Face of Defense: Soldier Shares Perspective on Humanitarian Aid

By Army Sgt. Richard Frost
U.S. Army South

SONSONATE, El Salvador, June 17, 2013 – A water purification engineer participating in a humanitarian mission here has witnessed firsthand the effects that humanitarian missions can have on a country, including his own, and he is determined to share his experience with the world.

Army Sgt. Francis Buor, a Wisconsin National Guard water purification engineer, monitors pressures on a filter system June 13, 2013, during Beyond the Horizon-El Salvador 2013, a U.S. Southern Command-sponsored, Army South-led, joint foreign military interaction and humanitarian exercise. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Richard Frost   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

Army Sgt. Francis Buor is originally from Liberia. Assigned to the 753rd Quartermaster Company, Green Bay, Wis., he is participating in Beyond the Horizon-El Salvador, a humanitarian mission in which U.S. service members, along with soldiers from Canada, Chile, Colombia and El Salvador, are providing medical expertise and building schools to improve lives of residents here.

Buor’s perspective is giving him the opportunity to help bring peace and stability to regions that need these attributes, he said.

“This is my first opportunity to deploy with the Army,” he said. “I’m really excited about it. When I was in the schools here, I couldn’t help but think, ‘Is someone great going to come out of one of these schools?’ It’s inspiring to be doing this work.”

Buor’s parents are both from Ghana, but they moved with their family to Liberia to provide a better life for their children. He returned to Ghana to attend school there, and not long after, a civil war broke out in Liberia that would last for many years.

A multinational Western African armed force called the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group soon began providing transportation for those wishing to leave Liberia, including most of his family, back to Ghana, he said. This intervention made a significant impact on his family, he added, and motivated him to begin a life of service that continues to this day.

In the early 1990s, Buor sought employment at a water treatment facility in Ghana, where he worked as a treatment specialist and provided drinking water to several communities. The work was fulfilling, he said, but in 2009, he decided to seek a new life in the United States, serving with what he calls “the greatest Army in the world.”

Buor earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology in Ghana and moved to Wisconsin, where he joined the Army. His history with water treatment and sociology directed him to the Wisconsin National Guard’s 753rd Quartermaster Battalion, where he has been able to exercise his skills to help others, he said.

“Everything I’ve done before, I’ve had the chance to practice it here,” Buor said. “It gives me a se
nse of accomplishment. I’m putting to use something I’ve learned before.”

His unit’s participation in this humanitarian mission is his first chance to leave the United States as a Guardsman. Contributing to this effort allows him to provide services he has been practicing his entire life, he said.

“My motivation was from seeing what goes on around the world,” he added. “Sometimes you ask yourself, ‘If we don’t do what we’re doing, what would the life of these people be like?’ So you want to look at the greater picture.”

His unit’s contributions here have made about 6,000 gallons of potable water per day available for the local people.

“I’m kind of excited,” Buor said. “We’re doing something meaningful. But the reward comes when you see the children’s smiles, and how much they appreciate what we’re doing here. It comes from making these children happy.”

Aboard the AC-130 Spectre Gunship

The June 20, 2013, episode of American Heroes Radio features a conversation with Master Sergeant David M. Burns, USAF (ret.), the author of Spectre Gunner: The AC-130 Gunship.

Program Date: June 20, 2013

Program Time: 1500 hours, PACIFIC

Topic: Aboard the AC-130 Spectre Gunship

Listen Live: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/lawenforcement/2013/06/20/aboard-the-ac-130-spectre-gunship

About the Guest

Master Sergeant David M. Burns, USAF (ret.), “joined the US Navy at the age of 15 in 1951 during the Korean War. He retired in 1978 as a master sergeant after a distinguished career in both the Navy and Air Force. He flew 287 combat missions in Vietnam during his four tours in the 16th Special Operations Squadron (Spectre) as an aerial gunner. Burns is a highly decorated veteran who was wounded in action twice and awarded several military distinctions, including three Distinguished Flying Crosses, 27 Air Medals, a Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, Air Force Combat Action Medal and Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. He now lives in Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand, with his wife and three children.”  Master Sergeant David M. Burns is the author of Spectre Gunner: The AC-130 Gunship.

According to the book description of Spectre Gunner: The AC-130 Gunship, “This is the true story of Master Sergeant David M. Burns, an aerial gunner assigned to the deadliest squadron in air force history. Aboard the AC-130 Spectre gunship, he flew a total of 287 combat missions over Laos, South Vietnam, and Cambodia, in pursuit of the truck traffic coming down the Ho Chi Minh Trail. His squadron destroyed more than fifteen thousand trucks loaded with war munitions destined for South Vietnam and Cambodia. Despite heavy and constant anti-aircraft and missile fire, the loss of six aircraft and the lives of fifty-two men, the crew never wavered in its dedication to the mission.

                       

Master Sergeant Burns has a distinguished military career that began in 1951 at the age of fifteen. He served one tour of duty in Phan Rang, South Vietnam, in 1967, and four tours of duty in the 16th Special Operations Squadron in Southeast Asia as an aerial gunner, lead gunner, and instructor gunner. He served in both the United States Navy and Air Force, earning three Distinguished Flying Crosses for heroism, twenty-seven Air Medals, as well as a Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Presidential Unit Citation, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Vietnam Service Medal with nine battle stars, and other decorations from the Korean War. He was wounded twice and is credited with saving the lives of fourteen crewmembers.”

About the Watering Hole

The Watering Hole is police slang for a location cops go off-duty to blow off steam and talk about work and life.  Sometimes funny; sometimes serious; but, always interesting.

About the Host

Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster was a sworn member of the Los Angeles Police Department for 24 years.  He retired in 2003 at the rank of Lieutenant.  He holds a bachelor’s from the Union Institute and University in Criminal Justice Management and a Master’s Degree in Public Financial Management from California State University, Fullerton; and, has completed his doctoral course work. Raymond E. Foster has been a part-time lecturer at California State University, Fullerton and Fresno; and is currently a Criminal Justice Department chair, faculty advisor and lecturer with the Union Institute and University.  He has experience teaching upper division courses in law enforcement, public policy, law enforcement technology and leadership.  Raymond is an experienced author who has published numerous articles in a wide range of venues including magazines such as Government Technology, Mobile Government, Airborne Law Enforcement Magazine, and Police One.  He has appeared on the History Channel and radio programs in the United States and Europe as subject matter expert in technological applications in law enforcement.

Listen, call, join us at the Watering Hole:

Listen from the Archive:

http://www.hitechcj.com/americanheroesradio/ac_130_gunship.html

Program Contact Information

Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA

editor@police-writers.com

909.599.7530

Socom Strives to Boost Operators’ Resilience, Readiness

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

TAMPA, Fla., June 14, 2013 – Maintainers across the military take pride in keeping aircraft, vehicles and weapons systems well-oiled and ready to go whenever the mission calls. A major initiative is underway at U.S. Special Operations Command here to better maintain what Navy Adm. William H. McRaven, the Socom commander, calls the most important system of all: the operator.

