Multinational Peacekeeping Exercise Kicks Off in Nepal

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 26, 2013 – U.S. Pacific Command’s deputy commander opened a multinational peacekeeping exercise in Nepal yesterday, praising planners and participants for the role they will play in promoting peace operations regionally and around the world.

Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Thomas L. Conant, deputy commander of U.S. Pacific Command, lays a wreath with Nepalese officers at Exercise Shanti Prayas 2 at the Birendra Peace Operations Training Center in Panchkhal, Nepal, March 25, 2013. The multinational peacekeeping exercise is designed to build capacity and interoperability among partner nations. Photo courtesy of the Nepalese army   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Thomas L. Conant joined officials from the Nepalese army and the United Nations to kick off the Shanti Prayas 2 peacekeeping exercise at the Birendra Peace Operations Training Center in Panchkal.

The exercise, the second to be hosted by Nepal, is sponsored by the United States to train the Nepal army and Global Peace Operations Initiative partner nation militaries for U.N. peacekeeping missions. Representatives of 23 nations are participating in this year’s exercise.

Conant, expressing pride for his service as a U.N. peacekeeper in Somalia in 1994, challenged the group to take advantage of the opportunity to “learn and practice and latest in peacekeeping skills in a realistic environment, as well as to learn from each nation’s participants.”

As they increase their peacekeeping skills and ability to operate together, participants will strengthen multinational cooperation while contributing to regional peacekeeping capability, he said.

“This exercise will be no different, as participants prepare for important international missions that require the highest peacekeeping skill levels and use the latest U.N. doctrine,” he said.

Noting Nepal’s contributions to international peacekeeping, Nepalese Army Chief Gen. Gaurav SJB Rana emphasized the importance of sharing experiences, best practices and lessons learned to prepare participants for the challenges of peacekeeping missions.

Shanti Prayas 2 includes a senior training seminar, staff exercise and field training exercise.

Eleven platoons from 11 nations participating in the FTX are working to enhance their tactical training, organizational tactics, techniques and procedures. Senior leaders from Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and the United States are attending the four-day senior training seminar, which concludes today.

In addition, 84 officers from 24 nations participating in the staff exercise are focused on improving their operations, logistics and planning capabilities and U.N. civil-military coordination.

Conant and his Nepalese hosts laid a wreath on a Peacekeepers Memorial to honor those killed in the line of duty promoting international peace.

The U.S. State Department’s Global Peace Operations Initiative was established in 2004 to build partner-nation capabilities in peace support operations. The goal, Conant explained, is to increase the pool of military troops and police units trained and available for deployment and to provide the required preparation, logistical and deployment support they may require.

Within six years of its inception, the program trained and equipped 75,000 peacekeepers worldwide, primarily in Africa. The focus now has shifted to the Asia-Pacific region, with an emphasis on humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations, Conant said.

AFGSC chaplain programs give Airmen tools to succeed

by Airman 1st Class Joseph A. Pagán Jr. and Ms. Carla Pampe
Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs

3/26/2013 - BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- In Air Force Global Strike Command, respect for the worth and dignity of every Airmen is one of the command's eight values. With that in mind, programs are in place throughout the command to promote resiliency, family readiness, financial health and more.

To help strengthen Airmen's spiritual health, Air Force Global Strike Command's chaplain office recently received funds from Headquarters Air Force to support resiliency programs at the five bases assigned to AFGSC. These will be distributed equally to each base chaplain office for resiliency programs like retreats, workshops and seminars.

While the retreats were restricted to marriage care in previous years, the chapel offices are now broadening the types of retreats to include single Airmen, single parents and divorced parents, said Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Gregory Jans, AFGSC staff chaplain.

"Airmen are asked to give so much, and their families sacrifice so much," he said. "Through these programs, we are equipping Airmen and their families with the tools needed to deal with stress."

Each wing may choose any program they believe works for the Airmen at their base, Jans added.

"The Malmstrom Chapel is planning on using the funds for a MarriageCare retreat in July and a Single Airmen retreat in August," said Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Clyde Dyson, 341st Missile Wing Malmstrom AFB, Mont., wing chaplain. "The MarriageCare retreat will focus on strengthening the marriages of 20 couples assigned here and the Singles retreat will enhance social networking and build new relationships as well as strengthen existing relationships for 40 single Airmen."

In addition to a MarriageCare event at their base, the Whiteman AFB, Mo., Chapel will also host "Storytellers."

The storyteller events will provide a venue for Airmen to relate stories of their past victories over personal stressors and/or trauma.

The goal of the funds is not to purposely create new programs, but to support effective initiatives already in place at Global Strike wings.

"Any time we can help the wing chapels do great resiliency events and put more of them on, that's going to bless Airmen and their families, which ultimately supports the AFGSC mission," Jans said.

While Warrior Care is the Chaplain Corp's number one priority, the AFGSC Chaplain's Office is also focusing time and effort on the priority of caring for the caregivers.

"Listening to the problems others are going through, and helping them through those issues can be stressful in and of itself," Jans said, "so even in these austere times we are doing a developmental day with each of our chaplain teams to ensure that we refill the water in their wells."

The first developmental day was held at Whiteman March 11, and two others have been scheduled for April and May. All five base chaplain teams will have a developmental day by the end of the year.

"We're focusing on the nine elements of leadership," Jans said. "It's about growing and understanding ourselves in caregiving - what drains a person, what energizes a person and how to work together as a team."

The goal with all of these programs is to ensure AFGSC Airmen have the spiritual tools they need to succeed.

"We know that stressors right now are huge, and helping replenish people's spirits is always a good thing," Jans said.

North Korean Threats Help No One, Pentagon Official Says

By Claudette Roulo
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 26, 2013 – The newest threats by North Korea follow a well-worn pattern designed to raise tensions and intimidate others, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said today.
According to news reports out of North Korea this week, long-range artillery and strategic rocket units have been ordered to prepare to deploy.

The United States is concerned by any activities on the Korean Peninsula that could raise tensions, Little said in a meeting with reporters. “It's not just artillery,” he noted. “North Korea has nuclear capabilities, so the full range of their arsenal is of concern to the United States and to our South Korean allies.”

North Korea's threats help no one, Little said, and serve only to further isolate North Korea and undermine international efforts to ensure peace and stability in the region.

The decision earlier this month to place 14 additional ground-based interceptors at Fort Greely, Alaska, and Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., was based in large part on growing threats from North Korea, Little said.

In addition to the recent mobilization order, in recent months North Korea has conducted nuclear testing, placed a satellite into orbit and continued development of its intercontinental missile program. "The facts are that the North Koreans are developing their missile capabilities in violation of international law and norms of international behavior,” Little said, “and they need to stop.”

The chairman of South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff and the U.S. general who commands the U.S.-Republic of Korea Combined Forces Command announced March 24 that they had signed a combined plan to counter threats from North Korea. The classified agreement is led by the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff and supported by U.S. Forces Korea, Little said. The agreement is part of a robust architecture supporting a larger joint planning effort that has been under way for some time, he added.

