First SEAL Takes Helm as Naval War College President

By Lindsay Church, U.S. Naval War College Public Affairs

NEWPORT, R.I. (NNS) -- Rear Adm. P. Gardner Howe III relieved Rear Adm. Walter E. "Ted" Carter Jr., as the 55th president and first Navy SEAL in command of the U.S. Naval War College (NWC) in Newport, Rhode Island, during a change of command ceremony with the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Jonathan Greenert, July 8.

"I am very happy with the job [Carter] has done here," said Greenert. "He has refined the curriculum and moved it in a direction that is refocused towards the fleet."

During the ceremony, Greenert noted Carter's accomplishments in completing the initial phases of the Naval Leadership Continuum, establishing the Navy Leadership and Ethics Center, and examining the future naval war at sea.

"Carter was the right leader at the right place at the right time," said Greenert. "Thank you for setting the stage for future analysis, for future planning, and for future development. We'll deep dive into the war at sea, Gardner will take it from here."

Carter departs the NWC following his appointment to vice admiral and assignment as superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

"Today I relinquish the most significant assignment of my career," said Carter. "This past weekend I came back here to the hallways of the NWC. There was nobody here and I just wanted to walk through and soak in the flavor of the NWC.

"I reflected on the naval giants who have come before me. Their portraits are hanging all over the campus here - such history, such passion, and such success in shaping the Navy's future."

Carter, a Rhode Island native, took command of NWC as the 54th president and first naval flight officer in history to hold the position. While appointed as president, he refined the college's educational and research programs and worked to reconnect NWC with the fleet.

"For the first time in the 130 year history of the NWC, this institution will be led by a member of the naval special warfare community, better known as the SEALs. Their motto is; Ready to lead, ready to follow, never quit, the only easy day was yesterday," said Carter. "Rear Adm. Howe, I am sure you are ready to lead, and the last 12-months have shown me that every member of this remarkable command is ready to follow, and they will never quit."

Howe, a U.S. Naval Academy, Naval Postgraduate School and National War College graduate, holds dual Master of Arts degrees in national security and reports from his most recent assignment as commander of Special Operations Command, Pacific.

"I am incredibly humbled, honored and excited to be standing in front of you as the 55th president of the NWC," said Howe. "Rear Adm. Carter, thank you for your stalwart leadership over the last year at the NWC, the Navy's home of strategic thought. A son of Rhode Island and clearly a rising star in the Navy, you have advanced this institution with intellectual initiative and relevance, and as you promised last year, you have respected, protected and promoted the institution."

Army National Guard Soldier Pleads Guilty in Connection with Bribery and Fraud Scheme

To Date, 24 Individuals Have Pleaded Guilty in Ongoing Corruption Investigation

A soldier of the U.S. Army National Guard pleaded guilty today for his role in a wide-ranging corruption scheme involving fraudulent recruiting bonuses from the Army National Guard Bureau.

Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Robert Pitman for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

Sergeant First Class Eduardo Ruesga-Larracilla, 41, of San Antonio, Texas, pleaded guilty today to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery and wire fraud, and one count of bribery of a public official.

The case against Ruesga arises from an investigation that has led to charges against 26 individuals, 24 of whom have pleaded guilty.

According to court documents, in approximately September 2005, the National Guard Bureau entered into a contract with Document and Packaging Broker Inc. (Docupak) to administer the Guard Recruiting Assistance Program (G-RAP).   The G-RAP was a recruiting program that offered monetary incentives to soldiers of the Army National Guard who referred others to join the National Guard.   Through this program, a participating soldier could receive up to $2,000 in bonus payments for a referral.   Based on certain milestones achieved by the referred soldier, a participating soldier would receive payment through direct deposit into the participating soldier’s designated bank account.   To participate in the program, soldiers were required to create online recruiting assistant accounts.

Ruesga admitted that between approximately January 2010 and approximately October 2011, he conspired with a recruiter and paid him for the personal information of potential Army National Guard soldiers.   Ruesga further admitted that, in order to obtain fraudulent bonuses, he used the personal information for these potential soldiers fraudulently to claim that he was responsible for referring these soldiers for enlistment in the National Guard.

Ruesga is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 9, 2014 before U.S. District Judge Orlando L. Garcia in San Antonio, Texas.

This case is being investigated by the San Antonio Fraud Resident Agency of the Army Criminal Investigation Command’s Major Procurement Fraud Unit.   The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Sean F. Mulryne, Heidi Boutros Gesch, and Mark J. Cipolletti of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section.

