TRANSCOM commander returns jet to the fleet

by Capt. Ryan Fortney
Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs

10/21/2014 - JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. -- After being gone for nearly three years, P-189, a C-17 Globemaster III, was returned to Air Mobility Command's C-17 fleet Oct. 15, at Joint Base Charleston, S.C.

General Paul Selva, U.S. Transportation Command commander, returned the newly repaired C-17 to JB Charleston where it will once again fly as part of the 437th and 315th Airlift Wings.

The aircraft sustained major damage in Afghanistan in 2012, after it slid off the end of an icy runway.  In order to return P-189to the fleet, Boeing employees were sent there to assist in repair efforts which required more than 27,000 man hours and 127 major repair jobs utilizing more than 1,200 parts. The aircraft was then flown to the United States for continued repairs. Since the plane couldn't be pressurized, Boeing personnel flew the aircraft at a maximum altitude of 10,000 feet on a trip requiring five stops over the course of six days.

Once back in the United States at the Long Beach Depot Center, Calif., an additional 23,000 parts and more than 1,200 repair dispositions were required during a two-year span to complete the repairs.

"It is a magnificent testimony to innovation and creativity and to the teamwork between our Air Force, our Air Force maintainers and the artisans at Boeing that literally hand-built this airplane again," said Selva as he addressed base leadership, community representatives and crewmembers.

The aircrew took delivery of the C-17 from Boeing in Long Beach.

In addition to Selva, the aircrew included Col. Johnny Lamontagne, 437th Airlift Wing commander, Maj. Stephen Lee, 14th Airlift Squadron, Capt. Erica Stooksbury, 15th Airlift Squadron, Capt. Christopher Prentiss, 16th Airlift Squadron, Senior Airman Daniel Butler, 17th Airlift Squadron, Airman 1st  Class Cory Dye, 17th AS and Staff Sgt. Travis Boyles, 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.

"It is great to have P-189 back home in Charleston," said Lamontagne.  "We appreciate all the hard work Boeing put into this aircraft and we look forward to getting it back into the fight."

Two new courses improve AFGSC defense capabilities

by Senior Airman Jason Wiese
90th Missile Wing Public Affairs

10/29/2014 - F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- On the kind of day when it is cold in the shade and hot in the sun, the jagged, grassy landscape of Guernsey, Wyoming, was quiet and still -- as quiet and still as it can be in windy Wyoming.

Breaking the stillness, the engines of humvees and a payload transporter roared as they drove down a dirt road, followed shortly by machine gun fire.

"You never know how you're going to react until you're actually engaged in combat," said Tech. Sgt. Jason Cummings, 620th Ground Combat Training Squadron. "We try to bring that as realistically as possible. I'm trying to make sure all those guys are prepared."

On Oct. 17, 741st Missile Security Forces Squadron defenders from Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, took part in a final training exercise at Camp Guernsey, Wyoming, which was the culmination of the rest of the week's training. In the scenario, defenders using blank rounds protected the payload transporter from the 620th GCTS instructors (also using blank rounds), who played the part of an opposing force.

The Nuclear Convoy Course , along with the Combat Skills Course, are two Force Improvement Program initiatives created to help improve the capabilities of Air Force Global Strike Command security forces.

FIP is an aggressive grass-roots feedback program designed to quickly provide senior Air Force leaders with actionable recommendations for improvement by conducting one-on-one interviews and surveys with Airmen. It is an opportunity to foster positive changes within the command.

When the FIP teams began collecting feedback from Airmen early in 2014, many defenders requested additional training. They wanted to brush up on the basic skills they learned at technical school, which they have not had much opportunity to train since, said George Bice, AFGSC Operations Training Branch deputy chief.

In spring, Lt. Gen. Stephen Wilson, commander, AFGSC, told his staff he wanted to implement additional training for AFGSC defenders and get them more trigger time, Bice said.

"There was a need for training," Cummings said. "This is the first step in trying to meet the need for training."

In the combat skills course, defenders from across all AFGSC wings hone their weapon skills and tactics knowledge. In the Nuclear Convoy Course, defenders train to protect nuclear convoys, which maintainers in the ICBM force use to move missile components to and from their respective bases for maintenance. Only ICBM wings in AFGSC have attended or will attend the Nuclear Convoy Course because that skillset is specific to the ICBM mission.

