Carter Honored With Wilson Public Service Award, Addresses U.S. Strategy

By Terri Moon Cronk DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, October 30, 2015 — Defense Secretary Ash Carter was honored with the Woodrow Wilson Award for Public Service by the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars here last night.

The event also featured tributes to the secretary from the Wilson Center and key industry leaders.

Carter noted that the Wilson Center was created to honor the 24th president by connecting policymakers with “actionable ideas” to make the United States “fit and safe,” and that the concept continues today in security and prosperity gains for the nation and around the world.

“That’s why we stand up for freedom of the seas around the world, whether in the South China Sea or the Persian Gulf or the Arctic,” he said. “That’s why we’re gaining momentum to defeat [Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant] barbarism in the Middle East. That’s why we are working to pass the Trans-Pacific Partnership, one of the largest trade agreements in history, and a similar trans-Atlantic pact.”

“Unfortunately, more and more, some are intent on eroding those values,” Carter continued. “Today, the rules-based international order faces challenges from Russia, terror elements, and in a very different way, China.”

Meeting those challenges requires the right strategies, he said, by using the nation’s history lessons, knowing which mix of foreign policy tools are best suited for any situation, and staying focused on U.S. interests. “They are our North Star in the Asia-Pacific, in Europe, and in the Middle East,” he said.

Asia-Pacific Rebalance

DoD is working on the next phase of U.S. rebalance to the Asia-Pacific region by deepening long-standing alliances and partnerships with South Korea, Japan, Australia and India, said Carter, who leaves today for a visit to the region. “The rebalance will diversify America’s force posture, and make new investments in “key capabilities and platforms, and building new partnerships with countries like Singapore and Vietnam.”

Because the Asia-Pacific is a maritime region, Carter said, he will focus on finalizing the Southeast Asia Maritime Security Initiative to build greater regional capacity to address maritime challenges, and continue maritime exercises such as the Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training exercise, which involves six Association of Southeast Asian Nations countries.

“Many nations in the Asia-Pacific want to work with us, and we want to work with them too,” the secretary said.

Protecting Domains for U.S., Other Nations

“We're also taking a stand for freedom of navigation, one of the rules and customs that have helped so many nations in the region rise,” Carter said. “We're making it clear the United States continues to favor peaceful resolutions to ongoing disputes, and that we will continue to fly, sail, and operate whenever and wherever international law allows,” he said. “The South China Sea is not, and will not be an exception.”

Free, fair, and open access to shared domains also apply to air, space and cyberspace, so all nations can rise and prosper, Carter said, adding that DoD will continue to defend its networks from intruders and to defend the nation from cyberattacks of significant consequence and seek to deter malicious cyber activity.

Challenges from Russia, ISIL

The nation and its allies continue to deter Russia’s “destabilizing influence, coercion, and aggression,” which threaten the peace, stability and rules-based order, he said. A new playbook includes helping to strengthen NATO’s new Very High Readiness Joint Task Force, and supporting Ukraine with security assistance and training, he said.

“We're working to help facilitate training and exercises, and make our forces more agile, mobile and responsive,” Carter said, noting that the United States is supporting NATO's Cyber Defense Center of Excellence to help nations develop cyber strategies, critical infrastructure protection plans, and cyber defense posture assessments.

Degrading, Defeating ISIL

Turning to the U.S. strategy in the Middle East, the secretary emphasized that ISIL forces will be degraded and defeated by the global coalition of 65 nations.

Coalition airstrikes are hampering ISIL's movement and operations and are systematically targeted the terrorist group's leadership, Carter said. “The United States and coalition partners can enable [Iraqi and Syrian opposition forces], but not substitute for them,” he added. “They’re the only path to ISIL’s lasting defeat.”

The campaign to defeat ISIL is gaining momentum by focusing on taking back Raqqa, ISIL’s stronghold in Syria, and Ramadi, Iraq, the secretary said. The United States also will help to support more raids to signal that “we won’t hold back from supporting capable partners in opportunistic attacks against ISIL, or conducting such missions directly as we did last week, whether by strikes from the air or direct action on the ground,” Carter told the audience.

Preparing for Uncertainty

A new regional, networked approach to countering terrorism and violent extremism will be use infrastructure already established in Afghanistan, the Levant, East Africa and Southern Europe, where local forces will provide forward presence and allow DoD to enable partners to respond to many challenges, he said.

