New DoD Agency Focuses on Improvised Threats

By Terri Moon Cronk

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, July 13, 2015 – Because it takes a network to defeat a network, the Defense Department today debuts its newest agency to stay at the forefront of improvised threats.

DoD’s Joint Improvised-Threat Defeat Agency, or JIDA, is built from what had been the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization. It is a combat support agency in the office of the undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, Army Maj. Gen. Julie A. Bentz, the agency’s vice director, told DoD News. JIDA has a new, expanded mission to reflect the new name, she said.

JIDA Has Broader Mission

“DoD broadened JIEDDO’s mission set to include the improvised threat,” Bentz explained. “Our job was always to counter the improvised explosive device, and this new mission set asks us to look at the next IED.” The nation’s adversary is an adaptive one, Bentz said, adding that the next generation of IED will be an improvised threat. “The department has given us an increased latitude to go after those innovative networks, because it takes a network to defeat a network,” she said.

JIDA Works in a Network

As a network, JIDA is a community of action, and will work with such organizations as the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Defense Logistics Agency, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, and across all communities that are affected by an improvised threat, the general said. JIDA’s network also includes coalition forces, partner nations and other U.S. agencies, she added.

The team approach brings the necessary authorities and capabilities to use each one’s strengths “to go after an adversary who knows how to exploit the seams between our capabilities,” Bentz explained. “The closer we stitch our abilities and leverage our authorities, the tighter a network we become to go after their network,” she added.

Patterns Lead to New Devices

JIEDDO learned early that as it defeated a device, “the next device was in front of us,” Bentz said. “But if we went upstream, [we] started noticing there were similar patterns and similar signatures that helped us understand there was a network of materials, people, tactics, techniques and procedures all coming together to build that IED.”

JIDA will continue that effort, she added. “Those same networks that build the IEDs are the same networks that will continue building improvised threats,” she said. The IED will continue to be a threat to U.S. and coalition forces worldwide, Bentz acknowledged.

“It is a threat that’s not going away anytime soon, unfortunately,” she said.

Gen. Harrigian cites AFSC's F-35 support

by 72nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

7/10/2015 - TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Oklahoma -- The head of the Air Force's F-35 Lightning II integration team cited the Air Force Sustainment Center's overall joint-strike fighter support during a visit to the center headquarters here today.

Maj. Gen. Jeffrey L. Harrigian, Director, F-35 Integration Office, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, said he is impressed by the work being done in AFSC.

"I am exceedingly impressed by the people and the work they're doing to support this incredibly important weapon system for our Air Force and the nation," the general said. "From an operator's perspective, we don't often get to see the underpinnings of a weapon system and all that it takes to make it successful."

The general, who is responsible for integrating F-35 activities across air staff directorates, sister services, the Joint Program Office and other Department of Defense agencies, was briefed by the AFSC leadership on the center's extensive sustainment and logistics support programs.

"I've learned a tremendous amount today about all the things the AFSC is doing not only for the F-35 program but really across the Air Force at large. And I think we are, as the F-35 program, really just touching the edges of what the AFSC can provide us. I think there is a whole lot more we can tap into," Harrigian said.

During the visit, AFSC Commander Lt. Gen. Lee Levy II, briefed the AFSC Way, an Air Force Sustainment Center program designed to continuously improve the center's ability to deliver combat power faster, with higher quality and at less cost.

"We have changed the way the Air Force generates combat power for America," Levy said. "We have freed ourselves from a culture of 'this is how we have always done it' and embraced the Art of the Possible to enhance speed, quality, and safety while reducing life cycle costs."

Harrigian toured the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center facilities, focusing on the F135 Heavy Maintenance Center and F135 engine test cell which recently completed engine modifications on 10 Marine Corps F135 engines.

In addition to the F-35 depot maintenance operations at the Ogden Air Logistics Complex at Hill AFB, Utah, which recently completed the first depot-level modifications on two F-35B STOVLs for the Marine Corps, the OC-ALC performs heavy maintenance on the F135 engine as well as providing organic software development and support. The F-35 program also requires aggressive supply chain support.

"Seeing what the team is doing here from the F135 to the software development capabilities, there is a whole lot of capability out there, particularly for the F-35 that I need to be able to take back and have that discussion with the program office, the Marines and Navy to make sure corporately we are making the best decisions to move this weapon system forward," Harrigian said.

Levy added the work done by the OC-ALC and OO-ALC on the Marines Corps' engines and aircraft is just one of the aspects of the F-35 program that showcases the AFSC's ability to generate financial efficiencies and industrial base benefits for the U.S., partner nations and Foreign Military Sales customers through economies of scale and a global sustainment focus.