“We are moving forward to take new steps on a combined command and control structure for the [U.S.-South Korea] alliance,” Little said. The counter-provocation plan serves as a representation of the continued development of strategic, operational and tactical cooperation, he said.

"It improves our combined readiness posture and allows immediate and decisive response to any North Korean provocation,” Little added.

“It's very important that we do everything we can to stabilize the peninsula and not take rhetoric to where it shouldn't go,” he said, “and that's what the North Koreans are doing right now, and that should cease."
The United States takes everything the North Korean government says and does seriously, Little said.

“We continue to urge North Korean leadership to heed the president's call to choose a path of peace and to come into compliance with North Korea's international obligations,” he added.

Marine Corps Prepares for Quadrennial Review Process

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 26, 2013 – The Marine Corps enters the Quadrennial Defense Review process confident that examination will show the Marines’ trajectory is on the right track, the Marine Corps’ representative to the process said here today.

At a Defense Writers Group roundtable, Maj. Gen. Kenneth F. “Frank” McKenzie Jr. noted that the Marine Corps is a naval force and said that capability will become even more important in the years and decades ahead.

The review -- due to Congress in February -- already is shaping up. Because much remains unknown -- such as budget factors -- the services are focusing on a range of possibilities in looking at the review, Pentagon officials said. Another unknown is whether the strategic defense guidance announced in January 2012 remains viable, with sequestration cuts almost doubling the spending cuts Pentagon officials had planned for over the next decade.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has ordered a strategic choices management review co-chaired by Deputy Defense Secretary Ash Carter and Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Their conclusions will go to the secretary May 31. The conclusions will be used to set the terms of reference for the Quadrennial Defense Review, Pentagon officials said.

Whatever the terms might be, McKenzie said today, he believes the capabilities the Marine Corps brings to the joint battlefield will be valued.

“We think the shift to the Pacific, the national strategy that we’re following, [includes] all natural things for the Marine Corps,” he said, “and as we go into the process, we want to accentuate the capabilities we bring for the nation.”

The Marine Corps touts itself as the nation’s expeditionary force, but since 2001, that term has, perhaps, been overused, the general said. “‘Expeditionary’ has been eating bagels and steak on a [forward operating base] in Afghanistan, and that’s not quite the way the Marine Corps sees expeditionary,” he said.

The Marines’ definition of the term means moving fast and light, McKenzie said. It “is sleeping on the ground, living in a tent, living in a very austere environment,” he added. “We’re going to emphasize that.”
Expeditionary also means being a forward-deployed or rotationally deployed force. The best area in the spectrum of operations for the Marine Corps, the general said, is “on the left end, … shaping activities -- assurance activities, deterrence activities. Our capability is going to be on the early end. We can buy time, we can serve as a hedge force, we can provide a variety of services to deter potential foes, and we can also act this afternoon, not next week.”

The Marine Corps is not a second land Army, “and the country doesn’t need a second Marine Corps,” McKenzie said.

“Marine Corps capabilities are already bought and paid for,” he added. “They are not a dream of the future. They are a fact today.”

The Marine Corps continues to work closely with the U.S. Army, the general said. With the Army and Special Operations Command, the Marines have established a strategic land power office. This is still new, McKenzie said, but it could be an important factor ahead for both services.

Reiterating that the Marine Corps is a naval force, not a land force, the general said the service will emphasize that distinction during the Quadrennial Defense Review process.

Past QDRs have been incremental, but this one could be significant, McKenzie said.

“You’ve got the fiscal pressures. … You have a new strategy in effect, and, most importantly, you’ve got a new secretary of defense,” he added. “The timeliness is there for a consequential QDR.”

COMPACAF thanks Airmen as Cope Tiger 13 concludes

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

3/25/2013 - KORAT ROYAL THAI AIR FORCE BASE, Thailand  -- Gen. Hawk Carlisle, commander of Pacific Air Forces, met with Airmen from the U.S., Thailand and Republic of Singapore as they joined forces one last time on the flight line during the closing ceremony for Cope Tiger 13 here March 21.

"I want to personally thank you for all that you've done. What you've accomplished during this exercise matters a great deal," Carlisle told Airmen as he met with them one on one before the closing ceremony began.

Carlisle presented certificates of accomplishment to Airmen who rose to the challenge and delivered superior performance during Cope Tiger 13. Afterwards, he talked candidly with the Airmen and answered their questions.

Carlisle noted that with less than one percent of the U.S. population serving in the military, Airmen should be proud to count themselves as part of an elite few who provide peace and stability, especially in the Pacific region.

"You answer our nation's call everyday," Carlisle said.

Cope Tiger 13's objectives included improving combat readiness and combined aerial planning and tactics in addition to enhancing multilateral relations.

During the combined field training exercise, 2,300 personnel and 80 aircraft from the three participating air forces executed 919 aerial sorties.

"It is my great pleasure to report that with leadership and teamwork contributed from all participants, the exercise accomplished its primary goal of executing safely," said Group Capt. Napadej Dhupatemiya, Royal Thai Air Force exercise director.

Beyond conducting large force employment missions, Cope Tiger participants made it a point to contribute their goodwill to local schools in the surrounding communities. During three cultural engagements, Airmen contributed educational materials, computer equipment, athletic gear and quality of life measures such as fans and sinks to the schools.

"The interactions that we have during Cope Tiger in Thailand are so beneficial," said Col. Peter Milohnic, U.S. exercise director. "We tend to focus on the military aspect, but what we learn from each other culturally and the friendships that we build while we are here are important, too."

Master Sgt. Jeff Mikkelson, a fuels section chief assigned to Yokota Air Base, Japan, agrees.

"I'm honored to have had the opportunity to make a positive impact here at Cope Tiger, not only on the flight line, but in the community, too" Mikkelson said.

With exercise scenarios concluded, redeployment of aircraft and personnel continue this week.

Air Force Lt. Gen. Stanley E. Clarke assumes helm as Air Guard director

by Sgt. 1st Class Jon Soucy
National Guard Bureau

3/23/2013 - JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. -- Air Force Lt. Gen. Stanley E. Clarke III assumed the duties and responsibilities of director, Air National Guard in a ceremony here today at the Air National Guard Readiness Center.

Clarke took over as director from Air Force Lt. Gen. Harry "Bud" Wyatt, who retired.

A command pilot with more than 4000 hours--including more than 100 combat hours-- in the A-10 Thunderbolt II and F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft, Clarke assumed his current position after serving as commander of 1st Air Force and Continental U.S. North America Aerospace Defense Command.

"The opportunity to watch (Clarke) at 1st Air Force was tremendous for me to learn his great capabilities," said Army Gen. Frank Grass, chief, National Guard Bureau, during the ceremony.

And because of his background, Clarke was uniquely positioned and had the right skill set to take on the duties of director, Grass said.

"An Alabama Air Guardsman who served as the assistant adjutant general for air, an A-10 and F-16 pilot who commanded a squadron, wing and expeditionary wing, all of that prepared him for this job and to represent everyone in this building and all those in the Air National Guard across the map in the 54 states, territories and the District of Columbia," Grass said.

