Women’s Mentorship Program Empowers Service Members

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 10, 2014 – The Women’s Mentorship Network hosted a membership drive at Fort Hood, Texas, last week to broaden participation and send out updates for future meetings, a program spokeswoman said.

Army Maj. Heather Gunther of 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment at Fort Hood, is one of the core cadre members for the network. She said the all-volunteer leader development organization began in February 2013 as a grassroots effort, with several women at Fort Hood conducting informal lunches to discuss relevant professional development topics.

Within six months, Gunther said, groups became active in units across the installation as word of the mentorship network’s success spread.

“The women decided to expand the concept and create a formal network,” Gunther said, and on Jan. 10 and 11, the Women’s Mentorship Network celebrated its official launch with a leadership clinic facilitated by author Ori Brafman.

“Sixty women of all ranks participated in the design structure and vision -- an organization for all individuals who support the mentorship of military women and aligned with profession-of-arms values: namely trust, respect, and empowerment.”

Brafman, who penned a leadership book titled “The Starfish and the Spider,” inspired the network’s dynamic mentoring objectives, which Gunther said can develop through periodic, highly structured mentorship meetings led by trained facilitators.

“Similar to classes at a gym, facilitators offer one-hour periodic meetings and follow an agenda of interactive exercises designed to engage participants as mentors and mentees,” she said. “And just like spin class or CrossFit, each session is a little different based on the mix of members, experience and energy.”

Trained facilitators will further refine objectives to establish mentorship circles as they are reassigned and deployed with a cadre of support to share resources, Gunther explained.

Though the program is still in its nascence, Gunther said, it continues to grow, with the ultimate goal being a core network of military women who provide a support system to enrich the armed forces with adaptive and resilient leaders.

She emphasized that the military will be well-served to seek out initiatives that provide adaptive leadership training.

“The membership drive promises to be a great event to further grow the network and to remain transparent about it,” Gunther said. “Its organizers and champions have enjoyed the support of their leadership throughout the formation of this organization.”

The Women’s Mentorship Network is open to all men and women -- civilian and military -- who support the cultivation of female military leadership through adaptive, resilient mentorship. Participation in the network is voluntary, and all events are self-resourced.

Team McChord C-17s deliver Army firepower

by Jake Chappelle
446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

2/7/2014 - MCCHORD FIELD, Wash. -- Reserve and active-duty C-17 Globemaster III aircrews from Team McChord provided strategic airlift for Soldiers from the 17th Fire Brigade to Fort Hunter-Liggett, Calif., to conduct live-fire exercises Jan. 31 to Feb. 5.

The 446th and 62nd Airlift Wing crewmembers transported the 5th Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment's High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems and their operators to Hunter-Liggett, so the Soldiers could execute the field firing segments of Operation Thunderbolt II.

"As a wing, the biggest thing we took away from [the mission] was the opportunity to work with our sister service at [JBLM - Lewis Main]," said Capt. Patrick Hancock, 446th AW chief of Weapons and Tactics, who served as the operation's lead planner. "This training is crucial, as it's a part of our basic mission set, and provides continuity for future 446th Airmen."

Operation Thunderbolt II validated the C-17 aircraft as a delivery platform for 5-3 FA global operations, said Hancock, who's contributed to several joint-training missions with the Army.

Completing the operation was also imperative to an exercise the 75th Ranger Regiment conducted on the ground, Hancock said. The Rangers needed the 5-3 FA to complete the artillery firing portion of the mission, so the Rangers could accomplish theirs.

As lead planner, Hancock ensured as many possible details he could imagine were covered by organizing with leads from each participating agency, and making sure he had solutions for the potential contingencies, he said. A major piece of the coordination was figuring out ways to alleviate the issues or get rid of them completely.

"The biggest advantage the 446th brings to the fight is experience," Hancock, who joined the wing in 2005, said. "We have some of the most experienced pilots and loadmasters at JBLM, which allows them to be flexible in case the mission doesn't go according to plan."

