Hagel Welcomes New Senior Leaders to Pentagon

By Jim Garamone

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Aug. 4, 2014 – Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel officially welcomed new members of his management team to the Pentagon today.

Hagel hosted a ceremony for Christine Wormuth as the undersecretary of defense for policy, Jessica Wright as undersecretary for personnel and readiness, Michael McCord as Defense Department comptroller, and Jamie Morin as the director of cost assessment and program evaluation.

Hagel noted that calling the event a “welcoming” ceremony is a bit of a misnomer, as all four have been in the Pentagon for years. Wright, for example, has been serving as acting undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness for 20 months. Her nomination was hung up in the Senate.

All four have assumed new roles and responsibilities that are among the highest and most challenging in the United States government, Hagel said.

“The Department of Defense is … undergoing a great transition,” the secretary said. “We are seeing a world in transformation, a world that is probably building a new world order.”

How this evolves depends in large part on American leadership, he said, adding that DoD is integral to peace and security as this new order evolves.

“To successfully navigate this time of uncertainty, we all must completely stay focused on building … a ready, agile, capable, modern force to defend against the full spectrum of threats and challenges that we face today and into the future,” Hagel said. “We will do that by investing in three pillars of our military: our people, our capabilities and our partnerships.”

Wormuth will help nurture the relationships the United States has with military allies and develop relations with new partners. McCord will provide the leadership on the financial side and will ensure new, affordable capabilities keep coming into the department. Wright will ensure DoD has the right mix of people, in the right positions, at the right time, the secretary said.

“DoD must meet the challenges, and probably as important as meeting the challenges is to seize the opportunities and not squander the opportunities,” Hagel said. “Sometimes those opportunities are hard to discern when we are faced with as many challenges as we are today. At this complicated and … dangerous time in the world, we need leaders who are steady, who are engaged, experienced, and forward-thinking.”

USO, Team RWB Partner to Inspire, Empower Veterans

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

ESTES PARK, Colo., Aug. 4, 2014 – The benefits of the partnership between the USO and Team Red, White and Blue were on full display over the weekend as they brought together a confluence of leadership, empowerment and inspiration with a three-day rock-climbing camp 7,522 feet above sea level.

Andrew Hutchinson, a San Francisco-based Army veteran and director of camps and special programs for Team RWB, explained the goal of the camp.

“There are three things we really want them to leave with: knowledge, inspiration and empowerment,” he said. “On the knowledge side, we want them not only to learn a new sport, but also to learn some leadership.”

The goal, Hutchinson said, was for people to come to the camp and leave with the skills necessary to continue to rock climb on their own.

“They’ll have the knowledge to be able to find a rock gym and become a part of that,” he said. –Obviously, he added, the vveterans wouldn’t learn everything about rock climbing at the camp.

“But you hope that you can give them some tools --some things to think about -- so they can communicate more effectively,” he said. “We hope that this camp inspires the individuals to go back, and hopefully, pass what they’ve learned onto others.”

Hutchinson said he believes the camps inspire veterans and Team RWB members, helping them to realize they’re a part of “something good that they were kind of missing before.”

“Usually at these camps, immediately they find someone that was deployed to the same area when they were there, or in the same unit,” he said. “You see that kind of bonding occur right away.”

Another aim, he said, is for the camp participants to feel empowered to take control of their lives, their health and their reintegration. Hutchinson lauded the USO for its partnership and support in the Team RWB camps program.

“Last year, the USO was very generous,” he said. “Once they found out about Team Red, White and Blue and the different programs we have, they wanted to support us. They wanted to give us support for the camps program, so last year, they helped fund our trail-running camp and our yoga camp. They liked what they saw and how we were using the money. The camps were benefitting veterans and active duty members and civilians of Team RWB.”

This year, he said, the USO expressed interest in supporting the entire camps program, not just one or two.

“They’ve been generous and funded a large part of all seven of our camps this year,” Hutchinson said. “As we continue to grow, I think we’ll work more and more with the USO. They’ve been very supportive of our camps.”

Hutchinson said he expects the camp program to continue its growth.

