Officials Announce Winning Design Concept for National WWI Memorial

By Lisa Ferdinando DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, January 27, 2016 — The United States World War One Centennial Commission yesterday announced the winning design concept for a national memorial for what was known at the time as “The Great War.”

The incredible service and sacrifice of those who served in World War I a century ago finally will be honored in a memorial in the nation's capital, said Edwin Fountain, the commission's vice chairman.

Fountain, the grandson of two World War I veterans, announced the winning design concept at an event at the National Press Club here.

The winning concept is "The Weight of Sacrifice" by 25-year-old Joe Weishaar, a yet-to-be licensed architect, and veteran sculptor Sabin Howard.

The design concept met the challenges of creating a concept for such an important memorial, Fountain said. Those challenges, he explained, included finding an appropriate way to honor the magnitude of the service and sacrifice of the nearly 5 million people who served and the more than 116,000 who died.

Will Be Located Near White House

In addition, Fountain said, the design concept had to work into the surrounding landscape, complement the iconic architecture and design of historic Washington, and serve as a city park.

The memorial will be located in Pershing Park, near the White House. While the National Mall, where other war memorials are located, would be the preferred location, a law prohibits new construction on that expanse, Fountain said.

Architectural perspective drawing of the winning design for the World War I Memorial in Washington, D.C. Image courtesy of Joe Weishaar & Sabin Howard

Architectural perspective drawing of the winning design for the World War I Memorial in Washington, D.C. Image courtesy of Joe Weishaar & Sabin Howard

Besides serving as a permanent tribute to the service members, the memorial is meant to educate Americans and inspire them to learn more about the largely overlooked war that has profound influence to this day, Fountain said.

Honoring Those Who Served in Overlooked War

Those who fought and died in World War I did so with the "same courage and tenacity and sacrifice" as veterans of wars that have national monuments in Washington, Fountain said. Those who served in The Great War, he added, withstood the inferno of artillery barrages, and went down to the bottom of the sea in their ships.

"They fell from the skies in burning wreckage of airplanes, and they charged out of trenches across open fields and into woods and up hills that the enemy had spent years fortifying to defend," he said.

The service and sacrifice on such a scale must be commemorated, he said, adding it would be an injustice to not have a national memorial in Washington for them.

World War I began in July 1914 with the assassination of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand. It ended with the armistice on Nov. 11, 1918.

Memorial to 'Restore the Honor'

There are no living World War I veterans, Fountain noted, but descendants of those who served in the war have supported the efforts for the memorial.

Sandra Pershing's late husband, Jack Pershing, was the grandson of World War I Army Gen. John J. Pershing. The memorial is of tremendous significance to her family and the nation, she told the audience at yesterday’s event.

While noting there is a statue for General Pershing in Washington, she said her husband felt strongly there should be a memorial to honor the millions of others who served.

"Today we're going to start to restore the honor that has been so long in coming," she said.

Commission Hopes for 2018 Dedication

The winning concept will go through an extensive design review from a number of agencies, including the Commission of Fine Arts, the National Capital Planning Commission, and the National Park Service, Fountain said.

The commission hopes to begin construction on Veterans Day 2017, with a possible dedication on Veterans Day 2018. The commission is looking to raise $30 million to $40 million for the memorial, Fountain said.

366th Fighter Wing airmen prep for Combat Archer, Hammer

by Senior Airman Lauren-Taylor Levin
366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

1/25/2016 - MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho -- Airmen from the 366th Fighter Wing at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho sent personnel, aircraft and 41.4 short tons of cargo to Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Jan. 24, in support of Combat Archer and Combat Hammer, a Weapons System Evaluation Program.

The WSEP combines the live air-to-air missile firing of Combat Archer and the air-to-ground bomb drops of Combat Hammer. The exercise is designed to test each participating units' WSEP, determine reliability, evaluate capability and limitations, identify deficiencies, recommend corrective action and maintain combat readiness.

Offutt gives students a chance at mechanics

by Senior Airman Rachel Hammes
55th Wing Public Affairs

1/26/2016 - OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- Students studying Airframe and Power Plant disciplines at Iowa Western Community College have a unique opportunity to intern with the 55th Maintenance Squadron at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.

Twelve years ago, the squadron cut roughly 300 military slots and replaced them with approximately 150 civilian slots in a move to save the Air Force money. The squadron hired their civilians from a pool filled predominately with retired Air Force service members. That pool has been getting smaller.

