Naval Station Everett Conducts Exercise Citadel Protect

By Mass Communication 2nd Class Jeffry Willadsen, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West, Det. Northwest

EVERETT, Wash. (NNS) -- Sailors assigned to Naval Station Everett (NSE) coordinated with tenant commands and local authorities for the anti-terrorism training exercise Citadel Protect, May 13-15.

Designed to simultaneously train and evaluate security reaction teams on NSE, the exercise simulated several anti-terrorism scenarios including an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), chemical weapons, active shooters, and small boat attacks.

"It's a higher level exercise that tests our ability to defend the base," said Mark Brooks, the installation training officer for NSE. "It gives our security personnel an opportunity to show what they've learned over their training cycle and display their talents during a pretty realistic scenario."

Coordination was key during the exercise. The guided missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG 86) and Naval Branch Health Clinic Everett participated, coordinating with NSE's security team and emergency response forces. First responders from the city of Everett and local hospitals also participated in the drill.

One of exercise's main scenarios involved small boats attacking Shoup while moored to NSE's pier. Sailors on the ship's security team had to repel the attackers with machine gun and rifle fire. Another pivotal scenario involved active shooters on NSE's piers firing upon Shoup and NSE personnel.

The exercise's final scenario involved the explosion of an IED equipped with a toxic chemical agent. During the scenario, security teams had to secure the area, allowing rescue and medical personnel to evacuate injured Sailors to hospitals and assign them treatment as needed.

According to a watchstander who participated in the exercise, training like this is very important to preparing for the worst in real life.

"If we don't practice for it, we won't know how to react when it happens," said Master-at-Arms 1st Class (SW) Julio Jauregui, a native of San Pedro, Calif., who acted as watch commander during the IED explosion scenario. "Not every scenario is going to be the same, whether it's an exercise or a real-world scenario, but at least I'll have a template in my mind as far as what I need to accomplish."

Although a primary focus of the exercise was to evaluate the security forces' performance and coordination, this particular drill also emphasized creating a realistic environment for participants.

"We routinely do training, but it's rarely that we get to do this high level training," said Brooks. "[It] is the most realistic training environment that we can give both the ship and Naval Station Everett Security personnel."

Automatic weapons using blank rounds were used during the drill, introducing realistic sights, sounds, and smells into the training environment.

"When we do our training, we normally use red plastic guns. When we're doing that, we can't simulate a jam, we can't simulate a stoppage, we can't simulate [being] out of ammunition," said Lt. j.g. Cory Zebian, a native of Colleyville, Texas, and force protection officer aboard Shoup. "Here, when we're using real weapons with blank ammunition, if you have a jam, you have to clear it to keep shooting. If you run out of ammunition, you run out of ammunition.

Special laser emitters attached to participating Sailors' weapons also added to the realism, allowing trainers to accurately count how many hits were scored onto an enemy combatant or small boat.

"It teaches our guys a little more discipline with their shooting," said Zabian. "It's as close to real life as we're going to be able to get."

Realistic effects were also used to simulate wounds on Sailors involved in the chemical weapon IED Explosion.

"Making it realistic shows where we have our deficiencies and where we need to improve our response to whatever the situation is," said Jauregui.

Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Tours RTC

By Brian Walsh, RTC Public Affairs Specialist

GREAT LAKES (NNS) -- The commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFF), Adm. Bill Gortney, visited Recruit Training Command (RTC) to tour and attend a recruit graduation, May 16.

Gortney served as the reviewing officer at the ceremony, which was also attended by Rear Adm. David Russell, commander of Information Dominance Corps Reserve Command, who served as guest of honor.

"It is always an honor and privilege to host the Navy's most senior leadership at the Quarterdeck of the Navy," said Capt. John Dye, commanding officer of RTC. "Adm. Gortney's visit provides an opportunity to display the commitment and dedication of the staff to our mission of forging the next generation of Sailors. In turn, it also demonstrates the commitment of our senior leadership to our newest Sailors."

RTC, the Navy's only boot camp, graduated 701 Sailors in nine divisions and was attended by more than 2,000 family members and friends of the recruits.

"The training that is done in Great Lakes is absolutely critical to the readiness of the fleet," said Gortney. "I was impressed with everything I saw, from the recruits who graduated today, the Sailors in various phases of training I met yesterday, and the caliber of the instructors across the board."

Gortney began the morning with a tour of the training facilities at RTC. Included in this tour was a visit to the USS Trayer (BST-21), a 210-foot Arleigh Burke-class destroyer simulator, the largest in the Navy, where he toured the capstone event, Battle Stations 21, for recruits that culminates their 12-weeks of training during boot camp.

BST-21 is a 12-hour event where recruits complete 17 different shipboard scenarios. The state-of-the-art training facility uses theme park special effects technology to simulate a variety of shipboard emergencies, such as shipboard fires and compartment flooding.

During his remarks to the graduating divisions and the family and friends in attendance for the Pass-in-Review, Gortney welcomed the new Sailors to the fleet and assured family and friends that their loved ones are in good hands.

"We're going to teach you, we're going to lead you, we're going to guide you and we're going to do it because you are our relief," said Gortney. "Parents, we will take care of them; they will come back you to as better citizens of our great nation. We are proud of each and every one of you. We will see you in the Fleet, and the Fleet is great."

United States Fleet Forces Command supports both the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) and combatant commanders worldwide by providing responsive, relevant, sustainable naval forces ready-for-tasking. The command provides operational and planning support to combatant commanders and integrated warfighter capability requirements to the CNO. Additionally, USFF serves as the CNO's designated executive agent for anti-terrorism/force protection (ATFP), individual augmentees (IA), and sea-basing. In collaboration with U.S. Pacific Fleet, USFF organizes, mans, trains, maintains, and equips Navy forces, develops and submits budgets, and executes readiness and personnel accounts to develop both required and sustainable levels of fleet readiness. Additionally, the command serves as the unified voice for fleet training requirements and policies to generate combat-ready Navy forces.

Hagel Issues Armed Forces Day Message

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 16, 2014 – Tomorrow is Armed Forces Day, and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has issued the following message to service members, veterans and their families to mark the occasion:

For the past 65 years, America has taken the opportunity each May to celebrate Armed Forces Day - a day when our nation expresses its deep and abiding gratitude for all those who help protect and defend our country and its people. In the words of President Dwight Eisenhower, "it is fitting and proper that we devote one day each year to paying special tribute to those whose constancy and courage constitute one of the bulwarks guarding the freedom of this nation and the peace of the free world."

To every United States Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine, and Coast Guardsmen: On this day, and all days, you have every reason to be proud to wear the uniform. You are members of the greatest fighting force on earth, one that strives to make a better world for all mankind. You are respected and admired by your friends, your fellow countrymen and our allies. Your presence is welcomed around the world, and you are making a profound difference in the world.

To our nation's military spouses, partners, children, parents, and families: Today we also recognize and celebrate the vital love and support you provide our men and women in uniform. We are grateful not only for their service and sacrifices, but also for yours.

To America's veterans: Today we thank you for devoting so much to the country you love, and we renew our unceasing commitment to honoring you with the care, the compassion, and the dignity you deserve.

As our nation marks its 13th consecutive Armed Forces Day at war, and as service members continue to return home from the battlefield, we reaffirm a basic responsibility that we all share. We must do more than merely hold these brave individuals in such high regard; we must support them in every way, knowing that whatever we do, we can always do more.

We're proud of all of you.

Chuck Hagel

Secretary of Defense

Intelligence unit to activate at Wright-Patt

5/16/2014 - WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- A ceremony marking the official activation of the 14th Intelligence Squadron will take place at the National Air and Space Intelligence Center May 17 beginning at 2 p.m.

The squadron is part of the latest intelligence transformation initiative by the Air Force Reserve Command. The 14th IS will create a unique acquisition intelligence capability for reservists, conducting intelligence analysis and assessments for Air Force Materiel Command.

The squadron will support the 21st Intelligence Squadron, a 55-member active-duty unit assigned to the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, and work in collaboration with the National Air and Space Intelligence Center. These four organizations are located at Wright-Patterson AFB.

The 14th IS reports to the 655th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. The group oversees 11 Reserve intelligence squadrons located in six different states.

Moulage: Keeping it Real

by Senior Airman Desiree Economides
374th Airlift Wing public affairs

5/16/2014 - YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- Sirens are silenced as security forces arrive to the scene of an active shooter scenario; victim's screaming fills the air as they lie wounded along the ground. This setting took place as part of the emergency response exercise during a Samurai Readiness Inspection May 15, at Yokota Air Base, Japan.

A combination of moulage, or mock injuries, and role-player acting required emergency responders to apply their training in a surprisingly realistic environment.

"In an emergency situation, your heart is pounding and the adrenaline is pumping," said Lt. Col. Randy Claxton, 374th Medical Operations Squadron commander. "We train as we fight, so realistic simulation is important and moulage helps to create that response."

Creating burns, lost limbs, broken bones and lacerations require more than great makeup.

"Moulage puts the scenario into perspective." said Staff Sgt. Brandon Joyce, 374th Medical Surgical Squadron ultrasound technician and moulage applier. "Just saying that someone has a wound isn't the same as seeing one."

"Credible moulage helps the first responders in assessing and applying appropriate care to a multitude of different injuries, ultimately providing realistic hands-on training," Claxton said.

Staff Sgt. Terell White, 374th Security Forces Squadron Assistant flight chief, said his instincts kicked in at the first sight of moulage and he knew to start applying self-aid and buddy care; he said the practicality of the scenario was evident.

"It's hard to treat someone with SABC if there's nothing physically there for you to actually treat," White said. "When you see the moulage, the fake blood squirting out and someone crying out in pain, it brings it to light that this is a scenario that could really happen and that you should be prepared for."

Though moulage is intended to bring realism to a training scenario, it also brings a unique artistry for those preparing it.

"Moulage isn't just placing scars and pieces of plastic on people and calling it an injury, you have to have an open mind and be creative," said Joyce. "The disturbed reactions on people's faces mean a successful moulage to me, that's what I strive for."

With moulage providing realistic casualties for first responders and medical teams to practice their emergency skill, Yokota Airmen are abled and ready to respond to emergencies.

'Lucky socks' return to Wolf Pack

by 1Lt Son H. Lee
8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

5/16/2014 - KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Whether they are truly lucky or not, Brig. Gen. Robin Olds' lucky socks proved their tenacity as they made their way back to the Wolf Pack on May 13, 2014 at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea.

"About five years ago I had managed to get a hold of his lucky socks and also his flying watch from World War II," said John Dibbs, The Plane Picture Company creative director and friend of Olds. "The Wolf Pack is such a legendary outfit. I thought it would be an appropriate place for them to reside."

Dibbs got to know the original Wolf for a week while he escorted the retired general to England for an airshow hosted to honor World War II veterans. However, that was not the first time he had heard of the historic aviator.

"Who would've thought, growing up as a kid I used to read about Robin Olds and growing up as a kid I used to watch F-16s flying in airshows. You fast forward a few years and I not only got to know Robin Olds, but I was lucky enough to acquire his socks," said Dibbs. "It's something people can connect to that's real and was his and there in combat."

The cherished memento looks far from pristine, but this timeworn appearance is what makes the pair so special. Every tear and stain represents the tenure of Wolf 1 as he wore them on every mission he ever flew.

"In some ways, it's so great to be able to use these as somewhat of an education tool so that we can talk about what Wolf 1 was trying to do when he called us the Wolf Pack," said Col. S. Clinton Hinote, Wolf 53 and previous 8th Fighter Wing commander. "He led the wing in a way so that everybody knew that they were a part of something bigger and something special."

