90th SFG trains to counter active shooters

by Airman 1st Class Jason Wiese
90th Missile Wing Public Affairs

9/24/2013 - F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- The recent Washington Navy Yard Shooting made Americans worried once again about the threat of active shooters. Events like the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, the Aurora theater shooting and Sikh temple shooting, all of which occurred just last year, prove time and time again the need for well-trained law enforcement officials who can stop active shooters and save lives.

F.E. Warren Air Force Base has in its ranks defenders who train to respond to that kind of situation.

Airmen from across the 90th Security Forces Group received training Sept. 19 from 90th Security Support Squadron training instructors and the 90th SFG Tactical Response Force in the TRF shoothouse to counter an active-shooter threat.

People hear about active-shooter situations all the time, and they are something the 90th SFG takes very seriously, said Staff Sgt. Nathaniel Giblin, 90th SSPTS training instructor.

Ninetieth SFG defenders train in many aspects of law enforcement, but given the current social climate, perhaps some of the most important training is in defending the base populous against an active shooter, Giblin said.

Security forces Airmen took turns going through training scenarios learning the proper way to enter potentially dangerous areas and counter threats while remaining cool under pressure.

Since real-world active shooter scenarios are tense and emotional, it may be hard for first responders to react appropriately without training, Giblin said. This is the main reason for the training: it allows first responders to rely on training during a time when their decision-making capabilities may be compromised.

The need for modern tacitcs arose after those used by law enforcement officials during the Columbine High School shooting of 1999, tactics that were standard for law enforcement at the time, failed to prevent the murder of 12 people, Giblin said. The tactics used now are designed to reduce the threat to people targeted by active shooters.

There has been a large training push within the Air Force to coordinate training with outside law enforcement agencies such as local police and the FBI, including training to deal with active shooters; in a real active-shooter scenario, several law enforcement agencies would get involved, Giblin said.

It helps the intermingling of defenders with other agencies, said Staff Sgt. Glen Brott, 90th SFG TRF.

Airman 1st Class Nicholas Diamond, 90th Missile Security Forces Squadron, was one of dozens of defenders who participated in the Sept. 19 training.

"It was really good training," he said. "The training we got here we can also take out to the field with us."

Airmen in the TRF would be the main, SWAT-like response to active shooters on base, but it would take time for them to arrive on-scene, Brott said. All defenders on base are trained to handle active-shooter situations because non-TRF security forces personnel are more likely to be the first responders on scene.

"Everyone is conducting the training to get better together," Giblin said. "It boosts confidence."

In an active-shooter situation, confidence in their training can mean the difference between life and death for the defenders, Giblin said.

"It's like a boxer," Brott said. "If he goes into the match feeling confident, he is much more likely to win."

Face of Defense: All-Army Wrestler Sets Sights on Olympics

By Army Sgt. Tamika Dillard
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division

FORT RILEY, Kan., Sept. 24, 2013 – Army Capt. William “Billy” Simpson learned from an early age to never give up on his dreams. With that always on his mind, his dream to become a soldier and a world-class wrestler is now a reality.

Army Capt. William “Billy” Simpson, a field artillery officer with 1st Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, competed in his first Armed Forces Freestyle Wrestling Tournament, March 16-17, at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. Simpson along with his teammates was awarded the Armed Forces Freestyle Wrestling Championship. Simpson also named the 2013 All-Army Freestyle Champion. U.S. Army photo   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

Simpson, a field artillery officer with 1st Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division was recently accepted into the U.S. Army’s World Class Athlete Program. He will receive the support and training to compete and succeed in national and international competitions including the Olympic Games, while maintaining a professional military career and promoting the U.S. Army to the world.

Simpson worked toward this his whole life.

“My dad was a wrestling coach,” Simpson, a native of Belleview, Tenn., said. “He made sure my brothers and I could wrestle by the time we could walk. Every time we would play a game or a sport around the house, it always turned into a wrestling match.”

As Simpson got older, his love for wrestling grew -- to the point he begged his father to let him compete.

“When my brother reached the age where he could wrestle, my father became his coach,” he said. “I would be there for every match, just screaming and yelling for him. Afterwards I would ask my dad how much longer I had until I could wrestle.”

Finally the day came when Simpson took part in his first competition.
“I was in the sixth grade when I had my first match,” he said. “I went into the match more experienced and so I had much success. The thrill, excitement and full body exhaustion from my first match set the stage for me … from that point on, I knew I wanted to do this as long as I could.”

Simpson continued to wrestle through junior high and high school with the goal of one day becoming an elite freestyle wrestler, but he had an even bigger dream in mind: becoming a soldier.

“When my big brother said he was joining the military, I was excited,” he said. “On top of that, he received a wrestling scholarship from West Point. After witnessing this, I knew what my plans were going to be.”

Simpson was accepted into the United States Military Academy Preparatory School at West Point in 2004 on a wrestling scholarship. After finishing West Point Prep in 2005 he went on to graduate from West Point in 2009.

Simpson competed in more than 80 matches during his time at the military academy, but one match sticks out.

“My most unforgettable fight was during my sophomore year at West Point, he said. “I entered into the New York State Tournament as an unranked competitor but I made it to the finals where I was to wrestle the No. 10 ranked wrestler in the country.”

Simpson described the final minutes of the match, in which he was considered a major underdog.
“I knew I was going to have to give it my all, plus more, to beat this guy,” he said. “At about 30 seconds left in the match, I realized we were tied but I was on top of him. I decided to risk the competition by letting him up in the hopes of bringing him back down before the clock ran out.”
The match went down to the wire.

“We were going back and forth until we went out of bounds with eight seconds left on the clock,” Simpson said. “When we came back in the circle, I took him down at the last second and won the match.”

Simpson was named the outstanding wrestler of that tournament, but more success was ahead.
Upon graduating from West Point as a field artillery officer in 2009, Simpson received orders for the 1st Bn., 7th F.A. Regt., 2nd ABCT, 1st Inf. Div. He deployed November 2010 for a yearlong mission to Baghdad, Iraq, in support of Operation New Dawn.

A year after returning from deployment, Simpson decided he was ready to start wrestling again.
“I was a little bit hesitant at first but I spoke with my battery commander in October 2012 about competing again,” Simpson said. “I expressed to him how I have been dreaming for an opportunity like this. Before I could blink he turned to me and asked me if I felt I had a chance at winning it and I quickly replied, ‘Yes, I do.’”

With the support of his battery commander, Capt. Ritchie Rhodes Jr., and his battalion commander, Lt. Col. John Mountford, Simpson applied and was accepted to the 2013 All-Army Freestyle Wrestling Team. He eventually walked away as the 2013 All-Army Freestyle Wrestling Champion.

After competing and winning the All-Army title, Simpson asked his chain of command if he could apply to join the World Class Athlete Program.

“Capt. Simpson came to me and mentioned that he wanted to take his wrestling career to the next level,” Rhodes said. “He told me he wanted to pursue the WCAP program and so we filled out a list of pros and cons to fully evaluate the opportunity.”

The solution did not immediately present itself.

“When we compiled the list and it came out 50/50 split, the only two questions I had left for Simpson to answer were quite simple: ‘Would you regret passing on this opportunity when you get older’ and ‘Would you tell your grandkids?’”

The answer to both questions? Yes.

Immediately after receiving notification of his acceptance into the program, Simpson received permanent orders to the WCAP unit at Fort Carson, Colo., until 2016. Through Army funding, he will receive the best-possible coaching, access to training venues, and state-of-the-art sports medicine. He will also participate in top national and international competitions including the Olympic Games and national governing body amateur championships.

Simpson said the opportunity would not have been possible without the support of his chain of command. For their support, he will continue to represent “First Lightning” by wearing the battalion T-shirts as much as he can.

“There is no greater opportunity than to be able to do what I love,” Simpson said. “The Army has given me the opportunity to remain a soldier all while training to be a professional wrestler and hopefully represent them in the Olympics.”

First unmanned QF-16 flight takes place

by 2nd Lt. Andrea Valencia
325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

9/24/2013 - TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla.  -- The QF-16 full scale aerial target's inaugural unmanned flight occurred Sept. 19.

The 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron and Boeing Co. conducted the flight, which is the first step in a two year process to phase out the QF-4 full scale aerial target.

"The QF-4 did a good job for many years, but it's time to turn the page in the aerial target program. This program will bring us into the 4th generation aircraft," said Lt. Col. Ryan Inman, 82nd ATRS commander. "And will provide us with a mission capable, very sustainable aerial target to take us into the next 10 to 20 years."

A pilot performed all normal preflight checks before climbing out of the cockpit and locking the canopy from the outside. Control was then turned over to Thomas Mudge, 82nd ATRS pilot controller, sitting in a control room on the opposite side of base. The QF-16 took off at 3 p.m. for an hour long mission profile including take off, conducting a series of simulated maneuvers and reaching supersonic speeds before returning to base and landing.