"Basically, about nine months ago we were having trouble hiring civilians to fill slots that were coming open," said Wayne Welter, the Aircraft Maintenance Flight Chief of the squadron.

"What we've been trying to do is recruit across the nation, but one of the issues is we are one of the lower-paying areas because our economy is really good here in the Midwest," Welter said. "It's hard to get people to move from the east and west coasts to come here and take a drop in pay."

By recruiting from IWCC near Offutt, the 55th Maintenance Squadron is able to give students important experience, and there is an added bonus after graduation.

"We give them an opportunity while they're in school, to come over here and get paid, get job experience. If we have open slots once they graduate they can be hired," Welter said. "It's great for us, because they don't have to be trained and they have the experience already. They can come right in, and we can continue working without skipping a beat."

Even if the squadron doesn't have any open positions, the students are qualified for any Department of Defense aircraft mechanic position.

"Trying to get into a government job without a military background is hard, but this internship was a nice gateway for that," said David Garretson, a second year student in the program. He has been interning with the squadron since October.

Students ideally begin the program - known as the Grow Your Own Mechanic Program - in their first year. They compete amongst themselves for the six slots. If chosen, they start working 10 hours a week. As they grow more proficient, their hours are increased. Students must have 642 hours upon graduation to be hired.

"The first priority is their schooling, and we don't want to interfere with that," Welter said.

Even outside of the DoD, this internship provides students with valuable experience, he said.

"They will be qualified mechanics once they graduate, but the problem is people are looking for experience," he said. "Just because you have the book knowledge doesn't mean you'll be able to find a job. Most of their training, too, is on the smaller Cessna planes, which are completely different from what we have here. They're getting valuable experience they might not get otherwise."

There are currently three students in the program, but Welter hopes to bring the number up to six.

"We have a full force right now, but any day we could have three or four retirements, or someone could be married to a military member who PCSs to another base," he said. "The more we can train, the better we can be down the road."

By recruiting from close to home, Welter hopes to encourage the students to stay close to home.

"I think it'll encourage people to stay in the area, because if a job opens, it's a great job to have," Garretson agreed. "A lot of the guys who work in this shop were in the military for several years beforehand, and for many of them this was their first base. They decided to work the civilian side after leaving the military, which says a lot for the area."

Face of Defense: Air Force Couple Balance Military, Personal Lives

By Air Force Airman 1st Class Brandon May 47th Flying Training Wing

LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas, January 27, 2016 — Despite sharing a stressful career for more than 10 years, one that included numerous moves from base to base, combat deployments and long and erratic working hours, one Air Force family has found a balance between the military and their personal lives.

Joining the Air Force, commissioning, becoming a pilot, progressing to the rank of major -- all of these things define the word "exceptional," yet Air Force Majs. Regina and Jared Wall have done all of the above.

Regina Wall, the assistant director of operations for the 86th Flying Training Squadron, and Jared Wall, the T-6A Texan II standardization and evaluation branch chief for the 47th Operations Group, have shared almost every duty station and three deployments since beginning their careers in 2005.

Training

The Walls’ story began at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, where they first met in 2005 during the Air and Space Basic Course. Upon completion of ASBC, they found themselves on their way to Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, where they completed Initial Flight Training and each received a follow-on assignment to Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas.

After arriving at Laughlin, the Walls officially began their pilot careers in the Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training program.

“Not only did we both get assigned to class 07-04, but our assigned seats were right next to each other in the flight room,” Regina said.

After the completion of the T-6 program, Jared continued at Laughlin as a T-1 Jayhawk student and Regina moved to Corpus Christi Naval Air Station, Texas, to fly the T-44A Pegasus. This was the couple’s first experience with a long-distance relationship.

“It was a good test for our relationship,” Regina said. “We both knew by being in the military we might have to spend some time apart, and it was something we needed to be prepared for.”

But this long-distance relationship was only temporary. On Dec. 14, 2006, toward the end of pilot training, Jared proposed to Regina. Two days later, they married. Then,

Jared and Regina were assigned to fly C-130 Hercules aircraft at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas.

From Dyess, the Walls deployed together three times to Kuwait and were able to see various parts of the world and share unique and life-changing experiences.

“Sharing our deployments together and day-to-day Air Force life together has been a great experience,” Jared said. “It has allowed us to easily relate to each other. It also helps that during those deployments and during much of our career, we have had very similar jobs and the same mission.”

