Opening ceremonies at Military World Games stress peace

By Gary Sheftick, U.S. Armed Forces Sports / Published October 05, 2015

MUNGYEONG, South Korea (AFNS) -- The 7,000 service members from more than 100 nations who marched into the stadium on the evening of Oct. 2 to open the Military World Games here included some who’ve recently been near conflict with each other.

Russians were there with Ukrainians; Israeli and Palestinian troops sat on the same side of the stadium; and Iranian troops were there for friendly competition with western nations.

The slogan of the games is "Friendship together, peace forever," and the longtime motto of the organization sponsoring the games -- the International Military Sports Council, also known as Conseil International du Sport Militaire (CISM) -- has been "Friendship through sports."

Lt. Col. Abdulhakeem Alshano, the CISM president from Bahrain, told the assembled crowd that when their militaries come together to engage in sports, it goes a long way toward realizing the dream of peace.

"There is no better and beautiful message for peace," he said. "This message of peace is being sent all over the world."

Para-athlete carries American flag

Before U.S. athletes marched into the stadium, they were greeted by Army Gen. Curtis M. Scaparrotti, the commander of U.S. Forces Korea and the United Nations Command. He stressed to athletes the importance of their mission, wished them success, and walked around shaking hands and posing for selfies with participants.

As the U.S. formation neared the stadium entrance, a large group of costumed Korean performers began chanting "USA! USA!" Navy Lt. William C. Boyd of the U.S. men's golf team said that made him feel proud. "It made me feel like an Olympian," he said.

Army Sgt. Elizabeth Wasil was at the front of Team USA carrying the American flag into the ceremonies. Wasel is a para-athlete and this is the first CISM World Games that includes categories for injured troops.

This year para-athletes will compete in track and field, along with archery. Wasil will compete in shot put, along with the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes. In the past, she has competed against male athletes and beat them in both swimming and in para-track.

"I think it was wonderful that they spoke a lot about equality," Wasil said of the keynote speakers at the opening ceremony.

Dynasty’s history depicted

South Korean President Park Geun-hye was at the opening ceremony. Korean co-chairs of the organizing committee, Kim Sangki and Kim Kwanyong, welcomed all to Mungyeong and the province of Gyeongsangbuk-do where CISM competitions will be held in eight different cities spread throughout the region. They also spoke of the province's history and culture.

Performances followed the opening speeches, and included hundreds of dancers, martial artists and actors, bringing that history to life. One scene depicted Hwrangs, or "flowering knights" of the Silla Dynasty. Mungyeong was part of that dynasty for almost a thousand years, from 59 B.C. to 935 A.D.

"It was definitely great to see their culture," said Army 1st Lt. Ella Ellis, a Fort Sill, Oklahoma, native and one of the co-captains of the men's basketball team. "The friendly competition just shows we're working toward the peace.”

Another scene of the show depicted the traditional Korean game called Chajeon Nori, sometimes translated as the Juggernaut Battle. It involves teams of men carrying on their shoulders large log frames called dongchae. Atop each dongchae is a commander, who directs his team to maneuver against the other team. The game is won when one team knocks the other dongchae to the ground. The game commemorates a battle fought in 935.

"It was a story of divided nations," said Air Force Capt. Celine Ziobro, of the women's soccer team. She explained that the theme of the entire performance was "We are One." She said performers wore the costumes of "people who worked in the fields, people who are warriors -- all are one, who come together as a nation."

It was a story of going "from conflict to peace," said another soccer player, Army 2nd Lt. Molly McGuigan, of the 86th Combat Support Hospital at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. She saw it as a saga "of military working toward peace."

The opening ceremony was produced by Han Jung-gu, who directed the ceremonies of the 1988 Olympics in Seoul. This show was directed by Son Jin-chaek, who had a major role in putting together ceremonies of the 2002 World Cup.

Their show Friday culminated with Korean music during which costumed dancers grabbed service members and pulled them onto the field to join in the finale. The performers taught athletes how to do the "Soldier Dance," with choreography designed by Koreans especially for the games.

Air Force Capt. Jahmal Lawson, the other basketball co-captain, said he enjoyed being pulled out onto the field by performers. He enjoyed the interaction and said he never experienced anything like it before at other games, including the last CISM World Games in Rio de Janeiro.

"I really enjoyed at the very end how they brought everyone together onto the center field and we all got to dance together," said Air Force 2nd Lt. Kelly Stanbaugh, of the women's soccer team. "I think people at first were resistant ... but by the time I looked back, everyone from the stands were on the field. I thought that was a really great way to come harness the theme that we're developing here. It was something I'll remember for a long, long time."

The 2015 CISM World Games will be the largest ever, with 103 member nations competing and another 14 countries sending delegations to observe or enter individual athletes as invitees. Athletes will compete in 24 sports, up from 20 at the 2011 CISM World Games in Brazil.

This year, the U.S. has 16 teams competing in sports ranging from soccer to sailing. Track and field athletes competed Oct. 4 at the stadium where the opening ceremonies were held. Taekwondo and judo took place down the street at a field house built for the Korean Armed Forces Athletic Corps, known as KAFAC -- Korea's world-class athletes.

Cycling will take place Oct. 7 on a circuit through downtown Mungyeong and wrestling will be in a field house downtown. Modern pentathlon will be at the KAFAC complex. Basketball and golf take place an hour away in the city of Andong. Shooting will be in Daegu and Gogyeong. The archery field is in Yecheon. Sailing and skydiving competitions are taking place in the port city of Pohang, about three hours away.

New family support program offered at Holloman

by Staff Sgt. E'Lysia A. Wray
49th Wing Public Affairs

10/5/2015 - HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Holloman is now one of a few select bases chosen to participate in a one-year trial for a family support program called The Family Check-Up.

The program went into effect July 13.

"It's an exciting new program," said Jerold Wiley, the outreach manager of the 49th Wing Family Advocacy. "It's going to help a lot of families."

The Family Check-Up is a program focused on the support of all the family members.

Wiley starts the check-up with a home visit. Following the visit, he briefs the family on areas to improve. From there, the family chooses the areas they want to strengthen.

Every part of this program is meant to re-enforce positive behavior for both parents and children.

"When you have someone from the outside looking in, the families become more receptive to the feedback," said Wiley. "Because we can do this in the home, the family is more relaxed."

The program was developed after 30 years of research with thousands of families from diverse economic and cultural groups. Family Check-Up program has been proven effective with results in the Journal of Educational Psychology, the Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, and the Journal of Family Psychology.

These studies showed the program to improve parenting practices, reduce problem behavior in early and middle childhood as well as adolescence, and reduce mother's depression in families with toddlers, school-age children, and adolescence.

"The Family Check-Up is an everyday parenting program for families with children ages 3 to 17," said Wiley. "I think this program is important because it is difficult being in the military, and we need to get our military families all the resources they can get to survive."

The Family Check-Up is one of several programs offered at Holloman to meet families needs.

The Everyday Parenting program is a companion service to the Family Check-up that outreach managers can provide to parents following a home visit. Everyday Parenting is a step-by-step process to guide parents in strengthening positive parenting skills.

100th CS Airman keeps base connected

by Gina Randall
100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

10/2/2015 - RAF MILDENHALL, England  -- As military members and civilian personnel go about their day-to-day tasks, they may not think about how communication plays such a vital role in their business.

Each time they open an email or place a call, it's the men and women in the 100th Communication Squadron who make it possible.

"I monitor the network status on RAF Mildenhall, and take care of all the phones and video teleconferencing machines," said Staff Sgt. Christerfer James, 100th CS Cyber Transport technician supervisor. "The VTCs are needed so base agencies can video-teleconference with other locations around the globe to provide wartime decision makers briefings, allow people to testify remotely for court proceedings, and help with training requirements. We take care of the secure internet protocol router Network, for all of the secure systems for the base, which processes air tasking orders and other classified communications."

This is a very demanding role as communication is so vital to getting the mission done.

"There's never a typical day in our shop," James said. "We're constantly busy, monitoring the base network. Anything that goes down, we're the first responders to go and fix it. However, we mainly deal with customers moving offices. We have customers requiring new phones and computer drops, where we go out and program the port and patch it, then make sure the phone and computer work. Occasionally, we do have analog lines, but they are being phased out with new technology."

The Airmen are not only able to fix systems in order for people to communicate; they are communicators themselves, building a rapport with customers around base.

"To be honest, the most rewarding thing about my job is not the job itself, it's more the people I get to interact with," said James. "I've been at Mildenhall for about six years now, so I know a lot of people around the base and they know me. Getting to know them and seeing how they do their job gives me a better understanding of what they need. When they do call up and say, 'We need this set-up done relatively soon,' I say 'OK, you need this and this.' I can have everything all planned out so when I go out there I can make it short and sweet and fix everything in one go. The people I meet and can help are definitely what I love about the job."

Even with limited resources they continue to provide quality service with less people.

"We do a lot with a little," James added. "We only have 10 people in our shop right now and we're taking care of the entire base. All of them are well trained, knowledgeable and eager to learn. It's hard trying to manage an entire base with so few people, but we do, and I believe we do a great job! We always perform our customer courtesies each time we go out."

The U.S. military has a good working relationship with their British counterparts.

"We have a great relationship with British Telecom," James said. "They control the fiber and the analog lines on base. So when the customer requests a new fax line and analog line for the building entry point, we ask BT to come out and patch the port. Or if we have a new building we need BT to go out and blow fiber, connecting fiber from one building to another. They come out, run the fiber and test the line. We make sure it's good, install the switch and add our network components to it."

James has the opportunity to know that he's making a difference in keeping the base operating.

He is passionate about what he does for the base, and his country.

"I definitely want to continue in this career field," said James. "I want to see how the Air Force is going to transition from the analog lines to the digital internet protocol address. It's fun, I enjoy coming to work, and I enjoy my job and meeting people. The work can be stressful, but you know there are people to help you out."

His chosen Air Force career will help to find him employment after retirement from the military.

"This career field has more options in the civilian world," James said. "I would like to be in the Air Force for 20 years and I wanted a career field that helps in seeking employment outside. Communications is always thirsty for employment on the outside, new bodies, different ideas."

