Answering the call: Joint Task Force-Bravo's 1-228th Aviation Regiment battles blaze in Honduras, protects villages

by U.S. Air Force Capt. Zach Anderson
Joint Task Force-Bravo Public Affairs

3/8/2014 - SOTO CANO AIR BASE, Honduras -- When U.S. Army Sgt. Kelly Steckler first heard about the fire during the afternoon of March 4, he didn't quite believe it.

"We were out at the aircraft doing maintenance and were told there was a fire and we needed to get ready for firefighting operations," said Steckler. "At first I didn't think it was serious, but then I quickly realized this was the real deal."

Steckler, a standardization instructor and crew chief assigned to Alpha Company, 1-228th Aviation Regiment, quickly made his way to a briefing room where planning was underway for a real-world Bambi bucket operation to combat a fire that was threatening local Honduran villages.

"We got a call that the Hondurans were frantically requesting our assistance to put out a fire that was rapidly approaching the main highway between Comayagua and Tegucigalpa and was threatening some towns," said U.S. Army Lt. Col. E.J. Irvin, 1-228th Aviation Regiment Commander. "The fire was growing, and it was spreading much faster than it could be contained."

Running a Bambi bucket operation, during which aircrews use a collapsible bucket to pick up water and drop it on a fire, is nothing new for the aircrews of the 1-228th, and within an hour a UH-60 Blackhawk had already dropped two full buckets, more than 900 gallons of water, on the blaze.

But then, a new element of risk was added to the mission: It got dark.

"No one in the unit was qualified to fly Bambi bucket operations using night vision goggles (NVGs)," said U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer Justin Roland, a UH-60 Blackhawk pilot assigned to Alpha Company, 1-228th Aviation Regiment. "So when it got too dark we had to put the helicopter down in a landing zone. The other aircrew arrived and we began the process of qualifying to fly the mission under goggles."

To accomplish this, pilots and crew members had to "self-start" and qualify on the spot to fly the mission.

"When no one is qualified, we can take a standardization instructor and instructor pilots and essentially qualify ourselves," said Steckler. "We get out there and we do the task and we see what works, what doesn't work, and then create the standard for accomplishing that task on the fly. At this time, we were doing a real mission on top of self-starting, so things were pretty intense."

Once the pilot and crew chiefs had qualified for the night flying task, the mission resumed, now with the aircrews assuming the heightened risk of flying under NVGs while maneuvering with the full Bambi bucket attached to the helicopter.

"When full, that bucket holds about 4,000 pounds of water," said Irvin, who was flying the second aircraft at the scene of the fire. "It's a challenge when you are getting water from the lake, because even in daylight there are no references to hover when you are over the water. That is compounded at night because there are no references and it's extremely dark. So we were flying in the dark with low illumination, over water, and on the verge of maximum power pulling the water from the lake."

But these weren't the only dangers the aircrews were facing when battling the blaze.

"Flying under goggles with the brightness of the fire is a difficult task," said Roland. "The intensity of that light can shut down the NVGs. We had to think about how we were going to approach the fire to make sure we weren't blinding ourselves when we went in."

To mitigate this risk, Irvin said the pilots approached the mission from the east to the west in order to get more black reference and not come straight into the high intensity light.

Following this plan of attack, the two Blackhawks made continuous trips back and forth to a nearby lake, flying through the darkness and dropping more than 10,000 gallons of water onto the raging flames below. Finally, after almost four hours of nonstop aerial firefighting, the fire was extinguished and the helicopters were able to return to base.

Steckler said being a part of an operation that went above and beyond in helping those in need was a special experience.

"Knowing that we have this capability, and being able to reach out and help like we did, it just serves to strengthen the great relationship we have with Honduras," said Steckler.

Roland agreed.

"One of the reasons I wanted to be here was to be a part of real-world missions to help people," said Roland. "Once you get that call and you are able to help out people in need, it's an incredible feeling that I really can't even put into words."

For his part, Irvin said he is extremely proud of how his regiment responded to the challenge at hand and overcame challenges and risks in order to help the people of Honduras.