“I think the camp program is one that’s going to continue to grow, and I think the camps kind of embody us as an organization,” he said, adding that he hopes to have 12 camps next year and more in years to come.

These community-based activities help to re-awaken some people who may no longer be in leadership positions in their everyday jobs, Hutchinson said.

“It gets you out of your comfort zone,” he added. “I think sometimes the most growth happens when you are outside of your comfort zone. Maybe not right in that moment, but when you conquer that fear, … I think it makes you a stronger person down the road, for sure.”

The rock-climbing camp’s participants were equally appreciative of the USO and Team RWB’s efforts to inspire, empower and teach them.

“It was a really awesome event -- something I wouldn’t have probably ventured out to do on my own necessarily,” said Jill Glasenapp, a 13-year Army veteran. “Something that now I’ve been exposed to, I’d totally do. So I think the purpose of the camp was met.”

Glasenapp said she felt “totally confident” after stepping outside the limits of her normal comfort zone.

“It makes you think out of the box, … especially when you talk about physical activities,” she said. “I had no idea how strenuous rock-climbing really is. And maybe it’s not supposed to be, but it is. I think it totally takes you outside of the box and gives you a lot of confidence to be able to some stuff you might not normally do on your own.”

The Manhattan, Kansas, native also shared her perspective on the USO-Team RWB partnership.

“I think it was the most amazing collaboration when you think about their mission statements,” Glasenapp said. “The USO is there to support our service members and their families. And then Team Red, White and Blue is there to support the veterans, so why not marry the two up to put on something that supports all those different realms?”

Team Red, White and Blue is not just for veterans, she added, but also is for family members and community members, so it’s a perfect relationship, especially for this kind of camp.

Kristyn Conner, one of those Team RWB members, said she felt “re-energized” by the camp and the opportunity to learn more about military culture.

“I don’t understand the military culture very much,” she said, “and that’s what RWB kind of brings to the table for me. It allows me to interact with people and understand where they’re coming from.”

As captain of Team RWB’s Tucson, Arizona, chapter, Conner said, she viewed the rock-climbing camp as an opportunity to “completely immerse” herself in learning.

“I hope to take all the leadership knowledge and skills that I learned back to my chapter and get everyone else back in Tucson amped up,” she said.

Conner faced her own adversity as she overcame her fear of heights to climb towering rock faces and even to undertake a Tyrolean traverse -- a method of crossing between two high points on a rope.

“I was up on that wall and my fear of heights took over,” she said. “But I think my belayer, J.J. Pinter, who’s the director of operations, said something that really rings true for me this weekend,” she said. “It’s ‘You can’t be brave until you’re afraid.’ So stepping out of your comfort zone -- if you don’t do it, you’re not going to develop, grow and progress as an individual.”

Speaking about the opportunity provided by the USO-Team RWB partnership, Conner expressed her gratitude for the union.

“I know I speak for everyone when I say how grateful we are for this partnership,” she said. “Stuff like this would probably not be happening at all, or [certainly] not on a regular basis, and this is what RWB is about. We are primarily a voluntary organization. They invest in people. And this is an investment in the people who are going to carry the organization forward, and it’s invaluable.”

Poland: Blending myth with reality

by Staff Sgt. Jarad Denton
USAFE-AFAFRICA Public Affairs

8/4/2014 - SIAULIAI AIR BASE, Lithuania -- With hooves that struck like lightning and breath that beat like thunder, Ašvieniai pushed onward - their white manes and skin glistening with the sweat of intense exertion.

Higher and higher the mythical horse twins climbed, pulling behind them the chariot of Saulė - the Lithuanian sun goddess. Her bright rays blinded curious onlookers as she coaxed Ašvieniai onward into the skies above Siauliai Air Base, Lithuania, July 29, 2014.

In an instant, a flash of sunlight seemingly transformed the ancient Lithuanian deities into a massive gray hulk - soaring upward through great banks of fleecy clouds. The sound of Ašvieniai's hooves replaced by the deafening roar of the C-130J's four engines.

"Get ready," shouted U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Tyler Trappe, Headquarters and Headquarters Company troop and jumpmaster, from inside the aircraft. "Check gear!"

