Obama, Xi Agree North Korea Must Denuclearize

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, June 9, 2013 – During their two-days of informal talks in Rancho Mirage, Calif., that concluded yesterday, President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jingpin agreed that North Korea must denuclearize, and that the United States and China will work together to resolve cybersecurity and other issues, National Security Advisor Tom Donilon told reporters in Palm Springs, Calif., yesterday.

“I’d say at the outset that the President had very good discussions in an informal atmosphere, uniquely informal atmosphere, with President Xi over the last two days,” Donilon told reporters. “The discussions were positive and constructive, wide-ranging and quite successful in achieving the goals that we set forth for this meeting.”

A specific goal of the talks, Donilon said, was “to build a personal relationship between the President and President Xi, and have an opportunity not under the pressure of being on the margins of another multilateral meeting to really sit down and explore the contours of the U.S.-China relationship.”

During dinner on June 7, Obama and Xi “had a lengthy discussion about North Korea,” Donilon said. China, he added, has taken a number of steps in recent months to send a clear message to North Korea, including through enhanced enforcement of sanctions and through public statements by the senior leadership in China.
Obama and Xi “agreed that North Korea has to denuclearize; that neither country will accept North Korea as a nuclear-armed state; and that we would work together to deepen U.S.-China cooperation and dialogue to achieve denuclearization,” Donilon said.

Obama also emphasized to President Xi “that the United States will take any steps that we need to take to defend ourselves and our allies from the threat that North Korea presents,” he added.

“The two sides stressed the importance of continuing to apply pressure both to halt North Korea's ability to proliferate and to make clear that its continued pursuit of nuclear weapons is incompatible with its economic development goals,” Donilon said. “The discussions on this issue, I believe, will allow us to continue to move ahead and work in a careful way in terms of our cooperation to work together to achieve our ends.”

The bottom line, Donilon said, “is I think we had quite a bit of alignment on the Korean issue -- North Korean issue, and absolute agreement that we would continue to work together on concrete steps in order to achieve the joint goals that the United States and China have with respect to the North Korean nuclear program.”

Yesterday morning, Obama and Xi discussed economic issues, during which cybersecurity and other cyber issues were an important topic, Donilon said. The United States and China, he said, have a half-a-trillion-dollar-a-year trade relationship.

“Obviously, given the importance of our economic ties, the President made clear the threat posed to our economic and national security by cyber-enabled economic espionage,” Donilon said. “And I want to be clear on exactly what we're talking about here. What we're talking about here are efforts by entities in China to, through cyber attacks, engage in the theft of public and private property -- intellectual property and other property in the United States. And that is the focus here, which is why it was in the economic discussion this morning.

“And again, we had a detailed discussion on this,” he continued. “The President underscored that resolving this issue is really key to the future of U.S.-China economic relations. He asked President Xi to continue to look seriously at the problem that we've raised here.”

The Chinese have agreed to look at this, Donilon said, noting that Obama and Xi have provided guidance to the new cyber working group that’s been established as part of the U.S.-China strategic economic dialogue.
The cyber working group “will engage in a dialogue on the rules and norms of behavior in cyberspace that will explore confidence-building measures,” Donilon said. “And we instructed the teams to report back on their discussions to the leaders.”

Obama and Xi also discussed military-to-military relationships between the United States and China, Donilon said.

“It's the military-to-military relationship that lags behind our political and our economic relationship,” Donilon said. “This was acknowledged on the Chinese side, and we actually have some momentum behind increasing and deepening these relationships as we go forward here, as we try to build a comprehensive and positive relationship with China.”

Returning to the two presidents’ discussion about North Korea, Donilon said, “The important point here is full agreement on the goals -- that is denuclearization; full agreement that in fact the Security Council resolutions which put pressure on North Korea need to be enforced, and full agreement that we will work together to look at steps that need to be taken in order to achieve the goal.”

If North Korea continues to pursue a nuclear weapons program, that would allow it to become a proliferator, which would present a threat to the United States … “and which would allow them to really up-end, if you will, security in Northeast Asia,” Donilon said.

“A recognized nuclear weapon state in Pyongyang, weapons program in Pyongyang would of course have profound implications in the rest of Northeast Asia, and these are obviously results that the Chinese don’t want to see,” Donilon added. “They’re results the United States doesn’t want to see. So I think what you have essentially underway here is a shared threat analysis and a shared analysis as to what the implications and impact would be of North Korea pursuing a nuclear weapons program.”

JB MDL commemorates triumph at Midway

by Tom Worsdale
NAVAIR Public Affairs

6/6/2013 - JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Joint base community members came together to commemorate the 71st anniversary of the Battle of Midway June 4, 2013, at Hangar One here.

Gerry Little, Ocean County New Jersey Freeholder, addressed more than 100 attendees which included active-duty Navy, Marine, Air Force and Army personnel, civilian Navy employees, World War II and other veterans, as well as community dignitaries.

Considered the combat turning point in the Pacific theater during World War II, the Battle of Midway took place June 4-7, 1942. A vastly outnumbered U.S. Navy soundly defeated the Japanese Navy, resulting in the sinking of four carriers, one heavy cruiser and 291 aircraft. The losses greatly diminished Japan's ability to project it's naval and air power and enabled America to remain on the initiative for the remainder of the war.

Little, a Marine veteran, whose father was a World War II pilot and whose son is preparing to graduate from the Navy's Officer Candidate School, remarked how honored he was to be in historic Hangar One, the hub of early naval aviation and to represent Ocean County, a county with over 60,000 veterans.

"The men who went to sea in June of 1942 helped to directly change the course of history in WWII," said Little. "They were the pioneers of the greatest Navy to ever sail the oceans of the world."

"The Navy, Marine and Army pilots who flew the missions, the Sailors on the ships, the code breakers who intercepted the Japanese message traffic and the civilian dock workers who repaired the USS Yorktown in record time to enable her to participate in the battle, all contributed immeasurably in enabling America to overcome tremendous odds and defeat the powerful Japanese Navy at Midway," said Little. "And like our brave veterans of WWII, the men and women who wear the uniforms of the United States military today remain the most skilled, trained and dedicated of any military on the face of the earth."

Little mentioned the recent passing of New Jersey Senator Frank Lautenberg, who at 89 was the last World War II veteran actively serving in the senate, and he acknowledged the presence at the ceremony of Seaman William Askew from Brick, N.J., a surviving veteran of the Battle of Midway.

Following his comments, Little, along with Air Force Brig. Gen. Martha Meeker, U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center vice commander and Navy Capt. Bill Bulis, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst deputy commander, presented a plaque from Ocean County to Carl Jablonski, Navy Lakehurst Historical Society president, for their organization of the ceremony and their continued support of the Navy community at Lakehurst.

Taps was played and a wreath was dedicated to the memory of all those who served and those who died during this historic naval battle at the conclusion of the commemoration ceremony.