DoD will stay ahead of such challenges by making aggressive investments in innovation with Silicon Valley partners, he added.

Another U.S. strength lies in its “unrivaled network” of longstanding, allied partners around the world, which exists because the U.S. military is “so capable … because our antagonists and competitors push many states toward us ... and because our troops are great partners [who] perform and conduct themselves admirably,” the secretary said. “They make us proud.”

Dunford Heads to Seoul for Military, Security Meetings

By Jim Garamone DoD News, Defense Media Activity

ANCHORAGE, Alaska, October 30, 2015 — The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is en route to Seoul, South Korea, to participate in military and security discussions with America’s long-term ally.

Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr. will meet with South Korean and American leaders as part of the Military Committee Meeting and then will join Defense Secretary Ash Carter for the 47th Security Consultative Meeting, also in Seoul.

This is Dunford’s first trip to Seoul since taking office less than a month ago. Following the meetings there, the general will travel to Japan for meetings with military and civilian officials.

Discussions will likely cover North Korea, which remains a potent threat, with about 1.2 million active duty military personnel and millions of reservists, according to DoD figures. The military budget in the reclusive state is around $10 billion -- making it one of North Korea’s few well-funded activities.

North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un is unpredictable, and has threatened nuclear strikes on the United States and South Korea. North Korea has tested atomic weapons, and there is speculation in the United States as to whether the nation has miniaturized nuclear components to fit atop an intercontinental ballistic missile. North Korea also has entered the world of cyber war. Its attack on Sony last year showed those capabilities.

In August, North Korea placed mines that wounded two soldiers on the South Korean side of the Demilitarized Zone. The incident escalated to an exchange of artillery before North Korea took responsibility for the incident.

Increased U.S.-South Korean Cooperation

U.S. and South Korean leaders will also discuss increased cooperation on space-based and cyber activities and how the two countries are modernizing their military capabilities, officials said. About 28,000 American service members are based in Korea. U.S. and South Korean forces train to be ready “to fight tonight,” and assessing that capability also will be part of the meetings, they added.

South Korea is a large and important trading partner with the United States and many thousands of Americans live and work in South Korea. The country has grown from a devastated nation in 1953 to a dynamo of trade and commerce in Northeast Asia, boasting the world’s 11th-largest economy.

Eucom Commander Cites Threats in Europe, Concern Over Russia

By Lisa Ferdinando DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, October 30, 2015 — As security threats in Europe increase, the United States remains concerned about Russia's destabilizing actions in Ukraine and Syria, the commander of U.S. forces in Europe said here today.

"European security challenges continue to grow and become, frankly, more complex," Air Force Gen. Philip M. Breedlove, commander of U.S. European Command and NATO's supreme allied commander for Europe, said at a Pentagon news conference.

"In fact, it wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that we are changing on almost a daily basis," the general said, adding that new threats and challenges seemingly emerge every day. "Given the complexity of challenges we face globally, it remains critical that we continue to work together with our allies and partners," he said.

Russia a 'Top Concern'

Russia's continued "aggressive actions and malign influence remain a top concern and a very high priority," Breedlove said. He noted although the ceasefire is still holding in eastern Ukraine, he is concerned with Russia's "lack of effort to end its occupations and honor its commitments in Ukraine."

In addition, Russia's intervention in Syria "continues to beg more questions than answers," Breedlove told reporters.

"Russia's actions prolong the conditions creating massive-scale immigration of refugees that is further worrying our southern allies, and the eastern allies continue to be concerned about Russian expansion," he said.

"These concerns, combined with the flow of foreign fighters, are a strategic challenge for all of Europe," Breedlove said.

"I continue to believe that we must strengthen our deterrence and that Eucom and our NATO alliance must continue to adapt by improving our readiness and responsiveness," he said.

Partnerships to Strengthen Europe

Breedlove said an example of improving readiness, interoperability and responsiveness in Europe is NATO's Trident Juncture exercise. It is NATO's largest exercise in more than a decade, and is currently taking place in Italy, Spain and Portugal. It involves more than 36,000 troops and 30 nations.

The exercise, Breedlove said, represents a "clear demonstration of NATO's resolve and capability," and is "enhancing our ability to work with our allies, partners and other international organizations in response to crisis situations."

Breedlove noted the United States is expanding its training program in Ukraine. While it started with Ukrainian national guard forces, it now includes training active military component troops. The expansion will strengthen Ukraine's capability and capacity to address the challenges that nation faces, the general said.

