by By Senior Airman R. Alex Durbin
633rd Air Base Wing Public Affairs
9/1/2015 - JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. -- U.S.
Service members completed a Phase I Deployment Readiness Exercise at
Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, Aug. 24-28, 2015.
The exercise, which took place over the course of the week, simulated a
mass deployment of the 633rd Air Base Wing and assessed its ability to
rapidly deploy to an expeditionary environment within 72 hours following
notification to deploy orders.
"This exercise provided an objective look at how the 633rd ABW can
deploy," said U.S. Air Force Capt. Matt Cherry, 633rd ABW Inspector
General Office director of inspections. "It painted a picture of how
well JBLE can rapidly deploy and project Air Power around the world at a
moment's notice."
The exercise was part of an initiative directed by 9th Air Force to test
each of its subordinate wings' capability to rapidly deploy to support
combatant commanders and contingency operations across the globe, and
ensure the units' Airmen are ready when called upon.
"The American people rely on us to [deploy] efficiently and in a
cost-effective manner, and to provide combat air power anywhere in the
world within a limited time frame," said Cherry. "This exercise allowed
us to test that ability."
According to Cherry, the exercise mainly focused on evaluating the
command, communication and control procedures within the wing.
"We hope to eliminate redundancies and waste and increase our
efficiency," said Cherry. "This evaluation gave us a view on our
[Command, Control, and Communications] procedures for once it comes time
for JBLE to stand up and move a large number of troops to [a deployed]
area of responsibility."
According to 1st Lt. Michael Ricci, 633rd Logistic Readiness Squadron
alternate installation deployment officer, the exercise provided an
important opportunity for Airmen of all levels to gain experience and
familiarity with the procedures and operations they may one day
undertake.
"If you're not exercising, you're going to have the 'deer in the
headlights' look when something happens," said Ricci. "Having exercises
[like this] helps make sure our Airmen know what to do and are ready for
when something happens. There are always going to be curveballs, so if
you know what to do when everything goes perfectly, you'll be able to
adapt and overcome those issues when they arise."
While the exercise provided an opportunity for Langley Airmen to
practice mass deployment procedures, the 633rd ABW inspection team
scheduled the exercise to capitalize on an opportunity to pair with a
Fort Eustis mission partner, the Joint Task Force - Civil Support, which
also simultaneously conducted a rapid deployment exercise.
JTF-CS is U.S. Northern Command's standing operational joint task force
headquarters comprised of more than 200 military and civilian personnel
responsible for planning, anticipating and conducting immediate and
decisive chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear consequence
management response operations in support of civil authorities in the
United States and its territories and possessions.
According to Ricci, partnering with JTF-CS gave 633rd ABW Service
members the opportunity to test themselves in a facet not often
evaluated at Langley.
"JTF-CS has unique cargo Langley Airmen usually don't see in the 633rd
Air Base Wing," said Ricci. "One of our missions is to support our
mission partners across JBLE, including JTF-CS. This [exercise] provided
another level to help our Airmen train. This diversity will help our
Airmen deal with real world scenarios they may see in the future."
While working with JTF-CS provided Airmen with diverse hands-on
knowledge, Ricci said the partnership gave them an invaluable
experience.
"This exercise gave our Airmen a bigger look [at our mission]. We're not
just Langley or Fort Eustis; we support our mission partners who have
very important missions," he said. "This exercise opened up their eyes
and showed them it's not just the Air Force that has to be ready."
Tuesday, September 01, 2015
JBER Airmen attend professional development seminar
by Airman Valerie Monroy
JBER Public Affairs
9/1/2015 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- The Total Force Development Council and the Arctic Warrior Rising 5/6 hosted a "Take Charge of Your Career" Professional Development Seminar for all senior Airmen and below who have not yet gone through Airman Leadership School at the Elmendorf Professional Military Education Center Aug. 18.
The event was a chance for Airmen to receive career advice and learn new skills.
More than 120 Airmen attended classes on bullet writing, below-the-zone and board preparation, feedback maximization, fundamentals of followership, overcoming obstacles and more.
"Events like the 'Take Charge of Your Career' seminar are important to bridge the gap between the time an Airmen attends the First Term Airman Center program and the time that he or she goes to ALS," said Tech. Sgt. Callie Lewis, 673rd Air Base Wing PME instructor. "It is imperative that Airmen learn early on that they have to be proactive and take initiative in every aspect of their lives and careers in order to reach their full potential."
Among the guest speakers was Chief Master Sgt. Michael Burton, 3rd Maintenance Group superintendent, who spoke to the Airmen about being 100 percent invested in what they're doing.
