McChord pilot continues to inspire Airmen

by Airman 1st Class Jacob Jimenez
62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

7/29/2014 - JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash.  -- In 2009, a young Air Force lieutenant in pilot training thought his dreams of flying in the Air Force were crushed following a recreational boating accident that resulted in the loss of his right leg.

Despite the accident, Capt. Ryan McGuire, now a 4th Airlift Squadron pilot, became the first Airman to complete Air Force pilot training after losing a leg. He has since become a motivational speaker to Airmen.

The boating accident took place when McGuire was in pilot training at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas. The boat McGuire was on was towing a float with a rope. The rope wrapped around McGuire's leg, fracturing his pelvis, dislocating his hip and cutting off the blood circulation to his leg.

Six weeks following the incident, McGuire's leg was amputated.

"The days leading up to the amputation were overwhelming and depressing," said McGuire. "The amputation was miserable. I was at the lowest of low."

McGuire said his depression was compounded by the fact that he probably would not be allowed to fulfill his dream of completing pilot training in the Air Force. However, when he began his rehabilitation program, McGuire began to realize his situation might not have been as dire as he thought it was.

After his surgery, McGuire was waiting for a physical therapy appointment and was asked by a Soldier when he had lost his leg.

"Last week," McGuire responded.

Conversing with what seemed like to McGuire any other Soldier, McGuire said he was surprised when the Soldier told him he had also lost his leg the previous year.

"Seeing him in uniform walking perfectly normal made me realize that being an amputee doesn't define me," said McGuire.

In addition to his rehabilitation, McGuire said the support system of his family, friends and Air Force wingmen was a key part of his recovery.

"From my wing commander to my flight commander, they supported my family and me throughout my recovery," said McGuire.

In addition to the challenge of recovering from his injury, McGuire faced the possibility of being medically discharged from the Air Force. Having wanted to fly since the age of five and entering the Air Force academy with expectations of becoming a pilot, he said the thought of losing the opportunity to fly was devastating.

In order to stay in the Air Force and fly, McGuire had to go before a formal medical evaluation review board to prove he was able to continue pilot training. To get a waiver to fly, McGuire had to show the Air Force he could still do everything that would be required of him as an Air Force pilot.

Faced with what looked to him like impossible odds, McGuire said with the help of his rehabilitation and the support of his Air Force family, he was able to effectively present his case and receive a waiver to continue flying.

"My squadron supported my decision to stay in the Air Force and assisted me in the process of getting a waiver to fly again," said McGuire. "It didn't matter that I was a lieutenant. They were going to support me no matter what."

In May 2011, McGuire completed his pilot training and by October of that same year, he finished C-17 Globemaster III qualification training. McGuire has since deployed and flown medical evacuation missions, but has also become known for his inspiring story of resilience.

"Most people don't even know that Ryan lost a leg during pilot training," said Lt. Col. Matt Anderson, 4th AS commander. "The fact that he doesn't talk about it is why his story of incredible resiliency and mental toughness is awesome. He just wants to be part of the team like everyone else."

McGuire has spoken to Airmen and civilians at numerous events to include Team McChord's Wingman Day in 2012, the Air Force Academy's National Character Leadership Symposium in 2013 and more recently at the 305th Air Mobility Wing's Mission Focus Day at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey.

"He has represented Team McChord by speaking at these large venues across the country about resiliency, sacrifice and selfless service, each time leaving the stage with a standing ovation," said Anderson. "Ryan's positive attitude, incredible work ethic and desire to be part of something bigger than himself make him an incredible officer and inspiration to others."

McGuire said he is passionate about speaking at various events to give back to the Air Force and help others overcome diversities.

"The Air Force has given me the opportunity to excel and overcome this injury," said McGuire. "I hope to show others that they too can overcome an injury or a setback like I did. I want them to know that the Air Force takes care of its people and will provide them with the tools and resources to overcome."

Since arriving here, McGuire says he has received the same treatment as everyone else and that he has never been singled out or mistreated for being an amputee.

"If you are facing diversity, you have a support system in the Air Force," said McGuire. "It will never be too much for the Air Force to help you get to the other side. No other job in the world gives the support that the Air Force does."

McGuire encourages other Airmen facing similar challenges not to lose hope.

"Never take no for an answer, keep pushing forward and the Air Force will have your back," he said. "For every challenge, there always has to be a first to overcome it. In my case I was that first. You can be a first too."

