Volk Field receives second straight Air Force excellence award

By Tech. Sgt. Jon LaDue
Wisconsin National Guard Public Affairs Office

Air Force officials recently announced the Volk Field Combat Readiness Training Center as one of eight units nation-wide to earn the Air Force Organizational Excellence Award (AFOEA).

This is the second consecutive AFOEA for the CRTC and the fourth in unit history.

"Having the Volk Field Combat Readiness Training Center announced as a recipient of the Air Force Organizational Excellence Award is a worthy tribute to the dedicated Airmen and civilians that are giving their very best effort each and every day," said Col. Gary Ebben, Volk Field commander.

Maj. Gen. Don Dunbar, adjutant general of Wisconsin, expressed his gratitude for those efforts.

"I couldn't be prouder of the men and women of Volk Field," Dunbar said. "Their contributions to the 'Total Force' and 'Joint Training' concepts serves as a force multiplier. The CRTC at Volk Field has an enduring legacy of excellence – this is the latest chapter."

This AFOEA recognizes the CRTC for meritorious service from Oct 2009 through September 2011.

And deservedly so – the CRTC hosted training for 475 units - encompassing Army and Air National Guard, Air Force and Air Force reserve, and non-Department of Defense units. Volk Field also hosted numerous multi-agency, large scale exercises, including Patriot, Northern Lightning and the international NATO exercise Ramstein Rover.

Volk Field host one of the only Air National Guard bases that maintains its own airfield and control tower. This allowed the CRTC to schedule and monitor more than 4,500 sorties in over 12,000 square miles of Special Use Airspace over central Wisconsin.

In a memorandum announcing the awardees, Lt. Gen. Harry M. Wyatt III, director, Air National Guard, spoke to the meritorious service of each of the eight units.

"The dedication and commitment of the members of these organizations enable the Air National Guard to fulfill its commitment to the missions of peacekeeping, humanitarian relief, domestic improvement, and most important of all – Defense of America," Wyatt said.

The AFOEA is awarded to units who are unique, unnumbered organizations that operate or perform missions like a numbered unit would Volk Field won the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award in 2007 but National Guard Bureau determined the CRTC was more appropriately placed in the AFOEA category.

"The track record of accomplishments doesn’t just happen ... it is built with hard work," Ebben said. "These professionals are as fine a group as I have ever had the pleasure to work with in my career. "

USS Simpson Concludes Visit to Casablanca

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Felicito Rustique, Navy Public Affairs Support Element-East Detachment Europe

CASABLANCA, Morocco (NNS) -- Guided-missile frigate USS Simpson (FFG 56) and senior staff members from U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa concluded a three-day port visit of training, band engagements, and senior staff talks in Casablanca, Feb. 2.

During the visit, Simpson conducted visit, board, search and seizure training with Royal Moroccan Navy personnel and received a tour of the Royal Moroccan Navy vessel Tarek Ben Zayid. Staff members from U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa met with senior leaders from the Royal Moroccan Navy to strengthen maritime partnerships, while members from the Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe Band conducted two community service projects at a girls' orphanage and boys' center in the city.

Rear Adm. Kenneth Norton, deputy chief of staff for Strategy, Resources, and Plans at U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, along with his staff and the crew of Simpson, hosted the U.S. ambassador to Morocco, Samuel Kaplan, his wife and his staff, and top commanders from the Royal Moroccan Navy and Army, honoring the relationship between Morocco and their U.S. partners.

Royal Moroccan Army Col. Mohammed Amharouch said he was happy to have the Simpson crew visit his city.

"It's good to form bridges between our two nations," said Amharouch. "More visits, like the Simpson's, will help our navies and countries move together into the future with vision."

Cmdr. Leonard Milliken, USS Simpson commanding officer, commented on the events and training the two countries completed during their time in Casablanca.

"Today was a great day," said Milliken. "We had tours where we provided training aboard to members of the Royal Moroccan Navy and some of our Sailors visited and boarded a Moroccan vessel as well. Our visit to Morocco has been a success."

Norton also spoke to the guests by offering praise to the Simpson's crew and stressing the importance of partnership between the U.S. and countries like Morocco.

"I'd like to conclude [the evening] with this thought: maritime security allows for economic opportunity," said Norton. "And economic opportunity allows for prosperity, and I think that's in all our best interest."

USS Simpson, homeported out of Mayport, Fla., is currently conducting theater security cooperation and maritime security operations in the Naval Forces Africa area of responsibility.

DOD Begins Prorating Imminent Danger Pay

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON  – Service members now will receive imminent danger pay only for days they actually spend in hazardous areas, Pentagon officials said here today.

The change, which took effect yesterday, was included in the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act, which President Barack Obama signed into law Dec. 31.

“Members will see the prorated amount in their Feb. 15 pay records,” Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. John Kirby said.

The act called for DOD to pay service members imminent danger pay only for the time they spend in areas that qualify for the pay. In the past, service members received $225 per month if they spent any time that month in an area where the pay was authorized. “This is a more targeted way of handling that pay,” Kirby said.

Now, service members will receive $7.50 a day for days spent in these areas. Personnel who travel to the designated areas for periods less than 30 days should keep track of the number of days they are in the area to verify that they are paid for the correct number of days, officials said.

The military services are working to waive or remit debts for members who may have been overpaid for January, officials said. The services can waive this “when there is no indication of fraud, fault, misrepresentation, or when members were unaware they were overpaid,” Pentagon spokeswoman Eileen Lainez said.

