VCO’s keep ‘em moving

by Air Force Staff Sgt. Sheila deVera
JBER Public Affairs

4/21/2014 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Keeping up with maintenance of a privately owned vehicle can be time consuming and tedious. Most people are usually only concerned with a one or two cars, perhaps three, but the 673d Logistics Readiness Squadron Vehicle Management Analysis maintains more than 1,900 vehicles assigned to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, making their mission a daunting task.

The LRS established a vehicle control officer program as a liaison between VMA and units who have government-owned [GOV] or General Services Administration vehicles.

"The purpose of a VCO program is to reach out to each squadron to make sure they have the vehicle they need to complete the mission," said Senior Airman Brian Level, 673d LRS vehicle management analysis. "This is to ensure they cover every aspect of the vehicle that they cannot control themselves, such as a vehicle repair, requesting a vehicle or modification."

When a vehicle is due for a maintenance or annual check, the VCO will receive an email or call from the VMA stating their vehicle is due for maintenance.

"If it is a GSA vehicle, they will take it to get the maintenance done off base and report to the VMA with the mileage and date the maintenance was done," said Leve, Columbia, S.C., native. "If it is a GOV, the VCO will bring the vehicle to customer service, and we will contact the unit when the maintenance is done."

There are currently more than 160 VCO's on JBER.

VCOs help ensure effective utilization, training, operator care and scheduled maintenance of their unit's vehicle assets.

"The VCO program is crucial to have; they provide the date and information to VMA," said Tech. Sgt. Lamar Parker, VMA noncommissioned officer in charge. "It also saves us from having to inspect vehicles in more than 60 units."

One way to prolong vehicle life is to accomplish the Air Force Form 1800 before operating a vehicle. The from is required to be signed daily if a vehicle is in use or monthly if they are not using it on a day-to-day basis.

"The AF Form 1800 is one of the main items that need to be in the vehicle at all time," Level said. "Before driving the vehicle, they have to inspect and annotate it on the AF Form 1800, filling out all the required information."

To ensure the form is filled out correctly, the VMA does an inspection to make sure VCOs are doing their proper checks.

"They are required to do a 100 percent check on their fleet monthly," the five-year veteran said, "When the VCOs turn their vehicles in the customer service checks the AF Form 1800 ensuring they are filling all the blocks correctly."

The AF Form 1800s are key to documenting visual inspections.

"Vehicles without proper form and maintenance can be reported as abuse." Level said. "When they are not putting miles on the vehicle, they are messing with the utilization of the vehicle. If it shows the vehicle is not being utilized, then we are going to request to rotate it to make sure that it is being used properly."

If a safety-related discrepancy is found during the visual inspection, the vehicle needs to be turned in immediately to vehicle maintenance, while all other discrepancies must be reported within 24 hours.

"They [VCOs] have to keep us in the loop because we are trying to prolong these assets," Parker said.

For more information about the VCO program, please contact the VMA office at 552-0225.

USS George Washington Sailors Earn Japanese Good Conduct Award

From USS George Washington Public Affairs

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- The Command Religious Ministries Department aboard the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) earned the 2014 Nippon Zenkokai Association Good Conduct Award, April 16.

The annual award, founded in 1951, is presented to individuals and organizations whose gallant or benevolent acts are remarkably beneficial to their neighbors or the general public. The award was opened in 1955 to honor foreigners who have contributed to the betterment of life in Japan.

"This award exemplifies the hard work of all George Washington Sailors, and is another shining example of the mutual respect and strong relationship between the U.S. and our host nation," said Cmdr. Daniel Mode, George Washington's command chaplain.

The Nippon Zenkokai Association is an independent non-profit organization under the control of the Cabinet Office of the Japanese government and which is committed to encouraging good conduct of people and to enhance warm, mutual relationships among the members of society.

"The U.S. alliance with Japan is the cornerstone of peace, security and prosperity in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region," said George Washington Command Master Chief Shaun Brahmstead. "A significant, contributing factor to this alliance is the positive interaction of our Sailors with local communities through community service projects, volunteerism and other events."

Other group winners include: Shinsen Children's Home Committee; Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka's (CFAY) Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions; and CFAY's Nile C. Kinnick High School.

George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interest of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

Officials Announce Winners of 2014 Environmental Awards

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 21, 2014 – Defense Department officials today announced the winners of the 2014 Secretary of Defense Environmental Awards.