Airmen get inside look at military judicial system

by Delanie Stafford
55th Wing Public Affairs

7/30/2014 - OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- "Members, today you're going to hear about a sexual assault...that was committed against the victim...by the accused, her friend."

Those words are part of a prosecutor's opening statement newly assigned airmen to Offutt AFB will hear as part of a 'mock trial' program started in June to raise awareness about sexual assault in the military.

Members of the 55th Wing legal office modeled the program after a similar platform used at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, titled 'Got Consent,' which promotes sexual assault prevention through education and awareness.

"We took what Spangdahlem's legal office started and we took it a step further," said U. S. Air Force Capt. Dave Rolek, 55th Wing assistant staff judge advocate and coordinator for the program. "We made it a realistic court room experience for them."

Students attending orientation training through Offutt's First Term Airmen's Center now actively participate in the mock court-martials as part of their training.

The court-martials, which take place inside Offutt's courtroom, simulate an Airman being accused of violating Article 120 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, a charge for sexual assault crimes. Throughout the trial, Airmen experience firsthand what it's like to go through a court-martial, to include cross examinations, expert witness testimony and panel (jury) deliberations.

"It was the first time I had ever been in a court martial," said U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Mychal Allen, 55th Maintenance Squadron, who attended the first mock trial on June 9. "I learned a lot of things that you wouldn't know just by sitting in a classroom; actually going through a court-martial, seeing all of the different evidence that's brought up, and being cross examined. It makes you question a lot of things that you probably wouldn't have questioned."

Rolek said the scenario for the mock trial included the use of alcohol, which is frequently present in sexual assault cases. The degree of impairment is often an area of dispute during a sexual assault trial.

"An airman goes out drinking, and something happens when they come back home, and they're not really sure if it was sexual assault or consensual the next day, so we really wanted to put that on display for the young Airmen," Rolek said.

After hearing all of the testimony, Airmen are given 30 minutes of deliberation to discuss the court-martial before settling on a verdict.

"They really get in to it - going back and forth about what the definitions meant, what evidence they wanted to see, and whether or not it was sexual assault," Rolek said. "We really feel that it gets through to them."

In the end, determining whether the accused is guilty or not guilty can be difficult.

"I did not feel bad about saying not guilty," said U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Justin Pearson, 55th Force Support Squadron. "I like dealing with absolutes... my opinion was altered after they said you cannot incriminate somebody if there's reasonable doubt."

So far, the legal office has conducted three mock trials for 71 first-term airmen. Rolek said their office decided to make some changes to the mock trials after receiving feedback from the first two.

"Students really wanted to see more evidence," Rolek said. "They wanted expert knowledge on how victims respond, how alcohol specifically affects people, and they wanted friends to verify the victim's story. They were really thinking critically about it."

In response, the mock trial was expanded to include testimonies from mental health and alcohol experts, an Office of Special Investigations agent, DNA evidence, and the accused's testimony by means of a previously written statement.

"We believe that these additions strengthen the experience for FTAC students by providing them with a very realistic exposure to what an actual court-martial can look like," said U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Ryan Crnkovich, legal intern who works with Rolek and who helps organize the mock trials.

Rolek hopes Airmen who attend the mock trial will walk away with a better understanding of the military justice system and a more responsible mindset.

"[Sexual activity] is something that should be done sober and for sure with consent, and hopefully we got that message across," Rolek said.

US Navy, JMSDF VBSS Teams Build Unity Aboard McCain during Malabar 2014

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Archer Alonzo, USS John S. McCain Public Affairs

EAST CHINA SEA (NNS) -- The Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) was the stage for a compliant boarding exercise involving visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) teams from U.S. Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), July 27, as part of exercise Malabar 2014.

"Every boarding event comes with risk," said John S. McCain's Commanding Officer Cmdr. Chase Sargeant. "In a real world boarding, Sailors would be going into the unknown, whether compliant or non-complaint, inspecting for illegal drugs, weapons, and human trafficking."

This is a skill we need to hone. I believe it is the nature of the Navy to be prepared for anything and today's exercise helped keep our team sharp."

The exercise began with JMSDF sailors from the Japanese ship Ashigara (DDG 178) boarding John S. McCain which was already engaged in the scenario. The team leader, JMSDF Lt. j.g. Rikiya Akahane, climbed the pilot's ladder from a small craft, immediately drew his weapon and scanned for contacts before signaling his team members to come aboard.

Once the entire Japanese VBSS team had successfully made it aboard and set up a perimeter around the boat deck, they met up with Lt. j.g. Joseph Travers and the U.S. Navy VBSS team.

