RAF, USAF share mission with families

by Staff Sgt. Stephanie Longoria
48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office

7/28/2015 - ROYAL AIR FORCE MARHAM, England -- More than 10,000 RAF and U.S. Air Force Airmen, as well as theit families were invited to this year's 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain Families and Friends Day event at RAF Marham, July 23.

The event organizer, Squadron Leader Steve Donnellan, was enthusiastic about making this year's Family and Friends Day a memorable one.

"This event is a very special day which enables families and friends of serving personnel to come onto the station and see what their loved ones do. There are many static displays where people can ask questions and children can understand what their serving parent's role is," he said.

This year, RAF Marham invited RAFs Lakenheath and Mildenhall Airmen and their families to attend the event, to enhance the partnership between the bases. With both RAFs Marham and Lakenheath slated to base the F-35 Lighting II, that partnership is only expected to grow.

"As we move toward the F-35, it requires that close operational relationship to enhance the operational effectiveness of the aircraft. We will continue working very closely in the future with U.S. Air Forces and looking for ways to improve the operational, engineering and logistics aspects of the mission," Donnellan said.

He went on to say that this year's event was made very special for Marham families, as the U.S. Air Forces conducted a F-15 Eagle flyover as well as  provided several ground displays like the CV-22 Osprey and MC-130J Commando II aircraft, military working dogs, an Explosive Ordinance Disposal team and much more.

"We are so busy throughout the year, this is a day to just get together to relax and make new friends in a fantastic atmosphere," he added.

Many Airmen from the 48th Fighter Wing, 100th Air Refueling Wing and 352nd Special Operations Wing expressed how much they enjoyed their time at RAF Marham. In addition to watching the airshow, attendees enjoyed bouncy castles, WWII re-enactments, a skate park and archery during the event.

"I think it's awesome that they invited us out here," said Staff Sgt. Peter Musinde, 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle maintenance technician. "It shows that they want us to be part of their family. I'm happy to be able to come out here and spend the time with my son and show him all the different aircraft and to see how the RAF do their jobs."

Fourteen flying displays were place, including two F-15C Eagles, a Typhoon FGR4, four Tornados GR4, The Falcons and the RAF Acrobatic Team Red Arrows.

"Our favorite part of the airshow was seeing the Red Arrows," said Musinde. "My son really enjoyed seeing the colored smoke."

The event ended with a 1940s themed hangar party with historic aircraft static displays, live music and jive dancing.

RAFs Marham, Lakenheath and Mildenhall's service member's joint efforts made the day memorable.

Hungarian air force performs first historic air refueling with help from NATO ally, partner

by Senior Airman Kate Thornton
100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

7/17/2015 - RAF MILDENHALL, England  -- The Hungarian air force hosted U.S. and Swedish air force personnel between June 21 and 30, 2015, at Kecskemét air base, Hungary, to learn air-to-air refueling for the first time.

Following a recent tasking to perform close air support for global operations, the Hungarian air force made this new capability a priority.

The NATO allies and partners met for a two-week familiarization period enabling the Hungarian JAS-39 Gripen pilots to perform air-to-air refueling in a safe and controlled environment before applying the new skill in combat.

"To get the right mission strength, we need to have air-to-air refueling, that's why we turned to the U.S. to get some AAR capability and initial training," said Hungarian air force Brig. Gen. Csebe Ugrik, Kecskemét AB commander.

As the only permanent U.S. Air Force air refueling wing in the European theater, the aircrew and tanker assigned to the 100th Air Refueling Wing at RAF Mildenhall, England, was the go-to unit to provide practical training after the classroom portion.

"Now we could finally start this training and get this very important force multiplier capability for the Hungarian Gripen fleet," said Hungarian air force Lt. Col. Tamas Szvath, Hungarian AF fixed wing training commander.

Although the Gripen aircraft has the ability to air refuel, the Hungarian pilots needed training.

Three instructor pilots from the Swedish air force Gripen Operational Testing and Evaluation unit were responsible for the training syllabus, basic training and the Hungarian instructor pilot training.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Benjamin Kline and Tech. Sgt. Daniel Maas, 351st Air Refueling Squadron instructor pilot and boom operator, instructed the Hungarian students using the KC-135 Stratotanker as the training platform, which gave them an idea of what to expect when communicating and air refueling with the U.S. tanker.

After three days of academics taught by representatives from the two guest air forces involved, the pilots took flight for hands-on familiarization.