Optometry helps keep focus on the mission

by Senior Airman Areca T. Wilson
31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

7/11/2015 - AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- Successfully completing the mission is not only dependent on knowledge, but also on an Airman's ability to physically carry out the tasks required. The 31st Aerospace Medicine Squadron optometry clinic aims to eliminate blurred lines, and ensure each patient's eye health.

The optometry clinic's aims to provide vision care and support the mission by ensuring Wyvern Warriors are able to complete their duty both locally and in deployed locations.

"Our clinic's mission is to get all patients seeing 20/20 if possible," said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Joel Ives, 31st Aerospace Medicine Squadron NCO in charge of optometry. "We record any abnormalities within eye health."

Although the clinic provides service to all of Team Aviano, active-duty members take precedence to ensure mission productivity.

"Our main mission is to send our folks downrange and go to war," said Ives.  "If our members are unable to see clearly or sharply, accuracy in their tasks is not going to be the same and that may affect our mission."

The 3-person team conducts 300 eye exams every month. During each exam, technicians check for any changes in each patient's eyesight. They perform procedures to identify any diseases at the earliest stage possible.

"We dispense glasses to folks after sending their prescription to the labs in Germany," Ives explained. "Our clinic also provides different types of inserts for the gas mask and ballistic eyewear required by some deployed locations."

In addition to routine eye exams, the clinic offers single, bi-focal, tri-focal, spectacle and contact lens prescriptions to all active-duty personnel.

The optometry Airmen commit themselves to providing optimal care for their patients, but the services offered mean nothing if not utilized.

"We recommend people get their eyes examined every two to three years and dilated at least every three years," said Ives. "However, as an active duty member or dependent you are authorized to get an eye exam once a year and we encourage that."

In addition to yearly appointments, Team Aviano members can take daily precautions to help keep their eyes healthy.

Clinic staff recommends not sleeping with contacts, removing contacts if irritation occurs and giving eyes a break by looking away from computer screens at least for ten minutes every hour as well as lowering the brightness on electronic devices.

According to Ives, the clinic's staff is always ready to maintain the health of Wyvern warriors.

"We have the ability to maximize and see a lot of patients if we needed to," said Ives. "We are confident that we will take care of anyone who comes in."

45th SW says Farewell to Antigua Air Station

by 1st Lt. Alicia Wallace

7/13/2015 - ANTIGUA AIR STATION, Antigua -- After more than 50 years of operations, Antigua Air Station was deactivated July 7 in a ceremony held on the island.

Brig. Gen. Nina Armagno, 45th Space Wing commander and presiding officer of the ceremony, sheathed the detachment colors in a sleeve, symbolizing the organizations inactive status, while the Honorable Larry Palmer, ambassador to the U.S. Embassy Barbados, the Honorable Gaston Browne, the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, and his Excellency Sir Rodney Williams, the Governor-General of Antigua and Barbuda, and his wife Lady Sandra observed the event.

Originally established as a revision of a land-lease agreement with Great Britain, the mission of Detachment 1, 45th Operations Group, was to support the space-lift mission of the Eastern Range by providing high data rate telemetry.

"Antigua Air Station has been an extremely valuable asset to the success of the 45th SW. It served as one of the primary Range and Control instrumentation sites for space and launch vehicle tracking support," said Armagno. "There was never a launch scrub due to a failure of Antigua based instrumentation. This is remarkable considering there was no redundancy for the Antigua radar or command system."

A thorough review of mission requirements in recent years determined that the mandatory tracking and command responsibilities that were carried out by AAS could be accomplished using the data rate telemetry received from other Air Force assets.

"Mission requirements for space and launch vehicle tracking support were reviewed, and we discovered that we are able to provide the necessary capabilities with mission design changes and use of the telemetry system on Ascension," said Lt. Col. Steven Melvin, commander of Det 1.

The decision to inactivate the air station was a difficult one to make, according to Armagno, but in the constrained fiscal environment, the wing was forced to make changes. Operating expenses for AAS were over $10 million USD per year.

In his comments, Palmer described the moment as "historic though bittersweet." The ambassador said the partnership between the U.S. and Antigua and Barbuda has and will continue to benefit both nations in the future.

The C-Band Radar used in AAS is being relocated to Harold E. Holt Naval Communications Station, Australia. Once established, the sensor will be integrated into the U.S. Space Surveillance Network.