Former Warrior of the North 'pays it forward'

By Staff Sgt. Susan L. Davis
319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

6/6/2013 - GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Senior Airman Taylor Lilley has a heart for service to others.

The 24-year-old native of Lynchburg, Va., grew up in a household where volunteering for a variety of projects and organizations, as well as church mission trips, was a way of life.

That's why when her mother, Millie McDowell, was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2010, just one week after Lilley's arrival at Grand Forks AFB, she determined she still wanted to do something to help others around her in their fight against cancer, even if it couldn't directly benefit her mom.

"I personally struggled with being so far away and not being able to help her as much as I wanted to while being in Grand Forks," Lilley said. "It occurred to me that just because I couldn't help her as she underwent treatment, there would surely be other cancer patients in the local area that I could assist."

That is what led Lilley to volunteer at the Altru Cancer Center in the city of Grand Forks once a week.

There, she noticed a concerning trend: a few patients were unable to pay for their own meals at the hospital. When she brought it to the attention of the nurses, they offered to pay for the meals out of their own pockets.

After seeing this, Lilley came up with an idea for a fundraiser that would help support the patients.

"Senior Airman Alan Phair (319th Security Forces Squadron) and I ordered wristbands and sold them for $5 each, resulting in a profit of more than $500," she said. "We chose wristbands because it was cost effective and could yield a higher profit margin. We also hoped the idea would catch on quicker when people witnessed others wearing them in support of cancer awareness."

For her efforts, Lilley was presented the Diamond Sharp Award and an Air Force Achievement Medal shortly before her humanitarian reassignment to the 633rd Security Forces Squadron at Langley AFB, Va., to be near her mother, whose condition has taken a turn for the worse.

After numerous bouts of chemotherapy and radiation treatments and back-and-forth assessments of remission and re-diagnosis, the cancer turned malignant and began spreading to other organs in her body. Her diagnosis is now terminal.

Lilley said her family is managing the situation the best way they know how; her brother has returned home after completing his service to the Navy, and her father takes time off work to help her get to and from her medical appointments. Lilley is also doing her best to help support her mother, with the help of her new unit.

"My squadron here has been very supportive by allowing me time off to help my family," she said. "It is immeasurable how much it means to me to just be able to spend time with her."

Lilley said her passion for helping people continues to live on.

"I hope that I will be able to raise awareness at Langley AFB for cancer awareness to support the local patients here," she said. "Because of my schedule and frequent trips to Lynchburg, I'm struggling to find the time to get it started, but it will happen one day. My mom's strength and struggle motivate me further, and have shown

Military and Police Books of the Year

Between the three websites, more than 2,500 American Heroes and their books are listed.

June 9, 2013, (San Dimas, CA) American Heroes Press, the publishers of www.military-writers.com, www.police-writers.com and www.firefighter-writers.com, announced the results of their annual recognition.

2013 Military Book of the Year:

Pass Me the Rice by Robert G. Kay

2013 Police Book of the Year:

Fatal Destiny: The Carjacking Murder of Dr. Pam Basu by James H. Lilley

The Military-Writers.com 2013 Book of the Year

Robert G. Kay is a graduate of the University of Minnesota and currently resides in Pensacola, Fla. with his Vietnamese wife. He retired from the US Navy as a lieutenant in 1969 after being wounded and losing his leg in Vietnam. He returned to Vietnam as a civilian advisor to the Vietnamese Navy at the request of the commander of US Naval Forces in Vietnam. He held this post until the military left the country in March 1973. He then worked for the Defense Attaché Office in Saigon until the fall of South Vietnam in April 1975. He retired from Civil Service in 1997, where he worked as a supervisory repair engineer for PERA (Surface) in the former Philadelphia Naval Shipyard.  Robert G. Kay is the author of Pass Me The Rice.

   

According to the book description of Pass Me the Rice, “Vietnam. It’s perhaps one of least known yet most controversial wars in American history. What’s even more obscure are the tales of Americans serving in the country and interacting with the culture of war-torn Vietnamese civilians. Pass Me the Rice shares these experiences with readers.

In Pass Me the Rice, author Robert G. Kay reveals the everyday life of an American advisor during the Vietnam War in a true, historical and often humorous account of his experiences while serving the first two of his eventual eight years in country. The book provides a unique perspective on the early Vietnam War by offering a glimpse of Americans’ encounters with Vietnamese armed forces and civilians.

As an expert in Vietnamese culture, Kay’s novel also sheds light on the value of casting off ethnocentric worldviews. It offers an inside look at a country in a prolonged war for survival and a period of history frequently cast aside. “The book shows how to deal with another culture in the most dire of circumstances and why we shouldn’t judge other cultures by our own standards,” Kay says. “It is necessary to be aware of culture and avoid making mistakes that are viewed as insulting.”

More Information: http://www.military-writers.com/navy/robert_kay.html

The Police-Writers.com 2013 Book of the Year

James H. Lilley is a former Marine and Police Sergeant with the Howard County Police Department (Maryland). He worked in the Uniformed Patrol Division, Criminal Investigations Division, Forensic Services (CSI) and Drug Enforcement Division. His Street Drug Unit was featured in the book "Undercover" by Hans Halberstadt and published by Simon and Schuster. Some of his awards include The Medal of Valor, Four Bronze Stars, Four Unit Citations and the Governor's Citation. He is also an 8th Degree Black Belt in Shorin Ryu Karate and the first American to be promoted to the rank of Black Belt by Mr. Takeshi Miyagi. James Lilley is the author of seven books: The Eyes of the Hunter; A Miracle for Tony Clements; The Far Side of the Bridge; A Question of Honor; Just Retribution; Death Knocks Twice; FATAL DESTINY - The Carjacking Murder of Doctor Pam Basu; and, Mr. Miyagi and Me.

According to the book description of FATAL DESTINY - The Carjacking Murder of Doctor Pam Basu, “The brutal death of Doctor Pam Basu and forcible taking of her car on September 8, 1992 is the singular incident, which defined carjacking. Her senseless killing was truly the murder reported around the world. From CBS, NBC and ABC to CNN and FOX News, People and Time Magazines, her death created a media frenzy.

The outcry over Pam Basu's murder brought thunderous applause from members of her community when they were told the suspects could face the death penalty. But, the cries for justice continued, and her death became the catalyst for House Bill H.R. 4542, The Anti-Car Theft Act of 1992. President George H. W. Bush signed that bill into law in the presence of members of the International Association of Chiefs of Police on October 25, 1992.

The case continues to make national news, as suspects pursue appeals and challenge legislation and court rulings. The crime has been cited in the Baltimore Sun, Washington Post, New York Times, London Times, The Associated Press, Los Angeles Times, USA Today and others. The media has referred to the Basu carjacking as "the crime that won't go away." The crime stands as a lead case cited in legal documents, court cases and dictionaries. It has been cited as a primary case in West's Encyclopedia of American Law and Webster's Online Dictionary.