An Air Force special operations pararescueman gets hoisted off a ship by Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Kurt Leisenring during the Emerald Warrior 2013 exercise off Florida’s Gulf Coast, April 24, 2013. U.S. Special Operations Command’s Preservation of the Force and Family Task Force is implementing a holistic program to promote operators’ physical, psychological, spiritual and social performance to support mission readiness. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Quinton Russ   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

“Humans are more important than hardware” is the first of the “truths” McRaven espouses for the nation’s special operations forces. This fundamental recognizes that what makes the “tip of the spear” so sharp is the education, rigorous training and experience of the operators themselves.

But shortly after arriving at his headquarters in 2011, McRaven received sobering confirmation that the special operations community was in trouble. An extensive study directed by the previous commander, Navy Adm. Eric T. Olson, found “the SOF force as a whole was frayed,” McRaven told a forum of defense industry representatives and special operators who gathered here last month.

The study revealed that the current operational environment has been more difficult than operators and their families expected, leaving little time for them to adjust to the daily strains of perpetual absences. The study noted troubling consequences, with increases in domestic and family problems, substance abuse and self-medication, risk-taking behaviors, post-traumatic stress, and even suicides.

With continued high operational demands, the fraying continues, McRaven lamented. “I would say, in the last 20 months, the force is fraying at a rate I am not comfortable with at all,” he said at the SOF Industry Conference.

So as McRaven implements his Special Operations Forces 2020 vision to posture Socom for the future, he has made “preservation of the force and family” one of the key pillars.

“That is my No. 1 mission,” he told the forum. “It is a moral imperative that we do all that we can to preserve the force and care for their families.”

While seeking ways to increase predictability in special operations forces’ schedules, McRaven has charged what he renamed the “Preservation of the Force and Family Task Force” to come up with innovative, holistic approaches to deal with the pressure on the special operations community.

The task force is working to build performance across four interconnecting domains: human, psychological, spiritual and social, explained Navy Capt. Thomas Chaby, the task force chief.

The idea is not to duplicate programs already being provided through Defense Department and military services, he emphasized. Rather, it builds on them, filling in gaps and increasing accessibility for operators and their families.

“If there was one word you would say the [task force] is all about, it is readiness,” Chaby said. “It is all about being ready for our battlefield requirements, and taking care of our people helps them be as ready as possible.”

Building resilience in the force helps to set operators up for success, Chaby said, adding, “It’s all about building their capacity. It is readiness, readiness, readiness.”

Yet the special operations community didn’t always recognize that. Chaby remembered his first visit to SEAL Team 3’s fitness center in 1990 after graduating from basic underwater demolition/SEAL training. Despite requirements to work in challenging and often unforgiving environments, the SEALs had limited fitness equipment and were basically on their own to figure out the best way to physically train for it.

As a result, many SEALs were injured during missions or while training for them. Chaby has had eight operations since becoming a SEAL, and considers himself fairly representative of his contemporaries.
“Is that the best way to prepare the primary weapon system? Probably not,” he said. “There was no thought, science or planning put into [physical training]. The [Preservation of the Force and Family Task Force] is changing that.”

Today, Socom has a human performance program designed to meet special operations forces’ unique physical needs. It includes training that aims to prevent physical injuries through strength and conditioning, nutrition and physical therapy.

The program also looks at other ways to maintain the body: teaching operators how to mitigate the effects of operational demands through everything from hydration to psychological and social support.

“Putting some thought into it, applying some science, and backing it up with resources is just common sense,” Chaby said. “This is a small investment that I believe will reap itself two-, three-, four-, who-knows-how-many-fold benefits.”

While paying more attention to operators’ bodies, the task force is committed to boosting their psychological strength and resilience, too.

Chaby noted the mental and emotional strain of more than a decade of continuous operations, and the need to do everything possible to mitigate the stressors. So in addition to helping operators develop positive ways to cope, Socom has joined the rest of the military in working to take the stigma out of seeking help.

Gone are the days when operators had to fear getting flagged or having their security clearance revoked if they sought out psychological help.

“It is not like that any more. Now, it’s not help against you if you go seek help, and leadership is setting the example,” Chaby said. “It’s not a negative any more, like it used to be.”

Ready access to mental health experts is particularly important in light of Socom’s consistently high operating tempos, he noted. “We are so dynamic in our deployment cycles and our work-up cycles that by the time [a scheduled] appointment comes up, you could well find yourself back on the battlefield or training somewhere else and have to cancel it,” he said.

So to make services more available and to encourage operators to take advantage of them, the command has started embedding mental health professionals attuned to the needs of the special operations community directly into its units. “The idea is, ‘Let’s give [the operator] somebody he trusts and feels he can talk to, and let’s give him for better accessibility,’” Chaby said.

And to ease operator’s transition from the battlefield to their homes and families, Socom now typically sends them to alternate sites so they can talk to a chaplain or psychologist and “decompress” before returning home.

Meanwhile, the Preservation of the Force and Family Task Force is helping operators get in touch with their spiritual sides as well.

Chaby emphasized that what Socom calls “spiritual performance” isn’t necessarily about religion. “It could be for some, but that’s not what it is about,” he said. “It is about spirituality,” which he defined as core spiritual beliefs, values, awareness, relationships and experiences.

These elements affect how operators live, the choices and decisions they make, the quality of their relationships and their overall ability to find meaning in life, Chaby said. All ultimately affect their mission performance and their ability to deal with the challenges of serving in special operations.

So the task force has turned to chaplains and the wealth of programs they lead or support to help special operations forces members address their spiritual needs. This, Chaby said, helps to round out a holistic program while directly supporting initiatives to build physical and psychological resilience.

Meanwhile, the task force is exploring ways to boost operators’ “social performance” -- the ability to establish and maintain healthy, meaningful relationships, particularly within their families.

The typical special operator is 29 years old for enlisted members and 34 for officers, and is married with two children. Chaby remembered the days not so long ago when Socom gave little thought to family needs. “The mentality was obvious: ‘If it’s not in your sea bag, it’s not our responsibility,’” he said.

That’s changed 180 degrees, he reported. Socom now understands that family members have a big say in whether a highly trained, experienced operator will remain in the military. But even more importantly, command leaders recognize that problems at home can distract operators, potentially putting them and their buddies at increased risk and directly affecting the mission.

As a result, the Preservation of the Force and Family Task Force has made a concerted effort to help build “social performance” within special operations forces families. The goal, Chaby said, is to strengthen communication skills and overall resiliency to better deal with the challenges of multiple, extended separations, many that involve sensitive, high-risk and secretive missions.