The training courses benefit all non-tactical response force, non-convoy response force personnel, Cummings said.

These defenders include base law enforcement and missile security forces Airmen. Tactical Response ForceRF and CRF  defenders already receive the specialized training.

Every AFGSC defender will have advanced training. Defenders, from TRF to gate guards, will be able to fire long distances, hit moving targets and clear out buildings.

620th GCTS instructors offer a lot of unique training not available at home stations, he said.

Training at Camp Guernsey gives a chance to experience scenarios more realistically, said Master Sgt. Christopher Clark, 741st MSFS CRF superintendent, who took part in the Nuclear Convoy Course, Oct. 13 to 17.

"You always want to train like you would actually fight," Cummings said. "This type of training is important because the part that requires extra training is what happens when the convoy gets attacked. They need to know how to react. We provide a safe working environment to maintain the weapon system."

Fifteen training instructors changed duty stations to Camp Guernsey to accommodate the greater numbers of trainees who will go there for training.

The instructors are very motivated, Clark said.

The students loved the training. It was exactly what they were looking for, Bice said.

Because the training courses are new, there is room for improvement. One change Bice said they will make is adjusting the schedule. Some of the timing was a little off and led to down time that could have been used for more training.

"Actually, most of the folks wanted to stay longer," he said. "We'll adjust those times and tighten up loose ends."

On the whole, the students found they learned a lot and enjoyed their training, Bice said.

A saying in the 741st MSFS goes: "It is what it is. Get it done," Clark said. In his words, "bringing shiny new tools back to the home station," will help get it done.

Defenders from across AFGSC continue to attend both courses.

"I can't stress enough: it's crucial they get this kind of training," Cummings said.

The end of a season: ACC's top leader reflects on service

by Sachel Seabrook
Air Combat Command Public Affairs

10/30/2014 - LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va.,  -- The plaques and awards have been taken down. The family pictures are gone and the walls are bare.  After 37 years of service and more moves than he cares to count, Gen. Mike Hostage, commander of Air Combat Command, has packed up his office for the last time.

"I can't believe it's been 37 years," Hostage said. "I feel like I just got started."

Though he feels like he's just begun, Gen. Hostage has nearly four decades of service under his belt. Since joining the Air Force in 1977, the general has logged more than 4,000 flying hours, served in combat and received numerous awards and decorations. In 2011, he took the top spot at Air Combat Command, marking his third and final assignment at Langley Air Force Base.

"Serving in the military is not like a regular job," he said. "But, waking up and coming to work every day knowing we're doing something important for the country is intensely gratifying."

But even satisfying jobs have their challenging moments. During his time as commander, Hostage led the command's Airmen through furloughs, sequestration and stand-downs. All the while, the general remained steadfastly determined to do everything he could to keep the combat air forces ready and resilient, something he knows the incoming COMACC will continue to do.

"In the coming years, I have no doubt we will see ACC remain ready," the general said. "We need to recapitalize the force and convince the rest of Air Force that the combat air forces are under resourced.

The strategic choices the Air Force has made to keep recapitalization on the forefront have not been without controversy and turmoil, facts that are not lost on the Duke University graduate.

"We ask a lot of our families, so taking care of them and keeping them informed is important. I know Gen. Carlisle is committed to that."

Gen. Hawk Carlisle will assume command of ACC on Nov. 4.

When reflecting back on his service, a smile crosses Hostage's face.

"I'm proud to have had the opportunity to serve," he said. "I'm humbled and proud to work alongside some amazing Airmen. Their level of commitment and the effort they put forth every day is what has driven me to do right by them. In the end, I feel good about what I've managed to accomplish. I've truly enjoyed it."

The Hostages will remain in the greater local area, but don't expect to see them hanging around the base. While both the general and his wife will miss their Air Force family, they will be spending their time getting accustomed to civilian life and enjoying their other family - especially the grandkids. But it will be a big change.

"Kathy and I are emotionally connected to the Airmen and all of sudden we're disconnecting, so that's very hard," the general shared. "We're essentially going from 100 knots to zero."

And although he jokes about finding post-retirement work as a Wal-Mart store greeter, the aviation enthusiast actually plans to spend his free time on special project with links to his not-so-distant past.

