State of the AF is 'strong'

by Master Sgt. Jess D. Harvey
Air Force Public Affairs

1/11/2013 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- The Air Force's top leaders said today the service has accomplished much while dealing with many challenges in the last year.

Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III briefed members of the media here on the state of the service and its focus on the areas of force structure, readiness and modernization.

"America's Airmen are focused on their missions, and they demonstrate every day what it means to be members of the world's finest air force," Donley said. "These Total Force Airmen -- active duty, Guard, Reserve, and civilian -- are the reason I can say without reservation that the state of our Air Force remains strong."

The secretary dedicated a significant amount of time explaining how the nation's fiscal challenges have affected and will continue to affect the force.

"Our nation's ongoing budget gymnastics exert costly consequences upon the Air Force and our sister services and create an atmosphere of unease among many of our uniformed and civilian Airmen," Donley said. "Given that we are now into the second quarter of (fiscal 2013), we can no longer live under the uncertainty of sequestration and continuing resolution without taking action."

Prudent planning is required to mitigate budget risks and minimize impacts to readiness, the secretary said, adding that guidance will be provided to the force in a few days to begin planning for the uncertain budget environment ahead.

As part of the planning, Air Force leaders are dedicated to avoiding a hollow force -- one that looks good on paper but has more units and equipment than it can support, lacks the resources to adequately train and maintain them, and keep up with advancing technologies.

"We believe the best path forward is to become smaller in order to protect a high quality and ready force that will improve in capability," Donley said.

In doing this, Welsh emphasized the importance of sustaining the enduring contributions the Air Force provides that will continue to guide the service as it moves forward, no matter what happens with the fiscal realities of the future.

"As we move toward that smaller, more capable and ready force; we have to be careful to protect our whole mission," Welsh said. "If we don't, the entire joint force is affected, and it's impacted in a significant way."

According to the secretary, the service has already suffered great impacts to its readiness levels.

"More than two decades of war and other operations have had an impact on our readiness, straining our Airmen and their families, reducing opportunities for training and taking a toll on equipment," Donley said.

In order for the Air Force to improve on current readiness levels, Welsh said modernization remains a top priority, recalling a childhood memory of his grandfather's then new, 'sweet' car to help characterize the issue.

"If we were at Minot (Air Force Base) today, I could take you out on the flight line and show you a whole bunch of 'sweet' B-52s," Welch said. "And in 2028, when we deliver the last KC-46 tanker, we'll still have about 200 'sweet' KC-135s on the ramp. And they'll be about the same age then -- 60 -- as my grandfather's car would be today."

The difference is, he said, his grandfather's car has an antique license plate on it today, while America's Airmen will be flying these aircraft in 2028, in contingencies and combat zones around the world.

Which is why, modernization isn't an option, Welsh said, "It doesn't matter if we get smaller. We have got to figure out how to make modernization happen."

During the briefing, the general also took time to highlight the recent release of the Air Force Vision Statement, which embraces innovation as almost a genetic trait of every Airman.

"I believe that's true. In order for us to be successful, I think it has to be true," Welsh said. "We intend to remain the world's greatest air force, powered by Airmen and fueled by innovation."

Grief melts fear, leads Air Force Reservist to worldwide talent audition

by By Capt. Cathleen Snow
920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs

1/10/2013 - PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- A package in the mail containing a T-shirt renewed hope for one talented Air Force Reservist in the 920th Rescue Wing.

Tech. Sgt. Altrameise Myers, information management craftsman, was a little confused when she received a package in the mail with a lone T-shirt emblazoned with the words--Mission Audition. It came from the Air Force's highly coveted entertainment troupe, Tops in Blue, of which she had recently sent an audition video.

Similar to the realty television show American Idol, Tops in Blue's sets out to find the most talented vocalists, musicians and dancers in the U.S. Air Force whose primary purpose is to entertain military personnel and their families throughout the world, even those deployed to combat.

"At first I thought the T-shirt was a constellation prize, like thanks for auditioning, but no thanks," said Myers.

A telephone call later and she learned that the special T came as an invite to Tops in Blue's worldwide talent search for an in-person, seven-day audition in San Antonio, Texas.

"It's exciting," said Myers. "I'm going to put my very best foot forward."

Until now, stepping on stage to sing the national anthem had been her only public performance experience.

"I'd be shaking in my boots everytime," said Myers who was plagued with terrible stage fright when faced with an audience.

But recently, a terrible loss, the passing of her 17-year-old son AJ, September 30, has melted her fear.

"My son would always tell me, 'you need to do something with that talent, mom'," she said as she would sing around the house.

"I think about him and it takes all of my fear away," said Myers, who finally went into the studio by his constant prompting, and interpreted a song, recorded it, then sent it off to Tops in Blue.

"It's (performing) something I've been afraid of, but lately I have not been afraid," said Myers.

"We loved your singing! Thank you for participating," she said the voice on the other end of the telephone told her when she called about the T-shirt.

Her commander, Col. George Raeder, 920th Mission Support Group, concurred. "I get goosebumps everytime I hear her sing," he said of her soulful rendition of the national anthem.

Myers said the gesture of sending a T-shirt invite is one of many Tops in Blues' longstanding traditions. It's history dates back 59 years and it's one of the oldest and most widely traveled entertainment groups of its kind.

The group has appeared on national television with such legends as Ed Sullivan, Bob Hope, Alabama, Barbara Mandrell, BOYZ II MEN, Lee Greenwood, and many others.

If Myers is selected, she will be one of a few reservists who make the team which is composed of 35 to 40 of the most talented vocalists, musicians, dancers, and technicians in the Air Force.

Upon selection, the training will consist of a highly accelerated educational process to prepare the candidates to succeed as world-class entertainers and distinguished Air Force Ambassadors during the 10-month worldwide tour.

Tops in Blue will be performing at the King Center in Melbourne, Fla., Jan. 15 at 7 p.m. No tickets are needed, but military ID holders have priority seating. The doors open up to military at 6 p.m. They open to general public at 6:45 p.m.

Committed to safety, mishap prevention

by Laura Mowry
412th Test Wing Public Affairs

1/10/2013 - EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Before returning to flight operations, Team Edwards welcomed the new year with the annual Back in the Saddle briefing Jan. 7, focusing on safety, teamwork and mishap prevention.

For nearly 20 years, Back in the Saddle has helped the Edwards community shift their focus back to safely and effectively accomplishing the mission after spending time with friends and families during the holiday season.

"We at Edwards do not do normal operations. We conduct flight test and what we do is actually very dangerous. If you let go for just a few moments you can end up killing somebody," said Bill Koukourikos, 412th Test Wing Flight Safety Office deputy chief. "Back in the Saddle gets everyone back into that mode of thinking, that what we're doing is dangerous and we better pay attention."