Each year since 1962, the department has honored individuals, teams and installations for their outstanding achievements in environmental performance, officials said, noting that over the past 10 years, DOD has invested about $42 billion to ensure the success of its environmental programs.

In fiscal 2012, DOD spent about $4.1 billion for its environmental programs -- $2 billion for environmental restoration activities, $1.9 billion for environmental quality activities, and $213.6 million for environmental technology.

These investments protect and sustain the environment while strengthening operational capacity, reducing operational costs and enhancing the well-being of military members, civilians, and their families and communities, officials said.

Frank Kendall, undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, praised this year’s award winners.

“Their remarkable achievements exemplify the department’s continued commitment to sustain mission readiness while cost-effectively addressing environmental issues, thereby increasing efficiencies and supporting the quality of life for service members, their families and local communities,” he said.

The nine winners chosen from 33 nominations are:

-- Natural Resources Conservation, Small Installation: Marine Corps Base Hawaii, which demonstrated the innovative use of limited funding to protect the environment while accomplishing the base’s mission;

-- Natural Resources Conservation, Individual/Team: The Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Natural Resources Team, which offered long-range solutions that ensured regulatory compliance while maximizing the use of land and water ranges to maintain mission readiness;

-- Environmental Quality, Non-Industrial Installation: Fort Hood, Texas, which led the way in environmental quality innovation and proactive community interaction, partnerships and training;

-- Environmental Quality, Individual/Team: Environmental Quality Team, Minnesota National Guard, which employed cross-functional expertise in resource protection and conservation, with special attention to informational training and stakeholder involvement;

-- Sustainability, Industrial Installation: Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, Calif., which exceeded goals in energy reduction, water conservation, recycling, eliminating hazardous waste, and implementing low-impact development projects demonstrating innovative approaches to sustainability in the face of economic challenges;

-- Environmental Restoration, Installation: Marine Corps Installation East-Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., which demonstrated cost-effective sustainable efforts to protect human health and the environment in cleaning up contamination from past activities;

-- Environmental Restoration, Individual/Team: The Base Realignment and Closure Cleanup Team, Naval Air Station Cecil Field, Fla., which achieved environmental excellence through its quick, innovative and timely responses to environmental restoration efforts;

-- Cultural Resources Management, Installation: Fort Wainwright, Alaska, which successfully ensured that its lands remain available and in good condition, not only to support its mission, but also to preserve the cultural history that is inherent to Fort Wainwright's heritage; and

-- Environmental Excellence in Weapon System Acquisition, Large Program Individual/Team: Air Force Life Cycle Management Center F-35 Environmental, Safety and Occupational Health Support Team, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, which increased efficiencies in aircraft development, project prioritization, resource access, and other critical mission areas that contribute to their environmental and overall excellence in weapon system acquisition.

Engineers save money for other units

by Capt. Brian Maguire
501st Combat Support Wing Public Affairs

4/18/2014 - RAF ALCONBURY, United Kingdom -- Airmen with the 423rd Civil Engineer Squadron developed and executed an innovative plan to save money for several mission partners at RAF Molesworth.

Refitting and reopening dormitory space on RAF Alconbury enabled the 501st Combat Support Wing's mission partners to significantly reduce lodging costs for personnel assigned on temporary duty here.

"The request for contingency bed space came from the commander of [U.S. Africa Command J2-Molesworth] and eventually the [Joint Analysis Center]," said John Barr, 423rd CES deputy base civil engineer. "We had a previous facility/dorm that was deactivated several years ago so we looked at the cost of restoring the facility to living quarters that were up to Air Force standards."

Before offering up the old dormitory space, the 423rd CES had to inspect the rooms and evaluate the facility to return it to acceptable living conditions.

"Mr. Barr came to us and asked us the feasibility of [reopening the rooms]," said Stuart Chalmers, 423rd CES heating, ventilation and air conditioning shop chief. "He asked us to go around and look at the scope of work and what was involved in reopening rooms that had been closed for five or six years, and reestablishing systems that had been offline for the same amount of time."

Determining the feasibility and laying out the plan involved approximately 42 people from different organizations to accomplish the necessary tasks to reopen the rooms.

"It was a team effort with CE, contracting, [Defence Infrastructure Organisation], U.K. contractors, and finance folks working to buy and install materials before year-end close out," said Barr.