“We are looking for opportunities to bring families into the equation, because we have found that the more you do that, the stronger they become,” Chaby said. “This is empowering them to be part of the team, which in turn increases and improves the readiness of that soldier, sailor, airman or Marine.”

Adding up these elements -- improving operators’ physical, psychological, spiritual and social performance -- can only result in a better force, Chaby said.

“If each element gives a 1 percent advantage, you end up with a 4 or 5 or 10 percent better operator, capacity-wise, resiliency-wise, readiness-wise” he said. “You start adding these things together, and it makes such a difference.”

It all comes back, he said, to the special operations forces truism that people -- operators who are ready to be effective and respond to the demands of the job -- are more important than hardware.

“If you take care of your people, that is the foundation of everything we do. Without them, the hardware doesn’t matter and we are going to have mission failure,” he said. “You have to have your people ready to go, for whatever the battlefield calls for.”

Commando Hall of Honor welcomes loadmaster

by Staff Sgt. Melanie Holochwost
Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs

6/10/2013 - HURLBURT FIELD, Fla.  -- A former Air Force Special Operations Command loadmaster was recently recognized for more than 25 years of service with the special operations community by induction into the Commando Hall of Honor.

Retired Chief Master Sgt. Gordon Scott was inducted into the United States Special Operations Command Hall of Honor during the 2013 Special Operations Forces Industry Conference gala dinner in Tampa, Fla.

The Commando Hall of Honor recognizes the accomplishments of those who have made unique and prestigious contributions to the special operations community.

"This is one of the greatest honors I've received," Scott said. "I'm very humbled by the fact that my name is on a wall with so many warriors who have given so much to make special operations and AFSOC what it is today."

Scott was inducted to the Commando Hall of Honor for having a heavy hand in developing the tactics, techniques, and procedures used by special operations aviators today, according to Chief Master Sgt. Gregg Jones, 1st Expeditionary Special Operations Wing command chief, who nominated him for this honor.

As an NCO, Scott was involved in combat operations in Grenada, Bolivia, Honduras, Kuwait and Iraq.

During Desert Storm, he flew more than 40 combat sorties, including the airdrop of three BLU-82s (15,000-pound bombs) and more than 10 million leaflets leading to the mass defection of enemy troops and an unprecedented quick coalition victory, Jones said.

As a senior NCO, Scott flew combat missions in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Bosnia, Kosovo, Republic of Congo and Afghanistan.

"During Enduring Freedom, he flew eight pivotal missions, delivering time-critical resources to Operation Detachment Alpha Teams, which were operating deep inside Afghanistan," Jones said.

What's more, Scott and the crew of "Whisk 05" were awarded the 1997 MacKay Trophy for a mission into the Republic of Congo. This trophy, which is kept on display in the Smithsonian, is awarded for the most meritorious U.S. Air Force flight of the year.

Although Scott retired from active duty in 2005, he has continued to work in support of special operations.

"I've been hooked since 1987, and I still believe in the special operations mission," Scott said. "After 18 years with AFSOC, it was a logical transition to continue my involvement."

Following his retirement from active duty, Scott spent more than five years as the course director for the Special Operations Combating Terrorism Course at the Joint Special Operations University, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. In this capacity, he was responsible for educating more than 400 international officers from 80 different countries.

Now, he is working as a curriculum developer for NATO Special Operation Forces, and he said he plans to stay as long as possible.

"I've been so fortunate to have worked with the best aircrews, maintainers, operators, loggies, and all of the other agencies that were critical to successful mission execution," he said. "Every day I think about all the great commanders, chiefs, supervisors, Airmen, warriors in harm's way, and warriors we've lost. This honor is theirs and I'm grateful to have been a part of

Grand Forks AFB Fire and Emergency Services Airmen burning up the awards

by Airman 1st Class Ashley Taylor
319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

6/13/2013 - GRAND FORKS AFB, N.D. -- Two Warriors of the North were recently recognized for being outstanding firefighters.

Master Sgt. Jason Barnard, deputy fire chief, and Tech. Sgt. Byron Ball, assistant fire chief, earned the honors.

John Hamilton, Veterans of Foreign Wars National commander, presented Barnard with the VFW's National Firefighter of the Year Award during a June 1 ceremony at the Hilton Garden Inn in the city of Grand Forks.

"I was extremely surprised upon winning this award," Barnard said. "There are so many firefighters across the country doing so many great things every day. I didn't think I even had a shot at being selected."

He has proven to be more than qualified for winning this award, shining overseas as well as at home station.

While deployed, Barnard led Air Forces Central Command's busiest fire department, managing three stations and 55 personnel from 12 different bases.

He actively volunteered with the Wounded Warrior Project and coordinated the help of 17 other firefighters, giving a total of 87 hours.

Barnard also completed his Senior Noncommissioned Officer Professional Military Education, along with the Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency's Emergency Management/Anti-Terrorism Program.

"It's a very humbling experience to receive this award, and I'm proud to accept it on behalf of all the firefighters that I have worked with," said Barnard. "Without the entire fire department working together this would not be possible."

Fellow firefighter Tech. Sgt. Ball was nominated for his award by the Grand Forks American Legion Post 6. It was during the Winter Conference in Minot earlier this year that the department executive committee selected Ball as the award winner.

"We recognized Ball's service to our nation and community," said Robert Greene, post commander. "This is what made him stand out the most."

Department commander David Rice will present the North Dakota American Legion Fire Fighter of the Year Award to Ball on June 7 at a convention in West Fargo.

During the past year, Ball has been very active at the command level, in the community and in his personal development.

He served as the assistant fire chief, managing 16 personnel, responded to multiple medical emergency calls, and established a triage site treating 10 Airmen for heat exhaustion.

He was named the flight non-commissioned officer of the quarter for the first quarter of 2012, and top NCO for the 319th Air Base Wing. But that doesn't mean he wasn't surprised to have received this award.

"There are so many firefighters in this state that do outstanding work," said Ball. "So for me to be recognized by the American Legion and represent our brotherhood is a true honor."

Ball has also completed 24 credit hours toward his bachelor's degree, finished courses offered through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and attended a Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad training on hazardous materials spills.

Ball said he is most proud of helping the United Way with the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program.

"Knowing that we helped gather 2,300 toys for 647 children to enjoy Christmas last year is priceless," Ball said.

As former president of Grand Forks AFB Network 5/6, Ball coordinated 70 events, providing 1,086 hours of community service, and earning them the prestigious Presidential Volunteer Service Award.

Ball will now compete at the American Legion's national level.