Unlike in the operational world, the Edwards community faces unique challenges as they settle back into the flight test mission because the unconventional nature of flight test lacks fixed rhythm to help personnel re-acclimate after holiday downtime.

"It's not like a normal Air Force base where you come back from vacation and know what's going to happen and you basically go back into your normal rhythm. That's why everyone gets the Back in the Saddle brief and there are also safety briefings going on within the units. It gets people thinking about flight test, flight operations and risks so that when they hit the road running, they're not going into it cold," said Koukourikos.

Back in the Saddle combines mishap reviews with informational briefings to get useful information out to the workforce.

The Back in the Saddle briefing also helps mitigate risks associated with what is known as the "January Effect," during which there is an Air Force-wide increase in the frequency of mishaps.

"The Air Force sees a spike in mishaps throughout the month of January and it is our job to prevent that from happening," said Koukourikos. "I'm proud to say that we here at Edwards don't have a spike in January."

Wee Man salutes Andersen

by Senior Airman Robert Hicks
36th Wing Public Affairs

1/11/2013 - ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam  -- Actor Jason "Wee Man" Acuña visited Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Jan. 9, as part of his Wee Man Salutes the Service tour.

Airmen and family members came out by the dozens to meet and greet the actor and have their pictures taken with him. While on Andersen, he not only autographed memorabilia, but raffled off prizes and put on a show at the Andersen Skate Park for spectators.

"Today was great," said Capt. Richard Rojas, 36th Wing chaplain. "Anytime you get to bring a celebrity with a talent like skateboarding, which appeals to a broad audience on base, it will always be a success. Events such as this also help raise the morale of not only the Airmen but the family members as well."

Wee Man has been visiting military installations for five years now and expressed the importance of giving back to servicemembers.

"As an American, I wake up every morning a free man," Wee Man said. "For me to be able to wake up and do whatever I want and not worry, knowing we have troops all over the world protecting us makes me appreciate the freedom I have. So in my downtime, I like giving back for what I know is given to me every day."

At the end of his visit, he presented a free showing of his new movie "Elf-Man" to Airmen and their family members at the Meehan Base Theater on Andersen.

Smaller Air Force Will Protect Quality, Readiness

By Cheryl Pellerin American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Jan. 11, 2013 – To roll with unprecedented strategic and fiscal challenges, the best path forward for the Air Force is to become smaller to protect a high-quality, ready force, top Air Force officials said today. Air Force Secretary Michael B. Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III briefed Pentagon reporters, addressing budget constraints, progress in the year just passed, and the development of future capabilities. “Like the other services, the Air Force will work with our defense and national leadership to fine-tune our plans and programs as we confront both a dynamic security environment and the nation's fiscal challenges,” Donley said. “We’ll adjust and compromise as necessary,” he added, “but we will need broad consensus with the Congress on the way forward to avoid a hollow military. This must be our priority.” The Air Force secretary said the service would continue to balance competing defense needs with the size of its force structure, readiness and modernization. “To avoid the perils of a hollow Air Force,” the secretary said, “we believe the best path forward is to become smaller in order to protect a high-quality and ready force that will improve in capability over time.” Donley also described progress and accomplishments for the Air Force in 2012, including confronting the problem of sexual assaults and unprofessional relationships at basic military training and convicting offenders. “We're strengthening our sexual assault prevention efforts,” Donley said, citing recent initiatives that implement health and welfare inspections and establish a special victims' counsel program throughout the Air Force. The inspections are designed to reinforce expectations for the work environment, correct deficiencies and deter disruptive conditions, Air Force officials said. Last year in space launch operations, the Air Force completed nine national security space launch campaigns in the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program, bringing the total number of consecutive EELV program launches to 55, and total consecutive national security space missions to 90, Donley said. The Air Force implemented a new EELV acquisition strategy to efficiently purchase up to 36 existing rocket stages, called “cores,” and is making it easier for commercial space companies, starting as early as fiscal 2015, to compete to produce up to 14 new core stages and in the process become new entrants in contributing to rigorous national security space operations. “This, for the first time, gives new entrants a clear path to compete for national security space missions,” Donley said. The Air Force’s procurement strategy is driving down satellite costs, he said, resulting in savings of more than $1 billion on the advanced extremely high frequency satellites. This system is a joint service satellite communications system that will provide survivable global, secure, protected and jam-resistant communications for high-priority military ground, sea and air assets. The Air Force also is projecting savings of more than $500 million for the Space Based Infrared Systems program, which the officials say will provide critical missile defense and warning capability well into the 21st century. Donley also reported on a vexing issue with the F-22 Raptor fighter jet. “We've resolved as best we know how the previously unexplained hypoxia incidents in the F-22 and put this critical aircraft on the path from return to flight to full operational capability,” he said. Also in 2012, Donley told reporters, the next-generation F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter “continues to mature, and with the completion of our operational utility evaluation, the OUE, training at Eglin Air Force Base [in Florida] will begin this month.” The OUE is a critical step in beginning joint strike fighter pilot and maintenance training for the service. Welsh, who became Air Force chief of staff in 2012, said Donley’s tough budget decisions, reflected in the fiscal 2013 National Defense Authorization Act, translate into an active duty Air Force of about 329,000 airmen, about the same size it was when the Air Force became a separate service in 1947. In the past 10 years, the Air Force has retired about 1,900 airplanes and dropped about 30,000 active-duty billets, he said. “None of those things is inherently bad, by the way,” the general added. “They are simply reflective of today's fiscal and strategic environment.” For the Air Force, Welsh said, the future depends on “figuring out how to integrate data, how to better integrate information, how to move it quicker, how to connect platforms and sensors together.”  “That's not as expensive as new weapons systems, … and it benefits us in the way we do the job today,” he added. “So we have people all around the Air Force focused on that problem right now.” Donley said the Air Force has been through many ups and downs over the years and the way through the challenges is to support the service’s active, Air National Guard, Reserve and civilian members and their families in their work.  “I am confident that by making prudent choices -- difficult decisions among force structure, readiness and modernization -- we can and will stay the world's finest air force,” he said.

Self-aid, buddy care training saves life

by Maj. Denise Kerr
445th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

1/2/2013 - WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Senior Airman Nathan Collett never thought he would be in a dangerous situation when he enlisted into the Air Force Reserve in October 2009. An 87th Aerial Port Squadron cargo processing flight traditional reservist, he loads and unloads the "bullets, beans and bodies" on C-130, C-17 and C-5 aircraft. He is also a sophomore at Columbus State studying construction management.