"The flight itself went very well," said Mudge. "Its performance and abilities are great and we're looking forward to this airplane."

The first QF-16 was delivered to Tyndall in November 2012 for operational and developmental testing to ensure their viability for aerial targets. The QF-16 is a supersonic reusable full-scale aerial target modified from an F16 Fighting Falcon. The emergence of U.S. 5th generation fighters such as the F-22 Raptor and the F-35 Lightning means American forces need an advanced target, similar to what they would actually find on the battle field.

"It takes it to the next generation, which now provides the shooters an aircraft that is completely a replication of current real world situations," said Inman. "The new targets will allow the Air Force and allied nations to have a realistic understanding of what they could face."

With successful testing at Tyndall complete, the targets will be now move to Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., to begin testing on an air-to-ground system. They will be part of live-fire testing before being sent back to Tyndall for operation.

The 82nd ATRS is part of the 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group, which falls under the 53rd Wing at Eglin Air Force Base. The unit operates the Department of Defense's only full-scale aerial target program, which provides Air Force, Navy, Marine and Army customers targets for developmental and operational tests.

Grissom takes flight in Bold Quest to improve battlefield communication

by Tech. Sgt. Mark R. W. Orders-Woempner
434th ARW Public Affairs

9/24/2013 - GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- By definition, a bold quest is a courageous pursuit of a valued objective, and to many servicemembers no objective could be more valued than solid battlefield communication.

Grissom Airmen endeavored upon such a pursuit to improve military communications during Bold Quest 13.2 by taking flight to refuel coalition aircraft as well as provide logistical support for a NATO E-3A Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft here Sept. 4-24.

Bold Quest is a coalition capability demonstration and assessment series held on a recurring basis. Among the technologies being demonstrated in BQ 13.2 were various types of radios, tactical data links and network equipment used to support joint fires, joint terminal attack control, personnel recovery and other missions.

"Bold Quest is an exercise that tests coordination and identification systems between airborne assets and ground troops," said Lt. Col. Edward J. Dieringer Jr., 434th Operations Support Squadron plans officer, who spearheaded Grissom's involvement in the BQ exercise.

"(We) try to get all systems to talk the same language," explained German Air Force Capt. Martin Vogt, an AWACS fighter locator. "It's not going to happen, but what you need to do is find out where you have commonalities, where you can exchange that data and where you need to improvise."

Joining U.S. military and civilian members from the four military service branches were those from Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Denmark, Finland, France, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.

The majority of BQ 13.2 was held at and over Camp Atterbury - Muscatatuck Urban Training Complex, Ind., convening warfighters, developers and analysts in a unique, problem-solving environment.

A 434th Air Refueling Wing KC-135R Stratotanker and E-3A flew out of Grissom while fighter aircraft, such as French Air Force Mirage 2000Ds, U.S. Air Force A-10C Thunderbolt IIs, U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets and U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harriers, flew out of the 122nd Fighter Wing in Fort Wayne, Ind.

Grissom's refueling operations extended the flight times of the French fighters just as they would in a real-world operation, allowing for a longer and more thorough testing and assessment of new systems, said Dieringer.

The AWACS was described by Vogt as a command post in the air that acts as a medium between headquarters and the troops on the ground. He said their mission during BQ 13.2 was to both supplement other coalition military force assets as well as experiment with communicating to those forces with a new internet protocol communication system.

"We have a IP (communications) upgrade that we'd like to test out here, where we are trying to get an IP connection into the NATO AWACS," the captain continued. "We need to make sure we can communicate with everybody on the battlefield, and IP connection, nowadays, is the media to go to to do that."

Communicating their enthusiasm, Grissom's aviators said they were excited to be a part of the joint and coalition exercise.

"This is really an awesome experience because it not only helps us keep our positive relationships with other countries, it makes sure we can operate as one team," said 1st Lt. Jason Bireley, a 72nd Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 pilot who flew during BQ 13.2 to refuel French Mirages.

And, Bireley said, operating as one joint and coalition team in an exercise environment is important because that is how real-world operations take place on the modern battlefield.

"This exercise helps iron out our flaws and gives people and heads-up as to what goes on out there in the real world," added the lieutenant, who has served since 2002 as both a KC-135 crew chief and in-flight refueling specialist before becoming a pilot.

Vogt agreed, stating that interoperability and compatibility will be key to future mission success.

"In the future it's always going to be a multi-nation operation, so you're going to have all these systems that are not normally designed to be compatible, and you want to get them to have a certain compatibility, so that you can exchange data between the different nations, between the different systems," he added.

With Grissom's piece of BQ 13.2 now complete, coalition participants can now reflect on the experience.

"This year's exercise has been successful on many levels," said Dieringer. "(We look forward to seeing) the new systems deployed with troops around the world."

To see that fully come to fruition, Vogt said there is still work to be done, but BQ 13.2 definitely set the coalition partners on the right path for success.

"People are going to go away from here saying, 'yeah, we know what we need to do, we know what we need to fix to get this thing working,'" he said.

Grissom is home to the 434th Air Refueling Wing, the largest KC-135R unit in the Air Force Reserve Command, as well as three Army Reserve units and a Marine Corps communications detachment.

Obama Urges UN to Confront Syrian Violence, Chemical Weapons

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Sept. 24, 2013 – While the world has made strides toward stability, the situation in Syria illustrates the dangers of current trends to the Middle East and the rest of the globe, President Barack Obama told world leaders at the United Nations today.

Obama spoke to the General Assembly meeting in New York this morning, giving a synopsis of the situation in Syria and how the United Nations must work to end the violence that has killed more than 100,000 people.

The Syrian civil war has escalated with the government using chemical weapons on its own people. “The international community recognized the stakes early on, but our response has not matched the scale of the challenge,” the president said. “Aid cannot keep pace with the suffering of the wounded and displaced. A peace process is stillborn.”

The crisis in Syria goes to the heart of broader challenges the international community must confront, Obama said. From North Africa to Central Asia, there is turmoil and getting these nations through this time peacefully is the challenge.

With respect to Syria, the international community “must enforce the ban on chemical weapons,” the president said.

“The evidence is overwhelming that the Assad regime used such weapons on August 21st,” Obama said. “U.N. inspectors gave a clear accounting that advanced rockets fired large quantities of sarin gas at civilians. These rockets were fired from a regime-controlled neighborhood, and landed in opposition neighborhoods. It’s an insult to human reason -- and to the legitimacy of this institution -- to suggest that anyone other than the regime carried out this attack.”

Obama initially considered launching a limited U.S. military strike against Syrian regime targets, but the United States now is testing a diplomatic solution.

“In the past several weeks, the United States, Russia and our allies have reached an agreement to place Syria’s chemical weapons under international control, and then to destroy them,” Obama said.
The Syrian government has now begun accounting for its stockpiles.

“Now there must be a strong Security Council resolution to verify that the Assad regime is keeping its commitments, and there must be consequences if they fail to do so,” Obama said. “If we cannot agree even on this, then it will show that the United Nations is incapable of enforcing the most basic of international laws.

“On the other hand, if we succeed,” he continued, “it will send a powerful message that the use of chemical weapons has no place in the 21st century, and that this body means what it says.”
If diplomacy works, it could energize a larger diplomatic effort to reach a political settlement within Syria.

“I do not believe that military action -- by those within Syria, or by external powers -- can achieve a lasting peace,” Obama said. “Nor do I believe that America or any nation should determine who will lead Syria; that is for the Syrian people to decide. Nevertheless, a leader who slaughtered his citizens and gassed children to death cannot regain the legitimacy to lead a badly fractured country. The notion that Syria can somehow return to a pre-war status quo is a fantasy.”

Obama stated that Russia and Iran must realize that insisting on Bashir al-Assad’s continued rule in Syria will lead directly to the outcome that they fear: an increasingly violent space for extremists to operate.

“In turn, those of us who continue to support the moderate opposition must persuade them that the Syrian people cannot afford a collapse of state institutions, and that a political settlement cannot be reached without addressing the legitimate fears and concerns of Alawites and other minorities,” he said.

The United States is committed to working the diplomatic track, the president said, and he urged all nations to help bring about a peaceful resolution of Syria’s civil war.

He asked U.N. members to step forward to help alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people. The United States has committed more than $1 billion to this effort, and he announced the United States will donate a further $340 million.

“No aid can take the place of a political resolution that gives the Syrian people the chance to rebuild their country, but it can help desperate people to survive,” he said.