"I'll spend my time building my third plane," the general said. "A Pioneer 3 glider."

Despite demanding jobs and schedules, building planes has been a passion he's pursued throughout his career.

"The first one took me five years to build, the second one took me a year," he proudly said. "This one is taking me a little longer, but I'm looking forward to focusing more on it."

Nevertheless, with his retirement only days away, as the general prepares to leave Langley's gates for the final time as commander, he has a few final words for his Airmen.

"Be proud of serving. It doesn't matter if you serve for one enlistment term or 37 years, that service is important because it allows the rest of our society to enjoy and do the things they want to do because they are free."

Humbly recognized with combat valor

by Senior Airman Erin O'Shea
48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

10/29/2014 - ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England  -- A hangar filled with Airmen focused their attention toward a stage where the 48th Fighter Wing commander stood alongside a single Airman.

Ruiz, 56th Rescue Squadron Pararescueman, was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Heroism for his courageous acts while engaged in action against an enemy of the U.S. in Sept. 2013.

Ruiz was assigned to the 22nd Expeditionary Special Tactics Squadron, Combined Joint Special Operations Air Component Afghanistan and attached to Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha 7422.

"We are here to recognize Master Sgt. Ivan Ruiz and all the great actions he made in support of combat operations in Afghanistan," said Lt. Col. Jared Herbert, 56th Rescue Squadron commander. "It's special that the wing commander chose this venue in front of this many people to recognize him and his accomplishments down range, especially with combat valor."

Ruiz displayed acts of valor in the face of direct enemy fire as a special operations medic and advisor. As the 13-hour battle continued to intensify, Ruiz held strong as he climbed a hillside and exposed himself to enemy fire to suppress an enemy force. He repeatedly placed himself in great danger against a superior enemy to provide direct fire on eight insurgent fighting positions over the course of the battle. With his decisive leadership capabilities, he helped repel multiple enemy attacks and contributed to 103 insurgent deaths.

As Ruiz has only been assigned to the 56th RQS for about a month, he has experienced working alongside other pararescue troops over the course of the 18 years he has served in the Air Force.

"The thing I enjoy the most is the guys I work with in the pararescue career field," Ruiz said. "I love all my brothers, and the best part about my job is them."

Ruiz is passionate about his career and portrays unselfish dedication to his duty. He attributes this recognition to the entire pararescue community.

"I think it's very important, especially with any accomplishment or any award, that it be publicly recognized for all the hard work that everyone does," Herbert stated. "Today is a special occasion because it's a not-so-common award, especially with valor, and for the level of audience and how many people were here today.  It lets them know there's a lot more going on in the Air Force than just their day-to-day job."

Airmen of the 48th FW take pride in carrying out their daily missions and continue to be recognized for their acts of bravery and courage as they remain Forward, Ready, Now.

Lasting impressions of an Air Force honor guardsman

by Airman 1st Class Ryan Conroy
31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

10/29/2014 - AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy  -- An overwhelming urge to serve and a determination to recognize the sacrifices made by Airmen in the past enabled one Aviano Airman to represent the Air Force on a national level.

Walking tall throughout the base, it's apparent that Master Sgt. Andre Moore stands out from the rest of the Airmen. His uniform is sharp and he carries himself with pride. He has the mark of an Air Force honor guardsman.

Not unlike a tattoo, the Air Force Honor Guard is impressed upon Moore for the rest of his life, but instead of the ink staining the skin, his demeanor is saturated with professionalism.

"It's a representation of more than yourself," said Moore. "It's the pride and honor of wearing the uniform and remembering all those who sacrificed before me. It's about serving an organization that serves others."

Moore was raised as a military brat with two parents serving throughout his entire childhood. When Moore was 18, he decided the military wasn't going to be the life for him. He enrolled in college and was an avid track runner for two years when an indescribable calling to do something more came over him.

"I can't really explain it, but I wanted something more," said Moore. "I needed a life change, to receive an education and to travel and the Air Force provided all of that to me."

He joined in 1995 as aviation resource management and while stationed at Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., a traveling team representing the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard visited. He was entranced and his friend encouraged him to submit an application, saying his leadership as an NCO would be a welcomed quality for a program consisting of mostly newer Airmen.

