World War II vet receives overdue medals

by Staff Sgt. Erica Horner
Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs

4/25/2014 - HURLBURT FIELD, Fla.  -- What began as a standard awards ceremony quickly turned into the surprise of a lifetime.

Maj David Strawbridge, Air Force Special Operations Command reserve intelligence officer, was presented the Bronze Star Medal for his service in Afghanistan by U.S. Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware, April 17.

But that is not where this story ends.

Strawbridge, a Delaware native, spent most of his childhood years listening to his uncle, Francis Weaver, an Army technician during WWII reminisce about his time in the military and wondered why Weaver had not received any type of recognition.

After spending many years trying to track down information about his uncle, Strawbridge was able to witness Weaver, receive a series of medals from his time in the service - 70 years later.

According to military records, Weaver entered the U.S. Army in 1944 at Fort Dix, N.J., and upon graduation from basic training he was sent to Harlingen, Texas to train as a door gunner for the B-24 Liberator. Shortly after, he was pulled to train in the infantry to be part of the Japanese invasion force.

"His time in the Army Air Corps and the Army was short, but also very important," said Strawbridge. "He was part of the 23rd Infantry Division, also known as the Americal Division, and was sent on a boat to Japan, but stopped in the Philippines first to clear out the remaining Japanese forces on the islands. He told me the story of how he and another guy were out on patrol in Cebu and they had three Japanese soldiers surrender to them."

In 2011, Strawbridge began his journey to track the medals his uncle never knew he earned 70 years ago, but this proved to be no easy task.

"I uploaded the necessary documents online and received a rejection letter because they thought he was deceased," said Strawbridge. "Another rejection letter said to send in his DD Form 214, --well they didn't have those back then; and then I found out that there was a fire at the military records depository in St Louis in 1973. I just kept hitting wall after wall."

In January 2013, Strawbridge was hit with a stroke of luck when he met Coons while in Kabul, Afghanistan.

"He was at ISAF HQ [International Security Assistance Force headquarters] and we were both excited to see another person from Delaware so we exchanged e-mail addresses," Strawbridge said, who kept in contact with the senator after their meeting in Afghanistan.

Upon his return from deployment, Strawbridge reached out to Coon's office and asked for their assistance. They were able to gather enough documentation to officially issue Weaver's medals.

After speaking to the senator, both agreed that the presentation ceremony for Strawbridge would be the perfect time to surprise Weaver with his medals.

Unbeknownst to Weaver, immediately after his nephew was presented his Bronze Star medal, he would be up next to receive his long overdue medals.

Completely caught off guard, Weaver made his way to the stage.

"This was a big surprise, big surprise," said Weaver, wiping away tears. "I had no idea what was going on. When I landed in Seattle to come home off the boat and caught a train home, there were no medals. We just came home, and that was it."

Coons presented Weaver with five medals - the Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, and the Philippine Liberation Medal for his exemplary service as a member of the 23rd Infantry Division from 1944 to 1946.

"One of the most satisfying parts of this job is being able to help America's veterans receive the honors that they have earned and that they so richly deserve," said Coons.

Not only was Weaver stunned by such a wonderful surprise, Strawbridge was as well.

"This was an incredible honor to have uncle Franny get all of his recognition and awards," said Strawbridge. "I expected one or two. I did not expect the 'bling' that he is wearing now which is well deserved."

Editor's Note: The DD Form 214, Discharge Papers and Separation Documents, is issued when a service member performs on active duty or at least 90 days of consecutive days of active duty training. It may include the service member's date and place of entry into active duty, home address, decorations, medals, total time in service, and many other service related information. The information contained in the form is normally needed to verify military service for benefits, retirement, employment and membership in veterans' organizations

B-2 with record breaking April

by Senior Airman Bryan Crane
509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

5/9/2014 - WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- The 509th Bomb Wing set a new record in the month of April for most sorties and hours flown in a single month with 20 operational B-2 Spirits.

In cooperation with the 131st Bomb Wing, the B-2 flew 142 sorties for a record total 839.3 hours.

The 509th Operations Group worked hand in hand with the 509th Maintenance Group and the 131st Bomb Wing, to set an effective flying plan with a large surge at the beginning of the month in order to enhance the overall B-2 flying mission.

"This month helped us show our ability to get into a demanding environment and continue to produce high quality aircraft," said Col. Chase McCown, 509th Maintenance Group commander.

