101st Airborne Departs Liberia After Successful Mission

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Nathan Hoskins

101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)

MONROVIA, Liberia, Feb. 27, 2015 – The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) cased its colors during a ceremony yesterday at the Barclay Training Center here, marking the end of Operation United Assistance for the Joint Forces Command - United Assistance, or JFC-UA.

The ceremony signified the successful completion of a five-month deployment to Liberia in support of the U.S. Agency for International Development-led mission to fight the spread of the Ebola virus in western Africa.

The 101st, based in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, led JFC-UA. The team also comprised engineers, medical personnel, logisticians and others, who built Ebola treatment units, also known as ETUs, trained health care workers, and built a logistics infrastructure for its support.

Army Maj. Gen. Gary J. Volesky, commander of the JFC-UA and the 101st, recognized the extraordinary circumstances in which his team was created and performed.

"Five months ago, we stood at this exact spot and uncased the colors of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) to mark the establishment of the ... first Joint Forces Command ever established in West Africa," Volesky said. "That day was the day the United States military brought our full weight to bear in support of our government's response to contain the Ebola virus in Liberia."

The main tenets of the JFC were to build, train and sustain. However, one other tenet -- confidence -- became self-evident, Volesky said.

"Our mission was to support the lead federal agency, USAID, by providing our unique military capabilities to help contain the virus and reduce the spread of Ebola in Liberia, and to execute our tasks with speed and flexibility that would not only help build confidence among Liberians that the virus could be defeated, but also to help garner the support of the international community to also assist in the fight against this disease," Volesky said.

Building

"The Joint Forces Command worked with our Armed Forces of Liberia partners in building and overseeing constructions of ETUs," Volseky said.

The command built and supported 17 ETUs throughout Liberia, facilities that allowed for a more swift isolation and treatment of Ebola patients.

Building the ETUs was the job of Task Force Rugged, a team led by the 36th Engineer Brigade based out of Fort Hood, Texas, along with the 615th Engineer Company (Horizontal), based out of Fort Carson, Colorado. The 902nd Engineer Battalion, out of Grafenwoehr, Germany, and the 161st engineer Support Company of Fort Bragg, North Carolina, also helped build the facilities.

Along with construction, Task Force Rugged also improved roads critical to the transportation of equipment and personnel to the ETUs, camps and logistical focus points including airports and sea ports.

JFC-UA also constructed the Monrovia Medical Unit, a facility specifically designed to care for and treat health care workers who contract Ebola while caring for patients.

The facility, operated by the U.S. Public Health Service, is able to test patients for Ebola and treat and care for them all in one place.

The command also emplaced four Army mobile testing labs in the far reaches of Liberia.

"We established four mobile testing labs in Liberia so blood samples of potential Ebola patients could be identified, and those that were effected could begin receiving treatment in a matter of hours -- not days, and those that were not infected could be quickly released and reduce their chances of becoming infected," Volesky said.

The 1st Area Medical Laboratory, based out of Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland, staffed and ran the facilities. It is scheduled to case its colors tomorrow.

Training

"We trained over 1,500 health care workers both in Monrovia and in local communities throughout the country to work in these ETUs and care for Ebola patients, but even more importantly, to educate and provide awareness in their own neighborhoods," Volesky said.

Task Force Eagle Medic, led by the 86th Combat Support Hospital from Fort Campbell, trained additional health care workers through classes based out of the National Police Training Academy in Paynesville, Liberia, and mobile training teams in the remote areas of the nation.

The task force conducted the first phase of training for health care workers, which is conducted before they move on to the second phase conducted by the World Health Organization and the Liberian Ministry of Health inside operational ETUs.

After the completion of its training, which it conducted in conjunction with the World Health Organization, Task Force Eagle Medic transitioned their classes to the World Health Organization.

Sustaining

Though ETUs were being built, they needed to be regularly supplied so that they could operate safely and effectively. To that end, the JFC-UA built a robust logistics and supply system that webbed across Liberia.

The logisticians, from the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), with the help of the United Nations World Food Programme, built forward logistics bases, which allowed them to place supplies closer to remotely located ETUs.

"Moreover, we established logistical systems to move building materials, medical supplies and water to the areas most in need, regardless of how remote the location was," Volesky said.

Helping spread the logistics web across Liberia was Task Force Iron Knights, comprised mainly of the 2nd Battalion, 501st Aviation Regiment, 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Armored Division, based out of Fort Bliss, Texas.