"Many of our allies and partners rely on the U.S. SSN to provide foundational elements for protecting space assets," said Melvin. "The resulting increase in battlespace awareness due to the location in Australia will provide the warfighter with predictive and actionable situational awareness through early detection of launches at a lower inclination than previously available."

Armagno thanked the detachment and the CSR team for their support to the 45th SW.

"The 45th Space Wing will never forget the contributions that Antigua Air Station has provided over the past 50 years. We will never forget the support that this Air Station has provided and the wonderful people that have helped get our mission accomplished," said Armagno. "Today is a hard day, but you should be gratified. Be proud of everything that you've stood for and be satisfied for a job well done and know that you will always hold a special place in the storied history of space launch for the Air Force and the United States of America!"

Schriever memorial inducts six new honorees

by James Spellman, Jr.
Space and Missile Systems Center Public Affairs

7/10/2015 - LOS ANGELES AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.  -- A rare, but badly needed rain shower did nothing to dampen spirits as six early Air Force and civilian space pioneers were honored during a ceremony unveiling their names, newly inscribed on a wall of polished black granite at the General Bernard A. Schriever Memorial, located on the grounds of the Space and Missile Systems Center.

Hosted by the SMC History office in the Gordon Conference Center, the event was presided over by Lt. Gen. Samuel Greaves, SMC commander, with Gen. John Hyten, commander, Air Force Space Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo. and retired Maj. Gen. Thomas Taverney, former AFSPC vice commander attending. More than 300 attendees including family members and civic leaders from the surrounding South Bay beach cities honored the six inductees: Col. Clarence L. Battle, Jr., Maj. Gen. Ben I. Funk, Col. Thomas O. Haig, Col. Edward N. Hall, Mr. Joseph J. Knopow and Lt. Gen. Charles H. Terhune, Jr.

Two special guests were also in attendance: 94-year-old retired Col. Haig, one of the honorees and Maj. Michael Schriever, grandson of General Schriever whose memorial bears his name. Maj. Schriever is currently chief of the National Reconnaissance Office headquarters Weapons and Tactics and deputy chief of NRO Special Technical Operations.

Coming from various backgrounds and fields of expertise, the six latest inductees share a common heritage representing early Air Force space and missile development:

* Col. Lee Battle worked on propulsion projects at Air Force headquarters and the Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards Air Force Base during the early 1950s. He transferred to the Western Development Division soon after its creation in 1954, becoming the chief of systems engineering for the Advanced Reconnaissance System, which soon became known by the unclassified name Discoverer and the CIA's classified designation, Corona.

Discoverer/Corona was not only the first Air Force satellite program, it was also the world's first satellite designed to perform a military mission. Col. Battle directed the Discoverer/Corona program during its critical early period through its eventual success in film recovery from orbit beginning in 1960 with Discoverer 14, after which it was managed by the National Reconnaissance Office.

The lessons in management that he learned through a dozen early launch and payload failures leading to the first successful launch, on-orbit operations, and payload recovery were summarized in Battle's Laws. In them, he laid out the fundamental principles for direction of successful space programs, emphasizing a streamlined approach with simple clarity. Battle's Laws are still well known among acquisition managers as a distillation of practical wisdom for achieving program success.

*  Maj. Gen. Ben Funk oversaw General Schriever's logistics, materiel, and acquisition functions, improving activities vital to the success of SMC's predecessors. General Schriever personally selected General Funk to be the commander of Space Systems Division, overseeing many pioneering space programs where he was known especially for his support of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Mercury and Gemini programs.

General Funk was responsible for man-rating the Atlas missile for the Mercury program and the Titan II missile and Agena target vehicle for the Gemini program. Three-fourths of the hardware used in NASA's first two manned space programs were developed and launched under General Funk's management.

Gen Funk also oversaw the development of the Titan III launch vehicle, which provided an enormous increase in launch capacity for the nation's military and civil space programs. He oversaw the beginning of many vital satellite programs, including the initial Defense Communications Satellite program. Los Angeles Air Force Base, headquarters for SMC and its predecessors since 1964, was acquired, remodeled, and occupied during his management as well.

*  Working on balloon reconnaissance programs in the early 1950s, Col. Thomas Haig managed requirements for satellite ground support at the Air Force Ballistic Missile Division until 1961, developing tracking and control stations for early surveillance programs. When the National Reconnaissance Office established a meteorological satellite program in 1961 to provide information on cloud cover over the Soviet Union for its Corona photographic reconnaissance satellites, Haig was selected to create and manage the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program for the NRO.

