National Guard Cyber Capability Grows Nationwide

By Cheryl Pellerin

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, July 29, 2015 – Just as the National Guard provides warfighting forces for the Army and Air Force and help during state and federal emergencies, Guardsmen now are ramping up their role in the nation’s escalating cybersecurity fight, according to the chief of the National Guard Bureau.

Army Gen. Frank J. Grass spoke with DoD News recently about growing cyber capability in the Guard and how the Guard works with federal, state and local partners in the annual Cyber Guard exercise.

Grass is the senior uniformed National Guard officer, responsible for 460,000 Army and Air National Guard personnel. He was appointed by the president and is a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Growth Plan

Describing the Guard’s plan for growth, Grass said he’s looking to soon establish a National Guard Cyber Protection Team -- a cyber capability in each of the 10 multistate Federal Emergency Management Agency regions.

“We’re going to get there,” he said. “That’s going to be easy.”

From there, and looking to the future, Grass said, the Guard will begin building capabilities in areas nationwide where related industries and universities can support growing Guard cyber capabilities and recruiting plans.

“We want to try to have a cyber capability in every state someday,” Grass said. “The Air National Guard is on a path -- I'd say within five years we will have 20 units, either converted [from existing specialties like combat communications or system administration] or new units standing up across the nation. The Army National Guard is on a path for 12 units, and some of those are standing up now."

The general said those numbers represent a start point for the National Guard, rather than an end point.

The Guard also has grown by participating every year since 2012 in an exercise called Cyber Guard, the general said. This year Cyber Guard was held June 8-26 in Suffolk, Virginia.

“I don't know if there's anything I've seen across the map that brings us together as well as the Cyber Guard exercise every year,” he added.

Attack Scenario

This year the Cyber Guard scenario included a simulated major Southern California earthquake and the emergency response, followed by a series of what seemed to be coordinated cyberattacks by a range of actors that disrupted electrical power along both coasts.

The scenario called for the attack to affect banks, oil and gas pipelines, and a major commercial port in the United Kingdom. Mock adversaries attacked DoD information networks across the department and the services, resulting in power outages, ATM failures and food shortages.

More than 100 organizations spanning government, academia, industry and the international coalition participated in the exercise.

U.S. Cyber Command, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the FBI led the exercise. More than 1,000 participants -- including active-duty, National Guard and Reserve units and personnel from all five military services -- took part.

State, Local Collaboration

Grass said the exercise began in 2012 with eight states and 75 participants and has grown to the current size and participation, “so I think everyone sees that as a value -- to come together at one location each year.”

Guard participation helps attract local and state organizations and private companies, the general said, and gave an example from this year’s Cyber Guard.

During a tour of the exercise stations, Grass ran into an Army major from the Washington National Guard. The Guardsman was standing next to an exercise participant from a Washington power company, and the two discussed how they communicate regularly.

Grass added, “The power company representative said, ‘If something happens in our facility, this is the man I'm calling first,’” indicating the Guard major.

Every Discipline

They have a personal relationship, Grass said, “they know each other … so bringing them together at the national level and being able to hammer out how we're going to respond in a time of disaster here in the homeland and when we're under attack is so critical.”

The general said Guardsmen come from every discipline across business and industry, including the business of cyber and information technology, and that the kind of work performed by cyber warriors for the nation is a huge draw for recruitment.

What the Guard offers Cybercom is the ability to ramp up with more trained and ready people if the nation comes under attack, he added.

“We won't even have to mobilize,” Grass said, “[Guardsmen] will volunteer to be there. We have a couple of units that are aligned and train there every day. Their association is with Cybercom and their components … and [when we] send them back to their hometown units, the skill sets that they bring back with them are off the scale.”

Overcoming all odds, Airmen defeats toughest adversary yet

by Airman 1st Class Christian Clausen
432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

7/28/2015 - CREECH AIR FORCE BASE, Nevada  -- He awoke on a frigid Washington D.C. morning completely blind and was rushed through the cold snow laden streets in a furious sprint to the hospital.

A few hours later Ryan Keeney received the worst news of his life. He had been diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia, a deadly form of cancer which without quick treatment can claim the lives of its victims within months, even with the treatment the survival rate is a slim 40 percent.

He was thrown into a world he didn't understand, just hours before he was waking up to spend the day before Thanksgiving with his family. Wednesday, November 24th, 2010 became a day that changed his life forever.

