MAFB firefighter named Air Force Firefighter of the Year

by Airman 1st Class Joshua Smoot
341st Missile Wing Public Affairs

4/11/2014 - MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- Staff Sgt. Michael Mullis, 341st Civil Engineer Squadron fire protection crew chief, was recently named the Air Force Firefighter of the Year.

"To be named the Air Force Firefighter of the Year is a complete honor," Mullis said. "It's an opportunity that we all as firefighters work toward. To me, it gives the feeling that all the hard work I have put into my Air Force and firefighting career has been well worth it.

"When I heard they were submitting my name to Air Force Global Strike Command, I was excited, but knew there were many firefighters out there just as deserving as myself," he continued. "After I was named AFGSC Firefighter of the Year, I was then told I was nominated for Air Force Firefighter of the Year. I could only hope that things would work out for the best - and they did. It also gave me a feeling of appreciation knowing that your leadership and peers have all noticed the efforts that you as an individual, and as a team member, have put forth to be where you are today."

Becoming a firefighter was a lifetime goal for Mullis.

"Growing up, I found myself in many situations where friends and family members were hurt or taken due to unfortunate events," Mullis said. "I know how this feels first hand and wish that no one ever has to experience the horror of that fate. I became a firefighter to try and help people experiencing these unfortunate events and because I believe life is something that many of us take for granted until we are faced with a situation in which we realize how fast it can be taken from us. I want to create the best outcome possible following these types of situations. There is no better feeling than saving a life, salvaging someone's irreplaceable belongings or rescuing someone from a catastrophic event."

The Ravenna, Ohio, native has accomplished a lot so far in his five-year career. He has been coined by the 341st Missile Wing commander and the 341st CES commander. He was named fire department NCO of the third quarter. He was named Malmstrom's 2013 Military Firefighter of the Year. And to top it all off, he completed his requirements for a Community College of the Air Force degree in Fire Science, earning 64 credit hours while maintaining a 4.0 GPA.

In most cases, one may not expect to win Air Force-level awards by doing nothing or being average. Mullis has performed countless brave acts in his career.

One of the proudest moments in his firefighting career happened in December 2011. Mullis, and other members of the Malmstrom fire department, dispatched to respond to a report of an unresponsive individual, who did not have a pulse and was not breathing. When they arrived on scene, his crew and other firefighters and paramedics immediately initiated CPR and set up the Automated External Defibrillator. After multiple rounds of continuous CPR, shocks from the AED and assisting with advanced life support procedures, the patient had sustained a pulse and was able to maintain breathing. The patient was immediately transported to the emergency room and eventually made a full recovery.

As most people know, being a firefighter may not be an easy task.

"I became a firefighter knowing the inherent risks that come with the job," Mullis said. "We put our lives at risk to save others. With that said, we always keep safety in mind along with everything else. The materials we use now to build and furnish our homes are highly flammable, quickly burn at high temperatures, and the structural members are not as strong when exposed to high heat conditions. Knowing the dangers like these that firefighters may face each and every day encourages us to train, so we can try to prevent future mishaps.

"Being aware of our surroundings and performing continuous scene size-ups is a skill we teach to all of our firefighters," he continued. "Something I may not see, someone else may notice. We learn from our past experiences and the mistakes that we have made. We know things can go wrong, but we are trained in trying to minimize the risks to ourselves and others if possible."

Mullis doesn't accept this award without credit to many of his peers.

"When considering this award, my career path and the progress I have made throughout the years, it is definitely not something I can take credit for alone," Mullis said. "Each person I have encountered throughout my career has played a vital role in my success as an Air Force firefighter. Whether it is individuals within the fire department, military personnel or our civilian counterparts, each person offers something different. Whether it is a learning opportunity or a skill, I learn something new each and every day."

AFMC, Wright-Patt Global Hawk program receive 2013 logistics awards

by Kim Bowden
Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs

4/4/2014 - WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Two Air Staff-level logistics awards went to Air Force Materiel Command for 2013.

