Hagel Calls for Culture of Dignity, Respect in Military

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 7, 2013 – Allegations of misconduct against an Air Force officer in charge of the service’s sexual assault prevention and response effort underscored the importance of Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel’s effort to prevent sexual assault across the military.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel briefs reporters on the Defense Department's initiatives to prevent sexual assault and the results of the fiscal 2012 annual report on sexual assault in the military during a press conference at the Pentagon, May 7, 2013. DOD photo by Glenn Fawcett    (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

Hagel began his Pentagon news conference Tuesday by discussing the incident in which the officer was arrested by Arlington County police and charged with sexual battery. “He's been removed from his position pending the outcome of this investigation,” the secretary said. “We’re all outraged and disgusted over these very troubling allegations.”

Hagel called sexual assault “a despicable crime” and said it is a serious challenge to the department. “It’s a threat to the safety and the welfare of our people and the health, reputation and trust of this institution,” he said.

He shifted to the annual report on sexual assault within the military the department delivered to Congress today. “This department may be nearing a stage where the frequency of this crime and the perception that there is tolerance of it could very well undermine our ability to effectively carry out the mission and to recruit and retain the good people we need,” he said. “That is unacceptable to me and the leaders of this institution. And it should be unacceptable to everyone associated with the United States military.”

Hagel called for a cultural change in the military with respect to sexual assault. He announced initiatives so “every service member is treated with dignity and respect, where all allegations of inappropriate behavior are treated with seriousness, where victims’ privacy is protected, where bystanders are motivated to intervene and where offenders know that they will be held accountable by strong and effective systems of justice.”
Hagel wants leaders to take this seriously and stressed the department will hold them responsible for putting in place programs to prevent sexual assault and to treat victims of the crime with compassion and justice.

Wing wins AFA Outstanding Unit award

by Tech. Sgt. Danielle Johnston
442nd Public Affairs office

5/3/2013 - WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo.  -- The 442nd Fighter Wing was annouced as the Air Force Association 2012 Oustanding Reserve Flying Unit April 23.

The award recognizes an AF Reserve wing that demonstrates superior performance and oustanding achievement throughout the year.

The wing was noted for seamlessly orchestrating a combined mission at four geographically separated units made up of more than 2,000 Airmen and 48 A-10 Thunderbolt IIs. Throughout 2012, the 442nd Fighter Wing trained and deployed 421 combat-ready Airmen to five nations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Not only did the wing contribute immensely to the flying mission, but it successfully completed a consolidated unit inspection and full established the Reserve's first fighter active association.

"I commend the wing on this tremendous achievement," said Col. Hubie Hegtvedt, who took command of the wing in April. "Based on my knowledge of this wing's history and my one month as part of it, it's not surprising that the wing is being recognized for superior performance and outstanding achievement."

Face of Defense: Soldier Aspires to Medical Degree

By Army Sgt. Tanya Van Buskirk
78th Training Division

FORT MCCOY, Wis., May 6, 2013 – Taking care of the force is something Army Staff Sgt. Megan Appleby feels is her lifelong calling.

Army Staff Sgt. Megan Appleby, left, draws blood from a soldier during Warrior Exercise at Fort McCoy, Wis., May 4, 2013. The 4215th U.S. Army Hospital, based out of Richmond, Va., is providing medical support for the exercise. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Tanya Van Buskirk   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

The 30-year-old Army veteran of 11 years, who has served both on active duty and in the Army Reserve as a laboratory technician, aspires to be an obstetric gynecologist.

A Lisbon, Iowa, native, Appleby is assigned to the 4215th U.S. Army Hospital command based in Richmond, Va. She said her passion for helping people started when she was very young.

“When I was little, the doctor that delivered my sisters and me was actually our doctor until we were 18 years old,” she explained. “Having that doctor who knew you from inside your mom’s stomach, and [having] that connection, is really amazing.”

Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., was Appleby’s first duty station from 2002 to 2006, and where she earned a bachelor’s degree in microbiology. In mid-2006, she transferred to the Army Reserve and began attending battle assemblies with the 7229th Medical Support Unit. She then transferred to her current unit.

Appleby was deployed to Kuwait in 2003. Being in an environment where there is a feeling of constant danger was scary, she said, but knowing she was surrounded by medical experts allowed her to focus on her job of caring for patients arriving for lifesaving care. That, she added, is the driving force behind her pursuit of a medical career in the military.

Appleby is taking her medical school entrance exam and applying to the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences to continue her service and military career. The program is a 14-year commitment, she said: four years of classroom studies, three years of residency and seven years of service and commissioning as a captain.

“I look forward to the challenge,” she added, “because I enjoy both medicine and serving my country.”

In midst of Syrian crisis, Mobility Airmen deliver aid

by Maj. Michael Meridith
18th Air Force Public Affairs

5/6/2013 - SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Mobility Airmen delivered the first shipment of nonlethal U.S. aid to the armed Syrian opposition April 30.

The shipment, transported by a regionally-based C-17 Globemaster III crew from the 385th Air Expeditionary Group, delivered approximately 43 tons of halal meals and medical supplies, and served as the initial response to the President's direction to provide up to $10 million in aid.

According to defense officials, the U.S., which is the largest humanitarian donor to the Syrian crisis, has provided more than $385 million in humanitarian assistance to date. Those efforts have aided more than 2.4 million people inside Syria and hundreds of thousands of refugees in neighboring countries.

The complex delivery effort, orchestrated by planners at U.S. European Command, U.S. Central Command, U.S. Transportation Command, the 18th Air Force and the 618th Air and Space Operations Center (Tanker Airlift Control Center) began weeks ago combining the efforts of Department of Defense and State Department officials across the globe.

"It was great to see so many people come together and overcome challenges to execute this complex mission with near flawless precision," said Chris Rosenthal, 18th Air Force's lead planner for the effort. "The most rewarding part is knowing that our efforts can make an important, positive difference for people who really need our help."

The operation is nothing new for the Mobility Air Forces. 18th Air Force Airmen have a history of providing life-saving aid in the wake of major humanitarian crises through their unique capabilities of airlift, air refueling and aeromedical evacuation. Those capabilities have delivered hope to those in need across the globe, including transporting French military forces to Mali to battle extremists, delivering Patriot missile batteries to bolster Turkey's defenses, and aiding in relief efforts during last year's Superstorm Sandy.

"As Airmen we live by the ideal that we are always ready to rapidly respond, whether in defense of an ally or in response to natural or manmade disasters," said Lt. Gen. Darren McDew, 18th Air Force commander. "Our Nation is reaching out to those brutalized by the Assad regime, and Mobility Airmen are proud to carry out that mission."