Hancock also said the mission provided a great opportunity for some younger and newer 446th AW aircrew members to gain rare and valuable experience.

"This is as close to real world training as you get," he said. "Many aircrew members hadn't worked in this type of high-operations tempo with the fire brigade. Also, many of the aircrew had never conducted operations on a semi-prepared runway [dirt landing strip]."

Organizing inter-department exercises, like Operation Thunderbolt II, are like putting together a complex puzzle, Hancock said. Every piece has a specific and unique purpose, and it's up to the planners to know the capabilities each bring to the table--to optimize their effectiveness.

"This mission is probably one of the most joint missions we've accomplished as Joint Base Lewis-McChord," he said. "All together we had 24 JBLM units that participated--which further proved we're one team--one fight."

Malmstrom missile maintainers successfully install reentry system

by Tech. Sgt. Steve Grever
Air Force Public Affairs Agency

2/10/2014 - MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- Missile maintainers from the 341st Missile Maintenance Squadron successfully removed and installed a new reentry system at an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile launch facility here.

Staff Sgt. Damarr Jones, 341st MMXS missile maintenance team chief, led a five-person missile maintenance team that completed the installation of the new reentry system. He said his team prepared days in advance to ensure their equipment, vehicles and other mission requirements were on hand and ready to help complete their maintenance tasks at the LF.

"Our job today was to put a missile on alert," Jones said. "Before the mission, we studied our technical orders and put together the right equipment and parts to complete the job at the site."

Jones has only been stationed at Malmstrom AFB for about 18 months, but he has extensive experience on missile maintenance and missile handling teams over the course of his 12 years in the Air Force. He said he's proud of his team and the work they perform every day to keep Malmstrom missiles on alert.

"We worked as a cohesive unit, and we are well trained to complete maintenance tasks on the ICBM," he said. "I have the best job in the world, and being a team chief is like a quarterback who ensures everyone is working together to accomplish the mission."

First Lt. Michael Fraioli, 341st MMXS missile maintenance team officer in charge, said he relies on his noncommissioned officers who are highly experienced in every aspect of the missile maintenance career field.

"Our team chiefs and site superintendents have a wealth of knowledge. If there's a technical question, they know which technical orders to look at and sometimes they know off the top of their heads what the problem could be and how to fix it," Fraioli said.

The missile maintenance team didn't complete this task on their own as the 40th Helicopter Flight provided aerial surveillance and a Convoy Response Force from the 741st Missile Security Forces Squadron provided them with an armed escort from Malmstrom AFB to the LF. The CRF security forces members ensure the reentry system, Airmen and other resources attached to the convoy are safe and secure at all times.

First Lt. Michael Olson, 741st MSFS CRF convoy commander, said convoy training prepares them for almost every scenario they may see during an operational convoy mission. This training covers each movement the convoy makes to reach the LF safely so the missile maintainers can perform their mission at the site.

"I will control the convoy's movements, and if anything happens that's outside the norm, I will relay it to the base and communicate what's going on. While I'm doing that, our convoy flight chief, who's our tactical commander, will control where we position our forces," Olson said. "I will keep an eye on the big picture and help backfill forces relay everything to the base. I oversee the convoy and our tactical commander is more hands on."

Master Sgt. Christopher Clark, 741st MSFS CRF tactical commander, said he works hand-in-hand with Olson to manage the CRF, and relies on his convoy experience he gained from multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan to ensure their team operates at the highest level.

"When we go on a mission, everybody has a 'Get 'er done' mentality," Clark said. "Out of eight deployments, I ran convoys for six of them. This is like second nature to me. It's a rewarding job and it's a pleasure doing it."

First Lady: 100 Companies to Hire 100,000 Vets Over 5 Years

By Cheryl Pellerin

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 10, 2014 – First Lady Michelle Obama announced today that more than 100 construction industry companies have committed to hiring more than 100,000 military veterans over the next five years.

Obama and Labor Secretary Thomas E. Perez delivered remarks at the National Symposium on Veterans’ Employment in Construction, hosted at the Labor Department.

The event brought together construction industry officials, government leaders and education professionals to highlight hiring commitments throughout the industry, and it addressed employment challenges and opportunities for transitioning service members and veterans.

The first lady called the commitment to veterans “a huge deal,” adding, “It’s days like today that remind me why Dr. [Jill] Biden and I started Joining Forces in the first place.”

Joining Forces is a national initiative championed by the first lady and the vice president’s wife to engage all sectors of society to give service members and their family members opportunities and support.

“We did this because we wanted to inspire businesses and organizations across the country to ask themselves one simple question: … What more can we do to honor and support our veterans and military families?” the first lady said.

“And today all of you answered that question with this incredibly strong commitment,” Obama said. “I know that you all have made this commitment not just because it is the patriotic thing to do, … [but also] because you know that America’s military turns our some of the highest-skilled, hardest-working employees this country has ever seen.”

The kind of work men and women in uniform do every day includes building cities in the middle of deserts halfway around the world, building schools in remote villages, and repairing complex machinery in combat zones in the middle of the night, she said.

“Our troops have taken on some of the most challenging projects in some of the most inhospitable places under some of the toughest deadlines and constraints,” the first lady said. “So when it comes to the attitude and the experience needed to thrive in construction jobs, our men and women in uniform are second to none.”

As part of Joining Forces, the first lady and Dr. Biden issued a call to 50 U.S. governors to take executive or legislative action to streamline state licensing for service members, veterans and their spouses by the end of 2015. Today, 44 states have passed legislation that streamlines the process for service members and veterans to obtain civilian certification and licensure, according to a White House fact sheet.

In his remarks, Perez noted that the Labor Department’s latest employment report indicates the private sector has created 8.5 million jobs over the last 47 months. The construction industry showed one of the most dramatic growth rates, he said, adding more jobs in January than in any month since March 2007.

The construction industry is expected to create more than 1.5 million jobs by 2022, Perez said, adding that the industry has long maintained a proven training and employment infrastructure.

“Through apprenticeships, certification and credentialing programs provided by labor unions and individual employers, veterans can translate their skills into in-demand civilian occupations,” the secretary said.

“Nearly 8 percent of all registered apprentices are veterans,” he added, “while 23 percent of apprentices are active military members learning skills in over 120 occupations ranging from airframe mechanics to firefighters.”

The first lady said she and President Barack Obama believe the nation’s men and women in uniform should be able to start pursuing such careers the minute they hang up their uniforms but that the transition from military to civilian life can be difficult.

“Too many of our troops … get excellent training [but] they don’t always know how to translate that military experience into good civilian jobs,” she said. “That’s why in 2012 my husband launched the Department of Defense Military Credentialing and Licensing Task Force, and we’re already starting to see results.”

Today, she added, service members nationwide participate in apprenticeships and accredited civilian training programs near their bases, and the Defense Department is working to help them apply military training toward earning civilian credentials, particularly in high-demand fields like plumbing and heating, ventilation and air conditioning.

The president has assured that veterans can use their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to pay for career and technical training in construction and other industries, the first lady said, and veterans and companies can find jobs and qualified employees in 2,600 American job centers across the country.

Today’s commitment is about putting highly skilled individuals to work in high-paying careers and providing U.S. companies with the very best workers, but it’s also about “modeling a certain set of values for our communities and for our country,” she said.

“By making these kinds of commitments … you all are sending a clear message that in this country we honor those who’ve sacrificed for us,” the first lady said to company representatives in the audience.

And to service members and veterans in the audience and watching online, she said, “Please know that America has your back, and if you ever need to be reminded of how thankful we are for everything you’ve done for us, take a look around this room.

“You’ve got representatives from some of the leading companies in America,” the first lady added, “many of whom have traveled a very long way to be here. And they’re all here because they want to serve you as well as you’ve served this country.”

