A man of honor

By Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, Air Force Chief of Staff

WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- "Anyone can carry his burden, however hard until nightfall; anyone can do his work however hard for one day."

These words were penned by Robert Louis Stevenson about one hundred years before retired Air Force fighter pilot Col. Jim Kasler used them to describe the challenge of daily life as a prisoner of war in Vietnam.

For nearly seven years Kasler carried that burden every day with honor, pride and dignity. He was a remarkable man, an incredible officer and a true American hero. On April 24, 2014, Kasler left the burdens of this world behind. While his legacy is an enduring gift to our Air Force, all Airmen should feel the loss.

I never had the privilege of meeting Kasler, but his military career spans more than three decades of service. It’s hard to believe, but when he reported for duty in Vietnam, then-Maj. Kasler was beginning his third war as an Airman. He is one of a treasured generation who fought three wars and built our Air Force.

As a 19-year-old B-29 Superfortress tail gunner, he flew combat missions over Japan in World War II. Following the war and college, he moved into the cockpit of an F-86 Sabre and served in Korea where he flew 100 combat missions and shot down six MiGs, earning the elite rank of Air Force jet ace.

But it was his final conflict that would prove to be the most challenging.

Soon after arriving in Southeast Asia, Kasler established that his success in Korea would continue in Vietnam by leading a successful strike on a heavily-defended petroleum storage facility. So successful, his fellow pilots lauded him as “The Destroyer” for his effectiveness in the F-105 Thunderchief. This strike earned him the Air Force Cross, the first of three.

Not long afterward in 1966, on his 91st mission in Vietnam, Kasler’s wingman was hit by ground fire and he ejected. He kept watch over the downed pilot until he was almost out of fuel. On his way back to coordinate the rescue of his wingman after refueling, Kasler’s aircraft was hit and he ejected, earning him a second Air Force Cross and the beginning of an incredibly horrible tenure as a prisoner of war when he was captured soon after hitting the ground.

Kasler's third Air Force Cross was awarded for his inconceivable resistance to abuse by the North Vietnamese. He shared the infamous Room 7 of the "Hanoi Hilton" with other great heroes like retired Brig. Gen. Robbie Risner, retired Navy Vice Adm. James Stockdale, retired Col. Bud Day, retired Navy Capt. and current Arizona Sen. John McCain, retired Col. Larry Guarino and retired Navy Rear Adm. Jeremiah Denton.

Beatings, starvation, sleep deprivation and brainwashing became regular occurrences. The worst of the torture came in the summer of 1968 when his captors attempted to force him to make statements in support of an anti-American propaganda event. He was tortured for six weeks. He was denied sleep for five days straight, beaten every hour on the hour for three days and all the while was fed barely enough food to stay alive.

Eventually he, and his fellow POWs, learned to face their captors one day at a time, to endure all they could until nightfall, when they could get a few hours of relief. This became the pattern of their lives.

He later said “Our treatment in Hanoi only strengthened our resistance and our faith in our country and its cause in Southeast Asia…we could have easily compromised our beliefs and made our lives much easier by cooperating with the Vietnamese. But our goal was to return home with our honor.”

He never cooperated with the North Vietnamese and survived to return home in March of 1973 after 6 1/2 years in captivity.

Kasler’s service spanned 31 years and three wars. He earned 76 awards for valor and service. In addition to being the only man awarded the Air Force Cross three times, Kasler was decorated twice with the Silver Star, a Legion of Merit, nine awards of the Distinguished Flying Cross, two Bronze Star Medals, two Purple Hearts and 11 Air Medal awards.

But what was most important to him was his honor, and return with honor he did. Those who knew him, say he was a humble man, who never expected to be honored. He believed in family, God and our Nation, and he showed us all what courage, sacrifice and honor really look like.

Today’s Airmen have a lot to learn from Col. Kasler. His story is an inspiration to persevere, no matter the circumstances they face. Night has fallen for Jim Kasler; he carried his burden exceedingly well, and his Air Force will miss him.

MCPON Speaks at Military.com Spouse Summit

By By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Martin L. Carey, Office of the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy

TYSONS CORNER, Va. (NNS) -- Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Mike Stevens spoke with Navy spouses at the Military.com 2014 Spouse Summit: "Live Your Best Military Life."

