Carter Reaffirms U.S. Commitment to South Korea

By Cheryl Pellerin
American Forces Press Service

SEOUL, South Korea, March 18, 2013 – During a series of high-level meetings here, Deputy Defense Secretary Ash Carter met with members of South Korean President Park Geun-hye’s new administration, and with U.S. military and diplomatic officials.

Deputy Defense Secretary Ash Carter addresses U.S. and South Korean forces assigned to the joint operations center of Command Post TANGO near Seoul, South Korea, March 18, 2013. Carter thanked the troops for their service and reminded them to thank their family members for the sacrifices they make in serving their countries. DOD photo by Glenn Fawcett   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

Carter had an excellent round of consultations with senior members of Park’s new team, he told reporters during a briefing this afternoon, and in each meeting reconfirmed a steadfast commitment to the nearly 60-year-old alliance between the United States and South Korea.

 

“It’s safe to report that the relationship between the Park and Obama administrations is off to a very productive start,” he said. “My visit reflects the importance [Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel] and I attach to this alliance.”
Park, South Korea’s first woman president, was sworn in Feb. 25, less than two weeks after North Korean state media announced that the nation had conducted its third underground nuclear test since 2006. This and other provocations that are part of a continuing North Korean pattern were key topics in discussions today, Carter said, adding that such actions pose a serious threat to the United States, to South Korea and to regional stability.

“If the North Koreans think this kind of thing is going to get them anywhere, they're mistaken,” the deputy secretary said. “The only effect it's having is to bring down upon North Korea the opprobrium of the entire world.”

The United States is working with friends and allies around the world to employ an integrated response to these unacceptable provocations, Carter added.

The response includes United Nations Security Council resolutions with unprecedentedly strong sanctions against North Korea, and more unilateral sanctions of great effect, and the nation’s resulting progressive isolation, he said.

“In the military sphere, the United States remains steadfast in its defense commitments to the Republic of Korea,” the deputy defense secretary observed. “Together, we are taking important steps to advance the alliance military capabilities.”

In particular, the United States remains committed to extended deterrence offered by the U.S. nuclear umbrella, and to ensuring that all capabilities remain available to the alliance, he added.
For example, Carter noted the routine presence of strategic bombers taking part in flight training on the Korean Peninsula, adding that a B-52 flight will take place tomorrow. B-52s are long-range, strategic heavy bombers that can drop or launch the widest array of weapons in the U.S. inventory.
As Hagel announced March 15, the United States will strengthen its missile defenses and is determined to keep ahead of the progress of North Korean intercontinental ballistic missile development, the deputy defense secretary said.

The annual U.S.-South Korean military exercises Key Resolve, ongoing until March 21, and Foal Eagle, a combined and joint field training exercise that runs across the Korean Peninsula from March 1 to April 30, “demonstrate the U.S. commitment to the alliance,” Carter said, “and ensure the readiness of both of our forces to defend the Republic of Korea and deepen interoperability with U.S. and South Korean forces.”

On this cool, hazy Monday morning in Seoul, Carter started his day with a visit to Army Gen. James D. Thurman, commander of U.S. Forces Korea. Afterward, he met with U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Sung Kim.

Carter then visited the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to meet with Minister Yun Byung-se.

The U.S. commitment to South Korea is very strong, Carter told Yun in remarks before the meeting.

“Our capabilities are very formidable -- yours, ours and ours combined,” Carter said, clasping his hands together in illustration. “And as you know,” he added, “we have the full range of capabilities for both countries committed to the defense of South Korea. That has been true for decades, and it has not changed.”

Later, Carter traveled to the Blue House and met with Kim Jang-Soo at the National Security Office. The Blue House comprises the executive offices and official residence of the president. It translates to "pavilion of blue tiles" and is built in the Korean architectural tradition with modern elements.

Carter’s final meeting today was with Minister of National Defense Kim Kwan-jin.
In addition to the threat posed by North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs, Carter and the South Korean officials discussed adding military capabilities to the alliance, continuing extended nuclear deterrence, and continuing the U.S. commitment to resource the Asia-Pacific rebalance, including the U.S. presence on the Korean Peninsula.

During the afternoon news conference, Carter answered a question about potential effects of extreme Defense Department budget cuts -- a process known as sequestration -- on the U.S. commitment to South Korea. Specifically, he was asked whether the United States would ask South Korea for a larger contribution to U.S. efforts on the peninsula.

“The United States has not asked the Republic of Korea for funds associated with sequester,” the deputy defense secretary said, describing the process as a temporary budget turbulence imposed by the U.S. Congress that will last until Oct. 1.

“We will deal with that turmoil in a way that does not affect the Korean Peninsula. That's the direction I've given,” he added, “and so operations and actions on the Korean Peninsula aren't affected.”

Carter and his South Korean counterparts pledged close and continuing cooperation on these issues at senior levels of government.

After the news conference, Carter and Thurman toured Command Post TANGO -- for theater air naval ground operations -- a high-tech bunker 11 miles south of Seoul that serves as the Korean theater’s main warfighting headquarters.

There, Carter observed elements of the Key Resolve and Foal Eagle exercises, and thanked U.S and South Korean troops for their service and for keeping the world safe from harm.
Carter’s Asian visit will end tomorrow night after a stop in Jakarta, Indonesia, where he will hold bilateral meetings, attend a dinner with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ Council of Permanent Representatives, and attend for the first time as deputy defense secretary the Jakarta International Defense Dialogue.

WRM: The backbone of Misawa

by Airman 1st Class Kia Atkins
35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

3/15/2013 - MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- In the military, we face threats on a daily basis whether it be war or natural disaster. In times of crisis, the 35th Logistics Readiness Squadron's Vehicle Maintenance Flight's War Readiness Materials' section is ready to spring into action on a moment's notice by being poised with a well-maintained fleet of specialty vehicles to help many missions carry on.

Their main duties consist of determining the overall condition of vehicles and correcting deficiencies by replacing worn or damaged parts with new or reconditioned ones.

"I get a great sense of satisfaction about what I do in the military," said Airman 1st Class Jeff Louis, 35 LRS vehicle maintenance apprentice. "I take pride in maintaining vehicles. By the time I finish performing maintenance on them, they are 100 percent ready to perform their respective functions."

In Louis' opinion, if vehicle maintenance personnel weren't around to take care of vehicles, it could present a big problem.

"I think the WRM section and the vehicles we maintain are essential for the base," said Louis. "If something happened and we weren't there, like during an operation, then the base would probably have to request vehicles from somewhere else."

In an emergency situation, specialty vehicles may be needed on the spot, which is why the WRM section maintains the fleet daily.

"Since we are here and ready to go at any time, we're prepared for any vehicle requests the base might need," said Louis. "Regardless of the timeline they give us, we will get it done."

All of the vehicles in the WRM section are postured for any crisis scenarios, base exercises, or operations in the Pacific region, whether in wartime or peacetime.

"If war were ever to break out here in the Pacific, we could supply these vehicles to help build new base infrastructures or anything else they are needed for," said Master Sgt. Michael Brower 35 LRS vehicle maintenance section chief.

Because of the WRM sections presence, the base is considered a humanitarian response unit. Due to the variety of vehicles stored in WRM, the 35th Fighter Wing is equipped to respond during any disaster by providing materials handling vehicles, ambulances and personnel transport vehicles.

"A lot of our vehicles were used during Operation Tomodachi," said Brower. "The forklifts we have were especially needed for the aid we provided. They helped transport all the water and food we had coming through."

WRM is sponsored by Pacific Air Forces, so if Misawa's vehicles are ever needed elsewhere in the region, they could be sent to those locations.

"I think WRM is very essential to the Air Force," said Louis. "As long as we have the equipment and the people like us to maintain them, we'll be ready to go and assist wherever we are needed."

The WRM section represents the backbone of the wing during disaster times and special operations when specialty vehicles are needed.

"There is no greater enjoyment than knowing what I do for a living has the potential to save lives and protect those in need," said Louis. "I invest all my knowledge and resources into maintaining those vehicles for that reason."

Women in AF paved way, often through adversity

by Martha Lockwood
Air Force News Service

3/17/2013 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- In a quote from one of Shakespeare's plays, "Twelfth Night," the character Malvallo remarks that "some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon 'em."

Women in the Air Force (WAF) produced many such women who did not set out to be trailblazers but whose accomplishments personified the dream and made it an achievable reality in the minds of those who came after.

WAF--not to be confused with the Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS), a small group of female transport pilots that existed for little more than two years (1942-44) and was part of the Women Air Force Service Pilots (WASPs) before their disbanding--was a program which served to bring women into limited roles in the Air Force. Women pilots from World War II would have been excellent leaders, but they were diverted to the Reserves.

Instead, greatness was thrust upon many WAFs just by being the first woman to do something. In retrospect, their accomplishments mirror the Air Force's evolution.

