Navy Prepares Black Box Locator for Flight 370 Search

From a U.S. 7th Fleet News Release

PHILIPPINE SEA, March 24, 2014 – U.S. Pacific Command has ordered U.S. Pacific Fleet to move a black box locator into the region where searchers are continuing efforts to locate Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, which disappeared March 8 shortly after leaving Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, bound for Beijing.

Officials said the order is a precautionary measure in case a debris field is located.

If a debris field is confirmed, officials added, the Navy's Towed Pinger Locator 25 will add a significant advantage in locating the missing aircraft's black box.

"In the event a debris field is located, we're moving some specialized locator equipment into the area,” said Navy Cmdr. Chris Budde, U.S. 7th Fleet operations officer. “The Towed Pinger Locator has some highly sensitive listening capability so that if the wreck site is located, we can hear the black box pinger down to a depth of about 20,000 feet. Basically, this super-sensitive hydrophone gets towed behind a commercial vessel very slowly and listens for black box pings.

"This movement is simply a prudent effort to pre-position equipment and trained personnel closer to the search area,” he continued, “so that if debris is found, we will be able to respond as quickly as possible, since the battery life of the black box's pinger is limited."

If found, the acoustic signal of the pinger is transmitted up the cable and is presented audibly, and can be output to either an oscilloscope or a signal processing computer, 7th Fleet officials explained. The operator monitors the greatest signal strength and records the navigation coordinates. This procedure is repeated on multiple track lines until the final position is triangulated.

Pieces of flare: Maintainers construct aircraft defense devices

by Senior Airman Bryan Swink

60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

3/21/2014 - TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The 60th Maintenance Squadron munitions flight kicked into high gear March 10 as it started its semiannual flare build.

A team of munitions specialists, consisting of active-duty and Reserve personnel, will produce approximately 1,500 flares every day and roughly 6,000 in total during the four-day operation. These flare are a critical defense capability for two of Travis' airframes: the C-5 Galaxy and C-17 Globemaster III.

They are able to produce so many flares because of the organized system of operations the team has developed, which focuses on speed, efficiency and, most importantly, safety.

"We live and die by our (technical orders)," said Tech. Sgt. George Rodriguez, 349th Maintenance Squadron munitions storage crew chief. "This assembly line system doesn't work and serious problems can occur if we aren't following exactly what is laid out in the TOs."

The team constantly keeps safety in mind when dealing with any of the highly explosive munitions it works with on a daily basis, but it's more than just flare it oversees.

"We inspect, certify, maintain, store and refurbish a $17.7 million munitions stockpile to support all of the Travis aircraft and base agencies with ammunition," said Tech. Sgt. Steven Peterson, 60th MXS material superintendent.

These highly trained experts are not only responsible for aircraft defensive flare and ammunition for security forces, but also anything the Air Force uses that has to do with explosives.

"Our team at Travis mainly supports our aircraft with flare, but during a deployment, we can work on anything from bombs to egress systems on fighter jets to ensure a pilot can eject properly if needed," said Staff Sgt. Lonnie Seale, 60th MXS munitions inspector.

The munitions specialists assigned to the 60th and 349th MXS know how important their mission is not only at Travis, but to the Air Force as a whole.

"The attention to detail, level of focus and consideration of safety play a big part in everything we do," said Senior Airman Daniel Vandetta, 60th MXS munitions storage crew chief. "We understand lives are on the line and that gives us great pride in knowing how important our role is in the Air Force mission."

The team's work ethic has paid off and is reflected by Air Force leadership as it was recognized as the Air Mobility Command's Best Weapons Safety Program for 2013. The team also received an outstanding rating on its latest Combined Unit Inspection, Compliance Inspection and the Logistics Compliance Assessment Program.

"This is absolutely one of the best ammo groups I have ever worked with," Peterson said. "These young men and women are some of the most dedicated and motivated people the Air Force has to offer."

MSAS and Guatemalan service members complete joint seminars

by Staff Sgt. Christopher Carranza

60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

3/21/2014 - LA AURORA AIR BASE, Guatemala -- The 571st Mobility Support Advisory Squadron has completed 25 days of joint seminars with Guatemalan armed forces counterparts at La Aurora Air Base, Guatemala, March 13.

