Team Dover participates in Air Force Community Partnership initiative

by Capt Sarah E. Bergstein
436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

9/9/2015 - DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- Air Force changes require coordination from all involved in the change and Team Dover and Kent County community members are working side-by-side through Team Dover's P4 initiatives-- Public-Public; Public-Private Partnership-- to help make change possible.

The program, commonly known as "P4," is an Air Force-level program that embraces the use of partnerships to help trim base operating costs. This initiative is a direct response to language included in section 331 of the fiscal 2013 defense authorization bill, which allows installations to enter into intergovernmental support agreements with local governments to provide, receive or share support services for most municipal functions. Such agreements have proven successful at the small handful of installations where they have been implemented under pilot programs, but the new authority permits all military installations to partner with host communities to obtain or provide support services.

"P4 is a way for Team Dover to put ideas on the table to look at partnering with entities like local and state government or private entities in the community," said Col. Lisa Pike, 436th Mission Support Group commander. "This helps us consider projects that are mutually beneficial to both the base and the community."

While partnerships have existed between the surrounding communities for decades, this program is a means for Team Dover and the community to come together on initiatives that promote positive change for those involved while having the oversight and staff support of Headquarters Air Force.

Two P4 meetings have taken place at Dover Air Force Base where about 100 people were in attendance from both the base and the community. The first meeting set the stage in explaining the P4 program, providing examples of partnerships from other Air Force installations, and allowed all who participated to meet, split up into groups, explain their organizations and the impact they have on and within the community, and begin brainstorming ideas.

The second meeting was held several weeks later to allow the participants some time to think on the program and the ideas brought to the table and to come back with new ideas or information as to how to go about setting these potential ideas into motion.

The categories of work groups are broken down into: Live, Work, Learn, and Play. Members in each working group are generally a part of a business or company that falls into one of the above areas, so that when the working groups sit down to work through potential ideas, their background relates to those in their group.

"These first two meetings have been extremely positive for the base," said Pike. "As we've looked at 'The art of the possible,' we've had immense participation from the community and tremendous support from those bringing big ideas with even bigger potential to the table. We're very fortunate to be a part of this community and look forward to what P4 can do for Team Dover and the community."

The next P4 meeting will take place at Dover AFB on Wednesday, October 28, 2015 from 8:00 a.m. to noon at The Landings. For additional information on the program, to request to attend, or for media coverage, contact the 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs office at (302)-677-3372 or e-mail 436aw.pa@us.af.mil.

Operation KUDOS/TUDOS

by Airman 1st Class Zachary Cacicia
436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

9/2/2015 - DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- For children, watching their parents go off on a deployment can be a dramatic and frightening experience.  Team Dover recently hosted an event to help make that experience a little less scary for children.

The 2015 Operation Kids/Teachers Understanding Deployment Operations (KUDOS/TUDOS) took place to give children a better understanding of what their parents go through during military deployments, while also educating teachers on what their students and their students' parents go through Aug. 26, 2015, at the Youth Center on Dover AFB, Delaware.

"This event is meant to be fun, not scary," said Staff Sgt. Nicole Hawley, Mission Support Group NCO in charge of executive support staff and primary event organizer.

The event was open to all Team Dover children and school teachers from the base schools and local school districts. More than 250 students and 100 teachers participated in the annual event.

The children and teachers started their day with mock pre-deployment briefings and processed through a deployment line where the children received school supplies. Once processing through the deployment line was complete, the children and teachers were organized by mock military training instructors, who formed them into a formation and marched them to the track and field to participate in deployment exercises. The kids tried on gas masks and chemical suits, received self-aid buddy care training, had their faces painted with war paint and went through an obstacle course. This gave them an overall fun, but educational experience.

"This year we incorporated operational security," said Hawley. "We taught them what they can and can't say on social media, helping keep their deployed parents safe."

Military members are trained repeatedly on what they can and cannot say online. Examples include not disclosing where members are deploying to and when. Children may overhear their parents talking about these and post this information onto social media, not knowing or comprehending the damage it could potentially cause.