"They asked for our help and we had the ability to respond and provide that help. Anything we can do, anything we can give, we are going to do it. In this instance, it's a good feeling to know that we were able to help someone, potentially save someone's home, maybe saved their town, and stopped a fire that could have gotten out of control very quickly. It's something very special."

Face of Defense: Skills, Composure Earn Crucial Position

By Marine Corps Sgt. Paul Robbins Jr.

31st Marine Expeditionary Unit

ABOARD USS DENVER AT SEA, Mar. 10, 2014 – Marine Corps Cpl. Josh Fenstermaker is a data technician for the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Command Element, but he currently serves as the data communications chief aboard USS Denver, one of three ships deployed with the USS Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group.

He holds this billet of responsibility, normally reserved for a staff noncommissioned officer, because of his exceptional skills and composure, said Marine Corps 1st Lt. Richard G. Sykes, the command element’s communications platoon commander for the CE

“He is a poised and confident individual -- he doesn’t get unsettled,” said Sykes, a St. Louis native. “He’s never too hot, never too cold, and he doesn’t let things bother him. That’s what you need from that supervisory position.”

Since boarding the ship and assuming the role of data chief, Fenstermaker has supervised a team in the creation of a data network that supports hundreds of Marines and sailors from all four elements of the 31st MEU’s Marine Air Ground Task Force. It is through his response to the operational demands across the task force, often from Marines superior in rank, that Fenstermaker demonstrates his composure.

The demands of being chief have added challenges to an already complicated job. A data technician’s normal duties include building servers, imaging hard drives, running cables, managing accounts, troubleshooting and more. But Fenstermaker said he never has viewed his regular duties as difficult.

“[Being a data technician] isn’t hard in itself. It’s a matter of effort,” the Columbus, Ohio, native said. “If you care about your work, it can be easy.”

Making the work look easy has earned Fenstermaker a reputation among the Marines in the communications platoon. It is common practice for the data technicians to refer Marines with complicated issues to Fenstermaker. And if they are having trouble solving issues on their own, they turn to him.

“He is the most knowledgeable Marine we have when it comes to anything data-related,” said Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Michael A. Degregorio, a data technician and a native of Merrimack, N.H. “If we go to him, the problem always gets resolved.”

Fenstermaker is beginning his fourth deployment as a part of the Marine Corps’ force in readiness for the Asia-Pacific region. Building and maintaining data communications at sea as a leader of Marines, the 26-year-old Marine said he has come a long way from installing cable in Columbus.

Firefighters get refresher on crash recovery rescue of vintage aircraft

by Airman 1st Class Chris Drzazgowski
355 Fighter Wing Public Affairs

3/7/2014 - DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, ARIZ.  -- Members of the 355th Fire Emergency Services flight engaged in crash recovery rescue training on the flightline here Feb. 27.

The training was in preparation for the several different aircraft that attended this year's Heritage Flight as well as those that will be present for D-M's open house in April.

"The training provides members of the FES flight with information on how to rescue the pilots from the warbirds," said Senior Master Sgt. Michael Lumbreras, 355th FES flight deputy fire chief.

There were various aircraft at D-M during the Heritage Flight to include the F-86E Sabre, P-40 Warhawk and P-38 Mustang.

In case of an emergency, the pilot and passenger need to be removed from the cockpit as quickly as possible. Therefore, the FES flight needed to have an up close and personal look at each individual aircraft to insure they had a clear understanding of the extrication process.

"By and large the vintage aircraft do not have the electronic canopy releases and push-button controls that modern day aircraft have," Lumbreras said. "So, the firefighters have to know how to manually open the canopy to rescue the aircrew. Our crews do not typically work around fighter planes equipped with props. The time to learn these hazards is before the call for help, not during the emergency."

Aside from the differences in canopy releases, the priorities of the FES flight never change.

"There really isn't any difference in what we need to know and the level of training we receive," Lumbreras said. "Whether it's an A-10 or a P-51, we still need to know how to fight fire, cheat death and save lives."

The FES flight is always ready for any emergency no matter what circumstances.

"The Davis-Monthan Fire Emergency Services flight is always ready to take care of business," Lumbreras said. "Our vehicles, equipment and training are world class. There is always something new to learn and there is always a different way of doing something. We never stop training."