In March 2012, he volunteered to deploy to Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, for a seven-month rotation.

"I was briefed after two weeks of being there that we had taken the most rockets in 24 hours than Kandahar had in the whole war," Collett said.

Collett was working his 12-hour shift in the passenger terminal on May 23 when a rocket blast blew the building doors inward. It was the beginning of the fighting season; the insurgents ramped up their artillery attacks to the airfield. With dust in the air, Collett ran out of the terminal to see a group of passengers look dazed and in shock. He directed them to the bunkers a short distance away. Collett noticed that a large container nearby most likely shielded the group from the shrapnel. He ran back and sent the passengers from inside a tent by the terminal to the bunkers for safety.

Collett turned around and saw a man lying on the ground, in pain and screaming. He and a contractor ran to to the man and assessed his injuries.

"I saw that shrapnel hit his chest and found another injury in his upper right buttocks," Collett said.

The contractor applied pressure while Collett tried to comfort and stabilize his head. An Army sergeant showed up with a first aid kit. Collett took off his shirt to put under the injured man's head, while the other two placed gauze on his wounds. Security forces radioed in for the paramedics and firefighters. More rockets continued to assault the airfield and Collett used his body to shield their patient from the potential impact.

The lone medic reached the site and stuck an IV in the injured man while Collett held the bag of fluid. They hoisted him on the gurney to take him to the clinic for recovery.

"Everything took about 4-5 minutes until the medics got there. We were still under threat of direct fire for another 10-15 minutes," Collett said.

"I think about it every day. I found out he was a contractor and ended up OK. It just made me expect and plan for a contingency. Luckily, I paid attention to the self-aid and buddy care course the two times I took it. I am glad it was mandatory to pre-deployment. I'm so glad I got the training I did from the 445th Airlift Wing."

Highly skilled dance performed at 25,000 feet

by Senior Airman Mark Hybers
507th Air Refueling Wing, Public Affairs

1/9/2013 - TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- When most people think about skillful dancing, the thought of a couple moving gracefully across a dance floor comes to mind. If you are part of the KC-135 Stratotanker refueling crew, you're probably picturing two planes less than 50 feet apart bouncing around at 25,000 feet while trying to connect a refueling boom into what appears to be a golf ball-sized hole.

This well-choreographed, highly skilled dance conducted by members of the 507th and 137th Air Refueling Wings aircrew is one way of trying to describe the air refueling process.

This important mission takes an enormous amount of education, training, manpower and focus to remain calm under intense pressure to pull it off.

Pressure starts during pre-flight checks. Ground crews communicate back and forth with the pilots as they check off a long list of items.

Once airborne, the pilots communicate between Air Force and civilian air traffic control personnel for air space and altitude clearance. They then set the coordinates and altitude in preparation to meet the receiver (plane receiving fuel) at the pre-coordinated air refueling track.

When the planes are within 10 to 15 minutes of each other, the boom operator gets in position, takes out a check list and runs the refueling boom through a series of checks to ensure it's working properly.

Once the receiver moves to within 50 feet of the boom a series of light signals begins between the boom operator and the receiving pilot. This is when the dance begins and with it comes immense pressure until the refueling is complete.

"Even the book says two planes flying in close proximity is inherently dangerous," said Master Sgt. Jeff Bass, 465th Air Refueling Squadron boom operator, during a recent air refueling training of a 966th Airborne Air Control Squadron E-3 Sentry also out of Tinker Air Force Base. "It becomes even more tense when you get radio to radio communication and find out they are doing an extraordinary amount of training."

The pilot from the E-3 Sentry calls out two check rides, two instructor pilot upgrades and two new students. During this flight, each of the pilots goes through a series of training exercises while controlling the plane. They must move in close, move left and right. They move up closer to the tanker and move down further away from the tanker.

While pilots from the E-3 perform each of these tasks for qualifying and training purposes, Bass steadily calls out signals and moves the boom back and forth in an effort to make contact.

"The one-hour and forty-two minutes we were hooked up is an unusually long time for one boom to be on the controls," said Maj. Jeff Milburn, a KC-135 pilot from the 465th Air Refueling Squadron.

"It's very important for us to have a lot of trust and communication with the boom operator," added Milburn. "Bass is a very good and very experienced boom operator, but it's still a long time to be under that amount of pressure."

Milburn said everyone on both planes is counting on the boom operator.

"The pilots of the receiver are counting on the boom to make sure they are safely getting close enough for refueling and we are counting on the boom to make sure that the pilots of the receiver aren't being too erratic and getting us into a dangerous situation," he said.

Bass remains calm during the entire process. As each part of the training is finished, he calls out signals to the E-3 pilots, all the while communicating with Milburn and co-pilot 1st Lt. Jonathan Loper, 465th Air Refueling Squadron, in the KC-135.

"Each pilot flies a little differently, so it's important to see their tendencies, get them stabilized and then move them in for contact," said Bass. "I'm constantly trying to keep the boom moving ahead of the receptacle so that once they get good and stable, I can make contact with no issues."

Once both planes enter the air refueling track, the receiving E-3 comes up behind the KC-135. The boom operator calls out '50 feet and slightly low.' Once the plane is stable the boom operator brings the plane in with the forward light.

"One foot per second, coming down the middle," says Bass. "I'll then call out 10 foot increments and once the plane is stable, I'll try to make contact with the boom."

Meanwhile, the pilot of the receiving plane is looking to a fixed point trying to keep the aircraft steady on that point.

"With two planes moving, that can be some work," added Bass. "I have to try to keep the boom lined up and within certain parameters for it to be a safe operation. If he's moving too quickly towards one of those limits, I might trigger a disconnect."

The final task during this particular training is to actually off-load 50,000 gallons of fuel. There were two pilots on the E-3 who needed to take control of the plane, each connecting with the KC-135 for 25,000 gallons of fuel.

Off-loading fuel is also very challenging. While the Bass is doing his part controlling the boom and keeping the planes connected during fuel transfer, Milburn and Loper are controlling the fuel off-load.

Once the refueling is finished, Bass calls foot markers out to 100 feet, to let the pilots of the E-3 and KC-135 know when everyone is clear. Then he takes a deep breath and shakes the blood back into his hands, grabs his checklist and secures the boom.

"I just don't think I could possibly do any other job in the Air Force," Bass says with a laugh.

Now at the controls, Loper takes the KC-135 back to Tinker Air Force Base for landing. People on the ground in the St. Louis area have no idea that a group of talented, well trained crew just pulled off a highly skilled "dance" 25,000 feet over their heads.

