USS Hartford, USS San Juan Sailors Receive Dolphins

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

. North Dakota Governor Proclaims USS North Dakota Day

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Surface Combatant Awarded Shore Mineman of the Year

By Kimberly M. Lansdale, Center for Surface Combat Systems

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

AF releases new 'vision' document

by Master Sgt. Jess Harvey
Air Force Public Affairs Agency

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Northcom Calls Partnerships Central to Mission Success

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

New Resource Helps Troops, Families Plan Deployments

By Karen Parrish
American Forces Press Service

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sweeping up the savings with brass

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Army helicopters aid stranded oil rig

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Webber said the Army unit was proud to help.

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

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

by 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Face of Defense: Flying Crew Chiefs Keep Aircraft Airborne

By Air Force Lt. Col. Bill Walsh
315th Airlift Wing

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii, Jan. 9, 2013 – When a $200 million military aircraft breaks down in remote places like Afghanistan or Colombia, pilots can call on their flying crew chief, who, as most aircrew members are aware, knows everything.

Air Force Tech. Sgt. Mark Graveline performs an operational check on a C-17 Globemaster III, Jan. 1, 2013, at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. U.S. Air Force photo by Lt. Col. Bill Walsh   (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

Flying crew chiefs perform missions worldwide. They are the mechanics of the sky and a pilot's best friend.

"These guys have saved many, many missions," said Air Force Lt. Col. Jeffery Smith of the 300th Airlift Squadron. "They make our job of flying the airplane much easier."

Flying crew chiefs are specially trained maintenance personnel who attend a six-week maintenance special operations course in addition to the hundreds of hours of training it takes to become a premier aircraft maintainer.

"We have to know everything about the aircraft," said Air Force Tech. Sgt. Mark Graveline of the 315th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.

From fueling the aircraft and checking the oil, to troubleshooting a major system malfunction, these flying mechanics earn their stripes every day. According to Smith, keeping the mission moving is critical to its success and a trained maintainer prevents small things from becoming big problems.

When an aircraft maintainer flies a mission, he has to have access to an enormous amount of maintenance information. Thanks to today's digital technology, maintenance publications are contained in a laptop featuring hundreds of pages of diagrams, part descriptions and numbers, instructions and more to keep the giant C-17 Globemaster III in the air.

Maintainers also carry a toolbox containing things like specialized wrenches, tire pressure gauges and more.
"You never know what you will need when it comes to a fix," Graveline said.

In his trademark green flight suit, Graveline routinely climbs under the Globemaster to inspect its tires and undercarriage. Carefully and methodically he covers every inch of the outside of the jet -- even taking note of rivets in the tail towering five stories above.

"We look for cracks, leaks and any sign of trouble," he said.

"These folks are specialists in many maintenance fields and save the day sometimes," Smith said. "They're even more important in places where there is no support."

Wherever the mission, the flying crew chief goes with it to ensure that the aircraft is safe and ready to fly 24 hours-a-day.

Military, Civilian Blood Donors Provide ‘Gift of Life’

By Terri Moon Cronk
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9, 2013 – January is National Blood Donor Month and Defense Department employees are encouraged to “roll up their sleeves and give the gift of life,” said Air Force Col. Richard McBride, Armed Services Blood Program director.

The military blood program also celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, with “60 Years of Donors -- We Thank You,” as its theme, McBride said.

The program coordinates support between the military services and the combatant commands to ensure sufficient blood products and services exist wherever troops serve, McBride explained.

The blood program is a tri-service effort involving the Army, Navy and Air Force, he said.

“Without the three services’ support, we wouldn’t have a military program,” McBride said.

The military’s blood program began during the late 1940s, when organizations such as the Red Cross supplied blood to wounded warriors during World War II, he said.

“We realized we needed a program to support the military,” McBride said. “As the population increased, it became more difficult to support the civilian and military [sectors]. The military began its own blood program so civilian blood supplies would not be compromised.”

In the past 60 years, blood donors have helped save wounded warriors in the Korean and Vietnam conflicts, and Operations Desert Storm, Desert Shield, Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and New Dawn, McBride said.

Both civilian and military programs comply with the same federal regulations, test for infectious diseases and process, manufacture, store and distribute blood wherever it’s needed. DOD has the added mission of supporting wounded warriors and DOD beneficiaries worldwide, McBride said.

“If there’s a doctor and a nurse [who] need blood, it’s our responsibility to make sure they have it,” he said. “We have a tremendous record and now have the highest survival rate in the history of modern American warfare, which is a testament to the impact our blood program has had in bringing wounded warriors back to their loved ones.”