Family Life

In the spring of 2012, Jared and Regina relocated to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. That fall, their first child was born and would change the way Regina and Jared would go about their lives.

“It wasn’t just about us anymore,” Regina said. “Making decisions about our positions, assignments and deployments affected more than [us]. We had to do what was best for our whole family.”

While keeping their family’s needs in mind, the Walls’ careers continued to progress, and they moved back to Laughlin in January of 2014. Regina became a T-1A Jayhawk instructor pilot and Jared became a T-6A Texan II instructor pilot.

Since arriving here, the Walls have changed more than duty titles. They also had their second child and were promoted to the rank of major together.

This is unlikely to be the case for the next rank of lieutenant colonel, as the Walls will have to compete against each other to see who pins on first.

“We have a healthy competition,” Regina explained. “Of course I like to win, but if I was to get beat-out by anyone, I’d want it to be him.”

At this point, Jared and Regina aren’t sure where their careers will go, but they are ready for whatever comes next.

“We’re just going to do our best in the positions we hold now and go from there,” Jared said. “We know we can’t always get the exact assignment we want, but we’ve learned to compromise with each other and find a balance.”

“It is very easy for us to relate to each other,” he added. “We speak the same Air Force language.”

Although moving from base to base, deploying and working long and erratic hours can be stressful for dual-military couples, Jared and Regina say they have found the right balance for them and their family.

“We’ve learned to craft many of our career decisions around our family and relationship,” Regina said. “It’s not always easy, but sometimes what’s best for our careers may not be what’s best for our family.”

Both Jared and Regina say they are thankful for what they have and are eager to see what the future holds.

“We’ve overcome every obstacle we’ve been presented with so far,” Regina said. “Only time will tell what comes next.”

Aeromedical nurse saves a life

by Senior Airman Marjorie A. Bowlden
911th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

1/27/2016 - PITTSBURGH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AIR RESERVE STATION, Pa  -- Maj. Fred Pounds, flight commander of clinical management with the 911th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron here, went to Orlando to attend a Yellow Ribbon Reintegration seminar, expecting to unwind and adjust to life back home. Instead, he ended up averting a crisis and subsequently saving a stranger's life.

"Whether it happened at a Yellow Ribbon event or down the street from my house, I probably would have done the same thing," said Pounds. "I just did what anyone else would have done."

Pounds returned from a four-month deployment to Southwest Asia in September 2015. Like all Air Force Reserve Airmen recently home from a deployment, he was offered the opportunity to attend up to two Yellow Ribbon events to ease the adjustment process. He and his wife decided to take the December trip to Orlando.

On the morning of Dec. 19, 2015, Pounds and his wife left their room to attend a speech on resiliency by former Air Force Reserve Chaplain John Groth. During the speech, Pounds said that he noticed a man at a nearby table repeatedly asking his wife if she was alright. Instead of replying, her head rolled back, and she became unresponsive.

"I immediately went over and asked if anything was wrong," said Pounds. "He told me his wife wasn't responding, and I instructed him that we needed to lower her to the floor."

At this point, several people gathered around to see what was going on. Pounds identified himself as a nurse, and a man standing next to him said that he knew CPR. They checked for her pulse, but there was none to be found.

Pounds, who has been a critical care nurse for 16 years, has encountered a plethora of different health crises and situations over the length of his career. However, the woman's lack of pulse was not at all what he was expecting.

"I usually see people that just pass out and come to within two seconds, and that's what I was expecting at first," he said. "But to check for her pulse and not find one, and to see that she wasn't breathing, was a little scary. I realized immediately that we had to do CPR."

The two men began to try to revive the woman, Pounds doing compressions and the other trying to control her airway.

"I'm not even sure how long it was because it all happened so fast," said Pounds. "But at some point, she gave a few gasps and then started to breathe on her own."

The two men rolled the woman onto her side and waited for the paramedics to arrive. In the meantime, Pounds discovered that the woman had recently had surgery and hadn't been feeling well for a few days preceding the event.

When the paramedics arrived, Pounds followed them out to the ambulance. Though her blood pressure was still low, she was improving and was able to talk before being transported to the hospital.

Airmen often train for real-life situations and crises like this one, but applying that training isn't always so simple, said Lt. Col. Bryan Hutcheson, chief nurse with the 911 AES.

"Airmen with the Air Evacuation Squadron spend about 1,000 hours training for every hour that we spend in that kind of situation and having to make a decision," said Hutcheson. "It can catch you off guard, and it's sometimes hard to apply the training when you need it. The only thing I can ask of our nurses and techs is to be ready when that moment comes."