The application process for the unique special duty was extensive with a broad range of physical requirements and duty performance history. Moore needed to show that he consistently demonstrated high standards of character, discretion, loyalty and performance and could present an impeccable military image.

He waited anxiously for an answer to his application and an opportunity to feed his never-ending ambition. The letter came and he was accepted to join one of the Air Force's oldest programs.
In June of 2005, Moore arrived at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C., for technical training. All his preparation and years in the Air Force didn't prepare him for what was to occur next.

"It was definitely a different experience," said Moore. "I was met by a senior airman on the first day that was reminiscent of a military training instructor from basic training. Mind you, I was a staff sergeant at this time and it was weird to have someone who was lower in rank ordering me around."

The next sixty days would prove a struggle for the only NCO in a group of technical school Airmen. Technical proficiency in the honor guard is an art form and Moore had trouble learning the trade.

"Essentially, it's relearning how to walk and stand and dress yourself all over again, but their way," said Moore. "At the end of it all, it really made me take pride in the uniform I was wearing and the country I was serving."

After training, Moore was assigned to the Body Bearers Flight in the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard. The Body Bearers Flight participates in U.S. Air Force, joint service and state funerals by carrying the remains of deceased service members, their dependents, senior or national leaders to their final resting places at Arlington National Cemetery.

According to Moore, honoring families in this manner reached him on an extremely emotional level.

"There was one time I was presenting a flag to a widow and she reached out and grabbed me," said Moore. "It caught me off guard and as I walked past the rest of their family members, they all reached out and touched me. I realized then, I was their Airman who passed away. I represented who he was and the family didn't want to let go."

Moore served with the honor guard for more than four years and had the opportunity to perform honor guardsman services at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider, the Pentagon and the White House. He laid distinguished Airmen to rest, preformed retirement and promotion ceremonies and also performed with the color guard with impeccable professionalism and military bearing.

"It's selfless," said Moore. "I was proud of what I was doing because the sacrifices of Airmen can be traced to each event. It was my way of thanking those who served before me."

His time with the honor guard came to a close and he came back to his regular career field, but it seemed like something was missing when he returned.

"I said to myself, I have this knowledge and I can't let it go to waste," said Moore. "I have four years of unique information that I can impart on some of the Airmen around me and I can do more than just reminiscence on the memories."

Therefore, Moore took it upon himself to join the base honor guard. The Base Honor Guard Training Program is a smaller, sister program to the official honor guard to standardize ceremonies performed from base to base across the Air Force.

"The Aviano Base Honor Guard program is important because we're presenting the Air Force to the Italian community," said Moore. "For some Italians who have never seen the United States Air Force before, we are it. We are the face of the military here."

These days, Master Sgt. Andre Moore is the superintendent of the Aviano Base Honor Guard Program and the 510th Fighter Squadron. He continues to develop and mold Airmen and honor the Airmen he is proud to call his brothers-in-arms.

"Being a part of the program is more than just a volunteer thing for me," said Moore. "It gives me a sense of pride in wearing this uniform and it allows me to understand the importance of our flag flying. It's about knowing why we do what we do and most of all it's about honoring the lives of those before us because freedom isn't free; people sacrifice their lives for the cause."

For those who wish to serve in the Aviano Base Honor Guard program, there is an application process one must complete, which consists of receiving approval from supervision, an explanation on why an Airman would want to join honor guard, attending practices every Wednesday afternoon and committing to a one year contract. For more information about joining, email 31fw.honorguard@us.af.mil.

UPAR--Assisting eyes and ears

by Senior Airman Shandresha Mitchell
6th Air Mobility Wing public affairs

10/29/2014 - MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- As a member of public affairs, we strive to be in every place, documenting every event at once; but with manning limitations, it just isn't physically possible...

Until now.

This October, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, kicked off its Unit Public Affairs Representative program. The program allows a designated member of each unit or squadron to be the assisting eyes and ears for the MacDill public affairs office.

"This program allows PA to have a direct connection with every organization on base," commented Tech. Sgt. George Maddon, 6th Air Mobility Wing public affairs broadcaster. "It permits us to actively engage with the various units to ensure ideal news coverage."

The primary goal of the UPAR program is to assure optimum news coverage of the 6th Air Mobility Wing's mission and units.