Kerry Phillips, wife of Lt. Col Michael Phillips, 436th MSG deputy commander, attended the event with her 10-year-old daughter, Ashlynn. Being a military spouse, Kerry accepted the challenges that she and her husband go through, but their kids did not have that choice. They were born into this life.

Speaking on military deployments, Kerry said that they can be a real challenge on the children.

"We have a lot of support when it comes to this," Kerry said. "We do things like this to help them understand the concepts."

Ashlynn enjoyed her experience at KUDOS/TUDOS.

"It's fun; I enjoy coming here because my dad is in the military," said Ashlynn. "We've been trying on gear and we've been looking at Nerf guns."

More than 100 teachers from on and off base schools took part in the event. These teachers all have students in their classes with parents in the military.

"Well, I'm a civilian," said Nelle Cox, Dover AFB Middle School 7th and 8th Grade language arts teacher. "So for me, I'm learning a lot about what my students and their parents are going through and how I can better help them."

Cox went on to say that she now has a better understanding on why one of her students might perform poorly on a test or neglected homework, due to a parent's deployment.

"They have to deal with some issues that I myself have never had to experience," Cox said. "If it weren't for this event, I would have never been able to understand."

Not only did the children and teachers have fun at the event, so did the countless Airmen who volunteered their time. One of these volunteers, Airman 1st Class Jorge Rijo, 436th Aerospace Medicine Squadron bioenvironmental engineer, took part in teaching self-aid buddy care to the children and said he felt it was a rewarding experience.

"I'm gaining a great opportunity to help kids," said Rijo. "Teaching them what their parents go through on a deployment helps them put their minds at ease."

Team Dover is StormReady

by Airman 1st Class Zachary Cacicia
436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

8/4/2015 - DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- An Air Force installation, like any type of community, is vulnerable to natural disasters. While Travis AFB, California must prepare for earthquakes, and Offutt AFB, Nebraska must be ever vigilant for the threat that tornados pose; Dover AFB, like all bases along the East Coast must be ready to handle an onslaught of hurricanes and other severe weather.

To recognize Dover AFB's achievement of earning the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration  StormReady certification, Greg Heavener, NOAA meteorologist, presented the base with a StormReady outdoor sign July 29, 2015, at Dover AFB, Delaware.

"On behalf of our agency and the Delaware State Advisory Board, I congratulate you, Dover Air Force Base, for becoming the 89th military installation in the country to become StormReady," said Heavener. "StormReady is a program where we are addressing the need for higher levels of community awareness in order to minimize the loss of life and property from episodes of extreme weather."

The StormReady certification applies to communities, counties, universities, military bases, commercial enterprises and other groups that are better prepared to save lives from the onslaught of severe weather through advanced planning, education and awareness. Each year, Americans cope with an average of 100,000 thunderstorms, 10,000 severe thunderstorms, 5,000 floods or flash floods, 1,000 tornadoes and 2 land-falling deadly hurricanes. Many of these directly affect Dover AFB, its mission and the lives of those who work and live on the base.

Dover AFB is only the 89th U.S. military installation to achieve this certification, a distinction that applies to only 1 percent of all military installations. This initiative to achieve this certification was spearheaded by 436th Civil Engineer Squadron's Readiness and Emergency Management Flight, more specifically the work of the flight's commander, Capt. Ronda Underwood, and Staff Sgt. Joseph Davis, 436th CES emergency manager.

"It was a four-part process," explained Underwood.

First off, the Readiness and Emergency Management Flight filled out an application that was sent forward to NOAA. From there, NOAA officials made a site visit to Dover AFB to evaluate the base's communications, processes and emergency management. Next, emergency management Airmen visited a NOAA weather service station in New Jersey to receive a better understanding of NOAA, the National Weather Service and their functions and process. Once these were complete, the application went up to the StormReady certification board. The members of this board voted and elected that Dover AFB is StormReady.

"The certification lets our off-base emergency management partners know when they see that sign, that we are prepared to handle storms," said Underwood. "And that our folks are educated, that we have plans in place."

The new StormReady sign is scheduled be installed near Dover AFB's main gate.

"The biggest thing is when you drive onto base, you know you're coming somewhere that has taken the time, taken the forethought, and that we've went ahead and prepared," said Davis.

No community is storm proof, but StormReady can help communities save lives.

"What we do here is pretty darn important," said Col. Michael Grismer, 436th Airlift Wing commander. "We are putting ourselves in a window where we've got a very short runway and hurricane season is coming up. I want nothing better than the best chance to do our business, and to do it safely in the event of an East Coast hurricane."

Speaking on the new StormReady sign, Grismer said, "This is good advertising for everyone who comes on base, that we've got our head in the game."

Dover C-5Ms ready for wartime mission

by 1Lt Sarah E. Bergstein
436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

7/20/2015 - DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del -- The C-5M operators and maintainers of the 436th and 512th Airlift Wings here have been breaking records and raising the bar for global mobility.

Due to Dover's C-5M performance throughout the past several months, Air Mobility Command's C-5M fleet is now one step closer to reaching Full Operational Capability.

"Team Dover's C-5M community, consisting of the 436th AW and 512th AW, exceeded key performance parameters for executing both wartime and peacetime operations under the C-5 modernization program, nine months ahead of schedule," said Col. Michael Grismer, Jr., 436th AW commander. "This means Team Dover is ready today to execute our C-5M wartime tasking; a constructive first step on the way to our entire AMC and AMC-gained C-5M fleet reaching Full Operational Capability."

According to regulations, Full Operational Capability, or FOC, occurs when all major commands fully attain capability to effectively employ C-5M aircraft.

For 17 consecutive months, Dover C-5Ms exceeded the home station logistics departure reliability rate standard (whether all of the scheduled aircraft took off on time) of 75.8 percent.

Team Dover also exceeded the AMC standard of a 75 percent Mission Capable rate. The MC rate (whether the aircraft is capable of meeting mission requirements) for the month of May was 81.3 percent, the third highest average in Dover AFB history. The previous two records were 82.7 percent in November 1991 and 81.5 percent in June 1994.

Additionally, Team Dover's seven-month rolling average C-5M MC rate is also above the standard at 75.7 percent.

Finally, the ability to now carry heavier loads over an extended range offers capability to support wartime missions and contingencies without having to refuel the aircraft.

"Our teams [the 436th and 709th Airlift Squadrons, the 436th Operations Support Squadron and the 436th and 512th Aircraft Maintenance Squadrons] are making it happen at the right level and working through situations at a much lower level" said Maj. Danzel Albersten, 436th AMS commander. "The team effort between the active and reserve squadrons is enhanced by the great support of off-equipment maintenance from the 436th and 512th Maintenance Squadrons."

"Our maintainers care about what they do and understand the need for the aircraft to fly so they work very hard-- with pride-- on fixing the aircraft right the first time," he said.

Albertsen went on to say that when the entire C-5M fleet reaches Full Operational Capability it will drive home the significance of three words-- Rapid Global Mobility. For the Air Force, this means having the ability to project capabilities around the globe, anytime, anywhere, in force, and on demand.

The success of the C-5M at Dover can be attributed to the Airmen, training, technology, hard work, and teamwork, among other things, said Albertsen.

An example of how the maintainers have been successful is that newer systems on the aircraft eliminate excessive troubleshooting. Specifically for the C-5, the anti-skid system which keeps the brakes from locking up on landing would immediately cancel a mission and take between four and six hours to troubleshoot on a legacy C-5 "A" or "B" model, not counting the repair. Today's C-5M narrows the fix down to one gear and can be troubleshot and repaired in less than two hours, enabling the aircrew to stick with the aircraft and fly the necessary mission.

