SFS honors fallen defenders, heroes

by Heidi Hunt
45th Space Wing Public Affairs

5/14/2014 - PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Security Forces Airmen and law enforcement brothers and sisters, were honored during the Fallen Defenders' Ceremony May 13 as part of the 45th Security Forces Squadron's Opening Ceremony for Police Week at Patrick Air Force Base, Florida. Police Week is a time dedicated to remembering fallen law enforcement officers.

The ceremony honored the fallen officers who were more than just outstanding defenders; they were outstanding mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, aunts and uncles.

"Although we honor them in our own memories throughout the year, this week is devoted to paying special tribute to these men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice to protect and serve the citizens of this great country," said Maj. Nathan Puwalowski, 45th SFS commander. "We also honor their families who have shared the burden of that sacrifice."

Since the first known line of duty death in 1791, more than 19,000 American law enforcement officers have made the ultimate sacrifice, Puwalowski said in his speech. On average, one law enforcement officer is killed in the line of duty somewhere in the United States every 53 hours.

"Over the last decade, on average, there have been 59,000 assaults against law enforcement officers each year," Puwalowski added. "We also cannot forget the deadliest day in law enforcement history, September 11, 2001, when 72 officers were killed while responding to the worst terrorist attacks on the United States.

"In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week," he continued.

Every year since, tens of thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world converge at Washington, D.C. to participate in a number of planned events which honor those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice, according to Puwalowski's speech.

"We will continue the tradition today, and will honor our fallen Security Forces Airmen who have made such sacrifices," Puwalowski concluded.

Following Puwalowski's speech, Staff Sgt. Michael Blackmon read the names of each defender and Staff Sgt. Xavier Henderson, 45th SFS, rang the bell once. Each ring of the bell represents the words of President Kennedy's proclamation in 1962.

The attendees took a moment of silence to remember those who could not call on by name.

Prior to concluding the ceremony, members of the 45th Space Wing Honor Guard did a 21-gun salute and played Taps.

Blackmon extend a final special thanks to all law enforcement officers for their dedication, professionalism, and service to their country.

SkyFall exercise strengthens partnership, hones skills

by Michael Golembesky
21st Space Wing Public Affairs staff writer

5/14/2014 - PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo.  -- Peterson AFB rescue vehicles raced to an accident scene early May 8 in response to a plume of thick black smoke, normally a bad sign at an airport.

In this case, the smoke was from an aircraft crash scenario designed to test emergency response capabilities, part of the City of Colorado Springs multi-agency exercise called SkyFall.

The City of Colorado Springs, Peterson AFB, Fort Carson, El Paso County and many other agencies partnered during the SkyFall mass-casualty exercise. The exercise was designed to allow personnel to test and train on their procedures in response to a simulated aircraft crash.

"The exercise was an incredibly well orchestrated and integrated exercise that enabled the 21st Space Wing to showcase our primary fire, crash and medical response capabilities," said Col. Michael Burke, 21st Medical Group commander.

"In my 22-year career, this was the best and most challenging exercise I've seen involving multiple community organizations and a joint-military response. I think we all learned quite a bit as we worked thru the scenario. Most of all, we learned how much we need and can rely on each other as a community," said Burke.

"It was important for Peterson to take part in SkyFall to test, trial and evaluate Peterson's crash-fire-rescue response capabilities," said Master Sgt. Shannon Anderson, Peterson AFB Fire Emergency Services assistant chief of operations and exercise evaluator.

The exercise also tested the Colorado Springs Airport and Colorado Springs emergency services' crisis response capabilities in the event of a major aircraft incident, Anderson said.

The exercise was divided into two phases: a crash-site response near the Colorado Springs Airport; and a medical response with participants acting as patients in-processing at five local hospitals. About 140 "patients" in realistic makeup to simulate wounds were triaged and transported to area hospitals.

"A lot of invaluable experience was gained, truly testing and evaluating our collective community effort to effectively and efficiently mitigate and recover from a major incident," said Anderson.

Hospitals in the Colorado Springs area also took part in the SkyFall exercise when patients arrived at area hospital's emergency department by bus, helicopter and ambulance where they were assessed and treated by medical staff and personnel. Working as a collective team at all levels was the intent of SkyFall.

"Our relationship with the city and surrounding community is extremely important in all matters pertaining to emergency services--not only for these types of events--but for any potential emergencies that may arise and affect our community as a whole," said Anderson. "This exercise was another avenue to validate our strong and robust community emergency services response capabilities."

Testing communication, gaining experience and testing capabilities was the goal, but none of it would have been possible without the participation and willingness to learn from all of the agencies and personnel involved.

"I would like to thank all of our Peterson and Colorado Springs authority and emergency services responders that took part in an exercise of this magnitude. More than 900 responders and 46 vehicles took part in this exercise and executed it safely and efficiently," said Anderson.

