90th FS Pilots, equipment tested at Tyndall AFB

by Air Force Staff Sgt. Robert Barnett
JBER Public Affairs

4/11/2014 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Air Force Capt. William Albert could feel the missile bay door opening on his F-22 Raptor as the Air Intercept Missile-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile was launched outside, the rocket motor then engaged, giving the missile speed and shooting it out into the sky near Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., March 19, 2014.

The target was an orange, remotely-piloted, BGM-167A Subscale Aerial Target, designed as an evasive target for fighter jets during a Weapon System Evaluation Program at Tyndall Air Force Base. Twelve jets and more than 200 people, including 25 pilots, went to Tyndall Air Force Base to evaluate everything from procedures to equipment.

"It was pretty cool," said Albert, an F-22 pilot with the 90th Fighter Squadron out of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. "I could feel the launcher kicking the missile out of the jet."

Once the rocket motor burnt out, the smoke trail stopped and the pilot lost sight of the missile. He watched the progress on the radar.

Albert wasn't the only pilot monitoring the drone on radar. He and Air Force Maj. Russell Badowski and were the third and fourth shooters against the drone. They flew parallel to each other, about a mile apart, and simultaneously fired their AIM-120 missiles.

Albert's missile got there first. For training purposes, the missiles didn't have warheads - his missile speared the drone.

"I was able to see it twist and turn as the drone basically disintegrated at the moment of impact and dropped out of the sky," said the pilot from Olympia, Wash. "It was pretty cool to get to see what that looked like on the radar."

Badowski's missile connected seconds later, hitting the already-damaged target.

"It was pretty cool for both of us to get that kind of success on a shot at a $750,000 drone," Albert said.

Going to WSEP is a Pacific Air Forces requirement. The program is run by the 83rd Fighter Weapons Squadron, part of the 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group at Tyndall Air Force Base. The 90th FS went there from March 17 to 28 for the two-week evaluation.

"The Air Combat Command commander has a directive that he would like everyone to get evaluated down there on a regular basis," said Badowski, director of operations for the 90th FS. "However, due to our remote location, funding and deployment requirements, we haven't been able to go since 2010."

The program ensures the jets work, the maintainers have them ready to go, the AMRAAM launchers and the AIM-9 launchers are working appropriately, and the fire control system on the aircraft is working appropriately, Badowski said. It validates the missiles are made properly. The whole system is validated by going to this evaluation.

"I thought just loading them up was a lot of fun," said Air Force Staff Sgt. Jonathan Miller, 90th FS weapons team chief and native of Chino Hills, Calif. "The pilots came; they were all excited. They were still all hyped up when they came back. Everyone was really excited, it was a good experience."

It's important to have the experience of physically firing weapons, Badowski said.

"If we were to get called to go to war," Badowski said, "a lot of the young guys have never seen what it looks like to actually have a missile come off the jet; to see what the smoke plume is going to look like; to verify that missile is looking the way that it should. It's good for the guys to have that experience before the first time is in the heat of battle."

The pilots shot 12,000 rounds of bullets through every M-61 A1 gun they brought to ensure they were working properly, he said.

"When there's a Gatling gun that's going off about 10 feet over your shoulder, knowing what it feels like in the jet and having the sights, sounds and experiences those things are crucial because while we train, we don't have actual ammunition coming from the jet," he said. "We train on a daily basis but you don't get to experience what that feels like."

WSEP was developed in the Vietnam War, he said. It is designed to validate the pilots, the aircraft and the missiles to make sure they function properly.

"It was definitely a really valuable experience as a fighter pilot, to use your primary weapon and feel what it's like to have a missile come off the jet and actually hit something," Albert said.

"WSEP provides us the opportunity to evaluate the man, the machine and the missile," Badowki said. "We make sure everything is working perfectly so that when we go to war, we can go in confidence that everything is going to work as it's supposed to and we can be successful."

C-17'S JOIN ARMY TO TOTE THE LOAD

by STAFF SGT. RASHARD COAXUM
315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

4/14/2014 - JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. April 14, 2014 -- Four Air Force Reserve Command C-17 Globemaster III's moved four tanks weighing more than 260 tons in addition to a contingency of Army personnel last week from Wright Army Airfield, Ga.

