Taking Down ISIL Requires Cooperative Effort, Army Chief Says

By David Vergun

Army News Service

WASHINGTON, Sept. 19, 2014 – Moderate fighters in Syria, Iraqi security forces, the Kurdish Peshmerga, and allies and partners of the United States all have a vested interest in defeating the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant, or ISIL, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno said here today.

The United States has to continue to show resolve as well, he added during remarks to the Defense Writers Group.

"We have to realize this is a long-term threat that will take a long-term commitment," the general pointed out. "If you don't believe [ISIL] doesn't want to attack the West and America, you're kidding yourself. That is their goal."

The primary reason ISIL overran large swaths of territory and Iraqi troops abandoned their posts, he said, is not due to lack of equipment and training of the Iraqi security forces. It was "because people in some parts of Iraq lost faith in their government," he explained.

The most important piece of the fight going forward is for people in all parts of Iraq to regain confidence that the government will represent them and be there for them in all spheres, from economic and political to military and security support, he said.

Still time to turn things around

When he left Iraq in 2010, Odierno said, he was pleased to see signs of progress and believed things would get even better. Now, he said, he's "disappointed" at what's happening there, but believes there is still time to turn things around.

The Iraqi government needs to represent all of the people, he said. "Now, with a new government and new prime minister, there's some hope that will happen," he added.

The new government has promised a willingness to improve relations with all the people of Iraq, Odierno said, but he added that it will take time and actions to regain that trust. "They have to believe it's in their best interest to support the government," he said.

Boots on the ground

"Airstrikes have slowed the advances of ISIL. But airstrikes alone won't defeat ISIL," Odierno cautioned. "You need a complementary ground capability that will go in and do that."

These boots on the ground will be moderates in Syria and Iraq, as well as troops from other Arab nations who would like to assist, he said, adding that the U.S. will train, equip and advise them as needed.

"We all agree with the current strategy we're executing," he said, referring to the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the president. "We've got to give this time to work. It's important they're the ones who will defeat ISIL."

Odierno added that as is the case in any operation, assessments will continue to be made as events unfold, and that with input from his commanders, he will continue to provide the chairman and the president with candid advice.

All options are open, he said. "I never rule anything out," he added.

Airstrikes will become more difficult

While U.S. airstrikes have been effective at slowing the spread of ISIL, Odierno cautioned that targets will become more difficult in the future as the extremists blend in with the civilian population and possibly use them as human shields.

The U.S. military is using a cautious approach to "vetting" the forces who will engage with ISIL with U.S. training and arms, he said. "We must be sure they are who they are and won't be part of some extremist group," he explained.

Another caution he pointed to, is a danger inherent in the use of air power to target the extremists. "The worst thing that can happen to us is killing innocent Iraqis, innocent civilians, so we have to be careful and precise in targeting," the general said. That gets back to why Iraqi ground forces are needed on the ground to help with that targeting effort, he added.

POW/MIA: 1,482 Airmen still missing

by Janis El Shabazz
Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs

9/19/2014 - JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas (AFNS) -- Nearly 1,500 Airmen are still missing and unaccounted-for from various conflicts and there are more than 83,000 Americans still unaccounted-for across the Defense Department.

Every year the nation pauses on the third Friday of September to remember the sacrifices and service of prisoners of war, members still missing in action and their families. This year the observance is Sept. 19.

In the months leading up to National POW/MIA Recognition Day, various active-duty and veterans groups, state and local government agencies, and private organizations throughout the country prepare for ceremonies.

Many of the organizations reach out to the military services' respective casualty affairs offices for help locating family members of those still unaccounted-for from past conflicts. For the Air Force, the office that provides assistance to those organizations is the Air Force Personnel Center's Missing Persons Branch, within the Airman and Family Care Directorate.

"We are the liaison for the families of Airmen still unaccounted-for from the Korean, Cold and Vietnam Wars. Because the Air Force did not become a separate service until 1947, all WWII unaccounted-for Army Air Corps service members are supported by the U.S. Army Casualty and Mortuary Affairs Operations Center - Past Conflict Repatriations Branch," said Sandra Kolb, the Air Force Missing Persons Branch chief. "We work closely with the Defense POW/Missing Personnel Affairs office, the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, the Air Force's Life Science Equipment Lab and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Lab.

"Leave No One Behind" and "You Are Not Forgotten" are more than mottos or words on a flag." Kolb said.