Pounds also said that being ready for a crisis like this one is crucial. He encourages other Airmen to confidently step up to the plate when crisis strikes, even if they're not part of the medical field.

"Don't be afraid to act," said Pounds. "Even if you don't have the specific training for an event like this, try to offer whatever help you can."

Though Pounds humbly said that he'd done what anyone else would do and doesn't want recognition for his actions, Hutcheson disagrees.

"You'd hope that everyone else would do the same, but that's not always the case," said Hutcheson. "His actions were absolutely a testament to his training, his character, and his willingness and commitment to be ready at all times."

Airmen work in concert to execute rapid global mobility

by Capt. Kathleen Ice
Air Mobility Command Public Affairs

1/27/2016 - SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- It's been raining sideways for hours since he arrived for work on the flightline at 6 a.m.

Staff Sgt. Justin Worcester ignores his drenched uniform and plows ahead while inspecting every inch of the 53-year-old KC-135 Stratotanker, because he's a crew chief.  His name is on it.

"We put everything on the line when we sign our name off," Worcester said.  "The aircrew is trusting us to make sure this aircraft is safe to fly."

Airmen like Worcester defend their country by making sure the U.S. can quickly move people and equipment around the world at a moment's notice.  This is executing rapid global mobility, Air Mobility Command's top priority.

Time can save lives in a humanitarian crisis.  Alternately, surprise is a principle of war.  Whether a KC-135 is creating an air bridge for a 32-hour bomber mission or a C-17 is air dropping pallets of food to earthquake victims, the U.S. can move a large force in a matter of hours, not days.

This is made possible by Worcester and a team of approximately 126,000 other mobility Airmen.  

The Best Checklist

"Teamwork's crucial," said Worcester, who is assigned to the 6th Air Mobility Wing at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.

"If I come out here to do a tire change with a couple of Airmen, I expect them to have the knowledge of what to do, what tools they might need," he said.  "If we come out here to do an inspection on the aircraft, I expect my other team members to know what they're looking for."

From the latest corporate knowledge in Worcester's checklists to his headset and gloves, Air Mobility Command makes sure he has what he needs to do his job.

"Executing rapid global mobility is about moving missions, and 18th Air Force has the operational lead on that," said AMC's commander, Gen. Carlton D. Everhart II.  "But in order to move, you have to have a sufficiently organized, trained and equipped force."

Maintaining a sufficient force to execute rapid global mobility can be challenging with fewer personnel and older aircraft than ever before, but AMC works daily toward that goal.  Due to its size, the Mobility Air Force needs to be more agile, or flexible and responsive, according to the 2015 Mobility Air Forces Strategic Vision.   


Right Time, Right Place

Aging tankers require excellent maintenance to be flexible and responsive. Back on the wet Florida flightline, Worcester inspects a KC-135 that was built in 1963.  It has responded to conflicts around the world since Vietnam.

He walks under the wing and taps his knuckles all over the gray metal, making hollow sounds.

"You want to hit the diffuser here, because if mounted screws are broken, you'll hear a little jingle," he says.  All screws were intact.

The aircraft spent most of last year at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar in support of Operations Inherent Resolve and Freedom's Sentinel.  The Airmen who deployed it to Al Udeid work at 18th Air Force, AMC's component numbered air force and the largest of its kind in the world.

Combined with the 618th Air Operations Center, the 18th AF executes assigned missions through the employment of airlift, air refueling, aeromedical evacuation and tailored global air mobility support systems. It provides geographical combatant commanders a seamless and synchronized logistical capability to execute their mission. 

"We turn the conceptual into air power," said Lt. Gen. Samuel Cox, 18th AF commander in a recent interview with "The Mobility Forum."  "Together, the pieces of the air mobility machine merge under the 18th Air Force umbrella to execute AMC's priority to execute rapid global mobility," Cox said.

To deploy forces effectively, the 18th AF commander entrusts tactical execution with the Airmen at the 618th Air Operations Center.  Around the clock, they manage the complex sphere of theater clearances, flight planning, mission planning, weather, and much more.

They make sure air mobility forces arrive on time in the right place for successful hand-off to overseas commanders.

In Airmen's Hands

With every hand-off of a KC-135 to an air crew, Worcester gets a sense of satisfaction.
The rain is gone, but wind still whips his hair as he watches the KC-135's engines roar to life.  He removes the yellow wooden chocks near the landing gear, checks panels near the flight deck, runs out of the way, turns and gives the pilot a thumbs up as the plane rolls forward.

