Sheppard student pilot reconciles two identities, one career

by Airman 1st Class Jelani Gibson
82nd Training Wing Public Affairs

1/24/2014 - SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Thousands of miles away, across the Atlantic Ocean, jets streaked across the azure sky, captivating the imagination of a boy who would grow up to face two lives and one dream.

2nd Lt. Abraham Morland, an 80th Flying Training Wing Euro NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training student pilot, held dual citizenship in both the United States and the United Kingdom. He was born to British parents while they were in Tulsa, Okla., his father working as a flight simulator technician.

With aviation in his blood, Morland always had his mind focused on taking to the skies. When it came time to decide how he wanted to pursue his dream of flying, he had to look within his soul and ask what flag he wanted to Velcro to his flight suit--the Stars and Stripes or the Union Jack.

"All I've really wanted to do was to fly," he said. "It was a dream and love of mine. I can't see myself serving anywhere else."

Morland said the pull of flying was constantly beckoning him, even at a young age. Returning to his parent's homeland, he took to the skies as an 11-year-old boy with the Air Training Corps, the British equivalent to the Civil Air Patrol. During his freshman year of high school, he went on a two-week field trip to the 100th Air Refueling Wing at RAF Mildenhall, England. There he shadowed the flight crews, security forces, civil engineers and aircraft maintenance Airmen, experiencing an Air Force life.

But, it was watching the KC-135 Stratotankers and the C-130 Hercules gliding through the skies that stirred a fire in his belly. It was there the inner struggle of deciding which flag to fly under gained a lot of momentum for the Stars and Stripes.

"My real love was America, I wanted to come back home to the states and join the U.S. Air Force," he said.

As a result, his parents moved back to the United Sates so their son could pursue his dream of becoming a pilot. He enlisted in the Air Force as a personnel apprentice and reported to his first duty station at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., and spent the next three years trying to get into the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.

"I thought that was the only way I could become an Air Force pilot," he said. "My grades were okay, but I didn't have high enough (aptitude test) scores."

Having a strong Christian faith, Morland "gave it all to God" in his pursuit to becoming a pilot in the U.S. Air Force. He tried and failed for five years to get into the academy. After his final rejection, he took the advice of his commander and attended the Reserve Officers' Training Corps at Angelo State University, Texas.

'"What's the worst that could happen,'" his commander told him.

He knew from the moment he was accepted he wanted to fly a "heavy" aircraft, as memories from his high school experience at Mildenhall rang fresh in his mind's eye. He was accepted to pilot training at Euro NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program in October 2012.

"They told me I had to give up my British citizenship," Morland said. "All of my family lives over in England, so it was hard to say, 'I will denounce the Queen.' It wasn't hard for me to say I will be loyal to America."

Now in training at ENJJPT, he is in the first phase of flight training with the T-6 Texan II. Operated by the 80th Flying Training Wing, ENJJPT is the world's only multi-nationally manned and managed flying training program chartered to produce combat pilots for NATO. Throughout all of the difficulties in his road to flight school, the lessons of perseverance is not lost on the 24-year-old lieutenant.

"Do not give up," he said. "Days are going to get tough. We all go through challenges. I had good supervisors encouraging me every step of the way."

Having reached the starting point of his dream, he is enthusiastic and optimistic about the goal that took him so long to achieve.

"It was tough, but encouraging," he said. "This is what I want to do."

As he competes on a global scale against other hand-chosen candidates, he is confident in his ability and looking forward to influencing others in the Air Force.

"I want to be able to help people go for their dreams," he said. "We're a big team, we need each other."

Now that Morland has begun his career as a pilot, he has entered a place where he can finally fulfill his dream of flying. His original dream of flying the heavies might have morphed a little into flying a fighter, but he doesn't really care, as long as he's flying high.

"I mean, come on, who wouldn't want to fly the latest and greatest," he said.

‘MyICP’ Gives Military Spouses New Career-planning Tool

By Terri Moon Cronk

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Jan. 27, 2014 – Military spouses who need guidance on education and careers have a new online tool at their fingertips, a program analyst for the Spouse Education and Career Opportunities program, known as SECO, said in an interview last week.

“My Individual Career Plan,” or MyICP, allows spouses to build a virtual career roadmap based on their specific goals and objectives, Lee McMahon said.

MyICP launched Jan. 10 on Military OneSource’s MySECO website, the primary access point for the Defense Department’s Spouse Education and Career Opportunities program, McMahon said.