"In the beginning of the training we're trying not to focus on [a quota of successful contacts]," Swedish air force Capt. Fredrik Borgström, Gripen instructor pilot said. "We want to make sure the performance is safe, corrections are made after feedback and they continue to improve. Then in the end we want them to handle those corrections by themselves and analyze their own behavior."

Along with learning air refueling, the Hungarians needed instructor pilots to maintain the new skills. The Swedish instructor pilots trained two individuals after they had completed their basic air refueling training.

"You have to start somewhere," Borgström said. "It is not ideal to become an instructor when you've just recently done your basic training, but we show them the tool box so they have a way to move forward with training."

The tanker and Gripen aircrew flew approximately six hours daily for six days to ensure the pilots understood their new capability. The training event also developed better interoperability between the air forces.

"Our job is to sustain and project air power," Kline said, "We're here to enable the Hungarians with this new military skill set."

After days of performing only dry contacts with the tanker, the pilots were confident enough and took fuel for the first time, proving they were ready to perform air refueling safely and correctly.

"For the future of the Gripen fleet, it means we have a capability the Hungarian air force has never had before," Szvath said. "Our partners who provided this help to us have written their names in the history of Hungarian military aviation."

DeLoach Takes Bronze in Olympic Long Jump

By Gary Sheftick

Army News Service

LONDON, Aug. 9, 2012 – Air Force family member Janay DeLoach leaped 6.89 meters last night at Olympic Stadium here to take the bronze medal in women’s long jump at the Summer Olympics.

USA teammate Brittney Reese won the gold with a jump of 7.12 meters, and Russia’s Elena Sokolova earned the silver with a jump of 7.07.

DeLoach said Reese motivates her to improve and provides advice. “She helps me get on the board,” DeLoach said of her first-place teammate.

Reese isn’t her only supporter, though.

“My dad’s here with me, cheering me on,” DeLoach said. “He’s been there the whole way through. … He’s always supported me in all my endeavors.”

Her father is retired Air Force Chief Master Sgt. William DeLoach, whose last assignment was at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. He now works as a contractor there with the 416th Flight Test Squadron.

His daughter began competing in long jump at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, at age 13.

“I didn’t get too many meets in, but you know, it set the stage for where I am now,” DeLoach said of competing in track and field at Ben Eielson High School.

She went on to compete in track and field at Colorado State University, but said she didn’t really get serious about long jumping until last year.

“That was the year that I won indoors,” said the 26-year-old, 5-foot-5-inch athlete. DeLoach won the World Indoor Championship last year with a jump of 6.99 meters.

At the Olympic track and field trials in Eugene, Ore. five weeks ago, DeLoach earned the No. 3 spot on the USA team with a jump of 7.03 meters.

At the long-jump finals here, DeLoach was in third place early with her first attempt of 6.77 meters. Then the second jump for Brittney Reese of the United States put her in first place with a 7.12-meter leap. This dropped DeLoach to fourth place.

After three jumps, DeLoach remained in fourth place, with her longest jump still the initial 6.77 meters. But it was enough to put her in the top eight and give her an opportunity for three more attempts.

On her fourth jump, DeLoach leaped 6.74 meters, still just short of her first attempt and still in fourth place. On her fifth attempt, however, DeLoach soared through the air for a jump of 6.89 meters. She got up out of the sand pit with a smile.

After judges registered the distance, DeLoach realized she was one centimeter in front of Latvia’s Ineta Radevica for the bronze. The Latvian had jumped 6.88 meters on her first try in the finals.

On her final attempt, Redevica flew across the sand and planted her feet close to DeLoach’s best of the day. But judges measured it at 6.79 meters, 10 centimeters short of the bronze.

“Oh I was crumbling,” DeLoach said. “I was like, ‘Please God, let me have this bronze medal.’ I knew she could do it, but it just didn’t happen at this point. … I inched her out by just a centimeter.”

Then Russia’s Anna Nazorova made her last attempt, again looking close to the mark DeLoach set. But the jump was measured at 6.62 and DeLoach threw her hands up in joy, realizing she had the bronze medal.

USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) Visits First Overseas Port

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Timothy Walter, USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs

PORTSMOUTH, England (NNS) -- The Norfolk, Va.-based USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) anchored off the coast of Portsmouth, England, May 26, marking the first ever overseas port call for the nation's newest Nimitz-class aircraft carrier.