Culture, language and negotiation experts participate at Army conference

by Jodi L. Jordan
Air Force Culture and Language Center

9/24/2013 - MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. --  -- Five culture, language and negotiation experts from the Air Force were special guests of the U.S. Army last week, offering expertise to the premier gathering of armor and infantry soldiers for the 2013 Maneuver Warfighter Conference at Fort Benning, Ga.

Faculty from the Air Force Culture and Language Center and Air Force Negotiation Center of Excellence here traveled to Fort Benning Sept. 12 to serve as panel members during the Regional Expertise and Cultural Integration Working Group, attended by nearly 200 soldiers, including service members from nine other nations. The conference was hosted by the Army's Maneuver Center of Excellence, the largest training organization in the Department of Defense.

Topics addressed in the working group included how the Army could integrate and sustain language, regional and cultural expertise, to include cross-cultural negotiations, throughout professional military education. Also discussed was how to deliver cultural training without increasing soldiers' current course loads. These topics are non-negotiable for today's soldier, according to the lead organizer of the conference.

"In today's environment, not understanding regional and cultural expertise is not an option," said Lt. Col. Trevor Robichaux, as he introduced the AFCLC panelists. "We're trying to institutionalize this here at the MCoE. Teaching soldiers how to be able to operate in any environment - a skill set that transcends any one individual culture."

AFCLC participants were Dr. Stefan Eisen, director of the Air Force NCE; Dr. Will Dulaney, AFCLC assistant professor of organizational communication; Dr. Lauren Mackenzie, AFCLC assistant professor of cross-cultural communication; Dr. Jennifer Tucker, AFCLC professor of assessment; and Zach Hickman, AFCLC Language Division chief.

Eisen, who coordinated the AFCLC's participation, said the event was a great example of pooling geographic resources to facilitate partnerships across services.

"The MCoE reached out to their Army liaison at the Air War College to see if there was in-house expertise to support the Regional Expertise and Cultural Integration Working Group, " Eisen said. "From there, we assembled a representative group that could tell the story of how the Air Force approaches what we call 'LRCN,' or language, region, culture and negotiations. Each of these components supports the concept of an adaptive Airman, able to quickly assess environment and appropriately operate to achieve mutual mission success. At the MCoE conference, we were afforded the opportunity to share our experiences with institutionalizing cross-cultural competence in the U.S. Air Force, but we also gained useful insights on the Army's approach to these concepts."

Kosovo Campaign Medal Shifts to Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal

By Amaani Lyle
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Sept. 24, 2013 – The Defense Department has announced the transition of the Kosovo Campaign Medal to the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, effective Jan. 1, 2014.

In a Sept. 19 memorandum, Acting Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Jessica L. Wright stated that the KCM recognized the significant contributions of U.S. military personnel in support of Operation Joint Guardian since 1999 as part of the NATO-led Kosovo Force.

“The contributions of U.S. military personnel have been integral to ending open hostilities and to reducing ethnic tensions, allowing for the dramatic reduction of force levels over the past decade,” Wright noted.

As smaller contingencies of U.S. forces continue to support Operation Joint Guardian and NATO headquarters in Sarajevo, the AFEM will accordingly recognize that support of operations in the Balkans, the memo states.

The AFEM area of eligibility mirrors that of the KCM, Wright explained, with the addition of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia and Hungary. The eligible area also encompasses Serbian land and airspace including Vojvodina, Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia, and U.S. Naval vessels operating in the Adriatic Sea.

The Department of Defense Manual 1348.33, Volume 2, “Manual of Military Decorations and Awards” contains specific eligibility criteria.

Obama Describes Core US Interests in the Middle East

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Sept. 24, 2013 – In a speech at the United Nations today, President Barack Obama described key United States’ interests in North Africa and the Middle East and made clear America is prepared to use force to back them up.

“The United States of America is prepared to use all elements of our power, including military force, to secure our core interests in the region,” Obama told the General Assembly in New York.

The nation, he said, will confront external aggression against allies and partners in the region.

“We will ensure the free flow of energy from the region to the world,” Obama said. While the United States is reducing its oil imports, the world still depends on Middle Eastern oil and gas. A severe disruption could destabilize the global economy.

“We will dismantle terrorist networks that threaten our people,” the president said. “Wherever possible, we will build the capacity of our partners, respect the sovereignty of nations, and work to address the root causes of terror. But when it is necessary to defend the United States against terrorist attack, we will take direct action.”

And, the United States will not tolerate the development or use of weapons of mass destruction. “Just as we consider the use of chemical weapons in Syria to be a threat to our own national security, we reject the development of nuclear weapons that could trigger a nuclear arms race in the region, and undermine the global nonproliferation regime,” Obama said.

It is in U.S. interests to see a peaceful, prosperous, stable and democratic Middle East, Obama said, but the United States cannot force this.

“We can rarely achieve these objectives through unilateral American action, particularly through military action,” he said. “Iraq shows us that democracy cannot simply be imposed by force. Rather, these objectives are best achieved when we partner with the international community and with the countries and peoples of the region.”

The president illustrated the U.S. position using Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons and the Arab-Israeli conflict as examples.

“While these issues are not the cause of all the region’s problems, they have been a major source of instability for far too long, and resolving them can help serve as a foundation for a broader peace,” Obama said.

The United States and Iran have not had diplomatic relations since 1979. Mistrust between the two nations has developed over the years.

“This mistrust has deep roots,” the president said. “Iranians have long complained of a history of U.S. interference in their affairs and of America’s role in overthrowing an Iranian government during the Cold War. On the other hand, Americans see an Iranian government that has declared the United States an enemy and directly -- or through proxies -- taken American hostages, killed U.S. troops and civilians, and threatened our ally Israel with destruction.”

Resolving the issue of Iranian pursuit of nuclear weapons could go a long way toward an improved relationship between the two countries, Obama said.

The United States is resolved to not allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons. “We are not seeking regime change and we respect the right of the Iranian people to access peaceful nuclear energy,” the president said. “Instead, we insist that the Iranian government meet its responsibilities under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and U.N. Security Council resolutions.”

On the Iranian side, the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Hoseini-Khamenei has issued a fatwa against the development of nuclear weapons, and new Iranian President Hasan Rouhani has just recently reiterated that the Islamic Republic will never develop a nuclear weapon.

“These statements made by our respective governments should offer the basis for a meaningful agreement,” Obama said. “We should be able to achieve a resolution that respects the rights of the Iranian people, while giving the world confidence that the Iranian program is peaceful. But to succeed, conciliatory words will have to be matched by actions that are transparent and verifiable. After all, it's the Iranian government’s choices that have led to the comprehensive sanctions that are currently in place. And this is not simply an issue between the United States and Iran.”

The president has directed Secretary of State John Kerry to pursue this effort with the Iranian government in close cooperation with the European Union, Russia and China.

The conflict between the Palestinians and Israel is also a flashpoint that needs to be dampened, the president said. “I’ve made it clear that the United States will never compromise our commitment to Israel’s security, nor our support for its existence as a Jewish state,” he said.

The United States also remains committed to the belief that the Palestinian people have a right to live with security and dignity in their own sovereign state, he said.

Now is the time for the entire international community to get behind the pursuit of peace in the area, Obama said. Israeli and Palestinian leaders are meeting. Current talks are focused on final status issues of borders and security, refugees and Jerusalem.

“So now the rest of us must be willing to take risks as well,” the president said. “Friends of Israel, including the United States, must recognize that Israel’s security as a Jewish and democratic state depends upon the realization of a Palestinian state, and we should say so clearly. Arab states, and those who supported the Palestinians, must recognize that stability will only be served through a two-state solution and a secure Israel.”

The nations of the world must recognize that peace will be a powerful tool to defeat extremists throughout the region, and embolden those who are prepared to build a better future, Obama said.
Real breakthroughs on the Iranian nuclear program and Palestinian-Israeli peace would have a profound and positive impact on the entire Middle East and North Africa, the president said.

“But the current convulsions arising out of the Arab Spring remind us that a just and lasting peace cannot be measured only by agreements between nations,” he said. “It must also be measured by our ability to resolve conflict and promote justice within nations. And by that measure, it’s clear that all of us have a lot more work to do.”

Austin: Understanding Region Vital to Addressing Centcom Challenges

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Sept. 24, 2013 – Take a look at the globe, and one would be hard pressed to come up with a region as dynamic and unpredictable as the U.S. Central Command area of operations -- but also as vital to U.S. national security interests.

“The Middle East is an incredibly complex, dynamic and volatile area,” said Army Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, who assumed command in March with responsibility for overseeing U.S. military operations in most of the Middle East as well as Southwest Asia.

“It is also one of the most strategically important regions of the world and one that merits our focus and attention and continued efforts,” Austin said.

Complicating those efforts, he told American Forces Press Service via an email interview, is a laundry list of conflicts and other situations that he acknowledged present “significant challenges.”