Burton grew up on a farm baling hay and cutting tobacco. He explained how his former farm life prepared him for doing his job in the Air Force. It gave him the mindset to always work hard and do his best.
"Nobody else is going to be doing your job except for you," said Burton. "We all have the responsibility to do our best. We are the Air Force."
Along with motivating Airmen in their career, Burton encouraged everyone to continue their education by sharing his sharing his experiences with getting his Community College of the Air Force degree when there weren't as many benefits for military members as there are now.
"Use your education, use your benefits wisely," said Burton. "Benefit yourself and benefit the Air Force."
For Senior Airman Lauren Mainolfi, 673rd Aerospace Medicine Squadron bioenvironmental engineering technician, this seminar was an opportunity to receive vital new information and to meet new people.
"The more information we get exposed to the better," said Mainolfi. "I learned about groups I didn't know existed and got a chance to network."
Mainolfi said one of the things she was most happy about seeing was the variety of perspectives from all the guest speakers. She said she would really appreciate events like this to happen again.
Lewis said many Airmen were crying out for an opportunity to learn all this beneficial information.
"From the overwhelming positive feedback we received, the event was a huge success," Lewis said.
JBER Public Affairs
9/1/2015 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- The Total Force Development Council and the Arctic Warrior Rising 5/6 hosted a "Take Charge of Your Career" Professional Development Seminar for all senior Airmen and below who have not yet gone through Airman Leadership School at the Elmendorf Professional Military Education Center Aug. 18.
The event was a chance for Airmen to receive career advice and learn new skills.
More than 120 Airmen attended classes on bullet writing, below-the-zone and board preparation, feedback maximization, fundamentals of followership, overcoming obstacles and more.
"Events like the 'Take Charge of Your Career' seminar are important to bridge the gap between the time an Airmen attends the First Term Airman Center program and the time that he or she goes to ALS," said Tech. Sgt. Callie Lewis, 673rd Air Base Wing PME instructor. "It is imperative that Airmen learn early on that they have to be proactive and take initiative in every aspect of their lives and careers in order to reach their full potential."
Among the guest speakers was Chief Master Sgt. Michael Burton, 3rd Maintenance Group superintendent, who spoke to the Airmen about being 100 percent invested in what they're doing.
Burton grew up on a farm baling hay and cutting tobacco. He explained how his former farm life prepared him for doing his job in the Air Force. It gave him the mindset to always work hard and do his best.
"Nobody else is going to be doing your job except for you," said Burton. "We all have the responsibility to do our best. We are the Air Force."
Along with motivating Airmen in their career, Burton encouraged everyone to continue their education by sharing his sharing his experiences with getting his Community College of the Air Force degree when there weren't as many benefits for military members as there are now.
"Use your education, use your benefits wisely," said Burton. "Benefit yourself and benefit the Air Force."
For Senior Airman Lauren Mainolfi, 673rd Aerospace Medicine Squadron bioenvironmental engineering technician, this seminar was an opportunity to receive vital new information and to meet new people.
"The more information we get exposed to the better," said Mainolfi. "I learned about groups I didn't know existed and got a chance to network."
Mainolfi said one of the things she was most happy about seeing was the variety of perspectives from all the guest speakers. She said she would really appreciate events like this to happen again.
Lewis said many Airmen were crying out for an opportunity to learn all this beneficial information.
"From the overwhelming positive feedback we received, the event was a huge success," Lewis said.
145th Civil Engineer Fire Fighter named Air Guard's best
by Master Sgt. Patricia F. Moran
145th Public Affairs
8/31/2015 - MCGHEE TYSON AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Tenn. -- During a banquet held July 22, 2015, at McGee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Alcoa, Tenn., Staff Sgt. Jeret E. Kinnaird humbly accepted the "Chief Albert Fitzpatrick Award" after being recognized by the Air National Guard's Fire Chief Association as Military Fire Fighter of the Year for 2014.
Kinnaird is the lead instructor for the Air National Guard's Urban Search and Rescue Technician Course taught at the North Carolina Air National Guard, 145th Regional Training Site in New London, N.C.
Recognized as the best in the country, Kinnaird stays extremely busy teaching classes, many times back to back with no days off. To date, Kinnaird has successfully taught over 900 Air National Guard and Active Duty firefighters in the Rescue I and II Course. In 2014 alone, Kinnaird instructed 12 Rescue Tech I & II courses resulting in over 360 certifications being achieved by units representing 42 states.
