U.S., Honduras to Conduct Hurricane Response Exercise

U.S. Southern Command News Release

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras, June 6, 2014 – The United States and Honduras are joining efforts in Tegucigalpa and Soto Cano Air Base, June 9-12 to demonstrate and assess a mapping tool designed to revolutionize the way governmental and nongovernmental organizations from across the globe collaborate in response to disasters and humanitarian crises.

Known as GeoSHAPE, the open-source, open-standard software, integrates data from multiple sources and displays it in a dynamic Internet-based map to provide situational awareness and facilitate the decision-making process.

“GeoSHAPE bridges the geospatial information sharing gaps we witnessed during the international response to the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, providing a tool for military and civil organizations, local and international, to efficiently coordinate their activities and, in turn, save more lives,” said Juan Hurtado, Southcom’s science advisor.

This two-year technology development effort will be put through the test during a simulated hurricane event impacting Central America and requiring a large multi-organizational response. Role players in this hypothetical scenario will include Honduras’ Permanent Contingency Commission, the local Red Cross, Plan Internacional (a local nongovernmental organization) and U.S. Joint Task Force-Bravo, among other organizations that usually respond to these events.

The GeoSHAPE solution comprises a web-based platform for creating, updating, and sharing geospatially tagged events, as well as a mobile application for capturing data and photos in the field. Through these tools, organizations collaboratively create a picture of both the resources at hand and the extent of the damage. The availability of hospitals, helicopter landing zones, food, water and medical supplies, the condition of roads and bridges, and the deployment of rescue personnel to affected areas, among other key elements are plotted in a map that authorized users can see from anywhere in the world.

The level of fidelity that this tool will offer will prevent redundancy of relief efforts, facilitate informed decision making among aid and resource planners, and alleviate congestion at logistical hubs.

The development of GeoSHAPE is part of a technology project sponsored by the Defense Department’s Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Emerging Capabilities and Prototyping and managed by the Southcom’s Science, Technology and Experimentation Division. Other organizations involved in the program are the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, the U.S. Department of State’s Humanitarian Information Unit, the Pacific Disaster Center, and LMN Solutions, an information technology company.

Throughout the years, the relationship between Southcom’s Science, Technology and Experimentation Division, JTF-B and Honduras’s COPECO has proven successful in the development and implementation of technologies such as the Pre-positioned Expeditionary Assistance Kits, a modular system that provides potable water, renewable energy, situational awareness, as well as local and global communications to first responders during humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.

After the final demonstration and evaluation in Honduras, if GeoSHAPE proves to add value to the response to disasters and humanitarian crises, it will be integrated with the Pacific Disaster Center’s DisasterAWARE platform, which provides continuously updated hazard information worldwide and functions as a hub for accessing, updating and sharing relevant data before, during and after a disaster. Since the software is open-source, through the Open-Geo Consortium, it will be available for integration by governmental and non-governmental organizations from all over the world.

According to Hurtado, disaster relief and humanitarian assistance are only two of the many potential applications for the GeoSHAPE developed capability, which can also be used in any situation where individuals or organizations need to create and share geospatial information, such as peacekeeping missions and border security, as well as many others.

DOD Announces Installation Excellence Award Winners

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, June 6, 2014 – The Office of the Secretary of Defense announced today the 2014 recipients of the Commander in Chief’s Annual Award for Installation Excellence.

The award recognizes the outstanding and innovative efforts of those who operate and maintain U.S. military installations. The five recipients of this highly competitive presidential award were selected for their exemplary support of DOD missions.

Recipients of the Commander in Chief’s Annual Award for Installation Excellence include:

-- U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii;

-- Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California;

-- Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia;

-- Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma; and

-- Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia.

Installation excellence enables better mission performance and enhances the quality of life for service members and their families. Each winning installation succeeded in providing excellent working, housing and recreational conditions.

Each winning installation will receive a commemorative Commander in Chief’s award trophy and flag, along with a congratulatory letter from the president.