In the Aircraft Maintenance field they look at metrics and performance indicators that give them a quantifiable way to determine how well they are doing, McCown said .

With the record amount of hours flown in April, the maintenance crews stayed well above normal in eight separate metrics, including a B-2 mission capable rate of nearly 70 percent.

"With the low observable capabilities of the B-2 and the amount of maintenance that system requires, it can be difficult to keep our metrics at such a high rate," McCown said. "Our metrics were outstanding in April, being 15 percent above our average mission capable rate."

While conducting the B-2 sorties the Bomb Wing also flew a total of 320 sorties in the T-38 Talon.

"We planned very effectively for the month," said Col. Edward Martignetti, 509th Operations Group commander. "We executed at a very high level. This matters because we proved we have proficient operators and maintainers that can surge operations and put jets in the air."

The operations group had to plan these sorties with flying missions that would also complete specific training requirements for the Bomb Wing.

"We had mission qualification sorties, upgrade training sorties and check rides that are annual evaluations," Martignetti said. "We also conducted long duration sorties that can last up to 24 hours, worked with special operations on dynamic targeting, integrated with our F-22 Raptor counter parts about low observable survivability techniques and attended our first air show after the sequester at Barksdale Air Force Base, La."

McCown was quick to give credit to his airmen working on the flightline, in the back shops and in the weapons storage area.

"Our field grade officers and captains built a schedule that was aggressive and executable," McCown said. "Our Chiefs and Senior NCOs were engaged and led throughout, and our younger NCOs and airmen executed very, very well. Everybody doing their piece is the only way you fly 800 plus hours in one month."

The airmen who made this happen were also proud of their contribution.

"It takes a lot of blood, sweat and tears to get these machines in the air, but I love every second of it. I'm proud to be part of such an accomplishment," said Senior Airman Brian Jones, 509th AMXS assistant dedicated crew chief for the "Spirit of New York."

Martignetti was impressed with all the airmen working this month including the under-the-radar Mission Support Group.

"Not only did the operations and maintenance groups increase their workload," Martignetti said. "We also had a more robust movement of parts and supplies through the system to get the equipment we needed out to the maintainers. One example of OG/MXG/MSG working together is the massive quantities of JP8 jet fuel required to sustain operations of this magnitude--each group plays a critical role in refueling the B-2."

Having a month like April is important to prove operation effectiveness, but it also helps keep adversaries aware.

"We know the adversaries are watching us," McCown said. "And any bad guy in the world watching us over the last 30 days saw a whole lot of airplanes doing a whole lot of flying, that's a strong message in itself."

NOAA, Hurricane Hunters team up for awareness tour

by Maj. Marnee A.C. Losurdo
403rd Wing Public Affairs

5/12/2014 - KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- An Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircrew with their WC-130J aircraft and a team of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration hurricane forecasters visited three Mexican and two Caribbean cities May 4-11 as part of the annual Caribbean Hurricane Awareness Tour.

The CHAT, a joint effort between NOAA's National Hurricane Center and the 403rd Wing's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, promotes hurricane awareness and preparedness throughout the Caribbean region.

This outreach program began in the 1970s, and is conducted  annually prior to hurricane season. Last year, the tour was cancelled due to Sequestration.

More than 4,000 people attended this year's tour, which stopped at Manzanillo, Zihuatanejo and Huatulco, Mexico, St. Vincent, and San Juan, Puerto Rico. About 500 people toured the aircraft in Puerto Rico May 10 before the static display was cancelled due to inclement weather. In previous years, anywhere from 8,000 to 10,000 people toured the aircraft in Puerto Rico.

"The tour strengthens our relationships with these countries' meteorological services, civil protection agencies, elected officials, and media partners that all work together to enhance public safety during the hurricane season," said Dr. Richard Knabb, director of the National Hurricane Center, a NOAA facility in Miami.

"The NHC works closely with Mexico and many other countries throughout the Caribbean region to share vital weather observations and data that assist in tracking tropical cyclones and in issuing warnings," said Knabb.

The Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters assist the NHC, Mexico and Caribbean nations in improving their hurricane forecasts by providing critical storm data utilizing the WC-130J, said Lt. Col. Jon Talbot, 53rd WRS chief meteorologist.