Meeting the projects overall goal of saving money required each section worked diligently to find the best prices within the short timeframe, which often resulted in local purchases.

"I did a bit of research looking for the best prices to meet the needs of the dorm rooms, but also to get the best price with the funds we had," said Hubert Braganza, 423rd CES chief of furnishings management.

"All of the furnishings were bought locally," continued Braganza. "It was bought locally because in the timespan we had, we couldn't have bought anything from Europe or the states because of the shipping charges and it would take too long to arrive."

The team completed the project within 30 days, providing 30 rooms for personnel on temporary assignment and saving approximately $655,000 annually in lodging costs. The savings gained were almost as important as providing a homey atmosphere for the personnel on temporary assignment.

"It was really just trying to make it as comfortable as possible for people who have to spend a year of their lives in these rooms," said Chalmers. "The guys are always conscious of that, these are people's homes, so you want them to be good."

Deadly precision: Malmstrom's nuclear advanced designated marksmen

by Airman 1st Class Collin Schmidt
341st Missile Wing Public Affairs

4/18/2014 - MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- Editor's note: this is part three in a four-part series highlighting the Tactical Response Force at Malmstrom Air Force Base.

The mission of Malmstrom Air Force Base's Tactical Response Force nuclear advanced designated marksmen can be extremely stressful, demanding and in depth. In the words of two NADM snipers, it can also be one of the most rewarding careers a person could have.

To be prepared for any situation that may come up, the Airmen who are tasked with this mission train on a continuous basis. Almost every day of the week, a training session of some form is practiced and repeated until the nuances of what is needed to accomplish the mission effectively is engrained as muscle memory within these marksmen.

"We take our training seriously," said Staff Sgt. Richard Welty, 341st Security Forces Group TRF NADM. "When we are out in the field, we try to apply the skills we've learned in previous exercises and use them to accomplish the mission we have at hand while learning from our mistakes. Every time we go out we learn something new."

During an exercise at the Warrior Launch Facility at Malmstrom, two NADM snipers performed a two-hour "stalk" where they were tasked with a mission of positioning themselves within 350 meters of two simulated enemy targets and were required to call out an accurate kill shot.

During their "stalk," two highly trained TRF members performed "counter sniper" operations and attempted to spot the marksmen as they made their way to the specified range. Using equipment such as Steiner military 30x binoculars and a Leica Viper II laser range finder, accomplishing this task successfully is regarded as one of the most challenging exercises within the sniper community.

"I think our specific skill sets are very important," Welty said. "A lot of times we see things on the battlefield that no one else sees. We have the ability to move stealthily, either as a single unit or in a small two-man team. For us, teamwork is the key to success. In the field, we are a force multiplier and when you combine us with the defenses Malmstrom has in place, there's nothing we can't handle."

The first step TRF members take to becoming highly trained marksmen is undergoing a rigorous six-week training program at Camp Guernsey, Wyo. During the course, members are evaluated on weapons accuracy, camouflage, the ability to sustain themselves in a field environment and use of specialized spotting equipment. Only the top shooters and performers are selected to be certified while the rest are sent back to their home station.

Once back, two of the tools a TRF sniper team will utilize the most are ghillie suits and their rifles. Ghillie suits are custom made by the snipers who will be using them in the field. A ghillie suit closely resembles coveralls or a full-body suit with a thin fabric mesh on the outside wherein earth colored yarn and fabric are interwoven to serve as a three-dimensional camouflage. When a sniper is in the field, he or she will also pull foliage from the ground and stick it into the mesh to better blend into their specific surroundings.

For TRF snipers at Malmstrom, their specific weapon of choice is an M-24 rifle with a 10x power scope, which uses ammunition similar to what the .308 caliber hunting rifle uses.

"We use a variety of gear," said Senior Airman Isaac Lau, 341st SFG TRF NADM. "The type of gear we use can vary from mission to mission but the basics stay the same. Our job here on Malmstrom is very specific so the tools we have are catered to what we need. Everything comes into play when we are out in the field and having the tools we need to get the job done correctly helps us a lot."

In addition to these, a sniper's most valuable tool is his mind. According to TRF's marksmen, being able to keep calm and focused is essential to having an outcome in their favor.