For the second year in a row, the Dr. James G. Roche Sustainment Excellence Award -- presented to the AFMC Aircraft Program Management Office demonstrating the most improved performance in fleet sustainment -- was awarded to the Global Hawk Division of AFMC's Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. The division displayed improvement in four of five measured metric areas, including the most significant improvement in aircraft availability and mission capable rates.

The Roche Award is named for Dr. James G. Roche, the 20th Secretary of the Air Force. He served in the Air Force's top position from 2001 to 2005.

AFMC was also the recipient of the General Wilbur L. Creech Maintenance Excellence Award. The award is presented to the major command demonstrating the most improved performance in aircraft maintenance and logistics readiness. Although the competition was close, the command clinched the award as a result of the drastic improvement in its cannibalization rate.

The Creech Award is named for Gen. Wilbur "Bill" L. Creech, who was among the most influential generals in Air Force history. He commanded at the wing and major command levels and was the commander of Tactical Air Command. During his career, he flew 103 combat missions during the Korean War, 177 combat missions during Vietnam and 125 flights with the U.S. Air Force Aerial Demonstration Team, the Thunderbirds. In total, Creech flew 40 different military fighter, cargo and reconnaissance aircraft. He died in 2003.

Fire Aboard Hue City; No Injuries

From U.S. Fleet Forces Command

NORFOLK (NNS) -- A fire broke out aboard USS Hue City (CG 66) late Monday, April 14 as the ship was transiting the Atlantic.

There were no injuries as a result of the fire, and the ship continues to operate under her own power. The extent of the damage is being assessed, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Hue City departed Mayport, Fla. Friday, April 11, for deployment to the U.S. 6th Fleet Area of Responsibility.

773rd Airlift Squadron deactivated at Youngstown

by Technical Sgt. Jim Brock
910th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

4/14/2014 - YOUNGSTOWN AIR RESERVE STATION, Ohio -- The Air Force Reserve's 910th Airlift Wing held a deactivation ceremony for the 773rd Airlift Squadron here April 6.

The 773rd AS, activated in 1995, was officially deactivated March 31, 2014 by Special Order GB-0005, issued by the Secretary of the Air Force. The deactivation resulted from Air Force structure changes, which reduced the 910th's C-130 aircraft fleet to eight primary and one back-up aircraft.

During Sunday's ceremony, in accordance with Air Force tradition, the unit's flag, or guidon, was rolled up and cased. Congressman Tim Ryan of Ohio's 13th district and representatives from the offices of Ohio Senators Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman also attended.

"This squadron has been, since World War II, in the middle of making our military the strongest and best in the world," said Ryan. "(And) just because this squadron (the 773rd) will be inactive, doesn't mean that we are not going to try to increase the mission capability and readiness right here in Youngstown, Ohio."

Nicknamed "The Quiet Professionals", members of the 773rd have deployed worldwide supporting contingency and humanitarian operations. Since 2001, members of the squadron have mobilized numerous times in support of the Global War on Terrorism. The Citizen Airmen operated out of bases in Southwest Asia including isolated airfields in Iraq and Afghanistan to provide airlift and airdrop capability of equipment and personnel.

The unit commander reflected on the Citizen Airmen and the 773rd.

"From its beginning, our squadron helped make our nation stronger," said Lt. Col. John A. Boccieri, 773rd commander. "The dedication, commitment and sacrifice that made our success possible is owed to some of the finest Airmen in the country, who serve our nation only because they were asked."

Col. William Phillips, 910th Operations Group commander, related this transition to his own experience with the closing of Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove, Pa.

"My base was closed, and for the people in this squadron, it's kind of the same feeling, but at least they're not leaving the base," said Phillips. "The biggest part of my job is the people. We're going to retain all the operations group people. They will be moving to the 757th (Airlift Squadron), doing the same job(s), just wearing a different patch."

Face of Defense: Despite Jitters, Singer Joins Soldier Show

By Army Sgt. Christopher Calvert

1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division

FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas, April 15, 2014 – With shaky legs and sweaty palms, Army Spc. Aurielle Polynice walked on stage, hoping to make the cut for the 2014 U.S. Army Soldier Show.