“SECO provides expert career and education guidance to military spouses worldwide,” she explained, “supporting them in four career lifecycle stages: career exploration, education, training and licensing, employment readiness, and career connections.”

The MyICP tool is available for all active-duty Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps spouses and to National Guard and Reserve spouses as well, McMahon said, noting that it’s also open to spouses for up to 180 days after their service member separates or retires from the military. Spouses must first register at https://myseco.militaryonesource.mil to use it. Surviving spouses of military members who died while on active duty also are eligible.

To illustrate how MyICP works, McMahon used the example of a nursing student military spouse who has just moved to a new duty station and wants to see what opportunities exist in the new area.

Licensing requirements are an issue for nurses, McMahon notes. So once logged on and after clicking on “manage my individual career plan,” the spouse would begin to build a MyICP by selecting “licensed” and “student.” Next, the spouse would go to the occupation page to find “nursing,” which would generate information from the Labor Department. The spouse would then select topics from the “challenges and growth opportunities” category. This category may include topics such as child care and relocation or time-management skills.

The self-service wizard then produces a MyICP, McMahon said, which recommends activities to meet a person’s career and education goals based on the selections made.

The Military Spouse Employment Partnership, a component of SECO, is composed of more than 200 companies and organizations that have committed to hiring military spouses, she added, so MyICP also includes the ability for users to see which of MSEP’s partners might have jobs in the user’s occupation, and provides a link to check the company’s openings in the chosen field.

McMahon encouraged all military spouses in search of such opportunities to try the MyICP tool.

“We would love to hear their feedback,” she said, noting that users can submit their input on the MySECO website by clicking on “SECO Satisfaction” or the feedback button.

Military spouses who have additional questions or need more information about using the MyICP tool can call Military OneSource at 1-800-342-9647 [Call: 1-800-342-9647] and speak to a SECO career counselor.

First F-22 sortie for "Mr. Bones"

by Airman 1st Class Sergio A. Gamboa
325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

1/24/2014 - TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla.  -- The 95th Fighter Squadron took flight for the first time Jan. 21, since its reactivation here in October 2013.

With the first group of F-22 Raptors delivered Jan. 6 from Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., Tyndall is becoming the world's largest F-22 contingent and preparing the "Boneheads" for the new combat mission.

"I felt extremely proud to be part of the first flight," said Capt. David Ruiz, 95th FS fighter pilot. "There have been a lot of people working together to achieve this milestone and resurrect 'Mr. Bones'."

The 95th FS and "Mr. Bones," the squadron's mascot, called Tyndall home for more than three decades before being deactivated in 2010.

"As 'Mr. Bones' would say: 'It's about time'," said Maj. Ryan Graf, 95th FS assistant director of operations. "'Mr. Bones' is now back on flying status."

Graf piloted one of the two Raptors which flew on Tuesday marking the 95th FS's first F-22 sortie.

"It was great to finally execute a plan that had been the culmination of hard work amongst several individuals and units," Graf said. "This was a once in a lifetime opportunity."

Ruiz was the other to take flight.

"I thought about all of the hard work that had been done by all the units here to make it possible to begin flying F-22s in the 95th FS," Ruiz said. "I feel honored to be part of this historic reactivation."

Now with the first sortie under the 95th FS's wing, the squadron can further the combat mission.

"Setting a goal of flying two aircraft, achieving that goal and getting outstanding training while airborne, tell me that this was a huge success," Ruiz said. "I expect outstanding work from an elite group of men and women to accomplish the missions, which we're tasked in the future."

By April, the last of 24 Raptors will arrive.

"Every segment of the sortie went as planned," Graf said. "Continuing the standard of meeting requirements, goals and expectations without fail will be expected."

ACC announces 7th CPTS as comptroller squadron, finance services of the year

by Senior Airman Shannon Hall
7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

1/24/2014 - DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Air Combat Command recently announced that the 7th Comptroller Squadron received the Maj. Gen. Alfred K. Flowers Comptroller Squadron of the Year award and the Financial Services Office of the Year award during the 2013 Financial Management and Comptroller Annual Awards.

"We are so proud and blessed to have received these awards," said Senior Airman Jennifer Gill, 7th Comptroller Squadron financial technical support. "We put in a lot of hard work and long hours, and it paid off in a great way."

Significant and mission impact achievements are requirements for these awards. The 7th Comptroller Squadron was able to do this while staying within budget, even after they received a 15 percent pay cut due to sequestration.

