Troxell Takes Over as SEAC

By Cheryl Pellerin DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, December 11, 2015 — Army Command Sgt. Maj. John W. Troxell was sworn in as the senior enlisted advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff today during a change of responsibility ceremony hosted by the chairman, Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr.

The event took place at Conmy Hall on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in Northern Virginia. It included a ceremony honoring outgoing SEAC Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Bryan B. Battaglia, who's scheduled to retire in April 2016 after nearly 36 years of service.

Presenting the flag to Battaglia was former chairman Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, Dunford's predecessor and the one who chose Battaglia as his SEAC.

In the audience were Air Force Gen. Paul J. Selva, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army Gen. David M. Rodriguez, commander of U.S. Africa Command, Army Gen. Curtis M. Scaparrotti, commander of United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command and United States Forces Korea, and other mentors, friends and family members of Battaglia and Troxell.

Leader, Warrior

When Dunford spoke he thanked Battaglia for all he has done on behalf of the nation’s soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines and their families.

“Sergeant Major Battaglia, you're a leader, you're a warrior and you're a man of character,” the chairman said.

“Today, as you complete your active service you have what every leader would want to have,” Dunford added. “You have the admiration, the appreciation and the affection of your fellow Marines, soldiers, sailors and airmen -- and that includes the Dunford family.”

Extraordinary Record

On Troxell’s assumption of the role of SEAC, Dunford said the department is welcoming another leader with an extraordinary record of service.

Three weeks ago a reporter asked Dunford about the criteria for selecting Battaglia's replacement.

“I said it's pretty straightforward. I looked for somebody with a wide range of experience and a proven track record as a leader, a teacher, a mentor and a warrior,” Dunford explained.

He looked for someone who could stand before soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines and inspire confidence, and someone enlisted men and women would be proud to have represent them.

“I was looking for someone who'd provide advice with candor,” Dunford added. “And to be honest with you, I was looking for someone exactly like Sergeant Major John Wayne Troxell.”

Dempsey Reflects

In his remarks, Dempsey, who retired in September and moved to Raleigh, North Carolina, thanked Dunford for being the current chairman and the senior military leader of the armed forces.

“I didn't think [the job] could get any more complicated,” Dempsey said. “And then I left and I looked back and I said, 'Wow, it just got a little more complicated.' But you're the right man in the right place.”

About Battaglia, Dempsey said that for the last four years of Battaglia's career, "he was my confidant and my advisor. But he was also … the lead scout for the joint force, he was the champion of soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, he was the coach of the senior enlisted leaders of our services, and he was the mentor of the senior enlisted leaders of our combatant commands."

Dempsey also mentioned the work of Army Command Sgt. Maj. Joe Gainey, the first senior enlisted advisor to the chairman, who served under then-chairman Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace.

“Gainey was the groundbreaker. He was the man who set the parameters, and we've all been working to sustain the office and to continue to make it relevant,” the former chairman said. “I know that Sgt. Maj. Battaglia did that and Sgt. Maj. Troxell will do it as well.”

Best Advice

In his remarks, Troxell thanked Dunford for having confidence enough to make him SEAC.

 “I do not take my duties lightly and will work tirelessly day in and day out to influence the entire joint enlisted force to assist in making your focus areas come to fruition,” Troxell said, “and to provide you and the secretary of defense my best military advice regarding our service members, families, civilians and veterans.”

To the service senior enlisted advisors and combatant command senior enlisted leaders, Troxell said he looks forward to serving with them and building a synergistic relationship based on “shared understanding, respect and trust as we aim to provide training, education, experiences and opportunities for our joint enlisted force.”

Troxell also thanked wounded warriors and Gold Star families for their service and sacrifice. “You are definitely our country’s treasures,” he said.

Many Mentors

Battaglia thanked the many mentors that have helped and shaped him across his career as a Marine, and he thanked Dunford, noting that they first crossed paths as Captain Dunford and Corporal Battaglia.

When Dunford became chairman, Battaglia said, he took on tough military issues “that could have been set aside for someone else to tackle, but bravely made bold and righteous decisions to take them on with the Joint Chiefs and orchestrate worthwhile and sensible solutions.”

Battaglia also thanked Dempsey for “having the trust in my abilities to make my small contribution and its value to the force.”