During a tropical storm or hurricane, 53rd WRS crews can fly through the eye of a storm four to six times. During each pass through the eye, crews release a dropsonde, which collects temperature, wind speed, wind direction, humidity, and surface pressure data. The crew also collects surface wind speed data and flight level data. This information is transmitted to the NHC to assist them with their storm warnings and hurricane forecast models in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. During a typical year, the squadron will fly 60 to 100 missions for the NHC, said Talbot.

"Another benefit due to the CHAT is that these countries usually grant us overflight clearances for our storm missions, which saves time and money," said Talbot.

At each CHAT location, Knabb and representatives from the countries' meteorological services and disaster preparedness agencies briefed local officials and the media about the impact of hurricanes in the region and the importance of being prepared. After the press conferences, the public toured the WC-130J and crewmembers briefed them about their mission and how data is collected and transmitted to the NHC for their forecasts.

Karen Santiago, a third grader at Escuela Primaria Francisco Cabrera, Huatulco, Mexico, attended the event with her class.

The future meteorologist said she enjoys learning about severe weather such as storms and tornadoes, and the highlight of her day was touring the WC-130J.

"It's beautiful," she said. "And, I liked learning about the dropsonde."

Her mother, Carmen Santiago, a school escort, attended the event with her.

"There a lot of changes in the weather and the climate, and it's very interesting to see how they gather the information for their forecasts and the tools they use," she said.

Although last year was one of the calmest hurricane seasons on record for the United States, and with only two hurricanes overall in the Atlantic basin, Mexico wasn't so fortunate. The country was hit by eight storms; five were tropical storms and three were hurricanes. In September, Hurricanes Ingrid and Manuel caused the most damage to the country. The storms struck simultaneously within a 24-hour period affecting two-thirds of Mexico, killing 155 people and causing $5.7 billion in damage, according to NOAA. In all, about 185 people lost their lives during the 2013 hurricane season.

"These countries have the same issues that we have in the United States with people either being complacent or ignoring the storm warnings and not evacuating when they should," said Knabb. "That's why this outreach mission is so important. We work together to educate the public, especially the children who can encourage their families to prepare for this hurricane season. By raising the public's awareness, we can save lives and property."

27 SOW welcomes new special tactics squadron

by Senior Airman Eboni Reece
27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

4/24/2014 - CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- The activation of the 26th Special Tactics Squadron, formerly Detachment 1 of the 720th Special Tactics Group, Hurlburt Field, Fla., was commemorated by a ceremony at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., April 24.

As the first special tactics squadron to be affiliated with the base, no ordinary squadron activation ceremony would suffice. In true special tactics fashion, the arrival of the official party was preceded by members of the squadron parachuting from an MC-130J Commando II onto the base flightline. Spectators squinted and guarded their eyes from the sun to watch each member parachute to a safe landing.

"The significance of today's events is to stand up a unit that is built for worldwide combat - one that is comprised of members prepared to fight and win our nation's wars," explained the presiding officer, Col. Kurt Buller, 720 STG commander.

The squadron is comprised of four special tactics operator career fields to include combat controllers, pararescue jumpers, tactical air control party and special operations weather team specialists. To provide technical expertise and mission critical assistance to special tactics warriors, the unit also includes personnel from 18 combat mission support Air Force Specialty Codes.

The 26 STS will organize, train and equip special tactics forces for worldwide deployment.

"The members of the 26 STS want to train with Cannon's aircraft and personnel and then eventually deploy to complete special operations missions together," stated Buller.

After expressing his confidence in Maj. Michael Jensen's ability to effectively lead the squadron and his desire to increase the bond between special tactics and Cannon assets, Buller activated the squadron and placed Jensen in command.

Once officially activated, the squadron emblem was unveiled by the unit's junior member, Senior Airman Thomas Jara, 26 STS client systems technician. The emblem's significance was explained to the audience before Jensen thanked his special tactics unit and addressed all others in attendance.

"Activating this unit marks the beginning of what we set forth to accomplish," said Jensen. "This squadron's mission is to build indomitable, professional special operators and get them face-to-face with our nation's enemies. God willing, the 26 STS will accomplish this mission at any cost. Victory or death!"

After a deserving standing ovation, the ceremony concluded with Jensen inviting those in attendance to join the 26 STS members in the performance of ten memorial pushups honoring deployed members and fallen comrades.ty Targeting

© 2014 High Priority Targeting, Inc., Raymond E. Foster

, Inc., Raymond E. Foster

27 SOW welcomes new special tactics squadron

by Senior Airman Eboni Reece
27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

4/24/2014 - CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- The activation of the 26th Special Tactics Squadron, formerly Detachment 1 of the 720th Special Tactics Group, Hurlburt Field, Fla., was commemorated by a ceremony at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., April 24.

