Royal Saudi Air Force Commander visits D-M during Exercise ANGEL THUNDER

by Tech. Sgt. Heather Redman
12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) Public Affairs

5/27/2014 - DAVIS-MONTHAN AFB, Ariz.  -- The Royal Saudi Air Force's Commander visited Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, for a first-hand look at Exercise ANGEL THUNDER May 8-10.

Lieutenant General pilot Fayyad Al-Ruwaili, commander of the RSAF, led the Saudi delegation during the visit. The visit included a tour of the 612th Air and Space Operations Center and a trip to Flagstaff, Arizona, to monitor Exercise ANGEL THUNDER scenarios.

The 612th AOC provides command and control of air and space power in United States Southern Command's area of responsibility. In support of USSOUTHCOM's Theater Security Cooperation plan, the 612th AOC partners with Caribbean, Central, and South American air forces to forge relationships that will enhance security and cooperation within the AOR.

It provides the Combined Forces Air Component commander the necessary tools to plan, execute, and manage any type of air campaign in the USSOUTHCOM's AOR.

The 612th AOC is also the innovative leader of all AOCs for real-world execution and operational testing in air, space, and information operations. The expansive communications infrastructure installed at the 612th AOC makes this facility ideal for testing new command and control, communication, and intelligence systems prior to fielding the capabilities within AOC's around the globe.

Another area of interest during the visit was the ongoing Exercise ANGEL THUNDER. While visiting exercise sites in Northern Arizona Al-Ruwaili witnessed demonstrations by helicopters and C-130s as well as a mass casualty scenario.

Exercise ANGEL THUNDER is the largest and most realistic joint service, multi-national, interagency combat search and rescue exercise designed to provide training for personnel recovery assets using a variety of scenarios to simulate deployment conditions and contingencies. It is the only exercise in the Department of Defense covering personnel recovery training across the full spectrum of irregular and conventional warfare and has become the world's largest and most complex personnel recovery exercise.

During Exercise ANGEL THUNDER personnel recovery forces train through the full spectrum of personnel recovery capabilities with ground recovery personnel, air assets, Special Forces teams and federal agents.

Saudi Arabia is a strong U.S. ally in the gulf region and provides a geo-strategic access to the region. The U.S Air Force and the RSAF share a very close military relationship that includes training, exercises, personnel exchanges and significant foreign military sales interaction.

In Trusty, Air Force One can trust

by Airman 1st Class Kedesha Pennant
7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

5/27/2014 - DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- "Congratulations! Your application has passed the screening process and you've been selected for assignment to the 89th Airlift Wing Presidential Logistics Squadron."

These were the words Staff Sgt. Billy Trusty Jr. read in an e-mail pertaining to his next assignment at Andrews Air Force Base, Md.

Trusty, a 7th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron B-1B Lancer crew chief, received the chance of a lifetime to join the ranks of Airmen who are selected to perform maintenance on Air Force One (VC-25). He applied for this five-year special duty assignment while deployed to Southwest Asia last year.

"The last e-mail I saw about the presidential support team was when I deployed," Trusty said. "I realized it was an awesome opportunity, so I started the application process immediately."

Trusty had been thinking about the chance to be a part of the Air Force One fleet after seeing fellow Airmen get picked up for the job, while constantly seeing e-mails about open positions.

"I wanted to try something new," Trusty said. "You learn something new every day on the B-1, but I wanted to learn about different airframes as well. This is a great opportunity to expand my aircraft knowledge and set myself up for success in the future. Not a lot of people can say they have had the privilege of maintaining Air Force One."

The B-1 crew chief was doubtful about his chances of getting the job, as he didn't want to get his hopes up. Prior to starting the application, he thought about it for a few days and figured it was more than worth a try.

"All the work I've put in at Dyess and everything I've learned will be useful at Andrews," Trusty said. "It feels pretty exciting, but overwhelming at the same time. I know this job is very competitive, so I'm just thankful my name was on that list."