UPARs will aid in the identification of newsworthy information for publication and the dissemination of information of wing-wide relevance to unit members.

The 6th Air Mobility Wing commanders selected unit members to perform the additional duty of primary and alternate UPAR. The individuals needed to possess adequate knowledge of Air Force operations and the experience, aptitude, and interest in participating in the commander's communication program.

"I volunteered for the program because it is a great way to meet new people and learn new things about my squadron," commented Staff Sgt. Merrianne Donley, 6th Civil Engineer Squadron Airman Dormitory Leader.

The unit representatives are required to attend an annual training informing them of their roles and responsibilities. The annual training describes UPAR responsibilities, types of newsworthy stories, basic guidelines for writing these stories, types of photos needed, guidelines for taking photos, the submission process, editorial process and the guidelines of the Associated Press Stylebook.

"Before, I was unsure of what PA was involved in. I knew they wrote the base paper and attended base events but that was it," said Donley. "I now understand they do much more; PA stays very busy conducting interviews and maintaining various resources for the base, such as, the base web page, official Facebook page, off-base events, marquee board and more."

Each representative's responsibilities will include: being a source of information; providing photographs and articles; and documenting events the PA office is unable to cover.

"I love having the opportunity to share what is going on in the 6 CES with the rest of the MacDill family," commented Donley. "It's a great chance to meet people and get their story, as well as for others to get to know neighboring squadrons better."

Military Medical Students Learn to Care for Combat Injured

By Sarah Marshall

Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa., Oct. 30, 2014 – About 170 medical students from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences recently experienced the demands of caring for patients in a simulated combat environment, complete with mock explosions, operational problems, reality-based missions and numerous casualties.

The fourth-year medical students journeyed here this month to participate in a field training exercise known as “Operation Bushmaster.”

Graduate School of Nursing students also participated, along with international military medical officers from Mexico, the United Kingdom, Israel and Japan, said Navy Cmdr. (Dr.) James Palma, an assistant professor of Military and Emergency Medicine at USU.

Preparing for first operational assignments

The goal is to prepare students for their first operational assignment when they graduate from medical school, Palma explained. They might complete a one-year internship and then immediately deploy, or they might go straight into a residency and not deploy for another three or four years, he said. Either way, he added, “our goal is that they are well prepared for their first operational assignment, and that they’re going to be lifelong leaders in our military health care system.”

Before “Operation Bushmaster,” students go through a two-week military contingency medicine course, during which they are presented operational problems and receive pre-deployment training, just as they would prior to a real deployment, Palma explained. This classroom phase includes lectures and is focused on team building. The students become a cohesive unit as they prepare to deploy to a fictional country facing challenges from rebel forces, he added.

Divided into two groups, the students were sent, sequentially, to spend four days at this large National Guard base nestled in the mountains just north of Hershey, Pennsylvania. They were assigned to one of four platoons – all undergoing identical scenarios, planning and executing missions, while simultaneously caring for a variety of casualties, ranging in severity from fatigue to gunshot wounds. The exercise featured nearly 1,000 encounters with simulated patients, Palma said.

Leadership, communication skills, logistics

While patient care is a large part of their training, leadership, communication skills and logistics are just as important, Palma continued, noting that obtaining the necessary supplies and managing logistics are essential to effectiveness.

Students were assigned various roles during the exercise, such as patient administrator, triage officer, medical logistics, or litter bearers transporting patients. They frequently rotated positions, allowing every student to practice each role, Palma said.

The students also were graded on how well they performed key positions, including platoon leader, ambulance team leader, surgeon, and combat stress control officer. They were graded on a number of factors, such as communication and leadership skills, as they were observed by more than 60 faculty members from USU, as well as from across the country.

Dr. Art Kellermann, dean of the F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine of USU, noted that while the exercise is focused on leadership and enhancing the students’ patient care skills, they also interact with role players representing local host-nation citizens, practicing cultural sensitivity and expanding their problem-solving abilities while handling complex issues of their unit’s wellness.

“All of this is wrapped into an incredibly challenging series of unfolding scenarios,” Kellermann said. “They are constantly being thrown problems. They have to adapt and learn to work with one another in a variety of ways and a variety of combinations.”

