Hosted Payloads Support Government and Commercial Partnerships

by Maj. Christina Hoggatt
Air Force Space Command Public Affairs

4/22/2013 - COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.  -- Major General Martin Whelan, Air Force Space Command director of requirements, recently participated in the Hosted Payloads-Issues and Evolution Panel during the 29th National Space Symposium April 11 here at the Broadmoor hotel.

The panel, hosted by Janet Nickloy, Hosted Payload Alliance chairman, had three additional participants, including Charles L. Beames, principle director of Space and Intelligence Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics; Steven M. Kaufman, partner at Hogan Lovells; and Douglas L. Loverro, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy Office of the Under Secretary of Defense.

To kick off the discussion, Beames spoke on the near-, mid- and long-term benefits of hosted payloads, stating the near-term benefit is resiliency.

"Another role I can see is to get towards doing technology demonstrations and competitive prototyping activity using hosted payload as a way to do that in a less expensive way and as a guide toward future architectures, which again will have even more resiliency," Beames said.

Maj. Gen. Whelan agreed with Beames about the importance of resiliency and spoke on military missions that are well suited for hosted payloads, specifically weather.

"Whether it's space weather or space-based weather of the Earth -- these are two real, near-term areas we are looking at," the general said. "We are currently doing an Analysis of Alternatives of space-based weather, and really in the play are not only micro satellites of free flyers, but also hosted payloads. That is a near-term opportunity that we are really looking forward to working."

During the discussion, Kaufman provided several examples of government and industry working together to ensure hosted payload success. Nickloy pointed out how hosted payloads are a definite change in government practice and that issues of culture will need to be addressed for hosted payloads to see more success.

Concurring with this assessment, Maj. Gen. Whelan said the issues are not an electrical engineering problem, but a social engineering problem in getting people to think differently.
"I do not see a large group of people who are vehemently protesting hosted payloads, but there has to be a change so we start to think a little more broadly on hosted payloads," Maj. Gen. Whelan said. "The other thing is tied to control. The control from the programmatic standpoint is from program managers -- from the time we raise them, we teach them not to rely on anyone else, 'the success of your program is on you and you have to succeed.' So, we have to get people to realize they are part of a bigger success, which is part of the change in culture we have to work on."

The general also spoke on the difference in government and commercial timelines, which is another big part of the needed culture changes.

Following Maj. Gen. Whelan, Kaufman highlighted that the cultural issues associated with hosted payloads are not unique to the military as there are issues in industry to include control and timing. Beames added that culture changes really begin with leadership.

"General Whelan is actually being pretty modest, because another aspect of the culture is how you change it, and that begins with the seed that you plant early on," Beames said. "I can tell you that the AOA he mentioned up front on weather, principally his team that is actually doing that analysis, they are looking at hosted payload on an equal footing with all the other alternatives and that is a huge step.

"So, from OSD's perspective, hats off to AFSPC for really showing true leadership in that area," he concluded.

All panelists agreed that though there is risk and change associated with hosted payloads, there are tremendous benefits and rewards for all players to include cost-savings, mission access and new opportunities.

There will be some people who think, "Something is not going to work, and that will be the reason we should not pursue hosted payloads," he said. "We have to get beyond that. Rather than focus on negative, there is also a lot of positive there."

NATO, Eucom Commander Outlines Challenges Ahead

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 22, 2013 – Winding down four years as commander of U.S. European Command and as supreme allied commander for NATO’s global operations, Navy Adm. James G. Stavridis called on NATO members to live up to their defense spending commitments and to continue working together to address challenges confronting the alliance.

The admiral outlined a long list of challenges Air Force Gen. Philip M. Breedlove will take on when he succeeds Stavridis next month. The Senate confirmed Breedlove’s nomination last week, and change-of-command ceremonies are expected to take place in mid-May in Stuttgart, Germany, and the NATO headquarters in Mons, Belgium.

Stavridis will travel to Berlin later this month to deliver what he called “a bit of a valedictory address” to outline challenges facing the NATO alliance. “There are many,” he acknowledged in his blog posting today.
Cyber is at the top of the list, the admiral said, citing the mismatch between the potential threat and the alliance’s preparation for it. He noted tremendous skill and capability in the cyber realm across NATO’s 28 nations, but caveats and concerns about technology, intelligence and knowledge sharing that hamper their ability to work together effectively.

“We simply need to break down barriers to cooperation here, recognizing the sensitivity of the material involved,” Stavridis said. He pointed to the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defense Center of Excellence in Tallinn, Estonia, as “a good start,” and noted more exercises and planned events that promote cyber cooperation.

Stavridis outlined other challenges: proliferation, trafficking, piracy and fragile states such as Afghanistan, Mali and Syria. But some of the most difficult challenges facing the alliance are rooted in financial crunches impacting member nations’ defense budgets, he said.

Stavridis noted that NATO’s members account for more than half the world’s gross domestic product and collectively spend nearly $1 trillion on defense. This spending level dwarfs that of any possible opponent or combination of opponents, he said.

But citing declining European budgets and the fact that the United States represents nearly three-quarters of NATO’s defense spending, Stavridis called the current model “unbalanced and sustainable over time.”
He called on NATO nations to meet their own self-assigned goal of spending 2 percent of their GDPs on defense. The United States spends “well over 3 percent,” he noted, even with recent budget cuts.

“American taxpayers will begin to feel that the European allies and partners are ‘getting a free ride,’ as some already say in the U.S.,” Stavridis warned.

Stavridis recommended ways to “enhance efficiencies and add ‘bang for the buck” as nations on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean work through the financial crisis. He urged more pooling and sharing of resources under the “smart defense” initiative, improved cooperation and sharing of best practices among special operations forces, and more joint training and live exercises to increase interoperability within the NATO Response Force.

In advancing these efforts, Stavridis emphasized the importance of a comprehensive approach that works across the political, economic, humanitarian, cultural and private sectors. To address the next pandemic, for example, all entities -- military and civilian, foreign and domestic, public and private, academia, and nongovernmental and multinational organizations -- must pool and share resources and capabilities, he said.
“To meet these many challenges, there is much to be done on this side of the Atlantic, and inevitably NATO will continue to be a useful platform for encouraging a re-emergence of European defense,” Stavridis said.
The admiral expressed confidence in Breedlove’s abilities to take the alliance forward.

“I have known General Breedlove for many years and can tell you that his impressive credentials, professionalism, and dynamic leadership make him an ideal choice,” he said of Breedlove’s confirmation. “I can think of no better officer to lead the men and women of Allied Command Operations and U.S. European Command over the coming years.”

Hagel: United States Committed to Israel’s Security

By Cheryl Pellerin
American Forces Press Service

ABOARD A MILITARY AIRCRAFT, April 21, 2013 – Israel is Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel’s first stop during his inaugural trip to the Middle East this week, a visit he said will let the people of Israel know the United States is committed to their security.

The 6-day trip will take Hagel to Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates to discuss common threats and interests in the region, and to finalize agreements that will boost a range of military capabilities for Israel, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

“I’m going to Israel first because it is a nation that has had a very special relationship with the United States,” Hagel said on his way to that nation during a briefing with reporters traveling with him.

“It is a nation today in a very dangerous, combustible region of the world, that in many ways finds itself isolated,” he said, adding, “The other countries I’ll be visiting are also allies of the United States, and the common threats that face [them and] Israel … should be seen in a regional context.”

Each nation has its own set of challenges, the secretary said, but overall the challenges are regional and include terrorism and the threat of nonstate actors who would bring down governments and impact societies.
“Those common threats certainly should build a set of common interests, with these countries working together,” Hagel said, “and that’s part of what I will be talking about as I visit each [nation].’

During a presidential trip in March to Israel and Jordan, Barack Obama delivered the same message, the secretary said, adding that during a visit to Turkey this weekend, Secretary of State John Kerry “will be talking about some of the same issues in a different kind of way, but essentially with the same focus of common interests.”

As he spoke with reporters, Hagel extended his thoughts and prayers to victims of the Boston Marathon bombing and acknowledging the tireless work of law enforcement agencies in capturing one of the men suspected in the act of terrorism.

“I say this because we are on our way to a very troubled region … but it reminds us that [no] region of the world is … safe from these terrible acts,” the secretary observed, adding, “If nothing else, it reminds us that all 7 billion of us are global citizens and many of us are confronted by the same kinds of threats and insecurities.”

Among the region’s most long-term threats is Iran, Hagel said.

“The Iranians must be prevented from developing the capacity to build a nuclear weapon and deliver it,” he added. “The United States’ policy has been very clear on this and everyone knows it.”

Iran is also a state sponsor of terrorism, the secretary said, “[and] that in itself is a threat not just to the region but to our interests in the region and around the world. When you further expand that threat to the possibility of acquiring nuclear weapons,” he added, the dimensions of the threat become pretty clear.

