical information to U.S. and Coalition combat forces operating in hot spots around the world.

"Each day, 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year, the 27th IS is in the fight from Joint Base Langley-Eustis," said Lt. Col. Michael Pfingsten, 27th IS commander. "We leverage and hence exemplify the power of Air Force reachback operations, where crucial data is moved in real time to analysts around the globe to support forces down range via a distributed network."

To earn the award, the 27th IS needed to demonstrate how their major achievements, planning, management of resources and other accomplishments contributed to the overall Air Force mission.

"In my opinion, the global scope, diverse mission responsibilities, and mission impact of the 27th IS set us apart from most other eligible organizations," Pfingsten said. "We are a lifeline to combat forces, enabling airborne intelligence in support of numerous commands and places such as Afghanistan, Libya, Korea, and the Eastern Mediterranean region."

Pfingsten said none of this success would have been possible without the contributions of the Airmen within the 27th IS.

"This recognition is a testament to the hard work, mission dedication, and phenomenal impact you get by teaming together intelligence and communications professionals toward a common mission that they will not let fail," Pfingsten said. "I continue to be amazed at the collective talent and skill of the unit. They are truly heroes, and serve with the utmost professionalism and commitment to delivering world class intelligence services to our Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airmen fighting down range."

Looking ahead of this success, the 27th IS plans to redouble their efforts and improve the systems and processes they have in place - which are specifically designed to save lives on the battlefield by ensuring the lines of information and communication remain unbroken.

DOD Plays Supporting Role in U.S. Global Health Efforts

By Cheryl Pellerin
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 16, 2013 – The Defense Department supports U.S. global health activities because such efforts as preventing and containing lethal outbreaks align with DOD’s mission to help ensure geopolitical stability and security, a senior defense official said here today.

Kathleen H. Hicks, principal deputy undersecretary of defense for policy, discussed DOD’s role in global health here before an audience at the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, a private health-policy analysis and research organization.

“DOD performs an important role in supporting the U.S. interagency response to human-made and natural disasters. … In such situations, our military draws upon its incredible logistical capabilities -- providing air and sea transport for medicines, equipment and personnel,” Hicks said.

DOD also serves the public health mission by maintaining an international network of laboratories and technologies, therapies and medical expertise, she added, all of which can be used in support of public-health efforts in the United States and abroad.

In its support of global public health activities, Hicks said, DOD must recognize the roles of federal agencies such as the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development, and recognize the importance of helping partner countries take the lead in protecting the health of their own people.

“We at DOD need templates to understand how to best engage with our fellow government agencies and our foreign partners in the complex and vital work of protecting public health in actual and potential crisis situations,” Hicks noted.

Four years ago, Hicks and two colleagues published an analysis of DOD’s global health engagement activities. It addressed DOD’s role in global health, including the effect of the department’s health activities on national and regional security, the principal deputy undersecretary said.

“That paper’s recommendations included creating a strategy for global health engagement [and] a health-security cooperation plan to guide our efforts to build the public health and medical capacity of partner militaries,” she said.

Above all, Hicks added, “our analysis underscored the importance of ensuring that we do a better job of synchronizing our efforts, not only with our fellow government agencies but also among our own commands and components worldwide.”

Since the study was published, she said, there have been improvements in DOD coordination with the State Department and USAID, coordination within DOD, and incorporating humanitarian and global health scenarios in military exercises.

Over the past year, Hicks added, the department has made significant strides in establishing measures of effectiveness for its global-health-related activities.

“Already in 2013,” she added, “there have been at least two noteworthy examples of how we used global-health engagement to help partner nations address an urgent health need.”

The first occurred after a January nightclub fire in Santa Maria, Brazil, that killed 241 people, the principal deputy undersecretary said.

Brazil’s Ministry of Health put out an urgent request to the U.S. government for medicine kits that could treat victims suffering from cyanide toxicity due to inhaling fumes from burning acoustic foam.

After determining that no other agency could respond in time to help, she said, U.S. Southern Command coordinated transport of the medication from St. Louis to Brazil via Miami by working with Miami-Dade aviation officials, the Transportation Security Administration and American Airlines, which flew the medicine to Brazil free of charge.

“This was a great example of public and private collaboration,” Hicks said, “exactly the kind of collaboration we are likely to need as we continue to respond to urgent crises of all kinds.”

In April, another health emergency occurred after a measles outbreak in Georgia. Responding to a request from that nation’s Health Ministry to the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi, the Defense Department funded 75,000 emergency vaccinations. UNICEF handled the procurement and the Georgian National Center for Disease Control distributed the vaccine, she said.

“While we need to continue to work with our partners to hone our responses to such crises, we also need to plan for future challenges,” Hicks said, adding that an excellent example is an upcoming event sponsored by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN.

The Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief/Military Medicine Field Training Exercise will take place in June in Brunei and include 18 countries from Southeast Asia and elsewhere, including the United States.
It also will include an exchange of U.S. and Chinese medical officers, she noted. Hicks said three U.S. officers will spend the exercise aboard a Chinese ship, and three Chinese medical officers will be assigned to a U.S. medical treatment facility, “[working] together in advancing a global good: the health of the world’s citizens.”

To counter diseases and other threats to public health, Hicks said, the United States teams with countries worldwide.

The Defense HIV/AIDS Prevention Program, for example, is a military-to-military health-engagement program with a direct effect on security, she said.

Over the past four years, Hicks added, in collaboration with the Naval Medical Center San Diego and partner universities, the program has trained providers in 50 militaries around the world and helped strengthen HIV-prevention programs in the trainees’ home countries.

Last summer the program hosted a major international military HIV/AIDS conference, bringing together military representatives from 75 countries, along with many government agencies and international organizations, she said.

