JASDF working dogs train at Kadena

by Naoto Anazawa
18th Wing Public Affairs

3/4/2014 - KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Two Japan Air Self-Defense Force military working dogs and their handlers had the opportunity to train at the 18th Security Forces Squadron kennel here, Feb. 26.

The joint MWD training was offered by the 18th SFS commander and kennel master to JASDF when their personnel toured Naha Air Base July 2013. JASDF sent MWD handlers in August 2013 to train with Kadena's MWDs and recently brought their own dogs.

"I was shocked by the splendor of the facility," said JASDF Staff Sgt. Ryota Chinen, JASDF handler. "This training area is almost five times bigger than our training area."

Currently Naha Air Base doesn't have building search, detection, six phase and scout training facilities, and training like this helps JASDF handlers work with English-speaking individuals, explained U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Codi Carter, 18th SFS kennel trainer.

The JASDF handlers intend to share what they learned and the experience they gained here back to Naha with their coworkers.

"Myself and Hirata are also planning to go to Naha Air Base to help train or give a class to the other handlers who can't come down here," Carter said.

"We would be thankful if they could come and teach our handlers," Chinen said.

Joint MWD training such as this strengthens the working relationship between the two units.

"The U.S. Military has a long history of MWDs, so we want to help them incorporate that into their training program," Carter said. "It will be good for us to share knowledge and different perspectives."

The joint MWD training is the first of its kind in regards to the training between Air Force and JASDF and proved to be beneficial to both sides.

"It's really good experience to come here to see how they actually train, using this area to train our MWDs and what kind of environment they live in," Chinen said.

"Personally, I think it's a really good opportunity to be able to see foreign countries inside what training method they use and we also share our side," Carter said. "If you use one technique, certain task or skill it won't necessarily work for the next dog. There are so many ways to teach skills, and it's never hurts to learn."

Pope Airmen train with Atlas troops to recover aircraft

by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. April Campbell
82nd Combat Aviation Brigade

3/5/2014 - FORT BRAGG, N.C. -- 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade troops hosted joint Downed Aircraft Recovery Team and Crash Damaged Disabled Aircraft Recovery training with Airmen from Pope Army Airfield at Simmons Army Airfield, Feb. 24.

DART and CDDAR teams are responsible for recovering aircraft after they crash or become disabled and can no longer fly.

"Training with the Air Force allows us to see the equipment and techniques they use and vice versa," said Sgt. Zachory McMahon, of the 122nd Aviation Support Battalion.

Soldiers from 122nd ASB and 1-82 Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, and Airmen from 440th Maintenance Group and 2nd Airlift Squadron, 43rd Airlift Group, practiced using the Unit Maintenance Aerial Recovery Kit on an AH-64 Apache helicopter.

"This kit is a set of ropes and slings that is used to rig a downed helicopter for recovery," said1st Lt. Mike Van Oteghem, 122nd ASB DART platoon leader. "The UMARK can be used with a crane to load a damaged helicopter onto a flatbed truck and it can also be used to rig and aircraft to be slung underneath another helicopter for recovery."

Air Force Tech. Sgt. Dax Rankin, of the 2nd AS, had never worked with an Apache helicopter.

"Joint training expands our range of knowledge and enables us to help Soldiers if they ever need extra manpower for this type of operation," Rankin said.

While the training focused on using the UMARK on the AH-64, the kit is compatible with all types of helicopters used in the Army.

Learning about the technology of their sister services is not a new endeavor for these service members.

"The 122nd ASB DART and the 440th CDDAR team have worked together in the past to the benefit of both units," Van Oteghem said. "We continue to support each other through joint training events such as this in order to achieve and maintain the highest level of readiness and to foster a cooperative spirit among the Soldiers and Airmen."

Joint Task Force-Bravo conducts overwater training

by U.S. Air Force Capt. Zach Anderson
Joint Task Force-Bravo Public Affairs

3/3/2014 - SOTO CANO AIR BASE, Honduras -- Members of Joint Task Force-Bravo and 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) conducted helocast, caving ladder and overwater hoist training at Lake Yojoa, Honduras, Feb. 26, 2014.

