US, Indian, Japan Navies to Participate in Malabar 2015

From Commander Task Force 70 Public Affairs

CHENNAI, India (NNS) -- Naval ships, aircraft and personnel from India, Japan and the United States will participate in exercise Malabar 2015, Oct. 14-19, 2015.

Malabar 2015 is a complex, high-end warfighting exercise that has grown in scope and complexity over the years and is the latest in a continuing series conducted to advance multi-national maritime relationships and mutual security issues.

The exercise will feature both ashore and at-sea training. While ashore in Chennai, training will include subject matter expert and professional exchanges on carrier strike group operations; maritime patrol and reconnaissance operations; surface and anti-submarine warfare; medical operations; damage control; explosive ordnance disposal (EOD); helicopter operations; and visit board search and seizure (VBSS) operations.

The at-sea portions will be conducted off the east coast of India and are designed to advance participating nations' military-to-military coordination and capacity to plan and execute tactical operations in a multinational environment.

Events planned during the at-sea portions include liaison officer professional exchanges and embarks; photo exercise; submarine familiarization; high-value unit defense; air defense exercises; mine exercise; medevac; surface warfare exercises; communications exercises; search and rescue exercises; helicopter cross-deck evolutions; underway replenishments; gunnery exercises; visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) exercises; and anti-submarine warfare.

Participants from the U.S. Navy include the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) with embarked Carrier Air Wing 1, the guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60); the littoral combat ship USS Fort Worth (LCS 3); a P-8A Poseidon aircraft; and a Los Angeles-Class fast-attack submarine.

The Indian, Japan and U.S. navies have a common understanding and knowledge of a shared working environment at sea. Each iteration of this exercise helps to advance the level of understanding between our Sailors and we hope to be able to continue this process over time.

As members of Pacific nations, our navies are natural partners, and we look forward to continuing to strengthen our bonds and personal relationships.

For a list of participating Indian forces, please refer to the Indian Navy Headquarters. For a list of participating Japan forces, please refer to the Japan Maritime Staff Office.

CLDJ Holds Change of Command Ceremony in Djibouti

By Lt. Cmdr. Erik Wells, Camp Lemonnier Public Affairs

DJIBOUTI (NNS) -- Camp Lemonnier (CLDJ), Djibouti, the U.S. military's only enduring base in Africa, held a change of command ceremony, today, Oct. 14.

Capt. Geoffrey T. Colpitts took command from Capt. Matthew P. O'Keefe during a ceremony presided over by Rear Adm. John C. Scorby, Jr., commander of Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia.

Scroby spoke of O'Keefe's accomplishments while leading Camp Lemonnier for the past ten months that has allowed the critical missions in the region to continue.

"At Camp Lemonnier, our warfighters are able to focus on the mission because Skipper O'Keefe and his team take care of everything else by providing stellar customer service to the fleet, the fighter and the family," Scorby said.

During O'Keefe's tenure major construction projects were completed such as a new warehouse and the U.S. military's first permanent barracks on the African continent. O'Keefe said the construction efforts at CLDJ demonstrate to the Djiboutian government and its citizens that the U.S. is here to stay to improve the security of the region and to fight violent extremists.

"It has been my distinct pleasure in building and continuing to build the relationship that exist between our great nations," O'Keefe said.

O'Keefe's greatest praise was for the men and women - military and civilian - who he called "the finest group of patriots on the planet" and thanked them for "serving our country overseas so that our loved ones may enjoy peace at home."

Camp Lemonnier's new commanding officer is no stranger to the importance the role CLDJ plays in the region.

Colpitts spent 18 months assigned to Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa which is a tenant command on the base. During his deployment in 2012, Colpitts was the officer-in-charge of the first permanent U.S. military presence in Mogadishu, Somalia in 20 years. He was also the senior U.S. military officer in Somalia coordinating all U.S. military support to Somalia and the African Union combat troops operating in Somalia.

"I believe that the greatest legacy that we as U.S. military members and civilians will leave on this continent is not buildings and not structures, but the influence of our character," Colpitts said.

Colpitts added that he has been impressed during his month-long turnover at the skill, pride and professionalism of the military and civilian personnel on the base.

"The men and women of Camp Lemonnier are the heart and soul of this tremendous and dynamic place here in the Horn of Africa," Colpitts said. "Each and every one of you are incredible people. The safety and health of everyone on Camp Lemonnier is my number one priority."