Nearly 5,000 Sailors of George H.W. Bush and embarked Carrier Air Wing Eight will spend several days visiting the historic port and the capital city of London, as well as participating in the various tours offered to the crew through the ship's Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) program.

"Portsmouth is the first of many port visits for this proud ship," said George H.W. Bush Command Master Chief (SW) David Colton. "The crew is excited to get immersed in English culture, try the local food, and go to London."

Colton said the expectations are high for the crew as they show the Navy's newest aircraft carrier to a foreign nation, and he remained confident in their ability to represent their country and their ship.

"I expect that every George H.W. Bush Sailor will be great ambassadors and their conduct ashore will be exceptional," he said.

The scheduled port call follows George H.W. Bush's participation in the eight-day, multi-national military exercise Saxon Warrior 11, which was hosted by the U.K.-based Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST).

The guided missile destroyer USS Truxtun (DDG 103), assigned to the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group, also arrived in Portsmouth for its first foreign port call. Both ships departed Norfolk, Va., May 11 on their first combat deployment.

Druid's Dance Exercise Yields Major Training Milestone

By Army Spc. Andrew Orillion
Special to American Forces Press Service

May 2, 2008 - A forward air controller spots an enemy target during a training exercise.
Using a standard-issue radio, he relays the coordinates for an air strike to a pilot. Communications are sent back and forth until the target is locked on and eliminated.

It all sounds very ordinary until you realize the controller is standing on the Salisbury Plain west of London and the pilot is flying a simulator at the Joint Warfighting Center here.

As little as two years ago, this scenario would have seemed almost unimaginable, Steve Kostoff, communications planner for the Joint Warfighting Center, said. With recent advances in live virtual constructive training and network connectivity, communication between allies has improved training dramatically, he explained.

"We've demonstrated this capability before in the United States. But now, we're extending it from a U.S. network into a British network," Kostoff said. "It's taken us a long time to solve that problem effectively, but we pretty much have solved it in the case of training. 'Druid's Dance' is the first time we have done this network connection with the United Kingdom."

Druid's Dance is a joint United Kingdom and U.S. Joint Forces Command training exercise designed to train a battle group of soldiers to deploy to the Afghan theater. U.S. forces are experiencing Druid's Dance as a simulation, but U.K. troops are living it as a live exercise.

The new network capability provides better and more cost-effective training by allowing the U.S. and U.K. forces involved in Druid's Dance to communicate through normal methods of communication without having to be in the same area of operations or needing special equipment in the field.

Kostoff said the only field equipment required is a standard radio, replicating the real-world experience. The forward air controller uses a radio to send out a signal. Software converts the signal to data sent through a U.K. network and relayed to the network in Suffolk. A pilot at a work station here receives the transmission and responds with a simulated air strike.

All this happens in real time, with the controller and the pilot in constant communication.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Joe Schulz, an action officer with the Air/Ground Combat Division of Air Combat Command, is one of the pilots who provides simulated close-air support for Druid's Dance and had high praise for the new network and its potential to improve training.

"It's nothing but a positive. I used to be stationed over in England and did a lot of work with the U.K ground FACs. Now, we have the ability to do the same type of work from the United States," Schulz said. "We crawl into our simulator; we make contact with the U.K. forward air controllers and run through a fairly realistic scenario from our home bases. That is going to allow everyone's training to be exponentially better."

The network not only brings better training, but also helps conserve training dollars.

"It costs a lot of money for a jet to get up in the air and fly around for an hour or two to do training. This will never supplant [live] training, but you can do it a lot more often. You can train with greater frequency when you can do it this way, as well," Kostoff said.

Kostoff said the technology used in Druid's Dance is not completely new. Talisman Saber, a joint exercise last year with the Australian armed forces, used a similar network.

"This is the first time we have ever had this kind of network-to-network connection with this ally," Kostoff said. "I was very satisfied that we were finally able to see success come out of two years' effort; it was a lot of hard work. But here we are, and we were talking to the British this morning over the radio. When you do that, it's nice to see the payoff."

Schulz added that the British deserve much of the credit for making the new capability a success.

"We'd be remiss if we didn't really thank the British for all the hard work they put in on their side to make this happen," Schulz said.

Druid's Dance will wrap up May 16. If it proves a success, Kostoff said, the Joint Warfighting Center will expand the program to other allies.