Trusty is also thankful for his leadership who helped steer him in the right direction.

"Tech. Sgt. Hansen was my first supervisor, and he showed me the ropes of the B-1," Trusty said. "Tech. Sgt. Barney has taught me a lot about the administrative aspect of being a noncommissioned officer. I also appreciate the flight chiefs, because they are very understanding and helpful."

Tech. Sgt. Jay Barney, Trusty's supervisor, sees the potential in him and his embodiment of the Air Force's core values.

"Staff Sgt. Trusty shows a lot of aspiration and he performs outstandingly at his present position," said Tech. Sgt. Jay Barney, 7th AMXS B-1 expeditor. "He is a great asset to the 7th AMXS, and I have no doubt he is worthy of laboring in the presidential support function. Trusty is, as his name points out, a very trustworthy NCO. Over the years, I have had the pleasure of working with him, and he has always impressed me with his work ethic and abilities. He gets the job done."

Barney also notes Trusty's character and positive attitude. He is known in the shop for his sense of humor and upbeat personality.

"Staff Sgt. Trusty's sense of humor has been a great asset to our unit for combating the stressors present on the line. He cracks jokes and provides any other form of comic relief, which helps lighten the mood throughout the shift," Barney said. "He always has a positive attitude, which seems to be rare these days. He cares about the mission, unit and the people. It shows in the way he conducts himself on and off duty. I'm proud to be associated with him and can't wait to hear about all the great things he will be doing throughout his career."

Like any job that involves ensuring the safety of the commander in chief, Trusty already knows what lies ahead as far as the importance of this line of work.

"Just being able to work for the president is a high honor," Trusty said. "I am looking forward to working on an aircraft with such significance. I will be responsible for changing parts and ensuring the aircraft is safe for the president and other distinguished leaders."

Dyess is Trusty's first base where he made his mark as an Airman and transitioned into a noncommissioned officer. As he embarks on his new journey, he hopes to build on the foundation he's been a part of at the 7th AMXS.

"I will miss being a dedicated crew chief and basically owning my own jet," Trusty said. "My shop is like a family to me since I've been here for seven years, so I hope to develop this type of relationship at Andrews."

Dempsey Rejects Notion of Exhausted United States

By Jim Garamone

American Forces Press Service

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, May 28, 2014 – The United States is not politically exhausted, “and it would be a mistake to come to that conclusion,” Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey said during an interview here today.

“In fact, it would be a mistake to decide that we are politically exhausted or weary militarily,” the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told Sky News.

Many in the Persian Gulf region believe that the United States is exhausted from 13 years of war. They point to the withdrawal of troops from Iraq and the coming drawdown in Afghanistan as proof of this weariness, and they extrapolate a U.S. withdrawal from the region at large.

But this is not the case, Dempsey said, citing what has happened to al-Qaida as an example. Al-Qaida was a centralized organization based out of Afghanistan and Pakistan. The United States and its allies -- including the United Arab Emirates -- put pressure on the terror organization. Central al-Qaida is a shadow of its former self, but the group has adapted, the chairman said.

“They have taken advantage of unsettled and ungoverned spaces elsewhere in the Middle East and North Africa,” the general said. “The terror group is a long-term problem and not one the United States is giving up on.”

Rather than being weary or wary, Dempsey said, the United States is “rebalancing our efforts to build partners, to enable others and to do certain things ourselves -- but that should be our last resort.”

“For the most part,” he added, “we ought to address these challenges collaterally and collaboratively with partners.”

U.S. forces do face fiscal challenges, the chairman said, but he doesn’t see that affecting the Persian Gulf region. “We are going through a period of retraction in our budget, but it’s a matter of history,” he explained. “We go through this about every 20 years, and the United States still has the military capability to do many more than one thing at a time.”

The United States doesn’t face a choice to be either in the Atlantic or the Pacific, in Europe or the Middle East, or in Asia or Africa, Dempsey said.

“We have global responsibilities. We have global partnerships,” the chairman said. “One of the greatest strengths of the United States is its alliances, its partnerships, unlike some others who aspire to be great powers, but they don’t have friends, they don’t have partners. They try to go it alone. We, on the other hand, see our strength through our partners.”

Dempsey Meets With Emirati Leaders in Military Dialogue

By Jim Garamone

American Forces Press Service

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, May 28, 2014 – This rich emirate looks like the very model of stability and prosperity, but it is in a dangerous neighborhood and the U.S. chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is visiting to improve the partnership between the two countries.

Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey took part in the Joint Strategic Military Dialogue today with his Emirati counterpart, Army Lt. Gen. Hamad Thani al-Rumaithi. He also met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the deputy supreme commander of the UAE’s armed forces.

The dialogue is an effort to better integrate American capabilities with the United Arab Emirates, the chairman said during an interview following the meeting.

The two countries work together on security cooperation, integrated air and missile defense and command and control. The dialogue helps both countries improve capabilities, “so that the sum is greater than the parts, [and] also so we can make it clear to other actors in the region that our partnership is intended to produce greater stability,” Dempsey said.

The better the United States and the United Arab Emirates are able to cooperate, he added, the more secure this volatile region can be.

Iran is across the Persian Gulf from the UAE. At the narrowest point of the Strait of Hormuz, the distance is only a couple of miles. Through that strait flows much of the world’s oil supply.

The UAE is a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council -- along with Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman -- and cooperation with the UAE benefits that organization as well, the chairman said. “It’s not about the U.S. helping the GCC or the GCC helping the United States of America,” Dempsey said. “It’s building a better partnership.”

The United States has a long partnership with the United Arab Emirates and with the rest of the nations of the GCC. “To the extent that we can refresh our partnership, refresh our understanding of threats, refresh our capabilities, [and] to not take each other for granted,” the chairman said, “I think we will stronger bilaterally and cooperatively.”

AFGSC continues progress on Force Improvement Program initiatives

Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs

5/28/2014 - BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Air Force Global Strike Command is moving forward with a series of initiatives under its Force Improvement Program to change and improve the culture of the Airmen who perform the nuclear mission.

Lt. Gen. Stephen Wilson, AFGSC commander, is addressing wide-ranging changes recently proposed by FIP, which seeks to mitigate challenges and develop solutions facing the nuclear mission.

FIP is the epitome of empowering Airmen. Airmen at the Air Force's three missile wings identified the most pressing issues, and recommended more than 300 solutions. Ninety-eight percent of those recommendations were approved for implementation.

Some of the approved recommendations include enhancing leadership development, realigning nuclear inspections into the broader Air Force Inspection System, and returning the Personnel Reliability Program to being a commander's program.

Leadership Development
Pulling inputs directly from the field, AFGSC is establishing a clearly-defined and sustainable career path for missileers that emphasizes field operations.

AFGSC is transitioning to a construct that mirrors the aviation community that increases experience and proficiency across the missile operations groups, while also delivering more efficient and effective training and evaluation.

Called "3 + 3", a missileer will spend their initial three-year tour as a deputy crew member and then upgrade to a crew commander. During this first assignment, the focus is on mastering the weapon system by performing the mission in the field. Doing so will give missileers a deeper knowledge base before serving in their second three-year assignment as an instructor, evaluator, and flight commander.

The Air Force will also implement cross-service exchanges and institute leadership development courses for missile crew commanders, instructors, evaluators, support personnel and squadron commanders.

Evaluation and instruction procedures are also changing substantially to clearly distinguish between the two and improve training quality.

"By implementing best practices from the Air Force, training now focuses on providing learning opportunities where critical self-assessment is paramount, and the instruction is tailored to the experience level of each crew," Wilson said. "Evaluation has shifted to a recurring 15-to-18-month cycle -- similar to the aviation community -- and is comprised of a written test, simulator evaluation and field evaluation."

Inspections
Changes to how the Air Force inspects its units are required to enhance the strength and efficiency of the nuclear force.

The Air Force is realigning its nuclear inspection process to shift the focus from continual inspection preparation to a system that recognizes daily field operations excellence.

"This fosters an environment that encourages identifying potential issues early, provides a mechanism for Airmen to report those issues, and empowers the unit to address any deficiencies without lowering the standard," Wilson said.

PRP
The Air Force is also changing the way it manages the personnel reliability program.

PRP is a commander's program used to assess the mental and physical fitness of their nuclear professionals. The program will take a more streamlined approach to remove the administrative burden that the program has become.

For example, an Airman could be automatically suspended under PRP for an off-base dental appointment.
By changing the PRP paradigm, commanders will consider the Airman to be "up" on PRP instead of automatically, "down."

More Work to be Done
AFGSC is using the momentum of FIP to see where improvements can be made with its bomber forces. Like the ICBM FIP, surveys have gone out to Airmen and their families for feedback. FIP teams will visit the bomber bases beginning June 11 and outbrief Wilson and Maj. Gen. Scott Vander Hamm, 8th Air Force commander, later that month.

"I am very proud of the men and women of Air Force Global Strike Command and truly value the great work that our Airmen do every day," Wilson said. "Their dedication has been proven through this grassroots effort that was accomplished by Airmen, for Airmen."

Dempsey Discusses Iran’s Influence on Region

By Jim Garamone

American Forces Press Service

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, May 28, 2014 – A diplomatic solution to the problems caused by Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons technology is infinitely preferable to a military operation, but the military option remains available, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said here today.

Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey said in an interview that the United States maintains a “credible and capable amount of military force in the region so that if the diplomatic track fails, it is available to my leaders.”

President Barack Obama has stated many times that the United States will not allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons. “If [Iran] takes the opportunity and comes to that conclusion diplomatically, everyone will be better off,” he said.

But ending Iran’s nuclear ambitions won’t solve the problem the country poses to the region, the chairman said.

“They exert malign influence in others ways, to include surrogates and proxies [such as] Lebanese Hezbollah [and] the IRGC Quds Force. They are the region’s biggest trafficker in weapons. They are very active in a malign way in cyber,” he said. “There are many things that cause me concern about Iran, both regionally and globally, that will not be solved even if the nuclear issue is solved.”

Unless they change their behavior, Dempsey said, Iranian leaders will be held accountable for other things, adding that the United States would like Iran to change its behavior and be a constructive influence in the world.

“But we’re not naive,” he said. “There’s a pretty significant distance to where we are today with Iran and where we might like to be.”

With its rich history and a culture that has influenced the world, Dempsey said, Iran can take a constructive turn. “We certainly would hope Iran would take advantage of those things and stop its malign activities,” he added.

Battleship Crew Reunion and June Programming

Aboard the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA

WILMINGTON, NC – The Battleship NORTH CAROLINA announces the annual Battleship Association Crew Reunion and programming schedule for June, 2014.

USS NORTH CAROLINA Battleship Association Crew Reunion

May 28 - 31, 2014

The USS NORTH CAROLINA Battleship Association is an organization of the Battleship's former crew members and their families. The Association hosts an annual reunion in Wilmington with the next one scheduled for May 28 - 31, 2014. The crew and families very much look forward to their annual return to the Battleship to share stories, visit old friends and make new ones. The love they have for their ship makes a powerful bond.

The formation of the Association was greatly helped by former Ship's officer LCDR John Karrer who worked at the Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri. He forwarded crew members names and addresses to Jack Clements and Chuck Paty, two Association officers living in Charlotte, North Carolina. By July 1968, Karrer had located 7,243 names! Today, shipmates are still discovering their Ship.

The crew has been a tremendous asset to the Battleship through the years. They have given thousands of artifacts, recorded oral histories, donated funds, helped found the Friends of the Battleship, volunteered countless hours, and served on the USS NORTH CAROLINA Battleship Commission. The Battleship staff is proud to preserve their ship and share their story.

Battleship Alive

Saturday, May 31, 2014

8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Included with Paid Admission

Since 1997, the Living History Crew weekends have been a tradition at the battleship in the program called "Battleship Alive."  The Living History Crew  provides insight into the daily life and routine of the crew aboard the USS NORTH CAROLINA by explaining the duties specific to the sailor's ratings (jobs) and demonstrates activities that occurred aboard the ship. The WAVES/Home Front unit portrays the lives of women in the Navy and of the men and women on the home front during the war. A great event for all ages. Bring your questions and cameras! Included with Battleship admission.

Flag Day Program

Saturday, June 14, 2014, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

The Battleship announces its first Flag Day Program on Saturday, June 14, 2014.  From 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, visitors will have the opportunity to raise their own American flags up the halyards on the ship’s foremast. Members of American Legion Post 10 Honor Guard will assist visitors in hoisting and folding the flags.  It sounds very nautical and it is – and it promises to be fun too!  Provide your name and email and a certificate of authenticity will be emailed to you.  Visitors can bring a flag or purchase a 3 x 5 foot nylon flag with embroidered stars from the Ship’s Store for $39.95 plus tax.  Sales from the store benefit the Battleship. General Admission rates apply.

The Continental Congress authorized the “stars and stripes” as the official National symbol of the United States of America on Saturday, June 14, 1777.  Although various schools and states honored the flag’s birthday, it wasn’t until 1949 that June 14 became National Flag Day when President Harry Truman signed the legislation.

Battleship 101

June 14, 2014 (also July 12 & August 9)

Time: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

Free with Battleship admission

Ship volunteers stationed throughout the ship engage visitors in specific subjects and areas including: gunnery, radar, sickbay, galley, engineering, and daily shipboard life.  A unique opportunity to talk one on one of what life was like aboard a WWII Battleship in the time of combat. A great event for all ages.  Bring your questions and cameras! Included with Battleship Admission.

Legacy Series: Armored Cruiser North Carolina and the Great War

June 14, 2014

Time: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Free with Battleship admission

June kicks off the annual Battleship’s Legacy Series as part of the 2nd Saturday programs. Come enjoy a premier display of WWI firearms, clothing, and equipment from enthusiastic costumed collectors.  During WWI the Armored Cruiser North Carolina (ACR-12) was assigned to the Cruiser and Transport Force and began escorting troop ships across the Atlantic in July 1917. She made nine round trips covering 60,000 miles and escorting 61 troop ships safely to the French coast. When the war ended in November 1918, the ACR-12 brought the troops home. The ship made six transport voyages and brought nearly 9,000 soldiers home.  Included with Battleship Admission.

About Battleship NORTH CAROLINA

The Battleship NORTH CAROLINA is self-supporting, not tax supported and relies primarily upon admissions to tour the Ship, sales in the Ship's Store, donations and investments. No funds for its administration and operation come from appropriations from governmental entities at the local, state or federal levels. Located at the junction of Highways 17/74/76/421 on the Cape Fear River.   Visit www.battleshipnc.com or follow us on Facebook.com/ncbb55 and Twitter.com/battleshipnc for more information. Relive with the crew on the Battleship Blog http://seastories.battleshipnc.com/. The Battleship NORTH CAROLINA is an historic site within the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources (www.NCCulture.com).

F-16 units prepare for routine theater security deployment

Release Number: 020514

5/27/2014 - JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- Approximately 12 F-16s from New Jersey and Washington, D.C. Air National Guards are set to deploy to Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, on June 1, 2014, demonstrating continuing U.S. commitment to stability and security in the Asia-Pacific region.

Air Combat Command continues to routinely deploy fighter aircraft to the region, providing Pacific Air Forces and the U.S. Pacific Command a Theater Security Package, deepening ties with our allies and our relationship with the international community.

Movement of U.S. Air Force fighters into the Pacific has been a routine and integral part of U.S. Pacific Command's combat capable air forces and regional force posture since March 2004, in order to maintain a prudent deterrent against threats to regional security and stability.