The 100th CS shop's leadership is proud of what their Airmen and their team do each day.

"Sergeant James has become a lynch-pin in our work center and we are proud to have him with us," said Tech. Sgt. William Baine, 100th CS NCO in charge of Infrastructure. "He has continually shown that he is willing to go the extra mile to ensure our customers have the required communications access they need to never let an air tasking order fail."

Communication makes the mission happen, so for James and his team, they work day and night to provide the best customer support possible to keep pilots in the air and help the people that keep them there.

Creech photojournalist wins DoD photography challenge

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

9/30/2015 - CREECH AIR FORCE BASE, Nevada -- Tech. Sgt. Nadine Barclay, 432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing NCO in charge of public affairs took 1st place in the 2015 San Diego Shoot Off Ken Hackman Challenge Sept. 25-27, 2015, in San Diego.

The shoot off was a four day photography workshop which gathers professional photographers, judges, and mentors to help provide development and training to photographers at all skill levels within the DoD.

Barclay competed against 30 members within the Air Force and Navy to capture the theme of 'service' in three to five photos.

"When they announced the theme, everyone kind of groaned because everyone thinks of the military as service which is what we do all the time," she said. "The reality was we were assigned to shoot anything that was a "service" so I chose transportation services."

Barclay spent around nine hours riding the San Diego railways looking for her shots, trying to see things differently than she ever had, especially since this was her first time participating in a shoot-off.

"It was really excited but it was also a lot of hard work and long hours," she said. "Overall I had a great experience and it was interesting to see the different perspectives from everyone. For me I tried to take something I didn't normally see on a day-to-day basis and make it interesting."

She went on to say she the conference was a great networking opportunity and everyone is able to interact with other services, civilians, instructors, and mentors.

"Sergeant Barclay beat the odds as only one of two Airmen by competing against 28 other service members from different branches and she soaked up the energy of the workshop and put in long hours," said Senior Master Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo, 432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing public affairs superintendent. "She's transforming that knowledge and training our Airmen to strive for excellence in photojournalism, this excellence allows our team to fully communicate how our at home station protect our country."

The San Diego shoot-off is part of a series of workshops hosted throughout the year by the National Association of Naval Photography.

357th FS, 22nd STS team up for austere landings

by Senior Airman Betty R. Chevalier
355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

10/2/2015 - FORT IRWIN, Calif. -- Four A-10C Thunderbolt II pilots from the 357th Fighter Squadron conduct austere landing training at the National Training Center range at Fort Irwin, California, Sept. 22, while participating in Green Flag-West 15-10.

The training involved the landing of A-10s on the unimproved surface of Bicycle Lake Army Airfield's dry lake bed.
The 22nd Special Tactics Squadron from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington supported the training by performing air traffic control, surveying the area and testing the density of the ground to ensure the aircraft could land safely.

"The purpose of conducting austere landing training is to practice and demonstrate the capability to launch and recover aircraft on a surface that is not designed or maintained to bear the loads and weights of a heavily armed aircraft," said Maj. Mark Malan, 357th Fighter Squadron A-10 pilot. "This capability can be vital to combat and contingency operations at locations and environments where U.S. and coalition forces have a very limited footprint."

"This task demonstrated that we maintain a unique capability to operate and integrate in a forward-deployed austere location and that this increases our ability to coordinate and work in close proximity to the U.S. Army and their coalition counterparts," Malan said. "The ability to operate out of an austere location allows us to extend the range and reach of our combat capability, access additional target sets and provide extended long-range support to other assets involved in contingency operations."
"The A-10 was specifically designed with a more robust landing gear system to handle the stress of take-offs and landings on an unimproved surface and high-mounted wings above the fuselage to prevent damage from foreign objects and debris that may be laying on the runway and taxi surfaces," Malan said.

At the end of the training, the aircraft had successfully landed and took- off from the dirt runway with the guidance of the CCT, ultimately qualifying three pilots in austere landing.

Although the rare training was not part of Green Flag-West, the 357th FS took advantage of resources already in the area and coordinated the operations with Fort Irwin and the 22nd STS.

"A-10 pilots do not normally conduct this type of training," Malan said. "I've only done it twice in the 17 years I've been flying the A-10 and I know most A-10 pilots have never done it. We try to take advantage of every opportunity to get additional pilots qualified and increase the experience of those pilots that are already qualified."
In the U.S. Air Force aircraft inventory, there are many aircraft with the capability to land on austere runways, including the C-17 Globemaster III, C-130 Hercules and rotary aircraft. The A-10 is the only fighter-type aircraft with this ability.

RAF Mildenhall joins 100th BG Veterans in New Orleans reunion

by Senior Airman Victoria H. Taylor
100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

10/1/2015 - RAF MILDENHALL, England-- -- Aug. 17, 1943, nine aircraft, 90 men lost at Regensbuerg, Germany.
Oct. 8, 1943, seven aircraft, 72 men lost in Bremen, Germany.
Oct. 10, 1943, 12 aircraft, 121 men lost in Munster, Germany.
March 6, 1944, 15 aircraft, 150 men lost in Berlin, Germany.
May 24, 1944, nine aircraft, 90 men lost in Berlin, Germany.
July 29, 1944, eight aircraft, 72 men lost in Merseburg, Germany.
Sept. 11, 1944, 12 aircraft, 100 men lost in Ruhland, Germany.
Dec. 31, 1944, 12 aircraft, 111 men lost in Hamburg, Germany.

