by Staff Sgt. William Banton
JBER Public Affairs
7/17/2015 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Gray
clouds roll down the mountains, across the valley and over Joint Base
Elmendorf-Richardson as excavators demolish a proverbial mountain.
No one blinks as two F-22 Raptors take off over the construction site,
causing a surge of sound on the already-noisy mound overlooking the
flight line.
The inconsistent Alaska weather, and the sounds of freedom, courtesy of
America's premier fighter aircraft, have become par for the course for
the Airmen working six-day weeks.
They are on a temporary duty assignment from Malmstrom Air Force Base,
Montana, as part of the 819th Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy
Operational Repair Squadron Engineer (RED HORSE) Squadron.
"We are a self-contained unit and we can go anywhere in the world and
operate," said Air Force Master Sgt. Isaac Moses, 819th RED HORSE
project manager.
According to the Headquarters Air Force Civil Engineer Support Agency,
RED HORSE units are self-sufficient, 404-person mobile heavy
construction squadrons capable of rapid response and independent
operations in remote, high-threat environments worldwide.
They provide heavy repair capability and construction support when
requirements exceed normal base civil engineer capabilities and where
Army engineer support is not readily available.
"We use training projects, so if we [deploy] and are tasked with
building a runway or setting up a base we already know how to run each
piece of equipment and can just roll in and start working," Moses said.
While assigned to a training project, like at JBER, RED HORSE units work
as if they were operating out of a deployed environment, he said.
In late May, RED HORSE began removing a hill at the end of one of the
runways, hoping to make it easier for pilots to take off and land.
The JBER project originated after the dangers of the foliage around JBER's flight line were reassessed.
As an aircraft was approaching the runway on a north-to-south
trajectory, pilots were required to fly over trees on a hill and then
drop down onto the airfield.
This approach was complicated by the fact that the short length of the runway would require an aircraft to stop quickly.
"We came up here under a contract and chopped off about 700,000 cubic
yards of material (trees), which basically brought the point of the hill
down and opened it up so pilots could then see the airfield," said
Robert McElroy, 673d Civil Engineer Squadron chief of construction
management.
During this time, the 673d CES planned for the removal of the hill, an
additional 2.5 million cubic yards of dirt, to ensure the glide slope
for the runway was within Air Force regulations.
A single cubic yard of material is the equivalent of three feet in
height, by three feet in length, by three feet in depth, and can weigh
as much as 3,000 pounds.
The final project required the removal of more than seven billion pounds of dirt.
For comparison, the heaviest object ever directly weighed by Guinness
World Records was the Kennedy Space Center Revolving Service Structure
of launch pad 39B, weighing approximately 5.3 million pounds.
Projects like these are prioritized based on installation needs and then
submitted Air Force-wide for additional support, which is where RED
HORSE comes in, McElroy said.
Due to lower labor costs, using military assets can make allocated funds go further.
"The equipment is rented from companies here in Anchorage," Moses said.
"Typically, we don't get to work with this equipment at the home
station. We would normally operate equipment this size in a deployed
environment, so this is a huge plus for us as an added training value."
The professionalism and capabilities provided by the 819th RED HORSE
made for easy planning and communication with their counterparts at the
673d CES, McElroy said.
"When the RED HORSE folks stepped in, it was pretty easy to just stand
there and say, "Here's our plan, here's what we need to get done, here's
what we need to have when we are done moving everything," he said.
"Without even batting an eye, they said 'we can do that.'"
RED HORSE units usually operate by first assigning a project engineer,
usually a company grade officer, as well as a project manager, usually a
senior noncommissioned officer.
They work with local subject matter experts to coordinate the needed resources prior to arriving on location.
"[The project] is scheduled for three years, but at the rate they are
moving, I don't think it will take three years," McElroy said.
The 819th RED HORSE is scheduled to finish up the first phase of
construction in early September and to return next spring to continue
construction.
"This year we did a three-month and maybe next year we are looking at
coming up for four," Moses said. "Now we know exactly what we got into
and what we need. Like Mr. McElroy said, maybe next year we could be
close to finishing."