Amidst this volatility, Austin and the Centcom staff must remain postured to respond to military crises, if required, while at the same time working in tandem with regional partners and U.S. diplomats to carry out U.S. strategy in the region.

This dual-pronged approach requires a clear-eyed recognition of not only activities causing instability in the region, but also their underlying causes.

“Key to addressing them effectively is understanding what is driving the behavior,” Austin said. “The fact is, there are a number of underlying currents that are causing much of the violence and discord.”

Among them is a growing ethno-sectarian divide that, if it continues on its current path, Austin warned “could result in a decade-long conflict that stretches from Beirut to Damascus to Baghdad to Bahrain.”
Meanwhile, the struggle continues between radical Islamists and moderates in Egypt and other parts of the region.

“We are also witnessing a rejection of oppressive governments and corruption, primarily through populist movements characteristic of the Arab Spring,” he said.

Austin identified another current, referred to as the “youth bulge.” Almost 65 percent of the region’s population is under age 30, and many are frustrated by a perceived lack of opportunity.

“The growing population of educated, yet largely unemployed and idle young people is choosing to express general dissatisfaction through social uprisings and other forms of violence,” Austin said.
The Arab Awakening exemplifies what can happen when these factors converge.

Austin said he is amazed that the Arab Spring began with a Tunisian vegetable merchant self-immolated in protest and, with the power of social media, has spread throughout the Middle East.

“Many thought early on that the Arab Spring represented a march toward democracy,” he said. “We now realize that’s not the case. In most instances, it represents a desire for representative government and rejection of authoritarian rule and corruption.”

In many ways, social media and the Internet have opened people’s eyes to opportunities elsewhere in the world not available to them, Austin said.

“Their protests have also shown to have a significant and speedy impact,” he said. “They are proving even more effective than the ballot box in many instances.”

That’s exactly what has happened in Egypt. Dissatisfied with the government of Mohamed Morsi, elected president in June 2012, Egyptians took to the streets and demanded change. Morsi was forced from power in July.

“Unfortunately, the situation deteriorated into violence and circumstances have made it increasingly difficult for all involved to achieve peaceful reconciliation,” Austin said. “Ultimately, the hope is that the interim government and the Egyptian armed forces will work together to attain stability, adopt a new constitution and elect a government representative of all parties.”

This resolution is important not just to Egypt but to the United States and its partners in the region, Austin said. He noted Egypt’s longstanding peace treaty with Israel and its ownership of the Suez Canal.

“Egypt is an important and influential ally, and we need them to remain as stable as possible,” he said. “We have long enjoyed a strong military-to-military relationship, and I firmly believe we need to do all that we can to maintain that relationship in order to help shape outcomes for the future.”

Working with their counterparts across the U.S. interagency and regional partners, Austin said he and his staff are committed to helping defuse situations that, if not addressed, could have a destabilizing impact on the entire region and beyond.

“We are taking the necessary steps to help address the immediate conflicts, outbreaks of violence and growing tensions that exist throughout the region,” he said. “However, our ultimate goal is to ensure that we help set the right conditions to achieve positive and lasting change for the future.

“And, to do so effectively,” he continued, “we must understand what forces or core influences are generating the tensions that are behind the violence and conflicts that we’re seeing erupt with increased frequency in this most important part of the world.”

Reservist protects her country with two careers

by Master Sgt. Kelly Ogden
12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) Public Affairs

9/24/2013 - DAVIS-MONTHAN AFB, Ariz.  -- Most of the time you'll find Yvette Orellana serving as a federal police officer for the U.S. Forest Service in Santa Barbara, Calif., patrolling in her squad car, writing tickets, protecting natural resources, as well as serving her local community as a mentor to teens heading down the wrong path.

One might assume that in her offtime in federal law enforcement, she'd enjoy a quieter life reading books, walking alongside the beach or just enjoying a slower pace. Nothing could be further from the truth. In her "down-time," she trades in her police uniform for camouflage and serves as an anti-terrorism officer for 12th Air Force (Air component to U.S. Southern Command, or AFSOUTH).

"In a traditional security forces squadron I belong to a unit and would serve as either a team leader or a fire team leader," Orellana said. "Here the job is totally different, you aren't just protecting the base - you're in charge of all of the security for Department of Defense personnel in our area of responsibility (AOR)."

Tech. Sgt. Yvette Orellana, who has served in the U.S. Air Force for 11 years as both active-duty and an individual mobilization augmentee (IMA) in the security forces career field, has had several deployments and assignments that have taken her all over the world.She views her current position in the 12th AF (AFSOUTH) Force Protection Office as the best assignment to date.
Orellana says that as an Airman she didn't get to see behind the scenes and didn't always understand the operational and tactical direction she was given Time here at AFSOUTH, has opened up her eyes to the level of time, effort, and operational planning that goes into making every mission and exercise a success, she says.

For Orellana, operating as traditional squadron-level security forces versus working at the Numbered Air Force (NAF) was like night and day. The most difficult part of her job is getting people to realize that there are dangers in their environment, and practicing operational security (OPSEC) at all times.

"We do things that are for other people's own good, but they don't always see that until something bad happens," she says. "We have the responsibility of making sure everyone follows regulations and policy for equipment storage, weapons accountability and equipment accountability because if it gets stolen it falls on us."

During a recent deployment in support of New Horizons Belize, Orellana deployed for fourmonths as the anti-terrorism officer for several medical readiness training exercises where she assessed vulnerabilities on all of the schools, hospitals, hotels and restaurants, coordinated and supervised more than 50 Belizean Defence Force members. She says her favorite part of the deployment was interacting with the locals and learning their culture.

Having a father from Guatemala and being able to speak fluent Spanish assisted Orellana in removing some of the culture divided between U.S. service members and their partner nations in Central America, South America and the Caribbean. She said she was better able to create partnerships and long-lasting friendships despite the fact that male-dominated military structures in central and south America were not accustomed to working with females.

"It's a double-edged sword because some of the countries we visit have very male dominated militaries and by my position, I often have to interact with their higher echelon leaders," Orellana says. "The U.S. is very diverse in the fact that a man and woman can do the same job, and I think that we are kind of showing these other countries that if given the opportunity, a woman can succeed in any position."

5 mobility school courses held at once

by Staff Sgt. Amber R. Kelly-Herard
Air Mobility Command Public Affairs

9/24/2013 - SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill.  -- With the right combination of people and places, the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center Mobility Operations School, Detachment 2, here, held five courses at the same time simultaneously.

The schoolhouse offers 17 different curriculums to support the Air Mobility Command mission, but they had never held more than four courses congruently.

When Airmen come to a Mobility Air Forces Global Command and Control position, they go to the detachment first.

The purpose of the school house, which was established Dec. 1, 2005, is to provide the skills and knowledge to be integrated into the air mobility enterprise.

"AMC brings America to the fight - whether it be a rescue or humanitarian mission, we move the people and equipment to support the war effort," said Rudy Becker, U.S. Air Force EC Mobility Operations School director. "This school trains the people on the ground."

The five courses held include: the Global Mobility Air Operations Core Course, Global Mobility Air and Space Operations Executive Course, AMC Command Post Manager Course, Air Mobility Liaison Officer Qualification Course and the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst-based Advance Air Mobility Operations Course.

The Global Mobility Air Operations Course is an eight-day course for everyone assigned to the 618th Air and Space Operations Center (Tanker Airlift Control Center).

"This is our bread and butter," said Lt. Col. Christopher Fuller, Detachment 2's commander. "We graduate on average 210 students a year. Students range from colonels to Airmen new to the Tanker Airlift Control Center and AMC mission."

After the GMAOC, most students will attend a Global Mobility Air Operation Track which is more job-specific.

The Global Mobility Air and Space Operations Executive Course is a two-day course for senior leaders assigned to 618th AOC.

The AMC Command Post Manager Course is an introduction to the responsibilities of being a command post manager. To add to the detachment's success, recently the AMC Command Post Manager Course became the Command Post Manager Course for the Air Force.

"The functional manager sits through every course we hold. Access to the AMC Staff and functional managers is another benefit of the school being located at Scott." said Fuller, a Miami, Fla., native.

The Air Mobility Liaison Officer Qualification Course is a five-week course for MAF officers preparing to become air mobility liaisons in a joint environment.

Lastly, the Advance Air Mobility Operations Course, which is based out of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., was also held. AAMOC enhances understanding of the Air Force's air mobility capability, including how air mobility forces are organized, employed and executed to support joint mission objectives.

"We mirror the mission environment when we train so our students leave the class confident," said Becker, a Huntington, Conn., native.

New Book Provides Resilience, Mental Health Resources

From a Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences News Release

BETHESDA, Md., Sept. 23, 2013 – The Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences here has just published a new book titled, “Disaster, Disease and Distress: Resources to Promote Psychological Health and Resilience in Military and Civilian Communities.”

Available for free download on the center’s website, the book is a compilation of fact sheets and educational resources developed over a 10-year period that address important health and mental health issues of service members and their families impacted by deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, officials said.

The resources are geared toward civilian communities around the globe affected by natural and human-made disasters, such as hurricanes, earthquakes and incidents of community violence, officials added.

Experts in the fields of military and disaster psychiatry developed the fact sheets, many in the immediate aftermath of specific incidents, officials said, and many address health and mental health issues related to the risks of suicide.

The book features four sections:
-- Caring for our Nation’s Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines: The Role of Medical and Social Service Providers;
-- Military Family Health;
-- Disaster Preparedness and Response; and
-- Special Populations.

Dr. Robert J. Ursano, director of the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, said officials hope the book will have enduring value.

“Because many of the signature wounds of war -- visible and invisible -- persist and will affect individuals and families over time, and because natural disasters and public health threats endure, we believe these fact sheets will be useful and valuable to many audiences in the public and private sector for many years to come,” he said.

Muddy mavens: Reservists run dirty for a cause

by Senior Airman Meredith Thomas
315 Airlift Wing Public Affairs

9/22/2013 - JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Several members of the 315th Airlift Wing here joined forces and braved boot-camp style obstacles, biting insects and lots and lots of mud during Charleston's inaugural Dirty Girl Mud Run at Legare Farms on Johns Island Sept. 14.

Dirty Girl partners with Bright Pink - an organization dedicated to finding a cure for breast cancer - started the mud run to educate women on the risk factors and warning signs of breast and ovarian cancer.

In addition to educating women, Dirty Girl plans on donating more than $250,000 toward cancer research in 2013, according the organization's website.

Organizers of the women's-only 5K touted the experience as an untimed, non-competitive exercise in teamwork and perseverance. Participants of all fitness levels were encouraged to tackle obstacles like the "utopian tubes" tunnel crawl and the "PMS (Pretty Muddy Stuff)" mud pit.

Senior Master Sgt. Karla Rose, 315th Force Support Squadron superintendent here, saw the event as the perfect opportunity to have a great time but also show solidarity and support for cancer survivors and women currently battling the disease.

"Initially it just sounded like fun," Rose said. "But then I looked at the date and realized it was on Lisa Sweatt's birthday. She's a multiple-time cancer survivor so it just seemed right."

Rose assembled a team of 12 "Mudruckers" including Sweatt and seven reservists to tackle the 3.1-mile course.

Sweatt - the chief of Family Support with the wing - ran the race free of charge thanks to the Dirty Girl organizers who offer free registration to any cancer survivor looking to take to the mud.

Others on the team ran in honor of someone close to them who had struggled with a cancer diagnosis.

Master Sgt. Barbara Sosebee, 315th Mission Support Group career advisor, fought through a knee injury to complete the course for her friend who is currently receiving cancer treatments.

"I just prayed the night before that I would have the strength to make it through," Sosebee said. "She's in physical therapy right now to learn how to the walk to the mailbox, walk to the bathroom. I figured if she could do that, then I could do this run with a messed up leg."

Sosebee, despite spending the previous week on crutches, only had to forgo one obstacle, a military-style low crawl under a wall, due to the help of her teammates.

"It was difficult but we got each other through it," said Sosebee. "I really enjoyed the spirit of our team. We were all in it together and that's the way we are with everything."

In the end, the "Mudruckers" headed toward the finish line linked arm-in-arm and took part in one final, celebratory mud bath.

"We started as a team and we finished as a team and we laughed the whole way," said Rose.

Colorado Airmen, C-130s return from Southwest Asia

by Maj. Corinna Moylan
302nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

9/20/2013 - PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The 302nd Airlift Wing welcomed home approximately 150 Airmen Sept. 18 from a four-month deployment to Southwest Asia. The wing's Air Force Reserve and active duty personnel provided C-130 airlift support to U.S. Central Command operations.

While deployed, members of the 302nd Operations Group flew hundreds of airlift missions moving troops, wounded warriors and cargo. The deployed members of the 302nd Maintenance Group provided aircraft maintenance support ensuring fully mission capable C-130s in Southwest Asia.

"Once again this wing's Airmen have succeeded in expertly performing all aspects of a challenging airlift mission in a demanding desert environment during the extreme heat of the summer months," said Col. Jay Pittman, 302nd AW commander.

Capt. Daniel Lambrecht, a 731st Airlift Squadron pilot and wood worker in his civilian job, said that though this was his first deployment, he felt prepared.

"These guys set us up pretty well with knowing what to expect," he said. "The unit as a group worked pretty well together and nobody was left behind. We were over there as a family. We train together and fight together."

According to Lambrecht, heat, humidity, long hours, good camaraderie and a sense of fulfillment defined his deployment experience.

"We did some aeromedical evacuation missions. You leave from one of those missions and you always have a good sense of accomplishment because you are getting somebody back that needs it," he said. "We hauled a lot of people and a lot of cargo," That was the basis of a most of our missions. (We had) pretty long missions and long days and after you were done you might be tired, but you always had that sense of accomplishment and that felt good."

Lambrecht said he would do it again, but ideally, not right away.

"It was definitely worth it. I would go again, but I'll give it a little time yet to figure out who my family is again and they can do the same for me."

Lambrecht's wife and two year old son awaited his return.

"My wife looked great and got a special shirt that said 'My Airman comes home today,"" he said.

His son wore a shirt that read "Get out of my way I get my daddy back today."

"He recognized me right away because we had the opportunity to do a lot of face time while I was there. That's what's nice about today's technology and today's deployments," Lambrecht said. "They set us up with communication back home. I was still in the loop on things so coming back home wasn't too much of a shock. My son speaks English now instead of jibberish so that was different."

For Tech. Sgt. Marie Lumives, a hydraulics specialist assigned to the 302nd Maintenance Squadron, this was her second deployment.

"My job is dealing with all of the hydraulics systems on our airframe," she said. "I ended up taking over the specialist driver job so I spent most of the time driving around and helping with the launches and recoveries. That was a pretty good experience for me, stepping up in something different. It was definitely a learning experience."

According to Lumives, her unit also worked well as a team.

"We did pretty outstanding. We had AMU (Aircraft Maintenance Unit) of the month twice," she said.

Teamwork was not the only topic Lumives and Lambrecht agreed on. Heat and humidity was another common theme.

"This was a different environment. The temperatures were pretty high, usually over 100. What really got me on this deployment was the humidity," she said. "We were walking through rocks and dirt all of the time. I don't think I saw green for four months."

Lumives works in sporting goods at Walmart for her full time job. Her husband and two dogs waited for her to come home.

"I Skyped with my husband regularly. My father was deployed back in the day and it was all mail or send an e-mail once in a while," she said. "I have lots to take care of back at home now."

FMS community gathers at Robins

by Jenny Gordon
78th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

9/20/2013 - ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga.  -- The Foreign Military Sales community came together during an FMS All Call here Sep. 11, and was attended by nearly 400 FMS personnel.

Nancy Donnelly Ivy, Air Force Security Assistance and Cooperation Policy Division chief, and Kevin Pendergast, AFSAC Financial Management Division deputy chief from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, also attended.

AFSAC's former satellite office at Robins -- now the Mission Support Office -- includes a team of 11 people who focus on foreign military sales efforts, Foreign Disclosure of Data and Information, and Foreign Liaison Officer support responsibilities.

"By any measure, the 2013 FMS All Call held at Robins was a successful event," said Carolyn Middleton, MSO chief. "It provided a venue for Air Force FMS enterprise personnel, foreign or U.S. government, without regard for program or weapon system, to come together under one roof for the purpose of exchanging information, addressing common issues and discussing the significance of relationship building with our foreign partner nations."

The All Call included discussion on training opportunities, updates, state of the FMS enterprise and the FMS customer perspective.

Robins' FLO office includes representatives from six countries, including Canada, Australia, Israel, Japan, the Republic of Korea and Saudi Arabia. FLOs assist with supply requisitions and problem solving, financial investigations and reviews, repair processes and weapon system management on behalf of their country.

For example, Maj. Martine Du'Mont, an engineer by trade and Canada's FLO at Robins, facilitates direct, on-site contact between Robins and Canada in support of C-130H Hercules work.

"While technology is wonderful, there's nothing like face-to-face interaction," said Du'Mont, a 26- year veteran of the Royal Canadian Air Force. "For example, if we have problems finding parts or repair schemes we've never had to implement, the program office in Canada will come to me, and I in turn will go through my network at Robins to discuss.