Travis reservists team up with Sacramento firefighters for toy drive

by Senior Airman Cindy G. Alejandrez
349th Public Affairs

5/1/2013 - TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.  -- Members with the 349th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron gathered approximately 1,500 toys to support the Firefighters Burn Institute, a non-profit organization which supports treatment facilities such as the burn centers at U.C. Davis Medical Center and Shiners Hospital for Children in Sacramento.

The institute, comprised of Sacramento area firefighters, also holds camps, conventions and provides counseling for victims.

Jim Doucette, executive director for the institute met with members of the 349th AMXS Rising Six to thank them for the donated toys and to highlight the work done by the institute. He also thanked Staff Sgt. Marcus Carrion, 349th AMXS Rising Six executive director for coordinating the toy drive. Carrion, who is an electrical and environmental systems technician with 349th AMXS, is a volunteer firefighter with the Georgetown Fire Protection District and a volunteer for Firefighters Burn Institute.

Doucette also brought along burn victim Chris Cvitanov to share his story. Cvitanov, was badly burned in a fiery vehicle accident in 2005. Just after the accident he only had a three to five percent chance of survival. Thankfully, Cvitanov recovered but had suffered life altering damage to his body, including the loss of most of his left leg. He explained that his emotional recovery was also difficult but has been eased by his participation with the institute.

"It is an absolute gift for me to be a part of this organization," said Cvitanov. "This organization has changed the lives for people who do not have resources."

Tech. Sgt. Michael S. Sligh, 349th AMXS Rising Six president said that stories such as Cvitanov's motive himself and the rest of the Rising Six to volunteer for the institute and they voted to adopt the Firefighters Burn Institute as their charity of the year and hope others in the 349th AMW join them.

"Giving back gives people things to look forward to," said Sligh. "Travis (AFB) is so busy and it's hard to commit to other things but the 349th (AMW) is just awesome. They want to participate in things like this."

Sligh, an auto-flight instrument navigation specialist, explained that the Rising Six would like to look for new innovative ways to help the institute raise funds because volunteering helps the individual Airman become a better Wingman.

"Volunteering with the institute is beneficial to both groups because they are helping a charity that is local, and because they're local we can see the end results. It's nice that you can close that loop when you are working with the local community," said Carrion.

Cadets teach biosand water filtration efforts in Mozambique

by Don Branum
U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs

5/6/2013 - U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AFNS) -- Americans take drinking water for granted. We use it not only to drink and to cook but to water our plants, to bathe and even to flush our toilets.

In other parts of the world, however, potable water is hard to come by. Without the infrastructure to treat and distribute water through plumbing, people are more likely to drink water straight from unfiltered sources. Contaminated water kills an estimated 2.2 million people annually, according to the United Nations Environment Program, in addition to 1.8 million children under age 5.

A group of cadets here sought to help. In March, Cadets 1st Class Matthew Scheie, Victoria Cachro, Evan Shawler and Ian Gibson traveled to Dunbo, Mozambique, and held a workshop, teaching residents how to build biosand water filters from readily available materials.

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

The idea for an overseas trip began in the summer of 2011, when a cadet suggested a class that could combine civil engineering and cultural competencies, said Maj. Timothy Frank, the assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering for the Academy's Civil Engineering Department.

"There was no class that explicitly did that, so we created a course," Frank said. "We chose Mozambique because it was a Portuguese-speaking country from back in colonial times, and we had a Portuguese faculty member who was part of the planning process."

The course objective was for cadets to apply what they learned about Mozambique's culture and their knowledge of engineering to develop a technological answer to a social problem, Frank said. They decided to develop a biosand water filter: a 3-foot-tall concrete container filled with fine-grain sand that filters out diseases and other contaminants. University of Calgary researcher Dr. David Manz first developed the biosand filter in the 1990s.

"It's pretty simple, pretty low-tech," Frank said. "It was a great project."

The Centre for Affordable Water and Sanitation Technology recommends using a sieve to separate sand grains larger than 0.7 millimeter, calling larger grains too coarse for filtration. However, sieves are a limiting factor in many parts of the world, including Mozambique, Frank said.

Instead, the cadets used coarser sand, filtered through more common sieves such as window screens and mosquito nets, to build filters at the Academy. They ran untreated water from the Academy's water treatment plants through their biosand filters and tested the results, Scheie said.

"Hopefully I was in none of your classes, because we were the stinky students," Scheie said jokingly. "We were here playing with contaminated water every morning from January all the way through to spring break, running these tests to see how the largest-size BSF ran against the (CAWST) manual-referenced filter. What we found was comparable within tenths of a percent ... which is very promising."

THE TRIP

Frank put together a proposal to get funding from the international programs department for the trip to Mozambique. The travel was applicable to both a special topics course and an independent study course, and the students had not previously traveled on international programs-sponsored trips, two factors that the major said helped the proposal's chances. Another stand-out feature of the proposal was that cadets would become teachers, replicating a classroom environment in the field.

Meanwhile, Shawler and Gibson hit the phones to see if they could contact people who had previously worked in that part of Africa.

"We had some questions about Mozambique, about water filtration, about how accessible clean water is," Gibson said. "What we found is that there's not a lot of great data out there."

But the phone calls served a purpose. The cadets contacted Amy Gillespie, who volunteered in Mozambique for several years before coming to live in Colorado Springs. She provided them with contacts in Mozambique who have worked on water filtration.

Meyer, a Portuguese instructor in the foreign languages department here, connected the cadets with Youth With a Mission, which gave them a place to stay and hold their presentation during their trip.

The team did some more research once they were on the ground in Mozambique. Shawler and Gibson talked to business owners in country to find out more about the business environment.

"Our intent was to see how easy or difficult it was to own and operate a business in Mozambique: What are the government regulations and hoops that you have to jump through," Gibson said. "We certainly didn't know much about Mozambique, about the economy, but we (incorporated) some of the things we learned ... into the workshop."

Twenty-one people showed up to the first day of the multi-day workshop, Cachro said, including doctors from Argentina, missionaries from Brazil and local pastors and community leaders. They built a filter from scratch with help from two women, Berta and Zita, who have built a large number of water filters.

"That filter is still at Youth With a Mission, which was where we stayed," Cachro said. "It's at the preschool there. One of the gentlemen who was at the workshop, Sergio, is actually working and pouring water into the filter every day, taking care of it."

Shawler and Gibson took over the latter half of the workshop to talk about microlending, the practice of offering small loans to individuals who can use the money to start or expand small businesses.

"The connection we saw with biosand water filters -- a way to make this stick, to make it sustainable, to have the project not die after we left -- was to incorporate it into some sort of business idea," said Gibson, who along with Shawler runs a non-profit that offers microloans to individiauls in developing nations. "We understood we wouldn't have the ultimate solution for them. We understood that what we were bringing to them wouldn't necessarily be their 'fix' out of poverty. What we wanted was to leave the floor open to them."

The participants came up with three main ideas. The first was to provide the filters to communities, who would share the cost of using it. The second was to provide a clean water service, similar to a utility, where people could buy clean water. The third idea -- and Shawler's favorite -- was for the attendees to build more water filters, which they could sell to non-government organizations working in Africa.

RESULTS

The cadets talked about what they learned from the trip. Their major takeaway, Gibson said, was that they had to be attentive and open to cultural differences.

"On Day 1, we had what I would call a faux pas of sorts," he explained. "We started the workshop and briefly introduced ourselves. At the end of the day, we solicited feedback from the attendees."

The attendees commented that they wanted to know more about the cadets.

"They were very specific," Gibson said. "They wanted to know what our parents did; they wanted to know how old we were; they wanted to know whether we were married; a lot of very personal things that we weren't used to giving out.

"The next day, we took at least 30 or 45 minutes explaining in detail answers to each of those questions and explained to them why we were there and what passion we had for biosand water filters," he added.

Shawler said the cadets didn't try to foist their solutions as the only ones that would work.

"That allows them to introduce what they know about their communities, what they know about the people around them, to help best fit what we have into their programs or their communities," he said.

Frank said providing knowledge, rather than a tangible product, will carry benefits in the future. They also helped attendees develop contacts with others in the region who could help.

"We hope we were successful," he said. "Time will tell. We'll keep in contact with some of the people over there, and we'll see. But our hope is that (because) it was knowledge-based ... that it can be a sustainable project and live on."

The cadets had attendees write commitment statements on the workshop's last day.

"I received knowledge I didn't have before, and I will transmit what I've learned like I promised my co-workers at the orphanage," one feedback read. "In 15 days, I will go meet with the government leadership team. I can share on the radio about the biosand water filter, and the message will spread.

"But what I'm asking of you is that this message won't just die," the statement continues. "It depends on the workshop participants to spread that information further. We have to start with ourselves to figure out ways to help the communities. I will tell others what the Americans taught me about disease, sanitation and the filters. This knowledge is so valuable to us."

JSTARS Guardsmen team with Rebuilding Together

by Master Sgt. Roger Parsons
116th Air Control Wing Public Affairs

5/4/2013 - WARNER ROBINS, Ga. -- Five Air National Guardsmen from the 116th Air Control Wing, gave up their Saturday to volunteer with Rebuilding Together Warner Robins performing repair and renovation work for a local low-income household.

Rebuilding Together is a national non-profit organization that has been providing critical repairs and renovations for low-income homeowners across the United States for almost 25 years. Saturday was National Volunteer Day for the organization and the Airmen from the JSTARS wing jumped on board to do their part.

"I first got involved with Rebuilding Together when I was stationed at Offutt Air Force Base," said Tech. Sgt. Kerstin Haase, 116th ACW Comptroller Flight. "I wanted to do the same thing in Warner Robins because the community has given so much to the base and the Air National Guard."

As the homeowner expressed her gratitude, the team of Guardsmen worked hard throughout the day painting, pressure washing, repairing plumbing fixtures and completing general repairs to enhance the safety of the home.

"It's nice to be out here today helping a family in our community," said Senior Master Sgt. Daniel Carthy, superintendent of the 116th Comptroller Flight. "I grew up in a house that was in disrepair, and I know what it's like to have someone come in and help you out. It's nice to be out here helping someone else and give that back.

Going for the Gold

by Tech. Sgt. David Speicher
175th Wing Public Affairs

5/5/2013 - BALTIMORE -- On July 5, 2011 Senior Airman Gideon L. Connelly, repair and reclamation crew chief, 175th Maintenance Squadron, was involved in a motorcycle accident in Baltimore County with serious damage to his left leg. The doctors told the Maryland Air National Guardsman if he kept his leg, it would leave him with limitations to what he could do. However, if the leg was replaced with prosthesis, his abilities would significantly increase.

On Sept. 16, 2011 Connelly chose to have the leg removed below the knee.

"(When the accident happened) I was upset. I didn't think I would be able to return to work. I didn't understand how it would affect my life. I was scared," said Connelly. His friends were scared but supportive. "They didn't know how to help. My family stuck by my side and is very supportive."

Connelly started a rehabilitation process to walk, and then run with the goal of staying in the military.

Around Thanksgiving 2011 he started walking and progressed to running October 2012.

Running means a lot to him. "I want to inspire people. It is a great opportunity. I am blessed to come back and do what I can do now after a horrific accident," said Connelly.

Before the accident he lifted a lot of weights and did some distance running for physical training, now he runs sprint races.

Connelly competed in the Texas Regional Games (Paralympic games that are used for qualifying for the national events) April 13-14, 2013. He competed in the men's t44 (below the knee amputation) 100m and 200m races, receiving two gold medals. His 100m time qualified him for the Paralympic Nationals in San Antonio, Texas June 14-16. He will however, compete in the Endeavor Games at the University of Central Oklahoma June 6-9 to make a second attempt at qualifying in the 200m for the Paralympic Nationals.

"My goal for now is to make the nationals. In the time frame I have I will probably not win nationals. I am a beginner at running and at this point I do what I can do," said Connelly. His goal is to win nationals in a future year with ultimate goal of the 2016 Paralympic games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

"I would like to stay in the military and compete for the Air Force team. I would like to work down at Walter Reed as a physical therapist," he said. Most wounded military members with amputations go to Walter Reed Military Hospital in Bethesda, Md. to receive and learn how to use their prosthesis.

To stay in the military "I had to do a PT test and prove to medical that I can do my job without assistance. The worst part was the paperwork. I had to prove myself to the base medical review board," said Connelly. He next step is to be medically worldwide deployable.

Lt. Col. Tom Donnellan, deputy commander, 175th Maintenance Group, talked about Connelly's progress to stay in the military. "He has to do what all Airmen would do to stay in the military."

"I couldn't imagine waking up one morning missing a limb. He has been able to overcome it. The military has seen a lot of this," said Donnellan. "Losing your limb affects your whole life. He was in good physical shape to begin with. He had the mental capability to deal with the accident. He trained to do his job with his limitations."

"He is a young troop and no one wants this to happen. He is squared away and knows what he needs to do to stay in the game," he said.

He is also participating in a study by the University of Florida on prosthesis. The study helps develop the devices not only for him but also for others who need the devices.

He is testing three mechanical feet. They put him on an obstacle course that the Tampa police SWAT uses which includes walking/running on treadmills. The performance of the foot is then evaluated under these conditions. During these tests, his vital signs are monitored to see how his body works with the devices. "The study is to see how the different feet perform in stress related conditions," said Connelly.

Donnellan likes that Connelly working to improve prosthesis that both civilians and military members may use in the future. "I hope by working the kinks out of the new prosthesis, it will benefit him and others."