Four-legged service members take bite out of crime

by By Airman 1st Class Samantha Saulsbury
460th Space Wing Public Affairs

5/15/2014 - BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo.- -- With leash in hand, Staff Sgt. Robert Aikins, 460th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, opens his passenger car door to allow his partner outside. Tail wagging, she jumps out and runs through a grassy field. After carefully circling the premises, she lies next to a spot on the ground she is sure will please her handler. "Good job girl! You did it!" Aikins yells exuberantly. The dog leaps up in excitement, lavishing in the praise of a job well done.

However, this isn't an ordinary afternoon stroll for the two. Jeja, 460th SFS MWD, is an active participant in narcotic and explosives detection training.

Despite looking soft around the edges, Buckley's military working dogs are anything but a house pet. These hardworking pups constantly hone their skills to sniff out drugs or explosives, while protecting the base from intruders.

The dogs have an extraordinary sense of smell. During a 120-day basic training program at Joint-Base Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, the dogs are trained to sniff out seven different odors at one time, capable of detecting miniscule amounts of nearly any substance--even in a sealed container.

"The MWD sense of smell is 45 times greater than a human," said Tech Sgt. Jeffrey Dausey, 460th SFS kennel master. "Nowhere on base is neutral; all areas are subject to search by the dogs."

Recently, Colorado legalized recreational marijuana. However, the possession, use and distribution of marijuana is still prohibited for all Department of Defense employees and is severely punishable under the Uniformed Code of Military Justice for military personnel.

"Just because marijuana is legalized in Colorado does not mean that you are able to bring it on base," said Staff Sgt. Robert Aikins, 460th SFS MWD handler. "Criminals may get away with hiding narcotics from others, but I can guarantee you won't get away with hiding it from our dogs."

The dogs are trained heavily to work as a team with their trainer or handler, creating an extraordinary relationship.

"There are no words to describe the happiness on a dog's face when the handler arrives for duty and they get ready to start the day," Dausey said. "The term 'man's best friend' truly represents this bond. The teams ride together, play together and deploy together. A dog can sense if his handler is stressed, tired or happy. Whatever the handler is feeling, it runs down the leash."

MWDs also provide a huge helping hand to security forces members during deployments. The dogs are deployed with their handlers to assist in overseas tasks.

"Deploying with a dog is like deploying with a two year old," Aikins said. "You have to feed them, bathe them, clean up after them and take care of them when they're sick, but they are a huge necessity to helping us. No one can truly understand the bond between an MWD and their handler."

The hard work and dedication of these loyal service members provide a force multiplier advantage to the Air Force, keeping the installation safe even during an ordinary afternoon stroll.

U.S. Air Force B-52 takes part in joint training at RAAF Darwin

Release Number: 010514

5/15/2014 - JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- The U.S. Air Force will send a B-52, operating from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, to Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin next week to take part in short term training with the RAAF and to participate in the planning conference for the Australian-run Exercise PITCH BLACK. The B-52 is assigned to Andersen AFB as part of U.S. Pacific Command and U.S. Air Force rotational presence in the Pacific.

These rotations enhance U.S. ability to train, exercise and operate with Australia and with other allies and partners across the region, further enabling the U.S. to work together with these nations to respond more quickly to a wide range of challenges, including humanitarian crises and disaster relief, as well as promoting security cooperation efforts across the region.

Decisions on future rotations remain under discussion.

For additional information, please contact Pacific Air Forces public affairs at 808-448-3226 or by e-mail at pacaf.paops@us.af.mil. Duty hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Hawaii Standard Time.

Dempsey, Fang Meet to Strengthen U.S.-China Military Relations

By Jim Garamone

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 15, 2014 – U.S. and Chinese military leaders had good discussions on subjects they agreed upon – such as North Korea – and subjects they didn’t – such as the South China Sea – during meetings at the Pentagon today.

Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, hosted his counterpart, Chinese Gen. Fang Fenghui, the chief of the General Staff of the People’s Liberation Army.

The meetings are designed to deepen the developing military-to-military relationship between the two nations.

Signs of progress abound. China is sending a ship to participate in this year’s Rim of the Pacific naval exercise. The exercise “fosters and sustains cooperative relationships, which of course, help avoid miscalculations and prevent conflict,” Dempsey said during a joint news conference with Fang. “The global maritime environment is simply too large, and too complex for any one nation,” the chairman added.

The two military leaders also discussed tensions in the South China Sea, and how provocative actions can lead to confrontation. “These issues need to be resolved through dialogue and international law,” Dempsey said. “We had a refreshingly frank and open discussion on our mutual concerns and differing opinions about the East China Sea, as well as the destabilizing effects, in our view, of North Korean actions.”