"A lot goes into doing what we do," Lau said. "It's a challenge we take on every day to perform at our best. Sometimes it can be rough but the rewards far outweigh the negatives. I love doing what I do, and I wouldn't have it any other way."

Introducing the 'unnamed conspirator'

by Senior Airman Cortney Paxton
341st Missile Wing Public Affairs

4/18/2014 - MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- As part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a briefing was held to help educate Team Malmstrom members on the impact of sexual assault across the service and the nation, and how they can get involved in the fight to change the culture that supports it.

Speaking during the briefing was Anne Munch, the owner of Anne Munch Consulting, Inc., and a recognized subject-matter expert in speaking, training and consulting on sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking. During her brief time with Airmen, she spoke of a third-party influence on sexual assault crimes - beyond the victim and offender - who she
named the "unnamed" conspirator.

"It's an honor to have such a phenomenal speaker come in that is so highly sought after in the sexual assault prevention field," said Holly Wick, 341st Missile Wing sexual assault response coordinator. "It was great to be able to get her here and have her relay the message in a different way - other than the normal PowerPoint slides we get in our briefings."

Munch's presentation started with a brief introduction and a little bit of her background, which included a job as a lawyer.

"In law school, they taught me that there were two people involved in [an interpersonal] crime - you've got the victim and the offender, and what they tell in you law school is that justice will be determined based on what happened between these two players..." Munch said. "As I started trying cases of sexual assault ... I realized that there was a third party that was involved in each and every one of them. This third party wasn't listed in the police reports, didn't come into the court and testify, didn't go back into the jury room and deliberate - they never did any of those kinds of things, but they were involved in each case to the point where they were having an influence over the outcome of the case even though they weren't named as a party. Not only were they having an influence over the outcome of the case, they were having the lion's share over the outcome of all of my cases."

Munch told the story of the 'unnamed conspirator' through various anecdotes she knew from personal experience either within her personal life or the work that she has done in the past. Eventually, she announced the unnamed conspirator as the society within the United States.
According to a Times/CNN Poll conducted in 1991, 38 percent of men and 37 percent of women said that a raped woman is partly to blame if she dresses provocatively, she said.

"A lot of people think that way, and it's alive and well in the military," Munch added. "And I have a problem with that. The unnamed conspirator is you and me - it's the way that we think... It's the thoughts and things that we have all kind of consumed as we have been raised in this culture."

Munch presents the story of the unnamed conspirator to audiences nationwide, and encourages them all to change the way they think in an effort to change the culture that supports sexual assault.

"The most important message to take home from Munch's presentation is to realize that we all have some type of prejudice or bias, and that sometimes we need to look outside the box or our comfort zones to see the subliminal messages we impact on a daily basis," said Holly Wick, 341st Missile Wing sexual assault response coordinator. "We need to not to always take the easiest option to blame the victim and to think about the whole situation instead of singling out an individual before coming to a conclusion."

Munch encouraged each Airman to stand up and take part in changing the culture that supports sexual assault in the Air Force. She also spoke of the importance of letting the victims know that, even in today's culture, sexual assault is never their fault.

"It's something that we don't like to think about, but typically, you'll have people ... who have experienced [sexual assault] and are dealing with it at one level or another," she said. "So one of the most important things I feel about my work is just acknowledging them and getting them, especially the silent survivors, to understand the concepts around the unnamed conspirator and especially to communicate that it's not their fault - that perhaps they've experienced self-blame or even blame from other people and that that blame is misplaced."

But sexual assault doesn't stop at the victim. A sexual assault crime can affect the victim's family and friends directly as well as coworkers. In some cases, the impact a sexual assault has on the victim's closest relatives is something that they may need to seek help for.

"I've had men who have girlfriends or wives who were assaulted in their lives [talk to me about] how much it impacts them in their relationships and in their marriages," Munch said. "They ask about things they can do to be more supportive because unfortunately, this is a really traumatic event for any human being and it continues. The trauma has a life of its own, and it continues to effect people into the future."

As she spoke of the future, Munch explained that every Airman has a place in a future that supports a culture against sexual assault. The unnamed conspirator - everyone - has the ability to impact the justice of sexual assault crimes, so by stepping up and saying something, or enforcing the Air Force's zero tolerance policy on sexual assault, everyone can have a positive impact on a culture change.