C-17 air and ground crews - from the 315th Airlift Wing here and the 445th Airlift Wing at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio - teamed up to transport the M1A1SA Abrams battle tanks and an element of Soldiers from Wright AAF, Ga., to McEntire Air National Guard Base, S.C., in support of a tank movement for the Army's 1/118th Combat Arms Brigade.

Coordinating the effort was the 315th Airlift Control Flight from JB Charleston, under the command of Lt. Col. Lamar Thigpen. "What's so great about this mission is that we are really moving something that has to go somewhere," Thigpen said. "Typically in exercises we pick it up here and move it to another base then pick it up there and bring it back where it started, but this to me is a real world movement and operation."

The ALCF, the Air Force's mobile command and control contingency response unit, provides oversight on air mobility processes such as air operations planning and execution, load planning and aerial port operations. The Air Force Reserve command currently operates five airlift control flights that provide highly trained airlift personnel to manage, coordinate and control air mobility assets as well as having the capability for operating at locations where there is limited support. In addition to those capabilities, ALCF's are able to deploy within 36 hours of being tasked as a contingency response element to the most austere places, Thigpen said.

"Let's say that the Army or Marines have located an area with nothing on where support is needed. They call us and we can go in and set up command and control fast," Thigpen said. "We have the personnel who can coordinate the airflow of things coming in so that we can get them off the airfields and to the people who really need them." "If we look back to the earthquake in Haiti, the ALCF was tasked with running Homestead Air Reserve Base [Florida] as an intermediate staging base in support of the emergency relief missions," he said. "Our command and control had visibility on all the missions and were able to contact people down in Haiti to find out what they needed."

"Based on what was needed, our guys were able to prioritize the shipments, get the chalks together and figure out what needed to get there first," he said. Lt. Col. John Russi - the airlift operations coordinator for this tank mission and aircraft commander for the second transport C-17 from JB Charleston - helped plan this first ever combined operational movement of the Abrams tanks with the South Carolina Army National Guard.

He said that it takes a combined effort for the ALCF to make a mission like this tank movement successful. "We've done a lot of coordinating with the Army," he said. "We had to handle issues like making sure we had the performance we needed. We came down a month ago and did site surveys. We had to make sure the ramp could handle the aircraft and that after the plane was on the ground, it could turn in addition to so many other things." In addition to the safety aspect, Russi noted that a heavy focus of the mission was placed on effective training for the air and ground crews. "We wanted to make sure that everything would be safe for everyone training during the mission because that training is extremely important to what the ALCF does," he said.

"We don't normally lift this kind of weight," Russi said. "There have only been a handful of times a C-17 has been used to carry an M1 tank. That was either to take them to Iraq or Afghanistan or for the initial operational phase for the C-17 to do capability demonstrations." "This gives us more real-time real-world experience in the case we're actually transporting these into combat again," Russi said. The 315th ALCF was recently awarded as the Air Force Reserve Command ALCF of the year for 2013.

Thigpen said that he was proud of all the Airmen involved with missions like the tank movement and how they work together to make the ALCF entity it is to be in position to receive these types of accolades. "We really are the grease of the machine," Thigpen said. "We are the conduit between the user and our higher headquarters." "We make the centralized control and decentralized execution, and we make that happen because we are the bridge between the two.

He said that in the long term, he hopes that being that conduit will help build stronger relationships not only nationally between our military service branches but internationally with other countries. "We are the smallest group of a contingency response force. We can get out and help you get your stuff where it needs to go regardless of who you are," Thigpen said. "Ultimately, the Airlift Control Flight is about building relationships because that is what ALCF's do."

AFSOC command chief bids farewell

by Staff Sgt. Erica Horner
Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs

3/17/2014 - HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- After three years, three months in a front row seat to the dynamic mission of special operations, Chief Master Sgt. William Turner, command chief of Air Force Special Operations Command, will be heading to the U.S. Transportation Command as the command senior enlisted leader.

"[AFSOC] has been my heart. It's been my passion. It's what I believe in," said Turner. "I know what these guys do, I know what their families give to this mission and I know the sacrifices that are being made every day to make sure that our nation is safe."

In 1986 the Kentucky native enlisted in the Air Force as an F-15 weapons loader, but moved into AFSOC after only a few years.

"In 1990, I applied to be a gunner on the AC-130H gunship," said Turner, who received orders to the 16th Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Fla. "As soon as I arrived and met the people at the squadron, they took me under their wing and showed me the way. I've loved it ever since."