The first WAF squadron arrived at Lackland AFB in 1948 when President Truman signed the Women's Armed Services Integration Act that allowed women to serve directly in the military.
When basic training for women was desegregated in 1949, African-American recruits joined the WAFs in greater numbers. Forty-one years later, the first African-American female brigadier general, Marcelite Harris, attained the rank.

Maj. Barbara A. Wilson (Ret.) was the first enlisted WAF to complete Officer Training School in the 50s. She had enlisted as a Private at Lackland AFB then steadily moved up the ranks as she completed her Bachelor of Arts degree through a military program at Long Island University.

In 1951, MaryBelle Johns Nissly was recruited to return to military life (she had left the military in 1956) at the rank of captain as conductor and commander of the 18-member WAF Band that served as ambassadors for the Air Force, participating in three inaugural parades and numerous concerts here and abroad.

In 1956, a WAF section was introduced into the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), and by 1959, four universities were running the program. By 1970 became more national in scope, and in 1980, a graduate of Texas Tech University, Maj. Gen. Wendy M. Masiello, was commissioned via AFROTC.

The first enlisted WAFs to serve in Vietnam began arriving in June 1967, bringing the grand total of WAF involvement to five enlisted and four officers. Ultimately more WAFs would arrive to support the war effort if not be actively involved in combat. In the end, it would be the Air Force that supplied the planes and nurses for "Operation Babylift" out of Tan Son Nhut Air Base Vietnam, April 1975.

In 1976, women were accepted into the military on much the same basis as men, and the separate status of WAF was abolished. That same year, President Ford signed legislation that lifted the ban of women in the military academies. Many military historians note that date as the point in which the role of women in the military changed forever, and more women would meet the needs of the age, helped immeasurably by standing on the shoulders of greatness.

Carter Visits Asia to Discuss Common Security Challenges

By Cheryl Pellerin
American Forces Press Service

ABOARD A MILITARY AIRCRAFT, March 16, 2013 – Deputy Defense Secretary Ash Carter is traveling to Asia to meet with U.S. allies and partners and continue defense consultations on a range of common security challenges.

Carter will visit defense and government officials in Yokota, Japan; Seoul, South Korea; Manila, the Philippines; and Jakarta, Indonesia.

In Jakarta he will hold bilateral meetings, attend a dinner with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’, or ASEAN’s, Council of Permanent Representatives, and attend for the first time as deputy defense secretary the Jakarta International Defense Dialogue, the official said.

Carter’s trip began a day after Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced a series of steps the United States will take to stay ahead of challenges posed by North Korea’s and Iran’s development of long-range ballistic missile capabilities.

“The United States has missile defense systems in place to protect us from limited [intercontinental ballistic missile] attacks, Hagel said during a briefing at the Pentagon. “But North Korea in particular has recently made advances in its capabilities and is engaged in a series of irresponsible and reckless provocations.”
During Carter’s meeting at Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo with Senior Vice Defense Minister Akinori Eto, a defense official said they will discuss the situation in North Korea.

“It’s the first engagement we’ve had with [the Japanese] in this role,” he said, “and it’s a very good opportunity for the deputy to [discuss] a number of issues following on the very successful visit” by Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe with President Barack Obama at the White House Feb. 22.

Carter and Eto may also discuss bilateral missile defense issues; the situation in Senkaku Islands, a group of uninhabited islands controlled by Japan in the East China Sea and the focus of a territorial dispute between Japan and China; and the relocation of the Marines to the Futenma replacement facility.

A 2006 roadmap signed by Japan and the United States would relocate Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, now in the center of Okinawa’s Ginowan City, to a more remote area of the island. Futenma is about seven miles from Kadena Air Base.

On Monday in Seoul, the defense official said, issues to be discussed include the situation in North Korea, the U.S. domestic issue of sharp mandated budget cuts called sequestration and its impact on the DOD rebalance to the Asia Pacific, and potential discussion about Hagel’s missile defense announcement.
Bilateral issues may include Korean investments in defense capabilities such as command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, the official said.

Other bilateral discussions may focus on the ongoing military exercises Key Resolve, an annual computer simulation exercise that began March 11 and ends March 21, and Foal Eagle, a combined and joint field training exercise that runs across the Korean Peninsula from March 1 to April 30.

“The deputy will be traveling down to one of the combat outposts to observe the exercises,” the defense official said.

“On the policy side he’ll have very good meetings with [South Korea’s] minister of defense, foreign minister and national security adviser,” he added, noting, “It’s a good blend of policy operational issues in a strategic context that’s clouded or colored by the North Korean provocations.”

On Tuesday in Manila, the official said, “We’re looking to have good meetings with … the foreign secretary, the defense secretary and other officials.”

Calling the Philippines an important treaty ally, the official said the United States and the Philippines have had several recent senior-level engagements, including meetings between the nations’ presidents over the last few years, and a historic “two-plus-two” meeting in Washington last April between Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and their Philippine counterparts, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and Secretary of National Defense Voltaire Gazmin.

“All of that has facilitated real progress … across an array of issues, not just on the defense side but on the foreign policy side,” the official said, adding that the United States seeks “a full partnership in this very important relationship and our main goal is to keep the momentum going.”

On Wednesday in Jakarta, his last stop in Asia, Carter will have a chance to talk with ASEAN members during a dinner of the ASEAN Council of Permanent Representatives. ASEAN was formed in 1967. Its member states are Burma, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Discussions there could include upcoming exercises related to the ASEAN Defense Ministers-Plus, and an effort to produce and gain acceptance of a code of conduct to untangle territorial conflicts in the South China Sea.

The ADMM-Plus is made up of ASEAN members and its dialogue partners: the United States, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, India, New Zealand and Russia.

Afterward, Carter will hold a bilateral meeting with Indonesia, “a very important strategic partner in Southeast Asia,” the official said.

Next, the deputy defense secretary will attend day one of the two-day Jakarta International Defense Dialogue, called the JIDD, a multilateral setting for a number of different countries to come together and discuss defense and diplomacy.

“This represents a major step up in terms of U.S. participation,” the defense official said. “Last year we sent a deputy assistant secretary and this year, in order to demonstrate strong and continuing commitment to the rebalance toward Asia, the deputy thought it was very important for him to participate in this event.”

The official added, “We’ll be eagerly awaiting a speech by Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono as well as Dr. Carter’s own remarks as part of a panel that is likely to include a senior Chinese representative, defense ministers from Singapore and Indonesia,” and possibly others, the official said.
“It’s a key place to mingle, to mix, to exchange views,” he added.

At a lunch for heads of delegations, Carter will be able to talk informally with all participants, the official said.
“It’s a very good opportunity to talk about the rebalance, to talk about the U.S. role in Southeast Asia, and to talk a little about global events and how they impact or influence all the issues in Southeast Asia.

Equality Motivates Air Force Firefighter

By Air Force Senior Airman Katherine Tereyama
31st Fighter Wing

AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy, March 14, 2013 – Serving in a career field that once was closed to women is a source of pride for a firefighter assigned to the 31st Civil Engineer Squadron here.

Air Force Airman 1st Class Emily Beckerjeck, a firefighter at Aviano Air Base, Italy, draws motivation from being able to prove women can work in jobs previously open only to men. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Katherine Tereyama   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

"If something happens and you're in a fire, it doesn't matter who's next to you, as long as you can trust they can get you out," Air Force Airman 1st Class Emily Beckerjeck said. As a firefighter, Beckerjeck responds to aircraft, airfield and structural fires, hazardous material incidents, search and rescue missions and the many everyday tasks required of any male firefighter, including carrying gear that can weigh up to 75 pounds.

Beckerjeck said her motivation to become a firefighter stemmed from the idea of proving that women can do whatever men can do. "There's no limit anymore," she said.
Since the job is physically demanding, Beckerjeck and her fellow airmen must train every day to build up their strength and ensure they are able to carry out the mission. Firefighters here work 24-hour shifts and often are required to spend holidays and special occasions away from their families.

Though she misses her family in the United States, Beckerjeck said, the firefighters here have taken her under their wing.

"It's not a brotherhood anymore, since I'm in it," she said. "Now it's a family."

Beckerjeck and her firefighting family frequently welcome children into the fire station for tours and demonstrations. She also recently visited a school in Roveredo, Italy, to educate children about her job as a firefighter and to share her story as a woman serving in the military.

"I love being an inspiration to little kids, especially little girls," she said. "It's so awesome when they say, 'I want to be just like you when I grow up.'"
 

DINFOS Inducts Accomplished Alumni Into Hall of Fame

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.
American Forces Press Service

FORT MEADE, Md., March 14, 2013 – The Defense Information School honored seven alumni here today with induction into an inaugural Hall of Fame for excelling in journalism, photography and videography following graduation from the school.

Army Col. Jeremy Martin, commandant of DINFOS, described three of the seven inaugural honorees present -- Jim Bryant, John Roswell Camp and Clarence Page -- as part of a group who established themselves “among the best journalists, authors and visual information communicators in our nation.”

