Life in Controlled Monitoring at the Langley Transit Center

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Benjamin Wooddy, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command Public Affairs

HAMPTON, Va. (NNS) -- Chief Equipment Operator Jason Knifley of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 133, sat in front of a camera and a telephone as he answered questions from the media about his recent return to the United States.

"We knew about two weeks before [our return] that we would be going into isolation," said Knifley. "It wasn't frustrating; we were just waiting to see how long it was going to be."

The precautionary measure came after the recent outbreak of Ebola that has spread throughout much of West Africa.

Sailors from NMCB 133 as well as service members from various branches deployed to West Africa to aid in the construction of medical facilities in efforts to help countries that were struck hard by the virus.

"We started off surveying potential sites to build facilities for the incoming groups to stay in," said Knifley. "After being there for about a week it changed to constructing a MMU [Mobile Medical Unit]. The Air Force followed up and put down their 25-bed hospital and Seabees constructed the facilities around the hospital like the visitor center, restrooms, laundry facilities, facilities to eat in and things like that."

Once their mission was complete, the 15 Sailors from NMCB 133 along with other service members traveled to the Langley Transit Center on Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Hampton to begin their 21-day controlled monitoring period.

While daily medical exams and temperature checks are part of the routine at the Center, that's not the majority of daily life.

"They've infused a lot of money into this [facility] in order to make sure we have different activities," said Air Force Maj. Jeffrey Chaperon, a medical administrator also returning from West Africa.

Whether it's contact with family members through wifi access, playing video games or watching television, said Chaperon, "There are just a lot of things to keep us active."

For many service members, coming home from deployment means the opportunity to reunite with family and loved ones. However, these service members understand the importance of the controlled monitoring to families and friends.

"We all understand why we are in here," said Chaperon. "None of us had any exposure to any Ebola patients that were down range in Africa but we also understand the measures that need to be taken here to keep the community safe, keep our family safe but also to keep ourselves from coming into contact with cold and flu season going on right now. It's a good precaution for us."

Due to the timing of their return, those in controlled monitoring missed Thanksgiving with their families because of the 21-day time period.

But those involved with the process made sure that these service members were still able to celebrate the holiday on some level, with a Thanksgiving meal, a Turkey Trot race and of course, football.

USS Vandegrift-Coast Guard Team Prevents Smuggling Attempt Off Central America

By Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class Cory Booth, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command & U.S. 4th Fleet Public Affairs

PACIFIC OCEAN (NNS) -- Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate USS Vandegrift (FFG 48) and a U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (USCG LEDET) interdicted almost 2,000 pounds of cocaine being smuggled in a small vessel Nov. 20 while on patrol in international waters off the coast of Central America.

Vandegrift located a small vessel while on patrol in a known drug trafficking area and proceeded to launch one of Vandegrift's SH-60B Sea Hawk helicopters, flown by Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 49, to further locate and identify the vessel.

Plotting an intercept course, Vandegrift was able to approach the vessel for further inspection.

The 11th Coast Guard District directed Vandegrift to deploy it's USCG LEDET. Upon boarding, the LEDET searched the vessel and discovered large amounts of fuel and other evidence of illicit drug trafficking. Upon further investigation, 14 bales of contraband were discovered on board and all tested positive for cocaine.

"The tenacity, dedicated team effort, and operational expertise of Vandegrift's crew, embarked HSL-49 Air Detachment, and embarked USCG Law Enforcement Detachment have been exceptional," said Cmdr. Daryl Robbin, executive officer of Vandegrift. "I remain extremely proud and humble to serve with such a remarkable team."

This marks Vandegrift's ninth successful smuggling interdiction in recent months, disrupting the distribution of approximately 13,000 pounds of illicit drugs off the coast of Central America.

Vandegrift is currently deployed to the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations in support of Operation Martillo, which began in January 2012. Operation Martillo, a joint operation involving the U.S. and 14 European and Western Hemisphere partner nations, targets illicit trafficking routes in the waters off Central America.

Overall coordination of counter-drug patrols and surveillance in the Eastern Pacific is accomplished by Joint Interagency Task Force South headquartered in Key West, Florida. U.S. Maritime law enforcement and the interdiction phase of operations in the region occur under the tactical control of the 11th Coast Guard District headquartered in Alameda, California.

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

CTF-75 Receives New Riverine Command Boats

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Gabrielle Joyner, USS Frank Cable Public Affairs

SANTA RITA, Guam (NNS) -- Sailors assigned to Commander, Navy Expeditionary Forces Command Pacific (CTF-75), Coastal Riverine Squadron 3 and Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133 aided in off-loading two Riverine Command Boats (RCBs) from USNS Soderman (T-AKR 317) and transported to Naval Base Guam, Nov 24.