Hagel said he thinks Israel and the United States “see the threat of Iran exactly the same, as do many other countries,” not just those in the Middle East, although the United States seeks more time for diplomacy and sanctions to work to stop Iran from pursuing nuclear capabilities.

“If you stop just for a moment and look at the U.N. sanctions, the international sanctions on Iran, I don’t know of an international regime of sanctions that have been more effective and more unified and tougher than what’s being applied to Iran,” the secretary said.

The sanctions are hurting Iran significantly, he added, but if they don’t work, “… I’ve said, the president’s said, all the leaders of the last couple of administrations have said, that the military option is one option that must remain on the table … but the military option I think most of us feel should be the last option.”

In response to a question about whether Israel could decide to strike out alone against Iran’s nuclear aspirations, Hagel replied that Israel is a sovereign nation and every sovereign nation has the right to defend itself.

“It is clear that Iran presents a threat in its nuclear program,” the secretary said, “and Israel will make the decisions that Israel must make to protect itself and defend itself.”

Certainly Israel has every right and responsibility to make their assessments, Hagel added, “but we’re working very closely and will continue to work very closely with them.”

Dempsey Visits South Korea, China on Weeklong Asia Trip

By Karen Parrish
American Forces Press Service

Beijing, April 21, 2013 – Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, arrived in South Korea today for meetings with senior U.S. and South Korean commanders. Hours later the chairman was airborne again, heading for a weeklong series of engagements in China and Japan.

En route to Beijing, Dempsey spoke to reporters traveling with him about his meetings in Seoul with Army Gen. James D. Thurman, commander of U.S. forces in South Korea, and South Korean chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Jung Seung-jo.

Dempsey said the three discussed several issues important to the U.S.-South Korea alliance, but the current situation with North Korea was their central topic. North Korea conducted an illegal nuclear test in February, and since has issued a series of threats and provocations aimed chiefly at the United States.

“Seoul is rather normal,” the chairman said, noting soccer games, bike races, and other everyday activities were readily observable today. The South Korean military is, however, on a heightened state of readiness, he added.

In particular, the allies are focusing on intelligence gathering, the maritime domain, ballistic missile defense and counter-battery artillery fire, he said.

The chairman said the “newest insight” he gained from today’s discussion came from both Jung and Thurman, who noted the actions of Kim Jong Un, the young, hereditary leader of North Korea, bear marked differences from those of his father, Kim Jong Il, or his grandfather, Kim Il Sung.

While the youngest Kim is following suit with them by continuing the “military first” policy under which the nation’s scant resources go first to supporting the military and its weapons programs, Dempsey said one key difference is in the provocations most recently heard from Pyongyang.

“We’re not into a series of cyclic provocations,” as has been typical in the past, he said, but instead the allies now see a prolonged campaign of provocative words and actions.

According to numerous reports North Korea has cut military communications between the two nations, blocked access from the south to the joint North-South industrial area of Kaesong near the demilitarized zone, and threatened various “sea of fire” attacks while moving missiles into launch-ready positions.
“The question that we were discussing today primarily was, ‘How do we posture ourselves for a period of prolonged provocation? How do you sustain [that]?’”

Dempsey said the likeliest approach Thurman and Jung will take is to increase joint operations, bringing their forces into yet closer alignment to share the responsibilities of prolonged, heightened tension.

Dempsey said along with the demands of a sustained, high-readiness force posture, the meetings also touched on the transition to the South Korean military’s operational control of wartime alliance activities on the peninsula, set to take place in December of 2015. South Koreans currently lead normal, peacetime military operations, but the U.S. commander would assume control in a wartime setting.

Dempsey said he’s received a lot of military advice over the last few months, most of it boiling down to “avoid war.”

“From a military perspective, the best way to avoid war is to prepare for it,” he said. While the alliance is not seeking to provoke the North, he said, U.S. forces will keep up the “fairly steady pattern” of training exercises, port calls and other activities on the peninsula and in the region.

“We have a sustained presence here that I think is assuring to our allies,” he added.

Later today the chairman arrived in Beijing, where he will spend a few days in high-level meetings before moving on to Tokyo.

Hard work pays off for 2012 AETC Command Post NCO of the Year

by Dan Hawkins
82nd Training Wing Public Affairs

4/18/2013 - SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- A Sheppard NCO got a big surprise during the 82nd Training Wing commander's call April 8 when he was brought on stage by Brig. Gen. Michael Fantini and notified of his selection as the 2012 Air Education and Training Command NCO of the Year in the command post career field.

Staff Sgt. Greg Askew, an 82nd TRW command post controller, was thrilled to hear the news that he was the command's top NCO in his career field.

"I put in a lot of work this past year and had some great opportunities to shine," Askew said. "You don't do the work to win awards, but it's nice to have your hard work recognized."

Askew, who became a command post controller in 2010 after cross-training over from security forces, shined on perhaps one of the biggest stages possible in 2012: AETC's Compliance Inspection in May.

"I had taken over the training program and we had 19 deficiencies that needed to be cleared up before the (inspection)," Askew said. "We burned some midnight oil doing what we needed to do to clear up the issues."

The NCO's hard work paid off as all 19 discrepancies were corrected prior to the CI team's arrival in early May and subsequently helped the command post to its overall "Excellent" rating. Askew was also named as a "Professional Performer" by the AETC Inspector General team.

"Due to our manning in the command post, we all had to work shifts as the controller, plus work on the administrative side making sure everything was ready," Askew said. "It was a total team effort."

Scoring a 94 percent on his 7-level Career Development Course (CDC) final exam didn't hurt his cause either.

While talking about the award, Askew was quick to point out the home front as his source of inspiration and support he needed to be successful. Askew is married to Staff Sgt. Janelle Askew of the 82nd Medical Operations Squadron.

"My wife really enabled me to win this award," Askew noted. "Without her help with our three daughters and my long hours, there is no way I could have accomplished everything."

Askew will be PCS'ing in May to Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., where he will be working in U.S. Strategic Command in a special-duty position.

"I'm looking forward to my next challenge," Askew said.

Reserve EOD Airman shows leadership, courage under fire

by Senior Airman Bobby Pilch
315th Airlift Wing

4/19/2013 - JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Bullets rained down on a joint group of U.S. Air Force Airmen and British Army forces fighting for their lives in an intense firefight along the bank of the Helmand River in southwestern Afghanistan, Sept. 21, 2012.

Tech Sgt. Jarrod V. Mills, of the 315th Airlift Wing's Civil Engineering Flight at Charleston, S.C., and members of the Paladin counterinsurgency task force working with a British Reconnaissance Force, were clearing a known insurgent stronghold where explosives were produced in the Upper Gereshk Valley. A location the team was quite familiar with.

"We had been in this area a month prior," said Mills. "We were pretty prepared that something could happen and knew they were making homemade explosives."

This deployment was one of several Mills had volunteered for. He said he is most comfortable in a deployed environment--A stark contrast from his full-time civilian job as an AT&T facility technician.

"I am happiest when I am deployed," said Mills, the non-commission officer in charge of the 315th AW's Intelligence and Explosive Ordinance Disposal training. "You know what your job is going to be each day. The missions may change somewhat, but overall you know what you have to do."

As the late morning sun lingered in the sky and the cloak of darkness no longer available for protection, Mills and the entire team were now exposed to peering eyes. They attempted to cross the river to a pre-secured, temporary check point. The all too familiar "clack, clack" of 7.62mm automatic assault rifles broke the eerie silence. The enemy began to fire on them from across the river bank.

Bullets ripped through the air and tap danced around their position as if playing a game of connect the dots, each one sounding too close for comfort. But Mills and his comrades were trained to handle this kind of stress and still get the job done.

During the heat of the tense engagement, a grenade thrown by the enemy injured two British soldiers. Without hesitation, Mills quickly organized his EOD team to provide protective cover from the insurgents so the injured could be treated and airlifted to safety via helicopter.

Leadership is something that comes naturally to Mills according to his supervisors at Joint Base Charleston. They trade accolades back and forth about someone they consider a fine specimen of an Airman and someone who never quits.

"I have to confess," said Master Sgt. Mark P. Johnson, 315th EOD program manager, "He's one less stripe than me and I often look to him. He is so universally admired and respected. He sets a standard and expects things out of people. Nobody works harder. He's tough to a point of insanity, unflappable under stress."

"When you go to work you know that person has your life and your back," said Master Sgt. Carl Makins, Jr., 315th EOD superintendent, describing the small two or three-man teams EOD members typically consist of in the field. "Jay is of that same mentality, he will not quit - period. You never worry about him quitting. That's not even in your mind when you go out to do something. If you get hurt, and you go down and wake up in a hospital...you know Jay pulled me out, because he was the only one there."