Upping the ante

As the exercise progressed, they “upped the ante,” until the fourth and final day, Kellermann said. Their training then culminated with a large mass-casualty exercise. “We try to make it as realistic as we can,” Kellerman said. “We don’t pull punches.”

On the final day, the platoons, with about 24 students each, responded to a simulated mass casualty. They were informed that the fictional country’s rebel force leader was identified and had started a last effort to take over the country’s government, Palma explained. As the students responded, they heard loud, rapid gunfire, screaming and explosions booming from a speaker. Smoke billowed from the woods, where casualties were coming from left and right.

“You think you know what you’re going to walk into, but the sheer magnitude, the sights … it’s a shock to the senses,” said Army 2nd Lt. Rowan Sheldon, a fourth-year medical student in the 2nd Platoon. “You have to take a step back and say, ‘This is my plan, this is what I have to do,’ and execute the plan.”

As he played the role of a surgeon during the mass casualty scenario, Sheldon said, his platoon worked to find balance. Those dedicated to providing immediate care did just that, while others remained focused on setting up the triage and treatment areas. “Within the chaos of the environment, we had to create order,” he said. “It was difficult, and very realistic.”

Challenging, rewarding training

Overall, he said, the students’ experience throughout the training was both challenging and rewarding. “Every single person out there now is better than they were four days ago,” he added. “It was the most realistic training I’ve ever done.”

Navy Ensign Tony Romero agreed, adding that even though it was simulated, it was still very stressful. During the mass casualty scenario, playing the role of a medic in the 2nd Platoon, he said, he walked by people who clearly needed help. Though he wanted to delay his assigned tasks to stop and help, he reminded himself his job was just as vital to meeting the mission -- saving as many lives as possible.

Romero said he appreciated the feedback he received while being graded on his performance. “The [faculty] are there to help you, and helping make you better will help the entire system,” he added.

He also noted everyone looked out for each other’s well-being, ensuring they had taken time to eat and were not overexerting themselves, an important aspect of avoiding combat stress.

Incredibly stressful

“It’s incredibly stressful for them,” said Navy Ensign Meghan Quinn. She was among the many first-year students at the exercise who played the role of casualties.

During the mass casualty scenario, Quinn acted as though she was exposed to a roadside-bomb blast, unable to hear and very confused. She said she tried to make it difficult for the students to treat her by stumbling around. She enjoyed watching how they responded, she said, and to “see them really respond to you as a person and as a patient.”

The training also gave Quinn a firsthand look at the difficult training she will go through in just a few years, when she returns for the exercise as a fourth-year student, she said. She recognized the importance of the training, she added, as it tests students in ways that can’t be accomplished in a classroom. She also said it’s important to train in this environment, because military medical personnel will not always be providing care in a hospital.

After the exercise, the students returned to their clinical rotations across the country.

Scott members provide vision on humanitarian mission

by Staff Sgt. Stephenie Wade
375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

10/28/2014 - SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- For more than two years the Scott Optometry Clinic has collected used glasses and 700 pairs made their way to Guatemala this past Spring as part of a humanitarian mission called "Beyond the Horizon."

Not only did Capt. Eric Owens and Tech. Sgt. Latoya Cason bring the glasses, but this optometrist and technician team assigned to the 375th Aerospace Medicine Squadron also attended to 1,500 patients, helping them to regain their vision.

"Patients, from infants to elders, stood in line for a long time in really hot weather to see us," Owens said. "Some had not been to a doctor because of the cost of medical care or the distance to a medical facility. Many of them had conditions such as Glaucoma, severe dry eye, pink eye, cataracts and vision correction."

Cason screened patients to find out their history and medical concerns, and distributed medications. She said her most proud moments were seeing people smile as they put on the glasses they brought.

"I remember helping a male who was in his 60's," she said. "After giving him his glasses he began smiling and said he could see the tree leaves clearly for the first time. Sometimes you don't realize how thankful you should be for what you have until you go somewhere else and see people who have less. They are very appreciative for everything they have. All the Guatemalans were very friendly and thankful. People would come to the clinic for care and return the next day bringing in food to thank us."

For both Team Scott members, this was their first time supporting a humanitarian mission. They were part of a larger military team specializing in engineering, construction and health care who deployed to Zacapa, Guatemala, to provide needed services to communities while receiving valuable training. The mission, led by the U.S. Southern Command, is an annual joint foreign military interaction/humanitarian exercise which helps foster relationships with partnering nations.

