Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group Departs on Deployment

By Lt. Sonny Lorrius, Amphibious Squadron 4 Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- More than 4,000 Sailors and Marines from the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (KSGARG) and 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (26 MEU) departed from Norfolk and Little Creek, Virginia and Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Oct 6.

The deployment is part of a regular rotation of forces to support maritime security operations, provide crisis response capability and increase theater security cooperation while providing a forward naval presence in the U.S Navy's 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation.

The KSGARG is commanded by Capt. Augustus P. Bennett, commodore, Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 4 and is comprised of the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), the amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24), both homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, and the amphibious dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51), homeported at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Virginia.

"The ARG/MEU team has done an excellent job going through the intensive and rigorous training cycle that has successfully prepared us for our deployment," said Bennett. "The hard work and dedication of every Sailor and Marine will allow us the ability to excel at any mission or situation that comes before us."

The 26th MEU is commanded by Col. Robert C. Fulford and consists of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit's Command Element, the Ground Combat Element, Battalion Landing Team, Aviation Combat Element, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron, Logistics Combat Element and the Combat Logistics Battalion.

The KSGARG/26 MEU team will provide combatant commanders a versatile sea-based force that can be tailored to a variety of missions, including quick reaction crisis response

Airmen represent USAF on international level

by Senior Airman Trevor T. McBride
48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

10/6/2015 - LONDON, England -- Under the blues skies at Wembley Stadium, approximately 140 Airmen assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing raced onto the field to proudly hold the U.S. and U.K. national flags on Oct. 4 to kick off the first of three international football games this NFL season.

The first NFL game at Wembley featured a battle between the Miami Dolphins and the New York Jets. As the main attribution to the pre-game ceremony, the Airmen, who work in various units at the 48th FW, took to the field (or pitch as they say in England) to present large flags representing both countries. Not only do these provide a great representation of the NFL's presence in London, but it also demonstrates the continued cooperation between U.S. visiting forces and their U.K. hosts.

In addition to the flag presentation, the pregame ceremony also involved U.S. honor guard from Royal Air Force Molesworth, all in front of approximately 84,000 people.

With the crowd roaring with excitement after the national anthems, the Airmen exited the field full of smiles and pride.

"The flag detail was an awesome experience!" said Senior Airman Zachary Wodeage, 48th Fighter Wing Legal Office paralegal. "The pride I felt standing down on that field in front of 84,000 people was indescribable, a truly humble time."

For some players, playing in front of an international crowd was a unique experience.

"When we got out there today, it was a different feeling and the crowd was into it," said Brandon Marshall, New York Jets wide receiver. "It was one of the best games, as far as the environment goes, that I've ever played in."

Being stationed in the U.K., Airmen are given an easier opportunity to come see at least three NFL games in London versus traveling back to the U.S. Some Airmen voiced their opinion on the NFL's continued presence in the U.K.

"The NFL International Series has truly been a blessing because many of us stay up late due to the time difference, so having the opportunity to experience it live at a normal hour makes it even better," said Staff Sgt. Raymond Pajas, 48th Fight Wing Chapel assistant.

"The game is growing so much in popularity over here from that level all the way down to youth leagues, so this gives them that opportunity to see the game live," added Woodeage.

Miami Dolphins running back, Lamar Miller, recorded 7 carries for 26 yards in front of the international audience. After the game, Miller says he has high praise for the troops serving overseas.

"I want to make sure those [service members] know that I appreciate all that they do for us."

435th AGOW deploys team, expands OIR mission

By Airman 1st Class Cory W. Bush, 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs / Published October 07, 2015

DIYARBAKIR AIR BASE, Turkey (AFNS) -- Full certainty is never guaranteed in the military, which is why Airmen are trained to deploy at a moment's notice and hit the grounding running when they’re called upon.

For Airmen assigned to the 435th Contingency Response Group, that need came Aug. 12 when the unit deployed to Diyarbakir Air Base, Turkey.

"The 435th CRG's mission is to get in and out," said Lt. Col Ryan Barney, the 435th CRG element commander. "The unique thing about this mission is the 435th CRG were the first troops on the ground; and we really depended on everyone and the defenders deployed with us for security as the building began."

The 80 Airmen from the 435th CRG, U.S. Air Forces Europe-Air Forces Africa's only expeditionary open-the-base force, were tasked to set up initial life-sustaining and operations facilities for the bed down of forces. The base stood up in support of Operation Inherent Resolve to enhance U.S. Air Forces Central Command's personnel recovery operations in Syria and Iraq.

According to Barney, the team had to build the base from nothing.

"When the 435th CRG first arrived, there was nothing but a grassy field and a lot of boulders," Barney said. "By providing airfield ops, combat support and training, security, construction, and mobile aircraft support, that field is now a bare base and ready for the follow-on force to arrive."

Due to the variety of missions the unit is tasked to accomplish, the 435th CRG deploys to each tasking with equipment prepared to achieve the mission in multiple types of environments.

"We have certainly had our challenges with the war-ready material equipment," Barney said. "When you're receiving over 680 tons of equipment, some of it is bound to not be in the condition you thought it would arrive in. With a little bit of innovation and teamwork, the Airmen here were able to overcome those hurdles to keep moving forward."

Made up of a variety of 29 Air Force specialty codes, Airmen assigned to the 435th CRG work in close proximity, which allows them to learn other career fields, as well as develop their own technical skills.

"My job as an aerial porter is to unload planes and deal with logistics," said Airman 1st Class Christopher McDade, a 435th Contingency Response Squadron air transportation specialist. "But sometimes, in order to get the job done, any one of us can be pulled from our daily operations to help out with something like construction, security or engineering."

Within less than two weeks, the Airmen of the 435th CRG have built 88 operational structures on Diyarbakir AB.

Diyarbakir AB is a Turkish base home to the Turkish air force's 8th Air Wing. According to Barney, the team couldn't have completed as much as they have without the continuous partnership with Turkey and the 8th Main Jet Base Command.

"This deployment has been very successful thus far," Barney said. "The cooperation between the U.S. and Turkish forces has been excellent and I foresee the relationship continuing to grow as operations here and throughout the rest of Turkey continue. The 435th CRG and I couldn't have asked for a better partner."

Carter: Spain-based Marines at Center of DoD’s Strategic Transition

By Terri Moon Cronk DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, October 7, 2015 — The U.S. Marines at Morón Airbase in Spain stand at the cutting edge of the Defense Department’s strategic transition that’s designed to prepare all service members to deal with a full spectrum of threats, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said during a troop talk at the air base yesterday.

The secretary is on a five-day trip to Europe for the NATO Defense Ministerial Conference in Brussels, in Belgium, and to meet with his counterparts in Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom. His troop talk at Morón marked his second day of the trip.

The secretary said DoD’s strategic transition follows14 hard years in Iraq and Afghanistan, where the Marines now at Morón were deployed and performed in a spectacular manner in every way as part of U.S. forces.

“But it was all consuming,” he said, adding that while what the future holds is unknown, what does exist presents a broad span of challenges.

Strategic Transition Has Broad Range

The strategic transition “ranges all the way from high-end opponents down to terrorists, people who are threatening our fellow Americans doing [the] work of our country out here in the region, which is one of your principle missions,” Carter said. .

Under key military leaders and with U.S. full support, he said, “We are asking you now to make that strategic transition.”

U.S. service members spent a lot of hard years in Iraq and Afghanistan and performed spectacularly well, Carter said.

“But it also taught the American people … what it's all about, what you guys do, how much you sacrifice, how much your family sacrificed, and how much it means,” he added.

U.S. Partnership With Spain

Through a joint Spanish-U.S. assault team, the Marines at Morón represent the value of the United States’ long-standing friendship with countries such as Spain, the secretary noted.

The United States and Spain are long-term allies in a strong and principled partnership that’s continued by U.S. troops’ presence, Carter said.

“But the main thing we share [is] a way of looking at the world. We share values, we share principles,” he added.

The United States is proud of its service members and grateful for what they do for the nation to protect its people, the secretary said.

And, he added, the global community “looks to us for so much in the way of peace and security, and to give their children a better life. And you do that.”

USAFCENT personnel recovery aircraft, support Airmen arrive in Turkey

by Airman 1st Class Cory W. Bush
39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

10/7/2015 - INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- U.S. Air Forces Central Command has begun staging small detachments of aircraft and airmen at Diyarbakir Air Base in southeast Turkey to enhance Coalition capabilities to support personnel recovery operations in Syria and Iraq.

Diyarbakir Air Base is a Turkish base home to the Turkish air force's 8th Air Wing. The Republic of Turkey and the U.S. are long-time NATO Allies and the U.S. Air Force has a long history of working alongside its Turkish allies. This deployment will enable us to better assist with recovery of our Coalition partners should they need assistance in Syria or Iraq.

"We will be guests of the Government of Turkey at Diyarbakir Air Base; there are no plans for a permanent U.S. presence at this location," said Gen. Phillip Breedlove, NATO'S Supreme Allied Commander Europe and commander of U.S. European Command. "This marks yet another successful cooperative effort between the Turkish and U.S. militaries."

Air Force testers cleared for Pegasus

by Daryl Mayer
88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

10/7/2015 - WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Now that Boeing has two aircraft -- one a 767-2C freighter and one a militarized KC-46A tanker -- in the air, the program expects flight testing will really get off the ground.

All told, the path forward is for flight testing to validate the aircraft meets performance requirements and achieves both FAA and military certification. Under the "Test Once" architecture, KC-46 will test systems once for both certifications.            

So, it was vitally important to get Air Force Developmental Test crews cleared to participate in flight testing.     

"Our EMD test program depends on an integrated effort between the Boeing and Air Force test teams. Strong teamwork has been a hallmark for this group, so I'm excited to see them execute flights as one joint crew," said Brig. Gen. Duke Z. Richardson, Program Executive Officer for Tankers at the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center.

The Air Force Test Center team can now work side-by-side with Boeing and FAA officials to put the aircraft through a gauntlet of evaluations methodically testing and validating systems perform as expected.

"These are exciting times because each flight progresses through its demonstration toward meeting the warfighter requirements. There is still a lot of work on the horizon, but our flight path is set," said Col. Christopher Coombs, KC-46 System Program Manager.

The Air Force contracted with Boeing in February 2011 to acquire 179 KC-46A refueling tankers to begin recapitalizing the aging tanker fleet. The program is currently working to meet the Required Assets Available date, a milestone requiring 18 KC-46A aircraft and all necessary support equipment to be on the ramp, ready to support warfighter needs by the August 2017.

344th ARS Airman wins 'Dutch' Huyser Award

by Senior Airman Colby L. Hardin
22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

10/6/2015 - MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan.  -- A McConnell Airman recently won the 2015 Air Mobility Command General "Dutch" Huyser Boom Operator Award.

The award is named after Gen. Robert "Dutch" Huyser, a former aircraft commander who served in the Vietnam War and flew more than 9,000 hours in multiple aircraft during his military career.

Staff Sgt. Jacob Burton, 344th Air Refueling Squadron boom operator, received this award not only performing his duties but also for demonstrating great leadership along the way.

"His work ethic and dedication are the reasons that he received this award," said Senior Master Sgt. Olivia Hoornstra, 344th Air Refueling Squadron superintendent. "I wouldn't expect anything less from him, he's been a blessing to supervise."

The award is presented to AMC aircrew members who are highly proficient in the career field and are currently performing flight duties. Nominees must also sustain excellence in airmanship, demonstrate responsibility and show self-improvement efforts.

Burton's ability to lead in and out of the office is one thing that separates him from most of his peers.

"He is definitely not afraid to 'call the baby ugly or correct someone if they are wrong," said Hoornstra. "That's what will make him a great leader, and he will be successful in whatever he decides to pursue."

Burton has accumulated more than 1,400 flying hours and has been on four deployments. He hopes to one day work as a test boom operator for new equipment at the 412th Test Wing, at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.

"My leadership has a big impact on how I carry myself," said Burton. "They kind of set the tone for what was expected from me as an individual in their squadron."

Burton received distinguished graduate for his Airman Leadership School and was named the 22nd Operations Group Airman of The Year. He says that he is blessed to be recognized for all of his efforts.

"Doing less than your best is not acceptable," Burton added. "I feel like my job is rewarding enough as it is, so winning the Huyser Award was a really good surprise."