Army Ten-Miler team zeroes in fitness at JBER HAWC

by Sgt. Eric-James Estrada
4-25 IBCT Public Affairs

10/9/2014 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Soldiers with U.S. Army Alaska learned more about their physical fitness during a running analysis recently at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson for the upcoming Army Ten-Miler in Washington, D.C.

The 14-member USARAK Army Ten-Miler team went through VO2 max, or maximum oxygen uptake, and gait assessments at the Health and Wellness Center on JBER to learn about themselves as runners and how to adjust their training to stay competitive.

The fitness tests administered by the HAWC are targeted toward improving the way people run and their overall fitness regimen, which extends beyond physical fitness and readiness, improving overall fitness.

The VO2 max is one factor used to determine an athlete's capacity to perform sustained exercise and is linked to aerobic endurance.  A gait analysis assesses the way a person walks or runs in order to highlight biomechanical abnormalities.

"This goes well beyond the operation our team is doing, and it's a way for us to take this data and put it to use in our everyday life," said Army Maj. Brian Mayer, the signal officer for U.S. Army Alaska's 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, and captain of the USARAK Ten-Miler team.

Mayer, a four-time Ten-Miler veteran, added the efficiency in running is more than putting shoes on and going out and running.

"It's hitting the hills, and it's working with the [HAWC] to continually assess, and through assessment comes improvement."

The HAWC's mission is to ensure all service members are fit for duty by providing a wide range of services such as health education, fitness assessments, exercise prescriptions, and prevention and intervention programs.

"This analysis gives us a chance to look at stuff that isn't really physiology," said John Limon, exercise physiologist for the HAWC.

"His mechanics, his head, shoulders, knees and toes, [they are all] all tightening up."

Limon added that having the ability to process more oxygen per minute means you are able to use an energy system which doesn't make the muscles burn.

"To have this type of equipment available is a tremendous asset," Mayer said.

Mayer said he hopes the added help from the HAWC will help him and his team at the race.

Sponsored by the U.S. Army Military District of Washington, the Army Ten-Miler is the second-largest 10-mile race in the United States and is hosted every October in Washington, D.C.

This year, the race is scheduled to include other events - like a youth run, a youth activity fair and a pre-race pasta dinner.

Representing USARAK at the Army Ten-Miler race are:

Army Staff Sgt. Sterling Yazzie, Pfc. Hunter Phares and Pfc. Chad Miller of the 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division; Army 2nd Lt. Daryl Brown, 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 1/25 SBCT; Army Maj. Timothy Brower, Alaska National Guard; Air Force Maj. Ron Oliver, 3rd Air Support Operations Squadron; Army Maj. Brian Mayer, 4/25 IBCT (Airborne); Army Master Sgt. William Wisecup, USARAK Aviation Task Force; Army 1st Lt. Elizabeth Hayward and Pfc. Chelsea Scheuerman of USA MEDDAC-AK; Army Capt. Nick Shamrell, U.S. Army Garrison; Army Staff Sgt. Robert Hibbert, 109th Transportation Company, 17th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 2nd Engineer Brigade; Spc. Keith Robinet, 84th Engineer Support Company (Airborne), 6th Engineer Battalion, 2nd Engineer Brigade; and Sgt. Malcolm Smith, 425th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4/25 IBCT (Airborne).

Hawaii Air National Guard Tankers Return from Deployment

by Senior Airman Orlando Corpuz
154th Wing Public Affairs

10/8/2014 - Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, Hawaii -- Hawaii Air National Guard personnel and two KC-135 Stratotankers returned home October 7, from a deployment to the U.S. Central Command's area of responsibility.

Approximately 40 HIANG men and women from the 203rd Air Refueling Squadron and 154th Maintenance Group deployed for 4 months to the CENTCOM AOR during which time they refueled various types of U.S. Navy and Air Force aircraft conducting operations in and around Iraq.

"They have been very busy and making significant contributions to an important mission in that part of the world," said Col. Glen Naka¬mura, vice commander of the Air Guard's 154th Wing. "We're very proud of the job our airmen are doing".

An anxious crowd of family members and military officials awaited on the flightline during the early morning hours for the returning air crews, HIANG personnel and the 96th Air Refueling Squadron active duty members.

Training the trainers

by Master Sgt. Mark Olsen
NJDMAVA Public Affairs

10/9/2014 - PEZE HELMES, Albania  -- There have been many firsts in the 21-year State Partnership Program relationship between New Jersey and the Republic of Albania.

The New Jersey National Guard assisted the Albanian military in preparing themselves for NATO membership.