Kentucky Air Guardsmen test survival skills at Taylorsville Lake

by Master Sgt. Phil Speck
123rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

7/2/2014 - TAYLORSVILLE, Ky. -- More than 120 aircrew members from the Kentucky Air National Guard participated in land- and water-survival training at Taylorsville Lake here June 5 through 7 practicing skills that could one day save their lives.

The pilots, co-pilots, navigators, flight engineers, loadmasters and flight surgeons were required to extricate themselves from parachute harnesses while being pulled through the water by a personal watercraft, demonstrate their use of single-person and 20-person life rafts, and navigate a challenging land course using maps and compasses.

Lt. Col. Nick Coleman, commander of Kentucky's 165th Airlift Squadron, said the refresher course, which is required every three years, is a great review of skills the Airmen learned at U.S. Air Force Survival School, a 2 ½-week course offered at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, for all new aircrew members.

"It's really good to get everyone out and into an environment that you would actually be in, and re-learn and refresh all the stuff that we learned years ago at basic survival training," he said.

The refresher isn't as in-depth as the initial course -- it doesn't include practical experience for Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape techniques -- but the participants still have plenty of material to cover, said Master Sgt. Del Brumbaugh, an aircrew flight equipment specialist with Kentucky's 123rd Operations Support Squadron.

Nine Airmen from the flight equipment section staged the training, which covered survival vests and flare signaling in addition to land navigation and water survival.

One of the devices they employed is a Hanging Harness Trainer, a large metal frame in which an aircrew member is suspended above the ground while wearing a parachute harness. It simulates what would happen if the Airman were to become caught in a tree while parachuting from a disabled aircraft, Brumbaugh said.

The exercise requires Airmen to slowly and safely lower themselves to the ground using a piece of gear in their survival vests called a Personnel Lowering Device.

Water-survival training gave aircrew members the opportunity to deploy and use life preservers and rubber survival craft. Students were then pulled across the lake by a personal watercraft to simulate what it would be like if they had parachuted into the ocean, and the tides or wind had begun to drag them across the surface of the water by pulling on the parachute canopy. Students were required to release their canopies to stop the dragging action.

"If you don't detach yourself in a sufficient amount of time, the parachute could actually drag you underwater and cause you lose consciousness or possibly drown," Brumbaugh said.

The crews also practiced using pyrotechnic signaling devices such as the Mark 124, a day and night flare which gives rescue crews a visual reference to a downed aircrew's position. Pen gun flares, which are rocket-propelled foliage-penetrating flares, were also used. They can reach of an altitude of 300 feet to break above the tree line.

The land-navigation course was negotiated using maps and compass headings. After finding waypoints, they aircrew members came to a rally point from which they completed the last part of the course using radio communication.

"The biggest challenge for us is to add as much realism to the scenarios as we can, because the crux of our career field is that we maintain the equipment we hope the aircrew never have to use," Brumbaugh said. "If they are using our equipment, they are having a bad day."

Vella Gulf Conducts Underway Engagement with Turkish Navy

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Edward Guttierrez III, USS Vella Gulf Public Affairs

AEGEAN SEA (NNS) -- The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) conducted joint maritime operations with the Turkish navy fast attack craft TCG Dogan (P 340) and TCG Marti (P 341) after departing Kusadasi, Turkey on July 6.

Vella Gulf, Dogan and Marti conducted a surface exercise and a flag communication exercise during the engagements. U.S. Navy ships regularly hold similar events with partners and allies to foster relationships and strengthen interoperability.

"Vella Gulf was pleased to conduct another in a series of exercises with our NATO ally Turkey," said Capt. Robert Katz, Vella Gulf's commanding officer. "Our interactions with the Turkish Navy during our deployment have shown them to be highly proficient and professional; this exercise was no different. We look forward to working with them again during Exercise Breeze in the Black Sea."

The surface exercise required the participants to repel a simulated attack by small fast attack / fast inland attack craft. The second part of the exercise required the ships to communicate only via the use of signal flags.

Vella Gulf, homeported in Norfolk, Virginia, is conducting naval operations with partners and allies in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in order to advance security and stability in Europe.

U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint, and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

Mount Whitney Arrives in Zeebrugge, Belgium for Navy Days

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Luis R. Chavez Jr., Nsvy Public Affairs Support Element-East Detachment Europe

ZEEBRUGGE, Belgium (NNS) -- The U.S. 6th Fleet command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) arrived in Zeebrugge, Belgium, July 3 to participate in the Belgian Navy Days 2014.

