Multilateral Pacific Mission Boosts Disaster Response Capacity

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, July 18, 2013 – Two months into the largest disaster response preparedness operation in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, participants in Pacific Partnership 2013 are taking the mission to the next level in ways the mission commander says will help to ensure its long-term viability despite budgetary constraints.

Navy Adm. Cecil D. Haney, commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet, greets children during a visit to Kiribati to meet with local officials and personnel supporting Pacific Partnership 2013, July 17, 2013. Working at the invitation of each host nation during Pacific Partnership, U.S. Navy forces are joined by non-governmental organizations and regional partners that include Australia, Canada, Colombia, France, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, and New Zealand to improve maritime security, conduct humanitarian assistance and strengthen disaster-response preparedness. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Carlos M. Vazquez II   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

USS Pearl Harbor, an amphibious dock landing ship serving as the mission’s primary command-and-control platform, arrived earlier this week for an 11-day visit to Kiribati, Navy Capt. Wallace Lovely said during a telephone interview shortly after arriving at the Pacific island nation.

Kiribati is one of six host nations participating in this year’s mission, which kicked off in May, and has paid 10- to 12-day visits to Samoa, Tonga and Papua New Guinea, Lovely reported. Later this month, the participants will continue on to the Marshall Islands before wrapping up the mission in the Solomon Islands.

U.S. Pacific Command, operating through U.S. Pacific Fleet, launched the Pacific Partnership initiative in 2006 after a devastating tsunami swept through Southeast Asia two years earlier. The annual mission was designed to reinforce relationships formed through the tsunami response and lay the groundwork to ensure future preparedness.

Over the past eight years, Pacific Partnership has stood as a model of multinational, interagency and nongovernmental organization cooperation. This year’s mission, for example, includes participants from the United States and nine partner nations: Australia, Canada, Colombia, France, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea and New Zealand.

Working alongside them are representatives of four U.S. agencies and 28 nongovernmental organizations, many of them volunteers who use their vacation time to participate.

Doctors, nurses, dentists, veterinarians and other medical professionals make up the lion’s share of the participants. Navy Seabees with construction skills, as well as experts in disaster preparedness and response, security and other specialized areas, round out the team.

As during previous Pacific Partnership missions, they are working alongside their hosts to provide medical and dental care, optometry clinics, health education, water filtration system evaluations, school refurbishments, bridge repairs and other services.

But this year for the first time, the primary emphasis is on helping host nations manage their own disaster response through capacity building, not direct care, Lovely said. Rather than concentrating their time with individual patients, participants are heavily engaged in information-sharing forums and exchanges with their host-nation counterparts in issues ranging from mass-casualty care to firefighting and safe boating techniques.

This serves a greater purpose, Lovely explained, increasing skills and expertise that benefit the host nations immediately, supporting host nation long-term improvements, and paying even greater dividends in the event of a natural disaster.

It also builds confidence among host nations that the United States and its partners will be there to help and support them, if needed, he said.

“We are all focused on the same thing in this region,” Lovely said. “We are preparing ourselves for humanitarian assistance [and] disaster relief in the event that we have to respond collectively.”

This year’s Pacific Partnership is introducing another major change, as two partners share leadership responsibility for the first time in the mission’s history. Australia led the mission in Papua, New Guinea, with HMAS Tobruk serving as its command platform. New Zealand assumed the command lead in Kiribati, and will do so again during the final leg of Pacific Partnership 2013, in Solomon Islands. There, New Zealand Navy Capt. Tony Millar will maintain the command lead aboard HMNZS Canterbury, with Lovely aboard, as USS Pearl Harbor steams back home to San Diego.

This arrangement is a win-win situation, Lovely said, that promotes leadership development and interoperability and helps to ensure the long-term sustainability of Pacific Partnership.

“Sharing of lead responsibilities and logistical resourcing among partner nations will keep this incredibly impactful mission sustainable in light of future fiscal challenges,” he said. “I could not be more proud of the multilateral planning effort that has gone into this year’s mission. It has been a true team effort.”

Navy Adm. Cecil D. Haney, the U.S. Pacific Fleet commander and a big advocate of Pacific Partnership, visited Kiribai yesterday to check in on operations underway.

“I have the daily privilege to view operations conducted by our sailors that help keep America secure,” Haney said. “While sailors of all nations are always proud of the work they do, there is a distinctive sense of accomplishment among everyone participating in Pacific Partnership. I believe this pride stems from knowing how this mission touches lives like those here in Kiribati, while also increasing regional stability which enhances economic prosperity.”

Haney expressed thanks to all participating nations and civilian organizations, stressing the importance of continuing multilateral missions like Pacific Partnership despite tough budgetary decisions.

“The U.S. Pacific Fleet is always prepared for battle, but we also operate to preserve the peace,” Haney said. “Ultimately, missions such as Pacific Partnership strengthen relationships that are critical to deter conflict. They build trust, enhance cooperation, increase interoperability, and open dialogues between leaders -- a multilateral approach that benefits all Pacific nations, including the United States.”

More than midway through the mission, Lovely said, Pacific Partnership 2013 is exceeding all expectations. “I can’t even emphasize positively enough how well this mission has gone in every nation we have visited. It has been superb,” he said. “This is partnership. No word sums up what we do any better than that.”

Working together to help in building partner capacity, the mission will have a long-term impact on a region that experiences frequent natural disasters, Lovely said.

“Pacific Partnership represents a lasting return on investment for all participating nations and organizations by helping to ensure the international community is better prepared to work together as a coordinated team when disaster strikes,” he said.