PACANGEL 13-3 renovates community, enriches lives in Vietnam

by Staff Sgt. Sara Csurilla
PACANGEL 13-3 Public Affairs

6/14/2013 - DONG HOI, Vietnam  -- Eighteen U.S. military members partnered with ten military members from the Vietnam People's Army to help repair buildings in Dong Hoi, Quang Binh Province, Vietnam, from June 10 through 15.

The renovation projects were part of the Engineering Civil Action Program with Operation Pacific Angel 13-3.

PACANGEL 13-3 is a joint and combined operation held in various countries several times a year and includes medical, dental, optometry, engineering programs, along with SMEEs. More than 50 U.S. military members deployed to Vietnam for PACANGEL 13-3 to partner with local non-governmental organizations and host-nation military forces.

The 28-man team worked unwaveringly throughout the operation to renovate two schools and rebuild one medical facility.

First Lt. Jose Vallejo, PACANGEL 13-3 lead engineer planner from the 673rd Civil Engineer Group out of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, said they were nearly finished with the medical facility by completing projects that will not only improve the overall sanitation, but elevate their quality of life.

"Our team revamped the entire building both inside and out, from installing a new roof, drop ceiling and windows," said Vallejo. "With our combined efforts we were able to build a medical waste incinerator from scratch to eliminate the spread of pathogens, build two new bathrooms that never existed before, install a whole new septic system, set up a new sink with running water in the delivery room and even Install two air conditioning units."

With one team made of two completely different cultures, it was obvious from the start that not only did they speak different languages, they even had a different way of doing their jobs.

"The language difference definitely made some of the communication difficult at times, but we were able to come up with a system where we could understand each other," Vallejo said. "Even with the language barrier their knowledge was priceless and there's no way we would have been able to complete these projects without them."

Reserve CES repairs World War II era airfield

by Capt. Ashley Conner
477th Fighter Group Public Affairs

6/13/2013 - CLARKSDALE, Miss.  -- More than 50 Reservists from the 477th Civil Engineer Squadron completed repair work on a World War II era airfield during their annual tour May 27 - June 8.

Fletcher Field in Clarksdale, Miss. was opened July 5, 1942. It was used by the United States Army Air Forces as a contract basic flying training airfield. It was operated by the 2154th Air Base Unit, Contract Elementary Flying School, Clarksdale School of Aviation. Students were trained on the Fairchild PT-23 and the Boeing-Stearman PT-17 trainers. When the last class graduated Oct. 14, 1944 the airfield was turned over to civil authorities. Since 1944 Fletcher Field has been used as the Clarksdale Municipal Airport.

Every year the members of the 477th CES use their annual tour to support an Innovative Readiness Training project. Last year they rebuilt a tornado-ravaged school in Tennessee while this year's IRT provided an opportunity to give back to the city of Clarksdale while also training together as a unit.

"The purpose of the IRT is to improve military readiness while simultaneously providing quality services to communities throughout America," said Lt. Col. Michael Forcht, 477th CES commander. "These programs are in keeping with a long military tradition, leveraging training to benefit both units and their home communities. They are strongly supported by the Department of Defense, Congress, the states and communities."

During the IRT the 477th CES was responsible for building a flight business office and a 10-bay aircraft hangar. While severe thunderstorms in the area delayed the project, causing standing water conditions at the hangar site the 477th CES along with Reservists from Civil Engineer Squadrons from Tinker AFB and Maxwell AFB were successful in completing their portion of the project. The entire projected is expected to be completed in August 2013.

"IRT provides hands on AFSC-specific training for unit members," said Forcht. "It allows members to get training requirements signed off and to obtain contingency vehicle licenses while also increasing camaraderie within our unit."

The reel standard: Base maintainer master of two lines

by Staff Sgt. Russ Scalf
19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

6/13/2013 - LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. -- A ripple on the water breaks the calm of a serene mountain morning. For a brief moment life seems to stop and take notice as man and nature acknowledge the other's presence on the line.

Master Sgt. Jeff Wade, 19th Maintenance Group quality assurance chief inspector, is in his element. A standout on the Toyota Bassmaster Weekend Series, operated by American Bass Anglers, he carefully manages the responsibilities of being a sportsman, family man and Airman.

For Wade, professional fishing has been a lifelong pursuit. It has often mirrored the challenges and rewards of his military career. While his passion for fishing may have always taken a backseat to being a professional Airman, don't let that fool you: he is a champion in both communities.

"My first memories of fishing are in Spokane, Wash., fishing with my dad and brother," said Wade. "My dad wasn't a big angler. He talked to his buddies at work, and they told us what to do to catch some of the trout up there. We failed, but we did catch a bunch of sucker fish and it was fun, and that's kind of where we got hooked. I think we caught about 30, and we kept every one of them."

Wade first began to consider fishing as something more serious than a hobby during adolescence. He reminisced seeing professionals on television and thinking it could be a possible career path for him.

"Growing up I was watching the pros on TV thinking, I can do that," said Wade. "I've had the desire for as long as I can remember. When I came into the military I was stationed in Georgia, where there were real bass compared to Spokane, and I really cut my teeth there, back in '95-'96. That's when fishing became something more serious than a hobby."

In 1998 he made the leap from fisherman to competitor. His journey began in the back of the boat, fishing as a co-angler in small bass club tournaments. At this level, a big win mostly meant trophies and bragging rights. It was far from the bright lights and big paydays of ESPN and the Bassmasters, but it represented the first step of a long journey.

"Back then it was a lot of getting my tail kicked and learning," he said. "I was pretty thick headed, and you get out on the lake and you have to learn the ropes from these other guys. Some people didn't really want to show you anything, so a lot of it I had to learn on my own."

Throughout this learning period Wade was also acquiring an education in aircraft maintenance. He was assigned to Robins Air Force Base, Ga., as a hydraulic technician, and eventually moved up to the quality assurance office.

"I wasn't exactly mechanically inclined; I guess you can say I learned by fear," said Wade. "I just kept trying to progress. I was (Senior Airman) below the zone, and I was put up for a few quarterly awards. When a job came open in quality assurance, I decided to apply for it."

Characteristically modest, he grudgingly conceded typically the most qualified candidates are selected for the interview process. Wade would spend the next seven years honing his evaluation skills on the flightline, while beginning to excel in the boat.

In 2006 Wade had become exceedingly successful as a co-angler, winning tournaments from the back of the boat. He then took the next step toward achieving his dreams, buying a boat of his own and entering tournaments in the angler division.

"It was a real challenge moving to the front of the boat," said Wade. "As a co-angler you're depending on your boater to get you where you need to be. Now it's all on you. You have no one to blame if you don't catch a fish but yourself; the pressure was on."

Just as he was beginning to reel in his responsibilities as an angler, the military moved Wade's unit, the 19th Air Refueling Group, to Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. Now a Tech. Sgt., Wade was given second pick of open positions within his career field. Arkansas seemed like a logical choice to continue growing his skills in and out of uniform.