DOD official discusses nuclear deterrence in Congress

by Amaani Lyle
American Forces Press Service

3/10/2014 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- The Defense Department's nuclear deterrent is the ultimate protection for the United States while also assuring distant allies of their security against regional aggression, a senior Pentagon official told Congress March 7.

Elaine Bunn, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for nuclear and missile defense policy told the Senate Armed Services Committee's strategic forces subcommittee that while Defense Department modernization goals largely have not changed since 2010, some adjustments are on the horizon.

One such change, she reported, involves the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty force structure.

"The administration is considering how to reduce non-deployed strategic delivery vehicles to comply with the limits of the new START treaty by February 2018," she said. "And we will make a final force structure decision and inform Congress prior to the start of fiscal year 2015."

Bunn expressed concern about Russian activity that appears to be inconsistent with the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Treaty.

"We've raised the issue with Russia," she told the senators. "They provided an answer that was not satisfactory to us, and we told them that the issue is not closed."

With regard to recent ethical issues involving Air Force and Navy nuclear personnel, Bunn noted that Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has created both internal and external special review panels.

"Those reviews are not about assigning blame," she said. "They're about identifying, assessing, and correcting any systemic deficiencies that we may uncover and in applying the best practices for carrying out our nuclear mission across the nuclear force."

Bunn also said the recently released 2014 Quadrennial Defense Review makes clear the key role of nuclear forces in the DOD strategy.

"It ... supports our ability to project power by communicating to potential nuclear-armed adversaries that they cannot escalate their way out of failed conventional aggression," Bunn said.

The department's budget request for fiscal 2015 supports DOD's nuclear policy goals as laid out in the 2010 nuclear posture review, in President Barack Obama's June 2013 nuclear employment strategy, and in the 2014 QDR, she added.

As a result, Bunn reported, Pentagon officials will continue to ensure that the current and future administrations have suitable options for deterring, responding to, and managing a diverse range of situations, including regional deterrence challenges.

"We continue to work closely with our allies, some of whom live in very dangerous neighborhoods, to ensure continuing confidence in our shared national security goals, including assurance of our extended nuclear deterrence commitments," she told the Senate panel.

Critical to maintaining a safe, secure and effective force is the preservation of the nuclear triad: strategic bombers, intercontinental ballistic missiles and submarine-launched ballistic missiles, Bunn said.

Chairman Stresses Professionalism to Combat Ethical Lapses

By Jim Garamone

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Mar. 10, 2014 – The Defense Department needs to hammer home to service members what it means to be members of the profession of arms, Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey said March 7 on the PBS “Newshour” program.

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told Judy Woodruff that ethical lapses such as the recent cheating scandals in the Air Force and Navy and the failures of some Army and Marine Corps officers are an urgent matter for senior department leaders.

Dempsey gave his best guess on what’s causing these lapses. “I think what happened … is we’ve gotten a little careless, maybe sloppy, over the last 10 years with the mechanisms that used to provide oversight, checks and balances – a safety net, if you will, for professionalism,” he said.

Military personnel became consumed with preparing for deployment, deploying, coming back and then getting ready to go again, he said. “We stopped sending young men and women to our professional military education when they should have gone,” Dempsey said. “We stopped doing things like command climate surveys. We got sloppy with contracting oversight.”

The military must “go back to the small disciplines that really make a difference in defining ourselves as a profession,” Dempsey said. “And we will.”

The chairman stressed that it is a small number of service members who have tarnished the profession. “We need to deal with those, but we also need to continue to reinforce what it means to be a professional,” he said.

Dempsey cautioned that the lapses run the gamut and cannot be treated the same way or lumped together. Some of the lapses are criminal, and others are ethical and behavioral issues, he said. Still others are “sophomoric cultural issues, and some of them are just plain stupidity, and each of those has to be dealt with in a different way,” he said.

“I understand the desire of some for me to be more public about this,” he added, “but don’t … underestimate the degree to which this has my attention internal to the profession.”

On the subject of sexual assault in the military, Dempsey stressed that the military must produce results. A bill that would have placed prosecution for sexual assaults in the military out of commanders’ hands was defeated in Congress. But a bare majority of those in the Senate -- the bill required a supermajority to pass -- voted for the bill.