"We have a lot of pride when we've been out here all night; and, right before we leave in the morning, the jet that we've been working on 10 hours taxis out and we get to watch it take off," Worcester said.

"The landing gear goes up, and you know that plane made it and is going to come back safe."

He knows his role in executing rapid global mobility.

"If there were no crew chiefs, then the plane wouldn't get up off the groun

ASYMCA supports service members in Alaska

by Airman 1st Class Javier Alvarez
JBER Public Affairs

1/26/2016 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska  -- The Armed Services YMCA has been assisting military members and their families since the days of the American Civil War.

The organization came to Alaska in 1941, and for the past 70 years the ASYMCA has been serving the Alaska military community through its mission of alleviating some of the stresses military life can present.

The headquarters of ASYMCA of Alaska is located on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. However, there are other locations throughout Alaska - on Fort Wainwright and the surrounding areas, including two military courtesy lounges at Ted Stevens and Fairbanks International Airports.

"We can be found throughout the U.S.," said Buddy Whitt, executive director for ASYMCA of Alaska. "We work specifically with local commands to find out what the needs are. You can go to the local ASYMCA and look at all the programs and services offered. If you were to then PCS to Fort Hood, Texas, and go to the ASYMCA there - there may be some similarities, but there are things they do that we don't. It all depends on the local need."

While the ASYMCA carries the YMCA name, there are some distinct differences in their purpose and function.

"What separates us from a traditional YMCA is our funding does not come from any sort of membership," Whitt said. "We are not an organization that is run by monthly fees for services. Most of what we do is free or low cost."

Offices are strategically located on or near military installations to better serve their target audience.

"[Non-military] can volunteer with us," said Kyra Mailki, ASYMCA of Alaska program and funds development supervisor. "They can donate and participate in those ways. But as far as services, it's only for military members and their dependents."

The organization is largely funded through donations. And while they have paid employees, their staff is primarily composed of volunteers.

"People will give us stuff to pass on to the military," Mailk said. "We make sure the support that's out there, and people want to give, makes it to the people they want to give it to."

Currently, the ASYMCA on JBER offers more than 20 programs designed to meet the needs of the local community.

"We try to address the needs that are presented to us rather than pushing needs that we think exist," Mailk said.

Some programs and services offered by the JBER ASYMCA include:

Teddy's Child Watch provides two free hours of childcare for children 6 months to 12 years at the hospital. There is a short registration process, but the service is available to anyone with access to the hospital.

"If you have a doctors appointment and you have a little one that you have to take with you, you're not really going to get a lot done," said Mailki. "It can be very distracting and it can be hard to pay attention to what the doctor has to say."

An ASYMCA Food Pantry assists military families who may be hit with unbudgeted expense during the month.

"Maybe their car breaks down and they need a couple more meals to get through the month," Whitt said. "Or it could be someone who just [transfer] up and they weren't ready for the expense of living in Alaska."

There are many other programs and services offered by the ASYMCA such as Y on Wheels, Operation Snack Attack and Operation Kid Comfort to name a few.

"We try to be helpful in multiple ways, not just getting someone who is in trouble get through until the next week, but maybe putting them on a path to success long term," Mailki said.

"I like to consider ourselves as hero support," Whitt said. "We have all these heroes working, and we don't have those super powers. Our job is to make sure our heroes and their families have everything that they need to do their job."


Those interested in volunteering, donating or inquiring about the many services offered by the ASYMCA can call the JBER-Elmendorf office at 552-9622. Or the JBER-Richardson office at 384-9622.

AMC leaders share way ahead for 2016

by Jodi Ames
Air Mobility Command Public Affairs

1/26/2016 - SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill.  -- Air Mobility Command hosted the first all call of the new year Jan. 20, at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.

AMC Commander Gen. Carlton D. Everhart II kicked off the event by thanking mobility Airmen for their efforts to execute and sustain Rapid Global Mobility operations around the world in 2015.

"I will tell you that 2015 was an outstanding year," Everhart said. "But 2016 is going to be even better, because this staff works to get the mission done."

Everhart shared his vision and priorities for the year ahead, which are nested under the national defense and national security strategies. He emphasized readiness, modernization, training and no-fail support to the nuclear deterrence mission.

