Look past 1947 for Air Force roots

By Chief Master Sgt. Matt Proietti, Air Force Public Affairs Agency / Published September 16, 2014

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (AFNS) -- The Air Force officially turns 67 this month, but my uncle Gino thinks it's older.

He's 90, and the lone surviving brother of my father. Both of them served in World War II, as did two of their siblings. My father was in the Navy, as was his eldest brother, Europeo (his real name, I swear). Gino and my late uncle Dario were both aircraft mechanics in the Army Air Forces.

Out of all of the times I talked to them about their GI years, though, neither one ever said he'd been in the Army. They were "in the Air Force."

Maybe it's a genetic thing I share with them, but I agree that Air Force history predates Sept. 18, 1947, and think we should do a better job of recognizing that. The problem is, of course, what to use as a starting date for such remembrances? Since we formed from the Army, my gut feeling is that we should lay claim to its heritage dating back to 1775.

That's just me, though. How about we look back to the founding of the Union Army Balloon Corps during the Civil War? It was a military force in the air, after all. Still not likely to gain much support? OK, let's fast forward a few decades.

What about 1907? That's when the Army Signal Corps established its Aeronautical Division responsible for "air machines." Perhaps 1908, when Orville Wright made a series of flights for federal officials near Washington, D.C. These demonstrations confirmed that the latest airplane built by Wright and his brother, Wilbur, met strict government specifications, and the resulting $25,000 contract included training of the first two military pilots. Still not convinced? Then let's aim for the March 5, 1913, founding of the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron, which still exists today at Beale Air Force Base, California.

Some curmudgeons will say military flight prior to World War I is just too far back to include in any kind of U.S. Air Force history. Well then, let's begin at the Great War, which allows us to acknowledge the flying exploits of men such as Maj. Carl Spaatz and Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker. Spaatz, a West Point graduate, gets extra credit for being the first Air Force chief of staff three decades later and for his remains being interred at the Air Force Academy.

If that is still Army history, though, surely we can trace our roots to the pioneering air campaigners of the 1920s and 1930s like Billy Mitchell and Hap Arnold, whose early, deliberate steps eventually led to a separate flying service. Mitchell died in 1936, well before that realization, but Congress awarded him a special Medal of Honor a decade later for "outstanding pioneer service and foresight in the field of American military aviation." Arnold, who served on the Joint Chiefs of Staff in World War II as head of the Army Air Forces, was retired from the military when the Air Force branched off from the Army. He was made a five-star "general of the Air Force" in 1949 even though he technically never served a day in that service.

Somewhere in here is the right starting point for recognizing Air Force history. Maybe I'm a bit too sensitive to criticism about the Air Force being the youngest of the military branches. Disparagement of its youthfulness was first directed at me before I even put on its uniform for the first time. I enlisted as a high school senior and continued to work at a pizza shop as I waited to leave for boot camp. An old Marine who was a regular customer was delighted to hear that I was joining "the service" - until I told him which one.

"The Air Force!" he spat. "Those Johnny-come-latelies? Where were they when..." and he proceeded to recite a list of proud leatherneck campaigns back to the First Barbary War. It was clear he expected an answer from 17-year-old me. I cleared my throat and asked him how it would have been possible to have an Air Force before man invented flight. A disgusted look crossed his face. He grabbed his pizza and stormed off into the night.

I've been in the Air Force for 30 years and the longer I'm around, the more I think like my uncles. The Air Force may have officially separated from the Army Sept. 18, 1947, but it existed - in spirit, innovation and tradition - well before that. Once it started, there's been no stopping it.

Laughlin MDG training video wins AFMOA award

by Airman 1st Class Ariel D. Delgado
47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs

9/16/2014 - Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas -- 

The 47th Medical Group's customer service video won first place in the 2014 Air Force Medical Operations Agency Customer Service Video Contest.

Five of the medical clinic's officers wrote, edited and directed the video with the support of numerous clinic members, turning it into a team effort.

"The video contest was designed to generate supplemental training resources for the standardized customer service lessons developed by the Air Force Medical Operations Agency," said 1st Lt. Brian Quinn, 47th Medical Support Squadron Medical Logistics flight commander. "The submissions to the contest were to be five to 10 minutes in length with content corresponding to one of the six lesson topics."

After two hours of storyboarding the film, selecting cast members, and over eight hours of shooting, the film was ready for post-production, which was the longest part of the process.

"The largest time commitment was in post-production," said Quinn. "More than 20 hours were spent on the editing process. We also met for three internal screenings, which took about 30 minutes each, to review the draft cut and to find ways to make the video shorter without cutting our favorite moments."

The final product was cut down to eight minutes and 49 seconds, including credits.

"In all, 35 clinic members assisted with the production dedicating approximately 90 volunteer hours to making the award winning video," said Quinn. "The final cut far exceeded everyone's expectations for this no budget film. Everyone who participated approached the project with a professional attitude. I think this is great example of Airmen bringing excellence to everything we do. We had a lot of fun making the video and we hope the video will put smiles on many faces for years to come.