Because of Mills' actions and the actions of his team, the two BRFs were evacuated safely; the enemy defeated and no further ally casualties resulted. Some people may say that Mills could be labeled a hero. However, he does not view himself in this light. People like him rarely do.

"I acknowledge that what happened was an extreme circumstance," said Mills. "But it was a team effort."

The difficult discussion

Commentary by Todd Rose
Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations

4/19/2013 - DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. (AFNS) -- Death is a subject that all too often no one wants to talk about until there is no option. Usually we only discuss it when confronted with death due to the loss of a family member, friend or co-worker.

We are a unique group of people here. We face death each time we walk through the doors of the Charles C. Carson Center for Mortuary Affairs in order to fulfill this sacred mission. Yet, we are just as guilty of not talking about death with our own families.

During the last 19 years, I have seen too many families anguish or argue over decisions they have to make in remembering and honoring their loved one, because discussing death seems taboo prior to the actual event. Whether it is the type of casket, the best burial location or who to officiate the service, the list goes on and on. These decisions and the anxiety they can cause affects families in the military and in the private sector equally.

To ease this burden, the 2005 National Defense Authorization Act instituted the capability for military members to designate an individual on their virtual Record of Emergency Data, or Department of Defense Form 93, to serve as the person authorized to direct disposition of their remains if necessary. The authority afforded in this designation encompasses all decisions in the care of the deceased, such as what clothing will be worn; where or when the services will be held; what funeral home will hold the services; who will officiate; if the deceased will be cremated; where the burial or inurnment will be effected and if military funeral honors will be rendered.

Today, the person selected can be anyone the member wishes, regardless of their relationship. Because of the significance of this decision and the authority it conveys, great consideration should be taken to ensure you have ultimate faith and confidence in the person you've chosen. Moreover, it is imperative that you advise your family about your decision; preferably in writing.

I have seen many spouses shocked to learn that a parent, brother, sister or even friend was designated as the PADD for their husband or wife. Imagine how difficult it is for a service mortuary representative to have to advise a parent that their son or daughter designated the "other parent" as the PADD, and that they have no decision authority regarding the arrangements and final disposition of their son or daughter.

The missing link today may be the communication between you and your family members in expressing your wishes. Death is a subject that cannot be ignored; it affects all of us. However, we can minimize the impact to our families by getting our affairs in order.

My greatest suggestion to you, whether you wear the uniform or not: update your will or have one created that expresses your specific wishes. In addition to your will, sit down and write out your desires for your funeral services. Decide whether or not you wish to be cremated. Identify where you wish your casket to be buried or urn to be inurned. You can even specify details of what music to play at your memorial service, if you want a special food or drink to be served or have written letters to distribute to loved ones. These choices and more are yours -- unless you ignore them.

If you're currently serving in the military or are a veteran, express your wishes regarding military funeral honors and whether you wish to have your casket draped with a flag. These are things we see every day in this business, but have you spoken with your family to let them know what your wishes are should you die? If not, I encourage you to do so!

After you have accomplished these things, I encourage you to ask your family members about their wishes in the event of their death. I would also urge you to encourage your friends and co-workers to have the same discussions with their family members. I know this is a difficult discussion to have, but the benefit to your family in doing so, should you die unexpectedly, will be the gift of comfort and peace of mind in knowing your express wishes were carried out. This will also serve to mitigate any potential disputes among family members, who may have different opinions about what should be done with your remains and your estate.

However unique we may think we are in dealing with death, or impervious we are to it, you must ask yourself: "Have I prepared enough to minimize the impact of my death on those who mean the most to me?" If not, do so now without delay.

Airmen participate in Exercise Carpathian Spring

by Airman 1st Class Hailey Haux
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

4/19/2013 - BUCHAREST, Romania -- More than 30 Airmen left Ramstein April 14 to participate in Exercise Carpathian Spring in Romania.

The exercise runs through April 21 and is designed for aircrews to train as well as help build a partnership capacity with Romanians.

"In Germany we have a lot of restrictions, and waivers are needed to do ... training," said Capt. Bradley Buinicky, 86th Operations Support Squadron and chief of exercise operations. "In Romania we have a blanket over-flight privilege, which allows us to get a lot more training in."

While in Romania, executing efficient C-130J Super Hercules aircrew training was a priority.

"Aircrew will be conducting low-level flying and assault landings, while the 435th Contingency Response Group will operate drop zones and man foreign jumpers," said Buinicky. "For members of the 86th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, it gives them good exposure for doing their job in a different location."

Being gone for an extended period requires several Airmen from the 86th AMXS to ensure the aircraft are properly maintained.

"It's a good opportunity for us to be able to do this," said Staff Sgt. Cole Fry, 86th AMXS guidance and control craftsman. "We'll get to interact with Romanians, see how they run things and maybe exchange a few tips here and there."

The observing Romanian military members will become familiarized with maintenance, drop-zone operations and pallet building, said Buinicky.

"As an ally it's important for our partners to have combat capability for their own sovereign defense," said Buinicky.

Senate confirms Fanning as next Air Force under secretary

4/19/2013 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Eric Fanning will be the next Air Force under secretary, according to a Senate confirmation vote April 18.

Fanning provided testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee Feb. 28, before the full Senate voted on his confirmation. Now the president must appoint him before he can assume his new position.

"I have been immensely proud to serve these last four years with the men and women of the Navy and the Marine Corps. I very much look forward to becoming part of the Air Force family," he said during his confirmation hearing. "It would be my honor to play a role in making sure that the best men and women our country has to offer get all the support they need in undertaking the mission of defending our country, a mission for which they freely volunteer."

The Air Force has been without an under secretary since June 2012, when then-Under Secretary of the Air Force Erin Conaton was appointed to under secretary of defense for Personnel and Readiness. Dr. Jamie Morin was appointed to serve as the acting under secretary in July 2012.

President Obama nominated Fanning Aug. 1, 2012. At that time, he was serving as the deputy under secretary and deputy chief management officer for the Department of the Navy.

Pending the president's appointment, Fanning will be sworn into the position later this month.

C-17 crew chief wins big

by Airman 1st Class Jacob Jimenez
62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

4/18/2013 - JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash.  -- An Airman from the 62nd Maintenance Squadron here was recently named Air Mobility Command's Crew Chief of the Year.

Staff Sgt. Joshua Minoda, 62nd MXS crew chief, was named the command's top crew chief in an announcement made by AMC late last month. The announcement means he will now go on to compete for that title at the Air Force level.

Maj. Patrick Maddox, 62nd MXS commander, said Minoda is deserving of this recognition because he consistently demonstrates outstanding technical proficiency in his work.

"Sergeant Minoda's excellence was on display regardless of time or location," said Maddox. "It takes a truly remarkable individual to have success regardless of the situation he or she finds themselves in, but Minoda has epitomized this over the last year."

While assigned here, Minoda has completed more than 177 C-17 Globemaster III home station checks, deployed to New Zealand to generate mission support for the National Science Foundation in operations in Antarctica, and prepped aircraft for a weapons instructor course at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.

Since enlisting in the Air Force in 2004, Minoda has been selected as the 58th Maintenance Group 2009 Lt. Gen. Leo Marquez Award winner, selected as a dedicated crew chief and is a recipient of the Air Force Commendation Medal.

Tech. Sgt. Adam Hargrove, 62nd MXS crew chief and Minoda's supervisor, said he believes that Minoda being named the AMC Crew Chief of the year is well deserved and that he is confident that Minoda will go on to win at the Air Force level.

"He exemplifies everything an Air Force staff sergeant should be," said Hargrove. "He has exceeded my expectations by miles and continues to raise the bar for other NCOs."

Minoda said that it is a great honor to know that the people he works with think he is deserving of such a title.

"There is no way I could have done without my team," said Minoda. "I feel fortunate that I've found a job I can come to everyday, where I work with great people who make every day a good day, even the bad ones."

NATO Secretary General Details Asia Trip, Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

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

WASHINGTON, April 19, 2013 – NATO’s partnerships with Japan and South Korea are key to facing security challenges and ensuring stability in the region, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said today in Brussels.

In a news conference at NATO headquarters, Rasmussen discussed his recent trip to Asia and the agenda at the alliance’s upcoming foreign ministers meeting.

“This was the first-ever trip by a NATO secretary general to the Republic of Korea,” he said. “I met with President Park [Geun-hye], ministers and members of parliament. I also visited the Korean Demilitarized Zone, where I was briefed on the current state of affairs by the United Nations Command.”

The secretary general also noted another first during his visit to Japan.

“I signed the first NATO-Japan joint political declaration with Prime Minister [Shinzo] Abe, a declaration which will chart the future course of our partnership,” he said. “I also met members of the government and parliament.”

Although they all are separated by geography, Rasmussen noted, Japan and South Korea are important partners for NATO.