The new boats will bring added versatility to CTF-75, increasing capabilities and readiness in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility.

"The addition of these two RCBs significantly enhances the Coastal Riverine Force (CRF) capability throughout the Western Pacific," said Cmdr. Eric Rasch, executive officer of Coastal Riverine Squadron 3, homeported in San Diego.

According to Rasch, the two 49-feet long by 12-feet wide RCBs will be used to conduct a vast array of missions and will ultimately be the key elements of any adaptive force packages that may be required to fulfill CTF-75 or Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet tasks.

The RCBs fill the role of a CRF unit, which acts as a liaison between the shallow water riverine units and standard deep-water naval vessels. The CRF conducts maritime security operations across all phases of military operations and defends high-value assets, critical maritime infrastructure, ports and harbors against adversaries and is capable of conducting 24-hour operations in all weather conditions and climates.

The RCBs can offer command and control for a variety of situations the CRF may have to handle or be the unit of action. The versatile command boat has the capability to perform port security, troop insertion or extraction, counter-insurgency inland, organic air and fire support, support organic unmanned aerial vehicles, maritime interdiction and a host of other functions and uses.

FIP: 'Making the world's best Air Force better'

by FIP: "Making the world's best Air Force better"Airman 1st Class Malcolm Mayfield
90th Missile Wing Public Affairs

12/2/2014 - F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- Within the nuclear enterprise, the winds of change that have swept 20th Air Force and the wings under it, have affected many.

Though change is not always welcome, the Force Improvement Program has brought new opportunities, improved the quality of life for Airmen, rewarded those who take initiative in certain career fields, and with all those changes, Airmen are motivated to stay in the  Air Force and continue serving.

This movement has roots throughout various squadrons and groups, including maintenance, operations, security forces groups and helicopter squadrons.

"Everybody in the 37th [Helicopter Squadron] is affected by the FIP changes with a new group being formed, new leadership opportunities, and a more applicable command structure," said Capt. David Skelly, 37th HS pilot and resource adviser. "Senior leaders are probably the most affected because they have more leadership roles that they can continue on to after this assignment."

By tackling the operations, maintenance and security forces groups and helicopter squadrons differently, FIP has made a unique impact on each one in an effort to shape the future.

"I know that some of my peers have changed their mind and feelings toward making the Air Force a career because of the positive changes FIP has brought," said Senior Airman Stephen Carlson, 90th Missile Maintenance Squadron electro mechanical team scheduler.

The FIP initiative is steadily becoming a way of life and has influenced Airmen and their careers.

"Everyone in my squadron has been affected by FIP, but I feel the Airmen dispatching to the missile field have been affected the most," Carlson said.

An immediate result of the FIP feedback was the realignment of $19 million directed toward ICBM Airmen's needs.  This money allowed much needed parts and equipment for the Airmen who provide installation and missile field support.

"Having the parts and tools we need makes it easier to complete the mission," Carlson said. "I've noticed other people changing their minds about leaving. Less stress with the daily job; FIP definitely made it better."

Capt. Amanda Filiowich, 320th Missile Squadron flight commander, said the FIP initiative has generated more positive changes in the nuclear enterprise than she has seen in her 10 years of service.

"I am most looking forward to new vehicles to drive out to the missile complex for operations crews and security forces; new uniforms for security forces designed for them in this cold climate; and finally the increased manning for operations and security forces to include helicopter operations personnel," Filiowich said.

The new gear helps "cops" in a big way, especially those going out to the missile field, said Airman 1st Class Emanuel Williams, 90th Missile Security Forces Squadron response force leader.

"I love every extra piece of gear I get," Williams said. "It keeps us warm and helps us be more efficient while in the missile field."

The new gear along with the funds set aside to improve quality of life can motivate the countless Airmen who perform the mission every day, Williams said.

"Airmen are the future of the Air Force," he said. "If we like what we're doing and like what we're getting, we are more likely to stay in. FIP is a good idea, especially because of the morale boost it gives us."

Williams said he joined the Air Force for the experience, and FIP has made it a good one.

"I am excited about all the changes and humbled to be a part of them, again, in what I hope is a positive way," Filiowich said.

For Skelly, these changes could lead to more opportunities in his career along with the majority of people in the helicopter squadrons.

"My career goals are a little more attainable now," he said. "The number of leadership positions in my career path has grown enormously as a result of the FIP."

For the 37th HS FIP has brought some extra work with building a new helicopter group, but it will pay off in the long run, Skelly said.

"I hope other organizations look the FIP and see how useful it is in streamlining the process of change in Global Strike," Skelly said. "If the rest of the Air Force jumps on board, then it could make the world's best Air Force even better."