U.S., China Conduct Asia-Pacific Security Dialogue

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, March 11, 2015 – Officials from the U.S. Defense Department and China’s Defense Ministry held the inaugural Asia-Pacific Security Dialogue here yesterday.

The meeting was first announced by then-Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel during his April visit to Beijing, Pentagon officials said.

Ambassador David B. Shear, assistant secretary of defense for Asian and Pacific security affairs, led the U.S. delegation, and Rear Adm. Guan Youfei, director of the Defense Ministry’s foreign affairs office, led the Chinese delegation.

During the full-day dialogue, Shear and Guan discussed security interests of mutual concern, officials said.

Warriors of the North Hold Luncheon in Honor of Women's History Month

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

3/10/2015 - GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- The Warriors of the North gathered at the Northern Lights Club here Mar. 6, 2015, to celebrate Women's History Month.

The theme of this year's observance was "Weaving the Stories of Women's Lives." Chief Master Sgt. Dana Hughes, 319th Mission Support Group superintendent, was the keynote speaker.

Hughes began by giving a short background of Women's History Month, explaining that it began as Women's History Week in 1981, and that it expanded to a month-long observance in 1987. Since then, it has become an annual declared month worldwide, complete with presidential proclamations, which highlight the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society.

She shared a short history about herself and her decision to join the Air Force.

"I could've stayed the course with most of my family, friends and associates," she said. "You know, do the marriage, kids, and/or job, the house and the picket fence, or I could travel the path that would broaden my horizons and opportunities. So I chose to take the path to broaden my horizons and opportunities, because I didn't want to be like everyone I graduated from high school with."

She then touched on her earliest experiences as an Airman, sharing stories about her time in Basic Military Training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, in December 1988, where she caught the attention of two military training instructors for her self-assuredness.

"My first night at basic training, I stuck out and caught the attention of the TI," she said. "I'm not sure if it was because my attire was coordinated, or if it was because of my facial expressions, because some of the other females were crying. I thought to myself, 'you should've gotten that out of the way before you got here.'"

Hughes recounted the experiences she had with both of her military training instructors, explaining that she had made a name for herself with them, and because of that, she was always on their radar.

She spoke of how she viewed the two MTIs and their laser focus on her as an obstacle, but she differentiated between what an obstacle is and what a challenge is.

"Some of you may say they're one and the same," she said. "And I say to you, they are not. It's about widening your perspective. You have to decide, what are you going to allow to define you? In order to do that, you have to decide whether what is being presented before you, an obstacle or a challenge."

Hughes explained that to her, an obstacle is a hurdle presented by other people. A challenge, she said, is a test.

"As women, we have challenges on a daily basis," she said. "They start early and often, and they vary in scope as we achieve success along with our male counterparts. We will encounter people always trying to put us in a box, and define us based upon their views and upbringing, underestimating our capabilities and our abilities."

She said she has had to reach deep many times not to allow herself to be placed in a box, and that she is very careful to keep obstacles in her life from becoming challenges.

"But once I recover, I remember that it's all about perspective," she said. "And I also think about all the women that have opened doors and sacrificed so much, to include the ultimate sacrifice."

She named several women who inspire her, including family members, former prime minister of the United Kingdom Margaret Thatcher, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Air Force Materiel Command Commander Gen. Janet Wolfenbarger, as well as Esther Blake, the first woman in the Air Force.

One young woman in particular sticks out in her mind, though.

"To be part of the Air Force and to see these changes and these new milestones is a privilege," she said. "But I will also name one more person. Even though I did not know this young lady, she comes to mind often. That young lady is A1C Elizabeth Jacobson."

Airman 1st Class Elizabeth Jacobson was assigned to the Security Forces Squadron at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas when she deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. While providing convoy security support on Wednesday September 28, 2005 in Safwan Iraq, Jacobson's vehicle hit an improvised explosive device, killing her. She became the first Security Forces Airman, as well as the first female Airman, killed in the line of duty during OIF. She was 21.

"This young lady had only been in Iraq for three months, and gave the ultimate sacrifice," Hughes said. "Serving her country during a time when I'm sure most of her friends said she was crazy for being there."

She concluded by making an appeal to her audience.

"Figure out if what is before you is an obstacle or a challenge, to include your self-imposed blind spots," she said. "I ask that you do not allow people to put you in a box, unless for the moment, it is needed. Then you work it by using it as a motivator understanding all the while that there is more to your journey than entering the room."

91st MW earns 2014 Omaha Trophy

by Senior Airman Malia Jenkins
Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs

3/10/2015 - MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D.  -- The Rough Riders were named the 2014 Omaha Trophy recipient as the command's premier Intercontinental Ballistic Missile wing, in recognition of outstanding support to U.S. Strategic Command's global strategic deterrence mission over the last year.