"The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force boarders were fantastic," said Travers, leader of the John S. McCain VBSS team. "There was a bit of a language barrier, but our collective understanding of close quarter combat vastly outweighed it.

The combined forces split into two teams. Team one began the accent to the pilothouse, where they would question a simulated captain and review the ship's logs, while team two made its way through the rest of the ship, checking for hostile contacts.

After team one's inspection of the ship's logs and interview of the captain, they returned to the boat deck, which team two had secured in preparation for their arrival.

Both teams then separated back into full U.S. Navy and JMSDF teams as the small craft returned alongside John S. McCain to retrieve the sailors and return to the Ashigara.

Still fully immersed in the exercise, Akahane prepared to depart the U.S. Navy destroyer and knelt in front of the pilot's ladder that descended into his team's boat with his weapon drawn, remaining vigilant.

Finally, Akahane holstered his weapon and shared a gracious farewell handshake with Travers.

"Thank you very much for inviting us to conduct this training," said Akahane. "This was a great experience for me, and also my team. I look forward to similar operations in the future."

"Today's exercise has expanded my already tremendous confidence in the ability of not only my own VBSS team, but also that of the JMSDF," said Sargeant.

The oceans remain the most vital component to global commerce. Conducting maritime interdiction and sanction enforcement using VBSS teams as the main element is a crucial part of the U.S. 7th Fleet's mission of supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

"The day's operations were a success, not only for the United States Navy, but our friends and allies, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force," said Sargeant.

Malabar 2014 is a U.S. Navy, Indian navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force trilateral naval field training exercise aimed to improve our collective maritime relationship and increase understanding in multinational operations.

RIMPAC's Maritime Component Commander Thanks Hawaii

From Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs

HONOLULU (NNS) -- A veteran newscaster in Hawaii and anchor of KHON(FOX)2's Wake Up 2day show, gave Canadian Rear Adm. Gilles Couturier an honorary title during an interview July 24 about Rim of the Pacific Exercise 2014.

Couturier, who has participated in five RIMPAC exercises over the years, was named by Ron Mizutani as an "honorary Kama'ina" - a native-born local citizen of Hawaii. Couturier is commander of the maritime component for RIMPAC, the world's biggest maritime exercise, which is about to enter its final week in and around Hawaii.

On behalf of all RIMPAC participants, Couturier thanked the people of Hawaii for their support and "aloha," noting how RIMPAC helps the local economy.

"Without a doubt the 25,000 sailors, plus the ships ... they need all sorts of things, so we buy local Hawaiian and I want to take the opportunity to thank the [people of Hawaii] for their hospitality," Couturier said. "This is my fifth time at RIMPAC, so I'm very familiar with your beautiful islands and every time looking forward to come back here and visit and enjoy."

During his interview, Couturier explained two of the primary goals of RIMPAC.

"First of all, it's to be able to learn to work together as professional mariners. So this year we have 22 countries, 47 ships, 200-plus aircraft, 6 submarines and over 25,000 people here. What we are trying to do to is work together in order to be able to be ready to operate at sea anywhere in the world," Couturier said.

"The second goal of RIMPAC is to create those relationships, amongst all of us the leaders of the exercise, but also amongst some of the ships' captains, the key staff - so whenever we are called to work together we can grab that phone and say, 'Hey, remember me? You and I worked together at RIMPAC.' That makes it a lot easier to operate at sea."

Mizutani asked, "Are you learning from each other as well? Different techniques, different MOs, if you will?"

Couturier responded, "Absolutely! We call it, Tactics Training and Procedures. So each country comes from their own slightly different approach, but what we do realize at the end is that we are pretty well all the same. We know what to do. One of the key events we do at sea is maritime interdiction operations, so anti-piracy roles off the Gulf of Aden, we have to do some things to prevent the pirates from doing the bad stuff at sea, so we share how we operate, how we do it, some of the tactics we use, and it proves to be very useful to all of us."

Mizutani thanked "honorary Kama'ina" Couturier for another successful Rim of the Pacific exercise in and around Hawaii.

"I'm glad you folks are learning and absorbing and at the same time, sir, you are helping our economy. You folks pump back a ton of money into Hawaii's economy," Mizutani said.

KHON(FOX)2's Hawaii Navy News segment began in early 2009, in partnership with Navy Region Hawaii. It is a biweekly, sometimes weekly, interview to inform the public about items of interest at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on Oahu and Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai.