"Fishing played a huge role in where my family and I chose to go," said Wade. "Because of the base realignment and my rank, I had the unique opportunity to choose where I went next. I definitely wanted to stay in the south and keep progressing in fishing. I'm really fortunate that my wife is so supportive of both of my careers. We have two great kids and we're always busy, but I definitely couldn't do any of it without her."

The balance between family, work and fishing has been challenging at times for the Wade family. But it's one that's made easier with support of his wife, Stephanie. Through the ups and downs of his fishing career, she has been there to anchor the family.

"It's a team thing," said Stephanie. "We work together as a family or it doesn't go. Our son, Masen, plays baseball and our daughter, Abi, is in competitive cheerleading, we have to work to balance it all out. There have been times we have talked about stopping (fishing). He is gone a lot of weekends, but there are also a lot that he won't fish.

Sometimes he will practice early in the week just to be able to take the kids where they need to be. There are always going to be ups and downs, but as long as he's having fun we'll go as far as he wants to take it. I get just as excited for him at weigh-ins as he does. I enjoy it, it's almost like he's one of the kids. I get excited when he does well, and nervous when he doesn't."

In 2008, after spending the first 13 years of his career in one location working on KC-135 Stratotankers, Wade found himself in unfamiliar waters at Little Rock Air Force Base. He was inserted as the lead hydraulic technician, but would quickly rise through the ranks again. Within a year he would become the section chief of the legacy C-130 aircraft maintenance unit, and within the next year the production office superintendent. During this time frame Wade would also complete tours of duty in Iraq and Kuwait. Time for fishing had become scarce, but he did not give up on his dreams.

"During my first few years at Little Rock I just didn't do a lot of fishing," said Wade. "I would try to get on the water when I could, but my priority was focusing on my career and the needs of the Air Force."

In 2012, all of the focus began to pay off. Wade interviewed to become the 19th Maintenance Group chief inspector. His hiring affirmed the commitment he made to become a leader in his career field. It also provided him an opportunity to begin selecting and mentoring his own inspectors, who would take his place assuring quality and safety on the flightline. The year was capped off by his selection as the senior non-commissioned officer maintenance professional of the year.

Last year also proved to be an exceptional year on the water. Wade entered the Bassmaster Weekend Series, Arkansas division, and began stringing together consistent performances. By season's end, he had compiled enough points to be named Arkansas Angler of the Year, and earned his first trip to the national tournament. A win would see him achieve his lifelong dream of fishing in the Bassmaster Classic, the sport's equivalent to the Super Bowl, which boasts a $500,000 first place prize.

In November on Sam Rayburn Reservoir, in Lufkin, Texas, Wade set out with nothing to lose. Virtually an unknown, he fished his way to fourth place going into the final day of the tournament. The win was within striking distance, but this would not be the day he realized his dream. His four-day total of 50 pounds of bass was enough to best 190 competitors for a seventh place finish.

As close as he came, Wade has not let the disappointment of that final day deter him. He is currently in third place in the 2013 standings in defense of his title.

"I got the money in my head the last day," said Wade. "I stopped fishing the way that was working for me, and I choked. For me, it makes me want to drive that much harder to never have that feeling again. Inside it burned; it was a horrible, horrible feeling."

For Wade the future will continue to be a balance of responsibility and opportunity. The same characteristics that have made him a remarkable Airman have been the same ones that have made him an exceptional angler.

"Whatever I do next, I'll continue to apply the lessons I've learned from fishing and the Air Force," said Wade. "I'd love to fish in the Bassmaster Classic. It would be great if they had a military qualifier. But regardless, I'll continue to use the discipline I've learned in the military to stay with things, like say a strategy on the lake. And I'll use the patience I've learned from fishing, and apply it to my career and just try to continue to improve myself."

Pope Field getting 'green' control tower

by Tech. Sgt. Peter R. Miller
440AW/PA

6/13/2013 - POPE FIELD, N.C. -- Construction crews on are busy putting finishing touches on the new $8 million air traffic control tower overlooking the flightline here.

"The new 135-foot 11-story structure brings a host of capabilities to Fort Bragg that the long-standing 1970s-era tower had grown too outmoded to provide," said Marco Walton, the Pope Field air traffic control manager. The new tower boasts several upgrades over its 110-foot nine-story predecessor including expanded square-footage, heightened visibility, improved environmental controls and a smaller ecological footprint. Many of the tower's improvements stem from its "green" roots as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certified structure.

The LEED certification, bestowed by the U.S. Green Building Council, indicates that a structure has achieved a requisite level of sustainability, resource efficiency, energy efficiency and environmental quality. Builders are awarded points for incorporating sustainable technologies and practices in construction projects and certifications are earned by achieving points.

"The new ATC tower raked in many points by recycling more than 90 percent of the high-tech electronics from the old tower, LED lighting, motion-sensing light controls, electric car charging stations, and post-consumer construction materials increased the score. The facility also had to comply with stringent details from its landscaping to the materials used in its furniture and carpet, said Walton, and the enhanced energy efficiency will save taxpayers money over time."

"The original tower, while state-of-the-art when it began operations in 1975, was built to house the hi-tech air traffic control and communications equipment of its day," said Walton. The standard equipment used by the Federal Aviation Administration in the late 1970s was much bulkier and successive iterations of improvements in technology and miniaturization had made the tower a patchwork of modern technologies in a bygone vessel.

"It had reached its capacity for additional modernization," said Walton, a retired active-duty Air Force air traffic controller. The new structure has the capability to grow "as the Air Force modernizes and improves the techniques we use to do our job," said Walton. "This place is wired for sound. It has a lot more LAN drops and a lot more phone drops. That is very fundamental, but as air traffic control goes we have a lot more growth potential as technology improves in the future."

In addition to the nests of reworked outdated wiring, the old tower had other pressing issues. "We had a problem with mold," said Walton. "When it would rain, it would leak into the tower windows and rain would run all the way down inside the offices. [The Directorate of Public Works] would come clean it up, but the new tower obviously improves the working conditions for the employees who work here."

"The Army Corps of Engineers supervised construction of the tower from inception to completion," said Walton. "They issued proposal requests, managed logistics, and held contractors accountable to the tower's blueprints. Although the ground breaking ceremony took place in early 2011, the building's construction faced several delays due to the intense specialization and unique skillsets required of the construction personnel."

The tower consolidates two formerly separate facilities by co-locating a control tower simulator within the tower walls. The 270-degree wrap-around training simulator can replicate a variety of weather conditions like rain, snow and ice during day or nighttime operations. It can also interject any type and number of aircraft needed for the facility to accomplish its training objectives.