"For us it's extremely important, as we're a small Air Force," she added. "We work under budget constraints as well, so it's nice to have an additional resource we can tap into for support. This particular FMS program has saved us from having to put aircraft on the ground for a long time. It gives us a boost in our operational capabilities."

Robins is fortunate to have FMS interactions with more than 80 foreign partner nations. For example, the C-17 Combined Program Office here works with representatives from Qatar, Great Britain, Saudi Arabia and Strategic Airlift Capability, a consortium of NATO countries who work together to acquire, manage and support C-17s.

These types of relationships are only expected to grow in the future.

Luke EM: Keeping Thunderbolts at ready

by Staff Sgt. Luther Mitchell
56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

9/23/2013 - LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- September is National Preparedness Month. Sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, National Preparedness Month encourages Americans to prepare, plan for and stay informed about emergencies.

Airmen with the 56th Civil Engineer Squadron Readiness and Emergency Management Flight are responsible for ensuring the base stays prepared in case of a crisis.

"We are involved with preparedness year around," said Staff Sgt. Robert Fanton, 56th CES REM NCO-in-charge of plans and operations. "It's not just a month for us, because this is our job. If anything happens, we are out there managing the situation. We are the ones who tie all the agencies together and make sure they are communicating and following the right plans."

The 56th CES includes fire protection, explosive ordnance disposal, readiness and emergency management, design and construction, environmental programs, family housing, and operations and maintenance of the Barry M. Goldwater Range. Most of the agencies responsible for responding to an emergency can all be found within the 56th CES.

"The civil engineer squadron has a really huge role," Fanton said. "We have carpenters who repair buildings. If the roads go out, we have equipment to fix them. Everybody in CE has a role and we spell out what that role is."

REM Airmen are involved in all phases of an unexpected crisis. It begins with the installation emergency management plan.

"We write the installation EM plan, which is where all the checklists we use come from," Fanton said. "It includes everything from a terrorist attack to an earthquake. It covers the responsibilities of each agency, and it sets out timelines and the information people need to know."

REM Airmen are also responsible for the EM program. The program disseminates important information to EM representatives on base.

"Each squadron has a representative who we send information to every quarter," Fanton said. "When we send out the EM newsletter, it covers different emergency situations that could happen and representatives disseminate it to their squadron."

When a serious situation occurs, EM representatives will meet at the emergency operations center. The EOC is the central command and control facility responsible for coordinating emergency management across multiple agencies.

"From the EOC we have pretty much the whole base sitting here," Fanton said. "If the base gets hit by a tornado and it wipes out a building or destroys aircraft, the EOC conducts an activation. From there, emergency support function representatives will coordinate with their units to respond with what they need."

Each ESF has a seat at the EOC where they can access information and receive updates. From the EOC they can also video conference with the unit command center.

"At each seat is a computer that ESFs can pull up web EOC to communicate with their unit control centers and get accountability," Fanton said. "They can also pull up the checklist from the emergency management plan relevant to the situation."

REM Airmen are also responsible for preparedness orientation training, EM representative training, EOC and unit command center training.

"When people get to this base they will get the base preparedness orientation training from us," Fanton said. "For people who are not first term Airmen it is held when they do their in-processing. We will go out and brief the local threat and hazards with weather and what to do if sheltering in place. We also go to the First Term Airmen Center and give the same briefing."

Senior Airman Samatha Heiman, 56th CES REM Flight, works with the EM program. The best part of the job for her is seeing how the planning comes together.

"I enjoy the planning aspect of it, creating the response plans, putting everything into motion and seeing how everything you have put together works," Heiman said. "If planning goes how you want it to, then everybody is going to do everything properly, and they are going to be trained and be able to protect themselves."

JBSA-Randolph hosts adaptive sports camp for wounded warriors

by Alex Salinas
Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Public Affairs

9/23/2013 - JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas -- Eighty-five Air Force wounded warriors from around the nation participated in a week-long adaptive sports camp Sept. 16-20 at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph.

The camp, offered by the Air Force Wounded Warrior Program, featured a variety of physical activities: air rifle, air pistol and archery; cycling; sitting volleyball; swimming; wheelchair basketball and yoga.

For some athletes, it was their first time attending an adaptive sports camp. For others, the event offered training grounds to prepare them for the Warrior Games scheduled in May.

"It's an opportunity for these athletes to focus on their abilities and not their disabilities," Tony Jasso, Air Force Wounded Warriors Adaptive Sports program manager, said. "Adaptive sports opens doors in the lives of our athletes that injury and illness once closed."

For Air Force Staff Sgt. Daniel Crane, a security forces patient at JBSA-Lackland, a shotgun-blast injury he sustained to his right arm a year ago from an anti-military local in Guam, where he was stationed, didn't waver his passion for sharpshooting.

"I've always been a pretty good shot, which I owe to my security forces training," Crane, who is naturally right-handed, said. "This is my second sports camp and I plan to refine my aim so I can represent the Air Force in shooting events at the Warrior Games."

Crane now fires air rifles and air pistols with his left arm, but said his "fundamentals are still there."

Local Army and Marine wounded warriors competed against Air Force warriors in wheelchair basketball and sitting volleyball for part of the camp.

San Antonio has the largest Paralympic program in the nation, which bolsters the local wounded warrior sports scene, Jasso said.

"We offered the opportunity (to join the program) to 700 new athletes," he said. "We're helping them form a brand new identity, creating a paradigm shift from patient mentalities to athlete mentalities."

Andy Harris, a retired Air Force technical sergeant who joined a wounded warrior network in Virginia, traveled to JBSA-Randolph for his first adaptive sports camp.

"I work as an artist and I tend to stay at home a lot," Harris, who's diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, said. "My wife heard about the camp and I thought it'd be helpful to learn some adaptive techniques."

By day two of the camp, Harris already formed a bond with several others and said "it's incredible to be in a room full of people you don't have to explain yourself to."

The camp also helped relieve his PTSD, Harris said.

"My results are measured with smiles," Jasso said. "I can see an impact on our wounded warriors' recoveries. They arrive without knowing anyone and leave with many friends."

Staff Sgt. Jared Miller, 902nd Security Forces Squadron combat arms instructor, was with other squad members at the local shooting range, watching Air Force wounded warriors - some with walking sticks and others without limbs - showcase their skills for three days.

"They give us a sense of pride knowing they can go downrange, make great sacrifices and come back to do this," Miller said.

The camp at JBSA-Randolph was the last adaptive sports camp before the Warrior Games selection camp in February.

Athletes selected at the February camp will represent the Air Force at Warrior Games 2014.

Air Force wounded warriors interested in joining the adaptive sports program can call Jasso at 565-5265. For more information, visit www.woundedwarrior.af.mil.

Hill welcomes F-35 workload

By George F. Jozens, 75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah (AFNS) -- Several hundred people gathered today in hangar 237 to witness the first F-35A Lightning II which arrived for depot level maintenance during a ceremony hosted by the Ogden Air Logistics Complex commander, Maj. Gen. H. Brent Baker Sr.

The ceremony addressed Hill's key role in the depot repair and the F-35's role in national defense by several different speakers which included Sen. Mike Lee; Lorraine Martin, Lockheed Martin's Executive Vice President and General Manager of the F-35 Lightning II Program; Rear Adm. Randolph Mahr, DoD F-35 Deputy Program Director; Lt. Gen. Bruce Litchfield, Air Force Sustainment Center commander and Sen. Orrin Hatch.

Baker was the final speaker and gave the order to open the doors and unveil the aircraft to the capacity packed hangar's attendees. Other dignitaries at the ceremony included local mayors, Utah Lt. Gov. Greg Bell and members of the Utah State House and Senate.

The first F-35A conventional takeoff and landing variant is from the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev., and is in a prototype configuration. The Ogden ALC will modify the aircraft with a series of structural and systems modifications to enhance critical capabilities needed during operational test and evaluation testing.

"For decades the shared partnership between Lockheed Martin the Ogden ALC team has taken our legacy platforms, the F-16, C-130 and F-22, to the next level, and the same will hold true for the F-35 Lightning II," said Lorraine Martin, F-35 vice president and general manager. "This aircraft was designed from its inception to evolve through modifications and upgrades so that our warfighters can continually outpace their opposition. I look forward to what the future holds for the F-35 and am excited to see that evolution unfold."

Litchfield also talked about this historic day in the history of the ALC.

"The F-35 found the right home for sustainment," he said. "Team Hill will deliver cost effective modifications for this aircraft."

The F-35 Lightning II combines advanced stealth with fighter speed and agility, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations and advanced sustainment. Three distinct variants of the F-35 will eventually replace the A-10 and F-16 for the U.S. Air Force.