President Barack Obama gave DOD leaders a year to review the situation and put in place corrective measures. “We’re nowhere near me declaring that we’ve turned the corner on this thing,” Dempsey said. Still, he said, some young women and men are coming forward to report assaults that occurred years ago, a sign that the propensity to report may be increasing. “And that seems to me to be a positive sign,” he added. “But we haven’t turned the corner yet. We’re working on it.”

USS Kidd joins USS Pinckney in Search Efforts of Flight MH370

From U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs

Gulf of Thailand (NNS) -- Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Kidd (DDG 100) has joined USS Pinckney (DDG 91) in the search efforts of the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, March 10.

Kidd brings the same Arleigh-Burke Class capabilities as Pinckney with its two MH-60R Seahawk helicopters which are designed for search and rescue, as well as anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, surveillance, communications relay, naval gunfire support and logistics support.

The helicopters can fly a maximum of 180 knots with a ceiling of 13,000 ft., have a maximum range of 245 nautical miles and the capability to conduct searches at night using its Forward Looking Infra-red (FLIR) camera. Kidd, like Pinckney, was conducting training and maritime security operations in international waters in the South China Sea before being sent to assist in the search efforts.

Both ships have crews of more than 300 Sailors each and are multi-mission ships designed to operate independently or with an associated strike group.

The US Navy still has one maritime patrol aircraft, a P-3C Orion from the Grey Knights of Patrol Squadron 46 (VP-46), on station flying from Subang Jaya, Malaysia.

The two destroyers departed Naval Base San Diego Jan. 7 on independent deployments to the Western Pacific Ocean.

20th MDG fine tunes patient care

by Senior Airman Laura L. Valentine
20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

3/6/2014 - SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- The 20th Medical Group was recently competitively selected as one of only three out of 74 Air Force military treatment facilities to receive specialized training on the patient centered medical home model in order to fine-tune the quality of care the facility provides.

A Patient-Centered Medical Home team from Joint Base San Antonio - Fort Sam Houston, Texas, led by Maj. Ernest Perez, 383rd Training Squadron PCMH Operations program course director, delivered the training to 20th MDG personnel here, Feb. 25-28.

"The patient-centered medical home is an approach to providing comprehensive primary care through an individual's life by facilitating partnerships between the patient, their personal providers, and when appropriate, the patient's family," Perez said. "The overall goal is to improve quality care effectively and efficiently while reducing costs."

Since 2009, medical treatment facilities across the Air Force have turned their care focus to the PCMH model, a method used widely across civilian medical care facilities as well.

The 20th MDG is recognized as a PCMH by the National Committee for Quality Assurance.

"The clinic has put this healthcare model into motion and has been extremely effective, as evident by their recent Air Combat Command 2013 Surgeon General Annual Award for Best Clinic of the Year," Perez said.

At the 20th MDG, there are five teams comprised of a provider, a nurse practitioner, medical technicians and administrative technicians who work together. The continuity of that team is key, said Maj. Karyn Revelle, 20th Medical Operations Squadron flight commander.

That continuity is what allows medical teams to work efficiently throughout the day and better take care of their patients.

The PCMH team helped create the foundation for training all members of the medical group so all understand the model and are able to train others.

During the course, availability care was limited so the maximum number of medical personnel could benefit.

Training covers not only specific details of daily operations, but also a basic understanding of the PCMH as it's used across the medical group.

"It's a great program because it doesn't just focus on the patient care aspect of the PCMH," said Senior Airman Kyle Bettis, 20th MDOS medical technician. "It's the bigger picture, the whole concept, which is important for the new Airmen to understand."

The mobile team was able to teach the entire medical group team rather than having one or two individuals travel to Texas for the course. This way, trainers can better understand the local group dynamics and determine if improvement is needed in particular areas.

The mobile course can essentially make up for six to eight months of on-the-job training for team members who would alternatively use that time trying to understand the requirements individually, Revelle said.
As a mid-sized clinic, the 20th MDG Family Health Clinic schedules approximately 58,000 appointments a year and sees roughly 1,100 patients each week.