"Everyone from our youngest Airmen to our seasoned Non-Commissioned Officers and civilians make sure they accomplish the mission each and every day," said Maj. Brant Clark, 7th Comptroller Squadron commander."

"It takes a lot of hard work, determination and consistency to win awards at this level," said Senior Airman Johnathan Silva, 7th Comptroller Squadron budget analyst. "It definitely increases the team's morale to be recognized for accomplishing the mission."

Some of Dyess' achievements over the past fiscal year include being one of two bases to have less than a two percent negative balance within the Government Travel Card program, securing $170,000 for reconstruction in the dorms after asbestos was found and securing another $520,000 for furniture in the new dorms.

"The most important thing to us is taking of our Team Dyess members," said Maj. Clark. "We strive to always be the best and provide outstanding financial and decision support to our warfighters and leadership during these tough fiscal times."

The 7th Comptroller Squadron won the awards at the major command level and will compete next at the Air Force level.

"We have great supervision that took personal time to put the packets together and kept us on our toes," Gill said. "Thanks to them, and our team work, we have set the standard for all of ACC."

James ceremoniously sworn-in by Hagel

1/27/2014 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Deborah Lee James, the 23rd secretary of the Air Force, was ceremoniously sworn in by Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel at the Pentagon Jan 24.

Hagel called James well suited to lead the Air Force as the nation faces an increasingly uncertain security environment.

"The rise of emerging powers, dangerous rogue states, affiliated terrorist organizations, and the proliferation of technology will mean more contested and complicated domains, from space to cyber to sea lanes," he said.

Hagel noted that James has spent the last 30 years serving on the staff of the House Armed Services Committee, at the Pentagon, where she served three secretaries of defense, as well as in the private sector. Her approach, he said, "has been to understand the problems and opportunities, listen carefully, and then act decisively." This, he added, will make her a success leading the Air Force.

At today's ceremony, Hagel said he, James and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark. A. Welsh III are deeply concerned "about the overall health and professionalism and discipline of our strategic forces," and called the problems facing the new Air Force secretary daunting. But he credited James with a "swift, decisive and thoughtful response," to the matter after she visited missile bases around the country in recent days. Even so, he said, "restoring confidence in the nuclear mission will be a top priority."

James, who was officially sworn in as secretary last month, thanked her family, friends and mentors for their support along the way.

"I owe a deep debt of gratitude to everyone who has been a source of support to me," said James. "As our former Secretary of State, Senator, and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton famously wrote, 'It takes a village.' Well, look around you, for you are the village of my life. I am humbled and grateful that you are with me. "

From the start, James' focus has been on people.

"Our Airmen form the foundation of all we do," said James. "Over the last few weeks, I have been able to look into the eyes of young Airmen who stand sentinel for our country. I have heard the pride in our Airmen's voices, the pride they have in their profession and as members of the United States Air Force."

James pledged to leave the Air Force some years from now on a path toward greater capability and better affordability, but cautioned the service will continue to face difficult challenges and trade-offs brought on by shrinking budgets. She recognized that this is no easy feat, but is optimistic none the less.

"I have such respect and appreciation for the Air Force's great leadership team and for the remarkable dedication and boundless energy our Airmen bring to the task every day," said James. "Clearly, we have a lot of work ahead of us. But there's no time to lose, and I'm eager to get started. It is an honor and a privilege to serve as the 23rd Secretary of the Air Force."

Surface Navy Association Recognizes Circadian-based Watch Efforts with Literary Award

From Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Surface Navy Association (SNA) presented its annual Literary award at the SNA National Symposium in Washington, D.C., Jan. 14-16, 2014.

Each year, the Surface Navy Association presents a Literary Award to recognize articles that address areas within Surface Navy or Surface Warfare. For 2013, the awardees are Capt. John Cordle, USN (Ret) and co-author Dr. Nita Shattuck.

"A Sea Change in Standing Watch," published in the January 2013 issue of Proceedings, addresses the challenges and benefits of implementing a circadian-based watch schedule to improve the work to rest ratios of Sailors onboard Navy ships through two lenses; a Navy commander and a sleep expert at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS).

Inspired by a Proceedings article in 2000 highlighting a crew divided in half with each working 12-hour blocks, and no stranger to fatigue as a career Surface Warfare Officer (SWO), Capt. Cordle explored various concepts and schedules to address the issue of sleep fatigue to improve morale. While in command of the USS San Jacinto (CG 56), his crew adapted a watchbill that fit the needs of the ship and individuals during a one-month training cycle.