“This is a great day for the Defense Media Activity, and a great day for DINFOS,” Martin said. “And the culmination of a great deal of hard work and commitment resulting in a day to honor our esteemed Hall of Fame inductees.”

Martin saluted the honorees for their outstanding service, and for their “life-long commitment to professionalism and excellence which has propelled you to rise to the top of your profession.”

The commandant said he was pleased that the trio offered to “give back to the next generation of communicators who are here at our school” by talking to DINFOS students later in the day.

“In our enduring efforts to tell the story of our military to the American people and various audiences, we stand on your broad shoulders,” Martin told the honorees.

“Your portfolios and biographies are a testament to the obvious -- in your chosen fields of endeavor you are among the finest communicators of any generation,” he added.

And DINFOS is “tremendously proud to be associated with such great Americans and truly awesome professionals,” Martin said.

“You are charter members of the Defense Information School, Alumni Hall of Fame, Class of 2012,” he added. “Well done, and thanks for being here.”

Each honoree has a plaque and letter from Pentagon Press Secretary George Little, the assistant to the secretary of defense for public affairs, honoring them for serving in positions of prominence or creating award-winning work within the mass communications field.

Jim Bryant, who served in the U.S. Navy and graduated from DINFOS in 1980, is an award-winning freelance photographer and author.

During the ceremony, Bryant was praised for such achievements as winning over 60 state, regional and national awards for his work.

“It's an honor to stand here today among this distinguished group of people,” he said.
“Being in the craft for over three decades, I still get excited about a great picture or moving photographic essay,” Bryant said. “Photojournalism has been one of my great passions and made my life worthwhile.”

John Roswell Camp graduated from DINFOS in 1967. Camp served in the U.S. Army, and is a 1986 Pulitzer Prize winner in journalism. He uses the pseudonym John Sandford, and has published 31 novels which have all been featured on The New York Times Best-Seller List.

“It's been a very long and strange trip since 1967,” Camp said. “I spent 20 years as a newspaper reporter after I got out, and it was DINFOS that actually did that to me.”

Camp noted he had a history degree and planned to be a lawyer, but ended up stationed in Korea with Bob Keeler, another future Pulitzer Prize winner.

“I think I would have been a pretty good lawyer, but I don't think it would have been as interesting,” he said.

Clarence Page, a 1970 DINFOS graduate, also served in the U.S. Army, and is a 1989 Pulitzer Prize winner for commentary. Page has a syndicated writing column in over 150 newspapers, is a regular panelist on the “McLaughlin Group” and appears on the Public Broadcasting Service’s “NewsHour” with Jim Lehrer.

“I am truly humbled by this honor, and any of you that have seen me on ‘McLaughlin Group’ know that humility is not one of my usual emotions,” Page joked. “I just want to say that DINFOS gave me so much that I was not expecting.

“I am here today because I really wanted to beat a path back to DINFOS to … revisit my past,” he continued, “and also to just touch on the new generation coming up.”

Page credited DINFOS with bringing him discipline and organization -- especially important since he later was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder.

“Military journalists are in a position of being a bridge between the military world and the civilian world,” he said. “The older you get the more and more you see how different these two worlds are.
“Let me say 'thank you' to DINFOS,” Page added. “Thank you for this honor, which I cherish on so many levels.”

Joining Page, Bryant and Camp in the 2012 Alumni Hall of Fame class are former Vice President Walter Mondale, who’d served in the Army; author and teacher LouAnne Johnson, who’d served in the Navy and the Marines; Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Les Payne, who’d served in the Army; and Arizona State University journalism professor Stephen Doig, who’d served in the Army.
Doig’s work as a research editor was part of a team effort that was instrumental in the Miami Herald winning the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service in 1993.

New combined test force established for AEDC's newest test capability

by Philip Lorenz III
Arnold Engineering Development Complex Public Affairs

3/14/2013 - ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. -- Arnold Engineering Development Complex's leadership recently heralded two firsts at the Complex -- the activation of the Space Combined Test Force, and acceptance of the new test and evaluation mission that the CTF will execute.

The CTF integrates Air Force engineers with Aerospace Testing Alliance contracted engineers and support personnel to jointly conduct testing in the Space Threat Assessment Testbed, a recently activated space test chamber.

STAT is the newest ground test capability at the Complex since the Large Rocket Test Cell came online in 1993. STAT will reach Initial Operating Capability in April, followed by Full Operational Capability certification by September 2013.

"The CTF is responsible for two missions: space sensors testing in our 7V and 10V chambers and space environments testing in STAT," said Chris Smith, technical director for AEDC's Space and Missile Test. "Our chambers will continue to be government-managed and contractor-operated. However, STAT will operate under the construct of integrated USAF/ATA test planning, design and operations."

Once fully operational, STAT will be able to simulate realistic operational environments for testing hardware using multiple space weather generators. STAT will subject test articles to conditions found outside the Earth's atmosphere, including near-vacuum, extreme cold and the combined effects of natural and man-made phenomena.

"With commencement of STAT test operations and realization of the CTF, we will have military personnel, government civilians and contractors participating collaboratively in test planning, coordination with test customers, test execution and test data reduction," said Mike Ketron, Space CTF director. "ATA will be providing support as they always have with the various test chambers."

Mike Scott, an ATA Test Director for the STAT, sees this organization as a positive step for the future.

"Bringing Air Force and ATA personnel together to work directly toward the common goal of satisfying test customers will help morale and make for a more efficient test team," he said.

Army Aviator Wraps Up Career

By Army Sgt. Christopher Calvert
1st Air Combat Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division

FORT HOOD, Texas, March 12, 2013 – More than three decades ago, 12-year-old Wayne Turner had a dream of one day becoming an aviator.

Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Wayne Turner, left, and Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Kourtney Roundtree, AH-64D Apache helicopter pilots, conduct communications checks before Turner makes the last flight of his 20-year military career at Fort Hood, Texas, Feb. 28, 2013. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Christopher Calvert   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

Today, after more than nine years and four back-to-back deployments with the 1st Cavalry Division’s 1st Air Combat Brigade, Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Wayne Turner is hanging up his flight suit.

Turner, an AH-64D Apache helicopter pilot with the brigade’s Company B, 1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, conducted the last flight operation of his 20-year military career here Feb. 28.

Turner didn’t have the opportunity to fly at first when he entered the Army, he said.

“I enlisted in the delayed entry program in July 1992 as a working dog handler with the [military police],” the Marietta, Ga., native said. “I enjoyed that job; however, I always wanted to be a Delta pilot. My dad was a flight instructor, and he took me up for my first flight when I was 12. After that, I was hooked forever.”

Turner said he employed hard work and persistence to break into the aviation field.

“My commander at the time saw the potential and passion within me,” he said. “She introduced me to her husband, who was a pilot, and it was him who got me in touch with a senior warrant officer who mentored me and assisted me in putting in my packet.”

After graduating from flight school in 2000, Turner was stationed at Fort Carson, Colo., with Renegade Troop, 4th Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, and then at Camp Eagle, South Korea, with B Troop, 1st Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment.

In April 2004, Turner was sent to 1st ACB, where he fitted right in with his battle buddies, he said.
“The time I’ve spent with this unit has been great,” he said. “The camaraderie within the unit is amazing. We truly are a band of brothers here.”

During his time with the unit, Turner went on to deploy three times to Iraq and once to Afghanistan, where he flew countless hours in support of four different campaigns.

“Every deployment brought something different to the table, but we always were successful,” Turner said. “I remember flying more than 12 hours over Sadr City, Iraq, in the summer of 2004, all the while encountering multiple engagements. The missions where we helped soldiers on the ground always meant the most to me. I knew we were making a difference.”

Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Carl Fox, an AH-64D attack pilot assigned to Turner’s company, said he worked side by side with Turner for the better part of a decade.

“We’ve worked together for at least six years, and we’ve knew each other longer than that,” said Fox, who hails from Huntington, W.Va. They had the opportunity to fly together to secure Iraq’s elections during their 2009-2010 deployment, he added.

Despite battling a difficult operational environment in Iraq, Fox said, Turner helped to keep up the unit’s esprit de corps.

“He has a great sense of humor, and when you start flying for six to eight hours, jokes and stories are imperative,” Fox said. “He always knew how to put levity in a serious situation. It’s because of individuals like him that we still have an extremely tight group. There’s no doubt in my mind 1-227 is a battalion of heroes, and Turner has been an important part of that.”

Reflecting on the past 10 years brings back many fond memories and emotions, Turner said, noting he’ll miss his Army comrades after retirement.

“It’s bittersweet,” he said. “I’m going to miss the camaraderie and the soldiers I’ve met throughout the years.”

Canadian birds fly south for the winter; train at MacDill

by Senior Airman Melanie Bulow-Kelly
6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

3/14/2013 - MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The roar of CF-18 Hornet engines echoes throughout MacDill Air Force Base as student and instructor pilots from the Royal Canadian Air Force prepare for takeoff.