The chief said he's seen the command go through numerous changes throughout the years.

"When I showed up [to Hurlburt Field] in 1991, there were about 4,500 service members and civilians working on the base and we were flying the Vietnam era aircraft," he said. "The new kids on the block were the Talon IIs."

Today Hurlburt has more than doubled their number to approximately 11,000 while AFSOC has grown to more than 19,000 personnel and has expanded its aircraft fleet to support the warfighter's capabilities.

"AFSOC is a step ahead in the changing world," he said. "And as this world continues to change, AFSOC will always be at the forefront of getting things done and getting out on the battlefield and executing the mission of our nation; because we can't fail at this. [The mission] is too precious."

Turner, who has served 21 years of his 28-year career in AFSOC, speaks fondly of the Air Commandos.

"I'm proud of our Air Commandos," said Turner. "Everybody everywhere talks about AFSOC forces. They talk about the great pride and professionalism that our Air Commandos possess. And I can tell you with great confidence that we have the best leadership team assembled taking care of our great force."

Although Turner will miss his Air commandos, he is excited for his assignment at U.S. TRANSCOM.

"They do everything," he said. "Whether it's moving stuff by rail, by ship, or plane, they move stuff to the warfighter and make sure they have what they need to execute the mission. It's going to be a very important mission and I look forward to the challenge."

Frank Cable Visits Malaysia

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Zac Shea, USS Frank Cable Public Affairs

SEPANGAR, Malaysia (April 13, 2014) (NNS) -- The submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40) arrived at Sepangar, Malaysia, April 13, for a port visit as part of a regularly scheduled underway period in the Western Pacific.

"The purpose of our visit to Malaysia is to promote stability and security in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, to demonstrate commitment to regional partners, and to foster growing relationships," said Capt. Mark Benjamin, commanding officer of Frank Cable. "This port visit offers Frank Cable Sailors an opportunity to learn the rich culture and deep heritage of the great nation of Malaysia and to meet the friendly people therein."

During the port visit, Frank Cable Sailors plan to participate in community service events and get to know the local culture by visiting museums and sight-seeing locations throughout the area. The community service events planned include visits to Likas Hospital, Bukit Harapan Children's Home and Single Mother's Association of Karambunai. There will also be opportunities for Frank Cable Sailors to meet with and exchange ideas with their counterparts from the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN).

"Our goals are to engage RMN submarine force leadership to continue building relationships and a better understanding of each others' capabilities," said Benjamin. "The U.S. Navy and RMN will train together in the areas of Anti-Surface Warfare, Anti-Submarine Warfare, and Quality Assurance maintenance practices. Frank Cable will also host the RMN on board the ship for tours which will be focused on submarine repair and support."

Many among the crew look forward to volunteer opportunities and to experience the local culture.

"I'm excited to see more of Malaysia," said Yeoman 2nd Class Tui James, who has visited Malaysia once before. "I'll be going to the Bukit Harapan Children's home. It's great seeing the kids, they always make me smile."

Malaysia is a nation of approximately 30 million people located in southeastern Asia and has had diplomatic ties with the U.S. since the nation was established in 1957.

"We must maintain our growing relationship with the RMN in order to promote the region's security and prosperity," said Benjamin. "Our strong and enduring security partnership is critical to combating transnational threats, international peacekeeping, maritime security, and humanitarian assistance and disaster response."

Frank Cable, forward deployed to the island of Guam, conducts maintenance and support of submarines and surface vessels deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility and is currently on a scheduled underway period.

Russian Aircraft Flies Near U.S. Navy Ship in Black Sea

By Jim Garamone

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 14, 2014 – A Russian attack aircraft repeatedly flew near the USS Donald Cook in international waters in the Black Sea on April 12, a Pentagon spokesman said today.

The USS Cook was patrolling in the western Black Sea when an unarmed Russian Su-24 Fencer attack aircraft repeatedly flew near the Navy ship, Army Col. Steve Warren told reporters.

“The aircraft did not respond to multiple queries and warnings from Donald Cook, and the event ended without incident after approximately 90 minutes,” Warren said. “This provocative and unprofessional Russian action is inconsistent with international protocols and previous agreements on the professional interaction between our militaries.”