"This is something that the men and women in the Air Force who are right beneath the surface, maybe not talking to us but are suffering from this crime need," Munch said. "They need you, they need the program, they need Holly and they need people to help them understand that they can get help. That's an important mission because that is a game changer in the life of any male or female or child that experiences it."

Doolittle Tokyo Raiders: Anniversary event draws crowd to honor heroes

by Airman 1st Class Kenna Jackson
Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Public Affairs

4/21/2014 - JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas -- It was April 18, 1942, and the United States was embroiled in World War II following the unsuspected attack on Pearl Harbor and the Imperial Japanese forces had rapidly extended their reach across the Pacific.

When called upon, 80 men volunteered for a "top secret" mission blindly - a mission that had never been accomplished before; one that would later prove to the Japanese high command that their home islands were not untouchable to the Americans and would cause them to go on the defense.

Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph and community members recognized and honored the men from this daring mission, called the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders, during a 72nd anniversary event that drew a packed house at the JBSA-Randolph Parr Club.

"These men taught us nothing is insurmountable," Gary Boyd, Air Education and Training Command historian, said. "In our bleakest moment we can always find a way out,"

Retired Maj. Gen. Mike Skinner, guest speaker, agreed with Boyd, adding, "My dad was a B-25 pilot, so to be here as a part of something bigger than me fills me with pride."

The ceremony was attended by one of the four living Doolittle Tokyo Raiders: retired Lt. Col. Richard "Dick" Cole, the copilot of Aircraft No. 1.

Cole was born in Dayton, Ohio, home of the Wright Brothers, in September 1915. As if drawing from the Wright brothers' fascination with flight, Cole was anxious to enlist in the Army Air Corps as soon as possible. After two years of college, which was the requisite to qualify for pilot training, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps in November 1940 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in November 1941. In February 1942, he volunteered with the other members of his squadron.

"It was a time when we needed to do something, our country was in danger," Cole said. "We did what needed to be done."

Family members of retired Lt. Col. James Parker Jr., co-pilot of Aircraft No. 9, were also in attendance.

Parker, a Texas native, was born in Houston, in February 1920. He attended Lon Morris Junior College and Texas A&M College before enlisting in the service as an aviation cadet in November 1940 and graduated from Advanced Flying School as a pilot in July 1941. Parker and his crew's target was the Tokyo Gas and Electric Company on the shore of Tokyo Bay. After the raid, he and his crew arrived over China after dark and in heavy rain. He bailed out of the aircraft 100 miles south of Pyong Lake.

"It means a lot to be here, to see all the men and women in honor of the Doolittle Raiders," said Connie Parker, daughter-in-law of James Parker.

The Doolittle Tokyo Raiders were a group of men from all walks of life who volunteered for the mission. They didn't even know the targeted destination until the 16 B-25 twin-engine bombers were loaded on the aircraft carrier USS Hornet. These men would carry out the first attack of World War II on the Japanese mainland.

Because the planes were too large to be taken below deck on the aircraft carrier, they were stored at the end of the runway on top, resulting in the runway take off being very
short - 300 feet.

Although all B-25s successfully took off from the carrier and bombed their targets, most met with anti-aircraft fire and aerial enemy interception. All except one plane crash-landed or had crew bail out. After the mission, 65 men survived and were led to safe zones by Republic of China locals. Eight men were captured by the Japanese, but only four survived. Four landed in Russia and were held in captivity for a year before escaping to Iran. One died upon bailout of the North American B-25B Mitchell aircraft, and two drowned after bailout.

"On behalf of the Doolittle Raiders, I would like to thank you for your generosity and support on this special day," Cole said as he raised his toast in honor of the Doolittle Raiders.

After the toast, Gen. Robin Rand, Air Education and Training Command commander, presented Cole with a commander's coin among other certificates of appreciation and an American flag.

"We are standing in the presence of living history today," Rand said. "We stand on the shoulders of giants, of men like Cole. We use what the other Raiders did as inspiration to propel us to do the things we need to do for our country."

2nd AMXS Airmen build shop from ground, up

by Staff Sgt. Amber Corcoran
2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs

4/17/2014 - BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Through potential blood, sweat and okay, maybe not tears, Airmen from the 2nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron recently opened a new support section built with their bare hands to improve the flow of flightline maintenance activities.