"The 20th MDG is already moving in the right direction because of the mentality of teamwork, holding each other accountable and taking ownership of patients," Perez said. "They aren't complacent with their success and continue to improve the care experience."

Driven by the same standards as off-base providers, the 20th MDG uses the same resources and benchmarks to mirror quality of care. By using the PCMH, providers are able to build rapport through emphasizing communication with and empowering the patient, facilitating continuity of care and improving access to care.

"Our Air Force Chief of Staff notes that every Airman has a story to tell," said Col. Curt Prichard, 20th MDG commander. "Through PCMH, we are able to learn every patient's story and then provide them the personalized care and preventative tools to make their story one of not only good health, but the best health possible."

New York Air National Guard Pararescue Jumpers Hone Emergency Medical Skills

by Senior Airman Christopher Muncy
New York Air National Guard

3/10/2014 - WESTHAMPTON BEACH, N.Y. -- New York Air National Guard Pararescuemen and Combat Rescue Officers of the 106th Rescue Wing's 103rd Rescue Squadron tested their emergency medical skills with real-world scenarios that modeled what they would see on the battlefield or in a crash.

The Feb. 27 training sent the pararescuemen, known as PJs, and the Combat Rescue Officers, dubbed CROS for short, rotating through various trauma and medical scenarios, replicating the types of injuries and illnesses often seen on the battlefield, or in rescue settings.

"The courses offered here are a requirement for paramedic and Pararescue recertification," Major Glyn Weir, a Combat Rescue Officer said. "It's being put together by LtCol. Stephen Rush, a doctor who has been appointed the Air Force Pararescue Medical Director. "

PJ's and CRO's moved from one scenario to another, treating patients with simulated combat wounds and complex injuries.

"We're slowing things down a bit," Weir explained. "We're training for perfection through repetition. No matter how stressful the situation may be when we are on the battlefield, treatment and diagnosis become automatic when it is ingrained. We are repeating it and reinforcing it so that it becomes muscle memory."

"The thing about this training as opposed to what we do in a civilian paramedic course, is that it's operationally focused, but still meets the requirements of the National Registry for these men to have their full Paramedic Certification, " Rush explained.

Instead of using pure civilian motor vehicle accident protocols, the training concentrates on problems like blast trauma and gunshot wounds.

By accomplishing this training "in house," the 103rd was able to save a significant amount of money that can later be applied to other types of training that complement the course.

Keeping it local also allows the 103rd to take advantage of local facilities like North Shore LIJ, which has offered use of their Patient Safety Institute.

"North Shore LIJ has hundreds of thousands of dollars in equipment that we've been able to use," Doctor Rush said

"We've had access to simulation rooms with the most sophisticated mannequins and two way mirrors and microphones, as well as the cadaver lab, which is a surgical skills laboratory. PJ's can learn invasive battlefield procedures on human anatomy," he said.

"We also benefit from their professional faculty interacting with and teaching the men. For example, that we have a real-world heart and thoracic surgeon actually showing the techniques to them, and watching the PJ's to make sure they're doing it right."

"The things that we do when we practice are the actual procedures and protocols that the PJ's execute in theater. Most important, the first time they are doing these procedures is in a controlled environment with direct medical supervision, not on the battlefield with a young man or woman where he have [only] one opportunity to get it exactly right. So we know we're sending them into the worst circumstances to do the best job they can to save our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines," Rush said.

In addition to the 103rd Rescue Squadron's participation, Pararescuemen from the Field Training Unit in Arizona and a Flight Surgeon from the 38th Rescue Squadron at Moody Air Force Base took part.

The PJ's from 38th RQS and Field Training Unit will be bringing the training they receive here back to their units, Weir said.

"They're getting a lot of hands on training from Doc Rush, who is really pushing to streamline the process and standardize medical care throughout the pararescue community," he said.

Top Air National Guard officer presents awards to 105th Airlift Wing Airmen

by Courtesy Story
New York National Guard

3/10/2014 - STEWART AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, NEWBURGH, N.Y. -- Twenty members of the New York Air National Guard's 105th Airlift Wing -including two airmen who received two Purple Hearts for wounds suffered in action - were recognized by the Air National Guard's top general at a ceremony here on Sunday, March 2.