Belgian Navy Days 2014 is a maritime festival similar to the U.S. Navy's Fleet Week. During Belgian Navy Days 2014 Mount Whitney will be hosting a reception, providing ship tours and participate in a rowing competition between navies from various nations.

"Mount Whitney primarily arrived to Zeebrugge for Belgian Navy Days," said Capt. Craig A. Clapperton, commanding officer of USS Mount Whitney. "The events during Belgian Navy Days allow us to strengthen our strategic relationship with the Belgian Navy and other participating navies both professionally and personally."

Sailors will be able to take in all Zeebrugge, and the neighboring city of Bruges, has to offer while their time in port, including many historical churches, town squares, museums and local delicacies such as Belgian chocolate.

"I'm very anxious to get off the ship and experience Belgium," said Ship's Serviceman 3rd Class Krista N. Singleton, assigned to USS Mount Whitney. "I've heard there's so many sites to see and places to visit and, of course, I have to get Belgian waffles and chocolate."

Mount Whitney, forward deployed to Gaeta, Italy, operates with a combined crew of U.S. Navy Sailors and Military Sealift Command civil service mariners. The civil service mariners perform navigation, deck, engineering and supply service operations, while military personnel support communications, weapons systems and security. It is one of only two seaborne Joint Command Platforms in the US Navy, both of which are forward deployed.

U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint, and inter-agency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

Happy Hooligans, Warriors of the North make ALS history

by Staff Sgt. Luis Loza Gutierrez
319th Air Force Base Public Affairs

7/7/2014 - GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- History was made during a recent graduation by Airmen completing their Airman Leadership School course.

The course is designed to prepare junior enlisted members for leadership and supervisory roles as they make the transition to the non-commissioned officer level.

Class 14-Echo began making ALS history with the makeup of their class by itself.

The class was made up by two groups of students more commonly referred to in the Air Force as flights. One flight consisted of 12 active-duty Airmen completing their in-residence course at the Chief Master Sgt. Richard L. Etchberger Airman Leadership School here, while the other flight was made up of a dozen Air National Guard Airmen from the 119th Wing attending an in-residence ALS course at the North Dakota ANG base in Fargo, North Dakota.

Both of the flights were simultaneously taught by Air Force active-duty instructors from the Etchberger ALS. This new approach on training was the first of its kind according to officials from the 119th Wing and the 319th Air Base Wing.

"When I talked to the training people at the National Guard Bureau, they said they have not heard of another Air National Guard base doing it this way," said Senior Master Sgt. Jeff Miller, 119th Wing non-commissioned officer in charge of training.

The concept of having one active-duty instructor travel to the Air National Guard Base in Fargo to teach a course rather than having several Air National Guard Airmen travel to the Grand Forks AFB, and stay there to attend the course arose from discussions between Miller and the Etchberger ALS commandant, Master Sgt. Aaron Holmes.

The benefits became apparent to the pair of senior NCOs as they discussed the financial savings for the U.S. government as well as the job satisfaction of contributing to the improvement of leadership training for the Air National Guard members and the total force concept.

The historic undertaking between the Happy Hooligans and the Warriors of the North was sealed when the students completed the five-week long joint-venture by coming together for a formal graduation ceremony at the Northern Lights Club here.

"I wasn't looking to be part of history," said Tech. Sgt. James Richey, the active-duty ALS instructor assigned to teach the flight of Air National Guard students in Fargo. "My intentions as an ALS instructor have always been to prepare the [student] Airmen to be the best supervisors and leaders they can be. The real credit should go to Sergeants Miller and Holmes. They're the ones that worked behind the scenes to make this happen. I'm just grateful to have had the opportunity."

Richey wasn't the only one grateful for the opportunity.

"This entire experience has been great. I loved it." said Staff Sgt. Todd Hillukka, the class leader for the Air National Guard student flight.

Hillukka said he had completed the U.S. Army Warrior Leader Course before he'd made the switch from the Army National Guard to the Air National Guard approximately 5 years ago.

"I was very glad to jump at the opportunity to see how the Army's WLC compared to ALS," said the 13-year veteran from Dent, Minn. "ALS is extremely more in depth in comparison to the Warrior Leader Course. It was easy to be the class leader of this flight because everyone was so good, and knowing that I'm part of something that hasn't been done before is very humbling."