"We plan, by next year, to be able to extend the same capability to Canada. And then after that, we're looking at NATO," Kostoff said. "We have a sister installation at NATO called the Joint Warfare Center in Stavanger, Norway. It's very much like the Joint Warfighting Center. And we've begun work on how we can make connections with that installation and train with them."

Kostoff also is looking beyond just close-air-support training. NATO battle staff and naval warfare training could be the next areas for the new capability, he said.

(Army Spc. Andrew Orillion serves at U.S. Joint Forces Command Public Affairs.)

Face of Defense: Army Wife Makes Most of Long Separations

By Jon Fleshman
Special to American Forces Press Service

March 11, 2008 - Friends, yoga, a family support group, online courses, a trip to England and a toddler lifted 24-year-old Samantha Windell out of her funk when her husband, Chase, went to war. "The first few months after my husband deployed were miserable," Windell admitted from her home in Bamberg, Germany. "I wanted to stay at home the whole time."

When Spc. Chase Windell deployed to Afghanistan in May 2007, Sam had just arrived in Europe on her first assignment as an Army spouse, if you don't count basic and advanced individual training.

"Three days after I arrived and joined Chase, he left for a month of field training a month before he deployed," Sam said. "He's seen his kid all of two months of his life."

Damion is Sam and Chase's 14-month-old son. Dad was there for his birth, however, and he did get to see Damion walking when he returned for rest and recuperation.

"He's a miniature replica of my husband," Sam confided. "Every time I look at him, I'm reminded of Chase."

Mom and son aren't housebound anymore though. Every other afternoon they head to the home of best friend Lauren Kemp, whose husband also is deployed. While Sam and Lauren release their stress through yoga, Damion plays with Lauren's 4- and 5-year-olds, Emory and Darby. The families often share grocery expenses and have meals together.

They also travel together. To fight the holiday blues, they found discount flights, and moms and kids visited London for Thanksgiving.

"The biggest change I've seen in Sam is that she's become independent," said Lauren, whose husband, Spc. Dustin Kemp, is in the same unit as Chase: Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Special Troops Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team. The Kemps are experiencing their fourth deployment as a married couple, so Lauren has a veteran's perspective.

"Sam has learned who she is," Lauren continued, "outside of being Damion's mom and Chase's wife. It's the most important thing the spouse of a deployed soldier can learn -- especially during the first deployment."

Lauren explained that during this time of growth and change, communication between deployed spouse and home-front spouse is critical. She warned: "If not, hubby comes home and asks, 'Who are you?' and, 'What have you done with my wife?'"

Sam and son are definitely staying in touch with their soldier downrange. She said her husband calls her every chance he gets, which averages about every two to three days. They also communicate by instant messenger and e-mail daily, and she estimates she has sent "a million and a half care packages." In addition, they have Web cams that are crystal clear.

"When Chase came home on R&R, Damion ran to his dad. It was really sweet," Sam recalled. "He's at an age where he's a little afraid of strangers, but he knew who his daddy was."

Family-oriented activities that she can share with her son are one of the things Sam likes about her family readiness group. Besides family readiness group special events, she attends monthly meetings and has found the group's leader to be a good source of accurate information and support.

"The FRG opened a whole new avenue for me," Sam said. "You meet all the unit spouses, and the battalion FRG also holds events and will bring all the company FRGs together. Right now we're making welcome-home baskets for all the single soldiers in the unit."

In turn, the unit's family readiness group benefits from Sam's professional skills. She has a bachelor's in political science, accounting and international business and is working on a master's in business administration. Sam volunteers as her family readiness group's treasurer.

"She's helped to make sure our books stay right," said Janelle Walden, the unit's FRG leader. "She has given her knowledge to others and helped them with financial planning."

When the two first met, Walden remembers Sam keeping to herself, as it was obvious she was new to Army life.

"Being an Army spouse is about sharing and mutual support. She is a true example of that and has shown herself to be a priceless asset," Walden said.

The rear detachment is another resource the Colebrook, Ohio, native recommends, along with family readiness groups and Army Community Service orientation and empowerment courses. Sam said that when she hears rumors about her husband's unit or just needs information, she goes to the rear detachment sergeant for the straight answer. And if the sergeant doesn't have the information readily available, she goes out on her own to find it for Sam.

Samantha Windell's short answer to the secret of living successfully as the spouse of a deployed soldier is simple: "Get out there and get involved."

(Jon Fleshman is assigned to the Public Affairs Office of U.S. Army Garrison Vicenza.)