The training was conducted in order to allow military members to maintain proficiency in a variety of skill sets as well as to prepare for future operations and exercises throughout Central America.

The training provided valuable experience for Task Force members from a variety of career fields. For the pilots of Joint Task Force-Bravo's 1-228th Aviation Regiment, the overwater operations provided a unique challenge and an opportunity to hone their aviation aptitude.

"This training is vital to maintain our operational flexibility to support Joint Task Force-Bravo and U.S. Southern Command's mission in the Central America area of responsibility," said U.S. Army Lt. Col. E.J. Irvin, 1-228th Commander. "We support special operations forces as well as other countries' defense forces which may require this capability. I need our pilots and crewmembers to be proficient in this skill set to mitigate risk."

Irvin said the helocast training, during which the helicopter pilot holds an altitude of 10 feet at 10 knots of forward airspeed above the water while service members jump from the helicopter into the water, requires a special skill set that not everyone has.

"It is a unique challenge for pilots to get used to being that low over the water and being that slow," said Irvin.

The three training events each required a different set of skills and presented different challenges to the participating service members.

The caving ladder, an extraction method, required service members to climb out of the water using a ladder lowered from a helicopter. The hoist training required flight medics to be lowered into the water from the helicopter on a cable to 'rescue' Task Force members from the water.

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Benjamin Bashinski said the training was one of the best experiences of his Army career to date.

"As a communications officer, I don't typically get a lot of adrenaline-inducing experiences," said Bashinkski. "But for this exercise, I got to spend two days working with Special Forces members, culminating with jumping from a moving helicopter into a lake. It definitely opened my eyes to some of the incredible experiences that are part of being in the military, even if at the end of the day it's still considered 'training'."

According to U.S. Army 1st Lt. Joshua McFarland, participating in the training provided not only an opportunity to hone new skills, but also a chance to build his own water confidence and observe the proficiency of his fellow Task Force members.

"We have a lot of aviation assets, and a lot of what we do bring us near the water," said McFarland. "I feel comfortable knowing that if for some unfortunate reason I end up stranded in the water, two things will happen. First, I will be able to survive and second, the 1-228th pilots and their crews will be able to safely recover me."

In all, more than 30 members of Joint Task Force-Bravo participated in what was deemed a highly successful training exercise.

Official Encourages Dialogue Between Pentagon, Industry

By Amaani Lyle

American Forces Press Service

ARLINGTON, Va., Mar. 5, 2014 – To ensure on-time, on-cost delivery of quality products and services to the warfighter, a Pentagon official encouraged clear and ongoing dialog between Defense Department decision-makers and industry leaders in a conference here yesterday.

James Russell, acting director of the Defense Contract Management Agency, told participants in Aviation Week’s Defense Technologies and Requirements conference that finessing the supply chain and deliverable war-product process is relatively easy to accomplish on a programmatic basis, but is more challenging on a broader scale for industry.

“[We want] to be able to understand what’s going on within that industrial base, take the information back [to] the decision-makers and figure out ways jointly to drive out cost, improve reliability and incentivize [everyone],” said Russell, whose organization oversees quality assurance, cost, schedule and supply chain predictability while managing about 335,000 contracts totaling more than $1.65 trillion.

Defense Contract Management Agency officials set up sector groups across industrial areas such as rotary and fixed-wing aircraft, naval sea systems, and ground Army combat systems to get a pulse on cost-saving avenues, Russell explained.

“We have a group focused on industrial-based capabilities and fragility at lower levels within industry,” he said, adding that some discoveries were surprising, particularly in less-prominent industries.

“What appear to be rather mundane but important systems [aren’t] getting the flashlight view and investment dollars in a downturned economy,” Russell said. “This is causing a real fear that some of the engineering talent, and research and development things that go on, just don’t have the opportunity to exist.”

As a result, DOD officials are trying to better understand where there may be risk, particularly in losing a capability that might no longer be replicable in an uncertain budgetary environment.