From crew chiefs to weapons loaders and hydraulics to electronic warfare technicians, the Airmen who form the 20th Aircraft Maintenance Unit Support section come from several Air Force Specialty Codes who work on the flightline. The Airmen rotate periodically to gain a different perspective maintaining the support equipment rather than just working with it to perform maintenance on the B-52H Stratofortress.

All the equipment, such as non-powered and minor tools and servicing and test equipment, sets that are used to troubleshoot electronic and hydraulic faults, for the aircraft are located in the support section.

"Everything that goes out to the flightline has to be controlled on some level," said Staff Sgt. Cristopher Weinberg, 20th AMU Support consolidated tool kit custodian. "We're that control for the tools and test equipment that aren't personally issued by the squadron."

In the beginning, the room in mind for the new AMU support section, re-built by the 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron into an office, was scouted to figure out a layout that would be cohesive for the flow of people moving in and out with potentially heavy equipment in their hands.

"After a plan was set, we went right in putting together the shelving that was bought and lining them with wood for security and rigidity and building the storage cabinets," said Weinberg, who is also an electronic warfare technician when working the flightline. "Mid-January, as many people as we could round together, started literally moving tools, finding a place for them and loading them into inventory, which we also had to create. It wasn't just physical labor, but also sitting at the computers making sure the electronic tracking system was ready to go."

While the move was happening, the 96th AMU Support section maintained operations for both AMUs with half the equipment until the new support section opened April 1.

"Communication was huge during this time since equipment and tools had to be split up between the two sections and tools were still coming back from the Red Flag exercise and deployments," Weinberg said. "We needed to make sure each AMU had the capabilities required to maintain and complete the mission."

The camaraderie and morale was also apparent throughout the move as the Airmen and NCOs worked together diligently to build the shop in less than three months.

"When we first walked in, there were just a few shelves and lockers- it was like a blank canvas," said Senior Airman Andrew Arnold, 20th AMU Support custodian, who is a crew chief when working the flightline. "In the first few weeks, [the Airmen] were able to give most of the input and create what we did here based on the design by the people who actually work the counter. We asked everyone's opinions on what could make things more efficient and with our supervisor's advice on the tech data to remain within regulations, we built this. Everyone worked really well as a team and we had a great time- we're close knit."

In the end, the move was no small task, said Weinberg. Even on paper, it was hard to explain what level of labor building the new AMU shop really consisted of.

"We physically moved between 1,500 and 2,000 different tools and equipment weighing anywhere between five and 250 pounds, built shelves, cut wood, relocated everything - it was a major tasking," Arnold said. "On top of moving everything, creating the database for the tools and loading every single item was time consuming. While everything was being identified and organized, the Airmen stayed late without being asked- they just wanted to work. I give them major credit for what happened here."

Not only did the large tasking allow the Airmen and NCOs time to build rapport with each other, working within the newly built AMU section gave them new appreciation for the tools that have always been around.

"I have a better appreciation for being on this side of the counter than being the one on the other side just taking the tools," said Senior Airman Audrick Dickson, 20th AMU Support custodian and an electronic warfare technician when working the flightline.
"Support has a lot of programs which I never knew about and the custodians aren't just issuing the tools, they're servicing and repairing them. I get to see a different side of the flightline and different aspects of the job, I really enjoy it."

The Airmen also get to see the task at hand for keeping more than 7,500 individual tools serviceable - meaning each tool requires some kind of maintenance on some kind of level at some point of the day, month or year.

"It's a constant, never-ending cycle," said Weinberg. "When new Airmen join the shop through rotation, they may not have a real respect for the tools they normally just get handed. A toolbox has about 150 different items in it and when they see the maintenance involved in keeping the toolbox rust free, making sure all the broken stuff gets replaced and getting wires repaired, they gain a new respect for what the tools and equipment are and when they cycle back out, they remember the pain of rust busting and repairing wires and they are more careful with them."

Since April 1, the 20th AMU Support section has been busy taking care of its almost 300 Airmen who constantly flow through the section to receive and return tools to support the B-52 mission.

"One benefit of us being open is that the wait time has decreased dramatically; the Airmen had to drive several hangars down the flightline to stand in line at the 96th AMU for tools and equipment to start their daily jobs," said Weinberg. "Now, they're able to walk out of their offices down the hall to us, and even the 96th has a smaller wait time with half the Airmen gone from their lines."