"I was admitted to the George Washington national hospital and I stayed there for the next five weeks being treated with initial rounds of chemotherapy," said now Lt. Col. Ryan Keeney, former 15th Reconnaissance Squadron commander.

The first night was overwhelming, his mind raced faster than a formula one car. His future would no longer be as he had envisioned.

"What concerned me the most was not being able to see my boys Connor and Finnegan grow up and see their graduation, and get married," he said.  "I was feeling a great sense of loss of not being able to be involved in the rest of their lives."

His career would take a turn as well, while worried at first, the feeling didn't last long.

"The first day I was worried about not being able to fly anymore," the former F-15 pilot said. "After that day I got over myself, realized that wasn't what was important and moved on and recognized that this was just a challenge I needed to overcome."

Keeney spent the next five months undergoing four more rounds of sickening and fatigue-inducing chemo. The balloons from his kids which decorated his bleak hospital room to keep him company, and the support from his wife kept his spirits high.

His morale also received a nice boost when he promoted to the next rank while in the hospital.

"The chief of staff and vice chief of staff of the Air Force came to promote me to lieutenant colonel," he said. "I was in my hospital gown and mask during the whole thing and they even put my rank on the gown."

Seventeen months later and after recovering from the chemo, Keeney's cancer went into remission. He was able to live normally again regained his flying status and began the next step of his career as a squadron commander.

"I was hired in January of 2012 to go be the squadron commander of the 49th Fighter Training Squadron conducting introduction to fighter fundamentals courses at Columbus Air Force Base in Mississippi," Keeney said. "Then I went to train for six months before taking command."

Keeney completed his training and began his trip back to Washington D.C. On the way there he stopped at the cancer hospital where he would see a familiar face.

"One of my friends and hero's, Col. Michael Stapleton was there being treated for a different type of leukemia," he said. "He was one of the guys I looked up to and it was tough seeing him like that."

Keeney wished his friend well and returned home to his family. All seemed well, he was 18 months in remission and his house was packed up for his new assignment.

During his final medical evaluation prior to permanent change of station, he received some heart-wrenching news.

Just nine days before his change of command, Keeney had relapsed.

"The doctor let me drive home that night to tell my family," he said. "I was worried that I had gotten lucky the first time and I wouldn't be so lucky with the second time. We had just started to relax and it felt like the rug got yanked out from under me."

His wife Aimee and two boys were worried, but ultimately knew they would just have to get through it again together.

The family packed their suitcases, these belongings being the only possessions they would have for the next year. Just two days later Keeney was airlifted down to M.D. Andersen cancer center in Texas, the same center where he had visited his friend just four days prior.

"Unfortunately my friend didn't make it, he passed away after I got there," he said, gazing in the distance as he reminisced. "It was a difficult environment to be in; people literally right next to you are dying."

Keeney underwent two more rounds of chemotherapy and was selected for an experimental stem cell transplant in September of 2012.

"Essentially what the doctors did was give me enough chemo to kill my bone marrow and then give me stem cells from umbilical cords," he said. "It was a new procedure; I was actually patient number two on the study."

This procedure left him too sick to hardly move or eat. The short 15 step walk to the bedroom was almost too daunting a task.

"Aimee knew that I responded well to challenges and got me a pedometer," Keeney said. "My challenge was to take one more step than the day prior. Every day I would try to walk around the apartment, after just 100 steps or so I would have to sleep for hours, that's how incredibly exhausted I was."

He continued to recover over the next year and a half, regained his flying status, and received a job offer to be a squadron commander in May of 2014.

"I got a call from Col. Michael King asking if I wanted to go be a remotely piloted aircraft squadron commander at Creech Air Force Base," he said. "It was one of the most exciting questions of my life, I thought my second chance to command had passed and I would never be able to, let alone to command Airmen in combat."

He took command in June of 2014 and even though he only served as squadron commander for less than a year, he led the 15th Reconnaissance Squadron through some impressive milestones.

"Keeney led the mighty pigeons of the 15th RS for only 11 months in accomplishing over 21,000 hours flying hours, 348 airstrikes, 570 enemy personnel eliminated," said Col. Julian Cheater, 432nd Operations Group commander. "Keeney aced his squadron command tour by setting high standards, holding people to those high standards, and rewarding top performance."