Camp Lemonnier supports Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa and other tenant commands protecting United States interests in Africa, and provides full spectrum individual support to personnel stationed on Camp Lemonnier. Camp Lemonnier partners with its host nation, Djibouti, to be a valued part of the community by fostering long-term common interests.

Nuclear Treaty Monitoring Center activates five new squadrons

by Susan A. Romano
AFTAC Public Affairs

10/16/2015 - Patrick Air Force Base, Fla. -- The Air Force Technical Applications Center here activated five newly-designated squadrons this week as the center takes steps to reorganize after becoming a wing equivalent in August 2014.

The ceremonies were historic events for the center as well as the Air Force.  AFTAC was first organized in 1959 as the 1035th U.S. Air Force Field Activities Group.  For the next several years, five technical operations squadrons carried out specific portions of the nuclear treaty monitoring mission.  In 1980, the 1035th was renamed the Air Force Technical Applications Center and became a direct reporting unit to Headquarters Air Force.  The squadrons were deactivated at that time.

Now that AFTAC falls under Air Combat Command (major command) and 25th Air Force (numbered Air Force), leadership reasoned that as a wing equivalent, the squadron structure should be revived and returned to AFTAC's unit composition.

A squadron is the Air Force's most basic unit, responsible for critical, day-to-day operations - it's where the job gets done.  Each new squadron held an activation and assumption of command ceremony, with an Air Force field grade officer respectively taking command.

Two of the squadrons will be aligned under AFTAC's Directorate of Operations; the remaining three will align under the Directorate of Mission Support.

The new squadrons and their associated missions are as follows:

Technical Surveillance Squadron (TESS) - this squadron, now commanded by Lt. Col. Ehren Carl, provides the nation with persistent surveillance to monitor treaty compliance through AFTAC's 24/7 Operations Center and the U.S. Atomic Energy Detection System to detect, identify and locate nuclear explosions underground, underwater, in the atmosphere or in space.

Technical Operations Squadron (TOPS) - this squadron, led by Lt. Col. Robert Light, conducts Olympic Titan (mobile maritime platform foreign missile and space activity operations) and worldwide reconnaissance missions via technical sensors radar systems and aerial sampling operations to provide national authorities quality technical measurements to monitor treaty compliance involving weapons of mass destruction that threaten national security.

Technical Support Squadron (TSUS) - this squadron, under the command of Lt. Col. Dennis Uyechi, provides a broad range of world-class operations support to AFTAC, including intelligence support, training, standardization and evaluation, command staff and operations support to 17 worldwide locations employing more than 1,000 personnel executing the center's nuclear treaty monitoring mission.

Technical Sustainment Squadron (TSMS) - this squadron, with Maj. Patrick Carpizo at the helm, empowers AFTAC with quality sustainment of the U.S. Atomic Energy Detection System and innovative global logistics and maintenance support to the Department of Defense's sole nuclear treaty monitoring mission.

Cyber Capabilities Squadron (CYCS) - this squadron, commanded by Lt. Col. Brian Hippel, provides AFTAC with decisive and assured cyberspace capabilities through innovative and robust global network architecture, data management, systems engineering and integrations services with unrivaled expertise and commitment.

"As an organization, AFTAC is changing rapidly and we must embrace these changes to ensure our continued success," said Col. Jennifer P. Sovada, AFTAC commander.  "All of our officers taking command have the responsibility to lead and take care of their Airmen while still executing the mission.  I have full confidence in their abilities to do just that and to carry on with the rich legacy of excellence at AFTAC."

October is Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month

by Airman 1st Class Kyle Johnson
JBER PA

10/15/2015 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- October is Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.

To raise awareness of the threats domestic violence can have to families and the military's mission as a whole, the Family Advocacy Program is hosting and participating in a series of events throughout the remainder of October.

"We have two big events this month; the first one is 'Swap, Swap, 'til You Drop'," said Sarah Blanning, a family advocacy outreach manager for Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. "It is a recipe and clothing swap, the price of admission is a travel-sized toiletry for donation to Alaska family services which is the domestic violence shelter in Palmer."

The clothing swap event is at the Dallas community center on the Elmendorf side of base and is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. and finish by 8:30 p.m.