This effort “makes a real difference for the people of our Pacific Island host nations,” Lovely added.

Mobility Airman support massive U.S.-Australian exercise

from 18th Air Force Public Affairs

7/16/2013 - Scott Air Force Base, Ill. -- Mobility Airmen, including C-17 and KC-135 aircrews from across the U.S., will join more than 28,000 of their fellow Airmen, Soldiers, and Sailors, and Australian counterparts in northern Australia for Exercise Talisman Saber 2013.

Talisman Saber is a biennial training activity jointly sponsored by the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Joint Operations Command and the U.S. Pacific Command to train forces from both nations to operate as a combined joint task force. The Air Mobility Command contribution to the team will include C-17 aircrews from the 62nd Airlift Wing, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., and the 437th Airlift Wing, Joint Base Charleston, S.C., supported by KC-135 Stratotankers from the 60th Air Mobility Wing, Travis Air Force Base, Calif. As part of the exercise, Mobility Airmen will support the air drop of more than 400 U.S. Soldiers as well as a combined air drop of cargo alongside the Royal Australian Air Force. Australian Talisman Saber 2013 spokesman Brigadier Bob Brown said the exercise would mobilize both nation's forces to react to a "peace enforcement" scenario, with the combined task force setting the conditions for hand-off of responsibilities to a follow-on United Nations peacekeeping force.

"Talisman Saber is a unique and invaluable opportunity to exercise combined and joint Defence capability between Australia and the US. As with the previous Talisman Saber exercises, this activity is a major undertaking reflecting the Australian and US alliance and the strength of the military-to-military relationship," Brigadier Brown said.

Approximately 21,000 US and 7,000 Australian Defence Force personnel will be involved in the exercise, along with other Australian Government agencies including the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, AusAID, Australian Federal Police, and Australian Civil-Military Centre.  Talisman Saber 2013 runs from July 15 until Aug. 6, 2013.

Area Army Air Corps vet receives French Legion of Honor medal

by Airman 1st Class Sam Fogleman
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

7/16/2013 - Spokane Valley, Wash. -- Del Casper, Army Air Corps veteran who participated in 35 aerial combat missions over occupied Europe during World War II, was awarded the French Legion of Honor medal at the Spokane Veterans Center in Spokane Valley, Wash., July 15.

The award, the highest honor given by the government of France, was given to Casper by a decree coming all the way from the top: French president Francois Hollande.

Among the attendees were Col. Brian Newberry, 92nd Air Refueling Wing commander, Chief Master Sgt. Wendy Hansen, 92nd Air Refueling Wing command chief, and Spokane Valley mayor Tom Towey.

Following the playing of La Marseillaise, the French national anthem, and the singing of The Star-Spangled Banner, the award was given to Casper by Jack Cowan, Honorary Consul of France to Washington state.

"His courage, faith and dedication contributed more than 60 years ago to defending and preserving the independence of France and to save our common values of freedom, tolerance and democracy," Cowan said. "I would like to extend this tribute to all his fellow soldiers from World War II and especially to all of those who did not make it back to their country and families."

Casper, a Salt Lake City native and now a Spokane resident, enlisted in the Army Air Corps in November 1942 at the age of 19. He ended his military service in May 1945, arriving home with the first convoy to reach New York City, days before V-E Day. The count of 25 aerial missions was considered the capstone of one's flying career during that period. Casper flew in 10 more missions during the war.

Casper primarily flew in the B-17 Flying Fortress, a precursor to the B-52 Stratofortress that was a mainstay at Fairchild in the 1950s. Casper began as a ball-turret gunner. He was ultimately a togalier, a rare assignment for an enlisted flyer.

"You taught us that freedom is never free," Newberry said to Casper after the award presentation. "World War II was an incredible event for this entire world. It was global. Millions of Americans went out to fight and you were one of them. You freed France and so many other countries. You gave freedom another chance."

Casper is a man of few words.

"I'm flabbergasted," Casper said of receiving the award. "I don't know why they would pick me. There are other people a lot more deserving than me. I'm highly honored."

AMC Airmen learn resilience

by Airman 1st Class John Linzmeier
22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

7/17/2013 - MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- Air Mobility Command continues to support its Airmen's morale and well being through a resiliency training program.

A one-day resiliency course is required for all AMC active duty Airmen and must be completed before the year's end.

Resilience training was developed in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania and was first implemented into the Air Force in 2011.

"[Developing resilience] can help you succeed in your career, take on new challenges, and thrive from them," said Tech. Sgt. Amanda McDowell, 22nd Force Support Squadron vehicle operator and AMC resilience course instructor.

They are looking to implement something that can help people cope with the stresses of life that we all go through in the military, she added.

The class focuses on the four pillars of comprehensive Airman fitness: physical, social, mental, and spiritual. The structure derived and expanded from the Army's five dimensions of strength.

"I thought the [class] atmosphere was really good," said 1st Lieutenant Evan Johnston, 384th Air Refueling Squadron pilot. "People were very open and relaxed, which is the best way go. When they are intimidated by rank or situations, it's less constructive."

Research conducted by the Navy revealed some of the positive outcomes from resilience training.

"They observed certain units who went through resiliency training and other units who didn't," said McDowell. "The ones who went through the training had succeeded much higher than the ones who did not, in terms of morale, productivity and dealing with stress."

Students are engaged in a variety of group discussions during the eight-hour course.

"As the instructor," said McDowell, "I want to keep it as low-key and open-forum as possible, because I believe you learn more from other people's experiences rather than reading through a bunch of slide power points that we could just send you."