The Iron Knights transported personnel, supplies and equipment, and building material to ETUs, mobile labs and forward logistics bases throughout the country -- many times to locations where ground vehicles were unable to travel.

The Iron Knights cased their colors Feb. 25, and are steadily redeploying their soldiers back to Fort Bliss.

And, the 101st Sustainment Brigade, deployed as Task Force Lifeliner, ran port operations, bringing in units' equipment, vehicles and aircraft from the United States and sustaining the entire JFC-UA during Operation United Assistance, tasks that are required before any other mission was to get off the ground.

Transitioning

Volesky said the progress JFC made was done so with the planned transition and continuation of the mission after the 101st departed Liberia.

"While our large-scale military mission is ending as the 101st departs Liberia, the fight to get to zero Ebola cases will continue and the JFC has ensured capabilities we brought will be sustained in the future," Volesky said.

"ETU construction tasks, health care worker training, and logistical sustainment operations for Ebola containment have been transitioned to reliable partners that will continue supporting the fight against [Ebola virus disease]," he said. "Our Army labs have transitioned and will be operated by organizations that don't just test for Ebola, but also other infectious diseases such as Malaria and Lasa Fever."

Though the 101st and the JFC have officially ended their tour in Liberia, a small contingent will remain to ensure a smooth transition of the mission to the government of Liberia and nongovernmental agencies.

"And while the JFC will redeploy, over 100 soldiers will stay for a few more months more to monitor the continued progress against [Ebola] to ensure the gains we have made together are lasting," Volesky said.

Before Volesky cased the division’s colors with Army Command Sgt. Maj. Gregory Nowak, senior enlisted adviser of the JFC and the 101st, he thanked the service members for all of their hard work throughout the deployment.

"Lastly and most importantly, I want to thank the soldiers in front of us that represent the 2,500 servicemen and women of the Joint Forces Command," Volesky said. "Throughout our operation, most discussion has centered on capabilities or technology we used to build infrastructure, or to move supplies. But it is the people who matter, not the equipment or technology we use. People have the ingenuity to solve wicked hard problems, and have the determination to see solutions through."

Tuskegee Airmen share wisdom with service members

by Senior Airman Dennis Sloan
Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs

2/25/2015 - JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Airmen, Sailors, retirees and local community members witnessed history Feb. 20, 2015, at Joint Base Charleston, S.C.

Two men wearing suits with faces worn by time walked out onto the stage and sat side-by-side one another in classic red leather chairs.

As the crowd settled into their seats the two men sat quietly looking out among the crowd of young faces they would be speaking with shortly.

"It's my honor and pleasure to introduce these two gentlemen who have been instrumental in paving the way for African Americans serving in the military," said Ann McGill, a WCSC Live 5 News anchor. "Today we will hear from both retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Daniel James III, second generation Tuskegee Airman, and retired Air Force Lt. Col. Enoch Woodhouse, an original Tuskegee Airman during our discussion panel.

The two Tuskegee Airmen passed the microphone back and forth effortlessly telling their stories of struggle and triumph while serving in the military.

"VV was a symbol all of us Tuskegee Airmen carried," said Woodhouse. "It stood for Victory over the Nazis and Victory at home against racism."

Tuskegee Airmen served during a time when the United States was at war; not only against other countries, but also at war against itself for racial equality.

When the war had ended and troops were heading through France, a Victory Parade to honor the men's courage and sacrifice while defeating the Nazis Army was held.

"We weren't even allowed to march in the parade celebrating the victory over the Nazis, even though we played a key role in the war, it was once again our skin color that people saw, not our sacrifices," said Woodhouse.

Woodhouse brought up more stories of how media documenting the war would make sure to not release any video or photos with African Americans in uniform.

"You'll never see a black face on screen during the D-Day landing, but we were there," said Woodhouse. "We were there bringing oil, ammunition, supplies and even removing dead troops from the battlefield."

James, the son of retired Air Force Gen. Chappy James, a documented original Tuskegee Airman, took the microphone and discussed the role his father played in his life and what he learned from him.

"I remember when I was young, my father was developing his speaking skills," said James. "He would take me to all of his speeches and I would do homework before and after, but I always listened to him speak. He was an amazing public speaker."

James followed in his father's footsteps and commissioned in the Air Force and later became a three-star general.

"I didn't understand why he put so much emphasis on developing his public speaking, but one day he sat me down and told me," said James. "He said he was not only speaking for himself, but for all African American commanders and he wanted to show them how well-spoken he was and show what position he held, so people would believe more in African Americans."