Saturday, July 18, 2015
Carter Recognizes Agency Devoted to Improvised Threats
By Melissa Tune
Joint Improvised-Threat Defeat Agency
WASHINGTON, July 17, 2015 – Defense Secretary Ash Carter
presented the Joint Meritorious Unit Award to the Joint Improvised Explosive
Device Defeat Organization -- now called the Joint Improvised-Threat Defeat
Agency -- in a Pentagon ceremony yesterday.
“You are founders and pioneers in the things that you’ve
done for the department,” Carter said. “You made rapid acquisition what it is
today. We recognize your contributions and applaud the great things you’ve done
to make a difference against IEDs.”
Flanked by members of the unit, Carter presented the award
to JIDA’s director, Army Lt. Gen. John D. Johnson. Frank Kendall,
undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, also was
on hand.
The award recognizes the agency for its efforts in
mitigating the IED threat from 2006 to 2012 in support of operations Enduring
Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn. The citation said the efforts of the
agency have directly assisted U.S. and coalition forces.
Team Effort
Johnson credited a greater team for the work that earned the
award, noting that the agency’s personnel for its efforts in mitigating the IED
threat from 2006 to 2012 in support of operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi
Freedom and New Dawn. worked with the services, the Office of the Secretary of
Defense and the commanders and troops in the field.
“This was a true team effort,” he said. “JIDA will dedicate
itself to meeting warfighters’ urgent needs through even greater collaboration
in the future.”
At the end of the ceremony, Johnson presented Carter with
the last official JIEDDO challenge coin to signify the legacy of the old
organization and JIDA’s establishment earlier this week.
JIEDDO was established in 2006 to counter the emerging
threats presented by IEDs. In March, Defense Department officials announced
JIEDDO’s transition from a wartime activity to a defense agency under the
authority, direction and control of Kendall’s office.
Any military member assigned to JIEDDO from 2006 through
2012 is authorized to wear this Joint Meritorious Unit Award.
Command kicks off fifth Global Strike Challenge
by Carla Pampe
Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs
7/17/2015 - BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Teams from across Air Force Global Strike Command, as well as the Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve Command, Air Force Materiel Command and Air Combat Command, begin competing in the fifth Global Strike Challenge this week.
Global Strike Challenge is the world's premier bomber, Intercontinental Ballistic Missile and security forces competition. Through competition and teamwork, the event looks to foster esprit de corps, recognize outstanding AFGSC personnel and teams and improve combat capabilities.
Operations, maintenance and security forces teams from bomber and missile wings will compete to be named best-of-the-best. All units supporting the AFGSC mission have been invited to compete through November, showcasing their expertise, skill and capabilities.
More than 450 Airmen will take part in Global Strike Challenge competitions at various locations throughout the country, culminating in a symposium and score posting event at Barksdale Oct. 20-21.
The following units will compete in Global Strike Challenge 2015; Barksdale AFB's 2nd and 307th (AFRC) Bomb Wings, 49th Test Squadron and 340th Weapons School; Minot AFB's 5th Bomb Wing, 91st Missile Wing and 219th Security Forces Squadron (ANG); Whiteman AFB's 509th and 131st (ANG) Bomb Wings; F.E. Warren AFB's 90th Missile Wing and 582nd Helicopter Group; Malmstrom AFB's 341st Missile Wing; Ellsworth's 28th Bomb Wing, Dyess AFB's 7th Bomb Wing, Kirtland AFB's 377th Security Forces Group.
Competition began this week, and continues through the summer and into fall.
Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs
7/17/2015 - BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Teams from across Air Force Global Strike Command, as well as the Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve Command, Air Force Materiel Command and Air Combat Command, begin competing in the fifth Global Strike Challenge this week.
Global Strike Challenge is the world's premier bomber, Intercontinental Ballistic Missile and security forces competition. Through competition and teamwork, the event looks to foster esprit de corps, recognize outstanding AFGSC personnel and teams and improve combat capabilities.