Yet, this hideous killing held a double twist that seemed better suited to a Hollywood Thriller. Pam's husband, Steve, while videotaping her departure from their home with their daughter, Sarina, captured the images of the two men who would moments later brutally beat and drag to death his loving wife. And, she lived and died in a town called Savage, Maryland.  Howard County Police Officer, Jody Ann Tookey (the first officer on the scene of the crime), said, "Two days after the murder I sat down to dinner and suddenly became sick.  I couldn't touch my food, because I could see her body lying there in the road. And, sometimes, my stomach still turns. I had nightmares for days. I saw the victim standing in the roadway asking me for help. She would yell at me to do something and her child would cry. In the days before the first trial I had the nightmares again. I still have the horrible dreams, but not as often. People tell me I'll always have them."

More Information: http://www.police-writers.com/james_lilley.html

About the Websites

Military-Writers.com is a website that lists servicemembers from all branches of the United States Armed Forces who have authored books.  Currently, the site lists 1360 servicemembers and their more than 4000 books. Servicemembers are listed by name, branch, rank and type of book.

Police-Writers.com is a website that lists state and local law enforcement officials who have written books.  Currently, the website lists 1180 state or local police officers and their more than 2,500 books.  Law enforcement officials are listed by name, department and type of book.  Additionally, the website has separate sections which list federal law enforcement officials, international police officers and civilian police personnel.

American Heroes Press Contact Information

Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA

editor@police-writers.com

909.599.7530

Museum renovations update old exhibits

by Staff Sgt. Jason McCasland
2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs

6/7/2013 - BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La.  -- Visitors to the Barksdale Global Power Museum will soon enjoy updated exhibits thanks to the efforts of the museum staff and volunteers.

New initiatives include rebuilding and renovating rooms to highlight historic events, aircraft, places and people from Barksdale.

"Our goal is for our visitors to learn something new every time they walk into the museum," said Amy Russell, museum director. "My staff and I have been working to keep the rooms and display items up to date and ever changing."

The museum director estimates by October all seven room renovations and new displays will be finished and ready.

"One of the rooms that we are excited about is the early aviation room," said Russell. "The room is going to have 'hands-on' exhibits where children can do experiments and other activities."

Along with the planned early aviation room, the museum has completed renovations on two art-gallery rooms and a Barksdale the man room, which highlights Barksdale Air Force Base's namesake: Lt. Hoy Barksdale.

"In the Barksdale the man room we have a replica of Lt. Barksdale's house where he grew up," said Russell. "From furniture, a fireplace mantle to other artifacts from Lt. Barksdale's home and life, the room showcases the man who Barksdale is named after."

History and technology could also soon be merging with exhibits. With virtual tours and smart phone technology, the museum will take a step into interactive participation with visitors.

"I am looking into getting an audio tour set up so visitors can listen to Barksdale history while walking through either the museum or air park," Russell said. "With the addition of smart phone technology, we will be able to set-up QR codes that visitors can scan and get more information on specific exhibits."

According to museum records, the majority of visitors to the museum and air park are retired military, but renovations and reworked displays will give base history a new look and possible new and younger visitors.

"I am incredibly pleased with what Amy has done with the museum since being here," said Bruce Stewart, Air Force Global Strike Command historian. "She has brought new ideas and enthusiasm to the museum, and far exceeded our expectations; I never would have imagined that the museum would have progressed this far so fast."

The museum staff and volunteers are the constant driving force, behind the renovations that have been, and are currently, in work.

"Without my staff and the volunteers, the renovations or many of the other jobs out here couldn't be done," Russell said. "We can always use volunteers to help with taking care of the aircraft in the air park or helping us to work on projects for the museum."

To volunteer or more information on the museum or upcoming exhibit openings contact the museum at 456-2840.

Members of German NATO school pay visit to Travis

by Nick DeCicco
60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

6/7/2013 - TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif, -- Approximately 50 students from a German NATO officer school visited Travis Monday as part of a four-site tour of America.

During the two-hour stop, the group sat for a briefing on the base's history, structure, deployments and mission before touring a C-5 Galaxy and KC-10 Extender.

The purpose of the visit was for them to see the capabilities and mission of Air Mobility Command as well as Travis' role as the gateway to the Pacific.

For many of the students, such as Maj. Martin Wrzos, seeing the massive mobility aircraft was the highlight of the trip.

"From my point of view, we don't have these kind of aircraft," Wrzos said. "Many of the people in our service don't see this in their whole life."

Wrzos was one of several officers who stood on the flightline near the C-5 taking photographs of himself with the plane as well as Travis' surroundings. The students explored the flight deck and boom operator seat on the KC-10 and the upper deck seating area in the back of the C-5.

Brig. Gen. Dirk Bachen, German Armed Forces Command and Staff College NATO defense attache, echoed Wrzos' comments about the planes.

"We are really keen to see your aircraft," Bachen said. "We are proud to have a chance to see America's first choice."

The primarily German students represent the top 10 percent of their class, said Capt. Roland LaFrance, 60th Logistics Readiness Squadron installation deployment officer, although officers are accepted from all participating NATO countries.

From Travis' perspective, LaFrance said it was an opportunity for Travis to demonstrate its location and versatility on a global scale.

"It's always good to be able to showcase your base," he said. "The U.S. military does not always act alone and it's interesting to work together with our allied nations."

Capt. Gereon Buchholz, who presented 60th Maintenance Group Commander Col. Mark Weber with a coin, emphasized that cooperation between the countries is an "integral part of the alliance."

The German Armed Forces Command and Staff College, located in Hamburg, Germany, is comparable to the Air Force's Air Command and Staff College. Both target mid-grade officers to improve and develop their skills in leadership and command.

NATO is a 28-nation pact to safeguard the freedom and security of its members through political and military means. These nations are primarily located in North America and Europe.

The other stops on the group's trip include San Diego, New York City and Washington D.C.

A second group of students is scheduled to visit Travis June 23.

Medics provide support

by 1st Lt. Angela Martin
60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

6/7/2013 - TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The 60th Aerial Port Squadron here loaded 2.5 tons of medical support equipment onto a C-130 Hercules May 31 for transportation to various locations in Hawaii in support of Tropic Care 2013.

Tropic Care is a Department of Defense Innovative Readiness Training operation scheduled for early June to conduct deployment and readiness training for military personnel. The operation also provides free medical, dental and optometric care to residents of remote locations in Hawaii.

Individuals from active duty, Reserve and National Guard units from across the country come together in support of Tropic Care. Travis is represented in the operation by 15 members of the 349th Medical Squadron who deployed to Maui, Lanai and Hawai'i island.

According to Master Sgt. Danny Nottis, 349th MDS commander support staff NCO in charge, these members will be serving the community as a dietician, clinical nurses, a pharmacy technician, a clinical social worker, medical technicians, a public health technician, a unit training manager and medical materials.

"We are proud to have had the opportunity to ship critical medical supplies for fellow Americans in need, certainly one of the most rewarding things we do as aerial porters," said Capt. Kelly Smith, 60th APS operations officer.

