by Airman 1st Class Ramon A. Adelan
9th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs
10/30/2015 - BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, California -- After
sleepless nights, hours of rigorous training and aspirations of
providing direct support in combat, Senior Airman Daniel Fox's dream of
becoming an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technician became a
reality.
"Providing safety to those around me is the most rewarding part of the
job," Fox said. "Becoming an EOD technician gave me an opportunity to
serve in the Air Force the way I had envisioned."
Fox started his Air Force career working as a pest management technician
at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, but after meeting Master
Sgt. Jayson Wells there, Fox took the opportunity to cross train into
EOD.
"Usually when I get Airmen who want to cross train into EOD, they want
to do more in their Air Force career," Wells said. "So I ask them, 'is
EOD something you really want to do?' I only want to help those
individuals who desperately desire to make a difference, not those
seeking money or self-recognition."
Before Fox could become a candidate to cross train, he had to pass
various tests, including a physical fitness assessment, explosive safety
tests and receive endorsement from the Ellsworth EOD Flight Chief.
"Fox's first exposure to EOD was participation in a combat focused
24-hour exercise," Wells said. "This exercise simulated the stressors
EOD Airmen are exposed to in stateside, overseas and combat situations.
We want to overstress the body, kick the 'fight or flight' mechanism
into gear while depriving you of sleep to see if you can cognitively
adapt to the environment."
After conducting countless hours of training with Wells and the
Ellsworth EOD flight, Fox was accepted to the Naval School Explosive
Ordnance Disposal technical school located at Eglin Air Force Base,
Florida.
EOD School teaches students to detect, identify, render safe, recover
and dispose of explosive ordnance such as, improvised explosive devices,
conventional military ordnance and chemical, biological and nuclear
weapons. It takes approximately eight months to complete training.
"Fox and I stayed in touch throughout his training," Wells said. "He
would express frustrations and failures during training with the
constant fear of failing out. The most important mindset for any
trainee is that he or she find a way to complete training. I tried
providing words of encouragement to help him stay focused on the task."
According to Fox, EOD School was the biggest challenge of his life, but
with support from Wells and his family, Fox completed training.
"During tech school, every Air Force student in my class was getting
orders. I was waiting for mine and constantly checking the virtual
Military Personnel Flight website to see if I received mine," Fox said.
"The day I got orders to Beale, I was very excited and immediately
called Sgt. Wells. It was exciting to know I would work with him again."
Fox and Wells are now members of the 9th Civil Engineer Squadron
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight at Beale Air Force Base, California.
Fox has been at Beale for three and half months during which he has
responded to three unexploded ordnance emergencies, completed standby
qualifications, supported Sentry Eagle 2015 facilitating 335 training
and escort sorties and completing his career development courses.
"Fox has received the best training our quality assurance and training
sections can provide. His commitment to excellence has enabled him to
now teach me in somewhat of a role reversal to keep me abreast on new
emerging technologies," Wells said. "He is a vital asset to our team and
part of the bright future of EOD; who will replace me one day."
by Airman 1st Class Jessica B. Nelson
9th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs
9/17/2015 - BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Beale Airmen conducted a "fini" flight in the MC-12W Liberty at Beale Air Force Base, California, Sept. 16, 2015.
A fini flight is an aviation tradition that can be traced back to the
Vietnam War era. It honors aircrew members or an aircraft model in a
final flight at a particular location.
Airmen from the 427th Reconnaissance Squadron, 306th Intelligence
Squadron and their families celebrated their time working with the
MC-12W and the accomplishments they achieved.
"Every single person that I've met has poured their heart and soul into
this, and we've had some great successes," said Lt. Col. Joseph M. Laws,
427th RS commander. "The real victory is the people that got to come
home."
Although deployed Airmen are still supporting the mission downrange with
the Army, the fini flight represents Air Combat Command's last MC-12W
sortie. The final flight is a step toward the transformation of joint
capabilities as the MC-12W moves to its new force providers.
The MC-12W is a medium- to low-altitude, twin-engine turboprop aircraft,
capable of full-motion video, communications intelligence and signals
intelligence that directly supports ground forces.
The aircraft has flown more than 400,000 combat hours and participated
in more than 79,000 combat sorties since flying its first combat mission
June 10, 2009.
"Warfare is ultimately a human endeavor; it is the marriage of
technology and people," said Col. Douglas J. Lee, 9th Reconnaissance
Wing commander. "The MC-12 is a great story because it linked those
people in the aircraft with people on the ground, and it allowed them to
carry out a critically important mission."