Dempsey said it is important for China to model great power by contributing to stability in the region. “And we committed to work with each other toward that end,” he added.

Fang vowed to continue building the relationship along a sound and stable track.

“It’s very important that we should all abide by the principle of nonconflict and nonconfrontation,” he said through a translator. “At present, the China-U.S. bilateral relations and military relationship have reached an important historical stage. In this context, it’s very important to further our bilateral ties and military relations.”

The men spoke about cooperation on counterterrorism and counterpiracy operations. They also discussed establishing a mechanism for mutual notification of major military activities and devising standards of behavior for air and sea military safety in a maritime domain, Fang said.

The two militaries also will conduct more humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercises.

At the headquarters level, the U.S. and Chinese militaries will establish a dialogue between their strategic planning departments and continue advancing the army-to-army dialogue mechanism. Both Dempsey and Fang mentioned an upgrade to the defense telephone they use to allow secure video teleconferencing with each other. In addition, they agreed to explore the possibility of conducting joint exercises and training in a third country, Fang said.

20th MDG recognizes nurses, technicians

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

5/15/2014 - SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C.  -- The 20th Medical Group reached out to show appreciation for its nurses and medical technicians May 6-12 in observance of Nurse and Medical Technician Week. This year's theme is "Transforming Health Care through Nursing Leadership."

"The 20th MDG delivers care through the model of a Patient Centered Medical Home," said Col. Curt Prichard, 20th MDG commander. "Our nurses and technicians are the foundation of the medical home and provide our patients with unmatched, compassionate care on a daily basis. Nurses and technicians are more than mission enablers; they are the team leaders for personalized patient engagement. It's a privilege to honor them in any way that we can."

Throughout the 20th MDG there are approximately 30 nurses and 70 technicians who provide care for the nearly 2,030 medical patient visits each week.

"Our mission as nurses and technicians is to support providers," said Senior Airman Phillip Salmans, 20th Medical Operations Squadron medical technician. "We ensure readiness for all military personnel on base, including 20th Fighter Wing, Ninth Air Force, and U.S. Air Forces Central Command Airmen, and U.S. Army Central soldiers."

Because technicians and nurses interface so often with patients, they are able to know their patients on a very personal level and focus on delivering the greatest level of care possible.

"Most rewarding about our job is seeing that patients are taken care of," said Tech. Sgt. Kathy Cooper, 20th MDOS Pediatric Clinic NCO in charge, "and seeing a smile on their face. It's a nice feeling to know you've helped someone."

For Cooper, the decision to join the medical career came from advice from her family. And it is advice that still rings true today, "the medical profession will never go away, it's always needed wherever you go," she said.

Nurses and medical technicians across the Air Force - Active Duty, Reserve, guardsmen, civilians and contractors - support servicemen and women across the globe and have been a part of the impressive strides in the field of nursing, especially in the deployed environment.

During the week, nurses and technicians were recognized with small tokens of appreciation. May 9, the 20th MDG hosted Col. Julie Stola, U.S. Air Forces Central Command deputy surgeon general and a Nurse Corps officer, for a group mentorship session where Stola shared her 24-years of Air Force medical experience with approximately 30 professionals.

"Once you are in a nursing or healthcare profession, you'll always be in it," she said. "The military gives us the opportunity to make, and participate in, medical history."

Stola ended with emphasizing that the medical professionals should strive for furthering educational experiences and "remembering your passion" for serving others.

National Nurses Week was first celebrated in 1954. It recognized the 100th anniversary of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing with her work in the Crimean War. Nurses week is an annual commemorative celebration that started in 1991.

NAVAIR Announces Participation in Upcoming Navy Career Fair

From NAVAIR Corporate Communication

PATUXENT RIVER, Md. (NNS) -- Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) announced their participation in the Department of the Navy's 4th Annual Wounded Warrior and Veteran Hiring and Support Conference scheduled for May 28-29 in Raleigh, North Carolina, May 15.

The first day of the free two-day conference, employers, human resources professionals, hiring managers and military leaders will discuss the benefits, challenges and resolutions to hiring and retaining wounded warriors and veterans.

There will also be opportunities to develop relationships between the private sector and military transition commands as well as network and share knowledge. Several wounded warriors and veterans will share their perspectives during a panel discussion.

Veteran Josh Ransford, one of those participants, found work after three Iraqi deployments and a medical discharge from the Marines in 2013.

"I had planned on making a 20-year or longer career [in the Marines], but some injuries I received limited my ability to serve in a military combative capacity," he said. "It was incredibly frustrating and intimidating knowing that I was forced into a very different world. I no longer had a career and was worried about how I was going to provide for my family."