Before MCPON talked with spouses, the Honorable Juan Garcia, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, opened the conversation by talking about the Optimized Fleet Response Plan, and the Career Intermission Program.

"We're determined to make sure Sailors and spouses are aware of the Career Intermission Program," Garcia said. "As you and your family consider your personal retention efforts, I ask you all to consider this program as well."

After Garcia finished, Stevens began his conversation by talking about his smart device pilot program. His goal is to have recruits issued a smart device tablet at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes. The device will have access to course materials, wireless Internet, and a variety of other resources.

"Our goal is to keep Sailors up-to-date with the latest technology and equipment," he said. "This type of device also allows us to teach Sailors proper operational security habits, and the importance of using social media sights properly and safely, in order to protect vital information," said Stevens.

After talking about a few of his upcoming initiatives, he listened to feedback and answered questions from the audience.

A spouse asked about the lack of support for spouses and families at joint commands in the Washington D.C. area.

"Many commands in this area are in a joint environment, we must ensure that we're aware of each service's support programs, in order to guarantee that our families receive the proper care and support," said Stevens.

Another spouse spoke about her concerns with military spouse employment compared to civilian employment.

"I recognize that it can be very difficult to pursue your dream careers because of the frequent moves and adjustments that military spouses have," said MCPON. "I want to encourage you all to look at employment resources that our Fleet and Family Support Centers offer military spouses."

MCPON concluded his visit by thanking the spouses for their selfless support and dedication, and encouraged them to visit the Navy Ombudsman At Large page for additional useful information.

Locklear Named Surface Navy Association's "Old Salt"

From Naval History and Heritage Command Communication and Outreach Division

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Adm. Samuel Locklear, Commander, U.S. Pacific Command, accepted the Surface Navy Association's (SNA) "Old Salt" Award at the National Museum of the United States Navy at the Washington Navy Yard, May 7.

"In the Navy, we have an expression for respected, experienced and knowledgeable mariners. We call them 'Old Salts,'" said Vice Adm. Barry McCollough, U.S. Navy (Retired), president of the Surface Navy Association. "It is fitting that we acknowledge our lore, customs and traditions, and honor the most senior of all our active duty Surface Warriors with the 'Old Salt' designation. It is the old salts who have made it possible for our traditions to be kept alive."

The Old Salt Award is given to one active duty Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) who has qualified as an officer of the deck (OOD) while underway, but there is a catch. The recipient must be the officer who has held the SWO qualification for the longest amount of time.

The award has been earned by many admirals including former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael Mullen, former Commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Adm. John Harvey and U.S. Naval Academy Superintendents such as Vice Adm. Rodney Rempt.

After last Friday's retirement of the most recent Old Salt, Vice Adm. Michael Lefever, and today's ceremony, Locklear, a 1977 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, now assumes the title of the fleet's "Old Salt."

"I'm really kind of awed to be here," said Locklear. "I never thought I'd make it to be the Old Salt. But I can assure you I'll take the time-honored statue with me to Hawaii and display it proudly at [Pacific Command] headquarters and look forward to a time when I can transition it to another great surface warrior. I will take care of it, I promise you."

The names of past Old Salts have their names engraved on brass plates added to the base of the Old Salt Statue. The statue is then held in the custody of the current Old Salt for the remainder of his active duty tenure. Upon Locklear's retirement, the Old Salt statue will be passed to the next officer once determined by a search of records, a recommendation by Director of Surface Warfare, and approval by the Board of SNA.

LeFever, the former Old Salt, most recently served as the Deputy Director for Strategic Operational Planning, National Counterterrorism Center.

"It's been a great honor to be the Old Salt," said Lefever. "It's a tremendous tradition, and now, Admiral, you are the new Old Salt, sir."

LeFever, like all former Old Salts, will receive a replica of the Old Salt statue presented by the President of SNA at the Annual SNA Symposium Banquet. According to the SNA, the replica presentation serves to cement the initial recognition, and acts as a reaffirmation of faith by SNA nationally that receiving a surface warfare officer qualification was, is and will remain important.