Although Connelly has received support from a lot of people, one person stands out -Tech. Sgt. Kandyce O'Meally.

"I saw him walking around with a prosthetic leg and I didn't know who he was. I approached him and asked him if I could ask him a few questions. We started talking and I discovered he was into track. I learned he wanted to go to Rio in 2016 - the Paralympic games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil," said O'Meally. She is a maintenance management data analyst in the 135th Maintenance Operation Flight.

"I asked how he was going to do it and what his plans were. In the conversation, I let him know I had some contacts in the track world from when I trained during college," she said. She got him in contact with someone on the Paralympic committee.

"She helps me out at times when I need it. I have a lot of paperwork to fill out and she helps me out with that. She is a great person. She helps me out when I am down. She gives me motivation. She is a great hearted person," said Connelly.

"I see a hard working kid. I see a kid with a lot of motivation and drive. He is never down. Life dealt him a hand, not a bad hand, not a good hand. Just a hand and he plays it well," said O'Meally.

"I think she has been very beneficial to him. She has given him the backup, support and guidance to get where he is today," said Donnellan.

Donnellan summed up Connelly's potential, "It's whatever he wants to make of it. He is on the right track. He can go as far as he wants to."

Connelly has good advice for anyone who has lost a limb. "Keep your head up. Don't let anything discourage you. It is a mind over body experience. If you keep your head in the right place you can do anything you want."

2013 Warrior Games: the power of ability over disability

by Capt Tamara Fischer Carter
Air Force Space Command Public Affairs

5/6/2013 - PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo.  -- The 2013 Warrior Games start May 11 in Colorado Springs, Colo., and run through May 16. The games showcase the resilient spirit of today's wounded, ill, or injured service members from all branches of the military. After overcoming significant injuries, these men and women demonstrate the power of ability over disability and the spirit of competition.

"The Warrior Games help get competitors back into the public's eye with a positive spin -- it highlights a Warrior's selflessness," said Major Scott Bullis, a Warrior Games coach and competitor.

Bullis is currently the Chief of Officer Development assigned to Air Force Space Command, Peterson AFB, Colo. He has been with the Warrior Games since it began in 2010. This will be his fourth year as the recumbent cycling coach and his second year competing in rifle shooting.

"Physical versus invisible wounds -- the disability is irrelevant. It's the service to our country that matters," said Bullis.

Warrior Games allows warriors to see past their circumstances, get involved and become active with likeminded competitors. It also allows them to draw on their similarities and establish support networks, not just for the games, but for life.

Since 2010, 260 wounded, ill, or injured service members and Veterans have competed annually at the Warrior Games, a unique partnership between the Department of Defense and U.S. Olympic Committee Paralympics Military Program. Athletes compete in sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball, swimming, cycling, track & field, archery & competitive shooting. Gold, silver and bronze medals are awarded to the athletes or team members who place 1st, 2nd and 3rd in their events.

As a coach, Bullis emphasizes making social and physical improvements over bringing home a medal. "I don't care about the medals," he said. "If you're here to participate just to win, that's the wrong focus. It doesn't matter if you bring something back around your neck -- it's going out and training that counts." He continued, "It's all about getting out and [Warriors] proving to themselves they can do it."

Lightheartedly though, he talked about the friendly competition that builds healthy, healing relationships. About his fellow competitor, Chief (retired) Damian Orslene, he said, "I can beat him, and he can beat me....but no one else can beat us." This respected friendly rivalry is a part of the experience of building lifelong friendships and teammates, he said.

"By nature, just like the name, Warriors are extremely competitive. They get up, work their butt off and that gets them out doing things," Bullis said. "We've seen dramatic improvements in our Warriors." He stresses that communication and support are key.

"You never know what people can do until they get out of the chair and do it," said Bullis.

The focus of Warrior Games is different for everyone. Bullis says, "just getting out; changing that focus of what a Warrior perceives as problems" is the key. This year, Bullis's goals are "seeing all cyclists finish...that is what I want. Seeing everyone come together, new competitors and old, and no one getting hurt."

Bullis stays motivated and keeps others motivated through a deep passion just to ride. "It's painful to see my bike sitting in the garage," he says, remembering Colorado's cold weather.

He also recalls that "in past years, Warriors struggled with limited support. It shows in their performance. The support that we're building with each other, the local community and AFSPC is amazing. It helps with healing."

He says that seeing supporters in the stands makes a huge difference in performance; "It's nice to see a friendly face cheering you on."

It's not about self-glory. "The Warrior Games is about putting yourself aside and cheering each other on. That's exactly how we do it in the military," said Bullis.

He says since his Traumatic Brain Injury as the result of a rocket propelled grenade impact on a vehicle he was driving in Kabul, Afghanistan, 13 Sep 2011, his perspective has changed on a lot of things, "It's made me a better coach because now I understand that sometimes I need to explain things differently for others to understand."

"Not all Warriors are combat wounded; some are ill and injured," said Bullis. "We're just real people...with real injuries."

The 2013 Warrior Games is presented by Deloitte and is free and open to the public. The opening and closing ceremonies are by invitation only.

Team McChord responds to Antarctica medevac

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

5/6/2013 - JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash.  -- Airmen from the 62nd and 446th Airlift Wings completed a winter emergency medical evacuation mission in Antarctica April 22.

In a matter of 60 hours after leaving McChord Field, the team successfully transported a patient requiring urgent medical attention from the National Science Foundation's McMurdo Station, Antarctica, to a hospital in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Lt. Col. Brent Keenan, 62nd Operations Group deputy commander and 304th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron commander, received a request from NSF April 16 and immediately assembled a team to take on the mission.

"A C-17 team composed of active duty and Reserve members from multiple units and locations, dropped everything they were doing, integrated a solid team, and rapidly deployed to the most isolated and remote location on the planet in the world's most extreme operating conditions," said Keenan.

The 62nd and 446th AWs are the only U.S. Air Force C-17 wings uniquely equipped to conduct missions to Antarctica. Annually, they support Operation Deep Freeze, which provides logistical support to the U.S. Antarctic Program. It is one of the most difficult U.S. military peacetime missions due to the rapid weather changes, relentless wind speeds and inhospitable conditions. ODF is usually only conducted each year from August to March.

Since the ODF season is over, the runways at McMurdo had been closed, therefore the team had to wait until one was re-opened.

The ground staff employed by Lockheed-Martin/ASC, NSF Colorado-based support contractor, rapidly prepared to receive the aircraft.

"What we thought was going to take them nine days, they got done in two and a half," said Chief Master Sgt. Jim Masura, 97th Airlift Squadron resource manager. "The people down at McMurdo Station were able to get the runway fixed far beyond what we needed, which was good in the end. As soon as we found out that things were getting better, we put a sense of urgency in it."