"Next Thursday evening, we have our declaration of intention which is essentially a vow renewal," Blanning said. "But it is open to anybody in a committed relationship, you don't need to be married, it's an opportunity to come together and reaffirm your commitment to have a healthy, respectful and violence-free relationship."

The Arctic Warrior Events Center is scheduled to host the event Oct. 22 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.

"There will be a chaplain to perform a blessing and it'll be everyone coming together and saying we affirm we want to have respectful relationships and we don't want violence to be any part of it."

Additionally, at various locations on base, family advocacy is setting up interactive display tables to raise awareness of resources available to military members.

"We call them interactive display tables; yes they have information and resources for people, but they are meant to be interactive - to engage in discussion and play some games to make sure people are getting information and getting any questions answered that they may have."

The next interactive display is scheduled for Oct.16 at the Wilderness Inn from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m.

For other domestic violence awareness events taking place this October., contact the Family Advocacy Program at 580-5858.

Hill commemorates new era in combat airpower

By Nathan Simmons, 388th Fighter Wing / Published October 15, 2015

HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah (AFNS) -- Base officials and the Top of Utah community officially welcomed the F-35 Lightning II at a ceremony here Oct. 14, an event that formally marked the beginning of F-35 operations for the 388th and 419th Fighter Wings.

Members of the Utah congressional delegation, Lockheed Martin and the Air Force addressed a crowd of more than 500 people, which included Airmen and their families, local civic leaders and the media. Col. David B. Lyons, the 388th FW commander, said he was blown away with how well Hill's F-35s have performed during the first month of flying.

"Since September 2, we've flown our new jets hard. We've flown advanced handling sorties, pushing the jets further than earlier versions,” Lyons said. “We've also flown basic surface attack, air-to-air intercepts, opposed surface attack and light suppression of enemy air defenses. The airplanes have met all our expectations in the air, but notably, we have not lost a single flight to a maintenance-related issue thus far. Obviously we can't stay perfect forever, but if our first month is any indication, this jet is going to be a workhorse."

A common theme addressed by many of the speakers was the increased threat environment around the world, and the need for air superiority to meet that threat. Gen. Hawk Carlisle, the commander of Air Combat Command, said the security challenges we face today are the greatest we've faced in our nation's history, and that the F-35 is key to keeping America on top of the threat.

"The current state of world affairs represents the most complex and challenging environment our nation has ever faced with respect to national security challenges across the spectrum," Carlisle said. "The capability over our adversaries is narrowing, and the potential for a near-peer conflict is increasing. Not only will the F-35’s advanced capabilities allow us to operate effectively in the anti-access, aerial denial environment, but the F-35 is a force multiplier. It makes every other airplane in the battlespace that much better because of what it brings to the fight."

Utah's senior senator, Sen. Orrin Hatch, said Americans are blessed to live in a nation that protects its cherished freedoms and liberties, and that the F-35 makes those liberties even more secure.

"This weapons system will be a powerful deterrent to those enemies who would tear down our freedom, and destroy our peace," Hatch said. "In protecting our nation against our foes, we need the F-35 now more than ever."

Utah Sen. Mike Lee described modernization as a key ingredient in America's success in defeating its adversaries.

"The success of the U.S. armed services has always depended not only on the extraordinary bravery of our men and women in uniform, but also on the superiority of our technology," Lee said. "In one theater after another we haven't just out-fought our enemy, we've also out-innovated our enemy, and that's been a key to our success. When it comes to innovating, testing, training, maintaining America's aircraft, missiles and avionics, northern Utah has long been our nation's leader."

Col. Bryan Radliff, the 419th FW commander, noted in his closing remarks that those making history don't realize it until after the moment has passed.

"We are honored to be a part of history. Today we pause to recognize the sacrifices of our community and our families for your selfless support," Radliff said. "Our team is strong and steadfast, our past is robust, but it is your resolute support which allows us to pour our hearts and souls into ushering in the next chapter in American aviation exceptionalism -- the F-35."

On Dec. 2, 2013, Hill AFB was selected to host the first Air Force combat units to fly combat-coded F-35s. The jet, which arrived at Hill on Sept. 2, is the first of 72 scheduled to arrive by 2019. The 388th FW currently has three F-35s, with one or two scheduled to be delivered each month through 2019.

Earlier this year, the reactivation of the 34th Fighter Squadron marked a historic milestone for the Air Force, as the unit became the first operational Air Force unit to fly combat-coded F-35s.