The 60th APS is no stranger to assisting with humanitarian operations. Last November, the squadron moved more than 850,000 pounds of life saving equipment and supplies to the East Coast following Hurricane Sandy.

As part of the Denton Amendment Act, the 60th APS shipped about 36,000 pounds of donated winter clothing, shoes, computers, household items and rice to Afghanistan last January. They also shipped a half dozen pallets of medical equipment to the Kandahar region of Afghanistan last May.

Charleston pilot competes in 2013 Armed Forces Triathlon Championships

by Tech. Sgt. Shane Ellis
315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

6/7/2013 - POINT MUGU, Calif.  -- Capt. Jamie Turner, a pilot with the 317th Airlift Squadron, competed in the Armed Forces Triathlon Championship June 1 at Naval Base Ventura County, Calif.

Thanks to Turner's vast experience and numerous accomplishments as a triathlete, she was selected as one of six Airmen to complete at the championship race as a member of the U.S. Air Force women's triathlon team.

During the race, teams from the Air Force, Navy, Army and Marine Corps competed for points. The Navy finished out the day with the most points and took home the gold. The Air Force was a close second with only two points separating the two teams.

"Getting ready for this race was just like any other," said Turner. "My daily lifestyle of fitness allows me to be ready to compete at any time. I'm constantly in training and looking forward to the next race, wherever it may be. My job is to simply stay as fit and injury free as possible. As long as I can do that, the racing part is easy. It's also a lot of fun, too."

The Armed Forces Triathlon Championship is an Olympic distance race, where competitors compete in a 1500-meter swim, 40-kilometer bike, and 10-kilometer run.

A team from Canada's armed forces participated in the event but did not compete for points with the U.S. teams.

Turner represented the Air Force in high fashion and ended the day eighth overall in the women's division. Not bad for an Airmen who just returned from deployment one week prior to the race.

Kirksey discusses philosophies, time at Homestead ARB

by Ross Tweten
482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

6/7/2013 - HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. -- As the previous command chief master sergeant of the 482nd Fighter Wing here, Cameron Kirksey is preparing to assume his new role as the command chief of Air Force Reserve Command.

Kirksey said he's very humbled, honored and excited to be selected by Lt. Gen. James Jackson, chief of Air Force Reserve and AFRC commander.

"Homestead has a bright future and I hope to bring that excitement to AFRC to help the entire command grow and improve," said Kirksey.

Kirksey said one of the first items at the top of his list to improve quality of life is sexual assault.

"Sexual assault is a high priority for the Chief of Staff of the Air Force and the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force," said Kirksey. "As such, it's a high priority General Jackson and myself.

"Zero tolerance; there are no exceptions," he added. "We will prosecute to the full extent of the law. Hopefully, victims will feel vindicated and rest assured their Air Force is behind them and they can come forward and defend their rights without hesitation."

Kirksey also noted the encouraging markers of force development.

"I've noticed a renewed 'blue-ing' throughout the command," he said. "I know within 10th Air Force, Homestead ARB is definitely leading the charge with Total Force Integration. Great teamwork models and esprit-de-corps are immediate products of TFI. Homestead is definitely setting the standard for future TFI implementations."

As Kirksey settles into his new role, he said communicating well and continuing to reach out to Airmen are vital to his leadership style.

"You can't do this job sitting behind a desk," he said. "You have to be out front. You have to listen and have an attentive ear.

"They don't care how much you know until they know how much you care," he added. "You have to make sure that when you look your Airmen in the eye, they can see that you're a genuine leader. I'm all about being a servant leader."

Kirksey is saying goodbye to Homestead ARB after two years as its command chief. He emphasized the fond memories he's taking away with him.

"The best part about my time at Homestead was unequivocally the people," he said. "In terms of its people, Homestead has great stock. I'm leaving behind a fantastic team, and I know the folks of Homestead will continue to help the base grow and succeed in its mission."

Along with praising members of Homestead ARB, the chief also praised the city of Homestead and local community for the exceptional relationship they have helped develop with the base.

"Homestead's Military Affairs Committee and Chamber of Commerce have done a simply amazing job," he said. "They opened up the doors and really developed ways we can best support each other. Every military installation or unit is a subset of the community. It's vital for bases and units to partner up with their community. We're here to support each other."

According to Col. Donald Lindberg, 482nd Fighter Wing commander, Chief Kirksey leaves Homestead with a legacy of superlative enlisted development; a legacy that continues to benefit Airmen aspiring to demonstrate the very best the Air Force has to offer in the enlisted ranks.

"Chief Kirksey leaves Homestead as a true partner and friend," said Lindberg. "His dedication and loyalty is uncommon. When Airmen were in need, he was there, ensuring the full force of Air Force support was energized. He will be sorely missed, but leaves us all better than when he arrived on station in the summer of 2011."

Kirksey said he's excited about the future of Homestead and has full confidence the wing will continue to develop its vital role in AFRC.

"Homestead is not your typical Air Force Reserve base," he said. "With the mixture of servicemembers we have, the multiple tenant units, the influx of active duty counterparts, the importance of our mission, Homestead finds itself in a unique situation that requires a lot from its Airmen. With all the new facilities and construction at Homestead, with its growing population of servicemembers, the future of Homestead is very bright."

A native of Silas, Ala., Kirksey enlisted in the Air Force Reserve in March 1988 at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ga. He's spent the last four years as a command chief at Maxwell AFB and Homestead ARB.

According to Kirksey, camaraderie and unity are key aspects to mission success as well as his own success.

"Camaraderie is one of the best parts about being in the military and I dare say it's right up there with core value number one: integrity," he said. "If you don't have camaraderie, if your fellow Airmen feel you don't have their back, then you're part of the wrong organization.

"We're all a part of a unit," he added. "Individually, we know how good we are. But in order for the team to succeed, individuals must work together. The best leaders foster unity and, personally, I plan to do the same. Homestead is a place that continues to foster a great deal of unity and camaraderie and I cherish my time there."

Intelligence Airman wins volunteer award

by Capt. Neil Samson
Air Mobility Command Public Affairs

6/7/2013 - SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill.  -- Contrary to her quiet and unassuming demeanor, an Air Mobility Command Intelligence Directorate's knowledge operator is defined more by her volunteerism than by her modest personality.

Senior Airman Natasha Thomas, Air Mobility Command Air Intelligence Squadron knowledge operator, spearheaded volunteer efforts and garnered the 2012 Air Intelligence Squadron Volunteer of the Year Award.

"Airman Thomas is a quiet professional, fantastic Airman and peer leader who really exemplifies the Air Force's whole person concept," said Maj. John Groth, AMC Air Intelligence Squadron director of operations. "Things run so smoothly when she is involved with the Booster Club, the front office and squadron physical training sessions -- we're so fortunate to have her on our team."