7th Fleet Commander Kicks Off 20th CARAT Singapore

From Task Force 73 Public Affairs

SINGAPORE (NNS) -- The 20th annual exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Singapore commenced with an opening ceremony at Changi Naval Base, July 29.

Vice Adm. Robert Thomas, commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, delivered remarks before several hundred participating U.S. Navy Sailors and members of the Republic of Singapore navy. Thomas noted that CARAT Singapore stood out as the premier navy engagement since the exercise series began in 1995.

"Nearly twenty years later, thousands of CARAT Singapore alumni have risen through the ranks of the RSN and the U.S. Seventh Fleet, strengthening our military to military relationship and contributing to regional security and stability in ways that benefit the entire region's maritime nations," said Thomas.

Continuing through Aug. 8, CARAT Singapore 2014 consists of 11 days of shore-based exchanges and a highly complex at-sea phase. During the shore phase, personnel will conduct engineering, aviation, culinary and sports exchanges on the Changi Naval Base waterfront. U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and RSN boarding teams will conduct maritime security training at the Singapore Police Coast Guard Brani Base.

During the five-day sea phase, guided-missile destroyers USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108) and USS Halsey (DDG 97) with embarked helicopters, the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Rappahannock (T-AO 204), a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft and a fast attack submarine will train with an RSN task group composed of Formidable-class frigates, Victory-class corvettes, Fearless-class patrol vessels, an F-50 Fokker maritime patrol aircraft and an S-70B helicopter.

"CARAT Singapore brings together some of our most capable forces to train with our RSN partners," said Rear Adm. Charlie Williams, commander, Task Force 73 and 7th Fleet's executive agent for Theater Security Cooperation in South and Southeast Asia.

"Not only do we have two destroyers and, for the first time, a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, but Destroyer Squadron Seven is leading the CARAT Task Group for the second consecutive year while forward deployed to Southeast Asia," Williams said during a press conference with international media.

Capt. Fred Kacher, Destroyer Squadron 7 commodore, noted that he looked forward to getting underway with his RSN counterpart, Col. Ken Cheung, commander, 1st Flotilla, and the opportunity for more than 1,400 personnel from both navies to work together.

"From maritime security training, to anti-air and anti-submarine exercises, to cross-platform personnel exchanges, CARAT helps us strengthen our ability to work together and develops young, culturally adept leaders who will lead our Navy's next generation in this very important maritime region," said Kacher.

In its 20th year, CARAT Singapore is part of a series of bilateral naval exercises between the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and the armed forces of nine partner nations in South and Southeast Asia.

Mercy Holds Mass Casualty Drill During RIMPAC's Sea Phase

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Pyoung K. Yi, USNS Mercy Public Affairs

PACIFIC OCEAN (NNS) -- The crew of the Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) took part in a mass casualty drill July 27 during the sea phase of Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercise 2014.

The drill which emulated an oil platform explosion and included 30 patients with mock injuries and a series of helicopter medical evacuations.

"The purpose of today's drill was to prepare Mercy's medical providers, nurses and hospital corpsmen to be ready for a real-life mass casualty," said Lt. Gary Galicinao, casualty receiving division officer aboard Mercy. "In case we are called upon anywhere in the world, we will be ready to provide the necessary medical help."

The multinational event included patients flown in from the Royal Australian Navy ship HMAS Success (OR 304) via a Japanese helicopter from the Japan Self-Defense Force Destroyer Ise (DDH-182).

Cmdr. Gilbert Seda, medical director of casualty receiving aboard Mercy said the crew is preparing itself to respond at moment's notice in the event of a real-life military incident or humanitarian disaster. "The drills ensure the medical staff, ship security, administrative department, and flight crew are familiar with various procedures so that we can provide the best care possible," Seda said.

One of the main goals of the mass casualty drill was to help team leaders evaluate how Mercy's crew would manage patients arriving en masse.

"This drill has given Mercy a great opportunity to see what it's like to manage multiple casualties while at the same time managing all other aspects of the medical treatment facility, like the ward and intensive care unit," Seda said. "It is also a chance to how to work on how to properly distribute our staff in such a mass casualty situation."

The drill featured the most patients of an RIMPAC mass casualty drill to date.

"We actually allowed all the patients to go through the entire ship so we could see how effective we are as far from both a logistical and an operational standpoint," said Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Charles Hogue.

As one of RIMPAC's goals is to foster cooperative relationships between nations, the drill continues to keep Mercy's crew ready when called upon for medical assistance from an allied partner nation or another country, according to Seda.

This year's RIMPAC marks the first time in the exercises history that hospital ships have participated. Twenty-two nations, 49 ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC exercise from June 26 to Aug. 1, in and around the California coast and Hawaiian Islands.

Air Force Reserve Command delays inactivation of 815th Airlift Squadron

by Maj. Marnee A.C. Losurdo
403rd Wing Public Affairs

7/29/2014 - KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- The Air Force Reserve Command announced Monday the delay of the inactivation of the 815th Airlift Squadron here.

The 815th AS, referred to as the "Flying Jennies," is a tactical airlift unit in the 403rd Wing.

The National Defense Authorization Act of 2013 called for the transfer of 10 C-130J aircraft to Pope Army Airfield, North Carolina. With the transfer of those aircraft, plans also included closing the 815th AS and 345th AS, the active component associate unit. Closing those two squadrons along with associated reductions in aircraft maintenance personnel would result in the loss of 477 personnel.

The NDAA 15 calls for the closing of the 440th Airlift Wing at Pope Army Air Field, North Carolina, and changes the final bed down of the 10 Keesler AFB C-130J aircraft to Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas.

Until NDAA 15 is ultimately decided, AFRC delayed movement of the 10 C-130J aircraft earlier this year. The continued uncertain timeline of aircraft transfers led AFRC to announce Monday delaying the inactivation of the 815th AS, said Col. Frank L. Amodeo, 403rd Wing commander.

Manning reductions in the 403rd Maintenance Group and 815th AS began as a result of actions generated from the NDAA 14 law.

"As always, the 403rd Wing leadership remains committed to taking care of our Airmen and families," said Amodeo. "We continue to evaluate the evolving situation and remain committed to safe mission accomplishment. Should the 10 aircraft in question depart, the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, the "Hurricane Hunters," will remain at Keesler as the Wing's sole flying squadron."

Reserve Command major awarded Bronze Star Medal

by Tech. Sgt. Shanda L. De Anda
Air Force Reserve Command Public Affairs

7/30/2014 - ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Major Jonathan Whittaker, Air Force Reserve Command Force Management branch chief, was awarded the Bronze Star Medal during a ceremony here July 29.

Maj. Gen. Richard S. "Beef" Haddad, AFRC vice commander, presented the medal to Whittaker during the Directorate of Logistics commander's call.

Whittaker earned the medal for his actions in Kandahar, Afghanistan, from November 29, 2012 through November 17, 2013 as the 433rd Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron commander, 738th Air Expeditionary Group, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Air Training Command Afghanistan, 438th Air Expeditionary Wing.

"While engaged in operations against an opposing armed force in Kandahar, his key leader engagements ... enabled the execution of 674 combat sorties, surpassing key operational milestones established in the unit's strategic roadmap and facilitated tactical and strategic Afghan led victories during the 2013 fighting season," said Lt. Gen. John Hesterman III, United States Air Forces Central Command, Southwest Asia commander, in the special order for Whittaker's medal.

"His leadership was critical during a green on blue attack in which he established a command and control center ... and relayed time critical information to security forces and the group commander. His methodical and deliberate crisis management ensured the quick recovery of six injured coalition Soldiers and the safety of over 50 advisors."

The actions that lead to Whittaker's recognition were many, but he attributed his ability to do his mission to professionalism, talent and dedication of his team and the unwavering support he receives from his family.

The Bronze Star is awarded for distinguished heroic or meritorious achievement or service (not involving participation in aerial flight) by direction of the president.

31 Days in PACAF...packing up, moving out

2nd Combat Camera Squadron

7/29/2014 - HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- Welcome! Welcome! Welcome! We are pleased to have you join us on this monumental adventure as we prepare to journey through the Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) with nothing but a couple of cameras, some writing utensils, and a can do attitude. I'm just kidding, we have enough gear it would make King Kong thing twice about asking if we "need a hand."

Our excellent expedition consists of 10 stops through PACAF bases in which we will document, ask interesting questions, and then share our findings with the world! Every base is essential in their mission supporting the Air Force and keeping things moving. We will be emphasizing our focus on the foundation of the Air Force, which is the story of the everyday Airman, to encompass anyone from load masters to security forces.

The league of extraordinary Airmen that have been tasked to carry out this mission include two photojournalists who will provide blog postings, and capture images. Also, we have two videographers who will conduct interviews and tell the stories of Airmen throughout PACAF.