Two Russian aircraft were present, but only one took part in the provocative actions, Warren said. The aircraft flew from near sea level to a couple of thousand feet, he added, but never overflew the U.S. Arleigh Burke-class destroyer.

“The Russian plane made a total of 12 passes,” he said.

The wingman stayed at a considerably higher altitude, Warren said.

Officials later said the aircraft approached within about 1,000 yards of the ship. The USS Cook was never in danger, Warren said.

“The Donald Cook is more than capable of defending itself against two Su-24s,” the colonel said.

Warren said he does not think this is an example of a young pilot joyriding. “I would have difficulty believing that two Russian pilots, on their own, would chose to take such an action,” he said. “We’ve seen the Russians conduct themselves unprofessionally and in violation of international norms in Ukraine for several months, and these continued acts of provocation and unprofessionalism do nothing to de-escalate the situation in Ukraine, which we called on the Russians to do.”

109th AW participates in Canadian Forces Arctic exercise

by Tech. Sgt. Catharine Schmidt
109th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

4/10/2014 - STRATTON AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, N.Y. -- Nearly 40 Airmen and two Air Force LC-130 Hercules ski-equipped aircraft from the 109th Airlift Wing will be demonstrating their vast capabilities on the Arctic ice as they join the Canadian Forces April 11 to participate in Canada's annual Operation Nunalivut Exercise.

Canada's Joint Task Force-North has been conducting this exercise in and around the area of Resolute Bay, Nunavut, Canada, since 2007.

This will be the first year the 109th will participate. This year more than 250 people will be involved in the exercise, including the Canadian Army, the Royal Canadian Navy Fleet Diving Unit, and the Royal Canadian Air Forces 440 (Transport) Squadron.

The New York Air National Guard's 109th Airlift Wing team, which will consist of maintainers and aircrew, will be operating out of Resolute Bay and Thule Air Base, Greenland during the weeklong exercise. Shortly after arriving, maintainers and operations Airmen will establish a "skiway" camp in the vicinity of Resolute Bay to support LC-130 flight operations.

"We see on the horizon the need for aircraft capabilities to meet Arctic taskings," said Lt. Col. Clifford Souza, 109th Operations Group who will be the lead 109th officer on the exercise. "We're trying to get out ahead of it and demonstrate LC-130 capabilities. So we're taking advantage of this exercise - we want to develop joint capabilities and interoperability with the Canadian Arctic Forces because they have a need to maintain an airlift reach throughout the high Arctic."

The Canadians have ski-equipped CC-138 Twin-Otter aircraft which don't have the lift capacity or range the 109th LC-130s have. The 109th will help bring fuel and supplies to the forward-deployed locations during the exercise. Normally Canadian aircraft would do this, but the LC-130 is able to do in one trip what they would need to do in 10, Souza said.

"That shows interoperability and integration between the U.S. and Canada to jointly develop capabilities for the future to operate in the Arctic," Souza said.

"The Canadians are very interested in what we can provide," he said. "We're also taking advantage of the opportunity to demonstrate those capabilities to set up an expeditionary skiway on the sea ice. That has significance for search and rescue, because now we have the ability to go somewhere where there's no runway, set up a ski landing site on sea ice which can provide a forward staging area for personnel, supplies and fuel to increase the operating radius of other aircraft."

While the 109th AW's primary mission is to support the National Science Foundation in Antarctica and Greenland, in the past "the unit existed to support military customers from the high arctic," Souza said. This is the opportunity for the 109th AW to show that they can still support those missions if needed.

In 1975, the 109th received their first ski-equipped LC-130s and assumed the responsibility of resupply missions for the Greenland ice cap's radar stations.

Since then, the 109th Airlift Wing has provided the U.S. military's only ski-equipped aircraft, which has been supporting polar research in the Arctic and Antarctic since 1988. Since 1999, the unit has been the sole provider of this type of airlift to the National Science Foundation and U.S. Antarctic research efforts.

ANG command chief pays 188th Fighter Wing visit

by Maj. Heath Allen
188th Fighter Wing executive officer

4/11/2014 - FORT SMITH, Ark. -- The 188th Fighter Wing here received a visit from the Air National Guard's top enlisted Airman April 5.

ANG Command Chief Master Sgt. James W. Hotaling made a stop at the 188th FW and met with 188th Command Chief Master Sgt. Stephen Bradley and Arkansas Air National Guard Command Chief Master Sgt. Asa Carter before addressing the 188th's enlisted force.