"The sentiment behind those words drives our mission. The AFPC staff along with hundreds of Defense Department personnel work in organizations around the world dedicated to the mission of finding and bringing our sons and daughters back home as well as providing continued support to their families," she said.

The POW/MIA flag depicts the silhouette of a man on a white disk with a watch tower, a guard on patrol and a strand of barbed wire in the background. Below the disk is a black and white wreath above the motto, "You Are Not Forgotten." The flag was designed by Newt Heisley, a former Army Air Forces pilot turned commercial artist. The AAF was the U.S. military's aviation service during and immediately after World War II, and the direct predecessor of today's Air Force. Heisley based the flag's silhouette on his son who was medically discharged from the military.

Kolb said there are a lot of people behind the mission that the POW/MIA flag represents and while other military services have a combined casualty and mortuary affairs office, the AFPC Missing Persons Branch four-person staff shares responsibilities in this mission with the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Office's Past Conflicts Branch at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware.

"Our duty is to locate and maintain contact with service members' next of kin to provide them with any new information on their loved ones' cases, respond to any requests for information and provide support to the many family updates conducted throughout the country each year," Kolb explained. "We currently maintain contact with about 3,700 family members around the world."

Service casualty officers with the Missing Persons Branch travel to DOD's six to eight regional meetings held annually at different locations throughout the country to meet with family members in their care. There are also two annual meetings held for survivors in Washington, D.C. - one for Southeast Asia and one for the Korean and Cold Wars - during which family members get the opportunity for one-on-one consultations with DOD officials to discuss the details of each of their cases. Families are provided briefings on a variety of topics including, research, investigative and recovery efforts, DNA technology advances and policy developments. The latest regional meeting was Sept. 13 in Pittsburgh.

Since the 2013 National POW/MIA Recognition Day, six Airmen previously unaccounted-for from the Vietnam War were brought home to their families, but Kolb said there is still much work to be done.

"We may not always be able to answer all the families' questions but our team makes sure that a thorough follow-up is done on all their inquiries," Kolb said. "Our job will never be done until they all come home."

Warriors of the North support crime and fire prevention during Grand Cities Community Celebration

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

9/18/2014 - GRAND FORKS N.D. -- Warriors of the North showed they cared about keeping the local community safe by participating in the 2014 Grand Cities Community Celebration Sept. 15 at the Cliff Fido Purpur Arena here.

The celebration was sponsored by the Grand Forks Police Department, the Grand Forks Sheriff's Department, and the cities of Grand Forks, N.D., and the East Grand Forks, Minn.

The GCCC was held in place of the Red River neighboring towns' observance of National Night Out, which traditionally takes place the first Tuesday of August.

"The Grand Cities Community Celebration is just like National Night Out because it provides our communities the opportunity to come together and speak out in one unified voice against crime by promoting police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie," said Grand Forks Police Department Cpl. LaVonne Nelson, GCCC event coordinator. "The biggest difference is that we tailored the event to provide a greater focus on school-age children and teens."

Speaking of children, dozens of the young guests enjoyed watching a Military Working Dog demonstration by the K-9 section of the 319th Security Force Squadron.

"I was told many of the kids watching shouted phrases like, 'Whoa, that was cool,'" said Staff Sgt. Brett Silmon, one of the six 319th SFS dog handlers participation in the event.

Nelson expressed strong appreciation for the K-9 section and the stars of their demonstration, Military Working Dogs Arco and Zero, but the Defenders from the 319th SFS weren't the only Warriors of the North participating in the event; Grand Forks AFB's bravest were there too.

Four members from the base fire department promoted neighborhood camaraderie and public safety by passing out goodies such as refrigerator magnets, pamphlets and stickers at the free public event.

A Rapid Incident Vehicle (a smaller, lighter fire truck) was used to transport the Children's Fire Safety House, which is designed to raise awareness for fire prevention and safety by allowing guests to hunt for fire hazards in the house and practice fire escapes.

Dozens of children could be seen wearing their shiny red junior firemen hats among the dozens of booths and static displays set up by participating organization such as the University of North Dakota, U.S. Customs and Border Protection which flew in a helicopter and other community agencies such as Girl Scouts, Public Health and Head Start.

Throughout the event guests could be seen shaking the hands and heard saying thanks to those who protect and serve their respective communities.

Guests such as Grand Forks resident David Vasquez, who took his young daughter and son to the GCCC.