Walton said he expects the merger to help him mitigate the effects of federal furloughs on his team, whose staffing is currently 75 percent of capacity.

"We are a 100 percent civilian workforce here, so the furlough will affect all of us," said Walton. "As our manning is heightened, we don't have the luxury of sending two or three people down the street for training. We need to be able to recall people quickly."

"Facility employees have faced denied leave requests and additional shifts due to pending budgetary constraints," said Walton. Yet, despite the FAA's budgetary woes, the Pope Field ATC tower operates safely at full capacity, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year in support of America's worldwide commitments.

Face of Defense: Instructor Pilot Conquers Mount Everest

By Bekah Clark
12th Flying Training Wing

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colorado Springs, Colo., June 14, 2013 – An active mountain climber since he was a cadet here, Air Force Capt. Marshall Klitzke, a native of Lemmon, S.D., has felt at home in the mountains since he was a boy.

Air Force Capt. Marshall Klitzke, an instructor pilot with the 557th Flying Training Squadron at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., poses for a photo at the summit of Mount Everest, May 20, 2013. Courtesy photo   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

"My grandfather was from [Colorado Springs], so I had visited the area since I was little,” he said. “He always took me into the mountains to hike or fish, and that's when I fell in love with them. I've always felt very comfortable there."

Klitzke, an instructor pilot with the 557th Flying Training Squadron here, climbed Mount Everest with six other Air Force members, reaching the summit May 20.

The airmen all are members of the Seven Summits Challenge team, an independent group that aims to spread goodwill about the Air Force through the sport of climbing. The team also supports and raises money for wounded warriors.

The team is named for its self-imposed challenge to climb the highest peak on each continent. Since 2005, the team has scaled Mount Elbrus in Europe, Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa, Mount Aconcagua in South America, Mount McKinley in North America, Mount Vinson in Antarctica, Mount Kosciuszko in Australia, and finally, signifying the completion of their goal, Mount Everest in Asia.

Klitzke, who also has climbed Mount Rainier in Washington and Ama Dablam in Nepal, said the group is the first military team to scale all seven and the first U.S. military team to reach the summit of Mount Everest. The Mount Everest climb was the only climb Klitzke did with the group.

"A buddy of mine, Kyle Martin, and I have climbed together since we were cadets," Klitzke said. "He put Rob Marshall, a V-22 pilot and the co-founder of the group, in touch with me. Rob offered me a spot on the team for the Everest climb due to my previous experience climbing in the Himalayas."

Klitzke cited living in Colorado as a benefit in preparing for the climb.

"Physically, you have to condition yourself, and living in Colorado you have the benefit of having the mountains in your backyard," he said, also crediting military training with his and the team's success.

"In the military, you're constantly dealing with and working through problems, and it gives you that edge for how to push through challenges," he said. "It goes back even to my basic training at the academy. That life experience in the military really bears true on the mountain -- sometimes you just have to push through, put your head down and focus on putting one foot in front of the other."

That training aside, Klitzke is quick to acknowledge the risks of the sport, especially on a mountain as perilous as Mount Everest.

"You're always very conscious about how it is such a long ordeal, especially with the elements you're dealing with," he said. "You're living on rocks and ice for a month and a half, so something as simple as spraining your ankle has huge ramifications."

Maintaining physical health and stamina for the summit push, which according to the team's blog takes on average 12,000 calories to complete, is vital.

"You're [at such a high altitude] that your body has to burn so many extra calories just to continue to exist," he said. "I lost about 28 pounds from the time we landed in country to when we finished the climb."

The group spent about 50 days to accomplish the climb. "It took two weeks just to hike to the base camp," Klitzke said. "Once you're there, you have to acclimate, so you go up part of the mountain several times before the summit push. While we were there, we estimate that we climbed more than 44,000 feet total.
"You go up to Camp One and come back to base camp, then up to Camp Two and back down, then up to Camp Three and then back down,” he continued. “This basically triggers your blood to create more red blood cells so that you can maintain safe blood oxygen levels."

Once the group acclimated, it took about four days for the summit climb. At 4:30 a.m. May 20, the team reached the summit.

"You spend almost two months getting there, and even though you only get 15 minutes to take everything in, it is absolutely worth it," Klitzke said. "It was pretty amazing getting to see the sunrise over the Tibetan plains and watch the whole world light up."

With that challenge complete, Klitzke has his sights set on medical school.

"While mountaineering will probably always be a part of my life, I have a passion for trying to help people, and I feel like I have a lot of ability to do that," he said. "So my next goal is to become a pilot physician."
The experience of a lifetime wouldn't have been possible without the support he received from his commander and squadron, Klitzke said.

"They were nothing but supportive before, during and after the climb,” he added. “I'm really thankful for all of the encouragement and support they gave me."

"We couldn't be more proud of Marshall and the team," said Air Force Lt. Col. Bradley Oliver, 557th Flying Training squadron commander. "In addition to climbing Mount Everest, Marshall is an instructor in all three of our aircraft and is an exceptional officer. I hope his next dream of going to medical school is realized."

Peterson and Cheyenne Mountain Airmen answer call during Black Forest Fire

by Michael Golembesky
21st Space Wing Public Affairs

6/14/2013 - PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- North of Peterson AFB, a massive column of thick smoke is visible for miles while the smell of burning pine trees fills the air. All attention and resources are focused on containment of the Black Forest Fire, which has been raging for the past two days.

The fire department chiefs, Chief Master Sgt. Mark Crowe of Peterson and Christopher Miller of Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, wasted no time in responding to support requests from El Paso County Sheriff's Department through a mutual aid agreement.

The 21st Space Wing sent four personnel with one fire truck to work on building and structural protection inside the fire zone. The 721st Mission Support Group at Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station also sent a crew of nine personnel with one fire truck to support the effort to protect life and property.

Six other firefighters from the 21st SW were also sent to backfill the CMAFS fire department. A combined three-person crew from the 21st and 721st were also sent to backfill a Colorado Springs fire station.

The CMAFS Fire Department personnel are unique in the fact that their members are "red card" certified meaning they possess specific wildland fire training, which is invaluable in a situation like this.

A "red card" indicates a person has undergone official federal training specific to fighting wildland fires.

"These Airmen are specially trained and ready to respond to this kind of natural disaster," said Col. Joe Turk, Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station installation commander. "This was validated during their support to the Waldo Canyon fire last year."

According to the Colorado State Forest Service, to earn your "Red Card," or Interagency Incident Qualification Card, individuals must complete the National Wildfire Coordinating Group Basic Firefighter course and the Introduction to Fire Behavior course. In addition to classroom and field training, individuals also must pass a physical work-capacity test, called the "pack test," to prove they are able to perform physically arduous tasks in the field.