Operations, maintenance and security forces teams from bomber and missile wings will compete to be named best-of-the-best. All units supporting the AFGSC mission have been invited to compete through November, showcasing their expertise, skill and capabilities.
More than 450 Airmen will take part in Global Strike Challenge competitions at various locations throughout the country, culminating in a symposium and score posting event at Barksdale Oct. 20-21.
The following units will compete in Global Strike Challenge 2015; Barksdale AFB's 2nd and 307th (AFRC) Bomb Wings, 49th Test Squadron and 340th Weapons School; Minot AFB's 5th Bomb Wing, 91st Missile Wing and 219th Security Forces Squadron (ANG); Whiteman AFB's 509th and 131st (ANG) Bomb Wings; F.E. Warren AFB's 90th Missile Wing and 582nd Helicopter Group; Malmstrom AFB's 341st Missile Wing; Ellsworth's 28th Bomb Wing, Dyess AFB's 7th Bomb Wing, Kirtland AFB's 377th Security Forces Group.
Competition began this week, and continues through the summer and into fall.
Face of Defense: Military Leader by Day, Spin Instructor by Night
By Air Force Airman 1st Class Lynette M. Rolen
18th Wing
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan, July 17, 2015 – With her energetic
voice, Air Force Tech. Sgt. Bethany A. Watson commands the room full of
cyclists from her lead stationary bicycle as they pedal vigorously in the dimly
lit, music-filled exercise room at Risner Fitness Center here.
As she guides the rapidly exhausting class members through
the rigorous spin workout, it becomes more and more evident: leading is in her
blood. Watson is the noncommissioned officer in charge at Kadena’s First Term
Airman Center, and she’s one of the first leaders new airmen meet when they
arrive here for their first duty assignment.
"The whole reason I came to FTAC in the first place is
because I had a rough time as an airman," she said. "I wasn't
focused. I didn't know what I was doing and many other things. I was just
floundering. That's really why I wanted to come and do this job specifically. I
just really have a heart for the airmen -- to get them started out on the right
path. "
Incredible Sense of Care
Air Force Master Sgt. Cedric Foster, 18th Wing career
assistance advisor and Watson's supervisor, said she demonstrates an incredible
sense of care with her FTAC airmen and her spin class members.
"That consistent ability to care for airmen, regardless
of who they are or where they work, is really phenomenal," Foster said.
Watson became an FTAC instructor in July 2014 in hopes of helping airmen have a
great start to their Air Force careers, she said. That same desire to help is
behind her spin class instruction, she added, to set her class members on the
path to a healthy lifestyle.
Spin is a cardio-based workout that focuses on resistance
training. The exercises are carried out on a stationary bicycle with variable
resistance settings. The workout can be challenging, but to Watson, the
environment makes it enjoyable.
"I always love group fitness and group
activities," she said. Watson has been leading the spin class since
December. She was introduced to spin in 2010 at MacDill Air Force Base,
Florida, where one of her co-workers was the instructor. Though a workout on a
stationary bicycle can often seem dull, Watson said, she ensures that her workouts
are quite the opposite.
Transforming Drudgery to Excitement
She takes what would be a routine workout and transforms it
into an enjoyable one. In the exercise room, the lights are turned down and
music is played to the speed of the workout. Watson’s personality changes the
environment from one of drudgery to one of excitement and friendship.
"She's evolved that program," Foster said.
"It's almost like a camaraderie [or] family kind of deal. I can just tell
on the Tuesdays and Thursdays that they go, that people really want to be
there. They look forward to being there, because it's just a different way of
keeping your cardio up and staying physically fit."
Knowing that people rely on her for their physical fitness
training is a great motivator, Watson said, and the camaraderie is her
inspiration. "If you know that someone's counting on you to be there, like
I know my class is counting on me to be there, it kind of gets you there,"
Watson said. "It motivates you to get there. As soon as I walk in there
and I see everybody, I'm like 'Yes, let's do this!'"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)