Classmates are encouraged to share positive experiences they have experienced over their previous 72 hours and identify their strengths and weaknesses.

They also learn different techniques on how to address problems with other people without directly attacking their personal beliefs and ways they can avoid "thinking traps," such as jumping to conclusions and emotional reasoning.

A series of inspirational and humorous videos are used as examples of the lessons between group exercises and lectures.

"I thought the videos were good," said Johnston, "because it lightens the mood but at the same time, if you ask the right questions you will see that there is a point to the videos. They were more than just something to laugh at."

The course provides Airmen with a set of tools to help them through difficult situations such as getting out of bed in the morning or adjusting to a serious life changing event.

"I think resiliency is being able to take a challenge or a stressor of any kind," said McDowell, "and just place one foot in front of the other and keep taking that step to improve rather than just sitting and waiting for something to fall into your lap. It's a growing experience, and that is the most important thing, to grow from your challenges and adversities or others."

Col. David Kumashiro assumes command of the 62nd Airlift Wing

by Master Sgt. Todd Wivell
62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

7/17/2013 - JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. -- A change of command can be defined as an event that drives the plot of a story and occurs just before one adventure begins and another adventure ends.

Men and women of Team McChord witnessed such an event when Col. David Kumashiro assumed command of the 62nd Airlift Wing from Col. Wyn Elder during a change of command ceremony, July 17, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

"It is with faith, courage, passion, patience, and humility that I dedicate myself to this great team," said Kumashiro in his change of command speech. "This will never be about me. This will always be about us, working together, serving together as a team, and continuing to build a culture of dignity and respect for all."

Kumashiro assumed command of more than 2,300 active duty military and civilian personnel along with 48 permanently assigned C-17 Globemaster III aircrafts, combined to support worldwide combat and humanitarian airlift.

He graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1992. His experiences include service in Air Mobility Command as an evaluator pilot and in Air Combat Command as a Predator instructor pilot. He has served at the Headquarters U.S. Air Force level, commanded an operations support squadron and has been a deployed deputy operations group commander.

He is a recipient of the Defense Superior Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Air Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Joint Meritorious Unit Award and Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with valor.

A command pilot with more than 3,400 flying hours in the C-17, C-5A/B and the Predator, Kumashiro comes to McChord Field with a vast experience in multiple aircraft and looks forward to working with the C-17 and the men and women of the 62nd AW.

"The thundering roar of the mighty C-17 Globemaster III, the awesome majesty of Mount Rainier - this pales in comparison to the sense of awe I feel for your extraordinary professionalism, commitment and dedication," said Kumashiro.

While the colonel looks forward to this next chapter of his story, he could not go without thanking those at McChord who have paved the way for him.

"Colonel Elder, you have built an absolutely incredible team," said Kumashiro. "And although I know you would deflect all credit and accolades to the men and women standing before us in formation, I know your leadership, passion and love for this wing have made it what it is today."

He went on to thank the partners of JBLM, the civic leaders and community partners in the Pacific Northwest, his family and finally to the men and women of the 62nd AW.

"Together, we will [all] continue the tradition of unrivalled excellence here at Joint Base Lewis-McChord."

As the change of command ceremony came to an end, the story of Col. David Kumashiro, Commander, 62nd Airlift Wing, begins.

62nd Port Dawg makes 12 OAY list

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

7/16/2013 - JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. -- An Airman from the 62nd Aerial Port Squadron here was recently named one of the Air Force's 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year.

Senior Master Sgt. Ernesto Rendon, 62nd APS air freight superintendent, will travel to Washington later this year be recognized by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A Welsh III and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Cody at a reception hosted by the Air Force Association.

"I was awe struck when I picked up the phone and was congratulated by General [Paul] Selva [commander of Air Mobility Command]," said Rendon.

As one of the 12 OAY, Rendon will take his mentorship and leadership experience to the Air Force Enlisted Council where he will serve for one year. As part of the council he will report directly to the CMSAF and weigh in on matters pertaining to the enlisted force. He will be responsible for making recommendations on Air Force policy and quality of life issues on behalf of all enlisted Airmen.

Rendon says he is looking forward to taking the trip to Washington with his family, whose support he credits for much of his success to date. He also gives credit for his accomplishments to the Airmen of the 62nd APS and the 62nd Maintenance Squadron.

"I am thankful to represent the outstanding Airmen of the port, maintenance and Team McChord," said Rendon. "As a senior NCO, I don't achieve anything on my own. This accomplishment is a result of working with an exceptional team."

Second Lt. Michael Weber, 62nd APS air freight flight commander and Rendon's supervisor, said that he is confident Rendon is not only deserving of this award, but that he will also do great things as part of the Air Force Enlisted Council.

"He brings out the best in everyone he works with," said Weber.

In the time he has been assigned to McChord, Rendon also served as a first sergeant, overseeing and mentoring more than 400 Airmen, and he served as the Top 3 president, leading more than 270 SNCOs.

"I plan to continue to help Airmen achieve their goals and make places better than when I found them," said Rendon. "I look forward to the opportunity to make a positive impact on Airmen's careers and lives in the Air Force."

As one of the 12 OAY, Rendon will be awarded the Outstanding Airman of the Year ribbon with the bronze service star device and the Outstanding Airman of the Year badge. But he said that awards and recognition are not why he strives for success.

"The work is its own reward," said Rendon. "Being acknowledged for it is just icing on the cake."