They weren't the first to arrive in the United Kingdom during World War ll. They didn't fly the most missions over Europe, drop the most bombs from their B-17 Flying Fortresses or, as many believe, suffer the greatest casualties. They obtained awards and earned recognition, but other groups won more.

Numbers alone did not make the group one of the most notorious combat units in the history of the U.S. Air Force. However, eight significant missions did, earning them the name "The Bloody Hundredth."

Nearly 72 years later, 27 veterans of the 100th Bombardment Group, alongside their families, historians, volunteers and enthusiasts joined together for a long weekend Sept. 24 to Sept. 27 in New Orleans, La., but dropping bombs was not on the reunion's itinerary.

"[We all] have a personal story to tell," said Dan Rosenthal, 100th BG Foundation president and son of World War ll veteran Robert "Rosie" Rosenthal. "Whether it's a first-hand account or an experience recanted by our fathers and grandfathers; whether we uncovered a box of medals in a bedroom bureau or a forgotten journal in the attic; all these things create a tapestry of our shared history. And these stories, both real and intimate, must be kept alive."

Held in a different location every other year for more than 40 years, the reunion gives the opportunity for vets to tell their stories, visit old friends and share a few laughs while participating in an eventful schedule.

Even the New Orleans muggy heat didn't stop the veterans and families from sporting their leather flight jackets to the kick-off event. Members were able to tour not only a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to RAF Mildenhall, but also the B-17 Flying Fortress "Movie" Memphis Belle, both sporting the distinct Square D tail flash.

The Bloody Hundredth's past and present was represented by more than just aircraft. A group of Airmen currently stationed at RAF Mildenhall attended the event, and were afforded the opportunity to spend time with the legacy members.

"It was an extremely humbling experience," said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Michael Faux, 100th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker flying crew chief. "Being able to speak with the individuals and their children and grandchildren about the things aircraft maintainers and pilots had to do back then and things we do now was amazing. It was a lot of fun comparing our daily duties from then to now."

Faux said he met a crew chief who had worked on both B-17s and KC-135s, and the stories he shared left the staff sergeant astonished.

"The things crew chiefs did during his service made my jaw drop," Faux said. "One story was him removing skin from one B-17 to put it on another that had encountered battle damage." It isn't a task that has to be done these days.

Despite the difference and decades separating their service in the Bloody Hundredth, there was an undeniable connection between members of the historic unit.

"Every single person I met at the 100th Bomb Group Reunion inspired me to keep our traditions alive and never forget where we came from," Faux added. "More importantly, the men and women who've paved the way for all of us still flying the Square D."

New Orleans is also home to the National World War ll museum, where the visitors were able to spend time absorbing the vast amount of information and artifacts spread about the three separate buildings, and enjoy an evening symposium recounting the first airborne humanitarian food aid mission in history.

Although the weekend's main focus was the get-together amongst the veterans, Ryan Neel, 16, nephew to World War ll veteran Clay McIver, was astounded by everything he was taking in.

"It's an honor to meet all these amazing men. Hearing their stories and just trying to imagine what they must have seen when they were just about my age, I didn't realize how much it was going to impact me emotionally," said Neel. "I've been learning things that you can't read in history books, and it's an experience I'll never forget."

Without losing steam, the events ran throughout the weekend. From business meetings to presentations, to music and dancing after an extravagant dinner, the occasion never had a dull moment.

"Why do I keep coming back to these reunions?" World War ll veteran Frank "Bud" Buchmeier asked with a huge smile growing larger on his face. "To see how much older all these guys got since the last one!"

More than 300 people accepted the invitation for the reunion and though it was meant to be a long weekend, most felt that it ended too soon. All exchanged their goodbyes ensuring each other they would meet again in two years' time, but hold dear the experiences they shared.

"My father has been gone for precisely 15 years," said Chip Culpepper, son of World War ll veteran Conley E. Culpepper. "But because of the 100th Bomb Group veterans, reunion organizers, volunteers and presenters, I truly felt that I was able to spend an entire weekend with him. For that, I'm humbly grateful."

Pushing Freedom

by Capt Jose A. Quintanilla
721st Aerial Port Squadron

10/5/2015 - RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- After 21 difficult stages covering a grueling distance of 3,360 kilometers, this year's Tour de France came to a conclusion as competitors from 22 teams crossed the finish line. The teams rode 225 kilometers daily for three weeks over both flat and exceedingly mountainous and challenging terrain.

Unlike the majority of racing sports where a single competitor wins the race by crossing the finish line in first position, in the Tour de France, each team has eight riders and a leader. The eight riders, known as domestiques, set up their leader for the win. They are charged with protecting, setting the pace and chasing down attacks by other teams for their leader to succeed.

"These guys know full well they, as individuals, are not there to win," said Senior Master Sgt. Wayne D. Donnelly, the 721st Aerial Port Squadron superintendent, during a recent squadron commander's call. "Their job is to create a clear path for their leader to speed forward past the competition, in essence, pushing him across the finish line."

Donnelly further assimilated this style of teamwork to what we do within the Air Force, where as supporting functions, we enable the mission to be executed - thus "Pushing Freedom" across the globe.

The 721st APS, located at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, is responsible for the movement of passengers, aircraft fleet servicing, command and control operations, and moves more than 62 percent of Department of Defense cargo in support of five combatant commands.

Over the summer, 721st APS Airmen were challenged with uploading an open staircase truck and two fire engines onto a C-17 Globemaster III in support of President Barack Obama's visit to Africa. Our air transportation personnel sprang into action and developed aircraft load plans, requested updated Air Transportability Test Loading Agency letters and planned and coordinated the upload of these three critical assets with other base agencies.

With only four inches of clearance between the two fire engines, 721st APS Ramp Services personnel took extreme caution to ensure the vehicles were uploaded on the C-17 in a safe and timely manner. Communication was critical between the spotters, operators and aircraft loadmaster during the entire upload, which proved critical to mission success.

Having executed a timely and safe upload, the C-17 crew departed Ramstein AB en route to Kenya prior to President Obama's arrival. However, the 721st APS was still on the clock and ready to support President Obama when he passed back through Ramstein AB the following week. The APS Airmen executed flawless material handling equipment support and fleet servicing operations on Air Force One, ensuring President Obama was able to meet his other commitments.

And so, just as the Tour de France teams, we may not always be the ones crossing the finish line in first place, but our supporting actions are critical in placing our leaders in a position to make a positive impact in the world and in doing so, we are the ones who are "Pushing Freedom" across the globe.

Air Force pilot takes local veterans flying in vintage P-13 Stearman aircraft

by Airman 1st Class Jessica B. Nelson
9th Reconnaissance WIng Public Affairs

10/1/2015 - Beale Air Force Base, Calif. -- For the past three and a half years the Aerospace Museum of California and its volunteers have displayed and maintained a very unique P-13 Stearman. The plane is owned by Lt. Col. Andrew McVicker, 9th Operations Group deputy commander.

"The P-13 Stearman is open cockpit so typically flying it in the winter isn't much fun," said McVicker. "Initially I envisioned just putting it on loan through the winter but when I found out I was deploying in the spring they offered to continue to store the plane for me while I was gone."

As a gesture of appreciation for looking after his plane while he was deployed, McVicker took eight museum volunteers flying in his P-13. The first of which was a WWII veteran.

"I learned 72 years ago this month how to fly a Stearman when I was in the Army Air Corps," said Maynard Nelson, a WWII pilot.

Nelson served as a B-24 pilot in the Army Air Corps during WWII. The P-13 Stearman planes were used as trainers for all pilots, service wide. Nelson reflected on his time flying the Stearman in an interview on Wednesday.

"You had to push the airplane to its limits," Nelson said. "You needed to know everything the plane could do, and what enemy airplanes could do so you could play your own strength in a dogfight."

The volunteers at the museum have watched over the P-13 for more than three years. Most of them are veterans and share a special interest in this plane.

"The volunteers keep an eye on the plane, making sure delicate parts are kept safe while people view the plane on display," McVicker said. "The museum made a nice placard that tells the history of the aircraft and how it was used when it was in military service, and the volunteers will help interpret that for the visitors."

Many volunteers had personal experiences with the P-13 Stearman while they served. The excitement the volunteers expressed when exiting the cockpit after their flight was clear.

"It was very generous of McVicker to give us rides in his plane," Nelson said. "I have hundreds of pictures of the people I've taken on flights when I owned a Stearman, and the pictures just don't do justice to the experience."

77 Air Base Wing transfers to AFGSC

20th Air Force Pubilc Affairs

10/5/2015 - F.E. WARREN AFB, Wyo. -- The 377 Air Base Wing at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, became part of 20th Air Force Oct. 1, 2015 as it shifts from Air Force Material Command to Air Force Global Strike Command.

The 377th ABW, along with the 28th Bomb Wing from Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota, and the 7th BW from Dyess AFB, Texas, moved into AFGSC as part of a consolidation of missions into AFGSC numbered air forces.

The consolidation of the 377th along with the three AF ICBM wings into 20th AF is specifically intended to help streamline the nuclear enterprise by placing operational mission support within the AF's nuclear major command.  The move of the B-1s from the 28th BW and the 7th BW from Air Combat Command into 8th AF will consolidate all the AF's bombers into one NAF within AFGSC.

Maj. Gen. Jack Weinstein, commander of 20th AF, said "The U.S. Air Force is always seeking to improve the way we do business.  The transfer of the 377 Air Base Wing highlights the continued improvements the Air Force is making in the nuclear enterprise to ensure we remain the most credible, capable and reliable force for our Nation."

General Weinstein further stated that the nuclear capabilities of the U.S. military form the backbone of U.S. national security.

The realignment of the 377th ABW is designed to enhance operational and maintenance support to multiple organizations, providing vital expertise within the nuclear enterprise, to include:  The Department of Energy, Sandia National Laboratories, The Air Force Research Laboratory, The Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center, The Space and Missile Systems Center, The Air Force Inspection Agency and The Air Force Safety Center.

The move of the 377th to 20th AF will not affect employment within the surrounding communities of Kirtland AFB and will primarily be administrative in nature.  The 377 ABW will continue to serve as the host installation for various tenant units at Kirtland AFB. Approximately 1,796 military and government civilians will be realigned from AFMC to AFGSC, but will still remain at their current positions.

Weinstein added, "The stewardship of Kirtland AFB under Air Force Material Command was second to none.  We are proud to welcome the 377th to 20 AF and we will strive to continue their superb legacy and warfighter support to our Air Force."

Rivet Joint crew earns 2015 General Jerome F. O'Malley Award

by Staff Sgt. Rachelle Blake
55th Wing Public Affairs

10/1/2015 - OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- The Air Force Association recently recognized an RC-135V/W Rivet Joint flying crew as the 2015 General Jerome F. O'Malley Award winners.

Each year, the title is given to the best reconnaissance crew in the U.S. Air Force.

The award's namesake was a U.S Air Force pilot who was stationed in several reconnaissance wings. O'Malley acquired more than 5,000 flying hours during his thirty-plus years of service.

"I am extremely proud of what our Fightin' Fifth members are doing on a daily basis around the world and this team certainly deserved to be recognized for their actions," said U.S. Air Force Col. Marty Reynolds, 55th Wing commander.

This year's winning crew was comprised of Airmen from the 38th Reconnaissance Squadron, 97th Intelligence Squadron, and 55th Intelligence Support Squadron. They were recognized for their actions during their deployment in support of Operation Inherent Resolve in 2014.

As stated in the award citation, their outstanding contributions ensured dedicated airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance coverage was available to support American and coalition forces attempting to locate a downed pilot who had been captured by enemy fighters.  Their actions also supported the larger efforts of OIR.

"This crew answered the call as our wing has done now for more than 25 straight years in the CENTCOM AOR," Reynolds said. "I'm truly humbled and honor to be their teammates and I congratulate them on their honor."

They received the award in conjunction with the 2015 Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition in National Harbor, Maryland.

Shelter from the storm: Barksdale welcomes East Coast visitors

by Airman 1st Class Curt Beach
2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs

10/2/2015 - BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Hundreds of aircrew and a fleet of more than 65 aircraft including F-15E Strike Eagles and KC-135 Stratotankers arrived here, Oct. 1-2, to avoid potential damage from Hurricane Joaquin along the East Coast.

The aircraft and their crews are from the 916th Air Refueling Wing and 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, and will be sharing space on the Barksdale flightline through the weekend.

"It is with great pleasure that we welcome our fellow combat warriors to Barksdale Air Force Base and the Shreveport-Bossier Area," said Col. Kristin Goodwin, 2nd Bomb Wing commander. "We are primed to ensure Seymour Johnson Airmen have a comfortable stay as we welcome them with Barksdale's southern hospitality."

Hurricane Joaquin, a Category 4 storm with winds up to 130 mph, battered the Bahamas and was initially forecasted to move toward the U.S. and through the Carolinas. Governors have declared states of emergency in at least five states due to potential flash flooding regardless of the storm's path.

"It's great that the Air Force has facilities where aircraft can escape to in order to evade harm or weather elements," said William Flentge, 2nd Operations Support Squadron airfield manager. "It's nice to have a facility that can accommodate fighter aircraft. We've had extensive improvements to the airfield pavement over the past two years."

Barksdale's B-52 Stratofortresses will not be adversely affected by the visiting aircraft, and flight operations will continue as scheduled, Flentge said.

Last year, Seymour Johnson's aircraft were relocated to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, as a precautionary measure to protect them from Hurricane Arthur.

"I want to personally thank everyone in advance for their efforts to keep the Airmen, families, the base and defense assets safe in the coming days," said Col. Mark Slocum, 4th FW commander.

111th Attack Wing plays crucial role planning, safeguarding papal visit

by Tech. Sgt. Andria Allmond
111th Attack Wing Public Affairs

9/30/2015 - HORSHAM AIR GUARD STATION, Pa. -- Members of the 111th Attack Wing played a key role at the Pennsylvania National Guard Headquarters in the days leading up to and during the highly-anticipated papal visit Sept. 26-27, for the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia.

The Attack Wing Guardsmen, staged at Fort Indiantown Gap, were critical in the planning process and maintained readiness in the event of emergency situations requiring National Guard intervention during the first papal visit to Philadelphia in over 35 years.

"My role here is as an air planner to coordinate and integrate with the Army," said Lt. Col. Scott Meier, 111th Air Operations Group deputy group commander, and member of the Joint Task Force. "[The Pennsylvania Army National Guard] has the lead on this and we're coming in to support with any background knowledge that we have and might be able to fill them in. If something happens that we have not planned for then we need to truly organize crisis action planning and come up with a strategy to move folks into place."

Lt. Col. Fred Phelan, 111th AOG member and also part of the JTF, stated that his work as a wing member translated well to his assignment at the state headquarters. He also acknowledges that while some operations and acronyms differ between the Army and Air sides of the National Guard, accomplishing the overall mission trumps any variations.

"We have the one overall common core," said Phelan. "We have that bond that we are all from the state of Pennsylvania, serving at the request of the governor, so the Army and the Air Force here have a seamless transition and a unity of effort."

The Guardsmen of the 111th ATKW all agree that their work and experience at the wing level  helped to fulfill the needs of the state when they were called upon to do so.

"What we've learned [back at home station] is the job process, which is a joint process that allows us to speak a common language with the Army, Navy and Marine Corps who are here now," said Meier. "So, as we come to sit down and plan, we're all able to operate off of the same things: common language, common vocabulary, working towards the goal together."

But being called up in support of a domestic operation, such as support of the papal visit, also requires Guardsmen to be prepared to work in any facet needed by the state-not just what they do at home station.

Brig. Gen. Tony Carrelli, Pennsylvania Deputy Adjutant General-Air, said that domestic operations, like the papal visit, are completely different from the federal mission in that they may require members to fill roles outside of their Air Force Specialty Codes.

"We're all eligible to be put on state active duty," said Carrelli.  "If the governor calls, we're going. And you may be from finance, you may be from public affairs, you may be from logistics, but I may need you to do traffic control...I may need you to do reassurance in our communities. So, you may not always be called to do your AFSC."

While the general maintains that members of the National Guard are always eligible for state activation--requiring them to fill any role necessary-the papal visit called upon Attack Wing members skills seemingly tailor-made for this operation.

"I know that our Guardsmen will answer the call and no matter what [they] are asked to do, [they] will be ready and do a great job," said Carrelli. "That's who we are."

Utah's 151st Maintenance Group wins ANG Outstanding Unit Award

by Staff Sgt. Annie Edwards
151 ARW/PA

9/30/2015 - SALT LAKE CITY -- The 151st Maintenance Group was awarded the Air Force Association 2015 Air National Guard Outstanding Unit Award at a ceremony in National Harbor, Maryland, Sept. 14.

The award, which covered achievements from Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2014, recognized the unit for exceptionally meritorious service, and cited their dedication, work ethic, and sound maintenance practices.

The group attained an 81 percent mission capable rate, exceeding the Air Force's refueling fleet average of 73.57 percent.

Col. Susan Melton, commander of the 151st Maintenance Group, praised the hard work and efforts of the entire unit.

"I am very proud to be a part of our great organization and am so thrilled for each and every member who is so critical to ensuring we are successful in our mission and so deserving of this award," said Melton. "The men and women of the MXG are very dedicated and work extremely hard every day to keep our aircraft in as good of shape as they are in."

In addition to achieving a high mission capable rate, during this time the group also deployed more than 120 individuals and several aircraft in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Inherent Resolve, and agile combat for Air Force operations and North Atlantic Treaty Organization operations.

"We can't be successful in our mission without the contributions of each and every member," said Melton. "I am so proud and impressed every day with how well these maintainers are able to keep our 51-plus-year-old jets flying and in such great shape."

The 151st flew more than 5,420 hours in the past fiscal year, a record high for the unit.

Guard aeromedical teams strengthen skills during Vigilant Guard

by Tech. Sergeants Lynette Olivares and Paul Santikko
133rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

9/29/2015 - Camp Ripley Training Center, Minn. -- The capabilities of the Minnesota National Guard's 109th Aeromedical Squadron were recently put to the test during Vigilant Guard, a state-wide exercise to improve the state's military and civilian responders' ability to work together during a natural disaster.

Vigilant Guard is a United States Northern Command and National Guard Bureau sponsored exercise designed to improve emergency coordination, response and recovery management with federal, regional, local, civilian and military partners.

During natural disasters or other state emergencies, saving time saves lives. If civilian capabilities are overwhelmed, National Guard and other military resources can be called upon to move critical patients from remote scenes to distant medical facilities quickly.

"Our role in the exercise is to stabilize and transport patients from the field to higher echelons of care," said 109th AES Director of Operations Maj. Jeramy Browning. "Our highly-trained flight medics care for sick and wounded patients, maintain their health and well-being aboard the plane, getting them to the definitive care they need. Being able to participate in this exercise helps us refresh protocol and procedures of working with civil authorities, sister services as well as state and local entities."

During the exercise, the aircrew and medical team of the 109th transported simulated patients from the 133rd Airlift Wing in St. Paul to Camp Ripley. On arrival, the team worked with other National Guard medical personnel to transport additional mock patients from UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters to the unit's C-130H Hercules aircraft to simulate the continuation of care during a state emergency.

"This exercise gives us a great opportunity to improve our interoperability with the Army Guard, civilian healthcare providers and emergency response personnel," said Aeromedical Evacuation Technician Staff Sgt. Britt Monio. "In the event of a future, real world scenario like this, we know that we will be well prepared and the incident command system should run effectively, so that patients get the medical care they need in the fastest and safest way possible."

Using volunteers portraying victims, the 109th Airmen trained on a variety of in-flight processes and procedures, including litter carries across a flight line, checking and maintaining vital signs, and maintaining the overall care of patients in flight.

"Every single person in our squadron loves what they do," said Browning. "I'm so proud of my unit and the great work they do - whether it's on base during a drill weekend or they are flying around the state or world helping people with their outstanding level of care."

Work Chronicles History at Fleet Ballistic Missile Program Event

By Amaani Lyle DoD News Features, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, October 3, 2015 — The Navy’s Fleet Ballistic Missile Program has a six-decade record of safety, reliability and “pure operational excellence” that is extremely hard, if not impossible, to match, Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work said last night at the program’s 60th anniversary celebration in Falls Church, Virginia.

Work said he discussed with his British counterparts the U.S. partnership with the United Kingdom’s Continuous At Sea Deterrent program during a recent visit there, and he noted that program began with aa historic 1962 meeting between President John F. Kennedy and British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan, which led to the Polaris Sales Agreement. 

The close partnership in nuclear deterrence continues today, the deputy secretary said.

“Just a few weeks ago, one of our missile boats, the U.S.S. Wyoming concluded a successful visit to Her Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde in Faslane, Scotland,” Work said, adding that it was the first U.S. fleet ballistic missile submarine to visit to a foreign port since 2003. “These visible examples of the deep cooperation and mutual support between our two countries do not go unnoticed by our adversaries.”

Despite the scope of deterrence provided by the U.S. Navy’s ballistic missile submarine force today, Work said, he finds it hard to believe the Navy came close to being without a strategic deterrent mission. 

In the late 1940s, he said, the Navy attempted to develop a supercarrier that could handle the nuclear bomber, a program canceled by the Truman administration just as the keel was laid for the first of those supercarriers.

‘Revolt of the Admirals’

A public disagreement known as the “Revolt of the Admirals” occurred in protest of plans to shrink the Navy and instead augment the Air Force’s strategic nuclear bombing role as the primary means of the nation’s defense, Work said, and the Navy didn’t fare much better in the early years of the Eisenhower administration, which diverted funding for nuclear weapons to the Air Force and the Army. 

Work credited the foresight and determination of Adms. Arleigh Burke and William F. Raborn, part of a small but influential group in the Navy, who he said believed it was possible to safely launch a long-range nuclear missile from a submarine.

The Navy established special projects office, with Raborn in charge, to push what would become the Polaris missile program. The project became a high priority, and required overcoming various hurdles to incorporating ballistic missile capability into submarines, Before the Polaris, the deputy secretary said, nuclear warheads weighed 1,600 pounds, missiles stood six stories tall, and the idea of liquid rocket fuel sloshing around inside a submarine was a frightening thought.

Pushing Boundaries

Scientists such as Harold Brown, who would later become defense secretary during the Carter administration, and physicists such as Edward Teller continued to push the boundaries of nuclear weapons design and innovation at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California, Work said.

“They developed a smaller, lighter nuclear warhead that could be put atop a missile carried vertically inside a silo,” he explained. “And the Polaris warhead’s radical new technology was an absolute turning point in nuclear weapon design, establishing breakthroughs that have been adopted in almost every subsequent warhead we have developed.”

As the new warhead was taking shape, Raborn’s Special Project Office finalized the design of a solid-fuel rocket motor. 

Still, Work noted, challenges remained for the Polaris missile’s development. He cited Rear Adm. Robert Wertheim, the fourth director of Strategic Systems Programs, who was present at last night’s event.

“As our early test missiles were raining down from the skies over Cape Canaveral, we learned to use a new code,” he quoted from an article Wertheim had written. “For example, ‘successful launch’ would mean ‘didn’t blow up until after leaving the launch pad.’ Or, ‘successful first-stage flight’ meant ‘went out of control and was destroyed during second-stage flight.’” 

Of the first 17 Polaris flights, only five flew as planned, Work said. Today, he added, with that record, the program probably would be cancelled. But that was never even considered back then, he said. That faith is vindicated today, with 155 of 157 Trident missile launches being successful, Work said.

Operational Missile Boat

As problems were being resolved with Polaris, the Navy still needed a submarine to carry it, Work noted. “In 1957, long before the bugs were even worked out in the Polaris A-1, Burke declared the Navy was going to have an operational missile boat in three years.”

So, Work said, Navy officials at the submarine yards at Groton, Connecticut, cut the hull of the attack submarine Scorpion in half and added a missile compartment. On July 20, 1960, at 12:39 p.m., the first Polaris missile was fired from the George Washington, Work said. Since that day, the U.S. Navy has conducted more than 4,035 strategic deterrent patrols, he said.

Defense Department Commitment

Today, Work said, the Defense Department remains committed to maintaining the fleet’s strategic weapon system in the Ohio replacement program.

He acknowledged the program will be a “heavy lift” in today’s budgetary environment, but he pledged that it will continue, because the nation’s security depends on a survivable and reliable second strike capability that only ballistic missile submarines provide. 

“The end of the Cold War did not end great-power politics,” Work said. It’s  been reawakened with a vengeance. “We see it plainly in Russia’s aggressive actions in Eastern Europe and Syria, and we see it in China’s emergence as a military power and its belligerent actions in the South China Sea.”