“We share fundamental values, such as individual liberty, democracy, human rights and the rule of law,” he said. “We share the need to face common security challenges that go well beyond borders. And we share the determination to play an active role in promoting that security and stability.”

With the growing tensions surrounding the statements and actions of North Korea, the NATO secretary general said it is “understandably” a major concern for Japan and South Korea.

“I recalled NATO’s strong condemnation of North Korea’s missile launches and nuclear tests, which pose a serious threat to regional and international peace, security and stability,” he said. “I urged North Korea to refrain from any further provocations and to fulfill its international obligations to fully implement all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.”

Rasmussen said he also commended all efforts to seek peaceful solutions through dialogue, and stressed that NATO’s global perspective does not mean “we seek a presence in the Asia-Pacific region.”

What it does mean, he said, is that the alliance seeks to engage with the Asia-Pacific region and already is doing valuable work with its partners in the region, noting efforts by South Korea and Japan alongside the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.

“In Afghanistan, hundreds of troops from the Republic of Korea serve alongside their partners in ISAF in the east of the country,” Rasmussen noted. “Japan has given great support to the Afghan forces, and has led the way in key areas such as literacy and education.

“And we are also working together to counter the threat of piracy in the Gulf of Aden,” he continued. “I thanked the leaders of both countries for all they are doing.”

Rasmussen said all three looked at what more they can do in the future in the areas of counterterrorism, counterpiracy, nonproliferation, disaster relief and cyber defense. “All these are challenges which reach across borders, and we can deal with them much more effectively if we do it together,” he added.

The secretary general also talked about the foreign ministers meeting set to take place April 23 at NATO headquarters, where representatives from 22 non-NATO countries will join the alliance’s top diplomats to discuss contributions to ISAF.

“Later this year, we will reach a significant milestone, as Afghan forces take the lead for security across the country,” he said. “At the same time, ISAF’s main effort will shift from combat to support. The milestone will mark the progress we have made. By the end of 2014, Afghan forces will be fully responsible for security in their country.” But NATO’s commitment to support them will continue to the end of 2014 and beyond, he added.

The NATO secretary general said he expects a full agenda at the foreign ministers meeting.
“At this meeting, I also expect we will reach agreement on the means to ensure transparency and accountability in the way our future financing for the Afghan security forces is managed,” he said. “This will be a significant step in sustaining the strength of the Afghan forces, as well as the public support in donor countries for this vital effort.”

Guard Chief: Historic Assumptions Need Reconsideration

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Jim Greenhill
National Guard Bureau

WASHINGTON, April 19, 2013 – Traditional assumptions about force structure deserve reconsideration in the current fiscal environment, the chief of the National Guard Bureau told a congressional panel April 17.
Along with the services’ top reserve component commanders, Army Gen. Frank J. Grass, who also is a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee’s defense subcommittee on the fiscal 2014 budget request for National Guard and reserve forces.

"All of our historic assumptions deserve reconsideration as we calculate the optimal force to meet the threats of the future," Grass said in an interview after the hearing.

"This isn't just a budget drill to meet sequestration targets," he added. "As the Defense Department confronts the budget question, the National Guard's cost-effective, proven force provides options to consider."

During the hearing, senators asked Grass about the possible furlough of National Guard military technicians in the nation’s 54 states and territories and the District of Columbia as part of the ongoing sequestration issue. After the hearing, he elaborated.

"Our military technicians represent more than 50 percent of our full-time work force," the general said. "Without them, planes don't fly and trucks don't roll."

Grass added that furloughs will affect the National Guard far more than most people realize, because National Guard military technicians, who wear uniforms while on duty, provide critical training and maintenance and support the readiness of more than 400,000 traditional Guard members who are not currently deployed overseas or mobilized for domestic operations.

"Just as noncommissioned officers are the backbone of the armed forces, our military technicians are in many ways the backbone of the National Guard," Grass said.

In his testimony, Grass reminded the senators that the National Guard is America's dual-use defense asset.
"The National Guard serves with distinction as the [Defense Department's] primary combat reserve component and as the governors' first-choice force in times of crisis," Grass -- who represents the more than 460,000 soldiers and airmen in the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard -- told senators in his testimony.

"A core competency of the National Guard is to rapidly, robustly and competently expand the nation's full-spectrum military capability to defend vital national interests in the most affordable, lowest-risk manner possible," Grass said.

Other testimony highlights include:
-- The National Guard Bureau has evolved with the permanent appointment of its chief to the Joint Chiefs of Staff and has identified its enduring priorities, including ensuring that the National Guard provides the best possible capabilities to the Defense Department.
-- The State Partnership Program remains one of the National Guard Bureau's most important programs and has resulted in joint deployments with National Guard members and partner countries.
-- Operational force: The Army and Air National Guard remains an operational force. "Today's citizen-soldier is likely to have deployed at least once since 9/11, with an expectation that he or she will deploy again," Grass said. "With recruitment and retention at record levels, it is clear they are willing and able to carry the load."
-- Accessible force: "Throughout history," Grass said, "the National Guard has answered every call, participated in every contingency and supported the full spectrum of international responses. As a part-time force that has met or exceeded established readiness and proficiency standards, the National Guard is a crucial operational asset."
-- Military first-responder: The National Guard responded to more than 100 natural disaster missions in 2012 and supported events such as the national political conventions and international summits.

18th Air Force: A Legacy of Excellence

by Maj Michael Meridith
18th Air Force

4/18/2013 - SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill.  -- Although a divide of more than six decades separates them from the founders of their command, today's 18th Air Force Airmen continue to embody the same motto: "expedite!"

Signifying a commitment to excellence in the successful and rapid completion of the command's worldwide air mobility mission, the motto of the Air Force's largest, and AMC's only Numbered Air Force stands as an expression of a distinguished history.

The Early Days
Organized March 28, 1951, at Donaldson AFB in Greenville, S.C., as Tactical Air Command's (TAC) airlift arm, the mission of the newly-formed 18th Air Force was to provide the Air Force with troop carrier crews. Initially composed of nine Air Force Reserve C-119 "Flying Boxcar" troop carrier wings (and later two C-124 "Globemaster II" wings), the newly-formed command immediately began providing crews for the Korean War.

During its first six years, 18th Air Force attained a global combat airlift capability unprecedented in the history of military aviation. In 1954, the command airdropped supplies to French troops during the siege of Dien Bien Phu, Indochina. Later, they airlifted French soldiers to medical care in Japan.

The following year, 18th Air Force began supporting the Distant Early Warning line and bases of the Alaskan and Northeast Air Commands. In 1956, the command extended its support to the other side of the globe, supporting the first South Pole parachute jump and air dropping a complete international science base, a precursor to the Operation Deep Freeze missions that have been accomplished every year since.

A Reputation for Excellence
In addition to earning a reputation for carrying out challenging missions across the globe, the command's Airmen were also recognized for their innovation and were instrumental in developing techniques and equipment supporting more efficient airdrop operations, the Air Force "Pathfinder" combat controller capability (which established drop zone experts), and assault landing procedures for C-123 and C-130 aircraft.

"We've seen a lot of changes in Air Mobility," said Col. Earl B. Young, the 18th Air Force's first commander, during a 2011 meeting of 18th Air Force leaders. "But I can tell you having lived through all of those changes that the one thing that has never changed has been our leaders and our Airmen. We've always had the best."

Those Airmen not only contributed substantially to TAC's mission of providing the Air Force with a balance of strategic, air defense, and tactical forces, they also enhanced
the striking power of the Army, particularly as the jet age turned TAC's attention to the rapid deployment of fighter/bomber units and airborne and light infantry units to distant
"hot spots". In fact, in support of this new focus, TAC added C-123 "Provider" and C-130 "Hercules" aircraft to rapidly deploy and resupply forces around the world.

Reorganization and Inactivation
Despite these changes, the command became part of a major reorganization of the Air Force during the second half of 1957. That reorganization resulted in a move of the 18th Air Force headquarters, a change in its mission, and finally its inactivation.

On July 1, 18th Air Force transferred two troop wings and two bases, Donaldson AFB, S.C. and Larson AFB, Wash., to the Military Air Transport Service. Barely two months later, in the wake of a TAC regional reorganization, the command transferred its remaining troop carrier wings to 9th Air Force and moved its headquarters to James Connaly AFB, Texas. The following month the scope of the 18th Air Force's mission increased dramatically as it assumed command responsibilities for TAC's day-to-day fighter, fighter-bomber, and aerial tanker operations in the western United States.

18th Air Force had hardly settled into its new home and mission when it was inactivated Jan. 1, 1958, with its personnel and equipment transferred in place to the newly-activated 12th Air Force.

The Legacy Lives On
Nearly 60 years later and almost ten years after its 2003 reactivation, the command continues to earn praise for excellence in global air mobility operations. From humanitarian response in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy and the Haiti and Japan earthquakes, to support for Coalition and Allied efforts in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya, the command's Airmen have often been the first to respond on behalf of the Nation.