McChord Airmen flew from JBLM to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, where they picked up aeromedical evacuation members and critical care air transport teams. After refueling, they immediately left for Christchurch.

"We landed at Christchurch and everything there was ready to go," said Masura. "That gave us enough time to get everybody trained, get a plan together and get ready to fly the following day."

The rescue team landed in McMurdo the morning of April 22. It only took 35 minutes after the C-17 landed to pick up the patient and takeoff.

"This team did an outstanding job overcoming the obstacles of distance, extreme weather and operational limitations," said Keenan. "This mission was the perfect example of air mobility and global reach at its finest. I am very proud to be part of the Operation Deep Freeze program. Being able to rapidly respond to NSF's urgent call is a great feeling."

NSF has a presidential mandate to manage the U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP), through which it coordinates all U.S. scientific research on the southernmost continent and aboard vessels in the Southern Ocean and provides the logistical support to make possible the research.

ODF includes the coordination of strategic inter-theater airlift, tactical intra-theater airlift and airdrop, aeromedical evacuation support, search and rescue response, sealift, seaport access, bulk fuel supply, port cargo handling, and transportation requirements supporting the NSF.

(Master Sgt. Jake Chappelle, 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs, contributed to this article.)

FOD, the elusive enemy of aircraft

by Airman 1st Class Kaleb Snay
35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

5/6/2013 - MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan  -- Airmen from the 35th Fighter Wing worked together to search maintenance areas, runways and taxiways to locate and remove debris that could potentially cause damage to aircraft here May 6.

The main purpose of conducting a Foreign Object Damage walk is to help prevent damage to aircraft, increase awareness and education of how critical the FOD program is and maintain combat capability and stray from expensive repair bills.

"FOD can cost the Air Force millions of dollars," said Master Sgt. Nathan Welchert, 35th Fighter Wing FOD Monitor. "To help avoid damage to aircraft, all Airmen who work on or around aircraft are taught from the very beginning of their career to be on the lookout for FOD."

FOD is classified as any object ranging from bolts and screws to rocks, paper, plastic and plants, Welchert added.

FOD is a hazard for any aircraft and other precision equipment. Suction caused by the air intake of jet engines can pull objects into the aircraft intake, damaging the engine.

"Education is the number one effort in reducing FOD," said Welchert. "The more people that don't allow anything that has a potential to cause damage to our weapons systems, the better. It truly is every Airman's responsibility to prevent FOD, even those that don't directly work on or around the airfield."

Other defenses against FOD are metal detectors, vacuum machines and a sweeper machine constructed from multiple rows of brushes and scoops, known as the FOD Boss. Even with these defenses standing guard, Airmen are the first line of defense against all FOD.

Members mourn after fatal MC-12 crash

by Darren D. Heusel
Tinker Public Affairs

5/6/2013 - TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Members at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., went about their business with a heavy heart this week, following the news that one of their own died Saturday in a plane crash in southern Afghanistan while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Staff Sgt. Daniel N. Fannin, 30, a sensor operator assigned to the 552nd Operations Support Squadron, died along with three other Airmen when the MC-12 aircraft they were flying in went down near Kandahar Airfield. The cause of the crash is under investigation, but officials say there was no enemy activity in the area at the time of the crash.

"Staff Sergeant Fannin was a truly outstanding Airman who made a significant impact in both the 552nd OSS and the 960th Airborne Air Control Squadron," Col. Greg Guillot, 552nd Air Control Wing commander, wrote in an email to members of the wing following the accident. "From his time in both (the E-3 "Sentry" Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft) and the MC-12, we knew Dan as a dedicated professional who always had a smile on his face and never missed an opportunity to step up to get the job done."

Guillot went on to say in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the MC-12 program in 2011, Fannin was nominated for the Collier Trophy, which is an annual aviation award administered by the U.S. National Aeronautic Association and presented to those who have made "the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America."

"As a friend and longtime member of the 552nd ACW, Dan's death hits home for many of us," Guillot added. "As we grieve his loss, please remember we have a comprehensive support network available to assist any co-workers, families or friends, who may need assistance during this difficult time.

"On behalf of the entire 552nd Air Control Wing family, I want to express our condolences and deepest sympathy to the Fannin family and the families of the other three Airmen who were lost in this tragic accident."

Fannin, originally from Morehead, Ky., joined the Air Force on Aug. 28, 2001 after graduating high school there.

During Fannin's 11 years of service, he has served as an E-3 air surveillance technician as well as a MC-12 sensor operator. While in Afghanistan, Fannin was assigned to the 361st Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron as a member of the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing at Kandahar Air Base.

"We never like to lose a brother or sister, and that's what Sergeant Fannin was to the men and women of the 552nd Operations Group," said Lt. Col. Joshua Conine, 552nd OSS commander. "However, we have faith knowing he was the best at what he did. He will be sorely missed as a friend and squadron mate."

Fannin was qualified as an instructor air surveillance technician and was an experienced instructor in the E-3. Prior to his most recent operations assignment, Fannin served with distinction in the 960th AACS at Tinker.

Fannin completed three deployed tours as an E-3 AWACS air surveillance technician and MC-12 sensor operator. He was well known and respected throughout the 552nd Air Control Wing.

Among his many awards were the Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster and the Air Force Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster.

He is survived by his wife, Sonya, of Oklahoma City. The couple has no children.

"From my personal interactions with Sergeant Fannin over the past 11 years, he was extremely proud to serve his country and went about his tasks each day with the utmost regard for excellence," Conine said.

Guillot urged anyone needing assistance, or who knows someone who may need assistance, to contact their immediate supervisor or a Tinker chaplain.

Others killed in the crash were: Capt. Brandon L. Cyr, 28, of Woodbridge, Va.; Capt. Reid K. Nishizuka, 30, of Kailua, Hawaii; and Staff Sgt. Richard A. Dickson, 24, of Rancho Cordova, Calif.

The MC-12 is a medium- to low-altitude, twin-engine turboprop aircraft. Its primary mission is providing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to support ground forces.

The mission of the 552nd OSS is to prepare and provide training, resources and support functions to the 552nd Operations Group through integrated combat focus to execute 24/7 airborne battle management/command and control when called upon by combatant commanders.

Funeral services are pending.

DOD Report on China Details Military Modernization

By Karen Parrish
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 6, 2013 – A Defense Department report released today describes China’s military modernization and the Chinese army’s interaction with other forces, including those of the United States, a senior Pentagon official said today.

David F. Helvey, deputy assistant secretary of defense for East Asia, briefs reporters about the military and security developments involving China during a news conference at the Pentagon, May 6, 2013. DOD photo by Marine Corps Sgt. Aaron Hostutler    (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

The annual report -- titled “2013 Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China” -- went to Congress today and covers China’s security and military strategies; developments in China’s military doctrine, force structure and advanced technologies; the security situation in the Taiwan strait; U.S.–China military-to-military contacts and the U.S. strategy for such engagement; and the nature of China’s cyber activities directed against the Defense Department.