Air Force Leaders Will Deliver Budget Guidance to Force in Days

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Jan. 11, 2013 – Air Force leaders will deliver guidance to the force in a few days to begin prudent planning for the uncertain budget environment ahead, Air Force Secretary Michael B. Donley said here today.

Donley and Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, the Air Force chief of staff, briefed Pentagon reporters today on the state of their service.

Budget uncertainties rule in Washington now, with automatic across-the-board spending cuts looming March 1, and a continuing funding resolution running out at the end of the month. Congress must act to fix this situation, Donley and Welsh said.

“Even though we're not presuming this worst case will occur,” Donley added, “prudent planning for the third and fourth quarters is required.”

The service is taking action on reversible measures to mitigate the impact of cuts on service readiness. The impact includes civilian hiring restrictions, curtailing flying and travel that isn’t mission-essential or related to readiness, curtailing or stopping minor purchases, and deferring nonemergency facility sustainment restoration and modernization, the secretary said.

“To be clear, these near-term actions cannot fully mitigate the impacts of sequestration should that occur,” he said, using the formal term for the looming spending cuts. “If we do not have resolution by March, sequestration will have immediate and negative impacts on Air Force readiness, specifically flying hours and maintenance.”

Air Force leaders understand that even with these budgetary solutions, the service will still draw down. The priority is avoiding the hollow military of the late 1970s and early 1980s. A hollow military looks good on paper, Donley said, “but has more units and equipment than it can support [and] lacks the resources to adequately man, train and maintain them, or to keep up with advancing technologies.”

The Air Force has flown continuous missions since the Gulf War in 1991. This alone has strained airmen and their families and impacted readiness, Donley noted. It also has taken a toll on equipment. “The need for modernization is pervasive across our Air Force,” the secretary said.

The service will continue the global intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mission. It will continue global precision attack, global airlift, global command and control and global special operations, Donley said. “The challenge for the Air Force … is capacity,” he added. “What will be the size of the military? How much of that will we have?”

Iowa Airman learned from harsh childhood experiences in Africa

by Master Sgt. Todd Moomaw and Tech. Sgt. Sara Robinson
132 Fighter Wing

1/9/2013 - DES MOINES, Iowa -- Tech. Sgt. Patrick Kazeze proudly serves as an Air National Guard Technician and as a member of the 132nd Fighter Wing Base Honor Guard.

As an Air Guardsman, he comprises a diverse team of 106,000 Americans on call in 50 states and 3 territories.

Kazeze is no stranger to diversity.

He grew up in the African countries of Malawi and Ethiopia. As the child of a United Nations statistician/demographer, he says he learned valuable life lessons that stick with him today.
"No man is an island. There were people in bread lines, and Ethiopia's socialist dictator, Mengistu Haile Mariam, would not accept outside help," Kazeze said. He learned that no man or country can go through life without help at some point.

Hundreds of thousands were killed as a result of the use of hunger as a weapon under Mengistu's rule. Mengistu was overthrown, fled the country to Zimbabwe and was convicted of genocide in absentia.

Kazeze appreciates where he is in life due to what he saw and experienced in Africa while growing up. Eventually, outside forces set up refugee camps and started providing food. Kazeze and his family were part of the few lucky evacuees to Kenya.

Attending high school in Hailsham, England, exposed him to many different cultures.

"I enjoyed time in England, school was like a big melting pot," Kazeze said. "I made a lot of friends, and met people from every continent - Muslim, Buddhist, the whole gamut of religions."

When the time came for Kazeze to attend college, he set his sights on the United States. However, after four years in England, he had picked up a thick British accent.

He watched VHS tapes of U.S. television to study the American accent. Watching shows like "The A-Team," "Knight Rider" and "Battlestar Galactica" helped him learn the dialect.

Kazeze was now ready to attend college. Following in his father's footsteps, a Drake alum, he looked into Iowa schools. Grand View University offered what he was looking for, and he majored in television and radio production. During his time at Grandview he considered joining the military, but didn't.

The events of 9/11 renewed his interest in the military. By then, Kazeze was 28 and too old to join active duty so he decided he could best serve our country as a member of 132nd Fighter Wing.

After basic training, Kazeze worked in civil engineering as an electrical power production specialist. He now works in maintenance as an aerial ground equipment specialist.

While in the Iowa Air National Guard, Kazeze became a United States citizen. He reflected on a visit to see his parents who retired in Malawi. "It's interesting going back (to Malawi) as a United States citizen, I fly into Lilongwe, a big modern city, and as I go into the country it gets less and less developed, until it's just bushmen," he said.

Even today, Kazeze uses life lessons he learned during his childhood in Africa. He is a well-rounded Airman, an American citizen and he appreciates the time that he spent in Africa.

He grew up to know that, as humans, we are all in this together and we all need each other in one way or another.

Defender rescues stranded driver during winter storm

by Master Sgt. Kevin Wallace
366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

1/10/2013 - MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho -- Many Mountain Home Air Force Base personnel hunkered down Jan. 10, as Storm Gandalf dropped several inches of snow on the base.

Roads were nearly empty and the ongoing readiness exercise was put on pause.

However, for some Airmen, the morning was anything but tranquil.

One such Airman is Tech. Sgt. Barry Williams, 366th Security Forces Squadron.

Williams was enroute to check the off-base range when he came across a stranded driver just outside the main gate.

Williams, along with three other servicemembers who stopped to assist, rescued the driver, who'd slipped off the road and was stuck in deep snow.

According to Williams, Defenders can render first aid or respond to other emergency situations if dispatched. That was one of those circumstances.

"I'm just happy to be able to get this guy back on the road," said Williams, about the Airman who'd just finished a 12-hour shift and was heading home.

Many Airmen only correspond with Defenders when they pass through the gate, and don't often recognize that these Airmen are working and assisting in any weather condition, even if other personnel aren't required to report to work.

"Like other first responders as well as all servicemen and women, helping those in need is in our DNA," said Capt. Ryan Bodge, 366th SFS commander. "So far this morning, we've helped five motorists get back on the road and either home to their families or off to their duty-sections."

USS Hartford, USS San Juan Sailors Receive Dolphins

By Lt. Cmdr. Jennifer Cragg, Commander, Submarine Group 2 Public Affairs

GROTON, Conn. (NNS) -- Thirty officers and enlisted Sailors from the Los Angeles class attack submarines USS Hartford (SSN 768) and USS San Juan (SSN 751) were recognized under the SUBVETS Submarine Qualification Recognition Program, at the Submarine Veterans Clubhouse in Groton, Jan. 7.

The Sailors, who previously received their coveted gold and silver "dolphins" onboard their respective submarines, were recognized by former submarines, many of them Holland Club veterans in attendance, who warmly welcomed the newest submarine warfare qualifiers into the special community.