And Clarke has been busy as he settles into his new role.

"There's a lot to learn," said Clarke. "But, I've hit the ground running and am drinking from the fire hose. I have already been on the Hill seven times and testified twice."

However, he said his new role is a humbling one.

"This is quite an honor and I am humbled at the opportunity to serve (those in the Air Guard)," said Clarke.

And, as Clarke takes the reins as director, he said he sees tremendous opportunities despite recent budget cutbacks.

"I've arrived in a time of budget turmoil and uncertainty, but I view this as a time of opportunity as well," he said, adding that his focus and commitment are clear.

"My commitment to the (Airmen) and the adjutants general is clear," he said. "We will do everything within our authority to ensure our Airmen have clear policies, equipment, training and resources to accomplish assigned missions. We remain community based, team oriented and experienced."

And Clarke is ready to face those challenges, said Grass.

"(He) has stepped up to the challenge," said Grass. "And I can tell you I've already watched him as he's taken on that challenge."

Whiteman marks three combat anniversaries for B-2

by Capt. John Severns
509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

3/22/2013 - WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- In a historic coincidence, this third week of March marks not just one anniversary, but the anniversary of three separate combat engagements by the B-2 Spirit Bomber.

The first occurred 14 years ago, when B-2 bombers flying from Whiteman AFB were the first manned aircraft to engage in hostilities during Operation Allied Force on March 24, 1999. Operation Allied Force was a NATO military operation launched to force Yugoslavia's president, Slobodan Milosevic, to end a campaign of violence by Serbian forces against the people of Kosovo.

Ten years ago, B-2 s operating from Whiteman Air Force Base and other forward locations participated in the opening salvos of Operation Iraqi Freedom, dropping dozens of bombs on high-value targets in Baghdad on March 20, 2003. Operation Iraqi Freedom marked the highest-intensity bombardment ever conducted by B-2s, with the aircraft dropping over a million pounds of ordnance during the opening days of the war.

Finally, and most recently, three B-2s took off from Whiteman AFB on March 22, 2011 and flew more than 6,000 miles to Libya, where they took part in Operation Odyssey Dawn, a NATO operation to enforce a UN no-fly zone to prevent Muammar Gaddafi from using his air forces to attack civilians. The aircraft destroyed a series of hardened aircraft shelters at an airfield near Sirte, and resulted in the nearly complete destruction of Gaddafi's air forces.

All three anniversaries highlight the enduring contributions of the B-2 Spirit to our nation's defense, according to Brig. Gen. Thomas Bussiere, commander of the 509th Bomb Wing.

"This year we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the arrival of the B-2 at Whiteman Air Force Base, and this week we commemorate three of the B-2's four combat employments," Bussiere said. "In Serbia, Libya and Iraq, we saw professional Airmen flying from bases around the world to successfully destroy targets with pinpoint precision. The B-2's ability to enter the most restricted airspace in the world, attack critical targets, and then fly home, is unmatched in any other air force in the world. Our people deserve to be proud of the outstanding missions they contributed to in each of these conflicts."

This year also marks the 20th anniversary of the delivery of the first B-2 Spirit, the Spirit of Missouri, to Whiteman Air Force Base on Dec. 17, 1993. Air Force Global Strike command has designated 2013 as the "Year of the B-2," and throughout the year the wing will be marking a variety of important dates in the B-2 program.

Over the years, many of the Airmen who participated in the combat operations as pilots later went on to leadership positions in the B-2 community. One such pilot, then-Lt. Col. Scott Vander Hamm, was commander of the 325th Bomb Squadron here when Operation Iraqi Freedom was launched.

"Our mission was to go after Saddam's critical infrastructure, to degrade his ability to respond," Brig. Gen. Scott Vander Hamm, now the Director of Plans, Programs, Requirements and Assessments at Air Education and Training Command, said during an interview last week with the British newspaper The Telegraph. "Our priority of course was avoiding Iraqi civilian casualties but we were bombing office buildings in the wee hours of the morning.

"It was a 38-hour-long flight from Missouri and back again, with five mid-air refuels. As we were flying over Iraq towards Baghdad, we could see the precision strikes by the Navy's Tomahawk missiles, but otherwise the night sky was very quiet and I could see the outlines of the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers where they converged," he continued.

The B-2's first combat employment, in Kosovo, was a nerve-wracking time for the mission planners back in the states, but for the pilots in the air, job one was to focus on the mission.

"Once you get into the target areas, the target runs, you are doing a lot of aiming, a lot of radar scope interpretation, so you are very busy," said then-Lt. Col. Eric Single, who was commander of the 393rd Bomb Squadron at the time, in a book by Rebecca Grant on the B-2's actions in Kosovo, "The B-2 Goes to War."

"You don't have time to think about anything but getting the weapons out," he continued.

"The B-2 was designed to deliver weapons on the first day - yesterday was the first day of the war and the B-2 was there," said Col. Tony Imondi, who was the 509th Operations Group commander during Operation Allied Force.

More recently, during Operation Odyssey Dawn, the B-2 Spirit demonstrated its incredible flexibility as a platform for conducting global strike operations. The three aircraft flew more than 25 hours to their target in Libya and joined a coordinated assault involving U.S. Navy and other Air Force assets.

Although Libya's air defenses were considered antiquated by modern standards, the B-2 Spirit gave U.S. commanders a degree of certitude that only comes with a precise, stealthy aircraft. During all three anniversaries being celebrated this month, the men and women of Whiteman Air Force Base demonstrated the full range of capabilities of American air power.

Guardsmen, Reservists Nominate Employers for Freedom Awards

From an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve News Release

ARLINGTON, Va., March 25, 2013 – Members of the National Guard and reserves submitted 2,899 nominations for the 2013 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, officials with Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, an operational Defense Department committee, announced today.
The Freedom Award is the Defense Department’s highest recognition for employers supporting employees who serve in the reserve components.

Up to 15 award recipients will be announced this summer, and they’ll be honored in Washington, D.C., later this year at the 18th annual Freedom Award ceremony. Past award recipients have met with senior White House and Defense Department leaders as part of the award recognition, officials said.

Guard and reserve service members, or family members acting on their behalf, nominated their civilian employers for the Freedom Award during the 12-week nomination season that closed in January.

ESGR officials noted that even with recent drawdowns in Afghanistan, ongoing national security demands and humanitarian relief missions have continued to call reserve component service members away from their civilian lives. Supportive employers are critical to helping provide stability and peace of mind for these service members and their families, officials added.

"Every year, these nominations demonstrate the strength of our employers' commitment to supporting our Guardsmen and reservists," said ESGR National Chair James G. Rebholz. "We applaud all the National Guard and reserve service members who took the time to tell the DOD why their employers are exceptional, and we are grateful to the 2013 nominees for providing our citizen warriors with the assistance and encouragement they rely on while answering the call to duty."

Guard and reserve members make up almost half of the U.S. military. While most Guard and reserve employers proudly support their military employees, ESGR officials said, Freedom Award recipients are recognized for going to extraordinary lengths for the Guardsmen and reservists who work for them in their civilian lives.