"Everyone was in a stable 24-hour day, standing the same watch every day, and 9 hours off... to eat, sleep and PT," said Cordle. "The shorter watches... allowed for better focus and less fatigue."

Similarly inspired by SWO students at the NPS who boasted "you sleep when you are dead," sleep expert Dr. Nita Shattuck worked with her students on projects to see how to bring visibility to fatigue among the Fleet and what could be done to address it.

"The major challenge in any watchbill is how do we schedule work and rest for Sailors in a consistent circadian cycle with factors such as traveling through various time zones and individual accountability. How do we make Sailors more responsible about sleep and not spend rest time on social media or playing video games?" Shattuck explained. "The culture of sleep deprivation within the military as a whole, especially with combat stress, is a known issue."

One study conducted on the USS Jason Dunham continues to yield results for its crew. Cmdr. David Bretz has noted "We are still using the 3/9 rotation in most of our sections, and I just heard today several Sailors saying how they could never imagine going back. It has a number of benefits. The challenges still remain, but I think they need to be explored."

Moving forward, Dr. Shattuck continues to conduct tests with Naval officers. Since the release of this award-winning article, Dr. Shattuck and her team have collected data from two additional ships and are working to validate, in lab study, the differences between the optimized watchbills on the body's natural circadian rhythm. With the marriage of data from the ships working to tailor circadian-based schedules with lab results, Dr. Shattuck and her team are confident to see natural sleep patterns dictating increases in overall physical health and Fleet morale.

493rd Fighter Squadron Trains at TLP 2014

by Master Sgt. Lee Osberry
48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

1/24/2014 - ALBACETE AIR BASE, Spain  -- Members from the 48th Fighter Wing along with six NATO nations, are participating in the 2014 Tactical Leadership Program which kicked off here Jan. 13, 2014.

The purpose of the TLP is to increase the effectiveness of Allied Air Forces through the development of leadership skills, mission planning and briefing, tactical air operations and conceptual and doctrinal initiatives needed for NATO operations.

"It's an opportunity to bring NATO nations together in one location to build a really cohesive team, to safely and successfully tackle a tactical problem," said Lt. Col. Mark Sadler, 493rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron commander.

More than 90 Airmen from the Liberty Wing joined with European partners from Spain, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Portugal for this year's TLP, with the goal to enhance the tactical proficiency of NATO air forces through dissimilar air combat training.

"The TLP is an important partnership capacity with our NATO allies," said Maj. Gen. Bill Hyatt, U.S. Air Forces in Europe Director of Operations, Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration. "The program generates aircrew and mission commanders that are capable of leading Airmen across the spectrum of air operations."

Throughout the month-long program, participants attend academic lessons, then face numerous challenges and must work as a unified component to plan and execute the mission, in an ever-changing environment. A building block approach is used to progress attendees through 15 carefully structured sorties.

"Each day a tactical problem is given and the challenge is for each person in the room to step up and be a leader and lead the room to solve that tactical problem," said Sadler. "The key is getting everyone in the room to a common ground; [you] can't have 10 separate agendas and expect to solve the problem."

With approximately five hours between the initial threat brief and aircraft launching, getting to a tactical common ground must occur quickly to achieve mission success.

"Being able to interact face to face with our NATO counterparts goes a long way in discussing tactics and understanding how each country will operate," said Capt. Aaron Stevens, 493rd Fighter Squadron B flight commander. "The scenarios change every day, just as a real world scenario would and we're able to establish standard operating procedures. Therefore, if any situation developed where we would be side by side with any of these countries, the planning would be simplified."

While there's an emphasis on the flying mission during the TLP, the partnerships established can be found at all levels. Every facility has the participating nations collocated from operations, to maintenance and support personnel.

"The communication and friendships get better each day," said Senior Airman Tyler Woodwick, 48th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment technician. "We're able to see the other nation's equipment and gain a good understanding of how to operate and communicate when needed."

Woodwick's views are shared by other personnel.

"If something happens we all have to be on the same page and we have to know how to work with each other," said Staff Sgt. Wade McFarlande 748th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron dedicated crew chief. "This helps build that foundation."

"Exercises like this help our Airmen take a step back and see how we fit into that bigger picture, whether it's the guy turning wrenches, Air Crew Flight Equipment personnel or our pilots" said Sadler. "Having the ability to make friends beyond just the gold team makes us all better."

This year marks the second consecutive year that the 493rd FS have participated in the TLP and the continuity has paid dividends.