Fifteen CF-18 Hornets from the 410 Tactical Fighter (Operational Training) Squadron, Canadian Forces Base Cold Lake, Alberta Canada, are conducting training missions here through March 15.

Every year, around this time, the Royal Canadian Air Force migrates to warmer climates to increase flying time. Usually, Naval Air Station Key West hosts the Canadians but this year MacDill was selected to host our NATO allies.

"The weather plays a significant role in us being able to accomplish our training mission," said Maj. Chris Miller, 410 Tactical Fighter (Operational Training) Squadron operations officer. "We've been able to sustain a higher flying rate, and we really appreciate MacDill allowing us to come down here and get done what we need to do."

During the first tactical phase of training, the new pilots learn basic fighter maneuvers such as, how to handle aerial combat when in a one-on-one situation and two-on-one scenario, which teaches them how to work together.

The two-hour training takes place about 20 miles west of Sarasota, Area 168, a 40,000-square-mile air space.

"This is great continuity for the pilots; they will be flying more than five times a week," said Lt. Col. Paul Doyle, 410 Tactical Fighter (Operational Training) Squadron commanding officer.

Launching more than 15 flights a day, instructor pilots train new pilots on a two-seat multi-role jet.

"The day I stop learning is the day I stop flying," said Capt. Andrew Jakubaitis, 410 Tactical Fighter (Operational Training) Squadron CF-18 student pilot.

Aside from pilots, the Canadians brought more than 120 Airmen to include, mechanics and other crew members vital to the completion of the mission. They also brought an Airbus A-320 aerial refueling tanker for the students to become accustomed to in-flight refueling which MacDill specializes in.

"Being able to walk away with more service qualifications under my belt when I leave here is one of best things about this experience," said Cpl. Tanya Roach, 410 Tactical Fighter (Operational Training) Squadron aircraft structure technician.

However this mission accomplished more than just training for both nations.

"The camaraderie that we are developing with everybody on the base and all the folks in the Tampa Bay area is important," said Chief Warrant Officer Rick Robertson, 410 Tactical Fighter (Operational Training) Squadron chief warrant officer.

During their time here, the partnership between the two forces grew as they worked together to maintain the CF-18s.

"The U.S. Air Force people were fantastic. They were able to get us a hangar to protect all our jets during the Tornado warning," said Roach. "It was awesome to see everyone come together and make it happen. Within an hour and a half we had all the jets secured in the hangar."

From providing shelter to aircraft parts, both forces played a role in making sure that the pilots' training was a success.

"The U.S. Air Force provided materials that we were unable to bring with us. They also assisted us in a non-destructive inspection," stated Roach. "Some of the requirements that we needed to get done would not have been accomplished without MacDill's support."

AFGSC commander visits Whiteman Airmen

by Capt. John Severns
509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

3/13/2013 - WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo.  -- Lt. Gen. James M. Kowalski, commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, visited Whiteman Air Force Base this week to meet the Airmen charged with operating the nation's only B-2 force.

During his visit, Kowalski met face-to-face with Airmen at all levels, from the First Term Airman's Center to chiefs and commanders.

The general's first stop was a breakfast with 15 "unsung heroes," Airmen from across the 509th Bomb Wing who play a vital role in keeping the B-2 running, but due to their particular duties often miss out on the spotlight. The Airmen who ate with the general shared some stories, and afterward said that his visit was an opportunity to meet one of the Air Force's most senior leaders.

Tech. Sgt. Brandon Benton, a mission planner in the 509th Operations Support Squadron, was one of those Airmen.

"It was a chance for us to ask questions about a lot of issues that have been on everyone's mind lately," he said. "Tuition assistance was a big one, and he also talked about the nuclear force structure, the future of the command, and how the sequester is going to impact the Air Force."

Later in his visit, during an all-hands call, Kowalski spoke on a variety of topics, from the consequences of the budget sequestration to the continuing need for a robust strategic deterrent in the face of new global developments.

On the impact of the sequester, Kowalski was unambiguous about the impact of the $50-billion cut being levied across the Armed Services this year.

"There will absolutely be an impact on our readiness," he said. "The furloughs, in particular, will impact our mission, our communities, and just as importantly, the families of our civilian Airmen."

As a result of the budget sequester, Department of Defense civilians are expecting to see 22 discontinuous furlough days between April and the end of the fiscal year. This will result in approximately a 20% reduction in their salaries during that time period.

During the question and answer session, the general touched on a widely held concern - the fate of the Air Force's popular Tuition Assistance program. While the program is vital to helping Airmen achieve their educational goals, in an environment where civilian Airmen are forced to take a 20 percent pay cut, TA may simply be unsustainable.

Indeed, the general's words were prescient. The next day, the Air Force announced that Tuition Assistance was being suspended for the remainder of the fiscal year.

For much of his all-call, the general spoke about the continued necessity for nuclear deterrence.

"We seek a world with zero nuclear weapons, but as President Obama said [in his speech in Prague], as long as these weapons exist, we need to keep them safe, secure and effective."

The general also met with Airmen going through the First Term Airmen's Center as part of their acclimation to the Air Force. He spoke with them about some of the challenges they would face entering the Air Force in the midst of steep budget cutbacks, as well as the opportunities they would have as the next generation of America's Airmen.

Mobility Airmen work together to move two Army Brigades

by Tech. Sgt. Parker Gyokeres
621st Contingency Response Wing Public Affairs

3/14/2013 - JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- More than 15 Airmen from the 621st Contingency Response Wing recently played a crucial role working with mobility Airmen from multiple locations to assist in the exchange helicopters and equipment assigned to two large U.S. Army units.

Beginning in mid-January, United States Transportation Command tasked the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst based contingency Airmen, another 100 Airmen from the 436th Airlift Wing at Dover AFB, Del., and three C-5M Super Galaxy aircraft to assist in the multimodal movement of two aviation Brigades into and out of Afghanistan. The mission concluded with the last flight of the contingency operation Feb. 21.

"It took a full month to move more than 1,500 tons of cargo, but we didn't miss a single delivery date," said Lt. Col. John Hardee, contingency operation mission commander from Dover's 9th Airlift Squadron. "The upgraded C-5M was so capable, we only needed to use three aircraft instead of the usual four or five C-5B models we would normally deploy for a multimodal of this type."

A multimodal mission uses more than one type of transportation to get cargo to a final destination. In this case, both sealift and airlift was employed.

Helicopters assigned to the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, Task Force Iron Knights, from Fort Hood, Texas, were delivered via ship to a port on the Iberian Peninsula. There they were transferred onto a C-5M for a flight to Afghanistan. After offloading the aircraft and support equipment of the 1st ACB at one of three bases in Afghanistan, departing helicopters from the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, Task Force Ready, were uploaded for a return flight to their home station in Katterbach, Germany.

After unloading in Germany, the C-5M would fly back to the Iberian Peninsula to begin the cycle all over again. In total, the aircraft would fly more than 28 hours on every trip around the circuit.

The operation was kept in the air by two maintenance teams from the 436th Airlift Wing at Dover Air Force Base, Del., who provided en route maintenance and repairs in Afghanistan and at the home base for the conop on the Iberian Peninsula.

In addition, a small fifteen-Airman contingency response team from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., provided communications and command- and control support for the deployed aircraft and aircrews. They operated from two tents they set up on the edge of the Mazir-E-Sharif parking ramp.

"The 621st Contingency Response Wing set up and operated a satellite data link and mobile command post for the entire duration of the month-long mission," said Master Sgt. Tibor Puskas, 621st CRT team chief. "Our primary function downrange was to coordinate between the Army units that were leaving and the NATO base aerial port operation to make sure the proper cargo was prepared and waiting for the aircraft when it arrived each day.

"I was really impressed how smoothly it all came together," Puskas continued. "The plane performed flawlessly, the maintainers did a phenomenal job, and everyone worked together to complete this complex operation without missing a single beat."

The contingency response wing deploys mobility operations and builds partner capacity across the globe. The CRW extends AMC's global reach by mobilizing the fight, providing relief and advancing peace. The wing's personnel are trained to adapt and overcome difficult circumstances, while accelerating air mobility operations anywhere in the world.

36 AS is best airlift squadron in PACAF

by Senior Airman Cody H. Ramirez
374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

3/14/2013 - YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Pacific Air Forces recently recognized the 36th Airlift Squadron at Yokota Air Base, Japan, as the Best Airlift Squadron in the Pacific.

In addition to being the best squadron, a 36th AS aircrew was recognized with the General James H. Doolittle Trophy, highlighting the most outstanding Air Mobility Command aircrew that best characterizes and epitomizes qualities and traits for which Doolittle is famous.

The crew earned the trophy for their performance during Operation Christmas Drop in December 2012.

According to Capt. Andrew Booe, the aircrew pilot and aircraft commander, the crew pulled off a last minute, in-flight navigation to ensure Christmas Drop maintained a 100 percent drop-rate success.