The 20 members of the 105th Base Defense Squadron, who deployed to Afghanistan last year, received a total of 29 medals during from Lt. Gen. Stanley E. Clarke III, the director of the 100,000-member Air National Guard.

It was the first time he had ever awarded a Purple Heart medal and it was unusual to present 12 of them and present two airmen with more than one, Clarke said.

"What an honor, I am truly humbled," Clarke said.

The awards included five Bronze Stars, 12 Purple Hearts and 12 Air Force Combat Action Medal.

The 20 airmen deployed to Bagram Air Field alongside members of the active Air Force's 820th Base Defense Group to provide security at the base. Their missions took them "outside the wire" regularly.

One member of the 105th Base Defense Squadron Team, Staff Sgt. Todd T.J. Lobraico Jr., was killed in action during the deployment in September 2013.

"We are thankful for the manner in which you conducted yourselves under the most challenging of circumstances and we are most thankful for you being here with us today," Col. Timothy LaBarge, the commander of the 105th Airlift Wing told the airmen.

"Staff Sergeant TJ Lobraico, a true American hero, may not be physically present in the room with us today, but he is with us spiritually and will be forever," LaBarge added.

"I've done multiple award ceremonies throughout my thirty something years, but never one like this; in any capacity, in any place that I've ever served," Clarke said. " It's a historic day obviously for the members themselves, their families, the unit, the New York National Guard, the Air National Guard, and the United States Air Force, and the nation."

Receiving awards during the March 2 ceremony were:

· Chief Master Sgt. David Pritchard from Washingtonville, N.Y.: A full-time guardsman, Pritchard received the Bronze Star.

· Master Sgt. Shawn Knowlton from Watertown, N.Y.: A federal marshal in civilian life, Knowlton received the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and the Air Force Combat Action Medal.

· Master Sgt. Jose Pena Rojas from the Bronx: A New Rochelle police officer, Pena Rojas received the Bronze Star.

· Master Sgt. Michael O'Connell, from Washingtonville, N.Y.: A full-time Guard airman, O'Connell received the Bronze Star.

· Staff Sgt. Nigel Dabry, from Queens: An employee of the Metropolitan Transit Authority, Dabry received two Purple Hearts and the Air Force Combat Action Medal.

· Senior Airman Amanda Martino, from Lindenhurst, N.Y.: A college student, Martino received two Purple Hearts and the Air Force Combat Action Medal.

· Staff Sgt. Winston Rios, from Clifton, N.J.: A college student, Rios received the Purple Heart and Air Force Combat Action Medal.

· Senior Airman Michael Hansen, from Newburgh, N.Y.: A Walden New York police officer, Hansen received the Purple Heart and Air Force Combat Action Medal.

· Senior Airman Thomas Pulaski, from Wallkill, N.Y.: A college student, Pulaski received the Purple Heart and Air Force Combat Action Medal.

· Airman 1st Class Samuel Davies, from Warwick, N.Y.: A college student Davies received the Purple Heart and the Air Force Combat Action Medal.

· Airman 1st Class Matthew Zungia, from Newburgh, N.Y.: A college student Zuniga received the Purple Heart and the Air Force Combat Action Medal.

· Airman 1st Class Marieann Raguso, from Yorktown Heights, N.Y.: A college student Raguso received the Purple Heart and the Air Force Combat Action Medal.

· Tech Sgt. Michael Pacenza, from Newburgh, N.Y.: A full-time Guard airman, Pacenza received the Air Force Combat Action Medal.

· Staff Sgt. John Bellino, from Wappingers Falls, N.Y.: A college student Bellino received the Air Force Combat Action Medal.

· Staff Sgt. Dustin Helms, from Pine Bush, N.Y.: A business owner Helms received the Air Force Combat Action Medal.

· Staff Sgt. Vinh Taylor, from Vacaville, Calif.: A police officer, Taylor received the Air Force Combat Action Medal.

· Staff Sgt. Miguel Nin, from the Bronx: A New York State Corrections Officer, Nin received the Air Force Combat Action Medal.