The focus on infectious diseases has been a hallmark of DOD international public-health efforts over the past decade, Hicks said, but the department should consider expanding its efforts to include health concerns like malnutrition and disrupted access to clean water.

“The expertise and responsibility for dealing with these conditions obviously falls well outside the Department of Defense,” she said. “However, we at the Pentagon do have a legitimate interest in the degree to which these conditions impair the security and stability of key countries.”

Hicks said a 2008 National Intelligence Council study found that while noninfectious conditions may not present direct threats to U.S. interests, they can have wide-ranging effects on global health.

According to the study, she said, the United States should expand the focus of its global health program to include noncommunicable diseases, neglected tropical diseases, malnutrition and maternal and child health and mortality.

“Shifting DOD’s global health engagement activities more in favor of building the public health capacity of partner nations’ militaries, and toward synchronizing our efforts with the State Department and its health diplomacy and USAID’s health development efforts,” Hicks added, “would create a synergy beneficial to global health and potentially beneficial to global and national security.”

Marine Archery Coaches Cross Service Lines

By Marine Corps Sgt. Justin Boling
Defense Media Activity – Marine Corps

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., May 16, 2013 – Archers in six different colored uniforms, representing six different teams, prepare to fire a volley of arrows during the 2013 Warrior Games here.

Coaching is one thing shared between these wounded, ill and injured athletic warriors representing every branch of the armed forces from both the United States and the United Kingdom.

"I work with Marines all the time," said John Fuller, the head coach of archery for the Warrior Games. “This year was the first year we started something new.”

Fuller is a retired Marine first sergeant, who shared his more than 60 years of archery experience with the other services besides the Leathernecks.

“I coached the Army and Special Operations teams, it is not about who wins, it is about rehabilitation for everybody,” said Fuller, a resident of Jacksonville, N.C.

“If everybody gets the same quality of coaching then they will all be able to do about the same, and then it is a competition.”

This year, a group of hard-charging coaches brought every team up to par.

“This year every coach that is coaching one of the services is a Marine," Fuller said. "They have all been Marines and they have all coached on the Marine team under me.”

The competition was extremely close at the top in both composite and re-curve bow disciplines with only a few bad arrows between winning or walking away empty handed.

“The Marines and other services are performing up to their abilities. You always shoot for your average," Fuller said.

“If they start shooting better, they tend to get sloppy and throw away shots,” he added. “The trick is if your average is low, then train to raise your average.”

This year the individual gold medal in the composite bow discipline came down to a one-arrow shoot off. The Army contender, Frank Baroquerio scored a perfect 10, while the Marine archer, Matthew Benack scored a 9. The re-curve archery gold medal was decided by one point in a shoot-out between two U.S. soldiers, Edward Patton and Curtis Winston.

Special Operations took the gold in the team re-curve bow discipline scoring 137, and the Marine team took gold in the team composite bow discipline with a score of 158.

Marine Corps re-curve archery team, team re-curve bow silver medal winner, stood in front of their target just after the last of their arrows thudded home. The passing Air Force coach walked towards them and said the Marines will always be in his heart as he raised his shirt revealing the Eagle, Globe and Anchor tattoo on his chest.

“I think generally the Marines have more self-pride than the other services. No matter if they are the new smarter Marines or the old war horses like me they will never tarnish that,” Fuller said.

"They maintain the Esprit de Corps and maintain the epitome that we have held for years," he added.

Face of Defense: Guard Officer Relishes Service in Nicaragua

By Army 1st Lt. Joe Trovato
Wisconsin National Guard

MANAGUA, Nicaragua, May 16, 2013 – Growing up as the daughter of missionaries, Army Capt. Kathrine Berberich got a perspective on the world that is foreign to most Americans. It also made her a perfect fit to head Wisconsin’s State Partnership Program with Nicaragua.

Army Capt. Kathrine Berberich of the Wisconsin National Guard serves as the bilateral affairs officer at the U.S. Embassy in Managua, Nicaragua. Berberich is in the middle of a two-and-a-half-year tour to the Central American nation. Courtesy photo    (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

Though she was born in Minneapolis, Berberich moved with her parents to Venezuela at a young age. Her family moved frequently to new missionary fields.

“As a missionary kid, I grew up close to people,” the captain said. “I went to the open markets and lived in very humble homes. I am not surprised by the cultural differences that are shocking to most.”
She is now in the middle of a two-and-a-half-year tour in Nicaragua, where she works at the U.S. Embassy here.

Berberich has no problem fitting in with the local people. Her father was a native Venezuelan, and she speaks fluent Spanish.

“The best compliments I get are when someone asks me what part of Nicaragua I am from,” she said. “I always say Esteli, because that is the region where most of the Miss Nicaraguas are from.”

Her role in Nicaragua is diverse. Officially, she is the bilateral affairs officer, which means she coordinates partner nation participation in events hosted by U.S. Southern Command. In addition, she manages the budget for the embassy’s security office.

As a member of the Wisconsin Army National Guard, she also coordinates Wisconsin’s partnership program with Nicaragua. She and Capt. Orrin Viner, also a Wisconsin Army National Guard officer, plan events that benefit the mutual interests of the United States and Nicaragua.

The duo coordinates the Wisconsin military engagement team’s missions to Nicaragua. That team has worked with Nicaraguan civil defense officials on natural disaster mitigation and relief.

When the military engagement team or a state partnership program envoy visits Nicaragua, Berberich is responsible for the planning, logistics, and facilitation of the group’s day-to-day operations in the country.
Prior to her current assignment, Berberich was the facility manager at the Wisconsin Military Academy at Fort McCoy, Wis. She also served in the rear detachment of the 157th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade when that unit deployed to Kosovo last year. When the Nicaragua opportunity opened, the Guard’s leadership immediately pegged her as a good fit.