"We had never recognized Sailors from two boats at one meeting," said John Carcioppolo, president, Submarine Veterans Groton chapter.

Cmdr. Steve Wilkinson, commanding officer, USS Hartford attended the rite of passage ceremony and reflected on the caliber of the Sailors serving in the submarine force today.

"As you can see, your legacy is in good hands. These men represent all the best of our nation," said Wilkinson.

Groton Base Member Phil Marshall from Narragansett, R.I., who served on 13 submarines, called out his submarine qualification, which was earned in 1955 aboard USS Sterlet (SS 392), reflected on how great it was to see the newly qualified Sailors referring to them as "our future."

Master Chief Machinist's Mate (SS) Eric Mathley, chief of the boat, USS Hartford also reflected on the legacy of the submarine force.

"It's great that these young Sailors, who worked so hard to earn their dolphins, have an opportunity to see the long legacy of the submarine service," said Mathley. "I think it means more to them, having seen that. They can really appreciate the lineage of their service."

Master Chief Electronics Technician (SS) Gaylord Humphries, chief of the boat, USS San Juan, also sounded off his qualification date, providing his solid support to the next generation of submariners.

"This is the new generation of submariners and the submarine force is in good hands," said Humphries.

. North Dakota Governor Proclaims USS North Dakota Day

By Lt. Cmdr. Jennifer Cragg, Commander, Submarine Group 2 Public Affairs

BISMARCK, N.D. (NNS) -- The state of North Dakota is recognizing its namesake submarine, Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) North Dakota (SSN 784), in a unique way by proclaiming Jan. 11 "USS North Dakota Day."

Cmdr. Doug Gordon, commanding officer, PCU North Dakota, will visit the state, Jan. 9-11, to participate in the events surrounding this special day and to take advantage of the visit to update state citizens on the construction of the Virginia-class attack submarine. He will educate citizens on the submarine's role in the nation's maritime strategy in supporting national security interests and maritime security operations.

"Namesake visits are important steps taken during the construction phase of a submarine because it increases the level of awareness as well as the investment being made by the taxpayers of North Dakota and our nation," said Gordon. "Additionally, namesake visits, particularly when one day of the year is named after the future USS North Dakota are truly special markers to remember during our boat's construction."

The proclamation recognizing the eleventh day of January as "USS North Dakota Day" was issued by Gov. Jack Dalrymple. The proclamation stated the following, "The USS North Dakota will represent the most advanced Virginia-class nuclear powered attack submarine in the world when commissioned in 2014; and the USS North Dakota is a source of pride and honor for us all; and it is fitting to recognize our boat and her crew and to celebrate this outstanding addition to the U.S. Navy."

During the namesake visit, Gordon will address North Dakota's Senate and House of Representatives to report on the construction of the Navy's newest attack submarine.

Additionally, Gordon will also visit the Bismarck Public Schools Career Academy to observe ongoing project-based science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) opportunities for students.

Bob Wefald, USS North Dakota committee chairman, who helped to coordinate the namesake visit, looks forward to the state supporting their submarine during her 33 years of service.

"For the sixty months while the sub is under construction she is known as Pre-Commissioning
Unit (PCU) North Dakota," said Wefald. "She will become United States Ship North Dakota when she is commissioned and joins the fleet in 2014."

PCU North Dakota will be delivered by General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton and will be the 11th Virginia-class submarine when it is commissioned in 2014. As the first "Block III" Virginia, North Dakota will be the first of its class built with large-diameter tubes in the bow, a new type of bow sonar, and dozens of more discrete changes designed to reduce the ships construction and life cycle costs without sacrificing warfighting capabilities.

The submarine will become only the second ship named in honor of North Dakota, with the other being the Delaware-class battleship USS North Dakota, which was in service from 1910 to 1923.

Surface Combatant Awarded Shore Mineman of the Year

By Kimberly M. Lansdale, Center for Surface Combat Systems

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The Mine and Antisubmarine Warfare Center(MWTC) on board Naval Base Point Loma announced Jan. 10 that one of its instructors was selected as Shore Mineman of the Year for 2012-2013 by The Association of Minemen (AOM).

Mineman 1st Class Marco Antonio Navarro, MWTC's Mineman "A" School course manager and leading petty officer (LPO), was recognized during a ceremony honoring his accomplishments.

"I'm humbled and most of all, thankful not only to my chain of command, but also to my shipmates," Navarro said.

According to Cmdr. Mark Scorgie, MWTC's commanding officer,, Navarro is a remarkable mineman and leader.

"MWTC was ecstatic to hear that Petty Officer Navarro was selected," he said. "He is hard-working in and outside the classroom, and holds several key command responsibilities, including Urinalysis Program coordinator and Technical Training Equipment coordinator. I cannot think of a more deserving mineman."

Navarro joined the Navy from his hometown of San Antonio. He has served in the Navy for more than 13 years, including tours onboard the Ticonderoga class guided missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52), the Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship USS Avenger (MCM 1), serving as the combat information center division's LPO, and on multiple platforms while attached to a rotational mine counter measure crew known as Crew Dominant.

Chief Mineman Mike Just, MWTC's Mineman "A" School and Tactics Division leading chief petty officer (LCPO) said the Chief Petty Officers Mess nominated Navarro because of his professionalism.

"The decision was difficult because we have the best of the best minemen here, but in the end, Navarro was the clear choice," he said. "This year, he was our Instructor of the First Quarter and Sailor of the Second Quarter. He carries himself with great confidence and is not only an excellent representative for MWTC, but also minemen everywhere. His dedication to duty, field expertise and professionalism is admirable and his selection as Mineman of the Year is a well-deserved honor.

Navarro said he is proud of the professionalism he brings as an instructor.

"Being an instructor is essential to me because I am the link between the student and fleet," Navarro said. "I have the honor and responsibility of transferring all that I have learned to our junior Sailors. Knowing a Sailor who I taught and mentored is progressing and doing well in the fleet with the knowledge and tools I provided him is truly satisfying."

According to Just, this award links the past with the present.

"The mineman rating is small but we are a hard-working Jack of all trades group," he said. "The AOM is comprised of active duty and retired Sailors that look to preserve our naval heritage and honor those who have served. This award shines a well-deserved spotlight on the minemen that perform above and beyond what is asked of them."

Before joining the Navy, Navarro said he had no direction or goals but now, he is an example for his family and fellow shipmates to emulate.

"I joined the Navy for various reasons but the main reason was that I wanted to do something meaningful with my life," Navarro said. "I now feel like I am and it gives me not only a feeling of accomplishment, but a great appreciation for the values the Navy has instilled in me." ."