"The future of the C-5M enterprise mission is expanding because of the foundation built by the Total Force Enterprise," said Lt. Col. Matthew Husemann, 9th Airlift Squadron commander. "The maintenance and ops teamwork at both Dover and Travis [AFB] is built on a culture of excellence and grounded in the superb training of all Airmen."

"The mission support, medical, maintenance, and ops professionals have partnered to maximize the capabilities of this impressive aircraft," he said.

Husemann went on to say that the C-5M maintainers had a steep learning curve to understand and master the new systems, but they have worked diligently and overcome obstacles to provide the Air Force an outstanding Rapid Global Mobility platform.

He added that the other service branches lean heavily upon the Air Force's Global Reach capability; and the communication and teamwork in the C-5M has exceeded standards and raised the bar for excellence in the airlift community.

The C-5M brings new capability and reliability over the legacy C-5 fleet. Air Mobility Command exploited the Super Galaxy in the recent Afghanistan retrograde, where it was employed for the first time in an expeditionary role to retrograde 25.5 million pounds of cargo in 152 missions - all while closing out Camp Bastion ten days early, and setting record cargo loads in the process.

The leadership of both the 436th and 512th Airlift Wing's operations and maintenance squadrons recognize Team Dover's C-5M performance is more than just a consequence of the modified airplane--it is also a testament to the changing culture in the C-5 community.

"This is positive news for our Mobility Air Forces and affirms the C-5M program, which brings proven operational capability with fiscal responsibility," said Grismer. "Our young maintenance and operations professionals have changed the culture on how we operate this amazing flying machine."

Grismer also gave kudos to AMC's global en-route enterprise, which provides maintenance, aerial port, and command and control to keep the C-5M mission moving around the world.

He said, "Success would not be possible without our dedicated en-route teammates, who provide critical services in support of our global mobility mission."

Panetta Believes Dover Punishment Appropriate

By Jim Garamone

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON  – Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta believes the punishment of supervisors accused of retaliating against whistleblowers at the Port Mortuary at Dover Air Force Base was appropriate, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said today.

Whistleblowers at the military mortuary in Delaware, which handles the remains of American service members who are killed or die overseas, pointed to problems at the facility in how some remains were disposed. The whistleblowers said that management at the mortuary retaliated against them.

The independent Office of Special Counsel investigated the allegations and found that supervisors did retaliate. The investigators found that Air Force Col. Robert Edmondson, Trevor Dean, and Quinton Keel engaged in reprisals. Air Force leaders reviewed the findings, conducted supplemental investigations and disciplined the men.

The Air Force offered Edmondson non-judicial punishment under Article 15 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, and he accepted. After a hearing and appeal, the final punishment was a reprimand and forfeiture of $7,000.

Dean received a 20-day suspension without pay.

Keel resigned from his position before action could be initiated. Still, the service issued him a letter of censure after his resignation. Air Force Secretary Michael B. Donley reviewed the final disciplinary actions and considers them appropriate, Air Force officials said.

“The issues at Dover Port Mortuary are issues that the secretary of defense, indeed, the entire department -- we never want to see them happen again,” Little told reporters during a news conference. “Our fallen heroes deserve the highest honor and respect. And we are committed to taking steps to ensure that lapses do not occur in the future.”

The Office of Special Counsel commended the Air Force for rendering its decisions on disciplinary actions, Little said, and he pointed to the “very thorough and extensive process to review not just the lapses at Dover, but also the disciplinary actions that were levied. And the secretary is satisfied with that process.”

Panetta was briefed on the whole process, and “he has faith in the process that the Air Force undertook, absolutely,” Little said.

The punishment for the three supervisors for retaliation is in addition to other penalties imposed for gross mismanagement. Edmondson received a letter of reprimand and was denied further command opportunity. Keel received an involuntary downgrade to a nonsupervisory position outside the mortuary. Dean voluntarily took a downgrade to a nonsupervisory position within organization, but outside the Port Mortuary.