Trappe's voice echoed throughout the interior of the Super Hercules. His commanders were followed by more than a dozen Army and Lithuanian Land Forces Soldiers rising from their seats and inspecting their parachutes. Without a moment's hesitation, the side door of the C-130 slid open - exposing the passengers to the brutal air current and unforgiving ground below.

Gripping the sides of the door and leaning out into empty space, Trappe signaled to the Soldiers that the landing zone was within reach. Slowly and methodically, the paratroopers marched toward the door - ready to brave the elements in the name of a bilateral training mission.

"Our forward presence in Europe allows us to work with NATO partners and train to meet future security challenges," said U.S. Air Force Maj. Brad Buinicky, 37th Airlift Squadron assistant director of operations of readiness. "It is incredibly beneficial to both the United States and Europe. It allows us to collectively move forward to support and defend our Allies within the region."

By merging training with Lithuania, the United States and NATO are ready and capable to boost international relations and maintain security throughout the Baltic States and beyond. Like Ašvieniai, the paratroopers aboard the Super Hercules stood committed to honing their skills for the protection of their people.

"These missions are more than just training exercises," said Buinicky. "They represent a shared commitment to a peaceful, stable and secure Europe."

Below, the Lithuanian landscape sped by as Trappe reaffirmed the area was safe to jump to. He closed his eyes and breathed a heavy sigh before clasping a strong hand on the first Soldier in line. In a flash, the young paratrooper bolted for the door, tucked his feet and was sucked away into empty space.

"Go, go, go, go," Trappe shouted as one-by-one his brothers in arms followed suit.

Wing stands down critical aerial refueling mission

by Tech. Sgt. Mark Wyatt
157th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

8/1/2014 - PEASE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, N.H.  -- The Northeast Tanker Task Force stood down a 24/7 alert commitment July 31 at 8 a.m. after nearly 13 years of flying aerial refueling missions over New York City and other metropolitan cities 157th Air Refueling Wing officials here announced.

The men and women of the 157th Air Refueling Wing sprang into action hours after the 9/11 attacks by flying a "bridge" over New York City to provide aerial refueling to the combat air patrol mission protecting the city.

In an email to wing personnel, Col. Paul "Hutch" Hutchinson, 157th Air Refueling Wing commander, expressed his appreciation to Airmen.

"Over the past 12 years this unit has performed with great distinction and extraordinary service to the nation and our deployed warriors," said Hutchinson. "I am extremely proud of every member of our organization as you continue to build the most respected total force National Guard unit in the country."

He went on to attribute lives saved and families reunited as a result of those efforts.

"The commitment to duty and sacrifice exhibited by Airmen from the 157th Air Refueling Wing continued for nearly 13 years since that horrific event took place," said Lt. Col. John Czachor, 157th Operations Group, who has filled roles on the task force as a pilot, supervisor of flying and detachment commander of Title 10 forces since 2004.

In the days that followed Sept. 11, 2001, crews from the 157 ARW more than 360 missions, averaging almost a sortie a day through 2002.

"The wing flew nearly a sortie a day for the next three years," said Czachor. "Then from 2005 to 2009 the average sortie flown decreased to 270 missions per year; a sortie every 1.3 days."

He went on to say that from 2010 to present, the wing saw a drastic reduction in sorties flown ... but not with capability.

"In total since 9/11, the 157th Air Refueling Wing flew 2,818 sorties, 10,698 hours and offloaded nearly 170 million pounds of fuel ... a story of epic achievement," Czachor said.

"Whether the operation was called Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom or lastly New Dawn, the constant commitment of personnel, material, and aircraft from the wing never wavered," he said. "At its zenith, the eight alert lines from Pease were dedicated to the airbridge enlisting all associated flight and maintenance crews, base support, security and logistics needed to launch aircraft supporting active combat missions."

He went on to recognize that the dining facility was activated.

"The 157th Force Support Squadron served meals around the clock to affect the mission," continued Czachor.

"Executing this mission from home, it was easy for Airmen to isolate and insulate themselves from the conflict and war that was occurring thousands of miles away," said Czachor. "Often it was difficult to relate how we were directly contributing to mission success overseas."