145th Regional Training Site in Stanly County is the only location in the United States that provides the Urban Search and Rescue I and II Course. There are two other instructors besides Kinnaird who teach up to 30 members per class with each class running 12 days straight.
The dedication that is seen every day by those who work with Kinnaird is evident by the high regard his supervisors and peers have of him.
"His willingness to succeed in the class room by continually looking for ways to improve and hone in on teaching and mentoring skills, is just one reason why his student critiques are so high." said Chief Master Sgt. Daryl Cook, Chief of Fire Emergency Services for the NCANG. "He has a genuine gift for instructing and connecting with each and every student, which makes him highly effective at making material stick months and years after the student leaves.
"He is a remarkable firefighter trainer," added Master Sgt. Donald D. Willis, Jr., Assistant Chief of Operations for the NCANG and Kinnaird's supervisor. "He never asks any of his guys to do what he wouldn't do himself. He consistently leads from the front, approaches all issues and challenges with a level-head and always takes care of his troops."
In addition to being a member of the North Carolina Air National Guard Fire Department and having a dual-role with the unit as a rescue instructor, Kinnaird also serves the NCANG base and community as a North Carolina State MCA Firefighter.
"His ability to "change gears" is truly admirable." said Cook, "He has an unmatched ability to situationally lead or follow; watching him is fun but at the same time, a learning experience for many who pay attention."
"I feel honored to have received this award," said Kinnaird, "but I feel it was earned by the entire team. We all work extremely hard. As a team, we are dedicated and focused to the mission and to our people. It's more than a job to us and we do it the best way we can."
145th Public Affairs
8/31/2015 - MCGHEE TYSON AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Tenn. -- During a banquet held July 22, 2015, at McGee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Alcoa, Tenn., Staff Sgt. Jeret E. Kinnaird humbly accepted the "Chief Albert Fitzpatrick Award" after being recognized by the Air National Guard's Fire Chief Association as Military Fire Fighter of the Year for 2014.
Kinnaird is the lead instructor for the Air National Guard's Urban Search and Rescue Technician Course taught at the North Carolina Air National Guard, 145th Regional Training Site in New London, N.C.
Recognized as the best in the country, Kinnaird stays extremely busy teaching classes, many times back to back with no days off. To date, Kinnaird has successfully taught over 900 Air National Guard and Active Duty firefighters in the Rescue I and II Course. In 2014 alone, Kinnaird instructed 12 Rescue Tech I & II courses resulting in over 360 certifications being achieved by units representing 42 states.
145th Regional Training Site in Stanly County is the only location in the United States that provides the Urban Search and Rescue I and II Course. There are two other instructors besides Kinnaird who teach up to 30 members per class with each class running 12 days straight.
The dedication that is seen every day by those who work with Kinnaird is evident by the high regard his supervisors and peers have of him.
"His willingness to succeed in the class room by continually looking for ways to improve and hone in on teaching and mentoring skills, is just one reason why his student critiques are so high." said Chief Master Sgt. Daryl Cook, Chief of Fire Emergency Services for the NCANG. "He has a genuine gift for instructing and connecting with each and every student, which makes him highly effective at making material stick months and years after the student leaves.
"He is a remarkable firefighter trainer," added Master Sgt. Donald D. Willis, Jr., Assistant Chief of Operations for the NCANG and Kinnaird's supervisor. "He never asks any of his guys to do what he wouldn't do himself. He consistently leads from the front, approaches all issues and challenges with a level-head and always takes care of his troops."
In addition to being a member of the North Carolina Air National Guard Fire Department and having a dual-role with the unit as a rescue instructor, Kinnaird also serves the NCANG base and community as a North Carolina State MCA Firefighter.
"His ability to "change gears" is truly admirable." said Cook, "He has an unmatched ability to situationally lead or follow; watching him is fun but at the same time, a learning experience for many who pay attention."
"I feel honored to have received this award," said Kinnaird, "but I feel it was earned by the entire team. We all work extremely hard. As a team, we are dedicated and focused to the mission and to our people. It's more than a job to us and we do it the best way we can."
PACFLT Commander Reaffirms Close Ties with Singapore, Thanks Sailors During Southeast Asia Visit
From Task Force 73 Public Affairs
SINGAPORE (NNS) -- Adm. Scott Swift, commander of the U.S.
Pacific Fleet, made his inaugural visit to the Republic of Singapore Aug. 26-28
to reaffirm the U.S. Navy's strong partnership and ties with the Singapore
Armed Forces. The visit followed two days of leadership engagements in Kuala
Lumpur, where Swift met with Malaysian defense officials and discussed the
Navy's commitment to peace and stability in the region.