As the first special tactics squadron to be affiliated with the base, no ordinary squadron activation ceremony would suffice. In true special tactics fashion, the arrival of the official party was preceded by members of the squadron parachuting from an MC-130J Commando II onto the base flightline. Spectators squinted and guarded their eyes from the sun to watch each member parachute to a safe landing.

"The significance of today's events is to stand up a unit that is built for worldwide combat - one that is comprised of members prepared to fight and win our nation's wars," explained the presiding officer, Col. Kurt Buller, 720 STG commander.

The squadron is comprised of four special tactics operator career fields to include combat controllers, pararescue jumpers, tactical air control party and special operations weather team specialists. To provide technical expertise and mission critical assistance to special tactics warriors, the unit also includes personnel from 18 combat mission support Air Force Specialty Codes.

The 26 STS will organize, train and equip special tactics forces for worldwide deployment.

"The members of the 26 STS want to train with Cannon's aircraft and personnel and then eventually deploy to complete special operations missions together," stated Buller.

After expressing his confidence in Maj. Michael Jensen's ability to effectively lead the squadron and his desire to increase the bond between special tactics and Cannon assets, Buller activated the squadron and placed Jensen in command.

Once officially activated, the squadron emblem was unveiled by the unit's junior member, Senior Airman Thomas Jara, 26 STS client systems technician. The emblem's significance was explained to the audience before Jensen thanked his special tactics unit and addressed all others in attendance.

"Activating this unit marks the beginning of what we set forth to accomplish," said Jensen. "This squadron's mission is to build indomitable, professional special operators and get them face-to-face with our nation's enemies. God willing, the 26 STS will accomplish this mission at any cost. Victory or death!"

After a deserving standing ovation, the ceremony concluded with Jensen inviting those in attendance to join the 26 STS members in the performance of ten memorial pushups honoring deployed members and fallen comrades.

Comptrollers prepare for DEAMS implementation

by Senior Airman Melanie Bulow-Gonterman
6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

5/9/2014 - MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla.  -- Michael Sorrento, Chief Information Officer, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and Comptroller, visited MacDill Air Force, Fla., to discuss the implication of the Defense Enterprise Accounting and Management System, May 1 through 2, 2014.

DEAMS is the Air Force's planning system supporting the Department of Defense Financial Improvement and Audit Readiness Plan. Under the legacy system, the Air Force was unable to achieve audit readiness, a mandate included in the National Defense Authorization Act.

Sorrento and a team of financial management experts held several town halls over the two-day visit. They provided background information and stressed the importance of the plan.

"We are doing this because we have to do something about our current accounting environment and to lay the ground work for improved financial processes and practices," said Sorrento.

The implementation of the DEAMS started at each major command and are now being rolled out to base level. MacDill along with four other Air Mobility Command bases will go live on June 1.

"We are going to be audited on our financial statements starting next year. If we cannot go through audits on a regular bases, make progress and get to a point where we can show the accountability of our business activity, it will become increasingly more difficult to operate in the political environment," stated Sorrento.

The Air Force being audited will provide the reliance taxpayers and congress need to ensure that spending is accounted for.

"I know that every one of you are professional and do the right thing to get the job done; the challenge is we cannot prove it," stated Sorrento. "That is the foundation of why we are trying to start with the transactions and work our way through because that's going to present one building block on the road to a better financial position."

New software assists with Next Generation of Advanced Aircraft

by Deidre Ortiz
Arnold Engineering Development Complex Public Affairs

5/9/2014 - ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, TENN. -- New software is available to aid in providing acquisition support for Next Generation of Advanced Aircraft.

The CREATE program (Computational Research and Engineering For Acquisition Tools and Environments), an initiative funded by the Office of Secretary of Defense High Performance Computing Modernization, is being used to develop next generation computational engineering tool sets for acquisition program engineers. The tools allow program engineers to take advantage of the growth in supercomputer power.

Tracy Donegan, supervisor in the Aerospace Testing Alliance Integrated Test and Evaluation Department, said the CREATE program's mission is to improve Department of Defense acquisition processes by developing and deploying HPC-based computational engineering tools.