James learned several lessons and values from his father while growing up.

"He always held his family to the highest standards, pushing us to do our absolute best," said James. "He expected excellence in all we did, but if we told him we gave it our all he would accept that."

James excelled in school and sports while growing up.

"I remember being on the field getting ready for a game and then seeing my dad in the crowd and I became very nervous," said James. "He couldn't come to all my games, but he came as often as he could. I later found out why he put so much effort into seeing me play. His father never once saw him play a single game, because he was always working and there were several kids to take care of.

James also discussed how Col. Jeffrey DeVore, Joint Base Charleston base commander, was his exec at one time and shared a few stories with the audience.

"When we arrived at bases or events, Maj. DeVore at the time, would walk to the trunk and get the luggage, and by the time he turned around I was gone," James jokingly said. "I did this to him more than once to say the least. Maj. DeVore was the master of anticipating my next move [and] always keeping me on track and looking good, which is what great execs do."

After James and Woodhound spoke about their experiences, the floor was opened to Airmen, Sailors, retirees and civilians to ask questions. The questions ranged from how they got through the rough times of being a Tuskegee Airman and what do they believe the future will look like for the Air Force and military in general.

"There is always new advanced technology coming out all the time, so I see the Air Force growing and continuing to lead the world in flight and space endeavors," said Woodhouse.

Once the discussion panel was over, members of the crowd were able to come on stage and get a photo with the two Tuskegee Airmen and have any books, posters or other historical items signed.

Carver Faull, newest Team McChord Pilot for a Day

by Senior Airman Rebecca Blossom
62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

2/24/2015 - JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash.  -- "A special day for our very special kids." That's the slogan of the McChord Field Pilot for a Day program, a five-year-old program that gives medically challenged children, and children in medical remission from or currently suffering with catastrophic illnesses, a full day to experience life as a Team McChord member.

Carver Faull, a 14-year-old Washington resident and medulloblastoma survivor, became the newest pilot in the program Feb. 20 when he joined the 4th Airlift Squadron.

With his very own flight suit and patches, and a flight cap with the rank of first lieutenant, Carver was on his way to see some of the major components of McChord Field, accompanied by his father, John, mother, Teresa, and younger sister Zoe.

The first stop was the 22nd Special Tactics Squadron, where Carver climbed aboard a Humvee and took a joy ride with his family while he sat at the turret, grinning ear to ear.

The Airmen of the 22nd STS showed their specialized equipment to Carver, explained the details of their duties, including the dangers and the rewards of their tasks, and showed him their fully equipped training room.

"This event has been so important to us," said Chief Master Sgt. Jeff Guilmain, 22nd STS superintendent. "We're happy to be a part of it."

The family continued on to the canine officer kennels at McChord Field and saw a demonstration of the working dogs capabilities as illegal substance detectors and suspect apprehenders, complete with a display of their biting techniques.

When asked if he had any questions about their training, Carver replied, "Just one... Can you train my dog?"

From there, the Faull family headed to Heritage Hill to meet with members of the 627th Civil Engineer Squadron's explosive ordinance disposal flight.

"Fire in the hole!" Carver shouted into the radio, and a few seconds later a loud and very visible explosion was seen from across the air field.

"That was two and a half pounds of C-4 that you just detonated," said Staff Sgt. Evan Grimme, 627th CES EOD technician, as he handed Carver a replica amount of C-4.

Next, EOD trained Carver on how to guide their remote-controlled bomb disposal robot, and he successfully picked up and disposed of a simulated explosive.
"Don't worry, I won't blow you up," Carver said to his sister, Zoe.

Their next stop was the air traffic control tower. Carver was recognized as an honorary air traffic controller, and received his own call sign and an ATC badge to put on his flight suit. The family was given a tour of the tower, including the cat walk, where Carver looked over the ramps full of McChord Field C-17 Globemaster III aircraft.

"That's what you're going to fly today," said his father, as Carver beamed back at him.

After that, it was time for Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape training.

Carver watched a training video about parachuting, and then he was ready to virtually "jump".

He was strapped into a training harness by a SERE specialist, and fitted with virtual reality goggles that simulated falling 4,000 feet from an aircraft. His goal was to navigate the parachute to the sand, for a soft landing.

From there, the family met with the 4th Airlift Squadron for a pizza party before Carver's intelligence briefing.

"This program has a special place in our hearts. Thank you for being part of our squadron," said Lt. Col. Matt Anderson, 4th AS commander, as they welcomed the Faull's as family and coined Carver with the 4th AS commander's coin.

Robert Branscomb, chairman of the Pilot for a Day committee, spoke to the Faull's about the effort that goes into making this program possible.

"This program would not be possible without the support we get from the 4th AS", said Branscomb. "Everything you see, from the flight suit and patches to the pizza, comes from community awareness and donations and funding from the McChord Field Air Force Association chapter, and the squadron plans and executes the entire day.

"We really make a difference in the lives of our Pilot for a Day lieutenants."

Carver's mother, Teresa, welled up with tears as she explained what the day meant to her.

"For him to be able to do something like this, after the surgery, after 48 weeks of chemotherapy and all the struggles, it's really spectacular," she said.

"They [the 4th AS] took care of everything. We heard about the program through another family who had a child with cancer, and they were raving about it, so we contacted Capt. Marc Meier. After a few questions about Carver and his condition, they started planning, and a few months later here we are."

In addition to the memorabilia Carver received and the events of the day, the family was surprised by another offer.

Carver's medulloblastoma, a highly malignant type of brain tumor, drastically affected his basic motor functions.

"After all the treatments, he had to relearn how to walk, how to eat, and how to talk," said Teresa.

"Do you remember that big gym at the 22nd STS? You know, those special tactics guys have a personal trainer who was formerly in the NFL," said Anderson. "He just offered to be your personal trainer, Carver, at your discretion and as the family sees fit, when you're ready to get these guns a little bigger."

As the family and squadron looked to Carver with smiles on their faces, he replied, "But I'm only fourteen!"

After his in-depth operations, intelligence, and tactics briefing, Carver went to a static display of the C-17 and then to the C-17 flight simulator, and was finally able to put his full days' worth of training to use during his very own mission.

For Carver, his family, and all the squadrons involved with the events of the program, the day and the mission was a huge success.

"I'm at a loss for words," said Teresa. "It's been such an amazing experience."

Face of Defense: Air Force Staff Sergeant Beats Cancer

By Air Force Tech. Sgt. James M. Hodgman

60th Air Mobility Wing

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif., Feb. 27, 2015 – For many people, Independence Day is all about celebration, spending time with family and watching fireworks light up the night sky. But for Air Force Staff Sgt. Richard L. Johnson, July 4, 2014, was not a day for celebrating.

On that day, just two months after his daughter, Ayda, was born, the 660th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron KC-10 crew chief learned he had cancer.

"I experienced pain that got progressively worse for about two months," Johnson said. "I just attributed it to being work-related or sleeping the wrong way. At the beginning of July, though, the pain got pretty bad. I knew something was wrong."

Doctors at David Grant USAF Medical Center discovered Johnson had a cancerous mass the size of a football in his abdomen. The cancer quickly spread and was pushing against several internal organs, as well as against Johnson's spine, causing extreme pain.

Rigors of Treatment

"Because of the size of it, they rushed everything," Johnson said. "I was diagnosed on a Friday, in surgery the next day and started chemotherapy a week later."

Johnson, a native of Naugtauck, Connecticut, said that a team of medical professionals at David Grant, a group he refers to as “the dream team,” was able to remove some of the cancer. He would have to endure chemotherapy treatments to halt the cancer's growth and shrink the mass so doctors could remove the rest.

The staff sergeant underwent continuous, rigorous treatment July through October of 2014.

"I experienced several side effects from the treatments," Johnson said. "I had no memory, extreme migraines, lost all my hair, numbness and tingling in my hands and feet, constant fatigue and extreme back and bone pain. It took all the energy I had to get off the couch."

Staying Positive

Despite experiencing such adversity, Johnson said he never let his mind wander down a negative path. He said he thought about the disease a merely a speed bump, an obstacle to overcome. It was an approach that impressed his wife of two years, Christa Johnson.

"He was unbelievable the entire time," Christa said. "I've never seen anything like it. I'm married to him and he shocked me."

Johnson credits his ability to stay positive while he fought for his life to the support he received from his unit.

After learning about Johnson's diagnosis, members of the 660th AMXS and the 60th Maintenance Operations Squadron quickly responded with an outpouring of support.

A fundraising site was set up to help the Johnsons with expenses. More than 30 meals were delivered to their home, airmen volunteered to babysit, mow the lawn and several of Johnson's coworkers accompanied him during his chemotherapy treatments.