In her two years at Scott AFB, she has volunteered for numerous events sponsored by the Booster Club, Air Force Sergeants Association, Humane Society of Belleville, First United Methodist Church, Salvation Army of St. Louis, Missouri Veterans Home and Meals on Wheels. Thomas also coordinated her organization's fundraising event at the 2012 Scott AFB Airshow and organized many unit fundraising potlucks.

"Airman Thomas has been a tremendous asset to the Air Force Sergeants Association devoting freely of her time to Meals on Wheels to deliver meals to the elderly and those in need in the local community," said Senior Master Sgt. Rebeca Gabel, Air Force Sergeants Association president.

Master Sgt. Marty Pallone, the unit's Knowledge Operations superintendent, said Thomas is methodical, organized and thinks outside-the-box during the duty day and applies it to the advancement of her education and community involvement.

"Thomas is humble and downplays her work, but she is the 'brain' of the Intelligence directorate," said Pallone. "With Airman Thomas, I can effectively reach out to other members of the squadron in my superintendent role because I know our directorate is handled with Thomas."

While on the final path to finishing her Community College of the Air Force degree, Thomas plans to exercise her "brain" power by immediately pursuing her bachelor's degree afterward.

"I am three courses away from completing my CCAF degree and I plan to eventually earn my bachelor's degree in either graphic communications or psychology," said Thomas.

Thomas attributes her motivation on and off the job to her fellow Airmen and to the mentorship and understanding of her leadership.

"The people I work with motivate me and if I am having a bad day, they offer encouragement and take off the workload when I'm having a bad day," said Thomas. "Sergeant Pallone monitors the workload and she knows what I can and cannot handle so it is her guidance that keeps me motivated."

"They say not to judge your career by your first base, but I already enjoy the people I work with and my leadership," said Thomas.

Thunderbolt named 2012 AETC Honor Guard Member

by Staff Sgt. Nestor Cruz
56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

5/31/2013 - LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Honor guard members are seen at various events on and off base. Their work may seem commonplace but one particular Thunderbolt has set himself above the rest as the Air Education and Training Command's 2012 Honor Guard Member of the Year.

Senior Airman Kyle Wisecarver, 756th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron weapons load crew member, recently earned AETC's award for his work during his year-long tenure with the base honor guard.

Luke's honor guard is comprised of 42 Airmen from every squadron across the wing. Members serve on the honor guard one month on and one month off through the course of a year.

During his time as an honor guard member, Wisecarver performed in more than 170 ceremonies and led a six-member team during 23 events including retirement ceremonies, flag ceremonies and change-of-command ceremonies.

"I had a great supervisor, Staff Sgt. Eddie Isom from the 756th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, who pushed me to excel in all I do including honor guard," Wisecarver said.

Mentoring was also an important aspect in Wisecarver's daily routine. He trained 28 junior members, helping to sharpen their honor guard skills and appearance, and briefed honor guard customs and courtesies to First Term Airman Center students and Civil Air Patrol members on separate occasions. Wisecarver also trained 16 local firefighters and police members on flag folding, helping to foster military precision in the local community's civil servants. Eight chief master sergeants also benefitted from Wisecarver's expertise when they learned how to perform a sword cordon to honor other chiefs.

Although Wisecarver volunteered to join Luke's honor guard, he continued to find other volunteer opportunities. He organized a Habitat for Humanity project and led a 17-member team in providing homes to those in need. Wisecarver rallied 10 of his fellow honor guard members in preparing food pallets for St. Mary's Food Bank, contributing to local Thanksgiving meals.

Wisecarver said he's honored to be selected as AETC's top honor guard member but will continue to strive for excellence.

"I really enjoyed my time with the base honor guard but I'm not resting on my laurels," he said. "I'm still learning."

Wisecarver advises other Airmen to consider joining Luke's honor guard.

"I really encourage all Airmen to join and be part of something that stretches across the entire wing," Wisecarver said.

Recently discovered MIA Airmen honored by USAF Weapons School

by Staff Sgt. Michael Charles
99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

6/4/2013 - NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev.  -- Two Airmen missing in action for more than 40 years were honored by the U.S. Air Force Weapons School May 23, 2013 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.

Airmen from the 433rd Weapons Squadron held a heritage hallway dedication in honor of Col. Wendell R. Keller and Capt. Virgil K. Meroney, who were shot down March 1 1969, and not recovered until 2012.

"It is important to take time to reflect and honor our fallen comrades that have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country," said Lt. Col. John Kent, 433rd WPS commander.

Keller, the F-4D Phantom pilot and Meroney, his weapons systems officer, assigned to 433rd Tactical Fighter Squadron at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, were tasked with a night interdiction mission against a heavily defended supply route and storage area complex near the Ban Karai Pass, Thailand, March 1, 1969.

During this mission Keller, Meroney and their wingman from the 433rd TFS came under fire. Keller and Meroney attacked and destroyed the threatening enemy gun positions. Their aircraft was hit by hostile fire and crashed during the attack. There were no parachutes seen or emergency beacons sent. Keller and Meroney were declared missing in action.

"It [March 1, 1969] was not a good day," said retired Air Force Col. Gail Peck, former Tonopah commander and 433rd Tactical Fighter Squadron member. "These weren't just my wingmen, they were my brothers."

The Department of Defense announced that it had found the remains of Keller and Meroney Oct. 16, 2012 and would be returning them home. However due to the time and the effects of the elements, their remains had fused to each other requiring the remains to be transferred to Dover Air Force Base, Del., in one coffin and covered by a single American flag. Once the remains were separated, a flag was presented to each family to honor their loss.

The single flag that covered the coffin of Keller and Meroney during transfer was donated to the 433rd WPS for its newly dedicated heritage hall and a shadow box was constructed by the 99th Force Support Squadron Arts and Craft Center filled with pictures and personal items from the men.

"When asked by Dover Mortuary Affairs if our squadron would like to display the flag that covered our two comrades on their trip home, I responded with four words, 'We would be honored,'" Kent said. "With their help, and that of the arts and craft center, we were able to create a memorial which depicts the importance of honoring those who have lost their lives in the line of duty."

The families also took an opportunity to meet squadron members and share a few words.

"For years I wished my father would come home; now he has," said Michael Keller, son of Col. Keller. "Now he will never be forgotten."

"My brother was proud to serve in the military," said Doug Meroney, who was noticeably fighting back tears. "A veteran is somebody who writes a check to the nation for the amount of up to that individual's life. Both Col. Keller and my brother are heroes, and I couldn't be more proud of both of them."

The two were interned into Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C., October 2012, in a group burial. According to Doug Meroney, the families came to the conclusion that it was only fitting that the two enter Arlington the same way they have spent the last 50 plus years; together.

As of May 29, 2013, following the repatriation of Keller and Meroney, there are still five 433rd TFS listed under the Department of Defense classification of missing in action from the Vietnam War.