"Repetition is always a good thing, so when you have folks that have been here before, it helps with the preparations and getting operations off to a smooth start," said Sadler. "We took the lessons learned across the board and have seen improvement."

The 2014 TLP concludes Feb. 7, 2014.

Nine Soldiers Officially Named to 2014 U.S. Olympic Team

By Tim Hipps

Army Installation Management Command

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Jan. 27, 2014 – Nine soldiers in the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program are members of the U.S. Olympic Team that will compete at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games, scheduled for Feb. 7 through 23 in Sochi, Russia.

The U.S. Olympic Committee officially announced the team today.

The soldier-athletes named to Team USA are 2010 Olympic gold medalist in four-man bobsled Sgt. Justin Olsen, 26, of San Antonio; 2010 Olympic bobsledder Capt. Christopher Fogt, 30, of Alpine, Utah; 2010 Olympic bobsledder Sgt. Nick Cunningham, 27, of Monterey, Calif.; bobsledder Sgt. Dallas Robinson, 31, of Georgetown, Ky.; 2006 Olympic luger Sgt. Preston Griffall, 29, of Salt Lake City; and luger Sgt. Matt Mortensen, 28, of Huntington Station, N.Y.

Three WCAP coaches also will represent the U.S. Army in Russia. Team USA luge coach Staff Sgt. Bill Tavares, 50, of Lake Placid, N.Y., will be making his sixth appearance in the Olympics, including once as an athlete and five times as a coach. Team USA skeleton coach Sgt. 1st Class Tuffield “Tuffy” Latour, 45, of Saranac Lake, N.Y., will make his fourth trip to the Olympics. He has coached U.S. and Canadian men’s and women’s bobsledders to Olympic medals. Team USA assistant bobsled coach 1st Lt. Michael Kohn, 41, of Myrtle Beach, S.C., is a two-time Olympic competitor who will make his Olympic coaching debut at the Sochi Games. He won a bronze medal in four-man bobsled as a WCAP athlete at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City.

USA-1 bobsled driver Steven Holcomb, 33, of Park City, Utah, is the reigning Olympic champion in the four-man event. He spent seven years in the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program.

The 230-member team is comprised of 105 women and 125 men – the largest athlete delegation for any nation in the history of the Olympic Winter Games. The United States will be represented in all 15 disciplines across seven sports, and up to 94 of the 98 medal events that will be contested in Sochi.

“We are thrilled to announce the 230 athletes who will represent Team USA in Sochi,” said USOC CEO Scott Blackmun. “This is the largest team we have ever sent to an Olympic Winter Games, and I’d like to commend all of those who helped support our athletes in the pursuit of their Olympic dreams.

“Most of all,” he continued, “this is a time to celebrate our athletes, who have made countless sacrifices and dedicated themselves to being their best, both on and off the ice and snow. I am very excited to watch them compete as they represent our nation with excellence and distinction on the world stage.”

The 2014 U.S. Olympic Team features 106 returning Olympians – including one five-time Olympian, two four-time Olympians, 10 three-time Olympians and 23 two-time Olympians. Returning from the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, where the U.S. finished first in the overall medal count with 37 medals, are 99 U.S. Olympians. Overall, among the veterans are 49 Olympic medalists, 13 of whom are Olympic champions.

Nordic combined skier Todd Lodwick becomes the first American to compete at six Olympic Winter Games. The two U.S. Olympians headed to their fifth Olympic Games are Billy Demong (Nordic combined) and Bode Miller (alpine skiing). Only four other athletes in U.S. Olympic history, including Lodwick, have competed in five or more Olympic Winter Games.

Additionally, women’s bobsled push athletes Lolo Jones – a two-time Olympic hurdler – and Lauryn Williams – a three-time Olympic sprinter – become the ninth and 10th Americans to compete at both the winter and summer editions of the Olympic Games.

Highlighting this list of accomplished U.S. men’s athletes are Miller and long track speedskater Shani Davis. A five-time Olympic medalist, Miller needs three medals to match U.S. short track speedskater Apolo Anton Ohno as the most decorated U.S. Olympian in history on the winter side.

Davis is making his fourth Olympic appearance after winning consecutive Olympic gold and silver medals in the 1,000- and 1,500-meter events in 2006 and 2010. Both Davis and snowboarder Shaun White will have the opportunity to become the first American man to win three gold medals in the same event at consecutive Olympic Winter Games.