Bronze Star: People notice work ethic

by Senior Airman Jared Duhon
436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

7/16/2013 - DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- Tech. Sgt. Doug Beish, 436th Operations Support Squadron C-5 Globemaster III loadmaster trainer, received the Bronze Star Medal here July 10, 2013, for his deployment with the Army in 2010.

Beish deployed to Iraq in July 2010 and served as a liaison to the U.S. Special Operations Command Air Mobility Director and conventional airlift commands.

"I was just a small piece of that puzzle," said the Dover, Del., native. "It is a team effort you can't do it alone or you will fail."

While assigned to the 9th Airlift Squadron, Beish's extensive experience with scheduling and planning led to him being picked for his deployment.

"Going to Iraq was exhilarating, but there was also thoughts of doubt, am I cut out for this, am I capable of doing this," said Beish. "My big fear was failing, because I was working with other branches of service and I felt I was representing the Air Force. I'm going to make mistakes, we all do. I did make mistakes, but I learned from them and grew."

Beish's adaptability has served him well in his career.

"He follows instructions very well," said Master Sgt. Mike Meinhold, 436th OSS training superintendent / aircrew training C-5 M Flight Engineer training manager. "He's a very fast learner. If I give him a tasking, it gets done and I don't need to give him step-by-step instructions."

Beish made a great impression on the army leadership he deployed with.

"I only know the Air Force process," said Meinhold. "The Bronze star was given to him by the army, because at the time he was in an army chain of command. And he had made such an impression on the commanding officer that they told him he was going to get a bronze star. "

Gen. Paul Selva, Air Mobility Command commander, presented Beish with the Bronze Star.

"It was a humbling experience," said Beish. "I felt honored once I found that out, it was almost like the Super Bowl. I want this Bronze Star to represent the teams I am a part of."

TACP service members honored at Colorado Springs Veterans Memorial

by Michael Golembesky
21st Space Wing Public Affairs staff writer

7/16/2013 - PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Bagpipes played in the background July 5 as two Airmen slowly lifted the white cloth covering a marble block with a single word etched on top, TACP. It was the first opportunity for the family members of the fallen Airmen to see their loved ones' names engraved in stone on a new memorial in Colorado Springs' Memorial Park.

The six names listed on the front of the marble block represent the lives and sacrifices of those air controllers and support members who selflessly gave their all during the Afghanistan and Iraq Wars. The Tactical Air Control Party Memorial is co-located with the Forward Air Controllers Memorial, which also received an additional name during the ceremony.

The names that are remembered on the new TACP Memorial include:
Maj. Gregory Stone, 124th Air Support Operations Squadron (OIF)
Staff Sgt. Jacob Frazier, 169th Air Support Operations Squadron (OEF)
Airman 1st Class Raymond Losano, 14th Air Support Operations Squadron (OEF)
Master Sgt. Steven Auchman, 5th Air Support Operations Squadron (OIF)
Senior Airman Bradley Smith, 10th Air Support Operations Squadron (OEF)
Maj. David Gray, 13th Air Support Operations Squadron (OEF)

The name of Lt. Col. Andrew Matyas, 22nd Tactical Air Support Squadron (Vietnam), was added to the FAC Memorial.

Guest speaker Col. Samuel Milam, 93rd Air Ground Operations Wing commander, Moody AFB, Ga., talked to the audience about the heavy burden of responsibility that these men willingly accepted.

"They do the same things that Army and Marines do on the ground, hauling 70 pound rucks, sometimes jumping out of the back of airplanes and then they have to fuse in the Air Force piece of controlling aircraft to put bombs precisely on to a target," said Milam.

"We have been able to build a very tight relationship with the Army that was not necessarily there before 9/11. We have gained that trust and integrated very well with our ground counterparts," said Milam when speaking about the unique relationship that the Army and Air Force share on today's battlefield.

The TACP community only accepts the absolute best, both physically and mentally, into their ranks. With an attrition rate of nearly 50 percent, the graduates of the TACP School located at Hurlburt Field, Fla., go on to become the "face of the Air Force" to many supported units throughout the Army.

"It's difficult, but it is that way for a reason. These guys have to carry all of the things that infantrymen have to. Plus radios, batteries and all of the other gear that goes a long with doing their job every day," said Lt. Col. Cory Jeffers, 13th Air Support Operations Squadron commander located at Fort Carson, Colo.

"They go out and get the job done. Some of these men get selected to be part of Special Operations and will go along with the unit as the soul Air Force guy. It is incredible; these are super high caliber individuals," said Jeffers.

The fallen Airmen being honored at the memorial are the first to have their names placed alongside their Vietnam War era predecessors.

"The controller mission has evolved, they represent the next generation of controllers," Jeffers said.

Navy Unveils New Initiatives in Battle Against Sexual Assaults

Navy News Service

WASHINGTON, July 18, 2013 – Navy leaders have announced their newest sexual assault prevention initiatives in a message and a policy letter designed to continue the service’s battle against this crime.
Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert, chief of naval operations, outlined additional fleet initiatives from the San Diego fleet concentration area, and Fleet Training Center Great Lakes, Ill., and directed the rest of the fleet to implement some of the best practices proven to help in combating sexual assault in the Navy.

Greenert named Rear Adm. Sean S. Buck, director of the 21st Century Sailor Office, to direct the Navywide implementation of effort.

"Everyone, from [seaman recruit to admiral], must take responsibility for promoting a climate of dignity and respect and an environment that does not demean individuals or tolerate sexist behavior, sexual harassment or sexual assault," Buck said. "The execution of the sexual assault prevention and response initiatives across the fleet is an imperative that I believe will have an impact on reducing, with the goal of eliminating, the crime of sexual assault from our Navy."