AF releases new 'vision' document

by Master Sgt. Jess Harvey
Air Force Public Affairs Agency

1/10/2013 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- The Air Force released a new Vision document today outlining the force's vision and way forward.

"Focused on 'Airmen, Mission, and Innovation,' I believe this short document captures what today's Air Force is all about and where I think we ought to focus on for tomorrow," said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III in an email to all Airmen.

"We are the greatest air force in the world because of our Airmen--Active, Reserve, Guard, and Civilian--to remain the greatest, we must make our team even stronger," the Vision states.

The Vision discusses the Air Force's enduring contributions of air and space superiority; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; rapid global mobility; global strike; and command and control and the need to strengthen them.

"We already combine our air, space, and cyber forces to maximize these enduring contributions, but the way we execute these five calling cards must continually evolve as we strive to increase our asymmetric advantage," the Vision says. "Our Airmen's ability to rethink the battle while incorporating new technologies will improve the varied ways our Air Force accomplishes its missions.

"Every Airman should constantly look for smarter ways to do business. The person closest to the problem is often the one with the best solution. Leaders should empower Airmen to think creatively, find new solutions, and make decisions," according to the Vision.

The Vision concludes with a call to action for all Airmen to tell their story, being proud of who they are, what they do, and how well they accomplish the mission.

Northcom Calls Partnerships Central to Mission Success

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Jan. 10, 2013 – In one of his first acts after taking command of U.S. Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command in August 2011, Army Gen. Charles H. Jacoby Jr. revised Northcom’s mission statement to reflect the importance of partnerships to its success.

Army Gen. Charles H. Jacoby, Jr., commander of U.S. Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command, center, and his staff receive an update on weather conditions in the areas affected by Hurricane Sandy during a commander’s assessment meeting, Oct. 30, 2012. Jacoby said he recognizes strong partnerships as the foundation for the dual command’s missions, whether conducting homeland defense or operating in support of other federal agencies, as in disaster response preparation. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Thomas J. Doscher   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

“U.S. Northern Command partners to conduct homeland defense, civil support and security cooperation to defend and secure the United States and its interests,” the statement now reads.

 

The change represented far more than an administrative stroke of a pen, Coast Guard Capt. Dan Kenny, director of the dual commands’ interagency directorate, told American Forces Press Service.

It recognized, as Jacoby puts it, that relationships are Northcom’s “center of gravity.” They’re paramount to its homeland defense mission, for which the command takes the Defense Department lead. But they’re also vital to Northcom’s civil support and theater security cooperation missions, for which it plays a supporting role to other federal agencies, Kenny said.

“General Jacoby fully understands and appreciates that a lot of agencies are bringing tremendous capability to the fight, and that in many of our missions, we will be in a supporting role, with someone else in the lead,” he said. “And as a result, he is slowly but surely changing the culture within the command to foster these trusted partnerships and build enduring relationships with these agencies.”
At a time when every U.S. combatant command is embracing partnerships – international, interagency, private sector and nongovernmental – Northcom stands as a model, Kenny said.

Northcom had a bit of a head start when it was stood up 10 years ago, he noted. For more than a half century, its binational sister command, NORAD, has operated hand-in-hand with the Federal Aviation Administration, its Canadian counterpart and both countries’ intelligence organizations.
Today, more than 60 representatives of 50-plus agencies work full-time here in the Northcom/NORAD headquarters. They work closely with the staff, providing a direct, consistent liaison between their organizations and command operators and planners.

In addition, Northcom has its own liaisons embedded with the Homeland Security Department and other key agencies. U.S. Army North, Northcom’s Army component, stations a colonel at the Federal Emergency Management Agency headquarters and all 10 FEMA regions.

The goal, Kenny said, is to promote closer communication, to stay on top of developing events and to ensure that when it’s time to act, every entity is ready to do so in a well-planned, coordinated way. “To be a good mission partner, you have to be able to have the right people with the right capability in the right place at the right time to support whatever federal agency is in the lead,” he said.

For the homeland defense mission, Northcom and NORAD work particularly closely with the FAA, Transportation Security Administration and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The agencies share information and capabilities to monitor a fast-moving and ever-changing security environment, identify potential threats to the homeland, and, when necessary, to stop them before they inflict harm.

Jacoby calls this Northcom’s “no-fail mission,” one that exemplifies more than any other the need for trusted partnerships.

“It’s not just about having a partnership,” Kenny said. “It’s about trusting each other” to quickly identify and be willing to pass critical information, confident that it will be handled and acted on appropriately, all at a time when every minute counts.

But Northcom’s relationships are equally critical when it’s in a supporting role, Kenny said. This, he said, provides the foundation for an efficient, effective and coordinated federal effort.

To ensure the command is prepared to respond if called on in the event of an earthquake, hurricane or other disaster, officials here remain in lockstep with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which typically would be the lead federal agency. During disaster responses, Northcom typically operates hand in glove with the Army Corps of Engineers, Coast Guard, departments of Homeland Security, Transportation and Health and Human Services and other agencies supporting FEMA, Kenny said.

Similarly, Northcom’s theater security cooperation mission supports the State Department. This typically involves close coordination with HHS, Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the FBI, among others, Kenny said.

One notable exception is Northcom’s humanitarian assistance program, operated by its J9 interagency directorate. This effort, coordinated through the U.S. Embassies in Mexico and the Bahamas, involves building partner nation capacity in disaster response for Bahamian and Mexican first responders.

In this program, Northcom partners with U.S. agencies -- typically, FEMA and HHS -- to help the Bahamas and Mexico build its search-and-rescue and other disaster-response capabilities. Northcom recently tapped the U.S. Geological Survey, as well, which helped install a flood warning system in Northern Mexico.

Regardless of the mission, Kenny said, there’s a growing understanding at Northcom that partnerships provide the foundation for better, faster and more effective national responses. That recognition is being integrated into everything the command does, beginning with its initial planning efforts.

“We have really matured the process by which we build our plans with our partners,” Kenny said. “The effort has become much more collaborative in recent years. We invite our partners into the planning process very early to ensure the plan is shaped to fit into the overall federal response and our partners understand how we intend to support should the contingency happen. This effort has been very well received by our partners.”

This, Kenny said, strengthens the partnerships that underpin Northcom’s success. It also postures the command, he added, to live up to Jacoby’s vision: “With our trusted partners, we will defend North America by outpacing all threats, maintaining faith with our people and supporting them in their times of greatest need.”

New Resource Helps Troops, Families Plan Deployments

By Karen Parrish
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Jan. 10, 2013 – The Defense Department has launched a new resource to help troops and their families plan for the “before, during and after” of deploying.