The U.S. focus for Ukraine, Breedlove told reporters, remains on a diplomatic solution that respects Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. "We continue to call on Russia to fully cease its destabilizing actions in eastern Ukraine, to end its occupation of Crimea and to fully honor its Minsk commitments," he said.

Vital Partner in ISIL Fight

The situation around Turkey continues to become more complex, Breedlove explained.

"Now a critical partner in degrading and defeating ISIL, we greatly appreciate the vital support Turkey provides to the international coalition across many lines of effort," he said. The use of Turkish bases for U.S. aircraft continues to be an important force multiplier, he added.

However, Russian actions are complicating the situation in Syria, the general said. Russia is being "pretty forward" about the fact that they are bombing the moderate Syrian opposition and other groups in the northern area, he noted.

"That raises questions about what is our future path in Syria,” Breedlove said. “I think all understand that we need a political transition in Syria. The moderate opposition is a part of forcing that political decision. The actions we see the Russians taking now, we believe, prolong this conflict, which prolongs the problem of the flow out of people into Europe and other places."

The concern, Breedlove explained, is that the eyes of the world are shifting away from Russian actions in Ukraine to Russian involvement in Syria.

"That is a technique that I think has been employed here a couple of times," he said. "Invade Crimea, take the world's eyes off of Crimea by invading Donbas. Take the world's eyes off of Dombas by getting involved in Syria."

Russian actions are part of a larger construct, he said. "We need to be thinking holistically about our response to Russia," he added.

Four 188th intelligence units receive Meritorious Unit Award

by Capt. Holli Nelson
188th Wing Public Affairs

10/29/2015 - EBBING AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ark. -- Air Combat Command announced that four units assigned to the 188th Wing were among those honored with the prestigious Meritorious Unit Award for 2015.

The awarded units, which included the 188th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group, 123rd Intelligence Squadron, 188th Intelligence Support Squadron and the 288th Operations Support Squadron, received the award for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding achievement or service in direct support of combat operations since Sept. 11, 2001.

Three of the four awarded units have been in existence at the 188th Wing for less than two years since the mission conversion from manned A-10C Thunderbolt II "Warthog" aircraft to a remotely piloted aircraft, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and targeting mission in June 2014.  The forth unit, the 123rd Intelligence Squadron, was moved under the 188th Wing as part of this conversion and has been supporting combat operations for a decade.

The ISR mission at the 188th Wing encompasses supporting MQ-9 Reaper aircraft as well as other RPA operations, a space-focused targeting squadron and maintaining the Arkansas Distributed Ground Station, one of several nodes which are part of the  Distributed Common Ground System, also referred to as the AN/GSQ-272 "SENTINEL" weapon system, and conducting near real-time exploitation of imagery intelligence data to provide actionable, multisource combat intelligence to combatant commanders and war fighting forces across the spectrum of conflict.

"Since the inception of the new mission at the 188th Wing, we have been working toward our goal of creating a world-class, one-of-a-kind center for ISR and RPA operations and we continue to make monumental strides toward that objective with accomplishments like this," said Col. Bobbi Doorenbos, 188th Wing commander. "The designation of this award to these four units truly showcases the depth and breadth of expertise and experience our Airmen possess at this Wing. I'm very proud of their accomplishment and know they will continue to achieve excellence in support of ISR operations around the globe."

The Four units work with the 480th ISR Wing but are based at and serve under the 188th Wing.  The 480th is the Air Force's lead wing for Distributed Common Ground Station operations around the globe and is headquartered at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia.

The effective dates of the award span June 1, 2014, through May 30, 2015.

Protégé reunites with mentor, becomes the teacher

by Airman 1st Class Ramon A. Adelan
9th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs

10/30/2015 - BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, California -- After sleepless nights, hours of rigorous training and aspirations of providing direct support in combat, Senior Airman Daniel Fox's dream of becoming an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technician became a reality.

"Providing safety to those around me is the most rewarding part of the job," Fox said. "Becoming an EOD technician gave me an opportunity to serve in the Air Force the way I had envisioned."

Fox started his Air Force career working as a pest management technician at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, but after meeting Master Sgt. Jayson Wells there, Fox took the opportunity to cross train into EOD.

"Usually when I get Airmen who want to cross train into EOD, they want to do more in their Air Force career," Wells said. "So I ask them, 'is EOD something you really want to do?' I only want to help those individuals who desperately desire to make a difference, not those seeking money or self-recognition."

Before Fox could become a candidate to cross train, he had to pass various tests, including a physical fitness assessment, explosive safety tests and receive endorsement from the Ellsworth EOD Flight Chief.

"Fox's first exposure to EOD was participation in a combat focused 24-hour exercise," Wells said. "This exercise simulated the stressors EOD Airmen are exposed to in stateside, overseas and combat situations. We want to overstress the body, kick the 'fight or flight' mechanism into gear while depriving you of sleep to see if you can cognitively adapt to the environment."

After conducting countless hours of training with Wells and the Ellsworth EOD flight, Fox was accepted to the Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal technical school located at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

EOD School teaches students to detect, identify, render safe, recover and dispose of explosive ordnance such as, improvised explosive devices, conventional military ordnance and chemical, biological and nuclear weapons. It takes approximately eight months to complete training.

"Fox and I stayed in touch throughout his training," Wells said. "He would express frustrations and failures during training with the constant fear of failing out. The most important mindset for any trainee is that he or she find a way to complete training. I tried providing words of encouragement to help him stay focused on the task."

According to Fox, EOD School was the biggest challenge of his life, but with support from Wells and his family, Fox completed training.

"During tech school, every Air Force student in my class was getting orders. I was waiting for mine and constantly checking the virtual Military Personnel Flight website to see if I received mine," Fox said. "The day I got orders to Beale, I was very excited and immediately called Sgt. Wells. It was exciting to know I would work with him again."

Fox and Wells are now members of the 9th Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight at Beale Air Force Base, California.

Fox has been at Beale for three and half months during which he has responded to three unexploded ordnance emergencies, completed standby qualifications, supported Sentry Eagle 2015 facilitating 335 training and escort sorties and completing his career development courses.

"Fox has received the best training our quality assurance and training sections can provide. His commitment to excellence has enabled him to now teach me in somewhat of a role reversal to keep me abreast on new emerging technologies," Wells said. "He is a vital asset to our team and part of the bright future of EOD; who will replace me one day."

188th Wing receives 3rd Air Force Outstanding Unit Award

by Capt. Holli Nelson
188th Wing Public Affairs

10/28/2015 - EBBING AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ark. -- The 188th Wing, and all its supporting groups and squadrons, received the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for their accomplishments spanning Oct. 1, 2011 through Sept. 30, 2013.

The Air Force Outstanding Unit Award is awarded to units which have outstanding achievement that clearly sets the unit above national or international significance, combat operations against an armed enemy of the United States or military operations involving conflict with or exposure to hostile actions by an opposing foreign force.

"This recognition of the hard work and dedication our Airmen have provided and continue to provide today is well deserved and illustrates the value of our 188th members to the nation," said Col. Bobbi Doorenbos, 188th Wing commander. "Their accomplishments showcase the diverse capabilities of our wing and our proven contributions to national objectives. I couldn't be more proud to lead these outstanding Airmen each and every day."

During the two-year span, the 188th contributed directly to the fulfillment of strategic national objectives by completing the largest deployment in unit history in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. More than 350 Airmen and 10 aircraft deployed to support combat operations in the area of responsibility and set unit records in combat sorties, combat flight hours and Air Tasking Orders. The unit achieved a 100 percent ATO rating and mission tasking completion rating while accumulating 1,853 combat sorties totaling 7,626.2 combat flight hours.

The 188th also contributed to the war efforts in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn by deploying more than 50 percent of its personnel to 13 worldwide contingency locations during this time frame. Furthermore, the 188th Civil Engineer Squadron deployed to Guatemala in support of Operation Beyond the Horizon constructing a new school for 100 students in partnership with the United States Army while bolstering strategic international ties.

The 188th CES stood up the Air National Guard's first and only Rapid Engineering Deployable Heave Operational Repair Squadron Engineer training center as well as an Urban Search and Rescue site providing critical mission training to civil engineers and firefighters throughout the ANG.

The unparalleled community service and achievements of wing members resulted in 11 national level awards for excellence, leadership, service, public affairs, family readiness and psychological health. These accomplishments were recognized by senior-level officials including the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, and the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, Gen. Frank J. Grass.

At the time of the award period, the 188th was designated as the 188th Fighter Wing with a manned aircraft mission, flying the A-10C Thunderbolt II "Warthog."

The 188th has received two previous AFOUAs in the last five years.