The experience was also a one for Senior Justin Haley, the class leader for the active-duty flight.

"I was excited about being part of this class because I think many Airmen don't usually get to experience the total force concept until much later in their careers or if they get deployed overseas, so having gone through the experience state side makes this pretty special," said the Seattle native. "I enjoyed the camaraderie that our two flights created and I hope a class like ours happens again."

Haley wasn't the only one with hopes for a repeat of another class like 14-E.

Col. Kent Olson, 119th Wing commander, said he believes this new total force approach for ALS has become a new way of closing the gap to the 90-mile stretch of highway on Interstate 29 that separates the Happy Hooligans and Warriors of the North.

"This is something I believe will continue to benefit our Airmen and your Airmen," said Olson to Col. Paul Bauman, 319th Air Base Wing commander during the closing remarks portion of the evening. "Hopefully this partnership and new approach will become a new tradition."

Bauman agreed with his fellow wing commander.

"This graduation is a sign of what the Air Force is moving towards, and where we need be, when we refer to ourselves as a total force," said Bauman. "As we approach the 4th of July holiday, I think it is fitting to point out that nearly 238 years ago our nation's militia force joined up with the continental army to fight for our nation's freedom. Interestingly enough, tonight we have come together just a few days from our Independence Day to celebrate the ongoing successful partnership of our active and guard components, both dedicated to the common goal of protecting and preserving that very same independence."

(Article by Senior Master Sgt. David H. Lipp, 119th Wing Public Affairs, contributed to this story)

Team Osan Airman graduates USMC Staff NCO Academy

by Capt. Aaron Green
731st Air Mobility Squadron

7/8/2014 - OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea  -- Master Sergeant Joseph P. Connolly, 731st Air Mobility Squadron passenger services section chief, graduated from the U.S. Marine Corps Staff NCO Academy advanced course, Camp Hansen, Japan, June 13.

The enlisted professional military education course provides Marines and specially selected Airmen with the knowledge and skills necessary to assume leadership roles of greater responsibility.

It is a rare opportunity for Air Force service members to attend sister service PME academies, but Connolly, with guidance and direction from his mentor, Senior Master Sgt. Jackie L. Phillips, submitted his nomination package, and was eventually selected through the office of the chief master sergeant of the Air Force, to attend the challenging course.

Connolly attended the seven-week course with 18 Marine Corps gunnery sergeants and six Airmen.

The main focuses of the course were warfighting, leadership, combat conditioning and administrative correspondence.

"This was an outstanding opportunity for me to step outside of my comfort zone and challenge myself in a diverse and joint environment," Connolly said.

Whether he was competing in physical training sessions or the academic environment, Connolly rose to the challenge and was able to achieve "first class" ratings on both the physical fitness test and the combat fitness test, and achieve an overall grade point average of 97.65 for his coursework.

A written report from the senior NCO academy director to the 515th Air Mobility Operations Wing commander addressed Connolly's great contributions to the classroom environment and outlined his keen ability to remind his fellow classmates that leadership is not bound by the color or pattern of a uniform, but by an individual's actions as a leader.

JB Charleston triathletes take on military's best

by 2nd Lt. Alexandra Trobe
Joint Base Charleston Pulic Affairs

6/30/2014 - Joint Base Charleston, S.C.  -- Two members of Joint Base Charleston competed for the Air Force Triathlon team during the Armed Forces Triathlon Championships May 31, at Naval Base Ventura County, Point Mugu Calif.

Capt. Brett King, 17th Airlift Squadron pilot, and Capt. Jamie Turner, 315th Airlift wing C-17 pilot, had the honor of representing the Air Force and Joint Base Charleston at the event.

"The water temperature took your breath away; the start was vicious and aggressive," said King. "It was a washing machine effect of fists and kicking to get into position."

And that was just the beginning of the grueling Armed Forces Triathlon competition which pits the top triathletes in the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps against one another in a 1,500-meter (one-mile) ocean swim, 40-kilometer (24.8-mile) draft-legal bike ride and 10-kilometer (6.2-mile) run.

The first discipline, the swim, was the most challenging aspect of the race due to strong currents and cold water temperatures, said Turner, who played a vital role in the helping the Air Force Women's team defend its title as Armed Forces Triathlon champion.

"I helped a few of my AF teammates mentally push themselves harder than they thought possible during the run and the bike," said Turner. "A huge part of racing is the mental aspect which can easily be affected with pain and racing at your threshold."