When DMSP was transferred to Space Systems Division in the early 1960s, Haig served as its director until 1966, managing it through four satellite block changes. DMSP was used immediately for military operations with the first satellite providing weather information for reconnaissance missions during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. Block I satellites also supported air operations in the Congo in 1964. By the end of Haig's tenure, DMSP data was supporting tactical military operations in Vietnam.

*  Widely recognized in the field of early missiles during World War II, Col. Edward Hall performed pioneering work on the development of propulsion for all first-generation Air Force strategic missiles. He managed the entire Thor intermediate-range ballistic missile development program through its deployment in England.

Col. Hall personally obtained the required Pentagon support to develop a proposed new solid propellant intercontinental ballistic missile, managing the Minuteman I ICBM development program at the Western Development Division, SMC's first organizational ancestor and the Air Force Ballistic Missile Division from the early development of solid-fuel propulsion through early Minuteman flight testing in 1959.

*  The father of space-based infrared detection technology, Mr. Joe Knopow was in charge of the Missile Division of Lockheed Aircraft Corporation's development of MIDAS, the world's first missile detection satellite program, during 1955-1962. Like the early Corona program, MIDAS experienced many launch and early on-orbit failures before achieving its first spectacular surveillance successes.

Mr. Knopow tirelessly planned, guided, and advocated for the program through its early difficulties. The original concepts that he developed for MIDAS are familiar and valuable infrared detection techniques are still in use today.

*  Lt. Gen. Charles Terhune worked on the development of missiles and nuclear warheads for the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the Air Force Special Weapons Center. As a colonel, Terhune was one of the original 18 military personnel, known as the "Schoolhouse Gang" who arrived at a schoolhouse in Inglewood serving as the Western Development Division's temporary headquarters in August 1954 to set up the development program for the Atlas intercontinental ballistic missile.

Serving as General Schriever's technical assistant, deputy for ballistic missiles, and then vice commander over a six-year period, General Terhune played a vital role in the formulation and implementation of the management concepts which brought the first generation of Air Force intermediate-range and intercontinental ballistic missiles to operational status through the combined efforts of a vast government-science-industry team. He was a key figure in the development of early space programs, including the Advanced Reconnaissance System and the Pioneer lunar missions.

"To the family members of these individuals, the world is a vastly different place for the better because of their legacy that we continue to benefit from today," said Hyten. "We owe these leaders a great debt of gratitude, a debt we can only repay by living up to the examples they set for us."

With support from industry partners, the Air Force Association's Schriever chapter sponsored and commissioned a statue of General Schriever, architect of the Air Force's ballistic missile and military space program, in November 2007. The 60th anniversary of SMC in 2014 was chosen as the initial occasion to recognize some of the earliest space pioneers who made tremendous contributions in their field. Additional pioneers are chosen each year to have their names added to the Schriever Wall of Honor.

Two CE civilians do their part, aid mission

by Airman 1st Class Ceaira Tinsley
23d Wing Public Affairs

7/10/2015 - MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Paying attention to detail, showing initiative and going beyond the call of duty are aspirations of many Airmen and two Moody civilians were recently rewarded for excelling in all three July 8, here.

Elvis Lane, 23d Civil Engineer Squadron pollution prevention manager, and Greg "Radar" Haugen, 23d CES environmental coordinator, received Air Force Civilian Certificate of Achievement Awards for their efforts that prevented environmental pollution and contamination while saving the Air Force money and manpower.

The Air Force Civilian Certificate of Achievement Award is the civilian equivalent of the Air Force Achievement Medal. It is awarded to civilians who overcome unusual difficulties to achieve superior accomplishments.

Both Lane and Haugen are a part of Moody's environmental compliance section, which is responsible for ensuring the base adheres to both state and federal environmental laws. These actions prevent the base from receiving any regulatory enforcement repercussions.

"Through their proactive efforts both of them helped to prevent the installation from receiving a notice of violation from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division," said Greg Lee, 23d CES environmental element chief. "Because both of them did that, they saved the government from having a black mark on their record; we felt that needed to be recognized."

Despite both Lane and Haugen earning the same award, they were rewarded for aiding the mission in different but significant ways.

On rare occasions, during evaluations inspectors make a mistake and Lane identified it and the mistake overturned.

"The inspector incorrectly identified a discrepancy," said William Fowler, 23d CES chief of environmental compliance. "Lane, being very knowledgeable in his program, felt that discrepancy was an error, but he needed to prove it. He did research and found the regulatory law that the inspector addressed, and then he used that law to refute the inspector's write up [against the base]."

Similarly to Lane's initiative and Haugen showcased his expertise by identifying a problem within Moody's environmental system prior to an inspection.