And 2012 was one of the program’s most successful years in the history of military medicine, he said.
“Approximately 150,000 units of blood were collected,” McBride said. “That’s a record.”

The need for blood at military hospitals around the world always exists, he said.

Potential donors must be at least 17 years old and free of medical conditions or diseases that would prevent them from donating, McBride said, adding that donors can contribute blood every 56 days. Blood is perishable and only considered safe to use at a maximum of 42 days by law, he added.

McBride offers a good reason to donate blood to those who are unsure.

“If you have anyone who’s a wounded warrior, a loved one, or anyone who’s been in the military and has received medical care, that blood comes from people like you,” he said.

For people who cannot donate blood, volunteers always are needed to help advertise blood drives, and to take care of donors before and after their blood is drawn, McBride said.

“We always need people in leadership positions to encourage troops to go out and donate,” he said.
McBride says some donors have contributed blood for years.

“We call them our ‘gallon donators,’” he said.

McBride told about a young Army lieutenant who recently received more than 500 units of blood from his point of injury through his recuperation and convalescence.

“That’s a tremendous testament to the impact blood has had on wounded warriors,” McBride said. “It’s not just the blood -- it was the dedicated service of the doctors, nurses and medics who helped him, but we’d like to think those 500 units played a big role.”

This Day in Naval History - Jan. 09

1861 - Union steamer Star of the West is fired on by the Confederates in Charleston Harbor.
1918 - The Naval Overseas Transportation Service is established to carry cargo during World War I.
1945 - Carrier aircraft begin a two-day attack on Japanese forces at Luzon, Philippines.

Language Corps Members Employ Skills for Nation

By Terri Moon Cronk
American Forces Press Srvice

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9, 2013 – A man translates the deposition of a Somali pirate for the FBI.
A woman who speaks Mandarin Chinese works with the Coast Guard aboard a cutter off the African coast to monitor Mandarin fishing vessels.

A federal agency requests humanitarian help following the outbreak of a disease in a small, foreign village, which quickly garners a group of volunteers who speak the language of the community.
These translators are among the 4,000-member National Defense Language Corps. They volunteer their second-language skills and cultural knowledge when the need arises across the Defense Department and the federal government, said Dr. Michael Nugent, director of the Defense Language National Security Office and National Security Education Office.

Nugent said the corps’ language assistance is one of the largest innovations in the federal sector. Agencies foreign and domestic that have sought the corps’ capabilities include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Peace Corps, the Department of Labor, and Interpol.
The volunteer members of the corps, a DOD organization, fill needs for any one of 260 languages and cultural knowledge, he said.

“If you are a combatant commander, you cannot have on hand 260 linguists who speak all those languages. It’s just too cost prohibitive [and] it’s very difficult to find those resources,” Nugent said.
“We at the Department of Defense, plus the rest of the federal government, have an incredible need for language skills and these skills are enduring,” he said. “The language corps provides a way to augment our federal service in times of need through [the use of] volunteers.”

The volunteers in the program must be at least 18 years old. None are full-time employees but are on call to report for work, which could last anywhere from a few hours to a couple of months, Nugent said, adding that most volunteers work a week at a time. He added the corps is seeking nonfederal workers, to augment the federal sector.

Volunteers receive training and are compensated for their services by becoming temporary federal employees during the time they travel and work.

Once partially a pilot program, the corps has become permanent, following President Barack Obama’s Jan. 2 signing of the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act.

Many volunteers have grown up in other countries or have heritage language skills spoken at home, Nugent said, noting some are retired military linguists.

And with 4,000 volunteers, Nugent expects the corps to boast 15,000 members as the program is ramped up to further complement the federal sector.

The volunteers’ cultural knowledge of the languages they speak is crucial, Nugent said.

“[By] growing up in another country or speaking another language, there are different ways of doing things in different countries, and what these folks bring with them is an understanding of how things are done in other … cultures,” Nugent explained.

Having people with those cultural and language skills makes a big difference, he said.

“In these times when we are drawing down a lot of capabilities, the corps offers an opportunity to retain a lot of language capability,” Nugent noted. “It’s hard to create that capability in-house; it’s costly. The corps gives us an opportunity to retain that capability and draw upon it in times of need. That’s one of the most important aspects of the corps.”

Nugent said members of the corps sign up for one particular reason.

“They want to volunteer and serve the nation,” he said. “They’re not trying to make money out of this. They’re trying to give back to the country.”