"My crew and I were flying the final mission of the operation," Booe said. "My aircraft and our sister ship took off from Andersen AFB, Guam, to accomplish humanitarian airdrops to multiple remote island drop zones."

On the last day of the operation, Booe said his aircraft was loaded with extra bundles of supplies, but after completing their scheduled drops, there were remaining bundles.

"We contacted the University of Guam, our liaison to the islands, to ask where they wanted our remaining bundles," Booe recounted. "We had heard on our common frequency that our sister aircraft had had some problems with a couple of their drops, so we thought that some of the islands might need our additional supplies."

Receiving coordinates from their sister aircraft, Booe and his crew headed for the islands with missing bundles.

"We plotted the island's location more than 150 miles from our current position," he said. "We determined that we would have the necessary fuel reserves to deliver the extra bundles and still fly back to Guam safely."

The other aircraft remained on site until the trophy-winning aircrew arrived and dropped the remaining bundles successfully, supplying all islands.

According to Booe, overall Operation Christmas Drop delivered more than 20 tons of critical supplies to 56 remote islands in the South Pacific.

"It is an amazing honor to be the PACAF nominee for the Doolittle Trophy," Booe added. "When you consider what General Doolittle accomplished during his career, it is incredible to even be thought of for this award.

Booe said if it wasn't for the support of the 36th, his team wouldn't have been recognized with the trophy. He added that his crew's actions and the overall success of Operation Christmas Drop 2012 assisted the squadron in being named the 2012 Best Airlift Squadron in PACAF.

Tech. Sgt. Pablo Herrera, 36th AS loadmaster on the Doolittle-winning aircraft said, "this award represents a lot of teamwork from everyone involved at Operation Christmas Drop -- the CMF riggers who created the bundles, the maintenance teams that launched us with a mission-ready aircraft and all the training back at Yokota to get us trained and ready for these type of humanitarian airdrops."

The recipients of the 2012 General James H. Doolittle Trophy are:

Capt. Andrew Booe - Pilot
Capt. Derrick Monnier - Pilot
Capt. Dillon Deutsch - Copilot
Capt. Joe Cziko - Navigator
Tech. Sgt. Robert Dela Caza - Engineer
Tech. Sgt. Pablo Herrera - Loadmaster

Iranian Jet Fails to Intercept Unmanned U.S. Aircraft

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 14, 2013 – An Iranian military jet tried to intercept an unarmed American MQ-1 remotely piloted aircraft over international waters March 12 but it was discouraged from accomplishing that mission, Pentagon officials said today.

The MQ-1 aircraft was conducting a routine classified surveillance flight over international waters in the Arabian Gulf.

Iran sent an F-4 Phantom 2 jet to intercept the unmanned aircraft. “The closest point of approach between these aircraft was approximately 16 miles,” Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said in a written statement.

Two U.S. military aircraft were escorting the Predator, and the Iranian plane broke off pursuit after a verbal warning.

“All U.S. aircraft remained over international waters at all times,” Little said.

In November, Iranian aircraft fired on an American remotely piloted aircraft operating over the Arabian Sea. The Iranian aircraft fired two missiles at the drone and missed. After that incident, the U.S. government informed the Iranian government that its behavior was unacceptable. Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said at the time that the U.S. military will continue to fly these missions and will protect its aircraft.

Kadena NCO named FAPAC meritorious award winner

by Airman 1st Class Keith A. James
18th Wing Public Affairs

3/13/2013 - KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- An 18th Civil Engineer Squadron NCO was recently recognized by Pacific Air Forces for his superb efforts in serving the community.

Tech. Sgt. Erick Lizarraga, 18th CES structural craftsman, received the 2012 Federal Asian-Pacific American Council Military Meritorious Service Award.

The FAPAC award honors military members who have fostered an innovative and harmonic environment between the military, Asian-Pacific American civilian community and the Department of Defense mission , or whose attributes best epitomized the qualities and core values of their respective military service or DOD component.

"He's a very motivated noncommissioned officer; a natural born leader and an over achiever," said Master Sgt. Billy Cox, 18th CES vertical shop NCO in charge.

Lizarraga said he was honored to win the award and it spoke volumes to not only be nominated but to win. It allowed him the opportunity to represent his senior brothers and sisters and show what they're all about, he said.

In 2012, Lizarraga managed more than 45 military and local national employees in the construction and maintenance of 4,800 facilities worth $7.9 billion. He and his team completed more than 450 base civil engineer work requests totaling $521,000, which supported the wing's $225 million support and flying mission.

Ensuring Airmen and their families were safe, he and his team also assessed the damage and safety of base real estate and identified approximately 197 facilities needing repair after the typhoon Jelawat devastation.

Serving as a scoutmaster for the Boy and Girls Club of America, Lizzarraga trained 18 scouts and coordinated several community events where under his mentorship and guidance, his youth earned 16 field badges.

"I gained a whole new view on responsibility," Lizarraga said. "People in the community were relying on me and not being there wasn't an option. To see the look on those kid's faces who were looking up to me and the value that was instilled in them -- it was well worth it."

Cox said since Lizarraga arrived at the shop, he has improved processes and made things run a lot smoother. He is well on his way to a becoming a chief master sergeant in the Air Force, he said.

Oldest U.S. military flying unit celebrates centennial

by Senior Airman Shawn Nickel
9th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs

3/12/2013 - BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.  -- The 1st Reconnaissance Squadron at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., celebrated its 100th anniversary March 7-9 as the oldest flying unit in U.S. military aviation.

The squadron opened its doors to the base populace and special guests for tours, and two days of historical symposiums were held featuring former SR-71 Black Bird pilots, commanders and history experts.

In addition, a plaque was dedicated to the squadron at Heritage Park, and a military dining-out commemorated the event.

"It's an honor to be part of this historic occasion," said current 1st RS commander Lt. Col. Stephen Rodriguez. "We stand on the shoulders of giants here as we continue the proud tradition of providing [intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance] to war fighters."

One speaker at the symposiums, Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Patrick Halloran, was one of the first pilots for the U-2 and SR-71. Halloran gave vivid descriptions of missions during the Cold War, training and being commander of the 1st RS.

"The U-2 and SR-71 are the biggest long-term contributors to the 1st," he said. "Those two airplanes made tremendous contributions to history, and I am proud to have been part of this outfit."

Paintings of 1st RS aircraft, unveiled for the Air Force Art Program, were donated and prints were sold during symposiums to help supplement the cost of the celebration.

"These presentations were a very interesting perspective into the history of the 1st RS and the history of aerial reconnaissance from some of the top experts in the field," said Col. (Ret.) Dave Pinsky, Pacific Coast Air Museum executive director and former 9th Reconnaissance Wing commander.

The plaque at Heritage Park rest in the shadow of an SR-71 static display and reads, "This site honors the men and women of the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron, oldest flying unit in the United States military, and commemorates its unbroken heritage since its founding on the 5th of March 1913."

The squadron has maintained an unbroken heritage from its founding. Originally organized in anticipation of a potential breach in security along the border between the U.S. and Mexico, General John Pershing directed the 1st Aero Squadron to become the first tactical aviation unit to participate in American military action.

The 1st RS has flown 47 different airframes while being stationed worldwide at 52 locations, including four stints at sea.

Col. Phil Stewart, current 9th RW commander, noted that the events were held without using Air Force funds, as funding came from registration fees, ticket fees, memento sales and donations.

"Much of this wouldn't have been possible without the donations from the local community, and the countless hours volunteers put into planning," he said. "I have never been more proud to be part of a celebration and am continuously impressed by our Airmen."

Hagel Orders Review of Sex Assault Case, Convening Authority

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 12, 2013 – Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has directed two separate reviews to ensure that the U.S. military justice system is appropriately protecting victims of sexual assault as well as dispensing justice to the accused, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said here today.

The orders are an outgrowth of a case against Air Force Lt. Col. James Wilkerson. Last year, a panel of military officers at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, found the colonel guilty of a sexual assault. The judge sentenced him to a year in prison and dismissal from the service.

Lt. Gen. Craig Franklin, the 3rd Air Force commander, was the convening authority for the court-martial and reviewed the finished case and sentence. The general reviewed the case over a three-week period and used his authority under Article 60 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice to dismiss the charges against Wilkerson.

“He concluded that the entire body of evidence was insufficient to meet the burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt,” Hagel wrote in a letter about the case to California Sen. Barbara Boxer.

Dismissing charges like this is rare, officials said, but not unheard-of. A commander is not required to give a reason for the decision, and the commander’s decision is final.

Hagel ordered the Air Force Secretary Michael B. Donley and Robert Taylor, the Defense Department’s acting general counsel, to review the case against Wilkerson. He asked them “to assess whether all aspects of the UCMJ were correctly applied and to make recommendations on how the convening authority’s decision in this case could be more transparent,” Little said. Their report is due back to Hagel on March 20.
Hagel also ordered the acting general counsel to conduct a review of Article 60 of the UCMJ -- the article covering the actions of the convening authority. Hagel is asking Taylor to provide an assessment of whether changes should be made in Article 60, and this assessment is due March 27.