Secretary of the Navy Concludes Partnership Visit to Madrid

From Secretary of the Navy Public Affairs

MADRID, Spain (NNS) -- Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus concluded a visit to Madrid, Spain, Feb. 10.

Mabus held a series of high-level meetings with Spanish leaders that highlighted the close defense cooperation between the United States and Spain as well as Spain's key role in NATO.

During his one-day visit to Madrid, Mabus met with the Crown Prince of Spain, His Royal Highness the Prince of Asturias; Minister of Defense Pedro Morenes, and Chief of Naval Operations Navy Adm. Munoz-Delgado.

During his meetings, Mabus noted the close collaborative working relationship between Spanish and U.S. military forces. Mabus emphasized the statement made by President Obama at last month's White House meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, that security cooperation between the two countries has never been stronger.

"For more than 200 years, the United States has enjoyed a strong partnership with our European friends, and our relationship with Spain has been one of our most vital," said Mabus. "Our two countries have served together in Afghanistan, sailed the Horn of Africa and the Gulf of Guinea to combat piracy, and worked to build greater capacity for our mutual friends around the world. Together we can continue to address those areas that threaten collective security and stability around the globe."

He also met with Marines and staff assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Madrid to thank them for their service.

Mabus will travel to Rota for the Feb. 11 arrival ceremony of USS Donald Cook (DDG 75), the first of four BMD-capable Aegis ships to be forward-deployed to Rota Naval Base, which will support NATO and U.S. missions, exercises and engagements, and represent a U.S. national contribution to the NATO European missile defense architecture.

Mabus' visit to Spain is part of a multi-country trip focused on building partnerships designed to help distribute the burden of securing the global maritime domain based on alliances, shared values and mutual trust.

PACAF to conduct Cope North 2014

Release Number: 010214

2/10/2014 - JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- The U.S. Air Force, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, Royal Australian Air Force and Republic of Korea Air Force will conduct exercise Cope North 2014 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Feb. 17 through 28, 2014.

This is the annual iteration of a long-standing multilateral exercise designed to enhance each countries' air operations. The exercise includes humanitarian assistance and disaster relief training for the USAF, JASDF and RAAF.

Approximately 50 aircraft from the U.S., RAAF and JASDF will participate in the exercise.

The USAF will have approximately 1,200 participants; the JASDF will have approximately 430 participants; and the RAAF will have approximately 240 participants.

The first week of the exercise will consist of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief training and air combat training. During the second part of the exercise, the focus will shift to large force employment training, air-to-ground strike mission training, and fighter verses fighter air combat tactics training. Also, JASDF squadrons will conduct surface attack training on the Farallon de Medinilla Range, 160 nautical miles north of Guam.

Since the first Cope North exercise in 1978 at Misawa Air Base, Japan, thousands of U.S. and Japanese airmen have honed skills vital to maintaining a high level of readiness, inherent to the stability of the region. This is the third iteration of the trilateral Cope North exercise with US, Australia and Japan. The exercise continues to strengthen regional partner warfighter integration and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief interoperability training.

Additionally, this marks the first year of Republic of Korea Air Force participation in the humanitarian assistance and disaster relief portion of the training. ROKAF will dispatch approximately 25 participants with a CN-235 cargo aircraft.

This is the 85th Cope North exercise, it was held as often as four times per year, but is currently an annual exercise.

Air Guard remains experienced, ready force

by Sgt. 1st Class Jon Soucy
National Guard Bureau

2/7/2014 - ARLINGTON, Va. -- The Air National Guard remains an experienced and ready force committed to both its state and federal missions, explained Air Force Lt. Gen. Stanley E. Clarke III, director of the Air Guard, while addressing attendees at the Air Force Civic Leader Program (AFCLP) Annual Conference at Joint Base Andrews, Md.

"I know for a fact that we have very good, experienced Airmen," continued Clarke.
"That experience translates to being a ready force for any mission."