Fellow Airmen Stepping Up

Air Force Master Sgts. Tiffany Risser and Sean Redline of the 660th AMXS set up the fundraising site, as well as a volunteer site where people could support the Johnsons in a variety of ways.

"It's our responsibility to be there for our people and their families, especially in their time of need," Risser said.

The master sergeant recalled the meetings she held informing people of Johnson's condition.

"When I stood in front of our roll call and briefed them on the situation, they were shocked and visibly upset. They could not believe this was happening to one of our own,” she said. “Some looked like statues and did not move, while others leaned against the wall. I told them he was going to need our full support and as the need arose I would let them know what he needs help with.

"After roll call, several people asked me to let them know what he needed and they would help," she continued. "By the time we finished briefing all our shifts, he had an entire team ready to carry him to the cancer-free finish line."

Cancer-free and Paying it Forward

On October 17, doctors at University of California San Francisco's Helen Diller Treatment Center for Cancer removed the remaining cancerous cells from Johnson's body.

Now cancer free, Johnson shares what the support he and his family received meant to him.

"Knowing so many people loved and cared for us was phenomenal," he said. "We were never alone. Many of my co-workers and friends sat with me during my treatments, others watched our daughter so Christa could work and attend my appointments. Dinners were provided so we never had to worry about that. It was all taken care of. I'm extremely touched and thankful."

The Johnsons are now focused on helping others. The couple has donated a total of $1,000 to several people battling cancer, many of them children, through numerous fundraising sites. They say it's their way of paying it forward.

Culture of change comes full-circle: First O-6 pulls alert in LCC since mid-'90s

by Capt. Eydie Sakura
90th Missile Wing Public Affairs

2/23/2015 - F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo.  -- Culture change throughout 20th Air Force is becoming more apparent at the three missile wings at F.E. Warren, Minot AFB, North Dakota, and Malmstrom AFB, Montana. Col. Jay Folds, Task Force 214 and 20th AF director of operations, was the first colonel since the mid-1990s to pull alert at a launch control center Feb. 19 in the missile fields near Cheyenne, Wyoming.

The catalyst behind this initiative is Air Force Global Strike Command's Force Improvement Program, an aggressive grass-roots feedback program designed to quickly provide senior Air Force leaders with actionable recommendations for improvement by conducting one-on-one interviews and surveys with Airmen.

"This is a culture change that's long over-due," Folds said. "[It's where] leaders lead the mission from the front, not from behind a desk. Colonels, lieutenant colonels and majors must be in the field leading and being the example of operational excellence in order to build our warrior ethos; they must be in the field coaching, training and mentoring future leaders."

Folds said it was awesome to be back to working the tactical mission, something he hadn't done since he was a squadron commander at Minot AFB, North Dakota, in 2012.

"This is where the mission happens--in our missile fields, where our 45 launch control centers and our 450 launch facilities are located--where, every hour of every day, great Americans deter our enemies and adversaries and assure our allies of our unwavering resolve," he said.

Folds worked with 2nd Lt. Caryn Morales, 320th Missile Squadron deputy missile combat crew commander, who has 85 alerts under her belt.

"This is a great opportunity for crew members to work alongside our leadership, while at the same time being able to learn from them, have one-on-one interaction and while being mentored," Morales said. "Our leaders will be able to better understand how we carry out the daily mission, receive feedback and provide further growth and development of the career field, and most importantly, get to know the people behind the mission."

Folds had to re-certify on the weapon system since it has been about three years since his last alert. He said the biggest difference in the training regimen was the removal of the tight constraints previously levied upon the instructors.

"The instructors are free to be more creative in delivering robust and personalized training," Folds said. "[They are] ensuring a level of intimacy in terms of targeted proficiency of the individual crew members. This will lead to a much more capable force, which is all about improving the mission."

Task Force 214 and 20th AF personnel are in the midst of ensuring all officers working in the nuclear and missile operations career field, no matter the rank, are combat mission ready in an effort to develop the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile leaders of today and tomorrow, said Mr. Bart Beisner, 20th AF/TF-214 FIP coordinator.

"Our goal is to ensure our commanders have the operational expertise and credibility to lead from the front, which is a hallmark of American Airmanship and is in line with how the U.S. Air Force conducts operations," he said. "This alert is a milestone in rebuilding the ICBM culture."

It's a tangible act that reflects our "commitment to our warrior ethos" and to "coaching, training and mentoring ICBM professional and leaders" as outlined in the TF-214/20th AF Strategic Narrative laid out by Maj. Gen. Jack Weinstein, commander of TF-214/20th AF.