In addition to all of her military duties, Berberich also has a family in tow. The opportunity to expose them to a different culture was a key factor in her accepting the position.

“The main reason I took this assignment was to give my children a similar childhood experience to mine,” she said. “I wanted them to know there is more life in the world than suburbia Wisconsin. I wanted them to know that life is wonderfully complicated in a country that is very poor. I also wanted them to set themselves apart from their cohort by speaking Spanish and experiencing a different culture.”

Her two children, Monte, 17, and Peyton, 8, accompanied Berberich and her husband, Kurt, to the Central American nation for the duration of her tour there.

“It depends on the day,” she said when asked how her family has enjoyed the experience. “It is so much easier for me here because of my upbringing, my appearance, and my language skills. They miss the snow and just being free to go to other kids’ houses or ride their bikes.”

Berberich and her family will remain in Nicaragua through 2014.

Face of Defense: Captain Crosses Coalition Cultures

By Air Force Senior Airman Daniel Phelps
39th Air Base Wing

INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey, May 15, 2013 – When he walks into the Dutch Patriot missile headquarters here, Army Capt. Adam Proctor greets his co-workers in their native language, with a friendly smile.

U.S. Army Capt. Adam Proctor and Sgt. 1st Class Rob Morsinkhof of the Dutch army look over regulations at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, April 26, 2013. Proctor is deployed to Turkey with the Dutch military as a foreign exchange officer. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Daniel Phelps   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

As the Dutch Patriot missile system tactical director, the U.S. soldier has been working with the Dutch for about two years.

"I'm in charge of tracking aircraft," he explained.

Sgt. Maj. Peter Meuissen of the 1st Netherlands Ballistic Missile Defense Task Force said there is good history of having U.S. service members embedded with their Dutch counterparts, and vice-versa. Sometimes, Dutch pilots will go to the United States and U.S. pilots will go to the Netherlands to fly for air force squadrons via exchange programs, he explained.

"When the opportunity to go work in the Netherlands came up, I jumped at it," Proctor said. "How many people get to do this?"
Learning the language has been the biggest challenge, the Army captain said. "But I've always wanted to learn Dutch," he added.

Having the Netherlands and U.S. come together in this unique way has had many benefits, Meuissen said. Both countries bring new ideas and a fresh perspective, he noted, and lessons learned from the partnership have made them a stronger team.

"It's great to learn from each other and see our differences," the Dutch soldier added. "We learn how to improve."

Although the way each side approaches the mission may vary, everyone does their part and pitches in, the U.S. and Dutch service members agreed. One side may be a stickler for time constraints, and the other may feel a more relaxed approach is most effective, but in the end, there is mutual respect and cooperation, Proctor said.

The Dutch are a tight-knit community, he added, and part of the respect he has for the Dutch soldiers comes from an appreciation of that.

"The closeness of the people is the best part," he said. "We get the work done and have a lot of fun. Seeing these differences has really opened my mind to think about what's really important in accomplishing the mission."

Being in Turkey undertaking the NATO Patriot mission and having a U.S. soldier working with the Dutch provides a great enhancement to the operation, Meuissen said.

"This mission is important," Proctor said. "It's an honor to be doing this right on the border with our NATO allies."

The partnership between the two nations is vital, Meuissen said, because much more is achieved through teamwork.

"When you exercise and deploy together, it's extremely helpful to understand how we both work," he explained. "When we are better prepared, we work better together."

Iraq Vet Recovers From Injury to Compete in Warrior Games

By Army Sgt. Victor J. Ayala
Army News Service

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., May 15, 2013 – Warrior Games athlete Randall "Blake" McMinn remembers that during his Army career, he was taught to leave behind the possibility of failure and the temptation of quitting.

Army veteran Randall “Blake” McMinn from Linden, Texas, is competing in the cycling, swimming, sitting volleyball, and wheelchair basketball events at the 2013 Warrior Games in Colorado Springs, Colo. More than 200 wounded, ill or injured service members and veterans from across the Defense Department and United Kingdom are competing in track and field, sitting volleyball, shooting, swimming, archery, cycling and wheelchair basketball events. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Victor J. Ayala   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

That crucial lesson sticks with McMinn now, nearly seven years after his medical retirement. Today, he continues to live with the limitations imposed upon him by the wounds of war, but he is competing again this year in the 2013 Warrior Games here.

Despite amputation of his right leg below the knee, a series of painful reconstructive surgeries on his left foot, and constant neck and back pain, McMinn is representing the Army in the games for the third straight year. From his traumatic injury in Iraq to his recovery and participation in the games, the Linden, Texas, native never gave up and has no plans to slow down now.

McMinn's Army career was cut short when an improvised explosive device blast in Iraq crippled the vehicle he was driving and nearly killed him. Immediately after the blast, McMinn put out a fire on the right side of his body and lifted himself out of the vehicle and onto the ground. It was when he tried to move his right leg that he saw just how bad his condition was. After that, he said, the memories run together.

"I remember them giving me morphine and one of the guys giving me a can of Copenhagen saying I'd need it more than he did," McMinn said. "Next thing, I woke up in a hospital bed with the amputation."

McMinn returned to the United States, where he underwent therapy and reconstructive surgery at the Center for the Intrepid in Fort Sam Houston, Texas. He recalled that he found himself in a dark place at first. When he left Iraq in December of 2007, he weighed 185 pounds. He weighed roughly 120 pounds a mere two months later.

"It was bad," McMinn said. "But I saw guys with double amputations, and guys missing arms and eyes. They were getting out and staying active. It really inspired me."