During his Singapore visit, Swift met with the Republic of
Singapore Chief of Defense Major-General Perry Lim and Chief of Navy Rear
Admiral Lai Chung Han, after inspecting a Guard of Honor at the Ministry of
Defense headquarters.
"Our long-standing partnership with the Republic of
Singapore Armed Forces reflects our shared commitment to security in Southeast
Asia," said Swift. "We're grateful for our strong ties with partners
like Singapore that help our Navy remain forward deployed and ready to
contribute to the greater stability of the region."
Swift also made time to visit with U.S. Sailors and their
families during a town hall at Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific
(COMLOG WESTPAC).
During a question and answer session, Swift discussed the
rotational deployments of littoral combat ships (LCS) to Southeast Asia,
including USS Fort Worth's (LCS 3) current 16-month deployment, and the planned
rotational deployment of four LCS to the region by 2018 as part of the U.S.
Navy's support for the Pacific rebalance. Swift also highlighted the 21st
anniversary of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT), a series of
bilateral exercises held annually to enhance interoperability with nine
regional navies.
"CARAT remains a critical venue for increasing maritime
security cooperation throughout South and Southeast Asia," said Swift.
"Your hard work and critical engagement during these exercises is one of
the reasons why the United States remains the partner of choice for many
nations in this region."
Swift also responded to a wide range of personnel topics,
including uniforms, the fiscal budget, and future manning initiatives. He
emphasized the importance of the Navy's forward presence and thanked Sailors
for operating forward in a critical and relevant area of the world.
"I greatly appreciate what you do; day in, and day
out," said Swift. "I'm also very thankful for our families who have
chosen to serve alongside our Sailors and civilian personnel far away from home
and away from your extended families. Your support makes all the
difference."
COMLOG WESTPAC is the U.S. 7th Fleet's provider of
combat-ready logistics, operating government-owned and contracted ships to keep
units throughout 7th Fleet armed, fueled, and fed.
Additionally, Task Force 73 conducts advanced planning,
organizes resources and directly supports the execution of maritime exercises
such as the bilateral CARAT series, the Naval Engagement Activity (NEA) with
Vietnam, and the multilateral Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT)
with Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.
USS Chafee Completes OMSI in Support of Maritime Security
From USS Chafee Public Affairs
WESTERN PACIFIC OCEAN (NNS) -- The Arleigh Burke-class
guided-missile destroyer USS Chafee (DDG 90) conducted an Oceania Maritime
Security Initiative (OMSI) with U.S. Coast Guard's 14th District, Aug. 5 - 21,
in the Western Pacific Ocean.
OMSI is a maritime security operation designed to enhance
maritime domain awareness, increase law enforcement presence, and expand at-sea
law enforcement capabilities throughout Oceania.
"We were there to provide key presence in the region
and build partner nation capacity for a critical oceanic partner," said
Cmdr. Shea Thompson, Chafee's commanding officer. "Our presence with the
Coast Guard and our partner nation set a new tone of deterrence in the region
and will prevent future violations."
The Navy-Coast Guard team, including the two embarked MH-60R
Sea Hawk helicopters from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 37,
conducted a total of 19 external visual inspections and nine boardings to
internally inspect fishing vessels across three separate jurisdictional areas -
high seas, Marshall Islands and Nauru exclusive economic zones (EEZ). The
boarding inspection resulted in some documented violations and, more
importantly, demonstrated U.S. commitment to regulating these fishing areas in
partnership with our friends in the region.
"Working side by side with Coast Guard in support of
District 14's initiative was a unique and beneficial mission for Chafee
Sailors," said Lt. Robert Eidson, Chafee's weapons officer. "Not only
were we able to experience, first hand, the great efforts required for law
enforcement at sea, we also had the privilege of working side by side with an
elite Coast Guard Law Enforcement team. The team provided invaluable training
to Chafee's Visual Board Search and Seizure team to include tactical team
movements, tactical combat casualty care, and safe boarding techniques.
Cognizant of the level of expertise that comes with a Coast Guard Law
Enforcement team, we welcomed this training with enthusiasm."
OMSI is a Secretary of Defense program which leverages
Department of Defense assets transiting the region to increase the U.S. Coast
Guard's maritime domain awareness (MDA), ultimately supporting its maritime law
enforcement operations in Oceania.
The U.S. Coast Guard is responsible for patrolling the
waters around the numerous islands associated with the United States throughout
the region. Each of these islands have territorial waters stretching out to 12
miles from shore. Beyond that, stretching out to 200 nautical miles is an
exclusive economic zone (EEZ), an area defined by international law that allows
each nation exclusive rights to the exploration and use of marine resources.
