15th AS Airmen return from deployment

by 15th Airlift Squadron

1/8/2014 - JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. -- More than 80 Airmen from the 15 Airlift Squadron returned to Joint Base Charleston, Jan. 6, 2013, after a successful two-month deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

The Airmen conducted combat operations in support of OEF while deployed with the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron.

"To date, the 15th AS has flown more than 600 sorties, accumulating 1,500 flight hours delivering 20 million pounds of cargo to include: 400 vehicles, 2,000 pallets and 14,000 passengers into and out of 32 airfields in the Area of Operations," said 1st Lt. Jason Gossett, 15th Airlift Squadron C-17 Globemaster III pilot.

In addition, the squadron conducted the first C-17 airdrop at a new drop zone in the AOR, delivering 34 bundles of supplies weighing 51,000 pounds. The unit also logged more than 3,500 hours of alert for contingency response.

"While we were deployed we also provided Secretary of Defense support during his recent visit to the AOR," said Gossett.

Additionally, during a five-day period, two 15th AS crews flew 33 sorties; airlifting 532 passengers, 23 vehicles and 51 pallets totaling 855,100 pounds in support of Operation ECHO CASEMATE, supporting Africa Command by transporting Burundi peace-keeping forces and their equipment to the Central African Republic to help prevent the spread of sectarian violence and protect innocent civilians in the country.

"It has been challenging for the squadron to be away during the holiday season, but the talents and professionalism of the members of the 15th AS greatly enhanced the mission of the 437th Airlift Wing and OEF," said Gossett.

Face of Defense: Airman Enhances Morale With Cello Skills

By Air Force Senior Airman Jarrod Grammel

23rd Wing

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga., Jan. 9, 2014 – The deep, rich sound of the vibrating strings echoed in front of thousands of people at a change-of-command ceremony here as one airman put to work 22 years of practice.

Although the musician had been in the Texas All-State Orchestra, his performances now are confined to church and friends' retirement ceremonies.

Air Force Staff Sgt. Joey Lee, a 31-year-old public health technician for the 23rd Aerospace Medicine Squadron here, now uses his hobby to entertain fellow airmen and to support base functions.

For Lee, it all started at age 9, when he wanted to learn to play the violin. After his sister forced him to abandon the idea of playing the same instrument she played, he said, he decided on the cello.

“I got into the cello because my sister played the violin, and she was older,” he said. “Of course I didn't know any better, and she wanted me to stay as far away from her as possible, because I also wanted to play the violin. So I ended up playing the cello.

“I would've played the bass, but I was a short kid,” Lee added. “I can only imagine myself carrying that big hunk of luggage around with my 4-foot-whatever frame. So that's the story. My sister forced me to play the cello.”

Lee stuck with the cello, practicing almost every night at home and school in northern Virginia, where he grew up. All of his immediate family played an instrument: his mother played the piano, his father the guitar and his sister the violin.

“Prior to playing the cello, I actually played the piano, so the cello was starting to get a little bit easy for me,” Lee said. “Instead of looking at two clefs, I was just looking at one, the bass clef. After that, it was just a lot of private lessons. My parents were big on that.

“I started doing a lot of orchestras,” he continued. “Then I started competing, and next thing you know, I was pretty good at it. So I kind of just stuck with it.”

While living in San Antonio during his senior year of high school, Lee was accepted into the Texas All-State Orchestra. He said it was a great accomplishment to be one of about 20 cellists from Texas to be chosen for the orchestra.

When he graduated from high school and moved on to college, he began minoring in music, but he gave that up to focus on his major in biology.

Despite not finishing his minor in music, Lee continued to play and maintain his musical ability. Although he can play many different types of music, his favorite is classical.

“For me, it's always been classical,” he said. “I think out of all the string instruments, the cello has the best solos. I've been raised classical, but I can also play modern.”

Although Lee said he initially hoped to keep his music as a hobby and occasionally play at church, he enjoys giving back to the community and the Air Force by playing at base events.

“It feels great,” he said. “It was more of a hidden hobby for me. I like to play at church, and I kind of wanted it to stay at that level. But I guess it was just one of those hidden talents that people want to enjoy more of.

“I think for people with hidden talents, it makes you that much better and separates you from the rest,” he added. “I think that music kept me on track and kind of kept me out of trouble, too.”

Lee's first performance in the Air Force was at his first base, Aviano Air Base, Italy, where he volunteered to play his cello at church. Eventually, he said, people started noticing his talent, and a co-worker asked Lee if he would play for his retirement ceremony.

After moving here from Aviano, Lee continued to play at church, and when he went to Airman Leadership School, he accompanied a singer during the national anthem.

After playing the national anthem for his ALS graduation, “It's been pretty much all the national anthems, whether it be senior [noncommissioned officer] inductions, ALS graduations or retirement ceremonies,” Lee said. “Next thing you know, I'm gainfully employed.”

One person who noticed Lee's talent was his first sergeant.

“The first time I saw Sergeant Lee was at the retirement ceremony,” said Air Force Master Sgt. Vivian Hirt, the 23rd Medical Group first sergeant. “He did an amazing job. It was absolutely incredible.”

In the future, Lee said, he would like to learn to play the ukulele, or perhaps the guitar, like his father. But a shared interest in music isn't the only thing he has in common with his father, who also enlisted in the Air Force, commissioned soon after and eventually retired as a colonel with 26 years of service. Lee said he hopes to put in a commissioning package soon and continue to follow his father's legacy.

Lee is set to move this month to Osan Air Base, South Korea, where he said he hopes to continue playing for church and base events. He said he's a free gig, and as long as his audience appreciates the music, he'll be there.

Illinois Guard Mechanics Repairing Storm-damaged Trucks

Illinois Army National Guard

SPRINGFIELD, Ill, Jan. 9, 2014 – More than 30 Illinois Army National Guard mechanics were activated yesterday to support the winter storm efforts.

Soldiers from across Illinois responded to Gov. Pat Quinn's request to supplement the supporting efforts of Illinois Central Management Services to the Illinois Department of Transportation with truck repair and maintenance of winter storm equipment degraded by the events over the last week.

“The best of our best mechanics in the Illinois National Guard are ready to assist and share their expertise during this unique mission,” said Brig. Gen. Daniel M. Krumrei of Springfield, the adjutant general of the Illinois National Guard. “Whether turning wrenches or recovering vehicles on the snow-packed roads across Illinois, our men and women in the Illinois National Guard are proud to support the citizens of Illinois.”

Soldiers from Company B, 634th Brigade Support Battalion in Champaign; Company D, 634th BSB in Galva; Company E, 634th BSB in Joliet; Company G, 634th in Crestwood; 3625th Maintenance Company in North Riverside and 3637th Maintenance Company in Springfield all deployed to various IDOT locations and will assist until Friday.

“We are very appreciative of the assistance and dedicated service from the Illinois National Guard,” said Illinois transportation secretary Ann L. Schneider. “The extreme temperatures coupled with the weight and volume of snow have been really hard on our equipment and has caused breakdowns in some areas. The help from the Illinois National Guard will get those trucks back on the road more quickly and efficiently, to continue the work necessary to ensure the continuing safety of the motoring public.”

Earlier this week on Jan. 6, Quinn activated two soldiers to assist IDOT and Illinois State Police to pull three civilian vehicles and five semi tractor-trailers out of the snow and line of traffic. Another 13 soldiers were on stand-by to assist before all 15 soldiers were relieved of duty Jan. 6.

Negligent discharge: Don’t be that guy

by Air Force Tech Sgt. Vernon Cunningham
JBER Public Affairs

1/9/2014 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska  -- After registering a weapon on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, the responsibility of the gun owner is far from over. All owners have the responsibility to handle, transport and secure their weapon as safely as possible to ensure total control over when it discharges a round. Although many gun owners tend to build up great experience handling their personal weapons, accidentally or negligently firing a weapon can happen to anyone.

A negligent discharge occurs when a weapon is fired due to either operator error or a lack of attention to basic safety rules.

Air Force Staff Sgt. Rogelio Diaz, 673d Security Forces Squadron training noncommissioned officer, said the most important thing people need to do before handling a weapon is to be familiar with the operation of that weapon.

"They need to really know that weapon before they decide to go out and use it on the range or carry it off post for any reason," Diaz said. "The best way to become familiar with your weapon is to read the manual and do some research. Also, people should take some type of civilian course if they are going to carry."

Diaz said due to legal concerns, there are no gun safety classes on JBER covering anything other than military-issued weapons. He said there are a lot of concealed-carry classes in Anchorage and a weapon owner can go to any gun shop to get more information.

He said knowing your weapon and having the appropriate training are integral components of preventing negligent discharges. But having the tools to be a responsible weapon owner does not guarantee safety.

"Complacency is a big thing," Diaz said. "If you start carrying enough, daily and such, then you tend to get complacent. If you get too complacent, negligent discharges start to happen for a variety of reasons. For instance, some weapons don't have a safety on them and, God forbid, it gets snagged on clothing as you are trying to holster; you might shoot yourself in the leg."

Negligent discharges can result in a variety of injuries, from a lethal shot to the head or torso to other lesser, but quite as serious, injuries.

Dr. Benjamin Kam Jr., 673d Surgical Operations Squadron commander, is a staff orthopedic surgeon and subject-matter expert on musculoskeletal injuries. Orthopedic surgeons not only work on sports injuries, but are also on the front lines taking care of combat casualties.

The colonel said a non-lethal gunshot from negligent discharge can actually have more severe impact on a person's life than one would typically think.

"Most people that get caught in an accidental discharge in their own house don't die from it," Kam said. "Usually they are wounded by it, but the disability that comes from that can sometimes be pretty extensive."

One example of an injury that may be undervalued is if the gun owner or person nearby is shot in the hand.

"Hand surgery is complex enough that it has its own sub-specialist who dedicates a whole year of additional training to learn how the hand functions," Kam said. "A single gunshot wound through the hand, if you hit the right place, can disable most of the function of the hand."

Kam said he treated an Afghan soldier who shot himself in the hand due to a negligent discharge. Kam then witnessed the ill effects of the soldier's injury.

"We took care of him, but it significantly altered his ability to provide for his family, " Kam said. "There were also significant punitive repercussions for what happened to him in his service in his own country. In addition, he had to suffer the stigma of having shot himself."

Kam also served on staff with other surgeons for a U.S. service member who accidentally shot himself in the foot, and needed three operations to repair the damage. Kam said the service member was not able to continue on with active-duty service because he could never run again, and was eventually discharged.

"That person, beyond the active duty service, has to find a way of life for himself and his family," Kam said. "It will be hard to provide care if you can't do regular activities. You can't carry anything because you are limping. You can't run."

Suffering a wound to a limb may cost a weapon owner more than just a harsh limp.

"I have had people so significantly disabled from a shot to the ankle they couldn't walk," Kam said. "The pain is so severe that even though the foot and ankle are still physically there, they beg for an amputation. Sometimes it's the only way to get their lives back. The only way to get them off narcotics and get them back to doing things again is to remove a severely traumatized foot or ankle. There are some significant disabling things that could happen. Even though you took a small hole, it can traumatize a limb severely and ruin your life for sure."

Diaz said JBER had more cases of adults, not children, who have fired their weapons by accident. He said the adults are usually either trying to clean their weapons, come home from firing and forget to take a round out, or returned from hunting and forget to clear their weapon due to fatigue. He said safety needs to always be on a gun owner's mind.

"I'm from Texas ... I grew up around guns," Diaz said. "Any kind of training I have had, on base or off, it's all been the same: safety, safety, safety. Be familiar with your weapon and don't point at anything you don't intend to shoot."

For information on weapon registration and child access prevention policies on JBER, read JBER Instruction 31-107.

Airmen’s identities released following fatal AF helicopter crash

ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England (AFNS) -- Capt. Christopher S. Stover, Capt. Sean M. Ruane, Tech. Sgt. Dale E. Mathews, and Staff Sgt. Afton M. Ponce were the HH-60G Pave Hawk aircrew members killed in a crash on the Norfolk coast in England Jan. 7.

An HH-60G helicopter carries a four-person aircrew: a pilot, co-pilot, and two special mission aviators who are qualified as both gunners and flight engineers. On this particular mission, Stover and Ruane were the pilots, and Mathews and Ponce were the special mission aviators.

"We continue to think of the loved ones who are experiencing such a tragic, sudden loss," said Col. Kyle Robinson, the 48th Fighter Wing commander. "The Liberty Wing feels as though it has lost members of its family, and we stand by to support one another and these Airmen's families during this difficult time."

The accident is currently under investigation, and more details will be released as they become available.

National Guard Bureau Chief Talks Readiness, State of the Force

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

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9, 2014 – The chief of the National Guard Bureau discussed a myriad of topics with journalists today, emphasizing that the Guard is now trained and equipped at a level higher than he’s seen in nearly half a decade.

Army Gen. Frank J. Grass touched on the Guard’s future, its homeland mission, the Army and Air Force’s role within their federal mission and enduring partnerships abroad.

“For 377 years now, we’ve been rolling out of the gates of our armories whenever the governors call, in some cases even before the governors call,” he said.

“Just in the last 16 months since I’ve been here, Hurricane Sandy was the first event,” Grass said. “Twelve thousand Guardsmen rolled out of the gate, out of 22 states total.”

Guardsmen from other states, he said, seamlessly rolled in to assist New York, New Jersey and West Virginia during snow events.

“And that is who your Guard is, how it’s been always been,” he said. “And again, we don’t want to break that.”

Grass said he’s asked all the time about the National Guard’s federal mission – why does the National Guard need fighter jets, tanks and helicopters?  He said his response is they don’t always need tanks, Apaches and fighter jets, but the National Guard needs whatever the Army and Air Force need in their reserve.

“Our first mission -- and our two missions are equal -- is our mission to support the federal reserve of … the United States Air Force and the United States Army,” he said.

“So however the Army looks or however the Air Force looks, we've got to be interchangeable,” Grass said. “We’ll never be identical to them. We’re not going to be and not try to be.”

They will never be identical to the Guard either, he said, because of that homeland mission where “we roll out the gate.”

Grass said the bureau has to be complementary to each service so that when one needs an additional capability, the National Guard is ready to move. That means being similarly organized, trained and equipped.

“I can honestly tell you today, our readiness is higher than it's ever been in the Army and Air National Guard,” he said.

“And we are organized, trained and equipped at a level higher than I've ever seen in my 44 years of service,” Grass said. “That's because of a lot of great investment by the nation throughout the war.”

“The real challenge is how do you balance that now, in this fiscal environment, and not lose that edge, not lose that equipment,” he said.

The general noted each of the National Guard’s missions is “very unique” whether it’s an Air National Guard unit deploying overseas within 72 hours or Army engineers rescuing flood victims and repairing and re-opening roads “in record time.”

Grass pointed to the “unique” constitutional structure of the National Guard, which enables it to support the civilian government and support the president when called upon.

“We’ve created some opportunities in the future that will continue to grow in the homeland response that are unique from what we had [in the past],” he said.

“It’s hinged in a concept called the dual status commander,” Grass said. “We pre-train and pre-certify a National Guard one-star [general] who then can command and control active Guard reserve forces.”

The general said this idea came about during Colorado flooding when the state’s adjutant general, Air Force Maj. Gen. H. Michael Edwards, requested the establishment of a dual status command, through Grass and U.S. Northern Command’s Army Gen. Charles H. Jacoby Jr.

General Jacoby provided the staff for the Title 10 federal side of the mission, Grass said, and Colorado stood up their normal, Title 32 state mission. “And this one commander commanded all of those 23 helicopters and gave them direction,” he said.

Grass noted this dual status command required approval from Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, but it is now done “pretty routinely” for crises and planned events.

The general also noted the Guard is focused on partnership – both assisting homeland communities and internationally through the State Partnership Program, where 65 states partner with 71 countries, teaming up a state with a country for a military-to-military relationship.

“This started after the fall of the Soviet Union and Eastern bloc countries,” he said. “We aligned many of those countries with states 20 years ago.”

“In fact, a number of them have just celebrated their 20th anniversary in 2013,” Grass said. “We're continuing to add. I think in 2014, we'll probably add four more partnerships.”

Grass said there are well over 700 State Partnership Program events a year for a total annual cost of about $12 million -- which jumps to just less than $20 million with added “training dollars.”

“And believe it or not,” he said, “that’s the one account nobody wants to mess with because it gives you so much great engagement.”

Some of those 71 countries, Grass said, have deployed with the U.S. on 89 rotations to Iraq and Afghanistan.

“We're building capacity and capability for the future that will be able to help NATO,” he said.

“So partnerships are what we focus on,” he said, “and part of that partnership event occurs inside the Pentagon every day.”

“Being a member of the Joint Chiefs, I have access now to organizations that I probably never would have had as a three-star [general] and as just a chief, and not a member of the Joint Chiefs,” Grass said. “I get called into all the sessions as a member of the Joint Chiefs.”

AFSOC commander nominated for Order of the Sword

by Senior Airman Michelle Vickers
1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

12/13/2013 - HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- Enlisted Air Commandos lined the flightline here to surprise Lt. Gen. Eric Fiel, Air Force Special Operations Command commander, on his Order of the Sword nomination Dec. 13.

Fiel leads approximately 16,000 active-duty, Reserve, Air National Guard and civilian professionals.

The Order of the Sword is the highest honor the enlisted force can grant an individual.

"I know I cannot do my job without the enlisted folks," Fiel said. "Everything we do, we try to do for you guys. [The Airmen here] have the highest ops tempo in the United States Air Force and you never say no."

Fiel will become the ninth inductee into AFSOC's Order of the Sword.

"The Order of the Sword was established by the Air Force to recognize and honor military senior officers, colonels and above, and civilian equivalents, for conspicuous and significant contributions to the welfare and prestige of the Air Force enlisted force, mission effectiveness as well as the overall military establishment," according to Air Force Instruction 36-2824.

The AFSOC Order of the Sword induction ceremony is slated for April 18.