McMinn was medically retired in November 2008, and by 2009 had moved to Las Vegas, where he first encountered the adaptive sport of wheelchair basketball.

With the inspiration of fellow wounded warriors fresh in his mind, he started playing for a team called the Silver Bandits and became hooked, he said. He later played for the University of Texas at Arlington and practiced with the National Basketball Association’s Dallas Mavericks. Military veterans on the Mavericks brought the Warrior Games to his attention, and he's been representing the Army ever since.

McMinn credits a large amount of his recovery to the Warrior Games and adaptive sports in particular.
"Attending the Warrior Games in past years has given me an appreciation for being active despite my injuries and has been therapeutic by helping me to connect with those who share similar experiences," he said.
At this year's games, McMinn is competing in the cycling, swimming, sitting volleyball and wheelchair basketball events.

Wounded Warriors Recover Through Massage Therapy

By Marine Corps Sgt. Justin Boling
Defense Media Activity – Marine Corps

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., May 15, 2013 – Her hands heal and relax ill, injured and wounded veterans competing at the 2013 Warrior Games here.

Zach Blair, Marine Corps team member, gets a massage before a wheelchair basketball game at the 2013 Warrior Games in Colorado Springs, Colo., May 12, 2013. Jeanette Falu-Bishop, the founder and executive director of Structure for Wounded Warriors, has offered body work to all competitors at the games. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Justin Boling   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

Jeanette Falu-Bishop, the founder and executive director of Structure for Wounded Warriors, is not new to helping out. She has been working for nearly a decade helping veterans with massage therapy.

 

“I wanted to start a nonprofit to help our wounded veterans,” she said. “We help veterans' physical and emotional recovery through massage and body work.”

The Warrior Games competition puts added stress on some already tested bodies. Wounded, ill, and injured service members and veterans from the United States and Britain are competing in a multitude of athletic events for the gold and glory.

“After four to five hours of practice or playing, it is great to be able to relax,” said Zach Blair, a Marine Corps team member competing in several events at the games. “It really helps increase your range of motion and makes action easier.”

Blair was in a car accident after only 18 months in the Marine Corps. His injuries included a shattered femur and knee. Falu-Bishop provides hours of service before, during and after events here to military veteran athletes like Blair.

“Just living can cause wear and tear on the body,” said Falu-Bishop. “The military lifestyle can put a lot more physical and emotional stress on the body. Our program helps veterans cope with that.”
The workload is nothing new to Falu-Bishop. In 2002, she provided more than 1,000 hours of care to troops and their families at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany while stationed there with her husband, an active duty airman.

“We specialize in injury recovery, but we can also perform relaxation massages, like Swedish massage and medical massage, if needed,” she said.

Falu-Bishop also assists the American Red Cross, the Susan G. Komen Foundation and the Fisher House Foundation. In 2006, she received the Presidential Volunteer Award from President George W. Bush.
“I have been a military spouse for more than 14 years, and it wears on my heart, because I know a lot of what these families go through,” she said. “I have been able to help a lot of soldiers and other veterans to help with their recovery.”

Blair said the Warrior Games athletes are grateful for Falu-Bishop’s healing hands.
“A massage really gets the muscles loose and gets you ready for the games,” he said. “We all really appreciate it.”

Gunfighters race for the cure

by Senior Airman Benjamin Sutton
366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

5/15/2013 - MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho  -- In the early morning light all the eye could behold was a sea of pink humanity spread throughout the streets of Boise, Idaho.

The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure celebrated its 15th year with an annual 5K run and one mile run/walk option for participants.

"This is a really big deal for my family because both my wife and I have been directly affected by this disease," said Staff Sgt. Aaron Wanzer, 366th Comptroller Squadron station gain technician. "My wife's mother and my grandmother both passed away from cancer and those experiences have made finding a cure personal for us. Being there and seeing all the people who have fought and survived cancer as well as their family and friends showing support, are a few reasons why I participate."

This year's race twisted through downtown streets, eventually ending where it began.

"There were so many people who showed up this year to support the cause that I saw people finishing the race before my family and I even started," Wanzer said. "Seeing all these individuals who have fought, defeated and survived cancer surrounded with such a huge amount of energy and love really shows how worthy a cause this is."

Wanzer and his family brought others from his squadron to the event in an effort to raise awareness about the ways anyone can make a difference in the fight against cancer.

"Some people from my squadron came out to show support as well," Wanzer said. "The military is like an extended family for us since we are stationed so far away from our relatives. One of the Airmen who experienced the race for the first time told me about her grandmother who died from breast cancer.

"She had no clue this type of event even existed and after experiencing it she couldn't stop talking about how moving it was that so many people come together to fight this disease and how inspired she was to participate in the future," he continued. "I also think the large amount of people in the crowd surprised her."

One man in the crowd was excited to see military personnel supporting the event.

"I think it's awesome that folks from the base are here supporting the race," said Tony Mock, a personal trainer from a local business. "Almost everyone has been affected by this disease in some way."

Many participants are already looking forward to the next year's race.

"I'm already excited for the 2014 race because it's great to get out and be involved with the local community," Wanzer said. "It's an awesome way to lift people's spirits, support research to find a cure and have some fun while doing it."

McChord reserve C-17 maintainers train in Alaska

by Master Sgt. Jake Chappelle
446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

5/13/2013 - MCCHORD FIELD, Wash. -- A group of Reserve C-17 Globemaster III maintainers here spent their annual tour at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, April 21 - May 5 to accomplish required core training and to train mechanics from the 732nd Air Mobility Squadron.

"Elmendorf was selected to receive an en-route team because they needed training," said Master Sgt. David Timney, 446th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron hydraulic technician, and team chief during the TDY. "We wanted to complete as much upgrade and refresher training for both 732nd and 446th team members."