Barbara Thompson, director of DOD’s office for family policy, explained “Plan My Deployment” during an interview with the Pentagon Channel and American Forces Press Service.

“This is a new, interactive, online tool that supports service members and their families as they prepare for the different stages of deployment,” she said.

The new resource guides users through the “ins and outs” of deployment, Thompson said: from power of attorney and legal assistance considerations to financial and emotional issues. Other tips and tools address education and training benefits, she added.

“We modeled this after the very, very popular ‘Plan My Move,’ which helps with [permanent change of station] moves,” she said. “It’s the same kind of approach: we look at providing the tools and information, and you tailor it to your individual family’s needs.”

Plan My Deployment saves the user’s information, she said, so people can exit from the site and return at their convenience, picking up where they left off.

Though other deployment planning guides and resources already exist, Thompson said, DOD leaders wanted to offer family readiness assistance to the entire active duty, National Guard and Reserve force and their families.

While the pace of deployment across the services has dropped since U.S. forces left Iraq and will continue to decline as the combat mission in Afghanistan draws to an end, Thompson said, service members always will face the possibility of deploying for duty.

“Let’s face it: military members deploy all the time. … We’ve learned a lot of lessons during this long-term conflict, and we want to make sure that our service members and their families are prepared for what’s in the future,” she said.

Plan My Deployment is available at DOD’s Military OneSource website, which also offers a range of other services for military families, she said. Thompson pointed out the site is “outside the gates” in the public domain, so it is available to extended family members who don’t have access to military facilities.

Total Force tanker team completes 50,000 flying hours in 2012

by Senior Airman Joel Mease
379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

1/10/2013 - SOUTHWEST ASIA  -- Averaging more than 136 hours a day, the largest refueling squadron in the world flew more than 50,000 combat hours within 2012's 366 calendar days using the Total Force Integration model.

"Surpassing 50,000 hours is a significant milestone," said Lt. Col. Brian Gilpatrick, 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron director of operations. "It was like having six aircraft airborne 24/7 since the beginning of the year."

Impressive as that is, how they got there with an integrated staff mixed with active duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Airmen is even more so.

"The 340th EARS is not only the largest tanker squadron in the world, but it is also one of the greatest examples of Total Force Integration," Gilpatrick said. "Each and every year, we have approximately 1,200 personnel rotate through the 340th from more than 50 units spread across 29 active duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve bases."

The squadron commander believes this total force structure was critical to maintaining a high performance level while working under grueling conditions.

"This squadron and the 340th Aircraft Maintenance Unit could not function without the constant deployment of motivated individuals from the total force," said Lt. Col. Max Bremer, 340th EARS commander. "Additionally, the teamwork between maintenance and operations is the only way to keep this kind of operations tempo going year round. From the blazing heat in the summer to the winter fog and rain, our maintainers keep these Eisenhower-era jets flying, allowing us to have an amazing 97 percent mission effectiveness rate."

Considering the age of the aircraft, those Airmen who maintained the planes played a critical part in the milestone.

"With almost a third of our aircraft swapping out on a monthly basis, our Airmen are constantly facing new challenges as they work the unique issues associated with each of these aging aircraft," said Capt. Justin Taylor, 340th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Unit officer in charge. "Whether it is day or night, rain or shine, our highly motivated maintainers proudly work more than 12-hours a day, every day, to keep these 50-year-old aircraft in the air. Our maintainers operate with the understanding the safety of the aircrew and the success of the mission rests on their shoulders, and ensure no maintenance challenge goes unresolved."

The teamwork and integrated force of other players is something the refueling squadron doesn't take lightly for their unit's successes.

"The 379th (Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron) and 379th (Expeditionary Maintenance Operations Squadron) have similar total force compositions and their ability to merge all of the units together into a fully functioning maintenance operation is remarkable," Gilpatrick said. "They work tremendously hard to ensure our crews have the most capable aircraft each and every time they step out the door. Just like our crews, the aircraft are constantly rotating in and out of theater, so this becomes a very challenging task; one that they always seem to master."

For the aircrew who flew on the milestone flight, they hope this shows how capable a total integrated Air Force can be.

"As aviators, milestones like this highlight just how much the KC-135 has contributed during the last year, and also how much it continues to contribute to operations," said Capt. Matt Mills, 340th EARS pilot. "It also highlights how all three components of the Air Force come together seamlessly to get the mission accomplished. With wings now becoming more blended this milestone actually is a testament to all the crews of the Guard, Reserve and Active Duty."

Sweeping up the savings with brass

by Airman 1st Class Nathan Maysonet
47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs

1/10/2013 - LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas  -- With a resounding crack, the M4 carbine fires, kicking into the airman's shoulder as the bolt is sent to the rear, launching the small brass casing through the ejection port.

Clattering to the ground, the casings are ignored by all, save for one Airman who saw the potential to save big.

Staff Sgt. Justin Wood, 47th Security Forces Squadron assistant NCO in charge of combat arms, along with several of his fellow instructors, decided to change how Laughlin recycled its spent ammunition shells, helping to save the base money.

"The changes were pretty easy, and really spur of the moment," said Wood. "It was something that worked for us and is great for other small bases and possibly larger ones too."

After noticing 60 crates filled with brass casings stacked outside the firing range waiting to be recycled, Wood decided they looked tacky and something had to be done.

The six-year veteran of security forces decided to cut out the middle man and do a little leg work.

"Normally we take the used casings to our munitions guys to handle recycling and they, in turn, have the casings picked up by the recycling center," Wood said. "We chose to save them time by contacting our recycling guys and seeing how we could turn in the stuff ourselves."

Wood discovered that Laughlin's recycling center cannot recycle the brass casings but has a contract with an outside recycler who can.

The base center gets a fraction of the recycling profits, which they use to cover their overhead, and anything above their profit cap goes back to the base.

By transporting the brass themselves to this outside recycler Wood earned an average of 50 cents more per pound which turned the 60 crates of brass, weighing in at 2,000 pounds, into $3,100 for the base recycling program. The feat is relatively considerable due to the fact that Laughlin only sees 850 students per year at the firing range.

"We coordinated the truck and turned it all in," Wood said. "We do the leg work, and we get a better price on recycling,"

In comparison, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, puts more than 37,000 people and more than a million rounds of ammunition through CATM each year but has the ability to recycle its casings at their base's recycling center, explained Staff Sgt. Christopher Manrique, 37th Training Support Squadron Combat Weapons Flight range controller.

"It's a great idea for smaller bases in a similar situation," Manrique said. "It saves money as tougher budget issues loom."