The new initiatives are part of the Navy's ongoing efforts to provide for the safety and security of every sailor, the admiral said.

"We also are emphasizing other programs like Keep What You Earn and Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions to help our people understand the negative impact that alcohol can have on their lives and how they can support and help their shipmates make good decisions," he added.

While the programs and initiatives are primarily focused on prevention, they also serve as a deterrent and reinforce commanders’ responsibility for victim support, Buck noted.

"Commanders have the responsibility for ensuring victims of sexual assault are supported, provided options in accordance with Department of Defense guidance,” he said, “and that the allegations will be independently investigated and offenders held appropriately accountable."

The initiatives, to be implemented by Oct. 1, include increasing leadership visibility with roving barracks patrols led by chief petty officers or experienced officers, and augmented with first class petty officers to deter behavior that may lead to sexual assault or misconduct.

Also the Navy will assign dedicated sexual assault prevention and response officers -- lieutenant commander or above -- to U.S. Fleet Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. Naval Forces Europe, Naval Surface Forces, Naval Submarine Forces, Naval Air Forces, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Naval Expeditionary Combat Command, the Navy’s four systems commands and U.S. Fleet Cyber Command who will report directly to their respective commander.

In addition, the Navy will deploy resilience counselors to CVN and LHD/LHA commands by the end of fiscal year 2014. These counselors will be dedicated civilian professionals with sexual assault response coordinator training, certification and credentials, and they will be able to take restricted and unrestricted reports of sexual assault.

The counselors will deploy with carrier strike groups, expeditionary strike groups and amphibious ready groups to provide services, support and coordination for sexual assault prevention and response and continuity of care for suicide prevention, stress reduction and other situations.

Additionally, the latest initiatives include implementing best practices from fleet concentration areas throughout the fleet and revising alcohol sales policies at Navy exchanges worldwide.

Changes in liquor sales will be implemented over the next 90 days. Liquor will be sold only at main exchanges or at dedicated package stores, and the footprint of alcohol displays and merchandise in stores other than package stores will be no more than 10 percent of the retail floor space. NEX facilities also will make single-use alcohol detection devices available to customers.

The new initiatives also direct commands to ensure all sailors residing in barracks attend indoctrination training within 30 days of occupancy.

To reduce vulnerability of sailors while walking on base, commanders will survey facilities to identify areas that require better lighting, visibility or other safety improvements.

Each Navy installation and fleet concentration area will have a senior flag officer designated to lead the area sexual assault prevention and response program. This flag officer will establish routine coordination meetings with installation, local command representatives and local community and civic leaders to review program efforts.

Duties also will include ensuring a community outreach and engagement plan is part of each area's program. The plan must include base and region commander cooperation, coordination and consultation with local law enforcement, hospitals and hotels.

"Ensuring a command climate of respect, trust and professionalism is critical to combating sexual assault," Buck said. To this end, he added, commands must review their compliance with command climate surveys, ensuring one is conducted within 90 days of a new commanding officer assuming command and every 12 months thereafter.

Also, commanders must ensure they have briefed their immediate superior on their most recent command climate assessment using the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute Organizational Climate Survey, including a plan of action and milestones for corrective actions.

2 SOPS' GPS operations center answers firefighting call

by Scott Prater
Schriever Sentinel

7/17/2013 - SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo.  -- Capt. Tim Bouma, Army Space Support Team 27 operations officer, stood in the midst of the West Fork wildfire June 25 when he noticed firefighters on the ground having trouble getting accurate position readings from their commercial GPS receivers.

With the fire burning out of control and threatening the town of South Fork, Bouma knew just who to call.

He contacted the GPS Operations Center here and asked for assistance.
The GPSOC members jumped into action immediately and began providing analysis products to Bouma the same day.

"First, we needed to figure out why firefighters were having trouble getting accurate GPS signals," said Steve Tanksley, GPSOC lead mission analyst. "From there, we then determined the best and most useful product for the users."

The GPSOC team determined mountainous terrain and trees were interfering with the GPS signal, so they produced analysis, which indicated "dead spots" on a map for firefighters.

"We know where the satellites are on orbit at any given time, so based on that knowledge, we were able to determine the areas where signals could be interrupted," said 1st Lt. Carson Cleveland, 2nd Space Operations Squadron, Weapons and Tactics Flight officer. "Using the product we provided, firefighters were able to move constantly to areas where they could receive signals."

The information proved invaluable to firefighters on the ground.

"They had pilots in the air ready to drop slurry on the fire, but they needed accurate GPS coordinates to relay to those pilots," Tanksley said. "They were also cutting fire lines and coordinating teams on the ground, so they needed the most accurate picture of the area they could get."

The GPSOC provided firefighters with GPS prediction charts of the wildfire area near Pagosa Springs, Colo., every day from June 26 through July 3 and even developed post-event analysis the following week.

To date, the West Fork Fire Complex has burned more than 109,000 acres and is 50 percent contained.

"Considering we have members of our team here who were evacuated from the Black Forest fire area, helping to fight the West Fork wildfire had a special significance for us," Tanksley said. "Sometimes we don't get feedback on the effects we provide, but with this project, we could simply watch the news and know that we contributed to the firefighting effort."

Providing charts, graphs, analysis and support to people in dire circumstances is nothing new for the GPSOC. Bouma knew just who to call because ARSST teams have routinely asked for GPSOC support when conducting warfighting operations in Afghanistan.