The first Albanian officer candidate class trained by the NJNG was also the first State Partnership Program country to ever have its officer candidates trained in the United States.

The New Jersey Army National Guard and Albania conducted five successful deployments to Afghanistan to train that nation's army.

And now training an Albanian explosive ordnance disposal class to become trainers for a future Albanian EOD school.

For three-weeks, members of the 177th Fighter Wing, New Jersey Air National Guard EOD team led by Master Sgt. David Niedzwiadek, Tech. Sgt. John Hurley and Staff Sgt. Joe Coates have been training a core group of Albanian Army EOD experts to become level 1 EOD trainers.

According to Hurley the purpose of this training is two-fold: "Albania has munitions that date back from 1950s through the 1980s that they have been disposing of for the past several years - they need more EOD technicians to help in this process. Additionally, Albania wants to create their own EOD curriculum, this class is the first step toward that goal."

"This course is helpful because it builds our future instructors," said Capt. Vladimir Pica, commander, 1st EOD Group, Albanian Army.

This class is an extension of the Humanitarian Mine Action program. The 177th EOD team is also teaching unexploded ordnance disposal practices to the Albanian EOD technicians. Prior to that training, in July, Airmen from the New Jersey Air National Guard's 108th Wing Medical Group came to Albania to instruct the Albanian EOD medical center soldiers on advanced lifesaving techniques. Airmen from the 108th and the 177th will return to Albania next year to evaluate the progress of both groups in developing their own curricula.

"These Airmen have shared their experiences in Afghanistan," said Pica. "They know what to stress, what to focus on for our students."

"This benefits both EOD teams," said Niedzwiadek. "It reinforces our ability to train, especially working with a foreign class of trained EOD technicians."

After the students have demonstrated their ability to safely dispose of munitions, the next step is to teach them to become trainers.

This is the big leap for the future trainers. Again a munition is placed somewhere in the training area, but this time the person being tested is not the technician, but the trainer. A student is chosen to disarm the unexploded ordnance. The trainer must observe them going through the disposal process, which includes interviewing the person who found the UXO, talking with the incident commander, finding the UXO, measuring it, identifying the device, determining the proper disposal method and executing that procedure.

During the last week of the class, Hurley and Niedzwiadek train the future trainers using a drill called practical problems - an EOD term where a replica of an unexploded ordnance device is placed in the field.

This time the students who are responding to the UXO are prepped by Hurley or Niedzwiadek to make specific mistakes; the key is for the trainer to identify those mistakes, write them down and then at the end of the session when they "grade" the student on their performance, explain whether they passed or not. If the student failed, the trainer will explain what additional training the student must do before they can retest and advance to the next level.

This process is used in the field with trainer Sgt. Servet Lika recording "student" Sgt. Marjan Alhysa's description of what safety procedures he is going to take while measuring the UXO.

As Alhysa clears debris from the UXO, he slightly moves the UXO; Lika catches this mistake and records it. At the end of the test, during the feedback session, Lika explains to Alhysa, Hurley and Pica what Alhysa did right and where he made mistakes.

Hurley reviews Lika's presentation and sums up his performance as a trainer.
"Perfect job," said Hurley.

A day in their shoes: Launching a Fighting Falcon

by Airman 1st Class Ryan Conroy
31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

10/8/2014 - AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy  -- The steady screech of the F-16 Fighting Falcon can be heard for miles around; an imposing bird soaring through the sky, ready to strike those who wish to do harm to the U.S. and its NATO allies.

Its warden, an Airman on the ground who meticulously maintains every aspect of the multimillion-dollar jet, and without him -- the lives of every pilot sent into the sky would be jeopardized.

The day begins with an early morning roll-call as each crew chief at parade rest confirms their presence. The faint voice of a crew chief assigned to the 31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron named Airman 1st Class Matthew Galati from Lancaster, Penn., sticks out amongst the group of outgoing professionals. The 26 year old has been stationed here for three months, but his responsibility and task for the day is immeasurable - get a fully-functioning fighter jet into the air in three hours.

"Before the Air Force, I worked manufacturing sports flooring, installing natural gas lines and as a parking garage security guard," said Galati. "The jobs I used to do don't compare to what I do now. When I went to work back then, I wasn't proud about what I was doing; I just did it for the money. When you're in the Air Force, you're a part of something so much bigger than yourself."

After receiving his jet assignment and location during roll call, Galati makes his way to the tool dispensary, where the crew chiefs receive their tools for the day. This includes keys for a toolbox on the flightline, a laptop with a list of the training orders, cleaner fluid, ear protection, rags and an inventory checklist. The training orders on the laptop contain everything, step by step, the crew chief needs to inspect and maintain the jet.

