Providing up-to-date information, news and original content on American Military issues.
Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Michael Wick participates in a tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel exercise at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Dec. 16, 2020. The exercise provides immediate response to isolated personnel in potential search and rescue situations.
The fast attack submarine USS Key West moors at Naval Base Guam, Dec. 20, 2020, upon returning from regularly scheduled maintenance.
The Air Force's 48th Fighter Wing receives its first shipment of COVID-19 vaccine at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, Dec. 27, 2020.
Army Lt. Col. Jeff Drawe, an Idaho National Guardsman, completes a welding course at the College of Western Idaho in Boise, Idaho, Dec. 12, 2020.
An Air Force loadmaster prepares a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft for cargo during a mission in Southwest Asia, Dec. 24, 2020. Air Force Master Sgt. Joey Swafford
Marines prepare for a tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel exercise at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Dec. 16, 2020.
An airman prepares to execute a high-altitude low-opening jump in East Africa, Dec. 24, 2020.
An Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle departs after receiving fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker over Southwest Asia, Dec. 22, 2020.
An airman wipes down the landing gear on a B-1B Lancer at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Dec. 26, 2020.
Navy Seaman Cierrajaye Santella prepares to administer one of the first Moderna COVID-19 vaccines at Naval Hospital Bremerton/Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Bremerton, Wash., Dec. 23, 2020. The command initially received a limited quantity of COVID-19 vaccines for front line health care and emergency support services personnel and is following the Defense Department's phased, standardized and coordinated approach to administering COVID-19 vaccines.
Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Elizabeth Weil uses a telescopic alidade aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt in the Pacific Ocean, Dec. 7, 2020.
Dec. 29, 2020 | BY AIR FORCE AIRMAN 1ST CLASS TAYLOR SLATER , 86th Airlift Wing
With flight times, delays and seating arrangements, travel by plane can be a monumental task to manage on its own. Add a global pandemic on top, and one may just burst under the strain.
Fortunately, the Airmen of the 721st Aerial Port Squadron, Ramstein Air base, Germany, are here to help.
Since March, members of the 721st APS have worked tirelessly at the Ramstein Passenger Terminal to make sure the mission continues, and their patrons and employees are kept safe from exposure to COVID-19.
The initial experience of COVID-19 at the terminal was described as "very fluid," according to Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brandon Mabee, 721st APS noncommissioned officer in charge of passenger services.
"As we get information and implement a process, something else happens and it changes," Mabee said. "Anything that we were doing today could be different by the end of the day."
Managing the COVID-19 guidelines of various countries was a steep challenge for the terminal because different countries had different requirements for border entry. Coordinating those requirements with the f Defense Department's stop movement order and host nation guidance made for a difficult but rewarding challenge for Mabee.
"Having to work out everything on the fly was crazy because this was a real-life scenario. As a noncommissioned officer, I thought logically about how I could solve the problem without infecting or cross-contaminating people," Mabee said. "It was stressful but fun."
Despite the lifting of the stop movement in May, Mabee emphasized that many of its rules are still in effect with space available travel limited to travelers with emergency leave or exceptions to policy.
The terminal also established new rules as the pandemic progressed. Tape was placed in queues to mark social distancing guides and hand sanitizer stations were installed. Patrons must wear face coverings and undergo a brief screening process before entering the building.
"Please be ready to wear your [face covering] from the moment you enter this terminal all the way until you leave the building at your destination," Mabee said. "There have been a few cases where people caused issues, and they could have been removed from their flight and placed on a no-fly list for a period of time."
As important measures were taken to increase passenger safety, the terminal also helped ensure the health of their employees. Airmen from the 721st APS split into minimal manning shifts to mitigate exposure. In addition, night shift airmen sanitize the terminal every night to keep people safe.
"It's been a learning process for us," Mabee said.