Team Buckley honors community member

by Senior Airman Phillip Houk
460th Space Wing Public Affairs

5/8/2014 - BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Team Buckley awarded the 5th Community Heroes of Buckley Award to Suzanne Pitrusu, Aurora Chamber of commerce member, for her service to the military community.

The CHOB program was started in 2011 as a way to honor community leaders who enhance mission accomplishment, create a positive view of the military and make Buckley a better place to live and work.

"This really is an honor," Pitrusu said, "This all started back in 2002, when I was asked if I would assist with the Armed Forces Recognition Luncheon."

Pitrusu serves as the executive member of the Aurora Defense Council where she helps build community support and understanding of the military.

"It is amazing that a woman that is so busy takes time from her family to give to our family here on Buckley," said Col. Dan Wright, 460th Space Wing commander.

The largest program Pitrusu is involved in is AFRL, a unique program she has lead for seven years.

"What she is best known for is her involvement in the Armed Forces Recognition Luncheon," Wright said. "It is awesome that this is a way that she has found, on a personal level, to give back to the community.

"When we have the community here embrace us like this it means a lot to us," the commander said.

Pitrusu is the fifth community member to receive this award from Team Buckley, joining an elite group of leaders including several business leaders, members of the Aurora Chamber of Commerce and a state representative.

"I never really had any way to give back, and this is my way to say thank you," she explained.

Michigan Guard Soldiers Arrive in Latvia

By Angela Simpson

Joint Force Headquarters, Michigan National Guard

GRAYLING, Mich., May 8, 2014 – A 30-member Michigan Army National Guard Unmanned Aircraft System platoon arrived in Riga, Latvia, yesterday.

The platoon, which is led by Capt. Adam Wurth, is scheduled to be deployed for two months practicing UAS operations throughout Latvia in conjunction with Latvian army counterparts.

After training for the mission, the unit, part of the Michigan National Guard's 126th Cavalry Regiment located near Grand Rapids, packed gear, food, clothing and supplies, and headed out. With stops in Canada and Iceland, the platoon traveled in two C-130 aircraft, compliments of the Minnesota and North Carolina Air National Guard.

Latvian army Sgt. Yuri Putnich greeted the platoon in Latvian by saying, “Laipni Ludzam!” which means “Welcome to Latvia.”

Michigan National Guard State Plans and Operations Deputy Lt. Col. Ryan Connelly and Sgt. 1st Class Richard Ochoa were among the first to shake hands with Latvian army representatives.

“We are looking forward to training with the Latvian army and establishing a working relationship in the field of unmanned aerial systems,” Ochoa said when boarding a C-130 before it departed the United States for the trip.

“I continue to be amazed by the abilities of Michigan National Guard soldiers and airmen,” said Maj. Gen. Gregory J. Vadnais, adjutant general of the Michigan National Guard and director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. “In little more than a month, these men trained up for the mission and made arrangements for jobs and other responsibilities at home. I am also impressed by the flexibility Michigan employers give to their soldier and airmen workers and am floored by the support that wives and family members give, and the sacrifices they make, to support such short-notice mobilization.

“The soldiers, airmen, employers, family, friends and community networks all contribute to the success of Michigan National Guard missions,” Vadnais added.

The Michigan National Guard and Latvian military forces have formed a family-like bond over the past 22 years of partnering through the National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program. The program encourages sharing information, equipment and strategic skills between U.S. National Guard forces and each state’s respective partnership country.

Latvian leaders, soldiers and airmen visit and train in Michigan as active, committed participants of the partnership.

French village memorializes US WWII aircrew

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

5/8/2014 - RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- The people of Avord, France, dedicated a memorial May 8 honoring the crew of a U.S. B-17 Flying Fortress shot down during World War II.

The B-17, nicknamed the Georgia Rebel II, crashed at about 12:00 p.m. April 28, 1944, on a mission bombing a Nazi German-occupied airfield, Avord Air Base, located in the middle of France.

"For some of us it is very important to remember these young guys," said Frederic Henoff, event organizer. "Like me, when I go for the first time in the U.S., I don't know this big country and these young guys are from the middle of the U.S., some poor farmers' sons and they came for the first time over the ocean in another country and they were killed for us -- for freedom -- it's very important."

