U.S. and Indonesian soldiers conduct a live-fire exercise at Fort Polk, La., Oct. 27, 2020.
Monday, November 02, 2020
Howitzer Training
Marines fire an artillery round from an M777 howitzer during training exercises at Camp Fuji, Japan, Oct. 20, 2020.
Sharing Sanitizer
Airman 1st Class Juan Torres, a contract specialist with the 50th Contracting Squadron, gives hand sanitizer to another airman at Schriever Air Force Base, Colo., Oct. 29, 2020. The 50th CONS provided hand sanitizer to 20 units to battle COVID-19.
Friendly Greeting
Air Force Senior Airman Bryce Dupre, assigned to the 60th Aerial Port Squadron, pets a dog at the Yolo County Animal Services Shelter in Woodland, Calif., Oct. 29, 2020. The squadron donated 1,000 unused pillows and blankets to the shelter.
Shelter Donations
Air Force airmen from the 60th Aerial Port Squadron load pillows and blankets onto a trailer at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., Oct. 29, 2020. The squadron donated 1,000 unused pillows and blankets to the Yolo County Animal Services Shelter in Woodland, Calif.
Green Haze
U.S. and Indonesian soldiers conduct a live-fire exercise at Fort Polk, La., Oct. 27, 2020.
Hansen Hang
Marines conduct helicopter rappel training at Camp Hansen in Okinawa, Japan, Oct. 23.2020.
Twilight Training
A Marine gets into a defensive position during a training exercise at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., Oct. 28, 2020.
Keen Sword Sparks
Airmen cut into barrels used as simulated light aircraft while conducting search and rescue training at Camp Fuji, Japan, Oct. 29, 2020. Exercise Keen Sword allows U.S. and Japanese troops to sharpen combat readiness and enhance long-range interception capabilities.
Guard Supports COVID-19 Airport Operations
Nov. 2, 2020 | , DOD News
Passengers getting off planes coming from outside New York are now being greeted by New York National Guard soldiers and airmen assisting the state health department in enforcing New York's COVID-19 travel restrictions.
Since Oct. 16, soldiers and airmen at airports across the state have been ensuring that passengers fill out a questionnaire that enables them to comply with an executive order issued by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo in June. That order mandates that non-essential travelers coming from states with a high level of community spread of COVID-19 must quarantine for 14 days when entering New York.
As of October, all but a few states in the United States are on the list.
"Our responsibility is to assist travelers from any of those states [and] make sure they fill out the questionnaire forms and submit them to the state Department of Health officials located in the airport," Air National Guard Master Sgt. Adam Winters, the noncommissioned officer in charge of the team at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport in Buffalo, New York, explained.
The team at the Buffalo Niagara airport consists of airmen from the 109th Airlift Wing based at Stratton Air National Guard Base in Scotia, New York, and soldiers from the 105th Military Police Company in Buffalo. One hundred Guard Soldiers and Airmen are assigned to the mission at the state's airports which include John F. Kennedy Airport and LaGuardia Airport in New York City, along with the smaller airports in Buffalo, Syracuse, Albany and Rochester.
The soldiers and airmen are there to greet travelers and request proof of completion of the travel advisory health forms, Winters explained. Travelers are asked to prove that they completed an online app on their phones or fill out and submit a form.
"We are not peace officers for this mission and are only trying to enforce the executive order that has been issued by the governor," Winters said. "Guardsmen are taking consideration for each passenger by explaining the executive order and ensuring that this is for the overall safety of all travelers."
The travel advisory helps track possible positive COVID-19 cases and allows the health department to reach out to anyone who may have been in contact with someone with a positive case. That way, proper measures are taken to preserve the well-being of New York state residents and visitors, according to the New York State Department of Health.
"It's rewarding to help with the pandemic the best we can," Army Spc. Kassandra Bissell said. "We are assisting the Department of Health to keep the public safe."
Face of Defense: Master of the In-Flight Refuel
Nov. 2, 2020
|
, DOD News
Refueling airplanes in midair isn't what Tennessee Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Briana Lindquist envisioned her full-time job would be when she was growing up outside of Knoxville, Tennessee. But a random trip to the guard's 134th Air Refueling Wing was all it took for her to be sold on the idea.
Tennessee Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Briana Lindquist
Job Title:
Boom Operator
Hometown:
Oak Ridge, Tennessee
Stationed:
McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base
Unit:
134th Air Refueling Wing
Lindquist, 28, is an in-flight fuel specialist – better known as a boom operator – which means she's in charge of refueling other aircraft while her KC-135 Stratotanker is in flight. It's a serious job that involves a lot of outside factors, and it's one she wouldn't change for the world.
So, what's it like to do this unique job, and how did she get into it? Lindquist answered some of those questions when she recently had a little free time.
Why did you join the Air National Guard?
My older sister was my legal guardian when I was in high school, and she was always an inspiration to me. She was also a part of the 134th Air Refueling Wing. One day during my senior year of high school, she drove me out to the base and introduced me to the wing. The rest was history!
You joined at age 17. How was that possible?
With parental or guardian approval. So, my sister — being my legal guardian — was able to authorize my enlistment. I signed in January of 2010, graduated high school in May, and then left for basic training that fall. During the time between enlisting and leaving for training, we have a program that allows us to attend drill in a student status where we will study rank structure, Air Force regulations and even do physical fitness to prepare us for basic training. It's a great opportunity for younger recruits to get familiar with military life before they jump into basic training, and another great advantage of being in the Guard.
What's the course of your career been?
I joined as a KC-135 Stratotanker crew chief, who are in charge of the day-to-day maintenance of the aircraft. I did that for about six years, and it was a great career that allowed me to learn the aircraft inside and out. When the opportunity came up to apply for a boom operator position, I knew it was the next step in my career. I've been a boom operator ever since.
Explain what exactly it is that a boom operator does.
My main responsibility is the refueling of other aircraft in flight! Working from the rear of the tanker, I guide other planes into position to safely transfer fuel from our plane to theirs. It requires a lot of coordination between our pilots and the aircraft we are refueling, and I manually operate the boom into position to forge the connection that allows the fuel to offload.
That seems like a lot of pressure. Do you get used to it?
I'm confident in my ability to do my job, but I still have moments where I'm a bit nervous. Every refueling is different. There are so many factors that can increase the difficulty, like unfamiliar aircraft, poor weather or new pilots who are learning how to refuel. It's my job to make every connection a success — aircraft need fuel to fly — but that can sometimes be stressful. Even so, I wouldn't have it any other way.
Do you have any other duties during missions?
Absolutely! In addition to refueling duties, I compute weight and balance for the aircraft, oversee cargo loading and unloading procedures, manage passenger handling and do a host of other smaller tasks.
Most Guard members are part time, but this is your day job, too, right?
We perform enough missions that flying with the wing is currently my full-time job.
[Those types of opportunities] are entirely dependent on the career field. There are a lot of ways people can find full-time employment with the Guard, and it creates a ton of great opportunities for members who love what they do. Personally, I feel very fortunate to have full-time employment that I love as a part-time member. It gives me the flexibility to work when and how I want most of the time.
Where has your career taken you?
Physically, it's taken me all over the world! Almost 11 years ago, 17-year-old me would never have imagined that signing on the dotted line would bring me to where I am today. It's incredible!
You've gotten to do some cool things in this job. You were involved in security protocol for the recent Super Bowl 54, right?
Yes, the Super Bowl was an amazing opportunity! I have also been able to travel to some pretty incredible locations and work with dedicated men and women. I've deployed and flown with multiple NATO countries, flown in joint exercises stateside and abroad, and assisted with recovery efforts from natural disasters here in the U.S.
One was actually here in East Tennessee. A few years ago, there was a fire that devastated the city of Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. The overall loss overwhelmed the community, and I was able to help with the aftermath by providing meals, clothing, shelter and other various things to the community.
Do you plan to stay involved in the Guard for a long time?
I hope to! The Guard has been my life and family, of sorts, for over a decade. There have been ups and downs like any career, but overall I love what I do and the people I get to work with.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I have a family and a retired military working dog that all keep me pretty busy! We enjoy traveling, and we also love to spend time outdoors when we're home in East Tennessee. It's such a beautiful area with so many opportunities for recreation, like the Great Smoky Mountains. This time of year brings two things that are important to my family — gorgeous mountain hikes and Tennessee football! Go Vols!
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