"I've been bringing my kids to events like this one for about five years now," said Vasquez. "I really appreciate it as a parent because it lets me know the military, the police, the schools and all these other organizations care about keeping the place where we live safe. I think more families need to come out to events like this because these are the experts and all of us especially our children can learn better ways to keep our communities safe from fires and crimes."

Exercise Global Eagle: force protection specialists from three nations conduct combined training

by Capt. Carolyn Glover and Cpl. Barbara Robinson
U.S. Air Forces in Europe - United Kingdom Public Affairs and RAF Honington Public Affairs

9/19/2014 - RAF HONINGTON, ENGLAND -- Exercise Global Eagle, a combined exercise involving 112 U.S., U.K. and French force protection specialists took place Sept. 1 through 15 at various Ministry of Defence training locations across the United Kingdom. Nine-member teams were established at the start of the event, with three members each from the 820th Base Defense Group from Moody Air Force Base, Ga., II Squadron, Royal Air Force Regiment from RAF Honington, England, and Commando Parachutiste De l'Air No. 20 from Air Base 102, Dijon, France.

This year, for the first time, force protection specialists from three different nations came together for two weeks to train and exchange tactics, techniques and procedures on a variety of defense capabilities, including hand-to-hand combat, land navigation and weapons familiarization. The exercise took place in three phases: team-building, military skills execution and Ministry of Defense parachute training. The event concluded with a combined jump out of a RAF C-130J Hercules, where the U.S. and French jumpers earned the British Military Parachute Wings.

Exercise Global Eagle is an annual exercise conducted on U.S. Air Force and RAF installations on alternating years.

Hagel: Nation Will Do ‘Whatever it Takes’ in POW/MIA Effort

By Nick Simeone

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Sept. 19, 2014 – A solemn ceremony was held today on the Pentagon’s River Parade Field to mark POW/MIA Recognition Day, an annual event that Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel called a reminder that the nation will do whatever it takes to recover every service member and identify the remains of all those still missing from past conflicts.

“Today, we are thankful that there are no U.S. troops being held anywhere in captivity,” Hagel told an invited audience in the warmth of a late summer morning that included the families of former prisoners of war and those still listed as missing in action. “We know that there are still tens of thousands of fallen Americans who remain missing from many wars. We must continue to work hard to bring all of our missing Americans home.”

Some 83,000 Americans still are missing from past conflicts, and Navy Adm. James A. Winnefeld Jr., the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the audience that no military mission is considered complete until all of the fallen are home.

Sacred obligation

“Today, as we fly the familiar black and white flag across our country, it’s not only a symbol to honor the POW/MIA community,” he said, “it’s a reminder of our sacred obligation to the men and women we place in harm’s way to never leave our fallen behind.”

Today’s ceremony took place four months after the last American war prisoner, Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, was handed over to the U.S. military after being held for nearly five years by the Haqqani network while deployed to Afghanistan, and as the Pentagon continues an overhaul of the agencies responsible for recovering and identifying the remains of America’s war dead.

“We’ve made progress in this transformation, and the new Defense Personnel Accounting Agency will achieve initial operating capability this January,” Hagel said, six months after he announced a reorganization of the Defense Prisoner of War Missing Personnel Office and the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command in an overhaul that he said is aimed at reducing inefficiency and making the effort “stronger, more effective, more transparent and more responsive.”

“We will do better not only in more effectively accounting for our missing personnel, but also ensuring that their families receive timely and accurate information,” Hagel pledged.

Over the past year, he said, the department has been able to account for 71 service members from World War II, Korea and Vietnam. He said Vietnam has been providing an increasing number of archival documents to help in locating Americans missing from the war there.

Special recognition

Max Cleland, an Army veteran who lost both legs and his right arm in combat -- and, like Hagel, served both in the Senate and in Vietnam -- received special recognition at today’s event. The defense secretary said Cleland represents the nation’s finest qualities and has continued to serve the nation with great distinction. He led the Veterans Administration from 1977 to 1981, and most recently has chaired the American Battle Monuments Commission.

On a day that he said helps the nation establish a sense of meaning out of loss, Cleland sought to give hope to those who continue to wait for recovery of their loves ones, and recalled the words of a soldier after the Battle of Waterloo: “God and the soldier men adore in time of war, but not before, and in time of peace, with all things righted, God is forgotten and the soldier slighted.”

“I’m honored to be in a country and with a government that forgets neither God nor the soldier,” he added.