Hinote accredits the success of the 8th FW to Olds' "Wolf Pack" mentality that is engrained in the culture: live like a pack, train like a pack and fight like a pack. He hopes that as he says goodbye to Kunsan Air Base and moves on to his next endeavor, Old's legacy continues on.

"You see it; you feel it when you're here. We are carrying on a tradition that lasted at least since World War II," said the outgoing commander. "This is the most storied wing in the Air Force and I feel lucky, and somewhat humbled, to lead it."

As the Wolf Pack continues to live the tradition Olds created, Dibbs wishes to enhance the mission through the historic lucky charm.

"I think they're kind of lucky anyway; you can't help but think that with their connection to the legacy of Robin Olds," Dibbs said. "It speaks to the legacy of this great unit. It's nice in some small way to mark that. I think he'd like the idea that they're here [Kunsan Air Base] and inspiring future generations."

Naval War College Conference Addresses Counterproliferation

By Jim Garamone

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 15, 2014 – Proliferation of weapons of mass destruction is a major challenge to global security, and representatives from 21 nations addressed the problem this week during a meeting that ended today at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.

The delegations attending the Proliferation Security Initiative operational experts group meeting focused on addressing critical challenges in counterproliferation interdiction and on identifying practical efforts and capacity building tools to help Proliferation Security Initiative states meet those challenges.

“Proliferation is one of the most difficult and challenging problems in the world today, and one in which you are going to explore over the course of this week,” said Navy Rear Adm. Walter E. “Ted” Carter Jr., the president of the Naval War College, at the opening session.

The admiral told the delegations that the War College is a resource they can continue to use long after they leave. “Wherever you go, whatever country you’re a part of, whatever instrument of power you represent in the world, the Naval War College is dedicated to improving our ability to analyze and think through difficult problems, just like proliferation,” Carter said.

A total of 103 countries have signed on to the overall initiative, which is known as PSI. Malaysia was the most recent, telling President Barack Obama of their decision to join when he visited the country last month.

The operational experts group is made up of 21 countries. That number has grown significantly from a small core group of 11 that started PSI in 2003, said Rebecca K.C. Hersman, deputy assistant secretary of defense for countering weapons of mass destruction.

The initiative is a flexible, voluntary activity, quite different from other nonproliferation arrangements, Hersman said, noting that other arrangements are formal and legally binding. The more informal nature of the initiative allows the countries to be more innovative and adaptive, she explained.

“When a state executes an interdiction, it is doing it as a national action based on national authorities,” Hersman said. “PSI really focuses on building the capacity and resolve of states so they are ready if an opportunity arises and if there is intelligence to take that interdiction action.”

At Newport, the operations group looked at the toughest challenges in interdiction and also some of the most critical opportunities, using not only presentations and discussions, but also a table-top game. This is why the event was at the Naval War College, Hersman said, as the school has great expertise in gaming. “The game allowed us to basically test [operational experts group] countries and look at these issues and challenges in a really in-depth way,” she said.

The game also helped countries determine if the capacity-building tools developed within the initiative will work and how they can be improved, Hersman added.

The delegations were not just groups of military personnel. The delegations used an interagency, whole-of-government approach, which included diplomats, customs officials, law enforcement experts and the military. These teams were necessary for countries to make the rapid decisions necessary for an interdiction, Hersman said.

Premium DOD Exercise hones SOF skills

by Raquel Sanchez
Air Force Special Operations Command

5/9/2014 - HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- More than 1,500 Special Operations Forces from around the services participated in Emerald Warrior, a two-week joint service, interagency and partner nation exercise that concluded here May 9.

Emerald Warrior leverages lessons learned from Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom to provide trained and ready forces to combatant commanders. It is the Department of Defense's only irregular warfare exercise that uses both live and virtual forces.

"We concentrate on the unique skillsets needed to meet the demands of irregular warfare," said Col. Bruce Taylor, exercise director for Emerald Warrior. "Our elite Special Operations Forces rely on Emerald Warrior to provide pre-deployment training and refine tactics, techniques, and procedures that are vital to our National Security."

The exercise provided tactical airlift, fires support and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance assets, including 90 live aircraft players and 17 virtual aircraft players from active-duty, guard and reserve units on the ground and in command and control elements.

This was also the first year the MQ-9 Reaper from Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., participated in the exercise. Remotely Piloted Aircraft, like the MQ-9, provide unique ISR capabilities for the warfighter.

"We're excited to demonstrate our MQ-9 rapid deployment package to the Emerald Warrior training audience," said Capt. Christopher Hill, MQ-9 lead for Emerald Warrior. "This new capability will give commanders greater flexibility to respond to changing requirements around the globe."

Emerald Warrior incorporates Live, Virtual, Constructive Operational Training to bring realistic integrated combat training to local and distant aircrews as well as to help minimize costs as portions of the missions are simulated in place of actual flights.

"Emerald Warrior integrates combat forces on military ranges throughout the eastern U.S. with cutting-edge aircraft simulators and gaming software to provide realistic close air support training at a fraction of the cost relative to conventional training methods," said Taylor. "A new milestone was reached during this year's exercise when LVC-OT was used to integrate eight joint and partner nation units in a complex, six-hour full mission profile to execute 16 close air support and 12 airlift sorties."

Emerald Warrior also provides a unique opportunity for components of U.S. Special Operations Command, conventional, interagency, partner nation and non-governmental agencies to train in a joint, realistic environment.

"Emerald Warrior provides an outstanding operational framework to train within a realistic coalition construct which deepens interoperability between SOF elements," said Maj. Matthew McCloskey, 2nd Special Operations Company, Canadian Special Operations Regiment. "The scale and scope of the exercise also allows us to leverage and work with assets not normally available to us at home. The realistic training we conducted throughout our time here has been outstanding."

The exercise's operational area stretched across several acres of air and ground space covering multiple training areas at Hurlburt Field, Eglin Air Force Base and Apalachicola in Florida; Camp Shelby and Stennis Space Center in Mississippi; Pelham Range in Alabama; and Melrose Range in New Mexico.

"No other country has a SOF air-centric exercise," said Taylor. "Emerald Warrior brings together conventional and Special Operations Forces, along with our sister services and those of our partner nations, to provide the most realistic and integrated warfare experience short of actual combat."

‘Bold Quest’ Multinational Exercise Underway in New Mexico

By Nick Simeone

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 16, 2014 – The U.S. military and more than a dozen allied nations are conducting exercises in the New Mexico desert designed to test new technologies, improve interoperability, assess capabilities and leverage experiences gained in wartime.

Known as “Bold Quest,” the multiday, multinational event at the White Sands Missile Range involves all four military branches, the National Guard, U.S. Special Operations Command and participants or observers from Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden and Britain.

Led by the Joint Staff, the drill, in conjunction with one being carried out at White Sands by the Army, is intended to find ways to maximize resource sharing across a range of capabilities through simulated or actual events while identifying critical gaps and solutions.

This is the 11th year of Bold Quest, which in the past has focused on operational needs in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“The last couple of years, I think, reflect more of a focus on future operations,” said John Miller of the Joint Staff, Bold Quest’s operational manager, citing integrated air and missile defense and cyber applications as examples.

Among the technologies being demonstrated are radios, tactical data links and network equipment used to support various ground and air environments.

“One of the things that we found is that technology doesn’t stagnate,” said Joseph Chacon, also of the Joint Staff. Bold Quest, he added, “provides an opportunity to work with our coalition partners and their systems that are being developed with a similar capability so we can work side by side and make sure in the future that those systems will operate well together on the battlefield.”

In addition to White Sands, Bold Quest-related exercises also are underway at Fort Bliss, Texas, and New Mexico’s Holloman Air Force Base.

The exercises will wrap up May 23 after which a report will be provided to military leaders of the countries taking part.