The 571st is one of two Mobility Support Advisory Squadrons within the 621st Contingency Response Wing that supports 12th Air Force's Southern engagements in the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility of Central America, South America and the Caribbean. The squadron's focus during the assignment was on improving mission support capabilities for counter narcotic operations while building partnership capacity, thus strengthening partner nation's ability and relationship to achieve mission objectives.

The seminars conducted by the 571st MSAS included aircraft maintenance, aircraft security, radio communications and intelligence. These seminars were facilitated by a mobile training team, comprised of specialized Airmen in their respective career fields.

"I am extremely happy to see the interactions between the Guatemalan service members and our team," said Master Sgt. Patrick Lombardo, 571st MSAS Security Forces air advisor. "Their motivation to improve security for their air assets is vital for any of their missions. To witness what we have taught them and see their abilities put into action is spot on and gratifying."

Throughout the seminars Guatemalan service members accomplished classroom instruction, hands-on activities and a final capstone event that demonstrated all that they learned.

"These seminars were very informative, structured and an overall great experience for all of our attendees," said Capt. Francisco Roberto Ruiz Cifuentes, Guatemalan Operations officer. "Having the opportunity to improve our radio communications and learn more about our capabilities instills knowledge in all of us, which will greatly help during operations. Improving communications improves our commander's flow of information and will optimize command and control in any situation and give us positive results."

Upon completion of the seminars and final capstone event, a ceremony for the attendees closed off the engagement, officiated by Coronel de Aviacion P.A. DEMA, equivalent to a U.S. Air Force colonel, Guillermo Orozco Rodas, La Aurora AB commander. Also in attendance was Col. Martin Chapin, 621st CRW commander.

Orozco thanked the teams during the ceremony for demonstrating the highest degree of professionalism and expertise in their respective fields and presented the team with certificates of appreciation on behalf of the Guatemalan air command.

"We thank you for sharing such immense knowledge in a short amount of time," Orozco said. "I know that these skills and experiences shared throughout our time together will help us and our armed services, and most of all Guatemala. This has been a great opportunity for all."

Chapin spoke on behalf of U.S. service members and thanked the hospitality of the Guatemalan hosts. He said he was proud of all who partook in the seminars and shared the Air Force's tradition of coining outstanding performers.

Upon completion of the engagement Chapin shared his reflection of the MSAS' vital role in the CRW and assisting U.S. Southern Command combatant command objectives.

"These tactical steps are the building blocks that create the foundation of partnerships," Chapin said. "They gain tactical knowledge from us and we gain a better understanding of their perspective, procedures and culture. This will help us greatly in future joint operations. The real value that the Air Force receives in operations such as this is the relationship and rapport we establish that have a lasting effect. Overall, the Guatemalans know we care."

MSAS air advisors complete first joint military seminar in Guatemala

by Tech. Sgt. Jesse Baehm

571st Mobility Support Advisory Squadron

3/20/2014 - LA AURORA AIR BASE, Guatemala -- The 571st Mobility Support Advisory Squadron concluded the first joint military training at La Aurora Air Base, Guatemala, with members of the Guatemalan Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine Corps, Mar. 15.

Fourteen members from the 571st MSAS mobile training team from Travis Air Force Base, Calif., trained 51 partner nation students in the areas of communications, aircraft maintenance, intelligence and aircraft security using a variety of hands-on activities and classroom instruction. These courses, designed by the mobility advisors, were engineered to increase interoperability between the United States and Guatemala to tackle shared regional security challenges.

"The MSAS plays an essential role in the Air Force's core function of building partnerships," said Capt. Jarret Flexman, 571st MSAS mission commander. "These vital partnerships are essential in creating cooperative solutions for regional challenges."

The training included high frequency radio capabilities demonstration. Additionally, the hands-on training included a seminar on secure radio programming that enabled more effective joint mission command and control for the partner nations. The joint Guatemalan training was validated with demonstrations of their newly obtained radio programming skills.

"With this training, I'll be a force multiplier for my home unit at the strategic and tactical level," said Capt. Francisco Roberto Ruiz Cifuentes, Guatemalan Operations officer.

Aside from the communications seminar, the MSAS team helped the partner nation improve aircraft security, maintenance and intelligence analysis procedures. One of the MSAS recommendations implemented by the Guatemalan air force security element was to enhance force protection methods for key flying assets. Guatemala's newly acquired mobility skills will improve continuity and expanded cooperation between U.S. and Guatemalan relations.

"This engagement was successful because we established a relationship of trust for a long-term partnership," said Master Sgt. Sidney De Leon, MSAS team sergeant. "While this is the first MSAS mission to involve all services of a partner nation, it represents a successful step forward for USSOUTHCOM's objectives in the region. MSAS air advisors are a key asset in the Air Force's enduring building partner capacity mission, linking each successive engagement with previous visits to achieve freedom, stability and prosperity in the region."

MSAS air advisers, Guatemala military share tradition

by Master Sgt. Patrick Lombardo

571st Mobility Support Advisory Squadron

3/21/2014 - LA AURORA AIR BASE, Guatemala -- The 571st Mobility Support Advisory Squadron has been conducting mobile training team seminars with the Guatemalan military since mid February at La Aurora Air Base, Guatemala.

The MTT focuses its efforts to improve mission support capabilities for counter narcotic operations within the country of Guatemala. An additional role the MSAS takes on is building partnership capacity, which plays a vital role in strengthening relationships to achieve mission objectives.

The BPC mission, carried out by Air Mobility Command's two mobility support advisory squadrons, is designed to promote regional stability by fostering key relationships and enhancing partner nation capabilities. The MSAS also supports 12th Air Force's continued engagements in the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility of Latin America and the Caribbean. An important part of each engagement is to foster friendships and partnerships based on a common Airman culture, mutual respect and collaboration.

Capt. Jarret Flexman, 571st MSAS mission commander, saw an opportunity to further partnership interaction while conducting a senior NCO promotion ceremony for Master Sgt. Claude Winfree, 571st MSAS communications air advisor.

"This ceremony was not just an event for Master Sgt. Winfree receiving another stripe, but a celebration on his achievement to an exclusive senior group," Flexman said. "He has demonstrated the ability to master his specialty as a leader. The NCO ranks are the back bone of the Air Force and as a senior NCO he has become a leader amongst leaders."

This was the first senior NCO promotion ceremony celebrated abroad for MSAS.

Flexman said the event was an opportunity to showcase the importance of the U.S. Air Force's senior NCO ranks, but also the importance of empowerment of the NCO corps to the Guatemalan air force audience.

Winfree said he was honored to have Capt. Francisco Roberto Ruiz Cifuentes, Guatemalan army, to assist Master Sgt. Marc Slonecker, 571st MSAS Security Forces air advisor, tack on his new stripe.

"I just wanted to thank everyone for attending today," Winfree said. "I wish my wife and kids could be here to enjoy this with me, however, I do appreciate my military family being here to celebrate with me. It is an honor to have shared this with my Guatemalan military family as well."

Airmen arrive for partnership event in Angola

by Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Wilson
USAFE-AFAFRICA Public Affairs

3/23/2014 - LUANDA, Angola  -- More than 20 U.S. Air Force Airmen arrived here last week to participate in African Partnership Flight, cohosted by Angola and the U.S.

This year Airmen from the Angolan air force; Zambian air force; and U.S. Airmen from U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa, the 818th Mobility Support Advisory Squadron, and Portuguese speakers from the Language Enabled Airman Program are participating in the event.

"It is great to be here in Luanda with our partners from Angola and Zambia," said Lt. Col. Peter Larsen, APF mission commander. "We plan to take full advantage of this opportunity to learn from each other so we come out of this experience more cohesive partners for the future."

African Partnership Flight is a collaborative learning environment, which helps air forces from the U.S. and partner nations in Africa work better together. The first APF was hosted in March 2012 and the program has since become a premier program for U.S. Africa Command to help foster security and stability throughout Africa.

This APF includes classroom discussions as well as hands-on experience with topics including mission planning, disaster preparedness and cargo buildup.

Throughout the week of APF, the USAFE Band ensemble Touch n' Go will be performing outreach events for the community and local schools.

The overall goal of APF is to strengthen the partnerships between the United States and air forces in Africa to continue building regional air force cooperation capabilities.