Wood never thought the simple notion of cutting out the middleman to get rid of a pile of spent casings would garner so much attention, but according to the Air Education and Training Command's Cost Conscious Culture initiative, if each AETC Airman saves just $3 per day, the command can save $37 million in a year.

"After figuring out the 'how', it was all pretty easy," Wood said. "I didn't see this idea going anywhere."

Wood's idea was passed up to AETC as a way to reduce costs throughout the command.

Wood's fellow instructors, who helped make the changes, can't help but praise him.

"Wood thought this was something that needed to be done, and he was right," said Senior Airman Richard Bates, 47th SFS combat arms instructor.

Staff Sgt. Shawn Jackson, 47th SFS NCO in charge of combat arms, believes that Wood's idea has the potential to make a big impact.

"Some don't know the steps on how to do this, and Sergeant Wood found those steps. That's most of the legwork needed to get started right there," said Jackson.

Wood's initial intent might have simply been to clean up, but his idea has plenty of potential.

"We try to save money where we can. We don't even have our lights on most of the time at CATM," said Wood. "I'm glad, in the end, my idea saves money."

Army helicopters aid stranded oil rig

by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Robert Barnett
JBER Public Affairs

1/10/2013 - KODIAK, Alaska -- The Royal Dutch Shell Arctic drilling rig Kulluk Salvage was hit with a storm New Years Eve that ran it onto an Alaska island and caused a power outage. The Kulluk is a circular drill barge that does not have propulsion, and needed heavy equipment to restore operational power. The U.S. Army 1st Battalion, 52nd Aviation Regiment, out of Fort Wainwright, Alaska, was able to support the civilian operations as well as military.

"We came out to assist however possible," said Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Tommi Webber, maintenance test pilot for the "Sugar Bears," 1-52nd Avn Regiment. "That turned out to be moving some pretty heavy loads onto the Kulluk Salvage so they could get power restored."

Fort Wainwright gained 12 new CH-47F model Chinook helicopters in Oct. 2012 after training with them for several months. The Chinooks have a sling load capacity of 26,000 pounds center hook, 17,000 pounds forward and aft hook, and 25,000 pound tandem; more than most civilian helicopters and any other Army helicopter. Even with that capacity, enough power is needed to sustain the flight. It was during the pre-flight checks when a weight problem was discovered.

"One of our biggest setbacks was the weight of the loads that we were taking out," the maintenance test pilot said. "The mighty CH-47F can carry quite a bit, but when that load is 16,000 pounds we just have to do some mitigation to make sure we have enough power to get it on. I know that the aviation portion to help the Kulluk is contracted out, they just didn't have a helicopter with enough lift capacity to take that equipment out and that's where we came in. We were glad we could help."

The decision was made after they tested it; they had to lose some weight. The external fuel tank was one of the items they had to leave behind.

"We actually had to plan fuel down to the last 10 pounds that we had just enough to pick up that load, get out there and drop it off, and have enough to get back," said Webber, who is from Dansville, New York. "When you pick up loads like that, you want to power-margin...we didn't have anything extra to spare."

By dropping off the extra weight and stripping down the aircraft of unnecessary equipment, they found a comfortable power margin that would get it done.

The weight wasn't the only metaphorical speed bump they encountered.

"As most people in Kodiak know, the weather is totally unpredictable here," said Army Capt. Matt Mraz, platoon leader with 1-52nd Avn., and native of Clarion, Iowa. "It is constantly snowing, and then raining.

"The weather played the biggest part, and then distance was also a huge contributing factor to the complications that we saw. Due to the size of the loads and the distance we were carrying them, we just didn't have enough fuel to get the loads to the Kulluk, so we had to come up with some pretty interesting ways to fix that problem. We were definitely thinking outside of the box on this one.

"It worked out very well," he continued. "I'd just like to thank the Coast Guard and especially the guys out at the Kodiak Rocket Test facility that loaned their help when we asked if we could use their facility. Everyone that we asked for support throughout this entire operation was more than happy to bend over backwards for us, especially the Coast Guard in providing our birds a hangar for four days; that was crucial."

Performing the real-world mission gave the team a feeling that training falls short on.

"This is one of our first real-world missions with these new aircraft," said Sgt. Michael Cummings, C-47 flight engineer with 1-52 Avn.

Webber said the Army unit was proud to help.

"In the end, we got both the generator and the compressor onto the Kulluk, with no one hurt, and both aircraft back here, so I'm very happy with that," She said. "I'm really glad our Sugar Bears were given the chance to help out our home state of Alaska."

Altus AFB selected as candidate KC-46A FTU, MOB

by 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

1/9/2013 - ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla.  -- Altus Air Force Base is officially in the running to become the Formal Training Unit for the KC-46A tanker aircraft.

Today, the Secretary of the Air Force and Chief of Staff approved Altus AFB and McConnell AFB, Kan. as candidate bases for the FTU. Altus AFB was also selected one of four candidates for the first active-duty led Main Operating Base.

The Air Force took a deliberate, enterprise-wide look across the service to identify the best fit for the KC-46A for training and operational needs.

With the release of the candidate bases, the Air Force will accomplish site surveys to begin evaluating Altus' operational and infrastructure requirements. The results of the site survey will be briefed to the Secretary of the Air Force and the Air Force Chief of Staff, who will then select preferred and reasonable alternatives for the FTU and MOB locations in the spring of 2013. The final basing decisions will be made in the spring of 2014.

The KC-46A is the first of a three-phase effort to replace more than 400 KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft Air Force wide.

"The KC-46A will have enhanced refueling capacity and capabilities, improved efficiency, and increased capabilities for cargo and aeromedical evacuation as compared to the KC-135R, making it a vital component to maintaining our global reach for years to come," said General Mark Welsh III, Air Force Chief of Staff.

Bringing the KC-46A online is an important step in recapitalizing our tanker fleet, but the importance of continuing KC-135 upgrade efforts and its role as the backbone of the air refueling fleet has been emphasized.

"I want to stress that the KC-135 units not replaced with the KC-46A will continue to fly the KC-135R for the foreseeable future," said Welsh.

Together, the KC-10 Extender, KC-135 and KC-46 represent an air refueling capability that will ensure unrivaled global reach and support to joint warfighters and humanitarian relief.

"Leadership at Altus Air Force Base has full confidence and trust in the Air Force's deliberate enterprise-wide look for KC-46A basing," said Col. Anthony Krawietz, the 97th Air Mobility Wing commander. "Whatever the decision, the 'Mighty 97th' will continue to forge combat mobility forces and deploy Airman warriors. My responsibility is to execute the assigned mission by leading dedicated Airmen and by marshaling the resources of this base and community to that effect."

The FTU and MOB 1 will begin receiving aircraft in fiscal year 2016.