Headlining the list of U.S. women’s athletes are three-time Olympic medalists Julie Chu (ice hockey) and Julia Mancuso (alpine skiing). Mancuso already is the most decorated U.S. Olympic female alpine skier, with one gold medal and two silver medals, while Chu is looking to help Team USA reclaim the top podium spot for the first time since women’s ice hockey debuted at the 1998 Olympic Winter Games.

“This distinguished group of athletes represents the largest delegation in the history of the Olympic Winter Games, which is a true testament to the growing number of winter sport opportunities across the United States,” said Alan Ashley, chief of the U.S. mission and USOC’s chief of sport performance. “With 106 returning Olympians, this year’s team is an exceptional blend of youth and experience, and represents the finest our nation has to offer. During the Games, we will continue to support our athletes, coaches and National Governing Bodies in every way possible to succeed.”

The 2014 U.S. Olympic Team roster may still be adjusted due to injury, illness or exceptional circumstances up to the technical meetings for each sport.

ALCOM/JTF-AK and USARAK host Arctic GO/FO Conference

by Tech. Sgt. John Gordinier
Alaskan Command Public Affairs

1/27/2014 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska  -- Alaskan Command/Joint Task Force-Alaska and U.S. Army Alaska hosted an Arctic General Officer/Flag Officer (GO/FO) Conference Jan. 7-11, which included distinguished guests from the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Coast Guard, Alaska National Guard and Canadian Forces, to strengthen partnerships, discuss future Arctic challenges and joint capabilities.

"The purpose of this GO/FO is to increase capabilities, bringing forces together from a variety of different components, joint and coalition, and to increase our collective capability," said Lt. Gen. Russell Handy, commander of Alaskan Command and Joint Task Force-Alaska. "That way, if a situation happens in the future, we are not figuring out what those capabilities are and teaching each other. It will make us better prepared to support each other and work together."

ALCOM/JTF-AK hosts GO/FO conferences quarterly, but this is the first time Canada has been a part of it.

"What is unique about this GO/FO is that we have invited our Canadian friends to come with us," said U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. Thomas Ostebo, commander, 17th Coast Guard District. "The Coast Guard works very closely with the Canadians and it is a good opportunity to have (them) in the joint fight and training. The Canadians are our closest partners and if we have a situation in the Arctic or on the borders, whether it is a security issue or a search and rescue issue, it will most likely involve the Canadians. Sharing our techniques, tactics and procedures at the flag officer level is very important."

The conference itinerary included a tour of JBER's 176th Operations Group whose missions include combat search and rescue, tactical and strategic airlift, and air defense. The attendees viewed types of Arctic sustainment packages SAR Forces use in crisis scenarios. For energy management, they toured JBER's Landfill Gas Power Plant where they convert methane expelled from the landfill into electricity, which is then used to power the installation.

"We produce enough energy with this plant to meet about 25 percent of JBER's power requirements, all from a previously unused resource, significantly offsetting the installation's electricity costs," said Dan Gavora, president of Doyon Utilities.

The GO/FO flew to Deadhorse, Alaska, for a tour of Alaska Clean Seas, which is an oil spill response cooperative whose membership includes companies that engage in oil and gas development on the North Slope of Alaska.

ACS provides personnel, material, equipment and training to its members for responding to oil spills on the North Slope, said C. Barkley Lloyd, ACS president and general manager. The tour informed the GO/FO on oil spill response resources, training and safety.

There is a lot of capacity on the North Slope and throughout interior Alaska with state, local, and in many cases, corporate entities that have extensive experience in the Arctic, Handy said. That experience may very well be transferable.

"Learning and understanding their capabilities makes us better prepared to assist them during a disaster," Handy explained.

After the ACS tour, the GO/FO visited USARAK's Northern Warfare Training Center's Black Rapids Training Site for briefings and classes on Arctic resources and survival. They received instruction on: how to be mobile in the Arctic environment with snowshoe and ski equipment; small unit support vehicle transportation; Arctic tents, shelters and stoves; and capabilities/limitations of snow machines.

"The Northern Warfare Training Center is the premier cold-weather training center in the Army, and our instructors are experts at working and fighting in extreme cold weather regions," said Maj. Gen. Michael Shields, USARAK commanding general. "Students trained here leave with the skills to not only survive in these harsh conditions, but to overcome them and successfully complete their mission."

"The training was great," Ostebo said. "We have a cold weather maritime training area in Kodiak, but we don't have the land survival portion. If one of our planes went down, how would our crews survive? The solution is we can send our air crews (to BRTS) for Arctic survival training."