“Looking forward, Air Force leadership is reviewing instructional materials used to train supervisors and employees to ensure military members and civilian employees alike understand the rights of all employees to express important concerns in the workplace,” said an Air Force spokesman. “We are committed to a workplace climate that makes individuals feel confident that they can raise any concerns they may have, that those concerns will be taken seriously, and that those raising the concerns will be treated with respect and appreciation.”

Defense officials stressed that the whistleblowers performed an important service to the Air Force and the nation.

“These individuals continue in their positions at AFMAO; the Air Force has taken appropriate actions, including correcting their records to eliminate any negative information that resulted from any prohibited personnel practices committed,” the Air Force spokesman said.

Improvements Ongoing at Dover, Air Force Officials Say

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON  – The Air Force already is adopting many recommendations to improve its mortuary affairs operations at Dover Air Force Base, Del., and is studying other improvements an independent committee recommended, Air Force Secretary Michael B. Donley said here today.

Donley and Gen. Norton A. Schwartz, Air Force chief of staff, briefed Pentagon reporters after retired Army Gen. John Abizaid presented his committee’s findings. Abizaid led a review of current operations at Dover’s port mortuary, which handles the remains of all service members.

Last year, whistleblowers charged that mortuary officials mishandled remains. A subsequent Air Force inspector general investigation found that was the case, and Air Force officials immediately put corrective actions in place and disciplined three leaders at the facility.

A further investigation by the Office of Special Counsel found that mortuary officials had retaliated against the whistleblowers. The Air Force is working with the Office of Special Counsel, and OSC officials said they expect settlement agreements to be announced shortly.

Donley and Schwartz thanked the Abizaid committee for the independent review and assessment.

Donley said that among the actions he is taking is directing that the mortuary operations commander have Uniform Code of Military Justice authority. “Providing our commander the authority to ensure the appropriate level of accountability is an essential tool in maintaining command discipline,” he said.

In addition, the Air Force secretary said, he is working to place the mortuary commander firmly in the chain of command. Now, the commander reports to a staff officer on the Air Staff at the Pentagon. Abizaid recommended the commander be placed in a two-star command.

The Air Force also is working to develop an inspection program appropriate to the unique mission at the facility, Donley said. “The first inspection under the new program is scheduled to take place this June,” he added.

Donley and Schwartz declined to comment on a portion of the Abizaid report about disposal of “nonassociable, fragmented” remains, saying they had not read that part of the report. Donley said he would look into the report and re-emphasized that the service is looking ahead and working to put in place changes to ensure the port mortuary complies with the highest standards.

Mortuary Family Call Center Opens at Dover

Air Force News Service

WASHINGTON, Nov. 30, 2011 – The Air Force recently moved its mortuary affairs call center responsibilities from a temporary call center here to the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations Center at Dover Air Force Base, Del.

Trained experts will continue to answer calls from the toll-free number 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week, to meet the needs of family members.

“We established this call center to answer questions and address potential concerns for families of fallen service members," said Brig. Gen. Eden Murrie, the director of Air Force Services. "It was important that we were prepared and did this right.”

The call center was established following the announcement of results of a year-long investigation of the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations Center in Dover, the point of entry for the remains of U.S. service members who are killed or die overseas.

Investigators found no evidence that anyone intentionally mishandled remains, but the investigation concluded the mortuary staff failed to maintain accountability while processing portions of remains for three service members.

In setting up the Dover call center, the Air Force “ensured there were sufficient phone lines and expertly trained staff so a caller would immediately talk with a person who was able to answer any questions they had,” Murrie said.

Since the call center's establishment on Nov. 8, he said, only eight calls were received from concerned relatives of service members and others from the general public.

"We are committed to keeping this important communication channel open,” Murrie said. “And it makes sense, given the small number of calls, that we transition the function to the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations Center."

The Air Force is committed to ensuring the mission of AFMAO is carried out with reverence, dignity, honor and respect for the fallen and to providing care, service and support for the families, he said.