"Being the squadron commander for the 15th was the best job I've ever had," he said. "It was a whirlwind and I'm eternally grateful for leadership giving me the chance to command and take care of people and ultimately help them fulfill their dreams."

Even Aimee made an impact on the 15th RS and Creech AFB. She created a strong spouses group, held multiple events, and generating newsletters to keep everyone informed.

"Not only did Keeney and his leadership team perform well in all mission areas, but they helped take care of the Hunter Family," Cheater said. "Along with his vivacious wife, Aimee, the Keeney's organized a squadron luau, and were instrumental in helping organize a Halloween Party that was attended by over 380 trick-or-treating Hunters and mini-Hunters. What an awesome event."

Keeney attributes his success and survival largely to his wife.

"There's no way I could have done it without Aimee," Keeney said. "She was always positive, supportive, and did all the research on everything I was going through. Going to the hospital was a daily occurrence and she was always right by my side."

The rest of the world didn't stop for her to take care of her husband; Aimee still had to be a mother.

"I'm truly amazed she was able support me, know everything about everything with the cancer, and be able to raise the kids in as normal of a life as possible," he said. "They were still in school, sports, and extra-curriculars."

Aimee developed traditions and ways around hospital policies to cheer her husband up and keep the kids connected.

"Typically kids aren't allowed in the oncology ward so Aimee came up with ways for the kids and I to communicate," he said. "She would take the kids to the street where I could see them from my room, the kids would look through a telescope and I would look through binoculars while we talked on the phone."

Keeney went on to say, "She kept me going throughout everything and kept the family together and I'm so lucky to have her."

Keeney is also grateful for the benevolence of others during his time of need.

"Ultimately it was the kindness of others that kept me alive," he said. "From the many units of donated blood I used, to the baby's umbilical cords, I'm eternally grateful for everyone."

Keeney concluded by saying he encourages others to participate in blood and bone marrow drives or donating umbilical cords so others may be saved.

McChord Field Honor Guard honors Vietnam War veteran

by Airman 1st Class Keoni Chavarria
62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

7/29/2015 - JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. -- Helping to bring closure to a family after a service members death is an honor many people might not experience day-to-day, but for the McChord Field Honor Guard, it is something they deal with on a daily basis.

Recently, the McChord Field Honor Guard presented the family of Tech. Sgt. Hugh Sherburn, a Vietnam War veteran, with an active duty honors ceremony, July 25, at Waldport High School in Waldport, Ore.

Sherburn was an airborne radio communications analyst who went missing in action during his tour in the Vietnam War. He was assigned to the 6994th Security Squadron and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Medal with fifth Oak Leaf Cluster, and Purple Heart after the incident.

Sherburn was given full service honors during the ceremony, which included a presentation from the honor guard's pallbearer, color guard, firing party, and bugle team.

"They are a great example and inspiration to everybody," said Brian Norris, Bateman Funeral Homes funeral director from Oregon. "The honor guard has been amazingly helpful and they know exactly what they are doing."

The honor guard's pallbearer team began their trip with a visit to Portland International Airport, Ore., to lead Sherburn off of an air plane and into a hearse, July 24.

From there, the team prepared for the funeral ceremony which took place the next day.

At the beginning of the ceremony, the pallbearer team brought the casket from the hearse and placed it on a stand.

After bringing out the casket, the honor guards firing party fired three volleys followed by a playing of taps by the bugle player.

According to Norris, the performances by the honor guard helps tremendously with bringing closure to the families.

"The compassion, care and the precision the honor guard performs with really, demonstrates to the family that they respect the sacrifice their loved one gave," he said.

Mary Jarvis, Sherburn's sister, was then presented a flag from Capt. Brian Meredith, 627th Force Support Squadron flight commander.

"We think that the presentation the honor guard gives is wonderful," said Jim Neal, Oregon Coast Veterans Association vice president. "We're glad the honor guard can come out and support this event."

The honor guard then concluded the ceremony by retiring the casket.

According to honor guard members, while the ceremony helps bring closure to families, it also gives the teams a sense of honor in helping veterans.

"Giving our brother [in arms] and his family a final closure, with the final ceremonial honors shows that we care about our fallen brothers and sisters and that we will do anything for them," said Senior Airman Angel Laureano, McChord Field Honor Guard lead trainer.

The McChord Field Honor Guard is made up of 30 Airmen who work in this special duty for six months out a year. For more information, call the McChord Field Honor Guard at (253) 982-3775.