Hotaling spoke about the 188th's on-going conversion from fighters to an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, space-focused targeting and remotely piloted aircraft mission. Hotaling said he understands the challenges the 188th faces as it ventures into unchartered territory.

"We really just try to do a temperature check and I understand this is a very stressful moment in time right now," Hotaling said. "But your wing is very resilient."

The 188th is no stranger to change, flying 16 aircraft, including nine primary mission aircraft, in its 60-year history.

"As I came in I saw many mission set changes," Hotaling said referring to the row of static aircraft that lines the street adjacent to the 188th headquarters facility. "The air park that's there right now represents a mission set change that you've experienced during your entire history here at the wing. So I have pride, confidence that you're going to get over this mission set change."

While the 188th has without question endured the gamut of transformation, this mission transition is the most complex in the 60-year history of the 188th. Hotaling said the wing should be proud that the Air Force has entrusted it with such a cutting-edge assignment.

"We are entering into a new era of warfare and you're going to be on the leading edge of that," Hotaling said. "We like to say that the Air National Guard is the first choice for homeland operations; you prove that at the 188th."

Hotaling also lauded the 188th's combat performance. The wing shattered deployment records in combat hours, munitions expended and mission capability metrics in its last two Air Expeditionary Forces deployments to Afghanistan. Hotaling also praised the 188th's community outreach and the support exhibited by the local community.

"You have a wonderful combat record and something that you will do again in the future," Hotaling said. "And you have enduring voices in the community and partnerships overseas; you're a great partner in this community for sure. The 188th is a resilient wing with a great future."

Bradley, the 188th's top enlisted advisor, said Hotaling's visit came at just the right time for the wing.

"I think it was good for our enlisted force to hear from Chief Hotaling," Bradley said. "We're happy that he took the time to pay us a visit and see what the 188th has to offer. It's important for our future leaders - those young Airmen and junior noncommissioned officers - as well as our senior enlisted to have the opportunity to sit down with the ANG's top chief and catch a glimpse of what's on the horizon for us all. With the challenges we've been through over the past year, his visit was perfect timing."

Following his enlisted call, Hotaling met with 188th chief master sergeants and first sergeant before sitting down with the wing's director of psychological health, Airmen and Family Readiness reps and the chaplain office.

After enjoying lunch with 188th members in the Citizen Airman Dining Hall, Hotaling also popped in to sundry offices at Ebbing Air National Guard Base to visit with Airman across the wing before sitting down with 188th senior leadership and a Special Forces representative to receive a mission and capabilities briefing.

Hotaling then hopped on an Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter from the Arkansas Army National Guard's 77th Theater Aviation Brigade and took an aerial tour of nearby Fort Chaffee Maneuver Training Center before landing at the 188th's Detachment 1 Razorback Range. While at the range, he met with 188th pilots and representatives from the 22nd Special Tactics Squadron who were conducting close-air support training with the 188th's A-10C Thunderbolt II "Warthogs". Hotaling observed the A-10s dropping ordnance and firing its 30mm Gatling gun before departing for the 189th Airlift Wing, the second leg of his Arkansas Air National Guard tour.

Reserve security forces squadrons hone combat basics at Air Force Academy

by Tech. Sgt. Jeffrey Fitzmorris
310th Space Wing Public Affairs

4/11/2014 - SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo -- The Air Force Reserve's 710th and 310th Security Forces Squadrons sharpened their deployment skills April 7-9 at the U.S. Air Force Academy Jack's Valley training range in southern Colorado.

More than 15 of the SFS "Defenders," from here and Buckley AFB, Colo., took part in the Combat Leaders Course, teaching security forces members to lead Airmen under the stress of combat conditions. With a majority focus on the non-commissioned officer ranks, members took turns in leadership positions while a variety of scenarios challenged each SFS Airmen to think critically under fire.

The three-day course was broken down into multiple teaching environments and scenarios, including improvised explosive device discovery training, camouflage and concealment, ambush retaliation, enemy combatant searches, rescuing injured personnel from downed aircraft and land navigation. All the while, successfully executing the scenarios as cohesive teams.

Keesler Reserve security forces element comes home

by Master Sgt. Brian Lamar
403rd Public Affairs

4/11/2014 - KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Even during an annual emergency management exercise, the Biloxi-Gulfport International Airport was filled with smiling faces, laughter and cheers as a dozen Airmen passed through the terminal doors and into the arms of their loved ones April 10.

The 403rd Security Forces Squadron Airmen had just finished a voluntary five-month deployment to Qatar in support of Operation Enduring Freedom where they missed holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas and the New Year, as well as, anniversaries and in the case of Senior Airman Justin Jackson, the birth of his son.

"This is my first time seeing him. This is surreal, when I left I didn't have a child, now I am coming back to my son," said Jackson. "It was hard knowing that I was missing his birth, but as soon as he was born, I was notified by Red Cross and was relieved of duty so I could go and call my family," Jackson explained.

The deployment came at a good time for the squadron. A lot of experience was gained by a handful of Airmen who had never experienced a deployment. That experience will come in handy on their next assignment," said Master Sgt. Lucas Applewhite, the 403rd Security Forces Operations NCO in charge.

ANG command chief pays 188th Fighter Wing visit

by Maj. Heath Allen
188th Fighter Wing executive officer

4/11/2014 - FORT SMITH, Ark. -- The 188th Fighter Wing here received a visit from the Air National Guard's top enlisted Airman April 5.

ANG Command Chief Master Sgt. James W. Hotaling made a stop at the 188th FW and met with 188th Command Chief Master Sgt. Stephen Bradley and Arkansas Air National Guard Command Chief Master Sgt. Asa Carter before addressing the 188th's enlisted force.

Hotaling spoke about the 188th's on-going conversion from fighters to an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, space-focused targeting and remotely piloted aircraft mission. Hotaling said he understands the challenges the 188th faces as it ventures into unchartered territory.

"We really just try to do a temperature check and I understand this is a very stressful moment in time right now," Hotaling said. "But your wing is very resilient."

The 188th is no stranger to change, flying 16 aircraft, including nine primary mission aircraft, in its 60-year history.

"As I came in I saw many mission set changes," Hotaling said referring to the row of static aircraft that lines the street adjacent to the 188th headquarters facility. "The air park that's there right now represents a mission set change that you've experienced during your entire history here at the wing. So I have pride, confidence that you're going to get over this mission set change."

While the 188th has without question endured the gamut of transformation, this mission transition is the most complex in the 60-year history of the 188th. Hotaling said the wing should be proud that the Air Force has entrusted it with such a cutting-edge assignment.

"We are entering into a new era of warfare and you're going to be on the leading edge of that," Hotaling said. "We like to say that the Air National Guard is the first choice for homeland operations; you prove that at the 188th."

Hotaling also lauded the 188th's combat performance. The wing shattered deployment records in combat hours, munitions expended and mission capability metrics in its last two Air Expeditionary Forces deployments to Afghanistan. Hotaling also praised the 188th's community outreach and the support exhibited by the local community.

"You have a wonderful combat record and something that you will do again in the future," Hotaling said. "And you have enduring voices in the community and partnerships overseas; you're a great partner in this community for sure. The 188th is a resilient wing with a great future."

Bradley, the 188th's top enlisted advisor, said Hotaling's visit came at just the right time for the wing.

"I think it was good for our enlisted force to hear from Chief Hotaling," Bradley said. "We're happy that he took the time to pay us a visit and see what the 188th has to offer. It's important for our future leaders - those young Airmen and junior noncommissioned officers - as well as our senior enlisted to have the opportunity to sit down with the ANG's top chief and catch a glimpse of what's on the horizon for us all. With the challenges we've been through over the past year, his visit was perfect timing."

Following his enlisted call, Hotaling met with 188th chief master sergeants and first sergeant before sitting down with the wing's director of psychological health, Airmen and Family Readiness reps and the chaplain office.

After enjoying lunch with 188th members in the Citizen Airman Dining Hall, Hotaling also popped in to sundry offices at Ebbing Air National Guard Base to visit with Airman across the wing before sitting down with 188th senior leadership and a Special Forces representative to receive a mission and capabilities briefing.