For Turner, the finish line was a surreal experience knowing she gave it her all as her time made the difference between the women's first and second place finish.

The Air Force Men's team came in second behind the Navy.

This was King's second year competing at the Armed Forces Triathlon and this year, he was mentally ready for the viciousness of the swim.

"Your placement in the swim is incredibly important because it determines the group you will be riding and running with in the Draft-Legal triathlon format," said King.

King exited the water portion of the competition with a Navy competitor, only 30 seconds behind the lead pack.

They chased each other throughout the bike and transition to the run.

"The bike to run transition was the best part of my race. I came into that transition in 18th place and by the time I finished the race I had moved up to 11th overall," said King.

Leaving everything on the road, King passed three other service members in the last mile of the race. The Air Force team lost to Navy by five points, which translates to only 10 seconds in the scoring system.

Although the competition was fierce, at the end of the day all the service members realize they are all on the same team.

"After the race is over there is this huge sense of camaraderie," said King. "The best part about this competition is that you're surrounded by the same kind of people. Everyone racing here had to make the same kinds of sacrifices to train while following a calling to serve their country."

For Turner, one of her biggest struggles was finding time to train due to the lack of a predictive work schedule and the added difficulty of two different jobs in two different states.

"I spend 80 percent of my time on the road and am always on the hunt for a pool or spin bike when I am traveling," said Turner.

King faces similar challenges with his training and even brings his triathlon bicycle on trips so he can train in his down time.

"The most rewarding part of the race is when you get to that point of devastating pain and you have to make the decision, either you're a fighter, or you're not," said King.

"Triathlon has become a big part of the balanced life I strive to lead," said Turner. "I enjoy motivating people and helping them realize they have the ability to accomplish almost anything."

For both competitors, it isn't the end of the race but the journey that keeps them motivated.

"It doesn't culminate in the finish line, it's the chase to constantly be better that keeps you driven," said King.

Turner and King are already training for their next races. Turner is looking forward to continuing to represent the Air Force at the Armed Forces Championships and King has set his sights on the Half-Ironman World Championship competition scheduled for Sept. 7, 2014

American Service Members Secure Bases on Okinawa

By Jim Garamone

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, July 7, 2014 – American personnel on the Japanese island of Okinawa are battening down the hatches and securing airfields and facilities ahead of Super Typhoon Neoguri.

Japanese forecasters say the storm already has winds over 150 mph, and it is bearing down on the Ryukyu Islands, home to about 30,000 American service members and their families.

Forecasters say the storm will hit Okinawa tomorrow with heavy rain and powerful winds.

Air Force Brig. Gen. James Hecker, the commander of the 18th Wing at Kadena Air Base on Okinawa, declared Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness 3, and the base began evacuating aircraft yesterday.

“I can’t stress enough how dangerous this typhoon may be when it hits Okinawa,” Hecker said in a message to the community. “This is not just another typhoon.” Neoguri is the most powerful typhoon forecast to hit the island in 15 years.

Officials are evacuating 61 U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps aircraft from Okinawa to Guam, mainland Japan, the Philippines and South Korea, said Pentagon spokesman Marine Corps Lt. Col. Jeff Pool. Aircraft moving include C-130 Hercules aircraft, P-3 Orions, P-8 Poseidons and KC-135 Stratotankers.

“The remaining helicopters and jets on Okinawa are being sheltered in protected hangars,” Pool said.

Eighth Air Force moves into new headquarters

by Airman 1st Class Benjamin Raughton
2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs

7/2/2014 - BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- The Mighty Eighth Air Force held a grand opening ceremony for its new headquarters here July 2.

The newly-renovated 77,000 square foot facility will House Eighth Air Force staff, Task Force 204, 608th Air Operations Center, and more.

Prior to the ribbon-cutting, Major General Scott Vander Hamm, Eighth Air Force commander, thanked the local community for their support of the Eighth Air Force family.

"Our distinguished visitors represent our long-term relationship with Shreveport and Bossier City that makes the Eighth Air Force successful," he said. "You make it a home for us and a home for our Airmen and their families."

The new headquarters building is a historic three-story administrative facility with interior renovations to include rearrangement of interior walls, finishes, stairways, plumbing, communications, electrical systems and more.

The renovation project also upgraded the structure to meet security requirements and incorporated green energy objectives by addressing site design and other factors.