Columbus Airman recognized for 40 years of service

by Airman John Day
14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs

9/19/2014 - COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Some Airmen serve honorably for four, six or all the way up to 20 years. One Airman at Columbus Air Force Base has served for 40 years, earning him the title of the most senior lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force.

Lt. Col. Douglas Jantzen, 14th Flying Training Wing Chief of Aircraft Maintenance, has served not only 28 years as an officer, but also 12 years as an enlisted Airman, obtaining the rank of master sergeant before commissioning.

Over his 40-year career, Jantzen has seen the enlisted side of life working as a maintainer for his 12 years of enlisted service at Altus AFB. After commissioning, the Okeene, Oklahoma native worked with missile operations for four years. He went on to manage maintenance, logistics and munitions.

Jantzen says he attributes his success in managing as an officer to his years of working on the flightline as an enlisted maintainer.

"You can manage folks without knowing what they are doing, but it makes it a whole lot easier if you know what they go through," Jantzen said. "That's what I loved, being on the flightline, taking care of people. I had the experience of what it was like to work on the flightline. I knew what it was like to have supervision that knew what I was doing and they wanted to take care of me."

Jantzen is not the only one who benefits from his enlisted experience.

"He understands both sides of the fence," said Master Sergeant Nesha Willis, 14th Flying Training Wing Contracting Officer Representative. "When he talks to us, he relates to us as far as the enlisted side of our career and advice on what we need to do to progress in our career. It's really cool to have someone that can relate to your career so closely."

During his later years, Jantzen held positions as an Air Force Special Operations Commander twice.

"Being a commander is by far the best job," Jantzen said. "I probably worked harder being a commander than I did any other time. It was a tough assignment but it was also very rewarding."

From the time he joined, Jantzen has always been looking to help people. From offering a vehicle to a new airman to watching the children of his co-workers, he is always participating in his organization.

"I joined the Air Force because it was all I wanted to do from the time I was five years old," Jantzen said. "I do it for the people. I really enjoy managing people and taking care of folks."
"Whatever you need, he is there," Willis said. "It doesn't matter if you need to go to the hospital or you need to move a dresser or if you just need to talk professionally. In any aspect, he is always there."

He is scheduled to retire in June 2015. His dedication to the people of his organization and Columbus AFB as a whole will be missed.

"I like the community and base relationship," Jantzen said. "The people in this office are awesome. I could not pick a better place to close out my career than in this unit."

AFTC member voices teen concerns at training session in San Antonio

by Staff Sgt. Susan L. Davis
319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

9/18/2014 - GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- A National Air Force Teen Council Midwest representative here recently attended a Joint Service Teen Council training session in San Antonio with other teens from across the country representing the Army, Navy and Air Force.

The event was designed for representatives to speak on behalf of other military teens worldwide on issues facing them, and present the information to senior leaders, including Dr. Candace Bird, chief of the Department of Defense Air Force Child and Youth Programs; Col. Marc Piccolo, director of Air Force Services; and Heidi Welch, chief of Air Force Child and Youth Programs.

"Honestly, I didn't know what this program was at first other than it was a leadership program that gave a voice to Air Force teens," said Paige Holmes, 17, the AFTC member representing the Midwest, including Grand Forks AFB.

"To be afforded this opportunity means a lot to me because I get to be a voice for thousands of Air Force teens all across the Midwest." Holmes said that over the course of the event, she and the other teen representatives aired their concerns about school credit transfers through various military installations, lack of teen involvement on base and more. After identifying the issues, the teens broke into groups to discuss possible solutions, and gave them to junior advisors (other teens who had served at least one prior term on the council) to brief to senior leaders.

"I do feel like I accomplished a lot in Texas, but 'I' wouldn't be the right word to use for this instance," said Holmes. "We, as an entire Air Force Teen Council, accomplished and learned a lot from each other over the week. Not only did we make connections with teens from all around the world, but we also had the opportunity to better ourselves as leaders, and I feel like that is exactly what we did."

Holmes explained that she and her team planned Air Force-wide quarterly projects. The teams were comprised of one junior advisor, one leader, and three to four regional representatives, and each team was assigned to a project.

The teams then came up with implementation plans for their projects, which were shared Air Force-wide. Holmes said she and other representatives hold monthly conference calls to check up on installations in the Midwest region for feedback on events, program implementations and any new concerns. Holmes spoke very highly of her experience with the AFTC and urged other teens to look into the program.