This year’s nominees represent diverse industries, including airlines, grocery store chains, national retail brands and information technology companies, as well as small businesses and state and local governments.
A list of nominations from all 50 states, Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia are available at
http://www.FreedomAward.mil. Semifinalists for the 2013 Freedom Award will be announced later this spring.

The Freedom Award was instituted in 1996 under the auspices of ESGR to recognize exceptional support from the employer community. In the years since, 175 employers have been honored with the award.
ESGR develops and maintains employer support for reserve component members, advocating relevant initiatives, recognizing outstanding support, increasing awareness of applicable laws, and resolving conflict between service members and employers. Paramount to ESGR’s mission, officials said, is encouraging employment of Guardsmen and reservists who bring integrity, global perspective and proven leadership to the civilian workforce.

145th CE Continues to Bridge Gap by Integrating Total Force Training

by Tech Sgt Patricia Findley
145th Public Affairs

3/22/2013 - NEW LONDON, N.C. -- In wartime or contingency environments, Air Force Active Duty, Guard and Reserve Civil Engineers often involve the use of specialized and unique mission essential equipment that they normally do not use in their day-to-day operations. Due to cost and complexity, mission-essential equipment and trainer expertise are not commonly found at installations in the continental United States. However, inadequate training on these key equipment items can negatively impact Air Force contingency operations.

During March 2013, the 145th Civil Engineering Squadron, North Carolina Air National Guard Regional Training Site was host to a mixture of Active Duty and National Guard personnel from Charleston AFB, Whiteman AFB and Oklahoma Air National Guard while they attended a Mission Essential Equipment Training class. This site, located in New London, N.C. is one of only four training sites in the country that provides this kind of training.

The MEET class, taught by Master Sgt. Christopher R. Speagle, Prime Base Engineer Emergency Force manager for the 145th Civil Engineering Squadron, helped airmen achieve hands-on certification by having individuals complete appropriate hands-on training, meet the minimum "go/no go" standards identified in the MEET curriculum, and get to a proficiency level prescribed in the approved MEET curriculum to set up, operate, trouble shoot, maintain and reconstitute equipment. This equipment includes Emergency Airfield Lighting Systems, Bare Base Electrical Distribution Systems; Mobile Aircraft Arresting Systems, 750 KW Generator Operations and Water Fuels Maintenance on Reverse Osmosis Water Purification Units.

The 145th Civil Engineering Squadron is responsible for wartime mission training plus construction, utility support, emergency services, maintenance and repair of base infrastructure. The members of this unit are highly trained and capable of immediate and rapid worldwide wartime deployment to support base hardening, rapid runway repair, expedient war damage repair, assessment and crash, rescue and fire-suppression action.

All Air Force members in the Civil Engineering career field, whether they are Active Duty, Guard or Reserves, must be re-certified every 24 months by attending the 40 hour MEET course.
The mission of war readiness is only accomplished by staying current in both classroom and hands on training.

When called to go down range the Prime BEEF mobility teams must be ready to rapidly deploy anytime, anywhere to provide fully responsive engineer capabilities in support of our nation's contingencies.

Stavridis Presses for More NATO-Russia Dialogue

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 25, 2013 – Noting increased cooperation between NATO and Russia in several key areas, the top NATO and U.S. European Command commander emphasized today the importance of working through stumbling blocks in what he called a “complicated partnership.”

In a blog post, Navy Adm. James G. Stavridis cited concerted efforts by both parties since NATO’s 2010 summit in Lisbon, Portugal, where the alliance’s 28 heads of state and government agreed on the need to pursue “a true strategic partnership” between NATO and Russia and noted in the strategic concept that they expect reciprocity from Russia.

Stavridis recognized several areas where increased cooperation has shown signs of paying off: counterpiracy; support for the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, military exchanges and training exercises, counterterrorism and counternarcotics, among them.

“Overall, we enjoy cooperation and some level of partnership in a variety of important areas,” he said. “On the other hand, there are clearly challenges in the relationship.”

Stavridis noted Russia’s objections to the European phased adaptive approach for missile defense. “Russia sees the NATO missile defense system as posing a threat to their strategic intercontinental ballistic missile force,” he said. “We strongly disagree, and feel that the system is clearly designed to protect populations against Iran, Syria and other ballistic-missile-capable nations that threaten the European continent.”
NATO and Russia also disagree over Russian forces stationed in Georgia and NATO’s role in Libya, Stavridis said.

“We maintain that we operated under the U.N. Security Council mandate to establish a no-fly zone, provide an arms embargo and protect the people of Libya from attacks,” he said, calling NATO’s actions “well within the bounds of the [U.N.] mandate and the norms of international law.

“Russia sees this differently,” Stavridis continued, “and whenever I discuss this with Russian interlocutors, we find little room for agreement. This tends to create a differing set of views about the dangerous situation in Syria as well.”

Stavridis noted Russian Ambassador to NATO Alexander Grushko’s stated concerns that these differences -- and the installation of NATO military infrastructure closer to Russia’s borders -- threaten to unravel progress made in their relations.

“Notwithstanding differences on particular issues, we remain convinced that the security of NATO and Russia is intertwined,” Stavridis said, quoting the NATO strategic concept agreed to in Lisbon. “A strong and constructive partnership based on mutual confidence, transparency and predictability can best serve our security,” it states.

Stavridis recognized areas in which the growing NATO-Russian relationship is bearing fruit:

-- Counterpiracy: Loosely coordinated efforts by NATO and Russian ships have reduced piracy by 70 percent over the past year and caused the number of ships and mariners held hostage to plummet in what the admiral called “a very effective operation.”

-- Afghanistan support: Russia contributed small arms and ammunition to the Afghan security forces and sold MI-17 helicopters and maintenance training to the Afghan air force. In addition, Russia provides logistical support, including a transit arrangement that helps to sustain NATO-led ISAF forces and redeployment efforts.

-- Military exchanges and exercises: Russian service members are participating in more of these engagements with the United States and NATO. These exchanges, including port calls in Russia, have been well-received by both militaries, Stavridis noted.

-- Arctic cooperation: Russia is collaborating with other members of the Arctic Council, including the United States, Norway, Denmark, Canada and Iceland, to ensure the Arctic remains a zone of cooperation.

-- Counterterrorism: In the lead-up to the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, NATO is offering assistance and information-sharing via a variety of channels, Stavridis reported.

-- Counternarcotics: NATO and Russia are working together to stem the flow of heroin from Afghanistan, a high priority for Russia.

Expressing hopes that NATO and Russia can continue to build on this cooperation, Stavridis said areas of tensions and disagreements need to be addressed.

“No one wants to stumble backwards toward the Cold War, so the best course for the future is open discussion, frank airing of disagreements, and hopefully seeking to build the ‘true strategic partnership’ set out in the NATO strategic concept,” he said. “Clearly, we have some work to do.”