It was audition time, and it was her turn to shine.

“I started freaking out; I always freak out at first,” she said. “Then I go out on stage, and I let it all go.”

Polynice, an unmanned aircraft systems operator with Company F, 2nd Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, sang her way into becoming the only Fort Hood soldier in the U.S. Army Installation Management Command’s 2014 “Stand Strong” Soldier Show during a live audition here Feb. 15.

Now, Polynice and her 21 fellow cast members are preparing for their first live show, set for April 18 here, with 60 more performances scheduled at 37 garrisons across the United States.

Polynice said her journey began three years ago, when she witnessed the 75-minute Broadway-style production for the first time.

“When I saw it in 2011, I thought it was really, really cool,” she said. “I wanted to see if I could make the cut. I wanted to represent my unit to the rest of the Army.” Earning the chance to audition live, however, took years of patience.

“I did a prerecorded video audition for 2011’s show, but was unable to put in my packet because of an upcoming deployment,” added Polynice, who hails from Lawrenceville, Ga. “I wasn't going to let that stop me from trying again in the future.”

She deployed to Afghanistan for a year in 2012 and returned with her sights still firmly set on becoming a member of the Soldier Show.

Soon after redeployment, Polynice sang Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” during 2012’s Operation Rising Star, a vocal competition that showcases the talent of soldiers and their family members, and made it to the top 10 before being voted off.

This only fueled her fire to becoming a better, more confident vocalist, she said.

“At the time, I was pretty excited just to make it to the top 10,” she said. “But soon after, I was already planning on trying out for the next one. I wanted to get better. I wanted to win.”

Now part of the Soldier Show, Polynice and fellow cast members have bonded during the weeks of preparation, she said.

“I’m excited to be on the road with the friends I've made here,” she said. “After only a week, we've become a family. The 12- to 15-hour days we spend practicing our vocals and choreography have helped us all grow strong together as performers and soldiers.”

Sgt. Quentin Dorn, Army Entertainment’s production and stage manager, has closely watched the team come together during the past few weeks. He has witnessed growth, he said, that has shown the team’s ability to potentially put on the best production to date.

“There’s something special about this group,” said Dorn, an Albuquerque, N.M., native. “They've bonded extremely well together from the beginning and have fallen easily into their roles. It’s amazing how well they work together to shine as one.”

While mentoring and observing cast members, Dorn said, he has had a first-hand look at Polynice’s improvements in both singing ability and confidence since her arrival at the installation.

“Specialist Polynice is doing great,” he said. “She was a little shy when she first auditioned, but we've got her used to singing on stage. She now has the confidence needed to really shine.”

With the first live show around the corner, Polynice said, she is looking forward to showcasing her skills, one note and dance move at a time.

“It’s been a blast so far,” she said. “I’ve learned a lot and am still learning every day. I look forward to performing for my fellow soldiers, and I’m especially proud to represent my unit.”

USS Donald Cook Welcomes President of Romania

From U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs

CONSTANTA, Romania (NNS) -- The forward deployed guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) welcomed aboard Romanian President Traian Bsescu while the ship was in port in Constanta, April 14.

Bsescu was met by members of the U.S. Embassy and Donald Cook's Commanding Officer Cmdr. Scott Jones. He was then given a tour of the ship, including the Navigation Bridge, Combat Information Center and Engineering Control.

"Operating in the Black Sea has been an incredible opportunity for us to further strengthen our ties and improve our interoperability with an important strategic partner, Romania, who just recently celebrated their 10th anniversary as a member of NATO," said Jones. "We feel that this is an important time to demonstrate our resolve and shared commitment with NATO; that we will maintain the right presence where it matters to promote peace and stability."

Donald Cook's visit to Romania is an example of the U.S. Navy's commitment to strengthen ties while working toward mutual goals in the Black Sea. This multi-mission destroyer is there to reassure our NATO allies that we share a commitment to promote peace and stability in the region.