"I love being an Air Force Teen Council member because I have the chance to be a voice for, and improve the lives of many Air Force teens," said Holmes. "Being a part of this group makes me feel like I really can make a difference, not only in my community, but in the world. To be able to help others in this way makes me feel honored and truly humbled. "

State of Air Force Reserve discussed at AFA

by Staff Sgt. Brent Skeen
459th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

9/18/2014 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Senior Department of Defense and industry leaders gathered at the Air Force Association's 2014 Air and Space conference and technology exposition Sept. 15 to discuss the future of the Air Force and Air Force Reserve.

More than 5,000 U.S. and allied-nation Airmen, corporate and media representatives attended the annual event to discuss countering global uncertainty and how it starts with the Air Force.

Delivering his State of Air Force Reserve address, Lt. Gen. James F. Jackson, Chief of Air Force Reserve at the Pentagon and commander of Air Force Reserve Command at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, described the role of America's citizen airmen and how the Air Force Reserve fits in with the strategic agility concept.

Strategic agility is defined in the strategy document America's Air Force: A Call to the Future and outlines the attributes of flexibility, adaptability and responsiveness, Jackson said.

"The world is a very uncertain place - quite a few hot spots out there," Jackson said.  "Any given day, there are around 5,000 Citizen Airmen either supporting active duty or mobilized.

"We're a 75 percent part-time and a 25 percent full-time force.  We are providing operational capability daily.

"This is where surge capacity comes into play," Jackson said. "When the Air Force needs more capacity, we turn up the dial."

"When it matters most, those units are 100 percent cost efficient and mission ready."

"Our Reserve Component programs retain the Air Force's investment," said Jackson.  "Retaining 'Airmen for Life' saves recruiting, training and education dollars.  The most important thing we have is our Airmen."

As senior leaders make structure and budgetary decisions, they will adjust the Active Component and Reserve Component mix.

"I do feel quite certain that the next 30 years of our Air Force will not look the same as the previous 67 years have looked," said Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James.  "For one thing, our Air Force will be smaller.  Our Air Force is already smaller.  Tomorrow, we will rely more on our National Guard and the Reserve than we do today.  And by the way, that's a very good thing."

The Air Force Reserve is part of every Air Force core mission.  The future roles and missions of the Reserve Component will be a key part of leveraging the cost efficiencies while keeping the right balance of Air Force capability and capacity.

"Bold leadership from our Airmen and Congress will also help us fully integrate our components across the force - our active duty, our National Guard and our Reserve," said James.  "Determining a right mix of these components will be key to our success in the future.  As many of you know we have committed to develop 80% analysis by the end of this year where we will go mission by mission to determine if we can put more capability into the National Guard and Reserve."

In many cases, the Reserve Component reduces life-cycle costs to the Air Force by recruiting and retaining Reservists who have leading-edge, high-tech skills that they use in their civilian jobs.  Reservists bring valuable insight and innovation to military programs.

"Citizen Airmen want to serve," Jackson said.  "They want to put their combat-tested operational experience to use and leverage their civilian expertise."

"When the Air Force fills combatant commander requirements, every single one of our Airmen are included in the planning," he said.  "We are now using all of the Total Force to support the warfighter and that is a good thing."

"We are a combat-ready force with operational capability, strategic depth and surge capacity," said Jackson. "We will continue to leverage our skills, talents and expertise by providing combat-ready Airmen."

Reserve SF teams up with Army in Operation Brass Boa

by Paul Zadach
934th Airlift Wing

9/17/2014 - MINNEAPOLIS ST PAUL AIR RESERVE STATION, Minn -- The 934th Security Forces Squadron teamed up with the Army's 34th Combat Aviation Brigade Sept. 3 to hone their combat skills and practice for scenarios they might encounter in future deployments.

'Operation Brass Boa' started with security forces members flying to the Arden Hills Army Training Site in the morning aboard an Army National Guard Blackhawk helicopter. The scenario required SFS members to secure a crash site of an intelligence gathering unmanned aerial vehicle in an area with possible enemy activity. The Airmen would use grid coordinates and GPS to find the crash site. They then would secure the site, destroy or recover all intelligence and return to the landing zone.

There was more training accomplished than just the exercise scenario, according to Master Sgt. Chris Blackledge, 934th Security Forces Squadron training manager. "Just like any Air Force specialty, we have a mission essential task list that we have to be proficient in," said Blackledge. "Since we were going up to the AHATS it was the perfect opportunity to train in some of our basic field tactics such as evading enemy ground fire, reconnaissance and tactical movements of our troops. With this scenario, we were able to accomplish the basics in addition to learning how to secure a crash site or some other area 'outside the wire.' That scenario is a real possibility in today's deployed environment. Normally, it would not be SFS mission to rescue a crashed crew member, but if we are the closest resource, we would absolutely be called upon to do this," Blackledge explained.

Part of the scenario also included encountering hostile fire at a village near the crash site. Here, SFS members were tested on their skills in clearing buildings and identifying hostile and friendly forces.

The planning for Brass Boa started about six months ago when Blackledge made a call to the Army National Guard unit and started to talk about the idea after getting the go ahead from 934th commanders. "One of the considerations of course was cost. We had to be able to obtain the training at no cost to the Air Force and needed air support from the Army." After several in-person meetings the Army was able to coordinate the 934th exercise with their own mission. The Army helicopter crews could accomplish their training and at the same time provide support to the Air Force. "It all worked out to everyone's benefit," said Blackledge. "It was great working with the Army and they really like working with Air Force people. When you get out on a deployment, you are out there with the other services, so it's always a plus to be able to train with them before you're in the field."

Blackledge also credited the Army with providing SFS with some unique training they would not normally receive. "The Army trained us on hot and cold helicopter loading which means we were taught how to get on and off the helicopter with the rotors turning or stationary," he said. "That's something we can enter in our training records. Our Airmen who participated in the exercise have now been trained to do this, and will be ready for it in the field. We have Airmen who have flown in Army helicopters during past deployments so we know it's a valuable skill that will be used."

Master Sgt. Scott Frazer, while participating in the exercise, talked about the expanding role of SFS while deployed. "It used to be that SFS was just responsible for securing the perimeter of the base at a deployed location," he said. "Now, that mission is expanding to include areas extending beyond the fence. With the increased threat of anti-aircraft weapons and mortars being set up close to installations our area of responsibility has increased to try to eliminate that threat."

There were some unexpected challenges thrown in to the training and the more experienced senior NCOs were not assigned as squad leaders. Instead, the future leaders, now technical sergeants, were used in all squad leader positions. Blackledge explained that several SFS senior NCOs would be retiring soon so part of this exercise was to groom these mid-level NCOs for their future leadership challenges. "We deliberately threw some incomplete information and unexpected challenges in to the scenario that required the Airmen to think and adapt on their feet," said Blackledge. Nothing in the real world goes as expected, so we built in some surprises."

"Everyone who participated in this exercise contributed to its success," said Blackledge. The planning was just a small part. If everyone doesn't take their job seriously and put their best effort into this, it doesn't work. But it did work, and it worked well because of everyone's efforts. "

"Conducting meaningful readiness training is the focus of our unit training assemblies at the 934th SFS, said Maj. Gregory R. Peterson, 934th SFS commander. "Our fulltime staff works hard to prepare training each month to maximize the completion of our METL requirements. Operation Brass Boa highlights our squadron's ability to plan, coordinate and execute complex training operations - and our Airmen eat it up."

Col. Christopher R. Simpson, Air Force Reseve Command deputy chief of Security Forces had the opportunity to view the exercise first hand. "The 934th SFS field training was exceptional," said Simpson.

Island firefighters learn rescue skills in joint course

by By Tech. Sgt. Zachary Wilson
36th Wing Public Affairs

9/18/2014 - ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam  -- Department of Defense firefighters on Andersen Air Force Base and Naval Base Guam joined with their island partners from the Guam Fire Department to develop the skills to perform high-risk rescues by participating in the DOD Rescue Technician course this month.

Thirteen military and civilian fire fighter students from Andersen, Naval Base Guam and the Guam Fire Department participated in the three-week course taught by instructors from the 554th RED HORSE Squadron, said Stanley Torres, Andersen Fire and Emergency Services chief of training.

"This is higher echelon training," he said. "It's one of the hardest courses we have in the fire fighter community, and there are usually students who have to washout due to the academic and physical requirements."

The 554th RHS instructors are firefighters assigned to the Silver Flag course at the Pacific Regional Training Center at Northwest Field. Silver Flag is a civil engineering course designed to use multiple Air Force specialties to operate from austere expeditionary environments.

"We teach at Silver Flag, but we also are a mobile training team where we teach this specific course to military members across the Pacific," said Staff Sgt. Nathan Milan, one of three RHS instructors teaching the course. "It's not a required course for firefighters so we focus primarily on training the best candidates possible (because of the difficulty and washout rates)."

The course features intensive classroom work on procedures for rescuing victims at elevated environments and in closed spaces, he said. Because of the highly specialized nature of the course, graduating fire fighters become instant assets to incident commanders, responding to emergencies where a person could be injured or stranded at a hard to reach point.

Milan used construction workers as an example.

"We could have a guy working up on the tower get stranded and tangled up in a line," he said. "You need someone with the training to perform that kind of rescue." 

Having all of the firefighters on the island qualified on these difficult rescue techniques would be ideal, but it's not realistic due to training limitations, Torres said.

"We want all of our firefighters to get this training but it's so highly specialized and we can't teach it anywhere, we need skilled instructors," Torres said. "The best opportunity for them to get it is when they're young in their career."

Firefighters who complete the course bring first-hand knowledge and hands-on experience in the event of real-world operations and can provide on-scene commanders an invaluable resource, Torres said.

"When they come back to their station after completing the course and we respond to an incident in an elevated or confined space if someone is injured, our guys at the direction of the incident commander, are trained to do all of these skills," he said. "When the incident commander says 'let's get it done,' we get it done -- our job is to save lives."

Modernization of US nuclear forces not optional

by Airman 1st Class Joseph Raatz
Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs

9/18/2014 - WASHINGTON -- The dire need for modernization of the United States' nuclear forces was made clear by speakers at a strategic nuclear enterprise symposium held here, Sept. 18.

The annual symposium, sponsored by the Minot Chamber of Commerce's Task Force 21, brings together defense officials, government executives and civic leaders to discuss strategic force structure and modernization.

"We're here to share thoughts about the current state of, and the way forward for the nuclear strategic deterrent enterprise." said Mark Jantzer, Task Force 21 chairman. Much of the discussion during the symposium centered around the need for modernization of U.S. nuclear forces.

"As we look forward, I think that our modernization programs are absolutely essential." said Lt. Gen. Stephen Wilson, commander of Air Force Global Strike Command. "I'm paraphrasing the Chief [of Staff of the Air Force,] but it's time for us to become the nuclear force that our nation needs us to be, not the nuclear force we used to be."

"You don't want them to have to be the person to walk into the Oval Office in 2025 or 2028 or 2030 and say 'Mr. or Madam President, I'm so sorry but we just aren't able to neutralize that threat to America,'" said Maj. Gen. Garrett Harencak, the Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration assistant chief of staff. "We have to convince the American people, folks in our government and folks in our own military of the incredible relevancy of a nuclear deterrent today and in the future... Unless we do that, it's going to be much more difficult to give these great Airmen, and these great Sailors and those that will follow, the tools they will need to defend America in the coming decades."

One such modernization program spoken about at length during the symposium was the upcoming Long Range Strike Bomber.

The LRS-B is one of the Air Force's top acquisition priorities, Wilson explained. Of the current U.S. nuclear-capable bombers, the last B-52 came off the line in 1962 and the B-2 just turned 25. If The U.S. is to be able to continue holding any target at risk, anywhere in the world, it's going to need a bomber capable of penetrating whatever advanced air defense systems America's adversaries can come up with in the foreseeable future.

Other current modernization efforts discussed included the Long Range Standoff Missile as well as upgrades for the Minuteman III ICBM and its eventual replacement program, the Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent. "[The GBSD] is a key program as we move forward," Wilson said. "The Minuteman III was designed in the 1960s and it's been on alert since 1973. We have to replace that missile."

"Earlier this year we completed a very thorough and detailed analysis of alternatives, and we plan to modernize the ground-based leg of the triad," said Maj. Gen. Jack Weinstein, commander of 20th Air Force and Task Force 214. "This will not simply be a service life extension program, but a comprehensive effort that leverages useful Minuteman infrastructure and prioritizes needed upgrades. The process captured the requirements and required capabilities to ensure a very capable and secure GBSD follows the Minuteman III."

A replacement for the current Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine was also discussed.

"Both Russia and the People's Republic of China currently have new models of ballistic missile submarines in the water and are testing new sea-based ballistic missiles," said Rear Adm. Joe Tofalo, director of the Navy's Undersea Warfare Division. "You cannot say that about the United States."

The Ohio-class was originally designed with a service life of 30 years, but due to budget constraints the retirement of the class has been delayed until 2031 -- 20 years past its original expected retirement.