· Senior Airman Justin Murphy, from Bergenfield, N.J.: A full-time employee of the Air National Guard, Murphy received the Air Force Combat Action Medal.

· Senior Airman Luis Giron, from Newburgh, N.Y.: A college student, Giron received the Air Force Combat Action Medal.

· Senior Airman David Smith, from Poughkeepsie, N.Y.: A technician at Best Buy, Smith received the Air Force Combat Action Medal.

· Senior Airman Adrian Torres, from Queens, a Metropolitan Transit Authority police officer, Torres received the Air Force Combat Action Medal.

The Air Force Combat Action Medal is awarded to members of the Air Force who actively engage the enemy with direct fire in ground operations.

The Bronze Star is awarded to acts of merit or for meritorious service in a combat zone.

The Purple Heart is awarded for wounds sustained during combat operations. The award of more than one medal indicates wounds sustained during two separate incidents.

Photographs from the award ceremony can be found here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nyng/sets/72157641815470755/

Agustin's promotion brings on new assignment

3/10/2014 - ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Col. Roy-Alan Agustin's selection to brigadier general is also bringing about a change in job.  His was one of several general officer assignments announced by the Air Force chief of staff March 7.

Agustin, Air Force Reserve Command civil engineer and deputy, Installations and Mission Support here, is being reassigned as director, Installations and Mission Support at Headquarters, Air Combat Command, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va.

Other general officer changes include:

Maj. Gen. Steven M. Shepro, director, operations, Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, Plans and Requirements, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C., to vice director, strategic plans and policy, J-5, Joint Staff, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

Maj. Gen. Theresa C. Carter, Air Force civil engineer, Deputy Chief of Staff, Logistics, Installations and Mission Support, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C., to special assistant to the commander, Air Force Materiel Command, Joint Base Andrews, Md.

Brig. Gen. Timothy S. Green, director, installations and mission support, Headquarters Air Combat Command, JB Langley-Eustis, Va., to director, civil engineering, Deputy Chief of Staff, Logistics, Installations and Mission Support, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

Brig. Gen. Steven D. Garland, commander, 36th Wing, U.S. Pacific Air Forces, Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, to vice commander, 14th Air Force, Air Forces Strategic, Air Force Space Command, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.

Col. Andrew J. Toth, selected for the grade of brigadier general, director, assignments and air expeditionary force operations, Air Force Personnel Center, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, to commander, 36th Wing, U.S. Pacific Air Forces, Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.

Dempsey: Fiscal 2015 Request Juggles Budget, Risks

By Jim Garamone

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Mar. 10, 2014 – It’s a fact of life that the depth of budget reductions and the draconian way they are applied will affect military readiness and increase risk, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said March 7 on the PBS “Newshour” program.

Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey told Judy Woodruff that “risks are beginning to accrue” and that it is imperative that the military get some sort of fiscal consistency for planning purposes.

The fiscal 2015 budget request would be a good place to start, he said. That budget supports the military strategy, and allows the department to plan for the future. Still, there are problems, the chairman said.

“Even at the budget level that has been submitted by the department, which is about $115 billion over the Budget Control Act, most commonly known as sequestration,” he said, “at that level we can still be the most powerful military in the world in 2020, which is about where we project out to.”

Under the budget request, there will be more than 1 million active duty service members, which rises to almost 2 million when the reserve components are included. “We have forward operating bases,” Dempsey said. “We have close, strong alliances. This is not a military in decline, nor will it be [in decline] at the level of budget we submitted.”

But if the Defense Department must implement the full sequestration reductions of the Budget Control Act in fiscal 2016, he added, “then we will have what I think would be too much risk.”

Budgeting one year at a time also imposes its own risks, the general said, because the government writ large tries to adapt to the future and to future budget realities each year, rather than by a plan. “We need to have the flexibility to be able to use the money that we’re given in a responsible way to build the joint force we need,” he said, “and right now I don’t know that we’re going to get that flexibility.

“If we are able to manage the budget in the way we’ve articulated in our budget submission, [if] we get flexibility we need, if we do that and live up to the promises that are actually articulated in the Quadrennial Defense Review, we will be able to manage this at moderate risk,” he continued. “If we don’t get that flexibility, the risk in certain areas becomes very high.”