Hagel has made it clear to military and civilian leaders that “eliminating sexual assault in the military is one of his top priorities,” Little said.

“Sexual assault is a serious crime that has no place in the department and he will not tolerate it,” he added. “Any member of the military that is convicted of sexual assault -- no matter his rank or position -- must be held appropriately accountable.”

U.S. service members must know that “they are protected from criminal assault by a system of laws that function promptly, fairly and justly,” Little said.

National Security Advisor Explains Asia-Pacific Pivot

By Amaani Lyle
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 12, 2013 – The strategic pivot toward the Asia-Pacific region will help to rebalance the projection and focus of U.S. power, President Barack Obama’s national security advisor said yesterday.

In a speech at the Asia Society in New York, Tom Donilon specified challenges the United States faces as its ties to the economic, strategic and political order emerging in the Asia-Pacific solidify.
The need to focus on regions that will shape global order in coming decades led the administration’s national security team to conduct a global, strategic assessment of U.S. priorities and make key determinations, Donilon said.

“It was clear that there was an imbalance in the projection and focus of U.S. power,” he said, adding that the president deemed U.S. military power to be over-weighted in the Middle East, yet under-weighted in regions such as the Asia-Pacific.

Further propelling the rebalance are leader and public interests in U.S. leadership, sustained attention to regional institutions and defense of international rules and norms across the Asia-Pacific region, he said.

Donilon said the United States will realize this vision by implementing a comprehensive, multidimensional strategy: strengthening alliances; deepening partnerships with emerging powers; building a stable, productive, and constructive relationship with China; empowering regional institutions; and helping to build a regional economic architecture that can sustain shared prosperity.
The shift in focus toward the Asia-Pacific region isn’t just a matter of military presence, he said. Rather, he added, it’s an effort to harness all elements of U.S. power: military, political, trade and investment, development and values.

In addition to continued participation in summits, bilateral meetings with leaders in Southeast Asia, and engagement with China at an unprecedented pace, the United States will ensure alliances in the region remain the foundation of the strategy, Donilon said.

“Our alliances are stronger today than ever before,” he said, noting military solidarity with Japan and South Korea, where new leaders are firmly committed to close security cooperation with the United States.

“It is clear that, as we look forward, maintaining security in a dynamic region will demand greater trilateral coordination from Japan, Korea and the United States,” Donilon said. He also cited long-standing alliances with Thailand and the Philippines to address counterterrorism, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

Still, Donilon acknowledged the notion that difficult fiscal times have made some question the sustainability of the rebalance.

“After a decade of war, it is only natural that the U.S. defense budget is being reduced,” he said. “But make no mistake: President Obama has clearly stated that we will maintain our security presence and engagement in the Asia-Pacific.”

Specifically, he said, defense spending and programs will continue to support key priorities from the Korean Peninsula to strategic presence in the Western Pacific.

Sixty percent of the U.S. naval fleet will be based in the Pacific by 2020, Donilon said, and U.S. Pacific Command’s modern capabilities focus will shift to submarines, fifth-generation fighter jets such as F-22s and F-35s, and reconnaissance platforms.

“We are working with allies to make rapid progress in expanding radar and missile defense systems to protect against the most immediate threat facing our allies and the entire region: the dangerous, destabilizing behavior of North Korea,” he said.

An ongoing commitment to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula means the United States must protect its allies and deter North Korean aggression.

“It means the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula,” Donilon said. “The United States will not accept North Korea as a nuclear state, nor will we stand by while it seeks to develop a nuclear-armed missile that can target the United States.”

Donilon noted the international community has made clear there will be consequences for North Korea’s violation of its international obligations, and the U.N. Security Council approved new sanctions in response to North Korea’s recent provocative nuclear test.

“By now it is clear that the provocations, escalations and poor choices of North Korea’s leaders are not only making their country less secure, they are condemning their people to a level of poverty that stands in stark contrast not only to South Korea, but every other country in East Asia,” Donilon said.

Still, the United States will continue to encourage North Korea to choose a better path, Donilon said, emphasizing that North Korea must change its current course and respect international law.
“The United States is prepared to sit down with North Korea to negotiate and to implement the commitments that they and the United States have made,” he said.

Along with heightening a military presence in the region, U.S. policy will include close and expanded cooperation with Japan and South Korea, Donilon said. “The days when North Korea could exploit any seams between our three governments are over,” he said.

Donilon also underscored the importance of close U.S. coordination with China, whose interest in stability on the Korean Peninsula, he said, argues for a clear path to ending North Korea’s nuclear program. A deeper U.S. and China military-to-military dialogue, Donilon said, can address many sources of insecurity and potential competition.

“We need open and reliable channels to address perceptions and tensions about our respective activities in the short-term and about our long-term presence and posture in the Western Pacific,” he said.

Fostering alliances and continued military presence in the Asia-Pacific region has set the stage for the centerpiece of U.S. economic rebalancing, the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

The United States, Donilon explained, is crafting a high-standard agreement with Asia-Pacific economies from Chile and Peru to New Zealand and Singapore, and has grown the number of TPP partners to 11 with Vietnam, Malaysia, Canada and Mexico joining the partnership over the last four years.

“Together, these 11 countries represent an annual trading relationship of $1.4 trillion,” Donilon said. “The TPP is … attractive because it is ambitious, but achievable.” Overall, existing free-trade agreements around the world could account for more than 60 percent of world trade, he added.
The full potential impact of the Asia-Pacific pivot will require sustained commitment over the coming years, the national security advisor said. Ultimately, he added, the United States will work to uphold the universal rights of citizens in the Asia-Pacific and to ensure the region becomes a place where the rise of new powers occurs peacefully, with free access to sea, air, space, and cyberspace.

Hagel Directs Review of Distinguished Warfare Medal

By Amaani Lyle
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 12, 2013 – In light of recent discussions concerning the new Distinguished Warfare Medal and its order of precedence relative to other military decorations, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has ordered a review of the award, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said here today.

Little said Hagel directed Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to conduct the review and expects to make a decision about the medal’s fate after assessing the findings.

“Secretary Hagel consulted with the chairman, the Joint Chiefs and the service secretaries and knows that the decision to establish the medal was carefully and thoroughly analyzed within the Department of Defense,” Little said.

Opponents of the medal question the hierarchy of technology-driven warfare such as unmanned aerial vehicles, unmanned underwater vehicles, missile defense and cyber capabilities, as the operators may not be anywhere near a combat zone.

“Production of the medal has stopped,” Little said, adding that there are so far no nominations for it, allowing time to make a final decision.

Little noted that the secretary has a long history of involvement and membership with veteran service organizations, including a stint as head of the USO.

“He’s heard their concerns, he’s heard the concerns of others, and he believes that it’s prudent to take into account those concerns and conduct this review,” Little said. “His style as a leader is to be [decisive] and also to be a ready listener.”

U.S. Urges North Korea to Tone Down Threats

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 12, 2013 – U.S. and South Korean forces remain “postured for any contingency” on the Korean Peninsula, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said today as he called on North Korea to tone down its rhetoric and comply with its international obligations.

Little condemned North Korea’s destabilizing activities the day after North Korea declared that it had nullified the 60-year-old armistice agreement there.

“North Korea’s bellicose rhetoric and threats follow a pattern designed to raise tensions and to intimidate others,” Little told reporters at a Pentagon news conference.

“North Korea will achieve nothing by threats or provocation,” he added, saying they “will only further isolate North Korea and undermine international efforts to pursue peace and stability in Northeast Asia.”

Little reiterated President Barack Obama’s call for North Korea’s leadership to “choose the path to peace” and comply with its international obligations. The message from the U.S. government has been “clear and consistent for a very long time,” he said.

But Little acknowledged North Korea’s track record that shows an unwillingness to conform with the international community’s requirements -- through nuclear tests and most recently, a ratcheting up of threatening language.

“The fact of the matter is that their rhetoric is bellicose and the rhetoric is a bit too high,” Little said. “So let’s take this down a notch, I would say to them, and engage the right way.”

U.S. Forces Korea, and other U.S. troops from U.S. Pacific Command and about 10,000 South Korean forces are currently participating in the Key Resolve exercise that promotes their ability to work together to defend South Korea.

Little offered assurance that they are ready to fend off an attack, should one come.
“U.S. Forces Korea, working closely with our South Korean allies, remains postured for any contingency, and we stand ready to protect U.S. and South Korean interests,” he said.
 

Aircraft launch at Cope Tiger 13

by 2nd Lt. Jake Bailey
Cope Tiger 13 Public Affairs

3/12/2013 - KORAT ROYAL THAI AIR FORCE BASE, Thailand -- Aircraft from the U.S. Air Force, Royal Thai Air Force and Republic of Singapore Air Force launched operations here March 11 during Exercise Cope Tiger 13.

A multilateral effort is underway to execute airborne and land-based control of mission packages, electronic warfare, tactical airlift, search and rescue procedures, mission planning and in-flight interoperability.

Two joint teams consisting of flying forces from each participating countries are conducting air-to-air and air-to-ground combat missions using a variety of weapons systems.

During Cope Tiger 13, participating forces train together to improve coalition strike capabilities against transnational threats.

352nd SOSS shares medical knowledge with British Army

by Karen Abeyasekere
100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

3/12/2013 - STANFORD TRAINING AREA, England -- British Army Joint Tactical Air Controllers with the 19 Regiment Royal Artillery from Tidworth, Wiltshire, and 3 Battallion The Rifles, from Edinburgh, Scotland, learned about U.S. methods for treating combat injuries March 5 and 6, 2013, when U.S. Air Force personnel from the 352nd Special Operations Support Squadron Medical Element conducted combat medical refresher training at Stanford Training Area near Thetford, England.

The training enabled the U.S. and U.K. participants to share medical knowledge and information relating to combat injuries and treatment practices in a field environment, said Maj. Michael Hall, 352nd SOSS Medical Element chief of medical plans.

"We learned much from each other and found similarities in knowledge and information, but with some nuances in technique and equipment," Hall said. "It's the knowledge of these nuances that makes both parties better prepared to face injuries on the battlefield."

Working in conjunction with a U.K. exercise conducted at STANTA, Team Mildenhall members shared their expertise and medical knowledge, passing on many techniques to the British soldiers, including different positions for placing a tourniquet, and performing a needle decompression on a collapsed lung.

The 352nd SOSS Medical Element supports special operations forces in a medical capacity. They also provide medical coverage for the crew going out on missions.

"That's our main 'bread-and-butter,' for the (352nd) SOG," Hall said. "We also perform casualty evacuations, moving casualties from what could be the point of injury to hospital care, which is usually at a forward operating base or staging base where we have more medical assets."

These advanced medical assets are used to then stabilize and treat patients, preparing them for evacuation to safer areas.

"Our typical team is a special operations forces medical element; it's a three-person team consisting of a flight surgeon and two independent duty medical technicians," Hall explained. "The IDMTs (enlisted medics) are more of a 'super-medic,' because they have many certifications that your typical paramedic may not have."

Hall said because of the medical element, they like to train with U.K. special forces.

"We're sharing our knowledge with them in the hopes that when we're downrange together, we each have a knowledge and appreciation of the other's skills and training," the San Antonio native said. "One of the biggest things out in the field is that we don't know if we're going to be saving the life of a U.K., U.S., or other partner-nation soldier. At the same time, our forces don't know if they're going to have a U.S. or U.K. medic, or other partner-nation medic saving their lives - that's why it's important that we get out and get to know our partner nations and their medical capabilities and skills."

Hall emphasized how joint training is a force multiplier, establishing knowledge and trust between forces achieving a common goal.

During this training event, U.S. medics put the JTACs in different field scenarios, including having them under fire and coming across casualties. The medics then split into teams, each working together to provide immediate medical attention to those injured, firstly in the form of a mannequin, followed by the 352nd SOSS members role-playing as patients.

The British Army JTACs said they also appreciated the chance to learn from their American counterparts.

"The way things are going in Afghanistan has really identified the need to work within coalition forces," said Lt. Rob Fidler, 19 Regiment RA officer-in-command. "As JTACs, we work with different nations and for us this is a nice little 'cherry on the top' for our week's training (at STANTA), and I think this is the way it's going to go in the future.

"(Regarding our work method) - we get a casualty, we react, treat and move them off - the way (Americans) do it is very similar to how we do it," the British officer from Aberdeen, Scotland, said. "We've just come back from Afghanistan, but we're building up our training again as we move to the future; the way it's going to work is with other nations, so it seemed (wise) to bring these guys in."

Fidler said during the exercise at STANTA, he and his soldiers had been working with Fast Air and Apache helicopters.

"Working with Apaches is our core trade, but it's always good to mix it up," the JTAC said. "This week we've also been working with Typhoons and Tornados, all British aircraft, though from time-to-time we work with U.S. F-15s and F-16s."

The officer-in-command emphasized how the two nations working alongside each other can only be a win-win situation.

"Our training requirement is ever-ongoing and I see this as building up relationships and working with other nations," Fidler said. "The Americans are a massive resource, so (it's good) to tap into that, and also they're good fun. They want to work with the host nation and we want them to work with us."

Hall agreed.

"Camaraderie between forces is also a benefit of learning from each other as we did this week," the major said. "In the end, it's all about saving lives."

307th Bomb wing sits on precipice of history

by Master Sgt. Mary Hinson
307th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

3/11/2013 - BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- The 307th Bomb Wing will become the first nuclear certified Reserve wing if it successfully completes an Initial Nuclear Surety Inspection here March 14.

The 307th BW, tasked to support the 2nd Bomb Wing's nuclear and conventional missions through the auspices of the Total Force Initiative, will undergo five days of inspection to certify it is qualified to perform the U.S. Air Force nuclear mission.

Before a wing can have a certification to perform nuclear duties, they have to be identified by the commander of their major command as ready to undertake this mission, explained Col. Jon Ellis, commander of the 307th BW.

Inspectors from the Air Force Global Strike Command Inspector General office will perform process reviews and hands-on evaluations of the 343rd Bomb Squadron and 707th Maintenance Squadron. They will also conduct inspections of the 307th BW reservists assigned to the Command Post, Safety office, and those who administer the Personnel Reliability Program.

"This is a historic moment for our total force team," said Col. Andrew Gebara, 2nd Bomb Wing commander. "I appreciate all the hard work that has gone into preparing for this inspection to ensure the 307th BW receives its nuclear certification, further strengthening both our nuclear capability and the close partnership of our two wings."

With Reserve personnel already integrated into daily operations with the active duty 2nd BW, the 307th BW's successful completion of the INSI is only a first step. In June, the 2nd BW and the 307th BW will accomplish the Defense Nuclear Surety Inspection as an integrated team.

Initial preparation for the INSI began in 2011. The 307th BW conducted four Nuclear Surety Exercises in 2012, two NSEs in 2013, and hosted multiple staff assistance visits from the Air Force Global Strike Command Safety and PRP Functional, the AF Safety Center, and AFRC A3N (Nuclear Operations Branch) and safety throughout this time frame, said Maj. Ben Bowman, 307th BW chief of Safety.

According to Chief Master Sgt. Richard Young, maintenance superintendent of the 707th MXS, the MXS has been manning and preparing for the inspection for years. The squadron, who will have a four-member crew tested on an integrated weapons load, has been preparing with multiple loading exercises each week. In addition to the load test, all 31 PRP personnel in the 707th MXS will complete a written test proving their knowledge of the nuclear surety requirements and showing that all the preparation paid off.

"This is a must-not-fail environment. The INSI will prove we can thrive in this environment," added Col. Joe Jones, vice commander of the 307th BW and head of the 307th Nuclear Surety Inspection Steering Group.

As with anything new, seeing the idea come to fruition has been met with challenges, said Ellis. Since this is a first for the AFRC, Air Force Global Strike Command and the Steering Group have been working closely together to make sure the evaluation is designed to properly test the nuclear capabilities of the 307th personnel.

"We are working together very carefully to figure out the right answers," said Ellis. Once the 307th BW has completed the INSI and shown that it can be done, the process can be used as a model for other Reserve and Air National Guard units to achieve certification.

Carter Reassures Defense Industry Amid Budget Uncertainty

By Nick Simeone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 12, 2013 – Deputy Defense Secretary Ash Carter pledged today that the Pentagon will not allow a $46 billion cut in spending and uncertainty over future funding to keep it from focusing on challenges facing the nation even though the current fiscal situation will lead to “perverse, unsafe and wasteful consequences.”

While calling the current budget sequester and the continuing lack of a defense appropriation bill harmful to the entire defense industry, Carter sought to reassure defense industry representatives attending a conference here that the department intends to “think and act ahead of today’s turmoil” by making strategic budget decisions for the future.

“We must continue to look above and beyond this year to the future, to the great strategic transition that is before us and to providing the country the defense it needs for the amount of money that it has to spend,” he said.

That transition comprises ending more than a decade of conflict and shifting focus toward the Asia-Pacific region, “where America will continue to play its seven-decade-old pivotal stabilizing role in the future,” he said.

At the same time, Carter said, “threats to the United States have not been sequestered,” mentioning North Korea, Iran, cyber threats and al-Qaida.

Carter acknowledged the ongoing budget uncertainty likely will create “second-order effects” that will last for years, with one of them perhaps being a pivot of the defense industry itself.

“The act of sequestration and longer-term budget cuts and the prolongation of uncertainty could limit capital market confidence in the defense industry,” he said, adding that “companies may be less willing to make internal investments in their defense portfolios. “Some of them have certainly told me that,” he added.
A $46 billion across-the-board cut in defense spending through the Sept. 30 end of the fiscal year took effect March 1 after Congress failed to reach an agreement on how to reduce the federal budget deficit. As he has in the past, Carter predicted the impact the cuts will have on everything from military readiness across the force to furloughs for the department’s 800,000 civilian employees.

“[Defense] Secretary [Chuck] Hagel and I and the entire DOD leadership are committed to doing everything in our power under this deliberately restrictive law to mitigate its harmful effects on national security,” the deputy secretary said. But he called the sequester and the ongoing continuing resolution now funding government operations in the absence of a federal budget a “double absurdity.”

Barksdale dedicates building in memory of fallen hero

by Master Sgt. Sabrina D. Foster
2nd Bomb wing Public Affairs

3/8/2013 - BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- More than 100 Team Barksdale members, community leaders, family and friends, gathered at the Fitness Center March 8 to pay honor and tribute to the legacy of a hero who gave his all in the defense of his country.

The Fitness Center was officially renamed "The Senior Airman Bryan Bell Fitness Center" during a dedication ceremony.

Bell, an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician assigned to the 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron, was killed Jan. 5, 2012, by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Col. Andrew Gebara, 2nd Bomb Wing commander, talked about the accomplishments of Bell.

"First and foremost Bryan was a member of the Deuce. In many ways when accomplishing his impressive feats he was a symbol of the 2nd Bomb Wing.

Now, I never met Bryan, but I wish I had. I've heard said that nobody ever had a better outlook towards life. He joined the Air Force in 2007, and in his four short years in the Air Force, Senior Airman Bell directly contributed to more than 209 successful counter-IED missions; cleared IEDs from an area of over 745 miles of supply routes; trained local Iraqi and Afghan units on CIED tactics, techniques, and procedures; earned the Bronze Star Medal with Valor, the Air Force Combat Action Medal, both the Air Force and Army Commendation Medals and the Purple Heart.

Bryan would do anything he could to help those around him, even if it meant putting aside his own needs and wants.

Men and women of the Barksdale family-that is why we are here today. Not to grieve over Bryan... to simply honor his sacrifice and his legacy by providing a way to remember Senior Airman Bell's example for years to come.

Future Airmen will walk through the front entrance of the Bell Center and see Bryan's picture and his bomb suit. They will learn of his legacy. When they do, they will remember Bryan as a man with a wonderful smile and the courage to tackle a tough job so that our nation could remain safe and free. I can't think of a better way to remember a man than that."

Senior Airman Candice Bell, Bryan's sister, stationed at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, shared remarks on behalf of the Bell family.

"Wow, this is an amazing turnout. I can't believe you all are taking time out of your busy schedule to be here," said Bell.

"Thanks to everybody who had anything to do with this. Even though it has taken a year, we still can't believe it, it's amazing and there are no words to express how much we thank you."

Candice recalled Bryan as a kind, loving individual who cared about those around him and was always willing to lend a helping hand. Because of his size, she referred to him as a "big, friendly giant."

After the remarks, Bell's family unveiled the new name on the side of the Fitness Center in big, brown, bold letters - "SrA Bryan Bell Fitness Center".

Immediately following the first unveiling, the crowd, led by Gebara and the Bell family, gathered at the main entrance of the facility to unveil the official Air Force memorial plaque that will be seen by thousands as they make their way in and out of the Bell fitness center.

The plaque, affixed to its permanent structure outside Building 3800 reads:

Bell Fitness Center
Named in Honor of
Senior Airman Bryan R. Bell
KIA Afghanistan, January, 5, 2012
A Courageous Gentle Giant....
Loved and Respected by All Whom He Touched

Dedicating a building does not happen overnight, and a lot of behind the scenes paperwork has to be accomplished in order to make this a reality.

In accordance with Air Force Instruction 36-3108, "The intent of the Air Force Memorialization Program is to provide lasting honor and pay tribute to deceased as well as living Air Force military and civilian personnel with records of outstanding and honorable service. This program also fosters favorable relations between the public and the Air Force. All memorializations should be carefully evaluated to ensure that only the most deserving persons are selected. These selections should bring honor and goodwill to the Air Force and local communities."

A memorialization request, along with a biography, supporting data reflecting the association of the person with the installation, a base map indicating the real estate (facility) considered for naming, and a memorandum from the wing commander or vice commander stating sources reviewed to verify the individuals background, and that no derogatory information was found that would preclude memorialization honors had to be submitted to Air Force Global Strike Command for this request to be considered.

"The idea to rename a building in Bell's honor was a collective decision," said Steven Vincent, 2nd CES deputy commander. "It involved the 2nd CES, 2nd Mission Support Group and 2nd Bomb Wing leadership."

AFI 36-3108 lists facilities on installations that may also be considered for memorialization such as clubs, libraries and service centers, but the Fitness Center held the most significance to rename in Bell's honor.

"The Fitness Center was chosen because it is an extremely visible facility," said Vincent. "Virtually every active duty member as well as many civilians and retirees visit the facility on a regular basis. Also, fitness is of paramount importance to the EOD mission. These two factors made it an obvious choice in honoring the first combat fatality from the 2nd Bomb Wing since World War II."

All gave some, but Senior Airman Bryan R. Bell, gave all. Gone, but not forgotten. His legacy will live on forever at Barksdale Air Force Base.

First sergeants find value in Air Guard's Warrior Network

by Master Sgt. Mike R. Smith
I.G. Brown Training and Education Center

3/8/2013 - MCGHEE TYSON AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Tenn. -- When Chief Master Sgt. Michael Kennedy wanted to communicate to more than 800 first sergeants across the Air National Guard as their functional manager this week he turned to the I.G. Brown Training and Education Center.

The Center told him, no problem.

Its Media Engagement Division and "Warrior Network" here broadcast Kennedy live from an anchor desk, in high definition. They set him up in a state-of-the-art video broadcast, while at the same time fielded questions to him via email, text and phone.

Subject matter experts and top Total Force leaders were also connected in live via high definition video teletraining systems or telephonically, creating a virtual conference that was pushed out to all of the Air Guard's first sergeants.

If that's not enough the broadcast went out via satellite to the entire Air Guard, nationwide, through base cable networks and directly to some Airmen's desktop computers.

Maybe best of all, it cost Kennedy's department little more than a plane ticket and a hotel stay for one.

"I think we are capturing all the facets here at this jewel and really making it sparkle today," said Kennedy. "It's very cool, and I'm pretty excited about it."

The Warrior Network and its dedicated satellite television system beams out to all of the Air Guard's sites, for a total of 186 downlinks, for the purpose of delivering news, command information and professional training, among other creative uses.

Managers of the advanced television studio network said the recent fiscal constraints are proving the value of having a combined physical and virtual campus with conferencing capabilities.

It's a center of learning that has grown toward its golden age for decades.

"I think the Warrior Network is at the start of a level of usage that has not been seen," said Maj. Gabe Johnson, division chief. "It's cost effective ... really the only travel is for you to come to TEC, your audience doesn't have to go anywhere, and that's a huge benefit."

As the physical school house and satellite campus for the Air Guard's enlisted academies, members at the Center are working hard to serve the field with innovation and technology to "be the all-encompassing place for knowledge, comprehension and application levels of learning," said Johnson.

Having been a participant in the Center's satellite Noncommissioned Officer Academy back in the '90s, Kennedy said he knew right away the Air Guard was "bringing a very unique perspective to professional training."

"Working with the crew here and what they bring to the fight every day, it's just quality, bar none," said Kennedy.

The award-winning media team consists of Air Guard and Air Force active duty Airmen on special assignment, as well as civilian studio engineers and technicians.

Every duty day, the studio broadcasts its signature "Minuteman Report" - a news story from the field - to the National Guard as well as to the Department of Defense's Pentagon Channel and American Forces Network, reaching millions of viewers around the world.

The studio is preparing to deliver the next Airman Leadership School via satellite to sites all across the nation on Monday. The Air Guard's Senior Leadership Conference was broadcast live through the studio, and Chief Master Sgt. James W. Hotaling, command chief of the Air Guard, recently recorded and broadcast his introductory message to the field here.

Johnson said the Center and its Warrior Network see endless opportunities for innovative communications for all of the service components and Departments.

"At the very basic level we are willing to work with customers to put out computer-based training or a recorded video, all the way up to producing interactive broadcasts and hosting campus workshops and classrooms with live coverage," said Johnson.

"This is our third time using the Warrior Network," said Kennedy. "It's a low-cost, high impact way to reach 100 percent of our Wings."

Kennedy said he once brought a cadre of instructors here, even the Air Guard's command chief, who was scheduled to broadcast with him that afternoon.

"I can hold a Total Force broadcast here with just a few phone calls and speak to the entire Air Force, worldwide," said Kennedy. "To me, that's just an awesome venue to take advantage of."