He went on to note that refueling Air Force B-2 Spirit aircraft strike missions, GITMO missions, Air Force B-1 Lancer aircraft, Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft carrying anything from MRAP's to our own wounded are examples of increased mission velocity.

"If you turned a wrench, refueled a plane, paid personnel, provided healthcare, wrote an order, or in any way supported Airmen and aircraft assigned to the 157th Air Refueling Wing during the airbridge - then you were essential to the global reach that aerial refueling provided," stated Czachor.

Noting that it was that capability which ensured overall mission success and ultimately saved countless lives in theater.

As the airbridge alert commitment ends, Czachor stressed that the time spent away from family, missed holidays, missed vacations, times away from kids and loved ones are sacrifices that served a vital purpose and are appreciated directly and indirectly by the men and women in combat.

"The 157th Air Refueling Wing has a long distinguished history of service ...  your efforts contributed to one of its finest chapters," he wrote in a letter to the men and women of the wing July 31.

He closed by writing, "On behalf of all who have benefited from your efforts, I extend to you a sincere gratitude for your service and sacrifice."

Flying Yankees do heavy lifting

by Tech. Sgt. Joshua Mead
103rd Airlift Wing

8/1/2014 - EAST GRANBY, Conn. -- The 118th Airlift Squadron from Bradley Air National Guard Base here dropped their very first "heavy" July 23, 2014, over "bean bag drop zone" at Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee, Massachusetts.

As part of the 103rd Airlift Wing, the squadron has been performing these training drops every week since the beginning of June to reach the goal of dropping a heavy.

"It's definitely a milestone," said Tech. Sgt. Erin Rivera, a loadmaster with the 118th Airlift Squadron. "The heavies we dropped today are a simulation of the actual equipment, like tank components and Humvees and other things of that nature that aid troops on the ground."
On this particular drop, there were three loadmasters as opposed to their normal staffing of two. The extra support was needed because this was also the first time the 118th Airlift Squadron dropped a combination of a heavies and a container delivery system.

This CDS, as it is called, is a smaller weighted pallet that simulates a bundled package of food or supplies that can be air dropped into an area where an aircraft cannot land. Earlier this month, the Flying Yankees dropped these systems to sharpen their skills in preparation for dropping heavies.

"We've come a long way and it's a testament to the aerial port folks who are building the equipment we're dropping, a testament to maintenance for keeping the planes flyable and a testament to all of the new navigators, flight engineers, loadmasters and pilots that have all come together from different parts of the Air Force, said Maj. Chris Thiesing, tactics officer with the 118th Airlift Squadron.

Graduating from the container delivery system to the heavies is an accomplishment that many of the Airmen find rewarding and meaningful.

"It feels great to be a part of what's happening here," said Master Sgt. Joseph Amato, loadmaster with the 118th Airlift Squadron. "This drop is definitely a milestone for the entire unit--another of many. To be a part of a cadre that stands up a flying squadron is a professional honor for all respective crew positions."

While the ability to drop heavies is a tremendous milestone for the Flying Yankees, there is still some training that needs to be done to become a fully functioning air mobility unit.
"I think we're on track. We all learn something new every day. I think the operations squadron has been fortunate to receive a good number of prior enlisted folks that are eager to become operators," said Amato.

Rivera said, the 118th Airlift Squadron is looking forward to dropping cargo two days a week and implementing nighttime drops.

Aside from nighttime operations, Thiesing said dropping personnel, such as Army paratroopers, is another milestone to be accomplished.

"It's impressive that we have come so far in our conversion in such a short period of time. We have not had our aircraft a year yet and we are already training for air drop missions with live drops like this one. We have all the pieces in place to continue our conversion well ahead of the timeline," said Col. Fred Miclon, vice commander for the 103rd Airlift Wing while observing a recent drop. "The teamwork and integration between maintenance, operations and mission support to make this happen is impressive to say the least. Once again everyone in the wing is focused on one goal and mission, and to complete our conversion ahead of schedule, getting everyone trained so that we can get back in the fight is what it is all about."

Milestone after milestone, the Flying Yankees are moving ever closer to their goal of mission readiness.

"We're doing a lot of good work and it will be great looking back six months to a year from now to see how far we've come," said Thiesing

Face of Defense: An Airman for Now, a Marine Forever

By Air Force Airman 1st Class Jonathan Bass

20th Fighter Wing

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C., Aug. 4, 2014 – One pilot in the 55th Fighter Squadron here looks like any other pilot in the Air Force, but with one exception: he’s not an airman.

Marine Corps Maj. Eric Hugg is an airman for now, but he’ll always be a Marine.

Hugg, 55th Fighter Squadron chief of training, is a part of an exchange program that gives Marine Corps pilots the opportunity to fly with the 55th Fighter Squadron here.

A Rockville, Maryland, native, Hugg has been in the Marine Corps since 1997. He enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve as a combat engineer, but from his date of enlistment, he said, his goal was simple: he wanted his Navy wings. In 2003, he graduated from the University of Maryland with a bachelor’s degree in criminology and a Marine Corps commission.

“I didn’t care [what aircraft I was assigned to fly],” Hugg said. “I wanted to fly fixed-wing jets, but I didn’t care what kind of jet at the time.” After the phase of pilot training the Marine Corps calls “Jet School,” he said, he decided that he wanted to fly the A/V-8B Harrier II, a single-engine aircraft capable of vertical take-off and landing that has been operational in the Marine Corps since 1985.

Once Hugg went out to the fleet, he was assigned to the 3rd Marine Air Wing, Marine Attack Squadron 311, at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona.

After Yuma, Hugg was a Harrier instructor pilot with the 2nd Marine Air Wing, Marine Attack Training Squadron 203, at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, where he got the opportunity to apply for the exchange program to fly with the Air Force.

“I was lucky enough to work with and know four guys who had done this exchange before me,” Hugg said. “All the guys that did this exchange who I got to run into had nothing but phenomenal things to say about it. They highly recommended it and told me that if I ever had the opportunity that I should jump on it.”

A big part of the Harrier’s mission is air-to-ground combat, and 55th Fighter Squadron and 20th Fighter Wing train for air-to-ground. But the F-16CJ Fighting Falcon also participates in air-to-air combat, meaning that Hugg had to learn another style of fighting.

“He’s faced a challenging situation,” said Air Force Maj. Byron Neira, 55th Fighter Squadron flight commander. “He’s had some learning to do. He probably knows more than anyone in the squadron about air-to-ground combat, but he had to learn the whole other side of what we do.”

Hugg dropped a bomb on all the expectations set for him, Neira said.

“As the chief of training, he has to know all the rules, regulations, the book keeping. He has to know all the [Air Force Instructions], and he’s not even an airman,” Neira added. “He had to learn how the Air Force flies in addition to learning to fly the F-16.”

Comparing the F-16 and the Harrier is similar to comparing apples to oranges, Hugg said. “The jets are completely different,” he explained. “At Cherry Point, there are around 30 events before a student is allowed to fly the airplane by himself. When I went to Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, I had one flight with an instructor, then I went out and flew out by myself.”

With the F-16, tactics are the bread and butter of the airplane, Hugg said, while with the Harrier, basic flight skills are the staple.

Based on his own experiences in flying two airframes, Neira said, Hugg provides accurate and invaluable feedback for the Air Force. “We’re seeing now that the next generation of pilots doesn’t have real combat experience,” he said. “Hugg brings real experiences and can provide a different perspective.”

Despite the differences in service-specific language and minor difference between the ways the Air Force and Marine Corps do things, Hugg said, the professionalism, attention to detail and knowledge of craft that airmen exhibit is unbelievable. “I would feel comfortable flying into combat going all the way up to [Air Force Col. Stephen F. Jost, 20th Fighter Wing commander], and all the way down to the newest pilot in the squadron,” he said.

“From Hugg’s time here, I’ve learned that our sister services and us can work together,” Neira said. “We’re actually on the same sheet of music. The operations dovetail together.”

Hugg will fly with the 55th for two more years before he returns to the Marine Corps. Hugg said he will recommend the exchange program -- which has been in place since the 1940s -- to the next generation of Marines. “I’ve never had a more exciting or fulfilling experience,” he added.

Neira said Hugg’s ability as an F-16 pilot should be a comfort to any Air Force or Marine Corps pilot. “I’ve got complete faith in him as a wingman,” he said.

Aiming for enhanced readiness with base-wide exercise

by Tech. Sgt. Joshua Mead
103rd Airlift Wing

8/1/2014 - EAST GRANBY, Conn. -- Bradley Air National Guard Base here went on lockdown mid-morning July 30 as part of an active-shooter response exercise conducted by the 103rd Airlift Wing.

According to Lt. Col. James Guerrera, anti-terrorism officer for the 103rd Airlift Wing, the exercise is an annual requirement for the wing to practice responding to an aggressor while measuring the reactions and response of base personnel.

"The main goal of this exercise was to identify any blind spots for the commander and identify root causes, thereby allowing us to correct and improve policies and procedures enhancing our readiness, security posture and members' reactions during a real event," said Guerrera.

The exercise consisted of an individual who proceeded through the entry control point at a high rate of speed and entered one of the base's buildings as a simulated active-shooter.
Security forces personnel on base were tasked with responding to the scenario. Their role, according to Senior Master Sgt. Kurt Smith, security forces manager, was to, "get inside that facility as quickly as possible and neutralize the shooter so that he doesn't continue shooting other individuals inside the facility."

"This exercise was unique where all the entry points were locked down and we had to make entry through the loading dock door," said Smith.

Typically, security personnel will head immediately towards the sound of gunshot and engage the shooter, said Smith.

"One benefit of the exercise was providing a first step toward muscle memory," said Senior Master Sgt. Dave Frates, installation emergency manager with the 103rd Civil Engineer Squadron. "People will remember the actions they took during the exercise for a long time, and if something were to happen real world, in that panic, they would likely repeat those actions."

Security forces were not the only element of response however. All personnel on base were expected to respond accordingly by escaping, barricading themselves in buildings or fighting the aggressor.

"This isn't really an exercise for security forces; it's an exercise for the entire installation. The quicker you can identify there is a potential hostile situation in your work center the better off you are in protecting yourself and your co-workers," said Smith.

In addition to the security forces response, the base fire department, emergency medical services, and emergency management personnel were activated to assist in the exercise.
"Our first responders immediately came together and responded to the threat quickly, taking the necessary actions to identify the threat and locking down the facility," said Guerrera.

Alaska Reserve F-22 pilot helps preserve aviation history

by Tech. Sgt. Dana Rosso
477th Fighter Group Public Affairs

8/4/2014 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- During the 477th Fighter Group's August Unit Training Assembly weekend here Aug. 2-3 Lt. Col. Kevin Sutterfield flew two sorties as a flight examiner, providing check rides to other Reserve pilots. A fairly typical weekend for a Reserve F-22 pilot assigned to the 477th FG. Last weekend, during the JBER Open House Sutterfield was able to share his passion for history and love of aviation to the over 250,000 spectators who watched the show.

"I started flying with the Commemorative Air Force about a year ago. Initially in the T-6/Harvard and then in the BT-13," said Sutterfield. "It was a special opportunity to fly the T-6 during the JBER show as part of the warbird flyby, because we were honoring Mike Hunt, a 92 year old WWII veteran and Alaska flying legend."

The goal of the Commemorative Air Force is to preserve the airplanes in a fly-able state and demonstrate them around the state of Alaska.

"Flying these vintage airplanes is fun," said Sutterfield. "But the true joy is connecting with the crowds, especially the kids. We have to connect the next generation to 'The Greatest Generation' if we hope to pass on their inspiring stories."

As the son of a U.S. Air Force pilot, Sutterfield's love of flying began at an early age.

"My dad was a fighter pilot and taught me how to fly when I was high school," said Sutterfield. "I still hear Dad's voice in the back of my head when I'm making a landing: 'Easy....make it smooth'."

Sutterfield and his father will get to fly together again during the Reno Air Races in September.

"Dad also introduced me to racing in Reno. It's a great combination of speed, skill and comradery. My dad is infectiously curious and is always trying something different or learning something new," he said. "That has taught me that flying the F-22 in not the pinnacle, it is just one of the many exciting things happening in aviation."