Pentagon Officials Press Congress to Pass Defense Budget

By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service

Feb. 13, 2008 - Top Pentagon officials today urged Congress to approve a fiscal 2009 defense budget that would grow and modernize the U.S. military, and enhance servicemembers' quality of life. The $491 billion budget presented to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense allocates about $179 billion to maintain the 2.2 million-member armed forces and increase the size of the Army and Marine Corps. It also dedicates $183.8 billion to modernizing U.S. forces and about $150 billion to fund troops' health care and other benefits.

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said the budget request reflects a strategic landscape being threatened by terrorism, extremism and violent jihadism. Additional challenges, he said, include tribal conflicts, the proliferation of weapons, failed states and other destabilizing factors.

"In light of this strategic environment, we must make the choices and investments necessary to protect the security, prosperity and freedom of Americans for today and for future generations," Gates said in opening remarks.

Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England read the prepared remarks on behalf of Gates, who was unable to attend the hearing for medical reasons.

Gates' statement said the total budget request, which marks a $35.9 billion increase over fiscal 2008 funding, accounts for about 4 percent of the United States' gross domestic product, the total market value produced by goods and services in a fiscal year. By comparison, defense spending during the Korean War accounted for 14 percent of the GDP, and 9 percent during the Vietnam War, he said.

The fiscal 2009 budget provides $15.5 billion to increase the active-duty Army to 532,400 soldiers, which includes an increase of 7,000 over the fiscal 2008 request. The Army also will increase the number of active brigade combat teams from 40 to 42, toward a goal of 48.

Similarly, the budget provides $5 billion to increase Marine Corps strength to 194,000, which includes an increase of 5,000 Marines over the fiscal 2008 request. To achieve three balanced expeditionary units, and to increase time at home between deployments, the Corps plans to increase end strength by a total of 27,000, to 202,000, by fiscal 2011.

To meet future threats, the budget requests $183.8 billion in modernization, research and development -- an $8.3 billion, or 4.7 percent, increase over fiscal 2008. Funding would maintain and strengthen joint ground capabilities, continue development of the Army's Future Combat System, boost joint maritime efficiency and bolster joint air capabilities. Among other programs, appropriations would subsidize space-based and information technology systems.

The budget emphasizes the quality of life for armed forces personnel and families, including a 3.4 percent military pay raise. With a fiscal year increase of nearly $10 billion, the budget includes improvements in health care and housing.

In addition to a $515.4 billion overall request in discretionary authorization, the Defense Department is requesting a separate $70 billion for funding the global war on terrorism, including operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Navy Adm. Michael G. Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also appeared before the subcommittee. Mullen said the U.S. armed forces remains the most powerful and capable military that exists today, but conceded that "that power is not assured for tomorrow."

To maintain U.S. military power, Mullen said, the budget includes $6.5 billion to develop, test and produce 16 additional F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter aircraft, and $3.4 billion to procure 20 stealth F-22 Raptor aircraft. It also allocates money for building the next-generation aircraft carrier and guided-missile destroyer, and increases spending on the missile defense program and the new U.S. Africa Command, he noted.

Mullen said the Defense Department should take pride in the absence of "big surprises" in the budget.

"It says to me that we looked pragmatically at all of our requirements; we did our homework," he said. "And from a fiscal perspective, (it says) we have a good handle on where we want to go."

Mullen said that during a recent hearing at the House Armed Services Committee, he told congressional members that U.S. operations in Iraq are going well, as indicated by decreased levels of violence and increased commerce. Al Qaeda is on the run, he said, and Iraqi politics are beginning to make progress.

The chairman attributed the successes to the troop surge that began last year and to improved counterinsurgency implementation. He also credited Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander of Multinational Force Iraq, and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan C. Crocker for their leadership and results.

"(But) as both men have made clear: progress is tenuous and must be very carefully watched," Mullen said.

To ensure operational progress, and to fund programs designed to mitigate stress on troops and their families, Mullen urged the committee to appropriate the remaining $102.5 billion of the fiscal 2008 global war on terrorism supplemental funding request.

In his remarks, Gates said the delay in the supplemental funding bill is degrading the Defense Department's ability to operate and sustain the force at home and in theater and is making it difficult to manage the department in a "fiscally sound" way.

"The Department of Defense is like the world's biggest supertanker: it cannot be steered like a skiff," he said. "I urge approval of the fiscal 2008 (global war on terrorism) request as quickly as possible."