Naval Hospital Bremerton Earns Meritorious Unit Commendation

By Douglas H Stutz, Naval Hospital Bremerton Public Affairs

BREMERTON, Wash. (NNS) -- Naval Hospital Bremerton (NHB) was formally presented the Meritorious Unit Commendation (MUC) by the commander of Navy Medicine West and Naval Medical Center San Diego Jan 8.

The presentation highlighted Rear Adm. C. Forrest Faison III's two day visit to Naval Hospital Bremerton and associated Branch Health Clinics at Naval Base Kitsap - Bangor, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Naval Station Everett.

"This commendation just documents what we already know. The MUC recognizes a great team. It is a real privilege to see such an incredible team provide medical help to our Sailors, Marines and families. Every day you rise to the occasion. I am so incredibly proud of you. On behalf of all those you help, thank you," said Faison.

Faison also held several all-hands Admiral's calls, dined with approximately 20 recently returned Individual Augmentee staff members, and met with current residents in NHB's Puget Sound Family Medicine Graduate Medical Education program. He also met with NHB Sailors and civilians of the quarter and year.

Capt. Christopher Culp, NHB commanding officer notified NHB staff members last month on receiving the command's second commendation. The initial MUC was awarded for meritorious service from Dec. 1, 1996, to Dec. 31, 1999, for providing timely compassionate care in Navy Region Northwest as well as meeting readiness mission needs while deployed to Haiti with Fleet Hospital 5.

"As we haul down the previous MUC that has flown for the past 10 years, it has transcended time and become part of the fabric of the command. The command itself has maintained the personality and presence that encompasses what the MUC stands for, and this MUC is a direct reflection of Capt. (Mark) Brouker's tenure and accomplishments," said Culp.

The Meritorious Unit Commendation for Naval Hospital Bremerton covered the period July 1, 2008 through Sept. 30, 2011, which was during Navy Medicine West Chief of Staff Brouker's previous tour and 3-year tenure as NHB's commanding officer from July 18, 2008 to Aug. 4, 2011.

The current MUC covered all staff assigned to all active duty component unit identification codes (UIC) within the hospital. The citation, signed for the Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus by Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert, recognized personnel of NHB consistently demonstrated exceptional patient and family centered care, graduate medical education, and fleet support while meeting its readiness mission. The citation also cited exceptional performance in multiple areas including dental readiness, graduate medical education excellence, fleet support, tsunami support, environmental excellence and patient care.

Newly-revised Basic Combat Skills Level I Course Available on Navy e-Learning

By John Pine, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Public Affairs

PORT HUENEME, Calif. (NNS) -- The First Naval Construction Division (1NCD) announced Jan. 9 the activation of the Basic Combat Skills (BCS) Level I online training course on Navy e-Learning (NeL) via Navy Knowledge On-Line (NKO).

This self-paced course includes six lessons that enable Seabees and Civil Engineer Corps (CEC) officers to learn combat skills or refresh their skill-sets. The lessons encompass the Naval Construction Force (NCF) and The Laws of Armed Conflict; Medical Procedures and Personal Hygiene; General Military Tactics; Field Communications; Force Protection; and Combat Equipment and Weapons.

"The official release of the BCS electronic training provides our Seabees another tool to attain critical mission skills and knowledge at the time that is convenient for them," said Capt. Stephanie Jones, 1NCD assistant chief of staff for training.

Construction Electrician 2nd Class Tex Mitchell, a and 31st Seabee Readiness Group military skills instructor, noted that the BCS course will increase the combat readiness for the entire NCF.

"This is a great course," said Mitchell. "The interactive learning environment prepares personnel new to the NCF for more advanced courses like BCS Level II and fire team leader."

Until its launch on NeL, the BCS course had only been available in an instructor-led classroom environment. Designed to enhance individual and team decision-making and combat effectiveness, the e-learning course supplies up-to-date information to Seabees using the latest technology.

Project manager, Chief Builder Petty Officer Jason Verneris, training specialist for the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Training Support Agency, stressed that it is vital to the the Seabee mission for personnel to stay abreast of the latest combat technology in order to ensure Seabees deploying around the world are prepared for present day challenges.

"The intent of this course is to allow the user to be able to train and become familiar with the NCF and its capabilities," said Verneris. "Navy e-Learning facilitates a self-paced interactive learning environment, anywhere - anytime."

This online training tool is designed to support personnel reporting to NCF commands and students attending the CEC Officer School (CECOS) Basic class, and "A" School courses. Each lesson takes an average of two to five hours to complete; upon successful completion of the six lesson assessments, the program generates a completion certificate and updates the member's Sailor/Marine American Council on Education Registry Transcript (SMART) and is reflected in the Fleet Training Management and Planning System (FLTMPS). The SMART update can take up to two weeks to appear while FLTMPS is generally updated nightly.