Face of Defense: F-16 Pilot Achieves Flying Hour Milestones

By Air Force Capt. Bryan Bouchard 455th Air Expeditionary Wing

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan, December 11, 2015 — “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

Two thousand years after Chinese philosopher Laozi recorded this phrase, Air Force Col. Henry Rogers reached his own “thousand-mile journey” milestones while deployed to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, as an F-16 Fighting Falcon pilot.

Rogers, the 455th Expeditionary Operations Group commander, not only surpassed 3,000 flying hours in the F-16 on Oct. 29, he then eclipsed 1,000 combat hours in the venerable jet on Nov. 6.

“When I was a lieutenant, the only guys with 3,000 hours were old guys that I honestly wondered how they could still meet the physical and mental demands of flying fighters,” he said. “I guess I am one of those guys now, even though I don’t feel that old.”

According to F-16 aficionado websites, Rogers joins the ranks of fewer than 300 F-16 pilots worldwide to reach 3,000 hours and just a handful who have reached 1,000 combat hours.

“Many pilots have flown other airplanes throughout their careers, but I’ve always been assigned to F-16 combat squadrons for my flying assignments, so that means I’ve deployed a lot,” he said. “But that’s what we’re here for.”

Upgraded Airframe

The airframe in which Rogers has flown since graduating from pilot training in 1994 continues to play a role in his success, even 40 years after it first started rolling off the assembly line.

“The F-16 today is nothing like the F-16 from its early years, but rather than producing a new airframe, the F-16 constantly upgrades its software, computing capacity, and weaponry,” he explained. “Today’s F-16 is an all-weather fighter loaded with technology -- night-vision, GPS, datalink, advanced air-to-air missiles, sniper targeting pod, satellite communications, and the Helmet-Mounted Cueing System. It’s an extremely capable multi-role fighter and will be crushing the enemy for many years to come.”

Rogers understands first-hand how capable the F-16 can be as he is currently serving his eighth combat deployment. He credits his family with always being there for him throughout his career and many deployments.

“My wife and now my two boys have always been beside me throughout my career and we have traveled this journey together,” he said. “Our definition of success is finishing with no regrets with my family by my side.”

Fighter Pilot Life Not Like Movies

The colonel said that a work-hard, play-hard approach is a common perception about his profession, but what people see on television and in movies is not always reality.

“Fighter pilots are often romanticized, or stereotyped, as guys who always push the envelope and maintain a college fraternity lifestyle,” Rogers explained. “The fact is that flying fighters is and has always been a dangerous business, and thus we all take our job extremely seriously.

“There is always a new tactic or weapon to learn,” he continued. “Fighter pilots prove their worth by how well they know their aircraft and tactics, their ability to complete the mission despite the obstacles and threats, and by being a professional officer and aviator -- not by the antics you always hear about or see in the movies.”

What is the same as the movies, however, is the closeness of those who are in the business of flying some of the world’s fastest and most advanced aircraft.

“All told, there is a special camaraderie within the flying community and especially amongst the fighter pilots who develop a bond of trust and mutual respect due to the responsibility we carry for each other and our personal actions,” he said.

When he was a lieutenant, Rogers said he was amazed at how many flying stories the older guys had. Over time, he’s amassed a lot of stories of his own.

He said, “Some of them are funny, from harmless mistakes that were embarrassing when told to the squadron the following Friday; some are sad from friends lost due to accidents; some frightening from being shot at by enemy surface-to-air missiles; and there are a few ‘There I was’ stories from combat or even exciting training stories still get my heart racing.”

But, the colonel explained, exciting stories and the people who’ve lived them aren’t exclusive to the flying community.

“Flying in combat is often called the ‘Tip of the Spear’ when considering all of the worldwide Air Force operations and activities,” Rogers said. “We highlight the tip of the spear because it is visible and exciting, but everyone at Bagram, plus many staffs and home-station airmen, all form the critical team necessary to get our airplanes in the air. Every airman counts.”

While no two people have the same career, he said, every path is interesting and unique.

“It’s our career diversity that makes us collectively a much stronger fighting force,” Rogers said. "We celebrate notable events such as 3,000 hours or 1,000 F-16 combat hours, but the reality is that every airman has an interesting story worth sharing. All airmen at Bagram are operating at the tip of the spear.”