Yesterday, Clarke presented the 'State of the Air National Guard' to the Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and more than 30 community leaders from across the nation.

The AFCLP members serve as key advisors and advocates on Air Force issues and provide timely, relevant information and feedback. Respected in their communities, members foster relationships between the American public and the Air Force through personal contact, speeches and appearances.

"We have lots of people, lots of aircraft all out there doing a variety of missions all in support of a federal mission or a state mission," said Clarke. "Our Air National Guard force is the first choice for homeland operations, a proven choice for fighting wars, and an enduring force for global security cooperation."

And much of that experience comes from being part of the total force concept that integrates all three components of the Air Force--the regular Air Force, the Air Force Reserve and the Air Guard--into a variety of both training exercises and operational missions.

"The only reason we can always do these exercises or the actual deployments overseas the way we do it is that we do it as a total force," said Clarke. "The standards, the inspections, the operational engagement and the resources have always been there to make sure that happens. It's a great concept."

Clarke also explained to the AFCLP members that the Air Guard has a unique state mission.

"We have a dual-use force, constitutionally unique and able to respond to things in the homeland and support the mission overseas," said Clarke, adding that Air Guard members seamlessly fit in with local first responders.

"When a disaster happens you want people who know how to organize, that don't run away from the gunfire," he said.

Clarke added that while Air Guard members have responded to highly visible disasters such as Hurricane Sandy and flooding in Colorado, there are also numerous other times they are called upon.

"It just goes on and on and on everyday," he said. "It's not big, newsworthy items like Hurricane Sandy, but the Air Guard is doing something everyday across the nation."

The Air Guard also plays an integral role in other homeland protection missions.

"We have a big piece of homeland air defense," said Clarke. "We have units scattered throughout the nation performing that mission 24 hours a day. That mission hasn't changed since 9/11."

The Air Guard also continues to build global partnerships.

"When it comes to global security cooperation, we are an enduring choice because we have highly successful programs that have been going on for many years," said Clarke. "We have the 162nd (Fighter Wing) down in Tucson, Ariz., that performs international training on the F-16. We do advanced tactics training at St. Joseph, Mo., for the C-130. We also do overseas exercises that help build partnerships and relationships. "

But, said Clarke, the National Guard's biggest security cooperation program is the State Partnership Program (SPP); which pairs countries with state Army and Air National Guard elements to conduct military and civilian exchanges that benefit both countries.

"To me, it's one of the smartest programs that we have," said Clarke, adding that one of the reasons the SPP has been so successful in its 20-plus year history is because of the enduring relationships that have been built.

Being able to continue to seamlessly take part in SPP, protect the homeland and fight America's wars, Clarke explained, has helped the Air Guard reach record levels of readiness.

"All of these missions require high levels of training and experienced Airmen to perform and to train others," he added.

It also requires Airmen to mobilize, Clarke noted.

"I always tell Air Guard members that if you wear this uniform, be prepared to be mobilized," he said. "It will happen. We are invested in almost every mission the Air Force performs."

Clarke concluded with emphasizing that the Air National Guard is 'Always on Mission'.

Based on the enthusiastic applause Clarke received from the civic leaders in attendance, the Air Guard's investment in state and federal missions seemed to be genuinely appreciated and paying dividends.

Air National Guard embraces ‘one Air Force’ concept

By Tech. Sgt. David Eichaker
National Guard Bureau

ARLINGTON, Va. (2/10/2014) - Emphasizing the importance of embracing a "one Air Force" concept, Chief Master Sgt. James Hotaling, command chief master sergeant of the Air National Guard, addressed newly minted Air Force chief master sergeants attending the Air Force District of Washington Chief's Orientation and Recognition Ceremony here to educate them about the Air Guard and to further build upon relationships between the active and reserve components.