MC-12s have enabled ground forces to target high-value individuals and
terrorist networks, provided situational awareness during
troops-in-contact battles, and helped divert convoys around improvised
explosive devices.
"Throughout the program, MC-12 Airmen have often been called airpower
pioneers and game-changers, but even these bold terms understate the
achievements of more than 2,200 Airmen who built and strengthened the
program." said Col. Darren B. Halford, 9th Operations Group commander.
"While we reflect and commemorate today, we remember that our Airmen are
still in combat, augmenting Army crews for another few weeks. This has
been a landmark joint program, from air-to-ground joint integration, to
joint aircrews flying together in the aircraft."
An American flag was flown in the MC-12W on the fini flight to
commemorate its historical achievements thus far. The flag will be sent
to the National Museum of the United States Air Force at
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, to be archived.
"It's bittersweet for a lot of us to see this plane be transferred,"
Laws said. "Our MC-12 Airmen are excited to go on and move toward their
next challenges throughout the Air Force, but we are all going to miss
the MC-12."
Beale has been the home to the MC-12W since June 6, 2011, Laws added,
and the hard work and dedication of Airmen have made it possible for the
aircraft to accomplish its mission.
"Our Airmen will miss this rewarding mission," Halford said. "Although
the mission is leaving Beale and Air Combat Command, the aircraft are
going to very good homes. Our joint and total force partners will ensure
the MC-12 continues to help find, fix and finish the enemies of
freedom."
by Airman 1st Class Ramon A. Adelan
9th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs
8/12/2015 - BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The
Honorable Deborah Lee James, secretary of the Air Force, visited Beale
Air Force Base, California, to get an up-close view of the high-altitude
intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance mission, Aug. 10-12.
In addition to James gaining knowledge of the base's mission, she was
able to interact with Airmen, honorary commanders and the Beale Military
Liaison Committee. She visited the 1st, 12th and 99th Reconnaissance
squadrons, the 9th Physiological Support Squadron, and held an all-call
at the community center.
During James' all-call, she spoke about her three priorities: taking
care of Airmen, balancing today's readiness with tomorrow's
modernization, and making every dollar count. Included at the all-call,
she answered questions ranging from the new retirement plan to extended
maternity leave.
"Days like today, where I can get out and see what you do, helps me go
back to Washington and better tell the story and to better work problems
as I see them," James said.
James added she was able to gain the full scope of Beale; the ISR
airframes, the 7th Space Warning Squadron, the Distributed Common Ground
System-2, and other Total Force units here.
"The unique operating environment, the demanding mission requirements
and the tireless dedication of our Beale Airmen can best be understood
in person," James said. "ISR continues to be the number one most
requested capability of combatant commanders. I want Beale Airmen to
understand that their mission is vital to delivering airpower worldwide,
and this will remain critical to our national security."
Beale's 9th Reconnaissance Wing is responsible for providing national
and theater command authorities with timely, reliable, high-quality,
high-altitude reconnaissance products. The wing is equipped with the U-2
Dragon Lady, RQ-4 Global Hawk and MC-12 Liberty reconnaissance aircraft
to accomplish the mission around the globe. Operations span eight other
locations, and 14 percent of Air Combat Command's deployed personnel,
including in garrison, are from Beale.
"I'm always impressed by the high caliber of our Airmen, and Beale
Airmen are no exception," James said. "They couldn't do what they do
without the great support from the community, and we truly appreciate
it."
by Airman 1st Class Ramon A. Adelan
9th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs
8/4/2015 - BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, California -- When
you hear the words 'Sentry Eagle,' your first thought might be F-15
Eagles, F-16 Falcons, or F-18 Hornets. You would think of these fighter
airframes, but would explosive ordnance disposal cross your mind? It
might not.
Members of the 9th Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal
Flight received hands on training and provided safety support for Sentry
Eagle 15 at Kingsley Field National Guard Base, Oregon, July 30 to Aug.
2, 2015.
Sentry Eagle is an air-to-air combat training exercise hosted by the
173rd Fighter Wing. The exercise allows pilots from the 173rd FW to
train against different aircraft, to practice aerial refueling and
combat operations.
More than 500 troops and approximately 50 aircraft from the Air Force,
Air National Guard, Navy, Marines, and the Canadian air force
participated in Sentry Eagle.
EOD spent four days at Kingsley Field; their schedule consisted of two
days of training, a day on site for emergency response during Sentry
Eagle and a day to dispose of ordnance on location.