CRW launches its newest squadron

621st Contingency Response Wing Public Affairs

12/11/2015 - TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- A ceremony marking the activation of the 321st Air Mobility Operations Squadron took place Dec. 7 following the inactivation of the 15th AMOS.

Through both real-world operations and training exercises, the AMOS deploys Air Operations Center trained personnel and equipment to augment any component numbered Air Force air operations center/Air Mobility Divison in the areas of airlift, tanker, aeromedical evacuation, command and control, logistics requirements and AMD support.  The squadron continuously contributes to direct operational improvements globally by validating and refining mobility processes, streamlining theater movement systems, refining theater mobility leadership roles and developing Crisis Action Standard Operating Procedures.

The squadron originally stood up as the 1702nd Mobility Support Squadron on July 1, 1975, under Mobility Airlift Command. When MAC made its transition to Air Mobility Command, the squadron was redesignated as the 702nd AMOS on Jan. 1, 1993. Just over a year later on July 22, it was redesignated again as the 615th AMOS, one of six squadrons assigned to the new 615th Air Mobility Operations Group. The 615th AMOG stood down in 2005 and April 11, 2005, the squadron was realigned directly under the 15th Expeditionary Mobility Task Force and renamed the 15th AMOS.

Despite the changes throughout the years, the 15th AMOS has performed solidly throughout its 40-year history with a number of accomplishments and decorations to show for it.  It has been awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award an impressive 14 times and has also won AMC's Best Small Communications Unit, which is normally reserved for dedicated communications squadrons.

The AMOS has performed in an extensive number of exercises across the globe; including: Ulchi Freedom Guardian, Keen Edge, Key Resolve, Terminal Fury, Argent Centry, Balikatan, Eager Lion, Blue Flag, Red Flag, and Soaring Angel.  On top of constantly preparing for real-world contingencies, the AMOS also dedicates a significant amount of time supporting real world operations, including Operations Tomodachi, Unified Protector, Odyssey Dawn, New Dawn, Desert Shield/Storm, Uphold Democracy, Provide Comfort, Unified Assistance, United Assistance, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, Damayan for typhoon relief in the Philippines, Sahayogi Haat after the Nepal earthquake, as well as providing command and control for Texas fire relief agencies and humanitarian assistance operations during Hurricane Sandy.

The reorganization of the 621st Contingency Response Wing and the activation of the 321st will further streamline processes to better complete the mission and move command and control forward.  The 321st AMOS will look boldly to the future while standing on the shoulders of those who have worked tirelessly to build a strong foundation. The squadron will continue its trend of excellence and will remain the cornerstone of theater command and control for the global mobility task force.

Air Combat Command Charts Path for Remote Aircrews, Units

by Staff
Headquarters Air Combat Command Public Affairs

12/11/2015 - JOINT BASE LANGLEY- EUSTIS, Va.  -- Air Combat Command officials announced the results of their study into the Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) community in an attempt to normalize operations and ensure long-term mission success.

Initial recommendations from the command's ongoing Culture and Process Improvement Program (CPIP) were derived from nearly 2,500 inputs from Airmen across the RPA community as well as staff analysis and budgetary planning. The result was over 140 tasks the Air Force is undertaking to improve RPA operations.  The CPIP initiative supports current and previous efforts to normalize operations and is the first of its kind with this level of collaboration and top-level interest across the Air Force.

Over the years Air Force leaders have made or pushed for substantial base-level investments in support of RPA Airmen and their families. Earlier this year, an initiative led by the Secretary of the Air Force reduced RPA operations from 65 to 60 lines daily, while temporarily managing pilot assignments to stabilize the career field until the remote pilot training pipeline could be expanded. The draft 2016 National Defense Authorization Act includes language that expands the Air Force's bonus authority for remote operators and aligns RPA operator entitlements with those for other rated positions. The service is working a plan to apply that authority.

In addition, Air Combat Command has established and held the first meeting of a General Officer-led working group that will provide guidance and gain consensus across commands to enhance the development and execution of a strategic vision for the RPA enterprise.