"I want us to train the same way we fight so we can be at that tip of the spear, ready to go," he said. "Our aperture should remain open to our entire repertoire of core mission sets."

The all call was also an opportunity for the commander to officially introduce Chief Master Sgt. Shelina Frey, AMC's new command chief. Both stressed the importance of developing Airmen.

"There are opportunities for you to walk out of the headquarters building and go to the base and lead," Frey said. "At the strategic level, you have something to offer. To be truly competitive, get out there and share yourself and explore your own leadership."

"Life is about choices, and everybody in this room chose to be a part of something that's larger than we could ever imagine," Frey added. "I wake up to this vastness every day and ask myself what is next. What can I possibly do to be the best chief that I can be for our Airmen?"

Since her arrival in November, Frey has been introducing Mobility Airmen to her Airman Up! philosophy. During the event, she took a moment to share what the phrase means to her.

"It's not about just being proud to be a defender, or a dirt boy, or a maintainer or a personnelist. Airman Up is about being the best defender, dirt boy, maintainer or personnelist you can be," she explained.

"I am proud to be an Airman, so I say 'Airman Up!' Airman Up truly is about airpower. We cannot have airpower without Airmen being up on their game."

Everhart also discussed results from the recent climate assessment and spoke candidly about the critical role feedback plays in identifying areas for improvement.

"I want to thank you for participating in our climate survey," Everhart said. "Open communication and open dialogue is what it is all about."

Col. Eric Halverson, AMC director of staff, briefed attending Airmen about ongoing efforts to update the command's headquarters facilities, as well as long-term projects and milestones for the renovation process.

Speaking of the renovation process, Everhart added, "We plan on keeping the building for another 50 to 60 years, so we have to do internal renovations to make sure the building can last that long and be safe for you. I promised you a safe work environment, and that's what I owe you."

New SBIRS ground system celebrates final development capstone

by Space and Missile Systems Center Public Affairs

1/21/2016 - LOS ANGELES AIR FORCE BASE, El Segundo, Calif.  -- Air Force Space Command's Space and Missile Systems Center and the 460th Space Wing announced the Remote Sensing Systems Directorate completion of the Space-Based Infrared System's Block 10 Integrated Test and Evaluation (IT&E) Readiness Soak.  This is the final Block 10 Increment 2 system test prior to the formal evaluation by the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center.

Beginning January 5, 460th Operations Group personnel conducted the Soak event from the Mission Control Station at Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado. The 14-day test demonstrated total system readiness and stability for IT&E start.  It included complete command and control (C2) and mission management of the full constellation, and full operational crew posture and execution of operations for the final dependability and maintainability assessment prior to IT&E.  This event not only tested total system readiness, but also demonstrated that operational crews have enough confidence in the system to run live operations.

"For the first time, live mission messages were sent from the Block 10 floor" said Col. Mike Guetlein, SMC's Remote Sensing System director.  "This is another huge step toward Operational Acceptance."

"This is a full function test flight of our new ground system where our Airmen conduct full warning and detection functionality combined with intensive spacecraft command and control of all three of our spacecraft constellations," added Col. John Wagner, 460th Space Wing commander.  "This was our shakedown cruise."

Block 10 consolidates operational C2 of Defense Support Program satellites, Space-based Infrared System Geosynchronous Earth Orbiting and Highly Elliptical Orbit sensors under one primary Mission Control Station.  Block 10 also significantly increases performance capability across its four mission areas: missile warning, missile defense, battlespace awareness, and technical intelligence.

The Remote Sensing Program Office, in partnership with the operations community, leveraged lessons learned from previous SBIRS upgrades to successfully execute the Soak test.  The system will now progress into IT&E and its formal operational and development evaluation activities.

Col. Mike Jackson, 460th SW Operations Group commander, said the completion of the phase marked a "truly historic day for the overhead persistent infrared mission."

The SBIRS program is managed by the Remote Sensing Systems Directorate at the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles AFB in El Segundo, California. Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, Sunnyvale, California, is the SBIRS prime contractor, and Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems, Azusa, California, is the payload integrator. The 460th Space Wing at Buckley AFB operates SBIRS. The SBIRS program delivers timely, reliable and accurate missile warning and infrared surveillance information to the president of the United States, the secretary of Defense, combatant commanders, the intelligence community and other key decision makers. The system enhances global missile launch detection capability, supports the nation's ballistic missile defense system, expands the country's technical intelligence gathering capacity and bolsters situational awareness for warfighters on the battlefield.