"They are our regular customers," Tanksley said. "They know us and they know what we can provide. For us, these types of supports are exciting. It's satisfying to know we're helping warfighters prevent IED [improvised explosive device] explosions. Now to know we're helping pilots drop slurry on wildfires in our own community is extra gratifying."

Soldier Missing from Korean War Identified

The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced today that the remains of a serviceman, missing from the Korean War, have been identified and have been returned to his family for burial with full military honors.

Army Sgt. Bernard J. Fisher of Wilkes Barre, Pa., was buried July 16, in Arlington National Cemetery.  In January 1951, Fisher and elements of Company L, 3rd Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment (IR), 24th Infantry Division (ID), were deployed northeast of Seoul, South Korea, where they were attacked by enemy forces. During the 19th IR attempt to delay the enemy forces from advancing, Fisher and his unit moved towards a more defensible position, when the unit suffered heavy losses.  It was during this attack, that Fisher was reported missing. 

In July 1951, the U.S. Army Graves Registration recovered the remains of four men north of Shaha-dong, near Seoul, South Korea.  The remains were buried in the United Nation Cemetery at Tanggok, South Korea, and were disinterred and transferred to the U.S. Army’s Central Identification Unit in Kokura, Japan for laboratory analysis.

During the analysis the remains of three men could not be positively identified. In March 1955, a military review board declared the remains of the fourth to be unidentifiable.  The unidentified remains were transferred to Hawaii, where they were interred as “unknown” at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, also known as the “Punchbowl.”   

In 2012, U.S. officials reevaluated Fisher’s records and determined that with advances in technology, the unknown remains could likely be identified.  Following the reevaluation, the decision was made to exhume the remains for scientific analysis identification. 

In the identification of the remains, scientists from the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) used circumstantial evidence and forensic identification tools, such as dental comparison and chest radiograph – which matched Fisher’s records.

Using modern technology, identifications continue to be made from remains that were previously turned over by North Korean officials.  Today, more than 7,900 Americans remain unaccounted for from the Korean War. 

For additional information on the Defense Department’s mission to account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO web site at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo or call 703-699-1420.

Air Force Will Discharge Sexual Assault Offenders

By Air Force Staff Sgt. David Salanitri
Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

WASHINGTON, July 18, 2013 – Airmen who commit sexual assaults will be discharged, and senior commanders must review actions taken on sexual assault cases under new Air Force initiatives that took effect recently.

Air Force Capt. Allison DeVito, chief of victim issues and policy branch for the Air Force judge advocate general, said both recent changes are part of the Air Force's initiative to combat sexual assault and to foster mutual respect and dignity among airmen.

When combined with existing programs, the Air Force's efforts to end sexual assault and support those who report it have been increasing significantly throughout the past year, DeVito said. At the same time, she added, the Air Force is experiencing a surge in its prosecution rates for sexual assault, reflecting results similar to those in the other services.

As of July 2, commanders must initiate administrative discharge processing for any airman -- officer or enlisted -- found to have committed a sexual assault offense after completing any disciplinary action.
This new requirement, which covers a wide range of sex offenses, is triggered by a finding that the airman committed the offense, DeVito said.

Once a commander has information alleging that an airman has committed a sexual assault offense, the commander must promptly refer the case to the Air Force Office of Special Investigations. If the commander believes that the evidence uncovered in the investigation substantiates the allegation, then the commander will take appropriate criminal or administrative action, and following that, must process the offender for administrative discharge, she explained.

In addition to the recent policy change, DeVito said, a new provision explicitly states that an airman who engaged in an unprofessional relationship while serving in a special position of trust -- such as a recruiter or military training instructor -- also is subject to administrative discharge. Airmen who are involuntarily separated from the Air Force under these provisions may receive a discharge under "other than honorable" conditions, DeVito said.

Another change to the discharge process requires that airmen be advised of their right to request review by a general officer. The case can be reviewed if an airman believes the commander's recommendation for involuntary separation was initiated in retaliation for having made an unrestricted report of a sexual assault within the previous 12 months.

This change eliminates the perception that an airman who reports a sexual assault may be subject to discharge simply for reporting, DeVito said.

In addition, a June 27 directive issued by the undersecretary of the Air Force directed that any commander who makes a disciplinary decision regarding an airman who commits a sexual assault must report that decision to the servicing general court-martial convening authority, a general officer, who then will review the intended disposition and take any further action deemed appropriate.

This change also requires that the general court-martial convening authority must review the case and its disposition after all disciplinary and administrative action is completed and must report the actions taken in the case to AFOSI in writing. Upon receipt of this report of command action, AFOSI will close out the investigative file by attaching a copy of the report of command action to the case file.

DeVito said that, to date, 369 service members, of which are mostly airmen, have received legal services from an Air Force special victims counsel. The SVCs attend interviews by AFOSI, the prosecution and defense counsel. They also attend trials with the victim-client, assisting victims in obtaining expedited transfers, and helping victims receive military protective orders to ensure the assailant does not contact the victim except as needed to prepare for trial. The Air Force is the only service providing SVCs to service members, DeVito said.

"Sexual assault has no place in our Air Force," said Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, Air Force chief of staff. "We live in a culture of respect. We cherish our core values of integrity, service, and excellence. But in order to ensure all airmen experience and benefit from those values, we must eliminate sexual assault in our ranks."