This is the fifth time the wing has earned the Omaha Trophy and will be added to the 91st MW having earned the coveted Blanchard Trophy from the Air Force Global Strike Challenge along with the other awards last year.

The Omaha Trophy is awarded annually to four outstanding units that represent USSTRATCOM's mission areas, their role in global operations and USSTRATCOM's continued emphasis on strategic deterrence.

"The Omaha Trophy is the result of unwavering dedication to mission, leadership at all levels, and a reflection of our outstanding Airmen and their families," said Col. Mike Lutton, 91st MW commander. "Teamwork and integration across the wing and the outstanding mission support the Warbirds provided made this happen--Bully."

The four awards given are the Global Operations, Intercontinental Ballistic Missile, Submarine Ballistic Missile and Strategic Aircraft Operations trophies. Selections are based on formal evaluations, meritorious achievement, safety and factors such as community involvement and humanitarian actions.

"The 91st MW won the Omaha Trophy because all Airmen across the board take their jobs very seriously and preform their job at high levels," said Airman 1st Class Robert Cook, 91st Maintenance Operations Squadron mechanical and pneudraulics section technician. "It takes every shop working together fluidly to put ICBMs on alert and we demonstrate this daily."

Members of the 91st MW ensured their teammates were prepared to complete their assigned tasks and knew where they needed improvement.

"I spent half my time as a line crew member pulling about six to eight alerts a month," said Capt. Christopher Hall, 91st Operations Group ICBM combat crew flight commander. "During this time, our focus was doing the operational mission. We participated in tests and exercises and made sure we did it to the best of our abilities."

"It feels great to see all the hard work and dedication pay off. Many of the people in our office worked 12 hours or more on a consistent basis to ensure that we were meeting the mission requirements," he added. "This award validates all that hard work and says that it did not go unnoticed."

This trophy was first awarded in 1970 by the citizens of Omaha, Nebraska, through the Strategic Air Command Consultation Committee, to the most outstanding SAC wing in honor of the 25th anniversary of the SAC.

In an article written by USSTRATCOM honoring all the recipients for this award, U.S. Navy Adm. Cecil D. Haney, USSTRATCOM commander, praised the organizations for demonstrating "the highest standards of performance in support of USSTRATCOM's diverse missions."

Members of one unit that contributed to the wing's victory, the mechanical and pneudraulics section, said their crew was excited to hear the news that Minot had won the Omaha Trophy. It was especially nice to be recognized for all of the long hours and dedication they put into doing everyday maintenance.

5th MXG earns Daedalian Trophy

by Airman 1st Class Sahara Fales
Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs

3/10/2015 - MINTO AIR FORCE BASE,  -- Minot Air Force Base's 5th Maintenance Group earned the Air Force Global Strike Command 2014 Clements McMullen Memorial Daedalian Weapon System Maintenance Trophy.

The trophy is presented annually to a unit determined by Air Force Headquarters to have the best weapon system maintenance record for the preceding calendar year.

"The 5th MXG performed many acts to merit this award," said Chief Master Sgt. Charles Miller, 23rd Aircraft Maintenance Unit chief. "Most notable for last fiscal year was their ability to split into three groups and still provide safe, secure, reliable aircraft and munitions operations to support U.S. Pacific Command, Air Force Global Strike Command and U.S. Strategic Command from three locations independently: Guam, Ellsworth Air Force Base and Minot Air Force Base."

Our B-52H Stratofortress maintainers excelled when compared to other AFGSC bases in the four major categories: mission accomplishments, innovative management, use of resources and quality of life.

The 5th MXG led AFGSC's call for full spectrum global strike operations by readying 27 mission capable B-52H Stratofortresses in sub-zero temperatures.

The hard work and dedication of the 5th MXG Airmen resulted in the generation of 1,036 sorties and 6,175 flying hours, according to the award citation.

Master Sgt. Brian Combs, 5th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron personnel reliability program monitor, attributes the MXG's success to teamwork.

"Anything with maintenance and getting planes in the air takes a lot of teamwork," Combs said.

"It feels good to win an award like this. It says that we as a squadron work very well," he added. "I'm proud to say we're the best in Air Force Global Strike Command."

Next, the 5th MXG will be judged against other Air Force major command nominees to determine the best maintenance group in the Air Force. The winner will go on to compete against the other branches, as the Daedalian is one of few awards that crosses services.

"Competing at the Air Force level is humbling," Miller said. "Now we have the chance to represent the command at the highest level.  You know you're good at your job, but when outside agencies confirm that, it feels good."