Seven of the crew members were killed during the raid and the three who survived became prisoners of war. Family members from three of the crew members attended the ceremony, including 2nd Lt. and navigator Arthur Guertin's sister, Marie Lukacs-Buchannan, and her daughter, Ann Lukacs.

"It is so humbling and we are so grateful for the French to actually be doing this ceremony," said Lukacs. "I mean, it means a lot that after 70 years they would even still remember and care enough to honor the seven of them that were killed in the plane."

During the war, Guertin's family received notification that he was missing in action shortly after the mission, in May 1944. The family was notified by telegram that he was confirmed as killed in action on New Year's Eve that year.

Lukacs said her mother, who is now 92, took the news especially hard because the two were extremely close siblings.

"He was the brother that always looked out for her and, you know, they had this special bond."

The news also came as a shock because the family had dealt with a similar situation during the war, which had a much different outcome.

"I think the thing that was deceiving for the family was that he had been MIA (missing in action) once before when he was in Sweden," said Lukacs. "He had just been reunited with his squadron after being in Sweden for eight months and a month later this mission happened."

The dedication ceremony included a church service, wreath-laying ceremonies, an exhibition on the 1944 bombardments, and dinner. The local community, French air force, and U.S. Air Force had representatives in attendance.

"I was extremely honored to represent the United States Air Force to the family and to see the emotional impact it had on them to have a U.S. representative," said Colonel Robert Huston, U.S. Air Force representative at the event. "It made it that much more special and reminded me just how much of an honor it is to represent our country and our Air Force when I get a chance."

Henoff expressed the importance of this ceremony and memorial for him and the Avord community.

"When you see the white crosses in the American cemetery, I have tears in my eyes," said Henoff. "When you look at the birth date, it's just young men. It's very important for us to remember these guys, not only for me, for many, many people in France."

The crew of the Georgia Rebel II consisted of:

1st Lt. Harold F. Henslin, pilot -- killed in action
Major Osce V. Jones, co-pilot -- survived, POW
2nd Lt. Arthur L. Guertin, navigator -- killed in action
1st Lt. Eugene Arning, bombardier -- killed in action
Tech. Sgt. Jo. R. Karr, engineer -- killed in action
Tech. Sgt. J. W. Padgett, radio operator -- survived, POW
Staff Sgt. George B. McLaughlin, ball turret gunner -- killed in action
Staff Sgt. Clarence T. Williams, right waist gunner -- killed in action
Sgt. William B. Blackmon, Jr., left waist gunner -- survived, POW
Staff Sgt. Edward H. Sell, tail gunner -- killed in action

Tacoma Airmen killed in Laos 44 years ago finally home

by Tech Sgt. Sean Tobin
62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

5/7/2014 - JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. -- After having been missing for more than 44 years, the remains of Air Force Capt. Douglas D. Ferguson, who was killed when his F-4D Phantom aircraft was shot down over Laos in 1969, returned home May 1 in Lakewood, Washington.

Last year, members of the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command excavated the Dec. 30, 1969 crash site in Laos and found remains and artifacts they believed were those of Ferguson, a Tacoma native and 1963 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School.

Through DNA testing and a dental records match, JPAC officials were able to positively identify the remains as being Ferguson's, said the captain's sister, Sue Scott, who was notified of the DNA match last January.

"When I received word of the positive identification, I wanted to shout it from the rooftops," said Scott. "We've been working on this for more than 40 years."

Ferguson's remains arrived at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in SeaTac, Wash., May 1. McChord Field Honor Guard members met the casket at the airplane and ceremoniously transferred it to the awaiting hearse.

A procession of vehicles, including Ferguson's hearse, police vehicles from Joint Base Lewis-McChord as well as state and local agencies, family members, and Patriot Guard Riders, left the SeaTac airport and headed to the Mountain View Funeral Home in Lakewood.

From a freeway overpass along the route, firefighters from JBLM and Central Pierce County, shadowed by a large U.S. flag draping down from the extended ladders of their fire engines, saluted the procession as it passed below them.

"That's what makes me teary is that I feel like we are embraced by love," Scott later said, referring to the firefighters on the procession route.

The following day, 627th Air Base Group Chaplain (Maj.) John Shipman held a funeral service for Ferguson at the McChord Theater. Hundreds of family members, former classmates of Ferguson, and members of JBLM attended the service. Col. Anthony Davit, 627th ABG commander, provided opening remarks.

"While I know that Captain Ferguson's family has been waiting for his return for more than 44 years, I have been waiting for nearly 28," Davit told those in attendance, referring to his time as a cadet in college where he always wore a POW/MIA patch on his flight suit. "I would often think about all the sacrifices those that came before me had made, and in many cases, may still be making. These thoughts guided my growing desire to serve and uphold the legacy of the great men and women that came before me."

Scott reflected on all the people over the decades who have helped her brother return home, and those who came to show their support once he finally did come home.

"I am so grateful," said Scott. "This is the best of who we are as Americans."

Ferguson was buried with full military honors later that day at the funeral home in Lakewood, in a plot just a few feet from where his parents are buried.

"There have been ups and downs over the years for sure," said Scott. "But the process has allowed me to meet the people who honor our country, not just with their service, but those who continue to give and give. That's what blows me away."

Spokane awarded Air Mobility Command Abilene Trophy 2013

by Staff Sgt. Alexandre Montes
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

5/7/2014 - FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Fairchild Air Force Base has a continuous global mission that employs more than 5,700 personnel and supports 17,000 retirees; and the Inland Northwest community has proven to be the grassroots supporting Fairchild and Air Mobility Command.

The 2013 Abilene Trophy was awarded to Spokane, Washington, this week by AMC. This award is presented annually to the community in AMC that is most supportive of its local Air Force base.

"Team Fairchild celebrates the Abilene award for our All-American community. 2013 was arguably one of the more difficult years for the base since 1994 and the patriotic Spokane community was our closest wingman during every challenge," said Col. Brian Newberry, the 92nd Air Refueling Wing commander. "Their Lilac heart beats strong for our Airmen. We salute the Abilene Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs committee, specifically Ms. Kristina Jones and Mr. Gray Bridwell, for hosting an award that recognizes our red, white and blue communities that make us stronger. Congratulations Spokane and the Greater Spokane Incorporated!"

Spokane has neighbored Fairchild and its military units for more than 93 years. Many of the city's accolades last year gave proof that it is still, more than ever, proudly supporting its American Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines in the Inland Northwest.

"I truly believe that our community's relationship with the Air Force represents the best in the nation. This award is an incredible honor for our citizens and a testament to their unwavering support of Fairchild and our local military families, whom we honor every year in May with the Lilac Festival and Parade," said Spokane Mayor David Condon. "We pride ourselves on that legacy and will continue to uphold the mission of Fairchild Air Force Base, the individuals who serve here, and their families."

Below are some of the attributes of why the Abilene Trophy was awarded to the city of Spokane:
· The Spokane Liliac Festival Armed Forces Torchlight Parade continues to be the largest U.S. nighttime parade, which attracts more than 150,000 visitors saluting the military.
· Operation Spokane Heroes donated $5,000 in holiday gift cards to military families; in 2013, Treats-for-Troops donations tripled for Soldiers and Airmen overseas.
· Spokane Military Alliance was created to better funnel business support for military.
· The state of Washington employs more than 700 traditional Guardsmen, and a majority in the City of Spokane. Just in 2013, these employers have supported their Airmen who executed 227 deployments with a total of 17,408 days to serve around the world.

"This is truly a community honor and shows how fortunate we are to have Fairchild Air Force Base and its personnel part of our community," said Rich Hadley, President and CEO of Greater Spokane Incorporated.

These milestones will be honored and celebrated with a trophy to the City of Spokane at a later date and will be presented by the Abilene Community.

Please refer all questions to the 92nd ARW public affairs office at (509) 247-5705.

Team plans fire mitigation efforts

by Alethea Smock
21st Space Wing Public Affairs

5/6/2014 - CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN AIR FORCE STATION, Colo. -- With the wildfire season starting, a team of wildland fire experts met here recently to discuss best practices for fighting fires in the arid west.

The team was comprised of top fire experts from agencies such as U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Air Force, and local Department of Defense wildland fire experts from bases across the Front Range including Peterson AFB and Cheyenne Mountain AFS. They met for three days to develop practices and procedures to efficiently work together during a catastrophic fire.

The Colorado Front Range is a top priority for the Air Force to ensure comprehensive response during a potential incident such as the Waldo Canyon and Black Forest fires. Wildland fires are of large concern in a dry state such as Colorado and highlight the need for a comprehensive approach to preventing, mitigating and extinguishing burns. What is described initially as a small fire can quickly be pushed by the strong winds to become a major fire in a matter of hours -- making response times critical.

"The Air Force has recognized that fighting fires is an interagency effort that requires cooperation," said Kevin Hiers, the acting chief of the Wildland Fire Center at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. "There is a significant risk of fire along the Front Range and we are building processes to leverage expertise from all agencies to be in a better position to fight the next major fire."

"We need to take proactive steps in our approach to fire mitigation and be collaborative when we discuss how to mitigate the fuels that help fires grow," said Hiers.

Discussion centered on the lessons learned from the last major fires in Colorado Springs. Since fires don't recognize boundary lines, the team worked on ways to better collaborate during an incident to reduce the devastation of large burns. Diverse land ownership highlights the need for joint response to an incident and also fire mitigation efforts to help prevent an incident.

The Air Force installations in Colorado Springs are surrounded by local communities who share an interest in keeping fires contained. Cheyenne Mountain AFS shares a fence line with both a state park and a local homeowner's community.

The team at CMAFS is focused primarily at stopping a fire at the fence line. The team has computer-modeled potential fire paths and determined best practices to fight a fire given different wind, weather and terrain combinations. This has allowed them to prioritize mitigation efforts and plan resources.

The steep terrain of Cheyenne Mountain, coupled with the wildland-urban interface makes fighting a fire along the installation a challenge. Large fire trucks cannot maneuver into remote locations and wildland firefighters are typically not equipped to handle a structure fire. This makes the need for fire preventative programs even more valuable.

The installation has partnered with the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Service to create a firebreak along their shared fence line. This is one of the several recommended steps to become fire-wise. Other steps include reducing the amount of available fuel to burn and removing lower tree branches so a fire will not ladder, or climb, trees.

"I am excited to have such an experienced team working here," said Steve Rose, 721st Mission Support Group deputy director." This has been a great week of collaboration in support of maintaining our mission, as well as protecting our installation and our community during a potential fire. With fires in Colorado, it's not an issue of if, it's a matter of when and preparation is key."

"Regional response to emergencies, such as wildland fires, is all about relationships. If you wait until a fire breaks out to build a relationship, it's too late. Working with the Air Force Civil Engineer Center's Wildland Fire Center now will pay great safety dividends for Cheyenne Mountain AFS, and all the bases on the Colorado Front Range," added Rose.

56th RQS trains to rescue in contested environments

by Staff Sgt. Emerson Nuñez
48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

5/7/2014 - ROYAL AIR FORCE LEEMING, England -- "These things we do, that others may live." This phrase is always in the back of a rescue Airman's mind.

For them to be certain they're trained for the mission when the call comes, they train how they fight.

The 56th Rescue Squadron spent a week at Royal Air Force Leeming training to survive, deny and defeat radar threats, to accomplish the search-and-recovery mission.

"The nature of our job is to rescue people in any type of scenario," said 1st Lt. Ryan Martelly, 56th RQS pilot. "We have to be ready to fly into any scenario, bad weather, radar threats or other people shooting at us. I think it's crucial that we have training like this since we have to be ready for any situation that may occur."

This training is a rare but critical time to gain valuable experience outside of a computer simulation.

"Experience is the best teacher that we have," said Maj. Daran Gaus, 56th RQS chief of weapons and tactics. "So, when the timeline is compressed and the minutes matter, this is going to give our aircrew the tools that they need to be successful despite the adversary."

This training is not just for pilots; it also sharpens the expeditionary skills of the maintenance and support Airmen.

"None of this training happens in a vacuum," Gaus said. "Not only are the aircrew exercising their ability to go out and fight these threats, but the maintainers are also working on their ability to keep putting aircraft up from a geographically-separated location.

"Additionally, the entire squadron, and all the support functions that come along with it, come here, and they are really what makes this training happen for us," Gaus added.

This training is conducted annually with the help of RAFs Leeming and Spadeadam and receives positive feedback from its participants.

"I would say this is the most exciting and worthwhile training I've done with the HH-60 because it was so applicable, dynamic and such a rare opportunity," Martelly said.

SECAF gets firsthand look at JB Charleston mission

by Staff Sgt. William A. O'Brien
Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs

5/8/2014 - JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Taking care of people, balancing the readiness of today with the readiness of tomorrow, and making every dollar count are the three top priorities of Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James.

"These three priorities underscore all the work I have ahead of me over the next three years," said James.

James shared her vision during a visit to Joint Base Charleston, May 7, 2014, where she and her spouse, Frank Beatty, received a firsthand look at the unique capabilities, key initiatives and attributes that make JB Charleston one of the nation's premier joint bases.

"Taking care of people is everything to me. In every job I've had over the last 30 years in the business of defense, I have become convinced that it always comes down to people. You need to make sure you have the right people in the right jobs and you take care of them appropriately and fairly."

With additional fiscal constraints on the horizon, James said fiscal responsibility is even more important than it has ever been.

"Money is precious and budgets are declining. As they say, flat is the new up. We're not going to see 'up' budgets in the foreseeable future. My crystal ball says at least the next 10-12 years we'll be lucky to be flat, and we may continue to go down some. So we need to make every dollar count."

James said with the decreasing budget and the decline in readiness, she and Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, Air Force Chief of Staff, have proposed allocating more money to programs to keep Airmen and equipment ready, operational and fully trained.

"The readiness of today has slipped and has been slipping for the past 15-20 years overall. One of the key judgments we made in the budget, which is now before the Congress, is that we need to pump up that readiness funding, so we put quite a bit of money into readiness," said James. "To be able to restore flying hours for example, to increase the money we're putting into maintenance and spare parts and other types of investments to help the equipment of today remain ready and help restore other sorts of training that have taken a hit."

James is the 23rd Secretary of the Air Force and is responsible for the affairs of the Department of the Air Force, including organizing, training, equipping and providing for the welfare of its more than 690,000 active duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian Airmen and their families.

The SecAF's day began with a brief about Joint Base Charleston and its various mission sets, including the C-17 Globemaster III strategic airlift mission. Afterward, James and Beatty spent much of the day speaking with Airmen in their respective work centers as they toured the joint base, asking questions not just about their particular missions, but also focusing on quality of life issues affecting Airmen and their families. Some of the units visited were the 628th Medical Group, the Airman and Family Readiness Center and the Child Development Center. James also toured a C-17 Globemaster III, where she received briefings from pilots, loadmasters, "Port Dawgs," aeromedical units and 1st Combat Camera Squadron Airmen.

After a lunch with enlisted Airmen and Sailors at the base dining facility, James and Beatty visited the base dorms, where junior ranking enlisted members live when they first arrive in the Air Force.

James finished her tour with a base "all-call" at the Air Base theater where she discussed the budget, force shaping programs and quality of life issues.

"Thank you for what you do for the Air Force," James said. "As far as I'm concerned, Joint Base Charleston rocks. I spent my time today seeing the C-17's operational missions, and I also had the chance to explore some of the support functions here on base."

James opened the all-call by commending the Airmen for their accomplishments over the past year.

"I'm very impressed across the board here at Joint Base Charleston," said James. "You guys don't miss a beat. You certainly didn't miss a beat last year while facing many challenges. This is a hard-working crowd and not only are you working hard, you're delivering."

Since becoming the Secretary four months ago, James has divided her time between learning all the challenges impacting the Air Force and getting around to see the Airmen who make the mission happen.

"My favorite part of these last four months are days like today; getting out around our Air Force and meeting our Airmen directly and seeing them right on the front lines of their mission. In this brief time I've seen all five core missions in our Air Force in action."

After James had finished, Col. Jeffrey DeVore, 628th Air Base Wing commander, and Col. Darren Hartford, 437th Airlift Wing commander, thanked her for taking the time to visit JB Charleston and presented her with a core sampling from the newly paved runway, which is symbolic for Charleston because it ties the three wings and the local community togethe