Dempsey, Winnefeld Discuss Syria at Confirmation Hearing

By Nick Simeone American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, July 18, 2013 – The chairman and vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told the Senate Armed Services Committee today that momentum in Syria’s civil war appears to have shifted in favor of President Bashar Assad, but they declined to say what recommendations they have given the president regarding possible U.S. military intervention. Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey and Navy Adm. James A. Winnefeld Jr. were asked about the situation in Syria and possible U.S. intervention during a hearing called to consider their nominations to serve two more years as the nation’s top military officers. “Currently, the tide seems to have shifted in [Assad’s] favor,”= Dempsey said, with Winnefeld adding, “If I were to have to pick who’s winning, it would be the regime, but not by much.” Dempsey said the military has provided President Barack Obama with options for Syria and that the administration is deliberating over whether to use “kinetic strikes” against Syrian targets. However, he said, it would be inappropriate “to render an opinion in public about what kind of force we should use,” pledging that as the military considers options, he will articulate whether he thinks they’ll be effective and what the risks would be for U.S. forces. Dempsey said unless the momentum in the two-year Syrian civil war shifts, the chances for a negotiated settlement appear remote. Both military leaders agreed that a decision by Russia -- a major weapons supplier and Syria’s largest ally outside the region -- to stop supporting Assad would be a “game changer.” But the Syrian leader, Winnefeld said, is going to “fight to the death,” and he predicted Assad will still be in power a year from now if Russia, Iran and Hezbollah continue to support him. After determining in June that pro-Assad forces had used chemical weapons, including sarin gas, on their opponents, the Obama administration announced that it would supply the resistance with small arms. But Dempsey expressed reluctance about any option that seeks to simply better equip the rebels, noting this could cause the situation to deteriorate further. “This opposition has to not only be prepared militarily, but it has to be prepared if it achieves a position of governance inside of Syria,” he said. Dempsey said the consequences of Syria’s civil war are having a destabilizing effect on the region, agreeing with the assessment of one member of the panel that the influx of tens of thousands of Syrian refuges in Jordan could soon threaten the rule of King Abdalllah. He noted that the conflict already has destabilized western Iraq. Ultimately, Dempsey told the committee, any decision by the United States to use military force in Syria rests with the president. “We’ve given him options,” the chairman said. “The members of this committee have been briefed on them in a classified setting. We’ve articulated the risk.”

Sailor Missing from Vietnam War Identified

The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced today that the remains of a serviceman, missing from the Vietnam War, have been identified and have been returned to his family for burial with full military honors.

Navy Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Michael B. Judd of Cleveland was buried on July 15, in Arlington National Cemetery.  On June 30, 1967, Judd was aboard a CH-46A Sea Knight helicopter that was attempting to insert a U.S. Marine Corps reconnaissance team into hostile territory in Thua Thien-Hue Province, Vietnam.  As the helicopter approached the landing zone, it was struck by enemy fire from the surrounding tree line, causing the aircraft to catch fire.  The aircraft crashed landed.  Although most of the reconnaissance team to survived, Judd and four other crew members of the team, died in the crash.

n 1993, joint U.S./Socialist Republic of Vietnam (S.R.V.) teams investigated the case in Thua Thien-Hue Province.  The team interviewed local villagers who claimed to have discovered an aircraft crash site in the nearby forest while searching for firewood in 1991.  The team surveyed the location finding aircraft wreckage that could not be associated with a CH-46A.

During the 1990s, joint U.S./ S.R.V. teams continued to investigated the loss in Thua Thien-Hue Province.  In 1999, the team interviewed the same local villagers who provide relevant case information and the joint team surveyed the crash site again, this time uncovering aircraft wreckage consistent with a U.S. military helicopter.

In 2012, joint U.S./ S.R.V. recovery teams began excavating the crash site and recovered human remains and aircraft wreckage from the CH-46A helicopter that Judd was aboard. 

Scientists from the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL) used forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence, including dental comparisons in the identification of Judd remains. 

For additional information on the Defense Department’s mission to account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO web site at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo or call 703-699-1420.

Bold Tigers return to sky

by Airman 1st Class Brittany A. Chase
366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

7/18/2013 - MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho -- The 391st Fighter Squadron resumed flying July 17 after budget cuts required the squadron to stand down April 8.

The restored flying hour program represents Congressional action on the $1.8 billion overseas contingency operations reprogramming decision, making peacetime dollars available. The Air Force Council has approved the use of $423 million of those dollars to restore flying hours for affected units.

The money restores vital training and test operations for the combat fleet across the Air Force for the remainder of fiscal year 2013. This impacts not only MHAFB but other Air Combat Command units.

The return to the skies means a return to crucial training and development for Airmen.

"Returning to flying is an important first step but what we have ahead of us is a measured climb to recovery," said Air Combat Command Commander, Gen. Mike Hostage. "Our country counts on the U.S. Air Force to be there when needed--in hours or days, not weeks or months. A fire department doesn't have time to 'spin up' when a fire breaks out, and we don't know where or when the next crisis will break out that will require an immediate Air Force response."

The restoration of flying hours only addresses the next two-and-a-half months of flying. With hours restored until the end of FY13, the Bold Tigers will continue training in order to stay combat ready.

"Since our grounding we have worked tirelessly to sustain a limited degree of tactical proficiency," said Lt. Col. Richard Dickens, 391st Fighter Squadron commander. "Unfortunately, nothing replaces the experience of actual flying training, which will regain the combat readiness our nation expects and demands."

Airmen will be able to progress in training as the Fighter Squadron takes to the skies.

"Many of our newest controllers have been placed in a stop-training status awaiting an increase in traffic," Dickens said. "The only way to restore normal career progression and reduce the massive training backlog for our incredibly talented support personnel is to resume flying."

Although the 391st FS does not know what's in store for FY13, they're happy about the hours they've received.