Carter: Nuclear Deal Limits Iran, Not the Defense Department

By Cheryl Pellerin

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, July 29, 2015 – The U.S.-Iran nuclear agreement limits Iran’s ability to produce a nuclear bomb but puts no limits on the Defense Department or the United States, Defense Secretary Ash Carter told a Senate panel today.

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action reached in Vienna this month must receive congressional approval before it is implemented.

Carter and Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee on U.S. interests and the military balance in the Middle East.

When implemented, Carter said, the agreement will effectively cut off Iran’s pathways to fissile material for a nuclear bomb, but it places no limitations on the Defense Department.

No U.S. Limitations

“It places no limits on our forces, our partnerships and alliances, our intensive and ongoing security cooperation, or on our development and fielding of new military capabilities -- capabilities we will continue to advance,” he told the panel.

The department will continue to maintain a strong military posture to deter aggression, bolster the security of Israel and other allies and friends in the region, ensure freedom of navigation in the Gulf, check Iran’s malign influence, and degrade and ultimately defeat the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, Carter added.

“We're also continuing to advance our military capabilities that provide all options, as [President Barack Obama] has directed, should Iran walk away from its commitments under this deal,” he said.

Carter called the Iran agreement is an important step that keeps Iran from getting a nuclear weapon in a comprehensive and verifiable way.

“Once implemented,” he added, the agreement “will … remove a critical element of risk and uncertainty from the region.”

Other Areas of Concern

In his remarks, Dempsey said that, if followed, the Iran deal “addresses one critical and the most dangerous point of friction with the Iranian regime. But … there are at least five other malign activities which give us and our regional partners concern.”

These, he said, include ballistic missile technology, weapons trafficking, the use of surrogates and proxies to naval mines and undersea activity, and malicious activity in cyberspace.

“The negotiating deal does not alleviate our concerns in those five areas,” he said, “[or] change the military options at our disposal. And in our efforts to counter the Iranian regime's malign activities, we will continue to engage our partners in the region to reassure them and to address these areas.”

The agreement’s successful negotiation is one part of the broader U.S. foreign and defense policy, Carter said, noting the Middle East remains important to U.S. national interests.

“As a result,” the secretary said, “the Department of Defense is committed to confronting the region’s two principal security challenges: Iran and ISIL.”

Describing his recent trip to the Middle East, Carter said he spoke with some of the men and women in uniform who are carrying out the Middle East strategy to let them know that the department is continuing full speed ahead, standing with its friends, standing up to ISIL, and standing against Iran’s malign activities.

“On ISIL … we have the right strategy in place, built on nine synchronized lines of effort to achieve ISIL’s lasting defeat. But we continue to strengthen execution,” Carter said.

Working with Partners

In Iraq and elsewhere, the department is working with partners on the ground and in a global coalition to enable capable and motivated ground forces to win back Iraq’s sovereignty and peace in its own territory, he added.

“I saw several parts of this effort last week and spoke with some of our partners on the ground. We're headed in the right direction in this counter-ISIL effort: we've made some progress but we need to make more,” he told the panel.

“If Iran were to commit aggression, our robust force posture ensures we can rapidly surge an overwhelming array of forces into the region,” the secretary added, “leveraging our most advanced capabilities, married with sophisticated munitions that put no target out of reach.”

Iran and its proxies still present security challenges, Carter said, noting Iran’s support of Hezbollah and the Assad regime in Syria, its contribution to disorder in Yemen and its hostility and violence toward Israel.

The secretary said he made it clear last week in Israel, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Iraq that the department will continue to meet its commitments to friends and allies in the region, especially Israel, and continue to build on and enhance such cooperation.

“I also made clear that we will continue to maintain our robust regional force posture ashore and afloat, which includes tens of thousands of American personnel and our most sophisticated ground, maritime, air and ballistic-missile defense assets,” he said.

“Our friends understand, despite our differences with some of them about the merits of this deal,” Carter added, “that we have an enduring commitment to deterrence and to regional security.”

Air Force promotes fatigue countermeasures

Air Force Materiel Command Health & Wellness Team

7/29/2015 - WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Human fatigue results from sleep deprivation. Fatigue has become a growing concern in the Air Force as sustained and continuous operations, along with global deployments, are stretching the ability of our forces to meet growing mission demands. Some Airmen may question whether fatigue is really a big enough hazard to worry about. Fatigue can decrease an Airman's attention span and reaction times, and can impair their mental process, which can lead to increased probability of operational errors, mishaps and off-duty accidents. Ensuring that Airmen get the proper amount of sleep has become a serious challenge.