As part of that, Hotaling, the 11th command chief master sergeant of the Air National Guard, talked about the National's Guard's 377-year history performing both state and federal missions. He then focused on three missions where he said the Air Guard excels: protecting the homeland, fighting America's wars and building global partnerships through the State Partnership Program.

The Air Guard is the first choice for homeland operations, said Hotaling, noting that Air Guard personnel were among the first to respond to the tornado that tore through Moore, Okla., in May. And, more recently, Airmen had boots on the ground when winter storms ravaged the Midwest and water contamination threatened areas of West Virginia.

"It's that link that we have," said Hotaling, adding the Air Guard is the tie between the community, state, local and federal levels.

"The Air National Guard provides that bridge where they can bounce between Title 32 (state active duty) and Title 10 (federal active duty)," he said.

And, the command chief noted, the Air National Guard has played a major part in fighting America's wars, particularly in the time since 2001.

"There are 16 Air National Guard bases around the United States that are providing air coverage (around the clock) for Operation Noble Eagle," he said, adding the Air Guard also runs the joint air defense operations center in the nation's capital and has deployed units worldwide.

Hotaling also praised Air Guard members for their long-term involvement in the SPP, where National Guard units conduct military and civilian engagements with foreign nations that help build stronger allies and support defense security goals.

"Every one of the 54 (states, territories and the District of Columbia) is partnered with at least one other country," Hotaling said, adding the program is run in conjunction with the State Department. "The State Department utilizes the National Guard to create those military-to-military relationships that are long term," said Hotaling.

Quality training and real world experience is why today's more than 105,000 Air Guard members have been invaluable to governors and combatant commanders alike, said Hotaling.

"The status (of Guard members) may be different," said Hotaling, "but the standards will be the same. That's why they are a relevant choice to combatant commanders."

"We are all just American Airman," he said.

Face of Defense: Marine Trains With Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

By Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Keenan Zelazoski

1st Marine Logistics Group

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif., Feb. 10, 2014 – Because part of being a Marine is finding ways to improve unit effectiveness and efficiency, most units have training noncommissioned officers who find beneficial courses and classes for their subordinates and peers.

Marine Corps Sgt. Cynthia Zermeno, training NCO with 1st Medical Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 15, 1st Marine Logistics Group, recently participated in an unmanned aerial vehicle course here.

The purpose of this training is to familiarize Marines and sailors with the knowledge and equipment necessary to operate UAVs, which are remotely controlled and are used for general surveillance and reconnaissance.

“Not many people know about these courses,” said Zermeno, a Torrance, Calif., native. “As the training NCO, I want to find out what types of courses are available for my Marines and how each course can benefit them, and this one would be useful for everyone.”

In the course’s first three days, students learn how to work with the systems that control the UAVs, learning vital skills such as plotting a course and how to launch and land the systems. After they learn the basics, they start practical application. Flying the UAVs is an art that requires practice.

“A lot of people in a logistics unit might not see the benefits of these skills,” said Bill Peek, the senior instructor for the Remote Audio Visual Engagement Network course. “The capabilities of a UAV are limited only to battery life and your imagination.”

With a UAV, Marines and sailors conducting convoy operations can silently observe potential hazards up to a few miles away on their planned route prior to leaving friendly lines. During the course, students also train to conduct covert operations and silent surveillance.

“Battle damage assessment is important as well,” said Peek. “Being able to get eyes on an objective -- without actually having to send a person into a dangerous area that you don’t know much about -- is a huge asset to have in an expeditionary environment.”

Marines prepare for the worst-case scenario, Zermeno said, noting that they often encounter unexpected situations while deployed. This training provides an additional life-saving skill to take with them overseas, she added.

16 SOS moving forward

by Senior Airman Xavier Lockley
27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

1/22/2014 - CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- The 16th Special Operations Squadron stationed at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., conducted its final mission for the AC-130H Spectre gunship Jan. 16 at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M.

The C-130 began its operational service with the Air Force in 1956. AC-130 development began in the early 1960s. In the Vietnam War the gunships were credited with many life-saving close air support missions. To some, it is a privilege to have flown the Spectre gunship.