Moving forward, General Hawk Carlisle, Commander of Air Combat Command, has directed his staff to develop detailed implementation plans for the following activities:

· Approximately double the number of RPA flying squadrons.
· Create a new wing to normalize organizational and command and control structures relative to other weapon systems.
· Standardize the squadron, group and wing structure.
· Assign RPA units in new locations to potentially include overseas locations.
· Decrease the heavy burden of persistent in garrison combat operations by increasing RPA manning and associated resources by 2,500-3,500 Airmen.
· Define career tracks for officer and enlisted RPA operators and maintainers.
· Study the promotion and professional military education selection rates for RPA officers.
· Study the feasibility of a single specialty code for RPA maintenance personnel.
· Streamline processes to better enable Reserve Component forces to support the mission.

"Our RPA enterprise was born in combat and recently surpassed 20 years of service, many of which were executed at surge levels," Carlisle said. "We owe it to our Airmen to remove the daily stressors that are responsible for the challenging environment they are operating in."

An integral part to improving the organizational and command and control structures for remote aircraft is examining where to base new organizations to sustain the enterprise for the long term, according to the general.

"As we strategically analyze the RPA community, we need to take a hard look at our operating locations," Carlisle said.  "Expanding our RPA basing to potential sites such as Davis-Monthan [Air Force Base, Ariz.], Langley [AFB, Va.], and a few overseas locations is a discussion we need to entertain as we stand up a new wing. We would look to take advantage of the synergy between RPA operations and command and control or intelligence processing, exploitation and dissemination nodes."

Carlisle emphasized that "of course we must follow the established strategic basing decision process."

"Resourcing these changes is not within ACC's direct control," Carlisle noted. "So we will have to work with the Department of Defense, the White House and Congress on the resources to get this done."

"RPAs have changed the game on the battlefield with their persistence and ability to both build situational awareness and close the kill chain," Carlisle said. "Ultimately, CPIP is about establishing a coherent, Air Force wide strategic plan that enables us to continue to provide this incredible capability to the joint force by moving the RPA community toward the sustainment model we've established for other Air Force weapon systems."

New SELMO team to continue momentum of enlisted force development

by Master Sgt. David Eichaker
National Guard Bureau Public Affairs

12/11/2015 - JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. -- The Air National Guard's Senior Enlisted Leadership Management Office recently added two new team members to further advance the SELMO mission by continuing the deliberate development of senior enlisted leaders.

Chief Master Sgt. William Horay and Senior Master Sgt. Mikael Sundin, each from a different component within the Air Force, are teaming up to bring their unique perspectives to the office.

"I was extremely humbled when I was selected as the first active duty chief master sergeant to be assigned to the ANG command chief's staff," said Chief Master Sgt. William Horay, SELMO Manager, who transferred in October from Kadena Air Base, Japan, where he served as an aircraft maintenance superintendent.

"I'm excited to expand my knowledge of the Air National Guard and draw from my tactical and operational exposure in order to share my experiences with ANG members. Furthermore, once I transition back to the active duty side, I'll be better prepared to articulate the need to collectively serve under the "one Air Force" concept."

SELMO was established in 2014 to ensure that Air National Guard senior enlisted leaders receive the same opportunities for development currently offered to the active component. Senior enlisted leadership positions such as command chief master sergeant carry specific training requirements and a need for functional oversight. The SELMO ensures that these administrative tasks are accomplished and ANG senior enlisted leaders are not impeded while pursuing developmental opportunities.

Creating new opportunities for enlisted ANG members through SELMO also created new opportunities for Horay.

"I saw this as an avenue to work at the strategic level and interact with a wide range of professionals," he said. "I maintain functional oversight, coordinate senior enlisted leader education opportunities, and process nominations to key command positions for more than 155 ANG command chiefs while coordinating further developmental opportunities with the National Guard Bureau General Officer Management Office, Air Force Chiefs' Group and key senior leader offices. Working these relationships across the active and reserve components will continue to ensure ALL of the Air Force's senior enlisted leaders are developed to the same professional standard."

This also provides professional development for the chief.

"I must strive to further develop my leadership and management skills to better prepare me for future roles," said Horay. "I feel the experience I will gain from SELMO will absolutely help me with that professional development."

The other addition to the office brings with him 19 years of Guard experience and perspective to include multiple deployments.

"I am excited for the opportunity to help further develop our ANG enlisted leaders," said Senior Master Sgt. Mikael Sundin, SELMO superintendent. "My leaders, peers and subordinates helped shape my character to fit a position such as this and that sparked an immediate feeling of humility knowing I did not go into this alone."