As a rookie pilot, Sutterfield had to complete Pylon Racing School. The week long school held in Reno in July gave pilots a chance to prepare, practice and become certified to race in the National Championship Air Races in September.

"The Air Races are a great opportunity to combine flying and competition," he said. "I'm a rookie in the T-6 class. I am looking forward to learning from the more experienced race pilots, but the airplane I am flying, number 42 is fast. I am optimistic that I will be able to bring home a trophy."

DOD Continues Support to Wildfire Battle

From a U.S. Northern Command News Release

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo., Aug. 4, 2014 – Two Defense Department C-130 aircraft equipped with U.S. Forest Service’s Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems and under the command and control of U.S. Northern Command are assisting with wildfire suppression efforts in the Northwest, the Great Basin, and elsewhere in the West at the request of the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho.

Since July 20, 2014, DoD aircraft have conducted 65 airdrops and have discharged more than 114,300 gallons of fire retardant.

In the last 24 hours, crews have conducted two airdrops and discharged about 3,000 gallons of retardant at the Hard Creek fire in Idaho, four airdrops discharging about 9,000 gallons of retardant at the Thompson River fire in Montana, and four airdrops discharging about 3,000 gallons of retardant at the Warland fire in Montana, officials said.

The supporting unit flying the MAFFS mission is the Wyoming Air National Guard’s 153rd Airlift Wing, based in Cheyenne.

Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard C-130 aircraft assigned to units in California, Colorado, North Carolina and Wyoming are capable of dropping fire retardant using U.S. Forest Service MAFFS units, officials said. Aircrews, maintenance crews and support personnel undergo special National Interagency Fire Center training and certification to perform these missions each year, they added.

U.S. Northern Command, established in the wake of the terrorist attacks of 9/11, is responsible for homeland defense and defense support of civil authorities.

Shaw defender's security measures prove effective

by Airman 1st Class Jensen Stidham
20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

8/4/2014 - SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Airmen from the 20th Security Forces Squadron prevented an unauthorized weapon from entering the installation here, July 24.

Security forces Airmen found a 9mm handgun along with 17 rounds of ammunition on the inside of a commercially driven truck.

"We really don't think the individual meant to bring the weapon on base," said Staff Sgt. Timothy Michaud, 20th SFS NCO in charge of the commercial vehicle inspection area. "It was his first time coming onto the base so we think it was probably just an accident."

During 12-hour shifts, 20th SFS Airmen thoroughly search every commercial vehicle that attempts to gain entry to the base.

"We're searching for any type of explosives, weapons, ammunition, drugs or alcohol as well as running background checks on all individuals attempting to gain access," said Michaud. "We open up all compartments of the vehicle to look through every item inside to make sure it's allowed on the installation."

If security forces Airmen find anything that cannot enter the base, they either confiscate it or turn the driver around and make them leave, said Michaud.

"In this case with the weapon, we put the handgun in a compartment in the back of the truck, separate from the ammunition, and made him leave the base," he continued.

Although the owner of the weapon may not have had ill intent, security forces were able to display the effectiveness of the daily measures taken to safeguard Team Shaw.

"Our job is to conduct thorough inspections on every single vehicle that comes onto base," said Senior Airman Ilya Makarenko, 20th SFS installation entry controller. "It's a good feeling, knowing that we may have helped stop a potential threat to the base."

For those unfamiliar with the installation, it is important to know the rules for bringing weapons onto the base. In this season of high permanent change of stations, may new-comers will pass through the gates. Security forces remind new and seasoned Shaw patrons of weapon regulations.


"Housing and dorm residents are allowed to possess weapons on Shaw AFB," said Lt. Col. Christopher Sheffield, 20th SFS commander. "However, dorm residents must store their firearms in the security forces armory. Residents of base housing may store their weapons in their houses, only after registering each with Security Forces. Base personnel may only transport firearms on Shaw AFB while traveling from their residence or the Security Forces Armory and proceeding directly off of the installation or to the Rod and Gun Club, no one is authorized to carry a firearm in a concealed capacity at any time while on Shaw AFB. Furthermore, base personnel may possess knives, but the blade can't be longer than three inches."