"It's an honor to consider all the Spectre pilots who have come before," said Capt. John Thompson, 16 SOS assistant operations officer. "You are filled with the truest sense of pride to fly in the last days of an aircraft; this has been a great honor."

Though the impending retirement of the AC-130H marks the end of an era, the future of the C-130 is bright.

"As we close the books of the C-130H aircraft, we remember how phenomenal this plane was for more than 40 years," said Lt. Col. James Mott, 16 SOS commander. "Now we transition onto newer models of the C-130 and begin to write new chapters of Air Force history."

As Air Force Special Operaitons Command evolves, remembering the past will be vital.

"The best thing we can do for the future AC-130J community is to push forward with tactical principles that the past has taught us," said Thompson. "From all standpoints we can learn something from previous experiences; be it from a flying, maintenance or operations point of view, the past can be your best teacher."

In order to get all eight planes up at the same time, the 16 SOS had to put teamwork on display. Pilots, maintainers, loadmasters and other support members had to be in sync for all eight planes to fly.

"Being able to get all eight of the AC-130H aircraft up is remarkably unique and required everyone to play a vital role," said Mott. "The 16 SOS worked extremely hard to get this mission accomplished and this is truly a testament to the men and women of this squadron. I'm very proud of them; they did a wonderful job."

Gone in 72 hours: 710th SFS deploys at moment's notice

by Senior Airman Marcy Copeland
460th Space Wing Public Affairs

2/7/2014 - BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo.  -- The 710th Security Forces Squadron, a Team Buckley base partner, is a combat ready reserve force that deploys with a 72-hour notification in support of peacetime, contingency and wartime operations.

The mission of the 710th SFS, a U.S. Air Force Reserve unit, is simply this: train to deploy. Their job is to protect people, property and resources of the U.S. Air Force. Extensive training in law enforcement and combat tactics allows them to be stationed in deployed locations as needed worldwide.

"The biggest challenge with security forces is that we have so much to train on at any given time," said Tech. Sgt. Casey Karins, 710th SFS noncommissioned officer in charge of training. "We have a full gambit of law enforcement activities that we have to be trained in and proficient on. Then we also have a full gambit of expeditionary skills that we have to be trained in and proficient on.

The stuff we do here, checking ID cards or law enforcement activities on base, it is completely different then the stuff we potentially have to do in an overseas environment." he said.

The 710th SFS was activated to support the 310th Space Wing's transition to its current designator from a World War II bombardment group and a training and test wing. Beginning with only four Airmen at Schriever Air Force Base, Colo., and after several moves, a home was found for the squadron and gained the 460th Security Forces Squadron as neighbors.

As a unit stationed at Buckley Air Force Base, the interaction with the 710th SFS and the 460th Space Wing might appear to be non-existent, but there is a solid partnership. To keep up with the tempo of deployments and potential shortfalls, the 710th SFS can step in when 460th SFS deployments need to be filled.

"Previously, up until 2010 or 2011, our guys were back-filling a lot of positions in the 460th Security Forces Squadron so that those guys could continue to maintain a high ops tempo in support of the war." Karins said.

When a short notice deployment is tasked, an Airman must be ready to leave within 72 hours of notification. Due to this demanding requirement, the 710th SFS trains consistently no matter the temperature or weather conditions.

"We train for mission readiness in all types of weather conditions," said Maj. Wendy Allison, 710th SFS operations officer. "Since we do not know where we could be deployed at any given time, the training is repetitive and physically exhausting; often in our full battle rattle. This ensures that their tactics become second nature when they are downrange."

The 69 members of the 710th SFS leave their civilian lives to work weekends, training and staying current on all mobility requirements and maintaining that deployment-ready status year round.

"Do not underestimate Reservists," said Allison. "Many of us came from active duty, but most of us work in similar career fields in our civilian jobs; so we bring a unique perspective to the fight."