391st Fighter Squadron Deploys

by Senior Airman Caitlin Guinazu
366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

6/5/2014 - MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho -- Bags packed, farewells made and the Airmen have prepared themselves to fly thousands of miles for their deployment.

Approximately ten F-15E Strike Eagles and hundreds of Airmen from the 366th Fighter Wing deployed to the Pacific Air Forces, demonstrating continued U.S. commitment to stability and security in the Asia-Pacific region.

"During this deployment, we can be called on at any moment to be re-tasked to go somewhere else within that theater," said Lt. Col. Richard Dickens, 391st Fighter Squadron commander. "Our forces have been made available to respond at any given time."

Air Combat Command continues to routinely deploy fighter aircraft to the region, providing Pacific Air Forces and the U.S. Pacific Command with rotational forces as well as deepening ties with our allies and our relationship with the international community.

"The deployment for us sends the signal that we are heavily postured in the region and we are committed to our partners," said Dickens. "By continuing our presence there, we'd be able to respond better to any crises that may develop. "

Since March 2014, U.S. fighter squadrons have routinely integrated movements into the U.S. Pacific Command, in order to maintain a prudent deterrent against threats to regional security and stability.

"We are excited for the opportunity to represent our base and show what Gunfighter airpower can do," said Senior Airman Jessica Reyes, 366th Operations Support Squadron weather forecaster. "We will miss our family and friends but this is our job and what we train for each and every day. We are excited to use our unique capabilities in a joint-force environment."

Military members aren't the only ones missing family and friends during deployments.

"This is my husband's six or seventh deployment, but it's unlike any he's done before," said Michelle Cates, wife of Maj. Joshua Cates. "I'll of course miss him, but this is important to him and to the mission."

A little less than a year ago the Fighter Squadron was faced with challenges like sequestration and not having qualifications or credentials. Starting from scratch they trained hard in order to not only meet the standard, but to exceed it.

"I'm excited to get out there and show not only what the 391st Bold Tigers can do, but what the Wing as a whole is capable of," said Dickens. "Showcasing not only the training that we've been able to put together but also the incredible teamwork of the Wing."

Face of Defense: Culinary Competition Challenges Chefs

By Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Alejandro Bedoya

American Forces Press Service

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif., June 6, 2014 – The aroma of chicken filled the kitchen here as the chefs hustled around the galley attempting to complete their menu before time was up. One by one they brought their dishes out to a buffet setting in front of candle-lit tables.

Each team set a couple of plates aside and added last-minute touches to the presentation. The judges took their seats at the head of the room as the first team anxiously waited to be called upon.

Combat Center Marine and civilian chefs fired up their grills and competed in a Chef of the Quarter Competition at Phelps Mess Hall, June 3-4. The chefs were tested in three different aspects of culinary arts.

“This competition gives the chefs a chance to prove their skills,” said John Rocha, Sodexo Government Services. Judges observe if the food is prepared safely and in a timely manner, Rocha added.

“The toughest part of the competition, for me, was the time limit,” said Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kenneth Martin, food service specialist, Phelps Mess Hall. “Everything seemed so fast. People were scrambling around like crazy trying to meet the deadline.”

All chefs were given the same ingredients to choose from and were instructed to make an appetizer, entrée and dessert. The two main foods that were required to be used by each team were pizza and chicken wings.

The dishes were judged on multiple factors, including taste, presentation and an explanation of how it was prepared and how the ingredients were utilized.

“The competition was a lot of fun but it was also nerve-racking,” Martin said. “You don’t know what to expect. You just do your best to make the food and hope people enjoy it.”

The winners of the Chef of the Quarter Competition were Marine Corps Cpl. Melvin Banuelos, food service specialist, Phelps Mess Hall, and Martin.

“We got to showcase our skills and get away from what we do every day at the chow hall,” Banuelos said. “We cook en masse for the chow hall, but today we had to pay attention to the flavor, presentation, and actually had to create a menu of what we were going to serve. We got to use our creative side and it feels good to come out on top.”