Eglin maintenance super receives Bronze Star

by Chrissy Cuttita
96th Test Wing Public Affairs

6/5/2013 - EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- A day in the life of an Air Force jet maintainer reached Mach speed while deployed overseas, earning him the Bronze Star Medal.

Senior Master Sgt. Jamie Jordan, 33rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron assistant superintendent, was awarded the honor during an official ceremony at his unit June 4, 2013.

"A lot of people sacrificed more than I did," said Jordan who was a part of a team of military members from a variety of backgrounds that became "family" during the deployment.

From March 2012 to February 2013, Jordan generated more than 8,000 combat missions and the collection of 250,000 intelligence images supporting U.S. Central Command combat operations in the Horn of Africa. Missions he played a major supporting role in varied; offload 344 million pounds of fuel to 30,000 coalition aircraft, support 2,100 troops in contact events, execute 500 strike missions against Al Qaeda insurgents and beddown of 1 million net explosive weight pounds of combat-ready munitions.

"This is not something that is awarded to everyone," said Lt. Col. Maurice Lee, 33 AMXS commander, who explained how medal packages from deployed theatre operations are scrutinized highly. "Jamie's recognition transcends time. Not every commander gets the privilege to award the Bronze Star."

According to the history of the military tradition, the decoration was designed as an equivalent to an Air Medal for ground units that are the backbone of the flying operations, he said.

Jordan was also recognized by his unit for being there to set up its shop at the 33rd Fighter Wing.

"He was one of the very first in the squadron, hand-picked to stand up F-35 maintenance," said Lee.

This included preparing hangar space, scheduling tasks and training Airmen which he will continue to do a few more years.

"We learned as we went and now we are helping other bases learn so they can be ready for this jet as well," said Jordan who has an extensive background in F-16 avionics, something that makes one "seasoned" in a platform.

The newness of the F-35 means there are no "seasoned" maintainers for the fifth generation aircraft, so his crew is it for the Air Force.

Similarly, while deployed, Jordan watched his overseas unit grow to 1,400 personnel from more than eight platforms. It supported a "composite wing" of approximately 100 aircraft charged with a variety of missions like refueling, reconnaissance, fighter plus supporting command and control.

"As with other weapons' platforms, we have setbacks but we stay with it and learn every day," said Jordan.

Managing the second largest munitions storage capability in the area of responsibility overseas added to his deployed responsibilities of supporting a variety of daily air tasking.

"Our biggest challenge was resource management," said Jordan. "The wing grew nearly 250 percent in the first three months of my deployment. The growth of resources lagged compared to personnel and aircraft growth. To meet mission requirements, units had to think outside standard ops -- we shared everything from personnel, to support equipment, to aircraft parking spaces."

Throughout his career he credits his parents for the foundation of strength and perseverance. While deployed, he leaned on encouraging leadership for support.

Jordan's parents were present for the ceremony along with his brother and other guests. In honor of their support, the squadron gave them appreciation gifts as well.

"For him to serve as a group superintendent there was at a level higher than he was here," said Lee. "It is an awesome accomplishment for him to be chosen -- a tremendous opportunity for someone like Jamie."

Marine Corps Sergeant Seeks Commission

By Marine Corps Cpl. Lisa Tourtelot
3rd Marine Aircraft Wing

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif., June 7, 2013 – When shots rang out and flames burst through the Afghan sky over Camp Bastion last September, many things changed for many people.

Marine Corps Sgt. Efrain Melecio, an aviation logistics information management support specialist with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11, prepares to leave his shop aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., May 21, 2013. Melecio, who hails from Chicago, is scheduled to attend Officer Candidates School this summer before beginning classes at the University of Arizona in the fall. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Lisa Tourtelot   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

Marines who thought they might never see combat from their flight line roles as fuel specialists, mechanics, information technology specialists, engineers and myriad support jobs suddenly found themselves under attack and engaging the enemy.

Sgt. Efrain Melecio, an aviation logistics information management support specialist, then with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 16 [Forward], was walking out of the showers after a long day at work when he and his fellow Marines saw the attack.

"It was the biggest flame I've ever seen in my life," Melecio said. "We had a lot of Marines who were involved in combat. Seeing the effect it had on them, I wanted to one day be able to help somebody who is going through something like that."

Although he had regularly taken college courses throughout his six years in the Marine Corps, Melecio found a new commitment to higher education following the attack.

"I want to help people who suffer from [post-traumatic stress disorder]," the Chicago native said.

This summer, Melecio will be involved in a different kind of battle as he attends Officer Candidates School before starting college full-time at the University of Arizona, where he plans to major in psychology.

Maj. Gen. Steven Busby and Sgt. Maj. Anthony Spadaro, the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing commanding general and sergeant major, respectively, stopped by Melecio's shop with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11 aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., May 21, 2013, to congratulate the sergeant on his selection to the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Program and wish him luck before he leaves.

Luck, however, may be a little unnecessary for the crisp, professional young Marine.

"I strive to accomplish as much as possible all the time," Melecio said, as he organized study materials from yet another college course. "I don't like sitting still and feeling like I'm not working toward something. I constantly feel the need to set new goals and obtain those goals."

Melecio's goals now focus on helping as many Marines as possible, embodying the leadership ideal of service before self.

"One of the biggest reasons I decided to do [the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Program] was because I want to lead and serve Marines," he said. "I love my job and I love working with Marines and I love getting hands on, but what draws my interest in earning a commission in the Marine Corps is being able to still work with Marines and having an increased level of responsibility."

The next four years will present new challenges for Melecio as he adapts to student life, but his experiences may give him added wisdom both as a student and, hopefully, a second lieutenant.

"I'm hoping to bring with me everything I've learned being a noncommissioned officer,” Melecio said. "I've learned a lot the past six years and I want to be able to share that with others and apply that as I move forward."

Missile officer recertification program makes great strides

by Kate Blais
Air Force Global Strike Command Public Affairs

6/7/2013 - BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. (AFNS) -- Ten of the 19 missile crew members from the 91st Operations Group at Minot AFB, N.D., have been recertified and are able to fully perform their alert duties.

The remaining officers continue to progress through the retraining program with the remaining decertified crew members expected to return to alert duty in early June, according to Maj. Gen. Michael Carey, 20th Air Force commander.

The officers had been decertified following an Air Force Global Strike Command Consolidated Unit Inspection of the 91st Missile Wing, March 4. Twenty-two areas were looked at during the CUI, with the missile wing earning an "Outstanding" rating in one area, "Excellent" ratings in 14 areas, and "Satisfactory" ratings in six areas. One area was rated "Marginal."

The recertification process includes requalification training, a qualification evaluation and Emergency War Order and Weapon System certification briefings to their certifying official. Each crew member successfully completed requalification training. Upon completion of the training, each crew member also completed a procedural evaluation in the simulator and Emergency War Order and Weapon System certification briefings to their certifying official as a means of validating the retraining and crew member proficiency.

As a result of the inspection and further review, unit leaders identified proficiency shortfalls compounded by an attitude of complacency among a small number of officers.