"The 391st Bold Tigers are incredibly excited to start flying again," said Dickens. "In the true spirit of the Gunfighters, the Bold Tigers are prepared for this challenge to return to the skies."


"This decision gets us through the next several months but not the next several years," Hostage said. "While this paints a clearer picture for the remainder of FY13, important questions remain about FY14 and beyond. Budget uncertainty makes it difficult to determine whether we'll be able to sustain a fully combat-ready force."

Furthermore, the reinstallation of hours comes at a cost to future capabilities, including reduced investment in the recapitalization and modernization of the combat fleet.

"We are using investment dollars to pay current operational bills, and that approach is not without risk to our long-term effectiveness," Hostage said. "We can't mortgage our future. America relies on the combat airpower we provide, and we need to be able to continue to deliver it."

(Editor's Note: Information from this story was collected from ACC's Combat air forces to resume flying at http://www.acc.af.mil/news/story_print.asp?id=123355835)

Biden: Asia-Pacific Rebalance Promotes Prosperity, Security

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, July 18, 2013 – Emphasizing that economic development and peace and stability are intertwined, Vice President Joe Biden said today the goal of the increased U.S. focus and engagement in the Asia-Pacific region is to make it not only more secure, but more prosperous as well.

Biden spoke to a Center for American Progress forum at George Washington University before leaving next week for economic and strategy discussions in India and Singapore.

The security the United States has provided over the past 60 years “has enabled the region’s people to turn their talents and hard work into an economic miracle,” Biden said. “Now, we want to hasten the emergence of an Asia-Pacific order that delivers prosperity for all the nations involved.”

The U.S. rebalance to the Asia-Pacific region reflects the importance of a region that, despite remarkable promise, struggles with uncertainty and risk, the vice president said. “We are focused on the risks of disruption of commerce, proliferation, humanitarian disasters, conflict between nations and the persistent threat caused by North Korea,” he told the audience.

Standing up to these challenges, he said, requires strong alliances, institutions and partnerships that tie regional countries together so they work together toward goals that benefit all. They also promote understanding and avenues for countries to peacefully resolve differences, he said.

Toward this end, the United States wants to be a partner in creating “21st-century rules of the road” that would clarify acceptable international behavior, Biden said. Such rules would extend from economic to security issues, benefitting “not only the United States and the region, but the world as a whole,” he said.

Recognizing maritime disputes in the South China Sea, Biden urged China and the Association of South East Asian Nations to work more closely toward a code of conduct that establishes universally acceptable standards of international behavior.

“That means no intimidation, no coercion, no aggression and a commitment from all parties to reduce the risk of mistakes and miscalculation,” he said. “It is in everyone’s interest that there be freedom of navigation, unimpeded lawful commerce, respect for international laws and norms and a peaceful resolution of territorial disputes.”

Biden also cited broad agreement that North Korea’s nuclear missile program “presents a clear and present danger to stability,” particularly in East Asia. The United States is working closely with Japan, South Korea, China and Russia to get North Korea to stop these activities, he said.

The vice president also expressed the U.S. willingness to engage directly with North Korea – but only, he emphasized, if agrees to “genuine” negotiations and commits to giving up its nuclear ambitions.
“North Korea can have peace and prosperity like the rest of the region, but only without nuclear weapons,” he said. “We are open to engaging with any nation that is prepared to live up to its international obligations.”

As the United States expands its engagement in the region, Biden called its long-standing alliances with Japan, South Korea, Australia, the Philippines and Thailand the cornerstones of the strategy. “Across the board, with these alliances, we are at a high-water mark in terms of cooperation between our leaders, both military and political, and the support of our people,” he said.

He emphasized, however, that the rebalance does not mean the United States is losing its focus on the Middle East and Europe.

“We are not leaving Europe,” he said. “Europe remains the cornerstone of our engagement with the rest of the world. That is a fact. We are not going anywhere.

“As a matter of fact,” he continued, “we are absolutely convinced that our engagement in the Pacific is in the overwhelming self-interest of Europe. Europe, just like the United States, will benefit greatly as well from stability in the Pacific.”

Cheyenne Mountain gets new commander

7/16/2013 - CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN AIR FORCE STATION, Colo. – Col. Chris Crawford (left), 21st Space Wing commander, passes the 721st Mission Support Group guidon to Lt. Col. Travis Harsha July 11 at the Cheyenne Mountain AFS Minuteman Park. The 721st MSG, located at Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, operates, maintains, secures, sustains, mobilizes, tests, and controls the worldwide warning and surveillance system for North America, normally referred to as the Integrated Tactical Warning and Attack Assessment (ITW/AA) weapon system. Harsha is the CMAFS installation commander and 721st MSG commander. He takes over from outgoing commander Col. Joseph Turk who is retiring. (U.S. Air Force photo/Robb Lingley)

Refueling the Spirit

by Capt. Zach Anderson
931st Air Refueling Group Public Affairs

7/16/2013 - MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- A B-2 Spirit assigned to the 509th Bomb Wing, Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., closes in on the refueling boom of a KC-135 Stratotanker from McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., during an air refueling training mission, July 15, 2013. The KC-135 was being operated by an aircrew from the Air Force Reserve 18th Air Refueling Squadron, 931st Air Refueling Group, at McConnell. 

Citizen Airmen from the 931st routinely conduct air refueling training missions in order to maintain proficiency in air refueling operations.  Air refueling acts as a force extender and a force multiplier, and allows the Air Force to project its reach around the globe.

The KC-135 Stratotanker provides the core aerial refueling capability for the United States Air Force and has excelled in this role for more than 50 years.