The Air Force defines fatigue as the state of tiredness associated with:
· Long hours of work
· Prolonged periods without sleep
· Physiologic stressors of the flight environment
· The requirement to work at times that are out of sync with the body's biological -- or circadian -- rhythms

To raise awareness about fatigue and disseminate information to Airmen regarding strategies for its management, the Air Force Medical Operations Agency has developed and published the Air Force Fatigue Management Guide. Highlights of the guide include: understanding the nature of fatigue, fatigue countermeasures, good sleep habits and advice for handling unavoidable sleep loss.

One hard-copy of the guide will be distributed to each current and incoming Airman during the next year. The point of contact for distribution of the guide is the installation's Medical Group. An electronic guide is also available; instructions to download can be found at the AFMCwellness.com website or by contacting a Med Group point of contact.

Civilian Health Promotion Services will be offering classes on sleep health during the month of August. Civilian employees can obtain their "Guide to Healthy Sleep" booklet by contacting their local CHPS team or visiting AFMCwellness.com.

New interrogation system installed on AWACS, more in pipeline

by Justin Oakes
66th Air Base Group Public Affairs

7/28/2015 - HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- Out with the old, in with the new -- at least that's the case for the existing interrogation system found on E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft.

The AWACS Next Generation Identification Friend or Foe program office here recently completed the first installation of the new AN/UPX-40 system, which also brings new enhancements, onto an operational AWACS at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma.

"This operational installation marks a huge milestone for the AWACS program," said Nick Grudziecki, NGIFF deputy program manager. "And it's only the first of many."

The Air Force has a fleet of 31 E-3 AWACS aircraft, all of which are slated to receive the upgrade.

The radar and computer subsystems on AWACS can gather and present real-time, detailed battlefield information. The radar, when coupled with an identification friend or foe interrogation system, can detect, identify and track enemy and allied low-flying aircraft by eliminating ground clutter signals that confuse other radars. That information can then be used to direct fighter-interceptors toward enemy targets.

The AN/UPX-40 system is replacing the AN/APX-103C model and is unique to AWACS; the new IFF system retains legacy capabilities, but also includes new Mode 5 Interrogation enhancements.

"The UPX-40 dramatically improves the detection of weak signals or maneuvering targets at maximum range and improves detection of targets at all ranges," Grudziecki said. "The new interrogation capabilities also provide faster detection of friendly targets."

The NGIFF development program began in 2008 after the National Security Agency mandated a Mode 5 upgrade to ensure access to airspace and reliable combat identification. After successfully reaching a Milestone C decision in 2012, a production contract was awarded to Telephonics Corp., resulting in the first delivery in fiscal 2015.

According to Grudziecki, eight more installations are planned by year's end, moving closer to the Air Force's goal of 31.

However, the $60 million IFF upgrade is part of a much larger AWACS modernization effort known as Block 40/45.

Block 40/45 represents a revolutionary change for AWACS and worldwide joint command and control, battle management and wide-area surveillance, according to the Air Force's AWACS factsheet. It is the most significant counter-air battle management improvement in the Combat Air Force's tactical C2 history. The modernization will replace current 1970s vintage mission computing and displays with an open system and up-to-date commercial-off-the-shelf hardware and software.

"The role of the E-3 is to carry out airborne surveillance and command, control and communication functions for both tactical and air defense forces," said Lt. Col. Chris Williams, E-3 Netcentric Capabilities Branch materiel leader. "The interrogator is a vital piece of equipment required for AWACS to meet mission needs. With the successful installation of the first UPX-40 system, we are one step closer to equipping the fleet."

Creech Airmen showcase RPA at Canadian airshow

by Airman 1st Class Christian Clausen
432 Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

7/28/2015 - CREECH AIR FORCE BASE, Nevada  -- The RPA MQ-1 Predator made its debut in Canada among 30,000 Alberta locals in Lethbridge, July 23-25. It's the second time it was showcased at an international airshow.

Fifteen Airmen from Creech Air Force Base, Nevada, participated in the 2015 Lethbridge International Airshow and educated the civilian population on the Predator's capabilities.

"We brought the MQ-1 Predator and members from different career fields like maintenance, intelligence, sensor operators and pilots so we could educate the public in every facet of the mission," said 2nd Lt. Joel, 11th Reconnaissance Squadron chief of intelligence. "We wanted to show everyone that the plane is not 'unmanned' and it takes a lot of manpower in every stage of operating the aircraft."

Among the high-flying maneuvers and exciting explosions of other demonstrations, the RPA held the attention of many intrigued spectators and at any given time and was surrounded by 25-30 curious parents and children.

The surprisingly large Predator which has a 55 foot wing span yet fits in a 27' long, 4.5' wide, and 4' foot tall casket, was transported by the 22nd Airlift Squadron's C-5M Super Galaxy and aircrew.

"It's a really cool plane, I thought it was a lot smaller but it's actually quite big," said Wayne Burndred, a Calgary, Alberta, Canada local.

For most spectators, this was the only time they have seen the aircraft up close and personal.

"I loved seeing the predator here and being able to see it in person and talk to the guys who actually operate it," said Doug Kakuschke, a Brooks, Canada local. "It was great having the American presence here again and I hope we can continue to have them participate in the years to come."

"We were really well received by everyone," said Capt. Reed, 15th RS pilot. "We really wanted to dispel any misnomers and put faces to the plane and provide open communication to educate people on what we do, which is ultimately saving lives, and I think we did that."

The 20-year semi-annual airshow included demonstrations from a Canadian Forces F-18 Hornet, B-17 Flying Fortress, biplanes, and the Royal Canadian Forces Snowbirds.

"Overall the airshow went great," Reed said. "It was a great opportunity to work with our coalition partners and even Airmen from other U.S. bases to develop partnerships and set the foundation for more international events in the future."

Team BLUE visits Team 5-0

by 2nd Lt. Darren Domingo
50th Space Wing Public Affairs

7/28/2015 - SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Get ready for your big TV debut, Schriever.

A team of Air Force TV broadcast producers, responsible for creating episodes of the Air Force's flagship television program, BLUE, is visiting Schriever July 24-30 to get a better grasp of the 50th Space Wing's role within Air Force Space Command.

According to their YouTube page, Air Force TV, "BLUE delves into the lives of Airmen through in-depth storytelling, with an unflinching look into the blood and sweat that makes America's Air Force what it is. Marines bleed scarlet and gold, the Army bleeds green ... Airmen bleed BLUE."

To date, Air Force TV has released six episodes of BLUE - their next being focused on Air Force Space Command.

"We're here to learn as much as we can. We're visiting Schriever and Buckley to just capture as much as we can to tell some of the Air Force's space story," said Staff Sgt. Peter Ising, Air Force TV broadcast producer.

Hailing from Ft. Meade, Maryland, at Defense Media Activity, the three visitors spent time visiting the Central Utilities Plant, 22nd Space Operations Squadron, 50th Space Communications Squadron, 50th Security Forces Squadron and 2nd Space Operations Squadron. The team also witnessed the Satellite Control Authority transfer on July 24.

"People aren't always aware of the magnitude that our mission has," said Senior Airman Shirley Montgomery, 2 SOPS mission chief. "I'm looking forward to seeing team BLUE shine a light on that."

Despite receiving a deep pool of information on the mission aspects Schriever provides, Ising explained a focus on the people that make Schriever run is what is more important to them.

"Satellites and missions are important, but it's the characters of BLUE episodes that people really want to see," said Ising. "That's the heart and soul of BLUE."
Staff Sgt. Traci Keller, Air Force TV broadcast producer, shared what makes her job fulfilling.

"There's just so much you never really know that goes on here at Schriever," said Keller. "The great thing about being a broadcaster is being able to see what other people do every day."

As for Team 5-0, in order to understand how much of a big deal this BLUE episode will be, one only needs to YouTube "Air Force TV" to see the production level these crews produce.

"[Schriever] can expect to see what their mission looks like to an outsider's perspective," said Staff Sgt. Michael Brady, Air Force TV Broadcast Producer.

Whether you're a seasoned Schriever space stud, or a young newbie to anything space-based, anyone interested to see the newest episode of BLUE can expect to see it released by approximately late September.