 

David F. Helvey, deputy assistant secretary of defense for East Asia, briefed Pentagon reporters on the report. He noted that the report, which DOD coordinates with other agencies, “reflects broadly the views held across the United States government.” The report is factual and not speculative, he noted.

Helvey said the trends in this year’s report show the rising power increasing its rapid military modernization program. “We see a good deal of continuity in terms of the modernization priorities,” Helvey noted, despite the 2012 and 2013 turnover to new leadership, which happens roughly every decade in China.

The report notes China launched its first aircraft carrier in 2012 and is sustaining investments in advanced short- and medium-range conventional ballistic missiles, land-attack and anti-ship cruise missiles, counter-space weapons and military cyberspace systems.

Helvey noted these technologies all bolster China’s anti-access and area-denial capabilities.
“The issue here is not one particular weapons system,” he said. “It's the integration and overlapping nature of these weapons systems into a regime that can potentially impede or restrict free military operations in the Western Pacific. So that's something that we monitor and are concerned about.”

Helvey said the report provides a lot of information, but also raises some questions. “What concerns me is the extent to which China’s military modernization occurs in the absence of the kind of openness and transparency that others are certainly asking of China,” he added.

That lack of transparency, he noted, has effects on the security calculations of others in the region. “And so it's that uncertainty, I think, that's of greater concern,” he said.

Helvey added the report noted China has “increased assertiveness with respect to its maritime territorial claims” over the past year. China disputes sovereignty with Japan over islands in the East China Sea, and has other territorial disputes with regional neighbors in the South China Sea.

“With respect to these claims, we encourage all parties to the different disputes or interactions to address their issues peacefully, through diplomatic channels in a manner consistent with international law,” he said.

Helvey noted China’s relations with Taiwan have been consistent. “Over the past year, cross-strait relations have improved,” he said. “However, China's military buildup shows no signs of slowing.”

China also is building its space and cyberspace capabilities, Helvey said. He noted that in 2012, China conducted 18 space launches and expanded its space-based intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, navigation, meteorological and communication satellite constellations.

“At the same time, China continues to invest in a multidimensional program to deny others access to and use of space,” Helvey said.

Addressing China’s cyber capabilities, Helvey said the Chinese army continues to develop doctrine, training and exercises that emphasize information technology and operations.

“In addition, in 2012, numerous computer systems around the world, including those owned by the United States government, continued to be targeted for intrusions, some of which appear to be attributable directly to [Chinese] government and military organizations,” he added.

Helvey noted a positive trend in U.S.-China engagements over the year, including several senior-leader visits culminating in then-Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta’s visit to Beijing in September.

The two sides also explored practical areas of cooperation, he said, including the first counterpiracy exercise conducted in September by Chinese and U.S. forces, followed by the U.S. invitation to China to participate in the Rim of the Pacific exercise in 2014.

“We'll continue to use military engagement with China as one of several means to expand areas where we can cooperate, discuss, frankly, our differences, and demonstrate the United States' commitment to the security of the Asia-Pacific region,” Helvey said.

California Air National Guard Battles Raging Wildfires

From a National Guard Bureau News Release

PORT HUENEME, Calif., May 6, 2013 – The California Air National Guard’s 146th Airlift Wing is providing two specialized firefighting C-130J aircraft and crews to assist with wildfires raging across the state.

A C-130J from the California Air National Guard’s 146th Airlift Wing is prepared for possible use against wildfires. The aircraft from the California Air National Guard is equipped with the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems, or MAFFS, and can drop up to 3,000 gallons of fire retardant. Courtesy photo   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

Acting on a request for support from state emergency agencies, Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr. directed Army Maj. Gen. David S. Baldwin, California’s adjutant general, to provide the support.

Baldwin also authorized air tanker base operations to be staged out of Channel Islands Air National Guard Station here, where the C-130Js are stationed, allowing shorter response times for all civilian and military aircraft working the fires in Ventura County. The air tankers will land and reload with fire retardant at the Guard station, which is within five miles of the fires.

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection members are working with Air National Guard airmen to get the tanker operations up and running.

"Wildfire season is upon us, and our Guardsmen are in the fight," Baldwin said. "When the lives and property of our fellow Californians hang in the balance, our tireless training and coordination with [the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection] pay great dividends."

The 146th Airlift Wing has responded to numerous state and federal firefighting missions in the past, but this is the first time the wing's flightline will be used as a tanker base.

"California is no stranger to wildfires," said Chief Ken Pimlott, director of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. "Our well-exercised and long-standing relationship with the California National Guard allows for rapid, effective deployment of these additional resources during times of elevated fire activity."

The California Air National Guard's C-130J aircraft are equipped with the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System II, which is capable of dropping up to 3,000 gallons of water or fire retardant. The system slides into the back of an aircraft, and water or retardant is released through a nozzle on the rear left side of the plane.
MAFFS equipment and aircraft are activated to supplement U.S. Forest Service and civilian air tankers during periods of high wildfire activity throughout the nation.

"The activation of California Air National Guard aircraft equipped with MAFFS strengthens our firefighting arsenal as needed and is a timely addition to current resources considering the extended heat and wind conditions we anticipate through the weekend," said Mark Ghilarducci, secretary of the California Emergency Management Agency, which is responsible for overall coordination of the state's response to major emergencies.

Kerry, Hagel Discuss National Security in Pentagon Meeting

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 6, 2013 – Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel hosted Secretary of State John F. Kerry at the Pentagon today for a working lunch to discuss a range of national security issues, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said.

This was the first meeting of the two secretaries at the Pentagon since they both took their respective offices earlier this year, Little said in a statement issued after the meeting.

Hagel presented Kerry with a print of a painting from the Navy's art collection titled "Showing the Flag in Ca Mau (PT-71)" by Gerland Merfeld, Little said. “Mr. Merfeld made this painting in 1969 while an embedded illustrator with the U.S. Navy,” he added. “It depicts two Navy patrol craft boats on the Mekong River delta in the far south of Vietnam.”

Hagel presented the painting to remember and honor Kerry's service to the Defense Department of Defense and the nation, Little said, noting that this is the first time that both the sitting secretary of state and secretary of defense are Vietnam War combat veterans.

The original painting is part of the Navy’s permanent collection. It is on exhibition at the Navy Museum here and will be transferred to the State Department for viewing throughout Kerry's tenure, Little said.

Hagel was grateful to receive a signed photograph from Kerry taken during their February 2008 congressional delegation visit to Afghanistan along with Vice President Joe Biden, who then was a U.S. senator, he added.

Alamo City Blue

Jim Middleton, USN, served in the United States Navy from 1964 to 1969.  He is a retired San Antonio Police Officer and the author of Alamo City Blue.

According to the book description of Alamo City Blue, “Shots fired. An officer is down." A "sniper" opened fire with shotguns on the police officers standing in the intersection of Broadway and Grayson. Six went down wounded from the barrage of rounds fired. Forty nine citizens were injured by shotgun blast and semi-automatic rifle fire. Two died as a result of being struck by the "sniper's bullets. The crazed gunman, high on "angel dust," reigned terror at the Battle of Flowers Parade in San Antonio. 

More about Jim Middleton

Travis gives the hook up to transportation of unmanned vehicles

by Staff Sgt. Patrick Harrower
60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

5/2/2013 - TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Travis porters transferred two unmanned aerial vehicles and their support equipment from ground transportation to a C-17 Globemaster III Tuesday on base. The UAVs were moved through Travis because the special cargo mission here makes it feasible.

"It takes a lot of coordination to do something like this," said Matthew Greenwood, 60th Aerial Port Squadron special plans and projects. "A lot of people have to inspect and supervise cargo like this and when it's finally loaded on the aircraft, they have to be very cautious of the sensitive equipment inside."

The UAVs weighed in at more than 11,000 pounds each. Including their support equipment, the total load on the plane was around 50 or 60 thousand pounds, he said.

Special cargo must be carefully inspected, supervised and planned before it can finally be loaded onto the aircraft, Greenwood said.

When moving this much special cargo with so much coordination required, the porters here can use all the help they can get. This is where extra porters from a Reserve unit at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, came to help.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," said Airman 1st Class John Tapia, 74th Aerial Port Squadron air transportation specialist. "We are getting training here we don't usually get a chance to get. I am learning a lot about tiedowns, chains and shoring, as well as safety around aircraft."

The mission at Travis makes it a go-to destination for Tapia's squadron to visit for their training and proficiency, he said.

"Not only is it beneficial to the Reserve squadrons to come here and train, but it helps us out greatly to have the extra manpower around to deal with the operations tempo," Greenwood said.

The 60th APS frequently uses the unique relationship they have with their Reserve counterparts to handle their busy and ever-growing mission, he said.

"We really do deal with everything," Greenwood said. "Today we are moving UAVs, tomorrow it could be relief cargo for downrange or foreign equipment for our allies around the world. This is the mission."

New parachute test to provide AC-130 aircrew with the best

by Jet Fabara
412th Test Wing Public Affairs

5/2/2013 - EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- There's a lot to be said by AC-130 gunship aircrew members who are proud of their heavily armed aircraft. The aircraft has the latest in sophisticated weapons, high tech sensors, navigation and fire control systems; however, it lacked one thing -- a lightweight parachute that was agile enough for the entire crew to use.

Thanks to the work of the Aircrew Performance Branch Program Office, part of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center's Agile Combat Support Directorate, and testing completed in April by the Global Reach Combined Test Force Test Parachutist Program, crew members aboard AC-130s will now have a lightweight alternative, the Low Profile Parachute.

"The LPP program is a success story for Air Force Materiel Command's newly established 5-center construct. The five centers, which report directly to AFMC, include Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Air Force Test Center, Air Force Research Laboratory, Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center and Air Force Sustainment Center," said Lt. Col. Christopher Lemanski, AFLCMC Aircrew Performance Branch program manager. "The men and women of two of these centers, AFLCMC and AFTC, worked very closely to select and test a low-cost, commercially available emergency egress parachute suitable for the AC-130 community. Within AFLCMC, the Aircrew Performance Branch is responsible to the Air Force Program Executive Officer for Agile Combat Support for acquiring LPPs within cost, schedule and performance requirements and timelines."

"Ultimately, AC-130 crew members needed a chute that was easy to walk around with while they executed their mission and they needed a parachute rig that was lighter and slimmer," added Tech. Sgt. Joe Monreal, 418 FLTS NCOIC of the Test Parachutist Program, who was also a test jumper during the test phase of the LPP. "After carefully going through the research, planning and selection phase in 2010, the LPP eventually proved to be the best alternative."

According to Monreal, the LPP is intended to replace the BA-22 parachute, which is currently configured for use in the AC-130 and weighs approximately 40 pounds, depending on the configuration.

"In addition to weighing nearly one-half of what the BA-22 does, this new parachute will help save the Air Force money on the purchase price of emergency chutes and on the repacking cycle, but more importantly, it will help save lives of crew members that may find themselves in an egress situation," added Monreal.

With the execution phase beginning in early February 2012, the team of test jumpers, flight test engineers, human factors engineers, rigger support specialists and drop zone safety officers all said that to get to the completion phase, extensive training had to be completed before any of the test jumpers could don the LPPs.

"Before we could perform actual jumps, we first had to accomplish wind tunnel training in Perris, Calif., with the parachutes," Monreal said. "After this, we outfitted dummies with the LPPs and used a World War II B-25 Bomber and SC.7 Skyvan to drop them out of the bomb bay. Soon after this, we began staging out of the California City airport in order to execute live drops at the Edwards Farm Drop Zone."

During the duration of the test, the team flew approximately 55 sorties with challenges along the way, according to Monreal.

"Some minor malfunctions, such as line twists, were experienced, not to mention some hard openings at high speeds and some hard landings, so you can say we all definitely earned our pay," said Monreal. "But, in the end, we all feel that this new system will help AC-130 aircrew members across the Air Force accomplish the mission more effectively and safely."

Grand Forks Airmen, Youth Commission assemble care packages for deployed troops

by Staff Sgt. Susan L. Davis
319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

5/2/2013 - GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- About a dozen service members from Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., teamed up with the mayor's office and 35 members of the Grand Forks Youth Commission April 27, 2013, to assemble care packages for deployed troops.

The effort on the part of the Airmen was led by Master Sgt. Jesse Maki, Grand Forks Air Force Base Airman & Family Readiness Center superintendent; Margarita Consing, a student at Red River High School, led the Youth Commission.

"We came up with the idea for this project in January, so it hasn't taken very long to plan," said Consing. "We wanted to do this because we look up to these troops as our heroes and mentors, and they are all from our community."

The boxes contained a variety of foods and hygiene items donated by the community, as well as hand-written thank-yous and group photos of the students of the Grand Forks Youth Commission.

Volunteers made short work of the nearly 200 boxes of goods, totaling about $5,500 in value. They formed assembly lines to pack and close the boxes, then filled out customs forms to prepare them for shipping. About 90 active-duty Airmen and a dozen North Dakota Air National Guardsmen are set to receive the packages.

"Helping out with these care packages is a perfect opportunity for me to give back what was done for me when I was deployed," said Senior Airman Daryl Klepsa-Andries, 319th Force Support Squadron. "It means so much to get these while you're downrange; a lot of these items are hard to come by."