5th BW Earns 2014 Omaha Trophy

by Senior Airman Malia Jenkins
Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs

3/10/2015 - MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D.  -- Minot's Warbirds were named the 2014 Omaha Trophy recipient for the fourth time as the command's premier strategic aircraft operations wing.

The Omaha Trophy is awarded annually to four outstanding units that represent USSTRATCOM's mission areas, their role in global operations and USSTRATCOM's continued emphasis on strategic deterrence.

The level of sustained mission performance while the 5th Bomb Wing had the runway being rebuilt was pretty outstanding, said Col. Jason Armagost, 5th BW commander.

"I think that contributed greatly to the kind of spectrum of mission accomplished," he added. "Counting operations taking place essentially at actually three different locations at once really allowed leadership to shine at the squadron level and above at the group level. They really tackled the challenges they were faced with and they did it in a very high profile way."

"I think the Omaha Trophy in general is a wonderful accomplishment and a huge testament to everything we accomplished in 2014," said Capt. Margaret Ingerslew, 69th Bomb Squadron radar navigator. "We overcame a lot of obstacles: operating out of Guam as well as Ellsworth Air Force Base in Rapid City, South Dakota, because our runway was closed for the majority of the summer. So, having to pick up and transport everything from Airmen to aircraft to maintenance supplies - that's just a huge feat, and I think we did it relatively seamlessly because the mission went on."

The four awards given are the Global Operations, Intercontinental Ballistic Missile, Submarine Ballistic Missile and Strategic Aircraft Operations trophies. Selections are based on formal evaluations, meritorious achievement, safety and factors such as community involvement and humanitarian actions.

This trophy was first awarded in 1970 by the citizens of Omaha, Nebraska, through the Strategic Air Command Consultation Committee, to the most outstanding SAC wing in honor of the 25th anniversary of the SAC.

In an article written by USSTRATCOM honoring all the recipients for this award, U.S. Navy Adm. Cecil D. Haney, USSTRATCOM commander, praised the organizations for demonstrating "the highest standards of performance in support of USSTRATCOM's diverse missions."

When submitting for this award, wings write packages listing all of the attainments across the various categories depicting how they complete the mission and go above and beyond.

"The big thing is probably it's looked at in its entirety. It's not any singular event,  and the Airmen really shined this year," Armagost said.

"It's a fantastic recognition for the Airmen and all of the folks, family and community because really I see it as a very broad level of sustainment of excellence -- not just for the mission but for how everything gets done," Armagost said. "It's a 365 kind of award. It's not a singular event and it's how we get after our assigned mission here."

Face of Defense: Mother’s Career Inspires Airman

By Air Force Senior Airman Victor J. Caputo

22nd Air Refueling Wing

MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan., March 11, 2015 – Many airmen count their family members among the most influential people in their lives.

For Air Force Senior Airman David Clauson, this is especially true. The 22nd Aerospace Medical Squadron medical technician’s father is an Air Force veteran, three of his five brothers are serving or have served as airmen, and both of his grandfathers and a great-grandfather also wore the Air Force uniform.

This pride in service isn’t exclusive to the men in the Clauson family, though. David’s mother, Air Force Capt. Dawn Clauson, is a nurse assigned to the 99th Medical Operations Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.

A Strong Influence

“She was definitely part of what influenced me to join the military,” Airman Clauson said of his mother. “She motivated me in my career and has shown me that if she can make through deployments and deal with the stresses of being [on] active duty, I can do it myself.”

While Captain Clauson was completing her bachelor’s degree in nursing in 2005, she said, she frequently received recruitment letters from the Army, Navy and Air Force.

“They all stated age was not an issue,” she added. “I’m a very healthy person, so I asked my two sons who were in the Air Force at the time what they thought about it.”

Her sons told her she would enjoy the medical side of the Air Force and encouraged her to join. At age 45, she answered the call to duty and was commissioned in June 2006.

Following in Family’s Footsteps

Airman Clauson wanted to follow in the footsteps of his family members, and joined the Air Force in 2011. His mother administered his enlistment oath.

“He is so proud that he made me come to [his basic training] graduation in uniform,” Captain Clauson said.

The heritage passed down from the time her father and grandfather spent in the Air Force pushed her not only to be patriotic in her own right, but also to inspire her children, the captain said, adding that she and her husband, Rick, encouraged their children to serve because they believe everyone would gain through at least one term of active duty service.

Airman Clauson is training to become an independent-duty medical technician, and he credited much of his determination to his mother.

“Not only has she taught me life lessons when I was child, she’s continuing to do so today through her own Air Force career,” he said. “It brings me a great amount of pride to serve alongside my mother.”

New CAP squadron encourages today's cadets to be tomorrow's aerospace leaders

by Senior Airman Christine Griffiths
100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

3/9/2015 - ROYAL AIR FORCE MILDENHALL, England  -- A new Civil Air Patrol squadron was activated March 2, 2015, on RAF Mildenhall.

U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Sharreen Taylor, 100th Operations Support Squadron interim squadron superintendent, was appointed to the grade of Civil Air Patrol first lieutenant and assumed command of the unit, with CAP Maj. Walt Brown, Air Force Special Operations Command: Digital Dagger team site lead and senior systems engineer contactor, taking on the role of the squadron's deputy commander.

The new unit, starting out with 20 cadets and 15 adult members, is one of seven squadrons established at U.S. Air Force installations overseas and is the only units posted in the U.K. since the early 1990s, when the CAP squadron at RAF Alconbury was inactivated.

The U.S. has approximately 1,500 different CAP squadrons which can be found on U.S. Air Force bases, in adjacent communities, or situated in towns well away from any military installation.

The missions of CAP are to conduct emergency services, cadet programs and aerospace education of the general public. Members are strictly volunteers.

"Civil Air Patrol is chartered by Congress as the official Auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force," Brown said. "So it's about as affiliated with the Air Force as you can get without actually being on active duty or in the guard or reserves.

"The way that search and rescue is set up, CAP is a primary provider in the continental U.S." Brown explained. "Civil Air Patrol flies about 90 percent of all inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center, with an average of 70 lives saved per year ranging from downed aircraft to lost hunters and hikers. About 80 percent of CAP's annual budget comes from the Air Force, which buys the airplanes and provides operations support and some equipment for the emergency services missions."

With no responsibility to conduct search and rescue missions in the U.K., the squadron being established here will make the CAP Cadet Program and aerospace education opportunities available to U.S. Military and DoD dependent youth ages 12 to 18 in the Mildenhall, Lakenheath and Feltwell community.

"The focus for our cadets is aerospace education, along with leadership, character building and physical training," Taylor said. "With that, we will also provide some training on ground search and rescue qualifications for the cadets, so that when they go back to the states and join whatever unit they go to they will already be trained and qualified in some of those things."

Cadets will learn CAP history, uniform wear, rank structure, and customs and courtesies during their first five weeks in the "Great Start" program. Once complete, members will receive their first Cadet Airman rank, or one stripe on their uniform.

Additionally, cadets will work side-by-side in different activities with Royal Air Force Air Cadets, the Ramstein Civil Air Patrol Cadet Squadron for a summer encampment, and RAF Lakenheath Junior Reserve Officer Training Corp to participate in drill competitions.

Members will also have the opportunity to fly in 352nd Special Operations Group and 100th Operations Group aircraft.

"The 352nd Special Operations Group and 100th OG have agreed to support us with orientation flights on their aircraft," Brown explained. "Part of the program is getting the kids excited about aviation and getting them in the air. Flying changes a lot of people's perspective of things. Obviously, all of the cadets that are here at Mildenhall have flown in an airplane at some point, because they got here from the States. But not many of them have flown in the back of a KC-135 Stratotanker or a MC-130J Commando II or any of the other types of military aircraft that are here. One of our goals is to schedule those types of flights two to three times a year to give them those experiences and get them interested in, and excited about, aviation."

Mildenhall Cadet Squadron meetings are scheduled every Monday from 6:30 to 9 p.m., in the Hardstand Fitness Center's Health and Wellness Center classroom.

Searchers Seek 7 Marines, 4 Soldiers After Helicopter Accident

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, March 11, 2015 – Search and rescue teams are looking for seven Marines and four soldiers this morning after an accident near Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

Two National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters were participating in a training exercise overnight, Eglin spokesman Andy Bourland said in a news release.

The aircraft are assigned to the 1-244th Assault Helicopter Battalion in Hammond, Louisiana. They were participating in a routine training mission involving the Marine Special Operations Regiment from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, he said.

Searchers Find Debris

One of the helicopters, with four aircrew members and seven Marines aboard, was involved in an accident near Eglin range site A-17, east of the Navarre Bridge, Bourland said. The helicopter was reported missing at about 8:30 p.m. last night, and a search and rescue team found debris at about 2 a.m. today, he added.

Search and rescue efforts are underway at the accident site, Bourland said. The second helicopter returned to Eglin, and all Marines and soldiers aboard are accounted for.

Names of the soldiers and Marines are being withheld pending notification of their families, and the accident is under investigation, Bourland said.