DoD, National Guard Support Efforts to Fight Western Wildfires

By Cheryl Pellerin DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Aug. 17, 2015, August 17, 2015 — More than 440 California National Guard soldiers and airmen have been activated to help the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, known as Cal Fire, fight fires throughout the state, Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. Jeff Davis said today.

California is one of 10 states around the country reporting significant large-fire activity, Cal Fire said today on its website, noting that residents in many western states have been evacuated from their homes as hot, dry and windy conditions cause several large fires to burn.

Updating the press on Defense Department and National Guard efforts in California, Davis said, “We have four Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems or MAFFS staged at McClellan Air Tanker Base, right outside of Sacramento.”

This, he added, is in support of the National Interagency Fire Center’s efforts to fight fires throughout Northern California.

According to the NIFC, two of the aircraft are provided by the 302nd Airlift Wing in Colorado Springs, Colorado, one is provided by the 153rd Airlift Wing in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and one is provided by the 145th Airlift Wing in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The Boise, Idaho-based NIFC is the nation's support center for wildland firefighting. Eight agencies and organizations are part of NIFC.

More than 25,000 people are involved in wildfire fighting support, Davis said, “including 41 incident management teams and 2 area command teams,” whose crews to date have flown 114 sorties, conducting 134 drops and delivering more than 308,000 gallons of fire retardant on fires in the area.

“With the help of the Nevada National Guard,” he added, “ are employing a dozen helicopters in the effort.”

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Dempsey Thanks Danes for Military Muscle

By Jim Garamone DoD News, Defense Media Activity

COPENHAGEN, Aug. 17, 2015, August 17, 2015 — The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff today thanked Danish defense leaders for their efforts to promote peace and stability around the world.

Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey spoke at the Danish Army Academy here, to cadets and members of the Danish military staff.

Danish military personnel have deployed around the world fighting alongside forces from the U.S., NATO and coalition nations. “You were with us in Iraq, you are with us in Afghanistan, you are with us in Operation Inherent Resolve against ,” Dempsey said.

In Afghanistan, 43 Danish service members have made the ultimate sacrifice since 2002, and another 214 have been wounded.

Denmark has around 120 soldiers in Iraq’s Anbar province to train Iraqi forces. The country also has seven F-16A Fighting Falcon jets flying missions against .

In addition, Denmark is playing a significant role in United Nations operations in Mali.

Denmark also sent aircraft for Operation Odyssey Dawn in Libya.

“I’m very proud to call myself an ally of Denmark, and very appreciative of what you’ve done,” Dempsey said. “But we’ve got to realize the future is likely to be more complex and unsafe and dangerous than today.”

14th AF and JFCC Space welcome new commander

by Capt. Nicholas Mercurio
14th Air Force Public Affairs

8/17/2015 - VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. David J. Buck assumed command of 14th Air Force (Air Forces Strategic), Air Force Space Command and  Joint Functional Component Command for Space, U. S. Strategic Command, during a ceremony at the Joint Space Operations Center, here, Aug. 14.

Buck, who was promoted to lieutenant general during a ceremony prior to the change of command, previously served as Vice Commander, AFSPC, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo.

U.S. Navy Adm. Cecil D. Haney, commander, USSTRATCOM, and U.S. Air Force Gen. John E. Hyten, commander, AFSPC, presided over the ceremony during which U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. John W. Raymond relinquished command to Buck.

During his remarks, Haney stressed the significant role JFCC Space plays in USSTRATCOM's strategic deterrence and assurance efforts and welcomed Buck into his new role.

"Space underpins every part of our global economy and way of life," Haney said.  "The strategic environment today is more challenging and volatile than ever before, and I can't think of a better leader than General Buck to take this incredible team forward to face the challenges which lie ahead."

Hyten echoed the admiral's trust in Buck, and also discussed importance of the space mission.

"The global space enterprise depends on the availability and capabilities of DoD space assets," Hyten said.  "The area of responsibility for the people in this room is 73 trillion cubic miles and you are the best in the world at what you do."

Buck, who previously served at Vandenberg AFB as the 30th Space Wing Commander from June 2008 to April 2010, expressed his excitement to return to Vandenberg and to continue the growth of 14th AF and JFCC Space.

"Stella and I are excited to be home.  There's no greater honor than to be entrusted with command," said Buck, "and there is no doubt these are exciting and dynamic times.  In many ways we are at a crossroad.  We have the obligation to transform our culture and drive the operational imperatives to enable us to effectively operate in this congested, degraded and operationally limited domain.  I'm anxious to roll up my sleeves and get to work."

Buck started his Air Force career as an Enlisted Airman advancing to Technical Sergeant before receiving his commission in 1986 as a distinguished graduate of Officer Training School. His career spans a wide variety of command, operations, test and evaluation, and staff assignments.  He has commanded at the squadron, group and wing levels and his operational experience includes missile operations, space launch and range operations, satellite command and control, space force enhancement, and space control.  In 2010 he deployed to Southwest Asia as the Director of Space Forces for U.S. Air Forces Central.

As the commander of 14th AF, the Air Force's sole Numbered Air Force for space, he leads an operational mission that includes space launch from the east and west coasts, satellite command and control, missile warning, space situational awareness and command and control of assigned and attached joint space forces.

As the commander of JFCC Space, which is the space component of USSTRATCOM, Buck is responsible for executing continuous, integrated space operations to deliver theater and global effects in support of national and combatant commander objectives.

Raymond, who leaves Vandenberg to assume his new role as Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, Headquarters United States Air Force, praised the men and women of 14th AF and JFCC Space, saying, "Thank you, I cannot say it enough for how much your effort has advanced our space capabilities. It has been my highest professional honor to serve as your commander.  Your mission fuels the American way of life," Raymond said.

"This job was the one I've always dreamed of," he continued, "and thanks to you, I am going to a job I never dreamed I could get.  Thank you, God bless you, and God bless the United States."