"We are sharing a very important dialogue," said Royal Canadian Navy Rear Adm. W.S. Truelove, commander of Maritime Forces Pacific/Joint Task Force Pacific. "I think any well-prepared military needs to be able to operate in all the conditions they may face in defense and security of their nation or abroad. We are both Arctic nations, so it's important we have the capabilities to be combat effective in order to operate in this environment. Search and rescue is also very important up here; responding to crisis in these harsh conditions requires us to think and work together."

"These conferences are always so valuable to get to know who the leaders are and to be able to meet and shake hands," Truelove continued. "You always want to build those relationships well before any disaster situation so you aren't talking for the first time in a moment of crisis. I really appreciate the opportunity and thanks to everyone that put this together. It's been a great experience to be able to share with my colleagues."

A Hawk's view of Kunsan

by Staff Sgt. Jessica Haas
8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

1/26/2014 - KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea  -- General Hawk Carlisle, Pacific Air Forces commander, visited Kunsan Air Base Jan. 24, 2014 to address and thank 8th Fighter Wing Airmen for their service, as well as to address the force management issues currently affecting active duty Airmen.

"You are one of a kind," said the general in reference to the Wolf Pack. "You are not in Korea for any other reason than that you believe in what our country stands for, and one of those things is to stand by our friends - the South Koreans."

The PACAF commander continued to express his gratitude for the Wolf Pack Airmen's service, especially because Kunsan is both a forward deployed location and an unaccompanied tour.

"You are really unique," said General Carlisle. "The environment you live in, the fight tonight you live in, the one-year remote - all of those things make you all incredibly unique and I know how hard you work. What you do matters and I really can't tell you how much we appreciate what you do."

The general continued to address the Pack by discussing force management issues - issues he is not happy about but knows are necessary to continue being the world's best Air Force.

"I wish we didn't have to do it," said General Carlisle of the personnel cutbacks. "I think that we have great Airmen in our Air Force who have raised their right hand and swore an oath that they would do everything we asked them to do - they make sacrifices and their family makes sacrifices. Unfortunately, we have another solid obligation to take whatever Congress decides is the budget and have to produce the greatest Air Force in the world."

The general also discussed how the remaining Airmen will make force management changes through providing their innovative ideas. General Carlisle also went on to make two promises to Airmen.

"Every Airman will have the opportunity to find out where they stand within the organization and what options they have," said the PACAF commander. "The second promise I'll make is to make sure you are taken care of. No matter what decision is made, we will do everything in our power to help you in that transition."

"You are the ones at the tip of the spear, you're out there making things happen and my job is to make sure you're taken care of - and that is the moral obligation that I carry," said General Carlisle.

The general closed by reinforcing the value of Airmen's service.

"If you look left and right, front and behind you, the quality of the people we have doing the job we do today is phenomenal," he said. "A vast majority of the Airmen we serve with day in and day out, like all of you, are incredible Airmen. The quality of our force and the opportunity to spend time with folks like you is the reason I love the Air Force."

PACAF commander visits Team Osan

by Senior Airman Siuta B. Ika
51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

1/26/2014 - OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Gen. Hawk Carlisle, Pacific Air Forces commander, visited Jan. 21-23 to get a first-hand look at Team Osan members accomplishing the mission.

During his visit, General Carlisle met with Airmen from across the base during an Airman's call to discuss force management.

"I can't tell you enough how much I appreciate what you do every day," Carlisle said. "I hate the concept that we have all these great Airmen and they've done everything we've asked them to do, but we're breaking faith by not holding up our end of the deal. That's terrible, and I wish we didn't have to do it, but we've got to build the best possible Air Force we can with the budget that we have."

The general then went on to make two promises to all in attendance.

"One is that every single Airman will be able to have a one-on-one discussion with their supervisor or commander to find out where they stand, what their options are, and what the future looks like," Carlisle said. "We owe that to every single Airman out there, so I promise you that you will know what your options are. The second promise is that we will do everything in our power to take care of you - whether you stay in or choose to get out."

Carlisle said although PACAF and the Air Force may be currently enduring difficult times, Airmen have always been able to overcome whatever adversity placed in their path.