Military medicine plays key role in national disaster exercise

by Maria Gallegos and Elaine Sanchez
BAMC Public Affairs

9/20/2013 - JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas  -- Tornadoes ripped across Oklahoma earlier this week, sending nearly 400 patients with a number of trauma injuries to San Antonio for medical care.

Fortunately, these injuries were simulated, and the patients were volunteers participating in the San Antonio Mass Casualty Exercise Event, coordinated by the Southwest Texas Regional Advisory Council. SAMCEE is a regional disaster scenario designed to test the ability of area hospitals to respond to a mass casualty event, and to see how efficiently patients can be transported, treated and tracked via the National Disaster Medical System.

"Emergency departments are always prepared to deal with the most critical patients every single day, but they may not be prepared to deal with (as many as) three dozen patients all at once," said Eric Epley, executive director of STRAC.

The exercise brought Army, Air Force and a host of city, state and federal agencies together to orchestrate the movement of casualties into San Antonio, then out to local hospitals. Participants included Brooke Army Medical Center, 59th Medical Wing, 502nd Air Base Wing, 433rd Airlift Wing, Texas State Guard, STRAC, nearly 30 Bexar County hospitals, San Antonio Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services.

"The exercise postures all of us to be prepared and ready to support a patient reception area for our neighboring states within the FEMA Region 6 area," explained Lt. Col. Chuck Williams, coordinator of the Federal Coordinating Center San Antonio.

The Department of Defense has established the BAMC commander as the Defense Department lead for the city's federal coordinating center.

"Our responsibility is to make sure we're working with community, state and federal agencies to help prepare and fulfill our mission," he said.

The San Antonio Shrine Auditorium served as the simulated disaster site, and Hangar 1610 on Kelly Air Field served as the main hub for patient processing and transportation to area hospitals according to injury and bed availability.

Of the nearly 400 patients, 36 were sent to San Antonio Military Medical Center, where they were triaged and treated.

Meanwhile, BAMC leaders gathered in the Emergency Operations Center to monitor the situation and to ensure effective communications with other key military and civilian personnel.

"There was a great deal of effort, communication and overall engagement by the entire facility, and we're very confident we would be able to respond to an actual emergency," said Col. (Dr.) Evan Renz, BAMC's incident commander and deputy for acute care. "The staff and personnel who volunteered to assist today was overwhelming, and the exercise went faster and more smoothly than we even expected."

Williams also deemed the exercise a success. "Regardless of uniforms and agency, we all worked together as a team," he said. "We were successful because everyone pulled together to form one unified group working to ensure the best care for our patients."

Colorado Airmen, C-130s return from Southwest Asia

by Maj. Corinna Moylan
302nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

9/20/2013 - PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The 302nd Airlift Wing welcomed home approximately 150 Airmen Sept. 18 from a four-month deployment to Southwest Asia. The wing's Air Force Reserve and active duty personnel provided C-130 airlift support to U.S. Central Command operations.

While deployed, members of the 302nd Operations Group flew hundreds of airlift missions moving troops, wounded warriors and cargo. The deployed members of the 302nd Maintenance Group provided aircraft maintenance support ensuring fully mission capable C-130s in Southwest Asia.

"Once again this wing's Airmen have succeeded in expertly performing all aspects of a challenging airlift mission in a demanding desert environment during the extreme heat of the summer months," said Col. Jay Pittman, 302nd AW commander.

Capt. Daniel Lambrecht, a 731st Airlift Squadron pilot and wood worker in his civilian job, said that though this was his first deployment, he felt prepared.

"These guys set us up pretty well with knowing what to expect," he said. "The unit as a group worked pretty well together and nobody was left behind. We were over there as a family. We train together and fight together."

According to Lambrecht, heat, humidity, long hours, good camaraderie and a sense of fulfillment defined his deployment experience.

"We did some aeromedical evacuation missions. You leave from one of those missions and you always have a good sense of accomplishment because you are getting somebody back that needs it," he said. "We hauled a lot of people and a lot of cargo," That was the basis of a most of our missions. (We had) pretty long missions and long days and after you were done you might be tired, but you always had that sense of accomplishment and that felt good."

Lambrecht said he would do it again, but ideally, not right away.

"It was definitely worth it. I would go again, but I'll give it a little time yet to figure out who my family is again and they can do the same for me."

Lambrecht's wife and two year old son awaited his return.

"My wife looked great and got a special shirt that said 'My Airman comes home today,"" he said.

His son wore a shirt that read "Get out of my way I get my daddy back today."

"He recognized me right away because we had the opportunity to do a lot of face time while I was there. That's what's nice about today's technology and today's deployments," Lambrecht said. "They set us up with communication back home. I was still in the loop on things so coming back home wasn't too much of a shock. My son speaks English now instead of jibberish so that was different."

For Tech. Sgt. Marie Lumives, a hydraulics specialist assigned to the 302nd Maintenance Squadron, this was her second deployment.

"My job is dealing with all of the hydraulics systems on our airframe," she said. "I ended up taking over the specialist driver job so I spent most of the time driving around and helping with the launches and recoveries. That was a pretty good experience for me, stepping up in something different. It was definitely a learning experience."

According to Lumives, her unit also worked well as a team.

"We did pretty outstanding. We had AMU (Aircraft Maintenance Unit) of the month twice," she said.

Teamwork was not the only topic Lumives and Lambrecht agreed on. Heat and humidity was another common theme.

"This was a different environment. The temperatures were pretty high, usually over 100. What really got me on this deployment was the humidity," she said. "We were walking through rocks and dirt all of the time. I don't think I saw green for four months."

Lumives works in sporting goods at Walmart for her full time job. Her husband and two dogs waited for her to come home.

"I Skyped with my husband regularly. My father was deployed back in the day and it was all mail or send an e-mail once in a while," she said. "I have lots to take care of back at home now."

Austin: Centcom Remains Central to U.S. Security Interests

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Sept. 23, 2013 – Think of the U.S. Central Command, and many Americans’ thoughts go immediately to Afghanistan, unrest in Egypt and in recent weeks, the humanitarian tragedy in Syria.

Army Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, commander of U.S. Central Command, passes the Centcom flag to Army Sgt. Maj. Frank Grippe, Centcom’s command sergeant major, during a March 22, 2013, ceremony in which Austin assumed command. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Melanie Bulow-Kelly   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

But Army Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, who assumed command in March, said what happens in the 20-nation Centcom area of responsibility will remain at the forefront of U.S. national security interests long after the Afghanistan transition is completed and crises dominating today’s headlines are resolved. “The Centcom area of responsibility is one of the most complex and volatile regions of the world,” the general told American Forces Press Service in an email interview.

“It’s also one of the most important,” he said, “because we have a number of vital interests there, to include the free flow of resources through key shipping lanes -- most notably the Strait of Hormuz -- defense of our homeland against the threat of terrorism and extremism, and the prevention of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.”

Austin has spent much of his career dealing with these challenges, both in the theater and at the Centcom headquarters at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Fla.

In 2003, Austin helped to lead the invasion into Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as the assistant division commander for maneuver for the 3rd Infantry Division. Next, he commanded the 10th Mountain Division and Combined Joint Task Force 180 in Afghanistan. Then, from 2005 to 2006, he served as the chief of staff at Centcom headquarters, before returning to Iraq in 2008, where he served as the commander of Multinational Force Iraq.

During Austin’s third and final deployment to Iraq, beginning in 2010, he served as the commander of U.S. Forces Iraq, overseeing the drawdown and transition of forces and equipment and the eventual conclusion of the conflict in December of 2011.

If there’s a central lesson that’s been reinforced through these experiences, Austin said, it’s that what happens in the Centcom area of responsibility matters to the United States and its interests.

“That is why it’s so critical that we remain present and engaged, because we recognize that any kind of instability in that part of the world can have significant impacts on not only the region, but also our economy, the world’s economy and the safety and security of our people and interests,” Austin said.
This reality has shaped Austin’s priorities for the command, and efforts that he said are evenly focused on three principal objectives: “Engage, Prevent, Shape.”

That, he explained, means engaging regionally to deal with ongoing conflicts -- in Afghanistan, Syria, Iran and, more broadly, the war on terror. It means preventing confrontations ---- between Sunnis and Shiias, Arabs and Israelis, Pakistan and India -- from escalating into conflicts. And it requires dealing with potentially destabilizing situations, such as the Arab Awakening and the perception that the United States is withdrawing from the region.

By necessity, much of the attention is focused on the near-term crises in the Centcom area of responsibility, which include the conflict in Afghanistan, the civil war in Syria, heightened tensions with Iran and the global war on terrorism and extremism, he noted.

“Our goal is to address the near-term challenges and to return things to the way they were pre-crisis, and we also want to do what we can to prevent further conflict,” Austin said. “Meanwhile, we want to help shape outcomes for the future and move things toward greater security and stability in the region.
“This is accomplished in a number of ways,” he continued. “Certainly, among them are our continuing efforts to strengthen our regional partnerships and build partner capacity in that most important part of the world.”