The BCS course includes hyperlinks to up-to-date references, a glossary, an acronym/definition list, and displays graphic images of commonly used forms and documents.

To enroll, visit https://wwwa.nko.navy.mil/portal/home/ and select the LEARNING tab> Navy e-Learning>Online Courses> Browse Categories> Department of the Navy (DON) Training> Naval Construction Force Training> Basic Combat Skills> Basic Combat Skills - Level I.

For more information about the First Naval Construction Division, visit http://www.navy.mil/local/1ncd/.

Surface Combat Training Command's CSADD Chapter Selected as 2012 Shore Chapter of the Year

By Lt. Carl Densing, Fleet Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Center, and Kimberly M. Lansdale, Center for Surface Combat Systems

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Fleet Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Center (FASWTC) announced Jan. 9 that its chapter of the Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions (CSADD) was selected as the 2012 Shore Chapter of the Year.

Chief of Naval Personnel, Vice Adm. Scott Van Buskirk announced the selections via Navy Administration (NAVADMIN) message. FASWTC's Commanding Officer Capt. Richard Thomas said that FASWTC's CSADD chapter was selected from a field of fierce competitors and had "set a pace for all commands to emulate."

"Being recognized for this award is a remarkable achievement for our CSADD chapter," said Thomas. "I'm proud of its members and advisors who make it a top priority to ensure newly-minted Sailors receive a positive orientation before they head out to the fleet. This recognition attests to their hard work and dedication."

CSADD is a peer-mentoring program that promotes positive decision making and helps build leadership skills in junior Sailors. The program seeks to educate and aid them in tackling issues, such as alcohol misuse and reckless driving, and prevent destructive decision making.

Chief Sonar Technician Chris Salisbury, CSADD advisor, said he is honored to have been given the opportunity to guide and support the group of young leaders.

"Selflessness and dedication to their peers and Navy core values contributed greatly to this chapter's success," said Salisbury. "These Sailors make me proud each and every day with their tireless efforts to make a positive and significant impact on their shipmates."

To help convey the message of good decision-making and their commitment to fostering a positive relationship with the city of San Diego, the CSADD chapter also participated in ongoing community service activities around the San Diego area.

"This year, we supported Wreaths Across America (laying Christmas wreaths on graves at the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery) and numerous beach clean-ups," said Sonar Technician 1st Class Kyle LaFlamme, CSADD advisor. "These activities had a significant impact on increasing the positive image of the Navy in the local community. The young, committed Sailors of our CSADD chapter epitomize the best qualities of the 21st century Sailor."

Each year, one sea and shore chapter is selected as the CSADD Chapter of the Year based on strong leadership support, encouragement of Sailors to lead through CSADD participation, and the measured impact the program has made on its Sailors and command mission success.

"We look forward to another successful year of shipmates helping shipmates," said Salisbury.

The CSCS headquarters' staff oversees 14 learning sites, which includes FASWTC. FASWTC provides tactical, technical and military training to develop anti-submarine warfare and combat direction and control professionals who are able to operate and maintain systems as part of their command combat teams.

EOD Trains Stennis Sailors with Unique Qualifications

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Daniel Schumacher, USS John C. Stennis Public Affairs

USS JOHN C. STENNIS, At Sea (NNS) -- Personnel assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 3 are training non-EOD Sailors in special operations tactics aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74).

Once a week, Sailors selected by their division meet in the hangar bay for hands-on training for the naval special warfare basic roper qualification.

"I want to offer something new for the hard working Sailors trying to better themselves and experience something unique they can tell their friends and family about," said Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician 1st Class Aaron Rickel, from Ketchikan, Alaska. "I want this to prove that doing more than what's expected of you and being professional will pay off."

Rickel began teaching the course with the assistance of other EOD technicians and plans to continue providing training until every division aboard the ship gets an opportunity to attend.

"It was an amazing experience," said Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Lindsay Frizzel, from Westchester, N.Y. "I'm glad I had the chance to try something like this underway."

Rickel begins his training by teaching Sailors to rappel using a harness. With this method, another Sailor, called a belay, uses his own body weight as a counterbalance to the descending Sailor.

"[Rickel] was very patient with everybody and worked with each of us individually until we were comfortable enough to continue the training," said Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Daniel Borboa, from Sierra Vista, Ariz. "I had a blast going through the training."

After Rickel is confident a Sailor is able to descend proficiently and safely, the Sailor will be offered training in more advanced methods, including fast-roping.

The final step in the naval special warfare basic roper training and qualification is to perform all of the techniques from a helicopter in mid-flight and, once qualified, the Sailor will be eligible to participate in any non-operational rappelling or fast-roping exercises.