"Part of our mission is to deal with any aircraft hazards that may occur
during a routine flight or aircraft incident," said Master Sgt. Mark
Brady, 9th CES EOD Flight non-commissioned officer in charge. "With that
we have to be familiar with all the explosive hazards you may find on
an airplane, such as the ejection seat and the weapon systems."
The EOD technicians received hands on familiarization training from the
173rd Fighter Wing on the F-15. The training included, the proper way to
shut down an airframe, to remove the ejection seat and any ordnance on
the aircraft.
"What we provide is protection to personnel and property from explosives
ordnances," said Tech. Sgt. Richard Hesse, 9th CES EOD Flight team
leader. "We are the closest responding unit and this gives us the
opportunity to get the necessary training while providing the base here
with a team who can respond on site if an incident occurred during the
exercise."
EOD provided on-site emergency support, which reduced response time from more than five hours to mere minutes.
"Every explosive ordnance task we approach is purely 100 percent
situational," Hesse said. "After identifying and knowing exactly how it
works, I'm able to know if my team is a safe distance away and go
through the procedures in my head of what tools I need and how I will
approach the ordnance. The training here gave us the familiarization we
need for any situation with these aircraft."
Beale's EOD was able to send a six-man team to train and support Sentry
Eagle and for some of these technicians it was their first time at the
exercise.
"I was able to learn a lot and experience a different environment than
what we have at Beale," said Senior Airman Westin Shular, 9th EOD Flight
technician. "This isn't my first time working with fighter airframes,
but it is a good opportunity to get hands on training and work with
other agencies."
The 173rd FW and Beale's EOD has a support agreement, in which EOD
trains quarterly at Kingsley Field for aircraft familiarization, egress,
munitions load training and conducting ordnance operations.
"Whenever we do anything with the potential for a mishap, whether we
fire a weapon or have an exercise like Sentry Eagle, I always reach out
to Beale's EOD," said Senior Master Sgt. Daniel Shew, 173rd FW weapons
safety manager. "The trainers here are dedicated and know that it's very
important that EOD receives the best training in case of a mishap.
Their support is invaluable and we thank them for being here."
b
y Airman Preston L. Cherry
9th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs
7/17/2015 - BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, California -- Members
of the 9th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron assigned to the U-2 Dragon
Lady here were recognized for an accomplishment that hasn't happened in
13 years in the aircraft maintenance field here on July 13, 2015.
The achievement, known in the maintenance community as a "black-letter
jet," happens when a plane flies with zero discrepancies, even minor
flaws such as small cracks, chips or anything that does not risk flight
safety. Most aircraft fly with multiple minor discrepancies that pose
little to no effect on flight.
The age of the U-2 plays a significant role in making the achievement uncommon.
"This was a 1980 model," said Chief Master Sgt. John Pinksaw, 9th AMXS
superintendent. "A 35-year-old airplane scored zero defects. Try to find
that on a 35-year-old car."
Maj. Stacey Ferguson, 9th AMXS commander, said the effort takes
determination, and because of parts and timing, it's difficult to
attain.
"It's like pitching a no-hitter," Pinksaw said. "The pitcher tries to
throw a perfect game every time, but the chances of that happening are
rare."
Pinksaw said a form used to verify the inspection status of an aircraft
receives different red marks by an aircraft inspector, each mark
representing a different discrepancy status of the aircraft. If
everything is in perfect working order, a single letter initial of the
last name of the inspector is marked in black ink.
"When they handed me this form, I almost fell down," Pinksaw said. "I
immediately ran over, grabbed the boss and said, 'Look at what the guys
did!'"
Staff Sgt. Stefan Watkins-Krukowski, 9th AMXS dedicated crew chief of
tail #1067, said the achievement took hard effort and was a great way
for the crew to showcase pride in their work.
"We were high-fiving, hugging and all smiles," Watkins-Krukowski said.
"There was nothing that was going to bring us down that day."
Although many crew members from the 9th Maintenance Group were
associated with the accomplishment, a select few were recognized and
awarded for taking the initiative.
Recognized maintenance Airmen:
Tech Sgt. Bruce McClaskey
Staff Sgt. Stefan Watkins-Krukowski
Staff Sgt. Brad Wiebelhaus
Staff Sgt. Jeffery Austin
Senior Airman Alex Pollard
Airman 1st Class Mathew Webb
"I'm just so proud of all of these guys," Ferguson said. "It's no small
feat to take care of the Air Force's entire high-altitude intelligence,
surveillance and reconnaissance fleet. Every day is important, every
mission is important, and every story is important. We've got combatant
commanders around the world depending on us to do that job right. These
guys embody that."
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