432nd AMXS surpasses ACC mission capable standards

by Staff Sgt. N.B.
432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing

6/5/2014 - CREECH AIR FORCE BASE,Nev. -- The 432nd Maintenance Group continues to dominate airpower by exceeding the Air Combat Command's mission capable standards eight years running. This achievement has led to the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper being some of the most reliable aircraft platforms in the Air Force today.

For more than 18 years, remotely piloted aircraft have played key roles in aircraft operations. None of which would have been possible without the aircraft maintenance personnel who played a vital role as the Air Force's RPA enterprise surpassed two million flight hours in October 2013.

"The Airmen who come off of legacy aircraft (define legacy aircraft) platforms and integrate flawlessly into the remotely piloted aircraft enterprise are phenomenal," said Maj. Joshua, 432nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron operations officer. "They have used lessons learned to improve mission capable rates from 60 to 80 percent on their traditional legacy aircraft and applied those lessons to now achieve 95 to 98 percent mission capable rates on RPAs."

Mission capable means the aircraft has no supply or maintenance issues preventing it from successfully completing a mission. The 432nd MXG has continuously exceeded the RPA standard mission capable rate of 86 percent set by Air Combat Command.

"We calculate our MC rates based on aircraft platforms and ground control station maintenance," said Joshua.

The MQ-1 Predator has achieved a 95.4 percent MC rate while its predecessor, the MQ-9 Reaper, has a 90.4 percent MC rate from April 2013 to April 2014.

There is no set standard by the major command for GCS maintenance, but the 432nd MXG has set, and surpassed, its own goal of 97 percent.

The hard work and dedication of maintenance crews is essential to mission success for hundreds of active duty, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve Airmen, as well as joint and coalition partners involved in everyday RPA operations.

"This high MC rate is impressive because of the amount of hours these guys fly," said Chief Master Sgt. Alfredo, 432nd MXG quality assurance superintendent. "Sometimes they launch an MQ-1 and it's a 20-hour sortie, or launch an MQ-9 and it's a 16-hour sortie. Crews burn up the hours on these planes and we're still incredibly successful in terms of maintenance."

Providing this type of maintenance is no easy task and drastically differs from other Air Force aircraft platforms, according to seasoned maintenance personnel.

"This is a unique way of doing maintenance. With traditional legacy aircraft you are on the ground and can physically see the pilot and communicate with them," said Alfredo. "With the RPA platforms your pilot can be on the other side of base or thousands of miles away. Because of that, all our interaction is done all through radio communication, which adds a greater room for error."

Being geographically separated is a challenge that the maintenance personnel have been able to overcome.

"It's a true testament to the professionals that we have here, they have come up with creative solutions to get the job done," said DePaul.

The more than 400 Airmen assigned to the 432nd MXG are a mix of active duty Airmen, reservists, guardsmen, and contractors who provide aircraft and equipment maintenance in support of worldwide expeditionary operations, formal training units, and for operational test and evaluations on a 24/7, 365-day basis.

"With all the merging global requirements and the budget constraints, the men and women of Creech Air Force Base and the RPA enterprise work together to sustain and maintain this vital weapons system across the globe," said Joshua.

Aviano's Fighting Falcons sharpen CAS skills in Exercise Adriatic Strike

by Senior Airman Matthew Lotz
31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

6/5/2014 - AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 31st Fighter Wing are conducting close air support training missions this week during Exercise Adriatic Strike in Postojna, Slovenia.

The CAS-focused, multinational exercise tests the interoperability and technical expertise of joint terminal attack controllers or JTACs from nine countries.

"Exercise Adriatic Strike is a perfectly tailored exercise to hone the Close Air Support skills of our pilots with international JTACs that they may operate with in real-world situations," said Colonel Anthony Abernathy, 31st Operations Group commander. "The multinational nature of many current operations demonstrates the utility of training with our allies in as realistic an environment as possible."