Tech. Sgt. Eddie Maldonado and Tech. Sgt. Raymond Green, were also able to certify some of the 732nd AMS maintainers on core tasks so they could pass the training on to their teammates within the squadron.

"We did most of our training with the active duty," Timney, of Graham, Wash., said. "We brought two people from McChord who had the ability to certify the active-duty members on multiple tasks. This would allow the certified 732th members to branch out and train others."

Even with eight years of aircraft maintenance training under his belt, Staff Sgt. John Cannon, 446th AMXS jet engine technician, said this was his first offshore TDY, and he was curious how other C-17 maintenance units operated.

"I was hoping to contribute and see what it was like at other bases," said the Tacoma resident. "I was able to cover C-17 engine maintenance while the active duty trained."

Reservists, including Cannon, were also able to learn some of the duties outside of their specialties.

"I learned more about (Basic Post-Flight inspections), through flights (a type of flight inspection), and other crew chief tasks, such as integral jack (the use of onboard hydraulics to change tires without an external jack)," said Cannon, who works as a field service technician for Safeworks, a vertical access equipment company.

The 446th AMXS Citizen Airmen and the 732nd AMS Airmen developed a noble working relationship.

Cannon summed it up in six words.

"They were fun to work with."

Hanscom AFB-managed program helps save Airman's life

by Patty Welsh
66th Air Base Group Public Affairs

5/14/2013 - HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. (AFNS) -- A program managed here that helps get supplies safely to warfighters was recently used in Afghanistan to help save an Airman's life.

The Dynamic Retasking Capability Urgent Operational Need provides the ability for C-17 Globemaster IIIs and C-130J Hercules to be directed to an alternative location with up-to-date information.

According to program officials, with the DRC the flight crew can receive data such as threat information, weather awareness and text messages, ultimately leading to a potential change to a mission.

By early April, the system had been used in theater for more than 11,000 flight hours and supported air land and airdrop missions. For the C-130J, more than 1,500 missions were completed and for the C-17, 675. Although originally intended to increase the success of cargo airdrops, the team here knew there would be other unforeseen uses.

"As part of any mission those aircraft are participating in, they have the ability to use the DRC," said 2nd Lt. Joseph Silvio, a DRC program manager.

In late March, a C-130J was in use during a routine aeromedical evacuation flight in Afghanistan, conveying patients from forward operating bases to Bagram Airfield. Through the DRC, the crew received an urgent message to divert to an alternate location to evacuate a patient who medical personnel thought needed more care than was available at their location.

The patient, a combat controller, had been shot in the leg and also a broken femur. His current condition was "urgent but stable."

However, as the flight headed back to the next scheduled forward operating base per the original plan, the controller's condition worsened. He was losing blood and his blood pressure dropped.

The crew knew they needed to get him to a medical facility that could deal with the condition as soon as possible. Unfortunately, the crew was not able to use traditional methods to communicate the request to change their flight plan. However, by using the DRC, they were able to let their command and control know they were changing course to head straight to Bagram Airfield.

Medical crew members on the aircraft were able to control the bleeding during the flight and once arriving at Bagram Airfield, the patient had surgery, which saved his leg and his life.

"We knew there would be other uses for the capability," Silvio said. "It's gratifying to know something designed to support the airdrop mission was able to be used to save life and limb."

Airmen from the 772nd Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, who accomplished this mission, praised the abilities of the DRC as well.

"The system has become indispensable in our current operations," said Lt. Col. Sean Barden, the 772nd EAS director of operations. "We use DRC on every mission to accomplish everything from passing weather alerts and (Notices to Airmen) for retasked fields to assisting during emergency refrags/diverts."

As the system started out as an urgent operational need, in January it reached a decision point where three choices could have been made: keep it as an enduring capability; sustain the capability in theater; or dispose of it. After a capability transition review, it was decided that the system would be kept as an enduring capability.

The program office here is not purchasing any new systems, but working to support what is already fielded.

And although Barden said there could still be some improvements made, he said the technology is sound.

"In all, the technology has proven very reliable given the relative youth of the system." He added that it's also "surprisingly user-friendly."

The DRC team here is pleased the capability is improving missions, not only as anticipated, but beyond.

"It's great to see a system we fielded helped with saving someone's life," said Bill Herbert, the DRC deputy program manager.

Marines Dominate Warrior Games Shooting Competition

By Shannon Collins
Joint Hometown News Service, Defense Media Activity

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., May 14, 2013 – As a hush went across the spectators, two Marines, tied in the finals for shooting an air rifle, lined up their final shots in a shoot-off. A tenth of a point on the last shot meant the difference between winning gold and silver for these two Marines.

The Marine Corps shooting team gathers to celebrate its dominant medal count in the shooting events during the 2013 Warrior Games in Colorado Springs, Colo., May 13, 2013. The Marines won 13 of 24 medals, including four gold medals. DOD photo by E.J. Hersom   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

These Marines were two of 13 Marines who made it to the finals and won 13 out of 24 medals -- four gold medals, five silver medals and four bronze medals -- during the 2013 Warrior Games shooting competition at the U.S. Olympic Training Center here yesterday.

Gunnery Sgt. Pedro Aquino, who beat teammate Cpl. Angel Gomez in a shoot-off by a tenth of a point, won the gold medal in the SH2 prone air rifle category during his first Warrior Games. The scores range from 0 to 10.9.
“We were confident we would dominate,” said Aquino, who shot a 10.7 against Gomez. “We trained hard, focused and showed discipline. I went into the finals for the SH2 prone for the air rifle and was tied with an Army competitor. We got down to the last shots, and I saw him flinch. I kept my composure and persevered.”

Gomez didn’t leave empty-handed. He took the silver in the prone and standing air rifle competitions during his fourth Warrior Games. He said he continues to compete for the thrill of the sport.

“I love shooting, just looking at those sights and shooting, the feel of the rifle,” he said. “We worked hard, and it paid off. We were determined to win those medals.”

Sgt. Clayton McDaniel also had a close win. He won the bronze medal in the prone open air rifle category during his first Warrior Games. He was a tenth of a point from third place when he went into his final round. He shot a 10.7 and catapulted himself into third place for the bronze. McDaniel said he was honored to win a medal for the Marine team. Though intensive training had him mentally prepared for the physical challenges of the competition, his challenge was the pressure of having friends and family there, watching him compete.
“I was able to tune everybody out, but keeping my heartbeat under pressure was another story,” McDaniel said.

McDaniel said he’s proud of his teammates and competes to honor the fallen.

“They’re amazing; they are my heroes,” he said. “They find a way to pick themselves up on a bad day and come here and pull it off on game day and pull out the win. I look up to them a lot. I compete for my Marine Corps and for the fallen.”

Retired Maj. John Schwent has coached the Marines team for almost four years and trained Marines in shooting for 20 years. He said he is proud of his team.

“We had new shooters with a lack of experience this year, and there’s always a learning curve, but we overcame it and took the majority of the medals. They earned it,” he said. “It came down to the very last shot in the finals a few times, but we won the medals. I’m very proud of them.”

Schwent said tenths of a point can mean the difference in winning a medal, and the Marines team trained to meet this challenge.

“We train as if it’s going to come down to the very last shot and you’ve got to perform. These guys did that today,” he said. “They train to be able to perform, to shoot when the pressure is on, on and off the battlefield. We did that, and it’s a testament to the Marine Corps.”

For Master Sgt. Dionisios Nicholas, the competition was more about defending his three-time gold medalist title in the SH1 pistol category. He won gold and kept his title and added a silver medal in the rifle SH1 match.

He shot rifle right after winning a gold medal in the pistol. He said the challenge is to keep the nerves down, focus and push through any pain or spasms he may feel from his spinal cord injury. Nicholas shot a few 10.9s, perfect scores, during the competition and a perfect score for a full 40 shots in practice.

Nicholas said he is proud of his team and that shooting is par for the course for Marines.

“Marines shoot -- that’s what we do,” he said. “We try to do our best in spirit de corps, in professionalism and in executing the fundamentals. I love being a Marine.”

Staff Sgt. Phillip Shockley, who won a gold medal in the open pistol category, echoed the sentiment.

“It goes back to the basics: ‘Every Marine is a Rifleman,’” he said. “It goes back to the lessons we learned at boot camp, going to the rifle range and learning the emphasis the Marine Corps places on marksmanship and how you’re suppose to perform a certain way because every weapon is a gun in the fight.”

Shockley, who raced 12 miles in cycling the day prior, brought his years of experience of being a primary marksman instructor and Marine Corps shooting team member to his first Warrior Games. He said that though he won gold, he could do better.

“I’m going to try to get one of these air rifles so I can train on it and dominate next year,” he said.
Marine veteran Cpl. Richard Stalder won a gold medal in the SH2 standing air rifle competition, his first medal in his first Warrior Games. He said he would have been OK with the second or third place win, because his competitors were his fellow Marines. They took the gold, silver and bronze in the category.
“I would’ve easily let them take first, because they’re my brothers,” he said. “The Marine Corps had a great day shooting. “

The shooting classification groups were modified from the Paralympic rules. Athletes from the Army, Air Force and Navy, a joint team from the U.S. Special Forces Command and a team from the United Kingdom competed in the pistol open or pistol SH1 category or the rifle open, SH1 or SH2 category. Some athletes competed in both the pistol and rifle.

The open category includes competitors who do not have a permanent physical disability, such as someone who has a traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder. The SH1 category includes all competitors with a permanent physical disability, such as a spinal cord injury or leg amputation. The SH2 category includes competitors who do not have the ability to support the weight of the rifle with their arms and therefore require a spring stand. Athletes in this category could have an arm amputation or other upper body injuries.

Each athlete shoots 40 shots at a distance of 10 meters. They use single shot rifles and pistols with iron sights firing a .177 caliber soft lead match pellets. They cannot use any sight with a lens. Each competition could have anywhere from seven to 30 competitors. The top eight of each category made it to the finals