Those who participated in the making of the video put in a lot of time, and effort, explained Quinn. The project wouldn't have been possible without the support of so many people.

"I am very proud of them for their accomplishment," said Lt. Col. Melissa Howard, 47^th Medical Support Squadron commander. "I was happy to see the Airmen come together and proud of the motivation they showed."

Face of Defense: Minnesota Brothers Reunite in Kuwait

By Army 1st Lt. Holly Elkin

34th Combat Aviation Brigade

CAMP BUERHING, Kuwait, Sept. 17, 2014 – Though one serves in the Army Reserve and the other in the Minnesota National Guard, a pair of brothers from Monticello, Minnesota, are deployed here together.

“I didn’t know if our paths would cross,” said Army Sgt. 1st Class Lowell Laudert as he sat with his brother, Army Spc. Cameron Laudert.

Cameron, a health care specialist, is assigned to the Army Reserve’s 452nd Combat Support Hospital out of Fort Snelling, Minnesota. Lowell, an intelligence analyst, is assigned to the Minnesota Army National Guard’s 34th Combat Aviation Brigade, headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota.

When Cameron deployed to Kuwait last year, he said, he never imagined he would be sharing lunches with his brother at the dining facility here.

“As soon as I got here, I tracked him down,” said Lowell as the brothers reflected on their reunion. Cameron, having been deployed for several months before his brother joined him, had grown accustomed to being called by his last name. When he heard a familiar voice calling out “Cameron,” he was unsure of how to react. Cameron smiled and recalled he reached out for a hug from his brother.

“When my brother joined the Army, the first time I saw him, I thought, ‘Wow, I really want to do this,’” he said. And while Cameron looks up to his brother for his success and accomplishments as a noncommissioned officer, Lowell sees to it that his relationship with Cameron is more about enduring brotherhood than career mentorship.

The Laudert brothers not only have a strong family connection, which they say has helped to influence their success serving in the military, but they also speak with pride of their Native American heritage as enrolled members of the White Earth Nation.

“We’re veterans of two nations,” Lowell said.

Once they are both back on Minnesota soil next year, the brothers said, they have plans to strengthen their spiritual and cultural traditions together. Cameron hopes to attend medical school and aspires to become a chemical dependency counselor. Lowell will return to his full-time position with the Minnesota National Guard as the readiness noncommissioned officer for Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 34th Combat Aviation Brigade readiness noncommissioned officer.

92nd veterans gather for annual event

by Airman 1st Class Sam Fogleman
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

9/16/2014 - MEDICAL LAKE, Wash. -- Members of the 92nd Air Refueling Wing, past and present, gathered for the third annual Gathering of 92nd Veterans, held by the 92nd U.S. Army Air Forces/U.S. Air Force Memorial Association, at Waterfront Park in Medical Lake, Washington, Sept. 14.

"It's an event for all the 92nd people in the area who don't get an invitation to the Air Force Ball," said Daniel Simmons, the 92nd USAAF/USAF Memorial Association vice president. "It will always be the Sunday before the Air Force birthday. It's a chance for active duty and civilians alike to come on out and tell war stories."

A perfectly clear sky above Medical Lake itself served as a backdrop to the gathering of members of the wing's history, going back to World War II when it served as a contingent of the Army.

"This is about preserving history, and trying to get information about past eras," said Duane Wolfe, president of the association. "Every one of us did our part in making the 92nd what it is today."

Attendees were treated to snacks such as hot dogs, chips and lemonade.

"This is a great organization to draw people in who are still around," said Bill Eaker, a retired aerospace ground equipment master sergeant who was NCO in charge of inspection repair. "I live in Medical Lake now, so it's great to head out to this." Eaker served with the 92nd from 1985-1989.

Among those in attendance were Col. Brian McDaniel, the 92nd ARW commander, Col. Scott Gundlach, the 92nd Operations Group commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Rufus Love, the 92nd Maintenance Group superintendent.

New program offers Lajes Airmen skills to grow relationships

by Staff Sgt. Zachary Wolf
65th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

9/16/2014 - LAJES FIELD, Azores, Portugal -- Separation. Miles away and across an ocean. This is the reality for Airmen coming to Lajes Field. The separation is from those they care about, those individuals that they have a relationship with, whether it is a spouse, friends or family.

There is something that bridges this vast gap caused by the ocean, and that is technology. Airmen can be face-to-face with their loved ones in real time, thanks to technology. The same technology helps people find someone they may never have met before and start a relationship that would never had happened if not for technology.

"I knew from my Graduate (Alternative Dispute Resolution) program that the technology is available to mediate a divorce online," said Sandra Moore, 65th Air Base Wing community support coordinator. "I combined that knowledge with reports such as USA Today that reported more than one third of relationships begin online. If relationships can begin and end online, we should be able to address the middle with communication skills to help relationships pull together, rather than waiting for them to fall apart."