"When I started in the Air Force in 1974, the Air Force was a hollow force - there was an entire flight line of F-15s at Luke (Air Force Base, Ariz.) that didn't even have engines yet," the COMPACAF said. "But we came out of that and now we are the asymmetric power of our nation. We got rid of the fourth largest Air Force in the world in a matter of hours in Iraq. We took a tyrannical regime down in Yugoslavia without putting one person on the ground. Today in Iraq and Afghanistan, there's not one ground commander who will go near a potential for combat area without air power. Think of how far we've come through the tough times."

General Carlisle concluded with a call to action.

"We're a service born out of innovation, and a long time ago we decided we're going to go over things, not through them, and that is what we need now," General Carlisle said. "You have the answers, you're the ones that make the mission happen every day and I've seen it over the past few days. I want to thank you again, and just tell you that what you do matters. At some point in the future, whether you stay in for 3 or 33 years, you'll look back and say 'I did something that mattered and made other people's lives better.'"

Officer candidates from Michigan National Guard brave the elements

By Spc. Seth LaCount
Michigan Army National Guard

FORT CUSTER, Mich. (1/27/14) - Michigan is facing one of its harshest winters in a decade and sub-freezing temperatures and record snowfall have deterred the ability of many people to perform daily activities at a normal pace.

However, for seven Michigan National Guard Soldiers, taking it slow is not an option. In extreme elements, these officer candidates completed a land navigation course as part of Zero Phase of Officer Candidate School at Fort Custer.

To hold the highly coveted title of "officer" in the United States Army, Soldiers must be able to communicate effectively and display exceptional leadership in the field to accomplish their mission.
A Soldier"s first step in their pursuit of that title is Officer Candidate School.

Zero Phase, held at Fort Custer, gives candidates an initial look into the life of an officer in the Michigan Army National Guard. This two-week course highlights land navigation and other warrior tasks, before Soldiers enter into more advanced training.

"I want to set a high standard for myself," said officer candidate Ryan J. VanDyke. "There is no way to adequately prepare for every situation we encounter here and you have to be willing to roll with the punches."

The land navigation portion of training is split into three events throughout the day. It begins with a two-hour practice run in the morning. The candidates are given two hours to plot their course on their maps using protractors.

The second iteration is an actual scored test. Candidates are assessed on their speed, technique and execution. The day is concluded by a nighttime navigation. During the night, the candidates work in conditions with low visibility. They are allowed a red lens flashlight, but can only use the light to plot on their map and check direction, not shine on their actual point.

"It is a very difficult task to navigate in areas of low visibility," said Capt. Adam T. Jenzen, senior platoon officer. "It makes for a very intense and often frustrating learning experience."

After completion of Zero Phase, the candidates are transported to Ft. McClellan, Ala., to begin phases one through three of Officer Candidate School. Their expected graduation date is March 22, 2014, and the commissioning ceremony will be held at the Fort Custer Education Center.

National Guard, active-duty units partner with 38th Combat Aviation Brigade for training

By 1st Lt. Tyler Mitchell
38th Combat Aviation Brigade

CAMP ATTERBURY, Ind. (1/27/14) - Headquarters Company of the 38th Combat Aviation Brigade completed four days of training and development at Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center, Ind.,on Jan. 24 in preparation for their upcoming Warfighter exercise.

The 38th CAB partnered with National Guard and active-duty units from around the country in an exercise designed to give commanders and their staffs the experience of what large-scale operations require while using the Military Decision Making Process.

The MDMP is used to assist units at brigade or battalion levels in analyzing a given mission, what course of action to take, comparing courses of action and disseminating missions to subordinate units.
"Warfighter can greatly assist the CAB in validating our standard operating procedures, and how we plan for missions," said Lt. Col. Matthew Handy, the 38th CAB executive officer who has participated in three warfighters.

Instructors from the Mission Command Training Center at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., aided38th CAB Soldiers as they planned their operation. The team from Fort Leavenworth will later evaluate brigade Soldiers once their operation begins.

The exercise is conducted to simulate a full-scale military operation, complete with the technology and equipment necessary for commands overseas to coordinate and win a battle. The unit's Soldiers will be tested on their ability to handle any situation such as downed aircraft, enemy artillery fire, media interviews or rules of engagement.

"This is the perfect environment to make all the mistakes you can, so you can go ahead and learn from them and actually have a focused mindset for when you actually get mobilized," said Staff Sgt. Ivan Villasmil,an intelligence analyst participating in his first Warfighter.

The 38th CAB Soldiers have only started the planning phase of exercise. For the next three months, they will continue to develop how they will fight during the exercise.

The soldiers will start their battlefield scenario in May at Fort Leavenworth, Kan.