Families of fallen service members may contact the Air Force toll free at 1-855-637-2583 or email at dover.pm@pentagon.af.mil if they have questions about the investigation or Air Force mortuary operations.

For more information, media should contact Air Force Public Affairs at 703-695-0640 or after hours at (202) 528-4929.

Air Force Investigates and Improves Mortuary Operation

The Air Force announced today that it has completed a year-long investigation of the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations (AFMAO) at Dover Air Force Base, Dover, Del., and the point of entry for U.S. service members who are killed or die overseas.  The service implemented multiple corrective actions and took action regarding three senior mortuary officials responsible for operations at AFMAO after some employees complained about the handling of certain cases.

The Air Force Inspector General began its investigation in June 2010.  The investigation focused primarily on the handling of remains of four service members.  The Air Force inspector general’s investigation was conducted in coordination with other federal offices and included nearly 50 interviews and an extensive review of mortuary operating procedures.  Investigators found no evidence anyone intentionally mishandled remains, but concluded the mortuary staff failed to maintain accountability while processing portions of remains for three service members.  While it is likely that disposition of remains was by an appropriate method, it could not be shown that it was in accordance with the families’ directions.

Each family received remains of their service member for interment; the staff, however, was not able to ensure additional portions of remains were handled in a manner consistent with the families’ instructions.

The Air Force determined senior AFMAO officials failed to provide proper management and corrective actions when they did not respond appropriately to indications that procedures were inadequate to prevent problems related to the tracking of portions of human remains.

Additionally, the Air Force investigation determined the mortuary staff could have communicated more clearly with the representatives of a sister service about restorative actions taken to prepare the remains of a service member, killed by an improvised explosive device, whose family requested to view him in uniform.  In addition, the investigation found that while there were some deficiencies in administrative procedures, documentation, and electronic record keeping, the processes to which they related were appropriately conducted.  Public health was not endangered.

“The investigation concluded that the mission was always conducted with reverence, dignity, honor and respect for all served through the facility,” said Gen. Norton Schwartz, Air Force chief of staff.

 “However, the standard is 100 percent accountability in every instance of this important mission.  We can, and will, do better and as a result of the allegations and investigation; our ability to care for our fallen warriors is now stronger,” Schwartz said.  “In fact, throughout the past year new processes have been put in place to ensure the exacting standards are met every time.”

The Air Force has contacted family designated representatives of the four families directly affected and discussed these matters with them personally.

 “It is the AFMAO staff’s mission and obligation to fulfill the nation’s commitment to caring for our fallen service members while also serving and supporting the families of these heroes,” said Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley.  “The employees who brought forth their concerns gave the Air Force an opportunity to make the operation of AFMAO better and stronger.  Their initiative allowed us to correct procedures and make long-term improvements to management of Air Force mortuary operations.”

The Air Force has requested, and the Secretary of Defense has directed, an independent assessment of the current overall operations of the Port Mortuary.

An independent panel of the Defense Health Board will evaluate current operations to ensure continued effectiveness of the Port Mortuary.  In addition, the review panel will identify whether the Air Force should be considering or taking any further actions to enhance these operations.

“I want to reassure our men and women in uniform, and the American public, that the Air Force mortuary standards they expect for our fallen heroes are being met,” Schwartz said.

The Dover mortuary’s staff consists of members of all branches of the military, including civilians and reservists.  The staff includes mortuary affairs specialists, morticians and other technical experts.  The staff operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and regularly responds to the trauma of war as staff members prepare the remains of fallen warriors under often-difficult circumstances.  Since 2003, the mortuary center has prepared more than 6,300 deceased individuals for return to their loved ones.

Families of fallen service members may contact the Air Force toll free at 1-855-637-2583 or e-mail at dover.pm@pentagon.af.mil if they have questions about this investigation or Air Force mortuary operations.

For additional information, media should contact Air Force Public Affairs at 703-695-0640 or after hours at 202-528-4929.