"We have also been privileged to host several members of the Romanian Navy during our time in the Black Sea," added Jones. "This professional exchange has been valuable for my crew, allowing us a chance to discuss future exercise opportunities, and helping to reinforce, on a personal level, the strong ties between our two navies and our two nations."

Donald Cook, the first of four Arleigh Burke-class destroyers to be forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, is serving on a scheduled patrol in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations as part of the President's European Phased Adaptive Approach (EPAA) to ballistic missile defense in Europe.

U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts a full range of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation missions in concert with coalition, joint, interagency, and other parties in order to advance security and stability in Europe and Africa.

From enlisted to officer: Coming full circle in 12 years

by Senior Airman Katrina Heikkinen
341st Missile Wing Public Affairs

4/11/2014 - MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- Editor's note: This is part one of a series highlighting Airmen transitioning to the officer corps

"I missed it from the day I separated," she said.

Raised in Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., it was only a matter of time before she accepted that Air Force blue was destined to run deep in her veins.

"I tried to rebel from what my father did but I realized my blood was just too blue."

Today, nestled in the Malmstrom Air Force Base Mental Health Office, 1st Lt. Morgan McNabb, 341st Medical Operations Squadron social worker, can be found in counseling sessions with active-duty Airmen. New to the office, McNabb has been at Malmstrom for nearly two months. This is her first duty station as an officer in the U.S. Air Force, but it isn't her first time serving her country as an Airman.

"I was 19 years old when I enlisted in the Air Force back in 2001," McNabb said. "I was a laboratory technician then. I completed four years and then I was out - with the intent that I was going to enlist, get some experience and go back to school to commission in as an officer."

More than 12 years later - between earning two master's degrees, getting married, becoming a dependent and becoming a Department of Defense civilian - McNabb's calling to serve her country has come full circle.

"I think everyone's path in life is exactly the way it's supposed to be," she said. "For me, it was kind of curvy because I went to school longer than most people. But I think the route I took helped me get here and I would do everything exactly the same. I learned a lot about myself along the way; about what assets I have to bring to the Air Force. I've been there - as a civilian, a spouse and enlisted member - so I can combine all of those experiences."

After completing her original four-year enlistment in the Air Force, McNabb separated with her Community College of the Air Force Degree - assumingly a successful accomplishment to enter the civilian workforce with.

"As soon as I got out, I had a hard time finding a job, which was surprising because I thought the Air Force put so much time teaching and training me as a laboratory technician that I could easily get a job," she said. "Eventually I was lucky enough to get a job in California. But I was shocked at how much I missed the Air Force. I had a hard time with the lack of structure when I started working in the civilian sector."

From 2005 to 2012 the uphill battle began for McNabb to once again wear the Air Force uniform.

"I knew I wanted to be back in uniform, I just didn't know what capacity," she said. "Originally I was going to go the doctor route. But I figured out that wasn't appropriate for me - I liked working with people on a continuing basis. After I completed an undergrad in psychology, I finished a master's in psychology with an emphasis on counseling. I planned to get a doctorate in psychology and come back in the Air Force - but then I met my husband who's an active-duty Airman."

McNabb then followed her husband to Ramstein Air Force Base, Germany, and earned a spot in the mental health office as a general schedule civilian. With the support of a friend and mentor, it was then that McNabb's journey to become an officer was finally tangible.

"My friend, Major Erica Best, asked me what I wanted to do with my psychology degree and she mentioned social work," she said. "I had no idea what a social worker did in the Air Force. Then I had the opportunity to talk to her about her job and got to meet other social workers and see what they were doing. I think that was very important for me because I think many careers can be different in the civilian world than in the military.

"I realized [being a social worker] was what I wanted to do," she said. "So in 2011, I applied for the Health Professions Scholarship Program. Even though I had a master's degree in psychology with counseling emphasis, I needed a separate master's degree in social work in order to be an Air Force social worker. While I was finishing up my last semester of my first master's, I was applying to go back to school to earn a second master's."