These tools include production-quality design and analysis software that's both adaptable and maintainable, which will be beneficial in fully supporting initial design efforts for future tactical aircraft systems.

"One facet of the CREATE program is to initiate implementation of the emerging tools for a current acquisition application in order to assist the direction of the software development and test their suitability to realistic applications," Donegan said.

The CREATE program is being applied locally at Arnold Engineering Development Complex for the modeling of the TF34-GE-100A three dimensional full annulus fan within the nacelle, or its enclosure, for an accurate simulation of the inlet flow. This replicates the inlet flow distortion and the fan response to the flow, as well as provides an analysis tool to assess fan operability.

Donegan explained that in order to model the full annulus fan, a detailed geometric representation was required.

"A single rotor blade for the TF-34 engine, which is the engine used in the A-10 close-air-support aircraft, was located at AEDC and scanned at the model shop using a local laser scanner," Donegan said. "The set of rotor blade surface points generated from the laser scan was used by the design group in conjunction with engineering drawings to create a CAD model of the rotor blade for CFD [computational fluid dynamics] analysis purposes.

"The engineering drawings on their own were for inspection purposes and did not contain sufficient information to model a blade from scratch," she continued. "However, combined with a laser scan, enough information was available to model an entire blade array based on the single blade definition. The blade was incorporated into a rotor assembly and CFD solutions have been generated."

A stator blade, the stationary blade of the fan, was also located, and the same process was used to complete the fan model.

International Jump week; 9 Nations strengthen BPCs and share TTPs

by Airman 1st Class Jordan Castelan
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

5/12/2014 - RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- From May 4-9 a total of 97 foreign and allied partners tested, built and strengthened partnerships during International Jump Week alongside American Airmen and Soldiers in the skies over Ramstein.

With eight European countries joining the event this year the clouds over Alzey landing zone parted ways to a sea of parachutes and a melting pot of service uniforms.

"Jump week is all about building partnership capacities," said Tech. Sgt. Brian Angell, 435th Contingency Response Group personal parachute program manager. "Many of the junior enlisted Airmen and Soldiers here today are getting their first chance to jump with international paratroopers and the experience gained sharing training tactics and procedures are invaluable."

Airmen and Soldiers weren't the only ones sharing jumps for the first time with international partners. Many of the airborne troops from the visiting eight countries also flew into the same first time situation.

"It is always very important to familiarize yourself with partner nation procedures," said Hellenic Air Force Capt. Byron Alivizatos, Search and Rescue Operations Squadron. "These jumps create an opportunity to form well rounded paratroopers and strengthen deployed operations."

The 304 airborne troops that participated tested themselves across three different aircraft platforms, including the C-130J Super Hercules, the MC-130H Talon and a C-17: totaling 401 static-line jumps and 132 high-altitude low-opening jumps across three days.

"Being a piece of this experience was incredibly satisfying," said U.S. Army Pfc. Kelly Orullian, 5th Quartermaster Aerial Delivery parachute rigger. "A large part of what I do is making sure everyone is prepared and confident for their jump. What made this instance special was the chance to work with so many different jumpers from different nations."

Working to create international bonds and friendships was a large part of IJW. Harmonizing 97 jumpers from eight different nations with eight different modus operandi was just as key as the actual jumping.

"As a jump master you are responsible for the lives of the paratroopers inside the aircraft, and that's something I take to heart," said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Alexander Munoz-Lamos, Special Operations Command Africa air NCO. "It's a great opportunity to link up with our partner nations to improve our relationships within the airborne community. When you're in there you control the aircraft, it doesn't matter what rank they are, it doesn't matter what rank I am."

Dempsey Urges Grads to ‘Make it Matter’

By Karen Parrish

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 11, 2014 – Wearing the dark blue jacket of his dress uniform, surrounded by fresh-faced, scrubbed and gowned graduates on a lush green morning campus in North Carolina, Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey today painted a vivid picture of a faraway reality.

“It’s sunset right now in Afghanistan,” he said. “Thousands of young men and women your age are either completing their day’s work or just about to begin it. They do what they do because they trust each other; because they sense that they should give something back because of the opportunities that they enjoy in this country.”

So they put on their rucksacks, he said, and they march out of their base camps and into an uncertain future.

“That’s their way of making it matter,” he said.

Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, gave a call-to-action speech emphasizing leadership, partnership, and responsibility today to graduates of North Carolina’s Duke University.