"For the foreseeable future, certainly for our and our children's and our grandchildren's lifetimes, the United States will require a safe, secure and effective strategic nuclear deterrent," Tofalo said. "The ballistic nuclear submarine forces are and will continue to be a critical part of that deterrent... Each of the legs of the triad brings unique strengths that provide a strong deterrent against different classes of adversary threat, and each of the legs reinforces the effectiveness of the others."

In his keynote address, Adm. Cecil Haney, commander of U.S. Strategic Command, discussed components beyond the triad that support the nuclear enterprise.

"Strategic deterrence is more than just the triad of platforms," Haney said. "It includes robust and agile intelligence capabilities, dedicated space and ground sensors that provide critical early warning and assured national nuclear command, control and communications to move that information. [Deterrence] also includes sustaining the necessary infrastructure to support our nuclear roles, missions and weapons; maintaining missile defenses to defend against attacks and providing relevant space and cyberspace capabilities.

"All these areas are interrelated and we must leverage our capabilities and assess today's threats in an integrated manner to ensure strategic stability," the admiral continued. "In a world where our traditional adversaries are modernizing, emerging adversaries are maturing and non-state actors remain elusive and dangerous, we must get 21st century deterrence right... the reality is that an effective modernized nuclear deterrent force is needed now more than ever."

No-notice exercise demonstrates Misawa readiness

by Airman Jordyn Rucker
35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

9/17/2014 - MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Misawa Airmen responded to a no-notice recall Sept. 15, 2014, as part of exercise Beverly Sunrise 14-08.

This base-wide response demonstrated to Col. Timothy Sundvall, 35th Fighter Wing commander, how quickly the Airmen under his command could generate aircraft and relocate them and personnel to a deployed location.

"[Base leadership is] looking for exactly how long it takes us to generate aircraft and be ready to fight," said Capt. Austin Brown, 35th Operations Group deputy chief of standards and evaluations.

Beverly Sunrise 14-08 brought new challenges to the wing, being the first no-notice deployment exercise where jets were flown to an actual temporary duty location.

"Today is unique in that we are actually taking those planes to a deployed location -- it's a little deeper than we normally go," Brown said.

But before the first jet hit the skies, members of the 13th Aircraft Maintenance Unit ensured the aircraft were mission-ready by checking screws, turning wrenches and reviewing technical orders.

Airman 1st Class Mitchell Gibson, 13th AMU weapons load crew member, viewed this exercise as a way to make sure his team is fully capable of fulfilling their duties.

"We know what we're doing and how to do it, and today we proved we can accomplish it in the time they give us," Gibson said.

These quick-turn exercises are a true reflection of what is expected of members of the 35th FW when it comes to being ready to support the Air Force mission.

"The Air Force is counting on the 35th Fighter Wing to be ready to execute multiple missions in different locations throughout the world at all times," Brown said. "This exercise shows we are able to respond to situations in different regions throughout the world -- our maintainers, pilots and aircraft are reliable and ready to go."

35th MDG hosts bilateral medical job shadow program

by Tech. Sgt. April Quintanilla
35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

9/17/2014 - MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Recently, the 35th Medical Group hosted a job shadow program for Japanese medical students from Hirosaki University in Aomori Prefecture, Japan.

Held every summer for the past 13 years, the program provided seven days of on-the-job learning with professional Misawa physicians for the Japanese students.

Upon their arrival, students learned about American patient privacy and safety and were given a tour of the base's medical treatment facility. Throughout the program, the students rotated between different sections of the clinic to include pediatrics, the operating room and the urgent care clinic.

One Japanese student, Marie Ohara, an aspiring surgeon, received a crash course in American operating room procedures from U.S. Air Force Capt. Christopher Young, 35th Surgical Operations Squadron general surgeon.

"One thing I liked was the use of the physician assistants and nurse practitioners; it allowed the doctor to be more engaged and focused on the patient," said Ohara. "Japanese hospitals don't have PAs or Nurses; the doctors have to do everything themselves, and it leaves little time to spend with the patient."

Ohara is in her third year of medical school.

"I learned a lot from the shadow program, and I am going to encourage other students to attend next summer," she said. "I would like to thank the 35th MDG personnel for allowing us to participate in the program."

With another successful program down, the captain is already looking forward to the future.

"The students were very well educated and eager to learn," Young said . "It will be nice to do this again next year; they were pleasing to have around."