McNabb said the only thing she would have done differently is pursue commissioning as a junior enlisted Airman and completing the right master's degree.

"I really took advantage of the resources that were out there and put it to good use, such as maxing out the Montgomery GI Bill and applying for grants," she said. "But I wish that I would have made more of an effort to talk to people who were already in those career fields in the Air Force. When I was thinking I wanted to be a doctor, I wish I had spent time with doctors and had the chance to job shadow and get their perspective. Sometimes I think we have an idea of what we think we want, when it may really be completely different."

McNabb says she appreciates her enlisted corps roots for all the lessons she learned.

"It's very different to be an officer," she said. "The mindset to approach things is different because I am here to help improve and listen to the opinions and feedback from the enlisted corps. Being enlisted before has helped me to never forget the attributes they have and remember that I was in their shoes."

For those interested in pursuing the officer route as enlisted Airmen, McNabb suggests seeking out those who made the transition themselves and learning more about the process.

"If becoming an officer is something anyone is interested in even a little, I would suggest at least looking into it," she said. "I don't believe in never opening a door that could lead to something different for you."

DOD Official Visits Personnel Accounting Command Facilities

By Navy Cmdr. Amy Derrick-Frost

Department of Defense

WASHINGTON, April 15, 2014 – A senior Defense Department official visited two DOD personnel accounting facilities last week as part of the ongoing dialogue about the department’s recently announced personnel accounting enterprise reorganization.

During his April 9-11 trip, Michael D. Lumpkin, acting undersecretary of defense for policy, spoke with Joint Prisoner of War and Missing in Action Accounting Command staff members during a town hall meeting, and he fielded questions about the reorganization.

Lumpkin highlighted the importance of the personnel accounting mission to the department, and how in its more than 40-year history, everyone involved in the recovery and identification of unaccounted-for Americans lost in conflicts remains steadfast and committed.

“I want to begin by expressing my utmost gratitude to each and everyone here today for your professionalism and dedicated service to our fallen comrades and their families,” Lumpkin said. “The time has come for a paradigm shift within our personnel accounting enterprise.

“We need to break down institutional barriers,” he continued. “By working as a team, we will develop the department’s new personnel accounting agency that embraces progressive science, streamlines the processes and practices and increases transparency -- getting families the answers to the questions they have and providing them the information they deserve.” He stressed that the personnel accounting mission is a top priority for Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel.

The reorganization calls for merging JPAC, the Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office, the JPAC satellite laboratory in Nebraska and the Life Science Equipment Laboratory in Ohio. By pulling the organizations together, Lumpkin said, he hopes to “rebrand, refocus and re-emphasize” the mission.

“We are still in the early stages of developing how we are going to do this,” he said, “but know you have a voice in the process.”

JPAC, established Oct. 1, 2003, is located on the island of Oahu at Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam, Hawaii, and conducts global search, recovery and laboratory operations to identify unaccounted-for Americans from past conflicts. The laboratory portion of JPAC, referred to as the Central Identification Laboratory, is the largest and most diverse forensic skeletal laboratory in the world.

Lumpkin also toured the JPAC satellite laboratory facility on Offutt Air Force Base, Neb, which JPAC opened in June. It provides nearly 40,000 square feet for laboratory and analysis work, evidence and record storage, as well as administration space. The satellite facility’s forensics laboratory is about 27,000 square feet, and it supports the department’s efforts to meet the congressionally mandated goal, set to take effect in 2015, to have the capacity to identify 200 unaccounted-for U.S. service members from past conflicts per year.

On Feb. 20, Hagel directed Lumpkin to review the department’s current personnel accounting program and provide him a reorganization plan to better organize the department most effectively and to increase to the maximum extent possible the numbers of missing service personnel accounted for annually, while ensuring timely and accurate information is provided to families.

On March 31, Hagel accepted Lumpkin’s plan, which addressed organizational and process changes, and consolidates all DOD assets into a single, accountable entity that has oversight of all personnel accounting resources, research and operations across the Defense Department.