Before touching the fighter jet, Galati must perform a Foreign Objects Debris check in the protective aircraft shelter in his area of responsibility. During the inspection, he looks for anything that could potentially damage a running aircraft.

"I look for safety wire, hardware, packing material, trash, pens, pencils, tools or anything that could get sucked into the intake," said Galati. "Even something small, like a pen, could cause major damage to the jet and cost the Air Force lot of money."

After the painstaking search for FOD in the PAS, Galati turns his attention to the task at hand.

He retrieves his toolbox and pushes it to its final destination -- a lifeless jet parked next to the taxiway. Here, Galati ensures every tool is accounted for on the inventory checklist. All the while, the unusually warm October sun beats down on the maintainer, vulnerable to the elements.

"Some of these days can get pretty long, but when you like what you do it makes it a lot easier," said Galati.

Now, it is time for this crew chief to get to work. The young Airman darts back and forth underneath the aircraft, inspecting every nook and cranny, every screw and bolt, his unfaltering concentration on the task at hand. He runs his hand over every inch of the F-16, looking for anything that could cause a problem in the sky. This inspection is crucial and the life of the pilot is in Galati's hands.

"When we go out there, we want to make sure the aircraft is safe because a pilot's safety is paramount," said Galati. "We're putting a live body in the air and they have a family waiting for them to come home, just like we do."

The initial pre-flight inspection is finished and a yell rolls down the flightline, "Pilots are stepping!"

Col. Anthony Abernathy, 31st Operations Group commander and pilot, arrives to the line and Galati renders a sharp salute and a handshake. Abernathy runs through his own pre-flight inspections with Galati close behind him answering any questions the commander has for him. Once finished, Abernathy climbs the ladder into the cockpit and Galati helps him strap in.

The Fighting Falcon roars to life climbing from a high-pitched whine to a deafening thunder. A smile creeps onto Galati's face as he establishes communications with the colonel. The two discuss launch procedures as the crew chief does one final inspection.

It's time to fly. Galati stands in front of the jet with his arms crossed high above his head and suddenly, his hands are in a flurry, signaling for Abernathy to begin rolling out. Once the jet taxis by, Galati renders one final salute. His work is finished for now as the F-16 taxis to the end of runway for takeoff.

From a short distance away, the fighter jet speeds down the flightline and takes flight. All the while, Galati takes it in and knows his day is finished.

"At the end of the day, when you walk off the flightline, you feel accomplished--like you did something," said Galati. "You feel like you did something and that makes the day complete.

"I enjoy my job because it's not something most people do every day," added Galati.  "I talk to family and friends back home and they're an auto mechanic or work at a fast food restaurant and I'm out here launching million dollar F-16s. It's a one-of-a-kind experience."

Former 552 ACW commander to be inducted into Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame

by Staff Report

10/9/2014 - TINKER AIR FORCE BASE - Okla.  -- A former commander of the 552nd Air Control Wing and two World War II fighter pilots who later served in the Air Force will be inducted into the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame next month.

The induction ceremony, which will recognize seven other honorees, will be held Nov. 8 at the Oklahoma Tower Hotel, formerly the Marriott, at 3233 Northwest Expressway in Oklahoma City. Registration begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by the ceremony at 7 p.m.
Maj. Gen. Jerry D. Holmes became commander of the 552nd Airborne Warning and Control Wing at Tinker AFB in July 1981. He was born in Jenks and raised in Wewoka.

General Holmes, a combat pilot and graduate of the University of Oklahoma, is now an adjunct professor in the OU College of Engineering. He also works with U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe as a military adviser and liaison to military installations in Oklahoma.

From October 1969 to October 1970, General Holmes flew 135 combat missions over Vietnam in the RF-101 Voodoo and the RF-4 Phantom.

While in Vietnam, the general was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for flying an unarmed reconnaissance mission over a heavily defended target in Laos to obtain vital photographic intelligence.

Despite adverse weather and an extremely hostile environment, General Holmes skillfully and aggressively obtained complete photographic coverage of the assigned target, his medal citation said.

After stops at the Pentagon, South Carolina and Idaho, General Holmes' final assignment was as commander of the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) Airborne Early Warning Force, headquartered in Belgium.

He was promoted to major general in November 1984.

Brig. Gen. James R. "Robbie" Risner enlisted in the U.S. Army's aviation program in 1943 and earned his pilot wings in May 1944. He flew P-38 Lightnings and P-39 Air Cobras in Panama during the war.

He joined the Oklahoma Air National Guard in 1946. Recalled to duty in 1951, he flew 110 combat fighter missions during the Korean War. He destroyed eight MIG-15s in aerial combat, becoming the 20th jet ace of that war.

Remaining with the Air Force, General Risner's F-105 Thunderchief was shot down over North Vietnam in 1965. He was taken prisoner in 1965 and released in 1973. He is honored with a 9-foot tall statue of him at the Air Force Academy.

General Risner was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 1974 and retired from the Air Force in 1976. He died last year and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Born in Tulsa, Capt. Joseph H. Powers was a fighter pilot ace during World War II. He was attending the University of Oklahoma when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.

Captain Powers entered the U.S. Army Air Forces and was assigned to a fighter squadron in Halesworth, England. He became an ace flying a P-47C in 1943. Captain Powers officially was credited with shooting down 14.5 enemy aircraft by the time World War II ended.

Serving in the Air Force in the Korean War, he was flying a P-51 Mustang in support of ground units during his last mission on Jan. 18, 1951, when he was shot down by the enemy.

Gunston Hall Works with Cyprus SAR units

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jesse A. Hyatt, USS Bataan Public Affairs

USS GUNSTON HALL, At Sea (NNS) -- The amphibious dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) participated in a bilateral search and rescue exercise (SAREX) off the coast of Cyprus with search and rescue (SAR) units from the Republic of Cyprus, Oct. 7.

The SAREX focused on daylight search and rescue operations, deck landings with SAR helicopters, and medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) drills aboard Gunston Hall's flight deck.

It also focused on personnel and rescue units' capabilities and readiness, responding to potential SAR missions or other humanitarian operations within the Republic of Cyprus region and throughout the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.

"Anytime we get an opportunity to participate with an ally in any exercise, it truly benefits both sides," said Gunston Hall's Commanding Officer Cmdr. Sean K. Burke. "If a MEDEVAC mission were to present itself, the Cypriots now have the confidence and experience to react swiftly and cohesively with our Naval forces."

The exercise began when the Cyprus Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC Larnaca) received a simulated distress call from Gunston Hall requesting MEDEVAC of two injured Sailors. AgustaWestland AW-139 rescue helicopters assigned to Cyprus' 460 SAR Squadron and the Cyprus Police Aviation Unit were dispatched in response.

The SAREX marks the third exercise completed with the Republic of Cyprus this year. Each SAREX had a unique scenario and was completed successfully.

"Today's success shows that when the time comes, we can work with our allies to accomplish our mutual goals," said Burke. "Everyone involved on both sides performed flawlessly and professionally. It was an honor working with the country of Cyprus."

Gunston Hall is part of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, with the embarked 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, and is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility.

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.

Southern Partnership Station 2014 AFPs Complete Mission in Central, South America

By Lt. Jessica Crownover, Southern Partnership Station Joint High Speed Vessel 2014 Public Affairs

MAYPORT, Fla. (NNS) -- The Southern Partnership Station Joint High Speed Vessel 2014 (SPS-JHSV 14) mission came to an end and the vessel returned from deployment Oct. 7 after concluding a successful four-month deployment involving subject matter expert exchanges (SMEE) in Belize, Guatemala, Colombia, and Honduras.

SPS-JHSV 14 focused on building partner capacity with host-nation counterparts and fostering relationships with their militaries and communities, while using the Military Sealift Command JHSV USNS Spearhead (JHSV 1) for sealift of personnel and 500 tons of cargo and vehicles between each country.

Adaptive Force Packages (AFP) comprised 144 U.S. service members representing all military branches to include: Commander, Destroyer Squadron 40, Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit (CBMU) 202, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 3, Mobile Dive and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 2, Coastal Riverine Squadron (CORIVRON) 2, Navy Expeditionary Intelligence Command, Joint Communications Support Element, Navy Criminal Investigation Service, assessments from Navy Information Operations Center (NIOC) San Antonio and Cyber Forces Norfolk, Signal Intelligence support from NIOC Norfolk, NIOC Georgia, NIOC Texas and NIOC Yokosuka, and public affairs support from Navy Public Affairs Support Element East and Fleet Combat Camera Pacific.

U.S. Marine Corps AFP elements included: Landing Attack Support Operations (LASO), 8th Engineer Support Battalion (ESB), and civil affairs, which include Military Information Support Operation, Information Operation and Combat Camera. The medical AFP comprises personnel from: CORIVRON 8, Public Health Command Region-South, Naval Hospital Jacksonville, Expeditionary Medical Facility Great Lakes, Navy Entomology Preventive Medicine Unit 2 and Army Dental Activity from Fort Worth, Texas, and Fort Jackson, South Carolina.

The mission began in Belize from June 2 to July 22 in Punta Gorda and Price Barracks, the two locations where U.S. service members conducted SMEEs. Participants covered 64 training topics during that time with 205 Belizean participants. While ashore in Belize, U.S. Marine Corps 8th ESB built an obstacle course at Price Barracks, CORIVRON 2 worked jointly with the U.S. Marine Corps LASO team, and the medical AFPs facilitated the treatment and care of more than 300 patients in various medical specialties.

"We had a great welcome and it was a good opportunity to be able to work alongside our Belizean counterparts," said Cmdr. Jeffrey V. Morganthaler, ashore deputy commander of SPS-JHSV 14. "They brought a different set of experiences to the table, which enabled the exchange of ideas to occur and better the forces involved."

SPS-JHSV 14 continued work in Puerto Barrios, Guatemala from July 28 to Aug. 27. There, Sailors covered 71 training topics with 249 Guatemalan participants. There were also many opportunities for involvement in the local community.

One of the largest projects completed was the renovation of Puerto Barrios City Library. Additionally, a Medical Civic Actions Program (MEDCAP) event allowed for a joint effort between the medical AFPs and Guatemalan medical teams. More than 400 women were given prenatal care, and many children were treated for parasitic infections. Outside of the MEDCAP event, medical AFPs also tended to more than 250 people and conducted SMEEs that will help in future medical procedures.

"Doctors in Guatemala are very well trained, but they have some limitations that we don't have in the United States," said Cmdr. Michael Cackovic, senior medical officer and native of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. "It's a very good learning experience to work with them and see how they overcome those limitations, but yet they still have the same product that we have, which is delivering healthy babies."

In order to support the mission in Colombia, Navy divers from MDSU 2 and explosive ordnance disposal technicians from EODMU 3 travelled to Colombia for engagements from Aug. 14 to Sept. 4. MDSU 2 worked with Colombian Navy dive school students and instructors, increasing proficiency, training, and techniques. EOD classroom training was also conducted, facilitating tactical training and procedures.

The final stop in the SPS-JHSV 14 mission was Honduras, from Aug. 30 to Oct. 4, where Sailors conducted SMEEs in Puerto Castillo. Sailors covered 70 training topics with 231 Honduran service members. U.S. Marine Corps 8th ESB Marines constructed an obstacle course, and medical AFPs facilitated a MEDCAP that tended to more than 400 people. Hospital renovations were also completed at the Dr. Salvador Paredes Hospital, improving the facility where host nation personnel receive treatment.

This mission allowed for service members to expand their knowledge and skill sets outside of their specialties.

"I am thankful most of the work I did here was outside my rate because I had the opportunity to learn new skills, work with new people, and help out our host-nation counterparts," said Electronics Technician 3rd Class Phillip Clark, a native of Chesapeake, Virginia, attached to CBMU 202.

USNS Spearhead continued the second portion of its maiden deployment in the Caribbean Sea while the SPS 14 mission also continued in the various countries. Spearhead conducted experimentation with Navy Warfare Development Command that included many firsts for the JHSV class.

In June, the Bat Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) was launched successfully off a rail launcher and recovered onboard. Throughout the deployment, the Aerostat, an un-manned blimp with a radar and electro-optical/infrared payload, was used with the hand-launched Puma UAS to conduct detection and monitoring operations in the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility in support of Joint Interagency Task Force-South. Spearhead also conducted refueling operations with smaller vessels, using a rig developed on board and further expanding potential JHSV capabilities.

In support of the SPS mission, USNS Choctaw County (JHSV 2) transported the AFPs and their cargo from Honduras back to Mayport, Florida, and Norfolk, Virginia, to conclude the SPS-JHSV 14 deployment.

"SPS-JHSV 14 took the Southern Partnership Station mission to new levels with the number and diversity of expeditionary AFPs as well as the testing of various capabilities of the JHSV," said Capt. Sam Hancock, SPS-JHSV mission commander. "There was a great deal of learning with the new JHSV platform and we look forward to continuing to expand the platform's capabilities."

SPS-JHSV 14 is a U.S. Navy deployment focused on subject-matter expert exchanges with partner nation militaries and security forces. U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet employ maritime forces in cooperative maritime security operations in order to maintain access, enhance interoperability and build enduring partnerships that foster regional security in the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility.