Canada Joins Ukraine National Guard Training Program

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, April 14, 2015 – The Defense Department announced today that Canada will be joining the DoD-State Department initiative to help train members of the Ukrainian National Guard which was announced last month.

Speaking to reporters, Pentagon spokesman Army Col. Steve Warren praised Canada for its contributions and for joining the National Guard training mission in Ukraine.

“We welcome our close friend and strong ally Canada’s contributions to the Ukrainian National Guard training program,” he said, adding that Canada has provided non-lethal military assistance to Ukraine throughout the ongoing crisis.

“Earlier this year,” Warren said, “Canada joined the United States-Ukraine joint commission. We look forward to continuing our long-standing defense relationship while undertaking this important endeavor.”

DoD officials announced March 20 about 290 U.S. service members from the Vicenza, Italy-based 173rd “Sky Soldiers” Airborne Brigade, would go to the International Peacekeeping and Security Center in Yavoriv, near the Polish border, and train six Ukraine National Guard companies with a focus on internal security and territorial defense in western Ukraine.

Russian Actions

The colonel also noted DoD is “certainly aware” of three Russian naval vessels that are sailing through the English Channel.

“We know our allies, the [British], are tracking them very closely as are we,” Warren said. “We’ve often said that nations have the ability to travel through international waters as long as they respect all international standards of conduct and territorial integrity, and laws.”

He said, “We call on the Russians to ensure they do that in this case.” He added that nothing suggests the Russians have violated these “norms.”

The colonel also noted there are no indications Russia is conducting any sort of exercise.

“I know that’s the Russians’ claim,” Warren said, “but we’ve seen no evidence of any type of exercise. And I believe the Brits have actually said as much as well.”

Minsk Agreement Violations

Warren said there’s “no question” Russian-backed separatists have “repeatedly” violated the terms of the Minsk cease-fire agreement.

“This is something that we keep a very close eye on,” he said. “[There’s] also no question that the Russians continue to operate inside of Ukrainian territory.”

In fact, Warren said, the Russians have actually set up some training centers inside of eastern Ukraine where they’re helping train separatists in tasks such as gunnery and artillery firing drills.

“We also know that they continue to maintain advanced surface-to-air missile systems near the front line which is in direct violation of the Minsk agreements,” he said.

And, Warren said, the Russians have command and control elements inside of Ukraine that are helping to coordinate military operations there.

“So [these are] all examples of the Russians continuing to provide support to the separatists,” he said.

Happy Birthday USAF Reserve

by 477th Fighter Group Public Affairs

4/14/2015 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska  -- April 14 will mark the 67th birthday of the U.S. Air Force Reserve which was formally established by President Harry S. Truman nearly seven decades ago.

Since that time, reservists have provided combat ready forces to fly, fight and win across the globe, and the 477th Fighter Group here is no exception. The 477th is the world's most experienced F-22 organization in the Air Force and is responsible for recruiting, training, developing and retaining a combat-ready force of approximately 350 reservists to support the active duty and Expeditionary Air Force.

Operating in various locations around the world, the Air Force Reserve has evolved from a "stand by" force for emergencies into a Major Command and currently performs about 20 percent of the work of the Air Force.

As the only Air Force Reserve unit in Alaska, the 477th serves as the backbone of the Total Force Enterprise here, volunteering for 5,000 hours of alert operations and contributing three pilots with more than 1,000 hours in the F-22. With reservists integrated in every part of the Raptor operations, from maintenance and ground equipment to pilots and support staff, the 477th sets the standard for total force integration.

In addition, Reserve members live work and serve in and around the communities locally. From parish priests to school superintendents, and Cub Scout leaders to community volunteers, group members contributed thousands of hours to the Alaskan economy and way of life.

Take time this month to recognize the men and women of the Air Force Reserve, honor their service and wish them a happy birthday.

Face of Defense: Air Force Officer’s Hard Work Reaps Rewards

By Air Force Senior Airman Vernon L. Fowler Jr.

6th Air Mobility Wing

MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla., April 14, 2015 – The late NFL Hall of Fame football coach Vince Lombardi once said, “Leaders are made, they are not born.” That quote never rang more true than it has for Air Force 1st Lt. Kim Atkins, a sexual assault response coordinator here.

“Both my grandfather and dad served in the Army as infantrymen,” Atkins said. “My mother is currently a first sergeant at Dover Air Force Base, and my aunt is serving in the Army Reserve and used to be a drill sergeant. So, my work ethic was instilled into me.”

Groomed for Leadership

Atkins, who hails from Dover, Delaware, said she was groomed for leadership, starting with her time serving as the flight commander in the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps and then as captain on her cross country and track teams in high school. She said she was also a member of the National Honor Society and worked as a guidance counselor’s assistant and nurse’s assistant at her school.

After graduating, Atkins accepted an ROTC scholarship to the University of Delaware, where she would regularly lead the joint color guard and help train the field training preparation flights.

“I loved being a part of JROTC,” Atkins said. “I had an awesome instructor who pushed me to continue it into college.”

After graduating from college, Atkins left for officer training school. There, she would face various obstacles. One of the biggest, she said, was being underestimated by her peers and instructors. Consequently, she said she worked hard to become the ROTC Iron Woman for fitness excellence.

“I, along with a male, was named the top in fitness out of 350,” Atkins said. “I like to prove people wrong.”

After receiving her commission and completing technical school, Atkins was assigned to MacDill’s 6th Force Support Squadron sustainment services flight. She would later work in readiness and mortuary affairs before finding herself as the SARC.

Seeks to Excel

“Upon my arrival to MacDill, my goal was to be a professional first,” Atkins said. “I came here with the intent to not only improve my leadership, but also my followership and be my personal best for everyone’s benefit.”

Atkins was recently accepted to become an instructor at Officer Training School. She will depart MacDill and head to the course this summer, where she will be evaluated as she leads her first flight.

“I’m super excited, and I hope to keep growing as a leader and a follower,” Atkins said. “I’m going to make sure to put my best foot forward and be an example because, as a friend once told me, ‘Attitude determines altitude.’”

National Guard Helicopters Fight North Dakota Wildfire

By Bill Prokopyk

North Dakota National Guard

BISMARCK, N.D., April 14, 2015 – The North Dakota Army National Guard yesterday launched two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters in support of a request by emergency responders battling a wildfire south of Bismarck, near the residential area of Briardale.

Yesterday, North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple extended an executive order that authorizes the adjutant general to activate North Dakota National Guard resources in support of local and tribal governments fighting wildfires.

The first Black Hawk launched at 3:57 p.m. CST from the Guard’s Army Aviation Support Facility south of the Bismarck airport. The second helicopter launched at 5 p.m.

The Black Hawks are assigned to the Bismarck-based Company C, 2nd Battalion, 285th Aviation Regiment and will use 600-gallon water buckets to help control the wildfire.

The helicopters will scoop water out of the Missouri River and will assist as fuel and flying conditions allow or until the mission is complete.

Malmstrom Airman takes first steps toward commission

by Airman 1st Class Dillon Johnston
341st Missile Wing Public Affairs

4/13/2015 - MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- A 341st Security Forces Squadron member was accepted to the Air Force Academy Preparatory School in Colorado Springs, Colorado, April 6, 2015.

Airman 1st Class Danallen Lee, 341st SFS member, first began his path toward being an officer in October 2014. He aimed to gain admission to the Air Force Academy prep school, an institution which takes enlisted Airmen and grooms them to thrive in the academy. His first hurdle was to gain a recommendation through his chain of command; however, this was not all too daunting.

"Lee's flight commander, 1st Lt. Chad Weaver, brought it to my attention and solicited my support," said Maj. Kelli Green, 341st SFS commander. "Weaver didn't have a hard time convincing me; it was quite clear that Lee was a perfect candidate."

Lee continued to move forward, clearing the different tests and prerequisites the academy laid in front of him.

"There was a pre-questionnaire, I had to do the SAT, and there was a whole application process as well," Lee said. "I had to get my commander's approval, my first sergeant's approval and a letter of recommendation from my commander."

Once the final pieces had been set in place, Lee just had to wait. When he finally got the news, both Lee and his leadership were ecstatic.

"I'm very proud of Lee and his accomplishments to date," Green said. "I know he has the ambition, character, fitness level and know-how to be an incredible officer in the world's most powerful Air Force."

The prep school is a pathway to one of the most prestigious schools on the United States, and although Lee has already made it this far, the 10-month school still has some challenges laid out for him.

"If you mess up, you won't get into the academy," he said. "But as long as you're doing well in the prep school, you should get a spot."

To Lee, the academy is a way to a new start for him, both education and career wise.

"(I hope to get) a good education and a good starting point for the rest of my life.

"I'd like to go into finance, I like money," he joked.

This interest in the financial side of the Air Force spawns from one of his more business-oriented life goals.

"I have this dream of mine," Lee said. "It's to be the CEO of a Fortune 500 company. I hear the academy has one of the best management degrees in the country."

Beyond the educational benefits, Lee believes it will improve him as a supervisor or eventual commander.

"I just want to be a better leader and a better person," Lee said.

With a big challenge and dreams of a grandiose life ahead of him, Lee continues to maintain a humble outlook on life.

"I don't want to be famous," Lee said. "I just want to be a better man."