"These Airmen are working tirelessly in support of state and local authorities and firefighters on the ground," Turk said. "We will continue to provide support as our resources and capabilities allow."

The fire crews from Peterson and CMAFS are replaced on a regular basis to allow ample time to recover and to send in rested personnel to continue the fight. A fire crew from F.E. Warren AFB, Cheyenne, Wyo., has also arrived to augment the Peterson fire department for on-base emergencies.

"After working through the Waldo Canyon fire last year, we understand the need for a unified effort from all agencies involved in this response," said Col. Chris Crawford, 21st Space Wing commander. "It is incredible to watch so many organizations come together to protect this community."

Marine Platoon Works With Jordanian Armed Forces

By Marine Corps Cpl. Michael S. Lockett
26th Marine Expeditionary Unit

AL QUWEIRA, Jordan, June 14, 2013 – Marines of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s amphibious assault vehicle platoon had its first bilateral training event of Exercise Eager Lion 2013 here June 12, conducting a live-fire shoot in their AAVs with members of the Jordanian armed forces in their own light armored mechanized vehicles.

Marines of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s amphibious assault vehicle platoon order their vehicles for transport to the training area after conducting an amphibious landing on the coast of Jordan as part of Exercise Eager Lion, June 6, 2013. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Michael S. Lockett   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

“In any training event, one of the major end states is that we build relationships and the understanding that we’re not just building military skills, but also establishing rapport on a personal and professional level,” said Marine Corps Capt. Jonathan Riebe, the platoon’s commander.

“I think it’s important that we take part in these multinational operations in order to share methods on how we maintain our military and how we employ our military,” added Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Michael Conners, platoon sergeant.

Eager Lion has proven to be more than just a yearly exercise in the high deserts of Jordan involving service members from the United States, Jordan and other partner nations, Riebe said. It is a significant training exercise solidifying already strong partnerships, he added.

“Jordan has been a partner of ours, supporting us through Operation Enduring Freedom,” Riebe said. “Eager Lion is an annual training exercise with the Jordanians … to strengthen our military and political ties and foster a friendly relationship in the area.”

The platoon’s Marines are focusing their training by tailoring to their Jordanian hosts and thoroughly observing the Jordanian skillsets.

“We’re approaching the training in a logical fashion [by] really getting the host nation’s input on what they’re trying to get out of the training,” Riebe explained. “We’re adapting the assets we have to give them the training [that will most benefit them].”

The Marines of AAV Platoon and the rest of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit will be in Jordan for the remainder of Eager Lion, training with their Jordanian and United Kingdom counterparts.

NSA Director: Security Leaks Have Done Great Harm

By Cheryl Pellerin
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, June 14, 2013 – Leaks to the public about a classified National Security Agency terrorist surveillance program that collects data from the phone calls of Americans already have jeopardized national security, the NSA director told a Senate panel here June 12.

On June 6, from a hotel in Hong Kong where he had fled, former NSA contractor Edward Snowden leaked information to two newspapers about classified NSA surveillance practices.

Testifying before the full Senate Appropriations Committee with representatives from Homeland Security, the FBI and the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Army Gen. Keith B. Alexander, who is also commander of U.S. Cyber Command, shared his concern for the nation.

“Great harm has already been done by opening this up, and the consequence, I believe, is [that] our security is jeopardized,” Alexander said.

“There's no doubt in my mind,” the general added, “that we will lose capabilities as a result of this, and that not only the United States, but those allies that we have helped, will no longer be as safe as they were two weeks ago.”

Alexander said the surveillance program has disrupted or helped to disrupt in the United States and abroad “dozens of terrorist events,” including the 2009 case of Najibullah Zazi, an Afghan-American arrested as part of the 2009 U.S. al-Qaida group accused of planning suicide bombings on the New York City subway system.

Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper told the Senate in March that the NSA collection program was critical to discovery and disruption of the Zazi case. Discovery in the case began with phone data surveillance information based on operatives overseas, Alexander explained.

“We saw connections to a person in Colorado, and that was passed to the FBI. The FBI determined who that was -- Zazi -- and [associated] phone numbers,” he said.

“The phone numbers on Zazi were the things that then allowed us to use the business-records [Federal Intelligence Surveillance Act] to go and find out connections from Zazi to other players throughout communities, specifically in New York City,” the general added.

Alexander said he is seeking to determine, with help from the intelligence community and other administration officials, how more details can be declassified so the program can be more fully explained to the public.

“We now know that some of this [classified information] has been released,” Alexander said. “So why does it make sense to explain to the American people so they have confidence that their government is doing the right thing? Because I believe we are, and we have to show them that.”

The general added, “We have great people working under extremely difficult conditions to ensure the security of this nation and protect our civil liberties and privacy, … [and] I would like the American people to know that, because they would be tremendously proud of the men and women of NSA who have done this for us for the last decade.”

The issue, Alexander said, “is we then have to debate how much [information] we give out and what does that do to our future security? That's where the real debate is going to take place, because that's the issue that is now before us.”

As they questioned Alexander and the other witnesses, some of the senators wanted to know how Snowden, a 29-year-old high-school and community-college dropout who held short-term and relatively low-level positions with the CIA, NSA and then was an NSA contractor, had access to such highly classified information.

Alexander noted that in the information technology arena, “some of these folks have tremendous skills to operate networks. That was [Snowden’s] job for the most part, from 2009 to 2010, as an IT system administrator within those networks. He had great skills in that area.”

But the general said he has grave concerns about Snowden’s access and about potential breakdowns in the oversight process.

“I think what we have to do is come back and perhaps look at the oversight mechanism we have, … the automated checks and balances that exist, and what we can do to improve those,” he told the Senate panel.
The IT infrastructure was outsourced about 14 years ago, which provided more federal work in that area to contractors, Alexander noted. “As a consequence,” he added, “many in government -- not just us -- have system administrators who are contractors working and running our networks.”

Snowden was a system administrator with access to key parts of the network, Alexander said. “So we've got to address that,” he acknowledged. “That is of serious concern to us, and something we have to fix.”
Sen. Susan Collins of Maine addressed Alexander at one point during the hearing.

“I saw an interview in which Mr. Snowden claimed that due to his position at NSA he could tap into virtually any American's phone calls or emails,” she said. “True or false?”

“False,” the general replied. “I know of no way to do that.”

The senators also asked Alexander how the NSA and other intelligence organizations could avoid the need to hire young people with so little experience to make up the future cyber workforce.

“In the military, we are going to hire young folks … who graduate from high school to work in this area, and the key will be the training that we give them,” the general said. “Ideally we'd like to get four years out of a top-notch engineering school for some of the military positions, but we won't get that, so we have a responsibility to bring them into the force and train them.”

It takes several years to train people in this area, Alexander told the panel.

“So in effect, we're running a cyber college for many of our young enlisted folks to get them to the requisite skills,” the general said.

On the NSA side, he added, it’s easier to hire college graduates.

“What I need, I think, is greater scrutiny,” the general said. “I need to go back and look at what I am getting with my contract support and what are their capabilities and how do we manage that from a government perspective. That’s something I have concerns about.”

Air Force twins retire together

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

6/14/2013 - KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Identical twin brothers Jared and Jason Tuckett retired from the Air Force June 10 on Torii Station, Japan.

Master Sgt. Jason Tuckett, 3rd Intelligence Squadron mission management superintendent, made the more than 7,500-mile long trip with family to Okinawa, Japan, from the states to retire alongside his brother, Master Sgt. Jared Tuckett, 390th Intelligence Squadron formal training section chief.

The two brothers said it was completely random on the decision of retiring together.

"I extended an extra year at Kadena for my children's schooling and called my brother one day and found out he would be retiring around the same time I would," Jared said. "So we then decided to do it together."

Retiring with a combined 41 years of service, the brothers shared more than just the same birthday. They also shared the same career field as cryptologic linguist analysts.

"We both learned Japanese through missions with our church and I decided I wanted to become a linguist in the Air Force," Jared said.

Jared enlisted in the Air Force in August 1992 as a Hebrew cryptologic linguist analyst, and would later go on to also learn Chinese Mandarin.

He would also go on to play a role in getting his younger brother, Jason, to enlist, welcoming him into the world of a linguist.

"After a year in I talked him into joining; I told him some of the things I was doing and thought it would be a good fit," Jared said.

Though his brother's encouragement helped, Jason said joining the Air Force was already on his mind.

"We joined to serve; our father was a part of the U.S. Air Force Reserve and after retiring, he worked as a civil service member working on the F-16 Fighting Falcon so we knew which service we would join," Jason said.

As staying proficient and current on their different languages was important, it created some challenging aspects of the job.

"Being an airborne linguist, I personally didn't like to fly that much and getting over air sickness was a big challenge for me, but it was beneficial in the end," Jared said.

Despite the many challenges, both brothers worked off each other's strengths, weaknesses and experiences.

"We shared a lot of notes," Jason said with a laugh.

During their enlistments, the duo worked together at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, as instructors teaching the incoming members of the career field.

"I enjoyed being an instructor," Jared said. "I loved being able to teach them about the job and tell them about my experiences in the Air Force and working along my brother and even fooling him a bit too."

"We made sure that they were prepared and knew what they were getting into," Jason added.

Now that they are retired, Jason plans to return to the Air Force as a civilian doing the same job at Fort Gordon, Ga., while Jared plans to finish up his education degree and work for Department of Defense school systems in the Pacific.

"That's one thing you will get from the Air Force; you're part of a bigger family," Jason said. "Doesn't matter where your serving they'll take you in."

Air Force's last Huey departs Hurlburt Field

by Senior Airman Kentavist Brackin
1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

6/12/2013 - HURLBURT FIELD, Fla.  -- The Air Force's last operational UH-1H Huey helicopter made its final departure June 5 from the flightline here.

The helicopter is one of four aircraft transferred to New York State Police's aviation unit as part of the Law Enforcement Support Organization Program.

"It was a great opportunity for [Air Force Special Operations Command] to be able to give a helicopter like this to the law enforcement support agency supporting New York State police aviation," said Ben S. Harton Jr., AFSOC aerospace vehicle distribution officer.

The LESOP matches assets, which are no longer needed, with U.S. civilian law enforcement agencies requests.

It's a great program, according to Phil Napolitano, chief pilot for NYSP aviation crew.

"We're getting a great piece of equipment from the military that is being phased out," he said. "When you buy an aircraft like this nowadays, you're talking millions of dollars, but it cost essentially nothing for us."

Napolitano said the NYSP plans to use the Huey primarily for utility, cargo, and search and rescue missions.

Always there, Always ready

by Senior Airman Brook Payette
157th Air Refueling Wing

6/11/2013 - DURHAM, N.H. -- The Air National Guard's motto rang true during the Special Olympics of New Hampshire's 44th Annual State Summer games held at the University of New Hampshire on May 31 and June 1.

Despite the challenges of the blistering heat, extended competition and new volunteer coordinator within the ranks, the latest edition of the games went off without a hitch according to long-time Special Olympics of New Hampshire volunteer Timothy Acerno.

"They go above and beyond and that is what makes this event so successful," said Acerno of all the uniformed volunteers, including 20 members of the 157 Air Refueling Wing and 64th Air Refueling Squadron. "They just want to know what we need and how we can get it done. The volunteers are all about the athletes and getting it done for them. They are fantastic to work with"

For the first time, the games moved its opening ceremony to Friday morning in order to include two full-days of competition. The opening ceremony included an appearance from the New Hampshire Honor Guard.

"Having the honor guard there for the opening ceremonies is great," said Acerno, former assistant to the chief of law enforcement with N.H. Fish and Game. "You get everything nice, crisp and smooth. I can't say enough about what the guard does for the Special Olympics."

Volunteers from the 157th and 64th Air Refueling Squadron also presented medals to the athletes following events. Nearly 1,000 athletes from all over the state competed in 57 track and field events, 31 aquatic events, equestrian and bocce over the two days.

"The joy in their eyes and the look of their faces when we give them their medals (is great)," said Technical Sgt. Jessica Davidson, who served as the volunteer coordinator for the 157th." They are so proud and so thankful that we are there to support them."

Davidson and Master Sgt. Samantha Buder of the 64th Air Refueling Squadron coordinated with Acerno to ensure uniformed military members took part in presenting hundreds of medals to athletes over a two-day period. Davidson said the volunteer experience is a way to remind the community the New Hampshire Air National Guard's commitment to community service.

"We are there not only in times of crisis or national disaster, but to support the community any way we can," said Davidson. "We live in the community, we work in the community, we go to school in the community and we have our families in the community. We want to show them that we are approachable and to embrace that guard family concept."

It was the first year Davidson served as the point of contact for the 157, taking over the reins from retired Senior Master Sgt. Norma Long. Long began volunteering with the Special Olympics in 1998 as a "hugger." After that first year, she knew she wanted to become more involved and has been a volunteer at the event every year since.

"It is a really good feeling to come out here and give back," said Long. "Doing this over the years has been nice. I have seen the Olympians grow. They recognize me every year I come and their parents love us to be out here."

Though Long gave up here official duties as the coordinator at the 157th, she plans to continue her volunteer efforts each summer. It is a decision that does not surprise Acerno.

"Once you get (volunteers) to come once, they are hooked," said Acerno. "They can see the impact they have on the athletes and how much the athletes respect them. The admiration for the athletes keeps people coming back. I think that is why Norma (and others) keep coming back."