"It's a state-of-the-art building," Vander Hamm said. "The architects and engineers deserve a great deal of thanks, and I thank them for getting us to where we are today."

Since its establishment in 1942, the Eighth Air Force headquarters has moved multiple times, making its most recent residency on Barksdale in 1975.

"We have found a wonderful home here with strong support from the community," he said.

The headquarters has French colonial revival architecture, matching it with other historic buildings and homes around Barksdale. In 1992, the building was added to the National Historical registry.

"I believe we have an extremely bright future," Vander Hamm said. "This new building is a reminder of our heritage."

Royal Saudi Air Force AWACS back in service

by John Parker
Tinker Public Affairs

7/8/2014 - TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- A Royal Saudi Air Force AWACS aircraft recently left Tinker for duty in Saudi Arabia after a nearly year-long restoration by the 76th Maintenance Squadron.

Danny Simon, Middle East support chief located in the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, praised the 76th Aircraft Maintenance Group for taking on the additional work among its many other depot maintenance obligations.

The E-3 Sentry, which bears the words "God Bless You" in English on its fuselage, is one of five in the Royal Saudi Air Force. It was inactive for over three years after overheating during flight causing catastrophic damage to the radar antenna located inside the rotodome, Mr. Simon said.

After aircraft arrival in May of last year, Tinker technicians removed and replaced the radar antenna much quicker than expected which allowed continued repair work on the aircraft's radio systems, IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) radar and hydraulics systems.

"Collectively as a group, we have almost completely rebuilt the entire support structure that controls radar," Mr. Simon said. "We had to replace what we call the big white parts -- all of your high-voltage section, high-power parts. That's not a small task. In fact, it's never been done before this airplane."

More than 40 crewmembers that entailed Saudi pilots, radar operators and maintenance crews stayed in Oklahoma City recently to conduct the check flight before the plane was accepted and flown back to Saudi Arabia. Mr. Simon's section coordinated all aspects for delivering the military aircraft to Tinker AFB and ultimately back home.

"This was a monumental effort, which required multiple agencies involvement including daily interaction at the highest levels of the United States Air Force and Royal Saudi Air Force."

Mr. Simon attributes the success of aircraft 1804's return home to great teamwork amongst all of the players and a united front of support from senior leadership.

World War II Veteran receives French Legion of Honor

by Senior Airman Benjamin Gonsier
2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs

7/2/2014 - BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- On a boat, rocking back and forth, soldiers were packed shoulder to shoulder. The Allied soldiers were anxious as they prepared for one of the greatest days in history. It was June 6, 1944, where more than 150,000 Allied soldiers, in the largest seaborne invasion in history, invaded Normandy in hopes to turn the tides of World War II against the Nazis.

More than 70 years after the Invasion of Normandy, John Carpenter, a local veteran who participated in the invasion and Battle of the Bulge, received the French Legion of Honor at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., July 1.

On the 70th anniversary of D-Day, 17 veterans were selected to receive the Legion of Honor at the World War II museum in New Orleans. Carpenter was unable to make the event, but he expressed his desire to receive the medal from the 8th Air Force commander.

"The Legion of Honor is not given out to just anybody," said Maj. Gen. Scott Vander Hamm, 8th Air Force commander. "It is a very special honor. The French government is recognizing [Carpenter] as a chevalier, or 'knight.'"

The French Legion of Honor is rarely given out. There is a specific number of awards the French government can give out. However, the French government made an exception for military members who fought on French soil during World War II.

Not only was Carpenter recognized for his service to the nation, but for everything he has done in life. From being a part of one of the greatest American generations to everything he has done for his family, Vander Hamm said.

On D-Day, a 29 year old Carpenter, who was much older than the soldiers around him, used his experience to contribute to one of the most important aspects of the war effort.

"He wasn't in the frontlines doing infantry; he was doing supply work," Vander Hamm said. "There is not a unit out there that can operate without logistics support. President, then General Eisenhower, said that amateurs talk tactics; experts talk logistics."

Carpenter ensured the units fighting the adversary received the supplies they needed to take the fight to the enemy.

"He enabled the war effort to continue and his years of experience were a huge encouragement to the much younger men around him," Vander Hamm said. "General Patton himself recognized Carpenter for his expertise."

During this time, Carpenter received the Bronze Star, which was an uncommon award for a logistics Airman.

"Carpenter served valiantly during many different battles during World War II," Vander Hamm added. "You are a true hero, part of our legacy, heritage and we are proud to follow in your footsteps."