Oceania contains 43 percent, or approximately 1.3 million square miles, of
United States' EEZs.
Chafee was deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operation
supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.
Africa Alumni Return to NWC for Regional Symposium
By Daniel L. Kuester, U.S. Naval War College Public Affairs
NEWPORT, R.I. (NNS) -- Eighty-two representatives, many
graduates of U.S. Naval War College (NWC), from 25 nations and the African
Union attended the 12th Regional Alumni Symposium - Africa at NWC, Aug. 25-27,
as part of the school's continuing education program.
Over three days, the group discussed defense, maritime
domain, migration, humanitarian assistance and other topics important to the
African continent.
The event, titled "Enhancing Regional Maritime
Security," was co-hosted by U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa and the U.S.
6th Fleet, and sponsored by U.S. Africa Command.
Thomas Mangold, dean of international programs at the school
and organizer of the event, says the symposium was both a continuing education
effort for graduates and a way to build relationships for the nations involved.
"This is an effort to continue the professional
military education long after they leave here," said Mangold. "This
was a way to reach out to make sure our international alumni are getting
current information. The second thing the symposium does is help network and
build relationships. And not just with the U.S., although that is very
important, but also with each other so they can work together and start
building relationships, friendships and eventually trust between their
countries."
Keynote speaker for the symposium, Amanda Dory, deputy
assistant secretary of defense for African affairs, gave an address titled
"Africa's Strategic Importance; a U.S. Department of Defense
Perspective."
"In terms of African security," Dory said after
her presentation, "the maritime domain is fundamental to economic
prosperity for Africa. Whether it is getting products or innovation out and in
[Africa], it is important to have all these leaders here in Newport renewing
their acquaintance with one another and with the U.S."
The subjects addressed at the symposium are relevant to this
vital area, according to Mangold.
"Topics are chosen because they are important in the
region and also to the world," he said. "Migration, for instance, is
one of the most important topics in the world. We have top experts here to help
understand the issue. We also had a session focusing on humanitarian assistance
and disaster response with the doctor who arranged the American relief effort
during the Ebola crisis.
Vice Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet, Rear Adm. Thomas Reck noted
that in the long term, the NWC affiliation also benefits international
relations.
"You can see the importance that these individual
nations place on the education they receive here," said Reck. "And
then to actually gain those friendships and incubate those partnerships over
the years until it gets to the point that these graduates are now heads of navy
for their countries."
Reck, a NWC graduate himself, pointed out that these
relationships are vital to what he called "the global network of
navies."
"It is always important to anchor back on those
relationships, and keep that trust built so it will be strong when the next
generation of leadership comes along," he added.
Mangold said the global network of high-ranking navy
officers is something NWC takes seriously.
"It's important for the Naval War College because we
have over 40 heads of navies from around the world who have graduated from
here," said Mangold. "We are a leading educator. We have this event
here because we are one of the few institutions who could do it."
One of the attendees, Cmdr. Abdellah Benhamou, director of
the Royal Moroccan Naval Academy, said that NWC is the best place and the right
environment for this symposium.
"It is the kind of environment [at NWC] that you know
beforehand that it is going to be productive," said Benhamou. "[The
conversation] is going be free from political constraints that keep you from
discussing matters frankly and asking the right questions."
"What this symposium does is offer attendees a chance
to meet, talk about issues that are important, offer shared experience and
perspective. That all makes them more trustful of each other," Mangold
added. "All navies need to work together. One of the best outcomes from
this event is that our graduates call their other alumni when they have
issues."
As host of the event, Rear Adm. P. Gardner Howe III,
president, NWC, stressed that building and maintaining relationships is vitally
important in an increasingly unstable world.
"The operational environment is more volatile, more uncertain,
more ambiguous and more dynamic than ever before," said Howe. "How
are we, as military professionals, to deal with such an environment? I would
offer that the answer lies in a commitment to continuing professional education
and by nurturing meaningful relationships with friends and allies."
NWC is a one-year resident program that graduates about 600
students and about 1,000 distance learning students a year carrying out four
missions: educate and develop leaders, help define the future of the Navy,
support combat readiness, and strengthen maritime partnerships. Students earn
Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) credit and either a diploma or a
master's degree in National Security and Strategic Studies. Established in
1884, U.S. Naval War College is the oldest institution of its kind in the
world. More than 50,000 students have graduated since its first class of nine
students in 1885 and about 300 of today's active duty admirals, generals and
senior executive service leaders are alumni.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)