Proration is based on a 30-day month, which translates into a rate of $7.50 per day. It does not matter if the month is 28 or 31 days long, officials explained; if service members serve in affected areas for the complete month, they will receive the full rate of $225 per month.

The Defense Department defines imminent danger pay areas as places where members are subject to the threat of physical harm or imminent danger because of civil insurrection, civil war, terrorism or wartime conditions.

Service members who come under fire, regardless of location, will receive the full monthly hostile-fire pay amount of $225.

Service members will receive notification of the change via emails, on the MyPay system, on social media sites and via the chain of command.

‘Game Day’ Events Highlight Similarities between Service Members, NFL Players

By Robyn Mincher, DCoE Strategic Communications

While the careers of NFL football players and service members might seem different, the Real Warriors Campaign highlights that in fact, they may be similar. Throughout January, former NFL players visited military installations across the country, speaking with service members and their families about common reintegration challenges, as well as the resources available to address them. During the events players, service members and families shared heart-to-heart conversations, ate football fare together and cheered on their favorite teams.

These “Game Day” events were developed in 2010 through a partnership with the campaign and the NFL Players Association to encourage service members to reach out when times are tough. Many of the former players told their own stories of having difficulty transitioning out of the NFL, such as former Houston Oilers wide receiver Chris Sanders during his visit to Fort Carson, Colo.

“I went through those struggles,” Sanders told FOX21 News. “I went through the depression. I went through the doubt … and I didn’t want any help. But, until I had to go out and to seek help, that’s when things started to change. That’s why I truly believe in the Real Warriors Campaign.”

Players shared Real Warriors resources, such as tip sheets, videos of military members reaching out for help, and the campaign’s new podcasts. The Real Warriors, Real Advice weekly podcast series feature warriors, veterans and military families highlighting the importance of maintaining psychological resilience and seeking help when there are concerns.

“It's OK to have problems. But we shouldn't [only] focus on the problem, we need to look for the solution,” said former New England Patriots running back Tony Collins at the Fort Bragg, N.C., event. “I want to encourage each of you, when you need help, reach out. It’s not a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of strength.”

The message seemed to resonate with service members.

”You just got to keep your head up, like they said,” Alexander Walter, an injured soldier attending the Fort Carson event, told FOX21 News. “Ask for help. Don't be afraid.”

Along with Fort Bragg and Fort Carson, events were held at Fort Drum, N.Y., Camp Pendleton, Calif., and more recently, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va.

“There are many similarities between the two professions: emphasis on physical fitness, the work preparing for a game or battle, the energy of being a member of the team or unit to accomplish a mission, and the transition into a new environment,” said Dr. Monique Moore, Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE) psychologist. “Hearing these players say ‘I struggle with things too, and it’s OK to reach out and get support’ is a really powerful message.”

The Real Warriors Campaign is a DCoE initiative to promote building resilience, facilitating recovery and supporting reintegration of returning service members, veterans and their families. The campaign encourages help-seeking behavior among the military community.

NAVSEA Achieves Surface Ship Maintenance Process Milestone

From Surface Maintenance Engineering Planning Program

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60) completed a 20-week selected restricted availability Jan. 27, becoming the first surface ship to complete a shipyard availability using a new maintenance process.

The process, known as the Baseline Availability Work Package (BAWP)/Availability Work Package (AWP), is designed to ensure each ship receives all required maintenance at the correct point in its life cycle to improve operational availability and reduced maintenance costs over the life of the ship.

The BAWP identifies and mandates all required lifecycle assessments and maintenance for each ship. The BAWP is then used to create a work package, the AWP, for each specific availability.

As part of NAVSEA's effort to sustain the current surface fleet, the Surface Maintenance Engineering Planning Program (SURFMEPP), is phasing in the BAWP/AWP process throughout the entire surface force to support meeting each surface ship's expected service life.

"I'm very pleased to report this successful milestone, a key step in the maturation of the end-to-end process," said SURFMEPP Commanding Officer Capt. Michael L. Malone. "This new process ensures each ship receives the critical maintenance it needs and steers the fleet toward the most effective use of its maintenance dollars."

Implementation of the BAWP/AWP process in planning availabilities is a critical new component of the fleet maintenance program, and is essential to ensuring each surface ship reaches its expected service life. As of February 2012, 65 ships are utilizing the new process, with an eventual goal of 150 ships by fiscal year 2014.

SURFMEPP, a field activity of the Naval Sea Systems Command, is responsible for managing the long-term maintenance requirements for ships in the surface fleet.

NMCB 74 Project: Great for Naval Air Station, Better for Training Seabees

By Chief Mass Communication Specialist Scott B. Boyle, 25th Naval Construction Regiment Public Affairs

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (NNS) -- Training to be a Seabee requires more than studying manuals or sitting in a classroom. To excel in all aspects of construction, today's Seabees need real world, hands-on experience. The Construction Training Exercise (CTX) is designed for that very purpose.

Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 74, from Gulfport, Miss., has a team of 21 Seabees building a boat ramp to support Naval Air Station (NAS) Corpus Christi, Texas. The homeport project gives Seabees an opportunity to maintain their core construction skills outside of a classroom, while also improving quality of life conditions at the base.