Hotaling then hopped on an Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter from the Arkansas Army National Guard's 77th Theater Aviation Brigade and took an aerial tour of nearby Fort Chaffee Maneuver Training Center before landing at the 188th's Detachment 1 Razorback Range. While at the range, he met with 188th pilots and representatives from the 22nd Special Tactics Squadron who were conducting close-air support training with the 188th's A-10C Thunderbolt II "Warthogs". Hotaling observed the A-10s dropping ordnance and firing its 30mm Gatling gun before departing for the 189th Airlift Wing, the second leg of his Arkansas Air National Guard tour.

Face of Defense: Army Infantryman is Proud to Serve

By Army Sgt. Antony S. Lee

Regional Command South

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan, April 14, 2014 – Clark Cepeda, now serving as an infantry private first class in the U.S. Army, was a civilian when he took his two sons to get their hair cut near their home in Marlton, N.J., in 2013.

Cepeda came across a military recruiting station close to the barber shop.

It had been less than a year since he moved his family from the Philippines to the United States, and Cepeda’s dream as a child growing up in the Philippines was to serve in the military.

His grandfather, whom he helped to care for, was a decorated veteran who fought for the Philippines during World War II and survived the Bataan Death March. His service, Cepeda said, was a major influence for his childhood dream.

Cepeda said he tried to join the Philippine navy years ago, but was turned down. “I thought I could no longer be in the military because of my age,” he added, noting that he was 34 when he decided to look into joining the U.S. Army. Despite his doubts, he said, he talked to a recruiter. When he learned he could join and pursue his childhood dream, he wasted no time scheduling an appointment to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery.

“When [the recruiter] told me I could still join, I didn’t believe him at first,” he said. “This [was] my last chance. This was my dream since I was a kid.”

Cepeda enlisted May 20, 2013, and shipped to Fort Benning, Ga., to complete his training as an infantryman. After graduating in September 2013, he was stationed at Fort Carson, Colo., to serve with the 4th Infantry Division’s 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. He recently arrived here with the unit for his first deployment.

“I’m now with one of the most prestigious military organizations in the world,” he said.

Cepeda’s time in the Army thus far has provided him several valuable experiences, including his participation in a naturalization ceremony. Three days before he graduated from infantry school, he officially became a U.S. citizen -- a moment he said was “very much” a big one for him. He was promoted to private first class shortly after arriving here.

Army Staff Sgt. Benjamin Kimball, Cepeda’s supervisor, said Cepeda is one of the hardest-working soldiers he has ever worked with. “He is an excellent soldier,” he said. “As soon as he understands his task, he completes it and excels at it.”

Though trained as an infantryman, Cepeda has been working as a training room clerk, and he has adapted to his new job, Kimball added.

Cepeda said he serves in the Army in large part because he and his wife, a nurse, want to provide better lives for their children than they had growing up. His first son recently told him that he wants to join the Army one day.

“It makes me very proud, because he already knows what he’s doing,” Cepeda said. “He knows I’m fighting for the country that provided us the opportunities and accepted us wholeheartedly.”

Cepeda said his dream of serving in the military became even greater after seeing the Sept. 11 attacks on television while he and his wife were preparing for their son’s first birthday in 2001.

“You [could] feel the pain,” he said. “It [made] you angry at whoever did this.” More than 12 years later, Cepeda reflected on the opportunity to serve his country in Afghanistan.

“This is my dream -- to be in the military,” he said. “I love my job.”

Colorado Reservists share C-130 flight, military experience with civilian employers

by Maj. Corinna Moylan
302nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

4/9/2014 - PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Traditional Reserve Airmen have the challenge of balancing three elements in their lives: family, the military and their civilian employment. To say "thank you" to civilian employers and inform prospective employers, the 302nd Airlift Wing welcomed 43 employers during the Wing's Annual Employer Day April 4.

The participants included 13 employers of 302nd AW Citizen Airmen ranging from medical professionals to a supervisor with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management as well as Denver-area employers hosted by Colorado Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. ESGR is a Department of Defense organization that promotes cooperation and understanding between Reserve Component Service members and their civilian employers and assists them in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee's military commitment.

The employers experienced first-hand how Reserve Airmen support the wing's primary mission of tactical airlift and learned about other mission capabilities such as C-130 aerial firefighting, aeromedical evacuation and survival, evasion, resistance and escape. The day's events included experiencing a C-130 Hercules orientation flight over Pikes Peak, Waldo Canyon and back to Peterson Air Force Base.

"I didn't know what to expect, but was delighted to be invited," said Cheryl Parrish, vice president of programs for the Alzheimer's Association.

Parrish, who employs Staff Sgt. Teresa Black from the 39th Aerial Port Squadron, said she did not realize the scope of how actively involved Reservists are not only far away, but "right here in our own state."

"I was moved. I happened to be here for the recent fires and have such a great respect," she said. "I have a new perspective of what my employee does and how hard reservists work. It's pretty amazing."

Immediately following the ESGR hosted lunch the employers took part in a visit to North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command.

"It was a tremendous experience and very informative," said Wesley Cox, the director of pharmacy for palliative pharmacy of Pikes Peak-Pikes Peak Hospice and the employer of Master Sgt. Deborah Eaton from the 302nd Aeromedical Staging Squadron.

To acknowledge the importance of reaching out to employers of Reservists, Col. Courtney Arnold, 302nd AW commander explained that, for a traditional reservist, it is like sitting on a three-legged stool. Arnold said each leg represents the Reservist's family, civilian employer and their military commitment.

"It is a constant balancing act to keep the stool from falling over. But it can be done and it is done with the support of employers like you," Arnold said addressing the visiting employers.

At the end of the day, Arnold presented each employer with a certificate of appreciation and an Air Force employer pin, signifying the important relationship between civilian employers and the members of the Air Force Reserve.

AF Reservists conduct critical emergency preparedness training with Army

by Tech. Sgt. Carlos J. Trevino
433rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

4/10/2014 - JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND -- 

Despite the cold winds, rain and fog, a training exercise between the 74th Aerial Port Squadron and Army North's Task Force-51 from Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston proved to be invaluable training for the Airmen and Soldiers here on April 5-6.

The units, Air Force Reserve's 74th APS and the 68th Airlift Squadron, and the  U.S. Army North's (Fifth Army), Joint Task Force-51, took advantage of being in the same area to train. The training goal is to improve unit preparedness to move Task Force-51's vehicles onto a C-5A Galaxy aircraft to deploy in case of a natural or manmade disaster anywhere in the United States.

Task Force-51 is a full-time deployable command post, who assists local, state and federal responders with disasters in the United States, who have seen catastrophic natural or manmade disasters that exceed their capabilities.

"This is the first time we are doing a joint training exercise with Army North here in a Reserve capacity," said Chief Master Sgt. Debra Kelly, 74th APS superintendent.  "The aerial porters are learning about the Army's vehicles and training the Soldiers on center of balance, and how to prepare Air Force documents, such as shippers declaration for when they need to go on a mission."  

In addition, the aerial porters trained the Soldiers on making load plans, safety, weighing vehicles and coordinating with loadmasters on the first day.In a real world scenario, it is common for both services to work together. 

"We always say the Army is our biggest customers because we move most of their cargo, " said Senior Airman David Castro, a 68th AS loadmaster.  "Training like this is great. It helps both of us see what we could do better and what needs to be worked on more.  There is always something new, especially with new equipment. It helps us build camaraderie because we don't get to work and train together a lot."

On the second day of training, the biggest challenge was loading the "Sentinel,"  an ominous, dark-colored  truck which houses a command, communications and control module.   It was the first time the units attempted to load it on a 433rd Airlift Wing C-5A.

Loadmasters from the 68th AS, who provide the pilot with precise weight and balance calculations to determine the plane's center of gravity, scurried back and forth to place shoring, small wooded tiles, under the vehicle's rear tires to lift the monstrous truck onto the C-5A's front ramp.

"It (the Sentinel) is built on a freightliner (cargo truck chassis)," said Army Maj. Jamaal A. Mack, Task Force-51's logistics planner. "We have practiced loading it onto a C-17 Globemaster III, but we didn't know if the top would clear (the top) of the C-5. It cleared it by five inches."

Task Force-51 usually travels to disaster stricken areas within the continental United States.  The exercise was an opportunity to for the Army and the Air Force to practice loading the aircraft, in case they need to use airlift.

"For us, we don't often use an aircraft, so having everything together like our hazardous declarations, labeling and marking, gives us that practice we need." Mack said. "I really think this gives good training for both the Army and the Air Force. It gives our Air Force brothers great training for whenever Task Force-51 is called, we can get out the door."

"On a Reserve weekend, we don't have this kind of equipment here to train our members, so this was a win-win opportunity to train with the Army," Kelly said.