We need to recognize our mission partners in Air Education Training Command, especially the 381st Training Group at Vandenberg AFB, California, Beisner said.

"They've been instrumental in handling the increased throughput of [nuclear and missile operations] officers who are re-qualifying in the Minuteman III weapon system," he said.

Although the first colonel to pull alert was here, similar stories will emerge throughout the missile wings at Minot and Malmstrom Air Force Bases in the coming days as senior leaders go through their re-certification training.

"I am looking forward to seeing more leadership deploying to the field and pulling alerts," Morales said. "This [alert] was a true example that we are a team. We are here to support each other and the mission."

Striving for fitness excellence

by Senior Airman Stephanie Morris
Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs

2/24/2015 - MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- 1st Lt. Kal Judah, 23rd Bomb Squadron B-52H Stratofortress co-pilot, was recently awarded Minot Air Force Base's first perfect score for the Iron Airman Challenge.

The challenge, which aims to push Airmen to strive for physical excellence beyond their physical training test requirements, was first under taken by Judah at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana.

"Walking into the gym at Barksdale, I saw the plaques of past Iron Airmen on the wall and thought that with a little bit of training I could reach those goals," Judah said.

In order to obtain a perfect score Judah would have to receive maximum points in each category: pushups, pullups, situps and a two-mile run.

Requirements to simply obtain the title of Iron Airman would push him to obtain 360 out of 400 points, completing all four components in one session in 30 minutes or less.

· The pullup maximum for males is 21 and eight for females or a 70-second hang. The minimum amount of pullups needed to get a point is two or females could complete a 15-second hang.

· The pushup maximum is 91 for males and 71 for females, which must be completed in two minutes. The minimum is 67 for males and 47 for females.

· The situp maximum is 100 for both genders and the minimum is 61.

· The maximum run time for males under the age of 30 is 12 minutes and 16 seconds and males over the age of 30 is 12 minutes and 46 seconds. The minimum is 16 minutes and 22 seconds.

· The maximum run time for females less than 30 years of age is 13 minutes 50 seconds and females over 30 is 14 minutes and 44 seconds. The minimum is 18:38.

After augmenting his fitness routine to focus more on Iron Airman-centric exercises, Judah was ready for his first attempt at the competition.

"The first time I did the challenge, I received 396 out of 400 points," Judah said. "The next time I tested at Barksdale, I completed my run first and obtained a perfect score overall."

After receiving his first perfect score at Barksdale, in the 90 degree heat of summer, Judah continued to train for triathlons to keep himself fit and physically challenged.

Judah describes himself as someone who has always been goal-oriented who constantly strives to test his limits.

Once his career training at Barksdale was complete, his focus turned to his approaching permanent change of station to Minot.

As soon as he learned the Iron Airman Program was also held at Minot, he was determined to complete it again, Judah said.

"I think it's great that we have something like the Iron Airman challenge here to inspire Airmen to exceed the standard," Judah said.

His sentiments were echoed by Tech. Sgt. Kenneth Johnson II, 5th Force Support Squadron NCO in charge of the fitness assessment cell, who was one of the original groups that brought the program to Minot.

"This program was brought to me by a captain from the 69th Bomb Squadron who had heard of its greatness at another base," Johnson said. "He pitched the idea to me and the Fitness Center Director, Ms. Judy LaRue; and after some evaluations/risk assessments, hard work, publicity, and coordination with other agencies, we were able to get this program off the ground."

Originally, Judah planned to undertake the challenge with other members from his squadron at Minot, but due to unforeseen circumstances he would have to face the task alone. Determined to crush the test for a third time, Judah made his way to the McAdoo fitness center for his solo attempt.

"Stopping was never an option," Judah said describing his trials at the fitness center. "I removed myself from the situation; got into a groove to push through and knocked out the cardio first, then strength."

Each exercise fell away with as Judah achieved maximum score after maximum score, until only one strength test was left. After one last trial, he was awarded a perfect score-- for the second time in a row.

"It was cool to be the first person at Minot to score 100 percent," Judah said. "But I hope many more people take up the challenge and become Iron Airmen."

Individuals interested in undertaking the Iron Airman Challenge can call the fitness center to make an appointment with a base fitness specialist, Johnson said.

"I hope people continue to be interested in challenging themselves," Johnson said. "After all, if they fall short of the title of Iron Airman, they have all the time in the world to keep training and pushing themselves, which is what being fit and staying fit is all about -- constant improvement!"