During the exercise, F-16s are sent each day to control the skies and simulate air strikes while international JTACs call in ordnances on simulated targets.

"Any exercise where pilots can train and interact with personnel on the ground, simulating a real-life scenario is the best training a pilot can get," said Capt. Jacob Rohrbach, 555th Fighter Squadron pilot.

The multi-role capabilities of the F-16 allows JTACs to experience the most realistic training in a controlled environment. The Slovenian government invited Austrian, Belgian, Czech, Croatian, French, Montenegrin, Latvian and Hungarian militaries to participate, along with the U.S. Air Force F-16s.

"During the training, pilots are communicating with the JTACs on the ground to gain situational awareness," explained Rohrbach. "The pilot then receives target sets from the JTACS, who have the final control authority to direct whether to simulate employment on those targets."

A significant benefit to this exercise is the proximity of Aviano to the training range where the JTACs will be conducting training. The ability of the 31st Fighter Wing pilots, aircraft and support personnel to operate from home station maximizes training effectiveness while minimizing costs.

The event's primary focus is the JTAC training, but the benefit to the 31st Fighter Wing is equally valuable to Aviano's pilots. The training emphasizes the employment of valuable F-16 close air support techniques and maneuvers in a joint environment.

"Working with the Slovenian Air Force in the planning and execution of ADRIATIC STRIKE has been an invaluable experience for me as an officer, as well as a Viper wingman," said Rohrbach. "The more multinational, large-force exercises we can be involved with, the better prepared the 31st Fighter Wing will be when called into action."

SJ chaplain corps awarded for keeping Airmen in top spiritual shape

by Airman 1st Class Brittain Crolley
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

6/5/2014 - SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, North Carolina -- With the Air Force downsizing, both in funding and manning, the 4th Fighter Wing chapel has found a way to rise above these challenges and continue to provide outstanding service to the Airmen of Team Seymour.

Recently, the chapel was awarded the Terence P. Finnegan Award for Outstanding Medium Chapel Organization by Air Combat Command for their dedication to supporting the wing mission and the Airmen who preserve it every day.

"We have an award-winning team here, but they don't do what they do for the awards or recognition," said Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Dwayne Keener, 4th FW wing chaplain. "They do it for the Airmen and their families because they truly care about them."

According to Keener, three of the five chapel's strategic priorities are: warrior care, advisement to leadership and care for chaplain corps caregivers. The first, he explained, involves engaging with Airmen to provide them with spiritual guidance to keep them mentally healthy and focused on the mission. Chaplains offer 100 percent confidential counseling and opportunities to worship and participate in a faith community; all are a part of warrior care.

In addition, the chapel offers Airmen programs, such as individual and marital counseling, single and couple retreats and deployment aid, the chaplains have also teamed with local retirees on an initiative called ROC Seymour, or Retirees on Call. The program taps into the wealth of knowledge and experience of military veterans and links them with current Airmen and their families to help with their problems, both big and small.

"The ROC team is here to help you," Keener said. "Bring them your problems, challenge them, and see if they can help you. Chances are they're going to be able to in some facet. They're motivated and really just want to get connected with the Airmen."

Along with the retirees, Keener said the more than 400 volunteers the chapel recruited last year were crucial to their success. Collectively, the volunteers tallied more than 47,000 hours in support of the chapel by providing services such as ushering, teaching and spiritual support to the base and community.

According to Keener, the amount of hours the volunteers donated keyed the chapel's victory in overcoming their challenges of manning and financial support.

"Despite the many challenges, everything came out just fine." Keener said. "The volunteers helped out tremendously and we may have crumbled without them. We certainly would not have accomplished as much as we did without them. This award is for them just as much as it is for us."

The chapel's other missions, such as advising leadership and caring for chaplain corps caregivers, also fall in line with the chapel's strategic priorities. Leaders and chaplains alike are not able to properly take care of other Airmen unless they care for themselves first.

The dedication the entire chapel team has shown to these priorities and to the Airmen, Keener said, makes him proud to be part of such an incredible team.