Moore started putting a program together and with the help of many others came up with the Resilient Relationships class.

While attendees enjoy pizza and water, they are greeted by Moore and short YouTube videos.

"Rather than one 15-minute video with 20 to 40 minutes of discussion, we needed short , 2 to 10 minute videos, that are rich in content, followed by frequent, but short, 5-minute discussions for each video," Moore said. "Additionally, the discussion should not be focused on telling Airmen what to think and shouldn't reveal intimate details in a relationship."

The videos were chosen because Airmen could easily watch them with someone and then discuss the content.

"We've used a bunch of YouTube videos, which I think really is a modern Airman's language; something that Airmen are very familiar and comfortable with," Moore said.

As Lajes transitions to 100 percent unaccompanied, there are still families here. One spouse, Susan Headrick, wife of Tech. Sgt. Ryan Headrick, sat in on the program that highlighted technology to keep in touch and build relationships.

"Communication is key," Headrick said. "I use Skype, cell phone messaging and email to talk to my husband while he is TDY or deployed."

Whether it's before, during or after a long separation, this program is here to help Airmen grow in their relationships that are far away.

"The videos are very entertaining but are also very educational," Headrick said. "I think it would be helpful to watch this with a loved one before the separation takes place."

Many people find different and creative ways to communicate over technology while they are separated from friends, family and loved ones and Moore said she is hoping to stimulate that creativity with this program.

"I am hoping that we will challenge people to use technology differently," Moore said. "To really connect at a more emotional level and I am hoping that we will provide some additional communication resources so that people are able to think about how they communicate in a relationship, so that their communication is more meaningful."

USS Ingraham Intercepts 680 Kilograms of Cocaine in Eastern Pacific

By Ensign Sarah Lovelace, USS Ingraham Public Affairs

USS INGRAHAM, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Ingraham (FFG 61) with Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 49 Detachment 2 and U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) personnel intercepted 680 kilograms of cocaine illegally trafficked in the 4th Fleet Area of Responsibility Aug. 21.

Ingraham, based in Everett, Washington, successfully tracked and intercepted a go-fast vessel in international waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean. The panga was fitted with two outboard motors, capable of speeds of more than 30 knots.

Upon detection of one of Ingraham's SH-60B Seahawks, the crew of the vessel threw a significant amount of narcotics overboard. The panga was compelled to stop after warning shots were fired by a Coast Guard marksman aboard Ingraham's helicopter.

"I am very proud of my crew, the air department, and the Coast Guard law enforcement detachment for their quick and effective response to a very elusive and evasive threat," said Ingraham's commanding officer, Cmdr. Dan Straub. "Simultaneously launching and recovering the helicopter and the ship's small boat while chasing a go-fast vessel laden with contraband is challenging work. The professional and efficient manner in which our teams operate is impressive on many levels."

The jettisoned bales were netted together, allowing Ingraham's rigid-hulled inflatable boat to recover all of the discarded contraband. The seizure totaled approximately 680 kilograms of cocaine. The U.S. Coast Guard LEDET embarked the go-fast vessel and apprehended three illegal drug traffickers.

Ingraham has disrupted a total of approximately 7,188 kilograms of cocaine during her deployment. This is her fifth successful interdiction since arriving in 4th Fleet in support of Operation Martillo. Ingraham seized a self-propelled semi-submersible (SPSS) in May, a fishing vessel in June, and several other go-fast vessels.

Under the international counter illicit trafficking initiative called Operation Martillo. U.S. military, Coast Guard, law enforcement agencies and regional partner nation law enforcement agencies patrol the waters in the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico and the Eastern Pacific on a year-round basis in an effort to detect, monitor and interdict illicit traffickers.

During at-sea busts in international waters, a suspect vessel is initially located and tracked by U.S. military or law enforcement aircraft or vessels. The actual interdictions - boarding, search, seizures and arrests - are led and conducted by U.S. Coast Guard LEDETs or partner nation law enforcement agencies.

U.S. maritime law enforcement and the interdiction phase of counter-smuggling operations in the Eastern Pacific occurs under the tactical control of the 11th Coast Guard District headquartered in Alameda, California.

Operation Martillo (Hammer) includes the participation of 14 nations that are working together to counter trans-national organized crime and illicit trafficking in coastal waters along the Central American isthmus. Joint Interagency Task Force South, a National Task Force under U.S. Southern Command, oversees the detection and monitoring of illicit traffickers and assists U.S. and multinational law enforcement agencies with the interdiction of these illicit traffickers.

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet supports U.S. Southern Command's joint and combined military operations by employing maritime forces in cooperative maritime security operations in order to maintain access, enhance interoperability and build enduring partnerships in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions.