Hagel Thanks Norway’s Defense Minister for Mission Contributions

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5, 2014 – Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel thanked Norwegian Defense Minister Ine Eriksen Soreide during a phone call yesterday for Norway’s contributions to the missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, calling those contributions a visible role that is an important example for other nations, Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby said.

In a statement summarizing the call, Kirby said Soreide informed Hagel that Norway announced a contribution of a total of nearly 200 additional troops: up to 120 troops for the effort to counter the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in Iraq and up to 75 trainers, logisticians and other specialized experts to the Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan.

“She thanked Secretary Hagel for the excellent cooperation between U.S. Central Command and the Norwegian planning team,” he added, “and noted that the Norwegian special operations forces had gained valuable experience in Afghanistan that they could now apply in Iraq.”

The secretary concluded the meeting by thanking Soreide for her invitation to visit Norway in the coming year, Kirby said.

MHAFB hosts Capstone

by Tech. Sgt. JT May III
366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

11/5/2014 - MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho  -- Military aircraft and personnel will operate from Mountain Home Air Force Base during the Capstone military training event Nov. 4 - 7.

The majority of training is scheduled to take place over the Saylor Creek and Juniper Butte military training ranges located Southeast of Mountain Home.

Capstone is designed to increase combat proficiency and training opportunities for the 366th Maintenance Group, 366th Mission Support Group and 366th Medical Group. The planning and execution of realistic area of operation scenarios will allow Airmen to operate in a tactical environment. Capstone will also provide a mechanism for the inspector general to report effectiveness and complete unit compliance inspections.

"The Capstone event is an employment event that is the culmination of the Wing's 13-week training cycle," said Lt. Col Trinidad Meza, 366th Fighter Wing inspector general. "It consists of seven large force employment missions designed to stress maintainers, aircrew and mission planners in skill sets required for combat operations."

The military event will include units from the, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, and aircraft from the Republic of Singapore's 428th Fighter Squadron stationed at Mountain Home Air Force Base.

567th RED HORSE heads to Arkansas in preparation for Beyond the Horizon

by Airman 1st Class Brittain Crolley
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

11/5/2014 - FORT SMITH, Ark. -- More than 150 Airmen from the 567th RED HORSE out of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, arrived at Fort Smith, Arkansas, for a weeklong field training exercise, Nov. 2.

The exercise, also featuring the 560th RED HORSE out of Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, and Airmen out of the 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson AFB, is hosting 174 participants to provide upgrade training and prepare for an upcoming operation in support of Beyond the Horizon.

Beyond the Horizon, conducted annually, is part of U.S. Army South and U.S. Southern Command's humanitarian and civic assistance program, which works closely with host-nation forces and civilian organizations to provide medical, dental, and engineering support.

"This week's activities will provide fantastic opportunities for our guys to demonstrate their wartime skills as well as practice the hub-and-spoke concept that RED HORSE typically operates in," said Lt. Col. James Ballas, 567th RED HORSE deputy commander. "Our goal is to prove we're combat ready by utilizing all of our resources and specialty knowledge to remain self-sustained."

The hub-and-spoke operation requires a centralized control location, the hub, to carry out missions and projects from forward operating locations, the spokes. According to Ballas, the concept depends heavily upon effective communication to account for all resources and manpower.

"One of the greatest challenges for us as reservists is to maximize our time together in order to make communication more fluent and effective," Ballas said. "With more than 20 Air Force Specialty Codes working in congruence with one another, being able to exchange information and ideas is paramount in our success."

One of the primary objectives the units hope to complete is the building of a structure out of concrete masonry unit blocks, more commonly known as cinder blocks. The structure will be similar to the project they will be tasked to complete when they support Beyond the Horizon.

According to the project manager for the Beyond the Horizon CMU block, Master Sgt. John Waizmann, an NCO in charge of structures with the 560th RED HORSE, the hands-on training the Airmen receive during the exercise will be critical to their success down the road.

"When we hit the ground in support of Beyond the Horizon, we want to make sure these guys know exactly what they're doing," Waizmann said. "We're not going to have a lot of time and everyone will need to know how to work proficiently to get the job done."

Units will complete a myriad of projects and training throughout the exercise, concluding Nov. 6, to ensure they're combat ready and able to support worldwide contingencies.

ANG Command Chief visits Delaware's 166th Airlift Wing

by 2nd Lt. Valerie Harwood
166th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

11/4/2014 - NEW CASTLE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Del. -- The highest ranking enlisted member in the Air National Guard visited the 166th Airlift Wing here Oct. 18 to foster direct communication with Airmen.

As the Air National Guard Command Chief, Chief Master Sgt. James W. Hotaling is responsible for matters influencing the health, morale and welfare of ANG personnel and their families.

During his visit, Hotaling spoke face-to-face with Airmen about his key focus areas, renewing the commitment to the profession of arms, the health of the force, and recognizing and embracing Airmen's accomplishments. He also wanted to provide Airmen with the opportunity to have their questions answered and learn about any problems they may encounter which keep them from doing their jobs effectively.

Hotaling spoke to junior enlisted members during the Junior Enlisted Call, which encompasses enlisted members from airman basic to technical sergeant.

"Chief Hotaling hit some strong points on rebluing, remembering where you came from and starting from the beginning when you get down," said Staff Sgt. Carlos Guevara, a new member of the 166th Force Support Squadron. "Chief Hotaling reminded us that as Airmen many of us are trying to figure it out, what it's all for - our purpose that is. We need to look at our job and ourselves and say 'it's all for the bigger cause' and ask 'what's important to the mission?' Another good piece of information was that more Airman Leadership School seats are expected to open up soon for the Air National Guard."

"One item currently being addressed is increasing seat availability for in-residence courses," said Hotaling. "Not every traditional Guardsman can attend in-resident courses due to their civilian commitments, so the Air National Guard is looking at increasing satellite learning starting with Airman Leadership School. The active duty Air Force is moving towards the Guard's model of blended learning because it is a better product."

Hotaling also discussed increasing seat availability for satellite and blended learning environments for professional military education.

"The Air Force recognizes that blended learning is the best route for service members to learn," said Hotaling. "Blended Learning is facilitating online and classroom education courses. With distance learning courses, we all learn at different paces and on your own time. In-resident courses dig deeper in the core subject matter."

Hotaling challenged the 166th AW Airman to progress in their PME.

"We have the resources available to make this happen," said Hotaling.

"The message received from the Junior Enlisted Call was to take pride in being an Airman," said Tech. Sgt. Jacqueline Gimbutas, 166th FSS.

Gimbutas said she enjoyed the story Hotaling told about the Army's transition from mounted cavalry to using vehicles. "Soldiers' horses became obsolete, but the men were still good soldiers and they had to adapt to the new technology presented to them. Technology is always changing," said Gimbutas.

As a finance support member Gimbutas said she appreciated hearing how support staff positions that were once eliminated may be coming back to relieve the overwhelming administration duties that have been pushed onto service members to do themselves due to cost and saving initiatives.

"If support staff positions were brought back into sections it would save service members many man-hours from having to do administrative functions such as DTS [Defense Travel Service]," Gimbutas said.

Master Sgt. Kathleen O'Brien, 166th FSS, attended the Top Three Enlisted Call, which encompasses master sergeant to chief master sergeant ranks.

While meeting with the Top Three Enlisted Call, Hotaling discussed the Airman Comprehensive Assessment, and how it will apply to the ANG. The ACA Performance Report for enlisted Airmen and officers replaced the EPR on July 1. The ACA feedback forms include a self-assessment broken into four categories: responsibility, accountability, Air Force culture and self.

"These are the same [Air Mobility Command] evaluation standards that the Air Force Reserve and regular Air Force uphold to evaluate their enlisted force," said Hotaling when discussing the pros and cons of the enlisted performance report system being implemented in the ANG.  "The ACA will give Airmen an opportunity to engage in their career progression. Airmen need to know, 'Am I doing a good job?' We owe it to our Airmen to give them feedback on their performance and steps to promotion."

Hotaling also focused on supervision and leadership.

"Listen to your people and consider the whole person to include their physical and mental health, ensure all your people have the resources they need to do their job and make sure they receive all required training for their Air Force Specialty Code," said O'Brien, referring to what she took away from the enlisted call. "The new ancillary training will allow more time for members to complete actual on job training."

Chief Hotaling met with the base Chaplain Corps, Airman and Family Readiness, the Air Wing Integrator, and the Director of Psychological Health and discussed the importance of the Community Action Information Board and the Integrated Delivery System.

"Chief Hotaling addressed how important it is for these two groups to work together to ensure leadership has an accurate sense of what is happening on our base and what is affecting our military members and their families, so they can make informed decisions at the command level," said 1st Lt. Lauren Mease, Airman and Family Readiness Program manager.

The IDS has been described as the action arm of the CAIB. It is made up of individuals who have a primary responsibility of providing family services and prevention and education activities related to individual, family, and community concerns. The IDS identifies concerns and presents solutions to the CAIB who can review, approve, and implement changes.

"Chief Hotaling's other message was the need for resilient Airmen," said Mease. "He emphasized the importance of resiliency during difficult or uncertain times and pushed us to continue to take care of our members."

161st Air Refueling Wing Airmen prevent inflight emergency, receive safety award

by Tech. Sgt. Michael Matkin
161st Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

11/2/2014 - PHOENIX SKY HARBOR AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ariz. -- Ensuring the safety of Airmen and aircraft is everyone's responsibility, and due to the vigilance of a group of 161st Air Refueling Wing crew chiefs here, a probable inflight emergency was recently prevented.

On the day of the incident, the crew chiefs and the pilots conducted their routine pre-flight inspection and determined that the Air Force KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft was in proper working order.

"As the aircraft was taxing I noticed, on the tail section, a large amount of hydraulic fluid coming out of the vertical stabilizer," said Skaritka. "I immediately went to the production supervisor and told him about the hydraulic leak. We agreed that we should take a closer look and call the jet back. He then called the command post and they got the aircraft called back just as the aircraft was lining up on the runway to take off. It was a pretty close call."

Staff Sgt. Nick Savasta, Tech Sgt. Bethany Skaritka, and Staff Sgt. Chris Hostetler were recognized for their actions through a wing-level safety award Nov. 1.

The crew chiefs' swift actions and initiative in preventing a probable inflight emergency is exactly the kind of scenario the safety awards were designed to recognize, said Maj. Tami Demik, 161 ARW safety officer.

The Wing Safety awards are designed to honor and recognize people or specific organizations for contributing to the Safety program and for preventing mishaps through either sustained superior performance or a single act. It is also designed to encourage others to emulate their example. The Wing Safety office manages the Safety Awards program, reviews nominations and selects qualified individuals for the appropriate Flight, Ground or Weapons Safety awards.

This award recognized the outstanding and noteworthy actions that the Airmen took to ensure the safety of 161st ARW crewmembers and aircraft. The launch team went above and beyond normal operations, observing abnormal accumulation of hydraulic fluid at the base of the aircraft's horizontal stabilizer. The team swiftly had the aircrew notified, and the aircraft returned to parking for inspection.  The professionalism, safety mindset, and quick thinking of the launch team prevented takeoff with an unsafe condition that could well have resulted in an inflight emergency.

"One of the great things about this award is that our operators nominated our maintenance Airmen," said Demik. "Maintenance and Operations work closely together to ensure safety. The crew chiefs made a call that prevented a possible inflight emergency for that crew and the operators wanted to recognize that teamwork."

Demik said that working as a team to maintain a positive and proactive safety culture, and employing accurate risk management techniques, is what allows the 161st ARW to deliver 100 percent mission effectiveness.

"Our commanders, our safety shop and their peers are all really proud of this group for the actions they took," said Demik. "Their actions speak to the maintenance group as a whole - the work they do, their production level and the safe way they do it"

"You have to keep an eye out at all times, on every portion of the aircraft," said Skaritka. "You can't sit back and think 'well, we've done this a hundred times' or 'we've already looked it over once so everything's going to be fine.'  I take safety very seriously and I try to instill that in all the Airmen that I train and talk to. It's great that they are recognizing that we do try to be as safe as possible."

Air Guard recruiters take state by storm in acquiring acclaim

by Tech. Sgt. Andria J. Allmond
111th Attack Wing Public Affairs

11/1/2014 - HORSHAM AIR GUARD STATION, Pa.  -- Two 111th Attack Wing recruiters from Horsham Air Guard Station earned Pennsylvania state honors Oct. 28 as paramount producers in their respective fields.

Tech. Sgt. Alex Galatis, 111th ATKW production recruiter, and Master Sgt. Kevin Watson, 111th ATKW recruiting office supervisor, were recognized.

Galatis merited recognition as Top Accessions and Production Recruiter of the Year for fiscal year 2014. A recruiter for three years he obtained this award for the first time and said that it wasn't an easy task.

"Being recognized for an honor like this involves a lot of hard work," said Galatis. "For me, it required long hours, which included early mornings and late nights. In all, it was worth it. I say that not so much about winning the award, but for the ability to work with applicants. That's the rewarding part."

This year alone Galatis drafted more than 80 trainees for the 111th ATKW. Aside from the numbers, he takes pride in the quality of people he is bringing into the unit.

"To have the opportunity to place quality individuals in a career that benefits them and the wing is the best part of the job," said Galatis.

Master Sgt. Kevin Watson, 111th ATKW recruiting office supervisor, claimed the title of Recruiting Office Supervisor of the Year for the state during fiscal year 2014. A former Marine Corps infantryman, Watson has been a recruiter for more than five years after entering the wing as a firefighter.

Watson, who is no stranger to military awards and decorations, stated that there were challenges he needed to overcome to perform at such a high level of expertise.

"Coming from being a production recruiter to the office supervisor required me to essentially learn a totally new job," said Watson. "It forced me to acquire additional skill sets and knowledge base - taking on all new duties and responsibilities."

A humbled Watson didn't take full credit for the acknowledgment, but instead states that the 111th ATKW won this award with him.

At one point, the recruiting section here was 50 percent manned, said Watson.

"If it wasn't for the wing rallying around us recruiters, we would have never been able to accomplish our mission," Watson said. "We had our fellow Guardsmen supply us with overwhelming support by assisting in running applicants to [the military entrance processing station] and helping us at job fairs, along with many other matters. The credit for our success goes to the wing, not to one person alone."

Air Guardsman fights fires, stereotypes

by Tech. Sgt. David Speicher
175th Wing Public Affairs

10/31/2014 - BALTIMORE -- One Airman, a full-time firefighter here at Warfield Air National Guard Base, recently put the fear of leaving her unit and home in Puerto Rico behind her to pursue the challenge of a career in Maryland.

Senior Airman Sheila M. Fuentes left Puerto Rico and joined the Maryland Air National Guard last year and then in March she landed a full-time firefighter position with the base firefighting department.

"I took my chances and I came over here," she said.

Fuentes served with 12 members of the 175th Wing while serving with the Puerto Rico Air National Guard on a deployed to Bahrain in 2012. During that six month deployment, she worked well with them.

"I got to see how good they were as a fire department," she said.

From the start of her Air Force career in 2010, Fuentes wanted a challenge.

"I told the recruiter I wanted a physically active job," Fuentes said. "Being a fire fighter is a hard job, which sometimes you have to grow into it. After graduating firefighting school, I fell in love with the job."

"It is not all about fighting fire, it's more than about that," she said. "We have the medical side. It is about helping the community. It's about making sure people are going to be safe by preventing situations."

Fuentes initially did have concerns about going to a new unit in a typically male-dominated career field.

"It is scary coming to new unit," she said. "It was a big change coming from an island to the main land. There is a different culture here. I knew I would be the only female fire fighter here. It was very scary."

"It took me a couple of drill weekends [to adjust]," she said. "The fire fighters made it really easy for me. If I had any concerns, I was more than welcome to talk to management. They knew my concerns about being the only female. They had a zero tolerance [for harassment]. The six months I served with 12 of them in Bahrain made it easier because I knew them."

Fuentes near term plan is to finish her Community College of the Air Force degree. She sees herself staying in the Air National Guard for 20-plus years and earning a leadership position.

"You always have to go for something better," Fuentes said.

Most of the calls Fuentes has been on have been vehicle related accidents outside the base and medical calls. She is enthusiastic about knowing how to deal with a potential airplane incident.

"I like dealing with planes," she said. "I make sure I know about the planes. That's what this department is here for; it's about taking care of the planes on the ramp."

Although there is nothing she doesn't like about the job, she states it is a sacrifice being here for 24-hour shifts when most people go home after 5 p.m.

Fuentes also discussed teamwork and building bonds while on the job.

"In my shift we all are like a family," she said. "We like having a good time and we take care of each other."

WWII vet reminisces on recent 'Honor Flight,' price of freedom

by Capt. Angela Walz
142nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

10/30/2014 - PORTLAND AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ore.  -- A La Grande resident and Oregon National Guard veteran received a trip to Washington, D.C., last month as part of the Honor Flight project's objective to take all WWII veterans to visit the National World War II Memorial.

Army Air Corps Tech. Sgt. Fred Parish flew from the Portland International Airport to Washington, D.C., Sept. 18 for a free-of-charge, four-day trip to visit the National World War II Memorial, the White House, Capitol building, and eight other D.C.-area attractions.

"Almost 90 percent of WWII veterans who survived [the war] have passed away," states the project's web site. "Approximately 1,000 WWII veterans pass away daily across America. Our objective is to take all WWII veterans to Washington, D.C. as soon as possible."

Parish, an Oregon Air National Guard founding member, had the privilege of joining 49 other World War II veterans for an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. This trip was sponsored by the Eastern Oregon and Portland area Honor Flight organizations. Each veteran was accompanied by a guardian, generally a family member, who assisted and pushed the veteran's wheelchair from place to place.

All expenses for the veterans were underwritten by corporate donations or by generous private gifts. No taxpayer funds were used, and the guardians paid their own ways.

"My guardian was my son, Roger, who previously served as a Navy Chief and also as an Air Force captain, now retired," said Parish.

Air transportation for the WWII veterans was donated by Southwest Airlines.

"Obviously, the Honor Flight people are masters at detailed planning and scheduling," said Parish. "Every possible provision was made to care for the comfort and needs of us vets who are now in our late 80s or 90s."

Also, accompanying the veterans were two doctors and two nurses in addition to the Honor Flight director.

The tour group gathered at the Shilo Inn near the Portland International Airport Sept. 17. The Shilo Inn donated dinner and overnight accommodations.

"Early Thursday morning, we boarded Southwest Airlines for a flight to Washington with a brief stop-over in Chicago," said Parish. "People along the way were most cordial. In Washington, D.C. tour busses were waiting to transport us to a Holiday Inn about an hour south of Washington. We settled in comfortably and prepared for the tours that began Friday morning."

The first memorial on the agenda for the veterans to visit was the National World War II Memorial.

"Many folks believe that all Americans should make an effort to visit our country's tribute to the men and women who have been termed 'The Greatest Generation,'" Parish said. "Those who paid the ultimate price in World War II have not been forgotten."

The United States Marine Corps Drum and Bugle Corps surprised the veterans when they marched into memorial and treated them to a one-hour concert. Afterward the Marines, in their scarlet and snow-white uniforms, visited with the veterans.

"This old Army Air Corps guy had to render a smart salute to the Corps on their precision, their military presentation, and their musicianship," said Parish. "They were excellent."

In addition to the National World War II Memorial, the next two days were devoted to visits to the Lincoln Memorial, a tour of the U.S. Capitol and a session with the Oregon Congressional delegation. Also included were the Korean War Memorial, the Vietnam War Memorial, The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, and the Navy Memorial.

"Our trip was topped off by a respectful visit to Arlington National Cemetery," said Parish. "We visited the monument showing the Iwo Jima flag raising and then we witnessed the perpetual protocol of the Army Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown. We were privileged to see the Changing of the Guard ceremony, and it was most impressive."

The ceremony is held day and night, rain or shine every thirty minutes around the clock, every day of every year and has been unbroken in any way since 1930. In addition, a memorial wreath was presented from the state of Oregon while the veterans were there.

"I praise the Army for their dedication in honoring our war unknown," Parish said.

The tour concluded with a visit to the Air Force Memorial located by the Pentagon.

"Finally that day we stopped by the Air Force Memorial with its gleaming spires soaring toward the skies," said Parish. "This memorial warmed the hearts of the WWII Army Air Corps veterans."

"All good things must come to an end," Parish said. "Very early Sunday morning, Southwest Airlines loaded us aboard their Honor Flight plane and flew us back to River City. As our plane taxied up to the [Portland International Airport] terminal, fire trucks shot columns of water arching over the plane.

The veterans were greeted by local law enforcement, military members, the Vietnam Memorial motorcycle riders with flags, and the playing of bagpipes.

"Each veteran was wheeled into a greeting fit for any Hollywood rock star," said Parish. "Literally hundreds of cheering civilians enthusiastically cried, 'Thank you for your service!'As we were wheeled between the two enthusiastic lines, men shook our hands and gave us pats on the back while the ladies passed out hugs for us WWII veterans."

"Many folks termed us as heroes, but, that is now what most of us consider ourselves to be," said Parish. "During WWII, we had a job that had to be done so we did it. Too many Americans did not come home.  For those of us who did return, we recognize that freedom is not free."

Each veteran received a colorfully patriotic quilt handmade by the Pacific Northwest Quilters in appreciation for their service to the country. Each quilt was individually dedicated to the veteran by name and each quilt was designated as a Valor Quilt.

"Things just cannot get any better than that," said Parish.

Parish was a participant in the largest military maneuver ever held in the Pacific Northwest - the Oregon Maneuver of 1943, which lasted for 90 days, from Aug. 1, 1943 to Oct. 31, 1943. He was an original member of the 123rd Observation Squadron of the Oregon National Guard.

After entering federal service with the 123rd OS, Parish was transferred to the newly-created 26th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron to organize their medical detachment. He then attended the School of Aviation Medicine in Texas to become a certified flight surgeon's assistant, and transferred to Headquarters, 70th Tactical Reconnaissance Group, as medical section chief for the group. His job there was to coordinate and administer the medical services for all of the squadrons in the group. It was in this capacity that he participated in the Oregon Maneuver.

To read more about Parish's military experience and the Oregon Maneuver as part of WWII, please revisit his previously published story on the 142nd Fighter Wing site: www.142fw.ang.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123358659.

12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year nominations due April 2

By Janis El Shabazz, Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs / Published November 04, 2014

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas (AFNS) -- Nominations for the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year 2015 are due to the Air Force Personnel Center April 2.

There are three award categories: Airman, NCO and Senior NCO. Major commands and the Air Force District of Washington may each nominate one candidate per category.

Nominations must include examples of leadership and job performance in the nominee's primary duty, significant self-improvement, and base or community involvement accomplished between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2014.

All nominees must be enlisted in the Air Force through Sept. 30, 2016. Nominees projected to separate prior to that date must extend or reenlist in the Air Force to remain eligible. Local military personnel section officials may approve or disapprove extensions for the purpose of the OAY program.

Nominees who extend their enlistment for the 12 OAY program and who are not selected may cancel their extensions through their local MPS.

Organization and base-level personnel must contact their MAJCOM, field operating agency, direct-reporting unit or MAJCOM-equivalent for applicable suspense dates.

First female C-17 aircraft commander, aviation pioneer retires

by Capt. Michaela Judge
315th Public Affairs

11/5/2014 - JOINT BASE CHARLESTON S.C. -- Just over two decades ago, a new chapter in aviation history was written on Charleston soil as the first C-17 Globemaster III made its official debut in the Air Force's premier aeronautical inventory in June, 1993. Ushering in this solid airframe was an initial cadre of elite Charleston Air Base members involved in its concurrent testing, evaluation and implementation.

Fast forward 21 years, and Lt. Col. Debi Rieflin, former 315th Operations Support Squadron training chief, marked the end of an era during a combined fini-flight and retirement ceremony Oct. 27, 2014 as both an initial cadre member and the first operational female aircraft commander for the C-17.

Rieflin's military career writes the story of a true pioneer for women in the aviation community--one that began in 1983 after graduating from Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. There she earned both her Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering, as well as her Air Force commission.

Rieflin, who had initially desired a career in engineering, took a risk and decided to follow a career path similar to her father's, who was a commercial pilot and instructor.

"My parents raised me to believe that I could do anything I wanted to do. While my father didn't specifically steer me toward this career, when given the opportunity, he encouraged me to give it a shot because he thought I'd enjoy it and be good at it," she said.

Upon graduating and commissioning, Rieflin faced her first hurdle. For that specific year, the Air Force had 1,000 pilot slots, but only 25 were allotted for women. Additionally, in 1983, only 15 of the Air Force's 37 aircraft at the time were considered non-combat - so they were the only ones women were eligible to fly.

"There were plenty of skeptics out there, doubting that women should fly, let alone whether they could or not," said Rieflin.

However, despite the odds, she was selected for training and began her 31-year journey in aviation.

The road ahead wouldn't always be easy, but Rieflin wasn't a stranger to being the minority. The percentage of female engineers, pilots and military members alone was small, but these challenges didn't faze her.

"I encountered biases along the way, but refused to let them prove true," she said.
In fact, the challenges only motivated her to prove the biases wrong.

"By demonstrating professionalism, competence and excellence, it's hard for anyone to deny that you belong," said Rieflin.

Despite some of the limitations in front of her, Rieflin said that patience in this career-field also served her well, by waiting for Congress to incrementally allow women to perform additional duties.

Following pilot training, Rieflin went on to hold many leadership roles, both active-duty and reserve, to include maintenance officer, command post duty officer and C-141 instructor pilot for the 300th Airlift Squadron, all by 1993. From there, she assumed the inaugural position as the first female operational aircraft commander for the C-17 during her time at Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. -- an airframe she would fly until retirement.

The feeling of knowing she was the first, was one that filled her with a great sense of pride. "Being part of the elite group of professional aviators was indeed an honor," she said.

Becoming a cargo pilot provided Rieflin many unique opportunities to see the world, to include a vice presidential support mission to Egypt, where the crew was able to see Tut's tomb, tour the pyramids, the Valley of the Kings and ride down the Nile River.

One particular mission that she'll never forget, and one she still considers as her most significant, was bringing home a fallen hero from Afghanistan to be laid to rest.

Now, at a new stage in life, with four grown children, and a transition into the commercial flying world with Delta Air Lines, Rieflin has left a legacy that demonstrates the delicate balance between family and career.

"I feel fortunate to have achieved and maintained a great family and career balance over these 31 years and going forward...I feel like I "have it all". I hope to have shown this through my family, career, and by being a concerned citizen and aviation professional, dedicated to ensuring safe and smart operations in order to take care of the people who give so selflessly to our nation's defense of freedom as well as the families who support them," she said.

Rieflin credits a long list of fellow comrades who she considered mentors, shaping her both professionally and personally. In more recent years, Rieflin said she has the likes of retired Col. Steve Lesniewski, Lt. Col. Russ Catanach and Col. Caroline Evernham to thank for encouraging her development and backing her efforts.

"She has always impressed me with her thoroughness and professionalism in the cockpit. But what really struck me was her phenomenal skill in air refueling. She's as smooth and stable as they come, and I think every one of her contemporaries will attest to that," said Catanach, 315th Operations Group deputy commander.

Her impact to the C-17 community has been and continues to be far reaching. In fact, her passion for safe and proficient flying led to her developing multiple programs and tools which aid supervisors in tracking training currency and consequences for non-currency, as well as procedures for addressing aircrew fatigue.

"She did a ton of research into the topic of aircrew fatigue, and developed a set of indicators and mitigating procedures and forwarded all this info to the [Tactical Air Command Center] and recommended it for inclusion in planning global airlift missions. TACC came to adopt much of what she proposed, and today aircrew fatigue mitigating procedures are an integral part of mission planning, enhancing the safety of the Air Force's global operations tremendously," said Catanach.

Cementing her lasting footprint in aviation, Rieflin planned an all-female fini-flight (final flight), followed later in the day by a combined flight and retirement ceremony where she enjoyed her final hours in the C-17 with her most cherished stick mates.

"I never had the chance to be part of an all-female crew during my career to-date, and I wanted to share the experience just once with the women I am so proud to be associated with," she said.

As a woman brought up to believe she could do anything she put her mind to, she leaves this advice to those facing careers and dreams where they are against the odds.

"Be willing to take risks; try new things. Believe in yourself and work hard. Consider the skeptics 'in need of enlightenment,' then show them what you can do!"