“We want to look for ways that we can incentivize [industry] to have that communication back and forth so we know the risks and what the impacts will be,” he said.

Dempsey: Budget Cuts, Global Challenges Raise Risk to Nation

By Claudette Roulo

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Mar. 5, 2014 – Global security threats are not fading, even as the Defense Department looks for ways to balance worldwide security demands with diminished resources, Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee today.

The recent events in Ukraine demonstrated the world will continue to hold unpleasant surprises, Dempsey said.

“The most likely threats emanate from violent extremist groups and from ungoverned spaces, yet we can never discount the possibility of state-on-state conflict,” the chairman said. “Therefore, our force must remain postured to provide options across the full spectrum of potential conflicts.”

Dempsey began last week in Afghanistan, where he addressed the region’s security challenges and spoke with troops and commanders, he said.

“As always, I left there inspired,” Dempsey said, adding that the troops there remain fully engaged in their missions. “They continue to build the institution of the Afghan national security forces, which given the right political structure around them, has the ability to sustain the fight,” he told the Senate panel.

The Defense Department will be prepared to support a variety of options over the next several months as the relationship with Afghanistan moves forward, the chairman said, noting that this includes the option for a complete drawdown of forces by the end of the year.

The variety of scenarios the military may face means that the force must be prepared to “provide options across the full spectrum of potential conflicts,” the general said. “At the same time,” he added, “the balance between our security demands and our available resources has rarely been more delicate.”

The department’s proposed fiscal year 2015 budget strikes the best balance between national security and fiscal responsibilities, Dempsey said. By providing the tools for today's force to accomplish its missions, rebuilding readiness and modernizing and ensuring that the force is globally networked, the budget request reveals in real terms how the department is reducing costs and working to ensure that the force is in the right balance, the chairman told the senators.

“As a whole, the budget helps us to remain the world's finest military -- modern, capable and ready -- even while transitioning to a smaller and more affordable force over time,” he said.

The Bipartisan Budget Act signed last year allows the department to buy back some of the readiness it lost due to 13 years of war, but it doesn’t solve all of DOD’s problems, Dempsey said. “It's not a long-term solution to sequestration, but it does give us a measure of near-term relief and stability,” he noted.

Dempsey said he and the Joint Chiefs will never stop looking for ways for the force to become more effective.

“We'll do things smarter and more efficiently, more in line with the sorts of security challenges that we face today, and in line with the fiscal reality. … And we'll invest deeper in developing leaders of consequence at every level -- men and women of both competence and character, who are good stewards of the special trust and confidence gifted to us by our fellow citizens,” he said.

But, he added, the department has infrastructure it doesn’t need, legacy weapon systems that it can't afford, and personnel costs that have grown at a disproportionate rate. Without Congress’ cooperation in managing these costs, Dempsey said, “we do face unbalanced cuts to readiness and modernization.”

“We simply can't ignore the imbalances that ultimately make our force less effective than what the nation needs,” the chairman said.

These issues weigh heavily on the minds of service members and their families, he said. “Our force is extraordinarily accepting of change; they’re less understanding of uncertainty and piecemeal solutions,” Dempsey said. “They want and they deserve predictability.”

The proposed budget does assume some risks, the chairman acknowledged.

“I expect more difficult conventional fights,” Dempsey said. “We must rely increasingly on allies and partners and our global responsibilities are currently undiminished and will have to be placed in balance.”

The risks only increase if sequester-level cuts return in fiscal year 2016, he said.

“That's a gamble none of us should be willing to take, because it's … America's sons and daughters who will face tomorrow's challenges with whatever strategy, structure and resources we develop today.

“Our most sacred obligation is to make sure they're never sent into a fair fight,” he continued, “which is to say they must remain the best-trained, best-led, best-equipped force on the planet.”

"Celebrating Women of Character, Courage, and Commitment" in the U.S. Navy

From Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Navy joins the nation in celebrating Women's History Month during March, as announced in NAVADMIN 043/14, released Feb. 28.

Currently more than 59,000 active duty women and more than 9,000 Reserve women serve in the Navy. Making up 18 percent of the Total Force, women make numerous contributions to our Navy's mission and readiness. Additionally, more than 54,000 women serve in a wide range of specialties as Navy civilians. Women leading in the Navy Total Force include: 32 active and Reserve flag officers, 69 Senior Executive Service (SES) members, 48 command master chiefs, and three command senior chiefs.

In 1908, Congress established the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps. The first 20 Navy nurses were women, who became known as the "Sacred Twenty." As one of the "Sacred Twenty," Lenah S. Higbee was one of the first women to serve formally as a member of the Navy. In 1909, Higbee was promoted to Chief Nurse at Norfolk Naval Hospital, and in 1911 she became the Superintendent of the Navy Nurse Corps, serving throughout the duration of World War I. The Navy recognized Higbee's distinguished service as Superintendent of the Navy Nurse Corps, awarding her the Navy Cross for service in the line of her profession and unusual and conspicuous devotion to duty. In 1944, the Navy commemorated Higbee's naval service, naming a ship in her honor. USS Higbee (DD 806) was the first combatant ship to be named after a woman.

The Navy's first enlisted women, more commonly known as yeomen (F) or yeomanettes, provided clerical support during World War I. Capt. Joy Bright Hancock initially enlisted as a yeoman (F), serving until the end of World War I, by which time she had risen to the rank of chief petty officer. In 1942, during World War II, she was commissioned as a lieutenant in the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) program. Hancock rose to the rank of captain and led the WAVES through the 1940s and 1950s, facilitating the addition of women as a permanent part of the Navy.

Master Chief Yeoman Anna Der-Vartanian entered the Navy through the WAVES. She was not only the first woman to hold the rank of master chief in the Navy, but also across all armed services. Reflecting on her service, Der-Vartanian noted that most of the personnel she led treated her with respect and professionalism. The few exceptions where her authority was challenged, she maintained her professionalism with the saying, "Fall in and pipe down!" Upon her retirement after 21 years of naval service, Der-Vartanian continued serving her country by joining the Central Intelligence Agency.

Darlene Iskra was one of the first female line officers to graduate from the Naval School of Diving and Salvage in Washington, D.C.

Looking back, Iskra said, "Dive school was the most physically challenging thing I had ever done to that point in my life. Had it not been for the support of my fellow classmates, especially my roommate and diving partner [present day] Rear Adm. Martha Herb, I would have probably quit."

As a lieutenant commander, Darlene Iskra became the first Navy woman to command a ship when she assumed command of USS Opportune (ARS 41) in 1990. Iskra took her ship, a Bolster-class rescue and salvage ship, to patrol the Suez Canal during Operation Desert Storm, ensuring the canal remained clear for commerce. Reflecting upon her time as the first female commanding officer of a naval ship, she now understands that being a trailblazer means opening new ground for others to follow and that sometimes there are hazards along the way. Iskra retired in 2000 as a commander, with 21 years of service.

Most recently, Vice Adm. Michelle Howard was nominated for appointment to the rank of admiral and assignment as vice chief of naval operations. Upon confirmation, she will make history as the Navy's first female four-star admiral, and first African-American and first woman to serve as the vice chief.

The character, courage, and commitment shown by Higbee, Hancock, Der-Vartanian, Iskra, and Howard paved the way for women serving in the contemporary Navy. Today, women in the Navy, both officer and enlisted, hold leadership positions aboard warships, of carrier air wings and squadrons, recruiting districts, training stations, and shipyards. As we continue to progress forward, previously closed billets will open to women and the Navy will continue to witness women making history and new "firsts."

Commands are strongly encouraged to increase their knowledge and awareness of the contributions of women to our Navy and nation by celebrating the National Women's History Month theme, "Celebrating Women of Character, Courage, and Commitment," through programs, exhibits, publications, and participation in military and community events.

ARPC highlights first female command chief

by Tech. Sgt. Rob Hazelett
Air Reserve Personnel Center Public Affairs

3/4/2014 - BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- In December 2013 Chief Master Sgt. Ruth E. Flores became the Air Reserve Personnel Center's first female command chief to represent the highest level of enlisted leadership here.

As command chief, she is involved in advising the commander on all matters concerning the health, morale, welfare and effective utilization of more than 400 active duty, guardsmen, civilian employees and reserve enlisted members. She was officially recognized during an assumption of responsibility ceremony here Jan. 31.

The ARPC obtained the command chief position in 2012 when former commander, Col. Pat Blassie, was the driving force behind getting the billet for ARPC.

Since then, the center has had command Chief Master Sergeants David Paullet and Brian C.L. Wong the first and second command chiefs respectively.

Flores, who hails from Encarnacion, Paraguay, arrived in the U.S. when she was nine years old and lived in Alhambra, Calif. She entered the Air Force Reserve under the Delayed Enlistment Program in 1987 and was naturalized during her first enlistment while stationed at Loring Air Force Base, Maine.

Flores said it's an honor to serve alongside Brig. Gen. Samuel Mahaney, ARPC commander, and serve on his command team as she explained what it meant to her to be ARPC's first female command chief.

"Being the first female ARPC command chief is humbling," she said. "I take it as a personal challenge to ensure I represent not only the center, but also the Air Force Reserve Command and the Air Force, in general, not only as a female command chief, but as a strong and competent leader."

The 25-year Air Force veteran described her goals for the center.

"I aim to continue to encourage all Airmen, military and civilian; to be purposeful in their pursuit of excellence; to strive past their comfort levels to reach, then exceed their personal and professional goals," she said. "And to tell the world in whichever platform I'm allowed, every opportunity I get, that these Airmen are hard-working, dedicated and committed to accomplish the mission of 'Fly, Fight, Win' one customer at a time."

As for her leadership philosophy, Flores pointed out something Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James said and took it to heart to look out for those around her.

"She summed it up best when she said: 'People are everything,'" Flores said.

Throughout her career, and "back in the day," Flores said she's been a personnelist in various statuses: 13 years in the regular Air Force, two years as an individual reservist, three years as a traditional reservist and as an Active Guard Reserve, including three years as a military training leader.

She earned three associate's degrees in human resource management, information management and education and training management from the Community College of the Air Force.

Flores and her husband Geno have been married for 13 years.

In her spare time, Flores said she enjoys "spending as much time as humanly possible with my superman hubby and four amazing kids."

Face of Defense: Navy Relatives Reunite at Sea

From a U.S. 7th Fleet News Release

BUSAN, South Korea, Mar. 5, 2014 – Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Aleasha Gatewood, assigned to the U.S. 7th Fleet Staff embarked on the flagship USS Blue Ridge, had a rare opportunity to spend time with her aunt, Navy Lt. j.g. Aricka Faulkner, while underway in support of the ongoing Key Resolve 2014 exercise.

This is the second visit the two have had on board Blue Ridge in the last seven months, as Faulkner participated in the joint U.S.-South Korea exercise Ulchi Freedom Guardian in August.

“It was fantastic to see her, and I am so proud of what she has accomplished since she has arrived on board as an E-2 three years ago and is now a second class petty officer,” Faulkner said. “I have only heard positive reactions from the people she works for.”

Faulkner is a Navy reserve officer assigned to the Navy Reserve Component Command for 7th Fleet based out of Fort Worth, Texas. When taking a break from her full-time career as a flight operations manager for FedEx, she fulfills her naval commitments by spending four weeks a year participating in 7th Fleet exercises. Gatewood, a culinary specialist, is permanently assigned to the 7th Fleet team and has worked in the flag mess since 2011.

“It was great to see her during this exercise, as we live so far away,” Gatewood said. “She gives me advice about my naval career.”

The two are from a proud family of female veterans, with another aunt, as well as Gatewood’s own mother, all serving in the Navy.

“As the junior-ranking member of my family serving in the Navy, I only wish to be as great as my mother and aunts, who have accomplished so much in their careers,” Gatewood said.

Throughout their busy schedules, the aunt and niece said, they managed to spend quality time together catching up Faulkner said she plans on treating Gatewood and her friends to a nice meal while on liberty in the next port visit.