Owen and Cason also worked with an optometrist and technician from Maxwell AFB, Mississippi, who brought 1,500 pairs of glasses. The other medical specialists present were women's health, pharmacy, dental and dermatology. The staff worked in two school settings with no running water or air conditioning, and temperatures over 100 degrees. A total of 7,000 patients were seen by the six medical specialties.

Global Strike Challenge score-posters combine past, present to make event shine

by Carla Pampe
Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs

10/29/2014 - BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La.  -- As the time quickly approaches for Air Force Global Strike Command's fourth Global Strike Challenge to wrap-up, the teams have finished competing and scores are being tallied to determine who will be named the "best of the best" in the bomber, missile, helicopter and security forces communities.

However, there is one group that is still hard at work and training up until the last minute for their role as official score-posters at the GSC scoreposting ceremony.

Chosen for their professionalism, sharp appearance and dedication, the eight score-posters, Senior Master Sgt. Travis Chadick, Senior Master Sgt. Randall Kingfisher, Master Sgt. August Rochon, Master Sgt. Joelle Silny, Master Sgt. Arman Soriano, Master Sgt. Steven Zaleski, Master Sgt. Warren Moran, Tech. Sgt. Jessica Chebaro and Staff Sgt. Joshua Begley, have been practicing for weeks to ensure the big event during which the competition winners are announced goes off without a hitch.

"Teams across the command have put in countless hours of training and put the best of the best their wings have to offer and it's our position as command leads to put on a show that coincides with their efforts," said Master Sgt. August F. Rochon Jr., an ICBM Facilities Systems Manager from
Rayne, Louisiana.

The scoreposting ceremony goes back to the roots of the original bomb and missile competitions, with very serious, very professional NCOs posting the scores to build suspense in the audience. While the scoreposting is serious business, the score-posters do add a level of trickery and fun to the ceremony, which keeps the winners a surprise until the last minute.

"All eyes will be watching what we are doing on the stage. We can set the tone for the event and add some fun to it as well," said Senior Master Sgt. Randall Kingfisher, Superintendent for ICBM Requirements from Grove, Oklahoma. "I am really looking forward to hearing the competitors yelling and cheering and seeing their excitement in being rewarded for their hard work."

This was the first year junior enlisted members were added to the scoreposting team, including SSgt Joshua Begley, noncommissioned officer in charge of supply and logistics for the 2nd Security Forces Squadron.

Begley, who hails from Owsley County, Kentucky, said he was honored and privileged to be able to be part of this event.

"It feels really good to be chosen for scoreboard posting and to my understanding I'm the first Jr NCO to be chosen for scoreboard posting," he said. "I guess what I'm looking forward to the most is being able to say that I'm part of a heritage and tradition that has been going on for many years now."

In another first, Tech. Sgt. Robin Samolinski, a spectrum manager with AFGSC's communications directorate from Cleveland, Ohio, is the first enlisted member chosen to serve as emcee for the scoreposting ceremony.

Samolinski, who just moved to Barksdale from Mountain Home Air Force Air Force Base, had no idea what Global Strike Challenge was when she volunteered to audition as emcee.

"Now that I realize what this event is about and understand the level of importance this is for Global Strike Command, I'm honored, humbled and thankful to have landed such a key role and to be a part of something way bigger than I ever imagined," she said. "The thing I am looking forward to most is the thrill of being in front of so many amazing people and sharing in their glory!"

Hagel Underscores Importance of U.S.-Malaysia Relationship

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Oct. 29, 2014 – In a phone conversation with his Malaysian counterpart today, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel underscored the importance that he and the Defense Department place on the U.S. relationship with Malaysia and on the Asia-Pacific region, Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby said.

In a statement summarizing the call, Kirby said Hagel and Defense Minister Hishammuddin Tun Hussein discussed several security issues, including Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant activity and concerns about militant Islam in Southeast Asia.

The two leaders also discussed Malaysia's upcoming chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the continuing investigation into the July 17 crash of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 in Ukraine, the admiral said.

“Secretary Hagel and Minister Hishammuddin reaffirmed their commitment to a strong bilateral relationship and reaffirmed their commitment to working together to confront global challenges,” he added.