Staff Sgt. Christopher Young, 319th Force Support Squadron, agreed.

"These care packages are a godsend when you're deployed, especially in remote locations," he said. "It's really nice to get things from home."

Mayor Michael R. Brown spoke very highly of all the volunteers who gave their time and effort to make the event a success.

"I am so proud of everyone who came and helped out today," he said. "Here they are making a positive difference in people's lives, and they're enjoying themselves while they do it."

Maki said that he was also very pleased with the volunteer turnout and the project overall.

"This was a great turnout and the Grand Forks Youth Commission did an outstanding job promoting this event throughout the community," he said. "It was humbling to see the junior leaders in our community go to the lengths they did to support our deployed Airmen and Soldiers. I think I can speak for the recipients of the care packages in saying a heart-felt thank you to the city of Grand Forks, the Youth Commission and all the volunteers for a job well done."

Maki said he looks forward to doing the project again next year.

"The support I received from Mayor Brown and his office was incredible and I certainly look forward to working with them in the near future," he said. "We have already discussed preliminary plans for next year's campaign and I can tell you everyone is very motivated to work together. The bar has been set very high."

Face of Defense: NFL Player Shares His Army Story

By Lee Elder
Nashville Recruiting Battalion

NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 3, 2013 – Before starting his second season in the National Football League, Army Reserve 1st Lt. Collin Mooney embarked on a two-week tour of area schools to support Army recruiting.

Army Reserve 1st Lt. Collin Mooney, a fullback for the Tennessee Titans, arm-wrestles with Tennessee high school senior Ladarian Allison. U.S. Army photo by Lee Elder   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

The Tennessee Titans fullback visited 13 high schools across western Kentucky and middle Tennessee during his annual training period.

Encountering Titans fans at each stop, Mooney said he was amazed at their enthusiasm despite the team's 6-10 record in 2012.

"There are a lot of Titans fans in the middle Tennessee area who like to see somebody from the team and be a part of it," Mooney said. "It was good to be able to spend time with them and see the support Titans are getting from them."

Mooney, 27, signed with the Titans in May. Shortly afterward, he was released from his active-duty commitment after serving three years as a field artillery officer at Fort Sill, Okla., and he moved into the Army Reserve.

Going to camp as a free agent, Mooney impressed Titans coaches with his determination and work ethic. While he failed to make the team's 53-man roster, he was brought back as a member of the team's practice squad, where he spent the first three months of the season.

Wearing No. 42, he saw action late in the season in two games, carrying the ball five times in the team's season finale against Jacksonville.

It was his first time playing football since his days at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., where he is the school's all-time single-season rushing leader. He ground out more than 1,300 yards his senior season in 2008.

This off-season, he's working hard to expand his role with the Titans in 2013. Just before the team's organized workouts began, he donned the Army uniform to help local recruiters. His appearances varied from table setups in high school cafeterias to auditorium presentations.

He fielded questions from groups and individuals about football and the Army, and he posed for pictures with students.

"I most enjoyed getting to meet with the students and hang out with them," Mooney said. "Just seeing the level of service that these students exhibit is great, they're really interested in serving their country."

Mooney was a big hit with students, as well as teachers and administrators. They listened intently to his Army story of how he came from a suburban Texas high school to play football at West Point, served three years in the Army and then made an NFL roster.

"I think the students were very impressed with Collin," said Amie Chaney, a counselor at Franklin-Simpson High School in western Kentucky. "They were amazed at the fact that he was part of the military and played professional ball."

Mooney told students and faculty he made some serious choices in high school, including the choice of pursuing his dream of playing football while some classmates wanted to use drugs, drink alcohol and live a party lifestyle.

"He also talked about making good choices for himself and having to lose friends over it, and that is a sad reality for a lot of people," Chaney said. "The kids really enjoyed his positive message."

Students and teachers alike crowded in to get an autograph or take a picture with their camera phones.
"He was very put-together, and he talked about his high school career, college and pros," said Army Capt. William Sharpe, who commands the Clarksville, Tenn., Recruiting Company. "He was somebody they could relate to."

A soft-spoken man, Mooney talked about his football career from high school to the NFL. However, many were impressed when he spoke about his military career, spent mostly as an executive officer for a Fort Sill training battery.

Mooney talked about working out an hour on his own before doing physical training with his unit. At the end of the duty day, he said, he would work out even more hours, trying to keep his football skills sharp.

"I'll never forget a chaplain at West Point telling me, 'Work while you wait,'" Mooney said. "It was kind of my motto."

After two years, Mooney tried to get noticed by an NFL team, but the leaguewide lockout got in the way.
"I wasn't sure if I should give it another try," Mooney told a high school audience. "My family and friends kept telling me to take one more shot."

Mooney did well at a scouting combine held at the University of Oklahoma. His performance garnered the interest of four NFL teams, and he signed with the Titans after a tryout in Nashville.

Sharpe said young people were drawn to his story of service and perseverance. Mooney's quiet confidence and boyish charm were a hit.

"I think it carries a lot more weight coming from a pro athlete," Sharpe said. "He's put in that dedication and knows what it takes to get to that level. He struggled in high school with some things, and he knows where they are coming from and can relate to the kids."

At school appearances in the Clarksville area, Sharpe ensured his future soldiers were called to the front at the end of Mooney's presentation. They were given exposure in front of their fellow students and got to be the first photographed with the Titans player.

One of Mooney's most memorable experiences was traveling to Bowling Green High School, where he not only shared Army opportunities, but also presented an Army All-American nomination to Nacarius Fant, a three-year starter at wide receiver.

"It was great being able to present that to Nacarius," Mooney said. "It was special for him, and it was special for me, too."

Fant said he was also honored to have Mooney make his presentation. He met Mooney and Army recruiters at the door as they arrived on campus, and he thanked them for coming.

"It was really quite a surprise," Fant said. "It's not everybody who has an NFL player come to his school to make a presentation to him."

There were other surprises along the way. At Lebanon High School in Tennessee, Mooney was challenged to an arm-wrestling match by senior Ladarian Allison.

"I saw his arms," Allison said. "He's big, and I wanted to test my strength."

Mooney quickly triumphed. They shook hands and Allison returned to his seat in the cafeteria.

Mooney's final recruiting appearance came April 20, when he swore in a group of future soldiers during a break in the action at Clarksville's Rivers and Spires Festival.

"A lot of [future soldiers] wanted to come in and be sworn in by Lieutenant Mooney," Sharpe said. "They didn't know before they had seen him in their school."

Mooney said he was just glad to be able to help. While he did sometimes have to field a bizarre query during the question-and-answer sessions that followed his presentations, he added, enjoyed his time with recruiters.
"It was good to have that open forum," Mooney said. "It's not often they get to talk to an NFL player and somebody in the Army. It went really well, and it was all positive."