Sundin, previously a fabrication element supervisor with the 140th Wing in Colorado, joined the SELMO team in November to help ANG senior enlisted members capitalize on professional opportunities and further develop as leaders.

"This developmental opportunity offered a unique chance to better understand the ANG concept at a strategic level," he said. "I have worked very hard with my past leadership to ensure the Air National Guard is providing our Airmen the best leadership possible and this is another way to ensure that."

The evolution of the Total Force concept makes SELMO's mission important and relevant.

"SELMO is the cornerstone for ensuring the ANG develops its senior enlisted leaders on the same level as the regular Air Force," said Sundin. "In order for the ANG to be a relevant, operational reserve, our leaders must be afforded standardized development opportunities, and SELMO is continuing to bridge that gap."

The SELMO manages a triad of responsibilities that interconnect as functional management, development, and nominative opportunities. Since its establishment, the office has made it possible for multiple ANG command chiefs to interview for Combatant Command, Major Command, Joint Task Force, Department of Defense positions and regular Air Force wing command chief master sergeant assignments. In fact, SELMO's efforts have resulted in historical appointments for the ANG's leaders. Leveraging the professional development processes of its senior enlisted members, the ANG is now represented in strategic positions across the Air Force. Two such examples of these successes include the Air Force First Sergeant Academy commandant and the special enlisted advisor for total force enlisted issues.

"SELMO is the embodiment of our institutional competencies," said Horay. Everything we do strives to provide enlisted leaders with the tools to become more strategically minded. This, in turn, provides them with a clearer strategic picture while developing their Airmen. The result is exponential development of our enlisted force."

Operation Homefront brings Christmas joy to kids

by Staff Sgt. Wes Wright
JBER Public Affairs

12/10/2015 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- The Service Member and Family Assistance Center hosted the third annual Operation Homefront holiday toy distribution event at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Dec. 4.

More than 400 people were on hand at the event which saw hundreds of brand new toys given out to the children of military families who signed up weeks in advance.

"We worked with several community partners to bring the community together and make this event a success," said Janice Collee, Operation Homefront Pacific Northwest director of programs. "The families registered for the event to ensure we had an appropriate count for all ages and genders to receive a toy."Toys weren't the only things bringing wide-eyed smiles to the faces of JBER's children.

"Home Depot brought a kids clinic to set up for the children to make a project to take home with them," Collee said. "We also had Hank the Moose available for the families to get their pictures taken. Santa was there, and the children were definitely excited. We had a gift wrap station so the families didn't have to worry about wrapping their gifts at home. We also had food provided by the base security forces personnel. Additionally, the Armed Forces YMCA was a partner with us for the first time."

Gloria Schiers, wife of Staff Sgt. Nathan Schiers, 962d Airborne Air Control Squadron communications systems operator, brought their daughter Kambryn, 3, to the event and was impressed with everything the organizers put together.

"It's an amazing experience just to be able to be here, especially for people who maybe can't do much. Seeing the kids' faces light up is what it's all about."Organizers began putting the event together in August to allow time for donors to contribute and time for families to sign up for reserved attendance slots, which fill up rapidly after they're announced, according to Collee.

"The event was a huge success for the families," Colle said. "Anytime you can bring community partners together and families in the community to help build strong military families it is a success. We had huge support from the command at JBER as well. It shows the comradery of this community and the support the families have from the local community."

Operation Homefront's mission is to help build strong, stable military families through family and emergency assistance programs. More than $7,000 worth of toys were given out to JBER's children through the toy distribution program.

Maria Vazqueze, wife of Bryan Vazqueze, 4th Quartermaster Company, 725th Brigade Support Battalion (Airborne), 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division rigger, was excited to bring their daughter, Angelique, 2, to pick out a toy.

"It's awesome," Vazqueze said. "It makes us a more tight-knit family and community. It's great to be able to have these types of resources. It demonstrates how supportive the local community is of military families."

According to Dana Rosso, 673d Air Base Wing Public Affairs community engagement chief, the event highlighted the positive relationship the base has with Anchorage.

"We have a multitude of internal programs here at JBER designed to help us reach out and support the local community," Rosso said. "It's always great to
see the community giving back so enthusiastically."