"Leaders are taking a holistic approach to a get-well program within the unit, focusing on proficiency, as well as individual preparation," Carey said.

Prior to the CUI, Air Force leaders had already been focused on addressing concerns about the workplace stressors and quality of life of those Airmen responsible for running the nuclear mission.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III visited the missile wings at Minot AFB, F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo., and Malmstrom AFB, Mont., in November 2012. During those visits, Airmen voiced concerns about stressors associated with the remote Northern Tier locations, insufficient manning, long transit times from the base to remote missile alert facilities, and pressures of the nuclear, no-fail mission.

"Leaders at all levels -- from the wings, to Numbered Air Force, to Major Command, to Headquarters Air Force and United States Strategic Command -- are paying attention to the nuclear deterrence mission. We must take care of the Airmen and families responsible for this critical strategic mission," said Global Strike commander Lt. Gen. James M. Kowalski.

To get a quick assessment and identify those things that could be easily fixed to improve morale and job satisfaction, Welsh asked RAND to conduct a 90-day look at those workplace stressors, which took place from December 2012 to February 2013.

RAND's study is not finalized; however, initial findings validate that the alert mission compounded with workplace stressors impact the quality of life for those Airmen responsible for the nuclear deterrence mission. Commanders are already actively engaged to address areas based on this 'quick-look' review.

"Twentieth Air Force is acting on some of those recommendations now and has also begun an effort called 'ProAct -- Professional Actions: Mitigating Stressors on America's ICBM Team,'" Carey said.

Initial feedback has allowed Carey to act on several items, including improving communication within the force, empowering leaders to address issues within their team and taking care of Airmen. Specifically, one of Carey's first initiatives has been to help ensure more predictability in the missile field personnel schedules and enforcing what he referred to as "protected time off."

"I asked the wing commanders to ensure that people's time off is protected and duty schedules managed closely to ensure they'll have predictable time for their personal lives," Carey described. "Knowing when you'll be home is very important and relieves stress on Airmen and their families."

"As the 20th Air Force commander it's my responsibility to ensure that the Airmen who provide our nation's nuclear deterrent have the resources they need and a safe and healthy work environment," Carey said.

Further study is ongoing at multiple levels and this review helped the 20th AF and unit leaders take a definite step forward on a path toward addressing ICBM force stressors. The Air Force chief of staff is scheduled to be briefed on the results this month.

Paraguay Medical Exercise Aids Impoverished Citizens

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Alex Licea
U.S. Special Operations Command South

YASY CANY, Paraguay, June 6, 2013 – Life here in this small farming district in the Canindeyú Department is tough, and it shows on the faces of its 30,000 residents.

Located in the vast internal countryside 160 miles outside of Paraguay’s capital of Asuncion, the town lacks many basic services and its infrastructure needs to be revamped.

A Paraguayan military dental hygienist examines the teeth of a local man June 1, 2013, during a two-day Paraguayan-led medical civic action program conducted in the Canindeyú Department of Paraguay. DOD photo by Army Sgt. 1st Class Alex Licea   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

Driving into town is quite a sight as poverty is truly visible, with small shops on one side of the road, and a few rundown houses, shacks and restaurants on the other side, the livestock running the grounds along the road.

Unemployment is high and most families live on $100 monthly to feed a family of six and in some cases up to 10 people. Every day is a struggle.

In towns like these, members of the Paraguayan military and its civil affairs elements thrive. After several months of planning and with support from the Office of Defense Cooperation at the U.S. Embassy in Paraguay and U.S. Special Operations Command South Civil Affairs, based in Homestead, Fla., a two-day Medical Civic Action Program, commonly referred to as a MEDCAP, was held June 1-2 in the area’s largest school.

More than 3,000 residents received social and medical services including pediatrics, gynecology general medicine, optometry, ophthalmology, dentistry, immunizations, identification registration and family planning. Laboratory and pharmacy services also were provided.

Paraguayan officials felt the Canindeyú Department, located in the northeastern part of Paraguay and bordering Brazil, was an important area to provide these services due to the poverty and in the wake of the massacres in nearby Marina Cue following a land dispute. That event shook the confidence and trust among many of the residents toward the nation’s security forces, a misperception they want to change.

“We plan and execute these missions because we understand the needs of the people in places like this and these services are important to their livelihood,” said Paraguayan Col. Leonardo Ibarrola, the operations officer for Paraguay’s civil affairs team. “This is a very poor area, and we understand our role as part of the government is to make sure our presence is felt and help those in the country who don’t have much and need our assistance.”

In order to provide these essential services to residents living in Paraguay’s rural districts, the Paraguayan military works closely with a number of different government agencies and civic groups to provide the support and personnel for a complex operation that reflects Paraguay’s whole-of-government approach.
Word of the event spread quickly. Some residents walked miles to arrive at the school and others packed themselves in pick-up trucks.

The Paraguayan military also provided transportation to the MEDCAP to ensure as many people as possible could benefit.

Sitting outside one of several classrooms used as makeshift clinics, 74-year-old Anadeto Furrez, a father of eight, patiently waited for his prescription for free medicine.Furrez, who suffers from cataracts was also given a new pair of glasses.

“This day is a miracle and a blessing,” said the grandfather of 35. “These are services we truly need, and I am very grateful to our military and the support from the U.S. We hope things start to get better and more jobs come to our town. This is a start!”

Along with support for the MEDCAP, the U.S. Embassy in Paraguay donated $15,000 worth of medical supplies to the town’s public clinic as well as supplies for two local schools.

“The United States is committed to assist Paraguay and help improve the quality of life for all Paraguayans and build a lasting friendship based of mutual respect and cooperation between our great nations,” Marine Corps Col. Michael D. Flynn, the senior defense official and defense attaché for the U.S. Embassy in Paraguay, said during a small ceremony celebrating the event and donation.

Since 2008, the Paraguayan Civil Affairs section, which teams up with the country’s national police for these events, has averaged four MEDCAPs a year in ungoverned and under-resourced areas across the country. This event marked the 22nd time this type of operation was accomplished.

“These guys [Paraguayan Civil Affairs] are truly professional and have a passion for what they do,” said Army Sgt. 1st Class Hansel Delgadillo, who is the lead civil affairs planner for U.S. Special Operations Command South in support of the Office of Defense Cooperation in Paraguay.

Delgadillo has been working with his counterparts for the better part of three years and has seen the Paraguayan Civil Affairs unit develop each year.

“From planning to coordination and execution, they are really in control of each event, and the leadership demands nothing but the best to ensure every citizen is treated and cared for,” he said.

Paraguayan Civil Affairs planners, with support from SOCSOUTH, are already coordinating the concept of operations for another MEDCAP this September in another rural community.

There is no question that living here is tough, and will continue to be for the foreseeable future. However, during this most-recent MEDCAP, there were two expressions on people’s faces: pain and joy. Blame the pain on the dental work, but such pain produces a healthy smile.