Wounded Special Ops Warriors Thrive on Competition

By David Vergun Army News Service COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., May 14, 2013 – Extremely tough mental and physical training and experience give the special operations team’s wounded warriors a competitive edge, said their cycling coach. Coach Jeth Fogg prepares for the upright- and hand-cycling races at the 2013 Warrior Games at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., May 12, 2013. U.S. Army photo by David Vergun    (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. The athletes’ background in special ops prepared them well for the 2013 Warrior Games, said Coach Jeth Fogg, prior to the upright and handcycling races at the Air Force Academy here May 12.   However, Fogg quickly added that the advantage is no guarantee they’re going to win. “We’re always the underdog, because we’re smaller than the other services and don’t field as many folks.” The special ops team has athletes from the Army, Air Force and Marine Corps -- some active, some medically retired, some old, some young. It makes sense to have a separate special ops team, Fogg said, because it’s a unique part of the military in which members of each service operate as a team, often in arduous conditions. They know each other very well and develop close-knit bonds. Fogg himself is not a wounded warrior, nor was he ever in special ops, but he said during the course of his Air Force career he worked alongside them numerous times and understands their mindset. Also, he said, is familiar with special ops wounded warriors, because this is his third year at Warrior Games coaching them. The Warrior Games started in 2010, but special ops didn’t field a team until 2011, the year after Fogg retired from the Air Force. The Warrior Games are for wounded, ill or injured service members and veterans and teams represent each of the services and one from the United Kingdom, in addition to special ops. There are basically two levels of competition here, he said: “Complete and compete.” The first goal for the athletes, he said, is just completing the course - going the distance. That’s the initial standard. After that, they need to show a real desire to go further “and actually make it to the podium,” he said. Here, just completing the course is a “huge deal” and the competitive aspect is at the high end, he added. He provided an example of an athlete last year who could barely move about, but made substantial progress and made the team. And another lost 48 pounds in a year to compete. And then there’s the ultimate goal for some, he said: leaving the team. “Some guys eventually get in such good shape that they pass the Veterans Affairs disability standard and can no longer compete,” he explained. Once that happens, they can join the Paralympic team and try out for the 2016 Olympics. The team has lost a number of athletes because they’ve improved to that degree, he said. Some, however, enjoy the Warrior Games so much, they return year after year. “For them, they’ve made that higher level already,” Fogg said. Athletes come to the program at various levels and with various types of illnesses, injuries or wounds, he said. Some are missing an arm, some a leg. That is one of the factors that will determine if they use an upright bike, which is a normal-looking bike, or a handcycle. Both types of bikes are sometimes tricked out to suit the needs of the athletes, he added. Next, a power test is given. Special training bikes are equipped with power meters that measure watts of energy the athletes can generate. That level of energy is one of the factors that go into customizing an athlete’s individual training program, which begins about a year out from competition. Then, the tactics of racing are instilled into each athlete, Fogg said. Before a race, the coach said he takes each of them individually through the course and talks them through each segment. “For some guys, this is their first time ever doing a bike race,” he said. Then more tactics follow. “Some hard chargers spend themselves, because they go until they pop, which might be halfway through the race,” Fogg said. “They suffer the remainder of the race. The grey-haired guys seem to be able to pick up on the tactics better than the younger ones. They take what you say and use their smarts. They don’t let physicality rule the situation.” Fogg said the younger guys tend to have a lot of physical energy but they overuse it at the wrong time,” he said. “When they do, someone takes advantage of them. It’s hard for them to understand you don’t always need to be the guy in the front. You gotta go ahead and use your smarts first, and then use your physicality at the right time.” Fogg said he’s been blessed to be this team’s coach. He admits that he doesn’t really have to do much emotional or psychological counseling with his athletes. “They all know how to suffer,” he said. “They know the pain they can put their bodies through.” He said they all want to get to the podium, and his advice to them is to be aware they’re going to have to do a lot of suffering. “And they do,” he said.

Marine Missing from Vietnam War to be Buried with Crew

The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced today that the remains of a serviceman, missing from the Vietnam War, was recently accounted for and will be buried along with the 12 other servicemen who were lost in the same crash.

Marine Corps Pfc. Daniel A. Benedett of Seattle, Wash., will be buried May 15, at Arlington National Cemetery, along with Air Force 2nd Lt. Richard Vandegeer of Cleveland, Ohio; Navy Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Bernard Gause Jr., of Birmingham, Ala.; Hospitalman Ronald J. Manning of Steubenville, Ohio; Marine Corps servicemen Lance Cpl. Gregory S. Copenhaver of Lewistown, Pa.; Lance Cpl. Andres Garcia of Carlsbad, N.M.; Pfc. Lynn Blessing of Lancaster, Pa.; Pfc. Walter Boyd of Portsmouth, Va.; Pfc. James J. Jacques of La Junta, Colo.; Pfc. James R. Maxwell of Memphis, Tenn.; Pfc. Richard W. Rivernburgh of Schenectady, N.Y.; Pfc. Antonio R. Sandoval of San Antonio, Texas; and Pfc. Kelton R. Turner of St. Louis, Mo.

On May 12, 1975, Khmer Rouge gunboats captured the S.S. Mayaguez in the Gulf of Thailand, approximately 60 nautical miles off the coast of Cambodia. After the vessel was taken to Koh Tang Island, U.S. aircraft began surveillance flights around the island.  When efforts to secure the release of the ship and its crew failed, U.S. military forces began a rescue mission.

Three days after the Mayaguez seizure, the Air Force dispatched six helicopters to the island.  One of the helicopters came under heavy enemy fire and crashed into the surf with 26 men on board.  Thirteen of the men were rescued at sea, leaving Benedett and 12 other service members unaccounted-for from the crash.

Between 1991 and 2008, investigators conducted more than 10 investigations and excavations, led by Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC).  On three occasions, Cambodian authorities turned over remains believed to be those of American servicemen.  In 1995, U.S. and Cambodian specialists conducted an underwater recovery of the helicopter crash site where they located remains, personal effects and aircraft debris associated with the loss.  Between 2000 and 2004, all of the missing service members from this helicopter, except Benedett, were accounted-for.

On Jan. 30, 2013, Benedett was accounted-for.  Scientists from JPAC and the Armed Forces Identification Laboratory (AFDIL) used circumstantial evidence and DNA process of elimination to account for his remains.

Today, more than 1,600 Americans remain unaccounted for from the Vietnam War.  The U.S. government continues to work closely with the governments of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia to recover Americans lost during the Vietnam War.

Peterson EOD tech competes in this year's Warrior Games

by Michael Golembesky
21st Space Wing Public Affairs staff writer

5/14/2013 - PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Combat can take its toll on the body both physically and mentally but the Warrior spirit is not limited by such things. For many wounded warriors, the tolls of combat could have diminished their abilities and reaction times, but the internal fire of the Warrior Spirit remains untouched and vibrant.