ANG's Outstanding NCO of the Year: Staff Sgt. Douglas Kechijian

by Staff Sgt. John E. Hillier
Air National Guard Readiness Center Public Affairs

7/24/2015 - JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. -- The drive to succeed in a job he thoroughly enjoys while being able to serve others is what fuels Staff Sgt. Douglas Kechijian, the Air National Guard's 2015 Outstanding Noncommissioned Officer of the Year, and one of the Air Force's 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year.

Kechijian serves as a pararescueman with the New York Air National Guard's 106th Rescue Wing, based in Westhampton Beach, Long Island, New York. As a native New Yorker graduating from college shortly after 9/11, he sought a way to take his ability and skills farther and found it with the Guard.

"Initially, I didn't even know the difference really [between active, Guard and Reserve.] The more I learned about the Guard, I liked that you have the same opportunity to do things as active duty, just with a little more flexibility. Couple that with the fact that there was a Guard unit an hour away from where I grew up. I thought 'OK, this is a really easy decision.'"

The pararescue mission is to rescue, recover, and return American or Allied forces in times of danger or extreme duress, no matter what it takes. It requires being able to operate in any environment and overcome whatever obstacles may lie between the pararescue Airmen, or "PJs" and accomplishing their mission.

"Pararescue allowed me to pursue my passion for medicine in a more exciting way," he said. "You can do trauma medicine in the civilian world... but there are very few professions in the civilian world in which your way to get to work is parachuting, scuba diving, rappelling out of a helicopter, mountaineering. I found the 'adventure sport' aspects of pararescue to be just as exciting. You can do any of those for recreation, but to have a job that incorporates all of those disciplines is unique. Fortunately, I had to opportunity to do it in the Guard."

While Kechijian was chosen among thousands of Air National Guard members for this honor, he feels that any pararescue Airman could stand in his place. For him, it's not about the individual accomplishing a mission, it's the mission itself.

"I just do what I do," said Kechijian. "What I'm being recognized for, I feel you could say the same thing for any PJ, especially when it comes to the things we do downrange. We're all trained to the same level, and sometimes different guys are given different opportunities to do what they were trained to do. I was fortunate to have that opportunity, but I'm not unique. These awards are great, of course, but they're not why we do any of this."

"We have a very serious job to accomplish - especially in pararescue, where lives are at stake," said Kechijian. "We're typically responding to a situation where potentially it's the worst day of a person's life, and if we're not excellent in all we do, it could have catastrophic consequences. Sometimes I think that we can lose track that there's a finite thing that we have to accomplish... that we need to get a result. In a war, you've got to win."

Kechijian holds a doctorate in physical therapy and has integrated the physical demands of his military life with his civilian career. Applying his knowledge and skill to help his teammates improve is part of how he embodies the Wingman concept. He provides physical therapy treatment and advice to members in his unit and is also working to develop a human performance optimization program there.

"Physical fitness is a big part of my civilian career, and things like human performance, keeping people healthy and injury prevention are huge initiatives in the pararescue field. I'd like to take what I've learned in the civilian world and try to apply it into a tactical setting, to look at it from a sports medicine standpoint."

Just as Kechijian supports his wingmen, he acknowledges that he wouldn't be able to succeed without the support he receives from his family.

"I like to spend time with my family, my wife," he said. "We both like to travel - she's into outdoorsy stuff as well, so anytime we get the opportunity to get outside and leave the city, we do that. She's supportive. I couldn't do what I do without her. Between my professional obligations and Guard obligations, she's been really patient. She wishes that I was around more often, but at the same time she recognizes that it's an important part of who I am."

The pararescue field places high demands on an individual's time and energy, but Kechijian has seemingly mastered the balancing act between civilian and military life that so many Air National Guard members and their families experience. The key, he says, is to love what you do.

"Most of my hobbies involve some form of physical activity... but I don't wake up thinking 'I can't wait for the weekend,' because I've got the next 30 years of my life or more to be working, so if you don't enjoy what you do - if there isn't some overlap between what you do professionally and personally, I don't know how you can be a happy person."

"When I'm with my Guard unit, or we're on a training temporary duty, that's fun," he said. "Yeah, it's also work, but I enjoy it. If we go to Arizona to do skydiving training, or Florida for scuba dive training, train on ice climbing in Colorado, I'm working when I do that, but I'm also fulfilling a hobby... there are very few jobs where you get paid to do so many things you enjoy. So I'm pretty happy with what I'm doing now. If there was something else that was more appealing, I'd be doing it."