Austin said he recognizes that the many significant challenges confronting Centcom require no less than a total team effort.

“Success will be measured in the accrual of contributions made by many individuals over time. And, in fact, we may not see the fruits of our labors for months or even years,” he said. “However, our goal is to set the right conditions to enable progress to be made and sustained in this most important and volatile part of the world.”

100K & Going: Global Hawk makes mark as safest platform

by Staff Sgt. Luis Loza Gutierrez
319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

9/23/2013 - GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Although the days of the bombers and tankers are long gone, Airmen at Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., are still finding ways to make Air Force history thanks to the Global Hawk mission.

The Northrop Grumman Corporation recently announced that its high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aircraft systems achieved 100,000 flight hours Sept. 5.

News of the milestone was well-received by the leadership and members of the 69th Reconnaissance Group, the unit at Grand Forks AFB directly in charge of conducting Global Hawk missions.

"This milestone is something in which those of us involved in the Global Hawk mission take great pride," said Col. Lawrence Spinetta, 69th RG commander.

According to the Air Force Safety Center, Kirtland AFB, N.M., approximately 85 percent of the 100,000 flight hours for this aircraft were logged by U.S. Air Force Global Hawks. Credit for the remaining flight hours was split among the NASA, German and U.S. Navy versions of the aircraft.

The Global Hawk also has the safest record of any fighter, bomber or reconnaissance aircraft in the Air Force's active inventory.

"The safety record of the U.S. Air Force Global Hawk fleet is remarkable, especially given the fact that the system was rushed to combat and flew 75 percent of its first 100,000 hours supporting our warfighters in Afghanistan and elsewhere," Spinetta said. "These figures prove the reliability of unmanned aircraft technology. More importantly, it's testament to the professionalism of our Airmen and the pride they take in accomplishing our mission."

The Global Hawk is aptly named. Every day, RQ-4s circle the globe, providing critical strategic intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance to six combatant commands.

"The jet's long endurance is a significant combat force multiplier," Spinetta said.

The RQ-4, which can fly for upwards of 30 hours nonstop, has the ability to cover almost half the circumference of the world without refueling. That capability makes it a key contributor to the global vigilance, global reach, and global power of the U.S. Air Force.

Spinetta reflected on the recent aviation milestone and contemplated what it means for the history of the Air Force.

He told members of the 69th RG that their hard work is "the realization of an Air Force prophecy" by Gen. Henry H. "Hap" Arnold. As the commanding general for the U.S. Army Air Force in 1945, Arnold said, "We have just won a war with a lot of heroes flying around in planes. The next war may be fought by airplanes with no men in them at all...Take everything you've learned about aviation in war, throw it out the window, and let's go to work on tomorrow's aviation."

Members of the 69th RG will receive patches from Northrop Grumman commemorating the milestone.

"Some people might refer to the patch as badge of honor, however, we know the real honor is knowing we are doing an excellent job protecting our warriors and our nation," Spinetta said. "That's exactly what we will continue to do."

Air Combat Command takes delivery of latest life-saving aircraf

by Staff SGt. Candice C. Page
ACC/PAI

9/23/2013 - LANGLEY AFB, Va. -- Air Combat Command received the latest E-11A aircraft equipped with the Battlefield Airborne Communications Node, or BACN, Sept. 18 before it joined the rest of the fleet at a deployed location in Afghanistan.

The additional aircraft will increase communication coverage for ground troops in forward-deployed locations, said Lt. Col. Eric Moses, ACC deputy chief Tactical Data Links Enterprise.

Air Force and joint warfighters use the BACN-equipped aircraft to communicate over rugged terrain using multiple radios and waveforms to maintain situational awareness and call in assistance.

BACN bridges communication gaps between ground troops and airborne support beyond the capabilities they would normally have on the battlefield with just their traditional communication equipment, said Col. Jim Wildes, ACC chief Tactical Data Links Enterprise.

"That extra communication can make a difference between life and death when you are talking about airborne support for the ground forces engaged with the enemy," Moses said.

The system currently operates on two platforms: the E-11A, a modified Bombardier business jet and the EQ-4B, a Global Hawk Block 20 remotely piloted aircraft.

The program began in 2006 during a Joint Expeditionary Force Exercise to meet challenges associated with operating in rugged terrain for forces with limited communications. In 2009, it became a Joint Urgent Operations Need, program in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan.

"The BACN team has received many reports from the theater crediting the BACN for helping save lives," Moses said.

"The Army and the Air Force love this airplane in Afghanistan; it helps get rapid support to any critical situation on the ground," said Wildes. "When you have a possibility of troops dying within seconds and no way to communicate the location, units are now able to communicate their location in a matter of seconds to the E-11A and pull in support for either air-to-ground strikes or ground-to-ground strikes."

Ogden center to modify prototype F-35

by George F. Jozens
75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

9/23/2013 - HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah (AFNS) -- Several hundred people gathered today in hangar 237 to witness the first F-35A Lightning II which arrived for depot level maintenance during a ceremony hosted by the Ogden Air Logistics Complex commander, Maj. Gen. H. Brent Baker Sr.

The ceremony addressed Hill's key role in the depot repair and the F-35's role in national defense by several different speakers which included Sen. Mike Lee; Lorraine Martin, Lockheed Martin's Executive Vice President and General Manager of the F-35 Lightning II Program; Rear Adm. Randolph Mahr, DoD F-35 Deputy Program Director; Lt. Gen. Bruce Litchfield, Air Force Sustainment Center commander and Sen. Orrin Hatch.

Baker was the final speaker and gave the order to open the doors and unveil the aircraft to the capacity-packed hangar's attendees. Other dignitaries at the ceremony included local mayors, Utah Lt. Gov. Greg Bell and members of the Utah State House and Senate.

The first F-35A conventional takeoff and landing variant is from the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev., and is in a prototype configuration. The Ogden ALC will modify the aircraft with a series of structural and systems modifications to enhance critical capabilities needed during operational test and evaluation testing.

"For decades the shared partnership between Lockheed Martin the Ogden ALC team has taken our legacy platforms, the F-16, C-130 and F-22, to the next level, and the same will hold true for the F-35 Lightning II," said Lorraine Martin, F-35 vice president and general manager. "This aircraft was designed from its inception to evolve through modifications and upgrades so that our warfighters can continually outpace their opposition. I look forward to what the future holds for the F-35 and am excited to see that evolution unfold."

Litchfield also talked about this historic day in the history of the ALC.

"The F-35 found the right home for sustainment," he said. "Team Hill will deliver cost effective modifications for this aircraft."

The F-35 Lightning II combines advanced stealth with fighter speed and agility, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations and advanced sustainment. Three distinct variants of the F-35 will eventually replace the A-10 and F-16 for the U.S. Air Force

EOD clears bombing range used for training

by Senior Airman Joseph A. Pagán Jr.
2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs

9/20/2013 - ALEXANDRIA, La. -- Five members of the 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal team spent the week at Claiborne Bombing and Gunnery Range in Alexandria, La., Sept. 16-20.

Every year, EOD Airmen clear the range of ordnance dropped from the B-52H Stratofortress and A-10 Thunderbolt II.

The 7,800-acre range provides training opportunities for the flying units in this area.

"Historically the 47th Fighter Squadron out of Barksdale is our main customer," said William Avants, range operations officer. "But we're gearing up to focus our training on the B-52s; however, any unit within flying distance can train here."

EOD is the only organization that clears the sectors of ordnance.

"Sectors are based on how much is dropped in each area," said Avants. "In addition to the main bomb circle, which is used more frequently, 20 percent of the range is cleared annually spanning over a five-year rotation."

Clearing consists of digging up BDU-12s, better known as dummy bombs, and any scrap metal that is found.

"For the first three to four days at the range, the Airmen separate and categorize all findings into hazardous or non-hazardous metal," said Master Sgt. Steven Coppock, EOD flight superintendent. "The hazardous metal is when a BDU still contains an undetonated spotting cartridge which needs to be destroyed. So the BDU can be turned into scrap metal."

A spotting cartridge, when detonated, emits a phosphorous smoke showing the pilots and range personnel where the BDU landed.

"Barksdale and EOD's cooperation with the range is a tremendous asset to us," said Avants. "We have a host-tenant agreement and we get all of our support from the base; whether it's EOD clearance, safety, or environmental support."

Avants says the partnership between Barksdale and the range is vital to the range's survival.

"This is not only a great partnership with the local range, but it is a great opportunity to train and sharpen our skills," said Coppock.

"Without Barksdale interactions we simply wouldn't be here; they're not just our primary customer but our lifeline," Avants said.