Air Force Staff Sgt. Domingo Gutierrez, 721st APS passenger services supervisor, enjoys his job despite the challenge because of the opportunity to guide his airmen through COVID-19 and show them how important their position is.
"A lot of people go throughout their day and think, 'Oh I'm just signing up passengers,'" Gutierrez said. "But then they see life come into someone's eyes when they learn they can get on their flight and see their family members in critical care. These are real-life struggles and this is how you impact the mission."
Mabee saw a silver lining in witnessing various units come together to combat the COVID-19 crisis.
"[We recognized], 'Okay, this sucks, but we're going to get through it,'" Mabee said.
Overall, Guittierez shared some crucial advice for future patrons: show up early, check your flight numbers and make sure your pet is booked correctly.
"Most of us own pets," Mabee said. "We couldn't imagine being told we can't get on a plane with them."
For more information on flights, pet travel and other situations the Ramstein Passenger Terminal can be reached at DSN 479-4411 and commercially at 06371-46-4441. The latest information on flight departures can also be found on the Ramstein Passenger Terminal Facebook page.
(Airman 1st Class Taylor Slater is assigned to 86th Airlift Wing.)
Dec. 29, 2020 | BY David Vergun , DOD News
As sports legends go, there is a case to be made that Joe Torre is the personification of greatness. During his 50-year baseball career — 17 years as a player and 33 years as a manager — Torre is the only major leaguer to achieve both 2,000-plus hits as a player and 2,000-plus wins as a manager.
Joseph "Joe" Paul Torre ranks fifth all-time in Major League Baseball history with 2,326 wins as a manager and 2,342 hits in 2,209 games during his playing career with the Milwaukee Braves (1960 to 1965), the Atlanta Braves (1966 to 1968), the St. Louis Cardinals (1969 to 1974) and the New York Mets (1975 to 1977).
He ultimately transitioned from player to manager with the New York Mets (1977 to 1981), the Atlanta Braves (1982 to 1984), the St. Louis Cardinals (1990 to 1995), the New York Yankees (1996 to 2007) and the Los Angeles Dodgers (2008 to 2010).
On the field, he played first and third bases and was also a catcher and is a nine-time All-Star (1963 to 1967 and 1970 to 1973).
As a manager for the Yankees, his team won four World Series: 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2000.
Although baseball defines him in the eyes of sports fans, Torre also served in the military. On Nov. 5, 2015, he spoke about his military experiences with John Raughter, a former Marine who wrote about him for the "The American Legion Magazine:"
"I was in the Air National Guard. It was a very tense time; I was in basic training during the Cuban crisis in 1962," he said. "I had already been in the big leagues for two years, and we were lying in bed listening to those planes take off from Kelly Air Force Base [Texas]. It was, wow.
"And, of course, needless to say, my drill instructors were saying I'd be playing in Havana next year," he continued. "They always liked to stick a knife in you. It was a scary time. I think we all know that. Of course, we didn't know how scary it was until you got the news accounts after the fact. We were certainly alert to the fact that we were close to something that wasn't good."
In 2002 Torre and his wife, Alice, founded the Safe At Home Foundation, a nonprofit, that the website says "provides healing services to youth who have been traumatized by exposure to violence including domestic violence, child abuse, teen dating abuse and sexual assault in order to empower them to live healthy lives free of violence. Our mission is to educate to end the cycle of domestic violence and save lives."
Torre said he was motivated to create the foundation because he experienced domestic violence as a child growing up in Brooklyn, New York.
"Growing up in a home where there was domestic violence was very difficult and left lasting scars," he said. "Although I didn't realize it then, I used to feel like the abuse was my fault. I felt helpless and alone. For many years, I felt ashamed and worthless. As an adult, I began to speak openly about my childhood experience with domestic violence."
Torre was the younger brother of Frank Torre, who played for the Milwaukee Braves from 1956 to 1960 and the Philadelphia Phillies from 1962 to 1963. Frank died in 2014 at age 82.
Joe Torre is 80.
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