Global Force’s Needs Shape DOD Biosurveillance

By Cheryl Pellerin
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, June 5, 2013 – A new biosurveillance division at the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center here -- home to a unique serum repository and database for service members and a global network of military laboratories -- is working to fill gaps at the convergence of battlefield biodefense and health surveillance.

Health surveillance involves monitoring human health to identify and prevent infectious and chronic diseases. Biosurveillance, at least for the Defense Department, is the process of gathering, integrating, analyzing and communicating a range of information that relates to health threats for people, animals and plants to help inform decisions and provide for increased global health security.

The Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center vision is to be the central epidemiological resource and global health surveillance proponent for the armed forces. Its mission is to provide timely, relevant and comprehensive health surveillance information to promote, maintain and enhance the health of military and associated populations.

Last year Dr. Rohit Chitale became director of the fledgling Division of Integrated Biosurveillance, which shares a building with the DOD Serum Repository, the world’s largest, with more than 55 million serial serum specimens dating back to the mid-1980s.

The specimens are linked to the Defense Medical Surveillance System, a database that can be used to answer questions at the patient level and in the aggregate about the health of the armed forces and beneficiaries.

Also part of AFHSC is the Global Emerging Infections Surveillance and Response System, called GEIS, whose 33 partners include military laboratories, academic institutions and nongovernmental organizations around the world that support service members and population-based surveillance and capacity building in 62 countries.

Leading the new biosurveillance division, Chitale has a doctorate in infectious disease epidemiology from the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and a master’s of public health in epidemiology from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Before joining AFHSC last year, the 42-year-old scientist was senior analyst in the Global Disease Detection, operations center at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.

Soon after the severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, epidemic in 2002-2003 sickened more than 8,000 people worldwide and killed 774, Congress funded the GDD program at CDC in 2004. The aim was to strengthen the global capacity to detect, identify and contain emerging infectious diseases and international bioterrorism threats.

In 2006, Chitale was one of the first analysts to help establish the GDD Operations Center at CDC. This epidemic intelligence and response operations unit uses many sources of information about disease events, including Internet-based media reports scanned for key words in more than 40 languages.

“What I came to AFHSC to do,” he told American Forces Press Service during a recent interview, “was to take the next step.”

The new division is part of a multiagency effort to implement the nation’s first U.S. National Strategy for Biosurveillance, released in 2012 by the White House to make sure federal agencies can quickly detect and respond to global health and security hazards.

It’s also part of a push to increase DOD diagnostics funding through the department’s biodefense program, Andrew C. Weber, assistant secretary of defense for nuclear, chemical and biological defense programs, told American Forces Press Service in an interview last year.

Some of the work is done by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency’s Joint Science and Technology Office of the Chemical and Biological Defense Program, as well as by the Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical and Biological Defense.

In October 2009, Weber himself ushered the Chemical and Biological Defense Program into the biosurveillance business by signing a memorandum to the military department secretaries announcing that emerging infectious diseases would become part of the chemical and biological defense mission.

Chitale, who says he’s spent the past 14 months building his division and learning about the many separate biosurveillance efforts underway across the department and the military services, is looking to better integrate these elements to create a coherent, global picture of biological threats -- and recommendations for action -- specific to the Defense Department.

“We now have a [memorandum of understanding] between Health Affairs, where AFHSC is, and Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Defense Programs,” Chitale said.

“Historically,” he explained, “NCB’s mission is global security -- combating weapons of mass destruction writ large -- and our mission is the medical care and surveillance of the forces and DOD populations.
They’re different missions, … [but] recently it has become increasingly clear that they are converging.”
The memo, signed last summer, describes how NCB and DOD Health Affairs will collaborate on cooperative activities that contribute to U.S. national security and to global health security.

“NCB and Health Affairs will cooperate on activities that help counter weapons of mass destruction, to include chemical, biological, or radiological events that impact various domains significant to U.S. forces,” Chitale said. “In effect, that’s the whole spectrum when it comes to health.”

His division helped to write a 50-page operational plan in December that lists 61 actions that the two organizations will accomplish together.

“They will be things like facilitating training for more preventive-medicine residents,” Chitale said. “We’re going to help create and implement better algorithms for syndromic surveillance. We’re working to create information management systems so we can all work more smartly -- for example, a system that can bring multiple high-quality information streams into one portal and refresh every 10 minutes, and be shared with trusted partners.”

The challenge for DOD is that the biosurveillance mission is complex, he noted. “There are three services that each do what we do here to some extent, but they do it for their own service,” he said. “What added value do we have? One thing, at least, is that we can bring it all together to get a complete picture.”

Such an augmented system would use information from the DOD agencies, the rest of the U.S. interagency including the CDC, the World Health Organization, the World Organisation for Animal Health, the AFHSC-GEIS network, the Internet-based Program for Monitoring Emerging Diseases, or ProMED, and even more informal sources, such as Twitter.

Ultimately, Chitale said, he envisions being able to do for DOD what he and his CDC colleagues did for global public health, but even more -- collect a broad range of data and information relating to human, animal and plant health, work with partners and analyze it according to DOD needs, and provide guidance, recommendations and reach back support to the department’s leadership and DOD customers such as the six geographic combatant commands, and especially their surgeons’ offices.

Chitale has initially organized his small division into teams that include alert and response operations, coordination and engagement, and innovation and evaluation.

“We haven’t said that we’re actually creating an operations center,” he said. “But the Alert and Response Operations team, ARO, is a term modeled after WHO’s Global Alert and Response Operations [established in 2000], probably the world’s first strategic health operations center. Others were since stood up around the world, and under the vision and leadership of Dr. Ray Arthur, we established one at CDC in 2006. In some ways, and based on the needs, I’m trying to model several of our key activities after that.”

Already the AFHSC and the new division have relationships broadly across the interagency, including the State Department, the Department of Health and Human Services and the intelligence community, particularly through the Defense Intelligence Agency’s National Center for Medical Intelligence in Maryland.

NCMI is an intelligence organization, while AFHSC is a preventive medicine and public health organization. Yet, there is some overlap in methods and certainly in goals. “Importantly,” Chitale said, “we are working with NCMI closer than ever before, and are formalizing a MOU with them as well.”

Key areas in which AFHSC and the new division can provide value for DOD biosurveillance is in disease detection, preventive medicine guidance and coordination with the interagency, he added. “We’re trusted across the DOD and also domestic and international medical and public health communities – a real value add in this new paradigm, this new normal,” Chitale said.

“When it comes to something like disease detection,” he added, “you need the ability, which we have, to pick up the phone and call someone in Uganda who you trust -- a medical person, U.S. government staff working in the host nation, even someone in the Ministry of Health or WHO staff -- and ask them what’s going on. They can talk to their people in the country, and you get high-quality information back within minutes to hours.

“You get real, hard information,” he continued, “and those are your boots on the ground -- those are your listening posts across the globe.”