Chaplain (Maj.) Jesus Navarrete, 4th FW chaplain, echoed the same sentiment in receiving the Edwin R. Chess Award for Outstanding Company Grade Chaplain.

"I am very proud to be a part of a special group we have at the chapel," Navarrete said. "Winning these awards means we are taking care of the Airmen and their families. We try our best every day and we enjoy helping others with their needs."

Since winning the award, the chapel has undergone a makeover, welcoming in three new chaplains to the award-winning team. According to Keener, even though he is losing some outstanding Airmen, he looks forward to getting busy with his new group and keeping them at the top of ACC's list.

"I can't wait to see what we can accomplish together this year," Keener said. "With new chaplains come new ideas and new ways to better serve our Airmen and their families. We're all looking forward to keeping Team Seymour in top spiritual shape."

Team McConnell supports Wichita Military Salute Ceremony

by Capt. Zach Anderson
931st Air Refueling Group Public Affairs

6/4/2014 - MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- Members of the 22nd Air Refueling Wing and the Air Force Reserve 931st Air Refueling Group participated in the annual Wichita Riverfest Military Salute Ceremony in Wichita, Kansas, June 3, 2014. The Military Salute Ceremony is held each year in conjunction with Wichita's week-long "Riverfest" community event and pays tribute to military members, both past and present.  

More than 50 people were on hand for the ceremony, including many Veterans from the local area. The McConnell Air Force Base honor guard, made up of members of the 22 Air Refueling Wing, posted the colors during the playing of the national anthem at the beginning of the ceremony. Col. Mark S. Larson, commander of the 931st Air Refueling Group, served as the keynote speaker for the ceremony.  "We have these events to remember and honor our Veterans," said Larson.  "It is an opportunity to express the gratitude of a grateful nation.  We can never forget what people have done and what they have sacrificed for the freedoms we have today." 

The ceremony concluded with a moment of silence in remembrance of those who have given their lives while serving in the U.S. military.

President Nominates Dunford as Next Marine Corps Commandant

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, June 5, 2014 – President Barack Obama has nominated Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., who has commanded U.S. and coalition forces in Afghanistan since February 2013, to be the 36th commandant of the Marine Corps, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced today.

If confirmed by the Senate, Dunford will succeed Gen. James F. Amos in the top Marine Corps post.

Hagel said in a statement that he is "delighted that President Obama accepted my recommendation to nominate General Joe Dunford to serve as the 36th Commandant of the Marine Corps."

Hagel added, "Joe is an extraordinary leader who has always been faithful to his country and his Marines during more than 35 years in uniform. The president and I have greatly relied on Joe's steady leadership as the commander of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. Thanks to his exceptional abilities, and his commitment to the men and women under his command, we have made progress in Afghanistan and remain on track to responsibly bring America's longest war to an end later this year.

"No one is better suited to write the next chapter in Marine Corps history than Joe Dunford," the secretary continued, "and I look forward to working with him in his new role upon his confirmation by the U.S. Senate."

Pentagon spokesman Army Col. Steve Warren said there isn’t a timeline for Dunford’s transition out of Afghanistan, and did not say who will replace him there.

Before his tour in Afghanistan, Dunford served for two years as the Marine Corps’ assistant commandant. He has served as an infantry officer at all levels. He commanded the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines, and during Operation Iraqi Freedom, he commanded the 5th Marine Regiment.

His joint assignments include service as the executive assistant to the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and chief of the Joint Staff’s Global and Multilateral Affairs Division.

He also has served as the assistant division commander of 1st Marine Division, as the Marine Corps director of operations, as the Joint Staff’s vice director for operations and as Marine Corps deputy commandant for plans, policies and operations. He also commanded the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Forces U.S. Central Command.

The general is a graduate of the U. S. Army Ranger School, Marine Corps Amphibious Warfare School, and the U. S. Army War College. He holds a master’s degree in government from Georgetown University and a master’s degree in international relations from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.