The John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group (JCSCSG), consisting of Stennis, Carrier Air Wing 9, Destroyer Squadron 21, and guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53) are forward deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility to strengthen regional partnerships, sustain maritime security, and support combatant commander requirements for assets in the area.

Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 41 Celebrates 170,000 Mishap Free Flight Hours

By Seaman Christopher Pratt, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (NNS) -- Sailors assigned to the Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 41 "Seahawks" celebrated 170,000 operational flight hours without a Class A mishap Jan. 8.

A Class A mishap is defined as an incident with a total cost of more than $1 million, destroyed aircraft, fatal injury or total disability. HSM-41, which began service as Helicopter Anti-Submarine Light 41 in 1983, has accumulated the hours over the course of the fleet replacement squadron's lifetime.

HSM-41's Sailor of the Year, Aircrew Survival Equipmentman 1st Class Cole Lindsay, spoke about the significance of the milestone.

"There are four mishap classes with Class A being the most severe you could have," Lindsay said. "It's amazing that we've flown that exorbitant amount of hours without any serious problems for the amount of time that we have been commissioned. Not many commands get that milestone."

Sailors at HSM-41 work on the MH-60R, an anti-ship, anti-submarine helicopter, keeping them flight ready for any mission they may be tasked with.

"We train all of the replacement pilots and aircrewman for the fleet and then we send them out to their corresponding squadrons," said Lindsay. "We also do search-and-rescue. If there is a ship in distress, somebody in the water, a canyon rescue, or overland rescue, we will go and pick them up."

Lindsay said that his squadron places a huge emphasis on safety and attention to detail, and identified training as a top priority for the squadron's future success.

"It takes everyone here training our junior personnel to do their jobs to keep heading in the right direction," Lindsay said. "As long as we train our replacements the right way, we are going to be successful."

Aviation Machinist's Mate Airman Apprentice Adriane Curran takes pride in the work that she does contributing to the safe flight operations of her squadron.

"I deal directly with all the moving parts of the helicopter that make it fly so it's really incredible to me," said Curran. "It really makes me proud and I hope that I can contribute to the next 10,000 mishap free flight hours."

174th Attack Wing First in Northeast to Get Mobile Emergency Operations Center

by Staff Sgt. Chris Ewsuk
Hancock Field Public Affairs Office

1/8/2013 - Hancock Field Air National Guard Base, Syracuse, New York -- The 174th Attack Wing introduced its new, state-of-the-art Mobile Emergency Operations Center (MEOC) during its January unit training assembly. The MEOC will be used to provide command and control capabilities for emergency responders during natural disasters and is the first such emergency center to be assigned in the Northeast.

"We are excited about the opportunity to have such important new community asset staged here at the 174th Attack Wing," said Senior Master Sgt. Kevin Scanlin, Hancock Field Base Emergency Manager. "Interoperability among various responding organizations is the key during any emergency response, and this new mobile center will greatly enhance the ability to effectively work together."

The MEOC will be deployed wherever it is needed in the northeast region, providing command capabilities for emergency response situations similar to those of hurricanes Sandy and Irene. When deployed, the MEOC will provide the hosting location with news and weather information, as well as communication to all military assets needed. The MEOC assigned to Hancock Field is a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region 2 asset and will cover emergency response in New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

Currently, the 174th MEOC is the only one of its kind in the northeast United States, with the next closest located in Maryland. Funding has been approved for 20 MEOCs, eventually providing at least one to each FEMA region. Upon request, the MEOC can be deployed wherever it is needed in the northeast region in a short amount of time to provide support for emergencies and natural disasters. The 174th Civil Engineering Squadron is currently undergoing training with the MEOC, and are able to get it up and running in as little as 15 minutes.

Hancock Field personnel have repeatedly participated in emergency response missions in the northeast region in the past, including disaster relief for Hurricanes Sandy and Irene. Hancock Field's proven capabilities and location made it an ideal candidate for having one of the new MEOCs stationed at the base. Now, the unit will be able to provide the capabilities of a full Emergency Operations Center at any forward location, and with a smaller footprint.

The MEOC has room for up to eight (8) workstations, a conference room, and several monitors which display weather and news information. The new command center has its own weather and Direct TV satellites, providing the emergency response command team with both weather and up to date news broadcasts. The command Center has all radio capabilities needed to communicate with all military assets including ground troops and helicopters aiding in emergency operations.

Hancock Field will continue to provide support as needed for emergency response in the northeast region, and the new MEOC will aid in these missions to come.