Echoing Col. Young's words, Lt. Gen. Darren W. McDew, the 18th Air Force's newest commander, noted the secret to the command's success starts and end with its Airmen: "The great pioneers of our Air Force were exceptional men and women dedicated to making things better. The Airmen of today's 18th Air Force are bold, innovative leaders who continue to give life to a legacy of excellence and to our motto. Expedite!"

Officials Brief Senators on Personnel Budget Issues

By Terri Moon Cronk
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 19, 2013 – Senior Defense Department officials outlined for a congressional panel this week what President Barack Obama’s fiscal year 2014 defense budget request means for personnel programs for the active force, National Guard, reserves and civilian personnel.

Appearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee’s personnel subcommittee were:
-- Jessica L. Wright, acting undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness;
-- Frederick E. Vollrath, acting assistant secretary of defense for readiness and force management;
-- Richard O. Wightman Jr., acting assistant secretary of defense for reserve affairs; and
-- Dr. Jonathan Woodson, assistant secretary of Defense for health affairs and director of TRICARE Management Activity.

“The president’s plan implements and deepens the commitment to the new strategy, which meets [the Defense Department’s] needs in a complex security environment,” Wright said. The … budget request includes $137.1 billion for military personnel and $49.4 billion for military medical care, which add up to about a third of the base budget request, she added.

Wright also noted that the budget proposal was assembled in the face of “extraordinary” fiscal and budget uncertainty.

The March 1 sequestration order called for a nearly $41 billion reduction in DOD’s [fiscal] 2013 budget in the middle of the fiscal year, and the department faces substantial additional cuts of about $52 billion per year in fiscal 2014 and beyond, Wright said. Fiscal 2013’s sequestration cuts would also have major effects in fiscal 2014, she added.

But despite those challenges, Wright said, it’s possible to sustain “for generations to come” the all-volunteer force that has a proven record of unprecedented success in operations around the world.

“Our people are the department’s greatest assets, and we will continue to be the most powerful military force in the world by building and sustaining this extraordinary total force,” she said. “We must build the most appropriate total force by actively recruiting and retaining the best people for the mission with the appropriate level of compensation and benefits. Building and sustaining the right balance also requires [ensuring] constant vigilance of readiness.”

Wright outlined a “reflection of efforts” to better build, support and transition service members, and noted recent military policy changes and accomplishments, such as women in combat units and same-sex partner benefits. She also presented an overview of programs in sexual assault prevention and response, suicide prevention, tuition assistance, transition assistance and military overseas voting.

Vollrath told the senators that as DOD transitions from more than a decade of war, it is challenged to manage a total force with significantly reduced funding while maintaining operational readiness and capability.

“Potential furloughs, a current hiring freeze and reduced end-strength will create additional challenges and reinforce the need take a hard look at our programs and priorities and implement reforms and initiatives that achieve … maintaining operational readiness during this period of fiscal uncertainty,” he said.

U.S. forces are globally postured to conduct counterterrorism, stability and deterrence operations, maintain a stabilizing presence, conduct training to enhance national security relationships, and provide crisis response to protect U.S. interests, Vollrath said.

“Regrettably, the impact of sequestration will likely reduce readiness,” he added, “through reductions in maintenance, operations and training, and indirectly through effects on the accessions and training for personnel and the production pipeline for equipment. This is especially worrisome, as it may take years to recognize the shortfall, and even longer to mitigate or correct.”

Vollrath said DOD’s specific concerns include managing stress on the force, the return to full-spectrum training, ongoing operations preparation, resetting equipment, and budget austerity and uncertainty.
“A high operational tempo over the past decade, coupled with the recent budget cuts, magnified the risk of an imposed mismatch between the size of our military force and the funding required to maintain readiness,” he said. In the next year, DOD will identify elements such as critical readiness deficiencies and risks, and identify and put in place mitigation options, he added.

Vollrath said the budgetary challenges that face DOD include active-duty recruiting and retention to sustaining the ROTC, military pay and benefits, basic housing and family programs.

As part of total force management, DOD is dedicated to a mix of active-duty service members and reservists, civilians and contracted services to give commanders the capabilities and readiness they require, he said.

“We will ensure that our total force is sized and shaped to perform the functions and activities necessary to enable our capabilities and achieve our missions,” Vollrath said.

DOD’s use of the reserve component over the last decade has created a “new normal,” and while a volatile international security environment persists, a constrained DOD budget for the foreseeable future will put more burdens on training, equipping, recruiting and retaining the total force in fiscal 2014 and beyond, Wightman told the subcommittee.

“The reserve component as part of the operational total force makes business sense” as a force multiplier to the active-duty force, he added.

Wightman told the panel that reserve recruitment continues to grow, and retention remains a high priority. “Success in recruiting is essential to maintain the strength necessary for the Reserve Components to achieve their assigned missions,” he said.

Wightman pointed out that DOD’s Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve office has a mission that is “particularly relevant in an era of increased reliance on the reserve component to conduct worldwide combat operations and provide humanitarian response.” But because of sequestration, he added, the awareness of vital ESGR programs for Guardsmen and reservists might decrease, in addition to ESGR’s efforts to ensure employers and their reserve component employees are aware of their rights and responsibilities under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act.

Wightman also emphasized the need for continued medical collaboration between DOD and the Veterans Affairs Department to fulfill “sacred responsibility of caring for those who have fought for our country,” he said.

“We need to reach an even deeper level of cooperation to better meet the needs of those who have served our nation in uniform, especially our wounded warriors,” he said. “It is a great priority for [personnel and readiness] to continue to strive to achieve our joint vision of a seamless ‘single system experience of lifetime services.’”

DOD and VA, he added, have made many important changes to the system of care for wounded warriors, service members, veterans and their families. “But clearly, there is considerably more work to be done, particularly to meet the needs of the post-9/11 generation of warriors,” he said.

Woodson told the senators that the health and medical readiness for service members’ deployment is a top priority, and he emphasized the importance of wounded warrior care. “We have a special obligation to our wounded warriors,” he added, “and their care will continue uninterrupted regardless of any fiscal challenges.”
But Woodson acknowledged that rising costs of the TRICARE health care plan, which began in 1996, are a serious challenge for DOD.

“Health care costs have grown substantially since 1996, while retirees’ families’ out-of-pocket expenses -- including enrollment fees, deductibles and cost shares -- [have] only grown by 30 to 40 percent,” he said.
DOD officials want to rebalance the cost share for working-age military retirees and make other cost-saving changes in the fiscal 2014 budget, he added. And even with those cost-saving adjustments, he added, TRICARE will remain one of the best medical benefits in the United States.

Woodson added that a series of strategic price reduction initiatives is underway that will save DOD about $60 million a year, and the department also is cutting administrative overhead costs in the Military Health System by streamlining processes, reducing unnecessary reports, studies and commissions, and initiating other actions that will result in more than $200 million in reduced personnel and contract costs each year.
As the hearing neared its end, Wightman summarized the Pentagon’s position.

“We must be vigilant in our efforts and resources to ensure that we provide all the necessary recruiting, training, support and transition tools for success,” he said. “The department is committed to our service members’ success. Whether it is on the battlefield, at home with their families, or after they have faithfully concluded their military service, we are committed to preparing service members for whatever challenges they may face from warrior to veteran. They deserve no less.”

The last F-4 departs Davis-Monthan

by Teresa Pittman
309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group Business Affairs

4/19/2013 - DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz.  -- The final F-4 regenerated from storage at the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group performed its last flight over Tucson, Ariz., April 17, before heading to Mojave, Calif.

Aircraft 68-0599, an RF-4C Phantom, arrived at AMARG for storage on January 18, 1989 and had not flown since.

Eddie Caro, the crew chief assigned to the aircraft since December 2012, watched while the "Last One," the jet's call sign, taxied and launched from the Davis-Monthan AFB flightline.

Caro said he and the other maintenance professionals, who rebuilt the jet over the last year, were thrilled to watch the aircraft launch.

"It's a great feeling to see such a magnificent aircraft fly again to serve the warfighter," said Caro. "I have no doubt this jet will perform well as a full-scale aerial target. AMARG's maintainers dedicated thousands of hours, not to mention some blood, sweat and tears to this aircraft."

The "Boneyard" technicians re-installed hundreds of parts and performed thousands of hours of maintenance to return this jet back to flyable status. This aircraft represents the 316th F-4 withdrawn from storage in support of Air Combat Command's full-scale aerial target program.

BAE Systems will convert the aircraft into a QRF-4C drone and eventually deliver the jet to Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla.

The successful delivery of "Last One" represents a significant milestone in AMARG's history and is a testament to AMARG's maintenance and flight test teams.