With the new 20th AMU Support section and the 96th AMU Support section's operations in full swing, it will provide better access for all the Airmen and drastically reduce customer wait times, said Lt. Col. Brady Wilkins, 2nd AMXS commander.

"Our squadrons [maintainers] have done an amazing job de-centralizing the support section and splitting it from one entity back into two flight level sections," Wilkins said. "The split will return authority and responsibility back to the flight level leadership, putting the span of control closer to where the rubber meets the ramp.

"These benefits improve the quality of life in our work environment and help us better support the 2nd Bomb Wing will fully mission capable aircraft for the nuclear and conventional mission. The achievements we've made is no surprise, I have the best maintainers in the Air Force Global Strike Command."

US, Romanian exercise comes to a close

by Staff Sgt. R.J. Biermann
31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

4/19/2014 - CAMPIA TURZII, Romania  -- The week-long bilateral training exercise between the U.S. and Romanian air forces concluded at the 71st Air Base, Campia Turzii, Romania, April 17, 2014.

The exercise, which began April 10, enhanced interoperability and readiness between the NATO partners through combined air operations between F-16 Fighting Falcons from Aviano Air Base, Italy, and MiG-21 Lancers from the 71st AB.

"Combined training with Romania demonstrates that we share a commitment to promote a peaceful and stable Europe," said Lt. Col. Douglas Hellinger, 510th Fighter Squadron assistant director of operations and project officer for the exercise. "This exercise increased the level of cooperation between our militaries."

U.S. and Romanian Airmen joined together in a formation during a closing ceremony held at the base, which demonstrated the partnership built during the exercise.

Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta was also in attendance.

"We welcome your friendship," he said to the U.S. Air Force Airmen in attendance. "I came here today to praise this exercise and the importance of our partnership. Romania understands how impactful it is to us to be a partner of the U.S."

At the ceremony, Ponta took the opportunity to discuss the benefits of the F-16, which he had the unique opportunity to co-pilot just moments before.

"I came to see the capability of the F-16 as a buyer of this unbelievable technology," Ponta said. "The F-16 is impressive. I feel safe in the F-16 and will feel even safer come 2017."

Romania recently signed a contract to acquire F-16s from Portugal within the next few years, a step forward in military capability.

"It proves that our security future can be relied on," Ponta concluded.

The exercise marked the first time Team Aviano Airmen have partnered with the Romanian air force.

McConnell Airmen, VA, local agencies assist homeless veterans

by Master Sgt. Brannen Parrish
931st Air Refueling Group Public Affairs

4/18/2014 - MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- On a cold, overcast April day, Tech. Sgt. Stephen Hedden and other volunteers are quickly loading the bed of his pick-up with furniture and household items.

Hedden, seven McConnell Airmen and three Robert J. Dole Veterans Administration Medical Center employees, met up at His Helping Hands, a Wichita non-profit that provides household items for individuals and families to load furniture and household supplies.

His Helping Hands is an outreach program of Central Christian Church in Wichita. The non-profit works with local agencies to identify and assist families in need. Items are stored in a 30,000-square foot warehouse, organized in neat but eclectic rows of household furniture donated by citizens from the Wichita area.

"We have three donated trucks that we send out to pick up furniture and household items donated by members of the community," says Jackie Minnis, His Helping Hands warehouse operations manager. "We have several volunteers who will pick up items and bring them here."

When the last of the items are aboard and secured, Hedden, a quality assurance inspector from the 931st Air Refueling Group, climbs into the cab and prepares to depart.
The white script 'A' logo, which signifies his allegiance to a college athletics program, is affixed to the rear, driver's side window but is now blocked by furniture and household goods.

"Roll Tide!" says Hedden, as he shifts into drive and pulls forward.

For the past two years he has helped move veterans in Wichita. In October 2013, he was asked to begin coordinating volunteers from McConnell. Hedden stays in touch with the VA and sends out emails whenever assistance is needed.

"The Air Force encourages us to volunteer and I thought, 'If I'm going to do volunteer work, I want to do something that I can get behind,'" Hedden says. "I have a truck and I believe strongly in taking care of veterans, so this seemed like the best type of volunteer work for me."

On this day, the cadre of Air Force and VA volunteers is moving Albert White into a small apartment. White, a U.S. Army veteran, who says he joined the Army from his childhood home in Natchitoches, La., and served as a communications specialist from 1973-'75.