“It’s terrific to see so many international students among the student body,” he said. “I trust, I hope, I expect that you’ve formed relationships and friendships that will help us all manage an increasingly complex, and in some cases dangerous, world.”

Dempsey noted that during pre-commencement events yesterday, “I was privileged, really, to welcome 11 newly commissioned ensigns and lieutenants into the armed forces, our next generation of military leaders.” He invited the new service members -- uniformed for the ceremony -- to stand, then led a round of applause for them.

“And let’s not forget today’s Mother’s Day,” the general said. “So I also salute those of you who have nursed, nudged, nurtured, and nervously watched these terrific young men and women grow. You’ll still watch them nervously, but thanks for what you’ve done to bring them to this point in their lives.”

Dempsey noted he last stood in Duke’s Wallace Wade Stadium when he received his master’s degree in English in 1984, when he was a captain in the Army. He learned some things during his time at the acclaimed university, Dempsey said.

“As the product of a Catholic education and West Point, I’d actually never had to dress myself,” he said. Even tougher challenges arose, he continued, and “there were moments I wasn’t sure I would make it through Duke. But instinctively, I knew I had to keep trying and I had to keep learning.”

The general said that even then, he had a sense that his chosen profession might lead him to an intersection with history.

“And history did find me, about 20 years after I left this beautiful campus,” he said.

Dempsey said that nearly 40 years into a military career that has arced from the Cold War to counter-terrorism and the cyber domain, “Of course I’m worried about the future.”

He worries about big nations becoming more aggressive; little nations developing weapons of mass destruction; religious extremism “and what it creates,” the chairman said.

Dempsey noted that his worries also include “the collapse of governance along in the Mideast and North Africa; about criminal networks that move drugs and illegal immigrants and arms to and across our borders.

“I worry about a pervasive and growing weakness in national and international institutions and structures that have for decades held together our sense of order and well-being,” Dempsey continued. “And yet, when I look carefully and thoughtfully at all of this, I see more opportunity than vulnerability. I remain encouraged.”

He draws hope not least from “the young men and women that I find poised to lead us,” he added.

People will have to think, not bludgeon, their way into the future, the general said. There will be more options, but also more ambiguity, in “dealing with the challenges we face.”

“You will need to find, fix and remain true to your moral compass, or you’ll find yourself paralyzed,” he cautioned the graduates. “… You have to find your own way. You leave Duke with the intellectual tools to accomplish whatever lies ahead of you. But that’s only half of what you need, and only you can measure the other half.”

Dempsey told the graduates they have crossed the academic goal line.

“You’ve hit it out of the park,” he said. “You’ve … thrown it down with a vengeance. But what’s in your heart?”

Dempsey said his real worry is that they and some of their peers across the country won’t confront that question.

“You’ll quickly become too busy to give each moment the value it deserves,” said the 18th chairman, who has spent countless weekend days and holidays playing with, singing to and just spending time with the surviving children and families of fallen service members.

“Too driven to lead personally,” he continued. “Too confident to be inquisitive, too certain to be approachable. I had a mentor suggest to me once that from time to time, I ought to ask myself a very simple question: When is the last time I allowed someone to change my mind about something?”

The more responsibility a person has, Dempsey said, the more important that question becomes. Standing in sunlight on a peaceful green campus, surrounded by academic robes and the traditions of the ivory tower, Dempsey evoked the stern ethos of World War II recruiting posters.

“Let me be clear: America needs you,” the chairman said. “It needs each of you, if it hopes to remain what it is and what it needs to be. We are and have it within us to remain exceptional. But you’ve got to make this wonderful education you’ve just consumed matter.”

Dempsey recounted a fact of his daily life that he speaks of often. On his desk in the Pentagon, he said, sits a small wooden box filled with 129 laminated cards, each bearing the photograph of one of the 129 service members who died under his command in Baghdad in 2003-2004.

“On that box in the Pentagon, on my desk, are three simple words: Make it Matter,” he said.

Dempsey told Duke graduates his hope for them is that they believe in themselves “as much as those sitting up here, and those sitting around you, believe in you.”

The nation’s senior military officer said he also hopes they “genuinely believe in the greatness and the exceptionalism of this country.”

He advised them, “Encourage it. Criticize it. Participate in it. But above all, believe in it.”

America needs leaders of consequence, he said. “No mediocrity, no bystanders, no ambivalence,” Dempsey urged. “ … Make it matter.”