"When you are injured, people love to tell you what you can't do. I don't believe in that, I don't believe there is a box for me," said Master Sgt. Benjamin Horton, 21st Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician.

This is Horton's second time competing in the Warrior Games, representing the Air Force in the Men's 100-meter Freestyle Open. While Horton is disappointed that he will not be competing in sprints and cycling this year due to knee injuries, he remains honored and excited to be a part of the games.

"Everyone has limitations. We all talk about them, we share ideas on what works and what doesn't work. You can learn new tricks to get your body to perform better," Horton said when asked about his experiences with the Warrior Games.

As a highly decorated Airman with many honors and prestige, Horton remains humble when talking about his combat experiences and points out that with his multiple shrapnel and blast injuries, he is nowhere near as bad as many of the other service members participating at the games.

Horton went on to talk about his most memorable Warrior Games moment and spoke about a triple amputee Marine that was also blind, competing in the 50-meter swimming event.

"As they lowered this Marine into the pool, the hairs on the back of my neck stood up," he said.

"With only one arm he gave his absolute all. Everyone was screaming so loud, nobody cared who had won the race. They were just amazed at the effort and heart he was putting into it," Horton said with pride. "The most important thing about the games is the inspiration you get from the people around; it's just amazing," he added.

"People go to sporting events and it is all about being the absolute best, the fastest or strongest. You go here and you see the more important things, you see compassion, you see heart, you see pure effort," he said. "That is what makes it amazing."

Homestead Airmen conduct live ordnance loading area operations

by Ross Tweten
482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

5/14/2013 - HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. -- Homestead Air Reserve Base recently conducted a series of live ordnance loading area operations.

More commonly known as LOLA, the operations consist of loading live ordnance on F-16s in an authorized area on the flightline away from people and buildings. The munitions are loaded in an isolated location in case of, in so many words, inadvertent blasts or firings.

"Safety plays an integral part in determining how far away the LOLA has to be," said Lt. Col. David Sundlov, 93rd Fighter Squadron commander. "The weapons are usually loaded on a remote portion of the runway. Currently we are working on a new LOLA across the runway that will have room for a few more jets."

The 482nd Fighter Wing's F-16s then dropped their ordnance on Pinecastle Bombing Range in northern Florida.

Once the flying schedule calls for live munitions on flying sorties, the aircraft are positioned on the LOLA and weapons load crews are dispatched to perform the live loading operations. The aircraft remain on LOLA until takeoff or until live munitions have been downloaded.

The recent operations consisted of eight sorties, dropping more than two dozen MK-82 500-pound bombs, all hitting their intended targets on the bombing range.

Aircraft maintenance Airmen have requirements to be trained on loading live ordnance just as pilots have requirements to drop live ordnance.

"LOLA ops are important from a maintenance prospective in that it gives our weapons personnel valuable training in handling and loading live munitions; munitions they would normally only see in a deployed environment," said Master Sgt. Desmond Ojeda, 495th Fighter Group, Detachment 93, Weapons Flight chief.

According to Lt. Col. Adam Meyers, 482nd Fighter Wing Chief of Safety, the LOLA is the one place on base where all three safety disciplines - ground, weapons and flying - converge.

"There's zero room for cutting corners when we're talking about literally tons of explosives being loaded on jets," said Meyers. "It's a good thing we've got diligent professionals doing it right."

Air Force shooters final in three events; take silver

by Senior Master Sgt. Dean J. Miller
Air Force Space Command Public Affairs

5/14/2013 - Colorado Springs, Colo.  -- Monday was Day 2 of the 4th annual Warrior Games featuring the start and conclusion of the .177 caliber air rifle and air pistol events at the U.S. Olympic Training Center.

Both air rifle and air pistol events included a pre-qualification phase requiring athletes to fire 40 rounds in an hour and fifteen minutes. Scores from the pre-qualification phase identified finalists who participated in competition courses of fire. These included pistol, prone rifle, and standing rifle.

Each competition had a supported and open category. Supported categories provide specified assistance to the shooters within that category. Examples include a mechanical device to support the heft of a weapon, assistance with loading a weapon, or shooting from a seated position. Athletes fire their weapons unassisted in the open categories.

Team Air Force shooters qualified to shoot in three open events -- pistol, standing rifle and prone rifle competitions.

Pistol shooters Josh Robistow and Stephen Otero shot 429.4 and 411.3, respectively. Robistow finished a mere 3.3 points from the Bronze winner. Top scores in the event were 439 for the gold, 438.6 for the silver and 432.7 for the bronze, respectively.

Standing rifle shooters Gwen Sheppard and Jael Hansen fired 394.3 and 369.8, respectively. Top scores in the event were 436.7 for the gold, 436.3 for the silver and 415.1 for the bronze, respectively.

Prone rifle shooter Mitchell Keiffer took the silver medal with a score of 496. Top scores in the event were 497.4 for the gold and 493.8 for the bronze, respectively.

The results had team Team Air Force all smiles.

"My goal for the team was for each athlete to shoot within 10 points of their personal average," said Alex Callage, Air Force Warrior Games pistol coach, "With the pressure and distraction of competition, everyone on the team shot a personal best or was within 10 points of their average - I couldn't be more proud of them."

Local shooter Scott Bullis, of Air Force Space Command Headquarters, Peterson AFB, Colo., was extremely excited for fellow rifle Mitch Kieffer.

"The fact that Mitch did so well is great - he earned silver, and that alone was pretty amazing," said Bullis, "He is competing in multiple events and he got off to a great start with his shooting."

Other results from the 2nd day's competition:

Wheelchair Basketball
Air Force defeated SOCOM, 37-25
Army defeated Air Force, 59-9

Sitting Volleyball
Marines defeated Air Force
SOCOM defeated Air Force