White says he fell on hard times recently and lost his apartment in Colorado. He moved to Wichita has been living out of his car for more than a month.

"I didn't have any money, so I would park near a wheat field in a remote area at night and sleep in my car," says White. "I didn't want to be where there were a lot of people because it isn't safe. You have to be careful. I camped out in the snow one night and some police officers found me and told me about a shelter. They suggested I go there so that I didn't have to be outside in the snow."

According to the VA website, www.va.gov, the agency served more than 240,000 veterans who were "homeless or at-risk of becoming homeless" in 2012. The site states that the VA identified more than 62,000 homeless veterans in January 2012.

"On average, we see about one homeless veteran a week," says Melissa Hodge, a social worker from the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center in Wichita. "We try to get them into emergency housing when they come to us. We have 15 beds in contract housing, and Housing and Urban Development has another 135."

Hodges, is one of eight social workers at the VA in Wichita. She says the agency is making strides to assist homeless veterans but there are challenges.

"We have to be creative. The biggest challenge is getting them resources and finding a landlord who will work with them," she says. "We work with organizations like His Helping Hands for furniture and household goods, and volunteers from the Air Force, and the other services to get them moved."

About 15 minutes after departing His Helping Hands, Hedden, Hodges and Staff Sgt. Marcus Scott, a maintenance analyst from the 22nd Air Refueling Wing, arrive at White's apartment complex near downtown Wichita.

Hedden and Scott grab the futon and maneuver it through the small doorway into a small studio apartment. Hodges begins carrying boxes and other items. In a few minutes the bed of Hedden's truck is empty and the furniture arranged.

"You never know what life might throw at you," says Hedden. "It's hard to see folks struggling but it's good to know this gentleman won't be in the street. I feel like I get something back out of doing this."

"The VA and the military have really helped me," White says, pointing toward the volunteers. "I really appreciate the service."

USS Anchorage Achieves Training Goals, Returns Home

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Christopher Lindahl

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Anchorage (LPD 23) arrived at her homeport of San Diego, April 18, after disembarking Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force (SPMAGTF), ASEAN, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF).

Anchorage arrived after a vigorous 31 day underway involving a wide assortment of ongoing at-sea training evolutions and hosting the U.S. Secretary of Defense, Chuck Hagel, and other defense ministers from the Association of Southeastern Asian Nations (ASEAN), during part of the ASEAN defense forum.

"We showed the capabilities of the Navy-Marine Corps team in a physical manner," said Lt. Col. Mark T. Donar, commanding officer, SPMAGTF-ASEAN. "We were able to showcase our equipment and the Navy's ability to bring our equipment to the forefront."

Anchorage conducted training in nearly every aspect of Navy readiness including flight deck operations, well deck operations, medical response training, combat systems training, and engineering casualty training. Anchorage also hosted a variety of Sailors from her sister ship, USS Green Bay (LPD 20), and amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) to gain qualifications and train in an at-sea environment.

Boatswain's Mate 1st Class Nicholas Treser, assigned to Green Bay and embarked on Anchorage, led a team of six Sailors as they worked on gaining such qualifications as: underway lookout, helmsman, lee-helmsman, line handler, well deck petty officer-in-charge, and more.

"It was a great training opportunity," said Treser. "It allows Green Bay to have more flexibility with their watch standing and enhanced the overall qualification level of their deck department."

Essex Sailors got an opportunity to train on the flight deck, with four receiving landing signalman, enlisted qualifications and three receiving tractor driver qualifications.

The air department was also able to certify approximately 40 pilots and crew from the Marine Corps and Army with their deck landing qualifications, landing and launching Army CH-47 Chinooks, Marine MV-22 Ospreys, CH-53 Super Stallions, AH-1W Super Cobras, and UH-1Y Iroquois helicopters.

"The fact that Marines and Sailors from other ships can combine with our own flight deck crew and crash and salvage teams to work seamlessly makes the whole flight deck training process something to be proud of," said Yeoman 3rd Class Pedro Samame, assigned to Anchorage's crash and salvage team. "We all worked together and I feel like it was a total success."

USS Anchorage (LPD 23) is the seventh San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship. She was built at the Huntington Ingalls Shipbuilding site in Avondale, La. She was delivered to the U.S. Navy on Set. 17, 2012 and was commissioned in her namesake city of Anchorage, Alaska on May 4, 2013. She is homeported in San Diego.