"It gives them a sense of ownership and they are enjoying what they are doing," said project Assistant Officer-in-Charge Senior Chief Construction Electrician Raquel Jeffers. "It gets them out of the classroom and they get the hands-on experience. To see them work through the challenges is really rewarding," she said.

CTX projects give Seabees on-the-job training, while also exposing them to the elements outside the rigid controls of the classroom. Steelworker 3rd Class Alan Moiles said the boat ramp project is complex but it gives the young Seabees a great opportunity to improve their skills.

"It's very different since we don't get the mud and the water in the classroom," he said. "I've done rebar work before, but nothing like this."

In the classroom, even during the labs in class, everything is controlled said Construction Electrician 2nd Class Joshua Guerreiro, the project crew leader.

"The things we have encountered out here, building the boat ramp, the demolition, the rain and mud, it has made us think outside the box and come up with things they don't teach you in the classroom to overcome obstacles."

Jeffers said learning to adapt and overcome environmental changes, while still completing a project, is a skill all Seabees need. The different skills needed to build the boat ramp also translate to projects Seabees take on during deployments, such as building schools and airfields. Practicing those skills during homeport projects makes the Seabees more efficient when they are in harsh, deployed environments.

"Most everybody on this crew has come out of the desert, so we're good at building Southwest Asia (SWA) huts," Guerreiro said. "This project will give us a lot of rebar work, a lot of concrete work, things we have never done before and it will really expand our skills."

NAS Corpus Christi Public Works Officer, Lt. Cmdr. Craig Clutts, sees the project as a great training opportunity for the battalion Seabees.

"In my two years with NMCB 74, back in 2006-07, we were deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan and Guam," Clutts said. "We had three personnel out of 600 trained to oversee quality control of overhead concrete pours, the type of work these Seabees are executing on this base today."

The quality of life improvement on the base is also a big part of the CTX concept since these projects, while giving the Seabees an invaluable training experience, also leave something behind the customers can use.

Clutts said the base on Corpus Christi has lost several units over the past few years and this boat ramp will be extremely important in supporting base operations and Morale, Welfare and Recreation's mission of supporting the service members stationed there.

"This project will revitalize MWR for the base," Clutts said.

Since the project began, Jan. 4, 2012, people working on NAS Corpus Christi have been clear in their appreciation for the Seabees' efforts.

"Everyone knows us now," Moiles said. "They see the uniform, and there aren't a lot of Seabees here, so they are really appreciative of what we do."

"Every day we get praise out here, people saying 'Seabees, we can't thank you enough,'" Jeffers added. "It is a big morale boost."

The NAS Corpus Christi boat ramp project, scheduled for completion May 2012, is just one of several CTXs planned or ongoing at bases throughout the continental United States.

Partnership benefits New Hampshire Guard, El Salvador

By Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Jon Soucy
National Guard Bureau

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador  – New Hampshire Guard senior leaders recently spent several days here meeting with key military leaders to strengthen the state and nation’s pairing in the National Guard State Partnership Program.

The SPP builds relationships between the National Guard in the states and territories and partnered nations worldwide. New Hampshire’s relationship with El Salvador recently passed the 12-year mark and will continue to grow, state Guard leaders said.

New Hampshire’s adjutant general, Air Force Maj. Gen. William Reddel III, credits the SPP relationship as one of the reasons why El Salvador troops served alongside U.S. troops in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

“I truly believe that one of the reasons why El Salvador went to Iraq … was because of [the New Hampshire Guard],” said Reddel. “They are the only country in this hemisphere that has done that.”

The adjutant general envisions growth in New Hampshire SPP activities.

“The hope is that we may be able to take on a second country, but have a tri-lateral agreement and that all three countries would be working together to solve problems,” Reddel said. “Other states have done it; New Hampshire can do it.”

Meanwhile, Reddel said New Hampshire and El Salvador’s relationship has matured and deepened.

“When we look at engagements, they were pretty much ‘events’ in the very beginning,” Reddel said. “As we kept on moving forward we turned ‘events’ into ‘outcomes.’ And now, it’s all about outcomes.”

Those outcomes, said Reddel, have included partnered training and a greater understanding of ways the U.S. and El Salvador can work together.

“With SPP you find it’s all about relationships,” he said. “It’s all about the constant relationship that we have with the country and with their members in the military.”

The relationship has grown to encompass more than military-to-military exchanges. New Hampshire students from a local high school partnered with a school in El Salvador and have had exchanges between both teachers and students, said Reddel, who added that interaction came about because of the structure of the Guard.

 “Given the fact that we are a community-based force, we can reach out into the community to find those relationships that we can take down to El Salvador,” he said.

“Every year we alternate with the Salvadorans – one year we’ll go down there, the next year they’ll come here,” he said.

During the recent visit, the New Hampshire delegation not only met with military leadership to discuss future endeavors, but they also spent time observing aspects of army basic training and air force pilots and ground crews as they performed their mission, and they received briefings on Salvadoran military response to severe flooding in the country in November.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to expand opportunities to exchange ideas, to exchange education and to exchange things that make both the United States and El Salvador better,” said U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Carolyn Protzmann, assistant adjutant general for Air with the New Hampshire Guard.

One of those areas is international and homeland security.

“Our relationship with El Salvador helps to strengthen the security and security cooperation, and it puts the National Guard in the forefront of the homeland defense and homeland security mission,” said Protzmann. “And that’s where we need to be.”

The ability to do that comes back to relationship building.

“By coming down here and being exposed to this culture, exposed to the challenges that the Salvadoran people are up against, helps us to be better informed on how we should act and react as global citizens,” said Army Brig. Gen. Craig Bennett, assistant adjutant general for Army with the New Hampshire National Guard.

And that means long-term success.

“In the long term, if we need to call on the El Salvadorans for their help in times of need or vice-versa, existing relationships allow us to do that much more effectively,” Bennett said.

MCPON Visits Sailors aboard Constitution

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Thomas L. Rosprim, Office of the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy

CHARLESTOWN, Mass. (NNS) -- Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) spoke to Sailors stationed aboard USS Constitution Jan. 31, as they prepare for War of 1812 Bicentennial celebrations this year.

"Whenever I visit Constitution I am always so motivated by the awesome Sailors stationed here," said MCPON(SS/SW) Rick D. West. "You are all truly outstanding representatives of our Navy."

Currently, Constitution Sailors are set to participate in seven Fleet Weeks and five parades for War of 1812 commemorations and the ship's Sailors are ready.

"This is a monumental occasion for our Navy and our Nation," said West. "If you're not familiar with how the War of 1812 shaped both our country and its high regard for seapower, I encourage you to read up on it. I'm convinced you'll be as enthusiastic about giving it the proper recognition as our senior leaders are."

During MCPON's visit, he shot a video to promote War of 1812 events and climbed the ship's center mast.

"I have been here several times but I have never had the opportunity to climb the mast, and this will remain a great memory for me," said West. "When I see these young Sailors climbing so fast and swift, it is a great compliment to the training and safety found, not only here, but throughout our Navy."

MCPON spoke to the Sailors about where the Navy is today and complimented the command on its dedication to preserving history. At 214 years old, Constitution is the oldest commissioned warship afloat.

"I honestly couldn't have asked for a better opportunity," said Aviation Electronics Technician 3rd Class Brian Pickett. "One of my best experiences here was actually being stationed up on the foremast of the ship - it is sort of like 'Pirates of the Caribbean' if you will. Jack Sparrow up there holding onto the lines, seeing the horizon in the distance as we set off from the harbor here; there is no substitute for that. I look forward to what is yet to come."

"I love being on board USS Constitution," said Damage Controlman Fireman Ashley Fairfax. "Since I have been here I have grown as a Sailor; a disciplined Sailor for the United States Navy. I am proud to say I am a part of the most powerful Navy in the world."

Look for MCPON's upcoming video on his Facebook page, www.facebook.com/mcpon, and for more information on the War of 1812 and the planned festivities to commemorate the 200th anniversary, visit www.ourflagwasstillthere.org/.

USFF Requests Volunteers for Afloat Forward Staging Base

From U.S. Fleet Forces Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFF) began requesting volunteers from USFF activities to man the soon-to-be redesignated USS Ponce (LPD 15) for operations in the U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) Area of Responsibility (AOR), Feb. 2.

USS Ponce will serve as an Afloat Forward Staging Base (AFSB), instead of its orginal plan to decommission in March. Ponce will deploy this summer in order to fulfill a long-standing request for an AFSB in the USCENTCOM AOR.

According to Capt. Cynthia Womble, USFF assistant deputy chief of staff for Fleet Personnel Development and Allocation, this is a great opportunity for some hard-charging Sailors to be on the leading edge of a new program.

"This really is an excellent opportunity for Sailors step out of their comfort zone and be a part of something really unique. The AFSB is a concept that has been floated for quite some time now and the Sailors who volunteer for this mission are going to be the ones who have the greatest impact on the future of this program," said Womble. "In today's very competitive environment this type of assignment could make a difference in a Sailor's career options and promotion opportunities."

As AFSB(I) 15 (I for "Interim"), the warship will be commanded by a Navy captain and manned by a combined crew of officers, enlisted Sailors, and Military Sealift Command (MSC) government civilian mariners. Ponce will remain homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, with volunteer officers and Sailors serving on the ship under Individual Augmentees (IA) orders. Tour lengths will be 12 months.

While deployed, Ponce will support Mine Counter Measure and Coastal Patrol (PC) ships, and aircraft operations with the capability to support multiple mission packages as detachments when requested by USCENTCOM and/or U.S. 5th Fleet.

Commands with interested Sailors and officers should reference USFF message 250920Z JAN 12 REQUEST FOR VOLUNTEERS TO MAN AFLOAT FORWARD STAGING BASE. A link to the message is contained on the USFF website www.cffc.navy.mil.

Selected Sailors will serve a one-year tour aboard and receive IA credit for their tour. They will be eligible for Sea Pay and family separation allowance in addition to other special pays appropriate to duties in their operating location.

The majority of the Navy crew will be filled with, but not limited to, information systems technicians (IT), electronics technicians (ET), fire controlmen (FC), operations specialists (OS), gunner's mates (GM) and seamen.

For screening purposes, volunteers are required to satisfactorily screen for sea duty.

Nominee information is required via the Individual's Chain of Command to USFF NLT 9 Feb. 2012.

For more news from U.S. Fleet Forces Command, visit www.cffc.navy.mil, or follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/usfleetforces.

From surf to snow: Hawaii Guard members learn cold weather survival tactics

By Army National Guard Spc. Zachary Sheely
Colorado National Guard

SNOWMASS VILLAGE, Colo.  - The Hawaii National Guard’s 93rd Civil Support Team joined the Colorado National Guard’s 8th Civil Support Team to train on cold weather survival tactics as part of their support role in operations at the Winter X Games in Aspen, Colo.

In November 2011, the CONG’s 8th CST provided support to the Hawaiians during the Asia-Pacific Economic Conference in Hawaii.

“This is a bit of reciprocity for us to be able to come out here and support the Colorado team after they helped us last month,” said Army National Guard Lt. Col. Joe Laurel, commander of the 93rd Civil Support Team. “We’re thrilled to be able to come out to Colorado and work with the CONG and support them.”

Along the way, the Hawaiians were able to benefit from unique training situations not available to them in their native land – cold weather training.

The instruction included focusing on areas vital to survival in the snow, such as land navigation, snow shelter construction, first-aid and building a fire in deep snow conditions.

“We don’t get this kind of cold weather survival training in Hawaii,” said Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Noah Raymond of the 93rd. “However, we are not just stationed in Hawaii – we’re mobile too – so it’s really good stuff to know.”

Many of the Hawaiian Guard members had never experienced high altitude mountain terrain.

“We have mountains in Hawaii, but nothing like here,” Laurel said. “We wanted to expose our team to cold and snow. The training that’s being provided to our team by the (5th Battalion) 19th Special Forces Group (COARNG) has been tremendously fantastic.”

“I have been in snow before, but just to have fun,” said Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Linford Ramos of the 93rd. “I’ve never experienced this type of snow training, though. It’s been great, and has given me a whole new perspective on how to survive in snow. I wish we could come here every year and do this.”

For the duration of their training, the Guardsmen of the 93rd will either learn how to ski or will work on advancing their turns on the slopes of Snowmass. Furthermore, along with their civil support duties at the X Games, they will conduct various training exercises with Colorado brethren.

“We’d love to continue to foster our relationship with Colorado and hopefully we can make it out here again,” said Laurel. “Mahalo!”

Navy Misawa Sailors Building "Lone Sailor" Snow Sculpture

By Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Daniel Sanford, Naval Air Facility Misawa Public Affairs

SAPPORO, Japan (NNS) -- Six Sailors from Naval Air Facility (NAF) Misawa began building a snow sculpture Feb. 1 for the upcoming 63rd Annual Sapporo Snow Festival here.

Known as the "Sapporo Six," the team comprised Sailors assigned to NAF Misawa or its tenant and deployed commands currently stationed there. Together, the six Sailors will attempt to create a snow sculpture bust of the Navy's famous "Lone Sailor" statue that is located at the U.S. Navy Memorial in Washington D.C.

The Sailors traveled from Misawa to Sapporo to take part in the city's annual wintertime festival and to represent the U.S. naval installation, which is based out of northern Japan. While their first day in Sapporo was dedicated to meeting with city and military officials, today began the arduous task of creating a sculpture out of a six-foot-by-six-foot block of compressed snow.

"We started out this morning by basically laying out a grid on all four sides of our snow block," said Chief Builder Christopher "Billy" Knox, the Navy Misawa Snow Sculpting Team leader, and native of Chapin, Ill. "Once we finished we drew in the exact specifications of the design to include the head and shoulders of 'The Lone Sailor.'"

While the first few hours were dedicated to the tedium of measuring and drawing the team's proposed design, the afternoon was filled with the sounds of scraping and chiseling as the team began sculpting.

Utilizing dozens of tools, ranging from a trowel to a cheese grater, the team's project slowly took form.

"Today we're only concerned about getting the outline completed," said Electronics Technician 2nd Class James Johnston, originally from Kaneohe, Hawaii. "We'll worry about the details later, but for now, we're just carving the general structure out."

The team has until Feb. 5, to complete their sculpture; the festival begins the following day and runs throughout the entire week.

While the deadline to complete such an ambitious design may be cause for concern, it's the famous Sapporo weather that seems to be the primary difficulty the team will need to overcome.

"I'm wearing three pairs of socks and I still can't feel my toes," said Information Systems Technician 3rd Class Zachary James, a Seattle native who, along with his teammates, persevered weather that never topped 20-degrees Fahrenheit. "You have to deal with the weather and the general fatigue associated with this kind of work, but we're having a great time building this thing and having a lot of fun doing it."

Despite the difficulties associated with creating such an ambitious design, Knox said he couldn't be happier with his team's efforts so far.

"The guys are putting out 110-percent effort here, and their attitudes and work ethic has been outstanding," he said. "Which is good, because as far as we're concerned, failure is not an option.

This year marks the 29th year that Navy Misawa has sent a delegation to Sapporo to participate in the Snow Festival.

For updates on the Navy Misawa Snow Sculpting Team's progress, check out Facebook.com/nafmisawa for up-to-the minute progress reports.

U.S., Canada Expand Joint Planning, Operational Options

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON – Agreements signed last week in the Canadian capital of Ottawa up a roadmap for U.S. and Canadian officials to work together in the event of a natural disaster or attack, the director of strategy, policy and plans at the North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command said this week.

Army Maj. Gen. Fran Mahon said the agreements allow the two countries’ militaries to work more closely together and to plan for support to civilian agencies.

U.S. Army Gen. Charles H. Jacoby Jr., commander of NORAD and Northcom, and Lt. Gen. Walter Semianiw of the Canadian army, commander of Canada Command, signed the documents Jan. 25.

One is a combined defense plan that lays down a planning framework for defense cooperation following a natural or man-made disaster or attack. The military leaders also signed a continuation of the civil assistance plan that allows the military from one nation to support the armed forces of the other nation during a civil emergency.

“We have a long-standing relationship with Canada,” Mahon said in an interview. “We’ve been partners for more than 70 years in a very close sense. The agreements really enhance our relationship and improve the process of coordinating our combined military resources in a time of crisis or emergency.”

While the civil assistance plan provides a framework for the military forces of each nation to support those of another nation, the general said, it’s really about providing military assistance to civilian authorities. This will facilitate cooperation on man-made or natural disasters or the response to large-scale planned events, he explained.

“The initial civil assistance program was approved in February 2008, and since then, Canada Command and Northern Command have worked together to provide support for each other in short-notice events and planning for major events,” Mahon said. “It really recognizes the role of each nation’s lead federal agency for emergency preparedness. In the United States, that is the Department of Homeland Security, and in Canada, it is the Department of Public Safety.”

The civil defense plan looks at the combined defense of Canada and the United States, Mahon said. “It facilitates our planning and operations for bilateral defense effort and provides guidance leading to interoperability, and thus [promotes] better integration at the operational level,” he added.

The operations under the plan could occur in multiple domains and could be executed when there is a common perceived threat or when one or both nations come under attack.

The United States and Canada cooperated on the Olympic Games in Vancouver in 2010 and during hurricane season, Mahon noted.

“We’ve captured some of the lessons learned from the Games and from other experiences and put it in the plan,” Mahon said. “Now for the next event, whether it be a crisis or a planned event, we’ll have a bit smoother execution.”

Sharing information between the United States and Canada should be even easier than in the past, the general said, and both sides understand how to work within each other’s bureaucracies.

Northern Command and Canada Command will exercise through the year to “roll these new documents into play,” Mahon said. “We will undoubtedly learn more from these exercises, and again, we will work on smoothing the rough spots.”

GTMO MWR Present Rock And Roll Half Marathon

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Justin Ailes Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba Public Affairs

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba (NNS) -- Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) at Naval Station (NS) Guantanamo Bay, Cuba hosted the "Rock and Roll Half Marathon," Jan. 28.

Beginning at the installation's Downtown Lyceum, the more than 13-mile marathon presented runners with musical entertainment and a physically challenging event.

"I'm so proud of the MWR staff and all of the volunteers who worked hard to make our first Rock and Roll Half Marathon such a crowd pleasing event," said Tara Culbertson, NS Guantanamo Bay MWR Director. "Jen Norton, MWR Fitness Director, set the bar very high for this one. She has been planning this event, seeking sponsorships and grants as well as volunteers, for a year. Her work, along with the entire MWR family, really showed."

The event also featured an MWR 'Expo,' craft fair, and performances from recording artists "Something Distant" and "Cartel," as they provided live music along the marathon route.

"The marathon, 'expo' and craft fair were a huge success," said Alana Morrison, NS Guantanamo Bay MWR Sports Coordinator. "Our fitness trainers did a wonderful job showcasing all of MWR fitness and sports, liberty and outdoor recreation programs, providing insight to other types of events that the GTMO community can get involved in."

More than 100 volunteers and 95 runners participated in the marathon, with nearly 50 people providing jewelry, photography and other handmade crafts to the community during the craft fair.

"It was a wonderful feeling to be a part of this and hopefully I will do better next year," said Chief Boatswain's Mate Dawit Astatkie, run participant. "It's not every day you can run a half marathon, and for most, it may be a once in a lifetime experience. For me, it was just another day in the office showing my guys I still got it."

DOD Urges Troops, Civilians to Watch for Human Trafficking

By Lisa Daniel
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON  – From the nightclub waitress you meet on deployment to the young man who launders your uniform at the drycleaners back home, Defense Department officials are warning military members and civilians to be on the lookout for possible victims of human trafficking.

The request for vigilance is part of an effort throughout the federal government to stop human trafficking, a form of modern slavery that forces millions of men, women and children from every country of the world into forced labor, prostitution, involuntary servitude and debt bondage, according to DOD and State Department officials. Some 2 million children are believed to move through the global sex trade each year, according to the State Department’s annual assessment on human trafficking.

The United Nations, the United States and other governments in the past decade have passed stricter laws and allocated more resources in the fight against human trafficking, and President Barack Obama declared January as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.

In the government’s interagency approach toward prevention, prosecution and protection involving human trafficking, the Defense Department’s role is one of prevention, according to John F. Awtrey, DOD’s director of law enforcement policy and support, part of the department’s personnel and readiness office.

Human trafficking is a worldwide phenomenon -- No. 3 behind drugs and weapons, Awtrey said in a Jan. 31 interview with the Pentagon Channel and American Forces Press Service.

“While traffic victims generally come from the poor places in the world, their destination … is all over the world,” Awtrey said. “A lot of countries where our service members are deployed have evidence of a lot of trafficking, and it’s here in the United States as well.”

DOD’s role primarily is of prevention and, specifically, education so that service members and civilian employees can report suspicious activity, Awtrey said.

“We don’t want our service members to be inadvertent supporters of trafficking,” he said. “It’s a crime; it’s a criminal business enterprise. And the soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who say, ‘Well, I just go there to get some drinks,’ if it’s a place where the women working in there have been trafficked and are being held against their will, then you’re supporting that business.”

The Defense Department began training all service members and civilians on indicators of human trafficking after some service members were found in 2004 to be patronizing businesses in Korea involved in trafficking women from Russia and the Philippines, Awtrey said.

Since then, the Uniform Code of Military Justice has made it illegal for service members to visit brothels -- the main business involved in human trafficking, Awtrey said. Other businesses common to human trafficking are nightclubs and bars, restaurants, spas, nail salons and dry cleaners, as well as domestic work in people’s homes.

Evidence of human trafficking can be hard to spot, Awtrey acknowledged. “It takes people using their sixth sense to say ‘Something isn’t right here,’” he said.

A high turnover of young workers and an inordinate amount of private security are indications, he added.

“If you see something that’s odd, … if there seems to be too much security, … if you’re in the middle of America or you’re downtown in Germany … and there are people [in a restaurant] that look like guards, those guards are there to keep the workers from talking to you about something they shouldn’t, or from escaping,” Awtrey said.

It was that kind of vigilance from an employee at Fort Campbell, Ky., that allowed the FBI to break up a human trafficking ring in the surrounding community, Awtrey said. The worker frequented a Chinese restaurant off base in Tennessee about once a month and noticed every time he was there, the staff -- all young -- was new. His hunch was right.

“That’s part of trafficking -- that they never keep people in the same place for long,” Awtrey said. “In human trafficking, unlike with drugs and weapons, people can be sold over and over again. They are a reusable commodity, unfortunately.”

Human trafficking usually occurs not on military installations, but in the surrounding communities. The exception has been overseas, where it was found among subcontractors in Iraq who brought in foreign workers, confiscated their passports, and paid them far below what they were promised, Awtrey said. “We came down hard in Iraq” to correct the problem, he said, but it requires constant vigilance.

“It sounds simple enough sitting around a room at the Pentagon, but making sure it happens on the ground [in theater] is another story,” he said.

Suspected human trafficking should be reported up the military chain of command, to local authorities, or to the nonprofit National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 1-888-3737-888.

Supply Center Completes Initial Phase of At-Risk Mentorship Program

By Candice Villarreal, NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center San Diego Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) San Diego wrapped-up the first phase of its groundbreaking Teambuilding and Mentorship (T&M) program with San Diego Youth Services Jan. 31 at Naval Base San Diego.

The pilot program, conceived and led by Janae Sergio, a logistics management specialist at the command, paired at-risk youth from the local community with Sailors and civil servants over a period of eight weeks to focus on teambuilding, mentoring and life improvement skills.

Mentees Nuna Deng and Chris Ofodu met with their NAVSUP FLC San Diego mentors for about three hours per week beginning Nov. 15, 2011, and logged about 28 hours by the end of the first phase. In addition to individually tailored coaching and encouragement from their command mentors, Sergio also arranged for Fleet and Family Support Center personnel to provide formal presentations.

"I'm really glad I had an open mind to participating," said Deng. "It's nice to meet and be around people who are driven to succeed and still want to take the time to help you out with your own personal goals. They really listen to you and your situation and try and help you as much as they can."

The youths received in-depth training in areas like resume writing, interviewing, interpreting skills, punctuality, anger management, dressing for success and attendance.

"We spend a lot of time with San Diego Youth Services outside of this program, doing things like community relations events and helping them out where we can, but I think the unique part here is that they were able to establish closer relationships with some of our people," said Sergio. "I think what they really needed was to discuss their goals, aspirations, and even current life events with someone. All they wanted was for someone to get on their level and hear them out."

San Diego Youth Services is a non-profit organization that works to stabilize the lives of homeless and in-crisis youth throughout San Diego County. NAVSUP FLC San Diego collaborates with the organization during various beautification and support programs year-round as part of a partnership agreement aimed at lending a hand in the local community.

So far, Sergio and NAVSUP FLC San Diego leadership acknowledge the program is working. In just the middle of the first phase of the program, Ofodu, who said he enjoys working with children, had a job interview lined up with a Navy child development center. Ofodu credits the resume training provided by the command, as well as networking on the part of one of his mentors, for the opportunity.

"I got pretty lucky when I got paired up with someone I had a personal connection with," Ofodu said. "You don't choose your mentors; they're chosen for you. But it turned out he was easy to talk to and helped me out not only with his knowledge, but also with his own personal experiences. I have a whole new resume and portfolio, and I already had one interview in just the first couple weeks."

Mentors were chosen from a group of exceptional volunteers within the command. Following their selection, each mentor received extensive training in program standards, values and goals.

Standout participants who successfully complete phase one may be eligible to move on to the second phase of the program, which focuses more heavily on networking and securing employment, and may give stellar youths opportunities to be hired as Navy civilians in positions for which they qualify.

Sergio credited her own life experiences for giving her the passion and motivation to help other youths succeed and said the overwhelming support from command leadership contributed greatly to the program's success. She said the T&M program is a new, more innovative way of aligning the command's efforts with Navy outreach and accession goals while simultaneously giving back to the community.

"If we can help change the life of just one youth as a result of this program, we will have succeeded," said Sergio. "If only one youth gets a job, sees a better future, or just feels better about themselves and gets on their feet, it will all have been worth it."

NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center San Diego, one of seven fleet logistics centers under NAVSUP Global Logistics Support, provides global logistics, business and support services to fleet, shore and industrial commands of the Navy, Coast Guard, Military Sealift Command, and other joint and allied Forces. Services include contracting, regional transportation, fuel, material management, household goods movement support, postal and consolidated mail, warehousing, global logistics and husbanding, hazardous material management, and integrated logistics support.

NAVSUP GLS comprises more than 5,700 military and civilian logistics professionals, contractors and foreign nationals operating as a single cohesive team providing global logistics services from 110 locations worldwide.

A component of the Naval Supply Systems Command headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pa., NAVSUP GLS is part of a worldwide logistics network of more than 22,500 military and civilian personnel providing combat capability through logistics.

NWS Seal Beach Det. Norco Celebrates New Main Gate Sign, Name Change

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Eli Medellin, Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach Public Affairs

Norco, Calif. (NNS) -- Navy and Norco community leaders celebrated the unveiling of the new main gate sign at Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach Detachment Norco Jan. 30.

The new sign coincided with a name change for the facility, which had previously been known as Detachment Corona. The base name was changed to better reflect its location and strong ties to the local community.

"We are proud of the great relationship we have with the Norco community," said Commanding Officer Capt. Terry Auberry. "I look forward to building on this relationship even more in the future."

At the beginning of World War II, the site was established as a naval hospital to serve wounded Sailors and Marines from the war. In December of 1941 it was officially named "Naval Hospital, Corona," after the nearest large community at the time.

With the expansion of guided-missile development, the base also became a site for the Navy's weapons system assessment program. The hospital officiallly closed in 1957, and since then the facility has gone through a number of name changes.

The installation's main tenant, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Corona Division, is the Navy's primary weapons assessment organization.

Throughout the last 70 years, the City of Norco has grown up around the base. Local leaders expressed their support for the name change.

"We are very passionate about our community," said Norco Mayor Kevin Bash. "We were already supportive of the base. Now that it's a 'Norco' base, that just makes it all the better and will provide much more ownership to this community."

‘Red Tails’ Film Pays Tribute to Tuskegee Airmen

By Terri Moon Cronk
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON  – Segregation during World War II spilled over into U.S. military ranks, but an all-African-American fighter pilot crew formed within the Army Air Corps made a major impact in helping to break down racial barriers.

Seventy years later, and as National African American History Month begins, film director George Lucas’ just-released movie, “Red Tails,” is sharing the journey of these storied aviators, the Tuskegee Airmen.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama invited surviving Tuskegee Airmen to a Jan. 13 premiere screening of the movie at the White House, a week before its official opening. Cicero Satterfield, 92, was among the former Tuskegee Airmen who attended the event with his contemporaries, all now in their 80s and 90s.

Satterfield enjoyed the movie, saying it “portrayed what we did.” The message the film carries, however, was of paramount importance to him.

“‘Red Tails’ is important to educate the public about what the Tuskegee Airmen did during World War II as aviators who protected American bombers fighting the Germans,” he said.

Satterfield added that he is struck by the impression the movie is making on people who were unaware of the significant role the Tuskegee Airmen played during World War II.

“No matter what,” he said, “the Tuskegee Airmen should be recognized for their accomplishments.” Satterfield noted that today’s young generation seems to be very interested in the history of the successful Tuskegee mission.

Satterfield joined the Army Air Corps -- which evolved into today’s Air Force -- at age 21 and was chosen as a charter member of the Tuskegee Airmen in 1941. He became an assistant aviation crew chief, and at the rank of corporal, he trained airmen.

It was July 19, 1941 when the Defense Department’s forerunner, the War Department, began training African-American military pilots and aircrews at Alabama's Tuskegee Institute and nearby Tuskegee Army Airfield.

The first classes of Tuskegee Airmen were trained as fighter pilots for the 99th Fighter Squadron, and headed for combat duty in North Africa. Their mission was to escort bomber aircraft over strategic targets to help in reducing the heavy losses these crews were experiencing. Additional pilots were assigned to the 332nd Fighter Group, which also included the 100th, 301st and 302nd fighter squadrons.

By the war's end, nearly 1,000 men graduated from pilot training at Tuskegee, and almost half of them went on to combat assignments overseas. Some of the airmen went on to reach the general officer ranks, including Daniel "Chappie" James, who became the first black U.S. four-star general in 1975.

During the course of the war, the Tuskegee Airmen flew more than 15,000 sorties and fought in the skies over North Africa, Sicily and Europe in P-40 Tomahawks, then P-39 Air Cobras, then P-47 Thunderbolts, then finally, P-51 aircraft.

The long list of military awards earned by the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II is a testament to their success. Collectively, they earned more than 744 Air Medals, 100 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 14 Bronze Star Medals, eight Purple Hearts, a Silver Star, a Legion of Merit and three Presidential Unit Citations.

As the Tuskegee Airmen distinguished themselves both individually and as a group, they helped to pave the way for President Harry S. Truman's 1948 executive order integrating the armed forces.

In May 2006, President George W. Bush signed a bill into law awarding the Tuskegee Airmen the Congressional Gold Medal, Congress' highest civilian award.

The road to that success wasn't always smooth for the Tuskegee Airmen, who battled segregation and prejudice on the ground as they confronted enemy forces in the air.

“Some [people] thought we couldn’t do it, but we didn’t subject ourselves to that,” Satterfield said. “We accomplished what they said we couldn’t.”

(Donna Miles of American Forces Press Service contributed to this article.)