AMARG will continue to support the FSAT program's fourth generation of drones when they begin regeneration of the first F-16 Fighting Falcons for the drone program in June.

VA Expedites Decisions for Long-standing Claims

From a Department of Veterans Affairs News Release

WASHINGTON, April 19, 2013 – The Veterans Affairs Department is expediting compensation claims decisions for veterans who have waited one year or longer, VA officials announced today.

Effective today, VA claims raters will make provisional decisions on the oldest claims on hand, officials said, which will allow veterans to begin collecting compensation benefits more quickly, if eligible.

Veterans will be able to submit additional evidence for consideration a full year after the provisional rating, before VA issues a final decision.

“Too many veterans wait too long for a decision, and this has never been acceptable,” VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki said. “That is why we are implementing an aggressive plan to eliminate the backlog in 2015. This initiative is the right thing to do now for veterans who have waited the longest.”

Provisional decisions will be based on all evidence provided to date by the veteran or obtained on their behalf by VA. If a VA medical examination is needed to decide the claim, it will be ordered and expedited.
“Issuing provisional decisions not only provides veterans with applicable benefits much more quickly, but also gives them an additional one-year safety net to submit further evidence should it become available,” said Allison Hickey, VA’s undersecretary for benefits. “Our door will remain open, and if a veteran has additional evidence, their case will be fast-tracked.”

If any increase is determined to be warranted based on the additional evidence received, benefits will be retroactive to the date the claim was initially filed. The initiative protects the veteran’s right to appeal the decision. If no further evidence is received within that year, VA’s Veterans Benefits Administration will inform the veteran that the rating is final and will provide information on the standard appeals process.

VA will continue to prioritize claims for homeless veterans and those claiming financial hardship, the terminally ill, former prisoners of war, Medal of Honor recipients and veterans filing fully developed claims.

Claims for wounded warriors separating from the military for medical reasons will continue to be handled separately and on a priority basis with the Defense Department through the Integrated Disability Evaluation System. Wounded Warriors separating through IDES currently receive VA compensation benefits in an average of 61 days following their separation from service.

As a result of this initiative, metrics used to track benefits claims will experience significant fluctuations, officials said. The focus on processing the oldest claims will cause the overall measure of the average length of time to complete a claim -- currently 286 days -- to skew, rising significantly in the near term because of the number of old claims that will be completed, they explained.

Over time, they added, as the backlog of oldest claims is cleared and more of the incoming claims are processed electronically through VA’s new paperless processing system, VA’s average time to complete claims will improve significantly. In addition, the “average days pending” metric -- or the average age of a claim in the inventory -- will decrease, since the oldest claims will no longer be part of the inventory.

While compensation claims are pending, eligible veterans are able to receive health care and other benefits from VA. Veterans who have served in recent conflicts are eligible for five years of free health care from VA. More than 55 percent of returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are using VA health care, officials said, a rate greater than that of previous generations of veterans.

ARPC members win AF-level awards

by Lt. Col. Belinda Petersen
Air Reserve Personnel Center Public Affairs

4/18/2013 - BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel and services recently announced the 2012 award winners for the A1 community.

Three of the winners are from the Air Reserve Personnel Center:

Maj. Tim J. Martin - Force Support Reserve Company Grade Officer of the Year
Tech. Sgt. Richard G. Grybos - Force Support Reserve Component NCO of the Year
Senior Airman Iris B. Morales - Force Support Reserve Component Airman of the Year

As the chief of the program management branch, Martin was responsible for all plans, programs, information technology, and project management at ARPC. He instituted a voice prompt system to direct almost 1 million customers to the correct work center, reducing dropped calls and caller wait times. During his off-duty time, he completed three courses from the Air Command and Staff College master's program, completed two 100-mile bike rides, and was president for Rolling Thunder Colorado Chapter 1.

Grybos was responsible for drafting leadership guidelines for the migration of the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System and Real-Time Automated Personnel Identification System. As a result, the Air Force successfully upgraded and transferred the Military Personnel Data System to the Defense Information Systems Agency Defense Enterprise Computing Center. During his off-duty time, he was vice president of Buckley's 5/6 Association, Buckley's housing representative, and ARPC's snow removal team leader.

Morales worked with more than 14,000 customers from the Total Force Service Center, taking care of their personnel requests within five days. Furthermore, she screened and updated more than 2,000 promotion board records, ensuring records were 100% accurate. During her off-duty time, she completed her Community of College of the Air Force degree in Human Resources Management, completed a Master of Health Services Administration, was president for the Junior Enlisted Advisory Council, and was a mentor for troubled teens in the local community.

"The competition was fierce, and it was a difficult decision across all of the categories," Lt. Gen. Darrell D. Jones stated in the announcement letter. "We appreciate the commanders and supervisors at all levels in taking the time and effort to nominate your people and programs, and thank you for your continued commitment to everyday excellence in serving our Total Force Airmen and their families."

Air Force Global Strike Command cancels annual competition

Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs

4/19/2013 - BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La.  -- Air Force Global Strike Command's 2013 Global Strike Challenge competition has been canceled due to budget shortfalls.

"We regret cancelling Global Strike Challenge this year but we're committed to resuming in 2014," said Lt. Gen. James Kowalski, AFGSC commander. "Global Strike sustains our culture of disciplined professionalism by putting our best airmen through the demands of high-visibility competition."

Global Strike Challenge recognizes the best of the best in the bomber, Intercontinental Ballistic Missile and Security Forces communities that are central to the AFGSC mission.

The goals of Global Strike Challenge are to:

· Showcase the world's premier bomber and ICBM force
· Foster esprit de corps through competition and teamwork
· Recognize outstanding global strike personnel and teams
· Improve combat capabilities through competition and community crosstalk

The competition also welcomes teams and weapon systems from other major commands.

The annual technology and innovation symposium held in conjunction with Global Strike Challenge has also been canceled.

Hagel’s First Middle East Trip to Seal Historic Arms Deal

By Cheryl Pellerin
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 19, 2013 – Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel’s first official trip to the Middle East will underscore U.S. security relationships there and finalize agreements on an unprecedented release of military capabilities to Israel and other partner countries, senior defense officials said today.

Tomorrow, the secretary begins a six-day trip that includes meetings with counterparts and officials in Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.

“I would characterize this trip as not just a series of courtesy calls, but as a series of security calls on important allies and partners,” a senior defense official, speaking on background, told Pentagon reporters today.

Hagel’s goal, the official added, “is to deepen and strengthen his relationships with all of these countries.”
“I would note that in the case of Israel, he has been to Israel six times in the past and looks forward to expressing once again in that country his personal commitment to our alliance and to Israel’s security,” the official added.

The range of security issues to be discussed will all country officials includes the situations in Syria, Iran, the Sinai Peninsula and others, he said, along with the historic arms deal that involves Israel, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

The release of U.S. military capabilities is the culmination of an effort that President Barack Obama asked former Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta to undertake late last year, another senior defense official said.
Given many shared threats in the region, including Iran, Syria, terrorism, border issues and other challenges, the president wanted Panetta “to look at ways not just to protect Israel’s qualitative military edge, which is a key principle of American policy, but to increase the capabilities of Israel in a significant and meaningful way and in doing so increase the capabilities of key partner nations,” he added.

The series of sensitive bilateral negotiations took place over the past year and resulted in agreements, reached also through consultations with Congress, to approve requests by Israel for advanced radar for Israeli jet fighters, antiradiation missiles, KC-135 refueling tankers, and a to-be-determined number of V-22 Ospreys, the official said, a capability that the United States has never sold to any other country.

The United States is making these capabilities available for Israeli purchase, the official said, adding that U.S. funding for Israel’s security needs has been unprecedented, even in an austere budget environment.

“This year the United States provided $3.1 billion in foreign military financing to Israel, the highest the United States has ever provided,” he said. In addition, the United States provides about $300 million in missile defense to Israel, the official noted.

Elsewhere in the region, in 2010 Saudi Arabia agreed to purchase 84 F-15 tactical fighters in a deal worth $29.4 billion, the official said, and the first F-15s have rolled off the line in St. Louis and are undergoing flight testing at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

During Hagel’s trip, the UAE is expected to move forward with the purchase of 25 F-16 Block 60 Desert Falcon fighters manufactured by Lockheed Martin in Fort Worth, Texas. The expected value of the sale is $425 billion, the official said.

“As part of these sales,” he added, “the United States is agreeing to deploy standoff weapons to Saudi Arabia and the UAE.” Such smart weapons can navigate to their targets and are more precise and can be fired at further distances.

“This is more advanced weaponry than we’ve sold before,” the official said. “A key part of the agreement is that we believe, and the Israelis believe, that [providing] these capabilities in no way diminishes Israel’s qualitative military edge, but are consistent with [the need to] commonly address threats in the region.”
The United States will jointly train with the Emirati and Saudi pilots, as has been the case for other sales of military aircraft, he noted.

“There will be enhanced end-use monitoring consistent with what we provide with sensitive technology to our other allies and partners around the region,” the official said, “and there will be consultations prior to any of the weapons’ deployment.”

None of the military sales signals a change in U.S. policy toward Iran or any other country, the official said.
The secretary’s trip is an important one that follows up on Obama’s trip in March to Israel and Jordan, and discussions the president had there, another senior defense official said. During the secretary’s trip, the official said, “in each country we will be seeking to strengthen and reinforce the relationships.”

Syria will be at the top of the agenda at all stops, he added, and Iran clearly will be an issue Hagel will be interested in hearing about from his counterparts.

Egypt will be a very important stop both to reaffirm the importance of the Egyptian-U.S. defense relationship, discuss many important issues that Pentagon officials have been working on with Egypt for about two years, and security issues, the official observed, but also Egypt’s internal situation.

Hagel will have a chance to speak directly with Egyptian officials about “the difficult times they’re in,” the official said, referring to the transitional period that has followed the revolution that began Jan. 25, 2011.
In Jordan, the secretary will have an opportunity to meet with senior Jordanian defense officials about the situation in Syria and what the Defense Department can do to help the Jordanians, the official said.

Air Superiority: Advantage over enemy skies for 60 years

by Randy Roughton
Air Force News Service

4/19/2013 - FORT MEADE, Md. (AFNS) -- A few months after the D-Day invasion in June 1944, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower surveyed the Normandy beaches with his son. "You'd never get away with this if you didn't have air supremacy," then 2nd Lt. John Eisenhower told his father. "Without air supremacy," the elder Eisenhower replied, "I wouldn't be here."

The United States won air superiority in Europe by 1944 and the Pacific by the fall, won it in Korea in 1950 and hasn't lost control of the skies since. No American service members on the ground have died from enemy air attacks since three were killed during the Korean War more than 60 years ago.

Control of the air gives a military power the opportunity to exploit height, reach and speed, enabling informed decision-making, the ability to strike freely at a distance, and the ability to maneuver unconstrained by the limits of terrain or ocean, said Dr. Richard P. Hallion, former Air Force Historian and senior advisor for air and space issues with the Directorate for Security, Counterintelligence and Special Programs Oversight.

"I go back to David versus Goliath," said Hallion, author of "Storm Over Iraq: Airpower in the Gulf War" and "Strike from the Sky: The History of Battlefield Attack." "There wasn't a manhood issue here demanding he engage in the close fight, where he could have lost. Instead, David hit him with an aerospace weapon - a rock at a distance. In the airpower era, that aerospace weapon is the airplane and missile of today."

When the North Koreans invaded the South in June 1950, they did so with overwhelming military force, and initially, without encountering immediate air attacks, Hallion said. Retired Marine Corps Col. Warren Wiedhahn experienced combat in Korea as a private first class, both with and without close air support.

During the initial days of the Korean War, "there was no close air support, the North Korean juggernaut moved very rapidly with their tanks, artillery and infantry. They annihilated everything in front of them until there was nothing left in Korea but the Pusan perimeter," Wiedhahn said.

But by then, robust air power forces - Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps - assisted by British, Australian and South Korean airmen as well - were taking a heavy toll on North Korean attackers, Hallion said.

"During that period of time, the close air support was building up," Wiedhahn said. "The ships were coming in. The Air Force was flying. Now, all of a sudden, we began to see aircraft."
After participating in the Inchon Landing and helping to liberate Seoul, Wiedhahn also fought in the battle of the Chosin Reservoir a few months later. United Nations forces chased the North Korean army to the southern tip of South Korea until China sent more than 100,000 troops that surrounded about 30,000 U.N. troops.

"When we were up in the Chosin Reservoir, and the Chinese decided to attack, we began to see air - mostly Navy and Marine Corps (Vought F4U) Corsairs off of the carriers. That's how I really began to appreciate close air support. It (Control of the air) is absolutely, positively vital.

After a 17-day battle in sub-zero temperatures, the Marines managed to withdraw to the coast, where they were evacuated in December."

"Indeed, air power saved the Marines from annihilation as they made their way from the reservoir down to the coast," Hallion said.

Five years after Wiedhahn retired as a colonel in 1982, he talked with four of the Chinese he fought against in the Chosin Reservoir during a visit to Beijing as part of his Virginia-based Military Historical Tours organization. About 40 years later, the sights and sounds of American aircraft were still engrained in their memories.

"One of the greatest things we feared was your airpower," the Chinese told Wiedhahn. They said, they always moved at night, and never moved when the weather was clear because of their fear of our planes.

Air superiority and supremacy are two of the five conditions in the air warfare spectrum, along with air paralysis, air inferiority and air parity. There is actually a huge difference between air superiority and supremacy that can be especially costly in war, Hallion said.

"Air superiority is the absolute minimal condition we should ever be prepared to fight with," he said. "Air superiority means that the enemy is still able to undertake air action against you, but you are able to confound and defeat it. What we should really seek is what we had in the latter stages of World War II and what we had in the (Persian) Gulf War, where we had air supremacy, indeed, we had air dominance. That's where you so thoroughly dominate your opponent that they are instantly confronted with air attack, and they are unable to do anything about it.

"We had air supremacy, clearly, in the first Gulf War because in that war, the Iraqi air force was simply unable to intervene either against our coalition air forces or against coalition surface forces. At the end of the Gulf War in 1991, by the second or third week, the Iraqi air force was fleeing the country, and the air action there was primarily intercepting aircraft trying to flee to Iran.

That's what happens when you have air supremacy, and in the best of all circumstances, air dominance. You can then devote 100 percent of your air effort to ensure that the people on the ground get the support they need to prosecute the ground war."
Gen. Charles A. Horner, who commanded all U.S. and allied air assets during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, credited the airpower dominance to the intelligence, preparation and training before the invasion.

"When did we get air superiority? We had it before the war began because we had the means to get it - the equipment, intelligence, training, and the courage of the aircrews," Horner said.

"But do not get the idea that gaining control of the air was easy. It was not a macho, no-sweat operation. What turned into a turkey shoot in late January and February started out as a bitter struggle; those first few days were the hardest-fought, most-critical aspect of the entire war."

Because the Air Force has had almost an unprecedented control of the skies for decades, it might be easy to forget how costly it was to achieve air superiority, especially during World War II. In the European and Mediterranean theaters alone, the U.S. lost 4,325 fighters and bombers before D-Day, with 17,000 killed and 21,000 wounded or POW in the fight for air superiority and didn't achieve theater-wide supremacy until the final days of the war. More

Airmen were killed in aerial missions over Europe "than all the Marines who unfortunately died in the entire span of World War II," said retired Gen. David Deptula, who was the Air Force's senior intelligence community official when he was the Headquarters Air Force deputy chief of staff for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. Deptula was also the main attack planner during Operation Desert Storm in 1991 and a joint task commander for Operation Northern Watch in 1998-99.

"If you take a look at how many aircraft we lost in the Vietnam War - 2,781 Air Force and Navy combined, that was against a fifth-rate power with only 206 fighter aircraft. Why did that happen? Because, we were late in achieving air superiority.
"It took us some 30 years to apply the air superiority lesson, but we did it in the form of
developing the F-15 (Eagle). But those F-15s first flew in 1972, and now some of them are more than 30 years old. In 1979, I flew F-15s at Kadena Air Base, Japan. In 2008, my son was flying the exact same tail numbers I did, but it was 29 years later, and that was five years ago.

Today, we have a geriatric combat Air Force, and we badly need to recapitalize it in order to maintain the advantage of air supremacy in the future."

Without control of the air, troops on the ground face many hardships and hazards, as the late Gen. Bruce K. Holloway, vice chief of staff during the Vietnam War, wrote in an article for Air University Press.

For six decades, American troops haven't had to experience "what it's like to lose mobility except at night; to be cut off from supplies and reinforcements; to be constantly under the watchful eye of enemy reconnaissance aircraft; to be always vulnerable to strafing and bombing attacks; to see one's fighters and bombers burn on their handstands; and to be outnumbered, outgunned and outmaneuvered in the air," Holloway wrote in his article, "Air Superiority in Tactical Air Warfare."

However, there are some who aren't convinced the Air Force's decades-long dominance of the air is a certainty, especially with recent cuts in weapons systems such as the F-22 Raptor, which Deptula calls "the most capable aircraft ever built specifically to achieve air superiority," and F-35 Lightning II. In 2009, then-Defense Secretary Robert Gates called for capping the original 722 Raptors to 187. Three years later, across-the-board defense spending cuts have put the F-35 at risk.

"There are newer threats out there, quite frankly, that could defeat the aircraft that we currently have," Deptula said. "That's why the Air Force works so hard to recapitalize those aircraft by building F-22s and F-35s that can operate, using modern technology, to achieve air dominance by networking capabilities with sensors that we never had in the past.

"Our challenge in the future is we're not going to have time to do what we did in World War II - bring America's industrial might to bear over the time necessary to create the kinds of aircraft to maintain our superiority advantage. It falls on Airmen of today, to articulate the air superiority lessons of the past and to make the Airman's voice in the defense of our nation heard. Today's Airmen need to be unabashedly clear about the lessons of history in order to maintain our capabilities in the future."

As vital as Eisenhower perceived air superiority to success on D-Day, some airpower experts wonder if the day will come when the U.S. won't have the control of the skies needed for a crucial confrontation with another military power.

"I think the greatest danger we face as a nation today is to assume that air and space power is a God-given right to the United States of America, and we will always enjoy it," Hallion said.

"We see that sometimes, unfortunately, in our sister services. They have labored so long with perfect freedom of maneuver because of the American airpower shield that we've put over their heads that I think many individuals fail to realize that it is perishable. Air dominance is like freedom itself - you have to constantly nurture it, care for it and invest in it to ensure that you will still have it."

AMC activates electronic program for base visit requests

by Ed Shannon
Air Mobility Command Public Affairs

4/19/2013 - SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill.  -- Air Mobility Command officials will implement an online program next week to streamline the approval process for official visitors and sponsored guests at AMC active duty bases, according to Maj. Elizabeth Taillon, AMC Gatekeeper.

When activated, the Electronic Gatekeeper (E-GK) program, designed through a partnership between the AMC Inspector General and Communications directorates, represents the sole method for requesting an external visit to any AMC active duty base and a more efficient method of tracking inspection and non-inspection activities, including visits, Taillon said.

Officials plan for the new system to 'go live' April 22, improving upon a labor-intensive process to log, track and deconflict visits. The current method involves Excel spreadsheets and a large amount of 'back and forth' email traffic.

"Leaning forward, this is the best, most innovative tool to make this process more efficient," Taillon said. "The E-GK tool is a one-stop shop because once a customer or potential visitor submits a request, it generates automated emails to the base gatekeeper, AMC gatekeeper and the requestor. Gone are the days of arduous email exchanges because the new system improves communication involved with visit request coordination."

Grand Forks, MacDill, and Travis Air Force Bases participated in a three-month test pilot program beginning in April 2012. Officials at the three bases raved about benefits of the new program.

"The new system provides commanders at all levels greater visibility of visits and non-normal day-to-day activities going on at the base," said Lt. Col. Brian Mahoney, Grand Forks AFB Installation Inspector General. "It creates better and more formalized communication within the inspection and visit notification process and ensures my wing commander is aware of all activities going on at the base."

In addition to better visibility to the number and types of visitors at AMC bases, Dan Johnson, chief of the Plans and Programs Directorate and primary gatekeeper at Travis AFB, said the program delivers a much smarter way for AMC to conduct business.

"The bottom line is we need to work smarter, and we find this new process very useful," Johnson said.

Larry Cresswell, MacDill AFB Exercises and Inspections chief, said he is a 'staunch supporter' of Electronic Gatekeeper.

"E-Gatekeeper is a force multiplier," he said. "The new process is 100 percent more efficient than the old process."

Customers will experience huge benefits with the system, according to Master Sgt. Ben Parish, AMC deputy gatekeeper.

"No matter day or night, the program can be accessed by potential visitors from anywhere in the world," Parish said. "This system takes a manual labor intensive process and automates it. Customers simply input request information in fields that are easy to navigate. Once the information is loaded, one click activates the coordination process. They can check back in the system for the status of the request, too."

According to Taillon, Maj. Scott Lewis, who served as AMC Gatekeeper at the time, worked with AMC Communications Directorate officials in 2011 to develop the E-GK tool.

With a project that began approximately four years ago, the team invested more than 300 hours into the project and see a positive impact on the gatekeeper program, through which AMC active duty bases receive more than 700 visits annually, Taillon said.

She anticipates reduction in the amount of work required to manage the gatekeeper program by two-thirds.

554th RHS receives warm welcome after deployment

by Senior Airman Benjamin Wiseman
36th Wing Public Affairs

4/18/2013 - ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  -- Smiling family, friends and coworkers welcomed Airmen of the 554th RED HORSE Squadron upon arrival at Hangar 1 on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, April 16, after a seven-month deployment to Southwest Asia.

One-hundred-eighteen members of the 554th RHS, along with four members of the 36th Wing, conducted construction projects for eight different sites in and around the region.

"While deployed, we provided troop labor construction to the Gulf Coast States, Afghanistan and even the Horn of Africa," said Lt. Col. Christopher Fuller, 554th RHS commander.  "The greatest part about this deployment was the fact that we went as a whole unit to work large construction projects, turn a flat desert into an operational base and start other construction projects for the next cycle, all in our one rotation."

During their deployment, the 554th RHS maintained a heavy workflow as they constructed various large projects.

"We built the second largest project in the history of the theater in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan," said Chief Master Sgt. Brent Sheehan, 554th RHS chief enlisted manager. "We also built four of 11 U.S. Central Command top priorities while deployed."

While the Airmen were deployed, family and friends counted the days until their loved ones were home once again.

"My husband, Tech. Sgt. Troy Woods, left seven months ago and it has been a long time," said Misty Woods, military spouse. "There were those rough days where I had to manage everything, so I am excited that he is finally coming home today."

Family and friends waited anxiously at Hangar 1 for the arrival of the plane. As the aircraft door opened, Airmen raced to the hangar to see their loved ones for the first time since September 2012.

"When I saw Troy get off the plane, I knew I had my best friend back and the family is back together," said Mrs. Woods. "Now he can see the children grow up instead of having to hear about it over the Internet."

With the successful completion of their deployment, members of the 554th RHS will spend time with their families as the next expeditionary RHS takes the reins and continues the mission downrange.

317th AG participates in first Big Country JPADS CAPEX

by Airman 1st Class Jonathan Stefanko
7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

4/18/2013 - DYESS, Texas -- Airmen with the 317th Airlift Group completed the first Big Country Joint Precision Airdrop System Capabilities Training Exercise April 11, at Fort Hood, Texas, to test a piece of technology designed to deliver cargo with pinpoint accuracy in even the most hostile environments.

The technology in JPADS uses global positioning satellites, steerable parachutes and an on-board computer to steer cargo to a designated point of impact on a drop zone, a capability similar to Joint Direct Attack Munitions.

During the exercise, 25 JPADS bundles were dropped by C-130Js from Dyess AFB, Texas and Keesler AFB, Miss., C-17s from Joint Base Charleston, S.C., and Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., as well as an MC-130J from Cannon AFB, N.M., to demonstrate the ability of the airlift community to target fighting forces simultaneously, and drop cargo with pinpoint accuracy.

"The unique objectives of the Big Country JPADS CAPEX highlight the capability of re-supplying a large fighting force with precision results," said Maj. Justin Brumley, JPADS CAPEX mission commander. "Exercises like this demonstrate our ability to target individuals, and or individual fighting forces simultaneously, and drop cargo with precision."

Traditional airdrops by Air Force airlifters are at altitudes of 400 to 1,000 feet. With JPADS, those same bundles can be dropped and guided from as high as 25,000 feet with pinpoint accuracy, allowing aircrew to drop cargo at a safe distance while also reducing the time ground troops are exposed to enemy fire.

"The 317th AG Airmen, over the last two years, have repeatedly displayed the importance of precision airdrop," Brumley said. "From training like we fight to delivering in a combat theater, we continue to push the limits of a precision re-supply delivery platform."

The main benefits to the JPADS capability includes an increase in the number of available drop zones and the cargo's precision. They also increase the survivability of the aircraft and its crew by being able to complete standoff deliveries.

"Up to this point, linear thought processes caused us to send one plane to drop with precision to one unit," Brumley said. "This demonstration, however, impresses upon the minds of our leaders how, as a joint-force, we can take multiple mobility aircraft and sustain hundreds of individual fighting positions at the same time.

"Our warfighters could literally land from a para-drop on a foreign airfield at one moment and seconds later be fully supplied by a JPADS bundle to bring their full fighting capacity to bear," he added. "Take this warfighting individual and multiply him or her by hundreds or more and you are talking about compounding effects that drive serious strategy. That is the magnitude of response we are trying to achieve from this CAPEX."

Exercises that test JPADS capabilities offer several opportunities to gather data, that in turn, improves the effectiveness and accuracy of its system.

Additionally, during the CAPEX venue, Dyess Airmen opened their doors to host a crosstalk forum. In this forum, participants discussed the current precision airdrop system, and what the future holds for precision aerial re-supply of our war-fighters.

"The joint-partners who have made it a point to participate in this exercise are nothing less than modern-day innovators," Brumley said. "They are those who know no-limits to the element of improvement."