Hagel: The United States Remains an Unrivaled Power

By Terri Moon Cronk

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 11, 2014 – While some around the world believe the United States is a weakening superpower, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel today defended America as the world’s dominant force.

“I have seen some of [that perception], yes,” Hagel said, during an interview on the ABC program “This Week with George Stephanopoulos”. “But we are still the dominant power. No one’s in our universe, whether you apply a metric or measurement of an economic power or military power.”

But that doesn’t mean the United States can solve every problem alone, he said.

“No nation can do that. I do think there’s a sense out there by some that somehow America has powers eroding, or we’re not going to use our power, or we’re too timid about our power. I think we have been wise on how we use our power.”

“I don’t think you can run foreign policy or lead a nation and be president of the United States based on what other people think of you,” he added.

Hagel was asked about several issues in the news, including the kidnapping of more than 200 schoolgirls by the Boko Haram terrorist group in Nigeria, the situation Ukraine and problems at the Veterans Affairs Department, in addition to cyber security threats, and questions regarding transgender people serving in the military.

The United States has sent a team of experts from the FBI, the intelligence community and the military to Nigeria to help authorities in the West African nation find the girls, kidnapped in the remote northeast last month.

“It’s a vast country, so this is not going to be an easy task, but we’re going to bear every asset we could possibly use to help the Nigerian government.” However, he said the United States has no plans to put American troops on the ground.

On the crisis in Ukraine, Hagel said even though Russian President Vladimir Putin said last week that Moscow was withdrawing tens of thousands of its troops from along the border with Ukraine, Russian forces appear to be still there.

“Russia continues to isolate itself for a short-term gain,” he said. “The Russians may feel they’re somehow winning, but the world is not just about short term,” Hagel noted.

Regarding the growing threat of cyber attacks, Hagel said the United States is paying full attention to cyber security threats, but added it’s difficult to be confident.

“You can’t be,” he said. “The fact is, [cyber security issues] are as dangerous a threat as the world is dealing with, especially the United States. It’s quiet, it’s insidious, it’s deadly.”

Hagel was also asked whether department policy regarding transgender individuals serving in the military should be revisited now that gays and lesbians are allowed to serve openly.  He called the issue complicated because of its medical component.

“These issues require medical attention. In austere locations where we put our men and women in many cases [those military posts] don’t always offer that kind of opportunity,” he explained.

“I do think it should continually be reviewed … because the bottom line [is] every qualified American who wants to serve our country should have an opportunity, if they fit the qualifications and can do it. This is an area we’ve not defined enough,” Hagel said.

Hagel also said he continues to support Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki amid reports that some veterans have died because they were unable to receive timely medical care through the VA system.

“There’s no one who understands accountability more than [retired Army] Gen. Shinseki,” Hagel said. “I do support [him], but there’s no margin here.”

The Defense secretary said if these reports prove accurate, “Accountability is going to have to be upheld, because we can never let this kind of outrage, if all of this is true, stand in this country.”

But the situation didn’t start with Shinseki’s term at VA, Hagel emphasized. “This is something that should have been looked at years and years ago. Yes, we missed it.”

SWRMC Dedicates Building In Memory of Medal of Honor Recipient

by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Bradley J. Gee, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West

NAVAL BASE POINT LOMA, Calif. (NNS) -- Military leaders, government officials, family and friends attended the dedication of Southwest Regional Maintenance Center's new Diving Division Building at Naval Base Point Loma, May 9.

The facility is named after Chief Gunner's Mate Thomas Eadie, who was meritoriously promoted to lieutenant and received the nations highest military award for his rescue efforts during the sinking of USS S-4 submarine, from a collision off the coast of Massachusetts on Dec. 18, 1927.

"In dedicating this facility in his name we are ensuring Lt. Thomas Eadie's life was not in vain, and that his legacy will live on in future generations of both Navy divers and submariners," said Capt. Gene Doyle, commodore, Submarine Squadron 11.

Eadie risked his life by diving 102 feet and spent two hours submerged underwater rescuing a shipmate.

"Navy divers provide support and maintenance for subs when they need it and also rescue missions," said Capt. Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper, commanding officer, Southwest Regional Maintenance Center. "What better way to show our young Navy divers of the rich heritage that's in our blood than displaying and highlighting the extraordinary heroism of our past."

The ceremony concluded with a plaque reveal to surviving members of the Eadie family outside the entrance of the building.