Haugen conducted an inspection of the Army Air Force Exchange Service station before Moody's GEPD inspection, said Fowler. When the inspectors arrived, he had already identified the discrepancy. Haugen proactively put corrective actions in place and coordinated and organized all of that with the AAFES manager alone.

Jointly their actions aided Moody in passing an environmental compliance inspection from the GEPD and the Environmental Protection Agency. Moody would have had to pay $27K per day in fines if Lane and Haugen had not discovered and resolved these environmentally hazardous flaws.

"We've had two major inspections on the installation and both of them have come back with no negative findings at all," said Lee. "In both cases (the inspectors) said 'we have extraordinary and well-run programs,' which speaks a lot about Elvis and Haugen."

Lane and Haugen's 40 years of environmental experience proved to be beneficial to Moody and the surrounding communities.

"In a sense, they are gladiators who remain ever vigilant," said Fowler. "They protect our planet from the spoils of environmental pollution and ensure the highest-level of mission capability is always maintained. Lane and Haugen do what the sign says at the beginning of the base 'doing ordinary things better than anybody else.'"

Carter Asks County Execs to Find New Ways to Work with Service Members, Vets

By Jim Garamone

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, July 11, 2015 – As the nation’s military adapts new strategies and personnel policies, Defense Secretary Ash Carter today asked counties and communities across America to consider new ways to provide service to troops and veterans.

Carter told the National Association of Counties conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, that as strategies change to keep America safe, personnel policies will change, too. Counties, cities and towns across America will be affected, he said.

“Our men and women don’t come from the Pentagon,” the defense secretary said. “They come from your communities. We recruit from your communities. Our service members and their families live in your communities while they’re serving, including our Guardsmen and reservists. And when they leave military service, they are, once again, in your communities.”

This is happening at a time when fewer Americans have a personal connection to the military, Carter said. From World War II to the advent of the all-volunteer force in 1973, three out of four Americans had a personal connection to the military. That number is now one in three and is likely to go down. Put another way, at the end of World War II, 10 percent of Americans were in the military. Today it is around 1 percent.

Department Seeks Talent

America’s military today is the “finest fighting force the world has ever seen,” he said. People are at the heart of that and attracting the right mix of people moving forward is key to military preeminence in the future.

Attracting and retaining men and women with high-demand talents and high-level skills means moving away from an Industrial Age recruiting and retention model, the defense secretary said.

“To attract and compete for talent in these new generations, we’re trying to build what I call the Force of the Future. We’re pushing to be attractive to this new generation,” Carter said. The military needs to be more geographically diverse, he said. There has to be “more on-ramps and off-ramps to give our people more choices” as DoD brings the personnel system into the 21st century.

“We’re drilling tunnels through the walls that too often separate government and the private sector particularly in scientific and commercial technology areas,” he said. “Because we need America’s brightest minds to contribute to our mission.”

DoD, Community Health Tied to Education

These changes will affect communities across the country, the defense secretary said. He noted that community schools are the wellsprings for future scientists and technology professionals and he urged members of the association to continue the recent emphasis on science, technology, engineering and math programs.

The bottom line is that counties and local communities “are the source of the American military’s enduring strength, because you provide our men and women in uniform the preparation, the care and the purpose they need to defend our country,” he said.

And when their military service is over, they will return to their communities. But even that will change, Carter said.

“Transition out of the military will look different than it did 70 years ago, or, for that matter, 10 years ago,” he said. “It’ll mean that in the future, some might only serve for a time, while others may spend 25 years moving back and forth between national service and other opportunities.”

Service members and their families may spend more time in communities without having to move around as often as they do now, Carter said.

Support Troops by Knowing Them

Each community is different, as are the foundations of preparation, care and purpose, the defense secretary said.

“People from urban areas and rural areas may have different ideas of what their community should look like,” he said. “Still, in a future where each community’s foundation should be different … there should be some elements that they have in common.

“For example, let’s make a future where more Americans nationwide strive not only to support our troops, but to know our troops. Let’s make a future where this is a two-way street where both military and civilian communities contribute to each other,” Carter said.

Embracing service members, veterans and their families also makes good sense for local jurisdictions, he said. When veterans come into communities, “empower them with opportunities to continue leading lives of meaning and purpose,” he told the conference-goers.

“To be clear, they aren’t looking for handouts,” Carter said.

Veterans are 20 percent more likely to give to charities, volunteer 30 percent more hours per year and are three times more likely to join a service or civic organization, the defense secretary said.

“The 9/11 generation volunteered to serve in a time of war, and they have a strong desire to continue making a difference in the world,” he said. “All it takes is finding the right opportunity.”