Since January, Ransford has worked as a logistics intern at NAVAIR's Fleet Readiness Center Southeast in Jacksonville, Florida. "The biggest attraction to working for NAVAIR is that I can still support the warfighter," he said. "There is no monotony, and every day is different from the last."

The second day of the conference features the Hiring Heroes Career Fair with more than 60 federal agencies and private industry employers presenting job opportunities for wounded warriors, veterans and their spouses.

To register for the free conference, visit: http://www.navsea.navy.mil/WWemployment/default.aspx.

The Wounded Warrior and Veteran Hiring and Support Conference is sponsored by Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs; and co-hosted by Naval Air Systems Command; Naval Sea Systems Command; and Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command. DoN's Office of Civilian Human Resources, Navy Safe Harbor and the Defense Civilian Personnel Advisory Service are supporting the conference.

Navy Region Center Singapore Holds Change of Command

From Navy Region Singapore Public Affairs

SINGAPORE (NNS) -- Capt. Scott Murdock relieved Capt. Paul Foster as commanding officer, Navy Region Center Singapore (NRCS), during a change of command ceremony, May 15.

The guest speaker, U.S. Ambassador to Singapore, Kirk Wagar, lauded Foster's many accomplishments, including his sustained focus on improving installation facilities and services with available resources for the entire U.S. government community.

"You have improved the quality of life for all our military and State Department personnel deployed to Singapore," said the Ambassador. "We all know that this installation is the backbone of what we do overseas."

Over the past three years, Capt. Foster oversaw installation facilities, personnel and services, including improvements to housing, family support programs and morale, welfare and recreation. During his watch, the community's all hands Terror Club, Navy Exchange and Fleet Fitness Center became world class facilities. He also enhanced relationships with the host nation as well as other regional allies and partners in Singapore.

"While I might get a little credit for how far we've come, I cannot say enough about the people who work extremely hard each day to make our facilities and services in Singapore better," said Foster.

With more than 26 years of active duty service, Capt. Foster will continue his career in the Asia-Pacific region as the commanding officer of the Fleet Coordination Group assigned to Seventh Fleet in Yokosuka, Japan.

Capt. Murdock assumed command of NRCS following a tour as Operations Officer, Carrier Strike Group Three in Bremerton, Washington.

"It's an honor to serve as commanding officer here and to build upon the improvements already underway," said Murdock. "With your help, I look forward to making this installation even better."

While no U.S. base exists in Singapore, the U.S. Navy has leased facilities from the Singaporean government for several decades, and many U.S. ships, aircraft and personnel visit Singapore each year to rest, relax and reset. Today, the U.S. military community in Singapore includes active duty personnel, government civilians, family members, and local national employees distributed among 18 commands.

Established in 2007, NRCS provides administrative support to U.S. commands in Singapore and to visiting U.S., allied and partner navies. It also manages 165 family and bachelor housing units and dozens of command, administrative and warehouse facilities to support the operational readiness of active duty military personnel and their families.

Vice Adm. Copeman Visits Pearl Harbor

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Laurie Dexter, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West, Det. Hawaii

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- Commander, Naval Surface Force U.S. Pacific Fleet, Vice Adm. Tom Copeman visited Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH) during a tour, May 14.

During the tour Copeman conducted an all-hands call in addition to visiting the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Chosin (CG 65) and guided-missile destroyer USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93).

Copeman's visit comes in the wake of Chosin and Chung-Hoon being awarded the Battle "E" Efficiency award, which were presented in March 2014.

The visit gave Copeman an opportunity to talk with Sailors and address any concerns or issues they may have.

"It's always significant when you have a three-star admiral, our boss, coming aboard to address the crew," said Cmdr. Troy Fendrick, executive officer of USS Chosin. "It lets the crew know that our chain of command is engaged and that we do care about what it is we do and our future. I think it is critical that he does come aboard to identify any issues and concerns that the crew has."

Copeman's main focus was training efficiency when he spoke with the crew of Chosin on the flight deck of the ship.

"I think the chiefs are the center of gravity in leadership, training and education," said Copeman. "At the end of the day, we can have the fanciest gear in the whole wide world and the most advanced weapon systems, but if the people that we have on these ships don't know how to operate it and maintain it, all is lost and we've wasted all our money."

The ship's hard work and dedication to proper training played a major role in its receiving of the Battle "E" award.

"When the crew heard they were a Battle 'E' winner," said Fendrick, "the morale went up. Looking back at all the hard work they did, it just paid off. It was huge."

The Battle "E" can be presented to ships, submarines, aviation and other units and is given only to those that achieve the highest standards of battle readiness.

To win the Battle "E" a ship must excel and earn Excellence Awards in Maritime Warfare, Engineering/Survivability, Command, Control, Communications and Information Warfare, Logistics Management, and Ship Safety.