Niagara aerial porters take on heavy load

by Tech. Sgt. Andrew Caya
914th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

3/19/2013 - NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION, N.Y. -- Resupplying ground forces with water and ammunition is itself no easy task, but it's just one of the missions performed by the 30th Aerial Port Squadron, which executed training on heavy-load airdrops during the 914th Airlift Wing's Unit Training Assembly here in early March.

A heavy load is a simulated high-weight capacity air drop, said Tech. Sgt. Joseph Frischholz of the air delivery section in the 30th APS. The squadron practices building, palletize and equipping the loads in order to keep their skills honed for war-time re-supply missions. Click here for video.

Frischholz stated these palletized loads are important for the troops because they can be air dropped where the forces need supplies, but conventional ground transportation, like trucks and Humvees, cannot go.

"The ability to get [ground troops] supplies when no one else can is rewarding," said Frischholz.

Creating the heavy load can take time; approximately two hours to complete.

"It's a two-man job," said Tech. Sgt. Kevin Menendez, aerial port specialist with the air delivery section. "The pallets need to be built, and then the loads need to be rigged with parachutes," Menendez added.

In order to have a successful airdrop, the loads must be constructed and rigged in a certain way, according to Menendez.

The aerial port Airmen handle the loads from start to finish and that includes recovering the pallets and the parachutes from a drop.

The recovery team goes to the landing site with equipment to recover the load base, as well as the parachutes. The team then carefully packs the parachutes into bags to take back to the squadron.

The recovered parachutes are meticulously inspected for defects such as rips or broken strings. If they pass the scrutiny of the Airmen, they are carefully packed and readied for the next drop.

Schriever volunteers use skills to serve community

by Scott Prater
Schriever Sentinel

3/21/2013 - SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo.  -- First Lt. Mark Long, 4th Space Operations Squadron, learned the value of hard work at an early age. He grew up on a farm in southwestern Indiana, building, fixing and maintaining structures, vehicles and equipment. So when he searched for the right volunteer opportunity, Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity seemed like the perfect fit.

When he arrived at Schriever last August, he was surprised to learn that the base had no organized Habitat For Humanity volunteer crew. He set about rectifying that situation, and now, coordinates up to 40 volunteers each month.

"I actually have a few selfish reasons for not only volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, but for helping draw others to do this important work," he said. "I gain valuable experience at every job site, which I hope will serve me well when I someday build my own home. I'm fascinated by the magic of making something where there was nothing and I want to create a distinct leadership identity for myself."

As a nonprofit organization, PPHFH uses volunteer labor and donations of money and materials to build and rehabilitate homes for low-income families. Since 1986, the Colorado Springs community has built or rehabilitated 118 homes through the PPHFH program.

Capt. Aaron Doyle, 4 SOPS, is one of the Schriever members Long recruited to volunteer with PPHFH. Ironically, Doyle already had Habitat for Humanity experience. He volunteered for the organization several years ago while stationed at Eglin AFB, Fla. Since joining the Schriever volunteer group he has also helped out at the PPHFH ReStore.

At the ReStore, Doyle unloads trucks and helps organize the store so customers have a better shopping experience. He explained that the ReStore is similar to a thrift store, only it's for home construction materials. If someone is say, remodeling their kitchen, they might be able to find a gently used sink there.

"Volunteering at the ReStore is interesting because you have an opportunity to exercise your organization skills," he said. "When materials come in, you stack items around and try to make the best use of the space. It's sort of like playing a three-dimensional Tetris game."

Doyle serves double duty for HFH. He also volunteers on home construction sites along with his fellow 4 SOPS and 50th Operations Group members. Together, they can do just about any task assigned to them.

"One aspect that's nice about HFH is they teach you construction skills as you work," Doyle said. "Usually there's one guy who is really skilled and he gives everyone sub tasks. Then, before the work is fully implemented, he'll do a spot check to make sure everything is constructed the way it should be."

Sometimes, it's Long or Doyle who fills the role of teacher and mentor.

"I think we provide community service on a variety of levels," Doyle said. "On our last construction site, we were able to teach some of the new guys about proper construction methods that they'll be able to use not only in future volunteer service, but also to improve their own homes. I really enjoy the teaching aspect of volunteering when the opportunities arise."

On a recent construction project, Long mentored other volunteers as a team attached roof trusses on a home, but he soaked up knowledge and skills on another part of the site.

Lindsey Desmarais Nubern, PPHFH volunteer manager said volunteers complete 90 percent of the work on each home the organization has built in El Paso County. Volunteers build foundations and floors, frame walls, install insulation, doors, windows and siding. They also and paint and complete roofs.

"The money we save in construction wages keeps the cost of the homes low for families and goes directly to supporting building of more homes for local families," Nubern said. "Air Force members have volunteered on 76 different days to build on PPHFH construction sites across the county and we could not accomplish our mission without their help. They are making the dream of home ownership come true for many local families."

To learn more information about volunteering as part of Schriever's PPHFH team contact Long at 567-4457.

Love My Rifle More than You: Young and Female in the U.S. Army

Kayla Williams, USA, “graduated cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree in English literature from Bowling Green State University, and earned a master of arts degree in international Affairs with a focus on the Middle East from American University.  She co-authored Love My Rifle More than You: Young and Female in the U.S. Army, a book about her deployment to Iraq as a member of the United States Army.

According to the book description of Love My Rifle More than You: Young and Female in the U.S. Army, “Kayla Williams is one of the 15 percent of the U.S. Army that is female, and she is a great storyteller. With a voice that is “funny, frank and full of gritty details” (New York Daily News), she tells of enlisting under Clinton; of learning Arabic; of the sense of duty that fractured her relationships; of being surrounded by bravery and bigotry, sexism and fear; of seeing 9/11 on Al-Jazeera; and of knowing she would be going to war.

With a passion that makes her memoir “nearly impossible to put down” (Buffalo News) Williams shares the powerful gamut of her experiences in Iraq, from caring for a wounded civilian to aiming a rifle at a child. Angry at the bureaucracy and the conflicting messages of today’s military, Williams offers us “a raw, unadulterated look at war” (San Antonio Express News) and at the U.S. Army. And she gives us a woman’s story of empowerment and self-discovery."

More information about Kayla Williams

Prototype Testing Advances on Selfridge KC-135

by TSgt. Dan Heaton
127th Wing Public Affairs

3/21/2013 - SELFRIDGE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Mich. -- Ground testing has successfully concluded on a prototype missile countermeasure device under review at Selfridge Air National Guard Base. The device is being tested on a KC-135 Stratotanker.

The Selfridge-based KC-135, flown by the 171st Air Refueling Squadron, will now undergo a series of flight tests to test the LAIRCM -- large aircraft infrared countermeasure -- system. The flight tests will be conducted at an Air Force test center in another state and are to begin in a few weeks. Testing is scheduled to be complete by early summer.

Since mid-January, a team of nine hand-picked Airmen from the 191st Maintenance Squadron at Selfridge have been working on the project with engineers and other specialists from the KC-135 Systems Project Office at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., and from Northrop Grumman Corp., which developed the LAIRCM system, known as The Guardian. The initial work on the project was to modify a KC-135 to be able to accept The Guardian pod on the rear of the aircraft and to integrate it as needed with existing aircraft systems. The work was painstakingly thorough, as the Airmen and specialists worked to develop written guidelines for future installations of the system and to identify potential modifications, should the prototype be put into production.

"Our Airmen are really focused on this project, it has the potential to directly save the lives of not only our own Airmen, but any Soldier, Sailor or Marine who is onboard our aircraft in a hostile environment," said Chief Master Sgt. Henry Ryan, superintendent of the 191st Maintenance Squadron.

Ryan said while the group of Airmen working on the prototype project have been engaged with that work, others in the squadron have stepped up to ensure the day-to-day work of the maintenance squadron is getting done.

"This requires a total team effort," he said.

The LAIRCM is specifically designed to defeat a portable, man-carried surface-to-air missile. While such missiles don't pose much threat when the KC-135 is refueling another aircraft at a high altitude, the tanker can be susceptible to such weapons - favored by insurgent groups because of their relative low cost and ease to operate - while taking off and landing. Safety in a hostile environment is of particular concern when KC-135s perform one of their key alternate missions - serving as an aeromedical transportation system to move injured military personnel from remote bases to larger hospitals.

The LAIRCM is designed to continuously scan for any threats to the aircraft. If a missile is detected, it jams the incoming missile's guidance system using a laser beam. The system does not require the aircraft pilot or another aircrew member to take action to eliminate a potential threat.


The LAIRCM is a pod that can be attached to the external skin of the aircraft. The receiving aircraft has to be modified to have a receiving plate, an additional antennae and wiring inside the aircraft. Once the aircraft is prepped to be able to accommodate the LAIRCM pod, the pod would only be added to the aircraft on specific missions. It generally would not be added to the KC-135 on domestic training missions, as an example. The Air Force has not finalized plans on how many of the KC-135s in the fleet would be equipped with the necessary equipment to receive a pod. The Air Force has 167 KC-135s in the active duty fleet, 180 with the Air National Guard and 67 with the Air Force Reserve.

The 171st and the 191st are both components of the 127th Wing. Comprised of approximately 1,600 personnel and flying both the A-10 Thunderbolt II and the KC-135 Stratotanker, the 127th Wing supports Air Mobility Command, Air Combat Command and Air Force Special Operations Command by providing highly-skilled Airmen to missions domestically and overseas. The 127th Wing is the host unit at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, which is also home to units of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Border Patrol and Customs and Border Protection.

Reserve wing saddened by loss of 512th AW family member

512th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

3/22/2013 - DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del.  -- Marine Lance Cpl. William T. Wild IV, the 21-year-old son of Chief Master Sgt. William T. Wild III, 512th Airlift Wing command chief, died Monday at Hawthorne Army Depot, Nev. He is one of seven Marines who lost their lives during a training exercise.

"We extend our deepest condolences to Chief Wild and his family during this difficult time," said Col. Raymond A. Kozak, 512th AW commander. "Lance Corporal Wild and his fellow Marines, who lost their lives in this tragic accident, served their country honorably and will not be forgotten."

Chief Wild's son, referred to as Taylor, joined the Marines upon graduation in 2010 from Severna Park High School, Annapolis, Md. He had deployed twice to Afghanistan and once to Kuwait.

An interment at Arlington National Cemetery is scheduled for April 2 with the procession meeting at 10:30 a.m. at the Memorial Gate. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Marines Helping Marines at www.marineshelpingmarines.org or to the Friends of the Fallen at www.friendsofthefallen.org.

It Takes a Village

Commentary by Senior Master Sgt Haisshia Havens
940th AMDS

3/22/2013 - BEALE AIR FORCE BASE Calif -- "Hey, Mom, guess what!"

It was an innocent start to a recent conversation with my son that served as a real wake-up call for me.

When my 10-year-old told me someone had asked him if he wanted to get high, my first reaction was to begin interrogating him with a barrage of who, what, where, and how's. But he was looking at me to see my reaction, so I had to make myself take a deep breath. I invited him to sit down next to me on the couch and tell his the story.

That afternoon, he'd been outside playing in the neighborhood when two classmates approached him with chalk dust and hand sanitizer, suggesting he could get high with the items.

He said it scared him; he wasn't expecting it. Frankly, neither was I. He's only 10. We live in a safe neighborhood, and my sons attend a good school just down the street. At that moment, I was so thankful we'd already had "the talk" about drugs and alcohol. And he had listened!

After hearing his story about the encounter, I suggested we have a snack. I was buying myself time to gather my thoughts and carefully formulate the questions I had to ask so that I could understand the whole situation. I asked him to tell me the story again, then I reassured him he had done the right thing.

I called my 11-year-old son in and asked if he had ever been approached. I learned he had been - a few days earlier, by the same children, in the school cafeteria. He too had turned down the invitation to get high with hand sanitizer and chalk dust.

I was thankful my sons were not accepting to the invitation to get high, but I dreaded telling the parents of the children who had approached them. Still, I knew they needed to know. I would want to know.

As a former Air Force Office of Special Investigations agent, I had worked cases of drug and alcohol interdiction with families. As an Air Force Reservist in the medical field, part of my duty involves educating military members and their families about the dangers of drugs. I needed to gather answers to the questions I was sure the other parents would ask.

I turned to the Internet to do further research. I couldn't find anything on chalk, but I learned that hand sanitizer contains alcohol. Consuming one bottle is the equivalent of drinking two shots of vodka - enough to kill a child.

That was all I needed to know. I immediately got on social media and sent the information out to other parents in the neighborhood. Without revealing specifics of my sons' experiences, I alerted others to the potential that their children may have been approached, and I provided details about the dangerous content of the items, along with the symptoms of the abuse. I urged them to take the time to talk with their children about this real and present danger.

Within minutes of my posting, parents were commenting and sending me private messages. I sent an email to the school's principal and asked to meet with her.
The following afternoon, I gathered my courage and knocked on the doors of the families whose children had been involved in both my sons' incidences. I didn't know how they would react, but I knew they needed to hear what I had to tell them. Their children's lives and the lives of other children were at stake.

The parents were very surprised and saddened at the news, but they were appreciative I'd come to talk privately with them. Obviously, this isn't something any parent wants to hear, but the sooner the truth is revealed, the better - before something tragic could happen.

The school principal was also responsive when I met with her the next day; I could hear genuine concern in her voice. She immediately took action to meet with the involved families to provide guidance and resources to help them address the problem. She took the opportunity to meet with classes to re-emphasize the school's anti-drug teachings, encouraging students not to give in to peer pressure when confronted with drugs and alcohol.

The school had a health fair scheduled, and the principal allowed my unit, the 940th AMDS, to set up a booth educating parents and students about drug and alcohol abuse prevention. We were able to talk with several families at the fair.

I'm a real advocate for open communication, not only with my own children, but with other parents and our schools. I'm the mom that volunteers for everything at school - from tutoring math and English to chaperoning field trips to volunteering with the recycle program.

I also believe in getting involved with our neighbors and communities. Building strong community ties will help keep our children safe. As they say, it takes a village - especially these days.

18th Air Force Commander: 'Life is full of tests'

by Senior Airman Earlandez Young
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

3/20/2013 - FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- "The founders of our Air Force were not pilots ... they were Airmen who happened to fly planes," said Lt. Gen. Darren McDew, the 18th Air Force commander, during an all-call here March 13. "They were bold, risk-taking, innovative Airmen who put it on the line to make something happen that didn't exist before - that's who founded the worlds' greatest air and space force."

The general noted that one of the things he enjoyed most about his three-day visit here was interacting with Airmen. He explained that after 30 years of service, that interaction lets him know "the Air Force still recruits and retains the best America has to offer."

"I enjoy getting out and visiting Airmen and visiting Fairchild in particular was important to me because I haven't been here in a number of years," he said. "The commander here has been telling me how great the Airmen here are, so I wanted to see firsthand."

Among the key points McDew shared with Fairchild Airmen was the understanding that life is full of tests.

He explained that while many people believe tests end when they depart their last school, they actually continue throughout a person's life. Because of that, he added, Airmen need to prepare because you never know when they are going to come.

"As mobility Airmen and Airmen in the Air Force, our challenge is to be ready for the tests our nation has for us," McDew said. "You prepare for these tests by deciding the type of Airmen you're going to be. Make the decision that you're going to be a person of integrity, about excellence in everything you do -- not just the things you like to. Be a leader every day in the areas you can control."

McDew noted that Airmen of every rank and AFSC are doing great things every day and seeing them doing the job firsthand gives him great energy.

"We're the only Air Force in the world that can do what we do and the only nation in the world that is willing to do what we do. Our job is important and vital," he added. "People care about what you do and thank you for continuing to do it -- we can't say it enough."

Officials Sign Plan to Counter North Korean Threats

From a Combined Forces Command News Release

YONGSAN GARRISON, South Korea, March 24, 2013 – The chairman of the South Korean military’s Joint Chiefs of Staff and the U.S. Army general who leads the Republic of Korea-United States Combined Forces Command have signed a combined plan to counter future threats from North Korea.

Gen. Jung Seung-jo and Gen. James D. Thurman, who also commands U.S. Forces Korea, signed the Combined Counter-Provocation Plan on March 22.

The South Korean-led, U.S.-supported contingency plan was developed by mutual agreement between the Joint Chiefs chairmen of both countries after a November 2010 North Korean artillery attack on Yeonpyeong Island.

Officials said the plan includes procedures for consultation and action. It also improves the readiness posture to allow for a strong and decisive combined South Korean and U.S. response to North Korean provocations and threats, they added.

Running for the Fallen

by Airman 1st Class Cliffton Dolezal
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

3/21/2013 - LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. -- "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound," rang from procession vehicles on a chilly and early morning, March 16, 2013, as the second annual Arkansas Run for the Fallen commenced. Families gathered on the sides of streets with signs and American flags to pay their respects as the droning of bagpipes passed them by. The sound of that song, stirred bitter sweet emotions that only the families of the fallen heroes know.

"The sacrifices that their brave sons and daughters made will never be forgotten so long as blood courses through my veins," said Senior Master Sgt. Bubba Beason, 19th Logistic Readiness Squadron First sergeant and creator of the run. "I told the volunteers for this year, (which included bikers, runners, state police, as well as military personnel and civilians), to remember who and what they were running for. I said their pain from running six miles is nothing compared to the pain these families have to endure for the rest of their lives. You are running because these fallen service members no longer can."

The two-day event began in Ozark, Ark., after a small ceremony and the singing of the national anthem. This year, runners were grouped in four-person teams. One runner carried the American flag, the second, the Arkansas state flag, the third, the Remember the Fallen flag, and the fourth a smaller American flag attached with the biography of the fallen service member.

Every mile, for 132 miles, a member of the running group read the biography, rendered a salute and placed the smaller American flag in the ground at the location of that fallen service member's designated memorial site. Once the final runners reached the state Capitol, the ending ceremony included a guest speaker, thankful remarks from Beason, the reading of a letter from a mother to a fallen son, the reading of the names of the fallen and a 21-gun salute.

This run gives family members of the fallen a method to heal and a way to celebrate tragic lose. Many times Beason said he has received emails from gold-star mothers expressing how much the run means to their family. Beason explained that a gold-star mother is the mother of a fallen service member, whereas a blue-star mother is the mother of a service member who's still alive.

"When you get to see a gold-star family for the first time and you put a flag in the ground and see the family break down in tears, you realize while you're doing something so simple by running a mile and putting a flag down, it's so much more for the families because in their hearts and their minds they know their loved one is not forgotten," said Beason.

Beason said he wants the run to continue to grow.

"Two weeks after these people die, the only people who remember are their family, which is an injustice," he said. "I've got passion for this. To me, this is a self-reward to make sure that the families realize that we're still trying to remember them for what they did. I would hope that there would be someone out there to keep my memory alive."

As a gold-star mother read her letter aloud to the crowd, she gave everyone there one final thought to take with them. She said, "I hope what I have just done is put a picture in your mind of a solider from Arkansas, one of our boys, because that's who we honored yesterday and today in those runs. Those are the people that have fought for our country and have fought for our nation and I am blessed to be the mother of one.

628th SFS continue patrol tactical shooting training

by Petty Officer 1st Class Chad Hallford
Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs

3/20/2013 - FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- Sailors and Airmen from Joint Base Charleston's 628th Security Forces Squadron, received instruction on boat and land-mounted M240B machine gun operations at Ft. Jackson, S.C., March 12, 2013.

The training, which takes place over the course of several weeks, enables the JB Charleston - Weapons Station Harbor Patrol Team to support the 628th SFS' unique mission of protecting the waterways bordering the JB Charleston - Weapons Station.

The training, which starts with weapons and boat familiarization, concludes with water-based qualifications and qualifies security forces personnel to become part of the HPT team.

"Like other job openings in the Air Force, I simply applied, and as a benefit of joint basing, I have a unique opportunity to serve on the HPT with our Navy and civilian crewmates," said Airman 1st Class Cort Romo, 628th SFS installation entry controller.

The training also allowed current HPT members to maintain their weapons proficiency by using this opportunity to gain extra trigger time.

Instruction began with M240B gun basics, progressed to single, double and triple-shot control, and continued into rhythm shooting and runaway gun stoppage. The second day's evolutions included night shooting, with and without the aid of night-vision goggles.

"The training sessions we have conducted up to this point are building blocks," said Senior Chief Petty Officer Vincent Stephens, a master-at-arms assigned to the 628th SFS and range officer-in-charge. "The additional skill sets we learn and the muscle-action repetition will aid all of us by providing the necessary tools used during our patrols."

"I've never fired the M240B before," said Seaman John Freeman, a master-at-arms and activated reservist from the Navy Operational Support Center Columbia, assigned to the 628th SFS. "From learning the basics of trigger control, advanced tactics and night shooting, becoming proficient in all of these skills will be essential during our patrols."

"The 7.62mm ammunition leaves the muzzle at 2,750 feet per second (1,875 mph). The round will definitely punch through a small boat or cinderblock," said Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Bradley Nguyen, a gunner's mate assigned to the 628th SFS and lead instructor for the course.

The weapon is capable of firing up to 600 rounds-per-minute and has a maximum effective range of approximately 1,960 yards for an area target and 870 yards for a point target.

"The M240B is a devastatingly powerful, crew-served weapon that requires increased tactical skill, instinctive response and smart decision making since we operate in a populated environment," said Nguyen. "Our goal is that the skills learned in a training environment become habit, so if our crews are called into action, operating the weapons will be second nature and they will execute their mission professionally and by the book."

One of the highlights of the training event was a talking gun exercise, an evolution where HPT shooters develop communication skills and weapon proficiency sufficient to deter or repel adversaries by providing constant fire from multiple weapons. The talking gun exercise was conducted during the day with both guns ground-mounted and at night with one gun on the ground with the other gun boat-mounted. The evolution involves teams communicating each gun's status between teams with no lapse in firing the weapons.

The training is conducted in four parts. In addition to the initial weapons familiarization and night training using night vision goggles, SFS forces will complete the training by participating in exercises that simulate firing from a boat while it is still on land, and finally from a boat on the water.

Seabee Enjoys Independence His Job Provides

By Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Kegan E. Kay
Naval Air Facility Atsugi

NAVAL AIR FACILITY ATSUGI, Japan , March 22, 2013 – After graduating from high school in his hometown of East Rockaway, N.J., Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class John Skoblicki worked in construction. Now, he’s a builder in the Seabees.

Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class John Skoblicki shows an ornamental Tori gate he made to Navy Capt. Steven Wieman, commanding officer of Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan, and Navy Command Master Chief Petty Officer Carlton Duncan, March 19, 2013. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Kegan E. Kay    (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

“I joined because of a lot of reasons,” Skoblicki said. “The biggest thing I wanted was a stable job.”

A builder is one of seven construction specialty rates that make up the Seabees. Skoblicki said his experience so far differs from those of sailors who have been in the Navy longer than his two years of service, as they tend to work on larger projects. His work here consists primarily of carpentry, sanding, painting, staining and small building projects, he said.

“What a [builder] does in the Seabees is rough carpentry -- throwing up buildings and doing concrete pads,” he explained. “My favorite part of my job is probably that I’m in my own little world back there. I have a lot of independence. I can kind of do what I want to do, and I guess that is what motivates me.”

Navy Lt. Cmdr. Jeffrey Sherwood, the public works officer here, said Skoblicki is a solid performer.
“He assists tenant base commands with various technical knowledge and hands-on guidance in multiple aspects of carpentry,” he said, adding that Skoblicki is customer-focused and heads the base’s self-help program, in which base personnel improve their work spaces.

Skoblicki’s recent self-help projects have included the design and assembly of two computer desks, traditional Japanese Tori gates, picture frames, shadow boxes and 12 ornamental Tori gates for the 2013 Seabee Ball, Sherwood said.

“[He] is a motivated Seabee who gives his best in all endeavors,” he added. “[He is] perpetually optimistic and energetic, and cheerfully attacks and completes all tasks.”

Skoblicki recently was named Sailor of the Week, an honor that includes being guest host of the base’s weekly show, "Captain’s Call," and showing Navy Capt. Steven Wieman, the naval air facility’s commanding officer, and Command Master Chief Petty Officer Carlton Duncan around his work center on the program.
It’s not the final product that he enjoys the most about his work, Skoblicki said, but rather, it’s the process of creating the product.

“For me, it is relaxing,” he said. “If you know going into it that you are going to mess it up a little bit, and that your end product is probably going be at least a little bit different from what you originally planned one way or another, it is no big deal. Patience is probably the biggest thing, the most important thing, when you are doing finish work like that.”

For Skoblicki, wood working has become a hobby, and he stays late at work teaching himself how to create different products with the machines and tools.

“Everything is a learning experience, whether you learn the right way or the wrong way,” he said. “You learn what to do or what not to do. Just observe and try to pick up on the right things and try to learn from the wrong things, others’ mistakes and your own mistakes.”

Skoblicki’s work here has extended past the base’s borders. He and other Seabees assisted in rebuilding houses destroyed by the March 2011 tsunami in the Fukushima prefecture, and he served a five-week stint in Diego Garcia, an island in the Indian Ocean.

“The ocean every day, the weather, fishing -- I like being outside, so Diego Garcia was awesome,” he said.
Skoblicki said he hopes that his next duty assignment will be to a construction battalion in California or a command in Europe. “I want to travel,” he added. “I never traveled before the Navy.”

Airmen now learn in HD with Guard's NCO Academy

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

3/22/2013 - MCGHEE TYSON AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Tenn. -- The Air National Guard's center for training and education is leveraging live high-definition, high-bitrate video to develop Airmen with the high quality associated with an in-residence experience - but at a fraction of the cost.

Currently the I.G. Brown Training and Education Center, or TEC, is in full swing delivering a blended learning Noncommissioned Officer Academy course to 115 Airmen at 11 installations across the nation. Blended learning consists of facilitated distance learning, followed by a short period of in-resident learning to complete the course.

The class is broadcast live from TEC which is in its 18th year of providing blended learning NCOA via its "Warrior Network" satellite broadcast system. The Center will celebrate 45 years of professional military education on its campus this year.

For this course, six of the field sites are using a new two-way, high definition, high-bitrate video-to-video tele-training extension to its Warrior Network.

While these students still get live video instruction, video tele-training technology allows students to see and hear their instructors, and vice versa, over a dedicated internet protocol line.

The new method is simply a test for this course. So far, it's proving to be a vast improvement over the tried-and-true one-way satellite method where students can see and hear their instructors, but the instructors can only hear students when they have questions, said officials.

"The sites are seen in a grid-like display, say like on the old TV game show 'Hollywood Squares,' and instructors and the sites queue up larger during interaction," said Tech. Sgt. Matt Schwartz, the production manager who works evenings here to handle the broadcasts.

Instructors said video tele-training allows them to see classrooms in detail, including facial reactions and attentiveness among pupils.

"This helps us help them to understand their instruction better," said Senior Master Sgt. Andrew Traugot, the Center's director of education, satellite EPME.

Instructors teach from a broadcast desk at the TEC's Media Engagement Division, calling up information and explaining lessons.

Traugot added that the students and instructors alike are from across the Total Air Force.

Compared to the traditional six-week NCOA course held here, the 13-week blended learning class reduces on-campus attendance to two weeks.

To Center officials, it's a clear alternative to traveling for fully in-resident schools.

"For a student to attend our NCOA course completely in-resident, it costs the government just over $7,000," said Traugot. "Whereas with the blended learning course, it only costs $4,800. The great thing is that they still get in-residence credit."

Officials said that's popular with National Guard members because it helps them attend training from their hometowns, with reduced time away from their families, employers and missions.